Outbreak: Unknown

The morning began like any other winters day, with chilling temperatures and a thick fog that hung over everything. Celestia had raised the sun and tried to add some light but unfortunately it was quickly shrouded by the still gray air. She had just begun her morning routine when a small owl flew through her window in a flurry of feathers, a single letter clasped within his talon. Strange... Since when does Twilight send me a report by bird? Spike must be in trouble...

Celestia gently rolled the scroll open and started to read the hastily scrawled words, her expression quickly changed into unease as she read on,

"The infection? No, I thought it was just a bug! This is certainly not a good turn of events!" Celestia galloped out of her room and went to find her sister Luna. Without stopping to take a breath Celestia burst into the darkened bedroom, awakening her sister from a rather short sleep.

"Celestia? What in-"

"Shh I have no time for that! I need you to watch over Canterlot for a short while... Twilight urgently needs my assistance at Ponyville Memorial Hospital. A quarantine was called into affect and it has already been breached. Survivors may be trapped inside with a virile disease! I must do what I can."

Luna promptly shook herself awake, the words of her sister awakening a feeling of duty, "We will keep ourselves awake long enough for your return. Just make sure you do not get sick while you're in there."

"I will be fine... Are you certain you can handle things? I can get the Council if you wish." Celestia had doubts about her sister staying awake long enough but knew she had little choice.

"Celestia thou must go... We promise that we can handle it."

"Alright..." Celestia gave her sister a quick reassuring smile before leaving her to look after Canterlot.

Swiftly she flew across the countryside, the expanse of the Everfree stretched for miles before finally the trees grew sparse. The ground below was completely obscured by the thick fog that showed no sign of dispersing. With her landing non-visible Celestia had no choice but to risk a messy landing. She dove down in a straight line, her wings scrapped against wood causing Celestia to lose balance and land in a painful position.

Celestia slowly pulled herself up, trying with some effort to squint through the land of gray. As her eyes adjusted a single building appeared in the distance, it appeared that Celestia had landed outside Carousel Boutique. She stepped over to the door and checked to see if anypony was inside. The jingle of a bell greeted the Princess as the door gradually swung open.

"Just a minute! I'm busy trying to clean up filly vomit at the moment! Sweetie, lie down darling... I'll be right back." The sound of hooves echoed down the stairs as a very haggard Rarity appeared at the base of the stairs.

"Princess Celestia? What are you doing her, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Rarity, I need you and your sister to pack some things and leave Ponyville. It's not safe here..."

Rarity's expression turned to worry as Celestia stared down at her, "What happened?"

Celestia tried to explain the situation delicately so as not to create panic, "Their is a dangerous virus going around the hospital which was under quarantine earlier this morning, I fear it may have broken through."

"Oh my! Is it fatal?"

"Yes, I am on my way to the hospital now to search for survivors. You should look for Twilight, she was the one who told me of the incident." Celestia gave the frightened mare a reassuring look and placed a hoof on her shoulder, "Stay safe!"

"I will your highness, I hope you can save Ponyville!"

"So do I..."

Celestia said her goodbyes and left the boutique. The town seemed bleak, desolate, as if nopony was here. Something certainly was not right. Slowly she trotted down main street, hoping to catch a glimpse of anypony who may still be here. Several house had lights on but seemed devoid of any life. Sometimes Celestia could swear she saw shadows in the windows, watching...waiting...

At last she came to the rusted gates that stood wide open, most likely by Twilight in her effort to flee and remain inside. A single still body lay upon the ground, Celestia knew even from here that whoever that was is no longer breathing. The shattered pieces of glass around the corpse showing that they jumped from the third story. With a look of sadness Celestia continued on, with a heavy push the door opened slightly but seemed barred by something. With her magic she pushed with increased power and threw open the door.

A loud crash made Celestia jump slightly as she saw the culprit, two hospital beds were shoved against the door,

"Obviously trying to keep something in."

The dimly lit front desk was broken in half, the lights were shattered in several places causing the bulbs to flicker and fade out every few seconds. The single phone was snapped from it's cable and laying in a pool of what appeared to be some kind of mucus. Celestia continued down the hallway, peering into every room along the way. The cold steel elevators were slightly ajar, as if somepony had tried to either force their way out, or force their way in.

"Where are the infected ponies? I can't see any sign of blood or corpses or anything... Maybe they evacuated the hospital after the breach...but then again that pony lying outside..." Celestia felt a chill run up her spine at the slight echo of her voice.

The sound of hooves against carpet thudded overhead, somepony was obviously moving around up there. Most likely reacting to the strange new voice they could hear below. Celestia once again used her magic on the elevator door sliding them apart with a slight push. She tried her best not to gag as the horrible smell of burnt flesh and rotting eggs greeted her nose. A single pony-like corpse sat propped against the wall all six legs were splayed out in a circle.

