Rainbow Dash Around the World

by MagicS

Keeper

“Lucky Scales!” Her mother—Rusty Tail, the governess of the island—shouted. “What are you doing here?!”

“I-I-I-” Lucky Scales couldn’t find the words. She was standing there in the middle of the corridor, right in front of the room for all to see. Multiple pairs of eyes were reflected back at her, the only ones she couldn’t see were those of the matriarch because of how deep her hood and robes were.

Rusty Tail stomped forward and grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her into the room. “How did you get here? You should be home sleeping!”

“Who is this?” The lead Merpony asked.

Rusty Tail straightened up, shocked and embarrassed she turned to the Merponies and deeply bowed, forcing Lucky Scales’s head down with her. “T-This is my daughter, Lucky Scales, the future governess of the island.”

“No.”

They both looked up at the Merpony. Her single word piercing through the dark room.

A sad smile was on her face as she shook her head. “There will be no such thing as a governess tomorrow. For you will no longer be subjects.” She looked deeply into the eyes of Lucky Scales. “Princess… that’s a lovely word and title. Lucky Scales, first Princess of the Lizard People.

“We would rather be your subjects forever...” One of the elders sobbed.

“Unfortunately it cannot be,” the lead Merpony sighed. The shine from the Necklace seemed to remind her of what she was here for and she looked upon Rusty Tail and the matriarch. “I—as Liriz, last Grand Minister of Merlantis, and Ponyseidon—would now ask of you to take this. This treasure of Ponyseidon, his Necklace, for safekeeping until a Merpony in the future comes to reclaim it. If that day ever comes. Matriarch and governess, what would your answer be? This is the last request we will have for you.”

Rusty Tail stared at the Necklace, that glorious treasure of their beloved Ponyseidon. “I-I do not know if I can accept this… I am not worthy of it—we are not worthy of it.”

“Is there truly nothing else that can be done at this point?” An elder asked.

“Surely there is more we can do to help!” Another said.

“I-I’m sorry, this treasure, his Necklace, what if we fail to keep it safe? I can’t bear the thought of failing you and losing something so important...” Rusty Tail said.

“We will accept it.”

The Merponies and the other lizards all turned to the matriarch. Her deep voice and simple proclamation had silenced all the others. Lucky Scales watched as her large figure moved from the middle of the pack towards Liriz and the Necklace. From her heavy robes, a hand emerged, larger and meatier than the average lizard by far, it shook with age and had a cracked and almost decaying appearance to it. There were rumors and old tales that said the matriarch was even older than Ponyseidon, but you weren’t really allowed to say something like that. You’d get in trouble.

“Thank you, matriarch. We do not ask this of you lightly,” Liriz said and held out the Necklace to her.

“It is our duty. It is what we owe you, no matter the weight of the demand or its cost,” the matriarch said. Her voice reverberated through the small room even though she spoke softly, it made Lucky Scales wince. The projection of her voice was a strong timber that resonated with her people.

The brightness of the Necklace seemed to grow even stronger when the matriarch’s outstretched claws touched it and it was given over to her from Liriz. The shimmering from it was unnatural, not merely caused by the candlelight reflecting off it and refracting through its crystals. There was true power within that Necklace. The golden glow was proof that it was something special. Held in the matriarch’s hand, the elders, Rusty Tail, and Lucky Scales couldn’t peel their eyes from it. It was something practically bred into them at this point—loyalty and reverence for Ponyseidon and his treasures.

At last, her lip trembling, Rusty Tail managed to speak. “I-If that is your desire, matriarch, I will not go against it. We will all work to protect the Necklace to the best of our ability.”

“One day we shall return it to a successor,” the matriarch said, pulling the Necklace into her robes where its light faded away. “I foresee this.”

“That is all we can hope for,” Liriz nodded.

“Now what?” Rusty Tail asked. “Do you leave? Do we need to find somewhere safe to hold the Necklace? And… h-how long do you think it will be before a Merpony returns here?”

Liriz sadly looked upon her. “We will be leaving now, yes. It is better if I am found… the anger may subside slightly if I am. It might stop the violence from swallowing up the rest of the ocean. As for how you protect the Necklace—I’m sure the matriarch already has an idea if she was willing to take it. And… truthfully, though it is painful to say, a Merpony may never come. It could be years, decades, centuries… more.”

