The Zebra King

by Dragon Fruit

Prologue

"Thanks for letting us come with you to see Zecora Twilight."

"My pleasure Sweetie Belle, I just hope she'll have that book I've been looking for."

"Yawn" chorused Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Twilight flashed them an annoyed glare as they hoof-bumped.

"Ah just hope we ain't being a bother to her, us just showing up like this." Applejack said. She stepped carefully in order not to jostle the sleeping Apple Bloom on her back.

"Yeah, I hope it won't be too much trouble," Fluttershy softly mumbled.

"Darling, we're just popping bye," Rarity chided, "We won't be there for too long...we won't will we Twilight?" Rarity wasn't trying to be rude, but the Evergreen Forest was so...dirty.

"Don't worry girls, we'll just be in and out"

"What'd ya need from Zecora anyway Twi?"

"A book on ancient Zebra magic. Ever since that last battle with Trixie, I figured it'd be a good idea to have a few tricks up my sleeves. Zebra magic is rare at best in Equestria, so it'd be a real advantage."

"Yeah! You may even learn a spell to make the ground grow gummy bears!" Pinkie squealed, licking her chops at the thought. Everyone just gave her blank stares.

"Yeah...maybe Pinkie." Twilight turned her head as Spike let out a giant snore. Everyone laughed. A few minuets later, they approached a hut in the middle of the forest. Sitting on a rock not far behind it was a gray Zebra, staring into a shallow pond. Scootaloo jumped excitedly, her wings buzzing.

"Zecora!" She shouted. The zebra jerked her head up in surprise.

"Huh? Wha's going on?" Apple Bloom yawned loudly. Catching sight of Zecora however, she immediately shook of her grogginess, and the cutie mark crusaders rushed to meet their stripped friend. The older ponies quickly trotted after them.

"Why isn't isn't this a surprise. Your here for a book, am I right to surmise?," Zecora brightly rhymed, turning to a lightly blushing Twilight.

"Your right, I was hoping to borrow a book on Zebra magic. It really helped last time with Trixie." Zecora replied merrily,
"Of course you may use my book, come inside and take a look."
__________________________________________________________________________________

Inside the hut, Zecora was showing Twilight and Spike a Zebrican book of spells, and the older ponies were chatting amongst themselves. In the meantime, the trio of fillies were looking around Zecora's hut.

"Zecora sure has some real interestin' stuff" Apple Bloom observed.

"Yeah, check out these spears!" Scootaloo grabbed one in her hooves and jabbed it at an imaginary monster, nearly poking Sweetie Belle in the process.

"Hey! Watch where your aiming that!" Sweetie squealed.

"Heh, heh, sorry" Scootaloo apologized sheepishly quickly putting the pointy stick down.

"Hey guy's look ah this!" Apple Bloom was staring at a huge black book on the floor, a huge ancient looking symbol on it's cover. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo trotted up beside her, staring at the symbol in confusion. Sweetie cocked her head and scrunched her eyes. "It sort of looks like a zebra." Scootaloo opened the book and stared at the strange symbols in confusion.

"What the heck is this?"

"It is a tale of adventure, betrayal and romance. This book is indeed far more than at first glance." replied an amused voice.

The fillies quickly jerked around to a smirking Zebra and a bemused looking group of ponies (and a baby dragon). "Sorry Zecora" The trio mumbled.

"Sorry? What for? It's natural for fillies to explore."

"What's that book about anyway?" Apple Bloom asked.

"This book as black as coal, was a story told to me when I was just a foal."

"Wait a sec," Rainbow Dash hovered over the the huge text, eyeing warily. "This is a fairy tale?"

"I suppose that is one description, however it is a bit of a oversimplification"

"What do you mean Zecora?" Zecora chuckled. Twilight Sparkle, always the curious one.

"It is as I said before, this tale has a lot in store." Zecora closed her eyes. "It is a story of a prince, a story of strife, it's a tale of redemption, and the circle of life. This is a fable which every tribe tells their foals, to keep their minds in the light, and to keep pure their souls." Zecora was lost in thought, memories of her homeland enveloping her.

Everypony stared at Zecora curiously. They rarely heard her speak of her homeland, and it seemed sort of rude to interrupt her now. Zecora opened her eyes a blinked as if suddenly remembering herself. She saw the ponies staring and blushed. "I am very sorry to digress, but this tale tends to make my mind quite a mess."

"That's alright Zecora. Say do you think you could tell us that story sometime? Ow!" Twilight smacked Spike with her wing.

"Spike don't be rude. You know that Zecora's busy" The CMC and Pinkie Pie however ignored her and rushed to Zecora who tried her best not to back away.

"Would ya please tell us the story Zecora?"

"Yeah pretty please!"

