Roarke slapped a panel shut in the side of the lounge sphere. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she crawled out from underneath the hovering thing and stood along the side of the hangar. Picking up a metal remote, she switched it on, summoning a low humming sound from the craft.
The mare twisted a dial ever so slightly.
The black sphere raised towards the ceiling on its own.
Roarke stopped twisting, then turned the dial the other way.
The sphere lowered until it was nearly touching the floor of the compartment.
Roarke flipped a switch and pressed a lever forward and back.
The sphere drifted back and forth in opposite directions, responding to the metal mare's remote control.
A door squeaked open and Rainbow Dash trotted through. "Having fun with Whizzball?"
Roarke shook a bit, then exhaled heavily. She slapped the remote and the humming died from inside the craft. "You do realize that I have taken extraordinary care to rid myself of most of my violent tendencies." She dropped the remote onto a metal crate and trotted past Rainbow. "You and your friends certainly aren't helping when it comes to the transport that I'm so selflessly providing."
"Girl, it's just a name."
"And would you object if somepony called your prime matriarch 'Princess Sky Testicle?'"
"I don't see how it's the same," Rainbow said. "Lizards didn't build Celestia, and it's not like you can crawl inside her chest and fly the alicorn across a frozen ocean."
"Then I'm glad that I shall never meet your kingdom's beloved ruler," Roarke droned as she trotted across the hangar to a workbench. "She sounds incredibly unexciting."
"Roarke, did an oak tree craw up your flank overnight?" Rainbow asked. "I mean, a bigger oak tree than usual?"
"If this is about my not being present at the feast that the Durandanans threw earlier, then you need not worry. Much like Floydien, I am not the most adept at social functions."
"Yeah... but the thing is—you've been trying lately. Trying super hard."
"Then perhaps I needed a rest," Roarke said.
"You don't like these pegasi, do you?"
"I did not say that."
"Well, I can kinda read it in your actions."
Roarke sighed, then glanced at Rainbow. "I do not hate them."
"That's not helping."
"Odd. I figured that in my case it said a lot."
"Look, Roarke, I know these guys may appear freaky on the surface..."
"That certainly goes without saying."
"And, like Josho, you probably figure that we should be high-tailing it to Val Roa instead of sticking around here..."
"Once again, you are adept at stating the obvious."
"Look!" Rainbow frowned. "We're staying here." She then gazed softly at the mare. "Just for a little while, okay? I have every reason to believe that these ponies—like—are long distant cousins of ancient Equestrians."
"Kissing cousins, from what I've seen."
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
Rainbow blinked. She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Look, I can't just ditch these ponies now that I know that they're here... now that I've seen what appears to be so many obvious connections. Tomorrow, I'm flying with Sivrem's company to the Central Tower. I hope to learn all I can from the Gray Feathers about this 'Valkyrie' and 'Gold Lights' business."
"And if you find out everything that you've hypothesized..." Roarke turned finally to stare at Rainbow Dash. "What then? Do you plan to adopt the entire civlization?"
"Er..."
"They can't all fit on the Jury, Rainbow."
"H-huh?"
"And even if you had the notion to escort them all around the plane so that they'd end up arriving in western Equestria years from now, they couldn't be expected to survive the trip across the Grand Choke. By Searo's womb—you can't even be expected to survive such a trip."
"I... that..." Rainbow shook her confused head. "I-I don't have such a notion!" Her voice cracked. "What the heck's gotten into your head as of late?!"
"A very good question we should all be asking ourselves." Roarke fiddled with a few metal instruments. "Isn't our business in Val Roa the one matter of prime importance?"
"It's pretty high on my list, yeah..."
"But not the top anymore?"
"Roarke, I want to believe really hard that I'm on this journey for a reason. A harmonic reason. It seems like no small coincidence that we've stumbled upon this crater full of pegasi who worship sunlight, and here I've got a sword that can let me talk to the patron Alicorn of the Sun. Commander Hurricane traveled far from Equestria, and—aside from saving the world from the threat of Stratopolis' black heart—it looks like she may have made even more of an impact. If I can do something to bridge the gap between the past and the present, then that's not a chance that I would wish to ignore."
