Overthrown

I had once heard of zebras mastering the art of magic through patience, silence and solitude. I sat there with my eyes closed. The warm breeze of the Everfree Forest sifted through my mane, cape and tail. It was the closest thing to a noise other than maybe a tree branch shaking. For my next trick, I would need total concentration. No noise, no distractions, and no wandering thoughts could stop me. Otherwise, who knows what could happen? Let’s see if I really am the world’s most powerful unicorn. This is it…

“Draw!”

My eyes and horn shimmered in a brilliant blue light as the ground beneath me erupted into a massive earthquake. The very ground began to part. Streams of light left my horn, flying to different parts of the area around me. Something reached up above the ground. No! In two places! No! In three! Suddenly, seven cadavers pulled their decayed bodies out of the ground: two pegasi, two unicorns and three earth ponies. I stood my stance, waiting silently as the skeletons moved closer.

I smirked. “Let’s go, then.”

Without second hesitation, I sent a ray of light hurdling towards one of the earth ponies, who crumbled to the ground in a pile of bones. The other ponies looked at the decayed body lying on the floor, then shot a look back at me. At once, the other six ponies began charging at me. A unicorn sent a magical dart in my direction, which I dodged by jumping out of the way, tumbling to the ground. As I started to get up, one of the earth ponies was standing above me, hooves raised, ready to crush me. Before it got the chance, I shot a magical ray at the center of its chest. The pony’s bones suddenly toppled on top of me.

I had hardly cleared the bones away when I saw one of the pegasi in the air, flying at mach speed toward my body. In a flash, I disappeared and reappeared in a tree a few yards away. The pegasus crashed into the ground, lodging itself within the earth. I’d take care of it later, but I still had four other skeletons trying to attack me.

The other pegasus was still wondering where I went. As it looked around, I shot a bright light from my horn, hitting it in the back of the neck, causing it to crumple to the ground. No sooner did I do this than a magical aura soared past me, missing my cheek by half an inch. This was no time to get startled! Time to take care of the others!

I jumped out of the tree, hexing the last earth pony on my way to the ground. The sudden collision with the ground caused me to lose my balance for a moment, which both unicorns used to their advantage as they shot mystical lights from their horns. Before I could even regain my balance, I had to think of something quick.

An orb of light surrounded me, creating a force field too strong for the unicorns’ magic to penetrate. I got my balance back and closed my eyes, waiting for the unicorns to stop firing at me. No noise, no distractions, and no wandering thoughts. Just pure meditation. The unicorns fired rapidly and furiously at me for what seemed like several minutes, but soon enough, they realized that there was nothing they could do until I let down the force field. That gave me ample time to meditate on what to do next. I noticed that one unicorn was directly to my left and the other unicorn directly to my right. I took a deep breath and stood up on my hind legs.

The moment I let down the force field, the two unicorns lit their bony horns and sent beams of light in my direction. As the beams were just a few feet from their collision course, I shot my hooves towards both rays and lit my horn. Time seemed to stand still for that moment, and the next thing I knew, both spells were being redirected back to their owners, severing their heads.

I looked at the pegasus who was angrily thrashing to get out of the ground. Now, for my final trick, I would show that my magic is so powerful that not even the dead could survive. My horn glowed a bright blue, but as I put more and more attention into it, concentrating all of my thoughts into this one spell, my horned turned a dark red. The ground was shaking again, but this time I was being lifted into the air. With all the force I could muster, I screamed at the top of my lungs, sending lightning out of my horn in massive strikes. Thunder erupted throughout the forest. The pegasus was torn limb from limb in the blast. I had won.

As soon as the incantation ceased, I fell to the ground, feeling too weak to get back up. I was completely robbed of all my energy… but I did it. I took on seven cadavers by myself and dismantled them in moments. Though I never doubted it, this proved to me that I was not a unicorn to take lightly. My magic had more than improved. I had become the highest level unicorn. Giggling slightly, I laid my head to rest.

“What is this before my eyes?” My eyes opened slightly to see where the sudden voice came from. “Somepony has caused the dead to rise?” I lifted up my head to see a zebra walking in the midst of the pony bone yard. She looked me dead in the eyes and paced towards me. “How dare you wake them from their rest? Was this just to prove that you’re the best?”

I weakly stood up. I wasn’t expecting to be woken so early. “What is it that you want, zebra?”

“This useless boasting has to cease. Leave the dead to rest in peace. You’ll upset the balance of harmony. The departed must never be set free.”

“Don’t worry. Trixie just needed an opportunity to test her skills. I doubt I’ll ever need to use it again.” The zebra stood as still as a mountain, continuing to give me that icy stare. I looked around her, examining the broken ponies lying around the area. “Here, let me make it up to them.” My horn glowed a bright blue aura. The bones sunk into the ground. The zebra lifted a hoof and gasped at the sight she was viewing.

