Dead of night.

The weather continues to be bad in my Equestria dreamscape. A series of scheduled storm fronts that picked up more energy than planned continue cause grief for everypony in the Canterlot/ Ponyville region. The Weather Service in Cloudsdale says that conditions will improve dramatically in the next day, but the mess caused by these systems will take a day or two to clean up from. This meant that myself, Petina, Carousel, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Spike and Twilight were still stuck in Canterlot.

Conditions at Sweet Apple Acres were about as frigid inside the farm house as the weather was outside fav.me/d5eyk1f . Applebloom had effectively locked herself in her room and would not come out except to use the bathroom. Granny Smith would left meals outside her door. Big Mac came up and spoke to her a few times but beyond that her only companion was Close Friend, but even it was not communicating much with her. The little filly spent most of her time huddled under the blankets on her bed. As if she could hide from the world that way.

Applejack was a mess herself. For the next day she just kind of shuffled around house with a blank look in her emerald green eyes. She spent hours in the living room staring out the window at falling snow. Big Mac and Granny Smith tried to cheer her up but it had little effect on the yellow gold mare.

Through all this Applebloom's Close Friend had been calculating what its next move should be. It had jettisoned it original plan for a much more risky and dangerous course of action. That evening it decided to put its new strategy in to play. For its new plan to succeed it needed to feed a lot, but with all the storms roaring through the valley it could not stray far from the farm house lest its host succumb to cold and snow. Therefore it decided it strike much, much closer to home. It was aware this would most likely draw attention to itself but the time for stealth was quickly passing. In fact it had decided what its next real objective was, and it needed to draw its target into range for it to strike.

There was a break in the storm around 2am. Everyone in Apple family homestead was asleep. Even little Applebloom. Her Close Friend had not told her yet but it could now control her body when it wanted to. Rising from her bed it glided to door and out into the hallway. It stopped in the front Applejack's bedroom door and once again contemplated eliminating that threat but the thought of confronting the little filly's big sister caused it to change it mind.

"Later." It thought. "You have your objective for tonight. When you're stronger then you can deal with her."

The Apple family long ago had carefully considered several factors when they decided where to build Sweet Apple Acres. One of those factors was wind direction and where snow drifts tended to form. Despite the storms that had raged through Ponyville for the last couple days there was only about twelve to sixteen inches of snow lying on ground around the home/ barn. However not more than few hundred yards away drifts up to four feet in high covered the land and parts of the road.

Applebloom's Close Friend looked up at the deep indigo sky. It had about a one hour window before the next band snow bearing clouds came sweeping across the valley. Fine. That would be just enough time to finish its task and get back inside before the next band snow would arrive. The new snow would also hide most of its tracks. Excellent. It needed to get moving though since the little filly's body was not going to take being out in this weather too long. The being could already feel the little filly's body shivering from the cold night air. Its breath filled the winter night air with small clouds of lingering steam. Although the snow was deep in spots it was not soft powder snow, and Applebloom's light weight meant she did not sink down into it too much. Like a pool of black ink it flowed across the silver-blue snow toward the main entrance of the barn.

The Apple family has always kept pigs along with sheep on their land. In return for room and board the sheep provide wool which the Apple family sells. The pigs provided manure for both the Apple family but also other farmers and gardeners in the area, and bristles from their back are sold to the local brush makers. Also at certain times of the year the pigs provided their services in assisting with truffle hunting.

Short Curl was one of the youngest pigs in the herd, but he was already on his way to being a fine specimen of a boar. Most of the other pigs were huddled over in one corner of their run sharing their body heat under some large blankets that the Apple family gave them. Short Curl had decided to forgo joining them so there would be more space under the blankets for Bush Back the most elder boar. Besides he was plenty warm under the heavy blanket he had and the bed of hay was nice and comfy. However as he lied in his bed he heard the soft creaking of the barn door opening and bitter coldness suddenly enter the barn. It was a coldness that chilled him to the very bone. Slowly he poked his head out from under his woolen blanket.

The barn was pitch black except a sliver of dull silver light from the outside. Silhouetted in that light was shape that Short Curl recognized as the filly called Applebloom. Short Curl rather liked Applebloom and some his earliest memories was of her taking care of him. However recently he had not seen much of her. Tonight there was something very wrong with her, he could not figure out what it was about her but he didn't want her in the barn tonight. She seemed to notice him looking at her and starting slowly sauntering over to him.

Suddenly there was a growl behind the little filly. Winona having awoken to from bed in the barn was slowly approaching the intruder. Her head was low, her ears were back and the hair on her back was bristling. The little border collie was confused, this intruder looked like Applebloom but it had a completely smell and vibe to it and she didn't like it. Winona didn't like strangers in the barn and this was a stranger.

As Short Curl watched the little earth pony stopped and turned slightly and looked back at the challenger. The filly appeared to be unconcerned by the dog's presence. Then it spoke softly.

"Ashik ketral en mordelron. Vor tenor khishta. Begone you worthless cur or your life will end."

As the little filly spoke the last lines Applebloom's shadow began to boil and writhe like a mass of serpents. Winona let out tiny whimper and suddenly went completely submissive. Her tail went between her legs and she turned and bolted out of the barn into the night. Fear gripped her mind. To remain in the barn was to die.

After Winona had fled into the night the little filly Applebloom turned her attention back to Short Curl and continue advancing on the young boar.

"Now." Whispered the filly. "Where were we? Ah! Yes, you. I have a need for you. I very, very special need for you, and you are going to help me. Don't worry this will all be over very soon."

As boar watched the white of the little filly's eyes turned black. There was a small cracking sound, like a piece of thick melon rind being snapped in two. Then from the forehead of the little earth pony there emerged a squirming mass of black tissue that quickly formed into this twisted black horn. After a second or so several eyes snapped open and affixed their gaze upon the boar. Then the filly began chanting again.

"Jikta vor ashik kell en kzita. Ketral nekorlr ."

Short Curl tried to cry out but suddenly found himself unable to scream or squeal. He tried to back away from the approaching figure but his limbs were unwilling to respond. As he watched in horror the shadow from the little filly poured out and flowed across the floor engulfing the interior of the barn utter blackness. Confusion filled his mind. Why did none of his family notice or hear what was going on? Why could he not cry for help, move or tear his gaze from the terror that was casually advancing on him.

Applebloom stopped about five feet away from Short Curl and slowly leered at the boar. Her mouth was now full jagged sharp fangs. Slowly she ran her tongue across her deadly dental arsenal.

"Mmm. You look tasty." She purred.

The boar was trapped by the Little filly's black eyes. Suddenly the black horn coiled like a serpent and lunged forward with frightening speed. Short Curl felt it pierce him deeply in the center of his neck. He felt something warm and wet trickling down his neck. Still he was unable to move, and as he stood there immobilized he felt not only his blood being drawn from his body but something else. The very nature of his existence. Then he heard a voice in his head.

"Yes, give yourself to me."

Then the world went black. To be continued.