The whispers of a race thought to be extinct over two hundred years ago has resurfaced from their alleged hallowed return. Two Earth Pony explorers, Geronimo and Dr. Terra have been looking into their rumored return for the last decade.
Legend tells of Bat Ponies that existed over two hundred years ago, which are now declared extinct. But yet the legend's cry has been heard again, and the rumors have began to swirl around the subject once more. The way of life for this hybrid race is unusual, though expected considering the predicament they were and are continuing to be in. The race is now on its last breaths, as one small colony is still thought to have continued to survive. Why did the Bat Pony race diminish over two hundred years ago? What could have caused such an unfortunate event? You will embark on a journey with two close-bonded explorers. Geronimo and Dr. Terra have looked into the phenomenon for over a decade from speculation and rumors all across Equestria of their rumored return.
Half of the credit on this story goes to Umi Chou on Fimfiction.
It is said that a hybrid race known as the Bat Pony’s, allegedly disappeared over two hundred years ago from existence within Equestria, and nopony knows why for sure. Only one out of ten Bat Ponies were able to successfully reproduce within their populous during their existence, which played a crucial factor in their survival. Many of them were not appreciated, some of them obviously and notoriously known for making noises within the night. However they tend to stay around the caves and forested regions all across the kingdom. When they realized that their race was being threatened by extinction, they did not know what to do. When things seemed critical to the dwindling race, one of the males of a nearby colony approached Princess Celestia at nightfall. The male bat pony (or pony) came from an ancient cave now lost to the ages. He begged her for assistance for the aid he asked of her, she sadly declined; Knowing that some of their race was notorious for thievery…a few bad apples spoiled the bunch.
After the male had returned, and with much of the colony anticipating the good news, he stated to them that they needed to continue to sustain themselves as best as they could. Many of the colony asked him why she declined, he did not answer.
So as the decades passed on, less and less of them were being seen and heard at night. The screeching and other noises they did had come to a mute within the chilly night air. Then one day, after realizing how long it had been since Celestia had even heard anypony breath a word about them, she grew a little concerned now. She sent scouts to scan as many of the caves and forests as they possibly could within Equestria. They came back to her after months of searching, not a single soul could be found after all of those decades passing by. After another twenty years had passed, it was then let known that they were no longer an existing race of Equestria anymore, and were therefore declared extinct.
So from that day on, nopony has seemed to have ever heard them since then, but rumors however carry on the legend, claiming that if you go into the Everfree Forest at night, you can hear the faint noises of a distinct screech coming from a Bat Pony within the forest. Some accounts of explorers even suggest they still live deep within the Everfree Forest as the last rumored place to contain such a hybrid.
So the story now takes place within present day Equestria, as two Earth Pony explorers who have been the best of friends since they were little, are currently on an expedition to determine whether or not the rumors about the Everfree Forest are true. Could it really sustain such a race anymore? If so, how have they managed? A stallion by the name of Geronimo, who has been studying the Bat Pony phenomenon for over a decade, as well as his best friend, Dr. Terra…or as she’s known by Geronimo as, “Pris” from her full name Prismatic Terra. The two of them stumble upon something that will change the meaning of the word “hope” forever. Will their search finally come to an end after ten years?
There was a nip in the air at the time of night it was, three in the morning, and not a moment too soon. Geronimo could’ve sworn he heard the noises the locals have been talking about. A Bat Pony’s screech is more distinct than a regular bat, much louder that’s for certain.
“Psst! Hey…Pris, you hear that?” stopping her in place right next to him.
“What, your stomach?” she chuckled.
Stopping that moment in the Everfree Forest was like time had stopped, nothing could be heard for a while now. They heard rustling within some of the trees as they proceeded through the thick vegetation, but couldn’t make out as what it could’ve been? Geronimo then brought out his map stowed away in his hat, and quickly spreading it across the mildly damp forest floor.
“You’re going to ruin our map you know right?” Dr. Terra situated her glasses a bit.
*Grumble*
Geronimo’s stomach could be heard then growling, the echo being carried through the dense forest.
“You’re hu-”
“Dang it Pris I know I’m hungry! I haven’t eaten for almost a whole day now.” him unaware of how just loud he spoke at that moment.
“Well I have some snacks i packed if y-”
“I’m fine, I’ll eat when I find the rumored location.” He interrupted her again.
For another hour they continue into the darkness with nothing but a torch lighting their way. Timberwolves wouldn’t bother to mess with them, since they were afraid of fire.
As they ventured further into the forest however, something didn’t seem right.
“Is this place even documented? I don’t even know where the heck we are?” Geronimo states looking all around him, but nothing signifying they were into uncharted territory yet, making Pris feel a bit uneasy now.
“Um…Gero?” she called him for short.
“Yes, something wrong?” pointing the torch back in her direction now.
“Do you have a feeling, well…” she then looked back off into another direction.
“Like we’re being watched? Pfft, that happens everywhere we go Pris, hah!”
“I know but this time just feels so…different. Don’t you feel it too?”
With her saying this, it caused him to stop and take a closer look around them.
“Yeah you’re right, it’s not like the feeling we’ve gotten before.” He replied.
Just as he said this, a rustle could be heard in one of the trees just up ahead of them.
“What the?!” he shined the torch over to the area where the noise was coming from, but he was too late as for what it could have been.
“Let’s keep moving forward okay? This is getting kind of weird. Do your little glasses adjustment thingy you always do and let’s move on.”
“Ahem? I beg your pardon?”
“Oh…sorry, I could’ve sworn that a big shadowy figure was right behind me, probably just my imagination.” He replied to her again.
“Hmph, I was going to scan this small area over here.” She gestured.
“But sure, let’s keep-.” She was then interrupted by him again, as she felt a firm grab on her tail.
“Mother of Celestia!” he yells out, barely keeping himself balanced, but losing it immediately afterward.
“What are you- WAAAAAAH!!!” she and he end up then falling into a deep waterhole, luckily missing some sharp rocks that guarded the entrance and parts of the hole on the way down. The waterhole was luckily deep enough for them both so they wouldn’t be injured on the way down.
