Ember Speak drifted into the infirmary, her ears twitching at the sound of a familiar voice. She stuck her head in through the dangling curtain and gazed with curiosity.
“...so I got frustrated and felt it was time to end all the craziness! So I flew straight into the cave and kicked the dragon in the face with my hooves!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
Several foals murmured in amazement.
“Really? You kicked a dragon?”
“You smacked its face around and you lived?”
“How come you didn't get burned or anything?”
“It's simple, really,” Rainbow Dash said. Ember Speak trotted closer, seeing Rainbow seated beside Swirls and several foals who were listening with wide eyes of amazement. “I got my lousy flank saved by a good friend of mine. Heck, she saved all our butts. Her name was Fluttershy, and if it weren't for her, I'd be stuck in between a pair of dragon's teeth to this day!'
“What did Fluttershy do?” Lime Tech asked in a breathless voice. “Did she beat the dragon up?”
“Heh. Oh no... Nothing like that...”
Another foal bounced and uttered, “Did she drop a bomb of death water on the dragon's scales? Or set it on fire?”
Rainbow Dash smirked and shook her head. “None of the above, kiddos.” She leaned forward and said, “Fluttershy gave the dragon a stern talking to.”
“Huh?”
“You heard me right! She flew up, squatted right on the snout of the big red thing, and told it how mean it had been! Fluttershy stood up for me and the rest of our friends, and she made the dragon realize how rude it had been to have polluted Equestria with smog in the first place!”
“Awww...” A colt made a face. “That's lame!” The other foals giggled.
“Hey! That 'lame-ness' saved my neck!” Rainbow Dash said. “And it also taught me something: a special truth that I think about even to this day.” She glanced at Swirls and said, “Anypony can make a difference, whether strong or weak, brave or scared, or even awesome or lame.”
Swirls coughed and smiled gently. “This Fluttershy sounds like an inspiring individual.”
Rainbow Dash opened her mouth, but paused. She swallowed and nodded. “She was,” Rainbow eventually breathed. “It's been so long since I heard her soft voice. For what I'm about to do, I could use a healthy dose of kindness...”
“And what about luck?” Ember speak said.
Swirls and the foals looked up. Rainbow Dash turned around;she smirked. “What you call 'luck,' I call 'intestinal fortitude,'” Rainbow Dash uttered.
“Good.” Ember Speak nodded with a coy grin. “Then you're going to want to gather up your bowels.” Her face fell into a solemn expression. “Night has fallen. It's time.”
Rainbow Dash stared back. Slowly, with a flap of her wings, she rose from the edge of Swirls' bed. “Well, a dragon Matriarch won't talk itself out of killing ponies, I guess.”
“Awww! Rainbow Dash!” Lime Tech scurried over and gazed up at her. “Don't go!”
“Of course I gotta go, little dude!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a smile. “How else will I go about coming back?”
“But the place you're going is scary and dangerous and full of dragons—”
“Sounds like a good way to end the day,” Rainbow Dash said with a wink. “We've been through this, kid. Zetta and his fellow unicorns has his job to do, and I have mine. I'm hoping like heck that my job will trump his, but that's something only time will tell.”
“Rainbow Dash wants to fix things the peaceful way, Limey,” Ember added, trying to mimic Rainbow's daring grin. “This is her one and only opportunity before we go through with the Grand Project.”
Lime Tech shifted nervously, his eyes beginning to water. “But she has so many stories to tell. She's lived such an amazing life...”
“'Awesome!'” Rainbow Dash hissed. “It's an 'awesome' life! Why does everypony always use the wrong 'A' word?! Geez!”
A nearby filly's face scrunched up. “Geese?”
