Chapter 8: Not So Scary
Weeks went by, and the zebras had adjusted nicely to their new surroundings. Zula and Tad continued to hang out with the Young 6, Zana created new pottery and met new friends, Zander worked well with the other carpenter ponies, and made friends as well.
And Zoly was getting used to seeing other creatures besides zebras, but Discord still scared him though. Currently, Zula was in class with Professor Fluttershy.
"And so being kind to creatures is a good way to be a good citizens. Any questions?" Fluttershy explained.
Zula raised her hoof.
"Yes, Zula?"
"I have to ask, where do some of these animals bask?" Zula wondered.
"These animals are all over Ponyville. Have you seen any?"
Zula explained how she and Tad had seen a couple birds, and some frogs.
"You should go to Professor Fluttershy's animal sanctuary." suggested Ocellus.
"Yeah, she's got lots of critters." Sandbar added.
"Yes, and you're welcome to come by and see them." Fluttershy replied.
Zula smiled at hearing that offer. After class, the Young 6 and Zula made their way to their next class.
"Look, Professor Rarity put our class' friendship quilt up." said Gallus.
As they were passing by Rarity's classroom, they saw the quilt their class made. Sandbar's patch was green, and had beach stuff on it. Gallus' was blue, had some feathers, and gold bits. Yona's patch was brown with horns, and broken pieces of logs.
Smolder's was orange with rocks, gems, and a picture of a flame. Ocellus's piece was light blue, and had many different brightly colored pieces on it. Silverstream's path was pink and had a seashell and a tree on it.
And finally there was Zula's. She managed to put together a nice piece in such short time. She had made a patch that was black and white, and covered it with pictures of potions and a toad.
"Your quilt turned out very well." Rarity told them.
"Thanks, it was fun to do. I wouldn't mind making a few." Zula said.
When school was over the Young 6 and Zula made plans to visit Fluttershy's animal sanctuary on the weekend.
"That sounds, fun. I can't wait till the day is done."
"We'll meet here at the school Saturday morning." Smolder said.
Everycreature agreed, and while the Young 6 went to the students' hall, Zula went home. Now that she was knew her way around Ponyville a little more, she could walk herself back to her tree house. Once she was there she told her parents about her plans.
Zana and Zander looked at each other.
"What is wrong? Can I not go along?" she wondered.
"Your father and I are going out. We were hoping you could Zoly without a pout." Zana informed.
That disappointed Zula, looks like she was gonna get stuck babysitting rather than be with her friends. Tad then croaked.
"That's a good idea, Tad. I'll take Zoly with me, will that be bad?" Zula suggested.
"Hmm, that could work. And it will give Zoly a little perk." said Zander.
"But you must make sure to keep an eye on him. Don't let anything happen to him that's grim."
Zula promised her family, that she would keep an eye on Zoly.
On Saturday morning, Zana put together Zoly's diaper bag, filling it with bottles, diapers, his blanket, rattle, and pacifier. After breakfast, Zula, Tad, and Zoly were ready to go.
"Here you go, and all of his things in tow." Zana said, putting Zoly in his carriage.
"Don't worry, Mom. This trip will be very calm." Zula assured.
"Have fun, and tell us about it when the day is done." added Zander.
Zula agreed, and she, Tad, and Zoly left the house. When they got to the school, the Young 6 was already there. They were a little confused seeing Zula wheeling a baby carriage with her.
"Hey, Zula. What's with the baby carriage?" asked Silverstream.
Zoly then poked his head out. "I had to bring Zoly with me. My parents weren't going to be free." Zula explained.
"Bringing a baby with us?" sneered Gallus.
"He won't need much. He's a good baby and such."
"Yona say Zoly come." Yona piped up.
"I'm sure it'll be fine. I sometimes let my younger siblings tag along with me." added Ocellus.
"I guess it'll be all right." Smolder told.
Zoly looked at Smolder's tail swaying in front of him. Being the curious baby he was, he bit down on it.
"What the...hey." Smolder yanked her tail away.
Zoly smiled and laughed.
"As long as he doesn't do that anymore."
"Let's go." declared Sandbar.
They made their way to Fluttershy's animal sanctuary, and they saw her feeding the animals. When she noticed them, she smiled.
"Good morning, kids, Tad, and little Zoly." she greeted.
"We came to see the animals." Sandbar informed.
"I must say, these animals are really adorable at play." Zula mentioned.
"Thank you, come on. I'll give you all a tour." Fluttershy offered.
They all followed Fluttershy, and Zula and Zoly and even Tad were amazed at the different animals. There were small animals like frogs, butterflies, chipmunks, bunnies, and ducks. What really amazed her were the larger animals such as the snakes, elephant, bears, and wolves.
"Having fun, Zula?" asked Gallus.
"You bet. How about you Zoly, and my pet?"
Zoly cooed happily and Tad croaked.
"Yona take that as a yes." replied Yona.
Suddenly Discord appeared.
"Morning, fellow creatures." he greeted.
Fluttershy, the Young 6, and Zula greeted him, while Zoly hid in his carriage. Discord noticed this, and went over to the carriage.
"So this baby is still scared of me, huh?"
"It's nothing personal you see. He is just a baby." Zula told him.
"Baby smaybe. I'm going to prove to this little zebra that I am not scary."
"What are you gonna do, make a funny face at him?" wondered Smolder.
"No, I'm gonna appease to him." Discord said.
"This should be interesting to watch." whispered Ocellus to Silverstream.
"You got that right." Silverstream agreed.
They then watched the show as Discord tried to make the baby zebra not afraid. He appeared as a clown and tried to do funny tricks, but that didn't work. He tried look like something less scary like a flower and shrank to Zoly's size.
But the baby kept whimpering.
"(Groans), what will it take to please this baby." Discord groaned.
"Calm down, Discord. He'll warm up to you eventually." Fluttershy told him.
"She's right, Discord."mentioned Ocellus.
"Yes, it takes time. Then you'll get a dime." said Zula.
"Now who's up for a little lunch?" offered Fluttershy.
Everyone agreed, and headed for Fluttershy's cottage. As he was walking, Discord accidentally tripped over a rock. He fell to the ground, with a thud.
"Are okay, Discord?" asked Sandbar.
"I'm fine."
Suddenly they heard giggling, but it was coming from the carriage. Baby Zoly was laughing at Discord.
"Oh, you think that's funny, huh?" he asked him.
Discord got up and this time he pretended to fall on his back. This Zoly not only laughed but clapped his hooves.
"It looks like you're not so scary to him anymore." observed Smolder.
To make sure Discord went up to Zoly, and looked down at him. Zoly looked up at him, and gave his a small smile.
"It seems you achieved your goal. Zoly's no longer scared of you as a whole." Zula replied.
This made Discord feel very good. Things were good now, Zecora was reunited with her family. They were adjusting to Equestria well, and Zoly was now adjusted to the new creatures. The zebras were now officially a part of Ponyville.
The End
