Ushering In a New Age
For the first time in untold years, the chambers of southwest Frostknife were empty of waking citizens, save for a smattering of overseers and one visitor.
That visitor was Seraphimus. Helmet rattling, she shuffled into the cavernous entrance of the sanctum. She strolled past potted flowers and stacks of coffin-shaped boats in the front atrium. Platform after rocky platform, she descended into the depths of the hovel, strolling past chamber after chamber of bodies frozen in suspended animation. Enchanted blue light reflected icily off her silver plated armor, and her breasplate fogged over from chilly condensation. The entire time, she kept her eyes facing forward, soft yet focused.
It wasn't long before she came to a stop before a chamber containing two frozen blue bodies. An adult and a child griffon rested peacefully before her, their limbs crossed and their wings drooped in a tranquil pose.
Seraphimus took a shuddering breath as she pulled her helmet off and rested it beneath her left arm. Drifting forward, she peeled a gauntlet off her right wrist and raised her talon until her claws gently graced the icy surface of the shards containing her loved ones. Her headcrest drooped, and her eyes almost instantly moistened.
Cold mists billowed limply between the family members—the living and the half-living.
The Commander blinked. She inhaled... and the breath that rolled through her was a hot one. It melted the moment, and she emerged through the dribbling veil with an infernal frown. Her breaths were seething things, growing more and more intense until—with a demonic snarl—she held her helmet in both claws and reared back.
The cold sheen of the frozen shards reflected the griffon's body pivoting at the last second. The helmet flew thunderously against the rocky frame of the chamber, just inches away from the fragile ice's surface. Within seconds, Seraphimus was collapsing to her knees. She clutched her feathery skull with a pair of claws...
...and screamed.
The howling voice echoed against shard after shard resting on the many platforms looming above and below her. Hundreds... thousands of silent, frozen faces remained still as their chambers resonated with the anguished noise.
A few stallions in humble robes shuffled to the edges of stone walkways above. But upon taking one glance at the Commander of the Talon, they hung their heads gravely... and returned to their quiet duties.
Seraphimus was left alone, deflated and numb, sobbing before the emotionless gaze of her frozen family.
Echo couldn't remember the last time he felt so anxious.
Shuddering, the sarosian pressed his muzzle to the bars of the cell, gazing out with slitted eyes as figures shuffled up and down the cold dark stairwell. Throughout the Frozen Shelves, the distraught echoes of frightened voices lingered, intensifying by the hour.
"Hey... Hey!" Echo struggled to throw his voice past the sound of howling winds through distant window slits. "What the Hell's going on in this place?!" He heard more sobs and winced. "If this is a prison riot, it's the sissiest one ever."
At last, a guard shuffled by, his head hanging low.
"Hey you!" Echo snapped. "Did somepony drop an estrogen bomb on the Frosted Shelves or what?" No response. He frowned, fangs showing. "Yo! I'm talking to you!"
"So sorry..." The guard whimpered, bumping into a wall or two as he trembled in his armor. "Oh Goddess... Oh Goddess, please forgive me..." He sniffled as he followed the stairwell around the darkly-lit corner. "...I tried so hard... honest, I tried to worship you..."
Echo took a few steps back until he slumped in the middle of his cell. His fuzzy face scrunched as he murmured, "Just on which side of the bars are the real inmates?"
"Grand Magistrate," a servant knelt in the middle of a spacious wooden office. "As of the last hour, the full compliment of the Central Messaging Service have been summoned. Should we wait for a revised statement or—?"
"No... no." Hymmnos spun from where she stood at the windows to the room, staring out onto the pale stretches of Frostknife looming below. Throughout the wooden structure, hooves trotted briskly and anxious voices barked at one another as an entire office of government officials operated at a newly-energized pace. "There simply is no poetic method by which we can convey the seriousness... the sheer divine gravity of what's just transpired." Hymmnos gulped hard. "Send out every pegasus west to the shoreline territories. Send every griffon messenger east to the twilight plains."
"What of the sea ponies?"
