Failing Friendship (an Infection AU story)by PrismPierisChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 1Sapphire Star loved the rain. The alicorn loved the way the damp earth felt under her hooves, how it would cling to her dark magenta coat and drench dusky blue hair. She loved shaking it from her wings, and lashing her tail to drench her dad when they’d come in from playing in the rain, much to her mother’s feigned outcry. She didn’t love the rain so much today. Rainbow Dash had asked her mother if she wanted to postpone the rain until after the funeral. No one would fault her for it, the storm-colored pegasus promised, but she had declined. Twilight Sparkle stuck to a schedule. The rain was important, and she knew her husband had loved it too. It seemed fitting for it to rain today. Dressed all in black, under a magical shield to hold the rain at bay, Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Equestria, opened her mouth to speak. “I first wish to express my gratitude for coming to… such a sudden event. We are gathered here to mourn the loss of a great stallion, of a loving husband and father, and of a noble knight, Flash Sentry.” Lemon eyes flicked to her right, where the portrait she’d had commissioned sat on its easel. She wished it could talk to her, to tell her that he’d be home soon, to whisper what she needed to hear. But it could not, and she had to press forward. “For all my time as Princess, I’ve been good at giving speeches. I can ramble on about magic, prattle on about the stars and the colors and all of the knowledge I’ve learned in my years but I can’t-” She pauses for a moment, grief’s vice tight around her heart- “-I don’t have the words to explain how I feel right now.” “Flash was one of my closest friends. He was my partner through life. He helped bring my daughter into this world. He helped keep me sane when stress from my position got too much. He stayed with me through everything.. If I had known that he wouldn’t come home after this mission I would’ve.. I would’ve told him not to go. I would’ve been selfish, and…” Her voice warbles as she tries to hold herself together. She’s the Princess, for the Sun’s sake. She has to be better. Twilight looks down at her notes, frowning as she realizes that the ink is smeared, her tears having drenched the notes she’d prepared. “It’s… not fair.” She finally murmurs, muscles tense. “He had longer to live. He was supposed to be here for Sapphire. For me. It’s not fair that he’s gone, he shouldn’t be. He should be in the castle, drinking his favorite tea and annoying the recruits with his stories and… and…” It’s Rarity who goes up, the Earth pony pressing against her side and offering her a handkerchief. “Come on Darling, let’s let somepony else speak, okay? You should sit with Sapphire.” Twilight resists for a moment, but nods, leaning into her friend as she’s escorted away from the front. One of the royal guards comes forward to speak, She doesn’t remember who. She doesn’t care right now. Instead she sits down next to her daughter, wrapping a wing around her. Two sets of lemon-colored eyes meet for a moment before Sapphire tucks her head under her mother’s chin, and Twilight rests her head on the top of hers. She doesn’t realize that it’s time until Sapphire nudges her gently, and the two get up, followed by Fluttershy, and Rarity’s daughter, Amethyst. The four mares line up, and one by one, horns ignite, picking up the casket together and lowering it into the hole. The earth covers it, and the tombstone is erected in silence. Flash Sentry is dead, and Equestria mourns. “Are you sure about this, mom?” Sapphire looks up at her mom as she closes her suitcase, checking to make sure she has everything. “I am.” She smiles. It’s been a week since they buried the third member of their family, and the castle had been… solemn. “It’ll be good for you to get out of Canterlot, and you know Starlight has been begging you to come visit more.” Queue the groan from Sapphire, juxtaposed with the smile on her face. ”I need to go stay with Aunt Starlight? Oh no, the horror…” The trailing voice turned into a laugh, her own mother lighting up and chuckling. This was the most normal that both had felt since the funeral, but Sapphire did have a concern. “Are you going to be okay? With Uncle Spike being away on business, and all.. I know it gets lonely here.” “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” Her mother’s smile shifted, and Sapphire knew she was still grieving. She always would be. “If.. if you’re sure, okay?” “I’m fine. Please go, you’ll miss the train.” She wouldn’t, she’s ready a solid hour early, but she didn’t want to argue with her mother anymore. “I love you, mom.” She hugs her close, pressing into her mother’s deep midnight-colored coat and letting out a hum, feeling the familiar warmth of her mother’s wing over her. “I love you too, my comet. Promise you’ll at least write?” “Of course! As long as you don’t work too hard. You know you can always call for help.” Celestia and Luna were on vacation, Twilight still not having informed them about her loss. She was always too stubborn about doing it herself. “I will if I need it. Now go on, shoo. You’ll be late.” There’s another laugh, and Sapphire Star joins in before picking up her bag with her magic. “Alright! Alright. I’m going!” She starts trotting away, laughing as her mother gently swats at her with golden magic. Wings spread and push as she takes flight off her balcony, a few stray orange and magenta feathers catching on the air and drifting on the breeze. Twilight smiles, before the vice tightens, and she sighs, turning off the lights in her daughter’s room and turning. She’d finished early so she could see her daughter off, and now she wanted nothing more than to rest. She asked one of the castle staff for tea, something sweet, and the unicorn nodded, trotting off to the kitchen as she sat down near her fireplace. Golden light ignited around her horn, and the fire roared to life, the warmth helping the chill that had settled into the alicorn’s