Episode 12:
Bridle Gossip
It is an especially bright and sunny day here in Ponyville to which Twilight, Spike, along with the Lion Guard are all here gathered admiring the scenery and clear skies.
“Wow, what a gorgeous day!” Twilight commented on the bright sunshine.
“It sure is.” Kion said in agreement.
“Rainbow Dash must have gotten up early for once and cleared all the clouds away.” Spike commented as he rode on Twilight’s back.
“I bet all of Ponyville is going to be out enjoying the sunshine.” Beshte commented as they expect to see the happy faces of every pony in town. But to their surprise when they set foot in town they come across a big surprise. “Or not.”
“What? Where is everypony?” Twilight wondered as they see the town is completely desserted some ponies running inside while closing doors and windows after them with nothing but tumbleweeds rolling around.
“Is it some sort of pony holiday?” Fuli asked.
“Not that I know of.” Twilight replied that she is surprised as everyone else.
“Does my breath stink?” Spike asked as he belched and breathed fire from his mouth while smelling the scent of to which lightly singed Ono’s feathers. “Oops, sorry.”
“Not more than usual.” Ono commented while annoyed that he just had to be flying right there at that moment.
“Is it... zombies?!” Bunga asked as he and Spike then started to get worried for their lives.
“Uh... not very likely.” Twilight replied.
“Not likely... but possible?” Spike still said fearing for the worst.
“Oh sure, and then next we know most of us are placed on a giant curse.” Ono then sarcastically added. “Oh please.” He added with a “Pfft.” with very little spit coming out of his mouth at the very thought.
“Psst!” A voice whispered out to them to which they look around where it came from.
“Twilight! Spike! Lion Guard!” Pinkie peeked her head out from the shadows in Sugarcube Corner. “Come here! Come! Here! Hurry! Before she gets you!”
“Um…sure….” Kion replied as they all walked inside while wondering what the hay is this all about.
As they all get inside, Pinkie shines a flashlight in their eyes
“Who?! The zombie pony?” Spike said as he clinged on.
“Please tell me they’re not around.” Bunga also pleaded as he hugged onto Kion’s front leg’s
“Z-Zombie pony?!” Pinkie also shuddered in fright.
“Spike! Bunga! There are no zombie ponies.” Twilight then firmly told them they getting worked up over nothing before turning her attempt to the pink mare in the dark void. “Pinkie, what are you doing here alone in the dark?”
“I'm not alone in the dark.” Pinkie responded as she turned on the light to reveal the rest of their friends are also inside as well which startled them.
“Huh?”
“Whoa!”
“What the…?”
Ono, Fuli, and Kion said in that order in the midst of their surprise.
“Okay then, what are you all doing here in the dark?” Twilight then asked again.
“We're hidin' from her!” Applejack answered as he briefly opened the curtains to show them a mysterious lady wearing a brown cloak and golden rings on her hooves with the appearance of a zebra because of her black and white stripes who then turned to face them with her face buried inside of her hood with her yellow eyes shining as she turns to them to which everyone but Twilight, Kion, Fuli, and Beshte all turn away in fright from her appearance along with Applejack’s little sister Apple Bloom who looks on very curiously at her.
“Seriously?” Fuli asked as she looked at the others in disbelief. “This is who you’re all scared of?”
“Did you see her Twilight? Did you see... Zecora?“ Apple Bloom asked of her while the name of her rings bells to her and everyone else in Ponyville while placed her little hoof on Spike’s head to ask her at her eye level.
“Apple Bloom! I told you never to say that name.” Applejack scolded her.
“Well, I saw her glance this way...” Twilight honestly began.
“Glance evilly this way.” Pinkie added with her mind filled with paranoia.
“Like this.” Bunga added as he evilly laughed while shining a flashlight in his face until Kion snatched the flashlight away and tossed it aside.
“... And then a bunch of you flip out for no good reason.” Twilight then finished.
“No good reason?” Applejack voiced saying that she has no idea of who they’re dealing with. “You call protectin' yer kin no good reason? Why, as soon as my sister saw Zecora ridin' into town, she started shakin' in her lil' horseshoes.” She then added as had her in a tight protective hold while shaking her.
“Did not!” She protested as she was being forcibly shaken by her big sister before being forcibly placed onto her back.
“So I swept her up and brought her here.”
“I walked here myself!” Apple Bloom corrected her.
“For safe keepin'.” Applejack added as if this is for her own good as she got off of her back to stand up for herself.
“Applejack, I'm not a baby!” She asserted to her sister who is really going in over-protective mode here. “I can take care of myself!”
“Not from that creepy Zecora.” Applejack still refused to back off from her stance.
“She's mysterious.” Fluttershy said.
“Sinister.” Rainbow added as she flew up while moving her arms around in a similar manner.
“And spoooooky!” Pinkie said with emphasis as she drags on the “ooo” part.
Twilight, Kion, and Fuli just watch on looking unconvinced as they turn back to the window to watch Zecora as the others gather around them as they watch Zecora take off her head to which everyone but Twilight, Fuli, Kion, and Beshte all gasp in horror.
“Will you cut that out?” Twilight told them in an annoyed tone.
“Just look at those stripes! So garish!” Rarity remarked in disgust
“She's a zebra.” Twilight reminded everyone.
“You know back in the other world.” Fuli added.
“A zebra, and her stripes aren't a fashion choice Rarity, they're what she was born with.” Twilight explained while wondering why they are making such a big fuss over her.
Rarity then dramatically fainted with a hoof on her forehead while Fuli just rolls her eyes in annoyance.
“Come on guys.” Kion said to his fear-stricken friends with a tone that tells them to get over this silly fear. “This is a zebra we’re dealing with and you’re telling me that you’re all scared of her.”
“But this zebra’s not like the other zebra’s we’ve met back at the other world.” Fluttershy whimpered as she spoke.
“I mean did you see those eyes.” Pinkie added as the glowing yellow eyes really creeped her out while Spike sneaks into the kitchen along with Bunga to get some delicious treats to eat.
“I've never seen a pony like that in these parts, 'cept... her!” Applejack said in agreement.
“Well, she's probably not from here, and she's not a pony.” Kion explained to them of why it is strange to see a zebra here in town as Twilight further explained her knowledge of them.
“My books say that zebras come from a faraway land. But I've never seen her in Ponyville. Where does she live?”
