Subject 1
-CLASSIFIED-
For Canterlot Medical Research Only
Patient Name: Rarity Belle - Subject 1
Primary Physician: Dr. Quest Colton PhD
Date Range of Anomalous Affliction: 12/12/1523 A.B. (After Banishment) - 02/21/1524 A.B.
Case Summary:
This case involves one of Equestria’s Saviors: The Bearer of the Element of Generosity, Rarity Belle; age 546. An inexplicably, highly infectious affliction with rapid onset and extreme mortality rate was first reported, observed, and ineffectively treated. The following data logs have been compiled for research purposes in an effort to find a cure.
Observation Notes - Hoofsday, 30th of Jennetuary, 48 days after the end of the Reign of Friendship
Dr. Colton received troubling news today about a potentially unknown illness suffered by the patient subsequently known as “Subject 1”. At the doctor’s request, a medical professional was dispatched to the subject’s place of residence in Ponyville for a detailed observation. Upon arrival, Subject 1’s demeanor was overall pleasant, albeit melancholy. She seemed fully cognizant, and in control of her mental faculties.
Attached is Subject 1’s initial recorded interview and photographs provided by Subject 1 or Nurse Gentle Heart:
“I am Nurse Gentle Heart, sent for observation on behalf of Dr. Colton. I am here with the patient, Rarity Belle, recording this interaction for future analysis. It is my understanding you have had a strange affliction recently occur to you which you sought medical assistance for. Could you please describe in your own words what that affliction is?”
…
“Ma’am?”
“Oh! You’re ready? Does that little red light mean it’s ready?”
“Yes ma’am. If you could please describe the issue in detail…”
“Oh, I am terribly sorry, I’m not so familiar with all the new ‘gadgetry’ of the world. Seems there’s always some new-fangled thing ponies are touting around with. Twilight used to try and explain them to us…”
“Patient’s demeanor exhibits sadness.”
“You don’t say? Anything else obvious you would like to point out?”
“I’m sorry, ma’am, I’m only keeping as concise a record as possible.”
“Yes I’m sad. I’m devastated! We all are! But I hardly think this… issue is related to that fact. Sadness has nothing to do with THIS!”
“Patient is indicating to her back left flank where it appears that blue gemstones are protruding from within, and around, her cutie mark. May I?”
“If you must.”
“Upon closer inspection, these stones are cool, smooth, and firm to the touch, not unlike the gemstone called sapphire. They appear to be growths coming from within, rather than lodged into the fur externally. A gentle tug of the skin around the growths reveals more gemstone hidden just beneath. I apologize if I’ve caused you discomfort.”
“That’s the thing. There isn’t really any… pain anymore, per say. And, truth be told, this wasn’t the first er… anomaly I discovered.”
“Please detail for me that occurrence and timeline to the best of your recollection.”
“Well, It was a week or so after we lost our dear Princess that I discovered something… strange. You see, I was looking for just the right outfit to wear to the funeral when I discovered an old piece I had once made for Twilight when she was rather more… normal pony size, if you will. I knew how much she loved that dress, and that with a little more black accents it would be the perfect way to honor her. Trouble is, I was completely out of onyx, and you simply cannot accent a funeral dress in a bright colored gemstone! No sooner than I became distraught did I feel a piercing pain right here in my forehoof!”
“Patient is indicating to the front right forehoof just above the knee. Upon closer inspection, no abnormalities can be observed. I do not see any scarring or bruising. ”
“Well, they don’t exactly bleed. At least, not blood. The first one though, the one that came from this loose bit of fur here, it looked like a bruise at first. My skin was taut and blackened, and the sensation…. Well, there are no words to describe it. I couldn’t move my hoof at all without a seering, sharp pain! I cried out but… there was no pony to hear it. All of my staff had already been excused for the day. I knew a specific salve I owned might ease the pain, but that meant moving to get up the stairs and retrieve it. I decided to sprint for it, so there would only be a single burst of agony, to get it over with you see. The problem was, I was a tad clumiser than I anticipated and my hoof collided into my desk, the lump bursting upon impact!”