bones, and loosening the vice on her heart. She looks up at the portrait above the fireplace. One she’d gotten made once her daughter had grown a bit, the three posed together, bright smiles. Flash had a wing around her, holding her hoof with love. He was always so proud of her, of both of them, and she could almost hear Flash now. “Cheer up, Twily! Come on, let’s go get that tea you like, yeah? Or we can take a walk through the gardens?” He’d say, always trying to get her up and moving and out of the library. He was good at that, good at respecting when she needed space, but good at stopping her from rotting. He completed her. And he was gone. Feather Duster stopped at the door, hearing the soft sobbing on the other side. She knocked, gently, but loud enough to alert the Princess that she was there. She’d brought the tea, and a few cookies that the staff and prepped. And a few pieces of fruit. She was making sure the Princess got her nutrients, even if she was grieving. It’s what Flash would’ve wanted. “Come in..” Twilight’s voice finally came, and the unicorn opened the door, pausing at the dark room before sighing. Green light lit up the room from her horn, and she set the tray down before reigniting the fire and opening one of the windows, enough to let the light into the room, but without shining it directly on the princess. “I brought you the tea you requested, Princess.” She nudged the cup over, and Twilight nursed the cup in her hooves, feeling the warmth. “The staff also brought you some light snacks, please eat some of it, alright?” “Thank you, Feather Duster.” The Princess murmurs, eyes just watching the way she swirled the tea in her cup. The gentle shifting relaxed her a bit, coupled with the crackling fire and blanket… blanket? The green glow faded off the blanket that Feather Duster draped around her, the older mare gently patting her back for a moment. “We’ll all be here if you need us, Princess.” “Thank you.” Twilight nodded, pausing as Feather Duster went to close the door behind her. “Wait… could… could you keep the door open?” “Of course, your majesty. Call if you need anything.” The mare bows, turning to fulfill her other duties. Twilight took a sip of her tea, curled up in her chair. She leaned into the blanket and set the cup down before the vice squeezed, and she sobbed. Chapter 2“Now approaching Ponyville station.” Sapphire Star was pulled back to consciousness by the tinny voice coming over the speaker in the train car. She sat up, stretching, shaking the drowsiness from her limbs before standing up. Golden light blooms off her horn as she retrieves her bag from the overhead containers, before the train slows to a stop. She lets the other ponies shuffle off ahead of her, heading out to do what they needed to do. Then she stepped out, sighing. “Sapphy!” The nickname makes her ears perk up, them swiveling to the side. She braces herself, feeling the tawny earth pony slam into her in a hug. She chuckles, wrapping a wing over her best friend and gently nuzzling against her head. “Fawn, what’re you doing here? I didn’t tell you I was coming to town!” Sapphire was delighted, if anything, as the Earth pony pulls back. “No, but she weaseled it out of me.” Sapphire looks past her friend to the older mare, who’s purple hair had a couple streaks of gray in it at this point. Starlight blamed the students at the school of friendship, but her wife Trixie thought she looked fantastic. “I said I had to pick somepony up, and she tricked me into revealing it was you.” “Fawn, come on now.” Sapphire sighs, before leaning into her friend in another hug. Then she they’re heading into Ponyville proper, Fawn quietly talking about all the things Sapphire has missed in her absence. Sugarcube corner looked the same. Since Mr. and Mrs. Cake and retired, it was left in the capable hands of Pinkie Pie and her husband Cheese. And right now, Ponyville’s number one party pony was preparing for a surprise party. Her son, Cheesecake, was helping, the golden pegasus putting up balloons and banners. Pinkie finishes the cupcakes, a delicious swirl of icing, couple sprinkles… then she brings it out to the table, setting it down and waving to the gathered ponies. “Hey everypony! Starlight sent a message, so they’ll be here soon!” The gathered ponies settle into the sides, the murmuring quieting down into silence. The sound of nearby shoppers the only noise in the room, sans Pinkie’s occasional excited squeak. They listen carefully for the agreed-upon knock code. A few sets of hooves get louder as the approach the door. Knock knock knock! Knock knock, knock! Three quick knocks, then two, then one. There’s a moment of wait as muffled voices speak from the other side of the door. “Are you sure they’re home, Auntie?” “I’m quite sure, Pinkie asked me to visit..” Starlight pauses as she begins opening the door, noting the dark interior and barely catching a glance of a pink, curly tail. It twitches before being yoinked back into its hiding place with a small squeak. The lavender mare pushes open the door, escorting the two behind her in as she reaches for the light switch. The lights flick on, and… “Surprise!” Almost a dozen ponies burst forth from various hiding spots, as well as ample confetti and streamers. Sapphire Star jumped, mane brushing the ceiling before she drops back down, laughing. Fawnstep presses herself against Sapphire’s side, grinning. “Guess we got you, huh?” “Did you plan this?” Fawn shakes her head at the question, pointing at Starlight. “Your aunt got everything ready, and you know Ms. Pie was more than willing to throw another party.” “I told you to call me Pinkie, Fawn.” The bubblegum pegasus gently chides, poking the earth pony before reaching over and handing the alicorn a cupcake. Sapphire picks it up, taking a bite and letting out a pleased noise, her tail lashing. Chocolate with blueberry swirl icing, her favorite. Pinkie’s mind was a steel trap of people’s favorite flavors just for these occasions. After a brief moment of praise towards Pinkie, she waves to her friends, trotting