Must Have More Head Than Strong
"And without the Constable or Midnite Bastion?” Jet had said. “Your Jurists are so far away. There really is no hope left.”
Rainbow Dash stood dead still while the information boiled inside her heart and mind. She held a hoof over her pendant, her face awash in silence.
Nilla glanced between the two of them, her mouth agape “I... I just wish I understood. What's going on here?! What are you ponies really here for?”
Rainbow's breaths became firmer and firmer. Her brow furrowed as her nostrils flared.
Jet craned her neck. “Rainbow...?” She lightly trotted over. “Rainbow, what do we do now?”
Rainbow gritted her teeth. With a rush of air, her wings spread.
Jet's pupils shrank. “Oh no.”
A loud clap echoed down into the courtyard of Plaza Topaz, followed by a distressed mare's echoing voice. “Rainbow Dash! Don't!”
Several servants peered up, squinting into the glittery haze of night.
Floydien lifted his head, muzzle agape.
A blue streak shot straight north on blazing wings. The elk spotted a brief flicker of ruby light, and then the pegasus disappeared along the city skyline.
Floydien blinked, and his teeth grit. “Awwww spit.”
A cone of air formed around Rainbow Dash's figure. She soared past building faces, rattling windows and tearing flags off their poles. Skimming the rooftops of Val Roa, she made straight for the Royal District, flying faster and faster until the wind heated up with burning friction. Within blocks of the palace, she could already spot wavering rings of emerald light—where thick Soul Sentry battalions continued their desperate search for the two missing monarchs.
“No more hiding,” she sneered, teeth clenched as she stretched both forelimbs forward.
The air around her whistled.
Guards stirred in the streets below, overwhelmed by several successive blasts of thunder.
“You can have the kingdom... the continent... the entire light side for all I care,” Rainbow growled into the mess of turbulence burning all around her. “You cannot have Kera.”
She roared past the final layer of skyscrapers forming the edge of the Sandstone Distict.
Broad courtyards and a thick bronze wall stood between her and her destination. Reindeer marching along the outer edge spotted something incoming and flinched. All of the Soul Sentries instantly turned, their antlers brimming with angry electricity.
“Do you hear me?!” Rainbow Dash roared. Her eyes flickered red-on-yellow as her teeth took on a serrated edge. “You cannot have Belle and Pilate's child—”
A winged body flew into her from the side.
“Ooomf!” Rainbow exhaled as her body ragdolled sharply to the left.
A pegasus was shoving her sharply through the air. The two tumbled, flailed, and went sailing straight through the glass window of a two story storage warehouse.
CRASSSSSH!
Rainbow and her assailant went tumbling down an aisle lined with food crates and wine racks stacked high to the ceiling in preparation for the following day's Coronation. As glass and debris crashed around them, Rainbow Dash swiftly kipped up and spun to face her attacker.
A blue pegasus with rainbow-colored hair stood across from her in the foggy starlight.
“No!” the doppelganger shouted, blue face pale and panicked. “Not like this, Rainbow! You have to hold back—”
Fwoooosh! Frowning, Rainbow Dash soared straight past the figure, making for the smashed window. Suddenly, within a blink, Sivrem lurched in front of her, his massive wings blocking her path.
“Kera is safe, Rainbow Dash—”
“Out of my way!” Rainbow Dash brushed past the creature, only to be tugged with four limbs from behind.
“She's s-safe!” Rayvinne sputtered, hissing into the pegasus' ear. “Flying into the palace and attacking Sharp Quill isn't going to solve anything—!”
“Let me... go!” Rainbow frowned over her shoulder. “And tell Chrysalis—I don't care how many drones she's got loyal to her now! Kera's missing, and I'm going to find her even if I have to bust open all the antlers in Val Roa—!” Rainbow sputtered as she found the two of them encased in lavender telekinesis.
“Hrnnngh!” Wingless, Eagle Eye bodyslammed the mare back to the floor with his magic. He stood up and growled. “Dang it, Rainbow, stand down!”
“Rrrgh!” Rainbow answered with a savage hoof across his cheek.
