Zecora the zebra trotted through the forest in a happy mood while towing a wagon full of supplies. She paused every now and then to gather some plants into a pouch and observe the landscape for signs of an ambush. It may be daylight, but Everfree was dangerous at all times.

She followed shiny trail markers around dense thickets of thorns, one of which was animate and tried to whip her. A shield of energy took the blows, only becoming visible each time the thorns struck.

Agitated now, the entire thornbush began crawling towards her like a caterpillar--which, in fact, it was. This monstrous creature, called a Thornipede, coiled up in order to charge towards the zebra. It smashed into the shield, which rang like a gong and glowed with angry red runes. The bush promptly caught on fire. The thornipede inched its way towards a pond, where the flames sizzled out and smoke bellowed.

Zecora smiled, and thought to herself, Thanks be to the Crystal Empire, for gifting me that arcane shield of fire.

A new voice resounded within her mind, not her own, and it rhymed, The good cider was great, thank you very much! But we drank too much and might have damaged your hut.

Zecora put her ears down and glared at the trees ahead of her, What did you do this time, you crazy friend of mine?

I forgot the dining chairs can't hold my weight. Kinda... broke one and maybe a plate. Alas, but the situation is not without hope! The others thought it was quite a joke.

The others? Whom? Are they friends, or be they--

They be friends, so don't think doom! I await your presence soon.

The rune?

Glows blue, for these friends are peaceful too.

Good my dear, I shall see you soon. Yet I feel your fear, symbolized by the moon.

We need to talk. We couldn't fly here and had to walk.

I will arrive by afternoon, keep an eye on your rune.

Cobalt nodded here, forgetting that Zecora couldn't see her do that, and she quickly thought, Blue or green, all is serene. Yellow or red, I'll warn you instead. But I believe my friend Sky can be trusted.

That rhyme was terrible, but Sky's return makes it bearable.

See you soon, you crazy zebra.

Zecora shook her head with a fond look in her eyes. She stretched her legs, twisted back to tighten the equipage, and jostled the cart along the ruts of the trail.

Back at her hut, Skyblazer asked Cobalt what was on her mind.

"Huh?" said Cobalt, snapping back to her senses.

"You were kinda out of it there," said Sky, "still hungover?"

"Well yes, but no. I was just chatting with Zecora, she's on her way."

"I saw the mark on your flank start glowing brighter when you closed your eyes. Never did ask you about that."

"It's... a long story."

"We have time. Let me get some more coffee on, I'm listening."

Sky hopped off the easy chair, instinctively using his wings for balance and a gentle landing. His right wing hurt like hell, and he grimaced.

As he placed a kettle of water on the stove and used his amulet to reignite the fire, Cobalt told him,

"When I first met Zecora, I was honest with her because she was the first pony who had been friendly to me in Equestria. I think I told you that some guards shot arrows at me just for being a griffon when I got here."

Sky nodded as he grabbed the coffee press in order to dump the old grounds outside. He spoke in a mumble with his mouth around the handle, "Big cities ofshen haf lots of guards to proshec the ponies."

"I sure found that out the hard way," said Cobalt, as she pried the buckle of her left leg armor open. She pulled the scuffed armor plate off. Beneath the white fur could be seen an X-shaped scar.

Sky had stepped back inside and filled the press with coffee grounds. All three of them soon had a nice, steaming cup of dark coffee.

Cobalt, being part avian, had a harder time than either of them drinking from a cup. Beer bottles were easier to drain. She placed her mug on the coffee table so she could lean over it to take careful drinks. There was a pause while she gathered her thoughts, and she said,

"I know you two aren't going to like hearing this either. Maud, I'm only telling you this because you happen to be in the room and you're one of the elements of conflict."

Maud replied in what could only be assumed was politeness, "Nothing you can say will offend me. I find information about foreign cultures fascinating, and endeavor to understand more about the creatures we share this world with."

Cobalt looked at her and remarked, "Oh, so your personality is more than just rocks?"

