Are You Ready?

by Dirty Bit

Chapter 12

It was the afternoon, as the train finally came to a stop at Ponyville Train Station after a day of travel, and everypony on board was exiting the doors once they have opened. The group got off the train, happy to have touched ground on their beloved home, ready to get back to their regular lives again.

Rainbow Dash was the first to depart from the group "See ya around, everypony! There's a cloud over there with my name on it!" She zipped away, ready to take another one of her scheduled naps. She can be a hard sleeper when not on weather pony duty. Rarity and Applejack looked at each other and remembered their sisters, turning to the others "Well, me an' Rarity are gonna head on over to the elementary school and pick up our little sisters. Ah just hope none o' them did anythin' drastic while we were gone..." Rarity was worried at the last statement "Deary me, I just hope Sweetie Belle hasn't done too much damage to anypony's property! Those three fillies are as ambitious as they are reckless. Well, no sense in talking about it here...Ta-ta, friends!" She waved as she trotted off with Applejack. Pinkie was hopping along with the remaining folks and then went on ahead "I better get back to helping the Cakes with Pumpkin and Pound! I wonder how many bags of flour they used to calm them down!" She giggled at the thought as she hopped away from her friends "See ya later~!" Dr. Facilier sighed in relief while holding his borrowed book, knowing that Pinkie was gone. She was beyond annoying during the trip to Canterlot and back, and considered it a blessing that she was at least out of his sight 'She's more nutty than a fruitcake...' The shadow shook and cringed in disgust when Pinkie left, sharing its master's thoughts about how much he detested her. Twilight turned to the rest, giggling "Well, there isn't much to say for me on my end. Goodbye, you two! And Doctor? Make sure that book is in good condition when you return it to the library. I'm looking forward to your next visit!" She said with glee as she trotted off with Spike on his back, who gave a wave himself, though not saying a word. He was much better around Dr. Facilier, knowing that he took his jealousy too far and that the Shadowcolt didn't have any real feelings for Rarity. This left the socially awkward duo (or trio if you count the doctor's shadow) standing on the station's boarded floor, and then they, too, made their way back to Fluttershy's cottage. They walked through Ponyville, Dr. Facilier still levitating the book with him as the two passed more citizens while his shadow looked around for any possible opportunity of mischief. Fluttershy should remember to let the doctor borrow her saddlebag if he ever decided to go book hunting again, but then decided to break the ice with some conversation to see if he was in a better mood than his time in Canterlot "Dr. Facilier...Did you enjoy the food that Princess Celestia served? I'll bet you were happy about having such amazing dishes." She smiled, but then frowned when she saw the grimace on the Shadowcolt's face. He remembered those amazing dishes alright...one of them being hurled at his face when Pinkie decided to start a short-lived food fight. Rarity was just as pissed off as he was when she noticed the food seep onto his suit, but was happy to know that Celestia's servants cleaned it up. The doctor turned to Fluttershy, and decided to speak his mind.

"That Pinkie Pie's a crazy mare...
She just does crazy things without a care!"

Fluttershy looked away, feeling ashamed that Pinkie could get on Dr. Facilier's bad side so easily, but then perked up as she thought of another topic "Well...h-how about when the princess introduced her nephew to you? Did you enjoy that?" The expression on the doctor's face only worsened at the memory of dealing with one of the most snobbiest ponies he ever met in Canterlot. Prince Blueblood, supposedly a prince who was as kindhearted as he was handsome, turned out to be another addition to the lists of ponies he wanted to make suffer under his power, just under Zecora. He had to deal with his arrogant douchebaggery for so long, and even had to endure that lout's 'mistake' of considering the doctor a foreign servant, but was lucky to have his shadow work its power and make the prince look bad at the table. Once again, he spoke his mind.

"I can see why Rarity despises that one.
But at least, at dinner, we had some fun..."

