Ponid-19

The ensuing fortnight seemed to fly by, in essence, with the speed of the very light that daily warmed Equestria. Starlight had a lot on her plate, and she seemed to be helping a new student every three or four seconds. Her life became a whirlwind of friendship issues and questions. It did peak her concern that so many students at the School of Friendship seemed to be having problems connecting with each other.

She might have a pony come in and talk about how their griffon friend treated them poorly, or she might have a changeling enter and speak badly of a hippogriff. Whatever the cause, it seemed that everyone was on edge, and with Spring Break rapidly approaching, she felt that it would do all the students a bit of good to be away from each other. Even she and her pony friends were nipping at one another. She and Twilight still got along fine, but the rest of her fellow teachers were jawing on a daily basis. Needless to say, everyone needed the rest badly.

The day before Spring Break was set to begin, she was trotting down the hallway, having just finished helping her fifteenth student of the afternoon. Her hooves were aching from all the running around she had to do, because necessity had dictated that not everyone could meet in her office on her schedule. So, she went to them, even though it meant more hoofsteps and a heavier dose of medicine when she returned to her room in the castle. Oh, Celestia, I NEED this break! She complained to herself, I don’t think my hooves, ears, or mind can take many more friendship problems!

She was turning the corner to her office when a young brown mare came running up to her. “Counselor Starlight! Counselor Starlight!” She exclaimed.

Starlight bit back a frustrated groan and put on a happy face. “Why, hello there, Cinnamon Spice!” She greeted in a somewhat robotic, rehearsed voice, “what can I help you with today?”

“I don’t need any help,” Cinnamon said rapidly, “but you’ve gotta come to the gym! There’s a special report on the E1 Network, and Head Mare Twilight said that everyone needs to see it!”

Starlight held back yet another groan and reluctantly followed the severely excited mare towards the athletic center. She knew that Cinnamon often got bouncy about things, but that was when she was happy. It figured that she and Pinkie Pie had become fast friends, as the two shared a love of both parties and various sweet treats. But now, the lightly brown mare seemed upset and deeply worried about something. It also didn’t make sense that Twilight would order a spontaneous school assembly to view a news report unless it was something important.

When they arrived in the gym, hundreds of students had already packed themselves into the bleachers. Two large projection screens were being set up, and the school’s busy audio and visual department was busy patching the feed from a smaller television set through the projectors and onto the equivalent of about thirty bedsheets. It was so crowded that Starlight could barely make her way through the sea of concerned pupils and onto the stage with the rest of her friends.

“Ugh…what’s this about, Twi?” She asked, “my hooves are killing me!”

“I’m sorry, Starlight,” Twilight said, “but everyone needs to see this.”

As they watched, the screens came to life and there sat Lead Story, E1’s veteran anchor. She looked different, though. Normally, she was perfectly coiffed and absolutely sparkling. Even through bad news, she kept a certain sense of hopefulness about her. But today, she looked as if she were trying to downplay her own franticness. Her mane was absolutely unkempt, and it seemed like somepony had attempted to bring it into line, but failed miserably. She was wearing no makeup, and her blouse looked shabby.

“Good afternoon, Equestria,” she said in her typical voice. Starlight made a mental note of just how well she presented herself, even in the midst of what appeared to be chaos.

“We’ve interrupted your regular programming for this breaking news story,” Lead continued, “there are multiple confirmed reports that a sickness akin to a plague has swept over The Crystal Empire almost overnight. Dozens have been confirmed sick, and two ponies have already passed away from this illness. We here at E1 cannot confirm just who the first patient was, nor why the disease has spread in this manner. However, we do have reports from leading Equestrian medical experts, that this is one of the deadliest diseases in the history of our country.

Princess Cadance has barred all travel to and from The Crystal Empire, and Prince Shining Armor has created a taskforce in order to ensure that her order is followed. Ponies who attempt to enter the Empire will be asked to leave. If they resist, fines and other punishments will be implemented. Prince Armor had this to say in an earlier press hearing.”

Suddenly, the camera cut to Twilight’s older brother, in full battle regalia, addressing a mob of reporters, photographers, and twinkling flash bulbs. “This is serious,” he said, “and we’re choosing to take it that way. Ponies cannot come to The Crystal Empire, nor may they leave. Some might call it subtle imprisonment, and others might question our commitment to the liberties and freedoms of our subjects. However, rest assured that these actions are being taken with the support of our highest level medical officials. Thank you.”

They quickly cut back to Lead. “That was Prince Shining Armor earlier. Please, stay with E1 as this story continues to develop. We’ll be back with the latest just as soon as we can.”

The projectors shut off and everyone looked around at each other nervously before Twilight got up and spoke to the students. “I did not show you this to scare you,” she said, “rather, I showed it to you because I want nothing more than your safety. If you were traveling to The Crystal Empire for your Spring Break, I urge you to follow Cadance’s order. She’s sent me a letter detailing this disease, and it is not something you want to mess with. So, please…be careful. That will conclude this assembly, and I hereby declare the day over! Have a great break, everyone!”

The students cheered at the announcement and quickly rushed from the gym to pack and chatter among themselves. But the teachers stepped forward and surrounded Twilight with odd looks. They each knew that there were two periods left in the day. It seemed odd that she would cancel the rest of that day, and they each worried that the news from her family’s home up north had shaken her to the core.

“You okay, Sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“Yes, darling, I wonder the same,” Rarity said, “especially considering you just ripped my class from under my hooves!”

“I’m sorry, Rarity, but until this illness is brought under control, I’m gonna be shutting the school down.”

“But…it’s not anywhere near us!” Rainbow Dash argued.

“I know that,” Twilight said, “and if they’ve acted properly, it won’t get anywhere near us. But still…there are things about this that we don’t know, and we must behave with caution. We’re shutting down. END…OF…DISCUSSION.”

Twilight gave her friends a look that said she meant business before trotting off towards her office. Starlight followed her, a look of grave concern painting the canvas of her face. As much as she loved Twilight and saw her as a sister, she just couldn’t accept the way she was acting. It was as if she were hiding something, and wanted things to remain closed until she could figure out just what to do with it. Her secret seemed to be weighty.

When they arrived at her office, Twilight sat in her large desk chair and whirled around to face Starlight. “Did I ask for company?” She queried rudely.

“Good Celestia, Twi!” Starlight said in shock, “I’ve never heard you talk like that! Come on, what’s up?”

“There are a good many things that are ‘up,’ none of which you need to concern yourself with.”

“Well, like it or not, I am concerned,” Starlight responded, trotting around to face her friend, “now…why are you so…rigid?”

Twilight sighed and her tough look melted away. She pointed at a piece of paper laying on her desk and Starlight noted that it was the letter from Cadance that she’d mentioned earlier. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong with it, as far as the light purple counselor was concerned. It was sealed with the Royal Insignia of Equestria, but that was normal.

“I…don’t understand,” she said.

“I know who patient zero is,” Twilight said in a voice that hung in that emotional canyon between a pained whisper and an anguished scream, “it’s…Flurry.”