A Foreign Evil

The exquisite city of Canterlot was already bustling and full of life as a cloaked figure made her way through the busy streets in search of the royal palace.

Most of the ponies surrounding her payed little attention at first as she moved past them without so much as a sound, but the mysterious brown cloak and hood concealing most of her body eventually managed to draw stares from the nobles as they went about their day. One particular couple sipping tea at a small cafe never took their eyes of the stranger as she trotted by, and couldn't help but manage a few coarse comments about her horrendous fashion choices.

…From beneath her hood, Zecora payed no attention to them at all as she dodged and weaved through the crowds, never taking her eyes off the mighty towers of the palace in the distance. She was admittedly quite fond of visiting foreign places when she could get the chance, but her true reasons for visiting kept her face stern and blank as she finally passed through the town square and trotted between a large gate that lay at the end of the road leading through the palace grounds. Several guards standing watch on either side gave her a quick glance to remind her they'd be watching, but never said a word as she passed.

As she walked through the gardens and approached the palace, she felt like an ant as she gazed up at the brilliant structure towering over her. Nothing from her homeland could possibly compare in size, but the sight was certainly enough to make her miss her cozy hut as she shook the dizziness from her head and began to climb the steps leading up to the main doors. A strong mix of fragrances ranging from flowers to perfume made her crinkle her nose as she passed through the entrance, only to stop and stare at what she had feared she might encounter.

The entrance to the throne room where the Princess would be stationed to greet visitors was unmistakable, and so was the ridiculously long line of ponies waiting to enter. Nobody was moving, and it was easy to see that the zebras chances of gaining an audience with the princess was going to take all day. Sighing, she tried to look for anypony else that she could possibly talk to. The news she brought with her was too critical to keep hidden for long. Somehow, the princess had to know. She had to be told before it was too late.

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"Your Highness? Princess? My humble apologies for interrupting but I'm afraid a situation has arisen that needs to be taken care of before things get out of hand."

Princess Luna, younger sister of Princess Celestia herself blinked and directed her bright blue eyes towards the servant standing by the entrance to her chambers. Normally Luna would be away from the palace attending to her own responsibilities, but with the newest Summer Sun Celebration less than a week away, she had decided to stay in Canterlot permanently to help prepare.

She had just retreated to take a quick break only minutes ago, and couldn't help but sigh as she put on a classic royal smile and addressed the messenger with a wave to signal him to come forward. She looked a mess, but knew she was going to have to get used to that for the time being.

"I take it my Sister is still working her way through that immense crowd of citizens waiting in the foyer? In all honesty I can't imagine how she manages to see to them all without showing signs of fatigue. What exactly is the problem?"

"Not so much a problem your Highness, more of a… inconvenience."

"Go on," Luna said as she began to walk side by side with the messenger out of her chambers and towards the center of the palace. Two guards that had been standing watch in the hall followed closely behind.

"A stranger to Canterlot has just arrived and has been demanding to see Princess Celestia immediately. She's been told several times to wait her turn in line with other the guests present but she is refusing to wait, and… the other guests are beginning to worry about her intentions. I will admit myself that she is a rather… strange looking individual."

Luna processed the report as they began to approach the foyer, trying to remember ever meeting such an individual.

"I see, and has she mentioned why her audience with my sister is so crucial?"

"No your Highness. She has only told us that her words are for the Princess alone. Oh, and she claims to be a friend of one of Princess Celestias students… A miss Twilight Sparkle I believe."

That widened Luna's eyes a bit as memories of last years Nightmare Night filled her mind. If there was one citizen of Canterlot she truly valued, it was Twilight. If this visitor was here on her behalf, then whatever she had to say was most likely important. Why hadn't Twilight simply sent a letter then? Lunas curiosity grew with each question as she entered the foyer with her guards and was lead past many bowing citizens to a corner, and it was immediately clear who the visitor was as she noticed a striped creature talking to a group of servants. In fact, there was something oddly familiar about the stranger.

The servants bowed and stepped back as Luna approached, and that's when it dawned on the majestic Alicorn. This Zebra… she had seen her before. Yes, she was there as well at the Nightmare Night festival. She had been in costume at that time of course, but it had to be her.

Zecora immediately bowed before Luna, doing her best to mimic what she had seen the servants do. Her royal manners weren't exactly strong, and the last thing she wanted was to show any disrespect.

"Your Majesty," the zebra started in her low, yet powerful voice. "I have traveled to your kingdom to report some very ill news, and I apologize for my impatience but there is simply no time to lose."

Luna offered a smile, but Zecoras words troubled her. Many nearby guests had been watching and listening, expecting to hear the reason behind the Zebras rude arrival and demands.

"Perhaps it would be best if we discussed these matters in private," Luna suggested, hoping to avoid scaring any of her other subjects who were present. "If you would be willing to accompany me elsewhere, I would be more than willing to listen to your news and report to my sister if necessary."

