Creaaaak!
Th-Thap!
Noir closed the old oak trunk, locking away the stone shards with a golden latch.
Rainbow Dash watched from across Zecora's hut as the sarosian slid the container away into a dark closet.
"So... uh..." Rainbow Dash brushed her bangs back, squinting. "You're just gonna stuff it behind a bunch of old shaman cloaks and call it a day?"
"Hardly anything of the sort," Noir said, trotting back out and brushing off his hooves. "As soon as I bridge communication with my fellow agents once again, we'll endeavor to relocate each shards to a different part of New Saros."
"Through those fancy schmancy teleportation gates of yours, right?"
"Affirmative." Noir stood in the shadows—where he could comfortably lower his hood, exposing two leafy ears. "It would take an otherworldly amount of strength and ingenuity to somehow locate and reform all of the missing pieces."
"So... uh..." Rainbow fidgeted. "...you're not going to destroy them?"
"You've stated yourself that Discord is still out and about," Noir said. "And he possesses more than a modicum of chaotic power." The sarosian adjusted his cloak. "If it should come to pass that the dragonequus requires our intervention, then it would behoove us to possess inert pieces of his essence."
"Sorta... like having a magical antidote."
"Precisely."
Rainbow Dash slowly shook her head. "I really don't think you're going to need them." Her lips curved slightly. "I'm totally on board with him turning a new leaf'n'such."
"I would certainly hope so, Miss Dash," Noir said. "The last thing Equestria needs is more mischief from that chaotic overlord."
"And what of a reformed Lan—I mean Discord," Rainbow said. "Could the kingdom prosper from something that awesome?"
"I... I cannot even venture to guess," Noir remarked, his slitted eyes blinking. "The thought did not occur to me until what I've learned today."
Rainbow smiled. "Brave new world."
Noir nodded. "Indeed."
Zecora trotted into the room. "Well, I for one aspire to hope. This is no time to whine or mope." She hoofed out three separate wooden containers full of a bubbling liquid. "We have a healthy filly and an introspective chaotician. Let's celebrate by enjoying the ale of my homeland's tradition."
"Yeah, Zecchy. Uh... I'm sure you spent a good five minutes coming up with that one. But please, 'fess up." Rainbow raised the container along with her eyebrow. "Just what is this stuff?"
"Milk of sand cactus and garlic herb. I promise you, it tastes quite superb."
"Just... like... no living stuff went into it, r-right?" Rainbow asked.
"Oh for Tartarus' sake," Noir grumbled, lifting the container to his muzzle. "Must we preach to you over living a little, Miss Dash?"
"Hey! I live plenty!" Rainbow pouted, twirling the cup around. "Just... y'know... at an easy five hundred to one thousand words per day."
Zecora chuckled. "You are ever a mystery, Rainbow Dash. One of these days, I'll understand you at last."
"Don't bet your stripes on it." Rainbow Dash took a swig of the ale. After a slight shudder, she managed to smile. "Whew!" She winked. "Tangy!"
"It's no cider, that's for sure. But it does a body healthy and pure."
"I'll keep that in mind next time I fly past zebra town."
"But, Rainbow Dash, you have never before flo—"
"It was a joke, Zecora."
"Ah." The zebra nodded, grinning. "But of course."
"Zecora, I will need to make a hasty trip this evening," Noir explained. "In order to relocate these shards."
"I understand that completely," the zebra said, nodding. "Just make sure you get to your destination safely."
"You have my word."
"Indeed I do," Zecora said. She then smiled, leaned in, and nuzzled the sarosian. "And it's a word that's true."
"Hmmm..." Noir closes his eyes, nuzzling her back.
"... ... ..." Rainbow Dash stared.
Noir took another sip of the container, exhaled, then placed the item away. "I should start gathering my things."
"Do not forget your cloak," Zecora spoke after him. "Or quite mercilessly the sun will choke!"
"Perish the thought!"
Zecora smiled, turned around, and sipped some more from her cup. She paused, staring at Rainbow Dash. Lowering the container, the zebra murmured, "Rainbow Dash, is there something the matter? You have lost all will to make chatter."
"What... uhm..." Rainbow's voice cracked. She cleared her throat and leaned in. "What was that?"
"Hmmm..." Zecora merely smiled. She balanced the empty cup on her flank as she trotted away. "What was that indeed. Quite simply, he is a remarkable steed."
"What...?" Rainbow gazed after her, blinking.
Zecora was gone.
Rainbow stood alone, surrounded by masks and bubbling cauldrons.
"Seriously... what?!" Frustrated, she buried her muzzle into the cup of ale. "Grgrgghhblblblblblblblblbrgll!"