The Lord of the Ponies: The Friendship of Equestria

by ANGRY_RainbowDash

Chapters

Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All
Ch.2 Twilight Comes To Town
Ch.3 Two Very Dear Friends
Ch.4 Granny Smith's Birthday Party
Ch.5 Goodbye Granny Smith
Ch.6 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe
Ch.7 The Account of Isildur
Ch.8 At Sugar Cube Corner
Ch.9 Harsh Realities
Ch.10 The Long Journey Begins
Ch.11 Luna, Princess of the Night
Ch.13 Bridlebury Ferry
Ch.14 The Prancing Pony Inn
Ch.15 Into the Not-So-Wild Wilderness of Equestria
Ch.16 The Spoiling of Isengard
Ch.17 The Palace Void
Ch.18 The Superior Breed
Ch.19 Flight to the Forest
Ch.20 Zecora's Hut
Ch.21 Many Greetings
Ch.22 The Fate of The Ring
Ch.23 The Blade That Was Broken
Ch.24 The Council at Zecora's
Ch.25 Granny Smith's Gifts
Ch.26 The Fellowship Departs
Ch.27 The Ring Goes West
Ch.28 The Foal Mountain
Ch.29 Into Moria
Ch.30 A Journey Through Darkness
Ch.31 Balin's Tomb
Ch.33 The Hollow Shades
Ch.34 Princess Celestia; Sun-Bringer
Ch.35 The Bloody Mirror
Ch.36 The Fighting Dovakniik
Ch.37 Farewell to Fluttershy
Ch.38 An Alicorn's Goodbye
Ch.39 Down the River Isen
Ch.40 Loyalty Tested
Ch.41 The Breaking of the Fellowship
Ch.42 The Departure of Shining Armor
Ch.43 The Road Goes Ever On...
Ch.1 Concerning The Apple Family
Ch.12 The Cutie Mark Crusaders... And Spike
Ch.32 The Bridge of Khazad-dum

Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All

The Lord of the Ponies: The Friendship of Equestria

By: ANGRY_RainbowDash

Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All

I amar prestar sen...The world is changed

han mathon ne nen... I feel it in the water

han mathon ne chae... I feel it in the earth

a han noston ned wilith... I smell it in the air

Much that once was... is lost. For none now live, who remember it.

It began with the forging of the Great Rings. Three were given to the Alicorns: immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Seven to the Diamond Dogs: great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine... nine rings were gifted to the races of Ponies: who above all else, desire power. For within these Rings was bound the strength and will to govern each race. But they were all of them deceived... for another Ring was made.

In the Unicorn Range, in the fires of The Smokey Mountain, The Changeling Lord Sauron forged, in secret, a Master Ring, to control all others. And into this ring, he poured his cruelty, his malice, and his will to dominate all life.

One Ring to Rule Them All!

One by one, the free lands of Equestria fell to the power of The Ring.

But there were some who resisted.

A Last Alliance of Alicorns and Ponies marched against the Changeling army. And on the slopes of The Smokey Mountain, they fought for the freedom of Equestria

Unicorns shot bolts of magic at the Changelings who sat high on the darkened slopes which overlooked the battle. Many Changelings fell to the Unicorn's superior magic. But even then, a massive ground force of Changelings surged towards the Alicorns, who waited in formation for the eventual crash of the beast's chitin hide against their bodies.

The Alicorns readied themselves, and Celestia, leader of the Alicorns, shouted commands. Her Alicorns then unleashed a quick volley of lethal magic against the charging Changelings, eradicating their front row. But the Changelings still mercilessly surged forward, and in sequence, the Alicorns impaled the coming second row of Changelings with their horns. The enemy losses were steep without any of the Last Alliance lost...yet.

Furious battle broke out, as lines dispersed and sought out the nearest enemy to kill. The Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth Ponies soon joined their Alicorn compatriots on the field of battle. The superior fighting skills of the Last Alliance bested the superior numbers of the Changelings, and it seemed victory was near.

But the power of The Ring, could not be undone.

The Changeling Lord, Sauron, stepped onto the field of battle. The massive Changeling dwarfed even Celestia by double. His horn, which held the One Ring upon it, glowed a sickly green as dark energy surged along the shaft. Bolts flew from his horn, and the numbers of both Ponies and Alicorns alike fell at a staggering rate.

Commander Hurricane: Pegasus and Queen of the Ponies, would not stand for this. She rushed the Dark Lord with her sword, Narsil, in hoof. But she too was swept aside like the many that fell before the Dark Lord's power.

It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Isildur: Pegasus son of the Queen, took up his mother's sword. He futilely tried to raise Narsil, only to have Sauron step on it, and shatter the blade into four shards. The Dark Lord, in his ultimate vanity, reached for Isildur; Sauron hoped to make an example of the Pegasus. But Isildur swung wildly, and the broken piece of Narsil he clutched rang true.

Isildur severed the horn from Sauron's head, and without his ring, the Dark Lord`s power became undone. Sauron glowed a magnificent white, as the air around him became a vacuum, and drew all malicious energies to him. But, in a final moment of tragedy, when everything seemed right, Sauron exploded, which sent his Changelings off to the far reaches of Equestria, and killed off all the Alicorns, except three: Celestia, Cadence and Luna, who were the Ring bearers of the Alicorn race.

Sauron, the enemy of the free Ponies of Equestria, was defeated.

The Ring, passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever. But the hearts of Ponies, are easily corrupted. And the Ring of Power, has a will of its own. And with this will, The Ring betrayed Isildur... to his death, as he tried to sneak from the Changeling ambush that attacked his caravan.

And some things that should not have been forgotten... were lost.

History became legend... legend became myth... and for two and a half thousand years, The Ring passed out of all knowledge. Until, when chance came, it ensnared a new bearer. The Ring came to the creature Gollum, who took it deep into the tunnels of the Crystal Mountains. And there, it consumed him.

The Ring brought to Gollum, unnatural long life. For 500 years it poisoned his mind. And in the gloom of Gollum's cave, it waited. Darkness crept back into the forests of the world. Rumor grew of a shadow in the East, whispers of a nameless fear. And the Ring of Power perceived: its time, had now come. It abandoned Gollum. But something happened then, The Ring did not intend. It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable: an Earth Pony. Granny Smith of Ponyville.

For the time will now come, when Earth Ponies will shape the fortunes of all.

Ch.2 Twilight Comes To Town

Ch.2 Twilight Come To Town

Apple Bloom was a small yellow filly with a mane and tail as red as the apples she grew at home, and she always had her signature pink bow in her mane. While Granny Smith called to her from the other end of town, Apple Bloom sat under a spruce tree. The filly's back rested on the rough bark of the whorled tree, and her back hooves lay hidden in the high grass. Dappled sunlight from Celestia's Sun illuminated Apple Bloom's fur, now a shimmering gold. Hours passed as she read a book, her adolescent mind integrated in the truth of fictional literature.

White flowers littered the well-seeded grass, which were swept in the light breeze which blew through Apple Bloom's fur. But this breeze was special, for it carried the words of a dear friend from not so far away, who was currently singing a song.

"Love's in bloom..."

Apple Bloom heard this, and immediately looked around to locate the source of the song. Once Apple Bloom found the direction, she stood upon her four legs, and galloped off towards the noise, her eyes alight with excitement.

"...A beautiful bride and handsome groom..." the mysterious singer sang. As Apple Bloom galloped closer, she heard the distinct rumble of a wagon and the gentle clip-clop of hooves which accompanied the lighthearted tune.

"Love's in bloom. A beautiful bride and handsome groom."

Apple Bloom met the singer at a small bank that intersected with the road the stranger travelled on. Apple Bloom then stood tall on her hind legs, crossed her forelegs, and put on the most serious face she could muster.

"You're late," imposed Apple Bloom in her Southern Belle accent. The mysterious pony, or Twilight Sparkle as her friends knew her, halted her fireworks-filled wagon, and looked up at Apple Bloom on the hill.

"A wizard is never late, Apple Bloom. Nor is she early. She arrives precisely when she means to... or when it says according to my schedule," replied Twilight, looking at the scroll which levitated in front of her face.

"And according to my schedule... I am early," finished Twilight, before she put her schedule away. The lavender Unicorn glowered at Apple Bloom, and Apple Bloom matched Twilight's.

The two ponies kept the staring contest going, but this façade could not last. Small smiles formed, and with those smiles came bigger ones, then snickering, which became open laughter. Apple Bloom suddenly jumped into Twilight's wagon, where Twilight caught her, and both embraced in a hug for the time they spent away from each other.

"It’s wonderful to see ya Twilight!" exclaimed Apple Bloom, as her hug faltered around Twilight.

"You didn't think I'd miss your Granny Smith's Birthday?" questioned the lavender Unicorn, a twinkle in her eye.

Twilight and Apple Bloom took their seats in the cart, and Twilight hastened the stallion pulling the cart to move forward. He did, but with a groan, as the filly added to the already heavy weight of what the stallion had to pull. The wagon soon strode into Ponyville's residential section, where simple, two-story wooden houses stood tall along the street; the occupants of the structures were as absent as the personality of the simple abodes.

"So how is Granny Smith?" asked Twilight, to which she continued, "I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificence."

The cart rolled forward, slowly approaching Ponyville's empty market square.

"You know Granny Smith. She's got the whole place in an uproar," Apple Bloom answered.

"Well, that should please her," Twilight chuckled.

"Half of Ponyville's been invited. And the rest of them are turning up anyway," Apple Bloom added. Both Twilight and Apple Bloom laughed at the comment as the cart was pulled deeper into Ponyville.

***

Granny Smith still sat on her study chair, and she continued to write in her book.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

And so life in Ponyville goes on, very much as it has this past Second Age, full of its own comings and goings, with change coming slowly, If it comes at all. For things are meant to endure in Ponyville, passing from one generation to the next. There's always been an Apple at Sweet Apple Acres...

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Granny Smith took her focus from her book, and looked out her study window. She saw Applejack and Big Macintosh bucking the apple trees which stretched in an orchard as far as the eye could see.

"...and there always will be," Granny Smith silently regarded to herself.

***

Apple Bloom looked onto Ponyville's approaching market square, a somewhat disturbed look contorting her features.

"To tell ya the truth, Granny's been a bit odd lately," commented Apple Bloom, to which Twilight herself grew apprehensive.

"I mean, more than usual." Apple Bloom looked up at Twilight, as if searching for an answer to Granny Smith's of late peculiarity. Twilight grew only increasingly disturbed at this, and it showed on her features.

"She's taken to locking herself in her study. She spends 'ours pouring over old maps when she thinks nopony's looking," continued Apple Bloom.

***

Granny Smith stood up from her chair, and settled herself on her four hooves. She felt quite proud of the beginning of her book, and deemed herself worthy of a reprieve. Granny frisked her coat, which grew increasingly hurried and desperate as she realized whatever she was looking for, wasn't on her.

"Where's it gone?" questioned Granny Smith as she hurriedly paced around the study.

Granny's breathing and pace grew increasingly erratic as she searched under, over and into everything in her study. Feeling anxiety grip her, Granny quickly checked her person again, just to be sure. Around her mid section she stopped, feeling a familiar bump under a tuft of fur. This calmed the old Earth pony down immensely, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Granny Smith pulled out a ring, which now sat in the middle of her hoof.

***

"She's up to something," insisted Apple Bloom, as the cart finally rolled into Ponyville's market, where a familiar apple stand stood empty, along with every other stand. It seemed that all ponies were preoccupied with Granny Smith's party preparations.

Twilight looked upon the little filly with concern, more so afraid for Granny's sake than Apple Bloom's. However, Apple Bloom felt the piercing gaze of Twilight upon her, and she shot a knowing look over to her friend, to suddenly find Twilight averting her gaze, instead focusing on the beautiful cloud house above Ponyville.

"All right then. Keep your secrets," joked Apple Bloom, which relieved the pressure from the previously grim conversation.

"What?" replied Twilight, a look of utter confusion on her face.

"But I know you have something to do with it," asserted Apple Bloom.

"Good gracious me," murmured Twilight. The lavender Unicorn looked in shock upon Apple Bloom.

"I may not be a genius, but I bet my the entire Apple family orchard that it has something to do with that adventure you had with Granny Smith," asserted Apple Bloom.

"If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your Granny a little nudge out of the door," countered Twilight.

"Well, whatever you did, I think it's the reason for Granny being so peculiar of late," Apple Bloom commented.

"Oh, really?" Twilight questioned. The wagon passed through the square, and was now in the process of passing a red schoolhouse.

Apple Bloom ducked as low as she could when the school came into view, as if she was trying to hide herself.

"Skipping school, Apple Bloom?" asked Twilight, but the question was more rhetorical than anything, as she already knew the answer.

"I was just trying to get my Cutie Mark." Apple Bloom pointed to her flank, which was bare of anything resembling a Cutie Mark.

"Scootaloo usually has us doin' crazy things, so I wanted to try something peaceful while she was at school," defended Apple Bloom, hoping Twilight would take her excuse as a good reason, and not tell Cheerilee, her teacher.

"And what were you doing that you thought was going to get you a Cutie Mark?" inquired Twilight, as she hoped it wasn't something too ridiculous.

"It was reading, okay," Apple Bloom said. The golden filly gave Twilight a moment to take it in, before she added, "I was hoping to get my Cutie Mark in reading,"

"Apple Bloom, if anybody were to get a Cutie Mark in reading, it would probably be me," snickered Twilight.

"Keep it down, Twilight. I'd hate to get caught," cautioned Apple Bloom.

"With the crowd that's gathering behind us, I'd be more worried about ducking down further," added Twilight.

Apple Bloom snuck a peek behind the cart to see that Twilight was right; the entire school basically emptied just to chase the wagon.

"Twilight! Twilight! Fireworks, Twilight!" Little fillies and colts yelled as they chased after the wagon which passed by their school.

The little ponies lined up behind the cart, and continued murmuring their wishes for fireworks, for Twilight was known for creating fireworks of great magical splendor. Twilight continued on, seemingly deaf to the cries of the little ponies behind her. Apple Bloom ducked even lower, hoping her friends and classmates wouldn't see her.

Soon the fillies and colts cries turned to groans as they thought they wouldn't get their special fireworks.

*Bang*

A single firework, meant to arouse the excitement of the children, erupted, and so did the ponies cheers. The many fillies and colts chased after the multiple glowing butterflies which led them back to Cheerie's schoolhouse. Twilight and Apple Bloom laughed whole-heartedly with the children's adoration, knowing they brought just that much more happiness into the world. Even the groaning stallion who pulled the wagon smiled at the palpable excitement of the children.

Apple Bloom stood up, and using one of her forehooves, she supported herself on the side of the wagon.

"Twilight? I'm glad your back," said Apple Bloom. The tiny Earth pony expertly departed the carriage with a smile, and headed away from the school.

Unbeknownst to her, the wagon-puller sighed. The stallion felt the weight of the cart noticeably lessen by a whole filly.

"So am I dear," Twilight called after Apple Bloom.

"So am I," Twilight silently repeated to herself, as the cart moved on towards an all too familiar apple orchard.

Ch.3 Two Very Dear Friends

Ch.3 Two Very Dear Friends

Twilight's cart full of fireworks was pulled on by a stallion towards Sweet Apple Acres. From here she could see Applejack and Big Macintosh hard at work bucking the apple trees. Twilight didn't call out to her friends, as she had important business to attend to, and had the cart proceed to the front door of Granny Smith's house. Once the cart reached its destination, Twilight leapt off, and turned towards the stallion who had pulled her cart.

"Thanks for the help. I can take the cart from here," assured Twilight, as she quickly unhitched the stallion.

Twilight's horn glowed a sparkling purple, and so did the cart. The lavender mare used her magic to levitate the cart, and set it off to the side. She then proceeded towards the stairs to the front door. The stallion gave a quizzical look at the Unicorn before he galloped off, and out of Ponyville.

The first thing Twilight noticed about the house was the sign nailed to the door: "No Visitors, Only Birthday Party Business Excused". The sign did not faze her. She simply knocked on the door with her hoof, and waited for a reply.

"No thank you, you whippersnappers! I don't want anymore visitors, well-wishers or distant relations!" yelled out Granny Smith, which was slightly muffled by the walls of the house.

Twilight smiled at Granny's reply, and inquired, "And what about very old friends?"

The door to the house opened slowly, only so much that Granny's head poked out. Granny Smith couldn't believe her eyes, so she quickly put on her reading glasses, and looked again to find...

"Twilight?" asked Granny Smith.

"Granny Smith," pronounced Twilight. Granny Smith opened the door and rushed out to greet her old friend with a hug.

"My dear, Twilight!" cried Granny Smith, tears of joy welling up in her eyes.

Twilight returned Granny's hug, and spoke into her ear, "Good to see you. One-hundred and eleven years old? Who would believe it?" Twilight then retreated from the hug, and looked into the old mare's eyes.

"You haven't aged a day," Twilight said, astonished at the youthful spirit that gripped the old Earth Pony, manifested as an eccentric twinkle in the geriatric's eye. Granny Smith simply nodded, and smiled at the return of her dear friend.

Both ponies laughed and went indoors.

"Come on, come in!" beckoned Granny Smith as she waved Twilight through the door.

"Welcome, welcome," further greeted Granny Smith. The old Earth pony beckoned Twilight further into the house, and closed the front door.

"Tea? Or maybe something a bit stronger?" asked Granny Smith as she led Twilight down the far way towards the kitchen.

"I've got a few bottles of the Old Cider left. 1296. Very good year. Almost as old as I am," Granny proclaimed, and then snickered at the joke she made about her age.

"It was laid down by my father. What say we open one, eh?" asked Granny, as she continued trotting towards the kitchen. Twilight however, was still at the front door, and decided to take the short way to the kitchen... through Granny Smith's study.

"Just tea, thank you," responded Twilight as she moved into the study.

"I was expecting you sometime last week. Not that it matters. At least you got the fireworks for the party. You have caught me a bit unprepared. We've only got apple pie and some apple fritters..." rambled on Granny Smith from the kitchen.

As Granny rambled, Twilight crept into the study, marvelled by the books, maps and souvenirs that littered the place; testaments to the recent travels of the aged Earth pony.

"Granny's really going to have to shelve and index all these documents." thought Twilight, as she started to sort the books and maps into the shelves that lined the walls.

"There's some apples here. No, that won't do. We've got apple jam, and apple tart. But not much for afters. Oh, no, we're all right. I've just found some of sponge cake." Granny continued her rambling as she moved about the kitchen. When the old Earth pony realized the absence of her guest, she proceeded towards the study.

"I could squeeze some apple juice if you'd like?" asked Granny. The old Earth pony was mystified as to where Twilight had gone, since her study was also empty of her guest, and was more spacious and organized all of a sudden.

"Just tea, thank you," said Twilight. Her sudden appearance in the kitchen surprised Granny greatly.

"Oh, right," replied Granny, as she turned to face her guest and re-enter the kitchen.

Granny Smith trotted to the table, and bit off a piece of the sponge cake which rested on the table.

"You don't mind if I eat, do you?" mumbled Granny through a mouth full of sponge cake.

"No, not at all," replied Twilight. The lavender Unicorn seated herself in a chair at the end of the table closest to Granny Smith.

There was another knock on the door, which surprised Granny Smith, and caused her to leap back.

"Granny! Granny Smith!" Twilight heard through the insistent knocking on the door.

Granny looked towards the direction of her front door, then at her friend Twilight with eyebrows raised, which wrinkled her features, and ruined her elderly complexion.

"I'm not at home!" Granny quietly insisted to Twilight.

Knocking could still be heard, and Granny crept towards the large window in her study. What she saw was worse than anything she'd encountered before. More dangerous than the dragon, Smaug. And definitely more pompous than the high society in Canterlot. The terrible creatures standing outside, the banes of her existence, were known commonly among the Apple family as...

"The Oranges!" Granny whispered back to Twilight in the kitchen. Even Twilight, after she heard this, raised her own eyebrows in fear of the ponies standing outside.

"They're after the farm," explained Granny Smith, as she snuck back to the kitchen as to not be seen through the study window.

"They've never forgiven me for living this long," whispered Granny, as she paced around the kitchen, in hope that the Oranges would go away soon.

"I've got to get away from these confounded relatives, hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment's peace," Granny said, after her voice returned to an inside volume. She waved her arms in the air as she paced around the kitchen, somewhat akin to a whining filly.

"I want to see mountains again. Mountains, Twilight! And then find somewhere quiet where I can finish my book," complained Granny, as she looked at Twilight.

The kettle soon whistled, which signified it was time for tea.

"Oh, tea." Granny Smith realized as she hurried over to the kettle on the kitchen fireplace, gripped it by the padded handle, moved towards the table, and poured Twilight a cup. She then set the kettle down on the table.

"So you mean to go through with your plan?" asked Twilight, before she blew on her tea.

"Yes, yes. It's all in hand. All the arrangements are made," assured Granny.

"Apple Bloom suspects something," Twilight mentioned, hoping Granny would further explain.

"Of course she does. She's an Apple. Not some pompous Orange from Manehatten," resounded Granny.

"You will tell her, won't you?" asked Twilight.

"Yes, yes," assured Granny.

"She's very fond of you," added Twilight.

Granny considered what Twilight said, and the full realization of her selfish actions saddened her complexion.

"I know," replied Granny, and with a light nod of her head, she continued, "She'd probably come with me if I asked her. I think in her heart, Apple Bloom's still in love with the Ponyville. The school, the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Sweet Apple Acres."

Granny kept on speaking. Her voice became shallow and hoarse, a reflection of her physical age, "I'm old Twilight. I know I don't look it, but I'm beginning to feel it in my heart."

Twilight noticed Granny had one of her forehooves resting on her midsection, but she didn't disturb the old pony's monologue.

"I feel thin. Sort of stretched... like butter scraped over too much bread." Granny Smith looked over to the study window; her countenance reflected a hopeless longing.

"I need a holiday. A very long holiday. And I don't expect I shall return. In fact, I mean not to," affirmed Granny, with conviction in her tone.

***

Many hours later, when it was dark, Twilight Sparkle and Granny Smith sat out upon the steps of the house, and looked out towards the town. Spotlights illuminated the sky from all the decorations Pinkie Pie put up to celebrate Granny's one-hundred and eleventh birthday. At this moment, Granny shared the last jar of Zap Apple Jam with Twilight.

"Zap apple jam. You'll never find any better jam in all four corners of Equestria," proclaimed Granny Smith, as she took a spoonful of jam and sucked it down her gullet.

Twilight herself took a spoonful, and enjoyed the tingling sensation of the jam as it slid down her throat.

"Twilight, my dear friend... this will be a night to remember."

Ch.4 Granny Smith's Birthday Party

Ch.4 Granny Smith's Birthday Party

Fireworks exploded in the night sky over Ponyville, resembling a myriad of shapes and colors; the most recent blazed into the shape of the Ponyville treebary, its great branches unfolded like the knowledge within its wooden expanse. All manner of ponies cheered on as the fireworks continued to erupt, and other ponies focussed on the music and dancing that took place on the ground. Pinkie Pie bounded in time with the beat of the music, and Apple Bloom was doing something akin to the river dance. Not too far away, Big Macintosh heaved around a massive Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness, or as Pinkie Pie called it, 'the MMMMadness'.

Ponies everywhere enjoyed themselves, as they feasted on an assortment of delectable Apple family recipes, and drank large quantities of apple cider. However, at a table near the dance floor, sat a green-spined, purple-scaled baby dragon. His name was Spike, and he was having an awfully hard time socializing, as he just stared longingly at the dancing form of Rarity. Rarity was a beautiful unicorn mare, with a lofted purple mane and tail, contrasting with her dazzling white fur. Rarity was known as the Element of Generosity, but Spike was hoping she'd be generous enough to let him dance with her. But that was before Apple Bloom showed up.

"Come on, Spike. Go ask Rarity for a dance," encouraged Apple Bloom.

"I think I'll just get another mug of cider," said Spike, as he stood up to leave Apple Bloom, and his thoughts of Rarity behind.

However, what Spike didn't know was that Rarity was dancing in a circle, and at this time, she was getting awfully close to his table. Apple Bloom, anticipating the opportunity, pushed Spike onto the dance floor, right in Rarity's path. Spike's claws gripped Rarity's gossamer hooves, and he was swept up in the dance. Apple Bloom just sat back, and laughed at the obvious height difference between Spike and Rarity, and how Spike had to compensate by jumping higher than any normal pony should've in his position.

***

Somewhere off from the tables and dance floor, Twilight set off another firework, causing the projectile to fly up, before exploding in a shower of iridescent blue; a rather spectacular display that drew gasps of admiration from many attending ponies.

***

Granny Smith sat on the ground, and relayed the story of when she was kidnapped by a group of Ursa Minors to a group of young fillies and colts, a setting akin to when she went to Apple Bloom's Family Appreciation Day. The only differences were that there was no school, and the story was not about how Ponyville came to be.

"So there I was..." Granny Smith paused for dramatic effect before continuing, "...at the mercy of three, monstrous Ursa Minors." Granny Smith accented the monstrous part, to make her theatrical situation seem much more dire.

"And they were all arguing amongst themselves about how they were going to cook us. Whether it be turned on a spit, or to sit on us one by one, squash into jelly." Granny Smith made a sour face at that last part about jelly, then moved on with her tale.

"They spent so much time arguing the withertos and the whyfors that the sun's first light crept over the top of the trees and...poof." Granny Smith moved forward suddenly on the poof, trying to accent the surprise by scaring the little ponies.

"And turned them all into stone!" Granny concluded, to the crowd of applauding young ones.

***

Twilight went into her wagon, and levitated out three more fireworks with her magic and laughed. She, and only she, knew what marvels lay underneath the illustrated wooden frames of the fireworks.

"Beat this Trixie!" challenged Twilight as she moved on to the launching area.

What she didn't know however, was that behind a nearby tent, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were waiting for Twilight to leave. Scootaloo poked her head out to check if the coast was clear.

"Is the coast clear?" asked Sweetie Belle, her voice as high-pitched as it usually was.

"Yep. Twilight took some fireworks with her." answered Scootalo in her brash, but soft, tone. She then exited the tent, and Sweetie Belle followed close behind.

What was commonly known around Ponyville as the Cutie Mark Crusaders (or CMC for short), was really a group of three fillies: Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle: a white-furred unicorn with a half pink, half purple mane and tail, much akin to her sister, Rarity. The third filly was Scootaloo, a Pegasus with an orange coat and dark-purple mane and tail. The CMC was dedicated to finding their Cutie Marks: flanked pictures that showed everypony what unique talents that pony had. Their newest plan required the use of one of Twilight's fireworks.

"Come on Sweetie Belle. We gotta get a firework before Twilight gets back." Sweetie Belle quickly galloped to the cart, and took her place near the open back-end.

"Waiting for you now," resounded Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo quickly hurried herself towards the cart.

Scootaloo jumped onto Sweetie Belle's back, to which she heard groans, then jumped again into the cart, and started shuffling through the dozens of fireworks.

***

Twilight ignited a firework in the middle of a group of young fillies, which erupted into low hanging butterflies, which the ponies chased with much vigor. Having spent her last firework, Twilight started back towards the cart to collect more.

***

Scootaloo shuffled through the pile of fireworks laid before her, only to hear Sweetie Belle urging her to hurry up, "Hurry up Scootaloo! I just heard another firework go off."

Scootaloo picked up a plain blue cylindrical firework and showed it to Sweetie Belle, only to have it waved off.

"No, no. Get a big one," pleaded Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo shuffled through the pile of fireworks again, and pulled out a monstrous red firework. The firework's frame resembled the shape of a wingless dragon.

"That'll do. Come on!" urged Sweetie Belle as Scootaloo gripped the firework in her mouth and headed, with Sweetie Belle, into the nearby tent they just emerged from not too long ago.

***

Granny Smith, after her tale with the children, began walking around and exchanging greetings with her party guests. She approached a wall-eyed gray mare, with a golden mane and tail, who was hanging out with her daughter, Dinky Doo.

"Hello Derpy, how nice to see you. Welcome, welcome." Granny Smith held her hoof out for a hoofshake, to which Derpy tried and tried again to grab and shake, but to no avail.

'Probably because of those eyes' thought Granny Smith, as Derpy finally grasped her hoof, and shook it. Granny then continued on to find more guests to welcome.

"Granny!" Granny Smith was hard of hearing, but even the call made out to her was clear enough as to who it belonged to.

Granny Smith turned in the other direction of where the voice called from, to conveniently find Apple Bloom standing behind her.

"It's the Oranges!" Granny exclaimed, to which Apple Bloom pulled her to shelter in a nearby tent, which hid them from the ever watchful gazes of the passing Oranges.

"Well HI there, Granny!" Pinkie Pie blurted, the jubilant pink pony mysteriously popping out from nowhere.

"Quiet Pinkie! We're trying to hide!" cautioned Apple Bloom.

"Okay, Apple Bloom. I-Pinkie-Promise-To-Be-Quiet-While-You-Hide-From-Your-Distant-Relatives-Who-Are-Hunting-You-Down-To-Try-And-Steal-Your-Farm."

Pinkie then crossed her heart, and stuck a hoof in her eye, signifying the everlasting Pinkie Promise.

"I just wanted to say...Happy Happy Birthday to you, to you today..." And so Pinkie Pie quietly sang her trademarked happy birthday song.

***

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle marvelled at the firework which they held up, in the confines of a tent where no one could see them.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS FIREWORK LAUNCHERS ARE A GO!" yelled the two CMCs.

"Now light this thing Sweetie Belle. We're going to put on the best fireworks display Ponyville has ever seen!" exclaimed the young Pegasus.

Sweetie Belle was not accustomed to using magic, so creating the spark necessary to ignite the fuse was hard, but she succeeded in her task. The fuse burned fast, as the spark moved speedily to where it would ignite the rocket and send it into the sky.

"You're supposed to stick it the ground," cautioned Scootaloo, who then tossed the firework over to Sweetie Belle.

"It WAS in the ground!" yelled Sweetie Belle, as she held the firework, which would go off in a second...

*Bang*

The firework ignited, and the rocket lifted off into the air. The resulting explosion knocked Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo back a few feet. They didn't have to worry about the getting tangled up in the tent, as the firework carried it off into the heavens.

***

All the ponies at the party looked up at the most recent firework to set off. The rocket reached its apex in the sky, then blew out a bunch of tiny red sparklers. The crowd "oohed" and "awed", but this was only the beginning of what this special firework had to offer. The red dragon firework took on a form more according to its design, as it sprouted wings, formed a gaping jaw, and sailed towards the group of applauding ponies. Granny Smith, as the pony she was, was too oblivious to care for the tide of screaming ponies that swept past her, or the urges of Apple Bloom, "Granny, look out for the dragon!"

"Nonsense, there hasn't been a dragon in these parts for quite some time..." Granny gaze altered to look upon a small baby dragon, who led a beautiful pony away from the ever-approaching horror behind them.

"Well except for that one." Granny never got to point out the running baby dragon, as Apple Bloom jumped on her back, causing the old Earth pony to collapse.

All the ponies fell to the ground, as the dragon sailed over their heads, and became an unstable ball of red light. The ball moved over the hills of Ponyville, before exploding into the most magnificent display of fireworks ever seen throughout Equestria. Seeing that the danger was over, the ponies stood up and cheered for the amazing spectacle that flashed before them. Even Granny got up and cheered for the explosions that played out before her eyes.

***

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, faces black from the explosion, looked at their handiwork.

"That was good," said Scootaloo.

"Let's get another one," added Sweetie Belle, to which they both nodded in agreement.

They suddenly felt a sharp pinch of the ears. They looked up to find Twilight Sparkle looming over them.

"Sweetie Belle... and Scootaloo. I might've known," Twilight said as she looked between the two, contemplating a sufficient punishment for the two mischievous fillies.

***

Twilight looked towards the front stage, as Granny Smith got up, and prepared to say a few words. The only thing that disturbed her concentration was the sound of clanking dishes, as Twilight set both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo with dish-cleaning duty.

"Maybe you can both get Cutie Marks in dish washing," snickered Twilight. She then refocussed her attention on the front stage.

***

Granny Smith walked up onto the stage, to the chanting of "Speech" from all the party ponies. Ponies stomped and cheered, as she took her place at center stage, where she cleared her throat, and addressed her guests, "My dear Oranges and Apples... Hooves and Whooves... Punchs, Belles, Doos, Bolgers, Dashes and Proudhooves."

"Proudhoof!" yelled out a singular stallion, fat with age, who displayed his well-manicured hooves.

Everypony laughed, but Granny Smith simply waved him off, and continued with her speech, "Today is my one-hundred and eleventh birthday!"

Everypony in the audience cheered, "Happy Birthday" for Granny's second year of supercentenialism.

"But alas, eleventy-one years is far too short to live among such excellent and admirable ponies." The crowd ponies stomped at Granny's compliment, and still the old Earth pony continued on, "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

The crowd of ponies exchanged confused glances at this remark, but Twilight smiled, as she was seemingly the only guest able to understand Granny's confusing colloquy.

"I, uh-" Granny stuttered, as if struck by a forgetful episode which she was known for.

"I have things to do." Granny reached a hoof around to her midsection, feeling her ring as prepared to slip it on.

"I've put this off for far too long," Granny quietly remarked, as she stared off into the crowd.

"I regret to announce this is the end! I'm going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell." Granny looked into the crowd once more, and caught Apple Bloom's focused stare.

"Goodbye." Those were Granny's last words, before she slipped the ring on, and disappeared into thin air.

Ch.5 Goodbye Granny Smith

Ch.5 Goodbye Granny Smith

The party ponies gasped at Granny's sudden disappearing trick. Several of them even got up and started to look for her, unbeknownst that Granny Smith walked amongst them, invisible to the naked eye as she departed for her home.

"WOWEE! What a great trick! I mean, didn't you see that! Granny was all like 'Goodbye', and then she went poof! O that was AMAZING! I gotta ask her how to do that next time I see her!" marveled the jubilant Pinkie Pie, to no one in particular, as she bounced around and contributed to the effort of locating Granny Smith.

Of all the ponies at that party, only Twilight's composure remained unchanged from Granny's disappearance. She just sat there, and considered two questions: one, how did Granny, a non-magical Earth Pony, disappear into thin air when even she, the most magically gifted unicorn in all of Equestria, could not succeed in such a task? The second question was much simpler: where would Granny go to escape all the wandering ponies? Knowing the answer to both, Twilight got up, and amidst the confusion, snuck behind a tent, and teleported to the one place Granny would go to get away from all the ponies: Sweet Apple Acres.

***

Granny Smith soon reached her home, but even so far off as Sweet Apple Acres she still heard the worried clamor of other ponies as they vainly searched for her along the party grounds. Her hoof-prints imprinted in the dirt as she walked up to her front door. She opened the door, stepped inside, and finally closed it. She took off the ring, revealing her worn green frame. Granny Smith laughed at how easily she had fooled every single pony in Ponyville.

Granny eyed the ring with much appreciation, before she slid it into the tuft of fur along her midsection, and entered her living room, preparing to grab all the necessities for her long and arduous trip into the world.

"I suppose you think that was terribly clever," remarked Twilight, to the surprise of Granny Smith.

"GREAT GHOST APPLES!" exasperated Granny, holding a hoof to her heart.

"You have also seemingly forgotten that I can teleport to anywhere in Equestria at any given moment," added Twilight; the lavender Unicorn smirked at the surprise she caused the old pony.

"Now you just wait a cotton pickin' minute young missy. There's no reason to go on scaring folk like that!" sassed Granny.

"So I guess what you did to all of Ponyville was just...'harmless fun'?" questioned Twilight, hoping for an answer that wasn't hypocritical.

"Oh, come on now, Twilight. Did you see their faces? That wasn't scary, that was a hoot," snickered Granny, but Twilight wasn't amused anymore.

"There are many magic rings in this world, and none of them should be used lightly," lectured Twilight.

"It was just a bit of fun," defended Granny, only to get stared down by Twilight.

"Oh, you're probably right, as usual." Granny's head hung low as she walked around her living quarters, and picked up items which she packed into a saddle bag that sat on a nearby table.

"You won't need to worry about Apple Bloom though. She's got her big sis' and brother to look after her," assured Granny, and she continued to shuffle about and stuff things into her travel pack.

"I'll be leaving everything to Applejack," added Granny. She picked up her book, which she had written in earlier, and shoved it in the bag.

"What about this ring of yours? Is that staying too?" asked Twilight.

"Oh yes. But that will be going to Apple Bloom. She'll need something special to remind her of me while I'm gone," stated Granny, and she pointed over to the mantelpiece.

"It's in an envelope over there on the mantlepiece," Granny said, before organizing the items of her future travels.

Twilight went over to the mantelpiece to investigate the ring, only to find there was no envelope in sight.

"No. Wait, it's..." Granny spoke, as if she knew the answer to Twilight's question before it was asked.

Granny reached into the tuft and pulled out the ring; her countenance reflected a guilty pleasure. The old Earth pony eyed the simple band zealously, and started to stroke the ring with her cheek, which disturbed Twilight greatly.

"Isn't that-isn't that odd, now? Yet, after all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it?" Granny tone grew more sinister and hushed, as if being drawn into the power of the ring,

"I think you should leave the ring behind. Is that so hard?" interjected Twilight, which seemed to bring Granny out of her corrupted state. Granny quickly turned and faced her friend, a pleading look on her face.

"Well no..." Granny reassured, but she turned back to the ring, and focussed all her attention on it, "...and yes. Now that it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it. It's mine. I found it! It came to ME!" Granny's tone grew increasingly aggravated; her zealous eyes unwavered from the ring.

"There's no need to get angry," Twilight conjected calmly. The Unicorn's complexion exhibited a rising concern for her increasingly disturbed friend.

"Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault!" Granny only afforded Twilight a side glance with her vicious accusation, before turning back to the ring.

"It's mine. My own. My Precious." Granny's voice cooed for the ring, her eyes widening in the zealotry which befell her.

"Precious? It's been called that before, but not by you," stated Twilight.

Granny heard what Twilight had uttered, and knew what she was insinuating. She quickly covered the ring with her other hoof to protect it from the other pony who would try to take her precious from her.

"What business is it of yours what I do with my own things?" yelled Granny, her tone growing increasingly malicious.

"I think you've had that ring quite long enough," stated Twilight, holding her ground against the hostile form before her.

"You want it for yourself!" accused Granny Smith, much to the shock, and anger, of Twilight.

"GRANNY SMITH!" bellowed Twilight in such ferocity, that she burst into flames. The hostile Granny cowered before her fiery form, "DO NOT TAKE ME FOR SOME CONJURER OF CHEAP TRICKS!"

The room around Twilight grew darker, and her pitch deepened, as the building itself seemed to shake with the power of her voice.

"I'm not trying to rob you!" stated Twilight. She returned to her normal self, only slightly singed.

Light returned to the room, and the building stopped shaking. Twilight's voice even returned to its normal volume and pitch.

"I'm trying to help you," assured Twilight; a reassuring smile played over her features.

Granny whimpered, and she stepped forward to embrace her friend, tears of sadness welling in her eyes. Twilight returned the hug, and softly stroked the fur around Granny's neck to calm the old pony down

"We are friends, Granny Smith. Trust me, let it go," pleaded Twilight, looking straight at the geriatric pony that stood before her.

Granny could not stand to match Twilight's gaze. She was ashamed. She had gone down to such a low level as to accuse her friend Twilight of trying to take her ring.

"You're right, Twilight," sighed Granny, admitting that her friend, once again, was right, "The ring must go to Apple Bloom." Granny stepped away from Twilight, and proceeded to place her travel pack on her back.

"It's late. The road is long. Yes, it is time." Granny moved towards the front door, but before she could even reach for the handle, she heard Twilight's voice again, "Granny."

Granny stopped in her tracks, as she turned to her friend, who was approaching her from the living room.

"The ring is still on your person," continued Twilight, much to the dismay of Granny Smith.

"Ah. Yes," Granny agreed, as she pulled the ring from her person, and held it aloft in her hoof.

Twilight glanced to the ring, and back to Granny, spying the unrelenting stare which her senior held upon the golden band. Granny however, did not want to relinquish her ring so easily, as she had possessed the magical item for over 20 years. Her hoof shook, and it started to tilt slightly. Her hoof eventually turned perpendicular to the floor, in what seemed like an eternity, and the ring fell to the solid canvas, a thud made which should've been quiet for such a small object.

Granny quickly opened the door, and stepped out of the building. The old Earth pony gave pause before her front steps. Twilight stood in the doorway, waiting for what final words her departing friend had to offer.

"I've thought up an ending to my book," said Granny. She quickly turned to face her friend, and prepared to recall what she had just thought, "And she lived happily ever after, to the end of her days."

Twilight stepped forward, and placed a hoof on her shoulder.

"And I'm sure you will, my dear friend," added Twilight, as Granny and she shared a farewell hoof shake.

"Goodbye Twilight," parted Granny Smith.

"Goodbye, Granny Smith," parted Twilight as well.

Twilight let go, but savored the probable last moment she had with her oldest friend. Granny soon turned, and continued down the clear cut path which led to the streets of Ponyville. She wouldn't have to worry about being spotted, as she still heard the ponies looking around Town Square for her.

"The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began..." sang Granny Smith, as she continued down and into her permanent vacation.

***

Twilight went inside and shut the door behind her. The lavender Unicorn hoped the ponies would be occupied in their search for Granny Smith a little while longer. She wished not to be disturbed. Twilight slowly circled the ring which sat on the floor, and eyed the golden band with an innate curiosity only she and Sweetie Belle were known for. Twilight kneeled down on her back legs, as to more closely examine the ring which lay on the ground. She then slowly reached for it; nervous twitches shook her leg as her hoof slowly approached the ring. But before she could come within an inch of the golden band, her mind was overwhelmed by a sudden vision of an eye, wreathed in flame. Her hoof retracted from the dangerous object, which had resided itself in peaceful Ponyville for over 20 years.

"Riddles in the Dark. My precious."

Ch.6 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe

Ch.6 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe

Twilight sat by the fire which she lit in Granny Smith's fireplace. She read a book, as usual, but something kept her concentration from being entirely focussed on said book. This 'something' was Granny's ring, that mysterious and powerful object which lay just in front of the door of the house. Twilight had tried to pick it up earlier, but her magical presence had stirred something in that ring... something evil.

Her thoughts turned to what Granny had said to the ring earlier in a fit of greed, "It's Mine. My Own. My Precious." She knew where she had heard that exact phrase before, during her earlier adventure with a younger Granny Smith.

"Riddles in the Dark," Twilight whispered to herself. She set the book aside and stared at the fire before her.

"Granny! Granny Smith!" yelled a small filly from outside, who's Southern Belle accent was as unmistakable as the answer to two plus two.

"Granny!" Apple Bloom opened the door and ran inside; her eyes searched the front foyer for any signs of her dear Granny.

Twilight just sat there, and stared at the fire, unchanged by the sudden intrusion of Apple Bloom. After all, this was her house, and it was only a matter of time before all of Ponyville realized that Granny was no longer at her own birthday party.

Apple Bloom head hung low, disappointed that her Granny had actually left, like she always said she would. But Apple Bloom noticed something else: a ring, more specifically, Granny's ring, which just sat on the floor, as if carelessly abandoned by its previous owner. So Apple Bloom scooped the band up with her front hooves, and set it in one of her forehooves; she began to scrutinize the curious object.

