A Striped Past
Part 1: Shadows of the past
Over the last 2 years, Apple Bloom had come far in her studies with Zecora. The zebra’s protégé had long since mastered the basics and had been experimenting with her own ideas for some time now. With her chores on the farm done for the day, she worked diligently in the confines of Zecora’s hut within the Everfree Forest. The door of the hut opened and Zecora entered, returning from a trip to the deeper parts of the forest to gather herbs.
“My, still working on what you’ve started? You’ve not moved an inch since I first departed.” Zecora noted with a smile, always impressed with her pupil's dedication.
“Sure am, Zecora.” Apple Bloom said as she stepped back from her mixture. “I think I’ve almost cracked this here potion I’ve been working on.”
“You have put weeks of work into that brew. Tell me, what is it supposed to do?”
“The base for my idea came from that growth potion you showed me when I was first starting out.” She began. “It was a sight and all but the effects were unpredictable. Something could grow a few inches or as tall as a redwood.” She removed her safety goggles and set them on the table. “I’ve been playing with different ingredients to stabilize the growth into something a hair more controllable. I think I finally found an ingredient that works; it's something labeled dawn’s dew. The last few tests showed that the growth hits a ceiling with this ingredient in particular, and upping the ratio of dawn’s dew in the growth potion makes set increases in size that I’ve been able to consistently measure.” She gestured to an empty vial. “But, I did use up all that dawn’s dew stuff. You know where I can get some more?”
“I am very proud of your great progress. But that will be difficult, I must confess.”
“Really?”
“I’m afraid it’s true; of my rarest ingredients is dawn’s dew.”
“Oh, I’m sorry Zecora.” A guilty look set in her eyes. “I wouldn’t have used it if I knew it was so rare.”
“Do not worry little one, hunting ingredients is half the fun.” Zecora gave her a reassuring pat on the head. “If we need more I’ll find a way. But for now, why don’t you call it a day.”
Apple Bloom smiled and nodded. “Okay Zecora.” She put her materials away and boxed up her existing work. Saying goodbye, she left the hut and began heading back towards Ponyville to search for Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. As she reached the outskirts of town she noticed that the ponies who were leaving the area were whispering to each other with unsettled looks on their faces. She passed by a couple and discerned the words ‘stranger’ and ‘scary’ from their mutterings. Continuing on, she soon spied a large, cloaked figure walking towards the town square. Startled at first, as the figure turned she made out the familiar black and white striping of a zebra. She let out a laugh as she calmed, shaking her head at the worry she saw in the other ponies. “Geez, this again?” She asked herself. “You’d think after Zecora moved in we’d be past all this here nonsense.” Taking the initiative she approached the stranger and stepped up alongside him. “Howdy.” She greeted. “My name’s Apple Bloom. I take it you’re new in town.” The stranger turned and looked down at her. In an instant, she understood the concern of the other ponies. His face was unnaturally hard and his eyes cold; she could simply feel that something was off with this newcomer.
“Yes, I am.” He answered in a rich, heavily accented voice. “I am looking for somepony, a mare named Zecora. Do you know her?”
Apple Bloom hesitated, not certain if she should admit to knowing Zecora or not. Her mind raced and ultimately, in lieu of everything her sister taught her, she was compelled to play dumb and lie out of sheer instinct. “A Zecora passed through here a while back.” She finally answered. “She was a zebra too… are you related?” She asked innocently, trying to get any information out of him.
“She is my sister.” He responded. “Do you know which way she was headed, child?”
“Uh… well.” She fumbled for ideas. “She wasn’t the talkative type. She bought some things from the general store and moved on. I think she headed north.”
“You think?” He repeated.
“Well, it was a long time ago… like I said. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.” She smiled as best as she could manage. “I need to get home though; I hope you find your sister.” With a short wave she turned and calmly headed back out of town. Once outside of Ponyville, she began running back towards the Everfree Forest to see Zecora and find out if she actually knew the stranger or not. Near out of breath by the time she reached the hut, Apple Bloom burst through the door to find a greatly startled Zecora.
“Apple Bloom, my word. Why storm in like a stampeding herd?”
“Zecora.” Apple Bloom panted. “There… there was another zebra in town looking for you.” She composed herself as she went to her. “He said he was your brother.”
Apple Bloom’s words shook her. “My brother… I see. Did you tell him where to find me?”
“No.” Apple Bloom shook her head. “I know I’m not supposed to be lying, but he… well, there was something right frightening about him. I told him you passed through town but didn’t stay.” She looked up to her for answers. “Do you have a brother?”
Zecora paused at the question. “I…”
“Zecora!” A heavy voice called from outside; Apple Bloom immediately recognized it as the zebra from before.
“It’s him.” Apple Bloom wheeled around in shock.
Zecora slowly went to the door and opened it, as she stepped out she gasped as she beheld the zebra’s face. “You… it can’t be true.”