"Send them south and abroad," Hymmnos commanded. "Have them alert our allies in Shoggoth, but that's as far west as they're permitted to go." She stared firmly at her servants. "Order every messenger to return to Frostknife as soon as their message deliveries are complete. I need to have the continent properly informed of the next mandate as soon as this situation develops any further."
"Yes, Grand Magistrate," one servant said.
Another pony looked up. "And what of the northern reaches?"
Hymmnos blinked. "Hmmm?"
The other servant gulped. "What... of the Starkiss?"
The Grand Magistrate's ears drooped. "That... is no longer my jurisdiction." She cleared her throat. "I will inform you as soon as I hear anything."
"Aye, ma'am."
"Now go. Send the messengers out."
"Will do."
The servants all bowed, turned tail, and marched out of the office.
Lieutenant Keris—in the process of entering—had to press himself sideways to the wall, allowing them room to briskly pass by. He blinked worriedly at the train of shuffling servants, then proceeded to march into the Grand Magistrate's room.
"Lieutenant Keris," Hymmnos wheezed. Her eyes blinked, and she gulped. "I... I'm so very sorry. I... I-I should have spoken to the Talon earlier—"
"It's quite alright, Grand Magistrate," Keris said, waving a talon. He took his helmet off and stood across the desk from her. "You have a great deal on your plate... perhaps now more than ever."
"Where is your Commander?"
"Trust me, I would very much like to know that as well." Keris cleared his throat. "Although... I can venture to guess."
Hymmnos nodded, gazing at the tabletop. "Never the matter." A hard exhale. "Can you deliver the Court's orders to her?"
"Absolutely." Keris bowed. "What would you have of the Talon, Grand Magistrate?"
"You are to stand by and await further orders from the Council," Hymmnos said. "Once we are done deliberating with Brye Chandler, then we will summon the Commander and her flock to devise a plan concerning the Rainbow Rogue's prophesied assault on the Starkiss."
Keris blinked hard. He lifted his head. "Madame..."
"In the meantime, it would benefit the Court greatly if the Talon lended their talents in maintaining peace and order here in Frostknife," Hymmnos murmured, pacing over until she stood before the gray-lit windows again. "In case you haven't noticed, it's a veritable asylum out there."
"I've... noticed many things, Grand Magistrate." Keris cleared his throat. "But, might I inquire, precisely why are we waiting on deliberations with Brye Chandler?"
Hymmnos spun around. She blinked. "You would ask such a thing?"
"Indeed." Keris solemnly nodded. "I would."
"Surely you were present at the divine speech of our Goddess."
"Grand Magistrate, with all due respect, I am a long-time veteran and a military strategist," Keris said. "I am not bereft of intelligence or memory. I am quite aware of the words spoken by our Queen's messenger."
"It was nevertheless her voice," Keris said. "The most sacred manifestation of Verlaxion's will that we've experienced in decades."
"Yes, but to ignore the crimes committed by Chandler and... and t-to grant him authority in the latest campaign to defend Starkiss? Or any part of Rohbredden?!" Keris gulped hard. "Undeniably strong evidence was brought to the council on two fronts—Theanim's and the Commander's—proving that Chandler was the instigator of terrorism, insurrection, and murder. And he wasn't alone—!"
"We are not ignoring his crimes, Lieutenant," Hymmnos said. "This is a question of forgiveness."
Keris blinked. "Forgiveness?"
"Aye. Unto redemption." Hymmnos nodded. "As the Goddess wills it. You yourself admit that you heard and understood her words."
"Yes, but the stallion's proven to be a selfish, powermongering sociopath! Can we really trust so much power in a soul such as—"
"Are you questioning the divine will of our Queen, Lieutenant?" Hymmnos glared across the shadows. "The same divine will that's granted you and your Commander the wisdom and freedom to commit all sorts of violent acts for the sake of protecting the Five Tribes?"
Keris leaned back. His hawkeyes narrowed. "No, Hymmnos. I am merely... concerned for the mental and emotional stability of this Court." He inhaled. "Just as I'm concerned by the sudden and blatant use of the term 'Five Tribes.'"
"You heard the messenger." With a glazed expression, Hymmnos stared out the window again. "The wyverns have betrayed us."
