"And just where is this town?" Roarke asked, her forelimbs folded.
Pilate paced before the assembled group of Bellesmith, Floydien, Rainbow Dash, Josho, and the metal mare. Night hung cold and dark over the moored structure of the Noble Jury. "About one hundred and twenty miles northeast of here. Apparently, it's Archer Point's chief trading ally. During the latest campaign of the war, Collins sent several of her pony friends in a long-distance caravan to trade flowers and metals for foodstuffs and agricultural ingredients. But... Collins' testimony is not how I came upon discovering the village's location."
"Then how?" Roarke asked.
"You saw it in the map, didn't you?" Josho asked. "Early yesterday, while we were chatting downstairs in navigation?"
Pilate slowly nodded. "I knew that the name looked familiar. It took me a few moments, but then I remembered some facts Bellesmith had shared with me about Kera."
The mare took a deep breath, hugging herself as she looked off with a pained expression.
Rainbow Dash saw it. She stopped hovering and stood besides Belle, resting a hoof on her shoulder. The mare closed her eyes and nuzzled it while Rainbow glanced at the rest of the group. "I think we know where all of this is going. It's not that far away, and we totally wouldn't be backtracking by going there."
"Are the boomers getting rid of the little scamp scamp or what?" Floydien asked.
"Nothing of the sort!" Pilate said, but winced. "And yet..." He hesitated.
Belle looked up at him, misty-eyed.
Pilate sighed. "It was my idea initially, and I stand by it." He gulped. "As a foal first and a Xonan second, Kera has the right to witness her hometown before we risk passing it by. For all we know, she might have a reason to pay the place her lasting respects..." He cleared his throat. "Or more."
"I don't get it," Roarke muttered. "The little mare is resourceful. For all she cares, the Noble Jury is her home. Her attitude certainly reflects that."
"Even so, Miss Roarke, she was raised there by her parents." Pilate shuffled around. "Parents who, sadly, are no longer on this earth. Whether that was the work of the Council of Ledo or Nightshade or somepony else—it doesn't matter. She still needs to—"
"She still needs nothing." Roarke's lenses pistoned out. "I don't get it." She pointed at the couple. "She has you two. For whatever reason, that seems to make the little thing happy. Why unnecessarily make her retrace her steps?"
"She has the right to—"
Roarke frowned. "Because it almost seems like you're forcing it on her."
Rainbow looked over. "Roarke. If Pilate, Belle, Crimson and I had carried you forcibly all the way out of Foxtaur without you getting a chance to resolve all that crazy crap back at Searo's Hold, would you be nearly as sane as you are today?"
Roarke opened her mouth... but hesitated. She leaned back against the ship's edge, fuming. "I still don't think it's the same thing."
"No. No, it isn't." Pilate shook his head. "That's why we have to assume the worse."
"Being?" Roarke asked.
"That she'll grow up resenting us for robbing her of the chance of to live a safe, peaceful, ordinary life with ponies who very well may be her tried and true godparents." Pilate swiveled to a stop and faced the others. "Assuming she does choose to stay in her home town, which I doubt, think about what she now has in store." He gestured a hoof into the air. "Both the Ledomaritans and Xonans have pulled back. The war has come to a stop and free trade is opening up yet again."
"That's assuming the cease fire is something permanent," Roarke said. "I've been a bounty hunter for a long time—and lemme tell you, war is good for business."
"The stabby-stabby have pulled their glimmer back," Floydien said, his red eyes reflecting starlight. "Floydien has seen this. Never before has Nancy Jane had such clear skies to kiss."
Rainbow nodded at the others. "You gotta admit. Something's given the ponies of Archer Point to be high as a kite. And I don't think it's the flowers they grow."
Josho belched.
Bellesmith frowned at him. "Seriously, Josho? Is that all that you have to contribute to this conversation?"
"Actually, no..." The obese stallion scratched his chin and leaned forward. "I'll have you know that I do my best thinking while belching." He raised a hoof. "I think the really hard pill to swallow here is just what kind of a future would Kera have with us?"
"What do you mean?" Rainbow asked.
"Do I have to spell it out?" Josho grumbled, flinging a hoof eastward past the village and its blazing bonfires. "We don't know what kind of a world lays in wait for us out there, only that it's dangerous. Whoever or whatever did in the likes of Secchy and Lasairfion is out there... biding its sweet-ass time. Facing Ledomaritan managliders is one thing. Xonan chaos serpents is another. But friggin' shape-shifters? Giant bug-eyed freakazoids who can alter their form at will?! Something like that could swoop on board the Jury, replace one of us overnight, and bite into Kera's cute little jugular overnight!"
Bellesmith shuddered at that. She plopped down on her flank, staring worriedly into the wooden deck of the Jury.
