The Lord of the Ponies: The Friendship of Equestria

Ch.8 At Sugar Cube Corner

It was nighttime in Dodge City, and a lone stallion was chopping wood in his front yard. Soon he heard the steady beat of multiple, fast-approaching hooves behind him. He ceased his activities, and turned around to face the approaching ponies. His dog came out through the front door, and started barking, hoping to scare off those who would intrude on its master`s property.

The dark ponies stopped before him, five in total. They towered over the stallion, who was himself pretty big, considering that he worked in his Aunt Cherry's cherry orchard everyday. He looked down in fear, avoiding the non-existent gaze of the cloaked ponies who stood before him.

"Ponyville? Apples?" hissed the dark denizen. The cloaked pony's snakelike voice inspired fear in the stallion, and his dog. The latter whimpered as it retreated into the house.

"There's no ap-Apples around here. They're up in p-Ponyville," stuttered the stallion; fear impeded his ability to speak fluently.

The ebony being was unsatisfied with the answer, knowing not where Ponyville resided, and moved closer to the stallion. The stallion felt the cold stare of the demonic pony upon him, and in a last ditch attempt to get them to leave, he pointed left.

"That way!" urged the stallion, to which the assailing ponies galloped towards Ponyville. The stallion retired into his house, and locked the door.

***

At the same time, Sugar Cube Corner was alive with celebration, as friends and family gathered inside for the Apple family's newest batch of apple cider.

"Hey, hoo to the bottle I'll go!

To heal my heart and drown my woe.

Rain may fall, and wind may blow.

But there'll still be- many miles to go!

Big spiders may be scary,

And black riders make you wary.

But if there's a drink that makes you wiser-

It's a batch of Apple family cider!" sang Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, as Apple Bloom danced around them, a mug of cider in each hoof.

Sugar Cube Corner, as the candy shop was known throughout Equestria, was a brightly colored building, designed to look like it was made of pure candy: a cookie-tile roof cemented together with what simulated cream, along with a spire that resembled the shape of a candle-lit cupcake, created a sickeningly sweet atmosphere around the building, which brought smiles to the faces of every passing pony. Trotting inside, the zesty aroma of baked, and still baking, sweets uplifted the spirit of any depressed ponies. However, chronic exposure to the building's candied climate left anypony immune to the inspirational effect of Sugar Cube Corner. This allowed the bitterness of certain discussions to corrupt the cheerful establishment, just like the ponies who involved themselves in such a serious discussion. These ponies were the presiding members of the Apple family: Applejack, Big Mac and Apple Bloom, along with Berry Punch and Spike the dragon.

"There's been some strange folk crossing through Ponyville. Diamond Dogs, and others of a less than savory nature," warned Applejack.

"Eyup," replied Big Mac, in his usual one-worded manner.

Applejack continued on with her rant, but Spike heard none of it. His attention was focused on Rarity, the ivory Unicorn mare who walked across the establishment, floating drinks down to thirsty customers.

"She is so generous," murmured Spike, as he dreamily gazed at the lovely Rarity.

"What's that now?" asked Applejack, who missed Spike's most recent comment. To find out what the dragon had uttered, Applejack resorted to stare Spike down, a tactic the Earth mare hoped would coax an answer out of the fire-breathing reptile.

"Oh, ah... nothing," defended Spike, raising open claws as if he were being arrested. Applejack ignored him, and continued ranting, "The mountains are teeming with Changelings."

"Eyup," added Big Mac, as if permitting Applejack to continue ranting.

"That's all just made-up pony tales and silly-filly nonsense. You're beginning to sound like your Granny Smith. Cracked she was," accused Berry Punch.

"Just like young Apple Bloom here. She's cracking," finished Berry, as Apple Bloom conveniently sat herself down at their table with a mug of cider in each hoof.

"And proud of it!" smiled Apple Bloom.

"Cheers, Berry," said Apple Bloom, as she handed a mug over to Berry Punch.

"Cheers," replied Berry, clanking mugs with Apple Bloom.

"Well, it's none of our concern what goes on beyond our borders," stated Berry Punch. She then turned towards Apple Bloom, "Keep your nose out of trouble, and no trouble will come to you."

Apple Bloom simply nodded at Berry's advice, and took a sip from her mug, savoring the sweet taste of her apple cider.

***

It was late, and all the ponies departed from Sugar Cube Corner, as it was closing down for the night. With Big Mac's mysterious absence, Applejack stayed back with the Cakes and Pinkie Pie to clean up the establishment, while Apple Bloom and Spike walked towards the exit, to find Rarity giving goodbyes to all the guests.

"Good night, Apple Bloom. Have sweet dreams my Spikey-Wikey," cooed Rarity. She rubbed Spike's head as he passed, much to the dragon's enjoyment.

Apple Bloom and Spike continued on their way. Behind them however, was an intoxicated stallion. He kneeled before the angelic Rarity, and raised his forehooves, as if he worshipped a goddess.

"Good night, sweet mare to which no beauty can compare," complimented the drunken stallion.

"That pony better mind who he's sweet-talking," grumbled Spike; the dragon continued on his way with Apple Bloom.

"Don't worry, Spike. Rarity knows an idiot when she sees one," assured Apple Bloom. She then started off towards Sweet Apple Acres, leaving Spike alone with his thoughts.

It was true though, Rarity did know an idiot when she saw one; this only brought more worry to Spike.

"Does she?"