Rainbow Dash fell with a shriek, proving that her lungs were still intact. The flame had blown just above her plummeting skull, missing her by a melting foot. Sailing like a blue anvil towards the rubbled chunks of architecture below, she angled herself earthward, stretched out her wings, and pulled up in time to avoid becoming bloody paste against the white stones.
As she skimmed the uneven surface of the mesa, a winged shadow swallowed her up. She looked up, breathless.
All she saw was scales and claws. Then—glinting in the grey light of Silvadel—there was a flash of teeth. Fire erupted towards her yet again.
She just then passed beyond the edge of the plateau. She dove down sharply, barely escaping the range of the infernal blast. Spiraling around, she dove between the two massive plateaus of earth. The ash parted around her as a horrible wind kicked up. Her ears rang with a shrieking noise. Peering behind, Rainbow Dash saw something bright red and the size of a small house. With leery amber eyeslits, a crimson dragon was zeroing on on her tail. The atmosphere rumbled with thunder upon each wing flap, and soon the serpentine monstrosity was lunging at her with clamping jaws.
“Hnngh!” Rainbow Dash twirled to the side, dodged the bite, and kicked off the creature's neck. She flew sideways, awkwardly slamming into the earthen wall of the opposite mesa. The dragon lunged at her again. In her panic, Rainbow Dash tightened her wings to her side and dove like a missile straight earthward. The dragon sailed into the rock above her, sending chunks of debris raining everywhere as the dragon dove in hot pursuit.
Rainbow had very little chance to breathe. She was slicing through the air at multiple times the force of gravity. The world whistled past her ears, threatening to deafen her. With each banshee scream that the dragon produced, she felt a growing and intense heat. Her coat hairs started to curl on end. In desperation, she threw her body into a spiral and unfurled her wings at random. As a result, when she finally pulled up, it was in a direction that the dragon couldn't possibly have anticipated.
It was with good timing too; Rainbow Dash dodged the earth, flew through a forked cluster of rocks, and made for the outer edge of the Silvadelian crater. To her delight, the ground shook from the dragon's calamitous impact with the gray city ruins behind her.
Rainbow Dash took several wheezing breaths as she glided evenly. She gave the twin mesas behind her a forlorn glance. From a distance, she saw the crucified pony bodies burning from the dragon's arrival. There was no hope of saving the one suffering victim, especially as Rainbow witnessed the crimson monster climbing back up and getting ready for take off.
With a whimering sound, Rainbow Dash beat her wings faster and ascended as swiftly as she could. She tried to remember something that Twilight had once taught her in one of her many eggheaded ramblings: that dragons flew slower in the upper troposphere. Praying that her tiny speed and agility would carry her to safety, Rainbow Dash accelerated herself towards the lofty summit of the Silvadelian smog cloud.
She wasn't alone for long. She felt the thunderous distortions in the air as the crimson wyrm gave pursuit. As she approached the clouds, the gray banks reflected a bright red glow. The ash began melting in the air. Her wings failed her several times as jets of hot air caught up with her, smelling of dragon breath.
Then, like a gentle sunrise, a light broke through the clouds above. Rainbow Dash thought it was the sky at first, but then she never knew the sky to have several flapping wings and sets of jaws. She gasped, her ruby eyes twitching as they reflected the shapes of two, four, six, eight draconian figures. Before her, an entire brood of dragons were descending. The sky was literally filled with them. The monsters carried several clusters of debris and junk in their talons, and they were all approaching Rainbow Dash, all returning from a journey.
“Oh jeez... Oh jeez...” If Rainbow Dash had shed tears, they would have evaporated. At least ten sets of flaming breath converged on her at once. She hugged her limbs to her chest, formed an equine cannonball, and simply let gravity do its job. She plummeted past the first creature that had chased her, dodging its clamping jaws by a hair. As she reached terminal velocity, she unfolded her wings yet again and needled her way towards the heart of Silvadel.
Several thundering echoes sounded behind her. The gray world lit up with gold and flame as dozens upon dozens of roaring beasts rocketed after her in furious pursuit. She dove until she reached ground level and pulled up above the ruins. She looked back in time to see twenty whole dragons pulling up in identical fashion, their mammoth girth forming sonic craters against the sundered floor of desolation. With every beat of their wings, chunks of buildings and stone and marble flew in opposite directions. The creatures formed a solid ravine, and they were soaring straight after her.
Gnashing her teeth, Rainbow Dash dove even lower and threaded her way through every tiny partition she could find. She bobbed and weaved around crumbled arches, bent towers, and hollow buildings. Fitfully, she hoped that the dragons might lose her amidst all the debris.
They merely smashed through the rubble as if it was made of tissue paper. Iron jaws snapped flailing chunks of concrete to bits and spat them back into the ashen air. Bulldozing their way through the mess behind Rainbow Dash at breakneck speeds, they roared and snapped at her rear limbs, filling the air with the rancid smell of their collective breaths.
