//------------------------------// // Episode 14: Bridle Gossip: Gala arc Part 7 // Story: My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic With Reiner and Bertholdt Season 1 // by TheUnknownPhantom5 //------------------------------// It was bright and beautiful morning in ponyville. Celestia's sun shone brightly over the town, with not a single cloud in the sky. Twilight Sparkle, and her dragon assistaint Spike we're walking along, both admiring the glorious day. "Wow, what a gorgeous day"! Twilight stated. Spike nodded in agreement as he looked up at the sky. "Rainbow Dash must have gotten up early for once and cleared all the clouds away". He theroized. "I bet all of Ponyville is going to be out enjoying the sunshine. Twilight pointed out. As if on cue, after Twilight said that, she and Spike, saw Apple Bloom, Bertholdt Hoover, and Reiner Braun. They walked over to the three other ponies. "Good morning you three". Twilight called out. "Oh, hello Twilight, and Spike". Reiner greeted. "What are you doing out here, on this fine day" Spike asked. "Well Granny Smith asked me to pick up some items from the market for supper tonight". Apple Bloom explained. "But as you see". Apple Bloom pointed out, before looking around the town, along with Reiner, and Bertholdt. This caused Twilight, and Spike to look around too, that was when they noticed that the town was compltely empty. "Huh? Where is everypony"? asked Twilight. "I don't know, when I got to the market, it was empty, that was when I ran into Bertholdt, and Reiner". Apple Bloom explained. Spike Looked around in confusion. "Is it some sort of pony holiday"? "Not that I know of". Twilight answered. "Does my breath think"? Spike asked, as he burped. "Not more then usual". Stated Bertholdt, as he fanned the area with his wings. Spike tried to think of any other possible reasons as to why the town was empty. "Is it... zombies"?! He asked in fear. "Uh... not very likely". Apple Bloom responeded. "Not liklely, but possible"? Spike asked again. The five of them stood around for a while, until they heard the voice of Pinkie Pie whisperer out to them. "Psst! Twilight! Spike! Apple Bloom! Reiner! Bertholdt! Come here! Come! Here! Hurry! Before she gets you". They looked at Pinkie Pie in confusion for a bit, before Apple Bloom shurgged, and walked inside, Reiner sighed, and followed after her, along with Twilight, and Bertholdt. Once inside, Spike was the first to speak. "Who are we hiding from? The zombie Pony"? "Z-Zombie pony"?! Pinkie Pie asked, trembeling. "Spike! There are no Zombie ponies"! Twilight stated. Reiner looked around, he noticed that all the lights were out. That only added to his confusion. "Pinkie Pie, what's going on? Why are you hidning alone in the dark"? he asked. "I'm not alone". she answered before pulling out a lanteren and shinning it around the room to reveal Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy all in the room with them. "Okay then, what are you all doing here in the dark"? Reiner asked again. Yeah, what's going Applejack"? asked Apple Bloom. "We're hidin' from her"! Applejack answered while pointing out the window. This prompted Twilight, Spike, Apple Bloom, Reiner, and Bertholdt too also look out, and they saw what appeared to be a hooded pony. "Did you guys see her? Did you see, Zecora"? asked Pinkie Pie, which caused Applejack to give her a stern look. "Pinkie! I told you not to say that name"! The five new faces in sugarcube corner gave Applejack, and Pinkie Pie confused looks before Reiner spoke up. "Well, we saw her glance this way". "Glance evily"? Pinkie Pie intteruptted. Reiner stared at her Blankly for a few seconds before contiuing. "And then a bunch of you flip out for no good reason". Applejack gasped in shock hearing Reiner say that. "No good reason? That Zecora lady is dangerous, why if ya'll didn't come in here when Pinkie Pie called you, whose knows what woulda happened". "Okay........... Well maybe you could explain why she's dangerous? Cause she looks pretty normal to me" Twilight told them. "Ugh! Normal"? Rarity gasped. Fluttershy noddeded in agreement. "She's mysterious". She stated. "Sinister". Rainbow Dash replied. "And spoooooky"! Pinkie Pie finished, causing Twilight the groan, and Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy to gasp. "Will you stop that"? Twilight asked. They contiued to stair at Zecora while she did, whatever she was doing. "Just look at those stripes! So garish"! Rairty insulted. "She's a Zebra". Stated Reiner. "A what? asked everyone", except Twilight, Spike, Bertholdt, and Apple Bloom. "A zebra, and her stripes aren't a fashion choice Rarity, they're what she was born with". Twilight answered. That statment caused Rarity to fanit in horror, while Applejack spoke up. Born where? I've never seen a pony like that in these parts, 'cept... Her. "Well, she's probably not from here, and she's not a pony. My books say that zebras come from a faraway land. But I've never seen her in Ponyville. Where does she live"? Twilight asked. "That's just it, she lives in... the Everfree Forest"! Applejack replied. All of a sudden there was a loud crash from the kitchen, causing everyone to look in that direction, and see Spike, who had knocked over some pots and pans. "Spike"! Twilight scolded. "Oops, sorry". Spike Chuckled nervously. As soon as that situation was handled, Applejack started to speak again. "The Everfree Forest just ain't natural. The plants grow"... "Animals care for themselves". Fluttershy stated. "And the clouds move". Rainbow Dash began. "All on their own"! She, Applejack, and Fluttershy finished. Once again, Rarity fanited, as Twilight, and Reiner just rolled their eyes. Pinkie Pie then spoke up. "Also that wicked enchantress Zecora lives there doing her evil... stuff! She's so evil I even wrote a song about her"! Hearing this caused Dash to groan in annoyance. "Here we go". But she was unable to stop Pinkie Pie from singing her little musical number. 