Here Comes the Night Again
“I surely hope you have decided to stay clear of the main roads,” Luna's voice said with an air of concern.
“Believe me. I'd love nothing more than to avoid them.” Rainbow Dash gulped, strolling swiftly across the field full of swaying grass. She turned her head to the right, staring at the Silt Path situated south of her in the moonlight. “But... this central path is kinda sorta our only way of getting deeper into the continent of Rohbredden.”
“We're doing everything we can to help Rainbow Dash avoid the local authorities, Princess Luna,” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Twilight wants to remind you that she and the rest of the girls are helping me every step of the way,” Rainbow paraphrased. “They've already saved my skin on more than one occasion.”
“Even still, this must be an extraordinary challenge for you.”
“Your Highness, with all due respect,” Rainbow muttered. “It's not my first rodeo. Back in Ledomare? Every soldier who could pick up a mana rifle wanted to eat my guts for breakfast. You remember Ledomare, right? That place was—like—an explosion per day!” A nervous chuckle. “And yet I still survived!”
“Quite true. Alas, you were able to fly then. And—towards the tail-end of that experience—you possessed an aircraft full of traveling companions.”
“She's got a point there, Dashie!” Pinkie said.
Rainbow sighed, hanging her head as she stumbled down rows of rice paddies. “Yeah... well... the girls and I have a head start over Verlax's finest, at least.” She gulped. “We had a good long look at the map earlier. Once we get to the mountains, I'm... pr-pretty sure we can make ourselves scarce.”
“And you're certain the next beacon awaits you there...?”
“Right.” Rainbow squinted, tilting her head up slightly as her eyes found Yaerfaerda, glistening orange and bright among the looming mountains. “And where there's ruby flame, there's Applejack.”
“Rainbow Dash, it fills me with great joy that you have found Fluttershy. No doubt her presence is of great joy and relief to you.”
Fluttershy hovered along, blushing. The other mares smiled and nuzzled her close.
Rainbow smirked aside at the mare. “Yeah... she's... she's been a real life-saver for sure.”
“But this new situation that you're in alarms me terribly,” Luna said, her regal voice crackling in the air. “You're certain that there is no other recourse to the path you're taking?”
“Your Majesty, if I don't get to the Fifth Seed, I'm done-for.” Rainbow gulped. “And so is Applejack.”
“From the pattern of things, it seems likely that Verlax would seek to test you once you arrive there.”
“That's something we've considered through and through, Princess,” Twilight said.
“Rainbow shan't be alone when or if such a confrontation happens!” Rarity added with her jaws clenched. “We will assist her with every sense and gift at our disposal!”
“... … ...my child?”
Rainbow exhaled with a smiling sigh. “The girls were just voicing how prepared they are to help me if worse comes to...” She blinked, then glanced aside at Rarity. “...worst?”
Rarity nodded with a wink.
“That is a relief to hear, Rainbow Dash,” Luna said. “To be perfectly honest, I was somewhat... concerned for your well-being the last time we spoke.”
“Oh yeah?”
“You seemed rather anxious... your thoughts muddled and your emotions strained. It's been the deepest hope of my sister and I that you've been able to confront such fears. Judging from the tone in your voice, it would seem as though you and your friends have found a comfortable middle-ground.”
Rainbow gulped. “I dunno about 'comfortable,' given the situation. But... I-I'll go with awesome. Eheh...”
“Alas, you would not be Rainbow Dash if that was not the case.”
“Tell me about it. Eheh...” Rainbow cleared her throat. “So... uh... you'll have Spike make contact with the ponies of Cloudsdale?”
“Yes,” Luna's voice said. “He shall seek out Fluttershy's family immediately. By the powers invested in me, I shall have a wholesome conference prepared for tomorrow night.”
Fluttershy exhaled softly, gazing down at the moonlit grass with a dull expression. Pinkie and Rarity glanced at her curiously.
“That sounds super awesome, Luna,” Rainbow said. “Feel free to bring in everyone else! I'll... uh... I-I'll do my best to be someplace inconspicuous enough for a lengthy conversation.”
