A Strange New Landby Spiceywolf15ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 122 years ago a zebra herbalist was messing with her ingrediants, creating an unstable potion she hoped would increase the prowess of her tribe's warriors. She added some poison joke extract and the solution exploded, sending her flying out her tent. She stood up and quickly made her way to the tent to find a baby laying in her cauldron. She was confused, as it was not a creature she had ever seen before. It's skin was white and bare, yet it had some sort of fur on it's head. In order to save the baby's life the herbalist said she would raise it to follow their ways if she could. She did. That is the story of how I was born. My name is simply Arvac, as my mother, the herbalist, named me. *** I was walking through the Everfree Forest one day searching for berries I was told would be lying here. I stood tall, almost three times as tall as a normal zebra. I wore a vest and pair of pants I wove with my own hands of fresh grass the day before. I crouched under a low hanging branch pushing it up slightly with my spear, when I heard a low growl. I dived forward into a roll landing on one knee out of instinct. I looked behind me where a manticore's tail had peirced the ground where I was standing. Buck, I thought to myself standing and putting my spear across my body electricity coursing through it from a ruby embedded in the shaft. The manticore stepped into my veiw. It charged me again its tail darting out in front of it at me. I jumped at it, the tail whizzing passed my head, and jabbed me spear at the monster as it roared. My spear went cleanly into its mouth coming out the back of its neck. The monster slammed into me as electricity roasted it's insides. I grunted in pain as the monster landed on my chest, its blood flowing over me. With a grunt of effort I pushed the Manticore's heavy body off me. I retrieved my spear just in time for a strange zebra with a necklace curling up her neck to step out in front of me. "Vel'bol inbal dos xunor?!" She called. "What," I asked never having heard this language before. Her eyes brightened at my use of the zebra tongue and she said in the same language, " What have you done, to this creature that hurts none?" I raised my hands to my ears dropping my spear, "No! No rhymes teller of stories, please no! Storytellers give me splitting headaches when they speak in rhyme!" The zebra looked at me quizzically then nodded, "I am... sorry warrior... this is... difficult to do as I have not spoken in rhymes... in some time." She was obviously having trouble speaking without rhymes. "It's ok, my tribes storyteller had the same habit. As for the manticore," I picked up my spear, "It attacked me so I defended myself." She nodded, "I understand the need. What is your name warrior?" "I am Arvac, as my mother named me," I gave her a bow, "May I ask you your name, tale speaker?" "I am Zecora... I am no storyteller, but... an herbalist." I nodded straightening, "Is there somewhere I may wash the creatures blood off?" She nodded, "There is a lake near, may I ask why you visit here?" "I am foraging for food for my tribe. I need to get back after I wash." She nodded, "Ok, follow me to where you can wash your body." "Rhymes..." I groaned to Zecora. "Sorry..." She said to me. We walked for about five minutes before arriving at a crystal clear lake. I stripped off my shirt and pants and stepped into the water. I didn't want to return to my tribe covered in blood. I walked knee deep into the water then dived in. I came up after a few seconds my shoulder-length black hair had undone itself from the braid I put it in and was plastered on my face. I washed in the water for about ten minutes before I grabbed my clothes and washed them as well. I got the blood out of my vest and pants after about half an hour then hung them over a tree branch. I looked over at Zecora who studied me with interest. "What... are you?" She asked me. "Dunno. I know I'm not a zebra, but I was raised with Zebras my whole life so I identify as one." "It makes sense to adopt the species of which you were raised. Tell me why are you and your tribe so far from the zebra lands?" I sighed, "We were being chased by a flock of manticores on the border and were forced to flee. They chased us a long way and we got lost. We found once more how to return to our homelands, and we stopped outside this forest to make camp." She nodded, she was a gorgeous mare and was wearing a couple of leather saddle bags. She reached into one bag and pulled out a potion with her mouth, "Here drink this, and you will understand the people of this place." I looked at her a little skeptically, "Why do you carry that around with you?" "I ncase I meet somepony like you." I nodded, "Ok." I grabbed the potion with my hand and popped off the stopper. I took a drink of the velvety fluid. She nodded just as a large unicorn stallion came out of the woods taking a threatening stance. I looked at him grabbing my spear from where it lay. I looked at the white stallion in gold armor, "Who are you?" "Tlun Tealcin Ky'ostal!" The stallion shouted. I looked at Zecora and she nodded to the Stallion. I looked back at him, "What?" "Are you deaf? I said I am Shining Armor! I was asked by the princesses to come investigate a Manticore that was killed by an unkown creature in this area. I am fairly sure I found... him?" "Yes I am a male, and the manticore attacked me. I merely defended myself pony." "Come with me, I need to take you to the princesses as by my orders. I see you are intelligent so I doubt they will keep you for study," Shining armor said to me. "No. I need to return to my tribe as soon as I finish washing." I responded. "I'm not going to convince you am I?" "No." I said gripping my spear a