Somewhere in an Equestrian Hospital.
>You are Anonymous, and you are a sick man.
>Not in the perverted sense, though you would admit it may have applied sometime in the past.
>No, this was in the most literal of ways.
>Ever since you had arrived in this strange world, filled with talking horses and magic, you had been wracked with illness and fever.
>Every week it seemed like some new disease had taken over.
>From pox to flu to pneumonia, name it and you had it.
>You had been bedridden for days at a time, with only a scant few moments of relative health to spend time with the locals.
>Yet despite all of this, you had survived each and every one of them.
>For two years you had endured, having had the resolve to push through each challenge.
>You’re not sure if you could say that about this one, though.
 
>About three days ago, you came down with a fever stronger than any that came before.
>Your body was wracked with pain, your stomach wrenched and turned, and you felt faint of head and short of breath.
>Immediately you were rushed to a local Hospital, where they are currently trying to save you.
>Not only nurses and doctors, of whom it is their sworn duty to heal the sick, but others as well.
>As the only human in Equestria, the knowledge and history of your species was of great interest to scholars and historians alike.
>Every day before when you had a clear enough mind, at least one came to you to learn what they could.
>Not that you minded; you enjoyed sharing what you could with them.
>The look of astonishment and wonder on their faces as you shared with them stories and the wonders of science your kind had created filled your own heart with joy.
>You only wish you had more to share with them, both in regards to time and knowledge.
>”How does it look?”
>”Not good. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
>Hearing a doctor say that is never a good sign.
>”Some kind of new disease?”
>”Looks like it. It’s practically eating away at several vital organs and replacing the consumed tissue with itself. Said tissue is corpulent and bloated.”
>”Then what’s stopping us from isolating and removing it? I heard yesterday that it was impossible.”
>”The disease springs up in random parts of random organs at random intervals. We can’t isolate it because there is no definitive pattern.”
>”And I suppose a cure isn’t possible either.”
>You see the second doctor shake his head.
>”We’re already up to the strongest magics and medicines we have. If these can’t save him, nothing can.”
 
>Well, looks like this is it.
>Looking towards your left, you see some of the scholars you had been speaking to for the past couple of days.
>If these are going to be your last moments, they’ll want as much knowledge as they can get about your world.
>You try and point your finger to one to come over towards you, yet you find your arm without strength.
>You try and call them over, but you can’t form coherent words anymore.
>Several boils had formed in your mouth a few hours ago.
>You really wish… you need..huh?
>”Horseapples! We’re losing him!”
>They scramble to try and keep you alive, if only for a scant few moments.
>Ah well, at least now the pain will be over.
>Your vision begins to fade, and with it the pain.
>As you close your eyes, you begin to feel the world slip away from you.
>....
>”Darn it! There’s no heartbeat.”
>”Try and get it flowing again.”
>You did hear once that hearing is the last sense to go when death arrives...
>”C’mon. C’mon.”
>”What a tragedy.”
>...But why is it taking so long?
 
>You eventually hear their voices stop, only to return more somber than before.
>”Write it down. Name; Anonymous. Species: Human, Time of Death…”
>But you weren’t dead! At least, you didn’t think so.
>The fact that you could think cemented this belief.
>Suddenly, one of the not doctor ponies spoke up.
>”So, what do we do with the body?”
>”It’s to diseased and unique to provide any medical usage, and we already have notes on his anatomy.”
>”Taxidermy, perhaps? Such a unique specimen deserves to be remembered.”
>”Disgusting! Doing that to a sapient being is just, EHhh!”
>”Preservation magic and putting it...him in a museum would show his existence to future generations.”
>”No.”
>One voice stands out amongst the crowd.
>”He was a kind soul, a good teacher, and doesn’t deserve to be put on display like some artifact.”
>Or cut and stuffed, for that matter.
>”Well what do YOU suppose, then?”
>”I’ve heard of his traditions, including how they usually deal with their dead. I say we bury him.”
>One of the doctors was next to speak.
>”This disease of his doesn’t seem contagious, though I for one don’t want to risk any future exposure. I second the motion to bury him.”
>Soon you hear whispers and agreements all around.
>With that, you could hear yourself get carted out, still unable to do anything.
>Looks like death is coming for you after all.
>Right?
 
 
Somewhere in the Everfree.
>”C’mon Sweetie, stop being so slow.”
>”Be nice on ‘er, Scoots. She’s probably jus’ bein’ careful.”
>You are Sweetie Belle, and you are being careful.
>Though that’s not why you’re going slow.
“Sorry, I’ll go a bit faster now.”
>Usually when you and the other crusaders go into the Everfree, the worst you have to worry about is a stern talking to from Rarity and the others.
>Fortunately, you guys were just inside the border, so it shouldn’t be too dangerous.
>Still, you feel something amiss.
>Just some feeling deep within your gut, telling you to watch out for something.
>At least if something does go wrong, the farm is just a few minutes away.
>”Something wrong, Sweetie?”
“No, I just have this weird feeling.?
>Now it’s Applejack’s turn to chip in.
>”Weird feelin’? Like the kind Pinkie sometimes gits?”
>Celestia, you sure hope not.
“I don’t think so, no. But just incase, maybe we could go back?”
>Scootaloo looks like you just told her to cut off her wings.
>”Are you crazy! We're almost there!.”
“Almost where?”
>”Didn’t you listen? I saw something really cool, and I wanted to show you guys.”
>”Why don’ ya jus tell us what it is?”
>”I want it to be a surprise. Just wait a few more minutes.”
 
