Ever wonder what Zecora's childhood was like? Where the other zebras lived, and what their culture was? Well, this story will take you back into the past, in the hot, sun-scorched land of Zagarthia. The three best friends live in the village of Chaunta along with their families. Zecora will explain what her parents were like, what problems the three would have, how she got her Dalili, or cutie-mark, and many other aspects of her past.

After a day of potion making at Zecora's hut, Apple Bloom arrives home to help Applejack plant a special tree.
However, as she does so, a petal of Heart's Desire mixes in with the dirt, affecting the seed.

The Tree of Heart's Desire grows whatever a pony wants most, but... What if what that pony wanted most was another pony? What would the creation feel, think, or even know? And how would they cope with knowing that they were nothing but a copy?

Zecora is getting close to the Apple Family. Day by day she grows into a figure that could join their ranks. Granny Smith knows best how to handle that. But her solution may, somehow, be worse than what her grandchildren feared.

Sit right on down and I'll tell you
Of a tale old and true,
About two zebras madly in love
Until one left for the stars above.
He wanted to marry and to live
With her, all his love to give.
On this day, many years past
He lived and breathed his last.

Some time after Apple Bloom has grown up and left her crusading days behind her, she discusses mostly hypothetical relationship concerns with her friend and mentor, Zecora.

AN: Published for One-Shotober.