“Patient is moving her hooves in a 'burst’ motion.”
“It was awful, DISGUSTING! Truly, wholly, vile. I expected blood in surges, but instead, a modest pile of onyx gemstones was dislodged from INSIDE ME. They were followed by a gushing shimmery gray ooze. I was aghast! My stomach churned so violently I almost doubled over right then and there. I was shaking, scared to inhale a breath for fear of its putrid stench. But when I inevitably took that breath, I didn’t smell a difference in the air. Curious, I even leaned in closer to take a sniff: nothing. In that moment I realized that once the little devils were out, the pain had instantly vanished too. After sitting there stunned for some time, I counted the dislodged stones and realized I had just enough for my gown… almost like a strange answer to prayer. I went to tend to the wound, but when I wiped the excess gray liquid away my hoof seemed perfectly intact. There was no open sore at all! The only indication that it had happened was from a slight looseness of the skin being overstretched. Over the course of time, that has mostly faded too.”
“Had you been performing any strange spells, or taken any abnormal potions at the time?”
“None! I am well aware of the spells I conjure, or the magic I ingest. The only magic I used that day was soothing salves and creams, but I’d been using them for years! Even so… I had that exact thought too, and threw them all away immediately, just in case.”
“I’m going to need a list of those said creams and salves and where you procured them from. You indicated this happened roughly four weeks ago, so I assume the originals are long gone now. When was the next incident?”
“Well, I must admit… I’ve had several. Too many to count. You see, I discovered after that first incident that every time I pictured a specific gemstone in my mind, it would appear somewhere on me. Now, this might be a tad macabre but… Sometimes we must do things to ease the pain, mustn't we? Once the gem lump formed, I would carefully… er… ‘puncture’ the skin to extract the gem before it became too painful…. Don’t give me that look! Pain is entirely subjective. You don’t know what you would have done in my situation! I certainly don’t need your judgment. Besides, that didn't last too long. After the third or fourth gem, the pain eased, almost completely. Perhaps I was just used to it, I’m not sure. The oozing was also a bit different in color depending on the gem I… created? Still no blood, however. Somehow I had turned myself into my own gem mine! It was so exciting for a creative pony such as myself to realize I did not need to bother my underlings to fetch certain stones. I’ve saved a bundle, too! All of these garments have these miraculous gems sewn into their design!”
“Patient is showcasing her fashion wares hanging on displays, or hangers, around the boutique. I can observe several hundred gemstones just upon first glance alone...”
“No need to sound so disgusted… or horrified? Either way, until a few days ago, this was a wonderful gift! It still is, but… well, as you can plainly see, I believe I’m getting a little more than I can bargain for. These sapphires here on my cutie marks refuse to break away. I’ve tried chiseling at them, and I can get little flecks here and there, but they never truly leave. It feels like if I manage to excavate one, three more take its place, stronger than ever! When I said I had become my own mine, I didn’t expect the gemstones to behave similarly! They still don’t hurt, but look how atrocious and lumpy I look! I cannot wear ANYTHING without it being bothersome. So, rather than lose my figure forever to this blessing… maybe a slight curse, I’ve sought medical advice.”
“If I may be frank, ma’am, it is my professional opinion that you should accompany me back to Canterlot General at once! We need to conduct some testing right away.”
“Must I? I have so much work left to do, darling. Fashion week is only 3 months away and I’m already falling behind schedule.”
“Ma’am, this is something I have never seen before in my many years in this profession. I strongly urge you to reconsider.”
“... Oh alright. A magic cleanse or two will probably solve the issue anyway. I can sacrifice a day or two. Tops.”
Patient was admitted to Canterlot General.
