Utaan

by Imploding Colon

Adventure Is an Awkward Thing

With a screech of metal wheels against rails, the company steam train came to a grinding halt on one of many many tracks. Several stations converged in the middle of a thick array of warehouses and factories. Row after row of smokestacks pumped smog and smoke into the air.

Engineers leapt out of the train while servants in company uniform strolled up and down the metal-reinforced train cars. At last, the second car following the steam engine was opened. A ramp was slid in place just in time for a thickly-bundled unicorn to step out.

Longaze lingered halfway down the ramp. She looked south at the gently falling snow, then north at the brown columns of rising smoke. All the while, massive granite peaks loomed over the industrial center, giving the polluted township a dismal shower.

"Mrmmmff..." Vapor expelled from the mare's muzzle as she lurched down the rest of the ramp. "I hate the mountains..."

A stallion in a sparkling clean company coat stood before her. "Ms. Longaze." He smiled. "Welcome to Steamfall. How may I be of assistance to you on this visit?"

"Mrmmfff... did you not get the memo?"

The stallion blinked. "I... was made aware of your arrival twelve hours ago. I assumed it was for a company inspection."

"Grnnngh... I swear..." Longaze tightened the scarf around her neck, trying her best not to shiver in front of subordinates. "...nothing gets through Ivory Prefecture unless it's on rails."

The stallion pointed towards a group of workers lined up below the station. "We are prepared to give you a grand tour of the factories. Mr. Chandler should be pleased to know that the dredge coal refineries are operating at peak efficiency."

Longaze shook her head. "I did not come here for an inspection."

"Oh?"

"Time is of the essence." Longaze marched down the length of the station while the stallion accompanied her. "How many ponies do you have employed here in your security division?"

"Ahem..." The stallion cleared his throat. "Steamfall's security is fifty-two ponies strong."

"Round all of them up. While you're at it, gather as many excess employees who are currently not busy with factory assignments. I'm going to need as much horse power as possible."

"Uhm... round up the employees." The stallion fidgeted. "Right..."

Longaze threw him a piercing look. "Is there a problem?"

He grimaced. "Just... j-just that the Month of Thawing has started and..." He cleared his throat. "Employing so many staff members right now will mean extra pay, based on procedure. I'm n-not sure if the Steamfall budget can handle that—"

"Let me worry about what the company can or can't afford," Longaze said. "Chandler has put the company's welfare in my hooves while he attempts to make things right with the Council."

"Yes, ma'am. Of course, ma'am."

"Assemble the staff as I requested. I wish to speak with them face to face." Longaze stared at the smokestacks in the distance. "Also, I would like a report on recent events in the surrounding Prefectures."

"If I may ask, ma'am, just what kind of events?" The stallion blinked. "I'm getting the strong sense that I'm vastly misinformed as to the real reason for your visit."

"Please tell me that the wanted posters for the Rainbow Rogue have arrived here, at least."

"Oh! Definitely!" The stallion squinted. "Is that what this is about?"

"It would be in the company's best interest if such an individual was caught."

"Uhm..." The stallion nervously glanced aside. "I see..."

Longaze squinted at him. "What is it?"

"It's... it's just that some unsightly peasants from Braum have been showing up at random lately..."

"Braum?"

"A putrid township just south of here. Stubborn little buggers who refuse to accept our generous bid for their property." He glanced at her. "One of their leaders came on by recently, claiming to have caught the 'Rainbow Rogue.'"

Longaze's eyes twitched. "And you didn't seize this opportunity... why?!"

"Erm... we d-didn't have any reason to take them seriously!" The stallion gulped. "You see, they're quite the impoverished, desperate bunch. Every other month, they're showing up, trying to squeeze one favor or another from our reserves. We've long since given up any and all respect for the ponies. Like we have better things to do than provide handouts! I know it's the Month of Thawing, but that means we're extra busy refining dredge coal for the surrounding prefectures!"

"Nnnnnghhh..." Longaze face-hoofed, groaning. "Verlaxion's sleet, I loathe the mountains..."