over with Fawnstep to see them. The first to wave is Cloud Crisp, the deep teal pegasus gaining the attention of the three other mares. “Hey, Sapphire! It’s really nice to see you-” -I just wish it were under better circumstances… Cloud bites her lip after the first half of what she wanted to say, not wanting to bring up her friend’s loss. “It’s great to see you all too. How’s the farm going?” “Great as ever!” Cloud’s sister, Honey Butter, pipes up, grinning. “Ma’s real proud of my cider-makin’, and Crisp’s real good at gettin’ those clouds perfect for the trees!” The dark bronze pegasus picks up her cider, taking a drink. “That’s great, what about you, Peach?” Peach Pit brushes her curly auburn hair from her eyes, adjusting her glasses. “I’m in my final year for my Master’s degree. In a few more years, I’ll be Doctor Pit, with a PHD in Psychology.” “Your parents still wanting you to join the family business?” “No, not anymore. They’re happy I enjoy the baking that I do, but they know that becoming a therapist is my passion, and all they want is me to be happy, so… I’m happy.” “That’s what’s important, isn’t it?” The final friend, a silvery-white unicorn, pipes up, smiling. “As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.” Sapphire nods, smiling. “That’s a fair point, Amethyst. How’s the gem cutting going?” “The usual. I’ve perfected my umbrella enchantment, and I’m studying climate control enchantments.” She lifts her teacup to her lips, taking a sip. “That way you can wear whatever you want, regardless of the weather.” “That’s really cool!” Sapphire reaches for her own tea, taking a sip and pausing before adding a couple more sugar cubes and stirring. Another Sip. Perfect. The talking becomes more general chatter. Normal things. It’s nice. Things are good. In the Everfree Forest, a golden mare picks flowers and leaves into a basket. A delicious dandelion salad, with some mushrooms and tomatoes sounded wonderful to her. She’s been having trouble finding her normal button mushrooms. She normally knew where to find them, but it was driving her mad looking for them. She finally finds some. At least.. She thinks they look right? They’re the same white as the normal mushrooms, and these were just a little bit taller.. They look fine! Sunflower Seed heads home after picking them to prepare her salad, humming softly. A fresh salad sounds great. Her nose crinkles and she sneezes, annoyed. She hopes she’s not coming down with something. Chapter 3“Discord, have you seen Flora?” Fluttershy poked her head into her cottage, looking up at the draconequus as he played cards with himself. They both looked up at her, frowning as they tried to think. One runs his claws over his cards. “Do you have any threes?” “Go fish.” One transforms into a fish, which the second swallows whole. He does, however, then turn and look at his partner. “Not since she and her fawns headed into the Everfree a few days ago.” “Oh, dear…” She frowns. “She was supposed to come back soon so I could check on their health… but if she hasn’t, either she isn’t because she’s healthy, or she can’t because they’re sick, and that’s… oh dear..” “Don’t you mean, oh deer?” He tries to lighten the mood, but the unicorn’s worry made him pause, him landing next to her so he could gently pat her back. “I’m sure they’re alright. You did a great job caring for her, and she’s probably frolicking in a field right now.” “You think?” Fluttershy looks up at him, gently rubbing one of her front hooves against her leg. “Fluttershy, you are one of the best veterinarians in Ponyville. I’m sure she’s fine.” “Still, maybe tomorrow I’ll go looking for her.” ~~In the Everfree, a deer’s carcass provides nutrients for small, button mushrooms that grow on it.~~ Sunflower Seeds sits at home, humming as she works on another salad. The mushrooms tasted great! At least, they did after she got a little more used to them. Her eyes were awfully teary, and her hooves ached, but she was probably fine! If it got any worse, she’d visit the hospital, but she has far too much to do. She has to finish her salad tonight, and maybe she'll make some more for her friends! Daisy Chain and Orange Blossom would love some of her salad, she thinks. She tosses in the mushrooms, watching the way they bounce and tumble. Juicy, and delicious… She shakes her head briefly, letting out a confused snort. What’d she been doing? Making the salad, right. She catches a glance of her reflection in her kitchen window, pausing as she looks it over. Her eyes were a touch.. Off at the edges. I’ll go visit the Hospital after lunch tomorrow. I’ve been waiting to visit with Daisy and Orange for a week now, and I’m not putting it off another day. Besides, I have eyedrops in the cabinet, I’ll use them before lunch. Nopony will know. Sunflower Seed places the prepped vegetables in her bowl, moving to get the dressing for her salad. I just need to make sure I share this with everypony. Daisy Chain waved to Sunflower Seed as she approached, before her hoof lowered in worry. “Sunflower, are you okay?” “I feel fine, Daisy..” The mare murmurs, but she did feel funny. Her chest had started to ache overnight, and her eyes kept watering. It’s probably just a bout of hay fever, or her allergies acting up. It wasn’t anything to be worried about. “We’ve had this lunch date planned for at least a month, I didn’t want to miss it.” “Can I at least talk you into visiting Nurse Redheart after lunch?” Daisy half-pleads, looking up at Sunflower with the biggest, wettest eyes the earth pony could muster. Sunflower’s lip quivers, her trying to resist. Must... resist… “Fine. After lunch I’ll go. As long as you two try this new mushroom salad I’ve been working on.” The mention of finally eating caught Orange Blossom’s attention, the unicorn looking up from her phone and raising a brow. Sunflower brought forth the bowl of mixed veg, and Orange Blossom picked up one of the slices of mushroom, looking it over. “What are these? I’ve never seen them before.” She turns the mushroom over in her magical grasp, orange