Praeda Vinea infection

by DrabFelmore

Rating: mature
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Sad, Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Suicide / Self Harm, Horror, Profanity, Violence, Death, Alternate Universe
Length: 8996

An Infection au that shows the outbreak and fall of Equestria as survivors try to weather the hostile new life they live.

An Infection au that my partner and I are working together to make. Visual comic reel will be made by him while I craft the story and setting.

Description: Twilight has her world turned upside down suddenly as a mysterious infection breaks out leaving her and the rest of Equestia on the back hoof. She must struggle to survive this dangerous infection while also trying to find a cure. But can she ever be truly sure who is an ally and who is or isn't infected?

TW: Gore, Profanity, dark themes, death, suicide, murder, phobias, body horror

Published 2024-10-08 05:40:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-10-28 10:31:10 UTC

Chapter 1: Flim and Flam

Chapter 1

“What could possibly be distracting you darling?” Rarity asks, snapping me to my senses.

“W-what?” I ask groggily. My eyes sting as my head turns to my friend who has the sun setting in her direction.

“I’ve not heard a peep from you in two days darling. It's simply awful you've gone and closed yourself indoors for so long.” Rarity chastises me in her usual exaggerated tone. Smiling slightly I recollect my nights getting used to my new home and the countless hours spent organizing the new library how I'd like.

“Sorry, I'm just… getting settled in. It's really difficult, there were so many memories in my old home.” I say feeling my chest tighten, the ache however is short lived as I hear a sound catch my ear. The soft hum of machinery buzzes in the distance, growing louder as I near the town center. And then, unmistakably, their voices—smooth, insincere—drift through the air.

“Darling where in the world are…” As if to answer her question we round the corner to the center of Ponyville where the town hall. There with their stand and gadgets are the twins Flim and Flam who stand on their stage. Like all the times before they have a crowd around them as they peddle their snake oil salesmen gambit.

“Come one, come all. What we have for you all today is something special.”

“That's right Flim. For you see, deep in mystical woods there is a magical herb. With this herb you are able to enhance your magical properties.” Flam says happily displaying a bottle of purple liquid, within the liquid swirls sparkling magic particles that shimmer in the setting sunlight..

What are they talking about? There isn’t a plant that can do that. I’ve read every book there is on plants and have gone in depth on their properties. If this plant existed it would be known world wide. Then again Flim and Flam were never the most truthful ponies.

“Why are you showing a bottle of liquid if you’re talking about a herb.” A pony from the crowd in front of me says loudly. Prompting Flim to theatrically waltz up to the front of the stage.

“You are quite sharp, True we show a liquid but this liquid is an Elixir. The herb has been rendered down and turned into this product you see.” As if on cue Flam slides in while Flim steps back and gives him room.

“You see, the herb on its own is thorny and rough. Not very appetizing, so when we discovered its properties from a local witchdoctor on our travels through distant lands we knew we struck gold, and much like gold it needs refining.” Flim comes back to the front and holds a bottle and brings it to his mouth as he pulls the cork with his teeth as Flam continues to speak. “Enhance your magical properties with just a drop of this elixir!” He shouts as Flam takes an exaggerated theatrical drink from the bottle. Tossing the pretty much half full bottle aside Flam flexes his muscles and though they are large I can’t help question the authenticity of this charade.

“A single sip, my friends, and you'll feel power surging through every fiber of your being!” Flam says with a smirk to his face. Murmurs run through the crowd and I’m happy I’m not the only skeptical pony here but at the same time I can tell some are falling for the tricks Flim and Flam are playing.

“I see some may still be doubting us Flim.” Flam says as he hops down from stage only to turn towards it as Flim takes on a smug smile. It feels as if for a moment it was directed towards me but before I can react to it something inconceivable happens right before my eyes. Up on his hind legs Flam begins to lift the entire stage with all the bottles of elixir, flam, and additional displays up off the ground. Stepping back a bit I feel my mind begin to grapple with what is happening in front of me. I know Flim and Flam, they can’t be this strong, yet inch by inch, slowly the stage lifts as everypony around stands slack jawed at the show of might before us. With a grunt Flam brings the stage above his head and from atop it Flim comes to the edge and smiles down to us all. This isn’t possible… there has to be magic at play. I mentally tell myself but as I use my horn to detect any magic spells being cast I am met by the worst thing I could imagine. There isn’t any. That can only mean two things, There is some other gimmick or… the elixir actually did this.

“Doubt us no longer, Ponyville! You’ve never seen strength like this, and you never will again… unless, of course, you take just one sip of our magical elixir!” Flim confidently says getting shocked cheers. I however look at Flam who stands there happily holding the stage not even breaking a sweat, however as I look at him my breath hitches, getting caught in my throat when I notice that his pupils have dilated to the point I can’t tell if the iris is even visible anymore.

“Twilight Darling?” Rarity’s voice snaps me to attention drawing my gaze to her. Her concerned look telling me my emotions were evident for all to see, no thanks to my fur standing on end.

“I’m alright Rarity. It’s just… this Elixir. I don’t like it.” I say feeling a tingle shoot up my spine causing me to shiver. “It feels like it breaks the rules of reality that I’ve come to know. It has to be fake. Yet I can’t figure out what is allowing them to achieve this.”

