Wise Beyond Her Years

by Pen Stroke

Ascension and Confrontation

Malewa brought me and Luna to a distant mountain range, months travel away from our home. We crossed many miles to get there and hid from Discord more than a dozen times. He seemed to sense we were drawing near to our destination. He was stalking us, his appearances growing more frequent. But Malewa showed no fear, so neither did Luna nor I.

In the mountains, we were brought to an ancient monastery. It was aged and forgotten, left to be reclaimed by the nature. Malewa said the ponies of the old country enshrined a great power within, a power that laid dormant, waiting to be awoken.

Our final test, as Malewa put it, was to enter the monastery and awaken the ancient power, for it would give us the strength to face Discord. And it was a test we would have to do alone as Malewa waited outside. If we chose not to go in, she would understand and take us back to Cliff Wound. It was our choice, and she knew we would make the decision that was best for us as sisters.

To say the least, there was no hesitation or doubt from me nor Luna. We stepped into the monastery together, so that our friends, all the world, wouldn’t have to suffer under Discord for a day longer.

“Luna, I think I found something.”

Celestia pushed open the large doors magically, the aged wood threatening to break asunder as the hinges groaned through their rust. The effort was taxing, but Celestia brushed it off as Luna trotted to catch up.

“What room is this?” Luna asked, looking about. There were high walls but no ceiling, though the specks of glass on the floor spoke of a skylight that may have once capped the space. In a pentagon shape, five flat walls joined by five thick wooden columns. Against each wall was a pedestal, and upon pedestal rested a large stone sphere. The spheres themselves bore the images of gemstones and sat beneath aged plaques bearing different words.

Luna turned her head, reading the words of each plaque in turn as Celestia moved to narrow podium in the very center of the room. “Honesty, Kindness, Loyalty, Generosity, and... and Laughter.” The last word, laughter, lingered in the air. “Sister, isn’t that the word Mother used that one evening?”

“It is,” Celestia said, starting to circle the central lectern, her eyes focused on lightly engraved words that ran along its circumference. “And listen to this. ‘Here we do enshrine the Elements of Harmony, the greatest magic in known ponydom. May their light return in our darkest hour, brought forth by those ponies who carry the greatest of virtues.’”

“Do you think this is why mother said we needed to discover our virtues?” Luna asked.

“It would seem so,” Celestia said, raising her head from the central lectern. She walked to one of the enshrined stones, focusing on the one that rested beneath the plaque for laughter. “But what are we supposed to do?” She called on her magic, wrapping the stone in a levitation spell... only for a spark of energy to leap from the stone to her horn.

“Celestia!”

“No, it’s okay,” she told Luna, even as the energy traveled down her body. “I’m remembering... all the times we played games together. I’m remembering the times I raised your spirits when you were struggling with lessons. I’m remembering the day we hid from Discord.

“I even remember the time, when we were little, when I made you laugh by pretending I was an alfalfa monster,” Celestia said with a chuckle of her own. It was in that moment the surge of energy that had entered into her leapt back to the sphere, causing it to jump on its pedestal. Then, as if it had only been made of sand, the sphere fell away, revealing a golden necklace with a pink, sun shaped gem.

Gingerly, Celestia lifted the necklace, holding it up to the light. “It’s beautiful. Do you think I’m supposed to put it on?”

“Yes,” Luna said with a nod of her head. “And I bet we’re supposed to do the same with all the others too. Come, try to pick up the stone over here.” She lifted a hoof and pointed to the stone that rested beneath the plaque which bore the word “Generosity.”

Celestia paused only a moment to secure the necklace around her neck before she trotted over to join Luna. Once more, she called on her levitation magic to pick up the sphere. But this time nothing happened. There was no spark of energy, the stone simply lifted off the pedestal and floated lazily in the cushion of Celestia’s magic.

“Is... is something wrong?” Luna asked.

“Yes, I think there is.” Celestia set the stone back down and turned to look at Luna. “I think this one is for you.”

“Me? But—”

“Just try,” Celestia said with a reassuring smile, to which Luna nodded. She stepped forward, to face the stone head on, and summoned her magic. And, as with Celestia’s, the stone sparked to life. The bolt of energy flew to Luna’s horn, sending a shiver down her spine and spreading a smile on her face.

“I’m... I’m remembering things now as well. I remember giving Menboon parts of my lunch when his brothers stole his. I remember putting extra time and effort into some of the crafts I worked on as an apprentice when I knew they were going to someone who really deserved it.

