Through Deceiving Eyes

by CowgirlVK

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Sad, Main 6, Thriller, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Spike, Other
Length: 31372

An ancient evil has once again risen from the shadows. Will Twilight and her friends stop it? ... Or will they crumble one by one in front of this unseen foe...

A plague of old has been set loose on Equestria. It's an invisible evil, swift, and silent against its prey. A beast that discriminates against neither pony nor beast, young or old, rich or poor...

Will Twilight and her friends be able to stop it? Or will Equestria itself crumble into oblivion under the rapid, and unavailing power of the adorable, yet deadly Fuffs?

I want to thank everypony who worked on this project.

Calm Wind: This story started out between the two of us with me trying to fish for spoilers, and him tossing out ideas that were so left field it wasn't even funny. The results... this story here.

Glittering Aristocrat: My sister who helped me built the story from bare bones, into something that could resemble a story.

ShadowWolf101: My co-author, without whom we wouldn't have a story. Thank you for your time and talents.

And Copey: Who edited, and critiqued our work.

Published 2016-10-10 23:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2018-10-31 04:18:55 UTC

Introduction

Entry #1

Click

“Day twenty of the first turn of the seasons, year 120 of The Sisters Reign.”

“My team and I have discovered a new type of bug. We are not quite sure what it does, but it looks rather puffy… Maybe they shall be named the Fluffs.” It was a mare’s voice.

“Further research is required….”

Click

Entry #7

Click

“Day *sigh* Forty-three of the first turn of the seasons, year 120 of The Sisters’ Reign.”

There was a heavy sigh from the voice. “Our beloved tracker dog has gone berserk, he won’t stop barking at us, or one of the parasite samples contained within the jar in our lab. This strange behavior is alarming, but alas, I have little time to deal with the distractions. We’ve put a muzzle on him and left him alone for a while.”

There was silence for a moment. “Hopefully he will calm down.” It was as if she was trying to convince herself of this fact, more than she believed it.

Click

Entry #34

Click

“Time… Time… I don’t know the time… I don’t even know the season anymore…”

There was a long pause.

Suddenly; heavy, frantic breathing cut through the silence before a panicked voice spoke. “The Fluffs. The Fluffs are such nasty little creatures. Don’t let their looks fool you. They look like moths almost, with a fluffy body and feather-like wings. They glow, too.”

Her voice shuddered. “Delicate would probably be a good word for it…”

“Yes, delicate. They look delicate.” There was yet another long pause.

“However, these creatures... these… things...” There was a small sob, and then she followed up. “They’re dangerous. They burrow inside of you and start doing things to you… your mind…” The voice was breathing heavily now, defeat in her voice. “I noticed it too late. Even now, I see things… things I don’t understand…” Another long pause was suddenly followed up by a scream.

“Where am I?!”

…

Click.

Three cloaked ponies walked onwards towards a dark cave at the base of Misty Peak Mountain. Fog hung in the air around them as they traversed the winding road to the valley. The cloaks concealed anything that gave away an appearance other than a long, pointy horn jutting off the head of the leading pony. A weak glow encased the horn in its colorful aura, levitating a book near her head as she walked. The second was right on her hooves, while the third pony lagged behind the other two.

Art by Atlantean

The unicorn stopped and turned to the mare that had fallen behind, causing the second to stop in her tracks and turn as well. “Dearest sister, please, hurry up. We don’t have all the time in the world. I’d like to be there before next year.”

The third sighed as she walked up and stared at her sister through their hoods. “I don’t think this be a good idea…” she said with a frown. “What if we’re caught…?”

The second merely rolled her eyes and shook her head, but the first grinned. “Stop worrying darling. Everything will work out. Besides, we have the authority for this, and it isn’t like Celestia can do anything to stop us…” she gazed at her in annoyance. “IF we can hurry up.”

The reluctant mare sucked in a breath and gave a half-hearted nod. The first smiled brightly and turned to walk again, still closely followed by the second. The third continued lagging along behind, though not as slowly as she had before. Doubt was still evident on her face as they reached the entrance to the cave.

The leader cast a glance around them to see if anypony was near and motioned to the second to do a quick sweep of the area. She nodded and extended her wings, previously hidden under flaps on the cloak as she took off into the air. She flew a full loop around their area before landing once more between her sisters. “Coast is clear.” She said.

The unicorn nodded. “Let’s hurry up before anything does show up.”

With that, the three sisters trotted into the cave.

Bats hung from its roof, and water dripped from jutting stalactites. Eerie sounds echoed throughout the cave; sounds that didn’t belong to the three sisters. Screeching resounded from overhead as one of the bats blew past them, causing them to press their bodies to the cold, stone floor. Not long after, a small swarm flew overhead with shrill cries.

“Are ya sure this be a good idea?” The third whimpered once more.

“Good idea... Good idea??” The cave itself seemed to respond.

“Deti, No, fine no,” the unicorn said. “This is the worst idea we ever had. But our sister is right. It’s the only way to figure out the truth.”

The third shivered.

“Sis! It isn’t as if we’ve not bent a few laws before. Besides, nothing horrible is going to happen. All the precautions have been taken.” The pegasus rolled her eyes glaring down at the third sister. “Are you just going chicken?”

The third glared. “Neigh sis, neigh I be not!”

“Good, then keep your eyes peeled.” The pegasus instructed, smirking a bit.

They continued in silence as the eldest followed a map through the little-known tunnels. She led them, looking for a chamber that held it. The creature that was locked away deep within the very soul of the mountain.

Finally, they reached the cavern they were looking for. A large, open area opened up in front of them. The cavern was huge, with large stalactites hanging down from the tall ceiling, and decaying ruins or piles of rubble dotted the natural floor of the chamber. The third sister cringed as she looked upon the ruined town. She nearly jumped as her hoof crunched against something hollow, she looked down into the eyeholes of a long dead unicorn and shuddered.

“Watch where you step.” The unicorn once more instructed.

“That would’a been nice ta say before I stepped on it!” The third sister exclaimed in fear and annoyance. “If anythin’ this be all the more reason for us to leave them alone! Do ya SEE what they can do?”

“Deti, don’t fear. We are perfectly aware of what these creatures are capable of. These ponies never knew what hit them. We will be safe; every other time they have attacked, nothing more than a few bad hair days have been the result.” The unicorn huffed.

“Besides, it’ll be awesome!” The pegasus exclaimed childishly, flapping her wings.

“Just like fighting timberwolves!” Deti grumbled.

“Yeah, only better.” The pegasus shivered with delight.

“Inspire, now ah be worried.” Deti’s face was completely drained of color.

The unicorn snorted in amusement. “Follow me, girls.”

The three continued in silence as they went further into the city. They eventually came across what they were looking for. It was a sealed off stone container with warnings etched onto the lid. Without bothering to look, the unicorn set the book down and lifted the lid, quickly throwing up a protection spell to shield her and her sisters from the parasite.

None of the three saw a thing, but after a few moments, the unicorn sighed, with the spell still up she turned to her sisters. “There, it’s done. Now to see how the test goes. Come on, let’s get back to the castle before we are missed.”

The unicorn had teleported the three of them away, a maniacal cackle resounded through the caverns. “Oh, won’t this be fun.” The voice said as he watched the bugs flit about quickly towards the exit. He snapped his fingers and there were suddenly hundreds, if not thousands more of them. They quickly spread throughout Equestria, infecting everything within the land. “Won’t this be a great thing to wake up to. Hummm?”

Author's Note

Hello reader, and thanks for picking up this story. I do hope you enjoyed this intro, and are ready for the wild ride that will be this story.

The plan is to publish a new chapter every other day, so hang onto your seats, this will be out rapidly.

Thank you guys for the read, and I hope to see you in the comments below.

Cowgirl out

I HAVE NO REGRETS, NOR AM I SORRY~ Shadow

Chapter 2: Blurred Images

Spike laid on his bed, gazing up at the tall ceiling in his bedroom. The expression on his face was twisted with confusion and concern. The sound had not stopped, nor had the glowing things. Another thing plaguing him was that his mind kept wandering to a particular urge… the urge to… to what? He wasn't sure. The urge had only passed once Twilight had teleported back to the hospital away from him. It was a gnawing feeling, like he had to do something, and something quickly. He shivered as he remembered it. Dread crept into his mind as his hands trembled. He clenched them into fists. What would he have done? His mind wandered back to Fluttershy and her animals. Would he have really done that to Twilight? His stomach revolted at the thought. But in truth, he could not be sure he could have restrained himself had the urge taken any greater hold of him. Why though? Why did he feel the absolute hostility?

Crack

His head jerked up from the pillow, eyes shooting towards the door. Should he open it?

The thing hit again. A painful pang echoed around his room. Could it be it? A rare feeling of terror washed over him and made his blood run cold; his palms clammy as nervous sweat beaded down his forehead. What if the thing outside attacked him? Spike had to be honest here, he wasn’t that big! He was still a baby dragon!

The noise suddenly got louder, the bright lights and flashing images filling the room. His rug, bed, tables, chairs... everything started flickering and changing their colors. What could he do?

He grit his teeth, bending over to cover his ears with his claws. Clenching his eyes closed, he started reciting anything he could remember. Anything to drown out the sounds around him. He shouted in frustration. “Stop!” He cried in vain as he tried to tune out the unbearable screams that filled the room. He shrieked in agony as he jumped off the bed and ran to the door, throwing it open. His eyes widened as he was met with a faceful of feathers. Owlicious was in full attack mode as he hoo-ed and caught the lights in his talons, crushing them. A crunching noise sounded, along with a squish as slimy, green, transparent liquid dripped onto the floor.

Spike winced in pain, ripping the owl’s beak from his body, and turning him around. “NO!” He ordered. It was just one pet, Spike could hold him. The owl thrashed in his grip but was unable to move. Spike didn’t relax, but his fear and unease grew. Whatever the lights were, they were causing Owlicious to go berserk as well.

“Owlicious, calm down! it’s me, Spike!”

The owl continued to thrash.

Spike gulped. “Is it the lights? Do you see the lights?”

The owl screeched, a sound Spike had never heard the old pet use before.

The young dragon had nowhere to go from here. It wasn’t right, none of this was right, but what did he have? What could he do? If just the sight of these lights made animals act like this, just what were they? What else could they do?... Why were they here?

He forced his body to move. The owl had a cage. He had to protect him, Twilight, and Owlicious as well. He, therefore, had to get the old pet into a place where he could be safe from the mind controlling effects of... it. Whatever it was.

Spike gulped and cringed. He was scratched from the sheer force of the bird’s attacks, and his body was beginning to wear out. Gritting his teeth, he used his tail to help him stand up, then balanced back upon it as he carried the bird who was almost as large as himself.

The birdcage was not even in his immediate area. It was on the floor below. Spike cringed, Owlicious had found a way to dig his beak once more into Spike’s arm. “Let go!” He ordered.

Desperate for answers, his mind raced for anything he could use to calm down his friend.

Like the flash of light, an idea burst into his head. He reached behind him, grabbing one of his blankets, and then carefully wrapped the bird up in it. In the complete darkness, Owlicious began to calm down. Spike sighed in relief, then winced as the force once more tugged at his mind. The noise was ringing in his ears. He had to get Owlicious to his cage, and therefore to safety. There was no other way.

When Angel was sure that no more guards were at Fluttershy’s cottage, he snuck back to bury the many bugs dead in her yard. The bunny hopped over to the piles and began digging holes into the ground. This was something his owner didn’t need to see. As he dug, the unbearable screaming returned.

The buck curled up in a ball; wincing at the noise. With his small paws, he grabbed his long floppy ears and pulled them down against his head. The noise wasn’t going away. He looked up and around. His heart sped up, all around him were small fluffy insects. These arthropods were everywhere, but to his knowledge, he’d never seen any in his life. A slight glow emanated off their bodies, illuminating the area. Just as quickly, he saw the whole swarm rise, and fly over his head in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.

Angel bunny was relieved that the insects were gone, yet also frowned as he watched them fly away. He then turned back to the bugs and shook his head. He didn’t have time to worry about those insects right this second. He had to bury the dead wasps and bees before they were noticed. With his current task in mind and the insects gone, for now, he went back to his original task of digging up holes.

Each wasp, each bee, had its own little grave. A testament to their short lives cut off so quickly by the strange affair that was affecting him, and all of the animal kind.

He could do nothing for Fluttershy. He’d seen the whole thing go down, and somehow, he had been able to restrain the urge to attack her. Despite the urge in his very soul to follow in the example of the others, he’d fought it and instead watched helplessly as Fluttershy was nearly killed. When Dash had appeared, he’d held many of the birds back with seed so they could not continue the attack.

Angel winced as a bald patch of fur rubbed against something sharp. He had many of these. No skin had been punctured, but he had bald patches of fur all over his body where the birds continued their relentless attacks on him instead before he’d distracted them with their food.

The bunny sighed and slumped to the ground, exhausted. Before he could allow himself the luxury of rest, though, he shook his head and got up once more. No. He couldn’t stop yet. He had to finish the job. He had to do it for Fluttershy. She didn’t deserve this any more than all the arthropods under his paws, but he could do them both a service by making sure they each got a chance to rest in peace.

For a moment, he looked to the town worried, if he trusted the urges he was feeling to leave him alone so he could check on her, he would be at her side. But no, even now he felt the pull of aggression. An urge that almost made him tear the wings off the bee in his paws. Quickly, he dropped it into the hole and covered it up before moving on to the next one. In jerky movements he continued to bury the stack one by one.

Once he’d finished the tedious task, he turned again towards the town. Though he didn’t want to risk the threats, he had no choice. If anything could fix this right now, it would be in Twilight’s castle. He took a deep breath and began making his way to the town, taking back roads and doing whatever he could to avoid being seen by the oblivious ponies.

Spike collapsed in a heap on Twilight’s bed. He looked up at Owlicious who was now resting in his cage. Tears streaked down the young dragon’s cheeks. His body was killing him. Despite the tough scales, he had minor cuts from the owl’s sharp talons.

Suddenly, the noise started to echo through the room again. Spike covered his ears and his eyes. “Go away!” He cried.

The bird above him echoed his plea, it too being attacked by the shrill sound. He thrashed around in his cage, trying to do anything to escape and attack the bugs. The two wanted nothing more than the sweet feeling of relief that would seemingly never come. The thing that clawed at Spike was that the noise and the lights would blip in and out of his senses, he would be hearing the screams one moment and then nothing would be there the next.

“SPIKE?”

Spike continued to thrash on the bed, tossing and turning covering his ears as the shrill screams continued buzzing through his mind.

Something encased him. “STOP!” Spike cried. “MAKE IT STOP!”

As he had done with the owl, he was suddenly swaddled in a blanket, preventing him from moving. “SPIKE!”

He slowly stopped thrashing as his mind registered the voice at last. That soothing voice. The one he currently, dreaded hearing. “T-Twilight?...” He didn’t want it to be her. Not after what had happened to Fluttershy. He didn’t want to be responsible for such a monstrosity.

“Yes Spike, it’s me, it’s ok…” The alicorn replied calmly as she continued to hold the baby dragon down in the confines of his blanket.

“No Twilight! Run, go away! It’s happening to me! I’m-” His body returned to thrashing. He couldn’t control the urges the sound was inflicting on his body. “Please!”

Twilight refused to listen and pinned him harder against the bed. “Spike! Nothing is there!”

“Can’t you hear it! It’s everywhere! Make it stop!” The baby dragon whined as he clenched his eyes shut, tears streaming down his face.

“Hear what, Spike?! There’s nothing to hear!” Twilight gasped as the thrashing stopped almost instantly.

Spike was breathing heavily. Couldn't Twilight hear it? Was it even there? Why couldn’t she hear it? Owlicious could. Was it all in his mind to? Was all of this, the screaming, the lights, the urges, the weird colors his friends turned, was it all just in his head? No. No, it couldn’t be. There had to be something.

He shook his head. The screaming stopped. Slowly, he peaked out from under his blanket. Twilight still looked normal. His eyes scanned his room. The lights were gone.

Twilight gave the baby dragon a reassuring smile as she lifted him out of the blanket and held him close. “There… see? Nothing’s wrong…” She cooed softly.

Even still, that gnawing feeling continued to drone in the back of Spike’s mind. He clenched fistfuls of twilight’s mane in his claws and pressed his body to hers as he trembled in fear and confusion.

It wasn’t there…

...Right?

Author's Note

Hey guys, and thanks for reading Chapter Two of Through Deceiving Eyes. The plot thickens!!!

Spike is caught within an interesting situation right now isn't he? While he can't see it like the animals can, he is definitely more aware of the creatures than the ponies around him. Let's hope he can hold out until help arrives... Who am I kidding, Shadow Wolf is on board on this project. It's horror, nopony is safe.

Angel wasn't involved in hurting Fluttershy, but actually defended her... how's that for a twist? That Rabbit has some drive to be able to prevent the birds from following, then bury all the insects without picking anyone of them to pieces. Let's hope he's able to keep that control... otherwise, things are going to get messy.

Thanks again for reading, Hope to see you all in the comments below. Chapter Three will be out October Sixteenth.

VK out.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST! GOOD JOB EVERYONE, SEE YOU NEXT TIME! ~Shadow

Chapter 3: Stranger Things

Chapter 3: Stranger Things

“Ah said, NO!” Applejack glared into the faces of the guards. “Ah don’t care what Princess Celestia said! Winona is my responsibility.”

“Ma’am, please let us take your dog. It is our orders. We can’t allow anypony else to be harmed.”

“Fluttershy didn’t have just one dog, and Ah sure am stronger than mah one dog. So go away and let me handle her.” Applejack snorted as she stared the guard defiantly in the eye. She’d tied Winona up in the barn with a muzzle the moment she’d gotten back to her Apple Orchard from the hospital, and that was where she was determined to have her dog stay. “Ah don’t see ya pestering the Princess ‘bout her keepin’ Spike!”

The guard gulped. “Spike is different-” he began.

“But still affected. So get yer laws, and yer pointy spears, and go get some other varmints! Ah can deal with mah own dog. Ah ain’t a wimpy mare! Now scoot!”

The guard let out a defeated sigh and turned to leave. Before he did, he turned to her. “If we catch that dog outside the farm, we’re bringing it in, no questions asked.” With those words, he trotted out, not even giving Applejack time to answer.

She snorted once more in anger and pawed the ground with her hoof before turning to see Apple Bloom looking up at her with worry. “They aren’t takin’ Winona… are they?...” She sniffed.

Applejack frowned and hugged her little sister. “No. They ain’t takin’ her anywhere. Don’t ya’ll worry now sugar cube.” She replied, calming the little filly. “But ah want you stayin’ away from the barn until we figure things out, alright?”

The filly sniffed once more and nodded.

“Good. Now run along and go play with yer friends.” Applejack set the foal down and sent her on her way before walking into the fields to get her work done.

“They still can’t figure it out?” Granny asked as she walked up beside her granddaughter.

“Doc Stables says Fluttershy tested negative for rabies, as did Spike, so that’s not it.” Applejack sighed. “Still, nothin’ else is comin’ ta mind. We try, look, test... nothin. Right now, Twilight thinks the best thing for our pets is ta keep them close and talk to em. It’s what’s helpin’ Spike. But ain’t none of them are sleepin’. Winona won’t even sit down.” Worry crossed the farm mare’s face. “Ah’m plum oughtta ideas ‘bout what’s wrong with em… an’ ah’m worried ‘bout Winona… It’s gotten so bad Granny, she’s too busy barkin’ at who knows what even to eat half the time.”

