> Run of the plague > by reader8363 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Ch 1 stopping and sent to Equestria > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My name is Timber, my real name is no longer important. Ever since I came to Equestria, Ponies have been dieing, and I tried to stop it. I only saved a handful of ponies, but I couldn’t save everypony, this is  the story of how it happened. It all started a few years ago, when I fell into Equestria. I was driving home, when I saw an animal on the side of the road, I pulled over. and grabbed my flashlight, then I went to the animal. When I got there, and shined the flashlight onto the animal, I saw the animal was equine, it’s height was around my knee, it’s mane and tail had a yellow, blue, and purple streak, and a mark on it’s hind quarter. It looked like a strawberry. I ran back to my car, grabbed a flashlight, and ran back to the equine. When I was about to touch it, I was grabbed by her hooves and was pulled closer. She opened her eyes, and I wanted to scream, there was no color in her eyes, just pure white. She said, in my ear, “You must help Equestria, when you get there, get some help to get to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Tell them that there is a plague coming. I’ll try to make you keep your human form. If anypony asks what you’re name is, It’s Timber. You will be teleported after I die, which is in 5-10 minutes.” Then she let me go and laid back down. I sat there, trying to figure out what the animal said. Who is this Celestia and Luna, why was this animal’s eyes pure white, Where is this Equestia. Then I turned to my car, and placed my head on it, trying to catch my breath. When I turned back to the animal, my heart jumped into my throat. Everything of the animal was dissolving, leaving the skeletal remains. I step away from the remain, and then I heard someone honking, I turned to see it was too late. I felt the impact of the car smashing into me, then I blacked out. When I woke up, There was animals similar to the one that dissolved. Some had wings, some had horns and some didn’t have any of those. Then I heard a voice, “What is everypony doing in one spot.” Then I saw a animal that's fur was a lavender color, mane and tail were purple with a streak close to pink, but what got me was it had a horn and wings. The other coward a little, showing the animal has power. Then the animal said, “Everypony go back to what you were doing, and you, what is your name and what are you?” I sat up and licked my parched lips, then said, “Names Timber, I’m a human, and I need to get a message to this Celestia and Luna.” Before I knew it, I was pulled to the one that just came. It glared at me, and said, “How do you know Princess Luna and Princess Celestia.” I said, as I tried to get away, “I was told by this animal, it had yellow, blue and purple streaks in it’s mane and tail. I don’t know who they are, and what are all of you what gender are you.” The creature’s eyes soften, and it said, I bet you’re a little confused right now. We are ponies. I’m Twilight Sparkle. Come walk with me. I will contact Celestia and Luna as we talk.” I stood up and followed Twilight. After a while, Twilight said, “This is ponyville, it in Equestria. It’s mostly populated by unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies. I’m an alicorn, a princess to be in fact. The ones you’re seeking are also alicorns. Luna controls the moon, and Celestia controls the sun. There is another one, You’ll probably meet, her name is Cadence, and she is married to my brother. Anything else you want to know?” I thought about it and said, “How did I get here?” Twilight looked up from her floating parchment and said, “I don’t know, what the last thing you remember before coming here?” I said, as I tried to get used to the fact that parchment was floating, “I was driving, then I stop at the side of the road cause I saw an animal lying there. When I got closer it grabbed me then told me to find Celestia and Luna. Then started dissolving until there were just bones, then I got hit with a vehicle.” Twilight stopped and said, as she opened the door, “Come inside, while I get Spike.” When I saw the building, my jaw dropped, It looked like a giant crystal tree. I walked in and was amazed at the place, Then I felt something run into me. When I looked down, I saw what appears to be a small dragon. It looked up, and started crawling away, saying, “Please don’t hurt me.” Twilight came out one of the room, and said, when she saw the small dragon crawling, “Spike, why are you crawling away from our guest?” I looked at Twilight, then at the dragon, who was still on the ground. I got onto my knees and held out a hand, then said, “You must be Spike, my name is Timber. Didn’t mean to scare ya, don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you.” He took my hand and said, “Yeah, I’m Spike. Nice to