Is all Hope Lost?

Spike, Zecora, and Discord were at Zebrica, Zecora’s homeland, and it looked absolutely beautiful and wonderous. The best part is; the sky wasn’t really affected above the Savannas and grasslands that filled the landscape endlessly. Zecora never felt so happy to be back in her homeland again. And Spike was truly awestruck by the many wonders he was seeing with his eyes. Small beards of giraffes and elephants were seen migrating over the plains. Spike honestly wished that he had the time to play tourist, but unfortunately, he knew this was not time for all that

“Hmm, we will be able to find some help here. Just stay close to me and you will be fine, my dear.” Zecora remarked. She looked at her surroundings and looked at the ground for anything dangerous.

Discord decided to transform into a Lion and suddenly roared at Spike, making him yell and fall back in surprise. The master of chaos simply guffawed at Spike’s reaction and said; “Oh ho ho you should have seen the the look on your face! Hahaha!”

Spike simply growled and glared at him. “Discord!!” He shouted with his teeth grinding. “That wasn’t funny!”

“No, it was extremely funny!” Discord corrected the baby dragon, still laughing at the reaction.

“Come on Discord, this is serious!” Spike reminded him. As Discord’s laughter died down, he realized that he and Zecora were not amused by this at all.

“You think this is funny?” Zecora Said. “This could possibly be the worst crisis Equestria has faced in a long while, and yet you are acting silly?” The zebra looked way more serious than Spike did.

Realizing his mistake, Discord then said “I’m- i’m Sorry.” And he bowed his head in guilt. “I just thought it was funny, and I only wanted to make you guys happy and cheer you up.”

“Well now’s not the time.” Spike reminded in a more calm voice. “So Zecora, where do we go from here?”

The zebra didn’t really say anything at first, for she was looking around her feet for dangerous creatures like spitting cobras or puff adders. “Hmm. There is a city north of here called ‘Iklwa’. It is a rather diverse place, for sisi ni sawa.”

Spike didn’t really get the last part and he simply just said “what did you say?”

“Oh. I forgot you both didn’t understand many Zebrican names. Sisi ni sawa means we are the same.”

Now Spike and Discord understand what she meant by the last part in the last sentence. “That makes perfect sense.” Said Discord. “But how can we all be the same?”

“Sure. We come from different lands and speak in different tongues. But are hearts beat as one for many creature among.”

“Oh. Lead the way.” Spike Said. And the two followed Zecora across the Zebrican savanna and they did encounter a number of dangerous creatures and animals along the way such as; the spitting cobras, puff adders, leopards, hyenas, And other types of native animals living in the plains.

After many hundred yards away from where they teleported at to get here, they saw a really large city with houses made of clay, and many roofs made of straw. They saw many types of zebras roaming the streets. It looked so diverse in the city of Iklwa, for there were so many zebras large and small. Many of them have dark colorations to their stripes and their color was the same as a regular pony would look like, except they all have stripes to cover their bodies as a Major difference.

Many manes were styled in braids and dreadlocks for some of the townsfolk. Some stallions bad goatees or beards on their faces around their mouths while many others don’t. Siemens of them wore clothes that had many colorations such as silk cloth below their waists. Spike and Discord were truly amazed by how beautiful this city looked, and wished they had time to play tourist in this place too.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful here.” Spike Said.

“Oh Fluttershy would love this.” Discord added in awe. “Alright, now that we have reached our destination, who do we talk to?”

“In the town at the other end, there is a king who rules over this peaceful city, my friend.” Zecora answered boldly.

“A king?” Spike Said. “That’s perfect! Will he be able to give us the support we need to take down Roseblood? Everything counts.”

“It will appear so, but there is no telling whether he will say yes, or no.” Zecora replied. Just trust in me Spike, for I will do anything I can to persuade King Kwame N’dogo to offer him and his soldiers your life.”

“Good. Let’s go.” Said Discord.

As they walked through the town, many towsfolk recognized Zecora in an instant, and waved at her, and said her name even. Many children were in the streets playing games like catching a ball, or tag, or hide-and-seek. Streets were filled with Bazaars and markets selling many types of fruits and vegetables, and ones Spike and Discord had never seen before.

Many townsfolk were fascinated to see Spike, a baby dragon walk into their town. "People are staring at us." He whispered to Zecora."

"Well I really don't care what other creature think about me. After all, it's not always others opinions that matter." Discord remarked, just being casual.

"Do not worry." Zecora reassured the baby dragon. "Everything will be just fine, many of these fellow zebras are good friends of mine."

And Spike kept his cool with a deep breath being let out of his body. "Okay, okay. I got this."