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 Soooooo........ Watch Out! Once Pinkie Pie was finshied her song the others just staried at her. "Wow...... Cathcy". Bertholdt pointed out. "It's a work in progress"! Pinkie defeneded Apple Bloom then looked at her sister. "Applejack, you can't seriously believe that all this is true can you"? She asked. "Of course I can belieive it"! Applejack stated. "But how can you believe something so...... Silly"? Apple Bloom asked. Applejack just sighed before putting her hoof on Apple Bloom's shoulder. "Sugarcube listen, you just gotta trust me on this, I mean when have ever lied to you about things". Applejack countered. "Never". Apple Bloom stated. "But maybe if you explained why you all believe Zecora is bad, then maybe I would have a better time understanding your suspicions". Apple Bloom concluded. Apple Bloom's right, everything you're saying about Zecora is just a lot of gossip and rumors. So please tell us. what exactly have you actually Zecora do? asked Reiner. The five poines who we're already in sugarcube corner staried at each other for a bit before Rainbow Dash spoke up. "Well... Once a month, she comes into Ponyville". "Ooooooh". Reiner groaned mockingly. "Then she lurks by the stores". Rarity contiuned. "Oh my". Twilight stated in the same maner as Reiner. "And then, she digs at the ground". Fluttershy concluded. "Good gracious"! Twilight, and Reiner both said as the pretended to hug each other. Once the others were done explaing Reiner went back to talking in his normal voice. "Okay, I'm sorry. But how is any of this bad? Maybe she comes to town to visit"? Apple Bloom nodded in agreement. "That's true, she might just be trying to be nice". "And maybe she's not lurking by the stores, maybe she's going to them, lurk free, you know to shop". Twilight stated. "That's also true. Everyone likes to shop". Bertholdt pointed out. Twilight, Reiner, and Apple Bloom all nodded in agreement. "That's exactly what I was doing before you dragged us in here". Apple Bloom stated. "Twilight smiled at Apple Bloom". "You don't believe any of this do you Apple Bloom"? she asked. Apple Bloom thought for a bit, she was unsure how to feel, on one hoof Applejack has never lied to her, about anything, but on the other, everything that they had said was just plain silly. "I don't know, It does sound silly but"..... Apple Bloom put a hoof to her head, and groaned. "Are you okay"? asked Reiner. "Y-yeah, my head just hurts". Apple Bloom stated. "Probaly because this topic is very serious, and you can't handle it. Why don't you sit down and rest, while us older ponies discuss this". Applejack said gentley. "Okay". Apple Bloom stated as she went to one of the booths to sit down, listing as the others contiued their conversation. "W-what about digging at the ground? You've got to admit that's strange". Rainbow Dash pointed out. "Maybe she's digging for cute innocnet creatures". Fluttershy suggested while Pinkie was singing her song in the background. Twilight, and Reiner couldn't believe what they we're hearing. "I am sure there is an explanation for everything Zecora does, and if any of you we're willing to go up and talk to her, you would find out the truth". Twilight stated. Apple Bloom sat at her table, listening intently to the entire conversation. "I'm brave enough, maybe I should talk to her". she thought to herself. With that, Apple Bloom got up out of the booth, and began to sneak outside, she was almost out the door, when she felt someone touch her shoulder, causing her to jump in shock. Apple Bloom turned around to see Reiner, and Bertholdt staring at her with dissaproving glances. "What do you think you're doing?" asked Reiner. Apple Bloom just stared at the two of them, as she struggled with what she was going to say. "I-I was gonna go out there and try to talk to Zecora". she stammered. Reiner shook his head at her explamation. "No you're not". Apple Bloom was shocked, after Reiner had said that Zecora wasn't evil he still wouldn't talk to her? "But, you said"! Apple Bloom began, only to have Reiner intterupt her. "I know what I said, but you should never go up to someone you don't know". He explained. Apple Bloom looked down in sadness. "Then how are we going to know if she's evil or not"? she asked. Reiner gave Apple Bloom a small smile. "Don't worry, Bertholdt and I are going to try and speak with her". He answered before looking at the pegagus stalion. Right Bertholdt"? "Of course". Bertholdt replied. Reiner smiled at his friend before turning to Apple Bloom. Well be back, now no matter what, stay here! He told her firmly. Apple Bloom nodded her head, and with that, Reiner and Bertholdt left. Apple Bloom watched as they headed for Zecora, she wanted to tell the others what they we're doing but she saw that they we're still arguing with Twilight. Apple Bloom opted to go after the two stalions, but remembered that they told her to stay put, that only made her more confused though, and she ended up getting another migrane, so she decieded to sit by the wall in the back of sugarcube corner, in order to get her thought together. While Apple Bloom sat in the back, Twilight was still arguing with the rest of her friends. "You ponies are being ridiculous"! Twilight stated. "Oh yeah! Well I heard that Zecora eats hay". Pinkie Pie argued. Twilight only rolled her eyes at this. "Pinkie. I eat hay, you eat hay"! She stated. "Yeah, but I heard it's the evil way she eats it". Pinkie told Twilight. It was then, that Applejack noticed that not all of their friends we're in view. "Hey! Where are Bertholdt and Reiner"? she asked. The ponies began to look around for the two staillions. "The