Urohringr

by Imploding Colon

On the Willows There, We...

"Are you loco in the coco?!" Props' voice echoed against the nearby treetops. "You'll turn to mush mush from those snake thingies before you can do anything!"

Meanwhile Eagle Eye carried Ebon Mane up the stairwell. The mercenary and cook leaned against one another. Eagle Eye blinked while Ebon squinted into the starlight.

The Jurists were gathered all across the top deck of the Jury. Booster Spice stood with them while a cluster of changelings clung to the skystone crystal and its support struts above.

"EE...?" Ebon murmured nervously.

"Spark alive." Eagle gulped. "These guys again."

"Props, there's a piece of the machine world deep inside that mountain," Rainbow wheezed, hovering weakly in the center of the group. "I've seen this sort of thing multiple times. Where there's a layer of metal, there's a door. I can totally fly in there, draw the chaos creatures after me, and seal them away for good."

"Dashie, not everything is like White Rap!"

"Windthrow."

Props waved her forelimbs around. "You could be flying into a death trap! Or a dead end! That's the deathliest death trap of all!"

Zaid trotted forward, resting a calm hoof on Props' shivering shoulder. "Rainbow, for real." He gulped. "You didn't find a door in Durandana. So what makes you so darn sure there's gonna be one here?"

"Durandana was a fluke," Rainbow said. "A crater caused the metal layer of the world to be exposed. Nothing else." Rainbow's ruby-eyed gaze swam across the group. "This mountain is different. I see something glowing in the heart of it—"

"Rainbow?!" Props frowned. "Just because some Yogi Bearra symbol is calling for you doesn't make it the same as the flame you've huffed before!"

"You're right." Rainbow nodded. "This makes it all the more important for me to investigate. To find out for sure what it is and what it means." She gulped hard, pointing northeast. "Something's gotta be done about the abominations that are chomping at the bit to fly out of the mountain and ravage every living thing on this continent. I... I feel as if Yaerfaerda is calling to me." She shook her head. "I'm too close to ignore it now."

"The paint bucket boomer has always had her own glimmer shimmer," Floydien said. "This does not surprise Floydien."

"Don't joke, handsome!" Props yelped, her eyes welling up with tears. "Dashie could die! Don't you g-get that?!" She fell on her haunches, shivering. Zaid leaned in and nuzzled her close.

"Or, y'know, Lil' Miss Awesomeness could not die." He looked up, ears folded. "Right...?"

Rainbow Dash bit her lip. She turned and looked at where Pilate and Belle stood with Kera, then at Roarke.

"Rainbow...?"

Rainbow looked across the top deck.

Eagle Eye gently placed Ebon down. The cook leaned against a skystone support beam while Eagle trotted closer. "Take us with you! We've fought terrible creatures before! We... w-we could hold these things off while you take your dive into the heart of the mountain!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that, EE," Rainbow said. "Whizzball is down for the count. Even as light as you are, carrying you alone would slow me down." A bittersweet chuckle. "Don't even bring Josho into the equation..."

"We really must be going," one of the changelings stammered. "Even as we speak, the monsters are stirring, more and more restless."

"What about th-this ship?!" Booster spoke aloud. His goggles glinted in the starlight as he smiled. "You can fly her there and provide cover!"

"If you're near the mouth of the mountain when the monsters fly loose," another changeling said, "You will all be the first to be consumed."

"They fly faster than you can imagine," explained another. "The only reason they didn't catch up to Rainbow Dash and her two friends this morning is because we collectively distracted them."

"Well, we c-can't just abandon her here!" Eagle Eye stammered, increasingly breathless. "Not with the way sh-she's been feeling lately and... and... and..."

"Kiddo," Josho spoke up, his tone neutral. "We've got the fastest ship this side of the continent. If things go south here in Amulek, Val Roa's going to need forewarning of this catastrophe."