little tighter, preparing for a fight. Shining Armor stepped towards me his horn glowing. I felt myself go weak and I dropped to one knee leaning on my spear. I tried to talk but nothing came out. I saw Zecora and the stallion talking; I didn't hear a word. My vision went tdark and the last thing I saw was Shining Armor trotting towards me. *** I woke in a room with large windows and a bed. I had a blanket over my still naked body and there was a dresser next to me. I sat up and looked around trying to remember what had happened. A mare a bit taller then me with a long rainbow mane flowing from an invisible wind walked into the room. I stared at her in awe, she was simply stunning. "H-hello?" I said in awe. She smiled to me, Her perfect teeth sparkled like daimonds in the light, "Goodmorning. I trust you are comfortable?" I nodded to her, "Wh-who are you?" "My name Is princess Celestia, And you are Arvac are you not?" I nodded, "Yes, but how di-" she interrupted me. "Zecora told me. She is here if you wish to see her." I nodded, the stupor the mare's appearance had put on me finally wearing off, "Yes, please... it will be nice to... see another zebra." She nodded and left. I stood up and looked out the window. I gaped at the sprawling metropolis I saw. "Amazing it is, Canterlot always takes my breathe as well." "Is that where we are Zecora? Canterlot?" The zebra mare nodded, "Yes indeed, Canterlot is where the princess's reside." I snorted, "Thanks for not rhyming, though it is a strange habit for an herbalist." "My mother and father were both storytellers in my tribe, thus from them I learned to rhyme." "That makes since I guess," I turned and looked at her, "So why am I here? I need to get back to my tribe. Our chief is sick, and I am next in line to succeed him! Zecora I need to get back to them." "I understand Arvac, but I cannot help you get back," She rhymed her eyes seeming to look off into the distance. "Zecora, what do you mean you can't help me get back?" I asked taking a step towards her. "I cannot get back myself." She responded. I sighed sitting on the bed in defeat, "Can I at least get some clothes?" "I will see what I can do my friend," She said to me. She left, pulling the door closed behind her. When she left I took the beds blanket and wrapped it around my waist. I then sighed laying on my back in thought. What am I going to do? I need to get to my tribe, but I have no way to get there. I sighed over my problem, trying to think of a solution. I promptly fell asleep. Chapter 2I woke up and jerked into a sitting position. I looked out the window and grimaced at the stars. I stood up and walked to the window looking at the shining city of Canterlot. I leaned down on the windowsill letting out a heavy sigh. "How long do I have to stay here?" I thought outloud, "I don't want to risk offending the princess... tensions between zebras and ponies are tight enough as it is. Argh, but I need to get back to my tribe!" I put my face in my hands and groaned. I felt a sudden breeze across my back. I shivered and looked over my shoulder. Standing in the doorway was a tall mare. Not as tall as Celestia, but still tall. She had a deep navy blue coat, almost black, with a mane that flowed like Celestia's. It was a lighter shade of blue with a purple aura. I didn't need an introduction. I knew exactly who this mare was, she was a demon in every aspect of my religion. She was a champion of the stars, a mare of pure evil. She was Nightmare Moon, and I would not let her trickery or evil control me. "Nightmare Moon! Why are you here!?" I shouted immediatly jumping into a fighting stance the daimond dogs had taught me when I was young. She looked at me with an expression of bafflement, "W-What? We are not Nightmare moon any longer! The Elements of Harmony banished her forever." "You are Nightmare Moon; follower of the stars, bringer of night!" She gaped at me in amazement at my introduction of her. "You misunderstand! We were Nightmare Moon but are not anymore! We are merely the princess of the night. We do not wish you any harm!" Nightmare Moon said taking a step forward. "One more step and I will wipe your evil off the face of this planet, Nightmare Moon," I said slowly, threateningly. Luna gulped stepping back into the doorway. There was a gasp and Zecora appeared in the doorway, my hand woven clothes on her back. "Arvac you know not what you do," She gasped at me. "I know exactly what I'm doing Zecora, I'm protecting myself from the champion of the stars! The mare of the moon! The bringer of night!" I said to the zebra mare. Zecora said something to Nightmare Moon, who nodded and walked off. I relaxed a bit looking at Zecora, "Why are you speaking with Nightmare Moon, Zecora?" "She is no longer Nightmare moon, She is Luna you bufoon!" She said angrily. "Watch your tongue herbalist!!" I shouted at her, speaking as I would if she were in my tribe. She stepped back and I took a deep breathe, "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to speak to you so disrespectfully, Zecora. It's just... this has been a really frustrating day for me." Zecora nodded, "Yes, I understand, an instant change to this culture is much to demand." I groaned, "Zecora... the rhyming, please..." "I am sorry..." She said walking laying my pants and vest on it. "Thank you Zecora, Do you know when I'll be able to leave?" I asked her pulling on my pants and vest, "I really need to get back to my tribe. "No I am afraid I do not... I can ask the princess, I am here to give you comfort as a fellow zebra." Zecora said to me. I sighed, "Please do, I do not want to risk offending Celestia, with tensions between our two nations so stressed and all but if I have to escape myself to get back with my tribe I will." "Yes I am worried about that as well," Zecora