Ponid-19

Celestia cackled as she bound her sister to a metallic surface akin to the one Starlight was strapped to. Evil thoughts and malicious deeds coursed through her mind as she slowly lowered the bar on Luna’s personal rebellion. She loved watching the two ponies squirm beneath her, and then suddenly realized that they would be her playthings forever. When the magic sickness caused their blood to solidify and they turned into crystallized statues, she could do whatever she wanted with them. She smiled wickedly and began planning the places where the statues might go. They would be silent testimonies to what happened when ponies dared to cross her. She would keep their origins a secret, but she would allow everypony to gaze upon them. She could simply lie, and tell everyone that they were gifts and sculpted with care.

“Soon enough…” she said, “…you’ll both be gone, and I’ll have won this war. Granted, it was an easy victory, but any kind of triumph is worth celebrating. Come, drink and be merry with me!”

Celestia used her magic to float over three glasses, which she filled with the most delectable looking cider that Starlight had ever seen. She licked her lips, as she had not drunk anything since being there and her dehydration was only adding to her suffering. Her head spun and ached beyond comprehension. She had nearly fallen into unconsciousness on multiple occasions, but had forced herself to remain alert. She wasn’t going to lapse into a coma while Celestia was still free to attack and harm as she pleased.

The Princess sneered at them and pressed two glasses forward…before cackling and moving them away. “Aw…did the wittwe fiwwies miss their gwasses?” She asked, treating them like worthless foals, “I’m so sowwy….”

“Oh, come now, Celestia,” Luna said as she grunted in pain, “surely…you can come up with a more mature insult than that.”

“I could…I just don’t want to!” Celestia exclaimed as she launched into another fit of laughter.

Starlight looked around the room and felt hopeless. The very Princess that had once told her what a great job she was doing as the Guidance Counselor at Twilight’s School was threatening her life. Her mind whirled as she wondered what death felt like, or how it would be to become encased in crystal for all eternity. She suddenly felt terribly cold, as if the Windigos of old had returned and unleashed their wintry evil upon her and her alone. She looked down and saw one of her hooves begin crystallizing as the blood froze to the point where it had no other choice. It wouldn’t circulate, and her hoof slowly grew numb with a terrifying stillness.

But then…memories began flashing through her mind, and they were so warm that she just couldn’t pay attention to her pain. She took solace in thoughts of Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash…and Twilight herself. A smile formed on her face as she smelled the patented, famous Sweet Apple Acres apple pie. She saw Dash and Fluttershy streak across the sky, fearless in the face of the illness. She saw Rarity and Pinkie creating fashion and delicious pastries and just generally living without fright. To top it all off, Twilight was in the front of her mind, pushing her forward and telling her, “I love you like a sister. Please, don’t give up.”

“Ugh…” Starlight groaned.

Celestia stopped her laughing. “What was that, dear? I was too busy enjoying your absolute misery.”

“Yeah, well, the thing is,” Starlight managed to get out, “I’m…not miserable.”

Celestia’s mouth dropped to the floor. “Wha-bu-th-dh-HOW?! Everypony who catches PONID-19 is terrified, depressed, hopeless, and completely horrified! I manufactured it to prey on a pony’s fears, much like Sombra’s dark magic of old. So tell me, Starlight Glimmer…how the hell are you not miserable?!”

“Because I have wonderful memories of my friends,” Starlight said, “and it doesn’t take any strength at all to believe that they’re still out there and they’re still fighting. It may not be me, Celestia, but I assure you that, one day, your terrible deeds will come to light. You will be defeated…I’m just sure of it.”

Celestia sneered. “You aren’t really in a place to be making threats, Starlight. You’re turning to crystal, and I’m gloating. You’re powerless to stop me.”

“Yes, I am,” Starlight responded, “but…she’s not!”

“Wha-?” Celestia asked before turning to look behind her. “T-T-T-TWILIGHT!”

There stood Twilight, along with Rose Garden, Smooth Boulder, and little Kite String. The Princess of Friendship’s eyes blazed with anger, and she spread her wings. In a symbolic moment, her feathered appendages covered the three ponies on either side of her, ensuring their protection. Twilight never thought that she’d ever see Celestia in such a manner, cackling and howling about the pain and suffering of others. But now she saw that the benevolent and kind Princess she’d known, loved, and studied from was a fraud, and her anger turned towards the white Alicorn.

“You…are despicable,” Twilight said with all the rage and hurt of somepony who had been utterly betrayed.

“Oh, Twilight!” Celestia said in fake kindness, “I…I found Starlight and Luna on the street! I brought them here to nurse them back to health!”

“Oh, shut up!” Twilight thundered, “I heard the whole damn conversation! YOU are the greatest threat to Equestria, not this pathetic disease! Once we destroy you, we’ll be able to take the antidote and give it to everypony! Equestria will be safe once again, and you will pay DEARLY for your crimes!”

Celestia’s look turned into one of hatred, and she advanced on her former student. The purple Alicorn stood bravely against her sudden foe, even though tears blinded her eyes. All she could see was the passionate teacher who had spent countless hours helping her to learn about magic and the world around her. She saw the patient instructor who had always encouraged her penchant for learning, and urged an unquenchable thirst into the dimensions of the curious and inquisitive. Now, that same pony had turned into the greatest enemy Twilight had ever faced, and the young Princess’s belief in herself wavered. Could she do something she’d never even dreamed of? Could she…fight…and kill Celestia?