"Ma'am...?"

She looked up with a frown. "Where are these villagers at present? I would very much like to speak with them."

"Erm..." The stallion turned and pointed towards Steamfall's southern gates. "According to word from our employees, the village leader had pressing business to attend to at Braum. He's since sent his subordinate to come speak with us in his stead. I... I think they caught wind of your arrival and were hoping to gain an ear with company executives."

"Well, they shall have it."

"Ma'am?"

"Bring them to me at once," Longaze said. "I shall deal with this situation, for it is of prime importance to the Consortium."

"And... erm... where should I tell them you'll be waiting?"

Longaze paused. She stared at the surrounding factories and warehouses. "Where might somepony find a place that's large...?"

"Large, ma'am?"

Her brow furrowed. "Large and quiet..."

---

A family of ponies huddled in the corner of their turf house, quivering nervously.

"Don't worry," Sarda said, waving a hoof. "This won't last very long. I promised." His piercing eyes swiveled aside, glaring at the griffons in the room.

Starstorm did her best to ignore them as she opened several doors and large cupboards, searching every inch of the room. It was a very quiet, very awkward affair.

Seraphimus searched the other end, her charcoal eyes sweeping each exposed portion of the relatively tiny, claustrophobic abode.

Keris stood at the front stoop to the home, guarding the entrance. He craned his neck, watching as the Commander and Sergeant went about their task swiftly, delicately. There was a surprisingly small amount of clutter to toss about, which they avoided to the best of their ability.

"It's so... sparse in here," Keris found himself saying out loud.

"Of course, Sergeant," Sarda muttered. "The ponies of Braum don't have much to hold onto."

Seraphimus glanced over.

Keris clenched his beak shut.

Seraphimus then glanced at Starstorm.

Starstorm sighed, closing the door to a lavatory. She looked over, shaking her beak. "Nothing."

Seraphimus nodded. "Clear." She gestured to Keris.

The Lieutenant nodded. He and Sarda stepped out. The other two members of the Talon exited up the steps of the turf house. They felt the eyes of every pony in the village upon them. With nerves of steel, they kept their cool.

---

Up above, Windburst hovered. His wings flapped, disrupting the gentle snowfall. He spotted Seraphimus and her two fellow wingmates as they exited one turf house and then stepped inside the next structure in the line of over two-dozen more.

He sighed, his beak producing vapors. He glanced towards the west end of town, catching the glint of Raptr's silver armor in the gray daylight. Raptr gestured from far, and Windburst waved back.

Shuffling the weight of his crossbow, Windburst continued scanning the lengths of Braum, making sure no strange bodies entered or exit within eyeshot.

---

"Mrmmmff..." Rainbow Dash struggled and fussed with the restraints in the imprisoning tunnels below Braum.

"Maybe... uhm..." Pinkie tapped her fuzzy chin. "...maybe the edge of the cot is sharp enough to cut through the cords?"

"Pinkie, darling, it's just a normal cot." Rarity glared. "I assure you, the wood's varnished. The edge isn't even sharp enough to scratch her coat!"

"So—like—what if she smashed it to splinters and used one of the sharp ends to slice the binds in half?"

"Grfff..." Rainbow Dash siughed. "Don't think I'd have enough strength to do that even if I was at full capacity, Pinkie." Her stomach grumbled. "I'm kinda running on empty here."

"But the ponies here were kind enough to feed you, Rainbow," Fluttershy said, fidgeting. "Perhaps you should have partaken—"

"I don't like the dark stuff marinating in that broth of theirs, Flutters!" Rainbow snapped. "Just... c-can't risk there being meat in it."

"Erm... I know that, Rainbow... but..." Fluttershy bit her lip, staring aside.

Rainbow glared at her. "What?"

"N-nothing..."

"I know what you're trying to suggest." Rainbow gritted her teeth. "Try putting yourself in my position and then ask yourself if it's such a smexy suggestion!"

