Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together, and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn; the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon.
She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility for both the sun and moon, and harmony was maintained for a while, but seeing the terrible powers the princess possessed, the ponies of Equestria feared the remaining sister and the Elements of Harmony. Heartbroken, the princess simply vanished one day, never to be seen or heard from again.
Some say that she has long sinse passed from this world. Others say she wanders to this very day. And yet a few say that she awaits the return of her sister, for in 1,000 years, on the longest night of the longest day, the stars will aid in her escape.
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"Well, that's all for now lil' Macintosh."
"Aww..." A small red colt held onto his sheets, staring up with sad, green eyes as the lime green mare closed her story book.
"Yeah I know it's upsettin', but ya gotta go t' sleep now" the older mare smiled at the little foal. "Yer folks'll be mighty upset with me if'n I keep ya up all night."
"But Granny, I'm not sleepy..." said Macintosh, a big frown on his face.
"I know I know, that's why they invented school, t' keep you lil' foals from stayin' up all night long!" Granny smirked patting Macintosh on the head. "Now you go to bed sweetie. Yer folks'll be home any minute now from their lil' date."
"Alright Granny..." the little colt buried himself into his bed and sheets as much as possible, getting comfortable The green mare sighed and smiled. "Goodnight little'un, an' don't let the bed bugs bite." Slowly, she shut the door, leaving Macintosh alone in his room.
Everything was quiet for all of five minutes before he climbed out of bed again and slowly made his way to the window, staring out at the night sky. He looked straight up at the moon as it hovered in the seemingly endless abyss of the ether.
"I dunno why so many ponies don't like th' night" he said to himself. "I think it's really pretty!" He smiled a bit, looking up at the moon.
"Y'all goin' to sleep?"
"Y-eeyup!" Big Mac turned and hurried back into bed, pulling his covers over himself and tucking in. It didn't take long for him to drift into slumber, to dream the dreams often dreamed by little foals...
Light shone through the window into the small room, illuminating it with bright, warm color. A rooster could be heard crowing in the distance, marking the beginning of the day. A deep groan as a mass on the nearby bed moved about, creaking on the old springs. Slowly, the cover was pushed away, revealing a large, red stallion. His tired eyes blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the light. He never really liked mornings. He liked his work, he liked his family, and he liked his life... but mornings and he never really got along.
Need to get some blinds or somethin'.
The stallion yawned, and stretched his forelegs out, feeling various points on his body pop. He pulled himself from the confines of his tiny bed and trotted towards his closet, pulling it open. Inside, there were various button-up shirts, as well as a couple of waistcoats and a jacket. He pulled a shirt out, putting it on and clicking the buttons together, and followed it up with his favorite green bandanna, pulling it over his head and letting it hang around his neck. He grabbed a jacket from his closet, slinging it over his back and shoulder, and shut the door. He turned from the closet and made his way towards the door out of his room, pushing his hoof against the handle and turning, shoving the portal open and stepping out into a hallway. Trotting down the hall just a few feet, he made his way past a door with nothing on it, making his way towards a door with a wood sign with a red apple painted on it. He gave it a slight knock, but got no response. Sighing, he turned the knob and pushed the door open.
This room was just as cleanly as his; maybe even more so. His room, admittedly, might occasionally have a stray shirt or something here or there, even though he tried to keep it tidy, but this room was almost immaculate at first glance, if one could see in how dark it was due to the closed roller shades. This, however, was broken by the sight of a yellow stallion, two legs hanging from the side of the bed, cover on the floor, and a nice little wet spot beneath his face. The stallion smirked, shaking his head, trotting towards the window and pulling the roller shade, throwing it up and welcoming in the bright light.
"Nnnngh..." groaned the stallion, pulling the cover from the floor and shoving it over his head.
"Rise n' shine" said the red stallion.
"Big Mac... five more minutes..."
"Nope" said Macintosh with a shake of his head. "Market day."