eyes flicking up to look at her friend before back down to it. “A new species of button mushroom!” Sunflower’s started serving her friends, smiling. “They’re delicious, a slightly bitter flavor to them.” She leaned forward to eat the piece of mushroom Orange was holding, grinning as she swallowed. “That’s.. gross. But alright, we’ll try it.” Daisy poured the dressing over her portion, digging in. Orange follows suit, and the three chat about the month’s events, laughing over things. It’s delicious, really. Sunflower smiles, her eye twitching. Chapter 4Sapphire Star enjoyed her week off. No royal anything, no fancy parties, she could just be.. Herself, surrounded by her friends, enjoying the moment. She was content, really. She lifts her head from her pillow, grumbling about the sun in her eyes before she gets up. The alicorn stretches, yawning before she’s up and about. Brush hair, make herself semi-presentable, go get breakfast, see who wanted to hang out today. She’d be going back in a couple days, so she knew she wanted to make dinner plans… Those plans were halted by the sirens going on outside. The sirens had been made by the current Mayor, Mayor Tiara, to alert Ponyville citizens of emergencies. It’d been smart considering the time Ponyville was attacked, or the time Ponyville was attacked, or the time… Sapphire looked out the window, frowning. She didn’t… see anything. Didn’t see any encroaching armies, no approaching hoards, nothing. She opened the window, moving to call out to a stallion who was running past. “Excuse me! What’s going on?” The Stallion stops as he’s addressed, looking around before up at the Princess and bowing for a moment. “Your majesty! Ponies are going mad! They’re attacking each other..” He looks back towards Greater Ponyville, then his eyes widen. “Orange Blossom!” The orange unicorn staggers forward, gurgling and struggling to continue to put one hoof in front of the other. Sapphire had never seen so much… so much blood. She’d gotten a cut or a scrape, or seen a few injured guards, but nothing like this. Nothing so heavy that it made the unicorn look like her coat naturally shifted to red at her hooves. Nothing that dripped from her mane so dark it made the normally green hair look black. The green stallion took a step back, and Orange staggered closer... closer... lunged. He tried to kick her off, to do something to stop his untimely demise, but with a sickening crunch, he fell limp. Sapphire covered her muzzle with a hoof, eyes wide as she took a step back from the window. She’d… watched somepony die. Because of another pony. She turns, racing through the small castle to find her Aunt Starlight. “Starlight! Starlight!” Her cries echoed off the crystal walls, only amplifying her own panic. She pushed open every door she could, looking around before her aunt’s voice called back to her. Sapphire pushed open the door to the room that held the Cutie Map, looking in at not only her Aunt, but a couple of her friends, and their mothers. She pushed forward, hugging her aunt close and letting out a sob. “I.. I watched somepony die, Aunt Starlight. I watched them die…” She finally murmurs, and Starlight’s muzzle turns into a grimace. “I was afraid of that..” The older unicorn murmurs. “Pinkie, do you have any idea what happened?” “It was... freaky-deaky..” The pegasus murmured. “I was watching Sunflower Seed pick up some food! She was wearing a mask, and she didn’t.. look okay? I was going to ask if she’d visited Dr. Redheart, but…” Pinkie pauses. “I.. another pony, I don’t remember who. They cut themselves while prepping something at their stall. And Sunflower turned around and… and attacked them.” “What?” Sapphire looked up at Pinkie. “She just… attacked them?” This.. wasn’t making any sense. Ponies, attacking other ponies? In broad daylight? “Has Ponyville gone mad?” “I don’t know.” Starlight frowns. “But we have just as bad news. I.. haven’t been able to get a letter to Twilight. They just… keep burning up.” “Mom? Is she safe? Do we know if she’s okay?” “I don’t, not for sure...” Starlight frowns. “But your mother is one of the most powerful ponies in Equestria, I know she’s safe.” “So.. what do we do, then?” Amethyst speaks up, looking at the other mares gathered. “Greater Ponyville is being overwhelmed, and I don’t know how many ponies are… even safe.” “Well…” Starlight hums, gently resting her head on top of Sapphire’s as she thinks. “I think we should gather the other Elements of Harmony. If we can get you all to Twilight, then maybe we can use the elements to deal with this.” “That’s a good idea, Starlight.” Rarity hums. “It’s just AJ and Dash, who are at the farm, like usual, and Fluttershy is in her cottage.” “Right.” Starlight continues thinking, her tail swishing back and forth. “Pinkie, you and Peach can gather supplies. I don’t know if the train is working, so we might need to walk. Rarity, you and Amethyst will go get Applejack and Rainbow. Sapphire, I trust you to take the long way and get to Fluttershy okay?” The other mares nod, pausing as Amethyst raises a hoof. “There’s... something I should tell you.” Everyone’s eyes turn to the lilac unicorn. “One of the.. the monster ponies…” She frowns, trying to figure out how to word it. “It used to be a unicorn, and when another unicorn tried to use magic, it was like.. the monster pony ate it.” “It did what?” Starlight looks up. “It ate the magic. Like.. the magic didn’t do anything to it. And then the other pony.. got attacked.” Starlight frowns. “That’s... worrying. I guess that just means to be extra safe, alright everypony?” Everypony nods. Then they’re all getting up, sans Starlight, who’s going to be mapping out the best way to go. They step out onto the streets, looking out and around before splitting up. Pinkie and Peach head off the trail towards the main area of town, to stay out of sight. Sapphire takes to the sky, heading towards the Everfree Forest. Rarity and Amethyst head towards the outskirts of town, intending to loop around towards the farm. And Starlight Glimmer prays that all five of them come back safely with their friends.
