//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Emerald's Struggle // by The Zebra Hybrid //------------------------------// Emerald's House "So how's lessons with the Princess of Friendship?" Emerald asked taking another sip of punch. "It's been alright, I'm still getting used to this friendship thing. Are you sure your okay with my past and me trying to literally enslave everypony?" replied Starlight. "Well I have to be honest it did catch me off guard, but that's back in your past and your pretty fine now. Plus you already making amends to everypony, so that has to count as something right?" "Yeah, i guess your right about that. So what made you come here to Ponyville? I'm sure Canterlot has so much more to offer." "That's true but, not that many ponies really....accepted a pony like me." Starlight gave a confused expression before realizing what he meant. Canterlot was a beautiful city but the ponies, mostly the upper class, always looked down and treated others unfairly. With Emerald's appearance he was for sure a moving target for them. "I-If you don't want to talk-" stuttered Starlight before Emerald cut her off. "It's fine I don't mind talking. My dad was a body guard for the Zebrafrican Princess at the time, he and my Aunt Zooma and some other zebras were in Canterlot at the time meeting with Princess Celestia. That was when he met my mom, Lemon Pine, they started to date a while and had me they were going to get married but..." Emerald paused and took a deep breath. "Emerald?" asked Starlight. "My dad got orders from Zebrafrica to return at once," continued Emerald, "My mom told me he had promised once he was done over there he would comeback to Equestria and marry her. He didn't though... he was captured and assumed killed." "I-I'm so sorry." "It's fine, i was just a foal at the time, but I eventually found out years later and...it really took a toll on me. I soon found out my special talent is magic and applied for Celestia's School for gifted unicorns, where I met Sunburst and his cousin." "Cousin? You mean Sunset?" Emerald's eyes widened slightly, "You knew her?" "Yeah, she would come down from Canterlot to visit Sunburst where me and him grew up together." "Cool, those two were the first friends I ever had. When I first arrived I was a bit of anti-social not wanting to talk to the other fillies and colts, and even though other ponies didn't say it out loud. I could tell even at a young age that they didn't like me because I was different. Sunburst and Sunset didn't care what I looked like and if it wasn't for them I would have never made it." "Whatever happened to Sunset anyway? I know Sunburst is doing just fine in the Crystal Empire, but Sunset just...vanished." "I don't know, me and her had a...disagreement and we went out separate ways." Starlight gave the zebra a sympathetic look, "I'm sorry Canterlot was so hard for you." "It wasn't that hard as I got older," replied Emerald, "I just tuned out the ponies that tried to bring me down, plus I made more friends. Like my old boss Moondancer and Fancy Pants." "You knew Fancy Pants!" "Yeah, I worked in the library when he came in looking for a book. It turned out that not all nobles are judging and he told me that if there was anything I needed just ask him. Is it really a big deal?" "Yes!" "Well, any way I made enough money to move out of Canterlot and start a life of my own. Don't get me wrong i loved my friends and Mom in Canterlot, but i couldn't stand the memories that was there, so here I am in Ponyville." "Wow, you make my past look like paradise." giggles Starlight. Emerald chuckles with her, he had just noticed how dark it was getting outside and was surprised that the both of them were actually talking for this long. Form the sound of the music becoming low Pinkie is almost finished or about finished with the party and ready to go home, it was impressive to see the pink party pony pack her things in such a short amount of time. To be honest he never really had friends throw him a party before, at least after Sunset and Sunburst. Now that he thought about it, aside from being sent to the hospital, his first day in Ponyville could be better than any of the days back in Canterlot, but this was the first and who knows what might happen during his time here. The zebra was snapped from his thoughts when Pinkie dropped down in between the two. "This party was super duper fun Emmy!" exclaimed Pinkie, "We should totally do it again sometime!" "Yeah," added Redheart as she and Zecora walked over, "thanks for having us Emerald." "Agreed," also said Zecora, "I'll see you for work tomorrow at three." "I should be thanking you guys," replied Emerald, "If it wasn't for you five throwing me a party...again. I would have just been locked in here doing nothing." The five mares gave him warm smiles at his response. Emerald then guided the five mares to the front door and saying one last good night, but he noticed that Starlight hadn't moved from her spot. He gave her a confused and curious glance as she had her head down trying not to show eye contact. "Hey Starlight," said Emerald, "did you forget something?" Starlight jumped at his voice, "N-No...well since I'm doing friendship lessons and that we're friends....I-I was wondering if you could come by the castle so I could show Princess Twilight that I'm making progress." Emerald eyes widened at this, was he just invited to meet Princess Twilight? The memories of him being a colt and talking to Princess Celestia came flooding back in his mind. How she told him to be himself and not worry what other ponies thought, it was that advice that allowed him to make it through magic school, not counting his mother and few friends. Looking back at Starlight hr examined the hope, but nervousness on her face. "Sure," Emerald nodded, "I'll swing by before I meet Zecora." Starlight's eyes lit up, "Oh, thank you! I can't wait! Well...um...good night...friend!" Before Emerald could answer back the pink unicorn was already racing down the street. He never seen a pony so excited to make a friend....well besides Pinkie Pie of course. The zebra closed the door and and let out a yawn as he sluggishly made his way up stairs to his room. His eyes feeling heavy, he decides to just wash up in the morning and get some rest. He made his way over to his bed and laying on the soft sheets and mattress before pulling the covers over his body. It sure was an interesting day. He laid on his back looking at the ceiling making a mental list on what he has to do tomorrow. "So I'm visiting Starlight tomorrow at the castle and then heading over to Zecora's for my first day on the job around three. I can head over to the post office to send the letter back to mom and Moondancer." It was a shame that they wouldn't be able to come with him, but he'd promise he'll come back to visit frequently, especially with his mother, Lemon Pine, living alone now. Putting the thoughts to the back of his mind he closed his eyes and allowed sleep to take him, and ready to wake up in the morning to start his new life in Ponyville.