//------------------------------//
// Seabras 
// Story: Seabras 
// by Vanilla Mocha 
//------------------------------//

"Why don't dragons have cutiemarks?" 

Twilight Sparkle and her young assistant Spike walked through the Everfree Forest. Back in Ponyville, Cheerilee had reported another case of the cutiepox. Another eager little pony was trying to get their symbol, and had achieved it -- the wrong way. It has been a year ago since the last case was seen of, and though Twilight forgot exactly what it was, she knew somezebra that hopefully didn't: Zecora. 

The lavender alicorn glanced down at the small drake. Acknowledging his previously asked question, she sighed, and said, "I don't really know, Spike. Just be glad you didn't come down with the cutiepox."

Spike put a claw to his chin. "Now that I think about it... Ponies are the only beings to have cutiemarks, aren't they?" 

"What do you mean?" Twilight blinked. 

Spike smiled. "You know, like Gilda, for example. She's a griffon, and she doesn't have a mark." 

"Well, Zecora is a zebra, and she has a cutiemark." Twilight added. 

Spike hummed, thinking of something to say back. 

"I think only equine can obtain cutiemarks, because only the equine of our world have magic that can communicate with materialistic objects and nature. Hence the name, 'Equestria'." Twilight continued, "Every other species is part of nature, by definition." 

"So you're saying you're the best species? Twilight, that's a bit racist!" Spike huffed. "And kinda offensive to me."

"Oh, Spike... I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that ponies are connected to nature a little more than others are because we obtain magic." 

The young dragon sighed. "Hey, what about that myth? About the oceans?" 

"Huh?" The princess tilted her head in confusion. 

"The seaponies. You told me about them last time we went to the beach over summer, Horseshoe Bay. Do... You suppose they have cutiemarks? You know, since they're equine."

Twilight chuckled as the two friends continued their walk in the dark forest. "Spike... Those aren't equine. They're fish. They're just called seaponies because they look like equine. Not to mention it's just a myth." 

"But do they have cutiemarks?" The drake asked again. 

"I don't know, Spike. Ask Fluttershy, she should know." Twilight Sparkle sighed. 

"I overheard you tell in your conversation," A familiar voice said, "That he should ask a pony for education." Zecora approached them, her eyes wide. 

"Hello, Zecora! We were looking for you!" Twilight smiled, "Are we close to your hut?"

"My home is close, yet yours is away, why are you out here today? This forest is dangerous, haven't you been told? Better get to safety before I need to scold." The zebra replied. 

"Mind if we join you in your hut? We really need your help with the cutiepox again." Spike smiled sheepishly. 

"Ah, yes, the cutiepox, a cure I shall find. But before I brew it up, I need something if you don't mind." Zecora turned her back and began walking in the way she began. Leading Twilight and Spike to her home, she continued. "What were you looking to know? Spike, you have your own question, so allow me to let your mind grow." 

"Oh, yeah." Spike chuckled, "Do seaponies have cutiemarks?"

Zecora nodded. "Seaponies, seahorses, and seabras alike: all three have marks and-" 

"Wait, what?" Twilight cut her off. 

"Interjecting is rude, next time wait and have a good mood." Zecora finished. 

The alicorn shook her head. "Sorry... And, what do you mean, 'seabras'?"

Zecora blinked. "Seabras, the zebras of the sea. Equine of the ocean count up to three." 

Spike grinned. "And they all have cutiemarks?"

Zecora nodded again.

"Sweet! I knew it, Twilight!" Spike clapped his hands together, "Haha, yes! Thanks Zecora."

Zecora smiled in return. 

"I have never heard of seabras before. Ever!" Twilight groaned. 

The three friends entered the lonely hut. Twilight and Spike sat by the door as Zecora went through her many ingredients that lined her shelves and containers. 

"What was that potion we used last time?" Twilight Sparkle mumbled to herself, rubbing her temples.

Zecora picked up a small brown sack off of a wooden shelf. "Cutie pox, it cannot be cured, unless the truth in the seeds are stirred."

Twilight tilted her head slightly. "What?"

"Wait, Zecora's right! Remember last time? It was the seeds of truth that made Apple Bloom go back to normal!" Spike smiled. 

Twilight's eyes lit up. "No wonder I couldn't remember a cure... There isn't any kind of potion or spell!" She facepalmed, smiling sheepishly. "Thank you so much, Zecora. Wow, you have an excellent memory, don't you?"

Zecora nodded. "Memory is a gift I own, letting me know things while I'm grown."

Spike chuckled. "Hey, Zecora, do the seabras speak in rhymes too?"

The zebra sat beside her cauldron facing her guests. "Our rhyming tongue is tradition from old, so all zebras do it, I have been told. Are seabras an exception: I think not, but be aware, they may rhyme even though they don't trot." She smiled and continued, "Fish can speak, don't you know? Seaponies and seahorses are included, and let's not forget seabras, like I concluded."

Twilight sighed. "I have never seen a seabra."

"Do you need to see to believe?" Zecora narrowed her eyes, "You thought I was mean before you met me." 

Twilight looked up at her. "I-I guess you're right. I'm sorry Zecora." 

Zecora hoofed the princess the sack of seeds. "I accept your apology, now all is well. But you'd better get going before that foal gets swell."

"Oh, right!" Twilight's eyes widened from the alarming reminder that there was a young and helpless foal out there seeking her help. "Thank you again, Zecora! Come on, Spike, we need to hurry!" 

Spike jumped on Twilight's back and she took off into the forest. Zecora chuckled and watched them from her hut. "Young Spike was gullible, Twilight was tough; But when it comes to joking with ponies, there's never enough. And dang, constantly rhyming is hard, but making them believe in something as stupid as seabras made it worth it."