//------------------------------//
// Ch6 I Am An Enchanter 
// Story: Never Meant to Be 
// by Priceless911 
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                “OW!!!”
Zecora giggles as she continued removing the stiches and replied, “Don’t be a foal Zine, the pain will soon end, you whined a lot less, when these stiches went in.”
Zeil Cringed as Zecora pulled the next thread out, then he replied, “Well you numbed me up pretty good with that past stuff so I didn’t feel it, now it feels like I can feel every fiber of thread as you pull them ouoOOWWE!...”
Laughing at his pain changed word, Zecora placed the small piece of thread into a bowl as she wiped the blood from his wound, “It’s quite alright Zine, I can say you’ve had worse. You’re just lucky that I make a good nurse.”

With the final stich now removed from his wound, Zeil turned and placed a wet rag against the wound as Zecora turned away, “No longer is this wound revealed, and now from that accident, all wounds are healed.”
Zeil nodded his head as he replied, “yea… but… there is… no… never mind.”
Though Zeil changed his words without bringing suspicion to himself, he still felt a little guilty that Zecora didn’t know why he was injured to begin with. Nevertheless, Zeil remembered something as he looked at Zecora and spoke, “hey Zecora? Can you give me my saddlebag? I left it over by the door.”
Zecora nodded her head as she trotted to the bag, picked it up and returned it to Zeil as he opened it and looked inside.

As soon as he confirmed what was inside, Zeil looked back at Zecora and spoke, “Zecora? I know we are supposed to have another lesson on magic today, but I was wondering. If it’s alright with you, I think today we should just skip the lessons. Mainly because… I… um… I want to show you something.”
Zecora gave Zeil a curious look as she asked, “Skip a lesson, I don’t quite mind, but some knowledge still I'd hope to find. No lessons yesterday, and today to add, if we play hooky too often, then it could prove bad.”
Zeil nodded his head as he replied, “well, it isn’t like what I have to show you doesn’t involve what you have been teaching me, but… well, you’ll have to see for yourself when we get there.”
Zecora was confused, “there?... Where?”
Zeil smiled, “It’s a surprise, but one that will be beneficial. Just follow me and I'll explain when we arrive.

With that said Zeil put the saddlebag on as he trotted to the door and pushed it open in an inviting manor. Curious as to what he was up to, Zecora followed as they both left her home and began trotting up the trail. As they trotted town the trail towards their destination, Zeil decided to make small talk as they continued, “So um… how was your trip to Ponyville yesterday?”
Zecora smiled as she replied, “So pleasant was my visit to town. I always enjoy it when I go down.”
Zeil nodded his head as he replied, “yea… well I'm glad. I'll admit that thing were dull here while you were gone. Without your lessons, i had a hard time finding ways to kill my time.”
Zecora smiled, “you are my best student, and proven quite keen. A day’s rest was deserved, according to what I’ve seen.”

Zeil smiled as he replied to the complement, “well I'm your only student, so, basically you’re saying that I won first place in a race against myself... I guess that makes sense. I'd be sad if I got third wouldn’t it?”
Giggling at his joke Zecora replied, “You may not be a wizard, but you are quite good. I bet in time, you’ll be better than most should.”
Zeil turned to his trail as he replied with a complementing tone, “Well… I have the best teacher I could ask for.”
Blushing slightly at his words, Zeil continued looking away as Zecora smiled and replied, “It’s because of you, that this statement is true.”

Without looking at each other, Zeil and Zecora both blushed slightly as the two made it to the end of the trail which lead them directly to a clearing where a large patch of Poison Joke grew. As the two looked across the large field of Blue glowing plants, Zecora stopped and watched as Zeil took a few extra steps and turned to her as he spoke, “Um… Z-Zecora… I have a bit of a confession to make.” Zecora’s Expression grew anxious as Zeil continued, “well… I have been studying hard on every lesson you have given me, from meditation to simple mixture, even complex step like how to track down certain plants for ingredients. Well, what I'm trying to say is. Yesterday I continued studying without your guidance, and I think I have what it takes to complete my first complex spell.”

After hearing Zeil’s so called Confession, Zecora gave a simple and somewhat disappointed sigh as she replied, “an action unwasted, for practice makes perfect. You skill can be disposed, if you decide to neglect.”
Zeil nodded his head, as he replied, “I agree, and as I said, I discovered a spell yesterday that will prove that your training is paying off. Last night I gathered the ingredients and mixed them together, completing the preparation phase. But… I wanted you to be here when I complete this spell. That way, you will be able to whiteness my first real spell. All I ask, is that you stand aside and let me do this myself.”
Zecora smiled as she nodded her head, “Since this spell is yours, then I'll stay uninvolved, plus I'm interested to see, how your talent evolved. Continue with the spell, and I will stand back. I'm quite excited to see what comes of this pact.”

