Zecora's Lessons: Jealousy

by Twiggles6

Rating: everyone
Tags: Queen Chrysalis, Slice of Life, Zecora, Princess Luna, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Cutie Mark Crusaders
Length: 10698

The Cutie Mark Crusaders are in for quite a story when Zecora offers to teach them the price of jealousy and greed. But the Zebra is acting a bit more odd than usual...

The Cutie Mark Crusaders encounter a strange plant in the Everfree Forest, and Zecora helps them out of a sticky situation. Later, Zecora decides to share a story of an ancient kingdom, and how it fell to the trap of envy.

Share your thoughts if you like. I always appreciate feedback as long as it is constructive! :D

Tagged with dark just in case. No blood or gore in here though. Scout's honor.

Cover art supplied by the extra awesome white-tigress-12158: link

Published 2013-05-19 05:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-05-19 05:20:02 UTC

The Fall of Queen Monarch

“Ah found it over here!” Applebloom called as she ran through a small bush.

“I hope this is worth me missing Rainbow Dash practicing her new trick.” Scootaloo said, trailing along behind with Sweetie Belle.

“What does coming here have to do with us getting our cutie marks again?” Sweetie Belle asked, looking around at the woods apprehensively. “We’re getting pretty close to the Everfree.”

“The Everfree is just the Everfree.” Scootaloo said. “When has it ever stopped us before?”

“I know.” Sweetie Belle said. “I just don’t want to worry Rarity is all.”

“Girls, don’t worry about it.” Applebloom said, turning to face her friends. “Ah come down this path all the time to visit Zecora. Ah know it like the back of mah hoof!” She said as she turned over a fore hoof and looked down. When she did, she squinted and looked a little closer. “Huh. That’s new.” She said, apparently thinking hard.

“Applebloom!” Both of the other fillies said at once.

“Relax! It was just a joke!” Applebloom said, waving a hoof dismissively. “It should be just over this hill.” She said as she started leading her friends uphill.

“You know.” Sweetie Belle said once they were halfway up. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“Oh, this isn’t a crusade or anything.” Applebloom said.

“You called me away from time with Rainbow Dash and we aren’t even going to try for our cutie marks?” Scootaloo asked, wings fluttering angrily.

“Cutie mark or not, this is worth it! Ah promise.”  Applebloom said as she turned to continue up the hill.

“Well, if you say so.” Sweetie Belle said as the two followed their friend over the crest of the hill.

“See! Ah told ya!” Applebloom said as she pointed down the other side of the hill into a clearing in the woods. In the clearing stood a small plant with one huge blossom at the top, shimmering several different colors as the afternoon sun’s rays made it sparkle.

“Woooow!” Both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle exclaimed as they approached the flower.

“Ah found it yesterday when Ah followed a butterfly on the way to Zecora’s.” Applebloom said, standing between her friends and the flower. “And Ah thought you two would like to see it.” She said, plucking the flower and putting it into her mane just behind her ear.

“Hey, do you know if there are any more around here?” Sweetie Belle asked, admiring her friend’s new manepiece.

“Uh. No. Ah didn’t see any others.” Applebloom said, scraping the ground with a hoof.

“Are you sure?” Scootaloo asked, stepping forward. “Did you even look?”

“Well… No…” Applebloom admitted. “But maybe we could share this one?” She said, touching the blossom with a fore hoof. “But of course Ah’ll need it back later.”

“If there aren’t enough for all of us, why should we be the only ones without?” Scootaloo asked as the flower sparkled a bit more brightly.

“Yeah!” Sweetie Bell said as she stepped forward. “It feels like you led us both out here just to see your new accessory.” She said, the flower in Applebloom’s mane glowing ever more brightly.

“Ah didn’t mean it like that, Ah swear!” Applebloom said as she backed away from her friends. “But Ah found it, so Ah should be the one to keep it!” She said, stamping her hoof as the blossom opened up further and emitted an eerie pink light from its center.

“So what if you found it first?” Scootaloo protested. “That isn’t what matters.”

“Exactly.” Said Sweetie Belle. “You should give it to me so I can use it for an outfit!”

“No way!” Applebloom said. “Maybe if you could make better outfits.” She said as the flower fully opened up and bathed the area in a pink light.

When the light was gone, the Cutie Mark Crusaders reopened their eyes and looked around at the empty clearing. As they readjusted to the lesser light of the shaded forest clearing, Applebloom saw a silhouette that wasn’t there before. “Zecora? That you?” She asked, holding a hoof above her eyes and squinting.

“Indeed, it is I, my little friend.” Zecora said as she approached the group. “And now the spell upon you is at its end.”

“Spell?” Scootaloo asked. “What spell?” She pressed, turning to face Sweetie Belle.

“Don’t look at me.” Sweetie Belle said, shrugging her shoulders. “I can’t use much magic yet as it is.”

“Tis not a spell known to ponykind.” Zecora said. “But an ancient toxin, which invades the mind.” She said as she patted a saddlebag on her side. “Within this bag, is the bloom you seek. But there it must remain, for you are still too weak.”

“What do you mean too weak?” Scootaloo asked.

“Your conscience diminished when you saw this flower.” Zecora asked. “Or do you antagonize friends under your own power?” She asked, smirking at Scootaloo.

Scootaloo opened her mouth to speak, but then simply looked at the ground and scuffed the dirt with a fore hoof.

“You weren’t the only one lost in its light. From what I could see, you had all begun to fight.” Zecora said, looking over the three fillies in front of her expectantly.

“Oh my.” Applebloom said. “Ah- Ah’m real sorry girls. Ah didn’t know what Ah was sayin.” She said as she trotted over to Sweetie Belle. “Ah didn’t mean what Ah said about yer designs. Honest.” She said, looking her friend in the eye.

“I- I know.” Sweetie Belle said. “And I didn’t really think you brought us out here to show off. I just couldn’t stop myself.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry too.” Scootaloo said, walking over to join her friends. “I didn’t mean to say all those things. I don’t know what came over me.” She said as they all nuzzled together.

“What you found is called a dark seed.” Zecora explained. “It’s light promotes only jealousy and greed. By shining its light, it feeds on these emotions. It creates anger and avarice from the smallest of bad notions. Thus blooming the bulb is a poor process to go through. But the blossom is important in many a helpful brew.”

“Dark seed?” Applebloom said. “How can something like that be used in a good way?”

“A smart question given its unpleasant power. But not one I can answer at this late an hour.” She said, pointing to the sky and the setting sun.

“Whoa!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “It’s already that late?”

“I’d better get home before Rarity starts to worry.” Sweetie Belle said as the three fillies stood up.

“Sorry for any trouble we caused you, Zecora.” Applebloom said.

“No trouble at all, so don’t you worry.” Zecora said with a smile. “But the sun is low, so to home you should hurry.”

“Right. Thanks Zecora!” Applebloom called as the three trotted towards home. “We’ll visit you tomorrow!”

“I look forward to seeing you once more!” Zecora called out to the three younger ponies. “And I think that tomorrow I’ll have a good lesson in store.” She said to herself as she walked back into the woods towards her hut.