>Silently, you and Applebloom decide to continue following her.
>Turns out you didn’t even have to wait that long.
>Before the three of you was a strange, dirty, dank, and dark shack.
>Strange because you’ve been out here before and you’ve never seen it.
>”Ah don’ see what’s so ‘cool’ ‘bout it, Scoots.”
>”Sure, the outside looks a little bad, but it’s the inside that…”
“You’ve been inside of it? Isn’t that trespassing?”
>”Look at it Sweetie; with the condition it’s in, it probably hasn’t been used in years.”
>And yet it’s only been here recently.
>”Well ah ain’t goin’!”
>”Alright, suit yourself.”
>And thus she walks towards the shack.
>Don’t follow her. Don’t follow her. Don’t follow…
“Hey, wait up!”
>Darn you and your curiosity.”
>You could hear Applebloom coming right behind you.
>When you catch up to Scootaloo, all three of you decide to go in at once.
>Scootaloo was right; the inside is impressive.
 
>It’s still dreary and dark, you see mold growing on the walls, and you’re pretty sure you just stepped in something you shouldn’t have.
>Yet you can see numerous glowing bottles, plants, fungi, and books.
>The plants and fungi in question took on numerous odd shapes and properties.
>Some glowed, some grew in odd, curved shapes, and some looked like they were in a constant state of decay and recovery.
>Did this house belong to an alchemist?
>”See! What did I tell you?”
>”Yah didn’ tell us anythin’, jus’ that somethin’ cool was in the Everfree.”
>”And I was right.”
>Applebloom paused for a moment, before giving up and sighing.
>”Ah suppose you’re right. This place does look perty ne…”
>She stops her speaking suddenly, and you know the reason why.
>You heard it too.
>The traditional sound of a doorknob being jiggled and turned.
>No words were exchanged as the tree of you found places to hide.
>A place to hide, actually. Underneath the strange desk.
>The door opened, and out popped...something tall.
>You couldn’t tell what it was, because you could only see it’s legs.
>From that, however, you could tell it wasn’t a pony.
>Ponies don’t stand on two legs.
>Lyra notwithstanding.
 
>Minotaur?
>Not tall enough for that, but it could be a smaller one.
>One look at the footwear, however, throws that idea out the window.
>No minotaur has hooves that misshapen or long.
>Thank you, Rarity, for that lesson on shoes.
>Looking back to your friends, you notice they are as cautious as you are.
>You all are just sitting there, hoping the creature would leave.
>Your wishes are granted sooner than you think, as the...whatever, starts moving towards the other side of the shack.
>You think about making a run for it, but then someone tripped.
>It wasn’t any of the Crusaders, but instead the...it tripped.
>And it landed facing the three of you.
>Maybe your wishes weren’t answered after all.
>Without wasting a second, you and the rest of the crusaders bolt out of the door.
>Scoots and Applebloom make it out just fine.
>You wish you could say you were so lucky.
 
>Grabbing you by the scruff of your neck, the creature gets up and brings you to face level.
>And what a disgusting face it was.
>Green with sickness, covered in boils, pealed skin, and…
>IS THAT A WORM CRAWLING OUT IT’S EAR?!?
>AND ARE THOSE BOILS LEAKING PUSS?
>Sweet Celestia, just looking at this thing is making you nauseous.
>Just close your eyes, Sweetie, close your…
>...You can hear it’s breathing.
>It’s obvious, mucus coated throat inhale and exhale.
>Inhale, and exhale.
>Inhale…
>Cough.
>You can feel it’s...remnants coating your fur.
>Fortunately, it drops you before too much could get on you.
>To heck with this place.
>So you run.
>You run out of that place faster than you ever ran before.
>Whenever you thought you were getting tired, just the thought of that...thing’s face was enough to keep you going.
>Eventually, you made it to Sweet Apple Acres, where The rest of the Crusaders were waiting with…
>An angry Applejack.
 
>”Now jus’ what in tarnation were you three doin’ out in the Everfree?”
>”We didn’t even go that far into it! If we had trouble…”
>”Ah don’ want to hear ‘bout it, and frankly it looks like you varmins got into trouble anyways!”
>Again today, you developed a weird feeling in your gut.
>”We...we’re sorry, sis.”
>”Darn right, ya are. What were you even goin’ in there for?”
>Scootaloo decides to step up.
>”We were going to this really cool and, what I thought was abandoned, shack. Turns out someone was living in it.”
>”Tresspassin’! Ya’ll were tresspassin’”
>Now you feel a strong heat throughout your entire body.
>”The place looked so old and run down, like it wasn’t taken care of in ages. There was moss and fungus growing on the floor! Who lives in those kind of conditions?”
>Applejacks face softens slightly, but still remains as stern as ever.
>”Still, ya’ll went to the Everfree without my permission, but at least ya were trying to stay out of trouble.”
>She then turns to her sister.
>”Ah’ll think of a punishment later. For now, jus’ take a bath. Yah smell like Winona after a storm.”
 
>Oh no, she’s turning to you.
>He face does soften, but she’s still turning to you.
>”Somethin’ wrong, sugarcube? You haven’t spoken at all since you got here.”
>You can’t think of a reply right now, your head is feeling too foggy.
>Applebloom suddenly chimes in, though it’s to ask you a question.
>”Did that thing get ya, Sweetie?”
>”Thing? What thing?”
>Realization dawns on her face, and soon Applejack faces you again.
>You couldn’t help it anymore, your stomach was retching.
>And so were you.
>”Jumpin june bugs! what’s gotten into you Sweetie?”
>Feeling drained of strength, you still don’t answer.
>Instead, you collapse into a cold sweat.
>The last thing you see is Applejack turning to your friends.
>The last thing you hear was spoken in fear.
>”Jus’ what did you three find out there?”
 
