//------------------------------// // Ponyville Zebra Trial // Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: Adventures of the Book of Virtue // by ColossalGX //------------------------------// "Huh? What's this all about?" Omni groaned as a saddlebag was thrown at his feet. "You are going to deliver this parcel to who it's delivered to." New Moon instructed. "But isn't it the post office's job to do that? What's it doing here?" "All you need to know is that someone is expecting their package. All you have to do is make sure this package is delivered," the black unicorn scolded, "That's it." "Alright, fine," Omni scoffed, "Just who is it I gotta send this to?" "She'll be waiting near the fountain close by. She won't be that hard to miss. She'll just about be the only one in town right now…" New Moon said, going back up the stair, "And by the way, I don't want to hear any problems while you're out." Omni sighed as he looked down at the bag, "I wouldn't mind just going back to sleep…" Regardless, Omni slipped under the saddlebag and made his way out of the library. It's easy, right? Find whoever wants this stuff he's carrying, give it to them and mission accomplished. As he walked through the streets of Ponyville, however, he realized that he was the only one outside. Strange? Normally this small town would be bustling, but now it was a ghost town. So… Where was everyone? Eventually, he made it to the fountain. It looks like he was the first one who to make it. He sat on the edge and decided to wait until whoever wants the package comes so he can go back. Preferably to sleep. "Pardon me, young pony sir; are you the one whom I must meet?" Omni looked around and found someone walking towards him. They're wearing a grey cloak so he doesn't know who that is under there. "I was told you would have the parcel I need." "Um, excuse me?" Omni asked. "Your knapsack no doubt holds the package I have sought," the stranger continues, "You are acquainted with one New Moon, are you not?" "Uh, right. You must be the guy he told me about," Omni jumped off the fountain to his feet. "Not to be rude but, you mind giving me a name? I don't feel too comfortable talking to strangers." "Oh, how true indeed. I suppose now would be a good time for introductions…" the stranger raised an arm and removed their hood. Underneath dark-grey/white striped fur, a Mohawk-like mane and gold hoops in the ears. Their face holds a good deal of wisdom. "Zecora, you may call me." Omni's face tinted purple as he realized he was talking to a girl. "So, you're a zebra, huh? I never thought I'd meet a real one up close." "So this is the first you've seen of my kind," Zecora said, "And since we are greeting, may I ask for your name, if you don't mind?" "Oh! My name's Omnifarious! Nice to meet you." "And I you, Omnifarious. It is nice to have words to exchange for a change." "Wait…you mean you haven't talked to people before now?" "I am afraid so. As a witch doctor I create homemade remedies," Zecora looked down, looking a bit saddened, "But as it is, the other ponies just tend to avoid me." "Really? So what's their problem? Are they scared of zebras or something?" "Whatever the case, I wish I knew; then I'd know what to do." "Well, whatever the case, I'd better get this mail to you." "Yes indeed; if you would, please," With that, Omnifarious took out the package from the bag and gave it to Zecora; or rather it would've given it to her if not for a pink blur that zipped by and took the package right out of his mouth. A door slammed a second later nearby. This particular door just happened to belong to the backer. "What was that?! Some kind of large pink cat?" mused Zecora, blinking. "I don't think so," Omni huffed, "But I better get it back. Please stay here!" The blue pony ran over to the bakery and knocked on the door, "Pinkie, I know it's you! Open up!" he waited for the door to open but only heard a bunch of murmuring that came from the other side, 'Just what's going on in there…?' "C'mon, Pinkie! I don't have time for games! Just give back what you stole so I can—" Omni stopped when the door cracked open. He took the opportunity to step inside, where there's nothing greeting him but a dark dining area. "Okay, Pinkie! Joke's over! All I wanted was the box so if you don't mind-" the only answer he got was the door slamming behind him, concealing him in the dark, causing him to groan in aggravation. "Terrific…" "Omni, watch out!" What happened next caused Omni to jump back when he found himself in the middle of pure havoc. Things happened that can't be explained because it was pitch-black inside. He was relieved when the lights suddenly turned on. The display in front of him is just plain… Well, to explain, all he could see was a fight cloud. "Uh, should I be asking what's going on?" the cloud broke showing Applejack and Rainbow biting or pulling each other's