I stood, wincing as the muscles in my leg twinged. I hobbled toward the fillies, figuring I could at least help. The three were still bickering incessantly about something trivial. I wasn't entirely sure what about, but decided I should listen in as I helped.

"We can't do that on Tuesday!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, "We have to help Mayor Mare organize her office!"

"But I thought we were going to help Pinkie Pie bake the cinnamon rolls that day!" Apple Bloom whined.

I smirked, trying to control the laughter threatening to bubble up. I bit the inside of my cheek, and kept listening.

"That's not right, we're helping Pinkie tomorrow!"

"No, we're helping Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo fluttered her wings furiously.

"You might be able to, but Apple Bloom and I can't go bust clouds!" Sweetie Belle said loudly, shoving a bucket next to a full pile.

"Can you imagine me getting a cloud busting Cutie Mark? How awesome would that be?"

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, and lifted her bucket to fit in Sweetie Belle's. I lifted mine, and nestled it inside Apple Bloom's. The three continued to argue, and soon we finished stacking up the buckets into neat piles.

Apple Bloom's stomach rumbled, and her cheeks burned red, "heh heh. I guess I'm hungry."

"So am I," Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle replied at once.

They turned to me, "You can have lunch with us, if you want," Apple Bloom smiled.

I nodded slowly, "Okay.. Thanks."

They led me into the large house. Immediately, a smell of something baking overwhelmed my nose, and I realized how hungry I was. I walked in, and looked around. The house was very lived in, pictures lining the wall, and a sense of organized chaos prevailed. I smiled, this was the most home-like place I had been in.

We walked into a kitchen, where an old green furred mare was setting a table. She looked shaky on her legs, but her large eyes were focused on their task. She looked up, "Oh, Apple Bloom-" Her voice stopped as she took me in.

I smiled, and waved, "I'm a friend of Twilight's."

The mare nodded, "Ah. I take it Apple Bloom invited you to lunch?"

I nodded, and she smiled, "I'm Granny Smith."

"I'm Eternity."

She turned back to the stove, stubbing her hoof on a counter, "Pony feathers!"

"Are you alright, Granny? Do you need some help?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I'm alright, dear."

Apple Bloom sat at the table, as did the others (except Granny). I followed suit, not sure what I should do. Granny set a few more plates on the table, and sat down herself. Everyone dug in, grabbing things from the plates. I swallowed, wondering what everything was.

There were squares of something with green frosting and apple slices on top. I carefully took one, figuring I at least knew what frosting tasted like. Apple Bloom seemed to sense my apprehension, and smiled, "That's an apple tart."

I nodded, "Okay.." There were hay sandwiches, I got one of those as well. I ate the sandwich, wishing I knew what everything else was. I finished the sandwich and tart, wincing at the over sweetness of the whole thing.

Apple Bloom plopped a warm looking ball of dough that was golden brown, "This is a apple fritter."

I bit into it, and a warm gooey substance gushed out. I felt my amazement grow as I bit into a slice of softened, sweet apple. I licked my lips, getting the golden brown, sticky liquid off my mouth. Apple Bloom smiled, and I smiled back, "This is good."

"You're so tiny, dear. Eat what you want," Granny finished off her plate.

"Thank you, but I'm full."

Granny peered at me through a narrow eye, "I'll bag some up for you to take back to Twilight's. I take it you'll be back?"

"I'm helping the girls with the treehouse."

"You'll be back then, I'll give you some leftovers then."

I nodded, "Thank you, but you don't need to-"

"You're a friend of Applejack's, and Apple Bloom. I don't mind, dear."

I smiled again, "Thank you," I felt a lump begin to form in my throat, but tried to swallow it. I got up from the table, "I-I-"

"The bathroom is down the hall and to the left."

I hobbled as quickly as I could, and slammed the door behind me. As soon as I was alone, the tears surged forward, drenching my cheeks. Sobs wracked my thin frame, and I collapsed into the door, burying my head in my arms.

My body shook with the sobs as the last day played through my head. Everyone had been so nice, even though I was so different from them. They helped me when I had no idea where I was, and when I didn't know what something was.

I couldn't have hoped for something different.

Soon, the sobs stopped, and I carefully climbed to my feet. I swallowed thickly, trying to steady my breathing. My head felt like it was filled with cotton, but I felt better mentally. I rinsed my face and hands in the sink. I looked up, staring into the mirror.

My green eyes were more lively, and my cheeks a little less hollow. I smiled, my teeth were still crooked and yellow. Nothing I can do about that now. My tangled hair fell into mats about my shoulders, still hopelessly tangled. I wiped my face again, and quietly entered the kitchen again.

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Bell were still waiting. I looked down at my feet, but they didn't say anything, they just led me to the road, "We need to get into town to get the supplies we need for the treehouse. Do you want to come?"

I nodded, "Please."

"We need to stop at Rarity's first, she'll give us some money to help us buy everything we need," Sweetie Belle said cheerfully.

