The Lord of the Ponies: The Search for Harmony

Chapters

Ch.1 - Reminiscence
Ch.2 - Real Alicornian Rope
Ch.3 - The Taming of Gollum
Ch.4 - The Hunt
Ch.5 - Fires of Industry
Ch.7 - Separation
Ch.8 - The Reawakening
Ch.9 - The Fear of Shadow
Ch.10 - Many Ways In
Ch.6 - Night Camp at the Everfree

Ch.1 - Reminiscence

Twilight Sparkle stopped on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, standing in the middle of the span, and impeded the advance of the pursuer as the other members of the Fellowship fled. Twilight turned. From the fire she faced erupted an earth-quaking roar. The inferno flared, and from its fiery womb burst forth the Balrog: a bipedal beast coated in shadow with a mane of flame erupting from between its massive ram's horns. The monster stared down at Twilight, scanning the minuscule Unicorn. The Balrog roared again, the shadows about it reaching out like two vast wings. Twilight remained steadfast before the demon; she would not waver against this being of darkness and shadow.

"You cannot pass!" yelled Twilight.

The Balrog rose to its full height, flaring its wings. A wave of fire rolled from the demon, and Twilight felt flames lick past her cheeks.

"I am Princess Celestia's protege, the most powerful Unicorn in Equestria." Twilight's horn flashed, and a purple shield surrounded her. The Balrog channeled its dark flame into a blade, and it raised the sword above its head.

"YOU CANNOT PASS!" screamed Twilight before the Balrog brought its sword down on her.

With a ringing clash, the Balrog's sword shattered into molten fragments. Unabated, the demon conjured another weapon, a flaming whip of many thongs which snapped viciously beside Twilight. The Balrog raised its whip, and the thongs whined and cracked. Fire erupted from the demon's nostrils, and it placed a massive foot on the Bridge. But Twilight stood firm.

"YOU! SHALL NOT! PASS!" Twilight cried. She summoned her last reserve of strength and struck the Bridge with her hoof. A blinding sheet of purple flame briefly sprang up. Her hoof cracked.

The Balrog stepped back, sniffing the air. With a snort, the fiery beast charged Twilight. Cracks spiderwebbed out from beneath the demon's feet, and the Bridge collapsed beneath it. The Balrog's wings flailed, and the beast toppled into the bottomless pit of Moria, slowly becoming little more than a smoldering glow in the lightless chasm.

Twilight heaved a great sigh and turned back to face her companions. Holding her broken hoof to her chest, she took a step towards her companions. It's over.

Not yet.

A sharp crack rang through the cavern, and one of Twilight's hind hooves met only air. Balancing precariously on two legs, Twilight jerked her leg back up, searching for solid rock. When she placed it down, a grinding sound made her look down. Cracks spread beneath her. Twilight slowly hobbled towards her companions. With each step, a stone dislodged from the underside of the Bridge. Shining approached her, careful to remain off the crumbling section. The stone under Twilight trembled violently. The siblings locked eyes with each other.

The broken section collapsed.

Twilight leapt and disappeared.

"No!" Shining Armor galloped towards the edge of the Bridge and found his sister dangling over the edge by a single hoof. Strain knotted her brow, but her horn only flickered weakly. The bridled air in his lungs escaped. He reached out and grabbed ahold of his sister's good hoof.

Twilight was ripped from the bridge, dragging Shining Armor along with her. They tumbled into the endless black.

Rainbow Dash followed the falling pair. "Fluttershy, grab Twilight!" she yelled. Rainbow intercepted Shining and watched as Twilight followed the Balrog into the endless abyss of Moria, a tendril of fire encircling her ankle.

There was no Fluttershy.

Apple Bloom rushed to the brink, only to be intercepted by Rarity.

"TWILIGHT!" screamed Apple Bloom as she was pulled away. Not again. Not like Applejack.

"NO! TWILIGHT!" were the last words Twilight heard before her death.

Past immeasurable miles of rock, Twilight plummeted after the Balrog. Twilight streamlined herself, plunging towards the flailing demon. Alighting on the shadowy beast's neck, Twilight stabbed her horn deep into it. Violet light and scorching gouts of fire exploded from its wounds. The demon swiped at Twilight, battering her until she lost her grip.

The two foes rained blows upon each other before the Balrog snatched Twilight in its grasp. It bellowed at her, singing her coat and eyes. An impact jarred its frame, and Twilight broke from the Balrog's grip. Before the beast could recover, Twilight grabbed ahold of the demon’s horn as they continued their plunge into Moria’s depths. The Balrog again crashed against the walls of the pit as Twilight prepared to drive her horn into its head.

At the uttermost foundations beneath the deepest delving of the Diamond Dogs, Twilight and the Balrog emerged, like a ball of fire, high above an enormous lake in a cavern without measure. The dueling pair approached the water at an astounding speed. Twilight plunged her horn into the Balrog's head.

They smashed into the water.

Darkness.

***

"Twilight!" called Apple Bloom. The filly sprung from the stone floor, hyperventilating. Silver fog swirled around her. Spike jerked awake, head whipping around to look at Apple Bloom.

"What's wrong?" asked Spike.

"Nothing," responded Apple Bloom. The filly lay back down, nestling her head into the uneven stone. "It was just a dream."

Ch.2 - Real Alicornian Rope

Spike and Apple Bloom trekked through the Rambling Rock Ridge towards the Smokey Mountain, the only place where the One Ring could be destroyed. Arriving at a cliff, they were afforded a satisfying view of the One Ring's cradle; raging fire spewed from the smoking mountain, the surface of which was as charred and black as the soul of its master.

They were getting closer.

However, there was a problem: the cliff face was steep, a vertical drop into fog. The bottom was indeterminable, a dangerous descent. But failing to do so meant wasting time in search for another way around, an unacceptable outcome. Time was in the enemy's bed.

It was time for some real Alicornian rope.

Spike shuffled through his pack. He littered the rock around him with books before he retrieved the rainbow cable.

"Whar'd ya git that there rope?" asked Apple Bloom, wide eyes reflecting the flowing bands of blue, green, purple, and pink.

"Princess Celestia gave it to me before we left Neighagra Falls." Spike's gaze shifted back and forth between the rope to a protruding stone on the cliff's edge. He fiddled with the rope for a minute then groaned and threw it down. "Gah! It's no use. I don't know how to tie anything other than a bow."

He turned to Apple Bloom and nudged the rope with his foot. Apple Bloom's hoof settled on her chest. "Don't look at me. Ah don't know how t'tie a climbin' knot."

Spike's arms exploded from his body. "How do you not know how to tie a knot? You. Live. On. A. Farm," Spike exclaimed. His arms waved in unison with each word. "You have to know something."

Apple Bloom's rubbed the back of her head, and her eyes slid from Spike. "Well, Ah know how t'tie a lasso, but Ah can't see how thass useful fer climbin'."

Spike sat down, books circling him like an ocean. With one claw, he scratched his temple. If only I had a book on tying knots. A light bulb went off in Spike's head. He began to rummage through the scattered books, tossing them aside one by one. Eventually, he jumped in the air, one arm shooting to the sky.

There was a book in his claw.

Spike tossed the book to Apple Bloom. "Here, catch." Apple Bloom caught it. "Now, find the page about knots while I clean this mess." Spike went to return the littered texts to his pack.

Apple Bloom flipped the book to its front cover: The Equestrian Survival Guide, it read. She opened the front flap and found the index. Scrolling through numerous pages, she eventually found the page on knots. "Ah found it," she announced.

Spike was poised beside the pointed rock, the Alicornian rope unraveled in his claws. "Okay, start reading."

"First, tie a single eight in th' rope two feet from its end. Pass th' free end through th' empty tie-in point. Secondly, retrace th' origeenal eight wif th' free end leavin' a loop at th' bottom of th' rope. Thirdly, place th' loop aroun' climbin' suppo't. An' lastly, pull all four stran's of rope t'cinch down th' knot until it's tight on over th' climbin' suppo't," read Apple Bloom.

Spike followed every step to the best of his ability. Apple Bloom's accent is ridiculous. He stepped back from the pointed rock. There sat the best-looking knot he had ever seen. Spike turned back to his companion. "You ready to climb?"

"Most definitely," responded Apple Bloom.

The pair shrugged their packs. Apple Bloom was the first to descend to the mist-covered ground, using the rock face as support.

Halfway down the rope's length, Spike asked, "Can you see the bottom?" He didn't look down.

Apple Bloom peered towards the floor. The swirling mist shrouded the ground, making it impossible to tell if there were a few feet away or a few miles. Clinging tighter to the rope, Apple Bloom cried, "No! Fry mah hide! Don't look down, Spike. Jest keep goin'."

Spike nodded, unwilling to look down. He took a step onto a protruding slab of cracked rock. The stone broke off the cliff, and Spike slipped. He tightened his grip on the rope, causing him to lurch to a stop. His pack shifted, and an ornately craved wooden box slipped from the bag.

Spike looked down. "Catch it! Grab it, Apple--" The impenetrable mist was still far below. Spike clutched the rope tighter, his eyes slamming shut. He was paralyzed at his present height.

Below, Apple Bloom turned towards Spike's call. She saw the box tumble towards her along the cliff face. Bouncing off a protruding rock, the box sailed beyond her reach. Unthinking, Apple Bloom jumped... she caught the box. However, to catch the case, she sacrificed her grip on the rope. Her hooves lost their place on the cliff, and she tumbled into the mist below, screaming.

"Apple Bloom!" cried Spike. He still wouldn't look down.

Apple Bloom fell a couple of feet before landing softly on the ground. The mist extended above her. "Ah reckon Ah foun' th' bottom," she called.

Spike heaved a great sigh of relief. He opened his eyes, and began his descent anew. Eventually, he reached the bottom, still facing the rock wall. "I don't remember there being fog the last time we passed through here." He turned, and found Apple Bloom studying the box.

"What in tarnation's in this?" she asked. Apple Bloom opened the box. Inside was the fire ruby Rarity so proudly displayed the day after Spike's birthday.

Even though Apple Bloom couldn't see him, Spike looked at her with the greatest honesty. "Rarity gave that back to me, before we left Ponyville. I told her not to, but she insisted. She knew it was special to me."

"It is special." Apple Bloom turned to Spike. She gazed at him nostalgically. "It's a li'l bit of home." She gave him the box and examined the suspended rope.

Spike paused, cradling the case like it was a foal. For when we meet again, my love. Spike kissed the fire ruby, and placed it back into his pack. He turned to Apple Bloom, who was staring up the rope's length.

"We ain’t leavin’ this here fo' somepony t'foller us down," Apple Bloom decided. She gazed at the strand worryingly.

Gollum.

Spike chuckled, "Who's going to follow us down here?" He moved beside Apple Bloom. He grabbed the rope, gazing up at it longingly. "It's a shame, really. Princess Celestia gave me this." He tugged on the rope. "But, I guess there's nothing for it. That was no slip knot I tied. It isn't coming free any time soon." Spike tugged again on the rope, harder this time, to prove his point.

Above the dense mist, around the protruding stone, the Alicornian rope glowed. The rainbow bands danced in a waltz. The rope began to untie itself. Eventually, the rope tumbled down between Spike's feet. Spike stared at the rope, speechless. He then turned to Apple Bloom, who shrugged.

"Real Alicornian rope." She departed the awestruck dragon. Spike's gaze shifted from the braid between his feet, to the summit above. He smiled, and wrapped the rope around his claws before following Apple Bloom.

***

Apple Bloom and Spike found their way up another cliff. The sun was covered in dark clouds which moved independently, and the fog was below them. Here, the pair were afforded a greater view of the Smokey Mountain, as it belched out the gray haze spreading across Equestria.

"The Smokey Mountain, the one place in Equestria that nopony wants to see any closer. And it's the one place we have to get to." He snorted, and a slight smile crept across his face. "I believe that's what Twilight would call irony."

Apple Bloom didn't hear him; she was consumed by the Smokey Mountain. Where Spike saw fire and smoke, she saw the Eye of Sauron. Where Spike observed the smoking mountain from far away, the Eye of Sauron was immediately before her. The blazing form scrutinized the shuddering filly. The heat radiating from the malicious being blistered Apple Bloom's form. She turned to look away, but the Ring anchored her. Apple Bloom continued to struggle against the Ring's influence. Tearing herself free, she tripped and fell back onto the rock, hyperventilating.

"Apple Bloom?!" Spike turned towards her. She continued to pant, unable to respond. "It's the Ring isn't it?"

Apple Bloom's hoof clutched the Ring. "It's getting heavier." She let go, and the Ring swung in Spike's view.

Take the Ring, Spike. It's shiny. Spike shook his head quickly, focusing on something else. "How about we have something to eat?"

Apple Bloom shuffled through her pack; she carried the food. From its depths, she gave Spike an apple, and took one for herself too.

"Again? Apples?" Other than the sapphire Rainbow Dash gave him weeks before, he hadn't had anything other than apples.

"Well, it's all I've got. Ya did leave me in charge of packin' th' grub," retorted Apple Bloom. She bit into her apple with as much enthusiasm as if were the tastiest thing in the world.

However, Spike was a different story. He stared at the apple in disdain and disgust. But there was a silver lining: the apple was a Granny Smith. He'd never had a Granny Smith before. He bit into the apple; the sour juices breathed new life into his taste buds. Not bad. "Well, I have to admit, Granny Smiths aren't that bad."

Apple Bloom smiled, turning to Spike. "Almost nothin' kin dampen yer spirits, eh, Spike."

Spike smiled back and glanced at his apple. He considered another bite before a sharp crack tore his attention from the green fruit. In the distance, he saw storm clouds rolling in on their peak. He frowned. "Those rain clouds might."

Ch.3 - The Taming of Gollum

Unrelenting rain poured from the heavens, drowning Apple Bloom and Spike in an unforgiving torrent. The pair huddled beneath the dry underside of a protruding rock. The dragon slept while the filly watched the cliffs beyond their temporary abode. A hiss, unnoticed in the thunderous downpour, emanated from the stone above Apple Bloom. A haggard hoof reached over the rock, wedging itself in a crack for support. Feral eyes, large and glowing in the shaded night, peered over the overhang and caught a glimpse of the sheltered pair below.

The stalker twitched, and a stone loosened from the rocky overhang. The rock crashed before Apple Bloom. Her head snapped upwards. Nopony was there. Apple Bloom returned to her vigil, watching the time-worn cliffs. The deafening rain consumed another hiss.

***

The morning fog was thick; it left the path indeterminable as Spike and Apple Bloom trudged through the Rambling Rock Ridge. Silence led the way as the pair ascended another cliff. Near the top, Spike tripped. His hand shot out for support, and he grabbed an outcropping of stone. Regaining his footing, he pulled his hand from the rock and found it double scratched, as if another scaled hand had fallen there recently.

"I think we've been here before," announced Spike as Apple Bloom disappeared in the fog.

Even though her vision was limited, upon reaching the top, Apple Bloom noticed disfigured markings on the ground, the scoured remnants of where numerous books once lay. Apple Bloom turned back in Spike's direction. "It's because we haf been here befo'e. We're goin' in circles."

Spike rejoined her at the clifftop. He hunched over, his claws resting on his bent knees. His ragged gasps echoed through the Rambling Rock Ridge. As he drew in new breath, he began to choke. One claw pinched his nose, and his free arm waved frantically in the air. "What's that horrible stench? There's got to be a bog nearby." Spike turned to Apple Bloom. "Can you smell it?"

"Yes," she answered, "but I don't think it's a bog." Of all the creatures in Equestria, Apple Bloom knew about bogs. When the spring showers soaked the fields of Sweet Apple Acres, she would sit on the porch with Appleja—

Apple Bloom flinched. Her memory skipped ahead.

Apple Bloom remembered how, when the rain saturated the acres of brown soil, there would be no working that day. But the most memorable aspect was the smell. Even days after the rain, there was a certain crispness that hung in the air. That smell was not present where Apple Bloom presently stood. The smell which assaulted her nose was from no bog.

Apple Bloom turned to Spike. "We're not alone."

