Equestria Girls: The Burger of Doom!

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Rainbow Burger
Chapter 2: Recipe for Disaster
Chapter 3: The Escape
Chapter 4: The Source of the Infection
Chapter 5: The Grease of Survival
Chapter 6: Cleanup and Tacos

Chapter 1: The Rainbow Burger

The cafeteria of Canterlot High was unusually quiet as Granny Smith and the Rainbooms sat around a table, trying to brainstorm ideas for the next school lunch menu. Empty notepads lay in front of them, the only sound being the occasional tap of a pen as someone scribbled down, then quickly scratched out, another uninspired idea.

Rainbow Dash leaned back in her chair and groaned. "Come on, how hard is it to think of something cool for lunch? We've been at this for an hour!"

Applejack crossed her arms. "Well, it ain't easy when you're dealin' with picky eaters and health regulations, Rainbow."

Granny Smith sighed, adjusting her glasses. "Ain't no shame in a good ol' apple pie now and again, but even I know we can't have pie every day."

"You're right, darling. We definitely need something everyone would like, even those who are picky." Rarity comments.

"Oooh, will it ever be cake?! I love cake and I know everyone loves cake!" Pinkie exclaimed excitedly as everyone looked at her in annoyance. "What?"

"I don't think we'll allow cake during lunch every day." Granny Smith replied as Pinkie groaned in disappointment.

Just then, Principal Celestia entered the cafeteria, looking at the group thoughtfully. "You all seem to be struggling. Perhaps we need a new perspective."

Rarity perked up, waving her hand dramatically. "Oh, yes! Anything to break this creative rut. What do you suggest, Principal Celestia?"

Principal Celestia smiled softly. "Well, why don't we pay a visit to Twilight's lab? Sci-Twi has been working on something in her free time. I have a feeling it might just inspire us."

The Rainbooms exchanged glances. Rainbow Dash's eyes lit up. "Sci-Twi? She's always up to something awesome in that lab of hers. Let's go!"

Granny Smith stood from her chair, dusting off her apron. "I ain't got nothin' better to do, so let's see what the gal's been cookin' up."

With that, Principal Celestia gave them all a rare treat. "I'll let you girls go early today so we can head to Twilight's lab together. Maybe she's on to something that will solve our lunch problem."

With that, they're off to Sci-Twi's home to see what she's making. Let's hope she's whipping up something everybody would love!

A few minutes later, the group arrived at Sci-Twi's lab. The sound of whirring machines and the faint glow of scientific equipment greeted them. As they entered, they saw Sci-Twi busy at her workbench, wearing her lab coat and goggles, tinkering with something strange and... glowing.

"Twilight, darling!" Rarity greeted as she peered over the counter. "What are you working on?"

Sci-Twi looked up, smiling brightly. "Oh! Hi, everyone! You're just in time. I’ve been experimenting with a new concept for the school lunch menu. And I think I’ve made something special."

She turned to a tray and carefully lifted the cover to reveal what looked like a burger—but it was unlike any burger they had ever seen before. The patty was glowing, its meat completely rainbow-colored, and the whole burger floated a few inches above the tray, surrounded by a soft, rainbow-hued aura.

"I call it… the Rainbow Burger!" Sci-Twi announced proudly.

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened in awe. "No way! That’s… that’s awesome! It’s got my name all over it!" She laughed and pointed at the colors. "Look at it! It’s even got the same rainbow pattern as my hair."

The others gathered around the burger, marveling at its strange yet captivating appearance.

"That’s somethin’," Applejack muttered, raising an eyebrow. "But what exactly makes it… float?"

Sci-Twi adjusted her glasses and explained, "Well, I’ve infused the burger with a small amount of Equestrian magic. It helps enhance the flavor, and, well, it gives it that extra ‘wow’ factor by making it float."

Rarity clapped her hands together, thrilled. "Oh, how delightfully extravagant! Can you imagine the presentation?"

Granny Smith rubbed her chin. "That sure is a mighty fine-lookin' burger, but you say it's got magic in it?"

As everyone continued to marvel over the rainbow burger, Sunset Shimmer’s expression grew more serious. She stepped forward, eyes narrowing. "Wait, Sci-Twi, did you say Equestrian magic? Are you sure that’s safe for people to eat?"

Sci-Twi hesitated for a moment, then nodded confidently as she ate her creation. "I tested it thoroughly. It’s completely harmless—just a little magic boost for the flavor and appearance."

