“I suppose it goes without saying that the Val Roans are... hesitant to fully trust Mother,” Ebon Mane said. “They've agreed to keep her alive and imprisoned mostly out of their agreement with Rainbow Dash, as well as to pursue a Harmonic solution to all of this. But...” Ebon slowly shook his head. “You all don't need me to tell you that she's got a lot to make up for.”
Most ponies at the table nodded gravely.
“So, to play it safe, EE and I have been informed by the King's guards that Mother will be transferred to a far-off facility that will be patrolled heavily by Val Roan soldiers... at least until a time comes that good behavior and trust allows her back into the grace of the Royal Family.”
“So she won't be staying here?” Crimson asked.
Ebon Mane shook his head. “Well... she will for a little while. This decision is still new, and they have to come up with the resources and strategy for turning the facility into an alicorn prison.”
“Not like Chrysalis can do much of anything to break out, right?” Tweak muttered.
“Right,” Eagle Eye said with a nod. “But you really can't blame the Royal Family for not wanting her immediately nearby.”
“Just where do the Val Roans plan to relocate her?” Pilate asked. “I wasn't aware they had much in the way of 'far-off facilities.'”
“We don't,” Midnite Bastion said, speaking up. “But, believe me, we've scoured the list of geographical resources at our disposal.” She glanced across the table at everypony else. “According to those who work in the military, there's a very prospective location far north, along the arctic line.”
“Oh?” Belle leaned her head aside curiously. “Where at, exactly?”
“The name escapes me,” Midnite said. “But apparently the location has been on loan to a group of studious llamas conducting science experiments. The researchers will be paid handsomely to take their materials elsewhere so that the mountainous promontory can be converted into a prison facility.”
Rainbow Dash spat out some of her orange juice. She rubbed her muzzle and glanced across the table. “Wait... do you mean friggin' Ether Point?”
“Er... yes! Yes, indeed.” Midnite smiled. “I do believe that's the name of the facility.”
Zaid chuckled, shaking his head.
Kera blinked. “I don't get it.”
“They're handing out goldfish memories to every filly these days,” Josho grumbled, picking at his scrambled eggs.
“Heh...” Rainbow Dash leaned back in her chair, grinning. “I know a certain dude named 'Winree' who'll be glad to sell that place in a heartbeat.”
“It doesn't sound very hospitable of a location,” Roarke droned. “Granted, I suspect that is the entire point.”
“The location doesn't exactly matter where Mother is concerned,” Ebon said.
“You're sure of that, Ebony?” Props asked. “I mean, can she even feed off feelings anymore?”
“Changeling boomerette did snap off her horn horn,” Floydien muttered.
“Right.” Ebon smiled. “Which is why I'll be experimenting with all sorts of edible foodstuffs to discover just what her palate is. It shouldn't be so hard, since I'll be taste-testing everything myself. One way or another, my Mother and I will discover her new sustenance together.”
“Wait...” Props' jaw hung wide. “Does... does that mean?”
“Yes,” Eagle Eye spoke up, nodding. “He'll be going to Ether Pointe with the Val Roans in charge of watching over Chrysalis.” After a deep breath, the lavender unicorn wrapped a hoof around Ebon's shoulder and smiled. “And I will be going with him.”
Crimson and Phoenix exchanged glances.
“That's...” Josho blinked. “...kind of a sucky end of the line, Princess, don't ya think?”
“Sucky?” Eagle Eye's muzzle scrunched. “With the love of my life there right beside me?”
“Yeah, but...” Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her head. “...it's so cold and lifeless and remote!”
“We'll have each other, won't we?” Ebon stifled a giggle, leaning in to nuzzle Eagle Eye. “I'm sure we'll find ways to warm each other up.”
“Uh huh...” Tweak dropped his utensils. “There goes my appetite.” Lucky Strike chuckled beside him.
“Really, though,” Eagle Eye said. “If Ebon has hope for his mother, then so do I. I've every reason to believe we won't be stationed there forever.”
