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MLP: Stripes and Spots
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Literature Text
To the southeastern area of the beautiful and prosperous Kingdom Island of Tambelon, rests the grassy Scaly Spring Hills where the meadows and hills scale high as a dragon may fly. With flowers all in bloom during this warm, spring season...the dragons and changelings that make their homes here relax and enjoy all that is before them.
Cool waters within the great lakes rest in the center of it all, and most come to either drink or to bathe. As the dragons beat their mighty wings, the green blades of grass flow in a rhythmic pattern that resemble the waves of the mighty ocean surrounding Tambelon. With so much to see on the outside, along with the crystal caverns within the hills themselves, it is a perfect day to enjoy the weather and the good company of good friends.
But other than the usual activities that occur around this area that is but one of many paradises found within this prosperous Kingdom, today is where a large group of Cutie Mark Crusader Scouts are visiting the Hills in order to work on their next merit badges: Nature and Plant Identifying. Not only do these little fillies and colts have a chance to earn those said badges, but just might discover their special talents right here among the wide open area of hills and roaring green pastures.
"Now...can anypony here identify this plant?" The Scoutmaster of all Cutie Mark Crusaders on Tambelon asks her troop of over twenty young ponies, zebras, and more. Even as the wind blows through her bashe coat and streak mane, Marshall continues to teach all that she can to the scouts who are able to attend today.
The troop gaze upon the yellow flower that practically litters the very valley that stand in. Most raise their hooves high into the air since they know the answer. But out of them all, only one is picked: Shani.
"That happens to be a Sunflower. It is said they can grow fast within an hour," The pretty and wise little zebra answers...correctly in fact. After all the teachings she has received from her mother and father back at the Southcape Tribe, Shani may just earn her badges today and be that much closer to the required amount before graduating...and discovering her special talent.
"That is correct, Shani. Well spoken." Marshall praises the young filly, then turns to the rest of her troop, "Before we wrap up our trip for today, I want each and every one of you to team up with your partners and search the nearby area for a flower that you can use to help complete your merit badge. But do not go too far...and be sure to pick anything BUT a sunflower."
"Yes, Scoutmaster Marshall!~" The twenty or something CMC scouts salute and then divide up with the partners they were assigned long ago:
Delicacy and Starlight move out to the area near where a group of trees grow, and decide to check for any wildflowers, roses, or whatever they can find; Shani and Gust move on over near the nearby pond where some flowers are said to grow; Candy and Tyke follow a few others to see if they may have a good idea where to find some violets or maybe some lilies.
**************************************
Cool waters within the great lakes rest in the center of it all, and most come to either drink or to bathe. As the dragons beat their mighty wings, the green blades of grass flow in a rhythmic pattern that resemble the waves of the mighty ocean surrounding Tambelon. With so much to see on the outside, along with the crystal caverns within the hills themselves, it is a perfect day to enjoy the weather and the good company of good friends.
But other than the usual activities that occur around this area that is but one of many paradises found within this prosperous Kingdom, today is where a large group of Cutie Mark Crusader Scouts are visiting the Hills in order to work on their next merit badges: Nature and Plant Identifying. Not only do these little fillies and colts have a chance to earn those said badges, but just might discover their special talents right here among the wide open area of hills and roaring green pastures.
"Now...can anypony here identify this plant?" The Scoutmaster of all Cutie Mark Crusaders on Tambelon asks her troop of over twenty young ponies, zebras, and more. Even as the wind blows through her bashe coat and streak mane, Marshall continues to teach all that she can to the scouts who are able to attend today.
The troop gaze upon the yellow flower that practically litters the very valley that stand in. Most raise their hooves high into the air since they know the answer. But out of them all, only one is picked: Shani.
"That happens to be a Sunflower. It is said they can grow fast within an hour," The pretty and wise little zebra answers...correctly in fact. After all the teachings she has received from her mother and father back at the Southcape Tribe, Shani may just earn her badges today and be that much closer to the required amount before graduating...and discovering her special talent.
"That is correct, Shani. Well spoken." Marshall praises the young filly, then turns to the rest of her troop, "Before we wrap up our trip for today, I want each and every one of you to team up with your partners and search the nearby area for a flower that you can use to help complete your merit badge. But do not go too far...and be sure to pick anything BUT a sunflower."
"Yes, Scoutmaster Marshall!~" The twenty or something CMC scouts salute and then divide up with the partners they were assigned long ago:
Delicacy and Starlight move out to the area near where a group of trees grow, and decide to check for any wildflowers, roses, or whatever they can find; Shani and Gust move on over near the nearby pond where some flowers are said to grow; Candy and Tyke follow a few others to see if they may have a good idea where to find some violets or maybe some lilies.
**************************************
Meanwhile, within the glorious golden city of Tambelon, lies a very popular place where any mare or stallion may go to hang out with their friends and relax: The Tambelon Spa and Sauna. With it's rich reputation for Five-Star massages, hooficures, mud-baths, and so much more, reservations are now required in order to partake in something that is as sweet as cake. Perhaps even sweeter.
Six best friends have gathered at their favorite place to meet and spend some time together...which is something this group of fine young mares have not done in so long. With so many responsibilities to manage, parenting and otherwise, a nice afternoon of relaxation is called for by these six friends who have been together for what seems like a lifetime.
Because Twilight Sparkle and her five best friends helped to start this business for a group of young mares and stallions that wished to build such a promising paradise of relaxation, they were allowed unlimited access anytime they wish. Now after quite a while, the Mane Six are once again together...and nothing can spoil this perfect time out.
"This is the life...isn't it, girls?~" The beautiful Princess of Tambelon asks her five bests friends as she receives a full session of massaging, mud-mask, and a wonderful hooficure bonus.
"You...said it..." Applejack replies as her back is given a deep-tissue massage by the hooves of a professional. After all the hard work she endures at Applelulu every day, this strong and honest earth mare is just as glad as the gala to let her mane down and just relax...without a worry or care in the world.
"Oh yes. I agree..." The pretty yellow coated pegasus mare with the long pink mane concurs, as she rests in the hot spring...filled with natural spring water from the island itself. With the spa mares pouring such fine oils into the water to help soothe the fur and make it softer, Fluttershy rests herself as another spa pony brushes her long, silky mane.
"Yep! This is one super-awesome-wonderful-totally amazing afternoon!" Pinkie Pie chants as the spa ponies try to give her a hooficure and massage, but all her moving about makes it a little difficult. "I only wish Marble and Limestone could have joined us but they said they need to watch Sugarcane Lane; It's not always easy owning a candy store, but with all the delicious treat about...WHO CAN SAY NO TO THAT?!~"
The girls giggle a little to Pinkie Pie's much-missed happy and cheerful mood which they do not see much everyday. Rarity on the other hoof, is trying to relax and all the noise is cutting into all that, "Will you four keep it down, please? I am trying to enjoy myself~"
Rainbow Dash smirks at Rarity's remark and chuckles a little, "You come every two days of the week to get the same treatment, Rarity: Mud and Seaweed wraps and bath, massage, hoof and peticure, and who-knows-what-else..."
Rarity sits up upon hearing this, causing one of her cucumbers to fall off her eye, "And what is wrong with that, Rainbow Dash? A mare must maintain her beauty~" She confesses as the spa ponies give her their very best work, "After all...you seem to be enjoying your massage and hooficure; Ten years ago, you would not so much as allow anypony touch your hooves."
The strict Wonderbolt Captain of Tambelon smirks once more and turns to the attention of her own spa ponies cleaning and shining her hooves, "Well...things changed...especially when I rose in the ranks of my favorite flyers, married the coolest and most handsome stallion around, and became a mother. Nothing says I can't be tough...and hot~"
The girls giggle once more seeing and hearing their tomboyish friend becoming more girly than ever before...even if only a little. But they do admit, she is as pretty as she is strong and fast. Afterwards, the six return to relaxing and enjoying the company of good friends that will never be driven apart by anything.
"We should do this more often, girls." Twilight strongly suggests, since she is having so much fun as it is: Royal Pampering, good friends, and not a responsibility in mind.
"Ah reckon we should, Sugarcube," Applejack agrees as her hooves are getting cleaned and shined, "Still, A've got chores ta do in da morning, and not ta mention Ah gotta pick up mah little niece Candy from her scout meetin' later."
"Yeah!" Rainbow concurs, "Gotta dash soon and pick up my little wing from the same thing...and make sure he gets home in time to do his homework."
"Well, I have to be off soon as well; My little Delicacy will be returning from the Scaly Spring Hills along with her friends, and I simply MUST take her home so I can finish her new dress." Rarity reveals to her best friends.