“You worry too much darling. Strange and odd things happened regularly to us and in Equestria as a whole. Not to mention new things are discovered all the time. They may have found a rare plant and found a way to harness it. Nothing more to it.”

“That… that true, but just look at Flam. He looks off. His eyes are dilated beyond anything I've ever seen before.”

“Come dear, you yourself say to always give ponies second chances,” Rarity happily responds to me. “I must say though, if this could help make orders less taxing on my magic I wouldn't mind trying this Elixir out.”

Hearing Rarity actually consider taking them up on their offer causes my blood to run cold and my mind to grind to a halt. Without a second of hesitation I snap out. “Rarity, you can't. It's dangerous.”

“Twilight, dear, I don't understand what has you so on edge. Are you sure being cooped up hasn't caused you to be agitated?” Rarity says in shock to my outburst, my face turning red in embarrassment and frustration. Turning my face back to the twins I watch as Flam places the stage back down amidst the crowd either keeping their distance or clambering to buy some of their Elixir.

“I… I'm sorry Rarity. I just have a gut feeling this is going to go horribly wrong.”

“Come now,” Rarity soothingly says to me as I watch her slowly step up towards the stand as she pulls some bits she has stashed away in her saddlebags. “What is the worst that can happen from a simple potion these two cook up?”

I watch as Rarity walks off to Flim and Flam who start making sale after sale quickly exchanging bits for product. Feeling my stomach churn as I watch it unfold and Rarity nearing them. “That's my worry… we don't know what could be the worst case scenario.”

Author's Note

I hope you all like, it's a little projects I've been working on with my partner that is inspired by the tiktok Infection trend. I seen quite a few ways the stories there could be better so I went in and tried my hand at a story for one and my partner wanted to make drawings for a tiktok reel. So keep an ear out for that from him.

Any tips or comments are loved and if you liked this give the story a like. Share it around too!

Chapter 2: Bubbles

Chapter 2

I awaken with heavy breathing, sweat pours from me as I look around my room. Taking a deep breath I slide out of bed and walk to the window seeing the moon still high in the sky. It's been a week since I moved into my new home and it still doesn't feel like home. Walking away from the window I head out of my bedroom, the clicking of my hooves on the crystal beneath me filling the empty halls. An eerie night glow shimmering through the crystals that make up the castle.

Making my way outside I am greeted by the cool night air running through my fur with the moist dew of night clinging to me. Stepping out I gently close the door behind myself. The streets of Ponyville are quiet, the only sound being of animals that come out at night. Taking in the atmosphere I walk the streets, allowing my fur and tense muscles to settle while my sweat dissipates.

I don't know how long I've been wandering but when I come back to reality it is due to the sound of quickly clipping hooves coming towards me.

“Princess.” The pony says in a masculine tone, turning my head I see a night guard with two Royal guards close behind.

“Guards?” I ask more to myself than to them but as they reach me they give a quick bow but quickly rise and speak.

“We require your help Princess.” the night guard says with urgency to his tone. His dark bat-like wings twitching and trembling.

“Help? What could possibly be causing issues you all can't solve?” I ask, hiding the slight unease I still have at being referred to as princess.

“It would be easiest for you to see. We have a pony at Ponyville general but the entire west wing has been locked down.” Hold on, did he just say the entire west wing? What the hay is going on? Feeling the urgency to this I give a firm nod pushing my discomfort at being seen as an authority figure aside.

Together we gallop as fast as possible to the hospital where I am met with guards boarding up all the windows on the west side of the building. The sight causes me to stumble as I gawk at what is happening. My mind swirls as I try to grasp what could possibly be the reason to do this. My fur stands on end as I near the building but as I do my nose is assaulted by the pungent odor of chemicals. Looking from the windows I look around and see a crew setting up tents and a crew spraying down the surrounding yard with what I can only guess is the chemicals I smell.

“What is going on?” I mutter as we reach the building where many guards stand on alert. One of said guards strides up to me, his face covered with armor but under it is white fabric covering every inch of his body and clear goggles cover his eyes.

“You'll need these Princess.” He says as he holds out a bundle of clothes and a pair of goggles like his atop them.

“What is going on in there?” I sternly ask getting a hesitant look from the guard who's stoic look falters.

“We… we don't know. You are the most knowledgeable pony besides Celestia and Luna and they are typically very busy in Canterlot.” Taking the clothes and goggles I start to get dressed in the outfit. I recognize it from experiments I've done in the past as a sterile suit. It keeps microscopic things out and away while also not letting anything the wearer has on them get out. A hint of nostalgia creeps up me but shaking myself I dispel it. The sound of a loud scream rips from the west wing causing me to jump, my body screaming at me to run. Gulping hard I listen as the scream dies down only to hear crashing and then everything to return to how it was.

I continue to get the sterile suit on but focus hard on the guard who shrikes back at my peircing eyes. “Some ponies came in due to cold like symptoms. The staff assumed it was the common cold but hitting everyone early. So they treated them but some staff got the same symptoms soon after.”

