Chapter Ten: Certain Fact, Differing Perspective
~BlackRoseRaven
“Fine, your help I will not deny... you'll understand better once my tribe's condition you scry.” Zecora shook her head slowly as she stepped out of her hut, looking moodily over the group of ponies in front of her. “Twilight Sparkle, I know how fond you are of Luna of the Night... but the things she's done now, they're just not right!”
“Hold up now, sugarcube, we ain't here to fight about that or say who's right or wrong or nothin'. We're just here to help out if we can.” Applejack stepped in quickly, and Twilight nodded hurriedly as Zecora shifted grouchily on her hooves, testing the weathered boards beneath them before she sighed a little, her eyes roving to one of the totemic masks that decorated the exterior of her deceptively-small hut.
Then the zebra grunted again, nodding and saying curtly: “Fine, but all the same I think you'll understand what I've been saying... but let us leave then, as time is wasting. If you brought medicine with you then leave it behind, we'll take instead the potions and salves I have designed.”
Celestia nodded, stepping to the side as she glanced towards the others: Applejack and Twilight traded uncertain looks as Rainbow Dash grunted and shrugged, throwing his satchel off to begin rooting through it, and Fluttershy apprehensively held up a hoof, asking quietly: “What about bandages and wraps?”
“Those... I suppose, I can put to good use. Yes, that is fine, don't cut those loose.” Zecora said after a moment of thought, and Fluttershy smiled meekly as Spike shifted his pack nervously on his back beside Rarity, before wincing a bit when the zebra's sharp eyes roved to him. “You, little dragon, I'm very glad happens to be here... your breath will be necessary shortly I fear.”
“I... my breath?” Spike said dumbly, reaching up and touching his mouth awkwardly. “What do you-”
“Dragon's fire burns hotter than hot... but come, I'll show you when we reach the spot.” Zecora replied quietly, shaking her head slowly, and the ponies traded nervous looks between themselves before the zebra ducked into her hut. She reemerged a few moments later with a black leather case hanging on one side of her body, grimacing a little as she glanced towards the side of the hut. “Over that way you'll find what I've prepared while here, load up as much as you can along with your gear.”
The others nodded, and Celestia gestured gently to Twilight when the violet mare hesitated before she sighed a little, leading her convoy of friends quietly around the side of the hut, to where several large storage boxes rested. One of these was propped open, revealing glimmering bottles inside filled with strange, silvery liquid, and as the ponies began to pull these out, Twilight hesitantly leaned around the hut as she heard Celestia say quietly: “You're blaming my sister for a lot, Zecora. I understand why, but at the same time I wish to point out that once because you were different, Ponyville ostracized you.”
“Yes, but that was before me they had even seen... this is different, with my own eyes I saw Luna's scheme.” Zecora argued, shaking her head quickly and frowning deeply as she looked up at the white winged unicorn. “Celestia, an enemy of you I would not like to make... wait until you see the evidence before you plead for your sister's sake.”
“Zecora, I am not your enemy, but I am not my sister's enemy either.” Celestia said gently, nodding slowly as she leaned down towards the zebra calmly, and then she added in a softer voice: “If I let you show me what you have to show me, and share with me your argument and all the facts you have... will you then be willing to listen to my response?”
The zebra hesitated... but then she sighed and nodded slowly, answering finally: “If after what you see you'd still reason of her good... then perhaps listen to you as well I should.”
“Thank you, Zecora. That's all I ask.” Celestia bowed her head politely, and then she tilted her head, asking quietly: “Is there anything I can offer you? I'm sure I can help find lodgings for your people if you wish to move to a more-secure place, or we can ask for more volunteers from Ponyville...”
“Nay, Celestia, your help today will do, but I do not wish for many others here, to speak true. Do not think I speak just out of anger or spite, but... you'll understand better when you see the blight.” Zecora shook her head slowly, then she gestured to Celestia and led her around the side of the hut, the zebra glancing meditatively over the ponies and then at the heavy storage bin. “I see you're all carrying more than is expected... just make sure those salves and potions are protected. Come now, follow me, they aren't far away... ensure that you're polite and close to me stay.”
Celestia nodded, and she and Twilight strode up beside Zecora as the zebra headed towards a natural path through the wall of trees around her cabin. The other ponies followed, falling automatically into double file with Fluttershy bringing up the rear, nervously looking back and forth as she kept close to Rarity and Spike.
Zecora refused to speak or answer any further questions as they walked along, whether asked by apprehensive Twilight or calm, serious Celestia. It added the sense of anxiety tingling the air as the trees seemed to loom around them, casting deep shade over the group as the ground subtly sloped, hooves stepping through weeds and dust as they descended into a ravine.
Then Zecora halted as the path seemed to abruptly end at a thick wall of shrubbery, glancing over her shoulder and saying quietly: “Steel yourselves for what you are about to see... but at least once you do, you'll have no more cause to doubt me.”
With that, the zebra turned and swept back the bushes as if they were a curtain, revealing a camouflaged entrance to a cleared-out vale, walled-in on either side by steep grassy slopes, light shining down from the cloudy sky high above past the stretching limbs of enormous trees that curled inward over the valley.
All throughout the vale, huts had been assembled and large canopies set up, offering shade to zebras and others ran back and forth, calling to each other in their own language and trying to soothe those who were suffering. And although at first it seemed only as if they were plagued by illness, perhaps shock, as Twilight strode into the valley, her eyes widened in horror at what she saw as they settled on a set of injured nearby.
The zebra were laying in cots, beneath a tarp that had been strung hastily between poles lodged deep in the earth, and two of them were writhing, staring sightlessly at the cloth ceiling above, bodies bruised, blood seeming to seep through their skin as they shivered in agony. And beside them, a third zebra on another cot was only laying prone, half-curled up... and looking almost skinned, raw flesh visible, smelling of rot...
