Crimson Plague

Chapters

Chapter 0: Prologue
Chapter 1: Just Another Day
Chapter 2: Ponyville General Hospital
Chapter 3: Fluttershy's Room
Chapter 4: Equestria
Chapter 5: Ponyville RG Station
Chapter 6: Sweet Apple Acres
Chapter 7: Ponyville Square (Night time)
Chapter 8: Ponyville Square [Daytime]
Chapter 9: Carousel Boutique
Chapter 10: Friendship Rainbow Castle.
Chapter 11: Canterlot Castle.
Chapter 12: Ponyville Train station
Chapter 13: Friendship Rainbow Castle (laboratory)
Chapter 14: Friendship Rainbow Castle (Two weeks after)
Chapter 15: Foal Mountain Valley
Epilogue
Sequel: Crimson Wars

Chapter 0: Prologue

-Somewhere in the Saddle Arabian desert-

On a blistering hot day in the desert, a bald, portly, brown unicorn stallion sat inside of his tent reading the latest Daring Do book as he sweated into his tan shirt, a small chisel and brush decorating his flank. Though the stallion wore a look of anger as he flipped through the pages of the pegasi’s most current adventurers, one having to do with ancient Viking from the lands of Denmarek , and a particularly angry group of Seaponies. His angry golden yellow eyes scanned the words with a haste unfit for a casual reader.

The more and more he read, the more angry and disgusted he became at the book and its heroine. The way she went through these ancient caverns and destroyed half of the artifacts that lay within save the shiniest or the most valuable of all. It made his blood boil.

“It’s no wonder she gets chased as much and hunted as much as she does!”

He exclaimed angrily talking to nopony other than himself.

“So what if she ‘saves the world’ all those artifacts! Destroyed! Every single time!! Its maddening, an insult on the work of archeologists everywhere! A BLIGT! I don’t even know why I read this trash! Stupid showboat of a filly taking away from real archeologist like me! It makes me soo mad I could-! I COULD-!”

He grunted angrily as he bit into the pages of the novel, tearing it to shreds as he bit and tore into the pages. Another stallion, and earth pony with a light green coat, darker mane and a magnifying glass hovering over a hieroglyph decorating his flank, stood at the entrance of the tent. Just having walked into the display, he cocked his head slightly at his professor’s actions. Having to clear his throat rather loudly to get the other stallions attention.

The stallion’s ears perked up as he heard the new comer. He stopped his onslaught on the now ruined novel and turned his attention to the entrance of the tent where his student stood. He quickly chewed through the pages to where he could speak.

“Whaff if if Looffing gwaff?? Canff you fee Imf eafing??”

The older stallion said giving his student an irate look as he continued to chew on the destroyed pages. Looking glass seemingly unphased.

“Yes I can see that Professor Treasure, but I thought you might want to know that the camels found something”

Looking glass pointed a forehoof towards the excavation site.

Professor Burrienad Treasure’s eyes grew wide, swallowing what was left of the pages before grabbing his boonie hat and rushing past his student.

“Well don’t just stand there boy! WE HAVE HISTORY TO DISCOVER!”

He shouted exuberantly as he galloped over to the dig site and into the dugout cavern. All the while looking glass simply rolled his eyes and followed at a more relaxed trot.

The cavern was dimly lit by torches hung off of makeshift scaffolding that littered the once buried tunnels of what Burrienad thought to be an ancient pyramid for a ruler long since gone, and thought to be mostly fictional. Mostly due to how little information there was on the ruler in question. But Burrienad was determined to find this fabled princess and prove her existence to the world! And to earn him quite a bit of fame and fortune in the process, but his goal was the ‘existence proving part.’ The fame, fortune, mares and hair were just a bonus. A long golden flowing mane that he could have magically attached to his bald scalp which would attract all the lovely mares he wanted. Yes that was his…second goal, totally the second goal. Also to show the world what real archeology looked like, not that pony manure practiced by that Daring Do.

“Turn left here professor”

Looking glass chimed in, having caught up with him at some point and taking him from his thoughts. Looking to his left at a previously buried tunnel that turned out to be a narrowing corridor. Happily turning down the way, finding that the walls of the corridor to be a bit snug on his sides. The sounds of his shirt dragging against the sandstone walls.

“How in blazes did the horses even fit through here?”

The professor complained having more and more trouble as they went on. While looking glass just stared indignantly at his professor’s wide flank, traversing the corridor with ease.

“None of them were shaped like balloons for one”

“What was that?”