Fluttershy admires how some of her best friends are mothers and have to take care of their little ones the same way she takes good care of all her little animal friends...including one that brings her to remember something important, "Oh yes...and I...well...I did promise Angel I would take him and his family to the beach."
Pinkie Pie smile and remembers that she will need to return to Sugarcane Lane in order to resume helping her sisters serve the wonderful customers that she enjoys greeting warmly when they arrive, and ensuring they leave with a smile, "I have to get back to work also! Can't keep my customers waiting when they want to be given something sweet to eat...with a smile on top!~"
Twilight smiles with such warmth in her heart...for herself and her best friends. Knowing how each and every one of them has come a long way since they all met those some years ago, brings a tear to the Princess's eye. With all that has happened since that day and after she met her beloved stallion, there is nothing more Twilight Sparkle can ask for.
"You alright, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash questions upon noticing the teary eyes of her best friend and leader of not only their little group, but the entire island they live on.
"Huh? Oh...uh...yeah. Just thinking about...well...all that we have in our lives: Our families, our home, and a future with all of us in it...together," The beautiful and intelligent alicorn princess confesses, which brings more tears to her eyes.
At that moment, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack all appreciate the kind words of their most best friend in the entire world; The little unicorn student now-turned alicorn princess who changed all their lives. Together, the five rise up for where they sit or lay, and walk over to their lavender coated friend...and all share a wonderful hug that is as warm as the Elements of Harmony and the Light that binds their hearts as one.
"I love you girls, so much," Twilight Sparkle expresses as she hugs them all in return.
"We love you too, Twilight." All at once do the five mares return the warm feeling of friendship that will watch over and guide them over the horizon, as will it to their little ones that give them hope for that very future.
****************************************
Six best friends have gathered at their favorite place to meet and spend some time together...which is something this group of fine young mares have not done in so long. With so many responsibilities to manage, parenting and otherwise, a nice afternoon of relaxation is called for by these six friends who have been together for what seems like a lifetime.
Because Twilight Sparkle and her five best friends helped to start this business for a group of young mares and stallions that wished to build such a promising paradise of relaxation, they were allowed unlimited access anytime they wish. Now after quite a while, the Mane Six are once again together...and nothing can spoil this perfect time out.
"This is the life...isn't it, girls?~" The beautiful Princess of Tambelon asks her five bests friends as she receives a full session of massaging, mud-mask, and a wonderful hooficure bonus.
"You...said it..." Applejack replies as her back is given a deep-tissue massage by the hooves of a professional. After all the hard work she endures at Applelulu every day, this strong and honest earth mare is just as glad as the gala to let her mane down and just relax...without a worry or care in the world.
"Oh yes. I agree..." The pretty yellow coated pegasus mare with the long pink mane concurs, as she rests in the hot spring...filled with natural spring water from the island itself. With the spa mares pouring such fine oils into the water to help soothe the fur and make it softer, Fluttershy rests herself as another spa pony brushes her long, silky mane.
"Yep! This is one super-awesome-wonderful-totally amazing afternoon!" Pinkie Pie chants as the spa ponies try to give her a hooficure and massage, but all her moving about makes it a little difficult. "I only wish Marble and Limestone could have joined us but they said they need to watch Sugarcane Lane; It's not always easy owning a candy store, but with all the delicious treat about...WHO CAN SAY NO TO THAT?!~"
The girls giggle a little to Pinkie Pie's much-missed happy and cheerful mood which they do not see much everyday. Rarity on the other hoof, is trying to relax and all the noise is cutting into all that, "Will you four keep it down, please? I am trying to enjoy myself~"
Rainbow Dash smirks at Rarity's remark and chuckles a little, "You come every two days of the week to get the same treatment, Rarity: Mud and Seaweed wraps and bath, massage, hoof and peticure, and who-knows-what-else..."
Rarity sits up upon hearing this, causing one of her cucumbers to fall off her eye, "And what is wrong with that, Rainbow Dash? A mare must maintain her beauty~" She confesses as the spa ponies give her their very best work, "After all...you seem to be enjoying your massage and hooficure; Ten years ago, you would not so much as allow anypony touch your hooves."
The strict Wonderbolt Captain of Tambelon smirks once more and turns to the attention of her own spa ponies cleaning and shining her hooves, "Well...things changed...especially when I rose in the ranks of my favorite flyers, married the coolest and most handsome stallion around, and became a mother. Nothing says I can't be tough...and hot~"
The girls giggle once more seeing and hearing their tomboyish friend becoming more girly than ever before...even if only a little. But they do admit, she is as pretty as she is strong and fast. Afterwards, the six return to relaxing and enjoying the company of good friends that will never be driven apart by anything.
"We should do this more often, girls." Twilight strongly suggests, since she is having so much fun as it is: Royal Pampering, good friends, and not a responsibility in mind.
"Ah reckon we should, Sugarcube," Applejack agrees as her hooves are getting cleaned and shined, "Still, A've got chores ta do in da morning, and not ta mention Ah gotta pick up mah little niece Candy from her scout meetin' later."
"Yeah!" Rainbow concurs, "Gotta dash soon and pick up my little wing from the same thing...and make sure he gets home in time to do his homework."
"Well, I have to be off soon as well; My little Delicacy will be returning from the Scaly Spring Hills along with her friends, and I simply MUST take her home so I can finish her new dress." Rarity reveals to her best friends.
Fluttershy admires how some of her best friends are mothers and have to take care of their little ones the same way she takes good care of all her little animal friends...including one that brings her to remember something important, "Oh yes...and I...well...I did promise Angel I would take him and his family to the beach."
Pinkie Pie smile and remembers that she will need to return to Sugarcane Lane in order to resume helping her sisters serve the wonderful customers that she enjoys greeting warmly when they arrive, and ensuring they leave with a smile, "I have to get back to work also! Can't keep my customers waiting when they want to be given something sweet to eat...with a smile on top!~"
Twilight smiles with such warmth in her heart...for herself and her best friends. Knowing how each and every one of them has come a long way since they all met those some years ago, brings a tear to the Princess's eye. With all that has happened since that day and after she met her beloved stallion, there is nothing more Twilight Sparkle can ask for.
"You alright, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash questions upon noticing the teary eyes of her best friend and leader of not only their little group, but the entire island they live on.
"Huh? Oh...uh...yeah. Just thinking about...well...all that we have in our lives: Our families, our home, and a future with all of us in it...together," The beautiful and intelligent alicorn princess confesses, which brings more tears to her eyes.
At that moment, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack all appreciate the kind words of their most best friend in the entire world; The little unicorn student now-turned alicorn princess who changed all their lives. Together, the five rise up for where they sit or lay, and walk over to their lavender coated friend...and all share a wonderful hug that is as warm as the Elements of Harmony and the Light that binds their hearts as one.
"I love you girls, so much," Twilight Sparkle expresses as she hugs them all in return.
"We love you too, Twilight." All at once do the five mares return the warm feeling of friendship that will watch over and guide them over the horizon, as will it to their little ones that give them hope for that very future.
****************************************
With the might of six great stallions pulling the CMC carriage and the twenty or something scouts riding inside, the excited group of young crusaders cheer as they pass through the large Southern Gates of Tambelon City. After a wonderful afternoon of plant identifying and fun in the fields, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are ready to return home and enjoy what time they have left before the weekend ends and school begins anew.
All while the scouts talk amongst themselves on how they enjoyed the day and earned their merit badges for today's lesson in only a few hours, a small sneeze is released from the nose and mouth of a certain little zebra. This is the fourth time Shani has sneezed since right before pulling into the city...which worries the five best friends sitting around her.
"Are you alright, Shani?" Delicacy asked her cheerful and rhyming friend when the next sneeze happens to be blown onto her hooves, grossing the little unicorn out a little.
"Oh dear, I am so sorry." Shani apologizes after wiping her nose, "I know not what is wrong with me."
Candy offers her little striped friend her own CMC handkerchief, hoping it may come in handy, "Here ya are, Shani. Ah hope dis here can help a bit before we get back."
The young filly smiles and happily takes the offer given to her by the leader of their little group that she is happy to be apart of, "Candy...I truly thank you...for this wonderful- "AAAHH-CHOO!!" Shani sneezes into the handkerchief this time and wipes her nose, feeling slightly better...that she did not release it all on her friends.
"What do you think is wrong, Shani?" The little blue pegasus named Gust asks his CMC partner and friend, "I hope you are not coming down with anything."
"I...I hope not either..." Tyke mutters, worrying for his best friend.
Starlight turns to her pegasus and changeling friends and quiets them down, "I'm sure she will be alright. My mommy told me that in spring time, the flowers spread their pollen and it may cause sneezing and such. It passes after a while, so it's no biggie."
