It was early in the evening inside the Everfree forest. The sun was only slightly still visible during to twilight hours of the day as a cloaked figure wandered through the forest with a lantern in one hand and a fighting staff in the other. The wind blew through the trees and the sound of the nocturnal creatures echoed through the now darkening forest. The figure’s gaze shifted around, fully alert should any creatures decide on attacking them. This pony...or rather this zebra was out looking for a special kind of flower that only bloomed at night. This flower was known as the ‘moon drip’. A special flower used in healing tonics that mostly involved healing sicknesses like the flu and severe colds. And can only be found on nights of the full moon.

“Hopefully I can find this precious flower soon, or I may have to wait until the next full moon.”

She said as she continued her way to finding the area she remembered this flower grew. It was deep within the forest. And could only be found in a place near a small body of water that has been called the ‘Moon Pool’. It got its name from the way it glows in the moonlight that shines directly upon it through the opening of the trees and glimmers with a beautiful light gray light just as the moon does. She continues her way through the forest as the lantern provides her with an abundant source of light. Little did she know that she had a rather large predator stalking her from the shadows. And that once she made it to where she was going, it would decide to make its move.

Eventually, the zebra made it to the moon pool which was as beautiful as ever to see. She lowers her hood, revealing a rather beautiful zebra mare with lovely sky blue eyes. She wore a golden necklace and had golden earrings in both of her ears. And the African accent she spoke in only made her more alluring with her voice. She walks over to the side of the water and begins to pick the flowers, a smile forming on her face as she did so.

“Aaah, these are the flowers that I need. Now I must pick them with great speed. Being out here this late is less than wise, but at least I was able to find my prize.”

She said with a light giggle to herself as she finished gathering what she needed. As she finished up and closed her bag, there was a sudden low growl coming from the bushes behind her. The zebra took a defensive stance with her staff right away as her eyes shifted around. Though she was within the moon’s light, whatever was out there was shrouded in shadow and she did not like being out in the open where the predator could see her. She decides to make a run for it, taking her lantern and running through the forest as fast as her legs could take her. She was a fairly fit zebra, those soft and curvy, she had plenty of muscle under all that. As she has been seen meditating upside down on a stick staying perfectly still. The predator in question followed closely behind, letting out a roar as it charged toward her. She was able to dive out of the way just in time before it could grab her with its sharp fangs. Once she got a good look at the creature she suddenly started fearing for her life.

“A manticore! If its stinger hits me, I am done for!”

And of all nights to forget her anti-venom as well. The situation was bad for her as well, her lantern was burning out. And without any light, she was certainly going to end up as the creature’s next meal. She wasn’t going to go down without a fight, however. All she could do was stand her ground and hope that she could somehow win this battle with her life. The manticore circled around the zebra, eyeing her like a piece of fresh meat. With one swift movement, the creature leaps into the air towards her.

Somepony,please help me!

She screamed in her mind. Just as the creature was mere feet away from her, a sudden loud and heavy rush of hoofsteps echoes through the forest.

"HRRRRAAAAGH!"

Shouted the voice of the giant-sized male as his shoulder connected with the still midair beast. He swung his arm as he pushed the manticore back a good twenty feet, sending it flipping and tumbling through several trees as the fell from the impact. The zebra looked up at the giant figure with wide eyes. Somepony actually came! She was overjoyed to see her savior before her. And the strength he possessed to fling a creature that size at the distance he did. She was truly amazed

“Ah yes, that is the creature I was hunting for. Looks like we both get what I want this night huh?”