Later that night…

“Hello?” Applebloom called as she looked around at a dark and desolate landscape. “Is anyone there?” She asked the surrounding emptiness. The night sky was empty save for the massive full moon hanging in the sky, serving as the only source of light in the emptiness.

“Applebloom?” Scootaloo’s voice called from the darkness.

“Scootaloo! Where are you?” Applebloom called as she tried to run to her friend.

“Applebloom? Is that you?” Sweetie Belle’s voice echoed from another direction.

“Where are you guys?” Scootaloo called as all three friends began desperately looking for each other in the void.

“Over here!” Scootaloo called, waving a hoof when she caught sight of Sweetie Belle.

“There you both are!” Applebloom said as she saw them as well.

The three began running toward each other as fast as they could. Once they were mere feet away from each other, a huge crack opened up in the ground between them.

“What in tarnation?!” Applebloom exclaimed as the cracks widened until they were too wide for any of them to jump.

“What’s happening?!” Sweetie Belle yelled across the chasm. “Where are we?!”

“You are in the land of dreams, my little ponies.” An impressive, feminine voice thundered to all three.

“Princess Luna?” Scootaloo asked as the alicorn princess of the night appeared before them. Luna hovered in the center of the great ravine and addressed the three.

“Yes. It is I, Luna! Princess of the Night!” She boomed, causing the three fillies to flinch.

“Don’t worry, you guys!” Scootaloo called. “I’m just dreaming!”

“Actually.” Luna said. “You all are.”

“You mean that’s actually Applebloom and Sweetie Belle over there?” Scootaloo asked.

“Indeed.” Luna said with a nod. “I sensed the uneasiness in your slumber and wondered if you required my assistance again. And it appears that you do not.”

“Then why are you here?” Scootaloo asked.

“For the same reason that even in your own dreams, you cannot pass over this gap between your friends.” Luna explained.

“But how can we get across it then?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“You do not.” Luna said coldly. “Not yet, anyhow. First, you will need to learn more about yourselves and each other.”

“But we’re already best friends!” Applebloom said. “What more is there?”

“You may be best friends, but none of you have any idea who you really are. What you’re really capable of. Anypony can see that at a simple glance.” Luna said, bringing the fillies’ attention to their blank flanks. “None of you know your true purpose. And none of you know each other’s yet either. You crusade and crusade doing the most obscure, mundane things. And you wonder why you have yet to receive your cutie marks.”

At the mention of their lack of cutie marks, the three fillies each looked sadly at their flanks. “Awww!” They chorused.

“Do not fret, little ones!” Luna boomed. “For you will have them in time. And I will assist you along the way.”

“Really?” Scootaloo asked, her eyes lighting up.

“Thank you Princess.” Sweetie Belle said. “But why?”

“All will be revealed in time.” Luna said. “Your weaknesses, your strengths, and maybe even your destinies. For now though, sleep. I shall leave you with pleasant dreams for the night, but know that tomorrow will be quite the learning experience for you. Meet with this friend of yours, Zecora. She will have much to share with you.” She said as she began drifting upwards.

“Princess, wait!” Sweetie Belle cried. “Why us? What’s so special about us?”

Princess Luna smiled down at them and gave a low chuckle. “As I said. All shall be revealed in time.” She said once more before vanishing. Soon after Princess Luna disappeared, the Cutie Mark Crusaders lost sight of each other and drifted into their own dreams.

“Applebloom, rise and shine!” Applejack called, knocking on her sister’s door.

“Huh?” Applebloom asked as she sat up in bed. “What time is it?”

“It’s time fer you to git up and have breakfast.” Applejack said. “Yer food’s waitin for ya downstairs when yer ready.” She said as she walked away from the door.

“What a dream.” Applebloom said to herself. “Oh, right!” She exclaimed, jumping out of bed as she became fully alert. “Ah’ve gotta let Applejack know Ah’m gonna visit Zecora today!” She said as she trotted out of her room and down the stairs.

“Hey Rarity.” Sweetie Belle said as she entered the kitchen. “Breakfast smells really good.”

“Sweetie Belle, did you even bother to brush your mane after getting out of bed?” Rarity asked, cantering over to her younger sister and levitating a brush alongside her.

“Not really.” Sweetie Belle admitted as the brush swooped down and started styling her mane to perfection. “I’m just kind of in a hurry to get going.” She said, wincing as the brush went through her mane a little bit more roughly to undo a couple of knots.

“Well where do you expect to be going with such little preparation? The woods or something?” Rarity asked with a chuckle.

“Actually, the crusaders and I were going to go and visit Zecora today.” Sweetie Belle said as Rarity finished with her hair.

“Oh, is that right?” Rarity asked, depositing the brush on the table. “You are aware that she lives out in the Everfree Forest, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, but I’m not going alone!” Sweetie Belle protested. “Besides, Applebloom’s been through there to visit her lots of times. She knows the way by heart.”

“Well, all right.” Rarity said. “Just be careful in there. I don’t know what I’d do if you were ever in danger.”

“Maybe you’d pull up your fancy couch and faint?” Sweetie Belle giggled.

“You know, I believe I may have had some extra chores around the shop that needed doing.” Rarity said, turning her nose up and smirking, looking at Sweetie Belle in her peripheral vision.

“Oh, shoot! Would you look at the time?” Sweetie Belle said quickly, lifting up a hoof and looking at it as if a watch were there. “I was supposed to meet up with Scootaloo at half past nine!”

“But it’s only eight o’ clock.” Rarity said, barely concealing her need to laugh.

“Well it’s nine thirty somewhere, and I’m supposed to meet her there! Sorry I can’t stay and do those chores, sis. Bye!” Sweetie Belle blurted as she galloped out of the boutique.

“Sweetie Belle, wait!” Rarity called. “What about your breakfast?” But she was already down the road and out of sight.

“Mmm. Yeah.” Scootaloo mumbled in her sleep. “Go for it sis. Buck that headless creep to Tartarus and back.” She kicked a little bit in her sleep as a knock on her bedroom door roused her. “Huh? What?” She mumbled, not quite awake enough to blink both eyes at the same time yet. “Who is it?”

“Scootaloo, your friend Sweetie Belle is here for you.” Scootaloo’s mother called through her door.

“Mmh. Tell her I’ll be right there.” Scootaloo said, rubbing her eyes with her hooves.

“Alright. Also, breakfast is ready whenever you are.” Her mother said as she walked away.

“Thanks mom… WHOA- OOF!” Scootaloo groaned as she fell out of bed and hit the floor. She rose unnaturally quickly for someone so thoroughly tired only moments before falling. “I meant to do that!” She said as if someone was there to hear her. After brushing herself off and securing her own pride, Scootaloo walked confidently out of her room and to the kitchen, where breakfast had just been laid out.

“Are you alright dear?” Scootaloo’s mother asked as the filly entered the room. “I thought I heard something fall.” Scootaloo’s mother was wearing an apron over her orange coat and was tucking the straps under her wings.

