Ofolrodi

by Imploding Colon


Sometimes, There's No Ceremony

“Now—I know we've got a strictly untouchable reserve of moon stones being set aside in case shit should really hit the fan and we gotta blast our way out of a true pinch,” Flynn spoke. “Like way back there with the trolls.” His horn focused a beam of light on a singular strip of silver matter resting on an impromptu workbench at the Herald's camp. “But I think I can find a way to take tiny samples and make a concentrated mixture that will work wonders with Kepler's alchemy. Think... like... smoke bombs but with asphyxiating properties. Bursts of moon dust filtered into the lungs? Can't be a good thing.”

“... … ...” Logan listened but didn't listen. He squatted on a smattering of rubble with his broad axe propped up before him, sharpening it with a stone. Off in the distance, the grimy haze of central Blobstain lingered, with the ocean beating endlessly beyond. There was a dull gleam in his eyes—or a lack of one—as he gazed beyond his own work into the fuchsia basin that lay as an opaque barrier.

“I got Rainbow's permission to experiment on this one strip of moon-silver. I think I'm gonna make several leaps and bounds with this piece.” Flynn's mechanical eye lensed in and out as he sliced off more paper-thin layers of material and floated them into a translucent container atop the bench. “I can promise this: it'll go a hell of a lot better than Ariel's suggestion—which was to pass it off as sellable strips to the goblins. Heh. I swear, that mare runs on autopilot half the time.” Flynn blew slowly out the side of his muzzle. “Then again, don't we all...”

Silence.

Logan sharpened his axe in time with the distant rumbles of the ocean. He paused. Finally—

“Do you suppose she'll actually make it inside the goblin city?” Logan mused.

Flynn huffed, trying to focus squarely on his work. “Don't know. Don't care.”

Logan looked lethargically at him, eyebrow raised. “That's awfully dismissive, don't you think?”

“Big Show, she sabotaged the gondola, lost us Axan, and harassed us constantly with the way she dragged her talons,” Flynn grumbled. “Sometimes—I feel like I'm the only pony who remembers that. Me and Ariel, I suppose.”

“She also helped us out with escaping the wyrm and battling the trolls,” Logan droned. “Am I the only pony who remembers that?”

“Big Show, it—” Flynn huffed, calmed down, and closed his natural eye. “... … ...why are we even having this discussion? Yeah, sure, bad ponies come around. Bad griffons too. But does that mean I'm entitled to like them?” He turned and squinted at his best friend. “Or you for that matter. Why does Seraphimus continue to weigh on you so?”

“When we found our asses here on the Dark Side, I made a commitment to Rainbow Dash,” Logan declared. “I was gonna play bodyguard. I had a duty to protect the Austraeoh from the one creature destined to destroy her. And as the moonless night went on, I figured that the only natural thing to do was help Seraphimus come to her senses. Not just for our sake, but for hers as well.”

“Yeah? And?”

“And at the risk of tooting my own horn, that's about the only damned progress any of us have made since we came here,” Logan grunted.

“Pfft...” Flynn smirked bitterly. “Isn't that a bit short-sighted?”

“You tell me, dude.” Logan's tone didn't burn any hotter than that. He looked aside in an undeniable malaise. “The Austraeoh's whole schtick is to change the world for the better. Well... we reached out to one soul, and now she's gone away. Doesn't that just make the Dark Side... a little darker?”

Flynn opened his muzzle—but hesitated. He gazed thoughtfully at his friend. “Big Show...” An exhale, and he turned away from his workbench completely. “Logan...” He trotted over slowly, then rested a hoof on the larger stallion's fetlock. “I'm... truly sorry that you lost someone you've gotten so close to. Yes, I'm being pretty damn dismissive... but in doing that, I've dismissed you and all that you've done. I apologize for that.”

Logan merely shrugged.

Flynn continued: “I'm... even more sorry that... y'know... we haven't been there for you. That I haven't been there for you.” His good eye narrowed. “So that you had to take refuge with a friggin' murder turkey instead of the rest of your friends.”

“Hrmmmfff...” Logan snorted. “Don't be so hard on yourself—”

“No. No. I'm not hard on myself enough. It's true. We've kept our distance from you.” Flynn sighed, leaning back. “And from each other as a whole. Me?” He waved generally towards his bench. “I get really really invested in my work. It's my way of... coping with this crazy ass situation we've found ourselves in. I've been... so laser-focused on my own sanity that I selfishly forgotten about yours or Ariel's or Dubya's.”

“You're still there for us when we need you, Flynn.”

“Yeah, well, it's not enough. We could all aspire to be like Rainbow Dash. Just as you do.” Flynn looked squarely at Logan. “It's a tough climb. Fitting that you—the toughest of us all—would put your nose to the grindstone so diligently.”

“If only you had talked to her more. Ariel too. Just talked...” Logan returned to sharpening his blade. “...you'd have found qualities to appreciate.” Swipe after swipe. “Even dig.”

“... … ...” Flynn cocked his head aside. “You... sure that all of this is only about 'doing what Rainbow Dash' would do?”

Yes,” Logan finally grunted, frowning. “I'm sure.”

“Because knowing Rainbow, and considering how well she gets along with Wildcard...” Flynn smirked slightly, waving a hoof. “If the Desperado was a Desperadette—”

“There's been no room for anyone after Sariah,” Logan hissed. “That was true then—and it'll be true forever.”

Flynn bit his lip, stepping back a bit. “I'm sorry.”

“It's fine, dude,” Logan exhaled with ease. “I'm not.” He swiped the stone against the blade again. “I just... came to find some commonalities with Seraphimus. A seasoning of the same aches and regret. A cold... slightly subdued sense of patience for all things falling down everywhere.” His nostrils flared. “And—no—I never once forgot about what happened at the World's Edge. That, for many reasons, is why...” A pause. “...she remained just that. A murder pigeon with whom I made... we made extraordinary progress.”

Silence.

Flynn gazed at his friend thoughtfully for a spell. He eventually spoke: “I'm guessing she'll make it to the outskirts.”

“Hmmm?” Logan looked over.

“Of the main goblin City,” Flynn said. He gestured: “Petri Dish or whatever it's called. I doubt they'll be taking griffons in anytime soon. But—knowing Sera—she'll scare a whole crapton of them imps and form a city of her own.”

“You don't say...”

“Yeah. New Frostknife or something. She'll make a tiny little Court of new tribes—imp ones. A tribe for each of the creatures we saw illustrated back in Darkreach. Plus the 'kobolds' I keep hearing about, whatever the Hell they are.”

