The Shamare's Creed

"These lips were not created to be soiled with your...your carnival fare! No, I don't know how that adds up. It just does!"

~Prince Blueblood

The snow had just finished falling for the fourth time that season. Mares went about their daily jobs in the kitchen without thought or pause, foals ran amok around the snow, pelting one another with snowballs that were easily half their mass, and the odd stallion here or there sat near the fireplace with his pipe and newspaper as if nothing were happening. It was a beautiful winter morning.

Ponies periodically trotted down the center of Ponyville, more than happy to enjoy the light flaky snow before it could transform into the slippery cold ice that just about everypony eventually learns to hate. Even the most depressed of ponies had a difficult time keeping a frown on their face when the air was so clear and crisp.

It's truly hard to keep a good mare down and Zecora certainly wasn't an exception. With a bounce in her own step, she trotted once more towards the fashionista's business. She was glad to have another chance at love, something that she'd longed for since she first came to her home in the Everfree. Maybe she was being to optimistic, but the striped mare was more than a little happy at the thought of potentially having a mate.

While the events that transpired a few nights earlier with Trixie were a little over the top, it did make it quite clear to Zecora that love was at least a possibility. She kept her chipper mood, trotting up to Rarity's door. Just as her hoof was being raised to knock, a voice called out saying, "Come in!"

How Rarity could possibly know that her shamaristic friend could be there at that moment still remains a mystery to this day, but scientists speculated that it had something to do with overexposure to 'Pinkie Sense.' Regardless, Zecora promptly opened the door to her friend's home.

"Well, Darling, are you ready for tonight?"

"Tonight?"

"Why yes, Zecora! I've finally managed to find another potential mate for you, and this one has no blood fetishes or any sort of criminal record. He is a bit of an acquired taste, but I think you'll warm up nicely!" Rarity said, trotting over to greet her friend. They met with a small hug before the alabaster unicorn led her companion to the kitchen.

"So he's a stallion? Well that can be interesting. What does he look like?"

"Oh my stars, Darling! He's so handsome, every mare's dream! Unfortunately, too many mares have sought him out just for that reason, and he's looking for a potential mate who isn't...erm, focused on only his assets? Anyways, he's a great catch if he turns out to be your type! Oh, and your foals would look simply marvelous!"

Zecora put a hoof to her chin, entering a fairly contemplative train of thought. "He's handsome, well endowed, and remarkably single? Where'd you find this one and why haven't you taken him yourself?"

Rarity blushed at that. "Well, you see," she started, looking nervous. "I've already tried that out with him, but I guess I really wasn't his type.."

That should have sent up a red flag to the young zebra, but she wasn't that experienced in the realm of love in the first place. The signs went right over her head, so she just gave Rarity an apologetic look.

"It's quite alright, Darling. Not every mare is suited for every stallion, you know. But enough of that! We need to get you ready, the carriage should be here in at around midday to take you to Canterlot!"

"Canterlot?" the zebra inquired. "Really? So I'm going to be paired with some pompous noble?"

"He's perfectly fine, my dear. Trust me, you'll probably like this guy. He's handsome, charming, handsome, wealthy, handsome, and just generally well mannered," Rarity replied, a huge smile on her face. Don't worry about a thing, Darling. Just trust me on this!"

"Okay..." Zecora stated skeptically. "I'll put my trust in you." For now...

"Don't worry, he'll make you very happy! Also, a thing of note would be the fact that he loves to roleplay."

"Roleplay?"

"Yes," Rarity started, obviously growing excited over telling her friend something new. "It's where you essentially play as characters from a storybook, all that fun stuff. Some ponies will do the hero and the milkmare, others a pair of adventurers, or so on."

"Uh huh."

"Well anyways, this guy likes to play at Prince and Princess, if you catch my drift. Just go along with it and everything will be just fine!"

"So I take it that this is what you mean by 'acquired taste?' Well, I guess I can give it a try..." Zecora finished, looking somewhat depressed.

"Excellent!"

Here we go again...

Several grueling hours of fashion mayhem, Rarity finally finished her chaotic struggle against mane knots and poor apparel. Zecora knew that by what had been done the day before, she was probably going to look absolutely splendid whatever that nearly-psychotic mare did to her. Still, her rump was starting to hurt from the swivel-chair she had sat all day on.

"Oh, aren't you a beauty!" Rarity happily said, turning her barber's chair to reveal the new look she'd devised for Zecora's date. If it weren't for the fact that she already knew that it would be good, the zebra probably would've gasped. As it was, she found herself almost as stunned as the day before.

"Rarity, you always seem to exceed my expectations."