Data Log - Hoofsday, 6th of Foaluary, 7th day of the hospital stay
Procedure(s) performed: Fifth magical cleansing
Result: No current rejuvenative effect
Additional Test Results: Initial blood tests have proven inconclusive of evidence for abnormality.
Subject Notes:
Dr. Colton examined the subject today and found five more growing gem pustules located in the following areas:
Left shoulder
Underbelly
Base of the horn
And two more protrusions on the left flank.
Attached is Subject 1’s second recorded interview with the Subject’s primary nurse: Nurse Gentle Heart.
“Hello Ma’am, how are you feeling today?”
“How am I feeling? Horrendous that’s how! I came to YOU for help, and since doing so, things have only gotten WORSE! I don’t know what you’ve been doing to me, but it has to stop! NOW!”
“I assure you, ma’am, the doctor and his staff are working tirelessly to--”
“THEY’RE EVERYWHERE! I haven’t had a single thought about conjuring one since being admitted but still they grow! Look here! The one under my hoof, see how it’s protruding? I can’t even WALK anymore without it making my stride awkward. And don’t think I don't hear the snickering. ‘Oh look Miss Rarity bumbling around and raging like a lunatic! Look how funny she walks!’ Disgraceful! All of you!”
“Ma’am… we are a professional place of healing and any staff who have ever said--”
“Oh you aren’t even LISTENING! That was just an example, you moronic twit. I don’t have to HEAR the words to know they’re thinking them. I want OUT, you hear? OUT! You fix this mess you made and you let me go at once!”
“I will try to expedite the process as quickly as possible, but I do have a list of questions the doctor would like me to--”
“Look! Look what you all have done! Come see!”
“...The subject is ushering me to her bed and hyper-extending her left eyelid open, pointing to it with her right hoof.”
“See it? Another one! Just behind my eye! I can FEEL it! You have to stop this NOW or… I don’t even want to THINK what could happen! Go get me the doctor, right this instant!”
“But if I could--”
“NOW! I WANT TO SEE–”
This was the end of the recording.
Observation Notes - Trotsday, 8th of Foaluary, 9th day of hospital stay
Subject 1 caused a disturbance last night. After a routine patient check, Subject 1 managed to elude hospital staff and leave her room. A scalpel was procured from a restricted supply room and she returned to her room unnoticed. Staff was alerted when terrible screaming came from the Subject’s room. Subject 1 had barricaded her door and was attempting to insert the scalpel into the gemstone growth under her left eyelid.
Security camera footage showed Subject 1 on her bed, while the supplementary bed had been pushed up against the entrance, along with other hospital furniture and equipment. In the attached footage, the subject is observed to be smiling and crying simultaneously while rocking back and forth in a semi-fetal position. Although there was a lack of audio in the security camera footage, a night nurse was able to record the last words of the subject’s individualized assault before orderlies accessed the room and restrained her.
Attached is the recorded audio from this event:
“I feel it! I CAN FEEL IT! I almost got it! Haha… yes… YES! There’s another chunk! It’s coming out! I can do it myself! It doesn’t even hurt! Hahahaha! cough cough. Oh I… I think I pushed it inward… oh sweet Luna I think I’m… I think it’s… (vomitting sound, followed by dry laughter.) There. There now, that wasn’t so bad.”
Subject 1 has been moved to the maximum security wing of the hospital to receive round-the-clock surveillance. She seemed unaware that her left eye was hanging loose from its socket with visible trauma from the previous night’s incident. When examined, traces of a bluish liquid were found within the exposed eye socket. A sample was taken for testing. The subject did not engage in conversation with any hospital staff.
Data Log - Stallionday, 11th of Foaluary, 12th day of hospital stay
Procedure(s) performed: Surgical removal of left eye
Result: N/A
Additional Test Results: Bluish liquid sample result delayed. The initial testing facility was unable to come to any conclusive results. The sample was sent to another facility for re-testing.
Subject Notes:
Staff members have reported difficulty in managing and treating Subject 1. Common complaints include: heightened, long-lasting anger; a raised volume/pitch in her voice when speaking to staff; and short, curt responses to questions with the inclusion of foul language.
