"Is it as bad as thy symptoms previously?"
"That's just it, your Majesty," Rainbow Dash murmured into the lunar glow of her pendant. A canvas of purple stars hung over the solitary patch of forest on top of a lone mountain. "It feels exactly the same. It's as if the last ten months didn't happened, and I'm just as cursed as I was before a huge dragon tore me to bits."
"Hmmm... Thou didst say that thou were contained within a sarcophagus of tempered silver, yes?"
"Yeah. It looked just like the chaos strips that were used to summon monsters back in Windthrow."
"Thou observed this from inside the container?"
"Er... Let's just say I got a good look of it on the outside as well," Rainbow Dash murmured.
A few feet away, leaning over a soundly sleeping Pilate, Bellesmith listened. She gazed over softly, all the while stroking the hard bristles of her beloved's mane as his body slowly rose and fell.
"It is quite possible, Rainbow Dash, that when these dastardly-sounding Ledomaritans put thee inside the chamber, thy affliction achieved a state of equilibrium. The silver of chaos metal acts in a similar way to the sarcophagus that was built here in Equestria to keep Ponyville safe. Granted, our beloved sister Celestia is the one who is slowly curing the rift that formed after Discord's demise, but a similar container could be used to keep the dark sorcery inside thee preserved for an extended while."
"So, like, the entire time I was inside that silver coffin, I was becoming all... Discordy?"
"Affirmative."
"But I thought I only had a few months to live! If containing me could have kept me from—yanno—kicking sky bucket, why didn't you think of doing that to me in Equestria?"
"We did think of it."
"You... You did?"
"But we also knew that it would not prevent the inevitable. It does not matter to what degree thy body achieves equilibrium, the chaos inside thee is bound to eat thee alive, Rainbow Dash. Unless those Ledomaritans possessed a magic skill that is superior to alicorn prowess, then thou would have eventually perished, though it would have taken a far longer time than if thou were living free from an enclosure of chaos metal."
"So... in a way...' Rainbow Dash muttered, gazing down at her hooves. "The ponies who pulled me out of the thing saved my life..." She gulped. "Because chaos would have taken me out eventually, like a poison."
"Thou art a creature of harmony, Rainbow Dash. It is not thy place to house such hectic energies."
"Well..." Rainbow Dash chuckled dryly. "I guess I should look on the bright side. At least I'll never turn into a horrible Discord monster forever. Heh heh..."
A dull silence wafted over the midnight air.
Eventually, Luna's voice resumed, "Thy journey ahead is still a long one, Rainbow Dash. If thou has assessed the situation differently and wouldst desire to return to thy homeland—"
"I've got a place to go, and I'm sticking to it, Princess." Rainbow's nostrils flared as she curled her hooves in the soil. "I don't care if I get there in pieces. At least I'll be me when I get there. I don't want to come back to Ponyville with my last act of awesomeness being a failure."
"Rainbow Dash, we do believe that thou art being too hard on yourse—"
"Have you ever heard of 'Austraeoh?'"
Belle stood up straight, craning her ears at that.
Luna's voice lingered. "We beg thy pardon?"
"'Awww-straay-ohhh.' Y'know, like that one province south of Equestria with all the bearded ponies."
"Is there a context to which we should be contemplating the term?"
Rainbow Dash sighed. "Never mind, your Highness..."
"No, Rainbow Dash. Please, explain. We have very little time left to speak and every thing that thou has to tell us is exceedingly precious."
"My head's been made full of weird words and sayings since I started this crazy trip. I was wondering if the word 'Austraeoh' meant anything to you, especially when dealing with the dark side of the world and the Midnight Armory and crud."
"Rainbow Dash, thou discoveries art our discoveries as well. Thou hast undoubtedly found many things in thy journeys—things both joyous and horrific. The world is a grand place, and two alicorns simply are not enough to rule it in totality, nor would we wish to impose such a dominance."
"What... erm... are you getting at, Princess?"
"Quite simply, Rainbow Dash, that there are very old things in this part of the cosmos, many of which are older than Celestia and ourself. We wish that we could designate the purpose behind it all, but it is not our place to be explorers. We our protectors, Rainbow Dash, and our power extends strictly through light, so that we may illuminate the souls who inhabit this world—though it may not be ours—and bring them harmony as best as we can."
Rainbow Dash gulped and murmured, "Just what is this world, Luna? Is it real? Or is it made up?"
"It is a source of great life, a realm where miracles and massacres are both possible. So long as we can help ponies achieve that which is righteous—instead of that which is heinous—then we are more satisfied than ever a time when we receive answers to the origins of all things."