hair. As soon as Rainbow caught a look at him, she darted our and knocked Omni right on top of her, "As a matter of fact, you better if you know what's good for you!" "Whoa, what?! What are you talking about?!" Omni cried. Thankfully a purple glow on Rainbow's tail yanked the winged pony off of him. "That's enough, Rainbow!" Twilight scowled as she came from the back room, and walked towards Omni, "Can you get up?" he replied by doing so. "Now that was just crazy!" Omni groaned. "You're not the only one, trust me." Twilight replied, glancing towards the back room where Rarity and Fluttershy peeked out from the double-doors, along with a small yellow pony with red hair. "Twilight, what are you doing?!" Rainbow bickered after he quickly recovered, now with Applejack beside him and both ready to charge at Omni again. "That pony can't be trusted!" Applejack agreed. "This is getting ridiculous!" Twilight argued, standing on guard in front of Omni. "Okay, I'm gonna ask again!" Omni cut in, raising his voice, "Just what's going on here? Why's everyone in town locking themselves indoors?" "Don't you pretend you don't know!" Applejack snapped, "We saw you out there with…her!" "What? You mean Zecora?" "Aha!" Rainbow yelled, "That proves it! You're in cahoots with her!" "Rainbow, hush!" Twilight scowled, and turned towards Omnifarious, "We saw you talking to someone outside. Do you know her?" "Wait, that reminds me…" Omni walked over to the window and looked outside, where the zebra can be seen waiting out by the fountain where he left her. Eventually everyone else joined and stuffed their faces on the window trying to see what he sees. "Just look at those stripes! So garish!" Rarity complained. "You ever seen a zebra without stripes?" Omni groaned, trying to be facetious. "A what?!" "You mean you guys don't know a zebra when you see one?" Omni looked around the group and back away, "She's just like anyone else, except for the stripes. And like all zebras she's born with those stripes." That harmless bit of info apparently became too much for the white pony as she fainted off her feet. "Born where?" Applejack asked, "I've never seen a pony like that in these parts, 'cept... her!" "Me neither, and that makes sense. Normally you'd see these guys overseas, in a country called Africa where they came from. I think she probably moved from there herself. But I never seen her in town before now, and I've been here a couple of months." "That's just it, she lives in... the Everfree Forest!" that moment a loud thunderclap burst from the other room. But it turns out someone's trying to sneak food out of the kitchen and stumbled over a few pots and pans. "Spike!" Twilight scowled. "Uh, sorry." "Anyway…" Omni continued, "So I guessing Zecora's a hermit. How's that a problem?" "The Everfree Forest just ain't natural." Applejack shivered, "The plants grow..." "Animals care for themselves..." Fluttershy added. "And the clouds move..." Rainbow added. "All on their own!" all three said in unison, while Rarity fainted a second time. "And how exactly is that not natural?" Omnifarious suddenly found himself being stared at like he's crazy, "Uh, what you just explained is nature in general. Just because it's not handles by ponies doesn't mean it's not normal. Of course it's natural." "He's speaking poppycock!" Applejack snapped. "What did I tell you!" Rainbow added, "This guy's working for her! He probably came with her from the Everfree Forest to spy on us!" "Oh brother!" Twilight groaned, rolling her eyes. "And that wicked enchantress Zecora lives there doing her evil... stuff!" Pinkie cried, "She's so evil I even wrote a song about her!" "Here we go." Rainbow sighed as Pinkie went bouncing around the room as she sang: 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! Pinkie finally stopped on her hind feet catching her breath. Everyone just stared at her. "Wow. Catchy." Twilight stated, monotone. "I...I have no words…" Omni stood with his mouth open, "No words at all." "It's a work in progress." Pinkie smiled and jumped off. "Look, I don't get it. What did Zecora ever did that's so bad? Just name one thing." "Well, she comes to town once a month…" Rainbow began. "Mhm, try again." "Then, she lurks by the stores." Rarity added. "Uh-huh, try again." "And then, she digs at the ground." Fluttershy added. "Okay, that's strike three," Omni shook his head, "Look, hasn't it occurred to anyone that Zecora only came to do some shopping? Even if she can grow food in a forest, I don't think she can wait a month for it to grow." "Yeah! Maybe she's just tryin' to be neighborly," the small yellow pony piped, "Everypony likes to shop. You know what I think?" "Apple Bloom! Hush and let the big ponies talk." Applejack interrupted, nudging aside the smaller pony. "I am a big pony…" Apple Bloom mutter under her breath. "W-what about digging at the ground?" Rainbow asked, "You've