"Yes, I have myriad other hobbies, interests, and my own personal life. It is not as though I am a shallow character of a fictional story who only enjoys rocks and minerals. For example, I was born on a rock farm, which you call a quarry, in western Equestria to parents who taught me how interesting minerals really are. They compose the structure of the world, you know, and have contributed to the development of all society. My siblings have always been cold and apathetic to me, except for Pinkie Pie. I do love my sister, and we honestly are able to spend time together despite our unrelated personalities..."

Cobalt cut her off here and now, "Enough of that, I didn't ask for your whole life story. Now what was I even saying... right. Skyblazer, I'm only going to say this once so you better listen. You are a good friend and I do love and care about you. There, I fucking said it. I think it's about time I had an honest talk with you, so you can decide if this whole "adventuring buddy" thing is gonna work out."

Sky sat patiently in the easy chair, with the cup of coffee balanced on a front hoof and his wings wrapped around him like a robe in the morning chill. He said, "I'm listening."

"So you know I was born in Griffonstone. Things might be different now, but for me I had this whole assigned family job and arranged marriage and a bunch of... what's a good insult in the pony language?"

"Pony-feathers?" noted Skyblazer.

"I like that one. Poetic as hell. Like those itchy little feathers you have to preen out every couple days, get on everyone--everyponies nerves."

"Exactly."

"So Griffonstone is a load of pony-feathers. I lived on the side of the mountain. Never even knew my father, he died in the mines. All I knew growing up was cutting firewood and catching fish and rabbits. When they needed minerals, we would have to go in those hellish mines and choke on dust and get our feathers all soiled with soot."

"Sounds awful," said Sky over a sip of coffee.

"Not the worst part. See griffons have always loved gold. Anything shiny really. Like this plate mail, I picked it for the shine. So we guarded our mines fiercely."

"Seems fair to me," said Maud calmly, "The mines are griffon property."

"Ponies would try to mine late at night. Griffonstone mountain is rich with marble and gold and coal. The griffons in charge said part of my job was to kill them if I caught them, or else I could be imprisoned or tossed down the chasm. So I didn't have a damn choice."

Maud sagely replied, "I presume you also ate the trespassing ponies, as the griffons do not seem wasteful. It would be the logical and efficient choice for a carnivorous race."

Cobalt awkwardly shuffled on the couch, and drank her coffee.

Sky and Maud did need a moment to consider this. It was a dark and unpleasant spot in Cobalt's life.

Skyblazer spoke first, in a tone as gentle and reassuring as Cobalt had been when he freaked out over his sprained wing, "It really doesn't sound like it was your choice. And you left Griffonstone over it."

Maud took a sip of her coffee, which had sugar and cream, and said, "Hmm, this does bother me. Suppose the roles were reversed. With that said, neither of us seem to bear judgment, but rather mutual understanding."

Cobalt was sympathetic to Maud, "Thanks. I'm sure most ponies would accuse me of being a monster, and maybe they're right."

Maud spoke before Sky could, "A monster would not risk her own life to save a pony from an elder dragon."

Sky nodded in agreement, and said, "That's right. And if you're such a dangerous monster, why would you console me and even hug me? I'm sure that hurt your pride."

Cobalt felt on the verge of tears, but she fought it back. She thanked both of them profusely, and continued speaking, "Zecora was also understanding, but cautious. She lives alone out here, you know. She agreed to take me in, be my friend and mentor. I just had to prove how badly I wanted that."

Skyblazer said quietly, "I'm sure you wanted that more than anything."

Several glistening tears were visible on Cobalt's face, which she promptly wiped away. She said, "At the time I was close to conceding that my race was right to hate pony-kind. That all of you were just racist and hateful and anything not a pony couldn't hope to settle in your land. Zecora changed all of that. She was my first friend--even if she is legit insane."

The right leg plate came off now, clattering on the wooden floor. The brand on her flank glowed softly with a blue light.

"Obviously Zecora didn't want to get eaten by an angry griffon, so before she agreed to share her home with me, she gave me an ultimatum. I could leave, go my own way and survive out in the wilds on my own. Or she would be willing to share her life with me, a potential threat to her, in exchange for a magic brand."