Granny sighed and pat Applejack on her shoulder. “Ain’t nuthin’ ya can do, hun… just get yer chores finished an’ ya’ll can help me bake some pie fer dessert.”

Applejack gave Granny Smith a weak smile. She always loved helping the old mare bake, it took her mind off things. Not to mention the pies were delicious when they were finished. She nodded and hugged her grandmother. “Thanks Granny, that sounds quite nice…”

She watched Granny Smith slowly walk back to the farmhouse before once more turning and heading into the orchard for work.

Applejack rubbed the sleep out of her own eyes. She’d been out in the barn every night since she’d tied up her precious dog and the lack of sleep was beginning to get to her. She knew that sooner or later, Granny or Mac would probably catch on and force her to sleep, but she found it hard. She was worried. About her, about Winona, about a lot of things really. The mare sighed and dragged the baskets off the cart she’d left in the field the other day and placed them under the tree like she had so many times before. Without thinking, she placed them down and turned, bucking the tree hard and causing the apples to tumble down.

She turned to pick up the ones that had fallen to the ground and stopped dead. She stared at the apple on the ground, and then all the ones in the baskets. They were sucked completely dry.
“Not bats!” she gasped. “Not on top of everythin’ else!” She pulled her hat down lower on her head just in case a few were sleeping in the top branches of the trees, but nothing came.

Before she did anything else, Applejack darted to the rest of the trees, checking them for any sign of bats, but got nothing more than more shriveled remains of what used to be various types apples. “Where are they? Ah thought we dealt with those nasty things already…” She heaved a heavy sigh, the stress from the past few days starting to pile once more upon her and crush her. She shook her head and turned back to the farmhouse.

She needed to do something to relieve herself. With the apples dried up, most of her chores were pointless. She passed Big Mac, who was frowning up at the trees before glancing at her, his frown deepening as he eyed the mare. Her eyes had dark bags under them, and her mane was frazzled and messy. The usual confidence in her step was all but extinguished, and she just seemed… defeated.

He walked over to her and laid a hoof on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks as he forced her to look at him. He stared her dead in the eyes for only a moment before hoisting her onto his back.

Applejack’s eyes widened as she tried to slip off. “Big Mac! Put me down! Where are ya takin’ me?” She questioned as he made sure she couldn’t get off.

“Bed,” he answered. “Ya need ta sleep, AJ.”

She frowned but said nothing.

Big Mac continued in one of his rare moments of talking. “Ya think ah didn’t notice that ya were sneakin’ out at night ta go be in the barn with Winona? Ah know you Applejack.” He said as he trotted into the farmhouse and up the stairs. Without another word, he dropped Applejack onto her bed and laid a hoof on her chest so she couldn’t move. She tried struggling in vain under his vice-like hold, but it took little time for her to give into her exhausted body and pass out.

“AHHHHHHH! Getitoff! Getitioff! Getitoff!” Pinkie came running into the room, her eyes wide and her foreleg outstretched as she shook it wildly, it being a blur of pink and green.

Mrs. Cake walked lazily into the hallway and yawned, frowning as Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake crawled into the hallway as well to see what all the commotion was. “Pinkie Pie, why are you being so loud? Do you know how early it is? The shop doesn’t open for two hours…” The older mare groaned tiredly.

She whipped her head around to Mrs. Cake, who now had Mr. Cake standing next to her, equally as tired. “It’s Gummy! He won’t stop gnawing on me, and I’ve tried everything!” She shouted as she frowned and shook her foreleg harder. “Gummy! Get! Off!” She pounded her hoof to the ground and glared at the little alligator. She started rapidly bouncing up and down, trying to shake the animal off of her as she began bouncing towards the stairs unknowingly.

The foals had burst into laughter at the ridiculous sight of their playmate and occasional caretaker as she struggled to rid herself of Gummy. The wall-eyed alligator only responded to his owner’s reactions by biting down harder onto her leg.

Pinkie soon reached the end of the hallway, and Mr. Cake’s eyes widened. “Pinkie, be-”

Before he could say anything, she stood floating over the first step for a moment before her eyes widened and she looked down. Almost immediately she began falling down the stairs. “Oh. Ah. Ee. Oo. Oof.”

Crash

Pinkie slammed into the shelf at the bottom of the steps and bags of flour dumped on her, as well as empty containers.

“Careful…” Mr. Cake winced, and the family walked to the top of the stairs, gazing down at the pink mare.

The Cake twins took one look at her and were immediately sent into yet another fit of giggles as they fell onto their backs. Mr. and Mrs. Cake frowned as they eyed the empty containers surrounding Pinkie, and one even sitting on her head as if it were a hat. “Weren’t those containers filled with sugar yesterday?” Mrs. Cake asked as she eyed the empty plastic tubs. The couple picked up their two foals and trotted down the steps into the bakery shop section. Mr. Cake walked into the shop area, and his eyes widened. All the cakes and pastries that had been in the display cases just the night before were now completely gone. There was only one explanation for this.

“Pinkie!” He shouted angrily.

The pink mare was glaring at the pink and green blur before she immediately stopped and looked up at the yellow stallion towering over her with a glare. Her ears pinned back and a nervous smile crossed her face as she looked between the seething baker and the pet still latched tightly to her foreleg. “Hehe…”

Moments felt like minutes, minutes like hours, hours like years... Spike didn’t even know if he was awake. He thought for sure he was. The noise was nearly constant now, as was the flashing lights, and changing color.

He still wasn’t sure if he was conscious or not. Everything around him felt wrong. It felt really wrong. It was as though he could see both normally, and... not.

The urges were more, and more frequent now as well. Spike hated to admit it, but more than once he had felt Twilight more forcefully holding him down. During the first several, the very presence of his lifelong caretaker, and nearly mother had been enough to pull him back into sanity. But as he went longer and longer without sleeping, the harder and harder it was for his rational mind to process through the situation.

The past few days were very easily the hardest in his life.

“STOP!” He sobbed, thrashing around. Nothing could get through the high pitched scream that attacked his ears from every direction. “Make it STOP!”

Twilight gazed sadly down at her young assistant. Something was going on, something that was affecting the animals, and Spike as well. Something the ponies couldn’t see, hear, or detect in in any way.

Celestia herself was stumped. And to make matters worse, it was spreading. Similar cases had been reported in Canterlot and Cloudsdale.

Spike had only gotten worse, the comforting she'd been giving him no longer working. He'd been losing sleep, and despite his exhaustion was refusing to go to bed, saying the screaming wouldn't let him.

At times, Twilight was afraid that he’d been possessed. His body being jerked around. The last time she had tried to comfort him, he had turned the frustration on her. Now she stood on the outside of the bubble; watching as he screamed. His body convulsed violently from the random jerks and spasms as he fought his violent urges and thrashed around, tangled in his blanket.

Twilight's heart was torn in two as she watched her faithful assistant suffer through the pain she could not see nor hear. She’d tried sleep spells, but he’d been immune! She’d tried holding him; still, he just thrashed harder. She even tried putting him in a straight jacket like a shield. Even then, he’d had no relief. Nothing, nothing, she did could protect him.

And it wasn’t just Spike. The same thing was happening to all the animals. In her room, Owlicious was throwing himself at the bars of his cage. To the point that Twilight had swaddled him in a towel to prevent him from moving.

In the Library, Angel bunny could be heard throwing every book he came to down from the shelves. Nothing she had tried was able to get into the barricaded room. Every shelf, once emptied, had been thrown against the door, preventing her entry. And teleportation... she had thought about it, but she didn’t want to get in only to be confronted by- the same thing that had brought down Fluttershy.

Twilight’s stomach churned, it’d been three days. And while Fluttershy was healing, she was in such pain from that broken rib. It hurt all of them to see their timid little friend in such pain. Each breath she took was forced and ragged. She normally was soft spoken, that is when she spoke at all, but she had hardly said a word to them since the incident.

What was making all this happen? What in Equestria could it be?

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” A cry from Spike pulled Twilight back into the present. She shook her head unable to come to anything. If she could get into the library... no, she could get in, if she knew what she was looking for? No, that would be a book.

The exhaustion she was feeling was beginning to get to her as well. She rubbed her eyes, the shield spell she had around Spike starting to wear on her mind. They had to do something, and they had to do it soon.

Pinkie Pie grumbled angrily as she stirred the cake mix, muttering under her breath. She'd been lectured for the past hour about getting her sleep eating under control and it was getting on her nerves.

She hadn't even done anything!

“I got my sleep eating under control months ago.” She muttered under her breath as she vented her anger into her bowl of cake mix. “I can't believe the Cakes don't believe me!” She whined childishly.

Pinkie huffed angrily as she cast a glance over at the lemon cake she'd made earlier. It was slowly disappearing. She shrugged and went back to her cake mix before stopping dead in her tracks.

Disappearing?!

She dropped the bowl and stared at the lemon cake in shock. Inch by inch, the cake was slowly disappearing. One bite after another of the lemony deliciousness was being devoured by some unknown source.

“DISCORD!” she yelled up at the ceiling. “I know it’s you!”

There was no reply from the mismatched beast. Pinkie felt a weight of dread twist her stomach. Her tail began to twitch, her ears flopped, her nose felt itchy- this wasn’t right.

As if all the other things she’d ever seen in her life wasn’t enough, this took the cake... literally.

She watched as the last few bites were finally devoured by the unknown force and flopped to the ground, her legs like jelly now. Jelly legs… that could only mean something seriously wrong was happening.

“Mr. Cake! Mrs. Cake!” She yelled. “I think you should come see this!”

Author's Note

SO! Food's gone... WELL, THIS IS A BIG FML MOMENT FOR EQUESTRIA NOW ISN'T IT?!?! Alright, so. What's happened so far? Pinkie's feeling a bit stressed. SPIKE'S LOSING HIS MIND! OH MY GOD DRAMA! DRAMA EVERYWHERE! AJ being stubborn? Welp... yup. Pets aren't doin' so hot.

Angel escaped the collecting did he? Oh boy... wonder how this could go wrong. How about the other pets? Where'd they go? Actually... we don't really know either... they were just collected and somehow everypony but us knows! DANG IT PONIES! WHY YOU DO DIS?!?!?!Anywho... BYE!!!!!!!~Shadow

449 Error Message ~ VK

Chapter 4: Mind Blown

Dear Princess Twilight;

I am sorry to inform you that the plight that has taken over your beloved little town has now been reported in every city in our fair kingdom. From the Crystal Empire, all the way south to Appleloosa.

I seem to remember something like this happening in the past... or was it just a foals story I read... At any rate, My dear student, stay strong and continue your search. We must find a cure, at any cost, before the animals of the forest become more than even the Wonderbolts can handle.

Your friend,

Celestia.

Fluttershy’s eyelids fluttered open. The first thing she was aware of was the pain. Oh the pain! It was everywhere. Her face, her wings, her legs, but most especially her side. A firm weight was settled on her right forehoof.

She turned her eyes in that direction, sitting beside her was a pony, her coat was blue, and her mane a full assortment of colors... a rainbow... Rainbow Dash. She hissed with pain as she tried to shift her body to see her old friend better.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Rainbow said sternly, laying a strong wing gently across Fluttershy’s torso. “Doc says you have to lay still, remember?”

Fluttershy blinked, somewhat confused by the statement. “Where- where... am I?” She asked in a weak whisper.

“The hospital Fluttershy,” Dash said, biting her lower lip. “Remember?”

She looked up at Dash in confusion. “Why... am I... here? Where is... Angel?”

Rainbow’s ears pinned down against her head. She looked up just in time to see Doctor Stables walk in. “Here’s the Doc,” she said soothingly to her foalhood friend. “I’ll let him explain it to you.”

“Explain what?” He asked looking down at the two.

Rainbow bit her lip.

“Why... am... I...” Fluttershy took a painfully deep breath, hissing through her teeth, “here? What... what happened?”

Doctor Stable looked down at his clipboard. Frowning, he stepped around to the other side of the bed where Fluttershy could see him. “Now Miss Shy, it is important that you lay back and relax, please don’t become alarmed.” That was never a good way to start any discussion; especially when it was a doctor who was saying those words. “Take a deep breath for me.”

Fluttershy did as she was told, wincing as her broken rib protested the movement. Why did her side hurt? she wondered, looking fearfully up into the doctor’s face.

He pulled up a chair and took her other hoof in both of his in a comforting manner. “Miss Shy, you have had a serious accident. Nopony is sure why, but the animals of Equestria are going berserk. I fear we are without cause at the moment. One source keeps complaining about a high pitched scream, but I’m unsure if it is even related. Definitely, it’s a kind of insanity that has gripped every animal; wild, or domesticated.

“During the early hours of the madness, your woodland friends turned their insanity towards you. They have all been captured and locked away until we can figure out the reason why, and prevent any further injuries to either animals or ponies. At the moment, you were the only one hurt. But you have sustained a broken rib, as well as numerous lacerations to the face, torso, neck, and legs. There is nothing we can do for the rib, so you must stay flat and immobile until the bone has sufficiently mended itself for you to move again.”

Fluttershy stared up in a blank haze, worry suddenly filling her eyes. “But, my animals would never do something like that!” She gasped, horrified at the very thought.

“As I said Miss Shy, it was an insanity that has gripped the animals. As far as I know, none of them have been spared the plight.” Doctor Stable’s face remained calm.

“Why can’t she remember?” Rainbow asked worriedly. “Did she hit her head?”

Doctor Stables patted Fluttershy’s hoof. “If you’ll excuse us for a moment.” He laid her weak hoof down on the bed, then guided Rainbow Dash into the hall.

“Miss Rainbow, I do not think there is anything wrong with your friend’s mind.”

Rainbow’s wings flared out as she got right into his face. "What?!, what are you saying! That could be the only thing that could explain that.”

“Please calm yourself, getting excited won’t help either you, nor her. It isn’t unheard of for a pony to put up mental blocks to something that they don’t want to remember.” He took a deep breath, laying a hoof gently on the blue mare’s shoulder. “Miss Dash, I don’t think she ever expected for something like this to happen. Her friends, her pets, her animals; creatures she’s been around, helped deliver, watched grow up, rear young of their own, these animals were the ones that just attacked her. She can’t believe it! It’s a very common thing I’ve seen in my years in the medical field. It’s just one way, some ponies use in dealing with stress. We may have to tell her this over, and over, and over again before her mind comes to grasps with the fact that it really did happen. What she needs, is for you to be there supporting her. She’s confused, in pain, and afraid. Keep doing what you are doing, and try to keep her down.”

Rainbow Dash’s body was deflated, dark rings and bags adorned her dull eyes. Doctor Stable examined her for several moments. “Miss Dash?”

Rainbow shook her head to clear it. “I heard you...” she gulped. “She really can’t remember?”

“I’m afraid she can’t at the moment. Now, I have a question for you; Are you sleeping?”

“I guess I have off an on,” She replied, yawning right afterward.

“There is a fold out chair in her room, I suggest the next time she drifts off, you get some rest. If not, I’ll send a nurse in there to sedate you. I don’t want you going mad from lack of sleep.”

Rainbow Dash made a face. “Alright, you don’t have to use force Doc, I get it.”

He patted her gently on the shoulder. “Now, let’s go back in there and see how she’s doing otherwise. In his mind, however, he was quite concerned about how little Fluttershy had remembered from the event. This wasn’t right... It left him with as much unease as had the animal's actions had earlier. He made a mental note to watch the two closely. While he wasn’t sure, he dreaded the possibility of them both going mad as well.

Twilight sighed in relief, having finally gotten Spike to sleep. She leaned back in her throne and closed her eyes as she racked her brain for anything that might help her figure out what was going on. Her mind wandered back to the letter, causing her to cringe internally. This was happening everywhere else too… and there have been other cases around Equestria like Fluttershy’s; some far more serious. A wave of exhaustion and stress washed over her, choking her mentally as she tried desperately to hold onto one thought long enough to focus. She closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath, bringing her hoof to her chest. As she released the breath, she stretched her hoof out and opened her eyes, lighting up her horn and bringing a piece of parchment, a quill, and some ink closer to her. Maybe writing the facts would help her focus.

Just as she was about to start writing, the door to the throne room burst open, and Pinkie and Applejack galloped in, sliding to a halt at the Cutie Map. “Twilight!” They both said at once.

She jerked in surprise at the anxious shouts and looked up. “Girls? What is it? What’s wrong?” Worry was written across her face.

The two began to ramble off, making little sense as they talked over one another.

“The apples! They’re gone!”

“THE CAKE DISAPPEARED RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES!”

“It’s them bats ah tell ya!”

“IT’S A GHOST!”

“After everythin’ that’s goin’ on, now this!” Applejack stomped the ground, snorting and huffing in frustration.

“WE’RE ALL DOOMED!” Pinkie shouted at the top of her lungs before she let out a long gasp and collapsed to the ground, pretending to choke and die for emphasis.

Twilight blinked, her bewildered gaze mostly on her pink haired friend. Applejack looked at Pinkie Pie as well, her tongue hanging out of her mouth with her eyes wide open as she looked between the two confused mares. She bounced to her hooves and gasped again. “Ohmigosh! You’re here because the food is disappearing? What a coincidence! I am too!” A bubbly grin was plastered across Pinkie’s face as she stared at Applejack.

The farm mare shook her head and sighed. “Right…”

“I’m sorry…” Twilight interrupted the two suddenly and looked between them. “Could you two slow down… and talk one at a time… I didn’t catch any of what you just said.”

Angel shook his head out, grinding his teeth together as he battled against the mentally controlling aspects of the bug’s presence. The fluffy, glowing insects were everywhere; there was no more escape from them. He hopped rapidly through the town, trying to avoid the ponies; who were all oddly colored now. He wondered why none of them seem bothered by this fact either. It was as if.… He stopped. They couldn’t see it. Nor could they hear it. His eyes widened in realization as he began hopping, now much faster as he raced towards Twilight’s castle.

Once there, Angel bounded towards the door and began to thump on it rapidly with his back paw. If the answer to this was anywhere, it was most definitely with Twilight.

Waiting patiently, and cautiously, he stood on the doorstep, ears twitching for any sudden movements. From inside the building, he could hear screams of pain. Angel bit his lower lip; afraid of what it could mean.

Finally, the door swung open. A very disheveled Twilight opened the large door. “Who...” The alicorn’s eyes widened as her eyes fell on the little white bunny. “Oh Celestia no!”

Angel didn’t have any time to do anything. Twilight suddenly had a large net and was stampeding towards him at full speed. Angel jumped and dodged, slipping between her legs.

The little white rabbit had been to the castle many times before. So he didn’t need any directions to the library. As if he could even ask. Twilight didn’t speak rabbit like Fluttershy did.

He glanced behind him to see Twilight hot on his tail, lighting her horn to grab him with her magic. He turned the corner and began weaving his way through the back hallways, soon coming across a tiny mouse hole in the wall and hopping towards it. He forced himself through the little hole, the mice that might’ve lived there long gone now, and hunkered down to hide. He heard hoofsteps race through the corridors, stopping suddenly in front of him.

