Sorry in advance for the word vomit… ☝🏾💀

~



I decided to answer one of the many questions that Icey1517 (https://www.deviantart.com/icey1517 ) asked me on my Q&A + Suggestions posts (see here: https://www.deviantart.com/theartfox2468/art/Q-and-A-Suggestions-for-Star-AU-MLP-1197007969 ). (Of course I will get to their other questions! Just one at a time XP)! They asked me about the specifics and my headcanons on bat-ponies. While I was still on the subject of them, with Luna and all recently, I thought it was a great time to finally delve into it! Thank you Icey1517 for the question! I hope my post answers all the questions you had! And if they didn't, it's okay to ask more questions!



[⚠️‼️LONG CONTENT WARNING‼️⚠️]



《CHIROPTERA EQUUS GENERAL INFORMATION》



☆ Chiroptera-equus or “bat-ponies” originated from a dark and deep realm known as Hollow Equestria/Earth or The Underworld. The Underworld is believed to literally be a world within a world; a world within Equestria. But, The Underworld is more of a new realm or another plane of existence, like Sacred Haven (or Chaosville as Discord calls it). Now, I don't know where exactly The Underworld is placed in the mlp universe, but it's not “within/below Equestria”. Also, I'm sure natives call it something else, like the Netherworld or something like that (hehe, Minecraft X]]). Also, bat-ponies aren't the only creatures that live within The Underworld. Even other iconic creatures like the Changelings and minotaurs and centaurs and such originated from this place. Plus, I made up some species for the Underworld, like “Drow Unicorns” which are just evil unicorns, and “Wolf-pony/Wolf-equus” which are evil earth ponies lol (I will discuss them later)! Anyway, what's for certain is that this realm and the creatures were definitely created by Pater Cronus Cosmos (you can check him out here: https://www.deviantart.com/theartfox2468/art/Star-AU-HC-Draconequus-911294015 ), who is also the creator and god over “Sacred Haven/Chaosville”. Since balance is key in the nature of their universe, Pater Cronus created The Underworld as an anti-realm to the Overworld/normal Equestria. Like, you have anti-pegasus, which are the bat-ponies, anti-unicorns, which are the drow unicorns and anti-earth ponies, which are wolf-equus (wolf-pony). So, there's that.

Another thing about The Underworld is that it's accessible through caves, caverns or any underground geological structures. They call these “gateways”. These gates are guarded and protected by “Gatekeepers” from the natives of The Underworld, like Midnight, Luna's son.

However, you have to travel far and deep into them. Also not ALL caves are gateways, but there are at least one or two in every region or continent/country and are typically near or within forested areas. You will know that there is a gate nearby, as the environment will be overrun by “chaos” magic and some rogue creatures that were able to enter the Overworld. Places like the Everfree Forest, Froggy Bottom Bog, Ghastly Gorge, Tenochtitlan Basin, Hayseed Swamp, Mt. Everhoof, etc, etc, are good examples of these types of areas.

Btw, since I didn't really do a good job at illustrating the Underworld, I'll just describe it with what I think it looks like. I think the Underworld looks like how it's depicted in most media, like in Disney's Hercules or in the Greek mythos. Just a dark, gloomy cavernous place devoid of light. But, the only light in the place comes from random pools of lava, fields of fire, bioluminescent flora and fauna and crystals. However, the place seems vast and almost infinite with kingdoms and civilizations and such.

Lastly, Tartarus is placed in The Underworld. One, because it makes sense, and two since The Underworld is “technically” another realm, whoever gets sent there can't come out without the magic or a key or something from a trusted gatekeeper (that trusted gatekeeper being Cerberus, lol X]]]).



Sidenote: Remember, this is a headcanon. So I know that the mane six, when they were in Tartarus, didn't have to “enter a realm” to get there. All they had to do was get past Cerberus. But for headcanon purposes, Cerberus has the key/magic to allow him and others to cross into the Underworld realm.



