The two Humvees bounced through the field, staying close to the forest as they headed back towards Hope. It had been about an hour since they fell back from the occupied Ponyville and the lead hummer was starting to weave back and forth a bit erratically. After a minute of this the Humvee skidded to a stop and the second pulled up close to it as the soldiers piled out of it and one of the soldiers from the second rushed to the diver side of the first.

Opening the door PFC Light spilled out and was caught by the other soldier. The front of the driver’s uniform was stained crimson from the wound in his shoulder. Corporal Heart, who was the one to catch the injured stallion, quickly pulled him from the driver seat and laid him on the ground. Corporal Heart was the rifle team’s medic and she wasted no time taking the PFC’s vitals. “Pulse weak, breathing slow but steady…”The medic said to herself the world falling away as she worked.

Staff Sergeant Dusty Trails came around the front of the hummer to check on the stallion. He had needed medical attention a while ago but they needed to put as much distance between themselves and whoever it was holding Ponyville as they didn’t know what sort of capabilities they had and a single rifle team couldn’t hope to take a town filled with a totally unknown enemy.

Hearing the muttering of Heart she could tell Light was going to be alright if out of action for a while. With that settled the soldier mare made her way to the back of the Humvee where their two passaged sat, the grey earth pony was holding the white unicorn tightly and crying into her chest while the unicorn stroked her hair soothingly.

As much as Dusty hated to break up the scene the facts were they needed answers so she dropped the tailgate of the Humvee and gestured with a hand. “Out, now.” She said firmly, she still didn’t fully trust these two.

The White unicorn glared at Dusty but the grey earth pony nodded before moving to climb out carefully and the unicorn followed, staying very close to the other.

Dusty crossed her arms over the things on her chest and looked the two nude mares before her, she still didn’t know why them being naked bothered her but that was a minor detail. Taking in what these two looked like. The grey earth pony had a black mane with a cutie mark on her thigh that was some sort of music symbol, Dusty didn’t know what it was called, and though her eyes still held fear in them they also held relief. The Earth pony was still holding onto the unicorn mare who had an electric blue mane and a music note on her thigh. And while the earth pony was filled with fear and relief the unicorn had hard eyes filled with determination and a clear hint of rage as she glared at Dusty while keeping an arm protectively around the grey mare.

Dusty focused on the unicorn mare as she seemed to most together. “So then, mind telling me who the hell you are and what the fuck is going on and why the fuck you jumped into the back of our Humvee?” The unicorn mare only glared more at how Dusty spoke but didn’t say a word. “Say something.”

“Sh-she can’t…”The earth pony said as she wiped some tears from her eyes. “Our….our owner cut her tongue out because she made him angry with her constant insults…..” The earth pony said and nearly started crying again. The unicorn stopped glaring at Dusty as her features softened and pulled the other mare into a hug, stroking her hair.

Dusty looked between the two of them at a loss for words. “What the hell is going on? What do you mean owner and how the hell does anyone get away with cutting someone’s tongue out.” She said looking at the earth pony mare as the only one who could actually speak. “Who are you anyways?”

“My….my name is Octavia and this is my sister Vinyl.” Octavia said and looked at Dusty. “Thank…..thank you for taking us with you…..” She said. “I thought vinyl was crazy for thinking of escape, she’s been planning it for some time but with the guards are everywhere so there was no way she could get us both out….then your….thing crashed in front of us and we saw the other one fighting the guards…..and….and she just grabbed a piece of wood and stabbed out owner in the neck, grabbed me and jumped in the back……” Octavia said shaking as she explained what had happened and Vinyl held her close before turning her to face the unicorn and giving her a broad smile to say everything was ok now Dusty assumed.

Dusty looked around the field as she processed what Octavia just told her. Most of it made little sense to the Staff Sergeant but she understood the two mares had been in a bad situation and when they saw a chance at escape, they took it. “Flyntel.” She called out over her shoulder. “Grab a couple of emergency blankets from a kit.”

“Right away ma’am.” Came Flyntel’s slightly hissy voice from the other side of the second Humvee where he was keeping watch with the rest of the soldiers besides Corporal Heart and PFC Light.

