Kingdom of the Vamponies
“This way your highness.” The bat pony stallion directed with a sweeping point of his hoof and a polite bow of his head to which Princess Luna began to walk forward, Alex close at her side, and her two escorts coming up from behind.
Alex marveled at the glowing green crystals that lined the tunnel in hanging wall sconces, their glow gently illuminating their path as they continued on. As they went farther into the tunnel, it gradually became darker and darker until it reached a point to where Alex couldn’t see any more. Alex instinctively reached out to find the wall with his hand but couldn’t feel anything, “Princess Luna, I can’t see. Where are you?” He said quietly with a slight twinge of fear in his voice. “Fear not young Alex. I am here.” Luna responded in kind at the same time a gentile blue glow appeared where her horn was while at the same time another blue aura appeared around Alexs wrist. “Lay thy hand upon my back and I will guide you.” Alex didn’t struggle against her magic and did as he was told. The softness of her fur and heat from her body giving him some small reassurance that she was there.
How long they walked down said corridor, Alex could not tell, but he noticed, using his other senses, that the air was getting slightly cooler and a touch more damp. It wasn’t too much later that he could hear the faint roar of a waterfall in the distance which steadily grew louder as they continued. Soon the sound resonance changed, and Alex had the sense that they had just emerged into a great cavern. There were again, glowing green lights dotting the interior sky as if they were stars in the above ground world as well as seemingly floating in the midst of the darkness before him.
“Alex? What do you see?” Luna asked in a kindly tone.
“Green points of light. Almost like the fireflies of my world. It looks like stars at night.”
Princess Lunas voice came to Alex once again. “Alex, please remove your hand from my back.” While at the same time he felt her move away from him.
“Luna, I cant see you. Where are you going?” Alex said with a slight panic rising in his voice as he reached out into the darkness. “Fear not Alex, I am right here. Focus your eyes on my horn.” At the same time Luna lit up her horn.
Like a moth to a flame, his eyes were naturally drawn to the blue glow, at his right-hand side, emanated from the princesses horn. Lunas voice became almost hypnotic as she softly encouraged Alex to keep focused on her horn. He could feel Lunas magic gently wash over his person and settle around his face “Just keep looking at my horn. Stay focused on my horn. Everything is fine. You have nothing to fear. I will always be there for you. Just keep looking at my horn.” Lunas voice was very soothing, and Alex did as her voice, which suddenly seemed to be coming from everywhere, commanded. “Just keep watching… and now close your eyes.” Alex closed his eyes but questioned whether he had or had not because he could still see the blue glowing of her horn. It was then the azure glowing started to fade away to darkness, almost like an after image from looking too long at a bright light.
“Alex, now open your eyes slowly.” Princess Luna said. Again Alex did as he was told and the sight that met his eyes was absolutely astounding!
The cavern was vast! Giant stalagmites and stalactites hung from the ceiling and jutted up from the floor. A river of water wound its way through the town that was nestled in the center of the cavern. Two additional rivers ran around the outside perimeter of said town. If he were able to describe the site laid out before him, he would have to refer to Rivendell from the Lord of the Rings crossed with that of the legendary city of Atlantis, but heavily modified to suit the bat ponies that lived there. Towards the far end stood another castle like structure. But instead of it being all white and brightly colored, like the Canterlot Castle, it was decked out in blues, blacks and purples. On the tallest spire, there was a crescent moon and way off in the distance he could see another cavern that housed what seemed to be an impressive waterfall.
“Who?… What?… How?... When did you turn on the lights? Just look at this place! It’s ASTOUNDING! As he laid eyes on each one of the bat ponies around him, his eyes finally landing on the Night Princess.
“Alex, it is still pitch dark in here. I cast a Night Vision spell upon your eyes. Now you can see what my Children of the Night see… What I can see.” She said and smiled coyly at him. “Welcome Alex. Welcome to the Night Realm!” she said in a rather theatrical voice as she swept her forehoof in a broad gesture towards the towns panorama.
“Come along Alex. Let us enter the town and have a look around. Sargent, lead on.”
“Yes my princess. As you wish. This way please.” The sergeant motioned toward a nearby stone bridge.
Alex was in awe of the sight laid out before him. Crossing the bridge, Alex found himself on the outskirts of the town. Everywhere he looked he could see bat ponies flying and walking, going about their daily (nightly?) routines. There were Bat ponies selling and buying fruits from the various vendors pedaling their wares, a vendor selling a red-looking liquid in wine bottles, a big burly looking blacksmith using his wings and hooves to hammer away at a metal project by using his wings bones like a humans fingers. Alex noticed that it looked as if he had burned a few holes in the membrane of his wings. No doubt due to the sparks that flew off his brightly glowing work. Bat pony children ran and flew about playing with each other laughing and giggling as they played.
As the entourage made its way up the cobblestone streets towards the castle, all present stopped whatever they were doing and bowed before their Night Princess. A few of the little ones either ran up or flew up to the princess excited to see her. All of them completely and innocently oblivious to the proper decorum that should be directed to royalty. Princess Luna would greet each one of them, asking them their names and giving them a kindly smile and gentile nuzzle to which each would squee and giggle at the attention she gave them.
Alex smiled at the little ones antics but soon found that he was starting to draw more attention to himself. The little ones, ever innocently curious, flew up or walked up to Alex and looked him over.
And the question bombardment began. Alex tried to answer them all as best as he could before they started landing on his shoulders, back, and head going from being a human to being a living jungle gym. Princess Luna covered her mouth with her hoof to hide a giggle that came forth from the foals playing with Alex.
Alex, being the good-natured human he was, was gentile with the little ones while playing with them.