"And does this involve me any?"
"What?" Rainbow blinked. "No. I mean... wh-why should it?"
"Hmmmm..." Roarke continued examining her tools. "Then why are you even rambling to me about it?"
"I... I..." Rainbow shook her head, then groaned. "I don't get you sometimes." She turned tail, stomped out, and closed the door loudly behind.
Roarke said nothing. Only after a minute or two had passed did she bother to glance towards the doorframe with dull lenses. She sighed out her nostrils and continued tinkering on her tools.
The next morning, Rainbow Dash reclined on the hull of the Noble Jury. Stifling a yawn, she smiled wearily at the sliver of dawnlight peaking over the eastern mists.
"So, it might take a day... it might take several... but I aim to get to the bottom of this, Your Highness. But, if you ask me, I think the truth is pretty obvious. These are the descendants of Commander Hurricane's company. How they broke off from the rest of the expedition and somehow managed to arrive here? Well, that's what I aim to find out."
"This is amazing, Rainbow Dash," Celestia's voice said. "This is absolutely amazing! For the first time since the tragedy caused by Discord, I find myself at a loss of words."
"I'm pretty freaked out myself, Princess." Rainbow smirked. "But in a good way."
"From the sound of things, you've been acting as an exemplary ambassador so far."
"I can't help it. I'm really digging this place. I mean... heh... I'm not all that big on how they spit foals out and share huge beds—if ya know what I mean—but everything else about them is super awesome. It's like... like..." She sighed through a warm grin into the morning light. "It's like being in Cloudsdale again."
"I can sense it in your voice, Rainbow Dash."
"Hmm? Sense what?"
"Happiness. And warmth."
Rainbow blinked. "Aren't I normally, though? I mean... like... I-I've got friends, y'know! The Noble Jury's got my back! They have for a while now!"
Princess Celestia was silent for a while. Then, at last, her voice wafted from the golden blade. "This is different, Rainbow Dash. I imagine you sense it too."
Rainbow bit her lip.
"Ponies—especially mortal ones—possess a unique resonance to their voice that changes throughout the various stages of their aging lives. I've always valued your tenacity, courage, and unfailing loyalty. But it goes without saying that a certain youthful vitality dwindled away once our dear friends had so tragically perished, and in front of you, no less."
"Hrmmm... yeah..."
"But hearing you now, and the exuberance with which you speak of these... remarkable Durandanans—it reminds me of the young pegasus whom I once had the honor to crown at the Best Young Fliers Competition."
Rainbow's ears folded. She glanced down at the jungle canopy and quiet wooden houses built within the branches.
"How are your friends handling this encounter?"
"Hmm? Oh! They're... uh... they're really digging it too. For the most part, that is."
"Oh?"
"Well, it goes without saying: I think everypony on board the Jury is happy to be in a village where nopony is trying to kill us. Heh. But, that being said, a few are... a bit squirmy."
"In what manner?"
"It's hard to say, Your Highness. I only hope that the crew doesn't think that I'm—y'know—being selfish."
"Selfish?"
"I wanna connect with these pegasi. And I bet you want to as well. So, as far as I'm concerned, I'm sticking around for their sake." Rainbow gulped. "But it could just as easily be the other way around."
"If visiting these ponies is a blessing unto you, then I do not see why you must feel guilty, Rainbow Dash. If you want my advice—then I say embrace this occasion. Your heart can certainly use the merriment."
"Yeah..." Rainbow nodded. Her lips slowly curved. "Yeah, okay."
Winged figures appeared along he horizon.
"Whoops." Rainbow kicked off the hull and hovered above the Jury. "Looks like things are about to kick off."
"I do hope you got enough sleep overnight. It is rather early."
"Heh. Some things are just impossible, Your Highness." Rainbow fidgeted in mid-air. "Uhm... I-I'm going to leave the sword with the Jury."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I mean... if you wanna talk to any of best buds, then be my guest. But for right now... well..." Rainbow sighed. "Let's just say that the next time I speak with you may be a moment when we'll have to make a pretty bold decision. I'm not about to rush anything, ya feel me?"
