Many books layered the floor of the library as Twilight scoured the shelves for the information she required. "There has to be a book on strange magic's or something in here which will describe Dash's problem." she said to herself.
Her faithful assistant Spike was also on the look for anything leading to this mystery. The search was furious as ever even when they were interrupted as a pink pony came charging through the door screaming frantically.
"TWILIGHT!" Pinkie was yelling at the top of her voice.
The unicorn turned quickly, seeing the exhausted pony “What is it Pinkie Pie, Is there something wrong?"
Pinkie was breathing heavily; she took a deep breath and began talking quietly. "There is something wrong with Dashie."
Twilight eyes widened ‘Did Dash do something bad?’ she thought to herself.
She walked towards the pink pony to ask some questions about Dash. "What happened with Dash?"
Pinkie begun by sitting down on the wooden floor, she collected herself then begun to explain. "Well it started when Dash walked into Sugarcube Corner, she wanted something to eat so I gave her a cupcake, but she didn't like it!" she expressed with her hooves.
The unicorn was sort of relieved, it wasn’t anything serious. She questioned Pinkie’s usual but strange statement "Are you sure the cupcake wasn't bad or something."
Pinkie stared at Twilight confused by Twilight’s “It was fine, I ate the cake after and it was delicious."
The unicorn sighed and turned to her books once again. She listed the mental note with the others. "So she maybe had a change in her diet as well."
Pinkie was surprised and confused. She questioned her “As well?"
"Yes, she came to me in the morning about something's that happened, was there anything else?"
Pinkie looked as if she was in deep thought, "Well, she began to walk out when I saw that her cutie mark was different, did you know that!"
"I knew that already Pinkie, was there anything else?"
"But after is what was scary, she collapsed and was making violent movements, she also look in pain."
Twilight stopped and turned to her abruptly, running up face to face with Pinkie. "She was making violent movements, is she alright?!"
"I came to see if you knew what was happening."
"Well where is she now!?" Twilight questioned.
A voice came from the door, "Where is who?"
Both the ponies looked to the door to see Rainbow Dash. Her hair was messier than usual and her eyes had the unnatural yellow once again.
"DASH!" Pinkie called out and ran to hug her "Your alright!"
Rainbow just accepted Pinkies gesture but was here for Twilight.
She let go and wandered towards the unicorn "Twilight, I'm sorry about before, I should of listened to you before." Dash apologised whilst looking at the ground.
Twilight looked at her and accepted the apology "its ok Rainbow Dash, your here now and that's what matters."
As Dash went to sit on a chair, the sounds of rapid steps down the stairs came, it was Spike. He ran down the stairs holding a book. "Twilight, I think i know what's wrong!"
Twilight jumped with happiness, she grabbed the book with telekinesis and put it on the pedestal. She read "Creatures of Equestria: Volume 3, Mystery creatures?"
She was confused with Spikes find, what would a book on mysterious creatures have to do with this. "Spike, can you explain how this helps?"
As the other ponies gathered around the book, Spike explained "You know I'm the one for supernatural stuff, which I know you don't exactly believe in but I think this actually might be true."
Twilight sighed but listened intently to the dragon’s words.
"Well turn to page 16 and see."
Twilight did so, and it was an interesting concept. The title at the top told of the creature "Marewolves."
"Marewolves!?" Pinkie and Dash both exclaimed.
She turned abruptly to Spike, "Marewolves don't exist Spike, just like zombie ponies as well."
But Spike didn't back down, he knew something was right about his theory. "Just read Twilight, you will see my reasoning."
The unicorn thought back about one of her lessons she was taught, 'never judge a book by its cover', well in this case a page. She began to read the first lines "Marewolves are one of the most mysterious creatures known to ponykind. They were a strange creature which roamed the forest during the dark ages of pony existence, but are presumed extinct. Their isn't much evidence to back up their existence but many believe they still exist to this very day."
Dash questioned spike, "What does this have to do with me?"
Spike just asked Twilight to keep reading.
"Marewolves are supposably a doglike creature as big as a pony and are very aggressive, known to actually kill ponies!"
Dash thought, 'Doglike creatures, like the ones from my dream'.
"According to studies, Marewolves originate from a strange spell created by the great Malthazar, a powerful unicorn, the spell changed those which it was casted on, it changed them into these bloodthirsty creatures!"
There was a long silence in the room, could it be true. Is Dash becoming this crazed creature described here? Dash broke the silence finally, "WHAT, HOW CAN THAT BE TRUE!" she yelled.
Everypony in the room turned to Dash. "It could be true." Twilight slowly said.
Spike spoke out, "Read more Twilight and that could prove my point."
The unicorn turned to the book and begun again. "This spell went out of control and affected some ponies, which turned into these creatures, but the spell was far worse than anticipated, if someone survived a bite from the creature were doomed to become this menacing creature."
The attention turned to Dash once more, she looked shocked and scared. "That can’t be true at all, can it Twilight?" she questioned.
"Well, there are spells for shape shifting that do exist, maybe this might be true." she pondered on her answer.
Spike spoke out once more, "Read the symptoms on the next page."
Twilight turned the page, wondering if this could be true. "Marewolf symptoms: A pony suffering from Marewolfism may show certain symptoms, strange nightmares, Loss of appetite, physical changes and allergy to silver."
The list was complete; Dash had all the known symptoms. There was only one way to be sure if Spikes theory was correct. Pinkie picked up a silver bowl, "So if Dash touches this silver and nothing happens, then your theory will be wrong, right?" Pinkie asked.
"Technically yes." She looked at Dash. "Dash, if this theory is true-"
The pegasus was in the corner of the room shaking in terror just as she did when she had her nervous breakdown in Cloudsdale. She was shaking uncontrollably and they could see the fear in her eyes. "Here we go." Pinkie said.
She stepped towards Dash holding the bowl in her mouth, the tension in the room was frustrating, everyone wanted to know the answer. As Pinkie approached Dash cautiously, there was a loud knock on the door which broke the nervous air.
The voice was deep and menacing "I'm looking for Rainbow Dash!"