Rainbow Dash panted and tilted upward in her flight, making for the edge of the sloping crater. To her dismay, she felt her body slowing down. She was being sucked backwards, and the air was heating up like a crucible.
She gasped. In what was bound to be the stupidest decision of her life, she somersaulted and flung her wings straight out. She braked in mid-air, stalled, and twirled about. Stifling a deep scream, she flew directly into the phalanx of pursuing dragons, just in time to avoid their burning breaths. Into the muderous stream of claws, teeth, and flame Rainbow Dash sailed. She spun left, barrel-rolled, twirled right, weaved up and down, and zig-zagged between blinks. She avoided every bite, claw-swipe, and plume of flame with sheer luck. Finally, no less than twenty dragons converged on her, leaving no avenue of escape from their exhaling breaths.
Gritting her teeth, Rainbow Dash clamped both hooves over her pendant. “Nnnnngh—Whitemane!” Her eyes danced from white to yellow and back.
And then she caught on fire. From mane to tail, she was scorched in agonizing flames. Her body turned into a smoldering comet that plummeted towards the earth with a dark black smoke trail.
Rainbow Dash's figure smashed through the top layer of debris like a torpedo. She bore through two walls of ashen debris, slammed off a wall, pinballed off two clusters of rock, and came to a rolling stop in a deep pocket of soot.
After a few seconds, the flames finally dissipated, and it their place was a fluctuating prism of white energy. Rainbow Dash hissed, wincing all over. However, her body was decidedly in one piece, saved by alicorn energy at the last possible moment. Quivering, she stretched one forelimb after another and pulled herself weakly towards the shadows. Above, the dim ceiling of congealed rock and alabaster stone shook from the circling monstrosities. Rainbow Dash had almost made it to a tiny niche of rubble when—
A single dragon smashed down through the debris. It stood deep beneath the dome of petrified rubble, glancing around the deep hollow looming beneath the ceiling.
Rainbow Dash froze in place, sweating all over. Her eyes swam to the edge of their sockets, pulsating with each rapid heartbeat.
Growling from deep within its burning chest, the dragon slithered forward. Each clawed foot shook through the chamber as it dragged its tail with a shower of sparks. An amber glow swam across the hollow like a searchlight as the dragon's eyeslits narrowed. It lingered just a few feet behind Rainbow Dash, tapping the solid bedrock impatiently while the sounds of its shrieking companions circled above the surface of Silvadel overhead.
Rainbow Dash gulped. She tried to inch away, but a deep shiver was running through her figure. It was more than pure fear. It was—
“No, please... Please...” She whispered below her breath, overcome by a deep dizziness. Her eyes were flickering back and forth between white and yellow as the hot world spun around her. “Not here. Not now...”
The dragon crept closer.
Rainbow Dash fought to crawl out of sight, but her limbs had become limp as noodles. She felt like throwing up. She felt like—
With a shriek, the dragon hopped and perched on the ground right above her. A single foot clamped over Rainbow Dash's prone body.
Rainbow tried to breathe. All that came out of her compressed body was an agonized wheeze. Her eyes rolled back several times before she summoned the strength to look up at her fate.
The dragon's neck crests flared. Its jaws produced what could best be described as a grin as it arched its neck back, prepared a flaming breath, and opened its maw straight at the pegasus.
It was precisely at that moment that a brown figure in golden armor pounced on top of the wyrm's head. With serrated horseshoes, a dark-haired stallion stabbed directly into the drake's eyes. The dragon reared back, blowing fire at the stone ceiling instead of at Rainbow Dash. Before it had a chance to shriek, several arrows flew up out of the shadows and impaled it several times in its vocal cords.
Rainbow Dash coughed and sputtered, rolling over and watching in shock.
The dragon writhed and thrashed about. It folded its wings upward, using them like limbs to try and scratch the pony off.
Relentless, the stallion dug in tighter with his horseshoes. Gray light shimmered off a dragon skull helmeted over his piercing, green eyes. As he clung to the dragon, he gave his shielded flanks a shake. On command, his golden armor extended outward, revealing a dazzling array of sword hilts. He hoisted a silver blade from his left side, tossed it up in the air, re-gripped it in his teeth, and stabbed the full length of the thing straight down into the drake's skull.
One of the dragon's crimson neck crests was sliced clean off. It shrieked and fell forward on the ground, bleeding boiling juices over the sterile bedrock. The stallion ripped his hooves out of the monster's eyes and ran down along its spine. As he did so, he sheathed the blade back into a side panel of his armor and shouted across the cavern, “Ember Speak! Swirls! Grab the pegasus!”
“We got her, Sam!” a female voice replied.