“Now you're just being silly.”

“Am I?”

A beat.

Flynn continued: “I believe Seraphimus will be fine, Logan. How can she not? She had to deal with weeks... months of talking to you.” A smirk. “The rest of the Dark Side should be an easy glide, all things considered.”

“Hmmff...” Logan's muzzle curved ever so slightly. “You make a pretty good point.”

“My horn's gotta be good for something, every once in a while.”

“I... I cut you off earlier, dude.” Logan cleared his throat. “That was rude of me. You were trying to explain the new moonsilver concentration or something. So—like—what's up with that?”

Flynn opened his muzzle, paused, and ultimately said: “Who the buck cares about my tinkering, dude. I'll get done whatever I'm working on.” He leaned his head aside. “How about you, though?”

“Hmm? What about me?”

“Been... sleeping well at all?”

“... … ...” Logan shifted where he sat. “No. Not really.”

Flynn lowered his head with a concerned look. “Been dreaming about Luram?”

“... … … … ...yeah.”

Flynn squatted down beside him. “Wanna... talk about it?”

Logan looked aside. He was tired and haggard and all-around drained. But, nevertheless, he smiled.


Swoooooooosh!

Ariel glided down from a sharp height, landing upon a lofty mound of rubble along the Edgeside portion of Blobstain.

Within mere seconds—

Fwoooooosh! Wildcard landed a few meters away from her. It was less graceful of a landing, and his claws raked a bit at the mound, sending pebbles scattered.

“Hah!” Ariel smirked. “Beat ya!”

The Desperado merely huffed. He pulled out a parchment with hastily scribbled markings on it and gestured.

“Yup.” Ariel nodded back. “Sure do.” She reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a similar sheet. “I flew at a crow's pace—from here to the Blob and back—and measured the whole time. It bears repeating to get a solid average, I'd say, but it's safe to guestimate that we've got about five kilometers between this point and the ocean. What about you? Did you get a good Alpha-to-Omega stretch count?”

Wildcard nodded, then gestured Ariel to trot close.

“Yeah, let's compare notes.”

She scooted up to the griffon. Both looked at their sheets side by side.

“Yeesh, you had a whole lot more work than I did.” Ariel whistled. “Twelve kilometers! I guess most of Blobstain really does just... cling to the slime.” She took both sheets and held them side by side in her hooves. “What are these markings? Here and here—in the center...?”

The Desperado talon-signed.

“Ah. So... I guess we could consider the portion in-between as 'downtown' Blobstain. Sooooo... five kilometers by three kilometers. That's roughly fifteen square kilometers. Guessing that puts...” She craned her neck towards the sprawling imp city down hill. “... … ...the Iron-Blood trade facility in the center. The one with all the smokestacks? That's who Kepler said owned the place, right?”

The griffon nodded.

“Cool. We've almost got the workings of a map down.” Ariel whipped out a pen and began sketching on both parchments, still holding them side by side. “Almost starting to feel like a home-away-from home. Stink and all. Heh...” She smirked at Wildcard. “Seems like we kinda sorta should have done this waaaaay back before we even left for the Tree of Mothers.”

Wildcard merely shrugged. He pointed at the town, then gestured.

“Good point.” Ariel's nostrils flared as she scribbled. “At least Darkstine didn't have its fair share of suicidal hobos. Y'know... sure... I get it... the Dihmers don't particular care for possessions and aspirations and statehood or whatcrap... but would it really kill them to at least build some better shelters over their bald heads?” A derpy blink, and she rolled those same eyes. “Okay—so maybe that's the point. They'll just dwell upon any misery that they can find. But at some point in the past ponies had the bright idea of erecting all of those now-crumbled buildings! What was so wrong with that, huh?”

Metal and flesh talons swiped in the twilight.

“Ugh. I do not want to be here that long.” Ariel tossed her mane back, staring out across the wasteland bordering Blobstain. “But—I guess if we had to spend enough time here... we could convince the imps that building a... uhm... community center would increase productivity of trade with the Dihmers. But... like... would we even be able to count on the ponies around here to come together on one singular project?”

Wildcard responded with a short swipe.

“Snkkkt—heeheeheee...!” Ariel covered her muzzle with a rosy smirk. “No. That won't work any better. I—for one—will not be registering at the 'brand new Blobstain Nightclub.'” She exhaled with a shudder, then gave the two sheets of parchment one lasting look. “That's... a good enough base to start with. A few more flyovers will let us mark the landmarks inside the borders. Then we can give the chart to Keps to make a decent quality map. Hell—the lil' guy will just eat that up. You know he will.”

With a nod, Wildcard took both sheets of paper and slid them into a pocket within his bandoleer. He flexed his wings, making to take off again.

“Don't you wanna take a break?” Ariel cocked her head aside. “You've been at this for over three hours.”

He responded with a pointed talon aimed at her.

The pegasus rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know. But—what's the rush?”

He responded with a blur of phrases, then approached the edge of the rubble—

“Jordan—for realsies.” Ariel rested a hoof on his feline haunches. “Just chill. Only for a bit. Save working yourself to the bone for when it really matters, huh?”

The Desperado exhaled sharply. He turned towards her with a blank stare, his goggles cold in how they reflected her worried expression.

Ariel bit her lip, but she held her ground. “Look... we all gave up so much to get here. A commitment to the Herald is a commitment for life. But—speaking for myself, at least—a lot of what's behind me is... really really behind me. Like... years gone.” She gulped, then slowly shook her head. “Nobody was ever expected to give up two close friends in a span of months.”

A sigh. Wildcard slowly gestured a response.

“Heh... your speech skills aren't like your sneaking skills.” Ariel tiredly smirked. “Of course she meant something. Your oath of silence wouldn't be much of an 'oath' if it weren't for who or what you once pledged your loyalty to.”

He gave a dismissive wave, then signal'd a few other words.

“No.” She looked down sadly. “I... I-I guess I don't.”

He turned once again towards central Blobstain. His wings spread...

...only for Ariel to reach in from behind and hug him. Dearly. The two were anchored there, and her voice fell over the pair like a blanket.

“Just... just chill for a bit, alright? If not for yourself, then for me.”

“... … ...” Wildcard was still as stone.

“It's... … ...so difficult just knowing if you're okay, Jordan.” Ariel sniffled slightly, but suppressed it. She hugged the Desperado tighter as she gazed into the twilight, eyes misty. “Maybe... just for a little while... we can both pr-pretend, huh? Would that be good enough?”