Angel sucked in a breath and watched, anxiously waiting until finally, the purple hooves turned and walked away. He waited for what seemed to be forever after the hooves disappeared into silence before finally daring to peek out. He glanced around for any sign of the pony before pulling himself out of the small hole, rolling out and smacking into the wall due to his momentum.

He got to his paws and rubbed his head, glaring at the wall before hopping quickly towards the library.

It had been several days since his escapade through the castle. Angel had spent the rest of his time hunting for anything in the library that could explain the strange going on's that he’d seen. The noise and the bugs had continued to drive him mad. At one point, the insanity had gotten so bad, he had ended up toppling every book case and strewing the books from one end to another. Surprisingly enough, the books he had already pulled managed to avoid the destruction.

During his rare bouts of sanity, he carefully stacked the other books into piles as he glanced them over for anything that could help his current situation, skimming whatever book looked like it might hold the answer.

Heaving, he covered his ears as a swarm of the fuzzy locus pressured down upon him. Angel’s stomach growled, cramping painfully from his lack of food.

Angel knew there was food just outside the library... but there also was a trap just outside the library as well. Twilight didn’t want him getting out and... causing a repeat of what had already happened. He cringed and his ears flopped down as he thought of Fluttershy, thankful that she was going to eventually be ok. With her in mind, he shoved away his thoughts of hunger and continued to scan the books, flipping quickly through the pages for any information.

Frustration took ahold of the bunny for probably the millionth time as he growled and chucked the worthless book behind him, it bumping into the shelf at his back. It had caused one of the few books that remained on the shelves to lean and fall off. Angel looked up just in time to see it and his eyes widened as he rolled out of the way. The book landed mere centimeters from him and he got up, looking at the title. It was an old, leather bound book, the title worn away and the pages yellowed from time. He ran a paw across it, taking away a layer of dust with him. He frowned and sucked in a breath, blowing away the dust and wiping off what little would remain before grabbing and lifting the book open to a random page.

His eyes fell directly to an illustration of the fluffy insects that were plaguing Ponyville and a sense of hope rushed through him as he slammed the book shut and picked it up, racing to the door of the library.

Author's Note

Thank you all for reading. Chapter 5 will be out on the 20th. Don't be shy, leave your thoughts/predictions in the comment section below.

VK Out

'I the editor am responsible for eating all the food - Sorry not sorry - it was delicious' ~Copey

Please excuse the editor, he's very horizontally challenged~Shadow

Chapter 5: Rations

Chapter 5: Rations

“I’m serious Twilight!” Pinkie practically yelled in the alicorn’s face. “I saw it with my own two eyes, the cake just disappeared!”

“Yeah right Pinkie, now you and ah both know that t'was them bats that did it!” Applejack leaned against the wall scowling. “So Twi, what are ya gonna do! We’ve done it Flutter’s way! And it’s not as though ah can go talk ta her! We’re gonna be out some amount of food this winter unless we do somethin quick! Ponyville can’t afford this.”

Twilight looked between the two of them, trying to rub the exhaustion from her bloodshot eyes. “Food disappearing?” she said around a yawn.

“Yes Twilight!” Pinkie said.

Applejack frowned as she looked their friend over. “Ah don’t like this Pinkie... Ah mean-”

“TWILIGHT!” Pinkie yelled.

Twilight jumped shaking her head out. “Sorry girls, it’s just-” she sighed deeply. “I don’t mean to space out on you, but trying to keep both Owlicious and Spike held down has proven to be a chore. And then Angel has locked himself in the library-” she sighed shaking her head. “Animals have gone crazy, Spike... None of us can sleep... now food disappearing?” She frowned trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. “If Fluttershy’s rabbit wasn’t occupying the Library, I probably could get in there and find some sort of spell to fix all this, as it is. I’m completely stu-”

Applejack caught Twilight just in time as the alicorn slumped over in her chair sound asleep. The orange farm mare frowned. “Ah don’t know about you Pinkie, but ah don’t like this one bit.”

Pinkie Pie nodded. “Same here,” she said with a shiver. “I mean, cakes don't just... vanish! I don’t think it was bats. Bats don’t eat cake.”

“But the apples!”

Pinkie frowned. “It’s not often I say this; Applejack, I’m stumped. That’s why I came here.”

Twilight jerked awake. “What? Oh no! I fell asleep. I am so sorry girls I didn’t mean to!”

“Don’t sweat it Twilight,” Applejack said with a sigh. “We both know ya didn’t mean ta do it. But this whole situation has us all in just a state.”

“You can say that again,” Pinkie affirmed.

Twilight sat up in her chair. “I have no answers! I simply have no answers!”

“Have you messaged the Princess?” Applejack asked.

The purple alicorn blinked and her head jerked up. She had a look of genuine confusion written in her features. “Messaged the Princess about what?”

Pinkie and Applejack raised an eyebrow at the mare before Pinkie piped up. “Uh… you know… the whole cake disappearing, animals going rabid, Spike having lost it, and us not KNOWING WHAT’S GOING ON THING! HOW COULD YOU JUST FORGET!?” The wild mare shouted.

Twilight frowned. “Right… umm… not recently…” She mumbled with a shake of her head. “Spike has gone nuts! He isn’t as bad as the animals, but whatever is affecting them, is also affecting him too.”

The three sat in silence for a moment, trying to absorb what was just said. Suddenly, a huge crash was heard from the direction of the Library. Twilight threw up a shield spell instantly. If she was right, it was Angel. The last thing the Alicorn wanted was to go through the same situation as she just had with Spike with the little white rabbit.

They stood there for many minutes under the shield, unsure of how to react. Applejack finally grew impatient of cowering under the shield and was about to leave it to see for herself, when Angel hopped into the room with a stack of big books. Entering, he glared at the cowering trio. With grit teeth, he began hurling the books at the shield. He felt an extreme amount of anger towards the ponies, who while they might not understand what was happening, he still believed to be muttonheads. Finally, his store had been exhausted with the exception of a large, leather bound book in his paws over his head.

With a single bound, the rabbit leaped in the air and landed on the shield. Raising the book above his head, he began pounding the magical dome, again and again, putting every ounce of strength into each repetitious hits.

The three friends looked over in horror. The book had to be important, but how important. The rabbit’s wild actions made them all fear the situation. What in Equestria could be going on here?

The pounding was taking a toll on the exhausted alicorn. Applejack looked to Pinkie, Pinkie to Applejack. “Pinkie, you catch Angel, I’ll catch Twilight. One.. Two...” On the count of three, the two ponies lept towards their designated targets. Twilight’s magic flickered and went out. Twilight’s eyes rolled back in her head and falling back into Applejack’s forelegs while Pinkie dove down and scooped up Angel and the book. Angel, tired and hungry, put up little fight, relief washing over him as he was stuffed into a cage Pinkie had pulled out from under a tile in the floor. You know… for cage emergencies.

“Close one,” Applejack said supporting their friend. Pinkie stepped over the book in a forehoof.

“Applejack...”

Applejack laid a hoof on Twilight’s forehead, then moved it down to her hooves. “No fever Pinkie. But if at all possible, We should get her someplace where she can rest.”

Pinkie Pie nodded in agreement. Applejack hoisted Twilight onto her back and looked over at Pinkie and her cage, raising an eyebrow but quickly dismissing it. “Ah’ll get Twilight to her room, then we can look at that book that Angel was so insistent on us gettin’.”

Pinkie nodded, and Applejack disappeared from the room with Twilight.

Spike tossed and turned, tears in his eyes as he stared at the enchanted binds he had insisted Twilight put on. The little sleep he had managed to get had been restless and unsatisfying. His sanity had been slowly crumbling as he stared up at the lights surrounding his bed, the unbearable noise constantly droning in the background. He seemed fearful as he stared at the lights, the urge to maim them and whatever they inhabited increasing with each passing day.

His mind wandered back to when Twilight put the binds on him.

Spike had finally stopped thrashing under the blankets, and Twilight felt comfortable letting his head pop out from under it. She seemed shocked as she stared into his tear filled, bloodshot eyes. He stared desperately at her and said. “Tie me up! Don’t let me leave this bed! Please!”

Confusion filled the purple alicorn’s expression, but he ripped his hands from under his blanket and grabbed her suddenly, the tears streaming down his face. “Please! I don’t want to hurt you!”

“Spike, how would I even do that?! You can claw right through rope!” She was in complete bewilderment at the sudden request.

“Use your magic! Something! I’ll hurt you! I’ll hurt everyone! Please! Please…” He pleaded through sobs and screams, wanting nothing more than to be locked away. “The noise! The noise! It’s driving me insane! I can’t take it! It won’t stop! It’ll make me hurt you!”

Twilight looked heartbroken as she lit her horn and bound his hands and legs, giving in to his request sheerly due to common sense.

Spike finally stopped shouting when the binds were on and buried his head in her chest, crying himself to sleep.

Spike released a shaky breath as he thought about the incident, frowning as he stared at the binds. He hated them, he wanted so badly to remove them but knew what would happen if he did. The noise grew much louder than its usual background droning, and he began to scream and thrash again, the crack on his sanity growing larger as the screaming grew louder.

Discord stood above the room watching everything that was taking place, a sinister smile creeping slowly across his contorted features. “Oh yes! So the feather brain was right! It would affect Spike. He rubbed his jaw. I wonder how much magic it’s going to take to fix all this. With the state that Twilight Sparkle is in-” he froze rubbing his mismatched appendages together. “They might just need me for once. Need… now that is an idea worth holding on to.”

The Draconequus paused, frowning. “Now then, let’s see; where do we go next my little pets? What shall we have here?” He threw his head back and laughed. “I will be needed to save the day, Little. Old. ME! This nopony will be able to deny. The pets have gone crazy, and soon the ponies won’t even be able to remember who they are. Let alone put up any sort of resistance.”

He hovered from room to room, slipping between time and space. “Ah, the bunny has found it... And is- taking it to Twilight. It’s a pitiful thing that Twilight can’t even keep her eyes open. Well then, I’ll hold out just a little longer. Then, I’ll ‘Save the day!’”

With an evil laugh, the beast once more rubbed his hands together and vanished into thin air. “I will be the hero! And I will have a throne of my own!”

Dash sat beside Fluttershy’s bed, her own eyes beginning to drift closed as she watched her long time friend’s chest rise and fall. She bit her lip, Fluttershy’s memory was going... Well, it had been the last time she had been awake. Rainbow hoped it was just a short-term side effect of the attack. Her head having been hit during the rare display of madness on the part of the animals.

Silently, and with great concern, Dash held Fluttershy’s hoof between her own. “Please be alright!” She whispered.

Fluttershy stirred. Dash froze, biting her lower lip. Oops, she thought.

The butter colored mare’s eyes fluttered open. “Wha?” She whispered.

Dash instantly moved to prevent her timid friend from sitting up. “No Fluttershy, stay still.”

Fluttershy blinked. “R-r-Rainbow?”

Rainbow Dash exhaled. “Yes Fluttershy.”

With a blink, Fluttershy’s eyes traced the room. “The animals... pain!” Her eyes clenched closed as the pain overwhelmed her over-worked nerves. “Angel... Alright?” she gasped tears leaking from the corner of her eyes.

Dash let go of Fluttershy’s shoulders and returned to holding her outstretched hoof. “Celestia has seen to your animals. Don’t worry.”

Fluttershy nodded, her eyes drifting closed once more. “How- H-h-how... long does... doc say... recover?”

Dash gave a slight smile. “A few weeks Flutters, but you should be alright.”

Again the gentle natured mare nodded. “Good. Thank... you Dash...” She took a deep breath, her voice continuing to drop forcing Dash to listen harder and harder.

Rainbow nodded. “Hey, I never leave my friends hanging.”

“I know!” With that, Fluttershy’s eyes drifted all the way closed again.

Rainbow let out an exhale. “Doc was right. I guess the memory thing was just temporary.”

Or was it???

Author's Note

Alright everyone, coming up for air, make sure you get a full lung full... because there is no telling when you'll get a chance again.

This also marks 1/3 of the way through the story. Thank you all for reading.

Chapter 6 History; will be released on Saturday, October 22. I can't wait to see you all then.

Cowgirl Out.

ANGEL ANGRY! ANGEL SMASH!! STUPID USELESS PONIES CANT TAKE A FRIGGIN HINT!!!:flutterrage:~Shadow

Chapter 6: History

Pinkie glanced around the room with an analytical gaze, the old journal clutched in her hooves. She snarled a bit under her breath, listening for any noises that were being made. After about a minute of this, it was replaced with a look of extreme boredom. Her eyes shifted down to the book, and then what Applejack had said. Stay here with the book while ah get Rarity… wait until we’re here and we can look through it.

She frowned and set the book down, rocking side to side on her throne. She kept glancing at the book eagerly as she tapped her hooves on the throne. “Eh…” Pinkie got up and started to pace in a circle around the throne room, trying to be patient and wait for Applejack to get back.

She stopped suddenly and looked over at the journal, this time holding her gaze to it. “No… I said I’d wait.” She kept repeating this to herself mentally as she went back to her throne and plopped down on it, her hind legs hanging over one end and her neck hanging over the other as she buzzed her lips together. “Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr… AHHH!” She hopped up. “I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!!”

The mare lunged at the book on the table and held it close to her chest, looking around cautiously. “Well… I never promised to wait… and she never said I couldn’t just peek at it… Just… one… little… teeny… tiny… peek…” She looked at the book again and then threw her hooves up in frustration. “AH WHATEVER!!!” Pinkie Pie threw the cover open and gazed intensely at the pages of the book, absorbing every word on the page.

It was many hours later when Twilight awoke in front of the fire in her main sitting room, laying with a warm blanket thrown over her shoulders. She had not remembered coming here, but from the voices outside, she was certain that her friends were behind it. She frowned and sat up, the world around her spinning. She winced, placing a hoof to her forehead. “What in Equestria?” A whirring sound attacked her ears and churned her stomach. Glancing around, she could see nothing out of the ordinary. She shook her head again and again assuming the noise was nothing more than her ears ringing.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Twilight’s hearing cleared. She woke up feeling weak and drained, opening her eyes; feeling trapped within an all-encompassing hold. She glanced around to see an orange earth mare holding her still. She blinked frowning. “Who are you?”

The orange mare frowned. “Twilight, it’s me, Applejack.”

“Who’s Twi-” Like an explosion going off in her head, a wave of pain burst through her skull, a blast of magic erupting from her horn and zinging around the room. In the pain, Twilight blacked out.

Twilight didn’t know how long she was out, but when she woke up for the second time, she was still being held down by a much singed- Twilight paused, blinking. “Applejack? What happened? Why- what happened?”

The mare frowned. “It’s good ta have ya back sugarcube. Ya went a bit loopy on us. First you passed out, then when ah came back ta check on you, yer magic was doin’ all kinds of silly things. Ah think ya have it under control now. But by Celestia Twilight, ya scared us.”

Carefully Applejack let go and stepped back; allowing Twilight to come shakily to her hooves. “Alright sugar cube, we need ta get to the throne room. We got ta figure out what’s goin’ on. Ah don’t want ya’ losin control. We’d be hard pressed dealing with this pest if ya went down like Spike is.”

Twilight nodded. “You’re right AJ, let’s go. This is concerning me as well.”

Twilight, Applejack, and Rarity were all sitting in the reading room, facing Pinkie Pie as she held the journal in her hooves. Pinkie looked confused at them. “Uh… why is everypony staring at me like that?”

Applejack slapped a hoof to her face. “Cuz you were gonna tell us what the book said.”

She blinked. “Oh right, hehehe!” She opened the journal and then frowned. “Wait, why am I telling you?”

The orange mare heaved an exasperated sigh. “Because instead of waitin’ fer us to get back, ya had the journal finished when we got there!”

“Oh right.” She repeated with a childish giggle. “Kay!”

Her gaze once more turned to the page and she began to read aloud. “My team and I have discovered a new type of bug. We are not quite sure what it does, but it looks rather puffy… Maybe they shall be named the Fluffs.”

A silence filled the room. “Fluffs?”

Pinkie shrugged. “I dunno, I was confused too, but then I used a magnifying glass and-”

“Stay on topic Pinkie Pie!” Applejack frowned as she glared at the mare.

“NO!” Pinkie cried. “GUYS! LOOK!” She pulled out the magnifying glass and held it up, only to see…

Nothing.

Her eyes widened a bit. “But- but- what?...” Her ears flattened when she looked to see the irritated gazes of her friends before dropping the magnifying glass and grumbling as she turned her head back down to the book.

“Pinkie, ah think yer’ goin’ as loco as Spike.” Applejack stated.

“NO GUYS!” Pinkie threw Applejack’s hoof off of her shoulder. “I’m not crazy, well... maybe I am. But THAT ISN’T THE POINT!”

Rarity flattened her gaze and shook her head. “Darling, please just get on with it, we don’t need any of your shenanigans right now.”

Her eye twitched in frustration and she threw her hooves in the air, the book flying upwards. “AHG! I CAN’T LIVE IN THESE CONDITIONS!” She stood and marched out of the room, grumbling the entire way to the door and slamming it behind her. The book fell and a dark pink crystal tumbled out.

The three mares blinked in confusion and looked over to the door Pinkie Pie had left through before turning their attention over to the book itself, then the crystal that fell out.

Pinkie Pie sat in the throne room, balloon animals piled around her for whatever reason. Gripped tightly in her hooves was the neck of a blue dog. An angry look was plastered across her face as she twisted the neck around in her hooves, wanting nothing more than to bite it’s head off in that moment.

“Stupid friends… saying I’m crazy… who needs them anyway?!”

POP

She looked down to see the dog popped, the ripped ends hanging limp in her grasp before she tossed it onto the pile of other destroyed balloons and grabbed the next one, a purple cat.

She squeezed it tightly, her hooves visibly straining with the force in which she was holding the balloon. Her grip loosened suddenly as she sat there, completely still, the glare intensifying. She slammed her head on the crystal table and let out an ear-splitting scream, all the frustration and anger from the past few days fueling her rage.

The scream continued, morphing eventually in a hacking cough as her throat screamed at her to stop. She rubbed it, tears peering from the corners of her eyes as the anger diffused itself into a look of exhaustion and stress. Her mane hung, deflated and almost flat as she half-heartedly stood from her throne and stomped over the purple balloon cat, popping it under her weight as she walked away from it. She wandered aimlessly through the halls, a hoof tangled into her mane as she rubbed her head.

The situation had left her drained, though she didn’t show it around her friends. She had to be the strong one in this, she had to. Fluttershy was hurt, Rainbow Dash refused to leave the injured pegasus’s side, Applejack and Rarity thought it was something else entirely, and Twilight was too busy dealing with Spike to focus on anything else.

She found herself walking towards the special room Twilight had set up specifically for her and sighed heavily as she opened the door, stepping in. The moment the door shut, confetti flew out of some party cannons she had rigged, but she ignored them completely as she walked over to the bed and collapsed face-down into the pillow.

Twilight held the crystal in her magic, eyeing it curiously. She brought the artifact closer to her, raising an eyebrow at it and tilting her head curiously. “I wonder-”

Suddenly the pink crystal came to life, floating above the stone floor. “Greetings ye who search for wisdom from the past, let this crystal give you the knowledge you seek.”

