Author's Notes:

A while back, I wrote a zombie story but as time went on, I decided to delete it. This is a better version of the zombie story I had in mind.

This is an audio recording of a Royal Guard who saw everything first hoof. The mistakes that led to the fall of Canterlot.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Comment if you please.

Have a nice day/night reading.

<sup>Now playing audio log 1448:

"Hello to anypony who may be hearing this; My name is Solar Beam and I'm a Royal Guard of Canterlot. I can't hold back any secrets from the public anymore. The situation has gotten out of hoof in the castle. Ponies turning, flesh being ripped apart, innocent of lives within the castle has turned into a quarantine... Even the young weren't spared within in the castle. Nopony was allowed in or out. Including the guards. Most of them were not aware of the dire situation. Even Princess Luna wasn't aware of Celestia's doing..." In the audio log, a long sigh can be heard.

"4 months ago, I along with several of guards went with Celestia to Saddle Arabia. Apparently, there was a new virus that taken place killing off the livestock, crops and even several ponies. I was tasked to interview a farmer known as Fielder. He told me what he can about the virus. Causing the strong to die slower and the weak to die quicker. Fielder lost his wife and three kids due to the virus. The only signs they were given with virus was a black fluid running nose and two bloody coughs. I ended the interview and gave him mine condolences for his family. Fielder told me that it is best to leave and so, I did. I left his home and made my way back to Princess Celestia. She informed the others to take the livestock, crops and the dead back to her castle. I was quite horrified to hear Celestia telling to bring the dead of Fielder's family to the castle. Kinda feels like disrespecting one stallion's family. I was in no position to argue with the Princess but still, it feels wrong that Fielder won't be able to give his family the proper funeral."

"2 days later, Princess Celestia told the majority of her guards to not disturb her or else they'll be consequences. My comrades took it to heart and took it like life is depending on it. Princess Celestia required my assistance since I interviewed Fielder. I went with Celestia to her science room which is a restricted area within the castle. Not even the other princesses even know about this place. So many secrets Celestia has... Anyways, Celestia put the dead in three separate isolation cells. She is going to try to find a cure. I told her everything that Fielder told me and she requested me to go to Canterlot Prison and bring those who are on death row to come here. In order to find a cure, sacrifices have to be made. I left the room and told my fellow comrades to come with me to Canterlot Prison to bring death row ponies to the castle. They did not like going there but an order is an order from the Princess herself. An hour later, I returned to the science room with twenty-five death row ponies. Since taking there, Canterlot Prison now has many new openings for more ponies on death row. Celestia used her magic to bind the death row and gave them simple instructions. Disobey and you die. Obey you'll live long enough to earn a second chance in life. It was thrilling for the death row ponies to earn a second a chance in life. What they were in for is something far worse than death itself."

"A week later, I was informed by Captain Gears that Celestia wanted to see me. I went alone to her science room and was quite terrified to see the death row ponies in their cells. They were going stir crazy. Celestia told me exactly what Fielder told me about the virus. Thirteen death row ponies died due to the virus. The twelve remaining ponies were screaming agonizing pain. Some were biting the bars in hopes of escaping since Celestia took away their horns and wings. She also mentioned that the virus mutated which is why the remaining ponies are behaving like they are. I shook my head to awaken myself from a trance. If the virus is mutating, what can happen next? That answer was soon discovered..."

"1 month later, only 5 death row ponies remained. They are calm than they were a while back. Celestia mixed the virus with a new serum that's supposed to cure cancer to see if that serum can battle cells of the virus. After a while, the serum worked. Celestia found a cure to the new virus that mutated. I asked to see if the serum can work again if the virus mutated once more. Celestia looked down at me. She didn't say a word or had any reaction. It made me feel like that a moment in time, I was irrelevant. Princess Celestia did speak. She told me that the virus has not mutated a second time. She waited and nothing happened. Then all of a sudden, a wail can be heard. It came from one of the isolation cells of Fielder's dead family. Celestia and I ran towards the cell and saw Fielder's wife standing on all four hooves. When she looked back, however, she had a horrifying look on her face. Eyes pitched white, black fluid drooling from her mouth, her wails were strong enough to cause some ponies to go deaf. Luckily for me, Celestia used her magic health bubble and preventing the wails from making us deaf. Unfortunately, death row ponies screamed in agony and they're behavior changed. From being calm, they were aggressive. They lunged themselves in our direction but the isolation cell bars made sure they were in place. Celestia sighed and she wanted to be alone. I left and didn't come back until she needs me."

"Another month went by and I decided enough was enough with the whole waiting process. I went towards the science room only to find Celestia left standing. Death row ponies are now dead. Fresh blood scattered on the floors and ceilings. It smelled like a slaughterhouse in the room. Celestia turned with tears trailing. I decided to hug her. She hugs me back but she was smiling. Celestia told me that she has a way to help our world from being overpopulated. I remembered reading a book called Survivor Hunt which has different ponies from different sectors come and fight till the last pony is remaining. I was hoping for that to happen but within Celestia's eyes, she has a different purpose. Her smile turned into a devilish look. She gave me a warning. If I were to speak, my whole family will die slow and painfully. I...I...I didn't know what to do from that point on. My whole family lives were on the line and so, I kept my mouth shut during that time. I had to find a different way to alert everypony from impending doom."

