Author's Note
Just another quick idea that came to mind, and before it left me, I put the words onto paper. Or onto computer, I suppose. Like my last story, I only allotted myself about an hour to write. That way, I can get my creative juices flowing without taking too much time away from writing the Sunset fic.
Admittedly, these short blurbs of narrative diarrhea have been pretty fun.
Hope you enjoy.
Apologies
From the an apartment in Baltimare, a television sat on, its operator long since gone. The last channel viewed, the news, displayed warnings of imminent danger.
"Potential sightings of infected individuals have been reported in your area. Do not approach those who exhibit signs of infection. Please evacuate to the nearest designated safe zone.
This is not a drill."
It seemed that this resident had diligently obeyed the projected orders, though the red puddle seeping from under the front door didn't bode well. Still, the shambling steps heard outside did not attempt to enter the room, so this place was as safe as any.
The so-called "safe zones" lost the privilege to call themselves that plenty of hours ago.
Suddenly, the news switched to a live camera feed. In its view was a podium, and the backdrop draped behind it featured a symbol consisting of a magic spell emanating from a book. The news ticker continued to repeat the same orders from earlier, but above it, a larger tagline announced an upcoming press announcement. Sure enough, after a minute, a woman walked onto the portable stage. Her purple hair was tied up into a messy bun, and she obscured her face with a translucent face shield and medical mask. Still, she stepped up to the podium, messy and slightly stained papers placed next to her. She cleared her throat.
"Good evening, everyone. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I am the head of the National Magic Foundation. My organization has been working with the recently discovered 'pony world' to cultivate magic in a way that's accessible to humans. As you all are aware, Equestria is currently suffering from a deadly virus... and we take full responsibility for it. Unfortunately, not much is known about it other than that it completely takes over the mind of the host, forcing them to infect others. It is spread through body fluids, such as saliva or blood, and infected individuals will attempt to bite and scratch in order to achieve this."
She took a deep breath. "As such, it is important that people stay as far away from infected individuals as possible. If needed, loved ones must be sequestered in securely fortified enclosures, such as unattached basements or metal sheds, separately from those not afflicted with the virus, but should this option be unavailable, destroying their brains have been proven effective at stopping the infected individual... though at the cost of the host's life. However, if infected individuals are reported in your area, you are advised to evacuate according to local protocol."
Abruptly, a loud slam was heard in the distance from Twilight. In the background, a couple voices shouted in surprise before multiple gunshots rang through the hall. The woman recoiled at the gunfire, growing increasingly more distressed despite still continuing to address whatever viewers were left.
"As of right now, a cure is still in the process. Attempts to convene with the pony world proved... unsuccessful." A brief flash of sadness painted her face. "For the safety of both worlds, the portal at Canterlot High School has been destroyed to prevent infected individuals from crossing between." More shots were heard. "Therefore, it is imperative that you all take the proper precautions to avoid exposure to the virus. It appears incapable of utilizing all bodily functions to their fullest potential. They are unable to properly use their legs, so infected individuals appear to limp very slowly towards others. Conversely, though, they have shown evidence of enhanced strength..." Someone yelped in the distance, and frantic firing followed. "Therefore, barricading oneself in unprotected locations not designated as safe zones is highly unadvised."
Twilight Sparkle's eyes widened, and she took a step back from the podium. From the edge of the camera's view, someone donning full hazmat gear appeared, donning a short rifle. He continued to step backwards, peeking over at the stage every now and then. Following him, several people shambled into frame, targeting the two remaining survivors. Torn between finishing her address and escaping, the violet woman leaned back to the microphone.
"The National Magic Foundation asks for your patience and your resilience." She locked eyes with the camera. "We will find a way to end this epidemic." Finally, she backed up from the podium, joining the armed man as he stepped up to the stage and pulling out a firearm of her own. The cameraman had seemingly escaped or been killed long ago as the camera continued to capture their escape. Taking occasional potshots at the horde, they ran behind the stage, though the falling bodies knocked over the backdrop, revealing the rest of the auditorium. At the back-left and back-right corners were exit doors, but the military members protecting the former had fallen back into the room while those at the latter had long since joined the horde.
They were trapped, with infected coming in from all sides. Echoes of their conversation were indecipherable from the broadcast, but based on the worried facing briefly seen behind those protective masks, they were unsure of how to escape. The first man grabbed for another magazine, but he tripped over a body, losing it in the crowd of infected. Unwilling to break formation to grab one from another member, he began swinging his weapon wildly, hitting any shambling bodies and dropping them to the floor. As the other armed men also ran out of ammunition, they followed suit, weaponizing anything they could get their hands on: guns, chairs, stanchion posts - if it could crush skulls, it was enough. Twilight Sparkle attempted to provide as much support as possible, though considering her shaky aim and tendency to close her eyes, she was not an effective shooter.