An image began projecting out the pulsating gem, showing a mare in a white lab coat with a magnifying glass in her hoof. The mares blinked as they stared wide-eyed at the projection.

“Doctor Hinge, come take a look, it’s fascinating.” Her red mane and light purple coat were vibrant with youth, and her green eyes shone with curiosity as she eyed the figure behind her lens.

A much older stallion, his mane gray and his coat a dull brown, trudged over to the mare and gazed into her glass, his eyes widening. “Why, I’ve never seen anything like it! I do say, this must be a new discovery; let’s bring it to the lab at once.”

She nodded and used her magic to swipe the creature up into a jar before it could flit away. It had a very fluffy body with feather-like wings and dainty features. A slight glow surrounded it.

“Oh, that’s not even the best part, doctor!” She said as she removed the glass. “Look! It vanishes completely! We are incapable of even seeing it through the naked eye, there must be a lens for it to appear!”

“Yes, my dear, it IS fascinating.” He smiled lovingly at the mare and ruffled her mane. “Come, my student. Let us take it to the lab immediately.”

Just as the two walked out of view of the projection, a faint glow showed in their abdomens, as well as many little lights behind them. A shrill, barely noticeable screech filled the background…

The projection clicked off.

Twilight blinked as she stared in awe and shock. “Is… is that it?...”

“It would seem so, darling…” Rarity spoke suddenly, hesitant.

Applejack remained completely silent as Twilight stared in bewilderment at the crystal, glow no longer there. “There has to be more!” the alicorn cried as she watched it.

It only remained inactive for a few moments, though each one felt like an eternity before the pulsating finally returned to produce the second projection.

The scene changed to that of a lab, with a couple guard ponies using their magic in a desperate attempt to restrain a large black dog. The dog was snarling and barking at the jar that contained the odd bug before managing to struggle free from the guards long enough to attack the purple mare in a lab coat.

He tackled her to the ground, trying to sink his teeth into her neck as she desperately tried to push him off. Her hooves, ears, and muzzle were showing yellowish hues while her mane showed streaks of blue in it, though she seemed to not notice these things. The glow in her abdomen was bright and pulsating, though again nobody seemed to notice such things.

The dog clawed at her forelegs and chest, snarling and barking with foam dripping from the sides of his mouth. His usually kind eyes showed shrunken pupils, and his irises so small that the whites of his eyes showed clearly. His deep, guttural snarl filled her ears as she yelled for somepony to get him off, tears in the corners of her eyes.

“Help…! Please!” She cried fearfully as everypony around her did all they could do to tear the two apart.

With one finally burst of effort, the unicorns managed to separate the two, holding the dog back. After muzzling the dog and tying him up in a spare room, the ponies returned to the mare who sat, stunned at what had happened. Everypony seemed to have the odd changes in their coat and mane colors, as well as the glow in their abdomens. Though… why they didn’t notice this was rather puzzling.

The projection cuts off and the glow fades once more while Twilight and two of her friends sat, trying their hardest to process the troubling images.

It was in this moment that Pinkie Pie walked back into the room, returning to her spot on the couch and looking at the crystal in twilight’s magic. “Oh… so you guys are watching it to, huh?...”

Rarity stared at Pinkie Pie, finding her calm demeanor genuinely unsettling; even more so than the last projection of events. “You… have watched this already, darling?...” She asked in concern, receiving only a half nod.

“Yeah... that was the second... that remind anypony else of... well-” Pinkie trailed off.

“Yeah-” Applejack gulped. “What’s been happenin’. I sure hope she turned out better than Fluttershy did. Still, what’s up with those color changes, and why haven’t we seen any of that if this is really what’s goin’ on now?”

Pinkie pointed at the crystal. “That’s coming...”

Again the crystal began to glow. The ponies all turned their attention to the projection, nervously anticipating what they would see next.

The projection came up with the mare staring directly into the crystal. She was close, as if adjusting it. Her coat was a sickly yellow and her mane an almost navy blue. The whites of her eyes had gone completely black and her pupils were a bright, glowing white. Her green eyes were now dull voids of purple, showing fear and confusion in her eyes. Her breath came out in heavy, labored gasps, and the sounds of barking and bashing could be heard off to the side of her.

“I-is this on…?” She squeaked out, rubbing her throat painfully. “I-I think s-so…”

The mare stepped back, it now becoming evident that there were blood splatters on her hooves and body, her lab coat a tattered mess that had been draped over a lump in the corner. Her eyes nervously glanced over to it occasionally, only to avert themselves a second later. It was to dark to make out anything around her as she plopped down against the wall, hugging herself tightly and rocking back and forth.

“The dog… It’ll b-break in at any moment…” She gulped and continued, shuddering. Her voice grew even shakier as she shifted her gaze back over to the lump in the corner, locking eyes with it this time as tears welled up.

She raised an unsteady hoof towards it, her ears flattening against her head. “I-I didn’t m-mean to...He-” She let a small sob escape. “I didn’t kn-know what he w-wanted… he kept… screaming. Screaming intruder… I didn’t understand- I...I still don’t understand!...”

The mare closed her eyes, sitting silently for a long time before getting to her hooves and shakily stepping towards the lump. “He wouldn’t leave me alone… heh…” her voice took on an eerie tone. “He tried to hurt me… hehe…” A small grin appeared on her lips.

“He threw himself at me… attacked me…” She chuckled softly, the grin growing as she did. “So… I killed him…” The tears in her eyes were gone as she walked over, smiling with insanity as she reached the lump and gripping the end of the torn lab coat.

The barking and the banging grew louder, along with a resounding crack as the door’s barrier began to give under the dog’s relentless onslaught of bashing.

Slowly, the lab coat was pulled off the lump to reveal the brown stallion with a gray mane, a knife buried in his neck as she laughed at her accomplishment. “I don’t even know his name… or where I am… why?”

Her ears perked as she heard the door finally give, releasing the barking frenzy of an animal. Her screams mixed with its barks and flooded the room, as the dog pounced on her, sinking his teeth into her neck-

The projection cuts off and the crystal falls, indicating there was nothing left to show, leaving the bewildered group in shocked silence as Pinkie’s ears pinned back, her sinking down on the couch to leave the others to their thoughts.

Author's Note

Dun, dun, dun....

*shivers* Talk about life hitting the fan! Twilight went nuts, Pinkie went nuts... and boy howdy what happened in the past! it makes one wonder how those final days in that town beneath the mountain went for the poor ponies... and what does that mean for our beloved ponies in the present...

Let's hope our heroes can do something before things get any worse.

Thanks for Reading everyone.

Cowgirl Out.

DEATH AND GORE AND INSANITY! Seems this isn't the first time the fluffs have wreaked havoc, eh?~Shadow

Chapter 7: ....

The ponies all stood together in silence, looking from the very thick book, to the crystal, then back to one another.

Applejack let out an involuntary shudder. “Why do ah have a feelin’ like... well, uh... a timer’s goin off?”

“Why do I have a feeling that we are doomed.” Rarity added.

Pinkie nodded. “There’s more in the book... but-” her mane was flat, her eyes going this way and that. “That was the end result. The book says that when somepony found the town where the research was being done, there was nothing really left of it. Nopony to even save.”

A tense silence filled the room as the realization of the danger they were in settled in on the whole group.

“Well,” Twilight began. “I for one think we need to take this book, and go to Fluttershy and Dash.”

“Will that be smart, darling?” Rarity’s right eye was twitching like mad.

“Ah agree with Twilight,” Applejack said; placing a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder. “Dash needs to be in on this. Ah ain’t sure how much Fluttershy can do to help, but Dash needs to have as much of a say as any of the rest of us do. No need to show them the crystal, ah’m sure...” She trailed off biting her lip, a tear squeaking out of her eye. Quickly Applejack brushed it away. The last scene had been so horrific, Applejack couldn’t help but overlay Granny in the place of that older stallion. “We need to get to Dash, and we need ta hurry. We’ve already had this pest around for a week.”

“We can’t see it.”

All eyes turned to Pinkie Pie.

“What was that Darling?” Rarity inquired.

“We. Can’t. See. It.” Pinkie forced out each word individually. “The Fluffs, not until we go completely mad. The animals can though. That’s why...” her ears were once more pinned flat against her head.

Twilight stood and walked over to Pinkie Pie, pulling the normally chipper pony into a hug. “What else does it cause, outside of the madness?”

Pinkie took a deep breath. “Insomnia, irrational fears, amnesia, hate, anger, it eats the food and starves its host... If it’s inside our bodies. If it’s outside it eats the food we’d normally eat. That’s why the cakes disappeared.”

There was a hushed silence. Each pony slumped over as they processed the new information that Pinkie had provided them. Each time they got an answer to their questions, it seemed as if they were tearing away at any shred of hope that remained.

“Pinkie, did they find a cure? A way to stop it?” Twilight pressed.

The mare nodded. “Page-” she grimaced. “Page...” With a scream of agony, Pinkie Pie suddenly fell over and started convulsing violently. Her eyes were wide open as her body twitched and jerked. “St...” She gurgled; almost choking on her own tongue.

Twilight’s horn lit up, as the whole lot of them moved in to help hold Pinkie still. They didn’t know if it was the parasites, or one of Pinkie’s natural fits causing her to convulse. But one thing was for certain. Pinkie was terrified.

Each one did their best to be there for Pinkie Pie as the seizure continued on, and on, and on. Her eyes suddenly rolled back in her head, and she lay still and unmoving. Horrified, Twilight placed her ear to Pinkie’s chest. Her whole body relaxed as she could hear the faint, but erratic heartbeat of her friend.

“She’s still alive.” Twilight sighed in mild relief.

“Should we let her sleep?” Rarity asked.

Twilight shook her head. “We’ll need her. I agree we can’t wait for her wake back up... AJ, load her up, I’ll grab the book. We’ve GOT to get to the hospital. NOW. We can’t afford...” She choked up as she looked down at the prone figure of her friend. “We... Oh Celestia!” The final two members who were still up and capable of helping, both leaned in and wrapped Twilight in a hug.

“Sugarcube, we’ve fought against worse. The good thing is there is a cure. It’s in that book.” Applejack stated.

“Thing is, can you find it? and if not… will Pinkie be able to find it.”

Twilight frowned. “We can’t waste any more time talking. Let’s go.” With a burst of magic, she teleported the whole lot of them to the hospital once more.

Dash was half asleep, her head bobbing on her chest as Fluttershy had her extended hoof clasped tightly in her grasp.

She grimaced as her stomach growled once more. She knew hosptial food was bad but… It was becoming more desirable with each passing day. Over the week, despite the short time span, Rainbow had dropped quite a bit of weight , adding to her exhaustion. She was just about to doze off once again-

BANG

The door to the hospital room slammed open and Applejack stood at the door, a fearful look on her face. “It’s Pinkie Pie.”

Dash was instantly on her hooves. “What!?”

Fluttershy opened her own eyes looking up at Applejack, groaning in her half awake state. “Wha?...”

Rainbow frowned and laid a hoof on her chest. “You don’t worry about it, just go back to sleep… alright?” She was using a rare tone, a quiet gentle voice. She watched as her friend nodded weakly, drifting back to sleep.

Rainbow sighed, nuzzling her. “I’ll be right back…” She said before quietly walking over to the door, pushing Applejack back into the hall and shutting the door gently. She turned to face the orange mare, trying to hide her fear.

“What happened to Pinkie Pie?...” She asked, watching as Applejack grimaced, reluctant to answer. “AJ!” She said firmly, causing the orange mare to flinch. “What. Happened.”

Applejack gulped. “Dash, ah think ya need ta see...”

Rainbow Dash took a step back, keeping her hoof on Applejack’s shoulder. “AJ?”

Applejack looked down. “Come on Dash, just.... Follow. Ah-”

Dash wasn’t sure if she was dreaming or not, but she could swear that she had just seen a tear squeak out of the corner of Applejack’s eye. “But-”

Applejack had already turned and was leading Dash to a nearby room. Rainbow’s ears folded back, and she followed hesitantly. She felt tired, oh so tired, but her concern for her friend sent a pang of worry through her that made her hurry... hurry and forget all else. “Applejack!” She exclaimed as she entered through the door.

Applejack paused and stepped aside; closing the door behind Rainbow.

A collective gasp went through the room as the two unicorn’s eyes fell upon her. “Dash!” Twilight exclaimed. “Have you- been eating?” Her eyes widened at the ghastly sight of the mare. She had dark bags under her eyes, and she’d grown rather noticeably thin, some of her ribs beginning to show. It didn’t help that she naturally was a very thin pony, aiding in her speed.

Dash paid little mind to her friends’ questions as she rushed over to Pinkie’s bedside and grabbed the comatose mare’s hoof. “What… what happened?” She choked out; quivering. “If any animal got loose and-”

Twilight laid a hoof on a bony shoulder, frowning. “That’s why we are here. There’s a lot to tell, so hang in there.”

Rainbow released Pinkie’s hoof, stumbling back into a nearby chair, trying desperately to fight the tears welling up in her eyes.

“So, that’s what’s going on...” Twilight summed up shakily.

Dash had hardly moved. Her whole body was trembling as she tried to wrap her head around it all. Twilight felt a pang of sorrow go through her, what type of creature could put the great Rainbow Dash into such a state. A thick veil of silence fell over the group, adding to the tension that already filled the air. The only sound was Pinkie’s heart monitor for, what seemed, an eternity.

Finally, Dash rose back up and crossed the room once more to stand beside Pinkie’s bed. “Should... should...” She took a deep breath trying to settle her quaking body. She just felt so weak. “Fluttershy...” She forced out, trying to hide the crack in her voice.

Applejack barely caught Dash before her knees buckled, and helped her friend back into the chair. “Sugarcube, ah think ya should just sit there. There’s no need for us ta have three of ya down.”

Rainbow nodded, her face deathly white, showing hardly any of her usual color.

“Dash, I still need to find out what the book says. I was hoping Pinkie could tell us, but I’m afraid she-” Twilight frowned glancing over her shoulder at the mare in question. “I don’t know what they did to stop them before, but we have to do it again. If we don’t, there will be nothing left of Equestria. There’s not a hut, town, or city not affected by these ‘fluffs.’”

“What-” Applejack helped to support Dash’s head as she nearly fell forward out of her chair.

“Take it slow; sugarcube.” She said.

Rainbow nodded. “Zecora... do you think she knows about these things?”

Twilight shrugged. “I have no idea. But I’d rather not risk entering the Everfree Forest.”

For several moments Rainbow Dash just sat there blinking at Twilight with the most confused look on her face. “But wouldn’t Zecora know?”

“Animals,” Twilight said with a one word answer.

Rainbow took a shuddering breath before nodding. “Oh yeah...”

The group frowned at one another. Rainbow seemed to be way more affected by the Fluffs than any of the rest of them. Rarity stepped up to Applejack and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Darling, I’ll stay by Rainbow… You’d better find a nurse… and hopefully some food for her…” She said, keeping her gaze to the floor as she fought tears.

Applejack nodded and walked out of the room, leaving Twilight and Rarity with Pinkie and Rainbow.

The blue pegasus watched silently as her friend left, slumping further into the chair and burying her face in her hooves as a wave of frustration overcame her. When she lifted her head once more, a glare plastered across her features, directed at the heart monitor. That beeping… it sickened her. It sickened her to hear it everywhere. Everywhere she turned, things were happening that she couldn’t control; things that were hurting her friends. She hated it all. Tears filled her eyes and began streaming down her cheeks as she glared silently at the monitor.

Rarity and Twilight were at a loss for words, watching in shock as their friend broke down. Rarity sucked in a breath before hesitantly pulling her into a hug, only to watch as she buried her face in the white mare’s chest and fail to choke back her sobs.

Twilight patted Dash gently on the shoulder, then pulled herself away to pour over the book. She desperately wanted to join in with what Rarity was doing, and comfort their friend, but right now the group needed a cure. She couldn’t... Twilight paused, looking up at the ceiling, she focused on it taking full, deep breaths one after another to calm her nerves. She HAD to find the cure. Before any of the rest of them could befall the effects of the Fluffs.

She stole one more glance at Rainbow before turning her attention to the book and reading. No sooner had the book been opened, then Applejack banged back in. The orange mare walked over to Dash, taking in the scene before giving her a plate of food that was in her hoof. Rainbow weakly pulled away from Rarity and looked at the plate for a long moment.

“Eat.” Applejack insisted as she held out the plate, which Dash hesitantly accepted.

Dash stared at the food again, before picking up the fork and studying it. Rarity and Applejack traded looks of worry.

“Darling, allow me.” Rarity whispered to Applejack.

Applejack nodded. “Alright.”

Rarity gently guided the fork down to the plate, and helped Dash fill it. Then she guided the fork to Dash’s mouth.

Rarity glanced at Applejack when Dash’s mouth remained closed.

“Come on sugarcube, ya need ta eat!” Applejack urged.

Dash continued to study the fork, but opened her mouth for the bite.

They all sighed with relief as Rainbow chewed, and swallowed the food, but once it was down, she made no move to get another one, just looking at the plate in bewilderment.

“Get the nurse.” Rarity hissed. Applejack was already half out the door. Rarity then returned her attention to getting Rainbow to eat the meal. The process was slow and irritating, draining her more than she thought possible. Dash, to Rarity’s horror was slowing down, not speeding up. Her body was shutting down.

She glanced over her shoulder; sighing in relief as the doctor, nurse, and Applejack entered the room. Doctor Stables frowned as he looked down at Rainbow. “She wasn’t like that this morning.”

“It’s the Fluffs doc.” Rarity whispered.

“Fluffs?”

Twilight glanced up. “An ancient parasite that seems to have gotten loose on Equestria. That’s what’s causing all of this, and if we don’t figure something out soon...” Her eyes trailed between Rainbow and Pinkie.

“It’s gunna get a whole lot worse.” Applejack finished.

Doctor Stables frowned. “Get a gurney.” He ordered the nurse.

He pulled out a stethoscope, and gestured Rarity to move.

Rainbow frowned. “Doc? Wha...”

He frowned looking her in the eyes. He was shocked to see them dull and glazed over. “Rainbow Dash, how do you feel?”

“Is... Pinkie alright? Will she live?” She said just barely audible.

He frowned. “I’m doing everything I can for her, what I’m concerned about is you.”

Rainbow frowned. “I don’t care… just tell me she’ll live…” She muttered, drifting slowly into unconsciousness.

Doctor Stables frowned as he listened to her faint heartbeat. When the nurse came back, despite Dash’s feeble protests, she was put on the gurney and rushed to another room where she was promptly hooked up to life support, and an IV pushing nutrients into her body.

Rarity and Applejack slumped down next to Twilight and Stables shook his head at the dreadful state of the three remaining mares. “Bring in some cots, pillows, and blankets, Redheart… If these three end up in the same state as their friends, I want you to fire me.”

The nurse nodded and trotted away to retrieve the items while he walked up to them. “I’ve sent for some cots, and when they get here I want to see all three of you laying down and getting some rest. Afterwards, you will EAT. Understood?”

He got no protests from the three and Rarity felt tears stream down her face, Applejack quick to pull her into a comforting hug while Twilight closed the journal, setting it aside for now. She released a defeated sigh and nodded reluctantly.

