"Princess?" squeaked Twilight, her tiny lavender hooves making soft patting noises against the carpet of her mentor's room.

Princess Celestia giggled, watching the little filly run about and play with her smartypants doll. "Yes my faithful student?" she whispered, smiling warmly and watching over her like a loving mother would her own.

Twilight stopped suddenly...her expression growing into one of despair...her body rapidly growing to a full adult mare's. Her mane grew to its original length, growing twisted and tangled in its unkempt appearance. Her eyes darkened, and the right scar on her cheek reappeared. She stood before Celestia, a pleading look in her eye as she whispered "Why...why did you abandon us...abandon me?!"

Celestia merely giggled, looking towards the now grown Twilight with a sinister look in her eye and whispering back...

Twilight sat up quickly, her chest once more heaving for air and expelling the chilly air of the morning. Yet another nightmare...although could she really classify it as one? There was no scary monster...no blood...not even Junebug, who she thought for sure would invade her mind this night, remembering how it was her who had died only earlier that day. There was only...Celestia, and the single most agonizing question in existing. Why did she abandon them? Twilight didn't want to do it...and struggle for many days she did until she finally had to force herself to come to the realization that Princess Celestia was no longer her mentor....she was an enemy. She was against Twilight...and Twilight was against her. The thought poisoned her in the early months, her logic and love struggling to combat one another. She just couldn't believe Celestia would be capable of such...such negligence! But low and behold...an Anti-Teleportation shield around Ponyville. Unicorns were very powerful, and very capable of large scale magic...but NEVER had she heard of Unicorn's being able to stretch their magic across an ENTIRE town like Ponyville! Only two things were capable of such magic...the entirely combined effort of Celestia's court mages (whom she disbanded some five years ago...), or Celestia herself. At first Twilight figured perhaps the Court Mages were behind the incident...maybe trying to get back at Celestia for them losing their jobs. But if that was the case...couldn't Celestia easily overpower their magic? If she couldn't, Luna would even throw in her powers to aid her. Ponyville wouldn't have been LEFT like this!

So...what gives?

The unicorn sighed, pushing a hoof against her forehead and rubbing at the base of her horn. The tingling sensations of pleasure moved through her body slowly, but she ignored them. She didn't have the time nor effort for such pleasures anymore...which was ironic considering the only thing Ponyville's residents had at the moment was an abundance of time...but shrug it off she did. She kicked off her blankets and stood, heading towards the bathroom to do her business and moving down into the main area of her library once she had. From her memory...she remembered it to be Wednesday...and she knew what that meant...

With a sigh, she quietly pushed open the door to her basement and began the long, treacherous but careful, descent down into the darkness. The door shut behind her, signaling her that it was alright to light the lantern hanging from a wallhook further down the stairs. Light it she did, with the spare matches located in a small metal compartment on the side of the lantern. She didn't light it with magic...as that too was no longer safe to use. If anypony thought light attracted those outside...they'd be damn surprised when they learned what magic did. It was like opening up the doors to a rehab center and showcasing all the 'po-caine' in the world to the patients inside. Why this was...well she'd get to that in a minute.

Twilight quickly trotted down the steps, her vision now aided by the light of her lantern, and ended up at another door. With a quick push of her hoof she moved in and shut the door behind her, turning to look at the mess that was her basement. Lab equipment was strewn about everywhere, a long, rectangular table taking up the middle of the area, as well as a few chairs. Papers and notes were scattered about and littering the top of a desk and its surrounding floor, each with quickly scrawled words and drawings on their surfaces. The object that caught Twilight's eye, however, was the small projector that rested at one end of the table. She turned her head, staring towards the long string cord that hung from the opposite wall, its white rope connecting to a rolled up projector screen. It was this she pulled after walking over towards it, rolling down the large, white projector screen and moving back along the table. She placed the lantern on a clean spot on the table and put a hoof on the top of the projector, pressing a large red button and watching as the machine whirred to life.

When she first used the projector, she was worried the noise would attract...them...but after several tests and observations, she concluded that her basement was far enough underground that the noise would not be audible to those above. Unless somepony screamed or made hot, bodacious love on her table...

Twilight shook her head, mentally slapping herself while watching the white screen light up. She really had been cooped up for awhile...her once innocent outlook on life now starting to splinter and crumble into pieces. She kept having to remind herself that she was a virgin...that her time was better spent surviving rather then 'growing up'. Who would bother with such things when there's death and madness going on around them?! How could anypony concentrate on doing it?! HOW COULD THEY EVEN STAND TO-

Once more, she mentally slapped herself, staring grimly at the white screen for a moment before she peered into the small cardboard box beside the projector. A well organized case of slides were resting in the comfortable hold of the box, their information eager to be displayed. With a quiet sigh, Twilight carefully picked up the slide labeled #001 and slid it into the projector, her own hoarse voice filling the basement room as her solo-presentation began, the slide displaying a map of Equestria with the town of Ponyville covered by a large, red biohazard symbol.