"Yeah. But, like, what if all things end?"
"Thou referreth to the words of the dragon Axan."
Rainbow Dash shuddered. "Yeah. That."
"We have endeavored to make contact with the other Draconian Divines since we last heard from her and thou. However, we have been unable to do so. If contact between the alicorns and the Divines has been severed, then that must surely mean that they have perished somehow."
"Even that fire-breathing monster was saying that she was gonna croak soon." Rainbow Dash made a face. "What's up with that?"
"We do not know, but for the last ten months, Rainbow Dash, we have been scouring the ancient tomes in hope of an answer. Thou can expect us to fill thee in as soon as we learn anything."
"If you couldn't find truth in ten months of searching, Princess, what's to know that you can find it in another four... or three... or however long I have left?"
"One must not give up hope, Rainbow Dash." Luna's voice began to fade. "Rainbow Dash, we cannot speak for much longer. We encourage thee to exit the boundaries of Ledomare as swiftly as thou can. There is one night left that we have to share discourse. We look forward to making contact with you again."
"Back at ya, Your Majesty. And when you get a chance..." Rainbow Dash smiled. "Tell Scootaloo she must look pretty silly with a wrench and gears on her butt."
"Affirmative. We shall inform her likewise of thy pride and happiness. Until next t—" And the sound of Luna's voice crackled to oblivion along with the dimming of the pendant's light.
Slowly, the smile on Rainbow's face faded. She sighed, rubbing her cheek in the moonlight. With a groan, she stood up, stretched her legs, and shuffled numbly towards the other end of the mountain.
Belle watched her, biting her lip. With a nervous twitch, she leaned over, nuzzled Pilate one last time, and trotted swiftly after the pegasus in the starlight.
well... at least Luna got all the message out except the farewell...
Subject: Scootaloo
Suffix Title obtained: "The Silly" (Subject: Rainbow Dash)
Preview: "Scootaloo the Silly"
-Ghost Minty
(I never said characters couldn't give each other titles. )
wrench and gears? oh gawddammit why couldn't you make something more relevant to what it would actually be!?
If contact between the alicorns and the Divines has been severed, then that must surely mean that they have perished somehow. -- How pompous of Luna.
Plus their communications remind me of OOTS where Nale kept running out of words on his spell and had to keep casting it over and over.
To whoever said that IC would go canon for Scootaloo's cutie mark:
I rather enjoyed this chapter, but Rainbow's comment about never becoming Discord was met with silence... And even though Luna said that there are some things older than she and Celestia, I find very odd that she had never heard "Austraeoh" before. I wonder if Luna is intentionally keeping Rainbow in the dark for reasons we have yet to see.
EDIT: I think it's really funny that Eljunbyro is featured every time it updates.
Yes!! Scootaloo cutie mark!! I love it when people show different possibilities for the CMC than what we all assume.
No push-ups this chapter, ):(. Ya done did good.
Honestly, that sounds like it could've been Apple Bloom's cutie mark, but, whatevs.
Do not give up hope, Dash! Never give up!
empowernetwork.com/kether1985/files/2012/07/Never-Give-up.jpg
Bittersweet.
That's how I would describe my feelings toward this chapter.
I mean, it's not exactly depressing. Everything is going fine enough for our heroes. They're happily outrunning the law from one cartoonishly comedic encounter to the next.
But once again we're reminded of just how short a time Rainbow has left to live. Then came her comment about Scootaloo. That one little mention was just feels everywhere. Scootaloo is finally growing up, Rainbow is happy and proud for her (showing it in her own way), and yet she knows she'll never see the little squirt again. All in all, I liked it very much. There were feels and depressing inevitability everywhere. Two of my favourite things.
Speaking of which, EoP must be coming along nicely if this is any indication of your mood.
Considering the actions I've seen from Scoots in End of Ponies, this does not surprise me in the least.
1923548
I take it you haven't read The End of Ponies.
1923683 Um, no, I haven't. And, after looking at the word count of the chapters, I don't plan on to.
Some pretty great exposition (and plot hole covering) from Luna. Certainly it means there is something larger at play with Dash than anything they had ever thought of, and sort of plays into there being a larger destiny at hand, or hoof. A destiny perhaps more intangible than any of the players seem to be aware of; even the knowledgeable Whitemane treats the situation as something that requires innate, but not intricate understanding. There is a very real tangible intangibility in that each of the namesake characters—and this applies to the reader to some extent as well—seem to grow into understanding without fully explaining, or even being aware of the explanations themselves. Eljunbyro has referred to itself as such on at least one, if not more, occasion(s), Dash has started to recognize her own bit of importance as a myth beyond the simple radical pinpoint mission of "go east."
