All Just Smoke and Murk
Rainbow coughed, spitting up soot and ashes.
Wincing, she rolled across what little was left of the tavern floor. Bright blazes lingered to her left and right. There was scarcely any clean air left to breathe. When Rainbow opened her teary eyes, all she saw was fountains of smoke erupting from hot gold furnaces all around.
"Not good not good not good..." Rarity floated in panicked circles. "This is most certainly n-not good!"
"Why'd you have to do that, Dashie?" Pinkie pouted. "Just a bit more oomf and you could have gone out the hole with them!"
"Can't you see that there's nothing she could have done?!" Twilight hollered. "She saved their lives!" She sniffled, looking forlornly at the scene all around. "She... saved everypony's lives..."
"But what about Rainbow's life?!" Rarity yelped. "Let's not just stand here arguing! We've got to help her!"
"You're the one with structural senses! Is there a way out of this mess?!"
Rarity's muzzle hung open. She simply hovered there as falling, smoldering debris phased through her.
"Well?!" Twilight exclaimed.
"My senses aren't helping any either..." Pinkie whimpered.
"I'm sorry, girls."
Everyone looked down at Rainbow.
Rainbow coughed, curling up into a little blue ball. Her eyes teared from all the smoke and ash. "I thought I c-could get us to the end..." She sputtered, wincing from the heat. "But I-I couldn't even g-get us to Applejack..."
"Don't... d-don't speak, Rainbow!" Rarity fought a lump in her throat. "Conserve your oxygen!" She looked across the smoke-covered ceiling. "Surely, a solution will... pr-present itself..."
"Mmmmmm..." Pinkie covered her muzzle as she fought tears.
Twilight grimaced. After a heavy shudder, she sniffled and floated down to Rainbow's level. "Rainbow Dash..." She bore a tiny smile. "I just want you to know that despite all that's happened... the mistakes as well as the triumphs..." A tear rolled down her cheek. "We are all so very proud of you. We love you... and... and we never stopped..."
"Mrmmmff..." Rainbow squinted and coughed. "...friggin' sap."
Twilight frowned. "Well excuse me for being earnest you... you..."
"...fuzzhead..."
"Thank you!" Twilight's eyes crossed. "Wait, 'fuzzhead?' That's the best insult you have for yourself?"
"It's..." Rainbow coughed. "...awesomely silly..."
"Eugghhhh..." Twilight tossed her hooves. "Is this really how you want to die?!"
Rainbow laughed, wheezed. "Heh heh heh—kaff! Koff!"
"Twilight, please..." Rarity sighed. She looked back at Fluttershy, then did a double-take. "Uhm... not trying to be melodramatic, darling, but why aren't you bawling in tears right about now?"
"Mmmmmm..." Fluttershy bore a strangely rosy-cheeked smile. "...because."
POWWWW! The east wall of the tavern exploded.
"...!!!" Rainbow's head tilted up.
A gaping gray hole loomed across the way. The flames split.
"What are you waiting for, fuzzhead!" Twilight hollered. "Go! Go!"
"Going—!" Rainbow hopped up to her hooves and galloped towards the hole.
Crkkkkkk! The top of the fissure was already caving in.
"Hurry, darling!" Rarity shouted.
"Go go go go go go go go!" Pinkie squealed.
"Rrrrrrrrrrrrgh!" Rainbow did a running leap as—
THUDDD! The east wall of the tavern collapsed completely.
Rainbow rolled over several times in the snow. At last, she came to a grunting stop. Breathless, she and the ghost mares looked back behind them.
With an enormous crunch, the tavern finally imploded. A vomitous column of flames spat out, climbing sky high and obscuring the entire east end of Braum with smoke.
"Wooohooo!" Pinkie Pie pumped a hoof in the air. "Yeah! I knew we could make it!"
"That was unbearably close," Rarity said with a shiver.
