Day Thirty Three
Infected: 136 Million
Dead: 68 Million
As the days passed and the number of dead climbed, Sweetie Belle had begun to grow accustom to the sight of wooden coffins and body bags lining the streets. However, Spike just couldn’t accept this bleak reality, so he always found himself entertaining the idea that the pandemic would soon burn itself out and disappear. Unfortunately he still had to wait another two months for the pandemic to peak, and another six for it to disappear completely. By then, one hundred million dead would look like the tip of the iceberg.
Sweetie Belle slid on her armband, though each day she did this, she grew more and more hesitant. Unexpectedly, she felt a gentle hand rest upon her shoulder. She turned to see Spike, his expression neutral.
“Listen Sweetie, I know I can’t stop you, but I just want to say good luck and stay safe.”
She smiled faintly. “Spike, I’ve told you the same thing every day; I’ll be careful.”
“I know, but it doesn’t hurt to remind you.”
Sweetie Belle smile grew before she pressed her lips to Spike’s. She was about to pull away, however, Spike leaning more into the kiss halted her. She found this sudden display of affection surprising, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.
After a solid five seconds, Sweetie Belle pulled away. “Well, I better get going.”
Spike nodded. “Yeah, I’ll see you later.”
The mare adorned her mask and was about to make her way out the door, when she paused and looked to her husband. “Spike, I love you.”
He smiled. “I love you too.”
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After a short walk to the Manehatten subway station, Sweetie Belle was about to make her way into the tent city when she noticed an odd sight; two royal guards, both in gas masks, stood at the entrance. She was beginning to walk past them when one of the guards blocked her path with a spear.
“I need to see your hoofband mam,” he ordered.
Confused but still compliant, Sweetie Belle lifted her foreleg. The guard examined it briefly before removing his spear.
“You’re clear. Move along.”
Not wanting to question authority, she continued down the escalator; however it wasn’t moving as usual. It was about that time that she noticed the dozens of royal guards all scattered about the shelter. It had almost appeared as if the wellbeing of the infected had suddenly turned into a military ordeal.
“Sweetie Belle!” shouted a familiar voice.
The filly turned to see Pinkie Pie rushing over to her, an obviously distressed look upon her face.
“What is it Pinkie?”
“The royal guard, they won’t let us treat any of the code black patients. They said they don’t want to waste any resources.”
“What!? You mean they’re just leaving them for dead!?”
Pinkie nodded. “They said to only treat those with a forty percent chance of survival or higher. Otherwise they get thrown in a code black tent.”
“That’s bull shit! Why is the royal guard even here?!” she exclaimed.
“They wouldn’t say, but it probably has to do with the Canterlot and Fillydelphia riots.”
----------
Spike sat before the television, being barraged with more and more bad news. From antiviral resistant strains of flu to the bans on public gatherings, no rays of light could be seen. So when he heard an unexpected knock at the door, he jumped to answer it, hoping it was some source of good news.
“One second,” he said as he secured a face mask.
Upon opening the door, he was greeted by Twilight, adorning a face mask of her own. By the look in her eyes it was clear something was wrong, so he moved out of the way and ushered her inside. As soon as he shut the door, he was wrapped in Twilight’s embrace. However a moment later, she took a step back, feeling as though she should explain her being there.
“I’m sorry, it’s just I had to see you.”
Spike raised his brow. “Twi, is everything okay?”
She sighed. “Promise me you can keep a secret.”
He nodded. “Of course.”
Twilight drew in a deep breath before speaking.
“I’ve been hearing rumors. Hopefully that’s all they are, but I think Celestia and Luna are getting ready to quarantine Equestria.”
Spike folded his arms. “So? They’ve already quarantined Canterlot.”
The pony shook her head. “This is different. They’re talking about a military quarantine of every major city in Equestria. Then they’d put martial law into effect.”
Instantly Spike’s expression shifted to one of understanding and surprise. “You mean…”
Twilight nodded. “Listen, I just wanted you to have a heads up, but I might be wrong, so don’t worry about it yet.”
“Then when should I worry about it?”
Briefly she looked away. “When the death toll reaches over one hundred million. Then I’ll let you know if it’s true… Now listen, I’ve got to get going, but I think I’ll be seeing you again soon.”
Spike put on a faked reassuring smile. “Okay, hopefully on better circumstances.”
Twilight returned one. “Yeah let’s hope. And Spike…”
“Yeah?”
“Stay safe.”
----------
After the sun had made its descent, Sweetie Belle began out into the cold night air. However, on this night, she had gotten delayed by a patient, causing her to leave an hour later than usual. Needless to say, she much rather preferred leaving the shelter with the comfort of sunlight.
As she made her way down the streets, each garbage and biohazard bag cast an eerie shadow. Some of which looked like ponies, however come to think of it, some of those larger bags and coffins actually did contained deceased ponies. Quickly she pushed this thought out of her mind.
