Author's Note

Starlight Glimmer goes through the earlier days of the outbreak in her sleep. When it all started.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Comment if you please.

Have a nice day/night reading.

Flashback! Day 1!

After a while of explaining the different stages of infected ponies to the survivors, Starlight went into her quarters alone. As she got in bed and closed her eyes, the screams of panic filled in her mind as she remembered the first days when Tartarus came to Equestria.

It was just an ordinary day, Celestia raising the Sun, waking up in the morning, and getting ready for a new day of adventures with friends. Spike knocks on Starlight's door to notify her that Twilight wants to speak to her. Just a regular day when living in the Friendship Castle. A chat with Twilight about magic or friends before starting the day. Nothing usual to say the least. As Starlight got ready, she left her room, smiling and getting excited to see her friend once more.

Starlight trotted down the corridors of the Castle. Observing the Castle's walls and windows. It never ceased to amaze Starlight. As she made her way towards the library, Twilight had books stacked around the room. Her expression said it all. Twilight is panicked. Like something demonic is making its way to Ponyville. As Starlight spoke, Twilight snapped quickly at Starlight but calmed down with ease. It doesn't faze Starlight as she is used to this kind of behavior from Twilight.

"Sorry, Starlight. I just...I..."

"I'm guessing there is something you are looking for but can't find it?"

"Yes." Twilight nodded.

"Do you want my help?" Starlight asked.

"Yes." Twilight nodded once more.

Starlight closed the door behind her and came up to Twilight. Twilight looked like she hasn't slept in days. Her state of panic is different than any other day.
Starlight can see it. Something is not right.

"Twilight, what's the matter? What is troubling you?"

"Ooooh..." Twilight couldn't help but panic at this point. "Something horrible is happening in Canterlot as we speak! Ponies are all of a sudden getting sick! Princess Celestia doesn't know why! Luna doesn't know why! Ugh! I've been looking and reading all sorts of diseases that she described in the letter but can't find the book containing a possible cure!"

Starlight is now getting worried.

"Hey, Twilight? Can I read the letter Princess Celestia sent you?"

Without hesitation, Twilight threw the letter at Starlight as she began reading a book of remedies. Starlight read the letter.

Dear Twilight,

For the past few days, Canterlot has reached an epidemic. Ponies are becoming very ill. There is no known medicine to treat this kind of ailment. Doctors and scientists have been researching on this disease. So far, it's inconclusive. My books and knowledge have not been resourceful at this moment in time. I do hope you have something that can help everypony here in Canterlot. The symptoms go as follows: Bloody tears, coughing, sneezing black mucus, muscle strains, popping in ligaments, and oozing pink liquids coming from the ears. If something, anything you find with similar symptoms in your books, please send them to me so we can reverse the spread before it gets intensified.

Your teacher,

Princess Celestia

"Wow, sounds like an end of the world crisis..." Starlight said as she puts the letter aside.

"End of the world?!" Twilight flinched as she blinked several times.

Twilight goes beserk as Starlight remained calm. Twilight search through her book. Reading then rereading every book she has. In Starlight's mind, she regretted saying an apocalyptic statement out loud. Spike came in the library with a tray of milk and cookies. He knows that Twilight been up for a while and thought she could have a snack break. To relax a little before going back to work. As Spike leaves, Starlight decided to help Twilight finding the right book.

Three hours passed and there was nothing. Twilight and Starlight read all of the books in the library. There was no cure, no remedy, no potion to slow or stop the symptoms Celestia has described in the letter.

"I failed...There is nothing in my library that can sort the symptoms Celestia described...There are no diseases that relate to any of the symptoms."

"Twilight, we tried. We read and reread the books here. There is nothing more you can do but report back to Celestia."

Reporting back to Celestia made Twilight cry. She cried her eyes out in defeat. Starlight can only comfort her friend. It was then that Discord burst into the Library with Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash. They saw their friend crying. Starlight looked and gazed at Discord.

"Starlight, Twilight. Everything alright?" Discord asked.

"No. Everything is not alright." Starlight said.

"What's the matter? Why is Twilight crying?" Discord asked once more.

"I'll explain."

After thirty-five minutes of explaining the entire situation with Twilight, Princess Celestia's letter, and the epidemic, it came clear to Discord on what he needs to do.

