(Bat) A Feeling of Cheer - 2

>Day Train Kept-A-Rollin' in Equestria.
>One small, pale-purple bat filly has her face plastered to the window to your left.
>She makes short squeaks and squeals as trees and mountains pass in and out of her view.
>A much older bat pony has her legs wrapped around you.
>Soft kee's sound as she snores.
>As for you, you sit with your legs propped up on the bench opposite yours.
>Your body is incredibly stiff from sitting like this for the past six hours.
>One would think that the express train would be more... express than this.
>According to every map you've seen of Equestria, the Crystal Empire was a ten hour train ride from Canterlot Mountain.
>That was on a normal train, you assumed.
>The express train only cut the trip by two hours.
>Which meant that you were stuck on the train for two more hours.
>"Daddy?"
>You turn your head and look down at the curious little bat filly.
>Those large blue eyes stare up at you.
"Yes, Sirocca?"
>"Have you ever been the the Crystal Empire?"
>In the entire five and a half years you've lived in this colorful world filled with sentient, talking horses, you can't say that you've actually been past the borders of Equestria.
"You know what? I haven't."
>"Oh."
>She frowns, her little fangs poking out from under her lip.
>As she turns back to the window, you shudder enough to wake Speck up.
>Goggily blinking the sleep from her eyes, she yawns and snuggles closer to you.
>"Are we there yet, Anon?"
>You scratch behind her ear and smile.
"Not quite. Another hour or two to go."

>Sirocca beats her hooves against your arm as the train finally rolls into the Crystal Empire.
>"We're here, we're here! Mom, get up!"
>Speck, without opening her eyes, waves a hoof around and boops Sirocca on the head.
>"Five more minutes, please?"
>She thinks Sirocca's an alarm clock.
>After several seconds of Speck smushing her hoof into Sirocca's face, you grab her hoof and tickle her nose.
"Get up, Speck. The train's stopped."
>Your statement is met with her free hoof pressing into your nose.
>"Shhh... Carry me."
"What? No! You've been asleep all day, get up and stretch your legs and wings!"
>"But I'm laaazyyyy!"
>Before you can reprimand her further, your little filly jumps on top of your head and secures herself.
>"Carry me too!"
>You sigh and retrieve your bags from the shelf above your seats.
>One backpack, containing one change of clothes, several one-cup bags of blood in an ice box, your journal, and a pen.
>One mare-sized saddlebag, containing banana nut muffins, pineapple upside down cake, and several mangoes in one pouch, one black dress in the other.
>One filly-sized saddlebag, containing coloring books, crayons, a certain filly's favorite Luna plushie, and her favorite princess costume.
>You told them to pack light.
>They did a decent job of that.
>Throwing both saddlebags over your shoulders, and the backpack over your back, you begin to depart from the train.
>As always, you get a lot of weird stares from the p0nies.
>Most of them are fearful, due to you having two batp0nies attached to your body.
>Canterlot and Hollow Shades were the only two places you've been that p0nies didn't react this way.
>You were actually kind of surprised, considering how large you've heard the Crystal Empire to be.
>It is an empire after all, isn't it?

>As you step onto the platform and the crowd around you begins to disperse, you hear a very familiar giggle.
>"Need some help with all of that luggage?"
>A little purple pony princess looks up at you.
>You shake your head with a light smile as she trots by your side.
"I think I'll be fine."
>The bat filly atop your head stirs a little bit and looks down at Twilight.
>She leaps onto the alicorn's head and starts giggling and wiggling around.
>"Well hello there Sirocca."
>"Hi, miss Twilight."
>Speck shifts in your arms and looks down at the little filly and princess.
>Twilight looks back up at you with a soft smile.
>"Are you excited for the pageant?"
"I guess. Celestia and Luna know why I never come to these things, but I'm supposed to make an exception for these two little pests."
>Your comment is met with Speck swatting her hooves at your face, but you hold her out in front of you so she can't make contact.
>She stops trying to assault you and starts pouting.
>You hug her tight and stroke her back.
"You aren't going to ask how the trip up here was?"
>Twilight shakes her head.
>"Nope. I figure, after such a long trip on a train, you must be exhausted. So, we're just going to head straight for the castle, and then you'll get the grand tour of the empire tomorrow."
>Speck's eyes light up at the mention of the word "castle."
>"We're staying in the castle?"
>Sirocca leaps off of Twilight's head and attaches herself to one of the saddlebags on your shoulder.
>"Papa, I need my princess dress if we're going to the castle!"
>"This is true, Anon. Every little princess needs to dress accordingly."
>You sigh as Sirocca pulls her dress out of her bag.
>She floats in front of you and holds the dress out.
>"I'm holding your mother."
>Twilight pipes up and levitates the dress out of Sirocca's hooves.
>"Let me help you with that."

