> The Princess of the Rings - The Herd of the Ring
>  by ScarlettPeace
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter One
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Princess of the Rings
Part 1 – The Herd of the Ring
Prologue

The world is changed: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it. It began with the forging of the Great Rings. Three were given to the Pegeselves, immortal, wisest...fairest of all beings. Seven to the Dwarficorn Lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And Nine...nine rings were gifted to the race of Earth Pony who, above all else, desire power. For within these rings was bound the strength and will to govern each race. But they were all of them deceived...for another ring was made. In the land of Canterlot, in the fires of Mount Moon, the Dark Lord Princess Celestia forged in secret a Master Ring to control all others...and into this Ring she poured her cruelty, her malice and her will to dominate all life. One Ring to rule them all. One by one the free lands of Equestria fell to the power of the ring. But there were some...who resisted. A last alliance of Earth Pony and Pegeselves marched against the armies of Canterlot. On the slopes of Mount Moon they fought for the freedom of Equestria. Victory was near! But the power of the Ring could not be undone.
It was in the moment…when Celestia killed the king, the father of Golden Delicious...when all hope had
faded, that Golden Delicious, son of the king, took up his father's sword and sliced the hoof of Princess Celestia that bore the great ring. Princess Celestia, the enemy of the Free Ponies of Equestria, was defeated.  The Ring passed to Golden Delicious...who had this one chance to destroy evil forever.
But the hearts of Earth Ponies are easily corrupted. And the Ring of Power has a will of its own.
It betrayed Golden Delicious to his death. And some things that should not have been forgotten...were lost. History became legend...legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand years the Ring passed out of all knowledge. Until, when chance came, it ensnared a new bearer! The Ring came to the creature Spike, who took it deep into the tunnels of the Maney Mountains. And there, it consumed him.   .

“It came to me.” He said in a raspy voice. “My own. My love...My precious.”

The Ring brought to Spike unnatural long life. For five hundred years it poisoned his mind. And in the gloom of Spike's cave...It waited. Darkness crept back into the forests of the world. Rumor grew of a Shadow in the East...whispers of a nameless fear. And the Ring of Power perceived...its time had now come. It abandoned Spike. But something happened then the Ring did not intend…fumbling in the dark a small hoof closed over the ring and it was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable.

“What's this?” said an old voice with southern edge. “A ring.”

A Shetland....Granny Smith of Ponyville.

“Lost!” Granny Smith heard a voice scream, its anguish ringing through the cave. “Lost!   Lost! My Precious is lost!!”

Frightened Granny Smith quickly pocketed the one ring and hurried on. For the time will soon come when Shetlands will shape the fortunes of all.

CHAPTER ONE
60 YEARS LATER 

Beneath the dappled sunlight of an old tree a young filly Shetland lies, reading her book. White flowers are scattered among the well seeded grasses, an idyllic setting at the end of a long hot summer. In the distance, growing louder over the gentle clip clop of an approaching cart Apple Bloom hears a familiar tune being hummed by an even more familiar voice. Suddenly Apple Bloom sits up, the realization of the voice’s owner excites her. She steps out of the shade of the tree and the light of the sun finally illuminates her amaranth colored mane and pale yellow coat. As the cart nears her eyes alight with excitement. She tosses away the long stem of grass in her mouth and runs off.
The cart rattles along a leafy lane, pulled by a lavender pony with a gray cloak and hat. Apple Bloom runs towards her as fast as her little hooves can manage, careering down a hill and jumping over logs. The lavender pony slowly comes to a stop as Apple Bloom suddenly appears on a bank above the cart.
“You're late.” She says in her high pitched filly voice, sharing the same southern inflection as her grandmother. 
“A Magic Mare is never late, Apple Bloom,” the purple unicorn said, still staring straight ahead, the brim of her gray hat covering the majority of her face. “nor is she early.” She continued, slowly looking up and finally making eye contact with the filly. “She arrives precisely when she means to.”
The two look at each other for a moment but then break their stare as they both start laughing. Apple Bloom giggles as she leaps from the bank next to the unicorn, trotting along beside her.
“It's wonderful to see you, Twilight!” The filly said happily. Next to Twilight, it’s clear how small Shetlands are, Apple Bloom being even smaller than usual being a filly.
The unicorn laughed. “You didn't think I'd miss your Granny Smith's birthday, did you?”
“So, what news of the outside world?” Apple Bloom asked enthusiastically. “Tell me everything!”
Twilight looks down at Apple Bloom, a twinkle in her eye.
“What, everything? Far too eager and curious for a Shetland. Most unnatural...”	
The cart rattles over a Stone bridge towards a Busy Marketplace as Twilight continues.
“Well, what can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on much as if it has past age. Full of its own comings and goings, scarcely even aware of the existence of Shetlands...” Twilight surveys the peaceful scene before her. “...for which I am very thankful.”
The unicorn notices several Shetlands look up exclaiming in wonder and excitement as her
cart rolls past the Green Dragon Inn. Beyond it is the party field. Where an abundance of
Shetlands are busy preparing for the big night.
“Ah, the long expected party.” Twilight chuckles. “So, how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a Party of Special Magnificence.”
Smiling, Apple Bloom rolls her eyes. “Well, you know Granny Smith...she's got the whole place in an uproar.”
“Oh,” says Twilight “well...that should please her.”
“Half of Ponyville's been invited!” 
“Good gracious, me.”
Apple Blooms eyes squint in thought. “She's up to something.”
“Oh, really?” Twilight responds a little too innocently.
Apple Bloom shoots a knowing look, as Twilight averts her eyes.
“Alright then…keep your secrets.” The filly says in a sarcastic huff. “You know, before you came along we from the Apple Family were very well thought of.”
“Indeed?” Twilight responds curiously.
“Yup! Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected.”
“If you're referring to the incident with the Dragon...” Twilight smiles. “I was barely involved...all I did was give your Granny a little nudge out the door.”
“Whatever you did...you've been officially labeled as a Disturber of the Peace.”
“Oh, really?” The unicorn says as she notices a pony following the cart with his eyes, deeply suspicious.                                                The cart rattles into the small village of Ponyville, a quaint rustic settlement, nestled amongst rolling green hills and large trees.
Apple Bloom looks behind her seeing excited children, even younger than her, chasing after the cart. She hears the words ‘Twilight!’ ‘It’s Twilight!’ and ‘fireworks! Please Twilight fireworks!’ being shouted with joy. Twilight, looking straight ahead, ignores the children's cries. Apple Bloom sees the foals stand
deflated, watching them disappear down the lane. At that moment, spinning balls of bright color suddenly leap out of the cart, fizzing over the heads of the delighted ponies. Each of them jumping up and down with laughter.
Twilight smiles to herself, well pleased with her joke. Even the staring smug pony from before is unable to suppress a chuckle. Twilight slows to a halt as Apple Bloom begins to turn down another path.
“Twilight... I'm glad you're back.” Apple Bloom says with a grin.
“So am I, dear filly...so am I”

Twilight’s cart finds its way outside the gate to Sweet Apple Acres. A particularly fine example of a Shetland home, a large red barn-like structure in front of a grassy hillside. The lavender pony sees a sign on the gate which reads: "NO ADMITTANCE EXCEPT ON PARTY BUSINESS." 
Twilight strides up to the garden path of Sweet Apple Acres and raises her hoof to rap on the front door. A familiar southern voice calls out. “No, thank you! We don't want any more visitors, well wishers, or distant relations!”
Twilight laughs. “And what about very old friends?”
Slowly the door opens and Granny Smith stands before her, wearing a deep red cloak. The look of a pleasant surprise comes over her face with a mischievous Twinkle in her eye. 
“Twilight?” The old green pony asks.
“Granny Smith.” The unicorn says with a nostalgic tone.
“My dear Twilight Sparkle!” Granny Smith says as she embraces her old friend.
“It's good to see you.” Says Twilight. “One hundred and eleven years old, who would believe it!”
Twilight looks at her more keenly. “You haven't aged a day…”
Granny Smith laughs and makes way for her to enter. “Come on, come in!   Welcome, welcome!!”	
Twilight looks around the home, cozy and cluttered with souvenirs of Granny Smith's travels as the old pony hangs up Twilight's hat on a peg, revealing more of the unicorn’s dark purple mane, and trots off down the hall.
“Tea? Or maybe something stronger...” Granny Smith calls. “I've a few bottles of Cider left, 1296...a very good year, almost as old as I am!”
Granny Smith disappears into the kitchen as Twilight looks around enjoying the familiarity of the home. Twilight stops in front of a framed map, charred in one corner, she smiles to herself. 
Granny Smith’s blathering begins to get louder as she steps from the kitchen.
“I could do you some eggs if you like?” 
Granny Smith jumps, a half eaten pork pie in her hoof, as Twilight mysteriously appears behind her.
“Just tea, thank you.”
“Oh..right.”
She again, jumps at the sudden loud knock on the front door.
“Granny Smith!” A female voice from outside calls. “You open this door! I know you're in there!”
Granny Smith huddles up against a wall. “I'm not home.” She whispers to Twilight. Twilight watches, amused as old pony tries to hide.
“I've got to get away from these confounded relatives!” Granny Smith complains. “hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment's peace. I want to see mountains...mountains, Twilight... and then
find somewhere quiet where I can finish my book...Oh, Tea!” She quickly lifts the kettle from the flames.
“So, you mean to go through with your plan, then?” Twilight asks.
“Yes, yes...it's all ready. All the arrangements are made.”
Twilight watches as Granny Smith pours the boiling water. “Apple Bloom suspects something.”
“'Course she does,” Granny Smith says with her mouth full. “She's from the Apple Family...she’s not some block headed pony.”
“You will tell her, won't you?”
“Yes, yes.”
Twilight pulls her tea closer. “She's very fond of you.” 
Granny Smith sighs. “I know. She'd probably come with me if I asked her. I think, in her heart, Apple Bloom's still in love with Ponyville, the woods and the fields... little rivers.”
Granny Smith stands gazing out of the kitchen window.
“I am old, Twilight...” Granny Smith looks at the unicorn sadly. “I know I don't look as old as I am, but I'm beginning to feel it in my heart.”
Granny Smith leans on the table and her hoof enter her cloak pocket, gripping a small, hidden object.
“I feel thin...” she says “sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread. I need a holiday...a very long holiday and I don't expect I shall return...in fact, I mean not to.”
- 
Evening has come and Twilight and Granny Smith are sitting on the porch enjoying the warm Dodge Junctionze. Below them, final preparations are being made on the Party field.
Granny Smith strikes a match and lights her pipe, she blows a perfect smoke ring and watches it rise into the air. Twilight smiles as she puffs on her own pipe. From her lips a tiny Smokey sailing ship with masts and sails glides through the Center of Granny Smith's smoke ring.
“Ohhhh,” The old pony says in admiration. “Twilight my old friend...this will be a night to remember!”
-
BOOM! A firework explodes into the night sky high above Ponyville in the shape of a great green tree with unfolding branches, with its glowing flowers raining down from the branches evaporating just above the up turned faces of the delighted party-goers. Hundreds of ponies, feasting and drinking. Carts of cider are scattered about, and the tables are piled high with steaming scones and savories.
Twilight hurries about, lighting fireworks with a blue spark that dances magically from her horn while Granny Smith is greeting visitors. Apple Bloom and her very best friend Sweetie Belle sit at a table drinking the beverages allowed for the younger ponies. Apple Bloom notices Sweetie Belle's eyes keep flicking to another hoofsome pony, Pipsqueak, dancing some distance away.
“Go on, Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom giggles. “Ask Pip for a dance.”
“Isn’t that the boy pony’s job?”
“Who cares? Go on!”
Suddenly Sweetie Belle’s cup is snatched out of her hoofs as Apple Bloom thrusts her into the middle of a passing throng of dancers. Sweetie Belle looks horrified as she is swept away. Apple Bloom laughs and finishes Sweetie Belle's drink. She looks over to see Twilight as she sets alight a particularly spectacular firework that draws gasps of admiration from the party guests.
Granny Smith is off in a corner relating stories of her adventure to a group of young Shetland children.
So, there I was...at the mercy of three monstrous buffalos” She said melodramatically “and they're arguing...arguing about how they were going to cook us!”
A filly stares with an upturned face, her eyes growing larger and larger.
“Whether it be turned on a spit or minced in a pie or whether they were going to sit on us one by one and squash us into jelly!” She continued. “But they spent so long arguing that the sun's first light crept over the top of the trees...and POOF!” Stunned gasps escaped the lips of her young audience. “turned them all to stone!”
By Twilight’s cart, filled to the brim with fireworks are two mischievous young ponies. One is Scootaloo, a small pony with an orange coat and fuchsia mane. The other, Pinkie Pie, larger in stature but equal in lack of maturity. Pinkie Pie scrambles on to the back of Twilight's wagon, snatching up a small firework.	
Scootaloo whispers urgently. “No, no..the big one...the big one!” 
Pinkie Pie grabs a huge red rocket with a curling almost tail like top. Scootaloo gives a nod of satisfaction.
Inside of a tent the two look as the fuse crackles with flame. Scootaloo is holding out the big rocket, she looks aghast at the fizzing fuse that Pinkie Pie has just lit.
“You're supposed to stick it in the ground!” Scootaloo says in a worried whisper.
“It is in the ground!” Pinkie replies. 
Scootaloo fearfully tosses the Rocket to Pinkie Pie, the fuse sizzles angrily.
“Outside!”
“This was your idea!” Pinkie says defensively.
Pinkie Pie attempts to throw the fizzing rocket back to Scootaloo when WHOOSH! The two ponies are suddenly blown off their hooves in a shower of sparks as the rocket blasts off with frightening
power. The rocket zooms over the party, it suddenly bursts apart, forming the shape of a great red golden dragon! Fire gushes from its nostrils as it turns back and Flies low towards the startled crowd. 
Apple Bloom looks up and watches the fireworks dragon with alarm...but Granny Smith is oblivious to the panicking crowd and impending danger!
“Granny Smith!” Apple Bloom shouts. “Watch out for the dragon!!”
Dragon?” Granny Smith asks. “Nonsense...there hasn’t been a dragon in these parts for a thousand years!”
Apple Bloom hurriedly pulls Granny Smith to the ground, just as the dragon roars a few feet above their heads like a flaming express train! Ponies dive to the ground, tables overturn, tents
collapse, food flies everywhere. The fireworks dragon turns a somersault and explodes over the hills with a deafening bang! This gets the biggest Cheer of the night.
Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie smile up at it with ashy faces and smoking manes. 
“That was good!” Scootaloo says.
“Let's get another one!” Pinkie Pie speaks excitedly.
Two lavender hooves suddenly clamp down on Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie's shoulders. The two look up at Twilight’s stern face.
“Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie...I might have known!”
-
The two mischievous ponies are now leaning over a barrel, washing dishes in soapy water with Twilight sitting nearby, smoking her pipe and sipping cider. Cries of "SPEECH! SPEECH!" erupt from the
party. Twilight watches as Granny Smith steps on a stool. She bows in gratitude at the applause.
“Speech!” Apple Bloom shouts.
Granny Smith clears her through as the crowd’s shouts begin to die down.
“My dear ponies! My dear Shetlands! Today is my one hundred and eleventh
birthday. Yes, and alas...Eleventy- one years is far too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable Shetlands!”
There is a tremendous outburst of approval at the statement.
“I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you as well as well as you deserve.”
There is scattered clapping and confused murmurs as the guests try to work out if that was
a compliment or not. Twilight smiles to herself.
A strange hum seems to fill Granny Smith’s head as a bead of sweat rolls down her brow. Her hoof pulls something out of her cloak pocket and holds it under her draping shroud.
“I have…things to do” Granny Smith says almost in a whisper. “and I have put this off for far too long...” 
She tightens her grip on the small object under her cloak.
“I regret to announce,” She says loudly to the crowd. “that this is the end. I am going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell!” 
Granny Smith looks across at Apple Bloom, which makes her hesitate a moment.
“Goodbye.” She whispers.
At this moment Granny Smith instantly vanishes. 