“I said that we’re here”

The professor turned his attention away from his student to find that then end of the corridor had come up on them without his noticing. Happy to walk into the open chamber he walked past the resting camel workers, heading for their boss. A fairly tall camel who was standing by what looked like a stone door.

“Magnificent! Well done fellows! You have done a great service to historical discovery!”

The professor proclaimed haughtily, the camels, unable to understand the stallion, simply continued what they were doing without much care for what he had said. The leader, wearing a distraught look, simply eyed past the fat stallion to his student, who actually took the time to talk to him and his men and to learn their language.

“Well? What are you waiting for? Open it!”

The unicorn exclaimed excitedly, the camel still looking past him.

“WELL?”

The Stallion was starting to grow angry again. Looking glass finally catching on to what was going spoke up once more.

“Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, the camels don’t want to open the tomb”

“Why in Celestia’s name not?!”

Looking glass pointed to some hieroglyphics on the wall.

“I haven’t been able to translate it all, but it’s a warning, something about the princess and her tomb, the camels keep mentioning the ‘crimson death’ or something, but they don’t really elaborate and simply reinforce their opinion against opening the tomb”

“Well of course it has warnings boy! It’s how the ancient Eclyptians kept grave robbers out! They put up warnings of bobby traps and curses that weren’t really there! You must not read into those daring do books boy, now tell the camel to open the door so I-we can make the discovery of the century!”

The stallion just about ordered his student who with a heavy sigh did as he was told, instructing the camel to open the stone door. After some convincing the camel did as he was told, and with a strong heave, opened the door for the unicorn. But as soon as his deed was done, the camel and the rest of his companions started to head back outside.

Paying little mind to the camels, professor looked into the dark chamber with glee and was about to step in until he noticed that his student was following the camels as they made their way out of the cavern.

“What? Are you scared of a few little stories?”

“No, not really, I just respect signs that say ‘do not enter’, there’s usually a reason for it.“

Looking glass said as he began to leave. The professor on the other hand rolled his eyes and dismissed his student.

“Suit yourself, go and hide with the camels if you’d like, one less person I need to credit for MY discovery!”

Looking Glass did just that, heading back out through the corridor. Leaving the pudgy stallion by himself, which was fine by him. A brown aura emanating from his horn, further illuminating the dusty crypt.

Gleefully he cantered through the tiny stone pathway which descended deeper into the desserts sandstone, the sound of his scraping shirt filling the empty air once again. Looking to his left and right, identifying the tell-tale signs of majesty up ahead, as well as more warnings, ones he paid little mind to.

The corridor finally ended and opened to a grand hall. The stallion willed his light to float up to the roof, shinning brighter as it did illuminating the majesty before him. Inside the two story hall stood two rows of majestic Horse statues, the descendants of the pony race. The statues were carved out of some kind of red crystal, all of them decorated in tarnished golden armor. They were in order of Pegisi, unicorn and earth horse, the Pegisi had their wings stretched out proudly, the unicorn brandishing craned their bodies to elevate their powerful horns towards the heavens, while the earth ponies struck strong poses, as if to flex their steely muscles beneath their fur. The jewel amongst the statues was the one resting at the end of the two rows. Flanked by two hoofmaidens, one earth horse, the other a unicorn (strangely carved out of the same red crystal of the others) was the queen.

“Cleotrotra…”

The earth stallion breathed out her name as he looked upon the statue in awe. Standing proudly, was an alicorn, standing as tall, or even taller, than Celestia herself with her megestic wings unfurled much like the Pegisi statues, her horn pointed towards the stars, a golden cobra placed at the base of the long pointed appendage. Her mane decorated with golden rings, a ruby encrusted circlet served as her crown. Long eyelashes decorating her large olive shaped eyes. Around her neck was a large golden necklace, with a sapphire and emerald scarab sitting in the middle.

The portly stallion could not believe his eyes, the thing he had been looking for so long, right in front of his eyes. He shook and shivered, before finally exploding in laughter and glee. Mimicking a certain pink party pony, the stallion seemed to defy gravity as he literally jumped off the walls with glee.

“I FOUND HER! I FOUND HER! HAHAHAHA! I FOUND CLEOTROTA HEEEHAHAHA!!”

Calming down enough to stand still he readied his recorder and brush, preparing to examin the tomb of the long lost queen.

