The Lord of the Ponies: The Friendship of Equestria

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.