Everything Is All Spick and Spanner
“Luna's spell no longer works as a communication bridge because—unfortunately—Shining and Cadance lost it when the Princess' enchanted tiara was destroyed in a random griffon pirate attack.”
“Oh my goodness!” Twilight gasped, casually floating around the lighthouse. It was several hours into the “discussion,” and yet she was as bright-eyed as ever. “Did they come out of that okay?!”
“Uhhh...” Rainbow stifled a yawn and tilted her head towards the disappearing stars. “Twilight's a little freaked out over the whole 'griffon pirate attack' thingy.”
“Oh, don't worry, Twily! They're absolutely fine! Cadance has seen enough action that she knows how to keep herself safe during a brush with bad company. And Shining... well... you should know better than to doubt his capabilities.”
Twilight giggled. “Yeah! He always had brains and brawn!”
“Twilight says that Shining's pretty smart!”
“Quite so. In all seriousness, Twilight, there isn't much of a chance of Shining or Cadance getting hurt on this journey. Especially since Shining has brought Flash and his other trusted soldiers along for the—”
“Wait, huh?” Twilight blinked. “Flash?”
“Twilight wants to know who this 'Flash' is.”
“Hmmm? Why, Flash. Flash Sentry. The soldier who saved Shining's life in the Crystal Empire? Won his trust? Became something of an apprentice to your brother?”
Twilight's face remained scrunched for a few second. And then: “Ohhhhhh! Flash Sentry! Sorry, I... I-I guess I wasn't paying much attention during that part.”
Rainbow smiled tiredly. “Twilight remembers now. He's the one who helped—”
“Spike fetch the Crystal Heart. So, as you can imagine, all of the Crystal Empire is indebted to the stallion. So, rather than let success get to his head, he's riding along on this airship voyage with Shining.”
“Wait... wait a second...” Twilight looked towards Rainbow. “I have a question.” She tilted her head up and spoke: “If Cadance's enchanted tiara got destroyed from a pirate attack, then how do we know anything about their expedition?”
“Twilight brings up a good point,” Rainbow said. “The enchanted tiara got totally smashed, right?”
“That's right, Rainbow Dash.”
“Then... like... how's Luna able to communicate with Twilight's brother and sister-in-law?”
“Oh, well... Luna's tried explaining it to us... maybe she can do a better job explaining it to you. Your Highness?”
After a few seconds, Luna's voice cleared, then rose in clarity: “Twilight, Rainbow, Cadance has been able to bridge communication across the plane through a special means of alicorn magic.”
“You mean she's cast her own spell?”
“By restoring the remnants of the spell I originally cast, yes. Basically, she has in her possession a few pieces of the ill-fated tiara. Harnessing what she can, she's been able to convey messages to Equestria through a mathematical code.”
“You mean like dots and dashes?”
“Affirmative. However, since the full moon no longer works, she's had to rely on her own... how should I say it... innate gifts.”
“Like in what way?”
“A royal secret, I am certain. Still, Mi Amore Cadenza is the Princess of Love, as you very well know. Considering that Captain Shining Armor has been... 'absent due to unforeseen exhaustion' on three of the last five moments of communication, then I'm certain one could draw their own conclusion as to what powers the spell.”
“Snkkkkt...” Rainbow Dash nearly fell off the lighthouse, hugging herself.
“Huh?” Twilight blinked.
“Hah hah hah hah hah!” Rainbow guffawed, slapping her knee.
Twilight pouted. “I don't get it.”
“Erm... ahem... thank you, Princess Luna,” Twilight's mother spoke. “I think. Erm... Rainbow?”
“Hahahahhahahaha... ahem... phew...” Rainbow stood up, catching her breath with a red smile. “Yes ma'am?”
“From the look of things, the spell is going to end soon.”
Rainbow stifled another yawn, gazing east towards the dim light showing on the horizon. “Yeah. I read you loud and clear.”
Twilight leaned in. “Mom! Dad! It was so... soooo wonderful hearing back from you!” She smiled. “And learning about Shining and Cadance and the expedition to the west!”
“Twilight says it's been super cool hearing back from you! Also it's nice to learn more about the expedition Shining's on.” Rainbow gestured. “That last part goes for me too. I'm glad to know they're doing okay for themselves.”
“Yes, well, so far so good. Once they make contact with Sturke, it'll be the moment of truth.”
“Have they gotten close?”
“It would appear that Sturke rules over a nation-state that borders a crescent-shaped body of water in the middle of an enormous forest.”
“Snazzy.”
“Shining and Cadance want to approach Sturke as diplomatically as possible, so they're having to ingratiate themselves to the locals before they can even reach Sturke.”