"This, this cannot be a pony... It looks like a poorly made copy of one and it cannot be a changeling with it's body remaining in a form upon death. Least of all a badly shape-shifted one. Is this what the virus can-"

Suddenly the elevator buckled and began to collapse as the wires broke free. With very little time Celestia managed to escape as it gave way completely and fell towards the basement. With a thundering crash it hit the button of the shaft, causing several sharp pieces of metal to pierce the roof.

"Woah, that was lucky! One moment longer and I would have been impaled on those! I should be more careful."

Celestia waited a few moments while her heart beat like a jackhammer. Eventually it settled down, allowing her to continue on through the hospital. Cautiously she stepped into the other elevator and waited for it to creak or groan in protest. After several minutes Celestia decided it was safe, she pressed the button for the top floor so she could double back down to check the second and third floor. The doors slid shut easily as the lift began to rise. Ding!

"4th Floor Children's Wing," Said the calm, recorded voice with mock cheeriness.

Celestia did not feel any better about the cold lime green hallway that greeted her. Just like the first floor it was empty aside from a few beds and medical supplies. Each room carried an odd smell that couldn't quite be placed. It was almost...alien.

Celestia felt a flicker of unease as she stopped at a sealed door and saw the name written on the patient list, Applebloom. The younger sister of Applejack. With gritted teeth she shoved the door open, prepared for almost every scenario. The room appeared empty in the darkness of the hospital, except for the sound of heavy breathing the came from the furthest bed. The still form of Applebloom was lying on the sheets wrapped in a woolen blanket. Beside her was a creature that Celestia had never seen, two long clawed tendrils twisted around the fillies head and tried to pry her jaws open.

Celestia stepped forward abruptly, shattering a small glass of water on the hard floor. With a monstrous howl the abomination turned towards the source of the sound. Two more tendrils burst from it's chest as it violently flailed around, searching for the origin of the broken glass.

Celestia stared at the creature and noticed it's skin color was bright yellow, gradually changing to orange as it continued to seek her out. The princess brought her horn facing the sinister beast and prepared a powerful force spell. Celestia stomped the ground hard, causing the thing to hurl itself toward her. The golden light from her horn struck the creature square in the stomach and sent it hurtling through the window onto the hard concrete below. The sound of a wet sack striking solid ground followed soon after.

Celestia sighed in relief and trotted over to the prone filly lying in a fetal position. She placed a hoof against Applebloom's neck and felt for a pulse. The slow beat of her heart was a relief to Celestia... Having seen her fair share of young death.

"Applebloom, you're safe now! You can wake up."

Applebloom groaned softly as she slowly opened her eyes, "Princess Celestia? Is it gone?"

"Yes. I was beginning to think nopony was in here. Do you feel alright enough to walk?"

"Ah think so, Ah remember the loud siren and ponies running every which way. I don't think they made it..."

A look of grief flashed across Celestia's face as she realized she was too late. Spike has probably met his fate by now... Poor Twilight.

"What's wrong Princess?" Appleblom asked feebly, her voice still very coarse from sleep.

"Nothing... Let's just get you out of here! I'll take you back to Canterlot where you can be safe! Do you know where your sister is?"

"It took her..." Tears formed in the young fillies mind as she saw the image of her sister being dragged away. Celestia lifted a hoof and wiped away Applebloom's tears.

"I'm so sorry Applebloom... I am going to fix this as soon as you're safe!" Celestia pulled Applebloom onto her back and flew out through the open window. She looked back towards the darkened hospital, a look of defeat on her face. They are all dead because I thought it was a simple bug...How could I have known?

Celestia turned a reluctant wing towards Canterlot and flew off across the land with Applebloom gripping her back.

A few hours passed before Canterlot came into view, the ivory towers stood above the fog, a beacon to see the city beneath the curtain of gray. The loud chiming of bells reached Celestia as she flew past the guard tower. Strange... It isn't midday yet. The only time the bells are in use this early.... Is an attack! Could it be the virus? Without delay Celestia landed in the castle courtyard and headed inside to search for Princess Luna.

She gently set Applebloom on the cool marble, hopefully the breach hadn't occurred from within the castle. Celestia placed a few protection spells upon the filly just in case. Before she could head up the stairs however, Luna came galloping out into the great hall with her features marred by fear and horror.

"Celestia, Thank Faust you're alive! The bells started up a few minutes ago as ponies came up to me shouting about some hideous fiends and something about an infection. We think the quarantine missed a few stragglers... Obviously tourists returning to Canterlot from holiday. The train station is overrun with civilians trying to flee the city!"

"Luna, where did the majority of stories begin?"

"Center of the park, at the old mineshaft entrance... I didn't even think that led outside the city!" Luna was on edge after she promised to watch the city. Celestia couldn't help but notice the guilt that showed through.

"Luna relax... You weren't expecting the infection to spread this far. Perhaps I should have investigated it more at the start... But we cannot worry about that right now! Help the trains with the evacuation... I'll try to seal off the mine in case anymore make it through." Celestia turned toward her sister and embraced her, they stayed locked for a few seconds longer before heading out to help Canterlot.

