It was with great reverence that Luna placed the last of the gems into the frame of the mirror portal leading to Zebrica. She stepped back, nervously narrowing her eyes should the mirror explode into a hail of glass shards, but found her concerns were unfounded as the portal came to life with a sound not dissimilar to the piercing sound of a balloon being deflated, but in reverse.

"Well, that does appear to be it, the portal is now operational."

"And none too soon," said Twilight. "We really need to be getting on with this. I hate to think what the situation in Zebrica is if Faust's invading."

"Rushing in blindly isn't going to help anything either."

"I vote for rushing in blindly!" Trixie shouted from in the distance.

Luna's expression went flat, "I despise the echo in this room. Anyway, we won't even know where the portal will bring us to at this point, so-"

"You're advising caution?"

Luna nodded once, "Always."

"Surprised I am not." Twilight spent a moment studying the reflected image in the mirror, but couldn't really tell what it was. It was dark with streaks of light shining across it, and seemed to be showing no floor. "Let's not be reduced to a snail's pace though, because, y'know, war bad."

"Then let us see if our merry troupe is ready."

Both Luna and Twilight made for the observation area, which was abuzz with activity, and actual buzzing in Mayfly's case, as preparations were made to head on the next leg of their journey. The only ones that seemed to be ready were Ember, Nightmare, and Trixie, because Ember was bringing nothing, and the others tended to not worry beyond having food and water. Autumn Blaze, the kirin in the mix, also seemed to be ready, but she was just sat looking confused.

The rest at least did seem to be almost ready, with the massive exception being Moondancer, who was fretting over piles of notes as Sunset got her to try and stop freaking out.

"But what if I forget which crystals we need?"

"There are literally two types we need."

"But what if I don't get the right ones to successfully carry the binding spell? What if I forget the binding spell?"

"I have no idea why you think you need to remember it at this point."

"What if-"

"Nope. Moondancer, everything is going to be fine."

"Don't say that!" Trixie gasped. "Never assume anything is going to be fine."

"Alright, but something might go fine, and it might as well be this. You know what we need, so stop stressing." Sunset picked up a small case and opened it, showing a padded interior with six spaces cut into it. "We even have room for extras in the unlikely event that we don't pick the perfect ones."

"Right, right... you're right. But what if-"

"Damn it Moondancer," Trixie groaned, "pack your stuff!"

"I'm trying to!"

"You only own like one jumper and a pair of glasses!"

"Do you ever get the feeling that the fate of the world often ends up in the claws of the wrong people?" Ember said to Lightning, who was finishing up her own packing.

"You're the only one with claws here, so you tell me." Lightning deftly fastened her bags using the tips of her wings, "Also, fuck you, we're awesome."

"Heck yeah we are!" Rainbow said, flying down between them in an attempt to grab both of them around the shoulders. It failed spectacularly when she remembered the considerable difference in height and size between them, and also that hugging dragons wasn't a winning decision, so she gave up. "We're going to kick some Mareitanian ass right out of Zebrica!"

"And what are you basing that on? Our own amazing attempt to keep Equestria safe?"

Rainbow deflated at Lightning's words, "No... obviously not."

"The zebras don't even have an army."

"Alright, fine, don't mind me having some optimism."

"Consider it done."

Twilight sat, her own optimism flagging a little. How in the world they thought they were going to help the zebras fight off the invasion was ridiculous. Not to insult the zebras as they had some very skilled warriors, but they had no official army, and it was unlikely that their own addition would turn the tide. Maybe Zebrica would fall, just as Equestria did. Maybe it wouldn't matter, so long as they got what they needed from there.

Twilight pushed the thought away, refusing to let it bring her down. She had plenty of other stuff to worry about instead. "I forgot to ask, Ember, but did you bring that crystal back from High Rock?"

"I did, and I hid it on the roof of your castle, just like you asked." Ember folded her arms and smirked at Twilight, "Not sure it's going to do what you want though."