> Chapter Two
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.











> Chapter Three
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.”



> Chapter Four
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER FOUR

The lights of Dodge Junction flicker, a small village of stone and half timbered houses nestled against a low wooded hill. A thick hedge surrounds the village and a great gate bars the western entrance. 
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie are approaching the gatehouse, wild eyes, ragged and out of breath.
“Come on.” Apple Bloom says.
A surly gatekeeper pony glances down at them. 
“What do you want?”
“We're headed for the prancing pony.” Apple Bloom responds.
The gatekeeper swings his lantern onto the Shetlands, bathing them in an uncomfortable yellow spotlight.
“Shetlands!” he says. “Four Shetlands, and what's more, out of Ponyville by your talk. What business brings you to Dodge Junction?”
“We wish to stay at the inn...” says Apple Bloom. “our business is our own.” 
To Apple Bloom's relief, the Gatekeeper unlocks the gate.
“All right, young ma’am,” he says. “I meant no offense.”
The Shetlands gratefully enter Dodge Junction, the gatekeeper eyeing them curiously in the lantern light.
“It's my job to ask questions after nightfall. There's talk of strange folks abroad...can't be too careful.” 
As they walk on the tall Dodge Junction ponies loom over the nervous little Shetlands as Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie make their way through the Narrow Streets. Tall buildings tower above them, lights glow dimly from behind thick curtains. 
Apple Bloom spots the sign of the "PRANCING PONY INN” and the young ponies hurry towards it. 
When the filly’s rush in Apple Bloom tries attracts the inn keeper’s attention.
“Excuse me.”
“Good evening, little ladies.” He says as he peers over the counter. “If you're seeking accommodation, we've got some nice, cozy Shetland sized rooms available, Miss… uh…”
Apple Bloom is silent for a moment, her mind racing. “Ponytail” she says. “...my name's Ponytail.”
“Ponytail.” The inn keeper says with hum.
“We're friends of Twilight the Unicorn...can you tell her we've arrived?” 
The inn keeper frowns, looking puzzled. “Twilight...Twilight...Oh!” He says now recognizing the name.      “Oh yes! I remember...a pretty pony...purple unicorn...pointy hat?” 
Apple Bloom nods with relief but the inn keeper then shakes his head.
“Not seen her for six months.” 
Apple Bloom is shocked.
“What do we do now?” Sweetie Belle asks in a worried whisper.	

In the noisy, smokey Inn it is dimly lit, chiefly from a blazing log fire and crowded with a mixture of Earth Ponies, Shetlands, and a couple of Dwarficornicorns. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie are sitting at a table against the wall clearly trying to remain quiet and inconspicuous.
Sweetie Belle can't help herself and keeps casting nervous glances around.
“Sweetie Belle,” says Apple Bloom. “she'll be here. She'll come.”
Scootaloo bounces herself down at a table, carrying a very large mug of cider.
“What's that?” Pinkie Pie asks.
“This, my friend, is a cider.” Scootaloo says taking a sip.
“They sell those to fillies here?” She asks excitedly. “I'm getting one!”
Sweetie Belle watches Pinkie Pie rise unsteadily to her hooves and head to the bar.
“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea Pinkie!” Sweetie Belle says. Scootaloo watches Pinkie Pie go.
A couple of swarthy Earth Ponies leaning against the bar glance at Apple Bloom, then quickly look away.
Sweetie Belle is staring off tensely. “That pony's done nothing but stare at you since we've arrived.”
Sweetie Belle indicates to a brooding stranger who sits alone at a table in the far corner, smoking a curiously carved long stemmed pipe, peering from beneath a travel stained hood with gleaming eyes. Apple Bloom gestures to the inn keeper.
“Excuse me,” she says. “that pony in the corner, who is it?”
“She's one of them Rangers.” The inn keeper explains. “They're dangerous ponies they are, wandering the wilds. What her right name is, I never heard, but round here she's known as Trotter.”
“Trotter.” Apple Bloom says to herself.
Beneath the table Apple Bloom’s forehooves are nervously toying with the ring. Sweat runs down her brow.   The Strange hum of the Ring spills into her head.
"Apple Family...Apple Family…" a creepy whisper seems to fill Apple Bloom's mind, a sound that dissolves into Pinkie Pie's loud voice:
“Apple Family? Sure, I know a pony from the Apple Family. She's over there!”
Apple Bloom looks over at Pinkie sitting at the bar, chatting with locals and leaps to her hooves and pushes her way towards the bar.
“Apple Bloom is her name.” she says loudly. “She's my second cousin once removed, on her mother's side and my third cousin twice removed on her father's side...if you follow me.”
Apple Bloom grabs Pinkie Pie's sleeve, spilling her cider.
“Pinkie Pie!” she shouts.
“What gives, Apple Bloom!”
Pinkie Pie pushes Apple Bloom away and she stumbles backwards falling to the floor. At that instant, the Inn goes silent and all the attention turns to Apple Bloom. The ring, and in Apple Bloom’s eyes, in agonizing Slow motion seems to hang in the air for a split second then crashes down onto her out stretched hoof. Apple Bloom vanishes. The inn has a sharp intake of breath followed by total silence.
-
On the Dodge Junction countryside the ringwraiths turn sharply. Instantly aware that the ring is being worn. They wheel up, shriek, and run towards the distant lights of Dodge Junction.
-
In the inn Sweetie Belle looks almost sick and Pinkie Pie instantly sobers, realizing her folly. 
The brooding stranger frowns and the inn erupts into excited babble. 

Apple Bloom suddenly finds herself in the dark world of the ring. The excited crowd is suddenly moving in slow motion, with distorted voices, everything is in a weird photographic negative quality. 
Apple Bloom is moving in real time, against the slow motion background. She suddenly clutches her head as she is hit with quick images of a great eye! An evil cat-like eye, wreathed in flames.
She then hears a voice. “There is no life here in the void...only cold...only death...”
Apple Bloom is terrified. She rolls under a table, desperately pulling the ring from her hoof. Apple Bloom materializes into the real world. At that moment a large orange hoof reaches under the table and grabs Apple Bloom by the collar, dragging her away. 
In a corridor Apple Bloom is roughly pushed against the wall. The Brooding stranger looms over her as and speaks in a soft southern drawl.
“You draw far too much attention to yourself...Miss Ponytail.” 
Apple Bloom is pushed into the Shetland's room by Trotter.
“What do you want?” The filly asks.
“A little more caution from you...that is no trinket you carry.”
“I carry nothing.” Apple Bloom responds. 
“Indeed?” The stranger says. “I can usually avoid being seen if I wish, but to disappear entirely...” The pony pulls down her hood revealing her blonde mane and green eyes. “that is a rare gift.”
“Who are you?” Apple Bloom asks.
“Are you frightened?” The mare asks.
“Yes.”
“Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you.” 
Apple Bloom jumps at the sound of a noise in the corridor. Trotter deftly draws her sword, the metallic hoofle sticking to the magnet like band around her hoof. A device created by the Pegaselves to help Earth Pony carry weapons.
The door bursts open and Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie appear on the doorway. Sweetie Belle is Squaring off with her fists, Scootaloo brandishes a candlestick, and Pinkie Pie a chair.
“Let him go!” Sweetie Belle shouts angrily.
The orange pony sheathes her sword, a slight smile playing on her lips.
“You have a stout heart, little Shetland,” she says. “But that alone won't save you. You can no longer wait for the Unicorn, Apple Bloom. They're coming.”
-
At the Gatehouse of Dodge the gate keeper comes out of his Lodgings with a lantern and a
look of fear appears on his face. He approaches the closed gate with great apprehension. The Gatekeeper peers out of his Peephole.
“Who goes the-”
The gate crashes down on the gatekeeper as four ringwraiths ride into Dodge Junction. The four ringwraiths fly done the empty streets, like horses of the apocalypse The front door of the Prancing Pony flies open and four ringwraiths rush into the inn with wicked swords drawn.  The inn keeper is hiding behind his bar trembling and sweating in terror.
-
Pinkie Pie stirs slightly in her bed then settles back to sleep.
A door creaks open and the four ringwraiths silently slide into the Shetland's room and loom above each bed, raising their shining swords above the sleeping Shetlands.
Sweetie Belle’s eyes open.
The ringwraiths stab the Shetlands in a slashing, hacking frenzy. 
-
Inside of Trotter’s room the mare is grimly listening to the sounds. 
-
In the room of the Shetlands the ringwraiths step back from the slashed beds in triumph but when a hacked blanket is pulled back to reveal nothing but a shredded pillow. The ringwraiths shriek with rage.
-
Sweetie Belle sits up with a start. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Pinkie Pie have been sleeping on
Trotter's bed. Apple Bloom stands next to Trotter by the window, peering out nervously as furious Ringwraith screeches echo across the courtyard from the Shetlands room.
“Who are they?” Apple Bloom asks.
“They were once Earth Pony.”  Trotter glances quickly at Apple Bloom, then looks away. “Great Kings of Earth Pony.” She continues quietly. “Then Princess Celestia the deceiver gave to them Nine Rings of Power. Blinded by their greed they took them without question, one by one falling into darkness and now they are slaves to her will.”
Trotter looks from the window as the Ringwraiths gallop down the Dodge Junction Streets. She turns back to the Shetlands, her face lit faintly by the Glowing Embers of the Fire.
“They are the Ringwraiths,” she says. “Neither living or dead. At all times they feel the presence of the ring...drawn to the power of the one. They will never stop hunting you. 
-
In the morning Trotter, Scootaloo, Pinkie Pie and Apple Bloom march through a gloomy, overgrown forest. Sweetie Belle follows behind laden with supplies.
“Where are you taking us?” Apple Bloom asks.
“Into the wild.” The orange pony responds. 
Apple Bloom watches uneasily as Trotter moves off into the cover of the trees.
“How do, we know this Trotter is a friend of Twilight?” Scootaloo whispers.
“We have no choice but to trust her.” Apple Bloom responds.
“But where is she leading us?” asks Sweetie Belle. 
Trotter stops, and casts a glance back at Sweetie Belle.
“To Cloudsdale, on the high mountain, Miss Sweetie Belle. To the house of Photo Finish.”
Sweetie Belle looks excited.
“Did you hear that?” She says. “Cloudsdale! We're going to see the Pegeselves!”	

