It was a scorching hot day, but then, most days in the city were.
The huge, sprawling city, built of cream-colored adobe bricks, thatched roofs, and long-dry timber bustled about in its daily activities, the citizens buying and selling in the market, children racing in and out amongst their parents' hooves, playing games of make-believe.
This relative peace was broken, however, by a cloaked zebra scout dashing through the city gates.
A tattered, dirty, dark green cape and hood concealed their identity, the shape and movement of their body telling only that it was a young stallion. On his back, he carried a knapsack and a short walking stick; behind him trailed a faithful Basenji dog, who'd been his companion during his long reconnaissance.
The scout pardoned himself as he made haste through the crowds, budging other zebras aside as he galloped at full speed towards the city center, and towards one building in particular: the palace.
Inside the luxurious throne room, the queen was laughing and chatting with her audience of caretakers as they served her food and groomed her, combing her mane and filing her hooves. Their pleasant banter was interrupted, however, by the scout bursting through the door and almost collapsing upon the cold stones of the palace floor. His dog obediently heeled beside him as he bowed on one knee, breathing like he'd almost drowned.
The queen whispered something to one of her attendants, who rushed to get water for this traveler. Her Majesty, meanwhile, dismounted the throne and strode forward towards her agent, curious as to what he'd learned.
"My queen, I bring grave news from beyond the rainforest..." The scout said in between labored gasps. "Soumaoro and his armies are coming to destroy us!"
Zecora was tidying up her hut with a straw broom when she heard a knock at the door.
"Now who could that be, coming to visit me?" she thought. Despite her best efforts over the years, her internal monologue still spoke in rhyme.
The old wooden floor creaked under her weight as she trotted towards her front step. Swinging open the heavy timber door, she saw who her guest was: the cross-eyed mailmare from Ponyville, clutching an envelope in her muzzle.
Zecora thanked her and took the letter; the postpony smiled and flew away above the trees. Opening the letter and beginning to read, she was optimistic at first; it was a letter from Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship! Ever since she'd helped Celestia's protégé prevail in her magic duel with Trixie Lulamoon all those years ago, the two had become good friends, and in a sense, teachers to one another. Twilight taught Zecora what she'd learned of magic, magic theory, their applications and more in Canterlot, while Zecora showed Twilight how her people channel the magic inherent in the earth and terrestrial ponies. Aside from this, though, Zecora was hesitant to share any more of her cultural background.
The letter was short and simple: it was an invitation for Zecora to stop by the Castle of Friendship the following afternoon. For what, it didn't say, but Zecora could only assume it was for something befitting the Princess of Friendship. Perhaps she'd found a new book she wanted to share, or wanted to partake in some tea and conversation. Either way, it had been a while since the two had spent some time together, what with Twilight operating an entire school now. Zecora would be sure to make it over... but hopefully, she wouldn't run into Rockhoof with any more beehives.
The next afternoon, Zecora stood in the shadow of the great crystal castle. It had been long since she'd traversed Ponyville, but at least now she didn't have to conceal herself to do so.
Rapping her forehoof against the tremendous door, she was greeted promptly by Spike. "Ah, hello Zecora!" The little dragon said cheerfully. "Come this way, we've all been waiting for you!" Spike proceeded to flutter above the ground on his immature wings, poking his head into the throne room to inform those inside of their guest's arrival.
"I hope that my questions are not too invading, but what do you mean by 'we all' have been waiting?" Zecora called after Spike as she was led deeper into the castle. As she entered the throne room, she was somewhat surprised to find every Element of Harmony, as well as Starlight Glimmer, seated around the Cutie Map.
"It is not that your presence doesn't fill me with cheer, but I had not expected all of you to be here."
"I apologize for the short notice, Zecora, but I just got some news so exciting that I wanted to share it with all of you here in person!" The alicorn across the room perked up. She levitated a small scroll of parchment in front of her, a look of excitement in her eyes.
"Princess Celestia says that she'd like to send the Elements of Harmony to Zebrica as an official friendship delegation---aaaaaaaaand she recommended that we bring you along as a guide to your native land!"
All the other ponies in the room cheered in excitement, but Zecora's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She had been living in the Everfree Forest for just a couple of years when she first met Twilight and company; now that nearly a decade had passed since that day, she felt so far gone from her homeland. Would she be able to make herself return? Would they even want her back after...?
"Isn't this exciting, Zecora?" Fluttershy asked her friend and fellow forest-dweller. "You get to visit your very first home with all your friends beside you!"
Zecora searched for words, her rhyming a bit slowed from the shock of it all. "Indeed, I look forward to the glorious morn when I arrive once more at the place I was born..."
In reality, she couldn't have dreaded it more.
That night, Zecora slept with difficulty. Tossing and turning in her simple bed, her dreams were tormented by thoughts of her past.
She stood before a court of her peers, with the queen, once a friendly face to all her subjects, now a stern, intimidating figure judging her very soul.
"I am prepared to issue my royal edict; tell me, dear jury, have you reached a verdict?"
One of the zebras in the stands rose to his hooves, bowing his head slightly as he began to address the queen.
"This young filly's actions have filled us with disgust! We no longer accept her as one of us!"
"No..." Zecora muttered to herself, too scared to speak in rhyme.
The queen zebra raised her noble hoof.
"It is with great sadness, then, I declare her guilty; her sentence shall be life in exile across the sea."
"NO! PLEASE!" Zecora screamed aloud, terrified, but her dreams did not heed her. The queen's hoof slammed down like a gavel, and Zecora felt herself falling through the floor.
After a frightening fall, she splashed down into a tumultuous sea. Zecora struggled to swim to the surface, but this only pulled her deeper into the briny depths. As she was dreaming, she didn't feel her lungs flood, but nonetheless she couldn't breathe. Her eyes closed, accepting her fate as she sank deeper.
"It is fair that I was cast out from my kin... I deserve to die for my terrible sin..."
But just as she felt the life slipping away from her, everything suddenly stopped. She could breath again, and she felt her flanks resting on terra firma. Zecora popped open her eyes, finding herself atop a mountain and under the light of the full moon. Casting her gaze up to that glowing orb, she spotted a familiar winged silhouette.
The zebra bowed deeply as the princess alighted in front of her.
"Princess Luna, you humble me with your presence here tonight. I thank you greatly for ending my fright."
Luna waved her praise away with a kind hoof.
"This is simply what we do every night, Zecora. We could tell that tonight, you needed help more than ever." She approached, bringing the striped mare up to her hooves and throwing a graceful wing around her. "Would you like to talk about what's wrong?"
Zecora lowered her head in shame. She couldn't but manage to cast a sideways glance at the Moon Princess.
"Your Highness, do you know anything of my unfortunate past?"
"Only bits and pieces." She responded.
"Needless to say, I performed a feat which made me an outcast." Zecora took a few somber steps away from the princess, still hiding within her shame.
"We know what it is like to do that, you know." Luna said with a soft smile.
"That, I do not deny..." Zecora continued "...but if you only knew my how and why." She paused; the two shared a brief look of consolation before Zecora lowered her head again and continued. "And although giving more information would befit..." The zebra shuddered slightly and rubbed her foreleg. "I personally would rather not talk about it."
Luna strode forward once more, this time patting Zecora with a hoof and directing her attention towards the stars.
"Well, nonetheless, Zecora, if ever you have need of me, I will be watching your dreams... from above."
They stared up at the glittering stars for a moment.
"You know who else is up there watching you, right?"
Tears began to streak from Zecora's eyes. "Yes... I do..."
Zecora awoke in a cold sweat. She was ready to return home.