//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: the change (revised) 
// Story: A special request 
// by chaos2012 
//------------------------------//

The sun was high over Sweet Apple Acres, the Apple family business set up on the outskirts of Ponyville. The large, organized rows of trees glistened with crisp apples ready to be picked. It was quiet most of the time, only to be broken by the occasional thump.

WAM!

The strong hit to the base of the tree forced the apples to drop off the branches, many dropping into the buckets set on the ground. The orange mare below the base tilted her brown hat up, looking up into the leaves. "Ah applesauce!" Applejack said, noticing a few apples hadn't fallen. She lifted one hoof and tapped the tree, causing the last few strays to drop.

Smiling at herself, she bent down, picking up a few apples on the grass. Picking up the filled buckets, she walks them over to the wagon and sets them in the back. As she turned around, she heard her sister spill the bucket she had on her head.

Applejack frowned. "Come on Applebloom, we gotta get this done. Stop messin' around!"

The young yellow filly looked at her sister in a daze. "Ah’m sorry, AJ. Ah’m just a little tired." Her words were very slurred.

Applejack suddenly became worried at the sight in front of her; Applebloom was hardly able to keep her balance, constantly swaying back and forth. Her eyes were a bright red and her face seemed extremely pale. She also began to cough, which sounded really raspy.

"Applebloom, are ya all right?"

Applebloom tried to force a grin. "Never better, sis. Ah just need ta..." she stopped as she began to feel dizzy. Her legs couldn't hold her up anymore. She felt her head go blank as she collapsed to the ground.

"APPLEBLOOM!" Applejack screamed as she ran over to her sister’s fallen body. She put her hoof under the filly's neck, lifting her head up, immediately feeling the hot temperature. "Oh my, y’all‘re burnin’ up!"

She flipped Applebloom onto her back and sprinted to the house. Reaching the door, she rushed to the couch and laid her sister down. Applejack then sprinted to the kitchen, grabbing cold rags and put them across Applebloom's forehead.

Granny Smith and Big Mac came in after hearing the commotion and then panicked when they saw the sick filly on the couch. As they tried to drop Applebloom's temperature, Applejack left out the door, knowing there was one animal that could help.

___________________

Applejack ran through the dark trees of the Everfree forest; the thick leaves blocking out most of the sun. Coming around the bend, she saw the small hut she was looking for. Running past the torches, she barged through the front door. "Zecora!"

CRASH!

The female zebra fell off the staff she was balanced on, her meditation broken. Rolling off the ground, she rubbed her head from the impact, glaring at the barging mare. "Don't you ponies ever knock!? These intrusions make me want to get a lock!"

Applejack panted as she tried to get the information out. "Zecora, ah need your help. Applebloom's really sick!"

Zecora's anger disappeared, hearing that her good friend was not well. She stood up from the ground. "Young Applebloom is not well I hear? I shall gather my medicine quickly, my dear."

_______________________

Inside the living room, Zecora mixed up multiple herbs she had brought from her home in a small bowl. All while doing so; she was whispering rhymes in a flowing, song-like tune. The other Apple family members sat back, their faces mixed with worry and curiosity as to what was happening to their young member and the mix the zebra was brewing.

Zecora finished the mix and fed it to Applebloom. As the drink went down her throat, the filly began coughing erratically. Zecora had to hold her down to keep her from falling off the couch. After a few moments, the struggling subsided, and Applebloom fell back asleep.

Zecora gathered up her herbs, putting them into her bag and started to walk to the door. Applejack ran over to her, blocking her path. "Hey, are ya done? What about Applebloom? What's wrong with her?"

Zecora smiled back at her. "Young Applebloom is fine. I will be back in some time. While I'm gone, you should leave her be, for her rest is the best remedy." She nodded to the other Apple family members before she walked out the door.

Despite the smile she gave, Applejack saw that Zecora was hiding something. It was as if she didn't want her to know something. She glanced back to Big Mac and Granny, who were over by the couch, then glared out the door and ran out.

______________________

Applejack reached the hut once again after some time. She ran and once again opened the door without knocking. She looked toward the back of the room and saw Zecora packing a large bag. She was stuffing it with blankets and different kinds of jars filled with strange powders.

"Zecora, what are ya doin’?"

Zecora turned and saw the mare standing there. Applejack saw the upset look in the zebra’s face, now knowing there was more to the strange departure.

"Why did ya just leave like that? What's wrong with mah sister?"

Zecora's eyes filled with sorrow. "Young Applebloom has grown very ill. It is a sickness that my herbs cannot distill."

Applejack's heart filled with fear of what that meant. "Is-is she gonna die!?"

Zecora suddenly went from worried to surprise. Seeing Applejack's panic caused her to give a slight chuckle.

Applejack was confused as to what happened. "What's so funny!?"

"Oh Applejack, I said it was a very bad fever. I never mentioned that it would be a life stealer."

"What? But ya-why did ya just leave? And where are ya goin’?"

"The sickness she has is a very rare type, in which it causes the bearer to fall like a kite. It will not take a life which puts me in a happy mood, but unless it is cured she will never be good."

"She will never get better? What did that brew ya made earlier do then?"

"I gave her a drink to lower her fever, but the herbs I have cannot relieve her. I am going to my land for a special herb, one that will take that potion and put it to the curb."

"Yer homeland? How long’re ya gonna be gone fer?"

"The journey is hard and one that is long I fear. It will be at least five days before I'll be back here."

Applejack knew that there were many dangers in the land between the borders. If something happened to Zecora on the way, Applebloom would never get better. She knew she had to help her out. "Ah’m comin’ too."

Zecora gave her a questioning look. "I know you want to help me on my way, but there is a problem with your look,I must say."

Applejack sat confused. "What in tarnation does that mean?"

"In my home, zebras are what you find, and they do not accept the pony kind"

"Well, what am ah supposed ta do?"

Zecora smiled and walked over to her counter where she began mixing some strange yellow powder with a blue liquid. When she was done, she walked back over to Applejack, and, without warning, threw it over the startled mare.

"Agh!" Applejack gagged at the horrible taste in the air. "What in the world are ya tryin’ to do to me!?" She then thought she felt her fur shifting around and moving, but figured it was the dust and liquid falling off of her.

As the dust cleared, she saw Zecora smiling at her. The zebra gave a chuckle. "I must say, your eyes and new colors definitely match. If you met a male zebra, you would be quite a catch."

Applejack just lifted an eyebrow at her. "What in the hay does that mean?"

Zecora grinned, sliding her tail around a mirror and held it up to Applejack, who nearly fainted when she saw her reflection staring back at her.

"WHAT IN EQUESTRIA DID YA DO TA ME?!"