Subject was restrained when she threw her breakfast tray at an orderly. This is a temporary precaution as instructed by Dr. Colton.
Subject 1 will be undergoing the long overdue surgical removal of the loose left eye. Due to hostility and her insistence to “fix it herself,” Dr. Colton has insisted the patient be sedated in anticipation of the procedure.
Observation Notes - Maresday, 12th of Foaluary, 13th day of hospital stay
Subject 1 is still recovering from surgery. Dr. Colton has instructed staff to interact with the subject unsedated. Unsubstantiated growth has occurred since the procedure’s conclusion. Sapphires protruding from the eye socket have grown another three inches, opening the socket further and marring most of the left side of the face. The sapphire count at this time is 142 distinct gemstones in 57 different places on the body, refer to the attached chart for exact locations.
Subject is now unable to walk as gemstones are protruding from beneath all four of her hooves. Staff have been instructed to start filing down these particular gemstones, but have been advised not to attempt to dislodge any remaining stones, for fear of organ and muscle entanglement.
Extra caution is strongly advised for this procedure. Nurse Jolly Hope was admitted for lung irritation from breathing in the gemstone particles. Oxygen masks are now mandatory for all interactions with the Subject.
Data Log - Flanksday, 16th of Foaluary, 17th day of hospital stay
Procedure(s) performed: Attempted gemstone removals
Result: N/A - Subject 1 resisted and refused the procedure
Additional Test Results: The bluish liquid test results received from the Equestrian Institute of Rockology. Results indicate that the sample consists of millions of microscopic gemstone fragments, giving it the illusion of a liquid substance. Dr. Colton rejected this result and is re-submitting additional samples to several external testing facilities.
Subject Notes:
Subject 1 insists she is “too ugly” to be seen by staff and continues to fight against any procedure.
Current sapphire count is 267 distinct stones.
16 additional stones of varying colors found, breaking from the traditional blue.
In the last 24 hours, Subject 1’s fur has rapidly shed in its entirety. No immediate causation can be determined without further testing.
According to nursing staff, Subject 1 has not eaten any meals in three days. When attempting to insert an emergency I.V. of liquid nutrients, the skin was found to be impenetrable, by needle or blade. The skin is firm to the touch, and stone-like in resistance.
A biopsy of a skin sample from the left forehoof was also expedited with the resubmitted testing samples.
Observation Notes - Canterday, 17th of Foaluary, 18th day of hospital stay
This unscheduled audio recording took place from 12:44 P.M. to 1:58 P.M. When recovered, the recorder was covered in an unidentified multicolored goo-like substance, partially corrupting the tape. The following clip was the only salvaged audio from said incident:
“This is Nurse Gentle Heart. What we are hearing right now is coming from Subject 1. For the past 12 minutes, the subject has been violently regurgitating gem-like substances… [Audio distortion]
Sweet mercy… [Audio distortion]
It’s alright! The doctor is coming! He’s coming! [Audio distortion]
My eye! It’s in my eye!
Get him out of here! Don’t touch the-- [Audio distortion]
…this much, it’s unprecedented! And she’s still going?! I-- [Audio distortion]
BLOCK THE DOOR! GET ME THOSE RAGS, IT’S SEEPING THROUGH! [Audio distortion]
Miss? Miss can you hear me? Rarity!?
She’s not responding! Where is Dr. Colton?! [Tape click]
Following the incident, Dr. Colton ordered Subject 1’s hospital room to be quarantined from all staff. Temporary biohazard barriers were put in place to keep all hazardous material from leaving the infected area. A Hazmat crew has been contacted; their earliest open appointment is in one week.
Security footage from 12:30 P.M. until 2:30 P.M. was discovered missing. An internal investigation has been launched, and recovery measures are being made. As of the completion of this log, there has been no success locating or recovering this footage.
