"...pleja......Applejack? Are you alright?"

Swimming back to consciousness, the earth pony cracked open an eyelid.

"Oh, you're awake! Thank goodness, I was worried."

"Ah'm......ah'm okay, sugarcube. That sure takes it outta a pony though." Blinking the last of the sleep from her eyes, Applejack glanced around the library for signs of life.

"Where is everypony? Oh no! Them monsters didn't get 'em while I was under did they?! How long was I out?" Frantically, Fluttershy shushed her, then another welcome voice joined the discussion.

"Our friends are fine, though in need of rest. We will have to await the results of our test."

"You mean we don't even know if it worked or not? They didn't say anythin' afore they fell asleep?"

"No. Zecora and I woke up and everybody else was out like a light, we just finished carrying them all upstairs. Pinkie, Rainbow and Rarity are on Twilight's bed, though it looks like Spike's been using it. We put Spike in his basket, after we took the jewels out that is."

"So now what? We just wait until they wake up to find out if it worked or not?"

"That is not a choice we wish to make. Soon the Reapers will return, looking to take."

"I'm afraid Zecora is right, we only have a few hours until sundown, after that we'll all be in trouble."

"Be at ease dear friends, they won't bother us tonight, I have hidden this library from their sight."

"How? Some sorta zebra potion?"

"More of a herb if we're being specific, to these creatures it smells horrific. They won't approach such a bad smell, which will linger long after the dawn bell."

"Well that buys us some time at least, though we cain't just sit here and wait until all of Ponyville's taken, we have to do something!" Applejack tried putting her hoof down to drive this statement home, however she unbalanced herself in the process, hitting the floor with a painful thud. Fluttershy and Zecora helped her into a sitting position.

"You are still weak from your role as proctor. Were it safe we would summon a doctor."

"Ah'm fine! I don't wanna just sit here if there's somethin' ah can do to help."

"There is still danger even with my aid, until the others awake I'd prefer you stayed."

"She's right Applejack, Zecora and I will go do what we can and you keep an eye on the others, we have to make sure there weren't any adverse effects of...whatever happened before. I'd never forgive myself if they were hurt in some way."

"Grr....alright, alright. I'll stay here until they wake up, just don't be too long y'hear?"

