//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Emerald's Struggle // by The Zebra Hybrid //------------------------------// 25 years ago Canterlot Train Station The sun blazed over the city known as Canterlot, ponies going about their usual routine for the day and the train's whistle singing through the air. The train came to a slow stop as it's doors open allowing it's passengers to come and go as they please, among these ponies came a zebra wearing a feather like crown with a red jewel as the center piece, red and grey royal garments, and a jeweled neck piece. Princess Zahara looked around the station with a tired look on her face, it had been a long trip from Zebrafrica and she just wanted to get this meeting with Princess Celestia over with as soon as possible. As she stepped out the train four more zebras followed her, to her left was Princess Zahara's royal adviser Arbez who had a black cloak, with light red and black armor underneath, and a metal head piece under his hood. Zahara had known Arbez ever since she was a child, when back then he was only a rookie in the Zebrafrican military, but he quickly passed the ranks to become royal adviser to her parents and now her. To the princess' right was her witch doctor, Rayas, she wore a bone like mask, red robes with a bone necklace, and rings on her neck and ears. The witch doctors were like the unicorns of zebras, but instead of using horns to cast their spells, witch doctors like Rayas would have to be in deep concentration and chant. Behind the tree were two more zebras, who were both soldiers and siblings, Zooma was a female who wore light combat clothes with a grey head circuit and finally Zanzabar wore a heavy red and black clothing with pouches on the side, he wore a headset on his ear and a Zebrafrican rifle across his back. Zan and Zooma are part of the elite guard for her highness they had always dreamed when they were younger to be close to the royal family and now here they are living it to their fullest. The group of Zebras walked out the train station were they were stopped by a group of Equestrian guards standing by a carriage, "You must be Princess Zahara, may I ask where the king and queen are." asked one of them. "Indeed," replied Princess Zahara, "unfortunately my parents couldn't make it, due to some political matters back home. So I'll be steeping in their place." "Alright, if you would follow us we would escort you via carriage to the castle grounds." The Princess nodded as she and the other zebras followed the guards in the carriage, once they were all in the carriage started to move along the streets of Canterlot. "I never been to the capital of Equestria," mentioned Rayas, "It truly is lovely." "You're right about that," replied Arbez, "But I prefer the plains back home, I was never a city person." "Well your missing out," Rayas said as she glanced out the window, "I love traveling to new places, but that's just me." "So Princess, " started Zooma, "How does it feel being in your first foreign meeting?" Zahara sifted in her seat nervously, "To tell you the truth I'm a little nervous." "Don't worry we've all been there, " commented Zanzabar with a warm smile, "remember they might be royalty, but that doesn't mean you have to act all proper and high top." "I'm glad I chose you four to accompany me." "Thank you princess." "How many times do I have to say it, just call me Zahara, I might be a princess but we are all still friends." Zanzabar nodded in understanding, truthfully Princess Zahara had just turned twenty and had gained the ability to travel to foreign countries for negotiations. For her Zanzabar and the others were always their for her when she was growing up as and learning how to be a princess so she could one day inherit the throne from her parents. Which is why she chose them specifically to accompany her to Equestria to meet with Princess Celestia. Zanzabar had never seen Princess Celestia he had heard stories back in his village about her defeating the tyrant Sombra and the spirit of chaos Discord. Even her banishing hr own sister to the moon. It was an understanding why Zebrafrica wanted to ally themselves with Equestria, they might have more advanced technology but the Equestrians were more advanced in magic and power. "You doing okay Zan?" asked his sister looking at him with a worried expression. "I'm fine, just wondering what Celestia will be like." "I'm sure she's nice..hopefully." "Hopefully? What happened to that positive attitude you always have?" "Well, this is our first time meeting her so we don't really know what to expect." "I agree, " said Arbez, "I recommend we stay on our guard just in case things go south." Rayas rolled her eyes, "Oh hush you two, I'm sure everything will be fine there is no need to be paranoid. To be honest they have more reason to be scared of us than we are of them." "Being paranoid and being prepared are two different things." The carriage came to a slow stop as the doors came open revealing two guards motioning them out. The zebras complied and looked in awe at the castle in front of them, they didn't really fell that interested when seeing if from a distance while on the train, but to see it up close like this was a whole different story. The castle itself was huge probably bigger then the royal palace