28 Days To Armageddon

They hid out all night, watching as Twilight tore through the forest searching for them. Her nostrils were flared, sniffing out their scent. It wafted her way, but they always managed to change direction right before she discovered them. Her mind and body had regressed to a form of primitivism that they never thought possible. She even ate small animals in her bloodthirsty search, thus causing Fluttershy to weep endlessly. But no matter what atrocity she committed, they never grew angry with her. They all recognized just how sick she was and they wanted to help, but couldn’t find a way to do so safely.

Once Twilight had been successfully thrown off the trail, they took refuge in a cave. The sergeant even built a small fire. It was enough to keep them warm, but also subtle enough so Twilight wouldn’t recognize it. Thus, they sat around it and did what they could to cheer each other up. This was much easier said than done, as their minds still rested with their ailing friend. The conversation crept around Twilight’s condition, because none of them wanted to speak of it. Yet, at the same time, they were all desperate to talk about it. They just hadn’t figured out how to do so in the proper manner.

“So…what do we do now?” Rainbow Dash finally asked.

The question was appropriate, and nopony else thought of a better way to bring it up. But, worse, nopony had an answer. Twilight’s life was in jeopardy, as was the entire town of Ponyville. None of them had ever experienced a danger like this before. Sure, they’d battled monsters and evildoers, but a friend? They didn’t think they could raise a hoof against Twilight. After all, she was the one who’d brought them all together. Without her, there would be no harmonious friendship.

“I think we all know what we ought to do,” Rarity said, “but…we just don’t know how to put it into words.”

“Well, I’m not saying it,” Mist said, “I refuse to.”

“Oh, for cryin’ out loud!” Applejack exclaimed, “we all know you’re talkin’ about usin’ the Elements on Twilight!”

“But what if utilizing our special gemstones against a pony who is herself an Element of Harmony goes awry?” Rarity asked, “what if we accidentally activate some type of ancient magic that nullifies everypony?”

“Rarity makes a good point,” Fluttershy said, “what if, in our efforts to cure Twilight, we destroy Ponyville…or worse…all Equestria?!”

“I think it’s a chance worth taking,” Pinkie argued, “we’re talking about one of our best friends, here! I mean, without her, the friendship is less magic. We’re like a perfectly yummy cake. All the ingredients are there, and they come together to form something delicious. But apart…”

“It’s just some dry, dusty flour, runny eggs, and overly saccharine vanilla,” Rarity said.

“Exactly!” Pinkie squeaked.

“So, how do you suggest we go about saving your cake-er-I mean, friend?” The sergeant asked.

“That…I don’t know,” Pinkie said.

None of them did, so they elected to go to bed and sleep on it. The next morning, they awoke with the sun and resumed their planning. Rainbow Dash came up with a trap that was big enough to catch Twilight, until everyone pointed out that she could simply chew the ropes. Rarity thought of a special garment, woven from a very special material, that could be tossed over Twilight and hold her down. She decried the fashionably criminal activity, but acquiesced that it had to be done if Twilight were to be saved.

“What kind of material is it, Rare?” Rainbow asked.

“It’s an ugly, tacky, horrid brown fabric woven deep in the Hoofalayan Mountains,” Rarity responded, “I could special order some and have it in Ponyville in a couple of weeks.”

“We have 20 days left before Twilight turns into a werepony forever,” Fluttershy said, “would that give you enough time to make something so big?”

“I think so,” Rarity responded, “but it would require an all hooves on deck attitude. I’d need all the help I could get.”

“No, no,” the sergeant said, “it’s a good plan, but it hinges on too many risks. We need something completely foolproof!”

“What about luring her to my cottage,” Fluttershy offered, “and then tying her down with some rope I have?”

“We’ve been through the rope thing already,” Mist said.

“Oh, but this rope is different,” Fluttershy said, “it’s specially made to hold even the thrashiest of creatures. Trust me. I use it to tie my pet bear up so he’ll take his medicine.”

Rainbow gave her a look. “You…tie an animal up…to give it medicine?”

Fluttershy nodded. “Oh, but I always ensure that the knots aren’t too tight. I wouldn’t want the poor thing to suffocate.”

“Alright, Fluttershy’s idea’s out!” Rainbow declared.

“Hey!” Fluttershy protested, “I think it’s a great idea!”

“The issue is that you’re too compassionate!” Rainbow snapped, “you’d leave the knots loose enough for her to escape! Either that, or she could just break you in half…”

“Of all the nerve!” Fluttershy growled.

“Alright, you two, knock it off!” Mist exclaimed, “if we’re gonna fix this problem, we can’t be at each other’s throats.”

Rainbow and Fluttershy reluctantly scooted apart and cooled their jets for a minute. They each thought they had the perfect solution to the problem. Unfortunately, they weren’t willing to give each other credit. That, and their budding feelings of romance wouldn’t allow them to. Though they hadn’t confessed it yet, they each wanted to keep their feelings secret until the right time. This, obviously, was not the right time. But, all the same, blushes painted their cheeks as they turned their backs on one another.

“Alright,” Mist said, “now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, does anypony have anything else to offer?”

The ponies thought hard, but nopony could come up with anything. Wereponies were just so utterly rare, and no one had ever written a guide on capturing one. It was at this point that they missed Twilight the most, for she was often the one who came up with the most sensible plans. They felt lost without her, and the more time passed by, the further away she seemed.