With them both coming back up to resurface, Geronimo spews out water all over Dr. Terra’s face, causing her to lose her glasses again just as she managed to barely keep them on.
“Oh…my bad.” He stares off whistling in another direction.
“No comment Geronimo, you are truly a brave explorer. One who fearlessly grabs onto tails and takes them with you to places they have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHERE THEY ARE!” she raises her voice, causing a long extended echo throughout the supposed empty place.
“Um wait a sec…you just echoed?”
“Duh, of course I…wait a moment, I did echo didn’t I? I didn’t know we were in a cave? It’s just so dark down here, I can’t see my hoof in front of my face.” Their chatter continuing as they paddle around the waterhole, trying to find land until…
“Wait…do you hear something?” he stopped, as he luckily managed to feel wet rocky land.
“If it’s your stomach again, I could care less.” Dr. Terra replied in the total darkness.
“Well…okay that too, but…uh oh.”
With that said, they hear what sounded like a huge swarm of bats heading straight towards them, but sounding like it was coming from all directions.
“Aw heck naw!” Geronimo now starting to freak out as to what would happen to them next.
But Dr. Terra didn’t do anything really, but simply waded in the water, and listened to the sound.
“Wait a second, that doesn’t sound like no ordinary bat, it sounds…larger!” she says within her mind.
“Gero? I don’t think these are ordinary bats, they sound a lot larger.”
“Oh great, pony sized pony eating bats, what’s gonna happen next huh?! Am I gonna become a kabob for them too?!”
Simple lamps to their big surprise, illuminate the entire area from where they’re currently in, and what they see drive them to nothing more than speech impediments…or for Geronimo that’d be the case anyhow.
“B-b-b-bat p-p-p-ponies?!?” Geronimo’s hoof shivers as it points at them. Full of shock, seeing all of those amber eyes directly locked onto the two of them in curiosity, but also full of unthinkable excitement that what they both came for after all of these-
“Quiet narrator! We just made history here you know!” Dr. Terra exclaims.
All of the Bat Ponies stared at the two of them as they carefully got out of the water, and onto the dry rocky land under them.
“Why are they staring at us?” Geronimo whispered.
“Well they are in fact Bat Ponies overall, they honestly look a lot cuter than I expected. Just look at these adorable little ones over here!” Terra said happily, pointing straight to a few Bat Pony children.
Two of them were fillies, and another one was a colt. They would be the last of their race if the rest ended up dying off. The teenagers, though still only a few of them, actually seemed to be a bit curious towards the two surface world ponies. They descended from a ledge silently, and slowly crept towards Geronimo and Dr. Terra.
“Interesting…they appear to be curious about us? But the youngest ones appear a little frightened. I don’t see any adults yet either?” Terra thought.
“I hope they don’t make a meal of us Pris.” Geronimo said.
Wanting to facehoof herself, knowing that Geronimo seemed to have forgotten what she told him just days before in order to refresh his memory.
“They eat fruit and vegetables, remember? They’re just like us…we don’t eat meat.”
“Oh yeah I forgot…” his voice fading off, as he placed a hoof under his chin thinking of something else.
Terra knew that sometimes Geronimo had his dumb moments. His remarks and unwise actions would make her giggle to herself just thinking about the situation every now and again.
“Yeah he-he…you forgot, silly.” She poked her hoof into his side.
After then focusing back onto the Bat Ponies in front of them both, they then noticed what implied to them as the adults. The assumed adults were noticed flying over some of the children, and then resting on ledges. They however seemed to not stare at Geronimo and Terra in a kind manner, but rather one out of a grudge.
“Your kind are not welcome here, leave this cave now!” one of the males spoke up.
“Eh-he-he…I’m afraid we can’t do that sir.” Geronimo replied.
“Oh? Then why would it be so hard for you to? Either that, or we have our own little ways of disposing your type.” The male said closer to them, as he got off of the ledge making his way to them in the air.
“Um…I fell in a hole with sharp rocks apparently guarding parts of the entrance. The hole has no way for ponies like me to get back out; we’re stuck down here with all of you! But man was it a score, wooo!” Geronimo still feeling excited that the rumors were true, and that Bat Ponies still existed.
“I do apologize for his stupidity at the moment.” said Dr. Terra.
“Hey, not cool Pris!” Geronimo added.
“Both of you quiet! We have been fine without your kind helping us, and we plan to keep it that way.” The male Bat Pony stated to her with a look of disdain.
“Well to my perspective, along with the research me and my best friend here have conducted for the last decade…the Bat Pony race is on its last breaths as we speak.” Terra then looked back at the male’s piercing eyes.
“Well it’s just…so what? We’ll be fine, now go!” as he turned away from them. His wings about to lift off, as if they were to take flight
“Our research has led us to many discoveries sir. There is a small possibility that we can help you save your race, but we just need some time.” Dr. Terra points out.
“Oh you’ll get time…take them away!” he shouted pointing his hoof back at her.
With him saying that, four adults quickly surround them.
“Oh my gosh…this is it isn’t it? SWEET CELESTIA WE’RE GONNA DIIIIE!” Geronimo shouted out, as he lifted his front hooves in the air dramatically.
“Shut him up!” the male stated, feeling already annoyed by him.
A Bat Pony then takes him by surprise, and knocks him out by hitting the back of his head with a strong punch.
“Gero!” Terra runs after him concerned, but being stopped by Bat Ponies then swooping her up, and taking her away.
Later, in the naturally made cell the two of them were kept away in.
“Gero, can you please wake up?” nudging him, but no response. He apparently from the looks of it got hit pretty sudden and awfully hard. Considering he had a thick skull all his life, it must’ve taken a good bit of force to put out such a blow to his head.
Time continued to pass, as her and Geronimo lay there in the cell together. She began to now feel worried, worried as for what they might do to them. She looked back over to Geronimo’s body still lying on the cold rock floor.
She let out a sigh, trotting over to her friend, and lay down next to him.
“To think they would hate us as much as they do.” She sniffed, as a tear began forming in her eye.