back in Zebrafrica and that was saying something. The group of zebras followed the two guards inside the castle doors, once inside the first thing they noticed was the smooth tile under their hooves. On the walls were a massive variety of paintings and pictures with expensive looking decorations one pedestals, Zanzabar noticed that their seemed to be a guard at every corner they turned. Probably part of a security measure when a foreign official arrives, they had to do the same drill back home. Zanzabar watched as they were led into what looked like a dinning room judging by the table and the massive amount of food. His eyes widened when he saw a pony but she wasn't like the others, she was way taller with a white coat and a multi-color mane that blew in a nonexistent breeze, she had a large horn and feathery wings, and wearing golden garments and crown. She had a big smile on her face as they walked in, he watched Princess Zahara bow in respect and soon he and others bowing as well. 'This must be Princess Celestia,' thought Zanzabar as they approached the mare. "It is great to finally meet you Princess Zahara." complimented Princess Celestia. "Likewise, my parents weren't exaggerating when they said you were a sight to see." replied Zahara causing Celestia to give a light laugh. "Thank you, would you mind introducing me to you friends?" "Of course, this here is my royal adviser Arbez, my personal witch doctor Rayas, and my most trusted and loyal guards Zanzabar and Zooma." "It is an honor to meet you Princess." greeted Arbez. "Indeed, we had heard stories of your accomplishments and are very grateful for your service." added Rayas. "Me and my sister will also thank you as well, we know how it is when facing a powerful enemy." commented Zanzabar as Zooma nodded in agreement. Celestia only smiled at the group, she had always admired the zebras and their customs, they were similar to Equestria and they are not arrogant fools like the griffons or the minotaurs. She watched as the zebras took their seats at the long table with Princess Zahara sitting at her side. "Now that we all seated," announced Celestia, "let this meeting begin." One hour later Zanzabar picked with the remains of his food as he tried to get some of it out of his teeth, he paid no mind to the conversation Zahara and Celestia were having for he thought it was no importance to him. Plus whatever the princess' talked about was between them and them alone he was only a guard and a friend nothing more. The zebra took another sip of the glass of wine of wine in front of him as he felt it's delicious taste rush down his throat. "Hey Zan, what's the matter?" asked Zooma with a worried tone. "What do you mean?" asked Zanzabar with a confused expression. "Well, you've been quiet most of the meeting and you're never this quiet, at least when I'm here." Zanzabar just shrugged, "There's no need to worry, I'm just bored that's all." Zooma just rolled her eyes at her older brother, "You really need to get out more." "Why do you say that?" "Oh come on Zan! All you do most of the day is work and when you don't you just look over military strategies." "That's not true, I've done other things." Zooma gave Zanzabar a blank look, "Really? Name one." Zanzabar was about to answer, but couldn't. Damn, she was right he hasn't really relaxed and now that he thought about it when was his last vacation day? He looked back at his younger sister who had a smug look on her face, Zanzabar stuck his tongue out at her which she did in a childish manner. "Fine, maybe I have been.....busy lately." admitted Zanzabar with an annoyed expression. "Damn, right you are," replied Zooma, "Hey you know what you need?" "What?" "A date." Zanzabar growled in annoyance, Zooma would always pester him to find a mate when she could get the chance. It annoyed him greatly, it's not the fact that he didn't want a mate. It's just that most of the zebras where they were from just weren't his type, he had thought about what will happen if he did find the girl of his dreams. "How many times do we have to go over this," sighed Zanzabar, "I'll find the right girl when I'm ready." "And when will that be?" asked Zooma, "because every time I bring the subject up you either push it away or you say the exact same thing you just said now." Zanzabar stood from his seat causing all attention to turn to him, "I hope you don't mind Princess, but I have to use the bathroom." he said in a serious tone. "Of course," replied Celestia, "Lemon Pine, would you come here please." At command on of the maids walked up she was a unicorn mare and had a bright yellow coat with her mane and tail a darker shade of yellow as well, even her eyes were a bright yellow. Zanzabar made a mental note to why they called this mare Lemon, but something about this mare seemed to make him feel off for some reason. It wasn't in any way of threat, but he just couldn't explain it to himself. He watched as the maid bowed toward Celestia and the princess motioning for her to rise. "What is it you request Princess." asked Lemon with a warm smile. "Can you please accompany our guest here to the nearest bathroom." replied Celestia gesturing over to Zanzabar. "Of course," Lemon Pine then walked over to Zanzabar, "Are you ready to leave?" Zanzabar simply nodded and walked off