Somewhere Underground
>You are Anonymous, and you cannot believe what had just transpired.
>Within minutes of you ‘dieing’, a hole was dug and a funeral had been set up.
>You had to hand it to those scholars, they did know your customs.
>Throughout the whole funeral, and even long after they buried you, you still couldn’t move a muscle.
>You couldn’t even breath, making your survival all the more confusing.
>It was only recently, within the last few seconds, that you could move your muscles again.
>If only there were a few significant delays, then you would have awoken above ground and could baffle their medical community even more.
>Well, while you’re here, you might as well analyze the other aspects of your situation.
>You no longer feel the symptoms of pain and illness from your sickness, yet you still feel it’s there.
>Some kind of strong feeling in the gut.
>You don’t need to breathe, so you’ll likely starve to death down here.
>You feel a weird presence inside and out, even where there are no limbs.
>And you’re currently six feet underground, so breaking out of the coffin is almost impossible due to the pressure.
>Being bedridden for a good chunk of the time does no favors for strength, after all.
>Overall, you’re in quite the pickle.
 
>Over the course of the next few hours, you try and think of anything to get you out of the ground.
>You tried punching, kicking, biting, twisting and turning, and everything in between.
>You clawed at the wood until your fingers became bloody and broken.
>Oddly, you felt little pain from it.
>If you didn’t notice the moistness of blood, you would have scratched to nothing but nubs.
>You tried feeling for weak points in the coffin, but could find nothing.
>Eventually, you collapsed in a mixture of agitation, exhaustion, and just a tint of despair.
>There must be some way to break this wood.
>You refuse to let this be your grave, especially after the events prior.
>Acceptance be damned, you still have the strength to fight.
>Resting for a bit, you start to realize how odd that was.
>It’s been a few hours, and you’ve been giving it your all, yet you are neither struck with hunger nor thirst.
>Wonderful, now you’re not going to die.
>Trapped forever, or until you go mad, in a small, rotting coffin.
>...Rotting?
 
>Sure enough, the coffin, which was created not 2 days ago, was rotting away.
>You know for certain wood doesn’t go that bad that fast.
>Are you doing this?
>Was this the strange outer body feeling you felt.
>You suppose now is as good a time as any to experiment.
>You think about the wood rotting, try to move the force like a muscle, and even speak a few words to see if it rots faster.
>It’s working.
>It’s working!
>Within minutes, dirt starts pouring into the coffin.
>Minutes after that, there is a large enough hole to crawl out off.
>It was awkward, odd, and deep down you were scared you’d run out of strength halfway through.
>That didn’t happen.
>The crisp feeling of the night air on your skin greeted you, like an old friend.
>The struggle was long and hard, but your diligence has been rewarded.
>Taking a moment, you decide to indulge in the cool night air, something you thought you’d never feel again.
>After that small luxury, you take a few steps, ready to walk back to town with the good news.
>...wait, where was it again?
 
Ponyville, Twilight’s Castle
*Bang*
>You are Twilight Sparkle, and you wonder who just barged right into your castle.
>Probably Rainbow Dash, she does have a record of both reckless behavior and crashing into libraries.
>Sighing, you put shut your book and start walking to the doorway.
>She really needs to stop doing this; if it was someone else’s house, they would not be pleased in the slightest.
>Maybe fine her for damages to royal property; that’ll deter her in the future.
>You sincerely doubt it, but there’s no harm in trying.
>You’ll have to try later, for as you get to the door you see it isn’t rainbow, but rather the other friend whose name starts with an r.
“Rarity, how are you…”
>”Twilight! Thank goodness you’re here!”
>The look of horror and panic on her face was so strong and so unusual for her, that even if she didn’t speak up you think you would have stopped speaking.
“What’s wrong? Is the town in danger?”
>”It may just be! Oh, I’m afraid Sweetie has fallen ill!”
>You can hardly believe Rarity would come here solely because of that.
>Not only is it a fairly minor affliction, but Rarity never reacts this way unless there was imminent danger.
 
>There must be something else.
“I’m sure she’ll be alright, but if you really think it’s something serious, Ponyville hospital should be able to help.”
>You had a hunch it was something more than that, but for once you wanted to be wrong.
>”That’s just it, Twilight; I already spoke to them.”
“And they were unable to help?”
>”Worse; they said they don’t recognize what she has!”
>...Oh no.
>No.
>If it turns out to be fatal…
“How is she doing right now.”
>By now, Rarity had calmed down a bit.
>”That’s partly why I came over here; I figured you’d be able to identify this disease, or at the very least help alleviate the symptoms.”
>You do read quite a few obscure works, including some on arcane and unusual diseases.
>Might as well lend a hoof anyways.
“Don’t worry Rarity, I’ll see what I can do. Now, where is she?”
>”In Ponyville Hospital. Quickly, darling, there isn’t a moment to…”
>A bright flash of purplish energy surrounds the two of you.
>Within a moment, the two of you appear in Ponyville Hospital’s lobby.
>”...waste?”
 