“Nothing to worry about.” Scootaloo said, taking a seat at the table opposite Sweetie Belle. “Having breakfast here, huh Sweetie Belle?”

“Yeah. I kind of left home in a hurry.” Sweetie Belle admitted before reaching for another strip of hay bacon. “Thanks again for breakfast by the way Mrs. Bladette.”

“Oh please.” Bladette said, blushing a little bit at being called Mrs. “It’s just Bladette to you, Sweetie Belle.” Scootaloo’s mother giggled as she left the kitchen, her cutie mark being briefly visible under the apron. A full set of four blue roller blades with red wheels.

“So.” Scootaloo said, pulling up a chair and sitting down. “What’s the plan?”

“Don’t you remember?” Sweetie Belle asked. “We’re going to visit Zecora with Applebloom today!”

“Oh yeah.” Scootaloo said through a mouthful of waffles. Thankfully for Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo swallowed them before she continued talking. “When are we meeting Applebloom?”

“We’re supposed to meet her at Sweet Apple Acres at ten thirty.” Sweetie Belle said, moving to take a sip of orange juice.

“Ten thirty, huh?” Scootaloo asked, glancing at the clock. “Uh. You do know it’s only nine fifteen or so, right?” Scootaloo asked, raising an eyebrow at her friend as she chewed on another mouthful of waffles.

“Well I said I left home in a hurry, didn’t I?” Sweetie Belle said, turning away. “Anyways, it doesn’t really matter. This way, we can hang out for a bit before we head to the apple farm.” She said, turning back to look at her friend. However, something was different. “Uh. Scootaloo? Hello?” She asked.

Scootaloo had fallen asleep face-first in her waffles.

“Aw. Where are those two?” Applebloom asked herself as she glanced at the clock in the living room. The clock read ten thirty-seven. “We should have left for Zecora’s by now.” She said, just before hearing a knock at the door and perking up at the sound. “Finally!” She said as she jumped from her seat and rushed for the door. “It’s about time you got here.” She said happily as she swung the door open.

“Oh. Am I late?” A familiar voice not belonging to her friends asked. “Sorry about that. Here’s your mail anyways.” Derpy Hooves said as she handed Applebloom a small stack of letters. “I’d better get going if I’m gonna make up for this lost time.” She said as her eyes – despite looking in different directions – narrowed seriously. Seconds later, Derpy’s wings flapped powerfully as she took off into the air towards her next delivery point. “Tell Applejack I said hi!” Derpy called back as she disappeared into the sky.

Applebloom sighed as she turned to go back into the house.

“Hey! Applebloom!” Scootaloo yelled, moving at a breakneck pace with Sweetie Belle on the back of her scooter.

“There you are!” Applebloom exclaimed as she quickly tossed the mail onto an end table and ran back outside to greet her friends. “What took ya so long?” Applebloom asked as the other two Cutie Mark Crusaders screeched to a halt right in front of her.

“Sorry, Applebloom.” Scootaloo said. “There was a bit of a breakfast malfunction.”

“I never thought it would take so long for you to clean the syrup out of your mane.” Sweetie Belle giggled.

“Hey!” Scootaloo protested. “That stuff is really sticky! I still don’t actually think I got all of it.” She said, adjusting her helmet a bit.

“How did you get syrup in-”

“Don’t ask.” Scootaloo said, interrupting Applebloom. “It’s a long, embarrassing story.”

“O-kay.” Applebloom said, clearing her throat. “Anyways, are you both ready to go?”

“Just waiting on you.” Sweetie Belle said, tossing Applebloom a helmet.

“All right!” Applebloom said, catching the helmet and strapping it to her head and jumping onto the back of the scooter in one swift motion. “Let’s go visit Zecora!”

“Hold on tight!” Scootaloo said as she narrowed her eyes and blasted off on the scooter, taking her friends with her into the Everfree Forest.

Even running on loose dirt while being weighed down by three little ponies, the scooter picked up impressive speed very quickly. Scootaloo had to focus hard to avoid oncoming rocks and branches as the Cutie Mark Crusaders blew through the forest.

“Don’t you think you should ease up a bit, Scootaloo?” Applebloom asked, ducking a bit to narrowly avoid a branch.

“No way!” Scootaloo shouted. “This is awesome!” She yelled as they burst through some low shrubs.

“Scootaloo, maybe you really should slow down a bit!” Sweetie Belle shouted as she shook some leaves out of her mane.

“Are you kidding?” Scootaloo asked. “We’re just getting the good speed going!” She yelled as they sped up even more.

Unable to take it anymore, Applebloom shouted again. “Scootaloo, at this rate we’ll pass right by-”

Applebloom was interrupted mid-sentence as a lone figure appeared directly in their path, causing them all to shout. “Zecora!” They yelled as Scootaloo slammed the brakes as hard as she could. The sudden decrease in speed caused the scooter to flip forward, throwing them all over the handlebars.

Applebloom flew farthest of them all, straight towards a tree. She screamed and covered her eyes, but felt no impact. Instead, she felt herself being swept away in another pony’s hooves and flying briefly through the air. By the time she opened her eyes back up, she was at rest on the ground and there was nobody to be seen.

“Huh?” Applebloom said. “What just happened?”

“What were you all thinking, moving through the woods so fast?” Zecora asked, stepping forward with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo on her back. “Were you not so lucky then that risk could have been your last.” She said, glaring first at Applebloom and then to the fillies on her back.

“We tried to tell Scootaloo to slow down, honest!” Sweetie Belle said as she and Scootaloo dismounted Zecora.

“With whom the fault lies is none of my concern.” Zecora said with a shake of her head. “I’m just glad that situation did not take a nasty turn.”

“So.” Scootaloo said, rubbing the back of her head with a forehoof. “Sorry for almost, you know, running you over.”

“No worries young Scootaloo, for I am unharmed. When you sped out of the bushes, I was simply alarmed. Now you three came for something, did you not? Perhaps for the lesson I promised you to be taught?” Zecora said with a smile as a look of confusion spread across the three fillies’ faces.

“Lesson? What lesson?” Applebloom asked.

“Yeah!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “We’ve got today off from school! We aren’t looking for a lecture!”

“Calm yourself, my little one.” Zecora said, holding up a hoof. “For this lesson could be very fun.” She said with a smirk.

“Uh. Yeah. Right.” Scootaloo said. “I can’t remember the last time school was really fun.”

“But this is not quite like your school.” Zecora said as if already speaking to students. “Where I come from, entertaining stories are a learning tool.”

“A story?” Sweetie Belle asked. “One about your homeland?”

“Not this time little Sweetie Belle. But this story should still be very enlightening to tell.” Zecora said, turning to face her hut. “Now if you would kindly follow me, I’ve made some snacks up for you three.” She said as she walked inside ahead of the three fillies.

When they followed her inside, Zecora was nowhere to be seen. “Zecora?” Applebloom asked, looking around at all of the strange masks decorating the walls. “Zecora, where’d ya go?”

