Business As Usual
The announcement from the passing zeppelin did not disrupt the spirit of Evening Jubilee. Ponies from all walks of Ledomaritan life trotted eagerly towards the center of the large city. Before an enormous spire of concrete, blue metal plates, and reflective glass, a large courtyard resided. Ponies—mostly unicorn citizens—filled the area up, standing in curved lines that faced a stage positioned on a balcony overlooking the skyscraper's central entrance. Beneath the platform were the words "Nightshade Industries" displayed in bold, glittering text. Stallion guards in blue uniforms stood, flanking the entrance as they carefully eyed each chattering equine in the crowd.
Just as Phoenix and Bellesmith shuffled up to the scene, a sharply-dressed figure was alighting the platform. Belle craned her hooded neck to get as good a view as possible.
"I don't mean to sound like a thinking, breathing saddle-sore, but the longer we stand here, the more we're gonna stand out," Phoenix mumbled beneath his breath, fidgeting. "Somehow, I don't think 'Mintian Monks' are normal participants of these proceedings—"
"Shhh!" Belle insisted, her chestnut brown eyes narrowing on the stallion on the platform up above. He approached a sound stone and spoke pleasantly, his voice being broadcasted across the busy courtyard under the melting afternoon.
"And how are you all doing this fine day?!" The unicorn's smile could be seen from a mile away, much less thirty feet.
Ponies cheered and clapped their hooves against the floor. Belle glanced aside to see couples nuzzling each other and waiting the announcement with placid smiles.
"The Spark shines on the Queen, and it shines on us!" he continued. He had a slick black mane cascading over a brown, pin-striped suit that was draped over an even browner coat. "Let Blue Nova rejoice, because there is no company more benevolent or patriotic than the Madame's very own Nightshade Industries! What has the Madame been up to, lately? Why, visiting her brother in the upper Spire, of course. Novus' health has been doing much better, the Madame claims. Why shouldn't it?! Novus was named after this fair city, after all! And when Blue Nova shines, so does the Nightshade family!"
More applause rang out.
The stallion cleared his throat and levitated a crystal panel, across which he drew a glowing pen. Smiling, he read the scrolling text aloud, "I, Sir Ordo, faithful laborer of Blue Nova's finest company, am proud to present to you the latest news from Madame Nightshade's partner in the field, Prime Enforcer Seclorum." He waited for some more cheering before he continued. "According to Seclorum, several advances have been made along the eastern front. Our noble stallions have moved the war beyond the trenches, and are finally starting to advance on the cowardly hovels of the enemy. Soon, the Queen's forces will win back the fertile land taken from those tattooed savages! The Spark Endures!"
Several ponies whistled and cheered.
"This not only means a sharp increase in trade along the eastern territories, but new flight routes to the Sapphire Valley, the Ruby Highlands, and even the skyport of Gray Smoke!"
Phoenix leaned in and whispered under the latest roar of the crowd. "This is rather pathetically scripted..."
"You think?" Belle droned, her eyes locked on the skyscraper.
"Funny how they haven't said a single word about the burning of an entire forest down south," he continued. "Or the murder and manipulation of innocent ponies." He frowned. "These equines would believe anything. This 'Ordo' guy might as well be telling them that Stratopolis has been discovered."
"Stratopolis is a myth," Belle grumbled.
"I know." Phoenix fidgeted, then squinted in her direction. "See anything you were looking for?"
"Yes..." Belle pointed forward with a cloaked hoof. "This building..."
"Looks like the Nightshade HQ. What about it?"
She gulped as the stallion up above continued speaking. "I wonder if there is some way to get inside," she murmured aloud.
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And then there were three OCs based off one username.
Part of me wants to say that this chapter was filler, but I've got a feeling that Ordo is much more important than he seems...
Whenever Belle or Phoenix mentions the tower, I seem to mentally picture the White-Gold Tower from the Elder Scrolls series.
On a side note, skyport?! Grey Smoke?! Yes please.
Stratopolis has been mentioned so many times that it's basically inevitable that the story goes there eventually.
2539520
I live for these sky cities; I'm really hoping we get to see this skyport.
Ugly Truth - Soundgarden
Vaguely reminds me of Bioshock Infinite.
Stratopolis being a myth has been said many times. Sooner or later it's bound to become real.
i love this story so much. and stratopolis being a myth? they said that bout winged ponies too and yet we get a rainbow maned one capable of breaking the sound barrier
Its nice to see another commentator shout-out up there, those easter eggish things are one of my favorite parts of this fic. Its nice to see that the author is still doing that.
It does make me really regret picking this name for the account. Unless I was the name of some computer, I have no idea how one would work the meaningless jumble of characters into a story.
Also, anyone want to put money on stratopolis looking something like bioshock infinite?