"What I know as of this day...is that this incident must be biological. A bio-hazardous disease or a weapon, I know not which it could be. The disease must be able to be delivered cross-species, as Subject 01...Coco, was seen having long, serrated claw marks adorning her body, counting three in a series. I can only assume that the original 'Infectee' was some kind of wild animal...but where it contracted this disease, I know not. I have studied loads and loads of Canterlot's history concerning military and other various branches...but nowhere have I found information concerning Biological Warfare. This leads me to believe that whatever this is...either Celestia did not know about it or she personally funded this 'under the table' project herself. My only theory is that whatever attacked Coco escaped from containment...though from where I don't know. Possibly somewhere near Ponyville? I don't know if other towns have been hit by this animal...or if Canterlot itself has been hit, so I can't go into much detail about that...hell I don't even know where the disease could have even come from."

Twilight grimaced, pushing in the next slide which displayed a picture of one of 'The Afflicted', as she had taken to calling them. She'll never forget the day she got that picture...how stupid she had been. She shook her head, going on in her presentation. "The subjects themselves are as interesting as they are lethal in nature...and I believe I have narrowed down the diseases effects and timetable due to careful...and risky...observation. Ahem..."

She pulled up a small clipboard with various notes attached to it from her table, reading them off carefully.

"Disease Timetable, after over twenty observations and carefully documented study, disease has been known to work in a time of 10 seconds to two minutes tops, with the final outcome being that of an insane, blood-crazed killing machine. The disease has been noted to be carried in the subject's bodily fluids, blood, saliva, possibly semen...I'd hope not. Transfusion of any fluids to a non-infected species will almost guarantee infection unless it is delivered via a limb and not the torso, neck, or head areas."

Twilight gulped, reading off the next line with apprehension,

"If disease is delivered through the legs or hooves...subject will have a 45% chance of eliminating the threat of infection by immediately severing the afflicted appendage from their body, thus stopping the spread. Although not recommended, this is the only known 'cure' against Infection. No other known vaccines or cures are available as I do not have the current equipment...nor the sheer bravery...to go out and secure one of The Afflicted and study its blood."

She put down her clipboard, slipping in another slide which showed another Afflicted pony, a colt, with some white circles highlighting various parts and areas of its body. Twilight cleared her throat again before going on "The symptoms are relatively easy to spot, and almost immediately begin to show upon first contact with the infection. Subjects scream or often show the feeling that they are 'burning' from the inside out, which leads me to believe this infection is a strain of some kind of devilish fever. It burns them from the inside out, possibly harming or damaging the lungs in the process which would explain their raspy, growl-like breathing. Subject's eyes also begin to change in color, morphing into the color of blood which also leads to their eyes bleeding, along with their ears, and in some cases, their mouths. I don't know the specifics of what the disease does to the rest of the body, only that it somehow effects the brain into emitting a sort of self-preservation mode. Those afflicted see EVERYTHING not infected as a guaranteed threat against their lives, and they will act accordingly to eliminate it by any means possible. This also explains their loving of light and hating of dark, as many primitive species in early history were known to be afraid of the dark...afraid of the unknown and what lurked out in the darkness. It's sad, really..."

Twilight stopped, looking down towards the floor as she muttered "It makes me feel like they aren't monsters at all...just...sick ponies trying to survive like we are. They're afraid of the dark like we are in the early years of our lives...and we come to feel safe in the light. My only theory as to its effects are that the disease either deteriorates the brain into a primitive state, or alters it. I don't know why subjects bleed from their eyes, or why their glands produce three times more saliva which they constantly spit or dribble. My theory to THAT is that perhaps the disease could also be some sort of parasite, with the idea that it needs to spread in order to survive, thus explaining the easy transfusion of fluids from one subject to another...it would also explain why the colt that bit that mare's neck simply left her there to pursue another target. The disease...parasite...virus, whatever...is smart, in a way. It targets anything not infected...or...does it?"

She frowned, putting a hoof to her chin as she thought for a moment. Did it really target EVERYTHING non infected? She had seen squirrels, birds, even a few dogs around Ponyville since the incident began...and none of them were infected, none of them showed any symptoms of disease. "Odd...," she muttered "Perhaps the disease is selective in species...only targeting ponies...but again that would also debunk the cross-species theory as Coco contracted it via a clawing animal.......or did she? Perhaps the claw marks were from an animal attacking her out of fear or defense because it saw her being attacked by one of The Afflicted...and acted out of instinct! Perhaps that could be it!"