"That story sound's awesome! Come on please?"

"Pretty pretty please, with rainbow sprinkles, gummy bears, and cupcakes on top?"

Applejack stepped between Zecora and the mini mob swarming her. "Now hold on just a minuet. We shouldn't impose on Zecora like that. She's got better things to do than tell ya'll stories all day. Now come on, let's get goin'. " So saying Applejack began herding the dejected dragon and ponies to the door, the others following behind.
Twilight turned to Zecora apologetically. "I'm sorry about that Zecora, we'll just be on our way now. Thank you for the book." As she was about to leave with the others, she heard the zebra rhyme,

"There is no problem I assure,
to tell the story as a cure,
To the possible dangers that I can see,
That results from a pony's curiosity."

Zecora looked past Twilight to the now hopeful looking dragon and ponies.
"No trouble will telling the story be,
But only if your sisters will agree"

Pinkie Pie, Spike, and the Crusaders turned their ultimate puppy dog pouts on their friends and siblings. Rarity shifted nervously, glancing towards Twilight. Fluttershy looked to Rainbow who just shrugged her shoulders in response. Applejack shifted glances between the hopeful foursome and patiently waiting Zecora. Finally, she sighed in defeat. "Is it alright if we stay an' listen to you story Zecora?" Rarity was quick to interject.

"We?"

"Well I ain't leaving my little sister to walk through the Everfree Forest by herself." She waved to the others. "Ya'll can go, Pinkie and I'll make sure everypony gets home safely."

"Yep yep!" Pinkie piped, jumping around the hut, "We're gonna hear a story, we're gonna hear a story." Rarity looked at Applejack irritated.

"Well I'm not going to leave my little sister either." So saying she grabbed Sweetie Belle and sat down in front of Zecora. Sweetie could hear her mumble, "Not that anyone cares about what all this dust and dirt does to my mane." Sweetie held back a giggle, while Applejack rolled her eyes, taking a seat next to Rarity with Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo trotted up to Rainbow Dash, eyes sparkling excitedly. "Are you staying Rainbow Dash? Are ya?" Trying to sound nonchalant but her eyes glittering with curiosity she replied, "Sure squirt I'll listen for a bit. But I doubt it'll be any Daring Doo. Hey Fluttershy," The yellow mare flinched. "You're gonna stay or head back home?"

"Well...if everypony else is staying....then I guess I'll stay here. The animals don't need me home till dark at least."

"Whoo hoo!" Scootaloo cheered, zipping towards her friends. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash took a seat on each side of her. Zecora turned to Twilight.

"Well Ms. Sparkle can you say,
That you may join your friends and be willing to stay?"

"Yeah, common Twilight, it'll be fun." Spike spoke up, his eyes begging. This is where being a baby dragon has it's advantages. Twilight tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"I guess it would be interesting to hear myths from Zebrica. Their culture is so different from our own and-"

"Hey egg head, just admit you just want hear the story" Rainbow called, fluttering above them. Twilight glared at her and grumbled, her horn glowing. Rainbow's wings snapped to her sides making her fall to the ground with a loud thud. Twilight trotted past the mumbling cyan pony with her head high.

"And your being rude." Spike followed behind sniggering. Rainbow resumed her place in what was now a semicircle surrounding Zecora, growling under her breath. Zecora sat down and cleared her throat, as if she had done so many times before. The book was left untouched.

"Hey aren't you going to read?" Sweetie asked.

Zecora shook her head."In my homeland you see,
There a tradition be.
We pass tales down by way of tongue,
To keep the attention of ones so young.

She could see Twilight rapidly taking mental notes and smiled, hoping that the lavender mare understood the story beyond than the mere words she would hear. Zecora turned to the expectant faces and smiled. It had been a long time since she had shared this tale, she hoped she could still tell it right. But as she began, the words and rhythm fell from her lips as if they were never forgotten:

Now let me tell you the epic tale
Of Ujasiri a zebra male,
A tale of his journey bright,
And his duty to set things right.
Let me tell you of the King of the plains,
Who freed his soul bound in chains,
It be not lion, fox, nor snail
It is the Zebra King, with his stripes from head to tail.
So let's start from the beginning shall we?
Allow me to let you come and see
The time of calm before the storm,
On the day the Zebra King was born......

Author's Note:

Here's a translation of any unfamiliar names. Most of the names in the story are Swahili.

Ujasiri (Ooo-ja-see-ree)- Courage

Just so you know, there will be parts of this story similar to the Lion King Movie, but I plan to only use that as the inspiration. Zebra's are much different than lions, so this story's going to take quite a few sharp turns from our beloved classic, so let that be a warning to ya!

Comments

[2wingo]

Well, I'm hooked.