Twilight sighed. "Rainbow—"

Rainbow barked: "And the first pony who even hints that I should consider removing the pendant to smash my way out of here is getting a swift kick in the flank once their butt becomes corporeal again!"

Twilight frowned. "You. Need. To calm. Down."

Rainbow clenched her eyes shut. She slumped back on her cot.

After a few seconds passed, Twilight resumed speaking. "Now... what I was going to suggest was that you focus your strength on exploring other parts of the tunnel. We've all seen you perform remarkable feats of athleticism. It's not a stretch of the imagination that you can afford some movement at least, despite the restraints."

Rainbow gulped. "They'll just catch me and throw me back here."

"Who will?" Twilight looked at Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, are there any villagers nearby?"

Rainbow shook her head. "They're all above ground, along with Sarda and the Talon."

"See?" Twilight looked at Rainbow. "The tunnels are empty. You should take the opportunity to wander and search for something sharp to cut the binds with!"

Rarity gestured. "There's a supply of metal... things about two turns in that direction, darling!" She smiled hopefully. "Could be digging tools! I bet a pickaxe would help you right about now?"

Rainbow's ears drooped as she looked off in a dull direction.

Pinkie Pie craned her neck. "What's wrong, Rainbow?"

"You're... you're all being so helpful." Rainbow grimaced. "And all I do is keep getting myself in worse and worse messes."

"Oh darling..." Rarity shook her head. "Don't be so hard on yourself."

"Shouldn't I?" Rainbow frowned. "This journey is—like—super friggin' important." She gulped. "And nopony knows it more than me. And yet... I'm the one making stupid mistakes."

"But Dashie!" Pinkie blinked. "It's you versus an entire continent of baddies right now!"

"Wouldn't be the first time..."

"And who got you through those straits, huh?" Twilight smiled. "Eljunbyro. You had friends to provide wind to your wings."

"And now we're providing oomf to your hoofsies!" Pinkie beamed. "It fits the pattern to a T!"

Rainbow sighed. "...just sucks that you gotta do so much work when it's up to me to save you."

"We're friends, Rainbow," Twilight said. "Let us work together to save ourselves... together."

"You've carried us this far," Fluttershy said. "And we'll gladly carry you just as far, if not further."

"Especially since your wing is down for the count," Rarity said.

Rainbow gazed limply at the left side of her body. "Yeah..."

"So, how about it?" Twilight pointed down the tunnel. "Think you can make it to where Rarity's sensed the metal substance?"

"Mrmmmfff..." With a grunt, Rainbow threw herself off the cot. Thwump! She winced, but nevertheless began inching along her belly. "Unnnff... can't promise this will happen quickly..."

"That's the spirit, Dashie!" Pinkie pumped a hoof in the air. "Erm... I think."

"And don't any of you dare make a caterpillar joke."

"Hey..." Fluttershy smirked aside. "Where's a large green apple when you need one?"

Rarity and Twilight giggled.

"Eugh... friggin' back seat fliers..." Rainbow nevertheless smirked under her sweat. Grunting and panting, she inched her way down the tunnel, guided by flickering torchlight.

Comments

[RoboRed]

It's good to have good friends.

Halfway through this book, and things are about to get really interesting again. It's like a feggin' roller-coaster.

[Titan Commander Sebaste]

Did.... Fluttershy just make a joke?

[314]

Curiously enough, I would say Rainbow has gotten "weaker" since she's had all her spirit friends around. She has to rely on them to get her out of this situation, but beforehand she would have figured out a way on her own.

[Spade-Heart]

''Whooooa, we're halfway there...''

[Booster Spice]

Inch worm, inchworm, searching for a pickaxe to give the baddies a pain in the neck.

So many tunnels should have so many pojnts of access or ventilation, loading etc.

Turf houses are difficult to make ring when you strike them though, too soggy. Good damping.

[Phoenix Kitten]

6845833 ...huh.. we are at the halfway point, feels longer since we got off of Red Barge.
Red Barge is to Austraeoh what Namek was to Dragon Ball.
-------------
Well.. at least Shy said a green apple, not a red one.