***

Spike and Apple Bloom slept along the cliff wall. Their snores, somewhat exaggerated, echoed through the Rambling Rock Ridge. Hisses emanated above the slumbering travelers but were overcast by their louder snores.

A dark, spidery shape crept from the top of the cliff and made its way down to the slumbering filly and dragon. The stallion was emaciated, but his eyes were oversized. The hair that remained on the equine's coat was now thin and fell where it may about his shoulders. He descended the rock face upside down like an insect, seemingly impossible even for a cloven-hoofed creature.

This was Gollum.

"The thieves. The thieves. The filthy little thieves. Where is it?" Gollum spoke in an ancient, gravelly voice. "Where is it? They stole it from us. My Precious. Curse them! We hates them! It’s ours, it is, and we wants it!" Gollum reached for Apple Bloom's neck, coming within inches of the One Ring.

Spike shot forward, keeping his head low, and slammed into the Gollum’s side, his sharp crest drawing a line of blood. Apple Bloom sprang up too, abandoning the illusion of sleep. Skittering back, the gaunt stallion eyed the two of them warily. His eyes fixed on the Ring, and, without warning, Gollum leapt for Apple Bloom. She ducked in a panic as he flew over her. He hit the gravelly earth, scrambling madly for his hoofing. Spike rushed between them, and when Gollum looked up, Spike punched him between the eyes. The stallion dropped, snarling and clutching at his face. Spike reached down and grabbed one of Gollum’s ears, pulling sharply. The creature howled and hooked a hind leg around Spike’s. With a savage yank, Spike tumbled to the ground. Scrambling to his hooves, Gollum shook his head, searching for the Ring. Apple Bloom froze when they locked eyes.

They were the eyes of a mad pony, alight with feral desire. There was no kindness in them, only unguarded need. This was a pony that would kill to get what he wanted, and what he wanted hung around her neck.

“Gives us the Precious!” he roared, trampling over Spike.

Jerking into action, Apple Bloom reached for her sword, Sting. She tugged, but it snagged on her pack. Reflexively, she glanced down. Realizing her mistake, her eyes went wide as she looked back up. No time! she thought. Apple Bloom shoved her shoulder forward as if pushing open a heavy door, and Gollum slammed into her. She was knocked on her back, stones digging into her side. A high-pitched whinny of pain tore from her lips.

The Ring was knocked out of its hiding place. All eyes briefly turned toward it.

Gollum’s wheezing turned into a mad whoop of glee. He leapt for the Ring. Kicking up at him, Apple Bloom struggled against the wiry stallion. A hoof connected with her temple, and she went limp, vision going dim. Hazily, she saw a burst of green and heard screaming.

Gollum flailed on the ground, his hindquarters smoldering. Spike faced him, hands balled into fists. Glancing over, he called out, “You alright, Apple…” He trailed off, staring at her neck. Apple Bloom pointed behind him.

“Look out!” she cried.

Spike turned just in time for Gollum to catch him under the chin with a swift buck. It lifted him off his feet, and he hit the ground with a thud. Bursting into a sprint, Apple Bloom rushed to them. Planting a forehoof, she pivoted and kicked back as hard as she could. Her hooves connected with something solid, and she yelled a wordless shout.

Apple Bloom was careful to not step on Spike as she brought her hooves down. She reached out to help him up. “Ya alright?” He nodded, a small trail of blood running down his chin. They nodded to one another.

As one, they focused on Gollum. He staggered to his hooves, his groans turning to growls, and directed a stare of pure hatred at them. They stared back at him for a time. A second, a minute, time seemed to race and crawl at the same time. Then Gollum opened his mouth and howled, spittle flying from his lips. Apple Bloom’s ears flattened against her skull as she pawed at the ground, and green flames played around Spike’s mouth, filling the air with sizzling and a sharp, metallic smell.

They charged at each other, sending pebbles flying with every hoof or footstep.

Protect the Ring, protect the Ponyville.

Keep miss Apple Bloom safe from that thing.

Precious!

As the distance closed to a few body lengths, Spike turned and whipped out with his tail. Gollum hurdled over it and landed beside Apple Bloom. She reared up and kicked out with her forehooves. Ducking the strikes, he flattened against the ground before springing back up, reaching out for the Ring. He slipped a hoof between her neck and the chain—

A vision filled Apple Bloom’s mind. The stallion would pull, and the flimsy chain would snap. He would take the Ring, and he would run. They would never catch him. Fire would sweep over Ponyville…

— and she brought her hooves back down, trapping his. Gollum snarled, eyes narrowing, but before he could do anything more, Spike’s jaws closed around one of his hind legs. With a snarl that was half pain half frustration, Gollum pulled with all his wiry strength. Apple Bloom strained her farm work toned muscles, stopping him dead. Despite the pain obvious in his eyes, he bared his rotting teeth. Ah gotta get him offa’ me somehow! Come on, Apple Bloom, think! Use yer… head...

She closed her eyes and struck, smashing her forehead into his nose; his grip slackened. She shoved him away, but he didn’t go far, as Spike was still latched onto him. When he staggered away, Apple Bloom caught sight of her friend. Biting down on the stallion’s leg, he looked strange, animalistic, his reptilian eyes focused straight ahead.

Gollum stomped, jostling Spike but not dislodging him. With a snort the stallion lashed out with his filthy tail, catching Spike across the eyes. He yelped and brought his hands to his face, stumbling away. Gollum darted around Spike, seemingly uncaring of his injured leg, and kicked the backs of his knees, sending him tumbling forward.

The creature leapt onto Spike’s back and wrapped his forelegs around Spike’s neck, squeezing tightly. Twisting a few times, Spike finally built up enough momentum to roll over onto his side, getting Gollum’s weight off his chest. But Gollum tenaciously maintained his grip.

“Hang on, Spike! Ah’m comin’ fer ya!” Apple Bloom shouted as tucked the Ring back into her mithril shirt. Spike, for his part, didn’t — couldn’t — respond. Gollum’s hold kept tightening, crushing his windpipe. He elbowed back, hitting the stallion’s barrel. Dimly, he felt movement, and then his head was pulled back even harder so that he was looking directly at Apple Bloom.

She was pulling Sting from its scabbard. It was taking far, far too long. I have to… buy some time... He struck back again, barely grazing the creature on his back. Apple Bloom finally freed Sting and started rushing over, but it was so slow, like they were under water.

Apple Bloom hurried to her friend's aid as quickly as her awkward, three-legged gait would allow. She grabbed the creature's hair, pulling his throat towards her sword. The stallion's eyes went wide, and he froze, but he maintained a hold around Spike's neck.

"This here is Sting. Yo've seen it befo'e, haven’t ya, Gollum?" Spike struggled against Gollum, his claws digging into the stallion’s arms. However, Gollum would not budge, even as blood flowed from the multiple lacerations on his leg. The dragon's eyes fluttered, and his arms offered increasingly weak resistance against Gollum’s grip. "Release him, o-or I’ll cut yer throat!" The sword shook dangerously in Apple Bloom's hoof. Sweat poured down her face. Gollum watched as her sword arm expectedly tensed and her eyebrows set into an angry glare. Sting stopped shaking, and the sword pressed harder against the stallion’s neck, drawing a pittance of blood. Gollum loosened his grip around Spike's neck. The dragon crawled away from the stallion, coughing violently.

Gollum went limp, and he fell to the ground. His eyes closed, and a guttural noise built up in his throat. His gasping breath was replaced with a wail as the creature surrendered itself to its new master.

***

Gollum’s wails echoed across the vast, rocky landscape. The sun pummeled Spike and Apple Bloom, and with the assistance of Gollum's screams, it seemed as if the heavens were launching an assault on their mission. But willing or not, Spike continued to tug on the Alicornian rope tied around Gollum's neck, even as the stallion desperately sought a grip on any of the surrounding rock.

"It burns! It burns us! It freezes! Nasty Alicorns twisted it. Take it off us!" screamed Gollum.

Spike's cheeks turned from violet to a violent shade of red. He gave the rope an especially hard tug bringing Gollum face to face with him. His claw surrounded the stallion's neck. Gollum's wails cut off to nothing more than a gurgle. "If you don't be quiet, I'll do something that will really burn." Spike opened his maw, and green fire slowly approached his lips. Gollum tried to scramble away from the dragon, but to no avail; Spike's grip on his neck was too strong.

"Spike?!" yelled Apple Bloom. Spike turned to his companion, and Gollum began to wail again. Spike's attention shifted from Apple Bloom, to Gollum, and finally back to Apple Bloom. "It’s hopeless. Every Changeling in Equestria is going to hear this racket. Let’s just tie him up and leave him."

Gollum stopped crying at once, and turned to Apple Bloom, wide-eyed and pleading. "No! That would kill us! Kill us!"

"It's no more than you deserve," retaliated Spike, moving towards the stallion with his claws held high.

Apple Bloom's hoof went to Spike's shoulders, and she gently pulled him back. Spike stopped altogether, turning to his companion. "No, it's not," said Apple Bloom. Gollum also turned to her and crawled to her hooves.

"We be nice to them if they be nice to us. Take it off us," begged Gollum, shoving the noose around his neck towards his captors. Spike and Apple Bloom turned back to Gollum, gaze flicking from him to each other and back. "We swears to do what you wants. We swears. We swears to serve the master of the Precious. We will swear on the—" Gollum searched frantically before his gaze settles on the Ring. "—on the Precious"

A retched sound reverberated up Gollum's throat. "Gollum. Gollum," he coughed.

Apple Bloom and Spike analyzed the pitiful creature. "Th' Ring is treacherous. Kin Ah hold yo' t' yer wo'd?" Gollum grabbed ahold of Apple Bloom's hoof; Spike flinched.

"Yes, on the Precious. As if I was the Element of Honesty. Yes, on the Precious," complied Gollum.

Apple Bloom inhaled sharply, her eyes unfocusing. Applejack.

Spike noticed his partners lethargic state. His features returned to a fiery red, and he lunged at the stallion. "I don't believe you! You lie!" Gollum jumped away. The stallion screamed bloody murder.

"Spike!" yelled Apple Bloom, ripping the dragon off of the helpless stallion.

"He’s trying to trick us! If we let him go, he’ll throttle us in our sleep. He tried it once before, and he'll do it again," defended Spike.

Gollum lay before the pair, panting and holding his throat. He backed away, his eyes wide and focused on Spike. Apple Bloom placed her hoof on Spike's shoulder and whispered in his ear. "Jest stay back fo' a second." She walked with deliberate slowness toward Gollum.

"Yo' know th' way t'th' Smokey Mountain?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Yes," answered Gollum, his gaze shifting warily from Apple Bloom to Spike. The latter still maintained a fiery, red complexion.

"Yo'’ve been thar befo'e?" continued Apple Bloom.

"Yes," Gollum answered again, his breathing returning to normal.

Apple Bloom reached out and removed the rope from Gollum's neck. Gollum looked down at his body, a slow, nearly toothless smile spreading over his grimy face. Behind them, Spike shook his head. Apple Bloom, you fool.

"Yo' will lead us t'th' Black Gate," ordered Apple Bloom.

***

Gollum scrambled quickly through the rocky crags of the Rambling Rock Ridge. He looked back, making sure that Spike and Apple Bloom were still behind him. The following pair panted heavily, their failing steps lagging behind the surprisingly agile stallion.

"To the Gate! To the Gate! To the Gate, the master says. Yes!" recited Gollum, his features relaxed. Suddenly, Gollum's face twisted into a darker, scowling mask. "No! We won’t go back. Not there. Not to him. They can’t make us."

Gollum retched again. "Gollum! Gollum!"

The stallion scrambled on further and pounced atop a rock. His complexion turned soft. "But we swore to serve the master of the Precious," he pleaded, but his expression soured again. "No. Ashes and dust and thirst there is, and pits, pits, pits."

Spike and Apple Bloom followed Gollum loosely but still within earshot of the argument the stallion had with himself.

"And Changelings, thousands of Changelings. And always the Great Eye watching, watching." Gollum hid in face in his hooves as he began to pout. Whipping around, he looked back to see Spike and Apple Bloom, who managed to catch up with him. He let out an animalistic growl and ran off down the path, quickly losing the following pair.

Spike started forward. "Hey! Come back now! Come back!" Spike and Apple Bloom sprinted after the runaway stallion. Running into a pair of tunnels, the pair surrendered their steps. "There! What did I tell you? He ran off. So much for his promises," huffed Spike, crossing his arms and blowing black smoke while a scowl distorted his complexion.

"This way, pony and dragon. Follow me!" Gollum's head popped out from behind a rock, and he pointed to the rightmost tunnel. Apple Bloom quickly ran after him. Spike retained his scowl but followed as well, slightly shaking his head.

Apple Bloom, you fool.

Ch.4 - The Hunt

Rainbow Dash soared above the thin cloud cover, the thundering wind almost deafening at her present altitude. But as she approached the black flood of retreating Dovakniik, the wind itself was encompassed by the racket of the march. Rainbow observed as the Dovakniik fled into a field of rocks. They suddenly stopped. Rainbow Dash braked and landed atop a cloud. Peering over its edge, she saw the Dovakniik leader, Rkane, raise his fist. His nostrils noticeably flared as he sucked in the surrounding air. Changelings.

From behind the rocks, Rainbow Dash observed a contingent of Changelings reveal themselves. Their leader, Grishnákh, with a voice soft and full of venom, addressed Rkane. "You're late. Our master grows impatient." Rkane turned to his lieutenant, Porag, with an amused smile, which revealed rows of serrated draconian teeth. "He wants the ponies now!" finished Grishnákh.

Ponies. Rainbow Dash frantically took in the bristling horde of darkness, her eyes darting wildly over the tide of black. Eventually, she found the kidnapped ponies, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Their hooves were bound with rope around the necks of a dedicated Dovakniik. Other than that and her mud-stained coat, Sweetie Belle appeared fine. However, it was Scootaloo's condition that Rainbow Dash had a hard time swallowing. The Pegasus' face was caked in dried blood from a gash on her forehead. With every errant twitch by the Dovakniik who carried her, her head lolled around. Her half opened eyes were devoid of consciousness, and her lips quivered as flakes of dry skin flaked away.

Rainbow Dash couldn't divert her gaze from Scootaloo or the Dovakniik who carried her . One needed to be rescued, the other to be dispatched. She huffed jets of steam, and her wings flared from her back. She scraped the cloud with a hoof, angling her body at Scootaloo's captor.

"I don't take orders from Changeling maggots." Rkane's retort surprised Rainbow Dash, so much that her anger was slowly forgotten. Arguing amongst the Changeling ranks? Well, that's new. She placed a hoof up to her eyes, rubbing the grime of sleeplessness from them, and watched the confrontation. Rkane imposed himself before the Changeling front. Rkane's titanic, draconian form overshadowed his minuscule opponents. The Changelings fell back; their jaws dropped, and their eyes widened. "Nightmare Moon will have her prize. We will deliver them," huffed Rkane before turning back to Porag.

The Dovakniik lieutenant sniffed the air. The sucking noise was distinct, even from Rainbow Dash's altitude. "What is it? What do you smell?" asked Rkane.

"Ponies," responded Porag. The battalion of Dovakniik and Changeling descended in a frenzy of searching. Their eyes scoured all angles in search of the approaching ponies. Damn, thought Rainbow Dash, fully retreating above the cloud. Porag glanced towards the sky. Above were few clouds. Thin clouds. Porag's finger pointed towards a Changeling. "Shoot up there," ordered Porag, his finger pointing to the cloud directly above the party. Double damn, thought Rainbow Dash.

The Changeling's horn swirled with green energy, which carried to the tip of its horn and leapt off. The bolt of energy shot through the air, whistling louder as it approached the cloud. Triple damn. The magical projectile impacted the cloud, disintegrating the thin tuft of water.

There was nopony there.

"They're not right behind us, but they've picked up our trail. Let's move," ordered Rkane. The combined horde of Changelings and Dovakniik thundered across the plain, trampling the ground flat.