Trotter leads the Shetlands through the gloom of the forest when she notices that they have suddenly stopped and are unstrapping their knapsacks.
“Ladies,” she says. “We do not stop until nightfall.”
“What about breakfast?” Pinkie Pie asks.
The orange mare looks confused. “You've already had it.”
“We've had one, yes...” says Pinkie. But what about Second Breakfast?”
Trotter stares at Pinkie Pie blankly, then turns away, shaking her head.
“I don't think she knows about second breakfast, Pinkie.” Scootaloo says putting her pack back on.
“What about Elvenses,” Pinkie Pie says. “Luncheon, Afternoon Tea, dinner, supper...she knows about them, doesn't she?”
“I wouldn't count on it.”
An apple is thrown to Scootaloo, who deftly catches it. Another, aimed at Pinkie Pie, hits her on the forehead. The Shetlands continue to trudge through rain, looking tired, hungry, and miserable.
- 
Luna, in her chamber, stands over the Palantir, her hoof above the massive eye.
“The power of Hayengard is at your command,” she whispers. “Princess Celestia, Lord of the Earth.”
Luna hears dark whispers in her mind as she says. “Build me an army worth of Canterlot.”
One of her dogs approaches.
“What orders from Canterlot, my Lady.” He asks. “What does the eye command?”
Luna looks at him straight on. “We have work to do.” 
-
Twilight Sparkle is lying unconscious on a cold obsidian floor. She wakes to the sound of ripping and tearing, rising onto her hooves and lifting her head, Twilight stands as she realizes she’s stranded on the summit of the tower. She is marooned on the tiny, flat peak, surrounded on all sides by a sheer 500 foot drop. Another whispering wail rends the air. Twilight crosses quickly to the edge and peers down.
One of the beautiful Hayengard trees is being ripped from the ground by the Diamond Dogs. Twilight looks on in horror as dogs hack into the trunk with axes.
Luna stands in rain looking out into the dark night as a dog sidles up to her, an axe in his paws, sweating with exertion.
“The trees are strong, my Lady.” He says. “Their roots go deep.”
“Rip them all down.” Luna responds.
More and more trees are hauled down and killed as Twilight looks on in helpless despair. 
-
On the rugged countryside the Shetlands journey on, lead by the mysterious orange mare. Trotter stops before a distant hill, topped by an Ancient Ruin.
“This was once the great Watchtower of Arhoof Sul.” She says. “We shall rest here tonight.”

At dusk Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie collapse into a small hollow, halfway up Weathertop...they are muddy and exhausted. Trotter drops 4 small swords before the fillies.
“There are for you.” She says, she then hands them four metallic Pegaselvish bands to put around their hoof so they can hold the sword with just one. 
“Keep them close. I'm going to have a look around. Stay here.” 
That night Apple Bloom’s eyes flicker open. She suddenly sits up, sniffing the air. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Pinkie Pie huddled over a small fire where sausages and bacon sizzle in a hot frying pan.
“What are you doing?” asks Apple Bloom.
“Tomatoes, sausages, and crispy bacon.” Scootaloo says. 
Sweetie Belle looks at Apple Bloom’s concerned face. “We saved some for you, Apple Bloom.”
“Put it out, you fools! Put it out!” Apple Bloom desperately kicks dirt on the fire.
“Oh, that's nice...” says Pinkie Pie. “ash on my tomatoes!”
Suddenly there is a shriek in the distance.
The ponies then see five ringwraiths running up the steep slope unnaturally fast. 
“Go!” Apple Bloom shouts.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie clamber desperately towards the summit, clutching their swords.
















> Chapter Five
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER FIVE

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Pinkie Pie race into a ring of broken stones on the summit or weathertop. The ruined base of an ancient tower. The Shetlands stand back-to-back in the centre of the Ring, waiting for the first assault. One by one, the 5 Ringwraiths appear brandishing gleaming swords, they move slowly towards the young ponies. In the center is their leader the witch king.
“Back, you devils!” Sweetie Belle shouts and rushes forward with a cry. She swings her sword at the
Witch King, who blocks the blow with his own sword. Sweetie Belle's blade shatters and the witch king lashes out with his fist, sending Sweetie Belle flying. Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie, overcome with terror,
throw themselves flat on the ground. The Ringwraiths close in on Apple Bloom and a venomous whisper dances in her head. Apple Bloom shuts her eyes and staggers back, desperately resisting the wraith’s whisperings. her hoof goes into her pocket and pulls out the ring. The 5 Ringwraiths utter a chilling screech of excitement. Apple Bloom is unable to resist any longer, falls to her knees and slips on the ring. She disappears.
“No!” shouts Sweetie Belle. 
Apple Bloom finds herself in the weird dark world. She looks upon the Ringwraiths, now visible in their true appearance. Five Ghouls dressed in grey robes, with white manes, empty eyes and pallid, ruthless faces. The witch king extends a haggard hoof towards Apple Bloom, reaching for the ring. Apple Bloom's
trembling hoof extends forward as if by the pull of the ring, she slides to the ground, unable to pull her hoof away. The witch king snarls and springs forward. He stabs at Apple Bloom with a wicked dagger! Apple Bloom winces as the tip of the dagger sinks into her shoulder. Suddenly, the orange mare charges at the ringwraiths, wielding her sword in one hoof, a flaming torch in her mouth. In Apple Bloom’s eyes, she moves in slow motion, visible through a sea of mist. Apple Bloom sinks to the ground. Behind her a Ringwraith flees, his head engulfed in flames. With draining strength, Apple Bloom manages to pull the ring off her hoof. 
Appearing back in the real world, Sweetie Belle rushes over to her.
“Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle says horrified.
Another Ringwraith is burning and screaming, others screech fearfully at the flames and turn and flee from the Weathertop summit.
Sweetie Belle is panicking. “Apple Bloom!!”
Trotter kneels before Apple Bloom and snatches up the Witch King's dagger from the ground, staring gravely at the long, thin, blade.
“Help her, Trotter!” says Sweetie Belle.
“He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade.” Trotter says grimly. 
The Morgul Blade suddenly melts, vanishing into the air like smoke. Trotter throws the hilt down in disgust.
“Do something.” Sweetie Belle insists. 
“This is beyond my skill to heal.” Trotter lifts Apple Bloom onto her shoulders. “She needs Pegaselvish medicine.” She says urgently. 

In the hills Trotter is jogging grimly, carrying an ailing Apple Bloom on her back. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Pinkie Pie are running to keep up. 
“Hurry!” Trotter yells.
“We are six days from Cloudsdale.” Says Sweetie Belle. 
Apple Bloom groans.
“Hold on, Apple Bloom.” Says Trotter.
“She'll never make it!” Sweetie Belle says worriedly. 
Apple Bloom’s head is lolling about, barely conscious.
“Twilight...” she says feverishly. “Twilight!”
-

-
At the tower of Hayengard, gleaming in the moonlight, the once beautiful gardens are now a pitted wasteland with smoke and fire billowing out of numerous tunnels and vent holes that litter the forecourt. Strange guttural chants echo up from deep underground. High up in the air a small butterfly flutters and flies towards the summit of the Tower. Twilight lies slumped against the wall at the very top, surrounded by a sheer 500 foot drop. She looks weak and frail and is seemingly asleep. The butterfly flutters close to Twilight and her hoof suddenly moves at lightning speed and snatches it. Twilight brings her hoof close to her face and sees the butterfly sit on the roof of her hoof.
The unicorn mutters strange words in a foreign tongue and the butterfly seems to be listening. 
It suddenly flutters away off the summit. But far underneath it, in the pitted wasteland, there are fiery red
Tunnels. The dead trees of Hayengard are fed into roaring furnaces, molten metal pours into casts, red hot metal beaten by sweating Dog blacksmiths, armor and weapons are forged from the great furnaces. 
Luna strides among the Dogs and stands looking on a new born pony-kai as it escapes its birthing membrane. A gray, mutilated pony with a deformed face. This is Lurtz, who rises up to stand before his master.
-
In the forest Apple Bloom’s eyes flicker open, clouded, red-rimmed, her brow, beaded with sweat.
“Is she going to die?” Pinkie Pie asks. 
Apple Bloom's breathing is getting shallow. Trotter looks out into the darkness.
“No.” she says. “She is passing into the shadow world, she will soon become a wraith like them.”
A distant cry of a ringwraith carries through the air.
“They're close.” Scootaloo says nervously.
Apple Bloom gasps in sudden pain. Trotter is thinking hard.
“Sweetie Belle, do you know the Athelas plant?” 
Sweetie Belle looks blank.
“Athelas?” she asks.	
“Kingsfoil.”
“Oh, Kingsfoil.” Says Sweetie Belle. “Yeah, it’s a weed.”
“It may help to slow the poison.” Totter says. “Hurry!” 
Sweetie Belle and Trotter desperately search the dark forest floor for the Athelas plant. The orange mare soon spots a small, white flower. She drops down low, carefully pulling it from the
ground with her teeth.
Suddenly, Trotter freezes as a sword blade touches her neck.
“What is this?” a soft but very male voice says. “A Ranger caught off her guard?
Trotter slowly looks up.

