Hey, everyone! At long last, I'm back with another chapter of Ash's Ponyville Adventures! I'm sorry for the wait! But I hope you will all enjoy it nevertheless! And now, on with the story!
*I DON'T OWN POKÉMON OR MY LITTLE PONY!*
Narrator: It's another beautiful day in Ponyville! I wonder what our heroes are up to today?
Ash, Pikachu, Rapidash, Duskull, Alakazam, Twilight, and Spike were currently strolling through the forest.
Twilight Sparkle: Wow, what a gorgeous day!
Spike: Rainbow Dash must have gotten up early for once and cleared all the clouds away.
Twilight Sparkle: I bet all of Ponyville is going to be out enjoying the sunshine.
Ash: Yep! This day is perfect!
Pikachu: I'll say!
Twilight Sparkle: And it was really sweet of you to join me on this morning stroll, Ash [bats her eyelashes]!
Ash: [tints a blush] Aww, it was nothing! I needed some fresh air myself!
Duskull: [groans] I'm bored!
Rapidash: Oh, quit complaining, Duskull! You don't even have legs! Yet!
Rotom Dex: Rapidash is right you know! Once you evolve into Dusclops, then you'll have legs!
Duskull: Whatever!
Ash: Hey, you guys! Look!
They looked and saw that Ponyville looked deserted.
Alakazam: Strange!
Twilight Sparkle: What? Where is everypony?
Spike: Is it some sort of pony holiday?
Twilight Sparkle: Not that I know of.
Ash: Me neither!
Spike: Does my breath stink? [belches fire]
Twilight Sparkle: Not more than usual.
Pikachu: [covers nose] Good grief, Spike! What did you eat?!
Spike: Whaddya think I've been eating?
Pikachu: Good point!
Spike: Is it... zombies?!
Twilight Sparkle: Uh... not very likely. Right, Rotom?
Rotom: The probability of that is 0.00000000000001%!
Spike: That one in there! So it's possible?
Pinkie Pie: Psst! Twilight! Spike! Ash! Come here! Come! Here! Hurry! Before she gets you!
Ash: Pinkie? Why are you hiding?
Pikachu: Yeah! Why?
Pinkie Pie: [whispers] Just hurry!
They just went over to Sugarcube Corner and realized that it was dark.
Spike: Who?! The zombie pony? [clutches onto Twilight in fear]
Pinkie Pie: Z-Zombie pony?!
Twilight Sparkle: Spike! There are no zombie ponies.
Alakazam: Agreed! Pull yourself together, boy!
Spike: Heh! Sorry!
Twilight Sparkle: Pinkie, what are you doing here alone in the dark?
Pinkie Pie: I'm not alone in the dark.
Ash: You're not?
Then, out came the rest of the Mane 6 along with Applebloom, Gengar, Incineroar, Melmetal and Lycanroc.
Twilight Sparkle: [gasp] Okay then, what are you all doing here in the dark?
Applejack: We're hidin' from her!
Then, they all looked through the window to see a strange cloaked pony digging in the ground outside, and then looking at them with glowing yellow eyes!
[all gasp]
[Intro Music: Big World Big Adventures]
Rarity!
Fluttershy!
Applejack!
And Rainbow!
Pinkie!
And Twilight!
And Ash Number One!
Let's go, go, go
On a new world adventure,
Let's go, go, go explore,
With Ash and his friends!
Let's go, go, go
And meet new friendly faces,
The world's just a thrill ride away!
New world, new, new adventures!
Ash & Friends: New World!
New Adventures!
[End intro]
On the hilltop, we see Ash, Twilight and Applejack up on a hill as Ash and Twilight create a bright light and read the title of the next chapter.
Twilight Sparkle: Chapter 9!
Ash: Bridle...
Applejack: Gossip!
Apple Bloom: Did you see her Twilight? Did you see... Zecora?
Applejack: Apple Bloom! I told you never to say that name.
Ash: What's the big deal about saying her name, AJ?
Applejack: She's the big deal!
Twilight Sparkle: Well, I saw her glance this way...
Pinkie Pie: Glance evilly this way.
Twilight Sparkle: ... And then a bunch of you flip out for no good reason.
