Alone in Harmony
A My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Written by: RainStar
PreRead By: NyghtShade
Edited By: vs.dubstep
Disclaimer: Ahhh you know the drill, I own nothing in this story save a few zebra. MLP belongs to Hasbro and glory to Faust. Let the story begin!
~~~
It had been stormy, that much she could remember. That morning, the town’s pegasi had created a large squall to make up for an extra week of sunshine. By the afternoon the worst had passed, leaving dusk clear and wondrous in its wake. The few that strolled out to enjoy the moments before moonrise were not disappointed; remnants of rain and lightning left them refreshed and their lungs cleared. Soon the pure white orb rose into the sky and they retreated into their homes to rest for the night.
The town was small and its name unimportant. Looking in, one would see the picture of harmony, all types of species living together in unified happiness. Once inside its limits however, the true nature of the community was clear. Pride and uncertainty ruled, causing the citizens to section off rows of buildings into tight neighborhoods. It was a community divided by difference, boundaries clearly drawn in the crisscrossing streets.
Along the southern edge of the town laid a particularly small neighborhood. The homes and buildings were built to resemble huts with beautiful hand carved blessings along the sides of the doors. As the moon began to rise higher, a figure draped in dark cloth moved through the streets with two smaller souls following close behind. The growing moonlight played off their pale grey hides making their dark stripes more noticeable. They were zebras, and that night could have been one of the most important of their young lives.
The draped zebra stallion trotted up to a home, rapping on the door frame atop of the blessing, allowing the positive energy to vibrate through the rooms. His call was answered as a young mare opened the door. Wordlessly she bowed her head and shifted, revealing a smiling colt behind her.
“Lencho! Can you believe it’s finally time!?”
The other colt in the small group was almost jumping, his body seeking any relief from the building excitement.
“I know Hirba I know! I can’t wait!”
Lencho ran out and joined his friend. The hooded figure chuckled at the show of youth before him.
“Be safe alright Lencho, come right home afterwards.”
“I will mom, I will.”
He took his place alongside Hirba and the other member of the group, a quiet filly with a subtle look of intensity in her eyes. One glance made his blood run cold.
The pair stayed silent for a bit the short walk to their destination. They had seen the filly around the schoolyard of course, but even then they tended to shy away from her. The air about her hung heavily and made it hard to breath, like a force of nature was trapped in the body of the zebra. She didn’t belong in the ranks of the carefree school foal she was bound to, and knew it.
“You both seem so excited tonight, to think that your flanks will no longer be white.”
Oh the rhymes, her playful rhymes that flowed like a siren’s song. The ease she formed them on her tongue added to her presence, that unearthly air.
Lencho spoke first, “Y-Yeah I mean, to earn my mark in THIS would be awesome!”
A sly smile slipped on her face.
“Indeed in this a mark is grand, to its standards I hope you can stand.”
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean huh?”
Hirba stomped down his hoof.
“You think we’re not good enough?!”
“No no, make no mistake, my own skills in this are opaque.
Apologies if I spoke that wrong, I wouldn’t want to do you harm.”
“Yeah it’s okay Hirba," Lencho replied, "I get what she meant.”
“Hmph... weirdo...”
Hirba stuck out his tongue at her with a sneer.
“Enough”
The hooded stallion broke his silence, his voice firm yet calm with restraint. He stopped in front of a modest hut-home.
“It is time your marks to make, or to fail if this not be your fate.”
He eased open the door with a tap of his hoof to reveal the inside, colorful masks lined the walls where bottle filled shelves allowed it. The scent of fragrant smoke lingered from both the stained wooden floor and the three iron cauldrons that sat in the center of the main room. Each was heated to a simmer by beds of glowing embers, the clear liquid inside never resting.
The colt pair carefully walked in, taking in every detail before looking into the vessels.
“So, what are we supposed to do?”
“The ritual is simple I dare say, for you must make your marks in your own way.”