"Ah... fff-"
"Language"
"... Right..." The yellow stallion groaned, shoving himself from his bed slowly, as if he were stealing a few seconds more rest in the process. Big Mac smiled and turned, making his way towards the door, out into the hall, and downstairs. There, his grandmother was up bright and early, already hard at work making breakfast for her grandchildren. The elder green mare wore a rather simple orange blouse She turned upon Macintosh's entry into the kitchen and offered him a smile.
"Mornin' Big Mac."
"Mornin' Granny" Macintosh replied with a smile of his own, walking towards the ice box and opening it, retrieving a pitcher of orange juice.
"Wake Braeburn already?"
"Eeyup."
"Good on ya" Granny nodded, turning to the table and setting two plates down with hash browns and hay bacon. Mac licked his lips hungrily and took a seat, his cousin finally following up, dragging into the room with tired eyes, wearing a white shirt with a black vest over it. Granny Smith smirked. "Mornin' Braeburn. Drink too much at th' Salt-Lick Saloon, sugarcube?"
"Mmhmm" Braeburn replied, taking a seat in front of a plate.
"One of these days, Braeburn, yer gonna either find yerself in a sticky situation, like gettin' a mare knocked up outta wedlock. Course, seems it's the only way I'm gonna have great grandfoals." Big Mac rolled his eyes and Braeburn tried to drown out any and all thought; the more time went on, the more Granny pressed that matter. Neither stallion was quite young colts anymore, but neither felt themselves particularly old either. "That's the best case scenario. Worst case scenario you end up in a jail cell, an' lemme tell ya boy, ya wouldn't do well." Braeburn merely replied with a grunt.
After breakfast, the stallions put their dishes in the sink and began to prep for the day. Macintosh threw on his coat, Braeburn setting his hat on his head. Granny sat a few boxes down on Macintosh's back filled with various apple treats. "You boys have a good day."
"You too, Granny" replied both stallions.
The commotion of town was always something of a welcoming sight. Buildings made both of wood and stone dotted the place. Overhead, a clock tower could be seen in the distance, marking the center of the town. The sounds of hooves clopping against cobblestone streets filled the air, ponies dressed in all manners of clothes and suits, as they milled about the market to haggle and purchase goods, make trades, and more.
Big Mac looked at it all, taking a long breath.
"I love market day!"
Macintosh gave his cousin a side glance. "Eeyup."
"I mean, just look at all these ponies! So lively, so energetic." Braeburn grinned to his cousin, waggling his brows. "Lotsa fine lookin' mares too." Macintosh simply rolled his eyes at his cousin, who elbowed him. "What, nothin'? Come on, Big Mac, I know you're a bore, but you can't tell me you don't catch a glance once in a while."
"Nope" Mac shook his head, then furrowed his brow. "An' I'm not borin'."
"Sure you aren't" Breaburn chuckled. "You just gotta conserve your energy for all that excitement that you theoretically could be having, am I right?" Big Mac didn't feel the need to encourage his cousin by responding, and Braeburn shrugged. "Seriously, Big Mac. I care about you, cuz, and I think you need to mingle more. Make friends."
"I got friends" he said.
"Name one."
"Carrot Cake."
Breaburn snoted. "Carrot Cake? He's not a friend, he's a business partner!" Big Mac opened his mouth to speak, but Braeburn held a hoof up. "And! And... just because you have friendly conversations with him does not make him a friend." Braeburn turned his attention forward as the two stallions continued, Macintosh suddenly aware again of the cart he was pulling. "A friend is somepony you have drinks with. Somepony you talk to, you connect to."
Big Mac smirked. "I got you."
"Yeah, well..." Braeburn shrugged. "Family don't count. I'm kinda obligated to be your friend. Comes with the job."
"Family's more important than anything" said Big Mac with a nod, as if he were dispensing sagely advice.
