//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: The Newest Member of The Apple Family // Story: A Baby Zebra's Apple Turnover // by Foal Star //------------------------------// As Applejack went back downstairs to hang with her friends, she came across Twilight. Twilight turned and replied, “Oh hey, Applejack, is Zecora sleeping already?” The farm mare nodded and yawned. “Well not quite but I did tuck the little one in, so she should be sleepin’ soon.” Rarity giggled and asked, “Well, darling, I presume you're done with the act?” Applejack glared at her dress and tore it off, “Yeah, I’m done. Sorry for bein’ so stubborn again.” Rarity shrieked, grabbing the dress before it hit the floor, “Are you crazy?! You don't just throw a gown like this onto the ground! It’s a waste!” Applejack blushed, realizing her mistake. “Sorry, Rarity, for makin ya go through all that trouble.” She apologized. Rarity brushed the dress, and placed it over her back gently. “It’s quite alright, darling,” She said to Applejack. “I’ll keep it in my boutique, and if you have need of it again just ask.” The farm mare smirked and chirped. “Sure thing, Rarity. May come in handy someday.” Applejack sat down with a sigh as Twilight got up and whispered, “Um...Applejack, I wanted to speak to you about something private. It’s about the um...cure for Zecora.” The farm mare gulped, and once alone with Twilight she asked. “So um..what about it?” Twilight sighed. “Well, it’s kind of good, kind of bad news. I got a letter from Princess Celestia yesterday, saying that the cure may take longer than she anticipated. It could even be years before she finds one.” “So does that mean ...I...I have to adopt Zecora?” Applejack asked, a sense of worrying overtaking her. Twilight shook her head. “Well, no. It all depends. Like I said earlier, if this is too much for you, there are plenty of foster families in Ponyville that can care for her.” But Applejack shook her head and stomped a hoof. “Not a chance, sugarcube! I'm still determined to be Zecora’s caretaker, come what may.” Twilight sighed in relief as her horn lit up and a pile of papers appeared. “Well then, all you have to do is sign some documents, and go to Nurse Redheart for a physical, so she check Zecora’s age and make sure she’s okay.” Applejack nodded firmly.  “Yeah I’ll get that all done,” With a sigh she added. “Looks like I'm goin’ to be a mom. Now how do we go ‘bout tellin’ our friends?” “Just leave that to me,” Twilight said with a wink. “You worry about Zecora.” Zecora woke up the next morning to see Apple Bloom standing outside of her crib. The baby zebra smiled and babbled. “Hey, Abbwe Bwoom.” She got up with her diaper sagging between her legs, and Apple Bloom picked the foal up and placed her on the ground. “Alright, cutie, time for a diaper change.” The baby zebra just nodded with a groggy look, and hugged the red stallion plushie close. As Apple Bloom finished the diaper change, Zecora yawned. “Tat was a gweat pawty wast night.” Apple Bloom nodded. “Yeah, it was. So wanna play downstairs after a bottle?” Zecora gave another nod, as Apple Bloom placed Zecora onto her back, and trotted down the steps. There, Applejack was sitting down, talking to Granny and Big Mac. Applejack turned to see Apple Bloom skipping downstairs and smiled as she asked, “Hey, Apple Bloom. How’re you doin’?” Apple Bloom chirped, “I'm doin’ fine, just changed the little foal is all.” Applejack gasped, she knew she’d been forgetting something! “Oh, so sorry,” She apologized. “I was goin’ ta do that, but...umm.. “ Apple Bloom eyed her big sister and asked, “But what?” Big Mac and Granny both blushed at each other, as Applejack turned and explained, “Well...Twilight told me some things last night. She said that Zecora may be a foal for a very long time.” Apple Bloom gasped with concern! “Really?!” Zecora turned and babbled. “Why is tat?” Applejack continued. “Well, from what Twilight, told me the mixture is so random that finding a cure is almost impossible. And spells won't work since the source of the effects is unknown. Tryin’ to cure one part could make another part permanent. Ya might return to normal, but your mind won’t regain all your knowledge. Or you may retain your knowledge, but you’ll be stuck in diapers forever. So, it could be years before a cure is found. I guess what we're trying to say is...well….” “Weww what?” Zecora asked, as she noticed Applejack trailing off. Applejack looked up and asked Zecora bluntly. “You want to be adopted, Zecora?” Zecora smiled and started bouncing. “Yeah, I wowd wove to be adopted by ya!” Apple Bloom placed zecora down and let her waddle to Applejack, nuzzling her. Applejack booped her on the nose. “Alright then, I guess that means we'll be busy