"The fat boomer is right," Floydien muttered. "Nancy Jane may be the only thing to prepare this world for the new spread of glimmer shimmer."

"After all we've been through, we can't let that bastard Chrysalis win," Josho said.

"I don't get it!" Kera trotted forward on tiny hooves. "Why would we be leaving Rainbow behind?! We're gonna need her in Val Roa, r-right?"

Rainbow leaned down towards her. "I'm needed here, Kera. I'm the only pony who can open up the machine world's door. I'm the one soul who can seal the monsters away."

"But why can't you join us in Val Roa?!"

Rainbow Dash sighed heavily. "Because I-I'm probably not coming back from this, Kera."

Every Jurist hung their heads.

Kera stared, her lips quivering beneath glossy green eyes. "No... no...!"

"I need you to be strong, Kera," Rainbow said firmly, squeezing her shoulder. "For Pilate and Bellesmith. They're going to need you from now on—"

"Not without you!" Kera flew forward and buried her sobbing face in Rainbow's chest. "Not w-without you!"

Rainbow clenched her jaw as she gently held the crying filly. It was a tense effort, for the waves of dizziness still plagued the edges of her vision.

Belle sniffled and leaned against Pilate's shoulder. Props rubbed a hoof over her wet eyes while Zaid watched quietly.

"Y-you c-can't just give up like th-this!" Kera whimpered. "You just can't! You're bigger than this! Stronger than this!"

"Kera..." Rainbow stroked her back. "Pssst... Scamp." She tilted the filly's chin up and smiled at her. "The fact that I'm bigger than this is precisely why I have to do what I've gotta do."

"But... b-but..."

"If I was the kind of pony to give up, I'd never have gotten past the borders of Equestria." She smiled. "I'd never have come close to crossing paths paths with a pony as awesome and radical as you." She leaned in and nuzzled the foal. "You have so... so much strength, Kera. I'm super thrilled that you believe in me, but now you have to believe just as much in yourself. Belle and Pilate need it. And so do you."

"Rainbow..." Kera hiccuped, her face awash with tears. "Don't go. Please..."

"There's a spark waiting for me down there, Kera." Rainbow Dash stood up, gently patting the filly's head. "Someday, you'll too find that spark, and you'll realize what has to be done." She gulped. "I just hope it's not in as dark and freaky of a place. You're the kind of pony who deserves an audience." Rainbow heard hoofsteps; she looked up.

Belle and Pilate stood on either side of Kera. They gazed at Rainbow Dash, struggling to stand straight.

"We believe in you," Belle said with a bittersweet smile. A tear rolled down her cheek. "We always have. Please... please f-forgive us for doubting."

"Stop apologizing, Ding-Dong," Rainbow said with a smirk. "I don't want my last memory of you to be slapping your stubby horn left and right—"

Belle lunged forward, engulfing Rainbow in a deep hug. She nuzzled the mare's neck and murmured through her tears: "You will come back... I know it..." A shuddering sob. "I've witnessed it before..."

Rainbow squeezed Belle's back. "If you believe in me, then you'll know not to wait around if I buck things up." She murmured into the mare's ear. "Have Floydien get you guys to safety. Head for Val Roa. Find a place that's peaceful to live for the rest of your lives. I don't care if you have to cuddle up to the Grand Choke."

"We are at peace, Rainbow," Belle whispered. "You've given us that. You've given us everything."

Pilate leaned in, cuddling Rainbow from behind. "We love you, Rainbow." Kera leaned in, rubbing her moist cheek against one of Rainbow's forelimbs as the zebra continued, "You've never let us down. You won't now."

Rainbow tilted her head back and nuzzled the stallion. "Look towards the mountain, bright eyes." A wry smirk. "If you guys see the fog roll back, that means I've done it. If you don't—"

"You will succeed," Pilate hissed, his ears twitching. "You always do."

"Heh... who am I to second-guess my favorite referee?" Rainbow winked while Pilate produced a dry chuckle. "Promise me whatever life you guys live, it'll only have contained explosions."

