I woke up the next morning when I felt something rubbing against my face. I opened my eyes and saw a purple mane blocking my sight. I leaned up and saw that Twilight was awake, nuzzling my face. She looked at me and smiled.

"Morning, Sleepy Head", she said, cuddling me. I smiled as I cuddled her back.

"Morning, Bookworm", I said. I yawned and rubbed my eyes. "What time is it?"

"12:00 PM", Twilight said. I was very surprised.

"What?! 12:00?! I'm late for court!", I said, very worried.

"No you're not", Twilight said, chuckling.

"What do you mean?", I was, confused. Twilight used her magic to grab a scroll from her nightstand and to give it to me. I opened the scroll and saw that is was a letter from Mom.

Dear, Glitter Sparkle,

I figured you would want to stay in Ponyville a little longer before leaving, so I have allowed the guards that came with you to come back to Canterlot, and I will be taking over your court today. You may stay as long as you like. Do not worry. Attending your courts will not affect me in anyway. I will be fine. Please don't forget to write.

Enjoy yourself,

Princess Celestia

I smiled as I placed the scroll back on the nightstand.

"That's very nice of her!", I said, "I need to write her back and say thank you".

"I already did", Twilight said, "I foraged your signature. Hope you don't mind".

"That's fine", I said, cuddling Twilight again, "As long as you don't do it on a regular basis". Twilight giggled lightly.

"I won't", she said, nuzzling me again. At that point, both of our stomachs growled loudly.

"Meal time", I said.

"Yep", Twilight said, "Why don't I cook us some lunch?"

"Well, I was thinking we could go out to eat".

"You mean like a date?"

"I wouldn't say a date. Just a friendly lunch. And plus, we still have catching up to do".

"Right. Well, sure. But, can I pick the place?"

"That's fine. I don't really know any eateries here anyway".

"Great! Umm... I have to tinkle first". I let her go.

"Go ahead". Twilight got up and went into the bathroom. A few minutes later, she came back out.

"I'm done", she said, smiling.

"I can see that", I said, "So, where are we going?"

"I'll lead the way. Just follow me".

"OK". Twilight walked down the stairs, me following. On our way out the door, we saw Spike, sitting in a beanbag, reading a comic book.

"Spike", Twilight said, "Glitter and I are going out for a while. Can you watch the library until then?"

"Sure", Spike said, his eyes glued to his comic book.

"I'll see you later, Spike", I said.