Rainbow Dash suddenly felt herself being dragged dizzily into the shadows. “Who... What...?” She reeled about, stumbling, to see two mares and a stallion peering out from even lower pits. “How...?”
“Move out of the way!” One pony shooed the other two and aimed his crossbow. “Gotta give Sam Rose cover!”
“I think he's got it, Stu.”
“Shhh! You'll attract the others!”
“You're going to be okay!” one mare said to Rainbow Dash, trying to steady her. “It's fine. We've got—” She paused, squinting. “What's wrong with her eyes?”
“Don't take...” Rainbow Dash murmured, drifted, and fell into their grip. “Don't take the pendant. Leave it... Just...” The world was spinning again. She twisted and turned.
The last thing she saw before everything went black was the stallion in gold unsheathing a huge bastard sword, growling for good measure, and then plunging the blade deep into the dragon's burning heart. Then the fire died.
You don't raze a civilization to the ground without repercussions. Also, someone better pick up that phone, because
I FUCKING CALLLLLED IIIIIT!!!
Dragoons to the rescue!
Well they are accustomed to pegasi so it can't be ALL earth ponies.
Too much "luck" for my tastes today. I prefer when Dash doesn't quite need that much luck because in several parallel universes she just bit the dust here.
Oh and Luna might lose a chance to get in touch with Dash if she is "out"
Alternate Chapter Title: Deus ex Machina
So here's the question: Fallen Silvadel society sacrifices ponies to dragons as tribute, or last remaining forces of fallen Silvadel fight valiantly against evil?
Well at least she still has ponies to speak with.
Somebody get the Dovahkiin over here, quick!
But what about Cold Canter? The poor guy is gonna be devastated, thinking Dash is dead.
1333380
Not the first time in this story Dash has had to abruptly leave a confidant behind in a discordant and dissonant manner, potentially including the other elements. Hey, that reminds me, I think this is the first time in the story another of the mane 6 has been directly mentioned.
Well, somepony's been taking a ride on the 'Lucky as Hell' train a lot lately.
The thing with the crucifictions was just disturbing. But well written. I applaud that.
1333392
Wait, who was mentioned? I must have missed that
Also there was a flashback or two with Applejack.
1333414
You're right, I completely forgot about the AJ chapter.
1333421
Oh duh!
How did I forget that?
The mane 6 may actually be dead though, because Dash is always going on about 'not having anyone left' and such.
I love this
1333441
Yup. We haven't heard about the home front in a while, and I like to delude myself into thinking that the mane 6 are still salvageable in some form or another. The Elements are clearly guiding Dash (lavender light is too much of a coincidence to not be or at least the element of magic). My initial theory was that this is all in Dash's head somehow, but it would be too convenient for such a lengthy journey.
I swear. 166 chapters later and this story keeps getting better and better
Hmm, I'm a girl now....well this should be interesting
Challenge Completed: Here There be Dragons!
Survive a dragon attack, and subsequently, shorten your coat hair.
Survive Dragon attack: 1/1
+5 Fire resist., +500 XP
That escape seemed a little too easy, no?
1333411
I would wager that was purposeful. The writing has been very solid thusfar, the sheer number of em dashes and "it was just at that moment"'s in this chapter can't be an accident.
Now, whether the deus ex machina is satire or a serious is another question altogether. I'm going with the former.
i'll finish it all eventually!
Leather Rebel - Judas Priest
Achievement Unlocked: Aerial Ace
That was damn close.
1333287
Hmm...good question indeed...I'd like to believe that it's a group of survivors, but one can never be too sure...
The voices of a thousand souls, cast down in fire.
Avenging the fallen equines, the wrath of a rainbow flyer.
“Ember Speak! Swirls! Grab the pegasus!”
YESSSS!!!!
I squeed right then and there when I saw my name, then re-read it several times just to make sure it was real .
On another note: the dizziness spells are back. Continuity!
Things were pretty action packed with just one dragon, then a whole tonne of them came out of the sky and my awesome-meter broke :P. It's gonna be an interesting ride is all I can say
Does Imp Colon run on cheetos? HOW DOES HE MAKE SO MUCH STORY???
media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mauujgnED11qemjy6.gif
1333380 Maybe luna could help come next full moon?
1334904
Wasn't someone (was it you? I'm too lazy to look ) just inquiring as to when we'd see a return of those? Great timing, eh? *wink* *nudge* *etc.*
Mine, too! I'm excited for the prospect of a classic dragon/protagonist conflict, especially since there are so many questions about Dash's saviors. Beyond the aforementioned questionable motives: pony sacrifice to appease dragons or last remnants of a dead society trying to scrape by, or is it both the last remnants of a society desperately trying to appease old values and traditions but that have been bastardized over years of hardship? How can a trained fighting force survive what is, essentially, a wasteland? They seemed to be less shocked about Dash's wings, why? How did they come to be at the right place in the right time? Were they tracking Dash since she got near the temple? The list goes on, it makes me giddy with anticipation.
