By Samaru163 and Dreamwings
Come and gather round.You have nothing to fear
For we, royal bards, have a tale you should hear
One of great mystery, a tale to delight
That caused a certain zebra plenty of fright.
It all began a mere fortnight ago
When the land was just escaping the grip of the snow
Ponies slipped in the slush that the weather left behind
All while Celestia’s sun carried on to shine
The pegasi were busy, up in the air
Making sunbeams present and clouds disappear
They worked and they worked, while others were asleep
just so that the weather schedule they could keep
The Earth ponies had to get to work to
After all the cold weather, they had so much to do
To dig up the ground and plant all their seeds
To carefully canter and battle all weeds
This was not a small task, oh no, not indeed
All of the help is all they would need
The Unicorns needed to help, ‘eeyup’
for them to have a successful Winter Wrap up
“We need your help. Everypony in sight”
called the organised unicorn, magical Twilight.
Her friends ran up to see what was wrong
and saw their friend Spike asleep on ice on the pond.
“Not again. Didn’t he do this last year!”
Cried Rainbow Dash looking towards the pony-made pier.
“Aw, it’s not his fault. He’s just a bit tired”
Fluttershy whispered as she went to the rippling tide.
Careful hooves, yellow and kind
Wrapped around the young dragons spine
He was hoisted to the air, as the others stared.
For this sudden lift the dragon wasn’t prepared.
He stirred out from his tranquil bliss
And found that there was something amiss
He looked around and gave out a sigh
“What are you doing Fluttershy?”
The timid young mare gave him a smile
“You were asleep for quite a while
And we didn’t want history to repeat.”
She said to the dragon with an almost rhythmic beat.
Spike was lulled again, and stifled a yawn
Not to wake again until the beginning of dawn.
The others laughed to themselves and continued their work
They knew that they had responsibilities they could not shirk.
Everypony carried on, like well oiled machines
They knew if they worked together, they made a good team
After a while they looked around at their beloved town
And a rousing applause was passed all around.
“Well done everypony, Spring has been sprung”
Said the Mayor, not realising the hard work was yet to come.
With another chorus of cheers the ponies headed off home;
Their hard work had paid off, that they had known.
Meanwhile, up in the woods Everfree
A kind hearted zebra moved through the trees
Nopony else would dare to come around there
For it was filled to the brim with dangers that scare.
Dangers that lurked within the shadows of the night
Creatures that had caused many ponies a fright
And the forest itself put them all in confusion
For the weather was its own; it found it’s own solution.
The zebra, however, didn’t care in the least
She could tame any monster or beast;
Plus the quiet sanctuary from ponykind
Was very good for sharpening one’s mind.
Zecora, for that was the zebra’s own name
Was not like any other; never the same
Yet she still was accepted, well, after a time
Even if they couldn’t understand her quips and her rhymes
She was busy today, gathering plants for a brew
For when somepony was ill, then that was her cue.
She was glad to assist in any way she could
That way she would never get lonely in the Everfree Wood.
When the sun was going down, she headed back
To her hut, as the forest began to turn black.
On arrival, she wandered and crept into bed
And it wasn’t long before her tired mind fled.
She dreamed of a great evil spreading over the land
Which a monster held greedily in the palm of its hand;
It observed the ponies with crazy blue and green eyes
And sent them spirling to their never-ending demise.
The zebra shot like a bullet out of her bed
Terrified by the future she had seen in her head
But realising now that it had all been a dream
She knew that it could have not been the future she had seen.
She turned on her side and fell back to sleep
And for the rest of the night she did not give a peep.
The forest too was strangely silent that night
Making some wonder what would come with the light.
Zecora awoke next day with a skip and a hop
Needing to go to Ponyville, for ingredients to shop,
So with a smile on her face she headed for town.
The Everfree forest was still all sleep and no sounds.
Ponyville, on the other hoof, was a whole hive of noise
Sounding like a foal kindergarten who had just gained new toys.
Everywhere ponies were running around with grand looks on their faces
Like each of them was caught in lovers embraces.
At first Zecora wondered the reason for these odd looks;
Perhaps Twilight had the answer in one of her books.
Now normally Zecora would find her answer elsewhere
But desperate times call for desperate measures, and she was in despair.