Apple Bloom is breathing hard, desperately ill. She’s half-conscious, in a surreal impression a shimmering figure with a blinding white coat steps towards her.
An ethereal vision of a male white unicorn with a blue mane appears.
“Apple Bloom,” he says. “I’m Shining Armor. I have come here to help you.”
Apple Bloom’s eyes close.
“Hear my voice,” he says urgently. “come back to the light.” 
“Who is he?” Pinkie Pie asks.
“Apple Bloom?” Shining Armor says worriedly. 
“He's a Pegeself.” Says Sweetie Belle.
“I thought only Pegasus were Pegeselves.” Scootaloo whispers.
“Not necessarily. Shh.” 
Outside of Apple Bloom’s feverish eyes, Shining Armor appears in his earth bound form, a young Pegeselven stallion with tousled hair, dressed in mud-splattered riding clothes.
“She's fading...” he says. “She's not going to last. We must get her to my mother.” 
Trotter quickly lifts Apple Bloom and places her on her back.
“I have been looking for you for two days.” Shining Armor says.
“Where are you taking her?” asks Pinkie Pie.
“There are five Wraiths behind you,” Shining Armor continues to say to Trotter. “Where the other four are, I do not know.”
“Stay with the Shetlands.” Says the orange mare. “I'll send someone for you.”
Shining Armor takes Apple Bloom from Trotter’s back and puts her on his own.
“I'll take her.” He says. “I'm the faster rider.” 
Trotter puts her hoof by Shining Armor's face.
“The road is dangerous.” She says.
“If I can cross the river,” says Shining Armor. “The power of my people can protect him.”
Shining Armor looks deep the mare’s eyes.
“I do not fear them.” He says. 
It’s difficult for Trotter to let him go. “Shining Armor, ride hard, don't look back.” 
The stallion looks down at Trotter as Sweetie Belle asks. “Wait, what are you doing? Those Wraiths are
still out there!” 
Shining Armor springs away, bearing Apple Bloom into the night.
Through the forest from the back of the white horse Apple Bloom lifts her head weakly. She sees trees sliding by and the moonlight flicker through them.
As morning comes Shining Armor emerges from the trees and gallops across the open land as the sun rises. 
The white unicorn charges then through a Pine Forest. Suddenly two galloping Ringwraiths emerge from the trees behind, their jet black hooves thundering closer. Two more Ringwraiths slide in from different directions to join the chase. Shining Armor grits his teeth and urges on to greater speed. 
Shining Armor speeds out of the pine trees as the four ringwraiths close behind. Two more ringwraiths suddenly gallop down the hillside and three more come from different directions making a total of nine, now pursuing Apple Bloom and Shining Armor. 
Shining Armor is panting and races towards a wide river. Without hesitation, the white horse leaps into the shallow water and thunders across the Ford. The nine Ringwraiths pull up short of the river, clearly nervous of the water. The white horse reaches the other side and pulls up and turns to defiantly face the Ringwraiths from across the waters.
“Give up the Halfpony, Pegeself.” The witch king whispers. 
Shining Armor yells. “If you want her, come and claim her.”
The Witch King screeches angrily and leads the Ringwraiths across the Ford. The water starts flowing
Faster and a distant rumble can be heard. Shining Armor waits until they are halfway across when he closes his eyes and whispers something in a foreign language. The whispers begins to get louder and the ground suddenly trembles, a mighty roar fills the air.
Apple Bloom looks up weakly to see a vast torrent of Water flooding down the river towards the ford as if a dam had burst. The Foaming water seems to form the shape of dancing white horses with frothing manes. The Ringwraiths scream in terror as they are swallowed up in the flood. Their Piercing cries are drowned in the roaring of the river as it carries them away. 
Apple Bloom slowly begins to lose consciousness...
“No, no...Apple Bloom, no!” Says Shining Armor upset. “Apple Bloom, don't give in...not now!”
Shining Armor looks at the filly on his back, feeling her life slip away.
“What grace is given me,” he whispers. “let it pass to her. Let her be spared. Save her.”
-
A bright light suddenly flares and Apple Bloom squeezes her eyes shut, gasping.
“Where am I?” she says frightened.
A familiar voice cuts through the swirl of sound.
“You are in the House of Photo Finish, and it is ten o'clock in the morning on October the twenty-fourth, if you want to know.” 
Apple Bloom's eyes flicker Open. She is lying in bed next to an open window, dappled sunlight plays on richly carved timbers and the sound of a nearby waterfall drifts through the vista of Fir Trees.
“Twilight!” Apple Bloom says in a weak relief.
Twilight is sitting next to Apple Bloom’s bed softly puffing on her pipe, she smiles at the filly.
“Yes, I'm here and you're lucky to be here, too. A few more hours and you would have been beyond our aid. You have some strength in you, my dear Shetland.”
Apple Bloom sits up, looking at Twilight questioningly.
“What happened, Twilight?” she asks. “Why didn't you meet us?”
“I'm sorry Apple Bloom.” Says Twilight, troubled. Her eyes drift away.
“I was delayed.”
-
Twilight recalls to a night on the summit of the tower, where Luna stands over her gloating.
“Get up! So much for the power of the Ring or embrace your own destruction!”
With the power of her horn, Luna raises Twilight from the ground, then sends her crashing to the floor.
“There is only one Princess of the Ring.” Says Twilight. “Only one who can bend it to her will and she does not share power.”
Suddenly, Twilight lurches to her hooves and throws herself off the tower. Luna watches Twilight fly away from Hayengard on the back of a giant Griffon. 
Luna whispers in a chilling tone. “So you have chosen death.” 
Over the dawn in the mountains the Griffon soars majestically, carrying Twilight towards the rising sun.
-
Apple Bloom raises herself up and looks at Twilight.
“Twilight! What is it?” she asks. 
Twilight returns her attention to the filly.
“Nothing, Apple Bloom...” she says.
Sweetie Belle runs to Apple Bloom's bedside and is overjoyed to find her awake.
“Apple Bloom!” she shouts. “Apple Bloom, you’re awake!”
“Sweetie Belle has hardly left your side.” Says Twilight.
“We were worried about you--weren't we, Miss Twilight?”
“By the skills of Lady Photo Finish,” Says Twilight. “You're beginning to mend.” 
Then Photo Finish, Lady of the high Pegeselves, steps up to Apple Bloom’s bedside. Her face is neither old nor young, though in it is written the memory of many things both glad and sorrowful.
“Welcome to Cloudsdale, Apple Bloom.” She says in a strange accent.
Apple Bloom sits up, looking at Photo Finish with awe. 
Outside of her window, Cloudsdale appears to be a small cluster of elegant Pegeselven buildings sitting in a Shangri-la like valley below towering cliffs and snow capped mountains. 
“You have found your way to the last homely house east of the sea.” Photo Finish continues. “The Pegeselves have dwelt within this valley for three thousand years through few of my kin now remain.” 
-
In the Cloudsdale gardens, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle walk together. Suddenly, the voices of Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie can be heard as they bound up to Apple Bloom and throw
their arms around her.
“Apple Bloom!” shouts Scootaloo.
Sweetie Belle looks past Apple Bloom smiling at a bent figure sitting alone on a bench, in the Sun. 
Apple Bloom turns, following Sweetie Belle's gaze...
“Granny Smith!” she says excitedly.
On the terrace, Granny Smith breaks into a broad grin as Apple Bloom rushes forward to embrace her. Granny Smith has aged significantly since she last saw her.
“Hello, Apple Bloom, my dear filly!” she says.

Later, Apple Bloom is turning the neatly inscribed title page of a red leather bound journal.
“There and back again:” Apple Bloom reads. “A Shetland's tale by Granny Smith.”
Granny Smith smiles proudly. She is sitting with Apple Bloom on a terrace overlooking a Waterfall. Apple Bloom looks at Page after page of beautiful Hoofwriting, with intricate Maps and Drawings.
“This is wonderful.” Apple Bloom says.
“I meant to go back...” says Granny Smith. “wander the paths of Manewood, visit Laketown, see the Lonely Mountain again...but age, it seems, has finally caught up with me.”
Apple Bloom turns a page, there before her, is a map of Ponyville.
“I miss Ponyville...” Apple Bloom says quietly. “I spent all my childhood pretending I was off somewhere else...off with you, on one of your adventures...”
She looks at Granny Smith. “But my own adventure, turned out to be quite different...I'm not like you, Granny Smith.”
“My dear filly...” the old pony sighs.
-
In the evening, on a Cloudsdale terrace Sweetie Belle busily tries to stuff more and more things into her
already full pack., pots and pans, blankets, cooking utensils, provisions, clothes.
“Now, what have I forgotten?” she says. 
Apple Bloom watches her. “Packed already?” she asks.
Sweetie Belle looks up, startled.
“No harm in being prepared.” She says slightly embarrassed.
Apple Bloom strolls to the edge of the Balcony.
“I thought you wanted to see the Pegeselves, Sweetie Belle?”
“I do...” Sweetie Belle replies.
“More than anything.” Says Apple Bloom.
“I did. It's just...we did what Twilight wanted, didn't we? We got the Ring this far, to Cloudsdale...and I thought... seeing as how you're on the mend, we'd be off soon. Off home.”
Apple Bloom looks at her. “You're right, Sweetie Belle.” She says. “...we did what we set out to do.” Apple Bloom lifts up the ring with her hoof and looks at it. 
“The ring will be safe in Cloudsdale. I am ready to go home.”
-
Inside of Photo Finish’s chamber, Twilight and Photo Finish see Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle from her balcony,
“Her strength returns.” Says Photo Finish.
“That wound will never fully heal.” Says twilight. “She will carry it the rest of her life.”
“And yet to have come so far still bearing the Ring...the Shetland has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil.”
“It is a burden she should never have to had to bear.” Says the Unicorn. “We can ask no more of Apple Bloom.”
“Twilight, the enemy is moving. Princess Celestia's Dogs are massing in the east. Her eye is fixed on Cloudsdale. And Luna, you tell me, has betrayed us. Our list of allies grows thin.”
“Her treachery runs deeper than you know.” Says Twilight. “By foul craft, Luna has crossed Dog with Earth Pony. She is breeding an army in the caverns of Hayengard. An army that can move in Sunlight and cover great distance at speed. Luna is coming for the Ring.”
Photo Finish turns and walks away...
“This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the Pegeselves. We do not have the strength to fight both Canterlot and Hayengard...Twilight...the ring cannot stay here.”
Twilight turns and looks out the window.
Sounds of arrivals, Twilight watches as a white unicorn mare with an indigo mane rides through
Cloudsdale’s gate, followed by pale yellow Pegasus. And another Pegasus, although from the way she carries herself clearly from the Dwarficorn region, with a rainbow mane and a bandaged wing comes forward.
“This peril belongs to all Equestria.” Says Photo Finish. “They must decide how to end it. Not just for themselves but for those who come after.” 
Photo Finish approaches Twilight.
“The time of the Pegeselves is over. My ponies are leaving these shores. Who will you look to when we have gone? The Dwarficorns? They hide in their mountains seeking riches. They care nothing for the troubles of others.”
“It is in Earth Pony that we must place our hope.” Says Twilight.
“Earth Pony?” Photo Finish says. “Earth Pony are weak. The race of Earth Pony is failing, it’s pride and    dignity forgotten. It is because of Earth Pony the Ring survives. I was there, Twilight...I was there three thousand years ago when Golden Delicious took the ring. I was there the day the strength of Earth Pony
failed.”




> Chapter Six
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER SIX

Photo Finish remembers Golden Delicious picking up and ring and staring at it, entranced. 
“Golden Delicious!” Photo Finish shouts. “Hurry! follow me!” 
The Pegeself leads Golden Delicious into the steaming volcano.
“I led Golden Delicious into the heart of Mount Moon,” Recounts Photo Finish to Twilight. “Where the ring was forged: the one place it could be destroyed.”
Photo Finish and Golden Delicious stand before the fires of Mount Moon.
“Cast it into the fire!” She shouts. “destroy it!”
Golden Delicious is staring at the Ring, captivated by it.
“No.” he says softly.
The Earth Pony turns and walks away
Photo Finish screams for him. “Golden Delicious!!”
-
In Photo Finish’s chamber she turns to Twilight.
“It should have ended that day,” she says. “but evil was allowed to endure. Golden Delicious kept the Ring...and the line of Kings was broken. There's no strength left in the world of Earth Pony. They're scattered, divided, leaderless.”
“There is one who could unite them,” says Twilight. “One who could re claim the thrown of Bondor.”
“She turned from that path a long time ago. She has chosen exile.”
-
That night, inside of a dark chamber, The orange mare ‘Trotter’ watches from the shadows as the white unicorn Rarity strolls through the darkened gallery. Rarity's eyes are drawn to an old mural on the wall depicting Golden Delicious defeating Princess Celestia.
Rarity turns around and looks with wonderment at a Broken Blade of, which lies on a cloth-covered pedestal.
“The shards of Narsil...” she says in quiet awe. “the blade that cut the Ring from Princess Celestia's hoof.” Rarity picks up the sword with her magic and her white hoof gently touches the Blade. She flinches as a small drip of blood appears on her hoof.
“Still sharp.” She says.
Rarity senses Trotter's presence and looks from the blade her, as if sensing a connection.
“But no more than a broken heirloom.” She says.
She tries to replace the Broken blade, but it clatters to the floor. Rarity walks away, leaving Trotter sitting alone. Trotter slowly walks over and picks up the broken hilt and puts it back, as Shining Armor appears behind her.
“Why do you fear the past?” he says. “You are Golden Delicious's heir...not Golden Delicious himself. You are not bound to his fate.”
“The same blood flows in my veins...” the mare says softly. “the same weakness.” 
“Your time will come.” Says Shining Armor. “You will face the same evil...and you will defeat it.”
Shining Armor looks into her eyes. “Applejack...” he whispers. “The shadow does not hold sway yet...not over you and not over me.”
-
Night falls upon the beautiful valley of Cloudsdale, still and quiet. Trotter and Shining Armor stand upon a stone bridge. A jewel around Shining Armor's neck shines in the moonlight.
“Do you remember when we first met?” he asks.
The mare smiles. “I thought I had strayed into a dream.”
Shining Armor reaches up and gently touches Trotter's temples.
“Long years have passed...” he says. “You did not have the care you carry now.”
Shining Armor looks into Trotter's eyes.
“Do you remember what I told you?” 
Shining Armor reaches for Trotter's hoof.
“You said you'd bind yourself to me,” the orange pony says quietly. “forsaking the immortal life of your kind.”
“And to that I hold.” Shining Armor whispers. “I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.” 
Trotter looks down. In her hoof lies a jewel that was around Shining Armor’s neck.
“I choose a mortal live.” He says.
“You cannot give me this.” Says Trotter.
“It is mine to give to whom I will, like my heart.”
With his magic, Shining Armor puts the jewel softly around her neck then leans towards Trotter, gently kissing her.
-
The next day in the Council Chamber, Photo Finish addresses the assembly. 
“Strangers from distant lands ...” she says. “friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Canterlot. Equestria stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite...or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate...this one doom...”
Apple Bloom sits amongst a council of free-ponies of Equestria, Photo Finish stands before them, addressing Twilight, Trotter, and twenty other Pegeselves, Dwarficorns, and Earth Pony.
“Bring forth the ring, Apple Bloom.” Says Photo Finish.
Apple Bloom steps forward and moves towards a stone pedestal. She places the ring on the plinth and returns to her seat.
“So it is true!” Rarity says shocked.
“Princess Celestia’s Ring.” A pale yellow Pegasus says in disbelief. “The ring of power.”
“The doom of ponies!” shouts the rainbow maned Pegasus grimly.
“It is a gift...” says Rarity. “a gift to the foes of Canterlot! Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Bondor, held the forces of Canterlot at bay...by the blood of our ponies are your lands kept safe. Give Bondor the weapon of the enemy...let us use it against him!”
“You cannot wield it.” Says the orange mare. “None of us can. The one ring answers to Princess Celestia alone...it has no other master.” 
Rarity turns and looks at Trotter, coolly.
“And what would a ranger know of this matter?”
Trotter says nothing and Rarity turns away dismissively.
The yellow Pegasus stands.
“This is no mere Ranger.” She says. “She is Applejack, daughter of Apple Fritter. You owe her your allegiance.”
Apple Bloom looks at Trotter questioningly and Rarity turns sharply.
“Applejack?” Rarity says in quiet disbelief. “This is Golden Delicious's heir?”
“And heir to the throne of Bondor.” Says the Pegasus. 
“Sit down, Fluttershy.” Says Applejack softly.
“Bondor needs no king.” Rarity says.
Twilight then speaks up. “Applejack is right...we cannot use it.”
“You have only one choice.” Says Photo Finish. “The ring must be destroyed.” 
The hum of the ring seems to grow louder in Apple Bloom's ears.
The blue Pegasus with the rainbow colored mane suddenly stands, excited.
“Then...what are we waiting for?” she says.
She suddenly rushes forward and swings her axe down on the ring. The axe shatters with a deafening crack. The Pegasus falls backwards, staring in disbelief at the ring...unharmed. Apple Bloom winces as an angry image of the fiery eye hits her. She slumps in her chair, clutching her forehead. Twilight looks at her with concern.
“The ring cannot be destroyed, Rainbow Dash,” says Photo Finish. “by any craft that we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Moon...only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Canterlot, and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this.”

