//------------------------------// // "It Had To Be Zebras..." // Story: The Return of the 7th Element // by thunderhawk7865 //------------------------------// Chapter 10: “It Had To Be Zebras…” Spitfire and Rainbow Dash fell to their haunches as well, slowly raising their forehooves. “It had to be zebras…” Spitfire hissed, closing her eyes as she looked around, slowly. “It just had to…” “Silence.” The bulky zebra leader spoke once more, his yellow eyes burning holes into Spitfire’s cranium. “I will be the one to speak here, pegasus.” Slowly, the rest of the group sat on their haunches and surrendered in a similar manner. As Vio whimpered sitting down, Fyre Bolt swore under his breath. “Not good…” “Hey buddy…” Rainbow Dash scowled. “I don’t know who you think you are, but we’re the Wonderbolts?” Rainbow Dash looked around at all the zebras to see if she got a reaction. Some of the zebras exchanged a glance under their hoods in confusion. Soarin’ sighed heavily and rolled his eyes. The leader stared at the chromatic mare, his head slowly tilting to the side. “That...is a silly name.” A hooffull of the zebras laughed loudly. Seeing their ignorance, Rainbow growled and stood up, stomping a hoof. “We are a top-tier, high ranking branch of the Equestrian EUP Air Force! By treating us like this, you’re asking for war, buddy!” Seeing Rainbow stand was enough cause for the bulky zebra leader to stomp forward, past Soarin’ and the unconscious Thunderlane, and practically force the blunt pegasus down on her haunches once more, drawing a startled gasp from the mare. The zebra got in her muzzle, and he slowly lowered his hood, revealing his face underneath. Mohawks were common among zebras, like Zecora and Anansi, however this zebra tossed care to the wind with his mane. His mane was long and unkempt, dreadlocks dangling down both sides and down the back of his head, beads interwoven between each one unevenly. He had yellow eyes like the rest that burned into Rainbow Dash’s soul, and a scar over his left eye that looked really deep. His stripes were thick, more black than white, and his neck was adorned with a loose gold necklace. “Let’s get something clear…” His accent was absolutely thick with Zebrican culture. “I will not tolerate such insubordination here, unless you like your little head still attached to your neck.” Vio ‘eeped’ from her downward position, her forehooves covering her eyes as she shuddered. Fyre Bolt and Redemption gazed back and forth between Rainbow Dash and the large zebra. Dash narrowed her eyes and nodded slowly. “Have it your way, dragon breath…” A slap sounded as Spitfire connected her hoof to her muzzle, shaking her head. The zebra remained still, eyeing Rainbow Dash. “Alright, changeling...you’re going to tell me what exactly you and your people are doing here.” “What?!” Dash practically barked. “We aren’t changelings! Are you kidding me?!” “Crash…” Spitfire hissed. “No Spits, she’s right to speak out!” Soarin’ called out nervously, two spear tips pointed unceremoniously into his neck. “We just kicked the flanks of a whole bunch of those guys!” “It’s true!” Fyre Bolt nodded. “We saw it, and some of your zebras must’ve seen it!” The zebra scowled, a low hum emanating from his throat. He whipped his head around, his dreadlocks whipping around with the sharp turn of his neck. “Did any of you see this fight?” Silence prevailed among the assorted zebra warrior, some looking at one another in sideways glances. All hope seemed lost until a zebra near the back, a female, gingerly raised her forehoof. “I did, mnumzane!” She paused, then nodded, gripping her spear tighter. “They tell the truth…” Rainbow Dash and the other ponies let out a collective sigh of relief. One of them had seen the battle and could vouch for them. “See?!” Rainbow Dash growled. The zebra leader shook his head at the small female zebra. “Shala...why didn’t you tell us before we captured them?” He growled. “Honestly, indodakazi, you need to speak up in situations like this! It could’ve been war with the ponies!” The female, in turn, did not respond. Rather, she stood her ground and gripped her spear even tighter and shook her head, refusing to speak further. The zebra leader sighed and waved a hoof. “By the gods…everyzebra, stand down and release