"You're telling me..." Rainbow Dash pushed herself up. At last, she stood on wobbly knees and squinted at the smoldering scene. "Do any of the villagers or griffons see us, Fluttershy?"
"No, Rainbow." Fluttershy gulped. "But Rainb—"
"Enough questions!" Pinkie blurted. "Let's make like a tree and bark!"
"But... but..." Rainbow squinted. "What happened?"
"Do we really need to know?!?" Pinkie hollered.
"That was clearly an explosion," Rarity said. "The weight of the tavern didn't make that hole."
Rainbow turned to look at Twilight. "Twi? What's with your horn? You're rubbing your head like you know something."
"Only... I don't. Not really." Twilight cleared her throat as her horn stopped glowing. "There was definitely something magical about what happened."
"The unicorn?"
"No, she was down for the count. Besides, Keris carried her out on the other side of the building." Twilight blinked. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say someone just used an enchanted explosive to free us."
"An explosive?"
Twlight nodded.
Rainbow blinked. She looked back at the flames with a stupid expression. "But who around here would have used an expl—?" Just then, a metal talon reached in from behind and clamped its mechanical claws over her muzzle. "Mrmmmmfff!" A wide-eyed Rainbow found herself being hoisted skyward in a black-and-blue blur.
Swoooooosh!
Twilight blinked. "Wat." Fw-Fw-Fw-Fwoooosh! She and the rest of the mares shrieked as they were yanked towards the heavens by a silent figure, becoming one with the smoke.
Minutes later...
Seraphimus and Keris paced around the burning remains of the tavern.
"You're certain that she didn't start this fire, Lieutenant?" Seraphimus asked.
"I know what I know from eyewitness testimony, Commander," Keris said, limping slightly in his gait. His armor was stained with smoke and the tips of his feathers were singed. "But I did witness the unicorn combatant threatening one of the innocent civilians at knifepoint."
"And you say she's the same mare you and the Rogue encountered at Red Barge?"
"Affirmative." Keris remarked, staring with dull eyes at the blaze. "Witnesses confirm that she was the aggressor from the very second that she and the Rogue entered the tavern. At least two stallions claim that she began tossing burning logs from the hearth at her target."
Seraphimus took a deep breath. "This complicates things. Not just for us, but for the state of affairs here in Ivory Prefecture."
"Or perhaps it simplifies things," Keris said.
"In that the Rainbow Rogue is now dead?"
Keris looked at the Commander. "I was going to say because it supports much of our prey's innocence."
Seraphimus grumbled. "The fact that she's saved the life of several ponies and my prized Lieutenant does not strip her of the crimes committed in the Quade."
"Of course not, Commander." Keris shook his head. "But it certainly might strip her of all wrongdoing since."
Seraphimus looked at him.
Keris' eyes narrowed. "Was this mare truly worth the effort we put into chasing her?" He blinked. "Or the emphasis that the Council put?"
Seraphimus was preparing to respond to that...
...when Windburst walked up. "You won't have to worry about the firestarter now."
"Report, Sergeant," Seraphimus said.
"I knew there was a reason why we always kept a spare magic suppressor around." Windburst smirked as he stood before them. "That unicorn won't be casting any spells with that cap on her horn."
"Has she awoken?"
"Not yet, Commander." Windburst shook his head. "We've got the pony locked up in the largest barn here in Braum. Starstorm's keeping a watchful eye on her, awake or not, as was ordered."
"Well done, Windburst." Seraphimus nodded. She stared at the flames once again. "She will have much to answer to once her eyes are open."
"So then..." Windburst sighed as he faced the remnants of the tavern. "...this is the end of our hunt." He cleared his throat, frowning. "I must admit. It's not very... cathartic."
"No, Sergeant," Keris droned. "It's not."
Seraphimus glanced aside at him. "Surely you can't believe she's still alive."
Keris looked at Seraphimus. "And what has this crazy world tossed at us that isn't worth believing in?"
Seraphimus merely blinked at that.
