It's been three days since Peace Poet, a zebracorn, has started living in Ponyville. And he has a job as a carriage and cart mechanic with his boss Axle Grease, a grayish brown Pegasus stallion with a sliver buzz-cut. Peace did show the house to Princesses Celestia and Luna, along with the rest that came with him that day, along with Hyper Active's mother, Flowing Leaf. Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends helped Peace with more stuff for the house, as he promised that he'll pay each of them back. Each of them had Rarity's generosity and said not to worry about the payment. Hyper Active, Golden Heart, and Glorious Miracle all went back to Las Pegasus, as Hype promised Peace that he'll make more beats for him to rap to on their next visit. Midnight Arrow went on a trip for a week but told Peace that she'll be back to hang with him soon. Today, Peace was finishing up a broken wooden wheel of Granny Smith's delivery wagon, as she and Applejack are at his new job, The Shaggin' Wagon Shop.

"There ya go, Granny, AJ. It's good as new.", Peace said, as he just finished fixing the wagon wheel. Granny went to her purse to get her bag, but Peace stopped her.

"Don't worry, Granny, I got it covered.", Peace assured her, as he gave Axel Grease, his boss, the bits for the repairs. Axle was amazed at Peace's generosity, and gave Peace a smile, as he went in the office. Granny Smith smiled, as Big Mac came out from the office.

"Peace, tank ya kindly fer payin'. But are ya sure? We Apples sell many apples in all of Equestria and beyond.", Granny asked with worry, but Peace gave her and Big Mac a smile and said...

"Not ta worry; I've been workin' a few jobs while on my travels. Think of it as a thank you for the apples y'all gave me for comin' ta Ponyville.", Peace said, as Granny nodded sincerely, and she and Big Mac smiled. They both took their wagon back to Sweet Apple Acres to get ready for another apple delivery. Axle Grease came out of his office and spoke to Peace.

"Sure does take me back in Manehattan with that much kindness, son. You're doin' great work here, Peace. Thunder would be proud of what'cha doin' here.", Axle said to Peace.

"Well, I didn't know ya had a shop here, Axle. When Twilight told me about it, I just told her that you're one of Pop's great friends that help me and the fam out.", Peace said, as Axle gave him a sad smile.

"Yeah, I just felt bad the Grace passed away. I was visitin' my sister in Cloudsdale. Again, Peace, I'm sorry I couldn't make it ta the funeral, but I sent you and Thunder bits and condolences.", Axle said sadly, as Peace pat his back and said...

"It's all good, Axle. Not everypony could make it ta Mama's funeral. And I know your sister was sick from school that day while both your parents were workin' at the Crystal Empire, which is a long way.", Peace said with a sad smile, thinking about Axle's little sister.

"Yeah, and she thought a lot about ya, too. It's a shame you both went ta different schools. Pearl Shine's now lives in Hoov'aii in the Navy. She's a strong Pegasus like Rainbow Dash.", Axle said proudly, as he and Peace looked at a picture of Pearl in her Wonderbolt uniform. She has lavender eyes, a white coat, and short black hair and long tail.

"Last time I saw her was in Canterlot a day before I left. She still writes ta me this day to see how I'm doin'. She even told me that she hopes you're not workin' me too hard, which I told her you're not.", Peace said and chuckled, as Axle smiled and rolled his eyes at what his sister said.

"Well, anyways, are ya still goin' ta DJ PON3's radio station for an interview? I heard you're back with your friends in the group HOOF-STARR.", Axle asked with a hint of hope.

"Yeah, I'm back with them. Been far too long for rhymin' with beats while travelin' the world. Well, I'm gonna go there now. See ya tomorrow!", Peace said, as he said goodbye to Axle heading to the radio station WPNY. As he got there, Peace met one of his friends he's known in Canterlot as a teen zebracorn, Vinyl Scratch, aka, DJ PON3.

"Peace! It's been so long since Canterlot, man. How ya been, bro?", Vinyl asked happily.

"Glad ta see ya too, Vy. You've been makin' some good beats yourself. Even got Octavia on some of your songs, which is really good.", Peace said, as Vinyl got her record with instrumental beats from the shelf with her magic. She asked Peace some questions about an upcoming HOOF-STARR album, as he gave her an honest answer.

"It'll be in a month or two, as Hype's busy makin' beats for other artists that's been around for a while and upcomin'. I got me a little studio booth in my house, and Hype sent me some of his beats ta put my rhymes on for my spare time.", Peace said, as Vinyl nodded.

Cool! Peace, I know you've been all over the world beyond Equestria and definitely wrote a lot of rhymes for the HOOF-STARR album and maybe your solo album... You are gonna make your solo album, are ya?", Vinyl asked with hope, as Peace answered.

