Whatever it takes

It was a lazy afternoon and Rune was alone; and he was oh so bored. Rune was sitting on his bed, just staring at the ceiling. His expression was a depressing one.

"Life's not fair is it?" Rune reached over and picked up a letter that came in the mail a couple days ago:

Dear Zecora,

I feel that as the only known zebra in Equestria, there has been numerous misunderstandings and incidents. To make up for this, I am inviting you to a mares-only get together in Canterlot, within the next couple days. I do hope to see you there, where we can clarify any past misconceptions and further understand each other.

Hope to see you there,

Princess Celestia

"Zecora gets to go to a party with Celestia and I can't go because I'm a stallion." Rune groaned. "Curses for having such raw masculinity!"

Rune's self pity and issues were then interrupted by a knock at the door. Rune rolled himself out of bed and remembered what Zecora instructed him to do when or if there was a guest at the door.

"Welcome to the Striped Vial, where we brew what is needed for your concerns." Rune recited in a mono-toned voice, as he opened the door.

Outside was a Pegasus stallion. His coat was a light grey blue, and his messy darker grey blue mane almost covered his yellow eyes. The strangest thing about this pony was his lack of cutie mark.

"Uh..hi.." The Pegasus stuttered about his words in a shy manner. "I'm looking for the zebra Zecora. Does she live here?"

"She does but she ain't here." Rune responded. "But I can help you if you need it. Come in, come in."

The Pegasus nodded and walked into the hut. Rune took some of the hot water from the cauldron and put a few tea leaves in and made some tea for the customer.

"So what seems to be the trouble?" Rune asked, pretending to be professional.

"Well..you see...how do I put this..." The Pegasus was having difficulty explaining his words.

"How about you tell me your name." Rune inquired.

"Oh yes..I'm sorry." The pony apologized. "My name is Talon Jolt. And I heard Zecora was a good potion maker and maybe she can help me."

"Help with what exactly?" Rune asked, taking a sip.

"Well...you see..." Talon stuttered and thought to himself. 'I didn't know a Unicorn lived here. What am I gonna do?'

"Is there something wrong with being a Unicorn?" Rune asked.

"I didn't mean...wait..what...how did you??" Talon almost spilled his tea on himself.

"I can read minds." Rune said casually. Talon started whimpering in worry. "Don't worry. I only read what you just thought, nothing else."

"Oh okay..." Talon mumbled.

"So explain why you're here." Rune started the serious talk.

"Well..." Talon took a deep breath and a gulp of tea to steady his nerves. "I have a problem, and I heard that there was a zebra who could brew potions for any problem. Is...is that true?"

"Yes it's true." Rune waved his hoof around the room and at the shelves of herbs, ingredients, and potions. "We can fix anything from erectile dysfunction, to  gender changing, to really anything you want. I think we still that that one that cures Cutiepox."

"What was that about a Gender change?" Talon's ears perked up.

"Well yeah." Rune explained, levitating the bottle of teal liquid over. "What is does it, you drink and a pony of a different gender drink this. And until the potion leaves your system, you and that other pony swap genders."

"Oh..." Talon's ears perked down in defeat. "That's not what I'm looking for."

"Is this about your problems with Unicorns?" Rune bluntly asked.

"Well...sorta...kinda...oh dear...this is hard to explain." Talon stumbled about his words.

"Is this also about your lack of cutie mark?" Rune asked further.

"What!? No no no, that's......something completely different." Talon explained, with a nervous chuckle.

"Then spit it out mate." Rune gestured. "hard to figure out the issue if you don't tell me....unless you want me to read your mind again."

"No no no....I'll explain." Talon started sinking lower into his chair. "Please don't do that."

___________At Canterlot___________

Zecora was guided by a couple royal guards to the throne room where Princess Celestia was waiting.

"Greetings your Majesty." Zecora stepped forward and bowed her head. "I hope I am not behaving too casually."

"It's no problem my dear." Celestia stepped forward and smiled at her guest. "I'm just sorry we couldn't have done this sooner."

"What is it you wish to know?" Zecora asked. "Is there anything you want me to show?"

"I can think of a few things." Celestia mumbled. "But let me show you around and we can talk more in private."

___________Back to Rune___________

"So you ready to explain?" Rune asked, getting a tad impatient; but it's not like he had any plans that day.

"Sorry sorry. It's just hard to explain. But I do need to tell you, so you can help." Talon took a deep breath. "You see, I don't want to go too deep into the details but I can change my gender and the gender of anypony at will, or in most cases, against my will."

"You can what?!" Rune's interest was just caught.

"I can change my gender. And the gender of anypony at will." Talon said again, his face red with embarrassment.

At that point, Rune went forward and grabbed Talon by the shoulders, a half crazed look was in Rune's eyes.

"You are exactly what I need for my plan!!" Rune said, with a scary grin.

"Eeep." Talon nervously gulped.