today,” She told Zecora. “First we need to go to Nurse Redheart, see exactly how old you are, and make sure you're healthy. Then we'll head to Mayor Mare's office and get some documents to make the adoption official.” Zecora nodded. “Otay, I’ww take a bath and get dwessed up.” Granny nodded back. “Alright, sugarcube, I'll get ya all nice and ready for your big day.” Applejack got up and added. “Good idea, Granny. I'll get a diaper bag and the baby carriage ready.” “And I guess I’d better take care of the applebuckin’.” Big Mac said with a laugh. Zecora crawled over and giggled. “Wew, when I get back, ya gonna be Uncwe Big Mac.” The big stallion teared up and hugged the foal close as he nuzzled her. “Alright then, you be a good foal.” He told Zecora. Zecora nodded, then got on Granny’s back and headed upstairs. Apple Bloom sighed as she turned to Big Mac and said to him. “Well, since everypony’s goin’ to be busy, I’m gonna go see if my friends want to come over later.” Big Mac nodded. “Sure thing, Apple Bloom. Just be sure to get your chores done when you get back and before they arrive.” Apple Bloom waved a hoof as she chirped. “I will, Uncle Big Mac!” And she ran off as Big Mac blushed. “Uncle Big Mac, that does have a nice ring to it.” He thought. Applejack was now with Zecora in Nurse Redheart's office. The farm mare stood aside as the baby zebra sat on a table in nothing but her diaper. Nurse Redheart had the foal’s mouth opened with a tongue depressor and was looking about. She then lifted it out and said firmly, “Well, Zecora, looks like you have baby teeth growing in. Now I’m going to check your lungs.” And she put her stethoscope up to Zecora’s chest. Zecora was a bit nervous and so she asked, “So, wha do I do now?” Nurse Redheart gently cooed, “Just breathe in and out, okay?” Zecora did just that, slowly inhaling then exhaling. Redheart listened for some time, then she stopped and went over to her counter, and started writing something on a chart. Zecora whimpered as Applejack turned and asked. “So um...hold old do you think she is? Redheart (still reading her notes) replied, “She's approximately one year old. But her mind seems to have retained a lot of her old memories, besides muscle memory, or anything too complex.” “Thought as much,” Applejack nodded. “But is there anythin’ else we should know?” Redheart shook her head. “Nope, she seems perfectly fine. Just be sure she eats healthy and gets plenty of love. I would even suggest she be breastfed if possible.” Zecora giggled as Applejack blushed and explained, “Well I don't think that would be necessary. She's been mostly eatin’ apples and drinking formula. We could probably give her some cow’s milk if she really needs the nutrition.” Redheart nodded and replied. “Formula is quite alright but make sure she eats other fruits and vegetables, not just apples. It’s important she has a healthy and varied diet.” Zecora bounced up and down while shouting. “Yeah, with Mama Jackie I gots to eat stuff wike cake!” Nurse Redheart took out a piece of paper and placed it next to Applejack as she explained, “Alright I just need ya to sign this,” As Applejack signed the paper, Redheart turned to Zecora and gave her a lollipop while cooing, “Congratulations, you're officially one year old now.” The baby zebra giggled, putting the lollipop in in her mouth. “That's gweat! Now I...um I dun know, but tats coow!” Applejack smirked, then placed Zecora on her back. “Well that means I can adopt you now.” Zecora squealed in delight, “Yay! I gonna be a Apple!” Apple Bloom was back at Zecora's hut with her friends. They were both shouting in excitement as Apple Bloom asked them. “What's goin’ on with ya two?” Sweetie Belle turned as she explained. “Apple Bloom, remember how you said that the cure could just be to reform the potion that changed Zecora?” Apple Bloom nodded, eyeing her friends as she asked. “Yeah, what about it?” Scootaloo took out a vial with a green liquid and shouted. “This could be the cure! We just took what supposedly changed Zecora and added the cure for poison joke.” Apple Bloom shouted back! “Are you kiddin’?! Ya really think that’ll work?!” Sweetie shrugged. “It’s worth a shot. We thought that maybe what happened to Zecora was similar to what happened to Applejack and her friends.” Apple Bloom cautiously took the vial and replied. “Alright, well I'll give this to Twilight, and she can make sure it works. In the meantime I got some news,” Her friends turned towards the farm filly and she continued. “As of now, Zecora is bein’ formally adopted by my family.” Sweetie gasped! “Really! Does that mean she's going to be an Apple?!” Scootaloo squealed in delight! “That's so awesome!” Apple Bloom nodded. “Yeah, and that means she's goin’ to be my little