“And I too remember the day we encountered Discord. I was willing to distract him, to give myself up to him, so you and our friends could escape.” As with Celestia, the spark of energy that had entered Luna jumped back to the stone, which turned to sand and fell away to reveal another necklace. This one bore a deep purple stone in the shape of a moon.

“I... don’t understand. Why didn’t it awaken for you?” Luna asked as she took the necklace.

“Remember one of the first lessons Malewa taught us, Luna. Greatness comes when creatures work together in harmony.” Celestia smiled at her sister, a smile both inviting and confident. “That bonds of friendship, kinship, and camaraderie, forged in the pursuit of a common goal, can surmount even the greatest of obstacles.

“Sister, we started this journey together. We faced the years of training together. We both made it our life’s mission to defeat Discord. And now... now it is only together that we can awaken this ancient power. This is the last step.” Celestia extended her hoof. “Will you stand at my side and make me stronger than I can be alone?”

Luna returned Celestia’s smile. She placed the necklace around her neck and, instead of shaking her sister’s hoof, stepped forward to embrace Celestia. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Sister.”

A single spark of energy leapt between the two sisters’ horns, a single spark that heralded the arrival of so many more. The clasps on the necklaces popped open, and their two necklaces flew into the air. The two necklaces were then joined by three more, the other three charms released from the remaining stones.

As Celestia and Luna watched, all five necklaces spun around the center podium. It was there, with a brilliant flash of light, a final sphere appeared. A sphere that turned to dust like it’s brethren, revealing a golden tiara with single, great jewel at its center. It was all beautiful, but it was short lived. In another brilliant burst of light the five necklaces and tiara were gone, replaced instead with two more extravagant necklaces. One was gold with a gemstone in the shape of a sun. The other silver with a crescent moon shaped jewel. Those necklaces flew to Celestia and Luna, attaching themselves to the pair’s neck.

In an instant the pair felt the power surging through them. It filled every fiber of their being and overloaded their senses. They were numb, deaf, and blind to the world, but Celestia had no fear. She knew Luna was right at her side.

She knew that, together, they would be able to face anything.

In time, their senses began to return, only to find they were not in the shrine of the old monastery. They were instead in what seemed like an ocean of lights, floating without ground nor sky. It was a serene place, as if all was meant to be well and peaceful in this one, single place.

“Where are we, Sister?”

“You are where you are destined to be,” a voice spoke to them, causing the pair to turn. Walking up, with the kind of pride only a mother could have for her daughters, was Malewa. The zebra looked upon them both, a smile on her face and a tear in her eye. “You are now ready to set the world free.

“For today you have learned a lesson of harmony and sisterhood. Today, like many before, the Elements will grant you power to do great good.” Malewa’s smile only grew as squares of light began to surround the trio. Squares that showed moments from Celestia and Luna’s life, moments where they demonstrated the strength of their bond as sisters. And as the pair looked on in awe of what was around them, Malewa began to sing in a sweet voice, one that seemed to echo with a power all its own.

You've come such a long, long way
And I've been there since your very first day
I’ve loved as we made a home
I've watched as you have grown
I know what you've been through
And I can't say all the ways I am proud of you

But it's time now for a new change to come
You've grown up and your new life has begun
I can't know where you will go
I can't know what you'll see
But I can say with a certainty
That you will... fulfill your destiny

“The next thing we knew, we were standing before Discord and his throne. We had been made into alicorns, and arrived with the Elements of Harmony about our necks. To say the least, Discord was... surprised. He threw himself at us, giving us little warning. But through the battle we learned of our new powers and, with the Elements of Harmony, we sealed Discord away.”

Celestia, Luna, and Twilight reached a balcony of Canterlot Castle, the sun resting lazily on the horizon. It was time for Luna and Celestia to shift the world into night, and, as they attended to their duty, Twilight looked to the pair, her mind trying to wrap around what she had been told.

“What happened after that?”

“We took to our wings and flew back to the monastery,” Luna answered as she raised the moon. “We wished to tell Malewa the good news and, as a family, return to Cliff Wound to celebrate Discord’s defeat. But... Malewa was nowhere to be found. We searched for decades, centuries... but after that day we never saw her again.”

“But she was there, in that place with all the lights and memories,” Twilight clarified. “Like Celestia was for me.”

