The Life of a Thestral

by The Fiery Phoenix

First published 2nd of March, 2017

Twilight, Trixie, Derpy, and Diamond Tiara are sick of there life of neglect and cruelty, so they leave for a better life.

In a alternate world Twilight is a Thestral who often has to fight her own predatory instinct. Trixie is not so good with magic, but is vary fond of her friends. Derpy try's hard to help her friends and hates conflict. And Diamond Tiara has to say good bye to her old life when going to the orphanage after her parents death. The four of them live together in the same orphanage. But when the bullying and the fact no one cares about them have the four run away. What will happen?
Warning spoilers Gore tag because blood will be mention in future chapters

Update 6/9/17
Finally got a cover image on this. but there were no filly Thestral Twilight ones. Oh well.

Prologue: 9 years ago

Author's Notes:

The next chapter is longer

It was a silent night in Canterlot with nopony on the streets, and a Thestral was running for her life. This Thestral was female with whitish-greyish coat, a white and light purple mane, and two silver leathery wings (one of them appearing broken). In her mouth was a basket. Far behind her were three earth pony's and a unicorn. The Thestral name was Twilight Velvet.

She ran into a alleyway and hid. She knew who those people were, they were Thestral hunters. They had already killed her husband and first born son, she looked into the basket she was carrying, inside was a sleeping one year old Thestral. She was purple with a dark blue mane that had a purple and dark pink streak, and had dark blue bat wings. (All Thestrals also have a spiral horn.) In her clutches was a plushy phoenix.

When they pasted her she left the alleyway, and a few moments later she saw Filly Care orphanage. She realized they were going to find her anyways and they were only in Canterlot for a few days. She looked at the orphanage, she knew she was going to die but her foal didn't have to. she gently set the basket down, someone running by wouldn't see it. She got out a scroll and wrote

Twilight Sparkle born may 15

on it she then heard them coming and ran of. The four pony's completely ran past the basket on the door step. A few minutes a bang echoed out. It was the sound of a gun.

(this is the theme song for this)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8qDOGLCSFo

Chapter 1: Somepony new

Author's Notes:

Post your comments below.

Twilight Sparkle flapped her blue leathery wings trying to fly with them.

"Come on Twilight you can do it!" Said the light blue Unicorn foal next to her, this unicorn name is Trixie.

"Fly Twilight fly!" Called the grey Pegasus flying above her, her name is Derpy.

Sticking her forked tongue in concentration she shut her eyes and started to flap in a pattern until she found herself face to face with Derpy.

"Ya you did it." Derpy called out. Twilight smiled a bit.

"Girls its time to go back inside." Trixie called to the two. They both landed and the three filly's ran to the orphanage they were so familiar with.

"Alright everypony settle down, we have a couple announcements." Mr. Stricture the pony in charge of the orphanage said when all the foals got inside. "First of all of you remember when Filthy Rich and his family lost Barnyard Bargains to prince Blue Blood a few months ago, exactly why he wanted it I really don't know. Well we found someone had murdered him and his wife and only there daughter is left, she will be coming in two hours. In other news there will be magic tests for the unicorns and predatory bat pony."

"I'm a Thestral." Twilight muttered as they walk to there rooms. In there rooms were two bunk beds. Twilight and Derpy sleep on the top bunk, Trixie sleeps below Twilight, no pony was below Derpy. The spare bed Twilight chewed on a few times when she regrew teeth. Since all the other rooms were full they had a strong feeling that would not be true in two hours.

"And why does she have to always call me predatory? I already Know I'm a predator!" Twilight ask her friends. Her friends shrugged.

"Well well well." Came a different voice. The trio looked behind to see Green Glider. "The monster, the freak, and the useless Unicorn."

"Go away Green Glider." Trixie said glaring at the green Unicorn colt.

"Ya leave us alone." Twilight said only a few feet away from Trixie.

"Oh no the animal is stepping out of line, lets fix that." Green Glider said as he pulled out a dog whistle and blew.

