Opposite Species, Similar Pasts
"Zecora... I love you..."
Scootaloo was running for dear life as fast as her legs could take her. She was huffing and puffing and gasping hard, trying hard to get away. But, why was she running? Was it because she was playing tag with her fellow Crusaders? Was it because there was a new candy store opening up and she was trying to get there first? Was it because Rainbow Dash had invited her into her Cloudhouse? No, no, and unfortunately, no. She was running for a reason far worse than any of those.
She was a fugitive and was being chased. But not because she had broken out of jail, but because she had escaped from an orphanage. Scootaloo had lived in an orphanage ever since she was five years old. Her parents loved her to death, and she did too. But, in a tragic carriage accident, they drown after crashing into Ponyville Lake. Scootaloo was in the accident, but was the only survivor. She believes her parents are dead because of her. They were on their way to a private party with Rainbow Dash so Scootaloo could spend time with her idol for her birthday, when the accident occurred. Everyday, the other orphans would tease Scootaloo, saying it was her fault they died. She could hear them over and over as she ran.
"You're the reason you're in here!"
"I always knew chickens couldn't keep their parents!"
"You should've stayed at home for your birthday, stupid!"
The thoughts kept creeping and creeping into Scootaloo's head as she ran and ran, not even stopping to look back or to catch her breath. She had lost her chaser two blocks previously, but kept going to make sure. Tears flowed from her eyes like waterfalls, and she wished she didn't have to run. All she ever wanted was to be loved again, but without her parents and her friends out of town for the weekend, she couldn't. All she could do was run. Run away from her feelings, even though they followed her where ever she went.
Suddenly, she slipped and fell off of a five-foot cliff, landing face-first into the Everfree Forest, breaking her nose and drawing blood instantly. She screamed in pain very loud as blood leaked from her nostrils. Unfortunately, the scream and the scent of blood attracted a special "guest", as Scootaloo instantly smelled something foul, making her broken nose wrinkle. Then a loud growl was heard, and soon, Scootaloo could see a pair of golden eyes staring right at her. She gasped loudly in fear.
"Timberwolf!", she screamed.
She ran again, the timberwolf chasing her. But as fast as she was, she could barely see with a broken nose, and the timberwolf was faster than she was. Soon, the timberwolf cornered Scootaloo, and smiled evilly as it slowly approached her, getting ready for a meal. All Scootaloo could do is clench her eyes shut, knowing it was it.
That was before she heard a sickening slice, followed by a loud thunk. She opened her eyes and saw the timberwolf's head on the ground, having been decapitated from him. Then, she saw a very sharp axe hanging from a tree. The timberwolf collapsed and shriveled into a pile a sawdust. Scootaloo instantly became confused, but soon heard a voice.
"Filthy timberwolves", it said, "Always thinking they can harm a pony. But not in my forest, and certainly not a little filly". Scootaloo saw a strange figure walk toward her, wrapped in a black cloak. Scootaloo became a bit frightened, but then saw the figure remove the cloak's hood. It was Zecora, who had decapitated the timberwolf and saved Scootaloo's life. Zecora smiled at Scootaloo.
"Well well, what do we have here?", she said, "Why it's Scootaloo, my dear".
"Owwww...", Scootaloo said, feeling pain again as her nose continued to bleed and swell.
"What is wrong, young spout?", Zecora asked, sounding concerned. Scootaloo removed her hooves from her nose, showing Zecora her injury. "Oh my! It seems you have broken your snout".
"I... I fell... on my face", Scootaloo weakly said, "I was... playing tag with... Sweetie Belle".
"Come with me, little filly", Zecora said, "I will prepare a brew that will heal your injury".
Zecora grabbed her axe and walked back to her hut, Scootaloo following. Once they got back to Zecora's hut, Zecora opened the door, allowing Scootaloo in and closing the door behind her. Zecora then removed her cloak and hung it up, walking over to her cauldron afterwards. As Zecora began to grab the ingredients, she looked at Scootaloo, who was staring blankly around, not knowing what to do.
"You may rest your exhausted bottom on my bed", she politely said, "Or you may sit at the table instead". Scootaloo looked at the bed. It was a small, double-mattress bed, with a giraffe-pattern blanket covering the top. It did look comfortable and fluffy, but it was made so neatly and perfect, and she didn't want to mess it up, so she instead sat at the table in one of the wooden chairs, resting her face in her hooves. Zecora began to mix the brew and spoke to Scootaloo as well.
