Stop the Arrowfish, I Want Off
“I've looked over the entirety of evidence that you've gathered, Miss Dash,” Theanim Mane said, sitting beneath a porthole with his back to the wall. He stifled a yawn and pointed at the materials in front of him. “As you can see, I've assembled it all as neatly and comprehensibly as I could.”
“So, do we have a case against the Syndicate?” Rainbow remarked.
“You did a fantastic job of capturing order manifests for the explosives,” Theanim went on. “And I think the blueprints that you've pilfered provide the most damning evidence of all. They show precisely where the apartments throughout Rust were struck with the mana-charged detonations. Revan's own clerks even went as far as to match the order numbers of the materials in the manifests with the places in town that they were charged. Perhaps it was to keep a mental record of the most profitable exploits so that they could more properly pay back their suppliers. Seems like the Syndicate were always thinking on the go, but could never quite comprehend something like a heist forcing their wheels to stop turning entirely.”
“Yes... but do we have a case?!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “You should know, Doc...” She glanced aside at Rarity and Twilight. “I'm... n-not exactly in the habit of robbing other ponies' blind.”
“Nor are you skilled in the art of whaling, and yet you've made do.”
“Whaling?!” Rarity blinked.
“Rarity!” Twilight hissed. “We talked about this.”
“Suffer me the details!”
Rainbow rolled her eyes and sighed in Theanim's direction. “Doc. I gotta know if what I helped make happen will be worth it in the long run.” She pointed at the many photographs and paper sheets. “Will this be enough to convince the... the...”
“The Muddredgers in Shoggoth?”
“Right. Them. Will they look at this and actually agree to play ball with us? I mean, I could kick thugs' teeth in until the cows come home but that won't exactly take down the Syndicate nearly as quickly.”
“I imagine you say this because you're in a hurry to reach the next Seed,” Theanim said. “Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but dismantling the Syndicate from the inside out is not something that will take place overnight.”
“Unnnghhh...” Rainbow plopped on her haunches while her ghostly friends looked on.
“However.” Theanim slid his goggles up over his mane. “I suggest you get that out of your mind completely. Instead of focusing on the destruction of the Syndicate, focus on making a good impression.”
“A good impression?” Rainbow's eyes blinked crookedly. “A good impression on who?!”
“Princess Camellia, of course,” Theanim said with a calm smile. “As the current reigning monarch of the Muddredge city, she'll be the most important pony to convince of our... how should I say it... righteous intent.”
“But...” Rainbow squinted. “Won't the Southern Hoof be holding her back? I mean, Shoggoth is a merchant city. She might be Princess and all, but with the Syndicate running the business—”
“If we play our cards right, the Syndicate will have an awful lot to deal with.” He gestured at the materials before them once again. “If we present this damning evidence in a public forum—say—the Marine Auction House—”
“The Marine Whatsit?”
“It's the most bustling area in all of Shoggoth,” Theanim explained. “It's where the Syndicate, the Shoggoth Council, the representatives of Her Royal Highness, and the common Muddredge merchants all meet on a daily basis. Most citizens and representatives converge twice a day at the Marine Auction House to observe the current trade situation before going off to their separate assemblies to discuss economy, renovations, legislature, and other important businesses. It's a tradition going as far back as when the seas were first tamed by both siren and equine kind.”
“Oooh!” Rarity bounced. “I just know they'll be dressed in their smartest fashion while in attendance, too!”
Twilight rolled her eyes, smiling.
“So... when we get to Shoggoth, we make a bee-line to this... Marine Auction House place?” Rainbow asked.
“More or less.”
“Doc...”
“Honestly, Miss Dash, we'll want to avoid giving the Syndicate any idea that we've stolen anything of theirs. That may mean having to lay low for several hours, getting a feel for the place.”
“You've been there before, though, right?”
“Mrmmfff...” He rubbed his temple, fighting another yawn. “It's been... quite a long time. I fear that I'll be just as much a fish out of water as you and Echo.”
“Heh...”
“Whatever we do, we'll have to time things perfectly. To get into Shoggoth and win the Syndicate's trust, we'll have to use Echo as a bargaining chip once again.”
“Right.”
“But... we can't tarry so long that any harm will come to the old chap. So, I suggest we put Echo in the hooves of Bard and his companion, seeing as the fellow is quite good at dragging his hooves and distracting the enemy. Hopefully they can keep the Syndicate occupied up until the first meeting at the Marine Auction House after our arrival.”