-Companions have returned, inner darkness spurned. Utaan.

[thatguyvex]

Ah, so the blond bombshell has arrived, and is rounding up a Consortium posse. Still, with the Talon around I'm curious how Longaze plans to snatch Dash without getting the Consortium on the Talon's shit-list. Honestly she'd be better off doing this solo, as getting a bunch of LvL 1-3 commoners isn't going to do much to slow Dash down.

Yes Dash, inch worm your way to freedom! Seriously, you've walked across the Grand Choke, so crawling around a freaking tunnel shouldn't be that hard, even if you're running on empty. Also, you do realize that you can sip soup without eating the chunky bits, right? Just saying.

[KMCA]

6845894 True, green eyes. SHE KNOWS!

[Lightning Bearer]

It'll be interesting to see Seraphimus and Longaze cross paths.

Also, happy halfway marker.

[IceKitsune]

Everything is going to come to a head shortly, and its promising to be very explosive that's for sure. I bet Longaze and her group will distract the Talon enough for Dash to make her escape this time around. Likely Longaze will get caught and this will screw over Chandler.

[Tim the Planes-pony]

6845882 Whooooooaaa, livin on a prayer.
That aside, looks like Raibow is working on getting out. Hope she does without too much trouble.

6845873 Maybe, but remember that she also had other friends to back her up before this (man I miss them). There just hasn't been very many opportunities for Rainbow to shine in this arc, as she has been mostly a. Hurt badly and b. On the run. Not a good time for her to show what she is good at (fighting and off the wall plans), that is likely to come later. Right now she is using what she has to the fullest extent, that is not weakness, that is intelligence.

[MidnightReflection]

"But the ponies here were kind enough to feed you, Rainbow," Fluttershy said, fidgeting. "Perhaps you should have partaken—"

"I don't like the dark stuff marinating in that broth of theirs, Flutters!" Rainbow snapped. "Just... c-can't risk there being meat in it."

"Erm... I know that, Rainbow... but..." Fluttershy bit her lip, staring aside.

Rainbow glared at her. "What?"

"N-nothing..."

"I know what you're trying to suggest." Rainbow gritted her teeth. "Try putting yourself in my position and then ask yourself if it's such a smexy suggestion!"

Uh, Fluttershy, did you just... consider... no... couldn't be...

[Phoenix Kitten]

6846049 Fluttershy did treat bears and suff... she's probably a bit desensitized to carnivorous tendencies.
Heck the opening to one episode show's her feeding fish to some ferrets with her mouth.

[Frodo]

100 hype?

100 hype.

[The_K_Man]

6845845 I don't think I'm the only one that read Fluttershy's eat-your-vegetables voice at the apple joke.
6846090 Also some worms to some birds too, I think.

"Round all of them up. While you're at it, gather as many excess employees who are currently not busy with factory assignments. I'm going to need as much horse power as possible."

"Uhm... round up the employees." The stallion fidgeted. "Right..."

'horse power' . . .
...
IC pls

[destinedjagold]

6846106

'horse power' . . .
...
IC pls

[Enix]

Slowly but surely our pieces are converging. I think Longaze has the best chance to get Dash if she doesn't break free. But at the cost of letting the Talon know who they're really against.

"Mrmmfff... did you not get the memo?"

Longaze probably arrived before any memo or pegasi could get there. Burning all the coal for top speed.

[Sam the Anti-Ninja]

Is this gonna turn into a three-way? Rainbow v. Seraphimus v. Longaze? Cause on the one hand, that's awesome. On the other hand, it means this village is gonna burn.

[Velvet]

Bang-up chapter

[Enix]

6846163 A three-way you say? I think Dash wouldn't mind that at all.

[Sam the Anti-Ninja]

6846182 img.pandawhale.com/98854-huehuehue-lizard-meme-hue-rept-895m.jpeg

[Sonikah]

And for the chapter 100 special...

"The Very Hungry Dashie"

[Aatxe360]

6845833

Less than halfway to Applejack.... Unless the absolute last chapter is Applejack. I can love and tolerate that.