Shani has heard of this from her mother and father during her younger years being raised in the tribe: Pollen blowing through the air is just a natural way of the island and the rest of the world. Still, the sneezing to the reaction part is still stuffing up the nose of the striped filly and she cannot help but let another out, "AAHH-CHOOO!!"
Scoutmaster Marshall hears the crying blows of the little zebra's nose and moves her way through the carriage carefully to reach the group of best friends. Once she arrives at the group made up of one alicorn, pegasus, unicorn, earth pony, zebra, and changeling, the bashe coated mare looks upon the six and asks the question, "Are you okay, little crusader?"
Shani wipes her stuffy nose and nods a little, "Yes, I will be alright. I am sure it will pass overnight."
Not taking any chances with the little filly going from simple sneezes to a common cold, Marshall feels Shani's forehead and checks her own. They are both the same, slightly. "Well, you feel fine...but I would suggest resting up and letting your parents know so it does not scale into something worse. Okay?"
"Yes, Scoutmaster...I will not let it become a disaster." Shani promises Marshall, who has been such a kind and supporting leader to everypony in the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
Marshall smiles and returns to her seat, while the Yearling Six sit back down and enjoy the rest of the ride to the CMC Headquarters...which they have arrived at and will be parking in less than a minute. Already the scouts look out the carriage windows and see their parents already waiting to pick them up and take them home...for tomorrow is Monday and the beginning of yet another school week.
****************************************
All while the scouts talk amongst themselves on how they enjoyed the day and earned their merit badges for today's lesson in only a few hours, a small sneeze is released from the nose and mouth of a certain little zebra. This is the fourth time Shani has sneezed since right before pulling into the city...which worries the five best friends sitting around her.
"Are you alright, Shani?" Delicacy asked her cheerful and rhyming friend when the next sneeze happens to be blown onto her hooves, grossing the little unicorn out a little.
"Oh dear, I am so sorry." Shani apologizes after wiping her nose, "I know not what is wrong with me."
Candy offers her little striped friend her own CMC handkerchief, hoping it may come in handy, "Here ya are, Shani. Ah hope dis here can help a bit before we get back."
The young filly smiles and happily takes the offer given to her by the leader of their little group that she is happy to be apart of, "Candy...I truly thank you...for this wonderful- "AAAHH-CHOO!!" Shani sneezes into the handkerchief this time and wipes her nose, feeling slightly better...that she did not release it all on her friends.
"What do you think is wrong, Shani?" The little blue pegasus named Gust asks his CMC partner and friend, "I hope you are not coming down with anything."
"I...I hope not either..." Tyke mutters, worrying for his best friend.
Starlight turns to her pegasus and changeling friends and quiets them down, "I'm sure she will be alright. My mommy told me that in spring time, the flowers spread their pollen and it may cause sneezing and such. It passes after a while, so it's no biggie."
Shani has heard of this from her mother and father during her younger years being raised in the tribe: Pollen blowing through the air is just a natural way of the island and the rest of the world. Still, the sneezing to the reaction part is still stuffing up the nose of the striped filly and she cannot help but let another out, "AAHH-CHOOO!!"
Scoutmaster Marshall hears the crying blows of the little zebra's nose and moves her way through the carriage carefully to reach the group of best friends. Once she arrives at the group made up of one alicorn, pegasus, unicorn, earth pony, zebra, and changeling, the bashe coated mare looks upon the six and asks the question, "Are you okay, little crusader?"
Shani wipes her stuffy nose and nods a little, "Yes, I will be alright. I am sure it will pass overnight."
Not taking any chances with the little filly going from simple sneezes to a common cold, Marshall feels Shani's forehead and checks her own. They are both the same, slightly. "Well, you feel fine...but I would suggest resting up and letting your parents know so it does not scale into something worse. Okay?"
"Yes, Scoutmaster...I will not let it become a disaster." Shani promises Marshall, who has been such a kind and supporting leader to everypony in the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
Marshall smiles and returns to her seat, while the Yearling Six sit back down and enjoy the rest of the ride to the CMC Headquarters...which they have arrived at and will be parking in less than a minute. Already the scouts look out the carriage windows and see their parents already waiting to pick them up and take them home...for tomorrow is Monday and the beginning of yet another school week.
****************************************
Later that evening, when the moon rises into the starry sky to bring forth a lovely night, the parents across the island of Tambelon begin to tuck their little ones into their warm beds. With a goodnight story, hug and kiss, plus the promise of Princess Luna watching over their dreams, one by one the young fillies and colts close their eyes and doze off into nice, peaceful sleep.
While the members of the Yearling Six are tucked into their own beds within their own homes by their own loving parents, one in particular has a little trouble falling asleep...
"AAAHH-CHOOO!!" Shani cries out as she sneezes while her parents try to tuck her into her little bed made of such soft hay and feathers.
"Oh my dearest filly...why do you sneeze so silly?" The beautiful and wise zebra mare named Subira asks softly to her precious daughter upon noticing such a stuffy nose with sneezing to follow, "If it is a cold that has befallen you...den some potions shall keep you from turning blue."
Chief Thunderhooves, the mighty buffalo leader of the Southcape Tribe, agrees with his wife and looks through their inventory...but has not a clue to where the right potion may be, "I do not think any of what we have is what our little Shani needs, my dearest."
Subira gives a much saddened sigh, as her long mane rests along her side, and gives an understanding nod to her beloved husband, "Den we will have to make some more...while our daughter's nose is de only thing that is sore."
"But can we not do it now?" the sniffing Shani asks as she rests in her bed, "I am starting to feel a little sweaty on my brow."
Subira and Thunderhooves sadly inform their daughter that her Aunt Zecora is currently sleeping and will have to ask for her assistance in the morning...since she is the tribe's official medical zebra. So for now, the zebra and buffalo parents of the little zebra filly they are proud to raise and call their own, tuck Shani into bed...with a small stack of cloths by her bed to help for her sneezing.
"Know that we will be in the next room, Shani," Thunderhooves comforts his daughter, "If you need anything, just ask us...but for now, relax and hopefully this will pass by morning."
The sniffing filly nods and blows her nose into one of the tissue cloths, cleaning out her nose...for now, "Okay, I will wait until dawn...and hope all of dis will just move on."
With that, Subira and Thunderhooves hug their pride and joy goodnight and blow out her candle upon her nightstand. Once the loving parents close the door behind them, Shani sniffs once again and lays herself down to bed...and hopes to have a goodnight sleep and will be well enough for school tomorrow.
************************************
As the dusk slowly turns to dawn; The bright and shining sun slowly makes it way up over the eastern horizon, raised by Princess Celestia herself from the far away land of Equestria. A new day has begun.
While some may be arising early for work or school, a certain little striped filly yawns as she sits up in her bed and opens her eyes...only to see some brownish-yellow spots all over her coat, followed by a slight state of panic. With her nose all stuffy and her fur covered in spots in addition to the stripes she is proud to be born with, the little filly named Shani throws her head up to the ceiling and screams, "Mama!! Papa!!"
With the sound of thunder rumbling on the ground, the might buffalo father rushes into his daughter's room, breaking down the door in the process. Due the cry so loud, Thunderhooves did not have time to open the door, "What is it?! What is going- By the great Buffalo Spirit of my ancestors!!!"
Subira comes rushing in, with a slight bit of irritation that her husband broke another door, gasps upon seeing her little pride and joy with a runny nose and spots all over her beautiful coat. "No...my daughter. Quick, fetch her some water!"
The great brown buffalo agrees and rushes out, hitting a part of the doorway...making Subira that much more irritated, but she puts that aside for the sake of her daughter...whom she tucks into her bed and strokes her head gently. Whatever this is...hopefully her sister, Zecora, can explain it and possible cure it.
"Oh my..." The zebra mare with the mohawk and rings around some parts of her body gasps when she sees her precious niece in an outbreak of spots.
"Do you know what the problem is, dearest sister of mine?" Subira asks her twin, hoping it will be nothing serious, "Whatever it takes to cure my filly; Anything at all... is fine."
Zecora inspects her little niece, checking her eyes, tongue, and her forehead while Shani lays in bed. After a moment, the wise zebra herbalist and potion-maker turns from the little sick filly and gives her sister and brother-in-law the slightly bad news, "Your worries and fears are for not. Hay Fever is what your little filly has caught."
Subira gasps but knows well to what Hay Fever is and what it brings. She and Zecora had it before when they were young...all because of pollen season and the hay it touched. The symptoms are runny nose, high temperature, Hay-colored spots, and a weakening of the body a little.
"This is not good: Our little filly was out with the CMC Scouts yesterday...in the Scaly Spring Hills. Since there are flowers all about there...I have no doubt the pollen spread as they were walking through it." Thunderhooves hypothesizes.