>And so, you walk through the streets of the Crystal Empire.
>One little filly happily bounces between you and Twilight.
>The frilly pink and yellow dress flutters softly as Sirocca bounces.
>Speck nuzzles your neck as you walk.
>"You've never been here, have you Anon?"
"Nope. I never really traveled around, until we met."
>You spend the rest of the walk in silence, admiring the architecture and the crystal ponies.
>Speck decided to hop out of your arms to stretch her wings.
>The less you have to carry, the happier you'll be.
>A small crowd of crystal ponies starts to form behind you.
>Their curious glances dart from you to Speck to Sirocca.
>Whispers and chitters start to sound amongst them as you and your companions continue to walk through the city.
>"Ooh, what is that?"
>"Are those batp0nies?"
>The sounds of their wonderment become slightly louder as you feel them start to crowd around your legs.
>Sirocca squeals in surprise as two little crystal foals start poking at her wings and ear tufts.
>Several other ponies distract you from the scene that would unfold with Sirocca, as they start tugging at your pants.
>"You're really tall, mister."
>"What are you?"
>Maybe Twilight will be kind enough to get these ponies to back off?
>You look over to where she should be, but find that she is missing.
>Well what a surprise!
>A slight weight leans into your hip as a hoof touches your hand.
>You look down to find one of the crystal pony mares balancing against you as she looks at your hand.
>"It's a... hand?"
>You've never had ponies ask what your hands were before.
>Minotaurs and dragons and the like have hands.
>Or, things similar to hands.
>Speck flutters down beside you and pushes the mare away.
>"He's mine, back off."
>"Hmph! As if I was interested in him anyway!"
>The mare trots away from the crowd.
>The rest of the crystal ponies just silently stare at you and Speck.

>"Are you a batp0ny?"
>You look at the crystal filly.
"Yes."
>The colt pulls on your wing, unfurling it as he tugs.
>"Wow! Your wings feel so... leathery! They aren't soft like a pegasus's."
>"Your eyes are so pretty!"
>The filly reaches up to your ears and starts rubbing her hooves against your ear tufts.
"Th-thanks, but I..."
>The colt sits beside you in a very stoic manner as the filly continues admiring your ears.
"What're you doing?"
>"I'm keeping guard, princess."
>The filly gasps and sits on your other side.
"Please stop. I'm not a princess!"
>"But you're wearing a princess's dress!"
>You try to trot away, but the two foals flank you.
>Even as you walk in circles, they hold tight to their positions.
>Tears start to form in your eyes as your throat tightens.
"Pl-please stop..."
>Even as you start to fly upwards and towards your dad, they persist.
>You fling yourself into your dad's arms and hide your face in his shoulder.
"Daddy! Make them stop!"
>He looks down at the two crystal foals and shoes them away.
>"What were they doing to you?"
>You sniffled a little bit and bury into his arms.
"They thought I was a princess and they were trying to guard me."
>He rubs your back gently and hushes you.
>"It's alright, Sirocca. Let's just hurry up and get to the castle."
>Speck flies next to him as he continues walking in the direction of the castle.
>"Hopefully we'll find Twilight along the way. I think she ditched us when that crowd formed."
>"Well, either way, we're headed in the right direction. There's a large plaza not far from here."
>Anon nods and continues walking as Speck hovers just beside you.
>"Are you alright, sweetie?"
"Yes, mom. I was just a little scared."
>She strokes your mane in a way that only a mother can manage.

