Zecora's Tears

The grass was green, all things seen.

The morning dew is fresher than any brew.

Alas, I see the golden sun.

And then I think that I should run.

Zecora was unlike anyone in Ponyville. She was a zebra, not a pony. A zebra. She couldn't help how she looked, so what? She had stripes. Her mane was... different. Sooo? She still wasn't some outsider! sigh This. Just. Is. Not. Fair! Zecora was beautiful. She was... something... When she spoke, it sounded like music. Her rhymes, they were perfect. She was just so amazing. Though no pony saw that... they just saw an ugly monster. Where do I start? I can hardly write this as I'm crying right now. Zecora. Zecora. If only you could see me now. I gave up everything for you, to see that... you were already gone...

So, I'm writing this. To tell all you ponies and other four-legged mammals about my Zecora. The day I first met her was on a Saturday, I presume. I was busy talking to one of my friends, Big Macintosh, at Sugarcube Corner. Our conversation went something like this:

"Hey there Big Mac! How's life going?"

"Eh, my sisters can be a sure lotta headaches sometimes. AJ keeps tellin' me 'bout her friends.. somethin' 'bout a double date? I reckon Applebloom has been tellin' me 'bout some zebra or somethin' that lives in Everfree Forest. I don't really pay much attention..."

"A zebra..? I think Twilight Sparkle, you know- that librarian from Canterlot, was telling her friends about that before. I was just putting my book on the counter when I heard her telling her friends."

"Eeyup, Twilight's AJ's best friend or somethin'. Eh I dunno, if you're so interested in a zebra then I think ya'll should go to the Forest and check it out yourself! I don't believe Applebloom's childish nonsense..."

"Well, I do. I've even noticed that some caped pony or something comes into town once a month, and during that time we all hide from the scary thing. I think this zebra may be it. I've always wondered who that caped pony was! And I'm heading over to the Forest now, it's not like I have any work on Saturday anyways! See ya, Big Mac bro!"

After that short conversation, I was very excited and eager to find out if there really was a zebra in the Everfree Forest. But... I hadn't done much research and wasn't prepared. I thought I should go check out a book on them first to decide whether or whether not they were dangerous. So off I trotted, all the way to the library.

~~~~

"Hello Miss Twilight Sparkle, may I check out a book today?"

"Why, of course you can! What are you looking for?" She asked politely, she looked busy as she was magically placing books on the shelves and looked very sweaty.

"Uh... erm..." I couldn't just say 'zebras hurr durr.' No. I couldn't, she'd think I was crazy... well she just wouldn't get it.

"Yes..?" Twilight stopped what she was doing and trotted up to me. She stared into my eyes, giving me a quizzical look. I stayed silent. I probably looked extremely awkward and frustrated right then.

"Listen, if you are looking for pony mating rituals, don't be shy. Back section, top shelf," She rolled her eyes at me and continued placing books on the shelves. I mentally slapped myself. I am not that sort of pony! I. Don't. Read. Porn.

"No.. er. Twilight? I... I want a book on zebras...." I said in a hushed whisper, followed by a sigh. Twilight gave me a look like I had killed somepony. I wanted to run away, this was a stupid idea.

"YOU WANT A BOOK ON... ZEBRA MATING RITUALS?" She gasped. I rolled my eyes and I felt myself blush.

"NO! I just want to learn about zebras!" I groaned, slightly annoyed.

"OH! I am so sorry. It's just that almost everypony has been coming in here for books about mating rituals, I don't know what is up with our generation of ponies! Here..." She used her magic to pick a book from the huge pile of books on the floor and place it in my grasp. I slowly carried it to the door, gripping the book tightly with my mouth.

"Thank you!" She said. I rolled my eyes and began trotting to my home.

~~~~

Zebras (/ˈzɛbrə/ zeb-rə or /ˈziːbrə/ zee-brə) are several species of African equids (horse family) united by their distinctive black and white stripes. Their stripes come in different patterns, unique to each individual. They are generally social animals that live in small harems to large herds. Unlike their closest relatives, horses and asses, zebras have never been truly domesticated.

They are rare in Equestria though, much of their behavior and cultural history is unknown to ponies in this day. If seen, make sure to approach carefully and slowly. They may be dangerous but their physique is much like any pony individual.