door's open". Fluttershy stated. "And Zecora is still out there! Cried Rarity in despair", while Twilight simply rolled her eyes. "Girls! Reiner, and Bertholdt are full grown stalions. They can handle themselves". Twilight stated mater of factorly. "Not against Zecora"! Applejack argued, as she, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie rushed outside. Twilight sighed, and looked at Spike, who had just came out of the kitchen. "Spike, you stay here with Apple Bloom in case Reiner, and Bertholdt come back". She told him. Spike nodded his head. "Can do"! Spike agreeded, as Twilight ran out of the room. Outside, Reiner and Bertholdt we're following behind Zecora, watching her every move. Evenutally she started to head for the Everfree forest. Reiner and Bertholdt made sure to stay close behind. Finally Reiner decieded to call out to her. "Hey". Reiner began, only for him to be intterupted by Pinkie Pie's loud voice. "REINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR"! Reiner turned around, and was instantly knocked into a patch of strange blue flowers, as Pinkie Pie was on top of him, hugging him tightly. "IMSOGLADYOUTWOARESAFEIWASSOSCAREDTHATZECORAWASGOINGTODOSOMETHINGHORRIBLETOYOU"! She exclaimed super face. "Pinkie, I can't breath". Reiner complained, as the rest of the Mane Eight came up. All of them walking into the patch of Blue flowers. "Oh my stars, thank goodness you two are safe"! Cried Rarity. Reiner, and Bertholdt looked at her in confusion, and then, Zecora spoke! "Beware! Beware, you pony folk! Those leaves of blue are not a joke"! "Y-you keep your creepy mumbo-jumbo to yourself, ya hear"? Applejack nervously yelled back at Zecora. She, along with Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity all started yelling nonsense at Zecora, while Bertholdt looked on, Reiner rolled his eyes, and Twilight sighed. Oh, brother. She sighed. Zecora ignored their shouting, and contiue to chant. "Beware, Beware". Rainbow Dash was unfazed by Zecora's warnings, and shouted back at her. "Yeah, back at ya, Zecora! You and your lame curse are the ones who better beware"! As Zecora left, Applejack turned to Reiner, and Bertholdt, A look of releif on her face. "Are ya two alright"? she asked. "Yeah of course, why wouldn't we be"? Reiner asked in confusion. "Why"!? Applejack stated in shock. "Because who knows what kind of nasty curse Zecora could have just put on you"? she pointed out. "Just like in my song"! Pinkie Pie stated, as she began to sing her song, once again. "You guys, there's no such thing as curses"! Twilight shouted at her friends. "Well that's funny coming from Miss Magical unicorn herself". Rainbow Dash mocked Twilight. This only caused Twilight to smirk, as she then began lectuering her friends. "My magic, which is real 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". But when Twilight looked, she noticed that Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy ignoring her, while Applejack just stared at her, Bertholdt, and Reiner with a disaproving glare. "Just you three wait. You're gonna find out that some pony tails, really are true". Applejack stated as she walked away. "And tommorow when we're all fine, I'll be the one laughing at you"! Twilight shouted to Applejack. This caused the orange Earth Pony to turn towards Twilight, but rather then yell back, Applejack just smirked. "We shall see". she stated before walking off Twilight groaned in frustration. She couldn't believe how judgemental her friends we're being. "Why are they being so damn stuborn". She asked. "Sometimes there are those who believe one thing, and hate it when they're told that they're wrong". Reiner explained That night, Twilight slept in her bed, but her mind was racing with thoughts. She remebered part of Pinkie Pie's Song "She's an evil enchantress, and she does evil dances". Zecora's words. "Beware! Beware" Pinkie's song again. "If you look deep in her eyes, she will put you in trances". Rainbow Dash mocking Zecora. "Was that suppose to scare us"?! Rarity's words "Wicked, wicked zebra". Fluttershy's "..... It's a curse". Applejack's warning "Some pony tales, really are true". The end of Pinkie's song. "Then she'll gobble you up in a big tastey stew! Soooo... Watch out"! And finally, Zecora laughing evil. "NO"! Twilight awoke with a start, and looked around her room, panting. I'm letting my imagantion get to me. Yeah tommorow, Applejack will be the one to see that I'm right, and she's wrong Currently Publicly Available Information Zebres. A species of Pony that lives in a land far from Equestria, they're most notable features are their stripes. The next morning, Twilight woke up, and stretched her hoofs. "Phew, what a dream". She muttered to herself, before looking around. So far, everything seemed normal, this caused Twilight to smirk. "Curses, schmurses. Will see who's laughing today Applejack." Twilight snickered devishly as she walked to the mirror. Once Twilight got to her mirror she gasped in shock notcing that she had a very bad case of bed head. "Whoah! Maybe Zecora cursed my hair". she chuckled, as she began to brush her mane, but as she brushed, she noticed that something was indeed wrong. "Or maybe she cursed my horn"! She gasped, as she noticed that her horn was flabby, and covered in strange blue polka dots. Twilight rushed downstairs, waking up Spike in the process, and she began to look through all her books on dieses, and illments. "No no no no no! None of these books have a cure! Ugh! There has to be a real reason for this! An illness? An allergy"?! "A curse!" Spike suggested. "I said a real reason". Twilight explained. Spike contiued to help Twilight look around, before finding something. "How about this one"? Spike asked as he presented Twilight with the book he found. Twilight only sighed when she read the