"We promise, Rainbow Dash," Pilate said. "The world won't be as stimulating without you with us."

"I don't think I've had a sexier compliment." Rainbow Dash said. She backtrotted, her hooves dragging... dragging... then finally slipping out of Eljunbyro's grasp. Belle and Pilate knelt down, holding Kera close as they watched Rainbow draw further away.

Rainbow brushed past Josho. "I mean this as sincerely as I can say it with my own vocal chords," the obese stallion uttered. "You've got bigger balls than I ever did."

"Heh... why else do I have so many colors in my tail?" Rainbow smiled. "It's to distract everypony's eyes."

Josho smiled tiredly. "What are the odds you will make it? For real?"

Rainbow shuddered through a wave of dizziness. "How about this, Josho? You go on a diet until we talk again muzzle to muzzle again."

The stallion's ears folded back. "I might enter a beauty pageant faster than Eagle Eye."

"Now I'm actually sad." Rainbow pivoted. "Floydien. You've got good ears." She gulped and glanced at Pilate, Belle, and Kera. "You know what to do if the fog doesn't roll away..."

"Nancy Jane has only ever tried to mimic the paint bucket's glimmer," Floydien said. His red eyes narrowed. "Floydien only hopes paint bucket boomer isn't attempting to mimic Nancy Jane."

"Sorry to disappoint you, Rudolph. This is all me."

"For that, Floydien is proud."

"The one day I can actually read your lips." Rainbow Dash shook her head with a smirk. "You go on and say something like that."

"Yes yes yes."

Rainbow's teeth showed through a tired grin. She nearly ran into Props and Zaid.

"I really d-don't think this is so swell, Dashie," Props stammered. "I'm just an engineer like my Unky Prowsy before me. But..." She sniffled. "An engineer of the world?"

"I wish I knew how to throw wrenches at stuff and have it make music overnight." Rainbow gulped. "Heck, if you were Austraeoh, you'd probably have fixed Urohringr months ago."

Props giggled inwardly, then sniffed. "Thank you, Dashie, for giving us all new lives."

Rainbow smiled. She leaned in and nuzzled the mare. "Thanks, Props, for giving me a little breath of home."

Props tried to smile back, but she broke into further tears. She hid her face in Zaid's shoulder. Meanwhile, the stallion glanced quietly at Rainbow.

"I don't think I've seen you so serious... ever, Zaid."

"I'm trying it on for a little bit," the stallion said with a weak smile. "I'm only charged twenty bits if I turn it in a day late past the rental period."

"Is there anything in the old Herald's book about Austraeoh taking a crazy stupid plunge into a death mountain full of monsters?"

"No, but I could recite the bit about scrubbing a toilet while a thousand feet up in a skystone ship."

Rainbow smirked. "Never change, Zaid."

"I'd say the same about you, sexy, but..." He gulped. "You're a hard act to follow."

"Yeah." Rainbow nodded and turned around. "I know."

She fell into a tight pair of lavender forelimbs.

Rainbow wheezed for breath.

Eagle Eye snuggled her close, his eyes tearing. "Thank you..."

"For... f-for what?"

"Everything," the stallion whimpered, holding her closer. "I found life... I found love... all because of you..."

"EE..." Rainbow patted his shoulder and pressed them both apart. They looked into each other's eyes. "You found yourself. I only pointed you in a dangerous, kaizo direction, ya feel me?"

"Yeah..." Eagle sniffled with a tearful smile. "Yeah, I do..."

"Rainbow Dash," Ebon wheezed as he trotted closer to the scene. "Is there really no other way...?"

"Look at the bright side." Rainbow parted from Eagle's hug and trotted over to the cook. "There'll be a crapton more apples for the rest of you guys to eat from now on."

"Always so brave... so thoughtful..." Ebon sighed, teetering slightly. "Even when you're not saving us, you're saving us."