The cots were set up and the mares supervised until they crawled under their blankets and were fast asleep. Doctor Stables felt his shoulders sag as he sighed heavily and walked out of the room.

Author's Note

DEATH AND GORE AND INSANITY! Seems this isnt the first time the fluffs have wreaked havoc, eh?~Shadow

Chapter 8: Search for the Spell

“Come in girls,” Doctor Stables greeted as the three remaining Elements of Harmony entered his office. “Have a seat.”

His medical eye studied each of the three as they entered. Twilight was the first to enter, his eyes ran down her body, her magic was stable but faint, and she had pronounced bags under her eyes. Following her was Rarity, she wasn’t even trying to use her magic, but from the color, and texture of her coat she too seemed the worse for wear. Applejack was the last to enter looking somewhat lost.

“Thanks Doc,” Applejack answered sitting down. “Honest, I didn’t know ah was that tired. Shoot, Big Mac forced me to take a nap yesterday.”

“And before that?” Rarity pried.

Applejack blushed. “Well sugarcube, ah don’t remember.”

Doctor Stable lifted a hoof to quench the argument. “Ladies, as Twilight has already stressed to me, and from the condition of your three friends, we don’t have time. Now...”

Twilight fell back into the chair, and dropped the book on Doctor Stable’s desk, her face suddenly slightly pale. “Here’s the book,” Twilight began.

Doctor Stable held up a hoof, to stop her, then reached for his equipment and gave her a quick once over checking all of her vitals. “No more magic,” He ordered.

“What? No!” she exclaimed.

Doctor Stable’s horn lit up as he forced her back into her chair. “Twilight, I made a promise that I’d keep you three alive. So with the exception of it being absolutely necessary to fix what’s going on, I don’t want you, or Rarity to use an ounce of magic. We can’t risk it. We cannot risk losing all of you.”

Twilight frowned, but she nodded in agreement. “Alright Doc, there’s... wisdom in that.”

Doctor Stable laid a hoof on her shoulder. “I know this isn’t easy, but until everything is fixed, we are all going to have to be careful. I’ve had eleven more ponies brought in for random reasons. All of whom are now in a comatose state. Two of them were hit by a unicorn’s magic going ballistic. You told me earlier that all of this is being caused by a parasite. The... what did you call it?”

“They are called Fluffs,” Twilight answered; trying to sit somewhat upright in her chair, only to find a small wave of dizziness hit her, causing her to slump back down and rub her head.

Stables sighed and levitated an ice pack over to her; placing it on her head. She was about to take it in her magic, to which he responded by quickly pulling it back. “Nope, you will use your hooves.”

Applejack gave a half smirk. “Sorry Twi, but yer’ gunna have ta live like me for a bit.”

Twilight grumbled but nodded. “Yeah, I know...” She sighed and Stables returned to the ice pack to her, this time making sure she used a hoof to hold it to her head as she closed her eyes.

He nodded and turned to Rarity and Applejack. “Now then, please explain this to me.”

The two looked at each other, their ears folding back as Applejack grabbed the book. “Actually doc… ah think ya oughtta see this one fer yerself…” She said, reluctantly bringing the pink crystal out of the book. “Ya gotta use yer magic to activate it.”

He nodded, using his magic to lift the crystal up closer when it suddenly began to pulse.

Stables stared wide-eyed at the crystal now laying on his desk. “Good... dear... Oh Celestia!” he stammered, looking at the three. “Ladies, I don’t know about you, but I think we have a problem.”

“We have a problem,” Applejack said.

“Pinkie is the one who knows the most, but when the poor dear tried to tell us-” Rarity choked up as she once again started shaking.

The doctor gently rubbed Rarity’s shoulder. “We will figure this out. First question is, how did they get loose? That uniform hasn’t been used even in the medical community for the last thousand years...”

Twilight shrugged. “I had no idea they even existed. But Doctor, I think this is the least of our worries, we have a parasite on the loose. And if we fail to stop it-” She frowned and shook her head. “I don’t want to think about what would happen.”

Doctor Stable nodded. “Well, if they’ve gotten loose once, and stopped, I’m certain there is a cure.”

“That’s what I was thinking,” Twilight said half opening one eye.

Doctor stable sat back, folding his forehooves over his chest, frowning thoughtfully. “The biggest problem for me is that thing you mentioned about when they are in a pony’s system they starve the host to death.”

Twilight nodded. “What’s going on with Dash. How is she?”

“For the moment, she’s stable. But how long it will stay that way is anypony’s guess.”

“Pinkie Pie said the cure for what’s going on was in the book.” Rarity reminded them.

Applejack nodded. “If only she also told us what page it was on before…” She grimaced. “That…”

Doctor Stables sighed and nodded, opening the book. “Well, I suggest we start looking then.”

The royal sisters walked quietly through the halls; comforting the families of the ponies who’ve already succumbed to the effects of the fluffs. The hospital was filling up rapidly, some it was out of fear, others had gone simply berserk and had to be tied to beds. Others had, for seemingly no reason at all, started dropping weight and shutting down.

Celestia held her head up high, hiding her true grief from the prying eyes of the ponies around her.

Luna on the flip side was making no such effort but was diligently comforting every mare, stallion, or foal who looked to need the lunar princess’s special touch.

Despite the two’s carefree way of walking, they were definitely on a mission. The entered the ‘VIP’ section of the hospital; meant for members of state to prevent the media and other reporters from barging in when some member of nobility fell ill.

This affliction wasn’t being picky. She paused as she passed Spitfire holding a weeping Soarin as the two stood side by side looking down into the sleeping face of Fleetfoot. The Wonderbolt family was quickly falling apart. Fleetfoot, Misty Fly, and Highwinds; all three had dropped so much weight that they were hardly recognizable. Blaze was being treated in the insane section after going ballistic and pounding three of the Wonderbolt security before she’d been stopped by her teammates.

“How is your team holding up?” Celestia asked stepping up to the clearly distraught captain.

It took a moment before the captain’s eyes cleared and she looked up at Celestia. “Team...” She sounded somewhat confused... after a moment, her eyes suddenly cleared. “OH!” she blushed, “Sorry your highness.” with a deep sigh the yellow and orange mare untangled herself from Soarin’s grasp, and stood at attention. “This... it... it’s hit us pretty hard, but if you need us, we won’t back down.”

Celestia placed a hoof on Spitfire’s shoulder. “Captain, You have my condolences.”

Spitfire nodded. “Thank you princess.”

The royal sisters moved on. Luna about jumped when from an open door, Prince Blueblood suddenly jumped out and tried to tackle her, screaming something about her being the ‘end of Equestria.’

Luckily, between the two, and several nurses, they managed to tie and sedate the crazed prince.

While all of these ponies were important, and many the sisters knew, they were coming on special invitation from one of Equestria’s Ambassadors. Ambassador Glittering Aristocrat stood at the end of the hall; waiting patiently as the royal sisters tended to, and conversed with every single pony they could on their way to her. She was a tall skinny unicorn with a fuchsia coat, and a purple mane and tail that flowed to the floor. She looked haggard and tired.

“Princesses...” Glitter greeted as they came close.

“Ambassador,” Celestia said stepping forward. “You sent for us?”

The mare nodded, then ushered them into the room. Not moments later, a crazed pony came bursting through the doors with a needle gripped in their hoof as they screamed bloody murder and launched themselves at a nurse. The mare screamed and Luna reacted instantly, blasting the pony unconscious with a quick bolt of magic.

They were sent tumbling to the ground as a few doctors rushed in, looking exhausted as they picked up the pony and dragged him back to the mental ward to be properly restrained to their bed.

Glitter sighed and her ears folded back as she watched the brief scene play out, grimacing slightly. “That’s… the fifth time today alone, I believe…” She said as she looked back towards the princesses.

Luna blinked and shook her head before turning to face the unicorn. “That aside, we would like to know why thou hath summoned us.” She said to the mare.

The unicorn looked very uncomfortable as she glanced over to a bed at the end of the room. Both princesses instantly noticed the unicorn’s two triplets. The pegasus was laying flat on the bed, hooked up to life support. The Earth pony sobbed beside her sister. “Princess, I know what’s going on... How it’s so bad though- it shouldn’t be. Darling... this-” She suddenly got a very disturbing look on her face. “There’s no way they could have multiplied that rapidly! I mean there were only one hundred fluffs in that box!”

Celestia caught the unicorn in her own magic and forced her into a chair. “Arista! Slow down. Sit down. And start at the beginning.”

The unicorn was silent looking over to the bed with her sister in it. “Princess, tell Twilight page One-hundred and three.”

Suddenly the unicorn’s magic came to life with a blast. Glitter’s eyes shone for a moment, before she slumped unconscious in the chair. Instantly a doctor entered and moved the now comatose unicorn into a bed and hooked her up to life support.

The Earth pony kissed her sister’s hoof, before moving in. “Ach, Princesses. It be the Fluffs! They be on the loose! Hurry! Ah beg of ye!”

Celestia and Luna glanced at one another. “What are the Fluffs?” They both asked at once.

Twilight groaned almost forgetting that she was on a magic ban as she nearly threw the book across the room. “THIS ISN’T WORKING!” She yelled.

Doctor Stable stood up, looking between Twilight and the book he’d caught. He frowned placing the book on his desk. They’d been at this for hours. “Princess, not to be rude, but I think you need a break.”

“BREAK!” Twilight’s eye twitched. “Doctor, we don’t have time for a break! Every moment I spend resting, is another moment the Fluffs are spreading. Did you READ how fast they breed?”

Doctor Stable nodded. “Yes, but also, if you fall victim, we won’t have your magic to fall back on. And there are no other ponies who come close. Twilight, as your doctor I’m ordering you to eat, and take a walk.”

“If I may interrupt,” Rarity cooed, smiling sweetly at the doctor. “You are both right, but- what about you darling?”

“Obviously it affects mares faster than it does stallions... most of my patients right now are mares...”

“But yer all not immune,” Applejack pointed out.

He nodded. “Girls, my job is to keep the rest of you healthy, yes we need to find this cure, but-”

Just then the door slammed open. Nurse Redheart pounded in. “Doctor, Captain Spitfire just entered saying she needs to speak directly to Twilight.”

All ears instinctively shoved forward. “SPITFIRE?” Twilight asked shocked. “Oh no! No... no!”

Applejack laid a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, while Rarity held Twilight’s other hoof. Doctor Stable glanced at the trio and took a deep breath steadying his nerves. “Send her in.”

Nurse Redheart nodded and disappeared. All ponies returned to their seats, eyes full of worry about what the captain could want.

It was a few minutes before Redheart returned with the captain, all eyes going wide at the sight of her. Her wings sagged, her being too drained to keep them folded, and she had dark bags under her eyes. Her eyes seemed dull, and a bit glassy which only served to unsettle the three mares in the room. She turned her confused gaze to Twilight for a few moments before something clicked and she blinked, shaking her head.

She stepped up and looked at the purple alicorn seriously. “Twilight, I have a message from Celestia for you.”

She sat up immediately, staring at the mare. “What? What is it?”

“She told me to tell you to look on… page…” Her eyes glassed over again and she fell silent.

“Page?!” Twilight tried to stand, only to find Stables pinning her to the chair with his magic. She grumbled but spoke again. “What page?”

After a long moment of silence, she began to lose her temper. “Spitfire! What. Page!” She insisted.

The pegasus blinked and shook her head. “Wha-? Oh... “ She grimaced and sighed. “Page one hundred and thirty.”

Applejack grabbed the book, raising an eyebrow at the title of the page. “The Texture of their wings?” She cocked an eyebrow up.

Spitfire blinked looking rather lost. Doctor Stable grabbed another chair and then helped the rapidly deflating captain into it. “Let’s try mixing those numbers around.”

“Well, there aren’t three-hundred ten pages... ain't even three hundred... only two-ninety-five,” Applejack said flipping through it.

“Try one-hundred three then.” Doctor Stables suggested.

Applejack flipped to the said page and read the title out so everypony could hear. “The Inability to see Fluffs.”

“Umm… I think you’d better try a bit further in the journal, darling.” Rarity said.

The doctor frowned as he looked over Spitfire. “Ma’am, rest. That’s an order.” He then turned back to the others as she took a seat in one of the chairs, curling up and closing her eyes. She was too tired to fight or be stubborn about anything right now.

Applejack nodded and thought for a moment. “What if it’s not one-hundred anything… maybe two hundred and three?” She mused, earning a nod of agreement from Rarity.

“Try it, darling. It’s worth a shot.” The unicorn said, leaning over her shoulder to read the pages with the orange mare.

She took a deep breath, and started flipping through the pages, arriving on the page she began to read out loud. “The Cure.”

A collective gasp of relief went through the group. Applejack felt a small smile cross her face for the first time since everything started happening as she read aloud for the group.

“Curing everything of the Fluffs is simple… simple, but not easy. The first issue is being able to see these creatures. The problem, however, is that ponies can’t see these things, only the animals can.” Applejack looked over at the others. “But… wait…” She frowned. “How in tarnation are we gonna fix that problem?”

“Darling, why don’t you just keep reading the book...” Rarity cooed.

Applejack sighed and nodded, her eyes returning to the page. “Once they can be seen, you can assure that the treatment was effective so as to avoid a reinfestation. The only known cure for these infestations is a special mushroom known as the ‘Fluff Exterminator’.”

All eyes went up. “There’s such a plant?” Twilight asked looking to the doctor.

Applejack shook her head confused. “Honest Twilight, ah’ve never heard of such a plant.”

“Me neither,” Doctor Stables added. “Keep going Miss Apple, I’m sure the book gives a description eventually of this plant. If not, we can go ask Zecora.”

Upon agreement, Applejack took up the book once more and began to read. “This mushroom is very-” She squinted at the page as the words started to blur.

“Very what?” Rarity asked impatiently.

Doctor Stables looked the earth pony over with a professional eye. “Miss Apple, hand me the book. I’ll keep reading. I think you need to let your body rest for a moment.”

“Nah Doc, ah’m fine. Just felt a might dizzy there for a moment.”

Doctor Stable took the book in his magic frowning. “No Miss Apple, I’m not taking any of your stubbornness. You’ll need your strength for other things. I’m not feeling any effects of these pests yet, so allow me.”

Applejack’s ears folded back, but she did as she was asked since there was no way to win against Stables. She glanced back as she felt a hoof placed on her shoulder, Rarity flashing an apologetic smile which the farm mare returned. “Ah hope Granny is alright.” She mumbled.

Doctor Stable nodded. “I’ve taken care of that Miss Apple. I sent around some nurses this morning. Granny is down the hall... NOW, we need to figure out what’s going on, and fix it.” His gaze hardened as she looked longingly towards the door.

Before anything more could happen, Spitfire’s ears perked up and she tried to stand. “I need... Fleetfoot... I need-”

Doctor Stable groaned before once more helping her back into the chair. “Madam, please... The rest of the Wonderbolts are there, your duty right now is to obey me.”

She looked up at him with confusion, but her eyes glazed over once more and she drifted off to sleep. He pulled out a cot, and laid her down upon it. Once the pegasus was settled, he returned to his chair and picked up the book to continue reading. “Now then, where were we…” His eyes scanned the page before brightening. “The mushrooms are very common, mostly found in dark places such as caves or scattered about the Everfree Forest. They are a very sweet tasting fungi that act as a poison for these creatures. I have found that the most effective method is to burn the mushrooms and have the infected recipient inhale the smoke. Once the Fluff has been killed, the plant aids in the recovery of the pony…”

Rarity butt in. “So… it heals the pony as well as kills the fluff?”

Stables frowned and skimmed over the page before shaking his head. “Not exactly… The sweet scent that the mushroom gives off when burned helps to relax a crazed pony. Because it is safe to eat but holds no nutritional value, it triggers an overwhelming sense of hunger that allows the pony to eat and regain their strength… a food shortage would make that a bit of a problem though… and it has no effect on the loss of memories, those would merely need to return with time. However, this is exactly the information we were looking for! THIS is the cure for these… bugs…” He flipped to the next page and smiled, holding it out for the mares to see. “Here’s a sketch done by the owner of this journal.”

Applejack, Twilight, and Rarity looked at the drawing and Twilight suddenly pitched in. “I think we need to take this to Zecora… She’ll be able to put this information to use.”

“That’s great an’ all but…” Applejack frowned. “What about the part about needin’ ta see these filthy varmint?... only the animals can!”

Rarity sighed. “Unfortunately darling, I’m going to have to agree with Applejack on this one.”

“Shoot!” Twilight frowned, gazing down at her hooves as she racked her brain for a solution. She thought back to all the spellbooks.

“Here it is!” Doctor Stable cried out turning the book around. “A transformation spell that switches the consciousness of ponies with other sentient things.”

Author's Note

So we have a cure! YAY!

Poor Captain Spitfire... Sounds like the Wonderbolts are having a time of it.

And we did finally figure out who those three mysterious ponies were at the start... or at least one of them... or did we??? Nah, that's them. Glittering Aristocrat, the unicorn is the only one I'll name for now. They won't be showing back up until the end.

Sorry for the longer waits than what I originally planed.

Chapter 9 will be coming out... soonish.

Cowgirl Out.

BURN THE WOOOOOORRRRRRRLD!!!!!~Shadow

Chapter 9: Petting

Chapter 9: Petting

Doctor Stable had forced all three mares to eat something, and take another nap while he dealt with the finer details. The biggest one being getting the pets to the hospital. Doctor Stable had started by going to the friendship castle to retrieve Spike, Angel, and Owlicious. He walked carefully through the quiet halls of the castle, his steps echoing eerily the large corridors.

“NOOOOO! LEAVE ME ALONE!”

Doctor Stable stopped, his ears perking forward. He turned his head to follow the noise. Inching towards it cautiously, he kept his ears tuned to the source of the cry.

“I WON’T!”

The doctor couldn’t deny that one. Taking a deep breath, he turned to the door from which it had come from. Stables frowned as he noted on the doorknob had a little sign that read ‘Spike’s Room.’ He had wondered where that dragon had gone, feeling a wave of pity towards the creature, he opened the door.

Spike lay restrained in a magic bubble, wrapped up in blankets struggling with every ounce of strength he had. “I won’t! You can’t make me! I won’t kill my friends! TWILIGHT!” He cried once more.

Doctor Stable found himself at a loss for what to do. It was evident that Spike was somewhere between what the ponies were going through, and what the animals were. He looked the dragon over, Spike’s ribs were obviously showing, and his eyes were bloodshot. There was just no way Spike could keep on without losing what little sanity he had left- if he had any at all.

Spike’s eyes finally turned to him. The little dragon’s mouth opened slightly, and his little pink tongue lolled out. The eyes were pleading.

Doctor Stable stepped forward and laid a hoof on the small dragon. “Spike?”

“You... aren’t glowing!” Spike said in a half-crazed way.

“How are you?” He pressed.

“MAKE IT STOP!” The moment of coherency was gone, the dragon’s back arched as he shrieked in pain.

Doctor Stable just stood there looking down at the little purple and green drake. His heart broke for the little guy. Opening his saddlebag, he removed a vial and filled a syringe. With a fluid motion, he stabbed Spike in the arm and pushed the contents home.

Spike shrieked, his eyes flying open and to the needle in his arm. Then the next moment his eyes rolled back in his head, and he fell limp.

