Once Upon A Rhyme (1)

[One evening, at the Everfree Forest…]

"How wonderful it is to be here. It is like the land where I used to appear. It's all not far from my home and is a place I call my own. It is getting late so I must go. What awaits me tomorrow, I will not know," thought Zecora before heading inside. [The next day…]

"Good morning, Zecora," called Twilight from outside her zebra friend's house. *The door opens*

"I agree with you, Ms. Twilight. The sun makes the sky so very bright," replied Zecora. [Later that day…]

"Zecora, y'all around? I need a special recipe," said Applejack.

"I think I may have what you need. It is a recipe from back when I was a young zebra," answered Zecora.

"Great, thanks Zecora," stated Applejack before heading off.

"Why didn't I rhyme just then?" pondered Zecora. [In Ponyville…]

"Lookin' good, Rainbow Dash," said Apple Bloom.

"Thanks, I am that awesome," boasted (Rainbow Dash).

"No, I mean the sky. It looks extra blue today," corrected Apple Bloom.

"Yeah, we'll have no trouble finding our talents under a clear sky," added Scootaloo.

"All part of my job," finished (Rainbow Dash) before racing off.

"Has anypony noticed anything odd about Zecora?" asked (Rarity).

"No, why?" asked Twilight.

"She isn't rhyming like she usually does," explained (Rarity).

"It's probably nothing to worry about. After all, one doesn't always have to rhyme," assured Twilight.

"Here she comes now," noted Applejack.

"What's going on? I cannot rhyme for the life of me!" wailed Zecora.

"Calm down, Zecora. We can help," stated Twilight.

"How the hay did you lose your rhyming ability? Ain't it like from memory or somethin'?" questioned Apple Bloom.

"I don't know. I just lost the ability to rhyme, like I had never done it before," explained Zecora.

"Did you eat anything or do anything that might've caused it?" asked (Rarity).

"Nothing out of the ordinary," shrugged Zecora.

"Must be some kind of memory lapse but how do we fix it when we always turn to Zecora for help?" asked Twilight.
"Is that the only thing you're experiencing with this?" asked (Rarity).

"So far, yes. I certainly hope that's all we have to deal with but it doesn't make it any easier to figure out what's wrong," replied Zecora.

"It probably wouldn't do any good to see a doctor about it because it'd be unheard of," concluded Twilight.

"Think our other friends would know anything about this?" asked Fluttershy.

"Probably not. Up until now, I didn't even think such a disease like this was possible," answered Twilight.

"It is like losing a part of my life. I can't even remember how I began rhyming," sighed Zecora.

"Don't you worry, we'll get your rhyming back," assured Applejack.

"Right, we just need to help her remember," agreed Twilight.

"What about a game where we show Zecora banners with sentences that rhyme?" suggested (Pinkie Pie).

"Pinkie, that's a great idea. We just need to have them written. I'll write them tonight and we can start first thing tomorrow," answered Twilight. *heads off*

"Shoot, not havin' Zecora bein' her old self is totally ain't right," thought (Applejack).

"All we can do is wait for Twilight to come up with them but I can't just stand here waiting. Not only is that boring but it's not fun either," added (Rarity). [At Twilight's house...]

"Yes, these are going to be just the thing Zecora needs. Hang on, Zecora, you're going to be your old self again in no time," said Twilight.

To be continued...