“She was.”

“But... but then that would mean these zebras... this organization know how to make alicorns. Do you realize the implications of that? They could overthrow the world if they wanted.”

“Maybe,” Celestia said as she and Luna finished their duties, the moon beginning its path across the sky. “But we should not jump to that conclusion. You have many theories Twilight, and both Luna and I agree that something is going on. We, however, wish to speak with Zecora first before making anymore assumptions. Will you take us to her?”

“Wait, you want to talk to her right now? Like, ‘right now’ right now?”

Celestia and Luna both nodded as they turned to face Twilight. “Yes,” Celestia said. “We would like you to teleport all of us to Zecora’s hut. And, if you feel you cannot, tell us its location so Luna or I may do so.”

“Now just a splash of water to calm the boil, and soon I’ll see the end of my toil,” Zecora murmured to herself as she tended to her pot. She poured in the fresh river water, causing the boiling liquid within her cauldron to calm and cool. The fire was out, and all the ingredients had already been added. This was truly the final step, to dilute the mixture within, give it a good stir, and then let it set a moment to reach a more comfortable temperature.

“Ah yes, of finer dinners there are few than my forest bounty stew,” Zecora mused to herself as she took a ladle from its place on the wall. She dipped it into the warm stew, using it to spoon a few heaping helpings into a bowl. She then carried the bowl to her kitchen table, licking her lips at the aromas filling her hut.

“There are few things that could improve this food,” Zecora said as she set the bowl down, only to hear a knock at her door and a familiar voice shouting from outside.

“Zecora, you home?”

“But having a guest would surely improve the mood.” Quickly moving over to the front door, Zecora smiled as she began to open it. “Twilight Sparkle, your visit brings me great elation. I have not seen you since you left for your... coron...”

Zecora’s last words fell silent on her tongue as she looked out her door at the three figures standing on her doorstep. Twilight was in the middle, having been the one that knocked on the door, but she was dwarfed between the two tall, proud figures that stood alongside her. Celestia and Luna looked down at Zecora, their eyes stern as the zebra took an anxious step back.

“Um, Zecora, I hope you don’t mind that I brought—”

Twilight’s friendly words were silenced by the loud snap of Zecora’s door slamming it shut in the trio’s faces. There were panicked, unintelligible shouts and clatters within, and the sound of something heavy being slammed against the door. Twilight was stunned, but Celestia was already reacting. Her magic wrapped around the door of the hut, ripping it from its hinges and tossing it to one side.

“She’s escaped out a window!” Luna shouted when the trio found the hut empty.

“Luna, take to the skies. Twilight, stay with me.” At that Celestia turned, her great long legs powering her into a sprint. She raced around the hut as Luna took to the sky. It had all happened so fast Twilight could only stand bewildered, blinking with an arched eyebrow.

“Twilight!”

“Sorry! Sorry! I’m coming!” she shouted, snapping out of her trance. She took to her own wings, flying into the air with Luna. From above it was hard to see anything, but through gaps in the canopy they saw flashes of Celestia’s pristine white coat.

Though that was the furthest concern from Twilight's mind at the moment. “What are you two doing? Why did Zecora run?”

“I promise all will be answered in time,” Luna reassured. “But for now, help us search. We cannot let her get away, or she will vanish into history like so many of the zebras you have studied.”

Twilight nodded, banking with Luna as she focused her eyes on the ground. She couldn’t deny she was a little panicked. She didn’t expect Zecora to just run away at the sight of the princesses. It... was painful, in a way, to see her zebra friend react like that. It meant Zecora was part of the conspiracy. That she was there, in Ponyville, serving some other purpose. That their friendship may have been nothing more than a lie.

Still, part of Twilight wanted to believe it wasn’t true, and the only way to find out the truth was to find Zecora. So she scanned the ground with Luna, eyes searching for even a glimpse amongst the trees of the Everfree Forest. It was hard in the dark of night, even with the moon and stars lending their light, but still she searched.

And then she saw a glimpse.

“Over there!”

Twilight’s one shout summoned Luna’s power like a meteor crashing to the ground. Eyes and horn aglow with her power, Luna cast her spell to the ground. It started simply as a beam of light, which struck the ground a few dozen yards in front of where Twilight had seen Zecora. That light, however, quickly grew. It shot up and out, becoming a wall that curved around and rejoined onto itself as a bubble. It was a shield, and, even from their place in the sky, Twilight and Luna could see that Zecora had been contained within.