Stables smiled fatherly at the now drugged dragon as he lifted him in his blankets and carried him down to a waiting stretcher. The nurse, a sturdy stallion who was only beginning to show signs of the infection, helped Stable situate Spike and strap him down. “If he begins to come to, knock him out with the drug again.” Stables instructed before he went back in to find Angel Bunny and Owlicious.

The sun was well up in the sky when Stables had finished his task. The doctor struggled intensely in the collar as his assistant walked alongside. Stables frowned as the stallion teetored. “Lifesigns, are you alright?” Doctor Stables asked slowing his pace.

The nurse nodded. “Yeah, just... give me a moment.”

Doctor Stables frowned, considering ordering the stallion into the already full cart of drugged pets. Stables glanced around him. The streets were practically empty. Haunted, was a better way of saying it. If he hadn’t known better, he could have sworn he was back in the Desert helping to evacuate the last survivors of that one ghost town... he furrowed his brow as he struggled to remember the name of that village.

When he got back, Stables decided, he’d take a break. His body felt horrid. His eyes itched, his ears burned, his coat felt raw, and he didn't want to go into his shaky legs, blurred vision and bad memory he’d suddenly come down with in the past half hour.

“Honest Doc, I’m fine.” Lifesigns said again standing shakily on his four hooves, let’s get these guys back...”

Doctor Stables frowned. “I agree, but let’s slow down. I am not used to this type of work.”

“You could use your magic doc,” the nurse suggested.

Doctor Stables shook his head. “Son, just because I’m not showing advanced signs of the infection, doesn’t mean I’m not infected. We have to be careful and think through these things, we won’t make it if we don’t.”

The nurse nodded weakly.

The two traveled on together neither one saying a word.

“MY PRECIOUS!” A mare shrieked as she dashed out of a house and jumped on a stone. “I’ll kill you! Don’t touch my precious!”

Both stallions froze, the nurse frowning as he struggled to keep his balance. Doctor Stables sighed as he set himself loose from the harness. “Madam... please...”

He was startled when the mare suddenly lept forward, her teeth sinking into his neck. The doctor screamed in pain. “Madam!”

All at once, he felt it suddenly hard to breathe, sucking in air with little success. His eyes shifted up to the mare’s horn where a faint blue glow encompassed it; a similar one showing around his chest. The mare was trying to squeeze the life out of him.

As he struggled, Stables felt the mare’s teeth sink deeper into his neck, blood beginning to trickle out the bite. Another small cry of pain, stifled by his lack of oxygen escaped his throat as he tried desperately to push the mare off of him, using his magic in an attempt to throw her off him.

“DOCTOR!” He heard his assistant call out.

“Lifesigns, stay back! I’ve got this.” With a final shove of force, he managed to create a small barrier and shove the mare to the ground a few feet away, grimacing as she took away a chunk of skin from where she had bitten him. In an attempt to wipe away some blood, he only smeared it over his coat before shaking his head and turning his attention over to the mare, who was already back on her hooves and running towards him, her horn beginning to flicker to life once more.

Stables was quick to blast the mare with a sleep spell, waiting for her to fall unconscious before dropping his shield spell and dragging the mare over to the cart.

“Doctor! Are you alright?” Lifesigns asked as he looked Stables over.

“Son, I’m-”

“You are bleeding!” The nurse cried in fear. “Oh, Celestia! You just got bit by a rabid pony!”

A pang of fear went through the good doctor, but with an effort of control, he fought the feeling down. “Lifesigns, I’m fine. Now, we have to get moving.”

Lifesigns frowned, glancing between the bite, the mare, and the overall signs of exhaustion that Stables was showing. “I don’t like it.”

“You don’t have to nurse, we have ponies to save, come on!” Stables insisted, disregarding the stallion.

The way back was torture, but they managed to make it. Exhaustion and crazed ponies had made the trip back a nightmare, but finally, they dragged their worn, and beaten bodies into the crowded hospital courtyard.

“DOCTOR!” Nurse Redheart yelled as he pulled up alongside the doors. “You don’t look so good! How did it go? You have all of-”

He raised a hoof to stall the flow of words. “We have them, take them down somewhere where we can secure them, I’ll go wash up and-”

She frowned shaking her head. “No, you are going to go straight to a bed. Even you can’t keep going on zero sleep.”

He looked her over, frowning at her haggard appearance.”Nurse...”

She stopped him again by laying a hoof on his shoulder and helping him out of the harness. “I know time is of the essence, but we can’t afford to be taken out any more than we can afford to lose the other three elements.”

He nodded, watching as other nurses and doctors who were still strong enough to help got the ponies, and creatures out of the back of the wagon and got them inside. Taking his first step forward his knees buckled. He smiled sheepishly up at her, “Guess I’m not used to pulling all that weight.”

“Another reason why you should take a little time off and rest. Besides that, you are injured.” She said, pointing to the bite on his neck.

He grimaced as she inspected the cuts, scrapes, and bite he had acquired through the day’s events.

“This one needs to be treated right away.” She said inspecting the bite on his neck. “You are lucky it didn’t cut the jugular.”

He lowered his eyes; refusing to meet her harsh gaze, hissing in pain as he felt her force him back up to his hooves. “Come on doctor, don’t get prideful. We need to get you in for treatment, and a nap. Then I’ll see if I can find anything remotely tasty to help you get your strength back up.”

Twilight sat looking down at Spike’s sleeping form. She’d failed him... she’d failed the one creature in the universe that relied on her more than any other. She’d come straight here once she’d found out that Spike had been brought back. He looked so tired laying there. The infection had taken its toll on him as it had so many others.

“Princess?”

Twilight’s ears flicked back as she heard the doctor enter, but her eyes didn’t move from her number one assistant. “He will be alright… right?”

Doctor Stables sighed as he walked up alongside the princess and laid a hoof on her shoulder. “If what we have read is correct, yes. But if we are going to save him, we have to get going. I think the pet’s bodies have rested to the point where the transfer will be safe.”

She looked up at him with fear in her eyes. He hoped it was just an effect of the infection, but somehow he knew it also had a great deal to do with the idea itself. Not that Twilight was opposed, but it was a newer spell.

“Your Highness, please, time is of the essence, and we’ve already spent a lot of it doing everything required to just keep our own minds and bodies functioning.”

She nodded, standing shakily. None of them were doing well, but they all had to make the best of it.

The room that had been chosen for the procedure was the ‘Emergency Ward,' which was a long hallway filled with beds. If Ponyville was ever under such an attack that it would be required to house most of the town’s population, this is where they would go.

This room was also ideal since it would give them plenty of space to work with that wasn't already filled with the ponies pouring into the hospital. Soon, if it kept up, it would be. However, right now it wasn’t.

Twilight hesitated before entering, she knew what she was walking into. The doctor paused beside her; watching her with a concerned, professional eye. “We have to do this.” He reminded once more.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she pushed the door open and forced her way inside. Instantly, her eyes fell upon Fluttershy’s broken form, and in the bed beside her Dash lay pale, and seemingly lifeless. Her skin was tight against her bones giving her this eerie look that unnerved the alicorn. In the next bed lay the happily sleeping Pinkie Pie. She was the only one who seemed able to just stand up and get out of bed. She appeared to simply be having a good night’s rest. Twilight frowned, if only Pinkie would wake up. The party planner had been asleep now for nearly a day and a half. A day and a half of knowing what to do and being unable to tell them.

Twilight swallowed a lump in her throat. A hoof was gently laid on her shoulder, and she looked over to see Applejack, her hat missing, standing beside her. The two mares exchanged glances as Rarity also joined them.

“It’s so dreadful Darling!” Rarity said in barely a whisper.

Twilight took a deep breath; steadying herself against what was going on around her. “It is bad, and that’s why we have at do it.”

She turned around and looked to the sleeping forms of the pets.

“Is it just me,” Applejack Piped up. “Or do you feel selfish for wanting to disturb that?”

Twilight half smiled. “At least they are sleeping. I know none of them have since this whole thing started a week and a half ago.”

They all nodded, agreeing with Twilight’s statement.

Doctor Stables took this opportunity to step back up, disrupting their little conversation. “Girls, if I should make a suggestion, I would advise you to all laydown. I think this spell will go better if after it’s done, I don’t have to worry about moving you into the beds.”

Twilight’s frown returned. It was happening. She nodded. “Come on girls. The doctor is right.”

Each one turned and started walking towards the medical beds that had been set up. Twilight tried to relax as the nurse stepped up beside her and started hooking her body up to the monitors. She looked over to where Owlicious lay sleeping... soon that’s where she’d be.

“Are you ready?” Stables asked.

Each of the three awake mares nodded, their eyes showing concern. “I know,” He began. “You’d all rather let Twilight do the spell, but I had her magic checked a bit ago. I’m afraid princess your mental strength has deteriorated to the point where that is not an option. I’m not strong enough to do it all at once, so I’ll begin with Fluttershy, and work my way to Twilight. Ready?”

They all nodded.

His horn lit up as he stood between the two beds. A glassy aura began to glow around the two of them, Fluttershy winced, then lay still as her spirit was drawn out of her body, and placed into her rabbit’s. Angel’s consciousness was inserted into her mortal shell.

Once done, he took a step forward and repeated the process with Dash and tank. Then Pinkie and Gummy.

Applejack winced as he stepped up to her. “I’m not sure how this will feel for you, do you want me to give you something to sleep?”

She shook her head. “No, I can take it Doc.”

He nodded as he started the spell. It was agony. Complete, and utter agony. It felt like her insides were being torn out. A tear creaked out of the corner of her eye and with a mighty scream; Applejack’s conscience was lifted from her body and the process was completed.

Rarity’s shivered in fear as she watched the hearty mare be put through such agony. “Knock me out! Please Doctor! I can’t handle that! Just-”

He laid a hoof on her shoulder. “Alright.” His horn lit up, as the magic washed over her. Both she and Twilight, who had given him a pleading look, fell into a deep sleep.

SCREEEEEE

The noise was maddening. Rainbow Dash grit her teeth as she was suddenly woken up from her nap to a high pitched, ear piercing scream. “Stop! Stop!” She tried to say, but all that came out was an annoyed grunt. She opened her eyes looking up into the face of Doctor Stables.

“Rainbow, how do you feel?” He asked her.

She looked up at him, then noticed behind him lay a pegasus mare that looked strangely like her... She blinked. “Wha?...” Another, more confused, mumbled noise came out of her maw. She blinked; looking around. Nothing looked right.

“AHHHHHH!” Rainbow looked to her left where Angel bunny had leaped to his paws and was having a full blown panic attack.

Rainbow rolled her eyes, then looked to her right. “Gummy?” She asked, tilting her head at the little alligator.

“Nah! I’m Pink- They did it! We’re-” Suddenly ‘Gummy’ covered his hears with his claws. Rainbow winced painfully as the scream got louder and louder. She grit her teeth the lot of them screaming in pain. The noise, the lights, the colors, the sounds... everything! It was becoming more crazed and unreal by the moment.

“Doc? What happened!?” Rainbow screamed. She felt something inserted into her flesh and the world once more fade into nothing.

Author's Note

... The spell doesn't seem to be working so well... does it? I wonder why the Doc hasn't changed colors though... Is it affecting him some other way... or is he immune? What's the deal with that?

And so we end part three, and now enter into the fourth and final part. Chapters will be coming slower now. We are still fleshing this section out.

Until Next time

VK out.

Chapter 10: Into the Everfree

The next time Twilight felt herself rising into the realm of the living, the pain, irritation, and everything else was much more subdued. She opened her/his... She paused as she looked down at her pet’s body. “Celestia this is weird.” She commented.

Doctor Stables chuckled as he stroked her soft fluffy feathers. “You aren’t the only one weirded out.”

“You aren’t living it!”

“I’m talking to a mare in an owl’s body!”

She let out a hoot of laughter. “Definitely will take some getting used to. So, how long have we been out?”

“Two hours.” He replied solemnly.

She cringed. “I didn’t think-”

He laid a hoof on her wing. “Twilight, we had a bit of a complication. I’m waiting to see how you handle it before I copy this spell on the others. I’m afraid the Fluffs overwhelmed their senses.”

“Which raises another question.” She said, looking over at her unconscious form with a yellow coat and greenish, orange like mane.

He blinked.

“Why are the rest of us showing the color change, but you still look perfectly normal?” She looked him over with her large eyes, tilting her head all the way to the left, then all the way to the right.

He started chuckling.

“What’s so funny?” She asked.

Placing a hoof over his mouth he stifled the myrth. “Sorry Your Highness, I didn’t mean to. Just...”

“Just what?”

“You look kinda cute...”

If owls could give a death look, Twilight sure did. Doctor Stables recoiled; his smile instantly vanishing. “So, do you know what I did?”

She nodded. “Alright, what ‘did’ you do?”

“Well, to help you handle your new perceiving skills, I found another spell in the book. If I had time, I’d go use it on Spike, I’m certain it’d completely clear up his symptoms.”

Twilight eyes pleaded with the doctor, begging him to cast the spell.

He shook his head. “Your Highness, we don’t have the time. Do you feel alright?”

Twilight’s large yellow eyes slowly blinked as she looked around. It was as if everything had been slowed down. Her hearing had been muffled... At least, wherever it pertained to the Fluffs. “I think, whatever you did, worked. I think Applejack should be next.”

The doctor nodded. “You should be over here.”

Twilight opened her wings and tried to fly. If somepony had taken turned gravity in reverse, Twilight wasn’t sure if she’d been knocked more out of balance.

“Slowly,” He suggested. “You need time to get used to your new body. You can’t just-”

“I know!” She snapped.

He raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure you do, it took you a while to figure out how to fly to begin with.”

She winced and nodded reluctantly, falling silent. Doctor Stables reached down and picked her up, placing her on his back. “Alright, let’s get this over with.”

Fluttershy’s eyes slowly fluttered open, above her stood the Doctor. She smiled happily as for the first time in a long time she woke up without so much as an ache. “Mmm, Good morning Doctor, am I being let go? Can I go-” she looked around and nearly screamed as she saw her body on the other side of the room. Winnona and Owlicious were instantly at her side... and looked much larger than what she had remembered.

“Easy there Fluttershy,” Winona said… sounding an awful lot like Applejack.

“AJ?” Fluttershy blinked.

“Yep!”

The timid mare started hyperventilating. “Wha? H-h-how? What’s that!”

Owlicious laid a wing over her quaking... paws? Fluttershy’s breath started coming in short, quick gasps. Her body shaking. “Wha-wha-what’s g-g-going on?” she asked fearfully.

“We have an issue going on in Ponyville,” Doctor Stables began. “There is this parasite...”

Fluttershy blinked. “Why am in the body of a Rabbit?”

Gummy, for the first time in the time Fluttershy had known him started laughing. “Actually, you and Angel swapped!”

Fluttershy’s eyes flew to the doctor. “Well,” he began. “We don’t have much time to explain, but this is kinda what happened-”

Doctor Stables looked both ways as he led the group of ‘pets’ out of the Hospital’s front doors. Outside, he had a wagon waiting. As pre-arranged, each member would pretend to be asleep while the doctor carried them out and set them in the back off the medical wagon.

One by one they were transported, finally the whole lot of them were in. He closed the back door, and hitched himself to the harness.

Doctor Stables took a deep breath as he turned towards the direction of the Everfree and calmly started walking.

Their first concern had been Celestia’s orders that all pets were to be captured, and put in a ‘safe’ place, away from ponies just in case they started going nuts.

While most of the mares were long since felled, a good number of the stallions were still half capable of functioning. This was a problem because most of the Royal Guard were Stallions.

This had been solved with this simple tactic, use the medical cart until they were in the Everfree. If anypony stopped him, he’d tell them that he was going to investigate into the whereabouts of Zecora. This was essentially the mission, the only lie involved was the Wagon’s Occupants... and the good doctor wanted nothing to do with trying to explain to the stuck up guards what he was doing with six pets and heading towards the forest.

Inside the wagon, each pony/pet was still attempting to get used to their new bodies. Applejack laid down and closed her eyes, whimpering.

“You alright Darling?” Rarity asked.

“Just a tad sore.” Applejack admitted reluctantly.

Twilight and Rarity exchanged worried frowns.

“W-wh-what?” Dash asked. “Hold up. Why is AJ sore?”

“Because ah decided to be tough and do the transfer awake.” Applejack didn’t look over at Dash. It was so weird, they all knew that the pets belong to their respective friends, but none of them had ever imagined this side of the reality. It was just so weird.

“And the doctor allowed this?” Dash asked. “Honestly?”

“None of us knew how we’d handle it,” Twilight explained. “It was an experiment.”

“We are pressed for time - that’s not when you ‘experiment’ Twilight. That’s when you play it safe and you don’t take unnecessary risks!” Dash exclaimed. Well, as close as she could to exclaiming when she was in a turtle’s body. Turtles didn’t talk very fast.

“Like you, RD?” asked Applejack in a jesting tone.

Dash glared.

“Admit it Rainbow, ya would have done the exact same thing had’ve ya’ had the chance.” Applejack stated.

Dash pulled her head into her shell. “Yeah, I guess you are right.”

“Look, girls, we are all in new territory,” Twilight said. “The important thing is we get this job done and save Equestria.” Twilight glanced over to Fluttershy, who was curled up next to Rarity just shivering.

“Ya know Twi’,” Dash spoke up once more.

“What?”

“I never thought I’d see the day Angel wasn’t making a royal nuisance of himself.”

“DASH!” They all cried out together as Fluttershy completely disappeared behind Rarity.

“Shoot Dash!” Applejack growled. “Yer’ a tortoise and ya still ain’t thinkin before yer mouth can move!”

Rainbow glared. “I was trying to lighten the mood! Pinkie Pie does it all the time!”

Pinkie Gummy frowned and shook her head. “Even I know time and place, Dashie…”

“What about that time with the ponytones?” Rainbow Dash fired back at Pinkie.

“Girls,” Twilight cut in before the debate could escalate. “We have a lot to think about, so let’s focus.”

They all nodded, settling down to complete the plan as the cart rumbled down the road.

Doctor Stables thundered through the streets of town. Every time he’d pass a royal guard he’d catch his breath; worried that they would stop him and forcibly search the carriage. When none of this happened, he went from being worried about the search to being even more worried about the guards. Stables didn't stop, but he still noted the listless looks on their faces. Time was running short, several of the said guards lay half dead and dying against walls, doors, and even a few in the streets themselves.

He scrunched his nose at the smell of the dead, averting his eyes when he came across the torn remains of one. Shivers ran down his spine and fear gripped at his heart as he imagined the agonizing screams of the bloodied corpse that remained of the guard lying dead in a nearby alley. Not wishing to further look at the guards and various other ponies, he focused his gaze forward, attempting to block the images before him as he released a heavy sigh.

He was trotting with a quickened pace along the dirt path when a high pitched, ear piercing scream erupted from behind him and he lurched forward as a stallion threw himself on the cart. He shouted as his eyes fell upon the crazed pony and instinctively shot a bolt of magic that knocked the stallion away just long enough for him to slip by without further incident. He kept his horn slightly aglow, prepared for any future incidents should they arrive and berated himself slightly for not keeping more aware of his surroundings to begin with as he continued on. His trotting was quick to become galloping as he heard more hooves approach from unknown areas.