"Wish I was saving you more often." Rainbow squinted. "You look almost as bad as I feel, Ebon."

"I feel great, Rainbow..." Ebon smiled with a single tear. He leaned in just as Eagle trotted over to his side. The stallions nuzzled each other dearly. "Just... great." He shuddered, his soft eyes falling on Rainbow once more. "When you come back, I'll f-feel even greater."

Rainbow Dash opened her muzzle... hesitated, then said, "Good bye, fellas. Whatever you do..." A backtrot and a salute. "Don't have your honeymoon in the Grand Choke."

Ebon bit his lip. He and Eagle leaned against each other, watching Rainbow trot away with heavy sighs.

As Rainbow came closer, Booster Spice raised his hoof and opened his mouth—

"Hey Booster. Nice goggles."

Booster blinked. He turned and blankly watched the mare as she trotted past.

Rainbow stood beneath the perching changelings. "I'm strong enough to fly, now," Rainbow said. "I guess, in a way, I always was."

"Good. Because there isn't much time left," one changeling said.

"If we hurry now, we just might be able to lead the escaping creatures back into the mountain," another said.

"We'll do whatever we can to make sure you reach your destination."

"But I still gotta lead the creeps, right?" Rainbow said. "I mean, when all is said and done, they gotta be chasing me into the heart of the mountain."

"Do you think you can fly for that long?"

"Dudes, I've been flying for far longer than even your 'Mother' can boast of. Less talk and more flapping."

From afar, Ebon's head jerked towards the scene. He blinked worriedly.

Eagle Eye bit his lip.

"We will lead the way," one of the changelings said as one by one they took off from the skystone. "If your companions value their lives, they will do what the ponies of Amulek refuse. They will put as much distance between themselves and this place."

"The Jury knows what to do. Don't you worry."

"EE...?" Ebon stammered.

"Let's go, Ebon," Eagle murmured, leading the stallion back down the stairwell.

"But... but Rainbow—"

"There's n-nothing left to see here." Eagle fought back a sob as the two descended below deck. "Spark, sp-spare us..."

Ebon nervously trotted along with him, though he gave one last feeble glance over his shoulder.

As Rainbow Dash was just starting to take off, she caught a glance of a brown shape in the corner of her vision. She looked over, eyes bright.

Roarke stood on the starboard side of the ship, facing out towards the forests and mists, dead silent.

"Just... j-just one second," Rainbow wheezed.

"Rainbow Dash, there is no more seconds!" a changeling yelped.

"We must make haste—"

"Will you just friggin' wait?!" Rainbow snapped, galloping over to the starboard side. "Without me, you're not doing this at all! So just hold up!"

Comments

[IceKitsune]

I personally still don't believe she will die, but this is getting really damn sad.

[AppleTank]

Psalm (?): "On the willows there, we hung up our lyres."
Now ain't that foreboding.

Roarke, hang in there, girl. Believe in the Yaefaerda that believes in you.

[North Bound]

On the willows there..... I do recall what happened next after hearing that.

*sigh*

[Jake The Army Guy]

"They fly faster than you can imagine,"

Don't look away, don't turn your back, and whatever you do...

Thirty flutter-kicks, ):(. Knock 'em out!

[Sivrem]

Well damn, this is getting down right depressing. And I thought they almost forgot about Roarke, then I'd be really sad

[ForestFeather]

4973028

Knowing what is to follow... I think what we have left is going to leave our hearts in our throats and our hopes in the pits of our stomachs. Let us face the darkness of an evil infested hell together! Because there just might be a light at the end of this tunnel, right?

IC, you are a master wordweaver... and what a journey.

[Zaid ValRoa]

Eight chapters to go.

[Arcanist Ascendant]

4973126

It's time to finish this- I can't say once and for all- but, it's time for Rainbow to meet her maker.

[YoshiFawful64]

I'm going to cry over this story again, aren't I?