meet you Timber. What do need of me, Twilight?” The parchment rolled itself up, and shook itself, then Twilight said, “I need you to send this to Celestia and Luna.” Spike got up. dusted himself off and took the rolled up parchment, a burned it, I fell on my but, as I watched it turned into smoke. I said, as I took a few steps toward, “Ok, I’m going to wait outside, and get some fresh air.” As I grabbed the handle, the door burst open and I am sent fly towards Twilight, the last I saw, before blacking out, was her surprised face. > Ch 2 Decisions > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I woke up to two unicorns, one was white with pink, blue, and green mane, the other was dark blue with what looked like the night sky in the mane, standing over me. I got up and look to my right. Twilight was there out cold. Spike was standing over her shaking her awake. I turned to the two unicorns and said, “Who are you two.” The dark blue one took a step forward. Then the white one placed a hoof out, to stop the other one from taking another step, then said, “My name is Celestia, and this is Luna. Twilight sent is a message. You wanted to see us.” I stood there , then I noticed there wings. I said, “Is Twilight going to be okay?” Luna said, “Twilight will be fine, now what did you want to tell us? I took a deep breath and said, “When I was in my world, I stopped on the side of the road, cause I saw an animal lying there. She grabbed me, her eyes were pure white, and she told me to tell you two about some sort of plague, then everything except her bones dissolved, then I took a step into the road, and woke up here.” Then I heard a groan coming from behind me. I turned around to see Twilight waking up. She shook her head, and stood up, then she walked to the Princess and said, “Did he tell you everything.” Celestia looked at Twilight and said, “Yes Twilight, he has told us everything, but he will be staying with you, for the time being.” I said, “What do you mean for the time being, I told you what I needed to tell. Aren’t you going to send me back?” Celestia turn to me, and said, “You said, that a pony was lying there, not a unicorn.” I said, confused, “Yeah, what does that have to do with it?” Twilight gasped and said, “Earth ponies don’t have magic. So, a unicorn or alicorn had to send the pony there.” Celestia nodded and said, “Correct, and I would know if a pony was sent, it would leave a big magic spot if it happened. So, the pony was sent in the future somehow send you back in time.” I said, after I put the pieces together, “So I have to stay here, until this plague is done. Great, just great, I’m a biologist, I study life, I don’t know anything about plagues. Send me back to find a different person, perhaps someone that does know stuff about plagues.” I ran passed them, then I couldn’t move. Luna said, as she walked in front of me, “You study life, so you will be able to tell if something is wrong with animal. Is that correct?” I said, “Why can’t I move, and, to answer your question, Yes, I will be able to tell.” Luna said, “That’s why you’re here, you will know when the plague comes. I’m using magic, to immobilize you.. I noticed her horn was going, and said, “Can you please put me down?” Luna smiled, embarrassed like, then her horn stopped glow, and I was able to move again. Then I was tapped on the shoulder. I turned around to see Twilight standing there. She said, “Timber, could you tell us about yourself.” I said, as I leaned against the wall, “what is there to say, I’m 20, biologist, I’m stuck in a world with ponies, that can fly and do magic.” I walked out the door and shut it behind me. I walked around Ponyville, until I reached the park, I sat down, and looked up at the sky. The sun and moon are controlled by winged unicorns, why did it have to be me to come to this weird place, why did I have to stop, I could have just drove by and let someone else come here. Then I heard screaming, I looked at where the screaming came from. An orange young pegasus with purple mane and tail was riding a scooter. Then the scooter hit my feet and the pegasus went flying over the handle. I walked over to the pegasus, cursing at myself for having big feet. I kneeled down and said, “Hey, are you alright?” The pegasus shook her head and I’m alright, it will take a lot more to keep me down.” I smiled, then I heard two other screaming Scootaloo. I turned to see a young earth pony and unicorn run towards us. When they got here, I said, “I’m guessing you’re Scootaloo, and who are your friends. The earth pony said, “I’m Applejack.” The unicorn said, “I’m Sweetie Belle.” The pegasus, said, as she tried to get up, “I’m Scootaloo.” Then she winced, in pain. I scooted closer and grabbed the front hoof and squeezed it gently. She winced and tried to pull away. I said, “You must have broke or sprained your leg. You two carry her to the doctor, or something, just make sure