Equestrian Darkness

It had Been a wonderful couple of Weeks for the Residents of Ponyville, the Weather Beautiful and not a problem to be found. That is until the Everfree Forest Apparently Decided it didn't like such a long period of Pleasant weather. Within a space of 10 minutes the Weather in Ponyville went from Great to Miserable, With Thick Black Storm Clouds rolling in and drenching the small town in torrents of Rain. The Wind thrashed seemingly in anger, The Clouds Roared with Thunder and Lashed out with wicked lightning, while the great waves of rain covered Ponyville and almost caused a flash flood, which would have damaged homes and put many in Danger. But everypony heaved a great sigh of relief when after almost 6 hours it finally stopped and The Cloudcover dissapated to reveal the glorious sun in the waning hours of the day. For the Last half hour of daylight the sun and sky gave a brilliant display of magical colors, one of the most magnificent sunsets that Ponyvill had seen that year, almost as if nature were apologizing for the ruining of their day, and for the pain some would soon endure.

After Meeting Briefly in the morning the next day, the Pegasi responsible for Ponyville's weather decided that in order to compensate for the enormous soaking the storm had done, there would need to be about 4 days of intense heat and sunshine. Everypony was informed of this the day after the storm, and were told it would start the next day, so they had the rest of the day to make plans for the next few days. After options were discussed by the many ponies, almost everypony came to the conclusion that the best place to spend the coming hot days would be the Lake not far from ponyville, especially considering that it had now been overfilled, thus allowing plenty of room for Everypony to enjoy themselves.

As was expected, the next day was hotter indeed, some ponies even thought that the sun seemed larger that day. Also as expected, the Lake was full to the brim with Ponyfolk. Nearly Every shop in Ponyville was closed, and the only ponies working were those that had decided to open stalls near the lake. Applejack was one of those who had opened a stall, selling apples and treats and a rather limited amount of Cider they apple family made the night before. After watching Applebloom go off with her friends to do their cutie mark galavanting, Applejack wondered when she might see her own close friends at the lake. She had Seen rarity at a Distance, but time didn't allow them to see eachother at the time as Rarity was Selling Parasol's to the Many Mares of Ponyville, though not at a Stall. She hadn't seen any of the others yet though. And while her mind was wandering all over hither and thither, she remembered Somepony she saw that Morning. It wasn't anypony she knew. And now that she thought about it, they did seem a little lost. Maybe they were new to Ponyville? Now Apple Jack felt a little down, hoping now that she had a second chance to meet the Newcomer.

Applejack was lost in thought for maybe a minute or two, before she Heard A familiar voice in the distance. She turned in the Direction of said voice just as Pinkie Pie did a galloping Cannonball into the lake. Not far behind her were Twilight and Fluttershy, both giggling at pinkie's neverending antics. "Howdy Y'all!" yelled Applejack to Her Friends.

Twilight turned towards the sound of Applejacks voice,then Exclaimed "Hey Fluttershy, Look! Applejacks got a Stand up and She's Got Cider!"

Fluttershy lit up as they started to walk towards the small applestand "Oh, I Do Love Her Cider!" She said, Beaming.

Twilight was equally enthusiastic about a cold drink. "Well C'mon! Lets not keep Her Waiting!" Said twilight as she began to trot towards the Apple Stand, while Fluttershy Followed Slowly.

"Howdy Twilight, Fluttershy! Y'all here fer some fun at the Lake?" Asked Applejack.

"Of Course!" Replied Twilight. "Isn't Everyone?"

Applejack Responded with a wave to her stand, "You Betcha! Care fer some Cider?"

Twilight and Fluttershy Replied "Yes Please" almost Simultaneously as they each put 2 pits on the counter.

Pinkie Came Running From the lake, still soaking wet, And After Skidding to a stop just inches from the stall exclaimed "Did you Say Cider!? I'll Take Five!" as she Slapped 10 bits onto the counter.

"Sorry Sugarcube, Today there's a limit of one mug per Pony" Said Applejack as she Put 3 Mugs onto the counter. Then Quickly Mentioned, "I know it ain't Cider, But there's Plenty of Apple Juice if'n y'all want some. Plus it's Half The Price of the Cider!"

Pinkie's Excitement had waned, but a smile was still on her face as she said "That's okay Applejack, I'll be fine" and took her mug of Cider.

Twilight Looked around, and then Said "Speaking of Cider Nuts, Anypony Seen Rainbow Dash? She's the only pony i don't see here at the lake."

Suddenly a shadow appeared on the ground as a voice from above said, "What'd you forget to look Up?" as Rainbow dash Descended into the group of Friends.

"Rainbow Dash! Good to see you!" said Twilight, "where have you been all day?"

Rainbow Dash Rubbed her Eyes, hoping the bags underneath them wouldn't be visible. "I slept in today" she said wearily. "I didn't sleep well last night, or the night before."

Applejack put a hoof around Rainbow's shoulder, "Ah ya Poor thing. Whats Wrong?"

Rainbow just shrugged, "Well the First night it was just Super hot up in the clouds." she said as she took a swig of the Cider Applejack handed her" And Last night I had a freaky Dream that kept waking me up."

Twilight just shrugged, "Weird. Well, Maybe the Rain is Messing with your Head."

Pinkie then exclaimed, "Yeah! All that Rain Has ya Down, so Lets Have some fun today to chase those Bad Dreams Away!"

Pinkie then Grabbed Rainbow Dash By her two Left Hooves, and Practically threw her like a griffons hammer into the Lake. Pinkie then Went and Jumped in with her.

Rarity then Walked up with Her Last two Parasols, "Applejack Darling, so Good to see you! I Hear you Have Cider today."

Applejack Responded with a smile, "Yup! Sure Do! Want a Mug?"

Rarity set down what was left of her wares, and said "That would be Positively Divine!" as she wiped her brow.

As applejack Turned to Get a Mug for Rarity, she thought she saw something in the nearby trees. She Looked Harder, and Thought she could see a pony staring at them, but then only could see a gnarled Bush nestled next to a tree. "What in Tarnation?" she Muttered to herself.

Rarity noticed Applejack's distraction, and turned to ask "Applejack? Is everything alright?"

Applejack shook her head after a moment to clear her mind, "What? Yeah i'm fine. Darn Heats playing tricks on my eyes" She said with a chuckle as she handed Rarity Her Mug." After about an hour or two of selling more Apple Treats and drinks, Applejack decided to close up for the day and join her friends in the Lake and sun. And so the Day Ended Without a problem, and all went home tired and happy. However, If Applejack ever had it in mind to look back at the bush, she just might have seen it Sulk away into the shadows, as a dark Mind schemed an awful scheme, one that would Not bode well for any of the Six Friends.