The Lord of the Ponies: The Friendship of Equestria

Ch.40 Loyalty Tested

The Fellowship barred their boats west of the mountains near Baltimare; the wooded beach provided cover from the numerous eyes of Sauron's spies. The early evening Sun hung low in the sky, and was soon to depart for more mysterious continents. But still, proficient sunlight radiated over Equestria, unsuitable for the stealth the Fellowship required for their arduous quest.

From their boats the many members of the Fellowship departed, all except Shining Armor, who apprehensively remained silent till a significant distance was placed between him and Rainbow Dash. Apple Bloom's pace was also abated: the Earth filly scanned the nearby forest, judging her chances of an unnoticed escape from her companions. Two ponies had died for her: Twilight Sparkle, and her sister, Applejack, but Apple Bloom was resolute that she would not be the pony responsible for the lives of anymore of her companions.

***

A small fire, covered in kindling, and bordered by stone, burned for the Fellowship. Scootaloo poked at the ashen wood with a stick, utterly bored of waiting for night, unlike Pinkie Pie, who occupied herself with roasting the secret abundance of marshmallows which she brought for the journey. Rarity shined her hooves; the alabaster mare was captivated by her reflection. Rover sat by the nearest Greendale tree; nearby the Diamond Dog was Spike, and Sweetie Belle. Lastly, Rainbow Dash trotted along the beach, unpacking provisions for her many companions to feast upon.

"We will move downriver at nightfall," relayed Rainbow Dash, "Hide the boats north of Dodge City and continue on hoof. We approach the Smokey Mountain from the East."

"Oh, yes?" questioned Rover; the Diamond Dog's impertinence drew the attention of his otherwise occupied comrades.

"Just a simple matter of passing through the Rambling Rock Ridge, an almost impassible ridge of stubborn rock. And after that, it gets even better," only the deaf and dead couldn't discern the sarcasm in the Dog's tone, "Festering, stinking marshland of the Everfree Bogg, far as the eye can see."

"While I do agree that Rainbow's planned road may not be the most spiffy of choices, it is the only choice left to us. And from what I can recall, Spike and Apple Bloom made their way over the Rambling Rock Ridge no problem. So, Rover, I'd advise you to rest and recover your strength. You're going to need it if you hope to stay ahead." quipped Rarity. The ivory Unicorn couldn't pass up the opportunity to castigate one of her oldest adversaries.

Some slight giggling escaped from the other witnesses to the complete annihilation of Rover's ego. In response, Rover's cheeks blushed red, unnoticeable under the thick gray coat which covered his body.

"Recover my..." growled Rover, indignant because of Rarity's insinuations.

Rover turned towards Sweetie Belle; the Unicorn filly covered her mouth, as to keep herself from laughing in Rover's face.

"Pay no heed to your sister, Sweetie Belle," Rover pointed a menacing claw at his occupied nemesis, "She has no idea of what she speaks of."

"Big sisters never do," agreed Sweetie Belle.

An abbreviated silence fell over the camp, only the crack of burnt wood dared to voice itself in the unnatural quiet which now faced the Fellowship.

"We need more firewood," stated Scootaloo, still poking at the flickering embers of the dying fire.

"Apple Bloom? Would you kindly get us some more firewood?" asked Rarity, not even affording the Fellowship's most important member a fraction of the attention she focussed on her hooves.

Sweetie Belle looked around, unsuccessful in finding any sign of her fellow Crusader.

"Where is Apple Bloom?" questioned the filly Unicorn.

Spike got up with a start, afraid that he may have failed Twilight's last request. Rainbow Dash began to scan the immediate environment, also unsuccessful in locating Apple Bloom. However, she did notice Shining Armor's astray helmet... but no Shining Armor.

***

Apple Bloom walked beneath the trees, lost in thought, as slight sunlight filtered through the sheltered canopy. Her hooves brought her edge of an ancient stone staircase. Her eyes followed the overgrown path which led to the summit of some archaic structure. Apple Bloom climbed the steps, curious to why anypony would build something in the middle of nowhere. The Earth filly passed through the retired building, and found herself, once again, in the thick forest of her retreat.