“That's not uncommon. That doesn't explain the scream that I just heard.” I sternly say with urgency to my voice. I need answers now!

“Right, well it happened when one of the patients reacted poorly. They have a phobia to needles and the doctors needed a blood sample. The patient went in to a frenzy they threw the doctor away and…” the guard has their voice hitch and catch in their throat as their eyes get a sheen to them. My heart since and I feel my mouth go dry.

“T-the patient escaped their room and that's when the garrison was informed. There were four killed… five wounded and the patient was stopped by someone who was sick. The thing is that the one who stopped the rampaging pony used some kind of supernatural strength.”

Supernatural strength? What in Equestria is going on? Finishing up putting the suit on I pull the goggles over my eyes. Taking a deep breath I look towards the hospital doors, what was once a warm and welcoming entry now fills me with an ominous and foreboding, looming dread.

“Since then the patient who stopped the rampaging pony has started to exhibit agitation and hostility. She isn't the only one though, others who were panic stricken by the events have started showing the same signs but… the one who stopped the rampage has now gotten black twig like growths sprout from them.”

“Twigs?” I whisper, my head spins from the amount of information being told to me. Everything being described is surreal. This all has to be a bad dream.

“Princess. We are ready to enter.” The guards who found me call out. Looking in their direction I see them all in the sterile suit but with their armor over top. They look ready to fight anything in there but if the details the guard here described then how much good is weapons and armor.

Turning we face the doors which the guards open and we all file in to the building. At first glance the building looks no different to how it usually does, the lights make seeing easy. However where there would be staff behind the front desk there is no one and to the left is a sheet of plastic hung to cover the hall to the west wing and on the sheet is a splatter of red liquid being scrubbed away by a guard in a sterile suit that I see through the plastic. Just seeing the red liquid and knowing fully what it is my stomach threatens to send me heaving.

Bile stinging in my throat but with all my willpower I swallow it back down. To my side a guard comes to me and places a hoof on my back. “Equestria needs you Princess.” Gulping I nod and take a deep breath. I need to be strong. I walk towards the plasticky and slip through a gapin the middle that acts as a door. Inside it is like an entirely different place, the walls and floor are ruined and a room has its door in shards. While a wall has a massive creator made in it as if something got thrown at the wall with great force. The sheen of liquid chemicals cover every surface. Guards work to clean and seem to be adding material to make the doors more sturdy.

They are taking no chances it seems. Following my guards they lead me to a room that has already finished being reinforced. “This is a room beside the patient who stopped the rampage. We have a viewing slot and a item transfer mechanism.”

“So you are keeping them caged like a rabid animal?” I ask anger and disgust in my voice as I look at the night guard who spoke.

“With all due respect Princess but that pony isn't healthy. I doubt these suits are actually keeping us safe. We must be as causious as possible when dealing with infected.” I open my mouth to rebuttal but faulters when I know full well the logic is sound… though I hate to admit it. Closing my mouth I turn my gaze back to the door. Using my magic I push the door open, going inside I am met by two guards already being inside pointing spears at me. Upon seeing me they raise their spears.

“Princess. Our apologies.” They say in tandem but I simply give them a nod and turn my head towards where light funnels in. A small slit that allows one to peer in to the room through fabric mesh. Walking up to it my curiosity prickles my neck, something new to study enticing me but also the grim reality of what said thing is making me sick.

Peering in I see a mare with a grey coat with a blond main and tail. I know immediately who this is and instantly know why the change was so noticable even to the guards. Ditzy Doo, or as others call her, Derpy. She is so kind and gentle only rivaled by Fluttershy. She delivers mail to all of Ponyville, everyone cares about her. But the guard said she has gotten aggressive and agitated. Looking closer at her as she lays on her hospital bed I notice small black twigs coming out of her hind legs.

“Hello, Ditzy?” I call out getting her attention as she turns to attention to me.

“Oh, hello princess Twilight. Have you come to free me?” Ditzy asks in her usual bubbly and cheerful voice.

“Not yet, I am-”

“Why not!” Ditzy snaps anger in her tone causing me to flinch. “Aren't you supposed to be the Princess of friendship? Not very friendly keeping me here!” Derpy jabs causing me to open my mouth to respond but my mouth doesn't make a sound for a few moments.

“Listen Ditzy. Something is going on with you and I fear you might be in danger because of it. Once it is solved you will be free.”

“Can I at least see my Daughter?”

“You will after-”

“Princess,” a guard says in a hushed whisper. “Miss Doo’s daughter… she is infected too.”

“Could her daughter be brought in. Her mood may stabilize if her Daughter is around.” I ask getting a hesitant nod from the guards as I'm left with the two who had been in the room. Turning back to Ditzy I smile slightly. “We are having her brought to you right now actually. Now while that is happening can you answer some questions for me.”

“I guess.” Ditzy says grumbling as she sits watching the door.

“So we have accounts you saved ponies from the rampaging individual. However after that it seemed as if you became more agitated. Can you explain why?”

“You have me in a isolation box!” Ditzy growls out as she bounces one of her hind legs on the bed.

