Things More Priceless Than Gold
"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity squeaked, flailing through the air as Rainbow sped southeastward over rippling waves. "What's gotten into you, darling!"
"Wowie-zowie!" Pinkie Pie sputtered as thunder rolled overhead. "I've never seen her move so fast!"
"Rainbow Dash, please!" Fluttershy insisted, struggling to float in front of the mare. "Stop for a second and speak to us! We're... we're worried!"
"She's right, Rainbow!" Twilight hovered alongside the mare. "Just what happened to you inside the Tower?!" Her violet eyes narrowed. "You were positively yanked inside by some unseen force! And then—within a blink—you were thrown outside and the structure sank!"
"Rainbow Dash?!"
"Dashie?!"
"I don't understand!" Rarity whimpered. "Why is she ignoring us?"
"It's not that simple!" Applejack grunted.
"What do you m—?"
"Look at her eyes!" The farm mare pointed. "She sees somethin'! Her mind's set on a destination somethin' awful!"
"Yeah, b-but what?!"
Rainbow Dash panted and panted, flapping her wings as hard as she could. Her ruby eyes twinkled—flickering red-on-yellow. "So... so clear..." She hissed beneath her teeth, smiling stupidly. "...why did I ever st-stop...?"
"Rainbow Dash," Princess Luna's voice spoke.
"It's there... always b-been there..."
"Rainbow Dash!" Luna's voice positively growled.
"Rainbow, for harmony's sake!" Twilight frowned. "Answer our moon princess—"
"I'm sorry, Your Highness!" Rainbow hyperventilated. "I can't stop!" She huffed and huffed. "I can't ever stop!"
"Something has possessed you. I can sense it."
"Not a possession..." Rainbow gulped, grinning wider. "...perspective. I can see, Luna! I can see it!"
Princess Celestia's voice interjected: "You can see what, Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow sweated hard, her eyes darting left and right.
A golden stream pierced the landscape, threading its way east. It was a veritable golden shawl draped over the plane, spilling off the edge of the world. It twinkled like sunlight through a soft morning window.
"The journey. Austraeoh. We are... I am..." Rainbow gulped. "...both one and the same! I... I can see it, Luna." She panted as her eyes finally locked on Twilight, Applejack, and the others. "Twi. AJ. Flutters. It's... it's right before me... it's been right before me this whole t-time..." She squeaked and whimpered. "It's just taken Utaan... it's taken Utaan to clear the last layer. Now I must go beyond... it's what Verlax always thought, but never grasped. And now Ilrifa—she wants to help me too!"
Rarity's muzzle scrunched. "'Ilrifa?'"
"Oh gosh..." Pinkie grimaced. "She's lost it! The big It!"
"Shhhhhh..." Applejack shook her head. "Not necessarily."
Rarity gawked at her. "You've got to be kidding us—"
"I just mean—whatever she's rambling about—she believes it whole heartedly," Applejack said. "Heart, mind, and soul."
"Even still... I don't like what this 'revelation' is doing to her!" Twilight insisted. "You hear that, Rainbow?! You're worrying us! Now slow down, turn back, and reunite with the others—"
"I can't!" Rainbow grimaced. "I shouldn't!" She hyperventilated some more. "You five died in Ponyville. Shell caught up with Belle and Pilate and Kera. Verlax conspired and took everything!" She gulped, her eyes nevertheless bedazzled. "Why haven't I always been moving? Why aren't we all just... moving?" Panting breaths. "Urohringr. The rings. The stars. All of it!"
"Rainbow, my child," Luna spoke calmly, firmly. "You have evidently witnessed something spectacular, and that cannot be denied." A deep breath. "But you are accomplishing nothing with blind, forward momentum. Your experiences—if nothing else—should prove this."
"Y-yeah, Rainbow!" Spike's voice sputtered. "What about your friends?" A gulping sound. "You need them to get to the Dark Side, don't you?"
"Dark Side..." Rainbow sputtered, shaking her head as she watched the gold, the glimmer, the shimmer. "It's so bright. So clear. It's like... like... the Southern Birds." She glanced aside, grinning like an idiot. "You remember them, Fluttershy? They always knew where to go! We... we were only fooling ourselves when we thought we were helping them during Winter Wrap-Up!" She giggled—a little too long and joyfully for her friends' comfort.
Fluttershy slowly nodded. "I remember, Rainbow Dash." She gulped. "I also remember helping them with egg-laying and gathering food."
