//------------------------------//
// Chapter Three 
// Story: The Princess of the Rings - The Herd of the Ring 
// by ScarlettPeace 
//------------------------------//

CHAPTER THREE

Twilight hauls a small figure into the room. Sweetie Belle sprawls across the floor and looks up in terror as Twilight looms over her.
“Confound it all!” Twilight says angrily. “Sweetie Belle, have you been eavesdropping?”
“I haven’t been dropping any eaves, ma’am!” Sweetie Belle says in a frightened voice. “Honest. I was just cutting the grass under the window there,”
Twilight raises a brow. “It's a little late for trimming the hedges, don't you think?”
“I heard raised voices...” Says Sweetie Belle, trying to explain but Twilight interrupts.
“What did you hear?   Speak!”
Sweetie Belle begins to panic. “Nothing important...that is, I heard a good deal about a ring...and a Dark Lord. And something about the end of the world, but...Please, Miss Twilight, ma’am, don't hurt me! Don't turn me into anything unnatural!”
“No?” 
Apple Bloom smiles.
“Perhaps not.” Twilight continues. “I've thought of a better use for you.”
-
Dawn arrives in Ponyville as it is shrouded in a white veil of mist. Twilight, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle hurry across a ploughed field, away from Ponyville. Twilight leads the way and Apple Bloom
and Sweetie Belle hurry along behind her carrying knapsacks.
“Come along, Sweetie Belle!” Calls Twilight. “keep up!”

Twilight leads Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle under the cover of Woods.
“Be careful, both of you.” She says. “The Enemy has many spies in her service, many ways of hearing...birds, beasts...”
Twilight takes Apple Bloom aside.
“Is it safe?” She asks in a low voice.
Apple Bloom pats her pocket and nods.
“Never put it on, for then the agents of the Dark Lord will be drawn to its power...Always remember, Apple Bloom, the ring is trying to get back to its master...it wants to be found.” 
Twilight turns and with a neigh and gallops out of sight. 
Over the course of the day Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle hike over the gentle countryside, wading through a shallow streams, and clambering over stone walls.
Sweetie Belle suddenly stops short...taking stock of her surroundings. She looks back from where they came.
“This is it.” She says.
Apple Bloom looks back at her, confused. “This is what?” 
“If I take one more step it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been.”
Apple Blooms smiles and comes back to give Sweetie Belle a little nudge.
“Come on, Sweetie Belle.”
The white filly takes a deep breath and steps forward as her hoof takes meets the ground and takes the next step.
Apple Bloom chuckles as they continue on their journey. “Remember what Granny Smith used to say...it's a dangerous business...going out your door...you step onto the road, and if you don't keep your hooves,
there's not knowing where you might be swept off to.”
-
In Hayengard Valley, Twilight is galloping along the outskirts of the ancient forest of Foalgorn. Nestled in a basin at the foot of the distant Maney Mountains. Twilight gallops through the gate, into the fortress of Hayengard a great ring-wall of stone, a mile from rim to rim, encloses beautiful trees and gardens, watered by streams that flow down from the mountains.
“Smoke rises once more from the mountain of Moon...the shadow takes shape in the darkness of Canterlot; the hour grows late...and Twilight the Unicorn rides to Hayengard seeking my counsel...”
The strange tower hewn from a solid pillar of black obsidian rises up in the center of the Hayengard
Circle. Twilight arrives at the foot of the stairs when Luna, the Magic Mare, sweeps down.
“For that is why thou hast come, is it not, my old friend?”
Twilight moves quickly towards her, grimy and weary from her long ride.
“Luna!” Twilight says with a smile, although exhausted.

Twilight and Luna walk slowly between the beautiful trees of the Hayengard Gardens. 
“Is thou sure of this?” Luna asks.
“Beyond any doubt.”
“So the ring of power has been found?”
Twilight nods. “All these long years it was in Ponyville, under my very nose.”
“And yet you did not have the wit to see it!” says Luna. “Your love of the Halfponie’s leaf has clearly slowed your mind.”
“We still have time...” says Twilight urgently. “time enough to counter Princess Celestia...if we act quickly.”
“Time? What time does thou think we have?”