“Come, Twilight, we cannot be sure how long my spell will contain her.”

“But she has no magic. How would she—”

The sound of shattering glass cut Twilight off. A large hole had been smashed in Luna’s spell shield, and through that hole the pair saw Zecora leap. It didn’t seem possible that the princess’s barrier could just be smashed. Yet the visible gap was undeniable. How had Zecora done it? What kind of powers did the zebra in the organization hold? Were they in over their heads?

“Twilight!”

Once more, the sharp shout from Luna brought Twilight back to the task at hoof. She flapped her wings hard, rushing to catch up with Luna. They were tracking Zecora through the forest, catching short glimpses of her as she ducked between trees and raced along the Everfree’s paths. Celestia was doing her part as well, slowly gaining ground as she galloped at breakneck speeds through the forest.

“Twilight, how is your aim?”

“With what?” Twilight asked, only to see Luna’s body turning to smoke and shifting and twisting around itself.

In just a few seconds, Luna had become a javelin. Long, lethal, and looking as black as the night in the moon’s pale light. It was surprising to see the moon princess had become an inanimate object, but still Twilight understood. She understood why Luna had asked about her aim, and the thought made Twilight feverishly shake her head.

“I can’t just shoot you like an arrow! I can’t shoot at Zecora! What if I hit her with you!? I could kill her! I can’t do that!”

“Zecora will not be harmed, Twilight. I promise you that, but this action must be taken. We are reaching the denser parts of the forest. If we do not catch her now she will escape,” Luna’s voice snapped in Twilight’s mind as the spear floated beside her. “We must apprehend her, Twilight, if we wish to uncover the truth to your conspiracy.”

Twilight glanced back at the ground, gritting her teeth before finally nodding her head. “Okay!” Her horn flashed to light, great strands of magic flowing around her and the spear-form Luna. The threads wrapped together, took shape, until finally Twilight had formed a giant bow out of magic beside her. She notched Luna on the magical string and began to draw it back as she continued to fly after Zecora.

She didn’t know what she was doing, nor was she sure Luna was telling the truth. She didn’t want to hurt Zecora at all. She couldn’t know for sure if the princesses were trying to shield her from the bitter truth: that catching Zecora was top priority, be she dead or alive. Twilight didn't want to believe it, but she feared it all the same. She trembled, and began to question. She lessened the tension on the bow string.

“I... I...” She breathed heavily a few times, her flying becoming less controlled as she panicked.

“Twilight! You must do it now!”

Twilight flinched, closing her eyes tight and whispering a small prayer. “I am sorry, Zecora.” She then drew the magical bow back as far as she could. She then opened her eyes, focusing despite the panic in her heart. She took her aim, moving with Zecora as the zebra ducked and dodged along the forest paths.

Then, like lightning unleashed from a thundering sky, Twilight let go. Luna was launched towards the ground with a frightening pace, cutting through the trees and disappearing from sight instantaneously.

Twilight landed a few minutes later. She had not chased Luna down immediately. She had feared what she would find. Had they caught Zecora? Did she just hurt a mare who had helped her and Ponyville time and again? Had she just taken a life? Twilight’s mind buzzed so much she had contemplated just going home and hiding in her bed until Celestia came to find her. But she forced herself to land, following a glow of magic through the trees until she came across the princesses.

As well as an alive and well Zecora.

Luna had transformed herself again after being unleashed from Twilight’s bow, letting her magical smoke catch and bind Zecora until Celestia could catch up. The princess of the sun had then used her magic to manipulate the nearby trees. Zecora was pinned to the ground by roots and branches, but she didn’t seem to be fighting it anymore. She simply stood, her eyes and head turned away from the princesses.

“You caught her,” Twilight said, breathing a sigh of relief that there was no sign of injury or blood.

“Yes, we did,” Celestia said, her voice as friendly and kind as always. “Thanks in no small part to you, Twilight. Thank you.”

“You're welcome,” she replied before turning to Zecora. “So, what do we do now? Do we take her back to Canterlot for interrogation? I mean, she ran from you two. That must prove she’s part of the conspiracy.”