Applejack: No good reason? You call protectin' yer kin no good reason? [shaking Apple Bloom] Why, as soon as my sister saw Zecora ridin' into town, she started shakin' in her lil' horseshoes.
Apple Bloom: [shakily] Did not!
Applejack: So I swept her up and brought her here.
Apple Bloom: I walked here myself!
Applejack: For safe keepin'.
Apple Bloom: Applejack, I'm not a baby! I can take care of myself!
Applejack: Not from that creepy Zecora.
Melmetal: Yeah! [cups her cheeks gently] You're far too precious!
Apple Bloom: [blushing] [groans]
Lycanroc: You too old for this?! [tackles her playfully and licks her]
Applebloom: Ugh! Lycanroc, get off of me! [starts to laugh] Stop! That tickles!
Applejack: [groans] [facehooves]
Fluttershy: She's mysterious.
Rainbow Dash: Sinister.
Pinkie Pie: And spoooooky!
Gengar: Ooh! I love spooky!
Rainbow Dash: Yeah! Because you're a Ghost type Pokémon!
Gengar: [snickering]
Ash: Oh, stuff and nonsense, you guys! Zecora doesn't seem that bad! Maybe she's just misunderstood!
Twilight and the others then look out the window to see Zecora take off her hood to reveal her stripes.
Everyone but Ash and Twilight: [gasp]
Twilight Sparkle: Will you cut that out?
Rarity: Just look at those stripes! So garish!
Twilight Sparkle: She's a zebra.
Everyone but Ash and Twilight: A what!?
Ash: She's a zebra!
Twilight Sparkle: And her stripes aren't a fashion choice Rarity, they're what she was born with.
Rarity: [faints]
Gengar: Sheesh! Drama queen!
Applejack: Born where? I've never seen a pony like that in these parts, 'cept... her!
Twilight Sparkle: 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?
Applejack: That's just it, she lives in... the Everfree Forest!
[Crash that sounds like a thunderclap]
Twilight Sparkle: Spike!
Spike: Uh, sorry.
Applejack: The Everfree Forest just ain't natural. The plants grow...
Fluttershy: Animals care for themselves...
Rainbow Dash: And the clouds move...
Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash: All on their own!
Rarity: [faints]
Incineroar: Seriously, Rarity! Pull yourself together!
Rarity: Sorry, Incineroar dear!
Pinkie Pie: And that wicked enchantress Zecora lives there doing her evil... stuff! She's so evil I even wrote a song about her!
Rainbow Dash: Here we go...
[Pinkie Pie]
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 Pie: [heavy breathing]
Twilight Sparkle: Wow. Catchy.
Ash: No kidding!
Pinkie Pie: It's a work in progress.
Gengar: [clapping] I liked it!
Pinkie Pie: Thank you!
Twilight Sparkle: This is all just a lot of gossip and rumors. Now tell me; what exactly have you actually seen Zecora do?
Rainbow Dash: Well... Once a month, she comes into Ponyville.
Twilight Sparkle: [dramatically] Oooooh.
Rarity: Then, she lurks by the stores.
Twilight Sparkle: [dramatically] Oh, my.
Fluttershy: And then, she digs at the ground.
Twilight Sparkle: [dramatically] Good gracious! [normal tone] Okay, I'm sorry. But how is any of this bad? Maybe she comes to town to visit?
Apple Bloom: Yeah! Maybe she's just tryin' to be neighborly.
Twilight Sparkle: And maybe she's not lurking by the stores, maybe she's going to them, lurk free, to do some shopping?
Apple Bloom: Yeah! Everypony likes to shop. You know what I think?
Applejack: Apple Bloom! Hush and let the big ponies talk.
Apple Bloom: [under breath] I am a big pony!
Ash: Applejack, watch how you talk to your little sister! You guys are just being paranoid! Zecora doesn't seem that bad! I'm gonna go talk her! She probably just wants a friend! [goes to open the door to leave]
Pinkie Pie: [pounces onto him] NO!
Ash: OOF!
They tumbled and stopped with Pinkie on top of Ash.
Ash: Pinkie! What's your problem?!
Pikachu: Yeah! What gives?
