A plague from the moon

by Basil

Rating: everyone
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Starlight Glimmer, Mystery, Discord, Twilight Sparkle, Sad
Length: 3150

Ponyville's routine is being alterated by a mysterious disease. It's its first appearence ever, nopony has ever heard of it before. It will be the Mane 6's duty to find a cure: will they manage to take the unknown disease down?

Sky's clear of clouds (thanks to Rainbow Dash), birds are peacefully twittering, a mild wind blows.. it's a wonderful day in Ponyville.

It may have been just another day for anypony, but it certainly wasn't for Princess Twilight! The great day had finally arrived: it was the inauguration of the new Ponyville library! Hundreds of thousands of ancient texts and pony relics that had never seen the sunlight were just waiting for somepony to study and analize them! We all know how Twilight's made, after all.

Published 2018-03-17 15:00:06 UTC
Last updated 2018-09-20 09:11:21 UTC

Chapter 1: To the library.. or not?

Author's Note

As author, I would just like to apologize for any grammar mistakes I could have made. It's my first time I write something similar in English (I'm native italian) and I hope that you will enjoy the reading regardless.

Chapter 1: To the library.. or not?

"Spike, Spike! Wake up!" Twilight joyfully said while bouncing around. "It's the great day, the new Ponyville library will finally be open to public! Aren't you excited to enrich your knowledge?"

"Awh, Twilight.. Why don't we make a research on how many hours a dragon can sleep daily instead?" Spike replied, with a sleepy tone.

"Come on, Spike.. I might buy you some gems if you were ready within 5 minutes!" said Twilight.

"5 minutes? That's nothing! Brushin' my teeth and I'm ready!" quickly answered Spike.

Twilight was planning to have a very quick breakfast while Spike was getting prepared, but he was so quick that she couldn't manage to just drink a cup of fresh milk. What was worth it more, taking a 10 minutes break and have a proper full breakfast with Spike, or visiting a brand new library full of ancient enchantments, myths, prophecies and much more before anypony else?
Naturally Twilight knew perfectly that starting the day over with a delicious and healthy breakfast is always the best choice.. That's right, ponies! Without thinking twice about it, she pulled Spike up on her croup and started running as fast as she could.

While on her way to the library, Twilight barely saw Starlight Glimmer from the distance. It seemed much like she was desperately galloping to Twilight's home. Twilight's enthusiasm instantly faded away, and her cheerful inpatient expression quickly turned into a concerned frown.

Starlight really didn't have a good shape. Her mane was almost completely messed up, she had evident eye bags and her weeped eyes would tell anypony how desperate she was. Something serious had happened.

"TWILIGHT, TWILIGHT! FINALLY!" Starlight screamed, with a heavy breathe. "Please Twily, I've gotta talk to you! It's very important!"

"..Starlight? Is that you..? You really don't have a good shape..." said Twilight, while putting her hoof on her muzzle, showing off a dubious frown.

"Twilight there is no time, please, follow me! It's about Pinkie.. we were.. having a night party, but she suddenly passed out while baking some weird variant of her cupcakes.. she won't wake up! Please, come take a look! I'm very worried!" said Starlight, with a seriously desperate tone.

"Pinkie pie has passed out.. and.. won't wake up?!" Said Twilight, while gasping. "Starlight.. is this a joke??"

"TWILIGHT, DAMN, DO YOU THINK I WOULD EVER JOKE ABOUT SOMETHING SIMILAR?? Are you being serious right now??" Screamed Starlight with anger.

"Oh my Celestia, what am I saying.. I'm sorry Starlight, it's just that.. well.. I haven't had breakfast, so I'm not fully lucid.. I was so excited to visit the new library that I skipped it.. Spike can confirm, am I saying the truth, Spike? ..Spike?"

"zzzzz.. mh.. uh.. Oh?! Yeah Starlight, yeah! I can confirm everything Twilight has said 'till now" said Spike, while.. waking up and stretching.

"Ugh, forgive him, Starlight.. Let's not waste more time, take me to Pinkie!" said Twilight, with a concerned expression.

Chapter 2: Pinkie's Status

Twilight and Starlight frantically arrived to the Sugarcube Corner. The shop was closed, so they had to knock on the main door with the hope that somepony would answer.

"Hello? Is anypony there? Pinkie? Mrs. Cake?? Please answer!" Said Starlight, while hastily knocking on the door.

