Pals and Ponies

The jagged, rock-skinned crocodile bellowed once again, its glowing yellow eyes narrowing as it sized up the one standing in its path. Its massive tail slammed into the dirt, shaking the very ground underneath it.

Cattiva, for her part, slinked behind her master’s leg, her tail wrapping around herself in fear but her expression betraying a glimmer of relief. Lamball, as eager as ever, bounced forward with reckless enthusiasm, bleating loudly at the creature. The little fluffball pawed at the ground in defiance, as if it were a seasoned warrior ready to take on a towering foe.

“Easy there, buddy,” The man spoke as he held out another ball, a beam of light gently hitting the lamb and making it vanish. “You’re a few battles too early for something like this. Sit this one out, okay?”

The zebra, who the man had fully forgotten about there for a second, widened its eyes in shock, their striped frame stiffening as they took a cautious step back. “What trickery is this, what did I see? That sheep was there—now it ceased to be!”

“I…” The young man glanced down at the Pal Sphere in his hand before letting it phase into the tablet at his side. “Don’t worry. Lamball is is just resting. Didn’t want the little guy to get hurt after all.” he tapped a button at upon the tablet and yet another sphere popped into existence and into his hand. “Now this one on the other hand…Might be itching for a fight.”

He raises the sphere high into the air and from it, a beam of light short forth, hitting the ground in front of him. When the light died down a new figure was standing before them—a striking sight, tall and sleek and standing on two legs. Her fur, a blend of tawny brown and deep black. Piercing blue eyes gleamed with intelligence as she surveyed the land before her, the mysterious black veil covering the top half of her head swaying softly in the breeze behind her, giving her an almost royal yet intimidating presence. Her long, pointed ears twitched slightly, and the black and golden bands wrapped around her wrists glinted under the dim forest light.

The creature rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck with a practiced ease before turning her gaze towards the one behind her. She stared, her arms crossed over her chest, her expression unreadable. Then, with a flick of her tail, she let out a single, unimpressed scoff.

The man sighed, recognizing the attitude instantly. He clapped both of his hands together bowing low. “Sorry, Cleo! You were probably meditating or something, right? I know it's a bad time but we’ve kind of got a bit into a little bit of trouble,” He stood straight up and pumped his fist “Still! You never turned down a battle, right?”

The one named Cleo allowed her sharp gaze to shift towards the rock-skinned beast still looming before them, growling even harder at the newest beast to block it from its meal. She clicked her tongue, her arms dropping to her sides as she subtly shifted into a ready stance. No words were needed—her body language said it all.

She was more than ready.

The little zebra, who had barely recovered from the shock of seeing one creature vanish into thin air, found herself once again stunned by the emergence of another. Her cyan eyes traced Cleo’s form with growing intrigue and heavy—Heavy confusion. “Another beast, a warrior no less, so quick to show. Despite it looking familiar, this one I do not know…”

Cleo, ignoring all, shot forward like a blur, her arms drawn back as her powerful legs propelled her across the battlefield in an instant. The towering rock-skinned beast barely had time to react before Cleo’s fist struck its jagged hide. The impact was deafening, a thunderous crack echoing through the trees as her knuckles met stone. The rock crocodile staggered, its massive frame shuddering from the sheer force of the blow, but it was far from down for the count. Instead, it roared in fury, its tail whipping around with terrifying speed.

“Cleo, move!” the man called out.

She didn’t need to be told twice.

In a fluid motion, she twisted her body, barely dodging the beast’s retaliatory strike. The tail smashed into the earth where she had stood moments before, sending up a cloud of dust and debris. Cleo landed gracefully, her paws skidding slightly on the dirt as she readjusted her stance.

The rocky beast snarled, shaking off the damage from the first blow as its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Cleo with renewed fury. It slammed one massive claw into the ground, sending a tremor through the earth. Shards of stone erupted from the ground in jagged spikes, racing toward Cleo in a wave of destruction.

Her arms had barely come up in preparation for the oncoming assault when the man, the one who summoned her, moved. There was no hesitation, no second-guessing. One moment he was in one place, and the next, he was in front of her, his hands raised as if to shield her from the incoming attack.