“Wait—Grand Minister,” an elder said. “W-What do you mean it is better if you are found? What will make the anger subside?”

“My death,” Liriz answered plainly. “My death at their hooves. Hopefully it will pacify them—quench their thirst for violence. I will be sacrificing myself for that.”

“No!” Rusty Tail shouted. “You can’t!”

“I must. For the future,” Liriz replied. A single tear escaping down the side of her face.

Lucky Scales watched as her mother and the elders moaned in despair, collapsing to their knees, knowing the terrible fate that awaited Liriz and the other Merponies. It was a shock to her as well. Why was this happening? Why was something so horrible happening? Her young mind couldn’t fathom everything that had led to this moment. She wasn’t sure if she was regretting coming here or not, but it made her heart ache to see her mother sob. The only one not in the throes of despair was the matriarch, who remained as stoic as a rock. A calming presence in the room. Lucky couldn’t be sure, but when she looked at the matriarch she believed her eyes were staring straight back at her.

Another roar of thunder came from outside and even deep in the stone temple they could all hear the powerful winds and rain beating against the building.

“We must depart soon. It’s dangerous the longer we stay here,” Liriz said.

Rusty Tail slowly nodded, her body trembling as she rubbed the tears from her eyes. She stood up to face the Merponies again. “We will always remember you.”

“Thank you. Before we leave, there is something that I must share with you about the Necklace. Something that will help you stay safe—it is the least we can do for pushing this mission on you,” Liriz said. She looked into the matriarch’s dark, hooded, face. “I am sure you can already sense the power from the Necklace, matriarch.”

A small nod. “Yes. Ponyseidon’s power emanates from it still.”

“It is still connected to the Trident. Even lost to us, the Trident’s power is eternal. With time you will be able to use the Necklace to draw on some of the Trident’s power and use it to protect the island. And over even more time you will be able to share and pass down that power to the other lizards. As one you can all work together to protect both the Necklace and your home,” Liriz said.

“What sort of things will we be able to do with it?” Rusty Tail asked.

“Create fog banks, harsh ocean weather, dangerous currents, anything that could make traveling here by boat nigh impossible. In Merlantis, records and maps to your island have already been destroyed. We’ve done our best trying to wipe its existence from the ocean for your protection,” Liriz explained. She sighed deeply. “It will be a lonely existence that you have to look forward to for some time now. I am so sorry for bringing this burden to you and your people. Whatever difficulties come with watching over the Necklace, I hope you are able to overcome them.”

The matriarch nodded her large head. “It is not lightly that I have accepted this mission. Over the years I will protect both the Necklace and my people. My compassion and consideration will not weaken.”

“Then we are done here,” Liriz said. She closed the box the Necklace had been in and placed it on her back. “Farewell, my beloved Lizard People.”

“And farewell to you, our lords,” Rusty Tail said, nearly tearing up again.

Liriz nodded to her. “Governess.” She turned to the elders. “Elders.” She looked to the matriarch. “Beloved matriarch.” And finally her eyes found Lucky Scales, standing next to her mother, no words coming from the young lizard as she had no idea what to think or do in this situation. Liriz smiled. “And goodbye, Princess. I hope you have a long and bright life ahead of you.”

Without another word, Liriz and the other two Merponies walked past the lizards to the room’s exit, making their way out of the dark temple.

Lucky Scales watched them while a few of the others couldn’t stop themselves from breaking out into sobs again. Her mother stayed as still as she could, fighting tears of her own, while the matriarch remained as stoic as ever. Lucky Scales had no idea how much longer they would remain here in this temple. Would they wait in the dark—with but a single candle for light—until the Merponies were well away on their ship? And then have to go back to their homes in the city, and try and sleep as if none of this had just happened. Lucky Scales didn’t know if she could do that. Princess. It was just a word, just a title that didn’t really mean anything to her or the other lizards of the island, but one day it would. One day it would be “normal”. Again she thought she felt the eyes of the matriarch on her and she turned to look up into the shadowed face of their great progenitor.

