The Lord of the Ponies: The Friendship of Equestria

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.

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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.