"Wow," said Sky, "Zecora really is insane."

Cobalt smirked a bit now and said, "That's exactly what I thought. I didn't think she was serious, but she was. I sure as hell didn't want to go through with it and was about ready to head out into the night, but there was something.... different about Zecora. Same kinda aura as you and Maud. Like the majority of ponies are pansies and sheltered and bigoted,"

"Hey!" exclaimed Sky.

"But Zecora, now she was different. Brave, cunning, even bloodthirsty if she had to be to protect herself or others. Even though she was a kind of pony, she didn't cave in to her instincts and just recoil from me."

Cobalt added whiskey to her coffee. She continued speaking, "I was intrigued by that toughness of character. I agreed to let her put this painful brand on me, and she took me in like I was her child, Sky. She cared for me, taught me how to fight monsters, how to live in the woods, how to get along with the average pony..."

Sky unfurled his wings so that he could lie on his left side, and carefully stretched out his sore right wing. A moment passed in silence.

He replied to Cobalt, "I can honestly understand both perspectives. I'd have to say you have come a long, long ways Cobalt. You did great in Corn Hills--remember the townsfolk thanking you? You may be a lot of things, you great big feathery bastard, but you are not in any way a monster."

Cobalt smiled, and for a rare occasion, so did Maud.

Their sharp hearing picked up the rattle and squeak of a wagon approaching. They stepped outside to meet Zecora.

On the way out, Cobalt mentioned, "It's telepathy, by the way. I can talk with Zecora in my mind within a certain distance."

"I didn't know magic like that existed," said Skyblazer.

The zebra alchemist arrived at her cabin. She noticed the three walking towards her, and asked for some help getting the wagon unpacked.

Cobalt greeted Zecora, "I hope your travels went well, my friend, and that nothing befell which you couldn't amend."

Zecora, a bit weary, walked over to Cobalt. They nuzzled each other. Sky noticed the rune glow strongly in a teal color. Zecora now spoke to Sky,

"Skyblazer and Cobalt, they now travel together! I hope that your friendship endures every weather. You must tell me of your time out exploring the land. I can see from your demeanor all did not go as planned."

Zecora now turned to Maud. She tilted her head, and said, "Let me recall your name, pony of gray... wasn't it Maud? How may I help you today?"

"It is indeed Maud. Three days we have trod. I need supplies. This should suffice," Maud held up a coin purse full of bits.

"Am I the only pony here not rhyming?" asked Sky, "Are we about to break out into song or something?"

"No," said Maud, "I am not Pinkie Pie. Oh, and that was a loose rhyme."

"Dammit," said Sky.

Maud exchanged money for healing potion, fresh tea, herbal remedy, and clover honey.

They all helped Zecora unpack, Cobalt using her newfound powers of telekinesis. Zecora remarked, "This seems a power which Sky would desire."

"His amulet should offer it, but it doesn't," Cobalt snarked.

When all was settled and they returned indoors, Zecora inquired about their journey. She seemed to have known they would find the crystals, but some things surprised her.

Zecora muttered, "Potion prophecy should not go awry... I cannot help but wonder why. You should have found a willow park, for that is where I saw the lark."

Skyblazer spoke, "I saw you in the dream, saying all is not as it seems. Then things went crazy and hazy and, um... I can't keep the rhymes up. Luna said the dream broke and some creatures from it got out."

"The dream itself breaking I did not foresee. This should not happen. It is a mystery."

"Perhaps the future isn't set in stone?"

"No, certainly not, but some events may be known."

"And how much do you know?"

"The future is darker than it has ever been. The only light I see is you, my friend. I see forbidden magic of shattering power. Dimly I see a griffon and a pegasus in their darkest hour."

"That's not haunting at all. So, why were you were at the Apple's orchard?"

"The six legends visited the Crystal Empire, to witness a rare event transpire."

"I like rare events," said Maud, "what manner of one was it?"

"Never before in written history! The birth of an alicorn. A profound mystery."

