//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6 
// Story: The Journey of a Lifetime 
// by sqarishoctagon 
//------------------------------//


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Dune was furious with himself. One, he’d scared his companion away. Two, basically everything she needed to survive was in two inaccessible saddlebags strapped to the base of his neck. Three, he’d lost her. Completely.  

Thirteen-hundred bloody years, and Ah can’t track a single blasted pony… The dragon thought. This wasn’t an ordinary hunt, however. He needed to find Wind Surfer as quickly as possible, because neither he nor she knew what lay ahead as far as food and shelter went.

He had taken off after her, but Wind Surfer was faster, and Dune had soon lost her on the horizon. To his dismay, she had disappeared without a trace. However, Dune continued flying West, undeterred. Night soon fell as he passed over a vast grassland plain, but he pressed on.


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Wind Surfer awoke in the Doctor’s room at the break of dawn. Right on cue, the door burst open, and Doctor Green entered, smiling. Wind Surfer groaned, and promptly tried to go back to sleep. 

“No, no. None of that!” He said, standing at the foot of the bed. “You’ve got quite a day ahead of you, and Walinzi is looking forward to meeting you again.”

Wind Surfer considered the day’s plans, and finally got up. Within minutes, the pair had cleaned up, eaten breakfast, and were on their way to the Barracks.

“So, why am I doing this?” She asked, as the pair trotted through the streets of the enclosed city.

“To provide additional protection against predators for the caravan. Since you’ll be going with them, it stands to reason that you’re going to be spotting the attackers first.”

“And then we will take care of them!” Walinzi’s voice cut across Wind Surfer’s reply, as the pair approached the barracks. He greeted them, and began leading Wind Surfer into the building. Doctor Green turned to leave.

“Don’t worry, there," said the Doctor. "Walinzi and his company will take care of you for the day. I’ve just got some things to see to. I’ll see you back at my house tonight, alright?”

Wind Surfer nodded as he left, and the pair disappeared into the barracks. She turned to Walinzi, curious.

“So what exactly do you want me to learn?” She asked, eyeing the various warriors practicing drills around them.

“Nothing intensive,” replied the Zebra. “Just some basic styles to get yourself out of trouble.” 

He led the pegasus to the armory, where she was promptly fitted with various bits and pieces of cloth armor. Eventually, Wind Surfer was covered from mane to tail in the armor. Though light, it was extremely stiff, making movement nearly impossible.

“Um…” She said, uncertain of the armor. She shuffled around to face Walinzi, who could barely contain his laughter. “I think you might have overdone it…”

He grinned at the stiff pegasus, and nodded. “Indeed we have, Wind Surfer!” He nodded to the Zebras standing by, and they began adjusting it, removing some pieces, and replacing others with lighter segments. The process took several hours, but the Zebras were determined to get the fit right. As Wind Surfer removed the armor for the umpteenth time, Walinzi tapped her shoulder.

“It is time for a meal, don’t you think?” She was about to respond when her stomach did so for her. Wind Surfer grinned in embarrassment. 

“What’s for lunch?” She asked, as the pair left the armorers to their task. 

“The normal meals served in our barracks,” the Zebra responded, as he led her to a large room that could only be described as a dining hall. There were several long, low tables, each lined with Zebra guards. In the rear of the room sat another table, this one perpendicular to the rows in front of it. Behind this table, were several Zebras serving out the day’s meal.

The pair joined the line, and picked up their share of the dish. Wind Surfer sniffed it, curiously. She recoiled as the foul stench hit her nose. Walinzi chuckled at her reaction, leading her to an empty spot at a table. 

“Yes, I know it does not smell appealing, but it is good.” He began eating the food. Wind Surfer looked down at her plate covered in slop. Tentatively, she scooped up a bit in her hoof, mimicking Walinzi’s motion, and nibbled at it. She gagged, dropping the hoof-full back into her plate. It was a far cry from the restaurant that Doctor Green had taken her to the day before. 

Walinzi looked at Wind Surfer, and chuckled again. “At least it is good for you!” Wind Surfer nodded weakly, and tried to eat. 

As the pair sat, they were joined by several other Zebraican guards. Some wished her well in her training, while others asked her about Equestria. When the last of these Zebras had moved away, Wind Surfer turned to Walinzi. 