The changeling stumbled back, head twisted the other way. Two seconds later, Eagle Eye frowned at her, took five bold steps, and morphed into Big Macintosh. WHUDDD! A cedar-thick fetlock was introduced to Rainbow's skull.
The pegasus spun twice from the impact, teetered into a supply aisle, and collapsed under three crashing crates. As the dust settled, the thoroughly-bruised mare cringed and writhed under the splintery debris. Squinting up at the towering stallion, she murmured, “Who are you...?”
Big Macintosh trotted up, then let loose a heavy sigh. His body shrank while his coat darkened into a rich burgundy hue.
Rainbow's mouth hung open. “... no... no friggin' way...”
“I tapped into the mindspace of the Soul Sentries, Rainbow Dash,” Ebon Mane said. “I almost didn't make it out, but I found what I needed to. The spell on the guards is everything we thought it was: a programmed slice of Mother's hive mind and then some.”
“This is some kind of a trick...” Rainbow shook her head.
“It can't connect with all of her drones on its own, but it can be made to control Val Roans. That's how Chrysalis is commanding the Soul Sentries to do her bidding and turn this kingdom into a prison.”
“You're not Ebon Mane. You can't be.” Rainbow frowned. “If you're really him, then prove it—”
“Dammit, Rainbow Dash!” Ebon snarled with Roarke's face before returning back to a frowning stallion. “No! I will not! We simply have no time! And, to be perfectly honest, you're not in the place to demand it! Now listen and listen tight! I can help you find Kera. I can help you find Eine and everybody! But first thing's first.” He marched over and leered over her, eyes wide. “I know where Mother is. And going to the Palace is not going to get her out of hiding.”
Rainbow Dash gazed at him, eyes blinking. With a shuddering exhale, she squirmed underneath the debris. “Okay, I'm listening...”
“Do you have your sound stone with you?”
“Uh... y-yeah. I think so.”
“Good.” Ebon took a deep breath. “Because we're going to need everypony in on this one.”
“Everypony, as in...?”
His burgundy brow furrowed. “Everypony.”
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whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/PA-10600578.jpg
Swannie's face when s/he realizes Rayvinne was doppleganger.
Also, I have a feeling like we're going to have a Tarkington Offensive in the near future
How'd ebon suddenly get so good at all these transformations? Did he get past a mental block of sorts? Also, they should find out the Tarkington is coming. Ebon will be very happy to hear EE is alive and well.
Ebon has awoken.
Dayum, Ebon...
Thirty situps, ):(. Knock 'em out!
Ebon Mane, Character?
That was so close, imagine the effect of a Sonic Rainboom, being reflected from the reinforced Soul Sentries barrier, and focused back down the path of the incoming boom trail, into the town beneath.
The only thing that could stop Dash safely, was Dash?
We still don't have a name/names/location, so it's not too late to fling around accusations of being Chrysalis, is it?
That's what she would want them to believe.
She'd certainly want to know that.
Wow, Ebon grew some balls; without using his powers this time!
5447443 I assume it was his contact with the hive mind.
Happy New Year!
Also.. we have you mother!
fanderson.org.uk/forum/picture.php?albumid=116&pictureid=1739
I need a good "it begins" gif for moments like this. Though I suppose that since I said it last chapter I'm already covered.
And hey, I have my popcorn ready now, so let's get this show on the road.
5447818
encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTzFElCDALJvwGnS0qG8j0CN29uzHe0PcDVPsddLdxWl8axtp2Z
We have the It's Happening scale. You can edit it as you see fit. Below is a more easy to edit version.
img.4plebs.org/boards/pol/image/1397/57/1397574809527.jpg
5447967
lol, awesome. And I think the arrow in the second one is even pointing at the appropriate section of the chart for where we're at right now.
Let's GO~
Connecting to Soul Sentries mind must have also given Ebon knowledge of the ponies from Dash's past.
Sorta makes sense since the last thing the queen bug would have known before the hive broke free due to appleling is everything and everypony Dash would have held dear in Ponyville.
5447818
Not a gif,but it fits.
mlpchan.net/rp/src/1359409922775.jpg
Devil's Advocate: This changeling is Chrysalis, pretending to be Ebon. She's aware that Ebon knows where she is, and has decided to head him off, intercept RD, and spread false information.