Observation Notes - Withersday, 21st of Foaluary
The following is a recorded statement from Miss Gentle Heart during her exit interview.
“It was horrible. I… I don’t think I’ll ever be able to unsee it. It wasn’t just coming from her mouth. It… it was coming out of everywhere it just… [audible upset whimper/cry]. We couldn’t do anything! We tried, we truly did! Most of us weren’t even in our proper hazmat suits, the ones Dr. Colton instructed us to wear! I heard one of the orderlies was already admitted… I think he got it in his eye. It was so much thicker than the first sample, and with multiple colors. Somepony said it was liquid crystals, I didn’t believe them at first but… I saw it. I saw the room. I couldn’t help myself! We’d just left her in there for three days, and there wasn’t a single peep! We’re medical professionals, dammit! We’re supposed to HELP ponies, not sequester them and starve them out! Yes… I forged Dr. Colton’s signature, but it was the only way anypony would let me into that room. [starts crying] She was there, only… it wasn’t her. A gemstone a… crystal crudely pony-like in shape, curled onto the floor in a fetal position like some kind of sculpture. No fur, no mane, no tail, just… rock. But I saw a horn, and a slab of stone with that same kind of mane and tail twirl. That’s not all, though. The room. It… it was covered. I expected to find some kind of ooze or goop, maybe even solidified into a mush but there wasn’t any of that at all! You know those cracked-open geodes that ponies sometimes collect? It was like a whole room of that! The bed, the equipment, hell, even the camera! Some of them were 3, 4 feet long! Just cluster after cluster of these horrible crystal gemstone abominations.
I don’t regret my decision to try and help her. Maybe some part of me is glad I’m being fired from a place that would abandon one of Equestria’s saviors to this fate. I would have no regrets at all but… I think I'm at a point where I can't keep this to myself any longer. I really need somepony to examine this. I touched the crystals on Rarity’s flank, bare hooved, a month ago in that first interview. And now… see? A lump? Maybe I’m just paranoid because of everything I’ve seen or maybe… [frightened whimper or cry] And all those dresses? All those customers? Has anypony checked on them?? Sweet Twilight… what are we gonna do?”
Nurse Gentle Heart was thereafter admitted to Canterlot General. Her records were sealed and are unavailable for this report.
Although the data is still inconclusive, we are awaiting the test results from Subject 1’s biopsy. At this stage of the outbreak, we have compiled 248 case studies of ponies experiencing similar symptoms.
Staff is limited in resources due to the difficulty of the remaining subjects. Containing Subject 3 and Subject 4 and locating Subject 2 is a top priority. Emergency Staff has been instructed to turn away patients beyond our help.
Subject 5 is currently cooperative and under observation of Dr. Colton, herself. Subject 5 shows no deterioration compared to the others, and continues to ask about the whereabouts of Subject 1.
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Ooh! Very interesting!! I would love to read a full story in this au!
A couple tiny nit-picks, if I may:
1. The first one infected by a virus in a situation like this is usually referred to as Patient Zero (though you can obviously call it whatever you want).
2. You describe the first spot the gems appear on Rarity as being on her "forehoof, just above the knee". It would technically be the "foreleg", since "forehoof" would be the hoof itself and nothing else.
Hope it's okay that I pointed that out! I really like this story and would love to read more! Great fic!
I'm pretty drawn in already. I look forward to seeing more!
Will there ever be a full story in this AU?
I'm wondering how twilight died
I'm guessing that each of the Mane 6 are afflicted with a disease connected to their special talent.
Magpie!
This will be a nice story to read later!
Well aint this horrifyingly squeamish work of art.
Holy 💩, that was freaky. In a good way. I'm glad that I found this on the Featured page. Awesome cover art. I hope there will be more stories in this AU soon.
11863684
"Do the forelimbs of quadrupeds have forearms?" is actually a really good anatomical question.