"Rarity? Why Rarity?" I fought hard to keep the scorn from my voice.

"She's my sister," My jaw hung open, but I quickly snapped it shut. Sweetie Belle laughed, "I suppose you didn't think Rarity had a sister, did you?"

I shook my head, "No."

The conversation died down as we approached town. We soon realized most shops were left unattended and open. I felt worry build, What's going on?

We rounded the corner to see the plaza with the library. A crowd of people and Pinkie Pie held a large amount of something in between them. On top of it was Twilight, who was being thrown in the air by way of the sheet. I stopped and stared, stunned.

"Twilight is my bestest friend! Whoopie, whoopie-"

"Pinkie!" Twilight interrupted.

"She's the cutest, smartest, all around best pony, pony-"

"Pinkie."

"I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party-"

"Pinkie."

"I bet she'll give her extra ticket to the Gala to me!"

"PINKIE!" Twilight shouted.

The ponies backed away, dropping the sheet. Twilight fell to the ground, hard. I winced, "Ouch."

The three fillies nodded, "Yup."

I watched as Twilight picked herself off the ground, angrily she turned to Pinkie, "At least the others are being somewhat subtle!"

"But Twilight, I want to go to the Gala!" Pinkie whined.

The crowd started to mutter, "The Grand Galloping Gala?" Someone asked.

A pony shouted above the others, "Twilight! Have I ever told you how much I love your mane?"

"I'll water your garden!" Another pony yelled.

"I'll clean your house!"

I backed away a few steps, not sure what to do or think. The slight nausea I had been fighting since lunch kicked up a notch, but I swallowed, thinking about the scene in front of me. Twilight suddenly vanished in a flash of light, the ponies retreated a little, looking around. A pony stood on her hind legs, "There she is!" She pointed down a side alley with her hoof.

The crowd took off, making offers and requests. Some were simply shouting, "The Grand Galloping Gala!" over an over.

"I think I'm going to go in the library to wait this out," I said flatly, staring at the spot where the ponies had been. The sheet lay on the cobblestones, forgotten, "You can come if you want."

The three fillies nodded, and followed me into the library. The main room of the library was lit by the sun streaming in the windows, a toppled bowl of salad was on the floor. I felt the nausea surge, and I pointed to the basement stairs, "Go downstairs to wait it out."

The three ran down the stairs, and I turned on my heel, and flung myself into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I leaned into the toilet, and retched heavily, emptying the contents of my stomach. After a few minutes, I started to dry heave. The nausea subsided, and I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

I swallowed thickly, and flushed. I stood on shaking legs and walked to the sink. I washed out my mouth, and washed my face with water from the tap. I looked into the mirror, my pale face stared back at me. My black hair was plastered to my face, neck and shoulders. I winced at my haggard appearance, but couldn't bring myself to care.

I felt hot, and uncomfortable. Using shaking hands, I fumbled at the clasp on my cloak. After a moment, I managed to get it off, and let it slide to the tiled floor. I slipped off my bag, and climbed in the bathtub. I stared at the controls, and wished Twilight had shown me how to work it. I curled into the bathtub, letting the cool porcelain do it's job. The coolness of the tub seeped through my thin tunic, making me shiver as my temperature lowered.

I jumped as the door leading outside slammed open, and then slammed shut. The lights from outside the bathroom shut off. I shuddered again, feeling suddenly cold. The cool peace was suddenly broken.

"ARGH! I don't know who to choose! I can't just choose one of you, because then the others will be upset. I can't give up my own ticket, because then no one will be happy! I just can't do this anymore!"

I heard the mutterings of more voices. They're the Elements. No one was shouting anymore. A flash of green dragon fire made me jump, and shut my eyes. How did the dragons get here? I opened my eyes a little, and peered over the edge of the bathtub. Another flash made me duck my head down into the bathtub again.

"Applejack!" Apple Bloom's voice called cheerfully.

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack's voice was slightly scolding, as if she expected the next thing to come out of Apple Bloom's mouth was something bad.

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity's tone was similar.

"Hey! Where did Eternity go?" Scootaloo asked, "She was here a couple minutes ago."

I swallowed, and climbed out of the tub, realizing I probably needed help. I clawed at the doorknob until the door swung open. I leaned against the door frame, legs sprawled out in front of me, "Hi," my voice was hoarse, and weak.

"Ew," Rarity said, wrinkling her nose, "Does she have vomit in her hair?"

The Elements glared at Rarity, she cleared her throat and looked ashamed. Applejack trotted over, "What's wrong, Sugarcube?"

I shrugged, "I dunno... Just feel sick."

"Fluttershy, can you go get Zakora? Rarity, can you help me get her downstairs?"

"But she has throw up in her hair." Rarity whined.

Twilight rolled her eyes, "You helped Sweetie Belle!"

"That's because she was clean, and got it just in the toilet."