“Er. I meant 'jeez.' Whatever. Ahem.” Rainbow Dash touched down and straightened Lime Tech's goggles before brushing a hoof through his mane. “I don't blame you for being worried, kid. I'd also be scared if I thought the world was gonna end up a bit less cool overnight. But I totally have plans to keep on flying to wherever I need to go, and that's not gonna happen if I get gobbled to bits by a giant dragon queen, now is it? It just so happens that you guys really need a breather from all this 'living-underground-and-being-afraid-of-the-skies' nonsense and I happen to be the one pony with wings and a direct line to an alicorn. I gotta do what I gotta do, just like you gotta do what you gotta do.”
Lime Tech sniffled. “And what's that?”
Rainbow Dash smiled and tapped his chin. “Be there for Zetta. Make sure he doesn't trip over himself and ram his horn into a rock or something. Even if the bomb doesn't have to be delivered, he's gonna have to find a safe place to deposit the death water. You think that nutcase's got an even enough balance on his four hooves to do something like that alone?”
Limey gulped and gave a brave smile, “I'll make sure that Zetta doesn't hurt himself.”
“And I'll make sure that the Dragon Matriarch doesn't hurt anypony else.” Rainbow Dash winked. “I promise.”
“And then you'll come back?!” Limey exclaimed, standing on the edges of his hooves. “You'll visit us one more time before heading east and tell us more stories about Fluttershy?”
“Heck yeah!” Rainbow Dash's teeth showed in a smile that glinted in the torchlight. “I've got this whale of a doozey involving a scary forest and a huge manticore! Spoiler alert: Fluttershy totally cuddles it!”
The fillies and colts giggled. Above them, Swirls sat up slightly in bed and said, “It's good having you around, Rainbow Dash. I know you'll make us and the Council proud.”
“I'll sleep better at night knowing that I at least made Sam Rose soil his armor.” She winked, turned around, and walked out of the infirmary with Ember Speak. “So long and thanks for all the foals!”
They waved and chanted: “Good luck, Rainbow Dash!”
Outside, in the thin corridors of Sanctuary, Rainbow Dash paused to chuckle in Ember's direction. “Kids are wonderful, aren't they? Praise the alicorns I'm never, ever gonna foal one...”
“The guards have already cleared us for the northwest exit,” Ember said. She reached over towards a saddelbag propped up against a wall and started to strap it to herself, along with a crossbow and quiver. “We'll make good time if we stick towards the north edge of the crater.”
“Yeah, we'll uh... uhm...” Rainbow Dash's eyes narrowed on Ember's gear. “Just what in the hay are you doing?”
“Hmm?” Ember gazed at Rainbow curiously. “Oh.” She fiddled with her quiver and tightened it to herself. “I'm coming with you.”
“Uhhh...” Rainbow Dash shook her head. “No you're not.”
“Do you know where the crater that houses the Matriarch's nest is?”
“Well, no. I figured I'd just fly around in circles until I saw it and—”
“—get gobbled up by one of her many children in mid-air?” Ember shook her head. “That wouldn't do you or Sanctuary any good. I've performed the surfacing since I was a filly. I'm guiding you to the nest, but it'll be up to you to fly into it and personally bridge communication between your Princess Luna and the Matriarch.”
Rainbow Dash leaned her head to the side with a suspicious squint. “Is this some crazy attempt to protect me?”
“Hmmmm...” Ember Speak needlessly gazed down the corridor for several seconds, then glanced at Rainbow. “Yes.”
Rainbow's jaw tightened.
Ember Speak gave a soft smile, “Everypony who's ever served with Sam Rose has had family here in Sanctuary to protect.” She gulped. “Everypony but me.”
“Just because you don't have a direct family doesn't mean you need to risk your life,” Rainbow said.
Ember Speak stared back at her. “Do you intend on practicing that yourself?”
Rainbow Dash was silent.
Ember resumed speaking, “My concern isn't just for you, but for all of Silvadel. I know that makes me sound just like his royal majesty, Sam. But I'm not like him...”
“Do tell.”