“We are all concerned for the well-being of you and your fellow friends, Rainbow Dash. Your safety is the top priority. If you must make forthwith to the next location of Yaerfaerda—”
“We'll get there when we get there,” Rainbow droned. “Something tells me that...” Her eyes traveled along the dim heights of the distant mountains, and she sighed. “...we're gonna be here a long... long time.” She gulped. “We'll likely be doing this same song and dance again before I reach the edge. At least... I-I hope so...”
“And Celestia, Spike, and I shall do our best to assist you by any means possible.” Luna's voice took a breath, then returned: “There is a pressing question that I feel must be asked.”
“Yeah?” Rainbow blinked, tilting her chin up. “What's that, Your Highness?”
“Your companions... the ones called Bard and Wildcard.”
“... … ...”
“Whatever happened to them, my child?” Luna asked. “Why would such selfless, brave ponies depart from your presence?”
Rainbow bit her lip. She gazed across the fields.
Pinkie winced, her ears folding. Rarity hugged herself. Twilight, meanwhile, took a deep breath, nodding at Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow somberly nodded back.
“Okay, girls... let's... uhm...” Twilight gestured with a weak hoof, drifting towards Rainbow's pendant. “Let's rest for a bit.”
“Okie dokie lokie...” Pinkie dripped quietly, disappearing after her in a lavender haze.
Rarity followed third. At last, Fluttershy lingered in front of Rainbow Dash. Her eyes met the brave peagsus', and she spoke in a calm voice: “Do not be afraid, Rainbow Dash. She trusts you more than anyone.”
Rainbow nodded, closing her eyes as Fluttershy also vanished.
“... … ...Rainbow?” Luna's voice entreated.
Rainbow's pace slowed as she took several deep breaths.
“Are you still there, child?”
“I... I am, Luna.” Rainbow gulped. “And... it's only m-me right now. The... the girls went off to chillax in the Vanilla Zone.”
“The... Vanilla... Zone...?”
“Erm... it's what we call the Harmonic place where they go to rest up. Y'know... the essence of my pendant?”
“Does this mean that we are having another conversation outside their spectrum of knowledge, Rainbow Dash?” There was a hint of an exasperated sigh from Luna's end. “Rainbow, I had truly hoped you had learned your lesson from previous occasions.”
“And... I-I have, Luna. I totally have. That's the whole point.” Rainbow gulped hard. “We're all in the know, now. Like... completely honest with one another. It's just that... that n-now I need to be perfectly honest with you.”
“Oh?”
Rainbow's trembles were coming on. Quick. “About the real reason why I'm on the run from Rohbredden law... and why the Desperadoes aren't here any longer...”
“I am listening, Rainbow Dash.”
“There's...” Rainbow came to a stop, fidgeting in the middle of the windblown field. “There's n-no good way to put it, really...”
“You did something reprehensible,” Luna's voice coldly said.
Rainbow sucked in her breath.
“At least... reprehensible in the eyes of the Desperadoes and Rohbredden,” the voice continued. “And for that reason, you are now a fugitive.”
Rainbow grimaced. Hard.
Luna's voice went on: “Are you so surprised, Rainbow Dash? It was obvious to me from the details of our previous conversations that Verlax was desperate to test your resolve. It was my hope that you would not give in to her demented idealism. And yet... I perfectly understand that you have incredibly heavy burdens to carry. Not only must you find a way to resurrect your friends, but all of Equestria hangs in the balance. Nay, the entire world. These are the kinds of crises that no mortal should be forced to weigh. And yet, such a fate has been thrust upon you.”
“It's...” Rainbow's voice shook. Tears formed along her eye sockets. “It's so m-much more worse than you can ever imagine, Luna.”
“Mmmmm... I have lived a long... long time, Rainbow Dash, and committed as many miracles as atrocities. I can imagine plenty.”
“You don't get it. I... I had to get to the beacon where Fluttershy was. But... but this ancient society of monks sat in the way. The only way to bring her back... to continue the journey was to tear their home apart. Verlax set all of this crud up on purpose to make me do the unthinkable!”
“Rainbow Dash...”