But Sunset’s frown deepened. "We’ve seen how unpredictable Equestrian magic can be. You can’t just use it in a school lunch without knowing all the side effects!"

Before she could continue, Pinkie Pie jumped in, her voice brimming with excitement. "Are you kidding? This is perfect! Sci-Twi, you HAVE to add this to the menu! It’s magical, delicious, and rainbow-y—what could go wrong?"

The rest of the group nodded in agreement, swept up in Pinkie’s enthusiasm. Even Principal Celestia smiled approvingly.

"Well," Celestia said, "It certainly would make for a memorable addition to the menu."

As everyone began talking excitedly about the Rainbow Burger, Sunset stood back, watching them with a worried expression. She crossed her arms, a feeling of unease growing in the pit of her stomach. Equestrian magic in food? This couldn’t end well.

But for now, no one else seemed to share her concerns.

As they left the lab, Pinkie Pie skipping ahead and Rainbow Dash still raving about the "epicness" of the burger, Sunset lingered at the back of the group, biting her lip. "I’ve got a bad feeling about this," she muttered under her breath.

"What if it doesn't do good with my pristine appearance, darling?" Rarity panicked.

"Oh, don't worry. I made an alteration that makes any leftovers vanish away and the burger you ate remains inside your stomach and will digest as usual." Sci-Twi explained as Rarity sighed in relief, knowing that her appearance wouldn't change for the worse.

And with that, the idea for Canterlot High’s new lunch item was set in motion. But as Sunset feared, there was no telling what consequences might come from a simple burger infused with the unpredictable power of Equestrian magic.

To be continued...

Chapter 2: Recipe for Disaster

The cafeteria at Canterlot High was abuzz with excitement. All eyes were on the lunch line, where the cafeteria staff had just added Sci-Twi's new creation: the "Rainbow Delight Burger." The burger was a masterpiece—an electric blue bun with a vibrant rainbow-colored patty, and toppings that shimmered with hues no one thought possible for food.

Pinkie Pie was the first to try it, naturally.

"Oh my gosh! Look at my tongue!" Pinkie exclaimed, pulling out her phone to snap a selfie with her rainbow-streaked tongue sticking out. "It’s so colorful! It's like I'm a walking party!"

Fluttershy, sitting beside her, smiled shyly as she admired her own reflection in her phone’s camera. "I have to admit," she said softly, "it's... actually kind of pretty. I've never seen food do something like this."

Rarity and Sweetie Belle were already brainstorming.

"A fashion line based on this burger's aesthetics? Darling, I can see it now! 'Prismatic Elegance'—a whole collection inspired by these vibrant hues," Rarity declared, eyes gleaming with creative excitement.

Sweetie Belle, nibbling on her own burger, nodded eagerly. "We could even do a line of accessories! Imagine rainbow handbags and hats!"

Over at another table, Applejack and Apple Bloom were finishing their burgers and chatting between bites.

"Ya know," Applejack said, licking her rainbow-tinted lips, "if we could grow apples that look like this, we'd be the talk of Sweet Apple Acres for sure!"

Apple Bloom, her tongue matching her sister's, giggled. "Do ya think Granny Smith would let us experiment with paintin' the apples?"

Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were inhaling their burgers, hardly stopping for breath between bites.

"This is awesome," Scootaloo said, her voice muffled by a mouthful of rainbow-colored goodness.

Rainbow Dash smirked. "Right? It’s like eating awesomeness in burger form! And the blue bun? Totally my style!"

Diamond Tiara, sitting at the edge of the cafeteria with Silver Spoon, glared at her tray.

"This burger might have pretty colors, but there’s no way it can outshine me," she huffed, her chin held high.

Silver Spoon gave her a sly smile. "Well, you bought it, didn’t you?"

Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes but took a delicate bite. As soon as she swallowed, her tongue, too, turned a prismatic array of colors. She stared at her reflection in her phone, her expression flickering with surprise before quickly turning to indifference.

"It’s fine," she said flatly. "But it still doesn’t compare to my shine."

At a nearby table, Sunset Shimmer watched the chaos unfold with a frown. She had her own packed lunch in front of her, a simple sandwich and apple, untouched. Her eyes were locked on the students as they marveled at their rainbow tongues. Sunset couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.