“And we'll find plenty of reasons to visit the Capital!” Ebon said, grinning at Pilate, Belle, and Kera. “It'll be like we're in the next town! We'll come to see you guys as often as we can!”
“That's wonderful, Ebon,” Belle said. She bit her lip, then leaned over to nuzzle Pilate as she smile the two stallions' way. “We're happy for you two, Eagle Eye. Really...” She sniffled, exhaling through a placid grin. “We are.”
“All I've wanted in life was to find a place to settle, where I could feel needed, and be with somepony who needed me.” Eagle's gaze drifted until it fell upon Crimson's face. He smiled. “The 'where' doesn't really matter as much as the 'who.' In a way, I think I've always known that.”
“... … ...” Crimson smirked.
“That's pretty darn sweet, EE,” Phoenix said. “Best of luck to you guys in that place.”
“We'll need it,” Ebon said. “I feel that Mother has changed for the better... but...” He sighed. “She'll need as much healing as her hive. It will take some time, to say the least.”
“But the secrets she can share with Val Roa are priceless,” Midnite said. “We've always wanted to expand our knowledge beyond the mountains of this continent. But... we've always been so isolationist.”
“Perhaps it's best that you stay that way,” Roarke said. “Knowledge can be dangerous. But so long as you're exploring with your minds and not with your might—”
“But it kinda feels like we're all splitting!” Kera said, pouting. “Roarke to the south, Props to the west, and Eagle and Ebon to the north. Why's it gotta be that way?”
“Ohhhhh, darling.” Belle leaned down to nuzzle her. “It truly is all for the best. We all have our places to fill, and it's not like we'll never see each other again!”
“Speak for yourself,” Josho grumbled, leaning back in his chair. “To be perfectly frank, I'm kind of empty-headed at the moment.
“Really?” Zaid glanced up. “Maybe try switching your head with your belly.”
“Very cute, saddle stain.” Josho belched. “But for real. I got on board this train, thinking it might never stop. And—for better or for worse—I'm still friggin' alive. Not exactly what I expected, to be honest.”
“You're complaining about not being dead?” Booster Spice asked, making a face.
“You ever complain about still being a virgin?”
Booster blinked... blushed deeply... then hid his face in his morning meal.
“Heh... what can I say?” Josho shrugged and smirked. “It's a gift.”
“Old stallion,” Eagle Eye murmured. “You could... y'know...” He bit his smiling lips. “...come and join us in the station at Ether Point.”
“Hah! You realize that's like asking your grandpa to sneak in on your very own funeral?!” Josho shook his head, smirking. “Besides, that cold would shatter my balls off in a heartbeat. Nah... if I'm gonna retire, it's gotta be someplace warmer... saner.”
“Who says it's gotta be retirement, old friend?” Seclorum asked with a smirk. He exchanged brief glances with Prowse. “You could join us in Gray Smoke. So long as you don't get sick of flying over the ocean, it should be quite exciting on board the Tarkington! Hell, it might feel like old times!”
“Secchy, buddy, I know you and I haven't had much chances to gab as of late, but if there's one thing you should learn about me these days...” Josho's brow furrowed. “I'm sick to death of old times.” He scratched his stubbled chins. “I've ridden this far on the Jury cuz I wanted to get Ledomare waaaaay behind me. And now that I can't go no further... mmmphhh... I honestly don't know what I'm good for anymore. And, as silly as it sounds, I don't think I wanna spend the last decade or two of my life playing shuffleboard with a bunch of magic reindeer.”
“Then perhaps you should use your talents to improve the world beyond your original scope.”
Josho blinked towards the end of the table. “Buh?”
Roarke continued speaking: “I have an enormous task ahead of me with the Cartel. I have the gift of experience, of tenacity, and even a fair amount of wisdom.” She leaned back in her chair. “However, the one thing that I lack is magic. I'm certain that a stallion of your age and caliber could have much to share with a race of imps who were bred for violence. With enough time and diligence, your contributions might even shape their civilization into something that respects everlasting peace as much as you do.”
