//------------------------------//
// The Madame 
// Story: Voodoo That Zebras Do 
// by Stratocaster 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 3: The Madame



The setting sun cast shadows from the drooping willow trees that stretched over the murky waters of the bayou. There was a serene level of silence that enveloped the wilderness, save for the symphony of frogs and bugs from the tangled bushes. All that broke the flat surface of the swampy river was the small wooden boat piloted by Zeru, as he transported Twilight, Rainbow, Spike and Zecora as his passengers. Normally, ponies would use electric fan boats to maneuver the winding streams of the Port-au-Prance thicket. But zebras had a deep respect for nature and avoided using such technology that would disturb their carefully preserved land.
Twilight marveled at the local flora and fauna seen and heard around her as the boat cruised down the river, while Spike gazed absentmindedly at the muddy water wondering what manner of wildlife lurked below. Rainbow simply lay on her back and stared up at the canopy, her mind still on food. Zecora couldn't help sneaking glances at Zeru, who was on the stern end of the boat pushing along with a rod against the shallow river's floor.

"Spike, quit sticking your claw in the water." Twilight warned her assistant. "These rivers are teeming with alligators."

"Ah come on," scoffed Spike. "How bad can they be? If anything I'm like a distant cousin to them."

"You can say that, little dragon," chuckled Zeru. "But these gators have been known to even attack their own."

"I'm about to attack somepony if I don't get some grub soon." Rainbow grumbled.

"Rainbow are you just going to lounge around this entire journey?" discerned Twilight. "You should really be more appreciative. Not many ponies get to see these parts of Port-au-Prance. Right, Zeru?"

"I suppose," he said. "But then again, that is also a good thing. With not many ponies arriving in this country, we zebras have been given a chance to flourish and preserve its nature."

"How come this place is so un-visited anyway?" asked Rainbow.

"Many outsiders are too afraid to travel here." Zeru answered. "It is mainly because of superstition about zebra magic and myths about voodoo. But from what I could tell, zebra magic is really quite wonderful." He said giving a knowing smirk at Zecora, who responded with a slight blush.

Suddenly, the boat began to rock as the sound of splashing came along with a low rumble.

"AAAAAHH!!!" Spike screamed as he sprang backward and into Rainbows hooves, cowering in fright. "It's bigger than I thought!"

Everypony looked to see the head of a large alligator poking up over the side of the boat, smacking its powerful jaws.

"Eep!" Twilight yelped as she joined Spike and Rainbow for a group cowering. "Spike what did I just tell you?!"

"I said I wanna eat, not be eaten!" griped Rainbow.

The boat shook violently as the gator attempted to crawl over inside, swiveling its thick, green head in lust for food. Zecora and Zeru remained strangely calm, the latter of whom approached the ravenous reptile with a stern expression. With one swift blow, he raised his long rafting rod and thwacked the gator on the head right between its glassy eyes. The strike apparently had hit precisely on the gator's head enough to make the beast instantly delirious. Soon it began to sway its head dizzily and loosen its grip on the boat. Finally, with an aggravated grumble, the gator plunged back into the river, slinking off to find prey elsewhere.

"No worries," said Zeru proudly. "That was just a pup compared to the other gators around here."

"Oh," replied Twilight with a bead of sweat. "What a relief."

Eventually, the still river carried their boat to a rickety dock built on the bank, the anticipation for more alligator attacks heightened. Nighttime approached, sheathing the swamp in a looming darkness. Zeru urged his visitors not to linger, lest they be hounded by nocturnal predators. But as Twilight, Rainbow and Spike exited the boat, Zecora hesitated. She had been stewing with a quiet guilt the entire cruise, and now she felt it hard to even look at Zeru despite the joy of which.

"Are you coming, Zecora?" asked Zeru, lending her his hoof to exit the boat. "It is getting dark soon."

Zecora sighed and looked at him. "Before we continue towards our home," she spoke. "There is something I must atone."

"Are you alright?"

"Zeru, your help and kindness I did not earn." She said. "I failed my promise and left before your return. For all these years I've felt weight on my heart, thinking we'd be forever apart. I feel ashamed for abandoning you and this land. So if you resent me...I understand." Zecora lowered her head in sorrow.

