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Chapter Text

    The sudden Boom! of thunder did not stop the mare from running. Her hooves clack along the road, thick mist up to her knees. She dodged every pony she saw, panting as she pushed forward. She finally came skidding to a stop, and craned her neck up. The castle was huge, the top of it fading into the fog. She grit her teeth with a sigh, her heart still racing.

"The princesses aren't going to like this."

    Twilight paced back and forth in front of the twin glass doors at the front of the Throne Room. Her eyes remained on the floor, her brow furrowed, as her five friends sat in their respective thrones. They all eyed her and each other with anxiety thick in the air.

    "What's going on, Twilight?" Applejack is the first to break the silence. Twilight's pacing stopped, and she lifted a hoof as she marinated on what to say.

    "I've gathered you all here today after receiving a concerning letter from Celestia this morning." She puts her hoof down, finally letting her gaze match that of her friends.

    "What is it this time?" Rainbow Dash asked, leaned more casually in her seat than the others.

    "I'm very worried about this message, Rainbow," Twilight said. "This seems more serious than the past. She told me there's some sort of... plague in Canterlot."

    The room erupted in concern and fear.

    "A plague?" Rarity asked. "Did Celestia tell you any more about it?"

    Twilight strode closer to the Cutie Map. Her horn illuminated with magic aura, and a long strip of parchment comes from her bag. As it was read, she tapped it with her hoof. "Highly contagious; spreading rapidly. Starts with minor symptoms and escalates to skin loss and cannibalistic behavior." The room collectively gasped.

    "Eating each other?!" Rainbow Dash cried.

    "That's horrible!" Fluttershy near-shouted.

    "And disgusting!" Rarity added in pure horror.

    Applejack stood from her seat. "What do we need to do, Princess?" Her knees were shaky, but her green eyes maintained boldness; a security in a time where that was being sapped away.

    "Applejack, I need you to start fortifying Ponyville. Especially Sweet Apple Acres. I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before ponies get sick here, and we need to be as prepared as we can."

    "I'm on it." Applejack galloped from the room, leaving everypony else looking on expectantly.

    "Rainbow Dash." The aforementioned pony perked up. Twilight brought out another letter with her magic. "You're the fastest pony I know. I need you to fly this letter to Shining Armor and Princess Cadence right away."

    "You've got it!" Rainbow Dash saluted, and took the letter into her mouth. With a flash of color, she was gone.

    "Rarity and Pinkie Pie, I need you both to inform as many ponies in Ponyville as you can. Let them know they either need to fortify their homes or head to Sweet Apple Acres right away."

    "Sure thing Twilight!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed and she and Rarity left together.

    "What about me...?" Fluttershy asked, sinking into her seat with her ears down.

    "You need to help your animals. We don't know if they're in danger," Twilight said. "Oh! and if you see Discord, let him know. He might be able to get more information for us."

    "Okay Twilight." Fluttershy said, and left the room in a hurry.

    Twilight sighed, and turned towards the doorway, only to see Starlight and Spike coming in. "Sorry I'm late!" Starlight exclaimed. "I just couldn't find Trixie anywhere. She was supposed to be back in Ponyville by now."

    "What's all the fuss about Twi? You look tense." Spike asked.

    "Oh, just a letter about a plague in Canterlot." Twilight said with a big sigh.

    "A plague?!" Starlight and Spike cried in unison.

    "I just let the others know. Could you two help me search the library? Maybe there's some sort of ancient text that could help us solve this."

    "Of course," Spike said. He and the two magical mares made their way to the castle library.

-----

    "Nothing, nothing, and more nothing," Spike whined, tossing aside another book. He, Twilight, and Starlight were all surrounded by dozens of books. He sneezed at the dust.

    "How can there be nothing?!" Twilight drove her hooves through her mane, disheveling it as she took in heavy breaths. Her eyes went back and forth, back and forth with a frantic speed as she scanned page upon page.

    "So many illnesses... none with cannibalism as a side effect," Starlight said as she sat up on her hindquarters, pointing a hoof at the pages of her book. "I see skin loss here, but other than that? Nothing."

   "Let me see that." Twilight yanked the book away, earning a raised brow from Starlight. "Skin loss... no cannibalism, but maybe it... mutated?"

    "What's it called?" Spike asked, leaning forward.

    "It's called Wing Rash."

    "Wing Rash?" Starlight interjected. "Wings have feathers, not skin."