Chapter 1Sapphire Star loved the rain. The alicorn loved the way the damp earth felt under her hooves, how it would cling to her dark magenta coat and drench dusky blue hair. She loved shaking it from her wings, and lashing her tail to drench her dad when they’d come in from playing in the rain, much to her mother’s feigned outcry. She didn’t love the rain so much today. Rainbow Dash had asked her mother if she wanted to postpone the rain until after the funeral. No one would fault her for it, the storm-colored pegasus promised, but she had declined. Twilight Sparkle stuck to a schedule. The rain was important, and she knew her husband had loved it too. It seemed fitting for it to rain today. Dressed all in black, under a magical shield to hold the rain at bay, Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Equestria, opened her mouth to speak. “I first wish to express my gratitude for coming to… such a sudden event. We are gathered here to mourn the loss of a great stallion, of a loving husband and father, and of a noble knight, Flash Sentry.” Lemon eyes flicked to her right, where the portrait she’d had commissioned sat on its easel. She wished it could talk to her, to tell her that he’d be home soon, to whisper what she needed to hear. But it could not, and she had to press forward. “For all my time as Princess, I’ve been good at giving speeches. I can ramble on about magic, prattle on about the stars and the colors and all of the knowledge I’ve learned in my years but I can’t-” She pauses for a moment, grief’s vice tight around her heart- “-I don’t have the words to explain how I feel right now.” “Flash was one of my closest friends. He was my partner through life. He helped bring my daughter into this world. He helped keep me sane when stress from my position got too much. He stayed with me through everything.. If I had known that he wouldn’t come home after this mission I would’ve.. I would’ve told him not to go. I would’ve been selfish, and…” Her voice warbles as she tries to hold herself together. She’s the Princess, for the Sun’s sake. She has to be better. Twilight looks down at her notes, frowning as she realizes that the ink is smeared, her tears having drenched the notes she’d prepared. “It’s… not fair.” She finally murmurs, muscles tense. “He had longer to live. He was supposed to be here for Sapphire. For me. It’s not fair that he’s gone, he shouldn’t be. He should be in the castle, drinking his favorite tea and annoying the recruits with his stories and… and…” It’s Rarity who goes up, the Earth pony pressing against her side and offering her a handkerchief. “Come on Darling, let’s let somepony else speak, okay? You should sit with Sapphire.” Twilight resists for a moment, but nods, leaning into her friend as she’s escorted away from the front. One of the royal guards comes forward to speak, She doesn’t remember who. She doesn’t care right now. Instead she sits down next to her daughter, wrapping a wing around her. Two sets of lemon-colored eyes meet for a moment before Sapphire tucks her head under her mother’s chin, and Twilight rests her head on the top of hers. She doesn’t realize that it’s time until Sapphire nudges her gently, and the two get up, followed by Fluttershy, and Rarity’s daughter, Amethyst. The four mares line up, and one by one, horns ignite, picking up the casket together and lowering it into the hole. The earth covers it, and the tombstone is erected in silence. Flash Sentry is dead, and Equestria mourns. “Are you sure about this, mom?” Sapphire looks up at her mom as she closes her suitcase, checking to make sure she has everything. “I am.” She smiles. It’s been a week since they buried the third member of their family, and the castle had been… solemn. “It’ll be good for you to get out of Canterlot, and you know Starlight has been begging you to come visit more.” Queue the groan from Sapphire, juxtaposed with the smile on her face. ”I need to go stay with Aunt Starlight? Oh no, the horror…” The trailing voice turned into a laugh, her own mother lighting up and chuckling. This was the most normal that both had felt since the funeral, but Sapphire did have a concern. “Are you going to be okay? With Uncle Spike being away on business, and all.. I know it gets lonely here.” “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” Her mother’s smile shifted, and Sapphire knew she was still grieving. She always would be. “If.. if you’re sure, okay?” “I’m fine. Please go, you’ll miss the train.” She wouldn’t, she’s ready a solid hour early, but she didn’t want to argue with her mother anymore. “I love you, mom.” She hugs her close, pressing into her mother’s deep midnight-colored coat and letting out a hum, feeling the familiar warmth of her mother’s wing over her. “I love you too, my comet. Promise you’ll at least write?” “Of course! As long as you don’t work too hard. You know you can always call for help.” Celestia and Luna were on vacation, Twilight still not having informed them about her loss. She was always too stubborn about doing it herself. “I will if I need it. Now go on, shoo. You’ll be late.” There’s another laugh, and Sapphire Star joins in before picking up her bag with her magic. “Alright! Alright. I’m going!” She starts trotting away, laughing as her mother gently swats at her with golden magic. Wings spread and push as she takes flight off her balcony, a few stray orange and magenta feathers catching on the air and drifting on the breeze. Twilight smiles, before the vice tightens, and she sighs, turning off the lights in her daughter’s room and turning. She’d finished early so she could see her daughter off, and now she wanted nothing more than to rest. She asked one of the castle staff for tea, something sweet, and the unicorn nodded, trotting off to the kitchen as she sat down near her fireplace. Golden light ignited around her horn, and the fire roared to life, the warmth helping the chill that had settled into the alicorn’s bones, and loosening the vice on her heart. She looks