Break of Dawn

Somewhere on a road to Ponyville

My name is Crescent, Emerald Crescent and I am a hybrid of zebra and earth pony. I know what your all thinking 'how the hell did that happen?!', well its an interesting but rather long story so I'll just give you the short version, my mom Ruthy Crescent went on an expidition to Zebrafrica to discover new medicines and maybe even a cure for cancer. While she was doing her studies she met a zebra named Ale' Kong, my dad, and by orders from her boss they started to work in the medical field together. They soon became good friends and started doing activities outside of their jobs like talk, eat, and laugh, after about four weeks my dad finally got the balls to finally ask her out on a date (and of course she said because if she didn't I wouldn't be here would I?). For about another two or three months of dating Ale' ,my dad, finally popped the question. He and Ruthy, my mom, moved to Equestria to get married and live in Fillydelphia and had two hybrid children (Yeah, I said TWO!!). That was me and my little brother Handsome Crescent, don't ask me why they called him Handsome, so for things not to be wierd we just call him Han for short. The four of us lived in Fillydelphia in peace as me going to the local high school while Han was just a foal, I got my cutie mark for being an expert in the nocturnal subject and pretty much be able to survive almost anything. My cutie mark was a golden crescent moon with a golden star next to it. Everything was perfect until I finished High school. Graduation was probaly one of the worst days of my life; there I was waiting to get my name called and go on stage with my cap and gown, I look up in the stands as I see Han and Mom, but where was Dad? I shrug it off thinking 'maybe he's just late as usual', so I just sat there until they called my name which they did and recieved my degree took a few pictures, laugh, and celebrate. I then noticed that after the ceramony was over Dad still hadn't came, I went to go ask mom where he was to see if he came and just went to the bathroom or something, but to my surprise she said he hasn,t came.  The two of us (except Han because he was still a foal; two years old) were now worried, that we hurried home and saw Dad's cart parked in front of the house. The three of us hurridly ran up to the door and noticed that the hinges were broken, we slowly crept inside to see that the house was a wreck; torn up couches, broken and spilled flower vases, and flipped tables and chairs. I walked in the kitchen while my mom went upstairs with Han. The kitchen looked like it went to hell and back as food was thrown everywhere, milk and juice were spilled on the floor, and broken dishes on the floor. I investigated the kitchen when I spotted the knife wrack and noticed one of them were gone. That's when I heard Mom scream upstairs, without a second to lose I ran up stairs to my mom's room only to see her crying and covering Han's eyes with her hoof, I went to see what was wrong as I was about to touch her shoulder with my hoof, and that's when I saw the sight and felt my heart drop to my stomach. There was my dad, lynig in the bed beaten to a pulp gasping for breath as the missing knife from the kitchen was embedded fin his shoulder. I start to tear up  as I watch Mom squeeze his hoof, Dad gently kisses and motions me over I stand by his side now sobbing as he hands me a golden collar and a grey bandana. These were my Dad's prized possesions and were passed down from his dad and now he is giving them to me. Dad then chokes and coughs up blood as he tries to say somethng but then closes his eyes and falls limp, Mom and I are now sobbing as we held eachother. I then look at the collar and bandana and put them on and swear to my mom that who ever did this to Dad will pay dearly! Seven years has past since my dads death and now mom was in the hospital with cancer and taking her dlst breaths. Han and I were on each side of the bed both with tears as we saw our sick mother she told us that our aunt, Zecora, our dad's sister, lives in the Everfree and that she will take care of us from now on. Eventhough I was twenty-four I still wanted to be with him because he is kind of (other than Zecora) the only family we have left and Mom's an only child. We simply nod as she drifts off and it's just me and my little brother now.

It's been about four weeks since me and Han are on the trail in the Everfree forest and with Han sleeping on my back most of the time it has been pretty tiring, at least it was only about fifteen more minutes till' we get to Auntie Zecora's hut. I shake Han as he groans and slowly opens his eyes.

"Ugh...*yawn*...Emerald?" said Han as I stop and he gets off my back and we start to walk again down the trail.

"Hey sleepy head we're almost there." I said rubbing my hoof on top of his head.

"Really!? So now we can stop all this walking?" I give a light chuckle,

"Hehehe. What do you mean 'we' I've been carrying you most of the trip."

