//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Flora and Zecora // Story: Rise of the Element Gang, Book 2: Friendship Adventures // by Power of Six //------------------------------// Chapter 8: Flora and Zecora It was another glorious day in Ponyville. The sun was high in the sky, the birds were chirping in the trees and I was spending it sitting under a tree in a meadow, munching on a dandelion sandwich. I was currently on lunch break, so I’d decided to spend it in the fresh air and sunshine. Twilight didn’t mind as long as I was back at the library at the end of it, which I always was. As I consumed my lunch, I thought fondly back to the events that had happened a few days ago. Rainbow had won the grand prize, spending the whole day with the Wonderbolts. She even took Shield with her. Their dream come true. They’d taught Rainbow how to do some of their best moves, she and Shield had shown off some of theirs to them. The Wonderbolts had even all signed the book that I had got the two daredevils for Hearth’s Warming. They’d been so ecstatic about it, so gob smacked…and Rainbow thoroughly earned it. And I had to bet Shield was gonna be grateful to her for that. The only thing Rainbow hadn’t told them was how she’d managed to make the colored pillars and clouds. She was lucky that Shield was able to help her with that situation by saying that it was a trade secret. As she had promised, once again never failing to betray my trust, Rainbow had kept that little bit of magic a closely guarded secret, mainly because I didn’t want so many ponies beyond his close friends knowing about it yet and because I didn’t want to divert the Wonderbolts from her. This was her victory, her heroes, not mine. She and Shield had, however, got autographs from all of them for me, which now took pride among my personal possessions. I myself didn’t think much of the Wonderbolts, but I knew it would mean a lot to my friends. Before I could reminisce further on this, however, something caught my eye and bought me out of my thoughts. Not too far away from where I was eating, came a figure dressed in a long, hooded robe. He, or she, appeared to be digging in a particular spot for something. My curiosity getting the better of me, I packed away the remainder of my food and approached the figure. While I was perfectly happy with the girls as my friends, I thought about trying my hoof at talking to other ponies too. This particular one, out here on his, or her, own, engaged in this strange activity, and seemed like a good place to start. Still…why was he, or she, wearing a robe in this warm sun? The figure did not look up as I approached, nor gave any indication that he, or she, had heard anything. He, or she, just kept digging. He could, at least, put the question of the figure's gender to rest. “Um…good afternoon, sir or miss. Beautiful day, isn’t it?” The figure paused in her digging, slowly lifting her hooded head. She, for I could soon see it was a she, lowered her hood, revealing a face with grey fur, crisscrossed with black stripes. A zebra, I noted with interest. Her eyes were bright blue, shining exotically. A gold earring glinted on her ear, as did multiple gold necklaces around her neck. A smile graced her lips as she looked at me. “It is a beautiful day, indeed. On that, we are both agreed.” she said in a deep accented voice. “Oh, um…I guess that’s miss then.” I muttered with embarrassment. “Sorry about the…er… the mix up…” “Do not worry yourself, sir so good. I know it is hard to tell with this hood.” she assured me. “But I am getting off track, I must return to my task.” She resumed digging, making me all the more curious. “What are you um…digging for, if you don't mind my asking?” “This, I shall tell to you, I am searching for a root, for a special brew. It grows in the earth so deep, where moles and badgers do hide and sleep.” That got me thinking. There were, of course, many roots that grew underground, as that was where they were in relation to the plant. She needed it as an ingredient for a potion or remedy, I was guessing and there was one particular root that I knew would be likely to be so desired after, due to its properties. “Are you, by chance, searching for the Flower Root?” The zebra paused and looked up again. “I thought you might be, because it does grow deep in the earth. A unique plant, in that it takes the energy that plants make from photosynthesis to feed itself and, most curiously, the flowers grow from the root under the earth, even though there’s no sun. They’re hard to find, but they can be used in a wide variety of medicines and antidotes for sicknesses and poisons.” “Your knowledge is exact, you are most correct. It is indeed the root I seek, of which you