"Yeah" said Braeburn with a chuckle. "But you can't marry into it. That's how you get foals with five legs." Big Mac simply grunted in response. Braeburn sighed. "Mac, you need to come to the bar with me sometime. We need to get you to socialize more." The two stallions continued down the path, when Braeburn nodded. "Ah! That reminds me, did Granny Smith tell ya Applejack was comin' home?" This got his attention. "Eeyup. A letter came in today sayin' she's comin' to visit for a bit. Says your uncle's givin' her a break from her duties to come visit, get some R n' R."
"That's nice" said Big mac with a nod. "Bloom'll enjoy that." Braeburn seemed like he wanted to say something else, but he thought better of it and simply nodded. The rest of the trip was quiet, the two stallions eventually reaching a spot where they stopped. Big Mac gave the cart a gentle tap with a hoof, and various compartments opened up, jutted out, and peeled back in a wondrous display of mechanical engineering, displaying various treats and snacks.
"Hey, Mac, I'm gonna go make a quick run" said Braeburn with a wave of his hoof. "I'll be back in fifteen, twenty minutes tops. You mind?" Macintosh responded with a grunt, and Braeburn took that as permission. With a nod, the stallion turned and trotted away from the stand in a hurry. Macintosh smirked, shaking his head and turning his attention back to the crowds of ponies.
"Listen up, you pony folk! Heed my words, they're not a joke!"
Somepony was speaking in rhyme? How odd. Macintosh looked about to find where the sound was coming from to see a crowd of ponies gathered around somepony who seemed to be standing just above them. "She has laid in binding for a thousand years, feeding, thriving on pony fears! She lays in wait to claim her crown, and in the darkness the world she'll drown!"
"Hey crazy lady, get down off that soap box!"
Big Mac's curiosity got the best of him; a rare thing indeed as he liked to think himself a sensible stallion, but something about this mare's tone and accent made him curious. He trotted away from his cart, certain nopony would steal anything if he didn't stray too far. As he made his way into the crowd of ponies, trying to get past, he saw that, at the very heart, was a pony in a cloak.
A strange pony indeed. She had black stripes. Or were they white stripes?
"Crazy I may be to you, but these words I say are very true!" Shouted the strange mare. "For long has she been in her seal, and our nightmares she shall make real! Her day of reckoning will be soon, and all will kneel to Nightmare Moon!"
The crowd was silent at first, but then everypony seemed to burst into laughter and jeers. "N... Nightmare moon!?"
"You mean the evil princess from that foal's tale!?"
"What a laugh!"
"What a lunatic!"
"I haven't laughed that hard since I was a little filly!"
The entire crowd seemed to join together to mock the poor mare, save for Macintosh himself, who simply stared at her. She looked about the audience, her eyes desperate and pleading. "Please hear me and what I say, she will come and-"
"Shut up ya crazy old bat!"
A tomato flung from the crowd and slammed into the mare's face, knocking her off her soap box and onto her back. The entire crowd continued to laugh at her. "P-please, you know not of what you jest-"
"-I've got more tomatoes in my vest!"
Everypony continued to laugh and mock the poor mare, whose face seemed torn between defiance and utter humiliation. Then, the crowd fell silent, and she looked up to notice a large, red stallion standing in front of her, staring at the crowd, who all stared back. He did not speak, simply looking at them all with a gaze of strong disapproval.
"This seem proper?" He said it in a chiding tone, his voice stern, but only as loud as he needed to be to be heard. "Mob, mockin' a lone mare?"
"She's a lunatic!" shouted a random pony. "She's shouting nonsense!"
Big Mac didn't flinch. "This how your mama raised ya?"
"My mother threw the tomato!"
"I got two more!"
Big Mac snorted, furrowing his brow. "Get goin'. Nothin' to see here." Nopony moved for a minute, a few ponies grumbling amongst each other. "I set get!" A few ponies jumped, but they began to disperse and return to their daily lives, some of them seeming ashamed, others raising their noses, and a few casting glances back. Macintosh sighed and grimaced, putting a hoof to his neck and rubbing it a bit - he didn't like to have to raise his voice. He turned his attention back to the mare and smiled apologetically. "Sorry. Normally not so rude..."