Dusty nodded and looked back at the two mares with a smile on her face. “I may not fully know what is happening but I can assure you, you are safe now and once we get back to Hope we will see about getting you some food and medical attention.” She said and looked at them. ”As well as some clothes” She added.

Octavia gave a small smile. “Thank you Miss…..”

“Staff Sergeant Dusty Trails, Equestrian Defense Force.” Dusty said and the two mares looked at her in confusion.

Dusty was about to ask why they were confused when Flyntel walked up to the group carrying two blanket from the teams survival kits and the two mares recoiled and vinyl put herself between Octavia and Flyntel who blinked at them with his solid blue eyes.

“What is that?” Octavia asked in fear from behind Vinyl.

Dusty blinked. “You two act like you’ve never seen a changeling before.” She said in confusion.

“Changeling?” Octavia asked looking between Dusty and Flyntel.

“You…..don’t know what they are? Do you?” Dusty asked and the mare shook her head. Dusty looked at the other sergeant then back at them. “Uh….Flyntel here doesn’t mean you any harm; he is a friend of mine.” She said confused still. Slowly the two mares relaxed and Dusty gesture for Flyntel to give them the blankets.

The Vinyl cautiously took them and then placed one around Octavia, smiled as she made sure it covered her before wrapping herself in the second blanket.

Dusty nodded. “Well if you are familiar with Changelings then Hope should be an interesting experience for you.” She said and gestured to the back of the Humvee. “Feel free to take a seat; I’m going to go check on my injured soldier.” She said heading back around the Humvee. She found the piece of wood had been removed from PFC Light’s shoulder and it was now bandaged as the medic took his vital again. “What’s the word Heart?”

The medic looked up at her commanding officer. “He’ll live but I recommend he rest for at least twenty-four hours and have the med-pay back at base take a look at him as he lost a lot of blood.” She said as she got to her feet and dusted herself off.

Dusty nodded and looked at the unconscious soldier. “Well load him into the back of the Humvee as we are heading back to base and the sooner we get to Hope the better I’ll feel.” She said and the medic nodded before gesturing for another slider to help her move the PFC onto a stretcher and then load him into the back of the Humvee. Dusty apologized to the two mares for the slightly cramped conditions but Octavia said it was no trouble at all and thanked Dusty once more for saving them.

With that out of the way the soldiers climbed back into their Humvees and began making their way back to Hope.

<<>>

Deep within the Everfree Forest, now more dangerous do to the magic that affected the once peaceful land of Equestria having sent the magic of the forest even more out of control, sits the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sister. Had anyone been near the ruins just before dawn they would have felt a small earth quake around the same time a certain town appeared.

The quake emanated from the ruins themselves as deep within them, past the crumbling doors and through the debris filled entry way. Past where the old thrones of power once sat and down a flight of stairs that lead to the lowest floors of the ruins and at the end of the hall that once stretched the length of the castle now sat a heavy reinforced steel door.

On the door was painted a golden kite shield with two crossed swords behind it with the letters EDF sitting squarely in the middle of the shield. Just below the shield sat a simple red circle with a black biohazard symbol resting in the middle. The words Biohazard Containment Division ran around the bottom half of the circle.

Through the door sat an airlock, past that was the type of sterile white halls you’d see in any hospital anywhere on the planet. The smell of disinfectant was strong in the air but the dozen doctors who call the small lab home had long since grown used to it to the point they did not notice it anymore.

The lab was small as it was only meant to handle the study and containment of a handful of level four and level five biological contagions. This BCD lab was set up has the main facility located just outside of Vanhoover only dealt with up to level three contagions. Do to the inherently deadly and possible world ending potential of some of the Level Five viruses and bacteria’s housed within this lab it was natural to build it in the old ruins as many still feared the place, it was surrounded on all sides by a deep ravine and beyond that, one of the most dangerous places on the planet providing a level of security one could only hope for to guard such a facility.

In one of the labs sat an earth pony stallion and unicorn mare, both of which were hooked up to various medical and lab equipment that took blood samples, brain scans, measured heart rate and blood pressure and every other imaginable test that could be done on the living.

The stallion sat perfectly still as he watched his own reading while the mare did the same thing. “Nothing seems to be wrong; all tests show us to be perfectly healthy doctor.” The mare said not looking up from the screen before her.