Twilight gagged and turned away, clenching her eyes shut as Celestia gritted her teeth, leaning forwards and whispering: “Zecora... your people, they were made physical but-”
“So I see you understand even better than I'd expected... and this is only one of several places where the wounded are collected.” Zecora said disgustedly, gesturing angrily out at the wide vale... and the ponies looked with horror through the wide camp, realizing there were dozens of tents... and countless zebra laying broken and weak and horribly injured for every zebra that was still on its hooves, trying to tend to the wounded... and many of these bore injures themselves all the same. “Your sister's spell concentrated on the pony Pale parade... and us? The magic stopped working most often on zebra-kin while half-remade! My people's spirits have been made physical again, oh sure... but only to suffer in agony without a cure! The only thing we can do is take away their pain while we find a way to heal... but some are far too gone, all is in vain, as their bodies were ripped-apart, not made real...”
She closed her eyes, trembling once, and Twilight stepped towards her, whispering: “Zecora... Zecora, you have to believe me, Luna would never, ever do this. Not even to someone she hated, and you were always a good friend to-”
“Friendships and alliances in this life come and go, especially when hearts with greed and evil overflow.” the zebra replied bitterly, shaking her head quickly and then looking steadily into Twilight's eyes, leaning towards her and whispering: “Listen to me, my friend, because in my dreams the future I have seen; a terrible fate awaits you if you follow that dark pony's scheme. Look around you at all of this, at how my people hurt... soon enough many of them will die here, crying in the dirt. All of this could have been avoided with the utmost ease, but instead she almost made me beg upon my knees! And even when I pleaded for the time and a chance to save my kin, she went ahead and committed this unforgivable sin! Something deep and foul has taken root inside Luna's heart... and what I fear most of all is this catastrophe is but the very start...”
“Enough.” Celestia said sharply, and the zebra glanced up with a wince from Twilight, the violet pony staggering backwards, shivering as tears filled her eyes, dropping her head forwards and breathing hard before the ivory winged unicorn stepped slowly forwards, her enormous frame almost looming over Zecora as she said quietly: “There will be time for argument and recrimination later, but these are your people, and every moment we waste they suffer further. Twilight and I can heal those with moderate and internal injuries from... from what has occurred. The others can attend to the lesser wounded and help with other tasks.”
“I agree, Celestia, time is of the essence... if we work fast we might yet stave off some of this putrescence.” Zecora replied after a moment, nodding slowly before she glanced towards Twilight with a grimace as the winged unicorn winced a little. “Go with Celestia, your mentor, my dear... I have faith that she will know who to treat and how now that she is here.”
Twilight nodded quietly, and Celestia gave her own slow nod of approval and thanks to Zecora before the winged unicorns turned and made their way deeper into the camp, the other zebras paying them little heed, busy as they were with the injured. Zecora, meanwhile, sighed a bit before she looked over her shoulder at the remaining ponies and Spike, and her eyes locked on the dragon as she said calmly: “Spike, you I will ask to come with me when I leave... as for you ponies, you I shall not deceive. The work will be difficult and the tasks hard, and if you can't handle the sights I recommend you leave the yard. If you stay then I ask most of all you understand, to listen to my kinfolk: that we are the law of this land. Everywhere else, where you came from is Equestria reborn... but this valley belongs to the zebra, not earth pony, Pegasus or unicorn.”
The other ponies nodded, Rainbow swallowing thickly and flapping his wings nervously as Rarity shivered and Fluttershy breathed hard, looking pale but determined, and Zecora slowly drew her eyes over the group before she grunted and nodded, glancing over her shoulder and shouting a sharp command in another language to a nearby zebra. He looked up immediately, then hurried towards her, breathing a sigh of relief as he opened his mouth, but she shook her head and cut him off, speaking calmly to him in that same strange tongue.
He nodded thoughtfully after a moment to her, and then he replied in the same language. Zecora smiled at whatever he said, but it was a grim expression on her face before she glanced towards the ponies, saying quietly: “Applejack and Rainbow Dash, please accompany this healer: listen to what he instructs and do not hesitate to ask if things must be made clearer. As for Rarity and Fluttershy, head towards the center of the vale... there is more work than simply mending wounds that I would to you both entail.”
The two nodded awkwardly, and Rarity traded a quick, nervous smile with Spike before the unicorn and the Pegasus carefully made their way away, as Applejack and Rainbow Dash lingered only a moment before the male zebra gestured at them. They nodded, and the earth pony mare hesitated only a moment longer as she looked at Zecora, saying quietly: “Thank you for letting us help. You and your people don't deserve this, not after every way you've helped us, especially my sister and so many other ponies in Ponyville.”
“I appreciate it Applejack... I know you'll always have my back.” Zecora said softly, and the two traded a smile before the zebra gestured gently to them, and Applejack and Rainbow Dash headed off with the shaman, leaving the zebra alone with Spike. She looked at him as he nervously gazed back, and then she smiled faintly and said quietly: “For you, young Spike, I have a job both simple and worst of all... come with me, you'll help me treat those who were the hardest to fall.”
Spike nodded slowly, adjusting the pack nervously on his back before he fell into step beside Zecora when she turned and began to calmly stride through the ravine, looking apprehensively down at her before he finally asked: “Do... do you really think Luna...”
Zecora grimaced as she glanced towards Spike, who promptly shut his mouth... but as they passed by another tent, as the wails of the wounded zebras spilled into their ears and Spike shivered at the sight of equines who looked almost as if they'd been turned inside-out, she whispered: “I understand that the thought is a hard one to grasp... and that no matter what, you can't help but your dear ones clasp. But look at what she has caused, through impatience or arrogance; would you all disagree with me so much if this had happened to the ponies, instead of their resurgence?”
Spike was silent, not knowing what to say as they continued in quiet, before they halted at a tent, whispers of foreign prayers spilling out from inside in masterful but strange languages, before Zecora carefully brushed the curtain aside and gestured for Spike to step through, and the dragon did... then grabbed at his throat as he whimpered, staring in horror at the sight of a zebra that was sitting up in a cot, eyes dead white, one limb barely held on by thick stitching before Zecora said in a dry, businesslike voice: “I have instruments to heat with your flame... we can at least graft their wounds shut, even if they will... never be the same. Cauterization will also fix the developing infections... do not worry, Spike, only listen, I will give you simple directions.”
The dragon only whimpered again in his throat, even as another zebra approached and unrolled a cloth case with a set of tools inside, and then he clenched his eyes shut and whispered: “Okay. I'll... do what I can.”