"So, I apologize if what I'm about to say a little too dark", she said, "But I see you still have yet to earn a cutie mark". Scootaloo sighed.
"I know...", she said, "I've tried everything I like to do, and still no cutie mark. I don't want to be a blank flank forever".
"I'm sure you're unhappy about this, and you have every right to be", Zecora said, "But like I told your friend Applebloom, for a cutie mark, time is the key".
"I know, Zecora", Scootaloo said, "Twilight and Rainbow Dash have gave me that lecture a hundred times". Zecora chuckled lightly. "Hey, Zecora".
"I'm listening, Little Scootaloo", Zecora said, stirring the green liquid.
"How come you always speak in rhymes?", Scootaloo curiously asked. Zecora smiled as she added the last ingredient.
"To make my potions, I must rhyme", she said, "Though it takes a lot of time. Without speaking the way I do, I am unable to power a brew". Scootaloo smiled.
"Cool", she said. She then mumbled under her breath: "She's almost as cool as Rainbow Dash".
"Come again?", Zecora asked.
"Nothing", Scootaloo said, "Just talking to myself". Zecora smiled again and added the final stir to the cauldron. Then, she used her ladle to pour some of the liquid into a coconut-half and placed it on the table in front of Scootaloo.
"Now, drink down every last drop", Zecora said, "And your fracture will mend, and the pain will stop". Scootaloo grabbed the cup and quickly gulped down the green liquid, giving a loud sigh afterwards. About five seconds later, her nose mended itself back together and she could see again and the pain was gone.
"Thanks, Zecora", Scootaloo thankfully said.
"You're welcome, Scootaloo", Zecora said, nuzzling the orange filly, "Just avoid the cliff the next time you come through". Scootaloo nodded. "Well, since you're healed and once again healthy, you are welcome to go home whenever you feel you want to flee". Just the thought of leaving scared Scootaloo a little. Of course, she didn't have a home to go to, and her fellow Crusaders were both out of town. Plus, she was still wanted by the orphanage, and didn't know if they were still on the hunt for her.
"Actually... Zecora...", Scootaloo said, "Would it be OK if... I could stay here tonight?" Zecora raised her eyebrow in surprise.
"Though I am alright with allowing this", she said, "Shouldn't we contact your elders to let them know about it?"
"NO!", Scootaloo quickly screamed. Scootaloo began to sweat with nervousness. "I mean... no thank you. They already know I'm out because... they said... I could stay the night over at Applejack's". Zecora smiled.
"Well, I think you staying for one night would be neat", she said, "In fact, it is close to dinnertime. How about I cook us something to eat?" Scootaloo became happy after hearing that. Just thinking about food made her happy. It had been almost two weeks since she had a good meal, and she wanted one.
"Yes, please", she said, showing a little bit of manners just in case. Zecora smiled.
"Well then, you may", Zecora said, "Make yourself at home. Meanwhile, I will prepare a meal that I'm sure you have never had on your own". Scootaloo smiled.
"I don't care if I gotta eat straight ketchup right now", Scootaloo mumbled under her breath, "I just wanna eat".
"Now, I do not possess any technology of any kind", Zecora said, "But you may help yourself to a book if that will satisfy your mind". Scootaloo smiled and walked over to Zecora's bookcase, seeing several books. But what surprised Scootaloo was that Zecora had every single book in her favorite series: Daring Do.
"Whoa, Zecora!", she said, "I didn't know you read Daring Do! She's awesome!" Zecora blushed very lightly.
"Well, I do have a small interest in Daring Do", she said, "I read it whenever I have free time while mixing an easy brew". Scootaloo then saw that Zecora had a few of them that still had months or even years before being published.
"Holy Celestia!", she said, "You even have some that haven't even come out yet! You gotta be on A.K. Yearling's crazy-good side for that to happen!"
"As a matter of fact, young pony", Zecora said, igniting the flame underneath her stove, "I do have a good connection with A.K. Yearling".
"How?", Scootaloo asked.