Finally, she stood up and made her way over to where Sci-Twi was sitting, blissfully enjoying her own burger. Sunset crossed her arms as she approached.

"Twilight, we need to talk," Sunset said, her tone serious.

Sci-Twi looked up, blinking through her glasses. "What's up, Sunset?"

Sunset hesitated for a moment, glancing around the cafeteria before lowering her voice. "I think something’s wrong with your burger. Look at everyone. Their tongues are turning rainbow colors. What if this is a side effect of some kind of magical residue? What if it gets worse?"

Sci-Twi waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, Sunset, you're being paranoid. I ate one of these yesterday when I tested the recipe, and nothing happened to me."

Sunset raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Nothing happened? You don’t find it strange that food is making people’s tongues change color?"

Twilight laughed lightly. "It’s just food coloring. I checked all the ingredients; they’re totally safe. And besides, the colors are fun! Look how much everyone’s enjoying it."

Sunset sighed, glancing around once more. The students were all still smiling and laughing, their brightly-colored tongues on full display. Still, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at her.

"I don’t know, Twilight... I just have a bad feeling about this," Sunset muttered, rubbing the back of her neck.

Twilight smiled reassuringly. "Don’t worry, Sunset. I promise you, everything’s fine. Just relax and have a burger!"

Sunset’s eyes lingered on the tray of Rainbow Delight Burgers for a moment before she shook her head. "I’ll stick with my sandwich, thanks."

As the lunch period continued, the cafeteria buzzed with energy, laughter, and rainbows. But Sunset couldn’t shake the sense that something else was coming, something no one was prepared for.

Sci-Twi had just polished off her burger with the kind of satisfaction that only a well-deserved meal could bring. As she wiped her mouth, she let out a small, innocent burp.

"Excuse me," she giggled, adjusting her glasses, "It’s perfectly normal to burp after eating. It’s just the body’s natural reaction."

Sunset Shimmer chuckled and shrugged, but something about Twilight’s burps was... off. Sci-Twi let out another burp, louder this time, then another one, even stronger. Her body seemed to tense up with each one, her face flushing. The third burp made the entire table shake.

"Uh... you okay there, Twilight?" Sunset asked, her voice edged with concern.

"I... I think so," Twilight said, although she didn't sound as certain anymore. She shifted in her seat, frowning. "It's probably just... indigestion?"

Suddenly, Sunset noticed something strange on Twilight’s arm—small, shiny flecks that seemed to appear out of nowhere. She squinted. "Are those... sesame seeds?"

Before either of them could process what was happening, Twilight let out a sudden yelp. Her head inflated like a balloon, her hair twisting and morphing, and to Sunset’s absolute horror, her head transformed into a soft, blue-tinted hamburger bun.

"Twilight!" Sunset shouted, scrambling backward in her chair.

Twilight groaned as her body started to shift in disturbing ways. From her thighs, something unnatural emerged—a rainbow-colored patty bulging from her skin, complete with layers of tomato and lettuce sprouting from the sides. Her limbs stretched unnaturally, her arms and legs shrinking into the growing monstrosity of her body. In a matter of moments, her arms and legs were sucked into the patty.

Sunset’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched the transformation unfold. "This... this can’t be real."

Twilight’s body seemed to shudder, the layers of lettuce and tomato squishing and expanding, her lower body now a blue hamburger bun. Then, with an audible pop, her limbs shot back out, but they were no longer human. They had morphed into large talons, poking grotesquely out from the sides of her hamburger-like body.

Twilight—now a towering, grotesque walking burger—let out a deep, uncomfortable groan, her voice muffled beneath the layers of a bun. "S-Sunset... I don’t feel so good…"

Sunset staggered back, struggling to process what she was seeing. "Twilight... what... what happened to you?"

Before Twilight could respond, a chorus of groaning echoed from across the room. Sunset’s eyes darted around to see the rest of their friends, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, the CMCs, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon clutching their stomachs. Their faces were pale, and they doubled over in pain.

Pinkie Pie, always full of energy, now looked like she was ready to collapse. "Ugh... my stomach... something's wrong!"

Fluttershy whimpered, trying to hold herself upright. "I... I feel so sick…"

Rarity, ever so concerned with her appearance, had a look of sheer horror on her face. "Darling, this can’t be happening... Not to my figure!"

Rainbow Dash, normally full of bravado, grimaced as she stumbled. "I think... something's really wrong with that food we ate..."