Spike worked alongside Zecora, his eyes taking in sights he wished he'd never had to see, some of the suffering of the zebra even worse than the agonies he'd remembered seeing the Starlit Knights endure. Twilight Sparkle and Celestia felt much the same as they were guided by zebras from wounded-to-wounded, treating those who were coughing blood and vomiting ichors, tears streaking Twilight's features as Celestia's features became almost cold, strangely-aloof even as she healed them with tender care.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash did their best to follow the instructions of the healer as he brought them around to other patients, showing them how to apply salves and help the wounded drink the healing tonics. The earth pony mare found herself trembling a little by the tenth patient, breathing hard, faced with the weakening and the helpless as she tried her best to soothe them: zebra, not pony, but all the same they had four hooves, they walked the same, they felt, and breathed, and lived... and now, were on the path to dying.
Rarity had been put to work helping repair tents, blankets, and clothing for the cold nights, working hard and pushing herself to do her job both quickly and well, and Fluttershy tended to foals that had been injured, full of sadness for the young ones but putting on a strong front for them, strangely-confident as she bandaged them, helped them eat, tried to help them smile a little even in the face of pain. They couldn't understand her words, but they liked it when she hummed and sang to them, she soon found out, as her voice spoke to them through emotion more than fumbling speech.
It was hours of rough work before they took their first break... and Applejack hugged herself as she sat back on her haunches, Rainbow Dash embracing her fiercely from behind as the mare whispered: “God damn Dashie... look at them. Look at them all... we ain't helped even a quarter of the number here yet. And most of them, we can't do nothin' for but... numb the pain for a little while...”
She shivered a bit against him, leaning back against the stallion as he nodded slowly and took one of her hooves quietly with his own, saying softly: “It's okay, AJ. You're holding up well... look, if it gets too hard-”
“Oh, don't go insultin' me now, hear?” Applejack replied flatly, but she smiled a bit: the flash of anger helped blot out the welling pain and the fears she didn't want to admit she had as she murmured: “Y'always know just when to shove your hoof in your mouth, don't you?”
“We wouldn't get along so well if I didn't piss you off so much.” Rainbow replied quietly, and then he squeezed her back against his body for a moment, falling silent. The edge of the encampment here was quieter, only a few zebras passing back and forth, the injured less vocal... but neither of the ponies knew if that was a good or bad thing before Rainbow sighed and lowered his head, saying finally: “But... I can't believe that... Luna...”
“I don't care if she meant for this to happen or not... even if she didn't know this could happen, it ain't an excuse.” Applejack said quietly, shaking her head and gritting her teeth as Rainbow grimaced and looked nervously away. “Look at them. They're like a giant family, and Luna ripped the heart out of that family. And she knows what it's like to sit back and watch your family die, don't she? But all the same, she put us before the zebras and more and more I think before us, she put herself. Look at what she's been doing... all this talk about the night, bringing us back but the way she says it, it feels like she only did it because she feels like she owes us and she wants to look good in front of Celestia and Twilight...”
“We shouldn't talk about this now, AJ, we... should get back to work. I... I know what you mean though, and I mean... she and Scrivy, they're a little scary.” He halted, then looked down and murmured: “And something's different about Scrivener. I dunno what, I can't put my hoof on it, but he's... not the same dorky poet guy I remember. He's... different.”
“Like Luna.” Applejack murmured quietly... and then she sighed a little and nodded once, saying finally as she carefully slipped free from the Pegasus's embrace and stood back on her hooves: “But you're right, Dashie. We got other stuff to take care of for now. Let's get back to helping those zebras, they need it.”
Rainbow Dash nodded... and across the vale, as they went back to work, Twilight Sparkle fell to her knees, breathing hard and gritting her teeth as her horn sparked, pain racing through her body even as a wounded zebra tried to whisper its thanks to her, panting but no longer bleeding heavily. And then Celestia gently wrapped a foreleg around the violet pony, looking down at her with concern and saying softly: “Don't strain yourself, Twilight... the first person any medical pony has to take care of is herself, otherwise she's no use to anyone. If you take an hour to rest, these zebra will hurt... but if you hurt yourself and are forced to wait days to recover, then they may die.”
Twilight closed her eyes, then she shook her head out briefly and murmured: “I... I'm fine, Celestia. I can keep at it...”
“No, Twilight, rest. I'll continue to work, but you need to stop and rest.” Celestia said softly, rubbing a hoof slowly along her spine as she gazed down at the winged unicorn, and Twilight lowered her eyes as she nodded slowly before the ivory equine murmured: “And I know you fear your doubts... and also fear the intensity of your bond to my sister. But I do not think you're seeing things through a distorted lens, and I still believe that my sister would never, ever do something like this willingly or not.”
Twilight smiled at this reassurance, glancing hesitantly up, and Celestia nodded slowly once before the ivory winged unicorn said softly: “Time will tell. For now, let's continue to give the aid and help we can. Afterwards, we can speak further with Zecora on the subject, but no matter what our grievances, disagreements, or views, first and foremost we need to help those who have been injured.”
Twilight nodded in agreement with this, climbing back to her hooves as the rainbow-maned winged unicorn turned her eyes towards another cot, striding towards one of the injured as she tried to focus on the task at hand and believe her own words... but as time wore on, it became harder and harder. Even as Twilight's mood began to lighten slightly as they were able to help more zebras, Celestia's own darkened, making her seem more distant as apprehension and anxiety preyed upon her mind.
Finally, zebra messengers fetched them and brought them to meet Zecora near the front of the valley: Spike was sitting with his face in his claws, breathing slowly as Rarity rested against his side, face buried against one of his shoulders, and Twilight worriedly ran up beside him, sitting down... but he only smiled weakly before Zecora said kindly: “He held up well for one still young... but all of you, know that what you have done here today will not go unsung.”
Fluttershy only smiled faintly at this: she was a little pale, a little harried, but all the same her eyes gleamed with more than just tears as she murmured: “It's alright, Zecora... it... has been an honor to help. You've all suffered so much...”