"Oh and take Applebloom with you, she's protected by magic so it will be ok!"

Luna flew out towards the train station and watched as pony after pony pushed and shoved their way onto the train. Several young mares were trampled beneath the panicking crowd. She cleared her throat and spoke in her Royal Canterlot Voice, "Citizens of Canterlot please form a line before the doors! This is no time to panic!"

"Panic?! We have an infection on the lose, anypony could be sick! It's all your fault for not keeping the public in the loop!"

"Please, calm yourselves! Can't you see thou are trampling others in you fear? One at a time please, we need to keep anypony who is sick away from everyone else." Luna felt several eyes glare at her in anger, but chose to ignore those who did. When they are safe it will be alright.

Without warning the train began to pull away, a few ponies jumped after it but missed the doors as it quickly sped up. Several high-pitched screams echoed from the train as it traveled downhill. The train hurtled down the mountain and struck the edge of the tracks as it hurtled off the cliff. The sound of crunching metal was deafening as once again everypony began to panic.

"It's too late! This city will be our cemetery!"

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!"

"Save us all!"

"Help us, Princess!"

Everypony proceed to the front gate, the guards will be informed on the situation. Do not go through the park, as it may be the point of origin. Calmly collected your loved ones and stay together in a group. If thou know or suspect somepony of being infected please report it immediately! Luna led the fearful citizens towards the front gate, making sure to keep the families together. Several ponies were pulled from the crowd by the guards and taken to the nearest hospital under quarantine.

The gate was shut fast by the Guard Captain as the crowd reached the wall. "By order of the Council this city has been placed in quarantine, and anypony caught escaping will be deemed infected and taken away. Your Princesses failure has resulted in this disease reaching Canterlot, they have now been stripped of rank and are wanted for questioning."

Luna quickly withdrew from the crowd, not wanting to cause a scene and endangering innocent civilians. Applebloom had caught up with her, the magic seals around her had begun to fade.

"Princess, why are they trapping us in here?"

"The Council has taken their authority too far and are seizing control of quarantine procedures." Luna remembered how old the young filly was and quickly changed the subject. "It's complicated, that's all you need to know. I'm going in after Celestia... By the looks of your spells she is in trouble. Stay here and make sure those guards don't find this tunnel."

"Yes ma'am!" Applebloom gave the princess a salute as she entered the dark mineshaft. "Well I guess I'll stay here by myself again... At least the monster is gone..."

The Council was made up of several state officials from every walk of life, four of the best from each pony race. Captain Fleethoof was now the head of government after the quarantine was brought forth and they had deemed the Sister Hierarchy unfit for rule.

"Captain Fleethoof do you have a few words?"

"Yes governor I do..." The captain was a large burly pegasus with a coat that was cold blue like his heart. His muscular bulk gave the impression of power but was hardly capable of flight. His gold eyes were almost invisible beneath his heavy set brow.

"I think it is time we brought forth Protocol Alpha, Princess Luna was unable to offer any other suggestions and has now been deemed unfit."

A murmur of voices sounded around the room at this news. It was a bold accusation to pull the princesses out of government. Only something as bad as this could warrant their withdrawal.

A thin unicorn in a suit stepped forward and spoke directly to the Captain, "Protocol Alpha? Wasn't that declared illegal after the Changeling Assault fifty years ago? Due to... undesirable deaths and the murder of a former mayor."

"Baseless lies! He was convicted with aiding and abetting the changeling hive shortly after. All the so called, illegal charges were dropped." Fleethoof gave a smug grin as the unicorn sat down and promptly became hesitant to talk.

"Exactly... Now will we call a vote or....?"

"No need Captain we are more than willing to sign on the use of the protocol. We only wish for what's best for Canterlot and it's denizens."

"A fine choice my fellow council members, this infection will be stomped out in no time!" Fleethoof stomped a hoof down for emphasis. A large briefcase was placed before him by two security guards, both clasps were loosened as he opened it up. A small pile of papers was pulled from inside and handed to each member, who promptly signed the papers and handed them back.

The skinny white unicorn who spoke up earlier got back up, his hoof pointing to the fine print along the bottom, "May use viral genetic material for study? What the hay does that entail?!"

"So we can create a cure and make sure this disease does not come back. It is for the greater good!"

"Or for your own needs? The few I've seen are more than just infected, their not even pony!"

Fleethoof ordered his guards to remove the stallion from the Council.

"And one more th- Hey! Get your hoofs off me! You ponies are blind, can't you see this is unethical! He-" The thud of hooves against flesh could be heard as he fell unconscious.The guards dragged his limp body out of the building and left him out in the center of the city.

"Now that he is taken care of, I thank you for your contributions to this great cause. This city will be cleansed of this disease and will be safe once more for you all." The captain promptly left his seat and headed up to his office several floors up.

He pressed his hoof against the intercom and issued his orders,

"Activate Protocol Alpha, effective immediately."

"At once, sir!"