>The large plaza outside of the castle shimmers in the winter sun.
>Large candycanes and gingerbread houses decorate the plaza as tinsel and ornaments hang from the street lights.
>It's a breath-taking sight, getting to see such a beautiful city in such an intricate manner.
>Anon walks beside you as you cross the plaza with him.
>You trot underneath a large structure attached to the castle.
>A pedestal with a large heart sculpture sits in the center.
>The Princess of the Night sits beside it and watches you approach with a smile.
"Oh, well I guess that trip just wore the little one out, didn't it?"
>Luna smile softly as you nod.
>Anon repositions Sirocca in his arms so she'll be a little more comfortable.
>"We had a little run in with some of the locals. Two of the foals scared her, I guess."
"One of them was trying to hit on Anon."
>"I think she was just interested in my hands, Speck."
"That's what she'd want you to think! First your hands, then your face!"
>Luna and Anon exchange a glance and chuckle a little bit.
>"Dearest Speck, I don't think anyp0ny would be able to steal Anon from you."
>The Princess clears her throat and smiles.
>"I must digress, however. I must introduce you to the princess of the Crystal Empire."
>"Wait, wait. Did Twilight already come by here?"
>Luna shakes her head with a curious look.
>"I do not recall seeing her, no. She was at the train station, correct?"
>"Yeah, but we lost her when the crowd of crystal p0nies were accosting us."
>The princess mutters to herself.
>"I'm sure we'll see her before nightfall. Come, I'm sure you wish to get out of the cold."
>You and Anon follow her into the castle.

>The entrance hall is quite lavish, compared to that of Canterlot Castle.
>Everything in the interior seems to be made of crystal.
>All of the furniture decorated with golds and reds.
>It's as if someone made a castle out of Canterlot Castle's stained-glass hallway.
>Something about it seems sad, almost lonely.
>You look up at the portraits that line the hall.
>Each one depicts only one pony: a gorgeous princess with a pink coat and bright purple eyes.
>It must be Princess Cadence.
>Luna leads you and Anon through the entrance hall and up a large flight of stairs.
>"Celestia and Cadence should be in the meeting hall waiting for us."
>She stops briefly and turns her head to look at you and Anon.
>"These past many years have not been kind to her. Please, do not feel alarmed by her behaviour."
>"I live with these two. I don't think there's much left in this world to surprise or alarm me."
>You stick your tongue out at Anon.
"Well, maybe if you knew how to have fun!"
>Luna sighs as you and Anon start to bicker.
>She continues leading you up the stairs.
>"Sirocca thinks I'm fun."
"Well, she likes me more!"
>Anon looks down at the bundle in his arms.
>Luna stops at the top of the stairs in front of a large door.
>"If you two are finished, I would like to introduce you to Princess Cadence."
>"Hang on a second."
>He turns to you and kneels down by your side.
>"Calm down, Speck. I'm just teasing you, alright?"
>You nod and nuzzle his hand as he brings it up to your face.
"I'm sorry."
>"Don't be. It's my fault, Speck."
>He rubs your ear between his thumb and forefinger as you start to look away.
"I love you, Anon."
>"I love you too. Come on, we have a princess to meet.
>You turn back to Luna, who promptly pushes the door open.

>Inside the room sits a large round table.
>Princess Celestia sits beside Princess Cadence, who has a series of scrolls and papers strewn in front of her.
>They both look up as you enter the room.
>"Ah, Anon. How nice of you to show up."
>"Is this the hyoo-mun you were talking about?"
>Celestia nods to Cadence with a soft smile.
>The pink princess moves from the table and approaches you and Anon.
>She peers up at Anon and the bundle in his arms.
>Her gazes transfers to you as she sits on the floor.
>"You two..."
>She shakes her head a little bit and smiles as Luna passes you to sit by Celestia.
>"You two share a very deep love for one another."
>A hoof touches your nose, as another reaches up for Anon.
>She waves her hoof for Anon to kneel down, to which he obliges.
>Her hoof touches his nose as well, as she giggles softly.
>"It reminds me of a stallion I once knew. One that, while gone, is still here."
>Her hooves beckon toward Anon once more.
>"May I?"
>Anon nods slightly and hands Sirocca over to the princess.
>Her eyes light up at the sight of the young filly.
>"I always pestered him to allow us a foal. My late husband, that is."
>Her hoof runs over Sirocca's mane before booping her nose.
>"I always loved foals. I was Twilight's babysitter for such a long time."
>She clears her throat and shakes her head before giving Sirocca back to Anon.
>"I'm sorry."
>"It's alright. Do you need any help planning for the pageant?"
>She shakes her head as she leads you and Anon to the table.
>"No, thank you. I think we have it all under control."
>Celestia nods to Anon with a smile.
>"Have you seen Twilight yet? I recall sending her to the train station to retrieve you."
"A bunch of crystal ponies surrounded us and started bothering us."
>"I guess Twilight didn't notice and kept walking."
>Luna nods to her sister.
>"She didn't pass by the castle though."
>Cadence's soft voice silences everyone at the table.