“If there's anything... anything at all we can do, if you need water or food or anything at all, you just let us know and we'll be right out here as fast as our hooves can carry us.” Applejack added, nodding firmly as she smiled faintly at the zebra. “You got friends in us. I promise you that.”
“Yeah, we're glad to help. We want to help.” Rainbow said softly, nodding firmly as he smiled across at the zebra. “So don't ever hesitate, huh?”
“Believe me, I shall not if I require the aid... but for now, I think it's time for all of you to leave, I am afraid.” Zecora said softly, and the ponies traded hesitant looks between themselves before the zebra smiled faintly. “No, no, my friends, don't get me wrong... it's only that already you've been here too long. The hour is growing late, and soon night will come... and before darkness falls it's better you're back where you're from.”
Twilight frowned a bit at this, leaning towards the zebra and saying hesitantly: “But wait... Luna said that she had pacts with... well...”
“Yes, but they promised to spare pony-folk... and demons and spirits follow the literal, like a sick and twisted joke.” The zebra shook her head in disgust, saying quietly: “Creatures of darkness come here regularly to feed... we are not pony, but zebra, and neither warning nor prayer they heed.”
She closed her eyes, bowing her head forwards, and Celestia frowned a bit before asking slowly: “Why not ask my sister to help you, tell the demons they must protect you as well, then? She commands their loyalty, and-”
“I do not trust Luna, I thought I made that clear... and how can I know that she didn't send her monsters here?” The zebra smiled bitterly, and Twilight reared back in surprise as the others shifted and Applejack frowned darkly. “You've already seen what she's done out of accident or spite... why is it so hard for you to believe she has strayed from your light?”
“Now listen, Zecora, Luna is my... my friend.” Twilight said sharply before Celestia could respond, and all eyes looked at the violet pony with surprise as she stepped forwards despite the trembles running through her body. “You need to stop blaming her for everything. Your people have suffered, yes... but Luna would never do this, never. If you put your anger aside, I know that we can all work together and-”
“Luna said to me herself that the ponies come first... but I think what she meant is that they come first after her desires and power-thirst.” Zecora retorted, frowning and meeting Twilight's eyes intently. “How can you treat me like I'm the villain, Twilight Sparkle? Or shall I count again how many of my kin will soon be burned to charcoal?”
“I didn't say that! Zecora, you're being blinded by your own pain, can't you see that, and using Luna as an easy scapegoat... please, put all this aside.” Twilight pleaded plaintively, stepping forwards and shaking her head quickly. “Yes, she and Scrivy came back... different, and yes, they put the ponies of Equestria first... but they're not monsters, rampaging around, picking and choosing who lives and who dies!”
“Oh really, Twilight Sparkle, because I thought that was just what they did... bringing Pales from one layer to the next as instructed.” Zecora replied darkly, and she narrowed her eyes, adding quietly: “How many souls do you think they found themselves worthy to judge? How many reached this world if in the last Luna or Scrivener bore them a grudge?”
“She's not like that! Scrivy isn't like that, anypony can tell you that... if you had seen North Neigh, you'd never, ever feel like that could even be close to true!” Twilight argued, shaking her head violently, and then she shrugged off Celestia's hoof when the ivory winged unicorn stepped forwards, and the larger mare reared back in surprise as the smaller violet pony said vehemently: “They protected us all... they brought us all back, and if you had died they would have saved you too, you know that, don't you? They're not the bad guys.”
“Twilight, I think that's enough now, honey. This ain't goin' nowhere.” Applejack said quietly, and Twilight bowed her head forwards. She swallowed thickly, then closed her eyes when Celestia's hoof touched her shoulder again, and she nodded silently before Applejack sighed in relief and added quietly: “When we all have time to sit down and think this through, I think everything will be easier on all of us. We ain't here to make enemies, after all, we're all friends. We gotta look out for each other when things are so uncertain.”
Twilight began to look up at this, but Celestia only shook her head curtly when the violet mare started to open her mouth, and so instead she only closed it and bowed her head forwards before Spike looked up and said quietly: “But... if we can help at all, Zecora...”
“I thank you all for your support... but you've done much already, I am pleased to report. Perhaps some of you could return tomorrow if you would like... Celestia, we could speak then as well, if you'd be up for the hike.” Zecora said courteously, and then her eyes roved towards Twilight as she added in a quieter voice: “But others may wish to let their tempers cool; I only wish, Twilight, you weren't determined to be Luna's tool.”
Twilight opened her mouth... then closed it and shook her head slowly, whispering a quiet curse under her breath as she felt the eyes of the others on her, and embarrassment and a strange, creeping sense of shame brought her to silence. She shivered a bit, then grit her teeth, feeling like a coward as she shrank a little under the eyes of the others before Celestia said softly: “I will return tomorrow as well then, Zecora. But as we have not yet discussed my sister's... state... perhaps you should avoid making insinuations and accusations for now. It could lead to discomfort all around.”
The zebra shifted a little, looking suddenly nervous at the baleful glare in Celestia's amethyst eyes before the ivory winged unicorn nodded curtly, then said shortly over her shoulder: “Come, then. I believe it should be easy enough to find our way back. Zecora, thank you for permitting us to help. I hope tomorrow our efforts will prove more fruitful.”
“The honor is mine, Celestia of the Day... I shall come to Ponyville in the morning to help once more guide the way.” Zecora replied with a bow, and Celestia bowed slowly back before the enormous equine strode past the zebra towards the entrance to the ravine. Twilight followed, and the other ponies and Spike fell into line after her, the dragon grimacing as he adjusted his backpack and glanced nervously over his shoulder at the receding zebra encampment.
As they made their way along the well-trodden path leading out of the gully, Twilight began to open her mouth, but Celestia only shook her head, saying quietly: “No, my friend. Wait for now... I'd rather discuss things in private, or better yet with Luna so I can see and hear her responses. Besides... the trees have ears.”
Twilight frowned a bit, and then Celestia smiled slightly and tilted her horn to the side ever-so-slightly, and the purple pony followed the gesture... and grimaced as she caught a flicker of black-and-white amidst the forest, muttering: “Zebras?”
