A light breeze flew throughout the streets of Ponyville, an eerie silence pervading the small town. Only a week had passed since the massive ursa minor had terrorized the town leaving several ruined houses still pending repair. In the desolate streets of Ponyville stood a figure, no taller than a pony digging at the ground in frustration.
“These ponies of old tremble at what they're told,” Zecora murmured under her breath a little gruffly. Looking around she found only one word over every shop in sight.
“Closed.” Read every storefront she visited.
Zacora was familiar with the racism against her kind and expected this behavior. Zacora didn’t hate the ponies for their racism.
Truth be told, she hadn’t intended to visit anypony in the few years she intended to reside in Equestria. However, due to recent events, she would need to visit Ponyville at least a few more times this month.
She had wanted the solitude to focus on her research, and as such, it was her duty to work as efficiently as possible, which didn’t include communication with ponies. Zacora had been a focused student during her time in school, and now in the field of research, she wanted to retain that same level of productivity which her family and teachers praised.
Zacora had in-fact been hoof picked for this job. She was a representative of Zebrica, her employment was part of a political alliance between the two nations. Princess Celestia’s generous agreement to open trade between the two nations had been contingent on Zebras and Ponies making an effort to cohabitate. Zecora's talents were flaunted as a great boon to all pony-kind and though she had no involvement with locals, the optics said otherwise.
Zacora real mission was to investigate the Everfree Forest. Her end goal was to piece together a plan to cleanse the forest of its evil. Anyone with a brain knew it was a fool's errand. Zacora was stubborn though and wished to give it her best attempt.
Zacora understood that she wasn’t the most qualified for the job, but this task required a unique perspective to understand and solve. She only needed a week of deliberation to accept the letter’s invitation and now— Now here she was, a month into her research with nothing to show for it.
A week ago she had begun her first of many experiments to call out the spirits of the Everfree Forest to talk to them about why the Everfree forest was tainted. That night resulted in complications that lead to the reason why she was in Ponyville.
Annoyed, Zecora decided that she had spent enough time waiting for somepony to help her and strode over to one of the shops which had been hastily evacuated. She went behind the counter and looked through their wares. The little stand was a clothing shop of sorts that had been set up for the coming winter. After a few more moments she found a small roll of cloth that had been discarded in one of the boxes. The cloth was a bit coarse and would prove workable for its purpose. Picking it up, she estimated double it's cost then deposited the coin on the front counter.
Zacora repeated this process a second time when she invaded the herb shop across the street and then again at the street corner where a cart of apples was sitting. With each 'transaction' her discomfort grew. By the time she reached her last stop, she had gotten very good and very fast at ransacking the shop for supplies and paying.
Zacora quickly headed to her home, a spark of urgency driving each hoof with nervous energy. She half expected the police to come out and snag her for the apparent theft.
As Zacora left town her eyes were drawn to a photo of a familiar face. A wanted to note.
~~~
Sunlight shone through the open window dancing across Trixie's face as she lay in the single bed. Trixie had woken up less than an hour ago, the bright sun awakening her in the nearly vacant room. Trixie tried to get up and look around, but she was restrained by white cloth wrapped around all of her limbs. She wasn't tied up. Her restraints were a consequence of the medical treatment she and sore muscles.
Trixie seemed at odds with herself, waking up in a strange house, covered in cloth should have scared her half to death. But in light of recent developments, it seemed like a perfectly normal way to start the day.
What worried her most was what she would do next. A woeful future awaited her. Furthermore, Shadowbane had done nothing to contact her since his apparent departure late in the night.
Trixie lay there for many hours struggling to piece together a good plan.
A noise rang out from the front door shattering Trixie’s concentration. Trixie waited nervously looking over her bandage covered body.
Five minutes passed. Trixie became anxious, wondering if she should speak up.
Another five minutes passed until she painfully forced herself onto the bed's backboard to face the room's entrance.
“What’s blue, and stinks like a rue?” A calm voice called out over the room.
Trixie jumped at the voice, gasping at the surge of pain which accompanied her surprise. Turning her head in the direction of the voice, her face contorted into a mixture of both surprise and relief. “oww. . . I don't know.” Trixie stated in a confused tone.
“Why that’s you,” Zecora said as she walked toward the bed from one of the dark corners of the room.
Trixie’s initial pain from the surprise faded. The mare's voice was soothing and did much to calm her anxiety. Trixie recognized the mare to be a zebra, a citizen of the nation of Zebrica, a peaceful nation from far away.
“Ohhh. . . Wait, what’s a rue?” Trixie asked.
The pony like figure which Trixie assumed to be a zebra, stood over her with a dismissive expression eying her with suspicion.
“Many years I have waited to do my research. Far and wide I’ve traveled in search of this birch,” The zebra reached out a hoof pointing out the nearby window. “And at last I have found my place of rest,” she gestured to the surrounding walls, ”But only to find this mess!” She pointed at Trixie with a hoof and a piece of paper at its end.