she gets there.” They nodded and walked away,hopefully to the hospital. I sigh, then I heard someone say, which made me jump, “Wow, how do you about animal bones?” I turned around to see Luna standing there. I caught my breath and said, as I sat down on the bench, “I help a little at the vets and I broken and sprained some of my bones before.” Luna sat right next to me, and said, “You know, if you don’t help, even those three little one will die. If you help you can save many others like them. I said, as I looked at the sky, “Alright, I’ll do it." > Ch 3 getting settled in > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna and I walked back to the building where I left them at. When we got there, Luna led me the Library. Twilight was taking notes, and looking through books and Spike was sitting in a beanbag, reading a comic. I cleared my throat, Twilight looked up, and said, “Timber, so glad to see you. I looked in every book on plagues, and there is nothing about what you said.” I opened my mouth and was about to say something, but Luna said, “Do you have a place for him, or is he going to take your bed?” I said, as I back away, “It’s fine, I don’t mean to be a nuisance. Is there a place where I can get some clothes, a coat, and some gloves. If I’m going to be here for I while, and be a vet. I need a sanitized place to work.” Twilight placed her stuff down and walk over to me and said, as she motioned me to follow her “I do have another room. and after I show the room, I can take you to a friend of mine. Is it okay if you work at a hospital, or do you need some place secluded?” I said, as I followed her, “If I’m going to be working with ponies, I’m going to need a place secluded, and the best machinery, x ray, a strap table, and other machinery.” When we walked into my room, I was shocked at what I saw, a king sized bed, a desk, with reference books of all kinds, a night table, with a lamp and a drawer. Twilight shut the door, and said, as she walked to the front door, “It’s not that fancy. Come on, lets go get your clothes going.” I ran up to her and said, I was wondering, if there is an abandon place to make my work.” Once I walked outside, I was tackled by something pink.  Once my vision cleared, I saw the pony was pink with I think hot pink mane and tail that was all puffed up. She said, “Hi there, you must be the human that came today, I was on my way to visit Twilight to ask where you were to say hello and tell you that I’m going to make you a party, I must get the party going, it will be tomorrow night.” Then she jumped off of me and bounded away. As I caught my breath, Twilight said, “That’s Pinkie. She can sometimes be a bit random. Let me help you up.” She held out her hoof, and I grabbed it, and was lifted onto my feet. When we arrived a building that looked a little weird,  it looked different than the other building, Twilight  said, “Here we are.” Then walked in. I stepped to hear someone or pony say, “Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, how may I help you?” I turned the voice, coming down the stair was a white unicorn with purple mane and tail, that was curled. Twilight said, “Hi Rarity, Timber here needs some clothes done I said, “I was wondering if you could make me some dark blue pants, some pajamas, some shirts, few white coats, and, if possible, some gloves.” Rarity said, as she took some measurements, “Of course I can. It might take me awhile, but if I don’t get any sleep and don’t take any breaks, I can have it done in two day.” I said, “Take as long as you want, I still don’t have any currency. What do you pay with?” Twilight said, “We pay with bits, and I will be paying for it.” I said, as we left, ‘Nice meeting you Rarity. Is there and abandon building. I can use as my work.” Twilight said, ‘There is one, but it’s in need of repairs.” I said, “It’s fine, will keep me busy.” Then it started to rain, but when I looked around, it wasn’t raining anywhere else. “Okay this is getting ridiculous, now the rain wants to say hello?” Twilight said, with a sigh, “No, that would be Rainbow Dash. Quit making it rain, he already had a hard day.” The rain stopped , and I felt the sunshine on my back. I looked up to see a cyan colored pony, with rainbow colored mane and tail, pushing a cloud away. The she said, as she rested on another cloud. “I can have fun, plus he looked tense and he needed to cool down.” I said, “I was calming down before you made it rain on me. How do you do that, how did you push the cloud away, and how are you staying on a cloud?” Twilight said, “Pegasi can control clouds. Come on, I think I know a pony that might help you with animals. I said. as I followed her, “Is your friend crazy, or a jerk?” Twilight said, “Nope, but she is shy.” As we walked. I said, “Twilight could you tell me about this place, I know it’s ponyville, but what about the other places?” Twilight said, “There is a lot of