“We just wanted to help is all, but they’re too caught up in their old ways or something.” she added.
She stopped herself and wiped her eyes, as she saw a small little Bat Pony filly carefully approach the cell she was in. Slowly and cautiously with each step, the little pony’s hooves made it to their destination.
Terra looked back at the filly, as it froze in place once she was eye to eye with it. Terra even found the little filly looking awfully adorable with those eyes and bat-like characteristics.
“Awe you da wady who want to hewp us?” the small filly asked. Ever so adorable from the way it talked at its young age, Terra wanted to get closer to it, but not wanting to take any chances of it backing away from her.
“Yes little one, me and my fwend- I mean friend are here to help your race.”
“What’s a wace?” it asked her curiously with its head titled to the side, as it got a little closer to her. Continuing to stare at her the closer it got to her cell, it ended up being right next to the natural rock formed bars around her.
“A race is what a Bat Pony is. A Bat Pony is a different kind of pony, and that makes it a race of its own.” She smiled back.
“Am I a wace?” it hopped once in place smiling, causing its wings to flap for a brief second.
“You’re a Bat Pony little one, of course you’re a race.” Terra’s heart seemed to melt with the adorable sight of this little form of life. Utterly curious with Terra’s different looks than her own, as the filly had never seen anything like it in her life.
“Oh wight…I fowgot, sowwy.” The small filly replied, backing up a step or two.
“What your name, hm?” Terra was now trying to get on the pony’s good side as much as she could, so she could know more about their race. Though heart crushingly adorable, the little Bat Pony didn’t know very much about life among the cave. It looked down at the floor, making a little circle with its hoof as it replied.
“I’m…Echo.” It kept looking down to the floor, as it felt a bit shy.
“That’s a good name Echo, I like that name. Who named you that?”
“I don’t know my weal daddy or mommy.” A sad look began to form on her face as she then looked back at Terra. She had never known what it was like to have real parents. She was given birth to, but the supposed last fertile female for the Bat Pony race had given birth to this one. Echo was the youngest out of everypony else in the cave, which she considered home. Her dad died of an illness from a fruit that was supposedly safe to eat in the Everfree Forest. He later ended up getting poisoned just days before Echo’s birth, and died painfully.
“I’m sorry Echo…but hey, have you been a good pony though?” she asked her kindly.
“Yeah! Dey say I da sweetest one…but I not sweet?”
“They’re talking about your personality Echo.” She giggled at the adorable filly, and its efforts to understand.
“What’s your name?” Echo asked.
“I’m Dr. Terra.”
“What’s persatawity mean?” she tilted her head to the side curiously.
Their conversation was then halted by a male Bat Pony coming back to check on the prisoners.
“What are you doing in here Echo? Get away from her!” he said.
“But dis da nice pony who wants to hewp us, she said so…wight miss Tewwa?”
Terra said nothing, and lightly nodded in return back to her. She then quickly turned her head facing the male.
The male then looked back at her with wonder, and then asked her a question as he brought Echo in a bit closer to him.
“I know our male leader Moon Fang, wanted you here, but why did he do that if you were here to help us?” he asked.
“Me and my best friend here Geronimo, have been researching your race for the last decade. We’ve read all the books, looked at all the documents, and pieced together all of the rumors. Also, we even managed to get a hair sample of your kind from a museum too.” She stated with a squee.
“A what?” he wondered.
“Never heard of museums have you? I understand…” she looked off into another direction.
“Well if you have a way of helping us, and if what you say is true, I’m going to see what Moon Fang thinks. I’ll try to convince him to let you go, and perhaps talk to you and your…uh…” he then stops himself looking at Geronimo lying on the floor still.
“My semi friend for now?” she added.
“Yeah, that…well I’ll be right back okay? I’m going to ask him if he’ll give you another chance. But if he doesn’t it’s still pretty valid with how his bloodline is. His great-great-grandfather even tried talking to Celestia to help save our race…and she declined! Can you believe it?! I mean really, what kind of ruler would do that?”
“I wasn’t alive then, so I have no idea.” She shrugged.
“Well I’ll be right back okay?” he then spread out his wings and flew right off and out of the room.
Terra scanned the room for Echo and couldn’t find her.
She then looked up at the ceiling and noticed Echo was upside down above her in the room.
“Oh my, you startled me a bit.” Terra smiled.
“Hewwo mis Tewwa, I heawd evewything up here!”
“I’m sure you did Echo, good job!” She giggled.
“Yay! But no sewiouswy…what’s a Tewwa? Echo asked again curiously.
Dr. Terra and Geronimo still sat within the naturally made cell, which was quite strange considering how caves are created. But, Dr. Terra considered, the bars were no coincidence. It just truly hinted how old this cave was.. and the fact that their cell was surrounded by another layer of rock making it more into a room, just made it even more so.
As she sat, Geronimo still laid beside her. He was starting to snore now, and she could just facehoof herself.
Yet, at the moment, she had Echo for company. She watched in fascination at the young bat pony which hanged from the ceiling. It's amazing that they finally found the bat pony race.. only for them to lock her and her best friend up.
“Heh,” she giggled, as she heard Echo's question,” well, you see that's a part of my name. “
“Yowr name? Like how I'm Echo?”
“Yes, but different. I'm Dr. Terra.” She says, trying to explain it to her.
“What's a doc-t-wor?” She asks next, just barely pronouncing the word.
“Well, it can be many things... it just depends which doctor you're talking about. There are doctors who know the field of medicine, I mean.. uhm, they know about medicine. There are doctors that study other things, too. Does.. that make sense?” Dr. Terra said, slowly looking back up at the young bat pony. She was awfully young, after all.
Echo just blinked,” No.”
Dr. Terra simply paused, giggling a bit. “Right, I suppose not.”
Echo just smiled as she wrapped her wings around her body.
“Well.. let's go back a topic. Names, like before. Who was that earlier?” Dr. Terra asks.
“Who was who, miss Tewwa?” Echo says, tilting her head.
“That male bat pony who stopped us earlier..?” She says, trying to describe it.