sister,” They all dawwed, then Apple Bloom went on. “Well, I’d better get goin’ and see Twilight ‘bout this here potion..” Scootaloo quickly added. “Don't forget about our stomach soothing potion we made. Ask if it worked.” Apple Bloom gave another nod, and ran off towards Twilight’s library. Twilight was busy looking at the potion the Cutie Mark Crusaders had made and given to her. The purple unicorn sighed as she said to herself. “I'm so glad I inspected this. This would've given Zecora diarrhea. Luckily, I was able to change its compensation so I it should help the little foal’s stomach.” Just then, the door to the library flew open! And Apple Bloom bounced in and asked. “Hey Twilight, how's it goin’?!” Twilight turned and greeted. “Hey Apple Bloom, just been studying the potion you three made. “ “Oh, that,” Apple Bloom realized and asked. “Um, does it work?” Twilight gave it to Apple Bloom, who saw the potion now had a blue color, as Twilight answered. “Well, I made some adjustments, but it should work just fine.” Apple Bloom smiled at it and whispered, “Thanks Twilight.” “So, is there anything else you need?” Twilight asked Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom looked up and replied. “Well...my friends think they made a cure, but I'm not too sure.” She lifted the vial with the green colored liquid. Twilight held it aloft with her magic as she asked Apple Bloom. “What’s in this?” Apple Bloom continued. “A lot of things, mostly the stuff that spilled on Zecora with...um…” “With what?” Twilight persisted, she wanted to know all the details. Apple Bloom whispered with a sheepish smile. “The cure for poison joke.” “Alright, well if this is the cure I'll let you know,” Twilight said to Apple Bloom. “But I need to run some tests first.” Twilight took it and trotted off, as Apple Bloom looked at the ground with an uncertain look. Applejack was now sitting down in Mayor Mare’s office with Zecora in her lap, the adoption papers sitting on the table. Mayor Mare was looking over them as she nodded and said. “Well it looks like everything is here. All we need now is your signature on this scroll here, Applejack.” She took out a long scroll and showed Applejack where to sign. Applejack took a quill with her teeth and wrote her name. Then she took Zecora's right tiny hoof and cooed, “I'm goin’ to need your signature too.” Zecora peered at the papers and babbled. “Bu I dun know how to wead yet.” Applejack nuzzled the little zebra. “It’s alright. It just says you're one year old, and you're goin’ to be my daughter. That’s all.” Zecora snuggled Applejack, then tried to grab the quill with her tiny hooves, but it kept falling. Mayor Mare chuckled and replied. “Sweetie, let Applejack help you.” Zecora blushed as she reluctantly asked. “Um, Abbwejack, can ya hewp me, pwease?” Applejack smiled. “Of course, Zecora.” She then took Zecora’s hoof and helped Zecora write her name on the scroll. Mayor Mare then took the scroll, examined it thoroughly, and placed it in a vault as she got up and proudly declared. “It is with great pleasure that I tell you, Applejack, that you're officially Zecora’s mother. Congratulations.” Zecora squealed and snuggled into Applejack’s chest, happily babbling. “Ya my mama now!” Applejack blushed as she whispered to Zecora, “Yeah, you can call me mama if you want.” Mayor Mare gave the two a warm smile, “Well, if you need anything, Applejack just let me know.” Applejack nodded as she strapped Zecora into her stroller, “Thanks for the offer, but I can do this by myself.” The baby zebra nodded and added, “Yeah, Mama Jackie is ta best mama in ta wowwd!” Applejack playfully laughed and suggested, “Alright now, how about for celebration we go to Sugarcube Corner for some ice cream?” Zecora squealed in delight! “Yay! I gonna get a big one with aw ta fawvows wike wast time!” As Applejack pushed Zecora out of Mayor Mare’s office, the elderly mare cooed, “Oh, Applejack is going to make for an excellent mother. I can tell.” Twilight was peering over the vial of the now purple colored potion and scratching her chin as she mumbled, “Apple Bloom I...I think that we may have found something.” Apple Bloom gasped! “You think we found a cure?!” She asked, hopefully. Twilight gulped. “I think so. This identicator was to turn the potion purple if it's the antidote. But I don't know for sure if it will work. We...we might have to study it more to be sure it doesn't do something worse. But that could take months.” Apple Bloom nodded. “Well, yeah, but…” Twilight turned to Apple Bloom and asked. “But what?” Apple Bloom whimpered. “But it's my fault that Zecora’s goin’ to be a foal and...well...we should turn her back! It's not fair for us to have her stay this way, even if she likes it!” Twilight