“Day 147 of the search for the lost queen of saddle arrabia; I have found her! The tomb of Cloetrota, decorated with ruby-like statues of her royal guard and hoofmaidens, as well as herself in all her royal splendor stand before me, guarding the queens final resting place”

He stopped the recording to let out another batch of gleeful squeals.

“I’ll finally be able to afford that hair regrowth spell!”

He hollered happily before trying to reign in his excitement once more, clearing his throat before he re-started the recording.

“I am now approaching the queen’s sarcophagus-“ The stallion said as he began to walk between the two rows of guards “-the royal guard statues flank me on either side, I must admire the craftsmanship of these statues. They are so life-like, down to the eyes to the-uhhh- mare and coltparts…why they would take such care in these statues is beyond me.

“It’s also important to recognize the skill in the jewelcrafting, something of this intricacy has not been seen to be achievable by other Eclyptians of the same era. It seems to be on par with modern jewelcrafting. The question of where they found the materials for such large statues is also baffling.”

After about a dozen guards, Burrienad finally found his way to his prize, the queen.

“At last, the queen, joined by two of her hoofmaidens…who are also carved out of the ruby…maybe they are prized consorts of the queen? Right anyway, the queen…the queen…what in…”

Burrienad quickly turned off the recording as her circled the pedestal where the queen’s statue stood looking for an edge, a crevice, anything that would be indicative of a lid or an entrance to what would contain the queen’s body. But there was nothing but dust and empty jugs.

“WHAT THE BUCK!! WHERE IN TARTURUS IS THIS BITCH?!”

He cried as he searched the entire hall, but found nothing but more empty jugs and some stashes of gold and artifacts that would have belonged to the queen.

“Where is she! Where is she?! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!!!”

Burrienad shouted angrily at the statue of the queen, his rage filling his veins, and clouding his thoughts. Going as far as to climb the queen’s statue. His eyes glaring into the Queen’s as he held onto the alicorns extended neck.

“WHERE ARE YOU!! I’VE WASTE HALF MY BUCKING LIFE LOOKING FOR YOU!! ALL THE SIGNS POINT TO HERE! ALL YOUR SHIT IS HERE! SO WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!”

Burrienad head butted the statue in his anger, an audible crack resonating throughout the hall.

“uh-oh…”

The head of the statue snapped off, leaving Burrienad without a hold. He and the head both fell to the ground. Burrienad squealed like a filly, falling to the ground with a thud, the queens head bouncing off his face and crashing on the floor behind him. Burrienad’s concentration faltered, and his light flickered off. Groaning, the stallion slowly got himself to his feet, having to double his focus to call up another light spell.

“oh my head…”

He said, taking a moment to recollect his thoughts, his memory slowly coming back to him. Turning around, and gasping in horror as the now headless statue stared back at the portly archeologist.

“no no no no NO! this isint happening!!..Where’s the head?! Maybe I can fix this!!”

The stallion hurned on his hoofs, searching the ground for the decapitated head, a red dust now filling the stale air, making him cough slightly as he continued his search. He quickly found the golden circlet, but to his horror, with it, he found shards or the red gem, with a small trail going behind one of the guard’s pedestals. He slowly rounded the corner, expecting, to his dismay, a now shattered head. But what he found, was something much worse, something that stole the breath from his lips, made his eyes go wide, and made the muscles around his mouth to fail. In a pile of Red gems, sat a bleached white alicorn skull, it’s hollow eyes now staring back at the fat researcher.

The stallion stood for what seemed like hours staring at the skull, his mind failing to processing the information before him. When his mind finally caught up, air returned to his lungs in the form of a sharp gasp, only to be let out in a horrified scream. The stallion back up from the scene, only to crash into a Pegasus statute, turning to face. Another gasp escaping his lips as he watched the statue topple over, crashing into the next, causing that one to push into the next, the chain reaction causing all twelve horses guards on the left side to topple over and hit the ground and break apart in a horrible crash with the ground.

Through the red dust cloud that now filled the hall, Burrienad saw the remains of the guard’s statues. His eyes going to the size of pin pricks when he noticed that amongst the golden armor, and red gems, ere bones of four earth horses, four Pegisi, and four unicorn, now in lying in mixed piles of death and destruction. Burrienad’s mind broke, unable to comprehend what he was seeing, being faced with his first experience with anything dead. He cried like a filly, running out of the cavern like the madpony he had become. Running straight out and into the dessert, he ignored both his assistant and his hired camels and continued to run into the dessert. His eyes slowly turning from a golden yellow, to a dark crimson red.

