A Hardened Warrior

Chapter 9 - One Last Trail

“Rainbow, I really doubt he would be stupid enough to go near Zecora, let alone her home.”

“But Twilight, we haven’t talked to her before, don’t eggheads like you check every place?”

“Fine! I’ll go talk to her later today, I have some errands to run.”

“I’m coming with you, remember what happened last time you went alone?”

“Yes... I’ll come get you when I’m ready to go. Just be ready.” Rainbow Dash flew off without word as Twilight continued into the marketplace to pick up some notes from Lyra. The stalker pony who watched Roderick when he was working, and taking notes on him. She had taken quite a while, filtering through her own fixations and her true notes.

After the awkward conversations between the two unicorns, Twilight headed off to find Rainbow Dash, who was performing like usual in the air.

“Rainbow Dash!” That got her attention.

“Yeah? You ready to go Twilight?”

“Yes, let’s get going, the sooner the better.”

The two began trotting to the edge of the Everfree Forest. Once they arrived, they found the right path to Zecora’s home, and began the long walk. As usual, the further they went in, the darker it got. The girls had gone through here enough to not be afraid at every second, but they still were worried something could jump out and attack them. But nothing ever did, and they reached Zecora’s, who, wasn’t home...

“Oh no...”

Roderick and Zecora were chatting in a peaceful meadow he had discovered her in, attempting to find some ingredients for some form of anesthesia. She hadn’t seen him trying to sneak away, until he stepped on the infamous ‘twig that came from nowhere’. At first, she thought he was just another Everfree creature, but knew better as he motioned to walk away, after muttering an apology.

“So... you’re a... zebra?”

“Indeed, I brew many a potion, to set cures, in motion.”

’This one is so... annoying, why do you tolerate her? She has nothing to benefit you.’

‘She has understanding, that, and I love to see you angry and annoyed.’

’I hate you so...’

‘Love you too’

“I’ve been plagued by this... ‘disease’...”

“And what disease would that be? I know of many.”

“Nightmare.”

’HAH! look at her eyes! I never knew throwing my name around like that could be so frightening, you should do that more often.’

The zebra’s eyes became pinpricks, and she started to take off, when she heard her name. She turned around to find the source of the voices, and turned back to look at Roderick, but he was gone.

‘You remind me of a tame beast of Encablossa...’

’Who?’

“Zecora!” Twilight shouted.

“Zecora!~” Rainbow yelled.

They had been out here for a while, and the sun was reaching the 3p.m. mark. They found Zecora, frightened like a filly who thought she saw the boogeypony.

“Zecora! What’s wrong?”

All she mustered to say was “Nightmare...”

That was enough to worry them all. Zecora was able to stand, so they rushed her back to Ponyville. She was staying in the Ponyville Library, for a few days. They contacted the rest of the girls so Zecora didn’t have to re-explain the story more than once. What they heard, didn’t frighten them, but confused them. Twilight sent a letter to the princess.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Zecora, the zebra herbalist in the Everfree Forest, encountered the human today. She explained what she saw, but it seems as if he’s holding Nightmare back. We’re not quite sure on the details however. Zecora is currently staying in the library with Spike and I.

Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.

And no sooner than a few seconds, there was a reply. One that would normally take a pony a few minutes to write.

Dear Twilight,

I would like to ask that ‘Zecora’ comes to see me in my castle tomorrow, I would like to ask her many questions. There are things that nopony should know, and I prefer to keep it to myself. If you see him, attempt to restrain him. But do so with caution, we are still dealing with Nightmare, the same being that took control of my own sister, Luna.

Ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia

‘Think they’ll send an army to comb through the forest?’

’No, they don’t have the guts to look in this forest.’

‘Hm... What other races are there in this world?’

’Griffins, dragons, diamond dogs, zebras, ponies...

‘I see, which of them are closest?’

’Besides the ponies? Griffins. Why? Are you going to finally listen to me?’

‘No, I will simply explore the world, and defeat those who are evil, such as yourself. I will rid this world of what I can.’

’So cliché...’