Sky spoke up, "Ooh, that is neat. Can't wait til they get back, I ought to fly over to Ponyville and see them again."

Zecora nodded, and said, "They have been through so much toil and stress. This placid visit should give them some rest."

"Speaking of rest," added Skyblazer, "We could use to rest here for a while. My wing needs to heal fully before I can fly on it."

Maud left for the quarry after saying goodbye to them all. Cobalt and Sky spent a week and a half at Zecora's, helping her with potions and chores. Sky learned a bit more about Everfree, and found himself rhyming when he didn't mean to be.

One evening, at dinner, Sky mentioned his sister being injured, and how she didn't need that on top of her magic ailment. Zecora perked up at this, and said that she was familiar with the peculiar. She went with them to the Haycart farm.

Skyblazer made good use of his innate magic for the trip. He hitched to a two-wheeled cart, which he could pull in the air to transport Zecora. Despite the magic, the cart still felt like it had weight to it. The added burden was a bit rough on his sore wing, but it held up well enough. Sky applied a healing salve each night to relax the sore muscles.

They reached Dodge Junction in four days of flight, but had no good reason to stop. The farming valley was reached a few hours before sunset.

Skyblazer didn't see anypony out in the fields, so he stepped into the house without knocking. This was still home, after all.

His family heard the creak of the worn door. They were preparing for sleep. Hayseed and Violet Haycart both had wet fur and a soapy scent from a recent bath. Lightning, who was caked with dirt, was about to head out for hers with a towel on her back.

She walked over to her son, and put her remaining right wing around him in a hug. Sky returned the gesture. Lightning Ridge spoke, her voice more gravelly and weak than normal for her,

"Oh Sky, it's so good to see you're alright. The craziness in Equestria finally caught up to us. Violet was hurt. It was awful."

Sky responded, "Actually, I know. I was there. It was so surreal... but that can wait. First, guess who I brought with me."

Lightning's eyes went wide as dinner plates, "There's no way."

Sky nodded, "I found her, and we've become good friends."

He left the house, and invited Cobalt and Zecora in.

As soon as the Zebra crossed the threshold, Lightning rushed over to her and spoke in a panicked voice, "You're that alchemist, right? You can't be here, if Barley sees you..."

Sky interrupted, "Barley can deal with it for all I care!"

"First, he's your dad," Lightning began, but then the pony in question came around the corner. He saw the zebra, and a cold look came into his eyes. He yelled,

"Get out of my house! I've heard all about you, Zecora. Folks at the bar talk about you, say you live in Everfree. I'm having none of that, get out now before I make ya."

The zebra bowed curtly, and backed out of the residence. Skyblazer got into a shouting contest with his dad.

"I don't care if she makes healing potions," Barley growled, "fact of the matter is, she does forbidden magic too. Everypony knows it, son. There's a group of lumberjacks who meet me at the tavern fer poker once a moon. They don't get too close to Everfree, but I reckon they've seen that zebra out and about. Say she has magical items she can zap shit with. You know that's forbidden!"

"Are you saying Twilight and the other heroes of Equestria should be forbidden?!" yelled Sky in a rising voice.

"No, for corn's sake! Just sayin' a pony should be cautious around stuff like that. I remember when that letter came from Twilight what said she had to defend Ponyville from some rogue wizard. Evil amulet was involved. Hey Lightning, what was the gal's name, was it Pixie?"

"Trixie," said Lightning, "and that pony has changed her ways now, she's decent enough--"

"Point is," Barley grumbled, "those magic artifacts ain't good for a pony. You've seen all the nonsense Twilight's been through. Her and all her friends. How long you reckon it is til the power corrupts them too?"

"They have saved thousands of lives!" Skyblazer snarled, "Not just Ponyville, but all of Equestria! Tirek could have brought our kingdom down!"

"Didn't I tell you I don't believe there ever was such a thing? Had to have made it up. Tartarus is a myth they use to scare young ponies."

"You SAW the moon and sun in the sky together that day! You SAW the magic battle go by here! How can you stand here and say that?"