As I read that last part, I shivered. How could a zebra be dangerous? The pictures in the book showed cute patterned ponies who looked innocent, not dangerous. I sighed and closed the book. What rubbish! Well, I was free today and decided to take a stroll in Everfree Forest, just for the heck of it. It was really sunny out today too, therefore the forest wouldn't seem as spooky as always today either!

~~~

Ponies stared at me as I trotted into the forest. It was pretty-looking to me; the trees hanging their long vines like a curtain, hiding the rest of the forest. Sure, there were bugs and dirt everywhere but that added to the natural feel of it all. It seemed as if an hour had gone by as I had laid against the trunk of an unusual tree with lanterns hanging from its branches. I was probably deep into the forest by then, and a little nap wouldn't hurt anybody... But no, what if the zebra came?

"Get a hold of yourself, a little zebra isn't going to scare you!" I told myself. Yes, weird fact number one: I talk to myself... (a lot) I closed my eyes and drifted off into a sanctuary of darkness and a dreamless wonderland, which only I held the key to enter...

~~~

"The grass was green, all things seen. The morning dew is fresher than any brew. Alas, I see the golden sun. And then I think that I should run. "

I rubbed my eyes with my hooves and heard a lovely voice which sounded like an angel's. I kept my eyes closed, I was too sleepy and this lullaby was way too relaxing.

"Are you awake handsome fellow? You are looking quite yellow... Perhaps I should make you some brew, that's the least I could ever do for you," that angel voice said again. Everything she said seemed to rhyme.

Was I in a dream or reality? I opened my crusty eyes and realized I was in a hut that smelled like warm spices. There were creepy masks everywhere, and potions in bottles on every shelf on the wall. I was on a hay mattress and it was quite comfortable but then I turned to face the humming "angel".

"Hello, I am Zecora, I am a zebra, not a pony like you. I saw you laying down underneath my tree, so I came and gave you a real place to rest, that is the truth... I know I am not a pony, but don't be scared I am friendly, too," Zecora said with a smile. She was the most beautiful female I had ever seen. She had a short black and white mane and her coat was the same pattern. Her stripes were so pretty and her eyes just made her seem like a goddess. I sighed and smiled like an idiot.

"Are you not well? I didn't think that you'd be so scared as to not tell..." she said. Zecora spoke in a melodious way. She rhymed as she spoke. It must have been her native tongue, or way to speak back home: to rhyme.

"N-noo. I-I'm f-fine, m-my n-name is..." I stuttered as I spoke. I was afraid, afraid of what she would think of a stallion like me...

"And your name is..? Bob, Felipe, or Chris?" she laughed and asked me. I was really blushing by now! I tried to cover my face with my choppy, brown mane.

"T-t-time T-tur-rner..." I whispered. She only nodded... I turned to the door and was ready to leave.

"Are you leaving so soon? I can't even see the moon!" she said, trying to stop me from leaving. Her voice was masculine-ish but it made talking to her much easier. She didn't even express much emotion, you couldn't tell how she felt by looking at her.