places, but the ones that I think you will need to know is Canterlot, and Crystal empire.. Here we are.” I looked up and saw a small cottage. I turned to Twilight and said, “That is where your friend lives. Then again, she is shy, so why not secluded as well.” When we got to the door, Twilight knocked on the door, and a yellow pegasus in long pink mane and tail. She said, “Twilight, it’s so good to see you.” Then she saw me, she shrank back a bit and said, really quiet, “Um, hi.” Twilight said, “It’s good to see you too Fluttershy, this is Timber, he will be needing your help with animals, since you know their habits and personality.” I nodded, and said, “Pleasure to meet you, and yeah, since I’m new here, I don’t know a lot about the animals here. So, if you could help me understand about some of the animal’s problems, when they arrive, I appreciate it.” Twilight said, “It’s getting late, it was nice seeing you.” Then started off the her home. I waved goodbye, as I followed her. Fluttershy said, something that I couldn’t hear. When we got back to her home, I said, “Just out of curiosity, is this a castle, since you are a princess?” Twilight said, as she entered what I guess was her bedroom, “Yes it is. Well, see you in the morning.” Then shut the door. I walked to my room, I’m going to be staying here for a while, so why not call it my room, closed the door behind me, fell onto my bed and fell asleep. > Ch 4 Everfree Forest > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I woke up the next morning to what smelled like waffles, I walked into the kitchen to see Spike, making waffles, lucky guess, and Twilight reading a book. I sat down, accidentally bumping the table and startling Twilight. She jumped and fell back in her chair, me and I ran over to her and I said, “Twilight, you okay? She got up and said, “I’m fine, just forgot you were here. So, how did you sleep? I said, as I sat back down, “I slept okay.” Then Spike said, “Do you want some waffles, Timber?” I turned to Spike and said, “Yeah, just one.” Spike gave me a waffle and said, “Yesterday, Twilight said that you were freaking out about everything, why weren’t you freaking about me, do they have dragons where you’re from?” I took the waffle and said, “We do have dragon, but they are just lizards. Don’t get me wrong, I was freaking out a talking dragon, but when I saw you crawling away, it made less scared, but I was still freaking out.” He said, “Oh, that makes sense.” Then he walked back to the stove. I finished the waffle and said, “I'm going to walk around Ponyville, is there any places I should check.” Twilight said, “You should go see Applejack, She lives on the apple farm called Sweet Apple Acre. She might be working. Don’t forget, your party is tonight.” I said, as I exit the building, “I have pretty good memory.” I walked around Ponyville, until I reach the apple orchard, when I got to the opening, I read the sign, Sweet Apple Acre. Then I walked in. I been in an orchard, but none this big, must’ve been here hundreds of years. Then I heard something that sounded, like an ax hitting a tree. I walked to it, being careful not to knock of baskets of apples that were everywhere, and the sound louder, until I saw an orange pony, with yellow mane and tail in a ponytail, no comments, and a hat, running up to a tree and hitting with her hooves. I walked into view and said, “I take it you’re Applejack.” She jumped and said, in what I think a country accent, “You scared me, yeah, what can I do for you? I take it that you are the human that came yesterday I said, “Yeah, name’s Timber, I’m just checking out what Ponyville has to offer, Seeing I’m going to be here awhile. This is a  really big orchard, must be old” She said, “Pleasure to meet you, Timber. Sure is, it’s been around since my grandma was young.” I nodded, and said, “It was nice to meet you.” As I was walking away, I heard someone say, “Hey there mister.” I turned to the voice, I saw Applebloom, running towards me, with a grin. I turned my full body and said, “Hey Applebloom, did you and Sweetie Belle get Scootaloo to the hospital?” Applebloom said, “Yeah, she just sprained it.” I sighed, “That’s good, I guess I forgot to give you my name, It’s Timber.” Then I saw Applejack was between surprised, shock, and confused. “I met Applebloom and her friends in the park, yesterday.” Applebloom said, “Sorry, sis, was going to tell ya, but I forgot.” I said, “So. you two are Sisters.  