Something about Lunas tone made Zecora suspect that she was somewhat skeptical about the intensity of her message, but the zebra nodded her head in agreement.

"Wonderful," Luna beamed as two guards approached to escort them. "Gentleman, I believe the council chamber is currently vacant. Please escort Miss Zecora there and I will be along shortly. Zecora, should you have need of anything in the meantime, don't hesitate to ask any present servants."

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"Thank you very much Sirs," Twilight Sparkle addressed the two royal Pegasi that had transported her to the palace. A large outer balcony at the rear of the palace had served as the landing zone, and a handsome young servant was waiting to greet her as she made her way towards the doors.

"Afternoon Miss Sparkle, welcome once again to Canterlot."

"Oh, yes. Thank you," Twilight said, rather distracted from worry and nerves as she followed her greeter into the palace. "I take it the princess is waiting for me?"

"Yes Mam, she and the rest of the royal council have gathered in the throne room."

"Council?" Twilight asked with a confused expression. "What about Zecora? Is she still here as well? Why has everyone been gathered?"

"I'm afraid I'm rather short on details Mam. My orders are simply to escort you. Princess Celestia believed your presence necessary for reasons I am unaware of."

Twilight didn't say another word as she followed her escort towards the center of the palace. Before long they were entering the throne room and all eyes were on her as the escort announced her presence.

"Miss Twilight Sparkle, as requested your Majesty."

Twilight just focused her eyes on the Princess, her greatest teacher and mentor. She was sitting tall and proud on her throne, and both sides of the large space were crowded with the rest of the royal council, one pony representing every city in Equestria. The reason for the meeting had to be important if everypony had been gathered. Zecora was standing alone in the middle of the floor, looking rather out of place. Her look was very serious and fierce, but she seemed very happy to see that Twilight was present.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice Twilight." Hearing Celestias kind and gentle voice made Twilight immediately feel much better. The Princess rose afterward to address everyone else present. "I have asked Twilight Sparkle to attend this meeting due to her close acquaintance with Zecora. She will be here simply to provide further information when needed. Please have a seat Twilight."

Twilight looked frantically to either side, and blushed a little when she saw that there was an open spot for her to the right of Celestias throne. Luna was sitting to the left of Celestia, and she gave Twilight a friendly wink as the young pony made her way forward and seated herself. When everyone was settled, Celestias voice rang out again.

"Now, Zecora. This meeting has been called on account of Princess Lunas claim that you have come bearing an important message regarding the future of this kingdom. I request that you relay the same information to everyone present, so that we may all determine its credibility for ourselves."

For the first time since Twilight had met the kind Zebra, Zecora looked utterly nervous, maybe even afraid. Not a single pony spoke or muttered much of anything as Zecora closed her eyes in thought momentarily before speaking out.

"Many years ago, an ancient evil of immense and terrible power threatened my homeland. It was sealed deep underground when my villages most powerful shamans took a stand. But…a recent vision has revealed that it has been awoken once more, and has terrorized my people to settle the score. But, it seems dominion over my home has not been enough to stay it's hand, and… I am dreadfully sorry to say… that it now has it's sight set on this land."

Zecoras words sent shivers down the spines of everyone present, and some very loud murmuring quickly erupted on both ends of the room. Celestia looked at Luna, and then at Twilight with a look of great concern before raising her hoof to silence the crowd.

"Order, order please!"

Twilight sat uncomfortably, unable to take her eyes of Zecora who was staring right back at her with apologetic eyes. It occurred to Twilight that Zecoras vision had occurred during their experiment. No wonder she had seemed so distraught that night.

"Zecora," Celestia continued, bringing everyone's attention back to the matter at hand. "This… evil you have spoken of. Exactly what threat does it pose to my kingdom and my subjects?"

Zecora seemed very hesitant to answer, and Twilight could see her struggling as she stood tall and spoke again.

"It… is an evil presence of unfathomable size, able to consume even the greatest landscapes and skies. Its most desired goal is indeed quite tragic, for it possesses an unsatisfiable hunger for magic. But no amount of power can satisfy its need… it will never satisfy its own craving to feed. With every ounce of magic that is consumed by it… more combined magic is required to defeat it."

Zecora paused to carefully process her final words of warning, as everyone sat with nervous expressions.

"I do not seek to choose what you will do... but if action is not taken, soon no creature will be able to defeat it Princess… not even you."

Those last words were enough to cause an uproar. Zecora had meant no disrespect, but the fact that she was declaring the Princess's own magic to be incapable of protecting her kingdom was a blow to the honor of Equestria. Zecora simply sat and bowed her head in silence as different arguments and debates sounded out all over the throne room. Princess Celestia herself did nothing to stop it at first, sitting silently, deep in thought.