Rainbow sweated, shuddering slightly.
"Now promise me something." Fluttershy leaned forward. "Don't fight her."
Rainbow blinked at last. "Fight who?" Swooooosh! A set of hooves wrapped around Rainbow from behind. "Guhhh!" She struggled and squirmed.
Ariel held on tight, anchoring the two in mid-air with nimble wings. "Rainbow... grnnngh... Dash!" She panted and panted, fighting the expert flier's strong feathers. "Stay... still..."
"Ariel! Grnngh... let me go!" Rainbow wheezed, reaching fruitlessly for the east horizon, eyes frenzied. "Don't... wanna hurt y-you!"
"What's gotten into you?!" Ariel gnashed her teeth, looking over her shoulder. She breathed easier as she saw Wildcard, Bard, and Enix catching up. "What did you witness inside that thing?"
"You... mrmmfff... wouldn't understand...!"
"And why not?! We're the Herald!" Ariel held on tighter, absorbing Rainbow's jostling movements. "Rainbow... talk to us!"
"Whew!" Bard rushed in, along with Wildcard. "You caught her..."
Wildcard's goggles rattled as he levitated in place, reflecting Rainbow's pale muzzle.
"Have... have to get to the end..." Rainbow panted. "Can't... can't explain it..." Her nostrils flared. "The gold... is burning inside me... tethering me..."
"Tetherin' you to what?"
"The... the h-horizon..." Rainbow Dash wheezed.
"Rainbow, that horizon's gotta end at one point or another!" Bard said.
Rainbow blinked hard, panting for breath. Her sweat was a cold drench now.
"Listen to him, Rainbow Dash," Luna spoke. "You've grown to be more than a mere tool of Urohringr."
"That's right, Rainbow," Twilight spoke, nodding. "The reason you got this far—and ponies like Commander Hurricane didn't—is because you learned to temper zeal with companionship." Her lavender brow furrowed. "You're Loyalty... the last Element of Harmony. That's precisely what Urohringr needs... and it's what we all need just the same."
"This is not like you," Luna said. "Perhaps—before Axan—it once was, but that has changed. You have changed. And you must remember that... and hold true to it if you wish to truly save this plane."
Rainbow Dash's eyes remained locked on the golden stream. "But... But I see it so clearly n-now..." She gulped. "I don't know why... but it's there. The torches are lit and... and..."
"Then take the time to bask in the light," Luna said. "And do so in the company of those whom you can trust, so they can help you ascertain the truth."
Rainbow shuddered in Ariel's grip.
Enix flew up along with her wingmates. The nightblooded sarosian calmly surveyed the situation, then faced Rainbow Dash directly. "A true Avatar of the Moon Maiden would do that which our Matriarch commands." She raised an eyebrow. "Or were we wrong to assume that her divine wisdom carried the Austraeoh this far?"
Wildcard looked at Enix, then at Rainbow Dash.
Bard reached a hoof out, resting it on Rainbow's shoulder. "How 'bout it, darlin'? You gonna slow down and take a breather with us or what?"
"We care for you, Rainbow Dash," Ariel said, giving her a slight squeak. The grip had turned into a soft hug by now, and even Rainbow realized she was no longer struggling. "Let us help you figure it out together."
Rainbow's ears folded. For the first time since waking, the gold streams faded—but only because a fresh curtain of tears had rippled between them. "I'm just... j-just so t-tired..."
"Shhhhh..." Ariel nuzzled Rainbow from behind. "I know you are..."
"It's... it's so much, Ariel..." Rainbow wept, burying her head in something—only to discover it was Ariel's chest. The pegasus held her dearly in mid-air while the others hovered nearby. "It's always... one th-thing or another. I try to be strong... but the b-best I can ever be is a crazed idiot..."
"Shhhh... no you're not..." Ariel nuzzled her, stroking her mane and shoulders. "You're better than that. Mortuana knew that—and so do we."
"I'm so sorry..." Sniffling, Rainbow looked past Ariel. "Twilight... Fluttershy... girls, I'm s-so sorry..."
"It's okay, Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy said with a tearful smile.
"Yes, darling..." Rarity sniffled, leaning in to Fluttershy and Twilight. "We're here for you. Don't ever doubt that for one second."
"We've got yer back, sugarcube."
"Every wing-flap of the way!" Pinkie chirped.