“And... and if I-I had j-just been honest with my friends before and found a way to plan things out with them, then m-maybe I could have found a truly peaceful solution! Instead... instead I-I let Verlax get to me, and... and I became the monster of the seven seas, Luna.” Rainbow sniffled. “That friggin' 'beast' that Shell was chasing all over Ledomare? I finally became it! Continents and oceans away, I finally gave into the weapon Ledomare saw in me. I attacked and dismantled the home of innocent ponies and for what?! They're all homeless and drifting now. I-I even heard that some of them may have d-died because of me!”
“Listen to me—”
Rainbow stomped her hoof in the soil. “I bucked things up!” She hissed. “I bucked things up and... and now the quest to free Applejack is in jeopardy 'cuz of the bounty on my head! Not even Wildcard and Bard could stand me! I sent them away like a total moron and—”
“Lower... your voice, child,” Luna said firmly. “I know my blessed night shrouds you, but it would be tragic if you attracted attention to yourself where you currently are.
Rainbow shuddered. Sniffling, she rubbed her muzzle dry, glancing south at the Silt Path in the distance.
At last, Luna calmly spoke: “Nothing can erase the actions you committed to free Fluttershy. You will be forced to live with the memory and the consequences of what happened for the rest of your life.”
Rainbow clenched her teary eyes shut. She hung her head, shaking.
“I cannot pretend to say that the memories sting any less over time. You must endeavor to learn from them... not obsess with them. Is that understood?”
Rainbow nodded. “Y-yes, your Majesty.”
“You are one in a million, Rainbow Dash. Or—dare I say—one in ten billion. Of all the ponies I've known in my extensive lifetime, you are the one who shares the most qualities with immortal alicorns.”
Rainbow shuddered. She lifted her moist eyes. “Your Highness...?”
“Indeed. I do not exaggerate. You carry burdens that are not unlike that which my beloved sister and I have had to contend with. They are neither joyful nor desirous. However, while they are still our burdens to bear, we are not so much defined by how we deal with them—but how we proceed to exist in the shadow of such actions. Tell me, Rainbow Dash, do your friends know what you've done?”
“You... you m-mean the girls?”
“Affirmative.”
“Well...” Rainbow rubbed her muzzle, sniffling. “Y-yeah. I mean... that place I was talking about earlier? Red Barge?” She gulped. “We got out of there only because we finally made up. And... and I-I've promised to be completely honest with them ever since.”
“Then, I am to understand that they have forgiven you?”
Rainbow stared ahead. Blinking.
“Rainbow...?”
“Yes.” Rainbow squeaked. Another tear trickled. “They h-have...”
“Hear me and hear me well, Rainbow Dash. It does not matter what the world thinks of you or how big a price has been placed on your head. The fact that the Desperadoes were forced to leave you saddens me. But that's a minor loss compared to the strength that you now have.” Luna's voice took on a firmer tone. “What matters more than anything—more than harmony or morality—is the trust you have in your friends. Events have proven time and time again that the Austraeoh's journey is defined by those that bring wind to her wings. Your journey is your friendship, and without a solid foundation—all is lost. Equestria. Rohbredden. The entire world? It's utter ashes in the derelict drift of chaos without the successful completion of your sojourn. So long as you can complete that in the sincere confidence of your companions, then there's still something to hope for.”
“Luna...” Rainbow stammered. “Shell... I...” She clenched her eyes shut. “I came so close to becoming him.” She grimaced. “I was him.”
“What monster exists that has won the love of such dear friends?” Luna said. “Or the undying faith of two princesses?”
Rainbow shuddered. She collapsed, falling on her knees as she buried her sobbing face in her forelimbs.
After a while, Luna's voice quietly returned: “You are brave, Rainbow Dash. You are remarkable... sympathetic... and caring. I have no doubt in my mind the extent to which your actions have scarred you on the inside. And it pleases me to know that you are endeavoring to make amends with your friends and in the lands beyond. But—most important of all—you must keep going. To allow your sins to weigh you down here and now would be the ultimate tragedy—one that none of us can afford. And you are simply... too awesome to give up now. Am I wrong?”
“No... y-your Highness...” Rainbow looked up, smiling tearfully into the moonlight. “You are totally right.”
“As I am likewise completely and utterly proud of you. Now... get some rest. Restore your strength. And we shall both resume our mutual odyssey tomorrow.”
“Okay...” Rainbow Dash said, nodding. She stood up on wobbly legs, rubbed her muzzle one last time, and murmured: “Princess Luna?”
