“Come on girls, hurry up! Zecora promised us to teach us how to play the kibangala!” Apple Bloom said, leading her friends towards the Everfree Forest.

“What's that?” Scootaloo asked.

“No idea but she said our musical talent will lead us to our Cutie Marks for sure! So, let's go!”

Sweetie Belle hwoever, didnpt share the enutshaism, staying behind the groups.

“What was  that?” she yelled at the sound of a branch.

“Probably just a squirrel. You got to stop being such a scaredy filly!” Scootaloo said.

“I´m not a scaredy filly! It´s just my sister keeps telling me we shouldn't go to the Everfree without adult supervision…”

“Relax. Ah come here all the time! Plus, Zecora will be here!” Apple Bloom said.

“I guess so…”

“Zecora, we´re here!” Apple Bloom shouted, crashing inside the hut which strangely was deserted. “uh, she must have left to get medicinal herbs again…”

The fillies decided to satiate their curiosity exploring the hut, Apple Bloom remembering then to not touch anything while she had her face buried in potions, and then Sweetie Belle found a zebra doll lying on the floor..

“How cute! She looks just like Zecora!”

“She plays with dolls?” Scootaloo said, looking at the other dolls on the table.

“Hey, we play with dolls!”

“But not of ourselves…”

“It´s a voodoo doll. This book here says it´s a powerful magical instrument…” Apple Bloom said, checking an open book.

“So there it was the doll I couldn't find, could you please hand it over and be so kind?”

The girls turned around and gasped, looking at the strange muscular zebra that walked inside the hut.

“Is he a friend of Zecora?” Sweetie Belle whispered, not really liking the fiery red and yellow striped zebra.  

“He doesn't looks like one…” Apple Bloom answered.

“Who are you again?” Scootaloo said, holding the doll.

“A traveler from a faraway land…” the zebra said trying to get the doll. “Now get me back the doll, you impertinent lad!”

“Hey, I´m not a lad! Lad means boy, right?” Scootaloo asked her friends and the zebra growled, trying to snatch it by force.

Scootaloo dodge him but dropped the doll and just then Zecora came crashing down the cellar´s stairs.

“Children, don't let him take the doll back for he will use it for magic oh so black!”

The girls caught the message and started throwing the dolls to each other, Zecora being tossed through the air along with the doll. Finally the red zebra had enough and stomped on the doll, hurting Zecora´s leg. Apple Bloom jumped over him but he tossed her aside.  

“Do not dare to hurt these children, Braze for you will meet..”

“Enough with your warnings, shaman. I do not fear the females wrath for I am a man!” he growled but the girls didn't abandon Zecora´s side.

Braze took another step and then found himself floating in the air.

“What sorcery is this?” he asked and then saw Apple Bloom, holding another doll. “Put me down filly or you will…”

Apple Bloom didn't let him finish, kicking him into the air just in time for an eagle to catch him and make him flew away.

“Zecora!” the girls shouted, hugging the zebra once the danger was over.

“Ah took a bit of his mane and tied it to the doll, just like the book says!”

“Good thinking, my young friend, perhaps a future in magic for you lays ahead,” Zecora said, patting her.

“Who was that guy?” Scootaloo said.

“And enemy from long ago who never learned to let go. Time and again he comes back with new evil magic and I make a duty to put an end to his debauchery. I found his casket full of toys and took it home but before I could finish studying them I felt a powerful force…”

“Yeah, this doll was on the floor. Must have fell by accident..” Sweetie said.

“Ya think he'll come back?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Always, my child. That´s why we must always stay tight,” she said, hugging them again.