"2 weeks later, I was patrolling the corridors and I saw Princess Luna. She knows that I'm not feeling myself. She tried her best but I had to brush her off. I needed to speak with Celestia. I found her in her room. She turned angrily and locked all exits. I didn't care at that moment but as a Royal Guard, I have to do and endure what is necessary. Celestia went up to me. She looked down as I can see the anger in her eyes. I took a deep breath and told her that she can't go forth with her idea. Celestia laughed and told me she is and will clean up and start over. I told that the virus is infecting her mind. She blasted me with her magic. I hit the wall pretty hard. I felt that Celestia has broken at least five ribs. I stand my ground. She told me that due to overpopulation in her lands, she needs to unleash the virus. I stood my ground and made a threat of mine own. I told her that I will expose you as the Princess you are. Poor choice of words but right before Celestia can use her magic to kill me, Princess Luna barged right in, creating a hole in the wall and she attacked Celestia. I jump back and saw that Luna was trying to bite Celestia's neck off. Celestia realized that Luna may have found the secret room and might have accidentally caught the virus. I ran out of the room and decided that Celestia should have quality time with her sister. I went into the room next door as Celestia was trying to fend off Luna's biting. I ripped out a door and took Luna's bigger dresser. I used my magic to hold the door in place then sealing the hole with the dresser. That did nothing as Luna was hit hard with Celestia's magic. She flew towards Luna and they fought in the corridors. I ran away but only to find more infected ponies. The young fillies are dead. Blood, feces, bones are splattered everywhere. My comrades were either dying or turning. I fled to the one place I know where to hide from all of this. I went into Celestia's private library and found the door that leads to the Canterlot Mines. I closed it and ran as far as I can. Deep in the mines, I decided to sleep."

"The next day, I found the exit which led me outside of the castle grounds where I stumbled right into Princess Luna. I looked at her, then at the castle then back again. She asked me what is wrong. I demanded her to raise the moon up early to see if my theory is correct. Luna raised the moon which made me sick to my stomach. I realized that a changeling came. Only one changeling, in particular, could be the size of Celestia. Queen Chrysalis. Then it hit me. She's carrying the virus! I told Luna everything right then and there. About the virus, about the lab, the experiments, about the threat... the..the..the plan Celestia devised." In the audio, Solar Beam is panting from the day he remembers speaking with Luna. The scars he carried and shared with somepony else. "Luna didn't take long to launch a quarantine zone. She told the remaining guards to seal the castle. What remains inside stays. Luna used her magic to create a bubble that seals any entrance from coming close to the castle grounds. The remaining Royal Guards finished locking down the castle. I sighed as I watched everything unfold. Luna had tears streaming down on her face knowing that she just did what Celestia did to her. Seal her in confinement."

A deep breath can be heard in the audio recording. "2 days later, Luna was basically falling apart. She can only be close enough to use her magic near the castle. I stand beside her. Lending my magic and energy to her. Luna can only back and see Celestia by her room staring at us. I guess she killed Queen Chrysalis but now is angered by my actions. I know for a fact that Celestia wanted me dead. I can feel it. The fire deep down inside burning. I was not afraid of Celestia anymore. I'm more afraid of the virus spreading throughout all the lands. I did my best to comfort Luna and it worked. As tired as she can be, other Royal Guards came by to lend their energy and magic to Luna."

"1 day later, Luna and I heard strange sounds coming from the castle. Next thing we know, an explosion erupted as the infected came out running towards us. Celestia flew up towards the bubble and shattered it. I ran with Luna as the hoard came after us. Luckily for us, most of the ponyfolk left Canterlot. Thanks to Luna's suggestion of evacuation, everypony fled. The rich and those who were stubborn to leave realized they made a grave mistake. The infected got to them and fed. Luna held on to me and she flew us away from Canterlot. We can hear the fear, the screams, and the moans of the infected as Luna flew farther and farther away. We reached a mountaintop where we'll be able to see Canterlot from afar. Fire spread, but a lot of cracking sounds can be heard. Luna feared that the structure of Canterlot may be on the verge of collapsing. In mere moments, we saw the fall of Canterlot. It rolled down the side of the mountain and exploded. Luna caught of glimpse of Celestia and shouted at her. Calling her a monster. I didn't know what to say but Luna explained to me that Celestia used her magic to destroy the support beams of Canterlot. If the infected can somehow survive in the presence of Celestia, then they can survive a freefall thus the virus is free to spread. No more words were spoken."

"After a few days of the Fall of Canterlot, the infected made its way to Ponyville. We don't know what's happening but Luna reassured me that Twilight and her friends can somehow overcome it. Luna decided that we should head off to the Crystal Empire. Perhaps within their library, they have seen the virus we are fighting today. It's a long shot. For those who are listening to this message. I pray you to put Celestia down for the count. This is her idea...Operation: Rebirth. Nearly half or more of the population decreased, then to have all of Equestria start over. Princess Celestia is a villain. Nopony should ever take her side no matter what. Justice will be served. Good luck any and everypony."

After hearing the message loud and clear, Starlight Glimmer and Twilight Sparkle couldn't believe what they found and heard in the cabin nearby Ponyville.

"Twilight, what are we going to do?"

"We're going to tell everypony about Solar Beam's message. They have the right to hear."

Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer left the cabin after finding cans of food in a storage locker. They wondered how Luna and Solar are doing as they made their way back to Sweet Apple Acres. Hearing what Solar said in the audio log, Twilight couldn't believe that her teacher went into insanity after finding the virus. Moans echoing in Ponyville can be heard as Twilight and Starlight head into Sweet Apple Acres.

This is only the beginning of the end...</sup>