“Patrols, probably. Warriors: they must be either constantly moving around the exterior of the ravine to keep it safe, or have their own little camps here and there.” Celestia replied quietly, shaking her head slightly. “It was too quiet in the medical encampment but this explains why there only seemed to be the presence of healers and shamans... I wonder how many zebra are here right now, in the Everfree Forest. How many tribes and clans there are... I will have to ask Zecora tomorrow.”
Twilight nodded slowly, and then Fluttershy said softly: “Those poor people... even a lot of the foals were hurt. But I was glad to see at least that... even if the foals were injured, they weren't nearly as badly off as many of the adults were. As... as glad as you can be to see a foal hurt or an adult taking on their child's pain... oh, I'm sorry, that didn't come out right at all...”
“Nah, I understand all too well.” Applejack said softly, shaking her head slowly and smiling faintly before she closed her eyes and sighed a little. For a few moments, they walked on in silence... and then, unable to stop herself, the earth pony mare looked up and said quietly: “Twilight, Celestia, with all due respect... you know something's gotta be done about this. And Luna's... gotta make it up to them somehow.”
Twilight gritted her teeth but forced herself to keep walking as Celestia only shook her head slowly, glancing over her shoulder and replying quietly: “Don't jump to conclusions yet, Applejack, even with what Zecora said. Let me say this: if Luna was responsible for what we saw, then yes, she would have to make up for it, but she would also not rest until she had. She still feels guilt, even now, over what happened in... our last lives. But for the last time, I do not believe my sister did this, willingly or accidentally. And until we have more evidence either way, arguing about it will only upset more ponies. We should let the subject drop.”
Applejack nodded awkwardly, and Rainbow Dash smiled a little, glancing up and adding quietly: “And I mean... a lot of them were in bad shape, but not all of them, right? Plenty of them look like they'll pull through... and if we keep helping, I'm sure Zecora will start to calm down some too, y'know? I can't blame her or anything, this must be horrible for her, but... I bet she's going through real hell too right now.”
“We've all faced a great ordeal... more than I ever thought I could survive myself, to be honest.” Rarity added quietly, nodding slowly and smiling faintly as she let her eyes draw over the others. “But if anything it only goes to show that all of us need to continue to stick together to survive... and I hope that you don't mind being included among that number, Queen Celestia.”
“If anything, I'm honored, Rarity. And again, it's only Celestia...” The enormous winged unicorn shook her head slowly, smiling a little in return but looking with warmth over the other ponies as she said quietly: “It means a lot for me to be accepted as another pony, even if I know I am... there is much more expected of me, and one day I'll have to return to that, to being a ruler, to being a figurehead. But for now... I very much like this.”
She halted, then shook her head slowly as Twilight glanced up at her quietly, and their eyes met before the larger, rainbow-maned mare murmured: “But that doesn't mean none of us will be friends again. It only means that one day... we'll just have to wait longer between visits. But I'm sure that's far in the future for now, so let's put those worries aside... we have enough to think about as it is.”
Twilight nodded slowly, smiling awkwardly at Celestia before her eyes nervously flicked back down to the path, and they trod the rest of the way in silence: once they reached Zecora's cottage, however, the group took a short pause, and Twilight looked up at the dusky skies overhead before she said finally, looking over her shoulder: “I'm going to go and see Luna and Scrivy.”
“Twilight, shouldn't we all just head back? It's already been a long day... you got enough on your mind as it is.” Applejack said softly, and Twilight only shook her head with an embarrassed smile before the earth pony grimaced a little, saying quietly: “Look, I'm sayin' this as your friend. Sometimes... you gotta let things go. You gotta accept that things change, and there just ain't a lot you can do about it.”
“I believe in them.” Twilight said quietly, and Applejack grunted at this before she glanced over her shoulder at the others as Rainbow Dash cleared his throat loudly, and looked pointedly at the two.
Rarity and Spike were both looking nervously between the ponies, and Fluttershy was frowning a bit, her own expression concerned. Twilight frowned at this as Applejack smiled a little, then she looked back towards the violet pony, saying quietly: “See, we're all just worried. Besides, don't they wanna spend the day with that little filly they adopted?”
“Scarlet Sage is their daughter.” Twilight replied quietly, and Applejack frowned slightly at this response before Twilight shook her head and said hurriedly: “Sorry, I'm... tired. I... I'm going to take the long road back, then, I need to clear my head.”
“We'll be waiting.” Rainbow said supportively, cutting Applejack off, and Celestia nodded slowly as she gazed after Twilight quietly, a slight frown cresting her features... not at the violet pony, but instead with concern for the way she was already being treated.
But Twilight was barely aware as she walked slowly onto the dusty path leading back to Ponyville, head lowered, eyes closed, letting her hooves find the way themselves. She stumbled a little now and then, but her thoughts were too heavy to let her lift her head, her mind both a torrent of thoughts and blank all at once as sunset's red glow faded into dusky darkness... and then Twilight glanced up curiously as she saw light in the distance, a sensation of home running through her veins... before she started in surprise as she realized she was standing in the yard in front of a small, beautiful wooden cottage, and the light was streaming through the windows before she smiled faintly as her eyes were drawn towards a figure sitting on the front porch, calming strumming a banjo in mismatched hand and eagle talon.
He glanced up as Twilight approached slowly, and he smiled at her as he leaned forwards slightly, asking kindly: “Have we met, little girl? You look as if you've lost your way, but at the same time seem to have found exactly where you were meant to be going all this time.”
Twilight began to open her mouth, then she slowly closed it as she recognized the gleam in the Draconequus's strange, reversed eyes, and she smiled despite herself. She only studied him for a moment, then softly said instead: “Do you know, I always thought Draconequus were fabulous monsters, too?”
“Well, now that we have seen each other... if you'll believe in me, I'll believe in you.” Discombobulation replied gently, and then he meditatively glanced down at his banjo, tuning it lightly before he strummed the strings again and added thoughtfully: “Except now I don't entirely believe you're Twilight Sparkle, she was never so much fun. Who are you? A little bit of this, a little bit of that, it starts with a kiss, now we're up to bat.”