Echo blinks before nodding her head. “Oh! Dat was Tawge.”
“Tawge?” Dr. Terra repeats, no doubt that wasn't how you pronounced his actual name. Heh, she just smiled.
“Tawge is my older bwother!” Echo says excitedly, before pausing... “Well, not weally. But he is.” She says, starting to nod her head again.
“I see...” Dr. Terra says in reply, slightly curious as to why. Though, if Echo tried to explain, she would have to translate a few words. Maybe, even more than a few.
Meanwhile, while Targe flew to Moon Fang's home...
I can't believe Echo.. she needs to be more careful. But, if she believes that they're willing to help... then I'm willing to do what it takes. He thought to himself, as he flew through out the cave.
He was on his way to where Moon Fang lived, which was a part of the cave where most of the adults lived as well. He wasn't sure how to approach him, but he had to. For Echo.
He hadn't known Echo for long, and when he first met her she was a young foal. He recalls how Echo always attached herself onto him as if he was her favorite toy. Remembering it now... brought back many memories...
Moon Fang stood above the young foal, Echo, and a younger Targe. He turned towards Targe, staring deep into his eyes. “Echo must be taken care of, and protected. She's the youngest of our colony, and the most vulnerable. You must be at her side, Targe. You must protect her from our enemies, and teach her our ways.. Do not even, for a moment, think about leaving her side – do you understand?!”
“Yes, sir!” Targe said, saluting Moon Fang.
“Good.” Moon Fang uttered, leaving the two for one of the many meetings between him, and the other adults.
The young foal Echo simply sat beside him, looking up at him curiously. Targe looked over towards her, and bent down next to her.
“Hello..I'm Targe.” He says, introducing herself.
“Tawge?” Echo repeated in reply.
“No, Targe. It means--” He stopped, looking around. Suddenly he could feel they were being watched.
“Stay behind me, Echo!” He says quickly taking guard.
Piercing green eyes could be seen from the distance, and howls could be heard soon after.
Echo began to cover her ears from the howls, being able to hear it louder thanks to her bat ears; so could Targe, too, though he kept an eye on them.
Soon, timberwolves began to surround them. Two of them drooling as their eyes were set on Echo. No doubt wanting her as their next meal.
Targe lifted Echo onto his back, and didn't need to tell her to hold on tight as her arms wrapped around his neck. He starts to shriek at them, and stands strong against them.
The same two from before launched at him first, their claws drawn at him.
Targe blocked off one, but the other one hit his chest. He shifted around and kicked his hoofs into the one that struck him which sent it flying into the air soon after. A small whine following suite.
He then shrieked at the timberwolves again, this time louder.
All of them continued to surround them, and Targe knew he couldn't fight them all off. He had to get Echo back to the cave where they'd be safe.
He began to back away slowly before taking a run for it. His wings folding out as he began to take flight. He could hear the timberwovles run after him, but didn't notice that one jumped after.
The timberwolf gripped at his hoof, throwing off his flight as he staggered a bit. Echo, on Targe's back still, tried shrieking at him to get off. Yet, Targe handled it as his other hoof kicked the timberwolf's paw. The timberwolf giving off a similar whine as the other one as he released his grip.
Targe looked back to see the pack had given up on the two of them, and flew back to the cave. He landed once they were safe, and sat Echo down.
“Are you okay..?” He said gently, checking around her small foal body.
Echo simply looking up at him as she giggled.
Targe looked into her eyes, and at that moment he knew his purpose. A small glimmer came across his side, as his cutie mark appeared.“I swear..I'll always be here for you, Echo. I..will protect you!”
Echo only giggled once more, soon poking his nose. “Tawge!”
That was only a few years ago, yet their time together past that seemed so much longer. He was the one that took care of her, including teaching her to fly. She still has so much more to learn.
Targe shook his head, seeing the flags up ahead. These flags symbolized the adult part of the cave, and soon he approached one of the guards.
“Halt! Who goes?” The guard yelled, blocking his path.
“I am Targe, I'm here to see Moon Fang.” He says, trying to get past him.
The guard attempted to cut him off once more, but Targe quickly avoided him this time. He didn't have time to argue as to why he had to see Moon Fang. Not this time.
Targe flew past a few of the homes of the adults before reaching Moon Fang's. He slowed himself to where he could land, yet paused when he heard something.
“I don't want.... their type...... immediate at once!”
He could barely make out what they were saying, but he knew it had to be about those two. He quickly entered without a second thought.
“No! You must understand... they're here to help us. I've seen them, and they know of our race!” Targe said, defending them as best he could.
His eyes looked around, seeing Moon Fang speaking with one of the adults. The two almost glare at him for interupting.
“You are dismissed...” Moon Fang mutters, towards the adult.
The adult bat pony leaves, but gives Targe one last glare before departing.
Moon Fang, on the other hand, turned to not face Targe.
“Targe... what do you know of them?” He says, his wings folding beside him.
“I know... that they know much about us. They said that they've been researching our kind, and apparently collecting our hair...” He mutters the last part, not sure if he should have mentioned it.
Moon Fang took a moment to respond before looking back to him. “Hmm.. we must learn what they know of us. Their knowledge is the same as of our enemies... I want you, and a few others to take them around the cave. They'll reveal what they know, and we will know where they lie. “
“Where they lie... but, sir, they're here to help.” Targe says, trying to support them.
“Am I understood!?” He exclaimed, stomping his hoof.
“... Yes, sir.” Targe says, slowly opening his wings as he leaves. His wings beating against the wind to hurry back to the cell.
Moon Fang watched as he left, soon stroking his beard. “... perhaps they will learn of us, as well?”
Later, back at the cell...
Dr. Terra and Echo had talked amongst themselves for quite sometime, most of which was spent with Dr. Terra answering Echo's questions.
“No, no.. that shouldn't be done at all.” She says, giggling at Echo. Echo laughing along, too.
Yet, both stopped as they heard someone approach...
Echo was the first one to hear it, as she quickly hid on the ceiling. Dr. Terra only heard moments after, and tried to stand up to see who it was.
