Where You Would Least Expect It
“The manasensors are coming up with identical readings along the mountain ranges due east of here,” Zetta said. She turned and looked over her shoulder. “The energy field is dissipating.”
“Lemme guess.” Prowse hobbled down the length of the Tarkington. “They're retreating east?”
“Affirmative.” Zetta nodded, turning back to her manaconsole and twisting a few dials. She studied the data being relayed to her via blinking diodes. “Looks like the Soul Sentries are being herded inward.”
“Hrmmff...” Seclorum frowned, standing beside Arcshod and the other two Xonans. “Dayum cowards.”
“Now, let's not get ahead of ourselves, General,” Crimson said.
“Former General.”
Crimson smirked slyly, levitating a mug of steaming coffee across the cramped confines. “We're at war with Chrysalis, not the unwitting victims of Val Roa.”
“Easy for you to say!” Seclorum spat. “She's controlling all those glowy-eyed deer, isn't she?”
“That remains to be seen,” Crimson said.
Josho spoke up from where he sat, polishing his shotgun. “And even if they are, I doubt they're doing so willingly.” He glanced up. “Imagine how quickly the kingdom will shape up once it realizes its elite soldiers have been working for a giant bug monarch all this time.”
“I still think it'd be easier to punch and explode through the whole lot of them.” Seclorum squinted at Josho. “You used to think the same thing too. What happened to you?”
“You wanna know what I think?” Phoenix remarked.
“Pffft. No.”
Phoenix smiled and spoke up anyway “I think he's been hanging around the little princess too long.”
“I heard that,” Eagle Eye muttered from where he sat with a blanket around his shivering shoulders.
“That's why I said it!”
Eagle sighed. “Now that I did not miss...”
“Are you certain?” Crimson knelt down before the petite unicorn, hoofing him the mug of coffee. “I can imagine a few Franzington locals who miss saying it.”
Eagle Eye took the mug with a thankful smile. “That's all behind me. Believe it.”
“I'm inclined to,” Crimson said. “According to Mr. Booster Spice, you're quite the one-stallion-army these days.”
“I hold my own these days, Crimson,” Eagle said. “But I'm still a team player.” He adjusted the folds of his blanket, fidgeting. “How... uh...”
“Booster Spice? Recovering nicely,” Crimson said. “Tweak and Lucky Strike's home-grown medicinal recipes can do quite the trick.”
“Well, that's good to know. Considering that they're... uhm...”
Crimson chuckled. “They know how to treat non crystal ponies. Don't worry.” He smirked. “Besides, they've had plenty of practice.”
Eagle leaned forward, blinking. “How is that going by the way?”
“What? Aurum? It's doing wonderfully. Didn't I already convey that?”
“I guess you did. It's just...” Eagle sighed, smiling weakly. “You have no idea how wonderful it is to know that sort of information. I mean, I headed east for a reason. I meant it when I said that I needed to find a home for my own. But...”
“You're a concerned soul, EE. It's quite alright,” Crimson said, finally sitting down across from him as the Tarkington's bulkheads shifted and hummed around them. “My family's as healthy and secure as they've ever been. They're practically siblings and cousins to Tweak's clan, now. Between Franzington's military experience and the crystal ponies' tenacity, we've made a truly safe haven for most ponies and non-equines wanting a safe place to live after the Confederacy's balance of power shifted.”
“Are... are things still harrowing in Led—” Eagle winced. “I mean Luxmare?”
Crimson chuckled lightly. “Things couldn't be better. It's like day and night. There's no Council wanting my and Phoenix's heads. But, more importantly, the Confederacy recognizes both Franzington and Aurum as sovereign nations. The days of aggressive annexation is over.”
“That's just... so hard to believe.”
“It took a while, but the sort of things Rainbow Dash and the Jury did along the Eastern front have had a lasting effect on the entire continent.” Crimson smiled. “Zetta and Basso told me all about it in great detail. Rainbow Dash actually took out a giant chaos dragon! I almost wish I was there to see it myself.”
“Yeah, well...” Eagle Eye shuddered. “Not all things went quite so...” He gulped. “...smoothly.”
“But... uhm...” Crimson leaned forward, eyes narrow. “Are you doing well for yourselves? For the most part, I mean.”
“Aside from being split up in half-a-dozen places on the verge of a Val Roan Apocalypse?”
“Eheh...” Crimson shifted his prosthetic limb. “Right. Aside from that. How have you been doing, EE?”