Applejack fell to the ground and complained. "Uh, Rainbow. I think there is something wrong with that burger!"

"What is happening?!" The CMCs groaned in unison.

"This is so not how I should be treated," Diamond complained as she felt something grow in her stomach and burps loudly. "This is so disgusting!"

"You're telling me!" Silver Spoon replied.

Sunset's heart raced. "No... it can’t be... Did everyone eat the same thing?"

The room was now filled with a cacophony of groans, stomachs growling angrily as their friends began to bend over in pain. Twilight, now a monstrous walking burger, loomed over Sunset, her once-scholarly voice twisted into a desperate moan.

"Sunset, help us..." Twilight managed to croak, her voice echoing through the burger bun that had become her head.

Sunset’s mind raced, struggling to think of a solution, a reason—anything to make sense of the madness unfolding around her. Why had Twilight transformed? What was happening to their friends? And, most importantly, how could she stop it?

She took a deep breath, trying to steel herself. "Hold on, everyone. We’ll figure this out. I promise."

But as her friends’ groans grew louder, Sunset couldn’t help but wonder if they were already too late.

"Whoa, Nelly! My head's turnin' into a… bun?! What in tarnation!" Applejack shouted, clutching her head in pain as she burped uncontrollably. “Ugh, excuse me, y’all! Is it just me or am I startin' to smell like fries?”

"Big sis, your head's not the only thing! Mine's… puffin’ up too!" Apple Bloom agreed as she burped as well. "Why can’t I stop burpin'?!"

"Oh no, my fingers! They’re… talons! Oh dear…" Fluttershy cried as she watched her fingers grow into talons. "Sorry, I don’t know what’s happening…"

"Rarity, do you feel that? Something’s… coming out of my thighs!" said Sweetie Belle, feeling the patty growing out of her thigh and burps. "What are we turning into?!"

This is… this is disgusting! My perfect legs, turning into greasy patties?! And these burps… how unsophisticated!" Rarity cried as she watched the patty emerge and burped dramatically. "Ugh! I’ve never felt so… greasy!"

"This is kinda fun! A bun for pants? Greasy goodness!" Pinkie Pie laughed, giggling happily despite the situation. "But why do I feel like a walking fast-food order?" she burped.

"Oh man, this is freaky. Look at me! I’m growing into some kinda burger monster!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she felt her body transform. "Ugh! My insides are turning to grease!"

"Are we really becoming burger zombies? This is wild!" Scootaloo shouted as she burped and wiped the grease off her chin. "Rainbow Dash, you’re literally leaking!"

"What… what is happening to my legs?! Why are they turning into… talons?" Diamond panicked, feeling her legs growing longer and her toes sharpening. "And this grease, it’s everywhere!"

"Diamond Tiara, we’re turning into… something—but it’s not good! These burps won’t stop!" Silver Spoon yelled, gasping as her legs changed. "And the grease! Ugh!"

All the students looked at each other, their bodies growing into burger-zombie forms, with grease pooling at their feet. The transformation is bizarre, chaotic, and accompanied by greasy burps, leaving them horrified and confused. Sunset was right! There is something wrong indeed!

To be continued...

Chapter 3: The Escape

The echo of Principal Celestia’s voice, calm but firm, echoed through the hallways as the lockdown was officially announced. The school was in chaos—students who had once been their friends were now ravenous burger zombies, shuffling through the halls, their grotesque, food-covered forms barely recognizable. The survivors—Sweet Leaf, Vinyl Scratch, Sunset Shimmer, Micro Chips, Flash Sentry, Snips, Snails, Lyra Heartstrings, and Bon Bon—gathered anxiously in the cafeteria, knowing they were running out of time.

Sunset stood at the center of the group, her mind racing as she tried to formulate a plan. “We need to find a way to reverse this curse before it’s too late,” she said, pacing. “Maybe if we can track down the source of the curse, we can stop it.”

“Yeah, but how are we gonna do that when half the school has turned into fast food freaks?” Vinyl Scratch asked, arms crossed. Her signature shades reflected the dim lights flickering above.

Micro Chips nervously adjusted his glasses. “The curse spread through the food, so maybe we can analyze what’s left and figure out what caused it. There’s got to be some kind of pattern or trigger.”

Flash Sentry clenched his fists. “Whatever it is, we’ve gotta act fast. The longer we wait, the more of us will end up like… them.”