The doctor gave Fluttershy a forced smile, wanting to at least make it seemed like he actually enjoyed the small conversation, and was pleased to know that the timid mare bought it and returned it with one of her own "I'm glad you enjoyed your time in Canterlot, Dr. Facilier...Maybe we should take you to Appleloosa next...Or maybe Cloudsdale!" She added the last part with more vigor, wondering if the doctor would enjoy the feeling of walking on a cloud. The Shadowcolt could only raise an eyebrow at Fluttershy's brightened mood, but then looked in front of him, and widened his eyes to see a familiar face trotting his way.

Zecora, with saddlebags strapped to her back, was walking in Ponyville to deliver a medicine to a pony that called for her services, and stopped with a gasp to notice Fluttershy walking with Dr. Facilier, who noticed she was coming as well. It was too good to be true, seeing the Element of Kindess herself be walking with an unconscionable monster, and wanted to know she meant business, but couldn't find the heart to glare at the Shadowcolt in front of her timid friend, not wanting to hurt her feelings or make her think that Zecora was in the wrong. She took a deep breath as she held back her anger towards Dr. Facilier and kept a straight face, even giving off a small smile as she approached the two, and greeted Fluttershy.

"Hello, Fluttershy, it's such a thrill
To see you here in Ponyville..."

Fluttershy smiled "Hello, Zecora. It's good to see you, too..." She looked at her saddlebags "Umm, are you delivering medicine again? Who could it be this time? I really hope it wasn't an animal. Oh, I would be so devastated!" Zecora chuckled as she reassured her friend with her real reason.

"I'm on my way to deliver a potion
To help with a pony's lack of notion.
The poor colt in need has lost his joy,
And this potion shall make him a happy boy!"

Dr. Facilier was not amused to know that she made a potion that could alter somepony's feelings. That was kid's stuff where he came from. And when he noticed the faint sense of anger and despise she was giving off at the Shadowcolt, he sneered a little, but not before Fluttershy turned to the doctor and spoke to him "Dr. Facilier, you do know Zecora, don't you? I'll bet you two were good friends!" She said with a beaming smile to see two zebras together. Sadly, she was oblivious to the equal amount of anger and despise that the Shadowcolt was giving off towards Zecora. The doctor kept his purple eyes on Zecora and forced a smile as he spoke.

"Hey there, girl, how y'all doin'?
That's a nice potion ya got brewin'..."

Zecora herself gave a forced smile as she replied to the doctor's words.

"You are too kind, though I should say,
That you are trying your luck today..."

The doctor didn't falter, and would not lose twice to this one. He tossed another verse to counter her own.

"Who's tryin', sweetheart? I'm jus' doin' my best.
With the words your throwin', clearly you jest."

Zecora was unmoved as she replied, the next verse bound to make a good jab at the Shadowcolt.

"With your words, you're lucky to have such a friend
Like Fluttershy to help you play and pretend..."

Dr. Facilier twitched an eye as he kept his forced smile when he heard Zecora almost expose him, and decided he should try a good jab of his own.

"I'm about as true as the big blue sky,
You should probably go help the poor little guy.
I don't wanna be responsible for his pool o' tears,
When YOU'RE the one with the potion here..."

While she did have a duty to perform, the little colt seeking medicine wasn't going anywhere, and Zecora will not lose a battle that the doctor had started.

"I carry out my duties with a loyal heart.
I'll bet you'd think the same, with a different part."

The shadow under the doctor wanted to push Zecora's shadow and make her fall, but the doctor looked down and shook his head at his friend, while making it look like he shook his head to Zecora. He thought of another tactic, and this one proved risky.

"I got my duty and it makes me mellow..."

He placed a hoof on Fluttershy's back, making her squeak in surprise.

And it happens to be the color yellow..."

Fluttershy blushed, wondering if he was trying to say he wanted to start a relationship with her 'It would be good...b-but...i-it's too soon! We've only just met a couple of days ago. Although...he HAS been staying with me at my house...and he IS charming with the suit Rarity made for him...No, I can't think like that....M-Maybe I'll ask him later on tonight...' She was looking away as she tried hiding her face, while Zecora raised an eyebrow with a smile and tried speaking more.