But Zeru quickly lifted her chin and looked at her with the same purple eyes she knew from foalhood. "I am not mad at you, Zecora." He said with a smile. "You said we would see each other again, and we have. That is all that matters to me."

Zecora looked into the stallion's soft eyes and smiled. She held her friend's hoof trying to hold back tears. Despite her previous doubts, she finally felt confident returning to her home.

The bayou finally fell into darkness as Zecora and her friends continued on the path to her village. Fortunately, the moist forest was illuminated by the dance of fireflies. The faint ripples of the water and the sound of crickets and songbirds filled the air with pleasant white noise. They were joined by a series of squeaks and creaks from the planks of the old boardwalk as their hooves, and dragon feet, trod over them. To the three Equestrian travelers, the path through the dark swamp felt like a tunnel to another world, with the boardwalk surrounded by walls of withered trees and hanging vines; the scattered fireflies provided a brilliant torch. After several minutes of admiring the stroll, the ponies were finally led by Zeru to an opening in the foliage.
To their amazement, the clearing opened into a hidden swamp oasis, the water from the river draining out into a large pond flanked by tall trees. On the far side of the pond was the long anticipated village, a network of wooden platforms extending from the boardwalk and standing above the dark water on stilts. The lights of many candles created a warm glow that enveloped the village, tinted green by the surrounding flora. Already Twilight's party could see several zebras bustling between the thatched bungalows. The alluring dark beauty of the secluded civilization left them standing in awe unknowingly.

"Welcome to my home!" said Zeru proudly as he continued on the boardwalk that stretched around the pond. "It may not be as big or advanced as the cities of Equestria, but it is still pretty all the same."

"It's absolutely beautiful!" gazed Twilight. "I've never seen an entire zebra civilization. You weren't kidding when you said how much you value the nature of this place."

"It is still exactly as I recall." Zecora looked at her home with nostalgia. "I am glad to have returned after all. Although I have been away so many years. What will happen when my friends see me here?"

"It'll be alright," said Zeru reassuringly. "I have been telling them all that your travels have been going well."

"That is no lie," said Zecora. "Still it may bring a tear to my eye."

As the group entered the stilted village, already the zebras began to take notice of them. Luckily, Twilight showed off her diplomacy skills as a princess with smiles and waves, even though she was not the one they were giving the most attention to. Still, the visitation did not distract the striped natives from their daily errands. There were stallions busy with various tasks such as mending boards, wheeling carts full of crops and fishing off the docks below. The mares were also hard at work fetching water from a well, vending food and washing and hanging laundry outdoors. Even a group of zebra foals were out playing in the open village center, in a game of what appeared to be a mix of soccer and freeze tag. All the while, a number of eyes were drawn towards the foreigners and the two zebras guiding them. Zecora looked around anxiously. She recognized some of the faces and hoped dearly that none of them resented her. She kept her head low just in case.

"Zecora!" called an excited female voice.

Zecora's ears perked up and she looked around. Trotting towards her was a zebra mare dressed in a red headscarf and a necklace of wooden trinkets. Following beside her were two young foals, one colt and one filly, and resting in a sling over the mare's back was a baby who looked at the ponyfolk curiously. The mother of three beamed when she approached Zecora.

"I do not believe my eyes!" she spoke. "Zecora it is really you!"

Zecora quickly realized who it was. "Zusa? I recognize you anywhere!" she smiled. "You have become quite a beautiful mare!"

"Oh please, and you as well!" said Zusa giddily. "When I heard from Zeru yesterday that you were coming home, oh I just could not contain my excitement!"

"Wait, so the whole village knew that Zecora was coming?" asked Spike.

"Of course." Zeru answered then turned to Zecora. "I told you they would be excited."

"I must say, Zusa, you have not changed a tad." Zecora said. "Except now you are a mother, I might add!"

"Oh yes." Zusa blushed. "And would you believe I have another one on the way? I suppose Zinon has been keeping me quite busy. We have been together for almost ten years!"

"You and Zinon have tied the knot?" gawked Zecora. "I really have missed quite a lot."