“That's just it, she lives in... the Everfree Forest!” Applejack said as they hear a crash that is loud as thunder.
“Spike!” Twilight called out to him.
“Bunga!” Kion also called out to him as they both crossly called them out for making such noise to further spook them.
“Uh, sorry.” Spike and Bunga both apologized as they pick up the pots and pans they accidentally dropped before coming back to the other room as they munch on their cupcakes and candy canes.
“The Everfree Forest just ain't natural. The plants grow...” Applejack reminded them of the very nature of the place to back up and justify their worries.
“Animals care for themselves...” Fluttershy added.
“And the clouds move...” Rainbow added.
“All on their own!” The three all finish together as Rarity faints again.
“Unicorn down.” Ono looks on deadpan.
“Again.” Fuli added with the same expression along with Twilight who doesn’t even look convinced that they are dealing with some out of the ordinary.
“And that wicked enchantress Zecora lives there doing her evil... stuff! She's so evil I even wrote a song about her!” Pinkie added
“Here we go...” Rainbow said with a resigned expression as she sings her tune while moving and dancing to the tune.
“She's an evil enchantress
She does evil dances
And if you look deep in her eyes
She'll put you in trances
Then what will she do?
She'll mix up an evil brew
Then she'll gobble you up
In a big tasty stew
Soooo... Watch out!”
She sang as she briefly sported green hypnotic looking eyes as she briefly held placed her hooves on Twilight while Applejack hugged onto his little sister while shaking to which the filly responded by pushing her over-protective big sister off of her as her legs still shake in fright while looking annoyed by the farm pony.
“Wow. Catchy.” Twilight admitted with how impressive that it was actually a pretty good tune.
“Amazingly.” Fuli admitted as well.
“It's a work in progress.“ Pinkie humbly replied.
“But I still think you all are getting worried up over nothing.” Fuli added.
“This is all just a lot of gossip and rumors.” Twilight voiced her firm stance that Zecora is harmless.
“Which it seems that somepony’s spreading.” Kion said while eyeing Pinkie Pie while correctly deducing that she spread the rumor somehow who sheepishly grinned as Twilight continues.
“Now tell me; what exactly have you actually seen Zecora do?” She asked of everyone.
“Well...” Rainbow tried to honestly answer off of the top of his head. “Once a month, she comes into Ponyville.”
“Oooooh.” Twilight said dramatically.
“Then, she lurks by the stores.” Rarity added.
“Oh, my.” Fuli added just as dramatically and eye rolling as Twilight.
“And then, she digs at the ground.” Fluttershy added.
“Good gracious!” Both Twilight and Fuli sarcastically quipped with the others surprised of how perfect in sync their deadpan snarking was.
“Okay, I'm sorry.” Twilight then said in a normal tone. “But how is any of this bad? Maybe she comes to town to visit?”
“Yeah! Maybe she's just tryin' to be neighborly.” Apple Bloom said in agreement.
“And maybe she's not lurking by the stores, maybe she's going to them, lurk free, to do some shopping?” Twilight further explained what the zebra could be actually doing instead of preparing for some secret sinister plot.
“Yeah! Everypony likes to shop.” Apple Bloom agreed with Twilight. “You know what I think?”
“Apple Bloom! Hush and let the big ponies talk.” The farm pony silenced her to which personally and visibly didn’t sit well with Kion but kept it under control.
“I am a big pony!” She muttered under very irritated with Applejack’s treatment of her.
“W-what about digging at the ground? You've got to admit that's weird.” Rainbow questions as Kion noticed Apple Bloom sadly walked off because her big sister wouldn’t allow her voice to be heard.
Seeing this, Kion decides to sneak away from their argument while the rest of the Guard just watches.
“Hey wait up, Apple Bloom.” Kion called out after her.
“What is it, Kion.” She asked.
“Sorry to see your sister push you away like that.” Kion told her to which she is too hurt to acknowledge it.
“Easy for you to say.” Apple Bloom returned.
“Look I know what you’re thinking and I understand that.” Kion sympathized with her. “It’s hard to have an older sister not taking you seriously.”
“Why?” Apple Bloom had trouble understanding it. “You’re the leader of the Lion Guard.”
“True, but before and during my first days as leader of the Guard I wasn’t known for being someone who could step up to a very important task.” Kion started to explain as he recalls his life not long ago before discovering his newfound power.
“Back then I was more into playing with my friends and seeking adventure than figuring out my true destiny.” He said as he recalled playing with Bunga. “Unlike my sister I wasn’t meant to rule the Pride Lands and since the Pride Lands have been in a time of peace since my dad took over there really wasn’t much for me to do. Whenever there’s trouble, Dad’s always there to stop it and my sister is always staying focused on learning how to hunt and spending time learning about the Circle of Life whenever he is not out saving the day.” He added as he recalled his sister spending time with their father learning more about the Pride Lands similar to how Mufusa taught her father while he runs off into the thick of danger when Zazu reports to him of said trouble going on. “Having said that because of how I went on life it made it pretty difficulty for my dad and sister to take me seriously when I first became leader of the Lion Guard.”
“How so?” Apple Bloom wondered why they wouldn’t take him seriously.
“For starters due to the fact that I am a cub and the fact that I discovered the Roar much younger than previous leaders of the Guard in the past. And the fact that tradition has it that the lion guard is always made of lions to which both Kiara and my dad frowned upon seeing that.”
“Hmm.” Apple Bloom frowned at the thought. “I know what you mean. That’s harsh.”
“I know.” Kion acknowledged. “But despite how much it hurt they only meant well and thought I wasn’t taking my new role seriously because they still love me no matter what.”
“I get that she loves me but she is really doing an overboard job at it.” Apple Bloom acknowledged the lion’s point but refuses to take it in. “You had to defeat Nightmare Moon to do it while I don’t even get to leave the farm without her constantly breathing and dictating everything I do.”
Before Kion could try to say anything else they heard Twilight speak from inside.
“I am sure there is an explanation for everything Zecora does.” Twilight told Applejack as she faced her expecting an answer out of all of this. “And if anypony here were actually brave enough to approach her, she would find out the truth.”
“Well, I'm brave enough; I'm gonna find out myself.” She vowed with determination to prove Applejack wrong as she spots the hooded zebra on the horizon drawing her hoof into the ground.
“Apple Bloom…” Kion tried to whisper to keep her from doing something she’ll regret.