“Do not fret, girls. I am just over here.” Zecora said, emerging from a small cubby. “Please sit down now, and lend me an ear.” Something about her voice didn’t seem quite right to Applebloom, and she could tell that her friends noticed it as well. But they sat down on their haunches around Zecora’s cauldron anyways and paid attention as asked. “Very good.” Zecora said. “Now that you’re all here, we can begin the tale. And I can assure you that as a storyteller, I never ever fail.”

Again, there seemed to be something irregular about Zecora. This time, Applebloom couldn’t help but speak up. “Zecora, are you alright?” She asked.

“Of course little filly, I’ve never been so fine.” Zecora said. “But you need not be concerned for this health of mine.”

“Well. Alright.” Applebloom said, her ears drooping back a little bit. “I guess it was nothin’.” She thought to herself.

“A long time ago, in a kingdom far, far away; there lived a Queen whose every word held enormous sway.” Zecora said, throwing some green powder into the brewing pot and producing an image of a huge castle. “She was an alicorn of unmatched grace. Her subjects were considered blessed to even see Her face.” Zecora said, speaking in a reverent tone. “Her coat of darkest shadow and verdant mane to match. To any royal stallion, She would be quite the catch.”

“Um. Zecora?” Scootaloo asked, raising her hoof.

“Yes?” Zecora asked.

“Uh. What’s verdant mean?” She asked, putting her hoof back down and gaining nods from the other cutie mark crusaders.

“It means green.” Zecora said, blinking a few times. Again to Applebloom, something didn’t seem quite right about Zecora’s behavior. However, she just chalked it up to the effort of telling a story as Zecora continued speaking. “Anyways, Monarch was the Queen’s identity to Her subjects and Her foes. Her kingdom was so prosperous She never knew of worldly woes.” Zecora said as she threw another clump of green powder into the cauldron. This time, there appeared a beautiful winged unicorn, exactly as was described. Her bright green mane was flowing in an unseen breeze as she sat at the end of a long diamond encrusted carpet. “One day the Queen was confronted with a news report so dire. It filled Her eyes with a dreadful fire.

As one more pile of green powder entered the pot, the apparition began to speak. It was almost as if the Cutie Mark Crusaders were watching as events unfolded through a window. “My Queen.” Said a black stallion clad in armor as he approached his ruler and bowed. “I have the latest reports from the scouting parties.”

“How is everything?” The Queen asked, her regal voice betraying her boredom.

“There is news of a kingdom growing in the distant south, Your Majesty.” The stallion said, not looking up from the floor.

“A new kingdom, you say?” Queen Monarch said with a yawn. “I doubt they would be any type of threat to us.” She said. “Why is it that you deemed this worthy of my attention?”

“Because, your eminence.” The knight said, finally rising to look at his Queen. “It is not a new kingdom. In fact, they may predate us by some time.”

“Really now?” The Queen asked; her boredom dispelled. “And how has this gone unnoticed for so long?”

“Their palace appears to be built into the side of a great mountain, and powerful magics conceal their existence.” The stallion said. “It’s a wonder that our scouts managed to stumble upon it in the first place.”

“And I take it no contact was made without my approval?” The Queen asked, narrowing her eyes at her subject.

“As it turns out, the scouting team was detected almost immediately.” Her knight said, averting his eyes and fidgeting a bit.

“Were they treated with appropriately? Or do you have further incompetence to report?” Monarch asked as she stood from her seated position.

“Yes your Highness. They greeted us under a banner of peace.”

“Well that’s good at least.” Monarch said. “Best not to go to war with an unknown enemy, I suppose. What do they call themselves?”

“My Lady, they say that their palace resides in a city called Canterlot.” The knight said before producing a roll of parchment from his saddlebag and dropping it at the foot of the stairs leading to the throne. “They don’t have a specific name for their people, but their leader refers to himself as King Helios in this document.” He said as a green glow enveloped the paper and levitated it to the Queen.

Queen Monarch unwrapped the scroll and read it aloud. “I, the great king Helios, hereby extend an invitation of peace to your fair kingdom. I will be sending an emissary along with this correspondence as an extension of good will. I trust you will treat them with the same type of respect that you would expect from us.” When she got to the end of the document, the Queen jumped up from her throne with a start. “Wait a minute! An emissary was sent with this letter?”

“I- Indeed, my Lady.” The stallion said, realizing his mistake immediately. “They are waiting in the grand hall.”

“And when exactly were you planning on informing me?!” Monarch shouted at her subordinate.

“Well, I-”

“Nevermind!” She scoffed, cutting him off mid-sentence. “I’ll see this emissary for myself.” She said as she stood up and walked away from the throne, leaving her subject to his embarrassment. As she left the throne room, the perspective changed to show her entering a room in which stood two other ponies surrounded by a group of royal guards identical to the one who relayed the message.

“Zecora, who are they?” Sweetie Belle asked, pointing to the ponies in the middle of the guards as the scene froze in front of them.

“Those are two very important ponies.” Zecora sighed. “The one in blue is Starswirl the Bearded, and the other one is Princess Celestia.”

“Um, Zecora?” Applebloom asked. “What’s going on with-”

“Please just let the story share the details my little filly.” Zecora said. “Do not just interrupt it willy-nilly.”

“Willy-nilly?” Applebloom whispered, looking over to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and earning only shrugs from the two of them.

Suddenly, a large bird called loudly outside the hut, drawing Zecora’s attention before she could continue. “My girls, if you could excuse me for a moment.” Zecora said as she stood up and began walking to the door. “I must check on something potentially important.” She said as she left the hut.

“What do you think is going on with Zecora?” Applebloom asked her friends quietly.

“Isn’t she usually a bit strange to begin with?” Scootaloo asked. “What could be bothering you?”

“You don’t know her as well as Ah do.” Applebloom responded. “She’s actin’ kinda funny.”

“Maybe she’s tired or something.” Sweetie Belle suggested.

“No, it’s something else.” Applebloom said as she got up and began pacing. “She’s even talkin funny.”

“What, you mean how she rhymes all the time? Yeah. I always thought that was weird.” Scootaloo said. “Hey, what do you think would happen if we got her to say orange?”

“No!” Applebloom exclaimed, glaring at Scootaloo. “She always talks like that. In fact, I’ve never heard her not do that until today!” She said, stamping a hoof. “That’s what’s buggin’ me.”

“Hey, it can’t be easy coming up with rhymes on the spot all the time.” Scootaloo said.

“Yeah. I can’t imagine talking like that all the time.” Sweetie Belle said. “Maybe she just slipped up because she was also telling a story at the same time.”

“I guess…” Applebloom said, sitting back down just before Zecora walked back in.

“For the interruption, I apologize.” Zecora said as she took her place in front of the cauldron. “Tis an occurrence I shall try to minimize.”

“Zecora, is everything alright?” Applebloom asked.

“Of course Applebloom, my little friend.” Zecora said with a smile. “Now why don’t you put your worries at an end.” She said as she patted Applebloom’s head with a hoof.

“Wait a second, Zecora.” Scootaloo said. “Did you say earlier that that was Princess Celestia?” Scootaloo asked, pointing a hoof at the smaller alicorn standing next to the blue robed stallion in the image.