He paused, then looked at her moodily as she looked at him awkwardly. “I did not mean I wanted to kiss you, creepy little pony. Maybe Scrivener Blooms warped you horribly after all. I can't imagine what's more dangerous, after all... hanging out with spirits and demons or hanging out with that particular degenerate. She's like a disease to a body.”
“Yes, all over it and inside it, making it do as I please.” Luna's voice called cheerfully as the door swung open, and she stepped outside with a grin and a wink as Discombobulation stuck his tongue out and made a loud sound of disgust, claw making the banjo whine in protest as he yanked painfully at the strings with his talon. “Twilight Sparkle! What wonderful timing... and Bob, thou art not a folk hero. Put down that accursed instrument.”
“Only because I don't have a gun.” Discombobulation paused, then switched his grip on the banjo to hold it like a rifle, taking aim into the darkening sky above and making shooting noises... and with each exaggerated jerk of the bridge of the banjo, a star lit up in the night sky above before he winced and fumbled the banjo suddenly, both ponies looking at him with concern as he leaned forwards and grasped the railing tightly as the instrument fell to the ground.
He wheezed slowly, and then Luna leaned forwards and poked him with her horn, making him twitch before she said quietly but firmly: “Come now, up on thy feet. Thou must return to thy little home and rest... I do not need to be connected to my husband to feel the pain running through thy veins, thy whole body screams with it.”
“My body is a tattle-tale.” Discombobulation muttered, and then he grunted, a little pallid as he wobbled up to his feet, but he swatted irritably at Twilight when she tried to step forwards as if to help him. “No, no, stop that! You've already compromised my masculinity. Thankfully not in the same ways that Scrivener Blooms steals Luna's, of course... but then again, she was very, very masculine to begin with, and there's not much to steal from that not-quite-stallion even now.”
“Oh. Thanks.” Scrivener's voice called irritably from inside, and Twilight smiled in spite of her concerns as Luna laughed and shook her head before the Draconequus brushed past the two, rubbing grouchily at his chest but already looking as if he was recovering from the slight overexertion. He strode calmly into the cottage, and the ponies traded smiles before they followed after the chimerical creature.
Scarlet Sage was in the living room den, smiling warmly and curled up against Scrivy's side, the poet looking amusedly over his shoulder at Discombobulation as the Draconequus loitered slowly through the room... then winced when Luna strode up behind him and jabbed him lightly in the rear with her horn, making him leap ahead a bit as she said flatly: “Do not make me mash thee down to size and stuff thee back in thy little glass box myself. Because I will if I must, and I shall enjoy the process at that.”
“I'm going, mother.” Discombobulation said distastefully, and then he spun around on one heel before bowing deeply to them, saying dryly: “Remember kids. Alcohol and drugs are bad in moderation. You either don't do them at all or do so much that even if you did die, you'd be so stoned you wouldn't notice.”
“And yet sex is bad.” Luna said flatly, and Scrivener cleared his throat as he looked at Luna, awkwardly squeezing Scarlet Sage around the shoulders, and the dark-coated winged unicorn huffed. “Oh, as if the little fillies don't know. I have overheard many embarrassing conversations with her friends, fillies are just as gossipy as adult ponies... the only difference is they bear fewer grudges.”
Now Scarlet Sage was blushing deeply, and Discombobulation laced his fingers together as he said kindly: “Well, my job is done. Goodnight ponies. Look to my coming at the first light of the fifth day; at dawn, look to the east.”
Discombobulation snapped his fingers and vanished in a puff of crimson and purple smoke, and Luna grumbled a bit under her breath before she smiled over her shoulder at Twilight, asking kindly: “Is there anything I can fetch for thee, my friend? 'Tis wonderful to see thee here... I believe that tonight Scrivener Blooms was going to regale us with some of the stories he's transposed for me. Will thou stay and listen to the tales? They are both of Sleipnir and of the time we spent in the now-gone layer of old... we would very much like thy company.”
Twilight smiled a little at this, looking over the ponies before Scrivener shifted awkwardly and held up a claw, saying lamely: “Now I haven't exactly agreed to that or anything, you know, I-”
“Well, now I have to stay, don't I? And now you have to read, Scrivy.” Twilight said kindly, and the male huffed a little, glowering at her as a bit of blue mist steamed out of the sides of his mouth, but she only laughed and shook her head. “You remind me of Spike whenever you do that. Whenever he used to pout he'd puff a bit of smoke out just like that... I think he was trying to be intimidating too, but... while he was so tiny and giving me those big sulky eyes and...”
Twilight laughed again despite herself, smiling warmly as nostalgia tickled through her, and Scarlet Sage giggled a little as well as Luna gave her own look of entertainment towards the violet mare. She shook her head slowly, then approached the futon and sat down on it... only to be tackled flat by Luna with a wheeze, and Scrivener grinned and looked pleased at this as Luna half-flopped herself over Twilight, pinning her playfully with one hoof as she asked seriously: “But I am still far more adorable than Scrivener, am I not? Say I am, Twilight, 'lest the whole balance of our relationship topple into chaos!”
“Luna, you weigh like a thousand pounds, get off me!” Twilight wheezed, and now Luna looked offended, instead holding the violet pony down with both hooves and bearing her weight down against her in a grappling pin, making her squawk. “L-Luna my ribs are going to break!”
“Nay, I can exert at least twenty more pounds of pressure before they snap, thou art strong and supple.” Luna retorted, and then she paused meditatively as Twilight wheezed. “Alright, perhaps only ten, but all the same. Thy bones will not break so easy, Twilight, they are not Scrivy.”
“Oh. Thanks. Wow.” Scrivener said dryly, and Luna grinned over at him with a wink before the male rolled his eyes and looked amusedly down at Scarlet Sage before he grasped her sides lightly with his claws. “Go help your aunt.”
Scarlet nodded firmly, and Luna looked surprised for a moment before Scrivener lightly tossed her into Luna's face, and the filly laughed as she seized into Luna's head and mane, the dark-coated winged unicorn flailing her front limbs a bit. It was enough to let Twilight buck the larger mare off, and she grunted as she flopped onto her side, Scarlet Sage still clinging to her face. “Oh, thou art all foul cheaters.”