But. I. Loved. Her. I always will! Anyways... getting off track here. I'm sorry, I just can't write this without crying. She's all... no, I shouldn't spoil the story for ya'll. Oh, but I probably already did... sorry. Eh, and so it was just the two of us, we'd never met before, and then it happened...

~~~

Zecora was an inch away from my face, she tried to push the door close with her hoof.

"Don't go, Time Turner. I, like you, am only a young learner..." She whispered. Zecora was hard to understand due to her way of speaking. But, at that moment we were so close to each other, I could feel her breath on my neck. I swallowed hard and tried to stop myself from doing something I would regret. What was I thinking! I was moving closer to her face! No. Oh, how could I? I pushed my mouth onto her's and I wasn't even thinking! Her eyes were huge and she tried to pull away, I loosened myself but then, suddenly, she gave in to me and kissed me back. Zecora closed her eyes and then I closed mine. I am stupid. I am stupid. I am stupid. That was all I thought as I lowered my head, so she wouldn't have to stand on the tip of her hooves. She pushed her tongue into my mouth and I literally almost died. It felt like a sensation, I had never felt before in my life. I would've moaned but I forced my tongue inside her mouth as well. Finally, I realized what I was doing.

What the buck am I doing? Making out with a zebra I just met barely fifteen minutes ago? Damn it! I couldn't pull away now, she would realize reality too, then back away scared of me or something...

I lifted my fore-hooves and placed them on her neck. I pulled her closer, then she opened her gorgeous eyes again. Oh Celestia, I felt like I was going to heaven. But then again, more like hell. What sin was I committing? Until this morning I hadn't known for sure if zebras existed! I stared into her eyes and let her shove her tongue down my throat. My eyes struggled to stay open due to the immense pleasure I was experiencing. I had never been kissed before, never. Not even when I was in filly school! Now I knew what the huge hullabaloo was about, it felt bucking amazing. This sexy Zecora was exactly who I needed. She was going to be the special some-zebra in my life. I knew that for sure. I knew that.

I pulled her away from me and gasped for air, she did the same. For at least five minutes, all the two of us did was just stare at each other in awe, just breathing heavily.

"I'm so sorry, Zecora!" I cried, once again my mane covered my face, I was blushing.

"That was amazing and fun, why are we already done?" She asked, quietly staring at me with an innocent look. I felt like shoving my tongue back down her throat, but no. No, that was wrong. I tried to stay focused but my mind wandered off to dirty thoughts I had never thought of before. I disgusted myself.

"That was wrong of me, and it's already around dinner time! Look Zecora-"

"No, you can stay here with me. There is no need to flee. When I kissed you I felt something queer, but I must let you know to not be feared. You are so cute and I must scare you. You kind of scare me too, that is true. I need you Turner, I felt something different and great. Aren't you going to ask me out on a date...?" Zecora whispered that last part. She was blushing! She looked so hot. Oh my- NO! I tried to remind myself not to think dirty thoughts, I seriously tried! Then again, the beauty did have a point. I need to ask her out, I need to get to know her! I really felt something and I'm not loosing her, ever! I pledge myself this.

~~~

Zecora stirred a big pot of brew or something. It smelled delicious, unlike anything I've ever smelled before. A blend of spices and herbs along with the freshest of this morning's dew. I drooled and couldn't do anything but wait.

"Zecora, this smells amazing. I saw what you put in there, but is this the type of food you eat each day?"

"I find the ingredients on my own time, so then I can enjoy what I dine..." She whispered, she didn't look up from the brew. Her voice was calming and made me feel warm.

"So what's your job?" I asked, sitting at the dining table. Her small hut was quite cozy, unlike my untidy, ugly apartment.

"I... am sort of a witch doctor, you could say. No one really comes to see me though, and I do not receive any pay," She said, a hint of despair embroidering her accent as she spoke.

"Well, I am sort of a time lord dude, you could say. Haha. Well... I work with others in a lab in Canterlot, I have to travel back in time sometimes to research on pony history. I then write books for future generations to read and understand about our evolution and such."

"Oh I see, that's such wizardry, I kid, I kid. I would really love to see it..." She whispered, then began using a large wooden spoon to pour brew into a bowl.

"I really would do that for you Zecora. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I want you to come and live with me. You can make friends in Ponyville and help them here, this would be like your office. So you would have company and a paying job, while I took the train to work everyday. It sounds perfect doesn't it? I need you in my life, Zecora. As a friend or whatever. Just be with me."

Zecora just stared into my eyes and smiled.

"I love you... I know I've just met you. But I need you too. Whatever you ask I will do... I love you so much, you're the first friend I've ever really had for so long... That, that is true," Zecora whispered, she was crying and it looked like she was hurt.

"Are you sure?" I asked quizzically. She nodded and placed the bowl of brew on the dining table. I smelled it and moaned. It was amazing. Zecora just sat and watched me eat, I let her. I drank the deliciousness and savored each swallow. Ohh sweet Celestia, she was amazing. She was beautiful, kind, calming, a great cook, and everything else was probably perfect too. How lucky was I to have met her? Well, not really lucky but.. never mind, sorry I'm not going to spoil it for you.  I need to tell you my love story without ruining it and I shouldn't give away more... Um just read on... Yeah, go ahead!

Zecora took the bowl to the sink when I was finished and then trotted back over to me.

"You can sleep in the small hammock bed over there or you can sleep with me on the sofa, is that fair?" She said while winking. I laughed and smiled. I would do the obvious, sleep with her. Duh! Why wouldn't I sleep with my future some-zebra? Yum, I was in for some fun tonight. NO! I tried to push the dirty thoughts away. I was going to be a gentleman and sleep in the hammock, so she'd have enough room.