A device on his belt—sleek and metallic with glowing blue circuitry—came to life with a sharp hum. Energy surged outward from it, forming a shimmering dome of translucent light that enveloped both himself and Cleo.

The jagged stone spikes slammed hard into the barrier with brutal force, each impact sending ripples across the surface of the dome. Despite that, the shield held firm, deflecting the rocks as they shattered harmlessly against it, though even then, one could see cracks slowly forming against its surface.

The rocky beast before the two of them snarled in frustration, its anger growing even more. It raised its the claw again, ready to release another bout of spikes.

The man’s eyes flickered to the barrier’s surface with the little time he had, his mind working overtime as he assessed the damage. He released a quite curse. He never did get a chance to upgrade his shield and knew that another blow like the one before would be more then enough to chew through the rest of the energy reserves.

Cleo wasn’t giving the beast a chance to do so however.

With a sharp exhale, Cleo surged forward, slipping past his side in a blur of motion. She quickly closed the gap between herself and the rock crocodile. Her body gleamed with golden energy as she moved, light trailing in her wake like the afterimage of a lightning strike. The rocky monster barely had time cast its attack before Cleo was upon it, twisting mid-air to deliver a devastating spinning kick to its head.

BOOM!

The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, the force so great that the beast staggered back, its jagged feet digging deep trenches into the dirt. A fresh set of fractures spread across its hardened exterior.

“Anymore like that and it's done for!” The man called out. "It's my turn Cleo! Get back!"

Cleo landed gracefully, skidding to a halt just in front of the man. She shot him a sharp glance—clearly unimpressed by the idea of backing down—but with a twitch of her tail, she obliged, flipping backward and out of his immediate line of fire.

The man’s emerald eyes gleamed as he reached for a Pal Sphere at his side. The orb pulsed with energy, shimmering between colors before landing upon a yellow hue. “Alright,” he muttered under his breath, his fingers tightening around the orb. “Let's wrap this up.”

The rocky beast let out a pained snarl, shaking its head as more cracks splintered along its stone-like hide. Its glowing yellow eyes darted toward the man, narrowing in suspicion. It knew something was coming. It needed to act, and it needed to be now. It released a roar before charging forward—one last attempt, winner take all.

The man wasted no time meeting the challenge head on. With a flick of his wrist, he launched the Pal Sphere towards the beast and, with a satisfying strike, it hit the top of its head. The moment the Pal Sphere made contact, a brilliant beam of energy erupted from its core, engulfing the rocky beast in a swirling vortex of light. The massive creature let out a final, defiant roar before its form began to break apart, dissolving into shimmering particles as it was pulled into the orb’s depths.

The sphere hovered in place high in the air and began to shake.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

And then a jingle played before it vanished, shooting high into the sky.

The capture was complete.

A breath of silence followed the capture. The forest, once alive with the chaos of battle, now sat in an eerie stillness. Faint wisps of energy lingered in the air where the rock-skinned crocodile had stood just moments before, dissipating like mist in the morning sun.

The man exhaled, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of tension. His emerald eyes flickered skyward, watching the last traces of the Pal Sphere disappear beyond the canopy.

“Gotcha,” he muttered, a triumphant smirk curling at the edge of his lips. He smiled before sighing, placing both hands on his hips. “Well that was fun. First battle and first Pal? Just what else can happen today?”

A rustling sound broke the quiet, drawing their attention back to the zebra who had been spectating in stunned silence up until now. The small creature hesitated before stepping forward, her cyan eyes still wide with disbelief.

“Gone, just like that—the beast of stone… now bound in a sphere, no longer alone,” she murmured, almost to herself, she turned towards the mane before her. “A sight most strange, a trick most grand… yet still I fail to understand.”

“Oh yeah the talking little zebra.” he frowned as he turned to face her. “And she rhymes. Didn’t catch that at first but now I can’t miss it.” Getting a good look at her now, he couldn’t help but whistle softly.

The man took a step back, finally getting a proper look at the strange zebra before him. She was small—reaching just about his waist—but despite her size, there was a quiet confidence in the way she carried herself. Her sleek coat was a striking pattern of black and white stripes, bold and symmetrical, swirling around her legs and back in an almost hypnotic fashion. A thick mohawk-like mane, stiff and proud, ran down the length of her neck, the silvery strands catching the dim forest light.