Pinkie Pie: Do you want to get cursed by her?!
Gengar: Pinkie, don't go anywhere NEAR with curses!
Ash: [uses his bottom hooves to push Pinkie off of him] Curses schmurses! No one deserves to be alone! I'm gonna go talk her! Gengar, make sure she doesn't pounce on me again!
Gengar: On it!
Rainbow Dash: W-what about digging at the ground? You've got to admit that's weird.
Fluttershy: What if she's digging for innocent creatures?
[Pinkie Pie sings "Evil Enchantress" in the background]
Twilight Sparkle: I am sure there is an explanation for everything Zecora does. And if anypony here were actually brave enough to approach her, she would find out the truth, just like Ash is doing!
Apple Bloom: Well, I'm brave enough; I'm gonna find out myself. [gasps]
Ash: Apple Bloom!
Apple Bloom: Uh...
Ash: You don't think you're going anywhere without me, are ya?
Apple Bloom: [smiles] Ok!
Ash: Alright, just to calm Applejack, stay close by me, okay?
Apple Bloom: Okay!
Ash, Pikachu, and Apple Bloom then went outside to confront the mysterious pony.
Ash: Hi! You must be Zecora, nice to-
That's when Zecora started running!
Ash: Hey, wait!
That's when the three of them gave chase.
Twilight Sparkle: You ponies are being ridiculous!
Pinkie Pie: Well, I heard that Zecora eats hay.
Twilight Sparkle: Pinkie, I eat hay; you eat hay!
Pinkie Pie: Yeah, but I heard it's the evil way she eats hay.
Applejack: Hey! Where's Apple Bloom?
Fluttershy: The door's open.
Rarity: She went outside!
Rainbow Dash: And Zecora's still out there.
Applejack: [sigh] That silly lil' filly! I told her to stay put! [notices Ash is missing] Where's Ash?!
Rainbow Dash: You don't think he went out there too?!
Gengar: Oh he did!
Incineroar: Well, that's Ash for you! Not scared of anything!
Twilight Sparkle: Spike, you stay here in case Apple Bloom and Ash come back.
Spike: Will do!
Twilight Sparkle: Gengar, you remain here as well!
Gengar: You got it! [in his head] This'll be the perfect chance for me to have some fun with Spike! [snickering]
After the girls and the Pokémon left...
Gengar: [to Spike] Whaddya say sneak a few of the treats here while we're at it?
Spike: You know me too well, Gengar! [holds up his claw for a high five] Up top!
Gengar: [returns it] Oh yeah!
Soon, Ash, Pikachu, and Apple Bloom had followed Zecora to the Everfree Forest.
Apple Bloom: [gulps]
Ash: Don't be afraid, Apple Bloom! Just stay close by me!
Apple Bloom: Okay!
Soon, they followed Zecora to a strange patch of blue flowers.
Pikachu: Ash, don't these flowers seem weird?
Ash: They kinda do!
Applejack: Apple Bloom?
Apple Bloom: [gasp]
Applejack: You get back here right now!
Melmetal: You are in so much trouble, young filly!
Zecora: Beware! Beware, you pony folk! Those leaves of blue are not a joke!
Applejack: Y-you keep your creepy mumbo-jumbo to yourself, ya hear?
[Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity speak over each other against Zecora]
Twilight Sparkle: [sighs] Oh brother.
Zecora : Beware! Beware!
Rainbow Dash: Yeah, back at ya, Zecora! You and your lame curse are the ones who better beware!
Applejack: And you! Why couldn't you just listen to yer big sister?
Apple Bloom: I...I...
Applejack: Who knows what kind of nasty curse Zecora could have just put on you?
Pinkie Pie: Just like in my song! [Starts singing a shorter version of "Evil Enchantress"]
Ash: [Roar move] ROAR!
That shut them up instantly!
Ash: All of you STOP! You're all acting like immature little fillies!
Rainbow Dash: Says the colt who didn't listen to us and stayed put!
Ash: I'm old enough to make my own decisions, thank you very much!
Rainbow Dash: Whatever! Let's just get outta here!
Twilight Sparkle: You guys, there's no such thing as curses!