Such would be proven when a bullet struck the first man's arm. He stumbled forward, grabbing at the wound. Unfortunately, dropping his weapon would leave his body exposed, and a pale body scratched said arm, eliciting a howl from the victim. Attempting to back away, he tripped on one of the infected he had knocked down, though it was still very much alive, so it took a bite from his side. Yelling in pain, the man attempted to struggle, pushing against the person chomping down on him, but it proved futile; it was not going to let go. Panic overwhelming him, he continued to scream as more and more bodies surrounded him, eager to spread the virus to him.
The rest of the group, frozen with fear, were powerless to save him, so after returning to reality, they continued to protect themselves. Luckily for them, the infected individuals that were focused on their fallen ally had left an opening by the stage. Looking amongst themselves, they nodded to each other before rushing towards the stage. Two men swung at the handful of bodies limping around the podium, and while one of them was scratched, they were successful, knocking the masses and the podium over the stage, resulting in a loud ringing as the microphone hit the floor.
Alas, while they continued past the view of the camera, they were quickly stopped by more infected, as further grunts were heard. Eventually, one of them called out to someone by their name, but said recipient didn't respond. They repeated their call, but again and again, no response was heard. Then, the voice cried out before rifle thumping against flesh was picked up by the microphone.
The standoff would ultimately fail, as the group was pushed back towards the stage yet again, though the bodies indulging themselves in their comrade had returned to their initial prey, said comrade having been turned. Thus, the remaining survivors were thinned down by the overwhelming circle of infected humans, leaving Twilight Sparkle as the last one. She emptied her final clip, backing up into the stage. Tripping over the podium and the two bodies next to it, she spotted the microphone on the floor.
"I'm sorry, Equestria."
As the backs of the infected took up the whole view of the camera, flesh ripped and bones cracked, but not another word was spoken.
And thus, the National Magic Foundation fell, and the rest of the country followed.
Author's Note
With this story still fresh in my mind, I couldn't help myself from writing just one more chapter. Tags have been updated to reflect any necessary changes.
Hope you enjoy.
P.S. Rest in peace, Daisuke SatÅ.
Epilogue: The Other Side
The evening sun sat in the horizon. Given the current circumstances, though, the day-and-night cycle would no longer function, its operators having long since succumbed to infection. Thus, the orange rays persisted, hours and even days later, providing Equestria's inhabitants just enough light to make out a set of teeth before meeting one's demise - if there were even any ponies left. In fact, every Equestrian kingdom had long since fallen, joining the ranks of infected ponies in their attempt to end the world.
It had begun with a single pony, pale and sickly but otherwise unnoticed, who had shambled out of the mirror, stumbling out of the Castle of Friendship and down to the ground without being spotted, ultimately dooming the pony world to the same fate as its human version. Had human Twilight still been in the mood for research, she might have marveled at the infected pony's ability to spread its wings and fly to the ground, albiet at a weak and unsteady pace. Despite its slow landing, though, the pony made it to the center square of Ponyville, approaching a group of four fillies who happily hummed a tune together. Around them, several groups of ponies mingled, bartered, and worked, unaware of the infected pony.
"Hello, mister!" the pegasus of the group began. "Can we help you?" She stood proudly, glancing over to his flank. "We usually work with 'blank flanks,' and you don't seem to be in need of our services."
Silently, it continued walking forward.
Confused, the girls all stared amongst each other. However, they persisted in the conversation, and the yellow one stepped up close, waving a hoof in its face. "Hello? Mister, are you alright?"
Its answer was to bite down - hard.
And thus, the National Magic Foundation's virus had transcended worlds, bringing the pony world's Equestria to its knees. With the infection of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, panicked passersby would join them. Ponyville would fall, and the immediate cities surrounding it would follow suit at a shockingly fast rate. Twilight, informed of the incident, raced over to the Crystal Mirror, book in hand. Guards, supplemented from the now-unresponsive Crystal Empire, had managed to secure the room, killing any nearby infected and even securing the surrounding area around the Wondercolts Statue on the other side of the portal. As the purple mare approached, a lieutenant saluted before briefing her on the situation.
Shocked by their findings, she returned her attention to the book she had brought along. Opening it, she grabbed a quill from a nearby table and began writing. She stopped, staring at the page with pursed lips. Luckily, a response formed on the paper, so she continued writing. However, looking over at the Crystal Mirror, a fiery-haired mare appeared from the reflective surface. Initially, she was met with swords and spears, but the princess ordered them down, running over to her friend and embracing her.