Nether Trixie nor Derpy heard anything but Twilight dropped to the ground clutching her ears. Both of them knew why. Thestrals had better hearing then dogs, so when a Thestral hears a dog whistle instead of discomfort like it is for dogs Thestral felt a high pitched agony.

"Leave Twilight alone." Derpy shouted snatching the whistle.

"Like I'm going to listen to a walleyed freak like you." Green Glider stated smugly.

Derpy backed away starting to tear up. Twilight got up despite the fact it felt like her ears were bleeding and hugged the sobbing Pegasus.

"O'k that's crossing the line, you can't hurt there feelings like that". Trixie snapped

"Like I care about feelings." Green Glider stated as he started to walk away, "Or the thoughts of a below average Unicorn who can't even levitate herself."

If looks could kill Trixie would have been a mass murder.

"Trixie calm down." Derpy pleaded.

"Forget about him, do you want to read?" Twilight asked. Twilight had the guide to all 6 pony species. This featured Earth, Pegasus, Unicorn, Thestral, Sea, and Deer. The other books Twilight have were a spell book, a guide to all of Equestria including map, a guide to non pony species and what they think of each pony race, and a daring do novel. Trixie looked at the book and climbed onto Twilight's bed to read.

When Diamond Tiara looked at where she would be living see wanted to scream to Faust herself and ask why she was tormenting her. The only thing she had of her old life was her tiara and cutie mark, the pony running the place showed her where she would sleep had three other inhabitants. They were a grey Pegasus, a light blue Unicorn, and a purple Bat pony. "Oh and the Bat pony chewed on it a few times," the pony said matter-a-fact."Great!"Diamond thought "I will be living with a carnivore."

Twilight didn't look up from the guide of non-pony species, (she hadn't read that one yet) mainly the section on what is there general thought were of Thestrals. She wasn't surprised when they ranged from absolutely terrifying to respectable. A few did surprised her like the Zebra thought Thestrals were misunderstood, and Minotaurs find Thestrals fascinating, And griffens were vary wary around them. Twilight knew why most creature feared Thestrals. Thestrals are meat-eaters and had ferocious tempers when provoked, and often succumb to there instinct. And she was no exception (when a pair of robbers tried to rob the orphanage they woke up her,Trixie ,Derpy ,and Mr. Stricker. They had kicked her aside and called her a insane beast. That was also at a time when she new how use her teeth. long story short the robbery was stop). Ever since then she learn to control her temper but she knows she could easily snap.

Derpy played with the two dolls she had and thought of what Green Glider had called her that. He was not the first person to call her that.

The only one who payed any attention to Diamond tiara was Trixie. She had heard about what she was like and she would give Diamond a piece of her mind if she dared insult them they had enough problems.

Diamond hoped this situation would get better. She has no idea.

Chapter 2: We can't take it anymore

It's been a month since Diamond Tiara moved to the orphanage and she hated it. The food there was awful (worse than what she had to eat at homeless soup kitchens), the pony in charge who name is Mr. Stricter (a vary fitting name in her opinion) didn't even really care about any of the foals there (a few weeks ago the Thestral named Twilight twisted her back ankle when a green Unicorn colt named Green glider pushed her into a ditch, when she managed to climb out and limp to the orphanage he made her wait two hours to go to the nurses office) and whipped foals who misbehaved, and the previously mentioned colt was so cruel and heartless that it was amazing the other could live like this. The only good thing about all of this was she made friends with her roommates.

Diamond walked into her room to see Twilight reading another book alongside Derpy and her plushy phoenix, it was a Daring Do novel. The Thestrals leg had healed enough so that she could walk but broken enough that she had to keep a cast on it. She sat on her bed and put her tiara on a desk in between the bunk beds. Twilight suddantly looked up and sniffed the air. She then said, "I smell blood."

Then Trixie stormed in covered in mud and bleeding whip marks. "Guess what that #@%$! colt Green Glider did!" She shrieked.