"You too, Glitter", Spike said, turning a page. Twilight and I walked out of the library. After Twilight locked the door, we started walking and talking randomly.

~~~~~~~~~~

After walking and talking for a few minutes, Twilight and I stopped in front of a place called "Heartstrings' Confectionery".

"We're here", Twilight said, smiling again.

"Looks like a good place", I said.

"Oh trust me", Twilight said, "It is. Not better than Sugarcube Corner, but it's good". I opened the door, letting Twilight in before letting myself in. Once we got inside, a familiar mint-green mare walked up to us.

"Good afternoon, Twilight Sparkle!", she said.

"Afternoon, Lyra", Twilight said, "Table for two, please".

"Table or booth?"

"Booth, please".

"OK, follow me please". Lyra walked to a booth, Twilight and I following. Soon, she stopped near a booth and gave us menus. I sat down on one side and Twilight sat down on the same side next to me. "I'll be back momentarily". She walked off.

"Do you mind if I sit next to you?", Twilight said.

"That's fine", I said.

"Thanks", Twilight said. While we waited, I felt like I'd seen Lyra before. She looked and sounded very familiar. I knew I had seen her before, but where?

"OK", Lyra said, having just returned, "What would you like to drink?" We both looked at the "Drinks" section on our menus.

"Apple juice, please", Twilight said. Lyra wrote that down.

"And for you, Prince Sparkle?", she said.

"Umm...", I said, "A chocolate milkshake, please". Lyra wrote that down too.

"OK", Lyra said, walking off again.

"So", Twilight said, "How has it been in Canterlot?"

"The usual", I said, "Caddie is dating".

"Cadence is dating?!", Twilight said, "Who?!"

"I don't know. I haven't seen her with him yet, nor has she told me".

"I hope she does. I really wanna know!"

"So do I". We kept talking until Lyra came back with our beverages. She gave them to us, smiling.

"Thanks, Lyra", Twilight said, as I did.

"No problem", Lyra said, "Are you ready to order?" We looked at our menus again for a while.

"I would like the hayloaf", I said, "Extra onions and ketchup". Lyra wrote that down.

"I'll have what he's having", Twilight said.

"OK", Lyra said, "Your orders should be ready in about thirty minutes". We nodded and Lyra left again. Twilight cuddled me again after she left. I cuddled her back as I talked to her again.

"So you told me how you met your new friends", I said, "How connected are you to them?"

"Like sisters", Twilight said.

"Really? That's great".

"But, you're my best friend! My BEST best friend".

"So are you. You and your brother".

"Aww!" A blush of flattery formed on the face. "Thank you!"

"Thank you". I kissed Twilight's cheek, making her blush grow deeper. Then, she looked down with a half-frown. She looked like she had to get something off of her chest.

"Glitter", she said, "There's something I need to tell you".

"What is it, Twilight?", I said.

"Please don't get mad".

"I won't".

"I... I think I... have a-"

"Here's your appetizers", Lyra said, having returned again. She was holding a big plate of corn chips and another big plate of hay fries. She set them on the table, along with dipping sauces. "Do you need any refills?"

"May I have another milkshake, please?", I said, my sweet tooth controlling my brain. She took my empty milkshake glass and placed it on a tray on her back. She walked back again and returned again, my glass refilled. She gave it to me and smiled. "Thank you".

"You're welcome, your highness", Lyra said, "Twilight?"

"No thanks", Twilight said, "I have enough".

"OK", Lyra said, walking away again. I looked back at Twilight.

"What were you going to say?", I asked her.

"Oh... uh... nothing", Twilight said, looking very nervous.

"Are you sure?", I said, "You look like you need to say something".

"I'm fine, Glitter", Twilight said, "I was just... hungry". She started stuffing her face with corn chips, which I knew she hated.

"OK... Well then, enjoy". I grabbed a few hay fries and ate them, while Twilight was spitting the mouthful of corn chips she used to silence herself, heaving as well.

Soon, Lyra came back again with our hayloaves. Both Twilight and I smiled as she placed our food in front of us, along with silverware and an extra order of hay fries for us both.

"Here you go", Lyra said, "Enjoy!"

"We will", Twilight said, "Thanks, Lyra!" Lyra nodded and walked away, while Twilight and myself began eating. Mine was extremely heavy on onions and ketchup, just the way I liked it. Twilight and I ate in silence for a while. Not because we didn't want to talk, because the hayloaf was seriously delicious.

After eating our hayloaf, we moved our now-empty plates to the side and slumped back in our chairs.

"That was great!", I said, "I've never eaten something that good in Canterlot".

"Me neither", Twilight said, "Now, I have to use the little filly's room, and then we'll have some dessert". I nodded and Twilight walked into the bathroom. At that point, Lyra came back to collect our plates.

"Everything OK?", Lyra said.

"Yes", I said, "Everything is fine, Lyra".

"Well", Lyra said, "I bet you don't know something".

"What is it?", I said.

"I remember you, but do you remember me?"

"I recall seeing you somewhere, but I can't remember where".

"You don't remember me? Lyra Heartstrings?" All of a sudden, I remembered who she was.

"Lyra Heartstrings? Aren't you the filly I saw in court a few years ago?"

"That's me! I've been waiting to see you for a long time".

"Why?"

"To thank you! Do you know how great my life has been ever since you had my dad executed?"

"Well, I don't see that great, but OK".

"Without him around to hit me for no reason, I earned my diploma and my mom gave me the restaurant. Hadn't it been for you, I wouldn't be the manager here".

"Well, great. So, I take it you and your friend Bon-Bon are OK now".

"She's not my friend anymore".

"Oh... I'm sorry about that".

"Don't be, because she's my wife now!"

"Oh... right. Because you had your wedding in Canterlot. I remember now".

"Exactly. Anyway, I have to get back to work. Nice to see you again".

"You too". Lyra collected the plates and left, smiling at me.

~~~~~~~~~~

After finishing our hayloaf and having a dessert of delicious apple pie, I paid for the meal and we left. We were walking back to the library, while talking randomly again.

"So", Twilight said, "When Fluttershy wanted to talk to you yesterday, what did she want to talk about?"

"She wanted to know everything about what is't like being a royal", I said.

"And you told her everything?"

"Yep. Every last piece of information I know".

"Wow".

"But before that, she acted really scared around me, as if I were a bandit".

"Oh, don't worry about that. She get's scared very quick, no matter what".

"Does everything scare her?"

"Pretty much, especially the Everfree Forest".

"The Everfree Forest? What's that?"

"The scariest forest in Ponyville. It could scare anypony's pants off, if ponies wore pants".

