“Please, Miss Dash, if you could be more specific,” one of the elders leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “What exactly can this Princess Luna of yours do for us?”
“No, you have to understand!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, standing before an emergency meeting of the Council of Elders the next morning. She gazed emphatically at them and said, “She's too far away to do anything directly! The alicorn is responsible for both the sun and moon. Even if she wanted to come here, she'd be leaving my home kingdom—not to mention the whole world in jeapordy!”
The elders exchanged glances. They sat uncomfortably as they gazed upon their colorful visitor. “Please forgive our confusion then, pegasus. What exactly did you bring us here for? You insisted that you had a possible solution for the conflict with the dragons.”
Sam Rose was there, and from every twitching bone in his body, it was obvious that he did not wish to be. A hard set of green eyes hovered over Rainbow Dash as she spoke.
“This pendant that I wear,” she said, holding the item up in the glinting torchlight for all of the Silvadelians in the chamber to see. “It's more than just a keepsake. It was—like—zapped a long time ago by the princesses of my world. They use it to talk to me from anywhere in the world so long as the moon is full.”
“The moon?”
“Basically, whenever the world outside lights up at night like it does, she and I can chat! What's more, others around me can hear her!”
“It would greatly interest us to hear what your Princess has to say.”
Rainbow Dash fidgeted. “Uhm... That's just the thing.” She lowered her hoof from the neckpiece. “She can't talk to me right now.”
The Silvadelians murmured. Zetta was there, looking frazzled as usual. He glanced across the way and gave Ember Speak nervous glances. Sam Rose shifted uncomfortably, as if his muscles were about to burst through his regal gold armor.
“But... But I can get communication going with her again!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed eagerly, her lips bursting with a hopeful smile. “Once it's night, and I can catch some of the moonlight, I can get her to talk! But she doesn't have to talk to me and me alone!”
“What exactly are you proposing?” Same Rose remarked in a dull tone.
Rainbow Dash looked at him, gulped, and glanced towards the Council. “Do you any of you guys know where the Matriarch is? I mean, you're building the tunnel to the dragon queen's nest as part of the Grand Project, right?”
“That is correct. After years of the surfacing, of pony surveyors sacrificing their safety, we have ascertained her position,” one elder said.
Another added, “But the location is far too dangerous for any of us to get into, hence the tunnel we have decided to dig.”
“Well, I may be just one pony, but I'm a pony with killer wings!” Rainbow Dash's teeth showed as she grinned. “This is my idea. I can fly there to where she's at, approach the Matriarch, and try and talk with her.”
Sam Rose's eyes twitched.
A louder murmur filled the room.
One of the elders squinted. “You would converse with the Matriarch?”
“I mean... The Princess could!” Rainbow Dash said. “I already talked to her about it! I'd go at night, when the moonlight hits, and I'd have her talk through my pendant here to the Matriarch!”
“Council, with all due respect,” Sam Rose spoke up, keeping his voice calm and humble. “I can already see where this proposition is going, as I'm sure all of you can. I don't think such a daring task is worth risking the life of an outsider who has no place within our conflict.”
“Pfft! It's totally worth risking stuff for, your royalnacity!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Princess Luna is an alicorn! She's—like—older than time and stuff! If there's any pony in this world who's equipped to reason with the dragon Matriarch, it's her!”
“What you're suggesting is certainly brave, Rainbow Dash,” Sam Rose said. “But ever since you arrived in Silvadel, you've been my responsibility...”
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. “I have?”
“Yes! And I can't allow you to do something so brash and suicidal! It's—”
“Noble?” she remarked with a grin.
Sam Rose momentarily fumbled for words.
Rainbow Dash turned towards the Council again. “I'm not going to tell the Matriarch about the Project. I'm not going to do anything that will expose you ponies or tell her where Sanctuary is located. And, yes, I know that this is really friggin' dangerous. But—come on! If there's some way—any way—to resolve all of this mess without causing more bloodshed, I'm all for it! Aren't you?”
