//------------------------------// // Taking a Golden Opportunity // Story: Odrsjot // by Imploding Colon //------------------------------// As the Heraldite vessel came about for another pass, Nevlamas thrashed her neck skyward and blew fire at the crimson-streaking craft. Khao’s expert piloting twirled the ship past the aquamarine flames, angling out just in time to drop an explosive barrage of steam grenades across the Divine’s bleeding skull. With a loud, wailing growl, the dragon took wing and glided hungrily for the thrusters of the speedy frigate. Khao’s ship banked north, ascending over the charred wasteland as the chaotic monster gave chase. This gave Rainbow Dash and her group room to breathe, and it was all soon filled with gasps and murmurs. “Who in the hay are they?!” “That’s not like any Xonan or Confederate ship I’ve ever seen!” “It’s okay,” Rainbow Dash said, her eyes following the streaking sight as it drew Nevlamas into the gray distance. “They’re on our side.” Her ears folded. “I think.” “Does it matter?” Zaid asked. Basso nodded waggedly. “What he said.” “Rainbow! Now’s our chance!” Kera hopped up and down. “Let’s go do the flaming book thingy!” “Kera…” Rainbow growled lightly as he faced her. “We’ve been given a golden opportunity here,” Nightshade said. “Let’s not waste it.” “It’d be a shame to have come all this distance for nothing,” Roarke wheezed. Rainbow looked at Roarke, at Nightshade, then at Kera. “Fine. But if Roarke can’t come along, then I’m gonna need another pony to come with us.” With her last remaining strength, Roarke bucked Zaid in the flank. “Gaaah!” He stumbled forward into Rainbow’s side. Rainbow grimaced. “Ew, you?” “Hey, it’s a s-surprise to me too!” Zaid rubbed his flank with two hooves. “Can you fly a managlider?” “Does it involve steering clear of the earth?” “Good enough.” Rainbow picked Kera up and placed her--and the tome--dead center in the managlider. “Hold on tight, kiddo, this is gonna be a little bumpy.” “Uhhhh…” Kera nervously gulped, watching Zaid climb into the pilot’s seat. “You’re telling me.” “A monster that ferocious can’t be distracted for too long,” Nightshade said as she climbed into the rear. “We’d better be swift.” “That means you got some remembering to do, lady!” Rainbow said with a frown, then turned towards the Ledomaritans in the group. “Basso? Zetta?” She paused, fidgeting nervously. The two nodded in one accord. “It’s been great working with you, Rainbow Dash,” Basso said. “If it weren’t for you, none of us would have made it out of the Sacred Hold alive,” Zetta remarked with a sad smile. “So many ponies never got to see their families again, but we will.” “Thanks to you,” Basso added. Rainbow smiled, exhaling heavily. “Well… uh… actually, there is one thing I’d like to ask from you two.” “Name it.” Rainbow pointed at Roarke. “Take Roarke’s sound stone. Call the Jury and bring my friends around. She’s going where we’re going/ But if we need to give any of you guys a lift--” “We belong here,” Zetta insisted. “However this ends, we need to make sure Ledomare has a prosperous future.” Rainbow bit her lip. “It… might not end up the way you want it.” Her eyes swam over the Xonan who had piloted the managlider there. “For any of you.” “It is bigger than all of us, and it must collapse.” The Xonan leaned forward and spoke ardently. “Do not let the world be cursed by monster of Lasairfion.” “We won’t. You can count on that.” Rainbow turned towards the once-metal mare. “Roarke?” “Bucking move your flanks already!” she growled. “Right. There’ll be time for awkward hugs later.” Rainbow jolted ahead in a prismatic streak. “Zaid?! Gun it! For real!” “Hey, uhm…” Zaid’s eyes squinted across the dashboard. “I think the emergency brake is on. I can’t get the wheels to budge!” Nightshade hissed. “This is a hovercraft.” “Oh, so that explains the altimeter!” Zaid smiled crookedly. “Just kidding. I totally know what I’m doing--” His hoof brushed over a lever, suddenly accelerating the three ponies like a bullet out of a gun. “Waaaa-haaa-haaa-hooooiee!” Kera squealed from the adrenaline rush while Nightshade struggled to hold her lunch in. Both Rainbow and the glider could be seen bobbing and weaving their way towards the dark ravine beyond. Basso trotted sideways, reaching down to take the sound stone from Roarke. “Here you go, Zettta.” The stallion hoofed the communicator to the mare, then turned back to Roarke. “You’ve really been travelling across country with those ponies?” “Yes,” Roarke nodded with a stifled groan. “Give or take a villain.” “How is it that you’re still alive?” Roarke’s jaws tightened. “I don’t know. Someday, I’ll have to do something about that…”