"Starlight, keep calm!" Said Twilight with a funny grin, while grabbing and holding Starlight's hooves and looking at her deep into her eyes. "It's alright Starlight, there's no need to worry that much about it! We all know how Pinkie's made.. since it was a night party, maybe she simply was tired and fell asleep, and, to be honest.. It's also possible that she's been tricking you, don't forget it's Pinkie Pie!" Said Twilight, with a wide smile upon her face.

"You're right, Twilight" replied Starlight. "It's just that.. I've been really worried.. I even neglected myself because of this whole situation.. maybe I've exaggerated, after all"

"You've been worried for a friend, Starlight, this can only mean that you're a really caring pony! You should be admired for what you've been doing!" Proudly replied Twilight. "Don't worry, I'll handle this situation myself now. You can go get some rest in the meanwhile! Pinkie will be fine, you have my word!"

"Alright, phew.. Thank you, Twilight.. I guess I'll just go back to the Castle of Friendship to have a hot bath, adjust my mane, and.. well, get problems out of my head. Thank you for helping and supporting me, Twilight! I really appreciate that!" said Starlight, with a calm tone.

That said, Starlight galloped her way back to the Castle of Friendship.

Twilight was really proud of Starlight. She felt fulfilled, since Starlight had been her student for quite a long time.

When Twilight was just about to gently knock on the door again, it was opened by Mrs. Cake. She didn't look worried at all, just like nothing had ever happened to Pinkie Pie.

"Oh, hello Princess Twilight.. erm.. was it you heavily knocking on the door like 2 minutes ago..? Has.. something happened?" said Mrs. Cake, with a surprised tone.

"Mh, hello Mrs. Cake... I'm very sorry to disturb you. I was told by Starlight that something has happened to Pinkie.. I've just come here to check on her. Is Pinkie at home? If yes, is there any way you could let me in and check on her?" replied Twilight.

"Sure, princess!" happily exclaimed Mrs. Cake. "Come in! Act like if you were home! Pinkie is probably sleeping, her room is upstairs!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Cake!" replied Twilight, with a wide smile. "It wo..."

Just as Twilight was about to finish her sentence, her stomach grumbled. She was very embarassed, and her cute cheeks turned lit red.

"..I.. I'm.. sorry, I've skipped breakfast today..." stuttered Twilight, while looking at Mrs. Cake and fondling her own mane.

"Speak no further, Twilight!" said Mrs. Cake, interrupting Twilight. "You've come to the right place! Let me prepare you something sweet to satisfy your royal.. stomach needs!"

"Royal stomach needs? Oh, Mrs. Cake, come on.. a muffin or two will do!" said Twilight, while her cheeks unblushed.

"Aye, ain't ya forgetting about someone here, Twily?" Spike's voice popped in.

"Oh, hey Spike! I honestly thought you were sleeping.." awkwardly said Mrs. Cake. "Don't worry, I'll get you something too! Just give me a few minutes! You could go upstairs and check on Pinkie in the meanwhile! She's probably sleeping, though.."

While Mrs. Cake went to the kitchen, Twilight and Spike took the stairs and found themselves in front of Pinkie's room. It was the first time that Twilight entered Pinkie's room. Her room's door was painted with random colorful brush stripes, Pinkie had probably painted it when she was a little filly.
She was pretty calm, and so was Spike. The fact that Mrs. Cake knew nothing about Pinkie passing out was pretty much a confirm that Pinkie was alright. The only way to find out, though, was to open that door.

Pinkie was laying on her bed, under the blankets. She had her eyes wide open, gazing at the ceiling. She wasn't sleeping.. but she wasn't moving either. The rest of the room was surprinsingly tidied up. I mean, it's not news that Pinkie is always very busy with her parties, so it was pretty normal for her to have a messy room.

"..Pinkie..? Are you.. there?" Said Spike, while getting closer to her and waving his paws in front of Pinkie's eyes, with the hope that she'd look away. "Well.. that's weird now.. she actually seems to be in some sort of coma.."

"Hmmm.. Let me try something, Spike" Said Twilight with a faithful tone, while gently pulling Spike away and getting closer to the bed Pinkie was laying on. "Alright Pinkie. You can fool Starlight and Spike, even Mrs. Cake, but you won't fool me! Lets see if you can stand.. the tickle monster!" Said Twilight, while literally jumping on Pinkie's bed and tickling Pinkie all over her body.

Pinkie tried her best to resist, but it was evident that she was holding some crazy laughs. She managed to keep them inside for a maximum of 10 seconds, then she'd just cry of laughter and shake her hooves around in the desperate attempt of stopping Twilight.