Sweetie Belle was no more than two blocks away from her apartment when she heard a noise emanating from a nearby alleyway. In it, three ponies were kicking a colt who lay helpless upon the ground. She knew she couldn’t help, and the police would be useless, so she turned a blind eye and began to quicken her pace.
Suddenly, a male Pegasi swept down before her, blocking her path. His face was obscured by his mask, but it was clear he had malicious intent. Quickly, she took a step back only to bump into another pony. She looked to the two of them before sighing.
“Look, I don’t have shit on me but I’ll give you what I have.”
The Pegasi smirked. “Oh we don’t want any of that. We want something else.”
Sweetie Belle made a confused expression. “What the fuck are you-“
Suddenly she was cut off by the second pony wrapping his hooves around her.
“If you don’t squirm, it’ll be over quicker,” he whispered, his voice sounding rough.
Sweetie Belle now fully understood their intent. Quickly, her horn flared to life levitating a small pocket knife, which Spike had given her, out of her pocket. In one swift motion, she plunged the blade into the colt’s eye socket. He screamed in pain as he clutched the wound. At this time, Sweetie Belle jumped away from him and readied the knife for another strike, when suddenly the second colt tackled her. Immediately after he brought his hoof down onto her cheek.
“Shouldn’t have done that you little bitch.”
“Fuck you,” she replied before she spat in his face.
The Pegasi wiped it away and smiled manically. He then brought the back of his hoof down onto her throat and began to press. Sweetie Belle began to flail and kick to no avail. Frantically she began to look for something to magically throw at the stallion, but it was impossible to move her head. Just as darkness was beginning to fill Sweetie Belle’s vision, she felt the colt release her. The very next thing she saw was red; red covering her, red covering the stallion, and red covering the blade, protruding from his splayed throat.
The stallion gasped through the blood, making a noise similar to someone gargling. The blade was then thrust into his throat once more, though this time the blow was fatal.
She was about to throw the lifeless body off of her, when she felt someone kick him off. She looked up to see Spike offering her a claw. She gladly took it and rose to her hooves.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Sweetie Belle coughed before wrapping her hooves around Spike. Unable to contain her tears, she began to sob onto the dragon’s scales. “Thank you.”
He placed an arm around her. “Come on let’s get the fuck out of here.”
She was about to comply with Spike’s request, when she looked back to see the colt, now with an empty eye socket, crawling away from the scene. Sweetie Belle felt a sensation of pure hate and anger wash over her as she stepped out of Spikes embrace, and over to her pocket knife. She glared at him as she lifted it with her magic and placed her knee directly into his spine.
“Don’t squirm, and it’ll be over sooner,” she said with a cracking voice.
Before the pony could even reply, she drove the blade into the top of his spine, instantly severing his spinal cord. Though after what they tried to do to her, she felt that this wasn’t enough. So she lifted the knife and stabbed him again, again, and again.
She could feel her eyes burning with tears as they mixed with the pony's blood, but she still continued to stab the pony. The only thing that stopped her was Spike, resting a claw upon her shoulder.
“Come on, the sick basterd’s dead. Let’s go.”
----------
Sweetie Belle was the first of the two to get cleaned up. While Spike was in the shower, her mind flooded with thoughts and emotions. She tried her best to cope, but she couldn’t help but cry. Suddenly, she felt her stomach twist into knots, and her mouth fill with saliva. She darted to another bathroom and emptied its contents. As she took a seat next to the toilet, her sobs returned.
“Sweetie Belle?” called Spike.
“In here,” she squeaked between gasps.
As Spike stepped into the bathroom, he was shocked at the horrible scene before him. “Come here,” he said softly.
Carefully, he knelt down and lifted her into his arms. In turn, Sweetie Belle locked her hooves around him.
As Spike laid her upon their bed, she looked up at him and quickly kissed him. “Thank you.”
The dragon smiled as he placed a hand to her unbruised cheek. “Sweetie, you don’t have to thank me. I know you would have done the same.”
She nodded with a smile, however it quickly faded. “He didn’t do anything to me, Spike. I know you were wondering, but don’t worry.”
Spike let out a sigh as he rested his back upon the headboard. But he didn’t exactly know how to reply to that, so instead he took her hoof into his hand.
“Do you think they’ll come for us? The police I mean.”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. The police are spread too thin to investigate murders.”
The unicorn looked down. “Is that what we are? Murders?”
“No, it was self-defense. You know that.”
Sweetie Belle nodded weakly. “I guess, but what we did… I just…” Her eyes began to fill with tears once more.
Spike wrapped his arm around the filly, causing her to lean into him. “Hey, don’t think about it.”
She looked up to him, tears streaming down her face. “But I killed him. He was just trying to get away and I killed him. What’s wrong with me!?”
“Sweetie Belle, that sick son of a bitch had it coming. Odds are you actually saved some pony else.”
“Still, I killed him in cold blood. How is that okay!?”
Spike took in a deep breath. “Because me and you both know what he was going to do. That's how. Now, It’s going to take some time to get past that, but I’ll be here for you every step of the way. I promise.”