“Alright. Can you tell me about the twigs, do you know what they are and if they hurt?” The sound of the door to Ditzys room opening can be heard but in milliseconds I see Ditzy get up in a flash, getting to the door just to launch through it. The sound of a scream comes from a child I can only assume is Ditzy’s daughter who then stumbles and shifts back in to Ditzy's room. Snapping out of my stunned state I throw open the door to the room I'm in only to see Ditzy with her moth clamped down on the neck of one of the guards who had gone to get her child. Behind Ditzy the other guards have their spears thrust in to her back but she doesn't seem to even care.

With a visceral and sickening crack the guard she has in her maw falls limp as their neck breaks. Letting him go she turns her gaze to me and I see her pupils are dilated to the point their iris isn't visible. Their muscled bulge and swell with every breath as heir veins pulse and wriggle under her skin. She steps towards me as I feel my breathing quicken faster and faster. I need to run, this is insane, Celestia… help me.

Ditzy takes another step but the guards pull her back with all their might. Growling she dreams out and tossed one aside like a bag of bits causing them to crash against the wall their armor folding in like a tinfoil can. Blood splattering out and pooling as they land on the ground dead. Without thinking I ignite my magic and unleash it on Ditzy hitting her square in the head but when I do her head is sent upwards causing her to be facing the ceiling. The next thing I know she is screaming as if in absolute pain and agony, facing down again she rubs her eyes as she wails. The guards take the opportunity and get their spears pointed at her head and with a firm thrust peirce through her skull.

Limp, dead. I… I caused… oh goddesses what have I done. I feel my senses go numb as I look at the carnage but as I do the night guard pulls his spear from Ditzy's skull with sickening sounds of bone and flesh. They turn their gaze to Ditzy's daughter in the room and I watch as their distant look turn in to one of cruel resolve. As they turn to the room I feel myself without fully thinking about it get in the way.

“Please move Princess.”

“What are you going to do?”

“We both know what will happen to that little girl now. It's best to have mercy now than to wait and risk other's lives.” He responds as I hear Ditzy's daught say her mother's name through sobs. Tears sting my eyes with every aching throb of my heart.

“She is a child. Not a monster.”

“When does that line get crossed Princess. When a good man dies!?” The guard barks out his question in retaliation. Looking me dead in the eyes he blinks hard a few times.

“We don't know if these are two different viruses or something like that.”

“Are you willing to risk that theory, what if we believe that only for her to attack you or anyone else suddenly?”

“I…” I start but faulters as I watch the girl crawl over to the body of Ditzy.

“Please mommy… get up. Don't leave too.” I feel my heart break multiple times over as I watch what is happening.

“... I can't.”

“I can.” The guard says as he looks at the girl too. “It's mercy.”

I can't… I can't decide something like this. There is no way I can. I think as I close my eyes and turn to the way we came in. Leaving I block any and everything out as I leave them to decide what happens. I leave the hospital and remove the sterile suit but as I do the one who gave me the suit tags along. We undress and I give him the suit back but as I do I hear a small sniffle come from him followed soon after by a cough but I pay it no mind. I don't want to think about anything right now… I just need Princess Celestia.

Author's Note

If you got here I am super happy you kept reading and please do keep reading and sharing round (keep reading if there are more chapter :D) It all helps.

tell me in the comments how you like this infection take. It's going to be a lottttt more complex than the cookie cutter stuff. Though yes it is cookie cutter ish rn there is more to it than what meets the eye.

again thank you and keep an ear out for any updates and stay amazing yall.

Chapter 3 Sapphire

Chapter 3

“Listen spike. You need to wear this.” I say sternly as I hover a face mask in front of him.

“But Twilight, it always feels so hard to breath with it on.” Spike complains to me as he reaches for the door to leave the castle.

“I don't care Spike. I'm not letting you go to Rarity’s house without it. You heard that ponies have been getting sick.”

“Wouldn't I get sick if I had it or not?” Spike asks but before I can respond he suddenly burps causing a green flame to come from his mouth that forms into a scroll with Celestia's insignia on it.

“Good, she responded. Listen Spike it's either you wear it or you don't go to Rarity's house. That's final.” Grumbling, he takes the mask and puts it on. As he leaves I follow close behind. “Oh and don't stay at her house too long. Back before the sun starts to set.”

“Ya ya. See you later Twilight.”

I wave but as I close the door my mask falls and I cumple against the door. The weight of last night's events still fresh in my mind. Turning around I look at the scroll on the ground. Hovering it over I unravel it and begin to read aloud.

“Dear Twilight, I've read your report over many times and have gotten in contact with Canterlot General Hospital. It would seem you are not the only place with patients exhibiting the symptoms listed. My sister Luna and I are working with Canterlots best minds to figure out what started all this and find a cure.

What we know this far is that our first cases started a few days before yours. We have documented everything we know so far but I fear Luna may have become infected. She has been showing signs that resemble a cold. I've tried to contact Cadance but have yet to hear any form of response. There are confirmed cases in most major cities across Equestria so it could be that they are also dealing with this illness.

Attached are photographs of the progressions of infection. As far as we know right now is that there are two stages of infection. Please keep in contact and share anything you figure out.