>You take her advice, quickly yet elegantly moving towards the receptionist’s desk.
>No need to start a panic by being panicked, Twilight.
“Hello. I’m here to see Sweetie Belle.”
>”Certainly, princess. Let me take you there.”
>As the three of you walk down the halls, up the stairs, and towards your destination, you cannot help but worry.
>A disease that trained doctors are unaware of?
>Just what could it possibly be?
>Poison joke has random properties, so mimicking sickness isn’t out of the question.
>No, no. After what happened last time Ponyville doctors became informed of it and it’s cure.
>Perhaps they didn’t have enough time to try it?
>How long since Sweetie Belle had show symptoms of infection?
>Was she even near the Everfree?
>”Here we are. From what we have checked the disease isn’t contagious enough to warrant protection?”
“You sure.”
>”One of the ponies who helped bring her in had vomit on her hooves. If their story is true, then she would have been infected by now if it was contagious.”
“Their story?”
>”You can ask them yourself; they’re with her right now.”
>Sure as the rising sun, the door is opened, revealing not just Sweetie Belle, but Scootaloo, Applebloom, and…
“Applejack!”
>She turns to you, a somber look upon her face.
>”Twi. Glad you came.”
“I got here as soon as I heard the news. What happened?”
>”It’s our fault.”
>You turn to the crusader who said that, Scootaloo, catching an actual glimpse at Sweetie in the process.
>You almost wish you hadn’t.
>Several boils, bags under her eyes, and a few small but noticeable patches of necrosis.
>Dead tissue.
>Definitely not poison joke; it’s one consistency is a lack of fatality.
>”We were going through the Everfree forest. I wanted to show them something cool I found. W-we weren’t far in, so I thought we would be okay. I-I didn’t mean to...”
 
>Tears start forming in her eyes.
>You don’t blame her; if was one of your friends who was on that hospital bed…
>Wait, the Everfree?
“What happened after that?”
>Now it was Applebloom’s turn to speak up.
>”Scootaloo showed us an ol’, rotten shack. All of us went in, since we thought no pony would live in such a thing.”
“Were there any strange plants or liquids in the interior?”
>If it was as rotten as they say it is…
>”Yeah, but they were all out of reach. There was all kinds of dirt an’ mold on the ground.”
“Did you get a good look at the plants?”
>”Nah. Desk was too high up to reach an’ the air was too rank to think about how to reach it.”
>You know for a fact that mold doesn’t spread diseases this fast, unless it was a new species.
>At least that would explain Sweetie’s condition.
 
“Continue.”
>She seems almost hesitant for a moment, but eventually complies.
>”After bein’ in there for only a bit, we heard something at the door. At that, we decided to hide under one of the desks.”
>Her next words carried with them a tone of fear.
>”Then we saw...it.”
>Ponies don’t usually just call something it, unless it’s something completely alien to them.
>Given your history with odd looking creatures, this doesn’t bode well.
“It? Can you describe what it looked like.”
>She shook her head.
>”Not much ah can say. Scoots, Sweetie and Ah ran away when we had a chance.”
“Tell me what you know.”
>”Well, it stood on it’s hind legs, and looked all tall an’ lanky. Like it would fall right over on a windy day. It’s gut was a bit fatter than the rest of it, an’ it’s face...ah can’t describe.”
“You saw it’s face?”
>”Yeah, when it fell down. Got as good of a look at it as it got us. We all decided to run away from it and not waste time looking back. Never ran as fast in my life.”
>She then went on about how she and Scootaloo ran to Applejack, how Sweetie caught up with them later, and how she started to puke when Applejack was chewing them out.
>After that, they got here as soon as they can, and the rest is history.
 
“I’m guessing whatever was in that shack is what infected Sweetie Belle.”
>”How do ya figure, sugarcube?”
“It’s just the most likely option; Sweetie taking longer to catch up? Maybe whatever was in there had laid a curse on her. Could also explain why medical professionals have no idea what it is. Not to mention, whatever was in there doesn’t sound like any magical creatures I’m aware of, so it could be something not covered in medical training.”
>It might not even be in any books in your library, but you don’t feel the need to put that out there.
“In any case, at least we have a lead. If we can find out who or what did this, we can be well on our way towards a cure.”
>The faces of the remaining CMC light up in hope.
>”You mean it!”
“Of course. Now, I need to head back to the castle to see what I can learn about this gangling biped.”
>”Now hol’ on Twi, why don’ we jus’ confront him right now? He’s got a shed, he must be able to speak to us.”
“True, but I’d rather see if there is anything that could help us first. Biology books, encyclopedias of diseases, even simple disease protection spells would help.”
>”An’ if he’s gone by the time we get there?”
 
>She does have a point.
“I suppose somepony could keep guard of the place, make sure it doesn’t escape. Applejack, would you…”
>” You can count on me, Twi.”
“Good to hear, Applejack. If it makes you feel any better, I’ll send a letter to Princess Celestia about this. Perhaps she knows something about what the Crusaders found.”
>”You sure that’s a good idea? She might not have the time for somethin’ like this.”
>You look at her dead in the eyes.
“Consider how many ‘odd-lookers’ that have caused trouble in the past. Discord, Sombra, Tirek. Now consider how many Celestia knew about.”
>She takes a moment to think about it.
>”Ah guess it wouldn’ hurt. Well, good luck in yer research, Twi.”
“Goodbye Applejack. Goodbye girls.”
>And so as you came in, you left; in a large purple flash.
>Instantly you find yourself in the middle of your castle, mind filled with many doubts and worries.
>Will Sweetie be okay?
>What did she see?
>What did she have?
>Only one way to find out.
>But first…
“Spike! I need you to send a letter!
 
Somewhere
>You can feel them.
>Every one of their infinite number, each smaller than the eye can see, yet still there.
>Each one seeing you for who you are.
>You are Anonymous.
>And you are their master.
>Tell them to move, and they move.
>Well, that’s not entirely true; you don’t actually have to tell them.
>Why they choose to obey you, you haven’t the faintest idea.
>As you find your way through the woods in the dead of night, you figure now is the best time to ponder that notion.
>You tried asking them, yet words fail them.
>All but the most primal of instincts do they communicate.
>You’re fairly certain even animals had higher thought processes then them.
>Could it just be their instincts?
>Is this just how they are and what they do?
>Why do they feel familiar to you?
>And when are these flies going to leave you alone?
>As if they could read your very mind, one such fly decided to latch onto you, likely for a brief respite.
*SMACK*
>Well, at least now it can rest easily.
>You wish you could say the same about yourself.
 