And they all stopped in front of a beautiful looking palace with a large flagpole with the tri-color red yellow and green in a vertical position and a picture of the whole continent of Zebrica on the yellow stripe.

It was to possibly to represent the whole city and it's whole pride.

"Here we are, King N'dogo's royal palace." Said Zecora. "Now to ask for his help and support to stop Roseblood and her evil malice."

They went up to the front gate and were stopped by two guards woth tribal spears. "Halt! Who goes the-" just then the guards immediately recognized the zebra and smiled.

"Zecora! Welcome home!" Said the other guard. Then they immediately embraced her with proud chuckles and Zecora embraced them back

"Savimbi, Kip! It is wonderful to see your smiling faces." Zecora replied. "Me and my friends need to talk to the king about support from him and his masses."

"What's the problem?" Asked Savimbi.

"A great enemy threatens Equestria and if we do not stop her, her evil influence will spread across all of Zebrica."

And the guards immediately recognized Discord. "Oh no. What is he doing here?" Said Kip. "You come to turn this town all topsy-turvy, Discord?"

"Oh no, no. Of course not." The drancequus replied. "I am a changed man, well, drancequus to say the least. "I have left behind all my evil ways and turned over a new leaf. Now, you are looking at the new Discord." And he conjured up a small stage and clones of himself as the applauding audience.

The guards didn't look very convinced, and looked at Zecora. "It's alright, ole Discord really has changed. He is now very helpful in a very great range.

"Well, we still got put eye on you." Savimbi warned the Master of Chaos. "No tricks or we will send you to the guillotine."

"Anyway, who might this little one be?"

"I'm Spike, a baby dragon coming to ask for help from your glorious king."

"A baby dragon eh?" We never had a dragon in our home before." Said Kip. "Welcome to Iklwa, and Zebrica, little Spike."

"Now please let us pass, for we are in desperate need of an army mass."

"Of course. Go right in." And the two opened the door for the heroes to set foot inside.

The walls were decorated with many tribal instruments and traditional masks for rituals or festivals. Some walls had swords, spears, and wooden shields with some animal heads painted on them like lions, elephants, and others.

Looking around, Spike followed Zecora on a long, red carpet and the doors opened to the throne room. The king was sitting on his throne looking down on Zecora. He had long dreadlocks for his mane and tail, and he was wearing a single cloth with bones tied around his waist as his clothing, and he wore a long, tall crown with a lion insignia imprinted on it.

His skin was a little darker than Zecora's, but with more stripes, and he looked pretty tall as well.

"Ah, Zecora. I am so glad you have returned." He said in a deep, wise voice. Then he looked at the master of chaos and the baby dragon. "Discord? You are not planning to cause trouble are you?"

"Of course not, my liege." Discord replied.

And the king looked at the baby. "Ah, and who is this youngling dragon?"

“I’m Spike.” The baby dragon answered nervously. “Me and Zecora have come to ask you for help against a threat.”

“A threat?”

“Yes.” Said Zecora. An evil mare named Roseblood has brainwashed everyone me and Spike ever loved dear, for I am her overseer. She has even turned Princess Luna and Celestia, for she has brainwashed much of Equestria.”

The king sounded a little unnerved by this news his old friend had brought up. “The princess’ are brainwashed by this Roseblood?” King Kwame Asked them. “But, I have known Celestia and Luna for a long while, and I have seen how powerful they are, but I would never believe they would have been brainwashed by this mare.”

“I know at first you do not believe me, but how horrible and truthful this looks, you will see.”

“I did not say I did not believe you, my old friend.” The king said. “I suppose there would not be any other reason for you coming here with Discord.”

“Please, your majesty.” Spike Said. “We need all the help we can get to get my friends back. We need a whole army to overthrow her and end her curse forever.”

The king stepped out of his throne and walked up to the young dragon; “if what you say is true, along with my old friend here, Spike, then I do believe you. I can tell by the distress on your face.”

“So you will help?” The baby dragon Asked him with hope.

King N’dogo smiled on his face, then said; Spike, Zecora, Discord, in the name of Mbube the great, me and my subjects offer you our hooves and swords.” And many soldiers gathered around the three showed them their swords and spears to show their loyalty to them and pledging allegiance to help them in their cause.

Perhaps this could work after all. “I am afraid to say this, but even this will not be enough. We need more troops who are strong and tough.” Zecora remarked.

“The king is the rhinos, the elands, and buffalo should be notified of this news as well.” The king suggested.

“You’re right. The more help we have, the bigger chance Roseblood will be defeated.” Spike Said.