A Quest for Home

A yellow-spotted butterfly set off to find food. In it's travels it came across a lone pony who was silently wandering through the woods. It gracefully fluttered in front of Tethershine's head before flying higher to get a better view.

"Oh, how sweet it would be to be a butterfly. To be without a care in the world, to be without complicated emotions that confuse your path..." She said, her words trailing after the beautiful creature who flew high into the trees.

Tethershine continued on through the woods. She had been aimlessly moving forward for an hour now, tirelessly moving hoof in front of hoof. She sniffed the air. The delightful smell of droppings flourished inside her nose, making her retch. Then a low, feminine voice shouted out from the left.

"Who goes there? Who, I say!?

Show yourself in the light of day!"

Tethershine turned to see that there was a small clearing on her left. She couldn't see whoever speaking, however that meant she probably couldn't be seen herself. She began to slowly and quietly tread towards the clearing, unsure of what she'd find.

"I promise you that I mean you no harm." She emerged into the clearing, seeing the zerbra for the first time. She was as tall as Tethershine was but her legs looked far stronger. Clenched in her forehoof was a spear aimed directly at Tethershine and ready to be thrown. She wore a beaded necklace, from a golden oval hung down. On her face she wore a frown and battle ready eyes which stayed firmly on Tethershine. She spoke again:

"You talk of no harm because you must.

Empty words won't gain my trust."

Tethershine nodded, took off her bag, and tossed it to the zebra. The zerbra quickly glanced at the bag and then back at her enemy.

"There's everything I own. I am Tethershine of Dawnvale and I-"

"I don't care where you're from or who you are,

Answer me truthfully or you won't go far,

You know that ponies us zebras detest,

So why do you tread here? What is your quest?"

"You hate ponies? Why?" asked Tethershine

"They claim all the grassland while we are left to rot.

We live in the forest where it's cruel and hot"

"Have you ever actually met a pony?" The zebra just growled back at her. "I thought so."

"I don't need to meet one to know they are scum." She hesitated, looking at the bag. The moment dragged on until finally, she put down her spear and tossed the bag back.

"You should leave in case other zebras should come." Tethershine looked at the bag and then back at the zebra, who was still eyeing her suspiciously. She opened her mouth, but a male voice with the same accent as the zebra interupted:

"A pony attacks my bride!

Kill it! Don't let it hide!"

Zebras began emerging around Tethershine. She felt a hard knock against the head before falling into darkness.

Tethershine's eyes opened, and she groaned from the soaring pain of the bruise. She was in a wooden cage. She could hear multiple accented voices discussing something far away.

"It's about time that you awoke." Tether looked through the bars to see the zebra from before.

"I told them of the words that you spoke,

But still they react with burning rage,

And keep you locked inside a cage." Tethershine shook her head and sighed, weary from the pain and torment of the past few days. The zebra stared at Tethershine, trying to work out what she was thinking. The mare was certainly an unusual one, to go recklessly into zebra territory like this.

Stupidity like that reminded her of herself.

"What's your name?" Tethershine asked, suddenly. The zebra stuttered for a second, before scowling.

"You are a prisoner of the zebra kind.

We'll ask the questions, if you mind."

"Forgive me" Tethershine said, sadly looking at the ground, "I merely wanted to pay respect to my captors by addressing them by their proper titles." The zebra smiled at this.

"You intentions I'm sure are true

As I find myself to be a lot like you.

Treat our kind with proper respect,

And maybe you won't die just yet."

Tethershine's eyes widened.

"You mean they're going to..."

"Not by my hoof, just you see.

They'll probably call you up to plea."

As if on que, Another zebra approached them. He wore no neckless, his scruffy hair flailing about as he galloped towards the duo. His voice was higher than the female's, he was clearly young. "You are to appear in front of the council to plea for your life. Your crime is attacking Fortia, our leader's wife." It was then when Tethershine noticed a flicker of movement above. She looked up to see 4 zebras, all aiming their loaded bows at her. She looked back to the messenger.

"Lead the way."

After a bit of walking, they reached the Zebra's gathering point. They were all sitting around a large fire, even though it was broad daylight. Tethershine looked at all the zebras, who were all glaring down at her. What could she do to change their minds? What could she possibly say that would break those cold eyes, unveiling the creatures beneath. The creatures who could understand that though they were different species, they were more alike than they thought?

She was brought round to a line of male zebras, their stares even colder than those of the crowd. Tethershine realized this was the council of the tribe. The zebra in the centre was wearing a necklace much like that of the Zebra she'd met before. He stepped forward and began to talk. His voice was the one Tethershine had heard before she was knocked unconscious

"You've been brought here today in front of our kind

To help us decide what verdict we find.

If innocent you go and leave us in your hide

If guilty you're fed to Arachnacide" A few zebras cheered at this line. They fell silent as he continued.

"Tell us why you think you should live.

Tell us and maybe we will forgive."

Tethershine knew what she had to do. She replied;

"Oh councilers, to you I hail" she started, courtseying.

"I am Tethershine of Dawnvale,

I come to you but mean no harm,

I just want to pass: no cause for alarm."

The crowd began muttering, and the council's leader raised his voice.

"You speak like us? This cannot be!

Our speech pattern is unlike anypony!"

"Alas, dear lord, I fear it's true.

I speak the exact same way you do." The leader shook his head, confused. Tethershine seized her chance and spoke to the crowd.

"We are alike in more ways than one.

I walk upon the ground that you walk upon

We all have 4 legs, we all walk on hooves.

We all have loved ones and a few things to proove.

We may be different races, we may not be blood linked

But nothing really splits us in the way that we think."

A stunned silence. Tethershine stayed quiet, her life hanging in the noise that was about to be made. Then, from the back of the crowd, one of the zebras made a loud cheer and started stomping the ground. Tethershine grinned inside. Then another joined in, then a few more until most of the crowd were celebrating.

"RATATATATATATATATATATA!" Yelled the council leader. Everyone turned to him.

"The council have decided. This pony is free.

As long as she passes peacefully." The crowd cheered and Tethershine found she was no longer able to contain her grin.

Tethershine put on her saddlebag and was about to leave, much to many of the tribe member's dismay. She saw Fortia coming towards her, a small zebra walking behind her. Tethershine began:

"You saved my life. I owe you a lot.

You deed shall never be forgot." Tethershine was finding it hard to stop rhyming.

"You owe me nothing dear,

for all I did was cheer."

However, before you go,

Meet my son, Impudo."

The small Zebra ran up to Tethershine. He was an energetic young colt whose eyes glinted mischeviously. He spoke quickly:

"Hi Tethershine, My name's Impudo.

I just want you to know that you're my hero!" With this short statement, he ran off back to where the other Zebras lay. Tethershine stared after him, his words playing over and over in her head. She had once had a hero. But heroes are often not what you think they are. Tethershine knew she was no hero. She was a traitor.

"Forgive me for my son's attitude" Fortia spoke, breaking Tethershine's trance

"He can sometimes come off as being rude."

"No, don't worry about it." She smiled at Fortia who smiled back.

"To you my wishes are all the best.

Take them and good luck on your quest." Tethershine nodded.

"Goodbye." Started to turn, but Fortia's voice stopped her.

"No young one, do not lie.

We shall meet again; this is not goodbye." Tethershine grinned.

"I hope so." With that, Tethershine continued her trek through the forest as if nothing had happened. Fortia stared after her until she was out of view, before turning back to the tribe.