Outbreak: Unknown

The dawn of a new day sat on the cusp of darkness, the silent streets of Ponyville lay desolate and devoid of light. Only shadows shifted in these last few hours of night. An orchard lay dying just beyond the horizon, the harsh conditions brought on by the early onslaught of winter. Though the land itself lay bare of frigid ice, the air and the wind bit through many a coat. A large farmhouse sat and watched over this silent vigil. Within its walls slept the Apple family, blissfully unaware of the twisted shadows that awaited the return of true night.

On the other end of town sat the home of one Twilight Sparkle. The tree gently swayed in the nonexistent breeze, sending icy chills racing down her spine. She tossed and turned as her body steadily became colder. Her muscles began to tighten as the chilling grip fell upon her. Spike stood before her bed, his green eyes silently watched as his mentor withered in the sheer cold. A sadistic smile formed on his face as he drew a long claw from behind his back, the silvery blade rested upon Twilight's thigh and slowly sliced a tiny trail of blood across the veins that pulsed beneath. The purple unicorn sat bolt upright, the stabbing pain drawing her back to the waking world.

A loud pained scream escaped her as she saw the culprit, slowly her eyes widened as Spike fell to the ground unable to move. The shock of blood and intentional pain too much for the infant dragon. Twilight ran to him and tried to stir him from whatever evil had pierced his innocence. The rays of dawn settled upon Equestria, giving the scene a rather dreamlike quality.

The sounds of shallow breaths ceased as he awoke in the unicorns magic embrace, "T-twilight? Are you o-ok? I just saw my claw rake itself across your leg, I'm not even sure what came over me."

"It's alright Spike, it was probably just a very lucid state of sleepwalking. Though perhaps we should take you to a doctor first. Violent sleepwalking is rare but can be dangerous to both the walker and others."

"I-i could be d-dangerous?"

"Shhh, its probably just stress! Remember how crazy I got?"

"Yeh but-"

Twilight placed the dragon back on solid ground and began to write on her list of medical maladies.

"Subject awoke from a trance, a sharp claw pressed upon the leg of another. Subject remembers nothing of dreams or feelings regarding said event." Twilight flinched lightly as the dragon ran a dull claw across the fresh scar.

"I did that? "

"Y-yes, but please don't touch me! I'm still a little edgy from it... It- you just scared me is all."

"Sorry..."

Twilight gently patted Spike on the head and continued her notes. Once she had finished, Twilight furled the scroll up and placed it in her saddlebag. She lifted the purple dragon onto her back and trotted towards the large white hospital that shone in the gentle rising sun. It was a long walk across town through the thick mist that lined the streets, slowly the town began to fill as the dawn of Friday greeted the denizens. Though even in the warmth of the sun, the pleasant scene was met with a feeling of unease and dread. Twilight tried to shake the feeling.

"It's nothing... Just still jumpy about Spike is all." She quietly mumbled to herself, trying desperately to remain calm and collected.

Finally she reached the iron gates of the hospital, the weight of the baby dragon became more prominent as Twilight placed him on the tiled floor. The dragon simply lay there unmoving, his sleep undeterred by her gentle calls. The door slid open as a doctor ran out to check what appeared to be a dead body.

"What happened? Did he collapse or something?"

"No just...sleeping."

"This seems like more then a simple case of sleep." The gray maned doctor stared into the librarian's eyes and asked her why she had come.

"I-it was a case of stage three sleepwalking. I awoke with his claw drawn through my upper layer of skin. Then he awoke with horrified gaze at causing me pain."

"This is the fourth case this week! Something is wrong... Perhaps something has entered our water supply."

"Fourth? So this isn't an isolated case?"

"Not by a long shot... Every year around this time, we are subjected to some form of delusional madness. Though never as violent as this..." The deep monotone voice of the doctor fell upon Twilight's ears, This stallion seems almost to be numb to this event. That cold gaze upon Spikes form was more then just an assessment of the patient.

Spike was lifted onto a stretcher and carried into the building, Twilight began to follow but was quickly barred by two burly ponies who glared down at the unicorn. Twilight shoved her way past and called out to the young dragon. Two large hooves descended on her shoulder as she was dragged from the hospital grounds.