"Well, before I moved here, into Everfree", Zecora said, A.K. Yearling came to me, and told me her father was very sickly. I made a brew powerful enough to wipe out the sickness, and ever since then, she gives me copies of her unpublished story ideas". Scootaloo smiled.
"I take that back", she mumbled, "She's cooler than Rainbow Dash. WAY cooler!"
"Did you say something?", Zecora asked, placing a pot on the stove.
"No", she said, "Talking to myself again". Zecora chuckled once more and began to cook while Scootaloo read a few books meanwhile. After about two hours, Zecora had finished making the dinner and set the table, adding small cushions to Scootaloo's and her own chair.
"I apologize for interrupting your reading time, Scootaloo", she said, "The dinner is ready, and I will wait for you". Scootaloo smiled and put down the book, sitting down at the table in front of one of the plates. Zecora placed her napkin in her lap and rested her back against her chair. Scootaloo looked down at her plate, just a tiny bit disgusted at the sight. It was a mixture of hay, rice and vegetables, with a pile of black beans in the middle.
"Umm... Zecora?", Scootaloo curiously asked, "What's this?" Zecora smiled.
"It is called couscous, young filly", Zecora said, "It is a mixture of hay, veggies, rice, and beans. It may look a little unappetizing to those who have never seen or even tasted it of course, but the flavor is very savory and very delicious". Zecora took a huge bite out of her dinner, savoring the flavors as she swallowed. Scootaloo, still a little unappetized, took a bite herself, chewing slowly. That's when Scootaloo smiled and took another bite.
"This is great!", she said, her mouth seriously full, "A little spicy, but great!" Zecora blushed with flattery.
"I thank you, young pony", she said, "Hearing your positive words makes me fill with glee". Scootaloo wiped her mouth with her napkin and sipped her water.
"No problem, Zecora!", Scootaloo said, "And thank you for the food!" Zecora chuckled and the two ate in silence. Scootaloo smiled inside as she ate. There was something about Zecora that made her happy. She was kind, she was caring, and she was funny. In some ways, Scootaloo saw her mother's image in Zecora. She reminded Scootaloo of her own mother, and she only knew Zecora for two months. Scootaloo felt happy around Zecora, and it was like she never wanted to leave her side.
After the two finished their dinner, Scootaloo gave Zecora her empty plate and Zecora set them in her dish-wishing cauldron for later. After that, she looked at Scootaloo again.
"Well, it seems we have finished dinner", Zecora said, "But I think I could use a bit of dessert". Scootaloo smiled.
"May I have some too?", Scootaloo politely asked. Zecora smiled.
"Of course you may, there is cake in the fridge", she said, "You may get it whenever you wish. But as for me, I'll get mine soon. First I must visit the little filly's room". Zecora walked outside, while Scootaloo went into the refrigerator and grabbed a slice of chocolate beetroot cake, closing it back behind her. Once Zecora had returned and had her slice of cake, Scootaloo began to get sleepy. Zecora giggled a little as she saw the filly fight her sleepiness.
"Well, having you around sure made things around here a lot less steep", she said, "But I think a certain filly needs to get some sleep". Scootaloo nodded with a sleepy smile. Zecora lifted the filly into her forelegs and carried her over to the bed, laying her down and covering her up with the blanket. "I hope your visit has been alright". She gave her a small kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight". Zecora began to walk away, but Scootaloo stopped her.
"Z...Zecora...", she said.
"Yes, Scootaloo?", Zecora asked.
"Can you... sing to me...?", Scootaloo asked, "My mom... used to sing to me". Zecora smiled, grabbed Scootaloo's tiny hoof, and sang Scootaloo a beautiful lullaby. Scootaloo's eyes slowly became heavy and she drifted off into a beautiful sleep.
Scootaloo woke up just a few hours later when the sound of small crying was heard. This time however, it wasn't coming from her eyes. Scootaloo sat up and looked around, seeing Zecora sitting at the table, hugging a picture tight, crying into her hooves. Scootaloo became concerned as she got out of the bed and walked up to Zecora.
"Mother... Father... Brothers", Zecora mumbled very low under her breath, "I gravely apologize, I really do. This wouldn't have happened if I had obeyed you".
"Zecora?", Scootaloo asked, "What's wrong?" Zecora quickly wiped her face and tried hard to hide her sadness.
"Nothing is the matter, my dear young pony", she said, "I was just having a drink before I went to sleep".
