[Follow Shining. He's Twilight's brother. He'll know what to do.] 89%
Dash stared up at the sky, it'd be so easy to just open her wings and shoot off into the air, but decided against it. If Shining was anything like Twilight, then he'd probably be able to catch her with his magic.
Letting out a grumble, Dash fell in line behind Shining. The blue clad creatures took a formation around the two of them, leaving a couple behind to watch all the gear that had come through with them.
Walking along with the group who seemed to be part of a guard of sorts, they were led to a platform where a few of those flying metal boxes had landed.
“Ladies first,” Shining said to Dash as the surrounding creatures seemed to want them to enter the vehicle.
Does dash get into the metal box willingly? No
“Yeah, how about no? As long as I have these babies I'm not getting in one of those flying traps, thank you very much,” Dash said as she ruffled her feathers nervously.
Letting out an annoyed groan, Shining lit up his horn and wrapped Dash in a magic aura. Rainbow let out a yelp as she was floated into the vehicle.
“HEY!” Rainbow violently struggled against the magic forcing her into the box. Her heart beat furiously and her pupils shrank to pinpricks as she was shoved into the confined space. The moment Shining released his magic on her, Rainbow shot out of the box again, the pegasus heavily panting as she looked back at box while hovering in the air.
“Don't ever put me in that box again! That was so not cool,” Dash growled with a wavering voice, her body slightly trembling.
“You're claustrophobic, aren't you?” Shining asked with a sigh, knowing that the answer to that question was probably yes.
“N-no! I just don't like it when I'm in small spaces!” Rainbow stammered. Shining facehoofed as he heard the statement but decided to let it slide.
“Well if you're not going to get in here then you better start making it clear to them that you're flying along on your own power,” the stallion informed his now second charge, pointing at the surrounding guards who were watching the exchange between the two ponies.
“Right, let's do that.” Rainbow went up to the guard that had seemingly been in charge, waving her hooves around and pointing at her wings in an attempt to communicate with the guard.
“Hey cap, I think she wants to fly herself,” another guard said something to their leader that Dash couldn't understand, the pegasus' short patience already wearing thin.
“Why couldn't you just speak Equestrian!” Dash exclaimed, flying up above the group and pointing a hoof at herself and then the open air.
“I think you're right. Do you think we can keep Colors here flying in between the shuttles?”
“Only if we can make her understand where we want her to fly.”
Dash couldn’t be bothered to listen to the strange creatures any longer and shot up further into the air, circling the platform below. There was some shouting up at her, but Rainbow didn’t care. She was already too busy admiring her surroundings. The more she looked at the area the more amazed she became by her surroundings.
It had become very clear to Dash that wherever they had ended up wasn’t a normal place. For one the horizon didn’t curve down, but up. Then there were all the flying boxes, nothing seemingly pulling them along as they sped through the air. And to top it all off the stark white buildings to rival Canterlot.
Looking down, Dash could see the two craft that they had been led to float up from the platform and slowly start moving away. Deciding it was probably best to follow, Rainbow began circling the craft as they slowly made their way to whatever their destination was.
“Hey slowpokes, care to speed up a bit!?” Dash shouted as she sped up, the craft behind her having to suddenly compensate to not lose her somewhere within the massive structure, but they didn’t accellarate fast enough for Dash’s liking. “Come on, you’re wasting my time! My best friend is out there somewhere!”
In her frustration Dash sped ahead, being careful to stay out of the flying lane of the other flying boxes and following what she guessed were the local air traffic rules. Flying ahead also showed Dash a change in the structure. Where previously the horizon only curved up there now was a passage that lead to the side. Curious where it led, Rainbow took the turn.
I probably have enough time to take a look before those slow boxes get to the intersection.
Shooting through the passageway Dash felt the air pressure lowering drastically as if she was flying high in the air, and instinctively dove down where she felt the pressure normalizing again.
What the hell was that? There’s no way that those couple of meters should make that much of a difference.
Before Dash could think more on it she shot out into a new section of the place she found herself in, her jaw-dropping and flight faltering as she looked out at the megastructure. Behind her, she could see the massive donut-shaped ring which she had flown through before. Extending from it were five massive arms that had entire buildings shooting up into the sky, each one of them making the ones in Manehattan look like shameful shacks. And then to top it off there was the sky itself. A massive purple nebula dotted with stars in the far distance.
Whoa… This is awesome! How did these creatures- …aliens? -even create this structure!?