"Listen here, Haul--"

"It's Sky now, or I am going to hurt you."

"Boy are you threatening me?"

"Yes," said Sky. Seeing red, he gruffly walked over to the fire place. He focused on his amulet, and blasted the logs with fire.

Skyblazer took several steps back, turned around to face his father, and said in anger, "Maybe power does corrupt, dad. But it can't be as corrupt as your heart has to be to accuse the ponies who risk their flanks and their sanity to protect our land."

"I can't deal with this right now. You get back after going Luna knows where, and first thing you do is backtalk me. We have a farm to run here, son. Guess you forgot about that."

Barley almost bowled Sky over as he marched past him. He kept on walking into the fields, not looking back, not so much as bothering to address the wild griffon in his house.

Lightning wasn't happy. She said in an utterly defeated voice, "Honey, can't you be just a little more understanding? He's gonna go drink himself into a pit again. I don't need that right now."

Cobalt had backed way off, out of sight and out of mind. She wasn't having any part of this. Lightning noticed her, and began to walk over to say hello, but then a shout came from outside,

"Aggh! My eyes!"

Everyone ran outside. Cobalt knocked a piece of trim off the door by mistake.

They saw Zecora and Barley facing off against each other. There had clearly been a fight. Zecora spoke,

"On seeing me still here, he chose to pull a knife. It would seem that my pepper bomb was an unwelcome surprise."

Lightning sighed, beyond angry, beyond worn out. She asked, "Will he be okay? How long does that last?"

"It is a temporary measure. Make sure he applies water."

"Look, I'm sorry about him, it's just... he's had some bad run ins with dark magic in the past. Like, real bad. It would be better if you left the property. I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing."

"Your son brought me in an aerial cart. I must say, I enjoyed that pegasus art. I desired to evaluate your daughter's curse, but it would seem she is doomed to become worse."

"Do you think it's a curse? How? It's not like she's ever crossed a dark wizard before, or even met one."

"Magic ailments are rare and severe. There are several ways for them to persevere."

"I see. We should talk more, but for now, I'd like to speak with Cobalt. I never thought I'd actually meet her."

Zecora nodded, and began walking back towards where the cart was parked.

Back in the house, Cobalt and Sky were having a heated discussion. As Lightning drew near, it became obvious that the anger wasn't directed at each other. Skyblazer was busy venting about his father.

Lightning cleared her throat, and said, "That's certainly pleasant language to use in front of your mom after nearly a moon away."

Sky put his ears down, and apologized.

"Don't say sorry to me," said Lightning, "your dad needs to hear it."

"Not happening," said a stubborn Sky.

Lightning had the presence of mind to place this entire feud on a back burner. First, she greeted the griffon,

"Well, I'm Lightning Ridge. Sorry you had to see that, things can be a bit... rocky here sometimes."

Cobalt was still taken aback. She replied, "Your son is a lot like you. Stubborn, brave, not willing to back down easily. Have to say, he's one of the first of your kind I've met that I can call a friend."

Lightning offered a weak smile as she said, "It's fantastic to hear that. So, I guess, thank you for saving my life all those years ago. That battle feels like it was forever ago. I bet it was quite a situation for you, too. You live in the forest, right?"

"Yeah, Everfree is my home, and Zecora is my friend and teacher, I've learned all I know about pony-kind from her. It's, um, hard to deal with your ass of a husband being cruel to her."

"I beg your pardon, he's a pony. Even if he were a donkey, there's nothing wrong with a pony and..."

"Didn't mean any offense. By Celestia but you and Sky are similar!"

"Did you just say what I think you did?" asked Sky with a cheesy grin.

Cobalt stuttered for a second, and said, "It slipped, okay?"

"Uh-huh," said Sky, as Cobalt gave him an askew glance.

Lightning noticed their injuries now. She walked up to Sky and quietly said, "You can't say I didn't warn you. What happened out there?"