“But what if your endeavor fails, Miss Dash?” an elder pony remarked.
“And what if yours fails?!” Rainbow Dash retorted. “No offense to the unicorns and all, but I think the Matriarch will be a great deal more ticked off by ponies trying to bomb her with acid than one awesome pegasus getting her to have telepathic tea time with an ancient Princess. Trust me! Luna's no push-over! She has the power, authority, and smarts to reach out to someone like the Matriarch! Heck, she and her sister have dealt with dragons before, and our kingdom is super-safe becaues of it all! Just what's it gonna hurt to try the same thing here now that you have the chance?”
The Council stared amongst themselves. They exchanged whispery words while the guards and audience in attendance shuffled anxiously. Ember Speak bit her lipe while Limey lingered in the background.
Finally, one of the elders stood up and faced the unicorns in attendance. “Mr. Zetta.”
The unicorn twitched. “Oh! That's me! Uhm... Yes, your high pony-ness pony?”
“How is the weapon coming along? Is it near the final stage of development?”
“Oh, uh! Totally!” He smiled and ran a shaking hoof over his shaved mane. “We've got the arcanium all fused together and will be ready to pour the death water in less than two days! The ponies in the tunnel are telling me that they're almost to the nest. In fact, they're lining up the charges to seal off the passageway to Sanctuary as we speak!”
The old mare nodded, exchanged glances with her fellow elders, and then faced the crowd. “It is our decision, then, that the Grand Project shall continue as originally planned.”
A low hush fell over the audience. Rainbow Dash's ears drooped. With a sigh, she hung her head.
“However,” the mare continued. “If our brave visitor is so convicted, then we shall allow her to embark upon this daunting task.”
Sam Rose did a double-take.
Rainbow's face jerked up. Her lips twitched and she smiled. The ponies around her were gasping in amazement.
The elder spoke on, “We are desperate to survive, yes. But this doesn't not entirely require the means of absolute violence. While the bombing of the Matriarch is still our ultimate move to make, we shall take advantage of any other options that are available to us.”
“Council, please—!” Sam Rose tried to speak.
Another elder spoke more loudly, and directly to Rainbow Dash. “Miss Dash, do we have your solemn vow to make this trip solely for the purpose of bridging communication between your kingdom's ruler and the Matriarch?”
“Absolutely,” Rainbow Dash said with a flutter of her wings.
“And you shall not let slip one word concerning the nature of Sanctuary or its occupants?”
“I shall defend the truth with my most awesome life,” Rainbow Dash added with a wink.
“Council, she does not belong here!” Sam Rose exclaimed fitfully, trying is hardest to maintain composure. “She is an experience pegasus, yes! But she has not been tempered by the hardships of this landscape! I have seen brave, loyal comrades of mine buckle under the torment of the dragons! How can we expect her to—?”
“She has offered to sacrifice her very own life to protect the interest of a kingdom she hardly knows, young prince,” an elder said with a glaring expression. “The Council would expect the one sole heir to both recognize and respect the sanctity of such guile.”
Sam Rose opened his mouth, lingered, and looked away. He was fuming.
Rainbow Dash glanced at him, then at the Council. “When do I get to leave?”
The Council glanced at Zetta.
Zetta twitched and stammered, “The death water won't last for long without melting stuff to ash. We gotta ship that crap out soon... uhm... your elderliness.”
The elders looked at Rainbow Dash. They said, “Tonight.”
You know, I just read The Song of Syhlex earlier today. That quote has so much more meaning.
Alternate Title: How Stella Dash Got Her Groove Back. Glad to see that little push from Luna gave Dash the confidence she needed to get back to her normal self.
