The declassified biography of a zebragus

Tai Jino Village

"It is a big day for you, my children. Today, you become a stallion and a mare, respectively. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend, due to young Zebranni here." Mganga said, while dabbing the traditional paints on their fur, ending with a hoof pointing at the crib in the corner.

"After today will you tell us the big secret about us?" that was Aria, always pestering about this moment, knowing somehow that it was important.

"Yes, my dear. But first, we have a rite to attend. Come along. You too, Jet."

Adulthood Pre-test Ceremony

Jet stood at attention, like he was expected to do, but he let his mind wander.  Yes, yes, I will have to achieve some great feat or bring back the head of a dangerous animal or an enemy of the tribe... I know how this goes. Aria will probably put together a potion she has learned under Mganga's teaching, and I get to hunt. Good, the ceremony is over, lets get going. Jet grabbed his gear and prepared to leave sight of his village for possibly a few days. He sighed, turned around, took off, and flew toward his destiny.

Day 1

Jet had traveled north above the Zebrican jungle for a few hours when he spotted smudges on the horizon. He recognized them as the mountains of those Hakuna Mstari ponies, and that meant he had left his tribal lands, and was somewhere between the Southern Hakuna Mstari border and the Fisi lands. Oh well. might as well get over Fisi territory and go back the long way. He stopped for the night in a cave on a mountain overlooking the Pony capitol of Everfree, located in the forest that would share it's name.

Day 2

Jet awoke refreshed, and looked over the terrain in the morning light. Maybe I could try and catch some of those white sungura that live up in these lands.

Several Hours later...

Jet stumbled to the river and collapsed, partially in it.

"By the Spirits of the Land, those things are fast. Maybe I should try hunting something slower, but more dangerous. Like one of those rumored mantis-cores. That would do it." Jet took off in search of something, anything. After an hour of searching, he heard a bell tolling and armed pegasi moving on his location. Jet muttered several choice words under his breath and altered his direction to straight up. He flew, faster and faster. He flapped, harder and harder.

After 10 minutes of this, he looked down. He saw that most pegasi had given up the chase, for the air was too thin for them. But one foolhardy pegasus kept coming. This pegasus was a cyan color, with rainbow-colored mane and tail. He (she? Jet couldn't tell at this distance) was struggling to keep breathing, but seemingly too stubborn to give up.

Jet watched with a smirk on his face, that fell when the pegasus fainted and started plummeting to certain doom.

"Eagle give me strength, these ponies are not my enemy." Jet dived. He felt the air resist him, but he was only a few feet away from the mare, for he could tell now the pegasus was female.

And then the air broke.

Jet felt a sense of euphoria overcome him. He had just defied the air more than usual. He caught the crazy mare, continued his dive and dropped her just outside of town, then flew back into the skies. He flew higher then previously, so high that the sky was now black. He stopped, wondered how it could be night with the sun still above him. He looked around, noticed the world was round, started looking back up, and stopped.

There was a small log, hooked up to 5 orange... things. Jet stared incredulously at the sight, until the sun had set, the moon was starting to rise, and he noticed a dark blue pony approaching him. Jet panicked when he saw that this pegasus had a horn, too.

"I saw what you did for Prism earlier. On her behalf, thank you..." Jet was still panicking at the arrival of this newcomer.

"Jet...Stream... Who are you?"

"I am Luna Nocturnis Solaris, Princess of the night, Diarch of Equestria. I see those things too, so either you're not crazy, or we both are. No idea what they are, though."

"Me either. Could I get something to prove to my people that I saved this... Prism?"

"Sure. Meet me at the Everfree Castle in the morning before you head home."

Day 3

Jet woke this stormy morning feeling homesick and excited that he would be headed home. He freshened up, and flew toward the Everfree Castle. As he arrived, he was stopped by two members of the royal guard, one a pegasus, the other, one of those strange horned ponies.

"Halt in the name of Princess Celestia! State your name and business." Cried the Pegasus.

"Jet Stream, and I am expected by the Princess." Jet replied, nonchalantly.

"In that case-"

"In that case, Lt. Wonderbolt, we should let him go." the other guard cut this Wonderbolt off, looking over his own shoulder at the arrival of both Luna and another pony like her, whom Jet assumed was Celestia."

"A wise choice, Mr. Shield. We are indeed expecting him. If you will come with us, Young Jet." Celestia told the three of them.

Jet followed, whilst smiling roguishly at Wonderbolt as long as that was feasibly possible for his neck, then turned his head to find himself entering the throne room of Everfree Castle.

The Throne Room

"I would like to officially thank you for saving the life of Private Prism." Said Princess Celestia once they were alone in the throne room, but for two Earth Pony Guards. "You are not the first zebra to come to Equestria for his or her rite of adulthood, but you are the first to not try to kill us AND the first zebra I have ever seen with wings. But, I digress. For saving the life of a pegasus who was trying to capture you, I award you with the 'Exceptional Medic Award' for saving a plausible opponent from death." And with that, Celestia teleported.

"Ah good. Now she has gone to breakfast, I can give you this." Luna said, picking up a scroll hidden behind the throne. "This explains your actions, and asks, as respectively to you zebra tribes as I know how, to come to arms when I call for it. If your tribe agrees, return the message to me during the night.  Here are some more copies to give to any other tribes you come across asking the same terms."

"I will carry your message, but do not expect much. The tribes have always been at odds with one another. I expect a resounding 'no' from my tribe and family."

"Which reminds me. You were named for your father, correct?"  Jet nodded.  "That makes you the rightful owner of this set of wingblades. He died in the line of duty, and his wife's family sent his belongings here so we could 'make a shrine to honor him for his mighty deeds in protecting the innocent'. These wingblades were runed by Starswirl the Bearded, one of the greatest unicorns of our time, so you will never need to sharpen them. Now go, and may your fortune be good."

"Thank you, Princess." Jet turned and left, headed home.