"None of us should wander alone." Shining's voice pervaded the natural silence; the stallion took great care to sneak up on Apple Bloom.

Shining Armor picked up a large branch, and placed it on his back. Apple Bloom trained her eyes on the suspicious stallion.

"You, least of all. So much depends on you," Shining turned towards his filly companion, and noticed the apprehension which occupied the pony's countenance, "Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom turned away from Shining Armor; she wished not for Shining to suspect her distrust of him. Shining moved towards Apple Bloom; the filly once again faced Twilight's brother. The tiny Earth pony was unable to hide the caution which emanated from her complexion.

"I know why you seek solitude. You suffer. I see it day by day. You sure you do not suffer needlessly?" interrogated Shining Armor. His question preluded to what she feared the jealous stallion would utter.

"There are other ways, Apple Bloom. Other paths that we may take," pronounced Shining Armor.

"I know what you're going to say. And I would oblige, if I hadn't been warned against it," retorted Apple Bloom.

"Warning?" Shining Armor moved towards Apple Bloom, "Against what?"

Apple Bloom retreated from the approaching stallion. She feared that Shining would soon make a move for The Ring.

"We're all afraid, Apple Bloom," Shining Armor continued to approach the anxious filly, "But to let that fear drive us, to destroy what hope we have, don't you see that is madness."

"There is no other way!" resounded Apple Bloom, finally taking a stand against the conniving stallion.

"I only ask for the strength to defend Canterlot," Shining dashed his collected wood on the ground, and when he turned again to Apple Bloom, the filly noticed a slight anger distort his complexion, "If you would just lend me The Ring."

Shining Armor reached a hoof out towards Apple Bloom, but the filly only retreated.

"No." Apple Bloom would never succumb to Shining's demands. Twilight's warning had served to convince the filly otherwise.

"Why do you recoil? I am no thief," assured Shining Armor, an assurance that was betrayed by the increasing anger in his tone.

"You are not yourself," pronounced Apple Bloom; once again the filly took a stand against her oppressor.

Shining breathed heavily; the stallion was unsuccessful in masking his rage.

"What chance do you think you have?" Now malice intertwined itself in Shining's tone.

"They will find you. They will take The Ring. And you will beg for death before the end!" swore the once honorable guard.

Apple Bloom huffed at Shining's remark, and moved on, making the mistake of turning her back on the enraged stallion.

"You fool!" Shining moved on Apple Bloom; with every step towards the frightened filly, his passion became evermore apparent.

"It has only come to you by bad luck! It could have been mine," Shining raced after Apple Bloom, rapidly closing in on the tiny filly's stride, "It should be mine! Give it to me!"

Shining Armor tackled Apple Bloom, and made sure to stay on top of the nigh helpless filly. He battled Apple Bloom for The Ring; the tiny filly was only just able to withhold the enraged stallion's advance. In a last second act, Apple Bloom placed The Ring around her hoof, and disappeared into thin air. Shining halted his desperate scramble, surprised at the sudden absence of Apple Bloom. With Shining unaware of The Ring's power, Apple Bloom bucked the assaulting stallion off of her, and escaped into the forest.

Shining Armor recovered from Apple Bloom's gut-check, unwilling to relinquish his hatred for the filly.

"I see your mind," Shining yelled off into random direction, spinning wildly, "You will take The Ring to Sauron! You will betray us! You'll go to your death, and the death of us all!"

Shining rose from the forest floor, and patrolled the area like a savage Timberwolf.

"Curse you! Curse you, and all the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" cursed Shining Armor.

Fastened in a fit of rage, Shining didn't notice the tree trunk which he eventually stumbled over. The stallion's skull smashed into the ground, briefly knocking the Royal Guard unconscious. He awoke shaking; the realization of what he had just done rattled his frame.

"Apple Bloom?" called out Shining Armor.

"Apple Bloom," repeated the disoriented stallion, "What have I done?"

***

Apple Bloom raced through the mists of the Twilight world, past the foggy shapes of twisted trees. Somewhere behind her, she could hear Shining Armor's muffled voice, as if from another dimension.