Upon hearing that, the griffon's muscles relaxed slightly. He reached a metal hand around and patted her hoof, relenting to the embrace.

She sighed with mild relief, closing her wet eyes and gently nuzzling him. The two remained there on that hilltop for a decent length of time. The map wouldn't be finished for a while.


“Ah~ She's a beaut! Or—more accurately—half of one.” Plato of Chrome Blood smiled over his shoulder and across the cramped lengths of his office. The interior of the trade guild's head quarters was considerably less grandiose than those of the Smelt-Blooders. The miniature manifestation of Petra along the wall, however, was just as elaborate if not more so than Kirbo's. The spokesgoblin for the Chrome guild was attaching a fresh new metal spoke to the branches and twisting the bulb at the end to fully fasten—all the while speaking: “Reckon we're makin' good progress on her. T'ain't simple braggin' or nothin'. That varnish yer mates brought us was Grade-A Frostbeams. Feels like coatin' leathah in lake watah. In short, we should have the skiff done ahead of schedule. Then yous cobbahs can do whatevah ya want across all the bleaks of the Blob.”

“Sooo...” Rainbow Dash stood shoulder to shoulder with Kepler, fidgeting slightly. “...that's it, then?”

Plato turned around to blink curiously at her. “What, sheilah? You expectin' streeps to come flyin' out of me gizzard too?” He chuckled good-naturedly. “Yer gettin' yer boat soonah than expected, but we Chrome-bloodahs ain't no miracle workers. Thet sort of magic ees simply courtesy of yous mates and theah dihmah friend.”

“No no no... what I mean is... uhm...” Rainbow glanced at Kepler, then back at Plato. “I... I-I guess I was just expecting you to squeeze us for more strips or favors or something.” She cleared her throat. “Not gonna lie. I find all of this... … … generosity and civility to be very surprising.”

“What?” Plato's teeth showed as his eyes narrowed. “You expect all imps to be mindless, streep-robbin', greedy malcontents?” A beat. “Because you'd be right!” He laughed, turned, and gave the bulb at the end of the metal spoke a flick.

The elaborate diorama gained a brand new luminescent branch.

Plato whistled at himself with a smile, then shuffled back towards his desk. “Ehhhhhhhh-yeahhhh... Blobstain's a big ol' bucket of exploitation and misery.” The imp leaned his back against the furniture and folded his arms as he peered at the two Penumbrans. “But doesn't mean you can't do thangs a tad beet differently, aye? Peetra's flame gonna manifest on ingenuity as much as progress. Ya ask me—the Smelt and Steel and Iron trade-o's are profitin' enough as it ees.” He gave his silver necklace a slight twirl as his eyes narrowed. “I care about streeps as much as the next gobbo, but that dun account for the varnish we gained the other day. Some things take trust... faith... and simple honest-to-cindahs respect.”

“You've reached out to the dihmers around here...” Rainbow Dash declared. “As personally as you an afford to—for deals?”

“Ehhhh... only the ones who show a knack for lookin' past theah own ennui,” Plato said. “Those are the ones that most of the othah horsies pay no attention to. Cuz they break the dihmah mold, ya see.” He smiled slightly. “Ingenuity comes from outsidahs on the inside. Take you for example...”

“Me?”

“Too right, sheilah! Now you and yer friends supposedly hail from Penumbra—but you've got the heart of a flame kindlah. Smell the cindahs on you, I do. Figure yer mates and I work so well togethah cuz we flickah the same. We treat othahs like operatahs of a machine, instead of the actual cogs and spokes themselves. Ya see, this mattahs in the long run, cuz the world's the biggest machine theah ees.”

Rainbow took a long breath. “You have no idea how right you are...”

Plato was shrugging. “Which is why I hold no misgivin's ovah you workin' consistently with the Smelt-Bloodahs, despite the fact that theah a bunch of greedy yabbos. Not to mention our biggest rivals. Heh.”

“The skiff is just one piece of the puzzle,” Kepler interjected. “We arre endeavorring to crross the full length of the Blob in the event that we need to put this porrtion of the worrld behind us. Yourr frriendly apprroach to individual denizens of Blobstain is most laudable, but the Smelt-Blooderrs arre so deeply entrrenched in dihmerr trrade, and they may be ourr only way to make use of this town's larrgest porrt—”

Plato waved his clawed hands. “Ya dun need to excuse yerselves or nothin', mate! Trust me. I know what it's all about, and I'd be doin' the same in your place.”

“Do you intend to be bigger than Smelt-Blood in this town someday?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Well, competition's the name of the game, love,” Plato said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Me trade-o mates would be sorely disappointed if we dun give it our all.” He blew out the side of his mouth. “Even if—yes—that means we might someday become as big and greedy as them someday.”

“Heaven forrbid!” Kepler rumbled.

“Hah!” Plato merely smirked. “Thet's the big conundrum, ain't it? Soon as ya burn the brightest, you can't appreciate all the tiny little lights and theah colors.” He gazed once more at the glowing diorama welded to the wall behind his desk. “I trust Peetra's flame with me life, but damned if it isn't just a big ol' meltin' cycle, the longah you take it all in. That's why we have the Metal Mum—and those before and after her. Gotta put a center to the spin, aye? But one day—we gobbo's believe—Peetra's flame will be somethin' we all live in. Somethin' that's been taken away from us ages ago. Ya see... in the end... the profit belongs to all imps. That's why it's important to treat each other as mates, ya reckon?”

“The golden rrule,” Kepler stated.

“Aye. A shiny one, no doubt.” He tipped an invisible hat and winked. “That's why I'm propah stoked to get yous and yer mates wherevah you need to go. Or—at least—play my part.”

Rainbow Dash slowly nodded. “Plato, you're a very awesome and respectable soul.” A pause. She cleared her throat. “Which is why I think you deserve for me to be as honest with you as you've been with me.” She trotted a bit closer to the imp, gazing at eye level with the goblin. “... … ...I am working closely with the Bloodwings... with the goal of establishing an alliance with them against the other members of the Trinary War.”

Kepler's spectacled eyes glanced at Rainbow, then back at Plato.

Rainbow continued: “They already know that my friends and I are camped out here in Blobstain. But they are working in tandem—both the elders of the Tree of Mothers and the soldiers of the field—to let me accompany their ranks. My ultimate goal is to... breach the Midnight Armory—or the Sarcophagus of Ages—before the Night Shard or the changelings of Tchern. It's a long and arduous journey, but I believe I might be making some headway. But—in case I don't—it would be really really nice to have a backup escape plan... one that involves using this nearby ocean to our advantage. And—if things do go our way, who knows? This boat could help us make new friends, allies, and connections with both dihmers and imps as we endeavor to secure the Sarcophagus.”