Nodding, the pegasus and zebra left the treehouse.

~~~~~~

"I must be honest with you, Fluttershy, they didn't remember me and I think i know why."

"I thought it was very strange. You hadn't been abducted so they shouldn't have forgotten. Although they didn't forget completely, they knew who you were just not that they knew you."

"Yes, a troubling thought but I have my suspicions. Tell me, back then what changed your positions?"

"You mean why did we stop being afraid of you?" A flash or hurt crossed Zecora's eyes and Fluttershy felt a crushing shame for reminding her, only now realising just how long they'd known Zecora was in the forest but never approached her.

"Sorry. Actually it was Twilight who did it. We didn't even know you were a zebra. We didn't even know what a zebra was! We just thought you were strange and...scary. Twilight told us we were being silly and hateful for no reason. Little Applebloom went after you and we went after her, thinking you'd hurt her."

"Y-es," a tiny hitch in her voice but Fluttershy still caught it,

"...you followed my trail and accused me of magic, thinking I'd cursed you in a way most tragic." Fluttershy didn't know how to respond and a thoughtful silence descended. Eventually she couldn't keep quiet.

"Zecora, I just want to say how so, so sorry we all are for how we treated you. You must have been lonely in the forest and we ran from you whenever you came to town. Even now you're doing your best to help us after what we did. Can you ever forgive us?"

"It is true it was hard to see those bright lights, only to have ponies flee from my sights. The forest is wonderful and there's lots to see but there were some times I would wish for company," a mewling sound interrupted her reverie and she glanced over to see the genteel pegasus tearing up. With a kind smile, she continued:

"But it was not malice that kept you at bay, when the chance arose you did not turn away. Your good hearts allowed you to overcome this little blip," She stopped and, closing her eyes, rested her forehead against Fluttershy's,

"I truly am glad to have your friendship." Fluttershy was openly weeping now, shame and delight whirling within her. What foals they had all been! She thought back to all her first meetings. With Twilight Sparkle she had been shy but hadn't hid, with Spike she had ran headlong towards him, even with the manticore she'd been unafraid yet she'd treated this wonderful filly so badly for so long? Unacceptable. There wasn't enough she, and the others, could do to make it up to Zecora but she'd spend her life trying.

She felt something being gently draped around her neck, looking down she noticed a simple necklace with a green gem. Zecora fixed Fluttershy with a firm stare.

"Do not remove this, whatever you do. If all else fails, I hope it protects you."

"it's lovely, but what is it?"

"Ancient magic, almost lost, no longer common because of the cost."

"Cost? What cost? Did something happen to you?"

"Not to me or anyone since, this was created after the last Reaper instance."

"What does it do?"

"For now that must remain a surprise, please promise me it will stay before your eyes."

"Of course but-"

"Not now Fluttershy, we have more to talk about, I need to finish my words before time runs out."

"O-of course. I'm sorry. Go ahead, I'm listening."

"Twilight Sparkle is gone from our friends' sense, their behaviour since then is from her influence."

"Her influence? But Twilight would never help the History Reapers!"

"Not knowlingly, of course she would not, but her magic is strong and it changes the plot. Not only is she out of mind, but to the changes she wrought they are also blind."

"You mean it's because of Twilight's magic that they're acting this way?"

"Her magic spreads the blight throughout her will, to all here it is as if only Spike came to Ponyville. They do not know zebras, they do not know royalty, soon her magic will affect generosity, laughter and loyalty." The ramifications blindsided Fluttershy.

"You mean that Twilight's explosion that we all saw on the day we got our Cutie Marks won't happen, we won't form the bond that allows us to wield the Elements of Harmony?"

"It is awful but true, your good fights won't be won. Everything you've accomplished may yet be undone. I hope I am wrong but this is a unique trial, I really don't know if this will end with a smile." Zecora paused to martial her thoughts but soon became aware that Fluttershy's attention wasn't on her.

The pegasus was shaking. No, scratch that, she was fuming, her Stare was so intense even the grass was trying to get out of the way. Zecora could honest-to-Celestia see straight through to a clearing in the direction she was looking.

"How dare they? How DARE THEY? Those wicked creatures think they can take our friends, then use our friends to make us forget about our OTHER FRIENDS?! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! They've kidnapped little ponies, perverted Twilight's gift and now they're trying to destroy the few memories they haven't touched? No. More."

Bodily tossing the not-a-little-worried zebra onto her back, Fluttershy rocketed into the sky in the direction of the forest. Zecora, holding on for dear life, could do little except hope they landed soon. Fortunately Fluttershy soon realised she had no idea where to start looking and landed at Zecora's woodland hut.

"Thank....urgh....thank you Fluttershy for descending so light, I worried about a rougher landing for my first flight."

"I'm sorry for that Zecora but I'm still so angry at what is happening."

"I share your frustration and agree with your call. It is time to end this, once and for all. The Reapers are aether beings by design, they will make their home in an appropriate shrine."

"The castle of the Royal Pony Sisters!"

"Yes, a fearful place where nopony goes, their presence will be hidden by the magical echoes."

"Let's go then, I know the way."

"Hold a moment before you forfeit your health. It would be best if we accomplished our task through stealth. The sun is still up and the Reapers are at rest. Our friends must be freed before they leave their nest."

"I agree. I don't want to fight either, I just want our friends back."

~~~~~~

Creeping amongst the ruined stone at the spot of Nightmare Moon's resurrection, the two fillies couldn't help but be aware of the (what felt to them) rapidly dropping sun. They soon found, however, that the castle seemed deserted. There was no sign of any being, pony or no, within the walls. They had split up to explore the far corners of the complex but again found no luck, eventually Fluttershy returned to the main courtyard where Zecora was waiting.

"I don't understand Zecora, where are they? Could they have moved? is there an underground to this place that we don't know about?"

"I am not sure. However we must not become stuck, we must find our friends soon or else we will be out of......oh, buck."