looked up at me, "I will leave you for the evening, Celestia has given you permission to roam the castle in the time of dreaming." She finished talking then left with a nod. I nodded and looked around the room. I looked at the stars. The malevolant stars, bringers of so much misfortune throughout zebra history. I snarled to myself and turned away. I walked to the door and pulled it open looking into the long hallway. I started walking down it deciding to explore. I noted the two dark gaurds that followed me. I see Celestia trusts me... I thought. I turned down a bend in the hall and came into a gigantic ballroom. I gaped in amazement at the sheer size of the room. The windows went from the floor to the high, high ceiling at close intervals. There was a large platform for a band to play on, and a dozen tables scattered throughout the room. "Woah..." I said quietly. I slowly made my way across the room to the door on the other side. I really gotta get out of here, I thought to myself. "So, guys..." I said to the two gaurds, "How do I get the buck out of here?" I sighed at their unemotional expressions and silence. I turned a corner then immediately broke into a sprint. The two gaurds turned the corner and began to chase after me. I turned a corner then turned around and vaulted over their heads. "See ya!" I shouted as I flew over them, laughing at the expressions on their faces. I darted into the ballroom and saw a large door on the far side. I ran through the door slamming it shut behind me. I ran into a gigantic garden thinking there would be plenty of hiding places. I was right. I got to what I thought was the center of the garden and jumped up grabbing a thick tree branch. I used the momentum to spin myself into the tree, then began climbing. I got (hopefully) out of sight and sat down ready to jump out any second. The two gaurds began searching and I watched them from above. After five minutes they ran off to go inform the princesses. I jumped out of the tree landing quietly on one knee. I looked around then realized there was only one way for me to go; to Canterlot! I started walking towards the lights, keeping in the shadows so as not to be seen. It was almost an hour before I arrived at the city. I went through the city looking for somewhere to stay the night. I slipped in and out of dark alleys, weaving my way slowly and silently through the city. I went unnoticed, or at least I thought I did. There was a squeak behind me and I heard a mare's voice say, "A h-human!?" I closed my eyes and turned to look at the mare who had spoken. I noticed that the alley led all the way to a park on the otherside. I looked down at the mare who had spoken. She was mint green, with an even darker green mane. "Oh crap, listen miss please leave and forget you sa- wait... waht'd you call me?" "A human!" She yelled excitedly, "That's what you are right!? I mean, you look like one!" "I... don't know actually," I said with a sheepish grin. "Really? You don't know what you are?" She said with an air of disbelief. "Well you see I was raised by zebras, so you know I always considered myself a zebra." "Well.. I guess that makes since," I noticed she kept looking at my hands, "Uhm... would you like to come to Ponyville with me? I can show you some books on humans. I'm a really big studier of anthropology, and humans are my favorite subject!" "Well... ok then I guess. I just need to keep a low profile while I get out of this nation back to the zebra lands," I said to her. I swear if that mare smiled any bigger than her mouth would fly off her face. So she led me to Ponyville on foot, as I couldn't ride a train, and on the way I learned who she was. Her name was Lyra, which did explain her cutie mark, and she had apparently been fascinated with anthropology her whole life. She managed to sneak me to her house in Ponyville. By the time we got back to Ponyville it was early in the morning. She showed me a few of her books before I forced her to finally get some sleep. Chapter 3I read some of Lyra's books for a while before I heard a mare call her. I looked around frantically for a place to hide and looked up at the open rafters that ran across the low ceiling. I sighed, I cannot believe I'm about to do this. I jumped up grabbed the raters and yanked my legs up wrapping them around the rafters I was hanging on. Just as I did so the door began to open. A mare with a cream colored coat walked up to Lyra's bed. I strained my neck to turn my head and watch. "Oh Lyra did you stay up reading all night again?" The mare sighed and began putting the books away. One of the rafters I was hanging on creaked and the mare looked up. I smiled sheepishly at her then my hands slipped and I fell to the floor. The mare just watched me as I sat up and rubbed my head. "Ow..." I groaned rubbing my head,"Hi, I'm Arvac. The mare wobbled and fainted. "Well... that went better than I expected." I picked up the mare and brought her downstairs. I laid her on the couch and covered her with a blanket. I started going upstairs when I heard a knock on the front door. What now..? I sprinted up the stairs and shook Lyra awake. "Lyra someone's at the door," I said to her. She shook herself awake then the pony outside knocked again. Lyra jumped out of bed and looked at me, "Wait here." I nodded and watched as she walked downstairs. I noticed that she had a nice flank and smiled to myself. I walked downstairs and stood on the last stair so I could hear what was said yet not be seen. "Hello? Oh Zecora!" I heard Lyra say. "Hello Lyra, how are you today? I am looking for someone who ran away," I heard Zecora say. "Really? What did they look like?" "He is a human, a man. Much like the books you read, can you help me with this need?" I heard Lyra's hoofs stepping nervously on the floor, "A