"But you were crying", Scootaloo said, "And your eyes are red. Something's gotta be wrong".
"I assure you, I am fine", Zecora said, "Sleepiness is the cause of the redness of my eyes". Scootaloo then looked at the picture in Zecora's hooves. It was a picture of herself as a filly, along with four other zebras that looked exactly like her.
"Zecora...", she said, "Is that your family?" Zecora put on a fake smile.
"Yes it is. It is my greatest memory", she said, "I had a family of a mother, father, and two older siblings". She then pointed to each zebra. "My mother Zerury, and my father Zedaka, and my brothers, Zefumee and Zenawa". Scootaloo put two and two together.
"Zecora... you said 'had', and you were crying", Scootaloo said, "Were you crying because... you miss them?" That question struck Zecora right in the center of her heart as her smile dropped, another tear leaking out of her eye.
"Y-yes", Zecora confessed.
"Then why don't you go see them?", Scootaloo asked, "They probably miss you too". Zecora began to cry again.
"I cannot see them ever again", she said, "Because everyone in my family are all..." She forced herself to say the last word. "...dead". Zecora began to cry into her hooves very loud. Scootaloo felt sorry for the sad zebra and sat down next to her in one of the other chairs.
"If it's OK to ask, Zecora", Scootaloo said, "What happened to your family?" Zecora looked Scootaloo right in her eyes.
"I will tell you my greatest secret", she said, "But I must have your promise that to yourself you will keep it".
"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye", Scootaloo said, using her hoof to mimic the movements of the Pinkie Promise. Zecora blew her nose into a tissue and spoke.
"There was once a time, when I did not rhyme", Zecora said.
~~~~~~~~~~
It was a beautiful day in Africa. The Sun was shining bright and hot, and zebras, giraffes, elephants, and many herbivorous animals were roaming around freely, drinking from the waterhole and enjoying time to themselves. Each species of animal had their own territories and huts, grouped together by family. One family of zebras were in their hut, having dinner and socializing as a family. Zecora, the youngest zebra, was trying to persuade her parents to let her go to a birthday party.
"Mama, it's only for a few hours!", she said, "Why can't I go?!"
"Because the giraffe territories are too close to the fence and is a far distance away from ours", Zerury said, "It's too dangerous for you to go all alone at night".
"But I made Dolo the best gift ever!", Zecora complained, "I wanna give it to him!"
"You may give it to him at school tomorrow", Zedaka said, speaking in rhymes, "The party is too far away for you to go".
"I don't wanna give it to him tomorrow!", Zecora said, "I wanna give it to him at the party!"
"Look 'Cora", Zenawa, the first-born, said, "Mama and Papa aren't letting you go because they're trying to protect you".
"Yeah", Zefumee, the middle-foal, said, "We don't want you getting eaten".
"I couldn't bare the thought of my little filly getting killed", Zedaka said, hugging his daughter, "I would live the rest of my days with chills". Zecora pushed her father off of her.
"Whatever!", Zecora said, "You never let me go anywhere five hooves away from our tent just because you think a carnivore is going to get through the fence! I'm going to my room!" Zecora left the table and went into her room.
"It hurts me to see her so upset", Zerury said, "Why do we live in fear of the carnivorous everyday?"
"It's too easy for the carnivorous to get though the fence", Zedaka replied, "Lord Takador forbids any of us to go near it because if we are spotted, the carnivorous lord will create a mission that will immediately commence".
"'Cora will just have to realize that we can't always do what we want to do", Zefumee said, "Should we go talk to her?"
"No no", Zenawa said, "Leave her alone. Messing with her is only gonna make things worse".
"I agree with 'Nawa", Zerury said, "We should let her have a little time to herself".
"You are very quick to agree", Zedaka said, "Which makes my glad to love you, my sweet 'Rury". Zerury smiled and kissed her husband.
"It was a simple statement, nothing to dis", Zerury said, mimicking Zedaka's rhyming flow, "But tonight, you may receive more than just a kiss".
"Eww!", Zefumee said, "I'm trying to eat here!" Both Zerury and Zedaka laughed.
"No worries, my sweet little 'Fumee", Zedaka said, "You and I will have that talk one day". Zefumee laughed.