Subira agrees with her husband, but still wonders where the hay part came into all this. The worrying mother zebra turns to her little filly and asks her in a soft tone, "Shani, I must ask this really quick: Did you eat any hay on your trip that may have gotten you sick?"
After a mighty sneeze and wiping of her nose to follow, Shani gives a nod of her head...and explains how they were brought hay from the city to eat, but it was left out when she and her friends were out searching for plants to identify.
"De pollen must have blown into de hay..." Zecora suggests, believing that may have been the truth and cause of it all, "...which mean de other fillies and colts might be sick on dis very day."
Subira and Thunderhooves do not like the sound of that and may have to send word to their friends across the island about this...even though it is probably already being handled. But, the important matter for now is to find a way to cure their little Shani of her Hay fever...and the only one who may know is her Aunt Zecora.
"You need not worry, for I can gather the items in a hurry." Zecora informs her sister, brother-in-law, and precious niece, "They are scattered around the island...but assistance in finding them would be grand."
Thunderhooves snorts proudly and nods, "I will help you find them, sister of my beautiful wife." He turns his attention from Zecora to Subira and asks, "Will you be alright remaining here and looking after our little one, while some of the herd and myself go searching for what Zecora will need to craft her potion?"
With a warm smile upon her lips and a soft kiss to press into his cheek, the loving mother and wife approves and wishes her husband the best while she remain and take care of their daughter, "Go with swiftness, my love. Bring back that to cure what we must dispose of."
With a blush upon his furry cheeks, and a determined heart to be there for his family and tribe, the mighty buffalo Thunderhooves walks out of the hut...without breaking anything this time around. He gathers a few of his buffalo friends and they set off to look around the island with Zecora. The five ingredients needed are not too far, but they may take most of the day to find...but that will not stop the chief from finding that which can cure his daughter and return her to full health for school tomorrow.
While the members of the Yearling Six are tucked into their own beds within their own homes by their own loving parents, one in particular has a little trouble falling asleep...
"AAAHH-CHOOO!!" Shani cries out as she sneezes while her parents try to tuck her into her little bed made of such soft hay and feathers.
"Oh my dearest filly...why do you sneeze so silly?" The beautiful and wise zebra mare named Subira asks softly to her precious daughter upon noticing such a stuffy nose with sneezing to follow, "If it is a cold that has befallen you...den some potions shall keep you from turning blue."
Chief Thunderhooves, the mighty buffalo leader of the Southcape Tribe, agrees with his wife and looks through their inventory...but has not a clue to where the right potion may be, "I do not think any of what we have is what our little Shani needs, my dearest."
Subira gives a much saddened sigh, as her long mane rests along her side, and gives an understanding nod to her beloved husband, "Den we will have to make some more...while our daughter's nose is de only thing that is sore."
"But can we not do it now?" the sniffing Shani asks as she rests in her bed, "I am starting to feel a little sweaty on my brow."
Subira and Thunderhooves sadly inform their daughter that her Aunt Zecora is currently sleeping and will have to ask for her assistance in the morning...since she is the tribe's official medical zebra. So for now, the zebra and buffalo parents of the little zebra filly they are proud to raise and call their own, tuck Shani into bed...with a small stack of cloths by her bed to help for her sneezing.
"Know that we will be in the next room, Shani," Thunderhooves comforts his daughter, "If you need anything, just ask us...but for now, relax and hopefully this will pass by morning."
The sniffing filly nods and blows her nose into one of the tissue cloths, cleaning out her nose...for now, "Okay, I will wait until dawn...and hope all of dis will just move on."
With that, Subira and Thunderhooves hug their pride and joy goodnight and blow out her candle upon her nightstand. Once the loving parents close the door behind them, Shani sniffs once again and lays herself down to bed...and hopes to have a goodnight sleep and will be well enough for school tomorrow.
************************************
As the dusk slowly turns to dawn; The bright and shining sun slowly makes it way up over the eastern horizon, raised by Princess Celestia herself from the far away land of Equestria. A new day has begun.
While some may be arising early for work or school, a certain little striped filly yawns as she sits up in her bed and opens her eyes...only to see some brownish-yellow spots all over her coat, followed by a slight state of panic. With her nose all stuffy and her fur covered in spots in addition to the stripes she is proud to be born with, the little filly named Shani throws her head up to the ceiling and screams, "Mama!! Papa!!"
With the sound of thunder rumbling on the ground, the might buffalo father rushes into his daughter's room, breaking down the door in the process. Due the cry so loud, Thunderhooves did not have time to open the door, "What is it?! What is going- By the great Buffalo Spirit of my ancestors!!!"
Subira comes rushing in, with a slight bit of irritation that her husband broke another door, gasps upon seeing her little pride and joy with a runny nose and spots all over her beautiful coat. "No...my daughter. Quick, fetch her some water!"
The great brown buffalo agrees and rushes out, hitting a part of the doorway...making Subira that much more irritated, but she puts that aside for the sake of her daughter...whom she tucks into her bed and strokes her head gently. Whatever this is...hopefully her sister, Zecora, can explain it and possible cure it.
**************************************
"Oh my..." The zebra mare with the mohawk and rings around some parts of her body gasps when she sees her precious niece in an outbreak of spots.
"Do you know what the problem is, dearest sister of mine?" Subira asks her twin, hoping it will be nothing serious, "Whatever it takes to cure my filly; Anything at all... is fine."
Zecora inspects her little niece, checking her eyes, tongue, and her forehead while Shani lays in bed. After a moment, the wise zebra herbalist and potion-maker turns from the little sick filly and gives her sister and brother-in-law the slightly bad news, "Your worries and fears are for not. Hay Fever is what your little filly has caught."
Subira gasps but knows well to what Hay Fever is and what it brings. She and Zecora had it before when they were young...all because of pollen season and the hay it touched. The symptoms are runny nose, high temperature, Hay-colored spots, and a weakening of the body a little.
"This is not good: Our little filly was out with the CMC Scouts yesterday...in the Scaly Spring Hills. Since there are flowers all about there...I have no doubt the pollen spread as they were walking through it." Thunderhooves hypothesizes.
Subira agrees with her husband, but still wonders where the hay part came into all this. The worrying mother zebra turns to her little filly and asks her in a soft tone, "Shani, I must ask this really quick: Did you eat any hay on your trip that may have gotten you sick?"
After a mighty sneeze and wiping of her nose to follow, Shani gives a nod of her head...and explains how they were brought hay from the city to eat, but it was left out when she and her friends were out searching for plants to identify.
"De pollen must have blown into de hay..." Zecora suggests, believing that may have been the truth and cause of it all, "...which mean de other fillies and colts might be sick on dis very day."
Subira and Thunderhooves do not like the sound of that and may have to send word to their friends across the island about this...even though it is probably already being handled. But, the important matter for now is to find a way to cure their little Shani of her Hay fever...and the only one who may know is her Aunt Zecora.
"You need not worry, for I can gather the items in a hurry." Zecora informs her sister, brother-in-law, and precious niece, "They are scattered around the island...but assistance in finding them would be grand."
Thunderhooves snorts proudly and nods, "I will help you find them, sister of my beautiful wife." He turns his attention from Zecora to Subira and asks, "Will you be alright remaining here and looking after our little one, while some of the herd and myself go searching for what Zecora will need to craft her potion?"
With a warm smile upon her lips and a soft kiss to press into his cheek, the loving mother and wife approves and wishes her husband the best while she remain and take care of their daughter, "Go with swiftness, my love. Bring back that to cure what we must dispose of."
With a blush upon his furry cheeks, and a determined heart to be there for his family and tribe, the mighty buffalo Thunderhooves walks out of the hut...without breaking anything this time around. He gathers a few of his buffalo friends and they set off to look around the island with Zecora. The five ingredients needed are not too far, but they may take most of the day to find...but that will not stop the chief from finding that which can cure his daughter and return her to full health for school tomorrow.
*************************************
For the next few hours while the buffalo herd search around the island for the ingredients to make the cure, Shani has been confined to her room by orders of her mother...so that she may rest and recover from the effects of Hay Fever. Despite claiming she is alright to move about, Subira refuses to let her daughter leave.
"But...mama..." The sniffy little zebra filly fusses as she cannot stand to look upon her own spots that cover her body.
"Not another word, Shani...now drink dis cup of hot tea," The strict, but loving mother orders as she carefully gives to her daughter a lovely brew that smells a little weird, but is bound to help with her stuffy nose.
Without an option to refuse, Shani holds the cup with her hooves and takes a tiny sip once she brings it to her lips. Although hot, the little zebra is use to drinking such delicious brews...however...this one tastes a little bitter that it brings Shani to gag a little at the horrible taste, "What is in dis stuff?! If I am to drink more, I have had enough!"