got to admit that's weird." "What if she's digging for innocent creatures?" Fluttershy whimpered. "I am sure there is an explanation for everything Zecora does," Twilight stated, "And if anypony here were actually brave enough to approach her like Omni was, they would find out the truth." "Then why don't Omni go back out there and talk to her, since he seems to be so friendly with her!" Applejack suggested, with the others nodding in agreement. "Do you girls even realize how childish you're acting…?" "Forget it, Twilight," Omni said, "I'm about to get back anyway. It's not like she'd wait forever." The blue pony left the dark store through the conveniently opened door and back outside. He looked around for the zebra but she wasn't where she was before, "I was afraid I took too long…" Omni sighed. But then at the corner of his eye he saw something moving across the street, "Hm, guess not." He quickly turn the corner to find the small yellow pony sneaking around, conveniently following the covered zebra. He figured something strange is going on so he decided to follow them. As long as he can reach the zebra he's got time. Eventually he followed Apple Bloom who followed Zecora outside of town and towards the forest. Along the way, he watched as Apple Bloom jumped into one of the bushes lining the path. However, whenever he drew near to her, she would vanish within the depths of one bush and pop up in another clearly separate, almost as if she had teleported. "Just how do you keep doing that?!" muttered Omni, poking his head through a bush. However, after a bit of 'cat and mouse' Omni managed to draw near the yellow filly. "Is the forest that scary?" Apple Bloom jumped as the sound of Omni's voice. She fell on her stomach and saw the blue pony standing over her. "I-I'm not scared! I'm just resting a minute!" Apple Bloom scrambled back to her feet and recovered. "Did Applejack tell you to follow me?" "No I just came because I need to talk to Zecora about stuff. But why are you here?" "I just wanna show them that I can take care of things without somepony watching over me. I want to know what Zecora's up to." "Well, since we're going the same direction we better stick together. We don't want to get separated." "Okay, just stay behind me!" Apple Bloom said and ran into the forest. Omni, rolling his eyes, soon chasing her. They galloped a fair ways into the forest until they manage to catch sight of Zecora, who was still following the path which is began to surround by patches of vivid blue flowers. It wasn't long until Omni heard a bundle of feet coming from the opposite direction. "Apple Bloom, you get back here right now!" Applejack's voice called out from behind, catching both Apple Bloom and Omni's attention. "You stop right there!" Omnifarious turned his head just in time to get bulldozed by Rainbow, slamming them both off their feet and into a flower patch, with the winged blue pony holding him down. "I knew it! I knew you were no good!" "Beware! Beware, you pony folk!" Zecora bellowed, backing away into a sprouting mist, "Those leaves of blue are not a joke!" "Y-you keep your creepy mumbo-jumbo to yourself, ya hear?" Applejack replied while picking up Apple Bloom, with the others running by to shout at the zebra. "Beware! Beware!" Zecora warned for the last time, before disappearing into the mist. "Yeah, back at ya, Zecora!" Rainbow shouted, "You and your lame curse are the ones who better beware!" "And you!" Applejack scolded to Apple Bloom, "Why couldn't you just listen to yer big sister? "I...I..." "Who knows what kind of nasty curse Zecora could have just put on you?" "Just like in my song!" Pinkie said before breaking out in song. "You guys, there's no such thing as curses!" Twilight exclaimed. "Well, that's interesting to hear coming from Miss Magic Pants herself." Rainbow retorted. "You know she does bring up a good point. I mean, a curse is a type of magic—mrph!" "Shaditup!" Rainbow spat as he shoved Omni's face back into the flowers. Fortunately he was pulled off thanks to Twilight's magic. "My magic, real magic, comes from within," Twilight explained, "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." As it turned out, no one bothered waiting for her to finish and just walked off. "Just you wait, Twilight," Applejack called back, "You're gonna learn that some pony tales really are true." "And keep an eye on Omnifarious in the meantime, too!" Rainbow added. With everyone else gone, Twilight walked over to Omnifarious, who was still lying in the patch. "Let's get back to town, Omni. I think we had enough excitement for one day," Twilight helped him on back on his feet and the two walked home together. "Why did I have to be the bad guy just because I'm new here?" Omni muttered, "I could've avoided this if I had stayed in bed!" "Did you at least get Zecora package delivered?" Upon realization that he actually