hugged the farm filly tightly and replied. “It's okay, Apple Bloom. It was an accident that turned Zecora into a foal, and you and your family have been doing a great job of caring for her.” “Yeah, I guess so,” Apple Bloom agreed, and then asked. “Should we tell Zecora ‘bout it?” Twilight sighed. “Yes. How about you ask her and make sure she knows the risks as well? That way she can decide for herself if she wants to take it.” Apple Bloom smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I can do that. I’ll go find her now, Applejack’s probably finished adoptin’ her.” She scampered off, still whimpering as Twilight slowly trotted after her. Applejack was back at Sweet Apple Acres with Zecora, feeding her a small bottle of formula using the apple bottle Zecora’d gotten for her Foal Day. All of a sudden, Apple Bloom ran into the living room as Applejack looked up and asked. “Hey, Apple Bloom, you doin’ okay?” Apple Bloom looked up and replied. “I'm doin’ fine, just wanted to talk to Zecora ‘bout somethin’.” Zecora turned as she mumbled sleepily, “Wha is it?” Apple Bloom gulped as she took out a purple colored potion and whispered. “Zecora...I need to tell you that Twilight may have found a cure.” Zecora got up as her heart pounded in her tiny chest and she babbled. “Weawwy?” Apple Bloom nodded and continued. “Yeah, you see, my friends and I made it back at your hut. And um, with some help from Twilight we finished it. But...we don't know if it works. It could take a few months still, but we could eventually find a cure.” The baby zebra and Applejack were stunned, both unsure of what to say. Then zecora turned to Applejack with tears welling up in her eyes and nuzzled her chest, as Applejack held her close. Then Zecora turned to Apple Bloom and upon being set on the floor, slowly crawled up to the filly and hugged her, “It's otay, Abbwe Boom. Dun feew bad.” Apple Bloom hugged Zecora back, still crying as Twilight came through the door. She blushed and waited. Apple Bloom turned and blushed as she stammered. “T...Tw...Twilight?” Twilight hastily apologized. “Oh, don't worry about me, just came by to check up on things.” Applejack got up with a downtrodden look and replied. “Well, Apple Bloom already told us everythin’. It seems that our little Zecora will be a big zebra again soon.” Zecora turned to Twilight, as Twilight explained. “Well, it's up to her. If you want to take the potion you can. But remember, it's not fully tested, and I'd rather we wait til we know for sure.” Zecora turned and smiled, “Weww, I not in a huwwy. I don't mind bein a baby fow a few months at weast. I an Appwe now” Applejack rushed up to Zecora, bringing her into an embrace, as Apple Bloom teared up again. “Well then, I'll just have to make sure you’re well taken care of,” Applejack told Zecora. “I love ya, Zecora.” Zecora hugged Applejack’s leg as she whispered, “Mama, I wove ya too, and I gonna be ta best baby zebwa eva, I pwomice.”     Twilight dawwed at the sight, and then added. “Well, there is one other thing I’d like to bring up,” The three Apples turned to Twilight as she asked.  “Remember those three guards that were regressed at the Summer Sun Celebration?” The three nodded as Twilight continued. “Well my brother, Shining Armor and his mare friend Princess Cadence want to bring them down here for a playdate with Zecora.” Zecora gasped! “Weawwy?! Ya mean tey wewe adutws and now tey babies?!” Apple Bloom shouted with excitement. “Yeah, I remember hearin’ about that, but I never got to see them!” Applejack responded. “Well, I don't mind it. But aren’t they a bit older than Zecora, almost three I reckon’. They’re probably at least in trainin’ pants by now.” But Zecora bounced on her diaper and babbled excitedly, “I don't mind, I wowd wove ta pway with tem. It sounds wike awot of fun!” The mares giggled as Twilight smiled and replied. “Well, sounds like Zecora said yes. But Applejack, you’re Zecora’s mom, so it’s up to you.” Applejack quickly nodded in approval, “Oh what the hay?! Let's set it up, reckon’ Zecora could use some playmates close to her age.” Apple Bloom and Zecora squealed in excitement! “Thanks, Abbwejack!” Zecora happily shouted. Twilight couldn’t help but giggle a bit. “Alright, I'll write back to Shining and Cadence. Just tell me when you're free, Applejack.” Applejack pondered. “Well, how about next Friday? We can have them sleep over and it'll give me some time to get stuff ready.” Twilight smiled as she set the date on the invitation. “Good, I’ll send the letter immediately. Oh, and Applejack, congratulations on officially becoming a mom.” Applejack blushed as Twilight left, and Zecora hugged her and Apple Bloom hugged both of them, and they stayed in silence as they all hugged each other.