"Grand Magistrate, just because a few citizens at Wyvern Point have aided the Rainbow Rogue and this supposed 'other' from the West does not mean that every single member of the wyvern tribe should be condemned."
"You forget quite easily, Lieutenant," Hymmnos said. "At this point, Wyvern Point is the extent of their tribe. Think about it—their numbers have not appeared before the Council in years. We've scarcely seen them make an appearance at the Court of Verlaxion—not even to give supplemental prayers for Unification Day."
"Let us also not forget that their species is an asexual one, and their population has dwindled over the last few centuries." Keris took a deep breath. "I simply cannot live with the thought of condemning their entire race because of the mistakes of a few. And just how might we describe those mistakes? We have so little to go on."
"The messenger gave us Verlaxion's warning," Hymmnos said. "We have all we need, or else she would have told us more."
"Grand Magistrate—"
"I expected contention from the magistrates of the fringe prefectures," Hymmnos said, frowning. "Not from you, Lieutenant."
Keris sighed, shaking his feathery head. "I do not mean to contend with you, Grand Magistrate." He gulped. "I am... simply trying to be the voice of reason here. Verlaxion's appearance—a nebulous presentation at best—has sparked a sudden wave of panic and fear among a populace that was already constrained by distrust and paranoia. I am... concerned with the direction that this is taking us, especially if the likes of Brye Chandler is being given a spot at the helm."
"And yet, for the first time in my entire career, the heart of Rohbredden is pumping with renewed health and vigor. Frostknife, a bastion once encumbered by bureaucracy, is now spinning like a well-oiled machine."
"I can see that."
"Good. Then meditate on it. Trust in it," Hymmnos said. "For up until now, this kingdom has relied on complacency." She sighed, pacing across the office. "I admire that you are the 'voice of reason' in any and all circumstances, Lieutenant. But this? This is different." Her brow furrowed as she approached him. "I too have clung to 'reason' in my years as Grand Magistrate. And why not? In a secular world determined by blood and business, it's as applicable a philosophy as an executor could ever hope to wield. But we don't live in such a superficial world, do we?" She scuffled to a stop before the griffon. "Some of us held faith in She who looms above us all, watching, judging... protecting. But most of us have forgotten what it means to truly be humble before such majesty." She sniffled. "Including myself. My whole life, I thought of Verlaxion as an idea... a very noble, divine idea—but still something just as formless and heartless as an ancient proverb... until now."
"Your admiration for the Queen is not under dispute, Hymmnos," Keris said. "All I ask is that you do not allow a sudden and inexplicable change in philosophical outlook cloud your judgment."
"As I likewise ask that you do not allow doubt to cloud yours."
Keris blinked.
"Return to your armory, Lieutenant," Hymmnos said. "Get some rest. Sooner than later, your skills shall be required. You will answer to the Court and—yes—even to Chandler."
"Even if Chandler requests us to go after the wyverns?"
"Verlaxion has given her blessings to the executive of the Shoreline Trade Consortium," Hymmnos said, nodding. "You shall obey him just as you would any ruling of the Court."
Keris took a deep, fuming breath. "And if Chandler should then ask us to attack villages in the central prefectures... as he's already staged cold, heartless raids?" He leaned back, headcrest raised. "What then?"
"We shall see," Hymmnos muttered coldly. "As Verlaxion wills it."
Keris' beak hung open.
"You are dismissed," the Grand Magistrate grunted. And that was that.
In another part of Frostknife...
Servants, messengers, and guards rushed back and forth, clambering across a stone balcony overlooking the cold, cold waters below. From a distance, the colored lights of sea ponies could be seen swirling around one another before schooling south to deliver the words of the Council across the seas and shorelines of the continent.
The air was full of nervous chatter. Beady-eyed ponies and griffons spoke with one another in brisk, hushed tones. Their limbs shook as they cast forlorn glances at the walls surrounding the Court of Verlaxion at the northernmost point of the bay. A thin, snowy haze lingered around the spot, and a few ponies had gathered along the fringes of the courtyard, bowing and murmuring prayers to the cold granite surfaces.