Twilight was personally terrified by the news, but didn't dare say anything until it was her place to do so.

When everyone finally managed to calm down, Celestia rose and addressed everyone present. As was customary, anyone amongst the council was entitled to voice their opinion before her.

"Do any of the council members present have any comments on this news?"

It took a few moments, but eventually an exquisitely dressed stallion known as Volasco stepped forward and cleared his throat.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid I must offer up a few points regarding this claim." After removing the monocle from his left eye to give it a quick polish, he proceeded to pace back and forth, maintaining quite a dramatic presence.

"I have served as head of the palaces Magic and Enchantments division for many years, and have dedicated my life to the study and expansion of magical research and development. In all that time, I have learned and witnessed many powerful sources of magic, but I have never heard of a power capable of performing the same feats as this so called… evil. The ability to completely strip any creature of it's own magical capabilities has been attempted by many vile cults and tyrants throughout history, but none have ever managed to come remotely close to doing so."

Stopping to choose his next words carefully, the stallion met eyes with Zecora momentarily before closing his eyes and sighing.

"With all due respect to Miss Zecora, who I'm sure has traveled quite far to bring us this news… I believe I speak on behalf of my entire professional division when I say that such a claim simply stretches plausibility too far."

Several murmuring voices could be heard agreeing with his statement, and soon a Mare from the other end of the room stepped forward.

"I'm afraid I must agree your Majesty. And let us not forget that our kingdom still currently possesses the Elements of Harmony. Our kingdom has faced many different trials over the past few years, and thanks to Miss Twilight and her companions, the elements have proven more than capable of protecting us from any threat. Even if this approaching evil does exist, surely the elements will once again be more than sufficient enough to ensure Equestrias safety."

That point was immediately met by a wave of "Indeed's" and "Hear Hear's" and Twilight found herself feeling rather humble from being put into the spotlight. She had always been there to help against threats to Equestria, but had never felt so relied on by so many at once.

Celestia kept her eyes on Zecora, who simply stood in silence, occasionally glancing at everyone surrounding her. The Princess respected the opinions of her council, and had to admit that a simple vision wasn't exactly sufficient proof that her kingdom was in any immediate danger, but the knowledge of previous threats to her kingdom was enough to make the majestic Alicorn edgy and cautious as she stood once again to address everypony.

"Does anypony else have any comments they wish to add?" When no one spoke up for almost a minute, the Princess continued. "There is no denying that Equestria has seen it's fair share of danger and oppression in the recent past. I would be a fool not to heed Zecoras warning, lest my subjects be hurt or tormented by a new threat. Zecora, if your claim is true, then I ask you… How can we defend against such a powerful threat?"

All eyes tuned to Zecora as she bowed her head and carefully processed her response.

"Lock away your magical items and subjects both strong and weak, for they are what this evil will inevitably seek. Increase your guard and watch high and low, so that you may strike before this enemy has a chance to grow." Zecora could feel the heavy fog of doubt weighing down on her, but she stood strong and spoke her last bit of wisdom. "Your Majesty, I do not wish to determine your Kingdoms fate… only to warn you, so that you may act before it is too late."

Nopony spoke a word as they all awaited the Princesses decision. Celestia spent quite a while looking at her sister beside her, before addressing everyone present.

"Princess Luna and I will discuss a proper course of action in private and will report our decision to the council later this evening. Thank you all for your time… you are dismissed."

Just like that, it was over. Everpony present casually began to vacate the throne room, with Zecora being the last to make her exit. On her way to a side quarter to speak with her sister, Celestia pulled Twilight aside to thank her for coming.

"I believe your friend Zecora could use some comforting Twilight. Please see to it that she is taken care of for now."

Twilight nodded and gave the princess a quick nuzzle before making her way back into the foyer. The large crowd was treacherous and confusing, but Twilight eventually spotted her Zebra friend sitting by herself with her hood up on an outer balcony, staring off at the beautiful setting sun. Quietly, she trotted out to the balcony and lowered the curtain so they could have some peace away from the bustling crowd inside. Zecora had most likely heard her approach, but didn't move.

"Zecora…I," Twilight found herself to be at a loss for words at first. "About your home… I'm, so sorry. If it helps… I know you can't possibly be wrong about this. Celestia will believe you, I know it."

Zecora shifted a little and dipped her head, but still didn't turn. Sighing, Twilight walked slowly up beside her and sat down, joining her in staring out over the horizon. She had never felt the need to comfort Zecora before, but she eventually found herself putting a hoof on the Zebras shoulder. Slowly but surely, Zecora turned her head just enough to meet Twilights gaze, and a tiny smile started to form on her muzzle.

Twilight smiled right back, and scooted closer to wait with her friend until Celestia would return to make her announcement.