hadn't managed to even do that, Omni groaned, "I knew I forgot something." Later in the day, Twilight was in the library reading when the door opened. When she answered, she was blown from what fell in. "Omnifarious?! What happened?!" Omni groaned as he rolled onto his back, "Well…" "Hey, is that Zecora's package?!" "No." "I think that's her package you got there." "No it isn't." "C'mon, I need that thing." "No!" "I mean it!" "NO!" "…You're gonna make me fight you for it, aren't you?" "Yes…" 'Sigh.' "Alright, you asked for it…!" "Pinkie Pie did this to you?" Twilight gasped as she came back with an icepack, "I know she's an earth pony but, don't you think it's weird that she'd be capable of…well, that?" "What's weird is that 'Payback' was playing in the background." Omni reached for the icepack, but pulled back to continue scratching. "Wow that must be one bad itch you have." "It's been like this since we left the woods," Omni said, still scratching, "There must be something in those flowers that's making me itch." "Maybe I could find something to take care of that," Twilight went to the shelves to find a solution, "Just try not to scratch too much in the meantime." "Can't make any promises…" Omni muttered. After a good night's sleep, Omni woke up feeling better than he did the day before. That oatmeal bath Twilight gave him really did the trick. He went upstairs to get a bite to eat. When he walked into the library… "No…no…no…" there's books scattered and opened across the floor, and someone with their face pressed in one of them. "Is…is there a problem?" Omni asked. "Omni!" Twilight shot up from her book and spun around towards him, "Omni, something happened to me when I woke up this morning! Look!" she pointed to her forehead. Omni stepped forward for a closer look and saw Twilight's horn, limp with blue spots on it. "Ooh…" Omni awed, not in wonder but in confusion, "How'd this happen?" He reached forward to poke it with a hoof. "Don't!" Twilight jumped back, covering her horn, "Unicorn horns are more sensitive when they're like this!" "Is there any way to fix it?" "That's what I'm looking for…" Twilight huffed as she hopped back over to her books, "But so far nothing's come up!" she sifted through book after book, becoming more frustrated. "There has to be a real reason for this! An illness? An allergy?!" "A curse!" Spike exclaimed. "I gave a real reason. Something that points to something real." Omni wandered over the books a bit until he came across a certain one, "How about this one?" Omni called and pointed down to the book, where Twilight came over and read the cover. "'Supernaturals'? Omni, the word 'supernatural' refers to things like ghosts and spirits and zombies, which are as make-believe as curses." "It could be related…" Twilight groaned, "Not you too. You know, I thought you of all ponies would be reasonable!" "Look, I'm just spitballing here. Maybe there's something about this whole thing we're missing. Remember that thing with Nightmare Moon? We all thought it's some fairy tale before now." "Princess Luna, is a powerfully magical being who was exiled a very long time ago. Nightmare Moon's story was a prophecy turned into a fable. Besides, I knew Nightmare Moon was coming when no one else didn't. This case is nothing like that time!" "Well, it couldn't hurt to take a look, could it?" "Yes, I'm afraid it can!" "Omni could be going somewhere with this," Spike interrupted, "Maybe we are dealing with a—" "Ah pfurse!" Pinkie – who seemingly had come from nowhere in particular – spat, though not by choice. Her tongue was sticking out, swollen with blue spots. "A purse? How could it be a purse?" "Pinkie? What happened?" Twilight exclaimed. "Pee pah Zthecora!" Pinkie tried saying, spraying spit everywhere, "Sthe put a cursthe on me!" "Hey, say it, don't spray it, Pinkie!" Spike groaned. They're suddenly interrupted by a crash they heard from outside. The group looked towards the entrance to see Rainbow crashing against the window, "She's (thud) trying to say-ow! Zecora (thud) oh!" suddenly she broke through the door and crashed into a bookshelf, tangling himself in a ladder, "she slapped us all with a-ow-curse!" she groaned. "I'm afraid I have to agree." Next came in Rarity, except her hair and fur is totally overgrown. Now she looked like a giant mop head. "I hate to say I told ya so, Twilight, but I told ya so!" Applejack's voice squeaked out. She was kinda hard to find since she's so small she could fit on Apple Bloom's back, where she is now. "It's a curse, I tells ya!" Then come the sound of maniacal laughter. Then came in Fluttershy being pushed inside by Faiz, who's been laughing his head off. "Hey! Hey, guys! I gotta show you something that's so &^#%ing funny! I—" he stopped when he spotted Rarity, then Applejack, then Pinkie Pie and then Rainbow, which he responded by falling on his side, pointing at them