"My Precious." Twilight's voice surprised Apple Bloom, but it was a pleasant surprise, as she realized that another one of her dear friends hadn't abandoned her this night.

"She's gone, hasn't she?" asked Apple Bloom, but Twilight simply ignored her and stared at the fire, deep in thought.

"She talked for so long about leaving...I didn't think she'd actually, or even could, do it," continued Apple Bloom. She balanced her way over to Twilight's side, carrying the ring in her hoof. The closer Apple Bloom got to Twilight, the more clearly she heard the lavender Unicorn repeating something, murmuring the same word over and over: 'Precious'.

"Twilight? You okay in there?" asked Apple Bloom. She slightly nudged her friend's shoulder to draw her attention.

Apple Bloom's nudge disrupted Twilight's trance, and she became aware of the small filly presence beside her. Twilight turned towards Apple Bloom, but her eyes lowered, until they rested upon the ring which sat in Apple Bloom's hoof. Twilight then looked up at Apple Bloom, and smiled.

"Granny's ring. She's gone to stay with the Princess. She left you her ring, and to Applejack: Sweet Apple Acres." Twilight enjoyed passing on the good news, it meant that other than serving out dish-cleaning duty to two foolish fillies, something worthwhile came out of this disenchanted night.

"Speaking of which, where is your sister, and your brother?" asked Twilight.

"They're still looking for Granny Smith. They probably won't be back for a while," answered Apple Bloom.

"Good, good. It's good that we can have some alone time," continued Twilight.

Twilight turned towards the mantelpiece, and using her magic, levitated an envelope towards Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom, taking the hint, set the ring in the envelope. Twilight quickly licked the lip, and sealed the envelope.

"The ring is yours now." Twilight levitated the sealed envelope out to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom reached out for the envelope, but upon making contact, was swiftly pulled towards Twilight, till she nearly nose-to-nose with the lavender Unicorn.

"Keep it secret. Keep it safe," warned Twilight. The mare's face carried a look of distress which Apple Bloom hadn't seen since Twilight went crazy because of being 'tardy' on a letter to the Princess.

Twilight promptly stood up, and made a beeline for the door, leaving a confused Apple Bloom in her wake.

"Where are ya going?" asked Apple Bloom, trying desperately to discover the reason for the change in Twilight's demeanor.

"There are some things I must attend to. Books, reading, studying, the works," answered Twilight.

"But why can't you just stay here in Ponyville. You study in that big ol' library of yours all the time," added Apple Bloom. Tears started to well in the filly's eyes for the loss of two friends, both who would leave her for their own selfish reasons.

"The knowledge I require cannot be found in Ponyville, but in the Canterlot Archives. So I must go there at once, and find what I am looking for." Twilight's response only encouraged Apple Bloom's thoughts that her friend and kin were leaving her for their own pursuits.

"You're just being selfish! You've only just arrived, and now, you're gonna leave... just like Granny!" cried Apple Bloom. The tiny filly's pleas melted Twilight's heart, and caused the lavender Unicorn to stop in her tracks.

Twilight turned and faced Apple Bloom, whose face was moistened by the tears that twinkled down her cheeks. Twilight kneeled in front of Apple Bloom and wrapped her hooves around her, and Apple Bloom did the same.

"Don't worry my dear. Goodbyes aren't forever," assured Twilight. She took a hoof and carefully stroked Apple Bloom's apple-red mane.

"I *sniff*, just don't understand why you have to go so soon." Twilight pulled back, and met Apple Bloom eye-to-eye.

"Neither do I. But heed my words, Apple Bloom. Keep the ring secret. Keep it safe." And with that, Twilight stood up, and teleported to Canterlot, or that's what Apple Bloom presumed.

Apple Bloom's slowly moved into the living room, where, on the chair where Twilight sat earlier, lay the envelope which contained Granny's most prized possession.

***

Dark clouds reigned in the sky, and pumice ash fell like rain. The Unicorn Range, named after the more glamourous sub-species of Ponykind, was not a reflection of its namesake, but a foil. At this time, the Changelings made it their home in Equetria, as they constructed a giant spire, which served as their hive. It also served as the place which Sauron had chosen to take his present form: a Great Eye, wreathed in flame, lidless, and ever-watching.

Right now, Sauron's attention was focused upon the torture going on below, as the strange creature, Gollum, inanely babbled in the pool of boiling water in which it sat. But the Great Eye always gets what it wants, and two of the creature's words stuck as acceptable answers to where his Ring resided.

"PONYVILLE! AHHHHHH! APPLES!"

Ch.7 The Account of Isildur

Ch.7 The Account of Isildur

"PONYVILLE! AHHHHHHH! APPLES!" screamed the creature Gollum, as he was held down in a vat of boiling water by a group of Changelings.

The Dark Lord heard this answer, and was pleased. Finally, his Ring was found.

"What does my Dark Lord command?" asked Queen Chrysalis, who, like the The Great Eye, was situated on the spire of Barad-dûr.

"Release the Ringwraiths. Send them to Ponyville, and tell them to find the Apple that carries it. They'll know what to do." commanded the Dark Lord, a fiery intent laced in his commonly malicious tone.

"It will be done... my Lord" Queen Chrysalis bowed, and retreated to the fortress of Minas Morgul.

***

The massive ebony gates of Minas Morgul opened, and out rode 9 ponies. They wore cloaks of black night, and their faces were undetectable from under their hoods. They rode off with a single, infallible mission: to find the One Ring for their master, and to kill whoever carried it.

***

Twilight arrived at the gates of Canterlot castle, and was soon ushered inside by the two armored ponies standing guard. She galloped towards the Archives, hoping that whatever Granny's ring was, it was documented somewhere in the vast, forbidden tomes and scrolls of Canterlot's Archives.

Twilight soon met with Princess Celestia, a towering white Alicorn with a flowing green, blue and pink mane and tail. The lavender Unicorn had told Spike to warn Celestia about her sudden need for the Archives, and it seemed both did not disappoint.

"Hello Twilight, how are your studies coming along?" asked Celestia; a genuine smile illuminated the Alicorn's complexion.

"They're going good Princess, but let's not stand on ceremony here. You know why I am here," stated Twilight, who hoped to not waste any time, as a helpless filly's life hung in the balance .

"Yes, I know what you seek." Celestia slowly scanned her environment, like what somepony would do if they knew they were being followed.

"Follow me. We must make haste before we are seen!" Celestia then took off in a gallop, which Twilight followed, with difficulty, considering the size differences between the two mares.

Twilight followed the Princess as she hastened deeper into the more secretive portions of the Canterlot Archives. The two ponies then came to a dead end, a solid brick wall staring them in the face.

"And what's supposed to be here... a secret door?" patronized Twilight, hoping this to not be an enormous waste of her time.

"Yes, Twilight. That's exactly what this is," answered Celetia. The regal Alicorn's horn glowed a blinding gold, then subsided. The effects of the Princess' magic left a door shaped hole in the wall in front of them.

Twilight cautiously stepped forward, peering into the darkness. There was a winding staircase, which went on for what seemed like an eternity.

"Everything you're looking for is in there," Celestia gestured her horn towards the hole in the wall, "But be warned Twilight Sparkle. Whatever you read or see in there, you are not to tell anypony...understand?" the Princess' question wasn't just rhetoric, it was threatening.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye." Twilight enacted the sacred Pinkie Promise, which forever bound her to her promise.

"FOREVER!" yelled Pinkie Pie, who popped out of a nearby vase.

"Pinkie... how did you get here?" asked Twilight, curious to her friends most recent random act.

"Silly Twilight. I'm Pinkie Pie, and I can pop up wherever I want." Pinkie Pie hopped from the vase, and bounded off towards the entrance of the Archives, leaving both Twilight and Celestia stunned.

Celestia recovered from her shock, and she gestured to Twilight one last time.

"Any who, I'll hold you to your word. I'd hate to have to exile my favorite student to the moon." the Princess departed, slowly trotting off with a smirk.

Twilight descended into the darkness of the Archive's most secretive region. The lavender mare illuminated her horn as to give herself more light to navigate. Upon reaching the end of the stairs, Twilight found herself to be in a massive stone atrium. Shelves stocked to the brim with books and scrolls lined the walls. Each shelf had a letter above it, most likely for alphabetical indexing. Twilight made a beeline for "R", hoping this secret archive had information on Rings of Power.

Twilight levitated all the files in front of her, and began scanning every document, hoping to find something relatable to rings. Parchment whizzed by her, and with each irrelevant document, her hope grew. Maybe the ring that Granny Smith possessed was just a plain old magical ring, nothing more, nothing less. Eventually, a well aged piece of paper caught her eye, and she slowed down just to read the text on this very special record.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Year 3434 of the Second Age

Here follows the account of Isildur, High King of Equestria and the finding of The Ring of Power

It has come to me. The One Ring. It shall be an heirloom of my kingdom. All those who follow in my bloodline shall be bound to its fate for I will risk no hurt to The Ring.

It is precious to me...

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight's heart skipped a beat. She'd heard a twisted creature and her own best friend say their ring was "precious". It had to be a coincidence, it just had to be. So, to hopefully prove her point, she continued reading.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Though I buy it with a great pain. The markings upon the band begin to fade. The writing, which was as clear as red flame, has all but disappeared.

A secret now that only fire can tell.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight read the inscription, and sadly, she understood the language. Fear gripped her; her focus failed. The papers which she so carefully levitated, fell to the cold hard floor with a loud *thud*; a representation of her dashed hopes. She now knew that Apple Bloom was in terrible danger, if what was written on this parchment was true.

"Apple Bloom!" Twilight hastened to somewhere she could teleport, hoping that it wasn't too late... for Apple Bloom's sake.

Ch.8 At Sugar Cube Corner

Ch.8 At Sugar Cube Corner

It was nighttime in Dodge City, and a lone stallion was chopping wood in his front yard. Soon he heard the steady beat of multiple, fast-approaching hooves behind him. He ceased his activities, and turned around to face the approaching ponies. His dog came out through the front door, and started barking, hoping to scare off those who would intrude on its master`s property.

The dark ponies stopped before him, five in total. They towered over the stallion, who was himself pretty big, considering that he worked in his Aunt Cherry's cherry orchard everyday. He looked down in fear, avoiding the non-existent gaze of the cloaked ponies who stood before him.

"Ponyville? Apples?" hissed the dark denizen. The cloaked pony's snakelike voice inspired fear in the stallion, and his dog. The latter whimpered as it retreated into the house.

"There's no ap-Apples around here. They're up in p-Ponyville," stuttered the stallion; fear impeded his ability to speak fluently.

The ebony being was unsatisfied with the answer, knowing not where Ponyville resided, and moved closer to the stallion. The stallion felt the cold stare of the demonic pony upon him, and in a last ditch attempt to get them to leave, he pointed left.

"That way!" urged the stallion, to which the assailing ponies galloped towards Ponyville. The stallion retired into his house, and locked the door.

***

At the same time, Sugar Cube Corner was alive with celebration, as friends and family gathered inside for the Apple family's newest batch of apple cider.

"Hey, hoo to the bottle I'll go!

To heal my heart and drown my woe.

Rain may fall, and wind may blow.

But there'll still be- many miles to go!

Big spiders may be scary,

And black riders make you wary.

But if there's a drink that makes you wiser-

It's a batch of Apple family cider!" sang Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, as Apple Bloom danced around them, a mug of cider in each hoof.

Sugar Cube Corner, as the candy shop was known throughout Equestria, was a brightly colored building, designed to look like it was made of pure candy: a cookie-tile roof cemented together with what simulated cream, along with a spire that resembled the shape of a candle-lit cupcake, created a sickeningly sweet atmosphere around the building, which brought smiles to the faces of every passing pony. Trotting inside, the zesty aroma of baked, and still baking, sweets uplifted the spirit of any depressed ponies. However, chronic exposure to the building's candied climate left anypony immune to the inspirational effect of Sugar Cube Corner. This allowed the bitterness of certain discussions to corrupt the cheerful establishment, just like the ponies who involved themselves in such a serious discussion. These ponies were the presiding members of the Apple family: Applejack, Big Mac and Apple Bloom, along with Berry Punch and Spike the dragon.

"There's been some strange folk crossing through Ponyville. Diamond Dogs, and others of a less than savory nature," warned Applejack.

"Eyup," replied Big Mac, in his usual one-worded manner.

Applejack continued on with her rant, but Spike heard none of it. His attention was focused on Rarity, the ivory Unicorn mare who walked across the establishment, floating drinks down to thirsty customers.

"She is so generous," murmured Spike, as he dreamily gazed at the lovely Rarity.

"What's that now?" asked Applejack, who missed Spike's most recent comment. To find out what the dragon had uttered, Applejack resorted to stare Spike down, a tactic the Earth mare hoped would coax an answer out of the fire-breathing reptile.

"Oh, ah... nothing," defended Spike, raising open claws as if he were being arrested. Applejack ignored him, and continued ranting, "The mountains are teeming with Changelings."

"Eyup," added Big Mac, as if permitting Applejack to continue ranting.

"That's all just made-up pony tales and silly-filly nonsense. You're beginning to sound like your Granny Smith. Cracked she was," accused Berry Punch.

"Just like young Apple Bloom here. She's cracking," finished Berry, as Apple Bloom conveniently sat herself down at their table with a mug of cider in each hoof.

"And proud of it!" smiled Apple Bloom.

"Cheers, Berry," said Apple Bloom, as she handed a mug over to Berry Punch.

"Cheers," replied Berry, clanking mugs with Apple Bloom.

"Well, it's none of our concern what goes on beyond our borders," stated Berry Punch. She then turned towards Apple Bloom, "Keep your nose out of trouble, and no trouble will come to you."

Apple Bloom simply nodded at Berry's advice, and took a sip from her mug, savoring the sweet taste of her apple cider.

***

It was late, and all the ponies departed from Sugar Cube Corner, as it was closing down for the night. With Big Mac's mysterious absence, Applejack stayed back with the Cakes and Pinkie Pie to clean up the establishment, while Apple Bloom and Spike walked towards the exit, to find Rarity giving goodbyes to all the guests.

"Good night, Apple Bloom. Have sweet dreams my Spikey-Wikey," cooed Rarity. She rubbed Spike's head as he passed, much to the dragon's enjoyment.

Apple Bloom and Spike continued on their way. Behind them however, was an intoxicated stallion. He kneeled before the angelic Rarity, and raised his forehooves, as if he worshipped a goddess.

"Good night, sweet mare to which no beauty can compare," complimented the drunken stallion.

"That pony better mind who he's sweet-talking," grumbled Spike; the dragon continued on his way with Apple Bloom.

"Don't worry, Spike. Rarity knows an idiot when she sees one," assured Apple Bloom. She then started off towards Sweet Apple Acres, leaving Spike alone with his thoughts.

It was true though, Rarity did know an idiot when she saw one; this only brought more worry to Spike.

"Does she?"

Ch.9 Harsh Realities

Ch.9 Harsh Realities

"Good night, Apple Bloom," said Spike.

"Good night, Spike." The two friends departed each other. Apple Bloom started towards Sweet Apple Acres, and Spike to Ponyville's library.

It was awfully scary around Sweet Apple Acres at night. The friendly fields of apple trees became menacing, the trees taking on demonic shapes, and nocturnal creatures penetrating the perpetual silence of the night with wild animal calls. Apple Bloom knew this better than most ponies, but she wasn't scared. She was a big pony, just like her big brother and sister. But even her falsified courage didn't stop her from rushing to the door, and shutting it behind her as she entered the house.

The house was dark, and the floorboards creaked as Apple Bloom trotted across them. Lunar light filtered through the windows, illuminating trace objects on one hoof, and casting sinister shadows on the other. Apple Bloom noticed that the study window was opened in a suspicious manner. If she had paid closer attention, she also might have noticed the slightest motion of a shadow behind her.

Apple Bloom moved into the study, creaking floorboards betraying her presence to the intruder. She stepped lightly, hoping to catch the infiltrator by surprise, but what she didn't know was that the trespassing individual was waiting behind her, and in a perfect position for a killing strike. A hoof reached out of the shadows behind Apple Bloom, and grabbed the filly's shoulder, startling the Earth pony in the most alarming manner.

"Is it secret?! Is it safe?!" interrogated Twilight Sparkle.

Apple Bloom turned to see her dear friend... in desperate need of one of Rarity's coveted makeovers. Twilight's hair was a bedraggled mess: shoots of the Unicorn's mane shot out on all sides. Her face was drenched in sweat, which dripped onto the floor. Twilight's current form, and the shock of her friend's intrusion, led Apple Bloom to not formulate an answer, which caused Twilight to shake her shoulder roughly.

"APPLE BLOOM! IS IT SECRET? IS IT SAFE?" Twilight asked in the utmost urgency.

Twilight's volume knocked Apple Bloom to her senses, but the Earth filly still didn't orally answer. Instead, Apple Bloom ran to a box which sat beside the fireplace, and started to dig through its contents. Twilight fell in behind Apple Bloom, peering over the filly's shoulder as to see if the ring was safe or not.

"Here ya go, Twilight." Apple Bloom pulled herself from the box, holding an envelope in her hoof, which carried the distinct bump of a ring at the bottom corner.

Twilight, using her magic, ripped the envelope from Apple Bloom's hoof, set the hearth on fire, and threw the package into the burning flames; the paper seal combusted instantly.

"What are ya doing Twilight?!" exclaimed Apple Bloom, surprised at Twilight's most recent action.

Twilight simply watched the fire, eyes fixed on the burning parchment. The ring soon became visible, and once it was free of its fragile confines, she levitated it out of the fire.

"Hold out your hoof, Apple Bloom," commanded Twilight, levitating the ring towards Apple Bloom.

"It's quite cool." Apple Bloom was reassured by this, and held out her hoof for the ring.

Twilight dropped the ring into Apple Bloom's awaiting hoof, and it was quite cool, much to Apple Bloom's astonishment. And for some strange reason, the golden band was also noticeably heavier.

"What can you see?" Twilight's tone was ominous, as if expecting the worst possible thing to be read from a simple ring.

Apple Bloom stared at the ring, and as time passed, the Earth pony didn't discern any differences on the ring's surface.

"Can you see anything?" Twilight's question was hurried, as if she couldn't wait for some terrible evil to spring forth from the ring.

Apple Bloom twirled the ring between her hooves, peering into every metaphorical nook and cranny on the band to ensure that she hadn't missed anything. Satisfied that nothing was different on the ring's golden surface, she calmly assured, "Nothing. There's nothing."

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief: maybe what she read didn't apply to the ring which Apple Bloom now possessed.

"Wait...There are markings," stated Apple Blloom. And just like in the Archives, Twilight's hopes were dashed.

Apple Bloom noticed distinct markings on the ring, fiery letters which illuminated an inscription. She recognized the language from one of Cheerilee's many lessons: it was Old Alicornian, a language that hadn't been heard in over a millennia.

"It looks like Old Alicornian, but I can't read it," said Apple Bloom, hoping Twilight could shed more light on the mysterious text.

"You're half-right, Apple Bloom. The language is a sub-division of Old Alicornian belonging to the Changelings, but I will not utter it here." Twilight's tone grew grim, as if she were about to reveal a climatic secret.

"Changelings!" Apple Bloom realized the severity of what she had just heard, and she noticed the anguish on Twilight's face.

"In the common tongue, it says: One Ring to rule them all. One Ring to find them. One Ring to bring them all... and in the darkness, bind them!" translated Twilight.

***

"This is the One Ring... forged by the Dark Changeling Lord Sauron in the fires of the Smokey Mountain. Taken by Isildur from the horn of Sauron himself." Twilight relayed the grim news to her compatriots: Apple Bloom and Pinkie Pie. The latter of which had somehow realized that she broke her Pinkie Promise to the Princess. Thankfully, Pinkie Pie was quick to forgive, as the jubilant party pony realized the situation was of literal life-or-death.

"Granny Smith found it. In Gollum's cave." Apple Bloom head lowered, having an epiphany of the grimness of the facts laid before her, and what they meant for her future.

"Yes. For 60 years, The Ring lay quiet in Granny's keeping, prolonging her life, delaying old age." The truth of Twilight's words hit Apple Bloom like a sack of bricks, and the fear of her realization showed on her features.

"But no longer Apple Bloom. Evil is stirring in the Unicorn Range. The Ring has awoken. It's heard its master's call," continued Twilight.

"But he was destroyed. Sauron was destroyed." Apple Bloom was quick to make such an accusation, as that's what Cheerilee had told her in one of their history classes.

As if insulted by the prospect of its master being 'destroyed', The Ring pitched in its own thoughts, which manifested as a fleeting whisper in the Black Speech (the Changeling language mentioned earlier). All ponies presiding heard it, but only Twilight felt the full impact of its words, as she was the only one who could understand it.

"Well, this is just getting too CrAzY for me. So I'm just going to go now." Twilight had forgotten that Pinkie Pie was still present in the present discussion, but she was happy to be rid of her at the moment. What she needed to declassify should only be heard by the pony who it actually affected.

"No, Apple Bloom. The spirit of Sauron endured. His life force was bound to The Ring, and The Ring survived. Sauron has returned. His Changelings have multiplied. His fortress at Barad-dûr is rebuilt in the Unicorn range. Sauron needs only this Ring to cover all the lands in a second darkness." Twilight paused, as if to add dramatic effect. It was also noticeable to Apple Bloom that Twilight occasionally glanced at The Ring, which sat innocently on the table before them.

"He is seeking it. Seeking it, seeking it. All his thought is bent on it. For The Ring yearns above all else to return to the hand of its master." Apple Bloom slowly declined into shock, the veracity of Twilight's words obliterating any hope Apple Bloom retained for the safety of herself, and her family.

"They are one: The Ring and the Dark Lord. Apple Bloom, he must never find it." Twilight didn't need to say that last bit, as Apple Bloom had already figured out the cataclysmic consequences of letting Sauron embrace his most powerful creation once again.

Apple Bloom quickly snatched The Ring from the table, and trotted into the study.

"All right. We put it away. We keep it hidden. We never speak of it again. No one knows it's here, do they?" Twilight didn't respond to Apple Bloom's question. Apple Bloom just hoped it was because Twilight wasn't paying attention.

"Do they, Twilight?" Apple Bloom asked again, and turned to her companion, finding Twilight utterly grim.

"There was one other who knew that Granny had The Ring. I looked everywhere for the creature Gollum. But the enemy found him first." Twilight recalled what she had heard at the border of Canterlot and the Unicorn Range. She remembered the agonized screams of the creature Gollum, and the two words that were comprehensible through all of its inane babbling.

"I don't know how long they tortured him. But amidst the endless screams and inane babble, they discerned two words: Ponyville, Apples." Apple Bloom realized that her security, and the safety of all Apples, was in jeopardy. Every Apple in Ponyville was in possible danger.

"Ponyville. Apples. But that would lead them here!" realized Apple Bloom.

***

Big Macintosh walked in the opposite direction of Sweet Apple Acres. Having too much hard cider, Big Mac departed Sugar Cube Corner, heading for home. However, the cider in his system impeded his sense of direction, and Big Mac continued in the opposite direction of home. Right now, unbeknownst to him, he was half-way to Dodge City... that's when he heard the loud clopping. Big Macintosh looked up, and in a drunken haze, discerned the forms of some black, cloaked ponies racing towards him.

"Who-a grapes thert?" asked Big Mac. His drunken speech incomprehensible to even himself.

He never got an answer, as the nearest Ringwraith unsheathed a sword, and swung at his neck.

***

"Take it, Twilight!" Apple Bloom rushed towards Twilight, The Ring sitting in her hoof, "You must take!" Twilight backed from the advances of Apple Bloom.

"No, Apple Bloom." Twilight's answer did nothing to slow the progress of the tiny Earth Pony.

"You must take it!" Apple Bloom was desperate, hoping to rid her family of The Ring which had, unbeknownst to her, already caused the loss of a family member.

"You cannot offer me this Ring!" Twilight's voice rose in volume, and she stood her ground, hoping this would be an obvious enough sign to Apple Bloom that she wouldn't accept The Ring.

"I'm giving it to you!" Apple Bloom was beyond desperate, and now tears swelled in her eyes.

"DON'T, tempt me, Apple Bloom!" Twilight's sudden harshness snapped Apple Bloom back into reality, and she swiftly lowered her hoof.

"I dare not take it. Not even to keep it safe." Twilight's voice quietened down to a near-Fluttershy level, and she looked down at The Ring, a certain zealotry becoming apparent in her gaze.

"Understand, Apple Bloom. I would use this Ring from a desire to do good...but through me, it would a power too great and terrible to imagine." Apple Bloom heard this, but her thoughts were predominated by her wish to keep her family safe.

"But it cannot stay in Ponyville!" stated Apple Bloom.

"No. No it can't." Twilight's response was quick, and in agreement. She knew Ponyville was too small and under-defended to stop whatever the Dark Lord had sent to retrieve The Ring.

Apple Bloom's thoughts raced. She couldn't stay here in Ponyville, that would put her family and friends in danger. But where in the world could she go. She had only been to fellow Apple orchards, Canterlot, and went sightseeing at the Crystal Empire. But that itself didn't bout a lot of 'worldly' experience. So she did the last thing she thought to do: she submitted to the experience of the smartest pony in all of Equestria.

"What must I do?" asked Apple Bloom.

***

Twilight had told her to pack essentials for a long woodland trip. Food, warm clothing, the works. Apple Bloom shuffled through cupboards and drawers, placing the necessities in a saddle bag fit for a filly.

"You must leave. And leave quickly," Twilight instructed, hoping that Apple Bloom's young mind could cope with what she had, and was going to tell her.

"Where? Where will I go?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Get out of Ponyville. Make for Baltimare," answered Twilight.

"Baltimare." Apple Bloom repeated the city's name to herself. That was one of the few things that she couldn't forget for this trip.

"What about you?" this question nagged at Apple Bloom. She hoped Twilight wouldn't just send her into the world with no support.

"I'll be waiting for you, at the Inn of the Prancing Pony," responded Twilight.

"And The Ring will be safe there." The ultimate question revealed itself, and Apple Bloom sure hoped that Twilight had the answer she wanted.

"I don't know, Apple Bloom. I don't have any answers." Twilight's response shocked Apple Bloom greatly. How could the most knowledgeable pony in all of Equestria not have all the answers.

"I must see the head of my order. She is both wise and powerful. Trust me, Apple Bloom. She'll know what to do." Apple Bloom felt assured by the lavender Unicorn's response. At least Twilight could get the answers from someone. This thought brought a simple smile to her face.

"You'll have to leave the name of Apple behind you. That name is not safe outside of Ponyville." Apple Bloom smile faltered. Now she had to compromise her identity for the safekeeping of some Celestia-forsaken Ring.

"What about Applejack, and Big Mac? They'll be wondering where I've gone to," stated Apple Bloom.

"I will leave them a note on your location and situation...with some minor details left out," answered Twilight, already scribbling a hasty note for Apple Bloom's older siblings.

"Travel only by day. And stay off the roads," finished Twilight.

"I can move through the apple orchards faster than anypony. Crossing country should be easy enough." Apple Bloom hoped she was right, and she slipped The Ring into a tiny compartment in her saddlebag.

Twilight smiled, which Apple Bloom thought was odd for the situation. But if Twilight was smiling, it must have meant something good came out of all this terror, and that encouraged Apple Bloom to smile again.

"My dear Apple Bloom. Earth Ponies really are the most astounding type of pony out there. They can't fly like Pegasi, or conduct magic like a Unicorn, but they can still surprise even the most knowledgeable of ponies." Apple Bloom's smile grew at Twilight's compliment, and she felt ready to go on an epic adventure. Heck, it might even be a chance to get her Cutie Mark.

Rustling outside the study window disturbed the happy moment shared between the two friends.

"Get down," whispered Twilight, and Apple Bloom complied.

Twilight levitated a nearby walking stick, and held it at the ready. She inched slowly towards the window. Once she reached the window ledge, she looked down, and saw nothing. But she knew better, so she sent the stick down, where it struck something hard, and was accompanied by a yelp. Twilight dropped the stick, and with her magic, reached into the bushes, and pulled out a purple-scaled, green-spined dragon.

"Gosh darn it Spike! Have you been eavesdropping?" Twilight's accusation was short, and it left no room for error in Spike's response.

"I haven't been dropping no eaves Twilight, honest. I was just cutting the grass under the window...if you follow me," responded Spike

Twilight smirked at Spike's response. Just like Applejack, Spike was a terrible liar.

"A little late for trimming the verge, don't you think?" asked Twilight.

"I heard raised voices," continued Spike.

"What did you hear? Speak!" Twilight was now worried. Her best, and only draconian friend, was now being dragged into this compounded debacle, and she could do nothing but determine his level of involvement.

"no-Nothing important. That is, I heard a good deal about a ring, a dark lord, and something about the end of the world. But--please, Twilight, don't turn me into anything *gulp* unnatural," answered Spike.

Spike, of all ponies, knew Twilight's full encompassment in the magical arts, and Transmorgification was one of them.

"No?" Twilight looked over to Apple Bloom, who, like her, shared a smile, "Perhaps not."

Twilight got in real close to Spike before delivering her verdict, "I've thought of a better use for you."

Ch.10 The Long Journey Begins

Ch.10 The Long Journey Begins

A new day dawned over Equestria. Celestia's sun rose over the dew-covered landscape, evaporating the miniscule droplets of water, which set a thin fog over the town of Ponyville. Most ponies weren't awake yet, which, along with the fog, worked in the favor of the two ponies and the dragon who departed Ponyville for suspicious reasons.

Twilight led the group, as her matured form overstrode the little filly behind her. Apple Bloom fell in behind Twilight; the Earth filly was forced to jog to keep up with Twilight's walking pace. Spike the dragon, fell behind everypony; his short, stubby, bipedal form had trouble keeping pace with the four-legged stride of even the smallest of ponies.

"Hurry up Spike," ordered Twilight, to which Spike was forced to run to keep tread with his pony partners.

The troop eventually reached a lightly populated woodland area, and the group ceased movement, for Twilight had to give some words of warning before departing her friends, "Be careful, both of you. The enemy has many spies in his service: birds, beasts." Twilight's hushed tone alluded to the possibility of discernment from whatever creatures watched them at the moment.

"Is it safe?" the cryptic question was well understood by Apple Bloom, to which she only tapped her saddlebag.

Twilight lowered herself to Apple Bloom's level, grim-faced, prepared to delve out her final instruction, "Never put it on. The agents of the Dark Lord will be drawn to its power. Always remember, Apple Bloom, The Ring is trying to get back to its master. It wants to be found." Twilight noticed the expression of fear on Apple Bloom's countenance, which was good. It just showed that the filly completely understood the importance of her quest.

Twilight tapped Apple Bloom on the shoulder with her hoof, then teleported to a mysterious destination. After Twilight's departure, many of the birds squawked and flew off, which only fed Apple Bloom's fear.

"They know," whispered Apple Bloom. Her voice was timid and coarse, the angst apparent in her tone.

"And that is why we must move," comforted Spike, who placed a clawed hand on Apple Bloom's shoulder, and then departed, leaving Apple Bloom, for the first time, behind him. This shook her from her stupor, and she quickly regained lost ground to meet Spike.

However, what the duo didn't notice was the cyan form which spied on them from a nearby cloud.

***

The Apple Bloom and Spike marched through rolling, green hills, and climbed the Rambling Rock Ridge. They passed through fields of barley and thick-laden forests. While passing through a picked corn grove, Spike halted his steps.

"This is it." Spike's voice echoed over the empty field, and Apple Bloom turned to face the arrested dragon.

"This is what?" Apple Bloom asked, confused as to what was so important about the particular spot on which Spike stood.

"If I take one more step... it'll be the farthest away from Ponyville I've ever walked." Apple Bloom returned to her companion, and smiled.

"Come on, Spike." Her voice was calm, and showed no signs of the haste which she felt tugging at her legs.

Spike faced ahead; an imaginary wall blocked his path. He saw himself as the dragon he wished to be: tall, handsome, armored and chivalrous. The vision fainted, and he saw his true self: short, stubby and cute, most unlike a dragon. But he knew that didn't matter now, he only felt the need to not fail his friends, especially Twilight, who he had promised to look after Apple Bloom. He knew he couldn't protect the Earth pony if he was scared to take this step. And so, with courage mustered, he took the step, a truly momentous occasion for the tiny dragon so far from home.

Apple Bloom's smile grew even larger, and as Spike passed her, she patted him on the back for a job well done.

"Remember what Granny used to say: It's a dangerous business, Apple Bloom, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your hooves, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." Apple Bloom's speech inspired the reluctant dragon, and with much zeal, he marched on towards Baltimare.

***

Darkness reigned over the land of Equestria, Luna's starry night illuminated the world in blackened shades. At this moment, Spike and Apple Bloom laid themselves under an oak tree, smoke rising from their late night campfire. Apple Bloom's eyes were closed, dreams centered on her family. They were probably worried for her safety. Spike however, was a different story. So used to sleeping in a comfy basket, he squirmed on the hard ground, trying to find a position of comfort.

"Everywhere I lie there's a great dirty root sticking into my scales." Apple Bloom's dream was disrupted by her friend's intrusive voice.

"Just shut your eyes, and imagine you're back in your basket, with a soft blanket and a lovely feather pillow," responded Apple Bloom.

Spike stopped rolling. He stared at the night sky, but his spikes only stuck into the ground, forcing his head forward, and his back into an uncomfortable position.

"It's not working, Apple Bloom. I'll never be able to sleep out here." Spike continued his rolling, crinkling leaves and creating many other irking noises.

"Me neither, Spike. Me neither." Apple Bloom smiled, and departed into the dream world, thoughts filled with visions of her family.

***

Dawn illuminated the world anew; Celetia's Sun gave birth to a new day. Forests expanded farther than the eye could see, and hills dotted the landscape.

The Ringwraith did not care for the beauty of the natural world, only the service of its master possessed its thoughts. It could sense The Ring somewhere below the hill on which it stood, waiting to be reclaimed. And when they found the Ring-bearer, they would kill her in such an agonizing fashion, that even the Dark Lord would shiver at the prospect of the pain the poor creature endured.

Such was the price to pay for taking what wasn't theirs.

Ch.11 Luna, Princess of the Night

Ch.11 Luna, Princess of the Night

Twilight teleported some short distance from the domain of Princess Luna, ruler of Equestrian night. Luna's castle, like the Unicorn Range, was magically shielded, so nopony could teleport within the grounds.

While many ponies believed that because of Luna's royal stature, the lunar Alicorn resided in Canterlot, they were sorely mistaken. Nestled in the southern forest at the foot of the Unicorn Range, the tall obsidian tower of Orthanc was clearly visible, even amongst the strangely engorged trees. Twilight Sparkle galloped through the gate, into the fortress of Isengard, a great ring-wall of stone, a mile from rim to rim. The intimidating fortress enclosed beautiful trees and a garden, watered by streams that flowed down from the mountains. But with the Changeling invasion of the Unicorn Range, the water ceased to flow down from the mountains. Because of this, the natural beauty of Isengard slowly began to fade away, and soon, only the inanimate rock of Orthanc would be left as company for the lunar Alicorn.

"Smoke rises from the Smokey Mountain. The hour grows late. And fair Twilight meets us in our home, seeking our counsel." Luna's Royal Canterlot Voice boomed through the stagnant silence of the forest. Luna, the dark Alicorn, with hair of flowing starlight, trotted down the high steps from her door, to meet her dearest friend at the foot of the stairs.

"For that is why thou has come, is that not the truth? Our dear friend." Luna's voice returned to a normal pitch, a valuable lesson which she had learned during the last Nightmare Night festival.

"Princess Luna." Twilight Sparkle respectfully bowed to her Princess, and steadied her courage for what news she needed to report.

"Come walk with us. We see that something troubles thy fair complexion." Luna's sultry voice beckoned Twilight to follow, to which the lavender Unicorn did without hesitation.

***

The walk through the agrarian garden was peaceful; the trees were silent and courteous for the conversation shared between Princess Luna and Twilight Sparkle. But even the amicable atmosphere of the garden was ill-prepared to impede the disturbing truth of Twilight's news.

"You are sure of this news which you bring us?" Luna's tone sufficed worry, the news which Twilight Sparkle brought her troublesome indeed.

"Beyond any doubt." Twilight's tone was unquestionably astute, sure of the authenticity of the news which she had just revealed to Princess Luna.

"So The Ring of Power has been found." Luna tasted the words that left her tongue... they did not sit well with her appetite.

"All these long years, it was in Ponyville. Under my very nose." Twilight's voice exposed a certain disappointment; the lavender Unicorn's inability to identify such an important artifact clearly took its toll on her pride.

"Yet, for even all thou amazing intellect, thou couldn't have seen it?" Luna's response was more of a remark than a question, her agitation betraying itself.

"Your love of Applejack's cider, has clearly slowed thoust's mind." Luna's unbridled agitation inflamed her speech, which upset Twilight Sparkle, but there were more pressing matters at hand than her feelings.

"But we still have time. Time enough to counter Sauron if we act quickly." Twilight hastened her steps, as if physically taking on her need to counter Sauron in the fastest time.

"Time?" Luna's question sucked the momentum from Twilight, and the lavender Unicorn's pace halted.

"What time dost thou think we have?" asked Luna.

***

In her tower of Orthanc, Princess Luna sat with Twilight in her small, but cluttered study; the lunar Alicorn relayed to Twilight what she had seen in The Unicorn range, "Sauron has regained much of his former strength. He cannot yet take physical form, but his spirit has lost none of its potency." Luna's tone grew increasingly darker, and in effect, Twilight grew increasingly disheartened.

"Concealed within his fortress, the Lord of the Changelings sees all. His gaze pierces cloud, shadow, earth and flesh. You know of what we speak of, Twilight," Luna's words preluded to what the Dark Lord has taken as his current form, a form which Twilight had the displeasure of envisioning, "A Great Eye, lidless, wreathed in flame."

"The Eye of Sauron." Twilight was familiar with the form of this new evil.

"He is gathering all evil to him. Very soon, he'll have summoned an army great enough to launch an assault on Equestria," continued Princess Luna.

Twilight's countenance revealed a certain confusion. Yes, she had seen what new shape the Dark Lord has taken, but for anypony, even the ruler of Equestrian night, to know what Princess Luna did, it seemed impossible.

"You know this? How?" asked Twilight.

Luna turned and stared into the cavernous central chamber; at its center stood a pedestal which supported a covered object.

"We have seen it," stated the lunar Alicorn.

Twilight realized by what means Luna had gazed into the enemy's camp, and it brought unrest to her psyche. She rushed into the main chamber, prepared to lecture Luna on the dangers of such objects, "A Palantir is a dangerous tool, Luna."

"Why? Why should we fear to use it?" Luna was unconvinced of Twilight's suspicions, and it showed in her argument.

Luna, with horn glowing azure, magically flung the cloth back from the spherical object, revealing a Palantír: an orb of black glass, with what looked like wisps of cloud floating inside.

"They are not all accounted for, the lost Seeing-stones. We do not know who else may be watching." Twilight's horn glowed amethyst, and she took the cloth from the floor, and placed it back upon the pedestal.

Twilight Sparkle received feedback from the Palantír, another vision of the Eye of Sauron. Immediately, warning bells rang off in her head. Was Sauron watching this entire conversation unfold now in secret, or had one of her dearest friends succumb to the persuasiveness of the enemy? Twilight trained her eyes upon Luna, as the lunar Alicorn circled around her.

"The hour is later than thoust think. Sauron's forces are already moving. The Nine have left Minas Morgul," stated Princess Luna.

"The Nine?" Twilight's voice was hoarse, but her apparent shock was unmistakable.

"They crossed the river Isen during the last Summer Sun Celebration, disguised as ponies in black," continued the night Princess.

"They've reached Ponyville?" Twilight grew increasingly worried: the time was later than she thought, and her friend Apple Bloom might pay dearly for her delay.

"They will find The Ring. And kill the one who carries it." Princess Luna's tone stayed neutral for the entire conversation, and to anypony who watched closely, small smiles occasionally curved her lips.

"Apple Bloom!" Twilight turned and tried to rush from the room, but the exit closed in her face.

Twilight turned again, to find Luna smiling coyly, as if the Alicorn were a spider, who was watching a fly's vain attempts at escape from her web for cruel entertainment. Twilight moved towards another door, but a simple glance from Luna caused it to shut. Again, Twilight moved to the last exit, which closed to the silent commands of Princess Luna.

"Have you ever wondered why we weren't there to save Canterlot when the Changelings attacked? You see, we were caught by surprise, and placed in a cocoon just like our dear sister, Celestia. But I had a vision in my shell, the image of the Great Eye encompassed our thoughts. He reminded us of the power which we once had, the power to defeat our sister, the Sun Goddess," recalled Princess Luna.

Princess Luna paused for dramatic effect, and it took its toll on Twilight; the lavender Unicorn's complexion distorted with dawning horror.

"We remembered the power of Nightmare Moon, and how, with the help of Sauron, we could once again plunge Equestria into a glorious, endless night!" exclaimed Luna.

Luna's body burst with violet energy, her form growing to Celetsia's stature. Ebony armor plated her body, and her hair grew into a mist of twinkling starlight. Sauron had reawakened Nightmare Moon inside of Luna, and so Nightmare Moon stood before Twilight Sparkle, so the lavender Unicorn could bask in her regal presence.

"We must join him, Twilight. We must join with Sauron. And together, we will be more powerful than ever before!" Nightmare Moon hoped Twilight would accept her offer. She'd hate to kill such a dear friend.

"Tell me...friend," Twilight's words filtered through a layer of sarcasm, which Nightmare Moon perceived, "When did the great Luna abandon reason for madness?" Twilight's accusation struck deep into Nightmare Moon's pride, which enraged the Mare of the Moon greatly.

Nightmare Moon's horn glowed a deep blue; Twilight was suddenly blasted across the room. The lavender mare was slammed against the wall, pinned by an unseen force. Twilight focussed her energies to break Nightmare Moon's grip. The lavender Unicorn fell to the floor, successful in her efforts. She then shot a bolt of violet magic, which struck Nightmare Moon in the chest, and ripped the Alicorn's legs out from under her.

War cries rang through the room as the two enemies shared blows, sending each other into the wall, or causing them to fall to the hard floor. Nightmare Moon eventually gained the upper hoof, and flipped Twilight Sparkle from one side of the room to the other; the immeasurable amount of punishment sustained by the Unicorn fractured bones and damaged soft tissue. The jarring sensation of being tossed from each end of the room and back didn't leave Twilight room to calculate an accurate shot against the hostile Alicorn. However, against her better judgement, Twilight shot a wild bolt of unknown magical properties, which struck Nightmare Moon, and sent the lunar Alicorn through one of the closed doors.

Finally free of Nightmare Moon's magical grasp, Twilight realized the intensity of the pain caused by the hostile Alicorn's assault. Her equine body ached in all the wrong places. Twilight heard cracks and pops when she stood, but she couldn't give up now. She had to meet Apple Bloom. But alas, this was not to be.

Nightmare Moon recovered from her recent expulsion; her sapphire eyes blazed angrily, like the fire of a blue sun. Channeling the intimate fire of hate into a magical blast, Nightmare Moon shot a beam of crackling energy at Twilight Sparkle, which hit its mark. Twilight's horn exploded, and with that, the lavender mare's magic was temporarily expunged. Nightmare Moon laughed maniacally at Twilight's sudden vulnerability, and she again took control of the lavender Unicorn's body, forcing Twilight to the floor.