"I know it's fabulous, no need to thank me!" Rarity stated, beaming happily at the enjoyment she was causing with her 'client'. Not that I can really blame her... Zecora thought as she looked herself over. That mare has a talent at outdoing herself.

The new look really wasn't that different from the day before in some manners, but many of the newer details more than made the appearance utterly awe inspiring. The makeup design was similar, remaining subtle but very present yet again. Her coat had that beautiful sheen again, and she had another flower placed in her mane. The flower was a light blue-green hibiscus this time, but it still felt similar to the feel of the last one.

Her ears donned somewhat smaller earrings than last time, but they had a golden hue that fit her usual style. The neckrings were just as lacking as the time before, replaced this time with a golden necklace, complete with an emerald gemstone. Zecora's mane was even left mostly loose this time, starting as a mane but tapering off to the side in a more western fashion than before. Overall, the entire appearance seemed to lack in any definitive national theme, instead transcending the dogmas and stereotypes that had been so common in fashion.

"I like it."

Another hour passed by, and Zecora shared some small banter with her friend over a cup of good tea as they waited for her escort to arrive. Time seemed to pass by in a blur, every moment accentuated by the ticking of the nearby grandfather clock in the room over.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!!

"Now's your chance, Darling. Go out there and shine!"

Zecora didn't need to be told twice. Without hesitating, she stood up and trotted over to the door with all the class she could muster. Right before she could get there, however, Rarity pushed her way in front and opened it instead. "Mi'lady, it's for you!"

The striped mare tried not to facehoof at that last bit. What the hay is she thinking? Being who she is, Zecora simply went along with it. Not like she had anything better to do anyways. With all the regal air she could muster, she trotted past her friend and said goodbye like some kindhearted monarch.

Roleplaying, you say? I can do this...

The stage groom closed the door to their carriage before they took off, heading towards Canterlot and the unknown. The trip there was fairly uneventful, however. After about an hour of riding in the back of some glorified wagon, the door to her ride was opened to reveal a line of servants leading to some type of manor. The sight of the nearby palace made it clear that they were on the castle grounds somewhere.

Well this is interesting...

Zecora stepped out of the carriage, carrying herself with grace and poise. If Rarity wanted her to roleplay, she wasn't one to go half mast at it. Filling her role, the pretty mare followed the groom into the well lit manor before her. She soon found herself led inside, yet another row of servants showing themselves lined up for their duties.

"Right this way, your Highness."

Simply going with the flow, Zecora followed the steward towards what appeared to be some sort of high class dining hall. She was immediately greeted by the most handsome stallion teal eyes had ever fallen upon. Hot damn!

Standing at the far end of the massive table was a mare's stallion in every sense of the word. He stood tall and proud, his firm, masculine shoulders being more than a little attractive. His jaw was deep set and strong, giving off the air of command and authority, and his charming smile would make most mares swoon at the very sight of him. He sported a beautiful blonde mane and had a pair of strikingly blue eyes to complement this.

Zecora didn't let it show, but she grew somewhat intimidated by his godlike appearance. It looked almost as if the Cherubs themselves had carved his face out of the best of marbles! He was undeniably and impossibly attractive, and Zecora could feel herself getting somewhat wet just by looking at him.

"Welcome, my Dear," the godlike being said, a smile splayed on his face. He looked utterly sincere and glad to see her, and he himself gave her a once over with his appraising eyes. Without a pause, the charming stallion stepped forward and took her hoof, kneeling down to plant a heartfelt kiss.

"I was told that the mare I'd be seeing was gorgeous, but now my eyes must have deceived me. How can such a beautiful flower as yourself be described as something so mundane and pitiful as merely 'Gorgeous'?"

Zecora felt her heart pounding violently in her chest, barely managing not to swoon right then and there. Sweet Celestia, help me now! It was at that moment that she realized something else. I-I think I'm in love!

Most of the dinner they shared passed by uneventfully to the unobservant eye. To the two of them, however, there was nothing uninteresting about it. They both swapped stories of their homelands, telling tales of politics, intrigue, and even mystery. Zecora described her childhood as an apprentice mage, studying under their lead Shamare as the thirdborn of her family. Blueblood sat there attentively, not taking his eyes away from the mare for a moment.

Zecora did likewise with his, listening to his tales of adventure and exploration as a colt with his friends, one of which was surprisingly Twilight's older brother Shining. It certainly made it clear how the stallion had received a compass as a cutie mark. It fit, really, considering that he was usually the leader of their expeditions. It was also on these journeys that Shining had received his shield, and the fact that Blueblood was willing to take the time of day to talk about his old friend's tale instead of just his own showed a depth of character that Zecora loved.