Golden bands adorned her front legs just above her hooves, glinting faintly as she shifted in place. Around her neck rested a heavy golden collar, the metal smooth and well-worn, hinting at years of travel and wisdom.

But it was her eyes that held his attention the most—bright cyan, sharp and observant, filled with both curiosity and caution.

The man smiled and bent down, to her level. “Look at you. Just as cute as a Ribunny on a sunny day. Do all Pals talk here? That other one seemed to not so…”

Zecora’s ears flicked back slightly at his words, her expression unreadable. Then, with a slow blink, she tilted her head.

“Cute, you say? A term so light… yet I am more than just a pleasant sight,” she mused, her voice carrying its usual rhythmic cadence. “As for others, I cannot say—if speech they lack, it is their way.”

The man chuckled, resting his hands on his knees as he studied her. “Alright, alright, fair enough. Didn’t mean to offend.” He gave her a playful grin. “But you gotta admit, talking zebras? That’s not exactly normal where I’m from.”

Zecora narrowed her eyes slightly, but there was no real malice in her gaze—only curiosity.

“A place unknown, a land so vast… yet you arrive, so sure, so fast.” She took a step closer, her cyan eyes sizing him up and down. “Strange devices, beasts contained… speak the truth—what is your name?”

He blinked at the sudden shift in tone but quickly composed himself,. “Oh wow…been a while since someone even asked me that…” He stood up straight and placed a hand on his chest. “Name’s Ryan. A Pal Tamer.”

Zecora studied them both before speaking again, her tone measured.“There is much to ask, much to know, But here’s not safe; come, let’s go. The trees have ears, the winds may speak—In shadowed depths, dangers sneak.”

Ryan raised a brow at her cryptic warning, but he knew better than to dismiss local wisdom, especially from someone who clearly knew the land. He glanced at Cleo, who gave him a pointed look before tilting her head toward the trees, silently agreeing that staying in one place too long wasn’t a great idea.

“Alright, fair enough,” Ryan said, standing tall and dusting himself off. “Lead the way, oh wise, rhyming guide.”

“My name is Zecora,” She spoke as she turned away from them, “of wisdom and brew, A healer, a guide, with knowledge true.”

“No fooling?” He was about to follow her when he felt something grasp his leg, nuzzling it.

Ryan sighed, rolling his eyes with a half-smirk as he looked down at Cattiva, still clinging to his leg like a terrified child. “You are so needy, you know that?” he muttered, though there was no bite in his words. Gently, he pried her off his leg, her little paws reluctant to let go.

As soon as she was free, he scooped her up into his arms, cradling her close against his chest. “Not gonna forget about you, little lady,” he murmured, giving her a reassuring pat on the head. Cattiva let out a soft, contented hum, burying her face into his jacket, her tail curling securely around his forearm.

Cleo, who had been watching the exchange with mild disinterest, snorted and flicked her tail, as if unimpressed by the display of coddling.

Ryan caught the look and raised a brow. “What? You jealous?” he teased.

Cleo scoffed, crossing her arms.

Zecora, now a few steps ahead, cast them a glance over her shoulder before continuing forward.“Keep your pace, do not delay, For lurking eyes still watch our way.”