It was through this scene that Theanim Mane calmly trotted. He glanced curiously at the anxious, jittery souls around him. With calculated grace, he made a bee-line for an opulently dressed figure leaning against a railing at the far end of the balcony. At one point, a pair of guards marched up and blocked Theanim's pass.
"Erm... I..." He reached into his saddlebag and produced a certificate. "I'm with the Scientific Order. Professor Mane... Theanim Mane..."
The bodyguards eventually relented, and Theanim was allowed to approach Chandler's position.
"You heard me right," Chandler spoke to a unicorn jotting notes down. "It is my solemn suggestion that the Court of Verlaxion work with the Central Guard to establish a newly-revised conscription service as soon as possible. With the new threats to this continent, there's no telling how we will be able to defend ourselves without a capable draft."
"Aye, Mr. Chandler," one servant said, nodding as he finished scribbling the words down. "We will get this to the Grand Magistrate right away."
"Be sure that you do," Chandler said in a grave tone. "And don't forget to relate my suggestions regarding the Wyvern embassy. The gates to that facility haven't been open in nearly two decades, and it's in Rohbredden's interest that we all discover exactly what is being hidden inside."
"Right. We'll get right on that."
"Verlaxion's bl-blessings to you..." Chandler said with a limp wave, his eyes on the granite floor of the balcony. "We will need them."
"Indeed," Theanim said, coming within earshot. "You, most of all."
Chandler looked up, blinking. "Hmmm?"
"How long will these 'suggestions' of yours remain 'suggestions?'" Theanim's eyes narrowed. "And how long until they mutate into kill commands?"
"Professor... Mane, is it?"
"It's a common last name," Theanim said with a nod. "I assure you my first name is not."
"You're a Professor of the Ninety-Seventh Rohbredden Scientific Order."
"Well, there's one good thing about this," the Professor said. "It cuts my introductions in half."
"I know that you were instrumental in exposing me at Sunset Prefecture," Chandler said. "And that you tracked down the Luminards... the monks of the Quade that I had ferried over to Rohbredden."
"The ones who hadn't died in your miserable care, you mean."
Chandler exhaled. He nodded and said, "I do believe some thanks is in order."
Theanim raised an eyebrow.
"Your revelations only... highlighted the magnitude of my crimes," Chandler murmured. "One cannot truly humble himself unless his sins are exposed to divine eyes."
"So, that's it, then?" Theanim scowled. "You've turned from... from an atheist powermonger to a penitent theologian overnight?"
Chandler's nostrils flared. "You think I cherish this? Any of this?!"
Theanim blinked.
With a cold shiver, Chandler turned to gaze at the gray waters of Frostknife far, far below. "It's taken me a lifetime to get to this place, Professor. For years, I saw the members of the Court bickering at one another... sending the Talon left and right to do their dirty work, but never actually wanting to get their hooves soiled themselves. And this led to the powers of central Rohbredden growing weak... watered down... like flavorless broth. Meanwhile, the vile powers of the Seven Seas grew stronger and stronger. And the Colonialists? Their society's so confident and enlightened that it puts ours to shame. Nopony from our continent was willing to admit this, but me?"
He closed his eyes, lifting his head as a cold mountain breeze wafted down from Verlaxion's throne, kicking at his peppery black mane.
"I thought the problem was Verlaxion. Rohbreddenites were stalling themselves on behalf of a formless phantom. And the only way to get rid of a crutch was to remove the need for it. I... I wanted us to flex our muscles. So I invented a disease to temper our immune system. And it came close to working. It came so close."
"Oh, absolutely," Theanim droned. "Because that chaos surrounding Magistrates Timplan and Vilcheez was so unifying."
"It would have worked if I was given the chance to bag the Rainbow Rogue!" Chandler suddenly growled, his eyes flaring open with anger. "If only I could have given the Council something to believe in, they would have unified—" Just as quickly, his muzzle paled and his ears drooped. He stared at something a thousand miles away from the two of them. "...but there is something to believe in, isn't there? She... she made her presence known." He gulped. "And all my life's work... everything I ever struggled for..." He slowly shook his head. "...what's it matter in the long run? She's real, Professor. She's real and... and she had mercy on m-me..." His eyes weakly darted towards Theanim's. "Do... do you have any idea, Professor, what it means to have everything you believe in dashed in a single heartbeat?"