"I don't know why, but I really want to see it".

"Well, you go ahead. I'm gonna go back to the library. The Everfree Forest is past Fluttershy's Cottage". I nodded and walked off to find the Everfree Forest.

Soon, I reached a forest, and judging by the pitch-darkness and the spooky-looking trees, I knew it was the Everfree Forest. I may have found it, but another thought was in my head. Was the forest really as scary as Twilight said it was? My courage got the best of me and I started walking into the forest, not stopping. Halfway through the forest, I was pretty confident. Nothing was scaring me.

"Pssh...", I said, "This is scary? I've been in forests in Canterlot scarier than this". I looked back behind me, seeing nothing but pitch-darkness. I think I might have went too deep into the forest. "OK, maybe I should head back". I tried to walk out of the forest, but I couldn't see anything.

I used my aura as I flashlight and started walking out. I then heard something, making me freeze in my tracks. Was something following me?

"Who's there?!", I said, starting to get a little frightened. No response. I kept walking, until I saw something cross my path. It was a black cat, and I nearly had a heart attack. I'm not superstitious, but in most of the movies I've seen, whenever a black cat crosses a character's path in the forest, they usually wind up dead. I ran for my life, looking behind me the whole time, making sure that black cat wasn't following me. Soon, I couldn't see it anymore, and I felt very relieved.

Suddenly, before I could see light, I ran head first into a tree. My eyes went wonky and I felt seriously dizzy. I tried to walk around, but it was dark, and I'm sure everything was spinning. My aura faded and so did my consciousness. The last thing I saw was something in a cloak walking toward me.

~~~~~~~~~~

Several hours later, I woke up. My eyes were blurry at first, but then clenched shut as a strong headache started. I groaned and rubbed my forehead a few times before opening my eyes again. I saw that I was laying in a bed. A small, but very soft bed, with a comforter that had a giraffe-like pattern. Then, I looked around, seeing that I was in a treehouse. It was a lot like Twilight's with the cases hanging on the walls, but instead of books, there were several liquids in bottles. Even some liquid bottles hung from the ceiling. Also hanging on the walls were weird-looking masks, that looked like they would be made in Africa. I had never seen this place before, so I was seriously confused.

"You seem to be awake", I heard somepony say. I looked over to that direction, seeing a pony by a large cauldron, that had a strange-looking liquid boiling in it. But, I don't think she was a pony. She had black and white designs in her coat, mane and tail, and her mane was in a Mohawk form, instead of hanging down from her head. Her tail was a lot thicker than a normal pony's, and she didn't have a usual cutie mark. Also, she wore golden rings around her neck, hanging from her ears, and on one of her front legs, which I guess would qualify as jewelry. I didn't know who she was or where I was, so I decided to speak.

"Umm...", I said, still confused, "OK. Where am I? What happened?"

"You're in my hut, deep in Everfree", the creature said, "You hit your head and lost consciousness when you ran into that tree". She spoke in rhymes, and in a very heavy African voice, which explained the masks. That voice was very new to me, and even more interesting than Applejack's or Rarity's. And like I said before, you wouldn't see that in Canterlot.

"Oh...", I said, "That explains the headache". I clutched my head again, as I felt the pain.

"You will not be in pain for long", she said, "Once I finish this brew, your headache will be completely gone". Thank goodness, because the headache felt like somepony was hammering my brain. She stirred the bubbling liquid and covered it. "Now, the potion must sit in order to heal your injured brain, in the meantime, could you tell me your name?" I smiled.

"I'm Glitter Sparkle", I said, "The Prince of Equestria, and the son of Princess Celestia".

"Child of Princess Celestia? Oh, how great that must be! I am Zecora, royal pony".

"You sure seem like a nice pony". Zecora chuckled.

"A pony I am not, Glitter Sparkle, I am a zebra, not a pony at all".

"Oh... my mistake. Sorry". A zebra. Now her coat design made since.

"That is quite OK, young royal one". There was a loud puff and smoke rose from the cauldron. Zecora smiled. "It seems the brew is done". She went back over to the cauldron and grabbed a ladle. She then poured some of the liquid into a coconut-half and gave it to me. "Now, drink down every last drop, and the pain you are suffering from will indeed stop". I shrugged and downed the purple liquid. After that, I felt a little funny, but then, felt relived. My headache was gone.

"That worked. My head doesn't hurt anymore. Thank you, Zecora!"

"No need to thank me, it is no problem. But next time, be careful, because another injury like that will cause you to be dumb".

"Thanks for the warning. So, should I leave now?"

"You may leave, it that would make you happy, but I would like you to stay, because I am feeling a bit chatty".

"Well, I don't really have anything to do right now. I guess it wouldn't hurt". Zecora smiled again.

"Well, great! Make yourself at home. It is a pleasure to finally have a guest after years of living alone".

"Alone? What do you mean alone?"

"I live deep in Everfree, and I've never really interacted with a pony, you see".

"So you're saying that you've never been face-to-face with a pony before?" Zecora nodded. "And that I'm actually the only pony in your life that has ever talked to you?" Zecora nodded again."Wow. I don't really know how to express my confusion right now".

"I only leave me hut to Ponyville for supplies and sundries, but the other ponies think I'm dark and scary".

"Really?"

"Yes. Every time they see me shopping, they hide and take shelter. To you that may seem normal, but to me, it hurts".

"Well, that isn't normal for me, but I'm sure it does hurt to you. Anyway, have you always lived by yourself?"

"No. I used to live with my family on a land that is dry, but my father was exiled, as was I".

"Oh... OK..."

"I do not wish to speak that subject through, I must finish a mix before I'm overdue". She started making another brew, while I watched with interest.

"What are you making now, Zecora?", I asked.

"I am brewing up another mix", she said, still concentrated, "For a rooster and his chicks. It seems the rooster has lost its crow, making mornings very slow". She pulled out a strange-looking flower that I had seen before several times.

"Hey", I said, "I've seen that flower growing almost everywhere in Canterlot. But, I've never learned its name".

"It is one we call 'Heart's Desire'", Zecora said, "A dash will ignite the rooster's fire". She began sprinkling some of its pedals into a bowl. "With Heart's Desire, his talent comes into view, and he'll give a mighty cock-a-doodle-doo!" I chuckled a bit.

"No offence, but that rhyme could use work". Zecora rolled her eyes and continued her work. She walked over to one of her shelves and started looking for something.

"Aye, me. But what is this? I've run out of amethyst. I must go get this purple flower, for my brew to have full power. But leaving my hut is something I do not wish to do, but I must if I want to power my brew".

"Why don't you want to?" I smiled in the back of my mind, realizing that I practically ended her rhyme.

"Because like I have said, royal pony, the residents of Ponyville are scared of me".

"Oh... right. Maybe I could help you out".

"I am listening".

"Why don't I follow you into Ponyville while you get the flower you need? Every pony in Equestria knows me".

"I adore the way you think, and I'll go through with it, only hoping it won't sink, But, I must get my cloak first, because if the residents of Ponyville saw how I look, they would feel their worst".

"OK". I got out of the bed while Zecora put on her cloak and extinguished the flame underneath the cauldron. "Umm... will you lead the way, because I don't want to end up running into another tree". Zecora chuckled.

"Lead the way, I will, until we reach Ponyville". Zecora walked out of the hut, locked the door, and left, me following.