A couple of great quotes:
Perfectly covers the scope of this text perhaps one day being unable to answer the questions it begs, and that while the existentialism present in this quest is palpable, it is folly to focus solely on that which will perhaps forever remain hollow. Rainbow Dash follows Luna's words and she hasn't even truly been aware of it. Dash has nearly always presented herself as a force for good in contrast to stark, dark realities that she happens across. She helps ponies achieve that which is righteous, makes to steer them away from that which is heinous, and along the way achieves the abstract and more ethereal goals.
Enter the reason for Eljunbyo. Belle spends the chapter eavesdropping, but by extension puts herself in a place to continue to support Rainbow Dash on an emotional level.
I wasn't going to mention it, each chapter is so full of material it's impossible to unpack everything, but:
Is nice to see confirmed. Luna, covering plot holes and cementing plot device through exposition.
On a side note, Josho was last headed into a bar. I predict that he will be encountered by Shell in there, perhaps at the precise moment the zebra mind-meld decides to act up. 1923683 brought up in chat that Shell and Josho have two very distinct writing styles that follow them. Shell is more dark, where as Josho is more Vaudeville; if Dash gets hit while both Shell and Josho are present, does she bleed out or see stars? Is it Looney Toons or Star Wars or Kill Bill or what? I figure Josho stays back while Shell continues the hunt.
Luna, you are just not very informative. All you can do is explain things that have already happened. I bet Dash would trade the explanation of her longevity for a morsel of info on the Divines. Sinister though they may be, we have already seen that they are not dead and may, in fact, be of some help later. Unless "interfere on [Dash's] behalf" means "make her a tasty snack".
1923959
Beginning of second paragraph is probably right. Also, it sounds like the beginning of a joke.
Well Scootaloo did do a pretty good job working on that apple float thing. Maybe she's just as good at tricking out scooters as she is riding them? Works for me.
Also, Luna's silence after Dash's Discord thought was rather ominous. Hopefully there's a happier ending in store for Dash than that... Also, for a Goddess Luna is super outta the loop. Either that or she's playing dumb, although I'm not sure what motive she might have. And do I sense some Dash/Belle bonding on the horizon? Well, until tomorrow!
1923959
Or Shell will do something like paralyze Josho and use him like a living metal detector. I doubt Shell will let Josho stay behind with that great of an asset to bring to his search. Besides, why would you pass up the temptation to show a hilarious scene of Josho being a total drunken dick to Shell, who utterly despises him but has to live with it to hunt down Dash?
Actually, on further contemplation, I'm pretty sure Shell would resort to cutting off Josho's horn if he was able to without damaging its link with Pilate.
1924492
He would, but chances are that Josho will just happen to repeat something like, "We're nearing Floydian Bay, an inlet that skirts right along the Xona border town of Steelwing," or, "We should avoid entering the capitol until nightfall, the additional shade will help mask our entrance through the west gate." Shell gets his specific answer thanks to dramatic connivence, names get dropped, styles don't have to clash. Then again, the juxtaposition of Shell and Josho would be quite hilarious, especially considering how stubborn they both are.
1923477
images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110515175107/fallout/images/thumb/4/4d/BoS_logo.png/165px-BoS_logo.png
Kinda-maybe-not-really?
1923959
Who says it can't be both?
The Outsider - Black Country Communion
1923959
I'm willing to bet that they got to be enforcers for different reasons too; Shell for his loyalty, and Josho for his perception.
1925725 In before the six enforcers of forced-harmony.
Also, argh argh, why dost thou findeth it so hard to write Olde English?
Some Old English tips (because people don't read it much these days)
Keep using the same level of formality
If you're using thou, then you must use thy / thine, and all the other stuff. You and your(s) are totally out.
"Rainbow Dash, we do believe that thou art being too hard on yourse— thyse—"
"No, Rainbow Dash. Please, explain. We have hath very little time left to speak and every thing that thou has hast to tell us is exceedingly precious."
"...Rainbow Dash, we have hathbeen scouring the ancient tomes in hope of an answer. Thou can canst expect us to fill thee in as soon as we learn anything."
Also try to avoid modern turns of phrase like "fill you in" - illuminate, enlighten, inform!
Who? You!
You - Thee / Thou.
Where have you been since I saw you? - Where hast thou been since I saw thee? Thee is the you that ends up at the end of things.
Your(s) - Thy / Thine.