Several hours later, Zecora was sleeping soundly in her bed, the Moonlight shining lightly through the window. Even though she was sleeping fine, she was still a little sore about having to miss her friend's party. She had the invitation and everything, but was forced to miss it. But then, a sudden tapping on her window woke her up.
"Zecora!", a voice on the outside called. Zecora looked out the window and saw a long dark-yellow neck. She got up and opened the window.
"Dolo?", she asked.
"Yeah, it's me!", Dolo said.
"Uh... can you kneel down a little?", Zecora asked, "I talk to faces, not necks". Dolo chuckled and knelt down, facing his friend eye-to-eye. "What're you doing here at this time of night?"
"What are you doing laying in bed?", he asked, "Have you forgotten that I invited you to my private birthday party?" Zecora sighed.
"I can't go, Dolo", she said, "Mama and Papa won't allow it".
"Let me guess", Dolo said, "Carnivores?"
"Yeah...", Zecora said, "I even made you the perfect gift". Dolo smiled.
"Well, why don't you just come with me?", he asked, "You're parents don't have to know". Zecora nervously looked down at the floor.
"I don't know", she said, "I'm not too comfortable with sneaking out of my hut alone".
"You don't have to stay the whole night", Dolo said, "Just for an hour or two".
"Well... it does sound tempting", Zecora said.
"Then come on", Dolo said, "I'll even carry you". Zecora smiled and after grabbing a small box wrapped in grapevines, she jumped out of the window. Dolo lightly grabbed Zecora by her mane and lifted her onto his back.
"Keep this between us, OK Dolo?", Zecora said.
"Of course, Zecora", Dolo said, "I wouldn't sell my best friend out". Dolo carried Zecora to his hut.
Though she had to sneak out of her hut to do it, Zecora had the time of her life at the party. Dolo even treated her like it was her birthday also. Her name was even written on the cake. Zecora liked Dolo, almost even more than her own brothers. But while having fun, Zecora forgot all about trying to return after an hour, and stayed in Dolo's hut for five straight hours.
"Having fun, Zecora?", Dolo asked her next to the punch-bowl. Zecora was doing a funny-looking dance, her tail tucked in between her hind legs.
"Y-yes, Dolo", she said, "But I really have to pee".
"Come to think of it, so do I", Dolo said, "Come on. We'll go together". Zecora blushed lightly and followed her best friend outside. Both found a place to go and did, standing next to each other.
"So", Dolo said, "I really like the present you made me". Zecora had to hide her face as a very red blush spread across her cheeks.
"Th-thank you", she said, "I figured you would".
"And what makes it better is that you wrapped it in grapevines", Dolo said, "Edible wrapping paper. You should tell that to Lord Takador".
"It would seem like a good idea", Zecora said, "But I think it would just be eaten before sold, or even made". Dolo laughed.
"You're so funny, Zecora", he said, "I really made a good choice befriending you". Zecora's blush became redder.
"So did I", Zecora said, "Even though I gotta look up to talk to you". Dolo laughed again.
"It's not my fault my neck is so long", he said, "That's just how I was born. Besides, that doesn't mean I'm too tall to do this". Dolo leaned down and gave Zecora a small kiss on her cheek. Zecora's entire face went red as she rubbed her cheek.
"I... I guess not...", she said, "And... thanks..." Zecora and Dolo finished doing their business and used their hooves to rake the dry sand on top of their puddles like cats.
"It's no problem, Zecora", Dolo said, "I bet you're glad you got to come".
"Yeah!", Zecora happily said, "Very h-!" Zecora's smile dropped to a look of worry. "Oh no! I forgot about leaving, and it's almost Sunrise! Dolo, I really enjoyed the party, but I need to go now!"
"I understand", Dolo said, "See you at school, Zecora".
Zecora quickly ran back to her hut, going as fast as her legs could take her. She was hoping she could get back before any of her family members woke up so she could make it look like she never left. But when she got back to her hut, she saw that the entire hut had been destroyed. Blood was everywhere, and everyone was laying on the ground, dead. Zecora went over to her father, thinking he was asleep and tapped him.
"Papa, what happened?", she asked. She shook his body, only for it to limply move. Not able to get a response from him, she moved onto her mother.