Princess Celestia”

Flipping the scroll over I am met with the sight of a wealthy pony in a suit in a hospital room. He looks like he is bored but all the while laying in bed. Flipping to the next photograph I see the same stallion but his clothes are roughed up and his eyes are bloodshot and dilated he looks ready to pounce at anything. Flipping to the next photograph I see the man has started getting the all too familiar twigs sprouting from his flesh but he has grown taller, he is more muscular and he's face has grown longer while his mouth hangs open. Cloud-like breath bellows from his mouth. Chills wash over me as I look at the photo, it's as if the being is waiting, like a perched predator waiting for its prey.

Gulping and taking multiple deep breaths I flip to the next photo but as I see it a yelp escapes me as I see it. The man has grown so tall that they need to bend their head down in an arch to be at eye level but they have their head dangle down into the frame upside down. Their body is covered in the twigs that now look more like vines. Black as Ink with barbs that are white as silver. These vines drape over them and they seem to know they are being watched and that the photo was being taken. Shivering slightly at the thought I push it aside.

“This is crazy… What could do something like this?” Getting to my hooves I walk over to a table and place down the letter and the photographs. There must be some sort of answer. There has to be.

Time slowly ticks by as I look at the picture. Nothing comes of studying them that isn’t readily apparent. Sighing I turn and walk to the doors to exit my castle, slowly I open it and look back inside. Slowly I close it and head into the quieter streets as I watch guards go around with their masks posting fliers on buildings telling ponies to wear masks and to clean their hooves regularly while others tell them to boil water and wash food thoroughly. We don’t know how this is spreading so we need to cover every base possible it seems. I slowly walk towards the hospital as I place the mask over my face. Once on I quicken my trot. I need to get a look at the blood samples they took and examine them.

My trot however is interrupted as I come to a house that has guards that are covered by more armor than usual as they hold weapons firmly in their hooves. Behind them is a house nearly in Ruins as it burns while a crowd gathers around. The sound of crackling and the crowd yelling at the guards. The smell of fire filling the air. Walking up to the scene the crowd notices me and parts allowing me access to the guards. “What is going on here?” I ask the now standing attention guards.

“Princess, A pony with the Infection left the hospital before the Quarantine took place. We came to try and take them to the Quarantine zone. They didn’t comply so we cleansed the area of any possible contamination.”

I feel my body freeze up as my breaths halt. They… cleansed the area? My mouth grows dry as I open and close it, the restriction on air making it known for the first time ever to me. Looking behind them my mind reels as it grasps there are ponies, dead, in that blaze. How has this all happened? How have we fallen to this level of barbarity?

“You executed ponies for not complying with you?” I ask with anger seeping into my voice as I look back down at the guard who doesn't move at all, instead making eye contact with me. His yellow eyes and silver coat visible under the loads of iron protection.

“I did. I did what was for the greater good. I was there, I was a first responder when the Hospital had the problem last night. My friend got ripped in half by that beast.” He says but as he speaks my mind reels back at the mention of the greater good as my blood boils.

“The greater good!?” I angrily cry. “You killed someone when we could have tried to find a cure.”

“Before they change. I care more about keeping the population not infected from being infected than to find a mystical cure we don’t even know is possible.” The Guard sternly bites back, narrowing his eyes as he looks at me, his hoof on his lance tightening. “Now if you don’t mind, Princess, My men and I need to keep the peace till the cleansing finishes. Move along. We have more escapees.”

“You are planning to do more!?” I growl out as my face nears his but yet again he doesn't back down.

“We are, since you couldn’t even handle an infected child.” He says freezing me in place, memories of last night filling my mind as the world around me becomes hazy to my senses.

“Mommy wake up.” The sound of Ditzy’s daughter crying fills my ears and mind.

“I am doing my best!” I shout as I turn and leave, galloping away as tears fill my eyes and sting them to the point I can’t see. I gallop and gallop not knowing where I’m going till I suddenly run into something and fall to my rump. Whipping the tears away my ears perk up to the sound of whimpering. Looking what I ran into, I see Spike sat on the ground whipping his face of tears. “Spike?”

“T-t-twilight.” Spike wails as he flings himself at me and hugs me. His mask wet with tears as he presses his face against me. “R-R-Rarity, she’s…” He says but that’s all he can get out before he sobs more. He doesn't need to say anything however, based on what is occurring my gut knows.

“Spike, it’s going to be okay. Go to the Apple farm, tell Sweetiebelle to not go home and tell AJ that I need her to come to Rarity’s as soon as she can.” I say getting a little nod from my assistant but before he leaves he looks up at me and calms himself as much as he can so he can speak.

“W-w-what about, y-you?”

“I need to go see… I need to figure some thing’s out.” I hope there are some answers at her house. There has to be some kind of answer. Giving me a nod he hugs me again which I reciprocate, we hold each other for a minute then with that we part. I Gallop towards Rarity’s with my heart aching and my ears ringing as I press my tears down. Be strong Twilight. Equestria needs you. Spike needs you, your friends need you. Be Strong. I tell myself over and over as I speed to Rarity’s, the Boutique coming into view. I get to the door with heavy breaths, from the outside you wouldn’t know that there is anyone home.

