Morning rays of light scattered through waving palm fronds. It was a bright and sunny day, and the humid air resonated with the sound of crashing waves against the sandy white shores of a lonely island. All the while a salty breeze blew through tall blades of grass still moist with dew. Dragonflies, beetles, and other insects buzzed from leaf to leaf amidst the dense foliage. Overhead, seagulls cried, circling that lush emerald dot situated within a great blue sea.
All of this tranquility didn't last forever, for all of the sudden, emanating from the western shore, a fervently panting breath increased in both tempo and volume. It was accompanied by frantic hoofsteps that shook the soft black soil underneath. Dragonflies flitted away in opposite directions while lizards and spiders scurried into the deepest niches of bent palm trees, hiding.
Within seconds, Rainbow Dash came bursting through the underbrush. Wet leaves and thick fronds slapped against her muzzle, but she didn't care. The mare was a sweating, heaving mess, and she galloped all the harder, piercing her way deep and deeper into the heart of the island. The ground turned soft underneath her heavy hooves, and she tripped more than once—her Element of Loyalty pendant rattling with a ruby shine. Gnashing her teeth, she pressed onwards, stumbling her way past tree stumps and anthills and various other natural obstructions.
At last, dripping from her frazzled head to her blistery hooves with sweat, Rainbow skidded to a stop, leaning against a tree and struggling in vain to catch her breath. With a dull shudder, the petite pegasus tilted about, staring into the thicket from which she came. She trembled more than a little bit, her ears twitching to the persistent sound of crashing waves. From her vantage point, she could catch the tiniest sliver of white sand and blue surf from beyond the trees. A few seagulls shrieked, fluttered off, and were silent. As the forest became still once again, Rainbow felt a mosquito or two clinging to her fetlocks, but she hadn't the strength nor the desire to swat them away.
Her ruby eyes remained locked on the dense foliage, watching, waiting, dreading.
Ocean waves roared gently. Grass swayed in the warm morning breeze. Sunlight continued its fragmented dance through the leaves.
Rainbow bit her lip, trembling. Her nostrils flared the very moment her twitching eyes reflected a hint of lavender.
“Honestly, Rainbow, is this any way to treat a friend?” It came from the shore, slowly but steadily, until it phased through the palm trees altogether. “Look, I figured it all out. Discord zapped us. All of us... well, most all of us.” Twilight Sparkle trotted eerily through the body of a tree stump until she came to a dull stop in the center of the clearing. Her body glimmered with tiny beams of lavender light from where the swaying grass shifted through her fetlocks. She stood in place, gazing sympathetically at the pegasus. “The point is, he's done something to everypony I care about. Even you. So that's why you're not acting quite so... loyal at the moment. It's okay. I get it.”
Rainbow's ears folded back. She stumbled in reverse, on the verge of hyperventilating.
“But, you can't be that worse off! I mean... look at you!” Twilight smiled, trotting closer, one icy step at a time. Her hooves lit up like lavender beacons with each move she made through the impervious grass. “You're not even that gray! Pffft... you should see Pinkie Pie. From the last time I looked at her, she hardly even lived up to her name! And Rarity, she's—... well, I guess she's always been kinda 'gray,' though she'd probably slap me for saying that, Discorded or not.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyways, the girls are all in trouble, and they need our help. So, Rainbow, I'm going to need you to get your head back in the game and help me find out where they are so we can—” Just then, the unicorn froze, her lips pursed. “Wait a second...” She pointed a hoof at Rainbow's neck. “How... h-how did you get the Element of Loyalty? I thought I gave that to Spike!”
Rainbow kept trotting backwards. At one point, she tripped over a loose coconut and plunged hard on her flank. “Ooof!”
“Er... s-sorry!” Twilight blushed. “I-I didn't mean to steal your thunder or anything, Rainbow! It's just that... th-that we needed to take down Discord, and I thought that maybe we could do it with just the Elements alone—no matter who was wielding them. I mean... I-I guess it was a pretty desperate move, eheheh... but it's not like the other girls were cooperating much with me. Plus, you had flown off to Celestia-knows-where...”
Rainbow whimpered, scooting backwards until her body pressed up against a tree. She was all sweat and panting.
“But you've got your Element back! That's so great!” Twilight beamed. “That means we still can make this work! All we need to do is figure out where exactly we are and get back to Ponyville before Discord officially makes it the Chaos Capital of the world. And—” Twilight blinked, as if focusing on Rainbow's panicked expression for the first time. “Uhm... Rainbow? Have you been listening to a word I've said?”