"BGHAHAHAHAH!" Joyfully screamed Pinkie, while trying to use an understandable wording between the laughs. "Hahaha okay Twilight you caught me, please stop now!"

"Ha, I knew it!" Said Twilight, while getting off Pinkie and pointing her hooves at her. "Pinkie.. Starlight seriously got extremely worried because of you! Don't you think you've exaggerated a bit?"

"Well.. a little little bit, maybe.." replied Pinkie. "We were just having some fun tonight and I thought I'd scare her a bit but I thought it was funny and it had been funny indeed but I won't do something similar ever again I pinkie promise Twilight"

"Pinkie promise then?"

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye" said Pinkie while keeping her hoof on her chest, pointing to the heart.

"Alright Pinkie.. you owe Starlight some excuses." Said Twilight with a serious tone.

"Yep!" Exclaimed Pinkie, while bouncing towards the door. "I'm gonna look for her now it's been nice talking to you Twily but now I have to apologize to Starlight, bye!"

These were Pinkie's last words. Twilight tried to stop her just so she could at least tell Pinkie where Starlight was since she knew it, but, just as she opened her mouth to speak, Pinkie was downstairs already.

"Uhm.. that just happened.." Said Spike, out of the awkward silence. "Pinkie is such a playful pony.. Well, she certainly knows how to keep a party alive, I guess!"

"That's right, Spike! I'm happy that she's alright.. and we can still go to our library inauguration!" Said Twilight with a joyful tone.

Chapter 3: Revolutionary Bakery?

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 4: The Inauguration

They did it, they finally did it! Twilight and Spike finally arrived to the library inauguration, and they did it with full stomachs.
They surely hadn't planned to witness something like they did. The inauguration was.. HUGE! You could see hordes and hordes of mares and colts coming from every side of Ponyville and surroundings approaching to the library, an impressive buffet at the middle of the square where anypony could serve themselves for free, and.. a pretty loud noise too! Most of these newcomers were so surprisingly overexcited that they couldn't resist beating their hooves against the ground!

"Oh.. my.. Celestia!!" joyfully screamed Twilight, while sobbing.

"Damn Twilight, I didn't think that this library inauguration was THAT important! Look at all of these ponies! They're coming from everywhere! Canterlot, Cloudsdale, Manehattan, Crystal Empire, Appleloosa... literally everywhere, Twilight!" said Spike with a surprised tone, while pointing at various directions.

"That looks much like you're right, Spike!" replied Twilight. "I was hoping to meet my friends here, especially Rainbow Dash, but.. I feel like the chance of us meeting up between all of this chaos are 1 out of 1000." said Twilight, while slowly walking through the square.

"HOWLY DAMN!!" screamed Spike, while fully opening his mouth for the unexpected beauty he had just seen. "TWILIGHT! IS THAT.. A BUFFET?!? I'm sure it is! We've gotta move, before it'll run out of food! My gems can wait, it's time to have another one of Mrs. Cake's delicious muffins!" said Spike, while gently pulling Twilight's mane in order to make her follow him.

"Oh wow, alright Spike, no need to pressure on my mane!" said Twilight while smiling. "I would have gone there regardless.. let's go grab some sweets before they're all gone! We can save some for later too!" giggled Twilight.

Twilight galloped her way to the buffet, while Spike was running to it. It seemed much like some sort of race between the two. There was no trace of any of their friends, probably they just weren't interested that much.. understandable it's just a library, after all. Not everypony is interested in books like Twilight is. Just as soon as they reached it and Spike had just grabbed a delicious-looking cupcake, a loud mare's voice popped in.

"Mares and colts from all Equestria, it's the Mayor Mane here! Welcome to the huge Ponyville Library inauguration! After months of building and years of researching, we finally decided to open it to the public and let everypony visit its astonishing reliques and ancient manufactured goods! I would be very pleased if you treated this place with the respect it deserves, avoid causing any damage at all! Let's all do our part to preserve it! That said.. the doors are finally opened! I officially declare the library.. OPEN TO EQUESTRIA!" addressed the Mayor Mane into a microphone. At the end of the speech, she also cut the classical red inaugurational tape we've all seen around.