"As much as I love seeing chaos spreading around, I cannot allow anypony to succumb to a virus that has a potential of killing ponies. I would hate for my best friend to die while having a tea party. Fear, not Fluttershy, I, Discord shall take away the pain from everypony suffering in Canterlot."

"Thank you, Discord. It's very nice of you to do something like this." Fluttershy said blushing a little.

"Also, thank you Fluttershy for an amazing tea party earlier today."

"You're quite welcome Discord." Fluttershy said.

"Canterlot! Here I come!" Discord said as he teleports himself to Celestia.

"If anyone can heal any ailment is Discord. Now we have no reason to worry Twilight." Starlight said.

Twilight remained silent while staring into oblivion. Hearing and seeing that Discord will be the one to cure everypony in Canterlot was too much for her to handle mentally. Starlight sense a change in Twilight. Everypony else gazed at Twilight. They were wondering what in Celestia is she thinking. Twilight got up and left the library. Starlight told everyone else that they should probably resume their activities for the day. She'll handle Twilight from there. Everypony else nodded in agreement and went their separate ways.

Starlight trotted towards Twilight's room. Twilight is already packing her stuff a little.

"Twilight? What are you doing?"

"Packing." Twilight said in a stern tone.

"What for?"

"Research on the virus in Canterlot."

"But Discord..." Starlight said as she got interrupted by Twilight.

"Don't you dare bring Discord into this conversation Starlight!" Twilight said slamming her briefcase.

Starlight didn't flinch but sighed.

"You're upset that he's gonna cure everypony in Canterlot and not you?"

Tears ran down on Twilight's eyes. She couldn't help but feel helpless in a situation. Starlight went up to Twilight and hugged her dearly. Letting her know that everything will work out in the end. A thought did come to Twilight which caused her to slap herself on her forehead.

"Zecora. Of course!"

"Zecora?"

"If anyone can find remedies, potions or treatments to any of the symptoms in Celestia's letter, Zecora can be the one who can find out for sure."

Eyes widen for Starlight. In case that Discord isn't around to help out, they'll be right there when the virus comes back to Equestria. Twilight unpacked and repacked with smaller supplies. Starlight ran to her room and packed up to make a trip to the Everfree Forest.

After ten minutes of packing up, Twilight and Starlight headed over to the Everfree Forest to visit Zecora. As they took a long walk around the poison joke, they made it to her hut. Twilight knocks on Zecora's door. Zecora opens her door.

"Twilight. Starlight. Are the two of you alright?"

"We are not Zecora. We have something to ask you."

"Come in and tell why you are not well."

Twilight and Starlight entered Zecora's hut and sat near a cauldron.

"Zecora, Twilight has received a letter from Princess Celestia. There's an epidemic in Canterlot. The letter does contain the symptoms that Celestia noted."

"Let's see what I can do for the two of you. Pass me the letter so I can find ways to make you better."

Twilight gave Zecora the letter. She read the symptoms and looked at her shelf. Picking off the books that contain vital information about the symptoms.

"Is there any way we can assist?"

"For the moment, help me find some components." Zecora said as she tossed Twilight and Starlight a few books for them to read.

An hour of reading and both Twilight and Starlight weren't able to find anything related to the symptoms except for coughing, muscle strains, and popping of the ligaments. Those can happen in an everyday lifestyle. Zecora couldn't find anything else in her books.

"Sorry, you two. I can't do anything for you."

The look at Zecora's face says it all.

"Thank you, for trying Zecora." Starlight said.

"You're welcome Starlight. Hope everything is alright."

"Me too..." Twilight said.

Starlight and Twilight left Zecora's hut. They decided to head to Sugarcube Corners for a milkshake. As the two trotted their way back to Ponyville, Rainbow Dash flew in front of them.

"Twilight! Twilight!" Rainbow shouted.

"What is it Rainbow Dash?"

"We have a situation! C'mon!" Rainbow said as she flew towards Sweet Apple Acres.

As Twilight and Starlight caught up with Rainbow Dash, they entered the Apple house. In their living room, Applejack turned the volume on her radio for everypony to hear.

