//------------------------------//
// Equation 
// Story: Being Brave Part III 
// by artman7391 
//------------------------------//

Cory turned around to find himself in Discord's science room. It was very unique among the other classrooms, given it's antique surroundings and intricate contraptions. Nonetheless, its was still equally frightening. The lightening gave it the impression of a musty dungeon, complimented by the small of stale cats and used tuna. Cory could remember always having to pull his shirt to his mouth just to breathe. 

The walls were covered with rather strange specimens and old dusty maps. Facing them were lab tables with sharp, dangerous instruments for dissecting and experimenting. There were even a few bits of blood still on the scalpels, dripping onto the glass tabletops. 

But what disturbed him the most, was what was displayed in the center of the room. In small unkempt cages were critters of wide variety. Mice, Rabbits,  Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, even Cats and Dogs, one stacked on top of the other, ready to be euthanized and dissected. It was clear they were in uncomfortable positions, with the bigger ones disjointed and contorted in a claustrophobic box, and the smaller ones shaking with hunger in an empty cart. 

"Thank God Fluttershy isn't here to see this." Cory said to himself. 

He walked over to the cages and started opening them one by one. The animals shot out of their prisons like rockets, rodents, pets, birds, reptiles, all scurrying across the floor and heading out the windows and classroom door. One of them, a small puppy, ran up to Cory and licked him on the cheek, followed by a nod of appreciation.

As the last few critters crawled away, Cory cleaned up any residue or evidence of their escape. It was at that moment he noticed an equation on the front chalkboard: It was the one that stumped him the last time he took the test. 

'Now.' he thought. 'Now would be the time to prove I'm brave.' 

He walked over to the board and stared at the equation's complexity. He could remember how just the thought of it would cause a knot in his stomach. Yet now, after his lessons with Twilight, he didn't have that feeling anymore. In fact, he felt sure of himself. Though he and his mother hadn't reached this level of math yet, he had the feeling he was closing in on the answer. 

Knowing stress was  around the corner, he gently put the piece of chalk aside and took a deep breath. Then he sat down and crossed his legs, where he began to meditate. He had remembered on one of his outings with Zecora, and how she gave him a certain technique, allowing him to channel with her whenever he pleased. 

He closed his eyes and started to heavily breathe, thinking of nothing but inhaling and exhaling. Soon, he felt a spiritual presence surround him. It felt as though he was floating in an endless ectoplasmic space. Then, things started to move faster, pushing him forward in the enigmatic expanse. It felt as though it would never end until suddenly, all of it stopped. 

His eyes opened as he found himself in the middle of Zecora's hut. Yet, he had the feeling his soul had left his body, as if he'd been turned into a ghost. It was the strangest feeling he had ever experienced. 

There, at the wall facing him, was Zecora herself, balancing on top of a thick wooden cane. She opened her eyes and smiled at the sight of him. 

"Ah, Cory. You're back." She said. "What knowledge do you lack?"

"Master Zecora." Cory said. "I have come to seek your advice for such a dire circumstance." 

"Speak the problem that is laid, and perhaps I can aid.' 

"I have recently returned to my world, to settle a score with an old foe of mine."

"And what is the equation, that is calling an invasion?" 

"How did you know that?" A surprised Cory asked. 

"You we're mumbling to yourself." Zecora chuckled, "But maybe I can help." 

Cory sighed. 

"It's the one I always got stuck on when I was taking the big test." 

"And what is this test, you wish to invest?" 

"It was the one that determined whether I passed high school or not. Every time I reached the problem, I could not for the life of me figure out the answer. It was so lengthy and complicated that by the time I thought I knew the answer, the test was over. And now that I've improved so much on my math skills, I thought maybe I could seek some help from one of the smartest people I know. You."

"The answer of the question you woe, is closer than you think you know." Zecora said simply. 

"What is that supposed to mean? I mean I can enjoy a riddle or two, but now is not the best time ." 

"Ease your soul, and rest your heart, and...."

"Please Zecora, I'm trying to concentrate." 

But no matter how hard his brain thought, he couldn't wrap it around the equation.

"Alright!" Cory said in exhaustion. "I don't know what it is! There has never been a problem like this before. I remember reading through mom's algebra books and there isn't a trace of it. I mean, what's the point of that equation? There's probably not even an answer to..." 

At that moment, Cory had a vision of clarity. His eyes opened wide and his mouth gaped open as he stared at Zecora, who simply bowed with a nod of approval. 

"Happy to have lend, my student and friend." She said with a smile. 

And with those words, Cory was immediately transported back to the classroom. He opened his eyes at the sudden realization, as he got back to his feet and looked at he problem. 

"There is no answer." He said astonishingly. "The equation i...is unanswerable. It's a false problem!!" 

With one fell swoop, he quickly picked up the stick of chalk and scribbled across the board: THERE IS NO ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION. For the first time in so long, he felt as though he conquered a beast. Like a weight of boulders was lifted from his back, and he could breathe easily. 

"ATTENTION STUDENTS!!" Said a loud booming voice over the intercom. "THE ENTIRE SCHOOL IS TO REPORT TO THE AUDITORIUM FOR AN EMERGENCY MEETING, IMMEDIATELY!!!" 

By now, Cory knew who that voice belonged to. He knew it was time to meet his enemy face to face. It was at that moment he saw a small ham radio in one of Discord's desk drawers. Just to spite the faculty, he took it out and tuned it in to a music station, where it played a classical song he hadn't heard in awhile. Finally, he grabbed a spare uniform from another drawer and headed to the assembly.