as he rolled over cackling. "Is this really the time, Faiz?" Omni groaned. "Fluttershy seems fine to me!" Twilight pointed out, referring to the yellow pony who's been sitting there quietly. "Yes, there doesn't seem to be a thing wrong with her." Rarity agreed. "Fluttershy? Are you okay?" Fluttershy flinched, but didn't answer Twilight, "Is there something wrong with you?" she nodded, "Would you care to tell us?" she turned away, not wanting to answer, "So... you're not going to tell us?" she then nodded again, "Yes you're not, or yes you will?" "Good gravy, girl! What's wrong with you?!" Applejack squealed, having lost her patience. "…, I don't want to talk about it." Fluttershy finally answered, but it's how she answered that's the reason she kept quiet. Turns out no one wants to hear a guy's voice from a girl. And it kicked Faiz's cackling into overdrive. He went running around from one place to another, before dancing around like Sunday morning at church. And it didn't help when he started doing backflips with Spike laughing with him, "This is hilarious! Look at all of you! We got: Hairity, Rainbow Crash, Spitty Pie, Apple Teeny, Flutterguy, and..." he turned to Twilight, but lost his grin when he couldn't figure out an insult for her. "uh... I got nothin'... Twilight Sparkle. I mean seriously, I can't even work with that." Twilight scowled, laughing sarcastically, "This is no joke, Spike. Now start looking for more books so I can find a cure!" Spike groaned. Rainbow finally removed himself from the ladder and hovered hazardously, "I think we'll find a cure to this curse at Zecora's place!" "It's not a curse!" "I agree with Dash!" Applejack squealed, "We'll go to Zecora's and force her to remove this hex!" "It's not a hex either!" Being caught in the middle of a heated argument, Omni decided to take a breather and get out of the house. This is turning into a problem. Who knows how bad it'll get if things keep going how they are now. He needs a way to solve this problem or else the entire town could be roped into this. But he doesn't know many people here, and the others are preoccupied… Once again he found himself standing behind the everfree forest borderlines. He had no idea how Zecora could help fix this but there was one else to turn to. Besides, maybe the town could open up to her somehow if she does fix it. Now he hopes he could remember the direction he went last time… "Is the forest that scary?" Omni nearly jumped three feet in the air at the sound of Apple Bloom's voice. He spun his head to find the small yellow pony behind him, with a childishly smug smirk on her face. "I can keep you company if you are scared." "I'm just retracing my steps. I'm not scared." Omni replied. Apple Bloom replaced her smirk with a smile, "I know. I just wanna help, so I'm coming with you!" "I don't think that's a good idea. I rather not look forward to Applejack kicking my face in if she even finds out about this." "You won't have to wait that long!" an angry squeak was heard, and Applejack popped out from under Apple Bloom's hair. Omni groaned, "No, please not now…" "Yes now! I'm not gonna let you lure my little sister into your master's evil fortress!" "Look, I'm just trying to find and answer to this mess, just like you. Beside, I'm sure Zecora isn't as bad as you made her out to be." "And besides, she doesn't live in any fortress, she lives in that giant tree stump-" "Hush up and let the big ponies talk!" Applejack interrupted her sister, before going back to Omni, "And you! You may have brainwashed my sister, but you're not fooling anypony! I know what you're trying to do! You're not going anywhere near that forest!" "Uh-huh. And who's gonna stop me?" Omni backed away and walked into the forest. "Apple Bloom, wanna point me out to the place?" "You're not taking me seriously, are you?!" Applejack squealed, "Apple Bloom, we're going back to town, now!" Apple Bloom only turned her eyes to Omni, who only gave a shrug before looking back up at Applejack. "Apple Bloom, Let's, Go!" "No." was her reply. "Wha—no?!" Applejack sputtered in surprise, "You can't ignore a direct order from your big sister!" "I guess your right," Omni replied before turning to Apple Bloom, "Hey Apple Bloom, what do you suggest we do with her?" "What?! Apple Bloom, don't you da—" Before she knew what happened next, Applejack was tossed up and caught by the tail by Apple Bloom, who then put her on a branch hanging over a bramble bush, too far up from land for Applejack to escape." Sorry Applejack, but I'm your big sister now." She giggled. "Apple Bloom, you get back here right this instance! I'm gonna tell Big Macintosh on you!" "That should be quite the trip!" Omni couldn't help but laugh as he and Apple Bloom walked into the forest. "Ah, ponyfeathers…" After making their haphazard trip deeper into the forest, they finally stopped in front of a hut made from a