with the bright yellow mare, he could feel Zooma glaring daggers at the back of his head, but he paid no mind to it. He mentally thanked whatever higher being that was watching over him for getting him out of that situation with his sister, he let out a sigh of relief and chuckled to himself. The mare named, Lemon Pine, seemed to notice this and gave him a warm smile. "You don't really need to use the bathroom do you?" Lemon asked snapping Zanzabar from his thoughts. "Is it that obvious?" replied Zanzabar as Lemon nodded, "Well, I just needed some space from my sister." "Ah, sibling troubles I can relate to that. I had to live with three brothers and let me tell you it wasn't the best experience in my life." "I'm sure you had some time to yourself." Lemon shook her head, "Nope. I'm the oldest so that meant I had to take care of them while mom and dad were at work. Sooner or later I moved out and started working here under her royal highness." "That reminds me, how are you treated?" Lemon gave Zanzabar a surprised look, nopony has ever asked her that. Who would care for a simple maid and house cleaner anyway "If you're implying me if I'm a servant then no. We are fairly treated by the guards and princess, yeah there are some nobles who came and are real jerks but other than that it's just a normal job. If you don't mind me asking why care?" Zanzabar gave the maid a confused look, "What do you mean by that?" "W-well, usually nopony but the princess cares for maids so why are you so?" "I was just wondering, I hate to see others mistreated for any reason. It's kind of one of the reasons I joined the military, I wanted to make a difference." "And your sister?" "She just wanted to tag along, but no matter how annoying she gets at times I still love her." "Oh my! We've been talking and I never asked your name." Zanzabar put his hoof up in a comforting manner, "It's fine, it's Zanzabar, but most just call me Zan for short." "Zan," Lemon repeated, "that's an interesting name. Well you probably already know but I'm Lemon Pine, but you can just call me Lemon." Zan just nodded and smiled, the two then just walked through the halls of the castle in deep conversation. Zan had told her about Princess Zahara, Arbez, Rayas, and his sister, Zooma. Lemon looked like she was stuck in a trance as she listened to his story, she noticed that for a zebra he was quite handsome and she admired that he put others before him. She felt her heart skip a beat just thinking more about Zan, the two then passed a window and noticed that the sun was setting. "Oh! It seems we've been talking quite a while." commented Lemon. Zan nodded, "Yeah." There was an awkward silence as they just stared at each other not knowing what to say, Zan had never felt this way for a mare before. He didn't even expect him to feel this way for a pony, he wanted to know more about her. He cursed silently in his head thinking about his sister pestering him about dating and it seemed she won this battle. "U-uh, Lemon." stuttered Zan as he looked down with a light blush on his cheeks. "Y-yeah." Lemon said back. "I was just wondering if y-you're not doing anything later-" "YES!...I-I mean...sorry I got a little excited." Zan chuckled at Lemon's embarrassment, "It's fine, so...uh...when do we leave?" "We can leave right now if you want, I just ave to checking wit my supervisor." "Alright, I'll go let Princess Zahara that I'll be gone for a while." Lemon gave him a worried look, "Are you sure you'll be able to do that? With you being her guard." "Zooma, can handle it. Plus we're close friends so I don't think she'll mind, so it's a date?" Lemon nodded, "It's a date." Seven years later Canterlot "And after that, me and daddy started seeing each other more and then we had you, but then he had to leave." said Lemon as she laid next to a small colt in a small bed. The colt was a had a milk chocolate coat with lighter brown stripes, he had a horn, a black and yellow mane styled in individual braids, and bright yellow eyes. "Why did daddy have to leave? Where did he go?" asked the small colt with an innocent expression. Lemon tried not to show a sad expression in front of her child, the truth was Zan had decided to stay in Canterlot with Lemon an the year later she had a young beautiful foal and the three lived happily, but when Zan was called back to Zebrafrica for a temporal assignment, she was worried about him going but he rest assured her that everything was going to be fine and he'll be back soon, but when she got the letter informing her of Zan's....passing- "Mommy, why are you crying?" asked the now worried colt. "J-just had something in my eye, Emerald." she lied rubbing the tears out of her eyes. "Oh, okay. Hey mommy?" "Yes?" "C-can you sleep with me tonight?" "Of course, sweetie." Emerald gave a bright smile as he watched his mother get under the blankets, she gave a light nuzzle to him as he gave on back. The small unicorn colt gave a light yawn before snuggling close to Lemon's chest. "Good night mommy." lightly said Emerald before dozing off in a deep slumber. Lemon could only smile and wipe another tear when she heard the cute little snores from her colt. "Good night, my little Emerald." she whispered before pecking him on his forehead and laid her head on the pillow and falling asleep as well.