//------------------------------// // Subject 204: Zebra Lands V // Story: Interviews With Equestrians // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// Meanwhile, on the other side of the town… The zebra officer had raced towards the town hall, but something stopped her dead in her tracks before she could make it there… BLLLLLLP! “Gah!” A swarm of bullets that struck the ground next to the mare forced her to stop, and look around. “Who dares?!” As expected...I knew my brother would be in some trouble. Twas a good thing I came to help out when I did. “Your time is up, woman,” with a small hiss, I landed before her. Outfitted with a fresh, new right hoof that could fire seeds at an even faster rate. “My brother is going to make sure your plans fail.” “What?! But that’s foolish!” she screamed at me, “Not only are there two of you, but you both seek to disrupt the natural order of our kind?! How dare you?!” I spat on the ground nearby, and went on. “Twas all fun and games until your superiors decided to invade us. In doing so, you’ve nullified your own rights and have opened yourself up to criticism.” I spun the barrel of my hoof’s weapon, and spat some more seeds into it. “So now you’re about to pay the price. On my honor as Neon Isotope.” Back in the town square… Everyone still seemed rather iffy on my offer. I couldn’t blame them. I had essentially asked them to risk everything they knew for the sake of potential freedom. Freedom that was not guaranteed, and ultimately could land them in further trouble should my plan fail. There was still time before any of the Zebrican nobility would awaken to find their servants missing, so I wasn’t too concerned. However, when I noticed Zecora’s ear flick, I couldn’t ignore the fact that she clearly sensed something off in the distance. “...Lady Z. What’s the matter?” “It would appear that we are in the company of another. Could it perhaps be your brother?” she tilted her head. Oh dammit all. If he was here, that could only make things worse...or better? I had no idea how to properly label it. But wait a minute, how could she tell that Neon was here? “Pause right there, madam...just how do you know it’s him?” She scraped her hoof against the dirt below us. “I can sense his aura through this land. He wants to help you take a stand. But beyond that, I do not know his intent. For now, we must focus on those that have been forced into a harsh life without consent.” Indeed. I could only venture that my brother had done something to buy us some time. Oh. Was it possible that he had managed to intercept Kwaade? A pipe dream, but I’d like to think it was plausible. Anyhow, I focused back on the zebra-ponies. It seemed as if they had finished their chatter amongst themselves. One of them, another stallion, trotted up to me and asked me a question. “...Okay. Suppose we agree to h-have your h-help…” he stuttered, his knees quaked as he spoke, “...w-what will you want in return?” I raised a brow. Why would I ever want anything in exchange for simply doing my job? Twas selfish it was--wait. Hold on. There was more at play here. If I could at least get some information from them… “Nothing--except, well...do any of you have any idea as to the possibility of the zebs sending creepy types of magic towards the mainland of Equestria?” A hybrid mare stepped forward. “Um...this may not be exactly what you’re referring to. But I have heard something from the zebras...something about trying to summon...somepony important.” I rubbed my hoof against my chin as I thought about it. Then I took a look at Zecora. “...Ma’am. Is it possible for zebras to summon an entire being with the types of magic that are practiced here?” Zecora looked down with a shameful frown on her muzzle.. “As much as I want to deny, there are loads of crazy things one can try. Bringing back those long-dead while risky, can cause chaos to spread.” She raised her head to glance at me. “Tell me, Flash Drive--who do you think that these corrupt zebras would want to bring back to life?” That’s when it hit me. All of this was a giant effort to bring back the one enemy we had been fearing for a long time. But how...what exactly were they going to do to accomplish this? “Gah...doesn’t make sense. Not unless they made use of somepony for a vessel…” Oh no. That’s who the vessel was going to be. I snapped back into gear. It was time to kickstart my plan. I focused on the crowd of hybrid ponies as a whole. “...Alright, thank you very much. But now, I’m going to need help from the rest of you. Do all of you wish to stay here and live in peace, or would you rather leave this place in search of a new life? I won’t force you into either decision.” “...dad, I trust him,” a hybrid colt muttered, “He’s like us. He wouldn’t have come all this way from Trottingham if he didn’t care.” “The boy’s right,” a mare spoke up, “I think we should listen, and give him the benefit of the doubt. If he can really help us get free and collapse the structure of this place…” A stallion chimed in. “Then we’ll all be able to live happily while simultaneously destroying the environment that once held us hostage.” Correct. All very correct indeed. But that left one issue. What would be the future of this land once its society fell apart? Could I truly rebuild it? No… I turned my head to Zecora once more, this time with an eyebrow raised. “...You came here for more than just save me didn’t you?” She playfully shunted me with her side. “Ah. Now you finally realize. Indeed, I am here for something which I have always prioritized. I managed to save you as well. So consider this your lucky day. I hope you’re willing to assist me in return. What do you say?” she said with a rather convincing smile. Dammit all. She played me. And I enjoyed it.