“Yes, my child?”
“Does... does it ever get any easier?” She gulped. “Immortal decisions, that is.”
“Would you accept any less of a challenge?”
With a sigh, Rainbow shook her head. “Nah...” A devilish smirk. “I guess friggin' not.”
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You tell her, Luna!
Some nice foreshadowing to add to the "Rainbow is going to become an alicorn" drawer.
Called it, Luna was disappointed, but understanding. Though I will admit that I was worried for a second there. Now comes moving on from it, and getting done what must be done.
And do i hear the talons listening in?
No probably not
But itd shake things up
It'll be really weird when we finally reach the other side of the plane and can't have Moonbutt conversations anymore... and Bard and Wildcard need to come back. They were awesome.
I was worried for a second we skipped past the whole thing with the Quade. But I guess that's exactly what Dash needed to hear. Now, will she be ready to deal with the consequences of freeing Applejack? I feel like the Quade was just a test run... exposing Verlax and going toe-to-toe with her will likely shatter the entire religious and cultural foundations of all of Rohbredden itself. Hopefully Rainbow is willing to do such a thing for the fate of the world.
Luna is always painted as the one who has to make the unpopular choices, because she is dark, she must make the nasty choices.
Glad to see that here, both Celly and Luna have that burden to bear.
-Companions have returned, inner darkness spurned. Utaan.
6743623
I've been thinking about this. There are several outcomes that could circumvent the "no more Moontalk With Moobutt" rule, all originating from the sixth seed. The first possibility is Rainbow becoming an alicorn (one seed for each of her friends, why not one for her?) and being able to reverse the spell through the pendant in the same way Cadence was able to... *ahem* use her powers to send a message to Luna through her broken tiara.
The second, less likely possibility is that if the people theorizing Discord is in the sixth seed are correct, he may be able to use his chaos powers on the dark side to reverse communicate. If Luna's powers reach their zenith during the full moon and Cadence's... uh, you know... should not Discord's be at their strongest amidst raw chaos on the dark side? All of the ghosts have some way of indirectly interacting with the physical world (magic sense, architecture sense, pinkie sense, empathy sense), so why couldn't Discord bend the rules a bit, being who he is?
Just some food for thought.
"I dun bad stuff."
"Yeah. I know. Love you anyway."
*sob*"thanks."
"Mm. Don't do it again."
6743623
I think they'll be back. Theyre bounty hunters, and East Pone has a rather large bounty on her fuzzy little head.
That went pretty well, all things considered. Wise horse is wise.
I wonder if things would get any easier if Seraphimus sat in on one of these conference calls. Or would she do the typical fundamentalist handwave and call it devilry, or something? The idealist in me wants to think that all zealotry has a breaking point sooner or later, but...
Also, I'm really itching awful for some news on Bard and WC.
Sixth seed is Shell, back from the dead! Vanilla Zone gets...uncomfortable.
6743738
I would die.
6743694 I am guessing that either they are dead or otherwise unable to speak to Fluttershy, or they are no longer on speaking terms for whatever reason, in which case Luna is likely going to open up a can of verbal Whoop-ass on their rears (complete with Royal Canterlot Voice).
6743798 I'm honestly hoping none of those. I'm hoping it's Flutters being overly nice and feeling apologetic about dying and making them sad. But you're probably right.
Luna admits there's something more important than harmony... Dang. Where's Pilate and his hyper-analytical brain at?
With every Jurist playng guessing games at who would become the next Shell, I don't recall anyone throwing Dash's name into the beret. More proof that IC out-maneuvers all of our predictions.
6743605
Oh please, I hope not.
Re: last chapter: it's nice to know that the fictional Chandler is slowly edging towards being as unhinged as the real Chandler (me). >:)
6743915
That's Shell. This is not a good thing,
I refuse to believe PegaBraeburn and Goggles McToothpick are gone for good.
6743738 Better yet, the Sixth Seed is the entire Prismatic Harem. Rainbow Dash gets reaaaally comfortable.
6743978 I've been hoping the same thing.
6743633 I could see Rainbow having to do the anti harmony thing and lie about something but I can't think of anything super bad that she would lie about other than at the very end right as she is about to get the spark she has to reject everything about herself or her beliefs and say that she accepts verlaxion oR telling everyone that she is the monster that they make her out to be. Maybe something else but I am curious as to what is going to be worse than the quade.
