Spike takes care of Twilight the best he can. She's sick, but he knows she'll get better and everything will get back to normal. But first, he needs to feed her.

Thanks to my editors Cerulean Voice and Soundslikeponies for all their wonderful help!

Pinkie bounces into the throne room of Twilight's new castle, invites her over to Sugarcube Corner, and reveals some dark secrets that make Twilight reevaluate everything she ever thought she knew about Equestria, its princesses, and its ponies.

Written for the More Most Dangerous Game Contest, this story didn't reach the finals.

parasite [ˈpærəˌsaɪt]
noun
An animal or plant that lives in or on another (the host) from which it obtains nourishment. The host does not benefit from the association and is often harmed by it. In the case of some parasites they can take over the host body, controlling or morphing it to suite their inherent needs. Parasites are transmitted through many means: contact with an infected host, the sharing of liquids, and, in some cases, parasites may even hunt their intended prey.

Edited by:
Burraku_Pansa
and Millennial Dan

Cover art by:
finaglerific

As Featured on Equestria Daily:
http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/05/story-of-parasites.html