Sweetie Belle, jostling as her carrier marched along with his brethren, turned to the unconscious Scootaloo. "Scootaloo?" The Pegasus' eyes slowly opened halfway, her pupils lolling around as she was shaken from the movements of the march. "Scootaloo! Wake up!"

Scootaloo jerked awake, her groggy eyes turning to her friend. "Hey, Sweetie Belle," she whispered, a smile slowly crawling across her face. But Sweetie Belle only registered horror as she peered toward her friend; the motion of her head had moved her mane from blocking the wound.

"You're hurt," Sweetie Belle said. Her eyes were glued to the scabbed-over gash on Scootaloo's forehead.

Scootaloo smile became uneasy. "Don't worry about me, Sweetie Belle. Just another painful sacrifice to get my Cutie Mark."

Sweetie Belle dissolved into a quiet laughing fit. "Yeah. Throwing rocks at these guys wasn't such a good plan."

"Yeah." Scootaloo's head briefly wobbled uncontrollably before she returned her gaze to Sweetie Belle. "You think we could get Cutie Marks doing this?"

"What? Being kidnapped?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Sure," answered Scootaloo.

"What would a kidnapping Cutie Mark even look like?" questioned Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo paused for a moment, all expression deserting her. But a smile returned to her face, and she once again looked her friend’s way. "Probably us."

Sweetie Belle chuckled. "No offense, but I really don't want a picture of both of us on my flank forever."

Scootaloo snorted and followed with a violent coughing fit. Her eyes fell on Sweetie Belle's cape and went wide. She winced and screwed them shut, groaning out, "Sweetie Belle, your cape."

Sweetie Belle craned her neck and saw one end of the cape's loop was held together by a single thread. Staring at it awhile, Sweetie Belle's eyes lit up. Idea. She bit into the ripped strap and tore it loose with her teeth. The cape dropped to the ground and was mashed underfoot by the Dovakniik.

"What'd you do that for?" asked Scootaloo.

"I'm making tracks," answered Sweetie Belle, keeping her sight on the cape until the horde had completely trampled it beneath the soil.

***

After many hours, Sauron's soldiers had cleared from the plain. A solitary cloud shifted. Rainbow Dash peered over the edge and found no sign of the Dovakniik. She leapt from the cloud. Her wings spread and caught her, suspending her in the air. She flapped to maintain altitude as she scanned beyond the field for any traces of the Dovakniik. After moments of searching, her eyes shifted downward, and her lips curled into a frown. Rainbow Dash turned around and proceeded back to her fellow hunters to convey her report.

***

Far-off from the Dovakniik, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rover followed the escaping army. The Diamond Dog stayed close to the ground, following the scent of chitin, and he slowly led the other two members of the party towards the Dovakniik.

Rarity followed closest to the Diamond Dog, huffing and nervously tapping her hooves as she paced after him. And as the sun began to retreat from the sky, her disposition only deteriorated. "Can you track any faster?"

Rover looked up and cracked his neck, glaring at the red-faced Unicorn. "Pony needs to learn patience. I will track the kidnappers."

"'Pony needs to learn patience'," mocked Rarity, her voice high-pitched. "Pony. Pony. Pony. Pony. It's Rarity to you, doggy." Rarity stopped Rover, thrusting a hoof into the Diamond Dog's chest. "And maybe if you tracked faster, I wouldn't need to learn patience."

Rover and Rarity collided head-to-head. Rover breathed heavily, baring his vicious canines. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Rarity recoiled in disgust, placing her hoof over her nose. "Good heavens. If you could track as well as you stunk, we'd have found my sister by now."

Rover's apish paws curled into fists, and he growled at Rarity. "Maybe if the pony could stop nagging me, I could get some tracking done. I've been working all day tracking your sister, and all I can hear is criticize, criticize, criticize. From now on, don't ask me for nothing."

"Fine!" The pair split. Rover stormed away from the Unicorn, barking curses in his native tongue while Rarity sat off to the side, roughly tugging at and fixing her hair. Pinkie Pie watched them both, her hair flat, and the vibrancy of her pink coat extinguished. She poked at the ground like a filly stuck watching her parents argue. She looked up at the brilliantly shining stars. Then she turned back to the ground and idly sketched an astronomer peering towards the heavens with a telescope.

Telescope?

Telescope!

As Pinkie's hair popped back into its deranged style, she bounded over to Rarity. The Unicorn's back was to her. "Rarity? Rarity? Rarity? Rarity?" she repeated. Past the ponies, Rover placed his paws over his ears. If he thought Rarity's criticism was annoying, he was in for a treat.

As Pinkie spouted off her name at an incredible rate, Rarity's temperament deteriorated. Her entire body turned hot, then cold, then hot again. Anger rose within her, so great it seared the breath from her lungs as she began to breathe more heavily. She pulled on her mane harder and harder, wrung-out strands of violet hair twisting off randomly. "WHAT?!" screamed Rarity, wheeling on Pinkie.

Pinkie stopped her incessant pestering, and her bounding fell to a standstill. "Rarity, your hair's all weird," she said, poking at the Unicorn's mane. Letting out a long-suffering sigh, Rarity gathered herself. She stroked her mane, reverting it back to its curled perfection. She turned her nose upward, striking an elegant pose in spite of the desolation and their brutish companion. "Thank you, Pinkie Pie. Now, what did you need?"

Pinkie Pie smiled, and, from a hoof behind her back, she produced a pair of binoculars. "I know it's not a telescope, but binoculars are better for tracking, don't you agree?"

Rarity stared at the binoculars, wide-eyed. Her mouth was agape; only a feeble whimper emanated from her throat.

"Give me those!" commanded Rover, snatching the binoculars from Pinkie's hoof. He grasped the dual scopes in his paws and set them against his eyes. "Maybe now prissy pony will stop nagging," mumbled Rover.

"You're holding them the wrong way," noted Pinkie. Rarity chuckled.

"Oops." Rover flipped the binoculars, his cheeks glowing red as blood rushed into them. With vision enhanced, he peered off into the distance. If the Dovakniik were in his line of sight, he could not tell. Nightmare Moon’s shadow provided cover for their retreat. "I can't see them." His head turned to the clouds, where he noticed a cyan bolt falling towards him.

Rainbow Dash landed before the trio, huffing.

Rarity quickly approached her exhausted friend. Her hooves knocked nervously against each other, and her brow was wrinkled. "Anything to report?"

Rainbow reached out for Rarity's shoulder. "Sweetie Belle's fine."

Rarity quietly sighed. "And what about Scootaloo?" Rarity noticed Rainbow's tired lips curl into a frown. The Pegasus' head dropped. "I see."

Rainbow Dash recovered, her eyes focused off to the west. "We're catching up on them. If we can follow through the night, we ought to catch them by next nightfall." Spreading her wings, she took to a low hover. With a toss of her mane, she motioned towards the Dovakniik then set off. Behind her, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rover followed.

***

A horde of grey clouds was approaching, and the open fields turned to a landscape of dotted rocks. Rainbow Dash flew overhead, her companions following close behind. However, passing through an especially disturbed portion, Rover stopped. His nose twitched in all directions then narrowed in on one thing in particular. He followed along an invisible scent trail until he found its origin. He squatted down, inquisitively peering at the odor's origin.

Rarity turned back when the sound of footsteps ceased behind her. She saw Rover squatting, staring at a patch of ground, and she stopped too. The other two followed in the same fashion until all equine eyes were on Rover. Rarity trotted over to Rover and peered over his shoulder. It was only a patch of dirt, just like all the othesr she had passed in the days of tracking.

Rover turned to find Rarity peering over his shoulder. "I don't know what's here." He poked at the flattened earth. "But it smells of Sweetie Belle."

Rarity gasped, "Well, what are you waiting for? Dig!"

Rover sighed. "That's the problem. If I dig it up, and its her corpse, I wouldn't want you to be here to see it."

"Oh. I see." Rarity backed off and turned around. She stood there in her usual elegance, but if one looked close enough, a slight shiver could've been noticed.

Rover slowly reached for the earth, his expression solemn. But once his claws touched the dirt, he began digging like a feral beast, looking away, and wincing with each thrown scoop. Seconds later, he pulled forth a ravaged Cutie Mark Crusader cape.

He choked, and tears rolled down his cheek. "Rainbow! Get over here."

Rarity almost turned as Rainbow Dash passed her but resisted the morbid temptation. She stayed with her back to Rover, and her trembling hooves clacked against each other. Pinkie came to her side, patting her shoulder. "It'll be okay."

Pinkie's knee was pinchy.

Rainbow Dash joined Rover. The Diamond Dog sniffled and turned, holding the shredded cape. "This is the only thing I could find," he whispered.

"The only thing?" asked Rainbow.

"Yes. No corpse, no meat, no bones." Rover paused. "You don't think—"

"No, I don't want to." The two of them fell silent, each of them looking toward Rarity and back at the other.

"You think we should tell her?' asked Rover.

Rainbow, in her peripherals, glanced at Rarity. She still sat facing away from them. Turning back to Rover, Rainbow's head was bowed, and she was frowning. She reverently took the cape from Rover, hugging it to her chest. "Applejack would have told her." Rainbow walked over to Rarity as thick grey clouds moved overhead beginning to drop fat raindrops on the ponies below.

"Rarity." The Unicorn turned toward Rainbow's subdued voice. There, in her hoof, was the tattered remains of Sweetie Belle's cape. She reached out for it with a shaking hoof and hugged it to herself, uncaring of the dirt and filth covering it. The rain hid her tears, but it did nothing to cover her gasping sobs as she choked out, "I... I failed her..."

Rainbow trotted up to Rarity and placed her hoof on her shoulder. "Come on. We don't have much time to waste. We gotta find Scootaloo," she whispered.

Turning back to the trail, Rainbow trotted away. Rover followed along with Pinkie Pie, her hair flat from the rain. All heads were bowed as they ventured forth for Scootaloo. But Rarity stayed behind, still rocking the cradled remnants of Sweetie Belle in her hooves. She snuggled the shredded cape.

I failed you.

Ch.5 - Fires of Industry

The Tower of Orthanc, a fortress of black obsidian, gleaming with demonic magic, even under the obscuring smoke that blocked out Celestia's power. It rose five hundred feet on four invincible spires of many-sided stone welded into one, but near the summit they opened into gaping horns, their pinnacles sharp as spears and keen-edged as knives. The clattering of hammers and cruel wisps of smoke issued forth from caverns amid the now ash-colored land within the Ring of Isengard. Once, within the Ring, it had been green and filled with avenues and groves of fruitful trees, watered by streams that flowed from the Unicorn Range. But no green thing grew there in the latter days of Nightmare Moon, when the Changelings were invited into its boundary.

Nightmare Moon stood in her chamber, the diminishing light from the fires below seeping in through the balcony window. Her hoof hovered over the Palantír; her eyes were closed, the eyelids pained, and blood thundered through her head. Within the dark orb were swirls of fire and shadow, chaotic and savage.

The world is changing.

The fire within the Palantír ceased its frenzied antics. It reformed, darkness forming the base of a tower beside a river of fire. The gates into the structure opened like a Balrog's maw, and from its pitch-black depths marched out the uniform horde of Changelings.

Who now has the strength to stand against the armies of Isengard and Mordor? To stand against the might of Sauron and Nightmare Moon and the union of the two towers?

The Palantír's vision raced up the tower, blacker and darker and crueler than Orthanc. Up wall upon wall, battlement upon battlement, the fortress an immeasurably strong mountain of iron with a gate of steel, a pillar of adamant... Barad-dûr, Fortress of Sauron. The clouds parted as Barad-dûr rose through the heavens to the flaming Eye of Sauron atop the tower, watching over the world.

Together, my Lord Sauron, we shall rule Equestria with immortal night.

***

The few beautiful trees surviving on the pitted plain of Isengard are soon hacked down by Changelings. Axes hewed into the trucks. Afterward, their carcasses were thrown down into the pits. Below, Nightmare Moon walked amongst those Changelings left in squalor, drenched in mud but eager to work. She watched as more axe-wielding Changelings hacked the rooted corpses into pieces, which were then tossed carelessly into the fire.

The Old World will burn in the fires of industry. The forests will fall.

The fire turned steel into molten metal, which was poured into molds of war. The finished blades were cooled; helmets were created; armor was forged. Swords were pounded into shape and added to a large pile.

A new order will rise. We will now drive the machine of war with the sword and the spear and the iron hoof of the Changelings.

Even farther down in the pits, where there was no smoke or fire, but instead moist and cool and dark, Dovakniik were birthed into creation. Their full forms were pulled from dirt-encrusted embryos and stumbled like toddlers to a Changeling who inspected the finished product.

Nightmare Moon approached the line of acceptable Dovakniik, smiling. Behind her followed the Changeling Overseer.

"I want them armed and ready to march within two weeks," ordered Nightmare Moon.

"But, my Queen, there are too many! They cannot all be armed in time; we don’t have the means," blurted the Changeling Overseer. He stopped in his tracks, his hoof tapping madly against the floor. Light drops of sweat began to pour down his face.

Nightmare Moon turned to look him straight on, and he saw a kind of black fire in her eyes, a hint that the omnipotent Alicorn had only shown him a minuscule fraction of her power. The Changeling Overseer saw vision of dark tentacles strangling ponies to death, corrupted warriors insane with blood lust, and entire kingdoms bowing before her. And he realized that if he disputed her command ever again, she would do worse things to him. His knees bent, and his head lowered, eyes shying away from her gaze.

"Build a dam. Block the stream from the mountains. Work the furnaces night and day."

"B-but even then, we wouldn't have enough fuel to feed the fires," stuttered the Changeling Overseer, flinching with every breath taken.

Nightmare Moon looked up. From the top of the pit shone only firelight, the entire observable sky covered in shadow. But yet, an even darker shadow was created as another tree was dropped into the burning pit. She smiled. "There is a forest that lies on our doorstep." She turned back to the Changeling Overseer, glaring at him coldly. "Burn it!"

The Changeling Overseer's gaze continued to avoid the form of Nightmare Moon. "Yes, your majesty."

***

We only have to remove those who oppose us. To the south lie the meager villages of Ponyville, Appleloosa, and Dodge City. Too long has Ponyville stood against you, mocking you as it hide in the shadow of your mountain, but no more. Ponyville, along with many others, will soon fall.

***

Ponyville now stood in flames. The Dovakniik ravaged the burning town and brutally murdered anypony that came across their path. Screams could be heard from the red schoolhouse as Cheerilee and her students were burned, trapped inside the wooden building. Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake were ripped into pieces, the parents forced to watch as the Dovakniik consumed their children. Sweet Apple Acres became a flaming field, as trees planted by the Apple family during the founding of Ponyville were transformed into massive torches.

But from the burning wreck of Ponyville's Town Hall, there came a question.

"Mom?” Dinky coughed. “Mom?" Dinky Doo crawled through the collapsing seat of government, the harsh black smoke dangling above her. "Mom?" she called again, her eyes darting about for grey fur, offset golden eyes, or a blonde mane.

"Dinky!" cried Derpy, tackling the filly. She hugged her daughter close, forgetting the fire that raged around her and simply nuzzled Dinky's blackened face in her chest. But the fire continued to rage, and with a thunderous crack, a supporting beam collapsed, landing beside the embracing couple.

Derpy screamed, quick and shrill, crawling back with her daughter, her hooves pushing against the floor at the same rate as her racing heart. Distancing herself from the burning board, Derpy hugged her daughter harder. That's when she realized her daughter was barely breathing. Wheeling frantically, both eyes rolling in opposite directions, Derpy scanned for the slightest chance at escape.

There!

A beam of light, not fire but sun, shone through the burning Town Hall. Derpy galloped to the exit, ready to throw her daughter through the filly-sized hole. The light disappeared as a pony passed by. It was Time Turner.

"Time Turner?!" yelled Derpy above the screams. The shriek grabbed his attention, and he turned, spying the Pegasus' face in the burning tower.

"Dinky! Derpy!" he cried, racing to the makeshift exit. Dinky was fed through onto the stallion's awaiting back.