Chapter 1: Just Another Day

Today was like any other summer day in Ponyville. Sunny blue skies with just enough clouds, the sun giving plenty of warmth, with a cool breeze that kept everyone comfortable. Rainbow Dash was overlooking the perfectly crafted day her and the rest of the weather team had made with a sort of pride that came with a job well done.

“I think I’ve earned myself a nap”

The cyan Pegasus stated with a grin, waving goodbye to the rest of weather team, she looped and glided to her favorite napping spot. A tall tree that overlooked Sweet Apple Acres. On her way there though, she spotted three of her friends walking down the dirt path below, well one was hoping, but that was beside the point. Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and bubbly Pinkie Pie spotted the rainbow-maned mare and waved at her, a very audible and enthusiastic ‘HI’ could be heard coming from the pink pony. Which was surprising considering she was a good four to five stories up in the air.

Dash flanked left and spiraled down to her three friends, landing softly just ahead of them. Pinkie resumed her enthusiastic wave while the other two mares rubbed their ears, trying to get the ringing to stop.

“Hey guys, what’s up?”

“HI Rainbow Dash! We’re going to go visit Fluttershy! Wanna come?!”

“Sure, what’s the occasion? She ask for you guises help with something??”

Responded Pinkie as she proceeded to literally jump around Rainbow dash. Rarity, being the first to recover from the deafening ‘Hi’ from before, was the first to respond

“Not quite Darling, it would seem that our shy friend has been under the weather for the past few days, she’s missed two of our spa days, TWO, naturally I grew worried, and seeing as none of us has seen hide or hoof of her in the past three weeks, we decided to check up on her, and ensure she’s alright.”

Rarity said with her usual amount of flare and dramatics. While she didn’t quite understand why missing two spa days was such a big deal. Dash did notice the diminished presence of her yellow friend in recent days.

“She is probably alright Rarity, she probably just has a very sick animal in her hands, you know how she gets when she has a sick animal on her hooves, heck I remember when she found that deer that got attacked by timberwolves, she didn’t leave her cottage for a whole month that time”

Twilight said, acting none too concerned about their friend’s absence, making a logical explanation to ensure her friends and probably herself about the whole situation.

“Well at least she had the decency to send her rude little bunny to inform me of her absence that time, I haven’t even a word of warning for her now, there must be something wrong! And as her friends, we must investigate!”

Rairty said fiercely, as twilight held up her forehooves.

“Alright! Alright! We’re already heading over there, so there’s no need to get so wound up, I was just saying there’s nothing to worry about”

Twilight assured the unicorn, while the prissy white mare simply hmmphed, and started down the path again. The pink party pony giggling at their display while she hoped right along with Rarity. Dash smirked and cackled as the sighing purple alicorn walked past.

“Shut it”

“What?”

Dash laughed a little more openly as she floated next to the unamused Twilight. Following the path around Sweet Apple Acres that lead to their destination. Having picked up Applejack on their way, the five mares walked up to the cottage that served as their friend’s home, but something was off about it. The usually lively home was strangely quiet, the usual plethora of tiny woodlands creatures that played or stayed in the home were missing. The chirping of birds missing from the air as they approached, the strangest thing off all was the fact the door was locked.

“You know twilight…I’m thinkin’ Rarity might be right about there being something wrong”

Stated Dash as the two earth ponies that flanked them nodded in agreement. Twilight didn’t really respond to that, she simply stared at the eerily quiet cottage for a moment before lighting up her horn. An audible click from the door lock could be heard.

“Well then, let’s go look for her”

The five mares entered, the cottage and found it extremely dark, all the shutters had been closed, and locked from the inside, and no lamps had been lit to accommodate for the lack of light, the smell of old food hung in the air. The tension and worry in room grew by the second, as the mares called out for their friend. Rainbow Dash and Twilight were silently chosen to head upstairs to do their search. The smell of old food had stayed downstairs, the smell of stale air now replacing it as the continued further into the second floor. Again, the upstairs had little to no light, Twilight’s horn being the only thing providing them with illumination. The search for their friend continued room by room, slowly they searched up until they heard something.

A faint cry echoed in the still air, the two mares had to train their ears to hear it. It took them a moment but eventually they figured out the source.

“Fluttershy!”

The two mares breathed the name as they hurried to the source, which was hiding behind another locked door, but unlike the one downstairs, undoing the door lock didn’t do much to help them get the door open.

“What the hay?! Is it nailed shut or something?! Fluttershy open up!”