>As the time whittles away, you find a cave.
>Good of a place as any to rest for now.
>Assuming, of course, there isn’t a pack of wolves or something in there.
>The only question is how do you check?
>Looking around for a brief moment, you find an average sized rock.
>Perfect.
>You pick it up, take a moment to aim, and toss it.
>You definitely heard something grunting in there.
>Dashing behind one of the many trees, you wait for it to come into sight.
>And when it does, you are at least slightly relieved it isn’t a wolf as you thought.
>After all, what wolf is that big?
>And...wooden?
>...
>The relief fades even sooner than it came.
>Timberwolf.
>You heard about them from a chance gift from one of the scholars, yet you never thought you’d see one with your own two eyes.
>And to be honest, you were hoping you never needed to.
>Ducking back behind the tree, you could only hope the arbor abomination didn’t see you.
>Judging by the sound of creaking wood and a moving mass, your hopes were in vain.
>Leaping away from your hiding spot, you miss the splintered claws of the creature.
>Such a close call meant only one option was available.
>Running as fast as you can!
 
>Unfortunately for you, your time spent incapacitated has left your body atrophied and weak.
>Within but scant moments, a tackle sends you to the ground, the timberwolf ready to feast upon its prey.
>As you lay there, your life again close to ending and once again in a precarious decision, your life flashed before your eyes.
>Your childhood, your time on Earth, your first arrival to Equestria, numerous illnesses, being buried alive and...and....
>...Having to escape.
>From a wooden coffin.
>You’d feel stupid right around now, but your life is kind of on the line.
>Focusing your will in much the same way as back in the coffin, you hope this was enough to repel the beast.
>If not, well at least you could say you tried.
>Within moments, the wooden leg of the timberwolf begins to darken, decay, and decompose.
>Holes, or perhaps more appropriately wounds, begin to form on its leg as the rot moves further along its grainy flesh.
>The timberwolf does notice this, and tries to back away in terror.
>You consider for a moment letting it go, letting it live it’s life as a simple beast of the world.
>You also consider how much of a mercy that actually is.
>I mean, a leg like that means it’ll starve to death.
>Though speaking of starving…
 
>A great and alien hunger suddenly possesses you.
>Sweet lord, is it strong!
>Almost as if you haven’t eaten all day!
>You actually haven’t, but that’s beside the point.
>You ravenously gaze upon the timberwolf that was doing the same to you mere moments ago.
>And as if driven by instinct, you continue to exert your power over it.
>It decays and decomposes, howling and whining in fear and pain.
>And yet these whines fall upon deaf ears, as you continue to feed.
>Feed.
>Feed.
>Until there is nothing left of the creature.
>Not wood, nor flesh, nor even whatever power held it together.
>It is only now that your hunger abates, and you realize the extent of your actions and power.
>A beast that not a minute ago tried to devour you was rendered naught but dust, if even that, within moments.
>Where did this power come from?
>And what was its extent?
>Looking deep into the woods, now armed with a weapon of sorts, you venture off.
>Hopefully the answers will come soon enough.
>And as you stroll through the wooded lands, a smirk adorned your face.
>That fight back there has already given you several.
>Particularly about those simple presences you feel even now.
 
Canterlot Castle throne room
>”And that is why there should be a removal of tariffs on imports from the Minitaur empire.”
“Your proposition certainly has merit. I’ll ponder on it more later.”
>You are Princess Celestia, and you weren’t going to ponder on it later.
>Not that the subject’s ideas were particularly bad, per say.
>In fact, compared to many other nobles that came in, they were well thought out.
>No, the reason you couldn’t was because it was that time of year again.
>Set up and scheduled with Luna, it was an occasion that had been anticipated.
>Vacation week.
>After another year of constant bureaucratic discussions, court hearings, and international meetings, your sister and you could both use the break.
>As you walk towards the dining room, you can’t help but let out a small giggle of excitement.
>You could scarcely wait, and day court was surprisingly empty for the rest of the day.
>Within moments you enter the dining room and sit down across from Luna.
>”So sister, how is day court so far?”
“The same as it was the previous day, and the day before. Have you packed everything?”
>”Almost everything is packed, with the only exception being the hygienic supplies.”
“Pardon me, but I seem to have forgotten, do you have night court tonight?”
>”Sister, when has night court ever been busy?”
“Luna…”
>”Of course, sister! All of our subjects are aware of our absence, and our position shall be temporarily filled in by…”
>A flash of green interrupts your sister, as you look at the sudden delivery.
 