“Shh. You’ll give us away.” Apple Bloom hushed him as she takes a peak at the zebra only to quickly turn back while emitting a small gulp as she stealthily moves from hiding spot to hiding spot while Kion quickly follows her in a flash to try to keep pace with her.
“Apple Bloom…” Kion whispered in vain to get the filly to listen to him while staying on her tail.
“You ponies are being ridiculous!” Twilight continued to call them out for being quick to judge a book by its cover.
“Well, I heard that Zecora eats hay.” Pinkie retorted in her face.
“Pinkie, I eat hay; you eat hay!” Twilight corrected them again.
“Yeah, but I heard it's the evil way she eats hay.“ Pinkie further retorted as Applejack suddenly notices his little sister is gone.
“Hey! Where's Apple Bloom?” Applejack popped the question immediately.
“Where’s Kion?” Fuli urgently asked as she sees that Kion isn’t with them too after snapping out of her boredom listening in on this argument.
“Look.” Beshte called out to where Fluttershy
“The door's open.” Fluttershy pointed to lower door left open.
“They went outside!” Rarity said in alarm.
“And Zecora's still out there.” Rainbow also added just as worried for them.
“That silly lil' filly!” Applejack said with worry. “I told her to stay put!”
“Ono! Fly ahead! Find them!” Fuli ordered the egret to do so.
“On it!” He replied as he took off ahead.
“Spike, you stay here in case they come back.” Twilight ordered the young dragon to do so as well as everyone else runs after them.
“Will do!” Spike returned with a salute while wearing a cooking pan on his head.
Elsewhere, Zecora makes her way back to the Everfree Forest while Apple Bloom and Kion both trail her without her knowledge.
Kion has tried to stop her but her pride and determination to prove herself much like Applejack is deciding that she is not backing off and again she is just a zebra who is misunderstood by everyone in Ponyville expect for Twilight who sees that just as Ono spots the two heading into the Everfree Forest by themselves.
Once the two approach the shadowed parts of the forest, Apple Bloom emits another small gulp before pressing forward as Kion just follows after her seeing that she is not listening to reason as he follows after her.
The two close behind as they bypass a patch of strange sparkling blue flowers unnoticed until Applejack made her voice heard to give them away to the zebra.
“Apple Bloom?” She called out as her sister gasped upon seeing the entire Guard appear before the flower patch. “You get back here right now!” She demanded of her.
“Beware! Beware, you pony folk! Those leaves of blue are not a joke!” Zecora warned them as she backed away into the forming clouds to make cover for her as she leaves to which Kyoga who was secretly watching the scene from the shadows starts to follow after her but not before listening to the others converse.
“Y-you keep your creepy mumbo-jumbo to yourself, ya hear?” Applejack further warned her as she scoops her little sister up as Bunga ignores Zecora’s warning as he charges and gets in between her and Kion.
Applejack, Bunga, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity speak over each other against Zecora while stepping in the flower patch while Twilight, Fuli, and Beshte just stand back and away from the flower patch while Fluttershy stands beside the others.
“Oh brother.” Twilight sighed as she rolls her eyes as she and Fuli share another matching resigned expression at this nonsense as Kyoga just sighs of how badly the girls are misjudging her.
“You’re telling me.” Fuli returned as Zecora called out her last words before disappearing.
“Beware! Beware!”
“Yeah, back at ya, Zecora!” Rainbow yelled back as she landed in the flower patch. “You and your lame curse are the ones who better beware!”
“And you!” Applejack then turned to the filly in a cross manner. “Why couldn't you just listen to yer big sister?” Applejack scolded her as she looks aside in shame.
“I...I...” Apple Bloom tried to explain herself only to be dismissed again.
“Who knows what kind of nasty curse Zecora could have just put on you?” Applejack further chastised her.
“Applejack, there’s no need to be so hard on her.” Kion said in her defense.
“What did you say?” She responded in a similar manner to him.
“You cannot be so hard on her for going off like that.” Kion backed himself up as the cow girl grunts at what he views as being challenged. “Considering that she wanted to get to know that zebra who many of you continue to treat her as an outcast just because she is wearing a cloak and appears strange to you all.”
“That’s because she is up to no good!” Applejack then stomped through the flower patch as she got in the lion’s face over it. “And you were with her and didn’t do anything about it! That’s not like you! What do you have to say for yourself!”
“Take it easy, Applejack!” Fuli retorted as she got in between the two in Kion's defense. “She is not up to no good! And she is not hatching a plot to take over Equestria!” Just as Pinkie opened her mouth to sing her tune again the cheetah shuts her up with a glare. “Pinkie, I swear to Simba, you sing that one more time I’m going to kick you in the head.”
“Hmm. That’s a new one.” Kion remarked at the odd use of using his father’s name as an expression.
“But what if it’s true.” Fluttershy questioned to which the cheetah just groaned in exasperation and decides it is best to leave.
“You know what forget it!” Fuli gave up trying to make sense to them in frustration as she walks away and heads back home. “Honestly, I don’t know why I even bother.”
“You guys, there's no such thing as curses!” Twilight diffused the argument out of frustration at her friend’s paranoia.
“Well, that's interesting to hear coming from Miss Magic Pants herself.” Rainbow mockingly said to the confident unicorn.
“My magic, real magic, comes from within. It's a skill you're born with. Curses are artificial, fake magic. It's conjured with potions and incantations; all smoke and mirrors meant to scare. But curses have no real power, they're just an old pony tale.” Twilight explained to her paranoid friends as they walk through the patch and leave the forest while bypassing her.
“Just you wait, Twilight.” She swore to her that she’ll see they’re right before walking off in a huff. “You're gonna learn that some pony tales really are true.”
“And as for you…” Applejack then said to Kion before leaving. “I suggest you watch who you talk to unless you want to get yourself into trouble like that again.”
Kion simply growled in response as Applejack returns the look of disappointment in him before walking way while carrying Apple Bloom on her back.
“They have no idea of what they are talking about.” Kion said in frustration with their friends as Bunga and Ono make contact with the blue flowers.
“Yeah, these flowers are harmless.” Bunga said as he walked through the patch as Ono examines them.
“Hmm. To tell you the truth there doesn’t seem to be any harmful magic in them.” Ono observed them up close.