Before anyone could respond, Rarity appeared from the shadows of the cafeteria, her once-glamorous form now a horrific blend of fabric and fast food. Her usually pristine complexion was marred by greasy rainbow burger patties, and dripping ketchup and grease. But what sent a chill through Sunset’s spine was the look of wicked hunger in Rarity's eyes.

“Rarity?” Sunset took a step back. “What are you—?”

Without warning, Rarity lunged, tearing a piece of her own burger body and force-feeding it to Sweet Leaf. The others screamed as Sweet Leaf choked, trying desperately to resist, but it was too late. She collapsed to the floor, convulsing as her body began to change.

“No!” Bon Bon screamed as she rushed to help Sweet Leaf, but before she could reach her, Lyra was also attacked—this time by the burger-fied Applejack. Lyra was force-fed a chunk of Applejack’s mutated burger body. The horror of it all unfolded in slow motion as Lyra began to burp uncontrollably, her skin turning a sickly shade of green, her limbs beginning to swell and distort.

Sunset’s eyes widened in disbelief. “We’re not safe here!” she shouted, the urgency in her voice snapping the others out of their shock. “We have to leave now!”

Sweet Leaf and Lyra, now fully transformed into burger zombies, staggered to their feet, their glazed-over eyes staring blankly at their former friends. Their mouths opened, dripping with ketchup and mustard, and sharp fangs showing as they stumbled forward.

“RUN!” Sunset shouted.

The survivors bolted for the cafeteria doors, the horrific moans of their former friends echoing behind them. Bon Bon looked back, tears streaming down her face as she watched Lyra stumble after her with an unholy hunger. “I’m sorry, Lyra!” she sobbed, but there was nothing she could do.

Outside the cafeteria, Principal Celestia was waiting, her face set with grim determination. “There’s no time! The school is no longer safe,” she said. “We’re evacuating. Sunset, lead your group outside—now!”

Sunset nodded, pushing the panic aside for the sake of survival. “Come on, we have to move!”

As the group sprinted through the halls, the moaning and shuffling of more burger zombies grew louder. Principal Celestia followed behind them, making sure no one was left behind. “Luna and Granny Smith will hold off the creatures as long as they can,” she said, her voice unwavering despite the chaos. “But we have to act fast. If you can figure out how to reverse this, Sunset, the rest of us will do everything we can to buy you time.”

Sunset glanced back, guilt tugging at her heart. “We can’t just leave them—”

“Luna and I will be fine,” Granny Smith interrupted, her tone resolute. “Your mission is to save the students, not fight a war.”

They reached the school's main doors, and Sunset threw them open. The cool night air hit her face like a wave of relief. Outside, the group paused, catching their breath as they looked back at the school.

“We can’t give up on them,” Sunset said, determination flaring in her eyes. “There’s a way to stop this. We have to find it.”

The others nodded, though fear lingered in their expressions. As they looked to Sunset for leadership, it became clear that time was running out. The curse was spreading faster than they had imagined, and now even their closest friends were falling victim to it.

But Sunset Shimmer wouldn’t stop until she saved them all. The battle was far from over.

As they turned to leave, the sound of the doors behind them crashing open made Sunset freeze. The burger zombies were spilling out into the night, led by the transformed Rarity and Applejack.

“Keep moving!” Celestia yelled, standing her ground. “I’ll hold them off as long as I can.”

Sunset clenched her fists, her mind racing. They were outnumbered, outmatched, and now outside the safety of the school’s walls.

But there was still hope. There had to be.

“Let’s go!” Sunset shouted, leading the charge into the darkness, her heart pounding with the world's weight on her shoulders.

To be continued...

Author's Note

Oh, no! Sweet Leaf and Lyra Heartstrings became burger-fied!

Chapter 4: The Source of the Infection

The survivors hustled through the darkened hallways of Canterlot High, the glow of Sci-Twi’s lab just ahead. Sunset Shimmer led the way, her heart pounding in her chest, the weight of responsibility heavy on her shoulders. Beside her, Principal Celestia kept her hand firm on a makeshift shield, while the remaining survivors, battle-worn but determined, clung to the hope that this nightmare would soon end.

Once inside the lab, the doors slammed shut, offering a brief respite from the relentless burger creatures that had overrun the school. Sci-Twi’s lab was a mess of overturned equipment and abandoned experiments. Sunset's eyes narrowed as she scanned the room, searching for any clue that would explain how Equestrian magic had corrupted something as innocent as a simple burger.