“Lemme guess—while the girls and I do more one-mare-sneaking missions?”
“More to the point...” He leaned forward. “I will be the one to approach the Marine Auction House with this evidence.”
“What? You and only you?”
“Affirmative.”
“But Doc!” Rainbow grimaced, glancing over at Twilight. “You saw how royally ticked off those gansters were when they chased us back in Rust! What makes you think you can get out of a place like that alive after you—”
“Miss Dash, unless you forget, I am a scientist of the Ninety-Seventh Order, commissioned by the Council of Her Majesty Queen Verlaxion to oversee the protection of Robhredden's interests. That includes the cities of Rust and Shoggoth, no matter how fringe they may be. The Syndicate—no matter how powerful—cannot simply execute me in public. Especially not here.”
“And if they catch you somewhere alone...?”
“Hopefully it will not come to that,” Theanim said. “Because you will have made yourself presentable to the one pony who can make all of this work in our favor.”
Rainbow Dash blinked. “Camellia...”
Theanim nodded. “She is a wise and honorable sovereign, but her power is restricted by the Muddredge laws that govern the ocean's floor—the same laws that the Syndicate has exploited to such a degree that they now control much of Shoggoth. If you can convince her that our mission—however crude—is the very device she needs to disassemble such a malevolent organization, then she may very well be able to pull many a string in our favor. I would suspect that a siren in her position would be quite eager to let such a situation play out.”
“And in return...?”
Theanim nodded knowingly. “She could very well grant you access to the Next Seed. Verlaxion's blessing... would be our blessing.”
“And we can finally pull Pinkie Pie free!” Twilight exclaimed.
“I can't believe it!” Rarity stammered. “It's so simple! Oh Rainbow, darling, aren't you excited—?” She blinked, ears folding back. “Rainbow?”
“Miss Dash?” Theanim cocked his head aside. “Are you quite alright?”
“Mmmrmfff... yeah, I'm...” Rainbow held a hoof over her face, wincing. The decks of the Arrowfish reeled around her, as if it had just hit choppy seas. “I mean, no... I... that is... guh...”
“Seasick? Echo has the same problem—”
“Unnghh...” Rainbow stumbled to the side, colliding with a wall. Her eyes squinted open, flickering red-on-yellow. “Damn... d-damn!” She hissed, clenching her teeth. “Almost... friggin' f-forgot about...”
“Miss Dash!” Theanim stood up, stirring Echo awake from across the way.
“Mrmmfff... shudddddup...” A pair of slitted eyes peaked out from beneath the blanket. “Whoah. She doesn't look so good.”
“Guhhhh...” Th-Thwump! Rainbow fell meatedly on her side, shivering all over as the world grew cold, spinning faster and faster around her.
“Rainbow!” Rarity yelped.
“Rarity!” Twilight hugged Rarity from behind. “Shhh! Calm down—”
“Calm down?!” Rarity's voice cracked. She pointed at the curled-up pegasus. “You mean you've s-seen this sort of thing b-before?!”
“It'll pass! Just trust me!”
“But—”
“Trust me!” Twilight gulped, then looked over Rarity's shoulder. “Rainbow... just hang in there! Everything's going to be alright!”
Rainbow wheezed, eyes rolling back. She reached a blind hoof up as her pendant shimmered against the bulkheads. “Girls... girls, I...”
“Just hang on...!” The voices were a thousand miles away. She heard loud hoofsteps and talons rushing towards her, followed by drawling gasps. Then the hum of the Arrowfish overtook her, throttling her core down an ocean abyss, and into dark, murky darkness.
“I'm... I'm sorry...”
And she gave in.
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Fak...
Hmm...not wanting to, but I believe there's a fair chance that something bad is going to happen to that nicely arranged evidence.
Fashion ghost horse gonna fashion.
While Rainbow's got charm coming out her ass, I wouldn't bet it's the kind of charm that makes an impression on a Princess. At least not a very positive one.
But it's not like she can't be elonquent when really needed.
Well, there's absolutely no way that the plan can have any problems whatsoever when they do it a second time in a row. I'm sure everything will be fine. Camelia is totally not a baddie in league with the Southern dudes, either. Nope, everything's going to be all sunshine and Rainbows.