Trixie frowned at the accusing gesture, faking offense she turned away “Hey, I didn't ask you to do this to me. And why am I so wrapped up anyways?”
“I have attended to your burn. However, I found something of concern.” The zebra said with an off-putting tone. “Tell me, Trixie Lulamoon, why have the Princesses requested informants about you in return for a boon?” The zebra’s words fell on Trixie, dark and threatening as the rhythmic atmosphere broke.
Trixie froze at the mention of her name, turning in an instant toward the zebra. “how do you know my name!” she barked.
“The answer is near, if only your eyes would see here!” the Zebra passed the wanted note to Trixie.
Trixie turned back to look at the paper, reading the header she pulled it toward herself with her magic. Sweat started to pool up on her guilt-ridden face as she read the announcement.
~~~
Wanted: Information
Trixie Lulamoon
100 Bits
By request of the Royal Princesses, any information regarding Trixie Lulamoon is to be disclosed to the royal or local guard. Any useful information will be rewarded up to 100 bits depending on the information.
If you had any significant relationship with Trixie Lulamoon either family or close friend, the Royal Princesses would like to invite you to visit Canterlot, expense-free, for a personal meeting. Anypony who is not related to Trixie and takes advantage of this offer will be heavily fined.
~~~
Trixie read the wanted poster over several times more, each time her eyes reached her name, her heart skipped a beat. Putting the paper down, she stared at the ceiling in disbelief, murmuring to herself for several minutes. She lay there lost in thought, a dark rainbow of emotions fluttered in clouding her senses.
The zebra watched with an agonized expression as she overhead the distraught pony.
“What am I going to do. . . Luna is going to kill me. . . I’ll be banished, no executed. . . I’ll have to hide, or maybe leave Equestria. . .” Trixie mumbled in panic.
The zebra listened until her curiosity overtook her usual patience. “You still haven't answered my question? Please tell me of your transgression.”
“Ummmm. . .” Trixie fumbled with her words, not exactly sure the best way to tell the zebra what had happened. “Well,” she began slowly “I talked to Princess Luna last night, and I guess she wants to know more about me?” she said in a half convincing voice. Trixie saw a hundred other questions brewing on the Zebra's face. “I have questions of my own. How did Trixie get here? And who are you?”
The zebra frowned at the sudden and obvious shift in the conversation. “I am Doctor Zacora, a zebra studying flora. As to what transpired, I found you frying upon my pyre.” Zacora paused for a second turning her face to reveal a small cut on her face. “Your company last night was most unwelcome, I fought them back,” she paused, considering her words, “you're welcome,” she said with a hint of sarcasm.
Trixie looked at the Zacora wide-eyed, “You fought the timberwolves, how did you manage that?! Trixie was lucky to escape with her life.”
Zacora turned away, not wanting to remember last night’s encounter, “wood and fire are like two lovers, they only need a path to find one another.”
Trixie’s scowled, berating herself. If only I knew a decent fire spell. Damn Shadowbane for being right.. Trixie knew many fire illusions. but actual real fire magic was horrifically dangerous to practice on a stage. One minor mistake and everything would be lost. useless— Shadowbane's words echoed, though the specter was nowhere to be found. Trixie's mind wondered back the violent event, thinking if there was anything she could have done.
Zacora, looked at the mare lost in thought. “It seems I have lost you, I’ll be in the kitchen preparing a brew.” Zecora left the room, "Imal, majnun" she spoke in an unknown language.
Why couldn’t I do anything. . . Zacora, a zebra, defended me against an entire pack of timberwolves. And she pulled it off without a scratch. That pack almost killed me! thought shamefully. She was a unicorn, and yet her life was saved by a lowly zebra.
Her life's struggles all compounded at this moment. Useless—, tears fell down Trixie's face.
~~~
After hours of dower reflection, Trixie's tears had run dry. She sat up, wiped her face clear and called for Zecora.
Zecora entered, a calming smile on her face, "I am glad to see you up, here let me take a look at you closeup."
Trixie nodded and pulled off the covers to give Zecora a look.
Zecora unwrapped the lose bandaged to reveal Trixie’s natural light blue fur, matted down flat against her skin. Zecora gasped at the sight of Trixie’s healed body.
“You have been blessed!” She stammered, “Only just last night you were a mess! The Everfree forest has healed your burn, over the night and upon the day’s return.”
Zecora looked over Trixie’s body rigorously, looking for any signs of damage, but found none. Zecora trouted a few steps back to took at the entirety of Trixie’s perfectly healthy body. “I do not wish for you to exert, but could you move about to see if you hurt?”
Trixie nodded compulsively and got out of bed and trotted around the room with ease.
Zecora eyed her with great enthusiasm, picking up a nearby notepad to write. “You feel no pain, no discomfort or strain.”
Trixie nodded, “A bit sore— but otherwise, I feel great,” Trixie said excitedly at her regained freedom. She continued to walk in circles around the room for several more minutes. The novelty of walking in circles wore off replaced by growing boredom. Trixie sent an annoyed glance toward Zecora. She didn’t seem to notice, but instead continued was writing furiously on a notepad. “Zecora,” She said politely. Still no reply, “Zeecoooraaaa. . .” Trixie sang to the bemused zebra.
