The Invasion

Twilight was quick to turn from a charming engaged mare into a fearless leader. She gently removed her dress, setting it to the side and ensuring it was not damaged. I swore that a radiant aura surrounded her as she did so. No, it wasn’t because she took a dress off in front of me, but it was because this was how I knew her. This was her purest form. Some part of me failed to register her when she was coated in the gown. But now, with her purple coat glowing and her beautiful mane flowing in the cool breeze that wafted in from a nearby window, I knew her again. I fell in love with her again. My heart skipped more than a few beats as I beheld her beauty and I nearly genuflected spontaneously.

But she stopped me. “There’s no time for bowing, my dear Trundle,” she said, “time is of the essence. Rarity, I need for you to run into the forest and get Zecora for me. Perhaps she might be able to clear all this up.”

Rarity nodded and, quick as lightning, dashed out the door. Her previous blubbering had evaporated in the wake of Squire’s announcement. She took on the same determined look that all of her friends loved about her. The blue orbs that bedecked her face were as sharp as the rocks that she pawed through in her endless search for diamonds and jewels. Her ears were standing straight up, attentively listening to every single word the princess spoke. Even her effervescent tail, forever winding away behind her, seemed to straighten itself. In short, this was the most rigid I’d ever seen Rarity, and it was clear that she took the news seriously.

Meanwhile, Twilight trotted over and sat down at her desk. A purple aura enveloped her horn as she floated some books over to where she was. I couldn’t help but smile, as the ever familiar scene of the royal pony and her tomes was stretched out before me. It warmed my heart, and some part of me thought that everything would be okay. Somehow, whenever Twilight cracked open the written word, she seemed to take on an extraordinary sort of power. It filled her mind with its knowledge, sending her hooves down paths that always helped during times of crisis. This was definitely set up to be one of those times, so I trotted over and sat down beside her. I became concerned when I noticed the nervous look in her eyes. Oh, sure, I knew of the neurotic episodes she used to endure…but those were all over now…weren’t they?

“Um…you aren’t about to freak out, are you?” I asked, trying to keep things lighthearted.

“Trundle, this isn’t the time for one of those,” she said, “I’m nervous, but I’m also collected.”

“Oh, good. For a minute, there, I thought you were gonna enchant one of your foal playthings.”

She gave me a look, and I shrank back. As much as I knew she cared for me, she could be very visually persuasive at times. A new fire seemed to spring up within her beautiful violet orbs as they glowered upon me. I felt smaller than a newborn puppy, and I’m fairly sure I let out a whimper, though the moment is muddy. I do remember that she smiled after a moment and grasped me in a hug. It was almost like I had silently apologized to her, and in return, she had forgiven me. Her eyes became somewhat playful as she bent upwards and gave me a small peck on the cheek.
“I know I’m getting married,” she said, “but I always feel that a gesture of affection is in order whenever somepony does something right.”

“I’m sorry I brought up the Smarty Pants incident,” I said, “I know you don’t like for that to be joked about.”

Her smile was warm as she returned to her books. “I forgive you, but let’s try and lay off that, okay? It wasn’t exactly my brightest moment.”

I cracked a smile in return, and suddenly found a book shoved in my face. The princess asked me to help her research just why the zebras, of all creatures, wanted to invade our happy home. We’d always been on very friendly terms with the striped equines that lived far across the sea. In fact, there had even been cultural exchange events. Once a year, a group of ponies would travel to the zebras homeland and teach them the ways of the pony. In return, the zebras would send gifts of riches, food, and the softest silk you could ever imagine. The next year, the zebras would come to Equestria and give lectures and talks on how they lived. Then, one of the princesses would put together a gift package for them. These always included some bright gold horseshoes. All in all, the impending attack just didn’t make any sense. I searched and searched, but could find no hostility between the two factions. I just couldn’t believe that they would want to harm us.

“Perhaps we’re mistaken,” I said, “I mean, why would the zebras do something like this? Maybe Celestia and Luna received some bad information.”

Twilight looked down, then quickly looked back up. “They wouldn’t send it if it weren’t reliable. I know them better than anypony, and they wouldn’t seek to scare us.”

Suddenly, the door burst open and in trotted a breathless Rarity and Zecora. The fashionista explained that, when she told the kind zebra about the invasion, she had galloped out of her hut and all the way to the castle door. Rarity had to run three times faster than she ever had before merely to keep up with her. She trotted over and collapsed on the bed in an attempt to catch her breath. Meanwhile, Zecora came over to where we were and greeted Twilight with an affectionate embrace.

“Zecora, it’s so good to see you!” Twilight said brightly.

“Oh, Twilight, my dear, your feeling of love is returned,” Zecora responded, “but, I fear that Equestria may soon be burned.”

“Oh…then, it is true!” Twilight exclaimed sadly, “the zebras are coming!”

“Not all the zebras will come, my child, for they shall only send the most wild,” Zecora rhymed.

“What does that mean?” I asked.

Zecora took a breath, then told us the entire thing:

“For many years, now, ponies and zebras have been friends.

They’ve sworn a pact to be this way to the end.

But, alas, some of my kind have taken an occupation

That could put an end to my dearly adopted nation

On the return visits to my homeland, I have listened

I’ve dug and I’ve prodded, I’ve given myself this mission

Sadly, the reports from up North are all true

The radical zebras are all coming for you

They want to destroy this land of such care

Because they want gold and to mate with the mares

Yes, Twilight, my dear, keep tabs on your rump

Or you may find yourself stuck in a dump.”