☆ ANYWAY! Back to bat-ponies. In The Underworld, they come from one Kingdom and race, so there's not many major subspecies. You might see some miniature bat-ponies, and bat-ponies with unique genetics, like albinism, melanism, vitiligo, heterochromia, etc, etc. But nothing like how you have a hippogriff and then a pegasus like in my other hcs, lol. They’re all just bat-ponies and for the most part look the same (especially the indigenous ones).

The Kingdom is run by the Tepes (or currently the Moon) bloodline. The initial King and Queen, King Vladimir Dracula Tepes and Queen Carmilla Nox Tepes (whom are depicted in the illustration as example indigenous bat-ponies, with their son, Vlad, as a pup) would've still been alive if they hadn't sacrificed their life for their son, Vlad the II (who would grow up to become Luna's husband), from a war the bat-ponies had with the other creatures. Like in the Overworld/Equestria, with the “Great Divide” between the ponyfolk, something similar happened in the Underworld. The creatures fought one another for resources and dominion. But Vlad the II was smart to escape the conflict and ask for help above. But little to his knowledge the same thing was happening in the Overworld. However, he was able to join a group that would help him if he helped them in return. It was Starswirl and his young team, consisting of Celestia, Luna, Terrain, Northern Star, Pollux (Discord) and him –Vlad– known as the Forgotten Six/Royal Six. After a while, the Underworld will get its order back, but the creatures there are still cutthroat by nature, so they still have their little quarrels and disputes, but no huge wars anymore.



☆ Generally, appearance-wise, bat-ponies have long pointed ears, a upturned nose that's either pink or darker than their fur/coat, sharp long canines and pupils, cloven hooves (that look closer to pig hooves in resemblance), typically shorter tails, huge webbed wings, and fluffy thick fur/hair around their neck. They're typically neutral or dole colored, to blend in with their dark and dole environment.



☆ So, although I stated that Vlad was a “blood-sucking vampire” in a previous post, I didn't mean the killing type, nor is he reliant on “blood”. If anything I was being “dramatic” with my words, no less. Plus, I'm sure ponies on the Overworld would tell fibs and false stories about them being “blood suckers” to keep them away from bat-ponies. But with that being said, bat-ponies are omnivores, and eat small animals (usually found in caves) like lizards, snakes, salamanders, arthropods like insects, spiders and crayfish, small birds/eggs, and sometimes exclusively fruit. They really crave sugary fruits like bananas, cherries, berries and plums and such. So, they're known for having a MAJOR sweet tooth. Also, the animals and the fruits that are exclusively found in the Underworld bear magical properties that enhance their natural abilities, like the “Blood Plum” (is basically a magical plum that is so sweet and powerful that it could give a normal pony an extreme sugar rush. Like Pinkie Pie bouncing off the walls extreme, lol! But it does quell the hunger of a bat-pony though so they don't have to eat a whole orchard worth of apples to satisfy them). Another thing, bat-pony cravings are no joke, and they usually crave/prefer a particular fruit or fruit types, (fruit types being berries, pomes, drupes, citrus fruit, pepo, etc). Like, for instance, Fluttershy has a craving for pomes or apples and any other pomes like, pears and such. Whereas, her daughter, Valentine, has a craving for berries, especially strawberries. Luna and her children, Midnight and Aurora, also crave berries (yes, a banana is a berry, lol X]]).

Now, biting other ponies or sentient creatures for the sake of bloodlust is criminal and taboo in their realm. Because they don't run on blood, they run on good magical food, lol. They only gain insatiable hunger towards fruits and stuff; that's it. Though they might seem big and scary, they're not out for blood. HOWEVER! They might use their sharp fangs as a defense mechanism or as playful teasing/roughhousing, but not to eat ponies with. Not even to eat non-sentient livestock. They also might bite (not to kill) during “intimate” moments with their partners if they’re into that sort of thing. Like I mentioned here in an older post with Fluttershy and Big Mac: https://www.deviantart.com/theartfox2468/art/Star-AU-Sweet-n-Sugary-Red-Apples-895378039.