these ponies!” The clattering of metal sounded around the ruins as the group of zebras lowered their weapons, assisting the ponies to their hooves...except Rainbow Dash, who angrily slapped the forehoof of her zebra captor away and began to float like she usually did. “Spread out. Defensive positions.” The leader ordered, the zebras obeying as they spread out around the ruined town, most of them almost like shadows as they took up hiding spots in the ruins. Rainbow Dash had to admit...these zebras were good at their job...whatever it was. “My name is Zander…” The burly zebra explained, reaching up and placing his hood back up over his eyes. “My apologies for that, but with Changelings in the area, we can’t be too careful.” His eyes fell on Thunderlane and he frowned. “We must get your compatriot to our camp. We have healers there that can save him.” “You’re kidding me, right?!” Dash scowled, pointing a hoof at Zander. “You had us at spearpoint like a minute ago, and now you want us to just come with you?” “Crash! We don’t have a choice!” Soarin’ angrily retorted from his position behind Zander. “Thunderlane will bucking die. We have to go with them!” “He’s right.” Redemption spoke up from his position on the other side of Thunderlane, his forehoof under the unconscious Wonderbolt’s neck, checking for a pulse. “He is barely staying alive, even after the medkit.” Rainbow Dash bit her lower lip before letting out a groan. “Okay, but I’m watching you guys!” She frowned and made a gesture with her forehooves, signifying her apparent hawk-like vision was going to be constantly on Zander. Zander nodded. “Of course. Now come, let’s get you all to safety.” An hour later saw the group of ponies, accompanied by a group of zebras, trudging through the desert just as the sun was setting. Orange and red rays painted the desert sands as they trotted, Rainbow Dash and Spitfire floating above the group near Zander at the front. Two zebra warriors, including Shala, were carrying Thunderlane on a makeshift stretcher. “As I was saying…” Zander nodded at the Wonderbolts above him. “We are very sorry for your preemptive capture.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, but Spitfire responded. “Yeah, that reminds me...what are you guys doing in Equestrian borders?” Zander sighed, as if collecting his thoughts for a moment before responding. “We are a paramilitary force from Zebrica. We’ve been tasked with hunting a small group of Changelings that infiltrated our borders recently...” He stopped, as if not wanting to explain further. “What did they do?” Soarin’ asked as he trotted next to Thunderlane on his stretcher. “They…” Zander started, hesitated, then decided to finish his thought. “They killed your diplomats there…” “They what?!” Rainbow Dash suddenly barked, causing several zebras to jump. “Every last one…” Zander nodded, sighing sadly. “What’s more, they took their places and proceeded to feed us false information...information that made us consider war with Equestria for a year or so.” Zander shook his head. “Once we discovered what had happened, they killed some of our abaholi…” “Abahowie-whatie?” Rainbow Dash arched a brow. “A high ranking leader in Zebrica, Rainbowed-one…” The zebra female known as Shala from earlier said from behind Dash as she carried Thunderlane’s stretcher on her back, causing her to jump slightly. “Rather than the Princesses you know, they are our tribal chieftains…” She pointed. “Zander is one such abaholi...he survived the attack on his life…” Her eyes glistened for a moment and she sighed in what sounded like relief. “Thankfully…” Zander twitched slightly, and Rainbow Dash noticed a slight distortion in his march, but it only lasted for a moment. “We...managed to capture one before they escaped. It was from that bug we discovered their plan; to go to Equestria as the murdered diplomats and accuse the zebra nation as wanting war.” “That’s terrible…” Soarin’ muttered. “The sick part? This all makes sense.” Spitfire finally spoke up for the first time in a while. “Think about it. The fringe towns closest to Zebrica being attacked and destroyed with no trace? Of course the cudheads in the hierarchy would blame the zebras right off the bat.” “You’re right, Spits!” Dash blurted out, causing Zander to twitch yet