“oh. . .” Zecora looked up from her notepad, “You can stop now. Let's get some chow.”
With that Zecora waved a hoof for Trixie to follow her down to the kitchen.
Trixie nodded. They walked down a winding staircase into a large open room with wooden masks hung on the walls.
Zecora hummed a light tune as she busied herself preparing the food. Zecora started a fire in the center of the room, a large cauldron hung above the blaze.
Trixie's eyes drifted to the fire. She felt uncomfortable near the dancing flames. An unnatural urge flee rose within her. “What are you making?” Trixie asked, trying to distract herself.
“What I make is a recipe most forgotten. Please trust that it is not rotten. This stew is from my homeland, A celebratory soup which none find bland.”
“What are we celebrating?” Trixie asked.
“Connecting to the spirits is rare, be it for information or care. I desire to speak with the spirits of this forsaken grove, to discover their secrets and clean its trove . Today I am filled with joy, a miracle from the spirits oh boy! Such a wondrous day, for you and me to come out of the fray. By the spirits of this forest's glow, their love and care they did bestow. This sign gives me hope, that my efforts will not dissolve into drope.”
Trixie looked at the zebra in the way she would look at anypony who she thought was crazy. A perfectly normal expression crossed her face, she nodded.
“Ok, so The G- “ she stuttered, “Trixie was healed by the spirits of the Everfree Forest?”
Zecora smiled and nodded as she threw a few vegetables into the boiling cauldron.
The next ten minutes passed without more than another word passing between the two of them. Zecora busied herself with perfecting the celebratory stew while Trixie attempted to fruitlessly find a comfortable sitting posture on one of the exotic chairs around the table.
Zecora lifted two bowls from the counter, serving the steaming stew from a decorative ladle into the bowls. “Blessings from the homeland, I hope you find this grand,” she said, the bowl sliding across the wooden table with ease to stop in front of Trixie.
A spoonful latter and Trixie had a small smile sprouting across her face. Trixie happily consumed the soup at a ravenous pace.
“I am glad you enjoyed the stew, but my family’s it does not live up to.” She said with a grin as Trixie finished her bowl. Trixie eyed the empty bowl eagerly, contemplating weather licking it clean would be worth the humiliation. Saved from the dilemma, the bowl was whisked away by Zecora over to the stew pot. “Would Trixie like some more of my stew?” as if she needed to ask, Trixie, nodded fiercely. “Then I tell me what is far overdue.”
Trixie frowned, recoiling back into the uncomfortable chair she was sitting in. “Trixie already told you, Luna and I had well. . . A disagreement. . .”
“What did this 'disagreement' you had entail? I want specifics and this stew is getting stale.”
Trixie wanted to tell the truth, but the truth was painful to tell. Trixie really wanted more stew. “Fine, I will tell the truth. But only because I want more of that stew!” Trixie said aggressively. Trixie paused as her eyes drifted from Zecora to the cauldron. “I want the entire cauldron, not just another bowl.”
Zecora nodded.
“Well, it all began. . . well, I don’t know how long ago exactly, but when I entered Ponyville as The Great and Powerful Trixie. I was. . . “
Zecora listened intently to Trixie's tale. A calm face covering her increasingly sour mood.
"The last thing Trixie remembers is being blasted back from the spell into your fire." Trixie frowned, feeling shivers at the memory of the fire.
Zecora pushed the bowl of stew to Trixie, now lost in thought over what she should do with the mare. My research must come first. But to banish this mare would be the worst. This criminal must not be found here, so I must make her disappear.
Zecora frowned, filling the bowl again as she made her decision. "I cannot let you stay, you must leave without delay. Please listen and understand what I say, for I live here under your princesses whom I must obey. For my sake, no my people' sake. I wish you to leave, before the evening's eve."
"What!? Please, I need your help. I can't get through that forest alone. Please." Trixie begged.
Zecora looked away, "The forest's path will lead you out— in the day it's a safe route."
"How am I going to live, I don't have any money. My cart was destroyed. Please Zecora, I need to stay here."
"You must leave or your path I will join, but here take this bag of coin." Zecora pushed a small pouch of money onto the table.
"But—" Trixie tried to protest but failed to come up with a convincing argument.
Zecora turned suddenly, noticing a newly lit candle near the doorway. "Somepony is coming to my hut, I am afraid our talk will be cut. Quick take this clock, hurry now don't choke."
Trixie nodded and sprang into action.
"Take this map, there is an exit out back. Sorry again to push you out, but there is no time to mill about."
Trixie reached the back door looking back to Zecora, a strange pull making it hard to flee the house.
"Ohh, right. Ishara null," Zecora chanted.
Immediately Trixie felt a rush of cold fill her body, laughter filling her head. Shadowbane was back "Finally!!!"