The Lord of the Ponies: The Search for Harmony

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?