"I gave you the chance, of aiding me willingly. But you, have elected, the way of PAIN!" And with that Nightmare Moon levitated Twilight towards the ceiling, as if gravity had been reversed for the powerless Unicorn.

Twilight screamed the entire way to the top, a long way to scream with the tower seemingly endless. Windows flashed past, revealing to the helpless Unicron glimpses of the height she resided, a terrifying variable which increased at a staggering rate. The ceiling was in sight now, and as Twilight approached the solid obsidian barrier, she screamed louder, in the vain hope that Princess Celestia could save her now.

The emptiness of the unconscious overtook Twilight Sparkle as she slammed into the stone ceiling, and entered the domain of dreams...the domain of Nightmare Moon.

Ch.13 Bridlebury Ferry

Ch.13 Bridlebury Ferry

Darkness crept into the Haysead Swamps. A Ringwraith galloped between the trees, and sniffed the air. The Nazgul could sense The Ring was close. Earlier, he had almost retrieved The Ring, only for the Ringbearer to escape in the brush behind it at an unnatural speed. But this time, he would find The Ring, and the Ringbearer would know pain the likes of which only the dead have seen the end of.

***

The four companions: Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Spike and Apple Bloom, snuck through the forest, aiming to avoid the gaze of the searching black rider. They heard a screech from a short distance, and they knew the dark fiend was approaching. Their hooves slipped soundlessly into the mud, and gave off quiet pops as they retracted their steps. Each new footfall risked the detection of the party, a fate that they dearly hoped would never come to pass.

Numerous trees swept passed as the cartel of inaudible ponies evaded the path of the cloaked Ringwraith, whose invisible gaze scanned the forests for any movement. Apple Bloom discerned the towering form of their stalker beyond the near forest edge, not an easy feat, as the Ringwraith's black cloak was near perfect camouflage for the rayless environment.

"Hide! Quick!" ordered the tiny Earth Pony, and her friends sought shelter behind several of the numerous trees which blotted the area.

"Anything?" whispered Spike. The dragon scanned the forest nervously, watching for any sign of the Nazgul.

Apple Bloom scanned the forest again. The singular Nazgul had trotted behind a tree and disappeared, hopefully for good.

"Nothing," reported Apple Bloom.

Her friends heeled to her backside, some more oblivious to their precarious situation than others.

"What is going on?" whined the filly Sweetie Belle, whose shining white coat was stained with mud from their arduous trip through the muddy forest.

"That black pony was looking for something. Or someone." Scootaloo approached Apple Bloom from the side, voicing her suspicious as to what the true intentions were of their shadowy stalker.

"Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo was smarter than most ponies took her for. Sure, she was amazing at all things physical, but even the dullest pony could discern that Apple Bloom knew more of what was going on than any of them did.

Apple Bloom turned to her friend. She knew she couldn't withhold important information which may determine the life or death of those around her. But before she could reveal to them what Twilight had told her a day ago, Spike called out, "Get down!"

Spike grabbed the both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo by their necks and yanked them down, forcing the two fillies to squat in the mud. Brush concealed them, but through a tiny hole in the bush they perceived the ebony form of the shadow pony, whose black cloak disguised it amongst the starless sky. The figure scanned the immediate forest, and seemingly unsatisfied, it huffed, and trotted on, a relief to the group of frightened friends.

"Spike and I have to get to Baltimare." Apple Bloom's request was simple, but it predominated as the most critical task at hand. Apple Bloom couldn't let the minions of Sauron return his Ring to him.

"Right. Bridlebury Ferry. Follow me." Scootaloo surprised Apple Bloom at every turn. Not only was Scootaloo smarter than she looked, the orange Peasus had more knowledge of the surrounding area than Apple Bloom did.

The party ran off in the opposite direction of the Ringwraith. As they traversed through the bush, another Ringwraith ambushed the unsuspecting entourage. The Nazgul's ear-rupturing screech surprised the three fillies and the dragon, which caused them to scatter.

***

The Nazguls' plan had worked. They had successfully, and silently, flanked the thieving ponies and caused confusion amongst their ranks. The only thing they hadn't attended to was the possibility of more than one party member, and the presiding Ringwraith was confused as to which small pony carried The Ring.

That's when the cloaked rider noticed the dragon. Surely The Ring, such a powerful and precious artifact, would be entrusted to the most capable in the group. The dragon departed into the thick brush, faster than one would anticipate for such a stubby reptile. The Unicorn and the Pegasus regrouped and ran in the direction of their dragon friend, screaming, "Follow us! This way!" That left only the small Earth Pony, whose red hair stood out like a bonfire in the night. This vibrantly-colored Earth pony was the last being left for the Nazgul to chase.

***

Apple Bloom ran: that's all she could think to do. Being separated from her friends, she did her best to keep up, but she knew the demonic creature was not too far behind her, and her friends were too far away to be seen.

Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Spike reached a clearing, where not too far away, was the illuminated form of the ferry. The lantern which lit their way like a sign from Celestia. They knew they were almost free from the dark oppressors behind them.

Apple Bloom eventually reached the clearing. She saw her friends unwrapping the singular rope which attached the ferry to the dock. Successful, Spike grabbed an oar, and stuck it in the marsh water, slowly paddling his way down the river.

Apple Bloom was now on a straight path to the dock, but so was the Ringwraith behind her. The little Earth Pony pushed herself to the limit, and her stride miraculously overrode the massive pony Ringwraith her. She neared the edge of the dock, the ferry at a seemingly impassable distance. But Apple Bloom knew that the ferry was her last hope, and with her strength mustered, she jumped.

Her front hooves made contact with the edge of the ferry, but her back legs fell behind. She fell back, the murky water welcoming her to her grave. Suddenly, a clawed hand grasped her hoof, and pulled Apple Bloom onto the raft, saving her life.

The Ringwraith came to a quick stop at the edge of the pier, seemingly afraid to make the jump. The horrible denizen screeched, the awful scream forcing the group to cover their ears. The Ringwraith wheeled itself back, and retreated to the dirt path that resided in the clearing.

"How far to the nearest crossing?" Apple Bloom gasped through her erratic breathing, hoping the cloaked pony wouldn't be able to intercept them.

"Horseshoe Bay. Twenty miles," reported Scootaloo, whose gaze never slipped from the retreating form of the Nazgul.

The party saw the one Ringwraith rejoin its kin, as two more Nazgul intercepted it along the road. The galloping parade of frightful demons then continued down the dirt path, following the riverbank to the ferry's eventual landing.

"We're safe. For now," said Spike, glad to be free of their stalkers till they reached the bay.

'For Now'. Spike's words echoed in Apple Bloom's mind. Those creatures would never cease to follow them, and if her only time of reprieve was 'now', she felt very insecure indeed. She realized her only true safety was on this barge, and even that was limited to a distance of twenty miles.

"Oh, Twilight. Where are you?" Apple Bloom asked the heavens, unaware of Twilight's own precarious situation.

Ch.14 The Prancing Pony Inn

Ch.14 The Prancing Pony Inn

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Spike's journey downriver was without delay, and when they arrived at Horseshoe Bay in the dark of night, no Nazgul was in sight. The four friends departed their raft and started for Baltimare. At the southern entrance of the city, north of Horseshoe Bay, resided a wooden gate ten meters high. And just like Canterlot, a single, but experienced, Gatemaster was dedicated to determine whether a pony would enter or withdraw from the steps of Baltimare. The four friends approached the surly stallion; the Gatemaster's alabaster complexion, white with age, was spotted by asperous hairs, a consequence of weeks of unkept hygiene and constant duty.

"What do you want?" inquired the Gatemaster bitterly. The stallion's acknowledgment of the four juveniles was quick to the point, a strategy Apple Bloom chose to adapt.

"We're headin' for the Prancing Pony," answered Apple Bloom. The three ponies and the dragon shivered in the monsoon which cascaded cold aqueous; the water exaggerated the freezing sea breeze of the sea past Baltimare's coast.

"Out of Ponyville by your talk, eh? What business brings you to Baltimare?" interrogated the Gatemaster. The stallion swung a lantern before the coterie, shining an uncomfortable upon the distressed syndicate.

"We wish to stay in the inn. Our business is our own," Apple Bloom answered again. She withheld privy information, for who knew where the spies of Sauron resided.

"All right young miss. I meant no offense. It's my job to ask questions after nightfall." The Gatemaster apologized, and unlocked the gate. He then moved aside to let the three fillies and the dragon through the open wooden barrier.

"There's talk of strange folk abroad. Can't be too careful." After Spike entered the gate, the Gatemaster closed and locked the portal. 'Hopefully these four companions would be the last visitors to arrive till the morning' thought the exhausted stallion.

The tall Baltimare ponies loomed over the nervous little fillies and the tiny dragon as Apple Bloom, Spike, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo made their way through the compact streets. Tall buildings, testaments of contemporary engineering, manifested in glass and steel, towered above them. However, the colossal structures were denied the awe deserved from the quartet, who were otherwise occupied with the legion of driven stallions and mares. Baltimare, as a metropolitan city, attracted a population five times that of Ponyville, all within the relatively same space as Ponyville. But, as if Celestia's godly powers were her own, Apple Bloom persevered through the crowd, and eventually found herself before the angelic neon sign which advertised the Prancing Pony Inn.

The four drenched friends entered the Prancing Pony, and warm, dry air greeted them more hospitably than any of the busy ponies in this city. Laughing resounded throughout the establishment, and drinks of hot cider and cold ale were passed around to thirsty customers. Apple Bloom approached the front desk, which was a head taller than her.

"Excuse me," called Apple Bloom, hoping to catch the attention of the desk clerk.

An aged Unicorn beckoned to them; gray fur and white hair emanated an air of experience.

"Good evening, little ponies. What can I do for you?" greeted the elderly Unicorn, very unlike the many ponies passing through Baltimare's streets.

"If you're seeking accommodations, we got some cozy colt sized rooms available. Always proud to cater to the young folk, Miss..." The clerk's speech dragged on, prying for the identity of the golden filly with the sanguine mane.

"Pineapple. My name's Pineapple," stated Apple Bloom; a second's hesitation betrayed the fraud of her false identity.

"Pineapple...yes." The clerk nodded, repeating the name to himself. But even with his suspicions, he dared not to inquire further to the group about their true identities.

"We're friends of Twilight Sparkle. Can you tell her we've arrived?" Apple Bloom hoped above all else that Twilight was here. She'd hate to have made this journey in vain.

"Twilight? Twilight?" the old pony repeated to himself; his brow furrowed in confusion.

The corners of Apple Bloom's mouth curled into a disappointed frown. Had Twilight Sparkle not made it to the Prancing Pony on time as she had promised? Had this entire journey been made in vain like she feared? All these questions were reflected upon the filly's tense exterior.

"Oh, yes! I remember. Young mare. Lavender fur. Pointy horn." The clerk listed the characteristics of the Unicorn. The clerk's remembrance brought a smile to Apple Bloom's face. Maybe Twilight had made it after all.

"Not seen her for six months." Apple Bloom's young mind couldn't grasp the concept of Twilight not being punctual. The one Unicorn who could teleport all over Equestria couldn't make it in time for a rendezvous at a simple tavern.

A myriad of emotions swelled up inside Apple Bloom. She felt hurt because her friend had lied to her. She felt sorrow, knowing her trip had been in vain. But she was also worried: maybe her friend hadn't lied. Maybe her friend was injured, and couldn't make it to the inn. If only Apple Bloom had known how close she was to the truth, it would've boggled her mind.

Apple Bloom turned to Spike, whose countenance shared the same worry as her.

"What do we do now?" asked Spike. The worry in his voice was palpable, and even Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle felt demoralized at the failure which was set before them.

***

The Prancing Pony was dimly lit tavern, fetid from a blazing log fire and crowded with a mixture of stallions and mares, many of which were drunk, hammered to the point of near unconsciousness. Apple Bloom, Spike, and Sweetie Belle reserved a table against the wall, clearly trying to remain quiet and inconspicuous, unlike Scootaloo; the orange Pegasus conversed with the wretched residents of the establishment as she waited for her cider. The lack of hope for the quartet seeped into the air, an entity in its own right. The angst manifested in Spike most transparently: the dragon kept casting nervous glances around the lounge. Apple Bloom knew she had to say something to calm her friends' dread, or she may not find any of her companions in the morning.

"Don't worry, Spike. She'll be here. She'll come." Apple Bloom's words of inspiration fell on deaf ears, as her own tone preluded to the hopelessness of their situation.

Many of the more sober stallions gazed at the table which Apple Bloom sat. They all recognized her, but from where? Where had they all seen that particular filly before?

Scootaloo rejoined the table, grasping the biggest mug of cider any of her compatriots had ever seen.

"What's that?" asked Sweetie Belle, simply astounded by the size of the massive goblet.

"This, Sweetie Belle, is a pint," answered Scootaloo, who zealously beheld the massive mug of apple cider before her.

"It comes in pints?" Sweetie Belle's question was rhetorical, and it only elevated the curiosity of the little Unicorn.

"I'm getting one," stated the filly Unicorn, who stood up and made a beeline straight for the bar.

"You got a whole half already!" Spike yelled after Sweetie Belle, which did nothing to stop the departure of his curious friend.

Spike paused. Following Sweetie Belle's path to the bar led his gaze to the cloaked pony in the corner of the inn, who did nothing but stare at their particular table.

"That fellow's done nothing but stare at you since we arrived," said Spike, pointing at the brooding stranger who sat in the corner of the room.

Apple Bloom risked a glance at the 'fellow' Spike referred to. There wasn't much to see, but a lot could be guessed at, based on the form of the pony. The cloaked frame was that of an adolescent stallion, or a matured mare. The travel-stained covering outlined a lean, winged form, the result of intense labor and possible training. From what she could see under the hood, the Pegasus had what looked like cyan fur, but the pony's mane was undetectable, so Apple Bloom couldn't conclude the identity of the individual.

The desk clerk was passing by, levitating two mugs to some thirsty customers down the aisle. Apple Bloom nudged the old pony slightly, drawing his attention to her.

"Excuse me. That pony in the corner. Who is he?" Apple Bloom asked, guessing at the sex of the stranger.

"Well, she's not a 'he', but she is one of them Junior Speedsters. Dangerous flyers they are, as far as I've heard. What's her right name is, I've never heard, but around her, she's known as Rainbow." The clerk departed quickly, as not to invoke the wrath of the mysterious Pegasus.

"Rainbow." Apple Bloom repeated the name to herself. She knew a Rainbow, who was also a Pegasus, and a female. But the term 'Rainbow' was most likely being used by this particular pony as a codename, nothing more. Resigned to the enigmatic identity of the Pegasus, Apple Bloom resolved to focus on it later, for other business needed to be attended to.

Apple Bloom twirled The Ring in her hooves; she could feel the ambient energy within the golden band vibrate her frame. She closed her eyes, to focus more on the potency of The Ring's power. Its flawless surface twirled effortlessly in her hooves, and she perceived the voice of The Ring.

"Apple. Apple. Apple," whispered The Ring. The world melted around Apple Bloom, and all that was left was The Ring's voice, "Apple. Apple, Apple, Apple." The Ring's voice grew hurried; the speed at which it repeated her name hastened. That's when Apple Bloom realized that it wasn't The Ring calling her name.

"Apple? Sure I know an Apple. She's over there: Apple Bloom," announced Sweetie Belle from the bar. The alabaster Unicorn pointed her hoof over towards Apple Bloom, revealing the Earth pony's true identity to the sordid residents of the inn.

Apple Bloom rushed to Sweetie Belle. She had to stop her, or her mission would be in even more jeopardy than it already was. Apple Bloom grabbed Sweetie Belle's hoof, and shook it; consequently, Apple Bloom spilled Sweetie Belle's cider.

"Sweetie Belle!" yelled Apple Bloom, hoping her friend would take the hint.

"Be careful, Apple Bloom." Sweetie Belle's free hoof swung out and smacked Apple Bloom in the face, knocking the Earth pony backwards.

Many of the bar's clients took notice to the squabble happening between the two fillies. Apple Bloom tripped over the leg of the pony behind her, and she fell to the floor. The Ring slipped from her hoof, and launched into the air. The other ponies eyed The Ring as it reached its apex, and descended back to the ground again. Apple Bloom's hoof reached out for it, but The Ring slipped over her foot, and she disappeared into thin air, to the great astonishment of the guests.

Spike looked from where Apple Bloom was a moment ago to Scootaloo, the orange Pegasus herself shared the same worry as the baby dragon. Sweetie Belle looked down at the ground where Apple Bloom was, and only one thing crossed her mind, 'Did I do that?'

***

The Nazgul, who wandered aimlessly within Equestria's eastern hemisphere, turned sharply towards Baltimare. They could feel The Ring call to them, an obvious sign that some unfortunate pony wore the sacred artifact.

***

Apple Bloom opened her eyes, but all she saw was a shifting dark cloud, like a photograph where the picture was of negative quality. The cloud took on the forms of the bar members around her; distorted voices emanated from the ghoulish creatures, and they moved in slow motion, conducting the same actions as their counterparts in Equestria.

"You cannot hide." Apple Bloom heard Sauron's voice before she saw him. She turned, and she saw the Great Eye: cat-like, and wreathed in flame.

"I see you." The Eye moved closer to Apple Bloom, enveloping the shadowy forms of the ponies around her. She backed away, hoping to escape the advancing Dark Lord.

"There is no life... in the Void." The Great Eye was almost upon her; Apple Bloom's progress was stopped by an invisible barrier.

"Only... Death." Apple Bloom tugged The Ring from her hoof. The nightmare faded, and the real world infiltrated her vision.

Apple Bloom gazed around. She was in a secluded corner of the bar, hiding under a table. Relief washed over her. Not only had she escaped Sauron, but she was undetectable to the inn's other patrons... or at least she thought she was. A cyan hoof gripped her ear, and forcefully ripped the filly out from under the table.

"You draw far too much attention to yourself, 'Ms. Pineapple'. That's my job." The cyan Pegasus' brash voice was intrusive to the Earth pony's hearing. The Pegasus grabbed Apple Bloom's ear again, and pulled the Earth filly upstairs into what Apple Bloom guessed was the mysterious mare's room.

"What do you want?" asked Apple Bloom, literally forced into a corner by the unidentifiable Pegasus.

"A little more caution from you. That is no trinket you carry." 'Rainbow' shut the door behind her, and went to the window.

"I carry nothing," stated Apple Bloom. This 'Rainbow' couldn't know anything about her mission or The Ring.

"Indeed." The Pegasus' sarcasm was itself a knife, which stuck deep into Apple Bloom. How could this stranger know so much about what she carried?

"I rather enjoy the spotlight. But if I don't want to be seen, I can avoid detection by others. But to disappear entirely, that is a rare gift," stated 'Rainbow'.

The stranger blew out the flames by the windowsill, and then turned to Apple Bloom. She pulled off her hood, revealing an unmistakable rainbow mane.

"Rainbow Dash?" Apple Bloom was astounded by the appearance of another friend on this hopeless mission. She ran up to the cyan Pegasus, and wrapped her hooves around Rainbow Dash in a hug.

"It's SO good to see you!" exclaimed the Earth pony, as tears welled in her eyes.

Rainbow Dash returned the gesture, and softly stroked the filly's crimson mane. Their embrace was interrupted by the door being bashed down. In the broken doorway stood Spike, claws ready to scratch and maim. Behind him stood Sweetie Belle who held a chair, and Scootaloo, who held her pint glass from before.

"Let her go! Or I'll have you, Lo--" Spike ceased his threat after he realized the identity of the pony before him.

"Rainbow Dash? NO WAY!" called out Scootaloo, ecstatic at finding her longtime idol before her.

"Hey squirt. How's my biggest fan?" Rainbow tussled Scootaloo's hair, then gave her a hug.

"It's great to see you again!" exclaimed Scootaloo, a huge smile plastered on her face.

"It's great to see you too. But now is not the time for ceremony," stated Rainbow. She turned back to Apple Bloom. It was now apparent that whatever Rainbow Dash had to tell the Earth pony, it wasn't good news.

"You can no longer wait for Twilight, Apple Bloom. They're coming," confirmed the cyan Pegasus.

***

The Gatemaster stood inside the barracks, cozy and warm by a fire. He heard the sounds of fast-approaching hooves; he groaned, "Who could be here at this hour?"

The Gatemaster proceeded to the gate, and opened up a viewing port to discern who would interrupt him at so late in the night. The massive gate fell over him and crushed his body. Four Ringwraiths galloped over the fallen timber, and into Baltimare, seeking The One Ring. Soon, The Ring would be theirs again...

Soon, Sauron would cover Equestria in a second darkness...

Soon...

Ch.15 Into the Not-So-Wild Wilderness of Equestria

Ch.15 Into the Not-So-Wild Wilderness of Equestria

Baltimare was known for being, like Los Pegasus, a city that never slept. But tonight was an exception, as an eerie silence fell over the usually exuberant city. Four clopping hooves could be heard galloping down the main street, heading to The Prancing Pony Inn.

When they reached their destination, the four Ringwraiths slipped soundlessly into the Inn, with their wicked swords drawn. The Nazgul's unnatural senses guided them to The Ring. The desk clerk hid behind the bar, trembling and sweating for good reason: if the Nazgul were to find him, he would most definitely be slain.

The fillies Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Spike the dragon slept peacefully in the unnatural absence of sound in Baltimare; the silence reminded them of Ponyville. A day's journey without rest had left them exhausted, and their spent bodies remained oblivious to the slight creaking of the door, as the four Nazgul entered their room. Each of the cloaked ponies took a position by a bed; they were silent as they approached their prey. The Ringwraiths raised their cruel blades above their respective mattress, prepared to thrust into the soft gut of a pony or the hard underbelly of a dragon.

The blades fell, and were raised, then fell again. This vicious cycle continued until the Nazgul were positive of the annihilation of their foes. The Ringwraiths, satisfied that the thieves were slain, tore back the covers, ready to loot through the dead bodies for The Ring. Instead, they found feather pillows, lacerated by the many thrusts the Nazgul's blades made against the 'thieves'. They tore at the beds, searching for any sign of The Ring, but they found none. Finding nothing, their anger unleashed itself in a terrible screech, which woke many sleeping ponies within, and blocks around the Prancing Pony Inn.

Spike was the first to awake, then his friends followed in suit. Luckily, Rainbow Dash had rented another room for them in the Inn next to the Prancing Pony, and had created a clever diversion to stunt the Nazgul's search for them. Rainbow stared out the window, and saw the Ringwraiths as they tore apart 'Apple Bloom's' room. The cyan Pegasus' other four companions stared at her, apprehension apparent on their complexions; the same question festered in each of the juveniles' credulous minds. Apple Bloom was the first to ask, "What are they?"

Rainbow Dash turned, and saw the frightened faces of her young friends.

"They were once Ponies. Great Kings of Ponies. Then Sauron the Deceiver gave them nine Rings of Power. Blinded by their greed, they took them without question. One by one, they fell into darkness." Rainbow Dash looked out the window again. The Ringwraiths had fallen silent, and she saw them galloping down the street, continuing their search for The Ring.

"Now they are slaves to his will." Rainbow turned back to her friends, to see the fear present on their complexion wax.

"They are the Nazgul. Ringwraiths. Neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of The Ring, drawn to the power of The One. They will never stop hunting you," finished Rainbow Dash.

***

Rainbow Dash, along with the three fillies and the dragon, left the Inn early in the morning. A thick fog covered their retreat from Baltimare, and they made headway towards Ponyville.

"Where are you taking us?" asked Apple Bloom

"Into the Wild," answered Rainbow Dash, who flew above the walking troop.

"Why couldn't we just take the train. I'm positive it would be a much faster way of traversing to our destination," groaned Sweetie Belle, whose white coat had been yet again stained by the sticky combination of dirt and dew.

"Because, Sweetie Belle, trains are easy to track, and the Nazgul are great trackers. We must go on through the wilderness. Nature will suit as a better cover," retorted Rainbow Dash.

"But where are you leading us?" asked Spike, curious as to the destination of their trip.

"To the Everfree Forest, Spike. To Zecora's hut," answered Rainbow Dash.

Other than Rainbow Dash, the entire assemblage halted. Was Rainbow Dash going to lead them into one of the most dangerous places in all of Equestria?

"So... you're taking us into the Everfree forest?" inquired Scootaloo.

"Yep," answered Rainbow Dash.

"A forest filled with all sorts of scary creatures and dangerous plants..." added Apple Bloom.

"Yep," Rainbow Dash's answer was the same, but her tone betrayed a slight annoyance from all the questions.

"And you expect us to stay with you?" finished Sweetie Belle, surprised at Rainbow Dash's logic.

"Well, it's either me, or the Ringwraiths. I'm pretty sure they'll accommodate you nicely into their little group," sassed Rainbow Dash, unable to repress her annoyance from all the stupid questions.

The ground walkers quickened their pace. The Everfree Forest sounded like a better alternative than the Nazgul. Many hours passed as the group trekked through forest, mountainous plains, and open fields. At about midday, in the middle of a hay field, Rainbow Dash called for a break, "We'll rest here for a couple of hours. I need a nap." Rainbow yawned at that last bit, and flew off into the nearest tree.

"Finally. Now I can get some breakfast," moaned Scootaloo. She, like the other fillies, started chewing on some nearby hay.

Spike's stomach growled. Hay wasn't altogether a hearty meal for a dragon. But considering there were no jewels for this dragon, he tore out a stalk of grain, and stared at it.

"One for the money, two for the show, three for the kiss, and off I go." Spike opened his mouth to swallow the disgusting hay, but something brained him. He rubbed his head, and looked down. The purple dragon discovered the assaulting object: a sapphire, blue and shining. This dragon's day had just been made.

Spike looked at the tree where Rainbow slept, to see her still sleeping. So, as to not wake her up, he gave a silent 'thank you' and commenced eating the delicious gem.

***

The train chugged down the railroad, unaffected by the slaughter that had taken place inside its many compartments. The Nazgul had swept the locomotive from front to back, killing and looting the bodies of the many innocent ponies who had just happened to be present at the wrong time. And of course, The Nazguls' efforts were met with failure, and still the Ring-bearer eluded them.

The four Ringwraiths departed the train, and started for another destination where the Ring-bearer would flee to. What place could the little filly thief feel safe and secure from the unceasing search of the Nazgul? Two places came to mind, and only one of them was a place where they, the most fearsome of all beings, feared to enter...

The Everfree forest...

Ch.16 The Spoiling of Isengard

Ch.16 The Spoiling of Isengard

Nightmare Moon's hoof meditated over the Palantír; the empty sphere was now a conduit of conversation between herself and her new master, the Dark Lord Sauron.

"The power of Isengard is at your command, Sauron, Lord of Equestria," whispered Nightmare Moon.

The Palantír suddenly glowed like hellfire, and the Eye of Sauron took form in the clouded sphere. Sauron whispered in the Black Speech, and like Twilight Sparkle, Nightmare Moon understood the Changeling language.

"Build me an army worthy of the Changelings," commanded The Eye.

"But how am I to do this? I may have magical abilities only second to yours, but I am still only one Alicorn. I would need many workers to accomplish such a task," stated Nightmare Moon.

Nightmare Moon knew what was to come next, and she feared it. While serving The Dark Lord brought her satisfaction, her previous encounters with Changelings had unnerved her as to how repulsive they are.

"If you promise to build my army, I shall give you one," stated Sauron.

Nightmare Moon, despite her dislike of the Changelings, accepted his deal, "I promise to build you an army."

"Then an army you shall have!" declared the Dark Lord.

***

Nightmare Moon sat in her study, shivering by the fire. It was not the cold that made her body quiver, for there was no wind which swept through her fortress: it was fear. Nightmare Moon waited for the Changelings Sauron had sent her to arrive. She heard steps echoing from the next room, and she steeled herself for the encounter.

Changelings were an insectoid race, which in their true form, were a mocking reflection of Ponykind. Their chitin armor was as black as their hearts, and their wings buzzed like that of a wasp. Each Changeling had a horn, for all Changelings could conduct magic; specifically, a spell to take on the guise of anypony they chose.

Three Changelings stepped into her study, and one of them spoke, "What orders from the Unicorn Range, my queen? What does the Eye command?" Nightmare Moon heard every word from the Changeling Overseer, but her reaction was hindered by the repulsiveness of the creature's moving vampiric maw.

"We have work to do," stated Nightmare Moon.

***

The night air was pervaded by the buzz of flying Changelings. The numerous love-vampires pulled on ropes attached to the trees around the obsidian fortress of Orthanc, and one by one, they fell. Screams of joyous celebration arose as each tree met an unfortunate demise.

Twilight Sparkle lay unconscious on a cold obsidian floor. The sounds of ripping and tearing awoke the lavender Unicorn. She lifted her tortured frame onto her knees and then lifted her neck. Progressing to her hooves, Twilight finally realized she was stranded on the summit of Orthanc; marooned on the tiny, flat peak, the Unicorn was surrounded by a sheer 500 foot drop. Another whispering wail rendered the air with vocal claws, and drew the injured Unicorn towards the edge of Nightmare Moon's palace. Twilight Sparkle peered down in time to see one of the beautiful Isengard trees ripped from the ground by the Changeling horde. Upon observing the horrendous spectacle, Twilight felt the sudden urge to cry, but she didn't need to; the rain was enough to soak the helpless Unicorn.

***

Nightmare Moon strode across the grounds of Isengard. Everywhere she saw swarms of Changelings gouge the trees from their respective placements... by Celestia, it was beautiful.

"The trees are strong, my queen. Their roots go deep." The same Changeling who conversed with her earlier, now known as the Overseer, once again felt obliged to open its hideous maw in her royal presence. She would hear none of its complaining. She had promised Sauron an army, and by her royal oath, she would give him one.

"Rip them all down." Her command drew no retort from the Changeling, just a smile. Changelings were sadists by nature, and savored every moment they had for bringing carnage and misfortune to others.

***

Twilight Sparkle lounged against one of the four spires which protruded from Orthanc's roof. She felt so weak: weak from the pain, and because all she could do was sit and watch in helpless despair as Nighmare Moon ordered the destruction of the peaceful trees around her palace. Twilight itched her head, her hoof making contact with her horn. The stub which lay in its place only worsened her depression.

"Somepony, help me." Her request was heard by no one, not even herself, as the slaughter going on below drowned out any decibel of noise she could hope to create.

"Apple Bloom, Spike... I'm so sorry." Twilight dipped her head into her chest, and wrapped her hooves around herself.

This was going a cold and lonely night for the lavender Unicorn.

Ch.17 The Palace Void

Ch.17 The Palace Void

Rainbow Dash led Spike and the Cutie Mark Crusaders west of Baltimare towards Ponyville. The troop faced adverse environments: rugged countryside occupied by mile high hills, neck-deep swamp waters which swarmed with carnivorous parasprites and dense forests which teemed with monstrous beasts, ranging from the mongrel Manticore and the petrifying Cockatrice. Eventually, the intrepid group found themselves at the ruins of the Ancient Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.

"I remember my first trip here. I wonder if those Shadow Bolts still want me to be their Captain?" remarked Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow turned back to her companions, and noticed the weariness which anguished their every motion.

"We shall rest here for the night. But tomorrow, we head straight for Zecora's." Hearing no compliance or complaining from Spike or the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Rainbow Dash gestured for her friends to follow. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Spike collapsed within the arched entrance to the ruined castle.

"Thank Celestia. I thought I'd never be able to drop this bag," wheezed Apple Bloom. The Earth pony dropped her cumbersome saddlebag, and like her friends, retired to the stone floor, exhausted from a long day's journey.

Rainbow Dash retreated from the party, but before she left the palace, she gave a single instruction, "Stay here. I'm going to look around." And with that, Rainbow Dash departed by winged flight, leaving the defenseless ponies and Spike to whatever fate had in store for them.

"Well, I don't know about you all, but I'm going to go to sleep," announced Apple Bloom. She strode over to the other end of the entrance hall, and collapsed, unconscious, against the stonework floor.

***

Apple Bloom stirred in her sleep. Tonight her dreams were strange: instead of visions of her family, she imagined a great feast placed out before her. She smelt apple tarts, Zap Apple jam, and numerous other alluring apple treats. But her subconscious knew better: the amazing feast was her latent mind registering the tantalizing smells emanating from the campfire behind her sleeping equine body.

Apple Bloom's eyelids fluttered open, and she heard the voice of Spike, "My apple's bruised." Apple Bloom turned to her friends, and found them huddled by a brilliant fire.

"Oh, hello Apple Bloom." Sweetie Belle cheerfully greeted the awakened Earth pony. The alabaster Unicorn's optimism was not returned, as shock drained the cherry-colored blood from Apple Bloom's complexion.

"What are you doing?!" screamed Apple Bloom, panic set in her tone.

"We got a nice fire to keep us warm for the night. And we rummaged through your bag, and found some treats," responded Scootaloo.

"We saved some for you, Apple Bloom," said Spike, offering his bruised apple to the alarmed filly.

Apple Bloom rushed to the fire, and started to stomp the glowing flame into a dying array of flickering embers.

"Put it out, you fools! Put it out!" The fire drew unwanted attention in the dark forest, and Apple Bloom hoped the Nazgul hadn't seen it.

Apple Bloom's answer came in the form of a shriek, which originated from the other side of the fogged bridge they had crossed earlier that night. The group recognized the intolerable noise, and looked out to the bridge. From the fog came five of the unstoppable Ringwraiths; they approached slowly, so sure of the inevitable, they chose to savor the impending chase.

"Go!" yelled Apple Bloom. She equipped her saddlebag, and with her friends, they clambered deeper into the castle, with no door to impede the Nazgul's methodical progress. The four companions ascended the spire, and met a dead end: the throne room.

The party stared at the throne room's entrance, and awaited the arrival of their pursuers, but the Nazgul never came through the stone portal. Instead, each Ringwraith attained entry through one of the five windows spanned along the walls of the throne room. Through unrelenting shadow the wraiths strode into the chamber, cloaks of pitch darkness wavering in the slight breeze of the night. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Spike were forced back-to-back, and formed a circle to face their foes. But the ponies were at a disadvantage. The Nazgul outnumbered them, and possessed superior weapons from Minas Morgul's blasphemous foundry.

"Back, you devils!" screamed Spike. He jumped at the demons, claws ready to rip and tear at their shadowy cloaks, and whatever lay beneath. However, the Nazgul were trained assassins, and the front Ringwraith backhanded Spike into the wall, knocking the dragon unconscious.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle hugged each other, prepared for the sharp sting of the blades that were ready to pierce their fragile forms. Instead, two dedicated Nazgul grabbed the filly's manes and tossed the tiny ponies aside, ripping out chunks of bloodstained hair. The five Ringwraiths now stood unopposed before the filly they sought, the Apple who possessed their master's most precious artifact.

Apple Bloom collapsed to the floor; the pedestal blocked her retreat from the approaching demons. Suddenly, she heard The Ring speak in the cacophony language of its origin. She pulled it from her saddle bag, the golden band now in plain sight of the Nazgul. The front Ringwraith approached the frightened filly; his other companions stood back. The approaching Ringwraith unsheathed a dagger, even more cruel compared to the sword which threatened her earlier.

The creature raised its blade, ready to plunge it into Apple Bloom's breast. In response, Apple Bloom did the last thing she thought to do to escape her terrible fate: she put on The Ring.

The world darkened around her, the landscape encompassed by the shadow of the Void. Before her, she saw the five Nazgul in their true forms: ghoulish ponies clothed in white light. Their faces were pallid, and distorted in agony, taking on impossible shapes to represent the perpetual torture of their current state. The front Ringwraith reached out a haggard hoof towards The Ring. The Ring glowed a fiery red, and forced Apple Bloom's hoof towards the awaiting Ringwraith.

Apple Bloom mustered her strength, and pulled back before the white hoof grasped hers. The Nazgul, surprised, sent its dagger through her shoulder. Apple Bloom felt a searing heat course through her arm, the Morgul poison spreading throughout her system. The Ringwraith reached again for The Ring, but was stopped by a powerful buck delivered to its chest.

Rainbow Dash flew into the crowd of Nazgul, forcing them back from the invisible presence of Apple Bloom. The injured Earth pony pulled off The Ring, and felt reality grip her again; she screamed, finally able to use her voice. Rainbow Dash dodged the sword swings from the scattered Ringwraiths, for not even a scratch could she could receive without being poisoned herself. Her speed made her almost untouchable to the slow Nazgul, but she tired, and she slowed, much to the appreciation of the Ringwraiths.

Spike regained consciousness, his revitalized vision still groggy from being thrown into a wall. He was able to discern black figures: 'the Nazgul,' he remembered. But he also saw a dashing rainbow, which wove through the scattered ranks of the Ringwraiths. He knew it was Rainbow Dash, and as his vision recovered, he confirmed it. But with his vision returned, he noticed the decaying speed of the cyan Pegasus, and he knew it was only a matter of time before Morgul blades tore Rainbow Dash's body asunder.

Mustering what strength remained in him, Spike inhaled his lung capacity in oxygen, and sustained it. He felt the fire build-up in his lungs, the inner warmth becoming almost unbearable. He let out a burp, accompanied by a flame which set the Nazgul's cloaks ablaze. Rainbow Dash noticed the fire approach, and dashed up, escaping the burning grasp of Spike's green fire.

The Ringwraiths screeched horribly, and flew from the room, out windows and down stairs, escaping any further harm from the baby dragon's fire. Spike stood up, rubbing the scales atop his head.

"Good thing my scales can take a good pounding," remarked Spike. He looked around, and noticed his friends gathered around the fallen Apple Bloom, who still screamed bloody murder.

Rainbow Dash picked up the wounding weapon, and stared gravely at the short, cruel blade; the dagger soon turned to dust in her hooves.

"She's been stabbed by a Morgul blade," Rainbow lifted Apple Bloom onto her back, greeted by groans of agony from the Earth pony, "She needs Zecora's medicine."

***

The troop galloped through the forest, Rainbow Dash grounded for the first time as she was forced to carry the ailing Apple Bloom. A shriek penetrated the night's stillness; the Nazgul were not far off.

"Hurry!" ordered Rainbow, quickening her pace to outrun the pursuing Ringwraiths.

"We're still a day from Zecora's! She'll never make it!" declared Spike.

"Hold on, Apple Bloom," requested Rainbow, an immediate counter to Spike's pessimism.

Apple Bloom felt the poison course through her body, the corrupting chemical slowly contaminating her spirit.

"Twilight!" screamed Apple Bloom, before falling unconscious.

Ch.18 The Superior Breed

Ch.18 The Superior Breed

Celestia's Sun dawned over Equestria, illuminating the day anew. But this made no difference to the fortress of Orthanc. Dark clouds swirled over the obsidian spire, arcane manifestations of Nightmare Moon's will. The absence of natural light was advantageous to the industrious Changelings, who despised the sun above all else. Guards patrolled along the walls of Isengard, vigilant for any passing Pony-folk. Within the mile-wide barrier, the once forested lands now lay barren, the cruel effect of the Changeling's malicious nature. Wooden towers surmounted the pitted lands, acting as another set of eyes for the constant watch over the grounds of Nightmare Moon's domain.

But within the menacing land of Isengard, hope endured. A simple moth fluttered its way to the roof of the dominating spire. Cowering on the crown of the castle sat Twilight Sparkle, who averted her eyes from the horrors occurring down below. Her blasted horn began to grow, and now it was half its original height. But without a complete horn, the lavender Unicorn still lacked any magical ability. Twilight's keen ears became aware of the soft quivering of the moth's wings, and when it drew close, she clasped it between her hooves.

One hoof rose from the moth, to find it placate on her other hoof. The slightest murmuring could be heard from Twilight, as she whispered instructions to the moth. After she finished, the moth took flight, and drifted off to where the lavender Unicorn had instructed. Twilight smiled for the first time that night: maybe she could get out of her present situation alive.

***

Great caverns riddled the barren plain of Isengard, illuminated crimson by the fires within. The clanking of wroughting tools could be heard, as Changelings pounded iron into instruments of war. When the fires died down, executed trees were thrown into the pit. Changelings then chopped them into logs, which were thrown into great furnaces. The reborn fires melted the iron into a molten stew, which were formed in different casts, cooled, then wrought into weapons and armor. And so the cycle of the iron monger continued.

Nightmare Moon strolled through the hellish pit; never had she seen creatures so repulsive occupied by so divine a purpose.

"Glorious!" lamented the ebony Alicorn. The Changeling Overseer approached her, bowing respectfully before Sauron's lieutenant.

"My queen, the newborns are ready to hatch. Would you like to watch the younglings' birth?" asked the Overseer.

"Yes, I would. Let's move along then, evolution will not wait on us," commanded Nightmare Moon. The Changeling followed the ebony Alicorn, and soon, they found themselves in a mud-filled birthing chamber.

Changeling drones uncovered the embryos which contained Nightmare Moon's newest creation. A mixture of dragon and Changeling, this new breed was resilient, fast, and had no fear of sunlight. The earliest sack to be opened held the alpha of the new species. His clawed hands gripped the nearest drone, and crushed its chitin-enforced throat with passive ease.

The creature stood as tall as Nightmare Moon, its draconic visage marked by the fangs of its Changeling counterparts. Its body was like a dragon, but instead of scales, black chitin lined its body. The creature unfurled its wings, which were draconian in nature, but were spoiled by the fissures which pitted the leathery surface.

Amniotic fluid dripped from the newborn, its piercing blue eyes unwavering from the alluring Alicorn, whose countenance unwavered from his form in return. Even though her complexion remained neutral, she anonymously adulated the mongrel which stood before her. She had never seen anything so beautiful, the creature's form a perfect weapon to eviscerate the enemies of her lord, Sauron. She trotted to the imposing hybrid; its incisive gaze unnerved to the godly Alicorn.

"Kneel, please," ordered Nightmare Moon, her countenance fixated on the visage of the miscegenation who stood before her. The creature obeyed its first command, and fell to one knee. Nightmare Moon smiled, and placed a hoof on the head of the newborn.

"I christen you, my fighting Dovakniik. Now, who do you serve?" the newly christened creature raised its head, and gazed again into the eyes of its master.

"Nightmare Moon!" declared the Alpha Dovakniik.

Ch.19 Flight to the Forest

Ch.19 Flight to the Forest

Apple Bloom regained consciousness, and inhaled a sharp breath of the cool, night air; copious sweat drained into her mouth. Her vision was blurred, and a black ring enclosed the outer rim of her eye. Through her narrowed faculty, she perceived the stone form of a gigantic bear, reared up for the kill. Spike, the purple dragon, intruded into her line-of-sight.

"Look, Apple Bloom. It's Granny's Ursa Minors.," remarked Spike. His scaled hand felt the forehead of his poisoned companion, then promptly recoiled, shocked at the lack of heat Apple Bloom's body emitted.

"She's going cold!" announced Spike; the dragon turned towards Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash stood far from the group, silent, scanning the dark forest for a glimpse of their pursuers. Only Apple Bloom's shallow breaths echoed through the Everfree. Sweetie Belle, like Spike and Scootaloo, sat beside the ailing Apple Bloom; she turned towards the cyan Pegasus.

"Is she going to die?" asked Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie's question drew Rainbow Dash's attention, and like her insensitive self, she gave the honest truth, "She's passing into the Shadow World. She'll soon become a Wraith like them."