It was a matter of seconds before ponies from every corner rushed the entrance! There was a detail I really couldn't miss, though.. most of them would literally enter while carrying sweets 'n bakery commodities. I mean.. if they brought these with them, it means that they'd have eaten them.. and if they did, wouldn't the fact that they would have had to chew them inside of the library caused the crumbs to fall down and dirty the floor up? Also, wouldn't they have greased their hooves too? With the same hooves they'd read books... damn, thankfully the Mayor Mane even specified to treat that place with respect...

At least Twilight was different. She had stopped looking for food when she heard the Mayor Mane's speech.. at least somepony was respectful towards the workers who made lots of sacrifices to make that library project come true. Keeping that out... Twilight was very hyped, and managed to get inside the library pretty quickly by gently making space for herself between all the other mares and colts. Some even made her pass before themselves! How gentle!

..Spike? Well.. Spike wasn't actually that interested in the Library inauguration.. at all, hence why he had sticked to the buffet. What happened inside of the library is unknown to me, but I'm pretty sure that Twilight had fun while enriching her knowledge! I feel like she particularly enjoyed the new enchantments.. she's the element of Magic, after all!

Chapter 5: First Symptoms?

Twilight had spent 3 whole days in that huge library. Not that there were any doubts anyways.. if there's somepony who's capable of spending such large amounts of time on studying books, that certainly is Twilight. Spike had met Rainbow Dash when he was restoring his energy (well.. not that he actually needed it...) at the massive library buffet, she was looking for Twilight in order to ask her if there'd be anything related to Daring Do there. I mean.. if there was, Dash couldn't miss it! But again, finding Twilight in that maze would have been comparable to finding a cloud in Ponyville's sky after Rainbow Dash cleared the sky. I'm not sure where Rainbow Dash had went.. probably she headed at home and waited for Twilight to show up again like the next day or so. Twilight only retired to the Golden Oak Library at late evening, after having passed 3 nights in the library.

"Spike? Are you there?" called Twilight, after gently opening the wooden door.

"T-t-twilight..." a little voice waved in from the main room.

"Oh my! Spike! Are you okay??" screamed Twilight, after the scaring sight that was in front of her eyes.

Something had happened to Spike. He was laying on the floor, defenseless. His belly seemed attached to the floor, the only things you could see moving from him were his paws, in the desperate attempt of being noticed by Twilight. The floor around him was slightly wet.

"..welcome back.. I'm.. sorry for getting the floor a bit wet.. my eyes just started.. weeping.. and I feel tired, so tired I can't.." babbled Spike, with a very low voice tone.

"Spike, speak no further please.. I'm taking you to bed. You'll explain me whatever happened when you'll have got some rest first.. you really don't have a good shape.. please, tell me if there's anything I can do for you. I'm here with you now, don't worry about a thing." gasped Twilight in amazement, while quickly grabbing Spike and pulling him under her bed's blankets, in the bedroom. She flew upstairs as fast as she could've.

"Spike.. you might have exaggerated with sugar stuff at the buffet, I feel like that's why you're feeling so bad" supposed Twilight, with a reproaching tone.

"Ugh.. maybe.. you're right.." sobbed Spike. "but I've never felt like that before.. "

"Oh Spike, come on, it's just a heavy stomachache. Just get some rest and you'll be fine" interrupted Twilight, while going downstairs.

Twilight's behaviour was very weird.. her mood escalated from being really worried for Spike to ending up to almost not caring about him. She could have just been tired, after all.. and she knew well how gourmand Spike can be. Maybe she also was a bit offended by the fact that Spike had left her alone in the library.. while, well.. he stayed outside, filling his stomach up with sweet confectionery bombs.

"Alright Twilight, it's time to finish True Love Comes from the Stars, I can't wait to find out how it ends!" soliloquied Twilight. "Spike will be fine, no need to worry about him. He has passed through worse than just some stupid stomachache already, he'll probably jump off the bed totally renewed by tomorrow." said Twilight while grabbing her book and getting herself in a comfortable position in front of the bookend.

"Over 2.000 pages of plot twists and true love full dedication", that's how Twilight describes it.. but, realistically, just another brick-sized love romance she had got addicted to. True love is a very controversial topic, something that's always been contemplated by everyone. Is it real? Does it actually exist? Is there someone who's ready to actually truly love you no matter what? Let's be realist, most likely not. This is one of the very few phenomenon Twilight couldn't scientifically explain.

Author's Note

Yeah, I'm not dead. Just took a veeeery long break, but I'm happily back to writing now. I'll be writing many relatively short chapters, I'm not a fan of thousands of words per one. Well.. hopefully someone's still interested in this! Have a nice day regardless everypony <3