"If it can get the Mareitanians in Equestria to start questioning things, it helps. If not, well, we've not really lost anything either." Twilight shrugged at Ember, "The most it would ever do is give us a bit of an edge."

"Uh-huh, well, whatever. Are we ready to go now? All this hanging around is really not helping my cool."

"Almost," Sunset called from where she was quickly helping Moondancer finish packing. "A couple minutes and we'll be done."

"Good."

"Uh, I have a question."

Twilight looked over to where a hoof was being held up. It was noticeably cloven. "Yes, Autumn?"

"I still have no idea how to do that thing you're expecting me to do."

"We're only asking you to try."

"I don't even know how to do that! At the very most my village might listen, and that is a fairly significant might as it is. I really don't think I can do this."

"Which part of trying is confusing you?" asked Trixie. "Is it the part where we're only asking you to try?"

"Thousands of kirin are possibly going to die if I fail, so excuse me if I'm a little worked up about it!"

"Hey, it's cool, don't worry about it. You're talking to ponies that have got more ponies killed than there are kirin currently existing, so we know what you're talking about."

Autumn swallowed, a slightly disturbed expression on her face. "How does that help me to not worry about it?"

"Not sure." Trixie shrugged, "It sounded way better in my head. Maybe telling you that you won't be responsible for the deaths of those kirin if you fail would've been better? Oh well, too late now."

Twilight walked up to Trixie and placed a tip of a hoof on her lips. "For the love of Celes- Hmm, can't really say that any more. For the love of something, please shush."

"You can't contain me forever."

Twilight pushed Trixie away and turned to Autumn. "Look, I now this is a big thing to ask, but the kirin have thrown their lot in with Faust, which makes them an enemy for a lot of people. If they can't be talked out of changing their mind, then they face the possibility of being killed, but it won't be your fault in the slightest."

"It certainly won't feel that way."

"I know, I really do, but that's just how this goes, and there's not really anything that can be done about it."

"Perhaps if you could convince them that none of us are their enemies," Cadence said to the kirin, "they might at least decide to not fight quite so hard."

"Alright, I'll try." Autumn sat and held her head in her hooves. Twilight expected her to say more, but the kirin remained silent, so she gave her a small pat on the back, and moved on to gather her own belongings together.

"And I think we're done," Sunset announced. "Moondancer is officially ready to go."

"Excellent," Luna cheered. "In that case it is high time we departed." Picking up her own minimal belongings, Luna led the way to the portal, where Starsy's avatar was waiting for them. "Sorry to leave you on your own like this."

"I'll live. I'm actually here to give you a little piece of advice."

"And what might that be?"

"Don't screw this up. Really, seriously, do not screw this up."

"Highly motivational, thank you." Luna moved past Starsy, giving him a passing glare as she did, then started to go through the portal when her legs turned to jelly, and she fell over, smacking her head on the side of the portal. "Uunnghh... ow."

"Are you alright?" Cadence asked urgently, quickly trotting up to Luna to help her up. "What happened?"

"I'm not entirely sure. That was most peculiar." Luna pulled herself up with Cadence's proffered hoof, and cautiously poked her head through the mirror. A second later she sat fast enough to make a slapping sound against the ground as she pulled her head back through. "Ah, it appears as though the mirror is lay down flat."

Trixie snirked at Luna, "And how is that enough to make you fall over?"

"Gravity from two directions at once does tend to confuse one's sense of balance."

"Then maybe you just need a run up." Trixie backed up a little, then went into a gallop, flying through the mirror. In the reflection they could see Trixie flailing in the air before flopping unceremoniously back through the mirror and landing on the ground in a heap.

"Very well, Luna, you've made your point."

Twilight rolled her eyes, trying not to show how much she enjoyed that little display. She went up to the mirror, studied it for a moment, then crouched down onto her belly and crawled though, hooking her hooves over the edge of the mirror, and hanging on as the curiously nauseating effects of gravity in two directions made her stomach do a dance.