Losing herself in the moment Dash just continued flying low over the walkways below, admiring the sight of the massive structures and forgetting that she wasn’t supposed to be flying off to see the sights but following the flying boxes. At some point in her flight the scenery started to change slightly. The buildings around her were still massive, but there were larger open spaces filled with containers and other large boxes. Seeing an open spot between some crates Rainbow decided to set down for a bit.
“How in the world am I going to find Fluttershy in all of this?” Dash sighed as she flopped down onto her back, looking up at the four other arms visible in the sky. “Oh crap, Shining is not going to be happy when I get back…”
Jumping back on her hooves, Dash suddenly noticed a group of various aliens standing between the boxes. All of them had what seemed like armor similar to the guards only painted in different color schemes, most of them a blood red color.
Who are they? Maybe they’re more guards… or they’re criminals, Dash considered, as a group of guards in such a back-alley place didn’t have much to guard.
Regardless of which, Dash’s interest was piqued as she saw what were clearly two parties exchanging various goods with each other.
1. Go up to them. They can probably help me get back to Shining.
2. Stalk forward to see what they’re exchanging.
3. Leave. I can find the general way back.
4. [Steal one of the packages and fly off.]
Geez kind of railroading us into a bad decision this time aren't you.
Keeping in line with Dashs usual behaviour, given she went against previous voting cos it didnt go her way, I highly suspect she is going to go for 1 anyway because guards are guards?
9853900
Of course.
Can't have a dramatic story without Rainbow Dash getting mutilated so the author gets to put those stupid cybernetic wings on her.
After all, the author already enjoyed having Fluttershy raped for nothing but dramatic effect.
I believe Rainbow is dumb(her brash and headfirst nature counter her intelligence) but I dont believe she is dumb enough to just walk up to them. She didnt trust the presidium guards much to start and these ones are different enough to warrant another thought. And she isn't subtle enough in color or temperament to sneak. Why isn't leaving an option?
Grumble grumble... making me pick Renegade... grumble grumble...
Wait, why exactly is that a renegade option? Cause theft? Oh well, eagerly waiting for more.
Nothing I could vote is gonna matter, is it.
Blood Red armor... aaaaaand now the Blood Pack is involved! Knowing her, she’s going to end up doing something rash...
Damn it Dash, you lovable idiot.
9854040
There is but I shouldn't say anything about results because I plan them out before the chapter is even up. So that'd be spoiling.
Rainbow queen of bad decisions.
At least she has some experience sneaking, with all the pranks she pulls on ponies.
Good point, I didn’t really think of that.
Two is the only good option. Even if they were guards, which they’re not, In pretty sure they are either mercs or just pure criminals, but even if they were, they are so far away that they probably wouldn’t even know what’s going on. And neither of them would be able to understand each other. And then theft, well, what are they exchanging? What exactly is the point of stealing something that you don’t even know what is? And worse, what if it’s illegal? Well, no, it is most certainly illegal. The only good option is to gather more information.
9853900
Tracks usually lead to interesting places.
With the unlimited options, what would you have Rainbow Dash do that suits her character? I don't know where this leads, so I'm curious.
9854882
Borrowing what they've got for a minute is the quickest way to get information, isn't it? Swipe it and then see what it is at your leisure safely away from potential threat. It also exposes you to less risk to get in and out quickly rather than stick around to discovered and cornered. Having your cover blown gives the enemy the advantage while running in and out leaves little to no cover to be blown in the first place, and with how fast Dash is she'd very likely make a clean escape. They might even hesitate to shoot at the sudden appearance of "Colors" long enough for it to be even easier. In short, the renegade option is probably the safest, barring just leaving.
9854897
Yes, but that’s not what the option is saying is it? I’m pretty sure that the “fly off” part means to not come back or give back. Plus, if she steals it, and it isn’t good, I’m not sure she can give it back. I’m not sure they will let her get close enough. And, if it’s important, then she will have at the least drawn unwanted attention and at the worst made an unnecessary enemy. Not that they wouldn’t have ended up as enemies anyway, but it could she could at least wait a while before angering a major merc group/crime syndicate.
9854909
Yeah, it says steal, but I'm guessing that Dash would rationalize it as something more innocent in her own mind, and she could just leave it somewhere nearby to be found. Obviously not going to fly right back too them in any case after that.
I like to think about the options from the perspective of the character making the decision, not objective reality. Offending a crime syndicate is a long-term consequence (and might be something Dash would prefer to happen, given what her favourite dream is) that someone making an impulse decision to swipe something probably won't put much weight to. Short-term, exposure to risk is less with the renegade option from a tactical perspective, especially if she can't hide really well.
