The Silver Pony Slippers

by Nocturn Dreamwrite

Chapter 2: Modern Day, Zecora

The Silver Pony Slippers

Chapter 2: Modern Day, Zecora

It was another bright and glories day in Equestria. Ponyville, one of the youngest and fastest growing towns in modern day

Equestria shone in Princess Celestia’s sunlight almost as brilliantly as Canterlot, the capitol of Equestria on Mt. Canterhorn, itself. Ponies of

different kinds were laughing and playing in true friendship while others happily conducted their regular daily business.

A streak of rainbow suddenly zipped across the sky. For most ponies, this was typical, nothing out of the ordinary, but for some,

such as Scootaloo, this was once again the ‘greatest moment ever’, because everyone knew that it could only be one pony: Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow was undoubtedly the best, and fastest Pegasus in Ponyville, and everyone knew it. Not because she said so herself quite a bit, but

because it was true. The streak did a few loop-the-loops, and a couple of zigzags through the clouds, and thus, evaporating them, before it

finally slowed. The long streak disappeared, and Rainbow Dash herself could now be seen gliding toward the ground. Rainbow settled to a

stop right in the middle of the main street, right in front of Sugar Cube Corners. She then bolted right to the front door where Pinkie Pie was

waiting with a stopwatch.

“Did I do it Pinkie?” Rainbow asked, “Did I make it? What’s my time?”

Pinkie Pie had stopped the watch the moment that Rainbow Dash had touched ground.

“Your time was 7.2 seconds Rainbow Dash,” said Pinkie with her usual, beaming smile. “That’s .15 seconds faster than your last

record.” She continued so as to encourage her friend.

“Ahhh… that’s just not good enough.” Said Rainbow Dash once again disappointed. “I’ll never be able to clear the sky in five seconds flat.”

Rainbow Dash had been trying to complete her entire sky clearing and cloud busting job in only five seconds for the past three

weeks. She had pushed herself harder today than ever before, but still she hadn’t made it. Not that 7.2 seconds was bad. In fact, before she

started going for five seconds, she hadn’t known that she could do her job in less than ten, but 5 seconds would surely impress the

Wonderbolts, and that’s why it mattered to her.

“Don’t worry Dashie”, said Pinkie “You’ll get there. Same time tomorrow! I’d love to stay and help you train,” Pinkie continued, “But I have

to pass out all the invites to Mayor Mare’s birthday party tonight, and I’ll take me all day to pass them out to everypony in Ponyville. See you

later Dashie!”

“Yeah I guess so,” said Rainbow Dash as she walked away, still discouraged.

She walked until she came to the small stream that passed right beside Ponyville. She looked down at her reflection, considering

her options. Should she stay with her new record or keep trying for her goal- record. In the water she took a look at her reflection, it was

indeed hers, Rainbow Dash’s reflection. “Rainbow Dash” she thought to herself. Suddenly she brought her head back up, and stood at

attention.

“Rainbow Dash,” said Rainbow aloud, “That’s right, I am Rainbow Dash. That’s my name and flying’s my game. I can do it, no, I will do it!”

Her resolve restored, rainbow spread her wings and pushed herself as high and as fast as she could. She had to train and train

hard. The sky outside of Ponyville was filled with rainbow sings that would appear and disappear, and Rainbow kept pushing every move

she had to the limit. Five minutes later, she finally allowed herself a chance to breath by fixing herself in a glide.

Rainbow Dash looked below her. She was now over the Everfree Forest. After a minute or two, she turned around, and was just about to fly

back to Ponyville, when she heard someone yelling far below. Being the brave and bold pony that she is, Rainbow swooped down just above

the trees so she could take a closer look. What she saw surprised even her. There was Zecora, the Zebra that lived in the Everfree, and she

was being chased by timber wolves, strange wolf-like creatures made of sticks and wood splinters. This was rather odd for Zecora. Most

everypony who knew her, including Rainbow, knew that Zecora was very resourceful, and could take care of herself. Yet, sure enough, as

Rainbow watched, there was Zecora running away from the timber wolves. Rainbow counted the timber wolves as they ran by.

“Three, four, five, Six, Seven…whoa”, said Rainbow Dash as timber wolves kept running by. She missed a few, but she counted at least

twelve. Timber wolves usually travel in packs of three or four, maybe five, but twelve, no wonder Zecora was running. Zecora wasn’t making

kidding around, she was really in trouble.

Rainbow Dash followed the chase from above, looking for the right hole to swoop down and help her zebra friend out. Rainbow

looked ahead. Zecora was running straight for a steep, rocky cliff. Even if Zecora had the ability to climb it, the timber wolves would catch

her half-way up since they could dig their claws into the sediment, and gain the advantage in their grip. A pony could out-run a timber wolf,

but climbing was completely different. Rainbow Dash had to think of a better plan, and quick.