Just then, Sarda's voice rang across the snowy village from east of the tavern's ruins. "Commander! Lieutenant! You should come and see this!" The stallion waved from afar. "I've found hoofprints! Fresh ones!"
Seraphimus' eyes fluttered shut. She closed her beak while weathering a deep, deep sigh.
Keris merely smiled.
"Hoofprints, you say, Mr. Sarda?" Seraphimus calmly turned around and flapped her wings. She glided over to where Sarda was gathered with a few of his fellow villagers. Touching down with the Talon, the Commander leaned in for a better look. "You're certain they don't belong to any of your companions?"
"They're too small to belong to any of us," Sarda said, rubbing his stubbled chin. "And none of the mares have been out this side of the tavern in the past hour."
"They're Rainbow Dash's size, alright," Keris said. "Look..." He pointed at a line of tracks. "Looks like she ran straight from the tavern."
"How's that even possible?" Windburst exclaimed. "That place was collapsing right when the Lieutenant made his death-defying exit!"
"I'm just telling you what I've seen," Sarda droned. He gestured. "Now you can see for yourselves."
"How very curious..." Seraphimus stood up, glancing at the snowbank. "The tracks just end right here."
"Well, the Rogue is a pegasus," Sarda remarked.
Seraphimus looked at Keris. "Did her wing look healed while you were inside with her?"
Keris shook his head. "It was still bandaged. And she threw all of her weight to her right side."
"Wait..." Windburst's limbs locked in place as his eyes narrowed.
Keris looked at him. "You see something, Sergeant?"
"Indeed." Windburst flapped his wings, then hovered closer to the burning remains of the tavern. "Tracks. Griffon tracks."
"I saw them too," Sarda said, trotting after the feathery group. "I figured they belonged to the Lieutenant."
"I did circle the tavern before braving an entrance," Keris said.
"Right." Windburst pointed at one particular print. "But you haven't used your left talon since Red Barge."
Keris and Seraphimus leaned in.
Indeed, there was a series of left-talon prints in the snow. Not only that, they left the tell-tale signatures of metal seams and rivets.
The Lieutenant's beak parted. With a gaping expression, he looked at the Commander.
Seraphimus stared in silence. Her headcrest's feathers paled.
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BAAAAAAAAAARDS BAAACCK BAABBYYYY! oh and i guess WC too...
their back!
I think I know who that griffon is...
...Wait...then who nabbed her? Everyone else is there except for Raptr and Sandstorm, and they're off getting water. And if they got back already and found her, surely they would have brought her to Seraphimus. Unless one of them has an ulterior motive.Or, it could be some third party. Or some other gryphon. I don't remember all their names...EDIT: NEVERMIND.
6876963 Whos an old griffon friend of ours with a yoddling companion? :P
6876965
Fking...I am completely ashamed that I forgot....
Oh no...
Hot chapters
...something tells me this won't be the happy sappy reunion everyone has been hoping for.
They are bounty hunters after all... and
They did make use of mana grenades and bomb pellets.
Flutters... how would you even know what Bard and WC's aura's feel like, you only caught a fleeting glimpse of them.
-Companions have returned, inner darkness spurned. Utaan.
And The Bard uses the Wild Card.
Even better, Seraphimas is scared.
Well, Longgaze has lots of money and has been left alone with someoe who is desperate for it.
Next time, Chaos In the Metal at the rail yard?
Song to play out to. Ace Of Spades.
RIP Lemmy.
Oh . . .
Oh . . .
Is this going where I think it's going?
Is it who I think it is?
Ohpleaseohplease
Nice. Wasn't expecting these guys back yet. Wonder if they were tacking Dash for awhile and were just waiting for a good chance to strike or if it's just coincidence they were in Braum? Either way, welcome back Bard and Wildcard, even if you're probably here for the bounty and not to play heroes for your previous compadre.