Rainbow's head twitched towards the dark recess' of the forest, implying them to be the Nazgul who recently chased the party of ponies into the Everfree Forest.

Upon hearing Wraith, Apple Bloom screeched. Then, in the pitch forest, other shrieks rose to accompany their newest addition.

"They're close," remarked Scootaloo.

"Spike, do you know the Athelas plant?" Rainbow suddenly beckoned to the draconian nurse, who stared back at her in bewilderment. Only Spike's blinking eyes hinted towards his verve.

"Athelas? Wait, let me check." Spike sprang back into conscious, and set himself upon Apple Bloom's saddle bag. Rainbow wasn't known for her patience, but she afforded the dragon sparse seconds as he shuffled through the travel pack. He quickly pulled out a book: The Equestrian Guide to Flora and Fauna. Spike rifled through the pages, and seeming dissatisfied, he turned to Rainbow Dash.

"Sorry, no Athelas," responded Spike.

"How about Kingsfoil?" asked Rainbow Dash. Spike, again, stole through the tome's pages. He stopped on a page, and pointed a claw at the illustration of a low-hanging weed with glowing blue buds.

"Here it is. Kingsfoil... it's a weed," announced the triumphant dragon, seemingly forgetting he had just wasted precious seconds that may have determined the salvation of Apple Bloom.

"Yes, we must find some. It may slow the poison. Hurry!" ordered the impatient Pegasus. The two companions fled into the forest, searching for the possibly beneficial herb.

***

The starless night aided the dragon and Pegasus as they searched the forest floor for the glowing blue which proffered the plant they so desperately needed. While Spike searched at ground level, Rainbow glided below the canopy, and hastily scanned the lowest level of the Everfree. She eventually found the glowing buds of the Athelas, and dropped down towards the weed.

Rainbow took the root of the plant into her mouth, and prepared to pull, when she heard the silken voice of her timid Pegasus friend, "Oh... um... hi, Rainbow Dash."

***

Apple Bloom's head fell to the side, her body unable to procure the energy necessary to keep her neck suspended. In her position, she was forced to witness the lovely form of the approaching Pegasus. Her golden coat radiated sterling light, which was like acid to the corruption which coursed through Apple Bloom's veins. The light dimmed, revealing the apologetic countenance of Fluttershy.

"Um... hi, Apple Bloom. How are you doing?" a *squee* could be heard as Fluttershy smiled reassuringly at the desperately ill Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom croaked, then turned her head to the other side, unable to withstand the grace present before her.

"Oh, that's okay. If you don't want my help, I'll just be going." The sullen yellow Pegasus abducted her wings, ready for take-off. Rainbow Dash placed a hoof on Fluttershy's wing, which caused the yellow Pegasus to set herself down

Rainbow galloped to where Apple Bloom lay. She chewed a stalk of the Athelas weed, and placed the salivated stub on Apple Bloom's wound. Apple Bloom sat up, choking as the herb stalled the agonizing spread of the Morgul poison.

"She will not last long. We must get her to Zecora's before she fades." Rainbow lifted the limp Apple Bloom onto Fluttershy's back.

"We will draw their attention as long as we can, but you must race as fast as you can to Zecora's. The Nazgul will soon realize that Apple Bloom is not with us, and will take off after you," warned Rainbow Dash. She then placed a kiss on Fluttershy's lips.

"Just in case we don't see each other again," said Rainbow, before Fluttershy took off into the forest, in the direction of Zecora's cottage.

"What are you doing?! Those Wraiths are still out there!" Spike gestured to the forest, shocked as to why Rainbow let Fluttershy be burdened with Apple Bloom, and sent into the Everfree Forest... alone.

"Because, Spike..." responded Rainbow, "...we're going to be bait."

***

It wasn't until daybreak when the Nazgul trailed the burdened Fluttershy.

The forest near Zecora's was sparse, which eased her passage to Apple Bloom's salvation. Fluttershy noticed a black form which flitted between the trees, approaching at an accelerated pace. The Ringwraith found itself beside Fluttershy soon enough, and then another, and another, and another, until all nine Nazgul were trailing her.

Usually, Fluttershy's fear caused the complete interruption of her locomotion, but today, it pushed her further. She was able to maintain a steady lead over the galloping Nazgul, even though she was smaller and burdened with the terminal form of Apple Bloom. Screeches permeated the placid forest as the Nazgul savored the kill to come.

Fluttershy found herself on the trail to Zecora's Hut, which was straight and clear of trees. While this eased her passage further, it allowed the Nazgul to regroup into a cloaked mass of approaching darkness. The path led to a patch of Poison Joke, which Fluttershy, without hesitation, leapt over, assisted by her wings. The Nazgul discontinued themselves, unwilling to chance contact with the wrathful plant, afraid of what effects its 'joke' may have on them.

Fluttershy turned towards the hesitant Nazgul, who screeched from the far side of the patch.

"Give us the Earth Pony, Pegasus," ordered the Ringwraith, its voice raspy.

"I'll keep Apple Bloom, if you don't mind," asserted Fluttershy, which was accompanied by a squeal of delight as she congratulated herself on her assertiveness.

The Nazgul would not stand for her impertinence. They drew their blades, which reflected blinding sunlight into Fluttershy's eyes. They approached slowly, marching through the patch of Poison Joke. Soon, blue spots were discernible on their legs, and screeches erupted from them. They dropped their blades and covered their 'ears', unable to tolerate the deafening noise they were forced to produce.

"It hurts," screamed one of the Ringwraiths.

"Why am I so loud?" questioned another.

"So this is what it feels like," remarked another.

The defeated Nazgul retreated from the Poison Joke, still screeching as they left the Everfree to recuperate. Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief, now they were safe from the Nazgul threat. Suddenly, Apple Bloom flopped off her back, and fell to the ground, choking as the Morgul poison took hold of her spirit. Fluttershy embraced the fallen Apple Bloom, drawing her into her chest, as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"No, no! Don't leave Apple Bloom. Not now!" pleaded the crying Pegasus. Apple Bloom heard none of it, for the poison had taken its toll on her, and now left her on the brink of the Void, utterly unaware of the Equestrian world.

Fluttershy gripped Apple Bloom harder, hoping above all possibility that there was some way to save the little filly.

"Is that Fluttershy I hear? What is wrong my dear?" asked Zecora.

Ch.20 Zecora's Hut

Ch.20 Zecora's Hut

Wakyumwa katambanga

Musumbi na muka na kana koo kanini

Mookie kwitu tukethanie namo-ka

Methia ndekw'o kana kanini kasya

"Ethiwa ndekw'o tukoonana ingi uni"

Apple Bloom heard these words during her unconscious episode. She couldn't understand the language, but the voice of the speaker was obvious enough: Zecora. Maybe she had made it to Zecora's in time. Maybe she would wake up cleansed of the Morgul poison. Thousands of possibilities coursed through the young mind of the little Earth pony in seconds. But her vitiated form was unable to process such a vast quantity of mental activity. So again, Apple Bloom retreated into her subconscious, the emptiness pervaded by no dreams or nightmares.

***

Dappled sunlight played on carved timber; the sound of nearby nearby Meadowlarks drifted through the vista of trees into Apple Bloom's ears. Apple Bloom became roused from her recuperation, but her eyes remained shut. The sheets which she rested upon were unfamiliar to her, neither the cotton of her bed, or rough like the Earth.

"Where am I?" Apple Bloom asked, hoping somepony was in earshot of her question.

"You are in Zecora's Hut. And it is ten-in-the-morning on October twenty-fourth, if you want to know." Apple Bloom recognized the speaker's voice, but couldn't believe it. She opened her eyes, to find...

"Twilight!" Apple Bloom was ecstatic about meeting her friend again, but it didn't show on her features. Instead, confusion clouded her complexion, which Twilight discerned with her keen intellect.

"Yes, I'm here," assured Twilight, hoping to convince Apple Bloom she wasn't a figment of her imagination. "And you're lucky to be here too. A few more hours, and you would've been beyond our aid," added Twilight, a grim expression distorting her face.

The lavender Unicorn dropped the austerity of her countenance, which was quickly replaced with an encouraging smile.

"But you have some strength in you, my little pony." affirmed Twilight.

Apple Bloom sat up in the bed, but her shoulder ached. Her hoof reached towards the distressed joint, and felt the bandage which encapsulated it. Apple Bloom again turned toward Twilight, curious as to the nature of her friend's delay. Apple Bloom also noticed that the Unicorn's horn wasn't whole. The tip was a flat stump, but the majority of the horn's shaft was present.

"What happened, Twilight? Why didn't you meet us?" asked Apple Bloom, confusion playing on the filly's features.

Twilight's complexion was consumed by the utmost sincerity.

"I am so sorry, Apple Bloom. I was delayed," responded Twilight.

Twilight would never tell Apple Bloom what had happened on the spire of Orthanc. The memories relating to that unfortunate impediment intruded into the Unicorn's conscious, and consumed her mindset.

***

Twilight was thrown back onto the cold obsidian of Orthanc's roof. The ebony Alicorn known as Nightmare Moon stood over her, berating her for her poor choice, "A friendship with Nightmare Moon is not lightly thrown away." Twilight was powerless to protect herself, as her horn was still only half of what it was only a few short days ago. The horn was growing back, but without it being at full stature, she was still unable to conduct magic.

Nightmare Moon yelled, and magically flipped Twilight towards the other end of the tower roof. Twilight's body slid over the edge, but Nightmare Moon's magic kept her from falling to a messy death below.

"One ill turn deserves another," Nightmare Moon crept close to Twilight, and met her face to face; Nightmare Moon's magic keeping Twilight suspended.

"It is over!" proclaimed Nightmare Moon, before retreating onto the obsidian surface of Isengard's spire.

Twilight saw the moth flutter before her, and heard the soft whispers of the insect as it passed by. A smile appeared on her face; her situation wasn't completely hopeless.

"Embrace the power of The Ring...or embrace your own destruction!" Nightmare Moon delivered her ultimatum, then flipped Twilght back onto the roof, smashing her face against the hard rock ceiling.

Twilight looked up at her old friend, her earlier smile still apparent on her complexion.

"There is only one Lord of the Ring. Only one who can bend it to his will," Twilight noticed the moth hovering behind Nightmare Moon. The moth moved, and the silhouette of a great bird passed by the moon.

"And he does not share power." Twilight's last words were delivered with conviction, and accompanied by the screech of her savior. Twilight leapt off the roof, and the Phoenix, Philomena, caught her along her decent.

Nightmare Moon raced over to the edge, and saw Twilight fly off with the gigantic form of her sister's pet Phoenix.

"So you have chosen death." said Nightmare Moon, before teleporting to the great crevasse which lined the grounds of Isengard.

There was still much work to do.

Ch.21 Many Greetings

Twilight's memories of her escape from Isengard flashed through her mind in seconds, but the emotional toll distorted her features. Apple Bloom, still lying in the bed, observed Twilight's austere countenance.

"Twilight? Are you alright?" asked Apple Bloom, curious as to Twilight's current disposition.

Twilight's train of thought was interrupted by Apple Bloom's question. She looked up at the fair filly, noticing her earnest expression. Seeking not to worry the already troubled pony, Twilight regained her composure, a smile settling on her face.

"Nothing, Apple Bloom." responded the lavender unicorn.

"Apple Bloom?!" Spike's footsteps were heard before he entered the building, and Apple Bloom turned to acknowledge her supporter.

"Spike!" endorsed Apple Bloom.

Spike jumped onto Apple Bloom's bed, embracing his friend with a heartfelt hug.

"You're awake!" declared Spike, verbally attesting what was obvious to the other occupants of the hut.

"Spike has hardly left your side." affirmed Twilight, a joyous smile illuminating her features.

Apple Bloom returned Spike's hug, and patted him on the back.

"He's a mighty fine assistant, isn't he?" claimed Apple Bloom.

"He sure is." added Twilight.

Apple Bloom felt wet tears slide down her back, the joy of their reunion too much for Spike to handle. Spike retreated from the hug, but still gripped Apple Bloom's hooves with his claws.

"We were that worried about you," Spike turned towards his 'sister': "Weren't we, Twilight?" said Spike, seeking an agreement from the nearby unicorn.

Apple Bloom turned back to Twilight, touched by the compassion committed to her by her dear friends.

"By the skills of Zecora, you're beginning to mend." Twilight turned to her right, drawing attention to the zebra who trotted into the room.

Zecora was a zebra like any other. She had white and black stripes, and her mane stood up like a mohawk. She did spice up her appearance though: she wore six neck rings, traditional in her native land. She also had a massive gold earring in one ear, and five more rings wrapped around her front left leg. She possessed a Cutie Mark like all other Equestrian ponies. Her's was a swirled circle, with triangles protruding around the edges.

"My potions helped save your life, but rest now, you are not in strife." rhymed the alchemist zebra.

And so Apple Bloom did. Other meetings would have to wait for her awakening.

***

Zecora's Hut was well hidden in the dense forest of the Everfree, the woodland area which bordered Ponyville. Most ponies were scared to venture into the treacherous forest, for many species of strange and dangerous creatures roamed within the woods. Zecora, much like her green nature, built her house in the base of a rather thick tree.

Apple Bloom roamed the grounds around her home with Spike, the area surprisingly devoid of any wildlife. Passing through a clearing, Apple Bloom's peaceful stroll was interrupted by the cheers from two mischievous fillies,

"Apple Bloom!" Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle tackled the shocked Earth pony, but were quick to restore their friend to her feet.

Apple Bloom joined the other Crusaders in a group hug, tears of joy falling from her eyes.

"Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle! It's so great to see you girls again." heartened the lamenting Earth pony.

Apple Bloom's resting head tilted up, and saw another pony to greet...Granny Smith.

Granny sat on a log, not far off of where Apple Bloom's recent reunion took place. Granny sat there, smiling towards the group of acquainting friends, while holding a book.

Apple Bloom rushed over, ready to mother Granny with enough love to compensate for the time they've missed together.

"Granny!" hailed the animated filly, wrapping her hooves around Granny Smith in an encompassing embrace.

"Hello, Apple Bloom, my granddaughter." acknowledged the old Earth pony.

Apple Bloom withdrew from the hug, and gazed into the palpable smile which completed her Granny's complexion. The joy of the moment smoothed all wrinkles on Granny Smith's weathered face, and Apple Bloom saw, once again, the renewed countenance of the adventurous spirit which resided in the seasoned pony.

Granny gripped Apple Bloom's hoof, directing her back to the log which her book rested on.

"Come here. I want to show you something." beckoned Granny, before placing the modestly heavy tome in Apple Bloom's grasp.

Apple Bloom opened to the front page, reading the title for all to hear, "There and back again. A pony's tale by Granny Smith." Apple Bloom looked back up to her Granny, impressed by the feat which the old pony had accomplished.

Apple Bloom scrolled through the pages, catching glimpses of beautiful illustrations and texts as she coursed through the tome.

"I meant to go back. Wonder at the power of the Hollow Shades; visit Los Pegasus; see the Foal Mountain again," Granny sat herself back down on the log beside the transfixed Apple Bloom: "But age, it seems, has finally caught up with me." added Granny Smith, peering down into the book, same as Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom turned the page, and found a map of Equestria. She didn't know why, but the exotic localities were of no interest to her. All she saw was Ponyville, the small town amongst commodious cities, exuberant castles, and tremendous mountains.

"I miss Ponyville. I spent all my crusading days pretending I was off somewhere else. I thought, maybe, if I could be as adventurous as my Granny, I'd find my Cutie Mark. But my own adventure turned out to be quite different." Apple Bloom turned back to her Granny, a dour expression occupying her features.

"I'm not like you, Granny." stated Apple Bloom, staring straight into Granny's gaze, her conviction sound.

Granny reached out a hoof, and stroked Apple Bloom's cheek, reassuring the doubting filly.

***

Apple Bloom departed her Granny, and headed back into Zecora's Hut. Welcome masks greeted her arrival, and hanging vials forced her to duck under the drifting elixirs. She heard the dragon scampering around the cabin, collecting supplies into Apple Bloom's travel pack.

"Packed already?" asked Apple Bloom. Spike turned, and acknowledged the arrival of his companion,

"No harm in being prepared," defended the dragon, "I just thought that since we got The Ring to Zecora's like Twilight wanted, and you being on the mend, we'd be off soon. Off home." finished Spike.

Apple Bloom considered Spike's logic. She did want to go home. Her journey was over, and she could do with sleeping in her own bed for the foreseeable future.

"You're right, Spike. We did what we set out to do. The Ring will be safe at Zecora's. I am ready to go home." agreed Apple Bloom.

Ch.22 The Fate of The Ring

Twilight and Zecora trotted towards Ponyville, the path to the nearby town clear of any obstructions. The trees that lined the path were covered in complimenting shades of red, orange and yellow leaves. Soon, the Running of the Leaves would commence, but not in the Everfree Forest. The trees in this part of Equestria could take care of themselves

The two ponies were on their way to meet their friends: Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack and Shining Armor. With Celestia at the war-front, Luna corrupted to Sauron's side, and Cadence left to steward Canterlot, Shining Armor was sent to represent the Royal Alicorns. Soon a council would be held to decide the fate of The Ring.

"Apple Bloom has shown great zeal, but her wound will never fully heal." rhymed Zecora, much in her usual manner.

"Yes, but for such a little pony to come so far, still bearing The Ring, she has shown an extraordinary resilience to its evil." countered Twilight. She loathed being reminded of her failure to protect Apple Bloom. But she knew Zecora was right: Apple Bloom's wound would never fully heal, and she would most certainly be vulnerable to the corruption caused by such a wound.

"But, it's still a burden she should've never had to bear. We can ask no more of Apple Bloom." Twilight said indubitably, steadfast that The Ring was safe from the reach of Sauron.

"Yes, what was done to Apple Bloom was cruel. But you, Twilight, are a fool." accredited the Zebra, before she relayed her crushing conviction. The Zebra's words shocked Twilight. Having known her for what time she did, Twilight had only on very rare occasions, heard Zecora insult another.

"Sauron has fixed his Eye here. And in time, they will kill all those I hold dear. And added to Luna's betrayal, I feel that we will fail." conjectured the agitated Zebra, whose countenance was both wrinkled in fury and red with rage.

Twilight feared the state of the aggravated Zebra. For what time she knew her, she had only seen Zecora in this mood once before: when she had accused her of being an evil enchantress when her friends were afflicted with comical symptoms. But, in actuality, it was just the side effect of coming into contact with a plant known as 'Poison Joke'.

Twilight knew of even graver news then what Zecora relayed, but even in her fretting state, Zecora deserved to know about how deep Luna's treachery truly penetrated,

"Nightmare Moon's treason is greater than expected. By dark magic, Nightmare Moon has crossed Changelings with dragons. She's bred an army in the caverns of Isengard. An army that can move in sunlight, and cover great distance at speed... Nightmare Moon is coming for The Ring."

Zecora's countenance stalled in time, the zebra struggling to comprehend the intelligence delivered by Twilight. Her pace lagged, an effect of her hindered brain function. Eventually, Zecora came to the conclusion that would hasten the council's decision. Such brash action could be detrimental in time.

"Not even Princess Celestia could conceal such evil, against a force so primeval." stated the distressed Zebra.

"The populace of Ponyville would be strewn, against the power of Nightmare Moon." added Zecora, hoping Twilight understood the situation as amply as her.

"I know The Ring cannot stay in the Everfree. But we will not be alone," Twilight pointed her hoof towards Ponyville, which was now discernible from their location. And there, standing at the entrance of the Everfree, were Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight's brother, Shining Armor.

"We will have help in dealing with this crisis." added the enthusiastic Unicorn.

"Yes, but to what extent? You of all ponies know the Alicorns will soon relent. The Alicorns will leave these shores, never to return, leaving the throne of Equestria a great concern." countered the realistic zebra.

"Who will you look to claim the throne? Will it be one of your own?" questioned Zecora.

"It is in the Pegasi that we must place our hope." answered Twilight.

"Pegasi, please?! They fly high in the sky, heads as light as the breeze. They, above all, are consumed by greed. Not the race I'd advise to heed." mocked Zecora, obviously doubting Twilight's resolve in her decision.

"You forget, something I'd never expect. It's because of Pegasi The Ring survives, and thereby allows our enemy to thrive." continued the cynical zebra, "History we must never forget my friend, or surely we will meet our end."

Twilight and Zecoa approached the waiting ponies, ready to greet thier old friends.

***

Princess Celestia paced in her Royal Tent, waiting for her top generals, minus Shining Armor, to convey the meeting. A singular table dominated the space of the chamber, on top of which sat a map of Equestria. She scanned the map, looking over the different portions of her kingdom. Her gaze rested over the mountainous Unicorn Range, specifically the Smokey Mountain. Her thoughts returned to the Last Battle of the First Age, recalling the gruesome events of the greatest campaign in all of recorded history.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pumice ash fell like rain, and seared whatever it fell upon. Dark clouds hung in the sky, lightning flashes distorting the shapes of the carnage commencing below. Changelings engaged the Last Alliance, both sides losing members at a horrifying rate. Celestia impaled a Changeling on her horn, then flung the limp body into its comrade. Golden bolts rained from her horn, reducing all nearby Changlings to ash.

While the sounds of conflict deafened her ears to any singular voice, one yell rose above all the others. The battle ceased; Changeling, Pony and Alicorn all focused on the newest development. Celestia's height gave her an advantage of the other occupants of the battleground, allowing her to see what could`ve possibly stopped such a grand battle.

She saw Isildur, son of the Pegasi Queen, Commander Hurricane, sever The Ring from the horn of Sauron. The ebony shaft fell to the obsidian earth, The Ring still attached to its base. No time was spared for songs of victory, nor cries of anguish. The Dark Lord became a blinding white radiance, as malicious energies were drawn to him. He exploded, sending a shockwave throughout the course of the Smokey Mountain, with mixed results. The Changleings were flung into the air, sent off in all possible directions, much like when the Changeling army was expelled from Canterlot during the Royal Wedding. But the blast yielded much more tragic results for the Alicorns.

Celestia knew why only Princess Luna, Cadence and herself survived. It was the Rings of Power they possessed. Celestia trotted through the field of dead Alicorns, desensitized to the genocide which was apparent around her. She reached Isildur soon enough, finding him studying The Ring with much intensity.

"Isildur, hurry! Follow me." beckoned Celestia.

She led Isildur into the Crack of Doom, the volcanic chamber where Sauron forged The One Ring, and where it must be destroyed. She stood on the cusp of the chamber, the swirling lava churning below. Isildur slowly followed, his attention focused not on the task at hand, but on The Ring which he caressed in his hoof.

"Cast it into the fire!" ordered the Celestia, her voice rising over the seismic shifts roaring in the mountain: "Destroy it!" mandated the anxious Alicorn.

Isildur stared into the face of the Alicorn leader, discerning the worry which consumed her features. He knew he should toss The Ring into the fire, but something much more convincing told him no. A smile stretched his lips, and he only uttered one word before departing, "No."

His volume was low, so Celestia never heard what he said. But the movements of the lips, and his inability to depart The Ring were sign enough of his chosen course of action. The realization that the deaths of her Alicorns were now in vain cast dark thoughts into her conscious. Isildur had his back to her, she could easily kill him and take The Ring, and then toss it into the lava. But her reasoning warned her against it. She knew that whatever force that corrupted Isildur could do the same to her, and his death would just be another unnecessary loss in the short span of the Last Alliance. _________________________________________________________________________________________________

That day, when Isildur kept The Ring, the line of Pony Kings was broken. Celestia and Cadence would depart soon from Equestria, whether or not Nightmare Moon would join them was up to her. Soon, somepony would have to reclaim the throne of Canterlot. There was only one who could do this, only one that bore the birthmark signifying she was in Isiludr`s blood. But she strayed from that path long ago, choosing instead to pursue a career as a Wonderbolt.

Ch.23 The Blade That Was Broken

Rainbow Dash sat alone in Zecora's Hut, the newest adventure of Daring Do to keep her company. She read aloud, the action of Daring's daring escapades resonating throughout the hollow hut. The slightest creak of the door alerted her to the entrance of Shining Armor, Twilight's brother and Captain of the Royal Guard in Canterlot. His massive white frame crowded the doorway, his broad shoulders a hair-length shy of the edge, allowing him to enter smoothly. Even trotting, his flowing blue mane jostled behind him, as he approached the stone pedestal where four blade shards lay.

Shining Armor turned to his left, confronting the multi-colored form of Rainbow Dash. A confused expression occupied his countenance, similar to a detective analyzing his latest clue.

"I remember you from somewhere, but I just can't put my hoof on it." announced Shining Armor, hoping to coax the answer out of the reading Pegasus.

"I'm Rainbow Dash, friend of Twilight's. I was a bridlemaid at your wedding to Princess Cadence." responded the cyan Pegasus.

Shining' confused expression left him, as he recognized the Pegasi hero before him, "Yes, now I remember. You also did a Sonic Rainboom after Cadence and I had completed our vows."

Shining Armor glanced towards the pedestal, his gesture drawing the attention of Rainbow Dash. Shining stepped forward, now a centimeter from the stone platform.

"The shards of Narsil." Shining Armor gripped the handle of the blade, recognizing it as the same piece that sliced The Ring from the horn of Sauron.

Shining's other hoof slid across the length of the shard, reaching the shattered pinnacle of the blade. Touching the tip, the blade cut his hoof, drawing red blood which sharply contrasted his white coat. He stared at the blade, amazed at how the blade wasn't blunt from over three-thousand years of idleness.

"It's still sharp." resounded the bleeding stallion. Shining gaze faltered to the left, meeting the contempt stare of Rainbow Dash, obviously unimpressed by his carelessness.

"But no more than a broken heirloom." Shining threw the shard at the pedestal, failing to land it on the flat surface. The blade clanged as it contacted the floor. Shining Armor retreated from the building, suddenly feeling choked within the restricting hut.

When Shining departed, Rainbow Dash eased herself from the couch, leaving the Daring Do book ajar on her recent page. She trotted to the fallen shard, and gripped the handle. The shaft formed effortlessly to her hoof, as if it was made for her...or an ancestor. She placed the blade back on the pedestal; the shard returned to its resting place. Rainbow Dash would have nothing to do with what the blade represented: the fallen Line of Pony Kings which she was a part of.

Rainbow still recalled the day when Princess Celestia visited her, in regards to her change of residence.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rainbow shuffled through her home in Cloudsdale, forcing mounds of clothes and Wonderbolt posters into a massive suitcase. Rainbow Dash, however, wasn't the only pony in the room, as Princess Celestia's stature and voice dominated the expanse.

"You are Islidur's heir, not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate." resounded the eclipsing Alicorn, failing to impede the packing of the cyan Pegasus.

"The same blood flows through my veins. The same weakness." responded the cyan Pegasus. Rainbow ceased packing, and stared defiantly at the regal Alicorn, an act worthy of a thousand year sentence on the moon.

"You know that one day the Alicons will leave Equestria, and at that time, you will answer your lineage." asserted Princess Celestia, vainly trying to convince Rainbow Dash of the futility of her relocation.

"Why don't you have your protege, Twilight take over the throne of Canterlot, because I will not have anything to do with my past." resisted the frustrated Rainbow Dash, who returned to forcing her belongings into the cramped suitcase.

Princess Celestia sighed. Rainbow Dash was the true heir of Isildur; stubborn like him too. She was grounded in her resolution of leaving, and Celestia knew that not even the threat of death could shake her roots.

"Fine, if you're so certain of your convictions, I will allow you to leave. But where will you go. What will you do. You don't have a Cutie Mark or any currency of any kind." announced the Princess.

Rainbow retarded the speed of her packing, the force of Celestia's last statement taking its toll on her. Yes, she had no money, and she was too young to seek employment. So, swallowing what amount of pride remained, she turned back to the Princess, ready to ask for some bits. Surprisingly, she found a sack of bits hanging in the air, surrounded by a golden aura.

"Here's a thousand bits. This will cover room-and-board for the month. If you need anything else, just send me a letter. What's mine is yours." said Princess Celestia.

Rainbow was moved by the generosity of the Princess. Rainbow wrapped her small frame around the leg of her kind mentor, which was returned by Celestia in part.

No more words were shared between the two friends that day. Rainbow left lugging her suitcase all the way to Ponyville, a rather secluded town near city of Canterlot. She bought a cloud house which presided over the settlement, and took flight lessons at a nearby cloud camp. And the rest is history...

But history has a nasty habit of repeating itself to those who fail to heed it.

Ch.24 The Council at Zecora's

Celestia's early morning Sun rose over Equestria, illuminating the world after a restful darkness. Morning dew glistened in the beaming light, glaring into the eyes of any unfortunate pony to be awake at such an early hour. These 'early morning ponies' were the nine equines: Zecora, Shining Armor, Apple Bloom, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. They were seated in a hidden grove nearby Zecora's Hut, waiting for the arrival of three more members.

Even though the occasion was solemn, Pinkie Pie treated the situation as she always did: like a party. Twilight had warned her friend of the dangers of a distinct appearance to their secret council, but Pinkie Pie wasn't dissuaded. Pink and blue streamers lined the trees, and balloons were wrapped around branches, which levitated above the canopy. Glowing neon signs from Ponyville to the hidden grove forged a conspicuous path to the secret meeting. Many facehoofs were met in response to Pinkie's last touch to illuminate the dreary mood of the proceedings.

Shining Armor and Twilight currently conversed about their most recent adventures apart from one another. Rarity and Fluttershy (well, mostly Rarity) spoke on her most recent fashion creations, and the attention she received from many major fashion celebrities, such as: Hoity Toity, Photo Finish and Sapphire Shores. Rainbow Dash and Applejack passed the time hoof-wrestling, both deadlocked and groaning as their fore-hooves were pushed to their physical limits. Apple Bloom sat beside Applejack, encouraging her sister to defeat Rainbow. Pinkie Pie hummed the 'My Little Human' theme song to herself, and Zecora meditated...upside-down...on a walking stick...thinking about new rhymes to add to her vocabulary.

Eventually, Rarity got fed up, bored and curious as to the whereabouts and nature of the other three members they were waiting for: "Pardon me Fluttershy, I hate to break our conversation." apologized Rarity.

Rarity then turned her attentions to the silent Zebra: "I hate to disturb you, Zecora, but I was just wondering about the ponies we were waiting for. I've been in the Sun for at least an hour, and that isn't good for my complexion. I could get wrinkles!" addressed the prissy pony. Then, in a fit of paranoia, Rarity started feeling around her face at a quickened pace.

"Mirror! I need a mirror!" cried out the overdramatic equine. Her call was met by Pinkie Pie, who reached into a nearby stump, and pulled out a mirror.

"I have mirrors stashed all over Equestria, in case of fashion emergencies." Pinkie Pie handed the mirror over to Rarity, who examined her face with the discretion of a senior detective.

The mirror fell from her hoof. Rarity's hooves folded over her face as she covered, in her own opinion, her haggard appearance: "A wrinkle! Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE! WORST! POSSIBLE! THING!" Rarity proceeded to grovel on the ground, rolling in the dirt and filth of the forest floor, which stained her gossamer coat.

Fluttershy flew to her melodramatic friend, vainly trying to verbally calm Rarity's fit, "You're still beautiful Rarity, even if you're covered in all manner of dirt and filth off the forest floor." said Fluttershy, unable to bring herself to lie to Rarity, even if the truth did hurt.

Oblivious to Fluttersy, Rainbow Dash whispered something to Applejack, in regards to Fluttershy's lack of subtlety, "She did the exact same thing to me before I went into the Best Young Flyer's competition." commented Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow still remembered that historic day, even the worst parts of it.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Her pride thrashed by her most recent argument with her childhood bullies in Cloudsdale, Rainbow Dash submitted to the prospect that she was unable to perform such an amazing feat as the Sonic Rainboom.

"Those guys are right. I'll never be able to do it." acceded Rainbow Dash, obviously disheartened in her goal of winning the competition and spending a day with her lifelong heroes: the Wonderbolts.

Fluttershy hovered to her friend, seeking to console Rainbow's joyless demeanor.

"But Rainbow Dash, just because you failed the Sonic Rainboom a hundred thousand times in practice, doesn't mean you won't be able to do it in front of an entire stadium full of impatient, super-critical, sports fan ponies." Fluttershy's consolation was met with a reaction completely opposite of her intention.

Rainbow Dash rattled on about how she'd fail to accomplish the Sonic Rainboom, how the Wonderbolts would never let a loser like her join, and how Celestia would probably banish her to the Everfree forest, before finishing with a: "my life is ruined" worthy of the currently overreacting Rarity's trademarked: "Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE! WORST! POSSIBLE! THING!"

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rainbow Dash was shaken from her trip down memory lane by a scream of such primal ferocity, it made a dragon's roar sound like a scared chicken. A clean Rarity, obstructed by Fluttershy, reached for the three arriving members the council had been waiting for. There, in the entrance to the hidden grove, stood three Diamond Dogs: Spot: a short, brown pug, Rover: a gray dog between the sizes of his two companions, and Fido: the massive blue bulldog who stood with a discernable hunchback posture. These weren't any Diamond Dogs however; they were the same Dogs who kidnapped Rarity as she scavenged jewels with Spike for six outfits they were making for Sapphire Shores.

"Why are YOU here?!" interrogated the screaming Rarity, her hostility met by a menacing bark from the three Diamond Dogs.

"They are here to lend their voice, as we come to make a choice." rhymed Zecora. Her hooves gripped the shaft of the walking stick she balanced on. She then propelled herself upward, flipping once in midair to land on her feet, letting the wooden stick crack against the hard earth.

"A choice of what?" asked Rarity, suddenly curious as to the true nature of their meeting.

"To decide the fate of The Ring, for dark events have been set in full swing. We must come to a decision soon, or we will surely meet our doom." answered Zecora in verse. She then turned to Apple Bloom, gesturing her to the pedestal in the middle of the grove.

"Bring forth The Ring, Apple Bloom, my dear. Don't worry, you have nothing to fear." assured Zecora, sensing Apple Bloom's apprehension as she placed the dark artifact in plain sight of her friends.

Murmurs rose amongst the many races at the sight of The Ring. Some reacted in pure disgust of the evil object. Others were curious as to the nature of the magical item. All Apple Bloom felt was relief; she now would no longer be responsible for the fate of The Ring.

Shining Armor, however, had the most auspicious reaction to The Ring. Shining Armor couldn't stop staring at the golden halo. It looked so plain; just a simple golden band that sat atop of the pedestal. But something about The Ring was alluring, a quality hidden in its fragile appearance that made him covet the relic. It would make a great gift for his wife, Princess Cadence, the current steward of Canterlot.

Shining Armor stood up from his chair, and moved very slowly towards The Ring, while addressing those present at the hearing, "In a dream, I saw the western sky grow dark, but in the East a pale light lingered." All eyes nervously shifted from Shining Armor to The Ring, the many members guessing the Royal Unicorn's intention as he approached the golden band.

"A voice was crying: your doom is near at hand. Isildur's Bane is found." Shining entered at trance-like state, his steps repeating in a robotic fashion until he reached the pedestal. His hoof reached out, seeking to grasp The Ring. Twilight and Zecora's eyes met, silently agreeing on what probable measure would be taken if Shining Armor continued.

"Isildur's Bane." Shining's hoof came within an inch of The Ring before he was met with an outcry.

Zecora stood from her chair, yelling, "You fool! You know not what you do!" but Twilight's reaction was more severe.

Twilight stood on her hind legs, raising her forehooves into the air and spoke in the Black Speech. The Earth trembled, and the sky darkened with clouds that flashed lightning and thundered. Shining Armor was shaken from his dream, and gazed hurriedly into the weather phenomenon, along with the other members of the secret meeting.

Twilight Sparkle relented her harsh tongue, and so the weather returned to its proper state; Shining Armor proceeded back to his seat. Above all, he was surprised at the power available to his little sister, Twilight, at a moment's notice. While all others sat, Twilight stood, and addressed the many participants of their secret council, "I do not ask for your pardon, friends, for the Black Speech may yet be heard in every corner of Equestria! The Ring is altogether evil." Twilight concluded her speech, and went back to her chair beside Apple Bloom.

"It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor." Shining's intrusion surprised Twilight, who turned to see her brother begin to pace and rant around the area.

"Why not use this Ring? The Changelings once invaded Canterlot, and the love shared between Princess Cadence and I saved the city. Canterlot's magic and strength have long kept the enemies of Equestria at bay. By the blood of our ponies, Equestria has been kept safe." Shining's rant perturbed Twilight Sparkle, who thought, that above all others, Shining Armor would've been the one pony to agree with her. Sadly, she was mistaken, for the power of The Ring is able to corrupt even the most virtuous of ponies.

"Give Canterlot the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against Sauron and the Changelings." Shining Armor finished his rant, allowing Twilight to voice her own objections on the matter, "You cannot wield it. None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

"Twilight's right." agreed Rainbow Dash.

"I will tolerate Twilight, for she is my sister, but you?" Shining turned to the rainbow-maned Pegasus, "You are a simple Pegasus. What do you know of the matter?" antagonized Shining Armor, shocking his audience with the cruelty of his words.

Rarity stood from her seat, prepared to defend her brash friend, Rainbow Dash, "She is no mere Pegasus. She is Rainbow Dash, daughter of Arathorn. You owe her your allegiance."

The news of Rainbow's heritage shocked the members of the meeting, such information even escaping Twilight, who turned to Rarity, "How did you know, when even I didn't know?" questioned the obviously confused lavender Unicorn.

"Yeah, how did you know?" added Rainbow Dash.

Rarity's white cheeks turned into a bashful red, embarrassed as to her earlier betrayal of Rainbow's trust.

"I read your diary. Sorry." apologized Rarity, her cheek redness spread to the rest of her body, turning her white coat to a blood red color.

Shining Armor's gaze never departed Rainbow Dash, and a shocked expression dominated his countenance.

"Rainbow Dash? This is Isildur's heir?" questioned the bemused Royal Guard.

"And heir to the throne of Canterlot." added Rarity, whose red fur settled into its usual glowing magnificence.

Shining turned to Rarity, his stare scaring the passionate unicorn into submission, forcing her to sit. He then focussed his gaze back on Rainbow Dash, angrily bemused at the claim made that the Pegasus before him was the heir to the throne of Canterlot.

"Canterlot has no Queen. Canterlot needs no Queen." Shining Armor sat himself down, breathing deeply, seeking to quell his anger.

"Twilight is right. We cannot use it." spoke honest Applejack, defending Twilight's reasoning, as per her reliable self.

Zecora stood from her chair, prepared to once again address the members of the hearing, "There is only one option which we cannot avoid. The Ring must be destroyed."

Shining sighed hopelessly, he hoped his friends would have seen reason and given him The Ring.

"What are we waiting for?" hissed Fido, rising from his chair.

Fido strode towards The Ring, raising his fist in the air, then bringing it down upon the golden band. His body was violently thrown back upon contacting The Ring, and he gripped his striking hand, howling in pain. The Ring stood unscathed, its dark magic shielding it from all harm. Apple Bloom felt the surge of energy from The Ring as Fido struck it, which caused a splitting headache. Applejack turned to her sister, holding the ailing filly in her protective hooves.

"You all right?" asked Applejack.

"I'm fine, sis. Just a headache is all." answered Apple Bloom.

Fido stared at The Ring, dumbfounded as his compatriots raised him to his feet. How could anything survive his strongest attack?

"Are you daft? The Ring is invulnerable to harm from our craft. The Ring was made in the fires of the Smokey Mountain. So we must send it back into that inferno fountain." Zecora's words brought unbearable tension to the proceedings. All those attending realized what must be done to destroy The Ring, even if Zecora didn't say it.

"The Ring must be taken into Changeling land, and thrown into the fire firsthand." announced Zecora.

"One of you, must do this." finished Zecora, ending her speech without a rhyme.

Zecora's speech was met with silence, as all members: Ponies and Diamond Dogs, considered what the Zebra had just asked of them.

"One does not simply walk into the Unicorn Range. Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just Changelings. There is evil there that does no sleep. The Great Eye is ever-watchful." Shining Armor's mention of the Great Eye spread a new wave of fear through Apple Bloom, having seen the Great Eye first-hand, and personally knew of its malicious powers.

"It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, and ash, and dust. The very air you breathe, is a poisonous fume. Not with ten-thousand ponies could you do this. It is folly." finished Shining Armor.

Rarity, disgusted by the lack of hope from Shining Armor, stood to challenge him, "Have you heard nothing of what Zecora has said? The Ring must be destroyed."

"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?!" challenged Rover, unable to tolerate the complaining Unicorn any more.

"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" questioned Shining Armor, rising from his seat as well, his speech instilling a sense of antagonism in those around him

Rover dominated over Rarity, his apelike form twice as tall as the petite unicorn:"I will be dead before I see The Ring in the hands of a Pony!" Rover's challenge brought forth both his friends and all others in an encompassing argument over The Ring.

"Do you not understand? While you bicker, Sauron's power grows!" Twilight tried to voice her reason in the argument, but was drowned out by the bickering of both Ponies and Dogs.

Apple Bloom sat back, deaf to the sounds of arguing; she focussed on The Ring. She heard the Black Speech of The Ring dominating all sounds that she may have heard. The Ring lit with a blinding flame, only observable by Apple Bloom, as the fire of disharmony amongst friends fed its power. Apple Bloom realized what she must do, as the sounds of bickering reinvigorated her senses. She stood from her chair, trying to call above all,

"I will take it!" her offer was unheard, so she mustered a huge breath, and screamed above the voices in the argument,

I WILL TAKE IT!" the argument slowly ceased, the members turning towards the brave filly who volunteered for the task. Even Rover didn't voice his objections over Apple Bloom possessing The Ring for the journey.

"I will take The Ring to the Unicorn Range. Though, I do not know the way." finished Apple Bloom.

"I will help you bear this burden, Apple Bloom, as long as it's yours to bear." Twilight Sparkle joined Apple Bloom, standing over her like a watchful guardian.

"If by life or death I can protect you, I will." announced Rainbow Dash, approaching Apple Bloom and Twilight.

"You have my wings." finished Rainbow Dash.

"You have my fashion skills at our disposal." added Rarity, joining the group.

"I ain't gonna to leave my little sis to face the big world of Equestria without her family." enumerated Applejack, falling into the steadily increasing companionship.

"If you don't mind, I'd also like to go." admitted Fluttershy, who then hovered in behind Twilight.

"And you can count on my party cannon." added the elated Pinkie Pie, bringing along with her a party cannon from who-knows-where.

"You can bet I won't leave such an important mission to just ponies." announced Rover, joining the group.

While not the strongest of his brethren, like Fido, Rover was the smartest of his friend, and didn't nearly have such a short temper as Spot. So he ultimately decided it would be him that would assist the Ponies in such an important mission.

Shining Armor approached the group, his gaze aimed at Apple Bloom: "You carry the fates of us all little one." Shining then gestured to all beings in attendance, "If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Canterlot will see it done."

Shining Armor fell into the ranks of the other Ponies and Diamond Dog.

"Hey!" yelled Spike the dragon, appearing from behind a nearby bush to join Apple Bloom, much to the surprise of those in attendance.

"Apple Bloom's not going anywhere without me." proclaimed Spike, steadfast in his resolution that nothing would separate him from his friend

"Yes, it is indeed impossible to separate you, even if Apple Bloom is summoned to a secret council, and you are not." countered Twilight, which caused Spike's cheeks to flush red in embarrassment.