11863817
Overexpressed supernatural traits, sometimes to the point of debilitation or at least detriment, is always a fascinating thing to see.
11863916
I was going to speculate that AJ's might be connected to overwork-but that's already been done. (Apple Sleep Experiment, anypony?)
As someone suffering from chronic psoriasis (my current medication helps a lot), this story reminded me of times I try not to think about too much.
Going off the title and the advanced age of Rarity (and by proxy, the rest of the remaining Mane Six), I'm guessing Twilight did something sciencey and/or magical to give them the same immortality as her; now that she's passed away for one reason or another, the mechanism is failing without her to keep the gears from grinding each other to dust. Ashes to ashes…
Whether or not there'll be any future installments — you do you — I definitely enjoyed the morsel. Kudos!
11863684
You are right about patient zero term, but there is patient one , and subject one as a non-medical analog. Patient one is someone on individual treatment (monotherapy, I think, that's called). Subject One is a first one to be studied. Patient zero exists before any treatment was applied (or existed), he is literally "before" the first..
Fascinating and horrifying in equal measure. Evocative examples of both explicit and implicit horror.
11864149
Ah, I see! I was uniformed then, thank you!
It reminds me of some japanese horror manga I cannot remember deatails of. Only there patient produced hardware parts
For some reason, seeing the picture and hearing of the effects made me think of the ailment Rarity suffers in th4 Equestria Divided universe. Have you read or seen a bit from that AU?
Otherwise, this has the potential to be both horrific and yet morbidly fascinating.
Questions:
-Are the other 4 Subjects the remaining Elements of Harmony?
-What are the remaining names of the months called?
-Do most ponies live up to 546 years or is this rather moon cycles instead of years?
Much ouches. 😖
I'm guessing subject 5 is pinkie, 2 is rainbow dash, 4 and 3 are Aj and shy
What's this infection AU. Anyone please explain.
11863817
So, basically poison joke except it kills you and infects others?
Also, the cover art off reminds me of the Sapphire Scales diseases that came up in One Piece recently.
Rarity got infected with SCP-409 (very real)
11864915
The way it spreads also appears to bear resemblance to Swamp Fever, the old favourite of the Infected AU writers.
11863916
Yes: It's the portion of the front legs running from the elbow to the knee, (the 'knee' on the front leg being equivalent to a primate's wrist). In equines, this is actually the upper portion of the front legs, (as the upper arm is within the torso).
This Story gave me the chills. And I loved reading it.
After hearing TheLostNarrator's reading, as odd as it seems, despite the body horror aspect of this story, I feel like "horror" just doesn't sit right with me. I suppose it is a psychological horror, but the story feels more sad than scary. The worst part is that, despite the Death tag, considering the name of this story being Immortal Affliction, we don't know whether or not Rarity is dead or somehow still alive in that stone. That's the disturbing thing about this story. How much is NOT known. Is Rarity still alive somehow, or dead (death is the merciful option, of course)? Even if Rarity can't be saved, can there be answers to what exactly this affliction is? If the effects can be reversed, is there a point of no return?
This story makes you ask questions. And that lack of knowledge is where the psychological horror is. It makes you fill in the gaps, and either make assumptions, or just wonder the what-ifs.
I want to give Rarity a hug just so she can have a little comfort. But the knowledge of what that could end up doing to me is even more painful, since it means I either sacrifice myself to comfort her, or watch her suffer.
Would make for a compelling reason for why Equestria fell…
I love Rarity stories, she’s such a gem.
I have to wonder, if she'd gone to the Crystal Empire, where they have Crystal Ponies (and crystal everything else), would her mutation have stabilized? If they'd used some of Sombra's magic on her, could they have slowed or stopped her transformation?
11873961
i just saw the vid losty posted, now I am haunted by the incident
I really have to wonder, who were the other subjects aside from Nurse Redheart?
The other Mane Six?
And is this all the story is!? Only a single chapter!?
THIS NEEDS MORE EXPANDING UPON MAG!