Rainbow's muzzle scrunched. As more tears welled up in her eyes, she curled up in Ariel's grasp, blinding herself to the elements. Ariel held her tenderly, giving the others a tender look.
Wildcard slicked his headcrest back while exhaling a breath of relief.
"Well then..." Bard took his hat off, fanned himself, and plopped it back on. "Why dun we... uh... go back to Bleak's Plummet and try to sort this all out, huh?"
"Rainbow?" Ariel gave Rainbow's figure a slight shake. "Is that okay with you?"
Rainbow produced a muffled whimper before nodding her head against Ariel's shoulder.
Ariel glanced at the Desperadoes.
Bard and Wildcard nodded back. The griffon took the lead, gliding west. Bard lent Ariel a hoof in guiding Rainbow back the way they came.
As the sarosians joined them, Enix hung at the back. She stared east for a few blank seconds of abject curiosity... then followed the others in their westward lurch.
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I....wish I understood. But, I suppose we'll have a clearer answer once Dash has had the time to calm down a bit.
I wonder how much of a hand (hoof) Ilrifa had in whatever just caused Dash to full-speed it like that.
On a side note, unless I missed something, we haven't been shown any new effects (yet) on the rest of the Mane Six from Dash's activation of the sixth tower.
Dash... Kinda sounds possessed. And we all knew Discord was coming, but there's no sign of any new companions. And her eyes were flickering yellow.
Help.
7530822 If anything, I think she's seeing clearly for the first time without that possession. I imagine the Austraeoh was meant to see everything she currently sees all along, but it was blocked by the chaotic influence from Discord.
I don't understand...
Well... At least, it doesn't seem Verlax messed with this one, maybe RD won't have to be disloyal now.
7530842 *Thinks*
Urohringr 66, The Pegasus Behind The Curtain:
Commander Hurricane's last words. I didn't think too much of them at the time, but now that you mention it, this sounds a good bit like what Rainbow's seeing now.
7530848 Unless Verlax knew this beacon would force RD to continue east like this, and the "Disloyalty" trial is that she'd be abandoning Bleak's Plummet to Chandler.
And so Dash is given the choice of staying loyal solely to the journey or sharing that loyalty amongst her friends. I hope I'm wrong but I get the feeling that this final trial is going to be all about learning when it may be appropriate for Dash to abandon the ones she cares about.
7530842 With the flickering eyes and pale coat it sounds a lot like her original encounter with discord. I have absolutely no clue what that could mean though.
Huh, not sure what happened here.
Guess we will find out eventually.
7530865 The trials of Verlax seems to be things that make her chose to be disharmonious. For each of them, it was always her choice, even if forced by Verlax, it's the point to prove she can't always be harmonious and make her accept that disharmonious actions may be necessary for her to continue.
For this one, she was not her usual self and she would not have make this choice otherwise. More than that, it would only bring bad consequences, making her refuse being disloyal even more, and that's the opposite of what Verlax want.
I think she's trying to escape the blackness.
I am confusion!
Has Dash always been this easily excitable? Probably, but this feels more like the Austraeoh, despite Dash's assertions to being one and the same with it, is a s separate driving entity that can override her ability to think and act of her own free will. Well, perhaps not "entity" but perhaps more something like a ingrained program, embedded in her D.N.A and/or magical aura.
Wonder if the tower sinking has produced any other changes in the local area?
Yeah, I think that last vision Rainbow had in the tower must've nearly broken her or something. The last few paragraphs in that chapter mentioned her becoming overcome with guilt; Ilrifa's guilt. I think that Ilrifa might have done a little something to Rainbow's mind to make her act like this after getting out of the tower. Maybe Rainbow herself has received some sort of gift or power from the final beacon? Much like the rest of the Mane 5, only she didn't have to come back from the dead to get it.
Curious indeed, and we'll really only have an idea for sure once Rainbow explains everything to the Herald.
is it just my memory playing tricks on me or did rainbow already experience the vision of a golden trail leading to the next beacon?
When Dash mentioned what happened at Lerris there, my thought was that she wanted to ditch the herald and Sarosian's to try and spare them from the wrath of Seraphimus.
But that wouldn't work.
7531041 I recall her following a trail before as well, but it wasn't golden...I.. think it was lavender, and it lead her to the book...I think.
That was a long bloody time ago though.
-Companions are abound, frozen spectres hound. Utaan.
