Inexplicably, the bubbling of the seawater increased tenfold.
"Harrk!" Kepler called out, pointing a claw at the currents flowing around Bleak's Plummet.
Ariel spun around. She and Wildcard peered from where they hovered above the Stardust. Logan and Flynn stood at the starboard edge.
The waters grew more and more turbulent until—at last—the oceans burst with multiple fountains. No less than twenty spheres emerged, their lunar forcefields quivering with energy.
One by one, the topmost shields dissipated as sarosians hopped out. The spheres were coiled, netted, and dragged onto the Bleakweed deck adjacent to the Stardust. Eventually, a small army of bat ponies hovered above the waters, and they all collected around the last floating sphere. At least a dozen sarosians reached in... collectively helping a very old, very feeble matriarch in exiting her vehicle.
The members of the Herald watched in tense silence.
As Xarchellus was helped onto the deck, Rainbow Dash, Bard and Nicole flew out of the sphere behind them. With Enix's assistance, Remna and Echo also exited the enchanted container. Soon, the entire group stood around Xarchellus on the platform. The air was abuzz with flapping leather wings and pent-up squeaks.
Ariel blinked curiously.
From afar, Rainbow gestured gently with a smile. She then turned towards Xarchellus.
The elder squinted at her with one good eye. She leaned patiently against her cane with the slightest chill.
Holding her breath, Rainbow gave her pendant a good rub and tilted it towards the nebulous heavens. The silver light above them intensified, shining against every glossy Bleakweed surface of the structure that the ponies stood upon.
Almost immediately, the slitted eyes of the surfacing sarosians flickered in response. Multiple squeaky gasps emanated from their fanged muzzles.
"Rainbow Dash," Princess Luna's voice rang forth. "You have returned..."
"Indeed I have, Your Highness," Rainbow Dash said firmly. "And, what's more, I'm not alone." She glanced aside at Xarchellus.
Xarchellus' wrinkled muzzle clenched tight. After a shudder, she exhaled: "Mother of Nightmares...?"
A slight pause.
Then, Luna's regal voice echoed: "Maria Matriarch." A breath. "What is your name?"
The elder stood tall as the warriors around her silenced themselves. "Xarchellus," she said. "Overseer of the Vigil."
"Xarchellus," Luna's voice rang. "Dearest child..." And she proceeded to roll forth with the most complicated monologue of Moonwhinny Rainbow Dash had heard yet. There was almost no telling when the syllables ended and when the next words began, and yet their was a poetic nuance to it all.
Rainbow blinked. She exchanged looks with Twilight Sparkle, and Rainbow's ghostly companion appeared likewise as incapable of singling out bits from the rich syntax.
All the while, the sarosians' eyes glinted with a faint glow. Enix and her fellow warriors were awestruck. Echo managed capably while Nicole leaned against Bard, waiting for the conversation to culminate with a tense breath.
At last, following much rhythmic pronunciations, Luna's voice slowed slightly, growing more firm and emphatic: "Y'hnyrr wymym h'jynmym yln n'ymym, Xarchellus. H'Luun wymym H'cylsialym m'rhymyrr w'lynsyl l'jynnym yln H'rmynym."
Xarchellus drew a shuddering breath. "L'jynnym yln H'rmynym, H'Luun?"
"Ywm, Xarchellus." The heavens twinkled with silver. "The Vigil is over, my little pony."
A tear trickled down Xarchellus' wrinkled cheek. "So be it..." With a shaking hoof, she reached up her neck and withdrew the Moonglass necklace. "...with the end of the war comes the end of the waiting. Our home lies elsewhere... and with it—our destiny!" With a raspy grunt, she tossed the Moonglass to the deck's surface and slammed her left hoof over it. Crackkk!
Rainbow winced. Remna watched in silence.
Blood trickled from Xarchellus' fetlock as she raised it to the starry heavens. With a victorious snarl, she hollered against the thunder and moisture: "The Vigil is over! Glory be to Princess Luna, for the Nightmare has ended!"
Enix was the first to drop. Every other sarosian followed suit. Within seconds, the entire platform was awash with bowing, murmuring, chanting equines. Despite their collectively somber gesture, the excitement in the sea air was undeniable.
Flynn and Logan looked at one another, smiling stupidly.
Bard whistled, then tilted his hat back. "Reckon that hit the sweet spot."
"Uh huh..." Nicole nodded, sniffling.
Bard looked at her. "You okay, darlin'?"
"Yes... it's j-just..." Nicole smiled sweetly, her eyes glossing over. "I can't explain it. But I feel the joy so palpably... it's like somepony's poured rapture in the air..."
Rainbow looked aside at Echo. "How are you holding up?"
The stallion swallowed a lump down his throat. "Mmmmm..."
"What was that?" Rainbow asked, smirking.
A tiny squeak came from Echo's throat. His eyes turned moist, but he swiftly blinked them dry. "Ask me later. I mean it. I will k-kill you."
"Awwwwwwwwww..." Pinkie grinned. "He's so adorable when he's homicidal!"
"Reckon you should give him some space, Rainbow," Applejack said.
"Yes." Fluttershy nodded. "Give them all time to adjust." She smiled warmly. "This is a very important moment for them."
"But exactly how much time can we afford?" Rarity asked.
"You ask me," Rainbow muttered, gazing east. "This isn't a good time to skip any important steps."
Yaerfaerda flickered thoughtlessly in response.
Well, this certainly doesn't seem bad at all. I'm somewhat relieved.
Must be a great time, possibly the greatest, for the sarosians right this moment. But I have a new question now, though:
Where exactly does their home lie now? Equestria with Princess Luna, or elsewhere?...
D'awww...he does feel feelings!
That was easy.