And chances of Longaze pulling of an escape... what do you think? 50/50? The Talon doesn't know she's with the Consortium yet, so if she gets away they'll be left with no evidence to nail Chandler yet.
So have Wildcard and Bard just been following around Dashie not interfering? Or did they just happen to be at the right place at the right time? Either way, I am glad to see a sign of them again!
6877000
Did Longaze even bring money with her?
Wild Card has got himself somewhat of a reputation 'round these parts...
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Commencing pronking now!
Scoundrels have always had a knack for The Best Timing. Question is , how did they know where, how did they know when?
Perhaps Verlax? Hmm.. I could see her taking steps that do not specifically involve her direct intervention to ensure that Rainbow does not get captured.
Of course, if this IS who I think it is, there will be words. There will be many words. ... from one of them at least.
Wildcard has returned, and Seraphimus knows it. Wildcard is Jordan (as I called back in chapter 12 6555181).
waitwaitwait how the fuck
YAAAAAAASSSSSSSS.
6877093
6878444
Shock can cause premature ageing, in particular, whitening of the hair.
If Seraph know's WC, then she might be very very shocked that he's helping Dash,enough to facilitate a temporary colour drain from her feathers.
...as much as that's probably nowhere near scientifically accurate, I believe IC has made use of the phrases "all the colour drained from x's face" and "x's face paled" which is just as odd considering that any paling or colour draining would occur on the skin under the fur, so it's a similar situation regardless.
Although if every creature has physical emotional reactions a la Pinkie in Party of one, where extreme emotional states cause muting or vibrancy of fur and feathers, then it makes sense in universe.
*LOUD HAPPY CHEERING AND SCREAMING*
WC just saved the day so hard.
mashable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/crazy-dance.gif
6877078
Not yet confirmed. Though WC is clearly recognized.
Oh man! A most unexpected save from the duo. Right when we were all sure Rainbow was gonna be toast too, well played IC. Well played.
Now, how far will the duo go to help Rainbow again? Are they back for good, or was this a one time save?
WHAT A
Oh come on IC, you aren't hiding ANYTHING with a cliffhanger here.
DUBYA-CEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Goggles McToothpick!
funny-pictures-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/How-i-dance.gif
WILDCAAAAAAARRRRDDDD
And they're quite close to wyvern territory as well. What perfect timing.
Also, am I the only one who finds it kinda hilarious that in the preceding chapter Dash goes on this spiel about how she can't turn herself in because Verlax doesn't want her to be captured... only for her to pretty much be immediately captured again?
6877251
Darn it, I wanted to shout Wildcard!
Ok, so we've had a lot of speculation in here that WC used to be part of the Talon. But why in the world would Serphimus, who seems to be far more incredibly gifted in the fighting than the other Talon members, be afraid to know that WC's around?
6877187
True, he isn't hiding anything. But he's making us wait before we get our happy or not so happy reunion! Grrr....
I knew that one of them had to show up again soon! Now lets see if they stick around.
6877047 They'll have good reason to suspect. After all, she showed up shortly after they sent someone to let the consortium know.
What's better than an ace in the hole?
A wildcard.
6877336
True, but suspicion does not make for definitive proof, which will be needed to really bust Chandler. That said even if Longaze gets away the Talon could certainly do a follow up investigation at the Consortium facility in the area for the very reason you mention that Braum sent two dudes there and they haven't returned. Longaze would have to do a LOT of damage control while remaining unseen to pull off an escape and full cover up... assuming any of that would even be worth it to her now that she failed to catch Dash. She ought to know first hoof how Chandler discards failures, and there's really now other way to spin these latest developments even if she does escape custody.
6877365 2 bits says those civies are already dead and hidden. I don't think Chandler would mind if the entire staff of said factory was executed to keep the secret.