The elder zebra proceeded to slip the hood off his frame; seven gold necklaces flickered in the warm light of the coals marking his high status. Jet black designs made from charcoal danced from his muzzle up to his temples showing the importance of this moment.
“Uhhh, I don’t get it.”
Lencho elbowed Hirba in the ribs.
“He’s saying we have to make the potion, but how are we supposed to do that?”
Lencho watched as the stallion merely smirked and sat back on his haunches.
“Grrrrr! Forget it! Come on Lencho lets do this thing!”
Hirba turned on his hooves and looked at the lowest shelves. They were full of jars and bowls, each filled with any type of herb one could ever hope to think of, even some that could never grow in pony native lands.
Lencho gulped down a bundle of nerves.
“Uhhh, I hope you know what this stuff does.”
“Just grab what looks cool and throw it in the pot would ya?”
With a quick shrug of his shoulders Lencho did just that, scooping up hoof-fulls of anything spikey, colorful or that smelled of rich spice and threw it into his cauldron. After picking out his choice ten or so and stirring them into a thin muddy wash he noticed the nameless filly had not moved.
“Hey, whatcha waiting for?”
“Pffft, I bet she’s gunna copy us.”
Hirba laughed at her assumed ignorance.
“Hey you know that’s not gunna work. Everyone’s potion is different.”
“Oh yes this I know well, don’t mind me as I enjoy the smell”
She smiled taking in a deep breath.
“Your work truly smells divine, a odor similar to a mulled wine.”
“Oh, heh, yeah I guess that’s all the spices I threw in mine. You think it’s going to work?”
Lencho smiled back, warming up to her.
“Of course it will silly! How can it not?”
Hirba flicked his tail around, grabbing a single dark strand in his teeth.
Lencho went wide eyed.
“Wait, you’re ready for the final step already!? Don’t you think it should simmer just a little bit longer?”
“No way! I’m totally ready for this!”
With a quick yank the hair snapped free. Letting it go at just the right time, they watched as the strand floated down into the thin liquid. Its color drained away and swirled in the pot and in less than ten seconds the potion matched his dark stripes perfectly.
The elder stirred from his spot, raising to his hooves and trotting to the center of the room. He bent down and grasped an intricately designed brush from its stand by the kettles.
“Ohhhh yes yes yes! Mark me baby! Make it ultra-super cool just like me!”
Hirba stood up on the edges of his hind hooves, waving his flank a bit in impatient excitement.
The elder was calm never the less and dipped his brush in the liquid as he examined it. Looking back to the colt and his waving flank, he let out a held breath. Shutting his eyes, he made a quick slash against Hirba’s bare flank.
“Hey! What gives!? Oh dude, that has to be the worst mark I have ever seen! When everyone gets a load of this I’m going to be a laughing stock, a laughing stock!”
The poor colt was near hysterics when the stallion passed him a strip of cloth.
“Fret not young one for you see, the herbal arts are not meant for thee.
Wait long as you wish for the mark to appear, but nothing will and none shall sneer.”
Hirba was still shaking, but went ahead and wiped off the watery grey paint, and indeed he found it was still blank. A sigh escaped from the depths of his lungs.
Lencho watched as this unfolded, and looked back down at his thin smelly solution.
“Uhhh sir, I don’t think I have a talent for this either. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry for wanting to know, a wise mind this admission does show.”
The elder smiled and bowed his head a little. The action removed a weight from the colt’s heart.
“So now what, we just go home?” Hirba spat out.
“Now young one, the night is not through, another still has yet to brew.”
A flip of the hoof alerted the young pair to the forgotten filly, now sorting through the choice herbs laid before her.
“Oh come on, you really think she’s gunna be any better than us?”
Pride refused Hirba to concede defeat.
“Well I do -”
A gentle grin warmed Lencho’s features.
“- Heck if anyone can I bet it’ll be her.”
Hirba’s throat was too full of spite to allow out a retort; he fell back on his blank haunches and watched as the last of the potions was slowly crafted.
