//------------------------------// // Magical Zebra Friend // Story: Appledashery // by Just Essay //------------------------------// “Hmmmm...” Zecora loomed over a table full of bubbling concoctions. She clasped a jar full of seedlings in her jaws and rattled a few of them into a frothing jar. The solution bubbled even more, and she leaned back to watch, licking her muzzle in intense concentration. When at last she could afford to, the shaman glanced over her shoulder at Rainbow Dash. “Ah, Rainbow Dash, I knew it was you!” She turned back to the table. “Forgive me, but I must maintain watch over this brew.” Rainbow nodded quietly. She made her way to a stool and plopped down limply. “There are far too many weeds on this side of Everfree,” Zecora said. “The flora is getting choked and a solution is up to me. After several hours of concentration, I do believe I can bring an end to the infestation.” Rainbow's gaze fell to the floor. She quietly brought her lower legs up and hugged them to her chest. Zecora spoke on. “Nature has a tenuous balance; that much is true. But maintaining that order often depends on the likes of me and you. As a pegasus, I'm certain you can understand. We are all meant to be the stewards of the air and...” She turned and blinked awkwardly at Rainbow Dash. “...land.” Rainbow Dash continued to sit in silence, trembling as she hugged herself. Zecora's lips pursed. She turned back to her table and poured the bubbling solution into a larger pot to contain it for the time being. Turning around, she trotted slowly towards the pegasus. “Rainbow, you haven't spoken a single word, unless of course your welcoming speech I haven't heard.” Rainbow remained silent. The zebra blinked worriedly. “Something obviously troubles your spirit. Perhaps it would benefit you to speak it?” With a sigh, Rainbow gazed up, her ruby eyes soft and vulnerable. “Why are you so alone, Zecora?” She merely squinted at that. “Day in, day out... all you do is hang out here... by yourself...” Rainbow Dash sighed. She reached up and scratched her head through her prismatic mane as she stared at the walls of the place. “It... it feels so lame. I mean... you're such a swell zebra. You know tons of awesome stuff and you manage Everfree like a boss.” “Hmmm...” Zecora smirked softly. “I am hardly in control of what springs from the earth. I simply do what I can in good faith and mirth.” “Exactly! And that's wicked cool! And... and...” Rainbow winced, shuddering. “More ponies should know about that. Should know about you. How can... Why are you so 'okay' with being alone? Every night. Sleeping by yourself. Dreaming by yourself. It's just... just so lonesome.” She gritted her teeth and glanced aside. “Nopony should ever be alone...” Zecora stared warmly at her. She trotted a bit closer and said, “Rainbow, it is my the nature of my shamanistic ways. Solitude and serenity must occupy the bulk of my days.” “Still doesn't feel right...” “It works well enough for me.” Zecora grinned. “Facilitating the balance of nature fills me with glee.” Rainbow tilted her head up and stared quietly at the zebra. “Now, is that all you came here to say?” Zecora smirked. “Or is there another purpose behind your stay?” “No. I mean... sure. Sort of.” Rainbow fidgeted. “I came here to tell you...” She sniffled slightly, then murmured, “Thank you.” “Hmmm?” Zecora tilted her head aside. “For what?” “For everything,” Rainbow said. “For the potion you make for me and stuff.” She winced and gestured with a hoof. “I-I don't have the makings for it now, and it'll be a few days before I can fetch you some more for another brew. B-but that's beside the point.” She sighed. “Thank you, Zecora, for being so awesome... for taking care of me when I hardly deserved it.” “Rainbow Dash—” “Cuz I don't do much to deserve it! Let's be real here...” Rainbow sighed, her ears folding. “I don't deserve much of anything. Hmmph... I'm too much of a coward to admit it to my friends, but I can say it to you. Because... I think, deep down... you know how it feels.” “What is it that I know, good friend Rainbow?” “That you're too awesome to have what you really want,” Rainbow murmured. “That you're only ever gonna be what you do. And...” She gulped. “In the end... being wicked cool is its own reward.” She muttered with a slight frown. “For what it's worth...” Silence. Zecora stroked her chin. Suddenly, she smiled. “Rainbow Dash, I was thinking...” She trotted across the hut and put away several of her things. “Something you had proposed to me earlier had given me an inkling.” “An inkling?” Rainbow Dash gazed up. “An inkling of what?” “Today is a day full of beautiful weather.” Zecora hoisted a saddlebag over her flank and turned around with a smile. “It's a perfect occasion to do... erm... the 'hanging out' together.” Rainbow blinked. “You... you mean you actually want to take me up on my offer?” Zecora chuckled. “Why on earth not? I certainly conveyed what I thought.” “But... but what about your whole 'shamanistic isolation' and all that—” “There will be plenty of days left to make weeds die,” Zecora said. She smiled. “Right now, I would like to be with my friend who rules the sky.” Rainbow Dash blinked. At last she smirked. “Girl...” She jumped off the stool, forward-flipped, and landed in a perfect pose. “...you just bought yourself a ticket aboard the Awesomeness Express...”