Something That Shouldn't Be.

In a land where the weather is controlled and micromanaged by its inhabitants one is rarely caught off guard by a change in the weather. With Pegasus weather teams all over Equestria, Ponies can expect to know when it is a good day to go out and enjoy nature or when to stay indoors. But even this system has its flaws. Sometimes mishaps happen.

It was to the surprise of many when a simple winter night turned into the coldest and most violent snowstorm Ponyville had ever experienced. Although many hooves were pointed, no one was able to find out the real reason for the sudden shift in weather.

But like countless other times, the citizens of Ponyville were able to look adversity in its face and laugh their troubles away.

In her Library, Twilight was engrossed in a tome about theoretical physics, blissfully unaware of the chaos that raged outside. Upstairs, Spike slept peacefully. As he dreamt of heroic deeds and romantic escapades with Rarity, the baby dragon smiled contentedly.

At Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie entertained the young Cake twins. The Cakes enjoyed the calm inside their shop, a welcome change from the usual influx of customers.

"I know! How about I tell you a story?" Pinkie asked the Foals.

"Gahhhhgblrrr!" Was the happy, enthusiastic response.

As Pinkie told the story of a sad and lost colt, (who of course found happiness after attending one of her parties) the twins giggled, oblivious to anything she said.

At Carousel Boutique, Rarity had found inspiration in the blizzard, and was hard at work on her new winter line of clothing. Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo were discussing new ideas on how to obtain their cutie marks.

"Windigo hunters!" Exclaimed Scootaloo.

"Ice sculptors!" Suggested Applebloom.

"Mid-flight rocket repair ponies!" Chirped Sweetie Belle.

The young unicorn grinned as her two friends stared in confusion.

Up in her cloud home, Rainbow Dash observed the weather with a frown.

"Stupid snowstorms, getting in the way of my practice sessions... I bet this is the fault of those three idiots in Cloudsdale..." Shaking her hoof at the sky, Rainbow gave a look that would make cheese into fondue.

In Cloudsdale three Stallions looked behind their shoulders, suddenly ill at ease.

At Sweet Apple Acres, Granny Smith told stories of an ancient, legendary creature who brought inclement weather wherever it travelled. Applejack listened with interest as Big Macintosh hid under a blanket with the smartypants doll in hoof.

"It's said that this creature is older than the Princesses. Older than time itself!" Said Granny Smith as dramatically as possible.

"So is it evil? Is that why it causes the weather to be bad?" Asked Applejack.

"No one knows. Some say it is lost. Others say it's cursed." Said Granny in a conspiratorial tone.

Big Mac gulped. "A c-curse? Do ya think that it's out there? Ya know? Causin' this big ol' storm?"

"Of course not ya whippersnapper! It's just a story." Granny Smith frowned at her grandson. Applejack giggled.

Out by the forest, Fluttershy was busy comforting critters in her cottage. The animals, more in tune with nature than ponies, were greatly distressed by this storm. From what she had gathered from the agitated critters, something unnatural was travelling in the storm.

"Don't worry my friends. The storm will pass. You'll be safe here." Said the timid Pegasus with a comforting smile.

An unnatural feeling she could not describe began creeping up on her. Shivering, she laid by her fireplace. "Nothing to worry about... It will be over soon."As sudden as the feeling came, it disappeared. Soon, overtaken by tiredness Fluttershy fell gently to sleep.

Inside their homes the citizens of Ponyville were safe and blissfully ignorant of what lurked outside...

A horrendous bellowing resonated in the hellish frozen landscape. Something had changed along with the weather. A foreign feeling of dread from things that were not natural in this world of harmony stalked the land.

A silent cacophony of desperate cries, primordial and savage, unnatural sounds that were not truly heard but were rather felt, traveled with the wind.

A lone Pegasus galloped for his life in the raging storm.

Behind him was an indescribable presence. The "thing" pursuing him had no real shape, or texture. There was a distorting effect surrounding the area where it should have been. The environment was contorted into impossible geometrical shapes that befuddled the mind.

"Please! Let me be! Have I not suffered enough?!" The Pegasus cried desperately, tears streaming freely from his eyes.

Cease thine incorrigible fool's errand!

Listen to the carrion

Surely thou hearest the plight of the cipher?

The voice was similar to the demonic hubbub. It was a monotonous collective of voices that was both disturbingly emotionless and dead yet full of all sorts of sentiment.

"No...No... Leave me be!" The Pegasus wanted nothing more than to just give up. He was tired of running; he was tired of being afraid.

The shadow was gaining upon him. His will was running out.

Elegiac sonata, lucid stillness, indifferent disquietude

A way had to be found to put an end to the dirge

"This is it... After all this time..."

Alas, it was inexorable, irrefutable, insurmountable.

Join thy brethren! Embrace thine fate, thine malediction.

"If I give up it will just get worse. I gave up all those years ago... and look what happened... I must go on." Suddenly something caught his eye. "A house? A village! Help! Somepony, help me! Please!"

Inside their houses the residents of Ponyville shuddered. They knew not why, but they were instantly filled with an increasing feeling of dread.

With renewed resolve, the Pegasus gained some distance from his tormentor. At the very entrance of the town, the Pegasus tripped and fell face first into the frozen creek, under a bridge.

"HELP ME! PLEASE, HELP!"

With infernal speed the pursuer approached the now immobile Pegasus.

Curled up in a fetal position, the Pegasus shuddered violently. Not from cold, but from pure horror.

"Helpmehelpmehelpmehelpmehelpme..."

Seconds from what seemed to be the end, the 'thing' abruptly stopped, as if colliding with a wall.

Lest thou withstand undying, ad infinitum...

With a tremendous shriek the 'thing' vanished in an instant. With it went the storm. The howling winds and unnatural storm ceased immediately.

Lying in a pathetic pile, the pegasus remained shuddering. Soon exhaustion took over his senses and he fell into a restless sleep.

In due time

The folly will end, this longer measure of existence

Providence shall not be denied

For it is a terrible beauty.