"Take her far, far away from here!" ordered Derpy, before another beam fell. A crunch rang through the building as Time Turner’s view of his wife was blocked. Time Turner screamed, rolling back. Dinky flew from his back, falling to the ground.

A Dovakniik peered down at the unconscious filly who had just landed before it, licking his lips hungrily, savoring the meal to come. His claw reached for her. She awoke, her eyes opening slowly, to discover the approaching terror. She screamed, what she thought would be her last.

Time Turner slammed into the Dovakniik, toppling the monster away from Dinky. The creature shot back up and turned towards the stallion. In his eyes rose an angry fire, and he roared at the paralyzed stallion. The Dovakniik grabbed him, squeezing the Earth Pony mercilessly. A series of cracks emanated from the Doctor, and blood oozed from his mouth. The Dovakniik's maw opened wide, Time Turner's head slowly being led into the stinking expanse.

Using the remainder of his strength, Time Turner turned to Dinky. "Run, Dinky," he choked out. Another crunch signified her father's grisly end. But Dinky wasn't there to witness it. She was already running, her tired legs carrying her into the crowd of other escaping ponies.

They were heading south.

She was heading south.

The herd of Buffalo charged towards Appleloosa’s apple orchard, which was evident in the distance. And as they stampeded closer, the path through the orchard appeared to grow wider and wider and wider. It was a comforting sight, made even more so by the three ponies who stood to greet them.

Chief Thunderhooves slowed to a saunter, his fellow tribe members following suit. He huffed loudly, a smile apparent on his features. "It is good to see our Appleloosan friends again. Tell me, are the apple pies as good this year as the last?”. Chief Thunderhooves breathed deeply, expecting the intoxicating aroma of apple pie to waft into his nostrils, but there was none. He looked to Braeburn with a confused expression, expecting an explanation.

From alongside her father, the Chief, Little Strongheart saw that Braeburn could look neither her or her father in the eye. A forlorn expression clouded what could be seen of his face. But there, more bravely, stood Appleloosa's sheriff, Silverstar and one of his deputies. The sheriff stepped forward, his bravery fading as he approached the buffalo tribe. He pulled forth a scroll, unrolling the document, and held it high.

"By order of Mayor Valor, the buffalo tribe led by Chief Thunderhooves is to leave the lands belonging to Appleloosa immediately. Any further stampeding will be met with swift... extinction of Chief Thunderhooves, his relatives, and those belonging to his tribe." Sheriff Silverstar re-rolled the scroll, bowing his head as he retreated to his deputies side.

Chief Thunderhooves huffed white smoke, his face red and contorted into the most primal expression of aggression. He stomped his way to the Sheriff, yelling, "HOW DARE YO—" The Chief was silenced as the cold-eyed deputy stepped forth. He brandished a crossbow, aiming it just in front of Chief Thunderhooves, waiting for him to take a step.

The Chief raged on the spot, grinding the rocky earth with his hooves while he held a burning breath. A hoof on his shoulder distracted him, and he turned to face his daughter, her face showing a soft sadness. "Let it go," was all she said, before turning back for their home. Chief Thunderhooves huffed one last time, turning back to the plains as well. The rest of the buffalo followed.

But before disappearing into the sunset, Little Strongheart turned back to the stalwart ponies. The Sheriff and his deputy had left, but yet Braeburn stood there, watching them walk away with both self-pity and shame.

The last good pony, she thought before turning back to the setting sun.

Ch.7 - Separation

The Sun broke over the early morning plains of Equestria, bright red like blood. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rover continued their hunt for the kidnapped Scootaloo, with Rarity following behind them. Black sacks of tired flesh hung under her eyes, as if filled with malicious poison, and the sun annoyingly bit into her vision, which caused her to grind her teeth as she silently raged.

It wasn't your fault.

The voice was right. She glared at Rainbow Dash and Rover. All she could see was Sweetie Belle's blood soaked into their fur. As Rover continued on his slow crawl, with his nose to the soil, she loathed the Diamond Dog.

It wasn't your fault. You're not the tracker of your Fellowship. You were not the one taking his sweet time while the fillies' lives were at risk.

The voice’s, and Rarity’s, focus shifted to Rainbow Dash. So athletic, rang the voice in her head. And yet, she couldn't be counted on when she was right above your sister. All she would have needed to do was swoop down and grab Sweetie Belle.

Such thoughts swirled in her mind, fermenting into a toxic brew of venom, which she would've gladly dished out to both the Pegasus and the Diamond Dog. They don't deserve to be called by name for what they've done.

Rover raised his fist, and both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie stopped.

Stopped...

STOPPED!

The urge rose like a tidal wave, an urge to hurt them. It wouldn't settle. It only grew, growing until it would be forced from her soul and put into action. How she wanted to lash out with her magic and tear out the Diamond Dog's claws one by one and sever the Pegasus' wings. How she just wanted to hurt them. How she wanted them to die.

The Diamond Dog shoved her behind a rock. Rarity stumbled and turned back to Rover, her eyes alight in blue fury. She raised her hoof, aiming for the Diamond Dog's face. But he tackled her, his heavy body pressing her limbs to the soil. She wanted to swear at him, spit curses which would've singed his fur. But she was again interrupted by Rainbow Dash yelling, "Incoming!"

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow joined them behind the rock. Only then did Rarity notice the shaking earth, the heavy breaths on the wind, and the roar of a stampede echoing across the plane. A herd of Buffalo passed the stone, storming down the plain. As the last of the stampede cleared their cover, Rainbow Dash stepped out from behind the rock and raised her hoof, waving to the Buffalo.

"Chief Thunderhooves. What news?" she called. The Chief circled left, and the herd followed until they were aimed straight for the Pegasus. Rover and Pinkie joined Rainbow Dash, Rarity again following behind. Their eyes were focused on the approaching herd, but Rarity's steely gaze was still turned on her two hated companions. No good deed will ever make up for what you two have done to me.

Once the Buffalo reached the four travelers, they circled tightly, forcing them into a square, before stopping and leveling their horns at the four. A hole in the Buffalo's formation allowed Chief Thunderhooves and Little Strongheart to step forward and address them.

"Allies or enemies? Which are you now, Rainbow Dash, once-friend of my tribe?" asked the Chief, his great body towering over Rainbow Dash. His heavy breaths ruffled her fur and feathers, and his intrusive stare peered deep into her soul. The surrounded travelers held their breaths, remaining motionless to avoid startling the suspicious Buffalo. Only the wind dared make noise as it rolled along the plains.

The Pegasus stepped back and was forced to tilt her head up to match gazes the Chief. "We’re still friends, Chief." The Chief still loomed over her, but he relaxed. Encouragingly, she saw the Buffalo in her peripheral vision point their horns back skyward. Rainbow Dash and her companions sighed. She glanced at the Buffalo around her, and then looked back to the Chief tilting her head. "It's stampeding time. Why aren't you in Appleloosa?"

Now it was Chief Thunderhooves’ turn to step back. His once intense stare crumbled and fell to the ground, unable to look at her any longer. Little Strongheart took her father's place before Rainbow Dash. "Mayor Valor of Appleloosa has banished us from the town under pain of death. And in the name of our past and hard-won peace, we obliged him." Little Strongheart stepped closer and whispered into the Pegasus' ear. "I suspect this is the work of Nightmare Moon. They say she treads these lands as an Alicorn in a black cloak. She must have corrupted the once noble office of Mayor Valor. We suspect a spy within his midst." She spoke in hushed tones then fell back beside her father, who had regained the strength to look back to the party.

"Even though it is good to meet allies in the great harvest of our betrayal, I must ask: why are you in these lands? It is rarer than a blue moon to see such company roaming wildly on the plains."

"We’re hunting a party of Changelings and Dovakniik across these lands. They’ve taken two of our friends captive."

Rarity ground her teeth together as she focused her hateful gaze on Rainbow Dash. Now one is dead because of her.

But opposing the malice of the Unicorn, Little Strongheart looked downcast like her father beside her. "The Dovakniik were destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night."

Rainbow Dash jumped forward. "But there were two fillies! Did you see two fillies with them?!"

Little Strongheart could only shake her head. "We left none alive. We piled the carcasses and burned them." She pointed to the west, where a column of smoke rose along the Everfree forest.

Rainbow Dash slackened, staring dumbfounded at the smoke column. Rover stepped forward, placing his paw on Rainbow's shoulder. He did not speak, but he breathed heavily, concentrating on turning back his tears while there were Buffalo present.

Chief Thunderhooves, along with all the Buffalo, slowly stepped past the remnants of the Fellowship. Only Rarity did not look towards the far-off smoke. Only Scootaloo is in that pyre, and of course they care only about her. "Look for your friends. But do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands," said the Chief in departure. "We go south!" They stampeded off, a great tremor reverberating along the plain at their passage. Little Strongheart followed last, parting from Rainbow Dash with a whispered, "I'm sorry" and a single tiny shake of her head before she too disappeared to the south with her kin.

And as the last quakes of the Buffalos' stampede disappeared, there was only silence left until quiet sobs filled the air. Pinkie Pie keeled over, her hair flat, as tears rained from her eyes. Rover turned back to hold the crying mare in his arms, stroking her mane as he whispered through his own tears, "It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay."

For a moment, Rainbow Dash remained paralyzed, her entire being focused on the great column of smoke before her. Then, as if a great quake took hold of Equestria, the Pegasus shook violently, one hoof raising slowly, reaching out for the smoke and for the impossibility that Scootaloo would just jump into her hoof and be pulled back to safety. But she only accomplished blocking out the gray cloud; for Rainbow Dash, its sight was too painful to bear. The Pegasus’ legs gave out from under her, her strength emotionally drained. She put her face to the ground and cried, muffled songs of sadness escaping the dirt’s embrace. But as Rover and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie shared in Scootaloo’s passing, one Unicorn would not succumb to grief.

Rarity turned back to Rainbow Dash, and as her gaze fell upon the crying mare, her malice disappeared. Instead, there was empathy. She reached out for the Pegasus, ready to take Rover's place as Rainbow's support. But she stopped as Rainbow Dash raised her head, her red-rimmed eyes filled with new conviction. "No."

"What?"

Rainbow Dash turned to Rarity, the Unicorn frozen by the Pegasus' stare of cold determination. "No. If there's a chance that Scootaloo is still alive, I will not abandon her. We’ll keep going till we know for sure." She won't abandon Scootaloo but left your sister to the hounds? Who is she to be your leader? Who is she to be your friend? And, like earlier that morning, Rarity agreed with the voice in her head.

Rover, hearing Rainbow's words, wiped his eyes free of tears and pushed himself up. He held out his paw for Pinkie, who accepted it, and pulled her to her hooves. But with her first step, she stumbled into Rover. He supported her, lending his strength and stability.

"Rover? Pinkie Pie? Both of you ready to head out?" asked Rainbow Dash, turning her head to look at them.

Rover looked down at Pinkie, who found the strength to stand without her crutch. He turned back to Rainbow Dash. "I think we'll be fine."

"Rarity, are y—?"

Rarity tackled the Pegasus, a primal scream ripping from her throat. She wrapped her hooves around Rainbow's neck. Only strangled gasps escaped Rainbow’s throat as she thrashed against who she thought was her friend.

"You let my sister die, you bastard, but you'll risk everything for Scootaloo!"

Rover lifted Rarity off of Rainbow, squeezing her legs into her chest, She flailed against him, upsetting his balance, then pulled a hoof from his grip and struck his nose. A yelp tore from Rover's throat as he clamped his paws over his bloodied snout.

Rainbow clutched her throat, gasping for breath, powerless to move away from her oncoming attacker. Rarity pounced on Rainbow Dash. Straddling the Pegasus, Rarity grabbed and raised a hoof-sized rock in one hoof and Rainbow’s throat in the other. "For Sweetie Belle. Her life for yours."

Good.

"But it wasn't her fault."

Rarity turned sharply, wide-eyed, and stared at the speaker of such lies, Pinkie Pie. "Not her fault?" Rarity let go of Rainbow Dash, who fell back, coughing hoarsely. She stomped over to Pinkie Pie, dropping the rock along her way, and grabbed the fur along Pinkie's neck, pulling her closer. "Not her fault? It is all her fault along with that mutt! Who said she wouldn't abandon my sister to torment and death? Who, Pinkie? Who!"

Strangely, Pinkie did not tremble nor squirm to be free. She only placed her hoof on Rarity's shoulder and whispered, "Nopony blames you."

Pinkie Pie fell to the ground and looked up. Rarity stood there silently, staring off with a blank expression. She then turned her head slowly over to Rainbow Dash and watched as she choked and squirmed on the ground. Rarity put a hoof to her mouth, and a strangled squeal escaped her lips. She backed up slowly, settling back onto four hooves, then turned from Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. Rarity wailed as she escaped from her companions into the plains.

Rainbow Dash jumped up, gasping as she chased after Rarity. But she fell, clutching her throat as another harsh cough escaped her. Pinkie Pie went to her aid, patting Rainbow on the back as Rover recovered, dried blood trailing from his nose to his lips.

"Just like Fluttershy," commented the Diamond Dog.

Rainbow cringed, from both the pain and his remark. She stood back up with Pinkie Pie's assistance. They peered into the distance where the sun was still high and where Rarity had disappeared into the vast plains. Rainbow broke free of Pinkie's support and walked off.

"But what about Rarity?" asked Rover, looking from Rarity to Rainbow Dash.

"It doesn't matter. We continue on." Rainbow Dash turned towards the smoke on the horizon, the opposite direction.

"Scootaloo might still be alive out there somewhere." After sharing a swift, but concerned, glance, Rover and Pinkie Pie followed.

"See? See? We led you out." Gollum jumped from the rock, landing on a mixture of moist earth and stone. "Hurry ponies. Hurry."

Spike and Apple Bloom eventually caught up, gasping. They trekked to their guide's side, peering off into the forest of the Everfree. The view brought a smile to their faces; just beyond the forest was home. They walked past Gollum, completely focused to the place beyond the trees.

"It's peekoolyar, ain't it?" commented Apple Bloom.

"What is?" asked Spike. The thought of home kept him smiling.

Apple Bloom gestured to the trees. "To think, weeks gone travellin' an' we end up right back where we started, even though our mission ain't done."

Spike nodded, still smiling. "True, but home is welcome with this dragon." He poked himself in the chest with his thumb. Then his stomach growled, bringing a brief grimace to his lips. He turned to Apple Bloom. "No offense to you, but I really just want to eat something other than apples."

Apple Bloom chuckled quietly. "Yeah. Even ah have t'agree only eatin' an apple a day might turn stale on over a long while."

Now it was Spike's turn to chuckle. "I never thought I'd hear you say that."

"Well, even an Apple can admit she needs mo'e than an apple every now an' then." She smiled, but then, after a thought, her smile faded. She turned to Spike. "You know we can't stay long, right?"

Spike glanced to her, and his smile disappeared too. He took in a great breath, which transformed into a long sigh. "Yeah, I know." But once again, his smile returned. "But we can enjoy it while it lasts."

They continued on through the Everfree, the foliage growing thinner as they approached the forest's edge. As they did, they did not see a bright and colored town full of bustling ponies. There were no cheers as the native adventurers returned for a quick reprieve. No, as the three approached the town, they saw nothing but a shifting grey mass.

They emerged from the tree line, the bridge crossing the river immediately before them, and farther on was a grey cloud. It rose into the sky like a great plume. While they had traveled behind the mountain and later through the forest, it had been concealed. Now its existence was laid bare before them. All three stood there in silence, scanning the grey cloud, searching for any sign that there were things beyond it.

A rogue wind blew across the landscape, and through the shifting grey, a broken water wheel appeared, still turning, the ragged edges attesting to a great battle not so long ago.

This was Ponyville.

This was home.

Burned

Rarity could travel no longer. Her hooves stumbled and twisted more and more with each step. Eventually, she collapsed, quiet, heaving sighs taking the place of her breath. Dried tears streaked her cheeks. She stared at the ground, her mind completely on Sweetie Belle.