Sweetie Belle smiled briefly through her tears. “I love you.”
The dragon placed a kiss atop her head. “I love you too.”
Human nature wise, i find it silly how people would expose themselves to the disease in order to satisfy their own selfish needs. Priorities much?
2788844 I know right.
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
2788955
the hell with that long link
2788844 Prisons will release some inmates at this point.
2789069 Sorry. It was suppose to be a short link.
Basically it was Spock from Star Trek deeming someone's action illogical.
Wondering what Twilight meant about the Martial Law. Did she mean that if things got worse (which they would) that Spike and Sweetie wouldn't be able to head to Ponyville?
Which is more deadly, H7N9 or MERS-CoV? I know about 40 people have died from MERS-CoV, but I can't find anything about H7N9.
2791966
MERS-CoV has killed 40 of a total 70 infected. H7N9 has killed 40 of 131 total. Because of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca next month, as well as person to person transmission, I believe MERS-CoV is the one to watch. Many in the EMS and self reliance circles I move in are concerned about it.
Always found it stupid how ponies turn against one another when Pestilence bucks with all the mortals, fail Poor Sweets, though I'm confused on why Spike would use a knife when he has claws, which are sharper? More to the point...when did Sweets have pockets? And why is Twi still wearing a mask? Gods don't get affected by disease, she should know that, I swear Discord and Chrysails are laughing their heads off at the mortals as Cadence is crying over the death of Shining Armor while her subjects are praying and crying out for their Goddess, their cries unheard, poor Cadence. Damn, this is tragic.
2793187
Thanks! I just have one problem though: H7N9 has apparently spread to Canada! Some guy in Edmonton has it. Or maybe I'm reading the news wrong. At least the guy is 3000 kilometres away from me.
2793275
He previously had the virus, but is no longer contagious. Still says a lot about the ease with which viruses can be spread by international flights. He's also American, FWIW, the flight was diverted because he had a diabetic emergency. Scary stuff.
2793546
Phew!
2790674 Next chapter.
2793244
Knife because he isn't barbaric. She's wearing a coat because it's winter. No one is immune. No, all will fall. No escape.
And I heard as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying come and see and I saw and behold a white horse. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts and I looked and behold a pale horse, and it's name that sat on him was death. And hell followed with him.
... I like Johnny Cash... Yet I'm atheist.
2793187 I don't know. I think MERS may have a lower mortality rate since it only seems to kill the weak. Also I don't think it will suddenly mutate to go person to person. H7N9 on the other hand could jump at any second. Personally I worry that fall may hold a pandemic much worse than the 1918 flu.
Then again, maybe H5N1 will throw us a curve ball and go pandemic, like swine flu did.
2794034
Fair points, and I would suggest to anyone to take the steps necessary to protect themselves and their loves ones. I'd just like to point out that the majority of cases of H7N9 occurred to people who are in close contact with birds/animals. Loving this story by the way, very interested to see how it concludes.
2794327 Good point. And true, but H7N9 managed to mutate closer to a pandemic in 1 month, than H5N1 has in 16 years. All it takes is one mutation for all hell to break loose.
Thanks! I'm thinking about making it a two parter.
2794519
I love this story, yet all it does at the end is scare me.
Damn it. Why do I have to live in Shanghai? This is scaring the daylights out of me. I want to go bug my mom to get some face masks. Well, at least I don't have to care in the summer.
Hi! I have a group called "CMC Romance" where you post stories with any of the CMC in love! Please post your story there if you love this ship as much as I do! P.S. Great story! I'm gonna "like" his one for sure!
2795317 Thanks! But that's the point. A severe pandemic will come and when it does I hope I've helped people take precaution. However, no one can predict when, so you've just got to guess.
Living in China doesn't affect how bad things will be for you. Of course any southeast Asian country or Egypt may experience it first, but regardless of where you are the damage will be the same eventually. And yes you should get masks for at least everyone in your house, they are something everyone should have ready.
saiyanisland.com/test.html
even though you related this to two thing that have really happened the only thing that came to mind when i read the summary info was the black plague in Europe
Kinda reminded me of this
(Waring spoiler for end of winter chapter the last of us)
You have been warned
Even the way both scenes play out is similar did you that on purpose
what the frick is equastrias population? In the show its about 1000 - 1mil max, in the game Equastria at war the pop is 10-30 mil here its just endless.
10845420
I think he was assuming Equestria's population was similar to Earth's.
You know, I remember reading The Manehatten Virus when you first published that story, and before you subsequently took it down. I gotta say, this whole thing feels a lot different than it did before an actual pandemic hit us.
The thing is, unlike earlier chapters, I think this one was overly pessimistic. Because from what I know, there was no increase in crime. Just an increase in hoarders. I don't understand why rape would be more common during a pandemic. If anything, you'd think it'd be less common. Don't want to catch the virus no matter what, why would you risk it?