Taking a couple deep breaths to sooth my stinging lungs I use my magic to open the front door only to be met with the sight of blood covering the floor with a ripped apart carcass of Rarity’s cat, Opal, on the floor. The spell of blood along with the gore strewn about causes me to hastily lift my mask so I can puke beside the door, acid stinging my throat as the blood and acid scent mix in my nose with an undertone of perfume much like Rarity’s home typically has. Whipping my face I replace my mask on my face then head in, keeping the door open for a hasty retreat if possible.

Walking in I see partly finished clothes for an order along with a tea cup and pot. Walking over to it I see the cup is mostly gone. She was part way through her work? Looking over to the stairs up to the second floor I sneakily head to the back where the kitchen is. Looking around I don’t find anything unusual but then my eyes fall on the elixir from a week ago that Rarity bought from Flim and Flam. Half of the bottle is gone and beside it is a box of tea bags. She must have been drinking it in her tea to help with orders. I wonder how well it worked? Not finding anything I head back out but as I do out of the corner of my eye I see Rarity, but only her head as it dangles down from the roof coming from up the stairs.

“Hello Darlinggg~” Rarity says with dilated pupils that peer at me, her smile rivaling Pinky in its size. Her voice is unnatural and filled with sinister intent. Every fiber of my being screaming at me to run as I see what looks like veins in her cheek and neck wriggling and moving like bugs under her skin. I need to leave, NOW! Sprinting to the door I hear the rush of hooves hitting the floor behind me as Rarity’s voice cries out. “Twilightttt!”

I use my magic and blast it back at Rarity, I need to get out and survive! The door is close, meters, then centimeters. I hear her almost on top of me, the snap of teeth hits my ears as I feel my tail hair get grabbed in Rarity’s teeth as she pulls me back but with a swift swipe I cut my tail without thinking twice. I must Survive! Slamming my hooves into the ground I launch forward and out the door, I turn to see Rarity charging to come after me but as she exits she screams in agony as she closes her eyes. “MY EYES!” Rarity cries as I watch her eyes try to open only to shut again, a cloudy film forming on them as she tries to open them again and again outside. Writhing in pain she seemingly tries to feel around for me. Taking no chances I use my magic and grab her and push her back into her house. She tries to resist but with some effort she goes back in and I slam the door shut, keeping it that way with my magic. She tries to break free but after what feels like forever she goes silent allowing me to rest.

Sitting down on the front yard of her house I think about her appearance.I got glimpses through the door while trying to escape and keep her in. She has become far more muscular than she used to be, her eyes have dilated, she has become ridiculously agile too. As I think these over my mind slowly clicks the pieces into place. The Elixir.

Author's Note

Sorry it took a while but here is chapter 3. I hope yall liked it and next Monday will be chapter 4

Chapter 4 Mourning

Chapter 4

“Ah came as soon as ah could sugarcube.” I hear AppleJack say as she gallops up to me with a mask over her face, sweat on her forehead. I just look up at her with the stub of my tail cauterized. I did so as I waited for her with my magic.

“AJ… Rarity is Infected.” I say with pain in my voice as I too have to come to terms with this fact.

“Infected? Ah still don’t know what this whole panic here is about? AppleJack asks bewildered but with a sigh I get up from the ground but as I do AppleJack sees my tail and lets out a gasp. “Twi, you-”

“I know. Rarity had me caught. I needed to…” I say but the words die in my throat before I can say them. Taking a moment I sigh and look at AppleJack. “Follow me, AJ. I’ll show you through the window, then explain everything I’ve learned.”

Walking with her over to the window by the door we peer into Rarity’s home, AppleJack stands slack jawed, horrified by the sight of both the gore but also Rarity’s large imposing figure cloaked in darkness. Her figure being stretched while also being muscular and writhing with moving veins, black barbed twigs like vines emerging from her flesh as if they were one and the same. As we watch AppleJack gently places a hoof on the glass only for me to catch sight of Rarity’s ears swiveling, in the nick of time I place a magical barrier over the window as she comes crashing towards the window. If I was a split second slower she would have come through the window. AppleJack yelps in alarm and I jump too slightly.

“Twilight, AppleJackkk~. Come here Darlings~.”

“R-Rarity… Oh sweet Celetia, what happened to you?” AppleJack says solemnly as she watches our friend, ache clear in her eyes as tears form slightly in them.

“Flim and Flam happened.” I say bitterly, my anger evident. “They sold this Elixir that they said made ponies stronger and quicker. But when they used it to show off I noticed that the Pupils dilate. Those match with those infected.”

“R-Rarity… T-thaere has to be somethin Twi, We can fix this. We always fix these things.” AppleJack says with panic and pain in her voice. Her voice cracking as she speaks.

“I plan to find a cure. We can’t let her get out though… We need to close her in.” I say getting a look from AppleJack that tells me she doesn't like the idea.

“Ya are tellin me we need to cage her like an animal?”