"It's fine, I'll sleep in the hammock," I said as I trotted to the hammock. It was quite soft and could sustain my weight. I tried to drift off onto sleep, but couldn't. Zecora had even dimmed the lights so I couldn't see. I tossed and turned in the little hammock.

"You can't sleep, want me to sing you a lullaby? It really is quite deep..." She whispered.

"Yes, please," I sighed. A lullaby? Was I just a child to her?

"The grass was green, all things seen. The morning dew is fresher than any brew. Alas, I see the golden sun. And then I think that I should run. " Her voice rolled off her tongue in a musical dance. It was soft and calming and I felt warm. She spoke the words slowly and I could really feel them.

"Zecora, what does this lullaby mean?" I asked, very curious. It was hard to decipher the meaning when it was so vague.

There was no reply, just silence.

"Zecora...?" I asked once again.

"My great grandmother used to sing it to me. She had to leave her home and flee. The poem describes the beauty of everyday, then when she sees the golden sun, which means a new day. She has to leave home because that was the day of the great ancient battle between ponies and zebras, well that's what they say..."

"That's the battle the ponies won, that's how Equestria was made. There were zebras here before? You were the ancient Native Equestrians. They all died out because of pony disease and you're the last one alive aren't you? So you hide here..." It all made sense to me now. The zebras and everything.

"Yes... That is all true, I confess..." She said, it sounded like she was crying. I shut up for the rest of the night and eventually fell asleep. I only thought about the lullaby, the ancient culture behind it.

~~~

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of trotting and clutter. I rubbed my eyes with my hooves to see Zecora placing all her belongings in her bags. She was really packing up, she really wanted to live with me! I got up and helped her pack, then when she was done, I helped her carry the bags outside into the forest.

"Wait. Should I get my cape?" She asked, hesitantly she put her bags down and looked at me for an answer.

"No. If you're going to live in Ponyville, the ponies better get used to you," I said. She smiled and picked up her bag again. I had two bags in my own mouth, they weren't heavy but the long walk to the town made me feel tired. Zecora kept humming the lullaby as she walked. All I could think of was my dreams coming true; my mother would finally love me, I would actually have a mare in my home. I actually have a special mare who loves me too. Well, aren't female zebras called mares? Anyways, all I could think of was the look on everypony's face as we waltzed into town. Haha, they'd be astonished. I also thought about the miracle and unlikely-ness of it all. I'm probably the only friendly living thing she's ever met, so maybe that's why she loves me? How does she even know what love is though..? Maybe she's just lying..? Ugh. I didn't know at that point but this whole thing seemed like a stupid fantasy dream to me the more I thought about it.

When I saw town, I nudged Zecora on and trotted close to her, by her side. No pony really looked at her, and there weren't very many out. It was probably really early still, and no one wakes up earlier than eight here in Ponyville, especially on Sundays. When I got to my apartment, I put all the bags in my mouth down and pushed the key into the door. Zecora literally gasped in awe at the sight of the inside. I instructed her to put all the bags down in the room directly in front of the door way across the long hall. That was my room, which we would now share, obviously. Then I led her to the kitchen, bathrooms, and TV room. She was amazed and I couldn't believe how happy she was to be in my ugly home. But it made me feel warm, everything about Zecora made me feel warm inside. Everything.

Suddenly, Zecora trotted towards me and pushed me against the wall with force. I almost screamed until she spoke.

"I love you! I just... why can't we... get married soon?" She almost cried as she uttered the truth. And I caught myself hallucinating. What the hell! I must be dead now. She... she wants to get married, already! And so be it, if she wants me, I will grant her heart's desire!

"Zecora, will you marry me? I know we met like, yesterday but honestly? Why waste precious time? I want to enter my dream life of being only with you, forever..." I said, almost choking on the words by all my tears. My bangs were damp but I made sure they covered my glowing, light blue eyes.

"YES! I love you already, there's no need for any tests," She said. Her turquoise eyes lit up my heart and I almost melted. Damn.... ohhhhh I need her soo bad. I licked my lips as I stared at her innocent face.

"I have to tell everyone! I'm an engaged stallion! I have to tell Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow, and Fluttershy that they can plan the wedding. I know this is all too quick but, oh my Celestia! I NEED YOU ZECORA!" I almost yelled the last words, my tears splashing on my wooden flooring. Zecora stared at me, her eyes wet. She just smiled.

I had to take advantage of this moment. I approached her slowly, and gently pushed her down on the sofa. She obeyed and lowered herself; we kept our intense eye contact throughout every movement. Zecora almost moaned as I laid next to her on the sofa and placed my fore hoof around her waist. I could feel her heart beating fast, just like mine. I had never done anything like this before. Ever. She slid her rump ontop of me; so she was soon laying ontop of me. I angled my head perfectly so we could kiss without having to move. Zecora let me explore her mouth and moaned as I did. She flipped over on me; now she was facing me. We felt each others' bodies with our hooves and I could tell she enjoyed it. Then, I knew it was the perfect moment.

"Are you sure you want to do this, babe?" I asked hesitating. She nodded and pursed her lips. She looked so sexy which made me grin. I was so bad, why was I..? But at that moment I didn't give a buck. And that entire day ended up being the best day ever. I spent the whole day with her, being a bad little pony. Oh Zecora, you proved you loved me that day. You endured that pain for my pleasure. I know every mare must go through that, but I felt broken for allowing you to let me do that. Damn! That day was so special! Why Zecora? I'm so sorry, I can't write anymore. Sigh. It's not like a have a choice, ya'll will still torture me and read on, huh? Well I warn you not to, crying your eyes out isn't the answer to... Oh, who am I kidding? Read on. Sorry if the paper's wet.