The mare sighed, wiping the tomato from her face with her cloak and flinging as much as she could off and onto the street. "I've seen many things in my years of being... but not so many intent on not seeing..."
Macintosh nodded and looked back to where the crowd had formed. "Not used to doomsayin'. Please forgive 'em."
"'Tis not mere doom-saying, I assure you!" said the mare, her eyes pleading him to believe her. "'Tis all too real, and so very true!"
Macintosh hummed. "Maybe."
"You must believe me, I speak the truth!" The mare frowned. "For all of it is true, this tale for youth..." Macintosh looked at her a moment, those eyes begging him. He sighed. He didn't quite believe her himself, but she seemed so... distraught. Perhaps give her the benefit of the doubt? Would that be wise? What if she's crazy and I simply enable that? "Please believe..." He sighed a bit, but smiled. I'm gonna hate myself for this...
"I believe ya, miss..." he said with a nod.
"Zecora." The mare nodded. "That is my name. Forget it or not, it's all the same."
"Zecora." Big Mac nodded. "I'm Macintosh Apple."
That seemed to catch the Zebra's attention, her eyes widening a bit. "Apple? Of the founders of this town? Of the Apple Clan, Equestria renowned?"
Macintosh shrugged, rubbing the nape of his neck. "We're a big family."
The mare grabbed Big Mac's face, forcing him to look her into her eyes. "Kindly Apple, hear my plea! Evil's wrath will soon be free! The Nightmare returns on the longest night, intent to forever banish the sun's light!" Big Mac stared at the mare, whose eyes were desperate, intense in their gaze. "The Elements of Harmony must be found if her wrath is to be again bound! Somepony must search for them, and fast, or the longest day may be the last!"
Macintosh blinked once, then twice. "You can't do anythin'?"
The mare sighed, letting him go and falling to her haunches. "I cannot find them on my own. I have tried, and failed, alone. If I must, then I certainly would, but I'd rather bring friends if I could." Big Mac supposed he could understand that; going on a quest of world-saving importance would probably be a daunting task alone. "The stars are changing, the moon is shifted. It won't be long before her seal is lifted. On the eve of the longest day, she'll ask a toll, and we all shall pay."
"Well..." Big Mac put a hoof on the top of his head. He really wished he could just turn around and forget this mare, but he was already in too deep. Maybe I can help her come to her senses? "Any way I can help?"
She seemed to be shocked for a moment. "Dear Macintosh, is it true? Will I receive help from you?"
"... Eeyup?"
"Oh happy day, can it be? An ally to keep Equestria free!" The mare seemed ecstatic, oblivious to Big Mac's own growing nervousness, the stallion very certain he would come to regret this particular act of kindness. It was very nice to see the mare smile and relieved, but deep down he realized he might be enabling some kind of madness in the mare that she should really be seeing professionals about.
"So uh... what do we need to do?" His voice scratched a bit at the end, causing him to wince a bit.
"Not simple as it sounds is our task. We must find the Elements, from first to last." Zecora tapped a hoof against her chin. "Such knowledge is hard to find, for it is knowledge of the forbidden kind." Big Mac blinked, still in confusion. Zecora sighed. "They are magic, plain as day. The greatest magic, many say."
"Ohh..." Big Mac blinked a few times. "Wait... magic?"
"Yes, magic. Simple as that." Zecora waved her hoof. "The eldritch arts, of which Earth ponies lack."