It's pronounced, "Ground Zero."
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It should be "Shiver me timbers", not "Discordly shivers"
At least it happened at a somewhat convenient time.
Considering that the whole heist thing went down pretty much as planned, I'd be mystified if it happened again, especially so soon. Part of me wants to suspect a double-cross, but I don't know who to keep an eye on.
Also, dat cliff-hanger. It's been a while since Rainbow's communed with the Space Voices, hasn't it?
As lovable as the desperadoes are, I don't believe they are completely on our side just yet. They have been with Dash and Theams for what - a couple days? Quick friendships are a thing in this story, though Bard wouldn't tell Rainbow about his past (though it may be for good reason).
These guys have been through thick and thin together, it would be great to see what would happen if they were to disagree on this or another subject.
Dash go down the hole.
Hey, what happens when I press this newly appeared button on the Task Bar labled Get Windows 10?
6266062
It's a trap.
wow,.the last time she had an attack she was within spitting distance of chaos metal...could all of Shoggoth be constructed out of the materiel?
Side note.: I'm on chapter 18 of BP. it's...a hell of a ride so far.
-Memories given light, ease a lonely flight. Ynanhluutr.
Y'know, part of me wants to think that the only reason the photos came out okay is because the comments were full of predictions that the lens cap was still on. It's a rather silly part of me, I think.
Rainbow has dealt with royalty plenty of times before now, and now she has Rarity to feed her eloquent-sounding stuff to say. She should have no problem making a good impression.
Forgot about dizzy spells myself.
Dizzy spells had been a while... Seems they do not pass even with the mane 6 being brought back
Also: Stop the Arrowfish, I Want Off... Silly EC the ride never ends!
Does anyone else find that last line particularly... ominous?
6265978 Well, they did offer Dash a spot on their team, they might take her refusal poorly, or perhaps, they are just as genuine as they seem to be, I suppose we will see.
Taking all bets on how fubar the Shoggoth arc will be, considering how smoothly Rust went. I'm still expecting Lovecraftian horrors around the bend, but IC may well go a whole different route.
On an unrelated future speculation note: there are six Seeds, so we more or less know each of the other Mane Six will get the ghost treatment... so what happens at Seed Six? The one that would correspond to Dash? Perhaps it fixes these blackouts? Gives her a sensory power like the others are getting? Or will it simply turn out to be the gateway to the Dark Side of the world? Suppose it's going to be a long while to find out.
Doc's plan is give away the crimes in the middle of a public place. That won't work very well with Boss Sea-Shell coming behind them. Revan doesn't strike me as a guy who'd have much problems with yknow, killing everyone in their and threatening rainbow to come out.
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found this on spacebattles.
thought i should share it
I had almost forgotten about that whole deal, it actually took me a few seconds to figure out what was happening there.
I haven't read any of this series yet, but could someone give me some context for this story? The descriptions are incredibly unhelpful.
6266319 Indeed, doesn't she usually try to fight it?
6266377 or maybe the last being to be physically destroyed is returned aka discord he is just as dead as the girls and be would be an interesting addition to an otherwise far too merry band if it was just dash and the ghostly quintet why not a spirit of chaos to add that extra spice?
6266692
Hmm, hadn't thought of that possibility, but I like it! Having Discord, incoporeal and depowered, would make the journey... interesting to say the least. The background conversations would get crazier than the actual action, I'd imagine.
We've had this talk before, but now Rainbow's closest friends are here. We all know there's no one she trusts less with her secrets than her closest friends.
It'll be hard to explain this without actually explaining anything.
6266644
Welcome to the best kept secret on FIMFic; join us, try the punch. The cold opening is one of the strengths of the series, slowly learning what transpired to lead Dash to fly east. The first story tells why she's traveling by the end, and any blurb I write will be a sorry replacement for a great story and phenomenally paced reveal. You'll figure out the shape of what happened to start her trip within a few flashbacks, but the details are part of the story. To reveal it would ruin it.
Stop reading the comments, Snape kills Dumbledore. Darth Vader is Luke's father. Just start at the first book and enjoy the story without spoilers.
I'm not trolling you, the author should be writing published books for bank, not giving us free entertainment. The first story really works when you don't know why Dash is doing what she's doing. You won't regret spending a little time everyday for ... awhile ... reading this series.