Then she saw it—a faint sparkle, a gleam emanating from a metal container on the counter. Slowly, she approached it. The container was open, revealing burger patties and a magical shimmer seemed to dance across the raw meat. Sunset's geode glowed in response. She placed her hand on the container, and the vision hit her like a bolt of lightning.

Suddenly, she was there, earlier that day, watching Sci-Twi in the lab. Sci-Twi had been experimenting with the patties, testing a new recipe to impress the school lunch committee. But the window had been left slightly ajar. That’s when it happened—the crack in the portal between Equestria and this world had allowed stray magic to seep through, snaking into the lab like a mist. The magic had touched the meat, infusing it, tainting it, transforming it into something alive, something sinister.

The vision ended, and Sunset staggered backward, the weight of realization settling on her. “It’s the burgers,” she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper. “Equestrian magic… it got into the burgers when Sci-Twi was working on them. That’s why they’ve been turning everyone into… those things.”

Principal Celestia frowned, processing the information quickly. “Then we need to find a way to undo it,” she said firmly, her gaze scanning the room for any possible solution.

That’s when Celestia had an idea. “If the magic is in the burgers, and eating them turns people into monsters, maybe… we can reverse it by making them spit the burgers out,” she suggested. “What if we go to Crystal Prep? They have plenty of lunch food in storage. If we can feed the burger creatures something else, something non-magical, maybe it’ll force them to reject the rainbow burgers, and they’ll change back.”

Sunset blinked, surprised by the simplicity of the idea. But it made sense. “That could work,” she said, hope flickering in her chest for the first time in hours.

The group immediately set to work. They armed themselves with whatever makeshift weapons they could find—metal pipes, wrenches, and in Sunset’s case, her magic. With a deep breath, she activated her geode, feeling the familiar rush of energy as she ponied up and was ready for battle herself, her shimmering outfit a symbol of her determination.

They prepared to leave, but as Sunset opened the door, they were met with an alarming sight. More burger creatures swarmed the hallway. Among them were familiar faces—Vice Principal Luna and Granny Smith, now grotesque versions of themselves, their bodies grotesquely morphed into burger zombies. The creatures have ambushed Bon Bon, Micro Chips, Snips, and Snails. The 4 victims have become burger zombies as well!

“Hold on!” Sunset shouted, thrusting her hands forward. A shimmering forcefield erupted from her palms, creating a temporary barrier between the group and the advancing creatures.

It was enough to let the survivors rush past, but the forcefield wasn’t built to last. It cracked and splintered under the weight of the infected. The creatures surged forward, their ravenous, burger-infested mouths chomping in the air.

Suddenly, the creatures burst through the broken shield, their eyes glowing with hunger. Sunset and the remaining survivors barely dodged their attacks, darting down the hallway toward the exit as the creatures gave chase.

“We need to move faster!” Celestia urged, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.

Sunset’s heart raced. They had to make it to Crystal Prep. They had to reverse this madness before there was no one left to save.

With the burger creatures hot on their heels, the group raced into the night, their destination clear. But deep inside, Sunset couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something else—something darker—that they hadn’t yet uncovered.

And time was running out...

To be continued...

Author's Note

The following survivors were left:

Sunset Shimmer
Vinyl Scratch
Flash Sentry
Principal Celestia

Chapter 5: The Grease of Survival

The cold, sterile halls of Crystal Prep echoed with the frantic footsteps of the survivors. Sunset Shimmer, Principal Celestia, and the rest of the Canterlot High group had burst through the school’s front doors, leaving Principal Cinch and her students staring in shock. The chaos of the Friendship Games was still fresh in their memories, but nothing could have prepared them for what was about to unfold.

"Principal Celestia!" Cinch exclaimed, her stern voice betraying a flicker of fear. "What is the meaning of this? Why are you barging into my school?"

“There’s no time!” Celestia snapped back, her normally calm demeanor crumbling under the pressure. “We have to move—now!”

Before Cinch could demand further explanations, a loud crash echoed through the hallway. The heavy front doors buckled under the force of the creatures on the other side. Cinch’s sharp gaze shifted toward the entrance as the doors finally gave way. The swarm of burger zombies poured into the school, their grotesque bodies a horrifying combination of blue buns, greasy rainbow patties, and glowing eyes. With a blood-curdling screech, the creatures leaped toward the nearest students.

