Ancient Infection

It was a lovely spring morning, as the sun shined down onto Canterlot, as six familiar ponies and one small purple dragon cantered down the street. The one leading the small herd was Twilight Sparkle, and she was eager to meet with her former mentor. Princesses Celestia and Luna had sent word to the newest princess that they have received an interesting new exhibit for the Canterlot Museum. They had wish to have Twilight and her friends’ help in learning on this, since they’ve made multiple journeys into the Dragon Lands. They have gotten familiar with the creatures that has inhabited the region. Fluttershy, was namely the one who had studied and spoken to the other creatures.
As the six friends approached the museum, a royal guard meet with them and guided them to the back. Taking them to what looked like a lab of sorts. There was the princess of the sun and the princess of the moon standing there talking to Dr. Pones and Dr. Specks about the large ice melting behind them.

“Princess Celestia, I’ve received your letter, you needed our assistance for the newest exhibit?” Twilight asked her former teacher excitedly.

“Yes, Twilight, we are going to need your help identifying this creature in the ice. We hope that you or one of your friends might know what this type of dragon is.” Princess Celestia stated in her normal calm voice.

That was when a young blue filly ran in with a paper, handing it to Dr. Specks.

“Doctor! I’ve scan the specimen and I’ve got some readings on signs of life from it! But that’s impossible! Especially with it being frozen and, well, it shows obvious signs of decay.” The filly reported, her voice full of worry.

“Signs of life? But how?” Princess Luna asked, turning to her sister for help.

Fluttershy approached the melting ice, staring at the beast within. The creature was pony size, but was like a feathery dragon. Though, if the yellow pegasus was being honest, it looked like it barely escaped from being eaten and was decaying. It had a sick looking green hue to it, as its yellow bloodshot eyes looked dead ahead. It suddenly looked at her, and before Fluttershy could scream, it broke free from the ice and bit her on her chest, just below her throat.
Fluttershy managed to scream as that thing tackled her, its jaws on her chest. Rainbow Dash, being the fastest, reacted first. Shooting to the pair, kicking the beast off of her. A bolt of brilliant light shot out at the creature as Princess Celestia shot forward stood above the injured yellow mare, and she shot her magic at this creature. It had hit its mark. The beast’s head exploded like a gore filled balloon as guards rushed in to protect their princesses.
Celestia had ordered the guards to take Fluttershy to the hospital immediately. Princess Luna had put Fluttershy under a short sleeping spell to help with the pain that Fluttershy was in.
The rest of the mane six hurried after the guards, concern and horrified for their friend. As they entered the hospital, some of the staff stopped the group from going any farther. So they waited. Seconds turned into minutes and minutes turned into hours. Twilight and Rainbow Dash were pacing, one on the ground and one was flying. Rarity and Applejack were hugging the normally chipper Pinki Pie, however her mane and tail fell flat. Spike laid on Twilight’s back, having cried himself to sleep.

“What was that thing, Twilight?” Rarity finally asked, breaking the silence between them all.

Twilight hesitated before she answered, unsure of herself “I don’t know, Rarity, it’s not a creature I’m familiar with from any of my books.”

“Well…whatever it was, it’s dead now.” Applejack stated firmly, giving the alabaster unicorn an assuring look.

Rainbow stopped in mid flight and growled to herself.

“What is taking them so long?” She growled lowly.

“They’re…making her better…right, Dashie?” Pinkie asked in a soft voice, a small hiccup coming up after she asked.

“They are, Pinkie. Fluttershy is going to be fine.” They cyan pegasus stated like it was a done deal.

A doctor had stepped out with a chart, looking at the group whom’s attention was now solely on him. He slowly made his way forward.

“Ms. Fluttershy is in stable condition, luckily the wounds weren’t deep enough. She will make a full recovery and can be discharged as soon as she is awake. However as of this time, we do not want any visitors disturbing her rest. I suggest you take a moment too. Our cafeteria is behind those doors to your right.” The doctor had stated to them, as his eyes decided to focus on the purple alicorn’s eyes.

As quickly as he came, he left to help his other patients. The group of friends decidedly, whether if it was a conscious or unconscious decision, went to the cafeteria. As they had sat down to eat together, they barely ate anything at all. All too worried about their injured friend. That was when the hospital alarms all started to go off, calling for both doctors and security to one room.
All five of them looked at one another and hurried to that room to see if it was their friend. What they saw, however, was something straight out of a horror movie. Fluttershy had blood cover her from her chest to her mouth, as the doctor from before was hammering on her chest.

“She’s going into cardiac arrest!” The doctor shouted at his nurse.

What was even stranger though, was her body was seizing. Her eyes wide open and looking directly at the group. They were not glassy nor dead. It was like she was there, but it wasn’t her entirely. Soon Fluttershy let out a loud gasp, and coughed. Blood sputtered from her mouth, and soon her breathing went back to normal.
It was soon determined that she will have to stay two more days for observation. More for every pony’s safety including her own. The group of friends were ushered out, and was sent back to where they were staying. Twilight entered her old room where she stayed before she went to Ponyville. She immediately went through her library to try and find out what was wrong with her dear friend.
Book after book, minutes to hours, as the sun began to set, the Princess of Friendship found nothing on Fluttershy’s condition, nor about that beast. Her heart broke, and she felt dread creep in. What kind of friend was she, if she couldn’t save the gentlest pony she knows? If she couldn’t save her friend. Twilight headed to join the rest of her friends, head bowed, every pony and dragon knew what that meant. Rarity, knowing that Pinkie was too occupied with recovering from what she had seen, decided to act.

“Well…we shall not just sit around and be a bunch of worried old mares. Fluttershy is in great hooves and we should greet her when she is released with smiles. I, for one, don’t know about you, but I’m going to make something for her.” Rarity stated with determination, marching her way over to the door.

“A dress?” Applejack guessed, knowing that the fashionista would make a dress at any chance she is given.

Rarity glared over her shoulder, and spoke “Honestly Applejack, there’s more to me than just being a fabulous fashionista. You shall see when I am finished. You all are more than welcome to join me when you’re done moping around.”

With that, the alabaster unicorn marched out, and heading to the shopping district. She didn’t get too far when she heard a loud pop and was hugged from behind my a pair of pink hooves.

“You’re right Rarity! We shouldn’t be mopy dopey! We should get ready for a ‘You’re better! Yay!’ party! Thanks Rarity!” Pinkie cheered as she nuzzled her face into Rarity’s hair, feeling like her usual self again.

The others trotted over, joining the pair as they made their way to the shopping district. Rarity was purchasing some fabric, but it wasn’t that of the rainbow in color. Just pink, and a lot of white. Applejack had received a box from her home that is filled with her family’s apples. She purchased three green granny smith apples from the royal chef. Pinkie had stayed behind and decorated and cleaned up Twilight’s old dorm room for a party. Rainbow Dash and Twilight were, both surprising and unsurprising, at a bookstore.
Twilight had purchased a book on animals that reside in Canterlot, while Rainbow Dash found a small crystal shape white bunny, that was tied to a bookmark. Once they have returned to the old dorm, they found it less dusty and more looking cheerful and for a party. Applejack made her way into the old kitchen and placed the apples there to be used into making apple pie. Rarity was already starting to sew by hoof something small, though no pony knew what she was making. Spike had been passed out from the cleaning and decorating with Pinkie Pie.