giant tree stump, with a couple of large masks decorated on it. It looks weird, but then again he was sleeping under a tree himself. "So this is the place, huh?" Apple Bloom nodded, "Yep, this is where Zecora lives!" "Good. The sooner we can solve this the better." Omni knocked and backed away, waiting until the door itself opened, revealing the zebra behind it. "Hello again, young pony stallion. It's good to see you again…" Zecora greeted Omni, then looked down at the small yellow pony next to him, "and I see you brought a companion." "Um, my name's Apple Bloom." The smaller pony greeted. "Uh, hi. We've been having a small problem lately and—" "Strange afflictions have befallen them, have they not?" "… How's you—" "It is due to the patch of flowers they walked upon, and by now their situation would no doubt be fraught." "Okay, I could tell you their taking it pretty bad. Do you know anyway to fix it?" "Luckily I'm in the process of a remedy. But if you need it quickly, it would be appreciated if you helped. So welcome, and follow me." Following the zebra, Omni and Apple Bloom entered her hut. Inside was actually a large room with a black cauldron in the middle, walls mostly filled with vials and containers and decorated with similar tribal masks hung up. "So what exactly are you making?" he asked, scratching his head. "The hardship they face are due to the blue flowers they walked upon. But with the help of this bathing therapy, it can be undone." "What can we do to help?" "There are still certain herbs which this cure needs. Only then can we proceed." "What do they look like? I can get 'em for you." Apple Bloom offered. "You mean we can get them for her," Omni insisted, "It's still too dangerous with those animals running about." "You need not worry, the beasts are far away. And these herbs are right next to my home, so your friend will not have to run astray. And besides, I doubt some one of her height can reach so high." After getting properly equipped Apple Bloom went out the back door to pick the herbs. Meanwhile Omni was helping Zecora with the concoction in the cauldron. Whatever she asks for Omni pulled from the shelves for her. As she added to her brew, she continued muttering over it. But while she was working, she managed to catch Omni scratching when he thought she wasn't looking. "I can see you have quite a scratch. Were there allergies you were unfortunate to catch?" Omni groaned, "I think I stepped back into those flowers on the way here. Maybe I am allergic." "The fact you didn't share the same bizarre symptoms as your friends is indeed strange." "It didn't stay for long. I just got an oatmeal bath and I came out fine. So it's those flowers that're doing this?" "Yes. But if what you have is a simple allergic reaction, then indeed a more mundane solution should be called to action." "You seem to know your stuff, huh, huh?" "With this book as my guide, I do manage to get by." Omni walked over to the book Zecora referenced to that's been sitting on a pedestal nearby and read the open topic aloud, "Remedies for Poison Joke…" "An unpredictable flower whose effects are various; very potent but far from dangerous." "Oh? Then there's no problem. All we need to do is get whatever it is we're making ready and we're golden. By the way, if you don't mind me asking, do you just like to rhyme or is it a zebra thing?" "Skill such mine would require great focus. I rhyme, yes, but it is more of a necessity, not a bonus." "Make sense. But about those flowers, do you know what makes them do all those funny things to people." "Well, just as the flowers' pollen would latch to your coat, it also latches to the magic of the pony within. As to how it could not properly affect you, could it be that your magic is thin…?" "…Just one more question, how can you tell if something or someone has magic or not?" "There are many methods. For the instance of ponies—" WHAM! The door suddenly burst open and a streak of blue started bouncing around the hut! Omni dropped to the floor while Zeora cursed in her native language as Rainbow kept smashing into the shelves, breaking whatever ended up in his way. That's not the half of it as the front door busted open for four very angry little ponies. "What have you done with Apple Bloom!?" Twilight demanded. But that was the least of the zebra's worries, as Applejack suddenly latched her lasso to Zecora's ear, trying to force her off her feet. And when Rainbow crashed into the cauldron, knocking it over and spilling its contents all over the floor, that was the last straw. "No! You know not what you do! You've gone and spilled my precious brew!" Groaning, Omni stood up and confronted the ponies, "You really couldn't have come at a worse time…" "I don't wanna hear it!" Twilight snapped, "I didn't want to believe that Zecora cursed us, I didn't even want to believe that you're in league with her, but the