So, important lines regarding characters:
There's a lot said in-between the lines with Sam and Dash. It's been touched on in previous chapters and their comments, but I'm convinced this line gets at the heart of their communications failure. Sam can't help but try and take responsibility for every living thing, what with his legacy, duty and surface excursions. Dash, meanwhile, ascertains a similar higher calling but with a more aloof or, rather, carefree attitude that can get her into a lot of trouble but has the potential to defuse very tense situations.
My main story concern at this point is that this can really only end in a couple of ways. The first is Dash succeeds in getting Luna to move the Matriarch and everyone is happy. The second is Dash fails and the death water get's spilled. At that point there's a branch, either that tactic works or doesn't and in both cases, should Dash survive, there's a lot of guilt to be had. Dash has a proven track record up until this point, but with the themes getting darker and the stakes getting higher there will certainly be interesting times ahead.
Can't help but notice that RD does a lot of yelling in this chapter. Like 3/4ths of her lines of dialogue end in exclamation points.
... The Royal Canterlot Voice is totally contagious, isn't it. Speaking with Luna has a chance of making you shout all the time for no apparent reason.
1405419
That story is amazing. A little sobering though, Celestia certainly has fallen pretty far from grace. A thousand years without sleep will do that to you. Then again, Celestia's strength is the kind that melts mountains... Had she actually fought Chrysalis or NMM, many ponies would have died.
And why can't I shake the feeling that Sam Rose is going to do something very, very stupid?
Like FOLLOW HER?
Yup. Totally gonna happen. Matriarch is going to be like "hmm... you have a good point... maybe I could- DA FUCK IS THIS?!! RAWR!!!!"
So, in other news, anyone feel like shipping Rainbow and Sam?
Trying to earn the title of being the fastest updater on the site?
1405725
He might try follow her, but if he does do anything, it will probably be setting off the death water before or while RD talks to the Matriach. If he wanted to follow her, he would have to keep up with her as she blazes a trail past hundred of dragons in their cavernous nest. If he tried that, he'd probably just get eaten.
Drawing back to one of my earlier statements: It really does look like the Council have been played straight with this. They weighed up the options and made a prudent decision. It's good to see that the old 'The council is corrupt/evil/useless' cliche avoided.
1405865
Nnnn, I don't think so. Death Water would kill RD as well, and I don't think Sam wants THAT on his conscience.
...I'm sorry, but I'm having trouble taking this seriously due to your username,
Just kidding, I love this story!
1405420
We know that dragons are at least somewhat magical. Perhaps Dash's negotiations go well enough to be blessed by the Matriarch? That would be an interesting turn. Sort of like a token of the new peace between ponies and dragons.
1405725
NO. Rainbow Dash/Gold Petals OTP.
Derivative Fanfiction Idea:
Rainbow successfully reforges the elements and is now flying back. On her way home, she stops by Windthrow for a breather. Gold Petals appears.
Cue Romance Scene.
1406117 Only in the Director's Cut, mayn.
1406049
Actually, I dont think they would think of rainbow dash in that decision at all. If Rainbow Dash is captured or somesuch the death water would go as planned, dash or no dash. At least she has the pendant. That could buy her enough time to escape.
Why is this feeling like bleach when he had to get the zampakdo for the first time in the building that was evaporating.
New Objective Added: Treat with the Dragon Matriarch
I can't remember the exact quote, but I seem to recall earlier in the story where Rainbow was told that those with nothing to live for are more willing to throw life away. I like seeing how this seems to be how she lives, selflessly throwing herself in the face of danger to save others, even when the odds are completely against her.
Fervently awaiting the next chapter.
Better idea, turning it into a trollfic. The mission is successful, she flies back home, she gets home. Celestia's got the rift all taken care of, Rainbow tells her her story. Celestia is then 'lol, you could have flown west and been there in like 2 days'.
Well, that's certainly the way to do things. Walk right up to the point where you're most likely to die and start talking. If Rainbow makes it out of this somehow, the Midnight Armory will be a breeze.