“Yes, it seems despite whatever that event was that changed our bodies left no adverse effects besides the drastic changes to our bodies. “The stallion said before deactivating the screen. Carefully he began to unhook himself as the mare followed suit.

Once both were unhooked they stood and made their way to the sealed door and activated the intercom beside it. “This is Dr. Vector, all tests came back negative, unseal the door.” After a few seconds there was a hiss from the door as the locks were remotely disengaged and the air tight seal broken.

Calmly the two doctors walked out of the now unlocked door and were greeted by the rest of the doctors who called this lab home. “So then this was not a biological event.” One of the other doctors said. “Then that leaves just magical as the only other possible theory.”

Dr. Vector nodded. “Yes, we will need to get in contact with the EMSD Facility so that they may look into this matter. What is the status of our radio and other connections to the outside world?” He asked. While the lab’s radio had gone down several hours before whatever event changes Doctors in the lab they had still had connection to the outside world via the Military Network. After the event they had lost all contact and thus had no cause to be concerned. Now with that cut off the lab was alone.

This did not bother the Doctors as they were used to the isolation as few desired to actually visit with the members of the BCD as they found them extremely unnerving, some even said every member of the BCD was completely insane. Dr. Vector preferred to think of them as just having a healthy respect and admiration for nature and what it could do to a living being with ease.

Do to the work of the BCD all of their doctors had seen some of the most horrible things imaginable, some of which defined all logic such as when Dr. Vector personally entered an isolated zebra village where the inhabitants had all perished from a strange virus. He had personally found patient zero. The subject had been dismembered by the rest of the village and it seemed even being in pieces the Zebra male was still screaming for help despite his head being several feet from the rest of his body. That had been a most interesting case and he was happy that the virus was housed in this very lab.

This lab contained some of the most dangerous viruses on the planet, all of which were under researched for either a cure or vaccine. The lab had also decided to see what else they could do and succeeded in making several of these deadly viruses far stronger. Just in case the BCD decided to study a global pandemic as a;; BCD facilities were air tight and could easily isolate themselves from the rest of the world and study the effects of the viruses as civilization crumbled outside of their labs.

However the BCD was a loyal part of the EDF and through them to the nation of Equestria. After all it was the army that funded and allowed them to do their research and if they killed everyone there would be little chance of finding new biological contagions to study as there would be no more subjects to get infected.

That and many of the BCD were away that a certain mare held the codes to remotely unlock their labs and expose them to the outside world if not remotely activate the labs’ self-destruct, there by ending all their research and making releasing the contagions pointless.

Dr. Vector had thought of having the three changeling that worked within the lab try to contact the hive but it would be just as ineffective as the radio as the three changelings were isolated from the rest of the hive to protect the rest of the Hive from being exposed to the memories, feelings and thoughts of the three Doctors. They could still communicate with each other over the link though.

“Well we need to establish contact with the rest of the army or at least another BCD Lab before they think something had happened and either set the facility to self-destruct, or worse, send someone to investigate.” Dr. Vector said, the BCD did not like when stranger snooped around their labs, to many chances for things to go wrong plus the possibility of the lab getting infected by something the stranger was carrying and the doctors being infected, that just wouldn’t do.

The twelve Doctors thought for a few moments. “Well.” One of the others said. “The only option is to head into Ponyville and use a phone or speak to the head of the army herself.” The other eleven Doctors thought about it before nodding, while they did not like exposing themselves to such a large number of people that living in the small town, or any number of people not part of the BCD, it was simply the only option they had. None of them were happy about it.

“Right them, myself, Dr. Green, Dr. Cupcake and Dr. Trilat will head into town and contact the rest of the army to inform them that everything is completely under control and we are just experiencing a minor malfunction with our communication equipment and that it will be dealt with by tomorrow at the latest.” Dr. Vector said.

The other Doctors all nodded and the three Dr. Vector mentioned stepped forward to follow the stallion to the airlock where they would dawn their hazmat gear and venter forth into the outside world.

<<>>

At the edge of the Everfree Forest four figures in bright yellow suits with black gloves, boots and gasmasks walked out as if out for a present stroll in the early afternoon sun. Dr. Vector looked at the town that was not far from where the four BCD Doctors exited the forest. Something about it seemed off. After a moment of contemplation he realized it looked nothing like the last time he saw it over six months ago. No matter, a lot can happen in just a few second, who was he to question was six months could do?