“How do you know Equestrian, like me and Doctor Green?”  

“I had traveled to Equestria when I was younger, to learn about the land. I was able to pick up the language thanks to several kind ponies I met along my journey.” 

The pair began walking back to the armory, whereupon Wind Surfer was immediately assaulted by the Zebras who had done their best to refit the armor. He continued as she struggled into the armor.

“However, I left after several years, as my home was calling me,” continued Walinzi, somewhat distantly. “I wanted to return home, to share what I had learned. Since then, several more Zebras had gone to Equestria, just as I had. Though most come home, others choose to stay,” he finished, smiling at Wind Surfer.

“Did you like it?” She asked, as the armorers shuffled her around the room. 

“Indeed! Equestria is a wonderful place, with a just Princess, and an honorable mission.”

“So why did you come back?” She winced, as two armorers grabbed her wings, and began flapping them for her. She shooed them away by flapping her wings harder. Undeterred, the pair of armorers smiled as they realized their task was over.

“I… Needed to come home.” Walinzi’s tone dropped, and Wind Surfer decided to change the subject. 

“So, now that I’m fitted,” she said, parading around in the new cloth armor, “what are we going to do?”

“We will teach you some basic techniques for defending yourself and others.” Walinzi lead her out to an open courtyard, where several Zebras were sparring and practicing. Beyond the courtyard, Wind Surfer could see several more Zebras balancing themselves on various objects. Walinzi nudged her, and training began.

Wind Surfer had never trained so intensively on the ground before. She ran, sparred, jumped, and fought with all of the other Zebras in her team. However, her wings had been fastened to her with a cord to prevent her from using them. This resulted in several ungainly falls throughout the day. Though she kept up with the other Zebras, it was obvious that she was out of place. 

Several hours later, Wind Surfer was finally allowed to rest. She collapsed at the hooves of Walinzi, who had also participated in the run outside of the city walls. Though panting heavily, he still managed a chuckle at Wind Surfer’s plight. 

“Too much for a pegasus?” He asked, helping her up.

“I didn’t think you were gonna train that hard!” She dusted herself off, and the pair began making their way back to Doctor Green’s house. By the time they returned, it was dark, and the city’s lanterns had been lit. They stopped just outside of the Doctor’s house.

“Are you going to come in?” Wind Surfer asked, heading for the door. Walinzi shook his head. 

“I must see to the preparations for the caravan West.” He nodded to her and began making his way back to the barracks. "Farewell, Wind Surfer." 

Wind Surfer stared after him, but soon turned back to the door. Before she could knock, it opened without warning, and she found herself face-to-face with Doctor Green. 

“Oh, hello!” He said cheerily. “I was just on my way to find you!” He stepped back, and allowed Wind Surfer into his home. “How was it?”

“Awful,” she said, collapsing into a sofa. She thought for a moment, and corrected herself. “Well, it wasn’t awful, but it was hard. They wouldn’t let me fly…”

“It should get better over time.” Doctor Green sat in his armchair across from her. “Are you hungry?”

“Starving!”

“Well, how about you wash up, and we’ll have dinner.”

Several minutes later, the pair was seated across from each other, eating a more familiar meal: a basic Equestrian Salad. 


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The next several days progressed in a similar manner, with Wind Surfer training from dawn to dusk with the Zebras in the barracks. She eventually learned to spar with a quarterstaff, swinging it about with the untrained precision of an amateur. At the very least, she’d be able to hold her attackers at bay. 

The last day of training arrived as Wind Surfer rose out of bed, eager to rejoin the Walinzi in the barracks. After cleaning up, she made her way to the kitchen, finding her companion well underway with breakfast.

“You’re up early,” noted Doctor Green, as he shuffled about his kitchen. 

“It’s kind of a routine now, isn’t it?” Wind Surfer answered, moving to help the doctor with his morning chores. In short order, the pair sat down to breakfast.

“Are you nervous?” Asked Doctor Green, as the pair ate.

“No, why?”

“You’re leaving tomorrow,” he replied, almost sadly. Wind Surfer looked up at his tone, and smiled. 