“I love you too Mom.” Scarlet Sage said kindly, and Luna huffed and rolled her eyes before the filly finally let herself roll off and onto her stomach as Scrivener winked at his wife, then glanced up with a smile as Twilight strode around him and laid down on his other side, using him as a wall between herself and Luna.
Luna pretended to look hurt at this, and then she glanced down at Scarlet Sage as the filly rubbed her stomach as it rumbled before she groaned and dropped her face in the mattress, muttering: “Oh, some parents we are. Scrivy, thou forgot to make dinner!”
“Oh, it's okay Mom. I'm not too hungry... could we just have sandwiches or something?” Scarlet Sage asked curiously, glancing up at Luna, and the mare smiled softly down at her filly as Scrivener and Twilight both gazed affectionately at the young, bright child.
“Yes, of course. I should be able to handle helping thee with this, child, so let us go to the kitchen to do the mare's work, even though usually all that is handled by our beloved Scrivy.” Luna winked over at her husband, who rolled his eyes and huffed at her before he blinked when the dark-coated pony leaned in and kissed his lips firmly for a moment. “Quiet.”
“Yep.” Scrivener said lamely, as Scarlet Sage shook her head and trotted quickly off towards the kitchen, and Luna winked to Scrivener before following her adopted daughter. Scrivy looked dumbly after the two, then he glanced towards Twilight as her hoof hesitantly rested on one of his claws, the male asking finally: “Do you get her at all?”
“Only sometimes, Scrivy. Only sometimes.” Twilight halted, looking at him, gazing into his eyes... and then she smiled softly as he looked back at her curiously before blushing a little when she reached up and tidied the front of his mane a little. “You're such a mess, just... like always.”
“I am not.” Scrivener grumbled, flailing at her, and Twilight winced but shoved back at him before they both grumbled and half-turned, but dropped against one another... and the two smiled a little as they looked towards the kitchen, watching Luna happily working away with Scarlet Sage on the simple task of preparing a small dinner for the filly. “Blame that evil mastermind in there. She and Scarlet Sage have kept me running all day. But... it's not like I can really complain, with how glad I am for them both. With how lucky I feel to have... you here, too.”
He smiled awkwardly at her, and Twilight blushed a bit, shifting a little and glancing down before Scrivener frowned slightly, tilting his head as he asked softly: “What's wrong?”
“You and Luna know me so well...” Twilight glanced up and smiled despite herself, and then she hesitated for a moment before glancing towards the kitchen... but Luna was already leading Scarlet Sage towards the back door, still talking to her but looking tenderly over her shoulder, meeting Twilight's eyes and reassuring her in that single look, and the violet pony laughed a little before she looked over at Scrivener, listening to the sound of the back door before saying softly: “It's not fair that you two can do that to me. It's almost like you knew I'd show up here, like you knew I'd have bad news... what are you both, psychic now?”
“No, Luna's just got her warrior instincts.” Scrivener smiled a little, then he wrapped a forelimb around Twilight, and she closed her eyes as she dropped her face against the side of his neck, the male gazing at her quietly as he said softly: “You start doing that and you're going to turn into Luna.”
“I wish that was true.” Twilight whispered, and Scrivener gazed at her silently as she closed her eyes tightly, curling herself a little closer as a tremble ran through her body. “The zebras... were in bad shape. Zecora kept blaming you both, she was so angry... and it's not that I don't understand, but... it's not right. And worse, the others... after what they saw, after... everything she was saying, I think they were starting to blame you all too. I don't see how they can look past the fact that we're alive... and hold it against you that you couldn't save every last soul...”
Scrivener nodded slowly, pulling her a little closer as he sighed a bit and murmured: “I know. And it hurts, but... it's not like I can say I don't fully understand. Look at us, Twilight... Luna looks like Nightmare Moon, has been making friends with demons and monsters, and me, well... I'm a Tyrant Wyrm and most ponies see me as more like her pet monster than her pet husband. And the people who still hang out with us and support us are Discombobulation, Pinkamena, Nibelung like Greece, and you and Celestia. Not a lot of those are people that... you know.”
“Even less now, I think... the way they were looking at me when I was trying to stand up for you...” She closed her eyes, laughing bitterly and burying her face back against his neck, Scrivener stroking tenderly through her mane. “And yet I couldn't, at the same time. I care about you both so much, and yet my friends started saying those... worrisome things and I just... choked on my words, couldn't force out anything, couldn't... do anything...”
She shook her head slowly, breathing quietly, and then Scrivener hugged her impulsively against his body, murmuring: “Don't worry about it, alright? Standing up to people you don't like... hell, fighting monsters like me... is easier than standing up to the people you care about.”
“I just wish...” Twilight started, then she sighed and fell quiet before slowly sitting back, glancing up and meeting his eyes with a faint smile. “But there was one good thing, and it's that Celestia seems to be honest about defending you, and staying by you both no matter what.” She halted, their gazes still locked together, before she whispered: “And, Scrivy, you know that I'm always going to be here for you and Luna... no matter what...”
Scrivener smiled faintly, and then he leaned in, murmuring softly even as she leaned towards him expectantly: “That's a big promise, Twilight. No matter what?”
“No matter what.” Twilight repeated quietly but firmly, and she smiled faintly back before closing her eyes as Scrivener leaned forwards, and their mouths met in a slow, firm kiss, a bit of blue mist steaming up between their jaws as Twilight gave a shiver of pleasure.
Scrivener's front claws slipped up along her features, grasped into her scalp, stroked through her mane as they pulled her deeper into the kiss for a moment, and Twilight pushed herself eagerly closer before their mouths slowly, gently parted, and her eyes fluttered open as she looked up at him, breathing hard as the poet drew back with a slight smile, a bit of blue mist shimmering between them. Then the male laughed a little and cupped her cheek gently, saying softly: “You're lucky I'm getting better at controlling that. And that Luna doesn't get overly jealous.”