up at the portrait above the fireplace. One she’d gotten made once her daughter had grown a bit, the three posed together, bright smiles. Flash had a wing around her, holding her hoof with love. He was always so proud of her, of both of them, and she could almost hear Flash now. “Cheer up, Twily! Come on, let’s go get that tea you like, yeah? Or we can take a walk through the gardens?” He’d say, always trying to get her up and moving and out of the library. He was good at that, good at respecting when she needed space, but good at stopping her from rotting. He completed her. And he was gone. Feather Duster stopped at the door, hearing the soft sobbing on the other side. She knocked, gently, but loud enough to alert the Princess that she was there. She’d brought the tea, and a few cookies that the staff and prepped. And a few pieces of fruit. She was making sure the Princess got her nutrients, even if she was grieving. It’s what Flash would’ve wanted. “Come in..” Twilight’s voice finally came, and the unicorn opened the door, pausing at the dark room before sighing. Green light lit up the room from her horn, and she set the tray down before reigniting the fire and opening one of the windows, enough to let the light into the room, but without shining it directly on the princess. “I brought you the tea you requested, Princess.” She nudged the cup over, and Twilight nursed the cup in her hooves, feeling the warmth. “The staff also brought you some light snacks, please eat some of it, alright?” “Thank you, Feather Duster.” The Princess murmurs, eyes just watching the way she swirled the tea in her cup. The gentle shifting relaxed her a bit, coupled with the crackling fire and blanket… blanket? The green glow faded off the blanket that Feather Duster draped around her, the older mare gently patting her back for a moment. “We’ll all be here if you need us, Princess.” “Thank you.” Twilight nodded, pausing as Feather Duster went to close the door behind her. “Wait… could… could you keep the door open?” “Of course, your majesty. Call if you need anything.” The mare bows, turning to fulfill her other duties. Twilight took a sip of her tea, curled up in her chair. She leaned into the blanket and set the cup down before the vice squeezed, and she sobbed.
Chapter 2“Now approaching Ponyville station.” Sapphire Star was pulled back to consciousness by the tinny voice coming over the speaker in the train car. She sat up, stretching, shaking the drowsiness from her limbs before standing up. Golden light blooms off her horn as she retrieves her bag from the overhead containers, before the train slows to a stop. She lets the other ponies shuffle off ahead of her, heading out to do what they needed to do. Then she stepped out, sighing. “Sapphy!” The nickname makes her ears perk up, them swiveling to the side. She braces herself, feeling the tawny earth pony slam into her in a hug. She chuckles, wrapping a wing over her best friend and gently nuzzling against her head. “Fawn, what’re you doing here? I didn’t tell you I was coming to town!” Sapphire was delighted, if anything, as the Earth pony pulls back. “No, but she weaseled it out of me.” Sapphire looks past her friend to the older mare, who’s purple hair had a couple streaks of gray in it at this point. Starlight blamed the students at the school of friendship, but her wife Trixie thought she looked fantastic. “I said I had to pick somepony up, and she tricked me into revealing it was you.” “Fawn, come on now.” Sapphire sighs, before leaning into her friend in another hug. Then she they’re heading into Ponyville proper, Fawn quietly talking about all the things Sapphire has missed in her absence. Sugarcube corner looked the same. Since Mr. and Mrs. Cake and retired, it was left in the capable hands of Pinkie Pie and her husband Cheese. And right now, Ponyville’s number one party pony was preparing for a surprise party. Her son, Cheesecake, was helping, the golden pegasus putting up balloons and banners. Pinkie finishes the cupcakes, a delicious swirl of icing, couple sprinkles… then she brings it out to the table, setting it down and waving to the gathered ponies. “Hey everypony! Starlight sent a message, so they’ll be here soon!” The gathered ponies settle into the sides, the murmuring quieting down into silence. The sound of nearby shoppers the only noise in the room, sans Pinkie’s occasional excited squeak. They listen carefully for the agreed-upon knock code. A few sets of hooves get louder as the approach the door. Knock knock knock! Knock knock, knock! Three quick knocks, then two, then one. There’s a moment of wait as muffled voices speak from the other side of the door. “Are you sure they’re home, Auntie?” “I’m quite sure, Pinkie asked me to visit..” Starlight pauses as she begins opening the door, noting the dark interior and barely catching a glance of a pink, curly tail. It twitches before being yoinked back into its hiding place with a small squeak. The lavender mare pushes open the door, escorting the two behind her in as she reaches for the light switch. The lights flick on, and… “Surprise!” Almost a dozen ponies burst forth from various hiding spots, as well as ample confetti and streamers. Sapphire Star jumped, mane brushing the ceiling before she drops back down, laughing. Fawnstep presses herself against Sapphire’s side, grinning. “Guess we got you, huh?” “Did you plan this?” Fawn shakes her head at the question, pointing at Starlight. “Your aunt got everything ready, and you know Ms. Pie was more than willing to throw another party.” “I told you to call me Pinkie, Fawn.” The bubblegum pegasus gently chides, poking the earth pony before reaching over and handing the alicorn a cupcake. Sapphire picks it up, taking a bite and letting out a pleased noise, her tail lashing. Chocolate with blueberry swirl icing, her favorite. Pinkie’s mind was a steel trap of people’s favorite flavors just for these occasions. After a brief moment of praise towards Pinkie, she waves to her friends, trotting over with Fawnstep to see them. The first to