In the Everfree Forest, Thomas and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were in a small field filled with beautiful flowers, and a lake that had a small swampy section. They carefully climbed a tree and tied a rope around Thomas so he can get some flowers for his mother, Fluttershy. “Are you sure this is safe? It almost looks kinda dangerous and we could get in trouble,” Scootaloo said. “Possibly, but I think we’ll be fine,” Apple Bloom said. “Let’s hope so, because I think our little brother’s losing a little bit of balance,” Sweetie Belle said. “Almost... got it...” he said, as he reached out for the final pack of flowers. After he grabbed them, he gave them to Sweetie Belle and then she placed them in her saddlebag.
“Now, that wasn’t so bad,” Apple Bloom said. Suddenly, the branch cracked a little. “You had to ask, didn’t you?” Scootaloo asked. Suddenly, the four fell into the water, and then got themselves wet and covered in algae, dirt, and water. They saw the bag on a lily pad and then grabbed it. Suddenly, a blue daffodil with orange spots appeared and sprayed an orange mist at them.
When they got out of the water, Sweetie Belle hugged Thomas to keep him warm, but the suddenly were covered in orange spots. “Thomas! I’ve been looking all over for you, young man!” Fluttershy’s voice said, until she saw a bag full of daisies, wildflowers, and lilies for her, and then she saw then covered in orange spots, and coughing and moaning. Fluttershy shockingly gasped in horror, “Oh, my...”
Later on, Thomas and the girls laid on Zecora’s bed while she and Twilight examined them. Fluttershy was really worried about her son, while Rarity and Applejack were worried as well. “Hmm, I’m afraid they’re very ill, and it’s one that’s sure to make yourselves horribly thrill,” Zecora said. “Well, what is it?” Rarity asked. “It’s appears this disease so severe, is no other than... swamp fever,” Zecora said.
“SWAMP FEVER?!” the three mares asked in unison. “No! My baby’s too young for swamp fever!” Fluttershy said. Thomas coughed out bubbles, until Zecora gave them each a bowl of soup. “Is there a cure for it?” Applejack asked.
“I’m afraid I don’t know what to do, since the very last time I’ve heard of Swamp Fever, mind you,” Zecora said. “Well, according to this,” Twilight said. “There is very little info about the disease. Except its symptoms - change of coat, coughing bubbles, shock sneezing, confusion, and the last stage, the afflicted turn into the very trees that drop the disease-spreading flower.”
They all gasped in unison. “And a cure was yet to be discovered, which is something that can be done for such a terrible conundrum,” Zecora said, until she softly stroked Thomas’s hair. “Oh, this is all my fault! If I hadn’t gone with them so they were supervised, they wouldn’t have gotten Swamp Fever. I’m such a terrible mother!” Fluttershy cried.
“My dear Fluttershy, you are not to blame. These things happen all the same,” Zecora said. “I refuse to accept that! Thomas is my child, and there has to be somepony who can help these four sweet little angels,” Fluttershy said. “I can’t let my Sweetie Belle be turned into a tree,” Rarity said.
“Oh, but I have heard that there’s a healer of legend who never would fail. But I only know her from ancient folktales. Mystical and masked, she came in the night and cured everything from hoof cough to fur blight. What became of the healer, nopony knows, for she disappeared ages and ages ago,” Zecora said.
“The Mystical Mask! Of course! My parents would tell me about whenever I was sick in bed,” Fluttershy said. “Yes. However, there’s so many accounts of her power to heal. She can’t be just a legend. I think she’s very real,” Zecora explained.
“If that’s who we need to cure you, then I’m going to find her, and this time, I was wondering if you three would like to come with,” Fluttershy said. “Well, darling. I’m not really into swamps, but if it’s worth saving our darling children, then so be it!” Rarity said. “I’ll get some materials for us,” Applejack said. “Zecora, can you take care of them while we’re gone?” Twilight asked.
“Never fear, my friends. Since these poor souls are unwell, I will accept the responsibility that is quite swell,” Zecora replied. Fluttershy walked over to the children, and gave her son a kiss on the forehead. “Thomas, Zecora’s going to take care of you four, but stay in bed, okay? I promise we’ll make you healthy again. Just be strong,” she said, until Thomas gave her a hug on her chest and nuzzled with her neck. “I will, Momma,” Thomas said. “Now, you be good, and we’ll be back soon,” Fluttershy said, until she gave Thomas another kiss on the forehead. “I love you.”
Thomas then laid back on the bed and fell asleep, and then the four mares started to go over to Ponyville for some research. Sweetie Belle hugged him and Zecora let them sleep.
At Twilight’s castle, Twilight and Fluttershy kept searching for answers about the Mystical Mask of Mage Meadowbrook and what it looked like. “Okay, so we’ve look through every page, including the last book on ancient ponies, and still no mention of the Mystical Mask,” Twilight said.
“Hmm... Did we check the unabridged versions?” Fluttershy asked. “Yes, and the books on rare diseases, the books on rare plants, and the entire section on bog habitation,” Twilight said. “Well, we might have to look through the entire library, but I know we’ll figure it out soon enough!” Fluttershy said.