"Mama? Mama!", Zecora yelled, "Wake up! What happened?!" She moved on to her elder brothers. "'Fumee! 'Nawa!" She furiously shoved Zenawa's body over in an attempt to wake him. But when it rolled onto the other side, she saw a surprise: three large scratches on his side, plus huge teeth-marks in his neck, which had sliced his jugular vein, killing him. Zecora gasped hard, shaking more furious than a leaf in the wind.
"No!", she screamed, "NO! NO NO NO!"
There was no mistake about it. Her family had been killed by carnivores. They died fighting them, which was why they had not been eaten. Zecora wasn't able to save them, and now there was nothing she could do. She disobeyed her parents' orders, and now they were gone, forever. All of Zecora's screaming and crying had attracted other animals over to the hut, and it wasn't long before the chief, Takador, had found out about it.
The next evening, there was a special funeral to honor the family. Zecora just sat in the front, watching the bodies of her family being buried right before her eyes. Tears were flowing down her face, and even with Dolo comforting her, she still continued to cry. After the burial, Takador spoke once more.
"Lady Zecora...", he said, "Front and center". Zecora walked up to him. "It is my understanding that you were responsible for this tragedy". Both Zecora and Dolo gasped loudly.
"That can't be!", Dolo said, coming to her defense, "She was at my birthday party last night!"
"Yes", Takador said, "But it was shown that she had left a window to the hut open overnight, which allowed the carnivores to attack. For that, she has allowed carnivores into my territory and allowed them to take four of my subjects. Therefore, Lady Zecora, I hereby exile you from my territory!"
"Lord Takador, please!", Zecora pleaded, "It was an accident! I didn't mean to leave the window open! Please allow me a second chance!"
"I'm sorry, Lady Zecora", Takador said, "But when a carnivore takes any of my subjects and someone is responsible for it, I can no longer trust them. I will give you ten minutes to get the remainder of your belongings and say your final goodbyes, and then I want you off of my territory immediately!"
Zecora began to cry louder than a foal as she walked off, going back to her hut to get whatever was not destroyed by the carnivores. Sitting on the dinner table was their only family portrait, which had a huge crack right across the middle. Zecora grabbed the picture and hugged it tight, sitting right in the middle of the floor. She felt bad about what happened.
After sitting there for about five minutes, Zecora took the portrait and walked out of the destroyed hut. Right when she got out, Dolo was on the outside, waiting for her.
"I'm really sorry about everything, Zecora...", he said, "I should've just left you alone".
"No, Dolo", Zecora said, "I should've listened to my parents. This would not have happened if I had done so". Dolo draped his long neck across Zecora's back in a hugging manner.
"I really don't wanna see you go", he said, "But there is nothing I can do about this". Zecora sighed, a few extra tears leaking out of her eyes. "But, I'm not going to let my only friend suffer all alone, so here". Daka held a piece of paper in his mouth out to Zecora. Zecora took it and saw that it was a train ticket to anywhere.
"Where'd you get this?", she asked.
"I stole it from an unsuspecting tourist", Dolo said, "It's one of those special ones. All you gotta do is go to the train station and tell them where you wanna go". Zecora smiled.
"I thank you so much, Dolo", she said, "But, the train station is very far from here. Will you walk with me?" Dolo smiled and nodded. The two walked the full two miles to the train station. Right before they approached the counter, Zecora and Dolo looked into each other's eyes one final time.
"I guess this is it, Zecora", Dolo said. Zecora hugged her giraffe friend as tight as she could, crying into his coat.
"Dolo... please, kneel down", she said. Dolo knelt down to Zecora's level, staring at her eye-to-eye. Zecora pulled him closer to her and kissed him right on his lips for just a few seconds. Both then pulled away, Dolo confused.
"Zecora...", he said, "What was that for?"
"Dolo, I love you!", she said, "If I must leave, I must admit it!" A tear came to Dolo's eye as he kissed her once more.
"I love you too, Zecora...", he said, "And I really really hope I can see you again". Dolo painfully walked away from his friend, giving one final wink before walking back to his hut. Zecora, still very sad, looked at the locations, and found the perfect one.
"Ponyville...", she whispered to herself.
~~~~~~~~~~
Zecora had finished her very painful story and began to cry again right into her hooves. Scootaloo had heard every single word, and was getting a little misty-eyed. She tried hard to keep her sadness hidden from Zecora, not wanting to seem "uncool".