So, the Talon most likely suspect WC as someone they know, and with much impact. He's either been part of the Talon and left, or WC is like the only badass to ever beat the Talon at something at live to tell the tale. Or, WC was someone they knew and thought 'gone'... We'll hopefully see next chapter. If IC really wanted to cliffhanger us, he might pull some intermediary chapter about Theanim or Chandler instead. Also Twilight has best comment this chapter.
6877405
Thing is, while I certainly don't figure Longaze for much of any morality, if the two stallions were dead I don't imagine she'd have any reason to lie about that during her bout with Dash, so I'm guessing they're alive, but likely en route to an unpleasant fate in some Consortium hidden prison/mine. Also, while Chandler might not mind a whole factory worth of dead employees, I think that'd be harder to cover up from the Talon than two missing villagers... unless she, like, blew up the entire factory but that would cost bits and Chandler does happen to care about bits, even mores than Longaze (wonder if we'll ever get a more in depth reason for that than her dubious desire to live like a "queen", as if her pay wouldn't have been luxurious enough already and her work as Chandler's personal aide and bodyguard being completely incompatible with a royal lifestyle.)
OHBOYOHBOYOHBOYOHBOY
Dubya-Cee for best Griffon.
6877093
Of all the giant god-dragons, flying ships powered by a book, blind-zebra things that have happened in this story, feathers give you pause?
The can't even contain Longaze. How do they expect to catch Rainbow.
6877160
They only pursued bounties of ponies they thought deserved it. Maybe they decided she deserved it? Or they really want to gift the Consortium a bloody nose and need her for it.
6877405
An entire factory? That'd be a hard thing to hide.
Okay, I think everyone has a pretty good idea about what just happened...
...
Scootaloo is going to lead a future resistance against steam and magic powered robotic metal golems that are intent on wiping out ponykind. Having harnessed the chaotic power of the Ponyville rift in their creation as intended protectors of Equestria, the Princesses, with the assistance of the golems, were able to seal the rift and make Ponyville safe once again. However, though allies in Equestria's defense they may have been, the Princesses considered the golems too dangerous and conspired to banish them to the far corners of the Universe.
The golems learned of their plan, and fought back. The conflict rolled on for years. Ponyville was bombarded by continuous magic attacks and eventually reduced to little more than an ashen wasteland.
All across the continent, groups of ponies dug in and hid themselves from golems called Exterminators; newer versions created to look like regular ponies, so they could infiltrate and take ponies out. A battle-hardened Scootaloo, fully grown, organized Exterminator hunts. Exterminators were captured and studied. Ponies learned how to detect them using Timberwolves, who are golems themselves, and they learned the Exterminators weaknesses.
Recognizing that Scootaloo was the nucleus of their pony problems, the Exterminators used a revision of Star Swirl's time-traveling spell to send a griffon Exterminator back in time. They were not able to find Scootaloo, but they DID find a record from the Council of Rohbredden for the last known location for the Element-bearer and mentor of Scootaloo, one Rainbow Dash. With no further record to go on, an Exterminator teleported back through time, obliterating the rear wall of the bar. When Rainbow Dash staggered out into the snow, the Exterminator, damaged from its collision, wrapped a metal talon around her mouth, grabbed her, and flew away with her before they could be discovered. Now it intends to interrogate her, in an effort to gain any useful information in regards to Scootaloo's whereabouts, so it can exterminate her and change the future.
I mean, it could be Wildcard I guess, but what are the chances of that?
6877442
You know, I didn't even think about those possibilities. It does make a whole lot of sense for that to be the reason these two would come back for Rainbow, and be able to track her all the way here.
Suddenly rescued? I guess you could call it...a lucky draw
6877093
Maybe a birdbrain's equivalent of hair going ghostly white? Or just... erm... yah...
49.media.tumblr.com/0e8c63e001b81f9c8fda9034f618b6b5/tumblr_mfby36aBkW1rv8jpzo1_250.gif
You have absolutely no idea how happy I am right now.
This seems like more evidence for the theory that our griffon friend used to be a member of the Talon himself.