My Little Gem: Friendship Shines Brightby President_CelestiaChaptersPart 3Part 1Part 2Part 4Part 5Intermission: Symptoms and Stages of The LusterPart 6Part 7Part 3Author's Note This one is a bit short, I'll make up for it with the next part, sorry Part 3 Rarity approached the door to Twilight’s library and knocked. “Twilight?” Rarity asked, not wanting to intrude despite this being a library that she could easily enter. However, the pony, or creature, that answered wasn’t Twilight. “Oh, hey Rarity.” Spike greeted, looking behind him. “Yeah, uh… Twilight’s sleeping right now.” “This late into the day? Why could she… I shouldn’t even ask.” “Also… what’s up with your leg? It’s really shiny.” Spike pointed a claw at Rarity’s leg, to which she shied away. The crystal hairs had spread through her entire foreleg and it was now spreading through her chest and belly. The pins and needles feeling was growing and so was the numbness. “Oh, that… heh… it’s a new… coat shimmering… makeup? To make me look like a… Crystal Pony. I didn’t finish it yet.” Rarity nervously smiled. “Oh, okay. Well, whatever it is, it looks amazing. Come back in a few hours, Twilight might be awake by then, but I also have to clean up her mess.” “Okay, Spike. Take care.” Rarity turned away from the dragon in the door, a new face of worry prevalent. “Dear Celestia… I hope this isn’t too serious…” Rarity mumbled to herself. “Hope what isn’t too serious?” Said Pinkie Pie. “AH! Pinkie Pie, darling, don’t scare me like that!” “Oops! Tehee!” Rarity Status: Infected Mid-Stage 1 Health: 87% Stress: 89% Energy: 44% Hunger: 12% Thirst: 16% Infection: Has engulfed the entire left foreleg; now spreading through the torso “I didn’t see you there.” “Oh, I was just heading back home…” “A party? I… sure.” Inventory: Party invitation Spike Status: Healthy/Confused; tired Health: 79% Stress:12% Energy: 37% Hunger: 34% Thirst: 41% “That was weird…” “Maybe I’ll have to wake Twilight up soon.” “She wouldn’t be happy…” Inventory: Small ruby, a book Pinkie Pie Status: Healthy; a bit suspicious Health: 100% Stress: 3% Energy: 100% Hunger: 11% Thirst: 10% “Whoa, Rarity, your leg is all shimmery! “Yeah, you should totally come to Lyra’s party!” “It’ll be super fun!” Inventory: Confetti, cupcakes, party invitations, and so much more! Lyra Heartstrings Status: Confused Health: 99% Stress: 14% Energy: 81% Hunger: 19% Thirst: 33% “I haven’t seen Bon Bon all day today…” “Where is everypony?” “I have a bad feeling…” Inventory: A lyre, a black folder, a house key, a small mysterious box Part 1Rarity was out looking for gems to add to her ever-growing supply. This time, she needed extra since she was working on a particularly fabulous dress. However, while she was on the way to her gem mining spot, she spotted something. In the forest to her left, she spotted an area that was darker than usual. Confused, she took a slight detour to investigate this anomaly. “I wonder what that could be.” Rarity said to herself as she pushed through bushes and shrubs. Eventually, the source was reached, revealing a cave opening in the ground. The opening itself was quite small and looked to have been recently uncovered by natural causes. “How have I never noticed this before?” Rarity wondered, peering down into the dark abyss. Should she go in? Rarity knew that her gem mining spot would eventually run dry, so she could always use a new one. “I just hope it isn’t full of nasty critters… I shouldn’t say that around Fluttershy.” Rarity cast a light spell, the blueish-white light illuminating the cave. It was revealed that the drop itself into the cave wasn’t as far as she had first anticipated. So, shrugging, Rarity lept in. The cave itself was a narrow winding path that led steadily down. The walls were smooth and worn, but not carved to be like this by ponies or other creatures. Rarity’s light spell kept her going in the same direction and she was careful not to step into pits and cracks. But after walking through the seemingly neverending cave for what felt like hours, she was very tempted to turn back. “No, Rarity, remember. Those who quit early never reap the rewards. Those who persevere will always find…” At that statement, Rarity rounded a bend in the cave, revealing a sight that made her eyes widen and allowed a smile to creep onto her face. “Diamonds!” Rarity was now facing a huge, 7-meter-tall outcrop of smooth blue crystals, each growth ending in a sharp point, almost like quartz. The crystals seemed to glow in Rarity’s light spell. She walked forward, entranced by the beauty of this mammoth crystal outcrop. “It’s just… I just… there are no words to describe how perfect this crystal is! The size, the radiance, the purity, the luster!” Rarity wasted no time and pulled out her small pickaxe. She approached the large crystal and gazed down at the bottom of it. Multiple smaller crystals were growing down there, identical to the larger variants in every way excluding size. She tapped the sharp metal tool against the base of one of the crystals, causing a clean crack to form and making the crystal fall onto the ground. Rarity acquired this small crystal in her magic, admiring it with a dropped jaw. Even this small crystal was about the length of her leg! It was also quite heavy. “This marvelous assortment of jewels will be perfect for the dress! I was looking for sapphires anyway.” Rarity held the crystal close, now cradling it like a foal. “You’ll make me rich, darling.” She whispered to the gem, which held no response for her. The return journey was one full of joy and excitement for a mare who thought she had hit the jackpot in terms of gems for her dresses. “I’ll be back for you!” Rarity exclaimed at the cave entrance as she trotted away, the gem on her back. Rarity Status: Healthy?/ Happy Health: 99% Stress: 0% Energy: 53% Hunger: 70% Thirst: 89% “I hit it big!” “My dress will be perfect!” “I’m a bit hungry, I’ll ask Sweetie Belle to make me a sandwich.” Inventory: Crystal, small pickaxe, empty water bottle, granola bar wrapper Twilight Sparkle Status: Healthy/Sleep-deprived Health: 94% Stress:33% Energy: 12% Hunger: 14% Thirst: 38% “Shouldn’t have stayed up that late…” “yawn Spike, coffee please…” “I’ll get it done now rather than later…” Inventory: Paper and quill, empty coffee mug Pinkie Pie Status: Happy and healthy! Health: 100% Stress: 1% Energy: 100% Hunger: 2% Thirst: 12% “I think I’ll throw Lyra her birthday party today!” “Maybe I’ll invite a few others, like Bon Bon!” “Oh, I have a feeling that something life-changing is going to happen!” Inventory: Confetti, cake, cupcakes, candy, party hat, and so much more! Fluttershy Status: Healthy Health: 99% Stress: 2% Energy: 86% Hunger: 29% Thirst: 12% “How is the tea, Discord?” “I’m glad to hear it.” “What’s that? You’ve got to go? Alright, be safe.” Inventory: Half-full teacup, picture of her and Discord, a feather Rainbow Dash Status: Healthy and lazy Health: 100% Stress: 0% Energy 99% Hunger 57% Thirst: 63% “snore” Inventory: A cloud, goggles, compass Applejack Status: Healthy; a bit peeved/worried Health: 100% Stress: 78% Energy: 88% Hunger: 19% Thirst: 44% “What have I said about doing these dangerous things, you three!?” “You could’ve died doing this stunt!” “You’re grounded, Bloom.” Inventory: Apple, a half-full bottle of apple juice, her Stetson The Cutie Mark Crusaders (Yes, all three of them) Status: Healthy but in trouble (Order: SB, AB, Scootaloo) Health: 89%, 94%, 92% Stress: 44%, 63%, 19% Energy: 76%, 79%, 71% Hunger: 68%, 15%, 42% Thirst: 54%, 10%, 45% “Sorry, Miss Applejack…” “...sorry, Sis.” “It won’t happen again. Promise.” Collective inventory: 12-gauge shotgun; half-full (In an attempt to gain sharpshooters Cutie Marks after repeatedly being denied) Princess Celestia Status: Healthy Health: 100% Stress: 29% Energy: 96% Hunger: 1% Thirst: 0% “It’s been a while since Twilight last wrote a letter. I hope she’s doing okay.” “Maybe I’ll read a book.” “No, I’ve got duties to attend to.” Inventory: A book “Tall Tale’s Exciting Short Stories”, an empty platter; it once housed a cake Princess Luna Status: Healthy/Sleeping Health: 100% Stress: 2% Energy: 100% Hunger: 15% Thirst: 20% Inventory: Pillow, sleeping mask, stuffed animal Part 2Rarity arrived back at the Carasoul Boutique, the smile still ever-present on her face. “Sweetie Belle, I’m home- oh, Applejack, is anything the matter?” Rarity saw Applejack sitting in the center of her boutique, Sweetie Belle looking quite sullen just to her left. Rarity placed down her bag and the crystal, now concerned. “What did she do this time?” Rarity asks, sighing, her mood slightly dampened. “I love these three with all my heart, but they just keep gettin’ into trouble! The three of them conspired to steal my shotgun and use it for target practice!” Applejack ranted, causing Rarity to gasp in shock and Sweetie Belle to whimper. “They could’ve gotten themselves killed! They don’t know proper gun safety.” Rarity glared at Sweetie Belle, which caused her to dip her head lower than before. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention, AJ, but I can take it from here.” Rarity nodded to Applejack, a serious look on her face. Applejack slowly nodded and walked to the door of the boutique. “They worry me too much…” Applejack whispered. “Same with me, darling…” Rarity whispered back. Applejack left shortly after. “Now, Sweetie Belle, explain yourself.” “It was Apple Bloom’s idea… she said that we could earn sharpshooters Cutie Marks.” “It doesn’t matter whose idea it was, it was still stupid regardless to even accept it as a good idea!” Rarity walked over to Sweetie Belle, and for a second, Sweetie Belle expected violence for whatever reason. However, a tight hug was all that she got. “Don’t worry me like that ever again…” “I’m sorry, sis…” Sweetie Belle sniffled. After this encounter, Rarity grounded Sweetie Belle and sent her to her room. Hearing that her little sister could’ve died today really and truly dampens to mood. And after getting a quick bite to eat, Rarity got to work. She grabbed the crystal that she had left by the door and carried it over to her workshop, where she set it on the table, turned on a lamp, and sat down, ready to get to work. However, before she could even begin to carve the crystal, she noticed something odd. “That’s weird…” Rarity saw a patch of reflective, almost crystal-like hairs shimmering on her left foreleg. Now that she noticed it, she can feel, or rather can’t feel, the area that has been taken over by these admittedly pretty hairs. She could feel pins and needles around this patch of hair on her coat. “It feels… odd. Maybe I got some dust on me, I’ll wash it off later.” But as the minutes passed, she couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of doom as the patch of crystal hairs continued to grow. “Oh dear… maybe I got cursed or something? I’ll go talk to Twilight about this.” Rarity Status: Infected Stage 1 Infection: Has begun to spread from the first point of contact Health: 89% Stress: 81% Energy: 47% Hunger: 2% Thirst: 3% “What could’ve possessed Sweetie Belle to do something so stupid?” “This is starting to hurt a bit…” “Why can’t I grip the door with my magic?” Inventory: NOTHING Twilight Sparkle Status: Healthy/Passed out Health: 95% Stress: 52% Energy: 0% Hunger: 24% Thirst: 49% Inventory: Paper and quill Sweetie Belle Status: Healthy?/ Grounded Health: 84% Stress: 99% Energy: 30% Hunger: 88% Thirst: 89% “Should’ve never listened…” “I’m hungry… and thirsty…” “I made Rarity mad…” Inventory: Empty 12-gauge shell, a box of tissues Applejack Status: Healthy/Worried Health: 100% Stress: 43% Energy: 68% Hunger: 20% Thirst: 49% “Those three… I swear.” “Do they never learn?” “I’m glad they’re okay…” Inventory: NOTHING Discord Status: Suspicious Health: 1000% Stress: 2% Energy: 100% Hunger: ? Thirst: ? “Something odd is currently happening…” “I can’t place my talon on it, nor my paw.” “Whatever it is, I hope it is nothing bad.” Inventory: Teacup, stuffed rabbit made by Fluttershy Part 4Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Part 5“Twilight!” Spike yelled at the sleeping purple unicorn, jerking her awake. She groggily rubbed her tired purple eyes, the bags clearing showing underneath them. “What, Spike?” Twilight grumbled. “There’s no time for being tired, Rarity’s in the hospital!” “What!?” Twilight felt her exhaustion fade in an instant and she lept off her bed. “How? What happened to her!?” “She apparently fainted during Lyra’s birthday party, but this time, she didn’t wake up immediately after. So, they got Nurse Redheart and Lyra to bring her to the hospital.” Spike explained, but when he was finished, he realized that he had been talking to open air. “Oh…” Within a minute (after a large chain teleport), Twilight was standing inside Ponyville General Hospital, facing the receptionist. “Hi, what can I-” “Rarity. Room. Where!?” Twilight puffed out, her horn sparking. The receptionist flinched back from each heavy syllable but eventually recovered. “She’s in Room 10. She’s asleep right now and she seems to have an unknown disease.” But the receptionist soon realized that she had been talking to open air. “Oh…” “Rarity!” Twilight barged into the room, spotting Rarity lying on the hospital bed, her coat gleaming like a crystal under the light of the hospital room. Nurse Redheart and Doctor Horse were standing over the bed, monitoring her. When Twilight busted in, Nurse Redheart loudly shushed her. “Quiet! Honestly…” Nurse Redheart harshly whispered. “Sorry, but… is she okay?” Twilight walked over to the bed, standing next to Nurse Redheart. “I’m afraid to say it, but we have no clue. This… disease, infection… whatever it is, it has completely infected Rarity, and her shimmering coat and, no doubt, her sudden fainting, is caused by this infection.” Nurse Redheart carefully explained. “And if this is an infectious disease, we have no idea how it is spread. For now, we are sticking with direct contact.” Doctor Horse also explained. “That’s why I wore those to prevent physical contact with Rarity.” Nurse Redheart pointed to a shallow trash bin, which housed a pair of rubber medical gloves, or something. “I had Lyra carry half of Rarity’s weight with her magic. If this disease can somehow spread through the air, then all three of us may very well be infected right now, and we may not know it.” “But if it spreads through contact, then who knows who could be infected with… whatever this disease is!” Twilight exclaimed. “That is exactly where our concern lies right now.” Doctor Horse nodded. “While we care for Rarity, we cannot help but worry if there are other ponies out there who have been unknowingly infected with this disease. Right now, it seems to be harmless, but I fear what it might do in the future.” Twilight felt a curtain of despair fall over her as she looked over to Rarity, her crystal coat shimmering brightly. “Oh, Rarity…” Twilight clenched her eyes shut and sighed. “Do you… have a name for this yet?” “For right now, we’ll have a placeholder name, one that can easily identify this disease. Judging by the characteristics of it, we have decided to name it…” Doctor Horse turned to Nurse Redheart. “The Luster, derived from its trait of turning a pony’s coat into a reflective material, almost like a mineral.” Nurse Redheart looked over to Twilight, her blue eyes serious. “I will hear no qualms from you. Right now, I need you to search for possible infected ponies.” Twilight wanted to stay here desperately, but she knew that right now, it was required that she go. “Yes… of course.” And so, Twilight turned and ran out of the room, leaving Nurse Redheart and Doctor Horse with Rarity. “I am worried about what the Luster can do.” He admitted. “You are not the only one, Doctor.” Nurse Redheart muttered in agreement. “If this disease proves lethal, then we need to start working on a cure now rather than later.” “When do you think she got infected? I estimate two days ago.” Doctor Horse examined Rarity momentarily. “It is safe to say that this is no normal disease, Doctor. We need to think along more unrealistic margins. I estimate that she was infected 5 hours ago max.” Nurse Redheart closed her eyes and looked toward the door. “Yes, you are right. Now, let us hope that Rarity is the only one.” Doctor Horse looked out the window, seeing that the sun was now setting. “Yes, let us hope indeed.” Rarity Status: Infected Mid-stage 2 Infection: Has seemingly paused for now Health: 71% Stress: 0% Energy: 9% Hunger: 11% Thirst: 22% Inventory: NOTHING Twilight Sparkle Status: Healthy/ Despaired Health: 95% Stress: 89% Energy: 24% Hunger: 39% Thirst: 52% “Rarity…” “I’ve got to find any other infected.” “Please, let there be no others…” Inventory: NOTHING Lyra Heartstrings Status: Healthy?