It appeared as though they were in a junk shop of some kind, as there were shelves covered in all kinds of stuff, ranging from pots, to tools, to abstract sculptures. That also led to her discovering that the portal was also on the top of a stack of other mirrors, and was immediately thankful it wasn't on the bottom.

Twilight started to haul herself through, her back hooves scraping on the floor of the portal chamber until enough of her was through to painfully flop to the ground on the other side, quickly securing the mirrors as the pile started to teeter over dangerously. As soon as she was able to she picked the mirror up and moved it to its proper orientation.

"Nicely, if inelegantly, done," Luna complimented as she came through the portal, looking around and sniffing at the musty air. "A junk trader, hmm? As good a place as any for the mirror to end up I suppose."

"Hopefully it's in Zebrica in that case," Twilight said back. "I'm not sure if I could contain myself if we're back in Saddle Arabia, or somewhere else entirely."

"Quite." Luna made room for the others to start coming in after her. "Nightmare, please disguise yourself. There's only room for one 'Nightwalker' in zebra culture, and I rather it be me."

"Well that's just selfish, especially since the name does sort of belong to me anyway."

"Nightmare..."

"Alright, fine." There was a shimmer, and a grey and blue maned unicorn stood where Nightmare had been. "Better?"

"Much. You'd better change as well, Mayfly," Luna added as the changeling came through the portal. She was pleased as Mayfly disguised herself without a fuss, even though it did make her wonder if Mayfly would be recognised as a changeling after changing like Thorax had.

"This is definitely Zebrica," Daring said as she came through the portal. "You can tell from the building. It does help that most of the stuff in here is zebra made too. Ooh, especially this." Daring scurried off to the corner of the room, and returned with a simple spear decorated with golden feathers placed around the head of the spear like the rays of the sun. "A genuine sunspear, or jua in zebrican. Used for ceremonies celebrating the sun."

"It looks a bit like Celestia's spear, Solaris," said Cadence. "Is that intentional? Do the zebras worship Celestia as the goddess of the sun, or something like that?"

"Once, yes," Luna said quietly, and maybe even a little bitterly. "These days she's just highly respected. Hopefully the Council of Elders won't treat that as significant in light of Faust's invasion of their country."

"Surely they would've been asked to ally with Faust before being invaded?" said Twilight, thinking that they would've at least been offered a similar deal to Saddle Arabia. "Since they haven't joined her, and they're now being invaded, I very much doubt they're interested in what Celestia has to say on anything."

"An astute point," Luna agreed, "but not one we can count on for anything more. Zebrica, while open to traders and travellers, has always refused a greater alliance, which means it's unlikely that we will get one, but forcing the Mareitanians and their allies from these lands would probably give us good odds at getting their aid."

"And why aren't we getting the griffons to help fight them off?" asked Trixie.

"Because zebras don't like griffons, and are highly likely to rebuff their aid, even when desperate. It's also important to note that the Emperor never said anything about helping anyone other than Equestria for now, and I'd rather not push him to fight here as well. Not until we are truly desperate."

"I'm sorry, all I heard then was blah blah blah politics."

Twilight chuckled at Trixie, "That is essentially what she said. Anyway, whatever the reasons, we would still have to-"
Twilight stopped as a door into the room opened, permitting entrance to a small, bespectacled, zebra stallion who was advancing in his years. He froze at the sight of the various ponies, one kirin, and one dragon in his store room, and while curious as to how they got in there without using the door, he started to back out slowly in fear when Twilight gave him her friendliest smile.

"Hi there! Sorry for barging in like this. I don't suppose this mirror is for sale, is it?"

-0-0-0-

Turns out that everything in the shop was for sale, but only if you have the right currency, which was something that they did not possess. Thankfully they had a rare, if slightly used kirin sword to barter with, and haggled the shopkeeper down to the sword, a hay and lettuce sandwich, and a kiss on the cheek from Cadence, although that was possibly given as a bonus out of appreciation. Either way it helped.

So, purchase held aloft in her magic, Twilight led the way out of the shop and into the Zebrican capital of Zanzebra, the white buildings of which shined so brightly that even Twilight felt the need to complain. Nightmare was practically blind.