This is an emergency warning to all ponies in Equestria:

Do not enter the premises of Canterlot as a virus has started to infect ponies. Canterlot is now under quarantine to any and everypony. Please advised, Wonderbolts and Equestrian Forces will use lethal force on anyone attempting to sneak or break into Canterlot. Princess Cadence and Twilight, please refrain from visiting the premises of Canterlot.

Twilight is lost for words as Applejack turned down the radio. The message has been playing for over an hour.

"Did Discord...Failed..?" Twilight asked.

"I believe so, sugar." Applejack said.

Twilight flew out of Sweet Apple Acres. She decided to head back home and have Spike write a letter to Celestia. Starlight got up and made her way back to the castle. As she trots in Ponyville, ponies around her were behaving strangely especially one pony who was coughing a bit too hard. As fear got the best of Starlight, she created a magic health bubble. As she approached the pony that was coughing too hard, he looked at Starlight. She screamed as blood came out of his eyes. Filthy Rich coughed more.

"Help...me...Starlight! Help..me!!!" Filthy Rich coughed more and sneezed black mucus.

Starlight backed away as more ponies came to her. Vinyl, Bon Bon, Mayor Mare, Flitter, Bulk Biceps and a few others were nearby. The all were covered with blood from their eyes and had black mucus coming out of their noses. Starlight screamed and zapped the infected ponies away. She fled away to the safety of the Friendship Castle where she barricaded the doors shut. Twilight saw her friend barricading the doors and flew up to her.

"Starlight, are you okay?"

"No!" Starlight said as she shook her head vigorously.

"What is wrong Starlight?"

Starlight calmed down a little but fear still got the better of her.

"Promise that you won't freak out?"

"I promise."

"Pinkie Promise?"

Twilight sighs. "Cross my heart, hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye."

"Thank you, Twilight."

"Now, tell me, what is wrong?"

"Well...uh..."

After a few moments of explaining everything to Twilight, she does her very best to hold in her reaction. It was too much as Twilight wanted to scream and shout in horror. Starlight used her magic creating a silencing bubble for Twilight to scream which she does. Spike overheard the conversation and decided to write a letter to Celestia for her to send help to Ponyville. He then alerted Starlight and Twilight that everything will be okay. Twilight and Starlight looked at each other then at Spike.

"Spike, what have you done?" Starlight asked.

"Well, I heard that the virus is here in Ponyville so I sent a letter to Celestia alerting her that we need help."

"You did what?!" Twilight shouted viciously.

"I...uh..." Spike choked as he spoke.

Twilight went up to the baby dragon. Anger is written on her face petrifying Spike.

"Do you realize what you've done?!" Twilight said angrily.

Spike shook his head. Sweat poured down on his head. His heart is beating fast as he stared at the face of a pissed off Twilight.

"You cause Ponyville to come under quarantine."

Spike had tears in his eyes and ran away from Twilight. He ran into his room and locked it up tightly.

Starlight watched as her friend ran away from Twilight. Never in her life, she has ever seen Twilight talking to Spike like that.

"Twilight?"

"What?!" Twilight shouted viciously at Starlight.

"I think you're taking this too far."

Twilight glared at Starlight as she flew back to her library. Starlight trotted towards Spikes room and knocked. He didn't answer. Starlight headed towards the balcony and saw the Wonderbolts flying down in Ponyville. The Equestrian Forces came as well. The sound of gunshots and screams signifies the day of reckoning has arrived. Ponyville is now under quarantine. As Starlight made her way towards her room, she got into bed and fall asleep.

Morning has arrived. Starlight wakes up and stretches. She sighed from reliving through the same flashback again. It's never easy when it starts. Seeing the whole process happening from day one. Twilight knocked on Starlight's door.

"It's open!" Starlight shouted.

Twilight opened the door and Starlight gasped for what she's seeing. Spike is on Twilight's Spike for the first time in over a two months.

"Spike has come home and you wouldn't believe what he found."

"What did he find Twilight?"

"He found these."

Twilight placed several audio recordings for Starlight to hear on the table. Starlight's eyes widen. She is shocked to see audio recordings.

"Have you listened to these?" Starlight asked.

"No, but figure that we should all listen."

"Alright then. When Spike wakes up, we'll listen."