    "It says it primarily affects pegasi, and that it also causes feather loss. The important thing is it's cured by Apple Tree Root!" She closed the book, smiling at her friends. "All we have to do is get some from Sweet Apple Acres, and we can end this whole thing!"

    "Fantastic!" Spike leapt to his feet. "Boy, I bet Celestia will be thrilled!"

    "You know it!" Twilight cheered. "We get plenty of root and we'll be able to put this whole thing behind us."

    "But Twilight," Starlight said, concern across her features. "The only symptom shared is skin loss. What if it's not the same thing?"

    "It has to be." Twilight used her magic to place the book inside her bag. "Come on! Let's get this dealt with." She and Spike run from the room, leaving Starlight trotting behind.

   "I sure hope this works." She said as she left the library.

-----

    The outside of the castle is in utter disarray. Screams and cries erupted from a group of ponies scattering down the path. "What's the matter?" Twilight asked a fleeing passerby, only to get whimpering in response as they did not stop for her. She runs towards the cluster, Spike and Starlight trailing from behind.

    She gasped as she reached it. At the center is a pony, seemingly, but they look... wrong. Their eyes are glazed over, their body covered in red, swollen, pus-filled sores. A flap of skin dangles from their jaw, leaving their lower teeth exposed as they bare the upper ones. They growl and hiss and sputter, noises that make Twilight's blood run cold as ice. She watches as, almost as if in slow motion, this "pony" locks its teeth into a nearby foal's head. Sweetie Belle.

    Twilight is frozen in shock, wanting to pick up her hooves and do something but unable. A distinct crunch is heard as the "pony" gnaws her horn right off, leaving bony fragments in its wake.

    In a pink flash, the "pony" is down. Pinkie Pie stomped in its head, earning a gnarly crunch as gore splatters. She huffs, though it can be scarcely heard above the varied screams in the area.

    Rarity rushed to Sweetie's side, cooing at her as the filly cries in agony, holding her head. "It's alright, it's alright, darling," She said, but from the tears on both their faces, it was clear neither believed.

    "I'm so sorry!" Pinkie Pie cried, eyes darting from Twilight to other nearby ponies as she stepped away from the carnage. "I didn't mean- It was attacking- I had to-"

    "I know Pinkie," Twilight said.

    "That was intense." Spike gripped onto Twilight's leg, earning a brief nuzzle from her.

    "What happened?" Starlight asked, her eyes wide.

    "Rarity had just gone to the boutique to tell Sweetie Belle about the plague, and she came out with us asking questions. We were just telling Lyra and Bon Bon about it, and then we heard screaming! We both came to help, but I was faster, and I had to- you saw-" Pinkie said as quickly as her lungs would allow, but she needed to stop to breathe.

    "You did good." Twilight put a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. She looked to the now deceased pony with a grimace. "Shame it had to go this far though. This is more serious than even I realized."

    "Twilight!" Rarity interjected, a bloodied Sweetie Belle hanging off of her, still wailing. "What do we do now? It bit her! Her horn is gone!" She brought Sweetie Belle into a hug.

    "We found a cure in a book!" Spike said.

    "That's great news," Rarity said with a sigh. "I suppose it won't bring her horn back, will it?" She pets Sweetie Belle's head as her wails turn to sniffles.

    "No," Twilight said. "I'm sorry. I'd like to get her into the castle to monitor her for now. Do you think you could grab a nurse...? We need to control the bleeding."

    "With all due respect, Twilight, I think it's best I stay with her." Rarity holds her sister tighter.

    "I'll go to the hospital for help," Starlight said.

    "Great! Rarity, go on and take Sweetie into the castle. I'll need to check up on some things, and then I'll be there." Twilight forced a reassuring smile.

    "Of course. Come on Sweetie, we'll go get some rest inside," Rarity said. She had to push her along a little, but Sweetie Belle started toward the castle.

    "What did you need to check up on?" Spike asked. He stayed no more than an inch from Twilight.

    "We need to go to Sweet Apple Acres."

Chapter Text

The sun dangled low in the sky, casting long blankets of hot light over Sweet Apple Acres as Twilight arrived. By now she had moved Spike onto her back, as she couldn’t risk the snail’s pace she held with him gripping one of her valuable legs. Among a bustle of ponies working to secure the farm, Twilight made a beeline for Applejack.

“Applejack! I’m glad to see progress so soon. Things are getting dangerous in town already.”