"Hey! We're coming too!" proclaimed Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, who also rushed to join their friend Apple Bloom, much to the surprise of all members of the secret council.

"You'll have to send us home in a sack to stop us." announced Sweetie Belle.

"Anyway, you need ponies of intelligence on this sort of mission...quest...thing." added Scootaloo.

"Well, that leaves you out, Scootaloo." finished Sweetie Belle.

Zecora stood in awe of the companionship before her. Maybe the power of the Elements of Harmony, coupled with the fighting skills of Shining Armor and other miscellaneous skills that belonged to the Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Spike, Scootaloo and Rover would ensure the victory of their mission.

"Twelve companions you will bring; therefore, I christen you: the Fellowship of The Ring." affirmed Zecora in her usual rhyme.

"Great! Where are we going?" Scootaloo's question was met with many facehoofs.

Ch.25 Granny Smith's Gifts

Granny unwrapped the sheathed blade from the blanket, revealing the sword to the other occupant of Zecora's Hut: Apple Bloom.

"My old sword! Sting." exclaimed Granny Smith. She grasped the handle, and handed Sting to Apple Bloom.

"Here, take it. Take it." ordered Granny Smith.

Apple Bloom took the blade from Granny's hoof, and pulled the sword from the sheath. She was surprised at the weightlessness of the sword, even though its length and width were comparable to any other blade on the Ponvillian market. Apple Bloom admired the craftsmanship, the flawless curves of the blade, the padded handle; all features which proved the prodigiousness of Sting.

"It's so light!" remarked Apple Bloom, never betraying her gaze from the blade for a second.

"Yes. Made in Canterlot, you know. The blade glows blue when Changelings are close." Granny's mention of the Changelings brought Apple Bloom's gaze back to her dear grandmother, who also admired Sting's form.

"And it's times like that, my dear, when you have to be extra careful." conceded Granny, who finally made eye-contact with Apple Bloom.

"Here's a pretty thing." Granny turned to her purse sitting on the chair, and pulled out the most magnificent vest Apple Bloom had ever seen.

"Mithril. As light as a feather, and as hard as dragon scales." Granny's volume changed from high to low, respectively emphasizing the practical qualities of the illustrious, white vest.

"Let me see you put it on. Come on." beckoned Granny Smith, hoping to persuade Apple Bloom to try on the vest before she left for her journey.

Apple Bloom smiled, and placed The Ring on the nearest counter, freeing her hooves to try on the vest. Granny ceased, her gaze resting on The Ring. Granny smiled at the golden band, as if they were best friends, who hadn't seen each other in an Age.

"Oh!" Granny squeaked, surprising Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom found Granny points her hoof at The Ring, and moving slowly closer to corral the golden band.

"My old ring." mentioned Granny. Before Granny could grab The Ring, Apple Bloom snatched the band away from the old Earth pony. Apple Bloom wrapped The Ring in her hooves, hoping to put the dastardly item out of their thoughts.

"I should very much like... to hold it again, one last time." pleaded Granny, her hooves clicking together like a nervous filly on her first day of school.

Granny smiled innocently at Apple Bloom, hoping to show no ill intent, but Apple Bloom was not convinced. She knew enough about The Ring to know what it has, and could've done to her Granny over the many decades Granny possessed the cursed artifact. Apple Bloom gripped The Ring, and set it in her fur.

When Apple Bloom placed The Ring out-of-sight, Granny charged. The old pony's eyebrows furrowed, the color around her eyes blackened, and her teeth gnashed, expressing pure hatred. Apple Bloom noticed the decay on Granny's dentures, and the unusual sharpness of the chewing implements. Granny's hoof reached for Apple Bloom's flank, where The Ring resided, but Apple Bloom was quicker, and she dodged her old Granny.

Granny's madness was short-lived; however, her initial charge met with failure. The frail mare returned to her regular state. The defamation of Granny's features seeped away, but the damage was done. Granny was reduced to a shrivelling wreck, failing to Zecora's bed, whimpering, and hiding herself by means of her hooves. Apple Bloom stared, dumbfounded at the sudden aggression from her beloved Grandmother. The little Earth pony kept her distance, and clutched The Ring for safekeeping from the unstable old pony in front of her.

Granny resumed her gaze on Apple Bloom, her fearful eyes occasionally shifting to The Ring.

"I'm sorry I brought this upon you, my dear. I'm sorry that you must carry this burden." Granny's voice degenerated into tearful mumbling, the old mare turning her back to Applebloom, and falling into a tearful fit

"I'm sorry for everything." cried Granny Smith, her sobbing apparent from even outside Zecora's Hut.

Apple Bloom felt pity for her Granny. Long had her Grandmother possessed The Ring, and now, with the last possible chance to hold it, to be denied by her own granddaughter. Apple Bloom approached Granny, placing her hoof on Granny's shoulder, a reassuring sign that all was forgiven.

Granny couldn't bear to look on Apple Bloom after her erratic outburst. She only gripped her granddaughter's hoof.

"Please be careful, Apple Bloom. I couldn't stand to lose my favorite granddaughter." cried Granny, who now rested her head on Apple Bloom's hoof.

"I will Granny. I will." replied Apple Bloom, planting a kiss on her Granny's head.

Ch.26 The Fellowship Departs

The Fellowship stood ready at the entrance to Ponyville, most members accounted for, except for Spike and Rarity. Apple Bloom stood farthest from Ponyville, nearest to Zecora, where they had a conversation about the exotic flora which existed within the Everfree Forest. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were right behind her, conversing on the many possible situations where they could obtain their Cutie Marks. And behind them were the Mane Six, with Shining Armor, minus Rarity. Rover, the Diamond Dog, stood off to the side, brooding over the lack of diversity in the membership of their Fellowship.

Ten minutes passed, then twenty, and then thirty. Eventually, a whole two hours had come-and-gone, leaving Rainbow Dash quite perturbed and impatient.

"I can't take this anymore!" Rainbow yelled before bolting into the clouds.

While it was sunny, many white clouds hovered in the sky, leaving Rainbow's companions perplexed as to the rainbow Pegasi's location. Sparse sightings could be noted as Rainbow soared over cloud-absent portions of the sky, but as the fastest flier in Equestria, RD would again disappear into the thick, white haze.

After a minute or so, Rainbow returned to her friends, red-faced, and in an even more foul mood than before.

"I can't find them ANYWHERE! Where could that prissy pony be at such an important time?" questioned Rainbow Dash rhetorically. But, as the proverb goes: "speak of the devil, and he shall appear".

"I'm baaaack." proclaimed Rarity in her melodious voice. Spike followed far behind, carrying a dozen suitcases, all full of Rarity's 'necessities'.

"What in the hay is with all them bags, Rarity?" asked Applejack, pointing a hoof at the cargo of which Spike bore.

"C'mon Rarity. All this baggage will slow us down. Plus, you're breaking Spike's back." remarked Twilight Sparkle, who then used her magic to relieve Spike of Rarity's belongings. Spike then fell over, unconscious from the physical strain exerted by his act of goodwill towards his love.

"Spike actually asked to carry all my bags. Such a generous gentleman dragon, if I do say so myself." Rarity's magic surrounded Spike in an aura of diamond blue energy, as he was levitated onto Pinkie Pie's back.

"Could you carry him for me?" Rarity asked Pinkie Pie.

"The thought of him carrying all those bags has just worn me out." announced Rarity, placing a hoof on her forehead, as if checking for a feverish high in temperature.

"Okie Dokie Lokie." responded Pinkie Pie, bouncing up and down, somehow maintaining Spike's position on her spine.

"But before we leave, I'd just like to give everybody a present." proclaimed Rarity. The azure unicorn opened a rather stylish suitcase from the top of her bag pile, and then set its contents to each of its respective owners.

Twilight received a matching cape and pointy-hat, both of which were purple and decorated with astronomical bodies. Twilight, upon putting the outfit on, bore a striking resemblance to Trixe, minus the blue fur and white mane. Fluttershy gained a light green hooded cloak. A pink bow was set on the neck, and a pink flower rested on the side of the hood, both of which matched the color of Fluttershy's hair.

Pinkie Pie was fitted with a pink cape, hemmed at the end with marshmallows and patterned with alternating blue and orange candy corns. Rainbow Dash was given a simple, yet colorful rainbow cloak, and Applejack received a brown cloak, with a green collar which was tied by an apple-shaped bow. Rarity made herself an azure cloak, matching the color of her hair, which was hemmed in a white border.

"I made one for everyone, except for Spike, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. I got them something special." declared Rarity. She then shuffled throughout the pile, before pulling out a plain white suitcase, slightly stained from lying on the ground.

Like the first suitcase, Rarity pulled out a set of garments, but the Fashionista Unciorn didn't make this ensemble of outfits. Out of the bag came the Cutie Mark Crusader's capes of Sweetie Belle's own design: red on the outside, adorned with the blue and yellow symbol of their club, and lined with a special gold silk, which took so long to make, but adds just the right touch. The unconscious Spike was dressed in a baby blue sailor suit, which brought forth many coos from the observing mares.

"Sorry I didn't make you anything, Shining Armor. I hope you understand." apologized Rarity. Shining was equipped with a suit of purple armor, bordered in gold. His crest was the same picture as his Cutie Mark, and his helmet was frilled with his dark and light blue hair.

Rarity then turned her attention to Rover, who was unmoved by Rarity's show of her fashion talents.

"I was going to make you something, but then I remembered when you kidnapped me, so I burned the outfit." Rarity's antagonism was met with shocked reactions from her peers, except Rover. A slight growl escaped his lips, but he regained his composure, and once again met Rarity with a monotonous countenance.

"Now that you're all set, I have some rhymes to say yet." announced Zecora, which brought the attention of the Fellowship to the rhyming Zebra.

"Apple Bloom sets on a quest for the Mountain of Doom. Great danger you will face, and the agents of Sauron will give chase." Fear rose in the hearts of the company, both small filly, and Royal Guard impacted by the truth of Zecora's rhyme.

"But those who travel with her, be brave, for only the heart of those disloyal will fear stave." Twilight glanced at her brother, Shining Armor, the mention of disloyalty bringing his recent character to her thoughts.

"But those who travel, I do bless, on Alicorn and Pony for you to progress." continued Zecora.

"And lastly, I say farewell friends. I hope your journey has a happy end." finished Zecora, reinstituting the resolve of the Fellowship.

"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer." announced Twilight, drawing the company member's attention to Apple Bloom.

While she couldn't see them, she felt the onlooking presence of her friends and allies behind her. She turned, and was met with the unrevokeable scrutiny only capable from a group of ten ponies. Apprehension retarded Apple Bloom's pace, each pony she passed slowing her steps even more so. An eternity passed before she reached Twilight, who then pushed her onwards into Ponyville, with the other Fellowship members following closely behind her.

"The Unicorn Range, Twilight, which way?" whispered Apple Bloom, hoping not to be heard and demoralize her protectors.

"Left." answered Twilight.

Apple Bloom turned left upon entering Ponyville, and so did her companions behind her. Only Rarity stayed behind, unsuccessfully attempting to levitate her many suitcases and bags.

"Hey, everypony, wait up! Who's going to carry my bags?" asked Rarity.

Ch.27 The Ring Goes West

Ponyvillian streets passed as the Fellowship travelled west of the isolated village. Twilight led the way, her uncanny knowledge and map of Equestria bestowing upon her a directional advantage over her fellow companions. The Cutie Mark Crusaders followed close behind the lavender Unicorn. And behind the tiny fillies followed Rover, the towering Diamond Dog, and the remnants of the Mane Six, with Rainbow Dash flying, and Spike sleeping on Pinkie Pie's back . Lastly, trailing the pack, was Shining Armor, who kept his distance from The Ring, lest his own sister, Twilight, were to expect the worst of him.

Past the train tracks west of Ponyville, Apple Bloom became curious of the map Twilight possessed, and risked a peak at the drawing.

"Where are we going, Twilight?" asked Apple Bloom.

Twilight stole a glance at Apple Bloom, her complexion retained an expression of condecsention, as the lavender Unicorn gazed upon the tiny Earth Pony as if she were crazy.

"Haven't we been over this matter enough?" Twilight pointed her hoof at the location of the Smokey Mountain on the map; northwest of Ponyville.

"We're going to the Smokey Mountain. If we can find a way in, you can drop The Ring into the burning inferno from whence it came!" Twilight exclaimed.

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. Obviously, Twilight had missed the figurative meaning of her previous question.

"What Apple Bloom means is: what is the path to our objective?" interjected Sweetie Belle.

"Oh...okay, I see now." Twilight moved her hoof over to the White Tail Woods, directly south of the Fellowship's destination.

"If we can hold our course for a week, we'll end up in the White Tail Woods. There, we head north, and to the Smokey Mountain." finished Twilight.

"Okay, that seems easy!" ejaculated Apple Bloom, a smile brought to her face by how easy their quest seemed.

"Hopefully, we won't run into any of Sauron's minions. If our luck holds, we can avoid them until we reach the Smokey Mountain. There are bound to be an incredible amount of Changelings guarding that mountain alone." finished Twilight, incidentally dashing Apple Bloom's hopes for a short and easy trip.

Applejack and Twilight discerned the lugubrious expression which occupied Apple Bloom's complexion, the first rushing to comfort her saddened sister.

"Don't you worry sis. Most of us here have beaten our fair share of Changelings. And don't worry, I'd die before I'd let anypony hurt you." assured Applejack, joining her sister at the front of the march.

"Do you really mean it?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Of course I do!" answered Applejack.

***

Five days passed in slow, steady travel to the White Tail Woods. The mountains were almost passed, as the Fellowship moved into rocky hills left over from millions of years of rain and eroding weather. Spike sat beside Apple Bloom and Applejack on a flat boulder. The dragon enjoyed a ruby, while Apple Bloom shared a short stack of hay fries with her big sister. Before them, Sweetie and Scootaloo practiced sword combat with Shining Armor.

Shining Armor swung his blade towards Scootaloo, who raised her own dagger to block.

"Two, one, five." Shining's sword attacked at a rhythmic pace, but Scootaloo was handy with a blade, and easily checked his swings.

"Very good!" congratulated Shining. Then he turned his attention to Sweetie Belle.

"Three, four, two." Shining focused the blade in a different pattern than before, catching Sweetie Belle off guard. Nevertheless, she was still able to clumsily block Shining's aggressive advance.

Behind the sword training, and even further back than Rarity's tick-tack-toe game with Pinkie Pie, was Twilight, who conversed with Rover, the Diamond Dog currently agitated about spending so much time above ground.

"The Sun is too bright, and all these damn rocks keep stabbing into my feet!" complained the Diamond Dog.

"But you live underground. I've seen your home, there are rocks EVERYWHERE!" exaggerated Twilight, alluding to the hypocrisy of Rover's previous statement.

"But the rock's underground are flat, and don't cause my feet to bleed." Rover raised a foot, revealing multiple wounds, scabbed over in blood days old.

"And speaking of the underground: in my opinion, we're taking the long way around." Twilight's curiosity was peaked at Rover's statement, interested in what point the Diamond Dog hoped to confide.

"Twilight, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome." Rover announced this with such confidence, Twilight feared to smash his desire, for what she had to say would undoubtedly do so.

"No, Rover. I wouldn't take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." responded the wise Unicorn.

Back at sword practice, Shining once again assaulted Sweetie Belle, this time at an increased tempo. Shining's sword slid down Sweetie's handle, and snapped at her hoof.

"Ah!" yelled Sweetie Belle, dropping her blade, then placing her bleeding hoof in her mouth.

"Sorry!" Shining dropped his own blade, ready to tend to the injured filly Unicorn.

Sweetie rushed the apologetic Royal Guard, and shin kicked him. Sweetie's small stature was deceiving, as she delivered a kick so strong, it surprised Shining Armor. Shining grabbed his shin, when Scootaloo came up and knocked out Shining's other leg with the brunt of her blade. Shining fell to the ground, where Sweetie and Scootaloo both pounced him.

"For Ponyville!" roared Scootaloo.

All combatants soon began to laugh, the silly situation causing an uncontrollable burst of giggling. But the fight did not stop, and Rainbow Dash was forced to intervene.

"Come on, Squirt. That's enough!" Rainbow grabbed both Sweetie's and Scootaloo's hooves, but between the two fillies, they were able to overpower the cyan Pegasus, and topple her as well.

Echoes of the fight rang through the air, but everypony else was occupied with, what seemed to be, a black wisp of cloud.

"What is that?" asked Spike, posing the question to all companions.

"Nothing. It's just a wisp of cloud." Rover was quick to answer, unfamiliar to any weather occurrences above ground.

The fight ended, as the combatants became curious as to the nature of the odd 'cloud'.

"It's moving fast..." Shining observed, before feeling a strong burst of wind hit him in the back, "Against the wind."

"Crows from Isengard!" announced Twilight.

"Hide!" yelled Rainbow Dash, causing her fellow Fellowship members to scuffle around, hiding all traces of their existence.

Apple Bloom shoved the rest of her fries in her mouth, and so did Spike with his ruby. Rarity and Pinkie Pie brushed away all marks of their game. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Shining Armor carried away their swords. Upon successfully masking their presence, the Fellowship hid under whatever cover they could find, hoping to elude observation from the hostile murder of crows.

No member of their party saw the crows as they flew by, but they heard them. Shrill crows saturated the air in a cacophone of violent tongues, the sheer sound of the birds vocals driving the ponies to cover their ears. The birds circled over, and departed, seeing no sign of a living creature. The cacophone declined in volume, and upon its disappearance from the air, the Fellowship departed from their cover.

"Spies of Nightmare Moon! The passage north is being watched." Twilight looked across the faces of her companions, waiting for her judgement on this scenario.

Twilight turned East, drawing her friends' attention to a snow-capped mountain range in the distance.

"We must take the road through the Foal Mountain!" announced the lavender mare.

Ch.28 The Foal Mountain

Going north of the White Tail Woods to reach the Smokey Mountain was no longer an option for the Fellowship, for Nightmare Moon's spies: the crows, patrolled the area in search of intruders. This left only one choice for the mismatched group: to go around Canterlot, and through the Foal Mountain. Five days were spent tracing their steps back to Ponyville, where their quest began. Another week was then wasted making their way to the alpine peaks of the Foal Mountain.

The Fellowship trudged their way through the Foal Mountain. The snow was hip-high, and the air cold and thin, almost stifling. Rover lead the pack, his tall form allowing him to easily overstep the high snow. Following was Rainbow Dash, who labored excessively to keep herself afloat in the thin atmosphere. Behind Rainbow were Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, followed by Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Spike. Shining Armor strode ahead of Twilight, Applejack and Apple Bloom, the two mature mares helping Apple Bloom make her way through the snow.

Apple Bloom was a harder worker than most ponies, and should've been leading the pack as the Ring-bearer. But her fragile frame floundered under the weight of The Ring, which became heavier with every passing day. And with each day, Apple Bloom fell further behind, usually having Applejack and Twilight to accompany her. In the deep snow, Apple Bloom's condition took a distressing turn, her short legs unable to step over the snow. But everything can get worse, and it did: Apple Bloom tripped.

The incline of the mountain plane caused Apple Bloom to roll a considerable distance, before Twilight's magic could stop her descent. Applejack raced to assist her sister, and on the filly Earth pony was recovered, Apple Bloom checked herself, to find The Ring missing. But before she could voice her concern, Shining's voice echoed in her ears, "Is this what you're looking for?" asked the Royal Guard, the chain which carried The Ring wrapped around his hoof.

The members of the Fellowship stared at Shining Armor; the Unicorn stallion examined The Ring, a zealous flame in his eye.

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt, over so small a thing." remarked the transfixed guard. His other hoof went towards The Ring, ready to place it around his wrist.

"Brother!" yelled Twilight, her impressive volume stirring Shining from his trance.

"Give The Ring to Apple Bloom." commanded Twilight, wary of Shining's intentions.

Shining Armor stepped cautiously down the mountain, alert of the slippery slope. Shining handed The Ring to Apple Bloom, who quickly snatched The Ring from his grasp, and placed it around her neck, out of the corrupted Guard's reach. Shining Armor looked back to his sister.

"It's okay, Twilee. I have no intention of keeping it." Shining's pet nickname for Twilight did nothing to wane the dense tension occupying the thin atmosphere.

Shining Armor stomped back up the mountain, cursing under his breath. Applejack ushered Applebloom on when Shining was at a safe distance; the Earth mare's grip loosened around her sword. Twilight's gaze never left her suspicious brother. She feared The Ring has already corrupted Shining, and if so, it would mean Apple Bloom's life would be in even more danger than it was at the moment. And if this was true, Twilight would be forced to take the most extreme measures to protect Apple Bloom from her brother.

***

In the mechanical pits of Isengard, hammers cracked against metal, and furnaces melted steel into a molten stew. The Changelings were hard at work; no rest, no breaks. They were to create an army more massive than anything Equestria had ever seen. But every army needs weapons, and their army would have tools allowing them to crush any opposition in their path.

The arrival of a murder brought another set of sounds to the cacophonous array of noise which swept through the mine. The crows flew throughout the pit, finding their master waiting for them on a bridge. The crows caws changed into a dialect older than Equestria itself, a language Nightmare Moon had mastered many centuries ago. The crows relayed whatever information they bore, then retreated back to their patrols.

Nightmare Moon, the tall, ebonic Alicorn was pleased by what news her crebain spies brought to her from the west. Nopony had been spotted anywhere near the White Tail Woods, which meant Twilight's troop were either: masters of stealth, or more plausibly, taking another route to the Smokey Mountain.

"So, Twilight, you try and lead them through the Foal Mountain. And if that fails, where then will you go? If the mountain defeats you, will you risk a more dangerous road?" questioned Nightmare Moon.

***

The Fellowship was caught in a blizzard, as they tried to traverse a precarious slope on the Foal Mountain. Twilight led the troop, her magic melting what snow lay in her path, but the blizzard's fierce wind met her magic with its natural force. Rover fell behind, his long arms wrapped around Spike and Sweetie Belle. Applejack fell behind, supporting Apple Bloom, and Pinkie Pie was behind Applejack, carrying Scootaloo. The rest of the Mane Six followed Pinkie Pie, not even Rainbow Dash willing to fly in such treacherous conditions.

The wind whistled, and a fell voice swept through the mountain. The voice grew louder, and the weather worsened in response.

"There is a voice on the air!" yelled out Rarity, her hair now as white as her coat.

"It's Nightmare Moon!" Twilight responded.

A sudden crack was heard above the Fellowship, causing them to direct their attention upward. Massive boulders dislodged themselves from the mountain, and smashed the slope five feet away from the nearest pony.

"Twilight!" screamed Rainbow Dash, drawing Twilight's attention to her, "Nightmare Moon's trying to bring down the mountain! Twilight, we must turn back!"

"NO!" responded Twilight. She knew what awaited for them if they couldn't beat the mountain, and the reality of it frightened her more than a Hydra.

Twilight pushed herself onto a high rock, ready for the vocal contest which was about to ensue.

"Losto Foal Mountain, sedho, hodo, nuitho I ruith." yelled Twilight, hoping her magical words could calm the maelstrom which assaulted the Fellowship.

***

Nightmare Moon stood on the roof of her palace in Isengard, chanting in the Changeling tongue, the dark words pooling even darker clouds towards the Foal Mountain. Her volume increased exponentially, drowning out the pitiful cry of Celestia's student. Nightmare's speech reached its climax, and swept through the sky, voluminous enough for all ponies to hear throughout Equestria.

***

The effects of Nightmare's thunderous cry were felt by the Fellowship, as the maelstrom took an even darker turn. Lightning flashed in the sky, striking the mountain with a destructive surge of electricity. An avalanche of snow dislodged itself from the peak, and fell to the vulnerable group below. The Fellowship threw themselves into the mountain, fortifying themselves with the help of the mountains immovable exterior. The snow smashed over their heads, and went sliding down the slope.

Snow occupied where the Fellowship once was; no signs of life present under the crushing snow. The snow did not stir for a minute, until a desperate hoof dug itself free of the oppressive cold substance. Rarity's popped out of the snow, her hooves going straight to her ruined hair.

"My hair is ruined! How could this get any worse?" whined Rarity.

A flurry of snow was sent flying towards Rarity, smacking her face and sending back under the dense snow pile. Applejack bucked herself an opening large enough for everypony; her strong legs easily pushed away any snow. The Fellowship now accounted for, they took a break to decide on their next course of action.

"We must get off the mountain!" yelled Shining Armor, first to speak, "Make for Ponyville, and take the north road to my city!"

"Canterlot takes us too close to the Black Gate!" remarked Rainbow Dash, standing behind Shining.

"We cannot pass over the mountain, let us go under it!" hissed Rover, his assertion a premonition which Twilight feared he would follow through.

"Let us go through the Mines of Moria." finished Rover, his option now stated.

Twilight remembered her studies under Celestia. One such lesson, regarding Moria, Twlight reminisced on.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Celestia, the Alicorn with the flowing prism mane, gestured the young filly, Twilight, to a globe of Equestria in her private library.

"Hello, Princess Celestia, are we going to begin today's lesson?" asked Twilight, carrying her saddlebag, which was filled with anything and everything a filly such as herself would need for school.

"Yes we are. Today, I'd like to focus on one Equestrian location: Moria." instructed Celestia.

Twilight joined Princess Celestia near the globe, and drew her attention to where her teacher's hoof was pointed: at the Foal Mountain.

"But Celestia, that's not Moria, that's the Foal Mountain." alluded Twilight.

"A very astute observation, but Moria is a very special... and dark place. It lies under the Foal Mountain." responded Celestia.

Upon further investigation, Twilight noticed the presence of a peculiar archway located at the base of the mountain.

"So, what you're saying is, Moria is a mine?" remarked Twilight, a hint of doubt in her conclusion.

"Quite right you are, what a smart student. Moria is in fact a mine... and a place you should never go to, Twilight." Celestia's sudden shift to a foreboding gloom surprised her student. But Twilight was a curious pony, and pressed on about the matter.

"Why shouldn't I go into Moria?" asked the curious filly.

Celestia levitated a book from the library shelves, a massive tome both incredibly old and dusty.

"Because the Diamond Dogs, caretakers of its halls, are greedy creatures. They delved too deep in search of Mithril, the strongest material known to all pony kind. And in their digging, they unleashed a creature of shadow, and flame."

Celestia opened the tome, and found the page which illustrated the horror which resided in the stone halls of Khazad-dum. The Regal Alicorn shared the picture with her student, the illustration both curious and terrifying to the tiny pony. The illustration showed a roaring fire, which surrounded the shadowy outline of a demonic being. In the flame's core, two eyes burned bright, staring out into the soul of any unfortunate pony who gazed upon the demon's form.

"What is it?" asked Twilight, still curious as to the true nature of the painting before her.

"It is a Balrog of Morgoth, a demon of the ancient world." Celestia's response was followed by the closing an indexing of the book.

Twilight felt Celestia's magic force her neck to turn. Twilight then found herself staring into the eyes of her teacher, and noticed a raging flame burning in the eye of her greatest friend.

"You are to never go into Moria, Twilight, for if you do...you'll never leave!" finished Celestia, before abandoning the traumatized filly to her thoughts.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Back on the mountain, Twilight prepared herself for the most regrettable sentence she would ever utter.

"Let the Ring-bearer decide." Twilight despised giving Apple Bloom the choice, knowing full well what her answer would be. The tiny filly wasn't educated enough about the deep places of the world, and this lack of knowledge would most likely be their downfall.

Apple Bloom shared a glance with all her companions, noticing the chilled expression which represented their freezing exteriors. She knew they could not stay in this cold, it would be the death of them. And while Canterlot was safe, she didn't want to be in a situation where the suspicious Shining Armor was in a position of power. No, there WAS only one choice.

"We shall go through the mines." Apple Bloom delivered her verdict, her conviction in her decision present in her tone.

"So be it." responded Twilight, "May Celestia help us all!"

Ch.29 Into Moria

Luna's night reigned over the land of Equestria, and cloudy skies limited the light of the world to candles and lanterns. To the north, the Foal Mountain stood before the Fellowship, its rocky eminence shrouded in a mix of snow and fog. The troop followed the river, which would eventually lead them to the entrance to Moria: the only employable path that could be used to reach the Smokey Mountain. Twilight led the pack, followed by the rest of the Mane Six, Shining Armor, Rover and lastly, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike.

Twilight stopped, forcing the following party to halt their progress.

"Apple Bloom, come and help me." called Twilight.

Apple Bloom rushed forward, and joined Twilight at the front of the pack. Twilight wrapped a leg around the tiny filly, and once again proceeded towards the doorway into the mountain.

"I've got a nasty cramp in my leg." announced Twilight, a little too loudly to be inconspicuous.

"How's your shoulder?" asked Twilight; she never glanced towards Apple Bloom.

"Better than it was." responded Apple Bloom, affording Twilight a gander.

"And The Ring?" added Twilight, stopping again.

Twilight peered down at Apple Bloom, trying her best to avoid focussing on The Ring. Apple Bloom met her stare, but not with defiance; fear clouded the tiny filly's countenance.

"You feel its power growing, don't you?" questioned Twilight, her gaze betraying to The Ring.

Apple Bloom never noticed Twilight's betrayal. The mere mention of The Ring caused Applebloom to stare down at the golden band as she fondled the evil artifact in her hooves.

"I've felt it too. You must be careful now." added Twilight, drawing Apple Bloom's attention back to here, forcing Twilight to once again to match Apple Bloom's gaze.

"Evil will be drawn to you from outside the Fellowship," Heavy clopping became apparent to the conspirators as the armored Shining Armor passed by. Twilight and Applebloom's gaze followed him with suspicion and fear, respectively.

"And I fear from within." finished Twilight, her implications obvious even to the farmhand like the late Big Mac.

Rover, the lumbering Diamond Dog, also passed Twilight and Apple Bloom, his footsteps silenced by the natural pads on his feet. The river now stood between the Fellowship and the wall of the mountain.

"The walls, of Moria." Rover called out, drawing the attention and haste of his companions to him.

Rover's jagged claw pointed towards the plain mountain wall, which the Fellowship was separated from by a wide river. But nearby spanned a bridge, which the Fellowship hurriedly crossed. Upon crossing the bridge, Rover began knocking on the mountain wall, his knuckles cracking to the same tune as the stone wall was met with strike after strike.

"Doors made by the Diamond Dogs are invisible when closed. Helps us hide our underground homes." remarked Rover, still buffeting the stone wall.

"Their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten." added Twilight.

"Why doesn't that surprise me." whispered Rarity under her breath. Rarity's reticence was in vain however, as the Diamond Dog's sensitive ears picked up on her insult. Rover maintained his composure though, only a slight growl escaped his lips.

The Fellowship came upon an indentation in the rock, the cobblestone surface unusually flat. Twilight began rubbing away at the stone, dust flowed to the ground as she revealed strange symbols engraved in the mountainside.

"Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight." Twilight turned towards the lake, and looked up, finding no such light pervading through the dark clouds.

Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash, who hovered over the lake.

"Rainbow, can you please clear up these clouds for me?" asked Twilight.

"Only because you said please." joked Rainbow Dash, before setting off to do work of which only a Pegasus was made for.

Within ten seconds, the night sky was clear, and the glorious full moon radiated lunar beams over the intrepid group. Twilight turned again, finding the engraved doorway glowing in a show of angelic light. The attention of all companions was drawn to the glowing gate, an alien inscription now discernible on its surface.

"It reads: The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter." translated Twilight.

"What do you suppose that means?" asked Scootaloo, confused as to the meaning of the inscription.

"Well, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open." answered Twilight.

Twilight stepped towards the door, and placed her horn, which was now fully grown back, onto the surface of the brushed gate.

"Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen!" enchanted Twilight, hoping her spell was the password she sought.

To the Fellowship's disappointment, the doors didn't move. Twilight retreated from the door, befuddled as to why the door hadn't opened for a 'friend'.

"Let me try something else." announced Twilight, before raising her hooves in the air.

"Vandals algorihm, lesto haffarven." like before, Twlight's spell was used to no avail, as the gates didn't so much as groan at her incantations.

"Shining, help me with this." called Twilight, who started to push on the stone gateway. Shining soon joined her, and heaved his sturdy frame against the immovable door, but to no avail. The door into Moria would not budge.

"What are we going to do, then?" asked Sweetie Belle, antagonism in her tone.

"Knock your head against these doors, Sweetie Belle. And if that does not shatter them, then I will be allowed a little peace from foolish questions." Twilight's outburst came as a surprise to her comrades; even Rarity did not dare to defend Sweetie's foolishness, lest she invoke further wrath from the agitated Unicorn.

Twilight took a deep breath, calming the fire inside her before she exploded into flames for the third time in her life.

"I will try and find the opening words." finished Twilight, turning her attention back to the solid door.

***

Hours were wasted lying in wait, as Twilight accounted every spell in her vast archive of knowledge. Shining Armor, Applejack and Apple Bloom sat near Twilight, the two apples making sure to keep their distance from Twilight's brother. Spike, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rover and Rarity sat around a campfire, warming themselves as a cold wind swept by the mountain. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle occupied themselves by throwing progressively bigger rocks in the nearby river, enjoying the ripples which formed on its slow-flowing surface.

Scootaloo prepared to chuck a rock, but her wrist was grabbed by Rover. Rover's canine form surprised the tiny filly.

"Do not disturb the water." warned the Diamond Dog, who then retreated back to the warmth of the campfire, but his gaze continued to be focussed on the placid river.

Twilight threw her head down in anger, fatigued by the countless hours wasted on the stubborn door.

"Oh, it's useless!" resigned Twilight.

Apple Bloom, like Twilight, had been perusing the password for the gateway, but unlike Twilight, Apple Bloom had a different method for discerning the door's translation. And after hours of long study, Apple Bloom had come to an inescapable conclusion,

"It's a riddle!" announced Apple Bloom, drawing Twilight's attention back to the door.

"Speak 'friend', and enter." Apple Bloom turned towards the despairing Unicorn.

"What's the Alicornian word for 'friend'?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Mellon!" answered Twilight.

A sharp crack pierced the night air as the door into Moria opened for 'friends'. The attention of all Fellowship members became focused on the rapidly growing doorway leading into pitch darkness. With their attention so focussed on the gateway, none of the party members noticed a ripple of water splash against the shore where the Fellowship stood. Something was in the water.

Twilight led the Fellowship into Moria, the light of the moon penetrating partway into the dense darkness.

"Soon, Ponies, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Diamond Dogs. Roaring fires, cider, ripe meat right off the bone!" cheered Rover, obviously excited about visiting the greatest city ever to be dug by the Diamond Dogs.

Twilight illuminated her horn, casting a radiance which diffused the nearby darkness.

"This is the home of my cousin, Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!" roared Rover.

"EEEEEEKKKKKKK!" screamed Fluttershy, dashing like a bullet back towards the entrance.

"This is no mine...it's a tomb!" Shining's comment, and Fluttershy's shriek brought the Fellowship's attention to the many dead dogs which littered the ground.

Armored corpses lay rotting on the floor of the entrance, victims of some old battle past. Rover screamed and closed his eyes, unable to handle the sight of his dead brethren. Twilight levitated a body to her, and noticed two puncture wounds located at the neck of a still rotting corpse.

"Changelings!" announced Twilight, the glow of her horn replaced by a charge of offensive magic.

Shining Armor, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders drew their swords. Pinkie Pie pulled her party cannon out from nowhere, and Rarity charged a vaporizing blast from her horn. Fluttershy cowered behind the Cutie Mark Crusaders at the entrance.

"We make for Canterlot. We should have never come here. Now get out of here, get out!" ordered Shining Armor.

Fluttershy and the Cutie Mark Crusaders backed towards the entrance, but unbeknownst to them, another enemy waited in the waters behind them. Apple Bloom was ripped off her feet, a tentacle drawing her towards the rippling water.

"Twilight!" called Spike, as he, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle rushed to Apple Bloom's aid.

"Get off her!" screamed Sweetie Belle, as her dagger sliced the pulling tentacle into separate sections.

The limb's grip on Apple Bloom's hoof receded as the split appendage retreated into the water. Spike pulled Apple Bloom back towards Moria's entrance, hastening to put as much distance between them and whatever lay in wait, in the water. Spike's effort was in vain though, as a flurry of tentacles emerged from the water, sending Apple Bloom's companions back into the mine. Then again, a tentacle wrapped itself around Apple Bloom's ankle.

"Help me!" screamed Apple Bloom, fear possessing her expression as the tentacle lifted her above the water's surface.

A magical bolt flew from Rarity's horn, her eye for detail scoring a direct hit on the appendage holding Apple Bloom. The tentacle was vaporized, causing Apple Bloom to fall, until another tentacle snatched her ankle. Shining, Rainbow Dash and Applejack sliced at any hostile limb in their path, cutting their way into the water towards the dangling Apple Bloom. More tentacles seized Apple Bloom in response to her friend's rescue attempt. The water below Apple Bloom churned, as the body of the great beast which the many limbs belonged to emerged.

The creature's face resembled that of a wizened stallion, the tentacles to the front and back resembling a beard and long, flowing hair, respectively. The monster's massive jaw opened, and revealed multiple rows of sharp teeth. But before the creature could swallow Apple Bloom whole, Shining rushed in and amputated one of the tentacles which supported Apple Bloom, causing the tentacled creature to writhe in pain. Rainbow followed with another amputation, this time freeing Apple Bloom from the grip of the watery beast. Apple Bloom fell, and landed on Applejack's back.

"I told you I'd protect you." stated Applejack.

"Into the mine!" interjected Twilight, her order causing the retreat of her comrades into Moria.

"Pinkie!" yelled Rainbow Dash, signalling Pinkie to unleash a cannon ball from her party cannon.

The cannon ball smashed into the eye of the beast, lodging itself into the skull of the monster, causing the creature to pause and writhe in agony, allowing the Fellowship sparse seconds to retreat. Fluttershy cowered as her fellow companions ran past her into the mine, until Rainbow Dash grabbed the scared Pegasus by the hoof and dragged her into Moria.

"Are you crazy? You're going to die out here!" yelled Rainbow Dash, pulling the petrified pony into Moria.

The beast pulled itself from the water, and chased the frightened ponies into the mine. As her fellow members passed, Twilight unleashed an explosive bolt, striking the ceiling above the tentacled creature. The roof collapsed in response, crushing the monster underneath tonnes of rock, and sealing off the exit for the Fellowship...

...And so darkness consumed them

Ch.30 A Journey Through Darkness

Darkness encompassed the Fellowship, now trapped in the mines of Moria. The silence invoked deafening thoughts of terror in the minds of everypony, Dragon and Diamond Dog, except Twilight.

"We now have but one choice," A blinding light emanated from Twilight's horn, illuminating the rockbound setting and the corpses of many killed Diamond Dogs which lay on the stone floor, "We must face the long dark of Moria."

Twilight moved away from the entrance, her horn illuminating another pathway which led deeper into the mine.

"Be on your guard. There are older, and fouler things than Changelings in the deep places of the world." The Fellowship fell in behind Twilight, tracing her steps as if they were the key to their survival.

Rainbow Dash decided to keep her hooves on the ground; who knows what could be waiting to snatch a poor flying Pegasus. Rainbow turned around to find the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Fluttershy, all of which were shivering from a combination of their soaked clothing and fear.

"Don't worry, my little ponies. Rainbow Dash is here to protect you!" announced the proud Pegasus, her encouragement subsiding the fear within the frightened ponies mind.

The troop reached yet another door, which squeaked as Twilight's magic forced the rusted metal door open.

"Quietly now. It's a day journey to the other side. Let us hope our presence may go unnoticed." cautioned Twilight; the lavender mare's discretion centered the Fellowship's thoughts on the dead Diamond Dog bodies which they passed.

"Let us hope we are more lucky than my brothers." commented Rover.

The mine itself was a honeycomb of stone pathways and scaffolding, many tools and dead bodies strewn aside like papers in a breeze. The Fellowship followed a rather complex path, passing by many other doors and pathways to unknown areas of the mine. The Fellowship made sure to stay on the central path. The group was eventually led to another gateway, double in size and magnificence than the glowing door which led into Moria.

"Diamond Dogs: the greatest miners and crafters within the history of Equestria." imposed Rover, as he appreciated the craftsmanship of the stately gateway.

"I have to admit the jewels here are stunning!" Rarity eyed a diamond the size of Tom which lay buried in the stone wall.

"The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels, Rarity," remarked Twilight, brushing her hoof around a deposit of a sparkling white ore.

"But Mithril." finished Twilight, her horn brightening to an even more blinding degree.

The Mithril veins reflected the light from Twilight's horn in a soft radiance, to which all members of the Fellowship could admire, except Rarity, who just kept staring at the sparkling diamond which was sealed off by a border of rock.

"Granny Smith had a shirt of Mithril rings that Thorin gave him." noted Twilight. Apple Bloom looked down at her chest, her CMC cape just barely covering the Mithril vest which Granny had given to her before her departure.

"Oh, that was a kingly gift!" exclaimed Rover, imaging the magnificence of an item of such wealth and fortitude.

"Yes. I never told her, but its worth was greater than the value of Ponyville." finished Twilight, the realization surprising the Ponyvillian residents within their Fellowship.

"With something like that, I bet we could afford to fix that saggy old barn!" announced Applejack, imagining the possibilities which the Apple family could afford with a shirt greater than the wealth of Ponyville.

The Fellowship continued on deeper into Moria, until the diverse group of companions came to a steep stairway. Twilight led the troop up the stone staircase, which was riddled with the rotting corpses of murdered Diamond Dogs. Twilight eventually reached the top, the others following close behind her. Before the Fellowship lay three paths, each equal in size, but leading in completely different directions. Twilight scanned each option, but no memory came to mind regarding which route to take.

"I have no memory of this place." announced Twilight.

***

Even more hours were wasted as the Fellowship rested and Twilight tried to solve yet another confusing conundrum. Shining had started a fire, which the soaked members of the Fellowship warmed themselves around.

"Are we lost?" asked Scootaloo, unable to stand the uncertainty of their possibly hopeless situation.

"No." answered Sweetie Belle, hoping to put Scootaloo's fears at rest.

"I think we are." remarked Scootaloo, trying to continue their conversation in lack of something better to do.

"Twilight's thinking." continued Sweetie Belle.

A short silence pervaded the mine as Scootaloo thought of something else to say.

"Sweetie Belle?" asked Scootaloo.

"What!" responded the agitated Unicorn filly; Sweetie Belle's reply encumbered Scootaloo's final statement.

"...I'm hungry." finished Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom sat away from the group, and more specifically Shining Armor. While Apple Bloom may not be the smartest filly, she knew to heed Twilight's warnings, and Shining Armor was a Pony to avoid in Twilight's books. Being Twilight's brother, this made the thought of how dangerous Shining could be even more dramatic in the overactive imagination of the tiny Earth Pony.

Apple Bloom looked off into the mine, away from the contemplative Twilight. Out of the corner of her eye, the filly noticed some movement. She reacted to the strange motion, and tried to follow the creature, catching a quick glimpse of the alien being's deformed frame. Apple Bloom scurried over to Twilight, frightened by the prospect that they were being followed by a spy of Sauron's.

"There's something down there." stated Apple Bloom.

"It's Gollum." the mention of their stalker's name forced Applebloom to reminisce on her and Twilight's earlier discussion at the Apple family farm.