"Let me go! I'm with the dragon... I'm his caretaker for ponies sake!"

"We can't let you do that ma'am, this building has just been placed in quarantine." The dark black guard gave her a sympathetic look before he continued. "It is with deep regret that I must inform you of you're friends condition..."

"Condition? It was just a bad case of sleepwalking! Why are you doing this?"

"Our orders are to protect the uninfected, any person within distance can and will be infected! Return to your home and lock all your doors. Mourn your loss but please, stay indoors."

"But what about Spike?! Is he going to be ok?"

"We do not know, this case is extreme. He may pull through and then again he mi-"

A piercing siren began to ring in the empty dawn air, a window shattered three floors up followed closely by the body of a pegasus. A sickening crunch was all that was heard as the pony struck the hard ground. Both guards drew a long spear from their sheaths and headed inside.

"Run! This place is no longer safe! Get somewhere safe and stay there!"

Twilight didn't have to be told twice, the doors slid shut behind her as she galloped towards her house. Two distinct screams were heard through the tinted glass, spurring the lavender pony to flee in terror. She ran and ran through the streets, her heart pounding as she burst into the library. Desperately she began to barricade the door with anything she could find. Once she was satisfied she began to write a very urgent message to Princess Celestia. The quill pressed deep into the parchment as Twilight hastily wrote down her message.

Princess Celestia,

A major incident has occurred at Ponyville Memorial Hospital, an unknown infection has overrun the facility. Spike was supposedly infected by the unknown virus and is currently trapped inside. The amount of survivors is unknown but they may already be inflicted Requesting your assistance immediately, please hurry!

Your student,

Twilight Sparkle

"Owlowiscious! Take this letter to the Princess as fast as you can, its imperative that it reaches her asap!"

The tiny owl awoke at the sound of his masters voice and grabbed the letter in his claw. Twilight slid the window open and watched her pet fly into the low lying mist. She hoped that he would return soon, her thoughts fixed on the dragon still trapped within the hospital.

"Hold on Spike! Help is on it's way!"

A few hours passed with Twilight slowly becoming more and more anxious as the day dragged on. She began to move the blockade, ready to fight her way into the hospital if need be. Slowly she opened the door and surveyed the strangely empty town. The morning mist had still not let up. The shrouded buildings revealed no signs of life in or around them. Had the infection already broken quarantine? Surely their was no virus that could spread at such a rapid pace. Twilight stepped out into the chilling mist and called out to anypony who could hear her.

"Anyone out here? Please, somepony answer me!"

The beat of hoofs upon the ground echoed through the empty streets, Twilight whirled around to face the unknown pursuer. A pure white mare appeared out of the mist, a small filly lying across her back.

"Rarity! I thought i was alone out here. Do you have any idea what's going on?"

"I'm not sure... Sweetie Belle was awake with a terrible fever, I don't know what bug she has but it seems to have passed. Sweetie? Wake up dear!" Rarity shook her sister slightly, awakening her from a deep slumber.

"Huh? What? Oh hi Twilight! How's Spike?" Asked the overtly curious filly.

"His... In hospital. But I can't get to him right now."

"Why?"

"It's-"

Rarity raised a hoof, cutting off the lavender unicorn mid sentence. "Don't worry Sweetie, Spike is most likely perfectly fine. I'm sure the doctors are t-treating him r-right now..."  A single tear rolled down her cheek as she feared for the young dragon. Delicately Twilight wiped away her tears and mentioned she was heading towards the hospital to find and rescue Spike.

"I asked for help from the princess but I haven't seen a single sign of her."

"Celestia? She ran by the boutique several minutes ago. She was the one who suggested I flee town..."

"Flee town? But surely she can stop this, Right?"

Rarity shrugged and checked over her sister, briefly her face was an image of concern as the filly seemed to grow feverish. "Sweetie? Are you alright? Just lay down for a bit, get some more rest."

"But sis-"

"Shhhh just close your eyes... I'll be right here." Quietly she turned back towards Twilight and asked her what the plan was.

"Well we have to save Spike, the doctors were heading towards the infectious diseases ward the last time I saw him. I have no idea what the facilities condition is right now. Are you sure you want to bring Sweetie?"