title. "Supernaturals? Spike, the word supernatural refers to things like ghosts and spirits and zombies, which are as make-believe as curses. This book is just a bunch of hooey"! She stated. "But what if you're wrong Twilight"? Spike tried to argue. "I'm Not"! Twilight exclaimed. Spike was about to counter, when he and Twilight we're intterupted by a knock on the door. Twilight opened it and saw Reiner, and Bertholdt standing outside, but somehing was off. Reiner looked smaller, as in his broud shoulders seemed more deshevled, and one of Bertholdt's wings was much bigger then the other. Twilight and Spike both gasped when they saw the two of them. "Reiner, Bertholdt, are you guys alright"?! Twilight asked in concern. "I don't know, Reiner and I just went to bed last night perfectley fine, and when we woke up we we're like this". Bertholdt explained. Spike looked around nervously before asking Reiner if he had any idea what caused this. Do you think Zecora did this? Do you think it's"... "Ah pfurse"! a voice intterupted Spike who turned around a saw Pinkie Pie at the door, but like the other three, something was wrong with her. Pinkie Pie's cheeks had been puffed up to the point where her tounge forced to stick out of her mouth and making it hard for anyone to understand what she was saying. "A purse? How could it be a purse"? asked Spike. Twilight however was more concered for her pink friend and went over to see what was was wrong. "Pinkie? What happened"? "Pee pah Zthecora! Sthe put a cursthe on me"! Pinkie spat. "Hey! Say it, don't spray it Pinkie"! Spike exclaimed in annoyance. "What are you talking about"? asked Reiner. Before Pinkie could continue they all herd a loud thud, and looked over to see Rainbow Dash who had just crashed into the libray. "She's trying to tell you that Zecora put a curse on us"! Rainbow Dash stated. Twilight was about to debunk this claim when she was intterupted by another voice. "I'm afraid I have to agree". Rarity commented. Her hair had grown so long and shaggy that it made hard for her to see. Next Applejack arrived, but she was super tiny and had to hitch a ride on Apple Bloom's back, the red haired filly had a very uncomfortble look on her face, which Twilight, and Reiner both took notice of "I hate to say I told ya so, Reiner but I told ya so! It's a curse I tells ya"! Applejack ranted. "She kept repeating that over and over while we we're on our way." Apple Bloom stated, with a hint of distress in her voice. Bertholdt looked around the library, and then he noticed Fluttershy, who seemed pretty normal to him. "Well what about Fluttershy"? she seems fine. "Yeah, there doesn't seem to be a thing wrong with her". Rarity pointed out, as much as she believed Zecora had put a curse on them, part of her had to admit that Bertholdt had a point, but Fluttershy being who she was just might not be willing to tell them what her problem was. "Fluttershy, are you okay"? Reiner asked. Fluttershy ignored him "Is there something wrong with you"? asked Twilight Fluttershy nodded. "Would mind telling us"? asked Bertholdt. Fluttershy ignored him. "So... you're not going to tell us"? Twilight asked. Fluttershy nodded, but that only confused Twilight more. "Yes you're not, or yes you will"? Twilight asked. Applejack was getting annoyed and ran across the table over to Fluttershy. "Good gravy, girl! What's wrong with you"?! Fluttershy turned away, before finally speaking. "I don't wanna talk about it" she answered in a deep male voice. Seeing all of the ponies in this state, Spike couldn't help but burst out into laughter, as he thought of several nicknames for the eight friends. "This is hilarious! Look at all of you! We got: Hairity, Rainbow Crash, Spitty Pie, Apple Teeny, Flutterguy, Big Bertie, Old Man Braun, and... uh... I got nothin'... Twilight Sparkle. I mean seriously, I can't even work with that. Twilight and the others however did not find Spike's humor to be funny in the slightest "This is no joke, Spike. Now start looking for more books so I can find a cure"! Spike groaned. So did Rainbow Dash. "I think we'll find a cure to this curse at Zecora's place"! She exclaimed. "It's not a curse"! Reiner argued. "I agree with Dash! We'll go to Zecora's and force her to remove this hex"! Applejack retorted. "It's not a hex either"! Twilight shouted agreeing with Reiner. The ponies all started to shout over each other as Apple Bloom looked on in distress seeing all the ponies she looked up to arguing with each other. She got another headache and had to step outside. Once out of the libaray Apple Bloom began to think. "What can I do, how can this problem be resolved"? Should I go try to find Zecora myself? No that's stupid, she lives in the Everfree forest with all kinds of dangerous creatures. Then again, she's probally the only one who knows what really happend, even if she wasn't directly responisble." As Apple Bloom pondered her thoughts, she remebered something her Father told her a while back. "Remember Apple Bloom, never judge a creature just on the way it looks, Every Creature is special and has a role to play in our world". "Daddy, if only you we're here now to tell them that". Apple Bloom whispered. The young filly was then taken out of her thoughts by a tap on her shoulder. She looked up to see Reiner looking at her in concern. "Hey, you alright"? He asked. "Oh, um yeah. I'm fine. Why"? "Well why everyone was arguing in their, Twilight happened to notice you walk out, and she asked me to check on you". "Oh so Twilight's worried about, but not Applejack. Of course". Apple Bloom stated sarcastictly. Reiner looked Apple Bloom in cofusion but decieded not to push any further. Back inside the libray Rainbow Dash was getting into Twilight, and Bertholdt's faces. "I don't care what you two say It's time to pony up and confront Zecora. Come on, girls. Are you with me". "Ah am-pft"! Pinkie spat "So am I"! Rarity agreed. Fluttershy however was more hesientant then the others. "Uh, I don't know. Seems awfully dangerous". "What about you Applejack"? asked Dash. "You betcha"! Applejack stated just as Apple Bloom, and Reiner walked back in. "What's going on"? Reiner asked. "We're going to stop Zecora once and for all"! Rainbow Dash stated. "That's right"! Rarity confirmed. Twilight, Apple Bloom, Bertholdt, and Reiner all looked at the others with concernd. "But". Apple Bloom began only to be intterupted by Applejack. "Let's gather the whole town, and run Zecora out"! "YEAH"! Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash all cheered. With that all of them ran out of the libary, Applejack on Fluttershy's back while Rainbow Dash crashed into the wall, before making it out of the library and following the other four as Twilight, Spike, Reiner, Bertholdt, and Apple Bloom stood in the library. "What are we gonna do"? asked Apple Bloom in despair. "I don't know. They've seem to have lost it"! Twilight stated. Reiner stood with Bertholdt, thinking of how to handle the situation. "There's only one thing we can do, and that's to go to Zecora and ask her how to fix our problems". Reiner stated. This confused the others for a bit. "Are you sure that's a good idea Reiner"? asked Bertholdt. "We don't have a choice Bertholdt". Reiner told his friend. Twilight looked down before nodding her head. "You're right, we have to do this. we have to confront Zecora, and see if she can help us". "I'm going with you"! Apple Bloom stated, causing the others to look at her. "No, you stay here". Reiner told her, but Apple Bloom shook her head. "As far as I'm concerend an innocent Zebra is about to be accused and possibly arrested for a crime she didn't commint. I always belived that everything Applejack told me was true, but this, I just can't agree with what she, and the others want to do. So please Twilight, Let Me Help You"! Twilight, Reiner, and Bertholdt looked at Apple Bloom, and saw that she had no intentions of backing down, Twilight sighed. "Alright, you can come, but stay close to us". Apple Bloom beamed in delight. "Thank you". "I'll stay here, and uh, keep the library safe, yeah. I'm totally not afraid of Zecora". Spike chuckled nervously as Twilight rolled her eyes before leaving, and heading towards the Everfree Forest, with Reiner, Bertholdt, and Apple Bloom. Meanwhile in the center of town, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy had gotten the attention of a huge crowd, with Rainbow Dash adressing them with a megaphone. "Listen up! As you can clearly see, something strange has happened to Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. Well something happened to me too, and I'll show you". Rainbow Dash flew into the air, only to crash back down, causing the crowd to gasp. "What about Fluttershy is something wrong with her"? asked a random stalion. "Yes". Fluttershy confirmed in her deep male voice which the ponies to gasp again as Rainbow Dash continued. "The one who did this to us, was Zecora, and we need to teach her a lesson! It's time to stand tall, and run that evil witch out once and for all"! Rainbow Dash concluded. The crowd cheered in response as they all left to gather pitchforks and torches to form an angry mob. Meanwhile. Twilight, Apple Bloom, Reiner, and Bertholdt we're walking through the forest when they once again came across the blue plants. Seeing them caused Reiner to remember back to something Zecora had sad yesterday. Beware! Beware, you pony folk! Those leaves of blue are not a joke! This caused Reiner to stop, the others to bump into him. "What's wrong"? asked Twilight. "We shouldn't walk in those blue plants they're dangerous". Reiner stated. "Why do you think that"? asked Bertholdt. "I'm not sure, but I bet Zecora will". Reiner said as he used his magic to pick a few up, and put them into his saddle bag. After about fiffteen minutes of walking, the group finally made it to a tree that had a door. "You think this is the place"? asked Apple Bloom. "Only one way to find out". Twilight said as she knocked on the door. The four ponies waited for a few minutes before the door slowly opened, and Zecora stepped, with a look of shock on her face. "Oh, vistiors I see, what brings you to my humble home inside of a tree"? the zebra asked. The ponies just stood in place for a few momments before Twilight finally spoke up. "Hi, um Zecora right"? The zebra nodded causing Twilight to smile. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends, Reiner Braun, Bertholdt Hoover, and Apple Bloom. Zecora stared at the four ponies inside of her house, and it didn't take her long to notice that something was a miss with three of them. "I see you did not heed my warning about the leaves of blue, I told that they we're no joke". Zecora said dissapointly. "Yeah, that's actually what we wanted to ask you about. Reiner said as he opened his saddle bag to show the blue plants he collected, and gave them to Zecora. "What are these plants anyway"? asked Bertholdt. "This is poison joke". Zecora answered. "Poison joke"? Apple Bloom questioned. "Yes, it is very much like poison oak, but it's results are like a joke". Zecora replied. Apple Bloom just looked at her in confusion. "What does that even mean"? She asked. "It means this plant does not breed wrath. Instead this plant just wants a laugh". Zecora answered, but that only confused Apple Bloom more. "Okay, could someone please talk normal"? Twilight chuckled, realizing what Zecora was saying. "I think what she means is that when Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and I followed after Reiner and Bertholdt, we ran into the poison joke". Twilght stated before turning to the two stallions. "And when we left, you guys walked through it