"There you have it", Zecora said, "The biggest and worst fear I am forced to live. And what makes it worse is that my final words to my family were very negative".
"That must be pretty hard, Zecora", Scootaloo said, lightly patting the sad zebra on her back.
"It surely was a gruesome time", Zecora said, "That is why, in honor of my father, I have taken the vow to always rhyme".
"And Dolo", Scootaloo said, "He must've been the most awesome friend ever".
"Yes. The friendship Dolo and I shared was nowhere near dim", Zecora said, "In fact, I may have had a small crush on him".
"Is that why you kissed him?", Scootaloo asked.
"Yes", Zecora said.
"And is that why your blanket looks like giraffe fur?", Scootaloo asked.
"Yes", Zecora said.
"And is that why you weren't too shy to pee with him?", Scootaloo curiously asked.
"Yes", Zecora confidently said, "Around Dolo, I had absolutely no shyness". Scootaloo felt an uncomfortable feeling in her heart. It felt like there was something she needed to get out, and she knew what it was. Zecora had told her the biggest secret she had ever heard, and Scootaloo decided to return the favor.
"Zecora...", she said, "There's something I gotta tell you".
"I'm listening, Scootaloo", Zecora said. Scootaloo sighed.
"When you found me", Scootaloo said, "I wasn't playing tag with Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle isn't even here right now. She's in Canterlot with her mom. I was... running away".
"Might I ask why?", Zecora asked. Scootaloo sighed again, ready to let it all out.
"I was running from an orphanage staff", she said, "I'm just like you. My mom and dad are both dead. They drowned on my birthday. I got put in an orphanage and hated it so bad that I ran away. I ran and ran, and that's when I fell down here. When you let me in here, I didn't wanna leave. I was scared that I was gonna be found". Scootaloo had given up trying to fight her sadness as tears began running down both cheeks. "And... I don't wanna go back! I already lost my mom and my dad! I don't wanna lose my freedom too!" Scootaloo cried very loud and hard after letting it all out. Zecora pulled the sad filly into her lap, hugging her tight. Scootaloo buried her face in her striped coat and cried.
"If I didn't know better, sad little Scootaloo", she said, "My past is very similar to the one possessed by you. We both are orphaned, and have been forced to leave our former homes, and are both forced to live alone".
"I just want my parents back!", Scootaloo said, "They loved me! Nopony in Equestria loved me like they did! They probably would've taught me how to fly if they were still alive!"
"I'm sure they would've, but family will not always decide when talents sprout, time will", Zecora said, "I taught myself about mixing brews and curing the ill". Scootaloo looked up at Zecora.
"You learned this all by yourself?", she asked. Zecora smiled and nodded. "But how? All this looks like something your dad taught you".
"I studied for multiple years, and stocked up on potion-related books", Zecora said, "And soon, this became simpler than teaching one how to cook".
"Try telling that to Sweetie Belle", Scootaloo mumbled, still tasting a few traces of the "soup" Sweetie Belle had cooked during one of her after-school sleepovers.
"Did you say something?", Zecora asked. Scootaloo giggled.
"I just said 'try telling that to Sweetie Belle'", she said, "Sweetie Belle couldn't cook to save her life. One time, she tried to make me and Applebloom a 'pre-Thanksgiving dinner', and burned everything, even the juice". Zecora laughed.
"That sounds very impossible", she said, "But I kinda wish I was there, because it also sounds very hysterical". Scootaloo and Zecora shared a laugh together, then Scootaloo looking into Zecora's blue eyes with a dead-serious look.
"Zecora...", she said, "I really don't wanna go back to the orphanage. If it's OK with you... could I... would you... can I-?" Zecora placed her hoof over Scootaloo's mouth.
"Yes you may, my dear filly", she said, "I will allow you to live with me". Scootaloo's ears shot up like a dog at alert.
"R-really?!", she said, "You'd share your hut with me?!"
"I would be happy to share my home", Zecora said, "It is far better than living alone". Scootaloo hugged Zecora as tight as she could.
"Thank you Zecora! Thank you!", Scootaloo said, leaning up and kissing one of the golden rings around her neck.
"You're very welcome, Scootaloo", Zecora said, "From now on, everything of mine will also belong to you". Scootaloo smiled.
