Ynanhluutr

by Imploding Colon


Dash Family Rohbreddenson, by Johann Whinny

The trek inland took a great deal longer than Rainbow Dash expected, which was a testament to just how large the geographical formation was. While Nick and Theanim Mane chatted amicably, the pegasus ascended to just upon the fringes of earshot. From her position above the trees, she was able to make a humble scan of the surrounding environment.

That particular strip of land constituted the southwestern portion of the Nealend Atoll. Although it stretched for barely one third of a mile, it was evidently the thickest and most heavily vegetated of all the land strips. What's more, it was noticeably curved, forming a crystal blue inlet along its norther side. Even from afar, Rainbow could see splashing waves and swimming bodies: the tell-tale signs of a highly amphibious equine population.

As a matter of fact, Rainbow could observe the totality of the Atoll with very little difficulty. Unlike any of the islands she had been too previously, Nealend lacked any noticeable hills or mountains. If it weren't for the thick throngs of palm trees and tall grass, then she was certain she could see clear across the island formation without fail.

“That's because atolls are the result of naturally eroding coral formations,” Twilight Sparkle explained, her face plastered with a proud, intellectual smile. “Unlike most islands, which are the result of volcanic activity.”

“Right. Thanks, egghead,” Rainbow muttered, squinting her eyes hard.

Northwest of the landstrip they were on was another island, this one far thinner and longer, but with sandier shores. It was separated from the southwest island by the tiniest body of water imaginable. Even at full tide, Rainbow ventured, a fully-grown-pony could easily wade across it. It was far too shallow for a boat to cross, much less a gigantic sea serpent with a glowing set of jaws.

North of this strip, the Atoll broke into several tiny-tiny splotches of land, each peppered with a smattering of green foliage and palms. One or two islands—Rainbow estimated—were so small that they sported a single palm tree each. There, the bodies of water between the strips appeared deeper, thicker, allowing for more substantial access into the lagoon. Due north—straight across the lagoon—several longer strips of land appeared, and Rainbow could spot several wooden structures, docks, and a countless assortment of moored rafts. For all the pegasus knew, the entire atoll had been thoroughly populated in a complete clockwise circle.

Northeast, the islands broke up completely, allowing for the widest gap Rainbow had observed yet. At last, she had discovered a spot that ships could easily navigate through—among other large bodies. However, a thick coral formation southeast of this opening bled into a craggy cluster of rocks, and this led to a long, narrow strip of land running north and south in an awkward, serpentine fashion. Within the crooks of this winding land strip, several smaller islands were clustered, their canopies thickly populated by all manner of oceanic water fowl. There wasn't a moment when the air northeast of their location didn't have a constant flock of seagulls flitting about, or the shoreline occupied with the frenetic pitter-patter of sand pipers.

Due south of this, a series of spherical islands gathered about in a veritable sneeze of sand and sediment. Rainbow even spotted a long strip of shallow earth that—from her vantage point—looked like it could have been either above water or underneath... or maybe both. She assumed that it depended on the particular time of day, or else the mood of the ocean currents. Whatever the case, it eventually led to the thick northeast edge of the southwest land strip she was currently hovering over. The atoll in its entirety was hardly a perfect circle. If nothing else, it almost resembled the outline of a stout mushroom, with Rainbow Dash hovering at the base of the stalk and looking into an ever-ballooning body of water. What's more, it was—without a doubt—the deepest, bluest, and cleanest ocean water she had ever seen in her life.

“This place would certainly give Sinrar a field day,” Twilight murmured, gawking from their lofty height.

“Meh.” Rainbow shrugged. “Whatever keeps the cantankerous dude busy.” She glanced down just in time to realize that Nick and Theanim Mane were trotting into the edge of a Nealend settlement. On brisk wings, she descended, floating alongside the two stallions as they entered a village built several tree-lines away from the southern tip of the Atoll's central lagoon.

Here, the southwest landstrip took on a whole new life of its own. The forest gave way to buildings and elongated shelters, but because most of the structures were over three stories tall and thicker at the top, they provided just about as much shade as the forest itself. As a matter of fact, both Rainbow and Twilight were surprised at the complexity of the Nealend architecture. Most buildings had second-story walkways connecting with one another, forming a complicated yet utilitarian network of habitats. Several of the buildings were even crafted out of thick stone masonry.

