Twilight Sparkle walked down the aisle between the chairs, her veil billowed slightly in the whisper of wind. She stepped past the ponies sitting in the aisle seat, watching silently as she slowly stepped forward, some smiling. She smiled back, weakly, and continued on ahead. She did her best not to trip on her dress, but the one she had borrowed from Rarity was a little long.
The purple unicorn looked up at the stallion ahead of her, a zebra, with his back to her. She turned and looked at Princess
Luna, sitting in the front row. Twilight nodded to her and continued to stare at the wooden altar at the front on the aisle.
Letting a tear fall silently, the lavender mare looked at the altar, the last thing she had ever wanted to see.
When she reached the end of the aisle, she turned her eyes skyward, marveling at the mixture of the dark and stormy rain clouds brought on by the pegasi during one of Celestia's best sunsets. She choked out a sob and turned to the zebra, who continued to stare ahead,
"I am so sorry, Hemshela," she coughed, failing to stop her voice from quivering slightly.
The exotic pony shook his head, his striped mane waved like grass in the wind, "Do not be sorry, my dear. Death is a call that we all shall hear. My sister is galloping with my ancestors now in the great plains beyond the sun." His deep rhythmic voice seemed to boom over the silent crowd. Hemshela turned and headed to one of the seats next to Luna, who put a large, dark wing over the crying zebra.
Twilight Sparkle looked down at the pony lying on the altar, wrapped in the whitest of linens. Zecora seemed only to be sleeping as her body lay still on the wooden pedestal. As a rain drop landed on her head, Twilight bowed her head,
"I'm sorry I couldn't have saved you."
She coughed and made her way away from the body and to the seat on the other side of the alicorn, who held Hemshela tightly.
All of Ponyville and many zebra, Hemshela being the only family member, had come for Zecora's funeral. Smiling, Twilight thought back to the day when Zecora was new to Ponyville and was treated like a monster. But after some investigating, the Elements of Harmony brought her fully into the community.
Twilight wished her friends were with her now. They were on a secluded island off the coast of Manehatten, a vacation Spike had been planning for months. Unfortunately, Twilight had been called to Canterlot by the princess a day before the group of friends departed. The summons had been about magical disturbances within Everfree Forest, which Twilight rated lower than vacation with her marefriends. But it was the princesses...not like she could turn them down.
A week later, Twilight Sparkle received a letter from Nurse Redheart stating that Zecora had been found dead on the edge of Everfree Forest after what appeared to be mauled by a bear. Things like that happen all the time in Everfree; it’s a VERY dangerous place for ponies to venture. But hearing that it was somepony she actually knew and loved- that was the hard part.
After two hours of prolonged crying, the unicorn had tried to send a letter to Spike and the girls, but she couldn't stop crying so Celestia eventually took over and wrote the letter.
Her friends didn't have time to return for the funeral, understandably, them being halfway across Equestria. But they immediately packed up and were on their way home now.
Twilight's thoughts were interrupted by Luna sighing. The alicorn took a deep breathe slowly made her way to the altar with not a single tear in her eye. The moon princess had hardly known Zecora and with most of Equestria still having a hard time trusting the alicorn after the Nightmare Incident, she seemed like the last choice to do the zebra's eulogy. But in Celestia's absence, she was the only candidate that could handle the spell required for a proper zebra burial.
"My friends," she started, "we are here this evening, when the life giving sun surrenders the world to the cold of the night, to honor the death of the zebra Zecora, member of the Long Grass tribe. Though she was different, we accepted her as our own. Our friend. Our sister. Mentor to some..."
Luna turned to Twilight, a look of uncertainty upon her. Twilight smiled through her tears, hoping to give her princess courage. The indigo alicorn turned back to the crowd,
"Zecora was a zebra loved by all... but most importantly, loved all. She always saw the best in ponies and never turned down a friend or even an enemy in need, having the ability to turn everyday problems into lifelong lessons. She soothed our fears and pain with her rhythmic words that flowed like a mountain spring with unending knowledge and wisdom."
Twilight Sparkle moved next to Hemshela who sat as rigid as a board, fighting to keep his lower lip from quivering. She placed an arm around the zebra and wiped her own tears away. As soon as he felt her touch, he bowed his head and let two warm tears fall to the grass between his hooves.
"...and now, we commit her body to the earth that she so dearly loved and caressed like her own child."
The alicorn lit her horn and pointed it skyward, her eyes glowing white. As she stood there, the sun sank beneath the horizon and the clouds broke apart, revealing the northern lights which twisted and churned madly as if in sorrow with the death of the zebra,
"May the spirits of the ponies gone before her carry her safely and swiftly to the plains beyond the sun. Mag daar vrede groet julle in die volgende wêreld.Mag al die huil verslaan word deur die gees wagter.En mag die sterre jou klere."