[That_one_guy]

So many false-alarm farewells that I've kind of grown to expect this. She'll be fine.

[Booster Spice]

Ill be down in the engineroom, carving meaningless symbols into unusable pieces of discarded equipment. Then, staring at the kettle. then maybe heading down to the hold and act as ballast for a while.

Or, pick up some pieces, jump ship, and see about turning Wizball, into WizBang.

[Starlit Skies]

Austraeoh

Eljunbyro's

Urohringr

Yaerfaerda

I can't help but think that this much name dropping is significant. I don't know how exactly, but it is.

And in other words, THE FEELS! AND MORE COMING!

[Ms_Fruit_Bat]

Mother of Ebon!
Can we just get this over with so I don't have to feel any more?

[Slip Kid]

I really think this is going to be the death of Rainbow, but when has that ever stopped her?

[not_a_rainbow]

I hope she lives, but is separated from the Jury for a bit, so we can go back to the original no dialogue chapters like way back in Austreaoh.

and also...
ifp.illinois.edu/~sdickson/G4G8/8ball_0.jpg

[Hoof of Approval]

Give me the light...

[Rayvinne]

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell

I feel like this is close enough to be appropriate.

[Lone Gazebo]

Reminder. Changelings opened Stratopolis doors. Making it entirely possible they could open these. *Cough* Ebon *Cough* Anyway climax is about to happen. soon we'll see, soon we'll see. This has always been the story I haven't been able to predict.

[Lightning Bearer]

Well, that was depressing. But still, I call bullshit. It seems too easy. Rainbow never does things the easy way.

There's already been talk of the parallels to Windthrow. Well, I remember that in Windthrow, the door to the Machine World connected to another door, at the Minotaur's mine. Here's what I foresee: Rainbow will lead the monsters into the Machine World, and be sealed inside; there, she'll find the source of the symbol, which will, at the least, take care of the monsters; Rainbow, still alive, will have no choice but to find another way out; ergo, Val Roa, and happy reunions.

I am probably could be wrong, but that's my forecast.

Rainbow Dash opened her muzzle... hesitated, then said, "Good bye, fellas. Whatever you do..." A backtrot and a salute. "Don't have your honeymoon in the Grand Choke."

Normally I would make a dirty joke, but all things considered, this might not be the time or the place.

[RoboRed]

It's all gonna be okay...It's all gonna be okay...It's all gonna be...okay...

[SilentBird93]

Meh they will probably reunite half a book or so later. I'm honestly not that worried about Rainbow dying. This yaerfaerda thing is probably going to help her and she's too awesome to die anyway.

[TwilightUCrazy]

4973028

Psalm 137, Verse 2.

It paints a deceptively-bleak picture.

"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion."
How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

"If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem who said, "Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof."
O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us."

"Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones."

--Psalm 137

Happy reading!
-TUC

[Eyes of Avo]

No need to say bye to Roarke, there is not a force on heaven or earth that could stop her from going with you. Dayum IC, you are really playing with my emotions...shouldn't you...I dunno buy me dinner first?

[Swan Song]

As Rainbow Dash was just starting to take off, she caught a glance of a brown shape in the corner of her vision. She looked over, eyes bright.

Roarke stood on the starboard side of the ship, facing out towards the forests and mists, dead silent.

"Just... j-just one sec," Rainbow wheezed.

"Rainbow Dash, there is no more secs!" a changeling yelped.

"There sure as hell will be before I go anywhere!" Rainbow snapped, galloping over to the starboard side. "You're changelings, for Celestia's sake, can't you tell when a girl is horny as fuck?! So just hold up!"

[Arcanist Ascendant]

4974929

"I- ah, sorry, just one minute," Rainbow Dash muttered. "Sorry, I swear this has never happened before. Honest."

[Jonathon Smythe]

I just can't shake the feeling that the Element of Loyalty is going to come off.