speak.” she noted admirably. “I could help you dig it out, if I may…” She nodded and I stepped forward to the patch she was searching in. Performing a digging spell, I began to move away the earth little by little, carefully searching for I was going to make friends with this zebra, this seemed like a good way to go about it. I saw something, a flash of pink. I grabbed hold of it with my magic and pulled out the gnarled root, with pink and purple flowers growing in places. “There we go, one Flower Root.” I levitated it to her and she put it in her bag. “It would have taken you a while to hoof-dig all the way to it, so that's saved you a bit of time.” “It had, indeed, saved me some time. I thank you, sir, for you are most kind.” She looked at me curiously. “Forgive my asking, but never have I seen you. Are you, by chance, new?" “Relatively, I suppose.” At least she seemed friendly, now I’d gotten her root for her. “I’ve been here since autumn, I moved from Canterlot so I could find work.” “Ah, Canterlot, a place I have not seen, but I someday hope to see. You are far from home, much like myself. Do you live here in good health?” “I do, yes.” I said. “I have a nice home, good friends, a job I enjoy…I couldn't ask for more. Anyway, I have yet to introduce myself. I’m Dusk Noir, pleasure to meet you, miss…?” “Zecora that is my name. In meeting you, I feel the same.” She shook my claw. “You are polite and friendly, it must be said and have a pleasant hat upon your head.” “Um…thanks, Zecora.” I said, shifting it a little. “Sorry if I’m a little…well, tentative. I’ve never met a zebra before. You’re even further away from home than me. That must be tough.” “Yes, there are times I miss my native land, more than you can understand.” She seemed to come over rather sad, before brightening again. “But, if I must last, I cannot dwell in the past. Ponyville is now my home, the place that I choose to roam.” “You couldn’t have picked a better place.” I agreed. “This place is no Kubwa Tambarare, but it has good ponies living here, so…that’s something.” I looked to see Zecora was gazing at me with wide eyes. “W-what? Is there something wrong?” “Can this really be? You know the name of where my home used to be?” Zecora sounded surprised at this, but pleasantly so. “If that is so, is there much else of my home that you know?” “I’ve, um…read a few books on it.” I admitted. “Described as a land of unique beauty and nature, where the sun blazes in the sky. Dry grass and trees cover the landscape that is home to many different people. There are your people, the zebra, but there are also gazelles, antelope, giraffe, and fierce predators like lions and tigers that prey on them. It’s as harsh as it is beautiful, but it doesn’t make it any less spectacular…or, so I’ve read.” “You are quite right.” She had tears welling in her eyes now, no doubt in memory of that place. “That is why I left, to be of danger bereft. To find a land of peace, where I may soundly sleep. I do miss those I have left behind, but I hope to see them again, in time.” “I’m sure you will.” I said confidently. “I haven’t…upset you, have I?” “I am neither depressed, nor sad. In fact, I am quite glad, to have met you, to have a knowledge of my home that is so true.” She had a warm smile now, wiping away unformed tears. “You are clearly one who likes to look and to learn things from a book.” “I do, yes.” Pleased that he could recall so much of the time I did read those books, I continued. “I read, in detail, a book on your people. You usually live in small villages, constructed from wood or mud if near the river. I remember a few bits and pieces of the language, some greetings and farewells, and some parts of your culture, like carvings and songs.” “I almost shed a tear, I am so glad to hear.” she said happily. “You say you know of songs, that my people sing. That is quite a wonderful thing.” “I suppose…I recall a part, or a tune, of one I rather liked. If you’d like…I can, well…I can’t guarantee it’ll be good.” “Your judgement, I shall trust. Recite as best you can, my friend Dusk.” she invited, sounding genuine. I delved into my memory, remembering the tune of the song that I had read. Some of the lyrics were a little blurry but…maybe Zecora knew it. If it would make her remember fondly of her home, then I was glad to. I hummed the opening notes of the song, remembering how much it reminded me of their own values of unity and harmony…friendship. As you go through life, you’ll see, Of the unknown for you and me. There’s so much we don't understand. And the only thing we know, Is things don't always go, The way we planned. The next part was lost to me, but then Zecora took up the part, singing part of it in her own language, but