Who is to blame for Sweetie Belle's death? Was it Rainbow Dash or Rover or even her kidnappers? Or was it me? Why didn't I stay in the forest with Sweetie Belle when we were attacked? I should never have abandoned her to protect Apple Bloom. She isn't my sister. She may be the Ring-bearer, but nothing is more important than family.

Yes, vile betrayer. You abandoned your sister to torment and death.

The voice rang through her head once again, but it wasn't like before. This time, it seemed to originate from off in the far plains. Rarity turned. Something was in the distance. It had the shape of a pony, and something covering it wavered in the breeze, a black cloak. But a cruelly sharp horn stood out from under the hood.

It was the dark Alicorn of which Little Strongheart had spoken.

You know my name.

Yes, Rarity did know the Alicorn's name. The voice in her head was its own, a voice hidden deep within her memories, a voice which intruded in her deepest nightmares. A voice she hadn't realized was not her own until now.

It was the voice of Nightmare Moon.

Yes. Now, you are mine.

Rarity blinked, and Nightmare Moon appeared directly before Rarity, gazing down on her with sapphire eyes and a devilish smile.

Rarity screamed.

"No. No." Apple Bloom dashed into the ashen smoke, disappearing in the thick haze mere meters from Spike and Gollum.

"No!" yelled Spike, running after her, the thick haze swallowing him too. The cloud seemed to continue forever to him, seeing nothing but a few meters in front of him at any time. But what he saw brought terror to his soul. Burned buildings flitted in his peripherals, more like ghosts than remnants of his town. As he stumbled, he kicked through small ash piles before his feet, causing more ashen clouds to join the assaulted on his sight.

Farther on he continued, calling for Apple Bloom. But there was no response; all that was left was the silence and the ash.

Something massive appeared to his left. Spike turned to it, slowly stepping towards the goliath. Closer, he saw it to be the north edge of the town hall, the top half of the tower having collapsed in on itself. But its destruction was lost to him. If he could see what remained of the front door, then directly behind him was the Ponyville library.

He sprinted back into the dust, eyes focused forward on where he knew his home to be. But as it apparated through the smoke, Spike stumbled to a stop, a stump filled with dead ash before him.

Spike fell to his knees and crawled into the charred ruin of his home, a steady stream of tears soaking into the burnt floor. He scrubbed the ash away, his hand stained gray, as he slowly searched for a book, a toy, anything. His hand brushed over something hard, and he pulled it free of the ash pile. It was no book or toy but instead a picture in a singed frame, the glass cracked, and its top left edge was burnt.

He pulled the photo from the case. Remembering back, he saw himself outlined by a massive print within the soil. It had been the day his greed had grown out of control and he had rampaged throughout Ponyville. But in the photo, he saw something else: Rarity sat beside him, her hoof around his shoulder.

Tears flowed anew, and he looked away from the picture. Spike was reminded of everything lost: Rarity, Twilight, his home, his entire world. How could he go on? How could he get back up from being knocked so low?

He looked at the photo one last time, this time inquisitively, like his tears had washed away a film, leaving him with a new perspective. He saw no reminder of his old life or lost loved ones. He saw strength, a friend's consolations after a terrible deed.

Even after becoming a monster, even after destroying his own home, no one had rejected him. They had come to his aid, helping him up when he had been at his lowest.

That day, his friends had given him strength when he needed it most. Today, Apple Bloom was his friend, lost somewhere in the mist. She would have fallen low. She would need a friend to pick her back up.

Spike stood up, a slow conviction burning in his soul. He wiped the tears from his eyes and began the slow trek north to Sweet Apple Acres.

It was where Apple Bloom would be.

Have I failed?

For the second time in her life, Apple Bloom saw the fields of Sweet Apple Acres reduced to ash. But even in the grave-like silence, when her thoughts should have been on the ashen hills, Apple Bloom's mind turned to weeks past, to the Bloody Mirror and after.

She could still hear the Princess' voice intrude into her thoughts. This is what will come to pass if you should fail.

Once again, Apple Bloom was consumed by her previous question. Have I failed? The mere thought brought tears to her eyes. She was an Apple alone; her parents and siblings were dead, and now Ponyville was burned to the ground. What was left to fight for?

"It's okay, Apple Bloom. Do not cry, little fly," a regal voice rose from behind Apple Bloom, and she felt a hoof settle on her shoulder.

She turned, and there stood Princess Celestia, smiling down upon her. "It was not your fault. Do not fall into despair."

Apple Bloom turned back to the ashen hills and found them replaced by the forest of the Hollow Shades as she remembered it from weeks ago. "But whut else am Ah to do?" She once again turned to the Princess, and for the slightest moment, Apple Bloom imagined Celestia's smile had deformed into a hiss. But shaking her head revealed a still smiling Princess.

Celestia stroked Apple Bloom’s mane. "Just lie down and rest, and do not worry. I am here to end your suffering." Apple Bloom lay to rest. With one hoof, the Princess continued to stroke her mane, and with the other, she took hold of a rock and raised it over Apple Bloom’s skull. "Forever."

"Apple Bloom!" Spike's voice echoed across the empty landscape. She rose, peering to the south for any sign of her friend. But there was none. She could see no one, not Princess Celestia, the Hollow Shades, or Spike. She was still surrounded by ash-covered emptiness.

She was truly an Apple alone.

With eyes closed, Rarity expected Nightmare Moon's cold grasp to take her away, but it never came. She dared to open an eye, and what greeted her was a blinding white light which radiated from an orb before her. She could see nothing beyond it.

Then the orb moved away, and surrounding her was a dark forest filled with twisted, mossy trees. It was the Everfree Forest.

Rarity backpedaled from the white light, only stopping as she backed against a tree. She breathed in erratic gasps, and as the orb converged on her, she shied from its brilliance. "Stay away from me!" she screamed.

The orb moved to the side, trying to place itself in Rarity's vision. But she turned away from its light, her eyes shut, screaming, "What do you want?"

It stopped again. A radiant tendril reached out from the orb and touched the tip of her horn, and white light spread down it to cover her entire body. It enveloped her, bringing a dark purple sickness to the surface of her form. The light then retreated, ripping Nightmare Moon's influence from Rarity’s mind. All but a sliver of the white light fell back into the orb, a tiny speck diffusing into her horn.

The world spun around Rarity. The forest shifted, becoming more twisted, rotted, and dark. The orb had vanished, but she felt its limb on the back of her head. But before she could turn, she heard a voice ring out in the Everfree Forest.

"Did we lose him? I think we lost him."

That voice? It couldn't be...

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo broke through the dark brush, both breathing wildly as they quickly looked behind them, and continued galloping deeper into the Everfree.

"Sweetie Belle! Here!" called Rarity. Her sister stopped and faced her, but there was no expression of happiness. Instead, the filly recoiled in disgust, and a new voice echoed through the dark forest.

"I'm going to tear out your filthy, little innards!" Through her stepped a Changeling, broad-shouldered, his back hind leg failing to step properly.

Then the vision disappeared, and Rarity once again stood in the plains south of Ponyville. The white orb was again before her, burning her eyes with light.

"Why?" was all she managed.

The orb did not say anything. Instead it floated further south, as if it wanted her to go in that direction. But Rarity instead turned to the Everfree Forest. "And what if I go to save my sister?"

The orb once again confronted her. This time, the white radiance was replaced with a fiery glow surrounding a black slit, like a flaming snake's eye. And in the scorching flame, she saw a filly, Dinky Hooves — dead, surrounded by a pool of blood. Then the image flashed, and the dead foal was only one amongst a multitude of other dead ponies.

Rarity inhaled quick, shallow breaths, her eyes wide as the orb, by some dark magic, forced her to watch the vision of carnage. Then it stopped, and she fell to the ground, harsh gasps escaping her lips. Rarity looked up, the orb again covered in a white radiance. "I... see," she said. Rarity stood up, clutching her chest, feeling her heartbeat slow, then passed the orb, walking towards the southern reaches of Equestria, jaw clenched to fight back the tears. The orb flew overhead into the Everfree forest, eventually being consumed by the dark expanse.

"Apple Bloom!" called Spike. He continued on, stumbling his way to what he hoped remained of Sweet Apple Acres. He scanned the area, checking for any sign, any landmark, that he was still going the right way to Sweet Apple Acres. But there was none.

Then he heard the crying.

It was faint, almost mistaken for a slight wind not strong enough to disturb the dust. But as Spike continued, it grew louder. Then he saw her. Her red bow stood out amongst the gray ash, her prone body shaking with each sob.

Spike fell silent. He closed the distance between them then kneeled behind her.

"Ah failed them," whispered Apple Bloom. "They're all gone." She sat up and fell into Spike's lap.

Spike started stroking her mane. "Shh, shh. I'm here."

"’S all mah fault. Applejack. Twilight. ’S all mah fault," cried Apple Bloom.

Spike blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay. "Apple Bloom, none of this is your fault."

"It is all mah fault," cried Apple Bloom, snuggling deeper into Spike's embrace.

But before she could get comfortable, Spike grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him. He saw terror in her eyes. "No! Don't do that. Please don't do that!"

Her terror froze her in place, and with wide eyes and open ears and captured body, she was forced to listen to Spike.

"I have lost family. I have lost friends. And I could not live if I lost even one more." Spike let go of Apple Bloom and stood, and she needed to look up at him. "Terrible things have happened, but to give up is to make your sister's, and my sister's, sacrifice vain."

Spike stretched out an open claw to Apple Bloom, who was still kneeling on the ashen ground. "I made Twilight a promise, and while I can't carry it for you, I can carry you."

Apple Bloom sniffed and wiped her eyes with a hoof. When it fell, she smiled weakly through her tears. She placed a hoof in Spike's open claw, and he pulled her up into a hug, supporting her. She placed her mouth beside his ear and said, "Thanks, Spike."

He pulled back from the hug, leaving one claw on Apple Bloom's shoulder. "Any time."

Apple Bloom glanced off into the distance, past the dragon's shoulder. She strode past her friend. "C'mon Spike. We still got a long journey ahead." She turned back to face her companion. "Let's go find our guide."

Apple Bloom turned back to the north, walking on as she called, "Sméagol," into the ash cloud. Spike followed behind, his eyes wandering the cloud, searching for the snake who was his guide. I'm surprised he didn't try to take the Ring. But he will when he gets his chance.

Unbeknownst to the pair, Sméagol stood far back from them. A low, rolling growl came through his clenched his teeth as he hoof tapped a small rock resting at his hooves. "It was ours! Ours, Precious. It was the dragonses fault. Stupid. Fats. Dragon."

"Quiet, Precious. Don't want the Master to hear us," whispered Gollum.

Sméagol turned to his partner and cried out in hushed tones, "But the Precious was ours. And the dragons ruineds its." He coughed hoarsely, a vague Gollum ripping from his throat twice.

"Sméagol? Is that you?" echoed Apple Bloom, north of where Sméagol stood.

"Too late," whispered Gollum, a distasteful frown contorting his lips. But then his frown curled upward into a sinister smile. "But if we can'ts have the Precious now, there is always later. There is always the stair."

Sméagol's eyes lit up like a foal's at Hearth's Warming Day, and he bounced once in silent anticipation. "Yes, Precious. The. Stair." He fell on his bottom, clapping his hooves together.

"Sméagol? Where are you? Answer me!" Apple Bloom's voice was slightly louder as it echoed through the mist.

"We will wait for the Master. We will wait for the stair," finished Gollum, followed by him coughing out Gollum twice.

Apple Bloom strode through the mist, Spike at her heels, to find Gollum sitting on his haunches, his eyes wide and an uneasy smile on his lips. "We was... We was looking for you... Master."

Apple Bloom smiled, also uneasily. "Well, okay, then. Should we git goin’?"

Gollum looked from Apple Bloom to Spike, and he could feel his expression sour. But that was before the dragon returned his gaze. It was quick, but Gollum noticed the dragon hypnotized by the Ring swinging from Apple Bloom's neck before Spike had turned to him with the same scowl he had seen for days. But as Spike scowled, Gollum smiled.

"Yes, let's go. Long to go Master. Still a long way," departed Gollum before hobbling northward past Apple Bloom and Spike. Casting a concerned glance to Apple Bloom, Spike followed Gollum, and she followed behind.

I know your weakness, dragon. And soon, the Precious will be ours again.

Rover's massive claws dug into the smoldering pile of burnt Changelings, shoveling crispy guts, gray ash, and fried chitin aside as he sniffed for the scent of a pony. Rainbow Dash stood behind him, her steely gaze focused on the Diamond Dog as Pinkie Pie nervously walked about, muttering optimistic remarks to herself. But as the sun crept over the edge of the hills and beyond the realm of Equestria, Rover ceased digging, hours of work wasted.

He turned to Rainbow Dash, but he could not match her gaze out of shame. Instead, he walked past her, saying, "I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. I couldn't find anything."

Pinkie Pie looked to Rover as he approached her, smiling and clacking her hooves together. But he passed her with even less courtesy than he had Rainbow, remaining silent. Pinkie's smile dropped as she turned to Rainbow Dash, who was almost upon her. When Pinkie met Rainbow's gaze, she saw the shame hidden beneath the cloak of conviction. Pinkie Pie, like Rover, bowed her head.

Rainbow Dash passed Pinkie, patting her quickly before moving on to Rover, who had stopped five paces away.

"We failed them." The dam for tears in Rover's eyes cracked, giving away to a tear which slid down his cheek. "No matter how hard we tried, it just wasn't enough."

Rainbow Dash turned to him quickly, and, just as fast, returned her attention to the ground. "They died because they defended the Ring-bearer, and we did our best to save them. Can anything more be asked of us?" She looked back to Pinkie Pie, who was sitting on the ground, toying with the soil at her hooves. "Come on. We can still find Apple Bloom and Spike."

As Rainbow Dash walked off, a rogue wind blew through the Everfree forest and brushed past the three companions. A familiar scent rushed into the Diamond Dog's nose, and he turned to the forest, scanning it for signs of the two fillies. Instead, he saw a mare, glowing a blinding white. He could see her beckon him with a hoof into the Everfree.

Rover pointed to the trees. "Pinkie, behind you!" She turned, but nothing was there. She turned back to Rover, the Diamond Dog rushing to the forest with a twinkle of mad hope in his eyes before stopping at its edge, Rainbow Dash right at his heels.

'What is it, Rover? What did you see?" asked Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie joining her.

Rover stared deep into the forest, looking for the glowing mare. A hoof tapped his shoulder, and he jumped, caught off-guard. Pinkie Pie recoiled back. "What is it?"

Regaining his composure, he turned to her, the same mad hope in his gaze. "I could smell Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle from within the forest. It was on the wind."

Rainbow Dash brushed past him, coming even closer to the boundary to the Everfree. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," replied Rover.

Rainbow Dash sighed, a smile playing across her lips. "Then we need to find them." But in the back of her mind, a silent dread consumed her thoughts. Why would you flee into the Everfree forest?

What madness drove you in there?

Ch.8 - The Reawakening

This is madness.

The dark forest of the Everfree streaked past Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo as they rushed into its somber embrace. The branches of trees and the bushes of stabbing thistles scratched at their fur, drawing blood as they stabbed deep. But the pain was lost to the pair of fillies, for every few moments while running, they would look back, and beyond their cloudy breaths they would look for the Changeling Grishnákh and always find the vengeful creature behind them.

Scootaloo took a sharp turn left, pulling at Sweetie's hooves to follow. They galloped under a thick overhang of vines and continued on for what felt like a mile until they collapsed against the moss-covered base of a tree, spent and gasping for breath.

"Did... we... lose... him?" gasped Sweetie Belle. She scanned the forest quickly and saw no sign of the pursuing Changeling. She lay back, resting a hoof on her heart and feeling its dangerously fast rhythm slow, then smiled. "I think we lost him."

Sweetie Belle turned to Scootaloo and saw no shared expression of elation. Instead, she was pointing to her left into the dark forest, and a quiet whimper escaped her lips. Sweetie Belle peered over her friend's shoulder and saw Grishnákh.

