Scootaloo and I got back to the cabin around four.
"Do you mind if I go see my friends?" Scootaloo asked.
"Why would I mind?" I asked, "You're your own pony."
"I guess it just seemed right to ask," she said, "I'll be home by ten, so don't lock me out."
"That reminds me," I said, taking the key Slag made from my pocket, "If you're staying here, you should have a key."
"Thank you," she looked the key over as if I had just given her a small fortune, "I didn't expect this."
"Well if you get home late I don't want you to have to wake me up to get in," I said.
"My foster mom said that," Scootaloo said, "That's why I had to be back by ten. Or the door would be locked. She would let me in, but not without a lecture."
"Sounds like she cared about you," I said.
"She did," Scootaloo sighed, "I just couldn't stand how much she treated me like a kid. I know I'm not a full adult, but I'm not seven anymore."
"I guess I could see that," I said, "may I ask who she was."
"I suppose," she said, "It was Derpy. She may like doing deliveries but her talent is taking care of foals. She takes care of Dinky too. She decided to stay."
"So Dinky isn't hers?" I asked, "Guess they got that wrong."
"She may as well be her own," Scootaloo said, "I'm still not totally convinced she isn't."
"Doesn't really matter," I said, "You go have fun. I have something I want to do as well."
---
I drove directly to Twilight's castle and knocked on the door. Spike answered as usual.
"What can we do for you?" he asked.
"I need to speak with Zecora," I said, "I was hoping Twilight could direct me to her place."
"I can do better than that," Twilight said, "I was just going there myself."
"Cool," I said, "I'll drive."
---
We got to Zecora's hut pretty quick. For once, I was totally focused. I had to know about the spell that brought me here, and who the hell this J. Blade was?
The bat-ponies didn't seem to think it was me, yet they seemed to be expecting someone like me. Why?
I had the journals from the ponies, and I spoke with the bat-ponies. That left one group. I was hoping I was right in my assumption they were represented by the one zebra around. At any rate, Zecora knew more than anyone else about the spell that brought me.
Upon reaching the hut, Zecora came out to greet us.
"What a nice surprise to see," Zecora said, "is there something you needed of me."
"I just needed a few ingredients," Twilight said.
"Feel free to take whatever you need of mine," Zecora said, " I have a feeling Jerry needs my time."
"Thank you," Twilight said and headed into Zecora's hut.
"Now," She said, "I know you aren't here to give Twilight a ride. Ask what you will, I have nothing to hide."
"I need to know everything I can about Daylight Dreamer," I said, "and that little spell he left behind."
"I see," She said, "I trust you have spoken to the bat-ponies."
"I have." I said, "and they seemed to be expecting me. So was the spell targeting me, or Daylight? Judging by who showed up, I want to know why Daylight would create a spell to summon ME."
"That is a tricky subject indeed," she sighed, "before we delve into it, can I interest you in smoking a little weed."
"Fuck yea," I said.
She led me into her house and we took a seat at her table. Once we had a good buzz going she knocked on a spot on the wall and retrieved a book from a hidden cupboard. This wasn't like the journals other than looking old. It was an actual bound and covered book 'Advanced Spell-craft for the Elite Potion Maker' was in peeling gold leaf across the front.
"This is the book of spells that was passed down from my ancestor Kizzy," She said, "Reading it lately has kept me quite busy. It contains the base for the spell that brought you. So I thought it fitting to read through. There is a catch if you want to make a batch. The creature to be summoned must willingly contribute a hair, or they cannot be pulled from thin air."
"How would Daylight get my hair?" I asked, "I think I'd remember if it had to be willing."
"That is where it gets difficult," she said, "it is known that from his own head he pulled it out."
"That doesn't make any sense," I said, "If he used his own hair, how did it pull me from thin air?"
"Think about it and the answer is clear," Zecora said, "Daylight Dreamer is very near."
I thought about it. He pulled the hair from his own head. I couldn't be summoned unless it was my hair. I also considered the fact that he matched the description of my OC perfectly. The OC that was supposed to be me as a pony. Twilight did say he had found a way to be reborn, she never said as a pony. I just pondered on this for a while, not wanting to accept the answer.
"Perhaps this will help you see," she said, "it's a drawing of Daylight that was passed down to me."
She pulled a piece of paper from between the pages of the book. It looked just like my opening screen, aside from one detail on the flank.
"His cutie mark was a fire and ice yin-yang?" I asked.
"'Was' is not the word," She said, "for Daylight Dreamer, is once again in this world."
"But," I was still too sober for this, "What? How? I can’t possibly be him. He was a pony!"
"Was and is, are different words," She said, "especially to a creature who has traveled between worlds."
"But how?" I repeated.