“Ah yes, that is indeed your princess.” Zecora said. “At a much younger age, back when she was pink, no less.”

“Princess Celestia used to be pink?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Why do you think that is?”

“For certain, I really cannot say. But ancient art does depict her that way. Tis a question I’m sure she’s heard before. And one I think she’d not mind answering once more.” Zecora said as she picked up another hoofful of the green powder for the cauldron. “Now let us continue from whence we stopped. For we do not want this lesson to be dropped.” She said as she dropped the powder into the cauldron, breathing new life into the display.

As a fresh plume of green smoke washed over the image, a few things seemed to change. The room seemed somehow duller, as if some of the color had been drained. And there were more guards around Starswirl and Celestia than there were before. “Whoa. Did we miss something?” Scootaloo asked.

“Nothing that cannot be quickly taught.” Zecora said. “This powder shows the story just as from the caster it is thought.” She said, directing the fillies’ attention back to the moving image.

“Do not move, outsiders, or I’ll cut you down!” The guard captain said, poking a spear towards the blue robed unicorn stallion. “Don’t you so much as breathe wrong while I’m around.” He said, glaring intensely at the visitors.

“Please lower your weapons, you do not need to fear us.” Princess Celestia said, stepping toward the spear. “Is it too much for me to ask that we be treated with some trust?”

“Do as she says and lower your spear you impudent knave!” Starswirl said, his voice low and intense. “This will not be a goodwill trip for long if you cannot behave.” He said, glaring daggers at the outspoken knight.

Just as the knight seemed about to protest, another voice sounded out. “Stand down, Captain, before you do further damage!” The voice belonged to queen Monarch, who descended from above on her deep black wings. “I’m sure that two unarmed guests I can manage.” She said, pushing the offending knight to the side as the others lowered their weapons. “I apologize for the hostile welcome. I assure you that most of my subjects are not quite this dumb.” She said glaring at the now cowering stallion.

“It’s good to see that at least you have some class.” Starswirl said. “I’m relieved that the entire court is not this crass.”

With a wave of her hoof, queen Monarch dismissed her guards. “I assure you that we don’t intend to harm an emissary of peace. But their protectiveness of me may just never cease.”

“We understand, and are grateful for your prompt meeting.” Princess Celestia said with a respectful bow. “My father wishes to extend to you a humble greeting.”

“You were sent here by your father, the king?” Queen Monarch asked, obviously startled. “Why would he risk his own blood with such a thing?”

“There is no risk as long as I am here.” Starswirl said, stepping between Princess Celestia and queen Monarch. “For it is not her father, but her teacher you should fear.”

“Teacher? Is this a simple field trip?” Monarch asked, amusement evident in her voice. “If so, then I fear your king’s judgment has suffered a major slip.”

“Insulting King Helios will get you only pain!” Starswirl said as his eyes began to glow a bright white. “And by angering me, you will have nothing to gain!” He shouted as each of the royal guards in the room was levitated at once and flung against the walls.

“Starswirl, stop this madness right now!” Celestia exclaimed as the stallion settled down. “We want to promote peace, and this is not how!”

Starswirl huffed as his eyes returned to normal and he glared at the queen. “I’m shocked by your utter lack of respect.” He said, turning and walking away. “But I suppose it was all I could hope from this kingdom of rejects. Come princess, I believe we should go. I think this indiscretion is something of which your father should know.” He said as he left the room entirely.

“I’m very sorry for my mentor, he’s really not so bad.” Celestia said, bowing again to the stunned queen. “But subjects concerning my father do tend to make him mad.”

With a shake of her head, queen Monarch regained her composure. “I think if would be best if you left my sight. Lest you misspeak and provoke my might.” She growled.

“I understand, good queen, we will depart first thing tomorrow.” Celestia said, also turning and walking away. “We will leave you to tend your kingdom, though I shall leave with here with much sorrow.” She said as she followed her teacher.

Satisfied that the two outsiders were no longer within earshot, queen Monarch turned to her guard captain. “Get on your feet you sow!” She rumbled, levitating the stallion to his feet. “I’ve a job for you to do now.” She said, the cauldron’s display freezing on her wicked smile.

“So jealous was she of the wizard’s magic, the queen’s next decision proved to be quite tragic.” Zecora said, fanning the image away with a hoof.

“What happened next?” Applebloom asked, standing up. “Why did the story stop?”

“I’m afraid that there is something to which I must tend.” Zecora said, walking towards the exit. “But rest assured that when I come back, the story I shall end.” She said, gently closing the door behind her.

“Wow. I never thought I’d hear so many rhymes in one day.” Scootaloo said, rubbing the sides of her head.

“I think it’s kind of neat.” Sweetie Belle said. “I think that the story so far is pretty… Sweet!” She exclaimed, falling back and laughing.

“Wow, Sweetie Belle.” Scootaloo said, rolling her eyes. “Maybe rhyming is your special talent.”

“You think so?” Sweetie Belle asked, getting up and checking her flank. She thought she saw something for a moment, but it was just a stray leaf that had gotten stuck to her coat when she rolled over. Her ears drooped a bit in disappointment.

“Sorry again, my little ones. Now where had we left our tale?” Zecora asked as she came back inside. “Ah yes!” She said as she picked up yet another hoofful of the green powder. “The Queen was hatching a plan that was sadly doomed to fail.” She said as she pointed up at the green cloud and drew the fillies’ attention back to the story. The colors seemed to have been restored, and the entire scene looked significantly brighter. “In the darkness of the night, the errant Queen sent orders to her guard.” Zecora said, her eyes glowing green for emphasis. “As a result of this affront, her kingdom forever would be scarred.”

“I’ve never seen such intense magical power before.” Queen Monarch said to herself as she and the guard captain looked through her royal library. She levitated book after book in front of her before apparently finding what she was after. “Perfect! I believe this will do the trick.” She said as she placed the book on a nearby table. The title on the cover read ‘Subterfuge and Sabotage.’ The book glowed a faint green as it flipped open to a page near the center. “Here we are.” The Queen said with a smirk. “With enough focus and a strong enough well of powers, one can cast a spell to mimic somepony for many hours.” The Queen gave a mighty sigh. “Prose? Really? So tedious.” She said with a shake of her head.

“I find it quite charming, myself.” Said the captain. “But what exactly are you planning to do, My Queen?”

“Charming, you say?” Monarch asked, raising an eyebrow at her captain. “Tell me. Would you say that my people love me?”

“Well of course, your majesty.” The guard captain said. “They would gladly follow you into the jaws of Tartarus itself!”

“Of course they would.” She said, obviously pleased. “Just know that should this plan fail, that is very well where we may end up.”

“Of course.” The captain said, fear absent from his voice. “Give me my orders, and they shall be followed.”

“I want you to capture one of the outsiders. The mare, to be precise.” Queen Monarch said.

“My Queen.” The captain said, obviously surprised. “A- Are you sure?”

“Are you questioning me?” Monarch asked, voice rising in volume.

“Of course not, My Queen. It will be done.” The guard captain said, bowing and moving to the exit.

“Oh, and Algus?” The Queen added.