It was nice to see you, I have to go see about my office building.” I walked out of the orchards, and headed to town. As I got to the Twilight’s castle, I was greeted by Twilight coming out. She said, when she saw me, “So, did you meet Applejack?” I said, “Yeah, Just found out Applebloom and Apple are sisters. Could you show me my new work place, so I can get started on repairing, or make it ready for me to work.” Twilight nodded and said, “Follow me.” Then led me to a building that looked like it went through a fire, holes through the roof and the walls, the shutters were hanging off, basically in need of repair. I said, as I walked into the building, “How long has it been like this?” Twilight shrugged, and said, “I don’t know, it was like this before I got here.” I sighed, at least I had a class on woodworking, where I build stuff with wood. I said, is there a place where i can get tools to get started on it?” Twilight said, “I’ll get you the stuff you need.” I said, “Ok, I will talk to some ponies around Ponyville.” Twilight said,  “Okay.” Then walked off, as I finished looking over the building. I walked around Ponyville, some ponies stopped and said hi, some just stared and/or whispered, and others just ignored me. After a while, I decided to go into the forest, it might have some clues on what I’m going to be facing. I was about to walk in when I heard a pony say, “Um, Timber.” I turned around to see Fluttershy standing there. I turned fully around and said, “Hey Fluttershy, what are you doing out, I mean that in a good way.” Fluttershy lowered her head, and covered half her face and said, “I was getting some stuff, then I saw you heading to the Everfree forest. So I came over to see what you are up to.” I said, as I leaned against a tree, “I was just going to see if I can find something that might help me understand what I will be dealing with. You are welcome to come, if you like. “ Fluttershy took a step back and said, “No thanks. I need to get back to my poor animals. I just came to warn you that the Everfree forest is scary. Once I ran into Twilight frozen by a cocktrice, and got chased by a hydra, well, my friend got chased as well.” I placed my hand on her head and said, “I get it, you’re warning me about what’s in there, but don’t worry, I going to be fine.” Fluttershy flinched, when I placed my hand on her head, but didn’t pulled away. She became surprised when I started rubbing her ear. Then I left and head into the forest. After a while I heard a crack of a branch and I turned around to see a zebra standing there. The zebra said, “Hello, I know why you are here, You do not need to fear.” I said, after realizing that she was rhyming, but I didn’t question it, “Hello, may I what your name is, and do you know what plague will be coming?” The zebra said, My name is Zecora, pleasure to meet ya. I don’t know what it will be, but it will begin almost immediately.” Then she walked off. After I couldn’t see her, I heard Twilight say, “Timber, there you are. Fluttershy told me you came in here to see if you could find any information on the plague. So, did you find any?” I was about to answer, when I heard a terrible roar, I spun around to a big lion with wings and a scorpion tail. I screamed, as I realized it was, and said, “You gotta be kidding me, a manticore. Twilight, run.” I ran the opposite way, but the manticore blocked my path and took a swing at me. Then I felt Twilight push me out of the way and saw go flying into a tree. When I saw her body slump to the ground, something inside of me snapped. I stood up and said, “No one, or thing hurts my friends.” Then charge at it. It took a swing at me, but I jumped/flipped over the paw, and when I close to it’s face, I punched it in the nose. It reared back, let out a roar, then walked away. After it left, I sat down and took a breath, then I walked over to Twilight, and looked for a pulse. I sighed with relief as I felt a pulse. Then I noticed there was blood coming from a big gash on her forehead. I picked her up and ran to the castle. When I got there, I sat Twilight down and opened the door then I picked her up. When we were in, I kicked the door shut, which brought Spike. When he saw Twilight in my arm, his mouth dropped open. I said, “I don’t have time to explain, I need some bandages, a rag, and a some water, hurry.” Then I ran to Twilight’s room. I didn’t any attention to how the room look, I placed Twilight on her bed. Then Spike came into the room and placed a basin filled with water and a rag hanging out , then I handed me the bandages. I took the bandages, and set them down, then I grabbed the rag, and got it wet. Then I washed off the blood, dirt and grime. After I was done, I grabbed the bandages and started wrapping her head. After I was done I placed a hand on her hind leg. She gasped and opened her eyes. I said. “Twilight, is there something wrong. Are you hurt anywhere else? She said, “No, but could you remove your hand, it's cold.” Then she sat up, after I removed my hand, and said, “What happened to the manticore?” I said, with a shrug of my shoulder, “It walked off. After it left, I carried you here and  bandaged a nasty cut on your forehead. You get some rest, you lost a lot of blood.” I was about to close the door, when Twilight said, “Timber, wait.” I turned to her, then she said, “Thanks.” I smiled and said, “You are most