He scanned the forest, his back to the fillies, then he turned and stared them straight in the eyes. His face contorted into a primal snarl, and he let loose a hiss which echoed deep into the Everfree. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo took off galloping as he lumbered towards them, screaming at them as he limped on three good legs.

"I'm going to tear out your filthy, little innards!" he roared into the forest.

The two fillies, their breaths shallow, hid behind a tree, but in time they could hear the heavy, uneven steps of the approaching and relentless Grishnákh. "Come here!"

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo bolted again, rushing into a denser part of the Everfree forest, where it seemed roots covered every patch of ground. Jumping behind an gnarled, mossy tree absent of leaves and with broken branches, the fillies dove into its shadow, falling silent in what the hoped to be a refuge.

Scootaloo looked up and found the trunk rose to a height greater than any tree around it. "Tree. Climb this tree," she whispered. Sweetie Belle hopped onto her back, wrapped her hooves around the lowest branch, and pulled herself up. Then, she reached down for Scootaloo, who grabbed her hooves, and pulled her up. Sweetie Belle fled onto a higher branch, and Scootaloo took her spot on the lowest branch.

She looked about the forest then sighed; Grishnákh was nowhere in sight.

"He's gone," she whispered before the cool grip of a Changeling wrapped around her ankle and jerked her from the tree. She fell onto her spine and yelped, squirming to break away from Grishnákh, who pinned her. His gaze was consumed with fury as he looked down on her, his fangs bared for the upcoming kill.

"I'm going to suck the marrow from your bones, you little bitch!" His reeking breath choked her, and she curled into a ball as his open maw and ready fangs reached for her neck.

"Scootaloo!" yelled Sweetie Belle, the tree twitching under her as she finished screaming. Wait... a twitching tree?

Sweetie Belle turned to look at the tree trunk. Unlike before, there were two large, yellow, glowing orbs. The tree groaned, and an entire section of the trunk featuring the orbs turned to her with a sickening crack. Then Sweetie Belle realized they weren't orbs; they were eyes.

Sweetie Belle leaned back, sacrificing her grip on the branch for distance from the unnatural face. But she fell from the tree, fear cutting off her scream, before the massive Ent caught her in an ancient hand of knotted, finger-like branches.

It rose like a titan and lifted a massive foot of roots. Scootaloo froze, staring, as the Ent's foot hovered over Grishnákh, raining soil on him. The earthen shower prompted the Changeling to turn from her. He saw nothing unnatural, but stars filled his vision when Scootaloo kicked his chin; he staggered back, and then the Ent's foot fell upon him, squashing him like jam into the muddy soil.

Scootaloo didn't scream either. She fled from the Ent, with Sweetie Belle screaming behind her, "Run, Scootaloo!"

But its massive strides and long arms caught up to her in an instant, and she too was scooped up into the Ent's empty hand .

The Ent stopped moving, preoccupying itself with examining its latest catch, the struggling fillies. To Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, it did not look happy.

"Little Changelings! Burárum..." spat the Ent as it began its trek through the Everfree forest anew.

Sweetie Belle stopped struggling and stared up at the tree in newfound amazement. "It's talking, Scootaloo. The tree is talking."

It sharply turned on Sweetie Belle, eliciting another set of sickening cracks and groans as its aged body acclimated to moving again after centuries of slumber. Sweetie Belle noticed, as she stared into its great, yellow eyes, it was even angrier than before. "Tree? I am no tree!" Then, strangely, its reverberating voice switched to a calmer tone. "I am an Ent."

"Shut up, Sweetie Belle. Don't encourage it," interjected Scootaloo, looking over at the other captive filly, her face reflecting anger but her eyes revealing her true state of fear.

"Treebeard, some call me," said the Ent, his eyes wandering to the sky as if the two fillies in his grasp deserved minimal attention, like toys which were favorites long ago but were now only worth a passing toss about.

Sweetie Belle gulped. "And whose side are you on?"

Treebeard turned to look at Sweetie Belle, and she saw a reinvigorated spark of interest in his eyes. "Side? I am on nobody's side because nobody is on my side, little Changeling." He looked around, downcast. "Nobody cares for the woods anymore."

Scootaloo, with a free hoof, poked Treebeard's bark, scowling. "Okay, I've had enough of this. We are not Changelings. We are regular, bona-fide ponies."

Treebeard looked at Scootaloo. "Maybe..." Then the anger returned to him, and his grip became tightened the fillies, almost crushing them as they futilely struggled against his iron grip, gasping for breath. "But you could easily be Changelings in disguise!" he spat.

"They come with fire! They come with axes! Gnawing, breaking, biting, hacking, burning! Destroyers and usurpers! Curse them!" roared Treebeard into the silent forest.

"No! We are ponies," yelled Scootaloo.

"Maybe you are..." Treebeard's grip on the two fillies slackened, allowing them to regain their breath. "Maybe you aren't." The Ent shook his head. "The dark Alicorn will know."

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked at each other, sharing a glance of hopelessness. "Nightmare Moon?" asked Sweetie Belle.

Treebeard suddenly dropped them, and they landed on a soft soil bed. They looked up slowly, shaking as their eyes crept upward and picked out the cloak of an Alicorn, its fur black as night.

Rover's claw scratched against the surface of a leaf stained with a black liquid, smearing the ooze on his finger. Then he brought it to his mouth and licked it, immediately spitting out the black goo with a disgusted look. "Changeling blood."

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash followed behind the Diamond Dog, who had now moved on to a strange indent in the muddy soil, one shaped as if a tree with no roots had been there. "Strange tracks, these are."

The trees groaned in response. But it was unlike the "tame" forests; it was rhythmic, a chorus of songs as old as the Alicorns themselves.

The three companions placed themselves in a tight circle, frantically looking about the forest as the noises slowly rose to a great roar.

"What's happening?" cried Pinkie Pie, she and her fellows covering their ears as the trees' songs assaulted their senses.

Then a gust tore through the forest, shaking the tree to their very roots, and their cacophonous songs ended, followed by the wind. The three travelers recovered, looking towards the gust's origin. Rover was especially suspicious, as his nose twitched from a new scent entering it. He sniffed loudly — somepony was not very far away.

"What is it? What do you smell?" whispered Rainbow Dash.

"A pony, but not a friend," answered Rover.

Rainbow placed her hoof over the handle of the sword strapped around her waist. "We move quick. If it's hostile, we kill it." Then she tapped Rover's shoulder and pointed him to the left then repeated it with Pinkie Pie, directing her to the right. They moved in their separate directions; Rover's claws were ready, and Pinkie's hair went flat as she mentally prepared herself to take a life. And Rainbow Dash crept forward, pulling her sword partially from its sheath, her eyes trained to the forest directly in front of her.

Shortly thereafter, she saw a pony. Its back was to her, and a cloak covered its body. But she could see its dark-furred hooves. Nightmare Moon.

Rainbow Dash roared, pulling forth her blade as she blitzed towards the dark Alicorn. Then she fell to her knees as her sword clattered against the muddy soil, the blade and handle glowing red-hot. Rainbow looked to her steaming hooves and shoved them beneath the cool mud.

Looking up, she saw Rover leap for the Alicorn, his claws and maw open, ready tear into Nightmare Moon's flesh, a primal growl erupting from his throat. But the Alicorn swished her head towards him, and he was sent hurtling back, landing beside Rainbow Dash with a great yelp.

To finish their attack, Nightmare Moon's horn burst with light, and Pinkie Pie materialized beside Rainbow Dash.

"I hear you're tracking the hoofsteps of two fillies," announced the cloaked Alicorn, her voice unmistakably Nightmare Moon's.

"Where are they?" yelled Rainbow Dash, her voice brimming with anger.

"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met somepony they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"

"Was it you they met? What have you done with them?!" demanded Pinkie Pie.

The hooded Alicorn turned to face them, her face shrouded in her hood's shadow. Then with the swish of her head, the hood fell back to her neck.

The sight before them sent the three companions into a fit of confusion. They stared at the Alicorn before them, their eyes wide with curiosity. Rainbow Dash stood up and took a step towards the pony before them. "It cannot be."

Twilight Sparkle stood before them, smiling as she watched her friends slowly recover from the shock. Rover cried, bowing her hooves. "Forgive me," he begged between tears. "I thought you were someone else."

Pinkie Pie leapt on Twilight and hugged her, crying into the cloak. "We saw you fall. We thought you had died."

Twilight Sparkle stopped smiling and weakly pushed against Pinkie's hug. She took the hint, and stepped back to her companions. "I did fall, through fire and water," spoke Twilight, her voice now hers.[

***

From the lowest caverns to the highest peak, I fought with the Balrog...

At the top of Durin's tower, the highest point in Equestria, Twilight Sparkle and the Balrog battled. A storm raged above them, pelting the two combatants with hail. Thunder cracked, striking the mountainside, threatening to vaporize any who strayed from the tower.

The Balrog slashed at Twilight's chest, raking his massive claws below her skin, drawing blood which quickly poured from her body. Her horn glowed purple, and a wave of concussive energy blasted from it. It struck the Balrog, and forced the beast back, tumbling, as it leaned against the edge of the tower, recovering to strike again.

Her body bleeding and rent and with little energy left, Twilight cried out and lifted her horn to the sky. Lightning tore through the clouds, connecting with her horn, granting the Unicorn a blinding radiance atop her head. The Balrog recovered and charged again, roaring as it raised its closed fist for the crushing blow. But with her last effort, Twilight willed the lightning from her horn into the Balrog, and it shot from her horn, transfixing the Balrog on a great bolt of electricity.

The demon screeched, and Twilight ducked as the beast toppled off the tower behind her, falling to the mountainside before coming to a rest against the hard rock and freezing snow, little more than a smoking husk.

... until, at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside.

Twilight smiled weakly, pressing a hoof to her chest to feel her heart beat rapidly as she mentally congratulated herself. But with her racing heart, she felt a sticky wetness coat her hoof. She lifted it before her eyes and found it stained with her blood. She looked to her chest, finding three deep lacerations, each bleeding gratuitously. The Unicorn fell to her side, her breaths slowing along with her heart.

But darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead, and every day felt as long as a life age of Equestria.

But it was not the end. I felt life in me again.

***

"I have been sent back until my task is done," finished Twilight, observing her audience.

"Twilight," said Rainbow Dash wonderingly, just as Scootaloo spoke of Rainbow.

A moment of confusion played across Twilight's features. "Twilight?" Then she smiled. "Yes, that's what everypony called me." Her smile grew even wider. "I was once a Unicorn." Her horn glowed lavender,covering latch around her neck in the same purple sparkle, and then her cloak fell back from her body, revealing two feathery wings. "I am now Twilight Sparkle the Alicorn."

Pinkie Pie jumped forward, stroking one of Twilight's wings. "These are so cool!"

Twilight once again lightly pushed against her friend, forcing her back.

"But I have come back to you now, at the turn of the tide." Twilight then took off southward, saying, "But we must travel to Appleloosa with all speed." The others followed.

"Appleloosa!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "That is no short distance."

"And hear of trouble there, we have," remarked Rover. "Their Mayor's leadership bodes ill."

"Yes." Twilight's expression darkened. "But it must be our prime objective."

Pinkie Pie ran up beside Twilight, eyes wide. "But what about Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle? Have we come all this way and lost Rarity for nothing?"

Twilight stopped and turned. "Yes, and I'm sorry about disappointing you, but we must move on without them. We will meet up with Rarity soon; she has gone ahead to ensure the path is clear for us. I will tell her that Sweetie Belle is safe."

"Are you sure of this?" asked Rainbow Dash.

Twilight turned on Rainbow Dash. "It was more than chance that Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle came to the Everfree forest." She looked about the trees. "A great power has been sleeping here for many long years." Again, Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash. "Their presence will be like the metaphorical falling of small stones which start an avalanche in the mountains."

Rainbow Dash leaned in to Twilight's ear. "In one way you haven't changed: you're still an egghead."

Twilight chuckled, and then a new seriousness dawned upon her. "An event is about to happen that has not happened since the First Age of Equestria: the Ents are going to wake up... and find that they are strong."

"Strong?!" asked Rover, eyes scanning the canopy. "That sounds good."

"So now you can all stop your fretting," departed Twilight, moving towards the southern edge of the forest. "In fact, the fillies are going to be a lot safer than we're about to be."

The halls of Orthanc echoed as the Changeling Overseer walked towards Nightmare Moon's throne room. His steps were crisp and slow, giving him time to rehearse his announcement of the foreigner. His body ached; always he would be the one to report to Nightmare Moon when something went wrong — any loss of production towards the fulfillment of her grand army — and always it was his hide that was beaten, his ears which would suffer her verbal abuse. I just want to announce this... visitor... and get out of here.

The throne room doors stood before him. With his eyes aimed downward, he opened them; he had learned never to look Nightmare Moon in the eye. In the middle of the room, focusing on the Palantír with her eyes closed, stood Nightmare Moon.

The shriek from the door's massive hinges forced its way into the Alicorn's head. She opened her eyes and scowled, her burning gaze turned to the doorway and the Changeling Overseer. He avoided her gaze like the weak, submissive creature he was. "What do you want?"

The Overseer gulped. "My Queen, the leader of the Griffons has arrived."

Nightmare Moon's scowl disappeared, replaced by a smile. But her searing gaze remained, and the Changeling Overseer felt it on his back. "Thank you. See her in, please."

Were it proper to run, the Changeling would've sprinted from the place. "As you command, your Highness."

He stepped from the room and made for the end of the hall. There, in the shadows beside the last window, the Griffon Queen leaned against the obsidian stone. Without slowing to address her properly, the Changeling Overseer quipped, "She will see you now." Then he continued down the hall.

"Thank you," said the Griffon Queen.

The Changeling Overseer nearly tripped, stopping before his face impacted the stone floor. When he turned, he saw the Griffon Queen was near the throne room, Nightmare Moon approaching her with a smile. Thank you, she had said. It had been a long time since he had heard those two words addressed to him. Thank you, she had said. It brought a smile to his face.

***

Nightmare Moon strode to the doorway, greeting the Griffon Queen as she crossed the threshold. While the Griffon's back was to her, she closed the door, turning on her potential ally. "I'm pleased you accepted my invitation, but I'm sorry to hear about your father."

The Griffon Queen easily saw through the Alicorn's false sympathy but made no comment. She needed this arrangement to go smoothly. But the idea of spending more time than necessary with the Alicorn threatened to tear apart her demeanor. "Look, you know why I'm here. Just say whatever you have to say, and get it over with.

Approaching from behind, Nightmare Moon's aura froze the Griffon in place, threatening to shatter her resolve like a thin sheet of ice. The Alicorn stepped past the other Queen and turned on her, an unnerving twinkle in her eye. "Well then, Gilda." The Alicorn melded into the shadows, a cold wind blowing into darkening room. "You know that nothing can stop our armies, not even the borders of Equestria. Once this land is ours, we will expand outward. All lands will be consumed by the Horde." Nightmare Moon leaned in close to the Griffon Queen. "But you have a chance to save your people. Join us, the winning side, and secure the lives and lands of your people. What do you say to that?"

Nightmare Moon held out her hoof. Gilda stared. The action was simple; the decision was not. But in the flawless sheen of the Alicorn's hoof, Gilda saw her people, dead, dying, her lands burned to a crisp. All from not submitting.

Queen Gilda took the hoof in her taloned hands, knelt before Nightmare Moon, and kissed her hoof. "We will fight for you. We will die for you. We pledge our service to you, Nightmare Moon." Gilda's pledge was like an unsuccessful purge; it still left her sick to her stomach.

But Nightmare Moon smiled, looking down at the Griffon Queen kneeling at her hooves.

Good.

Ch.9 - The Fear of Shadow

Treebeard trekked through the Everfree forest, his massive strides gaining unparalleled headway as he moved northwest. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo remained perched in his leafless and mossy branches — helplessly lead along to whatever the ancient Ent had in store for them.

"O — Rowan fair, upon your hair hooww white — the blossom — lay!