“There you are.” He smiled.
Apple Bloom ran out to her side. “That’s impossible; I didn’t tell him about this place… I promise.”
The stranger laughed lightly. “I know lies when I hear them, child. Your eyes betrayed your words before you even spoke.”
“Just who are…” Apple Bloom began but stopped as Zecora’s hoof landed on her shoulder.
Zecora pulled her back and stood in front of her. “What do you want with me? I have nothing to offer as you can see.”
“Oh?” The stranger began to approach. “You know that you are the only one that can undo what has been done. You must have known I would seek you out. Why else would you travel so far from home?” The stranger recoiled in pain as he came into contact with some form of barrier. He looked at his smoking hoof and glared up at Zecora.
“Though I had hoped to never see your face; I did make plans should you find this place.” She pointed back to the forest. “Leave my house and don’t return. I will not give you that for which you yearn.”
“Do you think this will keep me away forever?” He asked. “I will not be denied!” His eyes began to glow white. “I know where you are now; you will not escape me again!” A swirl of dust rose around him and as the wind dispersed it, he was gone.
“He disappeared.” Apple Bloom looked about but saw no sign of the zebra. “Zecora, who was that?” She looked up and saw the fear in her eyes. “Is he really your brother?”
“Yes… and no.” Zecora shook her head. “There is no time to explain, we need to go.” She hurried back inside and began collecting specific items about her home.
“Go?” Apple Bloom followed her.
“I must get you to your family… then from this place I must quickly flee.”
“What!?” Apple Bloom ran in front of her and held her hooves up in protest. “If you’re in danger then I’m not going anywhere!”
“Apple Bloom…”
“No.” Apple Bloom said firmly. “You’re my teacher and my friend. I’m not going to abandon you.”
Zecora saw the loving determination in her eyes and smiled. “I thank you for that, but we are in more peril than you know. The safest thing is for me to go.”
“Go where?” Apple Bloom asked. “He said you traveled here in the first place because you were running from whatever this is; how much farther are you going to run? You were alone before but you aren’t anymore, you’ve got me and my family and all our friends in Ponyville. Let us help you.” Her upset eyes began to water.
Zecora let out a heavy sigh and nodded. “You are right, I have run enough… it is time to fight.” She reached out and wiped Apple Bloom’s eyes. “You have grown wise beyond your years. Thank you for being stronger than my fears.”
Apple Bloom hugged her. “That’s what friends are for. Let’s go to the farm, my sister will know what to do.”
Zecora smiled and rubbed the top of her head. “Not another word against it I will say; let me gather my things and we’ll be on our way.”
Packing three bags of various ingredients, equipment and literature; they quickly left the hut and headed for Sweet Apple Acres. As they galloped towards the farm they saw Applejack feeding the pigs.
“Applejack!” Apple Bloom called out.
Applejack’s ears perked at the sound of her sister’s voice and she raised her head from her work. “Apple Bloom, there you… Zecora?” She scratched her head at the rare sight. She halted her work as they ran up to her. “Zecora, never imagined I’d see you all the way out here.” She saw the harried look in Apple Bloom’s eyes. “Everything alright?”
Apple Bloom quickly shook her head. “No, Zecora’s in danger and we have to help her.”
Applejack was taken aback by the news. “Danger, what happened?”
“I will explain the situation. But first we have some preparation.” Zecora said as she urged them inside. Once indoors she opened her bags and pulled out three vials filled with a bluish mineral. “Circle the house with this, in an unbroken line. It will protect your home as it did mine.” She offered the vials to Apple Bloom.
“Can do.” Apple Bloom took the vials and sped outside to see to the deed.
“Applejack, I know it is sudden to ask. But for you, as well, I have a task.”
“Alright.” Applejack nodded. “What do you need?” Despite the countless questions she had she could sense the urgency of the situation.
“What seeks me will seek you not. A fact we can use to improve our lot. To see this through to positive ends, you will have to go and gather our friends.”
“Twilight and the others?” Applejack asked rhetorically. “Right, I’ll be back with them as soon as I can.” Heading out the back door she began galloping towards town at full speed.
Within two hours, Applejack returned with Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Pinkie Pie. By this time, Big Mac and Granny Smith had returned to the house and were brought up to speed by Apple Bloom. They gathered in the living room where a shaken Zecora sat with Apple Bloom at her side.
Granny Smith came in with a cup of apple spice tea and set it before Zecora. “Here you are dearie.”
“Thank you for the tea, it should serve to settle me.” Zecora took a sip and let out a calm breath.
“What’s going on Zecora?” Twilight asked. “All we heard is that you were in danger.”
Zecora nodded slowly. “Danger yes, great indeed. I thank you for coming in my time of need.”
“Of course Zecora.” Fluttershy said sincerely. “We’re always here for you.”