9854885
I'd prefer an option that doesn't make her out to be a total idiot.
Talking to them makes no sense because they won't understand her and she can't understand them.
Listening in on them and observing the situation makes no sense because she can't understand them. With no clue how things work out here, they'd have to be doing something ridiculously obviously bad and even then it would be a coin flip that such an action is considered universally bad.
And stealing from them makes no sense because SHE CAN'T UNDERSTAND THEM!!!! With no way to understand what exactly is going on how can stealing from them make any kind of logical sense?
Getting involved in this situation makes absolutely no sense for her with no clear benefits outside the possibility of just getting lucky. Honestly, I chose the renegade option because if Dash has to be an impulsive dumbass she might as well just go all in.
9854962
And that would be what? Criticizing the options given while not offering any alternatives or even speculative thoughts is a job half done. I was interested in what you would have her do, not in how the given choices might be flawed. That's why I said "unlimited options" (although I meant to include "of imagination" after, oops). And I might agree with you except that your basis is a communication gap which was worked around last chapter. They can understand each other, it just takes effort and is perhaps limited in scope.
9854994
I don't really have to come up with a new option because the ideal one was crossed out (though I am curious what causes that to happen). My point is each option involves getting involved in a situation she has no business getting involved with especially considering she has more important things to worry about like figuring out where she is and where Fluttershy might be. So any option that didn't have her doing something stupid for no real reason would have been nice.
9855021
So you think Rainbow Dash would cease being awestruck and distracted in the strange new place she's found herself and come to her senses to act like a completely rational being? I'm not sure that's quite fitting to her character, and she's already come this far. Personally I'd see what the author has planned before complaining too much.
It seems that you don't like the direction of this arc and Rainbow Dash's portrayal because you think she's being too foolish? My counterargument to that is that, although a balance is required, stories where all the characters do the "best" thing for any situation are boring. I've read a few like that, and some of them were good in other ways, but the potential for storytelling was squashed by the OOC decision making that is the temptation of making characters act within what is perceived as logically best when the characters are emotionally driven. That's one of the signs of bad fan fictions, because fan writers sometimes want characters they are fans of to be more perfect than they should be.
From her appearance so far, Rainbow Dash of this story (and in canon for that matter) to me is mostly an emotionally driven character. Right now she's a bit overwhelmed by her situation and has found a distraction to subconsciously cope. Leaving and rationally facing her situation just isn't in her right now. That's strictly my interpretation though. I've no idea to what degree the author may agree or disagree with that.
9855104
My issue is with the choices themselves, in which they all seem like different versions of what is ultimately the same choice, Rainbow pokes her nose into a situation she clearly shouldn't be poking her nose into nor is she prepared to handle at a time she really shouldn't be getting sidetracked. Maybe if the scenario was something that actually required her immediate attention, like someone clearly being in danger, then it wouldn't feel like Dash is being forced into a bad situation simply for the sake of creating drama.
I don't care about the direction the story takes because I'm just one person. I alone can not dictate which choice will ultimately win the vote I just don't like feeling like I'm not being given a real choice.
9856382
I get that :) Though it doesn't have to be in detail of course, just enough to tease us for a new game+.
9855124
">/embed.js" charset="utf-8">^This. I was just going to rant in another so-called "CYOA" comment section about not having real choices and point to this story as the one where at least there's a feeling of making some story choices... and now we have this "vote"(and previous one, come to think of it). What's even the point of it if it won't change anything at all? Seems like author had finally embraced the spirit of ME
9856778
I'll break down where each choice from this chapter leads in excruciating detail. yes, there have been votes that only had superficial effects this is most definitely not one of them. So if I'm going to be insulted in the comments then at least I want there to be a basis for it.
9856878
Sorry if I have offended you. I take it, the nature of the offense was that, from your point of view, I made some baseless accusations? Well, the thing is, from my point of view(and, judging by comments, not just my) they weren't baseless.
Let me explain.
First, the vote in Arrival. It looks like we are choosing between RD going with SA "peacefully", so to say, or her rushing away to
find Twilightget into trouble. Vote result: go with SA, 89%. Result of vote result: RD rushing away. No, that one minute of her following transit cab doesn't count.Second, the vote in chapter 70 (btw, is it significant it doesn't have "proper" name?). Again, it looks like we are choosing between RD
walking awayhiding from those gangsters or interfering with them. Considering how previous overwhelming vote result was effectively ignored in favor of another option that was present and got a whopping 2%, I have a very strong feeling RD will end up interfering with the deal no matter what the vote says. I may be wrong, true. I don't know your plans, true. But it doesn't change how this vote looks/feels - i.e. that it doesn't matter at all because what would be the point of ignoring previous vote if not to bring us to this point?It all becomes even worse if you consider the screenshot in my previous post. In case you don't remember, that one is a second "choice", while the first one is basically "come with us", "come with us" and "stay here", with "stay here" directly leading to shown "come with us"x3. Similarities are really disturbing. Again, it may be just that, a coincidence, but darn, it doesn't feel like one.
