“JADE STORM! Front and center you worthless foal.”
I felt a rush of dread at the summons but I still galloped down the hall as quickly as my short legs could carry me. I kept my wings folded at my side and my hooves on the ground even though I could have moved faster. I pushed the door opened with one hoof and walked into his study. A middle-aged white unicorn was sitting in a big overstuffed easy chair staring out the window while as I came to attention in front of the chair. His expression when he saw me was one of disgust and irritation as usual.
“You didn't scuff the door with your filthy hooves, did you brat?”
I looked at the floor, “No sir. I keep them clean as instructed.”
He glared at me and a telekinetic slap rang across my jaw. ”Don't talk back boy. Do you know why you are here?”
I never knew what he wanted from me when he was in one of these moods. I took the safest path and just shook my head without speaking.
“You are here because my son is a bleeding heart who seems to think you're worth keeping around!” he snarled, waving his hoof around angrily.
I stood stock still and didn't move. There was nothing I could say so I remained quiet while he watched me. When it became apparent I wasn't going to speak, he continued his rant.
“I have one son: a noble unicorn who will inherit my title and all the power that goes with it. You are nothing but a worthless pegasus bastard that shouldn't even be allowed to walk down the street out front. You would do well to remember that you only live here because my son insists your company makes him happy. When he finally grows up and comes to his senses you will be out that door. Understood?”
My heart had scarred over years earlier from his threats. I easily held my tears back and just nodded. “Yes, sir. I understand sir.”
“Hrmph. Don't you dare take that tone with me; Get out of here you useless feather duster.”
I bowed and galloped off to the door as quickly as I could but the floor disappeared from under my hooves. I screamed in terror as I tumbled into the gaping black abyss.
I woke up with a start, greeted by the sound of chirping crickets. I immediately began shivering from the cold night air but my skin was burning with pain as the light gusting breeze washed over me. I moaned with pain as I fought to open my eyes that were nearly stuck shut. My vision was blurred when I finally got them open but I could still see stars in the sky above. I looked at my legs sprawled out in front of me discovered a pair of forest green legs under my bracers instead of the illusory white. One leg was obviously broken and it was marred by a red fern-like pattern of burns that sparked with pain with every small breeze.
I looked over my shoulder to assess the damage to the rest of my body and gasped with horror at the sight. There were extensive burns all over my body. My fur was matted with blood and dirt from my rough landing; wounds that would get infected if they weren't treated soon. My heart nearly broke when I saw the condition of my wings. They were hanging limply on the ground from the weight of the arc blades and nearly half the feathers were missing. The ones that were left were scorched and ragged. It was clear both wings were both broken in several places but I couldn’t even feel any pain from them. I tried to move them up but they just lay on the ground ignoring my attempt to control them.
I struggled up to my haunches, letting out small whimpers of pain as I jostled my broken hoof. Using my one good front hoof I fumbled with the straps of my armor. Finally, I managed to unhook backplate of my armor and let it fall off. I began limping forward on my three good legs but it was too much. I manage about ten paces out to the middle of the canyon before my strength failed me and I collapsed to the ground again. If I had any moisture left in my body I would have had tears flowing down my face. I felt parched like I was in a desert as I tried to call for help.
“BUCK! Can anypony hear me?” My attempt at a shout came out as a croaking whisper instead. “Help?! Please . . .”
The volume of my voice faded fast and I could feel my vision going dark again. I fought against the growing blackness, fearing that I would never wake up again. I couldn't open my eyes but I still gasped out another shout and another, trying to hold my failing body and mind together. As the last sparks of my awareness began to fade, I thought I heard the distinct clip-clop sound of hooves approaching. Whoever had just arrived didn't speak right away but began rustling around in a bag. I was beginning to fear I was just losing my mind.
Then a mare's voice with a strong accent finally spoke. “I cannot help you in this space. Drink this so we can leave this place.”
I felt a vial pushed against my mouth which I opened in response. I felt the flow of a sweet liquid on my tongue and greedily gulped it down. I managed to open my eyes and saw a striped face with blue eyes looking back at me with concern in the dim light. There were a number of gold rings around her neck and she had two giant gold earrings in her ears. I recognized her as a zebra and she smiled gently when she saw my eyes finally open.
“I see you are awake my gentle guard. How did you come to be so marred?”
I gasped as the pain began to fade away and my strength began to return. The sensation was incredible and I almost screamed with relief as the burning sensation on my skin began to subside.