Twilight smiled at this, finally believing she had gotten at least another lead as to what this disease could be and its origins. Her smile quickly faded however as she changed slides yet again, a list of other facts about the disease glimmering on the projector screen. "In summary, Magic draws in The Afflicted for some reason...I have yet to pinpoint why...and another unfortunate development that I have seen in the first month..." she took a deep breath, sighing sadly as she went on "I have to...unfortunately...classify this disease as 'Airborne' now considering it is transferable to ALL types of ponies, including Pegasus Class. Flying Afflicted have been known to stay to the ground until they spot prey in the air, which they will chase relentlessly until they either lose the target or kill it, same with Earth and Unicorn ponies. Fortunately...the Unicorn based Afflicted have not the ability to use their magic, as it requires an extensive amount of concentration and the disease rids them of this, driving them to base instincts as I have previously mentioned."

She glared up at the screen as she produced a picture of the wall surrounding Ponyville, and the greyish aura that surrounded the very outside of it. "This...," began Twilight "Is our cage, a simple wall surrounding Ponyville that prevents the escape of the uninfected as well as The Afflicted Earth and Unicorn Class. I have learned the Anti-Teleportation spell surrounding the spell also works as a physical barrier as well, trapping The Afflicted Pegasus Class in here with us like some sick, twisted bird cage. The wall extends to Sweet Apple Acres and back, but leaves out Fluttershy's cottage...which to me seems like pure dumb luck at this point." She let out a heavy sigh, pulling out the slide and pushing it back into its place in the box. She shut off the projector and sat still as the basement dimmed and the air become eerily quiet once again. The lantern flickered as Twilight stared depressingly at her hooves, muttering as she sat there "That's all I know...as of right now. I don't know how Applejack's alive, unless she's somehow a carrier, immune, or a natural at killing anything coming within a twenty foot radius of her. I don't know how Celestia thought it'd be a good idea to let this happen, and to sit on her fat, white flank and let the rest of us die. I know The Afflicted have the mental capacity to eat grass and keep themselves fed, which eliminates my 'Waiting until they starve' idea. And I also know...th...that..."

She felt tears swim in her eyes as she bowed her head and sniffed, a sob slipping out through her lips as she whimpered "We're fucked...we're all fucked..." If anypony had heard this, they'd be utterly shocked to hear Twilight swear for the very first time in her life. The lavender mare pushed her hooves against her eyes and let herself cry for a few minutes, her tears silently dripping down her cheeks and hooves. "C...calm down Twilight...ke...keep it together!" She growled at herself, stuttering as she started to get over her crying fit.

Just as her tears dried...she heard it. The noise that for some reason...made her get to her hooves and dash up the basement stairs. Perhaps it was that she was finally tired of all the bullshit...tired of all the death and blood. Maybe she was finally losing it...giving in to her primal animal instincts, or in this case...motherly. She dashed up the stairs, rushing towards the emergency window located on the left wall of her library. This window has been prepared for emergencies, the most obvious one being that she was attacked. But this...this would not serve as an escape today...it would serve as a lifeboat...a port in the storm.

She heard the cries of a filly.

She rushed over to the window, pulling off the three loose boards that held the window snug in place, and pushed the dirty glass outwards. She hissed slightly and squinted her eyes as the sudden intrusion of light, but she didn't give a shit anymore. She was TIRED of this! Tired of all the pain, all the death, all the thoughts of hopelessness and helplessness she felt because she was too scared and too cowardly to go out and try and make a difference! She couldn't tell if she was sane or not anymore, but it didn't matter. ANYTHING was better then just sitting cooped up in her library and reviewing the same damn thing over and over again each week, doing the same maddening thing every single day. With a push of her back hooves and an extending of her front ones, Twilight Sparkle met the day full-on with a look of rage and determination across her face.

She panted as she hit the dirt of the outside, adrenaline starting to take hold. She was outside, OUTSIDE! She broke the first rule!!! She quickly darted her eyes and head around, checking for any of The Afflicted before quickly diving into a bush, listening as the sounds of a screaming filly echoed from down the street. She didn't know if that filly was being carved up or not...but she came this far...she wasn't going back in that Library empty-hooved. She carefully scanned her surrounding area, spotting nothing and nopony, and picked out an alleyway that rested across the street. She sucked in a breath...counted to three...and bolted. She flew with the speed of Applejack as she quickly looked up and down the street...spotting one of The Afflicted WAY down the way past her Library, its back turned to her, thank...Luna. She dove into the alleyway, slipping into the darkness where she knew she was safe and taking in a deep breath, her heart thudding like a wild jackhammer.