His sides heaved, sweat stinging his eyes as he continued to run. His lungs burned and legs ached.

He had to keep going.

Finally, he was on the edge of town. With a burst of magic, he broke through a roadblock and into the forest.

The feel, the smell, the sounds... everything was different the moment he passed the barrier. Doctor Stables slowed down, his ears tilting this way and that to catch every little sound. Screams, howls, hoots...This wasn’t like Ponyville. A Timber Wolf howled off in the distance, haunting and solemn. Stables shivered at the unsettling noise going on around him, the creatures almost crying out for an escape, anything to be rid of whatever it is they were going through.

Crash

The Doctor jumped as something fell right in front of him, he gasped as he looked down at the corpse of some tree creature so far gone that he could no longer pick out what it had been.

He frowned. “You poor thing.” He whispered. Taking a deep breath, he continued on through the forest. A little farther in, a family of mice jumped out of the shadows, laying their tiny little teeth into his pastern. He yelped in both surprise and pain.

Fluttershy was nearly instantly out of the carriage, and rapidly into the fray. Moments later, Applejack and Twilight had joined her side to help pull the mice from the doctor’s legs.

“Are you alright?” Twilight asked as she swallowed the last one down.

Stables looked at her with mild disgust.

“I’m an owl! It’s what owls eat!” Twilight defended herself.

“Ah didn’t say nuthin.” Applejack snickered as the realization dawned on Twilight of what she had just done.

“Wait a minute... did I just- Oh Celestia! Ick!”

“Let’s not think about it... shall we?” Fluttershy stated, also somewhat bothered by what was going on around them. “How much have I missed?”

“A lot!” Twilight answered.

“Alright, everypony back in the cart, we’ve got to get to Zecora... before we get...” Doctor Stables put his nose to the air, scrunching it when a putrid smell hit his muzzle. “Oh no... Timberwolves! RUN!”

Fluttershy, Twilight, and Applejack waited for the cart to pass them before Pinkie was suddenly with them, then the four of them back inside the cart.

Stables ran on and on, the sound of the wolf pack quickly encroaching upon his heels. He could smell their pungent breath from almost every direction. The wind itself was flat and hung in the air like a foul blanket.

That also meant that they were not far away.

Stables leaned into the harness, his body screaming against the pain, and unaccustomed exercise.

From the sound, Stables could hear them congregating. He assumed they’d caught something and were now preparing to devour it. At least they were off his tail now.

Something in the back of his mind told him to investigate. He hesitated, should he? He glanced back at the rumbling, and jolting cart behind him, he had six lives... then the lives of every pony in Equestria relying on him. He had to pull through.

“HELP!”

Stables froze as the voice registered in his mind. That was no creature…

His hooves picked up speed, and with a burst of energy he didn’t even know he had left, Stables thundered down the path towards the voice.

A figure came into view up ahead, overshadowed by the towering timber wolves, but that did little to hide the iconic grey coat and darker grey stripes of Zecora, the healer that resided in the Everfree. The girls heard the screaming as well, and upon feeling the cart slow, the girls peeked out to see what the problem was.

The first thing Applejack noticed was the timber wolves, and then not long after Zecora laying at their paws. The other girls notice it soon after and all at once, they start shouting out to her and running or flying towards the wolves.

“Zecora!”

Chapter 11: Brews and Stews

Weary guards slumpt against walls. For the most part the animals were still sedated, but one by one, with the guards becoming weaker, and weaker, the fluff’s power over the animals became stronger and stronger.

Diamond Dust, a green and blue pegasus guard, grit his teeth as he fought against the effects. He shook his head in an attempt to clear the fog clouding his mind, but to no avail. It was at this point that the grinding noise he had thought to be in his head grew even more intense, now with a clear direction. Straight down.

Before he could fully ponder the new revelation, the ground began to vibrate, then shake, until he was thrown clear of the grass patch he had been standing on. The once immaculately groomed lawn erupted in s shower of grass and soil, a …bear? pulling itself out of the hole. It’s claws worn down to nubs, and bloody scratches running the length of it’s arms and torso, the beast gave a final roar before toppling over.

But what had started as one animal soon became more, as the entire menagerie of captured creatures flooded out into the light of day. Finally getting to his hooves, Diamond watched in horror as they lumbered, ran, and flew away. Knowing he had no chance to stem the tide here, he sprinted towards the dungeon entrance. When he reached the bottom of the entry stairwell, he found chaos that would make Discord proud. Guards and animals fought in an all out melee, walls and chunks of ceiling were missing, and the whole area stank of blood.

Before Diamond could back out, another quake caused the stairwell roof to cave in, blocking his retreat, as he now faced a swarm of animals thundering towards him. He released a shrill, high pitched scream as he fumbled to draw his weapon. He felt nothing when he reached for the hilt, his hoof feeling his side where the sheath should have been.

Diamond’s heart stopped. His pupils dilated as everything happened in slow motion. His fellow guards, weakened already by the infection, started falling by the droves. He didn’t even have a second. Suddenly the bear was on top of him again. “I love you Mom!” He screamed with his dying breath... and lay still, unmoving in his own blood, body mangled beyond recognition.

Zecora’s consciousness floated someplace above her. She could see Doctor Stables working frantically within her hut to stop the bleeding, and save her life. Angel too was leaping with rolls of bandages and bottles of ointment doing everything in his power to save the lone zebra’s life.

It didn’t feel real.

In the ghost like existence, the self-alienated mare watched as her body was slowly patched up. She was in horrible shape after the beating she’d taken from the Timber Wolves. Her face had several long cuts, her bronze necklaces had been badly dented, her frame could have been the result for the old time, and cliche’ joke; What’s black and white and red all over. Zecora cringed taking in the sight.

“We are loosing her!” Doctor Stables cried. “Fluttershy! HOLD THAT PRESSURE POINT! Twilight, get me the surgical glue. Applejack! Help me keep her warm! She’s going into shock!”

Zecora watched as the pets moved into position, a relieved smile spread across her face. “I knew from the start, that the ponies and pets would take their part. Now it will be a matter of luck, if we will be able to destroy the beast, and get us unstuck.”

“DON’T LEAVE ME!” Zecora saw Angel up near her ear. Yelling into the bloody appendage. “PLEASE ZECORA! WE NEED YOU! DON’T LEAVE US!”

With a final burst of will, the hermit forced her consciousness back into her prone, and hurting body. It was agonizing! But Zecora opened her eyes and looked out. “‘et... mush-m.” She grit her teeth unable to deny the extreme state she was in. “ches..”

She had no more energy, and with the last word still on her lips, her eyes floated closed and she lost all awareness of what was around her. In the distance, she could faintly hear her name. But to respond, would mean death.

Doctor Stables continued to work on Zecora. Her pulse was steady, but still weak. And her breathing was uneven. Using some of the supplies he had brought with him, he hooked up an IV to replace the sickening amount of blood she’d already lost. Doctor Stables kept glancing at his watch biting his lower lip. In her seconds awake, she’d said something, but none of them had been able to catch it. Applejack lay curled up beside Zecora using her own body heat to help keep the injured mare alive.

Stables kept frowning as the normally strong, unwavering earth pony kept wincing each time she moved.

“You doing alright Miss Apple?” he inquired his eyes still on Zecora.

“Ah’m fine Doc.” Applejack responded without missing a beat, but her voice was still weak.

Doctor Stables didn’t say anything, but his mouth turned down in an ever-deepening frown.

Silence hung in the air of the small hut for several minutes, even Pinkie Pie was just sitting there watching Zecora sleep. Most of the cuts had been bandaged, but the blood was still seeping through blotching the fabric in long streaks of crimson.

Fluttershy hopped up from where she had been searching the shelves to sit beside Zecora’s pillow. A sad look came into her eye as she looked between her friends. “Are we stuck?”

Stables nodded. “I was hoping she’d have answers...”

“How long has it been since we got here?” Fluttershy asked, Stables being the only one with a clock.

“Two-hours,” he replied without looking away from Zecora.

Again silence fell on the room like a blanket. For what felt like an eternity nopony said anything. Then the doctor stood up. “Fluttershy! Get me the syringe with the blue marker.”

Fluttershy moved as quick as she could, but Pinkie had already gotten the requested item and was standing beside him, nopony had even seen her move.

Without hesitation, Doctor Stables snatched it away, and pressed the contents home into Zecora’s shoulder. None of the others knew what he was watching for, but slowly the zebra’s eyelids fluttered. A low moan was heard coming from the lips of their old, and dear friend.

“Zecora!” Twilight cried in joy.

As they gazed on with mixed emotions of joy, wonder, and concern, Zecora’s eyes opened, then immediately closed, clenching tight as a hiss of pain was let out from the locked jaw.

“Take it easy, your body is in bad shape. That’s right, lay there and breath,” the doctor instructed laying a hoof gently on her hoof in a friendly, comforting manner.

Despite her pain, Zecora didn’t take long in pulling herself back together. She fixed her eyes on Stables with a dogged determination. “Fluffs!” Zecora forced out, her body becoming stiff instantly as she groaned in pain.

“You know!?” Rainbow Dash began, but the others finished as the tortoise spoke slowly enunciating each syllable.

Zecora tried to nod, but ended up only crying out a little.

“Please, don’t move unless you have to.” Stables instructed her.

“The pain indeed is sharp, but I have to bear to play my part. The fluffs are out to steal our land, to destroy our lives is their plan.” She paused, her voice very faint so only Applejack who had her ear tuned to Zecora’s lips could hear it.

“We know that Zecora.” Applejack replied, “We are lookin’ for the cure...”

“This plant is what I went to seek, it grows in forest dark...” her eyes closed. As she breathed a bit more heavily.

“You can skip the where it grows part. Do you have some here?”

Zecora opened her eyes and trained them on the doctor. He could read in them a definite yes. Zecora then looked over to a large chest beside her front door. Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash immediately took off towards the chest. When they lifted the lid, Pinkie was inside. “Wha’- no, I’m not going to ask.” Dash said from the other side of the room. “Pinkie is Pinkie.”

The chest itself was full of the mushrooms they’d seen in the sketch. They were a small, toadstool type. The luminous, blue color reminded one and all of the well known bane of the everfree that was better known as Poison Joke.

Each one of the pony turned pets recoiled in horror, fresh memories of their shared ordeal surfacing. “It is safe to touch?” Twilight asked, her voice quivering slightly.

Zecora’s eyes drifted shut, but with a marked effort, she nodded. “Of the joke I know you think, but to that effect you will not sink.”

“I’d... Zecora madam, please keep your responses short, you are not in the best of health.” the lone stallion pressed her.

Satisfied with the answer, Twilight reached in, and plucked a sample out with her beak, flying it over to the doctor. “What now?”

The Zebra breathed deeply, “Mushrooms dried are what we need to make them burn and smoke healthily.”

The six looked at each other.

“Don’t look at me!” Rainbow said slowly.

“DON’T LOOK AT ME EITHER!” Pinkie screamed still zooming about the room... but only moving when nopony else was looking directly at her.

Applejack tried to stand, her hind leg suddenly cramping up and her falling back down to the bed. All eyes turned to her. “Miss Apple,” Stables again pressed.

“Ah’m fine!” she snapped and then growled before once again trying.

“Miss Apple you look quite pale, did the change you take without the spell?” Zecora looked Applejack over in concern.

Applejack’s ears flopped down, and she tried to skirt around the issue. “We need ta’ keep goin! Nopony can... we need to... ZECORA PONIES ARE DYIN!”

Stables paused and laid a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder, lifted her up in his magic and laid her down on the bed beside Zecora. “I think you’d serve us better for now right here. Just monitor her lifesigns for me, and if anything changes let me know. I’m going to go help the others.”

Applejack frowned. “Doc ah’.”

“Miss Apple, none of you are functioning at 100%, only I seem to not be feeling it yet. Please, please just do as I say.”

Applejack watched sadly as Doctor Stables rose, and crossed the room to where the others were looking the mushrooms over in the chest.

“We need to dry them out?” He asked.

Zecora nodded, then hissed. “Smoke them... over... the fire.” She said in a weak whisper.

Doctor Stables nodded. “Alright, how shall we do that?”

“Steamer basket...”

Stables nodded, “Got it.”

“Doc...” Zecora forced herself back awake, looking the doctor in the eye. “Your family is Stable?”

He nodded.

“The first time... the scientist who discovered the cure... he was your grandfather. You are immune.”

Work went steadily. Applejack continued to lie there miffed at herself for being so dumb, but as were her orders, and since the doctor was correct in saying that no matter what, somepony needed to be monitoring Zecora, the farm mare consented to staying put.

She watched the work around her as she herself was laid up.

Between Doctor Stables and the group of the pets, they’d managed to lay out the mushrooms that weren’t already dried, and get them over the smoke as it rose off the fire.

“How much of this do we need?” Twilight asked as she landed beside the bed.

Applejack frowned as she felt Zecora wince. “What we have,” the invalid said carefully, “Is but a third, we’ll need more to cure the whole herd. A tall mountain you must climb, and then burn them all while there is still time. Only branches of Spooky Oak, the rest the cure will be choked.”

“And I thought I told you to keep it simple.” Doctor Stables frowned as he listened in. “Spooky Oak?”

“It frowns.” Zecora responded weakly panting for breath.

“OH!” Pinkie giggle suddenly hanging by her tail from the rafter above. “The ghostly trees we saw the first time we came in here!”

Doctor Stables nodded. “That’s what I’d assume.” They all looked back to Zecora for confirmation, but she once more had her eyes closed.

“Come on everypony, there isn’t much time, we’ve already wasted so much of it just getting here.” He added as he motioned for the work to continue, picking up the last of the mushrooms, he added them to the drying basket that stood over the fire.

“Doc, can’t ah please join you guys for... getting the, ya’ know, lumber. Ah’m a dog after-” Applejack winced as a major muscle spasm racked her body.

“Really darling, I think Stables is right,” Rarity cooed from her place at the fire.

“But ah can help!”

“You are helping darling!” Rarity encouraged.

Flutter Bunny nodded her head. “Applejack, I know you don’t like staying put-”

“That’s puttin’ it lightly! Shoot! Mah family’s dyin! And here ah am-”

Doctor Stables laid a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder. “Please Miss Apple, I know this is hard, but how long will you be able to resist the effects of the Fluffs anyways?”

“Right now ah don’t see a one of um.”

“The mushrooms.” Zecora responded, her eyes still closed, but both pony, and dog were able to pick up the words.

“Could explain it.” Doctor Stables said, laying a hoof on Zecora’s arm. “Miss Zecora, do you have any potions that could... help Applejack?”

Applejack’s ears perked forward.

Zecora’s eyes flitted open, she glanced between the doctor, and the farm dog several times before her eyes closed once more. “Yes.”

“Where?” everypony responded as one.

With Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash all minding the hut; Doctor Stables, Twilight, and Pinkie, with Applejack sniffing ahead as fast as her body would go, the party set off with a much smaller cart to gather wood, and other supplies. Pinkie and Twilight were on a mission to gather more of the mushroom, and hopefully not jinx it by falling into any poison joke.

Meanwhile, Stables and Applejack were on a mission to ‘get the stick.’

“Stick!” Applejack practically pounced as she came upon the desired branch. She grabbed it in her mouth, dragging it over to the cart where Stables would add it to his already collected bundle.

Stables himself was watching carefully, and upon figuring out which type of wood was the Spooky Oak, he would gather huge bundles of it in his magic and dump it into the cart.

“Another stick! A big stick!” Applejack again muttered, grabbing yet another branch in her mouth and dragging it over to the wagon. Once more Doctor Stables picked it up and placed it in the cart.

Absentmindedly, Stables patted Applejack on the head before she once more dashed off to get the stick. He shook his head smiling as he watched her. Her body was still very stiff, but like the good ol’ farm girl she was, she was pressing on through it. Zecora’s potion had been found on one of the shelves and had been labeled. “Anti Achy Spell”

Upon giving it to her, it’d taken several moments before Applejack started to feel the effects. The doctor watched her with pity as in his mind’s eye he saw the moments of suspense as the potion worked it’s way through her body. Thankfully, it’d only burned for a few minuets before Applejack felt good enough to help. Even then, He’d made her ride in the wagon until the two parties split up.

Pinkie had declared that she had a way to carry the mushrooms. Pinkie being Pinkie, nopony questioned it. She’d then disappeared in a burst of light when they weren’t looking.

“Here ya’ go doc!” Applejack wagged her tail grinning from ear to ear with her tongue lolling out. “How much more do ya’ think we need?”

Doctor Stables shook himself as he brought his thoughts back into the present. “Probably about this much more.” He responded.

Applejack frowned, glancing at the stick, then picking up one paw, wincing slightly.

“If you need to rest, do so Miss Apple.”

Applejack shook her head, then sat down and scratched her ear. “Sorry, the fluffs are really thick through here, it’s... kinda annoyin’.”

“If you go ballistic, don’t worry, I’ll keep you from hurting anypony.” Doctor Stables said.

“Thanks.” she sounded hurt as she glared up at him. “Ah’ve got it.”

She trotted off, pouncing upon the next stick she found.

He plucked up the branch she’d just brought over, and collected fifteen more in his magic and lowered them into the cart, before picking up another load, and another, and another.

At one point, she sat down and pointed her nose to the sky, letting loose the most pitiful howl he’d ever heard, before covering her ears once more with both paws.

With a sigh, he let himself loose from the cart and trotted over, putting her in a stasis bubble. “Better?”

“No!” she groaned. “The Fluffs are everywhere, and getting thicker each step we take.”

Doctor Stables frowned. “I think then we should probably head back, The wood is pretty high, hopefully it’ll be enough to make enough smoke to cover Equestria.”

Applejack said nothing, as her face contorted in pain.

“Come on.” His heart melted, he picked her up gently, and placed the sniffing puppy on his back. “Hang in there cowgirl, we’ll get through this.”

“LET ME GO! I MUST GET THE STICK!” Applejack wailed as they neared the cottage. Twilight was riding on the doctor’s back beside the canine, while Pinkie was... well, actually nopony knew where Pinkie was.

“Hang in there AJ.” Twilight soothed, laying a wing over Applejack’s back. The fluffs were EVERYWHERE. Twilight herself had to fight back the urges that the tiny creatures were screaming in her ears. It was obvious to them that the parasites were fully aware of what they were up to, and they were fighting with every ounce of their strength to put a stop to it.

“Almost inside,” Doctor Stables said as he pulled up next to the hut and let loose the harness. Once inside Twilight and Applejack just lay on the floor panting, both of them continuing to struggle with the few fluffs that just held onto life despite the fumes of the mushrooms slowly eating away at their bodies.

Suddenly, they went from fighting the fluffs, to screaming in pure agony. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash all three dropped what they were doing.

“TWILIGHT?” Rarity exclaimed as the owl thrashed uncontrollably.

Fluttershy and Dash were both working together to hold Applejack’s already aching body still as the dying fluffs continued to wreak havoc.

Just as suddenly as it started, the two suddenly flopped down unmoving. “Out of the way!” Doctor Stables lifted the other animals up to examine the two lying motionless on the floor. “Looks like... girls... getting rid of the fluffs won’t be easy... they are alive, but just barely. For a weaker pony, I’m certain that would have just killed them.