"Oh but we are just so glad to have you back, Zecora!" Zusa hugged her.

The little filly beside her looked up at Twilight shyly. "Are you...are you a pony?"

"Why yes I am!" smiled Twilight. "My name is Twilight Spa-"

"Why do you have a drill on your head?" the filly asked innocently.

"This one has a parrot mane!" the colt shouted as he poked Rainbow.

"Hey got offa me!" Rainbow grumbled, trying hard not to buck the colt off of her back.

"Children please, leave our guests alone." Zusa ordered, motherly. She then turned to Twilight and Rainbow. "I am sorry about that. We are not used to outsiders. By the way, Zecora, your mother is waiting in her cottage. I have a feeling you must be dying to see her again."

Zecora hesitated for a moment, having nearly forgotten why she was there. "I am indeed. Forgive me but I must proceed."

"Oh of course, do not let me get in the way." Zusa replied happily. "Are you all staying for long?"

"Well, we're here on a mission of great importance," said Twilight. "So we might be here for a few days."

"Days?" said Spike nervously.

"Wonderful!" said Zusa. "In that case, we welcome you to our village! Especially you, Zecora. We really must catch up later! Come along, little ones!"

"Aww, but I wanted to ride the parrot pony!" whined the colt as the family headed off.

"I'll show you a parrot, you little-" Rainbow muttered to herself.

"Well then, we should really get to your mother's hut." Zeru said to Zecora. "I know she wants to see you most of all."

"I can see how." Zecora said, feeling a bit troubled. "Let us go see her now."

"By the way, doesn't this village have a name?" asked Spike.

"Yes, its name comes from an ancient zebra language." Zeru answered. "It is called Ouganoosimbassakinambomiku'otashilusa."

"Why in the world would you name it that?!" replied Rainbow.

"You will laugh when you hear what it means." Zeru grinned.

"Well this is a sight for tired eyes!" came a male voice from docks on the lower level beside them. "Zecora! It is me!"

"Zinon! It is great to see you finally!" Zecora smiled. "And I must compliment you on your family!"

"Ah yes, Zusa was itching to greet you!" The stallion wearing a ragged vest and a round straw hat appeared from a gangplank to the docks. He carried a bundle of freshly caught fish over his shoulder. "This calls for a celebration! Let me know when you and your friends get hungry! I will have a big cookout waiting for you!"

"That will certainly put me in a good mood." Zecora said. "It has been a while since I had Port-au-Prance food."

"Did somepony say food?!" blurted Rainbow. "Hey, Mr. Zinon! When is this cookout gonna be?"

"Eventually, Miss Flying Pony." Zinon shrugged a reply. "But for now I must get back to work. Welcome back, Zecora!"

As they continued through the village, Spike leaned over to Twilight. "Hey Twi, doesn't it bother you at all that none of these other zebras rhyme? I mean, does Zecora even wonder that?"

"Yes, Spike, that's exactly what we came all the way out here to find out." Twilight glowered.

At last, the team arrived at a larger wooden bungalow close to the nearby forest. Around the thatched cottage, the walls were adorned with an array of trinkets, idols and various decorations possibly meant to keep out bad spirits when practicing magic. The front windows were shut hiding any sign that somepony was home. But the wisp of smoke pouring out from a chimney indicated that there was activity inside. This was the home Zecora grew up in, and where her mother still resided. Zecora gave a sullen look as more foalhood memories came flooding back.

"It will be alright, Zecora." Zeru said. "Your mother is a kind mare."

Zecora sighed and shook off her remaining hang-ups. "I will enter my home. But I won't do it alone."

"Of course not." Twilight encouraged.