on our way back to Sugarcube Corner. All our problems are just little jokes it played on us". Zecora nodded. "That is quite correct my little pony". the zebra smiled. "Okay, so how do we fix this"? asked Reiner. "I need a few items to make a brew, that fix you up in no time". "Alright, well what is it you need?" asked Bertholdt. "Freshwater from a river, Honey from a beehive, Leaves from an oak tree, and a Patch of blueberries". Zecora told them. Twilight nodded. "Okay, will get those, and be right back". With that, the four ponies left Zecora's hut. They stood in silence for a bit before Twilight spoke up. "Okay so we need freshwater, honey, oak tree leaves, and blueberries. Now who's going to get which item"? "Well I can't get the honey, because I'm extremley allergic to bees". Apple Bloom stated. The group ponderd for a bit before Reiner finally thought of something. "Okay, Bertholdt and I will get the honey, and the fresh water, while Twilight, and Apple Bloom you two get the oak tree leaves, and the blueberries". The other three nodded in agreement to Reiner's plan and then split off to get their respective items. Back at the golden oak library, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy returned. They we're hoping to convice Twilight, Reiner, Bertholdt, and Apple Bloom to join them in driving out Zecora, but when they arrived they noticed that the four ponies where gone, leaving only Spike behind. "Spike where's Twilight"? asked Rainbow Dash. "And Reiner"? asked Rarity. "And Berthodt" asked Fluttershy. "And Apple Bloom"? asked Applejack. "They went to Zecora's place". Spike told them. "WHAT"! They all shouted in shock. "Oh no! Who knows what kind of curse is being put on them right now"! exclaimed Rarity. "Well I for one ani't gonna wait to find out, we have to get to Zecora's and fast". Applejack stated as she hoped onto Rainbow Dash's back. "Giddy-up pony"! Applejack ordered. Something Dash took great offense too. "Ex-CUSE me"? she asked as she was lauched outside the door, Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy following close behind, and once again leaving Spike alone. Back in the Everfree Forest, Reiner was collecting water from a river and putting it into a bucket. Meanwhile Bertholdt was in the air, scanning trees for beehives. Finally he spotted one. "Reiner, there's a hive in that tree right there". he pointed. The two of them walked over to the tree and looked up at the hive. "Okay, time to get the honey". Reiner said. He then pulled out some kind of devices with a fan. Before they had left, Zecora had given him and Bertholdt a special pump that would shoot gas to temporarly knock the bees out. Reiner then sprayed it using all of his strength. Once the bees we're out, Bertholdt went up to collect the honney. "Okay got it". he called to Reiner. "Good, now lets get back to Zecora's". Reiner stated as he and Bertholdt went back to the hut. Elsewhere in another part of the forest, Apple Bloom was shaking the leaves off of low hang branch of an oak tree and putting them into Twilight's saddle bag. "Alright, now let's go find the blueberries". Twilight said as she pulled out a map that Zecora had given her and Apple Bloom. "I've never been this far into the forest before, even when my parents took me in order to collect materials Zap Apples". Apple Bloom stated. This caused Twilight to give her an uneasy look. (PFmeldey Plays) "Um Apple Bloom"? "Yeah Twilight"? Twilight gulped, unsure of how to ask this question, but she gathered her coruage and asked anyway. "Where are your mom and dad"? Apple Bloom paused before looking down. "They're gone". she answered. "Oh, sorry I brought it up". Twilight replied feeling guilty for talking about something that had to be a senstive subject for Apple Bloom. "It's fine, hey I'm willing to answer any questions you have". Apple Bloom said reassuringly. "Oh". Twilight smiled. She then thought of a question to ask, and came up with something. "I guess I'd like to know, which one of them did you get along the best with, because I know there are some foals who get along with their mothers best, and others who get along better with their fathers, where do you stand on that"? Twilight asked. Apple Bloom thought for a bit before replying. "Well, Applejack defenitly got along the best with Ma, and Big Mac had a better realtionship with Daddy, but for me. I'd have to say both of them. I remember, my mother and I would bake together in the kitchen, all kinds of deserts and pastries, and daddy would let me watch him buck trees to get their apples, telling me that I too would do that one day". Twilight smiled, as Apple Bloom kept telling stories of memmories of her parents. She was so intriqued by them that she didn't notice that they found a blueberry bush, but Apple Bloom did. "Hey there's a bush"! she called out. Twilight noticed it and smiled. The two of them gathered the blueberries and made their way back to Zecora's. Meanwhile, at Zecora's the others had made it and we're looking inside, where Rarity was able to catch a reflection of herself. "Ugh I look horrible". she complained. "Plis place plooks horrible"! Pinkie Pie stated, causing Rarity to take a closer look. "Oh my, you're right Pinkie, this place does look horrible". Rarity said before eyeing the mask that we're around the hut. "Nice decorations, if you like creepy"! The ponies then gasped when they noticed Zecora mixing something into a coldron. "Sthe sthtole my sthong! Shthe shtole mm mm"! Pinkie exclaimed. "She stole your song"? asked Rarity. "Ugh Pinkie that sounds nothing like your song". Rainbow Dash pointed out causing Pinkie to frown. She then threw herself at Fluttershy and gave her a pleading look, causing Fluttershy to sigh and start singing the song. 