Jinx, bitch.
I hope they aren't suddenly going to need that later.
>sees new chapter
>clicks new chapter with extreme fervor
>disconnected from internet
>cry
It was 10 min before Midnight finally could read this chapter. 10 minutes! Unacceptable! Bucking internet connection...
Smooth as all this is going I have to wonder how soon before the fecal waste has its inevitable collision with the air circulation device.
And chill Echo. Tears are completely fine under the right circumstances, and not having your balls chopped off by your own people because they're getting Luna'd into rapid cultural de-douching is definitely a qualified circumstance.
All this warmth and hope are making me nervous.
7501879
But at least it is deflecting the windigos!
Yup. Dash definitely just signed all the vampones up for all-out war with the mainland. Even if, by some miracle, Chandler and the Sarosans miss one another completely, this won't end well for her new friends. Dash has murdered the God of the mainland and delivered the God of the batponies. Any contact between Rohbredden and the seventh tribe will be instant war from here on out.
Guess she'll have to take them all with her.
7501780
Is it just me or is this oddly fitting?!
7501742
Counterjinx!
So do ya think that these Sarosians are heading home, to Equestria, or over the edge with Rainbow?
Vengeful zealot army on the way??? What are you talking about, that's nonsense. Nothing could ruin this awesome moment...
7501959
I remember another Hasbro moment that was filled with hope and promise....
Hopefully the rest of the council of elder batpons was around to hear that, not just the grand elder.
What's the next move for the batpons now?
-Companions are abound, frozen spectres hound. Utaan.
The message has been recived. From their god to the followers.
Given the messge was allowed to complete, that the leader followed, it implies that theres a very good chance that the first word of the next chapter will effectively be,
Incoming.
Ooo Batpony adventure? Or will they run afoul of the Central Guard? They should be strong enough to defeat the relatively small team gunning for Rainbow right?
As much as is needed, the journey is just as important as the destination.
A flock of raptors?
Hmmm I wonder where they will make there home after Dash leaves. I imagine that they will go back to Equestria perhaps if the majority don't go with Rainbow to the Dark Side.
His mouth echoes death.
His heart echoes new life.
But shit does he stink.
Ah, what a glorious moment of hope and salvation! Their long wait in darkness ended, they may now finally return home, to Equestria, to find peace, let their wounded spirits mend and be butchered by the Central Guard on the way!
Well that just happened...
Has anybody seen my sides? I can't seem to find them
7501904
Now there's a thought.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand cue the Keris chapter!
7502081
Goddamn, I remember watching that part as a kid and crying upon seeing the deaths of those Autobots
I still have the dvd of the movie around somewhere, gonna have to look for it one day
So he's adorable all the time?
And the desolation awaits.
Everything is going better than expected....which means something bad is not long in coming.
7501959 I wonder if the Durandanans would mind sharing a crater?
After a gigantic reading marathon, I have finally caught up...
reactiongifs.com/r/84.gif
edit: Wait has this joke already been made? Forgot at this point
7501741
Watch them all end up going to the dark side and into the Trianary War.
7504058
Oh wow. The two groups are actually so similar though, culturally and historically. I think this needs to happen just 'cuz the idea is so perfect. And if it does, I want a fic about it.
Question is, is it even possible to write a fic with that setting and not have it tagged for sex?
7504574
Urohringr went there and didn't have the tag...
But we all know what happened anyway.
7504361 Welcome to the Jury! Cabins are on the fourth floor I guess, I just sleep wherever. Stock up on status cures and hammocks. That last thing will keep Dashie happy, at least.
Always good to have fresh blood around. Good timing, catching up just before the dark side.
7504714
Aside from the hammocks though. I just assumed all the cabins were loaded with hammocks.
After an epic 2 week binge read, I caught up :) I'm now gutted that I'll have to wait for the new chapters.
Thank you for this saga, it has been truly epic so far.
7505007
7505461
Welcome aboard the Noble Jury, cabins are available on the 4th through 6th floors.
Please, don't hesitate to use the kitchen to cook up some comfort food, or use the gym to grind up your endurance stat.
We also advise new passengers to bring as many feels resists and status cures as they can when boarding.
Please, enjoy the rest of the flight.
Finally caught up. That was a ride. Pretty sure the Guard is going to ruin everything, there hasn't been much fighting for awhile.
7504361
7505461
Welcome aboard, both of you.
Please, enjoy your stay aboard the Noble Jury. Don't mind all the bats it's part of the tour. We've provided ear plugs and barf bags in every room in case of nausea from the constant screeching. The blood cart makes it's rounds on the main deck every 2 hours with a variety of snack types, so when you get the chance and don't feel lightheaded... donate to appease the bats and our ears.
Glory to H'luun! or Jyl'mn yln H'Luun or some such, we make it up as we go.
7505461
7505007
7504361 Welcome, comrades!
Let's gooooo, over the Rainbow where skies are Bleak.
7505461
7505007
7504361
Well well, I'm surprised to see THREE people get caught up at the same chapter. That's awesome. Welcome aboard, y'all! You're ahead of me right now, most likely. I'm still two months behind.
The fuzzy batpones aren't evil anymore!
That went refreshingly smoothly! It's nice to see world-shattering revelations accepted amicably every once in a while.
This is all going too well...
8980547
Agreed...something drastic is about to happen...
I imagine that is a relief to you an your foals as much as it is to your mother and your guests.
11/09/2019
20:24 UTC
Chapter 241. Done
1641/1965 chapters done.
It’s been 2 and a half years since I started reading this again. I’m so close.
This has to be the best "They're adorable when they're _______" line I've ever heard.
Gotta end that vigil in style, baybee.
Er, probably less than you're thinking, if I'm being honest.