evidence is overwhelming!" "Evidence? She did nothing to no one!" "She made me look ridiculous." Rarity accused, spitting out her locks in front of her. "She made me sound ridiculous!" Fluttershy blamed. "She made me speak ridiculous!" is what everyone could only guess that Pinkie said. "She ruined my horn!" Twilight finally added. "How dare you!" Zecora yelled, "You destroy my home, destroy my work. Then rudely accuse me of being a jerk?" "Seems that way! Not cool, Twilight!" Omni answered, pulling the book tossed on him off his head. "You're the ones who put this curse on us," Rainbow snapped, "now you're gonna uncurse us!" "It is unwise to venture down this road," Zecora fumed, "Your actions will make my anger explode!" "Where is Apple Bloom!?" Twilight demanded, looking for a fight as she butt heads with the zebra. "Zecora! I think I found all the things ya asked for," Apple Bloom returned from the back with a saddle full of plants, until she realized what she walked into, "What in Ponyville is goin' on here?" Applejack gasped, "Apple Bloom! You're okay!" "Why wouldn't I be?" "Because Zecora is an evil enchantress who cursed us and was gonna cook you up into soup!" exclaimed Twilight. Shortly after that accusation, Zecora and Apple Bloom burst out laughing. "Oh Twilight. Did those silly fillies finally get in yer head?" Apple Bloom giggled. "Apparently," Omni stated, "Whatever happened to 'There's no such thing as curses'?" "Omnifarious, look around," Twilight growled, "You can't just stand there and tell me this isn't a curse!" "This isn't a curse!" Apple Bloom and Omni stated at once. "If you will remember back, the words I spoke were quite exact," Zecora said, referring back to the last time they met in the woods, "'Beware, beware you pony folk. Those leaves of blue are not a joke.'" "I remember! That what you used to put that curse on us!" Rainbow charged. "That was a warning!" Omni snapped, growing more impatient. "Those blue flowers from the woods, it's a plant called Poison Joke!" "That plant is much like poison oak," Zecora explained, "But its results are like a joke." "What in the hay does that mean?" Applejack insisted, jumping on the zebra's nose." "It means this plant does not breed wrath. Instead this plant just wants a laugh." "Will somepony please talk normal?" snorted Applejack. "This whole mess must've started when you all stepped into that patch of Poison Joke when you guys chased after me!" Omni explained, "What you thought was a curse was just a bunch of little jokes!" "LITTLE JOKES?!" the small orange pony squeaked, "Very funny." "Ok, fine. But what about the cauldron?" Rainbow asked. "And the chanting?" Fluttershy added. "And the creepy decor?" Rarity wondered. "What? You mean these tribal masks?" Omni asked. "Treasures of the native land where I am from," Zecora said, gesturing to the masks in the room, "This one speaks 'hello', and this 'welcome'." "Not welcoming at all, if you ask me." "Please Rarity, they're not that bad." Omni groaned. "The words I chanted were from olden times," Zecora said, "Something you call a nursery rhyme." "But the cauldron..." Twilight stammered, "The Apple Bloom soup?" "The cauldron's not soup, it was for a cure we were making," Omni said, "Guys, Zecora's a witch doctor!" "Wait a minute!" Applejack snapped, "If Zecora's a witch then what's to say it's not really a curse!" "NO! Not witch! Witch Doctor! There's a difference!" Omni snapped, "A witch doctor is just like a doctor; except instead of using modern medicine, they make it from scratch; from herbs and plants they'd need to fix up whatever's bothering someone. The cure for poison joke is just a simple old-natural remedy. All you gotta do is soak in it!" "But I tried to find a cure in all my books and couldn't find anything," Twilight said, "What book has this natural remedy?" "I sure you already have it, Twilight. You just haven't been paying attention to the title. Here, look at this." Omni pointed to the book lying at his feet. Upon close inspection, Twilight read the book's title aloud. "Supernaturals: Natural Remedies and Cure-alls That Are Simply Super." "I...I... I'm so sorry. I had the answer the whole time, if only I had bothered to look inside." "Never judge a book by its cover. –Benjamin Franklin," Omni stated promptly. Everyone gave a bewildered look at the blue earth pony at his strange choice of words. "…one of America's founding fathers?" the room remained silent. "The guy who first discovered electricity? Inventor of the stove? Seriously, has anyone here ever read a book?! Twilight, there's gotta be something about him in all those books you're—" Suddenly there was a knocking on the door, "Was there someone else with you?" Omni asked, everyone shaking their heads while Zecora went to the door. Upon opening it Mach Faiz came barging in. "I think we may have a problem here. There's…" unfortunately he