Now go to the first book Austraeohand read no farther in this comment! You shall not pass RainbowLoyalty! Be your name and read this!
Ahem... anyway.
I'm surprised Twilight is so OK with this, the only time she's seen this was when Dash almost drowned. Now RD is falling over seemingly for no reason, Twi and Rarity may have questions when she wakes. Just hope they don't connect yellow and red eyes to the only other being they've faced with those eyes. Or see her sprout horns. Delicious questions lead to reveals, such bittersweet reveals.
Also, hey, evidently Dash's attacks don't hurt her ghostly friends, a plus.
6266644
To do so would give away the unfolding of the plot as it happens. Austraeoh, the first story, is exactly what it says on the tin: Rainbow Dash flies east. Over the chapters, the plot gets revealed (is, goals, purpose, and whatnot).
As for this chapter, I couldn't help but notice that Theanim said the Orders are more or less protectors of the realm. Pretty sure that's not in a scientists job description. Methinks the Order be up to something other than research and photography.
6266377 Why, chaos, of course.
Ooo poor Dashie.
6266679 When she needs to.. otherwise she finds a hammock or something and waits it out.
I forgot about dizzy spells. I feel stupid now.
Everything will go smoothly until Rainbow calls her Princess Cameltoe.
Did somebody remember to tell WC and Bard not to remove the pendant? Tell me someone remembered to do that...
Well, this is going to be rather awkward...
6266859 I think what I'm trying to ask is: What is the point to this story? Now, I don't doubt in SS&E's writing ability, but based on the length alone, this seems like he's writing just for the sake of having millions and millions of words. From an outsider's perspective, it really does seem more of a cult than anything. Now, I don't want a plot summary or anything, but could you give me some kind of rationale for why this... exists? For example, an explanation of the strange structure of the series would be very helpful.
Asking Rainbow to make a good impression. This will turn out just swimmingly. She's going to have to tell Twilight and Rarity about it now, isn't she.
Just to touch base again, Spookle and fashion horse don't know she's dying, correct? Twilight probably thinks it's something in the water or something?
6268148
I'm not sure what you mean by strange, beyond it's length there's nothing that odd about the structure. As for the length, there are book series in the fantasy genre that are extremely long, indeed LoTR is considered to be of middling length in some quarters, even though it's considered very long by the non genre-savvy.
Would you ask someone to justify reading the Thomas Covenant books?
The only way you're going to get the appeal of East Horse is if you start reading it yourself.
Oh my. What will we see in the spell this time?
-Spirit (Yeast and Treacle)
6268148 Really, there's nothing strange about it. It's just another fanfiction--albeit a very long story, and a very mysterious story. Of course, by "just another fanfiction" I don't mean that it's mediocre, but rather that it's not something strange. It's a fanfiction, and that's the end of it.
6271442 I would ask someone to justify not reading the Thomas Covenant books
6293821 The what?
6268148
To help, I shall address each point you've asked for clarification on.
1) The point of the story: To have fun with good horsewords
2) Yes, we are, in fact, a cult. We're a fun cult with good horsewords. Join us.
3) Rationale for existence: To have fun with good horsewords
4) Explanation for the structure of the series: To have fun with good horsewords
I guess if I had to use one word to describe the journey that this series has taken me on, it would be "Fun." If you like fun (as well as a good story), then the Austraeoh series is the series for you. If you don't like fun, then you are sad and will be further sad for having not read fun, good horsewords.
6268148
The strange structure is merely a mode of telling the story. If there's one thing I could say that makes this series stand out from everything I've ever partaken in, it's that this is an experience more than anything else. It begins as an emotional mystery, where both you and Rainbow begin to learn more about the journey and Rainbow herself. Time passes, she grows, and we are still not even close to done.
I'd say give the series a try because I'm sad I didn't start this series sooner.
Well, that's totally not ominous at all.
And then everyone died. Yup, that's it, folks. Every chapter after this is actually just blank space, don't be fooled.
6268148 It takes the form of a grand arc.
when imploding colon started this story, fimfic stories had a 200 chapter limit, and that's the format he's stuck to since then.
I hope it won't be entirely legal mumbo jumbo loans once the evidence is presented. Also, I forgot to mention, but turns out I was right about them using the Arrowfish.
6311148 Well shit....