“Yes, Zecora is part of the conspiracy, but perhaps not in the capacity you think.” Celestia stepped towards the ensnared zebra, her voice losing some of its common warmth. “Dozens of zebras across history who have acted, for better or worse, to change the course of this nation and others. Zebras who disappeared in youth, and never two at the same time. Zebras who shared a family resemblance. All very true facts of your conspiracy, Twilight. But one fact stood out to me and Luna, beyond all others.

“The zebras you studied went to great lengths, even faking deaths, to keep away from me and Luna. You felt it was because the zebra organization feared our power or feared their influence would be discovered. Luna and I think the explanation is quite different.

“For who else would recognize an immortal better than another immortal?” Celestia stood directly in front of Zecora, looking down as the smile on her lips trembled a little. “Isn’t that right, Malewa?”

“MaleWHAT!?” Twilight shouted, her voice echoing across the forest for miles and disturbing birds who had been roosting in the trees.

“Twilight? Twilight, are you alright?”

With a groan Twilight sat up, rubbing the side of her head. “Celestia? Oh... I had the strangest dream. We were chasing Zecora, and then, when we caught her, you called her by your mother’s name. And...” Twilight opened her eyes, finding herself lying on a leopard print blanket in the back corner of a familiar hut. She then winced and looked to Celestia. “And it wasn’t a dream, was it?”

“Come, have something to eat. You’ve been out for a couple hours and it’s past dinner time.”

Celestia guided Twilight to the main room of the hut. The pair walked towards Luna, who was seated at a table that had been set next to Zecora’s bubbling cauldron. Plates with bowls and spoons were laid out across the surface, and Zecora was tending to her cauldron again. She was adding back water and spice, trying to cover the weak scent of burnt food in the air.

“So all that really happened?” Twilight asked as she and Celestia took seats across from Luna at the table.

“Yes, Twilight,” Celestia said with a reassuring nod.

“And you really called Zecora—”

“Yes, I called her by the name Luna and I knew her by over a thousand years ago.”

“But that’s not possible. Zecora can’t be that old. I mean, look at her! She’s... I don’t know, thirty or forty something. She’s not even an alicorn! I thought you had to be an alicorn or some other crazy creature to be immortal!”

“We thought so as well,” Celestia said before looking over her shoulder at Zecora, who still tended to the pot. “But we wanted to wait until you had awoken before asking Malewa to explain herself.”

“So,” Celestia said as she turned her head, “how are you still alive?”

“I suppose there is no hiding nor any point in denying.” Zecora sighed as she turned from the cauldron, carrying a ladle full of the salvaged stew. She began to fill the bowl at each of the table’s place settings, speaking as she worked. “The gift of wings is what you all share, but other signs of immortality can a creature wear. You too know of another who is different in form. He who can summon a cotton candy storm.”

“Discord,” Twilight surmised. “You’re right, but that’s what I meant by other ‘crazy creatures.’ Pinkie Pie met a sea pony princess that was immortal. You... you’re just a normal looking zebra.”

“As a spirit of chaos, Discord stands alone, he lives his duty from skin to bone.” Zecora finished filling the bowls, returning the ladle to her cauldron before taking her own seat at the table. “But this world is about balance in many a way, just as the sun and moon dance each day. The scales must be flat, it is as simple as that.”

“Of course, that’s why we have the Elements of Harmony. They’re meant to stop things like Discord’s chaos?” Twilight said.

“Harmony is having all in equal measure. It’s about accepting flaws and enjoying things you treasure. Order brings stability, safety, but also predictability. In such a world, no pony would strive beyond their ability. For what hope would a pony have to change their lot in life? What hope would they have to end their burdens or strife?”

Zecora stirred her stew a little, leaning her head on a hoof. “Chaos is hope, a chance for things to be changed. A chance that things may not go as arranged. Chaos is the chance to dream, to create, to be free, even if it means we creatures do not always agree.

“The purpose of the Elements is to restore the balance of the world.” Zecora drew her spoon from the bowl, turning it slowly in front of her nose as if appreciating its design. “To ensure things are neither too straight nor too chaotically curled.”

“If the Elements of Harmony aren’t meant to be the thing that counterbalances Discord, then what or who is?” Twilight asked, a question that Zecora offered no answers too. She just remained silent, letting the question hang in the air as she returned to stirring her stew. Yet the silence itself made the truth apparent. Twilight couldn’t help but gasp, cover her mouth, and point shakily at Zecora.

“It’s you. You’re a... spirit of order or something.”