became distracted by the sight of six pranked ponies, resulting in him to spontaneously laugh his head off. "Wait, what is it you need to tell us?" Twilight asked, but Faiz only replied in pointing and laughing even harder. He could barely get two words out. So Omni had to push him back out the door and hut it behind him. "Zecora? Can you make another batch of whatever it is you were making?" Omni asked. "Mix it up I certainly will," Zecora confirmed, "Yet I am missing an herb from Ponyville." "But whenever Zecora comes to town, all the shops are mysteriously closed." Apple Bloom said. "Which is why I decided recently to obtain supplies by courier. Although I wished I had acquired my parcel earlier." "Yeah about that, there's been a little set back…" Omni glared at pinkie, who threw a big, fat raspberry at him. "I guess Zecora ordered some herbs so she won't have to waste anymore time waiting for the shops to open to her. That's what New Moon had me carry." "So we can make more of the cure when we get Zecora's package back to her?" Twilight asked and Omni nodded. "So what are we waiting for?" Rarity asked, "The less time I'm like this the better!" "That's assuming there's no angry mob waiting back in town!" Omni flatly stated. "Now what's that all of a sudden?" Applejack squeaked, "Are you assuming ponies are gonna be waiting with torches and pitchforks?!" "Applejack's right, Omni. You've got to have a bit more faith in—" Suddenly another series of knocking interrupted Twilight. "Hold that thought…" Omni went back to the door, "Faiz if you have something to say then say it through front of the door!" "In case they haven't told you already, the girls cause some kind of riot when they told them Zecora's responsible! Now a witch-hunt posse's waiting for them to drag you and Zecora back to them!" Omni glared back at the girls, "You were saying…?" "Oh, come on! You can't believe what Faiz has to say!" Rainbow argued, "He just likes to twist things for amusement!" "Rainbow's right," Twilight agreed, "These ponies aren't beyond reason. I'm sure they'll understand if we just explain everything to them." The door burst open and slammed shut as Omnifarious sat breathlessly against it. After running back into town, everyone was waiting for them like Faiz said. But the instant Omni explained everything (as Twilight suggested), they all just dismissed it as more witchcraft and chased him off, separating him from the rest of the group. After several minutes of running for dear life and losing the mob, he decided to just sneak back into the cake shop and get what he needed to this whole mess would end sooner. "'Aren't without reason', these nuts," Omni huffed, then stood up to find a light switch, "I better get that box before things get more outta—" after turning the lights on he turned only to find a not-so-warm welcome. "Oh, terrif—" SMACK! "You look kinda peaceful when you sleep," Omnifarious woke up back in the library. This is the second time he'd slept in Twilight's bed; the unicorn leaning against the edge next to him. "If you hadn't been hit on the head with a frying pan." Omni groaned, "What happened…?" "After we were separated when the crowd broke off after you, we managed to clear everything up with the people who stayed." "What else?" "Well, after we found you being carried off by a giant stake, we were able calm the rest down before they could toss you into the lake." "Thanks for that… So did everything turn out okay?" "Yeah. We managed to get the bath ready and wash the joke's pollen off." "Then it's over…?" "It's over. And so is all this idle gossip on Zecora. But there's still something I can't put my hoof on," Omni's heard skipped a beat and a lump formed in his throat. He hoped it's not what he think it is… "You seem to be unaffected by the Poison Joke beyond a mild rash. And after talking about it to Zecora, it really is nothing more than an allergy. Omni, do you know something about it…?" "Just leave it alone." "But there may be some lingerin—" "I said drop it!" Twilight recoiled from Omni's raised voice, "Trust me, I'll deal with it when the time comes." "But how would you?" Omni turned his head away, "…Because I dealt with the same thing a long time ago. I only remembered now because Zecora told me about it. All I ask is that you leave well enough alone." "But Omni…" "Please, Twilight! Just let me hand it." As much as Twilight wanted to keep prying, she knew better than that if it was something personal. So she gave up and walked out of her room, giving one last worried look before closing the door, leaving Omnifarious in silence. He bit his lip as only his thoughts accompanied him, 'I'm not gonna let it happen again. I didn't come here to start over to let it happen again.' In the basement underneath was a new entry in the book: 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 And the headline above: Tolerance.