Velux’s eyes slowly opened as he woke up.

His eyelids felt as if they weighed half a ton, and every fiber of his being ached from his ordeal. Still, he was alive at the very least. Velux looked around the hut in which he had arrived at. It was a small home with a single room and a small bed in which Velux lay.

Velux tried to get up, but the pain was so severe it made him gasp out and lay back down. He wondered who lived here, and was reminded of how thankful he should be. Whoever lived here saw that he had been through some sort of calamity and had put a roof over his head in which to recover.

There was nopony in the hut at the moment, Velux was just starting to wonder where they were when the door to the meager home opened.

She was no pony, Velux could see that. Though she could’ve passed for one if it weren’t for the stripes along her body. She wore odd rings around her neck and her leg, with a large ring pierced around her ear. She was carrying an assortment of plants in a basket on her back.

The strange pony looked at Velux and smiled.

“Ah, the alicorn is awake I see. The one I found unconscious at the base of my tree..."

Velux took in the pony’s odd appearance and could think of nothing else to say to her.

“What are you?” Velux felt embarrassed asking the rude question, but the pony still smiled.

“I am a zebra from a distant land, as you can see, I have saved you from Death’s hand.”

Velux examined the fresh bandages across his head and his side.

“Thank you.” Velux said.

“Welcome, you most certainly are.” the zebra smiled.

The zebra walked over to a cupboard by Velux’s sick bed and pulled out a large cauldron, she dragged it with her mouth over to a makeshift kettle, poured water inside the cauldron, and lit a fire beneath it. Velux watched the zebra as she tended to the cauldron, occasionally placing the plants from the basket inside, humming the entire time. Velux finally brought himself to ask more questions.

“What’s your name?”

“Zecora,” the zebra replied, “and what is your name, young alicorn? For it would be wise for me to know who this stranger is and where he was born.”

“My name is Velux.” Velux answered, “I came from Gallopolli. Have you ever heard of it?”

For the first time, Zecora frowned.

“Indeed, I have been to that terrible place,” she said sadly, “it is unfortunate that you come from a land where the ponies there despise your race.”

There was a moments silence as Zecora shifted her focus to the cauldron in front of her. Then, Velux spoke up again.

“What about Equestria? Have you been there? Is it far from here?”

“Yes, I have been there, it is not far from here.” Zecora said looking up from the cauldron. “Have you fled from those horrible Gallopollian earth ponies, the ones who despise magic? It is most tragic.”

“Yeah... didn’t go so well, I guess.” Velux said, “I ran into some trouble on my way here.”

“But you have escaped. Though I see, a part of your horn they have scraped.”

Velux gave a small gasp, and clutched a hoof to his horn, reminded of the events of his escape from Nexus.

“Do you have a mirror?” Velux asked Zecora.

Zecora went over to her cupboard again and held up a small mirror for Velux to inspect the damage done to his horn. Nearly a half of it was now gone, the remaining part hidden away in Velux’s saddlebags. Velux wondered if his days of using magic were over, he never actually used magic much but the thought of never being able to do it again unnerved him.

“Who did this to you?” Zecora asked.

“A manticore.” said Velux, lying back down on the bed.

“The one who poisoned you?”

“Yeah... I don’t suppose you did anything about that either, huh?”

“Yes,” Zecora replied, placing the mirror back in the cupboard and going back to her cauldron, “you were lucky that you arrived here so soon.”

“So... am I gonna be alright?” Velux asked.

“Feel better soon, you easily will. Easy you must take it, otherwise you’ll never make it. A herbal brew, I am making you, help you recover, you will discover.”

Velux, now relieved, just realized how hungry he was. He hadn’t had a meal in however many days he had been left unconscious in Zecora’s care. He didn’t have to wait long, after a few minutes and some mumbling by Zecora, she brought him his soup, which Velux began to eat eagerly. It wasn’t the best tasting stuff, but Velux began to feel more alert and energized and most of the pain went away.

“Jeez, that has some kick...” Velux complemented, “What is this stuff?”

“My homeland it comes from, from generation to generation it has been passed on.”

“Do you have a recipe or anything?” Velux said. “If I knew how to make it, it would be pretty useful.”

“Perhaps one day, I may.” Zecora said.

Velux slowly got up from the bed and stretched, his bones cracking.

“How long was I out?” Velux asked.

“The days I counted two, but I see you have come through.” Zecora answered.

Velux’s stomach flipped, he suddenly felt more hungry than he had been before. He opened his saddlebags that lay by the bed, pulled out a sandwich and began to eat again. Zecora tended to the small home while Velux ate. When he had finished, Velux shouldered his saddlebags and walked over to Zecora, who had finished cleaning the cauldron and was placing it back inside the cupboard.

“I need to get into Equestria. Can you take me there? You said it wasn’t far.”

Zecora closed the cupboard and thought for a moment.

“Ponyville is quite near, you could make it there, do not fear.”

“Okay then,” Velux said, “when can we go?”

“We can start, when you are ready to depart.”