The others watched as each vial was tested and probed to the extent her sense would allow, as an hour passed she chose three herbs to add to her brew. They dissolved, not into a thin muddy solution, but a pale teal brew that eerily matched her eyes. Carefully she stirred the potion until she knew it was done. A flick of the tail and a dark strand of hair later the pale teal gave way to the dark grey.
“I do believe my brew is complete, to your standards I hope it does meet.”
She stood at attention near the kettle’s edge as the stallion readied a second clean brush in his teeth. Dipping it down in the potion he could tell it was thick with natural magic. A rich earthy scent filled his nostrils as he let the tip soak up the concoction; he already knew as he looked to filly’s flank. The design came to him right away as he concentrated so the lines would come out just right. It was something that fit the zebra all too well.
“I do believe the task is done, your purpose today has only begun. A true gift in you I do see, in one who can craft so perfectly.”
The filly beamed as she looked back where she saw what was to be her mark, a spiral sun with triangle rays. The tingling on her skin told her the elder’s words were true. Lencho trotted over to her.
“Woah your mark is awesome! Hey, maybe we could hang out later. Who knows, we may figure out what I’m good at huh?”
The night had left any ill feelings he had towards the filly to the timberwolves, the start of a strong friendship already forming in its place.
“Lencho has a marefrind! Lencho has a marefriend!”
“Shut up Hirba! You wouldn’t know a thing about marefriends!”
“Alright you both the hour grows late, this issue must wait for further debate.”
The stallion stepped between the bickering friends and motioned for the door, “We must be quick to move, before the moon loses altitude.”
“Uhh yeah alright, you coming or what?” Hirba snapped as he asked the filly.
“Not yet I am afraid, go on ahead and do not delay.”
She grinned and waved them away with a hoof and giggle. Lencho laughed with her and cantered out the door with Hirba and the elder, leaving the mare with her mark and her thoughts.
~~~
The moon was high in the sky when the stallion came back to the hut. After a quick tap on the blessing he entered to find the filly hard at work inside, cleaning up the leftover potions and kettles.
“Oh my I wasn’t expecting this, I could have cleaned this had it been your wish.”
“It’s quite alright if I must say, after all I’ll have to do this now each day.”
She finished the final cauldron and sat it down to dry. The stallion refused to hold back his feelings any more, a tear slid down marring the charcoal still left on his cheek as he trotted to the filly and pulled her into a hug.
“I’m so proud you’ve come this far, you really are my shining star.”
The filly smiled back and returned the hug, nuzzling herself deep into his mane.
“I have you to thank for pushing me farther, and for believing in me as always father.”
They stayed like that, relishing in the warmth the other provided. The daughter was the first to pull away, looking deep into her father’s eyes.
“I... I have been deep in thought for a time, and wish to speak a desire of mine.”
“Of course my dear speak your mind, I promise to stay open and kind.”
They both knelt down on the floor, the daughter leaning against her father’s side for strength. Carefully, she strung her thoughts together for him.
“Father, while the love I feel in the home is warm, I find outside that’s not the norm.
In this place with splits and distrust, any friendship I attempt ends in a bust.
For long I felt my heart sagging, as I went through life my hoofs dragging.
Until tonight I saw a ray of hope, a soul revived from the usual mope.
Within myself ignited a need, to discover more of this unusual creed.
That’s why I sit before you today, to ask what is hard for me to say.
While thinking over these kettles three, I believe I have to go wander free.”
Her father sat, letting his thoughts settle before speaking.
“I understand the reason for this request, however so soon in youth comes such unrest.”
He watched as the young filly’s face fell, eyes pleading all the more.
“But father I must ask of you, when did you bid your home adieu?”
He smiled again, knowing she had him.
“Well looking back at time’s long arc, I do believe it was when I earned my mark.”
She gasped as the words reached her brain, a slight bow of the head from the elder.
“And looking back I agree that was right, wandering can make one’s life truly bright.”
“So, does that mean...?”