Inside the tower Luna and Twilight are seated in a small, cluttered room to the side of the cavernous central chamber.
“Princess Celestia has regained much of her former strength.” Explains Luna. “She cannot yet take physical form...but her spirit has lost none of its potency. Concealed within her fortress, the lord of Canterlot sees all. Her gaze pierces cloud, shadow, earth, and flesh. You know of what I speak, Twilight...a great Eye, lidless, wreathed in flame.”
“The eye of Celestia.” Twilight says softly.
“She is gathering all evil to her.” Continues Luna. “Very soon she will have summoned an army
great enough to launch an assault upon Equestria.”
“You know this?” Twilight asks. “How?”
A smile comes over Luna’s face. “I have seen it.”
Twilight and Luna stride through the tower toward a stone pedestal on which a sphere like shape is draped with a cloth.
“A palantir is a dangerous tool, Luna.”
Luna lifts the cloth to reveal the sphere.
“Why?” she asks. “Why should we fear to use it?” 
“They are not all accounted for, the lost seeing-stones.” Says Twilight worriedly. “we do not know who else may be watching.” 
Twilight throws the cloth back over the sphere and for a brief second she thought she saw the fiery eye its Pegeself. 
Luna sits upon her throne. “The hour is later than you think. Princess Celestia's Dogs are already moving...the Nine have already left.”
“The nine!” Twilight says shocked.
“They crossed the river Ingram in Midsummer's eve, disguised as black riders.”
Twilights alarmed. “They have reached Ponyville?” 
Luna shrugs.
“They will find the ring...and kill the one who carries it.”
Twilight backs away and turns to run to the door horrified as the doors suddenly slam shut.
“You did not seriously think a Shetland could contend with the will of Princess Celestia? There are none who can.”
Twilight slowly turns to Luna with a look of dawning horror.
Luna continues. “Against the power of Canterlot, there can be no victory. We must join with her, Twilight. We must join with Princess Celestia. It would be wise, my friend.”
Twilight stares Luna in the eye and says in a deadly tone. “Tell me, friend, when did Luna the wise abandon reason for madness?”
At that moment: Twilight is suddenly blasted across the room! She slams against the wall pinned there by some unseen force. With sudden effort, Twilight wrenches herself off the wall and swings her horn towards Luna blasting her off her hooves! Twilight and Luna battle, powerful blasts throwing
them across the room. Luna screams, her eyes blazing. Twilight is suddenly flung to the floor and completely pinned.
“I gave thou the chance of aiding me willingly, but thou hast elected the way of pain.”
Twilight is breathing hard on the floor, her eyes look into the madness of Luna who begins to send her into a sickening spin. Twilight tumbles towards the top of the chamber as if falling in reverse. Rushing to the roof of the tower.
-
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are walking along a country lane which
borders Farmer Caramel’s Fields. Sweetie Belle is looking up and Apple Bloom has
disappeared around a corner in the lane.
“Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle cries with panic. “Apple Bloom!”
Apple Bloom comes around the corner, surprised as Sweetie Belle comes running towards her.
“I thought I lost you.” Sweetie Belle says worriedly. 
Apple Bloom looks at her suspiciously. Sweetie Belle glances down, embarrassed.
“What are you talking about?” Apple Bloom teases.
Sweetie Belle mumbles. “It's just something Twilight said...”
“What did she say?”
“She said...’Don't you leave her, Sweetie Belle." She says as she looks at Apple Bloom intently. “And I don't mean to.”
Apple Bloom laughs. “Sweetie Belle...we're still in Ponyville...what could possibly happen?”
Suddenly a figure comes crashing out of a hedgerow sending Apple Bloom flying. Apple Bloom picks herself up, only to be knocked back down again by Pinkie Pie.
“Apple Bloom! Scootaloo look, it's Apple Bloom!”
“Hello Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo says smiling.
Scootaloo, Pinkie Pie, and Apple Bloom are picking themselves up seeing that a variety
of vegetables have scattered everywhere.
“What's the meaning of this!” Sweetie Belle asks.
“Hey Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo laughs. “hold this...”
Scootaloo gives Sweetie Belle a large cabbage.
“You've been into Farmer Caramel's crop!” Sweetie Belle says accusingly.
A large pitchfork can be seen racing towards them along the Hedgerow and angry shouts are heard from Farmer Caramel.
“Who's that in my field?”     
Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie hurriedly gather their booty and race away with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle on their heels. Scootaloo looks behind her as she runs. “I don't know why he's so upset, it's only a couple of carrots.”
“And some cabbages.” Adds Pinkie Pie. “and those three bags of potatoes that we lifted last week. and then the mushrooms the week before.”