“Darn, already?” Applejack said with a shake for her head. “We’re working as fast as we can. Big Mac, Caramel and I are building walls and such. Granny and Apple Bloom are prepping the house and barn for guests.” She pointed with her hoof at the various spots as she spoke.

“That’s fantastic. I knew I could count on you,” Twilight said with a small smile tugging on her lips. “I need to get to the point of why I’m here though. You may not like it.”

“Well, shoot.”

Twilight sighed. “We need to take roots from your trees.”

“Roots?!” Applejack gawked. “How in Equestria am I gonna feed Ponyville through a crisis if you kill all my dang trees?!”

“Just a few,” Twilight said, holding a hoof up toward Applejack. “I’ve been doing some reading, and we need apple root to treat the plague.” Applejack thought about that.

“Alright. If it helps the cause,” She said with gritted teeth.

“Thank you so much AJ. We’ll need that right away- Sweetie Belle was bitten badly by an infected pony.”

“Sweetie Belle? Poor filly. Rarity must be all up in a tizzy over her. Apple Bloom ain’t gonna like hearing that neither.” Applejack said. “You best get to it. Don’t leave them girls waiting.”

With a nod, Twilight got to work. Her horn lit up, and she tore a chunk of root from the nearest tree. Stubborn as the ponies who cared for it, the wood took many tugs to relent. Once she got a good piece, she tucked it in the saddlebag and turned hoof to leave.

As she was almost off of the property, she saw Fluttershy pass by with a train of critters behind her. Fluttershy was too absorbed in her task to notice Twilight, and she opted to simply smile toward her pegasus friend and continue with her own business.

“You’ve been quiet, Spike,” Twilight said as she made her way back to the castle.

“This whole thing’s really got me freaked out, Twilight,” Spike grumbled, shifting slightly atop Twilight’s back.

“Me too. I try not to think too much about it, but that was a pretty graphic scene earlier. I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“I’m worried about Sweetie Belle.” Spike hopped off so he could walk beside Twilight and see her face. “And Rarity too. Everything’s so messed up.”

“I know. Just keep your chin up, okay? We’ll fix everything as fast as we can.”

“Right. I’ll try.”

Just as they reached the castle entrance, Pinkie Pie hopped up, carrying balloons and a box, seemingly from Sugar Cube Corner. A short distance behind her, Zecora trotted forward.

“Heyyy Twilight!” Pinkie Pie said. Twilight tried not to focus on her stained hooves.

“Hi Pinkie! What’s all this?”

“I brought Zecora! I thought she might be able to help you. I also brought some goodies for Rarity and Sweetie Belle. Nothing cheers me up quite like a good dessert!” She exclaimed.

“That’s very thoughtful. Good to see you Zecora.” Twilight smiled.

“I hear there are sick ponies galore. Mind opening the castle for us four?” Zecora asked.

“Not at all. Try not to touch anything though- we don’t know how this sickness spreads yet.”

“I thought that might be the case. That is why I brought a mask for my face.” As she said this, Zecora pulled out several face-masks. She handed them out, and put one on herself.

“Thank you so much Zecora. That was a great idea!” Twilight said as she opened the door for her friends.

As they all trotted about the castle, they filled one another in on their experiences. Twilight talked about seeing Applejack and Fluttershy. Zecora and Pinkie Pie talked about seeing another infected pony on the way through. Mr. Cake had been injured by it while doing a delivery, but he’d insisted he’d disinfect it on his own.

“And while the first took a bite from the head, this time it was a hoof from which it fed,” Zecora added. Twilight nodded. She’d have to remember that for her notes.

“It went a-chomping after my hooves too! But I was faster. It couldn’t get me!” Pinkie exclaimed.

Before Twilight could fully ponder this onset of new information, the group found Rarity and Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle was propped on a cushion, her head being wrapped in gauze by Nurse Redheart. Rarity was hovering over the procedure, practically breathing down the nurse’s neck. Starlight was a few tail-lengths back, taking notes with her horn alight. All eyes met the ponies and dragon that entered the room.

“How are you feeling?” Twilight asked the filly, who looked up and sniffled. Despite being bandaged, she didn’t look much better than before.

“She told me she can’t see well,” Rarity said, nuzzling her sister’s cheek. “She’s been very overwhelmed.” She leaned in to whisper to Twilight. “It’s making her act… odd.”