Youthful excitement flooded her mind, allowing the traditional rhymes to slip from her speech.
“On one condition and one alone, you prepare to be on your own.
From this night on to the next full moon, you must stay and make your senses attuned.
Supplies at the ready for whatever the charge, and friendships left here seeded to grow large.”
“Oh thank you father!”
Her frame contorted to allow the largest hug it could manage.
“I forever grateful for this, and promise not to be lost to bliss!
I will return home when my soul feels a pull, at most one year for each step new moons take to be full!”
The pair sat awhile longer, intertwined in a familiar embrace. The stallion once again felt a tear escape down his cheek as pride swelled in his chest.
“I feel for at least a time, I must speak without a rhyme.
For my heart clouds my mind of words to say, and of what I need to tell you right here this day.
While out in your journey, be careful, safe and wise.
Just come back to me well, my little Zecora.”
~~Fifteen Years Later~~
“Really!? That’s why you came to Ponyville, and zebras get der cutie marks like dat?” wide eyed, a young earth filly sat fully entranced.
The zebra mare who was spinning the tale nodded.
“Indeed this is true, zebras are a bit different from ponies like you.”
“Yeah... oh well. Ay’d hoped your story could help me find mah cutie mark. But I doubt herbs could help me much.”
“Oh Applebloom don’t look so glum, I’m sure in time your mark will come.”
“Uh huh, so whatever happened to yer friend? That Len... chu... guy?”
Applebloom stood up on her hooves, shaking off the slight stiffness that had settled in her legs.
“Lencho, ah great friends are we, each visit we make time to meet you see.
While I left the town to find my way, he stayed to teach those that were led astray.
He discovered his fate to teach those still young, and promised to heal the town’s soul still stung.”
“Must be hard to be so far away from yer friend so long, when are ya gunna see him again?”
“Very soon my dear, two weeks in fact, that’s why so much of my hut is packed.
What I don’t take along I must be sure is secure, for small creatures wandering in can end horribly I’m sure.”
Zecora laughed a little, remembering how she learned that lesson. Heart’s Desire was bad news when ponies ate it. Squirrels however were so much worse.
“Ahhh Ay see, well Ay best be leaving ya to finish then, there’s still a few good hours left to get some crusading in! Be sure to stop and say bye when ya head off kay?”
The filly was already out the door but popped her head back in to make sure Zecora had heard her.
“Don’t let your young heart fret, this request I will not soon forget.”
With the reassurance the filly beamed and darted out the door, cantering down the worn path back to the town she knew well.
Zecora found herself unable to stop smiling as she watched the last little red and yellow flash disappear behind one of Everfree’s large oak trees. Slowly she turned and examined the bare walls of her hut, making sure everything was packed away in well hidden trunks.
Only two remained out in plain sight. One was a standard sized trunk filled with what the mare would need on her long trek. The other was a much larger one that had been stained with beautiful rainbow dyes from the forest. Zecora trotted over, slowly unlocking it with her teeth. She looked inside one last time to make sure its contents were secure.
There staring back was a large set of wooden masks. Hoof carved with care, each was remarkably different. Some were made with graceful scrollwork along the muzzle while others had hard jagged bolts akin to lighting. Their colors stood out as well, ranging from bleached white to a vibrant purple.
Lowering her head, she gently picked up a special one. It was smaller than the others. Delicate floral designs were scattered across its daisy tinted surface. The most striking feature was a large rose colored ribbon that could be used to hang it upon the wall with more than enough left to create a colossal bow behind it.
Zecora sighed in relief as she returned the mask to its proper place besides an older blue and green mask that had once sat on her wall.
“True friends are rare and touch the heart, so much that one can inspire such art.
While keeping them here is easy enough, the effort to take them isn’t that tough.
For speaking their tales can impart their ghost, but baring their impact will show them the most.
With lives so giving and so pure, this is the only way to be sure.
To show the first to be kind to me, that he isn’t alone in harmony.”