Holy shit...Ebon REALLY gained a few levels...
5447967
Best New Year's gift evar.
This seems a bit to convenient IMO, but right now I really want that to be the real Ebon so I'm gonna say its him until I see more.
Things are heating up... Like, a lot.
Well, the good news is: Either they're on Chrysalis' trail, or this is Chrysalis, and she's merely pretending to be Ebon. Either way, the hour approacheth.
The bad news is: I haven't the foggiest which one it is.
Big Macintosh.
'nuff said.
So, Either that's Ebon, and he's leading them to kill Chryssi, or that's Chryssi, and She's leading them to a trap.
Either way, I need a bag of popcorn.
Oh, and Happy New Year!
this sets off so many alarm bells for me
i cannot trust this changeling claiming to be Ebon
Honestly, I'm kind of worried. I'd like to think that's really Ebon, but... how'd he know Big Mac?
PS: Happy 2015, everyjurist!
Best part about the new year? Going to bed right after.
Group chat for the Jury. Which reminds me, as the Jury has become so seperated over the course of this arc, they're due for a big huge meetup at the end of this all. The final reunion before the final departure.
Looks like Ebon lost the mental battle with Queen Cheese and she decided to pop up. Unless Ebin arrived at his own changeling epiphany, but he's probably in Sharp Quill's possession at the moment.
5448026
Heh, I've used it before, i'm ABSOLUTELY OFFENDED(not really) that you didn't notice.
And yeah, Ebon probably just hit level 11 and took his paragon path class skills.
5448849
I only recall the version that was already at "IT'S HAPPEING"
Or I dunno...maybe it's just because I'm druink
Shits goin' down. Go get 'em, Ebon.
Thanks for the brief reappearance, IC. Happy New Years!
Wow. Ebon is super cool all of a sudden. Glad dash was stopped. That would have been extremely stupid.
How did Ebon know where to find Dash? And how did he know she was looking for Kera and Sharp Quill?
Also, where did he get an idea to morph into Big Macintosh? From what I know, he's not even aware that Applejack has a brother.
i.imgur.com/PhijPZB.gif
Speaking of which, does Ebon even know about Applejack? Does it have something to do with that hive mind thing?
The paranoia is killing.
5447465
Hey! For what??
I thought this chapter was great!
Happy new year to you all!
Y'know it'd be more of a plot twist just now for that to actually be Ebon...
Also this 38.media.tumblr.com/0b1729b05039bc5452ceaee7aff2dce4/tumblr_n4h4kyyVaL1smcbm7o1_500.gif
5449171
D'aww, you think the PT will stop just because of a great chapter. Bless your little heart...
How awesome would it be to animate this scene.
5448002 5448245 The last time Rainbow saw Ebon, he was barely capable of basic transformations. She'd have to be an awful impersonator to flash her different faces around like this now.
5447432 I want to see that face.
5449378
... maybe I should start participating.
Last night I had to run for a bus, and I think I almost died.
Well somepony is doomed. Wonder who...
Damn it, IC. Stop playing with my feelings.
...I'm so confuzzled.
damit
i actually thought the other pegasi had showd up
Well looks like Ebon found a pair.
I knew Ebon's changeling balls dropped when he gave that speech to Sharp Quill, but this is some next level awesomeness right here.
... assuming it is Ebon.
Ebon. That. was. Incredible.
-Spirit
If this is Ebon, then damn. He really rocked Rainbow. I like this Ebon.
Ahaha. Ebon's back in the game.
5449485 I think you mean this would be awesome to see animated. Animating this would be a spark forsaken pain. All of the angle shifts and appearance shifts would be taxing time-wise. I honestly want to see this whole epic animated. When we are all retired that would be a cool project.
Damn Ebon, and here I thought we were literally gonna have everypony coming in to do this massive battle of craziness. He's become quite the awesome character in these last few chapters. For now though, more plans are hatched and put into action.
~SolidFire
What do you mean, "everyone"?
stream1.gifsoup.com/view2/2225211/gary-oldman-wants-everyone-o.gif
Something tells me this isn't Ebon.......I'm taking this abnormal surprise with a big grain of salt....