Rainbow Dash shot up, gasping. She clutched for something—anything—and found a canvas blanket surrounding her. She hugged herself, shivering, under the shroud of fallen night. Her breaths slowly settled, as well as the frenetic beat of her heart. Sighing, she glanced down at her saddlebag and other belongings, dull shapes under the kiss of starlight. Leaves rustled overhead. The murmuring chirps of various nocturnal animals serenaded her from the apple trees bordering the glade.
It wasn't until five full minutes had passed that Rainbow Dash realized she was caressing the golden pendant about her neck. It felt heavier than ever. Gnashing her teeth, Rainbow seriously considered tossing the ruby-studded item away, but she knew better.
A cold wind blew through the shrouded valley. Rainbow Dash felt her mane kicking like a flag behind her head. She prayed that there'd be colors when the sun rose. Gazing skyward, she regarded the stars with jaded interest. Her afternoon “nap” had carried her well into the fall of evening, but now she had become completely restless. With a groan, she stood up, collected her blankets and other belongings, then stuffed them into her saddlebag.
Last but not least, she found the crimson apple lying in the grass. She picked it up like an infant, cradling it. Another breath left her, only this time she managed a slight smile. Eventually, she pocketed this too away. Just as she snapped the saddlebag shut, her eyes lingered on the crescent-moon-shaped buttons to her pack. Thoughtfully, she looked up towards the night sky once more. A plume of pale clouds wafted far overhead. A dim glow suggested a waxing moon rising over the edge of the mountaintops.
Rainbow Dash rubbed a hoof over her pendant and tilted it skyward. She stood quiet and listened. Nothing happened; the golden necklace was just as quiet and dormant as ever. She knew better than to expect otherwise. After all, it wasn't a full moon yet. She was almost glad for the fact.
Wasting no more, time, Rainbow flapped her wings, ascended in a graceful spire, and bulleted her way eastward—away from the taller mountain ranges.
For hours, she glided under the glittering cosmos. The ivory band of the Milky Way stretched majestically above her, unimpeded by any stray lights or colors. Rainbow's nostrils flared as her goggled eyes took in the dull horizon looming beneath her, awash in the pale haze of celestial tranquility. She was alone in the sky, a single spot of warmth burning ever-eastward like a comet. At times, she closed her eyes and imagined she was one with the stars, beautiful and insignificant all at once. Her mind wandered to places as grand if not grander than the nightscape bowing beneath her, and she knew—secretly, she knew—that she was all that mattered in the grand silent dream of it all.
A dozen miles of flight later, Rainbow Dash descended. She was attracted to the sound of rippling water. In the starlight, she spotted a glittering sight below. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a babbling brook, cascading down lower and lower crags of jutting rock. The water started as a trickle, combined to a rippling stream, then coalesced into a majestic waterfall that emptied into an elevated spring cradled by the convergence of several mountain ranges.
Landing beside this high altitude pool, Rainbow Dash raised her goggles and gazed with naked eyes. She produced a whistle of wonderment The water was so pure, that even in the dim starlight she could see three dozen feet straight down to the bottom of the spring. Smiling, she tilted down and gave the liquid a gentle lap with her tongue. Her upper body shuddered; it was the cleanest water she had drunk in all her adult life.
She drank liberally, like a foal lapping at delicious milk. Her body felt instantly refreshed. She forgot about the starlight, about the moon, about dreams. She was simply alive.
Rainbow Dash exhaled long and hard. She had to carry some of this beauty with her. Squatting down, she reached into her saddlebag and produced her empty canteen. Swiftly, she filled it to the brink, smiling victoriously at her acquisition. Just as she finished screwing the top back on, something bright and lavender darted on the edge of her peripheral vision.
Rainbow Dash gasped. She spun about, blinking. She was alone in the tiny spring clearing. The only moving shadows were those belonging to her. Nevertheless, that didn't calm her beating heart, nor did the blinding sensation that swiftly followed.
She squinted. She gazed sideways towards a crest of jagged rock to her right. Murderous beams of gold were setting the air on fire as the first slivers of sunlight pierced the otherwise tranquil moment. A part of her shuddered, regretting the death of darkness.
With icy resolve, she picked herself up, pocketed the canteen away, and faced the burning dawn. Raising her hoof, she twisted the dial of her goggles and covered her ruby eyes with dark lenses. The pure taste of spring water was like an angelic song on the tip of her tongue. She savored it, as she did all pleasant flavors that still clung to her, and carried the weight of the pendant with her as she flew into the fire.
Yet another very beautiful and descriptive chapter. I can imagine everything in it as crisply as if I was there.
That part about the pendant at the beginning is kind of ominous, so I can't wait to see the story behind that.
I hope she meets up with some intelligent life soon. I want some dialogue! Some explanations!