* * *

The journey to the end of the Everfree Forest went by without incident. Though Velux constantly looked over his shoulder Zecora lead the way, expecting manticores or Nexus to come bursting through the trees. Velux had removed his bandages along the way, his wounds healed to minor scratches and bruises under Zecora’s care. His horn, however, was the only thing left unhealed.

Velux was thinking of possible ways to repair his horn when Zecora threw out her hoof to stop him.

“Beware! Those leaves of blue are not a joke!” Zecora said cryptically.

Velux looked down and saw that he had almost walked into a field of small, blue stalks.

“What is it?” asked Velux, leaning forward.

“Poison joke.” answered Zecora, stopping Velux again, “It is much like poison oak, but it’s effects, are like a joke!”

Velux inspected the plants again, trying not to touch them; he had never seen any plant like this in Gallopolli. It seemed almost magical. Had the earth ponies of Gallopolli wiped out every trace of magic? It seemed far-fetched and extreme, but Velux wouldn’t put it past them.

“A year ago, ponies six, were affected by this plants enchants, but superstition was their mission, from Ponyville they kept me, the truth they could not see.”

Zecora giggled. Though Velux didn’t know what was so amusing, Zecora seemed like a nice zebra, why would anypony try to keep her away?

“You’re not welcome in Ponyville?” Velux asked, concerned. He didn’t want to have to do anymore sneaking.

“Enter, I can.” Zecora said, “The ponies in Ponyville, because of fear they did not let me in, until those ponies six, I helped to fix and their trust I gained, entrance to Ponyville I obtained, gathering supplies has been much less of a pain.”

Velux sighed out in relief, maybe the ponies of Equestria wouldn’t be so bad after all. If they were willing to accept a zebra, they should welcome an alicorn.

It was only a few minutes before they had reached the edge of the forest, and Velux could finally see that it was dusk. Off in the distance, Velux could see a small town, with a path leading from it to where Velux and Zecora were standing.

“This is where we part, brave alicorn.” Zecora said suddenly, “Down that roadway, leads to Ponyville, follow it, and reach it you will.”

“I don’t think I should be considered as brave. . .” Velux said, surprised at Zecora’s compliment, despite having only met him for a few hours.

“Bravery I see, it will come to thee.” said Zecora, using her cyptic tone again, “Good luck, Velux.”

“Yeah. . . thank you. You know, for saving me.” Velux said, still stunned.

Zecora turned and walked back into the Everfree Forest. Velux watcher her until she disappeared into the darkness, then turned towards Ponyville, casting his hood over his head.

* * *

The sun had set by the time Velux entered Ponyville.

There was nopony out in the streets of the small, slightly idyllic town. The roofs of the buildings in the town were thatched with hay. The town square was where Velux went first, normally the ponies who lived in Ponyville would gather here to share news of the day, but there was nopony visible. Still, there were signs of life inside of the homes. There were the faint sounds of music, chatting, and laughter amongst the ponies inside.

Velux didn’t want to just walk up to somepony’s home and ask to be invited inside. He knew that probably wouldn’t go well. Instead, he wandered around the town square and noticed an advertisement on the walls of the town square building.

Come one, come all!

To the annual Summer Sun Celebration, to be held in Town Square, Ponyville!

Come and watch as our beloved Princess Celestia raises the sun on the longest day of the year in honor the Elements of Harmony, who defeated the evil Nightmare Moon one year ago!

Velux re-read the notice a few times over, remembering the reference to the Elements of Harmony in the castle ruins just a few nights ago. Parts of what he read on the inscription inside and the notice didn’t add up. According to the inscription at the ruins, Nightmare Moon was defeated a thousand years ago. What puzzled Velux more, though, was the part about Princess Celestia and raising the sun. What did that mean?

The clock on the town square building chimed, the music inside the houses stopped, and one by one, the doors to the separate homes around Ponyville opened. Velux saw earth ponies, pegasus ponies, and unicorns interacting in a friendly manner, something quite alien to the alicorn. All of them seemed to be excited for the Summer Sun Celebration and were just as chatty as they were inside their homes.

Velux hid in the alleyway between the town hall and the neighboring home, but not before some ponies called out “Hey Zecora!” and “Come to see the sun rise, Zecora?” to him as they went by, unable to see the alicorn beneath the hood.

When all of the ponies entered, and the the rest of Ponyville was quiet, Velux decided that it was time to join in on the festivities and reveal himself. When he entered the town hall, all of the ponies were still talking to one another. Some excited to see the sun rise firsthand, others speculating on what it would look like as this was their first time. Velux hung back behind the crowd and by the door, unable to comprehend why the sun rising would be so special. Yes, the sunrise was beautiful, Velux had always watched it when he found himself staying up all night, but that was a far as it went. Why would there be a celebration for the longest day of the year? Perhaps the sun had some sort of religious significance among the ponies of Equestria. . .

Velux was so concentrated on his thoughts, that he had barely noticed a white-haired earth pony enter the stage at the back of the room with a fanfare accompanying her.