Plato scratched his chin in thought. His pointed ears twitched after listening to all of that. “That is... a most fascinating bucket of info, sheilah. I'm rapt that you would share eet with me.”

“Uh huh.” Rainbow arched an eyebrow. “Do you believe it?”

“Hah!” Plato's teeth showed through a laugh. “Yer mates have already proved theah crazy enough to accomplish the impossible and fetch us some lovely varnish. What more do you need to prove.” He nevertheless cleared his throat. “But I reckon I like this revelation all the same. Gotta say, love, not all gobb-o's would be pleased to heah eet.”

“Because... the Bloodwings are a threat to Blobstain?”

“Eh... not to Blobstain exactly. Ain't nothin' of much value to them bat-so's heah. But plenty of trade-o's have cousins sittin' out theah in the bleaks. They've seen no end of trouble from the flyin' glue sticks.” Plato instantly winced. He waved a hand. “Erm... a thousand pardons, Sheilah. Force of habit—and a dirty one at that.”

Rainbow nodded. “It's quite alright. What do the Bloodwings do to goblins way out in... uhm... the bleaks?”

“Nothin' that them crazy drongo's didn't ask for, I'll tell ya that much.”

“Huh?”

“It's a bloody bad idea tryin' to stoke the flames thet far out in the nothingness in the first place!” Plato cackled. “But some guildies are just crazy as cockroaches, ya heah? They wanna make new imp cities wheah the 'cindahs will burn brightest!' Just mad-speak, if ya ask me. They only become prey to change-o's and shard-o's and—yes—even bat-so's. Or... worst of all... they give in to the bleakness and turn into trolls.”

“That... c-can happen?” Rainbow sputtered.

“Haven't seen eet myself. Dun care to. But—back to the mattah at claw—I can't say I would so easily dismiss all them migratory blokes.” Plato gestured. “Some of them have managed to make trade-o friends with the bat horses. They rake in profit for imps all across the plane—includin' a few of our neighbors heah in Blobstain. Now, every once in a while, word comes in that the bat-so's abandoned them durin' an invasion of change-o's, or sacrificed their souls to shard-o's. And each time that happens, the overall imp-pinion of ponies sours more and more. So... bright'n'right that you told me, and not othahs, ya reckon?”

Rainbow nodded. “I got it. And thanks for the heads up. I'll... be on the lookout.”

“For what? Imps heah in Blobstain or out theah in the bleaks with yer bat-so mates?”

“Both!”

“Heheheheh...” Plato saluted. “Gotta admire a horse who stays the course.” He stood up straight from the desk. “Any other questions, love? I'd say we started out on a pretty good foot—or hoof, if yer countin'.”

“... … ...” Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her neck. She thought, hummed, then eventually cracked her voice: “Actually... there is one more question.”

“Well, I'm all ears.” Plato folded his arms and chuckled. “And then some.”

“One of... my friends has elected to leave the party...”

“Is that so?”

“The how and why is not important. It's her life to live. I'm... happy for her.” Rainbow cleared her throat. “The reason I bring it up is that she ultimately chose to take off with an imp from around these parts. I only really know him by name.”

“Well, let's heah it.”

“Jacko.” Rainbow looked up. “Jacko of... Tit Blood?

Tail Blood.”

“Er... right. That.” Rainbow blushed.

“Ach...” Kepler leaned towards Plato. “So you know him?”

“Hell, of course I do.” Plato chuckled breathily. “Every gobb-o heah in Blobstain knows about ol' Jacko. Why, he's a regular household name.”

“A good name, we hope,” Kepler remarked.

“One that's typically mentioned in laughing, I'm afraid,” Plato declared. “Most gobb-o's would tell you that Jacko is a joke. A delusional punchline of an imp, and a poor one at that. Always thin on streeps, and yet overflowin' with tall tales and furphy.”

“And what would you say about him?” Rainbow asked.

“Thet...” Plato sighed, scratching the back of his head. “...thet he's a poor unfortunate soul who's lost grip of most of his cindahs.” He gulped. “Many gobbo's who have spoken to ol' Jacko recalls that he always says one thang off the bat: he used to live in the upper branches of Peetra.”

“Petra the city?”

“Too right.” Plato nodded. “On the loftiest spokes, accordin' to the bloke. He'd negotiate caravan deals that stretched all across the bleaks—even to the brinks. He supposedly brushed elbows with the Metal Mum herself. But then—one day—he made a bad deal or pushed the wrong buttons. Theah was a vote, and in the end blessed Avril had him kicked out. Now... he's a Tail-Bloodah.”

“A... Tail Blooder...” Rainbow squinted. “Doesn't exactly sound very important.”

Plato looked at her directly. “No imp evah climbs the guildie branches, love. They eithah float sideways or fall down to wheah the flame is dim. That's why it helps to continue wheah the cindahs spat you out at birth.”

“That seems... remarkably cruel,” Rainbow sputtered.

“Ain't exactly up to us to fiddle with the rules,” Plato said in a breathy tone. “Only mind them. Things could change, of course... but...” A bittersweet chuckle. “I'm no Mum and I ain't made'o'Metal. So t'ain't up to me.”

“I would venturre to say you've functioned admirrably, despite the fact,” Kepler declared.

“Thanks heaps.” Plato adjusted his vest. “I do try~”

“So, in the end, Jacko is... a fallen goblin,” Rainbow stated. “And my friend has gotten herself in league with... a vagabond?”

“Ehhh... I wouldn't be so harsh on ol' Jacko. I smell cindahs comin' from him, even if the rest of the imps dun see it. Just... he ain't exactly fetchin' to earn much in the way of streeps—as of late. So if yer departin' mate ees fixin' to ascend anywheah in gobb-o trade, he ain't exactly the one to assist her.”

“She said that she was wanting to get into Petra,” Rainbow stated. “I'm guessing she expects Jacko to help her, and maybe vice versa.” She gulped, staring off with a worried expression. “I had an inkling of hope... but now I'm not sure if she's ever going to find a home there.”

“Well, hopefully she'll be fixin' to find a home whereveah she finds herself. Maybe she could help Jacko do the same—that's what's really plaguin' him, I think. But...” Plato strolled across the office. “...who knows. Maybe they both will get back into the Metal Mum's city.”