"I hate the sun, I hate this city, I hate this country, and I hate the sun!"

"You said sun twice," Rainbow pointed out, only to get a pointed glare in return. "Okay, forget I said anything. Sheesh."

"Don't forget how hot it is here," said Trixie. "A little bit warmer and Moondancer might take off her jumper."

Nightmare gasped happily, "Strip! Strip! Stri- wait, Moondancer, ew no. Forget I said anything."

"Shouldn't you be enjoying the sights of Zanzebra?" Luna said to Nightmare as they continued their currently aimless journey. "It has been over a thousand years since we've been here after all."

"I know, but this place is killing my eyes to the point I can't see shit. Besides, we both know you enjoyed your visits to Ammare much more."

"True enough," Luna admitted sheepishly. "That wasn't to say it was the only place I enjoyed."

"If only you'd also enjoyed the company of non-equines like Celestia did."

"There was that gri-" Luna saw the looks she was getting from most of the others, and decided then and there that she was never going to let Nightmare steer a conversation again. "Moving along swiftly, where are we supposed to be heading?"

"To the Kumbi Mzee," said Daring, who had taken on the unofficial role of guide without being asked to, "and the Council of Elders. It's them you need to talk to if you hope to get anywhere here."

"And I'm aware of that much, but where is this Kumbi Mzee..?"

Daring pointed to the highest point of the city, which was visible from most places. On it was a large white building, round and simply constructed, but also quite large. "That is the Kumbi Mzee."

"I see. I suppose we should start heading there and announce our arrival."

"I dare say they already know. The arrival of a dozen ponies, three princesses, a kirin and a dragon, wouldn't have gone unnoticed by the Night Maidens. We're probably being followed right now."

"We are," Twilight confirmed. A zebra mare had been following them for the last few minutes, and while she could legitimately be going the same way they were, it seemed unlikely to her to just be a coincidence. "I assume we're just going to keep going to the Kumbi Mzee?"

"For now," said Luna. "I doubt they'll try anything if we go where they want us to, and I assume that's where they want us to go."

"Alright then. Hopefully we can find Seeker there to vouch for us."

"Seeker?" A smile crept on to Luna's lips, "I must admit I hadn't considered her being here. I wonder how she's doing these days?"

"Only one way to find out."

-0-0-0-

There were guards outside the Kumbi Mzee, wearing some sort of traditional garb consisting of red robes with feathers and grasses woven into it. You might almost think they were only ceremonial if you paid no attention to their extremely practical looking spears. That wasn't the main concern about them though. The biggest one was that they stepped aside to let them enter as they got closer.

"It would seem we're expected," said Luna as she walked past the guards without giving them a second glance. "I'm sure this can only be good news."

They stopped in a reception room. They could only assume it as such because there was a reception with a receptionist. Otherwise it just had some potted plants to liven the place up, and some of the masks the zebras tended to use for decoration. At least that's what Twilight remembered from Zecora's hut in the Everfree forest, but it had been a long time since she'd visited the zebra.

"Welcome ta Zanzebra," the receptionist said in good if heavily accented ponish. She stepped out from behind her desk to bow to the princesses, "I'm afraid de Council is in a meeting right now, but if you would like to wait I shall inform them of ya arrival. I have no doubt they would like to speak with ya as soon as possible."

"Yes, thank you," Cadence said, giving the zebra a small bow and a smile. "I wonder who authorised our entry if the Council is in a meeting?"

"I did." All of them turned to the speaker, finding a mare standing there. She was wearing bands of a dark metal around her neck, as well as a sash of black that went over her chest. "I am Tazama, Mistress of the Night Maidens. I believe I have some of you to thank for Mtafuta's safe return."

"It was no problem, really." Twilight smiled sadly, "I just wish we could've returned her in better condition."