“This was not what I expected,” Nick stuttered.

“Well, what did you expect?” Theanim Mane glanced over his shoulder, adjusting the weight of his camera bag. “Wooden huts and mud bricks?”

“Well... y-yeah.” Nick gulped. “Honestly.”

“The Nealend Atoll rests right off a very busy trade route,” Theanim explained. “They've had visitors like you and me for generations and generations. So of course they're gonna be exposed to Continentalist techniques in masonry. Heh... just because they're a culture of ruffians doesn't mean they're complete idiots. Like anypony, they've learned to adapt.”

“Their fashion statement hasn't,” Nick grumbled.

Just then, a pair of shaved stallions shuffled by, pausing to bark, “Hey! Newcomers! Who should we cook first?!”

Nick paled instantly. “What... wh-what do you...?!”

“Hah hah hah!” One stallion slapped Nick's back as he and his buddy trotted off towards the lagoon. “Silly land walkers! Whoop!”

“Hahahahah!”

Nick could only grimace.

“Mrrmmmf...” Theanim glared ahead as they passed through the heart of the village. “As you can see, the Nealend sense of humor leaves something to be desired.”

“I dunno.” Rainbow shrugged, smirking slightly. “I thought it was funny.”

“You would,” Twilight muttered.

“Pffft.” Rainbow whispered aside. “Really, Twilight. This place just screams Durandana to me.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Only... erm...” Rainbow fidgeted in mid-air, glancing around. “These guys obviously have a more practical method of getting wet.”

A series of bald fillies and colts scrambled past the group, chasing after a little red ball. Mothers and elders gathered around smoking kilns, chattering as they relished the constant scent of smoked fish. Even older ponies congregated in the shade of lofty balconies above the tiny courtyards. Despite their age and sun-bleached wrinkles, a distinct layer of contentment hung off their muzzles.

The air of the village was filled with mirth and chatter—and no small amount of booming laughter. There was something positively electric about the little cluster of Nealend culture, and Rainbow wasn't anywhere near running out of things to gawk at. Ponies with well-toned muscles gathered in tight clusters, engaging in sparring contests, lazy conversations, and a hazy mixture of the two. Every single native had their manes and tails completely shaved—no matter the species: earth pony, pegasus, or unicorn. With the addition of the fact that they were all so athletically built, Rainbow and Twilight were both having sudden difficulty telling the stallions apart from the mares, at least at first glance. It certainly didn't help that every Nealender spoke in a uniform accent of deep bass exhalations and euphoric guffaws. Several of the locals glanced at Rainbow and Nick, but didn't seem particularly distracted. Once Theanim had led the newcomers deeper into the heart of the village, the reason for this became quite clear.

“Aaaaaaand here we are,” Theanim said, gesturing dramatically at a particularly old building, constructed like a curved crescent—including its long shattered window frames of varying height. “Once upon a time, this was a Rohbredden trade outpost and visitor center. Now?” He gave a mixed sigh. “It's more or less the 'land walker ghetto.'”

“I think that much speaks for itself,” Nick said, grimacing at the moldy rooftop tangled with jungle vines. His head tilted down, and he spotted long shiny manes for the first time. “Hello hello.”

A group of mares and stallions looked up from a circle of moldy chairs where they sat about, fanning themselves and battling the tropical heat.

“Theanim! You're in one piece!” A stallion stood up, wiping his brow as he gazed across a stretch of bricklaid floor pockmarked with seedy grass. “We heard the hunters hollering and boasting in song. We feared the beast had attacked while you were out photographing.”

“Ultimo did return, but all I suffered was a veritable dousing from its wake.”

“Verlaxion's Sleet!” A mare shook her head, frowning. “This is why you should stay inland, Mr. Mane! The worst you'll ever have to worry about here is a slap on the shoulder!”

“I'd say it was more than worth it,” Theanim said, turning towards the two newcomers. “Look who I found?”

