//------------------------------// // Another Mane; Another Monologue, Part Three // Story: Ynanhluutr // by Imploding Colon //------------------------------// Centuries ago, we were a broken, scattered civilization. Countless wars had bled the oceans red between every known archipelago. Nopony knows what started the banal conflicts, or exactly what resources were being fought for, but in a time when the only way to live was by the spear, we very nearly reached our end with little to nothing to chronicle our bleak existence. That age turned all the more dire when the oceans froze over. A terrible winter bathed the seas, turning everything to ice. The sirens had nowhere to swim. The griffons, wyverns, and pegasi had nowhere to fly. The earth ponies and the unicorns were running out of food, and we sought out the last bastions of solid land for whatever sustenance could be afforded beneath the constant onslaught of cold. It was in such a time, when extinction stalked us at every turn, that the Great Queen Verlaxion arrived. Our ancient forefathers wrote that it was as though she had emerged from the very blizzard itself, approaching us with outstretched hooves and offering us a shelter from the storm. She taught us the pointlessness of war, and she showed us how to live in harmony despite our various differences. What's more, Verlaxion gave us the written word—the very fulcrum of mature civilization. She taught us how to record and document the world around us, so that we might spot elements to exploit through the fine fissures in our otherwise murderous climate. That's how we discovered new forms of insulation, magic, and agricultural restoration. And only after the Six Tribes had united under her optimistic spirit of cooperation did the storm finally fade. But by then, we were ready to issue forth a new dawn for the cultures of Rohbredden. And did Verlaxion demand our patronage? Did she issue a proclamation requiring our praise and exaltation? No. Like a caring, nurturing mother, she gave us the freedom and the liberty to make a rational choice for ourselves. Naturally, we chose to honor her for the salvation and encouragement that she salvaged our legacy with. We gave her a throne in the central mountains of Rohbredden, on the topmost seat of the world. She accepted it graciously, and she's validated our trust by governing our civilization ever since—but in a humble way, from afar, while simultaneously finding subtle ways to improve our nature, our elements, and our constitution for generation after generation. So long as we've maintained harmony, she's kept order and structure to the otherwise wild world, and even the seas bow to her majesty to this day. “And never once has she sought to dominate or conquer the outlying colonies,” Theanim Mane said, adjusting the lens on his camera while sitting in the bobbing boat alongside Rainbow. A dozen or two meters away, the other canoe twirled in circles while Flare and Silver sought for signs of Ultimo. “Verlaxion is beyond mighty. Even the mountains answer to her breath.” He pointed towards the western horizon. “If she desired, in one fell swoop, she could bury Kihutaja and all of its neighboring archipelagos in a frozen wave of righteous wrath.” “Uh huh,” Rainbow muttered, her eyes locked on the ocean. “But that's not Verlaxion's way,” Theanim said, ears twitching. “She tolerates free thinking. Even if it is heretical.” He chuckled. “If the Kihutajans and other Colonialists like them wish to deny the Queen's glory day in and day out, so be it. They're simply robbing their own lives of the warmth and contentment of a proper understanding of the world that we live in.” He bore a bitter sweet smile. “I'm most certain she pities them... as I do. Ponies such as your companions, Sinrar and Nick.” “Mmmhmmmm...” Rainbow continued staring into the seas. Theanim arched an eyebrow at the mare. “Rohbredden has never harbored ill-will towards our distant kin. They're like long-lost foals, really. Their independence has made them strong, yes, but also arrogant. But must they continue to preach to us their... nihilistic view of this complex world? The sea's ice didn't melt so that we might freeze it all over again with heartlessness! Yes, it may truly be hard to wrap one's head around the concept of a being as powerful as Verlaxion, but science is a noble pursuit of both truth and enlightenment. And what can possibly be more enlightening than coming to understand the glorious nature of our Queen at work in the world around us?” “Anything yet, Twilight?” Rainbow muttered, perhaps thinking that Theanim wouldn't hear her. “Mmmmff... well, keep looking... or sensing. Whatever.” Theanim cleared his throat, leaning forward. “...has she ever issued you detailed catechisms for meritorious piety?” Rainbow Dash flung him a twisted look. “Buh?” Theanim smiled. “This 'Twilight' whom you're so keen on communing with?” “What?! Pffft!” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Twilight's no goddess—er... I mean... dang it.” Rainbow face-hoofed. “Grnnfff...” She glared off into the wavy horizon. “Pay me no mind.” “It's hard not to,” Theanim said. “It's alright. I promise I won't judge. I'm simply curious. Is 'Twilight' a deity where you're from?” “Uhhhh...” “There are outlying archipelagos so remote across the ocean that their inhabitants attribute deification to the most remarkable of natural elements,” Theanim orated. “It's nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it's written that the Queen Verlaxion finds flattery in such theologies, for they are inevitably tied to the immortal legend that carries her name—” “Look, dude... no offense...” Rainbow groaned. “I'm trying to spear me a giant behemoth fish monster thingy. Your constant religion talk is a tad bit friggin' distracting.” “Yeah!” Kaji spat, sharpening his spear. “Not to mention a total buzzkill, Thunker Meat!” Theanim gave the Nealender a double-take. “Really?! You would label the topic as such?!” “It's only because you complicate it so much with your blasted landwalker words!” Kaji growled. “The Queen of All Things gives us fish everyday!” He shrugged. “Simple as that! No need for such big whoop!” “What he said,” Sora said, chuckling. Theanim frowned. “Well, forgive me for contemplating the natural day to day realities of our struggle with the elements! She has blessed your lagoon with a piece of her frosted might! Surely that's a sign that Verlaxion matters in all facets of the Atoll!” “Look, trust me, Ebo—er... I-I mean Theanim.” Rainbow groaned, then turned to face him with an exasperated expression. “I've trotted these circles before... and barely lived to tell about it.” “Oh?” Theanim smiled. “Then by all means, Ms. Dash, do tell about it.” “Yes!” Sora smirked. “This I wanna hear! Ultimo's certainly not blowing his hole anytime soon!” “Hah!” Kaji barked. Rainbow glanced to the side, as if a pony was occupying that space. At last, she muttered, “There was a place I once visited... a place even more remote than this Atoll. It was called 'Durandana,' and it was populated by a bunch of pegasi. They were... kinda like the ponies who live here, only they were waaaaaaaaay more into their religion... erm... no offense.” “None taken,” Kaji said, smiling. “I've been known to skip prayers over morning fish.” “Among other morning activities,” Sora muttered. “At least a proper musician knows to thank Verlaxion before tooting his horn.” “Grrrghhh... I'm tossing you the first moment we spot Ultimo break the waves, brother.” “You're on!” Rainbow smirked, then continued, “Well, anyway, the Durandanans had their wholllle society built around this super detailed belief system. And, y'know, it was pretty schnazzy... except for one thing.” “And what was that?” Theanim asked. “I... uh...” Rainbow avoided his gaze. “...I-I sorta knew more about what they believed in. Like... I came from a place with a detailed history that proved that their entire faith was based on a gross misinterpretation of really basic facts. Like, if I wanted to, I could have systematically taken their creed apart, thread by thread, right before their very eyes.” Theanim stared at her. He gulped and said, “What did you do?” Rainbow leaned back with a solid expression. “I left them the way I found them.” “You didn't attempt discrediting their theology?” Rainbow shook her head. “And why not, if I may ask?” Theanim gestured. “If your friend Sinrar was here, I'm certain he'd say you allowed these Durandanans to 'drown in ignorance.' Heh.” Rainbow shook her head. “Oh, hardly, dude. I left them the Sword of Solstice so that they could communicate w—” She stopped in mid-sentence, grimacing. “Ahem... I left them something that would allow them to... uh... pursue other ways of embracing the world. But I chose to leave it at that. I had every reason to tear their belief systems to shreds. And in some ways, perhaps I kinda did. But I stopped before I went too far. At least, I like to think so.” “Do I detect a hint of remorse in your voice?” Theanim said. “You strike me as a mare of integrity, Rainbow Dash. Surely if you were convinced of a righteous truth, you would have done your best to convince others of it.” “The Durandanans have been living in harmony for years and years.” Rainbow shrugged. “Who am I to have bucked all of that to dust just because I believed differently?” “Even if you're convinced they didn't believe in the truth?” Rainbow stared squarely at Theanim. “We all live in ignorance, Mr. Mane.” She shrugged. “Even if we can prove everything scientifically, or if we've got the Goddess herself on our shoulders, we're all in this crazy world to learn more than what we're capable of... and what we're incapable of. Anyone who figures they've got it all figured out is either lying or demented or just really scared of being honest with herself.” She gulped. “I can tell you're chomping at the bit to have me figured out, dude. Well, get in line, cuz I'm trying to figure it out too. Whether it's Durandana... the Nealand Atoll... or Rohbredden, it's all just bumps along the ride. It so happens that this Ultimo is a really nasty bump and I'd very much like to smooth him out, ya feel me?” Theanim gazed at her in silence, his muzzle agape. “Ugh... see? This is why I hate talking for no reason.” She flapped her wings and took towards the air. “I'm gonna give the waves another flyby. You guys... er... do your 'whoop' thing if you see so much as a single scale. Okay?” Fwooosh! “Cool beans.”