Rainbow Dash: Well, that's interesting to hear coming from Miss Magic Pants herself.
Twilight Sparkle: My magic, real magic, comes from within. It's a skill you're born with. Curses are artificial, fake magic. It's conjured with potions and incantations; all smoke and mirrors meant to scare.
Ash: [notices Rainbow mocking Twilight] [sternly] Rainbow!
Rainbow Dash: You don't need to be stern with me! In fact, it's me who should be being stern with you!
Twilight: But curses have no real power, they're just an old pony tale.
Ash: Yeah! Listen to Twilight, girls! She's a genius in magic!
Rainbow Dash: Whatever! Just don't say we didn't warn you!
Applejack: Just you wait, you two. You're gonna learn that some pony tales really are true.
Ash: [teasing] Like the time you thought that you could do Applebucking Season all by yourself?
Applejack: Hey!
Pikachu: [snickering]
Later that night, Twilight was dreaming about what just happened.
[dream sequence]
Pinkie Pie: She's an evil enchantress, she does evil dances!
Zecora: Beware! Beware!
Pinkie Pie: If you look deep in her eyes, she will put you in trances!
Rainbow Dash: Yeah, was that supposed to scare us?!
Rarity: Wicked, wicked zebra!
Fluttershy: ... it's a curse.
Pinkie Pie: Then what will she do?
Applejack: Just you wait, Twilight; some pony tales really are true.
Pinkie Pie: Then she'll gobble you up in a big tasty stew! Soooo... Watch out!
Zecora: [evil laugh]
[rooster crowing]
Twilight Sparkle: Ugh... what a dream... Curses, schmurses. Whoa! [chuckle] Maybe Zecora cursed my hair. [levitates brush and starts brushing] [laughs nervously and then gasps] Or she cursed my horn!
["Who's That Pokémon?" time]
[as a silhouette shows a plant Pokémon]
Ash, Twilight Sparkle and Applejack: Who's that Pokémon?
Ash, Twilight Sparkle and Applejack: It's Weepinbell!
[as the silhouette reveals Weepinbell]
Weepinbell: WEEPINBELL!
[End]
Twilight Sparkle: 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?!
Spike: A curse!
Twilight Sparkle: I said a real reason. Something that points to something real.
Spike: How about this one?
Twilight Sparkle: "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!
Spike: But what if you're wrong, Twilight? What if this really is a-
Pinkie Pie: Ah pfurse!
Spike: A purse? How could it be a purse?
Twilight Sparkle: Pinkie? What happened?
Pinkie Pie: Pee pah Zthecora! Sthe put a cursthe on me!
Spike: Hey, say it, don't spray it, Pinkie!
Rainbow Dash: [thud] Ow! [thud] Oh! She's [thud] trying to say-ow!- Zecora [thud]-oh!-[crash] she slapped us all with a-ow- curse!
Rarity: I'm afraid I have to agree. [Blows hair out of her face]
[Spike and Twilight yell in surprise]
Applejack: [high pitched voice] I hate to say I told ya so, Twilight, but I told ya so!
[Spike and Twilight gasp]
Applejack: It's a curse, I tells ya!
Twilight Sparkle: But Fluttershy... seems just fine!
Rarity: Yes, there doesn't seem to be a thing wrong with her.
Twilight Sparkle: Fluttershy? Are you okay? Is there something wrong with you? Would you care to tell us? So... you're not going to tell us? Yes you're not, or yes you will?
Applejack: Good gravy, girl! What's wrong with you?!
Fluttershy: [deep male voice] I don't want to talk about it.
Rarity: Hold on, where's Ash?
Then, they heard a loud thump and the sound of Ash's voice.
Ash: OUCH! Son of a Bidoof, that hurt!
Twilight Sparkle: Ash, what's wrong?
Ash: [coming in, now in his human form] Nothing, Twilight! I'm okay!
The others were surprised!
Twilight Sparkle: Ash... You're human?!
Ash: Yeah! I was surprised myself! Feels kinda good to wiggle my fingers and toes again.
Rainbow Dash: Wow!
Rarity: My! You look even more handsome [eye flutter]!
Ash: [blushes] Y-Ya think so?
Rarity: Mmhmm!