“I came to the Everfree to help against Nightmare Moon. Some of her minions caused me to crash and I think they used some sort of lightning on me.”
She nodded. “You are fortunate I was out so late. There are many creatures here full of hate. Let us get up and leave this place; I will help you maintain your pace. Zecora is the name I choose, how should I refer to you?”
Zebras were rare in Equestria but I had once read that in their homeland helping those hurt or lost was an obligation they took very seriously. It was a natural thing given how dangerous the Savannah of Zebrica was. I could feel the pain continuing to fade and carefully stood up with Zecora’s help, avoiding putting weight on my broken leg. My wings were numb as they hung uselessly off my body but they caused me no pain. Zecora moved up next to me and gently provided support.
“My name is Jade Storm. Thank you for your aid Zecora.”
“You pain and suffering I can delay but your injuries have not gone away,” she said with a tone that spoke of great urgency. “That potion will keep you strong but it will not last for long. I will help you to my lair so you can get some proper care.”
I smiled as I took my first limping steps with her helping me along. “Lead the way.”
“Your injuries are still quite severe so my action is quite clear,” Zecora said. “I must prepare another potion so that we can get you back in motion. After you drink your fill I can take you to Ponyville.”
It had been a week since the painful walk from the castle in the Everfree Forest to Zecora’s home. I had just made it to her home as the potion began to wear off and I just managed to collapse on her bed before I fell unconscious. Today she had explained that the potion she had given me gave me a dangerous trade off. It stabilized major injuries and provided a major energy boost for about two hours, but then the body needed to nearly shut down for recovery. Over the next several days she had bound my injuries as best she could while making sure I was fed, watered and cleaned.
She informed me that my burns were so extensive I probably would have died of dehydration within another day. She had treated them with a paste of her own design which she said would slowly restore the skin to normal. I was covered in bandages to protect the damaged skin while the treatment did its work. Vision in my left eye was blurry and Zecora told me it was gray instead of the normal blue. Even half my brown mane had burned away. After waking up I had taken one look at myself in her mirror and immediately asked to borrow her cloak to protect the bandages from damage.
I was greatly concerned when she informed me nopony had come into the forest since the Summer Sun celebration. Zecora could not risk leaving me alone while unconscious and there was no indication anypony had come near her home recently. Now that I was awake she was going to travel to the hospital in Ponyville to try and enlist their help transporting me there. If that failed, I would have to walk there myself under the influence of a second dose of the injury suppression potion. She would get the last necessary ingredients if the hospital refused to speak to her and escort me to their front door if she had to.
It was frightening that nopony was looking for me. I hoped those five mares were still alive and that Nightmare Moon had actually been defeated. My fellow guards should have been looking for me as well but if the world had fallen apart I couldn't blame them. Zecora had just found me quite by accident while harvesting night blooming flowers in the canyon by the Castle ruins. I was already weary from our conversation and I laid my head down to rest.
“Have a safe walk Zecora” I murmured. “I’m going to get some sleep.”
I was roused out of my rest by the door slamming open. Zecora marched in with an unusual expression of irritation. She tossed her cloak in the corner and huffed angrily.
“It makes my eye want to twitch when the ponies flee like I’m a witch” she grumbled. “I have done nothing wrong; why do they hide when I come along?”
I looked at her with some sympathy. “I wish I could answer that for you Zecora. Perhaps I can speak to the residents for you once I'm better. Saving my life must count for something in their eyes.”
“You are kind to give me hope but some of them ran into Poison Joke. A filly tried to speak with me but the others caused her to flee.”
“I’m sure somepony in town knows about the plant. They live right next to the Everfree Forest and I'm sure they can make a cure with ease.”
Zecora’s smile came back. “Hopefully you are right; maybe you can help end my plight. Now I must make this cure so the walk you can endure.”
The next morning I ate a very light breakfast while preparing myself mentally for the walk into Ponyville. My body was still incredibly weak and I hoped the hospital staff would allow Zecora to explain the nature of her potion instead of simply running away. We were both startled when somepony started pounding loudly on her door.
“Is that a knock at my door? This has not happened before!” she exclaimed.
She opened up the door, revealing a small yellow earth pony filly with red hair and a bow. The filly looked quite panicked and nervous.
“Ummm, hello Zecora. Ahm Applebloom” She said nervously. “Ah know we haven’t treated you right but my sister and her friends have a problem this morning. They seem to be cursed and they think you did it! Ah don’t believe it but ah hope you can help!”