“I’m sorry, Kion.” Twilight apologized. “I don’t what’s gotten into them. I mean yes she does give the vibe but she really is just a harmless and nice zebra who’s just in potion and incantations. And we probably could have learned more about her if they hadn’t chased her off like that.”
“I don’t either.” Kion returned as the remaining friends all make their way out of the forest while Kyoga follows after the mysterious zebra. “Let’s just go and get some rest so we can prepare for our next patrol in the morning.”
As they make their way out of the forest another figure watches from the shadows having witnessed the whole scene undetected as well as Kyoga as she goes the opposite direction.
The next morning, Twilight gets up from her bed as she wakes up and brushes her mane to neaten it up after it got a little messy during her sleep before making her way outside to meet up with the Guard for their morning patrol. But when she opened the door she saw the Guard already at her front door while looking worried.
“Oh, hey.” She greeted them while surprised by their sudden appearance. “I was just about to head out to meet with you. What’s going on?”
“Well…” Kion said as he, Fuli, and Beshte turn to both Ono and Bunga who both sport blue spots on their body. The egret had blue spots around his eyes which made it hard for him to see again while the honey badger had blue spots on his tongue to which he blabbered unable to speak properly as a result from their contact from the blue flowers back at the Everfree Forest.
“I can’t see!” Ono screamed as he could barely see through his eyes.
“I cah’t speakth!” Bunga spoke while unable to speak clearly due to his infected and enlarged tongue.
“…That’s what’s going on.” Fuli finished as the unicorn looks surprised at the sight of what she is seeing.
Ushering them to come inside, Twilight starts pulling out books from the shelves with hopes to find something that would help them find out why this is happening but so far she has found nothing.
“No, no, no, no, no! None of these books have a cure! Ugh!” Twilight groaned as she examined Ono’s eyes and Bunga’s tongue. “There has to be a real reason for this! An illness? An allergy?!”
“A curse!” Ono suggested as he flapped his wings while looking around of where to look because of his bad eyesight.
“I said a real reason. Something that points to something real.” Twilight seriously said to him as Spike pulls out a book to her.
“How about this one?” He recommended.
"Supernaturals?” She read as she reluctantly opened the book Spike provided her and she reads on with listening and attentive eyes. “Interesting.” She said as she read the book.
“What is it?” Beshte asked.
“It’s…”
“Ah pfurse!” Pinkie screamed out as she appeared with her tongue just as enlarged and blue spotted as Bunga.
“Ah pfurse? How could it be a pfure?” Bunga asked as they eye each other tongues.
“Oh brother.” Fuli said in annoyance now they have two exact problems at the same time.
“Pinkie? What happened?“ Twilight asked her.
“Pee pah Zthecora! Sthe put a cursthe on us!” Pinkie tried to blame Zecora putting a curse on her but had trouble speaking which had spit coming out of her mouth to which Fuli had to step back when she and Bunga started trying to talk to each other at the same time.
“Hey, say it, don't spray it, Pinkie!” Spike asked of him.
“And that especially goes for the two of you.” Fuli added in agreement as she placed her paws on their mouths to get them to stop talking as they hear bumping against the window coming from outside.
“Ow! Oh!” She shouted as she repeatedly hit the window. “She's, ow, trying to say, ow!- Zecora, oh, she slapped us all with a, ow, curse!” She further shouted as she crashed into the wall and then into the shelves again as she finally made her way inside appearing with lopsided wings as a result of the poison joke nearly hitting Kion and Beshte as he appeared.
“I'm afraid I have to agree.” Rarity said as appeared with her mane and fur appearing very frizzy and messy and all over her face which surprised the others.
“I hate to say I told ya so, Twilight, but I told ya so!” Applejack said to the unaffected unicorn as she is now a tiny doll sized pony appearing on Apple Bloom’s back which further surprised them as Fluttershy walks inside. “It's a curse, I tells ya!”
“But Fluttershy... seems just fine!” Twilight pointed to the seemingly unaffected peagsus.
“Yes, there doesn't seem to be a thing wrong with her.” Rarity said in agreement as she looked aside to indicate the poison joke did affect her in some way.
“Fluttershy? Are you okay?” Twilight asked of her who shook her head. “Is there something wrong with you?” She nodded. “Would you care to tell us?” She said as she kept being silent as she turned aside in shame. “So... you're not going to tell us? Yes you're not, or yes you will?”
“Good gravy, girl! What's wrong with you?!” Applejack demanded of her as she finally spoke up.
“I don't want to talk about it.” She said in a deep male voice.
Spike hearing this snorted out before bursting out into laughter while rolling on his back finding this all very funny.
“This is hilarious! Look at all of you! We got: Hairity, Rainbow Crash, Spitty Pie, Spitty Bunga, Apple Teeny, Flutterguy, Sightless Ono, and... uh... I got nothin'...” Spike went on with nicknames for the five who didn’t look very amused by it especially Rainbow but as she got to Twilight who looked just as unamused as the others he drew blank. “…Oh, right, nothing happened to you. Oh well, it’s not like I can find something that would work with that.”
“This is no joke, Spike.” Ono scolded him as he looked in the opposite direction trying to say that to his face. “Now start looking for more books so Twilight can find a cure!”
Before Twilight could tell everyone with the book she had just pulled out she was interrupted when Rainbow finally pulled herself out of the ladder she crashed into before trying to balance herself in flight.
“I think we'll find a cure to this curse at Zecora's place!”
“It's not a curse!” Twilight exclaimed as Rainbow crashed again.
“I agree with Dash! We'll go to Zecora's and force her to remove this hex!” Applejack agreed.
“It’s not a hex either!” Twilight further tried to speak but once again they were not letting get another word in as everyone else argued until Kion shouted to get everyone’s attention.
“ENOUGH!”
Once he shouted everyone stopped talking.
“Seriously, what is wrong with all of you?” Fuli asked the infected crew. “Too busy arguing to let Twilight speak of something that could resolve all of this?”
“As I was saying…” Twilight then continued. “The answer is right here in this book. All I have to do fetch the ingredients and whip them all together and once you all bathe in it you’ll all be back to normal in no time.”
“And while you’re at it, pony up and give Zecora what for.” Rainbow urged her to do so.
“No!” Twilight again refused. “I not going in and blindly accusing someone without knowing the full story. If I do that I’ll be saying some hurtful things I’ll regret.” She then turned to Kion. “Keep them here, while I gather everything I need to fix their problems.”