And now when I'm thinking of it I have a really bad feeling about Berkenstein questline. It looked like we dug our grave ourselves that one time, but was its outcome really not set in stone even before the beginning? Not accusing, just asking.
What I am probably trying to say here is: if the choice is inconsequential, don't make it look otherwise! Formulate it so it is obvious we don't change the course of story whatever we choose, or just don't give a choice at all - you did it several times before, and I don't remember anyone complaining. Also, when we get special (paragon/renegade) options, my opinion is they should actually mean something instead of being fluff. Otherwise, you'll end up with some disgruntled readers.
PS. Out of curiosity, what is the point of grayed-out options? In some other games they are there to show there were different options and probably make you replay trying to go for them, but it isn't like we can "replay" this "game"?
PPS. Voted for stealth approach for 2 reasons:
1) RD is known for her subtlety
2) The main appeal of all ME games is rich, engaging stealth mechanics
9858067
While there is some validity in your view point, you stated it in your initial comment in a way that is disrespectful to the work and by extension the author. I've known decent people who would have reacted with much less decorum. If you want to leave helpful comments on any stories on the site, please do so while considering how people on the other end are going to read it.
I haven't figured out what point the screenshot is supposed to be making, since it's showing a "non-choice" dialog prompt in the actual Mass Effect games, and in the same comment you're saying that the choices here are not in the spirit of Mass Effect???
How can you not see what difference the choices in Arrival would have made? I don't know the plans, but I can easily imagine it going quite differently if the renegade option to just fly off had been picked. Assuming Rainbow managed to escape Shinning Armour and any trigger happy C-Sec, she could have easily ended up in the same place, but the first impressions would be worse and consequences the story hasn't gotten to yet would likely be coming soon. On the flip side, Rainbow could have been tranquilized or just outright shot and perhaps Shinning Armour would then get in a fight to protect her, and I'm not sure what the causalities of initial contact would be like in that fight. With either of these hypotheticals, the choice made a big difference.
With the choices in the current chapter, I think it's patently obvious that the walking up to the probably gangsters and asking for directions will go differently than other options. In another comment, I explained why stealing whatever they're trading might go better in the moment than trying to be sneaky. If the greyed out option wasn't there, people would still complain that just leaving isn't an option, so I don't see what difference having it in or not makes, except that having it there is a clear signal to the reader that there's a reason, unknown though it may be, that just leaving isn't an option. Since the author has a reason, we can give him the benefit of the doubt and assume it's a good one, no?
The proper chapter name is at the top of the chapter, "Flight", so I'm 95% sure that's just a little typo.
In all honesty, the decisions that have been made up to this point really don’t bother me all that much. While I will grant that there were some outcomes that I wasn’t particularly pleased with, it hasn’t taken away from my overall enjoyment of the story. If anything, even if some choices seem to go in one direction, I can only assume the author has something else a little more varied planed in the future.
Besides... I’ve become wayyyyyyy too invested in the Flutterkarrian (gah I hope I spelled that right) shipping to just up and leave.
On that note, any hints on when the next one is coming out? THE SUSPENSE IS ACTUALLY KILLING ME!!!
9867014
Holy Carp! You’re a double threat!
You’re a binge reader, and a commentor
You’re a BINGE-COMMENTOR... I just made a terrible joke, and I have no regrets.
Well , in all three choices is Dash asking for trouble.
1) well maybe they won't, and situation could go south. 2) At least she would know for sure if everything would go south. 4) yeah no, Dash is not that stupid.
Yes. Yes it is.
Son of a
Rainbowdash is retarded by choice. Let her die, it's for the best.
The Vote lasted like 5 Minutes, than Rainbowdash suicide attempt was to tempting...
Rainbow-suicide-Dash... If she died, nothing would be lost. The difference between Udina and Rainbowdash?
Rainbowdash already betrayed her own race unlike Udina has yet to do.
Rainbowdash already forget about Fluttershy, no surprise here.
Maybe we are luck enough for her getting a headshot? It would be a fitting end ~♤