"Gollum?" questioned Apple Bloom, wondering as to how long Twilight had known of the creature's presence, and failed to alert her friends.

"He's been following us for three days." answered Twilight.

"He escaped the dungeons of Barad-dur?" the filly's statement was more of an announcement than a question. Apple Bloom wondered how such a weak and pitiful creature could've escaped a prison as well guarded as Barad-dur?

"Escaped..." Twilight turned to Apple Bloom, prepared to unveil a new possibility in Gollum's survival, "Or was set loose. And now The Ring has brought him here."

Apple Bloom turned to see if the creature was still following them, and to her relief, she didn't see the twisted form of the grotesque mutant called Gollum.

"He will never be rid of his need for it." continued Twilight.

"He hates and loves The Ring, as he hates and loves himself." Twilight once again turned to the three pathways she had the annoyance to chose from.

"Smeagol's life is a sad story." Twilight again turned to the filly Apple Bloom, finding the Earth Pony's expression to be clouded in confusion.

"Yes, Smeagol he was once called. Before The Ring found him. Before it drove him mad." a certain selfless sadness could be discerned in Twilight's tone, as she sympathized for the pony Smeagol, who was above all a victim of Fate's cruel design.

"It's a pity Granny Smith didn't kill him when she had the chance." Apple Bloom's tone was saturated with malice, which greatly surprised Twilight.

"Pity? It was pity that stayed Granny's hand. Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Apple Bloom?" Twilight's question caused Apple Bloom to think about Big Mac, who, like Smeagol, was just another victim of Fate's cruel plans.

"Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgement. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before this is over. The pity of your Granny Smith may rule the fate of many." remarked Twilight.

Apple Bloom sat down beside Twilight, her fragile frame wracked with exhausting grief and despair, which caused tears to rain from the sides of Apple Bloom's eyes.

"I wish The Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened. I wish Big Mac was sill alive." cried Apple Bloom; the thought of Big Mac's death caused Twilight's own tears to fall.

"So do all who live in such times. But that is not for them to decide." The strength in Twilight's resolution ceased the flow of tears from both Ponies, and Apple Bloom looked upon the wise Unicorn once more.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Apple Bloom, besides the will of evil. Granny was meant to find The Ring. In which case, you also were meant to have it." a smile appeared on Twilight's face, which brightened the previously grim expression which inhabited Apple Bloom's countenance.

"And that is an encouraging thought." finished Twilight. The lavender Unicorn's last bit of monologue brought a smile to Apple Bloom's complexion.

"Ah!" exclaimed Twilight, finally enlightened to the path they should take.

Twilight gestured a hoof to the left path.

"It's that way." Twilight's announcement echoed off the stone walls, alerting her companions of her discovery.

Scootaloo leapt to her feet, wings buzzing with excitement.

"She's remembered!" exclaimed the tiny Pegasus.

"No. But the air doesn't smell so foul down here." responded Twilight, "If in doubt, always follow your nose."

Twilight marched down the brushed stone staircase, with her friends and companions following close behind. The stairs led to another gateway, barely high enough for Rover to fit through. Going through the doorway, the Fellowship was greeted to a massive hall with hundreds of pillars, all thicker, taller, and more magnificently formed than the most majestic spire of Cantelot Castle. Simply breathtaking was the scene before the Fellowship.

"Behold: the great realm and Diamond-Dog city of Doggendelf." announced Twilight, her voice reverberating in the empty space of the monumental city.

"There's an eye opener, and no mistake." stated Spike.

Ch.31 Balin's Tomb

The Fellowship strode through the city of Doggendelf; Twilight's light illuminated the surrounding pillars, which dwarfed the Fellowship like anypony compared to an ant. The Fellowship's awe of the Diamond Dog's craftsmanship worked in their favor: they were kept quiet, allowing them to avoid detection from the Changelings which had cleansed Moria of Rover's fellow Diamond Dogs. Marching past hundreds of pillars the troop came upon an indentation in the stone wall, which led to a door...which was surrounded by the bodies of many rotting Diamond Dogs.

Rover stood transfixed at the scene, and noticed a light which emanated from the room. Rover gave a bark, and galloped into the room, much to the surprise of his companions.

"Rover!" yelled Twilight, who quickly covered her mouth as her voice was carried throughout the massive hall.

The Fellowship followed their distressed comrade, to find him kneeling before a stone coffin, a light shining on the inscription which occupied the top of the crypt. Rover hugged two dead bodies, both fresh victims of the murderous shape-shifters. The bodies belonged to none other than Spot and Fido: Rover's dearest friends.

"No! Oh, no!" cried the despairing Diamond Dog, tears dripping to the floor like a rain of salt water.

Twilight passed Rover, and noticed the inscription on the stone sarcophagus, written in a language only Diamond Dogs, or an educated pony like Twilight, could read.

"Here lies Balin, son of Fudin, Lord of Moria." translated Twilight. The news of his cousin's death brought an even stronger tide of tears which rained from his eyes.

"He is dead, then." Twilight relieved her cap, and lowered her head in respect for the passing of the Morian Lord.

"It's just as I feared." continued Twilight, regaining her composure, unlike the still despairing Rover.

The Mane Six, other than Twilight and Rarity, joined to help soothe their forlorn companion. Rarity, stood back, the stench of rotting dog trespassing into her nostrils, her strength of will keeping her from adding another sickly substance to the already deathly scene before her. Twilight keeled, but not in respect. From the dead body of a Diamond Dog, she retrieved a massive tome, dusty from stagnation, and scarred from battle. Twilight opened the book to its last entry. Dirt and ripped pages fell from its thick contents.

Twilight examined the text, which was, like the tomb, encrypted in the native tongues of Diamond Dogs... an easy translation.

"They have taken the bridge and the second hall." translated Twilight, drawing the attention of her companions, all except Sweetie Belle.

"We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long." shivers spread through the Fellowship as they imagined the once-living inhabitants of this room waiting for the Changelings to breach their defenses.

Sweetie Belle, however, did not hear Twilight. Her attention was diverted to the corpse of a Diamond Dog, which sat on the edge of a well.

"The ground shakes. Drums...drums in the deep." Now the Fellowship hallucinated drums. They imagined the Changelings ever violent battle-score as it flooded the mine with its ever increasing tempo.

Sweetie Belle moved closer to the dead dog, noticing a hole in the corpse's rib cage.

"We cannot get out. A Shadow moves in the dark." The mention of the 'Shadow' sent chills through Twilight's frame, as she was the only one to realize the true danger which was concealed behind the cryptic term.

Sweetie reached the corpse, and curiously examined the hole which occupied the dead dog's chest.

"We cannot get out. They are coming." Twilight finished her translation, which was followed by a massive clang from behind her.

Sweetie Belle's hoof was currently occupied the cavity which existed in the dog's corpse's chest, and in her clumsy nature, she managed to knock the head off the body with her horn. Twilight descended onto the tiny filly, who quickly pulled her hoof from the Diamond Dog's corpse. Sweetie Belle, in a rush to evacuate her hoof from the corpse, knocked the remnants of the dog's sternum, which caused the body to fall over into the well, which composed an even louder echo than the head. A chain jingled behind the dog's corpse, which dragged a bucket into the well as well, adding another instrument into the echoing orchestra which emanated throughout the mine.

The Fellowship necks craned in multiple directions, trying to locate the source of the echoes. Sweetie Belle winced with every successive percussion, and Twilight just stared at the clumsy filly in shock. The impacts did eventually end, the echoes conclusion instilling a sense of relief to the Fellowship...all except Sweetie Belle. Twilight smashed the tome's pages shut, and an expression of fiery rage occupied her countenance.

"Stupid foal! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity!" insulted Twilight, the lavender Unicorn ready to vaporize the foolish filly at that moment.

Twilight turned her back to Sweetie Belle, ready to depart the miserable tomb, until a drum beat reverberated through the mine. Twilight again turned to Sweetie Belle, finding the white filly staring into the depth of the well. The drum beat gradually increased in tempo. The drum's cadence eventually reached its climax. An increasingly loud buzz accompanied the drums, signifying the approaching of Changeling wings.

Rainbow Dash and Shining Armor turned towards the door, ready to evacuate if need be. Spike looked at Apple Bloom, and noticed a blue glow which emanated from Sting's sheath.

"Apple Bloom!" resounded Spike, drawing the filly's attention to her glowing blade.

A loud screech could be heard from the hall, signifying the Changelings were now VERY close.

"Changelings! Oh, how dreadful!" whined Rarity.

Shining rushed to the door, and grabbed both handles, ready to close off the Changeling advance. Two bolts of green magic impacted the door mere centimeters from Shining's face, causing him to jump back. He shut the door, and Rainbow Dash joined him. The pair worked to barricade the door with the weapons of countless dead Diamond Dogs.

"Quick, get behind me!" ordered Applejack, readily armed to defend the fillies.

A bestial roar was heard from outside the reinforced gate, which Fluttershy was quick to identify,

"That sounds like a BEAR!" screamed Fluttershy, finding a spot to cower behind Applejack.

Twilight ushered Pinkie and her party cannon to the front line as Rainbow and Shining Armor rejoined them. Twilight and Rarity readied a blast of deadly energy, and Rover found himself a spot on top of Balin's tomb. The Diamond Dog was foaming from the mouth, his hatred towards the murderous army outside only matched by his devotion to protect his cousin's grave.

The Changeling's impacted the reinforced gate, and depressed the door towards the Fellowship. The fillies behind Applejack unsheathed their blades; they were ready for whatever was to come through those doors.

"Let them come! There is one Dog in Moria who still draws breath!" barked the enraged Diamond Dog, his claws ready to rip through chitin hide.

The Changelings kept smashing into the door, bashing the Fellowship's last defense more so with every impact. Soon, black horns and holes started to appear in the door, as the Changeling assault grew more frenzied and desperate. Rarity and Twilight maintained their concentration, ready to unleash deadly magic when the time came. With one last push, the door gave way, and a compacted front line charged the Fellowship.

Rarity and Twilight unleashed a potent magical blast on the Changeling army, incinerating multiple Changelings in the ensuing explosions. Pinkie Pie let loose a cannon ball, which smashed multiple Changeling bodies as the projectile penetrated its way through multiple enemy lines. But the Changelings were numerous as they were identical, and as their brothers fell, more of the horrid shape-shifters moved in to replace their fallen comrades.

The Changelings advanced on the ready Fellowship, their vampiric fangs ready to engorge on pony flesh. Rainbow Dash and Shining Armor were the first to intercept the wave of charging Changelings; their swords cutting down swathes of Changelings. Twilight and Rarity stood back-to-back, vaporizing Changelings as they came into range. Pinkie Pie relocated her party cannon to an area with only one entry point, and fired away at any Changeling in range. Applejack kept the blood-thirsty Changelings from the cowering forms of the ponies and the dragon behind her, but she wasn't enough. Applejack was a skilled apple-farmer, but not a sword-pony, and as wave after wave of Changelings were cut down by her blade, she began to tire out, for even the strongest pony is powerless against the waves of a raging sea. She eventually made a fatal mistake: she swung her sword at a Changeling...and missed. The armored beast tackled the orange Earth pony, its fangs held at bay by her failing forelegs.

"Run, ponies! Run!" screamed Applejack, as her tired hooves gave way, and the Changeling sank its fangs into her neck, and sucked all her blood from her carotid artery.

The cowering ponies screamed in unison, as the murderous beast turned on them. Spike, in an act of daring, breathed in, then let loose an incinerating flame, turning the Changeling into a pile of cremated ash. As the other Changelings were occupied with the other fighting ponies, Fluttershy, the CMC and Spike gathered around Applejack's cold body. Tears developed in the eyes of the ponies, and Apple Bloom, in respect, closed her sister's lifeless eyes.

"Rest easy sis'. You kept your promise." acknowledged the mourning Apple Bloom; tears now flowed freely from all those in attendance.

Apple Bloom looked up, noticing the brawl which played out around their hasty funeral. Even though the Changelings were cut down by the dozens, still more came in to replace their fallen brethren. Apple Bloom also noted Rover, whose massive claws swept down on any passing Changelings, ripping huge gashes into the Changeling's chitin frames. Apple Bloom understood his pain now: knowing that your entire family was wiped out in a murderous spree, and you, being too insignificant, couldn't do anything about it...except revenge. Revenge is always an option.

A blood-curdling scream arose from Apple Bloom, and with Sting in hoof, she rushed into battle, ready to rip through those beasts who would dare to hurt her friends. Spike, and the rest of the CMC soon joined her, except Fluttershy, who was even more scared than before, and decided to hide in a better spot. The CMC and Spike cut themselves a path through the Changeling line, their small forms unnoticeable in the confusing array of battle. Spike made it through first, finding himself at the door of the tomb. There, he observed the owner of the bestial roar from earlier enter the room: an Ursa Minor.

The great bear smashed its way into the room, a chain wrapped around its neck like a guard dog. The creature's transparent blue frame, which was dotted with the constellation of its namesake, occupied the majority of the chamber, and so sealed off the nigh-endless Changeling reinforcements. The Ursa's gaze fell upon Spike, and it raised a claw to smash the tiny dragon. Before the bear's paw could collide with Spike, Twilight teleported her assistant to a more secure location: right between her and Rarity.

The Ursa Minor found Spike once again, and advanced towards the well-guarded dragon. Predicting the monster's target, Rainbow Dash and Shining Armor made their way towards the Changeling who held the monster's chains, and slew it. Rainbow and Shining grasped the interwoven iron brackets, and pulled the Ursa towards them. The Ursa Minor was forced back, and eventually took a bipedal stance to compensate. The monster turned to face its new master, to find only Shining Armor holding his chain, while Rainbow occupied herself with the remnants of the Changeling assault. The Ursa wrapped the chain around its paw, and whipped Shining into the far wall, knocking the Royal Guard unconscious.

Rainbow turned to find Twilight's brother regain consciousness, and a Changeling charge the defenseless Unicorn. Rainbow, choosing a nearby Changeling corpse, ripped off its horn and flung it at the dominating Changeling. The chitin horn found its way into the shape-shifters neck, killing the Changeling on impact. Shining recovered, and his gaze met Rainbow Dash, a silent thanks shared between the two.

The Ursa Minor, now done with Shining Armor, turned towards yet another opponent: Rover, the Diamond Dog. The beast lifted its great form onto its two back legs, and smashed down at Rover. Rover leapt out of the way, to have the Ursa smash Balin's tomb upon impact. However, the Ursa still pursued Rover, and swiped at him. The Diamond Dog dodged the monster's wide blows, which instead collided into Changelings who were also set on slaying the last Diamond Dog.

One swipe however, was lucky, and sent Rover into the nearby wall. The Ursa Minor charged, ready to bring about a brutal end to the annoying dog. The beast was stopped though, as Rarity, noticing the peril of her comrade, shot a magic bolt at the Ursa's neck, the surprise of the blow knocking the creature over.

The CMC, realizing they were outmatched now that the Ursa Minor entered the fray, hid themselves behind a set of pillars in the back of the chamber, unlike the unaware Spike, who torched any Changeling which came into range of his fiery breath.

"I think I'm getting the hang of this." announced Spike, before roasting yet another group of eager Changelings.

Tired of a challenge, the Ursa Minor made its way to the back of the chamber, its attuned sense of smell locating the cowering fillies. The Ursa tried to smash the tiny ponies, but only succeeded in separating the CMC: Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo hiding behind one pillar, and Apple Bloom hiding behind another. Rainbow Dash noticed the plight of the Ring-bearer, and made her way towards Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bloom!" called the cyan Pegasus.

The Ursa maneuvered its head around the pillar, seeking out Apple Bloom. But Apple Bloom was quick, and so she moved around till the beast's neck couldn't pursue her anymore. The Ursa tried to intercept Apple Bloom the other way around the pillar, but Apple Bloom moved again so the beast couldn't find her. The Ursa retreated, seemingly unsatisfied with its search. Apple Bloom, suspecting the beast to move around the pillar again, relocated to the opposite end of the stone obelisk.

Apple Bloom, seeing that the Ursa wasn't following her, allowed herself to relax...big mistake. The monster's head poked around the pillar, and roared at the unsuspecting Apple Bloom, knocking the pony over with the power of its voice. The Ursa Minor opened its foul jaw, and gnashed its teeth around Apple Bloom's midsection. The beast whipped the pony around in its massive jaw, and finally flung the limp form of Apple Bloom to the floor. Rainbow, making her way to Apple Bloom, found the Ursa Minor send the filly's limp boy to the floor, and then move to devour the seemingly-dead pony.

Rainbow bravely jumped in the beast's path, and stuck her sword into the monster's eye. The Ursa roared, and swiped at Rainbow, sending the cyan Pegasus into the wall, knocking the brave pony unconscious. With Apple Bloom apparently dead, and Rainbow Dash unconscious, the last of the Cutie Mark Crusaders: Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, jumped onto the back of the Ursa, stabbing wildly at the beast's skull. Their blades cut the creature's fur, spilling rainbow blood, but had no effect on the skull, as that is the thickest skull in a bear's body.

"For Apple Bloom!" yelled the tiny fillies as they futilely tried to kill the beast.

At the mention of Apple Bloom's name, the other Fellowship members turned to find the limp bodies of both Apple Bloom and Rainbow Dash. Knowing now what the the brave fillies implied, the rest of the Fellowship flew into a blood-drunk frenzy, as they scorched, cut and incinerated any Changelings which remained in the chamber, all in the name of Apple Bloom. With the last of the Changeling's dead, the Fellowship turned on the Ursa Minor, attacking the beast with everything in their arsenal.

"Pinkie Pie! Ready the cannon!" yelled out Twilight Sparkle.

"Okie Dokie Lokie!" responded Pinkie, her cannon now aimed at the Ursa Minor.

Scootaloo stabbed the Ursa in the neck, causing the beast to flail around in agony. During its wail, the Ursa Minor turned towards Pinkie Pie and her cannon. Pinkie fired off a cannon round, which smashed into the creature's eye, and drove Rainbow's blade into the brain of the beast, killing it instantly. The Ursa Minor wobbled in a somewhat drunken manner, and fell to the ground, the impact knocking the last breath from its lungs.

The remnants of the Fellowship recovered, and moved to possibly assist Apple Bloom and Rainbow Dash. The Fellowship found Rainbow, now conscious, crawling to the seemingly dead Apple Bloom.

"Oh, no!" cried Rainbow Dash, who bowed her head in respect for yet another fallen Apple.

Most of the Fellowship turned away from Apple Bloom's corpse; It hurt too much to look. Pinkie Pie, her hair now as buoyant as her present grief, fell into Fluttershy's arms, both comforting each other as they cried softly. Spike embraced Rarity, her gossamer fur drying his tears as she caressed his scaly head. The Fellowship bowed their heads for the passing of Apple Bloom, and possibly the end of the Apple line in Ponyville.

Rainbow Dash rolled Apple Bloom over; even if Apple Bloom's funeral was destined to be hasty, she still deserved a proper one. Instead, Apple Bloom coughed in Rainbow's face; the filly recovered her breath. Shock, surprise and joyous uproars arose from the Fellowship, as they swarmed the living Apple Bloom, their many faces occupied by bliss. Even Pinkie's hair returned to its naturally inflated state.

"I'm okay. I'm alright." announced Apple Bloom, clutching her chest, as her many friends hugged the breath from her lungs.

"You should be dead." responded Rainbow Dash, shocked at how the tiny filly had survived, uninjured, from the Ursa Minor's bite, "That monster's bite would've crushed a Minotaur."

Twilight moved in on the scene, an appeased smile occupying her complexion.

"I think there's more to this Pony than meets the eye." remarked the lavender Unicorn.

Apple Bloom looked down to her chest, noticing how her CMC cape covered her body. She grasped the fabric in her hooves, and pulled it back, revealing a shirt of Mithril which Granny Smith had given her before her departure. The Fellowship stood in awe of the shining vest, all of them entranced by the angelic light which radiated from the shirt.

"Mithril!" acknowledged Rover. The Diamond Dog's surprised expression was exchanged for a comforting smile.

"You are full of surprises, little pony!" proclaimed the joyous Diamond Dog.

Suddenly, more Changeling screeches could be heard outside the chamber, as even more Changelings moved to assault the exhausted Fellowship.

"To the Bridge of Khazad-dum!" ordered Twilight.

Ch.33 The Hollow Shades

The Fellowship approached the Hollow Shades from the west; sprinting fast into the forest. Upon entry, the party's speed slowed to a crawl, wary of the dry, yellow leaves which dotted the forest floor. Shining Armor took the lead as the Fellowship traversed through the Hollow Shades; Shining gestured to his companions behind him.

"Stay close, friends, and follow my lead. We're probably walking into an ambush." announced the armored Unicorn.

All Fellowship members other than Shining Armor stopped, as if they walked into a brick wall.

"What do you mean by 'ambush'?" questioned Rainbow Dash.

Shining turned back to his companions, finding them all stuck in their contemplation of the situation.

"What I mean is: because of the recent Changeling invasion of Canterlot, Princess Celestia has ordered the formation of military bases all over Equestria. And the Hollow Shades just happens to be one of those bases." explained Shining Armor, before continuing on.

The rest of the Fellowship soon followed; their necks craned in multiple directions, observing the forest for any sign of ambushing Ponies.

"What a silly notion: being ambushed." laughed Rover; the Diamond Dog's bark carried throughout the forest.

"Be quiet will you! We're not alone in this forest." whispered Rainbow, her head turned to face the Diamond Dog.

"No creature, let alone a pony, could sneak up on me," exclaimed Rover; the Diamond Dog turned to the fillies behind him.

"We Diamond Dogs have the best sight and hearing in all of Equestria. Nothing could sneak up on me!"

Rover's neck turned to so he could face forward...to find the end of a spear touching his snout. A small contingent of heavily-armed guards, camouflaged in paint of a pattern similar to the forest around them, which made all of the guards look the same. Aware of what peril awaited them at the end of the guard's spears, the Fellowship raised their hooves and paws in surrender...all except Shining Armor. An extravagantly armored pony marched through his comrades, meeting Shining mano-a-mano.

Shining was circled by the head guard, scrutinized like a dress being inspected by Hoity-Toity. The guard circled back to face Shining, a small smile forming on both guard's expressions.

"You're lucky you all aren't Changelings; the Diamond Dog barks so loud, I could've speared him in the dark." imparted the head guard.

A light growl escaped Rover's lips as Shining and the head guard embraced each other in a hug.

"It's good to see you, Shining!" exclaimed the head guard.

"You too, Swift Justice!" returned Shining Armor, revealing the identity of the guard.

Swift Jusice looked past Shining, and discerned the other members of the Fellowship, all of which were at spear-point.

"I forget myself. Stand down!" ordered Swift Justice. The guard's spears lifted from the faces of Shining's companions; a collection of sighs resounded from the Fellowship.

"So much for the courtesy of Pony-folk." growled Rover, scanning the surrounding guards, and calculating his chances of escape.

Swift Justice marched past Shining, coming within a spear's distance of Rover.

"I've never seen a Diamond dog in person before. I guess I now know why Ponies haven't had dealings with the Diamond Dogs since the days of Discord's rule." enumerated Swift Justice, a coy smile playing across the guard's features.

Rover stepped towards the head guard, his hunched posture still giving him a head of height over the Pony.

"And you know what this Dog has to say to that," responded Rover.

"Ish cak couwy, I don dognoral!" finished Rover, pronouncing his insult in the language of the Diamond Dogs, which was illegible to all in attendance.

Justice's expression soured, realizing that a Diamon Dog had probably insulted him in a tongue that he didn't understand. Shining, sensing the hostility which grew between Rover and Swift Justice, intervened to halt any more hostile action from occurring between the two. Shining's hoof went between Rover and Swift Justice, creating a barrier between the two warring parties. Shining turned to Rover, a stern expression occupying his features.

"That wasn't very courteous!" Shining turned back to Swift Justice, his expression softened.

"I humbly ask for food and shelter for our company. We have come a long way..." addressed Shining Armor, before being interrupted by Swift Justice.

"I know of what you seek, and I also know of what your party brings." Swift pushed passed Shining Armor. Swift Justice trotted over to Apple Bloom, the guard's stout frame dwarfing the Earth filly.

"You bring great evil here, Ring-bearer." announced Swift Jusice before turning back to Shining Armor.

"I'm sorry, my friend. But I will not endanger the lives of my men over your quest. You can go no further."

***

Some two hours passed as Shining Armor argued with Swift Justice; odd how the Captain of the Royal Caterlot Guard would have to argue with anypony lower in rank. However, little tidbits of discernible words made their way through the mumble of the two arguing guards, words such as: 'Princess Celestia' and 'forbidden'. The rest of the Fellowship lay scattered, each separated by small patrols of spear-armed guards. Apple Bloom and Spike sat together, each silent in contemplation of recent events.

"Hey, Apple Bloom..." Spike was the first to break the silence between the two friends.

"It's not..." Spike choked back his words, a single tear flowing down his cheek.

"It's not your fault you know, for what happened to Applejack or Twilight." A sniffle escaped Apple Bloom's solemn expression, but the tiny Earth pony still abjured from matching Spike's gaze. Instead, Apple Bloom stared at the forest floor.

"And if I knew anything about either Pony, I'd know their deaths wouldn't have been in vain, nor would they want you to lose hope." finished Spike.

Apple Bloom now turned to her draconian friend, only to find their positions reversed: now it was Spike who failed to match Apple Bloom's gaze.

A heavy stride alerted Apple Bloom to the approach of Swift Justice, his argument with Shining Armor seemingly over.

"You will follow me." ordered the lieutenant, before making his way deeper into the forest.

Ch.34 Princess Celestia; Sun-Bringer

The herbage of the Hollow Shades diminished as Swift Justice led the Fellowship deeper into the looming forest. Sun beams began infiltrating their way through the forest canopy, like street lamps on a Ponyville night. An hour of travel led the troop to a hill, beyond which lay a sweeping collection of tents and targets, where soldiers of the Equestrian army trained or slept.

"Welcome to FOB Aplha." announced Swift Justice, as the entire Fellowship stood in awe of the massive military force which lay below.

"Come then. Princess Celestia will want a word with you." finished Swift Justice. He gestured to a rather extravagantly capacious tent which flew a flag embroidered with Princess Celestia's Cutie Mark: the Sun.

***

Passing through the array of regular tents, the Fellowship received their fair share of curious glances by the troops. Except Rarity; the attractive alabaster Unicorn received an encompassing share of cheers and whistles from the lonely soldiers.

"If any of them touch Rarity, I'll burn them to a crisp." mumbled Spike; his claws stabbed into his palms as he held back a fiery outburst. Apple Bloom, who walked beside Spike, placed a hoof around the dragon's shoulder.

"Don't worry, Spike. Rarity knows she's better than them." reassured Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom's remark got Spike thinking: if Rarity was better than any number of big, strong ponies who would lay down their lives for the safety of an entire kingdom, what did that make a baby dragon who was a book-keeper of a library in one of the smallest villages in Equestria?

"Is she?" responded Spike, in time for the Fellowship to reach Princess Celestia's tent.

Swift Justice pulled back the flap which acted as the door into Celestia's tent; his hoof gestured the Fellowship inside. From what could be seen, the inside of the tent was pitch black.

"Go on in. And don't worry, it's much bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside." compelled Swift Justice, a look of worry occupying his features.

Swift's apparent worry sent a wave of apprehension through the Fellowship, delaying their entry into the tent. But, as they realized one after the other, that their party had come to far not to meet the Princess, one-by-one the Fellowship marched into the tent. The pitch blackness within swallowed each member which entered its hold, but not all was what it seemed. Beyond the dark, a portal lay which transported the Fellowship to a massive chamber, streamed with ribbons, and host to a table which could've easily filled the Royal Canterlot ballroom. Such was the Fellowship in awe, they weren't prepared for the assault of light which originated from the other end of the hall.

Caught unprepared, the Fellowship raised their hooves, paws or claws to halt the assault of blinding light produced from the other end of the massive chamber. Loud clops could be heard approaching the Fellowship, who were now unable to protect themselves from the being which offended them with blinding light.

"Don't be afraid; I can feel fear in your hearts." spoke an unknown entity, the origin of which lay behind the light.

The light softened dramatically, which allowed the Fellowship to look upon their oppressor. There, before them, with fur of white silk, and hair of flowing aurora, stood Princess Celestia; the Sun-Bringer. Upon realizing who stood before them, the members of the Fellowship fell to their knees, facing the ground, unworthy to look upon the Princess' legendary regality.

"Rise, my little ponies, and do not fear. I can sense that you have been through much toil in your last days of travel." assured the Princess, a heartwarming smile complimenting her complexion.

The Fellowship rose, but still evading looking upon the Princess. The parties avoidance of her gaze was misinterpreted by the Princess, who thought that the Fellowship was in awe of her chamber.

"You like it?" Princes Celestia gestured to the ceiling of her accommodation, as high as the Treebary in Ponyville.

"Twilight gave it to me for my one-thousand and two year old birthday. Quite fascinating, how it's so much bigger on the inside than the outside. Don't you agree?" Celestia's question fell on deaf ears; the Princess' earlier mention of Twilight brought the Fellowship to a state of profound despondence.

Princess Celestia scanned the group, counting ten members. 'Odd' thought the Princess, 'there should be twelve'.

"I heard that twelve Equestrians left Zecora's for the Smokey Mountain, yet I only see ten here. Tell me, where is Twilight Sparkle and honest Applejack?" asked Princess Celestia, hoping to uncover the reason behind the absence of her personal student, and Twilight's apple-farming friend.

What seemed like hours passed, till Shining Armor summoned the courage to respond to the Princess,

"Both were lost, my liege...in Moria!" answered Shining Armor.

The mention of Moria sent a mortal shiver down Celestia's spine. Moria, the one place that even she feared to tread, and had warned Twilight against doing so.

"How did they die?" asked Princess Celestia, panicked by this unwanted turn of events.

"Applejack died in defense of the smallest of our party," answered Shining Armor; his response sent a pang of guilt through the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"And Twilight, my dear sister, was ripped away by a Balrog." finished Shining Armor, the great captain now reduced to tears.

Silence pervaded the massive chamber, as the occupants of its capacious space took stock of their situation. Finally, Rover burst into a flood of tears, and fell to his knees, as the Diamond Dog cried into his massive paws.

"It was all my fault! Twilight warned us about going into Moria, but I didn't listen, and now, our party has paid the price." impeached Rover, his sobs echoing throughout the massive hall.

Princess Celestia approached the quivering Diamond Dog, tears matting the hair on her cheeks. She raised a hoof over Rover's head, as if to exact a terrible judgement for his arduous crime. The Fellowship turned from the Princess, wishing not to see another member of their party falling before some destructive force.

"I forgive you." The Fellowship turned in surprise of the Princess' forgiveness. Celestia's hoof forced Rover back to his feet, the Diamond Dog's legs shaking with weakness from his earlier fit.

"Twilight Sparkle was a wise pony. If she meant not to go into Moria, then she would've taken a different route. None of you should feel responsible for other pony's decisions." continued the Princess.

"But, without Twilight, the Fellowship stands in peril of failing. Your quest hangs upon the edge of a knife; stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of Equestria." The Fellowship's collective demeanor hopelessly declined, Celestia's words striking at the Fellowship's moral in the worst way.

"Yet, hope remains while the Company is true." Celestia's gaze settled on Spike, the dragon inspired by Celestia's attention.

"Go now and rest, my little ponies," Celestia gestured to a room on the left of her.

"For you are weary from such an abusive trip." Princess Celestia's voice faded in Apple Bloom's ear, instead, the Earth pony heard a soft whisper from an otherworldly source, "Welcome, Apple Bloom of Ponyville..."

Apple Bloom's perception of reality shifted; no longer did the divine Princess Celestia stand before her, but a demon, clothed in white light, its fiery gaze focused on her, much like Sauron's Great Eye.

"...One who has seen the Eye!"

Ch.35 The Bloody Mirror

In Celestia's tent, snores echoed in the massive chamber as the assorted members of the Fellowship slept peacefully in their beds; all except Apple Bloom. The golden Earth pony couldn't sleep, as nightmares of Applejack's lifeless corpse, and Twilight's fall into the abyss of Khazad-dum clouded her sleeping visions. The work of Nightmare Moon no doubt.

Even facing the wall, Apple Bloom still heard the gentle clopping of Princess Celestia. Apple Bloom rolled over, and found the Royal Alicorn quietly walking past the filly's bed. Seemingly unaware of the filly's consciousness, the Princess strolled by, not even affording Apple Bloom a passing glance. Curious about where the Princess would be off to at so late an hour, Apple Bloom snuck out of bed, and quietly stalked the Ruler of all Equestria.

Passed her friends, and even the multitude of sleeping guard ponies, was Apple Bloom led by Princess Celestia. Into the forest Apple Bloom entered, to the west of the camp, as the little filly remained determined to follow the Princess at such a ridiculous hour. Eventually, Princess Celestia reached a cleared area of forest, in the center which stood a pedestal. On the pedestal rested a bowl of shining silver, but only filled with air. Remaining undetected, Apple Bloom snuck behind a tree, only peering around the massive living beast to observe the Princess conduct her strange ritual.

Towards the edge of the cleared area, flowed a waterfall. Towards the water the Princess proceeded, where she drew a mass of water; Celestia's horn, and the water glowed gold as the Alicorn deposited the liquid into the central bowl.

"Do you know why I brought you here?" asked the Princess.

Apple Bloom fully retreated behind the tree's body. The Princess' question couldn't have been directed towards her.

"I know you're there, Apple Bloom." stated the Princess.

Apple Bloom revealed herself from behind the tree; a countenance of shame reflected on the filly's face.

"Don't be ashamed Apple Bloom. I knew you were awake, and so I drew you out here." assured Princess Celestia.

Apple Bloom studied her surroundings, looking for an exit, in case the Alicorn, who had earlier intruded into her mind, meant this meeting to be of a terrible aspect.

"Why did you bring me here?" interrogated Apple Bloom.

Celestia gestured toward the bowl of water before she answered, "For you to see the mirror."

Apple Bloom glanced towards the mirror. The Earth pony gambled a second to look at the shining water, before she refocused her attention on the imposing Alicorn.

"What will I see?" questioned the cautious filly.

"Only Sombra can tell. Princess Cadence gave this to me after her return from the Crystal Empire. Its purpose is not known, and I require a test subject...you." answered the Princess.

Apple Bloom's heart raced as her gaze betrayed towards the pool, not on her account, but the Princess'. Apple Bloom was surrounded in a golden aura as the Princess levitated the filly into the air above the mirror. The filly squirmed to get free, but her effort was in vain; nopony could match the magical skill of the Sun Bringer.

"STOP, Princess! PLEASE!" pleaded Apple Bloom. Princess Celestia slowly lowered the frightened filly towards the mirror.

"It's for your own good." stated the Princess.

Celestia's eyes glowed a dark green, the envious light flared out like the hood of a cobra. The Princess' horn became bathed in dark energy, the alabaster shaft now black as a Changeling's hide. A malicious blast of energy erupted from the horn, and struck the bowl. The pool of water shifted radically, the once shining pool now glowing red like the eyes of an angry beast. The golden aura around Apple Bloom faded away, and the helpless filly fell into the Bloody Mirror.

Apple Bloom awoke, not in water, but in Moria. Balin's tomb lay destroyed before the filly's eyes, as the bodies of dead Changelings and the the corpse of an Ursa Minor littered the chamber. Apple Bloom's gaze shifted to the right, and the corpse of Applejack came into view; a pool of blood seeped into the orange fur of the brave pony. Apple Bloom tried to avert her gaze; the filly wished not to see the failure of her inaction. But some ethereal force forced Apple Bloom to gaze on her sister's dead body, and a shrill shriek filled the chamber. Changeling's rushed into the tomb, and began to sort through the bodies of the countless dead, until they came upon the corpse of Applejack. Starved of love, the insectoid beasts ravaged the only piece of meat within the entire mine, with Apple Bloom forced to watch.

The scene shifted: Ponyville now stood in flames. Strange dragon-like beasts ravaged the burning town, and brutally murdered anypony that came across their path. Screams could be heard from the red schoolhouse as Cheerilee and her students were burned inside the wooden building. Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake were ripped into pieces; the parents forced to watch as the Dovakniik swallowed their children whole. Sweet Apple Acres became a flaming field, as trees planted by the Apple family since the founding of Ponyville were transformed into massive torches. And no matter how much Apple Bloom tried to turn her gaze away, the same sadistic force forced her to look upon the carnage.

Finally, the Eye of Sauron encompassed Apple Bloom's vision; the burning wreath radiated unbearable heat on the defenseless filly. Black Speech emanated from the malicious being. The Ring levitated towards its master, but the chain it was attached to, and wrapped around Apple Bloom's neck, slowed the golden band's advance. Apple Bloom could feel her hooves drag towards the burning eye, as The Ring moved onward towards its creator. Apple Bloom grabbed The Ring in her hoof, and pulled. The action broke the pool's magic, and the filly was expelled from the Bloody Mirror, surprisingly dry.

Apple Bloom's breathing was as erratic as before she entered the Bloody Mirror, but she felt her heart beat had become random; no coordination of the vital muscle could be felt by the filly. Apple Bloom felt like she could cry, but the tears never fell; too traumatized was the filly for tears. Slowly, the filly's heartbeat regained rhythm, and her breaths flowed in and out like her regular self. Apple Bloom looked up, and found the Princess' gaze fixed upon her.

"I know what it is you saw," stated the Alicorn, "For it is also in my mind."

Apple Bloom returned to her hooves, ready to depart this nightmare the Sun Briger had brought her into. The Princess' lips failed to move, but the Earth filly could still hear Celestia's voice in her head, "It is what will come to pass if you should fail. The Fellowship is breaking. It is already begun. He will try to take The Ring. You know of whom I speak."

Shockingly, for Apple Bloom, the filly did know of what the Princess implied. The Earth pony turned in the direction of the camp, and imagined Shining Armor as he slept on his comfy bed, plotting Apple Bloom's demise. Apple Bloom turned towards the Princess and held out her hoof. The Ring rested in the filly's fingerless embrace.

"If ya want this Ring, then by all means, you can have it." offered Apple Bloom.

Celestia's eyes widened at the offering; a familiar zealotry clouded the Alicorn's gaze like so many before her. The Princess reached a hoof out towards The Ring, ready to receive the mighty artifact.

"I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this." said Celestia, the Alicorn's hoof closing in on The Ring.

"In place of a Dark Lord you would have a queen..." Celestia's frame radiated a blinding white; the demon's red eyes glared down at Apple Bloom once again.

"Not dark but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Treacherous as the sea! Stronger than the foundations of Equestria! Equestria would be mine...ALL MINE!" roared Celestia.

The Alicorn's rage retreated, and the Ruler of Equestria regained her regal form. Shame clouded the Princess' countenance, and her gaze averted from The Ring.

"I pass the test. I will diminish, and go into the West and remain Celestia." remarked the Princess.

"But I cannot do this all by myself." pleaded Apple Bloom, desperate for somepony to trust in these dark times.

Princess Celestia turned towards Apple Bloom; compassion occupied the regal Alicorn's complexion.

"You are a Ring-bearer, Apple Bloom. To bear a Ring of Power is to be alone." stated the Princess.

Celestia lowered her chin, which revealed a Ring of Power nestled at the base of her horn.

"This is Mulad, the Ring of Light. And I am its keeper." continued Celestia, "This task was appointed to you. And if you do not find a way, nopony will."

"Then I know what I must do. It's just," Apple Bloom paused, "I am afraid to do it."

Celestia smiled at the anxious filly, and kneeled down to Apple Bloom's level.

"Even the smallest pony can change the course of history." assured the Princess.

Apple Bloom gazed down at The Ring, before she placed the metal chain around her neck once again. Apple Bloom knew what she had to do now, and she would have her friends to do it with.

Ch.36 The Fighting Dovakniik

Darkness encompassed the land of Isengard; the only light emitted from the roaring furnaces which occupied the pits. Roars, loud enough to be heard for miles from the barren land, overwhelmed the percussion of hammers, as the Dovakniik were branded with the symbol of their master, Nightmare Moon. Red hot brands charred the chitin hide of the draconian beasts; the brands left the permanent imprint of a Crescent Moon on their faces.

Howls of pain erupted from the Dovakniik as the brands made contact with their sturdy hide, but still none of the draconian Changelings backed down from the fiery steel as they watched countless of their other brethren burned by the same steel. Such was their commitment to their master: the Dovakniik would face death before disappointing Nightmare Moon.

Soon, the Dovakiik were marked, now official members of Nightmare Moon's personal soldiers. Changelings hovered about the towering beasts, as the insectoid love-vampires cautiously strapped the hardy armor to their draconian cousins. The Changelings chitin hide was impervious to most force, and now coupled with the wrought iron armor of Isengard's pits, the Dovakniik were now tank-like beings, the twelve foot beasts ready to cut down anything in their path.

***

Assembled before their queen, the first generation of the Dovakniik stood before Nightmare Moon, anxious to hear their master's orders.

"East of Isengard lies a forest known as the Hollow Shades. There stands a group of ponies who seek to destroy all Sauron and I have created. You will hunt them down, and you will not stop till they are found," ordered Nightmare Moon, "You do not know pain. You do not know fear... YOU WILL TASTE PONY-FLESH!"

The Dovakniik roared towards the heavens as they rejoiced the murderous mission that was appointed to them by their master.

Nightmare Moon turned to her left, and addressed the alpha Dovakniik, Vring, "One of the filly's carries something of great value to my master. Bring them to me alive... and unspoiled."

Vring growled; the Dovakniik's face contorted in the upset of being deprived fresh meat. The alpha Dovakniik could almost taste the tender flesh of a filly, the tiny pony's muscles still soft from its lack of maturity. But nevertheless, Vring obeyed; the alpha Dovakniik would do anything to please his master.

"Kill the others." finished Nightmare Moon. Vring was still satisfied with his orders. Mature mares and stallions would provide a much more suitable test of his, and his brother's, arm.

***

The Dovakniik emerged from the pits of Isengard, an incalculable force determined to complete their mission. The black wave of chitin and iron dashed from the barren land, and entered the sunny domain of Equestria. Unlike their Changeling cousins, the Dovakniik had no problem with sunlight.

Vring gave one last roar. Soon he would be tested in the fires of combat, and he needed to conserve his strength for the inevitable clash of Dovakniik versus pony.

Ch.37 Farewell to Fluttershy

Rainbow Dash awoke with a sudden alertness; damp sweat seeped from the Pegasus' pores. She looked around in haste, checking for any sign of intrusion. Finding none, the cyan Pegasus allowed herself some relief.

"It was just a dream," Rainbow Dash assured herself. She laid her head in her hooves, and tried to calm her anxious nerves in the darkness.

Heavy breaths escaped the makeshift prison of the cyan Pegasus' hooves, and in time, Rainbow Dash finally found the peace to depart into the night realm. Rainbow lifted her head from her hooves, and gave one last check to ensure she, and her companions, were safe in Celestia's tent. Through her search, Rainbow Dash realized the absence of two ponies: Fluttershy and Apple Bloom.

"Where could they have gone to at this hour?" questioned the cyan Pegasus, to nopony in particular. Rainbow Dash unwillingly departed her bed, and trotted off, searching for her misplaced friends.

"Fluttershy? Apple Bloom?" quietly called Rainbow, courteous of her sleeping friends.