One of the adult bat ponies flew in, and his figure could be seen in the distance. He landed in front of the cave and gave Dr.Terra a look of disdain.
“What... do you want?” She asks, a little hesitant of the answer.
“A break!” He answers in reply as he groans, tossing a basket of fruit towards the cell.
Dr. Terra simply blinked, looking down at the food. “Well then, thank you. I suppose it is dinner time by now...”
“Wow, vis is vome vood stuff!” Geronimo said, as he stuffed his face with juicy fruits of all kinds. The juices trickling down the sides of his mouth, along with the expression on his face made Dr. Terra giggle at him.
“Still got the stomach you’ve always had, you haven’t changed one bit.” Dr. Terra added.
“Nope.” He replied back, almost choking on a piece of fruit just then.
Echo stared in amazement at how much fruit he was managing to eat in just a matter of seconds…literally.
“…He’s weally hungwy.” She says to Dr. Terra, as those little eyes continue to be locked on Geronimo’s face out of amusement.
“He’s been like that ever since we first met. He lets his stomach sometimes do the talking on how he feels.”
Echo having no idea what that meant, began laughing at him.
“He’s funny, I wike him!” she laughed, Dr. Terra noticing those cute tiny fangs in Echo’s mouth as she laughed out loud.
Geronimo then stopped himself momentarily, realizing that Dr. Terra had made herself a new friend.
“This a new friend of yours Pris? She’s adorable!” he smiled to Echo as he took another bite of one of the fruits. Having to slow himself down now or he’d end up getting a stomachache.
“As a matter of fact yes Gero, she’s the youngest of the entire colony. Her name is Echo, say hi Echo…”
“Hewwo mister.” She smiled, looking away a little bit out of shyness.
“Oh wow, she’s not as afraid of us like those other younglings are. Perhaps she hasn’t been raised like they have?” he insisted.
“Hmm…there’s that possibility.” Dr. Terra placing a hoof under her small chin hypothesizing.
“Um…hey there Echo, Would you like something to eat?” Geronimo then pushes the fruit basket in her direction, but yet she’s still amused by his amazing art of eating apparently.
Echo then approaches him a little closer, continuing to stare closely at him. They continue eye contact, making him lose focus and almost wonder in a hypnotic state. She kept getting closer and closer to him, and continues staring at him. She was now only a couple of steps away from him, and noticed he had a fruit in one of his hoofs. She then quickly snatched it away from his hoof with her mouth as she jumped back a bit, away from him.
“Hey, that was mine! Give it back you little…oh forget it.” he pouted.
“Oh ease up on her Gero, she just wanted to play with you is all. Though her putting you in a state of trance for her to get her way was very clever.” Dr. Terra then looked back over at Echo. She noticed her eating away at the fruit upside down in the corner, with both of her wings covering her body up to give her some privacy.
“Is it good Echo?”
Echo said nothing, but nodded back to her. Her wings opened up in front of her, revealing the fruits juices all over her mouth as she smiled and giggled.
“Come one Gero…can you deny a face like that?” she pointed out to him.
“Well I…” looking back at Echo again caused Echo to stop and look back at him.
“Well Pris, I mean it’s just that…well maybe she’s…well how about…” Geronimo had nothing he could think of against his friends’ sadly superior intellect.
“Give it up Gero, you can’t win with that face.” said Dr. Terra.
“Yeah!” Echo added coincidentally, causing Dr. Terra to almost have an outburst as for how well timed that was.
Their fun continued for the next hour or so, telling stories and jokes to each other. Echo not really getting what the two of them were talking about, but Echo seemed fascinated by Geronimo though. Perhaps it was just a special aura he had about him that made him likable to her?
“Uh…Gewonibino?”
“Pfft, Ha-ha-ha! No…it’s Ge-ro-ni-mo…got it?”
Echo blinked at him with a pause, as she could care less. “You’re siwwy!” she giggled, as she sat right beside him. The naturally made bars preventing her from getting any closer to him. Just as she was about to say something else, her ears perked up again, signaling she was hearing something approach their cell once again.
It was Targe, and he still had a bit of a puzzled look on his face as he entered.
“Oh, your friend is awake, doctor.” He said.
“Yes he is, but it was the food that got him up.” Dr. Terra turned back to him, noticing Geronimo had a poker face.
“No it wasn’t, it was uh…”
“Oh give it a rest Gero, this is important here.” She slightly smiled back to him.
“Right, ahem…sorry.”
“Yes, well anyways our leader, Moon Fang, wishes for you two to be lead around our colony. He wants to test you, though I believe it is unnecessary in my opinion.”
“What? Test us, and for what reason?”
“Relax Pris, what’s the worst that could hap-…oh wait never mind.” Geronimo then looks around him realizing he was still in the cell.
“I’ll get you out of there sir, no worries. But it just doesn’t seem right for what Moon Fang is doing between you two and me. I don’t really know though, I’m still young as well, and that I have much to learn.” Said Targe.
“Sometimes it’s always best to go with what your gut is telling you, I do that all the time.” Geronimo replied.
“M-my gut?”
“Absolutely…if you feel like it’s the right thing to do, then I say go for it. If however what he says seems odd or doesn’t sound right to you, then step up and take assertive action…you catch my drift?” Geronimo stated to him again.
“Hmm…interesting point. We don’t really think like that down here in my colony, but…interesting point nonetheless.” Targe wondered.
Later on that day...
“Ah yes, this is what Bat Ponies do when they are wanting to conserve food for their colony.” Dr. Terra spoke up, noticing some of the colony rationing it.
“That is correct ma’am.” said Targe, knowing that these two surface dwellers were legit and really knew their stuff. Even on the random questions regarding their races history, they answered them all correct. Moon Fang however continued to watch them within the shadows as they proceeded along the dimly lit cave systems.
Echo was luckily following the three of them, and beside Geronimo no doubt. Targe seemed a bit jealous of the attention that Geronimo was getting from Echo, though curious at the same time.