>"She said she had some things to do. Something about preparing for a special guest."
>Celestia and Luna both smile and start giggling as if they remembered a very perfect moment.
"What? Is it another princess?"
>They all shake their heads as you look up at Anon.
>The look on his face shows that he doesn't even know of whom they speak.
>"I think we should keep that a surprise. I don't think they've seen one of his kind before."
>"What a spectacular idea, sister!"
>Was that a pun?
>A pun on your name, at your expense?
"Princess Luna? I found that pun to be in bat taste."
>She tilts her head slightly and offers a soft huff.
>"What pun?"
"Spectacular."
>"There isn't a pun in there."
"Speck. Tacular."
>"Speck."
"Yes."
>Anon groans and gets up to leave.
>Celestia follows him, giggling the entire time.
>"Specktacular?"
>You nod as Cadence stifles a giggle, finally understanding the pun.
>"That was good, Luna."
>"But I don't..."
"Princess. What's my name?"
>"Speck."
"Spectacular. Say it slowly."
>Luna mutters the word under her breath several times before shrugging.
>You start to giggle and shake your head.
"Nevermind."
>Cadence taps you on the shoulder and points toward the door with a questioning look.
>"Why did they leave?"
"Anon doesn't like puns, and I guess Princess Celestia is going to make sure he doesn't get lost."
>"Ah. Anyways, you must be hungry after your trip. Can I interest you in some crystal berry muffins? They're a delicacy here."
>Her question is answered as your eyes widen and your jaw drops.

>An hour has passed since you left the castle.
>The princess of the sun trots beside you as she tells you about the city.
>Usually, you would be highly interested in what she has to say about its history, but today you have something else on your mind.
>The bundle in your arms reminds you every day of how happy you are, and how you do not want to lose any of this.
>As a matter of fact, you want to keep it all as secure as you can, and with the recent fights you and Speck have been having...
>A soft squeak catches your attention as you bump into a pony.
"Oh, excuse me. I wasn't watching where-"
>Twilight looks up at you.
>"It's alright, Anon. I was actually coming to look for you. Where's Speck?"
>"She's at the castle, with Luna and Cadence. Have you found our special guest?"
>"No, but I have the area where he'll be landing set up. I came to find Anon. I think he'll learn quite a bit from meeting our guest."
"Why me?"
>"You'll see when you get there. I'm going to go get Speck, just keep following this road until you reach the edge of town. You'll know what you're looking for when you see it."
>She trots off once again, leaving you with Celestia.
>"She's very excited you know. It's been a long time since she's seen our guest."
"Should we wait to meet him then?"
>"I suppose we can."
"How long have they known each other?"
>"Quite a long time. Nearly their whole lives."
>The little bundle in your arms shifts and snuggles against you.
>Her tummy grumbles a little bit.
>Two blue eyes stare up at you as Sirocca rolls onto her back.
>"Daddy?"
"Are you hungry?"
>She nods.
"Fruit?"
>"N-not this time, papa. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, little one."
>You look around and find a bench to sit on.
>Celestia sits beside you as you set your backpack down beside you and extract a small bag of blood from the ice chest inside.
>"Does she drink often?"
"Only when she has to. Even then, she tries hard to resist it, but she needs it."