“But... it sounds so crazy...”

“So does strikin' a bargain with the bats-o's in hopes of endin' this damnable war.”

Rainbow blinked.

Plato stood in front of her, then gently grasped her fetlock in two clawed hands. He stared eye-to-eye with the petite pegasus. “We are the guardians of the cindahs, mate. Theah's a light brightah than everything, and we gotta do all we can to keep thangs glowin' until we get theah.” He smirked. “No mattah how wack-o, aye?”


Later...

Rainbow Dash and Kepler strolled casually out of the crude metal headquarters to Chrome Blood. They passed by a train of meditating dihmers and a few goblins pulling wagons.

As the decrepit street opened to them, they walked at a slow pace, breathing in time with the beats of the slimy ocean beyond.

“Nice imp~” Rainbow mused.

“Affirrmative.” Kepler nodded. His scorpion tail curled, uncurled, curled. “As I keep telling ourr frriends, therre is hope yet to be found on the Darrk Side. You just have to be patient and look for it.”

“I'm a bit jealous... in a way...”

Kepler gazed aside, adjusting his spectacles to study her. “Why is that, Rrainbow?”

“Over the last few days, I've been flying to the Tree of Mothers and back,” Rainbow remarked. “My hours have been filled with arrogant elders, preachy warmongerers, and a heck of a lot of craziness and bloodlust in between.” She slowly shook her head. “I haven't gotten to... sit back and chill here in Blobstain—long enough to reap the benefits of patience.”

“Hah-HAH!” Kepler smiled through his tusks. “We haven't entirely been 'chilling, my frriend.”

“Even still... I kinda feel like I've robbed myself of something.”

“You have been tackling ourr most imporrtant expenditurre yet~” Kepler stated. “And—surrely—you can apply the same hope and belief to our soon-to-be-allies among the Bloodwings.”

“I... guess I have to...” Rainbow tongued the inside of her muzzle. “But it's a thick... thick curtain to look through at all times.” She gulped. “And I'm scared that I still haven't seen all the horrors hiding behind it, much less stuff to hope for.”

“Still, it's prrogrress all the same, yes?”

“With Mistress Faatail, Nat'rdo... most certainly.” Rainbow fidgeted in mid-trot. “With Lexxic, though...?”

“He hasn't slain you, has he?”

“... … ...” Rainbow sighed. “No. And... I've certainly given him reason to.”

“I would venturre to say that that's prrogrress enough!” Kepler smirked. “Now—as for the elderrs—”

“I still can't get over whether or not they actually believe in being on the level with Lexxic, or if they're just using me as they're... supposedly using Lyw'Malaak of the Third Root.” A blink. “I mean—I totally trust Faatail and Nat'rdo. They seem like honest and sincere ponies. But the rest of the High Polished?” She shuddered. “I don't think they truly speak for them... as much as they would like to.”

“Ach... it seems a most delicate situation.”

“It is, Keps. It is.”

“If I may rrisk stating something brrash... … …perrhaps even tantamount to boastful...”

“Pfft... coming from you?” Rainbow Dash smirked aside at the wyvern. “Now this I was born to hear.”

He cleared his throat. “Perrhaps it would be genuinely helpful to brring me along forr yourr next rendezvous.”

“You mean... have you in the party for when we meet up with Lexxic and company again?”

“I cannot prromise to be a fitting rreplacement forr Serraphimus,” Kepler said. “But I might be able to connect with the goverrnorrs and lorre-keeperrs who arre... at least moderrately invested in rrelating to the Avatarr of Luna.”

“I'm... not sure how that would even work, Keps,” Rainbow stated. “To get anywhere near the high polished, you gotta be the highest caste and—most importantly—a girl. And, no offense, but I don't think you're quite cut out for that.” She shivered, teeth clenched. “Literally.”

He smiled through his tusks. “My species is asexual. Cerrtainly that could land in a grray arrea, yes?”

“... … …” Rainbow Dash blinked at that. “Huh... when you put it like that...”

“The Bloodwings of the Darrk Vigil arre still sarrosians at hearrt. If I had a chance to study the Book of Sarros in-depth—orr at least an accessible trranscrript of it—then perrhaps I might be able to find philosophical loopholes and arrguments that could furrtherr supporrt yourr standing therre amidst the elderrs. Or even Lexxic!”

“That sounds... really really cool, Lexxic. Believe me—I wish I could take you up on that offer. But—”

“I would be forrced to rremain among the warrmongerrerrs, no matterr what.”

Rainbow shrugged. “That's besides the point. Truth is... I need you here, Keps.”

“Ach. To continue negotiating with the Smelt-Blooderrs...”

And the dihmers and the Chrome-Blooders.” Rainbow motioned back at the distant building behind them. “We don't run into imps like Plato by pure coincidence. What you and the other dudes are doing here is really helping out, and I'd hate to change that.”

“I would give otherrs crredit forr Plato well before ascrribing any prrovidence to me...”

“Even still, it's working. And I need it to continue working. The backup plan needs to remain as what it is.”

“Affirrmative. I apprreciate yourr rreasoning, Rrainbow.”

“Don't mention it.”

“So... forr yourr rreturrn back to the Trree of Motherrs...”

“It'll be me, Jordan, and Ariel.” Rainbow took a deep breath. “The fastest. The swiftest. The most badass.”

“Arre you... concerrned that you might be utilizing one of those skills morreso than the otherr two?”

“I'd hope not, but it remains a possibility. That's why it's gotta be the three of us. I'd bring Logan, but... well... y'know.”

“Ach. Too trrue. Even on the Darrk Side, grravity taunts us.”

“Heh. Darn skippy. Heheheh...”

“Hah-HAH!”

As the two chuckled merrily with each other...

...a monotone voice bled in from the background, barely perceivable beneath the beats of the Blob. It took a few moments of patient repetition for either of the two to hear it. Rainbow held up a hoof, silencing Kepler and herself. She tilted her head up, ears twitching.

“...it negotiates...”

While the voice was a droning sound at best, it nevertheless sounded ever so slightly pleading. Almost as if it was an address.

“Ach! It Ages!” Kepler turned and bowed low with a tusked smile. “How felicitous to bearr witness to yourr enigmatic prresence once again!”

“Huh?” Rainbow's muzzle scrunched. What ages?” Kepler pointed with his scorpion tail. Rainbow turned around and did a double-take. “Whoah!” She hopped back a full two feet from a deadpan expression in her face. “Ho ho ho ho—hello there...~”

The dihmer mare with a stubby horn merely blinked at the two. “It negotiates and it refracts.”