“Well, from what Luna's told me, it sounds like Sturke is an alright dragon.” Rainbow took a deep breath. “I'm kinda envious, actually, considering the Divines I've butted heads with on this side of the world.”
“We certainly wish them the best... just as we wish you the b—” Their voices became distorted.
Twilight winced. She looked feverishly at Rainbow.
“Hey! Uh... Twilight loves you guys!”
“I love you Mommy! I love you Daddy!” Twilight blurted. “I love you Spike!”
“She loves Mommy and Daddy and Spike too.” Rainbow looked a Twilight, then smirked. “And I'm sure she adores Luna, Celestia, Shining, Cadance, Scootaloo, Zecora, that one mule who always made weird faces while gardening outside of Fluttershy's cottage... ehhhh...” Rainbow blinked. “Are we forgetting anypony else?”
“We hear you, Rainbow Dash,” Princess Celestia said. “And we understand completely.”
“Our hearts go out to you,” Luna said. “All of Equestria's well wishes go with you on your journey.”
“We believe in you girls,” Spike said, his voice distorting with every other word. “...back safely and... you hear?”
“I hear you Spike!” Twilight stammered, sniffling. “And I love you! I love you so much!”
Rainbow's pendant dimmed.
“I love you...” Twilight exhaled, hugging herself as she stared into the sea below. “I love you... I...”
Rainbow looked at her.
Twilight closed her eyes, drifting lazily as tears squeezed out her eyelids.
After swallowing a lump down her throat, Rainbow said, “Life's crazy, and there are only so many promises I can keep, Twilight. But this one I can make for sure. You will get to speak with them again, you hear me?”
“I know, Rainbow.”
“And you don't have to—”
“Just... just...” Twilight took a deep breath, shuddering. “...tell me one thing...”
“Hmmm? Tell you what?”
Twilight turned to face her. She opened a pair of misty eyes. “Tell me how you do it.”
“Do what?” Rainbow asked.
Twilight sniffled. “Continue.” She gestured towards the slowly brightening horizon to the east. “After all that you've left behind... after everypony you've had to say good bye to... more than once. How? How do you do it?”
Rainbow hung her head.
Twilight sniffed again. “I... I-I'm sorry if that's a pointed question...”
“Nah, it's okay. It's a good one.” Rainbow looked up. “You wanna know how I manage?”
Twilight gazed at her, silently, patiently.
Rainbow bore a devilish smirk. “I just keep moving.”
SPLASSSSSH!
“Wooohooo!” Nick hollered into the sun-bright spray of ocean water. With a wild grin on his face, he steered the Swan Song left, ramping over yet another swell. The port side lifted up, dragged through the air, then landed with another deep splash, thoroughly splattering the occupants on board. Despite the residual turbulence, the trimaran made its way swiftly towards the east horizon. “Hah! Heheh...” the young stallion looked over his shoulder at the other two. “Anypony who said this 'dinghy' wasn't seaworthy could go make love to a porcupine colony!”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow looked up at the bright billowing sail above. “...all this thing needed was a bit of love-making of its own!”
“Even when it's metaphoric, it's satisfying to know I'm best at one thing!” Nick winked into the salt air.
“Yeah, well, don't pat yourself on the back yet, Casaneighva.” Rainbow crawled past him, steadying herself by gripping the mat. She gazed back at the port of Kihutaja. The three islands grew smaller and smaller on the western horizon, along with the multiple ships anchored around the nearest harbor. “We've yet to get into the true open sea!”
“Relax! Once we're fully in the drink, I've got this!” Nick said. “It's my element! I was born for it!” They hit another ramp of water. “Wooo! Hahaha! Yeah!”
“Forgive me if I'm a bit paranoid,” Rainbow muttered, tightening Luna's satchel around her flank. “My last experience in the ocean was... less than awesome.” Clearing her throat, she turned to look at Sinrar, who was clutching the edge of the cabin so hard that his gray coat turned grayer at the joints. “You doing okay there, Dr. Dude?”
“Who? Me? Yes! Just fine!” Sinrar nevertheless fought a wave of nausea to utter his next few words: “Ponies of my age are built of... far sturdier material than you young hormonal golems!”
“Heh... if you say so...” Rainbow Dash cocked her head aside. “You need a bucket?”
“All I need is a little peace and quiet so I can mentally contemplate our trajectory, you incessantly humming harpy!”
“Want your maps for that? I could grab them for you!”
“No no... not yet... I wouldn't want to... urp...” His eyes crossed as his muzzle turned briefly green. “...add a new continent with green ink...”
