CHAPTER TWO
The party explodes into an uproar as the crowd leaps to their hooves. Apple Bloom stares at the empty stool in disbelief.
Some 50 yards away the sounds of trotting hooves are heard across a moonlit lane, although their owner is nowhere to be seen. Up the lane, the door of the home in Sweet Apple Acres opens, pulled by an invisible hoof.
Inside the home the door quietly closes. Suddenly Granny Smith materializes as she pulls a
plain gold ring off her hoof. She laughs as she tosses the heavy ring in the air, catches it, then places it in her pocket. Happily she walks into the hall and moments later emerges from the passage, carrying a walking stick. She then jumps suddenly when she finds Twilight looming over her.
“I suppose you think that was terribly clever?” The unicorn asks.
“Come on, Twilight! Did you see their faces?” Granny Smith laughs.
“There are many magic rings in the world, Granny Smith, and none of them should be used lightly.”
“It was just a bit of fun.” Granny Smith says as she look up at Twilights serious face. “Oh, you're probably right as usual.”
“What about Apple Bloom?” asks Twilight.
“I'm leaving everything to her.”
Twilight watches as Granny Smith continues to pack up her things. “What about this ring of yours? Is that
staying too?”
“Yes, yes, it's in an envelope...over there on the mantelpiece.” She says gesturing to it. Twilight looks over and frowns at the empty ledge. Granny Smith suddenly feels her cloak with a look of guilty surprise.
“No, wait.” She says softly. “It's here in my pocket. Isn't that...isn't' that odd now?” She gazes at the ring fondly. “Yet, after all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it?”
“I think you should leave the Ring behind, Granny Smith.” Twilight says. “Is that so hard?”
“Well, no...and yes.” The old pony admits. “Now it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it. It's mine. I found it. It came to me!”
Twilight looks down at Granny Smith with rising concern. “There's no need to get angry.”
“Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault!” Granny Smith snaps. “It's mine. My own, my precious.”
“Precious?” Twilight asks with obvious worry in her voice. “It's been called that before, but not by you.”
“So? What business is it of yours what I do with my own things?” Granny Smith's voice, shape and manner have suddenly changed.
“I think you've had that ring quite long enough.”
Granny Smith shoots Twilight a malicious look.
“You want it for yourself!”
Twilight rises to her full height, her eyes flash, her shadow suddenly seems to fill the room.
“Granny Smith!” Twilight shouts with authority. “Do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks!” Granny Smith cowers from Twilight, disarmed by her power. A frightened Shetland. Twilight's expression softens.
I am not trying to rob you.” She continues. “I am trying to help you.”
Sobbing, Granny Smith runs to Twilight and hugs her.
“All the long years we've been friends...trust me as you once did.” Twilight slowly releases her from the embrace. “Let it go.”
“You're right, Twilight.” Granny Smith says with a sniff. “The ring must go to Apple Bloom.”
Granny Smith lifts her knapsack and heads for the front door.
“It's late, the road is long... yes, it is time.”
“Granny Smith?” Twilight says, slowly stepping towards the door.
Granny Smith looks at her. “Hmmm?”
“The ring is still in your pocket.”
The Shetland hesitates and reaches into her pocket.
“Oh, yes.” She mutters.
Granny Smith pulls out the ring. She stares at it resting on the roof of her hoof. She slowly begins to turn her hoof allowing gravity to leisurely pull it away from her. With all her will power, Granny Smith allows the ring to slowly slide off her hoof and drop to the ground.
The ring lands with a heavy thud on the wooden floor.
The old pony then staggers out of the door and braces herself in the night air, trembling a little, as if the loss of the ring has weakened her. Twilight steps up behind.
“I've thought up and ending for my book..." She says as she looks at Twilight. “And she lived happily ever after to the end of her days."
The lavender pony smiles. “I'm sure you will, my dear friend.”
“Goodbye, Twilight.”
“Goodbye Granny Smith.”
Granny Smith walks away from Sweet Apple Acres, disappearing into the night, softly singing and old Shetland song.
“Until our next meeting.” Twilight whispers.
-
Inside of the Apple Family home Twilight circles around the ring, glinting on the floor. A Puzzled look on her face, Twilight slowly reaches for it. Her hoof barely touches the ring when an ominous hum rises in her head and she pulls away.
Twilight is sitting in front of the fire, with her pipe staring into the flickering flames, deep in thought. She recalls Granny Smith calling it ‘precious.’
“Riddles in the dark.” She whispers to herself.
“Granny Smith! Granny Smith!” A young voice is heard calling outside. Apple Bloom rushes into the house and she stops and picks up the ring at her hooves. Twilight continues staring into the fire, as if
locked in thought.
“My precious…” She whispers.
She's gone, hasn't she?” Apple Boom says quietly as she steps into the living room.
“She talked for so long about leaving...I didn't think she'd really do it.”
“...my own.” The Magic Mare says in a soft voice.