☆Bat-ponies are all nocturnal in some shape or form. Half/mixed-breeds usually have insomnia because they're both nocturnal and diurnal. But some can create a fixed sleep schedule.



☆Because the sunlight was made to repel most evil, like some of the creatures that came from the Underworld, all bat-ponies have an intolerance to the sun. However, the sun doesn't kill them, it just sunburns their skin (like, they need hella sunscreen). So, they remedied this by making enchanted artifacts/clothing/jewelry (yes, bat-ponies can be gifted in the magic arts or become witches/warlocks) to make them resistant to the sun's power. However, as generations go on, considering a bat-pony mixes with other ponies and the family-line continues to, then this disability will die out, so will the bat-pony traits, features, and abilities.





《INDIGENOUS BAT-PONY》



Environment/Residence: Mainly The Underworld Bat-pony Kingdom and Canterlot, but are now seen sprinkled across Equestria and far beyond. Indigenous bat-ponies are the least tolerant to the sun and its power. So, they're skin will blemish and welt faster than the mixed or half-blood bat-pony. Indigenous bat-ponies unlike the others cannot see in the daylight and will be blinded. Thus messing with their senses and disorienting them.



Appearance & Behavior: They stick out like a sore thumb. You can tell that they're a bat-pony. Unlike the turned and half/mixed-blood bat-ponies, they don't have an “alter ego” or a “pony/regular form”. They're just them and that's it. If they wanted to disguise themselves, they would have to pull the “shady guy in a trench coat with shades and a fedora” look.

The bat-pony features are more prominent, with their big wings, big ears, cloven hooves, pointy nose and such. But their most distinctive features that REALLY sets them apart from the others is that their wings are connected to their tail, making their tails so short that they don't have long luscious hair on it. Also, they're slightly bigger than the average pony (like Vlad the II was Shining Armor's height. So you can imagine the female's being “show accurate” Luna height). They're coats are the most bland and neutral out of the others, with brown, black, grey, white and rarely faded pink, blue and purple pigments. Lastly, their typically yellow sclera and red/orange/yellow/magenta/pink irises give them away as well.



They usually hang upside-down while they sleep and their young latch onto them with their wings. To make sure they don't accidentally fall, they make a swathe with a sling to keep the baby on them. Btw, they do call their young “pups”. However, there's no specific name for a grown male or a female bat-pony, so they'll still be referred to as mare and stallion.

Females are slightly bigger than male bat-ponies because they have potential to bear a litter, but not always. The chances are like 40_{. Though it is under 50}, the chances are still quite high. So, either a female bat-pony bears one pup, or five at once. 💀 Btw, this is exclusive to indigenous bat-ponies, so a mixed generation down the line won't have to worry about having a big bundle of kids. Maybe twins or even triplets, but not quintuplets or more. They also have fluffier neck fur to keep their pups warm. 🥹

“Maternity roosts” are a tradition shared between pregnant female bat-ponies. They bunch together to keep each other warm and to comfort one future mom to another, sharing their wonderful experiences. The mothers after a roost stay in contact and usually become the closest of friends since they were able to trust each during their most vulnerable moments. They also help take care of each other's pups. I'm sure this is what Luna went through, because I know she wanted to respect Vlad's culture and traditions! X3



Although they love and spoil their pups, the second they reach their teenage years, they're taught to be lean, mean fighting machines. Especially if they live in the Underworld. Although major wars and stuff have subsided, the Underworld is still a rugged place compared to the Overworld. So, bat-ponies are taught how to live, survive and fend for themselves young. Because of this, they are usually kicked out of homes by 18 so they don't become complacent lazy bums. So, in the Underworld, you see a lot of young bat-pony hustlers running around trying to make a living. Some even live together in groups to combine income to afford a home and resources. But, Overworld bat-ponies have the luxury to have a long peaceful childhood, lol. X]



They have the longest lifespan out of all the bat-ponies and can live up to 1,500 years before they kick the bucket. The royal family could've lived longer if the original Tepes hadn't died.