With hour after passing hour, Moon Fang’s patience was starting to now run a bit thin with the two surface dwellers. He had a firm grudge against them, though he realized that the past is the past, and that it may be time to move on. With this grudge, he however deep inside of him still very much wanted Dr. Terra and Geronimo to help the last of their race, but he didn’t know how to talk to them about it? He was afraid looking to others for help would make him not look like a strong leader anymore, and that he was afraid his leadership would go downhill after that for the colony.
“Targe!” a stern voice called out from the shadows echoing, causing them and the few other Bat Ponies around them to stop in their tracks.
“Uh, yes sir?” Targe replied.
“Guide these two to my quarters…I’ve seen enough.” The voice was then heard with a break of silence from strong, fairly large wings flapping in the air.
Echo looked off into the direction of the voice, thinking that voice sounded familiar. Though to Targe it was all too familiar.
“I need to bring you two to somepony’s quarters. You will know recognize him when you see him.” said Targe, as he then began to lead them all the way on foot to Moon Fang’s home.
“Who in Celestia was that?” Geronimo asked.
“I can’t reveal that, though it is somepony you must meet with in private though. The way he said that he had ‘seen enough’…I’m not sure if what he meant by that was good or bad?” Targe wondered.
Echo had been staying awfully quiet for some time now, and the other three wondered why exactly? She was always the one to ask questions or talk at her age.
“Is everything alright, Echo?” asked Targe, but he then realized she was gone.
“Oh no…where is she?!” he started worrying.
“Wight here!” she poked her head out from behind Geronimo, making Dr. Terra giggle at her little body hiding so well and out of sight from Targe.
One hour later...
“Sir, here’s the two surface dwellers, Geronimo and Dr. Terra.”
“Thank you Targe, you are dismissed.” He nodded back to him.
Moon Fang with his back turned towards the two of them, and with nopony anywhere nearby the three of them…he had something to confess.
“Now then…onto the matter at hoof. I have something I have been keeping back from you two…”
His tone seemed hard to decipher on whether or not that meant something bad was going to happen, or something good was about to take place. Little did they all know though, that Echo had managed to follow them inside without any of them knowing. Echo had a clever and bright side to her if she felt like bringing it out, but would this time be the right time? With her own curiosity and thoughts going on in her head, she silently snuck up into a dark corner of the ceiling where she would remain out of sight.
As Moon Fang awaits Geronimo and Dr. Terra’s arrival to his quarters, he thinks back to a time where his father lied on his deathbed a little over one year ago.
“Moon Fang…promise me you will keep what is left of our colony as strong as it has remained to be.” His father coughed.
“Yes of course, I shall be nothing but strong for this colony…but why must we continue to be so harsh to the surface dwellers? They have done nothing wrong to me or the others?”
“They have betrayed our race my son, and their ruler, Princess Celestia did not wish to help us as my grandfather, and your great-grandfather had told me before his departure.”
“But sir, that couldn’t be right? Not from what I’ve heard about the princess? She would never do such a thing as to let our race die off?!”
“He was no liar my son, he told the truth just before he departed from this world. It also appears history is repeating itself as well. You’re standing where I stood when I was listening to my grandfather before he died.” He chuckled faintly, as it was followed by a harsh sounding cough thereafter.
“Father, I wish to look more into this myself though.”
“You will do no such thing Moon Fang. You will take my place as leader of this colony by tomorrow morning just as the moon rises, understood?” his father coughed once again.
“Yes sir.” Moon Fang sighed.
“One… more thing… son…”
“Yes father?” Moon Fang took a step closer to his bedside.
“I don’t think I have… told you this enough but…I’m proud of you. That I also…I lo-…”
“Father? Are you okay? Stay with me now father, okay? Just this one more day.” Moon Fang lightly shook him on the shoulder, causing his father’s head to slowly look back towards him once again.
“I…I…love y-…” his fathers head jerked a little, as he quietly seemed to have a seizure.
“Father…father! Dad…No, please! Don’t go… you can’t go yet! Somepony get in here quick! Daaaaad!” Moon Fang yelled out, as he seemed to cry out to the heavens for a miracle to happen to keep his father alive.
His mind snapped back to reality, as he hears Targe approach his quarters. He made his way quickly into the living room, like he was waiting there for them the whole time.
“This certainly will not do Moon Fang, remember what your father told you to be.” He wiped the two tears that silently rolled down his cheeks, as the noises of hoofs on the rocks could be heard getting closer and closer.
Before he could finish Targe and the other two quickly made their way into his quarters.
“Sir, here’s the two surface dwellers, Geronimo and Dr. Terra.” Said Targe.
“Thank you Targe, you are dismissed.”
Moon Fangs back was turned towards the two of them as they entered, still trying to shape himself up before he turned around. He just had a painful memory come back to him, and that he would not under any circumstances want a surface dweller to know he’s soft.
“Now then…onto the matter at hoof. I have something I have been keeping back from the two of you…” Moon Fang didn’t continue any further until he heard Targe fly off from his doorstep just a few seconds afterward.
Little did the three of them know, Echo was in a dark corner of the room, silently hanging upside down at what was going on in front of her.
“Now…as you both know I am the leader of this colony, correct?”
“Yes of course, we already knew that sir.” Dr. Terra replied.
“Of course…I’m sure you did, but however that is not the reason why I brought you both here in private to speak to me.” he then turned facing a window that looked over the waterhole that Geronimo and Dr. Terra fell in just hours before.
“Is there another test you’re giving us then?” Dr. Terra wondered in a sarcastic tone.
“No, it isn’t…it’s on a more…well…personal scale I suppose. You promise me to never tell another soul what I am about to tell you, understand?!” he lightly stomped his hoof in front of Geronimo, keeping him on his guard.
“Of course mister uh, Moon Fang sir, we can keep a secret no prob…at least I can anyhow.” Geronimo then turned back facing Dr. Terra next to him.
“Well it’s not my fault you ate over eighty percent of our rations we took with us to set up camp in the Everfree Forest?! Your stomach knows no bounds it seems Gero.” She replied.