>You hold the bag up to Sirocca, who wraps her lips around a corner of it and bites into it.
>You look away as she starts to drink the blood.
>"Is it your blood, Anon?"
"No. We buy it from the Cakes in Ponyville. They order it from the Griffons."
>A soft burp tells you that Sirocca has finished.
>"'scuse me."
>You take the drained bag from her and toss it in a trashcan.
>"You're doing a good job, Anon."
>A loud roar sounds as three alicorns and a bat pony trot up to you and Celestia.
>"That must be him. Are you ready, Anon?"
"I think I am, Twilight."
>You, Speck, and the princesses all follow Twilight as she leads your group through town.
>Speck and Sirocca sit in complete silence the entire time you walk.
>They seem almost frightened.
>But it's an old friend of Twilight's, so it can't be too bad.
>Another roar sounds as you approach the outskirts of town.
>A monstrous purple beast lies, curled up in a ball, in the middle of a field.
>You and Speck stop walking as the princesses continue.
>Twilight, especially, continues walking toward the creature.
>"Hello, Spike."
>The beast, Spike, opened his eyes and looks down at the tiny purple princess.
>"Hello, my old friend. How have you been?"
>"Oh, you know. Lonely, stressed. The usual immortal princess stuff."
>She blushes and scuffs at the ground.
>The large dragon lays his head in front of her so she can hug him.
>"It's been too long, Twilight."
>"Indeed it has. I brought someone to meet you."
>The dragon's gaze moves from Twilight to the other princesses, and finally to you and Speck.
>"Ah. Then your letters speak true. He does travel with the race of the night's sky."
>A strange curiosity compels you to walk closer to the dragon.
>Sirocca jumps out of your arms and starts climbing on one of his large hands.
>Your gaze follows her, but shifts as something catches your eye.

>A red ruby socketed into a golden ring rests on one of his fingers.
>His fingers appear to be the approximate width of a regular-sized pony's neck.
>"Anon, I believe was your name."
"Yes. The bat pony on your hand is Sirocca, and this is Speck."
>"I know this. I did not come for formalities, Anon. I came for a pageant."
>He sighs and looks back at Twilight.
>"I do not know why you brought him here, Twilight."
>"To see something, as a matter of fact. And judging by the look on his face, he figured it out."
>Your gaze has yet to leave the ring on his finger.
>That's wrong, it isn't a ring.
>It's a necklace.
>You don't know a lot about dragons, but you do know that they keep their treasure hoarded in caves.
>Why would a dragon carry a piece of jewelry around?
>"Anon? What are you thinking about?"
>Speck nudges you with her nose.
"I'll keep that a surprise. Would you mind that?"
>"Not at all, as long as it's a good surprise."
>You turn from the princesses, dragon, and your family.
"I'll meet all of you back at the castle. And Spike? Thanks."
>He grumbles as you walk off, leaving the princesses and your bat ponies with him.
>You recall seeing a jeweler somewhere around town.
>It was probably back where you were accosted by those crystal ponies.
>A kind pegasus points you in the direction you need to go.
>After about half an hour of wandering around, you finally find it.
"Crystal Carving and Jewel Craft."
>A sign with a chisel and diamond hangs over the shop.
>A bell chimes as you step inside.
>"Well hello, sir! Welcome to my store. How can I help you?"
"I need a necklace made."
>"Not a problem! What did you have in mind?"
>He pushes a piece of paper and quill across the counter as you approach.
"Something perfect for a certain mare. And I need it tonight."
>The unicorn stallion smirks and chuckles as you drag the quill over the paper.

