Robin comes out into a large opening, and looks all around, “Wow, it almost looks like Archington in here. I am impressed, honestly, rarely does anything match up to the Archidon.”
Rairty looks around as well, “What’s Archington?”
Robin smiles, “The capital city of Arrowlot. It was a masterpiece of architecture, where you needed to know how to shoot a bow in order to move.”
Rarity looks cover at him, “Really? Doesn’t that seem cruel to those who can’t?”
Robin looks back to her, “The only ones who couldn’t were invaders. Shooting a bow is literally in our blood, an Archidon can shoot at the level of an amateur when they are five. It’s like you ponies and those marks, except it’s across our entire people. Take a look around, and you’ll get a good feel for what Archington was like. It was more accessible, of course, but you get the idea.”
Rarity looks, and sees the room is absolutely giant. There seem to be targets on a select few ledges, yet there is no way to get to the platforms. The walls are all grey stone, not able to be climbed. She looks back, “How are we supposed to get around here?”
Robin smiles, and moves over to a nearby basket. In the basket is a single arrow. He picks it up, smiling as he sees the rope attached to it. He points at a target a level above them, and fires off the arrow.
It sticks right into the target, with the rope still wrapped around Robin’s arm. He holds out a hand to Rarity, “Come, my lady, and hang on tight.”
Rarity takes his hand, and looks at the rope, “Are you going to climb up there?”
Robin shakes his head, “No, the rope only serves as a focal point.” He picks up Rarity fully into his arm, and begins to run at a nearby wall, “It’s all about treating yourself like the arrow!”
He jumps up onto the wall, and begins to take advantage of the room’s circular layout. He begins to run around on the wall, slowly gaining up speed. Rarity screams as his speed picks up, but he still smiles.
When he is going sufficiently fast, he jumps off the wall, pulling the rope tight. The effect has him swinging up to a nearby platform, and he cuts the rope off mid air.
He flies onto the platform, finding his footing with ease. He sets Rarity down, and looks at her, “Archidon are very good with speed. We need to move so fast that our opponent can’t identify where we are.”
Rarity pants slightly, “Your people have to do that?!”
Robin shakes his head, “Only the military. Paths like that are only for the recruitment centers, armory, those kind of places. We can’t expect our elders to do that, after all.”
Rarity leans on the wall for support, “Where do your people live as to where that is a good skill?”
Robin smiles, “Heavy woods, Lady Rarity. We learn how to travel by tree so that we can move unseen to our enemy. No other can traverse our home like we can, that’s how we’ve never been overrun. Even Order had a hard time truly taking over Arrowlot with how we could so easily pick off his club wielders.” Robin nods, “Here, Lady Rarity, why don’t you try firing for yourself?”
Rarity looks at the bow, “Oh, no, I don’t know how to use a bow. I can just use my gems.”
Robin hands his bow over, “No, no, I insist. Let’s see if you are a natural.”
Rarity looks at bow, and slowly takes it in her telekinesis. She takes the arrow offered to her, “Okay, where am I supposed to aim it?”
Robin points to a far off target, “That one, about one hundred feet. Not terribly far. Remember, just breathe, and relax.”
Rairty nods, “Right, relax, breathe.” She draws the bow back, and puts the arrow into it. She aims, and adjusts, “Relax, breathe.”
Rarity let’s the arrow fly. The arrow goes, until it eventually hits the bottom of the target.
Robin nods, “Not terrible. Here, let’s try it for real.” He hands her an arrow with rope on it, “There’s only one up here, so we only have once chance.” He wraps the rope around Rarity’s let, and smiles, “Think of it this way. The arrow is a giant needle, and the target is a tear. You want to repair that tear, you want to hit in the middle.”
Rarity smiles, “Like a giant needle.” Before she can even think, her magic acts. It aims, and fires the arrow within a second.
The arrow flies through the air, until it finally implants itself in the center of the target.
Robin laughs, “Yes, you’re a natural, Rarity!” He smiles down at her, “Why, I would say you are probably better than some of the warriors outside. Okay, now, we need to get to that platform up there.” He points up, “And you are going to carry me this time.”
