The wolf of Ponyville

It's been a week since the attack, and things are almost back to normal. While most of Ponyville is able to enjoy life once more, their mourning done, those that know what happened are still haunted by it... the worst case being Applebloom. Ever since that nice, she's had the same nightmare every night since the attack, reliving that same gruesome event over and over, and the wear and tear is starting to show.

This one, particular morning was going to be different. As Applebloom woke up, the light was harsh, though she thought nothing of it since that was normal for most ponies. She got out of bed, stretched and headed downstairs for breakfast. Upon walking into the dining room, however, everything started to change. Everypony in the room just stared, making the filly feel slightly uncomfortable.

"Ya feeling alright, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked after for too many moments.

"Ah think so, why?" Applebloom said.

"Uh, cause yer eyes look like Spike's," Applejack explained.

"What'da mean?" Applebloom asked as she walked over.

"They're uh... well, diamond shaped," Applejack explained, "Soon as ya finish breakfast, we're heading straight to the doctor ta see what's wrong."

And now she was worried. Not only had Zecora died a week prior, now something was wrong with her and she didn't know what it was. After breakfast, Applejack took Applebloom straight to Ponyville General. The walk was horrifying as Applebloom did everything she could to keep her eyes hidden for fear of being seen as a freak if somepony else saw them. Once they reached their destination, she was taken to an exam room where a pony by the name of Redheart checked her over and did all kinds of scans to see what was wrong. In the end, it was fruitless. Applebloom was perfectly healthy.

Though every test showed that Applebloom had perfect health, Applejack wasn't satisfied. She was certain something was wrong, so she tried asking for a do-over. Instead of outright turning her down, Redheart instead suggested visiting Twilight, saying it may be a magic issue, not a medical one. With a heavy huff and deep sigh, Applejack took Applebloom and went to the castle.

Letting herself inside, Applejack called out, hoping Twilight would answer. Getting no answer, she and Applebloom started roaming the castle, finding only dead ends. Defeated at the castle, Applejack decided to take Applebloom home and go find Twilight herself, not wanting to deal with any possible negative repercussions of having Applebloom's eyes seen by others. The search took a while, but finally came to an end when Twilight came flying down from Cloudsdale. Applejack waved her down just as she touched down.

"Where've you been all day? Ah've been looking all over fer ya," Applejack said.

"I was helping Spitfire with an investigation," Twilight said, "Princess stuff, you know how it is. So, what's up?"

"I need ya to take a look at Applebloom fer me," Applejack said, "Something's up, and the docs can't figure out what it is, said it might be magical."

"What's wrong with her?" Twilight asked as the two started off.

"Her eyes look diamond shaped, like Spike's eyes," Applejack explained.

"That's... unusual," Twilight said, "Anything else?"

"Nope, not that ah've noticed," Applejack said.

Eventually, the two reached the farmhouse and Applebloom was called downstairs. Not having the materials to do a proper examination, Twilight decided to teleport herself and the Apple sisters back to her library. Applebloom took a seat while Twilight did her own scans and tests. Eventually, the subject of Applebloom's nightmares came up, prompting Twilight to ask about the events from a week ago.

"Now, why do ya need ta know about that?" Applejack asked, "I'd rather my sister FORGET about that night."

"I need to know what she saw that night," Twilight said, "I have a theory, but I need one more piece of info to confirm it. Now, I know it's not something you want to think about anymore, Applebloom, but I need you to remember what you saw a week ago. What killed Zecora?"

"It was too dark ta see real good," Applebloom said.

"Any details would help," Twilight said, trying to pry.

"Well, ah remember this thing ran in front of us twice, and threw me into a tree the first time. After that, ah remember getting up and seeing some black beast eating Zecora. Ah didn't get a good look cause next thing ah knew, I had tripped over Zecora's head," Applebloom explained, almost in tears by the end.

"I see... and there's absolutely nothing else you can tell me about this beast?" Twilight asked.

"Enough, already!" Applejack said harshly, "Thanks fer the help, Twi, but ah don't need my sister further traumatized by this."

"All ah can remember is it was big and black, and it stood on two legs when it ate," Applebloom said.

"Bipedal, huh? Interesting," Twilight said before comparing her notes with the book she had in front of her, "That's what I was afraid of. Looking at these notes, everything matches up. The eyes, the beast, the fact that it's been a week, and the night of the attack was on a full moon."

"That's all well and fine, but what does it mean fer my sister?" Applejack asked.

"Applebloom has lycanthropy," Twilight said.

"Like a what?" Applejack asked, cocking her head to the side.

"Lycanthropy, the werewolf disease," Twilight said.

"Right... I asked for help, not some fairy tale lesson," Applejack said.

"I'm being serious, Applejack," Twilight said, "The rest of Equestria knows werewolves only as myth, it's part of an agreement policy between us and their colony past Equestria's southern most border. I didn't believe Celestia when she first told me soon after I became a princess, but they do exist."

"Sure they do," Applejack said, pulling Applebloom close, "Like ah said, ah didn't come here to listen to fairy tales."

"It's not a fairy tale, but I'd rather not get into that with you," Twilight said.

"True or not, ain't there anything you can do?" Applebloom asked.

"I can enchant some glasses to keep your new eyes from public view," Twilight offered.

Applejack couldn't say no to that. It wasn't a cure, but it was more than she felt she was currently getting. Once at the store, Applebloom settled on a simple looking round pair. Nothing too crazy and detailed, nothing eye catching, they were good enough for her. After buying and enchanting the glasses, Applebloom tried them on and her eyes immediately changed back to normal. Taking them off changed her eyes back to the draconic look.

"Well, never thought ah'd have ta wear glasses," Applebloom said softly, looking down at her new glasses with a slight frown, "But they work, so that's good enough ah suppose."