For Every Storm There's a Calm
The heart of the Val Roan Capital was the perfect portrait of tranquility. Deer, ponies, and other creatures filled the streets of the Sandstone District, murmuring in warm wonderment as families continued to reunite with long-estranged Soul Sentries. Hundreds if not thousands of citizens gawked at the desert skies, at the levitating black spheres and sudden absence of two murderous warships.
While the locals milled about, the warriors from the Tarkington paced anxiously. Seclorum sat squat on the bottom steps of the High Council building, glancing aside at Arcshod and the other two Xonans. Phoenix leaned tiredly against his mace while Tweak bandaged the last of Lucky Strike's crystalline scrapes. Crimson trotted in nervous circles while Josho and Eagle Eye kept their eyes trained northeast.
“Chrysalis is... uh...” Josho scratched his head. “She's maintained n'all, right?”
“Rainbow Dash wouldn't let us down,” Eagle Eye murmured. “Besides, you saw what happened to the Soul Sentries.”
“Still.” Josho shrugged. “What if it's all a ruse on behalf of the Changeling Queen?”
“I doubt it.” Eagle smiled tenderly. “I can't imagine Ebon Mane would have let her get away with it.”
“Heh...” Josho smirked. “So long as somepony's capable of reaching out to that bug bitch.”
“One hundred and thirty-two,” Crimson muttered.
Josho and Eagle blinked at him. “Huh?”
Crimson sighed. “Nothing.” He swiveled about. “I presume that we accomplished what we came out here to do?”
“It would seem that way, Mane McMuscles,” Josho droned.
“Is it just me?” Phoenix leaned into the conversation. “Or did it all seem a bit... I dunno... easy?”
“Is that so friggin' wrong?” Seclorum grunted. “It's about damn time something went our way.”
“Without too grave of a cost, you mean,” Crimson said.
“Yeah...” Phoenix nodded, sighing. “But, for all we know, Rainbow Dash could be duking it out to the death with the goblin market or some-crap.”
“You'd think we'd hear something from her by now,” Tweak said from where he sat.
Lucky Strike spoke up, “But with these space lizards here—how could we possibly lose?”
“You can still win the battle and lose more than you'd want to,” Eagle said, once again his eyes locked northeast. “I... just wanna know what Ebon's up to.”
“Keeping Queen Crusty-Pants at bay.” Josho patted Eagle's shoulder. “Just have a little patience. We'll find out what's up soon enough.”
“Heh...” Seclorum smirked at his old friend. “You really are a different stallion these days, Josho.”
“Yeah, well, maybe I just got tired of outgalloping my age.” Josho cracked a few joints in his neck. “I've flown over battles, oceans, and pegasus sex craters. Now I've got a big flippin' death desert staring me in the face.”
“Think it's finally time to holster the shotgun for good?” Seclorum asked.
“I'll be holstering something, alright. Just don't think it's the cannon you're expecting.”
“Please, old stallion,” Eagle Eye grumbled. “Not in front of my former soldiers.”
Crimson and Phoenix could only chuckle.
“Portapotty!” Constable Jake's voice wafted down towards them, along with his foul breath. The large moose descended the steps, smirking at the battle-strewn courtyard beneath everyone's hooves. “Looks like I missed one Hell of a party!”
“Spark alive!” Lucky Strike wheezed, shuddering. “It's a talking mountain with wool!”
“You're cute too, bunny boy.” Jake looked at Josho and Eagle Eye. He opened his mouth again to speak, but stopped. The moose glanced to his right.
Tweak stared back, squinting from beneath the brim of his hat. “... … ...”
Jake blinked, shook it off, then gazed at his friends again. “Figured you could lead this crowd by example.”
“Erm...” Eagle Eye squirmed. “In what way?”
“I mean bow your stinkin' heads, ya pisstakers!” Jake cleared his throat and boomed before the crowd. “All Hail, King Lunarius of the House of Evo!”
Several loud gasps rippled through the crowd. Deer and ponies dropped instantly, lowering their antlers and manes. Josho, Eagle Eye, Crimson, Phoenix and the rest followed suit, remaining as respectful as they could.
Lunarius kept a tall, proud pose as he descended the steps. His broad antlers scattered the sunlight as he tilted his head about, rolling his gaze across the humble masses. Shortly after him, a fair doe and a tiny fawn trotted down.
“His glorious wife, Queen Azira of the House of Evo!” The Constable broke a tiny smile across his slobbery face. “And their wise and totally-not-kidnapped-or-dead son, Prince Eine of the House of Evo!” It was his turn to bow, and he did so with a surprising amount of grace.
Eine glanced about, breathless. His amber eyes sparkled to see everyone alive and well, including the Soul Sentries, whose faces registered emotion and reverence.
When, at last, the royal family had reached the edge of the Courtyard, King Lunarius cleared his throat and spoke firmly: “Citizens of Val Roa, you may rise.”