Rarity nods, and Robin grabs hold of her arm. She smiles, and jumps off the platform.
The momentum of her jump pulls the rope tight, and sends her upwards.
She unwraps her arm, and flies through the air. She keeps her composure, and she lands perfectly in the middle of the platform.
She laughs a bit, “I did it! By Celestia, I’m an archer!”
Robin laughs along, “Yes you are, Lady Rarity. Quite a skilled one as well. Not even a regular Archidon would be able to make that.”
Rarity leans against the wall for support, “I imagine you’ll be begging for me to join your Empire now?”
Robin leans on the wall beside her, “Already was, Lady Rarity, in a very subtle way. You would fit right in, I have to say, we Archidon pride ourselves on our generosity. We always gave safe haven to Swordwrath children and wounded, always allowed the Magikill to cut down some of our trees for their books, and we’ve even given iron to the Speartons sometimes.”
Rarity looks over at him, “Generous, yes, but still very violent.”
Robin nods, “A point I will never contest, though one I will protest. I wish it didn’t have to be that way, but it always has. We’ve never had leaders willing to work together in the past, even if one or two of them were friends. Now that Order has messed everything up, well, we are currently working as one nation. Perhaps we could end up taking our violence out in harmless games, a completion to see who is best. Especially with all you ponies, we might be able to reforge ourselves, better than we were before. I’m not expecting your answer yet, I’m merely saying that you could help spread harmony.”
Rarity smiles, “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sir Robin, but I’m only one mare.”
Robin smiles, “A mare with the backing of not only her own magnificence, but a King as well.”
Rarity looks at him, losing her smile, “You are a King?”
Robin nods, “Surely I told you? Well, yes, I am King Robin of the Archidon. But, let’s dwell on that later. We have a thing to do.”
The basket on the platform has two different arrows, and Robin smiles.
He points, “You see those two targets underneath that platform? We need to hit those, and flip up top. You ready?”
Rarity stands, and puts an arrow in. She fires a bullseye, and hands it off the Robin as he does the same.
Both keep the rope tied to them, and jump at once.
From the platform, Robin and Rarity go left and right respectively. The rope is pulled taught, and both start to go back toward each other.
Both untie their arms at the same time, and jump to the other rope. Robin flies right above Rarity as she jumps right underneath him.
Both grab onto the rope, the new weight and momentum forcing the rope further than before. Both let go when at apex momentum.
Robin and Rarity flip in air, and land on the platform at the same time.
Robin looks aside, seeing a main chamber. He motions, “Ladies first.”
———
Rainbow sighs, standing and waiting for Harry. Harry takes no heed, and continues to walk his slow pace forward.
Rainbow growls, “Come on, Harry, the others are probably having awesome adventures without us!”
Harry looks at her, “You haven’t said a single word to me so far, no wonder time is going so slow for you. Don’t you know time flies when you are talking?”
Rainbow sighs once more, “And what would we talk about? I mean, I’m me, and you are a old egghead, no offense.”
Harry laughs a bit, “None taken, believe me, I’ve heard worse from Atreyos. You and him seem quite similar, did you know that? A bit rash, too brave, usually too serious, and that same aura around you. Tell me, Rainbow, how was your childhood?”
———
Six finally emerge from their hallways, into the main chamber. Atreyos and Twilight are talking animatedly about the ideas seen in Plato’s Cave, the first time they’ve actually enjoyed talking. Joseph and Applejack exchange embarrassing and funny childhood stories. Rarity comes out alongside Robin, both giddy from the stunt they performed a minute earlier.
Harry sits with Rainbow, smiling from behind his beard, “Those Wonderbolts have nothing on you if they’d reject you. You broke the sound barrier without breaking your body, they would be fools to say no to that. As soon as we are done here, you are going to fly up there and get that position. If they reject you, form your own team, and then defeat them.”
Rainbow smiles, “You’re right! I’m the fastest flyer in all of Equestria, they’ll accept me!”
Harry looks, and notices the others, “Hello, Rainbow and I have been resting for fifteen minutes. What took so long?”
Atreyos looks at Harry, and punches a nearby wall, “Damn it!”