“Of course.” Kion agreed as Twilight walked outside as Apple Bloom followed after her with Applejack secretly jumping into her tail to keep up with her.
“Wait up Twilight!” She called out to her who stopped in her tracks.
“Apple Bloom, what are you doing?” She asked.
“I want to come with you. This is all my fault. If I hadn't followed Zecora in the first place, none of this would have happened. I just gotta fix this.” Apple Bloom explained to her who just sighed.
“It’s not your fault, Apple Bloom.” Twilight gently said to her. “It’s everyone else’s for not heeding their warning about the poison joke flowers and claiming that Zecora is up to no good just because of her mysterious appearance.”
“But I still when ahead on my own to prove to Applejack that she is making a big deal over nothing and that I am not a baby anymore while Kion tried to stop me yet I still didn’t listen.” Apple Bloom further blamed herself as her older sister made her appearance well known.
“You got that right! Stop right there! Turn around right now, missy!
“No.” She refused to listen to the cow girl.
“No?!” She spoke in surprise by that statement. “You can't ignore a direct order from your big sister!”
“Hehehe. Sorry, Applejack, but I'm the big sister now.” Apple Bloom returned as she took the opportunity to taunt her as if she had this coming while Twilight used her magic to place her back inside on one of the nearby book shelves.
“Apple Bloom, you come back here right this instant! I'm gonna tell Big McIntosh on you!” Applejack called out to her on deaf ears. “Aw, pony feathers.” She said as it is abundantly clear to her that it’s not working this time around.
“And this is why I went out there.” Apple Bloom pointed to the nearby forest.
“I’m sure she’ll come to see your point…eventually.” Twilight tried her hardest to assure her that she means well even if she is over-protective. “But for now let’s just focus on obtaining what I need to fix this.”
“Uh…” Apple Bloom said in confusion. “What?”
“I’m fetching what I need to create a special bath for them to cure them of the effects of the poison joke.” Twilight cleared up as she explains it to her.
“Oh!” She said now understanding of what she meant. “I thought you meant…never mind let’s go!” She said as she walked off ahead as Twilight follows her before they made their way around shops in Ponyville.
As the two make their way to town while nearby the forest they ended up bumping into someone along the way.
“Oof! Watch it!” The lioness groaned as the three recovered from the impact.
“Ow, Sorry I—“ Twilight began as she then stopped mid-sentence upon seeing Kyoga standing in front of her. “Kyoga?!”
“Well? You care to finish that sentence?” Kyoga somewhat impatiently responded.
“Sorry for bumping into you, it’s just I’m surprised to see you here?” Twilight apologized as she finished her train of thought.
“Oh my stars!” Apple Bloom gasped upon seeing her scars and limp leg. “What happened to you?!”
Before Kyoga could really get emotional or flip out Twilight stepped in to explain.
“We honestly don’t know what happened to her. And you might be better off not trying to ask her about it.” She then advised.
“Oh.” Apple Bloom said feeling bad for unintentionally hitting a sore spot. “I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted.” Kyoga responded in an emotionless tone.
“It’s okay, Apple Bloom.” Twilight acknowledged. “You didn’t know. So anyways, what brings you here?”
“I was passing by to check out Ponyville when I heard that ponies all around town are freaking out over an evil zebra that resides here and decided to check it out myself.” She explained.
“But she’s not evil.” Apple Bloom pointed out.
“Of course she’s not.” Kyoga scoffed with dull surprise. “It’s beyond every pony here since they are so quick to judge her upon first sight.”
“But how would you know?” Apple Bloom questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“Because I met her a while back.” She answered.
“Really?” Twilight asked in surprise that she actually ventured on her own and met her. “What’s she like?”
“How about we walk over there so you can have a better look for yourself?” Kyoga returned.
“Okay.” Twilight simply agreed after turning to Apple Bloom for a moment to think about it before the three head on over to find the zebra themselves.
“Let’s go!” Rainbow ushered everyone to leave as she tries to keep her irregular flying under control.
“But Twilight said you all have to stay here!” Kion reminded her.
“I don't care what Twilight say’s.” Rainbow straight up ignores her as she bypasses the lion cub. “It's time to pony up and confront Zecora. Come on, girls. Are you with me?”
“Ah am-pft!” Pinkie voiced her support.
“Sa am I.” Bunga added.
“And I as well.” Rarity said in agreement.
“Affirmative.” Ono said in the opposite direction from his friends.
“Uh, I don't know. Seems awfully dangerous.” Fluttershy voiced her disagreements.
“Plus we don’t even know Zecora for sure.” Fuli irritably added as Spike chuckled. “Are you laughing?”
“Yes.” He replied as he covered his mouth. “But it’s because of Flutter-guy.” He added as he burst out into laughter again much to Fluttershy’s embarrassment and annoyance.
“Come girls.” Beshte pleaded with them to listen to Twilight. “She said she has this under control so I think you all should just wait for her to get back.”
At that moment Kion noticed Apple Bloom slipped away again.
“Along with Apple Bloom because she is gone too!” Kion added as everyone else had a pretty good idea of where she went.
“I bet they went after Zecora.” Rainbow quickly deduced. “Well we better go find them. Come on girls, let's go.” She ushered them to leave as Rarity struggles to see with her hair all over in her face constantly.
“Oh dear. Oh, this is so unseemly. Auuuaah!” She said as Pinkie accidentally stopped her in place before letting go causing her to tumble out the door.
Applejack quickly hopped on Pinkie’s back as she made her way out.
“Hey, a little help here?” Rainbow called out as she laid on her back upon to correct her flying form.
“Oopsie! Sorry.” Fluttershy apologized as she and Pinkie her up so she can fly out but not before accidentally crashing into the wall above the door making her mark on the wall before flying out in embarrassment and crashing into another tree in the process.
“OW!”
“Girls!” Kion yelled out to them as they left.
“They never learn do they?” Fuli said with a defeated expression of they now have to chase after the reckless rescue party as she, Kion, Spike, and Beshte all pursue them with Fuli running ahead to intercept them.
As Spike rode on Beshte’s back he gasped as he thought of something.
“What is it?” The hippo asked him.
“I thought of a nickname should Twilight be affected by the poison joke. Twilight Flopple!” He chuckled as Beshte stifled a laugh too.
“That is kinda funny.” He said as the others pressed forward through the forest in pursuit of the girls.