"Pushed you in mud." Diamond responded.

"Yes and said to Mr. Stricter that I was in the mud on purpose, which lead to the whip."

The four of then went to one of the five bathrooms there to clean Trixie but also to discuss something else.

"Twilight is anypony within hearing distance." Trixie asked.

Twilight put her ear to the door and listen. A few minutes past by with Trixie cleaning herself off before Twilight said, "all clear."

Trixie got out of the tub and started to dry herself off as she said in a whisper, "I think we should run away."

"What!" The three half whispered, half shouted.

"Girls think about it were treated awfully, I was thinking we leave." Whispered Trixie.

"But should we?" Derpy asked.

"I don't see any reason why not. We all have are cutie marks, books about Equestria, and a wagon." Trixie reminded

"Wait you have a wagon?" Diamond asked.

Trixie nodded, "last summer a noble was giving away a foal harness, a box of old but still useful toolbox with tools, and a wagon only big enough to hold four foals. Mr.Stricter doesn't know about it. I spent many nights with Twilight fixing it."

"Oh." Diamond said.

"But there one problem, Twilight's leg." Derpy pointed out.

"Don't worry it's almost healed." Twilight stated.

"And were not leaving immediately." Trixie said, "I was thinking next week, afterall Twilight's cast is coming off in two days. But that's if you want to come with me."

The three foals though about this. "I'm coming." Twilight said.

"Me to." Derpy stated.

"You three are the first friends I ever had and I hate this place, I'm coming to." Diamond tiara said firmly.

"In a week we will prepare, then we will forage are own destiny's." Trixie whispered as she put bandages on her wounds.

In a week the quartet had gathered bits, fixed there wagon and attached wings to it so if Derpy or Twilight were to pull it they would be able to pull it midair, and gathered what they will be bringing. Well they didn't have much they were bringing Twilight's books, and a few personal things. Trixie whip marks were also fully healed as well as Twilight's leg.

Speaking of her, Twilight looked out the window. She was in charge of the leaving plan, she was to stay up till midnight so they can leave, she wasn't tired because Thestrals only needed three hours of sleep and were nocturnal so she had gotten her sleep in the afternoon. Twilight looked down at there wagon with her books, bits, a compass, water bottles full of water, a toolbox, a first aid kit, Derpys dolls, Trixie's cloak, and her phoenix plushy in it. she was wearing a dark blue hooded cloak herself to hide her wings. Twilight then looked at her watch. 11:47 it said. "Well close enough." Twilight muttered to herself. She then climbed down and literally pushed Trixie and Diamond out of bed. She then flapped her wings and in midair shook Derpy awake.

"Was that really necessary?" Diamond Tiara exclaimed quietly.

"Yes, you two are impossible to wake otherwise." Twilight told them.

"Touche." Diamond Tiara said as she and Trixie got up off the floor.

Derpy flapped her wings and flew next to Twilight, it was remarkable how fast she was learning how to fly. Last month was the first time Twilight used her wings but she got the hang of it vary quickly. She read that that was a Thestral thing but it was still impressive.

"So are we ready?" Trixie asked.

"Hold on!" Diamond asked and grabbed her tiara.

"Okay lets go." Trixie said and Twilight started to harness herself to the wagon. The four then walked to the door, they then opened it and looked out. A cold, winter, snowy landscape greeted them. "They wouldn't mind if we left the door open?" Trixie ask them.

"Them being angry at us doesn't matter anymore." Diamond said firmly, "lets just go."

The three climbed in the small wagon, and as planed Twilight ran out the door and as fast as she could go in a random direction.

As Twilight ran they all felt a sense of freedom. It was time to shape there destiny's.

Chapter 3: You got to be kidding

Twilight ran savoring the freedom, as she did all the memories of her entire life flashed through her life and in that only three ponies ever showed her kindness and they were the ponies she was running away with. She finally stopped in a empty looking dark part of Canterlot. Catching her breath she sat down on the snowy ground and looked at her friends. "So what do we do now?" Twilight asked.