Author's Note

Just keeps getting darker and darker... But looks like Zecora will be alright... but what about everypony else?

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you in the comments below.

Cowgirl out.

Chapter 12; Racing the Clock

Nurse Redheart grit her teeth as she strove to fight through the illusions that danced all around her. She had to focus, she had to continue to fight.

She squinted her eyes as she tried to read the screen on Spitfire’s bed. The young captain had fallen into a coma eight hours prior, and as was her duties, she was making her rounds to make sure that her condition hadn’t worsened.

If only it was just that simple.

The lights around her flashed and she felt the floor beneath her tip. The floor?

Suddenly she saw something out of the corner of her eye that wasn’t quite right. It wasn't right, it should not be. The seasoned nurse turned to charge it, her schooling flying out the window as her instinct to attack kicked in.

She ran headlong into the creature, her teeth bared as she savagely bit into it. “YOU WILL NOT GET PAST ME!” She yelled.

A strange metallic flavor filled her mouth and she shook her head... it was sharp but strangely good... She had to find more of this flavor!

She saw another ‘thing’ down the hall. It was like the first, she had to get it too! It too did not belong near her patient! She had to protect Spitfire and the others, and SHE HAD TO GET MORE OF THE GOO. ”COME BACK HERE YOU!” She yelled as she took off after it.

She managed to catch up to the ‘thing.’ “Stand down, or I’ll tear you to shreds! GET OUT OF MY HOSPITAL!” She didn’t even give it a chance, she immediately lept towards it, biting down hard.

She felt strong arms clasp down around her. “NURSE!” A voice said.

She did not let go. She had to deal with the threat... and she had to get more of that amazing... spectacular... Stuff! The liquid filled her mouth soothing her throat.

“NURSE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” the voice was distorted.

The older mare paid the strange voice no heed, biting down harder into the skin of whatever the thing was as it released a cry of pain. She relished in the metallic taste running down her throat, crimson trailing from her mouth.

Suddenly, without warning, she felt a rough shove to her side, knocking her to the ground as two strong hooves pressed her to the ground, holding her still. She shouted and struggled against the vice grip holding her, trying to do whatever she could to claw at her attacker as she stared wildly up at the distorted image, her head swimming a bit through her blurred vision.

The last thing she felt was a sharp, painful prick in her neck before her eyelids grew heavy and her mind blanked.

Twilight slowly opened her eyes. Everything hurt, from her head to her claws. Her wings... bill...everything. She groaned as she tried to move.

“Thank Celestia! No darling, not to fast.”

Twilight quit struggling but turned her head so she could see the white feline beside her. “Rare?” She coughed. “What... happened?”

Rarity groaned. “Seems the fluffs are upping their attacks. They just about took both of you out, I found Pinkie Pie about ten minutes ago as well, sound asleep at the bottom of the cart. From the looks of things, she was trying to hide.”

Twilight frowned. “Wha-?”

Again, the cat sighed as she nuzzled her friend. “I’m sorry Twilight. Doctor Stable says that if you guys had been any weaker, the death screams of the fluffs probably would have killed you.”

Twilight froze. “But, what does that mean for everypony else?”

Rarity shook her head. “It means if the fluffs don’t kill them, the cure will.”

Twilight swore under her breath. “So we can’t win for losing?”

“That’s what it looks like darling. Now, you just rest, we just about have everything ready to head... wherever we are heading to start burning the mushrooms.” Rarity said. “Doctor Stables wants us all to come along. Including Zecora.”

“Is that a good idea?” The owl asked.

The feline shook her head with a sigh. “Darling, I... I... If we don’t do something, no matter what direction... at least putting the cure out there... we’ll save some.”

“Or maybe...”

They both looked to their left to where Pinkie stood. She looked them both in the eye. “Maybe being in that coma state is part of what saves ponies. Like how the transfer was harmless to the rest of us but very painful for AJ. If that is true, very few will die, since most ponies are already asleep. Right down the main street.”

It was Pinkie Pie, nopony questioned it. With a groan, Twilight glanced between the others. “It’s a hope. But we don’t have any evidence one way or the other.

“You are right.” Doctor Stables wiped the sweat from his brow. “We don’t know until we do it. All I hope is we make it through this alive. At the very least, with as few lives lost as possible.”

The pets looked one to another. “Well, let’s continue. Doc, what’s the plan going forward, since I don’t think I can help at this moment.”

Stables shooed the others away and helped Twilight sit somewhat up. “Currently, here’s the plan....”

It didn’t take the seven much more time to get everything ready to climb the mountain. With the pets and Zecora riding with a healthy supply of the mushroom dust burning in the medical cart, the second cart was filled with the rest of the supplies and hitched to the back as they started off towards the mountain they’d chosen for use in distributing the cure.

Applejack frowned as she watched the old doctor pull the cart, it annoyed her to no end that a Unicorn was doing a task that- well if she was honest would be no big deal for her, but for a unicorn? He wasn’t complaining. Everypony knew what was at stake, but that little piece of earth pony pride was strangely wounded as the proud stallion pulled the team up the very mountain that Fluttershy had panicked over all those years ago.

It was a no-brainer really, The mountain was tall, and had already been a place where smoke would have been able to blot out the sun. This is what they were all counting on.

Everypony fretted as they made the slow climb. Longboards and makeshift bridges had to be built here and there, taking up yet more precious time.

“GET DOWN!” They all ducked as two crazy young dragons started throwing rocks on the small percussion.

“No Glowers! No Glowers! You die like the others!” The dragons screamed in crazed furry.

Twilight grumbled as the good doctor placed a magic barrier over the party before continuing on. Soon, both dragons seized up and came crashing to the ground. The owl looked away wincing her mind going to her friend down below in the village.

“I do hope Darling Spike is alright.”

“I’m more concerned it’s affecting the dragons now,” Fluttershy stated. “I thought they age gems.”

“It doesn’t affect them as it does us, but it obviously still affects them,” Twilight mentioned. “Within an hour of you getting hurt, I found Spike thrashing on my bed in a haze of pain...” she trailed off.

“I’m sorry I wasn't there for you guys,” Dash said softly.

“You were taking care of Fluttershy Dashie,” Pinkie stated. “We all understood.”

“It’s alright Sugarcube, none of us blamed you. Ah was more concerned with Winona myself... Running’ myself ragged to keep them nasty guards ponies from takin’ her...”

“Glad you did AJ, otherwise you’d been left behind.”

“Might not have made much of a difference.” Applejack muttered.

“Hurting again AJ?” Twilight asked.

The farm mare turned dog didn’t say anything, looking out over the land of Equestria. “As it is... Ah hope we ain’t too late.”

“At this point,” Stables stated, “We’ll be cutting it close... but me too girls. I’d hate to lose everypony to this.”

Suddenly, the wagon wheel hit a rock. Pinkie was thrown from the wagon, sailing through the air. The hoard of pets screamed as their favorite party-Gator went clean over the edge.

“Oh Pinkie!” Fluttershy exclaimed, crying into Rarity’s shoulder.

Twilight, despite how sore her wings still were, left the safety of the wagon to peer over the edge into the chasm.

Pinkie hung from a root about ten meters down. “Can’t! Hold! On! Much! Longer!” Pinkie screamed.

“Unfortunately... neither can most anypony else.” Twilight’s wings trembled as another swarm of fluffs advanced on the party, clipping her wings, and biting at her feathers. Through the chaos, she could just see Pinkie getting a very similar treatment down below. “Oh, Celestia....”

Chapter 1: Dangerous Delusions

It was nothing unusual for Fluttershy to wake up to having one or more animals on her. Regularly waking up included at least one; a particular rabbit, who would be thumping her over the head. This, however, was completely different. She cried out in pain as something rammed her hard in the ribs. Instinctively, she rolled over and fell to the floor with a thump, her body tangled in the sheets hanging halfway off the bed.

Her eyes flew open, expecting to see Rainbow Dash, but was met with something entirely different. She gasped as a flock of birds dive bombed her, and covered her eyes with her forehooves. “Stop!” She cried out as she struggled to free herself from her blanket.

She felt the stab and scratch of beaks and talons as the birds attacked her viciously, leaving her no time to respond. Immediately after, she felt the crushing weight of a swarm of animals slam into her. A sharp of pain shot through her body as a loud crack resound from her side. “Please! Please stop!” She sobbed as she tried to drag herself away. “What is wrong with you?” She gasped at the sharp pain in her chest from the sudden, jerky movements.

Again the animals backed up and charged her. She braced herself for the pain once more as the animals attacked her. This had never happened before. Never in her life had her pets acted so savagely towards her. Protective, miffed, avoided... these things she’d seen. But she’d never, never been attacked by the woodland creatures she had shared a home with for so long. “Please, please stop!” She could smell the blood that trickled from her many wounds. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut and curled up as she all but gave in to her seemingly inevitable fate.

Her pained cries echoed loudly around the room as she was struck over and over.

Again and again, her animals acted wildly and out of control, bashing her battered body further. She opened her eyes long enough to see them also attacking each other. This was not normal. This was not right. What had happened?

“Gotcha!”

A set of firm forelegs wrapped themselves around her. She felt herself being lifted from her corner, torn from the sheets that held her captive and rushed away. Her body was bleeding from the many wounds, and her mind felt fuzzy from the pain. Her vision was blurry from the tears that streamed down her cheeks as she looked up at her savior. This was not right. Why had her animals attacked her?

“Hang it there Flutters. I’ll get you some help. Just stay with me!” The voice caressed her ears as she was supported firmly against a warm body, her mind too blurred from pain to fully register who it was, as her eyes rolled back and she succumbed to the darkness.

Spike was busy sweeping the crystallized floors of the throne room when the doors burst open, and a rainbow blur blasted into the chamber. He was knocked back, falling to the ground and glaring. “Rainbow!” he shouted in annoyance before the metallic stench reached his nose. The annoyed look quickly turned to one of fear as he looked over to see a worried Rainbow holding a blood stained Fluttershy close to her.

“Get Twilight! Now!” She shouted as she rocked the pegasus and tried to comfort her with encouraging words.

Spike’s eyes widened as he ran out of the room, letting his broom clatter to the floor as he rushed to the library. “Twilight! Twilight!” He cried.

The purple alicorn looked up and frowned. “Spike, I told you, I had to organize these new books-”

“No time!” he cut her off as he grabbed her hoof and started dragging her towards the exit.

She frowned and jerked her hoof away. “Spike! What’s going on?!”

“It’s Fluttershy! She’s hurt!”

Almost immediately, Twilight’s attitude changed completely as she pulled Spike onto her back and galloped out of the Library and into the throne room.

Twilight gasped upon seeing the battered and bloodied sight of their gentle little friend. Fluttershy was covered in bruises and fresh blood trickled out of some of her wounds. It looked as though her chest was slightly sunken in from a cracked rib and her bloodshot eyes were puffy from tears that continued streaming endlessly down her face. Snot and blood flowed from her nose as she sniffed and whimpered in pain.

“Hospital, now!” Twilight instructed. Lighting her horn, she teleported them the short distance to Ponyville Hospital and rushed up to the front desk. The nurse took one quick look at the ponies and dragon before rushing off to get the doctor. Her eyes were wide with alarm.

Spike and his friends, with the exception of Fluttershy, waited anxiously in the hospital waiting room. Now that the initial commotion had died down, Spike was beginning to notice an irritatingly shrill cry buzzing all around him. He scratched his head with his claws, wincing, gritting his teeth slightly. He growled in annoyance and plugged his ears with his hands, glaring down at the floor. Very little changed, if anything it felt as though the sound was now inside his head. He looked over to Twilight and his eyes widened as he saw the alicorn turn a rather unappealing shade of yellow. He blinked and shook his head, looking at her again to see her normal purple coat and rubbed his eyes.

He looked around at the others, who just moments before had also seemed to look different be perfectly normal. Spike groaned and shook his head as he squinted his eyes to see a faint… glow? Why were his friends glowing? He shook his head once more, and they’d returned to normal once again.

“Spike? Are you alright?” Rarity asked in concern, noting the dragon’s strange behavior.

Spike looked up. “Uh... I think so?”

The others were now also looking at him. “Are you sure Spike, you are acting strange, and after what Dash described-”

He suddenly stood up feeling very irritated. His body jerked sideways slightly, shuddering from some unknown force. “You know, I think I’m going to go home... my room.” His voice was high-pitched and nervous. The dragon staggered to his feet and strode forwards, nearly running into a wall. He paused and took a deep breath before taking a few steps forward and running into the door frame.

Twilight bit her lip, torn between waiting to hear from the doctor, and holding back a few chuckles as she looked at her assistant with concern in her eyes. “Spike, are you sure you are alright?” She looked to her friends and after a few moments got to her hooves. “Actually, I’m going with him. I’ll teleport right back here as soon as I’ve got him in bed. He must not have slept well last night, and then the shock is getting to him.” Twilight reasoned.

Her friends nodded. “We’ll be right here,” Applejack said as she sat beside a slightly trembling Rainbow Dash. “It’s alright Sugarcube. You got her out of there. Though ah don’t know what made her animals go crazy like that.”

Back at Fluttershy’s cottage, a team of Celestia’s guard had cut off the paths and were trying to round up the animals. They were retaliating violently, birds swarming them or bats attacking them as if trying to nest in their heads. Wasps and bees swarmed and stung the guards, the armor only protecting them from so many of the bugs. The bear was roaring angrily as he clawed at the four guards that were struggling to bring him down and the snapping turtles latched onto whatever limb they could.

One of the pegasi had flown away to gather a few snow clouds from the weather factory to deal with the bugs and a unicorn had used their magic to toss a thick net over the bear. He roared and clawed at the net in vain before being shot by a tranquilizing bolt of magic and collapsing to the ground unconscious. The snapping turtles were pried off the guards and tossed into cages, small chunks of skin being torn away with them from how hard they’d bit down.

A little while later, a few pegasi guards came back with the snow clouds and planted them over the swarm of bugs, smashing their hooves into the clouds to produce large amounts of snow. The sudden cold weather caused the bugs to drop to the ground dead, a sight Fluttershy wouldn’t like. The birds and butterflies were caught with nets and placed into cages as well, flying around them and bashing into the bars as they tried to escape. The squirrels were going nuts as they tossed volleys of acorns at the ponies.

The unicorns had to capture the squirrels, bunnies, and other animals in their magic before they could be caged and taken away.

Once every animal had been put into cages, and all the bugs killed off, the guards took a moment to relax and look at each other with mixed expressions of confusion and concern, some of them showing fear. Unbeknownst to them, among the chaos a particular white bunny had managed to slip away into the woods, the shrill screaming having been too much for his ears to handle. He watched in regret as the other animals were taken away by the guards, grimacing at the pile of bugs lying dead in the yard before hopping away.

Fluttershy winced as the last bandage was pulled tight. An IV ran from a sack of donated blood into the crook of her arm. Her face was pale, and her breaths uneven and ragged as she fought through the pain in her side.

“There we go Miss Shy.” The doctor said as he came around to her face. “That’s the end of that for a while. You got lucky Rainbow was able to save you when she did. Now, do your body a favor and rest while I go find your friends.”

“Thank... you... doctor.” She said in a halted whisper. She winced right afterward, whimpering slightly despite the medication they’d given her to help ease the pain in her side.

He laid a gentle hoof on her shoulder. “Rest.”

Stables frowned as he left the room shaking his head sadly. What in Equestria had caused those animals to do that? Everypony knew Fluttershy could handle any animal. For them to do that to her- he shivered. This wasn’t right, nor did he know what was going on. He had one idea, rabies. There was no other explanation. But if it was that disease, then Fluttershy’s blood test should come out positive. For now, he had to tell her friends they could see her at last.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself to tell them the news. Pressing through the door, his eyes fell on the five huddled mares. He coughed, clearing his throat. “Ladies.”

All five heads snapped up, Pinkie, and Twilight rising to their hooves, eager to hear what he had to say.

“The damage is fixable. Luckily she got away mostly with just minor cuts and bruises. There were a few that were deeper, and she did crack a rib. I’ve managed to get it reset so it should heal… however, there is nothing we can do to protect it. She'll have to remain still for it to heal properly.”

Rainbow Dash bit her lip. “Can- can we see her?” She asked hesitantly, her ears pinned back on her head.

He nodded. “It would do her some good. She’s been through quite a shock. To be honest, I can’t even fathom what made the animals act like that... especially with a pony who’s known them nearly their entire lives. I’ll have the lab run tests, but right now I know nothing.”

“Thank you Doctor,” Twilight sighed. “At least she is safe. That’s all that matters now. Where is she?”

“Room 936,” he replied, “It’s down that hallway and to your left.”

The others nodded and got to their hooves, quickly making their way down the hall to the room.

Fluttershy was laying back in the bed. The blanket pulled up to her chest and her eyes closed. Upon hearing the door open and the multiple sets of hooves, she opened them slightly and lifted her head to see her friends walk through. A weak smile crossed her face as they came up to her bedside and stood around her. “Hey!” she beamed up at the five concerned faces around her.

“How are you?” Dash was the first to speak, coming as close as she dared to her friend, brushing a hoof against the smaller mare’s shoulder, running down her foreleg, and hooking hooves with her.

The smaller pegasus winced as she tried to take in enough breath for a response. “Sore.” She replied weakly, her broken rib and bruises making it hard to breathe.

“Ah bet sugar cube, ya look like ya took on a dragon and failed,” Applejack said soothingly. “Yer lucky nothin’ worse happened.”

Fluttershy’s eyes closed, and her ears flopped down as her weak smile dipped down into a frown.

“Girls!” Pinkie scolded. “You’ll be Okey Dokie Lokie in no time! And I’ll bring over cake, and cookies, and anything else you like!”

Fluttershy didn’t respond, but her body relaxed a little, and her smile returned.

“Don’t worry Flutters,” Twilight added. “Celestia has already sent guards over to capture the animals for testing so nopony else can get hurt until we know what’s going on.”

Fluttershy frowned. “I hope they're ok… they must be so scared… no...pony... got hurt... I hope…”

Twilight gulped. “I’ve not heard back yet, but you can be sure they took every means to ensure there were as few injuries as possible.”

“Darling, we are just glad Dash heard you and was able to get you out of there!” Rarity’s eyes were streaked from crying. “It must have been absolutely dreadful!”

Fluttershy shuddered.

Rainbow Dash opened her wing and laid it over her foalhood friend’s torso. “I’m here Fluttershy,” she said soothingly as she looked around at their other friends as well. “We’re all here.”

A weak tear creaked out of the corner of her eye, trailing down her cheek, and falling with a splash on the pillow. “Why?” It was faint, but it made every mare in the room shudder, and their ears flop down. It was in fact, the question of the hour.

Author's Note

NOBODY HATE ME FOR HURTING FLUTTERS!

Honest, we tried to start this from each of the Six's points of view, but this was what felt best for the story. I honestly didn't want to hurt her, but for the sake of the story... :fluttershyouch:

So, I wonder what's going on... Well, we know these fluffs are responsible, but what's up with the animals? How about Spike? Sheesh, I hope everything turns out alright.

Next chapter October 14th, 2016.

Cowgirl Out

EQUESTRIA WILL END IN FIRE AND DESTRUCTION!!! :pinkiecrazy: Bye! :twilightsmile: ~Shadow