human really? Wow thats amazing, but I'm afraid I'm busy with... uh... practicing my lyre!" "Ok I understand, I will take you to meet him if the princess allows him to stay under her command." I put my hand on my head as I feel a headache starting. Ok to much rhyming, I think. I started walking back upstairs and sat on Lyra's little bed. After several minutes the mare walked back up. "They're looking for me aren't they?" I asked the mint colored mare. "Who?" Lyra asked me. "Zecora and that white stallion." Lyra nodded, "Oh, yes they are." "I need to leave then, do you have any food I can eat before I leave?" I said as I stood up. "Wait your leaving already!?" Lyra exclaimed shocked, "But why!?" "Because I need to get back to my tribe in the zebra lands, your books may have shed some light on what I really am, but I am still a zebra at heart," I said. Lyra looked at me for a minute, "C-can I come with you?" I looked at her confused, "What? You want to come? What about here? This is your home." "Its always been my dream to see a human, now that I have I don't want to let you go that easy," She said to me, "Please let me come." I sighed, "Fine, I cannot tell you what to do, it is your choice." I put a hand on my head, then heard my stomach growling. "So... about that food..." "Oh right!" Lyra said to me, "I'll go get you some." "Thank you," I said sitting back down. Lyra walked downstairs and returned with the cream colored mare I had seen earlier and a daisy sandwhich floating in her magic. The cream colored one looked at me then said, "H-hello..." I barely heard it because she was so quiet. Her ears were flat against her head, and her tail was between her legs. "Hello, I think we got off on the wrong hoof earlier. My name is Arvac," I said to her. "M-my name is B-BonBon..." She stuttered obviously terrified. "Why are you being so scared and shy?" Lyra asked BonBon as she floated the sandwich to me. BonBon shrugged and staid silent. I took the sandwich and took a bite. It wasn't as good as the soups my mother would make, but it was ok. We sat there in awkward silence before Lyra said, "I'm leaving with him today." BonBon looked at Lyra in shock, "What!?" Lyra nodded. "It was her decision, not mine," I say choosing not to take responsibility for her actions. I watched as BonBon wobbled then fainted again. "Well... at least we spoke this time," I said looking at Lyra. Lyra looked at BonBon then sighed, "I'll leave her a note explaining everything," Then she left. I finished eating the sandwich and stood up. I looked around the room then out the window. What I saw was a town full of techni colored ponies like Lyra walking around. I watched for a minute before a rainbow streak zoomed pass me. I jumped at the suddenness reaching to my back for a spear that was no longer there. I put my hand down and just before I turned away from the window a cyan mare with a rainbow mane flew up to the window and stared at me. After a minute she spoke something that I didn't hear through the window. I opened the window, "what?" "What the hay are you?" She said to me. "A ze- I mean human..." I say unused to the foreign word. "A HUMAN!? SO LYRA'S NOT CRAZY!?" The pegasus yelled loudly getting almost half a dozen ponies to look up at me. I looked around, well thats not good... Chapter 4I slammed the window shut and pulled the blinds closed as fast as I could. "Lyra! We need to go now!!" I shouted as I ran down the stairs. Lyra walked out from behind a door a halfeaten sandwhich in her mouth, "Wha-?" She asked through the sandwhich. She held it next to her with her magic, "Why?" There was a knock on the door and I heard Shining Armor yell, "Come on out here, we won't hurt you I promise." I look at Lyra, "Thats why." Lyra raises an eyebrow at me, "He said he won't hurt you, why don't you just try talking to him?" I facepalm and sigh, "Alright fine, but if he trys to put me to sleep with his magic again I swear we're going to have problems." "Ok." Lyra shakes her head and opens the door. Shining Armor walks in. "Hello, you gave me quite the chase there buddy," Shining said. I nodded, "Thats the point of hiding from somepony isn't it?" Shining chuckled, "I suppose your right." "So, you going to try to take me back to the princess's? I'm kind of in a hurry here," I said crossing my arms. "No," He said reaching for the spear strapped across his back. "Well I'm no- wait, what?" I asked confused. Shining Armor tossed me the spear and I caught it realizing it was the same one I had brought with me. "I've actually been assigned to help you find your tribe safely. As a sign of good faith to zebra-kind." I sighed and facepalmed. Politics. "Do you at least know how to get there?" I asked him. He nodded and reached into a fold in his armor. Out of it he pulled a scroll that he unfolded with his magic revealing a map, "This is a map to the zebra lands from the everfree forest." I leanedver and lookedt it. After a minute I realized that I couldn't understand a word of what it said. Buck the potion must be wearing off... I thought to myself. Just then there was a knock. Lyra opened the door and Zecora walked in, saddlebags on her back. She walked up to me and said in zebra, "You will need to drink this brew if you are to travel with this crew," She said to me handing me a potion from her saddlebags. I nodded and drank the potion down. After a few minutes it began to take affect and I found myself understanding the words on the map. I studied it for a minute then rolled it up. I handed it to the stallion then looked at Zecora, "If your going to travel with us, ya gotta stop rhyming Zecora," I pleaded to her. Zecora nodded, "Of course, I will... try to tone it down, although you cannot have a gaurantee." I looked at the ponies and zebra in front of me. I sighed, whelp we're bucked I thought to myself.