"Well perhaps it would be better if she stayed in your house, at least until we return..."

Twilight nodded in agreement and helped Rarity get her sister inside. She moved a large crate in front of the door, barricading it from any intruder or whatever else might be wandering the streets. Both ponies gave each other a look of unease before heading towards the now darkened hospital. The mist continued to hang over the land, blocking any form of sunlight from reaching the ground. Several pony-like shapes appeared far off in the distance, formless shadows that flickered in and out of reality.

A sharp hissing sound erupted from a nearby sewer grate. A pillar of superheated steam burst from the shattered pipes beneath. Rarity began to grow steadily uneasy as the dark shadows vanished, almost as if they were never there. Finally they arrived at the front gate. Its rusty bars caused Twilight to question how only hours ago it was shiny and pristine. These thoughts left her mind as she saw the shattered windows and the bloody hoof-prints smeared across the walls.

"It looks like a war-zone! I hope Spikey Wikey is still..."

"His a dragon... I'm sure his perfectly safe!"

"Are you a madpony Twilight? Look at this place!" Rarity gestured towards the scenes of violence around them. "Good luck surviving in this mess! I-i just don't wanna lose him..."

"Its alright, Rarity. Neither do I... But we can't just give up hope! I don't what we'll find in there but we're his only hope."

"Let us enter, together."

Both ponies placed their hooves on the door and pulled it wide open. The shattered glass fell from the door into the entrance way. Nothing but darkness greeted the pair as they trotted into the ruined building. Several light fixtures hung down from the ceiling, frayed wires extended from them like limp vines in a jungle canopy. The only light, sparks of electricity bursting forth from the tattered phone line. Twilight lit her horn with magic, sending some unseen creature scuttling into the gloomy room beyond. The dead silence unnerved her, the absence of sound a haunting thing.

"Rarity, stay together! Something is here... I can feel it. We need to go up to the 7th floor, that is where they take the sick."

"How can you be sure?"

"That entire seventh floor had windows painted crimson, something majorly messed up happened up there."

"Spike..." Rarity hid her features from Twilight as a pained look of loss painted her features. She made several dry retches at the thought of blood but managed to choke back the feeling. She turned back to Twilight and waited for her to take lead.

Twilight tried to ignore the feeling of being watched as she placed one hoof in front of the other. The pale light from her horn doing nothing to alleviate the encroaching dark. They continued on towards the stairs that seemed free of debris. As they approached the stairwell a large object toppled down and hit the ground with a heavy crash. A large crate now barred entry to the upper levels, something did not want to be disturbed.

"Hopefully the elevators still work..."

A loud ding caused both unicorns to jump in fright. The elevator doors slid open as if by an invisible force. Strange guttural sounds issued forth from the shaft, formless shapes shifted beneath in a large mass. Without introduction a pony-like figure trotted forth from the open door. Her coat was a sickly yellow that slowly became a warmer orange as she stepped into the light.

"AJ? What the hay are you doing here?"

"I could ask ya the same thing sugarcube... I'm just here to look for my sister."

"Why, is she infected?"

"I dunno last time I saw her was on the 4th level, I dunno what the floors condition is."

"Wait if your headed towards the 4th floor why did you stop on first?"

"To...gather supplies!"

Twilight eyed the orange mare suspiciously, something seemed off about the way she spoke. Its not like her to lie.

"Am I under scrutiny here or is it jus' me? Rarity you believe me right?"

"Of course darling, but it does look mighty strange that you appeared after the stairs were blocked off."

Applejack glared at the pair and gave them a look of contempt.

"Now wait just a minu-"

From behind them came a dull roar, not turning to stare at their hunter the trio slid into the elevator car and slammed the door shut. Bitter screeches of hunger echoed through the doors as something large and angry struck the door. A large dent appeared in the wall followed by a strange yellow liquid that seeped through the tiny cracks. As it touched Rarity's bare skin it begun to writhe and pulse like a living being. Several tendrils shot out and slowly crawled up her leg, causing the white mare to scream and thrash in terror.

"Get it off! Get it off!"