"Considering what she went through, we count ourselves lucky she came back at all." Tazama dismissed the conversation with a wave of her hoof, "I very much doubt you came just to see Seeker though. We have heard from our friends in Saddle Arabia of your intentions, and have also received instructions as to their intentions. Both you and they are taking a risk."

Twilight, Cadence, and Luna all shared a quick glance, as they had been unsure of where Saddle Arabia's loyalties lay after their confusing departure from the country.

"So the Sultan is pretending to be in discussions with Faust to secure a proper allegiance, all while sending her some token soldiers as a show of good faith? Soldiers that are now here in Zebrica?" Twilight shrugged at Tazama as the mare raised an eyebrow at her questioning tone. "Our rejection from Ammare was convincing enough to make us unsure."

"That's what I was informed the situation was."

"Oh good," Twilight breathed with relief, "we don't have to worry about that at least. Well, unless they're deceiving you as well."

"I would not worry about that possibility." Tazama tapped a hoof on the floor, "Enough about that though- Is that a kirin?" Tazama narrowed her eyes at Autumn, "Why is she here? Are you not aware the kirin are fighting for Faust?"

"We are very aware," Luna answered quickly. "We're hoping that Autumn here will be able to convince the other kirin to abandon their alliance with Faust."

"I see." Tazama regarded Autumn coolly for a moment, then shrugged. "I can only wish her luck then. If she can remove the other kirin from the field, our job becomes much easier."

"Have the Mareitanians made much progress into Zebrica?" Luna asked, steering the conversation onto subjects she considered more useful.

"They were making progress even before Faust declared war on us," Tazama replied harshly, almost growling her words. "A beach head was established nearly a week before her declaration. Come with me and I will try to explain the situation."

"Very well. Twilight, Cadence, come with me. The rest of you stay here and try not to get into trouble."

"How hard are we expected to try?" Trixie asked, grinning widely.

"Enough so that you succeed, Trixie."

"Ugh, fine. You heard her ladies, no wrecking the joint."

Luna gave Trixie one last look, then followed after Tazama on a path that led through a curved hallway around what she could only assume was the chamber where the Council was meeting. When they took a doorway that led towards the middle of the building, and they didn't enter the Council Chambers, she was confused enough to ask about the layout.

"The Council meets on the upper floor, while down here is where we, the Night Maidens, are based. Since little more than birds fly in Zebrica, it was deemed safer to have us Night Maidens between them and trouble." Tazama stopped in a larger room, also round, where zebras were working at desks in one half of the room, while in the other a collection of zebras were sparring. Every single one of them was a mare.

"Do no stallions work here?" asked Cadence.

"We are called the Night Maidens for a reason," Tazama replied with a smile. "Although I suppose we are the Wasichana wa Usiku technically, but that's a mouthful even for us, so we tend to use the ponish translation. I realise it may come across as sexist, but that is the tradition. The stallions have their own organisation in the Rangi, but their job is less information focused than ours. We do often work together, as was the case with Seeker, Samsi, and Kipa went they journeyed to Mareitania."

"At your request?" Twilight said, sounding more accusing than she meant to, but unable to stop herself.

"Yes, at my request. Had I known the truth about Mareitania I wouldn't have, but that was rather the point of sending them."

"We would've done our best to inform you had you asked," said Luna.

Tazama went quiet, and for a moment Twilight thought that they'd pushed too hard, but was relieved when Tazama shrugged at them.

"Had I known. Now, come into my office so we can discuss events happening closer to home. Uncomfortably close."

The three princesses followed Tazama into an office off the main area, and sat down in front of a large desk that was scattered with papers, predominantly of which was a map. Zanzebra was located on the coast, and circled around fifty miles to the southeast was the Mareitanians' landing.

"As you can see, a few days march would easily see them in Zanzebra."

"What kind of numbers are we looking at here?" Twilight asked.

"Thousands. At least ten, and more are arriving all the time, either by boat or by magic. Another week and there could be twenty thousand, and there would be little we could do to stop them marching straight in here and taking the capital."