Theanim swallowed a lump down his throat. "Believe it or not, Mr. Chandler, I do." He took a few bold steps forward. "And I can tell you with full assurance that it is no valid impetus for waging a war against your own kind."
"I did not start the war, Professor," Chandler growled. "Not this one, at least. And now..." He shook in his hooves. "...this is my one chance for a salvation I never thought I needed... nor wanted. But she's given it to me. Verlaxion... our... our G-goddess..." He bit his lips. "...there's... there's a soul inside me and obeying her is the only thing I can do to save it... to save us."
"Mr. Chandler, it's clear that—with the new position of the Council—we cannot pretend to be enemies anymore." Theanim squinted. "But nevertheless, I implore you to act cautiously with the new power that's being granted to you. Yes, I can see that you're not the same stallion that you were yesterday. But do not let the shock of this... revelation get to your head. For better or for worse, you have a brilliant mind. Stay in control of it. Balance your intelligence with your emotions, and don't let one half hold authority over the other. Whatever may be threatening Rohbredden, it's just as glorious and just as holy to honor Verlaxion by being kind to our fellow tribes."
"Thank you, Professor Mane, for your insight. I can see why the Council trusts in it so." Chandler swallowed hard. "But keep in mind that there are only five tribes now. Verlaxion stated so, and grace is only allowed where grace is due."
Theanim paled upon hearing that. "What... wh-what do you intend to do?"
"Only time will tell," Chandler said. "As we speak, a nefarious force marches towards the bastions of Starkiss. It is a treacherous, inhospitable land. Nevertheless, the Queen is weak and she must protected at all costs."
"And just what costs are we speaking of?"
"I think we can all agree that—once upon a time—there was a Seventh Tribe. They rejected Verlaxion's grace. That's why they are nothing but scum and dust to this day." Chandler took a deep breath and marched past Theanim. "I don't intend to be on the side that joins them. Do you, Professor?"
Theanim grimaced. He pivoted about, watching as Chandler trotted off to speak to a group of messengers. Guardians and other officials crowded around the executive, until he became one with the thick lifeblood of Frostknife.
"Grnnngh..." Rainbow Dash stumbled, falling onto her chest with a splash of snow.
"Rainbow?!" Twilight spun around.
"Oh no!" Pinkie flew in close. "You okay, Dashie?"
"Is it another dizzy spell, darling?" Rarity asked.
"Grffff..." Rainbow Dash flexed her legs, pushing herself up into a standing position. "Just... just a small one..."
"Hey Rainbow!" Bard called from the front of the procession. "Y'all okay back there?"
"Yeah... totally!" Rainbow gulped. "I just tripped!"
Flynn, Logan, and Wildcard gazed all around, blinking at an endlessly stretching plain of flat, white snow. "On what?!" Logan barked.
"Uhhhhh..." Rainbow fidgeted.
Remna's voice droned from the front. "If the Austraeoh is growing weak, then it is the task of the Herald to cease marching until she is rested."
"No. No!" Rainbow stood tall, shaking her head. Vaporous breaths escaped her snow-flaked muzzle. "I'm good! Honest!"
"Trust in the Austraeoh's words, Remna," Mortuana calmly said. Her figure towered above the rest—thin, gangly, but nevertheless majestic. "Let her decide when the group must rest."
"Hrmmmfff..." Was all Remna managed, and she continued taking point, leading the group across the desolate flatness of Frost Plateau.
"Well, it's at least nice to know that she cares," Fluttershy said with a small smile.
"You kidding?" Pinkie turned to frown at her ghostly friend. "She's only angry about the journey possibly coming to a halt!"
Fluttershy sighed. "You're right." She hung her head. "She's still a meanie head."
Twilight giggled. "Always good to know your personal assessment, Fluttershy."
"Uhm... you're welcome?"
"Shall we prroceed, Austrraeoh?" rolled a deep voice from the rear of the group.
Rainbow cleared her throat. "Sure thing, Kepler!" She winced slightly as she stumbled forward, her saddlebags jostling around her warm outfit. "It'll take more than a lame patch of snow to slow me down!"