“Well at least I don’t-”
“Enough, both of you!” Moon Fang snorted, causing them to immediately straighten back up from his naturally intimidating attitude to the two of them.
“Sorry Moon Fang, go on, we can hear you out.” Dr. Terra added.
Moon Fang then faced back towards them, but mainly towards Dr. Terra.
“You claim to be a doctor, and that you have researched our race for a long time from what I have heard? I need to ask you…what progress have you made on anything monumental on and about us?” he asked her with a commanding look.
“Well me and my best friend here as you said, have been researching about you, piecing together all of the clues about the rumors flying around that supposedly your race was still around. We have a small tuft of hair from a Bat Pony we managed to obtain from a museum. So-”
“Hold it…what? Museum? What in Equestria is that?” Moon Fang stopped her out of curiosity.
“Oh, right…your kind doesn’t know what they are. Don’t worry Targe wondered the same thing too.” she replied.
“Of course…well then…continue Dr. Terra.” He looked off.
“Yes sir, well as you know all of that, and the cure we have been working on since day one.”
Moon Fangs ear immediately rose to the sound of hope.
“A cure you say?!” Moon Fang not trying to sound too excited and happy from that kind of news, he then got close to her.
“Um yes Moon Fang, he-he…a cure. It’s a certain serum we have been working on to help stabilize the infertility gene that your race has been among the females.”
“Yes, they all possess that gene. Though what you’re searching for, there is no hope for anymore.” He spoke up with a bit of disappointment in his voice.
“What do you mean by that? Are you saying that there are no more females who can conceive future children of your race?”
“That is exactly what I am saying Dr. Terra…we have known this for the past few decades now, and no female is capable of keeping our population alive now. All we can do is wade it out until the very last of us die off.”
Dr. Terra could hear the disappointment and sadness grow and become more noticeable in Moon Fangs voice.
“But sir, you don’t understand, we may have a possible cure for it. It’s a simple injection into the bloodstream that is quickly absorbed and brought into the very ladder of their DNA. If it becomes successful, you no longer have to worry! The female who is injected with the serum, or takes it an alternative way, is able to pass it down to their future children. Hence forth, there will be hope for your race Moon Fang, sir.” Dr. Terra stated.
Moon Fang was certainly thrilled by this news, but he still wanted to know whether or not what the story his great-grandfather had passed all the way down to him was true or not.
“This certainly sounds like lovely news, and I thank you for this. But however, I must ask you something personal to me once more.”
“Again? Hmm…then what might it be now?”
“Is it true that your ruler, Princess Celestia said that she could not help our race survive in its hour of need and trial?” Moon Fang asked with almost desperation in his voice for the truth.
“What? Of course not! Who said this? We have heard such a ridiculous rumor like that before, but we even went to the princess herself and asked her whether or not that was actually true... I must inform you sir that whoever told you that was lying. She would NEVER betray any of her beloved citizens of Equestria, no matter what kind of pony species they may be. She cares for each and every one of them Moon Fang.” Dr. Terra stated to him once more.
Moon Fang couldn’t believe what he was hearing? They actually met the ruler herself personally, and if that was true then the unthinkable has been happening to their race for over two hundred years
“NO! He wouldn’t do such a thing! He…he couldn’t?! Surely he wouldn’t do that for his own gain?!” Moon Fang outburst as it broke the silence between them for a few moments.
“What are you talking about sir?” she wondered.
“I just- no…NO! That just-…over two hundred years…of a lie…RIGHT TO MY FACE! I knew my gut was right all along! I knew it sounded too ridiculous to be true!” he then hit the wall with one of his hoofs angrily, yet feeling hurt now at the same time. After all those years of speculation on such an odd occurrence he had wondered since he stood next to his father’s deathbed, the truth apparently had been set free to him. His great-grandfather lied to his entire species only for his own personal gain of immediate leadership from the whole race across all of Equestria
Geronimo took a few steps back after seeing what Dr. Terra did.
“You made him mad I think.” Geronimo looked at him concerned.
“No Gero, I think I did something else by some chance?” she then walked over to him, seeing how he felt hurt and betrayed.
“Moon Fang?”
“Leave me be! Leave this ca- oh what am I kidding?! I’m no leader anymore! Our entire race has been lied, betrayed, and mislead to by my very bloodline!”
Dr. Terra covered her mouth out of disbelief with her hoof, realizing what he meant by that.
“Oh my…Moon Fang I am so sorry about this, I didn’t know that it was-…” she decided to just drop it and get right beside him.
She looked a little closer at him, and noticed that he had tears running down the sides of his face.
“I can’t…believe it…I was right all along.” Moon Fang then leaned into her shoulder and began to cry as quiet as he could.
As all of this happened, and with not a single clue as to what they all were talking about, Echo then jumped down from the ceiling, landing right beside Geronimo startling him a bit.
“Ah! Oh wait…it’s just Echo…hey little one, what’s up?” said Geronimo.
“Wait…Echo?! What’s she doing here?” Moon Fang then looked in his direction, seeing the small little Bat Pony filly staring back at him with a look of confusion as to what was going on.
“Hewwo Moon Fang, what’s going on?”
Moon Fang didn’t reply to her, but instead looked back up at Dr. Terra.
“Hope…”
“What sir?” she wondered.
“Hope…there’s still hope for our race.” He then points to Echo, causing the little filly to tilt her head a bit.
“What is it cowony weader?” she asked.
“You, Echo…I knew there was something special about you.” Moon Fang looked back at her, then back to Dr. Terra once again.
“Doctor…we will assist you in getting back to your camp if you promise to try whatever this…this…”
“Cure?” Dr. Terra shrugged, figuring he was implying that.
“Yes, that cure you allegedly claim to have.” He replied.
“Well unfortunately, it’s still in the wor-”
“We’ll help you bring your camp equipment down here to out cave and continue your research with us then. Just tell us whatever you need, and I will do what I can to help you get this done.” He stated.
“Miss Tewwa? What’s he saying?” Echo speaks up.