Slowly but surely, Zecora stepped up to the front porch of the bungalow where images of herself playing as a filly reawakened in her mind. As the others followed suit, she opened the door. The inside of the bungalow was just as Zecora had remembered it. The door opened up to a sizable main area with a lounge on the left side and a simple kitchen on the right. The walls were heavily decorated with more magic items, including masks, amulets, rosaries, wind chimes, dream catchers and fragrant herbs. In front of the kitchen was a cauldron boiling above a low fire, the steam from which rose up through the chimney. In fact, much of these features were replicated in Zecora's hut outside Ponyville. There was a quiet serenity in the home that only a mother could maintain. That is until the peace was broken by-

"BLAH!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

A large, ghastly, hideous face appeared from the darkness of the room. It stared down the visitors with glaring, beady eyes and a snarling mouth full of bloodied fangs. Twilight jumped into Rainbow's hooves while the effeminate scream from Spike caused him to faint from exhaustion. Only Zecora and Zeru remained calm at the sight of the grizzly mask, the latter of whom simply grinned with delight.

"My my, that never gets old!" came a warm voice with a chuckle.

"Really, Madame Zaria," said Zeru. "You have quite a sense of humor."

The mask was removed by the kindly face behind it. Madame Zaria, the wise shaman of the village, smiled at them all with heartfelt jade eyes. She was dressed in an elaborate violet robe with red trim, and a necklace of different talismans hung from her neck. Multiple rings pierced along her ears, with one on her nose and one on her lip. Her mane was styled into a bundle of dreadlocks that hung down the back of her head. Above all, her face barely showed any signs of aging; even Twilight could almost mistake her for Zecora. She was a mare of timeless beauty and alluring wisdom, which made her so revered in the village.

"Mother, I...I have gotten your letter." Zecora said awkwardly. "I hope that you-"

Zaria held a hoof up to Zecora's mouth, interrupting her speech, something that no pony had ever seen or done before. Still staring at her warmly, she then brushed her hoof through her daughter's mane. The last image she had of Zecora was her in her adolescence. Zaria took her time looking upon her only child now grown up.

"You still have that messy stallion's manecut." Zaria spoke in a deep female tone not unlike her daughter's. She then carefully touched Zecora's hoop earrings. "But at least you kept my jewelry I gave you."

The bluntness of Zaria's welcome was typical of the wise mare's abrasive wit. And it was one of the biggest things about her that Zecora missed the most. Unable to stop the tears welling up in her eyes, Zecora quickly wrapped her hooves around her mother. The velvet of her robe and the lingering scent of incense made her feel at home again, as if she were still that same filly. Zaria held her daughter tight, rubbing her back.

"Oh Mother, I have missed you so." Zecora trembled. "I am sorry for causing you such woe."

"My darling I have missed you too." Zaria said soothingly. "I knew you would come home someday."

Twilight admired the tender moment along with Rainbow. "Rainbow? Are you crying?" she asked.

"No!" she sniffed. "It's just...swamp...allergies."

Zecora parted from her mother and looked at her pleadingly. "Mother, I have been gone for so long. I was afraid that coming here would be wrong. When I left you and all those things I had said, I could not get them out of my head. It was selfish of me to walk out on you then. That is why I thought you would not want to see me again."

"Zecora," replied Zaria calmly. "You were already a young mare when I tried to teach you about voodoo. You were just about ready to be on your own anyway. I admit I was saddened that we had to part over such a matter. But in my heart I knew you would be better off. Every day I could sense your energy, and I would smile knowing that you still practice my teachings, especially to help your friends in dire need. Zecora, what happened that day matters not. To see you as a grown, beautiful mare, so wise and noble in the magic arts, makes me more proud as a mother than I have ever been."

Zebra wiped her eye as she smiled with relief at her mother's words. "I still use your spells from time to time." She said. "Even the one that turns juice into wine."

"Oh yes." Zaria smirked. "I should never have taught you that on your birthday."

Both zebra mares snickered together, recalling their days of pulling mischief with their magic.

"Um, excuse me, Madame Zaria," said Twilight. "My name is-"

"Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria." Zaria greeted her by rubbing her mane messily. "I read your letter with Zeru. My word, your magic aura is extraordinary. I sense that you have studied much in the ways of alteration."

"Wow!" Twilight blinked. "I actually majored in alteration at Canterlot Academy! How did you pick up on that?"

"It was an inspired guess." Zaria grinned. "And who might you be, whose mane resembles that of a macaw?"