Just as she was about to enter through the Library door
A Pink Pony pounced on her and knocked her to the floor
“Hi there Zecora, well, how are you today?”
And I want to ask you, do you have the time to play?”
Zecora shrugged, and got back onto all four hooves
And in true Pinkie style she released from nowhere turtle doves
Zecora sighed; she did not have time for this
“I will play later Miss Pinkie Pie, I have to complete my shopping list.”
The zebra raised a hoof to her throat in shock
Her poetic voice had been put to a stop
Where were her rhymes she knew so well?
“What’s happened to my rhymes that I usually tell?”
Pinkie looked at her friend with a comical little grin
“Are you sure you have no time to play; not even a min?
Not even time for a game of tag to begin?”
Zecora could not hear; Pinkie’s voice was just a din.
Are you enjoying this little game?
Said a hissing voice as hot as flame
“It’s you from my head?” the zebra asked the sky
But it was another voice that decided to answer in reply
Yes, and no little zebra mare
Said the voice like a quick wind fare
Will make our evil plotting cease
Just watch how the rhyming does increase
“But I’m not speaking in rhyme?” The zebra did cry
We decided to let you give something new a little try
Since you are the local rhymer around here
We took it away, now is that clear?
The voices laughed above at Zecora’s tearful sorrow
This will be the same for ever...and all of your tomorrows
“Not if I can find you. I can stop your horrible plans”
Sounds like fun, do you think she can?
We’ll let fate be the judge of that my dear
We have other places to rhyme, not just here
Soon all of Equestria will be in our grasp
Then it is we that will have the last laugh
With a chorus of laughter that shook like thunder
The voices departed, leaving Zecora to wonder
What roads to take; which twists to turn?
And who were these voices? That to she must learn
Pinkie, who had been watching all the affair
Was starting to wonder if Zecora was all there
Pinkie hadn’t heard the voices that time
Nor had she noticed she was only speaking in rhyme
Zecora stood and wondered some more
Before hastily opening and entering through the library door
Inside Twilight was sorting some books
When she turned her head to take a look
“Zecora, what brings you around here?
You know it’s the first day of spring of this year.”
Zecora ignored Twilight’s obvious speech of a poet
“I need a book Twilight. I know you will know it.”
“Sure Zecora, so what’s the topic?
Is it something normal or special and exotic?”
“I am looking for a book about magical misfits.”
The zebra said, as Twilight asked her to sit
“Sure can I get you anything? Maybe some tea?
I can get some for you, and I’ll get some for me.”
“No thank you Twilight.” Was Zecora’s reply
“I need the book now, to save all our lives.”
Twilight gasped “Is that so, now why do you say
Nothing seems wrong on this lovely spring day.”
“Maybe not to you Twilight, but things are amiss.”
But it didn’t seem to penetrate the Unicorn’s bliss
“Zecora are you sure you’re feeling all right?
You seem to look quite ill when I look with my sight.”
Zecora groaned, that was the worst rhyme yet
“How much worse is this going to get?”
“What are you talking about my zebra friend?
Why do you give bad looks and to me send?”
Zecora shot Twilight a compassionate look.
“I’m very tired Twilight, may I please have that book?”
Twilight looked extremely unsure
But still turned to head to the door
She wandered through and when she did return
She gave the book to Zecora so about the trouble she could learn
“Rhymers. Rhymers.” Zecora skimmed through with a purpose
Until her hooves were starting to burn like a furnace
She blowed on the swelling, burning sores
And then turned the pages again some more
Then one page seemed to leap from the others to her eyes
And written on it were words she utterly despised
“Two evil doers, some misfits of old times.”
In the page was written ‘The Riddle’ and ‘The Rhyme’
It seemed that once, a long time ago
They were travelling bards who used to put on shows
But seeing how everyone ignored what they wrote
They put a spell on ponies so poetry was all that they spoke
The ponies themselves did not notice their rhymes
And so they could not be convicted for their terrible crimes
Everypony but one, who saw what they were doing
A little colt called Dawnlight. Now who could see that coming?
“It is written in here that they were locked where poetry was gone.”
Indeed the book said it, but the book said it wrong
Zecora threw up her head and looked around
For the life of her she could not place the sound
She looked up, she looked down, she looked here and there
You can give up now, we won’t be found anywhere
“I won’t allow you to ruin this town.”