Zecora nodded her head. “That is the truth you’ve chased Twilight, for this and many another night. There is no legion of zebras guiding the world from the dark. Just this one trying to do good by my mark.”

“Wait, how did you know about my conspiracy theory?”

Celestia cleared her throat a little, drawing Twilight’s attention. “Remember, you were unconscious for a few hours. Luna and I didn’t want to question Malewa before you awoke, so we had to talk about something.”

“Okay, but... then. Zecora, that means you were all those zebras in history, even the arguably bad ones like Grass Snake and The Phantom,” Twilight pointed out. “Why would you do those things?”

“Maintaining order can demand I walk the law’s border. Those in Manehatten, who hoarded treasures, did so to delight in power’s pleasures. Those that stood in the upper percent would impose strife on those below without relent. Responsibility and power must go hoof and hoof, and if it didn’t I absconded with that power to my hidden roof.”

“And the Crystal Empire?”

Zecora sighed, turning her head and eyes away from Twilight’s questioning stare. “Though immortal I may be, I still have faults that are plain to see. I believed Sombra could surmount the dark art. I did not think it could poison his heart. That day was one of my greatest errors, and will, at times, still fill my dreams with terror. Perhaps if I had seen the signs, perhaps I could have spared the kingdom Sombra’s crimes.”

“What about what happened with Trixie?” Twilight asked, her voice starting to carry some angry tones. “The Phantom stole the Alicorn Amulet. It should have been in your lair in Manehatten. Did you put it someplace Trixie would find it just to teach me a lesson? Did you do all that just to get me out here so you could train me? Did you—”

“Why did you leave us?”

Luna had not spoken at all up to this point. She had accepted the bowl of stew, but, like Zecora, had seemed content to stare and watch her serving grow cold. But now the moon princess was looking at Zecora, eyes not demanding but pleading for an answer.

“You said we could all go home after Discord was beaten. You said everything was going to be all right. But it wasn’t, because we didn’t know what happened to you.” Luna began to rise from her seat, tears pulling at her eyes. “We thought you were lost or hurt or that Discord had done something to you in those last moments. We searched for decades, visiting every country, city, and village in hopes of finding some creature that had seen you, had heard of you, that knew of your final fate, or even knew where you were buried.

Luna’s horn flashed with magic and her mane surged forward, becoming like a second limb as it grabbed Zecora around the neck. The grip was tight, and on instinct Zecora lifted her hooves to try and pry Luna’s mane away.

“We thought we had failed the mare who was our mother.” Luna lifted Zecora higher, ignoring the Zebra’s flailing legs and struggled breath. “Do you know how many nights we cried over you? Do you know how much I wanted to just talk to you when our rule over Equestria began? We knew nothing of governing nor our powers! You left us to twist in the wind!”

“Luna, stop, she can’t breathe,” Celestia shouted, rising from her own seat.

“Why!?” Luna shouted through tears, too focused on Zecora to even hear Celestia’s pleas. “Why willingly abandon us!? Why willingly avoid us!? If you had been there... if I could have talked to you... maybe I wouldn’t have...”

“Luna! Stop!”

Celestia’s magic flashed, freeing Zecora from Luna’s mane. The zebra dropped to the floor, coughing and rubbing her neck as Celestia and Luna had a standoff, the pair glaring at one another with magic glowing, ready to strike. For a moment, Twilight feared the two would begin to fight right there, but Luna eventually backed down. She turned and stomped out of the hut, taking off to fly in the cool evening air.

“Zecora, are you okay?” Twilight asked, moving over beside Zecora and helping her back into her seat. Zecora nodded, but continued to rub her neck for a moment.

“Just give Luna some time to cool off. Even after all these centuries, sometimes her anger can get the better of her,” Celestia said, though her voice was a bit hollow and the smile had faded from her lips. “Though, she brings up a valid point. Why did you leave, Malewa?”

“In this world of balance,” Zecora said quietly, “nature required my absence. If I do too much, if I lingered too long, the scales would tip in a direction wrong. With Discord defeated, my time with you was at its end. I had to move on and continue to the next road bend. Besides, your new lives and destinies awaited. Like baby birds, your departure from the nest was fated. It was all for the best. If I hadn’t left I, like Discord, would have caused distress.”

“But could you not have at least said goodbye?”

Zecora looked up at Celestia, touching a hoof to the princess’s. “Would you have truly understood? Would you have let me leave for the greater good?”