/Confused Health: 98% Stress: 11% Energy: 85% Hunger: 14% Thirst: 18% “My horn feels funny…” “I hope Rarity feels better.” “I’ll read a book for now.” Inventory: A diamond horn ring, a book Fluttershy Status: Healthy/Tired Health: 99% Stress: 1% Energy: 31% Hunger: 7% Thirst: 2% “I think I’ll go to sleep.” “Tomorrow, I’ll visit Rarity. Maybe she can repair my dress…” “When’s Discord coming back?” Inventory: Warm blanket, cup of warm milk, a pillow Rainbow Dash Status: Healthy/Waking up Health: 100% Stress: 6% Energy 100% Hunger 67% Thirst: 79% “Aw, dang it, I slept for too long.” “Thankfully, AJ’s nowhere in sight.” “Maybe I’ll just… pretend nothing happened, heh.” Inventory: Goggles. Compass Princess Celestia Status: Healthy/Lowering the sun Health: 100% Stress: 15% Energy: 67% Hunger: 2% Thirst: 0% “Let the world rest once more…” “Maybe I can ask Luna to check on Twilight for me.” “It’s time to sleep.” Inventory: NOTHING Princess Luna Status: Healthy/ Raising the moon Health: 100% Stress: 1% Energy: 99% Hunger: 0% Thirst: 0% “Let the world be bathed by the comforting rays of the moon, rest well, little ponies.” “What’s that? Visit Twilight Sparkle? Whatever for?” “Alright, if you insist, sister.” Inventory: Notebook Intermission: Symptoms and Stages of The LusterIf you see a pony infected with the Luster, refrain from making any kind of contact with them, physical or magical. Stage 1: Patches of reflective hair will begin to appear on the pony’s coat, beginning from the point of contact with an infected and spreading outward. As the area spreads, the pony may feel: Pins and needles around the infected area Loss of feeling within the infected area A sense of doom A loss of magical coordination A loss of flight coordination Please note that after you make contact with an infected pony, you become infectious within 15-30 minutes. Stage 2: At this point, the pony's coat has been completely dominated by the shimmering crystal-like hairs, making them appear like a pony from the Crystal Empire. This effect will have spread to the pony’s mane and tail by this point. During stage two, the pony may experience: Dizziness Fainting Deep bodily aches Impaired vision and hearing Loss of taste and smell Loss of magical ability Loss of flight ability Stage two happens 3 hours after being infected. Stage 3: Stage three occurs once after stage two has been reached, approximately an hour after. Stage three is a critical stage in the infection. The infected pony may experience: Sudden open wounds on the chest, back, and head Sudden crystallization of the hooves Severe pain in the affected areas Rapid crystal growths in the open wounds Loss of vision and hearing Rapidly crystalizing horn/Rapidly crystalizing wings Loss of sanity Loss of self Sudden aggressiveness By this point, the infection had begun to spread to the brain. Stage 4: Stage four is not much different from stage three on the outside. It occurs 45 minutes to 3 hours after stage three. The infected pony may experience: Rapidly crystalizing muscles Impaired movement Sharply improved sense of touch Complete loss of control Loss of consciousness Rapid solidification of coat Increased aggressiveness By this point, they are not themselves. Final stage: The final stage is the end of the infection. By this point, nothing more changes within the infected pony. The pony may experience: Solid joints Inability to move Completely crystalized exterior The pony is effectively dead at this point, but within the crystal confines… A HEART STILL BEATS Part 6Rainbow Dash soared through the newly-made night sky, still slightly tired from her long nap, but she had forgotten about her plans with Applejack… which was meant to be done nearly an hour ago. Apple trees passed in blurs underneath her as she finally slowed down and landed in front of Sweet Apple Acres’ large red barn. She cringed. “Hopefully she’s not too mad…” Rainbow whispered to herself before knocking on the barn door. Applejack is usually in the barn when the sun has just finished setting, either working or drinking. She sometimes does both depending on her mood. However, Rainbow had noticed that she had been waiting outside the barn for nearly five minutes now. She knocked again but with more power this time. “AJ, you in there?” Did she fall asleep or something? Rainbow Dash wanted to apologize badly, wanting no bad blood with her best friend, so she slid the barn door open and peered into the dark building. Immediately, she spotted Applejack passed out next to… a whole jug of cider!? “Woah, AJ!” Rainbow immediately ran over to Applejack and turned her over so that she was on her back, seeing that she was knocked out fully. Rainbow knew that AJ liked to drink every now and then, but this was just excessive! Had something happened? Did somepony die!? Thinking quickly, Rainbow looked to her right and spotted a bucket of water that was undoubtedly cold and grabbed it, dunking the whole thing on Applejack’s face. The effect was immediate, causing AJ’s eyes to launch open as she sputtered, the water dripping off her face. She stood and stumbled around, looking all around her quickly. Her woozy green eyes spotted Rainbow Dash and she narrowed them. “Jumpin’ June bugs, RD! What in Tartarus did you do that for!?” Applejack asked, shaking out her wet mane and staring down at her sopping wet hat. Regardless, she grabbed it and placed it atop her head, the brown Stetson sagging slightly. “Well, I saw a friend passed out on the ground from drinking too much alcohol! What else was I supposed to do!?” Rainbow fired back, causing AJ to shrink back and look away. “I should be asking you what the buck happened?” “Rainbow… a lot of things happened today. Firstly, my sis and her friends nearly killed themselves by stealing mah dad’s shotgun!” Applejack said loudly, the anger from earlier still in her voice. “Wh- What would they do that for?” Rainbow Dash asked, knowing the answer to that question already. However, the worry for Scootaloo’s well-being snuck into her chest. “They said they wanted to earn their… ‘sharpshooters’ cutie marks. I keep tellin’ them, their cutie marks will appear on their own, but they just never listen!” Applejack grumbled and scuffed the ground. Then, she sighed. “And second… Rarity’s in the hospital.” “Woah woah woah… went from 50 to 100 real fast. What happened to her?” Rainbow Dash felt the worry from earlier triple. “I… I honestly have no clue. Even the doctor said he didn’t know. My best guess is that she-” Applejack and Rainbow Dash jumped into the air when the barn doors were opened abruptly with a boom. They both turned and saw Twilight standing at the door, her horn glowing brightly. She was panting and huffing violently. AJ was about to ask what was wrong until… “YOU TWO! DID ANY OF YOU TOUCH RARITY TODAY!?!?” Twilight yelled out without warning, causing both of them to shrink back. “Uh-” Rainbow cut herself off. “No?” “No, Twi. We haven’t. What has gotten-” Applejack blinked and Twilight was gone, running away full speed away from the barn. AJ and RD both stood there, contemplating. “What the hay was all that about?” Rainbow asked, confused more than anything, but her worry spiked again when she realized that Twilight was talking about Rarity. “I don’t know, sugarcube.” Applejack sighed, water still dripping from her muzzle onto the ground. She looked over to the empty jug of cider and then at RD. “So, why didn’t you come to help me earlier, RD?” “Oh, that? Heh…” Rainbow Dash looked to the door, contemplating her escape, but it was suddenly slammed shut by an angry Applejack. “You’re gonna get it, girl,” Applejack said, a smirk on her face. “Oh, Horseapples.” Twilight Sparkle Status: Healthy/ Despaired Health: 93% Stress: 91% Energy: 11% Hunger: 41% Thirst: 58% “I’ve got to check on Pinkie!” “Please, oh please…” “AJ and RD are fine, I hope they aren’t the only two…” Inventory: A list Applejack Status: Healthy/Something else? Health: 100% Stress: 12% Energy: 92% Hunger: 83% Thirst: 69% “You’re gonna pay for that, RD.” “Don’t think I’m going easy on ya, girl.” “Tomorrow, you’re doing double as punishment.” Inventory: A lasso Apple Bloom Status: Healthy/Grounded Health: 94% Stress: 71% Energy: 63% Hunger: 1% Thirst: 5% “I shouldn’t have done that…” “What was I thinking?” “I’ll make it up to sis, I swear it.” Collective inventory: Empty plate, empty cup, towel Scootaloo Status: Healthy/Grounded