Stunned silence...the council sits with downcast eyes, as if a great dread has descended on them. Rarity addresses the council in a quiet voice
“One does not simply walk into Canterlot.” She says. “Its black gates are guarded by more than just Dogs. There is evil there that does not sleep and the Great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust...the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand ponies could you do this. It is folly.”
“Have you heard nothing Lord Photo Finish has said?” says Fluttershy. “The ring must be destroyed.”
“And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?” Rainbow Dash shouts.
“And if we fail, what then?” says Rarity. “What happens when Princess Celestia takes back what is hers?
Rainbow Dash leaps to her hooves.
“I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hoofs of a Pegeself!” 
A storm of Argument erupts around the room. For Apple Bloom the sound disappears as she watches in
What seems like slow motion the angry faces, the shaking fists, the accusatory hooves, her eyes move across to the ring, the hum grows louder in her head.
“Never trust a Pegeself!” Rainbow Dash shouts.
On the Ring streams of blood flow across the surface and flames flicker within the Gold Band.
“Do you not understand?” Twilight yells. “While we bicker among ourselves, Princess Celestia's power   grows! No one will escape it. You will all be destroyed, your homes burnt and your families put to the sword!”
Apple Bloom is breathing rapidly, caught in the grip of her hideous vision. With a huge effort or will, Apple Bloom tears her gaze upon the ring. She suddenly stands and speaks in a strong, clear voice.
“I will take it...” she shouts. “I will take it...I will take the Ring to Canterlot.”
Sudden silence. Apple Bloom looks around the room at the astounded faces.
“Though...” she says quietly. “I don’t know the way.” 
Twilight rises to her hooves.
“I will help you bear this burden, young Apple Bloom, as long as it is yours to bear.”
Applejack walks towards her. “If, by my life or death, I can protect you, I will.” She kneels before Apple Bloom. “...you have my sword.” 
She is followed by Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. 
“And you have my bow.” Says Fluttershy.
“And my axe.” Rainbow adds.
Rarity looks at them all then walks towards Apple Bloom.
“You carry the fate of us all, little one.”
Rarity looks towards Photo Finish and Twilight.
“If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Bondor will see it done.”
Apple Bloom stares in wonder as the Greatest Fighters in all Equestria stand at her side.
“Here!” Sweetie Belle’s voice calls from a distance.
There’s a sudden noise and Sweetie Belle pops up from behind a Bush.
“Apple Bloom's not going anywhere without me.”
“No, Indeed...” says Photo Finish. “it is hardly possible to separate you...even when she is summoned to a secret council and you are not.”
Suddenly Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie jump up from behind another bush!
“Hey!” Scoot says. “We're coming too! You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us.”
“Anyway...” says Pinkie Pie. “You need ponies of intelligence on this sort of mission...quest...thing...”
“Well, that rules you out, Pinkie.” Says Scootaloo.
Photo Finish surveys the group.
“Nine companions…” she says thoughtfully. “So be it. You shall be the ‘Herd of the ring.”
“Great!” Says Pinkie Pie excitedly. “So, where are we going?” 
-
In Apple Bloom’s bedroom and old sword slides out of a shabby leather scabbard, it’s polished well tendered blade glitters cold and bright.
“My old sword ‘Sting” says Granny Smith “...here, take it!”
Granny Smith offers the sword to Apple Bloom.
“It's so light!” says the filly.
“Yes, yes, made by the Pegeselves, you know. The blade glows blue when Dogs are close...and it's times like that, my filly, when you have to be extra careful.”
Granny Smith unwraps a small shirt of close woven Mail.
“Here's a pretty thing.” She says. “as light as a feather, and as hard as dragon scales. Let me see you put it on. Come on.”
Apple Bloom begins to un button her shirt revealing The Ring on the chain around her neck.
“Oh! My old Ring...” Granny Smith says entranced. 
Apple Bloom frowns as Granny Smith moves toward her.
“I should very much like to hold it again, one last time.” Granny Smith reaches forward, eyes locked on the ring.
Suddenly, a shadow passes across Granny Smith for a split second she becomes a wrinkled creature with a hungry face and bony hoofs and she lurches towards her. Apple Bloom pulls away, shocked. The shadow passes. Granny Smith slumps into a chair, her head in her hoofs. Granny Smith falters...her eyes filling with tears.
“Oh!” she says sadly. “I'm sorry, that I brought this upon you, my filly...I'm sorry that you must carry this burden. I'm sorry for everything.”
Granny Smith sobs and Apple Bloom moves to comfort her.
-
The next morning the Herd climbs the long steep path out of the cloven vale of Cloudsdale. They trek though a land of deep valleys and turbulent waters and the maney mountains rise sharply to their
left.
“We must hold to this course west of the maney mountains for forty days.” Says Twilight. “If our luck holds, the Gap of Tohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns east, to Canterlot.”

At dawn in the hills Sweetie Belle is at the campfire. The sound of clashing swords are heard as Applejack and Rarity give Pinkie Pie Sword tuition.
“Get away from the blade, Pinkie Pie...” Rarity says. “on your toes...good, very good...I want you to react, not think.”
“Shouldn’t be too hard...” says Sweetie Belle.
“Move your feet.” Rarity continues.
“Quite good, Pinkie Pie.” Scootaloo says encouragingly. 
Pinkie Pie laughs. “Thanks!” she says.

A bit away Rainbow Dash has managed to corner Twilight.
“If anyone were to ask for my opinion, which I note they have not,” she says. “I would say we are taking the long way around. Twilight, we can pass through the Mines of Loria. My cousin, Firefly, would give us a royal welcome.” 
Twilight clearly thinks that is a bad idea.
“No, Rainbow Dash.” She says. “I would not take the road through Loria unless I had no other choice.”

Rarity thrusts her sword, catching Pinkie Pie on the hoof. Pinkie Pie throws down her sword, kicks and lunges at Rarity, tackling her to the ground with much laughter. But Fluttershy' eyes are fixed on a
distant dark patch which darts about the sky, like flying smoke in the wind.
“What is that?” Sweetie Belle asks.
“Nothing...it's just a wisp of a cloud.” Says Rainbow Dash.
Rarity looks worried. “It's moving fast...against the wind.”
“Crows from Dunland!” Shouts Fluttershy. 
“Hide!” yells Applejack urgently.
“Scootaloo, Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Belle...” yells Rarity. “take cover!”
The herd scrambles under what little cover there is, as a regiment of large crows fly low overhead at great speed, wheeling and circling above. As their dark shadow passes over the Herd, a single harsh croak is heard and the crows suddenly wheel away, back towards the south. Twilight staggers to her hooves.
“Spies of Luna.” She says worriedly. “The passage South is being watched.”
Twilight looks at Applejack and turns to the others, gesturing towards a high mountain pass.
“We must take the pass of Baradhras!”
-
On the white mountainside the Herd clambers through Rock and Snow. Apple Bloom slips on some shale, as she scrambles to her hooves, the Ring falls on the ground and is gleaming in the snow. With her magic, Rarity picks it up by the chain. She stands, the ring dangling before her eyes. Her eyes begin to glaze, as if absorbing its power. Applejack warily approaches Rarity who is motionless. She stares at the ring, as if transfixed.
“Rarity?” says Applejack.
“It is a strange fate…” says the white unicorn. “that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing...such a little thing.”
“Rarity...” Applejack says quietly. “give the ring to Apple Bloom.”
Applejack’s hoof slowly moves to her sword hilt. 
The strange hum vibrates in Rarity’s head and a weird beatific smile lights up her face. The hum grows to a deafening roar. Rarity suddenly snaps out of her trance and hands the ring back to Apple Bloom.
“As you wish.” She says lightly. “I care not.”
Rarity smiles at Apple Bloom, ruffling her mane. 
Applejack lets go of her sword.
-
In Hayengard the crows race deeper and deeper, passing a vista of industry, Hundreds of Dogs and writhing birthsacks. They fly past Luna, who stands upon a wooden gantry. Luna, listens to the Cries of the crows.
“So, Twilight Sparkle...” she says. “Thou tries to lead them over Baradhras. And if that fails...where then will thou go?  If the mountain defeats you, will thou risk a more dangerous road?”
-
The Herd struggles though a through a blinding blizzard, up towards the pass of Baradhras. Fluttershy the Pegeself flies lightly across the top of the snow. She suddenly pauses. Luna's voice sweeps by in the wind.
“There is a fell voice in the air.” She says urgently.
“It's Luna.” Whispers Twilight.
Thunder rumbles as rock and shale fall from above.
Applejack yells. “She’s trying to bring down the mountain!” 







> Chapter Seven
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Twilight! We must turn back!” Applejack screams.
“No!” says Twilight as she raises her glowing horn, she begins chanting into the wind in a foreign language. 
-
In Hayengard Luna stands on the summit of the Tower, Chanting. Clouds are flowing from all directions converging on the distant mountains in a stormy whirlpool.
-
On the mountains Luna's voice strengthens, rolling past the Herd like thunder. A lightning crack explodes on the mountainside above them. Apple Bloom looks up in horror as a huge snow avalanche thunders down towards them. The Herd throw themselves against the cliff face as snow crashes onto the narrow ledge. Fluttershy pulls Twilight to safety as Applejack shields Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, snow piles around them. Within moments, the pass is blocked and the Herd is enveloped in snow. Rarity and Applejack frantically dig for the Shetlands who are pulled out Shivering and Fearful.
“We must get off the mountain!” Rarity says urgently. “Make for the gap of Tohan and take the West road to my city.
“The Gap of Tohan takes us too close to Hayengard.” Says Applejack.
“We can’t pass over the mountain.” Rainbow Dash shouts. “Let us go under it. Let’s go through the mines of Loria.” 
Twilight has a concerned look on her face.
“Loria.” Luna’s voice echoes in her head. “Thou fears to go into those mines, doesn’t thou? The Dwarficorns delved too greedily and too deep. Thou knows what they awoke in, the darkness. Shadow and flame.”
Twilight looks at the Herd behind her. “Let the ringbearer decide.”
Apple Bloom stands with the weight of the decision weighing heavily upon her. Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie are shivering in Rarity’s arms.
“Apple Bloom?” asks Twilight.
Apple Bloom meets Twilight's eye.
“We will go through the mines.” She says. 
Twilight slowly nods.
“So be it.”
-
That night the Herd walks along the far shore of a dark lake directly below great looming cliffs.
“The walls of Loria!” Rainbow Dash says in awe.
Footing is treacherous on the narrow strip of green and greasy stones. Twilight touches the smooth rock wall between the trees. Slowly, faint lines appear like slender veins of luminous silver running through the stone.
“It mirrors only starlight and moonlight.” She says.
A large moon rises over the mountains and the lines grow broader and clearer, forming a glowing arch of interlacing ancient letters and symbols.
“It reads,” says Twilight. “The door of Durin, Lord of Loria. Speak, friend, and enter."
“What do you suppose that means?” asks Scootaloo.
“It's quite simple.” Twilight says confidently. “If you are a friend, speak the password and the doors will open.”
Twilight raises her glowing horn and begins saying some sort of incantation. 
The cliff towers into the night, the wind blows cold, Apple Bloom shivers and the door stands fast.
Twilight continues to mumble spells in her efforts to open the door. 
SPLASH! Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie are tossing stones into the lake and Black Rippling rings slowly fan out. Pinkie Pie is about to throw another stone, but Applejack grabs her arm.
“Do not disturb the water.” She says ominously.
Applejack watches anxiously as the Ripples appear to grow, she exchanges a look with Rarity.
Applejack's hoof creeps towards her sword. Twilight gives up in despair and sits down beside Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom peers at the Pegeselvish inscription and her face breaks into a smile of
comprehension.
“It's a riddle...” she says quietly.
Twilight raises her eyebrows.
“Speak, friend, and enter.” Apple Bloom explains. “What's the Pegeselvish for friend?”
Twilight speaks the foreign word and with that, the rock face silently divides in the middle and two great doors swing outwards... revealing a blackness deeper than the night. As the Herd enters the blackness, something in the water stirs. 
The Herd steps warily into the darkness of Loria, a dank cavern, with winding steps leading deeper into the mountain.
“So, master Pegeself,” says Rainbow Dash. “You will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarficorns; roaring fires, cider, all the hay you can eat. This, my friend, is the home of my cousin, Firefly and they call this a mine...” she snorts. “A mine!”
A glow from Twilight's horn suddenly lights the chamber and the Herd recoils in horror. Many Dwarficorn Skeletons are strewn about, clearly the dead of some old battle...the rusting armor and shields are peppered with arrows and axes. 
“This is no mine...” Rarity says grimly. “it's a tomb!”
Rainbow Dash is horrified. “Oh...no...no..no...!” 
Fluttershy pulls a crude arrow out of a skeleton.
“Dogs.” she says.
The Herd draws swords and back away, towards the entrance.
“We make for the Gap of Tohan.” Says Rarity. “We should never have come here.” 
Suddenly Apple Bloom shouts as she is pulled to the ground. A long sinuous tentacle is wrapped around Apple Bloom's back hoof and is dragging her towards the lake. Apple Bloom screams as Applejack and Rarity rush forward. Applejack severs the tentacle holding Apple Bloom, and pulls her to safety. Rarity hacks at the other writhing Limbs. Twenty more tentacles ripple out of the Lake. The dark water boils as the hideous beast lashes out at the Herd. Again the creature grabs Apple Bloom and pulls her to the lake, Apple Bloom is flung in the air as the Herd battles the creature.
Applejack hacks at a tentacle and Apple Bloom is released, falling onto Rarity's back.
“Into the mines!” yells Twilight.
“Fluttershy!” calls Rarity.
Fluttershy shoots an arrow into the creature's head, gaining a few vital seconds for Applejack and Rarity as they race out of the water with Apple Bloom. The Herd hurries back away from the creature retreating into the Loria Chamber as many coiling arms seize the large doors. With a shattering echo, the creature rips the doors away, creating a rock slide that crashes down the cliff face. Within seconds, tons of rock seal the doorway... throwing the Herd into pitch blackness. Silence.
A faint light rises from Twilight's horn, throwing an eerie glow down the unicorn’s face.
“We now have but one choice...” she says ominously. “We must face the long dark of Loria. Be on your guard...there are older and fouler things than the Dogs in the deep places of the world.”