“Ah... what a blessing and a curse all at once...” An old unicorn stood up, hobbling towards the group while telekinetically fanning himself. “A blessing that you're alive. A curse that you have to endure the heat along with the rest of us.” He smiled. “Nevertheless, welcome. You needn't worry about the locals. The Nealenders can be a rowdy bunch, but unless you're a fish that stands to be gutted, they're perfectly harmless.”

“I'm... kinda getting that vibe,” Rainbow Dash said, nodding. “I'm Rainbow Dash, freelance awesomeneer.”

Twilight giggled.

Rainbow smirked, then pointed aside. “This purple-eyed dudical here is called Nick.”

“Hello hello.” Nick reached a hoof forward, smiling bashfully. “A pleasure to meet you all. Is everypony really stuck here?”

“Erm... yes.” The old stallion hesitated slightly before shaking the youngster's hoof. “All because of that blasted monster.” He squinted. “Quite the western accent you have, my little pony.” He arched a graying eyebrow. “Colonialist?”

“Erm...” Nick gulped. “Yes?”

A mare chuckled from the group of sitting foreigners. “No reason to feel bad. We're all ponies here.”

“I-I would hope as much,” Nick said with a nervous smile.

“Yes, besides...” Theanim grumbled. “The truly Colonialist soul is back by the shoreline, minding their crashed trimaran.”

“Wuh oh.” A pegasus stood up, smirking Theanim's way. “Who'd you get into an argument with this time, Mr. Mane?”

“Mrmmfff... Kihutajan, born and raised. I can even smell the soulless Academy pouring out of his chapped lips.”

“Hahahahahah... but of course.”

“Hey...” Nick blushed, trying in futility to summon an angry frown. “What's wrong with the K.M.C.A?”

“Don't let Theanim Mane's passion upset you, gentlecolt,” another stallion said. “There are, in fact, several Colonialists stranded on this island as well.” He squirmed slightly. “Though they don't... particularly enjoy hanging out here in the village.”

“Also due to Theanim Mane.”

“Hahahaha!”

“Hoo boy...” Nick rolled his eyes. “This will be fun.”

Rainbow rested a hoof on the stallion's shoulder, then glanced at the others. “I... uh... have a lot of questions about this place, and I don't really think the Nealenders are willing to chat as much as you guys.”

“Well, we very well may have a bunch of answers for you,” the old unicorn said. He glanced curiously at the pegasus' mane, and then her pendant. “Though... we could use a few answers of our own.”

“If you must know, I'm not exactly from around here,” Rainbow said.

“We could have guessed that!” one mare exclaimed. “I must say, darling, I love what you've done with your mane.”

“Heh...” Rainbow smirked. “You can thank nature for that.”

“Surely, you jest.”

“Where's this mare from, Theanim?”

“Erm...” Theanim slid his goggles further over his brown mane. “I... haven't had the grace to find out.”

“I bet you're an easterner!” One pegasus said. “With wings that thick, I bet you'd be good for island hopping along the Falls!”

“The... Falls...?” Rainbow blinked.

“Why... yes!” He blinked back. “At the Edge, my dear.”

“The Edge of what?”

“...the Edge of Everything, of course.”

Rainbow's lips pursed. She and Twilight exchanged gawking glances. “Uhhhh...” She looked at the group again. “You've actually been to the Edge of the World?”

The group as a whole looked at each other funny, Theanim Mane included.

“Why, naturally,” one mare said. “A good few of us have. It's customary for every pony born in Rohbredden to make the pilgrimage.”

“Pilgrimage?”

A stallion smiled. “So we can witness first-hoof the oblivion that Verlaxion—in all of her infinite wisdom—has preserved the Six Tribes from.”

“A totally pointless waste of money and resources,” Nick muttered under his breath, eye rolling.

“You would think that,” Theanim grumbled.

“Now now, settle down, everypony,” the old unicorn said. “We're going to be living with these new ponies here for a while. There's no point in not making them feel welcome.”

“I wouldn't mind getting to know this place as much as I can,” Rainbow said. “First thing's first...” She lowered down to her hooves at last. “...can you all tell me about the whirlpool that was once here?”