Health: 92% Stress: 21% Energy: 62% Hunger: 21% Thirst: 13% “Great… just great…” “Maybe I can just… sneak out?” “No, I’ll make my auties angry again.” Inventory: Paper plate with a small salad (untouched), a glass of water (full), pillow Sweetie Belle Status: Infected Late-Stage 1 Infection: Infection has spread quickly, covering nearly her entire body Health: 79% Stress: 100% ! Energy: 12% Hunger: 91% Thirst: 99% “Rarity…” “It hurts…” “Please… come home…” Inventory: Blanket, pillow Rarity Status: Infected Late-stage 2 Infection: Showing signs of slow progression once more Health: 64% Stress: 0% Energy: 2% Hunger: 25% Thirst: 31% Inventory: NOTHING Pinkie Pie Status: Infected Stage 1 Infection: Has started spreading from the legs where she caught Rarity Health: 97% Stress: 84% Energy: 99% Hunger: 4% Thirst: 7% “What’s this? What’s happening?” “This looks like what was happening to Rarity…” “This is bad, I can feel it. I need to go to the hospital.” Inventory: NOTHING Discord Status: MISSING Health: ??? Stress: ??? Energy: ??? Hunger: ??? Thirst: ??? Part 7Pinkie Pie walked into Ponyville General Hospital, a worried smile on her face as she walked up to the receptionist. The pony at the desk looked up at Pinkie Pie and placed down the folder they were looking at. “Hello, Pinkie Pie. Is there anything I can do for you?” The receptionist asked, a smile on their face. “Yes, actually.” Even the receptionist was shocked by the lack of enthusiasm in Pinkie’s voice. “I’m here to get checked out.” “Yes… of course.” The receptionist looked back down at the folder in her hooves, and then she turned over to a file cabinet. “Please, go and get Nurse Redheart from Room 10. She seems to be quite busy at the moment.” “Okie dokie lokie.” Pinkie Pie slowly turned and trotted down the hall. The receptionist felt their eyes follow after Pinkie, worried by the lack of joy in the party pony’s voice. After walking a short distance, Pinkie Pie stopped in front of Room 10 and knocked on the door. After a few short moments, the door opened, revealing Nurse Redheart. “Pinkie? Have you come to visit Rarity?” Nurse Redheart asked, her voice exhausted. Pinkie Pie looked past Nurse Redheart at the shimmering figure on the hospital bed. Her smile faded as she saw Rarity lying there motionlessly. “No… I’m here to be checked. I, uh… seem to have what Rarity does.” Pinkie Pie held up a leg, revealing it to be nearly completely dominated by the shimmering crystal hairs. Redheart felt her eyes widen and she saw the same thing on Pinkie Pie’s other front leg. “Sweet Celestia… and… do you know how you got this?” Redheart slowly asked. “I think it was when I caught Rarity when she fainted.” Pinkie Pie responded, nodding her head. “Direct contact…” Redheart muttered under her breath, nodding almost unnoticeably. “I see… please follow me to an empty room.” Redheart looked back in the room at Doctor Horse, who was writing something down on a clipboard. “Watch Rarity for me, Doctor.” “You don’t even have to ask.” Doctor Horse responded, barely glancing toward her. With that, Redheart stepped out of the room, walking to the room just to the right. She opened the door and gestured for Pinkie Pie to enter, which she did, and jumped onto the soft hospital bed. “So, Miss Pie…” Redheart began. “How are you feeling currently?” “Less happy. More…” Pinkie Pie rubbed her chin as she thought of a word. “I feel like I’m dreading something, but I’m not sure what.” “A sense of doom?” Redheart asked, to which Pinkie Pie nodded. Redheart sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Do you feel any different?” “My front legs feel all tingly and numb… it almost hurts.” Pinkie idly rubbed her front legs together, the crystal hairs reflecting in the light. “Any dizziness, nausea, or coughing?” “No, Other than my tingly legs, I feel fine,” Pinkie explained. “But, I have a feeling that it won’t stop there.” Redheart nodded slowly, lowering her gaze to the floor. “So, would you-” However, she was cut off as she saw Pinkie Pie’s tail start to twitch wildly. “Twitchy tail…” Pinkie Pie then bolted up from the bed and ran to the door. Redheart was shocked by this sudden change in behavior and followed her out into the hall. “Miss Pie!? What has gotten into you?” Redheart asked as she watched Pinkie Pie pry open Room 10’s door. “Rarity!” That was all Pinkie Pie could get out before she stumbled back in shock, bumping into a horrified Nurse Redheart. Standing over Doctor Horse’s mangled, battered corpse, standing in a smear of blood, was Rarity, standing tall in under the light. Her coat shimmered magnificently in the light, revealing something on her head. A crystal. From the looks of it, a crystal had grown out of her skin. All along her chest, a sea of small, sharp crystals was growing out of her chest, letting blood drip onto the floor. Rarity’s mouth was stuck open in a silent scream as she looked back toward the door, her sightless eyes glossed over. Pinkie Pie stood there silently, a tear in her eye as she realized what her Pinkie Sense was telling her. Her friend was no longer with her. “Run, Pinkie!” Nurse Redheart grabbed Pinkie and pulled her away from the door, slamming it shut just before Rarity darted at them, thudding heavily against the door. Running on autopilot, Pinkie followed Nurse Redheart as they ran through the hospital halls. The receptionist at the desk looked up at the pair as they ran, confused. “What-?” The receptionist was cut off as the door to Room 10 burst open, letting the crystalized Rarity drop into the hall. That was all it took for them to drop the folder in their hooves and follow after Nurse Redheart and Pinkie Pie out of the hospital and into the night. Rarity Status: Infected Stage 3 Infection: Has started spreading deeper into Rarity’s flesh; has gained control Health: 41% Stress: ???% Energy: 15% Hunger: 99% Thirst: 99% “Pinkie…” “...what’s… happening…?” “...Sweetie… Belle…” Inventory: NOTHING Nurse Redheart Status: Healthy?/Grieving Health: 89% Stress: 97% Energy: 31% Hunger: 44% Thirst: 20% “Doctor…” “Keep running! We have to warn everypony!” “I could’ve saved him…” Inventory: Nurse’s cap (worn), mask Doctor Horse Status: DECEASED Cause of death: Beaten to death by Rarity Pinkie Pie Status: Infected Mid-Stage 1/Disbelieving Infection: Has continued to spread up the legs and into her chest Health: 95% Stress: 93% Energy: 98% Hunger: 6% Thirst: 10% “That’s not… possible.” “What happened?” “That wasn’t Rarity… right?” Inventory: NOTHING Lyra Heartstrings Status: Infected Stage 1/Worried Health: 97% Stress: 13% Energy: 63% Hunger: 16% Thirst: 21% “What’s happening to my horn?” “Did I get… infected with something?” “This feels all sorts of wrong.” Inventory: A diamond horn ring Bon Bon Status: Healthy/Worried Health: 100% Stress: 43% Energy: 88% Hunger: 10% Thirst: 11% “Are you okay, Lyra?” “Do we need to go to the hospital?” “Your horn… it reminds me of what happened to Rarity.” Inventory: Wrapped candy, a golden hoof ring Princess Luna Status: Healthy/ Riding the train to Ponyville Health: 100% Stress: 2% Energy: 98% Hunger: 1% Thirst: 1% “Perhaps I should’ve just… flown there after all.” “Oh well, it allows me time to recollect.” “Not a soul resides in this train car anyway.” Inventory: Notebook Twilight Sparkle Status: Healthy/ Hopeful Health: 93% Stress: 91% Energy: 11% Hunger: 41% Thirst: 58% “Every pony I’ve asked so far says they haven’t touched Rarity.” “Maybe everything is okay after all…” “I’ll go check on Sweetie Belle. She’s probably fine… right?” Inventory: A list