Before she could speak, the manticore charges at Mystogan with full intent to kill. Mystogan, however, stood ready for a good fight. He drew his sword and immediately went for the prize he was seeking. He began wrestling with the beast,climbing on top of it and rolling around with it until he finally got its tail in his hand. He lets out a mighty roar of his own and begins to slam the creature over his head and on the ground multiple times with both hands. Eventually, he tired the manticore out for a few minutes. He took his blade to the beast’s tail and severed it with one quick swipe of his sword. The now severed limb flailing and convulsing about. He wasted no time in placing to tail into his satchel and looked to the now bleeding out Manticore. Before pulling out his hand from his satchel, he grabs a vial containing a...blue fire? He breaks the vial in his hand and opens it to reveal a blue flame now resting in his palm. He lets out an almost draconic like roar as the fire flew forward and started to burn every single part of the manticore out of existence. Not even ash was left behind. Once that was over, he takes out a cloth from under his cloak and wipes the blood from his sword, then slides it back into his sheath and turns to the now shocked zebra who seemed to still be shaken up. He walks over to ehr and crouches down in front of her, offering his hand to help her up.

“That was a close call. Wouldn’t you agree?”

She gets a good look at his face with what remaining light existed in the lantern that now laid beside her. Clearly, he was a pony, but one of uncommon size to be sure. Nonetheless, she was grateful to her rescuer. She gladly takes his hand and pulls herself up from the ground as he also lifts her to her hooves.

“I thank you, kind stranger. Because of your bravery and valor, I was saved from great danger.”

Mystogan blinked as he noticed she spoke in rhymes. He was rather curious about that. But he was more than happy to help her. He’d never let another pony meet such a terrible end especially when he could prevent it. He stands back up from his crouched position. The zebra tilts her head back as she gazes up at the mountain pony in awe. She was amazed at his sheer size.

“My goodness. To see a stallion in such size...it makes me question my eyes.”

Mystogan lets out a laugh and nods, reassuring her that he was indeed that size.

“Yes, I am a mountain pony. We come this large naturally. Though from what I can tell, you are no regular pony yourself. I think...you are called a...zebra. Yes? And I am curious. Why is it you speak in rhymes? I imagine it must be rather hard to find the right words when speaking to another pony while trying to make them rhyme. Not that it’s a bad thing of course.”

Nopony had really ever asked her why she rhymed. He was certainly the first. She nodded her head as he said she was a zebra. She averted her eyes with a slight blush on her face. He was different just as she was. She felt like she could tell him.

“Well, I rhyme because it is unique. Back where I am from, my kind looked nearly all the same. So to distinguish myself from the others, I started rhyming to gain a little bit of…..individuality. And it just became a habit.”

“Well, you are here now. Ever think that you don’t have to do such things anymore? After all, you are in a land where your kind’s number is only you. Just as I am the only mountain pony here as well. There is no need to force yourself to sound so unique anymore. After all, from what I can tell, you are already unique, to begin with. You...well, you are an exotic beauty from afar. And I won’t lie, your voice and accent are very alluring.”

Zecora felt a blush come across her muzzle as he said those words. She had never been called beautiful by another pony before. And his words of kindness only made her feel all fuzzy and warm on the inside. A feeling she had only felt a few times in her life.

“These are kind words you say. They have most certainly made my day.”

Mystogan smiled to her, happy he was able to make her feel better after that close brush with death. He reaches into his satchel and pulls out another vial that had a glowing white liquid in it. He squeezes it and the glass shatter, he opens his hands up as a glowing orb of bright light shines in the area, almost as if it was daytime and hovers overhead.

“Shall I walk with you back to your home? Just in case something happens again? Or will you be fine on your own?”

Zecora thought about it for a moment. She certainly wouldn’t mind his company, that much was clear. But her hut may not be the most comfortable size for a stallion of his size. But he did offer her to accompany her back to her home. So how could she say no to her savior?

“I..I would like that very much. And thank you again for your words. I..I feel like I can speak normally around you because you understand the way I feel in these lands. Though since I have been rhyming for so long, It may slip out from time to time.”

Mystogan shakes his head lightly.

“Well, I won’t mind. It’s actually pretty adorable when you do it. So a few slips here and there will be no problem at all.”