“In what way?” Twilight asked as Starlight strode to greet them. She lifted her notes to record, however-

“I brought cupcakes! ” Pinkie cheered, waving her balloons like a maniac. She went to give them to Sweetie Belle. She didn’t take them, and they flew up to the ceiling with a soft thump . A confused look struck Pinkie’s face, but it was wiped away by a mask-covered smile as quick as it arrived. She sat the box in front of Sweetie. “I thought I’d throw you a teeeeeny-tiny get well soon party! I brought balloons and cupcakes and-” She tossed out a bunch of confetti. “Confetti!”

Sweetie Belle’s eyes look glazed over, squinted towards Pinkie Pie. “Thanks Pinkie.” She muttered, her voice as low as ever. Pinkie raised a brow.

“I know what’ll cheer you up!” Pinkie Pie said with a smile. She opened the box, which held a dozen lavender-swirled cupcakes with colorful sprinkles on top.

The instant the box was opened, Sweetie Belle retched, her whole body tense as it careened forward. Her horn sparked slightly with pale green light, and she covered her mouth with a hoof to keep her stomach contents inside. Seeing this, Rarity steps in front of Sweetie.

“Pinkie Pie!” She snapped, before taking a deep breath as Pinkie cowers. “I know you mean well, but it is not the time! Sweetie Belle is sick and does not want your cupcakes!”

“Of course! My bad, my bad…” Pinkie Pie muttered, grabbing the box and smashing it shut. Her ears up against her head, she backed out of the room. “Hope you feel better soon Sweetie Belle!” She shut the door. Zecora followed soon after.

Rarity immediately flipped around, and knelt to Sweetie Belle’s level. With ginger touch, she pushed the filly’s bangs back out of her face. “Are you alright darling? Is your tummy upset dear?”

“Y-Yeah, but it’s okay,” She mumbled. “I just… couldn’t eat those. Even thinking about it…” She retched again, and Nurse Redheart was ready with a bucket this time. Rarity held her mane back as she emptied her stomach into it.

“Geez,” Spike muttered.

“Geez is right,” Twilight said. “Even just seeing cupcakes made her violently ill. Are you writing this down, Starlight?”

“Absolutely.”

Rarity approached the group. “Let’s go chat elsewhere. Sweetie Belle is lying down for a nap.”

Upon entering the halls, Rarity leaned in towards her friends. “Sweetie Belle kept telling me about how good I smell. She’s never done that, at least not to this degree. She kept leaning in to sniff my horn.”

“Sniff your horn?” Starlight questioned, her pencil scribbling away. “That’s so strange.”

“I wonder what that means.” Twilight said. She suddenly grew wide-eyed and tense. “Oh! I forgot the apple root!” She pulled it from her saddlebag with her magic, the tile below glistening pink with it’s light.

“I’m just glad it’s here. She can have it when she’s awake.” Rarity said with a sigh. They all went just across the hall, into the library. The mares sat on cushions while Spike wandered towards the shelves.

They sat and chatted about the day’s events, Twilight mashing the root with a mortar and pestle as they did so. By the time Rarity had shared her stresses of the day, the root was now a fine paste.

The library doors swung open with wham, and there stood Zecora and Pinkie. Pinkie looked a bit deflated, a frown evident even with her mask on.

“We have all had many worries today, and I believe Pinkie Pie has something to say.” Zecora said. Pinkie stepped forward.

“I’m so sorry, Rarity. I got super carried away,” She said.

“Oh darling, I know you meant no harm. I’m sorry too. These nerves have really gotten to my head, but I still shouldn’t have shouted like that.”

“No, don’t be sorry! You’re just worried about your little sister!” Pinkie said. “Truth is, I’ve been feeling really scared and guilty since I took out that infected pony. I’ve been trying to be super-duper happy to make it go away.” Her eyes went low as she kicked at the ground.

“Aw, Pinkie. It’s okay to be afraid,” Twilight said with a smile.

“We all are right now,” Starlight added.

“We appreciate the joy you give us! But please, don’t feel any pressure. You cannot possibly be happy all the time.” Rarity said.

“See, it is as I told you before,” Zecora began as she strode to Pinkie. “Your friends are not upset with you, that is for sure.” She put a hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder.

“Thank you Zecora,” Pinkie said. “Thank you everypony!”

“Uh, guys?” Spike called from across the room. He stood at the window, looking out at the sky. “Is it just me, or has the sun… not moved in a while?”

Everyone scrambled to Spike’s side, clambering to see out the window. Twilight gasped.

“You’re right, Spike,” She said, her voice wavering. “It still looks like morning. That can’t be right!”

“What does that mean, Twilight?!” Spike yelled, looking up at her.

She did not answer.