Chapter 122 years ago a zebra herbalist was messing with her ingrediants, creating an unstable potion she hoped would increase the prowess of her tribe's warriors. She added some poison joke extract and the solution exploded, sending her flying out her tent. She stood up and quickly made her way to the tent to find a baby laying in her cauldron. She was confused, as it was not a creature she had ever seen before. It's skin was white and bare, yet it had some sort of fur on it's head. In order to save the baby's life the herbalist said she would raise it to follow their ways if she could. She did. That is the story of how I was born. My name is simply Arvac, as my mother, the herbalist, named me. *** I was walking through the Everfree Forest one day searching for berries I was told would be lying here. I stood tall, almost three times as tall as a normal zebra. I wore a vest and pair of pants I wove with my own hands of fresh grass the day before. I crouched under a low hanging branch pushing it up slightly with my spear, when I heard a low growl. I dived forward into a roll landing on one knee out of instinct. I looked behind me where a manticore's tail had peirced the ground where I was standing. Buck, I thought to myself standing and putting my spear across my body electricity coursing through it from a ruby embedded in the shaft. The manticore stepped into my veiw. It charged me again its tail darting out in front of it at me. I jumped at it, the tail whizzing passed my head, and jabbed me spear at the monster as it roared. My spear went cleanly into its mouth coming out the back of its neck. The monster slammed into me as electricity roasted it's insides. I grunted in pain as the monster landed on my chest, its blood flowing over me. With a grunt of effort I pushed the Manticore's heavy body off me. I retrieved my spear just in time for a strange zebra with a necklace curling up her neck to step out in front of me. "Vel'bol inbal dos xunor?!" She called. "What," I asked never having heard this language before. Her eyes brightened at my use of the zebra tongue and she said in the same language, " What have you done, to this creature that hurts none?" I raised my hands to my ears dropping my spear, "No! No rhymes teller of stories, please no! Storytellers give me splitting headaches when they speak in rhyme!" The zebra looked at me quizzically then nodded, "I am... sorry warrior... this is... difficult to do as I have not spoken in rhymes... in some time." She was obviously having trouble speaking without rhymes. "It's ok, my tribes storyteller had the same habit. As for the manticore," I picked up my spear, "It attacked me so I defended myself." She nodded, "I understand the need. What is your name warrior?" "I am Arvac, as my mother named me," I gave her a bow, "May I ask you your name, tale speaker?" "I am Zecora... I am no storyteller, but... an herbalist." I nodded straightening, "Is there somewhere I may wash the creatures blood off?" She nodded, "There is a lake near, may I ask why you visit here?" "I am foraging for food for my tribe. I need to get back after I wash." She nodded, "Ok, follow me to where you can wash your body." "Rhymes..." I groaned to Zecora. "Sorry..." She said to me. We walked for about five minutes before arriving at a crystal clear lake. I stripped off my shirt and pants and stepped into the water. I didn't want to return to my tribe covered in blood. I walked knee deep into the water then dived in. I came up after a few seconds my shoulder-length black hair had undone itself from the braid I put it in and was plastered on my face. I washed in the water for about ten minutes before I grabbed my clothes and washed them as well. I got the blood out of my vest and pants after about half an hour then hung them over a tree branch. I looked over at Zecora who studied me with interest. "What... are you?" She asked me. "Dunno. I know I'm not a zebra, but I was raised with Zebras my whole life so I identify as one." "It makes sense to adopt the species of which you were raised. Tell me why are you and your tribe so far from the zebra lands?" I sighed, "We were being chased by a flock of manticores on the border and were forced to flee. They chased us a long way and we got lost. We found once more how to return to our homelands, and we stopped outside this forest to make camp." She nodded, she was a gorgeous mare and was wearing a couple of leather saddle bags. She reached into one bag and pulled out a potion with her mouth, "Here drink this, and you will understand the people of this place." I looked at her a little skeptically, "Why do you carry that around with you?" "I ncase I meet somepony like you." I nodded, "Ok." I grabbed the potion with my hand and popped off the stopper. I took a drink of the velvety fluid. She nodded just as a large unicorn stallion came out of the woods taking a threatening stance. I looked at him grabbing my spear from where it lay. I looked at the white stallion in gold armor, "Who are you?" "Tlun Tealcin Ky'ostal!" The stallion shouted. I looked at Zecora and she nodded to the Stallion. I looked back at him, "What?" "Are you deaf? I said I am Shining Armor! I was asked by the princesses to come investigate a Manticore that was killed by an unkown creature in this area. I am fairly sure I found... him?" "Yes I am a male, and the manticore attacked me. I merely defended myself pony." "Come with me, I need to take you to the princesses as by my orders. I see you are intelligent so I doubt they will keep you for study," Shining armor said to me. "No. I need to return to my tribe as soon as I finish washing." I responded. "I'm not going to convince you am I?" "No." I said gripping my spear a little tighter, preparing for a fight. Shining