//------------------------------//
// Day 2, Evening 
// Story: Troubled Water 
// by Twisparkfiles 
//------------------------------//

Day 2, 6:03 p.m.
As the blistering season persisted, nighttime became the only major respite for the affected ponies. The siege of Equestria wasn’t over, but the besieged could catch their breaths and prepare for the next wave. The sun gave way to the moon and stars, a cool rolling breeze pushed the warm air out of much of the land, and ponies in the hard-hit areas took small sips of water in their stock. Ponyville came prepared with kegs of water for every household, as it always does every summer. Sadly, their containers were on the verge of running empty; with summer still blazing, it was only a matter of time before every house runs dry.	
Spike struggled to reach for the water inside the barrel; but the waterline  had gone beyond the reach of his arms. Weeks of use had reduced it to very dangerous levels; now, just like every household in Ponyville, the library’s all but out. After several failed attempts, he let his ladle do the scooping. With two full mugs of water on hand (not cold, unfortunately), he walked to the common room where Twilight spent her rest time reading a stack of books. She had been fixated with finishing The Art of the To-Do List: Fifth Edition so much that she didn’t realize nighttime had fallen.
“The Art of the To-Do List again?” Spike said, handing Twilight a mug. “How many times have you read that book? I lost count.”
“Twelve times,” Twilight replied with a grin. “Add today and that makes thirteen.”
“Are you reading it again to make a to-do list of how to tackle the case?” Spike asked.
Twilight answered with a deep sigh and said: “I’m afraid not. It’s just boredom.”
Spike witnessed her friend wear the face of defeat, a rare occurrence for somepony who—a while ago—was determined to put an end to Ponyville’s ordeal. Tonight, she shares her time with one of her must-reads. The thin slab of pages on the left half told Spike that Twilight hasn’t gotten far. The sight itself was rather unusual; he had seen Twilight finish any book in record time all the time. Soon enough, a “what’s wrong” type of discussion between the two ensued.
“Twilight,” Spike started. “Are you still upset about Fluttershy?”
“How did you know?” Twilight replied, her eyes glued to the book.
“I guess I’m that observant,” said a smug Spike. 
Closing the book signaled the start of a more serious discussion. “I don’t know what’s wrong, Spike,” said Twilight. “Fluttershy knows something, I’m sure of it. I just want her help. Ponyville depends on it.”
“You’ll have to find another way to get answers, Twilight,” Spike said. “You were scaring the living daylights out of her.”
Twilight fell silent and slumped in shame. She hasn’t even taken a sip of her water. Only Celestia knows what’s going on inside her head.
“You should get some rest,” Spike said. “Maybe you’ll have better luck tomorrow.”
“A bit too early for bedtime, don’t you think?” Twilight replied.
“Does it matter?” said Spike. “As long as sleep clears your head, it’s okay.”
“I don’t even feel sleepy yet,” Twilight protested. 
Six in the evening is just too early, even for Spike. “Fine,” he relented. “But don’t stay up late.”
Twilight turned her head to the wall clock; a few minutes past six in the evening. But she was thinking of another clock, one showing how much time she had left before Ponyville is thrown into civil disorder. This night may as well be the calm before the storm. It’s only a matter of time before ponies take to the streets and, worse, fight for control of the remaining water. She feared for the worst…and blamed Fluttershy for it.
“If only Fluttershy would tell everything,” she muttered quietly.
She finally had enough of thinking. Taking Spike’s advice, she trotted upstairs to retire for the night, way too early in anypony’s standards. She left her favorite book half open and mug of lukewarm water untouched.