Subira shakes her head and informs her daughter that she will not get anything else until she drinks all of that brew she made in order to help cure her stuffy nose, "I know it may taste bad...but that is all I can give until de return of your dad. Now hurry and drink up your brew, so that I can feed you some delicious stew."
"Ugh..." Shani lets out a moan, followed by a light sneeze that almost brings her to spill her hot drink all over the bed...but Subira reacts fast and prevents such from happening by holding the mug with her hoof.
"Rest easy, my little one...and I promise you will feel better by the setting sun," Subira vows as she allows her daughter to rest for a few hours while she prepares some homemade stew that is a traditional remedy known by both zebras and buffalo kind.
Once her mother leaves the room without shutting the door...since her husband broke it down...Shani sighs and places her brew to the side of her nightstand. As much as she desires to be snot-free...and spot free...all Shani hoped from this was to have a day off to play around. But with her mom watching over her...and her body's state feeling similar to not sleeping for days...the exhausted and weak little zebra has no choice but to remain in bed.
"Dis is...not what I hoped for..." Shani picks up the brew and sniffs it again...and gags, "I do not think I can drink this anymore..."
Even as the little filly lays in her bed all groggy and nose full of snot, she wonders how her friends are doing...and hopes they do not have the Hay Fever as she does.
***********************************************
"Mama...I'm so cold," Shani shivers as she lays in her bed, with her covers keeping her as warm as they can...despite not being enough for the little filly, "...and I feel as ikky as mold," With a small sniff and a large sneeze to follow, it looks as though the Hay Fever continues to make the innocent little zebra feel so terrible on the inside and out.
With a folded blanket carried in by the long maned zebra mother of this sick little filly, Subira spreads it out and places the blue blanket atop of Shani's comforter...hoping this will help keep her daughter as warm as possible, "It will be alright, my little Shani. You will get better...just wait and see."
As much as she wishes to believe that, the striped filly with a heart of joy cannot bring herself to feel as high spirited as her mother. "I don't want to be in bed...all day. I just want to...go out and...play."
Subira feels her little one's forehead and gives a sad shake of her head, causing her mane to flow back and forth as she does, "I am afraid that will not happen...not until this cold is gone and not before den."
Shani sighs and wonders if she will ever get better...and worries what will happen if she has to endure another day of all this.
Suddenly, there is a noise coming from the front door...which is no doubt Chief Thunderhooves and Zecora returning from their long quest to gather the required ingredients for the potion. Subira immediately rises from Shani's bedside and rushes out to greet her husband and sister.
"So...did you find what we need?" Subira questions with hope, "We need to cure my little filly's sickness at great speed."
The great buffalo gives a smile and nuzzles the cheek of his worrying wife, which helps to calm her down...and allows him to speak, "We are victorious, my beloved. Zecora and I have traveled from the Tribe to the Hills...and to the Farmlands...and to the City...and to-"
Subira gives a small sigh of annoyance at her husband going off again with his constant rambling, and she gives him a gentle nudge to stop him before he goes on for the next hour and their daughter suffers from more sneezing and all that comes after, "Uhm...dear...?"
Thunderhooves clears his throat and apologizes, "Sorry, my love. Heh...even after all these years, I still have a rambling problem. Anyway, we found everything necessary to craft the potion that will cure not only our daughter...but the other children all over the island."
"Are you saying...?"
"Yes, it turns out that most of Shani's friends and classmates have all caught the Hay Fever," Zecora reveals from what she and Thunderhooves have discovered when they traversed the entire island of Tambelon, "Over twenty in total and I am not lying, so I hope you are a believer."
Subira has no reason to reject her sister's words, as well as that of her husband's, "I understand and we will have to do our best...to ensure this cure is given to all foals from the east to the west!"
"The buffalo and zebra of our families are ready to make the runs across the island, to deliver the medicine so that the little ones can be ready to school by tomorrow." Thunderhooves reveals to his wife.
Subira smiles with such cheerful joy in her heart and she gives both her sister and husband a warm, caring hug, "You two are da best. Dis family of mine...in which we are truly blessed."
The three share that warm, blessed hug as they are happy to all be one big happy family; Even in a tribe of both zebra and buffalo, nothing can stop nor break away any of those that live here. Once the hug comes to an end, Subira and Zecora get to work on brewing the potion together: Their very first together since they were little fillies.
Thunderhooves, after all the running he has done, is ready to take a short break before the big island run that he and others will take part in, decides to spend his time watching over his sleeping daughter...and making sure she is as comfortable as can be. To run across an entire island...non-stop...to gather whatever is needed to cure a sickness that causes his little zebra such pain...is worth it to him. Nothing is more important to him...than his family.
For the next few hours while the buffalo herd search around the island for the ingredients to make the cure, Shani has been confined to her room by orders of her mother...so that she may rest and recover from the effects of Hay Fever. Despite claiming she is alright to move about, Subira refuses to let her daughter leave.
"But...mama..." The sniffy little zebra filly fusses as she cannot stand to look upon her own spots that cover her body.
"Not another word, Shani...now drink dis cup of hot tea," The strict, but loving mother orders as she carefully gives to her daughter a lovely brew that smells a little weird, but is bound to help with her stuffy nose.
Without an option to refuse, Shani holds the cup with her hooves and takes a tiny sip once she brings it to her lips. Although hot, the little zebra is use to drinking such delicious brews...however...this one tastes a little bitter that it brings Shani to gag a little at the horrible taste, "What is in dis stuff?! If I am to drink more, I have had enough!"
Subira shakes her head and informs her daughter that she will not get anything else until she drinks all of that brew she made in order to help cure her stuffy nose, "I know it may taste bad...but that is all I can give until de return of your dad. Now hurry and drink up your brew, so that I can feed you some delicious stew."
"Ugh..." Shani lets out a moan, followed by a light sneeze that almost brings her to spill her hot drink all over the bed...but Subira reacts fast and prevents such from happening by holding the mug with her hoof.
"Rest easy, my little one...and I promise you will feel better by the setting sun," Subira vows as she allows her daughter to rest for a few hours while she prepares some homemade stew that is a traditional remedy known by both zebras and buffalo kind.
Once her mother leaves the room without shutting the door...since her husband broke it down...Shani sighs and places her brew to the side of her nightstand. As much as she desires to be snot-free...and spot free...all Shani hoped from this was to have a day off to play around. But with her mom watching over her...and her body's state feeling similar to not sleeping for days...the exhausted and weak little zebra has no choice but to remain in bed.
"Dis is...not what I hoped for..." Shani picks up the brew and sniffs it again...and gags, "I do not think I can drink this anymore..."
Even as the little filly lays in her bed all groggy and nose full of snot, she wonders how her friends are doing...and hopes they do not have the Hay Fever as she does.
***********************************************
Within the palace of Tambelon, the little alicorn princess coughs a little as she lays in her bed...with a water bag on her head and a thermometer in her mouth. Starlight's eyes feel so heavy while her mane is a complete mess from the Hay Fever she caught from the hay she ate the other day.
"Now don't you worry, sweety," Twilight Sparkle reassures her little filly as she sits upon the bed, while holding up a book titled "1000 Ways to Cure a Cold", "While we wait for the medicine I ordered for you, why don't we look over what we can do to help cure you the natural way and keep your spirit up? Doesn't that sound like fun?"~"
The moment this method of "fun" is brought up, Starlight groans and falls back onto her pillow...with her eyes staring straight up at the ceiling. Today was suppose to be a day for school, or at least a sick day to have some extra fun...but instead she is too weak to do any of that and now must listen to her mother's little book on how to cure an illness.
"Why me...?" Starlight asks herself in her head...wishing she never got sick in the first place.
High in the cloud city of Cumulai, the two Wonderbolt Captains take the day off from work in order to watch over their little wing...who has come down with the Hay Fever...just like his friends from what they have been told. With the little sickly pegasus colt resting in his Wonderbolt theme bed, both Rainbow Dash and Soarin plan to do what they can to help their little Gust recover.
After preparing a little home cooked meal for her little son, Rainbow Dash walks into Gust's room only to find the sneaky little pegasus playing with his toys...but with some difficulty.
"Back to bed right now, young stallion..." Soarin informs his son as he gently bites down on the back of his son's mane, lifts him up, and places him back in bed, "You need to wait a day or two before you can play again."
As his father sits him up with the blankets covering most of him, Gust sneezes and wipes his nose, "But...dad..dy..."
"No buts, little wing," the strict, but loving mother cuts him off and holds out the bowl of soup for him to eat, "We made you some soup that will help make you better."
The smell of the soup has a pleasant aroma coming from the hot steam. Whatever his mom and dad made, it may be something to at least enjoy while he is confined to his bedroom for the next day or two, "Thank you...*sniff*...Mommy."