"That's... bad. Um..." Twilight bit her lips and hoped Luna would say something, but the elder alicorn seemed to have little to say on it herself, leaving Twilight to pick up the slack. "What would those forces consist of so far?"

"A few thousand yaks, a couple of thousand kirin, and the remainder ponies of various origination. Considering the army Faust invaded you with, I imagine the rest to arrive would be ponies if there's more coming."

"It would be unlike the Mareitanians to attack without unicorns," agreed Luna. "Have you not tried a pre-emptive attack against them?"

"The kirin have an effective kill zone around their encampment. Anything that enters dies pretty quick. The Rangi have been trying to sabotage what they can, but they are seriously outnumbered, and are at serious risk just trying to get close. All we can really do is hope the Saddle Arabians are doing what we were told they would be doing, and slowing them down. If they are even there yet, that is."

As far as Twilight could tell, things were pretty bleak for the zebras. Without a significant military force of their own to field against the Mareitanians, they would quickly be overrun. It would be just like the invasion of Equestria again, but with incredibly uneven forces, like the Mareitanian civil war'd had.

Twilight almost smacked herself for thinking like that. That wasn't the kind of comparison she needed to make at any time. Yes the Mareitanian forces arrayed against the zebra was analogous to the Duke's solely earth pony army against the rebellion's combined army of earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi, but it was still different enough to not be compared in such a way. For starters, the zebra currently stood less of a chance than the Duchy had at its weakest.

"What about tanks?" Luna enquired as Twilight swam in her thoughts.

"None, but honestly, I don't think they need them with that many yaks on the field." Tazama sighed and traced a line on the map between the Mareitanians and Zanzebra, "I hate to be the one to say it, but whatever it is you might wish from us, I'm not sure we can give it to you with such an imminent threat upon us."

"Then it's a good job that we came to help you." Cadence smiled reassuringly at Tazama, "We aren't going to ask you for anything without offering something in return, even if it is to aid your warriors in the field."

"All of you?"

"Uh, not all of us, no. I'm not much of a fighter. But Princess Luna, and some of the others, would be more than happy to join the fight."

"Indeed," said Luna. "I'm not saying we can turn the tide in your favour, but we can certainly slow it down."

Tazama nodded slowly, appearing as though she was having a lot of ideas very quickly. "The Council would have to approve it, but I very much doubt they would refuse your aid. If you can slow the Mareitanians down, or even keep them contained, that would give us much more time to rally the tribes for war."

"We do have something to ask in return though," said Luna. "I'm sure you're at least semi aware of our efforts to stop Faust, including forming an alliance with the griffons, and hopefully the Saddle Arabians. However, there is something we will need from you if we want the griffons to be effective against the Mareitanians' unicorns. We need your skills in alchemy that can dull the effects of magic."

"That... is a lot to ask," Tazama said sternly. "Again the Council would have to authorise such a thing. Mostly because it's the griffons that would be using it. You are aware that the Empire and we are far from friends, yes?"

"We're not forcing you to work together, or to give your secrets away to them, but if we want to be more effective against the magic proponent of Faust's army, your alchemy is what can give us that advantage."

"That," Cadence said, taking over the conversation, "and we're hoping that our alliance will temper the griffons a bit. If Zebrica were to join as well, that could hopefully put an end to the tensions between you."

"I very much doubt that, but that is not what concerns me. My concern is keeping Zebrica free. If you can do that, I'm sure the Council will be more than willing to listen to any and all requests you might have. Hopefully they should be ready to see you by now."

-0-0-0-

Twilight hadn't expected it from the nominally friendly zebras, but the Council's chamber was quite intimidating. On top of it being quite dark, incense sticks positioned by one of the elders gave the air a thick haze, as well as a pleasant odour. This only gave the seven zebras sat around the room on raised platforms, an even less distinct presence in the room.

Petitioners were required to stand in the middle of the room, which was the finishing touch to the oppressive atmosphere because you could only see some of the seven elders at any one time. As they were led into the chamber, Twilight couldn't help but want to keep turning in circles to try and keep an eye on them. She settled on facing the opposite direction to Luna, so that between them they could see all of the zebras in there.