Eagle Eye nodded, gazing deep into the bulkhead. “I'm in a nice place, Crimson. A wonderful place.” He gulped. “It wasn't always a nice place. It took more than a few rough bumps. But...” He sighed, gazing up with glossy eyes. “I'm in love. Tried and true love. All that needs to happen now is for us to find a place to rest our heads and... start a new life together.”
“It was the cook, was it?”
Eagle Eye did a double-take. “Why... yes. Ebon Mane! How did you know?”
“Call it a hunch,” Crimson said with a slight smirk. “You two seem the right... er... size for each other.”
Eagle giggled. “I always knew you had built-in gaydar.”
Crimson shook his head. “Nah, if that was the case, I'd figure you'd fall for Jasper Clark.”
“Heeheehee.”
Crimson took a deep breath. “That... that large dude, Seclorum's friend.”
“Hmmm?” Eagle blinked. “Oh, you mean Josho?”
Crimson's eyes thinned. “He is... treating you right, I hope?”
“Yes, Crimson. Josho hasn't sat on me and crushed me to a gazillion powdery lavender bits.”
“Buh?”
Eagle suppressed another giggling breath. “When you met him, he was fresh off the deck of Prime Enforcer's Shell's battleship. He's a waaaaaaaaaaay different stallion now,” the young unicorn explained, gazing over Crimson's shoulder. “He's saved every Jurist's life in more ways than we can count. And I bet...” He chewed on his lip. “...I know that I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for him.” He added in a muttering tone. “I wouldn't even want to be alive.”
Crimson nodded. “I guess I should know better than to assume otherwise by now.”
“It's okay.” Eagle smiled. “You're just concerned for me. I find that touching.”
“You've grown in so many ways, EE. Far be it from me to think that you were the same unicorn I parted ways with months and months ago...” His words trailed off, and he gazed down the length of the Tarkington.
Eagle Eye cocked his head to the side. “What?”
“I... I was tasked with delivering a message. But, seeing how you're doing and where you are in life, I... I'm not sure if I really should.”
“Crimson, so much could change at any moment.” Eagle grimaced briefly. “I... I-I don't even know if fate will let me see Ebon again anytime soon. I... I-I could definitely use whatever good news I can get.” He blinked. “It... is a good message, is it not?”
“Well, I suppose you could say that.”
Eagle Eye stared.
Crimson cleared his throat. He shuffled closer, speaking so that only the two of them could hear. “It wasn't just my family and Phoenix's that moved to Aurum, EE. So many other members of the Franzington Clan made the trip across Foxtaur and the Ravine to dwell in this new promised land. Many of them made the choice after much thought and deliberation. Others... did so with only a little bit of convincing on my part, especially after I... told them how brave a member of their own had been in... in...”
“Crimson,” Eagle Eye whispered. “Is... is my family in Aurum?”
Crimson simply stared at him.
“Are they okay? I mean...” Eagle gazed aside, blinking. His eyes darted back to Crimson. “This message. It's from them, isn't it?”
“It's from your father, EE.”
The unicorn bit his lip, his eyes hardening.
“He... he says that he's sorry,” Crimson remarked. “For... for everything. He... uh...” The stallion brushed his mane back and sighed. “...he extends his hoof... in both respect and reconciliation... if... if you would so choose to take it.”
Eagle's gaze fell to the floor.
Crimson cleared his throat. “I told him not to put his hopes up.”
“And he shouldn't,” Eagle muttered, jaw clenched. “After all he's done to me... after practically disowning me...” He gazed up, eyes thin. “Now he wants different? As if things can just change like that?”
“A lot can change in a short time, EE,” Crimson said. “Be it due to war or to peace. I think the latter has surprised him... shaken him up. He's a changed stallion. I can see it in his eyes. He's unsure of the future... frightened of a world with so much tranquility. I... I believe he's found time to reconsider his attitude about the only son who was willing to stand up to him.”
“... … ...” Eagle shuddered from where he sat.
“It could be a new home, EE,” Crimson said. “But, I can only imagine it'd be a prison all the same, if your heart wasn't in it.”
“My heart belongs to one soul,” Eagle Eye said. “But... I can't imagine... that is... I couldn't think of him.. of us...” He grimaced. “This is just so unexpected. I—”
“A signal!” Zetta suddenly gasped. “We're getting a signal!” She spun. “It's Rainbow Dash's sound stone!”
“Hot damn!” Josho stood up, holstering his weapon. “Now we're getting someplace!”
“She needs everyone around to listen!” Zetta said. “Sounds like we have a new game plan!”
“Better fetch the King and Queen for this,” Seclorum said, trotting across the Tarkington.
Crimson glanced behind his shoulder, then at Eagle Eye. “Uh... EE...?”