"Hold still, I got it..." A flash of light burst from Twilight's horn, a single flame struck the liquid and began to burn. The tendrils blackened and turned to ash as the magic fire washed over it. Unbeknownst to the ponies a single strand escaped them and seeped out through the tiny vent above.

"What in Equestria was that thing? Twilight have you ever heard of a virus like this?"

"Not in all my years of reading..."

"See I was being pursued by those nasty things... I was afraid ta tell ya in case you panicked. I think the 4th floor is empty now, seems they followed me down the elevator shaft..." Applejack gave them a guilty look, her simple shrug setting the lavender unicorn into a state of annoyance.

You thought we would panic? Well thanks for the heads up Applejack! Not like we could have DIED or anything!"

"Well I didn't ask ya ta tag along! I was perfectly fine to you showed up!"

"Girls! Please, just calm down. Spike and Applebloom are counting on us! Arguing will not help us rescue them!"

"Yeh your right sugarcube..."

"Good, now what's the plan?"

They both stared at Twilight, hoping her intellect would have some brilliant plan. The elevator rolled to a stop on the 7th floor, opening up onto another pitch black corridor.

"Umm let's just find Spike, grab your sister and get out of here! A plan isn't gonna work when we don't know where those things are..."

Twilight once again took the lead as she entered the empty hall first. The light around her horn seemed dimmer in here, as if a cloud hung around them. The air smelled rank, the smell of dead corpses almost too much to bear. Strangely no horrible sights followed the decaying smell. Almost as if the bodies were dragged from the building. The only detail that showed a struggle were the bloody marks over the walls. The corridor felt confining, the walls slowly closed inwards as claustrophobia began to set in. Twilight tried to breathe deeply, the rancid air making her increasingly dizzy. She thought of a spell she was taught long ago by her mother. A simple scent masking spell... Enough to block out such horrid smells.

Eventually they reached a single sealed door, a tiny dragon shape lay upon the bed within. In a stroke of luck it seemed the solid door was enough to keep the creatures at bay. Rarity shoved her way past and struck the door with a powerful spell.

"I'm coming Spikey Wikey! Please be alright!"

The solid door gave in as the white unicorn pushed with a lot of force. She ran towards the baby dragon and pulled him into an embrace. "Oh I'm glad your alright!"

"Umm Rarity?"

"I was so worried that I'd lost you!"

"Rarity! Get away from him!"

The dragon began to mutate before their eyes, large tentacles erupted from its back. The head began to twist and elongate. A hideous screech emanated from the Spike-creature as its form grew more and more grotesque. Rarity was trapped within its grasp as it changed around her. A single mouth burst from its stomach, trying desperately to consume the white unicorn.

Twilight broke out of her trance and shot numerous spells at the thing. No magic seemed to hurt it as Applejack tried to kick the creature. Her physical strength was ineffective as the creature wrapped itself around her hoof. It dragged her from the ground and threw her into the adjacent room. Twilight tried once again to attack the abomination, this time blasting it with a powerful fire spell. The Spike-thing howled in pain as the fire burned its tender flesh. It attached a long tube to Rarity's face and began pumping a thick yellow ooze into her throat. Twilight continued to burn the creature, hoping that she could kill it before her friend was consumed.

In its throes of death, the tendrils released Rarity's body as the blackened flesh began to peel away. The inferno burned faster and faster, the body quickly becoming ash. The purple unicorn ran to her friends side, her form relatively unharmed.

"Did any of it get in your mouth?"

"Any longer and it might have but I managed to keep the tube out with my teeth. What happened to Spike, was he apart of that thing?"

"I don't know, but whatever happened I think his gone to a better place."

Applejack slowly trotted back in the room, her face a mirror of tragedy to the other two. They mourned their tiny dragon in silence, nothing but the feeling of loss pervaded over the trio.

"I-i don't think my sis' made it out... If she is one of those things.... Well, I jus' don't think I could handle it.

"I understand... Maybe we should just leave this horrible place. After all I'm sure it won't be able to escape from a burning building. Applejack did you happen to see Celestia? I asked for her help here."

"Err sorry sugarcube, I never saw her."

"Strange... I'm sure its just nothing though."