"I understand you perfectly, Rainbow. Just remember: do not underestimate yourself. You have grown into a fine and courageous adventurer. I've no doubt that you have what it takes to be Equestria's finest ambassador of harmony."
Rainbow smirked, her eyes on Sivrem's company as they flew closer. "Now if that don't friggin' beat all..." And she sheathed the Sword of Solstice.
Wrong A word, sunny.
I hope Celestia does get to talk with the Pegasi.
Hey, I'm not late to the party like usual. At any rate, it looks like next chapter we finally get to meet with these Gray Feathers. Time to see Rainbow's reactions to the knowledge of the Durandanan history.
Would you stop all this and give us some Grey Feathers lore already?
"N-not that I care if they kiss you."
4732679 HA
UhOh. Free and easy reproduction and a restricted enviroment tend to have some rather unfortunate side effects.
Worse case? Quozl.
4737597 You don't like al the banter, SS?
4732679
4737608
I believe at this point it's going to stay Whizzball, if only to piss Roarke off.
and Darkened Diamonds
I genuinely don't know what to expect from here on out regarding these pegasi.
Like, holy shit, what will they even do? What will Rainbow do? Will she show Celestia to them? How will they react oh my god what is this.
4737632
Banter is nice but...but...but lore! I wanna be fed some lore! And culture!
I've got a bit of a social scientist in me when it comes to these things. I wanna learn everything possible about these Durandanan pegasi. We're steps away from the group meeting the Grey Feathers, and it's just dangling out of reach.
Hummm. No surprise at Celestia's reaction here - given all that's happened and the fact that Dash is the last connection to Twilight, so far away, alone and unable to be helped, finding there might be those with a connection to her and to Dash is a monumental thing. I'm still waiting for the shoe to drop though. I'm still being rubbed the wrong way by these guys.
I mean, when was the last time we had unalloyed good? Wasn't it that little village way back in Austraeoh? DO NOT TRUST ANYTHING ANYMORE.
4737545 That comment, plus your profile pic...
4737603 I just spat my drink. I hope you're happy.
I can't wait to learn more about these pegasi.
4737766 I am.
4737759 When we spend the next twenty chapters recounting the history of Durandanarans I don't want to hear complaints.
4737824
I'll be sure to pack you some sandwiches.
I want to see Rainbow interact with these pegasi more, and to uncover what the problem with this place is that she has to rectify. I mean, we all know there's something, right? In the meantime, let's all just kick back, relax, and get cozy with all the pegasi.
24
I am super thrilled that these pegasi SEEM like a good bunch. Still, I can't imagine how this will end well. After all, The Noble Jury has been on a lucky streak for awhile. When will the other shoe drop?
4737837 I am never going to live that down, am I?
4737866
Noooooope.
I'll bet they're cannibals that worship a sentinel.
/wildspeculationthathopefullyisn'tright
Hopefully its time to finally get to the Grey Feathers. I'm saying it now if there is anymore reasons to keep her from them I'm calling it that there is something wrong with them. Also I'm sure that Roarke is clearly afraid that RD is going to want to stay here.
world building chapter activate!
Oh gawd. Zaid's gonna get ahold of the sword, isn't he?
Also, I can't tell if Roarke's worries are well-founded, or if she's just being even more tsundere than usual.
Durandana, the fledgling state of Equestria.
It's possible that Dash might never introduce Celestia to the pegasi in order to preserve their way of life, but then we'd be missing out on all the drama.
AAAHHH, GOOD MORNING, MY FAITHFUL SUBJECTS
This was nice. I like warm fuzzy banter.
Roarke most Tsundere.
Jelly jelly roarke...
That was definitely foreshadowing I feel. Hope it's Roarke who talks to Celestia. I want this Tsundere relationship wrapped up and moving on to the good bits soon. Rainbow Doesn't have long so they need to have their magical lesbian babies sooner rather than later.
Also shoutout to the Hardcore Lore dump in the next few.
Roarke reminds me of someone right now.