~~~

It seemed as if every day I learned something new about my wife. Our wedding was on October 4th, which is infact in a couple weeks... I will celebrate our now 2 year anniversary myself, alone. The wedding had been amazing, it was low key but as soon as I told the mane six, the mares treated me like a prince! Rarity was so ecstatic when I broke the news to her. After all, I needed her to make our wedding atire. As soon as she saw my Zecora, she fainted.

"MY, SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!" She had screamed. Rarity had spent hours with Zecora, practicing using her print for her new collection.

I told Twilight next, as I had to return my zebra book anyway. She, at first, didn't believe me. I had to bring her to my home so she could see my bride. Twilight spend days studying Zecora, she was dazzled by her similar anatomy yet strange history. I put up with all this because, well, I needed Twilight to plan my wedding.

I didn't have to tell Applejack because obviously, I had told Big Mac the news first. And the guy wasn't called Big Macintosh for nothing! He spred the news across Ponyville, like wildfire. Hah. I needed the Apple family to cater the wedding.

Let's just say, it was super awkward telling Fluttershy. We never even talk and first of all, she scares me. Yes, weird fact number two: I'm scared of Fluttershy.  Shudder... She's a pony who stuffs herself in a small cottage with animals. Yup. I needed her for the music. She has a way with birds...

Every wedding needs entertainment! So that's why Rainbow Dash was essential. She easily accepted, as I was paying. Everypony I would pay 200 bits. But ya'll know what a push-over she is...

PINKIE PIE! WHAT'S A PARTY WITHOUT HER? Not a party, that's what. Hah.

So based on all that, you can tell how awesome my wedding was. Zecora said she had the best time of her life, making it the best time of my life too. After the wedding, Zecora started behaving strangely. I had began to go to work again because she was settled and at her office. She got many patients because everyone gets sick once in a while, and she has the absolute best natural, herbal medicines. Her brews were delicious and she could calm the mind. So, of course she was busy. Though, whenever I came home, she would always be quiet and look down. She purposely combed her short mane so it would cover her eyes, and that bothered me. One day, I decided to confront her after dealing with her act for a week.

"Hey babe, you've been acting like this for a week now. Something wrong?" I asked quizzically as she set the bowl of brew soup on the dining table. She sat in the chair in front of me and looked up, her eyes glimmering with... tears?

"N-no, d-don't worry about me! I'm just fine, see?" She looked up and flashed me a fake smile, then returned to looking down. I raised my eyebrows. What is wrong with her? Is it me? Have I been not loving enough?

"Is it me?" I whispered, blushing as I slurped my soup. Maybe I wasn't making love to her good enough...

"No! You have never done anything wrong, because you love me so," She cried. Tears spilling out and splashing onto the floor. I winced and only stared at her.

"Then what is it?"

"NOTHING! I'm not bluffing!" She yelled, angry and hot. She tossed my empty bowl into the sink and rinsed it clean.

"THEN WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?" I yelled back, ready to boil. Which I wished I wouldn't have done.