“Yeah.” Rainbow Dash punched her hooves together. “Danger’s practically our hobby. Just tell us who or what is hassling you and we’ll make them regret it.”
“If we intend to face this foe; then of my past you will need to know.” Zecora raised her head with a sigh. “My home is a village far away; a peaceful place where zebra stay. My family lived a quiet life; free from worry, pain and strife. My father was the village chief. A strong, proud stallion whose words were brief. My mother was a master of the alchemic arts; she was held highly in the zebra’s hearts. And then there was my older brother, more like our father and not like mother. He was bold and wild, much unlike the other child. I stayed close to my mother’s side. She, my ideal; and I her pride.” Zecora smiled as she thought of her family, realizing it had been so long since she had last done so. “But our village’s peace was not to last, as under evil’s shadow we were all soon cast.” Her smile faded. “By an invading horde we were beset, fearsome brutes I shall never forget. I did not know it at the time, but our village sat atop a silver mine; and bearing weapons and armor like we had never seen; to obtain that silver they were most keen.” She paused to sip her tea again. “The initial attack we did repel, but many of the zebra fell. Against another attack we could not survive, so a plan was considered to keep us alive.” A pained look came over her as she recalled the events in her mind. “There were tales of an ancient spirit, even though most did not believe it. The elders said it protected the land and watched over the zebra for as far as they spanned.” She ran her hoof under her chin. “Away from the spiritual my father tended to lean, but my mother was open to the world unseen. She felt that this spirit could be our savior, but a sacrifice would be needed to obtain its favor. It was a tough decision with which to wrestle, for to summon this spirit she needed a vessel.” A hard breath escaped her as she struggled to continue her story. “For this, my brother volunteered; which is just what my father had feared. The boy wanted to be strong, like his father. And for the chance to save us he was quick to offer. No other zebra was brave enough to try, and so my mother accepted with a tear in her eye. A crystal was embedded in my brother’s chest, and it was up to my mother to handle the rest. Using her skills and ancient knowledge, to the spirit she made a solemn pledge. Her son’s body would be his to wield, in exchange for besting our enemies on the battlefield. Under heavy winds and a flash of light, the spirit took him and agreed to fight. When the horde returned to finish the job, they found only one standing against their mob. But that one was more than enough, and the flames of their lives the spirit did snuff.” She sighed heavily. “But the spirit was not was legends said it to be, it was not a guardian… but a demon you see. It returned to the village with a simple request and considered my mother to be at his behest. It wished to be free from the form of my kin; to walk the world again within its own skin. It ordered my mother to undo the bind, but she did not know how and said so in kind. Enraged by her answer the demon did attack, and against this foe we could not fight back. It… it took my mother’s life… a sight that still twists in my mind like a knife. By the end, only I and a few others were able to flee. But the demon swore only to come after me. It wants me to undo what was done that day; and if I cannot… it will see that I pay.” Zecora lowered her head and tears fell from her eyes. Apple Bloom, her eyes shedding tears of their own, immediately rose and hugged her legs.
“My word.” Rarity shuddered. “What a terrible and frightening story.”
“I’m so sorry Zecora.” Twilight said, barely able to believe what she just heard. “We had no idea you had been through something like that.”
Zecora shook her head. “Do not fret, for I myself have tried to forget.”
“So this… thing, is in your brother’s body and wants to be let out.” Applejack surmised. “Can you even do that?”
“It might be possible, but doing so will only be trouble.” Zecora brushed the tears from her eyes. “If that beast were to be let out, there is no telling what harm would come about. Though weaker within a pony, it is still more than capable; in its true form it would prove even more formidable.”
“So what are we supposed to do?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“My mother held more secrets than even I know, her volumes might hold the answer to routing this foe.”
“But to do that we’d have to travel back to your village.” Fluttershy pointed out.
Zecora nodded. “Yes, and since it is after me I cannot roam; so I need you to travel to my home. Uncover the secrets my mother hid, bring them here so I can discern what she did.”
“Can you tell us how to reach your home?” Twilight queried.
“I can, but do not go without a plan.” She warned. “My home is now a long dead place, there is no telling what danger you may face.”
“What happens while we’re gone?” Applejack asked?
“While you are gone, here I will stay.” Zecora stood. “I can protect your home and keep him at bay.”
“Fine.” Twilight nodded. “Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy will come to the zebra village with me. Pinkie and Rarity, stay here and help the Apples defend the farm.”
“Will do darling.” Rarity promised.
“You can count on us.” Pinkie saluted.
“I’ll send Starlight your way too, her magic will be a big help.” Twilight added.
Zecora went to her bags again and pulled out an old piece of parchment. She gave to it Twilight who opened it to reveal a map. “I kept track of my travels once I departed. Retrace my steps to find where I started.”
“Right.” Twilight looked back to her chosen team. “Let’s get moving girls.”