Rainbow Dash gently pets the messy mane of her little pegasus and knows that he will be better in no time at all, "You're Welcome, son. But know that after this bowl...you will have to eat five more before the end of the day. Doctor's orders."
At that moment, Gust groans as he slumps back into his bed...but only for a brief while before he is told to sit up again and eat the soup his mother worked hard to make for her little colt. While it does taste good...there is no telling if he can handle four more bowls of this.
Down at Applelulu, the sneezing Candy Apple rests herself in the bed of her bedroom, with her mother sitting by her bedside...reading her a story to help take her mind off of the Hay Fever that she was unfortunate to avoid after eating the hay brought along for the CMC field trip.
Big Macintosh walks into the bedroom while carrying a tray with some hot Apple cider upon it. According to the Apple Family, Cider has been used in times of sicknesses...going back as far to the very first apple: Appleseed.
"Drink this, my little Candy," Cheerilee suggests, "It should help cure that nasty cold."
The red stallion places the tray down on Candy's nightstand by her bed, and gives a strong nod, "Eeyup!"
With her nose so red and her mane a disaster much like the rest of how her body feels, the little filly tries to reach for the cup...only to sneeze so hard it causes her to jump and hit the back of her head against her bed frame, "Ow..."
Cheerilee gasps and gives her little daughter a warm hug...and tries to help ease the pain, "Shh...it's okay, Candy..."
Big Macintosh sits on the other side of the bed and hugs both his wife and daughter gently...and hopes that Candy will recover soon. Because to him, having her sick like this makes his heart hurt and gives him no strength to work. Even though the medicine is set to arrive later today or tomorrow, both parents will stay home until their little apple is cured of her Hay Fever.
Within the beautiful jewel encrusted mansion that rests within a wonderful area of Tambelon City, the rich and beautiful Rarity enters the bedroom of her daughter, wearing an environment suit to protect her from the Hay Fever that Delicacy has contracted from eating the pollen-infested hay back at Scaly Spring Hills.
"Rarity..." The great purple and green dragon named Spike sighs at his wife, "Hay fever is not contagious. You don't need to over react like this."
"I am NOT overreacting, Spikey-Wikey," The prissy, yet gorgeous mare states, "After all, the last time I listened to you when you caught the Dragon Flu, I was coughing and sneezing so hard...it felt like I was breathing fire."
Spike blushes nervously and recalls that event that he swears was not his fault. "I swear I didn't know THAT one was contagious."
"Still, nothing wrong with being prepared...just in case." Rarity insists as she and her husband continue to debate to whether or not their precious little daughter has an illness that can be spread.
As the two continue to agree and disagree over such-and-such, Delicacy is brought a bowl of soup by the servants to eat and help cure her of her illness...in the best way it can. However, with her parents still standing in the doorway, blabbering over some pointless topic, the one thing Delicacy wishes for are some earmuffs to block this out so she can sleep; She only wonders how long it will be before her mommy and daddy stop and realize she needs her sleep.
Back at the Scaly Spring Hills where the pollen continues to blow through the air and irritate the noses of some dragons and changelings, the Queen of the latter rests within her nest...along with her precious little Tyke curled up in her embrace as she keeps him warm.
The youngling prince does feel warmer in his mother's embrace with her warm, black fur against him, but wishes he can get up and walk around a little...but every time he tries, Chrystala stops him.
"Mommy..." Tyke mutters as she sniffs, trying his best not to let himself release a nasty sneeze, "Can I...get up now...?"
"Not yet, my little one..." The beautiful Changeling Queen whispers gently, "You need to rest before your medicine arrives. So just sleep...and know that I will be here for you until you are well, my little Tyke."
With a warm smile and and nose full of snot, Tyke rests within the nest of straw and grass that his mother made for him and her since they moved to Tambelon. As much as the little changeling wishes to go outside, he feels too weak and will have to stay put until his medicine or some food arrives. As much as Tyke dislikes being sick and having to stay in the nest, he is happy to have his warm and caring mother stay by his side until he is well again.
"Now don't you worry, sweety," Twilight Sparkle reassures her little filly as she sits upon the bed, while holding up a book titled "1000 Ways to Cure a Cold", "While we wait for the medicine I ordered for you, why don't we look over what we can do to help cure you the natural way and keep your spirit up? Doesn't that sound like fun?"~"
The moment this method of "fun" is brought up, Starlight groans and falls back onto her pillow...with her eyes staring straight up at the ceiling. Today was suppose to be a day for school, or at least a sick day to have some extra fun...but instead she is too weak to do any of that and now must listen to her mother's little book on how to cure an illness.
"Why me...?" Starlight asks herself in her head...wishing she never got sick in the first place.
High in the cloud city of Cumulai, the two Wonderbolt Captains take the day off from work in order to watch over their little wing...who has come down with the Hay Fever...just like his friends from what they have been told. With the little sickly pegasus colt resting in his Wonderbolt theme bed, both Rainbow Dash and Soarin plan to do what they can to help their little Gust recover.
After preparing a little home cooked meal for her little son, Rainbow Dash walks into Gust's room only to find the sneaky little pegasus playing with his toys...but with some difficulty.
"Back to bed right now, young stallion..." Soarin informs his son as he gently bites down on the back of his son's mane, lifts him up, and places him back in bed, "You need to wait a day or two before you can play again."
As his father sits him up with the blankets covering most of him, Gust sneezes and wipes his nose, "But...dad..dy..."
"No buts, little wing," the strict, but loving mother cuts him off and holds out the bowl of soup for him to eat, "We made you some soup that will help make you better."
The smell of the soup has a pleasant aroma coming from the hot steam. Whatever his mom and dad made, it may be something to at least enjoy while he is confined to his bedroom for the next day or two, "Thank you...*sniff*...Mommy."
Rainbow Dash gently pets the messy mane of her little pegasus and knows that he will be better in no time at all, "You're Welcome, son. But know that after this bowl...you will have to eat five more before the end of the day. Doctor's orders."
At that moment, Gust groans as he slumps back into his bed...but only for a brief while before he is told to sit up again and eat the soup his mother worked hard to make for her little colt. While it does taste good...there is no telling if he can handle four more bowls of this.
Down at Applelulu, the sneezing Candy Apple rests herself in the bed of her bedroom, with her mother sitting by her bedside...reading her a story to help take her mind off of the Hay Fever that she was unfortunate to avoid after eating the hay brought along for the CMC field trip.
Big Macintosh walks into the bedroom while carrying a tray with some hot Apple cider upon it. According to the Apple Family, Cider has been used in times of sicknesses...going back as far to the very first apple: Appleseed.
"Drink this, my little Candy," Cheerilee suggests, "It should help cure that nasty cold."
The red stallion places the tray down on Candy's nightstand by her bed, and gives a strong nod, "Eeyup!"
With her nose so red and her mane a disaster much like the rest of how her body feels, the little filly tries to reach for the cup...only to sneeze so hard it causes her to jump and hit the back of her head against her bed frame, "Ow..."
Cheerilee gasps and gives her little daughter a warm hug...and tries to help ease the pain, "Shh...it's okay, Candy..."
Big Macintosh sits on the other side of the bed and hugs both his wife and daughter gently...and hopes that Candy will recover soon. Because to him, having her sick like this makes his heart hurt and gives him no strength to work. Even though the medicine is set to arrive later today or tomorrow, both parents will stay home until their little apple is cured of her Hay Fever.
Within the beautiful jewel encrusted mansion that rests within a wonderful area of Tambelon City, the rich and beautiful Rarity enters the bedroom of her daughter, wearing an environment suit to protect her from the Hay Fever that Delicacy has contracted from eating the pollen-infested hay back at Scaly Spring Hills.
"Rarity..." The great purple and green dragon named Spike sighs at his wife, "Hay fever is not contagious. You don't need to over react like this."
"I am NOT overreacting, Spikey-Wikey," The prissy, yet gorgeous mare states, "After all, the last time I listened to you when you caught the Dragon Flu, I was coughing and sneezing so hard...it felt like I was breathing fire."
Spike blushes nervously and recalls that event that he swears was not his fault. "I swear I didn't know THAT one was contagious."
"Still, nothing wrong with being prepared...just in case." Rarity insists as she and her husband continue to debate to whether or not their precious little daughter has an illness that can be spread.
As the two continue to agree and disagree over such-and-such, Delicacy is brought a bowl of soup by the servants to eat and help cure her of her illness...in the best way it can. However, with her parents still standing in the doorway, blabbering over some pointless topic, the one thing Delicacy wishes for are some earmuffs to block this out so she can sleep; She only wonders how long it will be before her mommy and daddy stop and realize she needs her sleep.