Taking her up to the throne room, they joined three of the remaining Elements of Harmony as they discussed the events in both worlds, from the beginning of the epidemic in Ponyville to the manufacturing of the virus by the princess's human counterpart, the latter topic having been revealed through a quick text to a group chat shared with the amber mare. It would be the last form of correspondence from the researcher, which was especially distressing for the purple pony, but her friends were sure to comfort her. Unknowing of the future broadcast, they assured her that the human version of her would likely find a way to cure the virus on their end. Eventually, the status of all their counterparts was questioned, but the grim look on the amber mare said enough. Conversely, she asked about the whereabouts of the two earth ponies of the friend group.
Like she, they couldn't find the words to explain.
Despite this, the princess was determined to save the rest of the surviving ponies, perhaps even conjuring a sort of cure. She called for the lieutenant, ordering for a group to be dispatched to the Everfree Forest. If magic would prove fruitless, perhaps the zebra inhabitant could find an alchemical alternative.
Unfortunately, an expectedly-short trip became an hour long. Then, it became uncertain that the soldiers would return. Finally, it was improbable.
This time, the princess requested a group of pegasi to fly over the zebra's home, but only three ponies could be requisitioned, any other winged allies having been deployed elsewhere or long since infected. She considered dismissing this option, but her rainbow-haired friend chimed in, offering to join them. After all, she was the self-proclaimed fastest flier in all of Equestria - especially at this point - so provided the soldiers offer protection as needed, she could swoop down and grab the alchemist without a scratch.
The thought of willingly sending a Element of Harmony out into potential harm made the princess's stomach flip, but they were out of options. The Elements were useless without the cowgirl and the baker, so the only way to end this nightmare would be for everypony to contribute. Reluctantly, she agreed, but the pegasus, noticing her friend's immense concern, flashed a toothy grin. Outwardly, she was projected all the confidence in the world, dismissing any notion of danger.
After all, it was all she could do to keep herself from falling apart inside.
Somewhat relieved by the blue mare's words, the remaining ponies convened for a group hug, bidding the pegasus farewell.
It was truly a farewell.
Although the guards had continued to keep the Crystal Mirror and the Wonderbolts Statue secure, such could not be said for the rest of Ponyville. By now, the city had almost entirely succumbed to the virus, the roads filled with infected individuals wandering aimlessly for a fresh pony to bite. Outside the castle, the checkpoint that had once been overwhelmed with frantic survivors seeking safety was now overrun with infected ponies. Those that had sought refuge in the lower levels now sought flesh, and their targets were just up the stairs, running for room containing the Crystal Mirror.
On their way, Twilight Sparkle and the remaining guards ran past countless infected, taking out any that stood in the way. The princess, hardened from the loss of all her friends, indiscriminately used her magic to destroy ponies. Whether it be freezing, immolation, or a pure shot through the head, the mare had perfected her aim, far eclipsing the shaky shot her human counterpart was.
Still, Twilight from the other side of the portal was necessary for this Twilight's plan. After assuming the infection of her zebra friend, the purple mare had determined that magic was the only way to engineer a cure. After all, if magic had started the virus, it could most definitely end it. However, despite having nearly all the knowledge in the world, it was still only referring to the pony world, meaning there were aspects of magic that only the human Twilight knew.
Eventually, the princess and her guards arrived, ordering a soldier to protect the door, holding it closed if need be. The only alternative was a window, but regardless of the guards, the alicorn would be able to easily escape. Twilight approached the portal, gasping at the sight of infected soldiers shambling towards the mirror before disappearing through. Running up to the reflective surface, the mare winced at the flashes of light projected from the mirror's surface, eventually revealing the now-human guards dropping to a bloody pile in front of a group of other humans. They were not dressed in ornate metal like the ponies, instead obscured by outfits that protected their whole bodies along with grey masks further covering their faces. The weapons, while foreign to the pony world, were recognized by the princess as firearms, indicating to her that they may be able to provide additional protection. Excited, she took a step forward.
"How do you want to do it?"
Twilight paused, intrigued by their conversation.
"Want to just shoot it?"
The princess froze.
"Sure." The two humans held their rifles towards the statue, indirectly aiming at the purple mare. Eyes widening, she began to run towards the mirror.
One of them chuckled. "Y'know, I went to Crystal Prep, so this'll feel real good."
"No!" she screamed, reaching out with a hoof as she dove for the portal. Making contact with the mirror, Twilight felt resistance, falling to the ground and looking up to meet her reflection.
It was not the Twilight that she needed. It was not the Twilight that Equestria needed. There would be no cure, and there was nothing she could do about it.
With a shout, a guard fell over as infected ponies piled onto the door, toppling it and crushing the stallion beneath. The alicorn watched as soldier after soldier fought to protect her, but it was her own inaction that ensured their deaths. Escaping out the window was no longer a consideration. The only true escape was to join those she had failed.
The reflection staring back at her was the Twilight everypony in the room wanted, and she could do nothing but oblige.
"I'm sorry, Equestria," she whispered.