“Yes? My Lady?” He said, surprised at the use of his name rather than title.

“Make sure that the wizard doesn’t find out. He could be trouble.” She said, turning her attention back to her book as Algus walked out of the library. “My subjects love me.” She muttered to herself. “I may be able to use that.”

The perspective then changed to Algus standing outside the guest chambers with a few other guards. “Alright.” Algus said to the others. “Keep it quiet, and don’t rough her up too badly.”

“Wait a minute.” Sweetie Belle said.

“More interruptions? What is it now?” Zecora asked.

“What happened with this Algus person?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yeah!” Scootaloo said. “Why is he suddenly so concerned about hurting the princess?”

“Yeah. Wasn’t he poking at her with a spear earlier?” Applebloom chimed in.

Zecora looked surprised to hear this. “Is that so? Well the reason for this discrepancy I do not know.” She said, glaring out the window. When the crusaders glanced outside though, there was nothing there.

Before any more questions could be asked, Zecora waved a hoof and the story resumed.

“How could you do such a thing, Starswirl?” Celestia asked as she paced in front of the seated wizard. “This was supposed to be a goodwill visit, and you incapacitated several guards for misspeaking.”

“I’ll not allow any disrespect to befall the king.” Starswirl said.

“You know this was to be as much a lesson to you as it is to me!” Celestia exclaimed. “You need to be able to use diplomacy. You know, make friends?”

“Friends. Pah!” Starswirl scoffed, turning away from his student. “I don’t need to waste my time with such trivial pursuits. My books and spells are all the friends I need.”

Princess Celestia sighed as she moved to the exit. “I’m going for a short walk. I need to get some fresh air.” She said as she opened the door. “I just wish you could trust these ponies a bit more. I’m sure that they’re a good, honest people.”

Algus bowed his head slightly in thought. A few seconds later, he motioned for the guards to move along. “But sir-”

“Go!” Algus snapped, cutting one of his knights off mid-sentence. Unwilling to anger their captain further, the knights departed down the stairs just before Celestia emerged.

“Oh, hello there.” Celestia said. “I’m terribly sorry again about earlier.”

“It’s fine, Princess.” Algus said. “I was out of line as well. Please understand that I was only acting in caution.”

“Tis understandable.” Celestia said with a nod. “Listen, I was going for a brief walk, and-”

“Would you mind terribly if I were to join you?” Algus asked. “I was sent here to make sure you were well taken care of anyways.”

“I suppose I don’t mind.” Celestia said, looking back towards Starswirl for a moment. “Very well. I suppose that even if I had reason to stop you, you would still follow regardless.” She said, smiling at Algus.

“My Queen’s orders are final.” Algus said with a shrug. “Come. I know a good route to the courtyard.” He said, leading the way down the stairs. “So, that’s an interesting brand on your flank.” He said, motioning to Celestia’s cutie mark.

“Were you watching my flank, good sir?” Celestia asked, casting Algus a playful glance.

“No! O- Of course not!” Algus stammered, beginning to blush a bit. “It simply caught my attention briefly is all.” He said, looking straight ahead as he walked.

“Well this is called a cutie mark.” She said. “Everypony in Equestria gets one at some point in their lives. It indicates what their special talent is in life.”

“And I suppose yours has something to do with the sun. Am I right?” Algus asked as the two arrived at the courtyard.

“Indeed it does.” Celestia nodded. “In fact, I am-”

“Pardon me for interrupting.” Queen Monarch’s voice said from behind the two.

“Oh!” Celestia said as she turned around. “Good evening your highne-” She didn’t have time to finish her sentence before she was face to face with Queen Monarch’s horn as it glowed with a sinister green fire. Celestia’s eyes were glued to the Queen’s horn, and as she stared, her eyes began to glow with the same green light.

“Good evening to you as well, my dear.” Queen Monarch said. “Now. Sleep.” As she said the last word, Princess Celestia’s eyes fluttered shut and she drooped to the ground.

“Your highness!” Algus exclaimed as he turned and bowed to his Queen.

“Good work, captain.” The Queen said, her horn no longer burning. “She never suspected a thing.”

“And I suppose I did not either.” Algus said. “What should I do with her now?”

“Take her to the dungeon. She will follow your directions.” Queen Monarch said.

“Well. All right then.” Algus said. “Um. Arise, Princess.”

On command, Celestia opened her eyes and rose to her hooves. Her eyes were tinted a dark green hue in place of the usual coloration. “Yes.” She said. “I obey.”

“What a good little drone.” Monarch said as she enveloped herself in the same green fire from before. When the flames subsided, there stood a second Princess Celestia. “Now go, Algus!” The disguised Queen said. “I’ll be away for a time. Do look after the kingdom while I’m gone.”

“But, my Queen!” Algus said. “How did you-”

“Love, my subject.” The Queen said with Celestia’s voice. “The love of loyal subjects like yourself will sustain this spell as long as it is needed. Now go! Before I lose my patience!” She said as she turned and made her way to the guest tower.

“Very well.” Algus said. Obviously worried about his Queen’s actions. “Come with me, Princess.” He said as he led the real Celestia toward the dungeon.

“Yes.” Celestia said in monotone. “I obey.”

Algus sighed. “The Queen’s orders are final.” He whispered as Celestia mindlessly followed him to her own imprisonment.

“Ah, Princess!” Starswirl said as Celestia returned to the guest room. “I’m glad you’re back.” He said. “Look, I don’t mean to be so harsh. It isn’t that I’m disinterested in others. I just don’t have the time. You know this.” He said, pacing a bit as he spoke.

“Oh, it’s quite alright.” Princess Celestia said. “I suppose I can live with that. But we should get some rest. We have much to do tomorrow.” She said, moving over to her bed and settling down for the night.

“Hm.” Starswirl said. “Indeed we do.” He said as he took his place in the opposite bed. “I’ve been thinking about what you said.” Starswirl said as he used his magic to douse the candlelight. “I think you may be right about giving these people a chance. As primitive as they appear to be, they have some rather sophisticated magic. I’ve even managed to recognize a few tomes in their libraries.”

“Is that so?” Celestia asked as she got out of bed as silently as she could. “Like which ones?”

“Oh, just a few rudimentary texts on magic, a few similar legends, some cookbooks and the like.” Starswirl said, waving a hoof in the air. “Don’t tell your sister I said this, but the night has always been so dull to me. You can’t read as well by candlelight as you can by the light of the morning sun.”

“Well, the sun will come up eventually.” Celestia said as she approached Starswirl’s bed. “You just need to give it time.”

“Is that really all there is to it?” Starswirl asked, also getting out of bed. “Just being patient?”

“Of course it is.” Celestia said. “All good things come to those who wait.”

“And better things come to those who prepare.” Starswirl said as his eyes began to glow. In an instant, Celestia was lifted into the air, hovering helplessly mere inches above the floor.

“W- What are you doing?!” Celestia asked, beginning to panic.

“You don’t fool me, wench!” Starswirl said. “I sensed your foul magic the second you entered!” He growled, eyes narrowing as he approached.