Time to do some breaking and entering. Also,Novus, you lucky bastard.
Lucky Novus. I wish I posted enough to merit an OC named after me :o(
Isn't there always, Belle?
Belle and Phoenix are going to get caught, I can feel it. Please IC, give me this. I know I can't be wrong with this prediction! And if I am, hell, you can make an OC out my username that's an absolute idiot who everyone hates and wants dead, doesn't contribute to the story in any way, and ends up dying a gruesome and gory death.
So I'm a noble, a knight, and a Prime Enforcer?
Sweet.
2539771 Stick with the story long enough and it'll happen, bro. That I can promise you.
2539580
don't jinx it :P
2539771
Be like me, and get a character named after you despite not commenting regularly until after their introduction!
2539931
Not necessarily. IC chooses names for his own reasons. I've been reading since the middle of Austraeoh, and I haven't been used for an OC. If you're only following to see your name in the fic, though, then you're reading for the wrong reasons. There are many good ones. Trying to get an OC isn't.
2540062 All I'm saying is, all I did was be a grammar Nazi, and look at that. I just stuck with the story (because I want to see the other side of the world, not my name in the fic), and if it goes up to being a six-part saga, then most of its current trackers will make an appearence at some point, statistically speaking.
Ugh apstats test friday, can't wait for it to be over.
2539743
2539771
Just stick around, try to give insightful/helpful comments, and don't directly ask. I'm sure it'll happen. It could happen to anyone. IC just picks for what he needs for the story.
If it does ever happen to me, though, I honestly have no clue how my username would even fit into the story. Not something that blends well into the pony world.
2539562
Yeah, I'm also getting some slight Bioshock Infinite vibes here...
I don't know about you guys, but this whole thing with Nightshade Industries stinks. Smells like...war profiteering. Have to wonder how high it goes? What if...and we're almost getting into Keanu Reeves meme territory here...but what if the whole war is a sham (in the vein of "1984")?
If so, how much do you wanna bet that Dash and Co. pull a Toto and show the goodly citizens of Ledomare just what's going on. Then we can have a nifty little V for Vendetta moment and eastward they go. All in a day's work. 
But, before IC does something else entirely, we at least get to enjoy Belle and Phoenix breaking in. Sneaky Belle is best Belle, after all.
Also: Again with Stratopolis. "Just a myth", she says.
Go, Belle, go!
2540255
Floating Buildings! Has anyone ever considered how unstable those would actually be?
2540386
Yes, Sneaky Belle is best Belle.
This is Australia...
2540255
2539771
You could be the horrible sentient death robot that guards the machine under world. Or maybe Rainbow Dash makes a comment about how Crimson's coat color is more of a "Robot Red". Or heck, maybe IC could make you the brand name of a Searonese soda.
2540062
Wait, weren't you the name for the spoiler/ acid that melted Axion's hoard? /spoiler or am I thinking of someone else...
Anyway, your completely right. If you are focused on trying become an OC, then your gunna get caught up in trying to catch his attention and worrying about making attention grabbing comments rather than actually enjoying the fic. You can't let yourself get to thinking that having an OC actually matters, because then you start running into pride and jealousy stuff that will undoubtably interfere with your enjoyment of the fic.
Edit - nope, that stuff was called 'silvadelian death water'. Still, I could have sworn you were some sort of volatile chemical in this story. Maybe I am just confusing you with Aqua Regia
Interestingly enough, the noble's name means "new", the knight's name means "order", and the Prime Enforcer's means "age" (age as in Digital Age, Industrial Age, etc).
Interesting...I wonder if the head of Nightshade Industries is a secret rebel and that's why the book is bringing Belle there. I'd hate to think that whatever is guiding her there would deliberately put her in an even more dangerous situation on the off chance that Belle and Pheonix can get out of it without getting hurt. The heroes have to catch a break SOMETIME and have it easy a little.
2540255
Heh. I kinda sorta challenged IC back on austraeoh somewhere, saying i bet IC couldn't find a place for me.
Probably why I burned....
2540538
OhgawdIdontwannabeasoda...
Still really curious on who these Xonans are. Better or worse...
2539520 I called it's existance way back in Austreoh, people back then told me I was imagining things, but someday I WILL BE VINDICATED!!
Two more chapters 'til capture. Maybe.
Gotta love a nice dose of propaganda in the morning. Feel sorry for Phoenix; Belle's a crazy mare with nothing left to lose.
Starting to think Nightshade Industries may have a soylent green type of thing going on.
Oh and I really wish there was a map for all these new locations dangit. Comeon iColon make a map for us all.
2540538
I'm a volatile chemical IRL. Just ask my friends.
Otherwise, well stated.
Jeez, that pony got a Cheshire grin or something?