Dash beat on the door calling out to the fellow Pegisi while Twilight worked her magic to get the door open.

“Go away…”

The faint sound of their friend’s voice could be heard through the door, but was too low for anyone.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy, Twilight’s almost got the door open! We’re coming! Hurry twilight!”

“Almost got it!”

Twilight strained as she continued to remove the things blocking the door. All the while dash continued to bang at the door to try to force it open, meanwhile their other three friends had run up to join them in the hallway, watching from behind the alicorn as the two struggled to get inside.

“No…Please-cough cough-..go away!”

The tiny voice spoke again, but could not be heard over the work of the two mares. Soon enough their work paid off, and the door flung open. Dash was the first one inside the room, jumping over bent nails to get to her friend. Though the sight she found was nothing like she was expecting.

“Fluttershy?..”

There was a collective gasp from the four mares behind her as they caught sight of their dear friend. Fluttershy lay in her bed, unmoving, her head and chest were still, blood spilled from her mouth, nose, ears and eyes. Her usually blue colored eyes had been replaced with those of a dark crimson red color. The blood coming from her eyes looked almost like tears. Her skin bulged and her yellow fur was now in patches over her body, the exposed skin seemed to shine in a soft reddish hue. Her Mane and tail were in no better shape, the pink hair lay on the bed, now disconnected from its owner, leaving the mare nearly bald on both ends.

“No…You all need to stay away…get out…get away”

The girls stood there speechless as they looked upon the scene, their brains working to try to come to grips with just what was going on.

Chapter 2: Ponyville General Hospital

Chapter 2

-Ponyville General Hospital; Waiting Room-

The four of the mares sat nervously in the waiting room, the fifth paced the room. They were all waiting for news on their friend. All of them hoping beyond hope that she was alright.

“UGH! What's taking them so long?! Is anyone even there?! HELLOOOO”

The rainbow-maned mare bellowed, having stopped her pacing only to knock on the door that lead to the ICU. Much to the other girls displeasure.

“That's enough Rainbow Dash!” The lavender mare said aloud, “You need to sit down an-”

“Sit down?!” she interrupted, “You expect me to sit down when one of our best friends is..is..LIKE THAT?!” she shouted pointing her hoof to the double doors.

The alicorn simply stood her ground, puffing her chest slightly, her, newly taught, regal self coming out now. “No Dash,I expect you to stop being selfish and considered ALL your friends” she said her eyes leading to a particularly solemn looking pink pony, her flat mane covering half of her face, eyes puffy and red from crying. The two white and orange mares shouldering the pink party pony sharing her solemn look, though their eyes shot disapproving glances at the sky-blue pegasus in between comforting their friend.

Rainbow Dash's earlier fervor seemed to die down to almost nothing, now adding guilt to the list of emotions she was feeling at that moment. “Sorry guys..” She said weakly toward the trio, her wings drooping to the ground now. Twilight's expression softened considerably as she walked over to her friend, putting a wing over her comfortingly. “I know you're worried Dash, but banging on the door like a madmare isn’t going to help anyone” she said in a scolding manor. “We're all worried about her, just try and be patient with us. “ She pleaded to the pegasus.

Rainbow Dash again turned to twilight, who offered her a smile, and nodded. “Alright,” she said conceding to the mare as she started back to her seat with Twilight. No sooner that she started to walk back, the double doors opened up. A unicorn stallion in a white lab-coat and face mask entered the room. The five mares quickly getting to their hooves surrounding the stallion. “How is she? Will she be alright?” The pink mare was the first to speak up.

The doctor, lowering the face mask with his hoof, simply sighed and shook his head, “we don’t know.” The doctor said with his own degree of guilt showing on his face. The mares having mixed reactions to the doctor's answer. “What do you mean, 'you don’t know'?” the lavender mare was the one to speak this time, her Canterlot voice looming threateningly on the edges of her voice.

Despite this the doctor kept his cool as he confronted the five mares, “I mean that we have no idea what's happened to your friend. She's obviously sick, but we don’t know anything past that, whatever's happening is far out of our scope. The only thing we can say for sure is that whatever it is, it's getting worse, not better. If we don’t find out what's wrong and fix it soon, we fear that she..wont not make it another week. I'm sorry, I wish there was more I could do,” he said solemnly.

