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// Zecora to the Rescue 
// Story: Zecora’s Medicine Quest 
// by Brian Sheil 
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Diamond Tiara was laying in bed. She was not feeling good at all. Her parents, Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich, look at her with concern.
“Poor Diamond.” Spoiled cried. “You look terrible.”
“I feel terrible too.” Diamond Tiara groaned. “I shouldn’t have eaten too much sweets at Silver Spoon’s birthday party.”
“Remember, honey.” Filthy Rich advised his daughter. “The doctor said that this will pass. So, get some rest.”
A knock was heard at the door. Spoiled Rich answered the knock. She was greeted by a wise looking zebra. She knows who it is. “Zecora. What brings you here?”
“I’ve heard of Diamond Tiara’s tummy ache. Must be from too much birthday cake.” Zecora answered.
“She did have a bit of cake at that party. And, other sweets as well.”
“Too much sweets is bad for the tummy. No wonder your foal feels crummy.”
Zecora looks at Diamond Tiara. Her parents are getting concerned.
“The doctor said that this sickness will pass with some rest.” Diamond Tiara groaned.
“I know how to help you real quick. So you will no longer feel so sick.” Zecora stated.
“If this have something to do with your approach with natural ingredients,” Filthy Rich said proudly, “we’ll leave it up to you.”
“Thank you, sir. And, do not fear. I’ll be able to help the poor dear.”
Later, at her hut in Everfree Forest, Zecora studies the brew recipe to cure Diamond Tiara’s tummy ache. She heard a knock on her door, and responded. “Who comes to my home in the trees. State your business, if you please.”
The door opens. And, in steps a human girl wearing a red shirt, blue bib overalls, and brown boots. Zecora recognizes the visitor. “Kind, daring Megan. You are here. Thank you for coming to Equestria, my dear.”
Megan came into Zecora’s hut. “Filthy and Spoiled Rich told me what happened to Diamond Tiara. I feel her pain.”
“The young foal’s pain is very bad. Probably the worst she ever had.” Zecora said.
“I’d get sick too if I had too much cake, cookies, and ice cream.”
Zecora looks at her book of natural remedies as Megan walks up to her. “How can I help you, Zecora?”
Zecora explained her situation. “I’m preparing a special brew, which will make sure that tummy ache is through. But, the ingredients I need are hard to get. One of the trickiest challenges I ever met.”
“That’s why Twilight Sparkle brought me to Equestria.” Megan figured. “You need help to get those ingredients.”
“Correct, my friend. In this great land, even I can use a helping hand.”
“Then, let’s get ready.”
Zecora and Megan packed some useful items. Jars, a ladle, a bag, and other items.
“All three ingredients we need are not far. The challenges are tricky where they are.” Zecora informed.
“I wonder though.” Megan started to ask. “Why do you need me? Couldn’t Spike, or Trixie, or even the Cutie Mark Crusaders be helpful?”
“Twilight told me of how you’re grand in Equestria’s days as Ponyland.”
Megan realized that Zecora has a point. “I think you’re right. I was very helpful then. And, I’m still helpful today. Let’s get those ingredients and help Diamond Tiara!”
Zecora then gave Megan some unusual advice. “Before we go, if you be so kind as to take off your boots and leave them behind.”
“Take off my boots?” Megan yelped. “Why?”
“I don’t want them ruined, faithful one. I’ll be outside when you’re done.”
Zecora went outside the hut. Megan thought about her advice. “Zecora has a point. These boots are beautiful. My mother wouldn’t want these damaged.”
A minute later, Megan walked outside with her boots and socks off. And, her pant cuffs are rolled up.
“I know going barefoot might be odd. But, trust me. You are no clod.” Zecora said.
“This must be how farm kids go outside from late Spring to early Fall.” Megan replied with a bag in her hand. “Let’s get going.”
Zecora and Megan went on their quest to find ingredients for the brew. A few minutes later, they stopped in front of a lake, with a small batch of land in the middle.
“That patch of land has tall swamp grass. The first ingredient needed to help the sick lass.” Zecora informed. “But getting that grass is a tricky test. A rough way to start our quest.”
Megan looks at the situation. “The tricky part is getting there and back.”
“You figured out this scenario well. Now, what can we do so we can dwell?”
The two travelers looked around. Soon, Megan saw a huge log near the lake. She put down her bag and pushed the log into the lake. Grabbing a nearby large branch, Megan climbs on the log. Zecora looks on and approaches her.
“I can use this log as a boat,” Megan suggested, “and row to that little island.”
Zecora grabbed another large branch, and climbed on the log too. “Your method of doing things is good to know. This is a good idea. Let’s row.”
Zecora and Megan rowed to the small batch of land. Once they reach land, Megan was given a bag, and given instructions from Zecora. “The long blades of grass are what we need. Fill the bag, and we completed this deed.”
“Right, Zecora.” Megan replied. 
Megan went on shore, putting her branch down, and made her way to long blades of grass. The grass was as tall as she was.
“Now, this is tall grass.” Megan muttered. “Better fill the bag.”
As Megan starts picking the grass, she spotted something jumping in front of her. Turns out to be a frog. The frog croaked, and hopped away. Megan felt relieved. “Whew! Just a frog.”
After filling the bag, Megan returned to Zecora.
“This bag is filled, Zecora.” Megan reported. 
Megan places the bag In Zecora’s napsack, then grabs her branch. Zecora gives Megan some advice. “We have one item, but we need two more. For now, let’s head back to shore.”
They used their branches to row back to shore, where Megan left her bag.
“We got the swamp grass, Zecora.” Megan confirmed. “What’s ingredient number two?”
“Next, we need Flash Bee honey. Those bees look charming. But, their stings are not funny.” Zecora informed.