CHEKHOV: Colon, report!
IMPLODING COLON: Guns are primed and ready for fire!
CHEKHOV: Excellent. . .
CHEKHOV cackles maniacally
2541481 Those who know me know that I like giving really creepy smiles. So, probably.
2541481
I think Stratopolis has been mentioned a bit too much to count as that now. More like Chekhov's holstered pistol or something like that.
2539489 Tone is wrong, person trippled, yes, yes, yes?
2539517 From the description, I see a blue high-tech version of the Crystal Empire's castle...
2539737 Stratopolis is a myth. Has no one ever told you?
2541481 They are all mad there. There is that.
2540538 A good point and a valid one, also concerning me. I've asked myself if what I'm doing is the result of my wish to be incorporated - to my relief, the answer is mostly no. I've read and loved more than threehundred chapters before I even began commenting, and when I started, I did so to voice my admiration for the author. Still... the more you admire something, the more you wish to be a part of it. In my own mother tongue, the word 'ambition' literally translates as 'greed for honour' - I find that quite fitting. But not only that, touting for the author's attention like a flock of hens is also quite undignified. And I think I too am somewhat guilty of that. Thank you for voicing that concern out loud.
Ceterum censeo Searinem delendam esse.
Well, Ordo seems to be a rather hopeless wanker. Ah well, I suppose there are worse ways to attain an honourable mention.
Not much to comment about this chapter, so I suppose I should contribute something to Stratopolis.
If it is real, how the hell are they gonna stand on it? These random unicorns who've never met a pegasus aren't about to pull any cloud-walking spells out their arses.
Who was that filly that was running around Blue Nova? Maybe she's the one the book is pointing to. New Element of Laughter maybe?
Took me a few weeks, but i'm FINALLY caught up to this! Yay!
...also, I find it terribly amusing to see so many commenters names in the fic proper.
2539520
I've been thinking this for a while now... Why else would every place Dash has been thus far have the "myth" of stratopolis?
hahaha bullshit
2539737your name sounds like someone sneezing.
2541923
'Greed of honor'
I friggin' love that. Hope you don't mind if I end up stealing that frase at some point in the future. I'll make sure I credit you when I do.
2543417
Tell me about
I think we need a radio campaign to ban Public Displays of Affection. Too much nuzzling in Ledomare.
After someone tried to read my name out on Bronyville's latest podcast, I finally understood that no-one is going to ever realise that the 'f' in Lasairfion is silent. Not that I even use this name anyway. Everyone calls me Mavro, which comes from Mavromichali Szondi... which when I had to ponify it for my OC on our tumblr, translated out to make him Lieutenant Darklove. Which I quite like. [You can see him having a miserable time on the compilation post - http://askbritannia.tumblr.com/post/45683476214/sketchy-here-again-figured-itd-be-nice-to-have ]
Check my user page and you can see just how many fics I'm currently reading (and like enough to warrant them a place). Most of them are pretty slow to update though - so thank goodness for this being near-as-damn-it daily. The Austreoh series is just too damned good not to earn a Like, a Favourite, a Featured, a Bookshelf spot for Book 2, and a currently reading spot for Innavedr.
Bellesmith does at least have Phoenix here to save her from the never-ending chances of being captured. It would be nice to see them catch a break here though. Might have to find a wig shop first though.
2539520>>2543297
This.
Either Stratopolis exists, or Colon's setting up a MASSIVE red herring.
It's been mentioned in just about every country/city/village Dashie went to.
There's also the thing about there being no pegasi anywhere, skeletons excluded....
I bet they're all traipsing around in their big fancy floating city somewhere.....
2543459 I didn't invent that one. Credit goes to some Franconian monk in the late middle age, probably. So just, you know... destroy Searo for me or whatever. We'll be fine.
2543718
Makes sense. All pegasi live either in Cloudsdale or Stratopolis, and Stratopolis is also a closed off city that ran away from everyone a few hundred years ago.
IIIIIt's Dashie's evaluation time!
Well...good job on the censoring, Ordo. I guess. Anyways, it's interesting to note that the Queen has a brother here in Blue Nova. I's be interested in meeting him soon...These are my thoughts so far.
-MASH
2540062
I hear ya (also a middle-ish Austraeoh joiner). Being an OC would be cool, no doubt (Heck, I get a kick out of seeing other people's names pop up) but I'm here for the story - and the wild mass guessing that crops up in the comments, of course
As to the chapter - We have to be sneaky, Phoenix, sneaky! I can't wait to see how they try to get in. Despite her smarts, Belle isn't exactly known for her subtlety at breaking and entering. Although Phoenix seems pretty proficient at creeping about, so we'll have to see. In any case, my drama senses are tingling - onward!