Zeil smiled at the trust Zecora showed as he nodded his head and replied, “Thanks Zecora. I appreciate it.”
With that said, Zeil looked back at the field as he took off his saddlebag, sat it on the ground and reached inside. When he found what he was looking for, Zeil pulled out the small vial of a strange yellowish powder as he closed the flap on his saddlebag, and looked back at the field with a hopeful sigh, “well, here goes…”
Zeil then approached a poison joke that seemed to grow just a few feet from the rest of the patch. As he approached, Zeil looked at the poison joke as he started to take mental notes of the plant. Like most poison jokes, the blooming part of the plant grew only a foot from the soil below with four large blue leaves on the outside surrounded four smaller leaves on the inside all of which resembled pedals on a flower.

Standing before the Mysterious magical plant, Zeil pulled the small cork form the top of the veil in his hooves as he poured the powdery substance into one hoof and looked down at it. With yet another bracing sigh, Zeil looked back at the poison joke as he flung the powder over the plant as the dusty powder slowly settled on each leaf of the small mischievous plant. Then with a little worry on his mind, Zeil took a step back and started waiting for something to happen. As he stood there watching what he hoped would be his first real spell, Zecora trotted up beside him as she sat down and watched with anticipation. However, it was almost a full minute of inactivity before Zeil sighed as he began to speak, “Darn… I knew it seemed too easy. I guess this just proves that I'm not very lu…”
Before Zeil could finish, The small blue plant’s leaves started to shack as they made a very faint rustling sound..

Curious as to what was happening; both Zeil and Zecora stepped closer to the poison joke as they watched the blue plant’s leaves begin to wither as if the plant was dying. However, as the leaves shriveled to their smallest point, they slowly began changing colors from their mischievous blue, to a plant like green, then to a golden yellow. With a curious stare, the two watched as the now golden plant began springing back to life, as its leaves began redeveloping to their normal shape. Until the now golden joke looked as if it were full of life. Zeil and Zecora both smiled at the golden glow that the plant gave off, noticing that it looked almost exactly like a normal poison joke, with only the color making a difference.

As they marveled at the transformed plant, Zeil smiled as he spoke, “I-it it worked… the Poison Joke… is now gold.”
Zecora started to speak, “I never though in my day, that a beauty like this co…”
Before Zecora could finish something caught their eyes as the closest poison joke to them, began shaking as the lone golden joke did just seconds ago. As the two started to look around, they noticed that now all the poison jokes that were around them began shaking as the first one began withering just like the one they observed before. Then one by one, as if it were a wave of transformation, the poison jokes around them began shriveling up before turning gold and reviving in a golden glow that changed the entire atmosphere of the field, leaving behind no hint of a blue in its wake.

With Zecora looking at the surrounding sight in awe, Zeil looked back at the first golden joke that completed its transformation as he raised his hoof to cradle the joke’s leaves and whispered, “Alright… now I just need to be accepted. Ok, I know you don’t owe me anything but I'll ask you… Please, accept me.”
As Zeil’s hoof touched the bottom of the Golden jokes leaves, he could feel an unusual tingling feeling in his hoof as his zebra like hoof began slowly turning to a black color as a hole began appearing on it, exposing its true form just slightly. Worried that Zecora could see, Zeil turned to look at her and realized that she was too focused on the surroundings to see what was happening so he turned back to the plant and continued whispering, “Please… I'm not asking because I think I'm worthy… I'm asking, for her sake. I want you to accept us… because… I care about her. And, I ask that you accept me… for Zecora… please.”

With a begging expression on his face, Zeil cradled the Golden Jokes Bloom as a short hesitation took place before the joke began changing his hoof back to its zebra form in a manner that showed that his request was accepted. With a relieved smiled as he replied, “thank you…”
then with an unusual sizzling sound, the base of the poison Jokes stem began melting away as the flower separated its stem from its roots and fell entirely into Zeil’s hoof. Confused as to what the golden joke did, Zeil looked at it as he began hearing a strange and faint voice as if somezebra were whispering into his ear, “… for… her… gift…”
Feeling as if there was another presence in the area, Zeil looked around in confusion, but when he saw that Zecora was still marveling at the changed environment, and that nothing else was in the area, he looked back at the poison joke and spoke, “Are… Are you talking to me?”
Feeling like he may have lost his mind, Zeil looked back at the golden joke as the voice replied, “Gift… gift for… her…”