Armor stepped towards me his horn glowing. I felt myself go weak and I dropped to one knee leaning on my spear. I tried to talk but nothing came out. I saw Zecora and the stallion talking; I didn't hear a word. My vision went tdark and the last thing I saw was Shining Armor trotting towards me. *** I woke in a room with large windows and a bed. I had a blanket over my still naked body and there was a dresser next to me. I sat up and looked around trying to remember what had happened. A mare a bit taller then me with a long rainbow mane flowing from an invisible wind walked into the room. I stared at her in awe, she was simply stunning. "H-hello?" I said in awe. She smiled to me, Her perfect teeth sparkled like daimonds in the light, "Goodmorning. I trust you are comfortable?" I nodded to her, "Wh-who are you?" "My name Is princess Celestia, And you are Arvac are you not?" I nodded, "Yes, but how di-" she interrupted me. "Zecora told me. She is here if you wish to see her." I nodded, the stupor the mare's appearance had put on me finally wearing off, "Yes, please... it will be nice to... see another zebra." She nodded and left. I stood up and looked out the window. I gaped at the sprawling metropolis I saw. "Amazing it is, Canterlot always takes my breathe as well." "Is that where we are Zecora? Canterlot?" The zebra mare nodded, "Yes indeed, Canterlot is where the princess's reside." I snorted, "Thanks for not rhyming, though it is a strange habit for an herbalist." "My mother and father were both storytellers in my tribe, thus from them I learned to rhyme." "That makes since I guess," I turned and looked at her, "So why am I here? I need to get back to my tribe. Our chief is sick, and I am next in line to succeed him! Zecora I need to get back to them." "I understand Arvac, but I cannot help you get back," She rhymed her eyes seeming to look off into the distance. "Zecora, what do you mean you can't help me get back?" I asked taking a step towards her. "I cannot get back myself." She responded. I sighed sitting on the bed in defeat, "Can I at least get some clothes?" "I will see what I can do my friend," She said to me. She left, pulling the door closed behind her. When she left I took the beds blanket and wrapped it around my waist. I then sighed laying on my back in thought. What am I going to do? I need to get to my tribe, but I have no way to get there. I sighed over my problem, trying to think of a solution. I promptly fell asleep.
Chapter 2I woke up and jerked into a sitting position. I looked out the window and grimaced at the stars. I stood up and walked to the window looking at the shining city of Canterlot. I leaned down on the windowsill letting out a heavy sigh. "How long do I have to stay here?" I thought outloud, "I don't want to risk offending the princess... tensions between zebras and ponies are tight enough as it is. Argh, but I need to get back to my tribe!" I put my face in my hands and groaned. I felt a sudden breeze across my back. I shivered and looked over my shoulder. Standing in the doorway was a tall mare. Not as tall as Celestia, but still tall. She had a deep navy blue coat, almost black, with a mane that flowed like Celestia's. It was a lighter shade of blue with a purple aura. I didn't need an introduction. I knew exactly who this mare was, she was a demon in every aspect of my religion. She was a champion of the stars, a mare of pure evil. She was Nightmare Moon, and I would not let her trickery or evil control me. "Nightmare Moon! Why are you here!?" I shouted immediatly jumping into a fighting stance the daimond dogs had taught me when I was young. She looked at me with an expression of bafflement, "W-What? We are not Nightmare moon any longer! The Elements of Harmony banished her forever." "You are Nightmare Moon; follower of the stars, bringer of night!" She gaped at me in amazement at my introduction of her. "You misunderstand! We were Nightmare Moon but are not anymore! We are merely the princess of the night. We do not wish you any harm!" Nightmare Moon said taking a step forward. "One more step and I will wipe your evil off the face of this planet, Nightmare Moon," I said slowly, threateningly. Luna gulped stepping back into the doorway. There was a gasp and Zecora appeared in the doorway, my hand woven clothes on her back. "Arvac you know not what you do," She gasped at me. "I know exactly what I'm doing Zecora, I'm protecting myself from the champion of the stars! The mare of the moon! The bringer of night!" I said to the zebra mare. Zecora said something to Nightmare Moon, who nodded and walked off. I relaxed a bit looking at Zecora, "Why are you speaking with Nightmare Moon, Zecora?" "She is no longer Nightmare moon, She is Luna you bufoon!" She said angrily. "Watch your tongue herbalist!!" I shouted at her, speaking as I would if she were in my tribe. She stepped back and I took a deep breathe, "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to speak to you so disrespectfully, Zecora. It's just... this has been a really frustrating day for me." Zecora nodded, "Yes, I understand, an instant change to this culture is much to demand." I groaned, "Zecora... the rhyming, please..." "I am sorry..." She said walking laying my pants and vest on it. "Thank you Zecora, Do you know when I'll be able to leave?" I asked her pulling on my pants and vest, "I really need to get back to my tribe. "No I am afraid I do not... I can ask the princess, I am here to give you comfort as a fellow zebra." Zecora said to me. I sighed, "Please do, I do not want to risk offending Celestia, with tensions between our two nations so stressed and all but if I have to escape myself to get back with my tribe I will." "Yes I am worried about that as well," Zecora looked up at me, "I will leave you for