“Fillies and gentlecolts!” the pony said, and all attention was diverted to her, “as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to once again announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!”

The pony crowd cheered and stomped their hooves. Velux remained silent, drinking in every word by the mayor.

“Our town will once again receive the honor to witness the magic of the sunrise firsthand, and celebrate the longest day of the year!” the mayor continued, “and now, it is my great honor to introduce to you not only our most beloved ruler of the land, but the six brave ponies who wielded the Elements of Harmony to defeat Nightmare Moon and save us from eternal night one year ago to this day! The good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria. . . Princess Celestia and the Elements of Harmony!”

The fanfare erupted again, and the curtains on the balcony above the mayor drew back and revealed a tall, alicorn mare and two earth ponies, two unicorns, and two pegasi next to her. The crowd cheered and stamped their hooves again, and Velux could only stare. The princess was full grown, her mane and tail flowing. Her presence seemed to change the atmosphere of the room, demanding power and authority but also giving off a sense of kindness. Velux’s answer to the question of other alicorns was answered, he turned his attention to the wielders of the Elements of Harmony.

Five of the six ponies wore golden necklaces around their necks, each detailing pictures of a gem, an apple, a lighting bolt, a flower, and a balloon.

A white unicorn wore the necklace bearing the gem. She was very pretty, and some of the other stallions among the crowd seemed to agree. She looked positively thrilled to be the center of attention along with the princess and the ponies beside her.

The orange earth pony wearing the necklace with the apple seemed the most out of place. Velux couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow when he saw the cowboy hat resting on top of her head. She, too, looked happy to be there, but was more humble than the white unicorn beside her.

Velux’s first impression of the pegasus pony wearing the lightning bolt necklace was that she was (and there was no other way to put it) cool. Even with her rainbow colored mane and tail, she still managed to look her part. Though she looked arrogant and overconfident.

The yellow pegasus pony wearing the butterfly necklace smiled at first, but then shrunk and seemed to want nothing more than to sink into the ground, unnoticed. Still, she kept her small smile to show that she was proud to be with her friends and to be honored in such a way.

The pink earth pony with the balloon necklace seemed to be more excited and happy than all of the other ponies in the room combined. She looked to unable to contain herself and was lightly bouncing up and down, the biggest smile Velux had ever seen on her face.

Finally, sixth pony, a purple unicorn standing right beside the princess, looked to be proudest of them all. Unlike the other ponies, she wore a tiara with the image of a star on top of it. When they first appeared, the unicorn looked up at the princess with a look of utmost admiration, and gave her a wink, and to Velux’s surprise, the princess winked back.

As the crowd cheered and hoof-stomped and gave their praises to the ones who had rid them of eternal night, Princess Celestia raised a single hoof to silence the crowd. The did so at once, and the princess spoke.

“My little ponies, it is wonderful to see you all so happy and excited to welcome myself, and these six courageous ponies to once again welcome the longest day of the year!”

The crowd applauded once again, and when they had stopped, the princess continued.

“It was an unfortunate single year ago that my sister, Princess Luna, escaped from her lunar prison and returned as Nightmare Moon, set to bring eternal night to Equestria forever. Though many of you have resented the fact that I have allowed her to return home and resume her duties of raising the moon every night, I want you to know that it is within Princess Luna’s best interests to keep you all safe and happy, just as I have these past thousand years. So, as you can see, I have decided to once again bring the Summer Sun Celebration to Ponyville. To compensate you on your deprivement of harmony one year ago.”

The pony spectators cheered again, and once again fell silent as the princess raised a hoof.

“Though, your kindness and praise does not belong to me for the defeat of Nightmare Moon.” Princess Celestia continued, “It belongs to these six ponies, who, through their perseverance and friendship, discovered the Elements of Harmony and used them to defeat Nightmare Moon and return Princess Luna to us.”

The six ponies beside the princess each gave small blushes as the citizens of Ponyville gave their praises and thankfulness. Then, everypony fell silent as the Princess used her powerful, full grown wings to fly into the air. Her horn glowed and the sun rose and shone through the windows of the town hall and illuminated the inside, and like many times before, the crowd cheered.

Velux was dumbfounded. Did the princess just. . . no.  She couldn’t have, it was impossible. It was coincidence. Pure coincidence.

“Rest assured, my little ponies,” the princess announced as she landed on the balcony once more, “there will be nothing to fear from this new day!”

This was it, Velux realized. It was now or never. If he did not make his presence known, then the princess would leave, no doubt surrounded by her guards, and his chance may be forever lost.

Taking his cloak off, the brilliant sunrise shining fully into the town hall, Velux said, “I certainly hope not. There are some of us who would actually enjoy that.”

The town hall fell silent, the stomping of hooves ceased, and every head turned toward him. Velux gulped once and stepped forward towards the center of the town hall, the crowd parting his way and every eye in the room upon him. Next Chapter: Chapter 3 Estimated time remaining: 21 Minutes