The girls stood there, all of them in varying levels of shock. The dreadful news regarding their friend was a harsh blow. They all knew that she was in a bad way, but the idea of her dying was a worst case scenario, one that they all pushed back to the back of their minds. They didn’t want to even think of the possibility of their friend dying. Now it was all they could think of. Pinkie whimpered loudly, her lip quivering. Letting out a fresh wave of tears before simply breaking down into sobbing loudly as it all sunk in. Rarity joined her pink friend in the open display of sorrow, dark lines of running make-up marring the alabaster coat of the mare's face.

Twilight was struck dumb, unable to formulate any kind of response to the dreadful news, her eyes wide as she thought of something, anything to do. “It can't be, she can't be..” the orange farm pony stuttered as she tried to comes to grips with the reality of the situation. Though, out of the five, the news hit Rainbow Dash the hardest, tears falling freely as she took the doctors coat in her front hooves, picking the Stallion up as she herself climbed to her hind legs, “YOU NEED TO SAVE HER!-” she screamed into the stallions face. “YOU'RE A DOCTOR! YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO HELP HER! SO START DOING YOUR JOB AND BUCKING HELP HER!” The cyan pegasus bellowed with a cracking voice. Tears flowing freely

The doctor was shocked at first, but upon noticing the look on the mare's face, he could only feel pity for her and her pain. Rainbow Dash looked at the stallion and shook him, “TELL ME SHE'LL BE ALRIGHT!” she cried now. “Tell me she'll be alright!” she said, her whole body shaking as she lost her grip on the coat. “I don’t want her to die...” she sobbed, her legs giving out on her fully. Releasing the doctor before collapsing to the floor. She buried her muzzle into her front hooves as she wept. Applejack, being the only one able to, walked over to Rainbow dash and put a hoof around the pegasus shoulders as she wept, her hat tipped slightly to hide her own tears. The doctor said nothing at first, letting the girls cry it out before finally speaking up. “If you'd all like, you could go see her, she could use a visit from her friends right now.” The stallion said, most of the girls looking up to the stallion, agreeing silently with him. The mare's took to their feet, Applejack having to help Rainbow Dash stand up. Twilight, having regained some of her senses helped Pinkie and Rarity down the halls

Chapter 3: Fluttershy's Room

Chapter 3: Fluttershy's room

Chapter 3

The trip to her room seemed longer than it should have been for the five mares. The ICU wing of the ponyville hospital was abuzz with talk of this strange new disease that afflicted, not only the 5 mare's friend, but a handfull more, including some of the staff who were caring for the sick ponies. Though the five paid no mind to what they were hearing, their mind elsewhere, specifically on the back of the doctor that was leading them, and the fate of the sixth mare of the group. IT wasn’t long before they reached the end off the hall, The third to last door read had '103' painted on the door, a paper name tag was taped to the door, it read 'Fluttershy, pegasus'. A peculiar glow to the door that bore their friends name. The girls visibly shook as they stared at the door, knowing full well what it held behind. The five wondered if they were ready to see her again.

Before the girls were allowed entry however, the doctor levitated a white face mask to the five girls. All of which looked at the device with equal measure of confusion. “Whatever your friend has is extremely contagious, it has already infected half of my staff. For your own safety and for anyone you come into contact with, you need to wear these.” The doctor stated simply, the five mares looked at each-other before taking the offered masks and putting them on, not before Twilight added a little something to the five masks. Thinking that a little enchantment on the protective devices couldn’t hurt. Once they were all done getting their masks on. The doctor nodded and opened the door to let the girls inside.

The view inside was heartbreaking, memories of how they first found their friend getting refreshed and made worse now. Their yellow friend laid down in the same position as when they found her in her home to begin with. Her chest barely rose and fell, by the looks of it, it looked painful for her to draw breath. Her eyes hazy and staring to be enveloped by the red gem stone. Her fur had all but fallen off, to include her once flowing pink mane. Bandages covered sections of her skin that tore from the expansion of the red stone.

Fluttershy slowly tuned her eyes towards her friends, crimson tears fell free as the yellow pegasus tried to turn to face the, but found it too pailful. Whimpering in both pain, and inability to look towards her friends with more than just her eyes. “Girls..you came....why..did you come?” she said softly, softer tha normal, almost to the point of inaudible. Her voice raspy ad broken up with tiny fits of coughing

The five mares again found their words leaving them as the approached Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash, the first one to regain her voice. Much like before, she came up to Fluttershy with her usual brand of quickness, hooves trying and failing to find a spot that was free of bandages or sores for her to hug. Instead, she decided to nuzzle her friend's neck with her own. “That's a stupid question, you think that we would abandon our friend?” She asked, sounding much like she was boasting like she normally would. But those that knew her well saw through her charade, spotting the tired and sad wings as they dropped, as well as the subtle cracking of her voice as she spoke. “We arent about to leave you alone in your time of need,” she affirmed as the four girls came around Fluttershy, and confirmed Dash's statement. Trying their collective best to smile for their friend, all of them trying to be strong for her.