Everyone stood up, smiling wide. Some murmured in awe; others sobbed in joy and contentment. Every warm set of eyes within the Capital fell upon their benevolent rulers.
“The Queen and I have been gone for far too long,” Lunarius said, drawing a hush from the crowd as he spoke with boundless authority. “As a consequence of diabolical meddling, we were forcibly separated from the kingdom that we've been sworn to protect! But—as it would so happen—God has not short of miracles in our absence. Someway, somehow, Providence delivered us a cabal of heroes—the Noble Jury—and it is because of their intervention that this City survives the plot of its aggressors without a scratch on it!”
Up above, Duchess Arcanista emerged atop the High Council Building's steps, accompanied by Kera, Nilla, Mamunia, and Jet. The servants gazed in awe at the gathered crowd. When they turned to look at the Duchess, Arcanista's eyes were welling with tears.
“The monster that sought to enslave this city and spread suffering and misery has been neutralized, Lunarius continued. “She is now a prisoner of the state, and she owes her fealty—as well as her very life—to us. If the very devil can be pacified, then what's to stop the glory of Val Roa from shining everlastingly?! From this day forth, may we never risk losing our kingdom to oblivion! We've always stood upon the desolate dunes of the Grand Choke, representing civilization's endearing spirit within this continent. Now it is up to us to make sure our future never sees a day nearly as dark as this one, for our children's sake... and their children's children's...”
Midnite Bastion emerged behind Arcanista and the others. She stared at the Royal Family and the loudly cheering crowds gathered below. A deep sigh ran through her figure. She looked aside, and her gaze narrowed.
Floydien stood along the fringes of the courtyard. He was the only creature not staring at the King, Queen, or Prince. His antlers framed a head that was locked upon the southern cityscape.
Chewing on the edge of her lip, Midnite galloped swiftly down the steps.
Arcanista's head jerked aside, spotting the mare as she reunited with the Duchess' sibling.
Midnite Bastion came to a stop, pausing with a nervous fidget. At last, she cleared her throat, trotting closer to the elk's flanks. “Floyd...?” She winced slightly, then spoke louder. “Floydien?”
The elk continued to gaze south.
So, calmly, she sat beside him, speaking below the roaring noise of the cheering Val Roans.
“What is it? What's wrong?” She shuddered, forcing a smile across her dark muzzle. “We... uh... we won, didn't we?”
Floydien's brow furrowed. At last, the pilot muttered, “Floydien has been here before...”
Midnite blinked.
“...only, Floydien wonders...” His ears flickered as his red eyes turned moist. “...is Nancy truly gone from Floydien's life for good?”
A sad sigh escaped Midnite's lips. She sniffled, the murmured, “I'm so sorry, Floydien.” She fought a lump in her throat. “It was I who left you.”
His eyes fell to the concrete below upon hearing that.
“I... I sent you away,” she murmured. “I supported the lie of my death... out of loyalty to my father.” She quivered, tears flowing. “A father who is no longer here... who never r-really was...” She shuddered, rubbing her face with a forelimb. “I don't blame you for leaving. I... I never could, Floydien, I...”
He slowly turned to gaze at her.
After a few quiet sobs, she found the peace to mutter, “I envied you, y'know. I refused to believe you were dead. Deep down, I figured, you were just off... being yourself. Or finding a new self. And... and I envied that. That freedom... that lack of attachment that you were supposedly enjoying. But now... now that all that's ever meant anything to me is gone, I...” She shook her head, fighting another wave of sobs. “I don't want that freedom! It's... it's too bizarre. Too crazy. I... I don't know where to go...” She whimpered. “I don't know what to do...”
She hung her head, quivering where she sat.
To her surprise, a strong hoof rested on her shoulder, gentle and warm.
She looked up, muzzle shaking.
Floydien gazed at her. Deadpan. “Then there are two boomers that are now Floydien...” He slowly nodded. “Yes yes yes...?”
Midnite stared at him. She smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek. Exhaling, she leaned against his large side, shutting her eyes as she fought more pent-up sobs.
Floydien kept a forelimb draped over her as he weathered her shakes. Meanwhile, he gazed south, staring calmly at the desert skies beyond the bronze summits of Val Roa.
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The storm is when King Lunarius and Queen Azira finally meet Pilate and Belle and that's when shit will really hit the fan.
All I'm left wondering now is, whats next? There is still a lot to go in this book and things are pretty wrapped up out side of a few things. I can't help but feel that something big is coming.
Someone's been counting.
Not just you, a whole bunch of people on the other side of the fourth wall as well.
Too easy? Maybe, but at this point, after all we've been through, I think it's more that we're just that dayum good by now.
Thirty wide-arm pushups, ):(. Knock 'em out!
So what was the deal with Fishberry, Sharp Quill and Saikano? Where they killed and replaced, or did they never exist at all? Chrysalis can't have been them the entire time, can she? Why does Midnite say that Saikano 'Never really was'?
Hehehe! IC you crack me up!