"You say yellow, but you should take it back...
It's obvious you like the color black..."

Fluttershy turned to the doctor "Is it true, doctor? I figured you would like purple better, given the suit you're wearing..." The doctor ignored Fluttershy and forgot his hoof on her back as he responded to Zecora.

"Oh, you playful zebra mare!
Assumin' my likes without a care!
You act like you know everythin' about me!
You're obviously mistaken, it's plain to see."

He had activating Zecora's trap card as she looked smug.

"So you say, and isn't that true...
Does Fluttershy know everything about you?"

The doctor flinched and almost let his smile falter after that line, and turned to see Fluttershy, who agreed to Zecora's words "You haven't really told me and my friends where you came from, Dr. Facilier...Could you tell me what you did before meeting us? I-If that's okay with you..." She looked down, and shifted her eyes up to him "You said there was nothing wrong with a freebie...right?" He let his hoof drop from Fluttershy's back and did not notice he dropped the book he was levitating, knowing that he was trapped now, and he began to sweat, not coming up with any acceptable lies to defend himself. The Shadowcolt began shifting his eyes, catching glimpses of Fluttershy looking curious and confused, Zecora looking smug, and a mare passing by with oranges. Oranges! He wouldn't let this opportunity slip. He turned his eyes to the shadow, and then at the pony with oranges in his saddlebags, silently commanding his partner in crime to do his stuff. The shadow stealthfully swooped over and plucked the mare's shadow, and managed to lift an orange without her looking. The shady fiend then rolled it over in between his master and Zecora, the two locking eyes on the fruit in front of them. He was ready to hit her where it hurts.

"Jus' so something isn't amiss...

He pointed a hoof at the convenient fruit

Mind tellin' me exactly what this is?"

Zecora tilted her head at the doctor's question, and decided to answer it for him since he felt it best to keep their little verbal reverie going.

"Well obviously, it is a succulent orange
That rolled here from-

She caught herself with widened eyes, and finally caught onto the doctor's sneaky trick as he tilted his head and smiled widely with a smug expression of his own. The Achilles' Heel of verse was right in front of her the whole time, and she could only remain silent as she felt like a fool in front of the couple. Fluttershy looked worried "Oh my...Zecora, is there something wrong?" Dr. Facilier donned a look of mock concern.

"Apparantly she remembers her important task.
She's gotta go give the colt his flask.
That boy is probably makin' a fuss!
You should hurry, Zecora! Don't dawdle with us!"

Well played...She closed her eyes in defeat, and could only feel more rage at the doctor for his dirty trick. But he was right, she had medicine to deliver, and she shouldn't keep the colt and his family waiting. She looks up at the couple and decided to give her parting words with a bow.

"Yes, I must go, that much is certain.
But you two should know, we shall meet again..."

Zecora passed the Shadowcolt on the opposite side of Fluttershy, glaring daggers at him while the timid mare wasn't looking. Dr. Facilier kept his smug expression as he saw her leave further into town, but when out of view, he wiped the sweat off his brow with a hoof, giving a sigh of relief 'That was close...that girl almost had me there...' He turned to Fluttershy, who was still curious, and decided to put his silver tongue to work and throw her off the current matter.

"Let's go home, deary, we've waited too long.
We got animals to feed, we should move along."

Fluttershy gasped with a shocked expression "Oh my goodness, you're right! My animals need attention, and poor Angel bunny could be upset!" She galloped to her cottage at a speed similar to Rainbow Dash. He watched her leave, then looked down at his shadow, who gave off a silent sigh. The Shadowcolt smiled and spoke to his friend.

"Yeah, I know...Women, right?
I jus' hope she don't ask that same question tonight..."

He trotted to Fluttershy's cottage at a nonchalant pace, wondering if he would actually get roped into helping her feed the animals.