“Wait wait wait... hold the sound stone.” Josho shuffled up in his chair, leaning forward. “Are you—Roarke—asking this 'breeder' for help in corralling an entire civilization of goblins?”
“... … ...” Roarke's nostrils flared. “Yes. I knew I would need some assistance from Val Roa eventually, and your Ledomaritan experience would be crucial. And... besides...”
“Yeah, what?”
Roarke squirmed in her seat, avoiding his gaze. “I... could most definitely use the company.”
“... … ...” Josho smirked. “Well...” He glanced at Eagle Eye. “I've had my try with a goddaughter...” He slicked his mane back and glanced back at Roarke. “...guess it wouldn't hurt to try on having a godson.”
“You won't get far with that absurd philosophy,” Roarke grumbled. “I'll tell you that.”
“Heheheh...” Josho chuckled. “I'm liking this idea already. It's stupid.”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow smirked.
Kera piped up. “That's how you'll know it works!”
“Hear hear!” And the Jurists raised their glasses around the table.
...I think that's the rest, isn't it?
Rainbow better make some sweet Sarosian friends on the other side. Goodness knows she's gonna need at least some friends over there.
Ow, and lol.
Kera gets it now! The Stupid Plans Work Best!
Though, she was probably the first or second Jurist to get it, come to think of it.
I think that's everyone now. Its just time to see Rainbow off, which given the amount of chapters left gives me a bit of a worry.
I think I'm the only one HOPING for something to come blow everything up just so the Jury doesn't have to part.
I'm horrible, I know.
*raises glass*
Cheers
It's wrapping up. Like a thing you didn't want to see get wrapped up, but in the best possible way.
Well, that settles it, I guess
Belle, Pilate, and Kera stick together in Val Roa, Josho and Roarke assist the Cartel, EE and Ebon go to Ether Point, Props and Zaid travel with Prowse to Gray Smoke, Booster goes back home, The Tarkington makes to facilitate trade and guard travel across the Frozen Sea, and Rainbow Dash Flies East. I can't remember what Floydien, Midnite, and Jake are doing, though...
...and we still have 52 chapters left
5609067 I'd say it's part of your charm.
Either way, we still have little over fifty chapters for things to go horribly wrong, thus delaying the inevitable goodbye.
That, or we go back to an Austraeoh-esque end of journey with RD traversing landscapes until she reaches the edge of the plane.
Huh. I was thinking Josho could head west beyond Ledomare (or Luxmare or whatever it's called nowadays) and check in with all the Civilizations Rainbow met in the original Austraeoh novel. Actually, it'd be cool for any of them to do that, to spread harmony back towards where Rainbow originated, and see if they could get trade going to the ponies formerly ravedged by dragons (forgot their name, just that Sam Rose is there), check in with the old stallion on the edge of the canyon who gave Rainbow the soundstone and let him know she's okay, say hi to the funnily speaking ponies, catch up with and thank Queen White mane (I miss her and the alicorn lore she delivered), check in with the ponies where we we first met the chaos creatures, and finally be an ambassador to Equestria. Man I'm feeling nostalgic.
And when are we gonna hear about Cadance's expodition?
Arggggh I can't wait to see what on Equuis
Skirts):( has in store for the dark side!Eeeeeeeyup. Everything's all shits 'n giggles now...
...waitaminute.
5609081
♪Noble Jury Wrap Up
Noble Jury Wrap Up!♬
Let's finish our Austraoh Cheer
'Cause next book the darkside is heeeeer! roundstable.com/forums/images/smilies/milkshakes.gif
5609067
I'll admit, part of me agrees with you. Not because I want there to be more suffering, but... gawd! There's so many things about this that kinda suck. We've spent all this time with these characters, getting to know them and watching them develop, and then what? They're forced to stay behind, because of Reasons™, even though it's clear that none of them really wants to let Rainbow go off on her own. It almost makes the past five books feel like a tangent. Yeah, they gave Rainbow companionship and new faith and yadda yadda, but now Rainbow is confronted with the possibility of starting the second half of the series no different than she did the first, with the sole exception that this time, her friends didn't blow up. And I swear to god, if Rainbow meets a new friend on the Dark Side, they might as well call them not-Belle or not-Pilate.