~~~~~~~~~~

Soon, we reached Ponyville. It took awhile to get out of the forest, because there were several patches of blue flowers called "Poison Joke", which I knew about, and were very dangerous. We had to go several different way to avoid them, and I'm surprised I didn't touch one while walking into the forest.

In Ponyville, it was strangely quiet. Ever single door was shut and so was every window. I'm sure that wasn't normal, because the day before when I arrived at Ponyville, the residents were sprawled out everywhere. They must have really been scared of her.

"Looks like you weren't kidding, Zecora", I said. The zebra looked down as she continued walking.

"Yes", Zecora said, "Today isn't no different from the rest, when everyone thinks I'm an evil enchantress". I kept walking with her in silence. I knew she didn't feel like talking at the moment, since the fact that a whole city of ponies were scared of her.

After a bit of walking, we reached a flower shop. Zecora picked many of the flowers she needed, leaving bits as well so it didn't seem like she was stealing. While she did that, I saw one window that wasn't closed. Twilight, her friends, and Applebloom were in there, also hiding. I used my magic to enhance my hearing and listened to what they were saying.

"Oh no!", Pinkie said, sounding very scared, "She's controlling Prince Sparkle! We need to tell Princess Celestia!"

"Pinkie!", Twilight said, "Glitter's fine. He's just following her. And why does everypony keep saying she's evil? She's a zebra".

"She lives in the Everfree Forest, Twilight!", Rarity said, "and she's creepy!"

"I even wrote a song about her!", Pinkie said. In a very off-key and off-beat tone, Pinkie started singing a song that described Zecora negatively.