"Of course! I'm even gonna put one of my songs on the new HOOF-STARR album, as well. Sapphire Shores, Coloratura, Songbird Serenade, and many more are gonna be on both albums. So I appreciate your hard work.", Peace complemented, making Vinyl blush.

"Sure thing, bro! You, Hype, Goldie, Gloria, me, Tavi, we go way back when we use to hang out and you and Hype freestyle for us during school breaks. Speaking of freestyle...", when Vinyl made that suggestion, Peace smirked.

"Ya know I'm ready for one, By. No need ta ask.", Peace put on some headphones on his ears, as Vinyl put the record on the turntable. As it was live, she said...

"OK, what up to all the ponies, zebras, dragons, griffons, kirins, and many more out there! I have a little somethin' for y'all. I hope y'all are ready.", after that, Peace started his freestyle.

"Oh my gosh! Who would've guessed?
That I'd beblessed by DJ PON3 and the rest?
Ponyville, the best little town in Equestria
Not far from Princesses Luna and Celestia

Do I have bars? Ya better believe it
Poem so hot, the Wonderbolts go supersonic ta heat seek it
Rainbow Dash and Spitfire would be the first
To seek in seconds, leavin' Wind Rider behind while he curses

Shoutout ta the Wonderbolts for bein' cool
Showin' me around Cloudsdale where Pegasi rule
Rumble gave me the best brownie fudge
And brother Thunderlane thunder kicked disgraced dragon Sludge

Ember, Spike, and Smolder are the truest dragons
Made Sludge tap out in wrestlin', with his tail still saggin'
To Sludge, he's a wanna-be dragon that can't break marble
He can't even perform a Drago Claw like Garble..."

Peace stops his freestyle for a moment, as he said...

"I wanna do a rhyme about what I've been through on here.", Vinyl nodded and puts on a different beat, as Peace continued his freestyle.

"Zebras know the struggles in Manehattan
And to those who put me through hell knows what happen
I fought, struggled, and beaten the odds
Y'all hatin' on me for havin' magical mods

"Stripes need ta know their place!"
Think y'all are above those of a different race?
Puttin' those down when they're weak
But when they do better than you without violence, their confidence peaked

As I speak for not just zebras, but for many
That were bullied by the ones that don't have any common sense
Being high and mighty with minds like a dense fog
I've seen those that are looked down by family pet dogs

Look, I worked hard to be who I am
To those who don't understand, I don't give a damn
If ya had remorse, it's severely difficult to forgive
Y'all don't know how hard me and Pops lived

But thanks to Princess Celestia and her crew
I've seen Equestria with a lot of better views
Though, some views are still tainted by hate and prejudice
Other views are calm and full of bliss

Yeah, I'm a zebracorn
From Stallion Island, Manehattan, where I was born
To Graceful Blessing and Thunder Hammer, the ponies who gave me life
I'm doin' my best to make y'all proud in a positive strife!"

Peace was done with his freestyle, and Vinyl was amazed at his performance. She looked at her phone and saw that Peace's freestyle was getting more than one hundred thousand views and counting on PonyTube.

"Bruh! Your rhymes were fire, man! Even other rap groups are liking that freestyle. I'm glad ta hear you rhyme again, Peace.", Vinyl said, as Peace bowed to her.

"It's been a while since I've been on the mic, and I thank ya for havin' me on here. Ta all the HOOF-STARR fans, we're back, y'all!", Peace exclaimed, as Vinyl signs off the air and they both took off their headphones. Vinyl gave Peace a hug.

"You and HOOF-STARR are gonna take Equestria and the whole world by storm. I'm rootin' for ya.", Vinyl said, as she let Peace go.

"Yeah, and you're still takin' it by storm, too. I hope you'll continue ta do so. Thanks again for havin' me, Vy. See ya later.", he said, as Peace exits the radio station. Peace had this thought.

"Vy said that Octavia was in Trottingham making background music for a play. I hope she's doin' well.", as he finished his thought, Peace was tackled by a pink missile that's Pinkie Pie.

"You. Were. AWESOME!!!! We heard you on the radio!", Pinkie said excitedly, as Peace looked up while lying on the ground. He sees Pinkie, then Twilight, Spike, Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Starlight. They all had happy and proud smiles on their faces.

"Well, I guess y'all want an autograph?", they all had papers and parchment for Peace to sign, as he laughed.

Back in Canterlot, Princesses Celetia and Luna were also smiling proudly at Peace's performance, but no one was more prouder than Thunder Hammer. The father of the zebracorn said...

"I'm glad to hear ya doin' that again, son."

Author's Note

That's it for this chapter, and it's the last chapter from me in 2024. Happy New Year, everypony and creature. Thank y'all so much for enjoying reading this story, and there will be more chapters to come. Until the next chapter, Deuce!