Ryan tightened his hold on Cattiva, his smirk fading slightly. Right. As much as he enjoyed teasing his Pals, now wasn’t the time to get comfortable. He cast one last glance toward the shadowed treeline before moving forward, keeping pace with Zecora.

~~~

Twilight’s Castle – The Cutie Map

The grand halls of Twilight’s crystalline castle shimmered with the soft glow of enchanted torches, casting flickering light across the polished floors. At the heart of the castle, the throne room was alive with voices—some concerned, some excited, and at least one sounding suspiciously like it was there just to show off.

The Cutie Map sat at the center of it all, its magical surface humming faintly as it projected a detailed image of Equestria. However, something was wrong.

A pulse of wild magic crackled across the map, distorting its usual pristine display. The familiar geography flickered, shifting unnaturally as an unfamiliar aura rippled outward from the Everfree Forest—unstable, foreign, and completely unlike anything the ponies had ever seen before.

Twilight frowned as she looked down at the map. Before they had gathered around it, she had called her friends to the castle to discuss the strange magical disturbance she had detected earlier. But the moment they were all together, each of their cutie marks had begun to glow, shimmering brightly upon their flanks.

Applejack, sitting in her chair with her hooves crossed over her chest, was the first to break the silence. "This can't be a coincidence, right? What with the unicorns’ magic actin’ up and now the Cutie Map callin’ all six of us?"

Twilight nodded, eyes narrowing as she examined the flickering projection of Equestria. "I don’t think so. The timing is too perfect. First the fluctuations in unicorn magic all across Ponyville if Trixie’s report is to be believed. And—”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie does not fabricate tales of magical distress, Twilight Sparkle!” she huffed, lifting her nose into the air. The show mare, having been a few steps away from the Cutie Map stopped forward, slamming both hooves on the table as she continued. “She merely provides a dramatic recounting of events, as is befitting of one as magnificent as herself!”

Twilight sighed, rubbing her temple. “I didn’t say you were lying, Trixie. I’m sorry if I made it come off that way.”

The show mare’s expression shifted slightly at Twilight’s apology, though she still held her nose high. “Hmph. As well you should be! The Great and Powerful Trixie has seen firsthand the chaos this strange magic is causing! It’s most unnerving! One moment, Trixie is sleeping and then the next her horn has her up all night.” She frowned. “Trixie did not get her usual eight hours of sleep like she is supposed to!”

Rainbow Dash snorted, the prismatic maned mare leaning back in her chair with an amused smirk. “Oh no, the horror. Trixie lost some beauty sleep. Clearly, this is the real crisis here.”

“You may mock, Rainbow Dash, but Trixie’s well-being is of utmost importance!” The show mare shot back. “How can one be Great and Powerful if one is also exhausted?” She tossed her mane dramatically. “Trixie cannot dazzle audiences or properly maintain her aura of mystique on anything less than a full eight hours of uninterrupted rest!”

“If I could get back on topic.” Twilight cut in, standing from her seat. “I would like to continue.” She looked between everyone within the room before sitting back down, sighing. “The second problem is what we have now. The Cutie Map activating and pointing to, of all places, the Everfree Forest.”

Rarity tapped a hoof against the table, eyeing the erratic pulses of magic rippling across the map. “And not just any part of the Everfree, darling. That part.” She gestured to the area on the map where the disturbance was concentrated—deep within the forest, far beyond Zecora’s hut and into the wild, untamed and unknown…even more then usual.

Fluttershy gulped. “Oh dear… that part of the forest is even more dangerous than usual. The creatures there don’t usually come near Ponyville, but if the magic is acting up…” Her ears drooped. “They might be frightened, or worse… aggressive.”

Pinkie Pie tilted her head, her expression unusually serious. “What if they’re not just scared? What if something new is in there?” She leaned in, lowering her voice. “Something that shouldn’t be?”

The room fell into silence at her words, the implications sinking in.

Twilight took a deep breath before speaking, looking between all her friends. “That’s exactly what we need to find out. If there’s something in the Everfree that’s throwing magic into chaos, we need to stop it before it spreads further.”

“Well, if the map’s callin’ all six of us, I reckon that means whatever’s out there ain’t somethin’ we can handle alone.” Applejack spoke.

Rainbow Dash pounded a hoof against the table. “Then let’s stop wasting time and get moving! We won’t figure anything out just sitting here.”

Trixie sighed dramatically, flipping her cape. “Yes, yes, Trixie supposes she has no choice but to accompany you all on this perilous expedition.”

“Ha!” Rainbow scoffed as she turned her attention towards the show mare fully. “Pretty sure the map didn’t call you, Trixie.”

Said mare gasped, placing a hoof over her chest as if Rainbow Dash had just struck her with a mortal wound. “How dare you! Are you suggesting that Trixie—The Great and Powerful Trixie mind you—is not an essential addition to this quest?” She scoffed, flipping her mane. “Why, without my vast magical expertise and unmatched problem-solving skills, you would surely all be lost!”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Trixie, ya do remember what happened the last time ya decided to ‘help’ with a magic problem, right?”

“That was an experiment—and besides, Trixie recovered most of her original size before things got too out of hoof!”

Twilight sighed. “Look, I appreciate the enthusiasm, Trixie, but this could be dangerous. The Cutie Map only called the six of us for a reason. If something’s affecting magic, then I don’t want anypony getting caught in the middle of it.”