Ember's eyes went soft as she said, “What you're trying to do here, what you're promising, is the first gesture of both hope and peace that this place has known for years. It's scary because it's different, and that's why Sam Rose isn't willing to support it. I uphold the values and the wishes of my prince, but I've come to discover that he isn't boundlessly courageous. He's frightened of change, and so long as he doesn't face that, I doubt any good will come to a place that has known nothing but horror for ages.”
Rainbow Dash slowly nodded. She tilted her head forward. “Does the high and mighty prince know that you're personally escorting me to the crater?”
“No.”
“So what you're doing here is essentially a huge slap in Sam Rose's face?”
Ember blinked a few times before nodding. “Affirmative.”
“Great!” Rainbow Dash grinned and nudged Ember along towards the exit. “Let's go, girl!”
Excellent! Subterfuge, kindness harkening back to elemental themes and a resolution of character for Dash.
GeeJee, all she's missing now is a towel.Oh man, can't wait for the next one. Dat Buildup!
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You mean three more chapters of walking, two of talking and a fifth to say "here's the nest?"
EDIT: I have to say, though, there are a lot of little nuggets to pick up on in this chapter: back to the motif/theme of the Elements of Harmony, the parallels with Fluttershy, Dash's idiosyncrasies, lessons on friendship, the little bit about not having
kidsfoals, so on and so forth. Good stuff.well technically a towel is just an abnormally absorbent blanket, and RD allready has one of those.
Cmon now Dash, dont turn down help. Be a better Sam Rose and accept the help offered!
Aw crap, Ember's gonna be Dragon chow, isn't she? I'm still holding out hope that she won't turn into the expendable sidekick, though. I have to say, I like how she bridges the gap between Sam and Dash, realising that protecting her civilization (or what's left of it) will indeed require change. I particularly liked the line about him not being infallibly courageous, and how change is going to be needed to take Silvadel out of the dark ages, so to speak. Its says a lot about the different types of leaders and how one may be good in a certain scenario (unchanging, violent survival) yet how they may be unable to adapt once the situation improves - though hopefully Sam'll be able to. Yet another mention of the other elements being dead, or at least not what they once were (maybe they have chaosy versions and so aren't the same, hence the use of "was" ?) Anyway loved the cute interaction between Dash and the foals, and am now ready for the upcoming badflankery - EANC.
I don't suppose it would be possible for you to consolidate the chapters a bit?
The story is long overall, but each chapter is pretty short. If you took every five or ten at a time and combine them into one, it would cut down on the amount of scrolling I'd have to do and make it easier for people who want to download the chapters to read later. Just a suggestion, though.
Yeah, we're ready for this one! Let's do it!
On a side note, I would not be the one going into the maw of a dragon colony. Nopenopenope.
And thus I finish my reading marathon. In one sitting, mostly.
This story is awesome, I regret that I have to wait now.
I can pass the time by getting a grilled cheese sandwich and seeing what convoluted conspiracy theories I can come up with.
I also expect badassery to happen when this (almost) inevitably goes to pot or plot, possibly.
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Yeah, you're probably close. Still, can't wait anyway!
This has all the potential to either be an amazing and beautiful gesture or blow up horribly and kill everypony.
i really hope that at the end of this dragon talk thing that dash clears the skys with a sonic rainboom or somtin like that
Damnit, I have a really bad feeling about Ember coming with Rainbow. Methinks Dash will be coming back to Lime Tech alone.
Shiz bout ta geht reel
That Hitchhikers Guide reference... I see it.
TIME TO GET REAL
Let's do this.
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Dragon gonna get some Ember noms. I can sense it. She's just got that 'cannon fodder' vibe going on right now. I bet it'll happen just as Dash is making progress, too. But then, I'm about zero for... a lot in predicting the happenings of the next chapter. So maybe she's safe, after all.
The time is approaching quickly.
Looks like we'll both have to compose our bowels, Dash. We've got a big mission ahead of us.
I feel like they should have called the death water project the Manehatten Project, except for the fact that said town is halway across the world. Still, it seems like a similar project.