Part 3Author's Note This one is a bit short, I'll make up for it with the next part, sorry Part 3 Rarity approached the door to Twilight’s library and knocked. “Twilight?” Rarity asked, not wanting to intrude despite this being a library that she could easily enter. However, the pony, or creature, that answered wasn’t Twilight. “Oh, hey Rarity.” Spike greeted, looking behind him. “Yeah, uh… Twilight’s sleeping right now.” “This late into the day? Why could she… I shouldn’t even ask.” “Also… what’s up with your leg? It’s really shiny.” Spike pointed a claw at Rarity’s leg, to which she shied away. The crystal hairs had spread through her entire foreleg and it was now spreading through her chest and belly. The pins and needles feeling was growing and so was the numbness. “Oh, that… heh… it’s a new… coat shimmering… makeup? To make me look like a… Crystal Pony. I didn’t finish it yet.” Rarity nervously smiled. “Oh, okay. Well, whatever it is, it looks amazing. Come back in a few hours, Twilight might be awake by then, but I also have to clean up her mess.” “Okay, Spike. Take care.” Rarity turned away from the dragon in the door, a new face of worry prevalent. “Dear Celestia… I hope this isn’t too serious…” Rarity mumbled to herself. “Hope what isn’t too serious?” Said Pinkie Pie. “AH! Pinkie Pie, darling, don’t scare me like that!” “Oops! Tehee!” Rarity Status: Infected Mid-Stage 1 Health: 87% Stress: 89% Energy: 44% Hunger: 12% Thirst: 16% Infection: Has engulfed the entire left foreleg; now spreading through the torso “I didn’t see you there.” “Oh, I was just heading back home…” “A party? I… sure.” Inventory: Party invitation Spike Status: Healthy/Confused; tired Health: 79% Stress:12% Energy: 37% Hunger: 34% Thirst: 41% “That was weird…” “Maybe I’ll have to wake Twilight up soon.” “She wouldn’t be happy…” Inventory: Small ruby, a book Pinkie Pie Status: Healthy; a bit suspicious Health: 100% Stress: 3% Energy: 100% Hunger: 11% Thirst: 10% “Whoa, Rarity, your leg is all shimmery! “Yeah, you should totally come to Lyra’s party!” “It’ll be super fun!” Inventory: Confetti, cupcakes, party invitations, and so much more! Lyra Heartstrings Status: Confused Health: 99% Stress: 14% Energy: 81% Hunger: 19% Thirst: 33% “I haven’t seen Bon Bon all day today…” “Where is everypony?” “I have a bad feeling…” Inventory: A lyre, a black folder, a house key, a small mysterious box
Part 1Rarity was out looking for gems to add to her ever-growing supply. This time, she needed extra since she was working on a particularly fabulous dress. However, while she was on the way to her gem mining spot, she spotted something. In the forest to her left, she spotted an area that was darker than usual. Confused, she took a slight detour to investigate this anomaly. “I wonder what that could be.” Rarity said to herself as she pushed through bushes and shrubs. Eventually, the source was reached, revealing a cave opening in the ground. The opening itself was quite small and looked to have been recently uncovered by natural causes. “How have I never noticed this before?” Rarity wondered, peering down into the dark abyss. Should she go in? Rarity knew that her gem mining spot would eventually run dry, so she could always use a new one. “I just hope it isn’t full of nasty critters… I shouldn’t say that around Fluttershy.” Rarity cast a light spell, the blueish-white light illuminating the cave. It was revealed that the drop itself into the cave wasn’t as far as she had first anticipated. So, shrugging, Rarity lept in. The cave itself was a narrow winding path that led steadily down. The walls were smooth and worn, but not carved to be like this by ponies or other creatures. Rarity’s light spell kept her going in the same direction and she was careful not to step into pits and cracks. But after walking through the seemingly neverending cave for what felt like hours, she was very tempted to turn back. “No, Rarity, remember. Those who quit early never reap the rewards. Those who persevere will always find…” At that statement, Rarity rounded a bend in the cave, revealing a sight that made her eyes widen and allowed a smile to creep onto her face. “Diamonds!” Rarity was now facing a huge, 7-meter-tall outcrop of smooth blue crystals, each growth ending in a sharp point, almost like quartz. The crystals seemed to glow in Rarity’s light spell. She walked forward, entranced by the beauty of this mammoth crystal outcrop. “It’s just… I just… there are no words to describe how perfect this crystal is! The size, the radiance, the purity, the luster!” Rarity wasted no time and pulled out her small pickaxe. She approached the large crystal and gazed down at the bottom of it. Multiple smaller crystals were growing down there, identical to the larger variants in every way excluding size. She tapped the sharp metal tool against the base of one of the crystals, causing a clean crack to form and making the crystal fall onto the ground. Rarity acquired this small crystal in her magic, admiring it with a dropped jaw. Even this small crystal was about the length of her leg! It was also quite heavy. “This marvelous assortment of jewels will be perfect for the dress! I was looking for sapphires anyway.” Rarity held the crystal close, now cradling it like a foal. “You’ll make me rich, darling.” She whispered to the gem, which held no response for her. The return journey was one full of joy and excitement for a mare who thought she had hit the jackpot in terms of gems for her dresses. “I’ll be back for you!” Rarity exclaimed at the cave entrance as she trotted away, the gem on her back. Rarity Status: Healthy?/ Happy Health: 99% Stress: 0% Energy: 53% Hunger: 70% Thirst: 89% “I hit it big!” “My dress will be perfect!” “I’m a bit hungry, I’ll ask Sweetie Belle to make me a sandwich.” Inventory: Crystal, small pickaxe, empty water bottle, granola bar wrapper Twilight Sparkle Status: Healthy/Sleep-deprived Health: 94% Stress:33% Energy: 12% Hunger: 14% Thirst: 38% “Shouldn’t have stayed up that late…” “yawn Spike, coffee please…” “I’ll get it done now rather than later…” Inventory: Paper and quill, empty coffee mug Pinkie Pie Status: Happy and healthy! Health: 100% Stress: 1% Energy: 100% Hunger: 2% Thirst: 12% “I think I’ll throw Lyra her birthday party today!” “Maybe I’ll invite a few others, like Bon Bon!” “Oh, I have a feeling that something life-changing is going to happen!” Inventory: Confetti, cake, cupcakes, candy, party hat, and so much more! Fluttershy Status: Healthy Health: 99% Stress: 2% Energy: 86% Hunger: 29% Thirst: 12% “How is the tea, Discord?” “I’m glad to hear it.” “What’s that? You’ve got to go? Alright, be safe.” Inventory: Half-full teacup, picture of her and Discord, a feather Rainbow Dash Status: Healthy and lazy Health: 100% Stress: 0% Energy 99% Hunger 57% Thirst: 63% “snore” Inventory: A cloud, goggles, compass Applejack Status: Healthy; a bit peeved/worried Health: 100% Stress: 78% Energy: 88% Hunger: 19% Thirst: 44% “What have I said about doing these dangerous things, you three!?” “You could’ve died doing this stunt!” “You’re grounded, Bloom.” Inventory: Apple, a half-full bottle of apple juice, her Stetson The Cutie Mark Crusaders (Yes, all three of them) Status: Healthy but in trouble (Order: SB, AB, Scootaloo) Health: 89%, 94%, 92% Stress: 44%, 63%, 19% Energy: 76%, 79%, 71% Hunger: 68%, 15%, 42% Thirst: 54%, 10%, 45% “Sorry, Miss Applejack…” “...sorry, Sis.” “It won’t happen again. Promise.” Collective inventory: 12-gauge shotgun; half-full (In an attempt to gain sharpshooters Cutie Marks after repeatedly being denied) Princess Celestia Status: Healthy Health: 100% Stress: 29% Energy: 96% Hunger: 1% Thirst: 0% “It’s been a while since Twilight last wrote a letter. I hope she’s doing okay.” “Maybe I’ll read a book.” “No, I’ve got duties to attend to.” Inventory: A book “Tall Tale’s Exciting Short Stories”, an empty platter; it once housed a cake Princess Luna Status: Healthy/Sleeping Health: 100% Stress: 2% Energy: 100% Hunger: 15% Thirst: 20% Inventory: Pillow, sleeping mask, stuffed animal