“Yes, Pinkie Pie, my point is, he's clearly over reacting.”
“ Keep running!” Pinkie Pie shouts.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie suddenly tumble head over heels down a bank, onto a dark, wooded road. A winded Pinkie Pie, looks up from the ground, her face inches away from a large pile of manure.
“That was close…”
Apple Bloom picks herself up and looks around quickly.
“Ow...” Scootaloo groans. “I think I've broken something.”
She pulls a large carrot, snapped through in the middle, out from behind her. “Oh.”
Sweetie Belle looks at her irritated. “Scootaloo… Pinkie Pie”
“What?” Scoot says. “That was just a detour...a shortcut.”
“A shortcut to what?” Sweetie Belle asks.
Pinkie Pie has spied something under the trees on the far side of the road.
“Mushrooms!” She says excitedly.
Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Pinkie Pie race toward the mushrooms but Apple Bloom is tense and watchful. She realizes they are on a wooded road. Scattered leaves rise into the air whirling down the path as if blown by an invisible wind...faintly the sounds of hooves can be heard.
“I think we should get off the road.” Apple Bloom says softly.
Suddenly a long drawn wail comes down the wind, like the cry of some evil and lonely creature.
“Get off the road!” Apple Bloom says with more urgency.
Sweetie Belle pulls Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie as the ponies quickly scramble down the bank, hiding under a mossy log. The sound of hooves is close... a sinister ringwraith steps into view, hooded and faceless.
Apple Bloom freezes in terror. The ringwraith pauses right beside their hiding place standing very still with his head bowed, listening. From inside the hood comes a sniffing noise as if he is trying to catch an
elusive scent; his head turning from side to side.
Beads of sweat gather on Apple Bloom’s brow. The ringwraith suddenly steps forward, leaning over the mossy log, peering suspiciously into the woods.
Apple Bloom draws the ring out of her pocket, with trembling hoofs...her face fevered and sweating as if in the grip of some terrible internal struggle. The sound of sniffing intensifies as the ringwraith darts his head from side to side like a bird of prey.
Apple Bloom squeezes her eyes shut, seeing quick psychic blats of the evil dark tower, a great eye, and a burst of flame.
Sweetie Belle looks at Apple Bloom with concern, nudging her with her hoof, seemingly waking her up from her daze. Scootaloo desperately hurls the mushrooms across the road...the ringwraith spins around at the sound, screeches, and darts to the far side of the road with frightening speed. Apple Bloom instantly slumps as if a psychic link had been broken.
“What was that?” Scootaloo asks frightened.
Apple Bloom is staring, a look of shock on her face at the ring lying on the edge of her hoof.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Pinkie Pie hurry through the trees, slipping and sliding on the muddy ground.
“Anything?” Sweetie Belle asks.
“Nothing.” Says Apple Bloom.
“What is going on?” Pinkie Pie whispers urgently.
Scootaloo moves past Pinkie Pie, toward Apple Bloom, watching intently. Sweetie Belle keeps looking around nervously.
“The Black rider was looking for something...or someone...Apple Bloom?”
“Get down!” Sweetie Belle whispers.
The silhouette of a black rider looms against the skyline. The Four Shetlands are sprawled on the ground, holding their breath. The black rider turns and departs. 
Apple Bloom looks at Scootaloo. “I have to leave Ponyville...Sweetie Belle and I must get to Dodge Junction.”
Scootaloo looks at her friend realizing Apple Bloom is in deep trouble.
“Right.” She says “Applebuckleberry Ferry, follow me!”
The Shetlands break cover. Suddenly, A ringwraith bursts out of the forest toward them!
“There's another one!!” Scootaloo shouts. “Apple Bloom, this way!”
The Shetlands run and the ringwraith shrieks. 
Black horse hooves... snarling horse mouths...a fleeting black cowl.
“Apple Bloom, follow me!” Scootaloo shouts. 
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie are running towards the wide, placid river and the ferry.
“Get the ropes, Sweetie Belle.” Says Scootaloo.
Four ringwraiths are speeding through the fog converging on the ferry crossing. The Shetlands stampede across the wharf and tumble onto the Ferry.
“Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle screams.
Apple Bloom races across the Wooden Wharf, followed by the ringwraiths. She leaps into the Ferry.
Hooves thunder down the wharf as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shove off with the poles. The ferry slides out into the river, just as the ringwraiths arrive. They pull up on the end of the wharf shrieking with rage! The Shetlands cover their ears. The Ringwraiths wheel their horses towards the north and gallop away along the river bank, quickly disappearing into the fog.
“How far to the nearest crossing?” Apple Bloom asks.
Scootaloo is catching her breath. “...twenty miles.”