O — Rowan mine, I saw you shine upon a summer's day,

Your rind so bright, your leeeaves so light, your voice sooo — cool and soft:

Upon your head hooww golden-red the crown you bore ahhloft!" recited Treebeard, his timeworn, but passionate, voice strained after millenia of silence. He reached for his chest, his great hands folding over where his heart would be.

"Such beautiful verse," remarked the Ent.

Scootaloo yawned, the gentle rocking of Treebeard and the softness of his voice threatened sleep upon her like a lullaby to a newborn foal, only unsuccessful for the slightly bothersome light which filtered through the forest canopy and her eyelids. Nevertheless, she laid her head against the Ent's moss-covered side, contented in closing her eyes and hoping that Treebeard's delicate voice would lull her to sleep.

"Is it much farther?" asked Sweetie Belle, her head propped on her elbow, the prospect of sleep alluring to her as well

Treebeard turned to Sweetie Belle. "Burárum. Don’t be hasty — You might call it far, perhaps. My home lies deep in the forest near the rooots of the mountain. I told Twilight I would keep you safe. And safe is where I’ll keep you. I believe you will enjoy this next one too. It’s one of my own compositions." He gave a small cough, clearing his throat. "Right."

Now Sweetie Belle fully settled into Treebeard's mossy trunk, laying her head against him and closing her eyes, waiting for the lull of Treebeard's poetry to put her to sleep.

"Beneath the roof of sleeping — leeeaves

And the dreams of trees — unfold

When woodland halls are — green and coool

And the wind is in the West

Come back to me

Come back — to meee

And say my land isss best," finished Treebeard with a nod of his head. He turned to the fillies and saw they were fast asleep.

"Oh," he whispered, remaining silent thereafter as he continued to plod along through the Everfree, heading towards the Unicorn Range.

***

At the roots of the Unicorn Range, hidden deep within the remnants of the forest there, Treebeard stopped. Moonlight shone down from the heavens, illuminating a perfect resting place for the fillies perched on his branches. With his great hands he grabbed them, gently lowering them into their shining cradles. The fillies squirmed upon touching the ground, moving to positions of better comfort. They stopped twitching, finally contented with their sleeping arrangements as evident from the smiles on their unconscious faces.

"Sleep, little ponies," whispered Treebeard. "Heed no nightly noise. Sleep till morning light."

The Ent turned from the sleeping fillies, staring intently into the pitch-black expanse of the forest which surrounded him. "I have business in the forest. There are many to call, many that must come." His tone was serious. But here, his seriousness ended, replaced by sadness. "The Shadow lies on all forests. And I fear that the Withering of All Woods is drawing near."

Treebeard departed into the forest, his footfalls heavier than usual. There are many to save, but so little time to save them. What hope is there for the forests of the world when there are so few of us Ents left to protect them?

Twilight Sparkle stood on the precipice of a small cliff, sitting on her haunches and looking out into the distant landscape, a landscape dominated by the Smokey Mountain. Great plumes of ash and smoke gushed forth from the titanic mound of rock, threatening to cover the sky with inky darkness, while shoots of lava colored the clouds in a blood-red sheen.

Rainbow Dash rose from the fireside, the receding flame inspiring no want of sleep, especially as the Smokey Mountain created an overbearing unease. She walked over to Twilight by the cliff's edge, glancing back to see both Rover and Pinkie Pie sleeping soundly. The Pegasus stepped beside Twilight and stopped; she too sat on her haunches, her focus trained on the distant mountain.

Twilight spoke, "The veiling shadow that glowers in the north takes shape. Sauron will suffer no rival. From the summit of Barad-dûr, his Eye watches ceaselessly. But he is not so mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt ever gnaws at him. The rumor has reached him: the rightful ruler of Ponykind has arisen."

Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash and found the Pegasus already looking to her. "Sauron fears you, Rainbow Dash. He fears what you may become."

Rainbow Dash turned back to the Smokey Mountain, contemplating Twilight's words. The Alicorn also turned to look back at the active volcano. "And so he will strike us hard and fast. He will use the armies of Isengard to destroy everything to the south of Canterlot. War is coming. Appleloosa must defend itself, and therein lies our first challenge: Appleloosa is weak and ready to fall. Their Mayor is most likely an agent of Sauron."

"And of Nightmare Moon? Doesn't she command Isengard's armies?" asked Rainbow Dash.

Twilight sighed, a sadness overtaking her. "True. I had hoped that Nightmare Moon would have just been a lost soul in the service of the Dark Lord, somepony that could easily be converted to the side of good. But I fear that she is too deep within the ranks of the enemy for even our friendship to save her."

"You make it sound as if there's no point holding on to hope."

Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash to find the Pegasus looking at her. "Never. Hope is always something we should hold onto."

"But what hope is left? The enemy grows where our strength fails, and Ponykind has become weak." asked Rainbow Dash.

To answer the Pegasus' query, Twilight smiled and looked up at the stars. "As long as the stars shine, and the all-consuming darkness of Sauron does not take them, we still have hope that we may win this war."

Rainbow Dash turned back to the fire, gazing on her two sleeping companions. "They're stars too," she said, turning back to Twilight, who also looked to the pair.

"Yes. Yes they are."

A silence seethed between the two. They once again stared off into the abyss towards the Smokey Mountain, watching it fume with the sadistic pleasure of Sauron. But eventually, Twilight broke the silence.

"But no matter how great our enemy becomes, we still have one advantage," Twilight and Rainbow Dash locked eyes again, "The Ring remains hidden. And that we should seek to destroy it has not yet entered their darkest dreams. And so the weapon of the enemy is moving towards the Unicorn Range in the hooves of a filly. Each day brings it closer to the fires of the Smokey Mountain. We must trust now in Apple Bloom. Everything depends upon speed and the secrecy of her quest."

With their gazes locked, Twilight noticed the worry which overtook Rainbow Dash. The Alicorn placed a reassuring hoof on her companion's shoulder. "Do not regret your decision to leave her. This is a quest she must finish alone."

"But she isn't alone," remarked Rainbow Dash. "Spike went with her."

Twilight withdrew her hoof and smiled. "Did he? Good." She looked up to the stars. "Very good."

Number one assistant indeed.

Ch.10 - Many Ways In

Spike gripped at the sharp stone, which poked uncomfortably into his armored palm. He reached upward with one hand, wrapping his fingers around another. The rock then slipped from his grasp. He violently jerked, almost slipping before he pressed his entire body against the face of the sheer cliffside. Spike gave a cry, and his eyes wandered down. He focused on the ground far below, so far that an impenetrable white mist settled below him, as if he were above the clouds. He closed his eyes and hugged the rock wall with all his will.

"Quiet. Changelings are near," whispered Gollum with a quick glance to the dragon.

Spike opened his eyes and looked upward. Gollum practically bounded up the sheer cliff face with the skill and agility of a practiced acrobat. The emaciated stallion quickly reached the top, his hooves digging into the edge and pulling himself over.

The dragon's stomach lurched and he began to tremble. Sweat droplets slipped down his face, though through no fault of the heat. He could feel that it was almost unbearably hot, but he had faced worse. His sweating was for the same reason that his eyes were now locked on the edge of the cliff. Spike kept climbing, unconsciously scaling the cliff face as he dreaded the occasional noises which emanated from the cliff top. He expected a boulder to be fall upon him at any moment.

A sheet of dust and pebbles suddenly showered down from the clifftop. Spike almost screamed, one arm flying over his head. He looked down again, this time with eyes open, and looked to Apple Bloom. The filly struggled her way up the cliffside, forced to hop along a makeshift staircase of jutting rocks. Spike wanted to yell down to her, to tell her that Gollum was planning to kill them. But he felt something wrap around his free arm, like a snake coiling around his prey, and pull him straight upward.

The dragon landed hard against the top of the cliff, the wind knocked out of him. He gasped for air, his arms wrapping around his chest as shallow and short wheezes escaped his lips. The thing which had pulled him up pulled loose of his arm. He looked up, and saw Gollum standing over him, a look of concern on his face.

"Is the dragonses okay? We'd hate for precious dragonses to be hurt," said Gollum, a smile drawing over his thin cheeks, highlighting his skeletal body.

Spike stopped wheezing. Gollum reached a hoof out again, but the dragon waved it off. He stood up, whispering, "thank you", rather grudgingly. The stallion walked behind him, and Spike watched out of the corner of his eye as Gollum pulled Apple Bloom up.

With Apple Bloom safely standing on the cliff-top, Spike turned his gaze forward and was struck with awe.

High cliffs loomed upon either side of the dragon's vision, and jutting from the cliffs were two sheer hills, black and bare. Upon them stood the Teeth of Unicorn Range, two towers standing strong and tall. The watch-towers were garrisoned with Changelings. Stony-faced they were, armed with magic, swords, and spears. The sentries stood atop the towers and stared out from past great dark thorns, ceaselessly vigilant for intruders.

But across the mouth of the pass, from cliff to cliff, lied the truly awe-inspiring site. For between the two cliffs, the Dark Lord had built a rampart of stone. Inside it was a single gate of iron, and upon its battlement sentinels paced unceasingly. Beneath the hills on either side the rock was bored into a hundred caves and maggot holes; there a host of Changelings lurked, ready at a signal to issue forth like black ants going to war.

Day came and the fallow sun slowly rose over the lifeless ridges of the Unicorn Range. Then suddenly the cry of trumpets could be heard from the watchtowers. Far away from hidden holds and outposts in the hills came an answering call, and further still, remote but deep and ominous, there echoed in the fiery and desolate land beyond, the mighty horns and drums of Barad-dûr. Another day of toil had come. There was a great shift amongst the Changelings upon the battlements; night-guards were summoned to their dungeons and deep halls, and the day-guards marched to their posts.

Gollum rose slowly and crawled, insect-like, to the cliff’s edge. Very carefully he raised himself inch by inch, until he could peer over it. But the dragon behind him was far braver and equally naive. Spike stood high, gazing upon the great construct of Sauron, almost religiously so.

"The Black Gate!" cried Gollum, his head peeking over the cliff's edge. But his gaze only lingered on the structure for naught but a moment before he recoiled back as if bitten, curling into a ball and covering his face and ears.

Apple Bloom carefully stepped around the crying stallion, giving him a soft pat as she passed him and made her way to Spike's side. "Granny Smith would ‘ave a thin' or two tah say if she could see us now," said Apple Bloom with a smile.

Gollum regained his composure and crept behind Apple Bloom. "Master says to show him the way to the Smokey Mountain. So good Sméagol does, Master says so." It was impossible for Gollum to hide the fear in his voice.

"I did." She acknowledged, though only her words paid him mind. The filly crouched, her eyes just above the rock in front of her and her gaze transfixed on the Black Gate.

Spike turned his back to the spanning construct, tearing his eyes from the gate, and lowered himself, squatting till his head lay below the ridge of the rock which Apple Bloom still peered over. The dragon turned to her, hopelessness clear in his gaze. "I guess that's it then. We can't get past that."

The filly turned to him, and she saw his expression. It wrapped her in short, spiked chains with ends wrapped around anvils. It forced Apple Bloom to her haunches and to look at the ground. The chains dug into her skin and brought pain, terrible pain, pain capable of bringing tears out of the filly.

Spike laid a claw on her shoulder and held her chin in the other, bringing it up so her eyes met his. He smiled weakly, and she smiled in return. "We'll find a way."

Just then, a great trumpet blasted from the West. It rose across the fold of shuffling Changelings and roar of Ursa Minors. Like an earthquake, it strangled the earth in its shaking grasp. There was no symphony to it, no inspiring or frightening notes, it was simply a brash wave of sound flooding over the barren landscape before the Smokey Mountain.

Treading over the slight hill in the West, within sight of the Black Gate, a fleet of Griffons appeared. They were dressed in gold and brass which overlaid their steel lamellar armor. Along their legs, above and below their knees, golden rerebraces and vambraces lay, with brass poleyns covering their patellas. Their paws were adorned with red leather gloves, only leaving room for the sharp talons poking through. Each Griffon wore an undercut, brass helmet which was comprised of a head piece along with two molded mouth pieces for the upper and lower beak. Beneath the helmet, the Griffons wrapped a black headscarf, and mounted on the helmet's top were two front-facing horns.

As their trumpet died, Black Speech replaced the instrument's cry. The alien language was harsh, like the gnashing of the teeth of a great beast. And the Griffon were lined in the most complex of formations; it looked like a dragon. And with the slight movements of their uncovered wings, the Griffons created a slithering, winged serpent of shimmering gold. And as Apple Bloom, Spike, and Gollum looked down upon the pressing army, they began to quake, the primitive form of psychological warfare being terrifyingly effective against them.

"Za dashu snaku Zigur, Durbgu nazgshu, Durbgu dashshu!" roared the Griffon army. As their battle cries fell upon Gollum's ears, they burned him. The emaciated stallion whimpered and curled into a ball. He beat his skull, attempting to drown out the insanity-inducing reminders of past tortures.

Apple Bloom granted Gollum a cursory glance, before turning again back to the Black Gate. The horror in her gaze returned as she was astounded by the great and evil powers of the enemy.

And from the Black Gate came an answering horn. Changeling Bear-Masters scuttled across the black wrought-iron expanse, herding themselves to the Ursa Minor pens concealed behind the gate. Their whips cracked as other drones opened the gates to the cages, and on both sides of the gate, two Ursa Minors strode forth, their roars and monstrous proportions overbearing their Changeling masters. But the vampiric insects simply wouldn't have any of it, as they lashed their whips across the Ursa Minors' maws. The Ursas submitted, giving out pitiful cries as they were forced into restraints and their paws were placed upon a thick wooden beam. The Bear-Masters' whips cracked behind them, and to avoid their sting, the Ursa Minor's pushed forward. The force enacting on the wooden beams, which were attached to the Black Gate, leveraged the structure open, and the Griffon army strode in like honored guests.

Spike's features were thrown into astonishment. "Look! The gate is opening!" he cried.

And Apple Bloom not only looked, but pressed forward against the rock, as if starting for the Black Gate. But Spike's claw quickly caught her. She looked with a frown to the dragon behind her and said, "Ah did not ask for you t' come with me, Spike."

Spike looked back at her and smiled again weakly, like before. "I know."

Apple Bloom turned her gaze back to the Black Gate. "Okay. Three... Two... One... G—"

That's when the sky grew dark.

The world exploded around Apple Bloom as the rock she vowed to leap over violently shattered, shooting out chunks of stone as a plume of dust erupted around them. Recovering, the filly violently gasped, her diaphragm hammering as she vied to regain her breath through the cloud. She sat up, her hoof beating her chest as she hacked each breath. But as the dust plume cleared, Apple Bloom looked to the spot where she once stood. And as the blurred, swinging shapes in her distorted vision came together, her hoof shot to her mouth, for the filly feared that the creature which stood where she once was had heard her ragged coughs.

The monster's leg was like the trunk of an ancient and engorged tree; it's height reached to the heavens, and its thickness was like the Princess' tower in Canterlot. But instead of rough bark lining its outer layer, a sea of overlapping ruby scales and jutting jewels and gold coins, dull in the shadowed land of the Unicorn Range. And ending the beast's legs were claws; like roots they stabbed deep into the earth, each of the four spears as long as Apple Bloom herself.

The filly moved her gaze, following the monster's legs all the way up to its chest. The darkened sky further blotted by the beast's hide, the area around Apple Bloom was nearly pitch-black. If she focused, though, she could see a expansive wall of knotted muscle lowering to meet her. The wall moved closer and closer, so much so that Apple Bloom sucked in her gut, and placed the side of her head to the ground, silently hoping it wouldn't touch her.

The wall of muscle rose as the monster exhaled, and a tumultuous noise escaped its lips. It reminded Apple Bloom of the thunder storms back home.

"Don't worry, Apple Bloom," comforted Applejack. "It's just a bit of thunder."

The filly kept her eyes closed and hid beneath the covers of her bed. Her earlier scream had brought her sister to her beck and call.

"Don't let it get me!" screamed the then-small Apple Bloom. "Please don't let it get me!"