4737603 B...baka.
4737677 And the fun has been doubled.
4737763 Alafreo. Literally the last stop.
4737866 Nope. There is no cheese. You must realize that when you eat the cheese, you're really eating yourself.
My pacing prediction is that we're two chapters way from the bulk of the lore, but the second chapter will have an intro at the ending to the lore. Then, we'll have three 2,000 word chapters of heavy lore.
4739483
I agree with everything in this comment. XXX lore in three...
4739585 THEN IT GOES TO PROVE MY POINT SOMETHING BAD NEEDS TO HAPPEN OR ITS NOT IC.
If this were the future I'd be a paranoid android.
4737763
It seems like everyone keeps forgetting just how many good places they've been to. So far, the places where all of the locals have been kind (not counting external threats) are:
–Windthrow (Sladesteed wasn't really evil, if I remember correctly)
–Ridgeside
–Verdestone
–Silvadel (not counting Axan and her brood)
–Mountainfall (from what we've heard, anyway)
–Aurum
–Deep Ridge
–Archer Point
–Lerris
–Alafreo
4739763 If you're counting Lerris as one of the good places they were then I really question exactly what your qualifications are...
4739769
As I said, I didn't count external threats like Shell. Everypony who actually lived in Lerris was nice.
I guess you'd better build a giant alicorn mecha you can do that with, then.
4739769
4739775
So there's the chance that Durandana is a nice place, but something awful will happen.
I don't think that's better...
4739585
Wait...
Does that mean that to get the cheese...
...I must become the cheese?
It all makes sense now!
Thanks for renewing my hopes, Nevvy.
4740241 4739775
See? See? Zaid here gets it! Someone needs to start screaming "DANGER RAINBOW DASH, DANGER".
I suddenly feel like I belong on a street corner. Urk.
Told you guys they weren't going straight to Val Roa.
4740241 It does of course also mean that eating cheese is like death: while you are here it cannot be and once it is here you will not be.
"No. I mean... wh-why should it?"
For christ's sake. Spit it out.
4740241 4740281
Personally, I doubt anyone from outside the crater will attack Durandana. After all, who would it be? Shell is dead, the war is over, and Chrysalis has lost her army. I doubt she'll leave Val Roa just to go after Rainbow by herself, either.
Besides, Durandana isn't exactly a tourist spot, and it's not easy to get to. In fact, unless there's something we don't know about, the Jurists are the first outsiders in the crater in ten millennia – there haven't even been changelings there!
Of course, I can't deny that some Durandanans (especially Jerrio and/or the Gray Feathers) being villains/antagonists is still a very real possibility, but I wanted to point out that there have been plenty of places with peaceful populations, including after Emeraldine.
4740622 Then...
Does that make me the master of existence?
I don't know what to do with such power.
4740779
More depressing and unlikely things have happened. Archer's Point will never forget Lerris and they thought such horror could never be. Since only the Jurists are left otherwise to remember Lerris...
4740979
But who would attack them? Back in Lerris, we all knew that Shell was still going after Rainbow. It wasn't a matter of if, but when.
Now, however, the only one who currently wants to go after them is Chrysalis. She has lost her brood, she doesn't know where Rainbow and the others are, and I'm pretty sure she's going to stick around in Val Roa anyway to try and abuse her influence (and possibly make preparations for the Jury's arrival).
In other words, unless IC introduces a brand new villain, any potential threat the Jurists might face would be from inside Durandana.
4741104 It's been, I would hazard, about two or three weeks since the events of Stratopolis. You and others seem far too ready to write Chrysalis off the current playboard. She however is old, very old, and cunning. There is no doubt in my mind she could have readily rebuilt, if not her massive army, at least a noticable force around her again. She must have means with which to convert ponies or bring them about to helping her.
... For that matter, who's to say the ponies of Durandana aren't changelings of a different sort, such as Tchern's? That's a short and simple on Changeling suspicion. Axan is still out there somewhere and could be a cause of trouble. And it is possible there is Chaos brewing.
Don't discount anything.
tsundere Roarke, creepily friendly pegasi, possible Celestia/someone-that's-not-Rainbow conversation (I'm voting EE or Ebon)
well this is getting good, lore awaits!
4737729 calm down, relax, take deep breaths, and don't let the unknown get to you