Well you’d better believe it, because we’re sticking around
“I know who you are. I know what you want.”
What does it matter? We enjoy having you to taunt
But if you want to try, then here is a clue
Go to the place where beauty is never few
Zecora pondered the meaning of the words
Had she got all they said? Had she understood what she heard?
“Zecora I’m sure that you must have hurt your head.
Now go back home, and get back to bed.”
Zecora ignored all of Twilight’s worried words
“Now what is beautiful? Maybe a bird?”
Zecora thought ‘no’ and turned her cheek
“I know where I will go. To Carousel Boutique.”
With newfound strength she tore from the Library door
As Twilight’s questions grew more and more
She rushed into the fashion house at quite a speed
Shocking Rarity with what she may need
“Miss Rarity I must have your shop.”
She said as she whipped around with a clop, clop, clop
“Zecora dear, what’s gotten into you?
Barging in unannounced; you are being quite rude.”
“I do not mean to be; I apologise.”
Rarity turned back to her and raised an eye
“Well you still shouldn’t have been quite hasty.
Now would you like a cupcake? They are quite tasty.”
“I have no time for one.” She quickly retorted
“I have some problems that need to be sorted.”
The zebra returned to her feverless search
Seeing if she could find Rhyme and Riddle’s clue in the lurch
“Calm yourself down, dearie, please slow down.
All of your extra energy is making me frown.”
Zecora didn’t pay her any heed
And went back to her immensely important deed.
“Are you sure I couldn’t tempt you with one little bite.
I tell you these cupcakes are quite a delight.”
Realizing that Rarity wasn’t going to retreat
She let her bring the Cupcake with which she would eat
When Rarity brought these cupcakes that were oh so nice
Zecora saw two cakes adorned in zebra stripes
She stared in amazement at the delicious morsels on the dish
“Miss Rarity, dear, where did you get all of this?”
“Why from Pinkie Pie, who else would it be
She had an extra batch and was nice enough to share it with me.”
Rarity grinned, glad that Pinkie had adorned her
“Then I must go my dear, to Sugarcube Corner.”
As Zecora headed off, she heard Rarity give a call
“But you didn’t try one, no not one even at all.
You only took one bite, and that’s still only quite small.”
Zecora carried on, ignoring Rarity’s persistent drawl.
She eventually came to a place with windows so square;
a friendly meeting place for all hungry colts and mares.
Inside selling tasty treats, Mrs Cake stood behind the counter;
chatting to a lavender colt who she had come to encounter.
“Now, Mr Tricondon, what is it you want from me?
How many cupcakes did you want: one, two or three?”
“Just one for me please, and thank you Mrs Cake,
Sugarcube Corner sure does make some tasty bakes.”
As the colt finished his purchase with utmost haste
Cheerilie came in with some other cupcakes encased
“Excuse me, but do these belong to anypony here
The school has had a large batch that has appeared.”
Zecora looked to her with uncomfortable glee
“Was there anything with them Miss Cheerilie?”
“There was a note, nothing much though
Just that there were more rhymes in toe.”
Zecora thanked the mare and headed out
And ran to the school along the fastest rout
I see you’re still following the trail
Do you think it will lead you to the end of this tale?
“Get out of my head you annoying beings!”
You think you can command the writers of this thing?
“You may be the writers but you do not control me!”
Well little zebra, lets wait on that and we’ll see
Zecora could not wait; she ran and rushed about
Heading to the school, where she gave Apple Bloom a shout
‘Howdy Zecora, what brings yah to ma school
Shouldn’t yah be in the forest makin’ somethin’ cool?”
Zecora stood beside her favourite little filly
“Not right now Apple Bloom for that would be quite silly.”
Apple Bloom looked at her friend with a worried expression on her face,
Wondering what trouble her zebra friend, Zecora, had on her case.
“Are you okay Zecora? You don’t look very well
If something is bothering you, then please do tell.”
Zecora heard more little steps, as a gathering of foals
Gathered round her side. The rhyming wouldn’t leave her alone.
She spun around and looked down
upon a tiny pink pony in a diamond crown
“It’s always a pleasure (not) Zecora.
How do you like my new violet fedora?”