“AJ, she could get out and harm others. Imagine if she hurts Apple Bloom.” I explain, AppleJack slowly wilts into a look of resignation as her mind processes my words. Then after a few moments she responds.

“Fine, what do ya need.”

“We need wood, Lots of it. We need to board up the windows but we also need to make layers of it. She will break through just a few covering it. We need support struts for the blockages and to cover the door while we are at it.”

“How are we meant to feed her anything then?” AppleJacky asks but as she does I open my mouth to respond but close my mouth soon after as I see more flaws to my plan. How do you combat this? Sure we can block the windows and door but then she will just break through the walls. If we block everything up she will starve and even if she doesn’t then what? Undoing all of it will make her on alert so any administration of a cure would be suicide. My shoulders and body sag as I poke holes in my plan and I can only find ways to possibly defend ourselves.

“You have a point… I’m just trying to figure out a plan but I’m still on the back hoof. Celestia is also trying to figure out a solution but this problem… It's Equestria wide.” I explain getting a look of horror from AppleJack who’s pupils shrink to pinpricks. “We… we need to find a cure but we may need to accept that we need to prioritize survival.”

“Then… we need to get ponies together and find a place we can hol up.” AppleJack says in thought. “An what about the Guards?”

“A group is at the Hospital, it's a quarantine zone they set up but some have taken law into their own hooves. I ran into a group that had killed an infected pony and burned down their house.”

“Cripes, but ain’t that a good thing? These infected are nasty things.”

“The thing is that before they get like this they act normally. Something causes the sudden shift that goes this way.” I say gesturing to Rarity’s home.

“Then… was that pony they killed-” AppleJack starts to ask but before she can answer I shake my head causing her to curse under her breath as she takes her hat off. “Them rotten good for nothin… Listen Twi, I think we need to round up the other girls an get one of our homes locked down.” I couldn’t agree more with AJ but the options are slim and I don’t know which is best.

My house is a castle and can be defended well, it however has little in the way of food and few rooms. The apple farm has an abundance of food and land but lacks defenses though that can be fixed with time. Fluttershy’s… ya no. Rainbow’s… another no because clouds. Pinkie pies… it’s in the hot spot center of Ponyville, so it will be overrun by those things if the infection gets out of control, same can be said for my home slightly but at least it’s made out of sturdy crystal. We will need food the most if we are to last an unknown amount of time.

Nodding to myself I look at AppleJack with resolve. “We will need to get Sweet Apple Acres fit for us all and others to take refuge at till this all is over.”

“Can do, ah’m sure with enough ponies we can have er safe an sound.” AppleJack says with a smile but the smile falters as she looks back at Rarity’s house. “So we're just letting her remain like that?”

“Effort used on something that won’t have an effect is effort wasted. We need to act smart.” I say as I start to walk away from Rarity’s house, AppleJack quickly follows behind me but not before saying a quiet Farewell to Rarity.

“So Sugar cube, how do we figure out who's infected?”

“You already know, supernatural strength.” I say with a smirk at AppleJack. “Should be simple to figure out if we make them all try to lift a log. Screen everyone, then anyone infected will be kept aside and kept in a place to ensure they don’t turn but also can aid in finding a cure.”

“Are ya sure that's gonna work?”

“I don't know any better way as of yet but I'm sure we will figure it out with time. The more we know about this infection the easier spotting it will be.”

“Ah hope you're right.” AppleJack says with hesitation but as we walk briskly we come to Sugar cube Corner, our first stop. As if knowing we were coming Pinkie sticks her head out with a wide smile on her face that is visible under her mask.

“Heya both of you, whatcha doin?” Pinkie says happily but as we stop at Sugar Cube Corner AppleJack doesn't answer her.

“Pinkie, you and the cakes need to come with us to Sweet apple acres.” I say getting a confused look from Pinkie.

“To Sweet apple acres? Is something happening? Oh oh, is one of your family members coming to visit AppleJack?” Pinkie happily asks, getting a slight shake of the head from the farmpony.

“Pinkie, a big problem is forming and I don't think Ponyville is going to be safe for much longer.” I say with pain in my voice. Pinkie looks at me with confusion but as she looks she takes a few seconds of silence then nods.

“Okay Twi, you've not steered us wrong and I trust you. Let me get the Cakes and the Twins and we will be out shortly.” Pinkie says with a serious voice but her smile still remaining. With great speed she darts inside.

Turning away I look at AppleJack who looks at me. “Ah think I should gather some ponies I know will join us while ya wait here for Pinkie.”

“Who are you planning to get? Just so if you aren't at the farm by the time I get there I can come find you.”

“Carrot top for sure, ah may try Octavia and her roommate. Cherilee and Ditzy Doo-” AppleJack says but the moment Ditzy is brought up my face scrunches slightly as my heart hurts.

“Wake up mommy.”

Choking back my tears and a pained sob I respond to Applejack before she continues. “Ditzy… she is dead. Her daughter too… It happened at the hospital.”

“She is gone?” AppleJack asks in bewilderment. Nodding she growls slightly but after a few moments she sighs. “Ah guess then ah’d go to get Mayor Mair. Once Pinkie is out ya could go get Shy, Discord, an Zecora if ya feel brave to go in that forest with this going on.”