7531041 7531083 In Austraeoh and Eljunbyro, she would occasionally see a "lavender light" that guided her, pointing her to things like the machine world entrance in Windthrow, showing her how to work the machine world controls in Darkstine and Blue Shelf, and pointing her east right before she went back to fight Axan.
Then, in Innavedr, the tome glowed when pointed at Nightshade's flame, and Rainbow could see it from a great distance once it became imbued with the flame, kind of like Yaerfaerda but without a symbol.
And between late Urohringr and now, she's had Yaerfaerda guiding her to flames, but nowhere else.
That's all in the way of beacon location, no golden trails. It's possible you're thinking of her flame vision at the end of Yaerfaerda, though; there's a lightshow involving the symbol right before Twilight appears.
Things went from confusing to beyond insane in a damned instant. Sudden and new journey guide, I guess. Utaan leading her beyond... and what in the what possessed her to fly towards the edge like that? Gah, I'll see where this madness goes in the next few chapters. I just hope Dash got some cool power like all her friends did when they were brought back.
~SolidFire
We got a glimpse of the beauty that is East and they forced her back along people slowing her down. Now Shell 2.0 can catch up and start a war with the sarosians. *Huff*
Dash is going to be punished for her loyalty by having to watch Sarosians and Rhobedron army collide and fight, where if she had kept going Bleaks Plummet would be submerged beyond the armys ability to spot it, or follow her?
What, no Discord?
Darn.
Ok so I think that after the tower Dash basically got her mind cleared by Ilrifa from what she considered to be useless distractions to Dash's journey; which caused her to go a bit crazy as the journey was all she could think about and focus on. At least that is what I think happened.
7531238 Yep, took 4 or less SAN loss from the those visions. Enough to make her more than a bit irrational, but not complete (temporary) insanity.
God damn do I wanna see some ArielDash. Additionally the confusion is real.
Well damn. Not sure what to make of this yet. Maybe future discussion will shed more light on what exactly was going on in Rainbow's head, and why.
Also, there's the question of what the last seed accomplished. There's been no indication of anyone new being revived. And the continued red-and-yellow flickering of Rainbow's eyes seems to suggest that my prediction about the last seed cleansing her of her discordification was wrong. If so, I guess it shouldn't surprise me. It was kind of a long shot anyway. A part of me, while reading these two chapters, thought maybe Ilrifa would be the one "revived" (as per her statements about always being alone), but there's no evidence of that yet.
Also, apparent confirmation that Ariel is at least as fast as Rainbow.
7531544 You and me both, brotherrrr.
I am seconding the 'Empty Mind, Full Flight' theory. With the strange and confusing apperation of this Ilrifa, and after being ejected like a EA employee suggesting quality ensurance, She's half-consious before getting up in wings about 'Utaan' and 'Seeing clear'
Especially after being caught by Ariel. Her emotional breakdown, of sorts, suggested that something went wrong within that fuzzy mind of hers.
And now, we're floating back in the westward direction...I am really, really afraid they're gonna have to contend with Top birb soon..
7530842
She can see clearly now the flame is gone?
She can see all the edges on her way?
Gone is the chaos that has clouded her mind?
I'msorry7531027
WELCOME TO CLUB! IS GOOD CLUB! MANY MEMBERS!
CATCHPHRASE!
I think whatever the tower/flame did to her is the cause of her new "will" to just go. Obviously something we have no clue about and something ilrifa named. Luna said she is possessed by something but I don't necessarily think it's an entity, more like a drive.
7531238 I'm honestly surprised that no one else's thoughts have gone in that direction yet. Rainbow's behaviour exactly mirrors Ilrifa's sentiment of the Austraeoh needing to move unceasing.
With Rainbow's passion for East being rekindled and with The Herald behind her, it's time to East like we've never Easted before!
Rainbow Dash is confused!
Rainbow Dash hurt itself in its confusion!
Ariel used Tackle!
Ariel used Cuddle!
It's super-effective!
Rainbow Dash has fainted!
Imploding Colon is out of usable Pokemon!
Imploding Colon blacks out…
7530822
I have a theory for that yellow-eye flickering:
The Chaos inside Dash is literally Discord's essence, right? And she cannot keep it at bay forever. Sooner or later its gonna catch up with her, and when it does she is screwed. But what if whatever 'possessed' her there for a second is capable of holding off the chaos, yet at the same time using it to boost her strenght or something. Basicly it could save Dash from dying
Just a stupid little theory I have
Focus, Dash. No, not that way.