5577260 Keraine train still on approach!
I'm feeling a stirring in the wind, and I don't like it. There is a shoe here, and it's going to drop.
The calm that comes before the storm.
132? Thought it was more chapters than that?
Just how big is the eye of the storm, and which way will it be blowing when it finally passes over?
Or, is the Grand Choke such an extensive and deadly region, that It will be the remainder of the book, until the point of departure?
5577271
Heh, I'm surprised I didn't catch that. I was wondering what he was referencing.
I'm definitely glad Floydien is giving Midnite a chance again. Now, all that remains to be seen is if he remains in Bountiful, or if he maybe builds a new ship. I could definitely see him and Midnite travelling the world together.
Goes both ways, it does.
Hah.
This Floydien gets a new ship.
It's funny because that has two meanings.
5577267
Probably ponies not talking about their feelings until the last moment and creating unnecessary angst for everyone involved.
5577260
I predict a civil and rather enjoyable rendezvous. Probably with tea and crumpets.
Well.... this all seems too serene...
I think everyone in the comments is a bit
This means something, I'm sure of it.
Poor Floydien. First Simon, and now Nancy Jane. A while back, I assumed, based on what Floydien had said, that there was little hope of him rebuilding a life for himself in Bountiful. He just wasn't quite the same person, after all. Now, it's looking like that might not be the case. There's all the makings of a happy ending for our favorite elk. Unless, of course, something unforeseen happens... and that's just crazy talk.
Gah, I'm way too paranoid.
And in that moment, the very fabric of the universe ruffled briefly, gave a shudder, and then became still once again.
1actor?
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Gargoyles_on_a_mosaic_in_the_Museum_Capitolini.png
132 whats?!?!
yes...yes it did....
Also, completely unrelated, but that final minute of the Hawks/Pats game! I was the edge of my seat!
5577332
Think hurricanes. They have an eye of calm in the center and very few, if any, are in the correct mindset for that type of storm. It's not over for the Val Roan arc.
5577436
5577812
132 uses of the word bitch in the story.
I agree. Waay too easy.
I'm going to rip my hair out if zombie Shell shows up just to ruin the day.
5577436 It reminds me of the part in the Lord of the Rings where Gimli and Legolas are counting their kill numbers.
Probably isn't it though
5577820
You aren't Austraeoh Fact Checker, but thanks for subbing for him!
surprise ending is when after tearful goodbyes to everyone, rainbow goes into the grand choke and suffocates immediately, ending the series
5577820
I'm pretty sure he was counting all profanity, otherwise 132 would seem really high.
Also, wow, lots of 4th wall references in this chapter
*girlish giggling*
I expected Floydien go into a frenzy over Noble Jury's destruction. But of course, he is just another manly man man ruined by a WOMAN!
60 chapters left...
5577337
I read so fast I confused Shellhaman with Shyalaman *shudders*Yeaaah, I think we are all sorta expecting another dreadful 'Odrsjot ending' being pulled off at last minute. IC does a good job makes us all paranoid as hell.
Oh well. We're just at the 140th chapter. A lot can happen yet...
Let's hope for the best
I feel this is referencing something. Would someone care to help me out?
5577297
They were either killed and Chrysalis took their places, or they were absorbed somehow by Chrysalis. I'm gonna go with the former.
5578180 As near as I can tell, it's referencing the fact that Tweak and Jake are both references of our own Jake The Army Guy. (Tweak was occassionally referred to as Army Guy, and had an obsession with the phrase "Knock 'em out!") So it's probably the two characters getting a set of heebie jeebies from a near quantum interaction.
5578474 thanks for the explanation.
5577332 Or maybe it's the calm between strorms!
...
...
Poor Midnite...
Half-elk babies incoming! It's totally happening!
Seriously?
5577297 They were replaced, after all there was a time when the general worked hard for the protection of Val Roa, including training Midnight, something that is contrary to the goals of the changelings, so at the very least he was a real dear.
What I've Felt,
What I've Known
Sick And Tired,
I Stand Alone
Could You Be There,
'cause I'm The One Who Waits For You
Or Are You Floydien Too?
Yes yes yes.
5578652 Plot twist!
Jake/Lucky Strike OTP.
Yeah, too easy. But the calm comes before the storm.
5577332 Yup.
5577896 ...NOPE.
Aww.
Yus yus yus.
But... but... the world is supposed to end when this happens!
Thank you, now I'm going fucking paranoid all over again.
Something terrible is about to happen.
Any moment now.
I just know it.
Here it comes.
Soon.
You can't fool me.
5580975 Give it time...
are we gonna go looking for Saikano and the other kidnapped dudes?
Floyd seems to be returning?
-Spirit
I guess happy endings are a thing in this story. Probably.
5919935 most times at least. I mean there was Lerris. I mean If you look at the grand picture it's all about Dash bringing peace and harmony to the world, so I guess Happy endings are the end goal here. Even if it's a long bloody road to get there from time to time.
I bet the three that Chrysalis replaced were the beacons in the base.