Hemshela raised his head, "Mag daar vrede groet julle in die volgende wêreld.Mag al die huil verslaan word deur die gees wagter.En mag die sterre jou klere..... S-sister."
A stunning, white tongue of flame sprouted from Luna's horn, which she lowered toward the altar. Once the flame touch the wood, Zecora's body was engulfed by green flames.
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"How are you doing, Twilight?" Luna asked after the funeral had ended and they were all at the reception in Ponyville Square.
"I'm fine...I just wish my friends could have been here." The mare thought of where her friends were right now... probably on a train just leaving Manehatten. It would take them two days of nonstop train rides before they reach Appleloosa. Then it would be another day till they reached Ponyville. Unless Rainbow Dash decided to push the train, Twilight could easily see her doing that.
"Where is Princess Celestia? I am surprised not to see her here," Twilight asked after finishing her thoughts on travel.
The alicorn nodded towards the dark forest on the edge of town, "My sister is off hunting the creature that did this. She feels personally responsible for not controlling the creatures within. I begged her to come, knowing you would want to see her, but she would not be swade. Whenever a pony has died in Equestria... Celestia always blames herself."
Twilight's eyes widened, "Is she out there all alone?! She could get hurt too!" Fear for her second mother and mentor began to swell up within her. But the dark princess just laughed,
"Oh, Twilight Sparkle. Do you forget that she is an alicorn? Nothing will be able to touch her and get away with all their limbs still attached!" Luna laughed loudly, attracting stares, "I remember once when a hydra attacked Canterlot, quite the stupid animal. Celestia was furious; the sun could never match the intensity of her stare that day! Anyway, my sister went out, picked up the creature by its tail, and whacked it against the wall three times, causing the wall to crack in many places!" The princess continued to laugh as she recalled the memory. "After that she spun the hydra around over her head and threw it back into the Everfree Forest! Ha! Needless to say, we never had any more trouble from hydras."
The unicorn let out a breath, but she was still worried, it was only natural. Celestia had been like a mother to Twilight for years and she always worried about the princess, almost more than her actual mother who had passed away a few years ago. Twilight couldn't help but chuckle when the idea of Celestia using a hydra as a flail slowly crept into the forefront of her mind.
The moon goddess quelled her laughter and turned and towards the food table and magically picked up a delicious looking apple from Sweet Apple Acres, "Twilight, Celestia is my sister," The alicorn said through a mouthful of crispy apple, "We have been together since Equestria came to be. She will be fine; it will not help to worry."
Twilight Sparkle bowed her head, "Yes, princess."
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Princess Celestia walked carefully in Everfree, her eyes and ears alert, searching for anything that sounded like trouble. She had already come across a Cockatrice which would usually attack an intruder of the Everfree on sight, but instead it squeaked like a mouse and flew off in the opposite direction. Celestia had smiled when it had happened; remember the incident with the Hydra. She didn't need to hear the rumors or the tales; the alicorn knew exactly what lived within these horrid woods, remembering ages past when she and Luna drove all of the beasts into the non-magical forest, hoping to protect their ponies. She thought her subjects were safe. A week ago her dreams were shattered.
After the white alicorn received the news of Zecora's death from Redheart, She flew out in search of the creature, and if, when she found it, it would be time for the creatures of the Everfree to learn once again what happens to those who hurt her little ponies.
But as soon as the sun goddess entered the forest she knew something was wrong. The fog was heavier and there was absolutely no noise. If you were to walk through the Everfree any other day, you would hear the sounds of frogs croaking and the squawks of hunting birds in the distance.
But not today. The forest was deathly still, save for one lone alicorn walking through its dense undergrowth. Celestia pressed onward, deeper into the forbidden wood, when she heard the noise of rushing water a little ways ahead. Breaking through a dense line of trees, the princess spied a large, purple sea serpent in a river which was churning angrily. The large water snake was too busy stroking his rather attractive mustache to notice the royalty now before him. The princess knew this beast would never harm a pony, even if it attacked him first; Sea Serpents usually were kind hearted creatures, if not always a little self-conscience.
Celestia stepped closer to the serpent and greeted him kindly, "Hello, friend."
"Princess Celestia! It is an honor to see you again!" The serpent flung himself to the ground after he had seen the alicorn. Celestia bowed her head,
"Likewise, Mr. Magnet. Would you mind allowing me to cross your river?"
The snake of purple hide appeared perplexed and on pins as he raised his head and looked behind at the opposite bank,
"You wish to go over there? But my princess, it is very dangerous there these days! Strange creatures have taken control of your ancient castle!"