"And that's just thinking about the little scamp among us!" Josho said. "Heck, every pony on board this ship is just cruisin' for a bruisin' by scaling any more longitudinal lines! If we were smart, we'd just park our flanks right down here and mill about until we die from boredom!"
"Like you can afford to do that..." Roarke muttered aside.
"You bet I can, sister! Open fields? Plenty of resources to start up a hobby? All the friggin' flowers I can eat?"
Roarke glared over with rotating lenses. "Neutral zone or not, you're a traitorous ex-soldier who's murdered countless Xonans in your day. You probably have half as many enemies on the eastern side of the Front than I do, and that's saying something." She snorted and glanced away from him. "As soon as word goes out about your fat breeder flank living it up in this valley, they'll send two dozen spies to strip you of your skin and auction off your pelt to the Highest Caste."
Josho bit his lip. After a few fuming seconds, he glanced over at Rainbow and bellowed, "Well, just what was your big stinkin' plan anyways?! Fly east until the skystone melts and we all fall into the ocean?"
Rainbow Dash bit her lip. She glanced aside at Belle and Pilate. When they didn't answer, her voice cracked lightly, "Well... I... I-I've always had a goal in mind..."
Roarke's head swiveled to look at her.
Rainbow continued on. "I know I've told you bits and pieces. But, to put it lightly, my trip's never ending." She sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping. "And yet, it is." She gulped. "I just don't know when."
Josho's forehead softened. With a twinge of regret, the stallion stared off towards the village below.
"Ever since the crap that grounded me in Aridstone..." Rainbow winced at the thought but continued. "...it's all been a matter of survival, really. I used to see this sort of flying-east thing as a challenge. Almost a sport, really. Heh." Her muzzle curved slightly. Then she sighed. "And then I started gathering friends up by the legful, and it... kinda stopped being all about my journey, y'know?"
Bellesmith gently patted Rainbow's shoulder. "We're in it with you all the way, Rainbow—"
"No," Rainbow softly said, shaking her head. "You're not."
Belle looked hurt.
Rainbow hovered close and clasped Belle's hoof with both of hers. "Don't even say that. You can't possibly even attempt what I am attempting."
Belle's lips moved to say something, but she had suddenly become breathless. Her eyes watered.
Rainbow took a deep breath and flung a glance Pilate's way. "Same goes for you, Pilate. You guys mean so much to me. But where I'm going?" She gulped hard. "It's not a place where any sane pony can follow. I started this quest on my own, and one day I'm going to have to finish it the same way. On my own. And it's not just because it's long and treacherous. It's... a lot more complicated than that, I guess. I've taken you guys past warfronts and fortress and barricades... but the very end of the frickin' world?! I'll be lucky if I survive the whole mess. Heck... I'm not sure I'm even going to."
"But Rainbow..." Belle sniffled, her voice shaky. "We're more than just hitchhikers whom you've picked up in Blue Shelf! We're your friends!" A tear blossomed along the bottom edges of her eyes. "We're Eljunbyro."
"And I love you guys." Rainbow smiled genuinely. "I really do. But if you're gonna put that kind of stock in the whole thing, then you gotta realize... you've done your part! You've brought wind back to my wings! You've given me the endurance I needed to continue this journey as far as I can take it! But what I'm destined for—freaky prophecy or not—it's bigger than the Noble Jury, bigger than this continent, bigger than even Equestria."
"But... but..."
"Belle, you know this. Pilate knows this. We all know this." Rainbow Dash nuzzled Belle closely with a shuddering breath. "We've even talked about it before, remember?" She sniffled. "The pl-plan was to take you as far as I needed to so that you wouldn't be hounded by all this Ledo nonsense. Well, we've outrun the Ledomaritans and—from the looks of it—the Xonans aren't gonna bother us anymore. All it takes is just a little more teasing of the eastern horizon and—voila—the promised land, ya d-dig?"
"But... but..." Belle choked back a sob. "Right now? So soon?"
"Unnngh..." Rainbow rolled her eyes and smirked. "Puh-lease, ding-dong! Josho was right. There's still a bunch of crap to deal with, and I'd be a total cup of jerk cider to ditch you guys now." She brushed Belle's cheek with a hoof, drying her tears. Slowly, her smile left. "But someday, I'm gonna have to leave you..." Her muzzle hung open a bit. "And when I do, I know... I-I just know," her voice cracked, "that it's gonna tear me to shreds inside." A sniffle, then a clenched jaw. "Just as I know you're being torn apart inside about Kera."
Belle exhaled sharply. She hugged herself tightly, gazing towards Pilate. Her beloved was similarly wordless, his stripes long and sad.