welcome.” Then I shut the door, to let her sleep > Ch 5 The First One > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3For the next week, I been working on the Office, while thinking what Zecora told me. After the office was repaired, it took me a few weeks, to put some walls in, paint the outside, put some tiles down, and get some strap tables in, plus some state of the art equipment. After I got the place ready, I headed over to Rarity’s shop. I walked in to see Rarity going over a list. I cleared my throat to get her attention. She turned around and said, “Timber, nice to see you. Came to get the clothes you’ve requested?” I said, as I smiled, “Yes, Sorry if they took up some space.” Rarity said, as she finished up the list, “It’s alright, I just finished up today. Sweetie Belle, could you bring Timber’s clothing down?” I heard a pony say, “Coming Rarity.” I looked at the top of the stairs, to see Sweetie Belle coming down the stairs, bringing a box down with her. When she saw me, she almost dropped the box and said, “Oh, it’s you, I was wondering why the clothes were weird.” I smiled, and said, “Nice to see you too, Sweetie Belle.” I turned to Rarity and said, “I met Sweetie Belle right before I met you, along with her friends.” Rarity said, “Oh you mean the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They made the group right after they realised they were, hmmm, blank flanks.” I turned to Sweetie Belle, and saw that her hind legs weren’t marked, unlike Rarity’s. I said, “Care to explain what this ‘Cutie Mark’ is all about.” Sweetie Belle said, “Cutie marks are a sign that everypony gets when they find their talent. Most fillies in our class has their cutie marks, Scootaloo, Applejack, and I made the Cutie Mark Crusaders to find our cutie mark.” I said, as I thought about Twilight’s mark on her hind legs, “So Twilight’s cutie mark is a 6 point star, what would that be representing. You know, mean.” Rarity spoke up and said, as she set the list down, “Twilight’s is Magic, but it’s a little more than talent. I got mine by finding a big rock full of gems. Fluttershy got hers by taking care of animals. I think Pinkie pie got hers from throwing a party. Anyways, here is the clothing you’ve requested.” I got up, thanked them for some explanation on some things. Then I grabbed the box, and walked to Twilight’s castle. As I was walking there, I saw fluttershy heading to me. When she saw me, something passed through her face, relief, worry, hope, scared, I don’t know, never good with expressions. I said, as she got to me, “Hey Fluttershy, what can I do for you?” She said, as I realized she was holding a bird, “Timber, can you please help? This little bird won’t tell me what’s wrong, one minute, it’s fine, the next, it’s on the ground twitching.” I said, as I altered my course, “Sure, lets go to my work building. It’s perfect timing that I just got it done. So, what were you doing, before this little bird started twitching?” I opened the door and walked to the first door on the left. After Fluttershy got in, I shut the door and turned on the light. The room had a table in the middle, some chairs, writing utensils, a sink at one side, some stuff I will be needing, and random hospital stuff in a corner Fluttershy said, as she set the bird on the table, “I was taking care of the other animals, when Angel came up to me and led me to this bird. Then I ran to get some help from you.” I opened the box I got and grabbed the coat and gloves., then walked over to the bird and gently pushed down on the stomach. The birds’ eyes shot open, and it clamped its beak down on my right hand. I jerked my hand out of its beak, and looked in confusion at my hand. There was bite mark through the glove, and blood was dripping down my hand. I said, as I grabbed some bandages, “Why the hell didn’t you warn me about the bird having teeth?” Fluttershy hid her face in her hair and said, sounding like she was about to cry, “Cause He didn’t have teeth before. I’m sorry.” I took a few deep breath and said, as I wrapped my hand up, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I’m just surprised that it bit me, Care to join me in the hall?” Fluttershy nodded and flew to me. As she passed the bird, it got up and jump at her, clamping her teeth on Fluttershy’s wing. She screamed in pain and fell to the ground. I ran off to her and grabbed the bird by the beak and pried it open, then I threw the bird away. The bird got up, shook itself off and flew at me, with it’s beak wide open. I grabbed the closest thing, and swung it. When it connected, I heard a faint crack, and saw the bird flew into the wall. It hit the wall, and sank down onto the ground, dead. I picked up a small towel and placed it over the bird, then walked over to Fluttershy, and picked her up and headed into a different room. I placed Fluttershy on a bed and went over to a cupboard, and looked through the