The cyan Pegasus toured the lower level of Princess Celestia's tent, unable to locate either of her missing friends. Eventually though, Rainbow came upon a staircase, which led up to a balcony.

"This place has a balcony?" questioned Rainbow, before she shed her wings, and quietly hovered up the staircase.

Lunar beams filtered through the doorway, and as Rainbow hovered closer to the entrance of the balcony, she heard the soft humming of a yellow Pegasus, who recited the theme song to Rainbow's favorite children's show (although she would never admit it).

Rainbow Dash entered the doorway, and saw the form of Fluttershy. The Moon shined its bounteous light on the yellow Pegasus' coat, which radiated into a display of golden grandeur. Fluttershy's wings extended from her alluring frame; her wings complimented the angelic image which transfixed Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow couldn't depart her gaze from the Element of Kindness, and the voice of the world became a soft lull as the cyan Pegasus remained enchanted by Fluttershy's moonlight loveliness.

"Rainbow Dash?" a soft voice pervaded the vision which held Rainbow Dash's attention.

"Rainbow Dash?" the voice became more noticeable; the volume of the speaker near unbearable at this point.

"Rainbow Dash?" Rainbow was forced from her illusion, by the gentle shaking of Fluttershy's hoof on her shoulder.

"HM-What?" erupted Rainbow, surprised, and slightly embarrassed, which manifested as the blushing of her cheeks, about the situation which she found herself.

"Oh! I didn't mean to surprise you Rainbow. You were just standing there for a couple minutes, looking like an idiot," reported Fluttershy; the yellow Pegasus' truthfulness served in a less than acceptable manner.

"Well maybe. But if you tell anypony else, I'm going to deny it," assured Rainbow.

Fluttershy giggled quietly, but still loud enough to be comprehensible to the nearby Rainbow Dash.

"What's so funny?" asked Rainbow, curious as to the cause of her friend's appointed laughter.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to hear it, with your ego and all that," answered Fluttershy.

"Come on Fluttershy, I'm Rainbow Dash." Rainbow quickly launched into the sky, and completed a triple backspin before touching down near Fluttershy, "I can handle anything!"

"are-Are you sure you want to hear it?" questioned Fluttershy, reluctant to admit to anything that may hurt her oldest friend's feelings.

"I'm positive. After all, I'm the greatest flyer in all of Equestria, I'm sure I can take anything you can dish out," assured the proud Pegasus.

"Ok. Well, when I found you staring at me, it was really goofy. You had this giant smile on your face, and I think there were literal hearts in your eyes," admitted Fluttershy; her response brightened the red of Rainbow's cheek until it became a red radiation of embarrassment.

"I must have looked quite silly, huh?" queried the embarrassed rainbow-maned Pegasus; she twirled her rainbow tail in her hoof like an anxious school filly on her first day of school.

Fluttershy giggled again; music to Rainbow's ears.

"Yeah, you did," stated Fluttershy, before she and Rainbow broke out in a fit of laughter.

The Pegasi soon silenced themselves, aware of how loud they were, and their many sleeping companions. Fluttershy beckoned Rainbow over to the balcony rail, and soon the cyan Pegasus looked out onto the diverse landscape.

"It's so beautiful here," declared Fluttershy.

"It sure is." Rainbow Dash agreed with Fluttershy, but it wasn't the landscape that drew the cyan Pegasus' attention.

Fluttershy peered onto the forest landscape, admiring the windswept pines which remained steadfast in the face of opposition. 'Oh, if only I was as strong as the pines' wished Fluttershy. A comfortable silence pervaded the night; not even a gust of wind sought to disturb the tranquil setting.

"You remember the day we first met? That day at flight camp," asked Rainbow Dash, somewhat out of the blue.

Fluttershy was drawn aback from her admiration by her friend's question, and turned to face the cyan Pegasus. She found Rainbow also peering out into the forest, but she also noticed the Pegasus' nervous twitch of the eye, which constantly glanced her way.

"Of course I do. You defended me from those Cloudsdale bullies," answered Fluttershy. Of course she remembered. That day was the single most important day of her life: she'd found her best friend, and discovered her Cutie Mark.

"By the way, I never did thank you for protecting me," added Fluttershy.

"Don't worry about it, it's nothing. I knew I could beat those guys in a race, even with a wing tied behind my back," assured Rainbow Dash.

"It's not nothing. If we traded places, I would've undoubtedly backed down from those mean ponies. I'm not as brave as you," admitted Fluttershy; Rainbow was taken aback by her shy friend's response.

"Well, that's the thing isn't it. We all have our flaws, we just need to find our very special somepony; the pony who completes us, and is able to help us overcome our flaws," stated Rainbow Dash; rather philosophical for the usually brash Pegasus.

"Do you think I'll ever find my very special somepony?" asked Fluttershy, who hoped above all else for a yes.

"There's a pony out there for everyone. I'm sure you will find a very special pony to share your life with," answered Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy peered at Rainbow, noting the cyan Pegasus' lean form and the fine structure of her wings. Rainbow was a strong, athletic pony, and braver than most; a perfect partner for Fluttershy's averse nature. Rainbow Dash gazed on Fluttershy's tender frame, and observed the sensual curves of the naturally beautiful Pegasus. Fluttershy's timid disposition was a perfect match for the cyan Pegasus' brash personality, and Rainbow Dash knew this. Rainbow and Fluttershy slowly approached each other, natural instincts guiding them to their equal. Rainbow grasped Fluttershy's effeminate hooves; stuck between the two mares breasts as they moved as close as possible to one another. Rainbow's head tilted to the right, and Fluttershy's to the left, as the Pegasi wrapped their lips against the other.

Relativity took over for the fair Pegasi, lips-locked in their loving embrace. What seemed like hours took only seconds as neither Rainbow nor Fluttershy wished to suspend their personal moment of passion. Soon ended their endearment, the separation of their bodies left both Pegasi breathless. Cheeks red as the rose, both Pegasi stared lovingly into each other's eyes, and enjoyed their peaceful moment from all the death and violence of the last few days.

"I love you, Fluttershy," recited Rainbow Dash.

"I love you too, Rainbow Dash," assured Fluttershy.

The timid Pegasus' affectionate countenance disappeared, and was replaced with light, muffled tears, as Fluttershy smothered herself in Rainbow's breast.

"What is wrong, Fluttershy?" asked Rainbow Dash, who rubbed Fluttershy's pink mane in an effort to quell the timid Pegasus' sudden outburst of sadness.

Fluttershy retreated from Rainbow's embrace; her expression reflected a sadness which Rainbow couldn't bear to see on her love.

"It's because I love you! I can't bear to see you killed or hurt, and that's why I cannot go any further on this quest. I just can't bear the loss of anymore of my friends, especially my special somepony," admitted Fluttershy; tears rained down like a hurricane.

"You can't leave me! Please, don't leave me, Fluttershy," pleaded Rainbow Dash, but it was too late. Fluttershy retreated to her room, in hopes that her dreams would drown out her sorrow.

"Fluttershy, wait!" called Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy halted her progress to her chamber, and turned into the embrace of the cyan Pegasus.

"If you do plan to leave the Fellowship... just promise me that you'll wait for me," requested Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy stared longingly into Rainbow's purple eyes; of course she would wait for Rainbow Dash.

"Of course I will wait for you," proclaimed Fluttershy, before kissing Rainbow Dash one more time, and possibly their last time, before the two lovers retired to their separate beds.

Ch.38 An Alicorn's Goodbye

In the morning, the entire Fellowship, along with Princess Celestia, and her Royal Guard, journeyed to Neighagra Falls. North the unopposed group travelled, until they arrived at the massive waterfall, which was rarely vacant of honeymooners or world travelers. But today was different; complete secrecy was required for the departure of the small, but intrepid Fellowship, as the companionship pursued a path to the Smokey Mountain downriver.

While the many ponies, from Royal Guard to Cutie Mark Crusader, packed the boats with supplies to last the Fellowship their trip downriver, Swift Justice pulled his dear friend, Shining Armor aside, and dispensed the final words he would ever utter with the alabaster stallion, "Every league you travel south, the danger will increase. The Changelings hold the eastern shore surrounding the Foal Mountain, but the west fairs no better. My scouts have reported strange creatures, bearing the crescent moon of Nightmare Moon, moving at great speed in our direction. Changelings rarely journey in open sunlight, but these new enemies do."

Swift Justice held out his hoof, which Shining Armor graciously accepted. The two Guards pulled in close, and wrapped their other hoof around the other stallion's back. Such would be their last embrace.

"Good luck, my friend. May Celestia give you wings." departed Swift Justice.

"To you as well. May our paths cross once again." digressed Shining Armor, oblivious of what Fate held in store for the husband of Princess Cadence.

Shining Armor returned to the boats, and saw his friends entering the rickety ships. Shining noticed Spike, as the purple dragon stumbled into one of the three boats, seemingly apprehensive about being near water.

"I'm sorry, Rover, but I simply refuse to paddle. I could get myself wet." repined Rarity; the glimmering mare stepped into the same boat as Spike, the dragon forced to move to accommodate the beautiful Unicorn.

"Here, Spike. Come sit on my lap. There's no room for Rover if you don't." offered Rarity, to which Spike accepted, almost spontaneously. It was easily discernible to the Royal Guard the happiness which possessed the dragon's complexion, like that of a colt on Hearth's Warming Day.

Rover soon joined the obviously-in-love pair; the Diamond Dog mumbled some incomprehensible gibberish under his foul breath as he entered the boat, and took a paddle.

Shining followed suit, and joined Pinkie Pie, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle in another boat. The stallion immediately began to regret his choice: Pinkie Pie's unconstrained exuberance somewhat perturbed the patient Guard.

"I'm-on-a-boat! I'm-on-a-boat! I'm-on-a-boat! I've-never-been-on-a-boat!" jubilated the pink pony, which she followed by a jarred motion which set the boat off-kilter.

The two presiding fillies grabbed the edge of the rickety bucket.

"PINKIE!" yelled Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, antagonized by the excitable friend's actions.

"Sorry." apologized Pinkie Pie.

Rainbow Dash smiled at her zany friend's frivolity, but she did not laugh; too much had happened last night for the cyan Pegasus to be in a cheerful mood.

"Alright everypony, time to get moving." ordered Shining Armor. The massive stallion pushed off the shore, and sent his boat down south of the Neighagra Falls.

Rover and Rainbow Dash followed suit, and used their oars to push off the sandy beach, and send their boats after Shining Armor. But, of all the members of the Fellowship, only Rainbow Dah looked back. Standing there, on the beach, dressed in white silk from Princess Celestia's personal tailors, stood Fluttershy. The amber Pegasus was far off now, but Rainbow could still discern the red around the beautiful mare's eyes, the effect of many tears shed for her departing love. Rainbow couldn't bare to look at the alluring mare anymore; the cyan Pegasus' will be only so strong to keep her from abandoning her friends, and returning to Fluttershy.

***

The passage south was silent and unobstructed; so were the thoughts of the many members of the Fellowship, as they recalled Celestia's gifts for them earlier that day. Rarity was the first pony to receive a present.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

"My gift to you, Rarity, is the crown of Princess Platinum, your ancestor." Celestia gave Rarity the crown of the past leader of the Unicorns. The silver, five-spade symbol of authority, accented by violet jewels of the highest caliber, fit Rarity's head perfectly.

"Legend holds that the crown contains powerful magic, which it bestows upon its wearer. It will be useful in the days to come." finished the Royal Alicorn.

"Thank you, Princess Celestia." Rarity bowed before her Princess, and kissed the Alicorn's hoof. Princess Celestia bowed to Rarity as well, and then moved onto the next members of the Fellowship: Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

Celestia's horn glowed a golden aura, the effect of which brought to superbly crafted, and sheathed, daggers to the two Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"These are the daggers of the Alicorn. Luna and I have personally used these fine weapons on multiple occasions of battle." Celestia enjoyed the curiosity of the two ponies with their gifts; the two fillies unsheathed the blades and carefully examined the superior craftsmanship of the weapons: the gold-laced wooden handle, and the curved blade, seemingly sharp enough to slice through chitin like butter.

While Scootaloo relished her new gift, Sweetie Belle looked upon the weapon with curious apprehension. She had killed many Changelings in battle, yes, but she was in a blood-drunk rage at the time. The alabaster filly didn't know if she had the courage to do so again.

"Do not fear, Sweetie Belle," Princess Celestia addressed her subject's noticeable concern, which caused the Unicorn to look up on the dominating form of the Alicorn, "You will find your courage."

Princess Celestia departed the two fillies, and moved on to the dragon standing beside them.

"And for you, Spike, rope made of Alicorn hair." Princess Celestia presented the ring of rope to Spike; the rope shifted between all the colors of the rainbow, much like Celestia's flowing hair.

However, Spike was not satisfied. The dragon looked to his right, and discerned the daggers that were given to the two fillies.

"Have you run out of daggers?" questioned Spike. The Princess only smiled at the unsatisfied dragon; Spike lowered his head in shame.

"Thank you, Princess Celestia." apologized Spike.

Princess Celestia again moved down the line of the Fellowship, and came face-to-face with the kneeling form of Rover, the Diamond Dog. Rover did not look upon the face of Celestia as she stood before him.

"And what gift would a Diamond Dog ask of a Princess?" asked Celestia, unsure of what to bequeath on the Diamond Dog.

"Nothing." Rover's head raised to look upon the splendor of Celestia. Rover was in love.

"Except to look upon the Princess of Equestria one last time... for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the Earth." continued Rover; his response drove both the Diamond Dog and Celestia to blush red in the cheeks.

Embarrassed with himself, Rover retreated from the presence of the Princess, but his conflicted thoughts forced him to return.

"Actually, there was one thing," addressed Rover, "No, no, I'm talking nonsense. It's quite impossible. Stupid to ask." The Diamond Dog mumbled on, and his gift from Celestia remained a mystery to his companions.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Silently downriver the Fellowship continued, until Rover interjected, "I have taken the worst wound at this parting. Even more so than the slaughter of my kin in Moria, or the death of Applejack or Twilight. I have looked my last upon that which is fairest."

"What are you mumbling about, Rover?" asked Rarity, curious for what juicy tidbits the Diamond Dog was to reveal at the moment.

"Only the Princess shall I ever consider fair, but her gift to me only seconds the beauty of the Alicorn." revealed Rover.

"What was her gift?" asked Spike, curious like Rarity.

"I asked for a shining hair from her regal head... she gave me three." answered Rover.

"Rover loves the Princess! Rover loves the Princess!" chanted Pinkie Pie.

"I do not love the Princess. She's an Alicorn and I'm a Diamond Dog. The notion of 'love' between us is perfectly absurd." defended the Diamond Dog, before he continued to mumble in hushed tones.

"Denial's the clincher." whispered Rarity to Spike.

Love: the thought brought Celestia's gift to Rainbow's mind...

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

"I have nothing greater to give, than the love you and Fluttershy share. But I can give you this," Princess Celestia handed a sheathed, curved dagger, the craftsmanship similar to the daggers presented to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, "May this gift ensure you survive to see Fluttershy again."

"Thank you, Princess." Rainbow Dash, like so many of her companions before her, bowed to Celestia.

"I do not desire the future queen of Equestria to bow before me. One day soon, you will learn to expect other ponies to bow before you." acknowledged the Princess.

Rainbow Dash raised herself from the floor, and looked upon the Princess again.

"I am not a coward, but I don't wish to take on such a hefty responsibility. Running kingdoms is for the likes of Alicorns, not Pegasi who wish to be Wonderbolts." defended Rainbow Dash.

"Such is the heavy toll of our bloodlines," Princess Celestia rested her hoof on Rainbow's shoulder, "While you may wish not to take up the throne when we leave, you must. You are the last of the Dashian bloodline, and so you are destined to take over the throne of Equestria. But your destiny leaves you with a choice: will you redeem the mistakes of your ancestors, and lead Equestria into harmony once again, or will you fall into the darkness like your many kin before you?"

The Princess' question boggled Rainbow's simple mind, and while the cyan Pegasus was occupied, the regal Alicon moved onto the last, and most important member of the Fellowship: Apple Bloom.

"To you I give the light of Helios: our most beloved star," Celestia handed Apple Bloom a transparent vial, filled with a clear liquid of some kind, "Let it be your light, when all other lights go out."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Again, in silence, the Fellowship continued downriver, and hoped above all else that the river would allow them to outrun their foes.

They were sorely mistaken.

Ch.39 Down the River Isen

The Fellowship's journey downriver went smooth and unopposed; no Changelings that Swift Justice warned against were seen or heard from on either bank as the waterborne group passed the Foal Mountain. But little did anypony in the Fellowship suspect, they were being hunted.

***

South of the Fellowship's position, the Dovakniik, led by their grotesque leader, Vring, travelled north, opposite of the Fellowship's direction of travel. The draconian Changelings sought to flank the Fellowship by way of bridge and railroad, and attack from the rear as the Fellowship made camp in the forests west of Baltimare's nearest mountain.

Vring raised a closed fist beside his head, a silent order for his followers to stop. The other Doavkniik complied, and soon silence replaced the once encompassing cacophony of sprinting solders. Vring listened closely, and sniffed the air; the alpha Dovakniik could smell the ponies not too far off.

"What is it, Vring? What do you smell?" asked Rkane, Vring's lieutenant.

Vring sniffed the air again. Yes, he was sure the ponies were nearby.

"Ponies..." answered Vring, before the great warrior released a thunderous roar, like that of a Manticore. The deafening shout echoed throughout the entire plane of Equestria, heard from Los Pegasus to Filly Delphia.

***

A thunderous boom surprised the Fellowship, and sent any nearby fowl aflight. The mysterious noise was so loud, Rarity could've sworn the waves shifted slightly, upsetting the smooth current of the river Isen.

"What was that?" asked Apple Bloom. She, like her many compatriots, cautiously searched the surrounding area, trying to determine the owner of such a voluminous roar.

"It's probably just thunder cloud. We should make for the nearest beach. I'd hate to get stuck in a rainstorm on a river," answered Rainbow Dash.

However, Shining Armor knew better. The sky was free of clouds, and if the weather were to change so drastically, other Pegasi would've been seen moving storm clouds into position. No, the more plausible answer would be that the roar belonged to whatever new enemy Swift Justice had warned him about at Neighagra Falls. Despite this, the Royal Guard failed to notify his companions of his suspicions; the Sun sank slowly into the horizon, and nightfall was upon them. Rainbow Dash was right, the Fellowship should make camp at the most recent opportunity.

***

The Fellowship anchored their boats just south of the Foal Mountain, on the eastern shore beside Canterlot Mountain. The rock-strewn bank was a perfect location to make camp, as the light forest surrounding the Fellowship kept hostile eyes from discerning their location.

On the beach, behind a massive boulder, Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash waited. Slowly, along the water, a single log floated by. Shining, gazing beyond the rock, noticed the slightest tufts of hair protruding from the head of whatever creature attached itself to the floating wood.

"Gollum. Rover picked up his scent three days ago. It seems he's been following us since we left Moria," Rainbow Dash explained. Shining Armor had no idea what a 'Gollum' was, but he sure didn't wish to find out.

The log gravitated to the other bank of the River Isen, and eventually became stuck in the weed-infested bank. A slight tussle in the weeds, observed by Shining Armor, informed him of Gollum's departure.

"I had hoped we could lose him, and the Changelings, on the river. But it seems Gollum is a clever waterpony," finished Rainbow Dash.

"If Gollum alerts the enemy to our whereabouts, it will make the crossing even more dangerous," clarified Shining Armor.

Apple Bloom heard Shining and Rainbow's conversation from the campfire. Now, after all the abounded misery their group had faced, it turned out Gollum was still following the Fellowship: another miserable turn-of-events for the downcast filly Apple Bloom.

"Have some food, Apple Bloom," encouraged Spike; the dragon handed a small stack of hay fries to Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom denied Spike her attention, and continued to stare off towards the far shore, spying for any sign of the stalking Gollum.

"Have some food, Apple Bloom," repeated Spike; the dragon, more assertive this time, encouraged Apple Bloom to take the fries.

"No, Spike," declined Apple Bloom, pushing the dragon, and the hay fries, away from her person.

"Just take the fries. You haven't eaten anything all day. And you haven't slept either. Don't think I haven't noticed," lectured the denied dragon. Spike placed himself beside Apple Bloom, but the pony wouldn't give him her attention.

"Apple Bloom..." said Spike.

"I'm alright," interjected Apple Bloom most rudely.

"But you're not." Spike's patience for Apple Bloom's denial surprised the filly's constitution. No wonder the dragon had stayed Twilight's number one assistant for so long.

"I'm here to help you. I promised Twilight that I would," pleaded Spike; the mention of Twilight sent a ping of shame through Apple Bloom's emotions, and the vision of the lavender Unicorn falling into the pit of Khazad-dum encompassed her thoughts.

"Twilight's dead, Spike," burst Apple Bloom, suddenly turning on the dragon, "It's time to stop holding onto the past."

Spike was left speechless by the filly's heartless remark, and if Apple Bloom had looked upon the kind dragon, she would've noticed the slightest hint of tears pooling in the sides of his eyes. Spike retreated to his tent; crying soon emanated from the opaque shelter. Apple Bloom continued to sit by the fire, and slowly, her thoughts returned to Applejack once again.

***

"We should head for Canterlot. It's the safest place to be right now," stated Shining Armor, hoping Rainbow Dash would hear his reason, "You know that. From there we can regroup. Strike out for the Unicorn Range from a place of strength."

"There is no strength in Canterlot that can help us. Have you forgotten how successful the Changeling invasion was on your city?" asserted Rainbow Dash. She would hear none of Shining's patriotic nonsense.

"Have you so little faith in your own city?" questioned Shining Armor, seeking to put Rainbow Dash at fault.

"Ponyville is my home, not Canterlot," responded Rainbow.

"Not so. You are the supposed future queen of Equestria, and Canterlot is the seat of power in Equestria," challenged Shining Armor.

Rainbow wouldn't listen to the stallion's nonsense any longer; the cyan Pegasus turned her back on the zealous pony, and began to trot toward camp.

"You are afraid!" Shining grabbed Rainbow's rainbow cloak in an inescapable grip, and pulled the Pegasus towards him, slightly choking the mare, "All your life, you have hidden in the shadows of a dull life. Scared of who you are, and your destiny."

Shining's anger left him, and he noticed the effects of his rage. Rainbow lay at his hooves, the cyan Pegasus petrified in fear as he still gripped her cloak. Shining let go of the cyan Pegasus, and Rainbow Dash hurriedly retreated to her tent: a place of solitude and safety for the recently assaulted pony. But what scared Rainbow Dash the most, wasn't that the attacker was a hostile outsider, but a pony from within her own Fellowship.

Shining, realizing what he had done, kneeled on the uncomfortable rocks of the beach, and cried himself to sleep.

***

The morning came a little late, on account of a certain alabaster mare's 'beauty sleep', and by midday, the Fellowship was back on the river Isen, paddling downstream towards the Smoke Mountain.

Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash separated themselves as far as the river would allow them. Rainbow wouldn't look anywhere but forward, careful to keep Shining from her peripheral vision. However, if Rainbow was to look back, she would have noticed Shining's gaze constantly twitch in her direction.

Not too far down from their previous campsite, the river Isen expanded drastically, and two massive stone crags protruded along the river banks. Along each bank, two massive stone ponies stood as steadfast as the rock they were carved from. The statues wore crowns, and a sword lay strapped to the waists of the grael monoliths. With both effigies, a hoof was raised, acting as a ward to warn all evil about trespassing in the once harmonious land of Equestria.

"The Argonath," recited Rainbow Dash; the cyan Pegasus' voice drew Apple Bloom from her stupor, and the little filly followed her friends gaze to find the elaborate statues.

"Long have I wanted to come here, and see my ancestors in their full glory," finished Rainbow Dash; a smile crept on her face as she looked in awe upon the Pony-Kings of old.

The Fellowship continued down the river Isen, but for what time it lasted, their gaze never left the marvelous reminders of a time in which Equestria wasn't plagued with the ills that beset it now.

Ch.40 Loyalty Tested

The Fellowship barred their boats west of the mountains near Baltimare; the wooded beach provided cover from the numerous eyes of Sauron's spies. The early evening Sun hung low in the sky, and was soon to depart for more mysterious continents. But still, proficient sunlight radiated over Equestria, unsuitable for the stealth the Fellowship required for their arduous quest.

From their boats the many members of the Fellowship departed, all except Shining Armor, who apprehensively remained silent till a significant distance was placed between him and Rainbow Dash. Apple Bloom's pace was also abated: the Earth filly scanned the nearby forest, judging her chances of an unnoticed escape from her companions. Two ponies had died for her: Twilight Sparkle, and her sister, Applejack, but Apple Bloom was resolute that she would not be the pony responsible for the lives of anymore of her companions.

***

A small fire, covered in kindling, and bordered by stone, burned for the Fellowship. Scootaloo poked at the ashen wood with a stick, utterly bored of waiting for night, unlike Pinkie Pie, who occupied herself with roasting the secret abundance of marshmallows which she brought for the journey. Rarity shined her hooves; the alabaster mare was captivated by her reflection. Rover sat by the nearest Greendale tree; nearby the Diamond Dog was Spike, and Sweetie Belle. Lastly, Rainbow Dash trotted along the beach, unpacking provisions for her many companions to feast upon.

"We will move downriver at nightfall," relayed Rainbow Dash, "Hide the boats north of Dodge City and continue on hoof. We approach the Smokey Mountain from the East."

"Oh, yes?" questioned Rover; the Diamond Dog's impertinence drew the attention of his otherwise occupied comrades.

"Just a simple matter of passing through the Rambling Rock Ridge, an almost impassible ridge of stubborn rock. And after that, it gets even better," only the deaf and dead couldn't discern the sarcasm in the Dog's tone, "Festering, stinking marshland of the Everfree Bogg, far as the eye can see."

"While I do agree that Rainbow's planned road may not be the most spiffy of choices, it is the only choice left to us. And from what I can recall, Spike and Apple Bloom made their way over the Rambling Rock Ridge no problem. So, Rover, I'd advise you to rest and recover your strength. You're going to need it if you hope to stay ahead." quipped Rarity. The ivory Unicorn couldn't pass up the opportunity to castigate one of her oldest adversaries.

Some slight giggling escaped from the other witnesses to the complete annihilation of Rover's ego. In response, Rover's cheeks blushed red, unnoticeable under the thick gray coat which covered his body.

"Recover my..." growled Rover, indignant because of Rarity's insinuations.

Rover turned towards Sweetie Belle; the Unicorn filly covered her mouth, as to keep herself from laughing in Rover's face.

"Pay no heed to your sister, Sweetie Belle," Rover pointed a menacing claw at his occupied nemesis, "She has no idea of what she speaks of."

"Big sisters never do," agreed Sweetie Belle.

An abbreviated silence fell over the camp, only the crack of burnt wood dared to voice itself in the unnatural quiet which now faced the Fellowship.

"We need more firewood," stated Scootaloo, still poking at the flickering embers of the dying fire.

"Apple Bloom? Would you kindly get us some more firewood?" asked Rarity, not even affording the Fellowship's most important member a fraction of the attention she focussed on her hooves.

Sweetie Belle looked around, unsuccessful in finding any sign of her fellow Crusader.

"Where is Apple Bloom?" questioned the filly Unicorn.

Spike got up with a start, afraid that he may have failed Twilight's last request. Rainbow Dash began to scan the immediate environment, also unsuccessful in locating Apple Bloom. However, she did notice Shining Armor's astray helmet... but no Shining Armor.

***

Apple Bloom walked beneath the trees, lost in thought, as slight sunlight filtered through the sheltered canopy. Her hooves brought her edge of an ancient stone staircase. Her eyes followed the overgrown path which led to the summit of some archaic structure. Apple Bloom climbed the steps, curious to why anypony would build something in the middle of nowhere. The Earth filly passed through the retired building, and found herself, once again, in the thick forest of her retreat.

"None of us should wander alone." Shining's voice pervaded the natural silence; the stallion took great care to sneak up on Apple Bloom.

Shining Armor picked up a large branch, and placed it on his back. Apple Bloom trained her eyes on the suspicious stallion.

"You, least of all. So much depends on you," Shining turned towards his filly companion, and noticed the apprehension which occupied the pony's countenance, "Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom turned away from Shining Armor; she wished not for Shining to suspect her distrust of him. Shining moved towards Apple Bloom; the filly once again faced Twilight's brother. The tiny Earth pony was unable to hide the caution which emanated from her complexion.

"I know why you seek solitude. You suffer. I see it day by day. You sure you do not suffer needlessly?" interrogated Shining Armor. His question preluded to what she feared the jealous stallion would utter.

"There are other ways, Apple Bloom. Other paths that we may take," pronounced Shining Armor.

"I know what you're going to say. And I would oblige, if I hadn't been warned against it," retorted Apple Bloom.

"Warning?" Shining Armor moved towards Apple Bloom, "Against what?"

Apple Bloom retreated from the approaching stallion. She feared that Shining would soon make a move for The Ring.

"We're all afraid, Apple Bloom," Shining Armor continued to approach the anxious filly, "But to let that fear drive us, to destroy what hope we have, don't you see that is madness."

"There is no other way!" resounded Apple Bloom, finally taking a stand against the conniving stallion.

"I only ask for the strength to defend Canterlot," Shining dashed his collected wood on the ground, and when he turned again to Apple Bloom, the filly noticed a slight anger distort his complexion, "If you would just lend me The Ring."

Shining Armor reached a hoof out towards Apple Bloom, but the filly only retreated.

"No." Apple Bloom would never succumb to Shining's demands. Twilight's warning had served to convince the filly otherwise.

"Why do you recoil? I am no thief," assured Shining Armor, an assurance that was betrayed by the increasing anger in his tone.

"You are not yourself," pronounced Apple Bloom; once again the filly took a stand against her oppressor.

Shining breathed heavily; the stallion was unsuccessful in masking his rage.

"What chance do you think you have?" Now malice intertwined itself in Shining's tone.

"They will find you. They will take The Ring. And you will beg for death before the end!" swore the once honorable guard.

Apple Bloom huffed at Shining's remark, and moved on, making the mistake of turning her back on the enraged stallion.

"You fool!" Shining moved on Apple Bloom; with every step towards the frightened filly, his passion became evermore apparent.

"It has only come to you by bad luck! It could have been mine," Shining raced after Apple Bloom, rapidly closing in on the tiny filly's stride, "It should be mine! Give it to me!"

Shining Armor tackled Apple Bloom, and made sure to stay on top of the nigh helpless filly. He battled Apple Bloom for The Ring; the tiny filly was only just able to withhold the enraged stallion's advance. In a last second act, Apple Bloom placed The Ring around her hoof, and disappeared into thin air. Shining halted his desperate scramble, surprised at the sudden absence of Apple Bloom. With Shining unaware of The Ring's power, Apple Bloom bucked the assaulting stallion off of her, and escaped into the forest.

Shining Armor recovered from Apple Bloom's gut-check, unwilling to relinquish his hatred for the filly.

"I see your mind," Shining yelled off into random direction, spinning wildly, "You will take The Ring to Sauron! You will betray us! You'll go to your death, and the death of us all!"

Shining rose from the forest floor, and patrolled the area like a savage Timberwolf.

"Curse you! Curse you, and all the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" cursed Shining Armor.

Fastened in a fit of rage, Shining didn't notice the tree trunk which he eventually stumbled over. The stallion's skull smashed into the ground, briefly knocking the Royal Guard unconscious. He awoke shaking; the realization of what he had just done rattled his frame.

"Apple Bloom?" called out Shining Armor.

"Apple Bloom," repeated the disoriented stallion, "What have I done?"

***

Apple Bloom raced through the mists of the Twilight world, past the foggy shapes of twisted trees. Somewhere behind her, she could hear Shining Armor's muffled voice, as if from another dimension.

"Apple Bloom, I'm sorry!" called out the distraught stallion.

Apple Bloom ignored the cries of her companion, instead she suddenly found herself on stone steps. Apple Bloom clambered up the stairs, onto a high seat, perched on four stone pillars. Apple Bloom cowered in the seat, like a lost child upon the throne of mountain kings; Twilight mist swirling around her. Apple Bloom peered out from the seat, scanning for the shadow form of Shining Armor. Instead, the world seemed to shrink as the stone structure she inhabited accelerated towards Barad-dûr, the fortress of Sauron. The high seat hastily made its way to the top of the tower, where the Eye of Sauron awaited Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom was petrified with fear; Sauron's Great Eye trained its gaze upon her. The Dark Lord spoke in the Black Speech, incomprehensible to the filly, but nonetheless frightening. With great effort, Apple Bloom retreated from Sauron's fiery gaze. However, her wrongful hoof placement tripped the filly, and she fell towards the Earth, just as she ripped The Ring from her hoof.

***

Back at camp, Pinkie Pie's tail twitched slightly, unnoticeable to all but the party pony.

"Twitcha, twitcha twitch," remarked the pink Earth mare.

***

Apple Bloom impacted the ground; the fall from the High Seat knocked the breath from her lungs. She recovered her breath, and placed a hoof over her heart, feeling the vital organ race. Apple Bloom scanned her surroundings, and noticed the lack of mist: she was back in the real land of Equestria.

A hoof slapped against the ground, and Apple Bloom rose quickly to face the nearby pony.

"Apple Bloom?" asked Rainbow Dash, the cyan Pegasus' brash tone was unmistakable to the inexperienced filly.

"It has taken Shining Armor," announced Apple Bloom; regret saturated her tone.

"Where is The Ring?" questioned Rainbow Dash, urgency apparent in the Pegasus' question.

"Stay away!" yelled Apple Bloom, quickly getting to her hooves as to escape the advancing Pegasus.

"Apple Bloom!" called out Rainbow Dash. Apple Bloom turned to face the cyan Pegasus, fear apparent on the filly's countenance.

"I swore to protect you," assured Rainbow Dash, holding out empty hooves as a sign of security.

"Can you protect me from yourself?" questioned Apple Bloom, worried that Rainbow may not be as strong of will as the now corrupted Shining Armor.

Apple Bloom raised her hoof, in her palm lay The Ring. The powerful artifact shined, gold and beautiful in the afternoon sun. Rainbow Dash's eyes were drawn to it. The cyan Pegasus moved towards the petrified Apple Bloom; an apparent countenance of curiosity clouded the Pegasus' complexion.

"Rainbow Dash," whispered The Ring, beckoning the loyal Pegasus to take the golden band back to its master.

Rainbow Dash reached a hoof out for The Ring, as if ready to take the band from Apple Bloom. Instead, she covered Apple Bloom's hoof, hiding the evil specimen from the eyes of all ponies. Rainbow once again fixed her gaze on Apple Bloom.

"I would have gone with you to the end. Into the very fires of the Smokey Mountain," pronounced the Element of Loyalty.

Rainbow relieved her hoof from The Ring, leaving the fate of the powerful band to the Ring-bearer, Apple Bloom.

"I know," assured Apple Bloom. A short silence pervaded between the two ponies.

"Look after the others. Especially Spike. He will not understand." requested Apple Bloom, a last wish before she left alone for her journey to the Smokey Mountain.

Rainbow Dash nodded, but was stopped short at Apple Bloom's waist.

"Go, Apple Bloom!" ordered Rainbow Dash, suddenly unsheathing her blade.

Apple Bloom looked down, and noticed Sting glowing blue, a sure sign of nearby Changelings.

"Run. Run!" yelled Rainbow Dash, to which Apple Bloom finally complied; the Earth filly fled into the forest behind the cyan Pegasus.

Rainbow Dash turned to face her opposition, with sword in hand, ready to die for Apple Bloom's safety.

Ch.41 The Breaking of the Fellowship

Rainbow Dash strode past the stone structure, to find an army of strange beasts ready for combat. It wasn't fear that gripped Rainbow Dash, for the cyan Pegasus feared no enemy; it was only a heightened sense of her environment. She could discern the breathing of each hostile before her, how their chitin hides remained dull and black in the face of the falling Sun. Rainbow could feel the anticipation of the draconian Changelings; the monster's opened their frightful jaws to intimidate the tiny Pegasus. But Rainbow Dash didn't feel fear, just a heightened sense of things.

A single Dovakniik charged the miniscule Pegasus; Rainbow Dash was only half the size of even the smallest hostile. The sound of claws tearing at the forest floor pervaded the Pegasus' sensitive ears. The Dovakniik advanced as if in slow motion; massive amounts of adrenaline pumped through Rainbow's body as she prepared herself for the inevitable onslaught. Rainbow Dash raised her sword, a warning for the blood-drunk monsters to retreat. But of course, her warning went unheeded, and the charging Dovakniik executed a downward smash aimed at the Pegasus.

Rainbow Dash dodged left, and the Dovakniik's claw smashed into the ground. She then countered with a slice to the legs, and dismembered the Dovakniik's weight-bearing appendages from its body; the first casualty roared defiantly as the blood slowly drained from its body. Another Dovakniik charged Rainbow Dash in an effort to swallow the mare whole. The beast's terrible maw opened wide, prepared to consume the tiny Pegasus in a single effort. But Rainbow sent her sword into the Dovakniik's mouth; the blade went through the creature's skull. The cyan Pegasus turned, and pulled her weapon from the Dovakniik's mouth; the dead monster dropped at her hooves.

Now the rest of the Dovakniik charged, either to surround Rainbow Dash, or move past her into the woods. Rainbow swung her sword at the draconian Changelings' waist level, trying to keep the frightful beasts at bay. But there were too many of the horrid creatures, and like their Changeling kin, the Dovakniik soon swarmed past Rainbow Dash's defenses. The cyan Pegasus was forced to climb the stairs leading to the High Seat, an advantageous strategy, as the Dovakniik were unable to overcome the Pegasus in the chokehold of the staircase.

***

"Apple Bloom!" called out Spike as he ventured into the forest, searching for his missing comrade.

Suddenly, the sound of clanging metal and dropping bodies infiltrated his draconian ears. He turned towards the source of such commotion, and saw the fleeting form of chitin-covered beasts as they ventured into the forest, possibly searching for Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bloom!" called Spike again, as he dashed into the forest, in a near-impossible chance that he would find Apple Bloom before the army of Dovakniik did.

***

"FIND THE FILLY! FIND THE FILLY!" yelled Vring, ordering the majority of his brothers into the forest. Their main objective was to find Nightmare Moon's prize, and not the destruction of an impressively skilled mare.

Rainbow Dash heard the roar of the Dovakniik leader, which was then accompanied by the retreat of her attackers into the forest. While the cyan Pegasus may have been a fast flyer, only on the ground could she ensure that Apple Bloom had the chance to escape the Dovakniik. Rainbow galloped to the edge of the structure, and leapt off screaming, "DARING DO" as she fell over three of the massive beasts.

Rainbow Dash quickly turned onto her back, and thrust her sword into the hardened gut of an approaching Dovakniik. The beast fell into her blade, trapping the cyan Pegasus under its gargantuan frame. Discovering Rainbow's sudden moment of weakness, three Dovakniik charged the helpless Pegasus, ready to finish off the troublesome pony.

One Dovakniik was vaporized by an azure magic bolt. The second was sent flying back by a cannon ball which collided with its face. The last Dovakniik was tackled by an enraged mess of fur and foul breath, as Rover's sharp claws effortlessly ripped the beast apart. Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Rover emerged from the forest and began to assault the army of fleeing Dovakniik. Pinkie Pie aided Rainbow Dash, and helped to move the dead Dovakniik corpse from her flailing body. Once free, Rainbow Dash rejoined the fight, assisting her comrades in the effort to stop anymore Dovakniik from entering the forest.

"Go, Rainbow Dash!" ordered Rarity.

Rainbow Dash fled into the forest, and used her wings to fly over the searching Dovakniik, while scanning the forest for Apple Bloom.

***

Apple Bloom fled deeper into the forest, the Dovakniik a few gallops behind. Slowly, the charging beasts closed in on Apple Bloom; their large strides overcoming the filly's quick pace. The head Dovakniik reached a claw out for Apple Bloom, a hair length away from grabbing the pony's collar. Suddenly, Rainbow Dash slammed into the creature, knocking the beast to the ground. The cyan Pegasus quickly followed with a chop to the monster's neck, decapitating the surprised Dovakniik.

Rainbow again took up Apple Bloom's defense, using her superior speed to stop the Dovakniik from passing her. But again, the overwhelming numbers of the beasts overcame Rainbow's defense, and still large numbers of Dovakniik fled into the forest, searching for Apple Bloom. While Apple Bloom had her head start, she galloped deep into a denser portion of the forest; the many trees blocked any line-of-sight the massive Dovakniik had on the tiny filly.

Apple Bloom compressed her body into the smooth grooves of a tree trunk, and kept herself silent as some Dovakniik passed her woodland shelter. Soon, a small number of Dovakniik passed, and Apple Bloom was safe for what time Rainbow Dash could hold off the Dovakniik reinforcements.

"Apple Bloom!" called Sweetie Belle; the alabaster filly hid with Scootaloo within the rotted remains of a nearby hollow.

Apple Bloom turned towards her friends, who were gesturing her over to their shelter.

"Hide here. Quick!" ordered Scootaloo.

"Come on!" hailed Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom met her friends' gaze, and shook her head. The Earth filly tweaked her neck towards the direction of the boats; a great look of sadness occupied Apple Bloom's countenance. Scootaloo met Apple Bloom's gaze, and an abbreviated understanding was shared between the two ponies.

"What's she doing?" Sweetie Belle asked Scootaloo, confused as to why Apple Bloom hesitated to join them.

"She's leaving," Scootaloo whispered softly. Sweetie Belle's gaze quickly craned towards Apple Bloom; no way would the alabaster Unicorn abandon a fellow Cutie Mark Crusader.

"NO!" screamed Sweetie Belle, leaping from her hollow.

"What are you doing?" Scootaloo grabbed her friend's coat, and was subsequently pulled from the hollow as well.

A roar rang out from behind the two fillies. They turned to find a single Dovakniik gesturing to his comrades... they had been seen! Soon, a small patrol of Dovaknik emerged from the dense forest, charging towards Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. The two revealed Crusaders turned to their hidden comrade, and found Apple Bloom's complexion to be pleading.

"Gallop, Apple Bloom! Go on!" ordered Scootaloo, to which Apple Bloom complied, and immediately fled into the forest, heading towards the boats.

Scootaloo turned towards the charging Dovakniik, and her wings began to buzz violently. The orange Pegasus folded her forehooves to her side, and began to bawk.

"Bawk, bawk, bawk," impersonated Scootaloo, sounding rather like a chicken.

"What was that?" questioned Sweetie Belle; the filly's knees vibrated, anxious to leave.

"I don't know! I think it was a chicken impression. Now run!" answered Scootaloo, followed by her sudden departure into the forest with Sweetie Belle, while a horde of Dovakniik charged after them.

***

Rarity continued to vaporize the many fleeing Dovakniik with her magic, her power accented thanks to the crown which rested on her head. Her offensive measures created a hole through the Dovakniik horde, as she, Pinkie Pie and Rover made their way to Rainbow Dash, whom they could hear exchanging blows with the Dovakniik. Eventually, the trio reacquainted with their cyan comrade, and began a new defense, which more effectively kept the charging Dovakniik hordes at bay.