Part 2Rarity arrived back at the Carasoul Boutique, the smile still ever-present on her face. “Sweetie Belle, I’m home- oh, Applejack, is anything the matter?” Rarity saw Applejack sitting in the center of her boutique, Sweetie Belle looking quite sullen just to her left. Rarity placed down her bag and the crystal, now concerned. “What did she do this time?” Rarity asks, sighing, her mood slightly dampened. “I love these three with all my heart, but they just keep gettin’ into trouble! The three of them conspired to steal my shotgun and use it for target practice!” Applejack ranted, causing Rarity to gasp in shock and Sweetie Belle to whimper. “They could’ve gotten themselves killed! They don’t know proper gun safety.” Rarity glared at Sweetie Belle, which caused her to dip her head lower than before. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention, AJ, but I can take it from here.” Rarity nodded to Applejack, a serious look on her face. Applejack slowly nodded and walked to the door of the boutique. “They worry me too much…” Applejack whispered. “Same with me, darling…” Rarity whispered back. Applejack left shortly after. “Now, Sweetie Belle, explain yourself.” “It was Apple Bloom’s idea… she said that we could earn sharpshooters Cutie Marks.” “It doesn’t matter whose idea it was, it was still stupid regardless to even accept it as a good idea!” Rarity walked over to Sweetie Belle, and for a second, Sweetie Belle expected violence for whatever reason. However, a tight hug was all that she got. “Don’t worry me like that ever again…” “I’m sorry, sis…” Sweetie Belle sniffled. After this encounter, Rarity grounded Sweetie Belle and sent her to her room. Hearing that her little sister could’ve died today really and truly dampens to mood. And after getting a quick bite to eat, Rarity got to work. She grabbed the crystal that she had left by the door and carried it over to her workshop, where she set it on the table, turned on a lamp, and sat down, ready to get to work. However, before she could even begin to carve the crystal, she noticed something odd. “That’s weird…” Rarity saw a patch of reflective, almost crystal-like hairs shimmering on her left foreleg. Now that she noticed it, she can feel, or rather can’t feel, the area that has been taken over by these admittedly pretty hairs. She could feel pins and needles around this patch of hair on her coat. “It feels… odd. Maybe I got some dust on me, I’ll wash it off later.” But as the minutes passed, she couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of doom as the patch of crystal hairs continued to grow. “Oh dear… maybe I got cursed or something? I’ll go talk to Twilight about this.” Rarity Status: Infected Stage 1 Infection: Has begun to spread from the first point of contact Health: 89% Stress: 81% Energy: 47% Hunger: 2% Thirst: 3% “What could’ve possessed Sweetie Belle to do something so stupid?” “This is starting to hurt a bit…” “Why can’t I grip the door with my magic?” Inventory: NOTHING Twilight Sparkle Status: Healthy/Passed out Health: 95% Stress: 52% Energy: 0% Hunger: 24% Thirst: 49% Inventory: Paper and quill Sweetie Belle Status: Healthy?/ Grounded Health: 84% Stress: 99% Energy: 30% Hunger: 88% Thirst: 89% “Should’ve never listened…” “I’m hungry… and thirsty…” “I made Rarity mad…” Inventory: Empty 12-gauge shell, a box of tissues Applejack Status: Healthy/Worried Health: 100% Stress: 43% Energy: 68% Hunger: 20% Thirst: 49% “Those three… I swear.” “Do they never learn?” “I’m glad they’re okay…” Inventory: NOTHING Discord Status: Suspicious Health: 1000% Stress: 2% Energy: 100% Hunger: ? Thirst: ? “Something odd is currently happening…” “I can’t place my talon on it, nor my paw.” “Whatever it is, I hope it is nothing bad.” Inventory: Teacup, stuffed rabbit made by Fluttershy
Part 5“Twilight!” Spike yelled at the sleeping purple unicorn, jerking her awake. She groggily rubbed her tired purple eyes, the bags clearing showing underneath them. “What, Spike?” Twilight grumbled. “There’s no time for being tired, Rarity’s in the hospital!” “What!?” Twilight felt her exhaustion fade in an instant and she lept off her bed. “How? What happened to her!?” “She apparently fainted during Lyra’s birthday party, but this time, she didn’t wake up immediately after. So, they got Nurse Redheart and Lyra to bring her to the hospital.” Spike explained, but when he was finished, he realized that he had been talking to open air. “Oh…” Within a minute (after a large chain teleport), Twilight was standing inside Ponyville General Hospital, facing the receptionist. “Hi, what can I-” “Rarity. Room. Where!?” Twilight puffed out, her horn sparking. The receptionist flinched back from each heavy syllable but eventually recovered. “She’s in Room 10. She’s asleep right now and she seems to have an unknown disease.” But the receptionist soon realized that she had been talking to open air. “Oh…” “Rarity!” Twilight barged into the room, spotting Rarity lying on the hospital bed, her coat gleaming like a crystal under the light of the hospital room. Nurse Redheart and Doctor Horse were standing over the bed, monitoring her. When Twilight busted in, Nurse Redheart loudly shushed her. “Quiet! Honestly…” Nurse Redheart harshly whispered. “Sorry, but… is she okay?” Twilight walked over to the bed, standing next to Nurse Redheart. “I’m afraid to say it, but we have no clue. This… disease, infection… whatever it is, it has completely infected Rarity, and her shimmering coat and, no doubt, her sudden fainting, is caused by this infection.” Nurse Redheart carefully explained. “And if this is an infectious disease, we have no idea how it is spread. For now, we are sticking with direct contact.” Doctor Horse also explained. “That’s why I wore those to prevent physical contact with Rarity.” Nurse Redheart pointed to a shallow trash bin, which housed a pair of rubber medical gloves, or something. “I had Lyra carry half of Rarity’s weight with her magic. If this disease can somehow spread through the air, then all three of us may very well be infected right now, and we may not know it.” “But if it spreads through contact, then who knows who could be infected with… whatever this disease is!” Twilight exclaimed. “That is exactly where our concern lies right now.” Doctor Horse nodded. “While we care for Rarity, we cannot help but worry if there are other ponies out there who have been unknowingly infected with this disease. Right now, it seems to be harmless, but I fear what it might do in the future.” Twilight felt a curtain of despair fall over her as she looked over to Rarity, her crystal coat shimmering brightly. “Oh, Rarity…” Twilight clenched her eyes shut and sighed. “Do you… have a name for this yet?” “For right now, we’ll have a placeholder name, one that can easily identify this disease. Judging by the characteristics of it, we have decided to name it…” Doctor Horse turned to Nurse Redheart. “The Luster, derived from its trait of turning a pony’s coat into a reflective material, almost like a mineral.” Nurse Redheart looked over to Twilight, her blue eyes serious. “I will hear no qualms from you. Right now, I need you to search for possible infected ponies.” Twilight wanted to stay here desperately, but she knew that right now, it was required that she go. “Yes… of course.” And so, Twilight turned and ran out of the room, leaving Nurse Redheart and Doctor Horse with Rarity. “I am worried about what the Luster can do.” He admitted. “You are not the only one, Doctor.” Nurse Redheart muttered in agreement. “If this disease proves lethal, then we need to start working on a cure now rather than later.” “When do you think she got infected? I estimate two days ago.” Doctor Horse examined Rarity momentarily. “It is safe to say that this is no normal disease, Doctor. We need to think along more unrealistic margins. I estimate that she was infected 5 hours ago max.” Nurse Redheart closed her eyes and looked toward the door. “Yes, you are right. Now, let us hope that Rarity is the only one.” Doctor Horse looked out the window, seeing that the sun was now setting. “Yes, let us hope indeed.” Rarity Status: Infected Mid-stage 2 Infection: Has seemingly paused for now Health: 71% Stress: 0% Energy: 9% Hunger: 11% Thirst: 22% Inventory: NOTHING Twilight Sparkle Status: Healthy/ Despaired Health: 95% Stress: 89% Energy: 24% Hunger: 39% Thirst: 52% “Rarity…” “I’ve got to find any other infected.” “Please, let there be no others…” Inventory: NOTHING Lyra Heartstrings Status: Healthy?/Confused Health: 98% Stress: 11% Energy: 85% Hunger: 14% Thirst: 18% “My horn feels funny…” “I hope Rarity feels better.” “I’ll read a book for now.” Inventory: A diamond horn ring, a book Fluttershy Status: Healthy/Tired Health: 99% Stress: 1% Energy: 31% Hunger: 7% Thirst: 2% “I think I’ll go to sleep.” “Tomorrow, I’ll visit Rarity. Maybe she can repair my dress…” “When’s Discord coming back?” Inventory: Warm blanket, cup of warm milk, a pillow Rainbow Dash Status: Healthy/Waking up Health: 100% Stress: 6% Energy 100% Hunger 67% Thirst: 79% “Aw, dang it, I slept for too long.” “Thankfully, AJ’s nowhere in sight.” “Maybe I’ll just… pretend nothing happened, heh.” Inventory: Goggles. Compass Princess Celestia Status: Healthy/Lowering the sun Health: 100% Stress: 15% Energy: 67% Hunger: 2% Thirst: 0% “Let the world rest once more…” “Maybe I can ask Luna to check on Twilight for me.” “It’s time to sleep.” Inventory: NOTHING Princess Luna Status: Healthy/ Raising the moon Health: 100% Stress: 1% Energy: 99% Hunger: 0% Thirst: 0% “Let the world be bathed by the comforting rays of the moon, rest well, little ponies.” “What’s that? Visit Twilight Sparkle? Whatever for?” “Alright, if you insist, sister.” Inventory: Notebook