Seeing something from the comments always makes me smile, seeing another person get a character named after them leaves me with a big, goofy grin. Let's hope you don't turn out to be evil! yay!
1335303
I prefer IC stays "in character," it helps cement this thing as a giant social experiment. I was shocked SS&E posted the blogpost he did, and it makes me lean a little towards the Inception explanation though I'd still wager it's the Fight Club one.
1280746
GODAMMIT your right....
Anyways... cant wait to read this all i have on my mind is these words when i look at the title...
IT"S TIME TO BOMB SOME DODONGOS
1332044
Heh, just look at SS&E's photobucket account. I'm sure it will resolve any remaining doubts :P
1335320
Yeah. Someone else brought it up and it had also been bugging me a bit too. Still, all fixed now which is the benefit of an author reading their comments section ;)
My previous theories about the society are a little bit weak now. How did a pony suffering from severe burns cross a desert that took RD several days to cross without dying? Teleport magic? But it's an Earth pony society . I'm sure that all will be revealed, but right now I'm just awaiting future chapters with bated breath.
1335336
I know what you mean about IC staying IC. It's so much fun having this odd dialogue with the author - we basically get to talk to him and each other in the comments, and he responds in the story. It's something special to this story and this profile, and I'd be quite sad to see it change dramatically from that.
1334904
i would squee to if i was in the story but im not still best story cant wait for next chapter
1334104
It seems an awful lot like a survivor group. Who else would decide to shack up in the ruins of Silvadel? Maybe professional dragon slayers, but they seem to be fighting for a little more than fame and fortune.
1335320
We hardly know anything about Silvadelian society; perhaps they had pegasi as well. Or they traded/interacted with pegasi. They clearly have had contact with a different kind of winged creature.
Also, the lack of dizzy spells seems to be related to Dash having a sense of purpose (or more specifically, to her not having one). When she's helping somepony, she's at the top of her game - no dizzy spells getting in the way. When she's in personal danger or just flying over open terrain, they seem to pop up again. Helping others seems to keep them at bay and looking after herself seems to allow them.
1335849
Pat, I'd like to buy a vowel: this theory. The part of my brain that likes to delve into the intricacies of story telling is 100% onboard with this thesis and would willingly write a short essay about it. The part of my brain in control right now says that that theory is also quite easily explained as the dizzy spells simply being a form of Deus ex Machina whenever it is dramatically convenient. (there must be a better term for that, my sleep deprived mind can't think of it).
A dragon trying to eat your face easily qualifies for a bad day. 20?! And she survived? She has good luck in spades!
who the flip are these guys?
Jeez Dash, luck more?
Achievement Unlocked: "Playing with Weighted Dice"
1333230
It's a damn good thing we're not following one of those parallel universes then, isn't it?
1333473
Of all the possible theories, I really hope it isn't this one. Stories where the whole journey turns out to have been in the character's head just rub me the wrong way. It always feels like something of a cop-out.
1335254
This is my theory, too. I expect Dash will ask Luna to let C-Squared know that she's still alive.
Hmm -- maybe with pinky lost, rainbow dash has picked up some of her pinky sense. That is the only logical way I can explain this one.
1325201
the plot thickens
Is it just me, or is this the very first purely violent uber-awesome action scene so far?
1333473 what I'm thinking is what the buck is in that green book of Dash's ? Is it a picture album of her and her friends or something else
If your planning on fighting a dragon
Your gonna have a bad day
1333230 Only today? That's been an issue throughout the story. RD has not lost at any point in any way, not to a villain.
1338292
Yep, only today. All of the rest of the scenes were well within what I consider rainbow dash capable of. This was the first scene that went beyond it.
1338364 So in your head RD has some specific level of ability? I'm rather more flexible - there are Rainbows far less capable, and some that are more though not so many - so unless we're talking something truly extreme, for me this is just another adventure chapter in a long series of Dash suffering no setbacks whatsoever.
She has a specific maximum level of ability in my mind yes. This escpade went past it, did a sonic rainboom and then 17 barrel rolls before landing.
Title Obtained: "Speed Demon"
-Minty
YESSSS!!!!!
That was BADASS.
This chapter just made the entirety of Fimfiction.net 20% cooler. Damn, son.
(Note: Science quibble: "She was slicing through the air at multiple times terminal velocity.")
Welp, looks like I am finally joining the ranks of those who have to wait for updates on this story. Sad that I have to stop, but looking forward to more! So much has already happened, and yet I can't help but feel that the story isn't even a quarter over yet... Truly epic.
Acheviment unlocked: chased by dragons
Be chase by dragons and live.