Fluttershy looked upon her friends, a fresh wave of crimson tears welling up in her eyes as she shut them tightly. “I'm going to die...” She said in a whisper, sobbing just as softly. “It happened to angel and now it's going to happen to me...” She sobbed a little more audibly, her friends feeling more tears come to their eyes as well. “You guys cant stay here, you'll just get sick like that nurse pony” she said rather loudly for Fluttershy at least. “Get out...” she whispered, the girls looked at eachother, “get out!...” She said louder now, blood coming to the edges of her lips dripping on to the bed, her voice cracking. The girls looked in disbelief at their friend. “GET THE BUCK OUT OF THIS ROOM! I WILL NOT HAVE YOUR BLOOD ON MY HOOOooo-HackKfffKff-” Blood started to sputter out of her mouth. All the girls looked at Fluttershy unsure of what to do as her friend continued to cough and hack up blood. The doctor and nurse burst through the door at that moment, pushing the girls back and demanding they get out while they attempted to stabilize Fluttershy. The girls did as they were told, exiting the room, just as another nurse rushed through the open door, slamming it with her magic behind her. The five girls stood in the hallway for a moment listening to her dying friend continue to cough, hack and wheeze.

It all became to much for Pinkie Pie as she ran down the halls sobbing loudly. The girls noticing their friend rushed after her. All but one, the blue pegasus could do little more than sit on her haunches and stare at the door. The sounds of her dying friend began to be burned into her memory. It would be the things of nightmares for the rest of her existence. She could have left, she could have seeked escape much like Pinkie did, but she couldn’t. She felt it wrong to simply run away from this, to abandon her friend while she faced her mortality. Even if she didnt want her there, she still felt the need to be here, to watch over her/ Even if it was from another room. So there she sat silently, listening as the coughing subsided. There she sat as the doctor and nurses, covered in her friends blood exited the room. There she sat until Celestia's sun set, and Luna's moon occupied the sky. There she sat even after the nurses told her to leave. There she sat, waiting for the end of her friend.

I wasnt until she was all alone in the dark hallway for the hospital that she got off her haunches. Quietly she trotted inside of Shy's room, leaving her white face mask behind. Once inside the sight before her seemed to serve as another painful sting at her heart. Fluttershy's condition had worsened, the skin she had left was starting to peel off of her body despite the medical's staff attempt to keep it on her. The cyan pegasus simply stared at the crimson gem that had invaded and was now taking over her oldest friend's body. She was unsure of what to think, what to say, she only knew what to do. Slowly she made her way to Fluttershy once more.

When she got closer she could hear, Fluttershy's labored breathing, the soft cries and whimpers of the dying mare as pain surged through her body. Dash wanted so bad to run away, to leave the painful sight of her dying friend, but she was the element of loyalty. There was no way that she would be able to leave the dying mare, even if it killed her. She found herself staring at Shy's face for a moment, the placid face only served to hide the inner turmoil that hid beneath. Her eyes were shut, probably permanently, her eye lids completely covered by the gemstone. Her face neutral, not happy, not sad, not in pain, just...there... The only skin left to her face was a little bite of her nose, and the inside of her mouth which hung open slightly, just enough to let air through and tiny trails of blood out.

The pegasus sat next to her friend for several minuets before she spoke, “hey flutters..” She said in a hushed tone. Shy's breahing shifting slightly as she was brought out of her pain induced stupport from the sudden realizations of another being. “Whaa ahh hou hoing he'e” she pegasues said as best she could with her lips set in gemstone. The cyan pegasus chuckled half heartedly as she looked at her dying friend. “Isn’t it obvious? I'm here to be with you Shy...I'm your..friend, after all, and no one should go through this alone.” she said smiling slightly. Though the new crimson pegasus could only grunt and growl at this, “buh I hon' wah hou he'e! Hou'll he' hick!” She retorted angrily, the effort she had to put in to keep enough oxygen in her body was a strain in itself, made worse in her angered state.

Dash chuckled again, it only served to anger the other pagasus even more. “Hua' ho hunny!” Shy cried out, her breath to the getting to the point of hyperventilating.