“Well, yeah… You’re welcome to come,” she said. “I don’t think they’ll mind the extra pony.” Doctor Green shook his head in response. 

“I’m sorry, my dear. Like I said: I’ve got too much work ahead of me, and too many years behind me. Don’t worry about me, though. I’ll be fine.”

The rest of breakfast passed in silence, with each pony absorbed in their own thoughts. When they were finished, Wind Surfer bid the doctor farewell, and made her way to the barracks again. 

Upon her arrival, Walinzi led her to a different training field, one that had a ring outlined in its center. Outside the ring, stood various Zebra guards, all carrying quarterstaffs, much like the one Wind Surfer now carried.

“Today is your final day here. Therefore, we shall test how far you have come!” Walinzi said, as he lead Wind Surfer to a large upright board. It was a leader board, with each Zebra’s mark denoting their place in the system. In Wind Surfer’s case, her cutie mark had been carved into a slat of wood.

“You didn’t tell me about this!” Wind Surfer exclaimed, staring at the board, then at the crowd.

Walinzi paused. “No, I had forgotten…” Wind Surfer looked at him, doubtfully. He grinned sheepishly in response, rubbing a hoof through his mane. “However, that is in the past, and this is now!” He waved a hoof at the board.

“So, it’s like a championship?” She asked examining her bracket. Walinzi looked at her thoughtfully, and nodded. 

“Yes, yes. You see here, you have been placed with those who are of a similar size to you.” He waved a hoof towards the crowd that made up Wind Surfer’s bracket. The Zebras were all slightly bigger than her, but she nodded confidently. The group was made up of Zebras she had met during her short time in the barracks. “You will be sparring against them, to work your way higher. Hopefully, you will be successful!” He continued, smiling at her.

“Let’s get to it!” Wind Surfer said enthusiastically. Walinzi laughed as they moved off to join their respective brackets. 

After a ceremonial address, and a reading of the rules, the tournament began. Walinzi’s match was the first on, to the glee of the crowd. However, Wind Surfer barely had time to cheer him on when the match ended. The opposing Zebra had been sent sailing out of the ring by way of his own quarterstaff. The crowd cheered, as the next match began. 

This match was between two new guards. One was the guard Wind Surfer had seen at the gate, but the other was one she did not know. Several minutes of sparring passed before the gate guard gained his advantage over the other Zebra, causing him to yield. The crowd cheered again, and was now riled up for the most anticipated match of the day: the newest recruits, starring Wind Surfer. 

She swallowed as she made her way to the center of the dueling circle. Wind Surfer glanced at Walinzi, who winked in encouragement, before taking in her opponent.  The Zebra was a rough-looking female whose name Wind Surfer could not pronounce. Therefore, Wind Surfer had resigned to calling her ‘Sue’ which, to her, sounded more or less like her actual name. 

It didn’t seem to bother the Zebra much, as they had gotten along just fine while training in the barracks. Now, however, they were opponents, trying to prove their worth to their fellow guards.

With the announcer’s signal, the match began, and the pair rushed into each other, flailing wildly. It was hardly the skilled precision of the previous matches, but the methods served Wind Surfer just fine. After several seconds of combat, her opponent fell to the ground with a thud. Victory for Wind Surfer was declared, and she grinned, helping ‘Sue’ out of the dust.

“Hey, good match, right?” She asked, panting. They leaned on each other, as they made their way off of the ring. Her companion replied with something that sounded congratulatory, and then encouraging. Wind Surfer merely nodded, as Walinzi approached them. 

“She says: ‘It was indeed an excellent match, and I hope you advance further’.” He nodded to the Zebra, and said something to her. The pair exchanged a laugh, and ‘Sue’ made her way to the back of the crowd.

“I just wish you had not been so rushed though,” he said, turning back to Wind Surfer.

“What do you mean?” She asked over the roar of the crowd. The top-tier match was on, but Wind Surfer had little desire to rejoin the crowd, opting for a breather instead.

“You insist on rushing headlong into your opponent,” Walinzi explained. “Patience is essential to victory.” 

Wind Surfer frowned. “But it worked!”

“Yes, this time…” He replied, chuckling. “Come! We are missing the matches.”

