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:

1. Sunset Shimmer
2. Vinyl Scratch
3. Flash Sentry
4. Principal Celestia