Above the horizon, the radiant sun cast the palette of colors, as if a fire burned right beneath the horizon. It was the perfect temperature for an October evening in Equestria.
The only problem was that it was mid-July. Tips of leaves were still iced over in frost.
Humble Pie stood on a hill overlooking his small village, feeling the pleasantly chilly mud squish underneath her hooves. Threads of smoke from cooking fires in the village hovels climbed high into the air.
“Nervous?” his wife asked.
“A little,” he admitted. “I never thought I would meet the legendary Clover the Clever in my lifetime. I wish she told me what she was coming for.”
“She’s only here because she wants something from our village,” his wife warned. “As our leader, you must stand up to her. She is, after all, a unicorn.”
“Yes,” he admitted. “But Smart Cookie thinks her heart’s in the right place. Said that Clover was essential in ending the first Winter.”
“That’s true,” his wife said thoughtfully. “I wonder what she could be here for now though. You know, it has been quite cold for mid-Summer. What if… what if the windigos are returning?”
“Impossible,” Humble Pie said. “Those creatures were banished a long time ago. It will be a warm day in Tartarus when they come back.”
_______________________
"The Equalists need to be stopped." Clover said.
*
“You can’t come in here,” Humble Pie said, gritting his teeth. “This is our home. You are not welcome.”
Triumph’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Your daughter,” she said, “is a terrorist. She has been arranging secret meetings at the general store for over a month now. Unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies have all died in Equalist attacks, and as a member of the group she is complicit.”
“Don’t let them take me dad,” Angel Cake said.
“Don’t try this on us,” Triumph said, advancing on the trembling young mare. “We know that you’ve been in communication with Upper Crust and the other fugitives. Our sources have never been wrong before.”
“I won’t let you in,” Humble Pie said. “I am the magistrate of this town. Stay back, or else."
“She can come quietly with us, or we can take her by force,” Triumph said, baring her teeth. “If you oppose us, we will have you court martialed for high treason against United Equestria. Stand down at once.”
“Dad please,” his daughter said. Tears formed in her eyes. “I don’t want to go!”
“Take her away!” the blood unicorn said. Magic cuffs appeared, and the ponies dragged Angel Cake away in shackles.
Humble Pie looked on helplessly as the unicorns took her daughter away. To oppose the unicorns now would be a dangerous maneuver, one that would almost certainly destroy Angel Cake's already minuscule chances for a fair trial. It took all he could to master his fatherly instincts.
“I’ll come back for you,” Humble Pie whispered. “I promise.”