The sparring matches progressed throughout the day, as Walinzi climbed his way  up the board in his bracket of experienced guards. Wind Surfer did likewise, but was having a harder time defeating her opponents, who now consisted of Zebras who had been training for several months to be city guards. She had won three matches so far, but her biggest challenge lay ahead of her.

Her opponent was a stocky male Zebra who had come from another city to train here. He already had beaten his previous opponents with the same ease as Walinzi, and now had his sights set on Wind Surfer.

She swallowed as he paced around her, waiting for their signal for the start of the match. It came, and the crowed suddenly hushed. 

He’s gonna follow me… Thought Wind Surfer, nervously. She had hoped that the Zebra’s victories had gone to his head. Obviously, this wasn’t the case, as he mirrored her steps around the ring. Several minutes passed in this manner, before Wind Surfer internally shrugged.

Here goes nothing. With a shout, she raised her quarterstaff with her forehooves, and made an awkward but rapid charge towards her opponent. He jumped, but was ready. Swiping away her quarterstaff, he brought his own staff down on Wind Surfer’s skull with a resounding crack. To the horror of the crowd, she crumpled into the dirt, and lay still.


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Wind Surfer came to slowly, to the rhythmical shouting of several Zebras. She groaned slightly, and opened her eyes. A Zebra nurse noticed, and went to her bed. She began murmuring something reassuring, then something else that sounded like a command. The shouting immediately quieted, and the nurse stated another command.

Still groggy, Wind Surfer decided that the command was to go back to sleep. Apparently it wasn’t, as the bed she was lying in was suddenly forced upright. She groaned, and attempted to shift into a more comfortable spot, but was stopped by two strong forehooves. 

“Ow! Leave me alone!” She groaned, struggling weakly against the hooves. They persisted, until she opened her eyes. She found herself face to face with the Zebra shaman from the city council. He smiled gently, and said something that sounded reassuring. Unsure, Wind Surfer nodded, and was given something to drink. 

The revolting smell immediately cleared away the grogginess in her head as she recoiled from it. Nonetheless, the shaman insisted that she drink the solution. It tasted revolting, with a dash of mint added in a pathetic attempt to mask its true flavor. Wind Surfer gagged, but forced it down her throat. Only then did the pair of Zebras back off from her bed. 

The shaman then directed her attention to a chalk board with several symbols written on it. Wind Surfer nodded blankly as he explained each one. When he reached the end, he turned to face her, and said something expectantly. Wind Surfer reddened, realizing that she’d been caught.

“O— oh… Right. I, um…” She fished for an explanation, but was cut short by the old shaman’s laughter. He then quipped something to the nurses, who both stepped out. Embarrassed, Wind Surfer looked at the shaman.

“Wait a minute; you knew?” She blurted out, shocked.

The shaman nodded, and smiled. As he did so, the door reopened, and Doctor Green rushed in.

“Oh, my dear girl! What have they done to you?!” He scrambled to her bedside, and took up her hoof. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine! I just don’t know what happened…”

“Oh, I’ll tell you what happened: that awful maniac Mfisha beat you!” Said the doctor, who was now almost comically furious.

“What? Oh, the tournament… Right...” Wind Surfer rubbed her bandaged head reflexively. It didn’t hurt, but she still felt the blow. “I guess he won, huh?”

“No. Walinzi is furious. It was an illegal move in the tournament, and against guests of the city.” Doctor Green explained. He moved around the room, and slumped into a rickety chair that sat in the corner.

“I didn’t know that I was a ‘guest of the city’…” Said Wind Surfer thoughtfully. “So what’s gonna happen to that Zebra?”

“I’ve no idea. At any rate, I’m here to take you home,” replied Green. Wind Surfer nodded enthusiastically. Whatever the shaman had administered had taken effect almost immediately. 

“Alright!” She cheered. He stood up and, with the help of the shaman, helped Wind Surfer to her hooves. “Wait a minute… How long has it been?”

“Only an hour or so,” said Green. He held up a hoof before Wind Surfer got a chance to continue. “I know— You’re worried that the caravan left without you. Judging by the crowd outside, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that they’d waited all week for you.”

“Really?” Wind Surfer looked at him incredulously. “Why?”