She gazed across the river at the trail covered in undergrowth and fog, "What sort of creatures?"
He shook his head, "I have been told so many different things that I do not know what is true. But there is one thing that is in common with all of the tales, that the creatures worship the moon like wolves."
"Strange creatures that worship the moon as like that of wolves....hm," the princess said aloud as she stood in the grass before the river. "Well this is helpful news, for I have some connections with the wolven clans! Thank you, Mr. Magnet; you have been most helpful in my mission."
The purple beast bowed low, smashing his head against the ground causing Celestia to rise in the air a little, "You are most welcome my princess! Good luck!"
She smiled and flew across the river, landing gently on the other side and began walking up the trail to the castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.
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"Well I do agree that the Apple family does pull its own weight and are not slackers... but surely you need a little extra help this season?"
"Eenope. Sorry, Twi... but we Apples have been a buckin' dem trees for generations! Now Ah don't mean no disrespectin', but magic ain't our way!"
Twilight Sparkle nodded, knowing that when Big Mac had his mind made up, it remained that way, "Well I just thought I should offer."
The large red stallion smiled, "Ah appreciate it, Twilight. Have a good day now! Least, as good as one as ya can get."
The unicorn nodded and walked away from the earth pony as she sighed, the funeral had ended two hours prior and Princess Celestia STILL hadn't returned from her 'hunt', as Luna took to calling it.
After a few mindless steps, Twilight looked up at the hill where Zecora's body had been burnt and saw Hemshela sitting next to the altar, alone. Feeling too depressed to grasp her magic and teleport there; she turned and walked up the incline to him. His head hung low over his striped chest, deep and steady breathes escaped his nostrils. As Twilight neared him, she noticed he was gently swaying back and forth and she heard the deep, rhythmic voice flow from him, is he singing?
Her thoughts were answered when the zebra raised his head to the sky, swayed in a circle and chanted,
"Nou is jy weg, suster, vriend
trane van smart laat ons oë
as die hart groei swak.
hoewel ons huil, jy lag
alhoewel ons voel leeg
jy is vol
moeder aarde het julle geneem
aan die wêreld van die geeste
aan die wêreld van geen trane
ons sal weer saam met jou
wanneer die ma terugkeer om ons weg te neem
maar tot op daardie dag het ek van jou vra
om te waak oor ons soos 'n arend waar"
Tears fell from the zebra's eyes as stopped swaying and bowed low to the altar, "Ek is lief vir jou, Zecora..."
Twilight turned to let him be alone again,
"Wait."
She stopped and turned as Hemshela walked over to her, "You are Twilight Sparkle, Element of Magic...yes?"
Twilight said nothing, but nodded, knowing that if she spoke she may start crying again after hearing the beautiful chant.
Hemshela bowed low to her, catching her off guard, "My sister wrote much about you, Element. It is an honor to meet the...held of Equestria and lands beyond"
Filled with confusion, all she could say was, "Held? What do you mean?"
The stallion raised his head, "Oh...my Equestrian is not as well as my sister's. I mean ah... hero. Yes, that is word."
Twilight smiled, "Thank you, and you speak our language very well. But I am confused... why don't your words rhyme like Zec-... like your sister's did?"
Hemshela gave a deep, throaty laughed, "Thank you for the happy words, held."
"Please, call me Twilight," the purple mare interjected.
He nodded, "Twilight. Not all sebrat's, or zebras as you name us, speak in the Rhythm. It is more like a... um... tradition than actual tongue. My sister followed our olden ways as if she were my grandmother; I remember when she once wanted to stick a long bone through her snout!"
Hemshela laughed loudly, Twilight Sparkle did her best not to laugh, but the picture of Zecora with all of her piercings and a nose bone made her chuckle and, eventually, laugh loudly with Hemshela. After they had calmed down, the two continued to talk and laugh about their and sister friend for an extra hour when it started to rain softly and everypony cantered inside.
Hemshela and Luna staid in the library with Twilight to wait for her majesty's return, which Twilight prayed was soon.
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Celestia sensed the magical rain clouds above her before the rain even began to fall. But as it began to rain harder and harder, she was forced to throw her cloak around her that she summoned from her closet back in Canterlot. The cloak was a simple brown traveling cloak, enlarged for the centuries old goddess.
As the princess arrived at the ruins of the castle, images appeared before her eyes. Illusions in the form of servants dashing around trying to keep the lawn fresh and well kept. Guards clasped in gold armor strutting around searching for any sign of danger to their princesses. And finally of her and Luna, chatting merrily while taking their morning walk around the grounds.
