The Lord of the Ponies: The Friendship of Equestria

          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.