Ash: [blushes] T-Thanks, Rarity!
[Spike snorts, then bursts out laughing]
Spike: This is hilarious! [laughs] Look at all of you! We got: Hairity, Rainbow Crash, Spitty Pie, Apple Teeny, Flutterguy, and... uh... I got nothin'... Twilight Sparkle and Ash Ketchum. I mean seriously, I can't even work with that.
Twilight Sparkle: [Sarcastic laughter] This is no joke, Spike. Now start looking for more books so I can find a cure!
Ash: Or else you can go stand in the corner!
Spike: [groan]
Turns out, Pikachu was having the same misfortune! His tail was heart-shaped!
Pikachu: At least your tail didn't end up heart-shaped.
Instead of Incineroar being red and black, he was white and blue!
Rarity: Incineroar dear! You look dreadful!
Incineroar: No kidding! I look like an absolute clown!
And Lycanroc had changed to a Midday Form!
Lycanroc: [sighs] Hey everypony...
Ash: Lycanroc! You're now a Midday Form!
Lycanroc: [tears streaming] I know! I'm hideous!
Ash: Not really! Just different!
Lycanroc: [to Rarity] Don't look at me Rarity, I'm hideous!
Rarity: Oh, Lycanroc! You're not hideous! You just have a more majestic look.
Lycanroc: [happy] Really?!
Rarity: Mmhmm!
Lycanroc: [rubs his rocks on her] Aww, Rare! You're the best! [sighs] [pouts] But I miss my Dusk form.
Rarity: [pets his head] Don't worry, dear! We'll get it back for you!
Rainbow Dash: [groans] I think we'll find a cure to this curse at Zecora's place!
Twilight Sparkle: It's not a curse!
Applejack: I agree with Dash! We'll go to Zecora's and force her to remove this hex!
Twilight Sparkle: It's not a hex either!
Rotom Dex: [in his Laki wig] Exactly, my dear Twilight!
Twilight Sparkle: Uh? What's with the getup, Rotom?
Ash: [facepalms] Oh no!
Pikachu: [facepalms] Not again!
Rotom Dex: Alolan Detective Rotom, [flips his hair] at your service! And I will help solve this mystery!
Rainbow Dash: Uh...
Twilight Sparkle: Care to explain this, Ash?
Ash: Back in Alola, Rotom saw this detective show and became obsessed with it!
Pikachu: Like really obsessed!
Rarity seemed to be delighted by the look.
Rarity: Well, it does make him look handsome!
Rotom Dex: [proud emoji on screen] Why thank you, Ms. Rarity!
Ash: Now, down to business!
[Everyone but Apple Bloom and Spike shouting at once]
Apple Bloom: This is all my fault. If I hadn't followed Zecora in the first place, none of this would have happened. I just gotta fix this.
Applejack: Now where does she think she's goin' this time?
Ash noticed Apple Bloom sneaking off as well.
Ash: Hold up, Apple Bloom! You're not going anywhere without me!
Apple Bloom: Fine by me!
Ash: Come on, Pikachu! Rotom!
Pikachu: Coming!
Rotom Dex: I'm on the job!
Little did they know, Applejack had snuck into Apple Bloom's tail.
Rainbow Dash: I don't care what you say, Twilight. It's time to pony up and confront Zecora. Come on, girls. Are you with me?
Pinkie Pie: Ah am-pft!
Rarity: And I as well.
Fluttershy: Uh, I don't know. Seems awfully dangerous.
Spike: [giggle]
Rainbow Dash: How about you, Applejack? Applejack?
Pinkie Pie: Pf-she's gone-pft!
Rarity: Aah! Or somepony stepped on her!
Twilight Sparkle: ... or sat on her?
Lycanroc: Gross!
Rainbow Dash: Rarity's hair!
Rarity: Oh! OH! Pinkie, what are you doing? Ah, really. Aah! You ever hear of personal space?
Pinkie Pie: Nopthe.
Twilight Sparkle: Apple Bloom is gone too!
Rarity: Oh dear! So is Ash!
Incineroar: He probably went to find Zecora! Like I said, not afraid of anything!
Twilight Sparkle: Well we better go find them. Come on girls, let's go.