Sanity Lost: Rainbow Dash
Rescue Attempt: Herald
Royal Command: Luna
Confused Spectator: Enix.
7530293 Why did the odrsjot symbol react to Kera then? She isn't exactly a member of the Herald.
Hmm... I wanna think that perhaps the last beacon on this side of the plane, or maybe one of the first on the dark side, will somehow "stabilize" the chaos inside her... Like, force an equilibrium between the two forces. After all, if Urohringr can use Harmony to help fix itself, why can't it use Chaos? I think that's part of the message that Verlax was trying to convey: "There is no Dark side. There is no Light side. There is only the Force."
7531884 Pshht, using normal moves on a flying type...
You could have at least gone for the 1 hit with Fuzz Beam!
What are you doing still running around with an unevolved Ariel anyway? This Imploding Colon guy must be a total scrub.
7531841 I'll thank you to not make light of this serious medical issue. Austraeoh Induced Sustained Spontaneous Squeeing Syndrome (AISSSS) is a debilitating illness that affects readers like me all over the world. Despite tireless efforts by researchers the only known treatment that modern medicine has been able to provide for AISSSS is the process of breath-ing. Clinical trials were underway on an experimental new treatment known as "Appledashery" but unfortunately the side effects of consumption were deemed far too dire. Those poor marsupials will never be the same...
Made me think of this.
vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/onepiece/images/2/2c/Jaya-South-bird.png/revision/latest?cb=20130502232612
7530386 Yes. Me and 7530783 would both be willing to help motivate you through the first book. Heck you could even read another book while reading Austraeoh since your reading one chapter a day; Basically what I did. Just read that one chapter first and get it done and out of the way before getting lost in another story.
7532249
Overrated
We all know that Rainboarke is the only OTP
And so dash nearly abandons loyalty again. Sound familiar?
At least this time her friends were in position to catch her.
7532426 it is known.
7531884
Rainbow Dash used Struggle!
Rainbow Dash was infatuated by Ariel's Cute Charm!
Rainbow Dash was immobilized by love!
7531874 Sorry about that
You know, something I want to do if I ever (read: as soon as I'm done with Appledashery) go back and reread the series is make a "best of" compendium for all the Jurists.
7531902 Ilrifa's already demonstrated far more than that; she revived Dash at the end of Urohringr.
7532215 First, the bands in Odrsjot did completely different things than the ones in Utaan. They don't play by the same rules.
Second, given how informal and/or arbitrary the Herald is, I don't think they ever were locked in the first place. It feels more like the bands are a tool given to the Herald, but only held there by rules, not magic.
Without seeing the actual prophecies, it's difficult to know for sure, but where I assume the distinction between Eljunbyro and Odrsjot (the groups) lies is that Odrsjot are those who have been waiting for Rainbow to accompany her, while Eljunbyro are those who are brought into her quest by her doing. Zaid's a bit of an oddball because he did know about her in advance, but joined her party for reasons he only had after meeting her.
Well, this is getting very intense.
Now that we've gotten all this exposition, it's high time for some action. With all the time spent doing this, the Guard is probably going to reach Bleaks Plummet as the Herald does.
Definitely doesn't sound like new-found clarity in the form of a veil. Nah. Nope.
It finally happened. A single book has gone on long enough for her to notice the header pic.
I don't get it. Assuming that Ilrifa was responsible for all the "mysterious voices" from earlier, why would she try to have RD hightail it to the dark side, when all she was worried about before was Verlax listening into their conversation? What does Ilrifa have to worry about from Verlax's plan?
Despite Dash being a bit out of it here, she does have a point. They need to keep moving otherwise Chandler and Co. will catch up to them.
7531763
I'm a bit surprised too that people aren't assuming this is Ilrifa's doing and jumping on other theories. There's a chance it could be something else, but it makes much more sense that Ilrifa did something to Dash.
they can't go around the Plummet? Central Guard are seeking for them specifically, it'll only be worse if they will be present there.
7532247
Zaap Nator: "Dash, I am your father"
Dash: "Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!"
7532730 It occurs to me... I think that Innavedr represents what drives the journey of the Austraeoh, or maybe it represents the journey itself.
7533901 It is abundantly clear that Rainbow has grasped some fundamental truth that both us and her companions were not made privy to. Even if Ilrifa did something to Dash there is clearly something more to all of this.
7530783 All right!