“What about others?” I ask AppleJack who looks back at me with a serious and determined look.

“We need to start with who we know and trust most. Ah wanna save as many as possible too but we are in no way prepared to take on that challenge. We can test to see who is infected in the starting group, once they are cleared we can then use them to bring in more people effectively.” Nodding in understanding I let the logic of AppleJacks words sink in. Are we in the wrong for being callous like this?

“Let's do it then. I'll get Discord to teleport Zecora out of the forest. There is no way I'm going in there and we can't leave her there.”

“Smart thinkin Sugar cube.” With that she starts to head off to collect the ponies she has to collect while I await Pinkie. With a final wave she is off and I turn away from her. The sight of embers from a new house burning catching my eyes. The Cleansing crew. Gritting my teeth I want nothing more than to get Celestia down here and for her to punish them but I know she has her hooves full. No, I need to bring order back to Ponyville.

***

“Alrighty.” I hear snapping to attention as I look behind myself to see the cakes and Pinkie. Both the parents carry one of the twins as they have fully loaded saddlebags. Pinkie too has a fully loaded saddle bag with objects stacked on her back.

“You all brought anything not nailed down didn't you.” I jokingly say to which the cakes laugh from under their masks.

“Well Pinkie said we may be at the Apple farm for a while so we decided to plan for a prolonged stay.” Mrs. Cake explains with mirth in her voice. I smile slightly, leading the way we begin our walk towards the farm outside Ponyville. As we walk I look up to the sky with tears stinging my eyes as my mind wanders to the thought of this same situation happening across Equestria. Is this even possible to stop? I’m supposed to be their protector… aren’t I? How can I save them?

“Cheer up Twilight, I’m sure this situation will blow over. We just need to have each other's backs.” Pinkie says as she bounces up and down beside me as we walk. Her usual smile on her face.

“Thanks Pinkie.”

“Anytime Twilight.” Pinkie happily says as she bounces ahead of me just to turn and face me as she bounces backwards. “Everyone needs some happiness, even in rough times. All it takes is a few laughs.” She chants with her capping it off with a quick boop on my nose.

“Maybe.” I respond with Pinkie turning back around while getting to hind hooves.

“We can still stand tall and fix this whole thing with bandaids and silly string.” Pinkie says with confetti shooting out as she strikes a pose, I walk around her and smirk slightly.

She soon after comes bounding up beside me. “Okay, maybe more than just that but still, they help.” Pinkie happily says with a giggle.

“They sure do.” I laugh lightly. Looking ahead of us I see the farm over the hill we approach. Looking over towards Fluttershy's home I turn to the others. “I need to go talk to Fluttershy and Discord and have them join us.”

“You go on and do that Twilight Dear, I’m sure Pinkie and us can get to the Apple farm on our own.” Mrs. Cake says with a smile. Giving her a nod I gallop towards Fluttershy’s house. Coming up to it I hear the animals typically around her house happily making noises. Knocking on Fluttershy’s door urgently it takes little time for the door to open a crack for Fluttershy to peek out but when she sees me she opens the door with a smile.

“Oh, hello Twilight. What brin-”

“Fluttershy, I don’t want to worry you but you need to come to the Apple Farm. Something is happening and it’s dangerous to be on your own.” I say trying to keep myself calm so Flutters doesn’t panic.

“She isn’t on her own, she always has me looking over her.” The voice of Discord hits me as I see a miniature Discord laying on Fluttershy’s main.

“I know, you also were one of the individuals I was getting to join us. I also need a favor Discord.” Perking up he vanishes from Fluttershy’s main and pops in beside me at his full size.

“My me, Twilight Sparkle asking me for a favor? Has the world gone in reverse?” Grumbling at his antics I wish I could chew him out for the games right now but I need his help.

“Teleport Zecora here.” I say with a stern and serious tone causing Discord to open his mouth to make a joke most likely but something about how I look seemingly makes him change his mind. With a snap of his fingers Zecora appears right beside Fluttershy.

“Teleportation without request?” Zecora says in a questioning tone only for her eyes to fall upon Discord. “Ah, it would seem to be a Jest.”

“Zecora, I need you to come and take shelter at Sweet Apple aches. You two as well.” I say looking at Fluttershy and Discord.

“You really seem stressed, could Celestia have sent you a Friendship lesson again.” Discord teases but with a narrow look from me he stops his teasing.

“Ponies have died Discord.” I hostaly say causing him to go rigged while both Fluttershy and Zacora to gasp.

“Ponies…” Fluttershy whispers.

“What has occurred, what have you endured?” Zecora asks with urgency.

Taking a moment to relax I look at both of them and turn around. “We need to get to Sweet Apple Acres. It’s going to be our home.” I say walking off, not soon after the others follow close behind. “There is an infection spreading. It makes Ponies into aggressive monsters. We can’t let ourselves be caught anymore off guard than we already are.”

“What kind of infection?” Fluttershy asks hesitantly.

“It changes ponies. I could explain it but… I don’t think I’d do it justice how horrific this infection is. Just be aware and be on your guard. We need defenses and to figure out a plan.”