Twilight and Apple Bloom got everything they need before they made their way back to the Everfree Forest where they reach Zecora’s hut. After taking a deep breath Twilight knocks on the front door. After a minute the door opening and the two walked inside after the zebra gave them permission to enter.
Shortly afterwards, the others had arrived just as Fuli intercepts them.
“Oh. I look horrible!” Rarity said as she got mud in her fur and mane from being unable to see through her messy hair-job.
“Plis place plooks horrible!” Pinkie remarked at the place.
“No kipping.” Bunga said in agreement as Fuli stops them from taking another step closer. “Lep’s chept it out.”
“Wrong!” Fuli said as she blocks them off. “The only checking out you’ll be doing is to check out of here. Twilight told you all to stay put.”
“And we told you we don’t care!” Applejack retorted as she leaped onto Fuli’s face while kicking in her the face to get her to move aside.
“Ow!” She screamed in pain as she quickly grabbed the tiny farm pony before she could escape. “You really know how to work my last nerves don’t you?” She said as she glared at the defiant pony struggling to break free as the others catch up to them.
Applejack then grabs Fuli’s tail as she bites into it to which she really screeched a “meow.” as her grip on her was let loose as a result to which Fuli then quickly pursued the tiny pony with burning anger in her eyes as the other’s approach the place.
“Oh my. That place really does look horrible.” Rarity remarked at the place as they all look inside which had tiki masks hung all over the walls. “Nice decorations, if you like creepy!”
At that moment Zecora walked inside with a small pot of contents to which she puts into the cauldron while talking in a native language to which further startled the group minus Kion and Fuli who have a pretty good idea of what’s going on.
“Sthe sthtole my sthong! Shthe shtole mm mm!” Pinkie again immediately accused.
“She stole your song?” Kion asked with incredulity at the statement.
“Oh Pinkie. Doesn't sound anything like your song.” Fuli pointed out. “Besides we don’t even know what she was actually speaking of.”
Pinkie felt she had to beg to differ as she tried to sing her song but couldn’t get a single lyric out because of her tongue. So she then turned to Fluttershy to beg to her to sing her song while pleading her with puppy-dog eyes.
After a moment, Fluttershy reluctantly sighed and did so with a deadpan and bored expression while Pinkie does the dance moves that accompany it.
“She's an evil enchantress
And she does evil dances
And if you look deep in her eyes
She will put you in trances
Then what would she do?
She'll mix up an evil brew
Then she'll gobble you up
In a big tasty stew
Soooo... Watch out.
“You saw those terrible things. Now do you believe us Kion?” Ono then asked as he look sideways again because of his poor eyesight as Fuli tilts his head in the right direction just as she managed to capture Applejack again.
“Scary looking masks, confusing incantations, and a great big bubbling cauldron?” Kion processed this all. “I mean yes, everything is pointing to Zecora being bad. But we don’t have anything pointing in that direction.”
“But what could this mean?” Beshte curiously asked as they see Zecora back at the cauldron with Twilight accompanying her.
“How is it.” Twilight asked as they examined the mixture.
“Mmm! The perfect temperature for ponies, I presume.” Zecora replied. “Now, where is that little Apple Bloom?” She then asked.
“Oh, she’s coming. I just sent her back to town to get the last ingredient we need to complete our work.” Twilight replied to which unbeknownst to the others who were eavesdropping on their conversation look on in surprise before reacting in shock well expect for Kion and Fuli who wonder what is really going on.
But before they could think this through…
“I'm comin' for ya, Apple Bloom, Twilight!” Applejack immediately escaped Fuli’s grasp again as she leaped onto Rainbow Dash who had her charge inside of the hut.
“Aaah!” She screamed as she crashed inside leaving Zecora talking in her native language in surprise by their unexpected entrance.
“Whoa there. Easy, Rainbow Crash.” Applejack attempted to steer Rainbow just as Zecora wonders what is going on while further speaking her native language as she randomly crashes into nearly everything until Twilight quickly used her magic to send Rainbow flying away from the cauldron before she could accidentally knock it over while quickly stopping the unbalanced pot from spilling its contents.
“What have you done with Apple Bloom?” Ono asked as he looked straight ahead as Applejack leaps onto Zecora’s head and using her mini lasso to wrap it around her ear in an attempt to subdue her. Yet Ono was unprepared for Rainbow unexpectedly crashing into him and straight into the pot.
“Ono!” The others screamed in horror as Twilight uses her magic to restrain Rainbow before sending back towards the others who were ready to charge at them yet got bowled over when Rainbow crashed into them.
As they all moaned just as Kion, Fuli, and Beshte all walked inside Twilight approached their mind-blown friends.
“Girls! Bunga!” Twilight scolded them with her stern tone. “What are you doing?!”
“Twilight?” The girls said in surprise that she is okay as Applejack first spoke up of as she complained.
“We're onto you Zecora!” She accused the zebra.
“You made me look ridiculous.” Rarity complained.
“You made me sound ridiculous!” Fluttershy complained.
“You made us speak ridiculous!” Pinkie and Bunga complained in an incoherent tone because of their tongues.
“You killed our friend!” Rainbow complained.
“How dare you!” She responded in defense. “You destroy my home, destroy my work, then rudely accuse me of being a jerk?”
“You put this curse on us, now you're gonna uncurse us.” Rainbow then demanded as Zecora’s patience was starting to wear thin with the ponies.
“It is unwise to venture down this road. Your actions will make my anger explode!”
“Where is Apple Bloom!?” Applejack then demanded as said filly walked inside with a saddle bag on her back.
“Zecora! I think I found all the things ya asked for.” She started before she sees everyone all inside. “What in Ponyville is goin' on here?”
“Apple Bloom! You're okay!” Applejack said in relief.
“Why wouldn't I be?” She returned in confusion.
“Because Zecora is an evil enchantress who cursed us and was gonna cook you up into soup!” Applejack replied to which she, Twilight, and Zecora all laughed together finding it very funny as Ono pops his beak out of the pot while coughing and gasping for air.
“Okay. Now that is funny.” Twilight then said in amusement before getting serious. “But like I said before there is no such thing as a curse.”
“If you will remember back, the words I spoke were quite exact.“ Zecora recalled the last time they saw each other. “Beware, beware you pony folk. Those leaves of blue are not a joke.”
“It was a warnin'. About that blue plant. It's called Poison Joke.” Apple Bloom added as Zecora explains its nature.