“They seem to have really started to like you.” They began making their way out of the infirmary, and to the barracks. Upon exiting the room, they were set upon by several Zebras, all clamoring to hear from Wind Surfer. 

“I— I’m fine, I really am!” She shouted over the noise of the crowd. Upon hearing her words, they erupted in cheers. The crowd led her out into the courtyard, where an even larger crowd welcomed her.

Green led Wind Surfer out of the barracks, and into the streets. The shaman lead the way, shoving past the spectators that had gathered outside of the barracks. Eventually, they made it back to the Doctor’s house. 

She managed to get a passing glance at herself in a hallway mirror. There was a large white bandage wrapped around her head, matting down her mane. Other than that, however, Wind Surfer reasoned that she looked better than she thought. Before she could examine herself further, the shaman ushered her into a chair. 

Green stepped into the kitchen, while the shaman bustled around her, muttering things under his breath.

“Um… What are you saying?” She asked, curiously. He paused, then pointed outside, speaking angrily. “They… They were bothering you?”

He nodded, and continued his examination of Wind Surfer. Green returned from the kitchen with hot soup balanced on his back. 

“Here,” he said. “Eat this. You haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast.”

Wind Surfer gleefully slurped the soup down, taking little heed of the heat. As she ate, the shaman began reciting what sounded like instructions to care for herself. Green translated.

“Make sure your bandages are replaced regularly, make sure you wear the helmet Walinzi has provided, and… Remember your steps in combat.” Wind Surfer cringed at the last statement. Green continued once the Shaman was done. “I may not be a combat expert, but I don’t think merely charging into battle is the most assured victory…” 

“I know… But it worked for everyone else,” she said, shrugging. “So, what happened to the Zebra?”

“Well, I’m supposed to take you to see him at some point. Do you feel up to it?”

Wind Surfer nodded. “I made it here, didn’t I?”

“Perhaps. Let’s go see him.” 

Wind Surfer rose again, and the trio left the Doctor’s house. The shaman bid the pair farewell, and made his way to the city center, while Wind Surfer and the Doctor moved out to the barracks again. This time, however, they were taken to the city’s holding cells.

Walinzi was the first to greet them, a frown etched into his features. He immediately brightened up upon seeing Wind Surfer back on her hooves.

“How are you feeling?” He asked, trotting up to great the pair.

“Fine. The doctor gave me this thing to drink when I woke up, and I’ve felt fine ever since.” 

Walinzi smiled. “Our Shaman, you mean?”

“Uh, I suppose so…” Wind Surfer shrugged, scratching at her bandages. Her hoof was swatted away by Green, who frowned at her. Walinzi chuckled again, but his expression quickly darkened. 

“You are here to see your opponent, no doubt,” he said gravely. Wind Surfer nodded. 

“What are you gonna do to him?”

“It depends on the council’s judgement, and your decision as well.” 

She shuffled uncomfortably. “What usually happens to them?”

“The council decides. Come.” Walinzi beckoned for the pair to follow him. They passed several empty cells, before finally reaching the one that held Wind Surfer’s opponent. 

He sat on a bench mounted on the far end of the cell. Upon hearing their arrival, he huffed in annoyance, and turned away.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you too— ” Wind Surfer was cut off by Green, who motioned to Walinzi. The Zebra guard unlocked the cell, and stepped inside. He handed the key to Green, and then proceeded to shut the door behind him. He barked a command at the younger Zebra, who slowly got to his hooves. 

In the short time Wind Surfer had known him, Walinzi remained a calm, level-headed commander of the city’s guards. Now, however, a completely new Zebra tore into the dissenting recruit. Whatever the Zebra had done brought out a side of Walinzi she hoped never to see again.

Whatever he’s saying to that Zebra just sounds awful… 

Wind Surfer decided to remain quiet, until Walinzi had finished. The onslaught lasted several minutes, with each new phrase cutting into the recruit. When he was finished, Walinzi stepped back, and nodded to Wind Surfer. 

“Your turn,” he said, simply. Wind Surfer swallowed, and nodded.

“What was that about?” She asked through the bars. Despite his reprimand, the Zebra snorted. It was cut short by a sharp word from Walinzi. Ducking his head, the recruit responded in a measured tone.