“Twilight?” Apple Bloom asks.
Twilight turns, her eyes locking onto the ring held in Apple Bloom's hoof.
“Granny Smith's ring.”
-
Twilight sorts hurriedly through a stack of Granny Smith's papers.
“She's gone to stay with the Pegeselves.” She explains. She's left you Sweet Apple Acres.”
Twilight holds out the envelope...Apple Bloom drops the ring into it.
“...along with all her possessions…” she continues.
Twilight turns around and seals the envelope with wax. She then slowly hoofs it over to Apple Bloom.
“The ring is yours now. But it somewhere out of sight.”
Twilight rises hurriedly and starts to gather her things.
“Where are you going?” Apple Bloom asks intently.
“I have some things I must see to.”
“What things?” Apple Bloom persists.
“Questions.” Twilight hurries. “Questions that need answering.”
“You've only just arrived! I don't understand...”
Twilight is already at the door, she turns to Apple Bloom.
"Neither do I. Keep it secret, keep it safe.”
Twilight hurries out the door...leaving Apple Bloom standing alone
in Sweet Apple Acres.
Apple Bloom looks down at the envelope. the hum of the ring purrs softly in her head.
-
On the other side of Equestria in the jagged ruins of Bartrott-Dur, The Dark Tower. The Huge black Tower of Bartrott-Dur is being rebuilt! Thousands of Diamond Dogs crawl over the surface, hauling stone and iron up the towering heights. Beyond the Tower, is Mount Moon. A huge, billowing cloud of black filth grows and spreads across the red streaked sky casting a shadowy pall over the nightmarish landscape.
A raspy voice can be heard screaming from the Tower.
“Apple Family! Ponyville!”
Nine midnight black ponies, cloaked, their faces hidden, burst out of the Tower and charge down the road.
-
In Galloway, the lone Twilight Sparkle gallops to the crest of a hill on the west road. The main highway south to Minas Faustis. She looks toward the saw toothed mountains of Canterlot seeping out across the blood red sky, her face grave she quickly gallops on.
Inside of the Citadel in Minas Faustis, in the dead of night, Twilight makes her way down into the lower depths of the fortress. She flips through the pages, searching in ancient scrolls and books placed high on a wooden table. Her eyes settle on one old parchment and murmurs hurriedly to herself, reading.
“The year 3434 of the Second Age...here follows the account of Golden Delicious, High King of Galloway, and the finding of the ring of power. ‘It has come to me...the ring of power! It shall be an heirloom of my Kingdom...all those who follow in my bloodline shall be bound to its fate, for I will risk no hurt to the ring...it is precious to me, though I buy it with great pain...” Twilight looks intently on the Pegeselvish writing on the document and continues to read. “The markings upon the band begin to
fade...the writing which at first was as clear as red flame, has all but disappeared...a secret now that only fire can tell...”
-
Outside of Ponyville, an old farmer pony is chopping wood in his garden when a cold chill runs up his back. He feels a presence behind him and looks up as the shadow of a black rider looms over him. Terrified, he cowers in his doorway, his pet bunny whimpers and runs inside.
The black rider, his face hidden from his hood, turns towards the pony.
“Ponyville?” It’s ominous voice whispers. “Apple Family?”
“There's none from the Apple Family around here!” He says terrified. “They are all up in Ponyville...that way!” He points and recoils away back into his home.
The Black Rider gallops away at full speed.
-
Apple Bloom farewells Sweetie Belle outside of Sweet Apple Acres and heads towards the front door. She enters her home and immediately pauses, sensing that something is amiss. All is quiet as she peers uneasily into the darkened living room. Suddenly a large figure bursts from the shadows, reaching for Apple Bloom. She lets out a startled cry, pulls herself free and spins around to face her assailant. Twilight steps into a shaft of moonlight. Paranoia blazes in her eyes. Her clothes are dirty and ragged from
much traveling. Mane messy and unkempt.
“Is it secret?” Twilight says in an urgent whisper. “Is it safe?”
Apple Bloom pulls the envelope out of an old chest. Twilight, suspicious, Alert. Without a word, she takes the envelope and tosses it into the fireplace.
“What are you doing?” Apple Bloom asks bewildered.
Flames instantly consume the envelope revealing the ring, as it sinks into the red hot embers. Twilight reaches into the fire with a pair of tongs and lifts the ring out.
“Hold out your hoof, Apple Bloom” She says. “...it is quite cool.”
Twilight drops the ring into Apple Bloom's hoof, she’s surprised at how heavy it is.
“What can you see?” Twilight asks. “Can you see anything?”
“Nothing...there's nothing.” Apple Bloom says as she examines it. A look of relief comes over Twilights face. “Wait...” Apple Bloom continues.
As she observes the gold band of the ring fiery letters begin to appear...a tiny inscription glows red...as if burning from within.
Twilight’s look of relieve leaves and her face becomes tense.