Rainbow blinked. “... … … ...huh?”

“Ahem...” Kepler rested a claw on Rainbow's withers. “I do believe she is addrressing us, frriend.”

“When and where?”

“Just think about it,” Kepler said with a smile.

The dihmer's eyes calmly flitted between the two Penumbrans. “It succeeds with that which pillages?”

“... … ...” Rainbow stared... stared... squinted... and stared some more. She glanced into open space. “AJ? Anything?

“Allow me, Rrainbow...” Kepler stepped forward and gazed evenly with the local. “Affirrmative! It returns that refracts with success! It makes an alliance with that which pillages! It struggles for that which benefits—both that which lingers and that which purges!”

The mare cocked her head to the side. “It pillages...”

“Mmmm. Indeed they do, wise one.” Kepler gestured at Rainbow Dash. “But that which rrefrracts also rrestorres! And inspirres!” He adjusted his spectacles. “Hopefully, those who pillage will soon be those who liberrate! In any case, it purrges that which seeks pain without catharrsis!”

“It acknowledges.” The mare turned towards Rainbow Dash. “And it also varnishes?”

“Uhhhhh... yyyyyyyeah...” Rainbow threw on a nervous smile. “We just got talking to your friend Plato. That stuff you helped my friends get—it's gonna make us a boat that can cross the Blob. It was really awesome of you to lend a hoof.”

“Ach...” Kepler leaned in, gesturing at Rainbow Dash. “It assists that smelts with the varnish. It traverses that which beats if it must depart! It is grateful that refracts for that which ages.”

The mare nodded. “It suffices. It acknowledges those which pursue the glimmer.”

Kepler smirked. “It suffices those which pursue as well.”

Silence. The mare eventually nodded. “It departs.”

Kepler waved. “It remembers.”

Heaving a bag full of metal junk, the dihmer mare trotted off.

Rainbow stared after her, blinking awkwardly. “I... don't understand half of what just got blabbered...” She turned to look at the wyvern. “But that's the mare who helped you guys, huh?”

“Obserrvant to the last, Rrainbow one.” Kepler chuckled. “Do forrgive me forr my good-naturred sarrcasm. I meant no rrespect.”

“No, it's—” Rainbow waved at the wyvern. “Chill, Keps. At ease.” She looked off after the mare's growingly distant figure. “She's... … ...crazy sociable.”

“You think as much, eh?”

“Don't get me wrong. She blends right in with the Blobstain crowd, but... I've met my fair share of antisocial, shelled-up ponies.” She gulped. “I can tell there's a lonely soul inside that dull exterior, trying to claw its way out.”

“Ach...” Kepler nodded. “Might I humbly advise you keep those obserrvations to yourrself, dearr frriend. No need to act on disrruptive impulse. You would not wish to rrepeat the same mistakes Flynn has made.”

“Oh, I can only imagine...” Rainbow glanced back at him. “Not very hard too, either. Still... at least you did a good job reaching out.”

“I was not the one rreaching, frriend.” Kepler smoothed his mane back. “You hearrd herr yourrself! I merrely negotiated.”

Rainbow bit her lip. “I wonder... … ...what if there are others like her?”

“Mmmm...” Kepler adjusted his spectacles in thought. “A suprreme likelihood. I still hold tight to my theorry that some of Darrkrreach's descendants arre interrsperrsed among the dihmer populace. But—what does it matterr to us in the herre and now?”

“I'm only saying—”

“You have a precarrious balancing act with the Darrk Vigil awaiting you, frriend.” Kepler's eyes narrowed. “Do you rreally... trruly wish to add even morre weight to the task?”

Rainbow sighed, hanging her head. “... … ...you're right, Keps. As always.”

“Not always.” Kepler smiled and gestured broadly back towards the location of the Herald's camp. “Only when I am needed.”

“I just sometimes wish that saving the whole world...” Rainbow trotted off, side by side with the wyvern. “...didn't always have to involve holding the whole world on my backside throughout the duration.” A beat. She glanced aside. “Huh? What's that, Pinkie?” Another pause. “Pffft—how the heck should I know?” She exhaled. “Okay. Alright. Put it on the list. When we get back and all of this is over, you can introduce us all to Maud and maybe I'll understand all these references, okay...?”


A bowl levitated to a stop on the stone earth in front of Rainbow Dash. A steamy broth sloshed a bit and settled, its contents filled with a smattering of fungal bits. Rainbow looked up with a soft smile.

“Thanks, Flynn.”

“Don't mention it.” The stallion continued dishing out meals to the rest of the group as the Herald as a whole sat in a wide circle around their campfire. “I may not have the same magic touch as Keps has got, but—”

“Do not be so harrsh on yourrself, brrotherr.” Kepler grasped his bowl and a spoon. His soup—like many others'—contained sizable chunks of cooked meat. “Considerr this as an opporrtune time forr you to hone yourr crraft! Ha-Hah!

Wildcard signed something.

“Whatever,” Ariel remarked, already two or three spoon-dips in. “So long as it couldn't talk or pick flowers while it was alive, I'm cool with tonight's menu.”

Rainbow paused in the middle of her consumption. She looked up. “Guess I should ask... uhm... just how much of the 'non-meat' bounty do we have left?”

Logan and Wildcard glanced at Flynn.

Flynn slowly sat down with his plate. He eventually smiled. “Let's just say—next time you return to the Tree of Mothers—you'll probably wanna do some personal shopping... if you know what I mean.”

Rainbow cleared her throat and took a few more sips. “That might be half the challenge, right there.”

Ariel looked up. “Oh, I'm sure there's a personal dining service for the High Polished that would suit you. The mares of Gibbous Sanctum don't exactly strike me as a bunch of raw meat-eaters.”

Wildcard gestured.

“Who cares what Lexxic and the boys would think,” Rainbow replied in a raspy tone. “Besides, it's not like I'm asking them to hug, smile, and sing Hearth's Warming songs.”

“Hearrth's Warrming...?” Kepler remarked.

Rainbow glanced aside at open space. After a few seconds, she smirked, and looked back at the wyvern. “Forget about it. Old Equestrian stuff.”

“But you've alrready colorred me intrrigued, frriend!” Kepler sat up straight, blinking brightly through his bifocals. “I've hearrd so much about the land of the solarr diarrchy! All inforrmation came frrom Morrtuana, who was exceptionally wise. And yet—she herrself neverr lingerred in Equestrria forr verry long, so surrely therre is morre for the likes of us to grrasp!”