“‘I saw an opportunity, and took it’, he says.” Green leaned close to Wind Surfer, who nodded. 

“Yeah, well, it cost you the tournament, now,” she said cooly. The Zebra looked at her angrily, and waved a hoof, shouting. Beside her, Green cringed, and shook his head. 

The Zebra was once again silenced by Walinzi. This time, however, he fell back, as the guard leader’s words shook him. The cells quickly fell silent, and Walinzi mentioned for Green to let him out. The Zebra slunk down into his bench, shocked. Without another word, the trio left the cells. 

They made their way back to the barracks, where Wind Surfer finally worked up the nerve to speak. 

“What did you say to him?”

“I’m sending him home. He is unfit for a guard of this city,” Walinzi replied darkly, as he led them into the barracks. “Mfisha will do well to know the difference between a warrior, and a protecter.”

Wind Surfer paused thoughtfully. “So, what did he say to me?”

“Things unfit for a decent pony such as yourself,” said Green, his expression dark.

“That is why his training has ended,” continued Walinzi. “He cannot control his temper. He aims to kill, rather than capture, or frighten. Most importantly, he has little understanding of any other creature.”

Wind Surfer looked at the Zebra in confusion. “But, I thought you said that the council makes these decisions…”

“I will be making a suggestion,” Walinzi said, darkly. The trio fell silent as they made their way to the barracks. Walinzi bid them goodnight, and disappeared into the structure. 

“Come along, Wind Surfer. We need to get ready for tomorrow.” Green began leading the way back to his home. Wind Surfer spoke up as the house came into view.

“So, what happened to the tournament?”

“Well, your bracket didn’t finish,” Green said, shrugging.

“You mean I lost too?!” 

“You weren’t in any fit condition to compete, really.” 

“But, what do you mean the bracket didn’t finish?!” Wind Surfer protested. Green shook his head, as he let her into the house. 

“They were missing two competitors, so they discontinued the competition,” he explained. The pair made their way into the kitchen, where Wind Surfer immediately found a seat. Green bustled about in the kitchen, preparing a pot for some tea. 

“So, he messed up the whole thing? Why not just continue?” She asked, confused. 

“Those are the rules of the city: ‘if one competitor cannot follow the rules, then that bracket is not allowed to continue’,” he recited. “The actions of a few determine the rules for all.” 

Green nodded at his pot of water, and joined Wind Surfer at the table. She nodded at him, and sighed, reflecting back on Walinzi’s words. Something in them stood out to her.

‘Mfisha will do well to know the difference between a warrior, and a protector…’ That sounds a lot like... Dune. Oh... She cringed, earning a glance from Green. 

“What is it?”

“Dune. I— I haven’t thought about him since… Since I got here, really.” Green nodded, motioning for her to go on. “He’s a protector, not a warrior.”

Ashamed, Wind Surfer slunk down into her seat. Dune had not crossed her mind since her first night in the Zebra city. Green nodded, as he rose to prepare the tea. They finished it in silence, as Wind Surfer pondered Dune’s fate. The doctor caught her stare, and smiled.

“Dune will find you, don’t worry about that,” he said, quietly. 

“But what am I gonna say if— when he does?”

“The truth. Dragons value truth, even more than a hoard of jewels.” 

Wind Surfer eyed him doubtfully, until Green chuckled. 

“Ok, perhaps not that much… But it is important to them nonetheless.” With that, he nodded, and cleared the table. He then shooed Wind Surfer off to the bathroom, where she changed her bandages. The pair turned in for the night, as Dune drifted through Wind Surfer’s thoughts. 


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The patience of a predator served Dune well, as he had remained invisible to the city’s eyes even in direct sunlight. He had arrived at the city several nights before, and had resolved to search for Wind Surfer there. Hearing the chatter of the of the strange, striped ponies passing by confirmed his suspicions, and filled him with relief.

He stilled himself as one such group passed. What little of the language Dune knew was enough to supply him with what he needed. 

‘E said somethin’ aboot a caravan headin’ West. No doubt Wind Surfer’ll be the first one on it. Ah’ll meet ‘er there. He reasoned. It’ll be much easier tae deal wit’ a few o’ them, instead o’ a whole city’s worth…