"Oh.." Big Mac hummed and scratched his head. "I see..." He looked around a bit, trying to decide what to do next, and let his vision turn to his cart. There, he saw a small, orange pegasus filly wearing a newscolt cap and a small waistcoat and shirt standing up from behind it holding a bunch of fritters in her hooves. "Hey! Hey!" She immediately threw the fritters in a box and jumped on something behind the cart, her small wings buzzing quickly and she darted off on a scooter. Big Mac chased after her, leaving Zecora behind, keeping pace with the little thief who turned to look back. When she realized she was being tailed, she flapped her wings harder, gaining a small fraction of extra speed. Big Mac didn't let up though; he ran quicker and soon, managed to catch up. "Stop!"
The Filly shifted her weight and immediately made a sloppy turn towards another street. Big Mac fumbled a bit, legs kicking to keep him upright while allowing him to make the turn to follow her, but he kept his balance, his hooves beating hard against the earth as he gave chase. On her own hooves, he was certain catching up with the little filly would be a fairly easy task, but with those obnoxious little wings of hers and that scooter, she was definitely putting up a good race.
The two ponies zigzagged around alleys, carts, across a bridge, and at one point the filly managed to get around Big Mac and force him to change direction, but he was getting closer; she was almost in hoof's reach, and when that happened, he would yank her right off that scooter and march her straight towards the nearest police office. Closer his hooves got, anticipating she would continue going straight just long enough for him to grab her...
Instead, the filly made another sharp turn, much to Mac's surprise.
Before he could readjust his own course, Big Mac stumbled on his own hooves, tripped, and fell, rolling and slammed into a cart full of carrots, knocking them all over the place and the mare behind it jumping back, screaming. He picked himself up, shaking his head, looking at the mess; a damaged cart lay before him, as well as several carrots scattered across the ground, many likely not suitable for purchase anymore. He frowned and looked up to the less-than-thrilled mare that had been behind it.
"My cart is ruined!" shouted the yellow mare with the orange mane, but then she whimpered and her lip trembled. "My business..."
"I'm sorry..." Big Mac shook his head, dusting himself off, checking the mare to make sure she was alright. "I didn't mean-"
"Well you did!" She shouted, before whimpering again. Big Mac felt his chest ache at the sight before him.
"Don't worry" he said with a nod. "I'll pay the damages."
"You'd better!" The mare sniffed, trying to seem more angry than sad. It would have been adorable if he weren't responsible. The large stallion nodded, then turned to see where the filly had fled; she had disappeared into the crowds and alleys. He let out a defeated sigh, shaking his head.
"I got a spare..." he said, taking a breath and sighing, his voice scratching a bit. "Want that until I can fix this?"
"I guess." The mare shrugged, sighing, looking at the wreckage of her cart. Macintosh nodded and patted her shoulder.
"Hey! Hey Big Mac, wait up!"
Macintosh turned to see Braeburn hurrying close behind, panting and heaving. The stallion stopped and put a hoof over his chest. "Whoa... I... I gotta run more often..." he wheezed, shaking his head and looking up to his cousin. "Whoa there big guy... I saw ya take off like a lightning bolt! What happened?"
"Thief stole some apples..." Big Mac shook his head, his voice scratchy. "She got away."
Braeburn grimaced, looking at his cousin with some concern. "Y'alright cuz? Yer voice is actin' up." Macintosh waved a dismissive hoof, eliciting an understanding nod from Braeburn, who simply sighed. "Well... Granny's gonna be awful sore at you." Big Mac scowled and glared at Braeburn in an accusing manner. "I was on the john." Braeburn grinned. "Nothin' I coulda done."
"Ya saw the chase."
Macintosh stared at his cousin in wait for a response, as if believing the smaller stallion might offer a good argument. Braeburn instead began to fidget a bit, biting his lip and looking anywhere but at his cousin. "Y-yeah... I... uh... saw just in time to... uh...."
"Hey Braeburn!" Both stallions turned to see a white-coated mare with a blue mane catch up to them. "You left so quickly that you forgot to tell me where you wanted to meet for dinner!"
