//------------------------------// // Truth in Rhymes // Story: Undercover Coven // by Penn Hooven //------------------------------// She opted to walk along the practice fields to ease her mind. She could still hear the soft sobbing of Sweetie Belle the Witch from where she left her, not twenty feet from the back door. As satisfying as those sounds were, Sunset Shimmer felt guilty. Guilty for, in the eyes of any who might have seen, bullying a girl younger and more helpless than her. No matter what angle she looked at it, she felt that she was in the wrong, and that troubled her. “But I wasn't wrong!” She vented under her breath. “They have to be stomped out.” “A ill place stomped will not solve the issue, my dear, you look like you need a tissue.” Sunset literally jumped as the kind, musical voice invaded her melancholy thoughts. She looked to see a woman with beautiful ebony skin, and hoops around her neck, hoop like earnings adorning her own eyes, and eyes of kindness and sympathy. “Zecora.” Sunset breathed, sniffing as she took the offered tissue. “Was I wrong in how I handled things?” “Blame, I fear, you wish to lay, yet the story is more complicated than a three act play.” The wise woman offered. “I don't get it.” “Shall I speak in plain, so my words are more easily obtained.” Zecora replied. “These three witches you see, are not really what they seem to been; For dark magic is at work to warp their minds, and by that evil spirit have they done their crimes. It is not their fault this road they took, but that of a little black book.” Sunset Shimmer thought on this as she wiped her eyes. “But, they killed guards, Applejack and ripped Twilight's horn out.” She felt her anger bubble up again the more she spoke of it. “They turned Rarity and Spike into thralls! Those things can't be forgiven!” “Dear Sunset,” Zecora said calmly, sitting down and patting the grass next to her. “You hear one story and pass many judgments. Listen to two before you act, or it may be you who regrets.” Reluctantly, Sunset Shimmer took a seat next to the wise woman, who seemed to know the whole story. “It all started with a quest for that which was not there, for the lack of a cutie mark can cause young minds to become unaware. And so the three who you blame went to claim, through thoughts and actions a cutie mark and fame. It was then that the darkness saw young light, that could easily be warped by it's might. The black book they did find at a Princess's library, and so they tried it's contents and found it to be favorably. A cutie mark it did bring, and their lives were complete as it seemed. But the magic of the dark did swell, and so did their anger at their injustice well.” “Injustice?!” The idea surprised Sunset Shimmer. “What injustice?” The idea seemed observed, but a look from the rhyming woman silenced her. “To them there was much injustice given, and so with this power to give punishment they were driven. First was a young pony of privilege who's cruel actions were never acknowledge. In her guided mansion sh had more than enough room, I believe her name was Silver Spoon. To another who was spiteful, they did an act truly frightful. Diamond Tiara's hair was once fair, now her head is forever bare.” Sunset Shimmer shivered as mental images of what Zecora told her popped up in her mind, creating a gruesome play in which Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo played their parts with wide innocent smiles. “They're monsters.” She cried, new tears flooding her eyes. “Nothing but monsters.” “Be wary of who you call that here, for through all this there is a cure.” Zecora warmed. “They are witches, this is true, but so is a woman here, sitting next to you.” Sunset Shimmer stared wide eyed at the black skinned beauty, who just flashed a pearly white smile at her shocked face. “But-” “A witch I be, but good you see. I have sworn loyalty, to Princess Celestia true I will be. These three need guidance, for you see, all who are victims were seen as threats and so they acts are of defense that grew into violence.” Sunset sat quietly, mulling all this over in her mind. What the witch said made sense. More than sense, she felt it true in her heart. “Very well.” She decided, standing up. “I have a few conditions first.” Zecora merely tilted her head to the side. “If you wish I don't exterminate them.” Sunset took a deep breath. True, she might be ready to go back to her old ways, the word exterminate held a finality she wasn't sure she could ever do, or forgive herself for, but she continued. “They must undue what damage they can. Rarity and Spike must be released and the horn of Princess Twilight must be sent back to Equestria.” Zecora laughed. “You speak wisely but without knowing, to accomplish these things will be slow going. Magic is used in ways you don't think of, but here their magic minute, to speak of. But I agree of the road, but if things are taken too fast, they themselves will be sleeping down below.” The implication that these three could die from their helter scelter ways was alarming to Sunset, and thus reassured her that she had a hear. “Very well...What do I do in the mean time?” “Do as you did yesterday.” Zecora shrugged. “For tomorrow is only a future yesterday, just held at bay while today is at play.” She stood up, and put a hand on the young lady's shoulder. “Fear not about wrong, for without wrong, right has not song. It will all be sorted out in the end, please don't despair my friend.” Sunset nodded. “You are wise. Is that why you always rhyme?” She asked. Zecora laughed. “Wise and rhyme is like rocks that are hot. Rocks there are plenty, but how many are hot?” Sunset laughed. “I guess it makes others listen to what you have to say.” “Hear it maybe, but listen yes. That is why speaking in rhymes is for the wisest.” As they just stood there, smiling at each other, they both heard the heart retching sobs of a filly who had lost everything she thought she had.