Chapter 1: Passing Afternoon
Passing Afternoon
There are times that walk from you like a passing afternoon.
- Iron and Wine
The sun was beginning to set over Ponyville and it was beautiful; strange, yet beautiful. It turned the sky a deep, blood red and was accented with oranges, pinks, purples and deep shades of blue, then fading away into the coming blackness of night. It was the blood red color that bothered both Applejack and Big Macintosh. They stopped clearing up their various baskets, barrels and other tools they had used through the day to stop and just watch the colors blend together. They had heard stories from Granny Smith and other older ponies about a sky this shade of red. It just wasn't natural for Equestria. Red skies during a sunset were nothing new of course, but this shade was and bothered them both, settling a feeling of unease around them. Skies this color, they had heard, were meant as a warning sign of things to come.
It had been peaceful in Equestria for 5 years, ever since the Coronation of Twilight Sparkle. The days all seemed to blend together in a pleasant, calm flow. Everypony just seemed to go about their day without incident or anything unusual happening. In fact, the only thing that even seemed a little unusual was Fluttershy and Big Mac deciding to explore feelings they confessed to each other last year. So far their relationship had been solid, slow and steady. There was a certain harmony they gave to each other and most ponies thought it was a good match. Though Applejack admitted to Rainbow Dash in private she was a little cautious of the pairing, she had warmed right up to the pair before long. Yes, peace and Harmony was the order of the long days, weeks, months and years of late. This sky, if one believed in omens, was a warning to the end of all that.
"What in the hay do ya' think it means big brother. Any idea's?" Applejack asked in her usual drawl.
"Nope." was the the only reply she got. Though Big Mac's face certainly shared her concern and caution, her brother was always a pony of few words and if one word could sum up his feelings on all he had to say on a subject, that's exactly what he said.
"I reckon we'll keep an extra hard eye out for a few days just in case. After all, ya know the rhyme." She cleared her throat. "Blood sky at night, cause for fright."
Big Mac just nodded. He had a sudden urge to go calling at Fluttershy's cottage. He turned away from the sky and went back to work placing the tools away. Applejack followed suit soon after. About 30 minutes went by before everything was done. Applejack stretched and yawned. It had been a hard day, but she liked those the most. Days like today made her feel alive and gave her purpose. She glanced over as Big Mac walked to the house, stuck his head in then back out. Applejack smiled a little to herself. Usually this was Macintosh letting Granny Smith and Apple Bloom know not to set a place for him at the table for supper. He was heading over to Fluttershy's.
"Headin' out Big Mac?" Applejack asked
"Eeyup" was the reply.
"Well, give my kindest regards to Fluttershy when you see her if ya' would."
"Eeyup."
Bic Mac gave a reassured nod to her sister and trotted off on the path. Something about the now fading sunset and coming night made him feel like he couldn't get to Fluttershy fast enough. His only restraint was how silly it truly was to believe in an omen based on sky color. On the other hoof, he knew them older ponies were no fools. He picked up his pace a little more. Applejack had already headed inside. Before she closed the door and sat down with her family, she gave one more troubled look outside as the last of the Blood Red Sky faded into the coming night. She tried to push away the unease as she closed, and locked, the door.
***
Three ponies stood on the high ranges of the Macintosh mountains watching the most beautiful sunset they had ever seen. The cool, crisp wind smelled of the mountain woods and flowers and whipped through the manes of ponies. They had never seen a sunset like this before in their entire lives. It was magical, but oddly ominous feeling. When the sun had vanished behind the snow capped mountain they moved back to their camp site and settled in for the night. Misty Leaves gathered the firewood, Rockshire made the fire pit and Ginger Snap put up the tent. All three ponies returned from their work about the same time and before long a roaring fire was ablaze, casting shadows and warmth all around the three friends.
"This has turned out to be a very successful trip. Thank you both for coming with me!" Rockshire exclaimed happily.
"Wasn't any trouble at all Rockshire. I like getting out and doing something new now and then. I haven't been camping in a long time." Misty Leaves said with a smile. It was true, she hadn't expected to enjoy gathering wood for Rockshire's next carving masterpiece nearly as much as she had. The good company, beautiful scenery and even idle chit chat was just awesome. Even the jokes from Ginger Snap were in rare form.
"Yeah, this gave me a chance to work on some new material." Ginger Snap chirped. He had been preparing for a new comedy act at the Ponyville theater. Coming with Rockshire and Misty Leaves out here to the wild seemed a smart choice . It reminded him of pleasant memories from when he was a colt. He would spend countless hours telling new jokes to friends and family of his youth and all of them patiently listened and gave helpful feedback. Now, looking back, he realized he wouldn't be the pony he was today without times like those....times like he was having right now.
Misty Leaves returned from gather another cord of firewood and stretched her wings. Rockshire found herself going through the pieces carefully before chucking them into the fire. Celestia forbid a rare or beautiful piece be thrown in the fire by accident. Misty Leaves just smiled.
"I think we should all consider taking some rest. Its getting late and we need to get up early if we're going to make it back before nightfall tomorrow." she said at last. The three friends agreed, said their 'goodnights' and snuggled inside the tent. As the night continued on and the fire began to die, an odd, reddish glow still remained, shining brighter then coals or flame of the fire. Shadows from the trees and rocks from the campsite danced about making the area more seem like a forbidden location in the Everyfree forest then the happy campsite it was hours ago.
The reddish hue pulsed and flickered and waited.