“He’s saying something that’s a good thing Echo…a very, VERY good thing.” Dr. Terra’s face then lights up, realizing that because of her untimely and unexpected discovery here in this cave, she had set in motion an event that could change the average Bat Pony life forever.
“Okay…here’s what I need…”
“Absolutely doctor, we will get right on it.”
“Yay, a good thing! Wait…wike what Gerotino?”
“Ha ha ha ha! You’re getting there, kid!” Geronimo laughed.
“Let’s just say you alone have the potential to change your race’s history forever…does that make sense?” he added.
Echo blinked, not understanding a single word of what he said. “No.”
One whole day had passed since Dr. Terra and Geronimo had been brought back to their camp they had set up within the Everfree Forest to continue on their research. This research would continue, however it was moved by the help of some fellow Bat Ponies. They assisted her as they moved her things for her into their cave for her “lab” to be set up. Everything was going surprisingly great so far for the cure she was working on. For the Bat Pony race to finally have some hope thanks to this series of fortunate events, Moon Fang could not be anymore relieved. He had realized his ancestors had started something that was merely about power and authority of everypony within their race, and that what he himself was doing, was finally something for the better.
Thanks to her relocation within their colony, many of the Bat Ponies watched Dr. Terra as she worked frivolously for this cure she had been working so hard on. It seemed like an eternity to her, but she knew she was getting awfully close now to her final solution. With all of this said, the hope of future generations was finally at hoof.
Dr. Terra and Geronimo had now been growing close to the Bat Ponies for the past couple of months now, and Echo had grown awfully fond of the two of them, but mainly Dr. Terra more than anypony else. Echo had considered the doctor for herself, a somewhat of a motherly figure to her, which of course Dr. Terra didn’t seem to mind.
Geronimo and Targe had become pretty good friends so far, with Geronimo telling him and many others of the colony all of his death defying experiences. From ancient temple ruins, to living in the rain forests, he covered it all.
As for Moon Fang, he had managed to ease up on some of his hardheaded attitude. Since he knew their race would be in good hoofs now from the looks of it. The rate at which Dr. Terra was working was even faster now, since some of the things she needed to help her in this delicate research was fortunately known by some of the colony to help her on what she needed.
Dr. Terra, just another month later, had finally reached her solution. So after an entire decade of searching, researching, and traversing the landscapes about the alleged and rumored return of the most unique pony species Equestria has ever had exist, it was all worth it. She had found the actual rumor to be true, with the addition that she had made some new friends along the way. Her best friend Geronimo couldn’t have been more proud of her and she was just as proud toward him. After a decade long mission finally came to a close, it was a total success.
“I did it Geronimo! I finally did it!” she shouted out. Her voice carried throughout the entire cave system, as the rest of the colony showed up just a minute or two after she said that.
Many of them cheered, but still some of them were wondering if it would actually work, and do as Dr. Terra said it would do.
“Will there be any symptoms doctor?”
“No Moon Fang, they, or well…she won’t even feel it. Though I wonder where Echo could be at this time?” Dr. Terra looked around the area, but Echo could not be found.
“Echoooo!” she called out.
“Wight here miss Tewwa!” Echo replied with a smile.
She looked up seeing the adorable little filly hang upside down many feet above her.
“Come down here you little rascal! Time to get your shot from the doctor!” Geronimo making it sound to her like she was going to her first doctor’s visit.
“I’m not that kind of doctor you know right?” Dr. Terra raised an eyebrow to him giggling.
“Yeah I know, but you ARE in fact a doctor though, am I right?” Geronimo elbowed her.
“Pfft, oh Gero…Echo get down here okay?”
“But I wanna stay up here!” she cried out, acting like a whiney little child, which she was a child of course to begin with.
She received a lot of attention from Dr. Terra, Geronimo, and Targe; but, mostly she enjoyed playing around with Geronimo, making Targe a little jealous after all of these years of caring and protecting her.
Her favorite thing to do was steal his hat, then climb on the top of the cave ceiling and chew on it with those adorable little fangs of hers.
As the minutes passed, she finally made her way down to them to be on a course of hope for her race.
“Is this going hurt miss Tewwa?” Echo asks her with a worried tone in her voice, as she saw the needle Dr. Terra brought out as she sterilized it.
“No sweetie, I’m just going to apply this so it won’t hurt at all, okay?” Dr. Terra replies, assuring her that everything would be okay.
Echo however felt the pinch on her arm and began crying.
“Waaaaah! It huuurts!” She cried.
“Uh…um…” Geronimo then takes off his hat.
“Hat don’t fail me now.” He then offers it to Echo for her to chew on, as she loved to do so.
“Hat?” he offered it to her. In a flash, she snatched it up, biting hard into it.
“There, all done Echo! You were such a big girl!” Dr. Terra then quickly drew out the needle, and put a little Band-Aid over the injection.
Echo sniffled a bit, and looked back down at what was on her leg.
“What’s that miss Tewwa?”
“That’s called a Band-Aid Echo.” The colony had never seen such a thing, and was intrigued at such an alien object as it stuck onto Echo’s leg.
“Aw come on?! The smiley faces are my favorite!” said Geronimo.
“Well maybe you’d get one if you weren’t such a man about your wounds.” Dr. Terra replied rolling her eyes and giggling shortly after.
“Well I need a little loving too, Pris?!”
With all of this said and done, Dr. Terra’s cure was a total success further down the years. Moon Fang told her and Geronimo that they could visit them anytime they wish.
Twenty years later…
“Momma…who are dey?” said a little voice to the grown up Echo, who managed to have over three children. All of them fillies and all of them had her gene that Dr. Terra genetically placed into her when she was a filly over two decades ago.
“Those two saved our race sweetie.” Echo smiled with her daughters, as she watched her lifelong friends Dr. Terra and Geronimo off in the distance wave back at her. It seemed like every time they visited her colony, it still felt like the first time to her. Thought Echo when she was little considered Dr. Terra somewhat of a “mother” to her, since she didn’t have one, and considering all the time they spent together.
“What’s a wace momma?”
“I asked the same thing when I was your age.” Echo giggled, as she kissed her daughters on the forehead.