“It's some form of Pegaselvish” says Apple Bloom “...I can't read it.”
There are few who can...” Twilight says in an ominous tone. “the language is that of Canterlot, which I will not utter here.”
“Canterlot?” Apple Bloom asks with surprise.
“In the common tongue…” Twilight turns to look at the filly. “it says, ‘One ring to rule them all, One
ring to find them, One ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them."
The ring lies in the center of Apple Bloom's simple kitchen table as Twilight explains.
"This is the one ring forged by the dark lord, Princess Celestia, in the fires of Mount Moon...taken by Golden Delicious from the hoof of Princess Celestia herself.”
Apple Bloom is stunned, but then she slowly begins to realize. “Granny Smith found it...in Spike’s cave.”
Twilight nods. “For sixty years the ring lay quiet in Granny Smith's keeping, prolonging her life, delaying old age...but no longer, Apple Bloom. Evil is stirring in Canterlot. The ring has awoken. It has heard its master's call.”
Suddenly a fleeting, low whisper of ominous foreign speech emanates from the Ring. Apple Bloom looks at Twilight, each knowing the other has heard it.
“But she was destroyed...” Apple Bloom says softly. “Princess Celestia was destroyed.”
“No, Apple Bloom.” Twilight continues to explain “The spirit of Princess Celestia has endured. Her life force is bound to the ring and the ring survived. Celestia has returned. Her Dogs have multiplied...her fortress of Bartrott- dur is rebuilt in the land of Canterlot. Princess Celestia needs only this ring to cover all the lands in the second darkness. She is seeking it, seeking it, all her thought is bent on it. For the ring yearns, above all else, to return to the hoof of its master: they are one, the ring and the dark lord. Apple Bloom, she must never find out.”
Instantly Apple Bloom scoops up the Ring.
“Alright!” She exclaims as she hurries into the living room. “We put it away, we keep it hidden!” She says trying to think fast. “We never speak of it again. No one know it's here, do they?”
Twilight shifts uncomfortably. Apple Bloom looks at her worriedly.
“Do they, Twilight?”
The unicorn looks at Apple Bloom sadly.
“There is one other who knew that Granny Smith had the Ring. I looked everywhere for the creature Spike, but the enemy found him first. I don't know how long they tortured him...but amidst the endless screams and inane babble, they discerned only a few words. Ponyville… and Apple Family.”
“Ponyville…” Apple Bloom says, not quite believing it. “Apple Family! That will lead them straight here!”
-
On a dark country lane, a Shetland Pony curiously lifts his watch lantern in alarm.
“halt!” he shouts. “Who goes there?”
Out of the darkness thunder two black riders. A lethal sword swingers down at the small pony.
-
At Sweet Apple Acres Apple Bloom thrusts the ring at Twilight.
“Take it!” She shouts, terrified. “Take it!”
“No, Apple Bloom...” Twilight takes a step back.
“You must take it!” The filly cries with intensity.
“You cannot offer me this ring.”
“I'm giving it to you!”
Twilight stomps her hoof. “Don't tempt me, Apple Bloom!” She yells. “I dare not take it, not even to keep it safe.”
Apple Bloom looks down at the ring.
“Understand, Apple Bloom...” Twilight says softly. “I would use this Ring from a desire to do good...but through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine.”
“But it cannot stay in Ponyville!” Apple Bloom says with worry.
“No,” Twilight replies. “No, it can't.”
Apple Bloom meets Twilights eyes.
“What must I do?”
Apple Bloom is in her bedroom throwing clothes into a knapsack. Twilight watches her, making plans.
“You must leave, and leave quickly. Get out of Ponyville.”
“Where?” The filly asks. “Where shall I go?”
“Make for the village of Dodge Junction.”
“Dodge Junction? What about you?”
“I…” says Twilight, helping her pack. “will, be waiting for you at the Inn of the Prancing Pony.
Apple Bloom begins packs food into the knapsack.
“And the ring will be safe there?”
“I don't know, Apple Bloom. I don't have any answers. I must see the Head of my Order. She is both wise and powerful. Trust me, Apple Bloom. She'll know what to do.”
They head into the living room, the filly is nearly prepared to leave. Twilight grabs Apple Blooms coat from the rack.
“You'll have to leave the Apple name behind you...for that name is not safe outside Ponyville.” Twilight says as she helps Apple Bloom into the coat.
“Travel only by day and stay off the road.”
“I can cut across country easily enough.”
Twilight looks at the young Shetland, moved by her courage.
“My dear Apple Bloom, Shetlands really are amazing creatures. You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet, after a hundred years, they can still surprise you.”
Apple Bloom manages a smile.
But suddenly, they both jump at the sound outside.
“Get down!” Twilight says, frozen. She slowly moves towards the window, eyes
wide with tension. She takes a staff and raises it with her magic above the window, and
slams it down on the intruder, there is then a loud yelp of pain.