“It... was just a passing expression, Keps,” Rainbow said. “What matters is—I think maintaining a friendly diet among the Bloodwings will be my least concern.”

“And if it isn't?” Logan looked up. “If it means making the first step to win favor of Lexxic and his buddies? Would you be willing to take it?”

Wildcard and Ariel winced.

Rainbow sat silently with her bowl in her grasp.

Logan kept staring at her, deadpan.

Flynn bit his lip. As he sat down beside Logan, he cleared his throat. “I'm... sure the Austraeoh's got that covered.” He dug into his bowl a bit, speaking solidly. “Just like she knew that saying good-bye to Seraphimus didn't mean she'd be free of dissenting opinions.”

Logan blurted: “I'm just hoping Rainbow's thought about it—”

“I have, Big Show, thanks,” Rainbow retorted. As she realized that silence was thickening swiftly after that, she added: “But... that doesn't mean I don't want to be reminded.” A humble sigh. “What I need to do... the lengths I ultimately need to take to reach the Harmonic Prism within the Midnight Armory... … ...will take lots of sacrifice. And... and I should make sure that those sacrifices are mostly mine. Not anypony else's.”

“I agree with you in principal, Rainbow,” Logan said. His bowl had been barely touched. “But—practically speaking—I'm not sure you can afford that luxury. Not with these many soldiers, troops, and enemies involved.”

Wildcard talon-signed.

Rainbow nodded. “Yeah. I know. And I swear to Celestia I'm not trying to avoid it. It's...” A slight shudder. “...it's not like Seraphimus thinks. Or thought.”

“Just what did she think?” Ariel asked.

“You know what? I struggle even now to answer that,” Rainbow said. “She advised me to do a few things.” She gestured across the campfire at Logan. “But then Big Show tells me that she suggested completely opposite advice.”

“Sounds like she was all over the place,” Flynn remarked. “Maybe she ditched the group cuz she couldn't handle the pressure of the struggle.” A sip. “Hmrmfff... if only you had that luxury.”

“Yeah, but Seraphimus was obsessed with one thing—and she didn't struggle with singling it out.” Rainbow's eyes narrowed. “She wanted me to make a commitment. At least—one that would sit well with her.”

“And have you?” Logan asked. Upon feeling Flynn's glare, he groaned: “We're having a healthy discussion here...”

“I have thought... that helping the Dark Vigil by assisting Lexxic...” Rainbow squirmed where she sat. “...will force me to do lots... and lots of things that I won't be proud of. Assuming I live long enough to feel the regret. But...” She took two patient sips, taking her time with her meal as Logan sat still and watched her. Finally: “When that struggle comes... I want it to be my trial. Mine alone. And not Verlaxion's.”

Logan nodded. “And you will have our support.”

Flynn nodded as well.

“Hmmm... boy am I glad for that.” Rainbow blinked. She looked up, sharing glances with everypony. “I am glad for it. Y'know? Truly, I am. You guys have stuck by me for so long in spite of so much that's unfolded and... … ...” She squirmed where she sat. “... … ...I don't want you to think that just because I'm quietly depending on all of your support and moving so swiftly ahead with my plans that I... somehow don't appreciate each and every one of you.”

“We have no doubt of that, Rainbow,” Ariel said.

“Don't you?” Rainbow's brow furrowed. “Seraphimus asked to leave and I let her go like an old hat. No ceremony. No pomp. Nothing.”

“I think I speak for...” Flynn glanced at Logan, then back at Rainbow. “...most of us when I say that we're not exactly broken-hearted over Seraphimus' departure.”

Wildcard took a steely breath.

Flynn's metal lens rested on him. “Some of us chose to be cool with leaving her long ago. And we've moved on, because we had to.” He shrugged. “Now she has to move on. And that's fine. She showed that—given enough time and coolness of mind—she would have made a great addition to the team. Hell, even I'll admit that I'd be dead a dozen times if it weren't for her these past few months. But if she doesn't have her heart in it—like the rest of us—then why force it out of her? She went through the same tests the rest of us have as of late, and she chose to ditch the Austraeoh. Well, so be it.” He took a sip of his soup, swallowed, and shrugged. “For all her preachiness, it's Seraphimus who struggles with commitment.”

Wildcard gestured.

“True.” Flynn nodded back. “But Rainbow's no replacement for Verlaxion. Is she?”

The Desperado's crest feathers relaxed. A sigh, and he bowed his head slightly before talon-signing.

“Glad we can agree on one thing,” Flynn muttered.

“Anyways, she's gone now,” Logan said in a low tone. “Best that we forget her. Think forward.”

“No. No.” Rainbow shook her head. “That's not how it works. We don't forget those whose paths we've crossed. No matter how briefly.”

“Keeping our eyes forward is most efficient, Rainbow,” Logan said.

Rainbow cocked her head aside. “Do you forget about those you've left behind? Back in Rohbredden?”

“... … ...” Logan was frozen still.

Flynn glanced nervously at him.

“I would never ask you to forget about your loved ones,” Rainbow said. She glanced aside at Ariel. “Mothers.” She looked at Wildcard. “Brothers.” Kepler. “Monarchs.”

One by one, the meal grew slow and quiet.

“Just because we can't give someone a ceremonial exit—or just because they refuse it—doesn't mean we should just pretend that they're a passing cloud of dust.” Rainbow fought a lump in her throat. “You have no idea how I wish we could have given Axan a proper burial. Yes—massive bones and all. She too is the reason for why I've... survived so many dang scrapes with death. Even if she did gift me death itself once...” Rainbow's eyes wandered the distant twilight, but for all the stars they ingested, they looked decidedly empty.

Silence.

“... … ...I appreciate and admire each and every one of you. And I... fear that I haven't shown that.” Rainbow gulped. “Just like I didn't show Sera. Or Axan. Mortuana.” A shudder. “Even Bard.”

Wildcard quickly responded to that.

“I know. I know. Even still. I've...” Rainbow bit her lip. “...I've lost whole families of ponies in my life. More than once. And for all I've gained back—on occasion—it still... hurts. It hurts to lose friends. And—as much as I hate to say it—it sometimes hurts even more to make new friends. Ever since we've met in Wyvern Point, I've... handled things at a distance. I've handled you at a distance. And that isn't right. You deserve better.”

“You werre always in yourr rright, Rrainbow Dash,” Kepler declared, and others nodded with him. “It is perrfectly underrstandable.”