“If Zecora tries to climb it, she will be caught unless…unless…”, thought Rainbow Dash.

Meanwhile, Zecora had made it to the bottom of the slope. She charged it, made a few steps, but her hooves wouldn’t grip, and she

slid back down. She was just about to try again, when she heard a timber wolf howl. She turned around to face her foes. The timber wolf

that howled was the leader. He, or rather it, snarled at Zecora at grinned. It knew she was trapped. The other timber wolves joined their

leader in a tight crescent surrounding the Zebra.

Despite being trapped Zecora still kept her posture, and defiant spirit.

“Stay away you foul beasts of wood, or I’ll give you a lesson in manners that’ll fix you up good.”

The timber wolves began to advance, their line became tighter.

“If you think you’ve beaten me by might, you’ll soon find out I have not yet begun to fight!” yelled Zecora, and with that She began throwing

small rocks over her head, and with the greatest skill, used her tail to flick them as fast as arrows directed right at the timber wolves faces.

All of Zecora shots hit their marks, but the timber wolves were re-facing themselves faster than Zecora could deface them, and they kept

advancing. The timber-wolves were not less than ten feet from Zecora, who was now reduced to desperately throwing the rocks with her

hooves as fast as she could. It looked as thought it would be a fight till the finish.

“If you beasts come once inch closer, you will not live to become one year…!”

“Slower!” interrupted Rainbow Dash, as she suddenly swooped above the timber wolves heads from behind, locked her forelegs around

Zecoras and flew her right to the top of the cliff with lightning speed. Zecora and Rainbow Dash looked back down at the dumbfounded

faces of the Timber wolves.

“Hey slowpokes!”, called Rainbow Dash, “You all look like a banana down there! How about you all split, huh?” With that she flew up and

landed hooves first on the lever she had fastened under a large, heavy boulder. The bolder leaned forward and then tumbled over the edge

of the cliff. It fell down right on the spot where the timber wolves were standing crushing all but four. The boulder rolled forward slightly,

then came to rest on its flatter side with a loud boom.

“Whoa…, that was Awesome!” shouted Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash and Zecora turned to greet each other.

“Many thanks Rainbow Dash, you’ve saved my life as quick as a flash,” said Zecora bowing to Rainbow.

“Ah, it was nothing, just a simple trick really. Nothing I wouldn’t do for a friend,” replied Rainbow Dash.

“Oh, but even still you’ve shown yourself true blue, and therefore I have a gift for you,” said Zecora.

“Gee thanks”, said rainbow dash, “I don’t need anything.” She paused for dramatic effect, then excitedly said “Oooo…What is it!”

Zecora dropped her satchel on the ground, and began fumbling through it with her muzzle. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but grin in

anticipation.

After a few seconds, Zecora pulled a small, cloth bag out of her satchel. She placed the small bag on the ground and untied the knot keeping

the top tightly closed. Finally, she opened the bag, and placed its contents on the ground in front of Rainbow Dash. The contents were a set

of four silver pony slippers.

Rainbow’s smile faded. She wasn’t upset, but a set of pony slippers wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. She hardly ever wore

shoes at all, except at really formal celebrations such as the Grand Galloping Gala. Whenever Rarity made her a dress for such an occasion it

always came with shoes.

“These slippers of silver are not just shoes”, explained Zecora, “they are magic, and grant wishes of whatever you choose. The Zebra elders

said they fell right out of the sky, one strange day when a storm came rushing by. From generation to generation these shoes have past

until fate chose me to have them at last. And so, Rainbow Dash, for coming to my rescue, these slippers, for your hooves, are my gift to you.”

Zecora smiled when she finished her story and rhyme.

Rainbow Dash stared at Zecora with a confused look on her face. She thought for a moment trying to piece together the basics of what

Zecora has said. Zecora, waiting for Rainbow to accept her gift kept smiling.

“O…K,” said Rainbow Dash at last with a smile. “Silver shoes for me. I’m not sure about the magic and falling out of the sky part, but

anyways, I accept. Thanks Zecora.”

Zecora nodded in approval.

Rainbow Dash the tried on the silver pony slippers. They fit her perfectly.

“Well”, said Rainbow, as she examined her new slippers, “They are… kind of awesome. She walked around in a circle. No doubt about it, the

slippers fit her just fine.

Rainbow Dash spread her wings to take flight, but turned back to Zecora.

“Catch you later Zecora,” said Rainbow, “And thanks again. If you ever need me again, just call.” With that Rainbow flew upwards into the sky.

“Thank you, Rainbow Dash, my friend, may we meet again when it does not look like the end,” Zecora called back as she watched Rainbow

Dash fly away, and up into the sky.