Back at the Scaly Spring Hills where the pollen continues to blow through the air and irritate the noses of some dragons and changelings, the Queen of the latter rests within her nest...along with her precious little Tyke curled up in her embrace as she keeps him warm.
The youngling prince does feel warmer in his mother's embrace with her warm, black fur against him, but wishes he can get up and walk around a little...but every time he tries, Chrystala stops him.
"Mommy..." Tyke mutters as she sniffs, trying his best not to let himself release a nasty sneeze, "Can I...get up now...?"
"Not yet, my little one..." The beautiful Changeling Queen whispers gently, "You need to rest before your medicine arrives. So just sleep...and know that I will be here for you until you are well, my little Tyke."
With a warm smile and and nose full of snot, Tyke rests within the nest of straw and grass that his mother made for him and her since they moved to Tambelon. As much as the little changeling wishes to go outside, he feels too weak and will have to stay put until his medicine or some food arrives. As much as Tyke dislikes being sick and having to stay in the nest, he is happy to have his warm and caring mother stay by his side until he is well again.
****************************************
After a good nap to regain her energy and strength, Shani lets out a big yawn...and a big sneeze. Even after all that horrible brew and not-so-bad tasting stew, the little zebra with the big fever still feels awful. Suddenly, her body begins to shiver...even with the extra blankets upon her bed...and she mutters out for her mother.
"Mama...I'm so cold," Shani shivers as she lays in her bed, with her covers keeping her as warm as they can...despite not being enough for the little filly, "...and I feel as ikky as mold," With a small sniff and a large sneeze to follow, it looks as though the Hay Fever continues to make the innocent little zebra feel so terrible on the inside and out.
With a folded blanket carried in by the long maned zebra mother of this sick little filly, Subira spreads it out and places the blue blanket atop of Shani's comforter...hoping this will help keep her daughter as warm as possible, "It will be alright, my little Shani. You will get better...just wait and see."
As much as she wishes to believe that, the striped filly with a heart of joy cannot bring herself to feel as high spirited as her mother. "I don't want to be in bed...all day. I just want to...go out and...play."
Subira feels her little one's forehead and gives a sad shake of her head, causing her mane to flow back and forth as she does, "I am afraid that will not happen...not until this cold is gone and not before den."
Shani sighs and wonders if she will ever get better...and worries what will happen if she has to endure another day of all this.
Suddenly, there is a noise coming from the front door...which is no doubt Chief Thunderhooves and Zecora returning from their long quest to gather the required ingredients for the potion. Subira immediately rises from Shani's bedside and rushes out to greet her husband and sister.
"So...did you find what we need?" Subira questions with hope, "We need to cure my little filly's sickness at great speed."
The great buffalo gives a smile and nuzzles the cheek of his worrying wife, which helps to calm her down...and allows him to speak, "We are victorious, my beloved. Zecora and I have traveled from the Tribe to the Hills...and to the Farmlands...and to the City...and to-"
Subira gives a small sigh of annoyance at her husband going off again with his constant rambling, and she gives him a gentle nudge to stop him before he goes on for the next hour and their daughter suffers from more sneezing and all that comes after, "Uhm...dear...?"
Thunderhooves clears his throat and apologizes, "Sorry, my love. Heh...even after all these years, I still have a rambling problem. Anyway, we found everything necessary to craft the potion that will cure not only our daughter...but the other children all over the island."
"Are you saying...?"
"Yes, it turns out that most of Shani's friends and classmates have all caught the Hay Fever," Zecora reveals from what she and Thunderhooves have discovered when they traversed the entire island of Tambelon, "Over twenty in total and I am not lying, so I hope you are a believer."
Subira has no reason to reject her sister's words, as well as that of her husband's, "I understand and we will have to do our best...to ensure this cure is given to all foals from the east to the west!"
"The buffalo and zebra of our families are ready to make the runs across the island, to deliver the medicine so that the little ones can be ready to school by tomorrow." Thunderhooves reveals to his wife.
Subira smiles with such cheerful joy in her heart and she gives both her sister and husband a warm, caring hug, "You two are da best. Dis family of mine...in which we are truly blessed."
The three share that warm, blessed hug as they are happy to all be one big happy family; Even in a tribe of both zebra and buffalo, nothing can stop nor break away any of those that live here. Once the hug comes to an end, Subira and Zecora get to work on brewing the potion together: Their very first together since they were little fillies.
Thunderhooves, after all the running he has done, is ready to take a short break before the big island run that he and others will take part in, decides to spend his time watching over his sleeping daughter...and making sure she is as comfortable as can be. To run across an entire island...non-stop...to gather whatever is needed to cure a sickness that causes his little zebra such pain...is worth it to him. Nothing is more important to him...than his family.
***********************************************
As the evening slowly approaches and the sun begins to move downward into the west over the great ocean, a herd of over twenty buffalo and zebras each gather together and form four straight lines of five. With bundles of containers filled with Zecora and Subira's finished medicine within packs strapped to their sides, these proud tribe members have been tasked with racing across the island of Tambelon to deliver the Hay Fever cure to all the little fillies and colts that were affected.
With Chief Thunderhooves leading the charge, he and his loyal herd of kind hearted stampeding buffalo and cheerful striped cousins plan to make sure each and every young one on this island will have a cure so that they will not have to put up with the nasty effects of Hay Fever for so much as another day. Scoutmaster Marshall has even volunteered to help, since she feels responsible for her little twenty or so scouts for getting sick. Even though they say it was not her fault and it would have happened eventually, The bashe coated earth mare promises to see those little ones cured before the dawn.
Since the ride, as in running, is going to take hours to complete...every buffalo and zebra give their loved ones and families a goodbye hug and kiss...and promise to be back as quick as possible.
"I will be back in a few hours, my little Shani...so behave yourself for your Mother and Aunt Zecora," Thunderhooves asks his daughter before he sets off.
"I promise I will...and thank you ever still," Shani vows to be on her best behavior, as she always does to the father who went through so much today to see her cured and up from her bed, "Even after all I have been through...my sickness is gone because of you." The little zebra hugs her large but warm father, whom she loves forever and always, "I love you, my papa."
"I love you too, my little wonder," The great buffalo chief nuzzles the cheek of his little filly that he is proud to always love and protect in her years of growing up, "Now I must go...and finish what must be done."
Shani, Subira, Zecora, and the rest of the tribe bid farewell to the herd of medicine carriers...and watch as they stampede off away from Southcape. With some heading to the south, some to the north, and others to other places in the east, the quest to cure every young filly and colt on the island has begun...and shall be complete in no time at all.
With Chief Thunderhooves leading the charge, he and his loyal herd of kind hearted stampeding buffalo and cheerful striped cousins plan to make sure each and every young one on this island will have a cure so that they will not have to put up with the nasty effects of Hay Fever for so much as another day. Scoutmaster Marshall has even volunteered to help, since she feels responsible for her little twenty or so scouts for getting sick. Even though they say it was not her fault and it would have happened eventually, The bashe coated earth mare promises to see those little ones cured before the dawn.
Since the ride, as in running, is going to take hours to complete...every buffalo and zebra give their loved ones and families a goodbye hug and kiss...and promise to be back as quick as possible.
"I will be back in a few hours, my little Shani...so behave yourself for your Mother and Aunt Zecora," Thunderhooves asks his daughter before he sets off.
"I promise I will...and thank you ever still," Shani vows to be on her best behavior, as she always does to the father who went through so much today to see her cured and up from her bed, "Even after all I have been through...my sickness is gone because of you." The little zebra hugs her large but warm father, whom she loves forever and always, "I love you, my papa."
"I love you too, my little wonder," The great buffalo chief nuzzles the cheek of his little filly that he is proud to always love and protect in her years of growing up, "Now I must go...and finish what must be done."
Shani, Subira, Zecora, and the rest of the tribe bid farewell to the herd of medicine carriers...and watch as they stampede off away from Southcape. With some heading to the south, some to the north, and others to other places in the east, the quest to cure every young filly and colt on the island has begun...and shall be complete in no time at all.
******************************************
The following morning, within the golden city of Tambelon and the great Elementary School that lies within, the six formerly sick little yearlings are dropped off by their loving parents...who decided to give them a ride to school themselves. After all, with everything their little ones have been through these passed few days, the Yearling Six deserve a brand new start on a brand new day.
After many hugs and kisses goodbye, the young ones bid their parents goodbye and are ready to start a new day at Tambelon Elementary...even with the extra school work and homework they may have to receive. But at least they are not the only ones who will have to endure such.
"That was...the worst day ever!" Gust confesses as he walks slowly with his five best friends, admitting to the illness he had to put up with...along with his mother's soup.
"Ah agree. Ah hope Ah never get sick again!" Candy agrees and admits to Gusty and the rest of her best friends, "Ah hurt mah head and mah nose was on fire."