"She's an evil enchantress, and she does evil dances! And if you look deep in her eyes, she will put you in trances! And then what will she do? She'll mix up an evil brew, and she'll gobble you up in a bit tasty stew! So watch out!" I shook my head. These ponies didn't knew anything about this kind zebra. They were making assumptions. And plus, if Zecora really did what Pinkie's song said she did, I would be digesting inside of her stomach instead of standing behind her while she got her flowers. Even so, zebras are herbivores, like ponies, so why would she eat a pony? She's not a griffon. Anyway, I continued to listen to their conversation. "And I also heard that she eats hay!"

"Pinkie...", Twilight said, "I eat hay. YOU eat hay".

"Yeah", Pinkie said, "But it's the WAY she eats it!"

"Look, Twilight", Applejack said, "I know ya think that she's just like us, but that ain't it at all. This is yer first time seein' her, but we've seen her sev'rl times".

"Yeah, Twilight", Rainbow Dash said, "She's bad news". I could see Applebloom look out the window at Zecora, a sad look on her face. Then, I could sense an idea in her mind, as she left the window.

"I seem to have all that I need", Zecora said, putting the flowers into her cloak, "Now we can go back to my tree". I nodded and followed Zecora back to her hut. Little did we know, we were being followed by Applebloom, and didn't notice until she was caught by Applejack and the others.

"Applebloom!", Applejack said, grabbing her little sister, "Why did ya run off. Zecora could have hurt you". I heard Zecora groan, so I decided to help her out.

"Mares!", I said, "Zecora isn't what you think she is! She healed my headache after I accidentally ran into a tree!"

"See?", Twilight said, "I told you she wasn't evil". Zecora instantly saw that they were about an inch from touching Poison Joke.

"Beware! Beware!", she said, "You pony folk! Those leaves of blue are no joke!" Zecora continued to walk to her hut, me following. My hearing was still enhanced, so I heard what the mares were saying.

"I'm not falling for your little trick, Zecora!", Rainbow Dash said. Every one of them were standing right on top of the Poison Joke. They all walked away, while I continued to follow Zecora.

After that situation was cleared up, I was able to watch Zecora finished making the brew she needed to make. Even better, I got to help, too. Zecora forgot to cover the brew before we left, so she had to start over, and allowed me to help. After curing the rooster, Zecora said she was done for the day, so her and I sat down at her table, had some tea, and told each other stories about ourselves.

"... and that's how I was brought to Equestria", I said. Zecora smiled.

"I most certainly enjoyed your story", Zecora said, "Would you like to know anything else about me?"

"Why do you speak in rhymes?", I asked. That was the question that was bumming me ever since I first saw her. Zecora smiled.

"To make my potions, I must rhyme, thought it takes a lot of time. Without speaking the way I do, I cannot power my brew".

"That makes since". I sipped my tea, feeling my bladder aching for release. "Umm... may I use your bathroom?"

"Despite the fact that I live alone, I do not have a bathroom of my own".

"You don't have a bathroom?" Zecora shook her head. "Then where do you... go?"

"In a bush, or behind a tree. In a cup I don't use, usually"

"Oh... uh... I think I can hold it". I stood up after finishing my tea. "Well, I should be heading back. Twilight is probably waiting for me. It was very nice to meet you, Zecora". I nuzzled Zecora's cheek.

"You're very affectionate, Glitter Sparkle, and not scared of me at all".

"Thanks. And of course I'm not scared of you. You healed my headache. In fact, I think of you as a friend already". Zecora blushed lightly.

"I... I don't know what to say... you have really made my day". I smiled and hugged her.

"I'm glad I did. OK, I'm gonna leave now, but I will be back tomorrow". Zecora smiled and kissed my cheek, making me blush.

"I really, really hope you do. And you and I could help mix a brew".

"That would be nice. I'll see you tomorrow Zecora".

Zecora nodded and I left the hut, smiling. Zecora sure was nice. She found me in the forest, healed my headache, and was even nice enough to let me help her with her work. But... I was still sore over how the other ponies felt about her. Why did they think she was an evil enchantress? Why did they think she ate ponies? One of the things I hated most was others being accused of something they aren't. Zecora wasn't evil, she was nice. My train of thought was interrupted when I saw that I had made it out of the forest. The first thing I was going to do, before going back to the library...

was to talk to Mayor Mare... about Zecora.

Author's Note

Thanks for 100 followers, glorious readers! It is very much appreciated!

Next chapter: Talk with Mayor Mare/Poison Joke Side Effects