As convinced as I am that she's running away from something, that line about the pendant remaining dormant suggests that perhaps she's on a quest.
"Ivory band of the Milky Way"?
Mother of God...
Bronies! Begin working on the rocket!
1074138
What happens if they're on an alter-Earth? Still if my last statement is not the case, let it be known I shall be the first to construct said rockets. If only for a chance to view the purely epic scenery described in this story.
Those scenery descriptions are just... perfect
Mayhaps RD sided with Luna in a luna vs celly fight while the rest of the elements went with Celestia?
Loving the story so far
Are you implying that she's a God damn werewolf?
I think you are.
New theory: She's running from everyone, and civilization -- including her friends -- because she is a werewolf. Something must have went down, and I suspect that her dream is when she first transformed.
Honestly, this is the thing that makes the most sense. She wants to go were no one will find her, so she wont hurt anyone. She misses her friends, she dearly does, but she has to do this...
But then what is the book for, and why the Lunar seal? Hmm... new theory is that she is going to find a cure, and they gave her supplies to do so...
So many ideas, just look at me toss them out there xD
IIIIIt's Dashie's evaluation time!
So in this chapter, we learn that something having to do with the element of loyalty necklace will happen on a full moon. Also, since Twilight is lavender, that flash that Dash saw could be her. Also, my previous theory that Dash was discorded seems to have been thwarted. If she had been discorded, she would not have cared for the element of loyalty necklace. So it seems she is normal right now. This story continues to immerse me...These are my thoughts.
-MASH
Listening to Kyne's Peace helps elevate the emotional levels of this story (at least in my opinion).
A chapter as clean as its namesake. Belle parole, signore.
Huh....so now the pendant has some mysterious power......interesting.
Despite all the evidence in the contrary, I still believe Dash is trying to fly towards the moon.
Also, how do they know the world is round if they havn't circumnavigated the world. I mean ponies have globes, so somehow they figured it out.
Finally, the plant of ponies is in the milky way too!!!!! Quick guys, build a rocket!!! If we are fast we can find equestrian by the time we have all transcended past the trivial concepts of space, time and physical existence.
So far this is brilliant. Starting off with just beautifully simplistic description with a little bit of mysterious foreshadowing, and now this!
What IS this? MLP+LoTR+Marabou Stork Nightmares-Scottish Phonetics?!?
Whatever it is, its exactly how I wish I could write. And your portrayal of Rainbow is Perfect; you have definetly gotten me worried for her though!
Only 135 more chapters to go, woohoo!
Also, I'm writing this at 1am and taking a shot for each time I complete a chapter. Wish me luck!
I dont even care what happens the next 169 chapters. These first five earn you a Fave, and massive props, and eternal and unending love. Thank you so much.
I love you for how you write Rainbow Dash.
denver.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw3332-1330551243142.gif
Okay, so RD's either a werewolf or an Oozaru. Great chapter, btw. Only saw one mistake:
Did you mean grass?
The only reason I'm not favouriting this is because I don't want 195 unread chapters blaring at me. Consider it a spiritual favourite
Chp.5
"She produced a whistle of wonderment The water was so pure"
-lack of punctuation, or lack of punctuation as punctuation?
I'm an absolute idiot with my predictions, and I apologize if you read the one from last chapter.
Well, color me impressed. I'm really loving how this is worded and how the scenery is being described.
WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO START THIS!!!!!!!!!
rass is the new grass
1306862 Only reason I'm not faving is to make sure I can keep my sanity staring at ~600 chapters and wondering if one of the fics I'm reading other than these has updated...
I... am going to read this. ALL OF THIS.
Reading this feels like going through XKCD's Time; a famous, massive project that seems to start slow, but you just know it'll slowly reveal a story you never imagined reading when you started.
You know what, I could keep on guessing, but other people are better at that than me, so I won't bother. Now I have more reading time. Anyhow, I love the vivid emotions of Rainbow Dash and the lovely, crisp feel you get from this entire story. This could turn out to be a really awesome tale of adventure, also mystery, 'cause the not-knowing is driving me insane.
Now night, so she flies
Under stars and waxing moon
Finds water, sunrise
Wow... so much drawing potential in this chapter I almost feel bad to attempt to draw it. But not bad enough... I'm an awful person. Well, today have some symbolic as well as fitting music. Sorry for the fail in putting the actual video in the thing. Here's the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUXHp0U-QVg
I'm sure you've all heard this guy before, but if not, sub and listen to him.
PS if you want to help me with the link fail, feel free to comment or pm me. Thanks.
2580887
Stop being a rassist
Very well done so far. It seems that her Element is a burden and the cause of something. It seems to me that she is trying to escape from it but can't. It is like her destination is where she will be rid of it.
Interesting.
3826531 lel u
3826538 Dreit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS1poqd0HcI
This song. Plus this story.