bottles. Once I found alcohol, the medical kind,  I went over to Fluttershy and got to work on her wing. After I was done I pulled a chair next to her and started taking notes. After I was done, I walked back to the room, and pulled the sheet up. There was the dead bird, not moving and having cold eyes, but then something caught my eyes, in the open mouth was something black. I grabbed a pair of tweezers and a vial, then walk to the bird, pick the black thing up, and placed it in the vial. Then I placed the bird in a bag and walked back to Fluttershy, after pocketing the vial. I walked into the room, to see Fluttershy stirring. I walked to her and placed my hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes, then said, “Um, what happened to the bird, why am I in a different room. and -” I stopped her there, and said, with a tear streaming down my face, “I’m sorry, the bird is dead. Had to kill it. I brought you to a different room so you didn’t have to see the body and to clean your wing.” Fluttershy said, as she got up, “Don’t feel hard on yourself, you had to do it.” I said, as I stopped her from getting up a bit more, “Where do you think you're going, you need to get more rest. Besides, I need to run some test on you, to make sure that there isn’t any problems. She looked at me, nodded, then laid back down. I left the room, leaned against the door, and took a deep breath. What is going on here, is this what Zecora meant? I don’t have as much time as I need. Then I opened the door and went back in > Ch 6 Research > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After an hour of blood testing, xray scans, testing her flight, reaction, and mental capabilities, I said, “Okay, nothing is wrong with you, but I want you to visit next week. There might be a possibility that the bird passed on a small piece of what it had.” She nodded, then said, as she was about to leave the room, “Okay, thanks for helping.” I nodded and said, as I followed her out of the building. I locked it behind me and headed off to Twilight’s castle, my home for now. When I got home, Twilight said, “Welcome home. Timber, what happened?” I walked to the kitchen and plopped down in a chair, then I said, as I rested my head in my hands, “I got Fluttershy hurt.” Twilight’s face turned into something between surprise, shock, and confusion. She placed a hoof on my knee and said, “Why don’t you tell me what happened.” I took a deep breath and said, “I was bringing home a box of my clothes, that Rarity made for me, then Fluttershy came up to me and asked for my help. We went to my office and I looked at the bird that she brought. When I put my hand on it’s stomach, it bit me, then I asked Fluttershy to come with me into the hall, then it bit her. If I just told Fluttershy there, she wouldn’t have gotten bit.” Twilight said, “It’s not your fault, you didn’t know that it would happen, and I know Fluttershy isn’t blaming you for it either.” I got up and headed to the doorway, then I turned around and said, “Do you have an microscope, magnifying glass, and a notebook I can borrow?” Twilight turned to me and said, “yes they are already in your room, I thought you would be needing them.” I said thanks and headed to my room. I got in and locked the door, then I turned on the light and sat at the desk, on the desk was a microscope, notebook and a magnifying glass. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the vial, and held it under the magnifying glass. It look like a cockroach, without legs, with a long tail. I drew a picture of it, then I opened the vial and poked it with the tip of the writing utensil, then I moved. I jumped out of the seat and watched it squirm out of the vial. I grabbed a cup and put it over it. It jump on the edges, like it was trying to tip it over. I slid the cup to the edge and placed the vial on the edge, so the black thing would fall in. It work as I thought, the black thing fell in, then I capped it, and placed it on the desk then I got into my pajama and headed off to bed For the next six days, I followed the same plan, wake up, eat breakfast, do research, eat lunch, read some books, eat dinner, then study the creature until I was tired. The next day, I got up and headed down stair, I was making me a cup of coffee, when I heard knocking at the door. I grabbed my cup and headed to the door. when I opened the door, Fluttershy was standing there. She said, “Am I too early? You wanted me to visit today, to see if anything changed.” Then I remember what I said last week. I said, “No, you could have come anytime, please have a seat.” I led her to the kitchen and sat down at the table, Fluttershy sat on the other side of me. I said, after taking a sip of coffee, “Have you noticed anything different about you in the past week, even the smallest detail. She said, “Well I wasn’t scared at all when I was talking to other ponies, and a few ponies caught me singing