"That's what I was saving for if we manege to get out." Trixie said as she got out the map of Equestria, she the face hoofed remembering that that map wasn't specific help her navigate Canterlot, just all of Equestria.

"O'mm girls we have a problem, we can't navigate Canterlot." Trixie said nervously.

"What!" They all said quietly.

"Trixie just out of curiosity how much do we have?" Diamond asked.

"5 bits."

"Is there any good news?" Derpy asked.

Twilight faced away from her friends, and looked around, she then had a worried look on her face. "I know this place." She said fear in her voice, the other three looked at her.

"How do you know this place?" Diamond asked the three looking at Twilight.

"I'm a hunter, when I started to hunt on my own I was able to fine this place and hunt rats here, from then on I always sneak here at night and hunt here." Twilight said.

"But I have seen you eat plants." Diamond said.

"Yes because Thestrals are omnivores." Twilight said.

"Oh." Diamond said.

"So isn't that a good thing were in a place you know." Derpy asked.

"Not really considering that if you enter that alleyway and turn at the end you would find the Shadow market." Twilight said, getting shocked looks from her friends. The Shadow market was where you could find anything from old artifacts, rare animals, and all sorts of spell books. But it was also vary dangerous. Some of the things in there were dark magic.

"Girls we have only two options, one wander around Canterlot complete lost or explore that place and have a possibility chance at finding a map." Diamond said.

The quartet reviewed there options in there minds. They weren't going back, and wondering clueless around Canterlot wasn't that appealing. Plus maybe they could find a job.

"Maybe we could look for a map there." Trixie said.

"But isn't it dangerous there?" Derpy asked.

"Not if were careful." Twilight said. "The few times I did explore this place I was cautious, but we can't leave the wagon here."

"So who is going to stay here with the wagon?" Diamond asked.

"We'll draw straws." Twilight said as she grabbed four random pieces of hay. Her friends randomly took one each reveling that Diamond tiara had the shortest one so it was agreed she would stay.

"Just hurry back." Diamond said as she was harnessed to the wagon.

"Okay." Derpy said as they started to walk to the shadow market.

The three fillies looked about in awe, the place had so much in there old books, amazing animals, and rare spells. They could possible find a job there.

"You know whenever I do come here I don't really explore much." Twilight said.

They would have did more exploring had they not heard a cry of pain, no other pony notice it.

"What was that?" Derpy asked.

"I don't know." Trixie said.

"All find out." Twilight said and ran in the direction of the cry, Derpy and Trixie following behind.

When they got there they crept behind a bunch of boxes and saw what all the commotion was. A large, bulky, earth pony was whipping a fire fox kit. He was a animal abuser.

"Quit your blubbering fox." The earth pony said with a evil smile well the kit continued to cry.

Twilight looked in fury this sight enraged her alot, without thinking she used her magic to shove the earth pony in to a pile of boxes.

"Twi are you crazy!" Trixie said as Twilight ran over to comfort the kit. Twilight ignored her friend and scooped it up with her hooves.

"Its okay, your all right." Twilight said in a soothing tone.

"Twilight can we go?" Derpy asked seeing that the earth pony was getting up.

"Oh horseapples." Twilight muttered before holding the fox with her wing and running back towards where they left there wagon and Diamond tiara.

Diamond tiara tapped her hoof in boredom as she waited for her friends to return. Since she got to the orphanage she learned a lot of things, like the importance of true friendship. She had at first acted like a high horse and treated the others poorly until she was put in her place by Green glider. With the others quickly losing interest in her and Green gliders constant bullying she started self reflecting in how she acted. But even when she reflected and tried to change for the better nopony trusted her until Twilight attempted to befriend her. Then Derpy befriended her, and eventually Trixie warmed up to her. And with that friendship she became vary fond of her friends, a experience she never had as a rich filly. Suddenly her friends ran up to her in a panic.