The Herd crosses a precarious bridge above deep mine workings.
“Quietly, now.” Says Twilight. “It's a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence will go unnoticed.”
In the dark they continue up a steep stair, passing through a Dwarficorn cemetery. The graves are despoiled, dwarf skeletons are strewn about and Dog graffiti is scrawled on monuments in dried Dwarficorn blood. The Atmosphere is very sinister.
The path splits into three passages...each disappearing into dark tunnels. Twilight pauses, frowning.
“I have no memory of this place.” She says.
-
Later the Herd is nervously waiting while Twilight sits, staring intently at the three tunnel mouths in front of her. She appears to be in some kind of trance.
Apple Bloom turns at the sound of a faint noise down the tunnel behind them.
“Are we lost?” asks Pinkie Pie.
“No. I don't think we are.” Says Scootaloo. “Shhhh, Twilight's thinking.”
“Scootaloo.” says Pinkie Pie.
“What?”
“I'm hungry.”

Apple Bloom sees sudden glimpse of a creature darting in the darkness. She is nervous and approaches Twilight.
“There's something down there.” She whispers.
“It's Spike.” Twilight says quietly.
Apple Bloom’s eyes widen. “Spike!”
“He's been following us for three days.” Says Twilight.
“He escaped the dungeons of Bartrott- dur?” asks Apple Bloom disbelievingly. 
“Escaped...” says Twilight. “Or was set loose. And now the Ring has drawn him here...he will never be rid of his need for it. He hates and loves the ring, as he hates and loves himself. Kip's life is a sad story.”
Twilight catches Apple Bloom's look of surprise.
“Yes...Ekips he was once called, or Kip...Before the ring came to him, before it drove him mad.”
Spike's withered fingers are gripping the cave wall, his large, luminous eyes blinking with malice.
“It's a pity Granny Smith didn't kill him when she had the chance.” Apple Bloom says grimly.
“Pity?” asks Twilight. “It was pity that saved Granny Smith's hoof. Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Apple Bloom?” 
Apple Bloom frowns.
“Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment...even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Spike has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before this is over. The pity of Granny Smith may rule the fate of many.”
“I wish the ring had never come to me...” Apple Bloom says softly. “I wish none of this had happened.”
“So do all who live to see such times,” says Twilight. “But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” 
There is a note of finality in Twilight's voice.
“There are other forces at work in this world, Apple Bloom, besides the will of evil. Granny Smith was meant to find the ring. In which case, you also were meant to have it...and that is an encouraging thought,” Twilight suddenly brightens. “Ah! That it's that way!” 
Twilight points at the right hand tunnel and the Herd scrambles to their feet.
“She's remembered!” Scootaloo says relieved.
“No,” says Twilight. “but the air doesn't smell so foul down there. If in doubt, Scootaloo, always follow your nose!” She laughs

The Herd passes under an arched doorway into a black and empty space. Twilight pauses...
“Let me risk a little more light.” Twilight brightens her horns glow for a brief moment a light blazes... like a silent flash of Lightning. Great shadows spring up and flee.
“Behold!” Twilight announces. “The great realm and Dwarficorn city!” 
Apple Bloom gasps at the brief sight of a vast roof, far above their heads, upheld by many mighty pillars hewn of stone. Before them stretches a huge empty hall, with black walls, polished and smooth as glass.
“Well, there's an eye opener.” Whispers Sweetie Belle.
Ahead of them, a wooden door has been smashed. Black arrows are embedded in the timbers. Two dog skeletons lie in the doorway and Rainbow Dash rushes ahead.
“Rainbow Dash!!” Twilight calls.
Rainbow Dash rushes into another vast empty chamber lit with a narrow shaft of sunlight, beaming in from a small hole near the roof. Dwarficorn and Dog skeletons are piled high. In the far corner sits a stone walled Well. A shaft of light falls directly onto a stone table in the middle of the room and a
single oblong block, about 4 feet high, topped with a great slab of white stone. Rainbow Dash falls to her knees.
“No...no...oh, no!” Rainbow Dash sobs.
Twilight quietly reads an inscription of runes, carved onto the white stone slab. 
“Here lies Firefly, Lady of Loria.’ She is dead, then. It's as I had feared.”
Twilight carefully lifts the rotting remains of a book from the white stone slab with her magic. It has been slashed and stabbed and appears to be covered in Dried Blood. The pages crack and break as she opens it.
Fluttershy whispers urgently to Applejack. “We must move on,” she says. “we cannot linger.”
“They have taken the bridge and the second hall.” Twilight reads. “We have barred the gates...but cannot hold them for long...the ground shakes...drums in the deep...we cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. Will no one save us? They are coming."
Unnerved, Pinkie Pie backs away nervously and stumbles against the well, sending a precariously balanced armored skeleton tumbling in. Scootaloo reaches out, grabbing hold of Pinkie Pie before she falls. The Herd freeze in stunned silence as the armored skeleton clatters down the deep well echoing
Loudly.
Twilight turns angrily on Pinkie Pie.
“Fool of a Pony!” she says angrily. “Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!” 
They fall silent. Then a low rolling boom rises from the depths below...growing louder … BOOM ...BOOM...as if the caverns of Loria were turned into a vast drum. A great horn blasts nearby...answering horns ... running hooves...harsh cries.
Sweetie Belle's eyes glance at Apple Bloom's belt.
“Apple Bloom!” she says worriedly. 
Apple Bloom looks down. A cold blue glow is emanating from her swords scabbard. Apple Bloom draws the sword and stares at its glowing blade!
“Dogs!” says Fluttershy.
“Get back!” Applejack says to the Shetlands. “Stay close to Twilight.”
Applejack and Rarity slam and wedge the doors. Rarity catches sight of something and turns to Applejack with shock in her eyes.
“They’ve got a buffalo!”
Rainbow Dash snatches up two rusty Dwarficorn axes and leaps onto the tomb.
“Let them come!” she yells. “There is one Dwarficorn yet in Loria who still draws breath!”
BOOM! The Door bursts open in a shower of wood fragments, and twenty dogs charge into the tomb, followed by a huge rabid buffalo. Rainbow Dash ducks a blow and immediately buries her Axes in two dog helmets. Applejack and Rarity wade into the mass of Dogs with their swords. Fluttershy fires deadly arrows into Dog throats, desperately trying to shield the Shetlands. Twilight is clutching her sword and joins in the battle. The buffalo is sweeping his open foaming jaw at Applejack who stumbles backwards as the huge set of teeth descends for the killing. Suddenly, in a flash of steel, Rarity's long sword slices into the furry forehoof of the buffalo; it rears back, spewing bright red blood. Sweetie Belle is backing up against a wall, a sword in one hoof, a saucepan in the other. In desperation she swings wildly at a Dog with a saucepan. It keels over and Sweetie Belle looks surprised. She wallops another Dog and it too, drops.
“I think I'm getting the hang of this.” She says.
The Buffalo lunges forward, thrusting at Apple Bloom's chest with its ragged teeth.
“Applejack!” Apple Bloom calls. “Applejack!” 
Sweetie Belle screams as Apple Bloom is lifted off her hooves by the buffalo’s teeth and slammed against the wall.
“Apple Bloom!!” Applejack says in a shocked yell.
The Shetlands go crazy. Sweetie Belle slashes at the buffalo's knee, bringing him down as Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie jump on him. Fluttershy fires an arrow and the buffalo topples, dead. 
Applejack rushes to Apple Bloom's side as she slumps to the floor and appears to be dead. 
Twilight, Applejack, and Shetlands look horrified suddenly Apple Bloom coughs and takes a huge
breath.
“She’s alive!” says Sweetie Belle.
“I'm alright. I'm not hurt.”
“You should be dead.” Applejack says. “Those jaws could tear apart a wild boar!”
“I think there's more to this Shetland than meets the eye.” Says Twilight.
Apple Bloom opens her shirt to reveal the vest that Granny Smith gave her. 
“You are full of surprises, Miss Apple Bloom.” Laughs Rainbow Dash.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. The sound of the drums rings out again.
Twilight turns to the others.
“To the bridge!” she yells.
Twilight leads the Herd into the huge chamber.
“This way!” she calls.
They hurry towards a distant door as Dogs start scuttling down the pillars behind them, like spiders.
Apple Bloom looks with horror at the overwhelming Dog army that's rushing toward them! Suddenly a deafening roar fills the air. A fiery light dances down the hallway and the pillars are casting eerie shadows. The Dogs freeze. They back fearfully away from the approaching beast, melting into the
darkness.
“What is this new devilry?” asks Rarity.
A huge shadow, surrounded by flame, falls across the hall. The ground shakes and an unearthly sound rumbles. 
“A Fire Dragon...” says Twilight quietly. “a demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you!”
She turns and yells urgently. “Run! Quickly!”