“That plant is much like poison oak. But its results are like a joke.”
“What in the hay does that mean?” Applejack questioned.
“It means this plant does not breed wrath. Instead this plant just wants a laugh.”
“Will somepony please talk normal?” Applejack demanded still unable to translate Zecora’s rhyming.
“What she's saying is that when we ran in to save Apple Bloom, you all ran into the poison joke. All our problems are just little jokes it played on us.” Twilight explained to them.
“Little jokes?! Very funny.” The tiny cow girl said sarcastically unamused by the joke played on her since she shrunk as a result of its magic.
“Okay, fine.” Rainbow relented before popping another question. “But what about the cauldron?”
“And the chanting?” Fluttershy added.
“And the creepy décor?” Rarity added.
“Treasures of the native land where I am from.” Zecora answered as she looked back at the nearby two behind her that Rainbow accidentally knocked down. “This one speaks 'hello', and this 'welcome'.”
“Not welcoming at all, if you ask me.” Rarity replied still thinking she could do better.
“The words I chanted were from olden times. Something you call a nursery rhyme.” Zecora then added with her explanation.
“But the cauldron... The Apple Bloom soup?“ Applejack pointed out.
“That pot of water wasn't for her.” Twilight explained to her. “It was for all these herbal ingredients. The cure for poison joke is a simple old-natural remedy. You just gotta take a bubble bath!”
“But Ono?” Bunga questioned as Ono popped out of the pot unharmed yet can see again with the spots no longer on his eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’m okay now.” He assured everyone as he climbed out of the pot. “And I can see you all again.”
“Oh thapt gothneth!” Bunga exclaimed as he hugged the egret who is having a tough time breathing from his tight grip. “We thought you were dead.”
“No.” Ono squawked out as he broke free from Bunga’s grip. “Just fell into the cure for this poison joke.”
“All thanks to this book of remedies.” Twilight presented the book in her hoof.
“But why didn’t you say so if you knew what to do from the start?” Rainbow questioned Twilight while sounding irritated.
“Well maybe if you all weren’t so busy being paranoid over nothing you would have learned of the solution sooner.” Twilight replied with an unapologetic expression and glare at her friends as she continued to explain as she recalled her time while away from them. “Along with Apple Bloom we went to gather supplies so we could prepare the remedy for your problems, but when Apple Bloom voiced of wanting to know more about Zecora we decided to head on over to get to know her. And it was there we learned we were right about the fact she really is just a friendly neighbor who lives out here. So when we explained of what we were doing she offered to help mix it up for us before taking back over to the library. At least until some ponies and some members of the Guard decided to show up and nearly spill it.” She then shot another hardened glare at them who all bowed their heads in shame.
“But why did Apple Bloom want to accompany you aside from wanting to meet Zecora.” Applejack questioned.
“Because she wanted to make up it to you for feeling she got you all infected after she wanted to go after Zecora after you dismissed her as a little filly who doesn’t know any better.”
“Oh.” Applejack then replied as he looks aside feeling like a dumbfounded filly herself as the others who were quick to judge Zecora looked aside in shame too.
“Well, glad to see that everything is okay now that we know what’s really going on.” Kion said looking very pleased that everything is okay.
“Poa!” Beshte said in amazement that the brew in the cauldron worked wonders for Ono as he sees Ono is cured of the poison joke as Fuli speaks up about something on her mind.
“Though I still wonder what exactly got you all feeling that Zecora was up to no good in the first place?” Fuli wondered of why they reacted the way they did.
“Well…” Rarity then began to explain before coming forward with their explanation. “…Shortly after we met, we witnessed another mysterious stranger who had a very dark cloak more black than the brown one Zecora had making his way through Ponyville once a week.” She said as she recalled said figure visiting Ponyville. “He didn’t do anything harmful against us. He just got food and supplies every time he comes here.”
“What did this stranger look like?” Kion asked.
“Did you get a good look of who and what was under that cloak?” Twilight asked if they anything useful that could clue them in on this mysterious stranger as Kyoga sneaks a peek from around the corner with her eyes widening at the mention of the mysterious guy they are talking about.
“Honestly we don’t.” Applejack regretfully replied. “This stranger always his entire body covered up and he hardly spoke other than we he needed to talk to others when purchasing his goods.”
“And he had those scary eyes much like Zecora’s under the hood.” Rainbow added.
“And they weren’t a good color either, I mean they were green, just scary green.” Rarity added with emphasis on her distaste for green. “No offense.” She quickly said to the cheetah before she could get offended.
“None taken.” She nonchalantly replied as small flashbacks of Kyoga’s previous encounters with the guy they are talking about play through her mind leaving her heart racing as the traumatic experience briefly plays out while being faced with those scary green eyes.
“But we figured this guy means business and is someone we shouldn’t be going anywhere near him without protection.” Fluttershy timidly added. “So we know nothing else about him. So just seeing Zecora in town just reminded everyone of him and would explain why we were so quick to judge her very badly.”
“Really?” Kion asked while sounding surprised and intrigued by him. “Well we better make sure we keep watch for him in case he pops up again.”
“Agreed.” Twilight said. “At least before he does something that threatens the well-being of every pony and everyone in the Pride Lands.” She then turned to Zecora. “And I apologize on behalf of my friend’s for wrongly misjudging you.”
“That’s okay.” She forgave them. “Maybe next time you will take a second look, and not judge the cover of the book.” Zecora then said as she warmed up to those who misunderstood her as both Twilight and Apple Bloom giggled again.
"Oh, I'm sure they will going forward." Kyoga stoically replied as she approached them.
"Kyoga?" Everyone minus Twilight, Kion, Zecora, and Apple Bloom all exclaimed in surprise to see her.
"What are you doing here?" Kion asked.
"Meeting up with the zebra here." She replied.
"Come again?" Applejack asked just as confused as everyone else.
"You two know each other?" Ono asked as everyone takes this in.
"Yes." She honestly answered with a sigh as she recalled her travels as she first set foot in Ponyville before making her way into the nearby forest while noticing a stampede of ponies pursing Twilight and Spike with the Guard arriving in Ponyville to calm them down. "Ever since the portal between the Pride Lands and Equestria was opened I have come across here seeking refuge in the Everfree Forest it was there I would meet Zecora."