Rarity's horn impaled itself into the eye of a hungry Dovakniik. Rainbow sent her sword through the belly of another draconian Changeling, and slammed its head against a nearby tree. Rover tackled individual Dovakniik with reckless abandon; once on the ground, the Dovakniik had no chance against the jaw and the claws of the animalistic Diamond Dog. And Pinkie Pie kept the hordes of Dovakniik at bay with her party cannon; the projectiles of such a weapon obliterated multiple members of the advancing horde.

***

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle retreated into the forest opposite of Apple Bloom's direction, coaxing the numerous Dovakniik from their fleeing friend. The fillys' small stature afforded them greater agility as they seamlessly passed through the constrained areas between the trees, a matter the cumbersome Dovakniik had trouble with. But soon, the two fillies reached a clearing in the forest, with Dovakniik on all sides rushing to capture them.

Trapped, and with nowhere to go, the fillies were helpless to halt the advance of the Dovakniik. Soon, one of the chitin-covered beasts reached the helpless fillies, its claws open to snag its prize. Suddenly, the creature's hands were cut off, as Shining Armor joined the fight. The trained stallion bucked the beast away, leaving him and his friends' room for a defense.

Two Dovakniik, one for Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, raced towards the fillies, as Shining Armor was occupied with another of the beasts. Unsuspecting any opposition, the two Dovakniik were quickly eliminated, as the two fillies slipped their Alicornian daggers into the hearts of their attackers. Finished with his Dovakniik, Shining Armor pulled out a dagger, and launched it into the eye of a charging Dovakniik, killing the beast in short order.

***

Rainbow Dash was forced against the trunk of a tree, as she resisted the strength of the Dovakniik she grappled. While Rainbow was occupied, Rarity set off a chain of attacks which vaporized five Dovakniik in quick succession. Now free, Rarity turned towards her strangled comrade, as Rainbow was lifted into the air by the Dovakniik, who had its back to Rarity. Soon, the Dovakniik was vaporized, and Rainbow fell to the hard floor, recovering her breath.

Rarity approached the mare, offering her hoof out to help. Rainbow Dash graciously accepted, and was pulled to her feet. Suddenly, an echo pervaded the forests around Rarity, Rover, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. It was the horn of Canterlot.

"The horn of Canterlot," remarked Rarity.

"Shining Armor," finished Rainbow Dash, before departing towards the intrusive noise, her comrades following close behind.

***

Shining Armor flipped a Dovakniik over his back; the beast's neck was crushed under the weight of its body. Shining Armor, along with the fillies, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, retreated deeper into the forest. The Royal Guard blew his horn again, calling for aid and drawing the horde of Dovakniik from Apple Bloom's trail.

***

The horn of Canterlot became louder as Rainbow Dash and her companions advanced on Shining Armor's position. The cyan Pegasus leapt over a log, to find the swinging form of a waiting Dovakniik. The Pegasus rolled in the air, and the creature's claws missed her body. Rainbow regained her footing behind the beast, and sent her blade into the draconian Changeling's spine, killing the monster instantly. The other three soon joined, and together, the troop made their way to Shining's position.

***

Shining Armor parried a Dovakniik's claw as it swung down upon him. The stallion pushed up on his blade, knocking the beast's arm back, giving him the opening to sever the creature's appendage from its body. Green blood spilled from the Dovaniik's stump, and Shining bucked the beast back; it died slowly on the forest floor as the blood pooled from its body. Another Dovakniik charged the Royal Guard, but was caught by surprise as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo tripped the beast, and sent their daggers into its body at multiple locations.

Shining turned towards yet another Dovakniik, and quickly decapitated the hostile form before it could strike. But still, a nigh endless swarm of the draconian Changelings charged over the hills, like a colony of giant ants.

"Run! Run!' yelled Shining Armor, pushing the fillies to retreat from their hopeless situation.

Two Dovakniik charged the Captain at once. The first swiped down at Shining Armor, to which he dodged by jumping back. The beast's claws became stuck in the ground, and Shining sent his blade through the Dovakniik's skull. The second fared no better, as Shining pulled his blade from the corpse of his dead enemy and thrust it again into the body of the second Dovakniik.

A distance from the fight, the fillies, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle began throwing rocks at the approaching horde of Dovakniik, impeding the effort of the beasts to kidnap the two ponies. With chucking stones, and swinging swords, Shining Armor and the two Cutie Mark Crusaders relinquished no ground to the advancing Dovakniik, but that was all about to change.

Advancing over a hill was Vring; the alpha Dovakniik possessed the only forged weapon any of his fellow Dovakniik owned: a bow. While Shining Armor continued to slay his comrades, Vring readied his bow. A single arrow fit perfectly on the bow string. Vring pulled the string back, the long-range weapon aimed at Shining Armor. Vring let the arrow go, and the fatal projectile flew towards Shining's unaware form.

The arrow slammed into Shining Armor's shoulder, knocking the massive pony off his feet. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo ceased their offense, and paused to look at the fallen body of Shining Armor. Miraculously though, Shining recovered his footing and began his assault on the charging Dovakniik. The stallion screamed in agony, but he failed to fall; he would not let the Dovakniik have the fillies.

Vring moved further down the hill, placing himself closer to the unrelenting target. The alpha Dovakniik placed another arrow on the bowstring, and pulled back, again taking aim at Shining Armor. This time, Shining noticed the bow-wielding beast, but it is too late. Vring lets the arrow fly, and it collided with Shining's chest, again knocking the pony over.

But what would've been a fatal blow didn't stop Shining Armor. The stallion recovered again, this time roaring in blood lust, as he swung wildly at the horde of approaching Dovakniik; the Royal Guard was unstoppable. Vring roared at the pony, unsatisfied that the stallion could survive so many arrows. So, again, Vring loaded an arrow into his bow. The alpha Dovakniik pulled the string back, taking aim once again at Shining Armor. Blood drunk, Shining didn't notice Vring fire another arrow at him, a mistake which would cost him his life.

A third arrow placed itself in Shining's lung; the stallion's breath fled from his body. Knocked to his knees once again, Shining failed to recuperate, and was forced to watch as the swarming Dovakniik overpowered Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, and carried them off into the forest. Strangely though, the other Dovakniik passed Shining's half dead body, ignoring the pony who single hoofedly slaughtered many of their brethren.

The horde of Dovakniik passed Shining Armor, with the exception of Vring, who stood before him, with another arrow aimed at the stallion's heart. The two champions, of evil and good, matched their gaze. Vring smiled at Shining Armor, satisfied that he may finally end the stubborn stallion's life. But Shining didn't fear the monster before him. Instead, his thoughts were occupied with visions of his wife, Princess Cadence, and his late sister, Twilight Sparkle.

"I- I have failed you both," choked Shining Armor, hoping to be forgiven by the two ponies whom he wished to be with in his last moments.

The arrow flew from the bow, but was sent a random direction, as Rainbow Dash tackled Vring. The cyan Pegasus launched herself off of Vring, maintaining a distance between herself and the massive Dovakniik. Vring charged the cyan Pegasus, launching wave after wave of shredding claws, in a hope to eviscerate the pony. Rainbow countered each blow with her sword, but the superior strength of the Dovakniik pushed her into a tree. Vring grabbed Rainbow's neck, slowly squeezing the life from the troublesome Pegasus.

Rainbow Dash, in a final effort, bucked Vring in the gut, knocking the air from the beast's lungs. The cyan Pegasus rolled away from the alpha Dovakniik, and reached her sword once again. Vring, recovered in breath, charged Rainbow Dash, trying to stomp the insignificant Pegasus. Vring missed with his first stomp, and Rainbow sent her blade into the beast's leg. Vring roared in pain, and kicked Rainbow Dash aside, as he worked to remove the steel blade from his appendage. With Rainbow Dash at a distance, Vring pulled the blood soaked sword from his leg, and licked it clean, savoring the vile taste of his own blood.

Vring then threw the weapon at Rainbow Dash, which the cyan Pegasus caught in midair. The two foes then charged again at each other, this time Rainbow on the offense as she swung wildly at the alpha Dovakniik. One swing from her swing eviscerated an arm from Vring's body, which was then followed by the steel sword being plunged into Vring's gut. Vring looked down at the blade which was impaled in his form, and pulled it further in, leading the cyan Pegasus closer to his open maw.

Rainbow, in a final strike, ripped the blade from Vring's body, and swung at the alpha Dovakniik's neck. Her attack rang true, and Vring's head was sliced from his body. Rainbow Dash had won the fight.

Ch.42 The Departure of Shining Armor

Exhausted from the prolonged battle against the Dovakniik, Rainbow Dash relinquished the adrenaline in her veins for the promise of a rejuvenating breath. The cyan Pegasus looked around, the bodies of incalculable Dovakniik lay strewn across the leaf-littered floor of the forest; their green blood painted the foliage. To her left, Rainbow Dash discerned the numerous dead of her enemies, but to her right, the cyan Pegasus noticed the bloodstained form of the fallen Shining Armor.

"No!" exclaimed the Pegasus as she raced towards her terminal comrade. The closer she approached, the louder the stallion's gasping breaths pervaded into her ears like the clashing of blades.

Rainbow Dash approached Shining Armor, careful to keep her distance, as to not contact the three arrows which littered the dying Guard's body; red blood slowly leaked from wounds that Shining Armor sustained. Shining Armor, sensing the presence of the pony, suddenly grabbed for Rainbow Dash, a reaction that almost brought the Pegasus back to arms.

"They took the little ones," stated Shining Armor. With each word, a painful gasp escaped the stallion's lips.

"Hold still." Rainbow Dash held back the stallion's embrace, and reached out to stem the flow of blood from Shining's numerous wounds.

Again, the stallion tried to grab Rainbow Dash; this attempt was more panicked than before.

"Apple Bloom. Where is Apple Bloom?" asked Shining Armor.

Rainbow Dash suddenly met Shining's gaze. Was the dying stallion still within the grasp of The Ring's corruption?

"I let Apple Bloom go," answered Rainbow Dash, hoping her answer would bring peace to the mortal stallion.

Shining Armor smiled. He now knew that his efforts to forcefully take The Ring from Apple Bloom did nothing to impede the escape of the important filly.

"Then you did what I could not," Shining stuttered, his last precious seconds being consumed by speech, "I tried to take The Ring from her."

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes for a second; a vivid vision of the expiring stallion before her attempting to take The Ring from Apple Bloom invaded her mind, too much for the Pegasus' conscious to deal with at one moment. The cyan Pegasus opened her eyes again, and realized the rapid rate which the life in Shining's eyes depleted.

"The Ring is beyond our reach now," assured Rainbow Dash.

"Forgive me. I did not see... I have failed you all." Shining's stuttering grew worse, like a clock noticeably ticking louder as it approached the Witches' Hour.

"No, Shining Armor," interjected Rainbow Dash, "You fought bravely. You gave your life to defend Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. You still have your honor."

Rainbow Dash yet again focussed her efforts on stemming the flow of crimson blood from the trifecta of Shining's wounds, and like last time, Shining Armor reached a hoof out to stop the Pegasus.

"Leave it," ordered Shining Armor; with each gasp, the blood pumped from his injuries, "It is over. The world of Ponies will fall. And all will come to darkness... and Canterlot to ruin. And I will not be there to defend my city."

"Shining Armor," Rainbow Dash grabbed the Royal Guard's shoulder in an assuring embrace, "Though I may not be as strong as Applejack, or as smart as Twilight, I promise that I will not let Canterlot fall, nor all of Ponykind fail."

"And I thought you were above humility." A departing smile grew on Shining's complexion. The stallion then turned to his right, where his bloodstained blade lay beyond his reach.

Rainbow Dash grabbed the sword, and placed it in Shining's hoof. An honorable warrior should always die with his weapon. Shining, with sword in hand, brought the blade to his chest, and let the tool lay across his body. Behind the two departing fighters, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rover made an appearance. The trio noticed Rainbow Dash crouched over the dying form of Shining Armor.

"I would have followed you, Rainbow Dash. My Queen," departed Shining Armor, "And please, Rainbow Dash. If you ever see my wife again, tell-- tell her I love--."

Shining gasped one last time, unable to complete his final message. The blood draining from his injuries became thin and bright-red, as water seeped from the stallion's wounds. Shining Armor was now dead, the warrior gone to meet his maker. The presiding members of the Fellowship bowed their heads, in reverence for the stallion who gave his life for the safety of his friends. Slight tears escaped the eyes of Rainbow Dash, and the Pegasus kissed Shining's lips: a departing gift for the honorable Captain.

"Be at peace, and know that I will carry your message to Princess Cadence." Rainbow Dash retreated from Shining's lifeless form. The cyan Pegasus turned to her companions, the diverse group still bowed in a ritualistic respect for the past stallion.

"Let us go, my friends. Canterlot will be expecting its Captain, but all it shall receive is our arrival," pronounced the sullen Pegasus to her equally morose company.

Ch.43 The Road Goes Ever On...

Apple Bloom stood alone on the beach, staring out into the empty river. The boats stood ready: the supplies necessary for the trip to the Smokey Mountain already available. What irony it was that Apple Bloom, arguably the weakest member of the Fellowship, would escape unscathed from the recent battle, while everypony else would most likely suffer death and injury at the hands of Sauron's forces. Such was the fate of Applejack, the first pony to die protecting the weak, and it was all Apple Bloom's fault. The Earth filly knew this, after all, if she hadn't been so weak, Applejack would've been able to concentrate on her own survival, while Apple Bloom did the same.

But such was Fate's cruelty: the irony of the strong protecting the weak, which confounds the process of Natural Selection. But no more; Apple Bloom had decided to travel to the Smoky Mountain herself, thereby eliminating the need for any more of her companions to die protecting the near-helpless filly.

***

Spike ran through the forest, distraught not from Apple Bloom's deception, but that he had literally fallen asleep on the job, allowing Apple Bloom the opportunity to escape from his ever-watchful eyes.

"Apple Bloom!" called Spike. The dragon hoped above all else that Apple Bloom was safe, lest he break his promise to the late Twilight Sparkle.

***

The Ring sat motionless in Apple Bloom's hoof, and still the filly stared out towards the flowing river. All it would take to rid her of The Ring forever, would be a quick toss. But the filly remained fixed on the beach; while it would be easy to rid herself of The Ring, Apple Bloom couldn't bear the thought of betraying the trust of Rainbow Dash and the late Twilight Sparkle. The Earth filly had made a promise to send the cursed Ring back to the fiery pit from whence it came, and as Celestia was her witness, she wouldn't break that promise.

A single tear flowed down Apple Bloom's cheek, but not even the salty sting of sadness manifested could stop the Earth filly now. Apple Bloom marched towards a boat, and heaved her equine body against the stout, wooden frame of the raft. Not even the boat would impede Apple Bloom's quest, as the watertight barge slid effortlessly into the water. Once floating, Apple Bloom jumped into the craft, and began paddling down the river, creating an impassable distance from the wooded beach in short time.

Spike emerged from the forest, and spotted Apple Bloom paddling away. The desperate dragon ran to the edge of the beach, calling out to the escaping filly, "Apple Bloom, no! Apple Bloom!"

Apple Bloom didn't afford her draconian caretaker a glance, she just continued to paddle away, hoping her silence would dissuade the dragon. However, as the late Twilight Sparkle realized long ago, once Spike set himself to a task, he would never stop till his task was completed. The purple dragon slowly marched into the river, and with each step, the water slowly encroached up the dragon's body.

The sound of splashing tore Apple Bloom from her paddling, and the Earth filly turned to see Spike trudging through the water, which was now past his waist.

"Go away, Spike. I'm going to the Smokey Mountain alone!" proclaimed Apple Bloom, still paddling away.

"Of course you are. And I'm coming with you!" responded Spike, still trudging further into the river; the water was now past his shoulders.

"You can't swim!" screamed Apple Bloom. Except for his head, Spike's entire body was now underwater.

Ignoring Apple Bloom's warning, Spike continued marching towards the boat, which paused in the center of the river's width. However, Apple Bloom was right: Spike couldn't swim. The dragon's heavy scales forced him towards the bottom of the river, but Spike continued to defy his natural inhibitions with desperate paddling. But even his determination couldn't deny what was natural to his species, and Spike began to sink towards the bottom of the river.

"Spike!" called Apple Bloom, as the dragon's head finally submerged beneath the flowing waves of the River Isen.

Now underwater, Spike still struggled to reach Apple Bloom, but his efforts were in vain. His heavy scales acted as an anchor, slowly pulling him down into the airless depths of the River Isen, where he would never be seen again. Spike held his breath as long as he could, but the need for oxygen forced him to open his mouth, and accept the torrent of water which infiltrated his lungs. The dragon became still, the lack oxygen causing his body to slowly shut down. A pity this would be the end for Spike, instead of being killed protecting Apple Bloom, or even dying of old age, with his wife, Rarity, at his side. The dragon pushed against the emptiness of death, but slowly, the darkness overtook him, as he was helpless to escape the watery grave which he inhabited.

Spike sunk to the bottom of the river, his claws suspended uselessly in the liquid depths. But suddenly, a hoof wrapped around his claw. The dragon, with what little sense remained, grasped the helping hoof, which swiftly pulled his draconian frame towards the surface. Spike breached the water, and was pulled into the boat by Apple Bloom, both equally wet from their dip into the River Isen. The dragon coughed and sputtered as his now conscious mind forced the water from his lungs. Spike recovered, and his gaze met Apple Bloom's; unnoticeable tears of joy fell from the filly's eyes, as she was overjoyed that another of her friends hadn't died for her.

"I made a promise, Apple Bloom. A promise: "Don't you leave her, Spike." And I'm not gong to break that promise." With that said, the two friends embraced each other, crying happily.

The embrace eventually ended, and once again the two friends locked their gazes.

"Come on, Spike," ordered Apple Bloom, before she and her draconian companion grabbed the oars and continued to paddle downriver.

***

Shining Armor's body lay in a boat which lowly travelled downriver. The late stallion's forehooves were laid on his chest, holding his weapon. Rarity had taken respectable care of Shining's corpse for its final send-off. Shining Armor's body was dressed in clean garbs, which covered the wounds which were once filled with arrows. The free remnants of the Fellowship, namely: Rainbow Dash, Rover, Rarity and Pinkie Pie, watched as Shining's corpse slowly drifted downriver, in the same direction as the escaped filly, Apple Bloom, and her draconian companion, Spike.

Rover, with what strength remained with him after the consuming battle within the nearby forest, pushed the last boat into the water, ready to give chase to the other waterborne members of the Fellowship.

"I can still smell Apple Bloom. If we leave now, we could regroup with them by nightfall," announced Rover.

The Diamond Dog, hearing no reply from his companions, turned to see Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie is sitting idly, while Rarity marched off into the forest, in the same direction as the Dovakniik.

"Where are you going?" asked Rover. The Diamond Dog departed his boat, and began to trail Rarity.

"I'm going to save my sister. I'm not going to leave her to be tormented by those ghastly beasts," responded the determined Unicorn.

"What about Apple Bloom? We can't let her go off on her own. She's only a filly," stated the Diamond Dog. Rover looked amongst his silent companions, hoping that one of them would agree with his logic.

"Apple Bloom's fate is no longer in our hooves," quipped Rainbow Dash.

"So you mean not to follow them?" questioned Rover.

"Apple Bloom's a tough filly; she can take care of herself. Plus she has Spike. If you want to go after them, fine, but I will not leave Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle to torment and death at the hands of Nightmare Moon's minions," continued Rainbow Dash.

"Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has failed, and on top of that, with the death of Twilight and Applejack, the Elements of Harmony have been broken," stated Pinkie Pie, her hair now flat from the realization of their failure.

Rainbow Dash approached her depressed comrade, and placed a hoof on the pink mare's shoulder.

"Don't be sad, Pinkie Pie. We still have each other, and so we have not failed. We can still do some good by saving Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle from a gruesome fate." Rainbow Dash retreated from her embrace with Pinkie Pie, and began to collect essentials from the last boat.

"Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light." Fully collected, Rainbow Dash looked amongst her remaining companions.

"Let's hunt some Dovakniik," finished the cyan Pegasus, before she too, like Rarity, marched into the forest after the Dovakniik.

Rover matched Pinkie Pie's gaze, and with an inspired bark, the Diamond Dog followed Rainbow Dash into the forest. Behind Rover, Pinkie's hair inflated, and an encompassing smile once again took hold of the jubilant pony's countenance.

"Can I bring my party cannon?" joked Pinkie Pie, before she too followed Rainbow Dash into the forest after the Dovakniik.

***

Spike and Apple Bloom, after many days floating along the River Isen, finally reached their objective: the Rambling Rock Ridge, the first step on their path towards the Unicorn Range. Elevated by the mountainous structures which populated the ridge, the pair could discern the raging volcano called the Smokey Mountain, slightly hidden by the foul fumes which collected like clouds around the destructive furnace.

"The Unicorn Range," announced Apple Bloom, breaking the natural silence of the surrounding ridge, "I hope the others find a safer way."

Spike placed a claw on Apple Bloom's shoulder, an assuring gesture for the worrisome pony.

"Rainbow Dash will look after them," assured Spike.

"I don't suppose we'll ever see them again," continued Apple Bloom.

"We may yet, Apple Bloom. We may yet." Spike's claw didn't leave Apple Bloom's shoulder, just like he wouldn't leave the filly alone to complete this arduous journey .

Apple Bloom smiled; Spike's optimism was palpable. The Earth filly turned to match her friend's gaze.

"Spike... I'm glad you're with me," remarked Apple Bloom. The filly looked upon the dragon with great affection, and even though the situation was grim, Spike remained undeterred

And so the two friends, one a pony, and the other a dragon, continued towards the Unicorn Range.

Ch.1 Concerning The Apple Family

Ch.1 Concerning The Apple Family

Granny Smith was an old, but surprisingly spirited, Earth Pony. Her fur was a light green, same as the apples based upon her namesake. She had an apple pie pasted on her flank as her Cutie Mark, and her mane and tail were the same white. She sat in her well lit study, at a varnished oak wood desk surrounded by maps and tomes from all across Equestria. However, her attention was focused upon the book that lay on the desk before her, in which she had written only one thing: "There and Back Again: A Ponies Tale. By Granny Smith."

Granny turned the page, and stared at the blank paper before her. Faced with a blank slate, The old Earth pony leaned back in her chair, and asked herself, "Now...where to begin?"

Granny Smith paused at her question, and considered her words carefully. A process in which she thought up a decent beginning to her book.

"Ah, yes," she remarked to herself. She then sat forward, bit down on the end of a pencil, and began writing the first chapter of her story.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Concerning The Apple Family

The Apple Family has been living and growing apples in Ponyville since the time in which my father settled here. We were quite content to ignore and be ignored by the world of the 'Civilized Ponies', unless of course they were here to buy our apples and apple products. Equestria, after all, full of strange creatures and places beyond count, our little apple orchard must have seemed of little importance, as we were neither renowned as the biggest apple orchard in Equestria, nor possessing any talent other than growing apples, or in my papa's case, collecting seeds.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

A knock on the door distracted Granny Smith from her book. She was quite perplexed as to who would be here at this time, and she wondered if the knocker in question had read the sign posted on the door of the house, which read: "No Visitors, Only Birthday Party Business Excused".

'Maybe it's that-there Pinkie Pie,' Granny Smith thought to herself, after taking out the pencil from her mouth, "That silly Pony has been a-coming and a-going a lot as of late."

But, as it was Pinkie's business in Ponyville to organize all parties, it was acceptable for her to be around constantly at this time.

"Apple Bloom! Someone's at the door!" Granny called to her filly granddaughter. Hearing no response, and no further knocking, Granny Smith bit down on the same pencil, and returned to her book.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

In fact, it has been remarked by some that the Apple family's only real passion is for eating the apples they so zealously protect. A rather unfair observation, as we have also developed a keen interest in the brewing of apple cider, and the collecting of zap apples every once a year. But where our hearts truly lie, is in peace, and good tilled earth. For all Apples share a love of things that grow. And yes, while the selling of Zap Apple Jam has caused the town of Ponyville to build up around our apple orchard, our ways would still seem quaint to many other, more 'Civilized Ponies'. But today of all days, it is brought home to me: It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

A second knock disturbed Granny Smith from her book yet again, to which she dropped her pencil and called for Apple Bloom...again, "Apple Bloom! The door!"

Granny Smith waited for a response, but another knock disturbed the perpetual silence of her house.

"Pony feathers, where is that filly? APPLE BLOOM!" called Granny Smith.

Ch.12 The Cutie Mark Crusaders... And Spike

Ch.12 The Cutie Mark Crusaders... And Spike

Apple Bloom and Spike paved through a corn grove. Six foot stalks decreased their visibility to almost nothing, and both travelers hoped they weren't going in the wrong direction. Apple Bloom pushed through, with Spike falling behind... again. The Earth filly found a dirt path, and followed it, ignorant of her companion's delay.

Spike eventually found the path, but Apple Bloom was nowhere in sight. He looked behind him, and seeing no sign of Apple Bloom still, he sprinted up the dirt path. Spike's heart beat wildly; his breathing became erratic, but it wasn't the physical strain on his body that caused these signs. No, it was the fear. Spike feared to lose track of Apple Bloom, and therefore break his promise to Twilight Sparkle.

"Apple Bloom? Apple Bloom!" called the dragon, hoping the young filly was in earshot. He heard rustling up ahead, and stopped. Apple Bloom trotted into his line-of-sight.

"I thought I'd lost you." Spike recovered his breath, relieved that Apple Bloom was still safe.

"What are you talking about?" asked Apple Bloom. She was curious as to why Spike thought she would leave him behind.

"It's just something Twilight said," Spike answered, remembering his promise to the lavender Unicorn.

"What did she say?" Apple Bloom was still curious. What had Twilight said that shook up Spike so much?

"Don't you lose her, Spike. And I don't mean to." Spike walked up to his friend, ready to continue the quest.

"Spike, we're not that far from Ponyville. What could happen?" That's when the universe delivered its answer.

Spike was suddenly tackled by something taller than him, and he saw the same thing happen to Apple Bloom. His senses recovered, and he noticed the two antagonists were none other than Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. It seems the Cutie Mark Crusaders were back together.

Scootaloo got up, dusting herself off from her recent contact. She noticed a filly on the ground in front of her. But this wasn't no ordinary filly: it was Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bloom? Hey Sweetie Belle, it's Apple Bloom," Scootaloo called to Sweetie Belle; the ivory filly was herself recovering from smashing into Spike.

"Hey, Apple Bloom!" exclaimed Sweetie Belle, excited to see a familiar face. Their moment of friendship was ruined by Spike, who bucked the filly Unicorn off of him.

"Get off me," ordered the dragon. He then went over to Apple Bloom, and pushed Scootaloo away.

"Get off her." Spike only wished to protect Apple Bloom, and he knew that both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were trouble. Spike took a step, and heard a crunch. He looked down to discern the noise maker, to find...

"Carrots? Where did you get these?" Spike asked Scootaloo, who was in the process of retrieving her vegetable loot from the dirt floor.

Spike looked around, realizing the answer to such a useless question. They were in a corn field, which probably meant they were on somepony's farm.

"You stole these, didn't you?" accused Spike, pointing a menacing claw at Scootaloo. Scootaloo didn't have to answer, as the party heard barking not too far behind them, and saw a pitchfork raised over the corn. It was quite obvious at the moment that the farmer was quite perturbed at the theft that had recently taken place.

Sweetie Belle, recovered from the buck Spike gave her, grabbed Apple Bloom and pushed the Earth filly into the corn grove. Scootaloo followed, forgetting to bring Spike along. Spike stood there, petrified with fear at the idea of what punishment awaited him by the pitchfork-wielding farmer. Gruesome imaginings flowed through his consciousness, which further stiffened his frame.

"Come on you silly dragon," said Scootaloo, who returned and pulled Spike into the thick corn stalks.

"I don't know why he's so upset. It was only a couple of carrots," defended Scootaloo, twisting the crime as to make it seem less criminal.

"And some cabbages. And those three bags of potatoes that we lifted last week. And then the mushrooms the week before," added Sweetie Belle, completely demolishing the pair's defense.

"Yes, Sweetie Belle. My point is he's clearly overreacting." The four friends continued running, hoping to lose the angry farmer behind them. Sadly, the only thing they lost was their footing, as they failed to see the cliff which bordered the field of corn.

The three ponies and the dragon tumbled down the cliffside, miraculously not smashing into any trees or big rocks. They eventually met the conclusion of their fall at the base of the hill in a pony pile

"Oh, that was close," remarked Sweetie Belle, who stared at a pile of dung not five inches from her face.

Scootaloo groaned, and raised her upper body, as her legs were trapped under the mass collection of her friends. Pain wrinkled her face, and she reached behind her back.

"I think I've broken something," reported the filly Pegasus. She found the source of discomfort and pulled it out, finding a carrot that was snapped in half.

"Trust a Pegasus and a Unicorn! Ha!" laughed Spike, who rolled himself off of the pile, and dusted himself off.

"What? That was just a detour. A short cut," confirmed Sweetie Belle, her coat shining white, despite falling down a dirt cliff. Must've been the lessons from Rarity.

"A shortcut to what?" Spike was not amused by the fact that the two troublesome fillies have already caused him so much trouble, after only meeting them five minutes ago.

"Mushrooms!" called out Scootaloo.

Scootaloo's realization excited everyone but Apple Bloom, as the other three members of the Earth filly's party rushed to collect the small, brown mushrooms which grew underneath the loamy undergrowth of the nearby trees. Instead of joining her friends, Apple Bloom glanced down the road which they rested on. The filly realized their intrepid group resided on wooded road, something Twilight Sparkle had warned the filly against.

"I think we should get off the road." Apple Bloom's warning fell on deaf ears. Her companions were preoccupied with the mushrooms that Scootaloo found.

Apple Bloom returned her gaze to the road. The filly was now tense and watchful, as she finally discerned the sound of horse hooves which resounded down the beaten lane.

"We should get off the road," repeated Apple Bloom, addressing her otherwise preoccupied companions once again.

Suddenly, a long drawn wail echoed down the cut path from an otherworldly source; like a cry from an evil and lovely creature. The three mushroom collectors paid no heed, but Apple Bloom became frightened. The roads were very dangerous indeed.

"Get off the road!" yelled Apple Bloom. Her friends took notice to the Earth filly's verbal urgency, and raced to the ditch on the other side of the compact path. The four friends found a shaded area under a tree root, and positioned themselves there, ready for whatever was to come.

Silence prevailed throughout the forest, for what short time it lasted. Clopping penetrated the unnatural quiet, and heavy breathing could be heard above the hiding ponies and the dragon. The black rider: hooded and faceless, approached the tree which the party hid under. The Nazgul sniffed the air, and moved towards their hiding place, as if it were trying to catch an elusive scent. Apple Bloom glanced up, and noticed the armored hooves of the creature: cruel blades which raked the ground with each step.

The creatures of the forest departed the area: spiders scurried forth, and centipedes crawled away from the demonic presence of the unholy creature. Apple Bloom felt an ecstasy befall her; her eyes closed to the mental orgasm which The Ring engineered. Apple Bloom took The Ring into her hoof, and slowly inched the other hoof towards it. She too, like the being above her, desired for The Ring to be found.

Spike grabbed the Earth filly's leg, pulling the Apple's hoof away from her other hoof. This woke Apple Bloom up, and she quickly hid The Ring. Spike then grabbed the broken carrot which Scootalo gripped, and threw it off down the road. The carrot made a sizeable disturbance, and the Ringwraith retreated at a frightening speed to investigate the noise, screeching as it left.

The four friends ran off through the forest, where they hoped the foul creature would not follow.

"What was that?" gasped Sweetie Belle, through the heavy breaths from her recent exertion. Apple Bloom did not answer, she only stared down at The Ring which she clutched in her hoof.

The Dark Lord's minion had found her, and Twilight Sparkle was nowhere near to help her.

Ch.32 The Bridge of Khazad-dum

Twilight's magic illuminated the way as the Fellowship retreated from Balin`s tomb. In the city of Doggendelf, Changeling screeches, and the buzz of their flying brethren saturated the massive hall with a deafening racket. Spike, his stubby legs which forced him to the back of the pack, turned to see the vast army of Changelings who hunted their insignificant group.

"It's just like a game of tag!" ejaculated Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie then turned, like Spike, to see the hostile Changelings, with sharp fangs and charged horns, as they followed them.

"Just don't get tagged!" added the pink mare.

That would be an impossibility though, as Changelings poured out from all surfaces, and hunted the Fellowship on all planes, be it air or land. Twilight turned right, to what she thought would be a straight path to the Bridge of Khazad-dum. Instead, she met an overwhelming mass of Changeling head-on, which, along with the hunting party behind their tiny Fellowship, quickly worked to close off any route of escape for the doomed party.

Apple Bloom swallowed deep, realizing what fate Celestia had resigned them too, just like Applejack; but Rover stood steadfast. He barked at his shape-shifting enemies, claws ready to rip through any Changeling who had the misfortune of meeting him on the field of battle. Suddenly, a titanic roar shook the chamber to its core; loose dust and stone descended to the Earth, rattled from the pillars and the roof.

A fiery light slowly danced down the hallway, approaching the Fellowship at a rapid pace. As it passed the pillars, the light produced eerie shadows, which moved in sequence with the fervid fire that approached the Fellowship. The Changelings, noticing the approaching pillar of flame, broke out in a chaotic squabble, retreating to the crevasses from whence they came, leaving the Fellowship to conjecture on the approaching light.

"Twilight? What is that?" questioned Shining Armor, turning to his sister's encyclopedic knowledge base for an answer.

Instead, the Royal Guard found the lavender Unicorn in a sort of trance: eyes closed, and sweat dripping down her face as she focussed on averting the gaze of the approaching demon. The beast roared again, and now, footsteps could be heard as it approached their position.

"A Balrog. Princess Celestia told me it's a demon of the First Age, made of shadow and flame." Twilight recited from memory.

"And did the all-knowing Princess Celestia tell you of any of this...Balrog's weaknesses?" asked Rainbow Dash, hoping Twilight of all ponies would have an answer.

"No. Celestia told me nopony has ever faced a Balrog and lived." answered Twilight, before she turned towards the door leading to the Bridge.

"RUN!" ordered Twilight, her companions following her down the massive hall.

They eventually reached a tunnel, almost too small for Rover to fit through.

"Quickly!" ushered Twilight, allowing her companions to pass in front of her.

"This small door should at least impede the Balrog's progress." elaborated Twilight, following Spike as he made it into the stone passage.

Shining preceded his companions, following the tunnel into a massive chamber with many staircases occupying its body. In haste, he almost tripped into the bottomless pit at the end of a broken staircase. Shining wobbled, trying to regain his balance, but to no avail. Rover came in from behind, and with one massive paw, threw Shining back to safety. The rest of the Fellowship soon regrouped in the chamber, with Twilight being the last to join.

Twilight's strength eluded her, as her earlier bout with the Balrog drained her precious physical resources. She leaned heavily into the wall, before Rainbow Dash came to assist her.

"Twilight! Are you okay?" inquired the cyan Pegasus.

Twilight gripped Rainbow's shoulder, and shared the Pegasi's gaze.

"Lead them on, Rainbow Dash." commanded Twilight, before looking off into the distance, "The Bridge is near." Rainbow followed Twilight's gaze, and discerned in the distance, the Bridge of Khazad-dum.

Rainbow turned back to Twilight, hesitant in complying with her orders. Twilight pushed Rainbow beyond her range, and again leaned into the wall.

"Do as I say! Only magic is of use here." finished the fatigued Unicorn, as Rainbow led the Fellowship down another staircase to their right.

The Balrog roared again, now muffled by the wall which separated the Fellowship from the mysterious demon. Down the stairs the Fellowship raced, before reaching a massive gap in the staircase, too far for any pony other than a Pegasus to leap.

"Everypony, grab each others hoof!" ordered Twilight.

The Fellowhip grabbed one another by the claw, hoof or paw. Twilight's horn glowed with a blinding purple radiance, which consumed the Fellowship in a *pop*. Teleported to the other side of the chasm, Twilight slumped to the ground, exhausted from her recent magical strain.

"Come on, Twilight!" pleaded Spike, assisting Twilight to stand.

The chamber rumbled as the Balrog smashed into the wall which blocked its advance on the Fellowship. Another roar was produced by the monstrosity, now louder as it moved closer to the fleeing Fellowship. Rarity pushed her way passed her endearing comrades, taking the lead from Rainbow Dash.

"Come now, and let us make haste from this unstable chamber!" encouraged Rarity, taking a step down the staircase.

A flash of green magic passed mere centimeter from Rarity's face, too close for comfort for the Fashionista pony. For Rarity, time stopped, a courtesy for the superficially obsessed pony to check her hair; from the bottom-up. The base of her hair was perfectly curled, as usual. The scalp was flawlessly parted, as always. But the length of hair which hanged magnificently by her left eye wasn`t so lucky. Rarity felt the jagged edges...JAGGED! It couldn't be; Rarity was the most beautiful pony in all of Equestria, and therefore strove for perfection, and no less, in her appearance. Her hair was now a crime against fashion, but the true criminals would pay for their transgressions. Rarity turned to her left, and with her keen eyes, discerned a group of Changelings occupying a cliff edge.

"IT. IS. ON!" screamed Raity, before unleashing a bolt of magic on the vulnerable Changelings.

The bolt struck the cliff edge, causing the rock to fall into the bottomless pit of Moria, along with the Changelings who occupied its surface moments ago. Rarity, pleased with herself, turned back to her companions, and noticed their slack-jawed expressions at her impressive feat of magic.

"What? Just because I'm a lady, doesn't mean I can't blow up a few Changelings now and then." defended Rarity.

The Fellowship galloped down the staircase, which led them into another chamber much like Doggendelf. Flames constricted their path towards the bridge, which Twilight ushered her companions across, "Over the bridge!"

Twilight turned, the Balrog's roar originating from the flame which burned mere feet from her form. The fire erupted, and from its fiery womb burst forth the Balrog: a bipedal beast coated in shadow, with a mane of flame stretching down its neck. The monster's horned visage stared at Twilight, scanning the tiny Unicorn, before it unleashed a quaking roar which knocked Twilight back several feet. The Balrog roared again, its bat-like wings unfolding from its body. Twilight retreated from the creature, and made it halfway across the Bridge of Khazad-dum, before turning to face her burning foe.

Apple Bloom rushed towards Twilight; the little filly knew what Twilight planned to do, and she couldn't stand idly by as her friend was slaughtered before her...just like Applejack. Shining Armor moved in and restrained Apple Bloom, pulling her back to the main grouping of the Fellowship.

"You cannot pass!" yelled Twilight, resolute in her stance against the towering Balrog.

The Balrog, seeking to intimidate the tiny Unicorn, rose to its full height, extending its wings from its body, and burned as bright as it could. The monster's body emitted a blinding heat, which Twilight shielded herself from for what precious seconds were spared by the Balrog's intimidation tactic.

"I am Princess Celestia's protege, and the most advanced Unicorn in ALL of Equestria." Twilight's horn glowed a light purple, and a magical shield surrounded the lavender Unicorn. The Balrog, noticing Twilight's challenge, channelled its dark flame into a blade, ready to strike down the tiny pony.

"YOU CANNOT PASS!" screamed Twilight, before the Balrog brought its sword down on her.

The fiery blade dissolved against Twilight's magical barrier, much to the surprise of the Balrog. The monster produced another weapon: a flaming whip of many throngs, and snapped it viciously in the space next to Twilight. The Balrog stepped forward, its massive foot encompassing the entire span of the bridge's width.

"YOU. SHALL NOT. PASS!" Twilight's hoof smashed down on the bridge; a purple wave spread from her hoof.

The Balrog stepped back in surprise, then sniffed the air. Sensing no danger, the fiery beast charged Twilight again, only to fall as the bridge collapsed under its massive weight. The Balrog's wings flailed, obviously more for decoration than flight, and the beast descended into the bottomless pit of Moria, only its burning whip discernable in the black pit.

Twilight turned to her companions behind her, sweat dripping down her face from the heat of battle. A sigh of relief escaped Twilight, astute in the Balrog's defeat...that's when she felt the burning sensation around her ankle.

The Balrog wasn't finished with Twilight, and snapped its fiery whip around her ankle. The flaming whip ripped her back hooves out from under her. Twilight dangled over the edge of the broken bridge, too weak to teleport herself to safety. Apple Bloom rushed towards Twilight, eager to save her precarious friend. Shining Armor again intercepted the tiny filly, stopping her from going to Twilight's aid.

"TWILIGHT!" screamed Apple Bloom, meeting the lavender Unicorn's gaze one last time.

"Gallop, my little ponies!" parted Twilight, before letting go of the bridge, and tumbling into the abyss of Moria.

Apple Bloom didn't remember screaming, "No", or even escaping Shining Armor's grip, but she did remember her sorrow. Apple Boom had once again, like with Applejack, watched as her friend was cut down by a hostile force. Apple Bloom moved towards the bridge edge, willing to jump into the bottomless pit just to be with Twilight in death. But Shining Armor was quick to respond, and wrapped his strong legs around Apple Bloom, pulling her back towards the doorway out of Moria.

Rainbow Dash stood still, watching the spot where Twilight was moments ago. Shock delayed her response: a response which could've easily saved Twilight as she fell into the pit. But Twilight was gone now, nothing more than a shadow in a pit of darkness.

"Rainbow Dash!" yelled Shining Armor

Shining's voice drew Rainbow from her trance. The cyan Pegaus turned to see her many companions retreat from the mine, heading out of the doorway into the land of Equestria. Rainbow Dash soon followed, and exited the Foal Mountain, near the Hollow Shades.

Exhausted, and disheartened from their trip through Moria, the Fellowship collapsed, crying over the loss of two dear friends: Applejack and Twilight Sparkle. Sweetie Belle caressed Scootaloo as the orange Pegasus cried on the ground. Shining Armor restrained Rover, the Diamond Dog trying to re-enter the mine. Spike cuddled Apple Bloom as they grieved over Twilight and Applejack, respectively. And Rarity hugged Fluttershy, both wailing over the loss of their two dearest friends.

However, in all her grief, Rainbow Dash stood strong, resorting to repress her sadness, for other, more troublesome concerns were at hand. Rainbow started going around, trying to rouse her friends from their despairing stupor, "Get up, everypony"

Shining roused himself, eyes red from many tears shed for his departed sister. He gestured a hoof towards all the crying ponies, "Give them a moment, for pity's sake!"

"I don't want to be around when those Changelings fly out of Moria!" bellowed Rainbow Dash

"We must get to the Hollow Shades before nightfall." ordered Rainbow Dash, now forcefully bringing her companions to their feet.

Rainbow moved on Apple Bloom and Spike, and lifted both of them to their feet. Apple Bloom wrapped herself around Rainbow Dash, the cyan Pegasi's fur drying her tears.

"She's gone, Rainbow Dash, just like Applejack." cried Apple Bloom, her strength failing her as her grip around Rainbow Dash faltered.

Rainbow rubbed Apple Bloom's head, trying to stem the flow of tears from the despairing filly. Rainbow Dash dropped to her knees, getting level with the tiny Earth pony.

"Come now, we have to get to the Hollow Shades." with that, Rainbow let go of Apple Bloom, and rushed ahead of the group, heading towards the nearby forest.

Spike rejoined Apple Bloom, patting the filly on the back.

"Rainbow's right. We gotta keep moving." agreed the purple dragon, following the cyan Pegasus.

Soon, the red-eyed members of the Fellowship regrouped with Rainbow Dash, ready, but unwilling to continue their quest to the Smokey Mountain.