Macintosh gave a glance to his cousin, raising his brow and smirking. Braeburn grinned nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "Uhh, yeah... maybe later? I live on Sweet Apple Acres, farm out there with all the apples, can't miss it." Braeburn smiled and the mare nodded, satisfied with his answer, before turning about trotting off into the crowd, turning just long enough to wave. Braeburn turned to look at Big Macintosh, biting his lip. "I may have... uh... been distracted..."
"Sure." Big Mac chuckled, shaking his head. "Go to th' farm. Fetch a spare fer Carrot Top."
"Right" Braeburn looked to Carrot Top and smiled, waggling his eyebrows. "Hey Carrot. 'Sup?" The mare rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Aww filly, don't be that way!"
The cart rolled along as Big Mac pulled on it behind him. He tread the path home alone; Braeburn having left to his own devices. Zecora had vanished as well; where to he had no idea, but he considered it a mixed blessing. He didn't have anything personal against her, but her entire quest seemed farfetched; certainly if there was any truth to the story of the Celestial Sisters, somepony would have remembered, right? He set the cart in the barn and stepped out, making his way towards the farm house. As he gazed upon his home, he felt a calm sense of pride; the Apples were indeed a well renowned family, often considered borderline nobility in their own right. The simple farm house was no mansion, but it was one of the oldest standing homes in the town.
As he pressed the door open, expecting the calm presence of his grandmother, he was instead greeted by the sounds of laughter.
"An' y'all say that th' manticore jus' rolled around like a big ol' happy kitten?"
"Yes, indeed, the 'nip was strong. I dared not remain for too long. I hurried away with my herbs in tow, the manticore distracted for a minute or so." The mare was holding a cup of tea, taking soft sips. They both turned to see Big Mac enter, and Granny smiled.
"Oh, Big Mac! Welcome home! Yer friend Zecora here came by t' visit ya." Granny waved the stallion over, who, curious, obliged. She whispered into his ear, not as quietly as she probably thought, "I gotta be honest, not sure I'm alright with ya havin' a zebra fer a mare friend. I got no problem with zebras, but yer foals'd be born as sterile as a germophobe's toothbrush."
"Ain't like that Granny." Big Mac grimaced, a blush hiding beneath his coat. "She's just a friend."
"Oh, well, that's alright then." Granny nodded. "Miss Zecora n' I were just sittin' over tea to talk, n' she says ya promised ta help her with some sorta chore or somethin'. 'Course, I can't expect any less. I only raised the most proper grandchildren." The elder mare smiled and nodded proudly, taking a sip of her tea.
Big Mac nodded simply. "Eeyup."
"Awful nice of ya, Big Mac" Granny nodded. "Oh, b'fore I forget again, Applejack's comin' over to visit us in about a week n' a half!" Granny chuckled, smiling fondly. "I ain't seen that filly in nearly a year!" She sighed, her smile becoming just a bit less sincere. "I reckon she's so busy with her fancy life style she just ain't got th' time fer borin' ol' small time ponies like us."
"Granny" Big Mac said with a sigh and a smile, putting a hoof on her shoulder. "Applejack loves us."
Granny Smith simply waved a hoof. "Maybe. I'd reckon if she cared she'd visit more often than once a year."
"Granny" Big Mac snorted.
"Alright, alright." Granny sighed, then smiled. "I suppose it's comfortin' to know when she comes home she's able ta take off that little facade she wears when in Manehattan, havin' to talk with that there funny accent n' actin' like one of them snobby city ponies." She frowned a little. "Not sure why she'd want to act like them though. Dern filly is beautiful as she is.
Big Mac chuckled. "Because nopony takes us seriously?" Granny pondered on this for a second, and shrugged.
"Point taken."
"Please see me not as abrupt, but I fear that I must interrupt" said Zecora, seeming just a tad nervous and somewhat annoyed. "Important is our purpose here, the cost is high, the price is dear!"