1426514 Yeah I'm hoping she hasn't just become Miss Disposable Collateral Damage, but it'd fit with the darker tone the fic has taken overall and give Dash yet another survivor complex to get over. I too am a bit of a fail at predicting things, though, so who knows? The brood queen bows to reason and leaves to rebuild her dragon nest somewhere else and everyone prances home happily ever after? Could happen, right? *cue hopeful optimism*
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You're so cute, being all optimistic Let's be real here - somepony's gonna die.
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I think I agree with you. Particularly as there haven't been other instances of RD being unable to save ponies with her (I think).
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Story mechanics would dictate that, but then again, who knows?
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Eeyup
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I believe everyone survived the prison scenes, but there may have been a few deaths during those first insect attacks way back when. Other than the dead foals at the bottom of the Darkstine Obelisk, this is the first time we're seeing Mary Sues and Gary Stus get killed in action. Ember seems marked for death, but the story could take any number of turns along the way, so as I said, who knows?
More importantly, Ember has the hots for Dash and, as suggested, feels the need to protect her like the other surfacers protect their families. Some would take that fact and add it to the "totally cannon fodder" column, others might put it in the more optimistic "love conquers all, they will be survive" column. Moreover, sample size is too low to make any conclusions, and the story changes pace and theme far too often to reliably take even a wild guess.
Journey, not destination, remember?
Glory To The Brave - HammerFall
Shameless plug for my blog.
i can't wait for the next chapter~!
Also... Fluttershy...
"She was..."...?
was...?
So, it would seem RD doesn't know the difference between hard and soft Gs. What a silly filly.
Words to live by
That's great. She isn't okay with Ember coming with her until she knows its hooch to piss off Sam Rose.
i think it's IC taking a poke at the people who like to correct his grammatical errors>>1427286
Hmm, a well-prepared entree of literary dining that sets up nicely for the main course. The hinted bad-assery works well with the flavours of hope and heroism, offset by the slight darkness to it. The garnishing of clever throw-backs helps complete the dish.
5/5 would eat
2/5 could digest
This is an Imloding Colon dish, alright.
(For anyone who has to read this ^ . . . I'M SORRY )
bbsimg.ngfiles.com/13/24189000/ngbbs503e1c2f49d31.jpg
Keep moving, damn it!
I... I can't...
GOD DAMN ELIJAH PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER! DAY 13!
IIIIIt's Dashie's Seventh Marathon Evaluation Time!
So these last couple of chapters have been a welcome breather from the darkness that is the Silvadel Arc. But I've noticed that Imploding is really getting in touch with his inner philosophizer. With all of these morals and quotes Dash has. Also, Dash and Ember better not be getting shipped. These are my thoughts so far.
-MASH
P.S. Two.....left.....
P.S.S. 1686477Is this the chapter where I pass you?
"For what I'm about to do, I could use a healthy dose of kindness..."
Well, I think it's pretty obvious what this arc's element is now, innit?
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I freaking love that movie!
2350323 Gosh dangit! You beat me to it.
Too bad a "g" can sound like a "j."
I mean, I knew it to be true already, but for it to be actually said...
Poor best pony
EDIT: Yes. That post had to be all emoticons. Because sadness.
I have a feeling Dash didn't just kill Fluttershy, but possibly her other friends as well.
I'm going to take a risk and predict something completely out of nowhere. It turns out, there is no Matriarch. She's dead, and her kids just haven't realized it. Then you pull a How to Train your Dragon, and the wyrms have been doing this the whole time because they thought she commanded it, but it was all a lie. Like that island in The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson.
Hue.
Why do ponies say "jeez" if they've never heard of ol' Jebus?
I don't know why, but this past 3 chapters tearing me up
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SPOIL ALERT FOR HTTYD??
I wanted to see the movies! TSK
So if the Silvadelians don't know what the sun is, and have never met any pegasi, how do they know what the "sound barrier" is?
『Ember Speak』 has joined the party.
Well. "was". This is sad day (c) Heavy.