1405432 WE LIKE SHOUTING!!! SHOUTING IS FUN!!
THOU SHALL SHOUT WITH US!!! OR PERISH!!!!
1406103
Yes, RD/GP is clearly the way to go.
Im calling it, Sam Rose is gonna screw it up somehow.
1406117>>1406969
As I said, OTP. If she survives her journey and only visits one place after it is complete, I hope it is Windthrow. We need some more Gold Petals up in here.
1407162
You mean
iron platesun plategold petalsGold Plate, right?1407253
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
Toniiii~iiight, we are......
Gonna play peacekeeper with a massive dragon Matriarch, apparently.
Seriously, this gonna be too friggin' cool.
Peace mission, huh? What does it entail? Oh nothing much, just flying past a zillion bloodthirsty, ravening dragonlings to hopefully converse with a giant mama-jama brooddragon. And, if the crap hits the fan and said brooddragon does not take the diplomatic route, attempting to skedaddle before troughs of evil acid decide to go nom nom on your face. Only RD would be pleased about being sent on a mission like this, but then again she's pretty much the only one who could possibly survive it. I have no idea how this is gonna play out, but somehow I doubt its gonna be cut and dry. And Sam better not get his knickers in a twist and interfere, either. For some reason I can see him trying to make a "noble" sacrifice or something and screwing stuff up, but who knows, maybe everything will play out nicely and the dragons will find a new home without complaint...Eh, I think that might be tempting fate a little bit. Anywho, can't wait to find out what type of shit-storm this turns into, and just what Luna might say to convince the dragons to peace off
I'm gonna take a wild guess and assume that Luna's going to use the Royal Canterlot Voice on the Matriarch at least once. With Matriarch being blown back by the force of it, disregarding all physics.
1405419 That is easily one of my favorite fics, I really like how that author has some solid respect for alicorns and the princesses... most people tend to treat them as slightly more powerful unicorns with wings... not that guy
I'm sad that I'm nearly finished with this fic. But no time to tally on that! I've got to finish this in 30 minutes!
IIIIIt's Dashie's Seventh Marathon Evaluation Time!
So it appears that my previous theory was correct! Dash will indeed get Luna to attept to negotiate with the Matriarch. However, I'm almost positive that it won't turn out well. I get the feeling that Sam will do something stupid to interrupt the Luna/Matriarch conversation, foiling the plan. Not that I could honestly blame him - after seeing so many of his friends die at the hands of the dragons, it would take miles of self control for him to retract himself from the situation. But people have ways of surprising you. These are my thoughts so far.
-MASH
P.S. Halfway there! Yeah! Although I'm sad that I'm almost done with this fic...
Well, 20 chapters left. Let's see if I can finally read something out of my 800+ unread
This gonna be gud. But I have to go tutor now. toodles!
>our kingdom is super-safe becaues of it
Do you mean "because"?
Time for action.
Rainbow "Danger" Dash is certainly living up to her name.
Great! They've agreed to it. Let's do this.
Operation: Dashing Lunar Diplomacy is a go.
mlpchan.net/pony/src/1371834867401.png
Reminds me of Avatar.
There we go, we have a plan. And given the 1200+ chapters past where I currently am reading, I assume it probably doesn't involve Dash being eaten.
This plan is loony.
The plan of all crazy plans. I'm hoping it turns out well enough. Maybe the Matriarch will quake in fear from the sound of Luna's voice.
~SolidFire
experienced
_____________________
It's what the Doctor would do, I guess.
If one wants peace, prepare for war. That said, having their sanctuary right under the matriarch's nose is a rather stupid idea, should have gone for the government in exile type routine, allows one to build ones strength without needing to be sneaky about it.
07/28/2019
17:19 UTC
Highly doubt it's gonna work, but hey, it'll be fun to watch.
Oh this is going to go so, so wrong, isn't it? Sure, Luna is powerful, but even by Dash's own admission, she's too far away to directly interfere.