Rainbow let the remark slide. "Uh, my name is Rainbow Dash." She replied sheepishly. "And I'm here with Twilight to...um..." Before she could think of something to end on, Rainbow's stomach gave off a loud growl.

"Child, I know exactly why you are here." Zaria said strongly. "That is why I have been boiling a gumbo in just enough time for you all to arrive."

"Food?" whimpered Rainbow.

"Are you sure, Madame Zaria?" asked Twilight. "We don't want to intrude."

"Miss Princess, please!" Zaria gave her another mane rub. "You are in a mother's home, so you will be fed by a mother. Come! In this house now! You as well, Zeru!" she beckoned cheerily.

"Ugh, what happened?" gurgled Spike as he awoke from his faint. "Are we in Port-au-Prance yet?"

Zaria took the opportunity to don the monster mask again and yell a deep "boo" at the young dragon, causing him to sprint off outside and hide under a crate.

"What a strange little iguana." Zaria commented to herself.

...

For the next hour, the zebras introduced the three foreigners to the down-home cooking of Port-au-Prance. As they gathered around the kitchen table, their bowls were filled to the brim with piping hot gumbo, which consisted of a red bean broth, cabbage, mushrooms, yams and ground spicy peppers. At first, Rainbow and Spike were hesitant to try the potpourri of earthy foods due to the unfamiliar smell. But upon the first spoonful, they quickly asked for seconds, then thirds, then sixths. Eventually they both lounged in their chairs with distended bellies, the home-cooked meal having subdued them.

"Oh man," said Rainbow with a belch. "I like this place already."

"Imagine how good that would be with a few sapphires." Spike grunted.

"It is not often I get to cook for newcomers." Zaria said gratefully. "I suppose I have a lot of time on my hooves."

"It was delicious, Madame Zaria." Twilight said. "But it I may, we still have some pressing matters to look to."

"Oh?" replied Zaria, clearing the table. "And what would that be?"

Twilight looked puzzled at Zecora who only returned a shrug. "Um, you mentioned in your letter that somepony in the village is practicing voodoo. Is this true?"

"Ah yes, voodoo." Zaria spoke as she moved some boxes into the room in the back, seemingly distracted. "A very dangerous form of magic. It is not for the faint of heart."

Twilight tried to keep her patience. "Yes, and we were wondering if you had any leads on-"

"Deadly magic found in voodoo." Zaria continued speaking, now in the other room. "Very life threatening."

Twilight looked over at Zecora again, still not getting a straight answer out of her mother.

"Please forgive my mother's goof." Zecora said. "She can often be very aloof."

Deciding to changer her tactic, Twilight approached Zaria more casually about the situation at hoof. "So, Madame Zaria," she called. "These masks are very intricate. Where did you get them?"

Zaria reappeared from the back room. "I fear that a dark curse is upon our village." She said soberly.

"Um, okay." Twilight blinked.

"It has been three months since I first saw the signs." Zaria continued. "Ever since, the lurking presence of voodoo has become increasingly noticeable. My divination never lies."

"How did you first know there was voodoo being practiced around the village?" asked Twilight.

Zaria wore a chilled look as she recalled what she saw three months ago. "The graveyard. I was visiting to pay my respects when I saw that one of the graves had been disturbed. There was a hole in front of the stone and there was nothing inside. The body had disappeared. At first I suspected grave robbers. But the ground was penetrated from underneath. It was not dug up."

"Oh jeez, you don't mean it was..." Spike gulped. "A zombie?!"

"I cannot say for sure." Zaria said. "But if a corpse had indeed been removed in such a way, it could only be the work of voodoo. Long ago, it was practiced by many zebra shamans, borrowing haunting rituals from Zebrafican tradition. Their ultimate goal was raising the dead and even achieving immortality. It is said that these shamans were able to control resurrected bodies, by sacrificing the blood of a living zebra. But as our society grew more civilized, the ways of voodoo were forbidden, and until recently it has been nothing more than folklore and ghost stories."

"I dread the thought of the dead being raised." Zecora added. "Have you found more evidence in recent days?"

"As I have said, my dear, the source of this magic must be coming from a zebra within the village." Zaria replied. "I have been carefully investigating each and every citizen, but none of them has sown any signs of dark magic potential. It is quite frustrating."