the evening, Celestia has given you permission to roam the castle in the time of dreaming." She finished talking then left with a nod. I nodded and looked around the room. I looked at the stars. The malevolant stars, bringers of so much misfortune throughout zebra history. I snarled to myself and turned away. I walked to the door and pulled it open looking into the long hallway. I started walking down it deciding to explore. I noted the two dark gaurds that followed me. I see Celestia trusts me... I thought. I turned down a bend in the hall and came into a gigantic ballroom. I gaped in amazement at the sheer size of the room. The windows went from the floor to the high, high ceiling at close intervals. There was a large platform for a band to play on, and a dozen tables scattered throughout the room. "Woah..." I said quietly. I slowly made my way across the room to the door on the other side. I really gotta get out of here, I thought to myself. "So, guys..." I said to the two gaurds, "How do I get the buck out of here?" I sighed at their unemotional expressions and silence. I turned a corner then immediately broke into a sprint. The two gaurds turned the corner and began to chase after me. I turned a corner then turned around and vaulted over their heads. "See ya!" I shouted as I flew over them, laughing at the expressions on their faces. I darted into the ballroom and saw a large door on the far side. I ran through the door slamming it shut behind me. I ran into a gigantic garden thinking there would be plenty of hiding places. I was right. I got to what I thought was the center of the garden and jumped up grabbing a thick tree branch. I used the momentum to spin myself into the tree, then began climbing. I got (hopefully) out of sight and sat down ready to jump out any second. The two gaurds began searching and I watched them from above. After five minutes they ran off to go inform the princesses. I jumped out of the tree landing quietly on one knee. I looked around then realized there was only one way for me to go; to Canterlot! I started walking towards the lights, keeping in the shadows so as not to be seen. It was almost an hour before I arrived at the city. I went through the city looking for somewhere to stay the night. I slipped in and out of dark alleys, weaving my way slowly and silently through the city. I went unnoticed, or at least I thought I did. There was a squeak behind me and I heard a mare's voice say, "A h-human!?" I closed my eyes and turned to look at the mare who had spoken. I noticed that the alley led all the way to a park on the otherside. I looked down at the mare who had spoken. She was mint green, with an even darker green mane. "Oh crap, listen miss please leave and forget you sa- wait... waht'd you call me?" "A human!" She yelled excitedly, "That's what you are right!? I mean, you look like one!" "I... don't know actually," I said with a sheepish grin. "Really? You don't know what you are?" She said with an air of disbelief. "Well you see I was raised by zebras, so you know I always considered myself a zebra." "Well.. I guess that makes since," I noticed she kept looking at my hands, "Uhm... would you like to come to Ponyville with me? I can show you some books on humans. I'm a really big studier of anthropology, and humans are my favorite subject!" "Well... ok then I guess. I just need to keep a low profile while I get out of this nation back to the zebra lands," I said to her. I swear if that mare smiled any bigger than her mouth would fly off her face. So she led me to Ponyville on foot, as I couldn't ride a train, and on the way I learned who she was. Her name was Lyra, which did explain her cutie mark, and she had apparently been fascinated with anthropology her whole life. She managed to sneak me to her house in Ponyville. By the time we got back to Ponyville it was early in the morning. She showed me a few of her books before I forced her to finally get some sleep.
Chapter 3I read some of Lyra's books for a while before I heard a mare call her. I looked around frantically for a place to hide and looked up at the open rafters that ran across the low ceiling. I sighed, I cannot believe I'm about to do this. I jumped up grabbed the raters and yanked my legs up wrapping them around the rafters I was hanging on. Just as I did so the door began to open. A mare with a cream colored coat walked up to Lyra's bed. I strained my neck to turn my head and watch. "Oh Lyra did you stay up reading all night again?" The mare sighed and began putting the books away. One of the rafters I was hanging on creaked and the mare looked up. I smiled sheepishly at her then my hands slipped and I fell to the floor. The mare just watched me as I sat up and rubbed my head. "Ow..." I groaned rubbing my head,"Hi, I'm Arvac. The mare wobbled and fainted. "Well... that went better than I expected." I picked up the mare and brought her downstairs. I laid her on the couch and covered her with a blanket. I started going upstairs when I heard a knock on the front door. What now..? I sprinted up the stairs and shook Lyra awake. "Lyra someone's at the door," I said to her. She shook herself awake then the pony outside knocked again. Lyra jumped out of bed and looked at me, "Wait here." I nodded and watched as she walked downstairs. I noticed that she had a nice flank and smiled to myself. I walked downstairs and stood on the last stair so I could hear what was said yet not be seen. "Hello? Oh Zecora!" I heard Lyra say. "Hello Lyra, how are you today? I am looking for someone who ran away," I heard Zecora say. "Really? What did they look like?" "He is a human, a man. Much like the books you read, can you help me with this need?" I heard Lyra's hoofs stepping nervously on the floor, "A human really? Wow thats amazing, but