The sudden rainstorm ended as quickly as it began, but the still-dark clouds in the sky and the falling sun convinced most Ponyville citizens to call it a day and head for home rather than risk a heavier downpour. Before long the streets were deserted and dark, the street lights not yet lit, what little illumination could be seen eminating from houses was hardly enough to beat the shadows back from gardens, let alone light the streets beyond.

Soon the wind picked up and a storm began to rattle windows and plaster wet leaves to the side of buildings. Most ponies simply burrowed deeper into their blankets in an attempt to shut out the noise, however one young unicorn, awake and alone, couldn't find sleep so easily. Tired as she was, her anxiety kept her from her bed as she pressed her face and horn against her window, sending silent hopes for a safe trip to her mother, while at the same time wishing she was there to hold her. Squinting at the gloom, the filly noticed that the street lights remained unlit. Glancing at the clock, the young pony wondered whether the storm was to blame for the absence of light, had the power gone down? Puzzled, she tried her own room lights...

...the sudden illumination sent them scurrying for cover, lest they be discovered too soon. However, when they looked again, they saw that the light wouldn't catch them outside of the house, doing their cause no harm, in-fact aiding it, as the violet-coated, blonde-maned filly now stood out clear as a winter's morn against the blues and blacks of the night outside. Their first target found, they stalked closer.

Prowling around the house's perimeter, the creatures saw that the target was alone. Excitement caught them as the hunt was on, all but the leaders showed greater activity, ecstatic to be so close to their goal. Easing open the latch, the first padded into the domicile, almost silent so as not to alert the filly to their presence. Sniffing the air as a final test for other occupants and finding none, the intruders mounted the first step......and their efforts to remain unnoticed went out the window as the seemingly deafening creak sounded, followed shortly after by the bedroom door flying open and a shout of "MOMMY!" came from the delighted filly, now thundering towards the top of the stairs, horn popping in and out of her blonde mane as she bounced along.

Frozen in shock, the pack did nothing as the filly skidded to a halt, staring in horror at the gathering at the foot of the stairs. It was only when a scream ripped from her throat that the monsters responded. With an unholy howl the leader sprang after the now-fleeing pony while the rest of the pack took up the call. As other houses lit up in response to the scream, the creatures burst from the front door, reducing it to splinters, and went about their own hunts, confident that their alpha would get its prize. Soon enough the night was filled with screams of terror and howls of triumph as demons hunted ponies.

It was only long after the wraiths had left and the ponies were sure that the danger had passed that the street lights flickered on, seemingly in tune with the first glimpse of sunrise on the horizon.

~~~~~~

Hours later as the midday sun hung lazily in the sky, not far from Ponyville three equistrian figures meandered down the road.

"Sure ah cain't interest you in a glass o' cool apple juice afore you head home, Zecora? How about you, Fluttershy?"

"Oh I'd love some, thank you so much for offering."

"The sun is indeed strong on my back, but I'm afraid I can't stay, dear Applejack. These herbs I picked will make my brew strong, but if they dry out it could all go wrong."

"Well alright then. Remember we're always happy to have ye. Guess it's just you an' me Fluttershy......Fluttershy?......FLUTTERSHY!" Applejack finally yelled, breaking the cream-coloured pegasus from her thoughts.

"Oh, I'm sorry Applejack, I was just thinking how quiet it was. There are no birds in the sky at all."

"More than the birds are missing from this scene, there is also no sound where the midday chimes should have been."

"Hey, you're right Zecora, that old clock tower is never late. Something's up here." Their speculation was interrupted as a familiar voice sounded behind them.

"Howdy there, that you, AJ? You back from that big hullabaloo in Canterlot already?"

The three mares turned to see a muscular stallion towing a cart towards them from the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. He gave his sister an easy grin and nodded politely at the pegasus and zebra.

"Nice to see you miss Fluttershy, miss Zecora."

"Thank you, it's always nice to see you too."

"We do so rarely walk the same track, yet it is always time well spent, Big Mac."

"Howdy big brother. Yeah we're back. Zecora got the trade deal between Celestia and the zebras ironed out lickety-split. Fluttershy here even got to see a couple hedgehogs after we dropped off those gift apples."

"They were so lovely. It was adorable when they curl up into balls like that."

"Say now, what's all that you're draggin'? I didn't think we were doin' anything heavy in the fields this week." Big Macintosh glanced back at the contents of his cart before turning back to his sister.

"It ain't for the fields, we had a powerful storm blow in last night. Rainbow Dash and them weather ponies weren't expecting it and it did a whole heap o' damage before they got it under control. Ah'm headin' into town with all this gear to see if ah can do anythin' to help clean up the mess."

"That's very kind of you Big Macintosh, but don't you have to take care of Sweet Apple Acres first?" The stallion shook his head, flashing a happy, slightly proud, smile at the three.

"Naw, I just gave 'er the once-over. We're a little on the edge o' Ponyville and survived the worst. A couple o' the animals got spooked and a few branches broke but Applebloom 'n' Granny Smith're on top of it. She's pretty tough is good ol' Sweet Apple Acres."

"Such fortuitous news to lighten the gloom, that no harm befell Granny Smith, or sweet Applebloom."

"Well that settles it then. We'll head into town with you and see what we can do to help, right girls?"

"Absolutely, I want to make sure everyone is safe and sound, including the animals."

"I must drop off these herbs in the forest, but I will return after to give aid wherever a pony is stressed."

With that, the three mares plus a stallion headed on their way.

~~~~~~

After reaching the town, Fluttershy and Applejack said goodbye to Zecora and Big Macintosh, heading for home and town hall respectively, and headed to the library. As they approached, a voice called from above them,

"HEADS UP!" The two girls jumped back just in time to avoid the heap of broken branches that smashed into splinters where they had been standing, drawing a squeeled "Eep!" from Fluttershy. Straightening her hat, Applejack looked up at the sheepishly grinning juvenile lizard on the balcony overhead.

'Watch it Spike! You almost dropped a whole lumbermill on our heads."

"Aw, sorry AJ, I didn't see you two at first. I'm just trying to get some of this debris cleared out before Twilight gets back. She's over at town hall with the Mayor trying to get all this sorted out."

Applejack and Fluttershy took a long look at the surrounding houses, rife with broken tiles, cracked (and in some cases shattered) windows, fences destroyed and gardens in disarray.

"Boy howdy. I sure wouldn't want to be in Rainbow Dash's shoes when it comes to explaining how they never caught a storm this big. Jes' look at that row o' houses over there. Dang near ruined. I hope none o' the families had anypony hurt."

"Uhh..." a look of confusion crossed Spike's face before he stammered out, "I dunno. I haven't heard of anyone hurt."

"Well that's a relief. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about so long as everypony's alright, don't you think so Applejack?"

"Absolutely Fluttershy. Now how's about we go do our part to get this place cleaned up? We'll talk to you later, Spike."

"Uh...yeah, okay." Spike waved for a moment as the ponies walked away, then picked up a broom and went back to dusting, still slightly worried by the earth pony's words.

"Why would Applejack be worried about ponies in those houses? She knows they've been empty for years. I don't get it."

~~~~~~

Next Chapter: Chapter 2 Estimated time remaining: 45 Minutes