“What are you saying?!” Celestia cried. “Don’t you recognize me?”

“Enough of your lies!” Starswirl yelled as his horn glowed and bathed Celestia in a bright light. As if layers of fabric were being ripped from a dress, the magic disguise over Queen Monarch was peeled away in long strips.

“NOOOOO!” She screamed as the last of her disguising spell was torn away and she slumped to the floor.

“You tried to impersonate someone you knew nothing about.” Starswirl said. “It was a foolish choice, and you should have known better. But you were so blinded by your jealousy and greed that you neglected to think about your plan. I almost feel bad for punishing you as I am about to.” He said as Queen Monarch began to glow in time with his horn. “Just a little something to keep you quiet and still while I prepare your punishment.” He said as he closed his eyes and began to concentrate.

“I’m sorry about this, princess.” Algus said as he locked Celestia into a cell. “But orders are orders.”

“Wh… Why?” Celestia asked as the green light in her eyes faded a bit. She blinked hard and shook her head, obviously resisting the magic now. “Why do this?”

“I’m not at liberty to reveal that kind of information.” Algus said, turning away from the princess.

“Please… You don’t want to do this…” Celestia said.

“No, but I have to. For my Queen.”

“This magic… I can feel the love within it.” Celestia said. “It is powerful… But it is fading.”

“I can see that. You’re regaining control of yourself.” Algus said.

“Yes.” She said. “And my mentor… Will not be fooled. Your Queen has made a terrible mistake.”

“The Queen can handle herself!” Algus snapped.

“Not against him she won’t!” Celestia pleaded, her eyes returning to normal as the spell completely wore off.

“Is the spell over already?” Algus asked. “I thought it would be longer than that.”

“She must have already been discovered.” Celestia said. “Please, release me. I may be able to talk some sense into Starswirl before he does something terrible!”

“No! I have explicit orders to keep you here.” Algus said sternly. “I’m sorry, princess. But this is the way it has to be.”

“No, it isn’t!” Celestia said. “I know Starswirl, and he will not have mercy on your Queen. Nor will he tolerate any interference.”

“You will not fool me!” Algus yelled. “You will stay here! The Queen’s plans are her own, and so they will remain! It will take more than words to make me turn on my sovereign.”

“Then your kingdom is in terrible danger.” Celestia said, sitting down and awaiting her inevitable rescue.

“There.” Starswirl said. “I have prepared the perfect punishment for you.” He said. “You seem to value your subject’s love, but give none of your own in return. Your plan to replace King Helios was doomed to fail, even if you had managed to take me down.”

“How could you know-”

“I research my foes in order to avoid making the same mistake that you did.” Starswirl said. “Your mind is feeble in your paralyzed state. But don’t worry. It won’t last long.” He said. “You seem fixated on appearances.” The wizard said as his horn glowed a deep green. “So live forever now, with a grotesque visage, and no memory of us or our land!” He said as he fired a green blast from his horn, striking the Queen and immediately beginning to change her.

Queen Monarch’s mane and tail lost much of their color as they changed to a dull teal color, falling out in clumps as a pained expression etched itself on her face. Her figure also began to change, depriving her of much of her weight while extending her legs to an unnatural length. Her wings lost all of their feathers as they became flaky and transparent, not quite seeming to grow properly and leaving a few holes and the ends in tatters. Her face contorted in further pain as two of her teeth grew out into imposing fangs and her horn bent and twisted itself into a terrifying hooked shape. “NOOOOO!” The Queen screamed as Starswirl jumped back in surprise.

“What is going on?!” Starswirl shouted as Monarch stood up, the ground around her bathed in green flames.

The fire licked at her legs, burning holes straight through them in some places but drawing no blood. The fallen Queen opened her eyes, revealing her now slitted irises. As she stepped forward, she rapidly changed appearance to her former self, Princess Celestia, Starswirl the Bearded, and then to her new horrible shape. When she collapsed to the floor, a shockwave of magical energy blasted through the area. Starswirl barely managed to shield himself in time.

“Fine.” Algus said as he turned to face the princess.

“What?” Celestia asked, looking up from her spot on the floor.

“I’ll let you go.” Algus sighed. “I don’t know what has come over the Queen, but I admit that I’ve never felt such power as that of your friend.” He said as he unlocked Celestia’s cell. As he did, there was a sound much like an explosion. “What was that?” Algus asked as he looked in the direction of the deafening boom.

“I’m so sorry.” Celestia said as she walked to the gate of her cell. “I truly wish this could have gone differently.” She said just before jumping in surprise. “Get down!” She yelled as she formed a protective barrier over herself and Algus. The magic shockwave passed over the barrier, but cracked through just enough to reach Algus.

“What the- URK!” Algus exclaimed as he went rigid and fell to the floor.

“I am sorry, little girls.” Zecora said as the scene disappeared back into the cauldron. “But this is where my knowledge of the story unfurls.”

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were hanging onto each other for dear life, while Scootaloo was nowhere to be seen.

“W- w- what gives?” Scootaloo asked as she poked her head out from behind. “Was that what I thought it was?”

“I see in your mind a bell does ring.” Zecora said as she walked in from outside. “That was the birth of the race you call changelings.

“Zecora?!” All three cutie mark crusaders exclaimed at once as they turned around to see the second zebra walk in with a smile on her face.

“Indeed, that is correct, my little fillies.” She said, stepping up next to the other Zecora. “I hope that my friend did not give you the willies.”

“Zecora?” Applebloom asked, letting go of Sweetie Belle and stepping toward the pair of zebras. “But how are you-”

“Really young one, are you quite so thick?” The Zecora on the left said, sharpening her gaze. “Could you not see that this is all a trick?”

“Here is a question. One you are ready for, I feel.” The Zecora on the left chimed in. “Tell us which of us is fake, and which of us is real.”

“But wait.” Sweetie Belle said. “I thought this lesson was about jealousy. Why the riddle?”

“An excellent question, young Sweetie Belle.” The Zecora on the left said. “For jealousy is the real reason Monarch’s kingdom fell.”

“As a result of her magic, along with Starswirl’s sadistic twist.” The Zecora on the right added. “That lovely Queen monarch became Queen Chrysalis.”

“A fate she may very well have deserved.” The Zecora on the left said. “Though that fate seems to have left you all a bit unnerved.”

“What are you talking about!” Scootaloo said, stepping forward. “I’m not scared!”

“Wait.” Applebloom said. “Wasn’t that the weird pony that tried to ruin princess Cadence’s wedding?”

“Indeed.” The Zecora on the right said. “I remember that well. I must say that I’m grateful that through the floor her plan fell.”

“And while jealousy may be the focus of this tale, it is not the decider of whether this test you shall fail.” The Zecora on the left said.

“Rather, it shall be the purity of your view.” The Zecora on the right said. “Something that your perception must not skew.”

“So again we shall make you this simple appeal.” Both Zecoras said simultaneously. “Which of us is the fake, and which of us is real?”

“What do you think, girls?” Applebloom asked, turning to her friends.