“It's funny that you think I care about getting sick,” Dash said, confusing Fluttershy as the cyan pegasus moved closer to her friend. Brining her hooves up to either side of Shy's gemstone face, her hoove clinking as they made contact with the glass like surface. “To be honest Shy, I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to be able to keep going once you're gone... You're my oldest friend, my best friend, none of the other girls can compare to you in my mind.” She spoke softly, stroking Shy's muzzle while she did, her breathing calming down, but her confusion was still there. “You've always been so nice to me, to everyone really. You've always been there for me, cared for me when I tried some stupid trick and got myself hurt. Always been there supporting me when I try those stupid tricks,” she giggled at that one.

Dash took a long pause, her hoof still stroking Fluttershy's muzzle. Shy was about to say something, but shy tapped her hoof to her solidified lips, shooshing her as she did. “Let me finish,” she said simply, letting out a long sigh before she started again. “It hurts you know...seeing you like this..knowing you wont be here much longer...” Fresh tears started to form in Dash's eyes, “I'm soo stupid! Always trying to act so cool in front of you and the girls! Always trying to stay away from the mushy junk just to 'be cool'! Nevere really expressing my true feelings because I was afraid of-...!” She let her head rop slightly, letting out tiny sniffles before bringing her head back with vigor. “Well no more! I wont hide anything anymore! It's time I came clean!” She said happily, even through the sniffling and the tears.

Fluttershy, while happy that Dash was coming out like she was, was still very much confused. That was until she felt something against her hardened lips, something that made her gasp. A warmth that could only come from another living pony pressing against her lips. Dash was kissing her! She was in shock! Her mind stalling as she tried to process what was happening. “I love you Fluttershy..I love you! I have loved you since the day we met! I've always wanted to tell you but was always so afraid of being called a fillyfoller, a sissy and everything else! I wanted you by my side for so long and now your going to leave me!” she said, tears flowing down her cheeks. If she could have, Fluttershy would be crying right along with her. “I had to go and wait until you were dying to tell you how much I cared for you!” she said sobbing loudly.

Fluttershy's breath was shaky as it escaped her lips, tiny whimpers coming out with her breaths. Dash had to take another moment to compose herself, to calm herself down enough to be able to speak again. Wiping the tears with her foreleg before smiling at Fluttershy. “But at least I got a chance to tell you! I at least have that much!” she said, giggling a bit on the hysterical side, as she held Fluttershy's face between her hooves. “You may only have a short time left on this earth, but at the very least I can say that I confessed my love! You can go to knowing you were at least loved!” She giggled again, though this time it sounded more like crying.

Fluttershy will was broken, to think the pain that she would cause her oldest friend..no her lover.. Angel's death hit her hard, but this devastated her. Why fate was being so cruel to her she didn’t know. All she knew was pain now, pain in her heart and body. She wanted to cry, but her illness wouldn’t give her the pleasure. Words failed her, not knowing what she could tell Dash, if anything. Nothing she could say would even come close to comforting her. All she could do was sit there and listen, not even see, just listen to her dear Dash tell her all. She wished for death to come for here then and there while hoping against hope that she could be cured of this disease.

Her hope would not fulfilled, but her wish would. A strong pain hit her chest as she felt the chrystals start to coat her lungs, painfully shredding the tissue, making it harder and harder to breath. She panicked for the longest time, not wanting to go, but soon enough she found peace. An escape to the torment. Her breathing slowed, becoming more shallow with each breath. Her world was going black, blacker than the world of her blindness. Her pain was beginning to ebb away, her mind loosing contact with the rest of her body. She was ready now, it would all be over, she would be free, but not before she did her lover one last justice. “Hash...” she wheezed in a breath to speak her last words, “I hove...hou...” she sighed out the last word. Her body not taking another breath, while her soul escaped her the confines of her crimson prison.

Dash sat there the rest of the night, knowing full well that her lover was no longer with her. Her last words, etched into her mind, never to be forgotten. Celestia's sun was retaking it's place in the sky by the time Dash moved, pressing her lips one last time to the now cold gemstone that was her lover's body. “I love you too Shy...I'll see you soon” she whispered as she hopped off the bed and exited the room. Grabbing one of the facemasks that sat outside the room, putting it on before she continued down the hall. there was something about her that had changed in that short amount of time. It was subtle, but it was there, her dark magenta eyes had changed. Turning to a deep crimson red.

Chapter 4: Equestria