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. Rarity looked inside. "Twilight and the others had to have seen this". she stated. then she gasped when she and the others heard Zecora speak. "Mmm! The perfect temperature for ponies, I presume. Now, where are those four". Rarity gasped. "She's making soup out of our friends"! she exclaimed She, Pinkie, and Fluttershy all screamed in horror, while Applejack force Rainbow Dash to break down the door. "I'm comin' for ya, Apple Bloom"! The ponies bursted through the door shocking Zecora. "Whoa there. Easy, Rainbow Crash". Applejack stated before leaping on the Zecora. "What have ya done with our friends"! she demanded confusing Zecora. Pinkie Pie then came in and knocked over the coldron, greatly shocking Zecora. "No! No! You do not know what you have done". The zebra cried out. "We're on to you Zecora"! Rainbow Dash stated. "You made me look ridiculous". Rarity shouted. "You made me sound ridiculous". Fluttershy added. "You made me speak ridiculous". Pinkie Pie spat. "You ruined Twilight's horn, made Reiner old, and did something strange to Bertholdt's wing"! Rainbow Dash finished. All these accuasations only succeded in making Zecora even angrier. "How Dare you You destroy my home, destroy my work, then rudely accuse me of being a jerk". she retorted, but Rainbow Dash was unfazed. "You put this curse on us, now you're gonna uncurse us". she stated. It is unwise to venture down this road. Your actions will make my anger explode! Zecora scolded. "Where are our friends. Rainbow Dash demaned, before she was intterupted by a voice. "Zecora we got the stuff". Everyone turned to see Twilight, Apple Bloom, Reiner, and Berthodt standing in the door way looking confused. "What's going on here"? asked Reiner. Applejack noticed them and sighed in relief. Ya'll are okay!. "Yeah, why wouldn't we be"? asked Berthodt. "Because Zecora is an evil enchantress who cursed us and was gonna cook you up into soup"! Rainbow Dash accused. This caused Zecora and the four other ponies to start laughing. "Oh girls, I told you there was no such thing as curses". Twilight stated. Rainbow Dash looked at her in confusion. "Twilight look at us. You can't just say this isn't a curse"! "Alright, I won't, but she will". Twilight said pointing to Apple Bloom who walked past Rainbow Dash. "This isn't a curse". Reiner then explained. "You see, that blue patch of plants we stepped into, they're called poison joke, and everything that happend to us we're just little jokes it played on us". "Little jokes?! Very funny". Applejack stated in annoyance. Rainbow Dash sighed after hearing this. "Okay fine, but what about the coldron". she asked "And the chanting"? asked Fluttershy "And the creepy decor"? asked Rarity. "Treasures of the native land where I am from. This one speaks 'hello', and this 'welcome". Zecora explained. "Not welcoming at all if you asked me. Rarity stated". "The words I chanted were from olden times. Something you call a nursery rhyme". Zecora explained again. "But still, the soup"? Rainbow Dash asked asked Apple Bloom walked up to her "Lookie here Dash, that pot of water wasn't for us, 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". Twilight then spoke up. "That is one thing that does confuse me, because I looked all over for a cure and couldn't find one in any of my books". Zecora smiled and took out the book Twilight was looking for, which was too her shock the same one Spike had shown her. "Here is the book, you see? Sad that you lack it in your library". " Actually, I do have this book, but I didn't look inside because the title was so... Weird". Twilight stated before looking down in shame. "I...I... I'm so sorry, Zecora. I had the answer the whole time, if only I had bothered to look inside". Twilight apolgoized, causing Zecora to chuckle. "Maybe next time you will take a second look, and not judge the cover of the book". Rarity then looked over to Zecora. "Zecora? Would you be kind enough to mix up another batch of the herbal bath"? she asked. Zecora nodded. "Mix it up I certainly will. Yet I am missing an herb from Ponyville". "But whenever she comes into town, the shops are all closed for some reason". Said Apple Bloom. "I think we can help with that". Twilight stated. Walking back into ponyville, the eleven ponies we're spotted by the flower ponies. "Look Rose! How awful"! Daisy exclaimed "The wicked enchantress has cursed them all". Rose cried out. "The horror, the horror"! shouted Lilly, as everypony hid inside their houses, while the arriving ponies went up to the flower shop, and knocked on the door, causind Daisy to slowly open it. "Daisy, we need to talk". Said Reiner. About fiffteen minutes later The mane eight we're inside the bath, while Twilight was resiting her latest letter to Princess Celestian 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 Once Twilight was done. Lotus Blossom came up to Zecora. "Miss Zecora, I would love to get the recipe for this bath. It's simply luxurious"! It was then that Apple Bloom noticed that Applejack was missing. "Applejack! Where's Applejack"! They all began to panic and look for the orange earth pony until they heard her voice. "I'm right here little sis, I ain't tiny no more". Applejack stated. Rairty couldn't help but smile. "Oh! I have never felt so lovely in all my life"! Then Pinkie Pie spoke "Oh, my gosh! I never realized how horrible it is not to be able to talk. I mean I love talking so much, and when I couldn't talk anymore, my tongue was all 'ehhhh'! It was the worst Don't you agree, Fluttershy? "Yes" Fluttershy said, in her normal voice, and everyone laughed. That night, Reiner layed in his bed, thinking about his past. First he remember his comrades from the 104th. Then his mother talking to him, and how he trained to become a warrior. "We we're abandoned". His mother told him. "That's why we live in this walled ghetto", she