She peeked around the corner and gasped as she looked upon the small market square that rested further up the street. There were a few ruined kiosks, some overturned, some littered with the skeletons of ponies...and just one...with a crying, screaming cyan colored Pegasus filly sitting on the roof, wailing as three of The Afflicted swiped at her with deadly hooves and snarled at her. One of the monsters took a moment to double over, vomiting an excess of blood and spit onto the ground before rearing back up and snarling at the filly. "Another development..." whispered a wide-eyed Twilight, her brain still semi-latched onto her research "Subject's appear to be expelling their diseased blood and saliva...whether or not its the body's immune system or just the disease hoping to turn its deadly effects into a projectile weapon...I don't know."

She shook her head quickly, diminishing the thought and thinking about her next move. She peered over towards the filly, seeing how she had her eyes locked on the blood red ones of the monsters below her. "I have to get her attention..." whispered Twilight, her head turning back into the dark alley way. She spotted a small, loose board laying in the alleyway and gulped. Risky...but it'd work. Picking up the board with delicate hooves, she chucked the board from around the corner and watched as it sailed up the street, landing a good distance behind The Afflicted. The bloody ponies didn't seem to notice...their eyes still focused on the filly above...but the filly noticed. Her eyes shot upwards as she saw the board, her direction of sight traveling upwards until she saw a waving lavender hoof from an alleyway. She gasped, watching as the unicorn mare put a hoof over her lips as if to say 'Ssshhh!'. She then made a down motion with her hooves, as if to say 'Get down, don't move!'

The filly nodded, curling up on top of the Kiosk and making herself as tiny as possible. From the alleyway, Twilight shuddered and shook, the sheer lunacy of her soon to be actions making her quiver in fear "A..alright Twilight...time to dance with death..." She took in a few heaving breaths and launched herself from the alleyway, hollering towards The Afflicted "OI! FUCKASSES!" The Afflicted snarled, the three ponies snapping their heads towards the sound of her voice and locking their eyes on hers. "Oh shit..." Twilight whispered, watching as the three launched away from the kiosk and came tearing down the street. Twilight turned and bolted down a side street, planning on making a large loop around the market square. She only prayed she didn't run into anymore of them. The three Afflicted screeched as they turned the corner, catching sight of the retreating Lavender mare and giving chase. Twilight cut to the left, passing down a sunlit alleyway and turning her head to look back for only a moment, watching as the three Afflicted entered the alley with her. She let out a panicked squeal, cutting to the right and into a darkened alleyway. She breathed in relief as she heard the panicked cries behind her, knowing The Afflicted would take a moment to get over their fear of the dark before pursuing her.

After all...they'd still pursue a breathing, uninfected target into the dark if they had to.

Twilight made a quick turn to the left, a downed kiosk coming into view. She had made it back! Her cause for celebration didn't last long however...she knew that with all the noise The Afflicted had been making...they might as well have been ringing the dinner bell. With quick hooves, Twilight burst out into the market square and dashed up to the kiosk harboring the filly. "Hey! Hey down here!" she whispered loudly, watching as the filly raised her head and sniffed "Jump! I'll catch you! Hurry before they come back!" The filly looked apprehensive at first, but seeing as their really was no other way...she nodded and got to her tiny hooves, jumping from her port in the storm and landing on Twilight's back. "You got a firm grip?" Twilight asked the filly, turning her head back forward as the filly nodded at her question "Alright...here we go, hang on tight and don't make any noise!"

The unicorn quickly dashed down the street, her Library coming into view. She sucked in a breath as she saw The Afflicted pony down the street, the one she saw earlier, turn its head...staring right at her. The effect was almost immediate, with the crazed pony turning its body and beginning its sprinting gallop towards her. She poured as much speed as she could into her legs as possible, dashing towards the open window in her Library. She reached it fairly quickly, arching up her back so the filly could jump through, which she did after ordered to by Twilight. After her tiny form slipped into the darkness, Twilight put her front hooves up onto the sill and heaved herself in, landing on the wood floor with a thud and a slight groan. She wasted no time however, springing to her hooves and shutting the window behind her as quickly but as quietly as possible. She replaced the three barrier boards blocking the window and fell to her haunches, her lungs aching and begging for air which she tried to deliver as quietly and as calmly as possible.

The filly looked up from her spot on the floor, watching as Twilight pushed her back up against the wall...and stared down at the floor with wide eyes. The filly took a few careful steps towards Twilight, blinking at her for a moment...before gently walking up and sitting between Twilight's extended rear hooves. The filly and Twilight watched each other for a moment until suddenly...the filly gave Twilight a big hug...as big as she could make it. Twilight sighed in relief, gently hugging the filly back with shaking hooves and whispering that she was safe...that they were both safe...whispering as the thundering sounds of galloping tore their way past her Library...The Afflicted still on the hunt for her.

She had saved her...an innocent pony

A pony who deserved a future after all this bloodshed...all the chaos...

A little one who didn't deserve all of this madness...

A filly.