I snorted, trying not to laugh. These are the embodiments of Magic and Generosity. This should not be a problem. They turned to me, and I smiled weakly, Keep me up here. If I need to get sick, it'll be easier for everyone if I can get to the bathroom quickly."

Twilight nodded, and bent her head down so I could grab her mane, and haul myself to my feet. On shaking legs, we managed to deposit me on the couch. I sighed in relief, shutting my eyes. A blanket was draped over me, and a pillow was slipped under my head.

I heard the door gently open, and I opened my eyes, wishing I could just shut them again and go to sleep. Fluttershy led Zakora in the room, the zebra dressed in a black cloak with saddlebags draped over her back.

"What's wrong with her?" Twilight asked.

Zakora set the saddlebags down, and took off her cloak. She ignored Twilight, and checked me over, using zebra magic and science, "Eternity is quite sick, but I believe bed rest will do the trick."

Her deep voice relaxed me a little. Suddenly a little cold, I shifted the blanket tighter around myself. I shuddered as a cold draft wafted near my feet. I realized then how tired and weak I felt, "Please help me."

"I will, dear one. I will not leave until my task is done," Zakora reassured. She pulled a potion in a purple bottle from her bag. She gently dropped it in the palms of my hands.

I looked at it curiously, "What is this?" I pulled the cork out and sniffed it. Nothing I recognized, definitely no poisons I recognized either.

"A potion I made to help you sleep. It will send you to a place where nightmares do not creep," Honesty and truthfulness sparkled in her teal eyes.

I downed the bitter potion in one go. The effects were immediate; my stomach settled, I felt cooler, and I felt my body temperature lower by a degree or two. My eyes slid shut, feeling like weights were attached to them.

I felt Zakora take the bottle, "Sleep well, my friend. You will soon be on the mend."

(LINE BREAK)

"Her fever's too high. What do I do?"

"Give her water, and plenty of rest. All we can really do now is hope for the best."

(LINE BREAK)

"Spike, take a letter. Dear Princess Celestia-"

Celestia? Is she sending dragons? So many colours blurred together... Screaming as flesh was seared from bone...

"..is really sick. We don't know what to do..."

That's easy, kill them. Dragonfire spreads infection so easily, it means death to all who touch it.

".. know I'm asking a lot, but can you come help her?..."

Don't bring her here, she'll get the dragons back...

(LINE BREAK)

"Her immune system and magical cores are being attacked," Why is Celestia here? She should be killing innocents, not looking after sick rebels...

"By what?"

"I can't be sure, Twilight," You're so lying. Even I can tell, "Exposure to the new magic, perhaps."

"Can you make her better?"

"No, Twilight. She has to get better on her own. I will help make her comfortable, but that's the only thing within my power to do."

She cares? Why does she care for a traitor like me, doesn't she know what I've done? Why...?

(LINE BREAK)

Awareness slowly woke me up. I swallowed dryly, my throat feeling like sandpaper. I mentally categorized my body. I can feel everything, that's always a good thing. Everything feels like lead, but I don't feel too cold or too hot. What happened?

I pried my eyes open, despite the fact they felt like they were weighed down by lead. Evening sunlight was mostly blocked out by curtains, I shuffled over, rolling to my side. I heard the sound of hooves on wood, and Twilight appeared in my line of sight. She smiled brightly, "You're awake!"

I nodded, "Water," My voice was nearly non-existent. Somehow, Twilight heard me, and levitated a cup of water and a straw to me. I sipped it, unsure of what exactly was wrong. The water was cool, and soothed my throat.

Twilight took the cup away, "How do you feel?"

"Tired and weak... What happened?" My voice was a little stronger, but hoarse.

"Your body was attacked by the new magic...that's what Celestia said, anyway."

I nodded slowly, it made sense. The magic I was suddenly surrounded by, I had only encountered a few times before. The air of Ponyville was swamped with magic. My darker magic had reacted to all of the light magic it had never been subjected to before.

"Is everyone alright?" I croaked.

Twilight nodded, "Everyone's fine. Princess Celestia came to see you, she left the next day."

"How long have I been out?"

"A week. Celestia came the day after you fell unconscious. She made sure that you didn't have something else wrong with you before she left."

I nodded, and a sparkle from a nearby desk caught my attention. Three pieces of golden paper were lined up neatly on the table. They were the ones Spike had gotten with the letter from the Princess, "What are those?"

Twilight followed my gaze, "Tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala. We all got one."

"The Grand Galloping Gala? What's that?"

Twilight looked stunned, "I-it's a big event hosted every year in Canterlot. It is held in the palace, and the palace gardens. It's considered a high class social event. Most people never get a chance to go, unless you have some type of business or something."

I nodded, "We had events similar to that. Is that why everyone wanted a ticket?"

"Yes," Twilight paused, "You should probably get some more sleep. I'll send Princess Celestia a letter saying you're alright."

I shut my eyes, and feel myself immediately slip back into oblivion.

(LINE BREAK)

Author's Note: Still don't own MLP. Please don't sue. Please R&R to let me know what you think.