Lycanroc: Don't forget about us!
Rarity: [grunt] Oh dear. Oh, this is so unseemly. Auuuaah!
Rainbow Dash: Hey, a little help here?
Fluttershy: Oopsie! Sorry.
Rainbow Dash: [crash] OW!
Fluttershy: Uh... Spike? Are you coming?
Spike: Nope! Uh... gotta stay here and look for a cure. [gasp] Twilight Flopple!
Incineroar: [facepalms] Ugh!
Meanwhile, Ash, Pikachu, Rotom Dex, and Apple Bloom were on route through the Everfree forest.
Applejack: Stop right there! Turn around right now, missy!
Ash: Applejack?!
Apple Bloom: No.
Applejack: No?! You can't ignore a direct order from your big sister!
Apple Bloom: [places her on a tree branch] Hehehe. Sorry, Applejack, but I'm the big sister now!
Applejack: Apple Bloom, you come back here right this instant! I'm gonna tell Big McIntosh on you! Aw, pony feathers. Ash, get back here!
Ash then grabbed Applejack and lifted her up to his face!
Ash: [scolding] Applejack, you're being too overprotective of her! She's old enough to watch over herself! Plus, I'm with her! Nothing to worry about!
Applejack: But Ash...
Ash: Either you stop being overprotective of her, or else we're not gonna be friends anymore!
Then, he placed Applejack back onto the tree branch and went after Apple Bloom with Pikachu and Rotom.
Applejack: Aw, pony feathers! Ash is right! I gotta tell the real reason why I'm overprotective with Apple Bloom!
Apple Bloom: [nervous] Ash, I'm a little scared.
Ash: Don't worry, Apple Bloom! Just stay close to me!
Banette: BANETTE BANE!
Apple Bloom: Whoa!
Ash: A Banette!
Apple Bloom: Banette?
Rotom Dex: Allow me! Banette, the Marionette Pokémon. A Ghost-Type. Banette generates energy for laying strong curses by sticking pins into its own body. This Pokémon was originally a pitiful plush doll that was thrown away.
Apple Bloom: But what's it doing out here?
Banette: [hands Ash a potion] NETTE!
Ash: What's this?
Apple Bloom: I think it wants you to drink it!
Ash: [suspicious] Alright! [drinks the potion]
Suddenly, Ash turned back into a pony!
Apple Bloom: Ash! You're back to normal!
Ash: Yeah! More or less!
Apple Bloom: That was probably the cure!
Ash: Yeah! Thanks, Banette! By why did you give me the cure?
Banette: [motioning to come] BANETTE BANE!
Ash: Huh? I think it wants us to follow it!
Apple Bloom: Then, let's go!
The rest of the Mane 6, along with the Pokémon were currently running and searching for their friends.
Twilight Sparkle: C'mon girls. We've got to get to Zecora's. Hurry!
Rarity: Ooh... Ahaha. Easier said than done.
Rainbow Dash: Hey, wait for me! [screaming and owing]
Applejack: Rainbow! Thank Celestia! There's no time to lose! I need to get to Zecora's pronto! Giddy-up pony!
Rainbow Dash: Ex-CUSE me?
Applejack: YEEE-HAW!
Rainbow Dash: What the...
Applejack: No, Rainbow Dash. Other way!
Lycanroc: Guess it's gonna be one of those days!
Incineroar: Yep!
Melmetal: And how!
Soon, they arrived at a strange looking tree.
Rarity: Oh. I look horrible!
Gengar: Sheesh, Rarity! You're a mess!
Rarity: Well, at least you're just fine!
Melmetal: I'm fine as well!
Pinkie Pie: Plis place plooks horrible!
Rarity: Oh my. That place really does look horrible. Nice decorations, if you like creepy!
[Ponies gasp]
Zecora: [talks in her native language]
Pinkie Pie: Sthe sthtole my sthong! Shthe shtole mm mm!
Rarity: She stole your song?
Twilight Sparkle: Oh Pinkie. Doesn't sound anything like your song.
Pinkie Pie: Ah. Hmm... Pbth! [whimper]
Fluttershy: [sigh]
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.