Zecora shook her head, “They did hear me when I spoke; those leaves of blue were Poison Joke. I can mix up a brew that will fix them up like new. Please come in and have some tea while I look up the recipe.”
Applebloom smiled and trotted in. “Thank you Zecora, I knew the stories were . . .” She trailed off when she saw me. “Ah didn’t know you had somepony else living here.”
I looked at her from under my borrowed cloak. “I had a run in with Nightmare Moon’s minions and was unconscious out here in the forest. Zecora found me and has been helping me regain enough strength to travel the rest of the way to Ponyville Hospital since they apparently won’t speak to her and come out here.”
“You’ve been out here since the Summer Sun celebration?” she asked in surprise. “Ah haven’t heard anything about a missing pony! How badly hurt are ya? How did you get out here? Who are you? ”
“I’m Jade Storm of the Royal Guard. I’m pretty severely injured and I probably would have died without Zecora’s help. As for how I got here . . .”
“I apologize but I must interrupt, there are some flowers I need plucked” Zecora interjected. “I need somepony to send while I begin to prepare this blend. I do not wish to presume but can you help me Applebloom?”
“Jus’ tell me what Ah need to find” replied Applebloom. With a short list in hoof, Applebloom galloped off to gather the herbs.
I watched Zecora put more wood under the cauldron, stoking the fire. Then she began adding ingredients.
“Are you sure she will be safe out there Zecora?” I asked.
She nodded. “The beasts do not come here; repellent keeps the nearby forest clear.”
I spend the next twenty minutes dozing quietly while Zecora prepared the cure for Poison Joke. She was speaking in her native language as she worked and humming quietly. I had to admit that in spite of the pain I was still in from my injuries, staying with Zecora had been a breath of fresh air. She ran a hoof just above the surface of the steaming water and let out satisfied hum.
“Mmmm! The perfect temperature for ponies, I presume. Now, where is that little Applebloom?” said Zecora.
I lifted my head up and was about to respond when a loud commotion started outside. A bunch of ponies started screaming in a wild panic. Then a rainbow colored blur exploded through the door and tore across the room breaking bottles and knocking masks off the wall. I watched the dose of stabilizing potion I needed go flying across the room and smash against the wall. Zecora was shouting in her native language again, I think she was telling them to stop, but I couldn’t say for sure.
“Woah there. Easy, Rainbow Crash!” said a squeaky voice.
The rainbow pony seemed to have no control over her flight. Wait, was she wearing a tack and bit? What the buck? I tried to get up to my hooves but my broken leg was still slowing me down. Then Twilight Sparkle came charging through the door with the yellow pegasus and the crazy pink pony. Bizarrely, Twilight’s horn was covered in blue spots and flopping around.
“What have you done with Applebloom?” Twilight yelled.
I stared in disbelief when a tiny orange pony lassoed Zecora’s ear and jumped onto her head to start grappling her ear. Zecora looked almost heartbroken as she looked up at the angry little pony on her head. As the rainbow pony went tearing past me again, I gathered my strength in my back legs, jumped up and grabbed her tail in my mouth. She dragged me off the ground and ricocheted off the ceiling before crashing to the floor. I yelled in pain as my broken hoof hit the ground. I used my uninjured leg to pin her wing to the ground so she couldn’t take off.
“You hold still before you do any more damage” I commanded through gritted teeth. “What is wrong with you?”
“What the buck! Lemme go, get off of me” she yelled.
“Not until you calm down!” I responded. Twilight galloped over and bucked me in the left wing through Zecora’s cloak. My vision flared white from the pain. I think another rib broke from that kick and it couldn’t have done my already fractured wing any good either. I collapsed to the ground gasping in pain.
“We’re on to you and your minion Zecora” she declared. “I didn’t want to believe that you cursed us but the evidence is overwhelming!”
“You made me look ridiculous” accused Rarity. I looked over to see a blurry blob of purple hair.
“You made me sound ridiculous,” said the yellow Pegasus in an absurdly deep voice.
The pink mare spat around her swollen tongue.
“How dare you! You destroy my home, destroy my work. Then rudely accuse me of being a jerk?” shouted Zecora.
I started to pull myself to my hooves and prepared to speak about Zecora's purpose here.
“You put this curse on us, now you’re gonna uncurse us!” countered the rainbow Pegasus. “And you STAY DOWN!” She shouted in my direction. “Who do you think you are anyhow? This is between us and Zecora.”