When Zeil herd the voice a second time, he realized what it meant as he turned to Zecora who was still looking at the change in their surroundings. Without saying anything Zeil approached Zecora as Zecora looked at him and smiled with excitement, “Your spell is amazing, I have to agree, it’s nothing expected, nor enchanted by me.”
Zeil smiled as he replied, “Here…”
With curiosity, Zecora held still as Zeil reached up and tucked the Golden joke behind her ear so that the golden Plant could be seen by anyzebra who looked at her. Then Zeil took a few steps back and looked at the flowerlike plant as he spoke, “Zecora, I want you to have this. Consider it thanks, for everything. You saved my life when we first met; you gave me supplied to travel home. You agreed to teach me magic. You showed me a world that I never would have realized, Timberwolves, Manticore, meditation, harmony amongst all living things. And… you showed me more kindness then my tribe ever did. Zecora… I…” Zeil Hesitated a few seconds, “Just… Thanks…”
Blushing slightly Zecora placed her hoof on one of the Golden Joke’s leaves, as she replied, “no need to thank me, from what I can see. You’re much more unique then what’s in the Everfree. You neutralized the joke, or its magic to know. It isn’t mischievous at all, and has a beautiful glow.”

Zeil smiled with pride as he replied, “The poison joke, is now a Golden Joke. Rather than gaining its nutrients through the soil, it gains it from a host, but not like a leech or anything. It feeds off of feeling. Anger, frustration, joy, and… even love.”
At that moment Zeil looked away in embarrassment as Zecora’s face began turning red, “L-lo…”
Zeil interrupted, “because of this, the golden joke will no longer use its magic as a way to torment others. Instead, it harness the emotions of the host and grants itself immortality until the host stops feeling the emotion it chooses to live through.”
When she heard this, Zecora smiled at what Zeil accomplished, “Amazing and still, a spell to change will. So keen the magic of the central tribe. So, mysterious, yet hard to describe.”

After hearing that remark, Zeil’s Expression went from proud to disappoint as he replied, “Oh… yea… Central tribe… right.”
With his change in enthusiasm completely visible, Zecora gave him a concerned look as she spoke, “Zine?... what’s wrong? It seems well known; you don’t act yourself, when I talk of your home.”
Zine tried to think of an excuse, “Well… I um… ya see…”
Zecora sighed as she continued, “Zine… I know… there is no central tribe. I only played along, since you barely survived.”
Zeil looked at Zecora in shock as his heart skipped a beat, “Wh-what?... y-you know I'm not…”
Zecora raised her hoof to silence him, “Worry not Zine. I know you have grounds, to hide your origin from other towns. You see when I arrived, in Equestria I mean. All the ponies would flee as soon as I’m seen. I tried to convince them, to no avail in the end. But then something changed… I made a good friend. No, matter my face, my look or my glance. He treated me as normal, he gave me a chance. it’s because of this lesson, that I value this friend. And though he isn’t here, I know in the end. For zebra like us, those with a different face. We must stick together, or no chance will be given to this place. Your reason for the fib, I do not need to know. But you have my trust. And that’s less then what I owe.”

As Zecora gave him a pleasant smile, Zeil stood speechless. He could tell that Zecora still thought he was a zebra since she only mentioned that part about the central tribe, but all the rest that she said made him wonder. If Zecora had problems fitting into a pony kingdom, then he and she were more alike than he realized. And to make it worse, after calling him out on his lie, she could only stand there giving him a cute smile with no worries of the truth or even a question about his real past. As he stood speechless, Zecora felt a little awkward about his silence so she looked at the sky and started turning towards the nearest path, “It looks like it’s getting late we better re…”
Before she could turn completely away, Zecora paused and Zeil reached out and place his hoof on her shoulder stopping her in both her actions and her statement. When Zecora looked back, Zeil sighed as he looked her in the eye and spoke, “Zecora… it’s true… I'm not from the central tribes of Zebrica… in fact, I'm not from Zebrica at all. I came from a kingdom far beyond Zebrica… or… it used to be a Kingdome. Now, it’s a wasteland.”