In my headcanon, I know some of y'all will be disappointed to hear this, but indigenous bat-ponies can't gain cutie marks. TwT





Diet: Their diets are the same as I mentioned above. Eating small vertebrae animals, insects, and sugary fruits. However, they are more reliant on the food and resources found in the Underworld, as the food there has specific magical properties that enhance their natural abilities. So, when they decide to live in Equestria, they have to get a good supply of the food and resources from The Underworld.



Abilities: Speaking of abilities, they have the incredible power to “turn” individuals into bat-ponies before they die. Practically giving them a second and long new life. But this can only be possible only if the individual is dying, is bitten before their last breath and consumes the blood of the same bat-pony that bit them after they die. Then, that's when a deceased pony transforms and becomes one. Now, the catch is, they only have the magic and ability to do this “once”. So they have to choose who they want to save wisely. They can only do this once because the magic it takes to do it uses a lot of their life essence and magic. Lastly, they cannot use this ability on other bat-ponies for obvious reasons (why would a bat-pony turn a bat-pony into a bat-pony 💀💀💀).

But wait, there's more! Their blood does have healing factors, but it can only heal wounded but alive individuals. This means, bat-ponies have the natural ability to slowly heal themselves with their injuries. Obviously they're not lizards, so they can't regrow limbs or organs, but they heal a large gash and stuff similar to it, quicker than a normal pony. Unfortunately, there might be a very dark practice in the witch doctor and wizarding world where they might hold bat-ponies hostage (or kill them :[[[) for their blood to use in remedies, spells and such.



They have night vision, or the ability for their eyes to adjust and see clearly in the dark.



They can communicate through echolocation. Since they're world is so dark, and at times pitch black, they use an assortment of throat noises, tongue clicks and high decibel shrieks to communicate from afar. The sounds can mean different things. Shrieks usually mean that they're in danger or see danger, or harsher shrieks that sound more like barks can indicate that they're aggressive or about to approach for a fight. Clicks are casual, like saying “hey” or “bye” or for a general morse code-like conversation. Deep or high throat noises, almost like purrs, are used for friends, family, children and lovers.

Because of their wide vocal range, they can assault ears with one loud shriek if they feel threatened.



They're really inhumanly strong and can fly faster than most think. They can even compete with the fastest flyers of the Wonderbolts (maybe not Rainbow Dash though, but the general Wonderbolt)!





Other: They're names are usually night based, but sometimes also based on popular vampires or characters from gothic or religious media, flowers/plants, mythological gods/goddesses and Romanian names. Speaking of Romania, I want them to have Romanian accents, like Nosferatu, but idk if that's too much, lol X]



Garlic is indeed toxic to them, because vegetables aren't even in their diet. Pepos like squash and berries like tomatoes are the closest thing to “vegetables” (they're not vegetables, lol, but a lot of people think they are) that they'll eat. Anyway, straight garlic, and planets in general will upset their tummies, or give them bad reactions (like hives and other allergic reactions) or just death. 💀 So I'm guessing they can't consume vervain or wolfbane either lol. They might be more “bat” than “vampire”, but they have their similarities, lol. X]]



Yes, ponyfolk in Overworld Equestria feared them from the fact that they are omnivores. Implying that they can stomach “blood” and “flesh” not knowing that they only eat small non-sentient creatures, and sometimes just exclusively fruit, like I said. A chicken is probably the biggest animal that they would eat, lol.



Bat-ponies, though I mentioned are pretty rough, are the least meanest Underworld species. Yes, they're still a little rough on the edges, but they usually have good intentions and mean no harm. So, once the Overworld accepted their differences, they easily adapted to their new home. Mix-breeding began happening way before the terror of Nightmare Moon. All because Luna, after she got with Vlad, began to slowly desensitize Equestria with bat-ponies.





《TURNED BAT-PONY》



Environment: Overworld, Equestria.



