//------------------------------//
// Epilogue: The Other Side 
// Story: Apologies 
// by Filet Mignon 
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The evening sun sat in the horizon. Given the current circumstances, though, the day-and-night cycle would no longer function, its operators having long since succumbed to infection. Thus, the orange rays persisted, hours and even days later, providing Equestria's inhabitants just enough light to make out a set of teeth before meeting one's demise - if there were even any ponies left. In fact, every Equestrian kingdom had long since fallen, joining the ranks of infected ponies in their attempt to end the world.
It had begun with a single pony, pale and sickly but otherwise unnoticed, who had shambled out of the mirror, stumbling out of the Castle of Friendship and down to the ground without being spotted, ultimately dooming the pony world to the same fate as its human version. Had human Twilight still been in the mood for research, she might have marveled at the infected pony's ability to spread its wings and fly to the ground, albiet at a weak and unsteady pace. Despite its slow landing, though, the pony made it to the center square of Ponyville, approaching a group of four fillies who happily hummed a tune together. Around them, several groups of ponies mingled, bartered, and worked, unaware of the infected pony.
"Hello, mister!" the pegasus of the group began. "Can we help you?" She stood proudly, glancing over to his flank. "We usually work with 'blank flanks,' and you don't seem to be in need of our services."
Silently, it continued walking forward.
Confused, the girls all stared amongst each other. However, they persisted in the conversation, and the yellow one stepped up close, waving a hoof in its face. "Hello? Mister, are you alright?"
Its answer was to bite down - hard.



And thus, the National Magic Foundation's virus had transcended worlds, bringing the pony world's Equestria to its knees. With the infection of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, panicked passersby would join them. Ponyville would fall, and the immediate cities surrounding it would follow suit at a shockingly fast rate. Twilight, informed of the incident, raced over to the Crystal Mirror, book in hand. Guards, supplemented from the now-unresponsive Crystal Empire, had managed to secure the room, killing any nearby infected and even securing the surrounding area around the Wondercolts Statue on the other side of the portal. As the purple mare approached, a lieutenant saluted before briefing her on the situation. 
Shocked by their findings, she returned her attention to the book she had brought along. Opening it, she grabbed a quill from a nearby table and began writing. She stopped, staring at the page with pursed lips. Luckily, a response formed on the paper, so she continued writing. However, looking over at the Crystal Mirror, a fiery-haired mare appeared from the reflective surface. Initially, she was met with swords and spears, but the princess ordered them down, running over to her friend and embracing her.
Taking her up to the throne room, they joined three of the remaining Elements of Harmony as they discussed the events in both worlds, from the beginning of the epidemic in Ponyville to the manufacturing of the virus by the princess's human counterpart, the latter topic having been revealed through a quick text to a group chat shared with the amber mare. It would be the last form of correspondence from the researcher, which was especially distressing for the purple pony, but her friends were sure to comfort her. Unknowing of the future broadcast, they assured her that the human version of her would likely find a way to cure the virus on their end. Eventually, the status of all their counterparts was questioned, but the grim look on the amber mare said enough. Conversely, she asked about the whereabouts of the two earth ponies of the friend group.
Like she, they couldn't find the words to explain.
Despite this, the princess was determined to save the rest of the surviving ponies, perhaps even conjuring a sort of cure. She called for the lieutenant, ordering for a group to be dispatched to the Everfree Forest. If magic would prove fruitless, perhaps the zebra inhabitant could find an alchemical alternative.
Unfortunately, an expectedly-short trip became an hour long. Then, it became uncertain that the soldiers would return. Finally, it was improbable.
This time, the princess requested a group of pegasi to fly over the zebra's home, but only three ponies could be requisitioned, any other winged allies having been deployed elsewhere or long since infected. She considered dismissing this option, but her rainbow-haired friend chimed in, offering to join them. After all, she was the self-proclaimed fastest flier in all of Equestria - especially at this point - so provided the soldiers offer protection as needed, she could swoop down and grab the alchemist without a scratch.
The thought of willingly sending a Element of Harmony out into potential harm made the princess's stomach flip, but they were out of options. The Elements were useless without the cowgirl and the baker, so the only way to end this nightmare would be for everypony to contribute. Reluctantly, she agreed, but the pegasus, noticing her friend's immense concern, flashed a toothy grin. Outwardly, she was projected all the confidence in the world, dismissing any notion of danger.
After all, it was all she could do to keep herself from falling apart inside.
Somewhat relieved by the blue mare's words, the remaining ponies convened for a group hug, bidding the pegasus farewell.
It was truly a farewell.



Although the guards had continued to keep the Crystal Mirror and the Wonderbolts Statue secure, such could not be said for the rest of Ponyville. By now, the city had almost entirely succumbed to the virus, the roads filled with infected individuals wandering aimlessly for a fresh pony to bite. Outside the castle, the checkpoint that had once been overwhelmed with frantic survivors seeking safety was now overrun with infected ponies. Those that had sought refuge in the lower levels now sought flesh, and their targets were just up the stairs, running for room containing the Crystal Mirror.
On their way, Twilight Sparkle and the remaining guards ran past countless infected, taking out any that stood in the way. The princess, hardened from the loss of all her friends, indiscriminately used her magic to destroy ponies. Whether it be freezing, immolation, or a pure shot through the head, the mare had perfected her aim, far eclipsing the shaky shot her human counterpart was.
Still, Twilight from the other side of the portal was necessary for this Twilight's plan. After assuming the infection of her zebra friend, the purple mare had determined that magic was the only way to engineer a cure. After all, if magic had started the virus, it could most definitely end it. However, despite having nearly all the knowledge in the world, it was still only referring to the pony world, meaning there were aspects of magic that only the human Twilight knew.
Eventually, the princess and her guards arrived, ordering a soldier to protect the door, holding it closed if need be. The only alternative was a window, but regardless of the guards, the alicorn would be able to easily escape. Twilight approached the portal, gasping at the sight of infected soldiers shambling towards the mirror before disappearing through. Running up to the reflective surface, the mare winced at the flashes of light projected from the mirror's surface, eventually revealing the now-human guards dropping to a bloody pile in front of a group of other humans. They were not dressed in ornate metal like the ponies, instead obscured by outfits that protected their whole bodies along with grey masks further covering their faces. The weapons, while foreign to the pony world, were recognized by the princess as firearms, indicating to her that they may be able to provide additional protection. Excited, she took a step forward.
"How do you want to do it?"
Twilight paused, intrigued by their conversation.
"Want to just shoot it?"
The princess froze.
"Sure." The two humans held their rifles towards the statue, indirectly aiming at the purple mare. Eyes widening, she began to run towards the mirror.
One of them chuckled. "Y'know, I went to Crystal Prep, so this'll feel real good."
"No!" she screamed, reaching out with a hoof as she dove for the portal. Making contact with the mirror, Twilight felt resistance, falling to the ground and looking up to meet her reflection.
It was not the Twilight that she needed. It was not the Twilight that Equestria needed. There would be no cure, and there was nothing she could do about it.
With a shout, a guard fell over as infected ponies piled onto the door, toppling it and crushing the stallion beneath. The alicorn watched as soldier after soldier fought to protect her, but it was her own inaction that ensured their deaths. Escaping out the window was no longer a consideration. The only true escape was to join those she had failed.
The reflection staring back at her was the Twilight everypony in the room wanted, and she could do nothing but oblige.
"I'm sorry, Equestria," she whispered.