“There are two hundred and two imps total,” Jex said, hobbling past a line of squatting figures under the shadow of Lounge Spheres. “I've counted them all.”
The Lounge's leader tilted his helmeted head down to look at the paraplegic goblin. “And they all have surrendered?”
“Yes. Unanimously.” Jex exhaled. “They didn't even need to vote. Besides...” He gazed at the smoldering wreckage of the Gamma ship. “Their armada is destroyed. Their Boss is dead...”
“Then it was the defeat that pacified them...” the naga said.
Jex scuffled to a stop, his ears pointed back as he frowned. “No. Don't you see?” He swiveled on his crutch to face that suited creature. “We've needed this. It's something we've required for a long time.”
“Forgive me if I do not share your optimism,” the Lounge leader said. Steam vented from his helmet as his voice crackled, “By the glory of Quezaat, we have observed your kind for centuries. You've only ever been heading towards complete ruin.”
“But this is different.” Jex's eyes narrowed. “She is different. She can help us all change.”
“The Vaughan's words are certainly noble and poetic, but—”
“Goblins are drawn towards a spirit of growth and industrialism,” Jex said. “Over the years, we've allowed ourselves to forget what we're capable of, but instead obsess over what others have been able to accomplish. We've let greed and envy control us. But now...?” He shook his head. “I think we're ready to stop murdering and enslaving. There are deeper mines in this world to scour.”
The naga tilted his helmeted head to the side. “And just what makes you think the Cartel's capable of change?”
“Because she's capable of change.” The imp bore a bittersweet smile. “And so am I.”
The Lounge leaned back, folding his sleeved limbs. “I still can't guarantee that my brothers and I won't be compelled to annihilate your putrid race in the future.”
“When that future comes, I assure you, we'll be as honorable as the Val Roans.” Jex's eyes narrowed. “And you don't attack them do you?”
“Negative.” The naga's helmet vented more steam. “Granted, the Cartel's uglier.”
Jex's razor sharp teeth showed through a grin. “We'll work on that too.”
“And you think the Vaughan will help?”
“No. But maybe the Val Roans might.”
“I do not envy the struggle that's ahead of you,” said the naga. “As far as the Lounge is concerned: keep your dirty claws off the skystone and we'll keep our aggression to the southern swamps.”
“Someday, these claws will be clean.”
“Quezaat willing, my heart and flesh will be long consumed by then.”
Just then, the air rolled with steam thrusters and skystone energy.
Several of the seated goblins looked up, squinting. Naga soldiers twirled about, raising their firearms with caution.
Slowly, engines rumbling, the Tarkington lowered to the floor. Its port side window flew open, and Rainbow Dash hopped out, hovering alongside the hull. Her ruby eyes reflected dozens upon dozens of defeated imp faces, along with the smoldering wreckage behind them.
“It seems as though your marefriend has control of things here!” Booster Spice shouted above the noise of the ship's engines. “Though, I'm not sure I like the look of these Lounge guys...”
“Booster, you should be more familiar with the Lounge than we are,” Rainbow said. “You think they'll go back on their word once they've promised fealty to a pony?”
Booster shook his head. “No, I imagine not. Sorry... still a bit shaken up...”
“You're not alone, buddy.”
“Rainbow...” Bellesmith stood inside the ship, sticking close to Pilate. “As much as I would like to check up on Roarke, erm...” The mare bit her lip.
Pilate spoke up. “We've no doubt she's handled herself magnificently. But, if it's all the same to you, our little Kera is waiting for us inside the Capital...”
“Right.” Rainbow Dash nodded, her eyes scanning the nearby ridge of stone. “Go to her. We'll meet up and talk this whole thing out.”
Belle exhaled shudderingly. “Rainbow...”
The pegasus twirled about, blinking.
Belle bit her lip as tears welled up in her eyes. “If... if it weren't for you... a thousand times over...”
“Hey... hey...” Rainbow breathed calmly, leaning in to nuzzle both Belle and Pilate at the same time. “No crying. Only living. Got it?”
Belle smiled, sniffling and nodding.
“We got it, Rainbow,” Pilate said with a calm grin. He reached out, felt the air, and eventually patted her shoulder. “See you in Val Roa.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow's eyes briefly darted towards the faint image of Yaerfaerda in the distance. “See ya soon...”
The Tarkington pulled back. Rainbow caught a brief glimpse of Props' and Zaid's sad faces before the door shut. Then, with billowing thrusters, the green ship needled its way north. A blockade of black spheres moved aside to give the heroic vessel proper airspace for travel.
After a deep breath, Rainbow Dash touched down and trotted across the wreck-strewn scene. She glanced at the patrolling naga to her left. They each stood tall and proud, watching her approach through their helmets. Rainbow looked to her right, spotting over two hundred goblins seated in surrendering poses. The imps tilted their heads down, melancholic and somber.
As Rainbow Dash began scaling a hill, she spotted a one-legged figure to her left. She froze in place, pivoted, and squinted at the character.
Jex gulped, shivering slightly on his haunches.
Rainbow took a deep breath. “She spared you,” the mare said in a dull tone. “How nifty.”
Jex shuddered. “She saved me.” He shook his head. “Even when I didn't deserve it.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow's eyes traced the horizon, and at last she spotted a squat brown figure seated on her haunches with her flank to her. “...she'll do that.”
The Lounge leader strolled up, clenching his gloved fists. “In truth, we only agreed to this juncture this because of the Vaughan's commitment.”
“Oh yeah?”
“She's assured us that once she's taken command of the Cartel in the South, she will institute a new industrialization program that will eliminate all unwanted goblin aggression.”
Rainbow stood still. Gradually, her fuzzy blue ears folded back. She swallowed a lump down her throat and eventually murmured, “She has, has she?”
“She may be unpredictable and conniving, but she is a pony of honor. We are forever in her debt for sparing Quezaat the disgrace of Razzar.” The naga gestured with gloved claws. “For that, it is an honor to have worked with you to spare our Val Roan neighbors from destruction.”
Rainbow finally exhaled. “This continent... will only benefit from her awesomeness.” She cleared her throat. “Now... if you'll excuse me...” She trotted lonesomely up the hill.
Jex and the naga leader looked on.
“I am confused. She is not happy for her?”
“Grmmf...” Jex grumbled. “You really are cold-blooded...”