Zecora shrieked and began to whimper. She was crying, maniacally and ran into the room, locking it. I ran after her, falling to pieces in my own tears. Why was I being so cruel? She never did anything wrong, ever! I should die. I should kill myself now. I'M A MONSTER! I pushed the door with my hoof, but it wouldn't budge. I wiped my tears, leaving my hooves wet. All I heard was Zecora screaming and crying. I wish I knew what was wrong with her. Was... she pregnant?

Oh no. She shouldn't think this is a bad thing, I want a baby!

"Zecora, are... are you pregnant?" I whispered.

"Yes... I m-must confess... I'M SO SORRY!" She screamed and purposefully slammed her head against the walls. I could hear her.

"I love you, Zecora. I will never hate you for anything. I. Want. A. Baby." I uttered, crying because she thought I was that kind of pony. She opened the door and laid in my hooves. I held her like this, laying on the sofa. I slowly drifted my hoof to her stomach and gently rubbed. My baby was in there. My little baby. No our baby. Zecora and me were going to have a baby. She only made soft sounds and her breathing comforted me. I kissed her on her forehead. I love you, Zecora. From that day forward, I pledged myself I would never let, not one drop of Zecora's tears to ever fall. No more, no more of Zecora's tears.

~~~

Life was good and for the next few months I found myself more in love with Zecora each day. I seriously needed to stop worrying about her. She had made many friends who all loved her, but I still tried to stay by her side throughout her pregnancy. She was already two months pregnant and her belly still wasn't bulging! The happiness didn't last forever...

One day I wanted to take her to the doctor, considering the problem. She hesitated.

"C'mon, you have an appointment, Cora. We gotta go!" I called, holding the door open.

"No, I can not. I would rather rot!" She yelled, not budging from the bathroom. She had been in there forever now, locked herself in. I sighed and decided to get the key and just open it.

"DON'T TURNER, GET OUT! YOU WILL ONLY DOUBT!" She screeched, hearing the sound of the keys against the knob.

I pushed the door open to see blood. Everywhere. Zecora crouched on the bathroom floor, wet from tears and covered in fleshy blood. She had a miscarriage.

"It's okay... Don't cry, please don't. It's not your fault!" I told her, as I turned on the water for her to take a bath. She kept shaking as I poured the water on her.

"We can bury our baby, he or she will always be alive in out hearts Zecora..." I whispered, using all of my strength not to cry myself.

And so we did. We buried our baby and many of our friends felt sorry for us. Some didn't say anything, understanding Zecora's condition. It was a tragedy for us. It scarred both of our hearts, deeply. After that day, she never spoke. At first I acted as if I didn't notice. I did everything around house so she wouldn't have to bother. Zecora just slept on the ground and incessantly wept 24/7. She insisted I let her sleep on the ground and wouldn't budge. She was depressed, very depressed. After over three months it was close to Hearth's Warming Eve. I hadn't done anything by then, but I was beginning to get angry at her. Zecora had been weeping on the ground for over three months, nothing else. She didn't even mind me now, I was tired of it.

"Zecora, get up. It's been forever now, get up..." I said quietly after I came back from work that one day. She didn't give any reply. "Answer me."

No reply.

"Zecora, no more games! What is your problem? I forgive you, everyone is sad about that incident. But honestly, life goes on!" I yelled, blood boiling. I didn't want this to end like the other time I yelled at her so I leveled down a bit. "Cora, please..." I saw a tear roll off her cheek. "DON'T YOU LOVE ME?" I cried.

"Turner, please. I'm sorry. I can't even rhyme anymore, but I'm.. cursed... I know we haven't even been married for a year... This is all so quick but I forgot about it, I didn't mean to. I shouldn't of been so stupid. I had been cursed the moment I was born by my mother. She was the only other zebra and cursed me, a fleshy newborn as she hid me deep in the forest. She said something like... about me never falling in love with a pony because they are killers and murderers of our people. She cursed me with death if I fell in love with a pony. She felt I was good as dead if I gave into a pony, a killer. Then, she sang the poem... It's the one all zebras sang, the one I told you my grandmother sang to me. Anyways, my mother hid me well and ran to sacrifice herself to the ponies so they'd think she was the last zebra alive and not look for me. It worked. I survived. But, Turner, our love is forbidden. My insides are slowly decaying. I just am staying here bearing the pain to see you everyday, I want to die somewhere where you are. So that's why I was hoping you'd just let me die here. There's nothing you can do anyways... I'm sorry, I had completely forgot about my mother's curse and now you have to pay by losing me. I am a great burden to you, aren't I?"

It was a lot to take in at that moment, I almost collapsed on the floor of shock. But I didn't.

"You will never be a burden to me, Cora. I'm going to take you to the hospital!" I said opening the door.

"There's nothing you can do!" She yelled, crying. I dreaded those tears.

"I don't care, come with me now!"

