It had been almost a month since Rainbow Dash's accident. By then, most of the citizens of Ponyvile had been showing signs of the mysterious illness. Their conditions weren't deteriorating, but they weren't improving either. Something had to be done or it could possibly spread throughout all of Equestria! So I desperately searched my library in hopes of finding a name for it and gaining some new information. I had found a plethora of books about diseases, but not many of the symptoms coincided with the ones being experienced by many of the victims. Then on the morning of September fourth, I finally found the first piece of the puzzle.
I was continuing my vigorous search, when I heard Spike call my name. At first I dismissed his calls. But he soon made it clear that he had discovered some vital information. He then showed me an article from that day's newspaper. It was about Vihola (pronounced veye-oh-la) Fever, a disease that was spreading in Mareocco. After I read the article, I realized two things. The first of those two was that the symptoms coincided with those afflicted. The second was that this disease might be too powerful to handle by myself. So I decided to ask Zecora, a healer and good friend of mine.
Once I arrived at Zecora's hut in the Everfree Forest, I asked her about this new disease and handed her the article Spike had found. After she read it, I witnessed her smile fade into a melancholy expression. "Of this disease I know too well," she stated. "On this story it saddens me to dwell." "Zecora, if discussing your past experience troubles you so much, you don't-" "But to aid you, Twilight Sparkle, this tale I must tell." She paused for a moment before telling me. "It happened not long ago, in a village in Mareocco. There, all was well and my life did excel. But soon, the situations began to change when villagers came down with an illness so strange. At first, one was infected and then many more. My world apart it tore. Suddenly, from my home I was forced to flee to keep the illness far from me. I was greeted with cruel words and hateful deeds. The Everfree Forest is where nopony dared step, so that is where I chose to tend to my needs. Ceaselessly I tried to make the cure but if I would succeed, I was unsure. After many attempts I achieved success but I was again met with distress. To my home I cannot return, yet to see my family again I yearn." "Oh, Zecora, I'm so sorry." I said. "I wish there was something we could do to help." "Although I have troubles of my own, to changing other lives this outbreak is prone. It is you who I trust to administer the cure. Although this is an important duty, you will accomplish it I am sure."
After I obtained the cure from Zecora, I returned home to devise my plan to administer it to everypony. When I glanced at one of the windows, the idea hit me! The disease caused the hosts to develop a high fever (hence the name, Vihola Fever) and they'd be using any possible methods to bring that fever down. One of the most efficient means was to open a window and allow the cool fall air to flow into the room. After collecting data and making calculations, it was determined that a strong breeze would rush through Ponyvile at approximately 9 a.m. tomorrow. If either Spike or I were to travel to the highest hill, one of us could administer the medicine via the wind.
That night I decided to go to bed early because I was developing a slight headache. I didn't find that to be abnormal because I had associated it with the stress brought on by the most recent event. Suddenly, I dreamt what would be the worst nightmare I had yet! The outbreak had progressed so far that the Mayor had begun evacuating the most high-risk groups (young fillies and colts, elderly ponies, pregnant mares, ponies who were already sick) by train. Ponyvile had transformed into a diseased wasteland and ponies were separated from their loved ones!