"Welcome ta Zebrica, princesses," one of the Council said in greeting. Twilight allowed herself to turn enough to see the stallion that had spoken. "I suspect this is far from a social visit though."

"You suspect correctly," Luna said back, giving the stallion a sad smile. "It also seems that we're not the first foreign visitors to your country this last week."

"No, you are not," said another councillor, a mare this time. "We know well enough that you oppose Faust, so tell us, have you come to repel her army from our country?"

"We would be glad to aid in the fight if you wish, and will do so with your permission." Luna raised her head a little, "We will even do so if you refuse our requests."

"Is this to do with your alliance with Saddle Arabia and the Empire?" asked the first stallion. "Would you also wish us to join, to fight against Faust?"

"You would be most welcome if you did want to join us," said Cadence, "and the offer is there to join our alliance, but we actually need other things from you, if you'll consider allowing us to have them."

"Speak then, and we shall see if we here can give what you need," said the elder that was sat by the incense. The rhyming tone of her voice and words made them suspect that she was a shaman, and likely the elder they needed to direct their plea for zebra alchemy to.

"We need access to the old mines beneath Mount Chembechembe."

"You would have to give us a very good reason to allow you in there." Twilight wasn't sure who had spoke that time. The chamber had a tendency to echo. "Disturbing that place could cause considerable damage."

"I though nopo- nozeb- no one lived near the mountain," said Twilight, "out of fear of what could happen."

"Even so," said the voice, which that time Twilight narrowed down to coming from a mare to her right. "Why do you need to go there."

"There are crystals that grow in the caves essential to our goal of stopping Faust, and they only form in there." Twilight shrugged at the elders, "If we could find them somewhere else we wouldn't be asking. We're aware of how potentially dangerous that place is."

"If they wish to stop our mutual foe, then into the caves we must let them go," the shaman said. Twilight wished she could put some names and faces to these zebra, but they seemed determined to hide who they were.

"Agreed," said the first stallion that had spoken. "We could eject her army from our country a hundred times, but until Faust is gone she will just keep trying."

There was a murmur of other agreements from around the room which could only be taken as a good sign. After a moment the stallion stomped his hoof, "Very well, the princesses shall have access to Mount Chembechembe. Now what else would you be asking of us?"

"Your alchemists and shaman can create substances which can provide an immunity against magic, allowing your warriors to survive otherwise deadly spells, and also give your weapons the ability to cut through shields. As you well know, Faust's army has quite a significant magical component, and your alchemy would give us a far better chance of countering that."

Twilight winced at the number of protests she heard, but was at least thankful that not all of the elders were doing so. What gave her the most hope was that the shaman was quiet, which hopefully meant she was at least thinking about it.

"They would give our secrets to the griffons," one of the elders, another male, said loud enough to be heard over the others. "Do you realise what that could to us? They are insulting us by even asking!"

"We're not asking you to share how you make it," Luna said calmly. "We're only asking you for the substance itself. Besides, what could the griffons really gain from learning how to make that one thing? Neither you nor they can use magic. We are the ones most at risk from any potential misuse of it."

"The princess speaks true," said the shaman, "gain nothing on us the griffons do. This suggestion of theirs has merit, and I for one would happily share it."

"Councillor Kifuniko, you support this preposterous idea?"

"I do indeed, Councillor Mareed, and with or without you I will give the ponies what they need."

"You can't do that! Tell her, Fumbo!"

The first stallion, whom they now knew to be named Fumbo, raised his hoof to stop Mareed speaking, "Princess Luna does raise a point in that the griffons possessing the Kuua is no threat to us, so if Councillor Kifuniko supports this idea, then I do as well. It is also beyond us to stop her. All those in favour of providing the Kuua to the ponies, speak now."

Having seven elders did make a lot of sense. Not because the number seven was significant in any way, but because it stopped any decisions getting stalemated by a tie. This was very convenient at this moment because three of the elders voted against giving them the Kuua, while four voted in favour of it.