“Oh, please.” The show mare spoke, her nose stuck in the air. “If Trixie were to be ‘caught in the middle’ of anything, it would be solving the issue before any of you could even lift a hoof! I refuse to be left behind while some grand magical mystery unfolds before me!”

Rainbow Dash smirked, hovering just above the table with crossed hooves. “Oh yeah? Then what are you gonna do if we run into a giant magic-eating monster?”

Trixie faltered for half a second before straightening her cape. “Simple—I shall distract it with my breathtaking illusions while the rest of you… do whatever it is you do.” She gestured vaguely at Twilight. “I assume it will involve some kind of tedious magical analysis.”

Twilight frowned, rubbing her chin in thought. “Actually… illusions might be useful, depending on what we find.”

Trixie’s ears perked up. “Aha! So you do need me!”

“We didn’t say that, Trixie.” Applejack spoke in a deadpanned tone

“I heard it,” Trixie said smugly. “The Great and Powerful Trixie shall accompany you all, whether the map likes it or not!”

Starlight, who had been quietly observing the conversation, finally sighed and stepped forward. PinkS“Alright, if Trixie’s coming along, then I’ll stay back and keep an eye on things here.” She glanced toward Twilight. “Those magical disturbances may have calmed down for now, but there’s no telling if it doesn’t happen again. Somepony needs to be here in case things take a turn for the worse.”

Twilight gave her a grateful nod. “That’s a good idea, Starlight. If things escalate, you can make sure Ponyville doesn’t fall into chaos.” She glanced at Spike. “And you’ll be staying here too, Spike.”

“Aww, c’mon, Twilight!” The little drake complained, crossing his arms “What if you need to send a letter to Princess Celestia? Or—” he gestured at the Cutie Map, “—what if it gets even weirder and you need backup?”

“I know, Spike, but I need somepony I trust to help Starlight manage things here,” Twilight reasoned. “If unicorn magic does act up again, even simple spells might cause problems.”

Starlight nodded. “She’s right, Spike. If something happens, I’ll teleport straight to you all, no problem. But we do need to make sure Ponyville stays safe too.”

Spike huffed but nodded. “Fine. But if you guys do run into a giant magic-eating monster, I totally called it.”

Rainbow Dash snickered. “Yeah, yeah, we’ll make sure to give you credit.”

Trixie, still basking in her triumph, flicked her cape dramatically. “Yes, yes, wonderful. Now that that is settled, Trixie shall make her grand preparations for this perilous journey.” She struck a theatrical pose, her head held high. “No need to worry, Ponyville! Trixie shall ensure Equestria’s continued safety!”

Applejack smirked. “Just don’t trip over yer cape before we even get there.”

Trixie shot her a glare. “Trixie does not trip.”

As the others filed out of the room, chatting amongst themselves about what to bring, Twilight lingered by the Cutie Map, her eyes still fixed on the flickering disturbance over the Everfree Forest. The moment the last hoofstep faded beyond the castle doors, a familiar voice broke the silence.

"Twilight?" Starlight’s tone was softer as she spoke. She stepped closer, her gaze studying Twilight’s expression. "You okay?"

“I don’t know…” The lavender mare hesitated for a moment, her wings twitching slightly. "Have you ever had the feeling that something is going to change?"

Starlight blinked, tilting her head. "Change? Like… in what way?"

Twilight exhaled, shaking her head. "I don’t know. It’s just… this magic, whatever it is, it feels different." She tapped a hoof lightly against the edge of the map. "The Cutie Map has called all of us before, but this time, I can’t shake the feeling that whatever we’re walking into isn’t just another friendship problem or magical mishap."

"You think it’s something bigger?"

Twilight nodded. "Maybe. Or maybe I’m just overthinking it.”

Starlight studied Twilight for a moment before tilting her head slightly. “You sure you don’t want to tell the other princesses yet?” she asked, her voice gentle but firm. “If you really think this is something big, shouldn’t Celestia and Luna at least know about it?”

The princess of friendship hesitated, her eyes flickering toward the Cutie Map again. The magical distortion pulsed faintly, as if responding to her unspoken doubts. She exhaled, her ears twitching. “I’ve thought about it, but… I don’t even know what I’d tell them yet.”

“That magic is unstable,” Starlight suggested. “That the Everfree is acting up, and your gut is telling you something’s coming?” She gestured toward the map. “I’d say that’s a pretty good reason to give them a heads-up. You haven’t been wrong before”

Twilight’s wings shifted at her sides. “I know, but if I call for them too soon and it turns out to be nothing—”

Starlight gave her a flat look. “You really think this is nothing?”

Twilight sighed. “No. But I also don’t want to cause unnecessary panic. If I tell Celestia, she might send guards or even take action herself before we understand what’s happening. The Cutie Map chose us—and until we know why, I think it’s best we handle this first.”

“Alright, I get that. But Twilight, if this gets worse, promise me you will reach out to them. Don’t try to handle it all on your own.”

Twilight giggled softly, a flicker of warmth breaking through the tension in her expression. “And here I thought I was supposed to be your teacher.”

“Hey, somepony’s got to make sure you don’t overwork yourself into another magical meltdown.” Starlight arched a brow. “Besides, I’d say I’ve learned enough from you to know when you need a reality check.”

“Alright, alright. You win.” Twilight placed a hoof over her chest. “If things start getting worse, I promise I’ll let Celestia and Luna know.”

Starlight eyed her carefully, then nodded in approval. “Good. You better keep that promise.”

Twilight gave a reassuring smile before turning toward the door. “I should finish getting ready. The others will be back soon.”

As she trotted toward the exit, Starlight stayed behind for a moment, casting one last look at the flickering Cutie Map. The distortion over the Everfree shimmered ominously, the unstable energy crackling faintly.

She didn’t know what was coming. But she had a feeling Twilight was right.

Things were about to change.

And once they did, there would be no going back.