>"You know, Spike. You don't have to stay out in this field the whole time you're here. You'd be able to fit in that plaza in front of the castle."
>"Twilight, you know I can't do that. Not every pony knows me, and knows that I'm not like other dragons."
>The princess groans and leans against the dragon.
>"I really miss you, you know."
>"I know Twilight. You were always like a big sister to me."
>"I'll stay out here with you, then. I don't want you to feel lonely."
>The dragon smiles for the first time since you saw him.
>"Thank you, Twilight."
>You smile softly as Sirocca climbs on your back.
>"I might be back at the castle later tonight. Spike and I have a lot of catching up to do."
>The other princesses nod and say their farewells.
>You offer the dragon a smile as you follow the others back to the castle.
"Princess Luna? What was it that Twilight wanted Anon to see?"
>She smiles softly.
>"I think he saw exactly what he needed to see."
>"But what was it?"
>Sirocca bounces on your back as she asks her question.
>"If I told you, I think it would ruin his surprise."
>She huffs and slumps on your back.
>You huff too, and try to muster up your best disappointed face.
>It doesn't really work.
>Especially not on a princess.
>Eventually, you reach the castle and follow the princesses to a dining hall.
>"Are you hungry, Speck? Dinnertime is soon."
>You nod and look around at all of the decorations and paintings.
>The paintings interest you the most.
>They all depict a white unicorn stallion with a blue mane.
"Shining Armor."
>"Mom? Is that a prince?"
"I think so."
>"That was my husband. A long time ago."
>You turn, startled, to face Princess Cadence.
>"I miss him every single day. But I know that someday, I'll get to see him again."
>She smiles as a tear rolls down her cheek.
>"That's what motivates me. Do you have anyone like that, Speck?"
>You nod and smile.
"I have Anon."

>The jeweler slides a soft velvet box across the counter with a smile.
>"Here you go sir."
"What do I owe you?"
>"What do you think you owe me?
"A good bit, sir. Several hundred? Thousand?"
>"No, boy. Take it."
>You smile and shake the stallion's hoof.
"Thank you, sir. I won't forget this kindness."
>"Just do me one favor, son. Don't mess this up."
"With a mare like this, I don't think that would be possible."
>You thank the stallion once more and leave the shop.
>The only place to go next is the castle.
>And to finally secure the mare of your dreams in your life.
>It's been a while since you've had to run a long distance, but this time it'll me completely worth it.
>So you sprint, as fast as you can, from that shop to the castle.
>Then there's the problem of you entering the castle.
>"They're in the dining hall. Two doors down the main hall, on the right."
"Thanks?"
>You will never become accustomed to the magic powers these ponies possess.
>It is quite alarming how they can read your mind.
>"I assumed you were looking for the princesses, being such a strange creature and all."
>Or they have the power of deduction.
>That is fine by you.
>Following the pony's direction, you rush to find the dining hall.
>You enter the dining hall after taking a deep breath and calming your nerves.
>Four princesses and two bat ponies all sit around a long table, food strewn about on plates, in bowls, and on trays.
>They all stare as you enter the room, but you ignore it and approach Speck.
>"Hi Anon, how ar-"
>You cut her off.
>There is no time for her shenanigans tonight.
"Speck."
>"Anon."
"There's something I need to ask you."
>"Okay."
>Deep breath, Anon.
>In, out.
>You extract the box from your pocket and kneel in front of her.
"Will you be my everything, forever?"

>"Anon, what are you doing?"
"What?"
>"The kneeling, the box. I don't get it."
>The princesses all stare at you with wide, curious eyes.
"I'm... not sure."
>You stand up and look at her.
>She looks at you and smiles.
"You know what, Speck? I'm sorry."
>"For what?"
"All of the arguing and fighting. I don't want that."
>"I don't want it either, Anon."
>You open the box and extract a necklace.
>"Is that for me?"
"It is."
>"It's beautiful."
>You hook the clasp behind her neck and step back to admire that adorable little mare that you fell in love with half a year ago.
>A little charm dangles from the necklace, a perfect copy of her cutie mark.
>"I love it, thank you."
>Celestia catches your attention.
>"Anon?"
"Yes?"
>"You didn't do a lot of reading, did you?"
"On what I was going for?"
>She nods with a smirk.
"Honestly, I didn't."
>"Speck."
>"Yes Princess?"
>"How much has Anon told you of human custom?"
>"Not a lot."
>"Well, he told me quite a bit when he first arrived here. Anon? You should tell her."
>You sigh and roll your eyes.
"I've been here for almost six years, Speck. I gave up a lot of dreams, long ago. When I met you, some of them became realized once more. When we adopted Sirocca, even more were realized. Today, I'd like you to help me realize one more."
>She tilts her head, a look of worry casting over her face.
>"I don't understand, what are you saying?"
"Will you take my hand with your hoof, and make me the happiest human in this world and the next? Will you marry me?"
>"Anon..."
>Her smile threatens to rip her head in half as she jumps into your arms, her screeches and kee's echoing through the dining hall.
>"Of course I will!"