Poison Kiss

Twilight knocks on the door. Zecora lets us inside. " You survived the great storm of doom, but where is little Apple Bloom?" Zecora says. Rarity shakes the slime off of her mane and walks into the door.

" She was struck by lightning. Her little heart couldn't take the shock." I say despondently.

" Oh, no! Say it isn't so!" Zecora bursts into tears. She gives me a pat on the back and gives my brother a big hug. He looks stunned. His legs go stiff and he holds his breath awkwardly.

" Is there anything I can do? Apple Bloom has told me a lot about you." She says squeezing him tightly. Big Mac shudders.

" E-yup!" Big Mac says taking two steps backward.

" Our friend Fluttershy got attacked by a globster and she swallowed some goop. I think she might be poisoned. Twilight says.

"Do you have an antidote?" Spike asks.

" As a matter a fact, yes I do. After she drinks this she'll be as good as new." She says dumping a vial into a bowl. Pinkie Pie crouches down so Fluttershy can lap up some of the potion.

" I don't think I can do much for your Rainbow friend, but I can give her some painkiller to make her pain end." Zekora says taking a cork out of a bottle with a strange pink liquid inside. Rainbow Dash takes a sip. She puckers her face and sticks out her tongue. Pinkie Pie giggles and makes the same face.

" You should feel a little better in an hour. I'm sorry if the potion tastes a bit sour." She says. Fluttershy starts stirring.

" Pinkie…" She mumbles.

" You're alive! I thought you were dead! I'm so happy." Pinkie Pie says tossing her in the air and catching her.

" Be careful, Pinkie Pie!" Tunesong says.

" I'm… I'm glad you're alive too, Pinkie Pie." Fluttershy stutters quietly.

" I almost forgot, how impolite. I should let you all stay here for the night." Zecora says.

" Like a giant slumber party? Wahoo! We can play games and tell stories." Pinkie Pie says in a perky voice.

" I don't think Zecora strikes me as a party animal." Rarity says.

" Ah want to hear a story. How did Apple Bloom get her Cutie Mark?" I ask.

" A tree fell in the storm and made a flock of birds take flight. They were homelessly wondering through the night. They all used to live high up in the trees. But instead the birds flew all over me. Then Apple Bloom made them a nest out of weeds. And out of her saddle bag, she threw apple seeds. She guided the birds to their new home through the dark. Suddenly, upon her flank appeared a Cutie Mark." She says.

" That's mah little sister. Always thinkin' of others." I say smiling.

" Please, don't feel so glum. You are where her personality comes from." She says looking at me and Big Mac.

" Aw, how cute!" Rarity says.

" What's cute?" I ask.

" Them… In love." Rarity sighs.

" Are you talkin' about mah brother?" I ask.

" Yes, it's so obvious. Can't you see it?" She asks.

" No." I say tilting my head to the side.

" Zecora has been staring at Big Mac this whole time. Someday they'll get married like me and Tunesong if things work out." She says batting her eyelashes. My jaw drops to the floor.

" Zecora and Big Macintosh? Married? They can't! If they get married Ah'd be her sister in law! Ah don't want another sister." I say trying to get the picture out of my head. The thoughts of living with Zecora linger in my mind. I watch them interact for a while and then I see it too.