“Fluttershy, I know you want to help your son, we all do, but you really need to take it slowly and easy, or otherwise you’ll lose pressure on yourself,” Twilight said. “She has a point, sugarcube,” Applejack said. “Indeed, darling,” Rarity said.
“I know, but we have to try,” Fluttershy said.
Later on, they continued the search until Fluttershy found what she was looking for, “This is it! I found it!” Fluttershy flew over to Twilight, Rarity and Applejack to show them the pages. “I just found out who the Mystical Mask is!” The other three gasped with pride. “You did?!” Twilight asked. “Yes! All I had to do was cross-reference a book about masks with another book on ancient Equestrian healers, then use a third book to translate it all from Olde Ponish, and there it was! Zecora was right! The Mystical Mask wasn't just a legend. The Mystical Mask was Mage Meadowbrook!“ Fluttershy explained.
Twilight gasped deeply, “The ancient sorceress from Hayseed Swamp? We studied her at Princess Celestia’s school! Are you sure?”
“Absolutely!” Fluttershy said. “Mage Meadowbrook wasn't just a sorceress. She was also a healer, and back then, healers wore masks so they wouldn't get sick themselves! This could be the clue!”
“Fluttershy, I am so incredibly proud of you for using your research skills to figure this out!” Rarity said. “But Meadowbrook lived ages ago, and didn't she disappear?” Applejack asked. “Mm-hmm. But if we go to Hayseed Swamp, maybe we can find something she left behind! Something that could lead to a cure! We might be able to save the girls and my precious little one!” Fluttershy said.
“Hmm... It seems like a long shot, but I guess it's possible,” Twilight said. “But how are we going to get there?” Rarity asked. “Don’t worry. I've got a route all planned out, and on the way, we can stop for some supplies,” Twilight said. “All taken care of,” Spike said, as he packed them some snacks, books, and the map to Hayseed Swamp. “Thank you, Spike,” Twilight said, until she hugged the little dragon and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Can you help Zecora watch over the kids while we’re gone?” Spike nodded and then he went with them to the Everfree Forest so he could be dropped off at Zecora’s hut, and then the four mares started their journey to Hayseed Swamp.
As they finally arrived at Hayseed Swamp, they saw a tree that looked like a house. “I don’t suppose somepony as Meadowbrook could possibly live in a place like this,” Rarity said. “Guess we’ll have to find out,” Twilight said, and then carefully knocked on the door three times. The door opened and they saw a thick earth pony colt with orangish brown fur, a braided golden yellow mane, beard, and tail, grayish purple eyes, a red headband underneath a brown fedora, a green tribal vest, a golden necklace, and his flank had a cutie mark of two cattail plants with a yellow spiral sun.
“Can I help you?” Cattail asked. “Is this the residence of Mage Meadowbrook?” Rarity asked. “Yes. It is. You’re welcome to come in if you want,” Cattail replied. “Thanks,” Twilight said. “So, what brings you here?” Cattail asked. “We’re lookin’ on somethin’ about a cure for Swamp Fever. Our sisters and Fluttershy’s son are sick with it,” Applejack said. “A cure for Swamp Fever?! Well, you’ve come to the right place! I happen to be a descendant of the mage anyhow!” Cattail said.
“You’re a descendant?!” Rarity asked. “Yep. Oh, forgot to introduce myself. My name’s Cattail,” he said. “I’m Princess Twilight Sparkle, but you can call me Twilight. These are my friends Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack,” she said. “Glad to meet ya!” Cattail said. “Now, since you’ve been lookin’ for an answer for a cure on the disease, I happen to know where it might be somewhere written in one of her journals. Follow me, I’ll show ya lot the library, and one of them should have somethin’ that says something about the cure you need for the little ones you mentioned.” Twilight squeed excitedly, and then they followed Cattail to the library in the treehouse.
Later on, they searched through every journal for answers, but found nothing. “Ugh! This is hopeless! How are we going to find a cure for four young children, involving three fillies and a 7 year old human child if there aren’t any answers that make sense?!” Twilight frustratingly complained. “Wait, wait, wait, wait! Hold on a second. One of those young ponies... is a human?!” Cattail asked. “Yes. My poor little Thomas has gotten the fever and now we don’t know which page to find. My baby boy’s too precious to me,” Fluttershy said. “Hey, now. Don’t be like that,” Cattail said. “Let me see.” Fluttershy gave him the book, and then he showed her the page in the journal.
“Hey! There’s a backstory on it! Oh... but she didn’t say how she did it,” Fluttershy said. “I think it’s time y’all knew about Mage Meadowbrook and how she was lucky at curing something like Swamp Fever,” Cattail said. “A long time ago, Mage Meadowbrook was a young and talented sorceress, and she lived with her mother in this tree...”
