We do not know with certainty how our doom was wrought, but we have been able to reconstruct some of the details, and create a plausible sequence of events.
The first identified infection in this outbreak was of a pegasus named Fluttershy. She was enthralled by, of all things, a rabbit. Given her timid nature, this would likely have been the end of it, if not for the griffin named Gilda.
During what was essentially a domestic dispute, Gilda was bitten by Fluttershy. Not knowing that she had become a vampire, Gilda fled to the Everfree forest, where she attempted to prey upon the local wildlife, as a healthy griffin would. Unfortunately, she merely infected her would-be prey in turn.
Gilda was eventually cured by Twilight Sparkle, as were almost all infected individuals. Fluttershy could not be cured, as the process would have killed her. The infected rabbits' condition was incompatible with life, and they were allowed to die. Unfortunately, at least one of them must have evaded detection.
We can not be certain of what exactly happened next. Perhaps one of the mangled vampire-rabbits was eaten by an Everfree scavenger. In any case, the infection eventually made its way into the food-chain of the diamond dog packs along the Everfree border.
The diamond dogs, being hierarchical by nature, did not descend into anarchy. Instead, their pack-bonds became stronger than ever. Through raiding and intermarriage, the infection spread through each pack in the region, allowing them to become more powerful than ever. Eventually, their massively-increased gem production came to the attention of the dragons.
The greatest weakness of vampires are fire, followed by physical disintegration. Against dragons, with their firey breath, teeth, and claws, they had no hope. The dragons, feasting on their remains, gained their powers. However, given their fireproof and nearly impenetrable scales, the dragons were immune to the great weaknesses of vampirism.
We are not privy to the details of what happened next, but it seems clear that some of the dragons learned that they could grow in power by consuming the souls of other creatures. A great civil war broke out in the dragon lands, with the victors becoming stronger than ever. After devouring everything in their path, they eventually came to Canterlot.
Despite the aid of Twilight Sparkle and her friends, my sister and I were unable to hold them off. We inflicted grievous losses on their thralls, but the dragons were all but invincible. Eventually, with the city in ruins and countless lives lost, we were able to fight most of them to a standstill. It was then that the dragon Tachylyte attacked them from the rear.
At first, we rejoiced. One of the noble dragons of old had survived, and was aiding us in destroying these foul abominations! Alas, this was not the case. Tachylyte had been infected long ago. He had engineered the attack on Canterlot as a mere distraction, allowing him to devour his more powerful competitors. Having gained their power, the treacherous beast began to declaim:
Existentialism is possibly the most onerous imposition of life. The need to ask why, to find some explanation. Nevertheless, despite the perfections granted me, I remain a dragon, and so must suffer under the cacophony of questions in my brain. And so I send out this final message to attempt to answer some of the questions you will have.
Why did I lead my fellows to their doom here on this arid mountain-top? Why have I submitted myself to the power of the immortal creatures who have risen from its caves? How could I turn my back on the civilization that has given this world so much?
The answer is simple. I have done everything in the name of purity.
Before my memories and emotions were reassembled in this more perfect form some fifteen moons ago, I had spent a draconic lifetime studying civilization in all its forms. The sum of my work can be put thus: all life exists in discord. War and strife affect all known societies and all species spend their existences competing with others for limited resources. From the cries of an infant for the maternal teat to the wretched stench of the aged dying in their own filth, life is a series of squabbles and ugly messes.
There is an alternative. There exists a state in which all conflict is resolved and all is cold and silent. There are no wants, no wars, no squabbles. You may call this state death if you wish, but that is a misnomer. Death is but the ending of life, and that is only a means to an end. That end is purity, the time when all is still and unchanging.
Our world began in purity and it will return to that blessed state. Hastening that return is the great work of the perfected beings I have awoken and who have made me their own.
You have tried to undo our great work. You have spread your vile, unclean selves across the planet, making a mockery of the beautiful silence we had wrought. It was all in vain.
Rejoice, for we have returned, and your days are at an end.
-- Fragmentary text found in the ruins of Canterlot
[With apologies to the writers for Dawn of War - Dark Crusade]
We do not know with certainty how our doom was wrought, but we have been able to reconstruct some of the details, and create a plausible sequence of events.
The first identified infection in this outbreak was of a pegasus named Fluttershy. She was enthralled by, of all things, a rabbit. Given her timid nature, this would likely have been the end of it, if not for the griffin named Gilda.
During what was essentially a domestic dispute, Gilda was bitten by Fluttershy. Not knowing that she had become a vampire, Gilda fled to the Everfree forest, where she attempted to prey upon the local wildlife, as a healthy griffin would. Unfortunately, she merely infected her would-be prey in turn.
Gilda was eventually cured by Twilight Sparkle, as were almost all infected individuals. Fluttershy could not be cured, as the process would have killed her. The infected rabbits' condition was incompatible with life, and they were allowed to die. Unfortunately, at least one of them must have evaded detection.
We can not be certain of what exactly happened next. Perhaps one of the mangled vampire-rabbits was eaten by an Everfree scavenger. In any case, the infection eventually made its way into the food-chain of the diamond dog packs along the Everfree border.
The diamond dogs, being hierarchical by nature, did not descend into anarchy. Instead, their pack-bonds became stronger than ever. Through raiding and intermarriage, the infection spread through each pack in the region, allowing them to become more powerful than ever. Eventually, their massively-increased gem production came to the attention of the dragons.
The greatest weakness of vampires are fire, followed by physical disintegration. Against dragons, with their firey breath, teeth, and claws, they had no hope. The dragons, feasting on their remains, gained their powers. However, given their fireproof and nearly impenetrable scales, the dragons were immune to the great weaknesses of vampirism.
We are not privy to the details of what happened next, but it seems clear that some of the dragons learned that they could grow in power by consuming the souls of other creatures. A great civil war broke out in the dragon lands, with the victors becoming stronger than ever. After devouring everything in their path, they eventually came to Canterlot.
Despite the aid of Twilight Sparkle and her friends, my sister and I were unable to hold them off. We inflicted grievous losses on their thralls, but the dragons were all but invincible. Eventually, with the city in ruins and countless lives lost, we were able to fight most of them to a standstill. It was then that the dragon Tachylyte attacked them from the rear.
At first, we rejoiced. One of the noble dragons of old had survived, and was aiding us in destroying these foul abominations! Alas, this was not the case. Tachylyte had been infected long ago. He had engineered the attack on Canterlot as a mere distraction, allowing him to devour his more powerful competitors. Having gained their power, the treacherous beast began to declaim:
-- Fragmentary text found in the ruins of Canterlot
[With apologies to the writers for Dawn of War - Dark Crusade]
Commence read.
Well, that got Pinkie Pie to relent some.
To await the morning, until then, Dash's next round.
Is the story dead?
Wait, Fluttershy hypnotized Pinkie Pie in the last story, so why didn't she leave them alone when she told her to?