The journey was a little long, but the duo soon reached the Everfree Forest, and Spike managed to find the path that Zecora cleared out.

"Whoa, why does she have Poison Joke at her hut?" Emziko said, as soon as they got to Zecora's hut.

"It's probably to study it if I had to guess. Besides, she knows how to counter it's effects." Spike said.

"...Actually I'd believe that." Emziko said. "Zebras are said to be the wisest of all the races after all."

"I don't know about that. She only knows because she has a book that has the cure in it." Spike said.

"Well, then it has to be a really rare book then." Emziko said.

"Not really. My pony sister lives in a library that has the same book. It's just...initially she didn't think it held the answer to the poison joke issue." Spike said.

"Wait, why would she think that?" Emziko asked.

"Because the title of the book was 'Supernaturals: Natural Remedies and Cure-Alls That Are Simply Super' but she didn't read the full title." Spike said.

"Geez, talk about one heck of an idiot ball." Emziko said.

"Please don't blame my sister like that." Spike said, getting a little heated.

Seeing that, Emziko decided to defuse the situation. "Sorry. I'm guessing she's a bit of a shut-in pony in that case." The green dragoness said.

"Oh you have no idea." Spike said. "But for now, we go inside."

"Well this is quite the sight for my eyes; two dragons in my home I spy." Zecora said.

"Wh-what?" Emziko was suddenly a little wierded out.

"I guess I should've warned you about Zecora's rhyming now that I think about it." Spike said.

"Right..." Emziko said. "I was hoping you could help me. There's a specific smell I know about, and I'd like some help identifying it."

"Guessing from the tone you are giving; perhaps there is a reason you should be sharing?" Zecora asked.

"Uh..." Emziko was confused.

"I think she means that you must have a reason for wanting to know about the smell." Spike said.

"Right. There is a reason. It's personal though. I'm...not sure if I'm confortable sharing why." Emziko said. Even if I am in the presence of a Purple Dragon.

"I shall prepare a few smells to see if you get a match; and I may just tell you what it is your trying to catch." Zecora said.

"Wait, how do you know I want to catch the source of the smell?" Emziko said. "...Wow I can't believe I just got a rhyme..."

"You did mention to me that you wanted to catch them at one point, but Zecora how did you know?" Spike asked.

"It was clear from this dragoness's manner of speech, that she certainly isn't going to give the source a peach." Zecora said.

"Uh..." Emziko was confused.

"I got nothing this time." Spike said.

"It seems whatever her reason is it's quite clear to me; that it is justice that she wants to see." Zecora said.

"Jeez, I certainly don't remember reading anything about Zebras rhyming..." Emziko said.

Zecora produced a few smells from around her hut, but each one was being struck out by Emziko. "No dice I'm afraid so far. Got any other smells?" Emziko asked.

"I'm afraid there isn't any left on Zecora's shelves. Is there any ways you can help at all Zecora?" Spike asked.

"Well, there is still one thing she could smell that is in my hut at this time; but it is one thing that is hard to put into a rhyme." Zecora said.

"Well whatever it is, we have to try it right? I'd hate to have wasted the trip." Spike said.

"Same here." Emziko said.

Zecora guided Spike to her cabnet where she took out a specific vial that looked very green. "Hold up, is that green goo in that vial?" Emziko asked.

"It is indeed specifically goo that is in this specific glass; but if you don't mind me asking--" Zecora started.

"Can it with the rhymes for a minute there Zebra." Emziko said.

"Is something wrong Emziko? Is there a reason why you ask if this is green goo?" Spike asked.

"Whatever attacked the ponies I knew left behind a lot of green goo. I'd recognize it anywhere, and the stuff in that vial is just like what was left behind." Emziko said.

"I feared as much..." Zecora decided not to rhyme for a change as she opened the cork up.

"UGH!" Spike immediately held his nose. "WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT SMELL?! SMELLS LIKE BURNT COCKROACH."

"UGH! OH YEAH, THAT IS MOST CERTAINLY THE STINK." Emziko reacted. "I'd recognize that smell anywhere."

"And again, this is just as I feared then." Zecora again didn't rhyme as she corked the vial again, putting on her serious face as she brought out a few things and put them in her cauldron which started to swirl.

"Do you know what causes that kind of smell?" Spike asked. "...Also, how on earth do I know what burnt cockroach smells like?"

"It is a smell ingrained in the pshyche of all dragons I'm afraid and will not lie: For long ago the dragons had a terrifying enemy unlike any other that could fly." Zecora said.

"I don't remember anything like that..." Emziko said.

"Same here." Spike said.

"It was way before today's time, just shortly after the world was made anew after it was breaking apart. Creatures that could deceive the naked eye by changing their shape, making friends turn on each other out of fear that the threat was stealing the face of their neighbor." Zecora said.

"Wh-what kind of species can shape shift?" Emziko asked.

"Many names they have been called by other races, but the real name for them brings fear to any dragon. For they used to be the natural predators of dragonkind, and wanted their land as their own." Zecora said. "The name of this shape changing race is very fitting: They are called Changelings."

"Used to, what do you mean used to?" Emziko asked.

"For that, a history lesson is in order..." Zecora said.

Author's Note

Zecora always gives me a headache to write. Seriously, what were the writers thinking making her rhyme all the darn time?