I'm afraid I'm busy with... uh... practicing my lyre!" "Ok I understand, I will take you to meet him if the princess allows him to stay under her command." I put my hand on my head as I feel a headache starting. Ok to much rhyming, I think. I started walking back upstairs and sat on Lyra's little bed. After several minutes the mare walked back up. "They're looking for me aren't they?" I asked the mint colored mare. "Who?" Lyra asked me. "Zecora and that white stallion." Lyra nodded, "Oh, yes they are." "I need to leave then, do you have any food I can eat before I leave?" I said as I stood up. "Wait your leaving already!?" Lyra exclaimed shocked, "But why!?" "Because I need to get back to my tribe in the zebra lands, your books may have shed some light on what I really am, but I am still a zebra at heart," I said. Lyra looked at me for a minute, "C-can I come with you?" I looked at her confused, "What? You want to come? What about here? This is your home." "Its always been my dream to see a human, now that I have I don't want to let you go that easy," She said to me, "Please let me come." I sighed, "Fine, I cannot tell you what to do, it is your choice." I put a hand on my head, then heard my stomach growling. "So... about that food..." "Oh right!" Lyra said to me, "I'll go get you some." "Thank you," I said sitting back down. Lyra walked downstairs and returned with the cream colored mare I had seen earlier and a daisy sandwhich floating in her magic. The cream colored one looked at me then said, "H-hello..." I barely heard it because she was so quiet. Her ears were flat against her head, and her tail was between her legs. "Hello, I think we got off on the wrong hoof earlier. My name is Arvac," I said to her. "M-my name is B-BonBon..." She stuttered obviously terrified. "Why are you being so scared and shy?" Lyra asked BonBon as she floated the sandwich to me. BonBon shrugged and staid silent. I took the sandwich and took a bite. It wasn't as good as the soups my mother would make, but it was ok. We sat there in awkward silence before Lyra said, "I'm leaving with him today." BonBon looked at Lyra in shock, "What!?" Lyra nodded. "It was her decision, not mine," I say choosing not to take responsibility for her actions. I watched as BonBon wobbled then fainted again. "Well... at least we spoke this time," I said looking at Lyra. Lyra looked at BonBon then sighed, "I'll leave her a note explaining everything," Then she left. I finished eating the sandwich and stood up. I looked around the room then out the window. What I saw was a town full of techni colored ponies like Lyra walking around. I watched for a minute before a rainbow streak zoomed pass me. I jumped at the suddenness reaching to my back for a spear that was no longer there. I put my hand down and just before I turned away from the window a cyan mare with a rainbow mane flew up to the window and stared at me. After a minute she spoke something that I didn't hear through the window. I opened the window, "what?" "What the hay are you?" She said to me. "A ze- I mean human..." I say unused to the foreign word. "A HUMAN!? SO LYRA'S NOT CRAZY!?" The pegasus yelled loudly getting almost half a dozen ponies to look up at me. I looked around, well thats not good...
Chapter 4I slammed the window shut and pulled the blinds closed as fast as I could. "Lyra! We need to go now!!" I shouted as I ran down the stairs. Lyra walked out from behind a door a halfeaten sandwhich in her mouth, "Wha-?" She asked through the sandwhich. She held it next to her with her magic, "Why?" There was a knock on the door and I heard Shining Armor yell, "Come on out here, we won't hurt you I promise." I look at Lyra, "Thats why." Lyra raises an eyebrow at me, "He said he won't hurt you, why don't you just try talking to him?" I facepalm and sigh, "Alright fine, but if he trys to put me to sleep with his magic again I swear we're going to have problems." "Ok." Lyra shakes her head and opens the door. Shining Armor walks in. "Hello, you gave me quite the chase there buddy," Shining said. I nodded, "Thats the point of hiding from somepony isn't it?" Shining chuckled, "I suppose your right." "So, you going to try to take me back to the princess's? I'm kind of in a hurry here," I said crossing my arms. "No," He said reaching for the spear strapped across his back. "Well I'm no- wait, what?" I asked confused. Shining Armor tossed me the spear and I caught it realizing it was the same one I had brought with me. "I've actually been assigned to help you find your tribe safely. As a sign of good faith to zebra-kind." I sighed and facepalmed. Politics. "Do you at least know how to get there?" I asked him. He nodded and reached into a fold in his armor. Out of it he pulled a scroll that he unfolded with his magic revealing a map, "This is a map to the zebra lands from the everfree forest." I leanedver and lookedt it. After a minute I realized that I couldn't understand a word of what it said. Buck the potion must be wearing off... I thought to myself. Just then there was a knock. Lyra opened the door and Zecora walked in, saddlebags on her back. She walked up to me and said in zebra, "You will need to drink this brew if you are to travel with this crew," She said to me handing me a potion from her saddlebags. I nodded and drank the potion down. After a few minutes it began to take affect and I found myself understanding the words on the map. I studied it for a minute then rolled it up. I handed it to the stallion then looked at Zecora, "If your going to travel with us, ya gotta stop rhyming Zecora," I pleaded to her. Zecora nodded, "Of course, I will... try to tone it down, although you cannot have a gaurantee." I looked at the ponies and zebra in front of me. I sighed, whelp we're bucked I thought to myself.