~~~

Ryan adjusted Cattiva in his arms, the little pink cat creature, following his gaze as the looked upon the strange dwelling the zebra had led them to. His eyes scanned the house before him—or rather a tree—twisted and gnarled with age, its thick roots gripping the earth like claws. Carved masks, painted in striking patterns, hung from its branches, watching like silent sentinels. Strange bottles and herbs dangled from the boughs, swaying gently in the forest breeze, filling the air with an earthy, exotic scent.

Ryan released a low whistle. “Well… that’s certainly a house.”

Lamball, having long replaced Cleo on the outside due to there being very little need for her, bounded forward with boundless energy, the little ball of wool letting out a loud, enthusiastic bleat as he landed at the base of the twisted tree. His stubby legs scrabbled at the dirt as he hopped around excitedly, inspecting the strange masks and trinkets that adorned the tree’s branches. His black little tail wagged with uncontainable curiosity, his round, beady eyes gleaming as he let out another cheerful baaa!

Ryan couldn’t help but smirk, watching his little companion bounce about without a care in the world. “Well, at least someone’s excited.”

Zecora glanced at the tiny, wool-covered bundle of enthusiasm as she pushed open her door, amusement flickering in her cyan eyes as well. “A spirit so light, a heart so free—yet in such a place, caution should be.”

“Yeah,” Ryan couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him, “he doesn’t really do ‘caution’ per say.”

Lamball, oblivious to the conversation, attempted to headbutt one of the hanging masks that were lower to the ground. Unfortunately for him, the mask barely budged, while he himself stumbled backward with a surprised bleat, shaking his head to regain his balance.

Ryan winced before giving the zebra an apologetic smile. “Case in point.”

Zecora let out a soft chuckle as she stepped inside, motioning for them to follow. “Then enter now, and still your mind. For knowledge sought, one soon may find.”

“Thanks again.” Ryan gave Lamball a pointed look. “And, you. No breaking things, no eating things, and definitely no headbutting things.”