and I didn’t shy away at all.” I said, as I set the mug down, “Is it natural for you to be really shy.” Fluttershy said, “Yes. Does it have something to do with the bird biting me.” I said, as I lean in the chair, “I don’t know. It might.” Then I saw Twilight standing in the doorway. “Morning Twilight.” Twilight said, “Good morning Timber. Hey Fluttershy, didn’t know you were coming today, but it’s still great to see you. How’s the bite?” Fluttershy turn to Twilight and said, “It’s healed, just like it never happened. Good to see you as well.” I said, “Twilight, how strange do you think it is for Fluttershy to be able to sing in front of  a few random ponies while they are staring at her.” Twilight’s face turned into serious and worried at the same time, then she said, “That is strange, When I first met Fluttershy, she couldn’t tell me her name. It was until she saw Spike that she was able to.” I said, as I got up from the table, “Fluttershy, I need you to come with me to my office. So I can run some test.” Fluttershy nodded and followed me to my office. When we got there, I took Fluttershy  the room and took an xray of her. I said, after I got the result back, “You seemed to have a slightly bigger creature, than the one I found in you bird last week. It don’t seem to be doing any harm, but I still want you to come in weekly.” Fluttershy got off the table and said, “Okay.” Then walked out. I sat there, looking at  the picture, then got up and walked out the door. I didn’t pay attention on where I was going, I had a lot on my mind. When I finally looked up, I was in a plain field. I laid down by a tree and look up at the sky, thinking about what I’m going to do. If it does good, why did it make the bird go nuts and if that’s it, why am I here to stop it. I heard someone say, “Why are you up here?” I looked to my side and saw Rainbow Dash standing there. I said, “What, are you going to make it rain on me again to “cool me off”, or are you going to do something else.” She said, as she came closer, “Something else.” Then she laid beside me and said, “What got you cranky.” I said, “I just have a lot on my mind. you wouldn’t understand.” She laughed and said, “You can’t be worse than Twilight. Come on, give it a try..” I sighed and said, “I was doing a check up on Fluttershy’s bird, it bit Fluttershy. Then I killed it and carried Fluttershy to a different room. Then I went back and found a worm-like thing in the bird. I took it home and studied for a week. The Fluttershy came to Twilight’s home, and told me what changed. She doesn’t have any fears, now, and she has more courage. I did an xray, and found that she has the same worm-like in her, but it’s helping her, not hurting her. Why is it helping her, when it did the opposite with the bird.” Rainbow Dash stared at me and said, “Wow, you summarized two days in a matter of minutes. You are close to Twilight.” I smiled and said, “I said you might not get it. What do you think I should do, you know I’m here to try to stop a plague, but if that’s it, why stop it.” Rainbow Dash said, “Do you still have the “worm”?” I stared at her and said, “This isn’t a game, I don’t what it will do.” She said, “I could be a test subject.” I thought about it, why not have another test, sure it might kill her, but it might help with studying this creature. Then I said, “Ok, just follow me.” I led her to Twilight’s castle and grabbed the vial with it in it. I turned around and Rainbow Dash grabbed it away from me and said, “This thing is what is in Fluttershy, it’s too small to do any harm. I said, as I turned my back to her to gather my research, “This is the one out of the bird, the one in Fluttershy is bigger. I think it depends on height and size of the creature’s brain.” Then I heard Rainbow Dash say, “Oops.” I turned to see why she was said oops about. She wasn’t holding the vial and she was looking at my lower half. I looked down, and nearly jumped out of my skin. The creature was climbing up my leg. I tried to shake it off, but it climbed even higher. It was up to my stomach, when Rainbow Dash finally moved. She reached out to grab it, but then it did the weirdest thing. It lift it’s tail and stabbed Rainbow Dash’s hoof. Rainbow Dash’s eyes rolled in the back of her head and she fell to the ground. I didn’t know it had a defence mechanism. to stop any creature from trying to take it off, but why does a parasite need a defence mechanism, if it’s helps the creature. When I felt across my lips, it stopped and dropped to the floor. I saw it was heading towards Rainbow Dash. I grabbed a cup and placed it on top. Then I check her pulse, I sighed when I felt it. Then I went to my research and wrote down about it’s defence. I picked up Rainbow Dash and put her on the bed, so I can move around and clean up the glass vial. I said, mostly to myself, “This thing might have more things hiding. I’m afraid, I haven’t seen all it can do.”