“Is this your idea of a burial, or is this some joke you’re trying to pull?” I felt a sudden surge of anger. I couldn’t help but scowl at the disrespect that the zebra had the nerve to show me. “Maybe you should come with me. We can talk about this over tea.” She turned her view and began to walk away.

“What?! You dare offend the Great and Powerful Trixie and expect her to come to one of your dinner parties?!”

The zebra stopped in her tracks. After a moment of silence, she dropped her head and sighed. “If power is the only thing you seek, your magic will never reach its peak.” I didn’t speak. Most unicorns understood nothing about zebra magic. Perhaps she knew something that I didn’t. “Tell me what is on your mind. Perhaps there are some answers you hope to find?”

“Well…” I started. The zebra raised an eyebrow. “I’ve heard only a little about zebra magic, but I do know the basics of fundamental meditation. Perhaps you could teach me more about your methods?” I admit, asking for a teacher was difficult for me. I had to swallow my pride. If I wanted to be the highest level unicorn, I needed to know all kinds of magical cultures.

The zebra shook her head, refusing to make eye contact. “I only use my magic for good, just like everypony should. I try to sooth others in their pain, but you only get stronger for your own gain. My wisdom cannot be focused on greed. What I teach you must only be for others’ needs.”

“You mean if I use my mystical talent to help other ponies in their infirmities, you’ll teach me about zebra magic?” The striped pony nodded. “Trixie accepts your wager.”

She smiled for the first time throughout this entire encounter. “A wise pupil I can already see. Now let’s get to my home and have some tea.”

Her home was filled with ornaments of a completely different culture. I had never seen anything like it. There were all kinds of masks, ceramic pots and natural herbs. Part of it was intimidating, but the other part of me was dying to know more about it. “You said your name is Zecora, didn’t you?” I asked. The zebra nodded as she mixed some leaves for her tea. “Well, what’s the first thing I should know about your culture?”

“The first thing you must do is close your mind. Leave all your thoughts and feelings behind.”

“So, you mean meditation?”

The zebra nodded again. “That is so. Now let everything go.” I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to think exactly of what to let go. I was about to open my mouth to speak when I was suddenly interrupted by Zecora. “Your ambitions of power fill you with anxiety. Focus on serenity, in all its varieties.”

I took in a large deep breath and exhaled slowly. The only sounds that could be heard were the soft noises of Zecora making our tea. I began to understand what she was saying. The sound of her hooves gently tapping against the ground as she walked from station to station filled me with a sense of peace. I don’t think I had ever been more relaxed in my life, but as quickly as it came, it managed to vanish into thoughts of pressure. I was suddenly bombarded with memories of performing for large crowds who worshipped me, being thrown out of Ponyville after being out-performed by Twilight, and how warped my mind became the moment I first put on the alicorn amulet.

“Cast out any unwanted memories,” Zecora said, noticing my face starting to cringe at the memories. “Self-forgiveness is what you need.”

The horrible thoughts continued to surge through my mind. It seemed like the harder I tried to push them out, the more severe the thoughts became. I was filled with the horrible emotions I felt as I continued to use the alicorn amulet. As I became stronger, I could feel a literal black color enter into my heart, almost as if the amulet was dissolving into me. I still wasn’t sure if all the black was out just yet, but whether it was or wasn’t, it was reminding me every day of the guilt, shame and embarrassment that I felt as soon as I was again out-matched by Twilight.

I expelled a breath that I had inadvertently been storing in my lungs. Breathing heavily, I looked into Zecora’s eyes sorrowfully and said, “I’m sorry, Zecora. I’m just not sure if I can do it.”

“I never said it would be easy,” she replied. “We’ll practice later, but for now…” The zebra poured a drink into a round, wooden cup. “…enjoy your tea.” She smiled, handing me the cup filled with the hot drink.

I slowly sipped the fluid. My heart beat had finally begun to slow down. “Zecora…” The zebra matched my eyes. “What exactly should I expect to learn? What exactly is zebra magic?”

Zecora granted me a friendly smile. “Zebras have a knack for others’ feelings, which is why our magic has been developed for healing.”

“You mean the only thing Trixie will get out of this is healing magic?” I blurted out, surprising the both of us with my bluntness.

“If strength and power is all that you yearn, then Trixie, my dear, you still have much to learn.”

I was filled with rage. How dare she talk to the Great and Powerful Trixie in such an insulting tone? I was about to use my magic to zip her lips myself, but then I felt something familiar… familiar and unwanted… The black had again begun to sink into my heart. It devoured every feeling of anger that I had, turning it into more anger.