“A letter from Twilight?”
>No, please don’t let this be what you think it is.
>She just hasn’t contacted you in a while, probably wants to catch up is all!
>You open the letter.
>’Dear Princess Celestia, I come bearing grave news.’
>Damn it!
>Calm down, Celly; it could just be a timberwolf, or something Discord did, or something.
>’Recently Sweetie Belle, student of Ponyville Elementary, and daughter of Rarity, has come down with a terrible sickness.’
>Please be the flu please be the flu please be the flu…
>’Currently, she is in a state of constant exhaustion, only muttering a few phrases or waking up long enough to eat before falling back asleep. In addition, there seems to be signs of a terrible necrosis, boils, sores, and from what I’ve gathered, general overall pain.’
>Okay, now you felt bad.
>Worrying that your vacation would be ruined while a filly is going through such things.
>’What worries me the most, and the reason I’m writing to you, is that the doctors of Ponyville Hospital could not identify the illness.’
>Twilight needs your guidance on the matter, doesn’t she?
>’I was hoping you could give me your thoughts on the matter. If this is a threat as massive as Tirek or Sombra, I need to know.’
>Bingo.
>’It doesn’t seem to be contagious at the moment, but in case it is, it’s best to be prepared.Please reply at your earliest convenience.’
>’Your faithful student,
>Twilight Sparkle’
 
>”Something the matter sister?”
>You look at Luna with a look of mild disdain and sorrow.
“Yes, Luna. There is trouble in Ponyville.”
>Again.
“One of the residents of the town, a young filly named Sweetie Belle, has fallen terribly Ill.”
>”Is she in a coma? Or somehow at rest?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
>Now it was Luna’s turn to look saddened.
>”Twas a filly we helped a while back. A gentle soul, she is. We have sensed her dreams recently, yet we did knew not the cause of them. Until now, that is.”
“Can you visit with her? Try and see what is wrong?”
>”Pardon me, sister, but I doubt she has extensive knowledge of her current condition.”
>Call it a hunch, but something about this doesn’t seem correct.
“It wouldn’t hurt to try, now would it?”
>”Fair enough. It’ll take but a moment.”
>And so Luna falls into a deep slumber within a moment.
>You honestly wish you could do that sometimes.
 
>In any case, while she poured over the dream of Sweetie, you sit there and think about the issue at hand.
>Professional doctors haven’t a clue on what it is, so it must be something exceedingly rare.
>What diseases cause necrosis?
>It can’t be an infection, otherwise the doctors should have noticed it.
>A curse, perhaps?
>Doctors aren’t trained to deal with such dark magic.
>Yet you can’t think of a curse that causes necrosis.
>Perhaps this is a new disease, one that hasn’t been discovered yet.
>A tragic thought, as it would mean there likely won’t be a cure until it’s too late, but possible.
>And yet for whatever reason you’re feeling deja vu.
>It’s on the tip of your tongue, you just can’t place it.
>AGH! Think, Celly!
>”Sister.”
>Sure, Twilight said it wasn’t contagious at the moment, but what if symptoms were delayed.
>That could mean most of Ponyville could be unknown carriers at this very moment.
>”Celly?”
>If that was the case, then the most effective method would be quarantine.
>It strikes at your heart that a thought like that even enters your mind, but given the circumst…
 
>Your frenzied train of thought was interrupted by the feeling of a hoof on your back.
>Luna’s hoof.
>”Sister. Celestia. Is everything alright?”
“It’s nothing, Luna. I was simply trying to recall the disease Twilight mentioned.”
>”Have you prior experience with it?”
“I cannot say, yet I feel I should. What of Sweetie’s dream? What have you gleamed from her?”
>Luna had adopted a look between worry and confusion.
>”Not much, but enough. We now know that this sickness hath been orchestrated by another.”
“Are you certain?”
>You didn’t doubt your sister, but if this was intentional, your ponies could be in serious danger.
>”Indeed, sister. Through the depiction given was...alien, to say the least.”
“Alien? In what manner?”
>Wait…
>”Forgive us, but Sweetie saw little of its body, yet much of its face. Both of which can be best described as ‘ape-like’.”
>It couldn’t be.
>”Sister, art thou familiar with this creature.”
>You say nothing.
>”Celestia?”
“Luna, you may want to finish packing. I must head to Ponyville this instant.”
>”I’m coming with you.”
“Hmm… Finish packing first, then meet me at Twilight’s Castle.”
>”Sister, what are we…”
>You teleport away before letting her finish, your mind flooded with questions.
>Questions you are about to get the answers to.
 
The skies above the Everfree
>You couldn’t believe it.
>You were Twilight Sparkle, and you have seen some serious and unusual crap over the past year alone.
>This made your first statement even more profound.
>All those books on disease, fungus, curses, poltergeists, even unicon developmental health mentioned nothing resembling Sweetie Belle’s condition.
>You even checked the history books for cases of blackened flesh, and what little that turned up provided neither concrete evidence on the diseases being the same nor a possible cure.
>If things didn’t change soon…
>No!
>Can’t think about that, must focus on reaching your destination.
>Speaking of which, there it is.
>You land as gracefully as you could, alongside two other ponies; Applejack and her elder brother Big Mac.
>With them were several ropes and a wagon, to which you could guess the purpose.
>”Howdy Twi! Ready to take down this varmin’?”
>No, no you weren’t.
“As ready as I’ll ever be. Are you sure rope can hold it?”
>”Well, Ah can’t jus’ bring nothin’, now can Ah? If it works, it works. If it don’t, it don’t.”
>Fair enough.
 
>”So, whadija find out, Twi?”
“Nothing of use.”
>This took the farm pony by surprise.
>”Really, Twi; there was nothin’ in that big ol’ library of yours? Nothin’ at all?”
“Nothing of use, Applejack. There were a few references to ponies with ‘blackened flesh’, yet not only do they not mention a specific name, but were written before the advent of germ theory or modern medicine.”
>”Well then, we definitely need to round ‘im up now.”
>Assuming this wasn’t just one big misunderstanding.
>Wait.
“Applejack, I think I should go first; perhaps we could reach a diplomatic solution.”
>”Now wait jus’ a minute, Twi! We don’t know what that thin’ can do…”
“Meaning it’s infecting of Sweetie could have been an accident.”
>”If it were an accident, then why the hay did it take so long for Sweetie to get back?”
“Maybe it tried to communicate with her. If what we heard from the other Crusaders was any indication, the creature is sick itself. It could’ve been having difficulty speaking.”
>”Ah still don’ like this, Twi.”
>You admit this was risky, though creating unnecessary conflict would be an even greater risk.
>Even so, you decide to calm Applejack’s worries.
“Don’t worry. You shouldn’t be too far away from me whe...if things get confrontational. Besides, I can hold my own if need be.”
>The orange mare relaxes her face, yet still looks worried.
>”Alright, Twi. But the minute somethin’ is up, Ah’m comin’ over there.”
 