[314]

6846182 Seraphimus would be the worst three-way partner ever. She's more stoic than Roarke.

[314]

In 1500 Chapters, we have not even made it off the plane. We only have 900 left, and at least 100 of that will be getting to the dark side.

Now, the dark side will be much less populated, so Rainbow's journey will be faster and filled with more scene porn, so she could possibly finish it in 600 chapters and reach the Midnight Armory. It has been mentioned before by Twilight that all the machine world towers are used up on the path she's taken, so Rainbow would have to circle around the other way and hit Cadance and Shining Armor and Sturke, while pegging towers along the way to stay alive. Which Luna is apparently prepared for.

But I can't help but remember (Austraeoh Fact Checker, correct me if I'm wrong) Celestia or Luna saying that if Rainbow Dash reached the armory and the Harmonic Prism, she would balance the chaos in her body and it would no longer threaten to overwhelm her. That's the whole point of going to the Armory in the first place. So why then, would she not go back the way she came? It would be a substantially easier journey, and she could see all of her friends again. She would have no need to hit the beacons, because she is essentially immortal (at the moment, she is no longer a mortal being but instead the embodiment of chaos formerly known as Discord that latched onto her after killing him, thus transforming her into an immortal being that is only being kept in check by weak Harmonic energy, while the Prism would ensure it always stays in check but not undo that she is the embodiment of chaos, thus rendering her ageless) and the beacons merely gave her a boost to Harmonic energy which she will have plenty of after getting the Prism. I'm sure she would love to see Roarke again. Because she will see Roarke again no matter how many trips across the plane it takes, because that's Rainbow Dash.

Realistically, it is significantly easier for ):( to write if he doesn't have to create a bajillion new characters and can just reintroduce old ones, as well as create an incredible catharsis by seeing the rippling effects of Dash's actions.

[Windburst]

"Especially since your wing is down for the count," Rarity said.

Rainbow gazed limply at the left side of her body. "Yeah..."

Hmm, is it me, or did that just sound weird? Almost like Dash can fly again, but isn't doing it as some weird penance against her crimes against the monks :/

[Enix]

6846341 Then why is Seraphimus chasing dat tail?
dashie.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/thumb/mlfw10496.jpg

But really, I'm sure Longaze would agree in the upcoming chapters, but Dash might be into the stoic type, never know.
And if it's before Roarke changed I'd say no way is Seraphimus more stoic, but if it's afterwards I'd say probably yes.

[Enix]

6846393 I forget where it was mentioned but I believe the Austraeoh was intended to complete it's trek around the world activating all the beacons, which would some how fix the ring Urohringr. If Dash were to go back the way she came, yes she'd probably be fine, but the other beacons would not be activated and the world would continue dying anyway. Thus ultimately defeating the purpose for her being Austraeoh.

I'm sure I missed something important but that's the jest of it.

[aRestlessCreativeGamer]

6846393

Realistically, it is significantly easier for ):( to write if he doesn't have to create a bajillion new characters and can just reintroduce old ones, as well as create an incredible catharsis by seeing the rippling effects of Dash's actions.

as true as this may or may not be, I'm pretty sure IC didn't start this story with the intentions of taking the easy way out.

[Luminard]

Something tells me Longaze would like Dash all tied up and crawling to her. Maybe Dash would like doing it too.

[Emotional Flight]

"There's a supply of metal... things about two turns in that direction, darling!"

50% chance for sharp blades of some sort.
50% chance for total useless garbage.

[Leftover of Saikano]

"Fluttershy, are there any villagers nearby?"
Rainbow shook her head.

Is this an error?

[Cynderfall]

6846456 I wouldn't totally put it past Dash to fake the wing injury as penance to herself. But also could it be in her head? She could truly believe that it's still out of commission even when it's not.

[Keris]

6846393
Celestia and Luna said that the elements resonate between themself and therefore would restore each other or something like that. They said that in restoring the elements with the prism she would gain an infinite lease of life, which is interesting because it kinda sounds like my own personal headcanon, that the elements are immortal to a certain degree.