“I know. I know how lucky I am, Scrivener. I was once just a silly mare, studying the magic of friendship for somepony that I eventually lost a lot of faith in... and now, I'm a winged unicorn, my faith in the whole world has been restored, I've experienced things no other pony knows or ever will... and I have not one, but two ponies who care for me and I care for so very, very much.” Twilight said softly, and she curled herself closer against Scrivener, still tasting his breath, shivers of strange pleasure still running through her system as the male smiled slightly and pulled her tighter against his frame. “You and Luna have done so much for me... shown me an entire universe I never dreamed existed...”
“Yeah, but we're selfish, too.” Scrivy said softly, stroking his claws quietly through Twilight's mane, and she blushed up at him as his dexterous digits slipped through her locks, the poet smiling slightly despite himself. “Remember how we used to hate each other?”
“I still hate you a little.” Twilight replied gently, and Scrivener laughed and nodded before the violet mare glanced up at him softly, asking quietly: “Scrivy... I remember you talking to Celestia about... about feeding... and I mean, can you control...”
Scrivener hesitated a bit, looking down at her as she looked almost imploringly up at him, and then he said slowly: “The hunger isn't... really... prevalent right now. And my breath is one thing, but even if it makes you feel good...” He reached up, silently stroking under her muzzle. “It's still poison. Pleasure is just another way to sap a person's will, in a lot of ways. Twilight, look, I don't want to say this but Luna and I are dangerous and-”
“The whole world is dangerous, and I'm not going to leave either of you, and I am going to do whatever it takes to help you both, no matter what.” Twilight replied firmly, reaching her front hooves up to grasp Scrivener's shoulders tightly as she locked her eyes with his. “So don't even start that, Scrivy. I... you're still Scrivener. And I want to feel... closer to you. I want to be a part of the world you and Luna are a part of. I feel more and more like I'm becoming disconnected with my own, after all...”
She laughed a little, dropping her head forwards a bit, and Scrivener shook his own as he said quietly: “You and your friends have all just woken up from a ten-year dream and nightmare of being Pales. You're in a new world, where the rules are reversed and demons are allies and ponies are just beginning to settle in beside Nibelung. There's a lot for everypony to adjust to, that's all.”
“I don't think that's just it. I... I don't know, maybe you're right, but...” Twilight shook her head, then smiled a little as she glanced up at him. “That's not important, anyway. What's important is that... I want to be there for you in every possible way. And I... I think I might just simply be curious, too. The way Celestia looked at you, and you at her... it was strange.”
Scrivener looked at Twilight quietly, and then he smiled despite himself, saying wryly: “I never knew you had a lame vampire fetish. No wonder your name's Twilight Sparkle.”
“You know, Scrivy, I could probably still kick your flank.” Twilight retorted, and Scrivener grumbled under his breath before the mare nodded firmly once and drew back, meeting his eyes. “Let's do it. Let's try it, at least.”
The male hesitated, but then he closed his eyes, remembering the words of the Nightmare, and he heard Luna's own thoughts and emotions adding to the din in his head... and to complicate things further, memories of Celestia, of how he'd felt despite the surprise of what had happened. The pleasure and the power... and this time, a pony was asking him to feed. To indulge in that... and Scrivener sighed a little as he slowly opened his eyes, but he couldn't deny the eagerness welling up inside him as he murmured: “I'll try not to delve too deep. But it won't be like Celestia... that was an accidental nip. This will be... more than that.”
“I'm not afraid. I could never be afraid of you or Luna, no matter what.” Twilight replied softly but firmly, and Scrivener smiled a bit as he slipped his claws gently down to the mare's shoulders... then in a single, agile movement, twisted firmly to pin her back against the bedding as he pounced on top of her, his eyes taking on a faint glow as he straddled her and pinned her with surprising strength, Twilight feeling her bones creaking as she gasped in surprise before their eyes locked-
Her own eyes widened as something sparked inside her mind, and a flurry of visions followed as she arched her back, crying soundlessly out as her eyes widened, glowing ivory as they stared sightlessly into Scrivener's now-sapphire gaze: she felt memories, emotions, pleasure and pain dredged up, wrenching through her body, twisting out of her very soul as instinct told her to fight but the rest of herself only tried to give in... and heart, mind and soul won out over primal instinct a moment later as she gave another rasping gasp.
Visions danced in her mind, as sharp and clear as reality around her: she saw a forest, vast and dark, beautiful and terrible, alive and dead and in the center of it, a mighty castle... she saw vines, black roses, and white lilies growing beneath the moonlight... she saw a fountain of a Tyrant Wyrm inside a deep and dark dungeon, black water spilling from its maw into a pool of blood.
And she saw herself safe and protected between Luna and Scrivener, held tightly by them both. She felt both their emotions, twisting through her mind, saw through their eyes, understood them in that single moment better than she had ever understood anypony or anything before, feeling a sense like transcendence spilling through her for a fleeting moment... and then Scrivener pulled back, gasping quietly as he clenched his eyes shut, his frame flexing and rippling overtop Twilight's as he grit his sharp teeth.
Twilight's eyes flickered slowly, opening and closing as she lay prone, breath wheezing in and out of her lungs as she laid on her back, barely feeling Scrivener still pinning her before she looked up as the poet let out a long, drawn out sigh as the glow faded from his eyes. Finally, she felt her mind starting to rustily work again, even as her emotions felt strange; some muted, some heightened, making her blush as she whispered: “Scrivy...”
“Are you okay?” Scrivener asked quietly, leaning down over her... and Twilight's eyes widened before she reached up and touched his features: scales had spread over part of his face, but the male only smiled wryly as he felt her hoof stroke along his cheek, saying softly: “It's hard for me to maintain my polymorph when my emotions are heightened. Don't worry about it, I'm calming and they'll recede. What did you see?”
“I saw beauty. And I saw destruction. And I saw them both mixed together. I saw darkness, and you and Luna... and I saw us. I saw the truth, and what I want to always be the truth...” Twilight closed her eyes, then she smiled faintly when Scrivener laid down, settling his weight gently over her, pushing almost nose-to-nose with her as violet eyes gazed into chestnut that were backed by the faintest sapphire glow. “Thank you.”
Scrivener only smiled faintly, closing his eyes and he hugged her up against his body, encompassing and protective as Twilight gladly, silently curled up beneath the comforting form of the once-earth pony, now Tyrant Wyrm, and eternal friend and companion.