“Yeah, I get it.” The unicorn sighed, shrugging off the blanket as he took one sip of the coffee and stood up tall. “Soldier on. I'll deal with all that later...”
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Twists and turns are IC's master plan. Then find the Jury back together like when this all began.
Good to know that Harmony reigns supreme west of the Frozen Wastes. That's a meaty chunk of closure we rarely ever get in this series.
I s2g, the chapter title made me think we were gonna get a soundstone message from Prowse saying "Don't worry, lassie, we're almost across the sea..."
The thought of the entire Tarkington being a ruse made my pulse jump.
Oh, how the world has changed in the rainbow's wake...
Aw, what a nice moment. And a potential resting place for Eagon, should the cards fall that way.
5460928
Ooh, that would've been an awesome twist. Evil, but awesome.
This, sounds soo familiar, and still not the worst thing.
the tighter the Soul Sentries are placed, the stronger the shield and attack.
Im worried about the coccoons being called beacons. I hope more that they have been called that in the Generals mind so he accepts them when not being cntrolled, and that they aint being used for some immense city destroying abomination from beyond the edge of the world.
Its going to be interesting to see how this little bit ends up developing. I wonder what RD is planing now?
I can't tell; is it happening yet? (Shameless set up, and now to wait for the inevitable reply.)
5460896
My prediction for this series' endgame(lol, predicting three years into the future so no fucking clue what I'm talking about) is that the dark side itself won't be so bad, but RD will be forced for some reason to go the other way around the world to get back, and by the time she reaches Equestriea Discord is free, Celestia and Luna are badly fucked up, and every single character from the entire series will get called in to help.
I dunno, that's what I derived from Discord saying his 'twists and turns' thing.
I hope EE and Ebon get a happy ever after.
5460896
5461225
I've always thought that the series would end with Rainbow backtracking to Equestria and meeting all of the lives she changed. Though, Dash returning from the other side would have her meet Shining and Cadence. You guys remember that right? That Shining and Cadence are exploring the west of the world. I actually want to read their adventures too.
5461282
5461225
Wouldn't it be awesome if the Jury somehow made it all the way back to Equestria? No one expects Rainbow to actually live long enough to make it to the Midnight Armory, but these machine world flames seem to keep the chaos from taking over. With enough of these "checkpoints" she could theoretically make it all the way without turning into a monster. Perhaps the Midnight Armory is more than capable of healing the world and purging Rainbow of her blight.
I think IC might actually be the master of chaos himself, so who's to know? I'm still trying to figure out this "Yesterday" business.
I also clearly remember Celestia or Luna mentioning that Cadence, Shining Armor, and a band of ponies set out on an airship to find the other Divines in the west. Maybe Luna will have something to report about their adventure during the next full moon. Although, I have no idea how much luck they would have without a badass skystone ship. Maybe their love for each other powers their airship's engines. . .
Since when has Rainbow been in direct contact with the Tarkington? I thought that was just through Props' array? Austraeoh Fact Checker?
5461447
That would be the most ballin'est thing ever
Does anyone remember how many Divines have been mentioned so far? All I can think of is Axan, Nevelmas, and Endrax. Oh well, guess I should reread the series now. All 1.7 million+ words. Damn, I just realized that this series is as long as Project Horizons. That FoE fic is almost over to. IC, you are a writing fiend my friend. Please don't ever stop.
5461447
And then it turned out that the next day, nobody could remember who she was.
Finally caught back up after extended work related distractions. And man, What things to miss. Action scenes all up in dis, with most importantly the cavalry returns. That whole Roarke Goblin Warchief thing is the only thing I'm Infinitely unhappy with. Hopefully Jex can be redeemed enough, to take that job from Roarke, and let the lovers through the Choke. Yknow. If it weren't for the whole she'd drop dead from the manaheart stopping.
Everybody in the Tarkington is under Chrissy's influence
5461812 It's a trap!
5461704 Dude! How messed up would that be if for Rainbow to save the world and to bring back all that she had lost she had have her memory erased from the world? Like she would still live and exist, but nobody would remember who she was.
5461560
Luna told Rainbow about them at the beginning of Odrsjot. There's five of them:
Axan, Queen of Flame (whom we met in Silvadel)
Nevlamas, Queen of Magic (the false, chaos-corrupted "Nagu'n")
Sturke, Queen of the Equinox (she's west of Equestria – Shining and Cadance are going to meet her)
Verlax, Queen of Frost (whom we don't really know much about)
Endrax, Queen of Shadow (she's on the Dark Side of the plane)
5460928
It'd be hard for the changelings to create a duplicate airship. If the Tarkington is changelings, it means the original crew (or part of it) have been removed and replaced.
