Ancient Infection

Rarity and Twilight were quietly walking down an empty street in Ponyville, they were trying to sneak, and watch out for any infected. They were looking for their target or targets. If they could just get one…

“Twilight? Are you sure this will work?” Rarity asked as quietly as she could.

“Yes, this plan WILL work. I know it will…we just need to stay focus and calm. We will find them, if not the others will.” Twilight replied, equally as soft in her volume.

“Is really corralling these things a great idea for plan B?” Rarity asked, unsure if it’s the best plan.

“It will work, Rarity.” Twilight answered a bit more bluntly than intended.

Rarity fell silent when she heard this. That was when there was a loud pop and a fizzle. It was a signal to allow others know that their target was found. Twilight galloped as Rarity followed closely behind her. They saw Shining Armor with his shield up, both around him and Spike. The monster that was attacking had pale yellow fur and a limp greasy light sun bleached mane of pink. Another monster was a blue color that looked like it, too, saw too much sun.
Twilight ignited her horn, surrounding the pair, and Rarity tied them up with some rope given to her by Applejack. The others came galloping, and pausing at the very sight of the monsters who saw all of this. Applejack had a sharpened shovel with her while Shining and Rainbow Dash had swords that were part of the decor of Twilight’s castle. Then groaning and hissing could be heard coming from every which direction. It wasn’t until Rarity felt shearing pain on her left hind leg, she saw that it was a pony her sister told her about, a bully, Diamond Tiara. Rarity shrieked and bashed the filly’s tiny skull with her own back hooves. Applejack saw the wound and began to tie off the leg. Rarity protested, her eyes shrinking when she saw the made weapon raised.
The pain was burning, and hot. It sent Rarity’s mind into shock before she let out an ear piercing shriek, then blacking out. More of those creatures came into view, as the group was being surrounded. Twilight began to panic, and unleashed her built up magic to teleport her friends and family back inside her castle with only Fluttershy. Little did they know, that the rope on Luna was breaking, soon, she will be free to hunt again.
Rarity was quickly placed into the kitchen counter as Applejack turned on the stove, heating up the shovel, Pinkie, for her part, was holding onto Rarity’s hind leg, or what was left of it. Pinkie could hear soft whispers of the Cake family calling to her. Her pink ear twitched once, twice, and turned to the direction the voices were coming from.
Soon as the shovel was red hot, Applejack cauterize Rarity’s wound, and bandaged it as best as she could.
Twilight had Fluttershy’s body strapped to her operating table with chains, as she took some blood samples. Her yellow friend chomped at the air towards her, letting out the occasional snarls. Snarls that soon turned to groaning and whimpers. Twilight looked at her with curiosity, then sadness.

“It’s going to be okay, Fluttershy. I’ll make a cure to help you and every pony. I promise.” Twilight stated firmly.

Back upstairs Pinkie sat alone in the throne room. To the others, it seems as though as she was watching thin air. However in her mind, she was watching the cake twins play and coo. Mrs. Cake was sitting in Rainbow Dash’s chair, humming as she stirred a bowl, while Mr. Cake was reading a recipe book. They all looked to Pinkie with smiles that she had missed so much.

“Pinkie, could you do us a favor dear?” Mrs. Cake asked, her voice was a bit distorted.

“Yes, Mrs. Cake?” Pinkie asked eagerly.

“Could you take Sweetie Belle home tomorrow? Her parents are so worried about her!” Mrs. Cake asked kindly, though her eyes doesn’t reflect the kindness.

Pinkie beamed and said “Yes, yes, yes! I can do that! I can totally do that for you, Mrs. Cake!”

Pinkie’s eye twitched, as her lips were curled into a rather creepy smile, her hair laid limp. Her bright pink coat, grew a grey tone. Soon she shook her head, mane barely poofing up. She looked around confused, the Cakes weren’t there anymore. She shrugged and trotted away into the kitchen.
Rarity laid on her bed, her blue eyes fluttering open, seeing a concerned Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Applejack was sitting in the corner, making something with wood and other objects.

“Wha-what happened?” Rarity asked groggily, her throat scratched and burned.

Sweetie Belle handed her a cup of water as she spoke “Applejack saved your life!”

“What? How?” Rarity asked, confused, as she shifted in her bed.

“I had to cut off your leg before the infection spread.” Applejack grumbled out, seemingly angry with herself.

“What?!” Rarity shouted, removing her covers to reveal her missing limb, then the memories came back “oh…right. Th-thank you for that Applejack. How did you know it would work?”

“I didn’t, but I had to take that chance. Couldn’t lose another pony I care for. Especially after…” Applejack sighed, pausing her work, then continuing “I’m making something to help ya walk again.”

“Erm…Sweetie, Scootaloo, could you two be a dear and go help Granny Smith, I’d like to talk to Applejack alone.” She asked the remaining cutie mark crusaders, they nodded and galloped away.

The white unicorn waited a moment, watching Applejack work.

“Erm…mmmm…thank you Applejack. For saving me, and making me…whatever it is. I guess I owe you my life, since you saved it. But I think we’re even on making stuff for each other. How did…she like the dolls?” Rarity asked, unsure of what else to say.

“She loved them so much, she even cried. She has them with her now, thank you for making them for Apple Bloom. She almost forgotten what they looked like, it’s been so long.” Applejack responded.

“Well I’m glad she loves them, and regardless, I would still made a pair for you, I could make you them while I’m stuck here in bed for the time being.” Rarity offered.

Applejack gave Rarity a weak smile “Mighty kind of ya, but that won’t be necessary. I have my memories, and my pa’s hat. Thank you, though, for offering. You should get some rest, I’ll ask Twilight to help me make this for you when you wake up.”

With that Applejack left, before Rarity could say another word. A bad feeling stormed in the unicorn’s gut, a really bad feeling.