Appearance & Behavior: Pony by day, bat-pony by night, (not literally, lol X]]).



Okay, lol, so, there are two types of “turned” bat-ponies. One way is done traditionally, and the other way is done through other methods like magic. But, what they both can't do is turn other ponies. Only indigenous bat-ponies can. Also, the only indicator in their pony form showing that they are bat-ponies is their sharp canines. That's it.



Like I stated earlier, the “traditional” way a pony can be turned into a bat-pony is when they get bit by a bat-pony before they die and consume their blood after their death. Like, take Luna for example. After the fight with Concord (Discord's brother) she was severely injured and exhausted. So, before she could fully die, Vlad bit her. But when she had finally kicked the bucket, Vlad gave her some of his blood to complete the process. And since that day forth, she has been a bat-pony. The curse is irreversible btw. The “traditional way” gives these turned bat-ponies, like Luna, similar weakness, appearance and capabilities. Still using Luna as an example, she became an exclusively nocturnal creature of the night. Luckily, she wasn't needed during the day that much, because when she was she would always be tired, lol. She also gained a longer lifespan on top of her immortality as an alicorn. The consequences to this is that she became quite intolerant to the sun, so they gave her enchanted jewelry/clothes and such to withstand the power of the sun. But only in her bat pony form could she fly fast, use echolocation, night vision, have a pointed nose, sharper canines and pupils, red eyes (no yellow sclera though), different coat and hair color, long ears, bat wings, and cloven hooves. She also gained the ability to heal, but the healing factor could be from the fact that she's an alicorn.



Another way is by “magic” (there could be other ways, but I'm not aware or sure of them 🤷🏾‍♀️). Fluttershy being turned into a “vampire bat-pony” was a pure example of this type of transformation. Technically by name she is a “bat-pony” but her being one through this method doesn't make her the same as the others. Fluttershy is in a whole ‘nother realm of mlp vampirism, lol. She's a really special case (not trying to say this didn't happen before, because Twilight had to get the spell from somewhere 👀). Anyway, although she exhibits similar behavior to the bat-ponies, like being nocturnal, liking dark places, and being sensitive to light, flying pretty fast in this form and can utilize echolocation, she's still not the same as the others and is pretty different. Luckily, for her, she's not intolerant to the sun. She also didn't gain immortality, so she still ages normally. Unlike Luna and for other turned bat-ponies, this curse on Fluttershy “could” be reversible, but this is such an uncommon occurrence that there isn't any reliable cure. And I'm pretty sure, after Fluttershy had this spell on her after all this time, she became one with the bat! 💀 So the magic changed her biology permanently at this point. Moreover, when she turns into her bat pony form, her colors become dole, and gain nearly the same look as the bat-ponies.



Diet: Both Luna and Fluttershy get an insatiable hunger for fruit from time to time. Sometimes it gets so bad they switch into their bat-pony forms until their hunger is momentarily satisfied. But they do a good job at controlling themselves from changing. I believe that if they do change, it was by command or because they got emotional. Like, I believe Nightmare Moon looks like that because Luna was emotional and her bat-pony form shaped her Nightmare Moon look.

Also, traditionally turned bat-ponies, like Luna, might be able to gain an omnivorous diet. After Luna's transformation, she's taken a liking to some bat-pony delicacies and cuisine, like escargot, lizard bisque, omelets, and spider-bites.



Other: Though Luna technically died and came back to life the traditional vampire way, she was still able to have kids. I believe that when bat-ponies revive other individuals, “they come back to life” and not stuck as an “immortal reanimated zombie”. Her and Vlad's son, Midnight, was able to inherit Luna's bat-pony genes, making Midnight more bat-pony than pegasus. But, Midnight is classified as a half-blood/dhampir regardless.

Valentine, Fluttershy and Big Mac's daughter, was also able to inherit a smidgen of Fluttershy's vampire bat tendencies and characteristics, like sharp teeth, and insatiable greed for sweet fruit. This is why she lives off of strawberries and other berries.