wave is Cloud Crisp, the deep teal pegasus gaining the attention of the three other mares. “Hey, Sapphire! It’s really nice to see you-” -I just wish it were under better circumstances… Cloud bites her lip after the first half of what she wanted to say, not wanting to bring up her friend’s loss. “It’s great to see you all too. How’s the farm going?” “Great as ever!” Cloud’s sister, Honey Butter, pipes up, grinning. “Ma’s real proud of my cider-makin’, and Crisp’s real good at gettin’ those clouds perfect for the trees!” The dark bronze pegasus picks up her cider, taking a drink. “That’s great, what about you, Peach?” Peach Pit brushes her curly auburn hair from her eyes, adjusting her glasses. “I’m in my final year for my Master’s degree. In a few more years, I’ll be Doctor Pit, with a PHD in Psychology.” “Your parents still wanting you to join the family business?” “No, not anymore. They’re happy I enjoy the baking that I do, but they know that becoming a therapist is my passion, and all they want is me to be happy, so… I’m happy.” “That’s what’s important, isn’t it?” The final friend, a silvery-white unicorn, pipes up, smiling. “As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.” Sapphire nods, smiling. “That’s a fair point, Amethyst. How’s the gem cutting going?” “The usual. I’ve perfected my umbrella enchantment, and I’m studying climate control enchantments.” She lifts her teacup to her lips, taking a sip. “That way you can wear whatever you want, regardless of the weather.” “That’s really cool!” Sapphire reaches for her own tea, taking a sip and pausing before adding a couple more sugar cubes and stirring. Another Sip. Perfect. The talking becomes more general chatter. Normal things. It’s nice. Things are good. In the Everfree Forest, a golden mare picks flowers and leaves into a basket. A delicious dandelion salad, with some mushrooms and tomatoes sounded wonderful to her. She’s been having trouble finding her normal button mushrooms. She normally knew where to find them, but it was driving her mad looking for them. She finally finds some. At least.. She thinks they look right? They’re the same white as the normal mushrooms, and these were just a little bit taller.. They look fine! Sunflower Seed heads home after picking them to prepare her salad, humming softly. A fresh salad sounds great. Her nose crinkles and she sneezes, annoyed. She hopes she’s not coming down with something.
Chapter 3“Discord, have you seen Flora?” Fluttershy poked her head into her cottage, looking up at the draconequus as he played cards with himself. They both looked up at her, frowning as they tried to think. One runs his claws over his cards. “Do you have any threes?” “Go fish.” One transforms into a fish, which the second swallows whole. He does, however, then turn and look at his partner. “Not since she and her fawns headed into the Everfree a few days ago.” “Oh, dear…” She frowns. “She was supposed to come back soon so I could check on their health… but if she hasn’t, either she isn’t because she’s healthy, or she can’t because they’re sick, and that’s… oh dear..” “Don’t you mean, oh deer?” He tries to lighten the mood, but the unicorn’s worry made him pause, him landing next to her so he could gently pat her back. “I’m sure they’re alright. You did a great job caring for her, and she’s probably frolicking in a field right now.” “You think?” Fluttershy looks up at him, gently rubbing one of her front hooves against her leg. “Fluttershy, you are one of the best veterinarians in Ponyville. I’m sure she’s fine.” “Still, maybe tomorrow I’ll go looking for her.” ~~In the Everfree, a deer’s carcass provides nutrients for small, button mushrooms that grow on it.~~ Sunflower Seeds sits at home, humming as she works on another salad. The mushrooms tasted great! At least, they did after she got a little more used to them. Her eyes were awfully teary, and her hooves ached, but she was probably fine! If it got any worse, she’d visit the hospital, but she has far too much to do. She has to finish her salad tonight, and maybe she'll make some more for her friends! Daisy Chain and Orange Blossom would love some of her salad, she thinks. She tosses in the mushrooms, watching the way they bounce and tumble. Juicy, and delicious… She shakes her head briefly, letting out a confused snort. What’d she been doing? Making the salad, right. She catches a glance of her reflection in her kitchen window, pausing as she looks it over. Her eyes were a touch.. Off at the edges. I’ll go visit the Hospital after lunch tomorrow. I’ve been waiting to visit with Daisy and Orange for a week now, and I’m not putting it off another day. Besides, I have eyedrops in the cabinet, I’ll use them before lunch. Nopony will know. Sunflower Seed places the prepped vegetables in her bowl, moving to get the dressing for her salad. I just need to make sure I share this with everypony. Daisy Chain waved to Sunflower Seed as she approached, before her hoof lowered in worry. “Sunflower, are you okay?” “I feel fine, Daisy..” The mare murmurs, but she did feel funny. Her chest had started to ache overnight, and her eyes kept watering. It’s probably just a bout of hay fever, or her allergies acting up. It wasn’t anything to be worried about. “We’ve had this lunch date planned for at least a month, I didn’t want to miss it.” “Can I at least talk you into visiting Nurse Redheart after lunch?” Daisy half-pleads, looking up at Sunflower with the biggest, wettest eyes the earth pony could muster. Sunflower’s lip quivers, her trying to resist. Must... resist… “Fine. After lunch I’ll go. As long as you two try this new mushroom salad I’ve been working on.” The mention of finally eating caught Orange Blossom’s attention, the unicorn looking up from her phone and raising a brow. Sunflower brought forth the bowl of mixed veg, and Orange Blossom picked up one of the slices of mushroom, looking it over. “What are these? I’ve never seen them before.” She turns the mushroom over in her magical grasp, orange eyes flicking up to look at her friend before back down to it. “A new species of button mushroom!” Sunflower’s started serving her friends, smiling. “They’re delicious, a slightly bitter flavor to them.” She leaned forward to eat the piece of mushroom Orange was holding, grinning as she swallowed. “That’s.. gross. But alright, we’ll try it.” Daisy poured the dressing over her portion, digging in. Orange follows suit, and the three chat about the month’s events, laughing over things. It’s delicious, really. Sunflower smiles, her eye twitching.