Celestia opened her mouth, to make some protest, but no words came from her mouth. It was the first time Twilight had ever seen the princess speechless, and it was a silence that Zecora could only nod to.

“It pained me more than you’ll ever know. Many of my tears stained the mountain’s snow. I wish I could have been at your side, to help you and to look on in pride. But you more than any understand the burden of responsibility and command. When Equestria was threatened you faced Luna and took your stand. My duties are simply more than we three, no matter how strong our family.”

Zecora sighed, slowly rising from her seat and stepping away from Celestia and Twilight. “And now I must be on my way. Equestria has seen Zecora for the last day.”

“You're leaving again?! Now?!” Twilight looked back at Celestia, expecting the princess to say something, but Celestia was struggling to keep a straight face as tears pulled at her own eyes.

“Of...,” Celestia coughed to clear her throat and steady her voice. “Of course, Malewa. I understand. Be safe and... don’t worry about Luna. I’ll talk to her.”

Twilight looked back and forth between the two, eyes wide and jaw hanging slack in disbelief. Zecora was leaving, just like that, and Celestia was just going to let her? It just... didn’t make sense to Twilight. If she was in Celestia’s hooves, if she had gone through such an experience with her own mother... she couldn’t imagine how happy she’d be to see her. How much she’d want to just talk to her and catch up. Zecora and Celestia hadn’t even hugged or anything. A single hoof touch, that was it, and she didn’t even want to know how Luna would feel hearing Zecora had just left again.

She had to stop this!

“No! This isn’t right!” Twilight rushed to the door, blocking it with her body and wings.

“Twilight, please, stop. You’re only making this more difficult,” Celestia said, once more clearing her throat to keep her composure.

“No, this isn’t right! Zecora, you taught Luna and Celestia the lessons of sisterhood, of friendship, of family. You taught them that it’s the greatest power in the world and that it can overcome any obstacle. That’s why they believed in themselves, believed they could beat Discord. If the strength of your family could do that, could give you three the strength to hike for months to find the Elements, can’t it overcome this? Surely that wasn’t the only time you’ve regretted leaving behind a life.”

Zecora slowly looked back at Celestia, the pair staring at one another as she spoke. “That time doesn’t stand alone, but never have I felt a greater longing for home. For days spent with two fillies so small, who I cared and watched over till they grew tall. But I am not like Discord, I will not bend the rules for my own reward. My duty in this world is to spread order across every nation and every border.

“So please, I plead to you Twilight, let me disappear into this night.”

Zecora pushed past Twilight slowly, and the young alicorn princess did nothing to stop her. She wanted to have a reason to try and hold Zecora back, but her mind was drawing a blank. It just wasn’t right for her to leave like that, to leave Celestia and Luna again.

There had to be a solution to this. Twilight couldn’t just let Zecora leave, even as the zebra began to walk away from the hut. Friendship, sisterhood, family... all that was supposed to be stronger than this. There had to be an answer, had to be a solution. There had to be a way Zecora could bend the rules like Discord did, or used to. He didn’t do it... so much... anymore...

“Wait!” Twilight called on her magic, and in a flash Zecora was teleported back into the hut. The zebra was bewildered, but didn’t get a chance to regain her bearings before Twilight’s face was barely an inch away from her own. “You can bend the rules now!”

“Twilight, your efforts I can commend, but these rules I cannot bend.”

“Yes you can, because Discord isn’t bending them anymore. Well, okay, maybe he just isn’t smashing the rules to little pieces anymore, but it’s still a major improvement,” Twilight said, a wide, hopeful smile on her face. “Friendship has done what, a thousand years ago, might have been impossible. Discord’s been reformed. Fluttershy managed to befriend him. Sure, he still causes chaos now and again, but now it’s like a hobby. It’s like... it’s like he’s on vacation or he’s retired. Better than that, he’s helping Celestia. Isn’t he?”

Celestia nodded her head, regaining some of the strength in her voice. “He is.”

“Then think about it,” Twilight said, placing a hoof on Zecora’s shoulder. “If he’s doing that, if he’s playing by the rules and even spreading a little order, shouldn’t you bend the rules? Isn’t that what the balance you’ve talked about would demand?”

Zecora blinked a few times, glancing back at Celestia who had the same disbelieving look on her face. Twilight herself was looking between the two, her smile growing as the hope built in her chest. “Okay, I’ll admit, maybe we can’t know for sure. Maybe this is all just a bad idea, but wouldn’t it be worth it to at least try? Wouldn’t you, Luna, and Celestia at least like to spend a few days catching up?”