"Y-Yeah..." Tyke gives his support to how terrible being sick is, even though he is happy that his mommy was by his side the whole time to help him through it.
"It was nearly impossible to sleep with my parents bickering over something so pointless..." Delicacy reveals as she gives out a great big yawn.
"My mommy read to me all day long...and my brain still hurts from all the lessons she spoke of how to cure an illness...when it just made it worse," Starlight admits to the irony.
While everypony there has something to admit to how horrible it is to being sick, their striped zebra friend has probably something more to complain about...but chooses to explain what she learned the day before, "Well I know what I have learned from all dis, in the one day of school we should not have miss. Being sick and missing out on everything is never fun...because that what we must put up with is all for none."
Spoke with much wisdom at such a young age, Starlight, Gust, Candy, Tyke, and Delicacy all agree with their little zebra friend...and hope that they will never have to deal with being sick again or each of their parent's methods for helping them to feel better...whether for better or for worst.
As the six resume walking towards the front doors of the school entrance, ready to reach the classroom before the bell rings, Gust stops for a moment to say something that he wishes to confess. The other five all stop to listen.
"I will say this..." The little blue colt starts out then moves on, "If I EVER have to eat another bowl of my mommy's home cooked soup again...I'm gonna lose it."
Just as Gust's best friends give a small chuckle to that, they look up and see somepony approaching fast...and arriving below in only a few seconds after. It is none other than Rainbow Dash. "Hey Gust... I have some leftover soup from the other day, and thought I'd bring ya some for your lunch, little wing."
With his ears flopping to the sides of his face, and his head sinking low...the little colt gives out a low groan and mutters, "I've lost it..."
Candy Apple, Shani, Tyke, Delicacy, and Starlight all giggle at how funny this is...seeing their little blue friend going to have to go through the same thing at lunch period just like he did all day yesterday: Eating the homemade soup that made his gut as big as a water balloon. This is definitely the right moment where they needed a good laugh to help them put yesterday behind them and move on to today and tomorrow.
After many hugs and kisses goodbye, the young ones bid their parents goodbye and are ready to start a new day at Tambelon Elementary...even with the extra school work and homework they may have to receive. But at least they are not the only ones who will have to endure such.
"That was...the worst day ever!" Gust confesses as he walks slowly with his five best friends, admitting to the illness he had to put up with...along with his mother's soup.
"Ah agree. Ah hope Ah never get sick again!" Candy agrees and admits to Gusty and the rest of her best friends, "Ah hurt mah head and mah nose was on fire."
"Y-Yeah..." Tyke gives his support to how terrible being sick is, even though he is happy that his mommy was by his side the whole time to help him through it.
"It was nearly impossible to sleep with my parents bickering over something so pointless..." Delicacy reveals as she gives out a great big yawn.
"My mommy read to me all day long...and my brain still hurts from all the lessons she spoke of how to cure an illness...when it just made it worse," Starlight admits to the irony.
While everypony there has something to admit to how horrible it is to being sick, their striped zebra friend has probably something more to complain about...but chooses to explain what she learned the day before, "Well I know what I have learned from all dis, in the one day of school we should not have miss. Being sick and missing out on everything is never fun...because that what we must put up with is all for none."
Spoke with much wisdom at such a young age, Starlight, Gust, Candy, Tyke, and Delicacy all agree with their little zebra friend...and hope that they will never have to deal with being sick again or each of their parent's methods for helping them to feel better...whether for better or for worst.
As the six resume walking towards the front doors of the school entrance, ready to reach the classroom before the bell rings, Gust stops for a moment to say something that he wishes to confess. The other five all stop to listen.
"I will say this..." The little blue colt starts out then moves on, "If I EVER have to eat another bowl of my mommy's home cooked soup again...I'm gonna lose it."
Just as Gust's best friends give a small chuckle to that, they look up and see somepony approaching fast...and arriving below in only a few seconds after. It is none other than Rainbow Dash. "Hey Gust... I have some leftover soup from the other day, and thought I'd bring ya some for your lunch, little wing."
With his ears flopping to the sides of his face, and his head sinking low...the little colt gives out a low groan and mutters, "I've lost it..."
Candy Apple, Shani, Tyke, Delicacy, and Starlight all giggle at how funny this is...seeing their little blue friend going to have to go through the same thing at lunch period just like he did all day yesterday: Eating the homemade soup that made his gut as big as a water balloon. This is definitely the right moment where they needed a good laugh to help them put yesterday behind them and move on to today and tomorrow.
**********************************************
CREDITS:
Story written by:
Courageous-of-Light
Artwork by:
Shrineheart
Music and Songs by:
Hasbro
Special Thanks:
To all who I ever commissioned.
Thank you for the amazing artwork you have given me.
Very Special Thanks:
To all who have read, commented and favored my stories.
Your support and kindness has helped me come this far.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!
Another Very Special Thanks:
To Lauren Faust, Meghan McCarthy, and Hasbro for the creation of MLP: Friendship is Magic
Thank you!
Disclaimer:
The story here belongs to Courageous-of-Light
All Original Characters and Locations belong to Courageous-of-Light
All MLP Characters, plus the show itself, belong to Hasbro.
Thank you, everypony. Have a good day!!!!
Story written by:
Courageous-of-Light
Artwork by:
Shrineheart
Music and Songs by:
Hasbro
Special Thanks:
To all who I ever commissioned.
Thank you for the amazing artwork you have given me.
Very Special Thanks:
To all who have read, commented and favored my stories.
Your support and kindness has helped me come this far.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!
Another Very Special Thanks:
To Lauren Faust, Meghan McCarthy, and Hasbro for the creation of MLP: Friendship is Magic
Thank you!
Disclaimer:
The story here belongs to Courageous-of-Light
All Original Characters and Locations belong to Courageous-of-Light
All MLP Characters, plus the show itself, belong to Hasbro.
Thank you, everypony. Have a good day!!!!
![[Cover art] Home is Where Your Friends Are](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/8b356b3e-4f8d-41c8-9b9c-3a84afbe80db/dc56ysf-dc18a99f-32eb-4d7d-95a1-4f8900610b92.jpg/v1/crop/w_184,h_184,x_19,y_0,scl_0.10407239819005,q_70,strp/_cover_art__home_is_where_your_friends_are_by_littlehybridshila_dc56ysf-92s-2x.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9OTA2IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvOGIzNTZiM2UtNGY4ZC00MWM4LTliOWMtM2E4NGFmYmU4MGRiXC9kYzU2eXNmLWRjMThhOTlmLTMyZWItNGQ3ZC05NWExLTRmODkwMDYxMGI5Mi5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.UqflXZi6O_bLjmLdQi3ELJfv_0IjegLc6GGNdjDBesc)
![[Cover art] Home is Where Your Friends Are](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/8b356b3e-4f8d-41c8-9b9c-3a84afbe80db/dc56ysf-dc18a99f-32eb-4d7d-95a1-4f8900610b92.jpg/v1/crop/w_92,h_92,x_10,y_0,scl_0.052036199095023,q_70,strp/_cover_art__home_is_where_your_friends_are_by_littlehybridshila_dc56ysf-92s.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9OTA2IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvOGIzNTZiM2UtNGY4ZC00MWM4LTliOWMtM2E4NGFmYmU4MGRiXC9kYzU2eXNmLWRjMThhOTlmLTMyZWItNGQ3ZC05NWExLTRmODkwMDYxMGI5Mi5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.UqflXZi6O_bLjmLdQi3ELJfv_0IjegLc6GGNdjDBesc)
After a wonderful CMC field trip, the little zebra Shani has come down with a nasty cold called Hay Fever. After eating pollen-infested hay, the sick filly now must rest in her own room and wait out the sickness to pass. But even then, with the chance to relax and enjoy herself from the day off from school, the effects from the fever are not so great...and are only making Shani's day worse. Will she get better soon and realize how being sick is no fun at all? Find out!!
This story has similarities to the 1925 Serum run to Nome in which many children came down with a horrible illness. This story is devoted to those young children, the mushers who brought the medicine through the harsh cold...with their sled dogs to pull it all the way. This even includes the famous dog who pulled the final stretch: Balto
This story has similarities to the 1925 Serum run to Nome in which many children came down with a horrible illness. This story is devoted to those young children, the mushers who brought the medicine through the harsh cold...with their sled dogs to pull it all the way. This even includes the famous dog who pulled the final stretch: Balto MLP: In For a Spell: courageous-of-light.deviantart… MLP: Among Wonderbolts: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
MLP: TFIM Story Guide: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
Link to Cover Image: shrineheart.deviantart.com/art…
Link to Map of Tambelon Island: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
© 2014 - 2024 Courageous-of-Light
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Yay! Balto!