Zecora let out a long, low sigh
All these poor rhymes were driving her to suicide
“Zecora you look as if you are about to faint”
said Silver Spoon “Now ain’t that quaint.”
“She didn’t say that.” Zecora spoke under her breath
She didn’t even want to know what rhymes would come next
Oh I think you’ll enjoy the next ones my dear
The next one’s are ours; they’re always a pleasure to hear
Since you clearly do not understand how to play the poetry game
You will hear the next clue from the little pony with no name
“A pony with no name, now I know that does not exist.”
Zecora looked around to find any foal she could have missed.
“Zecora why do yah keep givin’ ar park a check?
Is everythin’ alright; yah got a crick in ya’ neck?”
Zecora tried not to tell Apple Bloom a nasty remark
but really, not everypony, could gain a poetic cutie mark.
“I am looking around for a pony with no name.”
She looked around again but everything remained the same.
“Why everypony has a name around here;
all of Equestria and all other places that are near.”
Applebloom approached her “Zecora please
What’s got yah so scared in the knees?”
“It’s nothing little filly, but no-one I must find.”
After this statement Apple Bloom worried her friend had lost her mind.
“Looking for a pony called No-One you say?
Well my dear zebra, it’s your lucky day.”
She spotted the calling foal under a tree in their location
“What is it you want? Do you have some information?”
“Indeed I do mam, for you see
the pony you seek sits under this tree.
For I am No-One, and No-One is me
Do you find that quite so hard to believe?”
“A pony called No-one; that name I’ve never heard.”
Zecora thought this answer was genuinely quite absurd.
But then again ‘Rhyme’ and ‘Riddle’ seemed quite absurd to
So it was quite possibly that this had been their clue.
“Please could you tell me; have you anything to say?”
No-one went silent; he didn’t seem to understand anyway.
“What you seek is weak” said the filly sat with the foal.
Finally Zecora understood, it wasn’t no-one at all.
The pony with no name is where the next clue came
And with No-One, was somepony who did have a name.
“Is it you little one? Who I have come for to look?”
The foal didn’t look; she was too enthralled in her book.
“Perchance my dear, could I see what your reading?”
Zecora asked just slightly above pleading
The filly shrugged and tossed her the book
Which had the title ‘Books are a Hook’.
“Can I have my book back now? I only have left a bit
to read before to the library I have to return it.”
Zecora was sorry for causing the bookworms procrastination
“Of course you may; I know now where is my next destination.”
With a nod farewell, she took her leave
And headed to the place where she believed
Would be her final solution
And finally this horrific poetry would come to a sudden conclusion.
So you think you’ve found us, is that right?
Well lets see if your cast gets a bite
“Are you acting like I’m the catch of the day?”
Well, sure, it’s much more fun that way.
Zecora pushed the voices into the endless blue
And trudged on till her destination was in view.
She gave one last prep for what was in store
And carefully knocked again on Twilight’s door.
Twists and Turns are our major plan
Then find the answers back where you began.
Zecora shook her head, trying not to listen to the voices.
It was up to her, not them, how she made her choices.
“Zecora!” stated Twilight with a sleepy messed up mane;
Zecora strode in; not even stopping to explain.
“Zecora what is the meaning of this?
You can’t just barge in whenever you wish!”
“Twilight we have a problem; there is great trouble.”
Yes and it’s about time you were introduced to the double.
A double of bards, imprisoned in a land with no rhyme
but now we’ve come back rhyme is all you will find.
The shelves shot out books; the books shot out words
Such a loud noise you could never had heard.
Words barked like dogs; words hissed like snakes
Twilight was terrified; she didn’t know how much more she could take.
“You do not scare me” Zecora gulped, filled with fear
“Now you go and leave us; leave us right here!”
Oh please we’re just beginning to have some fun
And you don’t expect us to go, this poetry’s not quite done.
“Then when will all of your tyranny end.”
Not right now, we have a message to send.
Can I send it?...Of course it needs both you and me...
Together we will inspire some perfect poetry.
For I am the Riddle... and I am the Rhyme...
and we have created poetry that lasts through all time.
Who could ever beat us? Zecora, will it be you?
Huh...no chance...you couldn’t even understand our clues.
“I did understand them, they all led me to here.”
Yes but you didn’t quite get it...we were always somewhere near.
