//-------------------------------------------------------// Ithemba’s Journey -by Ingoma- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Part 1-The Journey //-------------------------------------------------------// Part 1-The Journey Come my friends do not tarry, I know this forest might make you wary I’ve lived for many moons under this canopy, But I’m still here, not in a monsters belly Ah, here is my house tucked inside this tree Wipe your hooves when you come in, now where is that tea? Feel free to help yourself to any of my treats It might not be much, but they are my best eats! Do you need anything before we begin? It’s quite a long tale once we’re in ... ... Now, my friend you have came To here the story of ‘The One of No Name’ I laugh at what the history book said For Ithemba is not nameless nor dead The pony books mention her rarely, save for the books of sing For to ponies the tale is quite embarrassing But her tale lives on in zebra myth and song And I knew her for quite a time long Ithemba? Well she is royal and brave As I mentioned all of Zebrican she saved! Now stop asking questions, and let me start the story And you will hear of Ithemba and all her glory oOOo A long time ago, Zebra’s roamed free They lived in the wild, with hopes and dreams While ponies fought about horns and wings Zebras had never had any of those things They were all stripped the same, black and white They never fought for the things that ponies would fight So while the zebras life could be tough They knew that what they had was enough Until the day that Ubel arrived... And all the things that Zebras for strived Were destroyed in fire and fear And nothing could be done to save the from here ... ... ... Ubel was a griffin from a far off land A normal peasant with followers, a small band The Zebras of Amanimane welcomed the stranger of eagles eyes But that soon turned out to be their demise Ubel saw the gold, the rivers and seed And his black griffin heart was filled with greed He enslaved the village of Amanimane And forced them to work in mines in chains Ubel gathered much riches and other such fairs But his unshakable greed did not stop there He attacked the villages and many a tribe fell And some, to survive, other zebras would sell Thus the zebras were hurt and Ubel seemed to win But from these ashes, and new story would begin Ithemba was born, but hidden away Her parents hoped that free she could stay They taught her music, and the Equss speech And hoped that with her, Equestria was in reach Ithemba learned pony ways, and before she was grown Was sent off to find the worlds unknown Many days and nights did she travel along But her heart was steadfast and her spirit strong With a drum on her back, and a water skin she went Ready to face any trial foe or enchantment Ithemba came to the River of Blood and Tears Where a Rompo was terrorizing the Abada near The Abada came to Ithemba and said ‘Help us, great zebra, or all of us shall be dead’ But Ithemba giggled and said to the tribe ‘Fear not, Abada, this Rompo is kind Don’t be deceived by its odd looks A Rompo mustn’t be judged by the cover of a book Let me have an animal who died of age And let me show you, how to a Rompo cage’ While some, the strangers words protested They hurried and gave what Ithemba requested Ithemba walked with courage to the beast And called ‘Come here Romeo, and please have a feast ‘Show these Abada that Rompo don’t kill But feast on things that died of ill’ The Rompo was hungry and begged for the meat Ithemba pet and gave him a bit of the treat ‘Abada, next time look and see Before you hate one who is quite kindly!’ Ithemba left the tribe with many gifts Ready to start on her journey swift oOOo For many moons, Ithemba traveled across the plains Her courage and wisdom, many lives did save But soon a different delema she’d face One of a different kind of place ‘Oh what a sight to greet me Here at the Endless Salty Sea The sun is setting, the waves roar I must find a way to cross from the shore But I have not a boat to sail So what can I do? I mustn’t fail! As she pondered this question, a white pony appeared And came to Ithemba, to beg for help here ‘My zebra kin, please help me to learn And help I will give to you in turn’ Ithemba asked what help she’d need ‘Oh, help me learn Equss please! I have came from afar, my kingdom to claim But I can’t rule if I don't speak language same’ Ithemba quickly agreed to teach For passage to Equestrian beach So the pony, zebra and the rest of the crew Set off to sail the ocean blue They sailed through calm and gentle breeze And fought through the thunder of stormy seas Ithemba taught Equss to the pony and soon The pony could speak it better then Ancient Neighrune But lo! Soon came p a shouting cry Land Ho! Land Ho! We haven’t died! The ship was docked at a place Manehatten Pony and Zebra, no more the ship will sat in! Ithemba’s capanion then told her a tale Of a kingdom of goddesses who were of ail Unable to live, they sent some away In hopes that a new place they could stay And it was then the pony released her disguise And became an Alicorn, fear in Ithemba’s eyes Her mane was blown, by aetherly winds Her height was tall, her coat fair, but not thin She looked and smiled at Ithemba’s fear Said ‘Oh my little pony, please come near I will not hurt you, I love to have fun It’s not often I get to spend time with someone” Ithemba looked up at the alicorn, her inside the same ‘Oh please, great ruler, please just tell me your true name “I am Celestia, that’s all you must know I am a young alicorn, and ruler of ponies those This is my kingdom, This is my place But they view me as ruler, from wings on my back to horn on my face They think I’m eternal that I’ll always be And that only two alicorns roam the world free But you, Ithemba, I saw your plite In my subject, I hope, help is in sight Most have not known of Zebras from your far land But we are a kind folk, and should give you hoof or hand But now I must fly, to my palace once more Or Starswhirl will find me not at his door Farewell Zebra, good luck to you Aenil cin’ll n- if you aim for the moon Author's Note The first part of an epic poem about a Zebra freeing her ponies. Please tell me where I can improve, and as an added challenge, answer in rhyme!