Rainbow shrugged. “Suit yourself! The only one in a hurry here is Nick, right, buddy?”
“Yeeeha! That was a great swell! What do you think, Professor?!”
“Mrawwweeghhh...”
“Took the words right out of my stomach! Heheh!”
Rainbow took a deep breath of the sea air. Something about the warmth, the wind, and the mist in the air felt distinctly different than the Grand Choke. For the first time in ages, the trip excited her, and she couldn't help but smile. Flapping her wings, the pegasus lifted up until she was flying right alongside the mast. She kept up with the ship, veering left and right as the trimaran did, avoiding the dip of the mast and the spray of water.
At some point, Twilight floated alongside her. “Don't you wanna conserve your wing power for when there's a lull?”
“There's plenty of wind, Twilight,” Rainbow spoke. “I think we'll be fine.”
“But it's a large ocean and there's no telling how long we might be cruising like this.”
“Eh... I just feel like stretching my wings. If I get tired, I'll just touch down and signal Nick to take it easy.”
“But... but...” Twilight fidgeted in mid-drift. “You don't want to... I dunno... exacerbate the chaos that Discord zapped you with and—”
“Twilight... will you just relax?” Rainbow turned towards her with a soft smile. “This is adventuring! I can do this sort of thing in my sleep!”
“Yes, but—”
“But nothing! We've prepared! We've plotted things out! We've got this!” Rainbow winked. “Things are good.”
“They... they are?”
“Best they've been for me in a long while.” Rainbow faced forward, squinting at the distant, bobbing speck of Yaerfaerda. “Come on, this is a journey for a good cause. Let's revel in it. It's what Bellesmith, Pilate, and Roarke would have wanted.” Her nostrils flared. “It's what the girls would want.”
“Right...” Twilight nodded, gazing at the rippling waters underneath them. “I guess I'm just... not used to this sort of a thing like you are.”
“Just relax, Twilight. Sooner than later, you'll get the hang of—”
“Ew! Ew ew ew!” Twilight squirmed all over, retching. “Ew gross!”
“What?! What?!” Rainbow gasped.
“What powers Cadance's spell!” Twilight wheezed. “I just now got it! Ewwwww!”
“Snkkkt—heeheeheehee!” Rainbow clutched herself in mid-flight.
“Rainbowwww! Quit it!” Twilight pouted, folding her forelimbs. “It's not funny!”
“Hah hah hah hah hah!” Rainbow nevertheless bellowed.
Below, on board the Swan Song, Nick and Sinrar stared up at the laughing pegasus.
“You... don't suppose you've any clue what she's laughing maniacally about, do you?” Nick asked.
“Merde...” Sinrar merely shrugged, re-gripping the edge of the cabin. “It's a mystery to me.”
“You know...” Nick smirked ahead, guiding the ship onto an even stretch of seawater. “...part of me believes I'm only helping her with this trip so I can find out myself.”
“Oui. You are not alone, boy.”
Stats
Page generated in 0.036 seconds
Total duration
1,046 users online
233,184 hits today, 2,054,621 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
Good. Please don't. I want you and Nick to, you know...
Um...
LOL
Better late than never, right? Huehuehue~
Radio powered by Snu Snu.
unf.
I think Nick is enjoying making Sinrar seasick.
*pffffffft*
Oh god, now I'm imagining those two doing Morse code by slapping flanks...
Also, I think you meant "conclusion".
"Rainbow is also randomly talking in third person!"
So it seems he cleverly snuck in the details so he could devote more time to more important things. I like that.
Although I was interested in what actually happened, I'm more interested in moving along with the plot, and he did both.
-Spirit (Yeast and Treacle)
This is fun. I like this.
Aren't we all?
You know, I wonder if Twilight can throw up.
How is she doing that?
Cue massive drive-by down votes…
I'm just waiting till Rarity's spirit joins them and Rainbow is having a full on argument that no one else can see.
5910714 Magic.
5910724 Let me refer to you what I considered about it in the Skype chat:
"It's not just a noise, or an action. Whether you throw up or not, stuff is actually trying to come up when you "retch". The best [something like Twilight's revelation] could make Twilight feel is sick, if she is incorporeal. Not even green in the face would be appropriate."
Kinda sad we didn't hear more about The westward trip, but cool to hear something.
5910722
I have a further argument.
Invisible. Pinkie.
That is all.
Oh sweet merciful Luna! An invisable Pinkie Pie that can phase through matter would be the doom of us all!