Big Mac sighed. Admittedly, he was still not certain about any of this; he was hoping the zebra really was just crazy and had forgotten about everything. "Granny, me an' Zecora are gonna head outside. I'll be back in in a bit."
"Okay" said Granny, waving a hoof. "Jus' remember to keep yer hooves to yourselves! I don't fully believe yer argument from earlier an' I want to know that our blood will flow in somepony's veins 200 years from now!" Big Mac grumbled beneath his breath as he and Zecora stepped towards the door and out of the house.
Once on the porch, Zecora smirked. "Your grandmother has quite the spirit. Wise and wondrous... odd to hear it."
"Eeyup" Big Mac shrugged. "She says we apples attract weirdness."
Zecora hummed. "Strange that is, and I can see such a thing in your family."
By now, Big Mac had to ask. "Miss Zecora, pardon my askin' an' I mean nothin' by it... but why do ya speak in rhyme?"
Zecora simply chuckled. "I came from a far away land, of both lush forests and desert sand. Back home I was a medicine mare, and speaking in rhyme is tradition there."
Big Mac quirked a brow. "Does everypony...er... zebra... speak in rhyme back home?"
"Not at all, my friend dear. Just those who share my career." Zecora smiled. "Medicine mares mix potions and brew, to cure the sick, and make anew. We speak in rhyme since times forgotten, to ease the spirit, and tease the rotten." Big Mac quirked a brow, a slight grin on his face, to which Zecora chuckled. "Do not judge, for woe is me. Medicine costs, but laughter is free!" Big Mac couldn't help but laugh a bit himself, shaking his head. If she was crazy it made sense that she had a sense of humor. Calming down from the laughter, he sighed.
"You're a healer? Why ya here?"
Zecora's smile faded and she let out a sigh. "The folk of my tribe are quite in tune with the magic in the earth and the light of the moon. We felt the moon let out a sigh, and then the heavens a mournful cry..." Zecora shuddered, looking up at the sky. "I felt deep down within my soul... a struggle for evil, and desire for control. I feared a spirit had been released, and I made it my journey to track the beast." She looked to her hooves. "... I found my way to this land, to seek, to find, to understand. Alas what I felt must have been premonition... there is no face to my urgent mission."
Big Macintosh stared at the Zebra for a few seconds, somewhat intrigued by her story. He tapped his hooves to his chin. "Huntin' Nightmare Moon?"
Zecora nodded a bit. "The answer is yes and no I fear... though she's unknown, her defeat is clear." Zecora's eyes became determined, strong. "For she was banished not by her sister alone. The Elements of Harmony were the end of her throne. So many secrets lost to time, and yet one so clear leaves ponies blind." The zebra paced around a bit, deep in thought. "I assume it was by intent to make the story a foal's lament." She stopped, looking to Big Macintosh, that seriousness never fading away. "What better way to keep it strong than tell it to foals so they'd do no wrong?"
"A museum?" Big Macintosh shrugged. At least, in his head it made more sense. Maybe Old Equestrian ponies never thought of that?
Zecora chuckled. "Mayhaps you're right, 'twould have been a sight." The zebra sighed, looking up to the skies, then she turned to look out into the fields, her eyes seeming unsure. "Alas... while the Elements are our mission here... how to find them is not so clear." Just great. This was a mare on a mission and she had little to no idea what to do. Wasn't she supposed to be some sort of doctor? Zecora sighed a bit, seeming to go into her own mind to draw out what knowledge she had. "In the tales that I have read, the Solar Princess turned tail and fled... her sister fallen, her heart diminished, her citizens feared her, her spirit finished. That day she vanished, faded away, and divided the elements, to return one day."
Big Mac sighed, putting a hoof to the bridge of his nose. It was never easy, was it? "Where do we find them?" It's not that he was impatient. Macintosh put up with a lot of things. He just wasn't used to something of this caliber.