Intermission: Symptoms and Stages of The LusterIf you see a pony infected with the Luster, refrain from making any kind of contact with them, physical or magical. Stage 1: Patches of reflective hair will begin to appear on the pony’s coat, beginning from the point of contact with an infected and spreading outward. As the area spreads, the pony may feel: Pins and needles around the infected area Loss of feeling within the infected area A sense of doom A loss of magical coordination A loss of flight coordination Please note that after you make contact with an infected pony, you become infectious within 15-30 minutes. Stage 2: At this point, the pony's coat has been completely dominated by the shimmering crystal-like hairs, making them appear like a pony from the Crystal Empire. This effect will have spread to the pony’s mane and tail by this point. During stage two, the pony may experience: Dizziness Fainting Deep bodily aches Impaired vision and hearing Loss of taste and smell Loss of magical ability Loss of flight ability Stage two happens 3 hours after being infected. Stage 3: Stage three occurs once after stage two has been reached, approximately an hour after. Stage three is a critical stage in the infection. The infected pony may experience: Sudden open wounds on the chest, back, and head Sudden crystallization of the hooves Severe pain in the affected areas Rapid crystal growths in the open wounds Loss of vision and hearing Rapidly crystalizing horn/Rapidly crystalizing wings Loss of sanity Loss of self Sudden aggressiveness By this point, the infection had begun to spread to the brain. Stage 4: Stage four is not much different from stage three on the outside. It occurs 45 minutes to 3 hours after stage three. The infected pony may experience: Rapidly crystalizing muscles Impaired movement Sharply improved sense of touch Complete loss of control Loss of consciousness Rapid solidification of coat Increased aggressiveness By this point, they are not themselves. Final stage: The final stage is the end of the infection. By this point, nothing more changes within the infected pony. The pony may experience: Solid joints Inability to move Completely crystalized exterior The pony is effectively dead at this point, but within the crystal confines… A HEART STILL BEATS
Part 6Rainbow Dash soared through the newly-made night sky, still slightly tired from her long nap, but she had forgotten about her plans with Applejack… which was meant to be done nearly an hour ago. Apple trees passed in blurs underneath her as she finally slowed down and landed in front of Sweet Apple Acres’ large red barn. She cringed. “Hopefully she’s not too mad…” Rainbow whispered to herself before knocking on the barn door. Applejack is usually in the barn when the sun has just finished setting, either working or drinking. She sometimes does both depending on her mood. However, Rainbow had noticed that she had been waiting outside the barn for nearly five minutes now. She knocked again but with more power this time. “AJ, you in there?” Did she fall asleep or something? Rainbow Dash wanted to apologize badly, wanting no bad blood with her best friend, so she slid the barn door open and peered into the dark building. Immediately, she spotted Applejack passed out next to… a whole jug of cider!? “Woah, AJ!” Rainbow immediately ran over to Applejack and turned her over so that she was on her back, seeing that she was knocked out fully. Rainbow knew that AJ liked to drink every now and then, but this was just excessive! Had something happened? Did somepony die!? Thinking quickly, Rainbow looked to her right and spotted a bucket of water that was undoubtedly cold and grabbed it, dunking the whole thing on Applejack’s face. The effect was immediate, causing AJ’s eyes to launch open as she sputtered, the water dripping off her face. She stood and stumbled around, looking all around her quickly. Her woozy green eyes spotted Rainbow Dash and she narrowed them. “Jumpin’ June bugs, RD! What in Tartarus did you do that for!?” Applejack asked, shaking out her wet mane and staring down at her sopping wet hat. Regardless, she grabbed it and placed it atop her head, the brown Stetson sagging slightly. “Well, I saw a friend passed out on the ground from drinking too much alcohol! What else was I supposed to do!?” Rainbow fired back, causing AJ to shrink back and look away. “I should be asking you what the buck happened?” “Rainbow… a lot of things happened today. Firstly, my sis and her friends nearly killed themselves by stealing mah dad’s shotgun!” Applejack said loudly, the anger from earlier still in her voice. “Wh- What would they do that for?” Rainbow Dash asked, knowing the answer to that question already. However, the worry for Scootaloo’s well-being snuck into her chest. “They said they wanted to earn their… ‘sharpshooters’ cutie marks. I keep tellin’ them, their cutie marks will appear on their own, but they just never listen!” Applejack grumbled and scuffed the ground. Then, she sighed. “And second… Rarity’s in the hospital.” “Woah woah woah… went from 50 to 100 real fast. What happened to her?” Rainbow Dash felt the worry from earlier triple. “I… I honestly have no clue. Even the doctor said he didn’t know. My best guess is that she-” Applejack and Rainbow Dash jumped into the air when the barn doors were opened abruptly with a boom. They both turned and saw Twilight standing at the door, her horn glowing brightly. She was panting and huffing violently. AJ was about to ask what was wrong until… “YOU TWO! DID ANY OF YOU TOUCH RARITY TODAY!?!?” Twilight yelled out without warning, causing both of them to shrink back. “Uh-” Rainbow cut herself off. “No?” “No, Twi. We haven’t. What has gotten-” Applejack blinked and Twilight was gone, running away full speed away from the barn. AJ and RD both stood there, contemplating. “What the hay was all that about?” Rainbow asked, confused more than anything, but her worry spiked again when she realized that Twilight was talking about Rarity. “I don’t know, sugarcube.” Applejack sighed, water still dripping from her muzzle onto the ground. She looked over to the empty jug of cider and then at RD. “So, why didn’t you come to help me earlier, RD?” “Oh, that? Heh…” Rainbow Dash looked to the door, contemplating her escape, but it was suddenly slammed shut by an angry Applejack. “You’re gonna get it, girl,” Applejack said, a smirk on her face. “Oh, Horseapples.” Twilight Sparkle Status: Healthy/ Despaired Health: 93% Stress: 91% Energy: 11% Hunger: 41% Thirst: 58% “I’ve got to check on Pinkie!” “Please, oh please…” “AJ and RD are fine, I hope they aren’t the only two…” Inventory: A list Applejack Status: Healthy/Something else? Health: 100% Stress: 12% Energy: 92% Hunger: 83% Thirst: 69% “You’re gonna pay for that, RD.” “Don’t think I’m going easy on ya, girl.” “Tomorrow, you’re doing double as punishment.” Inventory: A lasso Apple Bloom Status: Healthy/Grounded Health: 94% Stress: 71% Energy: 63% Hunger: 1% Thirst: 5% “I shouldn’t have done that…” “What was I thinking?” “I’ll make it up to sis, I swear it.” Collective inventory: Empty plate, empty cup, towel Scootaloo Status: Healthy/Grounded Health: 92% Stress: 21% Energy: 62% Hunger: 21% Thirst: 13% “Great… just great…” “Maybe I can just… sneak out?” “No, I’ll make my auties angry again.” Inventory: Paper plate with a small salad (untouched), a glass of water (full), pillow Sweetie Belle Status: Infected Late-Stage 1 Infection: Infection has spread quickly, covering nearly her entire body Health: 79% Stress: 100% ! Energy: 12% Hunger: 91% Thirst: 99% “Rarity…” “It hurts…” “Please… come home…” Inventory: Blanket, pillow Rarity Status: Infected Late-stage 2 Infection: Showing signs of slow progression once more Health: 64% Stress: 0% Energy: 2% Hunger: 25% Thirst: 31% Inventory: NOTHING Pinkie Pie Status: Infected Stage 1 Infection: Has started spreading from the legs where she caught Rarity Health: 97% Stress: 84% Energy: 99% Hunger: 4% Thirst: 7% “What’s this? What’s happening?” “This looks like what was happening to Rarity…” “This is bad, I can feel it. I need to go to the hospital.” Inventory: NOTHING Discord Status: MISSING Health: ??? Stress: ??? Energy: ??? Hunger: ??? Thirst: ???