"If you ask me, I'm still in it for the little punks who don't know any better," Josho grumbled, staring out at the village and its bonfires. "Ebon. Props. Even that moron, Zaid." He took a deep breath. "But most especially Eagle Eye. None of them have futures here. They might think they do, but they'd be prisoners to a system that's been buckin' them senseless for gonzo years. But ponies like me?" Josho glanced back, frowning. "We ain't got no future. If I can help ponies like fruit basket and company find their place, then I'm in it for the long haul, even if it ain't the same as Rainbow's long haul." Josho squinted across the deck. "Floydien? I bet you can relate, can't you, ya crazy space elk?"
"The boomers helped Nancy Jane, and so Floydien wishes to help boomers." The elk's antlers swayed in the nightly breeze. "Distance doesn't bother Floydien. No no no—only spit."
"Mr. Floydien, you've given us so much already," Pilate said. "You even sacrificed Simon—"
"Simon's burial from glimmer shimmer is the reason why Floydien adamants it!" the elk snarled. "Not wise for striped boomer to question the gift when it is already his, yes yes?"
Pilate fidgeted. He opened his mouth—
"Beloved..."
The zebra looked over.
Drying her face, Belle shuddered, "Give Floydien the necessary coordinates. You're right. You were always right." She clenched her eyes shut and exhaled. "She deserves to make the choice for her own. This ship... this journey... it's may be a colorful place to grow up, but is it safe?"
"We can make it safe, Belle!" Pilate exclaimed.
"No, Pilate." Belle slowly, slowly shook her head. "We can't."
The zebra winced, then leaned back, rubbing a hoof over his straight mane.
"So, then..." Roarke looked at the others. "We set out in the morning?"
"Not right away," Rainbow Dash muttered. "There's this... breakfast thingy that the villagers have invited us to. Would be rude not to go."
"I see." Roarke nodded. "An excuse to make Breeder McNeckbeard here fatter?"
"Oh, hardy-har. Go make love to a fire hydrant."
"Given the options I've had as of late, it may be my only recourse."
"Ponies, please," Pilate grumbled. "Don't be a—"
"No, Pilate." Belle said, and she was smiling. "Let them have their fun, however they decide to go about it."
"Belle...?"
She sniffled, bearing a passive expression. "If these are quite possibly Kera's last days with us, I want her to feel right at home." She sighed. "Whether or not she decides to choose a different one..."
Ohh, the feels are here. I don't want Kera to go... but I don't want her to stay and be in danger... Damn.
Why don't they ask Kera?
C'mon, Rainbow...stop with the messianic self-sacrifice, pity and self-loathing stuff already...you're never going to get rid of the rest of the group. Your friends will be with you on this trip to the bitter end.
Oh Rainbow ... that kind of attitude is exactly why you do need friends with you. You might have endurance now, but how long will it last if you leave them behind?
3841680 Exactly what I was wondering. I doubt she'd say NO I HATE YOU I'M LEAVING, anyways.
Pilate's stripes were long and sad.
For that one detail alone, this is now my favorite chapter.
~Basso
3841680
Becasuethatwouldbetooeasy.
No-no-no. You see, that would interrupt all of the delicious Rainboarke. And we just can't have that.
>This ship... this journey... it's may be a colorful place to grow up, but is it safe?
wat
3841858
This route is only worth traveling down if Pilate asks that question in this exact way.
3841804
Rainboarke.
Sounds like a tree.
It's a trap!
Stoppit, Rainbow. Humble doesn't look good on you.
I echo Appletank's sentiments. The only pony not in-the-know is the one who is the topic of conversation. Why don't they they ask Kera what she thinks about the idea?
This is not the sort of thing you just spring on a kid.
3841529
Or, you know. MacGyvering. Taking down enemies with a bit of fireworks, a sock, cardboard, and a bunch of weed.
3841795
This is Zaid's cue, isn't it?
"Hey kid, didja know your old home is a few miles up north?"
Everyone stares at him in shock, jaws hanging.
On a side note, Kera is turning into a tatoooed chicken.
I understand where rainbow is coming from with the end of the journey and they can't go thing but if it was the mane6 you kno damn right they would all go. I hope rainbow is wrong about being alone for the end because she doesn't deserve that. I really hope roarke gets some new armor soon so she won't be such a grump. less of one anyway.
I mean, to elaborate a little further... they don't even know what Kera's parents were like. What if they weren't very nice ponies? What if they were even abusive? They know next to nothing.
Noo! Dont split up!
3841680 Sssssssshhhh. Quiet now. No need to question these things.
3841657
I don't want any of them to go. But like Rainbow said, this is just the first leg of her journey. Could she really keep them together when she crosses to the dark side of the world? From what it sounds like, she—a super-powered pegasus—may barely be able to cross. How could a rickety sky ship filled with ponies make it? It's goddamn sad, but I think that around Book six, they may all part ways. I don't want them to, as this story is at its best when Rainbow has ponies to play off of... plus, I get real tired of the purple traveler passages, what with a dozen straight chapters of no dialogue. Still, all good things...