One unfortunate Crystal Prep student screamed as a burger zombie latched onto them, its meaty form writhing as it fed chunks of itself to the student. In mere seconds, the victim's body convulsed, transforming into yet another burger monstrosity. The infection was spreading faster than anyone could react.

"I-I don't want to be one of them!" Cinch stammered, her voice trembling for the first time in years. She backed away from the horde, her hands shaking.

With quick thinking, Sunset and her group rushed into the cafeteria. Cinch, for once, followed them without protest, her face pale as she tried to comprehend what was happening.

“Why are you following us?” Sunset asked as they barricaded the doors to buy themselves a few precious moments.

“I don’t know what’s happening! Someone better explain,” Cinch demanded, though her fear had now mixed with a sharp curiosity.

Sunset and Celestia exchanged a look, then began explaining in turns, filling Cinch in on the nightmare that had begun back at Canterlot High.

“It started as an innocent idea,” Sunset began. “We were trying to create a new lunch menu—something different, something better than what we had. Sci-Twi came up with these burgers.”

“We didn’t know that the Equestrian magic had seeped into the ingredients,” Celestia added, her voice low. “It corrupted the meat, and now… well, you see the result.”

Cinch’s face twisted in disbelief and disgust. “Magic-infused burgers? Is this some kind of joke?”

“I wish it were,” Sunset sighed. “But now we need your help to stop this, or it’s the end of everyone.”

Cinch, realizing there was no alternative, narrowed her eyes. “Very well. What’s the plan?”

They quickly devised a desperate strategy. Armed with whatever they could find—spoons, trays, even makeshift bazookas that fired cafeteria food—the group prepared to face the incoming wave. They had little time before the burger zombies would breach the cafeteria.

The doors shuddered, then exploded inward as the greasy horde broke through. Without hesitation, Sunset and the group launched their attack. The air filled with the sound of splattering food and monstrous screeches as the battle for survival began.

"Take that, you greasy abomination!" Vinyl Scratch yelled, launching a barrage of food towards a particularly nasty burger zombie.

Cinch, however, was less enthusiastic. "Ugh, I cannot believe I’m doing this! It’s positively barbaric!" She swiped at a zombie with a cafeteria tray, trying to avoid getting splattered.

“Barbaric or not, it’s better than turning into one of those things!” Principal Celestia chimed in, though her voice was more anxious than confident.

As the fight raged on, something unexpected started happening. The more the group attacked the burger zombies, the more the creatures began to cough and hack, spitting out greasy chunks of the cursed burgers. The more they expelled the infected meat, the more human they became.

Pinkie Pie, her usual energetic self, let out a triumphant squeal as she hacked up a final glob of burger, turning back to normal. “Yay! I’m free—" Her eyes locked onto a stray burger, and before anyone could stop her, she picked it up and took a huge bite.

“Pinkie, no!” Sunset groaned as Pinkie instantly changed back into a burger zombie, a goofy grin plastered on her bun face. “I’ll deal with her later…”

The rest of the group continued coughing up their cursed burger bits, letting out massive, synchronized burps that reverberated through the room. With each burp, they shed the final remnants of the curse, their bodies gradually returning to normal, though covered head-to-toe in thick, rancid burger grease.

“Oh, this is simply disgusting!” Rarity wailed, her pristine outfit completely ruined by the layer of grease that now clung to her like a second skin.

“Rarity’s right!” Diamond Tiara added, flicking a chunk of grease off her shoulder with a horrified expression. “This is the worst day of my life!”

Silver Spoon adjusted her glasses, her face scrunched up in repulsion. “I don’t think I’ll ever feel clean again…”

Sweetie Belle looked down at her grease-covered clothes and sighed. “At least we’re not zombies anymore.”

Despite the complaints, there was a sense of relief among the group. They had managed to return to normal, and the immediate danger had passed.

Sunset, though covered in just as much grease as the others, couldn’t help but smile. They had survived another fight, and that was all that mattered for now. Even though Pinkie Pie is still a burger creature, the group will deal with turning the pink girl back to normal later.

“Well,” she said, turning to Principal Cinch, “it looks like we’re all in this together now.”

To be continued...