5461560
5462062
Also, Axan spoke to either Sturke or Verlax through a sound stone in Eljunbyro. We know it wasn't Endrax because the other dragon said she'd go to find her on the dark side.
5462075
Saikano's under mind control and is starting to break free, if I remember correctly.
You see this, Chrysalis? You can't stop the signal. Harmony will be restored and triumph. It may take days, months, years, but in the end, we survive. It's coming, you see?! The Pimp Hand of Harmony shall come down upon thee with the wrath of Lord Jesus Hisself!!!
Also, I am so wanting EE and Ebon to go back with Crimson when this is over...
Fifty side-straddle hops, ):(. Knock 'em out!
Well, jake, the duchess, and dark horse will likely be maimed for no good reason as chryissy's plan falls to bits
5461704
5461998
soooo
BP with Rainbow instead of Lyra?
5462579
5462579
I've never read that. So thank you very much for spoiling it for me.
(Though honestly, I don't think I was ever going to read it.)
5462500
dark horse
I like that.
Wow, that's an old reference to an old conversation.
5462617 Spoiling? It's in the story description.
Just finished BP. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Rainbow Dash had a similar choice to make in the 12th book.
As unlikely as it is at this moment, I can totally see EE and Ebon returning to Frazington at the end of the book if the Noble Jury ends up splitting.
5462857 Oh, I've never even read the description to Background Pony.
5463152 It was a good story but damn it was depressing.
5463725 Like how depressing? I need to know where it ranks on the scale from 1-10.
5462328 They could have been intercepted and replaced. The Tarkington would be real, but the crew would not.
5463735 Way closer to 10 than 1. Lyra is dealt a very cruel hand. The story is what she does with it.
5463828
but at this point in time why? any changeling that far out would be free of "Mother", and she used the close by ones to make that nest/cocoon thing for King Luna
rius
Lunarius
King Lunarius
you know what i mean
seriously though, am the only one who thinks of a kingly male Luna at that name?
5464754 IC would absolutely pull stuff like that. (And a Luna/Lunarius conversation isn't beyond imagination either.)
vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/naruto/images/7/71/Narutos_promise.png/revision/latest?cb=20140624155109&path-prefix=id
Sorry, I just can't not think of Naruto every time someone says those two words.
5463152 Read it.
Depressing, yes. But also awe-inspiring. Uplifting. Thought provoking. You will never, ever forget it. And you will be enriched for having read it.
Also, hooray! I'm caught up again. This has been a dark few months for me. I had almost forgotten how enjoyable this whole journey is. And I have absolutely NO CLUE what's going to happen.
5463735 Well...
therealsingapore.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/spinal_tap_-_up_to_eleven.jpg
It's a great story, makes you think, and makes you wonder. It's not all dark and gloomy, but it's more depressing than a story where all the characters are suffering all the time and then just die.
5463081 likely Colon deliberately did that...sow the seeds of the suggested breakup and all that
5466729 the moondancer twilight chapter... And morning dew.... God I've never cried over a pony fic as much as those chapters
how many fans have been destroyed by shit thus far? cuz another one is about to go...
Where you would east expect it.
Yeah, you should have seen it,
I wasit was amazing.5461120 quickmeme.com/img/ef/ef2529be8f333c90e750251de7d5827d46c92aee199cb6da4bb152cdeed9bf0b.jpg
5462406
A Threaglesome.
Did I not just say stop disassembling the Jury?
-Spirit
You know, I sympathize with EE and Crimson here. They both have valid points, but I'm not sure which one is more right, I suppose, if there even is a "more right." It's interesting to hear, nonetheless.
So now that's Roarke, Eagle and Ebon with mentioned homes/places to go. Things are looking as if the Jury truly will split...I hope not but...
So... Roarke, Eagle and Ebon, quite possibly Belle, Pilate, and Kera, who I'm speculating will stay in Val Roa or Bountiful, Floydien... I don't know. He might stay, he might not. Booster is going back home. Zaid and Props are obviously going to suffocate while having intense sex in a massive quantity of grilled cheese. And Rainbow Dash will fly east. The Noble Jury may be going home today, but someday soon, the letters will arrive, calling them back for Duty once more, but maybe, somehow... on the dark side of the plane. Methinks Props and Prowse may be able to come up with some sort of way to cross the northern side of the plane to catch up to RD when the big Trinary War is almost at the bursting point to save her flank in the end. Optimism... One can only hope.
The pieces reassemble.
Tough choices all around...
5923967 It's amazing that we no longer are rooting for tranquility with the Noble Jury. We just don't want to see these amazing characters leave RD.