//------------------------------// // Mangani Madness // Story: Home is where True Peace and Love Is // by MetalBrony823 //------------------------------// King Imari and all his eland friends and subjects were certainly a friendly bunch of antelope, and it would make sense since eland are basically the only antelope that can be tamed for their milk and meat in Luke’s homeworld. Just about every one of these eland were really welcoming and Twilight and her friends may have formed a new alliance with them, along with some zebras, white rhinos, and a bunch of Cape buffalo to do diplomatic missions with. Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, And the other friends couldn't wait to teach these soon-to-be students at the School of Friendship. As of now, alike was relaxing at the guesthouse with his friends and father, all of them just coming back from the beautiful and large city of Eleena, feeling tired from all of that sightseeing and walking around the city during the little tour by the king himself. “So Dad, What do you think of this trip?” Luke asked Larry. “Yeah. I love this. I mean, the animals are cool, and I like how diverse this place is.” Said the father with a smile before having a sip of his hibiscus tea. “God, i can’t wait to see what we’ll do next.” “Indeed, Zebrica is very diverse.” Zecora remarked. “One of the most beautiful places in the universe. We’ll just have to wait and see, Larry.” “Here here, Zecora.” Said Luke’s Father. “This tea is so good. I’m gonna go and get some more.” Meanwhile, Luke was thinking of something else that might be fun to do in this Zebrica adventure for him, and he was thinking of N’dugo, the friendly Mangani creature that he met before, who was one of Zecora’s companions before going to Ponyville. Could he possibly meet him again, and take a look at the Mangani creatures that he read about in the Tarzan series? It was like Zecora mentioned before: he will just have to wait and see. Luke was a type of human that would let nature “take it’s course” and was a firm believer in this old, trje saying: “Time waits for no one.” Besides, he has had enough of walking and traveling for one day, for his legs were feeling like jello, or twigs about to snap and cause him to fall on the floor. Luke knew it would never happen, but he thought that if it did, he would have to either have robotic legs, or having inclined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, and he certainly did not want to be crippled Pie that for the rest of his life. Fluttershy herself was very happy to be on this trip, from seeing new types of animals to meeting new friendly faces, she was just as happy and intrigued as Luke was. Moreover, the yellow Pegasus was thinking about Angel Bunny and her critter friends back home, wondering if they were okay. She knew she couldn’t just go and see how they are doing for herself, for she was certainly not a speedy Pegasus like Rainbow Dash is. Still, she was quite happy with this trip and how well it is going for her, and the others she cares about. “Twilight, do you think there are other dragons here in Zebrica?” Spike Asked her “Well, I doubt it. Dragons mostly just keep to themselves, even if Ember is the new dragon lord. Who knows? There might be a similar creature out here.” “I don’t know if I would want to encounter that.” Said a Fluttershy with a small shiver of fear. “My goodness, I don’t want to even think about encountering a dangerous dragon-like monster out here.” “Come on, Fluttershy.” Said Applejack. “Smolder is a friendly dragon, and so is Ember.” “True. That’s true.” “And Luke has his cool lightsaber in case an evil dragon comes and tries to eat us. Luke would skin him alive.” Rainbow Dash remarked. "Damn right I would." Luke agreed, looking at his laser blade that rested on the nightstand next to him. "Well despite this heat and humidity that is slightly killing my mane, I think this is turning out rather nicely." Said Rarity. "Although, I feel like I should wear a sun hat next time I go out there." "Shade is absolutely necessary." Said Okove. "Along with drinking plenty of water out there in the sun." "You don't have to tell us twice." Said Applejack. "I will need as much water to fill me up." Meanwhile, Luke was thinking about what other fun things they can do for the reminder of this trip, and he hoped to see more animals when he, his father, and his friends all get the chance. He can't rush these sort of things, but it was almost like his dream about going to Africa had at last, come true, and he couldn't be happier. King Zuma came in the room with N'dugo, the Mangani that he met before. "Zecora," he said. "Mangana is here once more and he would like a word with you." "Thank you father. And do not worry, he will not be a bother." The gigantic ape smiled and happily set foot in the guestroom while walking on all fours. "I hope I was not intruding, my friends." He said "Of course not." Said Twilight. "What brings you here?" "Well, Princess. I thought that since you and your friends are going to stay for just a number of more days, I thought I would tell you all a good place to visit." "What's that?" Asked Bon Bon. "The Silverback forest, my home." The Mangani answered boldly. "There are so many wonders in that jungle, many times of animals beyond extraordinary." Luke and his friends sounded interested in this, but Zecora and her brother thought differently. "I don't know." Said Zecora. "That is a very generous offer, but we might be unwelcomed guests there, N'dugo." "Many of those Mangani think badly of us zebras, or lowly or us." Okove added. "Nonsense. It is a large part of Zebrica." The ape insisted. "My tribe and leader will not even know you are there at all." Luke stepped up and said: "I think we should go there. The place sounds similar to the Congo rainforest at my homeworld. And I want to see what kind of animals it has in store for me to see." "Yes. I think we should go, too." Said Fluttershy. "I heard that it has three-eyed Bush babies in the Silverback forest. And unheard that they are so cute!" "And purple leopards in there. I heard they are fierce and totally awesome." Rainbow added "The pink crested swan." Rarity added. "I simply love the feathers of that bird, and the three dangling crests from it's head are simply divine and a unique appearance for that beautiful avian." "And correct me if I'm wrong, but I have read that the gigantic stone lizard lives in that area." Said Applejack. "I've heard about those kind of critters." "Yeah. They are like the size of a large boulder." Said Fluttershy. "Although, they can roam in other parts of Zebrica." Applejack made a chuckle, and said: "you know about animals more than I do, Fluttershy." "Guilty as charged." Said the yellow pegasus "Alright, alright." Said Zecora with a small laugh. "I suppose we can go into that little area. N'dugo will show us the way. Will you, my old friend?" "Of course. I know that rainforest better than any other creature." Said the gigantic ape. "Do be careful out there." Said Zuma. "Sure. A lot of places in Zebrica are dangerous and unpredictable, but in the Silverback forest, it can hide more dangers than you would bargain for. "Don't worry, father." Said Zecora. "Need I remind you that I am a filly no longer?" Zuma sighed and said: "I know. I know you are not a little filly anymore, but you're my daughter after all. Okove, please take good care of your sister when you approach there." "Do not worry, father." Said Okove. "She will he in perfectly good hooves. Besides, she absolutely knows what she is doing." "Well come along, my cronies." Said N'dugo. And they all followed him out of the castle. After hitting a regional train, they noticed the fields were becoming greener and greener and they saw a large line of tall trees in a forest. Many if the trees were thick and covered with vines, and many plants were surrounding them. It had to be the place. "Here we are." Saif the ape. They all followed him and it was certainly a whole new type of environment. It was like any other rainforest, humid, wet, and tropical. "Wow. Look at this place." Said Lyra. "It's huge. I mean, look at these trees, it looks bigger than the Everfree forest." "I hope it's not as deadly or dangerous as Everfree." Luke said. "Okay N'dugo. Lead the way." The mangani smiled and lead them deep in this jungle. It might turn put to be quite a journey for Luke, his father, and their friends here.