“Well…” Scootaloo said, stepping forward and pointing to the Zecora on the right. “I think it might be you.” She said, earning a smile from the indicated Zebra.

“I dunno.” Applebloom said, stepping to the other one. “Something just seems more right about this one if ya ask me.”

“Well this Zecora is just the right height!” Scootaloo said.

“How would you know?” Applebloom asked, looking at Scootaloo incredulously. “You haven’t known her as long as Ah have!” As the two argued, both Zecora’s began to frown. “Besides, they’re both the same height!”

“Well this one’s stripes are just right!” Scootaloo said, pointing to her chosen Zecora again.

“But they both have the same stripes!” Applebloom yelled.

“Oh yeah? Well-”

“Girls! Stop fighting!” Sweetie Belle shouted, cutting Scootaloo off mid-sentence and surprising everyone.

“Well Sweetie Belle? What do you think?” Applebloom asked.

“Yeah. I’m right, aren’t I?” Scootaloo asked.

Sweetie Belle looked from one Zecora to the other, then to her friends, and then back to the Zecoras. “Nope.” She said, dumbfounding Scootaloo and making Applebloom giggle.

“You sound just like mah big brother.” Applebloom said. “But at least you agree with me.”

“Nope.” Sweetie Belle said again, catching everyone by surprise once more. “Both of the Zecoras faces seemed to soften quickly though.

“Sweetie Belle, what are ya sayin’?” Applebloom asked.

“Yeah. Are you saying you think that both of them are fake?” Scootaloo asked, waving a hoof at both of the Zebras.

“No!” Sweetie Belled said. “I think they’re both real!”

“What?” Both Scootaloo and Applebloom said.

“Think about it.” Sweetie Belle said. “Sure, one of them is actually Zecora, but the other one is still just as real as any of us. Why else would they ask us this question?”

“I still don’t git it.” Applebloom said.

“My head kinda hurts now.” Scootaloo said, rubbing her temples with her forehooves.

“Sweetie Belle, your pure answer has truly impressed us.” The Zecora on the left said, stepping away from Applebloom. “You may finish the test if you please now, Algus.” She said as the other Zecora smirked a little.

“Thank goodness I can turn back for good this time.” The Zecora near Scootaloo said in a strangely reverberating voice. “I was worried that I would be stuck forever speaking in rhyme!” She said as she threw her head back and was engulfed in green fire.

“AH!” Scootaloo screeched as she jumped away in shock.

When the fire subsided, there stood not Zecora, but a rather large changeling. “So good to finally be back to myself.” He said as he cracked his neck and buzzed his wings briefly.

“Quick! Run!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “He’s gonna eat all our love!”

“Hurry up, Sweetie Belle!” Applebloom shouted as she and Scootaloo hid behind a chair.

“Girls, be nice!” Sweetie Belle said as she walked up to the changeling. “Zecora, did you call him Algus?”

“Indeed, that is the captain of Monarch’s guard.” She said as she walked over and put a hoof on the changeling’s shoulder. “He is no threat to us. You will not be harmed.” She said with a smile. “The changelings need love to keep themselves alive. But that is only for those connected to the hive.”

“But I don’t get it.” Sweetie Belle said. “Why isn’t Algus connected to the hive anymore?”

“The princess’s shield could not protect me from the spell.” Algus said, his voice reverberating off of itself. “But it allowed me to keep my sense of self. I’m not like my former Queen and her minions. I still have all of my own opinions.” As he finished speaking, he shook his head and glared at Zecora. “Why is the whole rhyming thing so catchy?”

“So yer not gonna eat us?” Applebloom asked as she came out from behind the chair.

“Or take away all of our love?” Scootaloo asked, also showing herself again.

“I was lucky enough to not end up with that terrible craving.” He said. “I tried it once, but it gave me heartburn.” He said, laughing at his own joke. Upon realizing that he was the only one laughing, he sat down on his haunches and buzzed his wings in annoyance. “It was just a joke. Lighten up.”

“So you were at the wedding that day?” Applebloom asked. “Why didn’t you do anything to stop what was goin’ on?”

“I was nowhere near the wedding.” Algus said. “I fear that if I were to get too close to her, I might fall under the Queen’s control just like the others.”

“He has been living here in the woods, you see.” Zecora said. “He’s often proven to be quite helpful to me.”

“From what I understand of the spell that changed us,” Algus said, “any love that we devour transfers great amounts of energy to the Queen. The backfire from the Queen’s spell interacting with Starswirl’s magic all those years ago left her with no memory of Equestria, just as the wizard had planned. All she could remember was bits of her past self and the fact that her power stemmed from love. Since then, she’s committed herself to reacquiring her former self by gaining as much power as possible.” Algus said with a shudder. “To that end she magically imbued her subjects with the ability to steal love from other ponies, but made them dependent on it as a result. We are strengthened and sustained by feelings of love, but we don’t really need to devour it like she wants us to.”

“She has not learned her lesson to this day, as you can see.” Zecora said. “She still has not let go of her jealousy and greed.”

“Her ideals will get her nowhere.” Algus said. “Love is powerful, but not so much when it is stolen. Hopefully she will come around eventually. Maybe then our people can find peace, and perhaps rid ourselves of this curse.” He said, hanging his head.

As Algus closed his eyes in thought, he felt a small head bub against his foreleg. “It’s okay.” Sweetie Belle said as she nuzzled him, his eyes shooting open in surprise. “I think you’re a good guy.” She said, looking up into his eyes.

“Th- Thank you.” Algus said as tears appeared in his emerald eyes. “Thank you, Sweetie Belle.” He said as he nuzzled her back.

“I hope you learned a good lesson today.” Zecora said as the Cutie Mark Crusaders got back from retrieving Scootaloo’s scooter. “Be sure to come by again someday.”

“Bye Zecora!” Applebloom called with a wave. “We’ll stop by again soon!” She said as the three sped off towards Ponyville.

“So what did you think of my little friends?” Zecora asked, turning to find herself face to face with Sweetie Belle. “I swear you will drive my wit to its ends.” She sighed as she held a hoof to her forehead before walking back into her hut.

“Hey, you love the jokes and you know it!” Sweetie Belle said in Algus’s voice as he followed Zecora inside.

“So the lessons have begun?” Princess Celestia asked as she entered Luna’s chamber.

“Yes, dear sister.” Luna said as she turned around on her balcony to face her sister. “And not a day too soon.”

“Very good.” Celestia said with a nod. “Please keep me updated on their progress. I’m very interested to see how this all turns out.”

“Of course, sister.” Luna said. “And don’t worry about your little subjects. I’ll keep a close eye on them.”

“Very good.” Celestia nodded, turning to leave but stopping in the doorway. “By the way. How is Algus doing?”

“Your changeling friend?” Luna asked. “He seemed troubled when I saw him. Why?”

“He’s been starving himself all these years.” Celestia said, bowing her head. “Though I hope that he feels better after their visit.” She said as the door closed behind her.

Luna decided that she would keep a closer eye on Algus’s dreams that night. “After all.” The night princess thought. “I feel that he’ll become quite important indeed.” She thought as she began preparing to raise the moon.