A Friend Lost to the Past

A Life Created for the Future

A Few Days Later...

Krooked awoke to the sound of Zecora crying in the bathroom. Concerned, he gently knocked on the partially open door.

"Are you alright Zecora? Do you need me to help?" Her reply was the sound of vomiting. He instantly swung the door open to find Zecora hugging the toilet while sobbing.

"I don't know what's wrong Krooked... I-I just felt sick all of a s-sudden." He kneeled down and gently rubbed her back with his hoof.

"Do you think you need a doctor? Just to be make sure it isn't serious?"

"I suppose, i must have been careless the last time I was out..."

Doctor Whooves' Office...(:3)

"Well, I've never worked on a zebra before but from what you've already told me and the tests we took..." the brown stallion spoke with a hint of excitement.

"What is it Whooves? Don't give us that suspense crap." Krooked replied sternly.

"Well fine if you're gonna be that way... Zecora's pregnant." Both of their jaws went slack at the blunt statement that practically changed their lives.

"W-what? Krooked what are we-?"

"Thank you doctor, we'll be going now. Is it alright if we pay later?"

"Don't worry about that right now, you two go on home." Doctor Whooves smiled and waved as the couple left with blank stares.

Zecora's House...

"Krooked... What do we do?" Zecora asked in a slightly panicked voice.

Krooked simply sat in silence as if in intense thought. The lack of a response made Zecora fidget in her seat.

"Krooked! Krooked!"

"I don't know alright!" Krooked shot out of his seat and began to pace around the room. Zecora flinched at the outburst.

"I'm sorry Zecora, I'm just surprised how quickly it happened..." Krooked sat back down and laid his head on the table.

"I know it's hard to take in but we need to think of what we're going to do."

"You're right... I'm sorry I'm not taking this as well as I should. I didn't think I would be a father so soon." Zecora pulled a chair next to him and pulled herself into a hug.

"It's alright Krooked, I don't know anypony who could take this news without ANY emotion." Krooked smiled at her and gave her a kiss.

"Speaking of other ponies. Maybe you should go tell Flitter the news!" Zecora fidgeted in her seat at the mention of going to town on her own.

"Don't worry, Flitter is a good mare. I'm sure she'd be happy to help you with this!" Zecora relaxed a little before finally deciding to head out to Ponyville.

"I'll be there to talk with you girls in a little while. I still have some things I'm expecting to arrive soon.

Zecora nodded and made her way back into town with a slightly better attitude...

Flitter's House...

'Alright Zecora, you can do this!' Zecora took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door.

"Just a minute!" The familiar voice of Flitter could be heard on the other side.

After less than a minute the door suddenly opened to reveal the bright blue maned mare.

"Zecora! I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. What can I do for you?" Zecora kicked the ground Amex looked down.

"I-I was hoping we could talk about something..." The blue pony gave her a quizzical look.

"Sure thing, come on in!"

A Few Minutes Later...

"Pregnant?! Zecora that's so amazing! Congratulations!" Flitter rushed to where Zecora was sitting and gave her a hug.

"I cant believe you're going to be parents so soon!"

"We can't believe it either. I'm a little nervous about the whole thing though... What if we're not ready to become parents? I mean we just got back together about a week ago!"

The young zebra tensed up at the thought of something causing her love to leave. However a gentle hoof on her shoulder brought Zecora back to the real world.

"It'll be alright Zecora. I know Krooked and I'm sure he'll never leave your side... and I bet you'll be a great parent. The fact you were able to forgive the entire town after a lifetime of being mistreated is proof that you are kind enough to be a parent." Flitter smiled cheerfully and gave Zecora a pat on the back.

"Would you like something to drink Zecora? If it's alright with you I'd like to get to know you a little better!"

"Oh um, tea is just fine... and I'd love to talk." Glitter nodded and happily trotted into the kitchen with Zecora close behind.

"So tell me about yourself Zecora."

"What would you like to know?"

"Anything, like where are your parents? I never saw them when we were little." Zecora's eyes went to the floor at the mention of her parents.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"No it's fine... It's actually a pretty simple story. When I was a filly I was exploring the forest with my parents for their research. I didn't know what they were looking for so I was just running around and playing. But as I ran I tripped on what felt like a root..." Zecora's eyes turned soft as she continued.

"... But it turned out to not be a root at all. When I looked back I heard a loud roar and a weird beast jumped out of the nearby brush. It was very peculiar as it had the body of a reptile but the head of a... Chicken? I still don't know what it was but my body began to slow down and I began feeling very heavy. I thought is was going to kill me but my parents appeared in front of me.

I tried to ask what the monster was but they yelled for me to run. So I did... I ran and ran until I found myself right outside my front door. There I waited until night fall for my parents to arrive. But they never did... I went to town to get help but nopony wanted to help the daughter of a witch or a "warlock"... I went to see if I could find them myself, but when I found the place where I last saw them...

There was just a small pile of dust..."

A small tear trickled down Zecora's face before a small breakdown wracked her body. Flitter hurried back to Zecora's side and pulled her close, gently petting her mane as they sat.

"It's alright Zecora... I'm so sorry, we should have helped you but we didn't... But you must stay strong now more than ever. What if your child want's to know about her grandparent's I don't think she wants to know how painful it was for you to lose the only ponies you cared about at that age." Zecora sniffed and looked Flitter in the eye.

"You're right... thanks Flitter." Zecora smiled and nuzzled her new friend.

"No problem, now looks like we have some planning to do!" Flitter offered to help Zecora to her bedroom but Zecora declined with a smile.

The two made their way upstairs and down a small hall where small doors lined the wall. Flitter stopped at a particular door and held the knob but didn't open it.

"Cloudchaser are you awake? I have a friend you should meet." The door swung open to reveal a pony that looked very similar to Flitter save for her much more wild manestyle.

"Flitter, you know I don't like waking from my naps. Who's the friend?" She looked between Flitter and Zecora before realizing who the friend was.

"Zecora! What are you doing here?" Flitter stepped in front of Zecora before she could reply.

"She's here because there's some great news!" Cloudchaser just yawned and made room for them to enter.

"What is she having a baby or something?"

To Be Continued...