5910788 The heavens may tremble.
Ynanhluutr - Chapter 30 - On An Island In the Sun
-Me
Well, fuck me!
oilersaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/porcupine_1369943i.jpg
Things are so happy and exciting. I remember a time when that wouldn't have made me nervous.
Also, being the battery for alicorn radio can't be an easy task, but something tells me Shining is up for the challenge. Talk about a wireless package with free long distance, amirite?
Heh. Heheh. That poor stallion. I feel your pain, bro.
5910908
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee....
The size of waves is related to the depth of the water. For a just breaking wave, its because the bottom of the circular motion of th wave progression is starting to interact with the sea floor at that point. . Combine with interference patterns around the islands, as has been proposed used by Polynesians for navigation, and you can get all sorts of variable wave directions and heights in shallow water over such as large seamounts and shallow basins. Once out over deeper water, much larger waves can settle almost totally under the surface, giving an apparently benign rolling motion, the swell. If you carry on sailing on autopilot at night for instance, you can suddenly reach the much shallower region of a seamount, and have a 60 foot wave appear out of nowhere. Usually called a ship killer.
I wonder how Luna realised that her, bed time, was a message? Maybe because she realised there was,
<sunglasses>
A Cadence to it?
Best way to send messages on long distances.
Props would surely approve of it.
Meanwhile, the Swan Song is a go! Huzzah for Noble Jury 2.0!
5910996
Swan Song alicorn edition.
5911040
Why are you awake. It's five AM or so where you live, right? Why would you do this to yourself?
Bow Chicka wow wow.
Meh, you didn't miss much.
I hope we're keeping them for a while. This short banter kinda reminds me of the Jury.
I feel Sinrar's pain, having experienced seasickness several times before...not fun. Luckily there were gin-gins aplenty.
Curse you, random griffon pirates! (From here on out referred to as RGP's). You're nothing but trouble!
I'm going to pretend I did NOT just read that Rainbow Dash was talking long-distance using a magical-nookie-powered communication-spell.
5911060 5:50 AM, yeah, but I'm currently in California, heheh. Well, until tomorrow.
Then I swear I'll get stuff done for the map.
5911097 At first I was like "but I never get seasick", then I felt really dumb.
5911040 Lunar Ninth. Or, well, not Noble Jury 2.0.
okay... so are Cadence and Shining using protection or is Princess Skyla going to be canon here?
Come on Sinrar, you can let your guard down a little, you're among friends, clearly. No need for the super tough old colt act.
-Memories given light, ease a lonely flight. Ynanhluutr.
5911194 Sorry. I'm not very creative.
I'll leave the naming to more qualified people next time.
Well.
That happened.
So, Cadance and Shining sent a message through horse code powered by... that...
One can say that the message has been, perhaps, bleeped.
Any chance of a side story book following the others characters? This is universe is so much better than the actual canon one.
For those of you who are wondering, a trimaran looks like this:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/BMW_Oracle_BOR90.JPG
It's true. I make everyone wet.
5911351 Why thank you. ^^
5911040 I totally approve.
5787241
A month ago to the day, and I'm already halfway through Yaerfaerda. Soon . . .
Well that is some interesting information to say the least.
though I have to admit it i one heck of a creative use of her powers. Glad to hear more about their journey that's for sure it's always nice when we get more info like that.
Woohoo! Adventure!
“A royal secret, I am certain. Still, Mi Amore Cadenza is the Princess of Love, as you very well know. Considering that Captain Shining Armor has been... 'absent due to unforeseen exhaustion' on three of the last five moments of communication, then I'm certain one could draw their own conclusion as to what powers the spell.”
“Snkkkkt...” Rainbow Dash nearly fell off the lighthouse, hugging herself.
“Huh?” Twilight blinked.
“Hah hah hah hah hah!” Rainbow guffawed, slapping her knee.
Are there more comments today from different people or do I normally not read all the comments?
Eyyyyyyy. . .
One more thing.
I really like your reaction time Twi.
Nick confirmed for Element of Shipping.
5911978
Oh.
Ok.
Um...
img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20150103154158/pokemon/images/8/8f/Encountering_cresselia.png
I remember once saying time is cyclical in this story. Now I imagine Nick meeting who would be Searomare, and it was that encounter what led to Searo's sexist culture. Nick the original breeder.
I grow ever more doubtful that Rainbow's plans to ditch them somewhere are going to succeed.
5910908
Just enjoy it while it lasts.
5910715 If you listen carefully to the wind you can hear a horde of angry voices screaming "Why Foo Stealer!"
5910753 I have a suspicion there will be a previously-unnoticed fimfiction account quietly popping up with a story about Shining and Cadance flying west.