Yeah, as I thought. Momma Luna.
6743673 Keep in mind that Discord's powers are not contained within any seed, couldn't be - they're already contained within Dash. If Discord was to be restored by the last seed, that would apply only to the part of him that has been destroyed in the first place, his spirit.
Nah. At her worst, Rainbow was still orders of magnitude less idealistic than Shell, even when he was at his most stable. I get that he was always meant to be a character foil to her, but this level of comparison feels a bit forced to me.
In other news...
Demented, maybe; but I have a feeling that Verlax will turn out to have been at least somewhat right. Considering that she is one of only a handful of creatures who've been to the dark side of the world and returned, and that she is as old, or possibly older, than the alicorns, she probably has a good idea of what it would take for a mortal to make it the Armory intact.
The next Verlax encounter will be interesting, I think. Maybe she'll finally reveal all of her cards.
6743697 Not that they need the bits or anything.
6743882
You know a lot of comparison has been made between RD and Shell, both obvious and subtle. Considering that Shell said they were both alike at some point, I find it interesting that Dash admits it here. In hindsight one could say Shell is to Lerris, as RD is to the Quade.
I remember making an observation that compared both Shell and Dash to each other, way back in Eljunbyro. Wonder if that would count as a prediction?
(a hour later) http://www.fimfiction.net/story/57450/120/eljunbyro/steel-wing#comment/4423929
6743738 That would be extremely entertaining. I can't imagine how Rainbow would feel about Shell having such a connection to an element of harmony. Oh god. Now I'm seriously thinking about this. Can this please happen? I would love it if this happened.
Although it would make absolutely no sense, so probably not...
6744168 Correction: A part of Discord is contained in Dash. A piece of chaos. Rainbow has said herself, she has none of his personality, humor and ego. In the same vein, part of each of the Mane 6 has been with Rainbow in her pendant since she started her journey, and she is now reclaiming their personalities. If anything, that feels like more evidence that Discord might be joining the crew.
Not that I'm really expecting Discord. The sixth seed has far too many ties to alicorns to be a coincidence (likely location is Bleak's Plummet which is very near the place in Chapter 1 where all of the alicorn essence was being stored). On one hand, alicorn ascensions are typically terrible. On the other, if it happens, I trust IC as a writer enough to pull it off well.
I was half expecting Luna to pull out a "you think what you did makes you a monster? You know nothing of being a monster! I have done things that make your transgressions look like a foal stealing cookies." slap-down or something, a la Peter Capaldi's "you call this little thing war?!" speech in Doctor Who (The actual part in question starts at about 6:00, but the whole scene Capaldi nails it)
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=zvGND1i6Dj0#t=337]
6743605
I don't really think she will become an alicorn. Even if she needs a sample of alicorn blood to cross the border.
6743622
If they can catch Rainbow Dash by surprise, it will be at a time when all the ghosts are resting. Just like now.
Just about exactly how I expected her to react. It was, as it always is, good to see Luna again; the wisdom of a being so old and experienced is extremely good to hear for Rainbow.
6743605
Yeah this is something that I think will come at the end of this series. If not because it has to for some reason, but simply because she seriously deserves it.
The Talon would be moving faster, only doing questions at each half day on foot travel stop, inns at junctions etc, so when they reach one that doesnt say to seen her, they sweep search back, meaning theres a good chance that theyll be ahead of Dash when they arive?
Three days for the moon talk?
Hmm... what kind of family does Fluttershy have here, anyway?
Rawr!
So Dash has to embrace the lack of each Element to get her friends back right? Blight = No magic = Element of Magic and so on?
So that could bee seen as having to accept a little measure of personal chaos every step. Maybe Dash will have to balance Chaos and Harmony in order to journey past the edge?
I propose a drink to this chapter.
Friendship does not trump morality. Sorry, Luna, but that's the way it is.
In other news, I anticipate that Rainbow's going to kick Verlax's flank until Verlax cries 'Uncle'.