"Ha hah! A brrave attitude indeed! This 'patch of snow' goes on forr hundrreds of miles, rrainbow one! No trrees... no tundrra... not a single drrop of photosynthetic bacterria that darres to interrrupt the monochrromatic monotony!"
"Well, if that isn't a friggin' bleak picture you're painting there, bud."
"I know!" Kepler's voice boomed as he drew the tiny wagon along. "Isn't it absolutely magnificent?!" He bore a toothy grin. "Hah! The absolute best canvas against which to drraw the colorrs of the mine! Right now, I'm imagining a grrand porrtrrait of all of us standing beforre the lowerr bowerrs of the Midnight Armory!"
"Yeah, in pieces?" Flynn called back. "Or are only half of us corpses?"
"Ha ha ha!" Logan laughed. "Maybe you're the corpse, scrawnio! But as for me? I intend to be posed atop a damned mountain of dead changelings, gripping my axe like a true hero! Hell... I'll have carved a throne out of Tchern's skull to make the pose extra badass!"
"Alicorn skulls aren't big enough to sit your fat flank in, idiot. Even mutated ones belonging to metamorphic soul-suckers." Flynn cleared his throat and cast a feeble glance in Mortuana's direction. "No offense."
"It is quite fine, Flynn," Mortuana calmly breathed in mid-stride. "My affinity for Tchern and Chrysalis waned centuries ago. As a result, I can safely admit that I too find the mental image of her calcified cranium being utilized as a chair to be... affordably amusing."
Wildcard smirked while Bard, Logan, and Flynn chuckled into the cold air.
Twilight and Rarity winced.
Pinkie Pie's eyes darted left and right. Her muzzle contorted. "Hah hah... hah?"
FWOOSH! "Hey!" Ariel grinned, suddenly hovering backwards in Rainbow's face. "The Mountain Matron made a funny!"
Rainbow gulped. "That she did." A slight smile crossed her muzzle. "I bet it would make Whitemane blush."
"Isn't that enough to smile about?"
"Heheh..." Rainbow's lips curved slightly. "Sure, why not."
Ariel cocked her head to the side. "You're not just in the company of the Herald, Rainbow Dash. We're your friends. At least... we'd love to be."
"I don't doubt that."
Ariel squinted. "'But...'"
Rainbow shuddered, glancing aside. "You know why."
"Sure I do." Ariel spun until she hovered effortlessly upside down. "I also know that you didn't trip on nothing."
"You're watching me that hard, huh?"
"Can't help it." Ariel winked. "It's my job."
"Must be like watching grass grow."
"Hehe... cute... brightly colored grass. You know, your mane's starting to sprout back."
"Pffft. No it isn't."
"She's right, darling," Rarity said with a smirk. "It truly is."
"Don't get us wrong," Twilight added. "It's still very, very short..."
"But I bet the silky quality is right where you left it." Rarity sighed. "There's one thing to look forward to in our journey."
"Some color would be very... very nice," Fluttershy said softly, squinting across the white, white wilderness.
Ultimately, Rainbow reached up and dragged a hoof across the back of her head. She jolted in slight surprise from the texture of tiny, wispy follicles forming a spectral sea across her scalp. "Whoah... okay, so I stand corrected." Her eyes fluttered and she teetered to the side just as she said this.
"Whoah!" Ariel reached in to steady the mare. "By that you mean 'barely stay upright.'"
"Look..." Rainbow gulped, brow furrowing. "I'm fine! It's... it's just beginning."
"What is?" Ariel blinked with concern. "The Spark's drain?"
"Is that what you seven call it?"
"Well... no, not really." Ariel gulped. "But if it's true that you haven't made contact with Yaerfaerda since the Quade..."
Rainbow fought a lump in her throat, gazing east at a distant, faint glow. "It's... it's starting to happen again. Just like at the Luminards' sanctuary... and at Amulek."
"Oh Rainbow..." Twilight sniffled.
"Is it bad?" Ariel spun until she was upright again. "Do you feel a fainting spell coming on?"