Chapter 6: Cleanup and Tacos

The lingering chaos from the epidemic still hung over Canterlot High, like the dust that clung to every locker and hallway. Sunset Shimmer wiped a stray hair from her face, surveying the half-cleaned gym. Debris and overturned chairs were scattered everywhere, and the dull stench of a long-abandoned cafeteria added an almost surreal edge to the scene.

“I can’t believe how bad this got,” Sunset muttered, turning toward Sci-Twi, who stood beside her, looking slightly guilty.

Sci-Twi adjusted her glasses, her face a mixture of concern and apology. "Sunset, I’m... I’m really sorry. I should've listened when you warned me about the epidemic. I thought it was just another wild theory, but—"

Sunset cut her off with a gentle smile. “It’s okay, Twilight. We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we’re working together now. And besides, I’ve made enough mistakes in the past to know when someone deserves a second chance.”

Sci-Twi’s eyes softened with relief, and Sunset continued, "Just make sure to keep a close eye out for any sneaky Equestrian magic from now on. We can't let anything enchant the cafeteria trays... again."

They exchanged a brief chuckle, and after a moment of hesitation, they pulled each other into a tight hug.

Their peaceful moment, however, was quickly interrupted by a low, muffled groan. Pinkie Pie, still encased in a translucent, glowing bubble, stumbled toward them with jerky movements. Her hair, normally bouncy and full of life, was flattened and limp as she dragged herself forward. But most notably, she was still under the lingering effects of the epidemic—stuck in her “burger zombie” form.

"Mmm... eat me..." Pinkie moaned, her face pressed against the inside of the bubble.

"Oh, right," Sunset said, stepping back. "Sci-Twi, do you think you can figure out how to reverse Pinkie’s... burger-zombification without, y'know, popping the bubble?"

Sci-Twi nodded, pushing up her glasses in determination. “I'll get right to it! Let’s head to the lab. If my calculations are correct, I should be able to reverse the spell without any complications.”

Sunset smiled as Sci-Twi carefully floated Pinkie toward her lab. “Good luck, Twilight.”

With a quick wave, Sci-Twi and the floating, burger-obsessed Pinkie disappeared down the hall.

Now alone, Sunset looked around at the mess. The epidemic had caused chaos not only with the students but also with the school’s cafeteria. There was still a looming issue that needed solving—what were they going to serve for lunch now that the rainbow burgers were banned?

As she pondered the next steps, the door to the cafeteria swung open, and Sonata Dusk of the Dazzlings strolled in, her usual carefree expression plastered across her face. She beamed at Sunset as if they were old friends.

"Hey, guys! I heard about the epidemic!" Sonata exclaimed, oblivious to the exasperated stares she was getting from the cleanup crew. "Is it true? Was it... about tacos?"

Sunset pinched the bridge of her nose. “Sonata, it wasn’t—”

But before she could finish, Sonata cut her off, her eyes wide with enthusiasm. "Because if you're looking for something new for the menu, I know just the thing!"

Everyone paused, looking at her expectantly, but also with a hint of disbelief. Sunset raised an eyebrow, silently urging Sonata to continue.

“Tacos! Duh!” Sonata grinned from ear to ear, her suggestion as enthusiastic as it was predictable. “We could go to that little taco place downtown. Everyone loves tacos, right?”

The room went quiet. Sunset couldn’t help but sigh, but deep down, she knew Sonata wasn’t entirely wrong.

“Well, I mean, tacos are pretty great,” Rainbow Dash admitted from the other side of the room.

Applejack crossed her arms. “I reckon a taco wouldn’t hurt after the mess that epidemic caused.”

Sonata's eyes sparkled. “Then it’s settled! Taco time! I’ll lead the way!”

Before anyone could object, Sonata spun on her heel and skipped out of the cafeteria, confidently marching toward the exit with everyone trailing behind her.

Sunset, shaking her head with a smile, followed. The entire faculty—students and teachers alike—filed out of the school, the burden of cleanup momentarily forgotten in the promise of tacos.

As soon as everyone left, Sci-Twi returned to the cafeteria with Pinkie Pie (who had changed back to normal) just in time only to find that it’s completely empty.

"Where is everyone?" Sci-Twi asked, perplexed.

Pinkie floated upside down, spinning in midair without a care in the world. “Maybe they went to somewhere fun without us! Let’s go catch up!"

And with that, Pinkie zoomed off, leaving Sci-Twi to hurriedly follow behind.

“Oh, boy. This should end well,” Sci-Twi sighed in sarcasm.

The End