But beyond that, it was the alabaster stallion's ability to truly listen that drove home the package for the young mare. Sure, many ponies would pretend to listen, even being able to recite a bit of what they heard while the secretly ignored them. Blueblood was different. He not only listened, but showed concern at the downs and joy at the ups. He quite often asked her questions, seemingly enraptured by her stories.

As with all things, the night started to drag onwards. Neither of them really noticed the fact that it was well past midnight until the steward dropped by to point it out. Looking slightly sad, Blueblood turned to lightly smile at the mare before him.

"Well I suppose that this will have to be good night then. I-I hope that we can meet again soon, m'lady."

"And I you, m'lord."

Blueblood stuck out a leg, offering to escort Zecora to the front door. They moved on in silence, both seemingly disappointed in the early departure. Just as they were nearing the entrance, Blueblood suddenly stopped.

"Damn it all! I just don't want to see you go so soon!"

"Nor I you," Zecora replied, looking up hopefully at the stallion of her dreams.

"Well, you don't have to go," Blueblood started, looking just as hopeful as the mare beside him. "I'm not pushing for anything, but-" He didn't have a chance to finish before Zecora met his lips with her own. She felt his arm wrap around her as he returned the kiss, and their mouths opened to allow their tongues passage. After a few moments, Zecora pulled back, smiling.

"How was that, m'lord?"

"Marvelous, m'lady!" Blueblood replied, trying to regain his breath. "You even taste delicious!"

"You don't know the half of it," Zecora started, a knowing look on her face. Blueblood quickly caught the signs and bore a snarky grin of his own.

"It seems the night has just begun, my Dear," he stated, leading her towards what inevitably must be his bedchambers.

Zecora was panting heavily as she felt Blueblood's meat drive in for the next thrust. He wasn't being completely quiet himself, but the pretty zebra was more than making up for it. With every new thrust, every new inch his shaft drove in, she'd let loose another sexy cry.

Everything she had hoped for in Blueblood was true and more. He was even great in bed, driving that point home with the fact that he'd already gotten Zecora off twice without having cum himself. Still, she could feel him nearing his own climax as he fucked her silly.

I'm so not walking tomorrow...

Zecora simply ground her hips back against his groin, trying to make it even more pleasurable for the stallion in question. She felt every stroke as his dick drove home, his balls idly slapping against her thighs as he hilted the pretty mare over and over. It was simply amazing!

"Babe, I think I'm-"

"It's alright," Zecora answered. "Ugh! I want this."

"Alright then," Blueblood responded before nibbling softly at her ears. Zecora let out another moan at that. She could feel her own climax coming yet again as he kept at it like a pile-driver. Soon enough, Blueblood let out his own shout, his dick shooting streams of seed into her womb as they climaxed.

Another minute passed by as he finished riding her, pumping his sperm into her vagina. After a few moments, they lay down next to each other, content just to snuggle up. The entire room smelled of sex and perfume, but neither of them really seemed to notice nor care. They simply lay there, kissing one another.

"You know, that was probably the best time I've ever had," Zecora smiled, beaming at the stallion beside her. "I've never really...had someone go all out with me like that."

"You were great too, Honey," the Prince replied. "I think I could easily get used to that."

"Me too."

They giggled at that, nuzzling one another passionately. Time seemed to pass by in a blur, but it was right around then that noticed the grandfather clock on the wall.

"It's already four?!"

"Uh...yes?"

"Oh my, I have to finish my brew by then! Ailment tonics can be very time sensitive. My home may go up in smoke!"

Blueblood smirked at that. "Why doesn't your servant just do it for you?"

"I can't roleplay right now, Babe. I've got to get back!" Zecora cried out, suddenly more than a little worried. "I have to be back in...I think five hours!"

The alabaster stallion's smile slowly slid off as he realized she was being serious. "So wait," he said, a scowl forming on his face. "You're saying your just some commoner who was playing at princess this entire time?"

"Uh, yeah?"

"YOU CUNT!!" Blueblood suddenly screamed, throwing Zecora aside like a worthless rag. "You led me on to believe that you were someone actually important, someone who I could be with! How dare you accept my royal seed!"

"So wait, you're really a-"

"SHUT YOUR WHORE MOUTH, SLAVE!!" he shouted, slapping the mare in front of him like a misbehaving dog. "And to think, I actually ate out that dirty snatch you call your marehood! Ugh, so disgusting!"

Zecora's face openly displayed the hurt she felt inside, but that was quickly replaced with rage. "So, this is how it is? You worthless cur. I thought I saw something in you, but I guess I was wrong. And for your information, I am the third daughter of the leader of the third of the Six Tribes of Zebrica. I may not be a 'Western Princess,' but I'm not some street ilk either. You, however, seem to need to flaunt your title around like some little feather in your cap!"