Okay, sorry. I needed to vent a little. Needless to say, I have conflicted feelings. Though, we might be getting ahead of ourselves. There's always the possibility of an unexpected happening (keeping in mind that said happening might involve everyone but Rainbow being slaughtered, or something). But yeah.
5609082
I can't remember if it's said for sure, but I've been assuming that Floydien, Midnite, Jake, (and Arcanista) will be heading back to Bountiful, where Floydien and Midnite may or may not reconcile and make enormous quantities of whoopie.
5609103
I do miss Whitemane. Also, whateverthehell happened to that shield thing she gave Rainbow?
Crud, I completely forgot about Cadence & Shining's expedition to the West. I wonder if they'll make it to the Dark Side on their end? If so, it's likely that they'll be running into Rainbow around book 11-12. (hoooleeeeeecrap)
I'm very conflicted about the sundering of
Consusthe Jury. We've grown so attached to these characters that to see them finally start to peal off is... saddening. On the other hand, it's about time that they get on with their lives.I don't know. I think I'm with 5609067 and 5609131 on this one.
Do not lose faith! There are still 52 chapters remaining!
5609215 Axan broke the shield at the end of Austraeoh, remember?
5609244
Huh...I was always under the impression that it functioned more like "takes a major hit for you, but takes a very, very long time to recharge before you can get another use out of it again". Guess that answers that. Shows how much I remember some things.
...
Here's hoping that another massacre will occur so The (ex-)Jurists won't part ways just yet.
'Cause I'm a horrible person who still doesn't trust Chrissy
I think Dash is gonna leave early to avoid the sappy goodbyes,and the remaining chapters are going to be Belle's diary detailing everything that's happened since Dash left.
-Treachery and deceit, kingdom of conceit Yaerfaerda.
Before we can have any Austraeoh-style desert crossing for the last quarter of the story, remember that Dash can't exactly just fly into the Grand Choke and expect to get to the edge in one piece.
Guess my hunch was right for Josho, I'm sure Floyd will be staying in Val Roa if we havent gotten to him yet. As long as we hear from the Jury now and again through a sound stone that doesn't get destroyed easily I'll be content for the next 6 books.
Cadence flies west
I'm Gunna miss this fat bastard.
I wonder if we're going to get a nice callback to the old days of landscape crossing. Or maybe a Luna and Celly update, with Lunarius and whatserface included? It'd be nice to hear about lovebutt too.
Hey, That was the toast... Sort of. It'll do anyway. To stupid plans! They always work best! (Raises glass).
Also, I'm looking forward to seeing Dashie by her lonesome again. Also, she could probably get a picture for her scrapbook. (Assuming she still has that. Not sure where her bag is, but if it could survive a dragon matriarch, it can survive everything.)
5609050 Yes, everything's going well now, everything's looking good...
They're so gonna get attacked by a divine or something aren't they?
5609131 5609232
I'd say Rainbow has changed a lot since the series started. Like, ridiculously. Enough such that even if she started it alone, she'd start it with a much different outlook. Her outlook in Austraeoh was bleak, hopeless, mourning, escapism. Now it's filled with hope, harmony, and a lot of warm memories.
The question is how much this outlook can really be challenged over the span of another six books. I mean, she's been there and back again, so are we gonna go "there and back again" again? I dunno if she has anymore room to grow at this point.
Same goes with the Jury, if I'm being honest. I'm pretty sure a lot of the reason why the Jury might be left behind is because there's just not much left to do with this set of characters anymore. We've exhausted most of their character growth arcs. What's the point of trying to pad it out even more? IC might not have enough left in him to pump out yet another book's worth of interactions and growth between this same set of characters.
5609795 if anyone could pump that out. it would be IC. We've been with most of these characters for MONTHS now, seeing them (reading them?) finally chart courses for themselves is overwhelmingly satisfying. Im more than sure rainbow will find companionship with..something where she's going.