"I pray we do not come to regret this," Mareed said as a final word. "Is there anything else you wish to steal from us?"

"We are not stealing anything," Luna said stiffly. "We are asking permission."

"Hmph, I see little difference in this case. Good day to you, princesses."

"Ignore him," Fumbo said as Mareed departed. "Mareed makes it his life's work to be difficult."

"His ability to give such sass suggests there is a mighty stick up his ass."

Fumbo rolled his eyes, "Thank you, Councillor Kifuniko."

Kifuniko chuckled as she jumped down from her platform, doing a forward somersault before landing with all the grace of a cat. "A pleasure to meet you, princesses, even in dire times as this."

She was joined a moment later by Fumbo, although he took the much more sedate route of using the steps next to his platform. He smiled warmly, wrinkling the greying stripes on his face. "We truly are grateful you are here. We were starting to worry."

Twilight took a moment to study the two zebras, mostly out of curiosity. Neither of them wore full clothes, although they did wear a sash similar to what Tazama wore, although in the much warmer colours of red and orange. They also wore the neck bands zebras favoured, but in gold. Kifuniko completed her outfit with feathers earrings. She also gave Twilight the impression if not being very old, despite being an elder.

"We are here to help," Cadence said as Twilight wrapped up her inspection. "It's just unfortunate that the kind of help we can give needs to be so violent."

"Not unfortunate for us at all," Fumbo laughed.

"We are glad you are here when our foe is so near. If fight you do, gladly I will share the Kuua with you. Even Mareed will agree to arm you against our true enemy."

"Where have the other elders gone?" Luna asked, noticing that the other five of the Council had left the room.

"We have much to do with little time for pleasantries, I'm afraid," Fumbo replied. "Never any time for tea either," he added with a shake of his head. "I take it that Mistress Tazama has already briefed you on the situation?"

"She gave us the basics," said Luna. "We will be heading to do what we can once we depart."

"The Rangi have an outpost nearby, from which they are coordinating their efforts. Mtafuta is also there, as she among us knows best how the Mareitanians fight."

"Great!" Twilight said excitedly. "It'll be nice to see her again."

"Not so fast, Twilight. You're heading to Mount Chembechembe with Moondancer and whoever you need." Luna bowed apologetically to the two elders, "Sorry, but regardless of the outcome here, we will still need the tools of Faust's downfall. I promise we'll do what we can to stop her army, but if she takes the field herself..."

Kifuniko nodded in understanding, "If Faust were to take the field, it would be wisdom to yield. When faced with such a powerful foe, we would not blame you if you go."

"Quite."

"We'll leave you to make your plans," Fumbo added, bowing quickly to the three princesses before departing with Kifuniko.

"So this is where we split up?" Cadence asked.

"It is. I would like to suggest that you got some experience fighting, but Flurry makes that difficult. Perhaps you should stay here and befriend the locals. Maybe tell them about the many benefits of joining our alliance."

"I'll do what I can."

"And what about me? Who am I going with besides Moondancer?"

Luna couldn't resist rolling her eyes, "No doubt you'll be taking Trixie with you, and likely Sunset."

"We don't know what we'll find there, true, so Trixie might be useful. I might also need Daring's help to find the place. I suppose I might as well take Mayfly while I'm at it."

"Very well, that leaves me Nightmare, Ember, Rainbow, Lightning, and Vapor."

"Don't forget Autumn," Cadence reminded Luna. "She'll need to get in to the Mareitanians camp if she's to have a chance at convincing them to give up."

"Of course," Luna sighed, "how could I forget? Very well. Twilight, I would very much appreciate you and Trixie getting back to me as soon as you can, because no doubt I'll be needing your help."

"We'll be as quick as w can. Now then, if there's nothing else, let's get on with it."

Author's Note

And we're off to Zebrica, just in case the chapter name and chapter didn't give it away. Hoping to spend a bit more time here than in previous places, just for funzies.