I knew what it translated out to. Lakini utaina kila siku, [But you'll see, every day,] Kwamba hatutageua, [That we'll never turn away,] When it seems all your dreams come undone. Tutasimama karibu upande wako, [We will stand by your side,] Kujazwa na tumaini na kujazwa na kiburi. [Filled with hope and filled with pride.] We are more, Than we are, We are one. Now that my memory of the song returned to me, I took up the next verse, now singing it together with Zecora, who was quite overjoyed to hear it. If there's so much I must be, Can I still just be me, The way I am? Can I trust in my own heart? Or am I just one part, Of some big plan? Hata wale ambao wamekwenda, [Even those who are gone,] Wako nasisi tunapoendelea. [Are with us as we go on.] Your journey has only begun. Machozi ya maumivu, machozi ya furaha, [Tears of pain, tears of joy,] Kitu kimoja hakuna kinachoweza kuharibu, [One thing nothing can destroy,] It is our pride, Deep inside, We are one. Sisi ni kitu kimoja, wewe na mimi. [We are one, you and I,] Sisi ni kama ardhi na anga. [We are like the earth and sky.] One family under the sun. Hekima yote ya kuongoza, [All the wisdom to lead,] Ujasiri wote ambao unahitaji, [All the courage that you need] You will find when you see, We are one. As the song finished, I too found myself smiling, as if I had just been enriched with the pleasures of another culture in just a few minutes. I looked at Zecora, who was wiping tears from her eyes. “It had been so long, since I have heard that song.” she said happily. “I thank you very much, you see, for reciting it so well to me.” “It was my pleasure, Zecora.” I inclined my head to her, suddenly aware of the time. “Right, I’d better be getting back to work. It had been wonderful meeting you.” “It is true, I can say the same for you.” she replied sincerely. “My home, from here it is not far. I hope to see you soon, Dusk Noir.” “As do I.” I tipped my hat to her, remembering a farewell in her own language. “Kwaheri, Miss Zecora. Kukuona karibuni.” “Kukuona karibuni, Dusk.” she responded in kind, as I set off at quick pace back to the library. As I trotted back through the streets of Ponyville, I felt rather proud of myself. I’d managed to make a new friend, something I once thought to be quite impossible, and connected with her on a cultural level, her culture. Somehow, that just made it even better. When I got back, I was a little later than I normally was. Hoping Twilight wouldn't mind, I stepped inside, moving to resume the task I had been doing before lunch. The unicorn in question smiled at my arrival. “Hello, Dusk, you're back a bit later than usual.” she noted. “Hujambo…I mean, hello, Twi.” I replied, realizing I was still speaking in Zecora's language. “Sorry, I got a little held up.” “It's okay, I don't mind.” She raised an eyebrow at me. “What language was that?” “It's Zebrahili. It's one they speak in the land of Kubwa Tambarare.” I told her. “I’ve just been speaking to a native from the land, a zebra named Zecora.” “Oh, you've met Zecora?" Twilight's smile became brighter. “What did you think of her?” “She’s…very unique. In a good way.” I added. “I was glad to meet her.” “You should’ve been here when she first arrived.” Spike put in. “Everypony thought she was an evil enchantress.” “No, really?” “Yep. Twilight and the others got in some Poison Joke and they thought she'd cursed them.” At the memory of this, Spike burst out laughing, “Hey…hey, I never got to say… ‘Twilight Flopple’!” I didn’t know what that meant, but I figured that it was some effect of the plant. A wobbly horn was a common joke it played on unicorns that wandered into it. I should know as I experienced it myself when me and the guys accidentally went through a Poison Joke patch. Twilight flushed at the mention of this, glaring at Spike, who was rolling around on the floor. “Well, when we came into town, you thought everypony was hiding from zombies.” she retorted. That shut him up. “All undead aside,” I said, breaking the silence, “she was very pleasant. She invited me to visit her home sometime and I intend to take her up on it.” “Really?” Twilight looked relieved at the change of subject. “Well, now you mention it, I was thinking of going to visit her tomorrow. She makes this wonderful herbal tea, it's a favorite of mine. Do you want to come along?” “Certainly.” I agreed, pleased that I would get to spend some time away from work with her. “By the way, where is her home?” “She lives in the Everfree Forest.” she said, as I developed a stunned expression. “Now, don’t worry. We’ll be fine as long as we're careful.” “Okay.” I felt reassured from that. “Yeah, you’re right. As long as we don’t do anything foolish, what’s the worst that could happen?”