As Kyoga makes her way into the forest while limping and looking exhausted, battered, beaten, and bruised from the wounds she received in the past before meeting herself face to face with the zebra while wearing her brown cloak.
"Get back!" She defensively responded as she tried to muster up a fighting stance.
"Easy, Easy, young one." Zecora calmly replied as she approached her. "I want no harm done. Since you have taken a mauling and you are falling."
As soon as she said those rhymes she passed out feeling drained and fatigued.
As Kyoga opened her eyes she finds herself resting on a bed with her wounds covered up with leaves as bandages along with her scarred eye.
"Huh?" She said in panicked confusion as she reacts to the surroundings of the inside of her hut.
"Do not be alarmed dear." The zebra assured her. "For the pain you were feeling is gone without fear."
"Where am I?" She asked as she looked at the decorations around the room.
"You are now at my hut and staying here is a must." She responded as she urged a gentle hoof on the lioness to ease from trying to stand. "Just lie back and let yourself heal that your body does lack." She said as her patient reluctantly does as she is told.
"Ever since I met her, I've learned more about her and what she does around here as I recovered here enough that I could be able to defend myself." Kyoga in the present day said as she looks on around the room along with the equipment she has been using while recalling the memory of her leaving the forest the morning following the storm before making her way back to the Pride Lands until she found herself face to face with Janja and his clan while having to fend for herself along with Dogo who she just happened to come across as she tries to outrun them. "She recommended that I visit more even though I am able to walk, run, fight, fine for more therapy lessons. It was only after the Kupatana Celebration did I start taking her up on her that."
"Hevi Kabisa." Kion commented in surprise at their connection.
"Who would have known." Fuli remarked.
"Well it's good to know that you are taking steps to make sure you are properly healing." Twilight felt pleased when she learned firsthoof of the discovery before the others arrived. "And now that this batch is almost ready we just need to add another herb from Ponyville.” Twilight then said as she looked at the mixture one more time to make sure it is ready.
“Huh?” Ono asked as Twilight quickly placed a hoof on his beak to keep him from speaking as she has a motive for saying this.
“Because whenever Zecora comes to town, all the shops are mysteriously closed.” Apple Bloom then added.
“Not a problem.” Twilight assured her as she eyes her friends. “I think they can help you with that.”
“But Ono’s eyesight was just healed.” Rainbow pointed out as Twilight looks serious that there is a catch to getting the cure they need for their ailments.
“Yes, but you all gotta tell everyone that Zecora means no harm so she can be allowed to freely visit Ponyville without causing a further panic.”
“Right.” Rainbow then relented as they all decided to do so seeing that they deserve this.
In no time at all they were all able to clear everything up so they now know Zecora is friendly everything affected by the poison joke was able to bathe in the Ponyville Spa as Twilight, Zecora, and Apple Bloom all put the finishing touches in the bubble bath so everyone’s ailments could be cured while Kyoga watches as soothes her troubles in a hot tub. During this, Twilight managed to write another letter to her mentor about their most recent experience.
“Dear Princess Celestia,
My friends and I all learned an important lesson this week: Never judge a book by its cover. Someone may look unusual, or funny, or scary. But you have to look past that and learn who they are inside. Real friends don't care what your "cover" is; it's the "contents" of a pony that count. And a good friend, like a good book, is something that will last forever.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle"
“Miss Zecora, I would love to get the recipe for this bath. It's simply luxurious!” One of the spa workers complimented it.
“Applejack!“ Apple Bloom suddenly remembered. “Hey, where's Applejack?!” She asked everyone who all gasped worrying the worst has happened to her until she spoke up appearing in a small bucket because she was still tiny at the time.
“I'm right here, little sis. I ain't tiny no more!”
“Oh! I have never felt so lovely in all my life!” Rarity felt relieved and pleased that her mane and fur is back to normal as Pinkie after performing a cannon-ball with Bunga to splash water all over everyone including Fuli who got especially annoyed.
“Oh, my gosh! I never realized how horrible it is not to be able to talk.” Pinkie properly spoke now cured of the effects of the poison joke. “I mean, I love talking so much, and when I couldn't talk anymore, my tongue was all 'ehhhh'! It was the worst!”
“No kidding.” Bunga said in agreement as he popped his head out of the water. “Don’t you agree, Fluttershy?” He asked the yellow peagsus next to him.
“Yes.” She answered now having her normal voice back again with a pleased smile as Spike walks up with a bouquet of poison joke flowers in his hands.
“Although I do wonder these would have affected the others.” Spike mischievously wondered while eyeing those not taking a bath as Bunga wasted no time in wanting to find out.
“Let’s find out!” He said as he spread the crumbled up flowers all over Twilight, Kion, Fuli, and Beshte.
“Hey!” Kion and Twilight exclaimed as the poison joke magic got on them.
“Bunga!” Fuli shouted in annoyance by his antics as she found her legs going out of control as she speeds up and trips up and tumbles into Beshte. “Whoa! My legs!”
“Mine too.” Beshte said as his legs went limb as his strength gave out while Twilight’s horn went limb with blue spots appearing on it.
“Ha, ha, ha! Twilight Flopple!” Spike laughed as Twilight glared at him and Bunga to shut up.
“Sorry!” Bunga quickly apologized with his hands behind his back as the others look worried that Twilight is going to harm him. “I just wanted to find out of how it affected you.”
“That might have been a mistake.” Ono said as he fears the worst until Twilight suddenly broke out into laughter.
“That’s actually pretty good.” Twilight chuckled as she took it in stride much to Ono, Spike, and Bunga's relief as she helps Fuli and Beshte over to join their friends in the bath so they can cure themselves too. “How about you Kion?” She asked as the lion tried to speak but nothing could come out of his mouth.
“You okay?” She stifled a giggle as Kion was able to get something out of his lungs. A small squeak which turned into the sound of a braying donkey, similar to the failed attempted use of the Roar as a demonstration to his friends who then quickly covered his mouth in surprised shock that actually came out of his mouth as everyone else looks stunned by what had just happened.
Everyone then after a few seconds of silence ended up bursting out into laughter as Kion blushes in embarrassment before being playfully nudged by the floppy horned unicorn as they all joined their friends in bubble bath to cure themselves of the poison joke but not before the lion finds himself hugged by Apple Bloom to thank her for telling her what she needed to her to which he kindly returned with a paw wrapped around her which was all watched by the mysterious stranger in secret before making his leave before anyone could see him.