But to restore the elements they need an Alicorn since the prism is secure Alicorn alien tech and it seems that nopony else can use it. So dash is just on her way to fetch the prism and return to equestria so that celesta and Luna can use the prism to restore the elements.

There are also some uhm .. circly .. possibilities in all of this, i am rather sure that Dash will find the 2nd sentinel on the dark side, stands to be seen if that one is corrupted or still harmonic because if it still works with harmony she probably can use it as an airship..town..thingie, and it would probably allow her to climb the western side of the plane, the western side will probably be shorter/easier since the equestrian expedition already explored a lot of it and currently seems to move towards the edge.
If dash keeps the sentinel she would also close the events in a historic circle since Equestria came in contact with the whole Austraeoh business eons ago when the corrupted Stratopolis sentinel entered its airspace, when Hurricane flew it out she kinda kicked loose a chain of events and dash might bring this chain to an end (or circle ?) by completing the historical circle by flying the 2nd sentinel back into equestrian airspace.

[Kepler]

I have so many chapters of Appledashery to go, but at least I'm up to date with this! Also need to catch up on TTTS... Alotta horsewords.

I really hope longaze needs to fight the talon, that would be intense... I hope.

[Hazard]

Colorful crawlers in the tunnels. Interrogations nestled in industry.

Also:

"It's so... sparse in here," Keris found himself saying out loud.
"Of course, Sergeant,"

so the villagers have demoted Keris now?

...hey, where's the next chapter button? I'm caught up!

[314]

6846965 It takes an alicorn, eh? There just so happens to be one on the dark side. Tchern! Yeah, sure she's dark now, but redemption!
Also if you want to get into destiny and all that Rainbow could reincarnate Twilight somehow and she might be able to do it because of her (former) future as an alicorn, and thus capable of similar tasks, possibly. But not likely.

[Austraeoh Fact Checker]

6846915
Lots of big crates marked "CALIPERS"

[Byrag]

Oh hey halfway thru utaan time flies east when reading good stories

[digif]

"And don't any of you dare make a caterpillar joke."

what about worms ? there is a lot of tunnels and I'm pretty sure there will be some explosions at some point

[digif]

6845940

the blond bombshell

shell

everypony run for your life !!!

[The 24th Pegasus]

Fluttershy has easily become my favorite companion thus far. I wasn't sure what I expected of her when we knew she'd join the party eventually, but she's pretty on point with her comic delivery, compassion, and usefulness. You get 'em, Flutters.

Also
static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Braum_df74bb_5557353.jpg

[Nevlamas]

What a beautiful lesson for today, that's what friends are for!

...guiding you through an underground tunnel system in a far-off continent where you are being hunted by everyone and their grandmother so you can get to the other side of the world to revive them. That's what friends are for.

[Revan]

"Eugh... friggin' back seat fliers..."

orig05.deviantart.net/c8c3/f/2012/040/f/5/rainbow_dash_ponybus_by_lordbojangles-d4p7ygv.png

[Bread Lord - Galloran]

6851982
Slightly horrifying, I like it.

[JustAnotherTimeLord]

And the great escape is in motion! Until she gets caught.

[Metal Aura]

And don't any of you dare make a caterpillar joke."
"Hey..." Fluttershy smirked aside. "Where's a large green apple when you need one?"

The Very Hungry Dashie returns.

[Sarda]

Given a choice between accompanying Sera on her search and meeting with Longaze, I would most emphatically take the former.

As a side note, as much as I'd like to continue the adventures of me, it's past midnight and I have classes for 13 hours tomorrow

[Tim the Planes-pony]

"Where's a large green apple when you need one?"

I think she would prefer an ORANGE apple

[arancaytar]

Longaze is back!

"Large and quiet..."

Rest in peace, Kayman.

Her stomach grumbled. "I'm kinda running on empty here."

Rainbow, you could just

"And the first pony who even hints that I should consider removing the pendant to smash my way out of here is getting a swift kick in the flank

shuts up