Feeling Zecora’s curious gaze on him, Zeil took his hoof from her shoulder as he looked into the field of surrounding Golden Jokes and continued, “The place where I came from, used to be called the Marble Oasis. But… that was befor, my swa… Tribe arrived. You see, my tribe has no real name, but we were despised no matter where we went. And when we arrived at the Marble Oasis, it was the same story. That place was a city of camels. They worked hard and managed to turn what seemed to be a black sand desert into a livable oasis with everything needed for survival. Water, food, anything that could stand the desert heat was available for all. Well… almost all. When we arrived they tried to send us away. They said that we were a desolate species that would bring doom upon them all. So being devoted in saving our tribe, our que… I mean Chieftess sought to use her dark magic to take hold of the Camels minds and have them give us food by force. Unfortunately,… it ended badly. She was able to manipulate their minds, but after her magic wore off, it…”
“It effected them harshly, for a spell on the mind, will unravel its values, and disturb its lines.”
Zeil gave Zecora a curious look as he asked, “Y-yea… but how?...”

Zecora looked at Zine and replied, “A spell on any mind, is also a curse. Forbidden to all, for its effects are much worse. We must avoid this magic, at any and all cost. For those who use and are used, will surely be lost.”
Zeil nodded his head, “that’s exactly what happened. Nevertheless, this effected their emotions. Simple feelings such as joy and sorrow were overzealous and caused the camels to lose control. Simple irritation turned to full-blown and destructive rage. Laughter would cause the camels to lose their sanity. And sorrow… well, let’s just say it ties in with suicide. Before we knew it, the entire kingdom was at each other’s throats… and soon, those throats began cutting one another.”
Zeil looked at the ground in shame as Zecora put her hoof over her mouth in disbelief. With his tone telling the rest, Zeil continued, “one by one… the camels began killing one another, then before we knew it, the rest filled with sorrow, ended their own lives, leaving no survivors. With no knowledge of preserving the paradise that they created, the Oasis dried up. the plants died, the wells were dry, and with nothing living out there, we too started to suffer. It was only a matter of time that we had no choice but to leave that desolate place. Now there is nothing out there. No food, no water, no life of any kind. Just emptiness… and death.”
Zecora sat down in disbelief as she started to speak, “I… I didn’t think… I mean I didn’t know. Your tribe’s dark past, it couldn’t be so…”

Continuing to look away, Zeil sighed as he replied to Zecora’s disbelief, “It’s true… and we tried to change our ways. The Cheiftess said that in order to prevent this from happening again, she would only take control of one mind instead of many… but… I know that, that’s not the point. She shouldn’t use magic to control others. Now that I know magic myself, I know that it should never be used like that. And… that’s why I’m never going back. What we did was unforgivable… and it took somezebra like you to show me that. Zecora… I want to stay here in Equestria. I don’t want to leave. If… if I'm going to make up for the wrong my tribe did… it can only be done here.”
As Zeil looked away Zecora could see tears gathering in his eyes as she trotted up and placed her hoof on his shoulder, “It’s not what you did, or how you lived your past, but its what you intend to do, and how long it will last. So long that you’re determined, then I'm willing to assist, and make up for your pain and the sins on your list. If you so truly plea, to stay here in the Everfree. Then I won’t mind, if you stay here with m…”
As Zecora stopped herself in mid-sentence, she realized what she was about to say as she blushed slightly and rephrased, “I mean… well um… from what I can tell. There is no need, for you to say farewell.”

As Zeil liked at Zecora in curiosity, he couldn’t help but know what she was about to say as he smiled and replied, “Zecora… I… um… Thanks… again. I think I owe you even more now.”
Zecora placed her hoof on the Golden Joke that was behind here ear as she replied, “no need for more. This spell is surely enough. I'll cherish it always, even if I'm not into this stuff. With a spell like this, your future looks bright, now we must begin our return. Cuz it will soon be night.”
Zeil looked at the sky above as he realized that Zecora was right so he nodded his head as he replied, “Sure… I'll trot you home. It would be my way of thanking you yet again for everything you’ve done for me.”
With a smile on their face, the two began trotting side by side as they began their trot back to Zecora’s house. On their trail back, Zecora told Zeil of her time in the northern tribes of Zebrica, even though her ancestors were from the Western Tribes. And even though Zeil never once mentioned the fact that he was a changeling or even created his cutiemark like he intended on doing, he and Zecora enjoyed their conversation as the two continued back to her home.

When the two finally arrived, Zecora stopped at her front door as she turned to Zeil and spoke, “well, here we are, it didn’t seem that far. But I had a good time… well good night Zine.”
Zeil smiled as he replied, “I'll um… see you tomorrow for another lesson then. Sorry I took up today with getting my stiches removed and my slightly depressing past. I hope I can make it up to you somehow.”
Zecora shook her head, “no, its fine. This day was quite fun, and with your spell, it was second to none. In fact, for your lessons, we should take a quick breather. And meet up tomorrow, to enjoy a little leisure.”
Basically understanding that they would just be taking time away from his lessons, Zeil smiled as he replied, “that sound fine with me. I know I need to get better at my magic, but if you think a few days without is fine, then who am I to question my teacher. Well… um… Good night Zecora.”
Giving a gracious smile, Zecora nodded her head as she slowly opened the door and stepped inside. Then she gently closed the door behind her as she turned to the center of her home, and placed her hoof on the golden joke that was behind her ear. Then with a smile that said, “I'm in love” Zecora continued trotting into her home to prepare for the night.