The matriarch was indeed looking at her. Deeply. Not moving. After perhaps an entire minute she turned her head and began walking out of the room as well.

“Come, my children. This is a time for mourning and tears, but it is also a time where much needs to be done,” the matriarch said. “Just as when Ponyseidon first found us, tomorrow will be a new day for our people.”

Lucky Scales was the first to start following her, with her mother and then finally the elders joining. When they reached the entrance to the temple they noticed that while the storm still raged outside—it had become noticeably weaker. The Merponies’ boat was out there on the water, going up and down over the powerful waves. Leaving. Perhaps forever.

While the others just stood there and watched for the moment, Lucky Scales lifted her hand up and waved goodbye.

She felt a large, comforting, hand on her shoulder and looked up to see the matriarch standing with her.

---

Senax paced back and forth in a small meeting room inside the castle. They had all moved there on the behest of the elders after Princess Fairscale had gone to talk to the Keeper. Of all of them, she was the only one not content to sit still. Though she had to imagine Rainbow Dash would normally be flying in circles around the city if she wasn’t keeping a close eye on Godfrey. The large griffon pirate was still chained up, lying down on the floor and looking as bored as anyone could possibly be. Gilbert was fidgety, his eyes constantly darting over to his brother and his beak occasionally opening and closing. It was likely he wanted to say something but couldn’t bring up the nerve to. Breakwater appeared nervous, also as if he wanted to speak up but probably to Senax or Rainbow Dash. And Daylight Gleam just seemed impatient. Frowning while tapping her hoof on the floor. That tapping was essentially the only sound in the entire room, it echoed off the small walls, making it louder than it should have been.

There was nothing they could do but wait though. Even though time wasn’t on their side and they wanted to get through with this as quickly as possible. Rainbow Dash certainly wanted to be flying out of this castle to find a way to deal with Bosche. Senax though was likely even more anxious than her.

The Necklace was right here. It was right in front of them—the thing that would finally lead to the Trident and thus Merlantis as well. The thing that would finally bring her quest to an end so one day she could return to her tribe, tell everyone the good news, and bring them back to their home. It almost seemed unbelievable but it wasn’t. It was tangible, her dream was a hoof’s reach away. If only the Keeper would give her the Necklace. That was all.

And that was why she was so worried after everything else and with the coming Bosche attack.

The others had to know just how anxious she was and that was why none of them were trying to tell her to “calm down” or take a seat. Senax’s pacing and fervent thoughts were all she had as she listened for the sounds of someone coming to their room. Her webbed ears stood at attention while her eyes stayed open, practically not blinking at all.

Rainbow Dash exhaled through her nose and leaned back against the wall—still watching Godfrey.

Godfrey blinked back at her before rolling his eyes.

Gilbert sighed and placed his elbows on the table in front of him before resting his head in his talons.

Breakwater sat up and sat back down, frowning.

Daylight Gleam grumbled and bit her lip before disgruntledly folding her hooves in front of her chest.

That was the state of the room when soft footsteps came to the door and everyone paused what they were doing to stare at it.

The handle was turned and the door opened—Princess Fairscale standing there in the doorway. She had a somber look on her face but at this point that could truly mean anything. Those who had been sitting or lying down stood up. Senax looked imploringly at the lizard, waiting for her answer. Behind her, Rainbow Dash’s eyes drifted over to look at the back of her head, all her thoughts being sent towards the merpony who she called friend. Together, Breakwater, Gilbert, and Daylight walked forward to stand around their friend and support her if she needed the help.

Princess Fairscale took several deep breaths. Her eyes never left Senax’s.

“The Keeper has made her decision. She will give you the Necklace of Ponyseidon.”

Comments

[RoboRed]

It's time, then.

“Wait—Grand Minister,” an elder said. “W-What do you mean it is better if you are found? What will make the anger subside?”

“My death,” Liriz answered plainly. “My death at their hooves. Hopefully it will pacify them—quench their thirst for violence. I will be sacrificing myself for that.”

“No!” Rusty Tail shouted. “You can’t!”

“I must. For the future,” Liriz replied. A single tear escaping down the side of her face.

And yet, I can't help but wonder if that's really Liriz's ultimate fate. Maybe we'll find out later if and when the group finds the Trident.