Chapter 4Sapphire Star enjoyed her week off. No royal anything, no fancy parties, she could just be.. Herself, surrounded by her friends, enjoying the moment. She was content, really. She lifts her head from her pillow, grumbling about the sun in her eyes before she gets up. The alicorn stretches, yawning before she’s up and about. Brush hair, make herself semi-presentable, go get breakfast, see who wanted to hang out today. She’d be going back in a couple days, so she knew she wanted to make dinner plans… Those plans were halted by the sirens going on outside. The sirens had been made by the current Mayor, Mayor Tiara, to alert Ponyville citizens of emergencies. It’d been smart considering the time Ponyville was attacked, or the time Ponyville was attacked, or the time… Sapphire looked out the window, frowning. She didn’t… see anything. Didn’t see any encroaching armies, no approaching hoards, nothing. She opened the window, moving to call out to a stallion who was running past. “Excuse me! What’s going on?” The Stallion stops as he’s addressed, looking around before up at the Princess and bowing for a moment. “Your majesty! Ponies are going mad! They’re attacking each other..” He looks back towards Greater Ponyville, then his eyes widen. “Orange Blossom!” The orange unicorn staggers forward, gurgling and struggling to continue to put one hoof in front of the other. Sapphire had never seen so much… so much blood. She’d gotten a cut or a scrape, or seen a few injured guards, but nothing like this. Nothing so heavy that it made the unicorn look like her coat naturally shifted to red at her hooves. Nothing that dripped from her mane so dark it made the normally green hair look black. The green stallion took a step back, and Orange staggered closer... closer... lunged. He tried to kick her off, to do something to stop his untimely demise, but with a sickening crunch, he fell limp. Sapphire covered her muzzle with a hoof, eyes wide as she took a step back from the window. She’d… watched somepony die. Because of another pony. She turns, racing through the small castle to find her Aunt Starlight. “Starlight! Starlight!” Her cries echoed off the crystal walls, only amplifying her own panic. She pushed open every door she could, looking around before her aunt’s voice called back to her. Sapphire pushed open the door to the room that held the Cutie Map, looking in at not only her Aunt, but a couple of her friends, and their mothers. She pushed forward, hugging her aunt close and letting out a sob. “I.. I watched somepony die, Aunt Starlight. I watched them die…” She finally murmurs, and Starlight’s muzzle turns into a grimace. “I was afraid of that..” The older unicorn murmurs. “Pinkie, do you have any idea what happened?” “It was... freaky-deaky..” The pegasus murmured. “I was watching Sunflower Seed pick up some food! She was wearing a mask, and she didn’t.. look okay? I was going to ask if she’d visited Dr. Redheart, but…” Pinkie pauses. “I.. another pony, I don’t remember who. They cut themselves while prepping something at their stall. And Sunflower turned around and… and attacked them.” “What?” Sapphire looked up at Pinkie. “She just… attacked them?” This.. wasn’t making any sense. Ponies, attacking other ponies? In broad daylight? “Has Ponyville gone mad?” “I don’t know.” Starlight frowns. “But we have just as bad news. I.. haven’t been able to get a letter to Twilight. They just… keep burning up.” “Mom? Is she safe? Do we know if she’s okay?” “I don’t, not for sure...” Starlight frowns. “But your mother is one of the most powerful ponies in Equestria, I know she’s safe.” “So.. what do we do, then?” Amethyst speaks up, looking at the other mares gathered. “Greater Ponyville is being overwhelmed, and I don’t know how many ponies are… even safe.” “Well…” Starlight hums, gently resting her head on top of Sapphire’s as she thinks. “I think we should gather the other Elements of Harmony. If we can get you all to Twilight, then maybe we can use the elements to deal with this.” “That’s a good idea, Starlight.” Rarity hums. “It’s just AJ and Dash, who are at the farm, like usual, and Fluttershy is in her cottage.” “Right.” Starlight continues thinking, her tail swishing back and forth. “Pinkie, you and Peach can gather supplies. I don’t know if the train is working, so we might need to walk. Rarity, you and Amethyst will go get Applejack and Rainbow. Sapphire, I trust you to take the long way and get to Fluttershy okay?” The other mares nod, pausing as Amethyst raises a hoof. “There’s... something I should tell you.” Everyone’s eyes turn to the lilac unicorn. “One of the.. the monster ponies…” She frowns, trying to figure out how to word it. “It used to be a unicorn, and when another unicorn tried to use magic, it was like.. the monster pony ate it.” “It did what?” Starlight looks up. “It ate the magic. Like.. the magic didn’t do anything to it. And then the other pony.. got attacked.” Starlight frowns. “That’s... worrying. I guess that just means to be extra safe, alright everypony?” Everypony nods. Then they’re all getting up, sans Starlight, who’s going to be mapping out the best way to go. They step out onto the streets, looking out and around before splitting up. Pinkie and Peach head off the trail towards the main area of town, to stay out of sight. Sapphire takes to the sky, heading towards the Everfree Forest. Rarity and Amethyst head towards the outskirts of town, intending to loop around towards the farm. And Starlight Glimmer prays that all five of them come back safely with their friends.