"Are you sure it might be a villager?" asked Twilight. "Because I have a hunch that there may be outside forces in play."

"Why do you say that, child?" Zaria looked at her.

"On our flight here, we were attacked by a strange pony." Twilight explained. "He tried to crash our plane before flying off."

"He wore a gray suit and had a scar over his face's length." Zecora added. "He attacked me with knives with surprising strength."

"Wait a minute," Zeru spoke. "I have met a pony like that around Port-au-Prance! I was awaiting your arrival at the airfield when he appeared and asked me for directions."

"That must've been him!" gasped Twilight. "Zecora said that he mentioned Madame Zaria's name before he sabotaged the plane. He must be here in Port-au-Prance because he's somehow involved with whoever is practicing voodoo, and he's probably plotting something against Madame Zaria!"

"Did this dastardly pony give you his name, Zeru?" asked Zaria.

"No, but we might be able to find him." Zeru said. "When I first laid eyes on him, I could tell that he was untrustworthy. He asked me for the quickest route to this village which only made me more suspicious. So I gave him false directions that would lead him to the fishing village on the far side of the island. If I am correct, he still must be lost somewhere near there."

"Well then it looks like we have a lead!" said Rainbow excitedly. "Let's go whoop this guy's flank and ask him what he knows!"

"Sorry Rainbow," said Twilight. "But this is going to take a more...indirect approach. I suggest you and Spike stay here and help Madame Zaria look for more evidence. Zeru and I will go search for our scar faced assassin."

"What?!" glowered Rainbow. "How come you and Muscles over here get to hunt down the bad guy while I gotta stay put?!"

"If it is excitement you are looking for, my winged filly," said Zaria slyly. "Then perhaps you would like to assist Zecora and me with some spells. There will be more food where that came from."

"In that case, home sweet home!" grinned Rainbow.

"Glad to hear it!" said Zaria. "And we can even use your lizard as a spell subject!"

"But I'm a dragon!" protested Spike. "I can talk!"

"Quiet, iguana!" murmured Rainbow.

"We could still catch this mystery pony if we take the route I gave him." Zeru said as he stood up. "We can leave now."

"Certainly not!" said Zaria motherly. "It is far too dark outside, young Zeru! My home will be open for our guests to stay for the night. We can begin investigation tomorrow."

"Are you sure, Madame Zaria?" asked Twilight. "The sooner we catch this pony the better."

"I am most grateful that you have come all this way to help an old mare in her endeavor." Zaria smiled. "But under my roof you will be treated like family! Besides, I have much confidence that we will find that pony and put an end to this curse before it begins."

"We thank you for your generosity, Madame Zaria." Twilight nodded.

"I'll say, I'm beat." Rainbow rubbed her face. "After today I gotta recharge my adventure mode."

"So that's what she calls it." Spike mumbled to himself.

"The three of you can find a spare room in the back where I have set up beds." Zaria stood up. "I hope you will sleep well."

Before joining Rainbow and Spike in turning in for the night, Twilight turned and spoke. "Seriously, Madame Zaria, I'm really fascinated by those masks. Do you use them for certain kinds of rituals?"

"Mostly I just use them to scare other silly!" grinned Zaria. "There are several masks in the guest room for you."

"Oh swell." Spike whimpered as the three of them exited.

"Well then, I should return home to get some rest myself." Zeru said. "Princess Twilight and I will set out for the swamp tomorrow morning." Before heading for the door, he looked back and winked at Zecora. "Welcome back again, Zecora."

Zecora smiled coyly at him as he exited the bungalow, leaving her alone with her mother.

"Ah, that look on your face." Zaria said knowingly. "A mother can tell when a mare is in love!"

"What?! Mother I am not-"

"Zecora, there is no reason to be embarrassed." Zaria interrupted her again. "Zeru has grown into quite an enticing stallion."

Zecora pinched her brow as she walked off. "Mother I appreciate the gesture, but about this I wish you would not pester!"

"Whatever you say, my child!" giggled Zaria. "Pleasant dreams!"