>Glad to have that possible disaster dealt with, you walk towards the shed.
>Certainly it couldn’t have been as bad as Scootaloo said it was.
>You had that thought for well over an hour, and now you can say it’s out of your head.
>The place was rotted and moldy, darkened wood hastily put together to create what could only barely be considered a shed.
>Only a single window adorned its side, though with all the dirt and grime on it it made for a better wall.
>The building itself was not small per say, yet it was smaller than the average Ponyville house.
>You could never imagine anypony living in such conditions.
>No wonder the Cutie Mark Crusaders thought this place was abandoned.
>As you approach the door, a couple other details grab your attention.
>The nails and doorknob are both rusted, yet the doorknob seems to be the most decayed, with a few gashes and a bit of splitting.
>Some species of bug seems to be crawling on the door and...into it.
>Termites. This thing has termites in it’s door, and likely the rest of his house.
>Most damning and confusing of all was the grass.
>Half of it seemed to be dying and decayed, while the other half was healthy, tall, and thick.
>More so than what was normal for the Everfree.
>Just how little did this filthy, disease riddled...whatever care about proper maintenance?
>As you knock on the door, you understand you are about to find out.
 
>It’s soft at first, but you could hear the sounds of hoofsteps.
>Did it not have any floorboards either?
>Sweet Celestia, it’s a miracle the other Crusaders didn’t get sick themselves.
>The steps grow nearer.
>Louder.
>More distinct.
>And then they stop.
>The knob wiggles and turns.
>The door opens.
>And you stand before the single most grotesque creature you ever had the misfortune of pointing your eyes towards.
>Grime, filth, and several boils coat it’s skin.
>At least you think that green, nauseating surface is skin and not just more grime.
>The creature’s body itself was shaped just as it was described to you; tall, lanky, and apelike.
>Most of its body was mercifully covered in a robe.
>A brown, dirty, stained, fungus coated robe, but still a robe.
>Suddenly it inhales, agitating mucus within its esophagus and lungs.
>You can’t tell if it was wheezing in agony or just breathing.
>What you can tell, however, when you looked upon its face was how glad you were to skip lunch.
>The face was alien for sure, almost ape like, with several boils and a few hanging hairs.
>Not helping the matters was the bursting of one of said boils, creating a leaking stream of puss and blood.
>Just as you are about to turn tail, one last detail of its face catches your attention.
>It’s smiling.
 
>”A visitor?”
>Ah, so it can talk.
>This will hopefully make things easier.
>”A visitor!”
>Without warning, the apeish being in front of you starts laughing, then wheezing, then laugh-wheezing.
>”Oh, it’s been ages since someone willingly came here, or at least someone with the decency to stay. What brings you out here?”
“Oh, well you see, actually…”
>Might as well get it over with.
“My name is Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria. A while back three fillies, entered your abode. One of them, a white unicorn, came down with an awful disease after leaving.”
>He still seems to be listening.
>At least you think it’s male, sounds the part at least.
>”Ah, so it was a success then! Marvelous!”
>Ah, so it was an intentional attack on your people.
>Wonderful, that rules out accidental contamination.
“If you were behind this, and if it was an experiment, then I must ask you to cure her. She’s in great agony.
>”No. I will meet with her, though, when the time is right.”
>When the time is right?
“I don’t think you're completely aware, sir; your disease is killing her.”
>”Oh, I know what it’s doing. It’s you who is unawares.”
 
>Before you could even ask what he is talking about, you see a lasso go over both of your heads, landing on it.
>Behind you are Applejack and Big Mac, the latter readying another lasso while the former tugs at the one thrown.
>They must have overheard the conversation and thought now was the time to interfere.
>As they tugged the rope, you saw the being trying it’s darndest to escape.
>You couldn’t deny its efforts, but it just didn’t have the strength to compare with Applejack.
>As it was slowly being dragged into further custody, you can’t help but feel something amiss.
>Surely it couldn’t be this easy.
>You’ve learned that much since you’ve been in Ponyville.
>While lost in thought, you notice something odd.
>The rope around the thing’s chest was darkening, almost as if…
>As if it were rotting.
“Applejack!”
>You were just a second too late.
>The rope, no longer able to sustain the strain of being pulled, fell apart, sending Applejack tumbling to the ground.
>Not snapped apart, but torn like wet tissue paper.
 
>Now free, the bubonic beast starts retreating into the Everfree.
>You begin to follow, not wanting to lose it.
>If you failed, Sweetie Belle’s fate would neither be bright nor hopeful.
>As you run, you start to prepare a encasement spell.
>If rope wasn’t strong enough, then perhaps magic would suffice.
>You just need to get a little closer.
>Just a little more…
>There!
>You cast the spell, entrapping the creature in a prism of arcane might.
>Strangely enough, it doesn’t seem to try and escape.
>Best to stay on guard.
>As soon as you approach the prism prison, you look into the infector’s eyes.
>Those are eyes, right?
“Listen. We are heading back to Ponyville. I am going to take you with me. You are going to answer my questions. Understood?”
>It says nothing.
>You’ll take that as a yes.
“Applejack. Head back to Ponyville. I’m going back to the library to ask our ‘guest’ a few questions.”
>”Twi, ah don’ think…”
>But before she could properly finish, you are gone in a flash of light.
 