Sky, Lightning, and Cobalt walked into the kitchen. Cobalt carefully tested her weight on a chair before sitting in it. Lighting got tea on the stove and brought over some stale bread and a lump of suspicious butter. Strawberry jam, made fresh from the berries in their garden, made it much more palatable.

Cobalt and Sky went through three cups of tea as they told their story. They tastefully avoided saying anything that would make them look bad.

Lightning had a thousand questions now. Many of them could be calmly regarded as 'yet more insane shit that's wrong with Equestria'. Of course dreams took place in another world. Of course this place was breaking apart and letting nightmares become reality. Why not.

She was amazed that her son, and Cobalt, had been chosen to wield new elements. They could be called unworthy for all she cared, just the fact they had been chosen to help protect their kingdom by some unfathomable ancient magic was incredible. Lightning couldn't help but be proud of her son for this accomplishment.

These things would need some time, and some liquor, to fully process. For now, the elder dragon attack was the more pressing priority.

Lightning finally spoke after gathering her thoughts. The first thing she said was, "You handled that dragon about as poorly as you possibly could. Really should have spent more time reading my notes."

Skyblazer meekly agreed, "I should never have taken the offer of dragon scale armor, it's all my fault..."

"No, the armor is fine," said Lightning, surprisingly, "An elder dragon would attack you anyways. To them, the world is composed of fellow dragons, prey, and inedible creatures."

With a chill down his spine, Sky said, "Oh, I see."

"Dragons live hundreds of years. The oldest ones remember the fierce war from about a century ago, which drove the remaining dragon packs out of Equestria. The younger ones are a new generation, if a young dragon sees a mere pony wearing armor made of dragon hide it would probably piss itself and fly away fast as possible."

"Like Cobalt has done on two separate occasions."

"I was hit by lightning!" explained the griffon.

"Your lightning attack went right through us in the dream world. It was beyond intense," said Sky.

"The mechanics of all this dream versus reality stuff gives me a headache," said Lightning Ridge, "but as I was saying, the dragon viewed you as prey, and you behaved like prey. The dragon wanted you tired and grounded."

"Well, what could we have possibly done?" asked Sky.

"The big ones can still fly fast in a straight line, but they are about as agile as a blimp. You should have attacked him in the air. The dragon wanted an easy meal, not a nuisance. It would get tired of swatting at you, and leave for better prey."

"Right, guess exhausting ourselves flying through the canyon was pretty stupid..." said Cobalt.

"Worse than trying to fly away in a straight line, honestly. Dragon just had to wait. I'm glad you were able to fight it off and get help, at least. Looks like he tore you both up pretty badly. I didn't want to see you get hurt, Sky."

"I know, mom. You were right, the world is dangerous."

"Again, it's fine. When I was your age, I was out doing the exact same thing. Taking on bounties, fighting monsters. Trying to make Equestria a safer place. You just have to be smart about things."

Lightning admonished the griffon a bit, "Honestly now Cobalt, I'm surprised you didn't notice the dragon earlier. I was hoping my son would be better protected in your company, and I know you have the experience to read the situation better."

"I wasn't paying attention", admitted Cobalt, "Really should have watched the clouds more, his gray scales blended right in."

"Well," said Lightning, "I'm glad my son met you, and that you can call him a friend. I would suggest you listen to his advice on our culture. I need to check on my husband and talk with the zebra, what was her name again?"

"Zecora," said Cobalt.

"I need to ask her about Violet. We'll talk more tomorrow, I need some time. This is some crazy, wild stuff to think about."

"Tell me about it," said Cobalt, "I thought Equestria was a peaceful place."

"I mean it is, or it was. I don't know why things are different now. First, Luna returned to us as Nightmare Moon, then Discord the avatar of chaos shows up, now apparently the world of dreams is broken. What's next? Windigoes are real?" Lightning took a moment in thought, and said, "Maybe all the elements, including the new ones you found, are involved somehow."

Cobalt spoke in a politer, softer tone, "Maybe we can figure out what's wrong and make it right again, while the six heroes are off protecting everyone."