The Doctors began walking again. The walk through the Forest had seemed slightly more dangerous than usual as many of the creatures who called that place home seemed far more agitated. Usually they avoid the Doctors as if their lives depended on it when they left their lab, having learned long ago not to attack the bright yellow creatures but several had attacked them. Their bodies now lay on the forest floor, the location marked for later retrieval as the lab could always use new specimens and fresh tissue.

As the four figured continued their slow walk towards the town they noticed several armor wearing figured coming out to meet them. Odd it wasn’t the uniform of the royal guard or the armor of the soldiers of the EDF, perhaps they were performers or something as they did wear old armor and wielded ineffective weapons.

As the armor clad figures approached the Doctors the four of them saw they were of a species neither had seen nor read of in the BCD’s vast database. This was odd as the BCD was very meticulous in its data gathering of all potential contagion carriers. These subjects were unidentified and that made the Doctors nervous. Not only were they having to go into a population zone filled with gods only knows how many potential contagions but it seemed the town had unknown subjects in it and no one had bothered to inform the BCD. To say the four Doctors were on edge was an understatement. Someone would be hearing about this just as soon as they could make contact with the army.

As the Unknown Subjects neared the four doctors the hazmat wearing group came to as top as their path was now blocked by a wall of steel. Dr. Vector did his best to sound friendly. “Afternoon unknown subjects, how can we help you?” The BCD Doctors were not known for their interpersonal skills.

One of the unknown subjects stepped forward and pointed at Dr. Cupcake. “What is that bitch doing wearing clothes?” It asked, from the voice it sounded male, Dr. Vector filed that information away in his head before looking back at Dr. Cupcake, how did the unknown subject know she was in fact female? Perhaps it was the pointless collection of flesh on her chest; the unknown subjects must have thought the Doctors were members of their species.

Dr. Vector looked back at the one who spoke. “She is wearing a standard hazmat suit to protect against possible infection from any number of contagions that could be in the air.”

This made the subject who spoke blink. “Who is her owner?” he demanded after a few moments.

“Owner? Who would own a pony? Such an archaic mindset.” Dr. Vector said calmly as he thought about what the subject said.

The subjects drew their hammers and glared at the four Doctors. “So attempting to escape eh bitch.” The first subject said as the group surrounded the four Doctors.

Dr. Vector looking around them as did the other three. “If this is meant to intimidate us or some other such meaning I word advice against it.” He said calmly.

The Subjects ignored the warning and charged forward. Dr. Green calmly removed a canister from his back. Popping the top released a white gas the rapidly spread around the four Doctors. As the unknown Subjects entered the gas to attack the four BCD Doctors they couldn’t help breathing the gas. Before they reached the four they started to stumble and cough violently. Several moments later a few of them began to vomit blood as they collapsed to their hands and knees, their eyes, noses and ears starting to bleed. As the twelve unknown subjects vomited up more blood and collapsed to the ground in fits of seizers as blood poured from every orifice the four Doctors calmly watched the effects as they took mental notes.

The one who had spoken early attempted to grab Dr. Vectors boot and the Doctor calmly took a step back to avoid being touched by the unknown subject as he continues to be a passive observer. After about sixty seconds the twelve unknown subjects lay still and it was clear they were dead as the gas slowly dissipated into the air becoming harmless a few seconds later.

“What was that?” Dr. Vector asked as he crouched beside the only unknown subject to speak and observed his body.

“Strain E-579” Dr. Green replied as he calmly observed another body.

“Ah, did not know that was ready for testing yet.” Dr. Vector said absentmindedly as he turned the head of the unknown subject leader, noting how his skin peeled off as he shifted his head.

“Finished it before the event this morning, I must say it was lucky to find volunteers to test it.” Dr. Green said.

“Right then. “Dr. Vector said as he stood up. “Dr. Green remains here and gathers samples, when you have a sufficient number find us in the town.” He turned to the other two Doctors. “In the mean time we have to make contact with the rest of the army as well as report this attack to the local authorities.” The Everfree Chemical Troopers leader said. While that was an unofficial name for the BCD Doctors it was what a lot of the soldiers in the EDF called them and was one of the main reasons they did what they could to avoid the Doctors.