I took a deep breath and recollected myself. “I think I understand now.” Zecora lifted an eyebrow. “Unicorns are taught spells, then are instructed to practice them until we perfect them. Our drive is personal accomplishment. Zebras, on the other hand, focus on unity and developing their own talents for the benefit of others. Unicorn magic is fueled by determination. Zebra magic is the result of patience, which is impossible if the user is filled with guilt, insecurity or anxiety.”

Zecora and I beamed at each other. “I must admit, I am very impressed. Now your next goal should focus on releasing some stress.”

My smile suddenly faded. How could I do that? My heart was contaminated. As hard as I try, I didn’t see any possibility of permanently expelling the black. My mouth began to quiver, and all of a sudden I had tears running down my cheeks. “I can never get rid of the memories…” I sniffled; my crying grew louder and more difficult to stifle. “Trixie will always have this virus inside her, and all just because I had to prove I was better than Twilight.” I began to sob hysterically into my hooves.

Suddenly, I felt a hoof patting me gently on the back. With my eyes red and covered in tears, I looked up at Zecora, who was grinning motherly at me. “What happened with the amulet is gone and done,” she said. “This is not a battle that cannot be won.”

“Do… do you know about what the amulet does to ponies?"

“I understand that the amulet corrupts the user. The one who wears it is the biggest loser. When worn, the amulet will distort the soul, but once you remove it, you’re in control.”

Out of nowhere, a tree toppled to the ground just outside Zecora’s window. “This looks like trouble,” she said looking out the window. “We must move on the double!”

She quickly galloped out the door. So many things were happening at once that I just stood there, unsure of how to respond. “What? HEY! Wait for me!” I followed after her, but as soon as I got outside, I had no idea where she went. I looked in every direction, but the only things I saw were birds flying out of the trees and into the sky.

“Trixie!” I turned around promptly, expecting Zecora, but there was nopony there. This was starting to get creepy. I timidly took a few steps back, searching for Zecora. “Trixie! Follow my voice!”

This wasn’t Zecora’s voice. My entire body shivered in fear. “Who—who’s there?” I projected into the trees.

“We’ll have time for questions later! Just follow my voice! Trust me!”

Without taking time to think of the possibilities or consequences, I took a leap of faith and galloped toward the trees. No anxiety. “Keep going, Trixie!” the voice continued. “There should be a mountain up ahead! When you see it, wait for my signal!”

“And who are you to command the Great and Powerful Trixie?”

The voice stopped. I was at the edge of the forest, standing before a large mountain. I looked around to see where the voice had come from or why it had possibly brought me here, but I saw nothing. “Is this some kind of a joke?!” I shouted. “Because if it is, Trixie is not laughing!”

“Trixie…” the voice had suddenly gone soft. “I can’t explain everything right now, but I need your help.”

“WHO ARE YOU?!” My eyes and horn glowed red, lifting me off the ground. I was about to send a barrage of lightning bolts in random directions until I found out where the voice was coming from, but I was immediately stopped by—

“Trixie, innocent ponies are about to die.” I didn’t know what it meant, but it got my attention. I descended back to the ground. “I’ll fill you in on all the details later, but first, can you help me? Can you help me save their lives?”

Of course I wanted to. I wanted to correct every wrong that I had ever done, but I didn’t know how much I could trust this voice… Still… I couldn’t risk saying no if the voice was really telling the truth. “Yes, I’ll do it. What’s going on, exactly?”

“Thank you so much, Trixie. Now, I’m sorry to do this, but I need you to close your eyes.” I had no idea what was going on, and it was really starting to get on my nerves, but I complied nonetheless.

WHACK!

Suddenly, I was opening my eyes back up. I had just been asleep. No… I had just been assaulted! I was knocked out! I jumped to my hooves and looked around for my attacker. I was in a cave with no ponies or exit anywhere in sight. I had been tricked. Thoughts ran endlessly through my mind. Anger… fear… confusion… I couldn’t control myself anymore.

“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, sending flashes of red light in every direction. “Where are you?! Trixie knows you’re here! Show yourself!”

“Hello?” a voice called from afar. “Is somepony there?” It was a different voice than from before. It was much lighter, and it seemed as confused as I was. It couldn’t possibly have been my attacker… I wasn’t about to fall into the same trap twice, though.

“Trixie has had enough of this horsing around! Show yourself!” I called out.

I peered out into the cave, squinting my eyes to see with what little light that existed. Out of the darkness came a pegasus pony. She had a gray coat, a blonde mane and the most peculiar yellow eyes. “What’s going on?” I asked, feeling more anxious than angry. “Who are you?”

The blonde-maned pony smiled brightly, seeming relieved. “A friend.”