contiued. "The devils blood flows through our veins. If we're not locked up then we'll bother everyone else. That's why your dad isn't here, because he's a Marleyan, and it's forbidden for Marleyans to love Eldians. His mother told him. "So this is a secret okay"? "Yes". Reiner Replied "We can't be with him, because we're eldians, decendents of the devil". "If only you we're born Marleyan. she whispered with tears in her eyes". That's right, I wanted to be a warrior in order to become an honrary Marleyan and live happliy with my Mother and Father (ArmyGo Plays) Later, Reiner was running through the rain with a bunch of other children. as a soldier on horse back was shouting at them. "Who told you to walk you filthy devils, get running"! "Damn. Reiner mutterd as one of the boys past him". "Marcel Galliard"! You pass! Next he was shooting targets, but kept missing, however Bertholdt was on point with the target. "Berthodlt Hoover! You pass" "Dammit"! Reiner complained. Reiner then found himself being flipped over by Annie. "Annie Leonhardt! You pass"! Next he was taking a written test. "Damn, Damn, Damn" he muttered. Once the test was over, Reiner held his breath, then he heard his name. "Reienr Braun! You pass"! A huge smile formed on Reiner's face as he rushed home to show his mother. "Mom! I was chosen as a warrior cadet"! "That's wonderful. Now we're only one step away from being honarary Marleyans". his mother smiled. "Yeah, I promise that one day, I'll inherit one of the nine titans". Reiner told his mother The next they, Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, Zeke, Marcel, Porco, and Nova we're all in the field traning "Did you know that the pardis island operation will be happening in a few years"? asked Zeke "The time for us to inherit the Titans has come". "Huh"? asked Reiner. "The war with the south will be over soon, and we will be victourus. After that the time for us to be warriors will approrch. I heard that they'll be reorginizing the warrior unit as part of the army's new structure. Out of the seven of us. six will take the power of the Titans". Zeke explained. Hearing this caused Reiner to smile. "Yes. I did it, now I can become a Marlyean". Porco looked at him judgemently. "You didn't do anything" he told Reiner, causing the other boy to look up at him, as Porco continued. "You're clearly the weakest one out of all of us. If anyone is getting left behind, It's you". "What did you say". Reiner asked, his anger growing, and Porco contiued. "What are you good at exactaly? Are you strong? Smart? A good shot? A good fighter? No you're not, you're none of those, the only thing they saw in you, was that you're extremley loyal to Marley. I respect you for that. You always make sure to licking the captains boots. Yes sir I'll kill the island devils sir". Porco stated while mocking Reiner, causing the other boys anger to flare up as got into Porco's face. "Don't you know who lives on that island?! Demons who brought fear to the entire world"! Reiner exclaimed shocking Porco who stepped back "Woah"! "It's only a matter of time before they start killing us, unless we kill them first"! Reiner contiued. "Are you insulting are mission! Or, are you one of those remaining Eldian Restorationists who support King Fritz"?! Reiner asked. "Admit it! It's true! I'll report you to Captain Magath"! Reiner yelled, enraging Porco who reeled his fist back, and clocked Reiner in the face "What's the matter with you"?! Porco yelled at Reiner as Marcel ran up to them. "Porco Stop"! he exclaimed as he pulled his brother back, while Porco was still yelling at Reiner, who was now on the verge of tears. "Anyone here can say how much they hate that island! You can stay here and take care of the place by yourself for the next thriteen years". Porco said to Reiner who was crying now. "Damnit". Reiner muttered as Porco began to walk away. "Let's go". Porco said to Marcel "Sorry Reiner". Marcel whispered, as he and Porco left. Come as soon as he's done crying. Zeke said to Annie, and Bertholdt who had stayed behind. "I'm gonna catch another beating from Magath if you're late". Zeke told the three of them Bertholdt walked over to Reiner and helped him to his feet. "Reiner, stand". Reiner took Bertholdt's hand and stood up. "I need to be a Marlyean now. I can't wait thirteen years, I need to inherit one of the nine titan powers so that my mom and dad can be together". Reiner stated. "What do you mean"? asked Bertholdt "I can't say". Reiner replied. "We don't know who's going to have to wait yet. Porco doesn't decied who inherits a Titan, the Marleyan army does". Bertholdt informed Reiner. "But he's right. I'm at the bottom of the list". Reiner stated. "Are you sure"? because I think Loyalty is important. Wouldn't you agree Annie? Bertholdt asked the young girl, who turned around in confusion. "What was that? Sorry I wasn't paying attention". she admitted before leaving. "Come on". she said to the two boys, who followed after her, and kept talking. "But are you really okay with this"? asked Bertholdt. "What do you mean"? Reiner asked back "Well. You'd only get to enjoy life for thirteen years. Bertholdt stated. "But then I'd be a hero. If I can punish the devils of Paradis Island who strike fear into all of us, then I'd be able to save Eldia, no the whole world, and then. I'd make my parents the proudest ever". Reiner declared Elsewhere a young Eren Yeager with sitting in the crash looking up at a huge wall. "I wish something would happen". Eren said as Armin came running up to him. "There you are Eren"! Preview When Fluttershy discovers a strange new creature she quickly takes it to show her friends, but soon one creautre turns into many, and Ponyville is infested. To make matters worse. Princess Celestia is visting the town that day. Next Episode. Swarm of the Centruy.