"Alas, dear friend, I do not know..." Zecora looked to her hooves once more, seeming deep in thought. "This knowledge has eluded me so. No books I read ever did say what happened on that fateful day. What became of the elements yet eludes me, and this is something that simply can't be."
The large stallion stared at the zebra, gears turning in his head. He said he was going to help, and he didn't care how silly or ridiculous it was, he was going to stick by his word. "Did they have a castle?"
Zecora nodded. "Yes, indeed, a castle there be... but it's nestled deep within Everfree."
Macintosh's breath caught right there, and his eyes grew wide. If he needed a sign to bail from this mad zebra's equally mad quest, that was it. "You mean the forest down south that's infested with all kinds of ornery critters?" Zecora nodded, raising her brow at the stallion. "You think you might find the salvation of the world in an old castle buried within one of the most dangerous places in Equestria?" The more he talked, the more scratchy his voice became.
Zecora's eyes widened. "Of course! The castle!" She put a hoof on her head. "I have been so blind! A clue perhaps, or the Elements in kind?" She paced around a bit more. "The most obvious place to leave a clue is in a place most dear to you. Surely the solar princess would prepare us for distress!"
"Nope!"
Zecora stopped, turning to Macintosh who simply stared at her with obvious concerns. "I'm stoppin' this here. That forest is too dangerous."
"But Macintosh you agreed," shouted Zecora "to help me in our time of need!" The Zebra closed in on him. "Why make a promise and turn tail so soon to banish the mare back to the moon?"
"Nope." Big Mac shook his head. "Place is dangerous. I'd not be helpin' ya if I helped ya go there."
"But Big Mac-"
"Nope." Big Mac snorted, seeing the shocked look of near betrayal on the Zebra's face, however, he softened his own expression some. "It's too dangerous."
Zecora stared at the stallion, disappointment written clearly on her features. "... I see. You think I am crazy too. You never did believe me, did you?"
"Zecora-"
"No" Zecora held up a hoof. "I understand. It was a lot of me to demand. I've tried too hard and stayed too long, and now I see that I was wrong. Nopony here believes in me, I'll continue alone, and leave you be."
Big Mac's eyes widened. "You ain't goin' alone are ya?"
"Why should I not?" Zecora turned and began to walk. "Sure, I could let this town rot. But the rest of the world rides on this too... I'll stop not for them, and neither for you." She continued to walk down the path, Big Mac staring, jaw slack as she left.
'What do I do?' Big Mac bit his lip, looking around frantically as if his answers might pop up somewhere nearby. 'This is insane. That mare is crazy. But I can't just let her get herself killed. There has to be another way...' He struggled with himself, watching her make her way down the road. 'Come on, anytime big fellah. She's gonna leave eventually, and you can't just follow her around until you come up with something! If she's finally lost faith, she might leave as soon as tomorrow and end up in a monster's belly before you go to bed that day!'
"Wait!"
Zecora turned around. "You cannot stop me, can't you see? I've got a mission in Everfree."
"Wait wait wait..." Big Mac trotted after her, stopping just short. "Look... I... I'll..." 'Oh I'm gonna hate myself for this so much.' "I'll come with you."
There was a pause. Zecora rose an eyebrow, staring at him as if trying to discern his honesty. "... Are you sure you'll follow me? A crazy mare as most agree?"
Big Mac bit his lip. "Y... Eyup..."
But that didn't seem to cheer her up any. She simply squinted her eyes some. "... Alright... fine... I will not stop you. Meet me tomorrow if your words are true. Meet me by the Ponyville Clock Tower and we'll leave tomorrow... if you do not cower. If I do not see you, I'll leave on my own. I'm going to try, even if I must alone."
Big Mac sighed and hung his head low. "Eeyup..." The Zebra stared at him a few seconds, shaking her head, and then she turned around and began to make her way down the path. Big Mac watched her disappear into the city, before turning around and making his way back into the farm house.
'What have I gotten myself into...?'
TO BE CONTINUED