When using 'thy' and 'thine', remember that the word following 'thy' will usually start with a consonant, and the word following 'thine' will start with a vowel.
Thine should be used not only for when words starting with vowels follow, but also if it's plural, i.e. 'That box is yours.' - That box is thine.
"Rainbow Dash, thou thy discoveries art our discoveries as well.
Past, present and future tenses; incomplete and completed actions
This gets tricky, and even I'm not sure..
Generally 'st' goes on the end of actions which are completed or in the past, i.e. Thou madest the earth.
'th' goes on the end of actions that are continuing, current or in the possible future, i.e. Thou maketh the earth; when thou maketh the earth.
but once we hit the definite future, it disappears, i.e. Thou wilt make the earth,
Our example is difficult because it's current, but the words were already spoken and completed prior, so 'st' makes more sense.
"Thou referreth referrest to the words of the dragon Axan."
No contractions
Old English uses full sentence structure. No apostrophes to contract would have to would've, etc. However this also means no missing out whole words either, where we do in modern English with little worry. In this case, a 'have' is technically missing, which isn't an issue in modern English.
"Thou hast observed this from inside the container?"
Reversed Grammar
Formality comes with backwards grammar. If it doesn't sound right, it probably didn't work, but sometimes it does.
"We do not know know not, but for the last ten months,..."
cutie marks
C'mon now. Rainbow tells us how to pronounce Austraeoh, and no one even comments on it?
1928659
I noticed that. I always said "Aus-trA-eO"
1928659
Probably because we'd already been told how to pronounce it before.
Wrench and gear? Scootaloo what are you plotting?
IIIIIt's Dashie's evaluation time!
So it appears my previous theory snout Dash becoming Discord at a slower rate was more or less the same as what Luna explained here. It's nice to see Dash being able to talk with Luna as well, but Scootaloo getting her cutie mark is kind of bittersweet. It shows that, although Dash has been out of commission, life in Equestria still goes on. These are my thoughts so far.
-MASH
Woah a lot to think about after that chapter. One of the things I find most pressing is how clearly, Luna and Celestia don't know everything about the world, which they basically run. It just brings up other thoughts related to how old this world is, and how much has happened before Luna and Clestia became involved. I hope we find out more later about this, but something tells me it will be through Dash's perspective, rather than through Luna and Celestia's knowledge.
And to me, that chapter was also a but of a kick in the ribs. It's not good to think that Dash is still ultimately condemned to what is essentially death. However I still don't really know how it will turn out, given she has survived for the vast amount of time that she already has. I love how we're kept guessing about everything, and that's why I love this story so much.
Onwards!
Never quite expected Scootaloo to be a mechanic.
I freaking called it! Hah!
1923959 I've been reading every single one of your comments since the very beginning. I like the way you think. And I agree with your thoughts on this one.
2147022
Much appreciated, sir.
2093060 An engineer, not a mechanic. =)
1923487
1924431
....But, more so since Twilight Time...
Now we know Scootaloo's cutie mark
Also, exposition! So now we know a tonne more.
Interesting cutie mark. Quite relevant to "Twilight Time".
How do seasons work on a flat world? Do nights last longer during the winter? Shorter during the summer? Does Luna keep the moon out longer during winter? Could she I don't know, makes the days longer and nights shorter till full moon and switch to longer nights for the 3 or 4 days? Heck maybe she can stretch it farther. Or maybe that's what she does all ready for that 4 night?
Well, it seems we'll never know what these words mean until the end.
Well, you stopped your teasing only to meet us with an anticlimax
god damn you
So, Luna had never heard the term "Austraeoh" before? Hmn.
Even if we didn't know that they're alive it seems like that would be a bad assumption.
So basically Ledomare put Rainbow into a medical coma. She would have been alive, but not living, if Equestria did the same to her. I can see why Luna decided to let her go, better a small chance of survival than certainty of death.
05/03/2017 17:01 UTC
4423519
oh, that makes me think of the "flat Earth society" and their absurdities.
for example, they think the Sun is only 100 miles from Earth, and really small...
8538512
"You will reach the sun in...10 minutes. Make a left turn at the north star, then go straight up."
So... does this mean Crusaders of the Lost Mark never happened? Dammit Hasbro, you keep ruining this story's canon.
8798748
Canon broke in Return of Harmony Pt 2, dude. It's the wild east from here on out =)
"We our protectors, Rainbow Dash"
i think there's a spelling error here
So that’s what Austreaoh means.
8872920
It a whole other time line. I wonder how things would go if they intercepted?
Awwww, love Dashie and scoots
10007219
East Horse