Morgan Longmare threw back her covers and rose to meet the busy day ahead of her. The sleek pegasus stretched, yawning. Her golden coat shone in the morning sun. Looking in the mirror, she smiled, pushing her fiery red-gold mane out of her face. “You did it!” she said to her reflection, her pretty brown eyes sparkling with tears. “Mom would be proud.” Wiping the teardrops from her eyes, Morgan went to shower and dress. Yes, her goal to not only make detective for the Manehattan police department, but to receive her certification as a Crime Scene Investigator, had been achieved at last.
Morgan ran downstairs to the kitchen of her father’s home to see the Longmares’ housekeeper—and Morgan’s old nanny—Peach Frost putting the finishing touches on their breakfast. Morgan paused and watched the green-eyed, pale orange mare bustle about the kitchen. Peach’s auburn hair was sprinkled with grey, and her well-rounded, matronly figure was always a welcome sight. Morgan loved Peach. She had been far more than a simple nanny and housekeeper since Morgan was just a wee foal. After Morgan lost her mother, Opal Frost, at the tender age of eight, Peach had stepped into the void and become more of a mother than Opal had ever been.
Morgan poured herself a cup of coffee, sat down at the kitchen table, and breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing only two places set in the kitchen, rather than at the more formal dining table her father demanded to be served at, Morgan knew it would just be her and Peach for breakfast.
“Your father’s already gone into the station. He got called in earlier this morning about a robbery. That’s part of being the chief, always on call,” said Peach.
Morgan smiled. “This is much nicer anyway. I want to thank you, Peach, for always being here for me.” Her eyes were glimmering with tears once again. Then, stepping up to Peach, Morgan gave her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“You know you’ve been the daughter I always wished for, Morgan. I couldn’t love you more if you had been my own,” replied Peach, her gaze misting as well. She dabbed at the corners of her eyes with the edge of her apron. “Aww, we’ll be having no more of that, love,” she went on. “We don’t want our faces to be all red and puffy from crying before your award celebration even starts.”
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Morgan rose to answer it. Standing outside was her cousin, Amethyst Kindheart. Her violet eyes were as bright as her smile, and her lilac and gold wings and coat glistened in the morning sun. Ammie nearly hopped through the door and squeezed her cousin until Morgan felt she needed to come up for air.
Laughing, Morgan said, “Ammie, what a surprise! I didn’t know you were going to be in town!”
Ammie glanced at Peach and winked. “Well, what good is a surprise if you know in advance?” she giggled. “I couldn’t let my favorite cousin go through her graduation without coming to be with her, now, could I?”
* * *
Later that morning, Ammie and Peach sat among the families and friends of other graduates. They watched Morgan and the others in her class, as well as the officials, file into the crowded room. Seeing the deputy chief but not Mason himself, a very aggravated Peach muttered, “Oh, I can’t believe he’s doing this again.” At Ammie’s questioning look, Peach continued in a quiet growl, “It seems your Uncle Mason, Chief of the Manehattan Police, is not going to be here. Just like her graduation from the Academy, and every other milestone in her life. What your Aunt Opal ever saw in that stallion, I will never understand!”
Ammie softly touched Peach’s shoulder, her gentle gaze brimming with the same compassion as filled her heart. “We will just have to love her all the more, then, won’t we?” she said, smiling sweetly.
Peach took a deep breath and returned the smile. “Ah, Ammie, love, I am so glad you’re here. You do brighten up even the saddest of hearts.” Turning back to the graduation, she and Ammie watched as Morgan Longmare finally lived her dream.
After the ceremony, while Peach and Ammie were waiting for Morgan to meet them, Ammie grinned suddenly. “Peach, I have the best idea!” she exclaimed. “I want you and Morgan to come visit me in Ponyville for a week. I’ve been trying to get her to come for a visit for… well, forever! Since tomorrow is her birthday, let’s just kidnap her.”
Peach started to object, but then paused. “You know what?” she said. “I think that is an absolutely fabulous idea! It’d serve Mr. Smarty-Pants Bigwig right to clean up after himself for a while.” She laughed at the thought of Chief Mason doing his own dishes and laundry, and Ammie joined her.
* * *
It had been a beautiful evening. The sunset had been nothing short of spectacular, and the gentle breezes had only increased Zecora’s enjoyment of it. The zebra turned from the river’s edge where she had been picking ingredients for the many remedies she created. Having walked the path so many times, she thought she could actually make her way with her eyes closed. As she went, she hummed a song she had learned as a foal, stirring memories of her youth long before she came to live in the Everfree Forest.
Lesede—or Bibi, as her family called her—had been the medicine mare who lived at the edge of the village where Zecora had been born. In their traditions, the Healers were highly regarded and always passed their secrets from mother to eldest daughter. Because she never had a daughter, Lesede was overjoyed when her son Zuberi and his wife Sethunya gave birth to Zecora.
Lesede began taking the toddler into the jungle. She taught Zecora about the many plants, berries, roots, and their uses, sharing recipes that had been passed down for generations. By the time Zecora was a teen, she had developed the skills of a true medicine mare, enabling her to create many new medicines.
Giving herself a shake, Zecora reminded herself not to dwell on the things of the past, for, often, it only reminded her of the loss of her family and home so far away.
Soon she came to the small clearing in which her tree-home stood, along with the small building that she used to dry and keep the flora she gathered. She entered her storehouse and, working quickly, sorted the new specimens, placed them on the many drying racks, stored the dry ingredients that were ready to be used, and tidied her shop. Finally, lifting her basket, Zecora exited the shop, secured the door, and walked to her house. Glancing up at the clear, night sky, she saw the beautiful full moon shining brightly through gaps in the Everfree canopy.
Opening her front door, she was greeted by her young dragon Coal, who had been given to her by a traveler who had traded Coal’s egg for medical help several years before. His black scales and charcoal-grey spines glinted in the firelight, and his emerald, softly glowing eyes seemed to smile. Unlike Princess Twilight’s assistant, Spike, Coal did not speak. In many ways, he behaved more like a dog than a dragon, although what dog could spark a fire and understand the ways of magic? Still, he was a faithful companion and fire-starter. Once, Coal had even defended Zecora when a tatzlwurm attacked her. Sometimes, it almost seemed as though he could read her mind.
Not that I would be surprised in the least, thought Zecora with a small smile. Coal is, after all, a magical beast.
After putting her basket away, she went to the fireplace to check on dinner. Scooting the lid aside, Zecora breathed in the aroma of the vegetable and barley stew she had prepared before leaving that afternoon. She had a wonderful, heavy metal pot that sat over the coals on her hearth and, after placing the lid on top, she could heap more coals over the pot. It allowed her to cook while she was away and come home to a warm meal that was ready when she was. Dishing up her meal, she settled before the open window to eat, relishing the cool night air, fragrant with the sweetness of the night flowers that bloomed on the edge of the clearing.
As she finished her meal, Zecora suddenly saw many lights moving along the path and heard loud, angry voices coming into her yard. Normally, everypony avoided the Everfree. Rising, she hurried to meet them at her door. Something was very wrong.