//------------------------------//
// Curse of a Poet 
// Story: Curse of a Poet 
// by Timzocker201 
//------------------------------//

To make a potion is no easy task, so concentration is the first thing to ask.
So, I stood there in my hut in the woods, making a potion as best as I could.

Suddenly, a knock came sounding from the door, something I had already heard many times before.
I stood still for the moment it took, before I got up and went to have a look.

I got to the door, which was opened in a whim, beyond which I saw a familiar grin.
I lunged and hugged you, as it had been some time. Almost as long as I'd been bound to rhyme.
I gestured you inside and inside you ran, as I thought about the time, when my journey began.





Back in the day, when I was still young, I barely understood what others had done.
My village was small, the ponies were nice and yet, sometimes it felt like they were blocks of ice.

Then, I came to know the cause of it all, when flood season came, but no rain would fall.
Foreign ponies came and wanted our land, which at the time was too high a demand.
The chief declined as have known he must, that these ponies didn't deserve our trust.

They grudgingly left, as their task had failed and threatened us that we would get flailed.
And even though most didn't seem to care, it was a state that the chief couldn't share.
He turned to me, his only daughter, and tasked me to go and prevent the slaughter.

In the hills around us, there lay a cave, the inside of which certainly wasn't safe.
There in the depths of Oduduwa's cold, slumbered a daemon since the days of the old.
My task was to seek, where the daemon may hide and strike up a deal to set the things right.
And so I was sent to the depths of the earth, down far beyond our tribe's turf.

The cave it was dark and silent and strange, for its insides felt far beyond our mind's range.
I reached the end with a barrage of shivers, as I finally saw the gates's glimmer.
I opened the doors to the cavern's sole room, which was meant to spell my inevitable doom.
For, you see, daemons are not very nice and their deeds mostly demand a sacrifice.

I went inside with the equipment at hoof, regarding the pillars that went up to the roof.
I placed myself down in the middle of the hall and went on to prepare the place where I'd fall.

When all was laid out, the ritual could commence. The noble sacrifice to save all my friends.
However, when I took the knife for the life-ending thrust, it started to corrode and then crumbled to dust.
"Well, well," A voice boomed through the empty tomb's hall "and I thought I'd never ever get a call."

My hooves were enveloped by a violet mist which slowly rose up to cover my wrist,
My legs, my body, right down to the bone until it then formed a near-perfect clone.
It split off from me and regarded itself, now counting a body to its newfound wealth.

"A nice body it is indeed...", but I knew that something else it would still need.
"now for the request that's plaguing your mind" It said as it went off and left me behind.
"I will save your village." it said when it passed the gate, "However, there still is a sacrifice to be made."

I still sat there after minutes had passed, hoping that my end would finally come fast.
Then, when I noticed that I was alone, only surrounded by walls made of stone,
I decided to go and see for myself, if my kin truly was in good health.

When I left the cave and the haze finally broke, I was shocked to see a big cloud of smoke.
I gallopped on, ignoring the strain, but came to a halt when I saw my whole village aflame.
And in the midst of it all, the daemon, he stood, watching my shape with a satisfied look.

"My task is complete." It said, as my tears start to run. "I sent them to a place, where no harm could be done.
Now for your promise..." It looked on with glee, "I think it is time that you gave payment to me.
However I know that you don't want to die and truly there is something that I'd want to try..."

"As part of my pay, to the end of time, every time you speak shall be done in a rhyme.
Should you succeed then you shall be free, but should you fail then your soul belongs to me."

The entity left and I start to cry, for tragedy had happened and I didn't know why.
eventually though, I couldn't stay longer, and so I took off and started to wander.

After days of hunger, without home, without den, I finally found civilization again.
A city so large that my mind could not grasp, but I didn't care as it promised salvation at last.

I entered the gates and immediately gasped, for this town held a beauty that my mind couldn't grasp.
Ponies went about what the day may hold and in market I heard business unfold.
And, naive as I was, I asked for food to spare, but quickly I found that nopony would care.

Stunned and shaken that they just went by, I simply sat down and started to cry.
But then, there came you and sat down with me too, and you asked "Hey there, what happened to you?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but closed instead, as I remembered what the daemon had said.

"You don't want to tell? Euh, I think that's fine." I found myself lucky that I didn't have to rhyme.
Then I could finally think of what to say and so I first tried to wipe my tears away.
"Zecora's my name if you want to know, so what is the cause for the kindness you show?"

You ignore my question and you ask instead: "Why do you rhyme?" and so I said:
"Do not try and think it too deep, as it is simply how my kind prefers to speak."

You gave a long nod, before looking to the sky, "You should probably go home, 'cause at night you're likely to... die."
"I truly appreciate your worried tone, but sadly I don't have a place to call home."
"An orphan, huh?" you tapped at your head. "Then why don't you come and live with me instead?"

Before I could grasp what you had just said, you took my hoof and then went on ahead.
And when we then came to your parenthome's bay, after some convincing, they allowed me to stay.

What followed were the happiest years of my life, untainted by the blackness of toil and strife.
In those days, you played a big part. A sibling by law and a true friend by heart.
But then, just through being close to me, something happened that only I could see.
Beyond your usual, smiling mask, you slowly drifted into the daemon's grasp.

And so, I had a decision to make, to leave you fast, to keep you all safe.
So then, there we stood with the train coming nigh, knowing full-well that this was goodbye.

"And you are sure that you want to go?" You asked me as your tears start to grow.
"Yes, I am sure that this is my way and I truly am sad that I can't stay."
You wrapped me in a hug and started to cry and I found myself sad that time had to fly.

With a few last waves, I boarded the train and in my compartment, my cheeks began to stain.
I let go of all that I loved and now craved in favour for them, that they may be saved.
And I let my tears flow, while my fate then unfurled and the train led me into an unknown world.





And after the long time that has passed since then, I have the pleasure to greet you in my den.
As a good hostess, I of course came to think that I should definitely serve something to drink.
"Thanks, I'm not thirsty." however you said. "Could you bring something to eat instead?"

"Oh, of course I can make something to eat, as long as it doesn't contain any meat."
I went on a moment to list a few snacks that could be found in my humble shack.
"That truly sounds delicious," You said in a polite tone, "But do you have any oranges at home?"

"Of course I have oranges!"

My eyes widened and I started to shake, as I noticed my terrible mistake.
I looked at you and you start to smile, as if you had done something truly vile.
And then I saw, what I should have seen long ago, that you were all along my deadliest foe.

You slowly got up, back to your heel "So now it is time for your end of the deal."
I wanted to beg, to avert the pain, but knowing you it would have been in vain.
A cloud floated in spouting lightning and thunder, ready to take my whole life asunder.
The cloud came closer and floated above my head and I closed my eyes as I knew, soon, I'd be...

*THUNDER*





The wooden door clicked as the daemon went past, happy to see that he got it at last. 
He savoured the taste as out front he stood, "...But why can't I feel like I've done something good?"
He went on to search the memories of old, seeking for what truth these old times may hold.
Then, realization hit, with grief to no end, that he hadn't slain a foe, but had murdered a friend.