The two travelers made their way through the forest. They soon spotted some lights flying around. Turns out, they’re Flash Bees. Staying hidden, Zecora and Megan spotted the Flash Bees going into a hive.
“Getting that honey is no easy task. Those bees can hurt you. How much? Don’t ask.” Zecora warned.
“I was told about those bees by Fluttershy.” Megan stated. “I think I know how to get close to them.”
Dipping into her own bag, Megan pulled out a bird mask. Zecora recognizes it. “The mask of Mage Meadowbrook! I know that mask by taking a look.”
“If this mask can help Fluttershy and Mage Meadowbrook,” Megan figured, “it can help me.”
Megan slips on the mask. It’s a great fit. Zecora gives her a ladle and an empty jar. “Fill the jar. Then, come back to me. Try to be as careful as you can be.”
“Don’t worry, Zecora.” Megan replied. “ I won’t let you down.”
Putting the tools in her pockets, Megan climbed the tree. She reached the hive, and got out the jar and ladle. Just then, Flash Bees came to her. Megan started to get nervous. But, the bees didn’t sting her.
“Whew!” Megan sighed. “The stripes on this mask look like those of a queen bee. Now, for that honey.”
Megan looked into the hive. The queen bee sees the mask. But, was not aggressive. Seeing the queen bee calm, Megan scooped up a ladle full of honey, put the honey in the jar, and closed it up. Then, climbed back down. She put the jar full of honey In Zecora’s bag.
“Good work getting the honey, my friend. Your devotion has no end.” Zecora happily said.
After wiping the ladle clean and putting it in Zecora’s bag, Megan took off the mask, and put it back in her own bag. She then turns to Zecora. “Two down, one to go. What’s ingredient number three?”
“Sparkle Berries is the last thing we need. Getting them is a real test indeed.” Zecora answered.
The two travelers went deep into the woods. Soon , they found a crumbling building. Megan recognized the ruins. “My goodness! That’s Celestia and Luna’s old castle!”
Zecora saw Megan’s face look scared. “I can tell by the look on you face. These ruins had made your heart race.”
“It does. This is where jealousy and anger caused Princess Luna to become the vicious Nightmare Moon.”
“A very big dent in her Princess pride. No wonder you call Nightmare Moon her dark side.”
Passing the ruins, Zecora and Megan saw bushes, containing shining red berries.
“Those must be the berries you’re looking for.” Megan figured.
“Those are the Sparkle Berries, that’s true. I need five to complete my brew.” Zecora informed.”
They started for the bushes. Suddenly, two long vines sprang up. Megan spotted them come alive. “Look out, Zecora! Grappler Vines!”
Zecora and Megan started to run. But, the vines grabbed Megan, dragged her back, and wrapped around her. Zecora was scared to see her friend tangled up. Megan felt helpless. But, she decided to try something.
Megan tried pulling her bound wrist away, but the vine tightened it’s grip. This gave her an idea. “I thought so.”
Soon, Megan sat still, and started to breathe slowly. Zecora was watching with concern. Suddenly, the vines began to loosen. Seeing this, Megan began to slowly uncoil the vines, place them aside, and quietly picked five berries. Then, zipped back to Zecora.
“Here are the berries, Zecora.” Megan reported.
As Megan put the berries in an empty jar, Zecora questioned her battle with the vines. “Not many escape those vines, and run. How did you manage to escape this one?”
Megan explained her success. “The more the victim struggles, the tighter those vines become. So, I decided to stay still, calm down, and breathe slowly. Those vines would eventually loosen. Then, I slowly worked on my escape.”
“I’m very impressed with your action. Your efforts brought me satisfaction.”
“Thank you, Zecora. I knew doing yoga exercises would come in handy for me someday.”
Later, back at her hut, Zecora mixes the three ingredients together as Megan joins her.
“Feels good to have my boots back on.” Megan said with relief. “How’s that brew coming, Zecora?”
“The ingredients mix well. The brew is done. It’s good news for everyone.” Zecora answered.
“Great! Let’s take this brew back to Ponyville and help Diamond Tiara.”
“True, true, Megan. I agree. The foal will soon bounce with glee.”
Later, back at Ponyville, Diamond Tiara drank down Zecora’s brew. A minute later, the young foal opened her eyes wide and leaped out of bed.
“Hooray!” Diamond Tiara squealed. “No more tummy ache!”
“Diamond!” Spoiled Rich shouted with glee. “You look good, dear.”
Diamond Tiara hugged her mom. “I FEEL good, mother. No more sugary overload. I’m cutting down on the sweets.”
Filthy Rich turned to Zecora. “Thank you, Zecora. Diamond Tiara is feeling better thanks to your brew.”
Zecora was very happy to hear that. “It was my pleasure. But, let me be clear. I couldn’t have done it without Megan here.”
Spoiled Rich approached the noble human girl. “Zecora is right, Megan. You were a great help.”
Megan started to blush as Diamond Tiara came to her. “Thank you, Megan. You’re okay with me.”
“You’re welcome.” Megan responded while hugging the foal. “Remember, easy on the sweet stuff. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Diamond Tiara!” Filthy Rich called. “Silver Spoon and the Cutie Mark Crusaders are here.”
“Thanks, father.”
Diamond Tiara rushed outside to join her friends. All five foals are having fun with each other. Filthy and Spoiled Rich, Megan, and Zecora watch them play.
“Megan,” Spoiled Rich said, “next time you visit Ponyville, how about bringing your sister, Molly, with you?”
“Spoiled is right.” Filthy Rich agreed. “She would have fun too. Diamond, Silver, The CMCs, and Molly always got along.”
Megan nodded. That would be a good idea.


THE END