Zecora turned slowly, taking a seat at the table. She closed her eyes, bringing her hooves to her face. It was a position of meditation and of contemplation. Perhaps, even, Zecora was trying to sense the will of the balance, though Twilight couldn’t be sure. That was one thing she would try and ask Zecora about if she did stay, to explain this balance she followed as if it was a sentient force commanding her.

But she had to convince Zecora to stay first.

“If Discord abides order and peace, can my own journey cease?” Zecora muttered to herself. “If chaos holds a bit of order, can I tread closer to chaos’s boarder?”

Twilight and Celestia drew in closer, both watching Zecora. Second after second ticked by in silence. Twilight could feel the tension building in the air, making her need to fidget. She wanted to pace. She wanted to work on something. She needed a way to vent this nervous energy, but there was no such outlet. She and Celestia could only stand, wait, and watch as Zecora made her decision.

Then... then a smile. A small smile cracked on Zecora’s lips. She opened her eyes and looked to the pair. “I suppose the world won’t die if we want to give it a try.”

Like a fresh, cool, summer breeze after working outside all day, Twilight felt relief washing over her body. She smiled and, when she turned to look, she saw Celestia was smiling as well. Smiling one of the biggest smiles she had ever seen on her teacher’s face as her eyes began to water. In a moment the royal princess of Equestria, Celestia of the sun, had stepped forward to embrace Zecora, the mare she had known so long ago as Mother and Malewa.

It was a moment that left a warmth in Twilight’s, and a moment she wished not to intrude on. She slipped out slowly, creeping out of the hut before taking to her wings and flying into the sky. She found Luna, brooding and fighting tears on a cloud. She told Luna the decision that had been made, and in a flash the moon princess was flying back to the hut.

And, for the moment, Twilight chose to simply rest on the cloud, watching the hut from above and imaging the happy tears, words, and laughter coming from within.

“Thank you, Twilight. You have shown wisdom beyond your years tonight,” Celestia commended as the pair flew over the Everfree Forest, heading for Ponyville. “It seems I spoke true the day you became an alicorn. Tonight, it was my turn to be a student to your knowledge of friendship’s power.”

“I’m just glad things worked out this way,” Twilight said. “I think I can honestly sleep a lot better tonight knowing the big organization I’ve been chasing is just Zecora. It’s still hard to believe she’s been around even longer than both of you. I wonder if she knows any embarrassing stories of when you and Luna were little?”

“You mean like that story your mother told me about the magic show you tried—”

“Magic show? What magic show? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Twilight said abruptly, waving her hooves nervously before focusing back on Ponyville, which was drawing close. “So, what is Zecora going to do now?”

“First I believe she wants to speak with Discord, to ensure they have something of an understanding. Then, I do not know. She may continue to live here in this hut, even though Luna and I would gladly give her a room in Canterlot Castle. But I won’t be disappointed if she chooses to remain. Just knowing she is alive, just knowing where she is and being able to visit her... it’s practically a miracle in my eyes.”

“That... reminds me of something I wanted to talk to you about,” Twilight said as she and Celestia landed outside the library, whose windows were already dark.

“What’s on your mind?”

“When you and Luna became alicorns, Zecora sang you a song. I realized that... you sang the same song when I changed. Sure, it was a little different, but... And... I guess...” Twilight smiled up at Celestia, stepping forward and embracing the princess gently. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”

“Of course, Twilight,” Celestia said, returning the hug. The pair stayed like that for a few moments before separating. They smiled at one another, the smile of a student and mentor who cared about one another like family. Then, a few final good nights were traded before Celestia took off to return to Zecora’s hut.

Twilight remained outside, watching Celestia until she disappeared from sight. Then, with feelings of pride and joy in her heart, Twilight made her way into the library. She climbed the steps and slipped into bed with a tired yawn, being careful not to disturb Spike. It had been a tiring week, and she looked forward to a peaceful night’s sleep. A peaceful night’s sleep. She’d even sleep in the next morning. Yes, sleep sounded... so good.

“So, how long am I going to have to wait for that pie you owe me?”

Twilight’s eyes snapped open, and she quickly turned over in the bed to see a familiar goat face smiling at her with a snaggle toothed grin.