Gengar: Heh! Not bad, Flutters! Not bad at all!
Fluttershy: Please don't call me that!
Rarity: You saw those terrible things. Now do you believe us Twilight?
Twilight Sparkle: Scary looking masks, confusing incantations, and a great big bubbling cauldron? [sigh] Everything is pointing to Zecora being... bad. Or...
what if Zecora is just making soup?
Zecora: Mmm! The perfect temperature for ponies, I presume. Now, where is that Ash and little Apple Bloom?
Twilight Sparkle: Or... what if she's making Ash and Apple Bloom soup?!
Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy: [scream]
Applejack: I'm comin' for ya, Apple Bloom!
Rainbow Dash: Aaah!
Zecora: [Native language]
Applejack: Whoa there. Easy, Rainbow Crash.
Zecora: Oh. [Native language]
Rainbow Dash: [screams]
Zecora: [Native language]
Twilight Sparkle: What have you done with Apple Bloom?
Zecora: No! No! [Native language]
Applejack: [grunt]
Rainbow Dash: Ahh!
Zecora: Ponies! What is this you...
Rainbow Dash: [screams]
Zecora: No! You know not what you do! You've gone and spilled my precious brew!
Twilight Sparkle: We're onto you Zecora. I didn't want to believe that you cursed us, but the evidence is overwhelming!
Rarity: You made me look ridiculous.
Fluttershy: You made me sound ridiculous!
Pinkie Pie: [incoherent] You made me speak ridiculous!
Twilight Sparkle: You ruined my horn!
Zecora: How dare you! You destroy my home, destroy my work, then rudely accuse me of being a jerk?
Rainbow Dash: You put this curse on us, now you're gonna uncurse us.
Zecora: It is unwise to venture down this road. Your actions will make my anger explode!
Ash: [angry] That won't be necessary! Mine just has!
The Mane 6 looked and saw Ash, who was back to normal and livid!
Twilight Sparkle: Ash! You're back to normal!
Ash: [breathes angrily]
Twilight Sparkle: Wait, where's Apple Bloom!?
Apple Bloom: Zecora! I think I found all the things ya asked for. What in Ponyville is goin' on here?
Applejack: [gasp] Apple Bloom! You're okay!
Apple Bloom: Why wouldn't I be?
Twilight Sparkle: Because Zecora is an evil enchantress who cursed us and was gonna cook you up into soup!
Zecora and Apple Bloom: [laughs]
Apple Bloom: Oh Twilight. Did those silly fillies finally get in yer head? You know there's no such thing as a curse.
Twilight Sparkle: Apple Bloom, sweetie. You can't just stand there and tell me this isn't a curse.
Apple Bloom: This isn't a curse.
Zecora: If you will remember back, the words I spoke were quite exact! [flashback]: Beware, beware you pony folk. Those leaves of blue are not a joke.
Apple Bloom: It was a warnin'. About that blue plant. It's called Poison Joke.
Zecora: That plant is much like poison oak. But its results are like a joke.
Applejack: What in the hay does that mean?
Zecora: It means this plant does not breed wrath. Instead this plant just wants a laugh.
Applejack: Will somepony please talk normal?
Twilight Sparkle: I think what she's saying is that when we ran in to save Apple Bloom, we ran into the poison joke. All our problems are just little jokes it played on us.
Applejack: Little jokes?! Very funny.
Rainbow Dash: Okay, fine. But what about the cauldron?
Fluttershy: And the chanting?
Rarity: And the creepy décor?
Zecora: Treasures of the native land where I am from. This one speaks 'hello', and this 'welcome'.
Rarity: Not welcoming at all, if you ask me.
Zecora: The words I chanted were from olden times. Something you call a nursery rhyme.
Twilight Sparkle: But the cauldron... The Apple Bloom soup?
Apple Bloom: Lookie here Twilight. That pot of water wasn't for me, 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 Sparkle: But I tried to find a cure in all my books and couldn't find anything. What book has this natural remedy?
Zecora: Here is the book, you see? Sad that you lack it in your library.
Twilight Sparkle: Actually, I do have this book, but I didn't look inside because the title was so... Weird. Supernaturals: Natural Remedies and Cure-alls That Are Simply Super. I...I... I'm so sorry, Zecora. I had the answer the whole time, if only I had bothered to look inside.