~~~

Zecora had been in the hospital in intensive care for two weeks. It costed a lot for me but I didn't care. I spent every second with her there. The doctors said Zecora's tissue and organs were decaying slowly for some reason, they didn't understand. The doctors could only slightly slow down the process. Every day, some pony would come to visit Zecora and wish her well. She loved it when they did and so did I.

The two of us spent Hearth's Warming Eve together. She didn't know what it was and I had to tell her, but the point is we were together. Zecora grew weaker day by day. Eventually she had been in the hospital for five weeks, the doctors expected her to die in a day or two. That ached my insides. I tried taking her everywhere, to every pony park and museum. Even to Canterlot to meet the princesses! They were amazed by her story and intrigued by the history behind it, behind her. Lastly, I took her to my lab. She told me she wanted to time travel...

However, Dr. H and Professor D didn't allow me to.

"Please, Dr. H, Professor! She's dying, she just wants to see!" I begged my colleagues. They refused.

"It's classified! Dead or not, we don't care!" They said. It made me burn inside, it made me cry. I felt like breaking into the lab but I'm not pony enough to do that... Even for... Zecora sadly. I quit my job, furious with how my own colleagues treated me.

~~~

We had done everything Zecora wanted to those few days, and as soon as we got back to the hospital, she got weaker. She couldn't move at all, and barely could speak. The doctors said she was nothing but dead. I refused to believe the horrible truth. I denied it. Then, it ached inside me that Zecora had never told me the entire poem her grandmother sang to her. So, I simply asked.

"Zecora, could you please sing the rest of the poem for me?"

"The grass was green, all things seen. The morning dew is fresher than any brew. Alas, I see the golden sun. And then I think that I should run. Us they will shoot, torture and kill. Pain in our hearts, they will fill. Steal our land and homes. The truth will lie in this poem. If one of us remains, no love should pertain. Alas, I see the golden sun. This is not any fun. And then I think that I shall lay. Dead and cold I will say: 'You will pay, you will pay...' They will all see someday."

It took Zecora a long time to say the words as she forced them out and whispered. I smiled and kissed her on the cheek. Then, suddenly... She closed her eyes and the heart monitor screeched.

"NO! ZECORA!" I shook her lifeless body. She had left. I kissed her endlessly and then cried myself when I realized there was a tear forming in the corner of one of her eyes. Zecora's last tear.

From that day forward I only was depressed. Twilight urged me to write this. I don't understand why. I loved her so much. But she's long gone now. The poem was right, ponies shouldn't of stole this land of blood. Equestria was the zebra's rightfully. And we all judge by looks, Zecora may have looked scary but inside, she was an angel. Damn. I thought of suicide but it was hopeless. Celestia herself, considered me a hero and honored me. She, too wanted me to write this. But I'm done now. Only Zecora's Poem lies in my heart, it is my sacred oath.

~~~

EPILOGUE

To this day, Turner lives in Canterlot. The princess had given him a room to stay and treats him as an equal as he himself had done something godly. He gave Zecora life as he showed her love. You can not live without love. Time Turner has gotten over his depression and regularly visits Ponyville to see all his friends and the grave of his baby. I respect him. Funny, how this happened over a silly conversation with Big Macintosh. Zecora will always be in our hearts.

~ Twilight Sparkle

He loved her. She loved him. It was the classic love story, with a twist...

Zecora's Poem:

The grass was green, all things seen. The morning dew is fresher than any brew. Alas, I see the golden sun. And then I think that I should run. Us they will shoot, torture and kill. Pain in our hearts, they will fill. Steal our land and homes. The truth will lie in this poem. If one of us remains, no love should pertain. Alas, I see the golden sun. This is not any fun. And then I think that I shall lay. Dead and cold I will say: 'You will pay, you will pay...' They will all see someday.