Following her gaze, Fluttershy noted the shadow moving lazily across the floor. Casting a quick glance up she saw the slow-drifting cloud obscuring the sun. The shadow that the cloud cast rolled over the two, showing what the sun's light hid.

The Reapers were everywhere.

There were groups of slumbering fiends everywhere, it was a miracle that they hadn't been disturbed up until this point.

"No wonder any rescuers could not find their prize, when not on the hunt the Reapers are gone from our eyes."

"What do we do? What do we do? They're all over the place Zecora. There's too many of them, what if they wake up?"

"Relax Fluttershy, we still have some time. They will not rouse until after the last ray of sunshine. We must use this cloud and its revealing shade to locate our friends and finish this raid." Keeping quiet and moving carefully, Fluttershy padded over to Zecora and then the two began moving with the cloud, never leaving its cover. As they searched the sun dropped and the shadow lengthened, aiding their search but never letting them forget that their time was running out.

Eventually, just as the sun was reaching the treetops, the two found themselves in the throne room, scene of the climactic battles between Nightmare Moon and the Element bearers. To say that either of the two were surprised would be....well, a complete and utter lie. Destiny has a flair for the dramatic afterall. The two stared at their prize, both shocked and mesmerised by what they saw.

A vast sphere, easily 10 meters across, hovered over the pedestal. Inside the swirling vortex of magic there floated ponies. Pegasus, unicorns and earth ponies alike had been taken, many more than they expected, all drifting around a central point. Horrified, the two didn't move for several minutes until hope found a way back into their hearts:

Wings wrapped around her filly in a warm embrace, Derpy and Dinky Hooves floated by and out of sight. Fluttershy and Zecora shared a thankful smile.

"Even now, there are some things that they can't take from us." Nodding at Fluttershy's words, Zecora went back to scanning for their target, the bearer of the Element of Magic. Finally the sea of pony bodies shifted enough to reveal Twilight Sparkle, floating right at the centre of the sphere.

"What do we do? How can we get her out?" Zecora wanted to reply but really had no answer herself. Nobody had made it this far and returned, even in zebra legend. She decided she'd feel pride later, if they survived and got Twilight and the others back safely.

The two searched all around the sphere for any hint or opening that would allow them to get the captives out, panic rose in their bellies as the light grew fainter and fainter.

Finally the golden rays vanished below the trees and the castle was plunged into darkness. Not daring to speak, the two simply faced each other, uncertain of the future. Finally Zecora made a decision. Turning to her comrade, she spoke quickly and quietly.

"I did not want it to come to this, but this is our final shot and we cannot miss. You must take Twilight Sparkle and flee, unite with her and the Elements or Harmony. The stone you wear shall guide your hoof, it will act as your memory's proof."

"What are you saying Zecora? Why are you talking like you're not coming with us?"

The zebra could only look away, not trusting herself to remain strong in the face of such concern.

"ZECORA!" Fluttershy instantly regretted those words, as mere seconds later came that otherworldly howl. Fearfully, Fluttershy looked back towards the stairs, hoping for some miracle to stop the beasts finding them.

A sound like a splash came from the sphere.

"Zecora!"

The zebra was inside now, dragging herself up and over and around ponies, climbing towards the center, towards Twilight Sparkle. Fluttershy flitted around the perimeter anxiously, wishing there was something she could do. Zecora reached Twililght Sparkle just as the doors burst open and the Reapers surged into the room, countless dozens of them, looking less like individual beings and more like one rolling, surging tide of energy. The spread out over the floor and began to climb the walls, several of them leaping and trying to snare Fluttershy from the air.

Zecora, wishing there was a better way, gave Twilight Sparkle and all-mighty kick that sent her flying form the sphere and straight into the pegasus' arms. Desparingly, Fluttershy motioned for Zecora to come too, but the zebra shook her head, instead pointing a hoof at the moon, shining in from a hole in the ceiling. Tears flowing down her cheeks, Fluttershy nodded and took flight.

Satisfied, Zecora's eyes closed and she began to drift like the others, a smile still upon her face.

~~~~~~

Next Chapter: Chapter 5 Estimated time remaining: 13 Minutes