Zecora: [chuckle] Maybe next time you will take a second look, and not judge the cover of the book.
Ash: [sad] Agreed! Maybe next time listen to a certain someone!
Mane 6: Sorry, Ash!
Banette: [scaring the girls] BANETTE BAN!
Rarity: Aah! A ghost!
Ash: Oh, right! I forgot! Girls, meet Banette! And it just so happens to belong to Zecora!
Mane 6: It does?!
Zecora: Indeed! Banette happens to be my friend, who helped make Ash's condition end.
Ash: It's true!
Twilight Sparkle: Zecora? Would you be kind enough to mix up another batch of the herbal bath?
Zecora: Mix it up I certainly will. Yet I am missing an herb from Ponyville.
Apple Bloom: But whenever Zecora comes to town, all the shops are mysteriously closed.
Twilight Sparkle: Oh, well... I think we can help you with that.
Soon, they were back in Ponyville, however...
Daisy: Look Rose! How awful!
Rose: The wicked enchantress has cursed them all.
Lily Valley: The horror, the horror!
[Ponies panicking]
Daisy: Run, ponies! Run!
Ash: As your prince, I command all of you to stop!
And the ponies did just that!
Twilight Sparkle: Daisy, we need to talk.
Later, the Mane 6, Ash, and the Pokémon were taking a bath at the spa, as Twilight was writing a letter to Celestia.
Twilight Sparkle: 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 PS, Ash says hi.
Lotus Blossom: Miss Zecora, I would love to get the recipe for this bath. It's simply luxurious!
Apple Bloom: Applejack! Hey, where's Applejack?!
Ponies: [gasp]
Applejack: [normal voice] I'm right here, little sis. I ain't tiny no more!
Rarity: Oh! I have never felt so lovely in all my life!
Lycanroc: You said it Rarity! I'm a Dusk Form again!
Incineroar: And I'm my right colors!
Ash: Though, it did feel nice to be in my human form again! I kinda missed being able to wiggle my fingers and toes. I almost didn't want it to end!
Pikachu: I'm just glad to have my tail back to normal!
Rainbow Dash: What I don't understand is why the Poison Joke didn't affect Melmetal?
Ash: That's because Melmetal's a Steel-Type! Poison doesn't work on Steel-Types!
Melmetal: It's true!
Rainbow Dash: Then why didn't you say anything?!
Melmetal: You never asked!
Rainbow Dash: Good point!
Pinkie Pie: 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?
Fluttershy: [normal voice] ... Yes.
Everyone: [laughing]
Applejack then turns to Ash with a sorry look.
Applejack: Ash! I'm really sorry about this ridiculous rumor and I know Zecora forgives me but...only reason I protect Apple Bloom because since my parents were... [in tears]
However, as Applejack said that, Ash's face darkened under his hat and was in tears too.
Applejack: Ash?
Ash: I'm sorry for your loss, AJ! I didn't know that was the reason for why you were overprotective of Apple Bloom! I'm sorry! I don't deserve to be your friend! [cries]
Applejack: Oh, Ash!
That's when she hugged him.
Applejack: Quit your blubbering! You'll always be my friend! Even if we do have arguments now and then.
Ash: [smiles] Yeah, I guess you're right!
Applejack: [as Ash was about to head home] Ash wait! [as Ash stops and looks at her] Do you...want to hang out sometime in case you're busy?
Ash: [smiles] Sure! That sounds fun! I'd better get home! See you all later!
After Ash left, Applejack tinted a blush on her face.
Apple Bloom: [behind her] [teasing] You like him, don't'cha?
Applejack: [blushes] Huh?! No I don't!
Apple Bloom: [bouncing] [teasing] AJ has a crush! AJ has a crush!
Apple Bloom and Gengar: [laughing] [running]
Narrator: And so, with a new friend in a zebra named Zecora, our heroes have learned another valuable lesson in friendship! Though I wonder if Ash would be able to get his human form again as the journey continues!
To be continued...
And that's it for this chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it! And there's more to come! So until then, see you all next time!