Part 7Pinkie Pie walked into Ponyville General Hospital, a worried smile on her face as she walked up to the receptionist. The pony at the desk looked up at Pinkie Pie and placed down the folder they were looking at. “Hello, Pinkie Pie. Is there anything I can do for you?” The receptionist asked, a smile on their face. “Yes, actually.” Even the receptionist was shocked by the lack of enthusiasm in Pinkie’s voice. “I’m here to get checked out.” “Yes… of course.” The receptionist looked back down at the folder in her hooves, and then she turned over to a file cabinet. “Please, go and get Nurse Redheart from Room 10. She seems to be quite busy at the moment.” “Okie dokie lokie.” Pinkie Pie slowly turned and trotted down the hall. The receptionist felt their eyes follow after Pinkie, worried by the lack of joy in the party pony’s voice. After walking a short distance, Pinkie Pie stopped in front of Room 10 and knocked on the door. After a few short moments, the door opened, revealing Nurse Redheart. “Pinkie? Have you come to visit Rarity?” Nurse Redheart asked, her voice exhausted. Pinkie Pie looked past Nurse Redheart at the shimmering figure on the hospital bed. Her smile faded as she saw Rarity lying there motionlessly. “No… I’m here to be checked. I, uh… seem to have what Rarity does.” Pinkie Pie held up a leg, revealing it to be nearly completely dominated by the shimmering crystal hairs. Redheart felt her eyes widen and she saw the same thing on Pinkie Pie’s other front leg. “Sweet Celestia… and… do you know how you got this?” Redheart slowly asked. “I think it was when I caught Rarity when she fainted.” Pinkie Pie responded, nodding her head. “Direct contact…” Redheart muttered under her breath, nodding almost unnoticeably. “I see… please follow me to an empty room.” Redheart looked back in the room at Doctor Horse, who was writing something down on a clipboard. “Watch Rarity for me, Doctor.” “You don’t even have to ask.” Doctor Horse responded, barely glancing toward her. With that, Redheart stepped out of the room, walking to the room just to the right. She opened the door and gestured for Pinkie Pie to enter, which she did, and jumped onto the soft hospital bed. “So, Miss Pie…” Redheart began. “How are you feeling currently?” “Less happy. More…” Pinkie Pie rubbed her chin as she thought of a word. “I feel like I’m dreading something, but I’m not sure what.” “A sense of doom?” Redheart asked, to which Pinkie Pie nodded. Redheart sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Do you feel any different?” “My front legs feel all tingly and numb… it almost hurts.” Pinkie idly rubbed her front legs together, the crystal hairs reflecting in the light. “Any dizziness, nausea, or coughing?” “No, Other than my tingly legs, I feel fine,” Pinkie explained. “But, I have a feeling that it won’t stop there.” Redheart nodded slowly, lowering her gaze to the floor. “So, would you-” However, she was cut off as she saw Pinkie Pie’s tail start to twitch wildly. “Twitchy tail…” Pinkie Pie then bolted up from the bed and ran to the door. Redheart was shocked by this sudden change in behavior and followed her out into the hall. “Miss Pie!? What has gotten into you?” Redheart asked as she watched Pinkie Pie pry open Room 10’s door. “Rarity!” That was all Pinkie Pie could get out before she stumbled back in shock, bumping into a horrified Nurse Redheart. Standing over Doctor Horse’s mangled, battered corpse, standing in a smear of blood, was Rarity, standing tall in under the light. Her coat shimmered magnificently in the light, revealing something on her head. A crystal. From the looks of it, a crystal had grown out of her skin. All along her chest, a sea of small, sharp crystals was growing out of her chest, letting blood drip onto the floor. Rarity’s mouth was stuck open in a silent scream as she looked back toward the door, her sightless eyes glossed over. Pinkie Pie stood there silently, a tear in her eye as she realized what her Pinkie Sense was telling her. Her friend was no longer with her. “Run, Pinkie!” Nurse Redheart grabbed Pinkie and pulled her away from the door, slamming it shut just before Rarity darted at them, thudding heavily against the door. Running on autopilot, Pinkie followed Nurse Redheart as they ran through the hospital halls. The receptionist at the desk looked up at the pair as they ran, confused. “What-?” The receptionist was cut off as the door to Room 10 burst open, letting the crystalized Rarity drop into the hall. That was all it took for them to drop the folder in their hooves and follow after Nurse Redheart and Pinkie Pie out of the hospital and into the night. Rarity Status: Infected Stage 3 Infection: Has started spreading deeper into Rarity’s flesh; has gained control Health: 41% Stress: ???% Energy: 15% Hunger: 99% Thirst: 99% “Pinkie…” “...what’s… happening…?” “...Sweetie… Belle…” Inventory: NOTHING Nurse Redheart Status: Healthy?/Grieving Health: 89% Stress: 97% Energy: 31% Hunger: 44% Thirst: 20% “Doctor…” “Keep running! We have to warn everypony!” “I could’ve saved him…” Inventory: Nurse’s cap (worn), mask Doctor Horse Status: DECEASED Cause of death: Beaten to death by Rarity Pinkie Pie Status: Infected Mid-Stage 1/Disbelieving Infection: Has continued to spread up the legs and into her chest Health: 95% Stress: 93% Energy: 98% Hunger: 6% Thirst: 10% “That’s not… possible.” “What happened?” “That wasn’t Rarity… right?” Inventory: NOTHING Lyra Heartstrings Status: Infected Stage 1/Worried Health: 97% Stress: 13% Energy: 63% Hunger: 16% Thirst: 21% “What’s happening to my horn?” “Did I get… infected with something?” “This feels all sorts of wrong.” Inventory: A diamond horn ring Bon Bon Status: Healthy/Worried Health: 100% Stress: 43% Energy: 88% Hunger: 10% Thirst: 11% “Are you okay, Lyra?” “Do we need to go to the hospital?” “Your horn… it reminds me of what happened to Rarity.” Inventory: Wrapped candy, a golden hoof ring Princess Luna Status: Healthy/ Riding the train to Ponyville Health: 100% Stress: 2% Energy: 98% Hunger: 1% Thirst: 1% “Perhaps I should’ve just… flown there after all.” “Oh well, it allows me time to recollect.” “Not a soul resides in this train car anyway.” Inventory: Notebook Twilight Sparkle Status: Healthy/ Hopeful Health: 93% Stress: 91% Energy: 11% Hunger: 41% Thirst: 58% “Every pony I’ve asked so far says they haven’t touched Rarity.” “Maybe everything is okay after all…” “I’ll go check on Sweetie Belle. She’s probably fine… right?” Inventory: A list