"No. Not quite. But... I think I'm starting to get a real sense for it ahead of time." Rainbow grimaced. "It freaks me out to think how I'll deal with it on the dark side. I mean... are there beacons on that side as well?"
"That's a question best posed before Kepler."
"I... uh..." Rainbow shuddered. "...I'm not sure I want to."
Ariel stared at Rainbow, then at the rest of the group. "Tell you what..." She smiled at the mare again. "The moment you feel like you're going to 'trip' again, just whistle. I'll swoop on down to steady you."
"I thought your job was to do recon for Mortuana and the Herald."
"My job is to protect Austraeoh. Besides..." Ariel fluffed her mane with a grin. "I'm fast enough to do both without anyone noticing... or caring. Don't you agree?"
"You've got spunk, girl," Rainbow smirked. "Like I once did."
"Like you still do," Ariel said. "Only, you've got the weight of the universe on your shoulders now. Doesn't stop you from being awesome anyways."
"Now there's a happy thought."
"I've got lots of them to give." Ariel winked, then flapped her wings. "Just whistle. I'll be your wings. I promise." FWOOSH! And she shot back into the sky with a dark streak.
Rainbow blinked calmly.
"She's very..." Fluttershy smiled. "...nice."
"Mmmm..." Rainbow nodded, her eyes on Yaerfaerda's orange glint. "...only the best ones are in my travels, I find."
Pinkie's muzzle scrunched. "The best ones what?"
"Let's... erm... focus on the trek for a bit, okay girls?"
"Sure thing, Rainbow," Twilight said with a nod.
"Rarity, sense anything ahead of us on this plateau?"
"Well, you might scarcely believe this, darling, but..." Rarity turned with a coy grin, waving tiredly at the ivory horizon. "...we've got snow."
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Like talking to a brick wall. I'm not sure if Keris will be able to convince anyone to be reasonable.
The amount of bullcrap going on as a result of Verlaxion paying a visit to the council is just astounding.
granny dash is old and wise
Dry humour seems to be a speciality of Unicorns.
I always approve.
Chandler's gone mad...he's gone mad like the rest of them. They've all gone mad...
Yep you did. Don't lie to yourself like that. You might actually start to believe it.
Hmm... So her fainting spells are caused by her not being near the Beacons for a amount of time....
Battle lines are being drawn in Rohbredden, with many acting like the end is nigh, and the fellowship sets off. This will not end well.
Wow. There's so much awesomesauce in this chapter. Between Seraphimus finally breaking free of her Verlax girl-crush. To Kepler being awesome as usual.
I just hope that Dash can open up to the girls soon. I mean sure Ariel's hot as hell (and I'm really liking her). But it's an unneeded weight that she's carrying. Heck she chose to talk about the Great Evil, over talking about her sexy, totally adorably badass marefriend. Poor Dashie, I bet when she opens up her friends will be happy to hear she snagged herself a good one.
7063607
Kinda late on that one. Poor crazy colt wanted to make the world a better place one explosion at a time. Now he's rearing to spill blood for odin. Woops! I mean Verlaxion.
7063596 Welcome to the madhouse, admission is free. Free supply of fantatical zealotry with every order!
The only sane ponies left in this joint are our main characters.
Witch hunt, anyone?
Hah.
No but seriously if I was Rainbow I'd be really pissed off with everyone acting like I'm made of glass, and addressing me as "the Austraeoh" at all times.
Man, Rohbredden's starting to get nuttier than squirrel shit. I can only hope that the (apparently; hopefully) inevitable revelation of Verlax's duplicity snaps them out of it.
On a brighter note, I just got a blip on the Shipometer. Which raises an interesting question: You guys think Fluttershy will be able to detect Rainbow's not-exactly-heterosexual leanings? I forget all the nuances of Fluttershy's ghost!powers, but... yeah.
Also, I hope Rainbow can fly again soon. I'd love to see her and Ariel put their wings to the test.
All this makes me wonder how Rohbredden will fare once Verlax doesn't need it anymore. If Rainbow makes it to the edge of the world, then the continent will have served Verlax's purpose of testing her resolve. Will she just abandon it? Will she raze it? It doesn't seem in character for her to set them free.