Before leaving the table, Lightning added, "Say, Cobalt. Thank you for giving us ponies a chance. I'm happy Skyblazer could help change your mind about us. Keep my son out of trouble, and do what you can to keep your new home safe, okay?"

Cobalt sat up, looked Lightning in the eyes, and nodded.

Lightning brought a pail of well water out to the workshop, where Barley was busy working on a jug of moonshine. She slammed the door on his drunken verbal abuse, and trotted through the fields to find Zecora.

She found the zebra waiting just outside the gate, and asked her to come to the house to take a look at Violet. Zecora did so.

Violet had recovered well from being attacked by dream creatures, but it had made her sickness all the worse. She lie in bed, shivering with chills in spite of the warm weather.

Zecora applied a number of herbal tonics to her forehead, consulted an old and tattered spellbook, and provided herbal tea to help her sleep easier.

As Violet snoozed peacefully, Zecora put her ears down and gave a sad look at Lightning. She brought the spellbook over. Lightning didn't recognize the language.

"An old ponish tome, copied from the source. Let me make it known, and you may choose your course," said Zecora in her usual cryptic manner.

A bracelet on Zecora's front leg was passed over the pages with a suffusing white glow. As it illuminated the words, Lightning was startled to see she could read them, although it was very archaic language. She said aloud,

"Curse of Oppression. Forbidden by thine Princess Celestia. Heretofore be enfeeblement of wartime and siege. Henceforth be treason against kingdom, thine users exiled. One of thee enduring dark curses. Afflicts weakness of body and mind, preventing thee peasants from labor and combat. Persists upon town of caster's choice until cursed relic be destroyed or curse be lifted. Forbidden not for severity, rather lack of finite terminus."

Zecora clarified, "It is tested with a mixture of tonic and herbs. The correct reaction makes the herbs disturbed. It was rose petals that moved, my friend. I'm sorry to say this, but this curse may not end."

"The book says the relic needs to be destroyed. If we could find it, we could put a stop to this!"

"It shall not be a simple task, I fear. Perhaps buried with age, afflicting all who draw near."

"Is there a cure of any kind, Zecora?"

Zecora nodded, and pulled a bundle of scrolls from a saddlebag. Each had a runic symbol stamped on. She compared the symbols with the one in the tome, and found a matching scroll.

She read the scroll, and said, "The ingredients are rare, perhaps lost with time. If they can be gathered, then Violet will be fine. Many exist within Everfree. There is one item, however, which eludes even me."

"Which is?"

"Allow me to read: Reflect on the water, for it is all that ye need. Be ye pure of heart, thy cure shall succeed. Beware yon ponies whom suffer from greed, for the Pool of Reflection shall once more be freed."

"That sounds vaguely familiar for some reason... in fact, I could swear Twilight mentioned that to me," said Lightning.

"I know not if it's real or a myth, only the rumors, and rumors persist."

"I'll write to Twilight, or ask Sky to stop by Ponyville. If there's a cure, and the ingredients are safe, I'm trying it. Barley be dammned. I don't want Violet to suffer for all her life from some awful old curse they used to use against citizens in wars."

"May we stay the night, and leave when it is light?"

"Certainly, Zecora. My husband doesn't care much for you, may I set up a tent? I'll have breakfast on in the morning... oh, except for Cobalt. Don't think I could stomach making something she would like..."

"She eats plants, as well, and I'm sure your cooking is swell."

"Sounds good then. Let's get some sleep, and try to put this craziness away for now. We can deal with stuff in the morning."

Zecora agreed. Lightning brought the tent, and then she quietly stepped into the house, cautious to avoid the squeaky boards. It was late, and the others were sleeping. In the living room, Sky had fallen asleep on the couch while Cobalt had curled up in front of the fire, her beak resting on her back.

Lightning offered a warm smile, and placed a quilt over each of them. She gave her son a kiss on the forehead, brushed down his feathers a bit, and quietly stepped to her room to sleep alone. Her husband was probably passed-out drunk by now. Just another problem that could wait until morning.

She blew out the candles in the bedroom sconces, and promptly fell sound asleep.