> Chapter Eight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER EIGHT

In the stairway the Fire Dragon, a massive creature rises from a chasm, a great forty foot dragon-beast, with a mane of flames. In one hoof is a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire. In the other, a whip of many throngs. Applejack leads the Herd to the top of a dizzying stairway, Twilight follows, limping heavily on her back hoof. Applejack looks at Twilight, concerned.
“Lead them on, Applejack.” Says Twilight. “The bridge is near.”
Applejack hesitates and Twilight looks at her.
“Do as I say, swords are no more use here.”
The Herd races down the stairway, Applejack picks up Apple Bloom leaping across a gaping chasm. A narrow bridge spanning a bottomless pit, Twilight yells to the others.
Applejack is about to throw Rainbow Dash across the Chasm when she stops her.
“Nobody tosses a Dwarficorn!” Rainbow shouts. 
The Fire Dragon smashes through the wall and spreads its vast wings. It swoops down past the Herd, disappearing into a flaming pit. The Herd runs into a hall and the floor is split with fissures that spit flame.
“Over the bridge!” Twilight yells. “Fly!”
They race towards the slender bridge of stone, without kerb or rail at the far end of the hall. The Herd recklessly hurry over the dizzying bridge, but Twilight, who is the last, pauses in the middle of the span. She faces the Fire Dragon and her horn begins to glow. Apple Bloom looks back in horror:
“You cannot pass!” Twilight screams at the flaming beast.
“Twilight!” Apple Bloom calls.
“I am a servant of the Secret Fire,” Twilight continues to yell. “Wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you!”
Apple Bloom watches as the Fire Dragon puts one foot on the bridge and draws up to Full Height, wings spreading from wall-to-wall. Twilight is a tiny figure, balanced precariously on the narrow bridge.
“Go back to the shadow!” she screams. 
The Fire Dragon slashes at Twilight with its Sword of flame and she blocks it with a strange glowing white force field that appeared the moment his sword hit. There is a ringing clash and the Fire Dragon's sword shatters into molten fragments.
“You shall not pass!!” she booms. 
The Fire Dragon places one foot onto the bridge. Applejack and Rarity race forward, swords drawn.
Twilight cries aloud as she summons up her last reserves of strength. She thumps the bridge with her hoof and a blinding sheet of white flame springs up and the bridge shatters right at the Fire Dragon's feet. The stone bridge drops away into the gulf from under the monster. For a moment, the great Beast remains poised in the air then it plunges down into the pit. Relief floods Apple Bloom's face but Twilight remains
trembling on the lip of the broken bridge. But…as the Fire Dragon falls, he lashes out with his whip of fire. The throngs of the whip lash and curl around Twilight's back hoof, dragging her over the brink. Twilight just manages to hold on by the edges of her fore hooves. 
“Twilight!” Apple Bloom screams and looks deep into the sad indigo eyes of the unicorn.
“Fly, you fools!” Twilight says fiercely. She then let’s go of her grip and falls away...following the Fire Dragon into the bottomless abyss. Apple Bloom cries out and Rarity scoops her up and carries her away.
“No!” Apple Bloom screams.
“Twilight!” says Applejack.
They rush towards an archway and the Herd tumbles out of the Great Eastern Gate on to a grassy sunlit hillside. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Pinkie Pie fall slowly to the ground, sobbing.
Applejack turns to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.
“Fluttershy, get them up!” she says urgently.
“Give them a moment...for pity's sake!” begs Rarity.
“By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Dogs!” Applejack continues. “We must reach the woods of Hooflorien. Come, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, get them up. On your feet, Sweetie Belle.”
Rarity glances towards Apple Bloom, then back at Applejack. Apple Bloom is walking away, as if in a daze.
“Apple Bloom?” calls Applejack. “Apple Bloom!”
Apple Bloom slowly turns and a look of numb shock is on her devastated face. The Herd marches on.
-
At dusk on the hillside Applejack scours ahead of the company, as they stumble on in the fading light. In the distance the shimmer of a large forest can be seen, Hooflorien. The Herd runs across the forest floor strewn with yellow flowers. Above is a roof of golden leaves, held up by silver pillars, the trunks of huge, grey trees. Rainbow Dash looks nervously around.
“Stay close, young Shetlands…” she says. “They say a Sorceress lives in these woods. A Pegeself witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell...”
Apple Bloom hesitates as a strange voice whispers in her head.
“Apple Bloom...” she hears.
“And are never seen again!” Rainbow Dash continues.
“...your coming to us is as the footsteps of doom.” The voice carries on in Apple Bloom’s mind. “You bring great evil here, Ringbearer.”
“Apple Bloom?” asks Sweetie Belle.
“Well, here's one Dwarficorn, albeit winged Dwarficorn, she won't ensnare so easily.” Rainbow Dash says confidently. “I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!”
Rainbow Dash turns to find an arrow inches away from her face. 
The Herd is suddenly surrounded by armed Pegeselves. Deadly arrows aimed at their heads. What appears to be one of the Pegeselvish captains steps forward. He looks at Rainbow Dash with disdain.
“The Dwarficorn breathes so loud we could have shot her in the dark.”
“Sun Burst of Hooflorien,” says Applejack. “We come here for your help. We need your protection.”
“Applejack!” whispers Rainbow Dash. “These woods are perilous. We should go back.”
“You have entered the realm of the Mare of the Wood.” Says Sun Burst. “You cannot go back.”
Sun Burst's eyes lock onto Apple Bloom.
“Come,” he says. “She is waiting.”
-
Sun Burst leads the Herd onto a Hill Top. They look with wonderment at the vista spread before them.
Several miles towards the south, a large hill rises out of the woods. Upon the hill rise many mighty trees, taller than any others. Nestled high in the crown of the trees is a beautiful city. It gleams in the low rays of the late afternoon sun, green, gold, and silver. To the east, the woods of Hooflorien run down the pale gleam of the great river. Beyond the river, the land appears flat and empty, formless and vague, until far away, it rises again like a dark and dreary wall. The sun that lies on Hooflorien has not power to enlighten the shadows that lie beyond.
-
In a chamber the Herd steps onto a wide fleet filled with a soft light. The walls are green and silver, the roof gold and in its midst is the trunk of the mighty Mallorn tree, now tapering toward its crown. Vanilla Skies, the Pegeself, steps forward to greet the guests. His mane is long and silver, his face grave and beautiful, with no sign of age upon it. Next to him stands Cheerilee, the Mare of the Pegeselves. She has a mane of light rose, a coat of deep purple, and timeless, unsurpassed beauty. Vanilla Skies looks hard at Applejack.
“Eight there are,” he says. “Yet nine there were set out from Cloudsdale. Tell me, where is Twilight, for I much desire to speak with her.”
Apple Bloom looks at Cheerilee, standing silently beside Vanilla Skies.
“...she has fallen into shadow.” Cheerilee says softly and looks to Applejack.
“The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the company is true.”
Cheerilee's eyes settle on Sweetie Belle.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil.” Cheerilee's eyes turn to Apple Bloom and her voice fades.
“Tonight you will sleep in peace.”
‘Welcome, Apple Bloom of the Ponyville’ Apple Bloom hears the mare’s voice in her mind.
She looks at Cheerilee, who looks so powerful, divine, no longer of this world. In Apple Bloom’s eyes a
piercing white light surrounds her.
“...one who has seen the eye.” Her disembodied whispers continues in Apple Bloom’s head.
-
That night Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Scootaloo, Pinkie Pie, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are in a
pavilion set among the trees near the fountain. They lie on soft couches as Pegeselves leave food and wine for them. Mournful singing drifts down from the trees above.
“A lament for Twilight...” Fluttershy says sadly.
“What are they saying about her?” asks Scootaloo.
Fluttershy looks at her. “I have not the heart to tell you. For me, the grief is still too near.” 
Rarity is sitting alone and Applejack approaches her.
“Take some rest.” She says “these borders are well protected.”
Moonlight catches the trace of tears on Rarity's face and Applejack sits down beside her.
“I will find no rest here.” Says Rarity. “I heard her voice inside my head, she spoke of my father and the fall of Bondor, and she said to me ‘Even now, there is hope left.’ But I cannot see it...it is long since we had any hope.”
Rarity looks at Applejack in despair.
“My father is a noble man,” says the unicorn. “but his rule is failing and our…our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right...and I would do it, I would see the glory of Bondor restored. Have you ever seen it, Applejack? The White Tower of, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver, its banners caught high in the morning breeze...have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?”
“I have seen the white city…” says Applejack. “long ago.” 
Rarity feels Applejack's love for Minas Faustis and takes heart.
“One day our paths will lead us there,” she says. “and the tower guards shall take up the call ‘the Lords of Bondor have returned."
Applejack returns Rarity's smile, betraying her disquiet sadness only when Rarity looks away.
-
Later the Herd is asleep on their beds. Rainbow Dash is snoring loudly as purple hooves tread soundlessly across the lawn. Apple Bloom's eyes flicker open, as if by instinct. Cheerilee, her White dress glowing in the moonlight, glances at her. Apple Bloom follows her as if drawn by an invisible force.

At Cheerilee’s glade upon a low stone pedestal, carved like a branching tree, sits a shallow Silver Basin. Cheerilee leads Apple Bloom into the small clearing.
“Will you look into the mirror?” 
Apple Bloom looks with apprehension at the silver basin.
“What will I see?” She asks warily.
Cheerilee pours water into the basin from a silver jug and a glow rises from the water.
“Even the wisest cannot tell…” she says softly. “For the mirror shows many things, things that were things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass.”
Apple Bloom slowly steps up to the pedestal  and peers into the glossy surface. The night sky is reflected into the water and suddenly in the pool an image flares, burning in to white. The vision shifts, Apple Bloom gasps in horror. Ponyville is in ruins. Buildings burning, bodies strewn about, dark shapes of Dogs looting and destroying and Sweet Apple Acres, billowing in flames. Apple Bloom reels back as the mirror seems to grow and the nightmarish image sweeps past her head, engulfing her entirely.
Ponyville, now an industrial wasteland. The fields and trees destroyed, replaced with brick factories billowing smoke. Dogs brutally herd manacled Shetlands into the factories. She sees Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and even Pipsqueak. Soot-stained and sobbing, they disappear into the factory hell-hole. Suddenly, the mirror goes dark and out of the black abyss a single eye grows. Apple Bloom is frozen. Unable to move or cry out. The ring dangles from her neck, inches above the water, shimmering with curls of steam. Suddenly fire erupts around the eye and with a yell, Apple Bloom pushes herself
away from the pedestal and collapses on the ground. Light instantly fades from the mirror and Apple Bloom comes to her senses, she is shocked. Cheerilee stands still as a statue, unmoved, untouched by the horror.
“I know what it is you saw...” she says. “for it is also in my mind. It is the future, Apple Bloom. It is what will come to pass if you should fail.”
Cheerilee looks at Apple Bloom intensely and Apple Bloom looks down in her hoof she is clutching the ring. Apple Bloom looks back up at Cheerilee.
“The Herd is breaking.” Says the Pegeself. “It has already begun. She will try to take the ring. You know of whom I speak. One by one, it will destroy them all.”
“If you ask it of me,” Apple Bloom says. “I will give you the One Ring.”
“You offer it to me freely...” says Cheerilee “I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this.”
Cheerilee suddenly seems to rise in stature before Apple Bloom's eyes. Apple Bloom is suddenly afraid of her. Her eyes suddenly empty and a white glow radiates from her body.
“In place of the Dark Lord, you would have a Queen, not dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Dawn.” she yells. “Treacherous as the Sea! Stronger than the foundations of the earth, all shall love me and despair!” 
Apple Bloom takes a step away from Cheerilee...
But then the purple pony suddenly laughs, a slender Pegeself-mare once more, clad in simple white, her voice soft and sad.
“I pass the test.” She says gently. “I will diminish and go into the west and remain Cheerilee.” 
Apple Bloom's confidence drains away.
“I cannot do this alone...” she says.
“You are the ring-bearer, Apple Bloom...” says Cheerilee. “to bear a ring of power is to be alone. This task was appointed to you, and if you do not find a way, no one will.”
Apple Bloom realizes what her message is.
“Then I know what I must do.” She says. “It's just...I'm afraid to do it.” 
Cheerilee kneels down to Apple Bloom's height, staring at her intently.
“Even the smallest pony can change the course of the future.”
The Ring lies in Apple Bloom's hoof and she grips it tightly.
-
In Luna’s tower, Lurtz the Pony-kai’s eyes follow her and alight with a mean intelligence.
Luna smiles. “They were Pegeselves once. Taken by the Dark Powers, tortured and mutilated, a ruined and terrible form of life. And now...perfected. My fighting Pony-kai. Whom does thou serve?”
Lurtz responds in a guttural grasp. “Luna.”
In the caverns below Hayengard Lurtz is quickly armored. Breastplate, Leg guards, Helmet and a sword is thrust in Lurtz's hoof. The Pony-kai are smearing themselves in white paint. An eerie ritualistic ceremony and the white hoof of Hayengard is smeared on bodies, faces, and armor. Luna addresses a crowd of two hundred fully armed Pony-kai.
“Hunt them down.” She says. “Do not stop until they are found. Thou does not know pain. Thou does not know fear. Thou will taste pony-flesh.”
Luna turns to Lurtz and says coldly. “One of the Halfpony’s carries something of great value. Bring her to me...alive and unspoiled...kill the others.”
Lurtz is leading two hundred Pony-Kai out of Hayengard. They run fast, their powerful legs carrying them at speed.
-
On the river bank at dawn the Herd is in small Pegeselven boats. They row away from the Hooflorien Shore into the river. Pegeselves quietly watch them depart. Cheerilee gives Apple Bloom a small Crystal Phial.
“Farewell, Apple Bloom.” She says. “I give you the light of Earentail, our most beloved star.” 
As the Herd's boats drift past, Cheerilee stands alone, watching from the banks of the river. In her head, Apple Bloom still hears her voice...
“May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out.”
The boats pass into the great river carry them steadily southward. Green trees
slowly give way to a brown and withered land.
A flock of birds circle high above, Black against the pale sky. Applejack watches them with concern.
The Three Pegeselven boats drift slowly through the steep rocky gorge in the Pre-dawn light with Applejack slowly paddling in the stern.
“Apple Bloom.” She says quietly.
Apple Bloom slowly looks up, her eyes widening with amazement. Two enormous rock statues, towering like 300 foot pinnacles on either side of the river are carved images of Bondorian pony kings of old. They loom over the boats with power and majesty.
Applejack is strangely moved by the beauty of the silent sentinels. She speaks, almost as if to herself.
“Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old...” she says deeply moved. “my kin.”
The Herd stare in stunned silence as the current takes them through the narrow gap between the Statue’s hooves.
Up past the statue’s vast crumbling heads is a large lake only a mile down river.
The ponies leap out of the boats and clamber onto the wooded shore.
“We cross the lake at nightfall,” says Applejack. “hide the boats and continue on hoof. We approach Canterlot from the North.”
Rainbow Dash looks gloomy. “Oh, yes, just a simple matter of finding our way through an impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks. And after that gets even better...a festering, stinking marshland, far as the eye can see.”
“That is our Road...” says Applejack. “I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Miss Rainbow Dash.”
“Recover my...” Rainbow Dash begins to say indignantly but Fluttershy turns to Applejack with urgency.
“We should leave now.” She says.
“No. Dogs patrol the Eastern shore.” Says Applejack. “We must wait for cover of darkness.”
“It is not the Eastern shore that worries me.” Continues Fluttershy as she casts a glance around into the forest.
“A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near, I can feel it.” 
Applejack looks at Fluttershy, knowing full well what she means.
Sweetie Belle has slumped asleep and Scootaloo dumps a small pile of kindling at Rainbow Dash's hooves.
“Where's Apple Bloom?” asks Scootaloo.
Sweetie Belle sits up with a start and Applejack's head snaps round. Her eyes fly to Rarity's shield which lies abandoned by her camp bed. Applejack realizes Rarity has gone.