"Girls what is it?" Diamond asked.

"No time to explain, just run." Derpy said fear in her eyes. Diamond's eyes then fell on the fox on Twilight's cloaked back.

"Is that what I think it is?" Diamond asked. Before Twilight could say anything a large pony emerged out of the alley.

"Well well well." He said with a sneered which was the fillies que to get the hell outta dodge. They ran out of the alley way and started to run when Twilight got a plan.

"Girls he's after me, if I split away he'll chase me." Twilight said out of the stallion's ear shot.

"What that's crazy." Trixie said

"You can't!!" Derpy and Diamond cried.

"I can fly remember, now go." Twilight said before splitting away from the others, but Trixie followed. And as Twilight predicted he chased only them.

A 16 year old orange unicorn mare with a red and yellow fiery mane trotted around Canterlot, It was just so peaceful at this time. A meek whimpering caught her attention and she looked into a alleyway, only to hear a fillys voice whisper "Shh be quiet or he'll hear us."

"Who's there, please come out." The mare asked. Then a light blue foal with a white mane emerged out of her hiding place. She looked like she would pass out from exhaustion and was out of magic.

"Hello madam, what brings you hear?" The blue foal asked.

"I heard something and a different voice then yours filly." The mare responded.

"I guess I have to show myself." Another voice, the one she heard before said in the shadows and out walked a little purple Thestral with a fox on her back. Her ears were flattened back as though she was expecting her to harm her.

"Okay fillies I must ask what are you doing alone and where are your parents."

Before any of them could answer a voice shouted "there you brats are!"And the three of them turned around to see two menacing looking stallion's. The blue filly finally collapse to the ground.

The stallion grinned and said "I found one of my acquaintances, he know's exactly what to do with Thestrals." looking at the unicorn accompanying him.

"I don't think so!" The orange mare said standing between the foals and the stallions.

The stallion who had been originally chasing the foals said. "Get out of here bacon hair."

That was enough for her before she lite her horn. "Back up kids, I don't want you to get hurt." Twilight nodded and dragged Trixie back. She then step up.

The other unicorn then looked at her, grinned, then said. "If its a magic duel you want it's a magic duel you get." Then they started to duel. But as they battled Twilight noticed that the other pony sneaked over with a steel pipe in his hooves with full intentions to harm her. Without thinking she put the fox down and leaped in front of him and growled at him, trying to look scary. But he swung the pipe and hit her hard in the wing and sent her smashing back first into the wall. He gripped the pipe a though of getting his vengeance only for his accomplice to be hurled by magic at him.

"LEAVE NOW, unless you want my mentor princess Celestia involved." She said giving the most terrifying look Twilight ever seen.

The two of them realized they weren't getting anywhere and ran for in. The mare then walked over to Twilight, she was curled up in pain and slightly shaking. "I think my wings are broken." She whimpered.

The mare lowered here head to Twilight's level and cast a scanning spell to reveled her both of her wings were badly broken.

"Let's just said you wont be doing any flying for a while kid." She said, then carefully levitated the foal onto her back.

Trixie having finally manage to stand walked over. "Umm miss..."

"My name is Sunset Shimmer." Sunset said.

"Okay, Sunset We have two other friends we need to find. Can you help us?" Trixie asked.

"Don't worry Trixie were right here." A familiar voice said before two other foals emerge, one of them attached to a wagon.

"Never mind." Trixie said.

"Wait, how did you find us?" Twilight asked from underneath Sunset's mane.

"We'll after you two ran off we tried to keep up but we lost where we were going. It wasn't till Diamond suggested I fly up and find you that we were able to find you." Derpy said then picked up the fox.

"Well kids, your all coming with me." Sunset said levitating the fox, Derpy, and Trixie in the wagon.

As they walked towards the castle Sunset had a strong feeling that things will not be the same.

Author's Notes:

Sorry this is late.

Also this is Sunset's angry face at being called bacon hair.