again. Seeing as how his zebra warriors were so stealthy, it was difficult for him to be around a pony as energetic, bright and out there as Rainbow Dash. “We have to do something!” “You can start by helping us capture or kill these bugs…” Zander nodded. “It will prevent an all out war between our peoples.” He paused and angled his head towards Thunderlane. “And by saving your friend there. The more of us there are, the better.” “If you say so.” Soarin’ eyed Zander for a moment before turning his attention back to his unconscious friend. They trekked in silence for a moment, Redemption occasionally muttering a word or two between himself and Fyre Bolt. Then, Zander stopped and pointed a forehoof. “There. Our camp is there.” Dash trotted up beside Zander and scanned the distance in the direction he was pointing, and her pupils shrank in shock. “No way…” There, in the distance, with the sun setting behind it, was a large rock formation sticking up like a mountain out of the desert. A familiar cave entrance sat at the base of the rock. Dash shivered, and Spitfire noticed. “Crash?” Spitfire trotted up and eyed his co-captain. “You...okay?” “Y-yeah. P-peachy!” Dash stuttered, gulping and giving the best fake smile she could muster. The truth of the matter was is that she wasn’t okay. This was the rock where the zebra lord Anansi had taken her and locked her up fifteen years prior. The place where she nearly died. Rainbow Dash found it extremely difficult to enter the cave she had been taken to all those years ago. To her relief, instead of hostile zebra guards, and Anansi laughing maniacally through the bars of her makeshift cell, she found the old network of caves lit with torches and absolutely teeming with zebra warriors. Campfires and war-tents were set up all over the place. These zebras had been were a while, that much was evident. As Zander led them through the caves, the ponies drew several nervous and surprised stares from under the numerous zebra hoods. Shala and the other zebra carrying Thunderlane’s body whisked him away to a trio of female-hooded zebras who Dash assumed were the healers. Redemption, having somewhat of an idea as to the extent of Thunderlane’s injury, accompanied them. As the group of warriors who had found the group of ponies broke up and went their separate ways in the system of tunnels, Zander eventually led them to the biggest tent they had seen so far. This tent was made of colorful hides designed in a tribal fashion. It was towards the back of the caves, and two burly zebra spearmen nodded at the zebra leader as he opened the flaps and gestured for the ponies to trot inside. The interior of the tent was your typical war-tent with the zebra flair. Two beds were on either side of the tent, divided by faded purple curtains, and a large fire-pit sat in the middle of the tent with cushions around them. At the back of the tent was a table with maps strewn across it. Markings that looked like X’s and circles were apparent across all the maps from Dash’s position. “Again, I beg your pardon, Wonderbolts…” Zander sighed as he closed the tent flap and trotted forward. “Please, feel free to use my fire-pit to warm yourselves for the night.” “What about you?” Fyre Bolt turned to the zebra leader after trotting up to the fire-pit. “Where will you spend the night?” “I won’t.” Zander trotted over to a weapon rack near one of the beds. A hooffull of spears, axes, and a crossbow adorned the rack. He withdrew a small axe from under his armor and cloak and placed it on the rack, reaching a forehoof forward and grasping the crossbow, carefully inspecting it in the light of the fire-pit.  “I’ll be back out in the field near those ruins with some of my elite warriors. If what Shala said was true, and I trust her with my life…” He paused, sighed, then turned and nodded at the ponies. “The Changelings we’re tracking are nearby that town still, and we need to find them.” “They...have a ship…” Vio finally decided to speak from her cushion she had settled on. “And an army. You’ll need more than just…” She waved a hoof in the air. “A few zebras!” Zander eyed the strange blue pony who spoke up, and she shrunk away at his stern gaze. He nodded. “I will be leading the scouting group. The rest shall follow.” He grunted and shouldered the crossbow and it’s accompanying quiver of bolts. “I assume once they are found, we can count on your help?” “You got it!” Rainbow Dash reared up and stamped her hooves. “It’s personal for me.” “Crash…” Soarin’ muttered. The blue Wonderbolt hadn’t sat down like Spitfire had, and he seemed on edge. “We’ll help you.” Rainbow Dash gave a small snarl at Soarin’ before turning back to Zander. “And save both our countries.” “I thank you, Rainbowed One…” Zander nodded. “My messengers shall retrieve you when we have found them.” He nodded. “Rest well, Wonderbolts...I shall see you soon.” With that, Zander exited the tent. As soon as the flap closed, and Zander’s hoofsteps faded away, the group let out a collective sigh of relief. “I’m glad we’re safe after that fight…” Rainbow Dash muttered, trotting towards the fire-pit and wiggling herself out of the top part of her Wonderbolts uniform. She sighed as her head and mane sprang free of the blue tights. She then unzipped her forehooves and rolled up the sleeves halfway up her legs. She plopped down on a cushion and groaned. “What’re we gonna do? They have…” She paused and pressed her now free forehooves to her forehead. “Ace.” “I’ll tell you what we do…” Soarin’ said, still standing. “We get the buck outta here.” “Seriously, Soarin’?” Fyre Bolt whipped his head towards the veteran Wonderbolt. “We’re out of the open with a bleedin’ army that wants the Changelings gone as much as we do, and you wanna leave!? Seriously!?” “Yeah, seriously!” Soarin’ hissed, his eyes darting towards the tent flap. The shades of the two guards could be seen by firelight outside the tent. “You saying you trust these zebras?! They had us at spearpoint an hour ago!” “Soarin’ does have a point…” Spitfire raised a hoof, running it through her mane. She had since freed her head, mane, and forehooves like Dash had earlier. “I mean, we don’t need to be reminded about Anansi…” Her orange eyes flicked to Dash. “Do we, Crash?” Rainbow groaned again, not removing her forehooves from her face. “No...no, you we don’t.” She removed her forehooves and leaned forward, staring into the glowing embers of the fire. “I just...what other choice do we have right now?” She looked towards Soarin’. “Like I said, we leave.” Soarin’ hissed. “Once Thunderlane is good to go, we tell them we have to go.” He growled. “Then we go.” “I just promised Zander we’d help them when they found the Changelings.” Dash’s magenta orbs drilled into Soarin’s and caused him to shrink a little. He recognized the fire in her eyes well; her loyalty was showing again. When she promised something to somepony, she meant it and she delivered. It was one of the main reasons she made the primary Wonderbolts stunt team. “Besides, Ace is with them. You can leave if you want, but I’ve gotta stay.” He eyes fell. “I have to stay.” “I mean…” Vio piped up again, her quiet voice managing to break into the conversation. “Why not let bygones be bygones? That attack was fifteen years ago, right?” “True…” Fyre Bolt nodded, tapping a hoof on his chin. “And besides, it’s a well-known fact that Anansi and his warriors were a splinter group acting out of accordance with the zebra nation.” “Exactly.” Vio nodded. “Dad told me the story many times. If it’s true, and…” She smiled. “Obviously it is…” She pointed at Rainbow Dash before continuing. “These zebras could’ve killed us back there, but they didn’t. I mean, if they were going to kill us, why didn’t they do it back there?” “I…” Soarin’ started, but paused and sighed, looking down. “I guess that’s true…” “Our best bet, you guys…” Rainbow Dash leaned forward, the image of the flames of the fire-pit flickering in her eyes. “Is to do what Zander says and wait here…” She growled and took off, hovering in the air and staring at her forehooves. “Even though I don’t wanna!” She whipped towards the group. “My son is at home by himself. My stallion is out there, corrupted!” She shuddered. “I hate waiting! I need to do something!” “There’s the Dash I know…” Spitfire slowly took off as well, gently placing her forehooves on Rainbow’s shoulders and lowering them both back to the floor of the tent. “Listen, Crash. Historically, you’ve been the most impatient ‘bolt among us. You’ve learned patience over the years, sure…” She giggled. “But