Applejack gently rubbed the filly's head beneath the blanket, smiling as she remembered the days long past when she too was afraid of the thunderstorms. Her hoof trailed down the blanket and eventually came across the chain around Apple Bloom's neck. Upon touching it through the blanket, Apple Bloom felt a sharp pain.

Applejack returned her hoof to the top of the blanket, and pulled it off her sister. Apple Bloom looked up, the fear of thunder and the pain in her neck leaving as she looked at the inspiring smile of her sister.

"Shut up, ya’ little brat!" yelled Applejack.

Applejack's mouth twisted into a scowl, and her forehooves pressed on Apple Bloom's throat. Her hooves felt like ice as they closed in a vise-like grip around the little filly's neck. The crazed look in her eyes terrified Apple Bloom as the pressure steadily grew and her breath was stopped. The filly fought back instinctively, her hooves pushing against Applejack's legs, but the older sister's grip was unyielding. Apple Bloom's lungs began to burn from emptiness, and she began to see dark spots across her vision, her strength weakening.

"What are you doing, Applejack?! Stop it!" cried Apple Bloom, the last bit of air escaping her lungs. And in her final moment, she felt her arms go limp, lungs burning ever so painfully as darkness overcame her sight.

Then, Apple Bloom could see again.

It was still dark, as far as she knew. But she could feel a hand over her mouth and hear the heavy breathing of two individuals beside her. She looked around, frantically, her pupils dilating as her vision adjusted to the darkness. She saw Spike, his claw pressed over her mouth, his other hand curled into a fist with the index claw upright and pressed to his lips. A light shh managed to reach her ears.

Relieved, her gaze turned to Gollum. The emaciated stallion was curled into a ball, rocking back and forth, weeping pitifully through the words, "Sounds like thunder! Isn't thunder! Protect us, Precious!"

Then came the thunder.

Another great exhale from the beast above brought the thunder back to the Black Gate, and Apple Bloom was once again reminded of why she had a terrible feeling in the back of her mind. She looked up again and saw the monster's chest rise.

"What is it?" whispered Apple Bloom, quieter than a mouse.

Spike slowly crawled to her, putting his ear near her mouth. "What?" he asked.

"What is it?" repeated Apple Bloom.

Spike turned his gaze back to her, and she met it. "That, Apple Bloom, is a dragon."

This dragon was possessed of a muscular, broad body with a long neck and tail. Its scales were the color of burning flames, shading to darker on its back and getting much thicker around its head. It had powerful limbs with four closely-mounted digits on each foot, and long and thin, frill-like wings running from its shoulders to its lower back. Sharpened protrusions, like giant teeth ran from the base of its skull, down its back, to the tip of its tail. The dragon's head was narrow with large, slitted nostrils at the helm and huge, pointed ears covering the sides. And finally, its searching eyes were as black as midnight.

But unbeknownst to Spike, Apple Bloom, and Gollum, the dragon was not ordinary. And while its form resembled many of its mature kin, this dragon was the steed of the Witch-King of Angmar, the black wraith who stationed himself atop a saddle along beast's neck. This powerful agent of Sauron watched as the newest recruits into Sauron's dark army completely entered the gate, and with a ear-rupturing screech, he signaled the Changeling sentries to close the Black Gate.

A sudden cry escaped Apple Bloom's lips, echoing along the underside of the dragon's chest until it exploded into the open sky beyond.

The dragon stopped breathing.

Spike shot his hand to Apple Bloom's mouth, his eyes bulging as he stared out to the dragon's front, expecting the serpent to curl its neck beneath itself and see them. And while Spike’s focus was drawn from her, Apple Bloom cried. She mashed her teeth against each other, and closed her eyes, wrinkling her brow with the exertion. Tears were drawn from her eyes, and her hoof found its way to her shoulder. She pressed against the stab wound, seeking to force the beating heart that sat there to find its way back into her center.

Silence followed, not even the light breeze willing to disturb it. The Witch-King of Angmar studied the sky beyond him, keen, but paradoxically absent, his eyes scanning for the source of the echo. Minutes passed in this silence. Finally contented that whatever had cried was not in his presence, or that the tingle along his body was nothing more than his cloak rustling in the breeze, his hoof kicked at the dragon's neck. Below, Apple Bloom, Spike, and Gollum felt the wind strengthen and transform into a sequence of gusts, a rhythmic thump courting each rush of air. Soon, the light flooded back over the three companions, as the dragon lifted off, its rider bearing it to a dark purpose southeast of the Black Gate.

Minutes passed again, the three companions laying low. It was Gollum who raised his head first, checking the earth beyond for anyone else. He saw nothing but the dirt and spires of the towers along the Black Gate. He reached out for Apple Bloom, and his leg was grabbed quickly by Spike. Gollum looked to the dragon, and found Spike matching his gaze, his determined stare getting across that Gollum was not permitted to lay a hoof on her.

Spike then looked to Apple Bloom and tapped her shoulder with his free hand. Apple Bloom jumped, looking about frantically. She scanned the skies and the ground beside her, and only found Spike and Gollum. She sighed, adamant in her safety as she rubbed her stinging shoulder.

"It's safe, Apple Bloom," he whispered, holding out his open claw to her.

Apple Bloom placed her hoof in Spike's claw, with Gollum warily maintaining a distance from the two. The emaciated stallion then left their side, scurrying over to the edge of the cliff, looking out to the Black Gate.

Spike pulled Apple Bloom up, and she stumbled into him. "You okay?" he asked.

Apple Bloom peered along her body. "I think I'm alright."

She fell back to the dirt, suddenly crying again, and Spike kneeled to catch her. She embraced the dragon, continuing to cry on his chest. Spike placed his arms around her, a comforting gesture. "I saw her. I saw Applejack."

Now Spike was threatened with tears. "It's all right, it’s over."

"And I felt him, Spike. I felt his blade," cried Apple Bloom. "I was so terrified, I felt so helpless."

Spike looked up to the sky, cursing under his breath, the demon — The Witch-King of Angmar — riding his kin like a pony rides a carriage. He then looked back down to the filly, hugging her ever more tightly, a vain effort to protect her from the evils of their world. "It's okay Apple Bloom. I will never let him hurt you again."

And with the sounds of Apple Bloom's cries reaching his ears, and the comforting responses of her draconian guardian, something in Gollum stirred. It wasn't a clear memory — just a feeling. Not a strong feeling either, but it was enough to make him turn back to the embracing pair. And upon seeing them, their compassion for one another evident, the same feeling, stronger this time, tugged at him. And for one moment, while he looked back at Apple Bloom, he did not think of the Ring or his hatred of her kin who had stolen the Precious from him; instead, his thoughts were filled with empathy. And as his empathy willed him to Apple Bloom and Spike to tell them of the other way to the Smokey Mountain, as planned, he did not consciously do so to further his schemes, but to return hope to the crying filly.

"Don't lose hope, Master. There's another way. More secret. A dark way," stated Gollum, reaching out for Apple Bloom.

The stallion's hoof was once again intercepted by Spike. The dragon forsook embracing Apple Bloom, his curses to the Witch-King and his blade forgotten as he gripped Gollum's leg in one claw and focused his anger, once again, on the gray stallion. And both Gollum and Apple Bloom, now looking at Spike, could see the dragon seriously consider striking the emaciated stallion, as his other claw curled into a fist and raised to the height of Gollum's muzzle.

"Why didn't you tell us this before?!" yelled Spike.

With fear in his eyes, Gollum responded, "B-because Master did not ask!"

Spike threw the stallion from his grasp, shaking his claw in the same way he would've done if he had some remnants of filth stuck to his hand. He removed himself from Apple Bloom's side, walking around her until he was the only thing between her and Gollum. Then he looked to Apple Bloom, conviction in his eyes and tone. "He's up to something."

But Apple Bloom was looking past him to Gollum, the faintest glimmer of hope in her gaze. "Are you sayin' there's another way t'th' Smokey Mountain?"

Gollum recovered, looking back to Apple Bloom. "Yes," he hissed with eagerness. "There’s a path...and some stairs... and then a tunnel."

Now Apple Bloom looked to Spike, and the dragon matched her gaze. "He's led us this far."

The dragon lowered himself to her level, shaking his head left to right, desperate to convince her otherwise. "Apple Bloom, no."

Apple Bloom sighed, saddened to be forced to throw away her friend's counsel. "He's been true t'his word." She then turned to Gollum. "Lead the way, Sméagol."

And for the first time in her life, Apple Bloom caught the faintest glimmer of Sméagol in Gollum's eyes as he looked to her. "Good Sméagol always helps."

Gollum leapt away with a grin. Spike stared at Apple Bloom, lightly shaking his head in disbelief. And as the pair slowly followed Gollum, Apple Bloom tried her best not to meet Spike’s gaze.

Spike, my dearest friend... I hope you can forgive me.

Ch.6 - Night Camp at the Everfree

It was dark, and as such, primal fear of darkness surged through Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle as they were thrown to the harsh soil on that cloudy, moonless Equestrian night. Focusing directly in front of them, they found the Everfree forest staring right back at them. They then squirmed across the grass, crawling away from their kidnappers, terror making their breath come in quick, shallow bursts. From what they could hear, the rest of the Dovakniik were tromping around, but not upon them. They continued on their path towards the forest, a joyous smile growing on their faces as they approached within five feet of the forest. Suddenly, a huge, clawed foot stepped before them. Even straining their necks to look up at the Dovaknikk, they could only see his knees; it was Rkane. However, he did not stare back down at them. Instead, he focused on the arriving Changelings, their steps choppy and their breaths shallow. One by one, upon reaching under the boughs of the trees on the edge of the Everfree forest, they collapsed from exhaustion, only a few remaining standing.

"We're not going no further," wheezed one Changeling. "till we've had a breather."

Rkane approached the winded Changelings, looking upon them with a gaze that sat on the edge of disgust and disdain. He turned back to Porag. "Get a fire going!"

Several of the Dovakniik trudged to the edge of the forest. The sounds of branches snapping as the powerful creatures broke off the trees' limbs soon rent the night air.

Sweetie Belle scanned the area. The moonlight revealed a scaly, toothy wall of Dovakniik surrounding her. So she turned to Scootaloo, conscious and recovered from earlier. "Scootaloo! Scootaloo!"

Scootaloo turned to her. It took a long time for her gaze to meet Sweetie's, but when they did, her hard eyes gleamed dully in the moonlight. "I think this is probably the worst idea on how to get our Cutie Marks yet," she said with a bitter laugh.

Sweetie Belle chuckled and just as quickly placed a hoof over her mouth. Her wide, fear-stricken eyes quickly darted amongst the enemy’s garrison. She found none looking her way. She rested her hoof, sighed, and turned back to Scootaloo.

Even as cracks of breaking trees split the night air, another voice fought for dominance. It started low and grew louder, groans from the Everfree forest so powerful, the earth began to lightly shake in its wake.

It was the trees.

Sweetie Belle turned to the noise, glancing quickly between Scootaloo and the shadowy forest. Scootaloo followed suit, her eyes slowly widening. "What's making that noise?" asked Scootaloo, her voice wavering.

Sweetie Belle turned back to her companion. "How should I know?!"

"I'm starving," complained a nearby Dovakniik, a claw raking over his armored stomach, "We ain't have had nothing but maggoty bread for three stinking days." He held said bread in his hand, sniffing it, before throwing it to the ground as his nose jerked back.

"Yeah! Why is it there's never enough frightened ponies to go around," quipped Snaga, an emaciated Changeling with an oddly gray carapace, his voice like claws raking on steel. He peered around the camp, his eyes hungry like his stomach. Eventually his gaze landed on Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle just as they turned to him. Their eyes went wide, and Snaga shivered with twisted delight as the scent of fear filtered through his nostrils. He looked upon them once more, his gaze starving, ravenous.

Snaga pointed at the kidnapped fillies. "What about them? They're afraid."

Rkane stepped forward, a claw pointed at Snaga. The band of Dovakniik gathered behind him, forming a barrier between the Changelings and the fillies. "They are not for eating." Porag grabbed the captives by the scruff of their necks and dragged them further behind his comrades.

Stealing a few glances at ponies through the small gaps in the barrier, Grishnákh couldn't help but lick his lips. "If we can't have their fear, then what about their legs? They don't need those." Like Snaga, he caught the scent of fear, and it drew him like a moth to flame. "Oh, they look tasty." He stepped between Rkane and the Dovakniik beside him.

"Get back, scum!" yelled Rkane, shoving the Changeling to the ground. Both groups tightened up around their respective commanders, screaming in animal tones at the other party.

"They go to Nightmare Moon. Alive and unspoiled!"

"Alive?" questioned Grishnákh. Once again, he feinted between any possible break in the Dovakniik barrier to peer at the fillies. Finding them, he smiled, baring two rows of sharp, yellow and brown stained teeth. "Why alive? Do they give good sport?" A low rolling growl reverberated from his chest and carried through the Changeling ranks. They began to jitter violently.

Rkane continued to stare at Grishnákh, his focus unwavering, expression unmoved. "They carry something. A weapon of great power. The master wants it for the war."

Sweetie Belle leaned over to Scootaloo. "They think we have the Ring." she whispered as sweat dripped down her face.

Scootaloo quickly hushed her. "As soon as they find out we don't, we're dead."

Snaga whined, "Just a mouthful." Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo turned with Porag. He slammed into Porag, knocking down the Dovakniik and the fillies. He then reared, his hooves ready to fall on the fillies. "A bit off the flank."

A roar broke out, followed by a gust of wind and a splash of blood. Snaga's head fell between the fillies, his body soon toppling over. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked up. Standing over them was Rkane. One hand was soaked in black blood, which dripped onto the fillies' faces.

"Looks like meat's back on the menu, boys!" The Dovakniik and Changelings cheered as they rushed to Snaga's corpse. Rkane pulled out the fillies, throwing them towards the Everfree forest as he too joined in the morbid feast. All that could be heard was the roars of monsters and sharp cracks as they tore off the chitin plating; all that could be seen was a massive shoving match, like dogs fighting for their mother's teat, as they ravaged Snaga's corpse, throwing wasted organs and bone into the air.

"Let's go," whispered Scootaloo. She and Sweetie Belle began to crawl off into the Everfree forest. Just a few more feet...

Then a hoof fell heavily on Sweetie Belle's bound legs, pinning her in place. She turned and stared into the face of a smiling Grishnákh. "Go on. Call for help." He grabbed Sweetie Belle by the mane, pulling sharply as he raised her to his maw. Grishnákh leeched all her emotion; she couldn’t scream, no matter how much she wanted to. The Changeling commander shivered, licking his fangs as the pungent scent of fear rushed into his nostrils. "Try to scream," he challenged, turning to his occupied comrades and back to Sweetie Belle. "No one is going to save you now." He opened his mouth, inching Sweetie Belle's closer towards the awaiting maw.

He screamed and threw Sweetie Belle from him, ripping out a hoof-full of blood-stained hair. She cried on the ground, squirming as her hooves pressured her bleeding scalp. "Run, Sweetie Belle!" Sweetie Belle forgot her pain for an instant, gazing over at Grishnákh. The Changeling swung his hoof through the air and rammed it into Scootaloo’s stomach, hurtling her towards Sweetie Belle. The Pegasus filly landed heavily beside Sweetie Belle, gasping for breath.

Grishnákh turned to the pair, their hooves still bound, with an expression reflecting the most primal hatred. He limped towards them. "I'm going to—" A lone Buffalo smashed into him, knocking the Changeling down as it charged over.

The Dovakniik and Changelings ceased their feast and looked into the darkness beyond the Everfree forest. Hundreds of Buffalo then burst onto the camp, charging over anything unlucky enough to be in their path, quickly decimating Nightmare Moon's forces.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle began crawling again, heading for the Everfree forest.

Some of the remaining Changelings and Dovakniik attempted a charge against the Buffalo, but the Buffalo mercilessly trampled them. The remaining enemies ran for their lives, trampling over each other to escape.

Scootaloo, following Sweetie Belle, paused to look around quickly in the ensuing pandemonium. She heard a grunt above her and felt a wet splash on her coat. She rolled onto her back and looked up. There was a Buffalo above her, rearing, before its hooves crashed down.