Her back hoof shot out straight at my head leaving me no way to dodge it. It collided with the side of my head just below my ear and I felt the bandages ripping under her hoof. My head was ringing like a bell from the impact but mercifully blackness took me a moment later.
Twilight Sparkle’s POV
I watched the strange stallion collapse to the ground under the impact from Rainbow Dash’s kick. I hoped we could get him out from under whatever spell he was under but for the moment, it was best if he just stayed out of this. I turned back to confront Zecora who had been fairly passive so far but now she had a furious expression on her face. She charged Rainbow Dash, roughly pushing her away from the stallion.
“Get away from him you beast; I hope he is not deceased!” She ignored us as she knelt down beside the stallion, pushed back his cloak to check his head and breathing. “Wake up Jade Storm my friend. In your state sleep could be your end. “
I stared at the stallion's face with a sudden burst of worry. There had been bandages on his face that had been torn by Rainbow Dash's kick. They had been hiding a horrifying web of burns that seemed to be coated with some sort of paste. The side of his head was also bleeding from a fresh cut where Rainbow’s hoof had impacted. Fluttershy had surprisingly forgotten her fear and quickly knelt down across from Zecora. I suppose her instincts to help others overrode her normal fear and shyness. Zecora jumped up to her hooves and dashed over to a shelf. She quickly pulled out a bandage and tossed it to Fluttershy.
“Yellow pony please bind his gash; Your cure will be done in a flash.”
At that moment, Applebloom walked through the door. “Zecora! I think I found all the things ya asked for.” She stopped to take in the scene. “What in Ponyville is goin’ on here? Is Jade gonna be ok Zecora?”
I was shocked to see Applejack emerge from behind Zecora’s ear. It was impressive she had held on for so long. “Applebloom! You’re okay!” she called out.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Applebloom asked in a confused voice.
“Because Zecora is an evil enchantress who cursed us, brainwashed this guard and was going to cook you up into soup!” I responded automatically even though I had a sinking feeling we had made a terrible mistake.
Zecora looked at me with disdain and stood up. “Many moons I have been living here; what is the cause of this fear? This stallion did nothing wrong; now we must hurry before he is gone. Applebloom please inform these mares; I have no time for splitting hairs.”
Apple Bloom shook her head and pulled off her saddlebags before grabbing Applejack off Zecora’s head. Zecora took the items and dashed over to her cauldron and began mixing in a frenzy.
“You know there’s no such thing as a curse Twilight,” said Applebloom.
I stared at her in disbelief and felt my muzzle flushing with embarrassment. Hearing those words thrown back at me left me feeling like a complete fool. I kept my mouth shut and gestured at her to continue.
“It was a warnin’ about that blue plant. Zecora says it's called Poison Joke” she continued. “That pot of water there is for the herbal ingredients. Yah just hafta take a bubble bath in a good old natural remedy to fix it right up. It’s all in this here book.”
I looked at the cover of the book Applebloom indicated and winced. I owed Spike a big apology when we got back to Ponyville.
“But what about this stallion?” demanded Rainbow. “He attacked me! What did you do to him?”
“He said he was a royal guard earlier,” said Apple bloom. “I didn’t find out why he was here but some of his gear is in the corner.”
Zecora looked over her shoulder to glare at Rainbow as she continued adding herbs to her cauldron. “He was terribly hurt by his foe; so to the hospital, we planned to go. It was not safe for him to stray, so I could not take him until today. Don’t you dare give him any flak; he is not the one who burst in and attacked. Now, this cure is finally prepared but the bath is too small to be shared.”
Rainbow Dash looked back at her aggressively but I waved my hoof at here to stop. I walked over to the stallion and lifted up the cloak with my hoof to confirm these so called injuries myself. I felt my face growing pale as I looked over the mass of bandages, splints, and burns. I let the cloak drop out of my hoof and turned to face Rainbow Dash. I had to fix this mistake somehow.
“You take the cure first Rainbow Dash. As soon as you are recovered, fly to the hospital as quickly as possible. I need you to inform them we will be bringing in an unconscious pony with severe burns, broken wings, a broken leg and undetermined additional trauma. Get them to meet us as close to the forest as they're willing with a stretcher. As soon as the rest of us are cured we will help Zecora bring him into town. Quick! There’s no time to lose.”
I was grateful when my friends simply burst into action and began their task. Rainbow Dash jumped into the cauldron and nopony else question my decision. I looked down at the mysterious stallion wondering who he could possibly be and why he was in the Everfree forest in the first place. I hoped he would survive so I could get some answers.