“Our job has always been—first and foremost—a sworn oath,” Logan said. “The Covenant of the Heraldic Seven favored efficiency over affinity.”

“Still, Rainbow's onto something~” Ariel spoke up. “Even before we met her—we were also Job Squdders! We knew how to make friends with each other despite the nature of the business! Even Bard shared in that circle!”

Logan sighed. “The point I'm trying to friggin' make is that she shouldn't feel bad about it.” She looked at Rainbow. “Befriend us or use us. It makes no difference, Rainbow. You're the Austraeoh. Without you—completing your path—there won't be a world for anypony else to make friends. What's one fatso, a wyvern, a nerd, a mute, and a hornball?”

“Hey!” Ariel frowned, sitting up. “I object! I am not a nerd!”

“Hah hah hah!” Kepler laughed.

“Uhm...” Flynn raised a hoof. “I think Big Show was referring to—”

“Oh you're the hornball, bucko!” Ariel stuck her tongue out.

“Pfffft. Get real.”

Wildcard gestured something.

“Heeheehee!” Ariel kicked her lower hooves, nearly falling back with her bowl as she giggled. “Yeah! That'd be his married name! 'It misfires!'”

Wildcard smirked under his beak.

“I verry highly doubt that dihmerrs take on marrital titles,” Kepler remarked. “Orr marrry.”

“Oh! Oh! I know!” Ariel perked up. “'It seeks endowment!'”

Wildcard shook his head.

“Oh come onnn!” Ariel bapped his feathery crest with a fetlock. “You like that one!”

“Meh...” Flynn returned to his bowl. “I think I prefer 'cyclops'.”

Logan patted his shoulder. “Take it easy, dude. Half of the team's going back to the lion's den. They need fuel for the bat farts they'll have to endure.”

“They can carry me along with them,” Flynn droned. “The sarosians—at least—would treat me with greater respect.”

“Ach. Frriends.” Kepler smiled kindly. “Perrhaps we should rrestorre some wholesomeness to ourr jocularrity.”

“Pffft...” Ariel rolled her eyes. “What wholesomeness? We're the rottenest bunch of bastards in all the Dark Side.”

“You're comparing us to a bunch of leather-winged murderers and still you draw that conclusion?!” Flynn cackled.

“I doubt none of them snore like Big Show.”

Logan gestured. “She speaks the truth.”

“I know. That's why I said it.”

“We could haul him to the Tree of Mothers in his sleep,” Flynn muttered. “Use him as a sonic weapon device. Steal the Bloodwings' shard of Endrax for ourselves and steal off to Tchern. Rinse and repeat until the Night Shard are shattered.”

Wildcard gestured in agreement.

“Maybe Seraphimus would have stuck around if we committed to that plan,” Ariel stated.

“Ach... a verry rreal possibility...”

All this time, Rainbow Dash was squinting heavenward. Her lips pursed and her ears flicked as she scoured her mind... searched... translated... and ultimately produced: “~The fire of friendship lives in our hearts. As long as it burns, we cannot drift apart.~

Kepler did a double-take, nearly tossing off his spectacles. He sat up, staring at Rainbow in earnest.

She continued singing raspily into the glow of the campfire: “~Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few. Laughter and singing will see us through~

Logan, Flynn, Ariel, and even Wildcard gazed in silent, abject wonder.

Rainbow eventually finished: “~We are a circle of pony friends. A circle of friends we'll be to the very end.~” She breathed heavily after finishing. A beat. She glanced specifically to the side. “Give it up, Rarity. That's about all I could remember.” She dug into her bowl. “Besides... I never did get to go on stage for one of the plays.” A sip. “Mrmmfff... always wanted to be Commander Hurricane too. Heh... I guess—in a way—I still am...”

“Marrvelous...” Kepler grinned through his tusks. “A fine piece of culturre to sharre, frriend.”

“Mmmm...” Flynn sipped from a canteen of water. “Catchy.”

“Rainbow... … ...” Ariel was breathless, her cheeks rosy. “...that was beautiful.”

“Of course you would think so.” Rainbow rolled her eyes.

“No. I mean it! I had no idea you could sing.”

“I'm from Equestria,” Rainbow droned. “Every filly or colt learns to sing at some point. Just—not all of us can sing well.”

“Coulda fooled me~”

“If only you could hear Fluttershy,” Rainbow Dash said. “She was always the best singer of the group.” She did a double-take to her side. “Stop hiding your face like that, girl! It's true.”

Wildcard talon-signed: “Do you know any more?”

“Luna Poop...” Rainbow leaned back with a sigh. “You're asking the rain if it's wet. I've got—like—a million classic hymns stuck in my head.”

“Maybe there's a way to get them out,” Logan said.

“I... rarely do well at acapella,” Rainbow muttered.

A shrill whistle came from Wildcard. Rainbow watched as he fished around in his bandoleer, ultimately producing a harmonica. The old instrument glinted in the starlight.

“Spfffftttt!” Flynn choked on what remained of his soup. He coughed, wiped his muzzle, and stared with one wide-eye at Wildcard. “Holy shit! You still have that thing?!”

“Why not?” Logan belched. “He hung out with Bard to the bitter end. I'm surprised he doesn't have a piano hidden in there somewhere.”

“Ach!” Kepler smirked. “That's amazing.”

“Not half as amazing as the fact that he's a griffon who can play it.” Rainbow squinted at the Desperado. “You never did tell me your secret.”

Wildcard coolly sliced the air with his talons.

“Heh...” Rainbow nodded. “Guess that would spoil things.” She emptied her plate, swallowed, then scooted forward... closer to the fire. “Okay then. Who wants to hear some crappy, voice-cracking samples from home?”

“Me! Me! Me!” Ariel scooted closer. “Something uplifting!”

“Yes, that would most definitely imprrove spirrits,” Kepler added.

“Hmmmmm... I might know one. But after you hear it, your headspaces might hate me forever.”

“There are worse things to get stuck in our heads,” Flynn declared.

“Alright... this one has some... silly history to it,” Rainbow said. “My hometown of Ponyville lived on the edge of the Everfree Forest, and it was primarily an earth pony town. So—it became tradition to clean up after winter without the use of magic.”

“That...” Flynn blanched. “... … ...sounds incredibly stupid.”

Rainbow pointed at him. “You're absolutely right. And like most stupid things, we found ways to have fun with it. We even had a song.” She cleared her throat, signal'd the griffon with the harmonica, and gave the audience a devilish smirk. “... … ...you can find the time to forgive me later.”