The Lord of the Ponies: The Friendship of Equestria

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.

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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!"

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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.