Making her way inside, more projections appeared before her, causing her to laugh at all the old faces that were long dead besides Luna. The main entrance way was always beautifully set up for every Hearts and Hooves day... candles floating near the ceiling, fake snow falling on the red carpet, holly and points eta's adorning the walls.
Sighing happily, Celestia continued to walk around the room, experiencing different memories. Finally she had to return to Equestria, she shook her head and called out, "Is anyone here?" Though she knew no pony was, or she would have sensed them with her magic.
Strange...the serpent had said this castle was under new management. She shrugged and walked down the hallway that led to the throne room, continuing to search with her magic. She passed by many familiar rooms that brought new waves of memories, some good and some bad.
As she reached the end of the hallway, Celestia absentmindedly straightened up and turned her face to stone, as if she were about to address a large audience behind the great doors. Once she realized what she was doing, she slapped a hoof across her face, "I guess old habits truly don't die quickly..." Then she magically thrust open the doors to the throne room
The queen of the day looked around the once glorious hall where magnificent balls used to be held, where grand feasts took place twice a month, and where the last Summer Sun Celebration happened before Luna became Nightmare Moon. She dragged her eyes across the dusty remains of her old life, and gasped when her eyes fell upon the thrones.
Alone on the plateau was Luna's throne, glowing with a faint light. Celestia's own throne had been thrown to the side but she didn't pay it any attention. Her sister's seat, instead of being the dark oak embroidered with silver as she remembered, was a bright, reflectant metal that gave off a soft bluish-green glow.
"Do you like it?" a deep and scratchy voice called out.
Celestia spun around, her light purple eyes searching the shadows around the hall. As her horn burst forth light, brightening up the room like midday, she called out, "Who are you? Show yourself!"
"Only if you answer my question... do you like it?" the voice answered.
Without moving her head, the alicorn cast a spell that traced sound to its origin. But when no beginning could be found,
Celestia started to feel nervous. And it took a lot to make a goddess nervous. "Frankly it looks rather uncomfortable and small for me."
A chuckled echoed throughout the room, "Good thing it wasn't built with you in mind then."
"Who are you?!" she was getting tired of this worm.
Again the voice laughed, this time it sounded more like a bark, "I am the guardian of the moon. Keeper of the cold night and eldest child of Nightmare Moon."
Fear immediately began to rise within Celestia's chest, a fear she hadn't felt for over a thousand years.
"...Comes...," the princess whispered, her eyes wide and her heart racing.
A large shadow stepped out from behind a pillar. Though Celestia's magical light shined like her sun, the light seemed to bend around the figure, making it look more like a shadow.
Before the alicorn could move, the shadow leapt over fifteen feet in the air, landing sideways on a pillar. It then threw itself off and landed in front of Celestia, the light of the young moon showering the creature with light.
The seven foot tall lycan wrapped a forepaw around the sun goddess' neck, holding her in place. Celestia bent forward and shot flames straight into Comes' face. The giant wolf howled and threw a punch into Celestia's side, causing her to lose her breathe and end her spell from the distraction.
"That wasn't very nice, tyrant." The hair on Comes' face wasn't burnt in even the slightest. "Your magic holds no power over me, Celestia. We have waited a thousand years for the queen of Equestria to return. But after we give the call, who should show up, but you? The one alicorn we wish to kill the most. Our enemy from the day we were birthed from the womb of the night into the arms of our caring mother darkness."
The paw around Celestia's neck tightened, cutting off all air, as the lycan picked the alicorn off of the ground. Celestia grimaced and beat her wings, calling on her Pegasus magic to put more force behind them, but the wind buffets simply went around the wolf who stood laughing, "Isn't it simply.... irritating that you can't touch me, TYRANT?!" He accented the word by throwing the royal pony at Luna's new throne. Celestia heard several bones break as she rammed into the metallic chair
which fell backwards off the plateau.
Blood flowed from her snout and a gash along her left burned, breathing was made difficult with a few broken ribs.
Comes stalked forward slowly, "You and your petty army will not hold us back this time, Celestia. But what am I blabbering on about; there is a feast to eat!" The lycan raised his maw to the ceiling and howled a sound Celestia only had nightmares about. A sound that meant soon there would be torn flesh, blood and death. A sound of pain.
Celestia's gaze was pulled to the doors which opened once again and hundreds of minor lycans rushed into the throne room. While above on the balcony, more wolves could be seen staring hungrily at the sun goddess.
"After we slay the tyrant," Comes exclaimed to his brethren, their mouths dripping with saliva, "we take Ponyville!"
Suddenly the ground between Celestia and the lycans fractured and a wall of stone shot up out of the earth, blocking the creatures from stopping the alicorn as she sped as fast as she could into the sky and towards Ponyville. Towards Luna.
"Fly bird, fly. It only makes the hunt more thrilling."