5609249
Nah, it was the "absorbs lots of damage, but will eventually wear out entirely" kind.
Plenty of food, drink, plans and hapiness are had by all.
Then the token white guy gets shoved back in the dark hole he slimed out of?
First rule of reading a story.
Never try to annoy the author.
Pinkie can be very inventive in getting them to make you regret it.
Happy ends, yes, but still... I know I'd get a massive Bilbo Syndrome in any Juror's place.
After all you've been through, all you've seen, all that danger and adventure you've survived, can you really just go back to such a normal life and be fulfilled by it? Can Booster Spice return to his little mountain nest after having been a hero of Val Roa? Can anyone just shed that skin?
Melancholia. Melancholia is a very patient predator.
I really hope nothing bad happens.
Who wants to help me writing a spin-off about a group of Zadubadabians making a pilgrimage to their ancestral motherland, crossing landscapes, meeting Austraeoh characters and leaving their pegasus seed everywhere?
The best plans are born of stupidity. I've had experience.
"Hear, Hear".
5609103
What on Urohringr
Next book: rainbow dash flies west.
5609864 IC can be plenty cruel, but in this case I think being kind to his characters requires being a bit cruel to us readers. He's giving our favourite group a clean break from a story riddled with less-than-clean breaks and bad ends.
I like how everyone thinks the grand choke is near the edge. I think if we were at the edge or near it, we'd have a pretty clear indication. We're getting there, but I think local lore would be more indicative of being at the edge of the world.
5609082
Next 52 chapters -- Captive Chrissy is a fake, real one has replaced everyone with pieces of herself, but none of them know the others. After trying to sabotage each other, they're all unmasked and recombine, going "Well, this was embarrassing."
And then they conquer everything and everyone we love dies.
All Hail the new capital of Chrysalis Hive: Val Roa!
And Rainbow flies East.
(Please don't )
52 Chapters of crazy, mane wastes, desert travel and adventures at the Edge ::fingers crossed:: Have mercy?
Is the Grand Choke... it? Nothing else on the light side until the edge? I could have sworn their was something else before it...
I'm gonna miss these guys when they're gone.
5610210
5610159 way back in chapter 17 or 18 (I can't remember exactly, but I cover it in my retelling Austraeohaiku which you can find linked on the right side of ):('s profile page) of the original Austraeoh, when they're gathered around the campfire (and Gold Petal's name kept changing), an old timer told them he allegedly had been to the edge of the world, and beyond the grand choke, he said there was a seemingly endless featureless sea that always makes me think of Pink Floyd for some reason (possibly because they're final album is called "The Endless River").
5609426
then they meet up on the far side of the world for some batpone shennanigans
I do hope Dashie makes more friends on The Dark Side.
Aww all these goodbyes are making me tear up. Bye bye everypony! We'll miss you so so soo much!
rainbow's face right now
new2.fjcdn.com/thumbnails/comments/Quot+dont+worry+be+furry+quot+_777cd6b5babc84cd97fe3a1279af2b26.png
Is anyone going to be left when the smoke of disbanding clears or will it be only Rainbow once again flying east? In a way a return to the style of the beginning of Austraeoh will be welcome and yet I love these guys, I've spent multiple books growing attached to them and it's hard to see them leave now.
5609973
I'd be happy to help you with that. Although, if I tried to write it, it would never be released because I get distracted and never finish projects far too often. Also, I believe the term would be either Zadubadabuians or Zadubadabuites.
5611214
Will be neat to see who RD meets on the dark side, there's gotta be some friendly faces or the next couple books are going to be awfully lonely.
Sad to see the crew of the Jury settling down and ending their adventure though.
Josho going with Roarke. Is zero percent what I expected. It makes sense when she explained it. But still.
Josho's gunna piss Roarke off so much
....
that's not going to end well for him
oh
at all
i think i get it
it would actually be fairly interesting to read a side story of the rebuilding of the Val Roan area
neat
with the jokes
5609103
I think that place was named Silvadel.
This...
Well... yup, only the stupid plans work.