Outside her door, Zeil stood there feeling every bit of emotion radiating from Zecora as he turned away from her door and mumbled to himself, “She… she accepts me… even after I lied, she doesn’t mind me being here with her. And… she really does have feelings for me. but…
Zeil looked at his flank as he mumbled, “darn I forgot to make my placement mark like I intended on doing tonight… no matter. I'll meet her with one tomorrow. Maybe she won’t notice. But what should I create… a spell book? A glass veil?... wait, I know the perfect shape.”
With very little concentration, Zeil focused on his flank as small lined that resembled his striped started to appear and slowly shape themselves until they took the form of an outlined Golden Joke. Then with this new pictograph on his flank Zeil smiled, “There, now at least until I tell her the truth… I am an official Enchanter. I just wonder how much longer I can keep this up… I'm getting in too deep. If I continue this… it could be bad. I'll just hold out a little while longer… three days. After that… I'll tell her the truth… or, I’ll leave…”

Back in Canterlot, Shining Armor was training with his soldier in the castle courtyard as Princess Celestia stood on the balcony watching from high above. As she stood there watching Shining Armor yell at his soldiers, Princess Cadence and Twilight entered the room, “Um Princess Celestia? Might we have a word?”
Princess Celestia turned to the two ponies’ as she smiled “Of course; I always have time for my fellow princesses and my most faithful student. What is it you want to talk about?”
As the two trotted closer, Twilight spoke, “it’s about Shining Armor.”
All of a sudden, Princess Celestia’s expression became serious as she looked over the balcony and replied, “I see, then you’ve noticed it too.”
Princess Cadence continued, “It’s hard to miss it, Ever since the wedding Shining Armor has been acting differently than normal.”
Twilight spoke next, “I agree, since the wedding he’s been over reacting to almost everything. Yesterday a guard was late on his usual report and Shining Armor nearly screamed his head off with rage. I’ve never seen him so furious at the smallest thing.”
Princess Cadence added, “not only that, he has been so caught up in this changeling hunt that he hasn’t even given me time to ask about our honeymoon. In fact lately it seems like he is avoiding me altogether.”

Princess Celestia nodded her head as she replied, “I agree, I told him to take a few days off this week, but no matter what I do, he seems to show up every day as if our conversation never happened. It’s common for him to get obsessed with his job, but not enough to overlook his life outside of work.”
Twilight asked, “Do you think it might have something to do with what happened at the wedding?”
Princess Celestia shook her head, “no, whatever it is, it’s digging far deeper than his hatred towards changelings. For now, I'm going to call off the changeling search. It will make him angry, but I need to minimize his duties for a while to confirm what’s wrong with him. Maybe, I'll give him a special task. Something to keep him occupied until he has had time to relax.”
Princess Cadence nodded her head, “we will help too, as his wife and sister, we need to support him however way we can.”
Princess Celestia nodded her head, “alright, I'll leave his care in your hooves. Try to keep a close eye on him so that he won’t force his mind back on this subject. Twilight, I'll leave discovery of the problem in your hooves. If this is something deeper than a thirst for revenge, then I will leave its discovery and the solution to you.”
Twilight nodded her head, “I'll do what I can your majesty.”

As princess Celestia looked down at Shining Armor as the angry soldier was standing there yelling at the top of his lungs at his soldier, “YOU CALL THAT A BLOCK!!! I’VE SEEN ROAD KILL MOVE FASTER THEN THAT!!!”
Seeing the terrified look on the soldiers face Princess Celestia sighed, “I better step in before he gives that poor guard post-traumatic stress.”
With an annoyed sigh, Princess Celestia stepped off the balcony and began gliding down into the courtyard as Twilight looked at cadence and spoke, “I'm going to the library, I'll start my search at sporadic mood swings and work my way from there, what about you?”
Princess Cadence nodded her head, “I'll work with the princess, and see if I can establish some sort of special training for the guards. As long as I prevent him from killing them, it should be a good way to distract Shining Armor form this changeling mess. If I discover anything I'll let you know.”
Twilight nodded her head, “thanks I hope we can find this problem before it gets out of hoof.”