> Chapter Nine
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER NINE

Apple Bloom is walking beneath the trees lost in thought. Her hooves hit the rough edge of an ancient stone slab and her eyes follow an overgrown path towards stone stairs leading to the summit of Amon Hen, the seeing seat. There’s a crackling sound and Apple Bloom freezes.
“None of us should wander alone.” Says Rarity quietly. “You least of all. So much depends on you...Apple Bloom?”
Apple Bloom turns slowly. She stares at Rarity, tense, cautious. She is carrying wood with her magic.
“I know why you seek solitude.” Rarity continues. “You suffer, I see it day by day. Are you sure you do not suffer needlessly?”
Apple Bloom stands silent for a moment. The murmur of the wind in the trees and the distant roar of the waterfall can be heard.
“Let me help you.” Rarity says. “There are other ways, Apple Bloom. Other paths that we might take.”
“I know what you would say,” says Apple Bloom. “And it would seem like wisdom but for the warning of my heart.”
“Warning? Against what?”	
Rarity has started forward towards Apple Bloom who pulls herself up. 
“We are all afraid, Apple Bloom. But to let that fear drive us to destroy what hope we have...don't you see that is madness?”
“There is no other way.” Says the filly.
“I ask only for the strength to defend my ponies.”
Rarity angrily drops the wood she has collected.
“If you would but lend me the ring...”
“No.” says Apple Bloom as she steps hurriedly away from Rarity.
“Why do you recoil? I am no thief.”
“You are not yourself.” Apple Bloom says warily.
“What chance do you think you have? They will find you, they will take the ring and you will beg for death before the end.”
Apple Bloom turns to leave.
“You fool! It is not yours save by unhappy chance...it might have been mine. It should be mine. Give it to me! Give me the ring!” She screams.
Rarity leaps on top of Apple Bloom, grasping for the ring. Apple Bloom has only moments to act and rips the ring from around her neck and rams it on her hoof. Apple Bloom disappears.
Rarity spins wildly around, yelling into thin air!
“I see your mind...” she screams. “you will take the ring to Princess Celestia. You will betray us! You go to your death and the death of us all!”
Her voice rings through the woods. “Curse you! Curse you and your friends!” 
Rarity stumbles and falls. Her body shakes as if in a fit...slowly she comes to.
“Apple Bloom!” she says disoriented. “Apple Bloom! What have I done. Please, Apple Bloom...” 

Apple Bloom races through the misty dark world of the ring, past the foggy shapes of twisted trees. Somewhere behind him, Rarity's distraught voice carries from another dimension:
“I'm sorry, Apple Bloom...Apple Bloom...”
Apple Bloom suddenly finds herself on the stone steps and she clambers up the stairs, onto a high seat, perched on four stone pillars. She cowers on the seat, like a lost child upon the throne of mountain kings. The world of mist swirls around her. She peers out from the seat and the world seems to shrink. In all directions, views of far off lands telescope towards her through the mist. She sees images of dogs spilling out of holes in the maney mountains, flames rising from the wood, grim faced warriors march to battle, black ships sailing into the south. All the power of the Dark Lord is in motion. Apple Bloom moves her gaze towards the east, fire explodes against the smoke, as a huge mass of black battlements fills
Apple Bloom's vision. A mountain of iron, immeasurably strong, Bartrott-dur, and then the fortress of Princess Celestia. Suddenly, Princess Celestia’s eye leaps toward Apple Bloom like a finger of light.
“They will fall!” 
Apple Bloom leaps off the seat, and tumbles down the stairs! The eye sweeps like a searchlight,
seeking its ring! With a huge effort, Apple Bloom wrenches the ring off her hoof. 
Apple Bloom lies gasping on the summit below the ancient ruins of the seeing seat. 
She looks up as Applejack towers over her.
“Apple Bloom?”
“It has taken Rarity.” Apple Bloom says numbly. 
Applejack moves towards her.
“Where is the ring?” she says urgently.
Apple Bloom backs away from Applejack who is shocked by the movement.
“Stay away!” the filly yells.
“Apple Bloom...” says the orange mare. “I swore to protect you.”
“Can you protect me from yourself?”
Apple Bloom lifts up her hoof holding the ring. It glints, gold and beautiful in the afternoon sun. Applejack's eyes are drawn to it.
“Would you destroy it?” asks Apple Bloom.
Applejack kneels down her. “I would have gone with you to the end...into the very fires of Canterlot.”
“I know...” says Apple Bloom. “Look after the others, especially Sweetie Belle. She won’t understand.”
Applejack freezes and draws her sword.
“Go, Apple Bloom!” she says urgently.
Apple Bloom hesitates.
“Run!” Applejack yells.
Apple Bloom backs away into the trees as two hundred Pony-kai swarm onto the woods behind Applejack. Applejack attacks the leading pony-kai like a madmare. She brings two down with her sword, leaping into the ruins as others close in on her. Apple Bloom scrambles down the hillside, away from the fight. Applejack battles the pony-kai, amongst the pillars and blocks. Despite her bravery, she is quickly surrounded. Suddenly, Pegeselven arrows smash into the attackers. Fluttershy races out of the woods, firing her bow and Rainbow Dash leaps into the battle, wielding her mighty axe.

Apple Bloom is darting down the steep hillside as heavy hooves thunder down behind her.
“Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle shouts.
Sweetie Belle looks around for her. 

Lurtz is ordering his Pony-kai. “Find the Halfponies!” he yells.

Apple Bloom stumbles and falls but quickly she crawls behind a tree. Above her the sound of Pony-kai crashing through the forest rings out.
“Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo says in an urgent whisper.
Apple Bloom turns to see Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie hidden in a hollow, a few feet away.
“Hide here, quick!”
“Come on!” says Pinkie Pie.
Apple Bloom looks at her friends and slowly shakes her head, a great sadness in her eyes.
“What's she doing?” asks Pinkie. 
Scootaloo's eyes meet Apple Bloom's, understanding.
“She's leaving.” She says softly.
“No!” says Pinkie.
Pinkie Pie stands and makes a move toward Apple Bloom but Scootaloo grabs at her hoof.
“Pinkie Pie!” she says.

The echo of Rarity’s musical horn reaches Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash who are battling their way down the Slopes towards the lake.
“The horn of Bondor!” says Fluttershy.
“Rarity!” Applejack calls.
Applejack desperately slashes her way towards Rarity, felling Pony-kai in her path while Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash fight a rear guard action. Many Pony-Kai fall to Rarity's sword as she tries to protect Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie.
“Run! Run!” Rarity yells.
Lurtz takes aim. A black arrow suddenly thuds into Rarity's chest and a trickle of blood stains her white coat. Amazingly, Rarity continues fighting, but another arrow to her back, and another to her side, brings her to her knees. Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie are scooped off their hooves by the Pony-kai.
“Rarity! Rarity!” Pinkie Pie calls.
Lurtz aims his bow at Rarity's heart when suddenly Applejack charges at him, smashing the Bow with her sword. They lock into a deadly battle. Applejack kicks the pony in the chest and slashes her sword across his neck. His body slumps over and his head rolls away. Applejack races towards Rarity, who lies slumped against a tree, arrows sticking out of her chest and the blood stains shining brightly, contrasting with her color. At least twenty dead Pony-kai lie heaped around her.
“They took the little ones...” she says in a painful gasp.
Applejack quickly tries to staunch the flow of Blood from Rarity's shoulder.
“Apple Bloom...” says Rarity, panicking. “where is Apple Bloom?”
“I let Apple Bloom go.” Says Applejack.
Rarity holds Applejack's gaze.
“Then you did what I could not.” She says. “I tried to take the ring from her.”
“The ring is beyond our reach now.”
“Forgive me,” asks Rarity. “I did not see...I have failed you all.”
“No, Rarity. You fought bravely. You have kept your honor.” 
Applejack tries to bind Rarity's wound.
“Leave it!” says the unicorn. “It is over...the world of ponies will fall and all will come to darkness and my city to ruin…Applejack...”
“I do not know what strength is in my blood,” says the orange mare. “But I swear to you... I will not let the White City fall, nor your ponies fail...”
“Our ponies...” says Rarity. “Our ponies...”
Applejack places Rarity's sword in her hoof and it tightens around the hilt.
“I would have followed you, my dear...my captain, my Queen.” 
The unicorn’s eyes fade and slowly, Applejack lays Rarity down. She is dead.
“Be at peace, daughter of Bondor.” Applejack bends down and kisses Rarity's forehead.
Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash appear behind her. Applejack stands.
“They will look for her coming from the white tower...but she will not return.”
-
On the lakeshore Apple Bloom stands in front of one of the Pegeselvish Boats, the ring around her neck. Distraught, Sweetie Belle runs as hard as she can through the forest.
“Apple Bloom!” she calls.
Apple Bloom looks to the far side of the river.
“I wish the ring had never come to me…” memories of an old conversation with Twilight ring in her head. “I wish none of this had happened...”
Tears fall down Apple Bloom's face.
“So do all who live to see such times...” she remembers Twilight saying. “But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
With renewed determination, she pushes the Pegeselvish boat into the water and Sweetie Belle bursts through the trees and runs toward the lake. Apple Bloom is already paddling away.
“Not alone, Apple Bloom.” Says Sweetie Belle in anguish. “Apple Bloom!” 
Apple Bloom is in the boat, paddling steadfastly away from the shore, tears in her eyes. The voice of Sweetie Belle carried on the wind. Apple Bloom whispers to herself
“No, Sweetie Belle.”
Sweetie Belle looks at the water then at the boat.
Splash! Apple Bloom turns to see Sweetie Belle launching herself into the water.
“Go back, Sweetie Belle.” Calls Apple Bloom. “I'm going to Canterlot alone.”
Sweetie Belle splashes hopelessly toward the boat.
“Of course you are!” she says. “and I'm coming with you!”
“You can't swim.”
Sweetie Belle starts to go under, spluttering and coughing. Apple Bloom drops her paddle and scrambles backwards in the boat.
“Sweetie Belle!” she says frightened.
Sweetie Belle is underwater, hoofs flailing helplessly as she sinks.
Suddenly Apple Bloom's hoof reaches down grasping Sweetie Belle's and she pulls a bedraggled and half drowned filly into the boat. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle look at each other, out of breath, tears and water streaming down both their faces.
“I made a promise, Apple Bloom...a promise.” Sweetie Belle says with fierce passion. “Don't you leave her, Sweetie Belle.” She begins to sob. “And I don't mean to...I don't mean to.”
Apple Bloom begins to cry. “Oh, Sweetie Belle!”
She starts to laugh through her tears and the two friends hug.
“Come on then…” says Apple Bloom.
And the two Shetlands row through the water.
-
On the falls, on the swiftly flowing water, Rarity's body lies in one of the boats, her arms across her
chest. Suddenly... the boat drops away as it plunges over the massive falls, disappearing into the vapor below.
“If we are quick,” says Fluttershy. “We will catch Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle before nightfall.”
Applejack looks towards the far shore; Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle's small Boat can be seen lying on the distant Riverbank they make off into the forest beyond. She doesn't react.
Fluttershy turns and looks at Applejack.
“You mean not to follow them...” she says.
“Apple Bloom's fate is no longer in our hoofs.” Says Applejack.
“Then it has all been in vain...” the two look at Rainbow Dash. “the Herd has failed.”
“Not if we hold true to each other.” Says Applejack. “We will not abandon Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie to torment and death, not while we have strength left.”
Applejack pulls a hunting knife out of her pack and straps it on.
“Leave all that can be spared behind...” she says. She looks at the two with a steely light in her eye.
“We travel light.” She says grimly. “Let's hunt some Dog.”
“Yes!” yells Rainbow Dash. “Ha!”
Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash disappear into the Woods, following the Pony-Kai trail.
-
At a tall hilltop Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle scramble onto a high ridge.
They see a distant line of Saw toothed mountains below a dark, oppressive sky. Black volcanic smoke rises behind the mountains....Canterlot.
“Canterlot.” Says Apple Bloom. “I hope the others find a safer road.”
"Applejack will look after them.” Sweetie Belle says simply.
Apple Bloom has a sad look in her eye. “I don't suppose we'll ever see them again.”
“We may yet, Apple Bloom. We may.” Says Sweetie Belle.
“Sweetie Belle?”Apple Bloom looks at her friend with great affection, despite the grim
outlook, Sweetie Belle is undeterred.
“I'm glad you're with me.”