"That is something I do not know," she said, "I'm guessing this page is the one that would show." She turned to a page that was ripped out. Only a small shred indicated that anything was ever there. It looked as tho they wanted the page gone without a trace, but had to stop before damaging the binding.
"So was it Kizzy who taught Daylight," I thought about that, "Er, 'me' potions?"
"On this subject you are confused," She turned to the inside of the front cover, "For she was taught by you." The book was apparently a gift.
--
To my most talented student, Kizzy,
You came a long way seeking my guidance. I hope I did not disappoint, for you have exceeded my very high expectations at every turn.
Now that you have graduated you are free to explore the world using your knowledge to better zebra and pony kind.
If you haven't any plans. I'm organizing a group you would fit right in. You know where to find me.
Your humbled mentor,
Daylight Dreamer
--
I was shocked. "I really did it all didn't I?" I asked.
"A young human is what I see," Zecora said, "but you lived a long life as a pony. By the time you passed, your blue hair had turned grey, Kizzy's daughter made a note on the day."
She turned to the inside of the back cover, this note had much better hoof writing.
--
Daylight dreamed his last dream today, at the age of 85. I don't really want to remember it so I will not put the date. But if you are reading this, you are likely my kin, and you should know about him.
He was a famous professor of potions when my mother met him. She was only 18. So young and naive. She set out full of hope that she would be welcomed with open hooves in the ponies land.
This was not the case. She almost gave up on her trip after the way ponies treated her. She was afraid he would just turn her away, but he had heard of the zebra that was looking for him and sought her out. Knowing this would be the case.
He found her just as she was packing up to leave. He not only accepted her but boasted that she would be the student that surpassed him.
His last words to me were, "I wasn't wrong. Potions ran in her very veins, and now yours. Keep the kettle going."
He left every potion book in his library to our family, but this one will always be special.
Right up to the end, he just wanted everyone to get what they needed to keep doing what he taught them. To keep advancing.
Always remember that our family was blessed by this pegasus. If his plan works. We must be sure to return the favor.
-Zecora, daughter of Kizzy
--
"Guess where my mother got my name," Zecora laughed, "To get it wrong, would be a shame."
"So who all knows about this?" I asked.
Zecora's face went blank. "To all the Protectors family's, the story was told," she said, "but it is very old. Hard copies were kept, but broken in bits. I know only of you and your potions from the place where I sit. Not of the humans who walked long ago. That part was for only a few ponies to know. The protectors of peace and what's known of their deeds, that you got from the bat ponies."
"Why is that?" I asked, "and why is it that nopony actually knows the details of anything?"
"The stories were to become a legend," She said, "until you should show. No one pony should know."
"I still don't get why I had to come back," I said, "it's not like there's another war."
"Now there is not, but soon there could be," she looked a little worried, "for the truth shall soon be on display for ponies to see."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"There is a door the truth lies behind," she said, "and ponies will not like what they will find."
"You mean the door Twilight found?" I asked, "What's behind it?"
"You should know," she said, "you have the blueprints. Or did the distractions throw you amiss."
I now realized that while I was looking at the blueprints of Vinyl's sound system I was completely missing the point. The last one WAS a bomb shelter. Left blank because a pony would never guess that. They would just think it went with the rest.
"Anyway," I said, "a note in one of the journals said I would find something with the Zebras that would be important. You have any idea what this J. Blade guy is talking about?"
"I assure you I do not," she said, "but feel free to look around my hut. Many things I have are very old, their stories sadly are not always told."
I looked around the hut. Nothing really looked out of place. She had shelves of potion ingredients next to hooks holding pots and pans with small cauldrons scattered about next to an olive green canteen with 'US' stamped boldly on the side.
"Where did you get that canteen?" I asked.
"It has been in my family as long as I know," She said, "It contains a potion whose effects do not show."
"You haven't tested it?" I asked.
"I have tried it indeed," she said, "it did nothing to me. At least no more than a headache remedy. Still, I dare not try it on a human or pony."
A part of me knew what it was, and that taking a drink was a really bad idea for me. A sip on the other hand... not bad enough an idea to stop me. I twisted the lid off and barely touched my tongue to it before quickly replacing the cap.
"What are you thinking?" Zecora asked, "That could be poison you are drinking."
As Zecora asked I could feel the creeks and pops of my skeleton twisting out of shape. It didn't hurt. When you know it's going to happen, you can add painkillers. I should know. I made this brew for myself.
When I finally opened my eyes I looked up at Zecora. She was wide-eyed. I stood up on all four legs and looked Zecora in the eye.
"Am I as handsome as you imagined?" I asked catching a look at myself in the mirror, "that potion shows your true self. I sure made a handsome pegasus. Too bad it will wear off in a couple moments. I'd love to stretch these wings."