3842046
I was just thinking the exact same thing earlier. She is starting to get really similar to Scoots.
Yay. Odos Rules Of Aquisition joke. Thank you very much.
Argue, argue, look, Im arguing.
Josho is faced with a whole new breakfast.
On to the next day.
Endurance questioned.
Dudes, just ask Kera instead of standing around behind her back with your dicks in your hands... hooves. She's been through enough that I think she's mature enough to make a wise, educated decision about the whole thing. And you know she'll stay with the Jury.
Or get kidnapped by changelings next chapter and once again become the macguffin.
3842745
Heh if RD is truly alone on the dark side of the world you might get 100 chapters in a row without any dialogue...
3842303
In the end we are always alone.
----
Oh and I have the feeling that when Rainbow leaves, she won't give ANY notice -- just one morning she will be GONE... And Roarke will be gone also as she chases after Dash...
"Ponies, please," Pilate grumbled. "Don't be a—"
Wonderful Noble Jury reference.
I have a feeling Kera will pissed off about them not talking to her about this.
Why do I have the feeling she's listening in?
Ahhh.
Because she's a curious filly, and the grownups seem to be having a conversation without her!
Rainbow's starting to act like a leader a bit more.
I agree that Kera should have a say in this. Kera should have a choice, which means letting her see the village, but it might also mean her wanting to tag along, and I think she might resent them trying to decide for her. If nothing else, this is a filly with a history of being a stow-away, so I doubt they could get rid of her that easily even if they tried.
Also, it seems like Rainbow still has some things to learn about friendship, even now. I suspect some of the Jurists will leave the party gradually, but if some of them want to stick with her, who is she to deny them that? Again, kind of selfish to try and make that decision for them. She needs to remember that the chaos inside her wants her to be alone, and her new friends are the best thing that's happened to her since that day that Discord came back. If she truly wants to return harmony to the world, maybe leaving her friends hanging, good intentions or not, isn't such a good idea.
3842971 And the Jury will follow,come Tartarus or tidal waves.
Roarke will have left a way to track her on the Jury before leaving after Rainbow.
3841867 your pic is adorable.
no rainbow! dont leave your friends behind!
3847263 Oh, cool. Happy birthday!
3847182 Exactly, I was thinking the same thing. I'm pretty happy for that.
While I don't want to see the Nobel Jury go, I do understand Rianbow's point of view. The dark side of the world sounds like no place any sane creature would travel. Let alone one bringing a young child along with them. However, Rainbow still has some time with her friends left, and, who knows, they might yet change her mind.
If Kera stays on the Jury, she's at risk. But the world-conflict won't stop just because she's no longer on the Jury. The changelings will still be out there. There will still be chaos, and wars, and...
The only difference is, if she leaves the Jury, she won't be with Rainbow Dash any more. She's no less part of the danger if she leaves, she'll just be alone.
Also, keeping secrets NEVER helps in the long run.
IIIIIt's Dashie's evaluation time!
Ah, feels...they are powerful here. I don't honestly think that Kera will leave the Jury, though. It's too much of a home to her. These are my thoughts so far. P
-MASH
-SPirit
This is a reminder of the sad reality of rainbows journey that we havent been brushed with in over 200 chapters. however, i have no doubt a few of you llike myself kept reminding yourselves of this so it wasnt so shocking or panfull when this inevitable talk once again happened.
but not of Kera...
I have to agree with Pilate. If Kera wants a normal filly life, the Jury is NOT where she can live it. she must find a new home...i sincerely hope she can.
ok im done reading for tonight (Sunday, October 5th, 12:29 am Eastern Standard Time)
goodnight all. :)
Done reading for tonight.
January 12th 2015 12:36pm British standard time.
Things became rather emotional there for a bit. I still hope that Kera doesn't go, but I'm fairly sure that she won't simply up and leave after finding her old home.
I knew it would be brought up eventually. Id rather not see it happen, but it's very likely to...cant even imagine how this story would be after having them around for so long.
There's one thing you can't lose...
IT'S THAT FEEEEEEEEEEEL
They're only looking at the fact she's a foal. Her contributions to the team have already been vital on several occasions.
Oh come on, guys. You know what Kera is going to pick.
Haha oh come on IC you’re not gonna get rid of Kera. I mean come on, you’d never get rid of her, right?.......Right?.......RIGHT GUYS??
8580247
Nope she he’s gonna “get rid” of an entire town just too make sure
10422635
The anger this comment fills me with.