Mage Meadowbrook and her mother were cooking an unsniffle elixir, and then Meadowbrook gave some to a chipmunk who had a stuffy and swollen nose, until it shrunk to its normal size. The chipmunk nuzzled the top of its head on the mage!s forehoof and then ran back to the forest.
“Meadowbrook, I think it’s time you had this,” Meadowbrook’s mother said, until she gave her a gift box. When her daughter opened it, she received a bird like mask. “My very own healer’s mask! You really think I’m ready, mother,” Meadowbrook asked. Meadowbrook’s mother nodded, and gave her daughter a hug.
Suddenly, a knock on the door was heard, and Meadowbrook’s mother answered it, and it showed a unicorn mare with splotches from Swamp Fever, causing the mage’s mother to gasp. “What caused this to you poor dear?” The mare showed her the blue lily with orange spots.
Meadowbrook’s mother called it Swamp Fever. She and her daughter, Meadowbrook have been tryin’ so hard to find a cure, but I hasn’t been easy... until it happened.”
The lily popped open and puffed out the mist on Meadowbrook’s mother, causing her to cough. There was another knock on the door, and Meadowbrook suddenly saw more ponies with Swamp Fever by sneezing electricity and coughing bubbles. “The fever spread like wildfire.” Meadowbrook’s mother coughed up bubbles, and it made her daughter feel worried. “Meadowbrook was worried that if she and her mother wouldn’t find a cure soon, everypony would be in grave danger.”
Meadowbrook put her mother in bed with a cold compress on her head, as she kept coughing bubbles, and her daughter would come check on her mother every second.
“I promise I’ll do my best, mother,” Meadowbrook said. “I know you will, honey. Just have faith,” her mother said. Meadowbrook nodded and then hugged her gently. “With her mother sick, Meadowbrook didn’t think she’d ever find a cure soon enough. But when she tried to examine those cursed flowers by staying far away from them, she saw somethin’ amazin’ happen.”
A few flash bees buzzed over the flowers as they puffed the mist from inside, and then Mage Meadowbrook saw a miracle happen, “Flash bees!”
“And she realized the flowers’ poisonous mist didn’t affect the flash bees. And if they were immune to Swamp Fever, then she knew that their honey would be the cure! Mage Meadowbrook then carefully followed the bees without angerin’ them, until she realized they had a electrical surge in their stingers. They would be so aggressive defendin’ their hive and their queen, she didn’t know how she was gonna get it! But somehow, she had a plan. While the flash bees were distracted, she took her healer’s mask and used it as a defensive strategy.”
“Here goes nothin!” Meadowbrook said, as she put the mask on her head, and then carefully tried to get the honey safely.
“Then, after makin’ a negotiation with the bees with the mask over her head, she got the honey, and was able to cure her mother...” Meadowbrook fed her mother some of the honey, until she and her mother, helped with the rest of the sick ponies. “...and then the rest of the bayou! It was the greatest feeling she’s ever experienced, until she made a promise to dedicate her life to curing ponies all over Equestria. But right up ‘til she disappeared without a trace.”
“Wow... Mage Meadowbrook must’ve been so courageous and thoughtful over sick ponies,” Rarity said. “Definitely,” Fluttershy said. “Do you think there’s a way we can get the honey safely?”
“I suppose, but I suggest using these,” Cattail said, as he gave them spare masks. “Then, let’s do it,” Twilight said. When they were ready, the five ponies went to the nearest flash beehive and then put on their masks. “Are you sure this’ll work?” Twilight asked. “I think so,” Fluttershy said. “My son, Scootaloo and both Rarity and Applejack’s sisters are counting on us.”
They all nodded, and then Fluttershy climbed up the tree to the beehive, and then she communicated with the flash bees by buzzing with them. They acknowledged her message and then she pressed her hoof into the hive and took some of their honey. “Got it. Thank you,” Fluttershy said. The flash bees nodded and then Twilight levitated her down. “Fluttershy! You did it! You used your kindness to get the honey!” Twilight said. “You were magnificent, darling!” Rarity said. “Thank you, but we’ve got four young ones to cure,” Fluttershy said.
Back at Zecora’s hut, Thomas and the girls drank the honey, and then they were cured. “Momma! I’m all better!” Thomas said, as he hugged her chest and nuzzled with her neck. “Yes, sweetheart. Without the knowledge from Mage Meadowbrook, we wouldn’t have cured all four of you,” Fluttershy said, as she held her son against her chest gently. “For now on, we’ll try to do things if we need or want supervision from a guardian,” Sweetie Belle said. “That’s a pretty good lesson,” Twilight said.
“Since it was a great pleasure for taking care of these four foals, it appears that they now need to get home before the night gets cold,” Zecora said. “Right. Come along, children. Let’s get you all home,” Rarity said, and then they left. But Thomas went to Zecora and gave gave her a hug, “Thank you, Zecora for helping us.”
“You are humbly welcome, little one. But I assure you that we may see each other whenever time comes,” Zecora replied, hugging him back. “Thomas? Sweetheart, it’s time to go home,” Fluttershy said, and then he climbed onto her back and they walked home together.