[Phoenix Kitten]

Bits on Roarke blaming herself for even coming here in the first place,it was her doing after all.

I think Dash is going to succeed,but be incapped for a bit, the Jurists will believe she died, mourn and head to Val Roa, once there they will begin to dismantle Chryssy's plans and try to take the fight to her,then Dash will make a dynamic entry by dive kicking through a window and into Chryssy's face.

[Vendable Sheik]

Man this book is really coming down to the wire. Can't say I know how it's going to end at this point. Hang in there Dashie, keep being awesome.

[IceKitsune]

4975713
Yeah, I'm thinking that's close to what will happen.

[CasualMarshmallow]

There's no way that she's going to die on this, but with her illness and story timing something's gotta give. I'd imagine that she would be split from the Jury for a good bit of the next book.

[Aatxe360]

Belle is actually starting to get annoying with her passive-aggressiveness.

[Zaid ValRoa]

4976222

There's no way that she's going to die on this

Not permanently, at least.

[VNilla]

I may as well post this now and pray that it's not relevant yet.

[Nevlamas]

And it's breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
Found a place to rest my head.

4976222 4976350 DON'T PROVOKE HIM.

[Zaid ValRoa]

4976755 Oh, come on.
When has IC ever done anything just because it said so in the comments?

[remnants]

"On the willows there, we hung up our lyres." A Background Pony reference? Or some foreshadowing?

[Keebroo]

I don't like the long thought out goodbyes. That's a problem.

[Cynderfall]

Too much sads. Nighty doesn't like...

[Zecoro]

Before you get all "punk ass metal shit" on this, look up the lyrics. Read them while playing this song.
You will find it fits moments like this one relatively well. Only because I can't think of a more fitting one at this time...this song has more meaning than at an first arrogant glance....

[whizzball1]

One last goodbye, and then a great hello.

-Spirit

[JustAnotherTimeLord]

Once more into the fray,
To the good fight I'll ever know.
I live and die on this day . . .
I live and die on this day . . .

[aRestlessCreativeGamer]

I will not say goodbye,
for the day I do is the day I die
Forever through the bright blue sky
I will live and I will fly

[Seraphimus]

Another moment of your time,
That I may live, and love, and fly,
For in your arms I'm strong and free,
Even as you say goodbye to me.
A rainbow sky has Brought us here,
but now that sky begins to clear
I won't give up I won't let go,
for in my heart I'll always know,
Even on this darkest day,
My love for you will never fade.

Not my best Piece of writing, but it's past my bedtime and I couldn't... I dunno I felt like I had to put something together for this moment.

Remember though... It's not goodbye, just... Just see you later.

[Hazard]

The SS Rainboarke cannot be allowed to sink so soon. For that reason, if no other, she will live.

[Regidar]

Goodbye, fair Austraeoh, until you rise from the machine world like the god damn prismatic phoenix you are.

[SolidFire]

Holy crap... this chapter is making me so unbelievably anxious. I'm shaking like a leaf dammit! Just one last tearful farewell before she's off to the mountain of evil crap, ready to face her fate.

~SolidFire

[FOXTrot2]

"Hey Booster. Nice goggles."

Sorry bro, but you're not worth the deep dialogue.

[Merallakos]

4973258
I mean, seriously, how many of these goodbyes scenes are we going to get? At this point I feel like it's getting kind of cheap. We've had one in lerris, I feel like Rainbow is constantly saying goodbye. Rainbow should just carry around her goodbyes written out so we don't have to wait around while the antogonist of the arc does who knows what.
Also I feel like the Jury is being very wishy washy. It was looking up when Roarke urged them all to hurry their butts to Yearfeada or however it's spelled, but it's since gone to stuttering cap crap! Hustle is severely needed!

[Tim the Planes-pony]

Maybe it is the end for Rainbow, maybe it isn't, but either way, it has been one hell of a ride.

09/19/2019
14:33 UTC

[hypervelocity]

Oh Rainbow...