“Come along Alex, We have much to see and little time to see it.” Then turning to the foals, “I’m sorry everyone. It was good to see you again but we must be off now.” All the colts and fillies let out a combined “AAWW!” and gave her their best puppy dog eyes as they left. “Do not worry little ones. We will return again soon. And you may play with Alex here some more if you like, ok?”
“Ok Princess Luna.” They all said in unison and off they scampered or flew.
“Cute little crib lizards.” Alex quietly said to himself.
“Alex. They’re ponies not lizards.” Luna said with a raised eyebrow.
“It’s an expression on my world used as a term of endearment for small children.”
“Is that so?” Luna questioned. “Hmm.” And left it at that as they went on their way.
Alexs head was on a swivel as he took in his surroundings. Luna discreetly would look over at him and smile as she noticed the wonder in his eyes, something akin to what she witnessed when she showed him her talent as princess of the night.
As they walked through the town, they eventually ended up at the gates of the castle. Two guards were standing at attention at the entrance. The small entourage that had been escorting consisting of the Sargent, Princess Luna, Alex, and her two escorts that had flown with them to the mountain kingdom. Entering the castle, Alex once again marveled at its interior and its architecture. It was as if the whole castle was night themed and upon entering the throne room there were again, two thrones for the two royal sisters. It looked to be a duplicate of the throne room in Canterlot Castle with the exception that it was more night themed. Tapestries hung behind and above each throne showing the cutie marks of its rulers. Inside there were several bat ponies that looked to be some sort of nocturnal nobility. A batpony announcer suddenly cried out. “HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS LUNA! RULER OF THE NIGHT…! And then a long list of praises and accolades followed. As they walked down the red carpet in the center of the room, all present looked with curiosity at the tall two legged creature that walked closely by the night princesses side while others looked at him rather hungrily. The looks on their faces was not lost on Alex and he moved slightly closer to Luna. Luna picked up on his growing nervousness and softly spoke.
“Fear not Alex. You are safe with me. Nothing will happen to you. Stay by my side.” Luna walked up to the thrones on the raised dais with Alex following close by her side.
“My Lords and Ladies. Fillies and Gentilecolts. My Children of the Night. How happy I am to see you again on this most wondrous night. No doubt you have seen the tall creature standing at my side. His name is Alex. He is what is called a human.” Quiet murmurs spread out through the assembly at the princesses’ announcement. The princess continued. He is from a faraway land and he is my friend. As such he is under the protection of the Crowns. No harm is to come to him! He is to be welcomed with open hooves. This is the will of myself and my sister and as such is beyond contestation!” All present bowed their heads at the night princesses’ words. “Guards.”
“Yes my princess.” the door guards at the end of the hall said as they both snapped to attention. “Please escort my friend to the royal dining hall and see that he is well taken care of. After which see to it that he is escorted around the Night Kingdom, that he may learn of us and from us.” Then turning to Alex she spoke in a calm voice. “Alex, go with these guards, I am betting you are a little hungry after our journey. I have some matters to attend to here for a while. I will find you once I am finished here.”
Alex bowed respectfully and spoke. “I serve at the pleasure of the Moon and the Sun.” As he walked down from the thrones and to the other end of the throne room. The assembled ponies’ eyes followed him out as the doors closed with a low rumble that echoed throughout the hall. The princess was caught off guard a little but managed to keep her composure. Those present were stunned that a foreign creature would show such respect to their princess.
-*-
“This way sir.” One of the vampony guards gestured.
Alexs head was, once again, on a swivel, taking in the sights. The night realm castle was lit up by flaming braziers along the hallways and corridors. Along the walls there were paintings tapestries, and portraits of Princess Luna, Celestia, and various famous batponies and events from their history. One painting caught his eye in particular and he stopped in front of it. His escorts halted when they didn’t hear his footsteps behind them. They turned to look at their guest to see him carefully observing the painting before them. Each came back to stand on either side of him and also looked at the painting before them.
“This painting depicts the battle between the two sisters long ago and the banishment of our beloved night princess and her one thousand year slumber.” One of the guards spoke with reverence. “We have been very happy that she has come back to us since then and that the two sisters have mended their differences between them.”
“I am familiar with the story.” Alex said. Both guards looked at Alex with a surprised expression on their faces. How is it you know of out princess’ history? I thought you were new to our land?”
“It’s a long story. Something I will let Princess Luna tell as it is her right should she feel so inclined.” Alex replied.
“Say no more. We understand sir.” And with that they dropped the subject. “Follow us please. Let get you something to eat.”
“Thank you good sirs. Please lead on.” He said with a smile.
It wasn’t too much further and soon all three arrived at the royal dining hall. Upon entering, Alex found a seat and soon a waitress emerged from the kitchen. What may I get you, OH! Who is this?” she suddenly said in shocked surprise as she spied Alex sitting quietly in his chair.
“This is a guest of the princess. He is here for some food. Treat him well. After he is done, please inform us and we will escort him back to the throne room One Wing.”
Suddenly one of the guards let out a yawn.
“Isnt it past your shifts now?” One Wing asked with a bit of concern.
“It is but we are under orders.”
“Oh pish posh. You two look as if you are both about to fall over from exhaustion. Off to bed with you both. I will see to it personally that he is safe and sound and that he gets back to the princess in good order.” The guards tried to protest but One Wing would have none of it. “Come now. Off to bed with you both or you won’t get your favorite food tomorrow evening!” And with that she shooed them out of the room. Once the door had closed she turned around and approached Alex, then asked. “Now what can I get you to eat?” She said while licking her lips and giving Alex a somewhat seductive look and fanged smile.