Yeah, Theams. Makes you wonder about the fate of the Sarosians, does it not?
It's a beautiful feeling when you're left alone with seeing history repeat itself.
Woo! Let the madness spread!
Man it is really going to suck when they learn the truth. I have a feeling that if she doesn't start killing them outright a lot of people are going to be on suicide watch that's for sure.
Yesterday I got this crazy idea about Verlax.
She doesn't give a fuck about Austraeoh and the fate of the plane and whatever. She just uses chosen ones in a cyclical manner to afix her power over the continent, and for her Rainbow is merely a relatively unimportant reiteration of the cycle.
Things are afoot everywhere. Except rainbow. Seems like she's making the journey on her face.
7064798 the only evidence we have of a previous "chosen one" is Commander Hurricane, and she never even made it to Val roa. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it is relatively unfounded. Verlax may be twisted, but she's smart enough to know controlling a single kingdom is meaningless when compared to the world the kingdom rests upon.
7064355 I'm pretty sure Verlax believes the only way rainbow will make it is to kill her.
Don't you do it, Skirts. Don't you make me like Chandler. Not after the crud we've been through...
The comments on the previous chapter were a painful slog, but I made it through holding aloft a single, beautiful gem. Forget Lunar Ninth, I'm backing quade's recommendation of the new name Noble Verdict! Whoop!
So wyverns are asexual? Do they like split in two to reproduce? Burp out new ones like parasprites?
Kerris and seraphim are going to join the rebellion soon like Fin in Star Wars the force awakens.
How bad ass would it be if an exposition from Val road shows up now that the blight is gone?
I'm surprised that Rainbow doesn't protest, given how changelings have consistently been good guys after being freed from Chryssi's control; especially how many of them sacrificed their lives for Rainbow; plus Ebon, Elma etc.
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Yaerfaerda had this to say about wyverns:
So they do reproduce in some way. I think all wyverns seen so far have been male (or "brrotherrs", as Kepler says).
Ship it.
Chandler is now in command to not only capture Rainbow Dash, but wipe out an innocent race.
It really is Shell 2
JUST MAKE OUT ALREADY
The sexual tension is strong with this one . . .
She deserves a drink for using that level of a smart ass comment so effectively.
Calling it now, Ariel will die first, and in Rainbow's hooves.
7256559 No way. IC would never.....wait, he totally would
That theory that fluttershy knows might pan out. We might still be in for some major angst though, unless Applejacks power is sensing lesbians
For fucks sake. Chandler was just about to lose his head and now he's, what, president?
I was ready to applaud Seraphimus for arresting him, and now it looks like she should've just killed him regardless.
And Verlax is actually going to sacrifice an entire nation just to test RD and kill her friends. This will end in tragedy regardless what happens.
On a more positive note, Aribow.
Shy knows. :)
Ok, Verlax is trying to test Rainbow and her friends, but for WHAT purpose? Was that ever established?
Kepler is best member of Job Squad.
If the grass was multicolored and exploded, yeah.
This is gonna be awesome. All the characters coming together and now it's rainbow and the Herald versus everyone!
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Verlax has no reason to do that. Shes out of her mind.
I know what happens to them since I already read it, but I'm just thinking how years in the future if some wealthy bat pony decides to visit this place again how awkward it would be.
I'm sorry WHAT.
Oh great, so you're OK with all of this pure undiluted insanity just because the Crazy Ice Dragon gave you a batshit order. Fantastic. You really are a politician, huh?
OH MY GOD, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND.
Weak my left boob. She's a DRAGON.
Much more poetic than horrible seizures.
Heh, Rarity did a funny.
Also...does this mean that Chandler is gonna go after the wyvern temple? Did Kepler leave just in time to become the only monk/historian left from there? Boy I really hope not...
The fear of God can change many a soul. But not in who they are, but who they target. Also I expect the Chandler was picked because he far from the best for this task. She wants rainbow to reach her.
So many things in history and fiction make me think of that 1 article of faith.
Article of Faith 2:
"We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression."
In other words you are responsible for your own actions and not the actions of any of your previous generations. Aka you don't need to be punished or make up for you ancestor's sins or mistake.