In the shop as a dummy. In the cafe as a chair,
Even in the schoolyard, as the foals; always there.
“As a foal? You were acting as a phony?”
No we were No-One and the little Somepony
Don’t you recognise our innocent little eyes?
“Well, how could I when you were wearing a disguise?”
A disguise its true, they must have worn
for as foals they had both been unicorns.
But now when they stood creating this fuss
They had both magically turned into a pegasus.
Like our new wings, quite spectacular we believe
We can be whatever words we want to weave
“Does that mean that you have strong magic?”
asked Twilight “Because that would be quite tragic.”
“Oh please make this dreadful rhyming stop.”
You can’t always return what you’ve bought
The same principle goes for our rhymes
Which flow soft and sweet to the music of chimes
“The music of chimes, it’s more like a gong.”
What, do you not like our rhyming time song?
That sings like a herald, and lulls like a lullaby.
And just at that moment Twilight gave a big sigh.
She yawned and she stretched, rolling out onto the floor.
Looks like she couldn’t take the rhyming double any more.
How about you zebra, ready to submit to our power
Then we can all live together like bees and like flowers
“What you do is wrong, forcing others to rhyme!”
So I take it you're a ‘no’ this time?
“Well of course, are you clinically insane?”
Rhyme can we get rid of her now? She’s becoming a pain.
Very well Riddle, if we must do so
Though I’d hoped not to stoop so low
Both ponies circled the zebra like a pack of vicious hunters
Are you ready Zecora, to become another poetic punter?
“I do not fear you, rhyming fiends”
She spoke as they closed the gap between
her and their terrifying selves
They jumped and into her mind they delved.
Eggs, and snails and puppy dogs tails;
All came sailing out along train track rails
Every single poem known to pony kind
Drifted and wandered along her torn up mind.
“What is this madness?” The zebra exclaimed
This is the wonders of a rhythmic brain
And if you join us my little striped one
Then every day you can have this much fun.
“I’ll never submit to your wicked ways!”
Then you’ll regret it for the rest of your days
Suddenly Zecora’s vision went true blue
And a cold chill ran from her head to her hooves
Looking down, she was shocked to find
That her entire body was in a cold bind
Wrapped neatly and tightly by ropes of ice
Her mind began to think and to their view became enticed
“I will, I will do what you say
For I know that rhyming is the only way.”
Zecora’s eyes widened in glorious shock
Her verses were back, she’d gotten past the lock
“Oh glory glory be, I have found my poetry.”
Zecora was as pleased as pleased could be.
“But I thought with me you were going to destroy
and discard me like an old broken toy.”
And why would we do that, we may ask?
You are an important member of our stories great cast
And without our cast, we’d have no story to tell
And then we’d feel unhappy because nothing would be well.
Instead we want you to be our screenwriter
And help us write poems that can be all nighters
“You want me to have an important job,
And the ponies will be happy; they won’t form a mob?”
You’re catching on Zecora, but will you take
What has been presented to you on a silver plate?
“Answer my question, please will you reply
Will the ponies be happy or will they sit and cry?”
Someponies like to rhyme and find it rather pleasant
Others can be critical and squawk like angry pheasants
But in the end, if all us rhymers stand together
We can make the critics see that rhyming is more than just clever.
Zecora nodded and understood all they had said
She knew more than anypony the hatred of rhymes some ponies kept.
“And if I join in spreading the great verse
You can promise nopony will ever be hurt?”
Of course we’re poets, not deadly insane assassins
All you have to do is sign the sheet, and your position can begin.
Zecora thought over their offer for a little while, there and then
Then signed on the dotted line with a scrawly pegasus pen.
And what happened after that you ask, little foals who’ve gathered round
Well listen to your own voices, listen to their sound.
Can you not hear the beat? Can you not hear the rhythm?
Do you see the little rhymes that are shouting out within them?
Look at us, the royal bards, telling this to you
Has this story given you a little clue?
Of who we are, and the reason we have come to be,
so that all little ponies will know the true genius of poetry.
For I am the Riddle....and I am the Rhyme,
and we have watched this land grow for quite a large space of time.
Zecora works for us, coming up with new solutions
and we have done our job: Now all you ponies must go and start a
POETRY REVOLUTION!