"Wait, so you are in line for-"

"ENOUGH!!" Zecora snarled, turning towards the door to leave. "I never want to see your worthless face again."

Just as she was about to open the bedroom door, a dresser was suddenly moved in front of it, wrapped in a light blue glow. Zecora paused for am moment before looking over her shoulder.

"I suggest you move that out of the way."

"But-"

"I won't tell you again. Move it out of the way. Now!"

"I want-"

Blueblood was suddenly cut off by the sound of both his dresser and his door being bashed to pieces with some sort of magic. He watched in awe as Zecora trotted through the wreckage completely unfazed. Long after she was gone, the Prince sat there staring, not quite fully registering what he'd seen. He stared for a moment before crying out to his butler.

"Yes, my lord?"

"Bring me that stallion Thunderlane. I really need a blowjob right now..."

Zecora ran blindly through the palace grounds, tears streaming down her face. She didn't even bother looking where she was going, simply running around, trying to distance herself from what had happened. Soon enough, she found herself lost in the gardens around the castle itself, looking for any escape from her sorrows.

It was horrible, the was that stallion had treated her. She couldn't quite place what it was about it that really had her so down, but something about the entire experience had felt like a hammer blow to her face.

Finally having grown exhausted, Zecora sat tiredly on the edge of a fountain, glad for a moment's rest. It was there that she really began to let herself have a good cry. The moon reflected lightly off of the water as her tears started to leave ripples in their wake.

"My my, isn't this a sad sight?"

Zecora suddenly looked up, trying to spot where the voice had come from. Finding nothing, she turned back to stare at the moonlit water. She'd almost regained her train of thought when a figure started to form nearby, its reflection showing through the water. The young zebra suddenly looked up, startled to see a strange and yet familiar creature across from her.

"W-who are you?"

"What, you don't remember me? Tut tut, that hurts you know. I'm Discord, your neighborhood friendly chaos dispenser, so don't worry about me!"

Zecora chuckled at that. "So why...why are you here?"

"I'm the God of Chaos, if I recall correctly. I am where chaos is, and there seems to be a lot of chaos in your mind or some sappy nonsense like that."

"But I'm-"

Discord put up his hand, motioning for her to stop. He looked down for a second, letting out a soft sigh. "Don't try and come up with excuses, Zecora. What happened."

It was at that moment that she broke down, tearfully telling the tall draconequus everything that had happened while she tried to keep a stiff upper lip. Discord's face slowly started to turn from one of boredom to actual empathy as she continued.

"So let me get this straight," he said when she finished. "Your 'partner' treated you like a princess, gave you many sweet nothings, and acted like you were something worth having, am I right?"

"Yes."

"And then that stupid prick not only turned around and slapped you, but revoked everything nice he had said and done up to that point, making you feel worse than you would've if you'd never been there in the first place?"

Zecora just stared at him for a moment, trying not to let the tears continue to fall. Discord sighed before pulling her into a hug. He gently rubbed her withers while she cried her eyes out, letting her release her pent up sorrow and shame in one go. He stood there, gently scooping her up like a father to his foal.

"There there, it's alright now."

"What will I do?" Zecora murmured. "I can't even trust a friend of mine to pick well, and I'm obviously blind!"

Discord put a finger under her chin, raising her head up to meet his sad smile. "Listen to me, Zecora, you are not worthless. He may have said that you were, and I'm sure he had his reasons, but you are not worthless. You hear me?"

Zecora met his eyes for a moment before nodding. Discord quietly set her down, stepping back to take a look at her. He smiled a loving smile at her.

"Just look at yourself! You're young, beautiful, smart, talented, and full of life! Don't let one arrogant prick keep you down, you're better than him. Look at me."

She did as he asked, meeting his chaotic gaze with her own.

"You are not worthless. You have your whole life ahead of you. You just...you just have to set your sails, you know? Shoot for the stars, Zecora. Shoot for the stars, and you'll at least land among the heavens!"

She smiled at that. "Thank you, Discord. I-I needed that."

"I'm many things, but a liar is not one of them. Now get your flank back home! That brew won't last forever, you know. Even right now, it's starting to beckon to me, calling for me to stir it up a bit..."

"Oh, right!"

"And one more thing."

"What?"

"Rarity meant well. Don't judge her too harshly, she thought he'd changed."

"Alright."

Zecora turned to run, heading back towards the city's train station. Just as she was leaving the garden, the first rays of morning sunlight started to play down on her. Discord smiled, looking up towards the nearby balcony. Celestia smiled back down at him.

"Hmm...I think some chamomile tea would be nice right about now..."