Twilight’s Castle
>You are still Twilight Sparkle.
>Since you had been home, you had put the...thing in a more stable magic cell.
>You need to find a better word to call it.
>Right now, you are enjoying a nice cup of coffee and thinking back on the past ten minutes.
>So far, your interactions with the creature have been...interesting.
>On one hand, it has been surprisingly cheerful and courteous, despite being a walking sack of pestilence.
>It even complimented your personal library.
>’Wonderful to see discipline of the intellectual sphere’ it said.
>On the other hand, it’s been refusing to explain itself or answer your questions.
>At first, it simply joked around to avoid getting to the point.
>Eventually, something got through to him, because he said he would gladly share what he could.
>And you can say for certain it’s a he now, so at least your efforts weren’t entirely fruitless.
>In fact, you were only here drinking coffee to be alert and receptive of what he had to say.
>Didn’t want any vital facts to slip through, now did you?
 
*Bang*
>Your ears perk up at that unmistakable sound.
>Someone had just violently entered your abode.
>Normally you’d walk down at your own pace and scold Dash for her dangerous antics, but given what happened last time…
>You dash straight towards the source of the sound, finding yourself in front of the doorway in no time flat.
>Standing there were the other Elements of Harmony, much to your surprise.
>”Hey Twilight! Heard you caught the meanie who got Sweetie Belle sick. Do we have a cure yet? I can’t wait to throw Sweetie Belle a ‘Got Cured of a Horrible Debilitating Disease’ party!”
“Pinkie? How… “
>”Oh, That’s easy! When I was at Sugarcube Corner trying out the new deep fryer the Cakes got, My tail started spinning, I had a weird lump in my throat, and my right lower leg started pulsing, meaning…”
>Pinkie sense, got it.
>”Now, as for why we’re here...um.”
>She turns to Applejack.”
>”Why are we here?”
 
 
>Applejack soon steps forward, looking mildly worried.
>”Twi, we’re here to make sure that rotten fellow didn’ cause any trouble. You warped away so fast Ah couldn’ tell you.”
>Another step forward.
>”Twi. Is somthin’ wrong? You seemed a might bit upset when you left.”
>You did leave abruptly, didn’t you.
“I’m sorry, Applejack. I just wanted to get answers out of our guest and search into getting a cure as soon as possible. If this thing turns out to be fatal or if others were to get infected, or…”
>”That’s enough, Twi.”
“Sorry, might have gotten caught up in the moment there.”
>Rarity soon slowly steps forward, simultaneously looking infuriated and sophisticated.
>”Well then, where is that vile fiend? I have half a mind to leave him here to rot after what he did to Sweetie Belle.”
“He’s in the guest bedroom adjacent to the library. He was actually going to finally going to share what he knows about the situation, so if you wanted to give him a piece of your mind, well… I’m not saying you should chew him out, but…”
>At the sound of the Infector’s current lodgings, Rainbow perked up.
>”The guest bedroom Twi? Really? I expected him to be in a dungeon, not cozying up on the royal bed.”
“He’s not in my room, Dash! And I don’t have a dungeon. Never really found a use for one.”
>”Wait, he?”
“One of the things found out, now let’s go! Knowledge awaits.”
 
>Within seconds, you and your friends find yourselves in front of the guest bedroom’s doorway.
>As you open the door, something hits you.
>Something you probably should have told your friends.
>”Goodness! what is that foul stench?”
>”Sorry, must be the chicken I had earlier!”
>Ah, good to know his sense of humor hadn’t changed since leaving.
>”Twilight! I see you’ve brought friends!”
“Will you still tell us what you know?”
>He adopts a pose with one of his... hands?
>Yeah, hands.
>He adopts a pose with one of his hands beneath his chin, as if contemplating something.”
>”Sweet Celestia, aren’t you ugly?”
>”Consarn it, Rainbow. Mind your manners.”
>”No, no. I don’t mind. Really.”
>Finally, it looks at you, right into your eyes.
>”Not yet.”
>What.
“What?!? But you said…”
>”Just give it a few more seconds, I can feel it.”
>Again with the rambling?
>Did he to have some sort of Pinkie Sense?
>You sure hope not.
>Considering everything else that…
>Your thoughts are interrupted by a warm, golden glow.
>It hasn’t dissipated yet, but you already know who it is.
>Preparing for her arrival preemptively, you turn around and bow towards the glow.
>And as it fades, the solar ruler of Equestria stands before you all.
 
>”Goodness me. Am I really that predictable?”
>You feel a nudge.
>”Twilight, dear. We’ve been over this. You don’t have to bow to me every time we meet.”
>You quickly right yourself and stand tall.
“Sorry Prin-Celestia. It’s just been awhile I’ve seen you arrive like you did. I’m guessing you got my letter.”
>”Yes Twilight. After having pondered my vast experiences over the millenia, I did recall something resembling Sweetie Belle’s illness. I came here as quickly as I could to make sure I was correct.”
>She looks over towards your guest.
>”And it seems, unfortunately, I was correct.”
>Unfortunately?
>Does this mean…
>”Celesti*hack*. What a pleasant surprise for the both of us.”
>Is everything trying to interrupt you today?
>”I fear it’s only pleasant for you, Anonymous.”
>Wait…
>”Wait, you two know each other? Did you know he was living in the Everfree infecting fillies?”
>Damn it, Rainbow.
>”I’m afraid I didn’t, in more than one sense.”
“What do you mean?”
>She turns to the lot of you.
>”Our friend here was supposed to have died 800 years ago.”