Lamball responded with an innocent bleat before bouncing happily after them into Zecora’s home, his wool fluffing up with every hop.

Ryan sighed, stepping inside with Cattiva still snug in his arms. “This is gonna be an experience, I can already tell.”

Stepping inside, he took a moment to let his eyes wander across the interior of Zecora’s home. The walls were lined with shelves filled with carefully arranged vials, herbs, and various peculiar trinkets, each item giving off an air of mystery and purpose. Carved wooden masks, similar to those hanging outside, adorned the walls, their painted features watching silently from the dim candlelight. The scent of incense and dried herbs lingered in the air, mixing with the faint bubbling of the cauldron in the center of the room.

Something about it all felt... familiar.

Ryan furrowed his brows, his gaze lingering on one of the masks, its design intricate and symmetrical, resembling the ones he had once seen in old textbooks back before he came to those Pal infested islands. His mind flickered back to his school days, lessons about distant lands across the sea—vast savannas, towering baobab trees, and cultures rich with oral traditions, crafts, and spirituality.

He turned his head, his gaze settling on the large, bubbling cauldron in the center of the room. The liquid within swirled lazily, glowing faintly under the dim light, sending soft plumes of steam curling into the air. He raised a brow, lips twitching into a smirk.

Oh… My Katress would have a field day if she knew you had something like that.

He could almost hear the amused chuff Katress would have let out, her sharp fangs flashing in a knowing grin. Her tail would flick back and forth with unrestrained glee, her ears perking up as she paced around the cauldron, soaking in every detail. If she were here, she’d already be nudging him with that smug look in her eyes, practically demanding he figure out a way to bring one of these back with them.

It still amazed him how, even without being able to talk just like the rest of the Pals, she really was quite expressive when they put she mind to it.

Ryan’s thoughts were abruptly cut off as Zecora turned to face him fully “Welcome, traveler, to my abode—a place of rest, where wisdom’s sowed.”

He blinked before smiling.. “Ah—yeah, thanks,” adjusting Cattiva slightly in his arms as she leaned her head back. He cast another glance around, still taking in the intricate details of the place. “Gotta say, it’s got a certain… atmosphere to it.”

Zecora chuckled, stirring her cauldron with practiced ease. “A weary mind finds solace here, where troubled thoughts may soon grow clear.” She gestured toward the bubbling mixture, the soft glow reflecting in her eyes. “For strength of body, warmth of soul—such blends bring balance, make one whole.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow, stepping a little closer. “So… what exactly is that? Some kind of magic tea?”

“Not quite tea, though close you tread. It soothes the limbs and clears the head.” She retrieved a wooden bowl from a nearby shelf, ladling a portion of the liquid into it before offering it to him.

Ryan hesitated for a moment, glancing at the glowing concoction. He’d drunk his fair share of questionable things over the course of his adventures—some turned out to be revitalizing tonics, others… well, less so.

Still, something told him he could trust this.

With a sigh, he took the bowl, tilting it slightly in his grip. “Well, here’s to not waking up with an extra tail or something.”

He took a careful sip. The taste was earthy, slightly spiced, with a faint sweetness that lingered on his tongue. Almost immediately, a warmth spread through his chest, easing away the tension in his shoulders. His muscles relaxed, his thoughts settled, and for the first time in a while, he felt steady.

He lowered the bowl, exhaling softly. “…Okay, I'll take it back. This is way better than tea.”

Zecora gave an approving nod. “The roots of old, the herbs so fine—they weave together, strong entwined.”

“Yeah… I think I really needed that.” He cast her a grateful smile before settling onto a mat across from Lamball, who was now snoozing peacefully. “Had been traveling for a while before I came wandering into this forest.”

A knowing smile formed on Zecora’s lips before she took a seat across from him. She lifted her own cup of the warm brew to her lips, taking a slow, measured sip before speaking.

“First, allow me to thank you true, for facing danger, standing through.”

Ryan raised a brow, shifting slightly where he sat. “Thank me? For what?”

Zecora set her cup down gently on the wooden floor, her cyan eyes watching him with quiet gratitude. “The beast of stone, fierce and wild—it threatened all, yet was beguiled.” She gestured toward him with a nod. “Your hand was steady, your stance was sure—you fought with heart, not force impure.”