The other two Doctors stood and together the trio made their way towards the town of Ponyville while Dr. Green began taking sample of every part of the recently deceased volunteer subjects.

Inside the town proper the trio of Doctors found more of the unknown subjects walking around, this was most curious to Dr. Vector but was a question for another time as he spotted a mare that only wore a black collar walking beside an unknown subject and the three doctors walked up to her.

Ignoring the unknown subject Dr. Vector spoke to the mare. “Excuse me citizen but might you point me in the direction of the nearest available public phone?” HE asked politely. It would do no good if the citizen was frightened after all.

For some reason she was frightened as she looked between Dr. Vector and the unknown subject. He couldn’t figure out why she was afraid as he was completely polite, perhaps she did not understand what he said through the gasmask.

“Citizen I asked you where the nearest phone is, point me in the direction now please.” Dr. Vector said with a raised voice so she could hear.

The mare jumped and the unknown subject glared at her. “Who the hell are you.” He aid and looked at the rest of the trio. “And why is that bitch clothed?”

Dr. Vector ignored the rude subject; really didn’t it know anything about manners? Looking at the mare once more Dr. Vector was growing tired of her lack of response. “Citizen I am asking you once more, where is the nearest phone or law enforcement authority as it is very important I report some things.” He said in the same elevated voice as before.

Being ignored seemed to have angered the unknown subject as he took a swing at Dr. Vector he quickly jumped back to avoid a possible suit rupture. “Come now, there is no call for that, you could rupture my suit and then no one would be happy.” He said and the unknown subject pressed his attack as a small crowd started to gather.

Dr. Vector side stepped and the unknown subject stumbled face first into a wall. As it turned around Dr. Vector noted that its nose was bleeding. “You should seek medical aide.” He advised helpfully.

Once more this seemed to only make the subject angry as he lunched for the doctor who side stepped once more. “You seem to have many anger issues, I would recommend changing your diet as it can effect mood greatly.” He said and the subject kept attacking and Dr. Vector was going annoyed at the risk of a suit rupture this subject was posing.

He dodged again he spoke up as he thought out loud. “Well it seems you won’t listen to reason and wish to continue to put me at risk of a suit rupture and your level of aggression seems to be the effect of an unknown contagion so to protect myself there is only one logical course of action. “Dr. Vector said and as the subject charged him again a scalpel seemed to materialize in the Doctor’s hand and he deftly drew it across the subject neck as he side stepped him once more. “Euthanasia.”

The subject fell to his knees clutching his throat as blood flowed freely. “Oh that is most point as I made sure to sever both the carotid and jugular arteries. You should be deceased right about…” The subject dropped face first into the dirt. “now.” The Doctor finished.

The Doctor looked at the recently deceased unknown subject and then at the crowd as they started to back away. “Is something wrong?” He asked and the crowd bolted.

Sighing Dr. Vector check the time via the clock town. “We will try again on another day when the town is calmer as it seems something has them spooked.” He said and looked at the body at his feet. “Bag and tag the unknown subject, I want to bring it back for study.” He said.

“Yes Doctor.” The two with him said in unison before Dr. Cupcake pulled out a body bag and laid it on the ground; you never knew when you’d need a body bag.

As the two doctors prepped the subject for transport Dr. Green arrived with his case. “Sample collected Doctor, how did your endeavor to report to the army and proper authorities go?” he asked.

“Poorly, the town seems on edge for some reason so we will be returning another time.” Dr. Vector said as he watched the unknown subject’s body be zipped up into the body bag.

One the body was ready for transport the four Doctors began the trek back to their lab where they would type up a report of today’s events, the effects of Strain E-579 as well as examine the sample taken from the volunteers while others studied the body of the unknown subject.

Least this trip wasn’t a total waste. Dr. Vector thought as the four Doctors entered the Everfree Forest with their cargo.

Author's Note

Yes the BCD has weaponized every contagion they have

Yes the BCD doctors were left not really described for a reason

Yes everyone in the BCD is insane in some way

Also when a quartet of insane chemical troopers think what you are doing is wrong then you know what you are doing is REALLY wrong.