If a bat-pony turns a unicorn or an earth pony, those two pony species will not gain wings. Now, they may gain special abilities or stronger magic, like super speed when they run and strength, but that's it, lol.





《HALF-BLOODS/DHAMPIR AND MIXED BAT-PONIES》



Environment: Overworld and Underworld.



Appearance & Behavior: Half-Bloods or Dhampirs happen when an indigenous bat-pony mixes with a pony/individual, like Midnight, Luna and Vlad's son! However, since Luna was 50% bat-pony already before Midnight was born, Midnight inherited more of the bat-pony side than the pegasus/alicorn genes. Because of this, he doesn't have a cutie mark, and can't be both nocturnal and diurnal, like his sister Aurora, or tolerate the sunlight. He's practically just a full bat-pony with a pinch of alicorn magic and feathers, lol.

Besides, regular dhampirs will still have a 50/50 chance of gaining a cutie mark or any other genes.



However, ponies, like Aurora (Luna and Rarity's daughter) and even Valentine (Fluttershy and Big Mac's daughter) who are mixed bat ponies (which means that they are more pony than bat-pony), we're able to gain a cutie mark, become nocturnal and diurnal, and can tolerate the sunlight (although Aurora probably still need sunscreen, lol). But since Aurora is more of a bat-pony than Valentine, she caught insomnia from actively being both nocturnal and diurnal. Valentine simply chose to be a diurnal girl although she could pull off a successful all-nighter if she wanted to and still be sane the next day.



Diet: It depends and varies. But the more bat-ponies become mixed in with other ponies, their diet gradually becomes more herbivorous and less omnivorous. They'll all still mainly crave sweet fruit.



Other: There is a VERY slim chance that an “alicorn” can be born JUST between a bat-pony and a unicorn (Aurora doesn't really count because with Luna being an alicorn already increased the chances of her naturally being born one). But like Midnight, they can be born with what is known as a “faux horn” where there's a symbol in the place where a unicorn horn should be. From there they can vaguely use magic and cast spells, but only limited amounts. Midnight uses his faux horn powers to enhance his natural bat-pony abilities like make him faster than what he normally is, or cast an invisible spell on himself to blend in with the shadows or the night sky. Other than that, he can really do anything else, like levitation or none of that.



《EXTRA》



Since Luna is their Queen and helped the bat-ponies in their time of need during the Great Divide, she is well renowned, beloved and respected amongst the bat-pony Kingdom. They were the only ones loyal to her to aid her during her time as Nightmare Moon. Unfortunately, during the time of her imprisonment, there was a time when bat-ponies were a little violent towards the ponyfolk of Equestria with protest and such and rebelled against any of Queen Celestia's words, leading to them being banned to the Underworld and seen as nothing but scary fierce creatures. Now, not all bat-ponies were mean and rogue during this time. The good ones could stick around in Equestria. Some of them tried to be the better bat-pony and make peace, but generally, most of them were upset. However, once their Queen, Luna, became reformed they were finally able to calm their nerves and make peace with the citizens of Equestria and Celestia again.



~

MY LORD, that was a lot of info! I didn't know I had that all in me! And I still feel like I'm missing some details, but oh well, lol! Y'all are here to let me know if I did or have any further questions or comments. I'm going to make this a bit of a series, because there are more creatures and headcanons to explore in the Underworld. I will have to do it over the course of the next few posts (or in-between posts whenever I have time because these headcanons take A LOT of time to do). Welp, it looks like I'm back to world-building and stuff. But I will be sure to paste myself unlike I did last time! (That's why I took that 3 year hiatus lol 💀). I love world-building, but it's so much work and so many details and such. 😅



But anyway, I hoped y'all liked it! Be sure to check out my Q&A if you have any questions or even suggestions (here's the link to it again: https://www.deviantart.com/theartfox2468/art/Q-and-A-Suggestions-for-Star-AU-MLP-1197007969 ). Thank y'all for the support! Love y'all! Take care! And of course, bye for now!





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