Ryan blinked, then let out a quiet chuckle. “Huh. You mean the rock croc, right?” He leaned back on his hands, smirking slightly. “Didn’t really do it for any grand reason. Just… kinda what I do.”

Zecora tilted her head, watching him closely. “To fight is one thing, but choice is key—restraint and care are what I see.” Her gaze flickered to the Pal Sphere at his side. “Still…not all would seek to end a fight with bonds of light, not strength of might.”

Ryan followed her gaze, glancing at the sphere before shrugging. “Yeah, well… I do choose my battles carefully. Gotta with how things are usually ran around me.” His voice carried a note of quiet certainty. “Also, I did get a new Pal out of it so it wasn’t just all for you, ya know. Still I was happy to help. Always am.”

Zecora arched a brow, her eyes drifting back to the strange device secured at Ryan’s side. “That beast so large, now bound so small… Tell me, tamer, is the cragadile really within that ball?”

Ryan glanced down at the tablet before reaching for it, summoning one of the strange balls he had used. Rolling it idly between his fingers, he gave her a smile. “Yeah, it’s in here. You called it a Cragadile. Heh…fitting name.”

A name most old, from tales of lore—a beast of stone from days before.” Her cyan eyes flickered back to Ryan, studying his expression. “Yet you know not what you have caught? A traveler blind, or knowledge sought?”

“A bit of both on that front.” He admitted. “Most of the creatures I’ve caught are like…” He pauses, trying to come up with how to explain himself. “Okay, see, like with you, I know you’re a Zebra cause I’ve seen them in books. But none of them could shoot lightning…or talk like you. I knew most of the counter parts of the pals way found the islands so…”

Zecora turned her gaze toward Lamball, who was still sprawled out on the woven mat, his stubby legs twitching slightly as he let out a soft, contented bleat in his sleep. Her expression remained thoughtful as she observed the small creature.

“I see a sheep, yet not the same—this form one one I know not where it came.” She looked back at Ryan, her cyan eyes gleaming with understanding. “So too, you see what seems to be, yet strangeness lingers, much like me.”

Ryan blinked at her words before tilting his head slightly. “Wait… you’re saying you have normal sheep here?” He leaned forward, nearly cause Cattiva to topple over if he wasn’t holding her so tight. “Like, actual, regular, fluffy sheep?”

Zecora gave a slow nod. “Indeed, we do, they graze and roam—no sparks, no tricks, just fields their home.”

“Huh. Alright, so that’s a first.” She leans back in his chair. “Looks like questions keep piling up for me.”

The zebra nodded, her expression contemplative. “For me as well, these thoughts now grow—of things once heard, of truths unknown.” She paused, her gaze drifting over Ryan, as if seeing him in a new light. “A friend once spoke, with wisdom clear, of creatures strange across a mirror near.”

Ryan arched a brow, sitting up slightly. “A mirror?”

Zecora’s eyes lingered on him, a flicker of realization crossing her face. “A portal vast, of glass so bright—where forms do change yet stay in sight.” Her gaze sharpened. “And now I look, and now I see… the shape they wear is much like thee.”

“Wait, hold on” Ryan frowned “Are you saying I look like those creatures? The ones from the mirror?” He gestured to himself. “Like, this?”

The zebra shook her head, her expression thoughtful. “My eyes have not seen through the glass, but wisdom shared still comes to pass.” She tapped a hoof lightly against the wooden floor. “A friend of mine, with mind so keen, has walked that path and knows what’s seen.”

The young man leans back, his eyes unfocused. "Geeze...and I thought the portal I went though to get here was weird..."

The zebra’s ears perked slightly at his words, her sharp eyes narrowing with interest. “A portal strange, a path unknown—yet here you stand, yet not alone.” She studied him carefully. “Then tell me, traveler, if you may—what kind of road led you this way?”

Ryan let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his head. “It's a long story…you got time?”

Zecora gave a knowing smile, settling herself onto a cushion across from him. “The night is young, the fire bright—so speak your tale, and share your plight.”

"Alright…” The man leaned back “So…everything kinda starts with me sailing on the deep blue sea…”