Just How Many More Times?

The Everfree forest had escaped destruction so far, unlike the rest of Equestria. Either Ranhorn couldn’t beat its magic, or saw it as a potential ally. Zecora’s little house was completely intact, and the hostess easily saw Twilight under her protective spell, which meant that she hadn’t betrayed them and was a friend. This was nice to know after receiving so mach bad news lately. Before flying here, Twilight had roamed a little along the streets of the half-ruined Canterlot listening to the talk of the scared local residents, who for the most part hid in cellars and reluctantly went outside. They talked only in whispers, and Twilight had to use the sound-amplifying spell. Apart from hearing many other things, Twilight managed to eavesdrop when two Canterlot ponies talked about Discord. As she had suspected, he once again couldn’t resist the temptation. This dude wouldn’t learn his lesson anytime soon, that was for sure. And, apparently, among those accompanying the black cloud spitting fire and destruction the ponies saw a weird-looking unicorn who was suspiciously like Sombra.

Twilight was afraid to trust anypony. But Zecora… she is on their side, and she is a strong ally. Perhaps she had a potion for her? Not so long ago, when evil seeds so inopportunely sprouted, one of her potions helped a lot.

Zecora, as always, talked in rhymes – nothing could change that habit of hers.

Many potions splendid in my home you will find,
But the one is nowhere you seek in your mind.
Neither friendship nor love will the enemy fear,
But combined their strike will make him disappear.

After that they drank sweet grass tea and shared news. Zecora looked calm, and her inner serenity was soon transmitted to Twilight, who had been nearly desperate. The presence of the wise zebra had always been a great consolation to her when life was hard, giving her back her belief in her own strengths. Or was it the tea?

Suddenly, Twilight felt very sleepy. She rose from the table, but, whatever she did, she couldn’t stand on her legs or keep her eyes open. Twilight was ashamed of such a weakness, but she couldn’t do anything about it. Her legs gave way, and the young Princess helplessly sank onto the floor and was asleep.

The strong zebra carefully tossed her with her head, and then Twilight was on her back. Zecora carried her tenderly to the couch. Several times during the following hours, waking up for a second or two, Twilight saw a striped head, bowed as if for a prayer, and heard strange mumbling in an unknown language. Then sleep prevailed over her again.

Having awoken in the morning (Twilight now used a silver clock she kept in her saddle bag – Rarity’s gift – to tell morning from evening and day from night) she felt unusually fresh and strong, her legs ready to gallop, her wings longing to fly. Having thanked Zecora for her hospitality Twilight quickly galloped towards the camp, but then remembered the protective spell and soared into the sky.

It took her about an hour to decipher the new riddle of the poetical zebra when she returned. The solution was obvious – in order to win over Ranhorn they had to use the chest and the Crystal Heart at the same time. This discovery scared Cadance a lot – she didn’t fancy depriving her Empire of the only protective artifact. But there was no choice.