The Lord of the Ponies: The Friendship 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...