"Apple Bloom, I'm sorry!" called out the distraught stallion.

Apple Bloom ignored the cries of her companion, instead she suddenly found herself on stone steps. Apple Bloom clambered up the stairs, onto a high seat, perched on four stone pillars. Apple Bloom cowered in the seat, like a lost child upon the throne of mountain kings; Twilight mist swirling around her. Apple Bloom peered out from the seat, scanning for the shadow form of Shining Armor. Instead, the world seemed to shrink as the stone structure she inhabited accelerated towards Barad-dûr, the fortress of Sauron. The high seat hastily made its way to the top of the tower, where the Eye of Sauron awaited Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom was petrified with fear; Sauron's Great Eye trained its gaze upon her. The Dark Lord spoke in the Black Speech, incomprehensible to the filly, but nonetheless frightening. With great effort, Apple Bloom retreated from Sauron's fiery gaze. However, her wrongful hoof placement tripped the filly, and she fell towards the Earth, just as she ripped The Ring from her hoof.

***

Back at camp, Pinkie Pie's tail twitched slightly, unnoticeable to all but the party pony.

"Twitcha, twitcha twitch," remarked the pink Earth mare.

***

Apple Bloom impacted the ground; the fall from the High Seat knocked the breath from her lungs. She recovered her breath, and placed a hoof over her heart, feeling the vital organ race. Apple Bloom scanned her surroundings, and noticed the lack of mist: she was back in the real land of Equestria.

A hoof slapped against the ground, and Apple Bloom rose quickly to face the nearby pony.

"Apple Bloom?" asked Rainbow Dash, the cyan Pegasus' brash tone was unmistakable to the inexperienced filly.

"It has taken Shining Armor," announced Apple Bloom; regret saturated her tone.

"Where is The Ring?" questioned Rainbow Dash, urgency apparent in the Pegasus' question.

"Stay away!" yelled Apple Bloom, quickly getting to her hooves as to escape the advancing Pegasus.

"Apple Bloom!" called out Rainbow Dash. Apple Bloom turned to face the cyan Pegasus, fear apparent on the filly's countenance.

"I swore to protect you," assured Rainbow Dash, holding out empty hooves as a sign of security.

"Can you protect me from yourself?" questioned Apple Bloom, worried that Rainbow may not be as strong of will as the now corrupted Shining Armor.

Apple Bloom raised her hoof, in her palm lay The Ring. The powerful artifact shined, gold and beautiful in the afternoon sun. Rainbow Dash's eyes were drawn to it. The cyan Pegasus moved towards the petrified Apple Bloom; an apparent countenance of curiosity clouded the Pegasus' complexion.

"Rainbow Dash," whispered The Ring, beckoning the loyal Pegasus to take the golden band back to its master.

Rainbow Dash reached a hoof out for The Ring, as if ready to take the band from Apple Bloom. Instead, she covered Apple Bloom's hoof, hiding the evil specimen from the eyes of all ponies. Rainbow once again fixed her gaze on Apple Bloom.

"I would have gone with you to the end. Into the very fires of the Smokey Mountain," pronounced the Element of Loyalty.

Rainbow relieved her hoof from The Ring, leaving the fate of the powerful band to the Ring-bearer, Apple Bloom.

"I know," assured Apple Bloom. A short silence pervaded between the two ponies.

"Look after the others. Especially Spike. He will not understand." requested Apple Bloom, a last wish before she left alone for her journey to the Smokey Mountain.

Rainbow Dash nodded, but was stopped short at Apple Bloom's waist.

"Go, Apple Bloom!" ordered Rainbow Dash, suddenly unsheathing her blade.

Apple Bloom looked down, and noticed Sting glowing blue, a sure sign of nearby Changelings.

"Run. Run!" yelled Rainbow Dash, to which Apple Bloom finally complied; the Earth filly fled into the forest behind the cyan Pegasus.

Rainbow Dash turned to face her opposition, with sword in hand, ready to die for Apple Bloom's safety.