3826538 One Element to rule them all...
Strong sense of 'Rainbow betrayed Celestia in some way and is now doing something for Luna' goin on here.
Also, specter of Twilight ironically (or perhaps iconicly) at twilight? Interesting.
At murderous beams I started to hold my breath, and then it was just the sun coming up. You are REALLY damn good at this. Quick short bursts of excitement, or intrigue, just enough to keep me hooked even when nothing particularly interesting has happened yet. Just a lot of flying etc. but so many questions, and so many more with every chapter.
And the sun rises, ruining the moment at the spring... you know, I find sunrise to be a beautiful time of day (no matter how much hatred I hold for my 0445hrs alarm), and find Rainbows dislike of the sunrise intriguing.... Actually, everything here is intriguing. We've done nothing but fly east for several chapters, and yet you're managing to raise a half-dozen questions with every chapter. Colour me impressed, intrigued and onreading.
You know what would be awesome? A game like this. A big procedurally generated world where you fly east and just explore the crazy world.
This is perfect...
iambrony.dget.cc/mlp/gif/tumblr_lmt3voxbBw1qjpsa6o1_500.gif
i68.beon.ru/57/91/2179157/89/114203589/239681_170x100.gif
media.giphy.com/media/nua8Rrb4VYtS8/giphy.gif
Holy shit, the quality of your description is nothing short of fucking incredible.
6698567
You know, in the five or so chapters of this I have read, and your comment, I have realized, not everything needs to be clear, we don't always need a goal. Can we never journey for the sake of it? Isn't that what life is? A journey without end? You will pass on, but at the same time, you won't. Our legacies will influence the actions of those after us, everything will go without us, so while we're here we may as well enjoy it and shape the ride of life for those after us.
Does this mean free will is a lie? Is there only the illusion of choice? Everything that has happened before this has forced me into this position, going to school made me meet my now best friend. He made me a brony by getting me interested in My Little Pony, and my other friend got me to download the app 'iFunny' on my old iPod. I was introduced to fanfictions readings there and they pushed me to listen to a reading of MaxBeezy's My New Life in Equestria where the reading cut off halfway through chapter seven. I came from there and it lead to me making an account. Only through the choices others have made could I have chosen to make this comment here. We have free will, but my free will affects those around me.
I don't know where I am going with this comment anymore, but that's okay, because life isn't about getting to the end. Life is about enjoying every bit of the ride, the ups, downs, and in-betweens of it all, because you shine your brightest in your darkest moments.
6300016
I believe that is what Journey is. I'd have to look at it, but the Sony title seems to be about the Journey, hence the name.
You know, when you kept calling her eyes ruby I thought it was just a styling error or something, but I'm increasingly wondering why the notably pink eyed Rainbow Dash is described with ruby red eyes so much? And why she's taking her element?
Equus pura aqua se abluit. (A horse cleanses herself [of darkness] with pure water.)
Equus Orientalis.
8035499
Rainbow Dash's eyes are not pink. They're more magenta. And apparently, that color can also be described as "Ruby". Though I usually think of a much more red color when I think of ruby so I understand your confusion.
Chapter 5 Opinions
Again, more questions arise. I wonder what that bright and lavender thing Rainbow saw was. When I think of MLP and the color lavender, I immediately think of Twilight, but I don't really think it was her. There's also the question of why that water was so pure. Could it have some special properties like the spirit water from Avatar The Last Airbender, or is it just a random pool of water that happened to be very pure? You do a great job of making me want to know the answers to all these questions.
Anyway, I'm off to chapter 6!
It rolls nicely! Its very immersive and just begging me to get curious.
My working theory is that Dash is sent on a quest from Luna (or perhaps Trixie, as she is also associated with the moon in some ways) to explore East. The reason being that RD is the fastest and thus could cover more ground fast. Why? I still have no idea, and doubt I will anytime soon. But her element, and she herself very clearly miss her friends.
I think that the 'map' might update as she travels, and that the mission is that nopony knows what the world itself really looks like, so they sent Dash to do a circumnavigation. Now, based on the fact that this series is still updating to this day, 5 and a half years later the world is probably somehow endless. Making this a fruitless quest. but I'm still excited to see the end result of this whole thing. And also that if I'm wrong, that, well, I'll gt to see the mystery unravel anyway. You've deeply enticed me, my friend.
AKA, a tarp.
The second time through is always a very different experience than the first. I'm already noticing details that didn't mean anything to me as a new reader.
She's seeing Yaerfaerda already, barely a few thousand words in - but it's so tiny and distant yet that it's meaningless to her. I wonder how different things would have been if the beacons were a little better spaced out across her journey?
The first clues on what might be happening, only with hindsight do those of us in the know realize.
07/05/2019
21:43 UTC