6743673 I think odds are that the sixth seed probably won't have anything to do with Dash since her circle is already glowing on the Ynanhluutr symbol. If I had to put money on it I'd probably guess that it's related to the seventh all encompassing circle Theanim pointed out awhile back.
My gut instinct tells me that it's Discord but after thinking about it a bit I'm not sure that's very likely either. The girls were saved by the process of harmonic acclimation, where they became one with their elements and stored within the element of loyalty when their bodies were destroyed (at least to the best of my understanding). This wouldn't have happened with Discord and I'm not sure if it would even be possible for the vanilla zone to contain a spirit of pure chaos.
6744465
As soon as the six seeds were mentioned I was certain the 6th will be discord. I'm still as certain of that point now, so yes, in a way she'll have both chaos and harmony to balance
I may not be able to read the new chapters until next year, so I'll bid farewell - for now.
But I will return. Don't worry about that.
6744620
I suspect that his essence never came close to touching the Vanilla Zone, considering Dash herself is imbued with it rather than having pure chaos manifesting within the pendant.
What I'm trying to understand now is how a ruby flame received from Dash at the final seed would lead to return of Discord's conciousness. If interacting with each seed comes with a brief trip into some sort of harmonic realm, then how would necessitating the revival of a chaos spirit go down with whatever entity Dash spoke to before? Would embracing chaos be essential to the point where the forces of harmony are willing to unlock an avatar that once represented disorder in the world?
At this point I'd say it would make for a plausible enough twist in the current pattern of flame interaction. Plus it would be pretty snazzy to have old Lanc- Discord along for the ride into darkness.
The idea of Alicorn Dash has been thrown around since the earlier books (I think?). So for me it wouldn't come as too much of a shock. But yeah. Not exactly sure how it would tie in with the larger circle just yet ("By your ghostly powers and our corresponding circles combined, I am Dashicorn!")?
I guess I'm prepared for either eventuality, and wholly unprepared for anything else.
6744781 Well Harmony isn't the antithesis of chaos, that's order.
Harmony is the balance between order and chaos,
The elements do skew towards the Order end of the spectrum for the most part. I think Magic and Laughter would fall more towards Chaos, but that's just me.
So the spirit of Discord would be more like a balance against all the order. To spur on Dash's impulsiveness and instinct, as opposed to the girls cautioning her to behave thoughtfully and logically.
6743738
Ghost Shell whispering over her shoulder would make a great twist...
6743738 No, Discord.
Or what if both? Shell and Discord, forever monologuing to one another over Rainbow's head... what a terrible day to be cursed.
6744781
Very true, now I'm curious how that would manifest itself since the essence would be coming from inside Dash herself and not the pendant. Would Discord have to be returned to full physical form or would Dash develop some kind of hilarious multiple personality disorder?
Can't argue there!
6744839
This is another thing I've been trying to wrap my head around lately. I don't disagree with that statement and so far Dash has made a living out of chaotically upsetting the corrupt order of wherever she visits to achieve a more harmonious equilibrium. But there also seem to be a few times that harmony and chaos are directly physically opposed to each other within the series, such as the harmony beam used to fight Nevlemas, the pendant evaporating the chaos dust on the Reed and the fight between the two forces for dominance of Dash's body.
I call: the sixth seed will revive discords spirit and turn rainbow dash into an alicorn. Alicorns are harmonic entities, so to become an alicorn the chaotic energy would need to be removed in the only safe way, revival of the chaotic spirit to act as a buffering container.
Worst case scenario: RD becomes a black-red-rainbow OC Chaotic-Alicorn of Awesome.
6745017
I don't think chaos and harmony are warring inside her, I think that's either A. Discord's essence trying to take her over or B. very similar to Phazon corruption in Metroid Prime 3, where her body is generating chaos energy, but the element acts as sink absorbing it to provide the utility powers it has, which would explain her needing to rub the element to use it.
6744180 Nice move with the Lerris/Quade observation, and full marks for both leaving that comment nearly two years ago, and -finding- that comment again. I sit corrected.
...
Well, if I'm going to have someone correct me, I can at least insist on being comfortable.
6744205 Read my statement again.
I'm not sure why her friends had to leave for that chat. They already know what went down.
Luna is always the highlight of this story for me.