"By the way, Zecora", she said, "When you told me the story, you said your family only called each other by nicknames. Why?" Zecora smiled.
"In Africa, each name is made up of two sections", she said, "It is assigned this was to avoid losing spouts. The names of my family always began with 'Ze', and the second part is the unique name that was only spoken alone around the house. 'Ze' is my family name, and 'Cora is my given name, while my family also had names almost the same". Scootaloo smiled.
"Cool", she said. She then sighed and nuzzled Zecora.
"Zecora... at the risk of sounding uncool", she said, "I... love you". Zecora smiled wide.
"I love you too, my sweet Scootaloo", she said. Zecora hugged Scootaloo a little tighter, causing a small pocket of gas to come from her. Scootaloo blushed lightly.
"Sorry", she said, fanning herself with her hoof, "You kinda squeezed that out of me". Zecora chuckled.
"It's alright, Scootaloo", she said, "It is just a natural break of wind. Plus, like my father used to say, 'better out than in'". Scootaloo laughed hard.
"Zecora, you're funny!", she said, "You make better fart jokes than Rainbow Dash!" Zecora laughed once more as Scootaloo yawned again.
"We should get you back to sleep", Zecora said, "Do you mind sharing a bed with me?" Scootaloo shook her head. Zecora smiled and carried the sleepy filly over to the bed, tucking her and herself in and turning off the lights. Scootaloo scooted close to Zecora and snuggled into her coat.
"Goodnight, Zecora", she said, "I love you". Zecora smiled and gave Scootaloo a small lick on her cheek.
"Sweet dreams, Scootaloo", she said, "I love you too".
~~~~~~~~~~
Two months later...
Scootaloo sat at the table, eagerly waiting for Zecora to return. It was her ninth birthday, and Zecora had gone out to get her a present. Scootaloo would've gotten bored, if Zecora hadn't baked her a personal chocolate beetroot cake with sprinkles to occupy her. Her name was on it and everything. Anyway, Scootaloo had eaten half of the cake when Zecora had returned, carrying a small, wrapped box in her mouth. She spat the box out onto the table right in front of Scootaloo.
"I apologize for only being able to get you one gift", she said, "But I trust this is one gift you will be very happy with". Scootaloo licked the frosting off of her hooves.
"Hey, you're letting me live here", Scootaloo said, "That's already an awesome gift, so no problem". Zecora smiled as Scootaloo ripped the paper off of the box and opened it, seeing a very important document. A little confused, she looked up at Zecora.
"It's just paper?", she asked.
"Please, take the time to read", Zecora said, "I trust you, that one paper is something very neat". Scootaloo read the paper.
Ponyville Orphanage
This document when signed will allow Mr./Mrs./Ms.
Zecora
(name of guardian)
to contain full custody and supervision rights over
Scootaloo
(name of filly/colt)
We gravely thank you for your adoption, and may Princess Celestia help you in supporting your new wonderful foal.
Scootaloo's heart almost exploded after reading that single paper. That paper wasn't just any paper, it was an adoption paper, with her name on it. Zecora had adopted Scootaloo, right on her birthday.
"Z-Zecora... did you...?", Scootaloo asked. Zecora smiled and lifted the filly into her forelegs, holding her like a baby.
"Yes, sweet little Scootaloo", she said, "I have fully adopted you. Never again will you have to run from your fears, because you will always have me for a mother, for the rest of your years". Scootaloo sniffled and hugged Zecora.
"Thank you so much, Zecora!!!", she said, kissing her new mother on the cheek, "You made this the best birthday ever!" Zecora smiled.
"It warms my heart to hear you say this", she said, "And I will try my best to give you a life of pure bliss".
"Uh... Zecora?", Scootaloo asked, "If you're my mom now, do I have to start speaking in rhymes like you?"
"No, my daughter", Zecora said, "You do not have to speak in rhymes. But if you want to, you may on your own time". Scootaloo smiled and hugged Zecora tighter as Zecora sat down in a chair, cuddling Scootaloo as they finished the last of the cake.
Never again did either Scootaloo or Zecora attempt to run from their pasts or have nightmares about them. They knew they had each other to help forget about them and focus on positive futures. Nightmares about tragic pasts became sweet dreams about Scootaloo and Zecora, always together.