"Yeah, but your my big bro your supposed to to do that kind of stuff." Han said puching me lightly on the shoulder.

I give him a light smile as we finally make it to the hut, it was built in a tree with Zebrafrican masks all over it and what smelled like gumbo coming from inside.

"Mmmmmm smells like she has dinner cooked for us."

"Yeah she must've known we were....Hey! Wait up!" I screamed as I ran to catch up to him, we were now in front of the door, I look hesitantly at the door and slowly raise my hoof. This is the first time we're seeing our aunt, what if she doesn't like us?

"Just kock!" screamed Han yelled getting impatient.

"Ok, Ok, squirt" I said waving my hoof at him as I koncked

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"..."

KNOCK KNOCK KONCK

"..."

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

I look at Han with a confused glance as he replied with a simply shrug. I went to knock again, but the dorr opens for us to see another zebra with gold rings on her legs and neck with also an ear piercing. We look at eachother for about the most awkward thirty seconds of my life. Han finally got urge to say something.

"Uhh...hey A-A-Auntie Zecora" said Han as Auntie Zecora pulled us in with a warm hug.

"It feels my heart with joy, to see my boys!" she says as I can feel her tears on my shoulder. 'She even talk rhymes like dad' I thought."It's good to see you Auntie." I say as I break the embrace and leaving my hooves on her shoulders.

Auntie Zecora wipes away her tears and motions us inside and sit down. The inside of her hut was field with different kinds of potions and a pot full of the most delicous smelling gumbo ever.

"Auntie this smells delicous! Are you a chef?" asked Han which Aunt Zecora gave a light chuckle.

"Thank you little Han, and no,but it sounds like fun." Zecora replied as she planted a kiss on his forehead. She thens pours us ome gumbo and as we started to eat we both gulp it down of how good the taste is.

"This is more delicous than it smells!" I said before belching. Zecora simply smiles and nods and gives me a slight hug and and pats me on the back.'I was wrong she's more loving than I thought. Like mo....don't think about her.....don't think about her' I think as I watch Zecora pick up Han ,who eventually fell asleep in his food, and carried him to the couch she then walks and sits next to me.

"How was your trip Emerald, I hope it wasn't as hard as I was told." she asked in a worried look.

"It was tiring as you just witnessed Han passing out on the couch, hehehe."

"It is good to see you in a nice mood."

"Yeah espeacially after mom and dad.....you know" I hang my head low as I try to fight the tears, "I'm sorry, I wish you didn't have to see me like this." I said wiping my eyes. Aunt Zecora then wrapped me back in an embrace as I returned it.

"It's ok, I'm glad that you are here to stay." she whispered in my ear.I then broke the embrace and looked in her turqoise eyes.

"I am too" I said looking at Han "I was thinking of registering Han for school tmorrow." Zecora furrowed her brow and gave me a frown.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, It's just that you may not like what you find, for Ponyville is not yet used to our kind." Auntie said in a serious tone.

"I'm sure we'll be fine..*yawn*......well I'm going to hit the hay good night Auntie," I said pulling her in a hug and gave her a peck on the forehead,"see you in the morning." I got on the couch with Han and pulled the blankets over me and him. What did Aunt Zecora mean 'Ponyvile is not used to our kind' they seem to get along well with her when she sent us letters back in Fillydelphia? Just then Aunt Zecora walked back in.

"Emerald, are you awake?" she asked

"Yeah I am."

"I have a favor to ask"

"Ok what is it?"

"I told six of my closest friends that you were visiting, and was wondering after Han gets done of his first day of school if you two could meet them?"

"Of course we will but you didn't talk in rhyme like before."

"I only rhyme when I have to."

"Oh, okay then I'll see you in the morning then."

"Goodnight Emerald." Aunt Zecora then blows out the candle and steps out the room, I simply lay my head down on the most comfortable couch ever made with one thought on my mind 'I wonder what Zecora's friends are like?'. It's wierd I don't even think about meeting new ponies but these six Auntie was talking about actually sounded interesting, but I can think about that tomorrow. I had a big day too Hans first day of school, helping Zecora around the hut, meet her friends, I even forgot that I needed a job! With that I rested my head on my pillow and saying one more thing before I drift to sleep.

"Tomorrow is going to be a busy day."