honestly Crash? You’ll get the cud kicked out of you, even if we go with you. Stay here…” She patted Dash’s shoulders. “It’ll be fine…” Dash shuddered, then took a deep breath. Her formerly spread-out wings slowly relaxed and fell to her sides and she nodded. “You’re...you’re right. T-Thanks, Spitfire…” “Anytime, Crash.” Spitfire hovered back over to her cushion and flopped herself down. Dash stared into the fire for a moment again when she pressed her forehooves together. “It makes sense, you guys…” “What does?” Fyre Bolt turned his head towards Dash. He had since made his way over to Zander’s map table as he was studying the various regions. “This whole Changeling problem we have.” Dash nodded at Fyre Bolt, then looking to her fellow Wonderbolt and Vio. “The Changelings...the fringe towns...the ponies dying in Zebrica…” She growled. “Chrysalis is trying to make our countries go to war with each other. A war I don’t think either side would be ready for…” Spitfire’s eyes widened. “Then, when both sides are weak…” Rainbow Dash nodded somberly. “She finishes us both.” Spitfire leaned forward, gulping nervously. Soarin’ floated behind her, gently resting his forehooves on her shoulders and gently rubbing them to calm his marefriend down. “This is bad…” “We have no choice…” Rainbow Dash nodded resolutely. “We need the Elements of Harmony, but...there’s no time. We gotta stay and fight with the zebras. To save Equestria.” She frowned. “To save Ace.” The Palomino Desert sands were painted orange and dark red as the setting sun was making its final descent, the top half of Celestia’s namesake just barely peeking over the horizon. If one were viewing the desert from up above, a speeding dust-cloud could be seen barreling across the desert sands. Within the cloud was a speeding, dark blue young alicorn, his wings extended and his forehooves out. His long, golden mane was billowing in the dusty wing, and his equally golden eyes were narrowed with determination. He was thankful Rainbow Dash was his mother right now; being able to fly this fast  in his young age was truly something to be seen. Adding to his speed was his determination. Applebloom and her friends had convinced him the night before; his Dad deserved a chance, and he was going to give it to him and his mother, no matter what. “And I don’t care who or WHAT gets in my way…” Blazing Dawn thought to himself as he stared at the sunset straight ahead. He nodded, then increased his speed, the dust-cloud behind him exploding outward. “And you’re sure you saw...Rainbow Streak...head out that way?” “Rainbow Dash. And aye, lad. I’m sure of it. Saw her speeding off this way with a few of the Wonderbolts.” “Heh...heh heh...Red Hooves...they’re bloody Scottish, mate! OW!” John had just thumped Wheatley over the head with the his forehoof, causing another giggle to come from Rarity, who was trailing behind the detective and the robot. They had spent the whole day questioning every pony in town they came across where Rainbow Dash had gone, and much to John’s chagrin, nopony had seen her. Some of the ponies simply turned their snouts up at himl; some of the higher up ponies on the social scale had no respect for a newbie in town with a dirty trenchcoat. He had to resist the urge to slug one of them earlier, and had to stopped short by Rarity. He and Rarity had also stopped for lunch midway through the day, which had been a pleasant affair. It was there John learned of Sweetie Belle, the rest of her family, locations of her other businesses, and so forth. And Rarity learned how John had joined the human police force on Earth...and how a robot pony had managed to stumble through whatever portal they stumbled through with him. The robotic pony garnered a lot of stares, but with Ponyville’s history of random attacks and cataclysmic events, nopony really wanted to press the matter. Strangely enough, he found himself really enjoying his time with the fashionista, but he always strongly suggested they get back to brass tacks and get back to finding Dan. He had almost given up hope until Rarity suggested they ask the local Red Hooves as last resort. Blue Arrow was more than happy to help a fellow ‘lawman.’ “I’ll even come with ye if ye want, lad…” Blue Arrow’s eyes went from Wheatley and back to John. “Shining Badge, was it?” “Y-Yeah…” John nodded, giving a hesitant smile, and Rarity giggled again. Boy, he still hated that name. “We need to find her...it’s, uh...urgent!” “Say no more lad.” Blue Arrow raised a forehoof and nodded. “I’ll gather the other Hooves here and we’ll leave at first light!” He extended his wings and gave a salute. “A good night to ye, laddie!” The aging Pegasus took off with surprising agility, towards the apple orchard Rarity had pointed out earlier. “Probably off to fetch Papyrus, another Hoof.” Rarity watched the Pegasus go, then smiled at John. “I’m sorry that took all day, darling.” John huffed, blowing some of his blonde mane out of his face. “Not at all.” He nodded back at her. “Just sorry we couldn’t ditch that damn fool there.” He gesturing towards Wheatley, he stumbled to his hooves after getting konked again. “When are you gonna learn you can’t get rid of me, mate?” Wheatley said, still a little dazed. “You and me are stuck together, Shining Badge…” “You watch your oral sensors there, bub.” John sneered at the robotic quadruped before turning back to Rarity with a small smile. “Listen...as awful...as I thought it would be to be stuck here originally...I had a good time today.” “Why, me too, darling.” Rarity giggled once more. “I’ll do my part, though...I’ll gather the rest of the girls and we’ll go with you in the morning.” “Right...the girls...the Elements of Togetherness?” “Harmony.” “Right.” John stomped in frustration. These cutesy names were going to be hard to adjust to using. “Of course that was the word…” He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “I, uh, don’t suppose you’d let me crash at your place again tonight, would you?” Rarity adjusted her mane’s curls and smiled. “Of course darling. Let it never be said I denied shelter to a pony in need.” “You really are generous, aren’t you?” John smiled. “I appreciate it.” “Not at all, darling.” She turned and winked at him. “You can repay me later.” “Uh...wha…” “Tah tah, darling!” Rarity waved a forehoof and she trotted away. “I shall see you tonight.” John stared after Rarity for a moment, shaking his head. “Did...did she just…” “Your body temperature is rising mate.” Wheatley commented from behind him. “Want me to scan you and-” CLANG! Wheatley fell back, his optic spinning. John lowered the hoof he had used to just smack Wheatley, his muzzle a beet red. “Let’s go, you dirty robot…” A lone, pale blue Pegasus stallion stood on a pedestal in an eerie green room, oozing with slime. Black vines grew unevenly out of the walls all around him. Buzzing filled the air. His brown mane covered his eyes, as if he was staring at the floor beneath him. The sound of hoofsteps got closer and closer as a tall equine figure full of holes emerged from the darkness. He eyes flashed a sickly green and she licked her fangs with her long snake-like tongue as she eyed the stallion up and down. “Whom do you serve, puppet?” She hissed. “Queen Chrysalis…” The stallion responded, twitching slightly. “Are you sure, boy?” Chrysalis spat, starting to trot around the stallion, her wings flickering with anticipation. “Are you sure it isn’t that slut of a pony with the disgustingly colorful mane?” “I serve…” The stallion clenched his teeth. “I serve…” He twitched again, a little more violently. “Queen Chrysalis.” The Queen drew a smile, licking her fangs. “Excellent…” She continued trotting around her prized warrior. “We have discovered zebras in the area...one of them survived our initial attack in Zebrica. Our scouts recognized him.” She snarled, hissing. “He will reveal our plan to the ponies! We cannot allow that to happen!” She stomped a hoof, flew around to the front of the stallion, and touched down. “I want you kill them.” She used a forehoof to lift his face up, revealing two sickly green eyes. “Every. Last. One. And those ponies, too.” She hissed in glee as Poison Bass smiled, his eyes half-lidded. She seductively ran her long tongue up his cheek, drinking in the love he was emanating, before he nodded. “Yes, my Queen…” Chrysalis withdrew her tongue and laughed maniacally, more buzzing sounding around her as other Changelings crowded around the pair. In the depths of Poison Bass’s mind, Ace was screaming. Crying out. Crying out for Rainbow Dash.