They walked and talked about random things as they walked through the forest. Predators certainly stayed away from the zebra now that a monstrous-sized pony walked with her. They wanted no part of that after seeing what had happened to the manticore. When Mystogan got around to telling Zecora that he was an alchemist, and that was the reason why he needed the manticore’s tail. Its venom was necessary for a project he was working on

“You are an alchemist? That is quite the lovely surprise. I am a herbalist. Though, my work mostly involves potions and cures. I have heard that alchemist specializes in all fields.”

“Well, as an alchemist, I can create potions of all kinds. Not only that, but I can also create handmade magic. Though it requires a structural matrix to activate the magic, otherwise it will not work once I release them from the containers Is you saw earlier. Without the circle, it would just be a mess in my hands.”

Zecora blinked in curiosity as she looked for these circles on his hands. However, she did not see them. Mystogan noticed her curious gaze and stopped to remove his gauntlets. And there they were. The circles in their structure burned deep within his skin, fully scarred over and inked. Zecora frowned at this when she thought of the pain he must have had to endure to get these on not just one, but both palms. Mystogan noticed the expression on her face and shook his head quickly.

“I-it didn’t hurt that much, I promise! And it was my choice to become an alchemist and take on multiple fields. So please, don’t feel bad.”

“I understand it was your choice to make. But still. It seems rather..self-destructive to become an alchemist. And as a healer and medicine maker. It is my job to heal wounds. So it pains me to see that these markings have been placed upon your hands.”

She said as she took one of his large hands into both of hers and lightly rubbed the scarred areas of his hand. The skin that she felt from the markings was smooth and shiny. Thankfully it was only the markings that were the scarred tissue. She felt his thick fur that covered the untouched skin. She wanted to feel it more but pulled away when she saw a slight blush across his muzzle.

“Goodness me..I did not mean to overstep my boundaries.”

Mystogan understood her curiosity. It isn’t every day two very different species of equines get to see one another. He just slid his gauntlets back on and nodded to her again.

“It’s quite alright. You just...have a nice and gentle touch is all.”

Eventually, they made to Zecora’s hut just as the glowing orb gave out. Mystogan stood next to Zecora’s door as she opened it up. She looks up at him with a warm smile. Her eyes gazing up into his. She liked the way his eyes looked. They even shared the same sky blue color as hers did.

“Thank you for making sure I got home safely. I’d invite you in, but I don’t think you’d be comfortable in such a small space. My name is Zecora by the way.”

“And my name is Mystogan. And Zecora is a wonderful name for a pretty zebra mare such as yourself. If you are ever on the outskirts of Ponyville, you can spot my home rather easily. It’s the only one with stone walls and roofing.”

“I...I would like that. You are certainly an interesting stallion, Mystogan. Perhaps you could show me your skills in alchemy should I come and visit.”

“And I am sure there is plenty you could show me as well with your mastery of medicines and potions as well, Zecora. Feel free to come by anytime you need assistance.”

She gave a nod and a more narrow-eyed gaze at him with a sultry smile. This made Mystogan’s heart nearly skip several beats.

“I..most certainly will come see you. For one as handsome and as strong as you, I would gladly come see you in a day or two.”

Mystogan chuckled as she rhymed at him again. He lifted his hand in a wave as he slid his hood up over his head.

“Goodnight Zecora, sweet dreams to you.”

“And you as well, Mystogan. Hopefully I will see you in mine…”

Mystogan’s muzzle blushed once again as he heard that. Which only made him quicken his walking speed back to his own home. This was certainly something he’d have to write in his book about. He suddenly ehard his stomach rumble as he walked about as well. Having to use as much strength as he did, the stallion had to get something to eat. This being one of his weaknesses. Should he not get enough to eat, his strength can faulter from time to time.

Author's Note

I may ship these two. But I may also ship him with Twilight as well. So we will see what happens later in the story!

May the darkness grant you peace.