“Mmm... mmmfffuuu...” Rainbow bit her lip until it almost bled.
“Oh dear.” Twilight gulped. “Did Discord cast a sickness spell on you? Here...” She trotted briskly forward, forelimb outstretched. “Let me feel your forehead—”
“...!!!” Rainbow Dash kicked off the earth, twirled about, and flapped her wings. She shot through the trees like a blue missile, tearing her way across the forest.
“Hey—!” Twilight's voice echoed in the distance. “Was it something I said? Whoah—!” At the last second, the unicorn's voice took on a frightened pitch, as if she was being swept off her hooves.
Rainbow Dash paid no mind. All she could do was fly. Her body had regained much of its strength since making contact with the ruby flame inside the Machine Tower, but a deep exhaustion still persisted. Through the panic and adrenaline surging through her, the pony was aware of a deep-seeded hunger ravaging her bowels. It was enough to sap the air from her wings at the last second, and she fluttered to a gentle glide, landing on soft soil in an open patch of sunlight several hundred meters from where she last stood.
Wheezing, the mare slumped to her belly, resting her chin in the springy grass. Hear ears flicked to the sound of buzzing flies, and she smelled wild tropical flowers lingering all around her. After a full minute, she reopened her eyes, gazing tiredly at her warm surroundings. Finally—with relaxed muscles—she let loose a long and heavy-winded sigh.
Seconds later, a set of lavender hooves trotted to a gentle rest in front of her. Twilight's worried face leaned down.
“Are you done?”
Rainbow inhaled, accidentally swallowing a bug or two. She leaned back, grasping her throat and sputtering for breath.
“Oh jeez!” Twilight Sparkle winced, raising a dainty hoof. “I'm so sorry, Rainbow! I didn't mean to—!”
“Krkkkg—Hauckkt!” Rainbow choked, spat, and hurled. “KAFF!” Two beetles flew out of her throat, fluttering safely to freedom.
“Whew...” Twilight leaned back with a smile of relief. “For a second there, I thought you were a goner.” She gulped. “Look, there's obviously something more going on here than Discord's chaotic pranks.” She looked all around, gesturing. “Where exactly are we?! And how did I end up like... like...” She flung her hoof through an exposed rock, only for it to pass through it with a faint lavender glow. “...like this?!” She looked at Rainbow with pouty lips. “Do you have any clue?”
Rainbow Dash spun away from her. Seething, she shut her eyes and clamped a pair of hooves over her ears. “Grnnnngh... mmmffghhh...”
“Rainbow, please,” Twilight pleaded, trotting closer. “Talk to me. I... I-I'm sorry for anything I could have said to offend you. It's just that I'm really, really confused and... and I-I'm not used to being clueless.” She gritted her teeth. “Can you help me? I have to know what's going on here...”
Rainbow hissed under her breath. “This isn't happening. This isn't happening.” Her eyes opened, glaring ruby daggers into the forest. “Is this your idea of a joke, Whitemane?” Her brow furrowed as she winced. “Grrrrgh... angels... Urohringrettes... space ponies... whatever!”
“Rainbow, what are you even babbling about?” Twilight trotted up. She attempted to place a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder, but it only phased through with a dim glow. “Won't you at least talk to me—?”
“Guhh!” Rainbow immediately took off, wings flapping. She pinballed awkwardly off a pair of palm trees, then shot ahead at full force.
Twilight Sparkle cupped a pair of hooves over her muzzle. “If this is all about you forfeiting Discord's game in the Royal Hedge Maze, it's okay, Rainbow Dash! I forgive you!” A concave beam of lavender light billowed around her, opposite of Rainbow Dash. “Uhhhhh...?”
In a swift streak of energy, the incorporeal unicorn was thrown forward and off her hooves.
Rainbow Dash ascended. With each flap of her wings, she heaved to get as much oxygen into her lungs as possible. The world around her spun, making her dizzy—a different kind of dizzy. Her eyelids weighed heavily, and the brightness of the day turned into a thin blue haze. Nevertheless, she slapped herself a few times and managed to stay awake.
Before her, a craggy summit of black volcanic rock came into focus, and that was how the pegasus knew that she had reached an altitude high enough to assess the totality of the island. She stretched her wings to their furthest reach, allowing her body to glide effortlessly forward. Tilting her head about, she saw every curve of the island in full detail. As she suspected, it wasn't a large body of land. To Rainbow's estimate, it stretched no more than a mile across. It crossed more latitudes than longitudes, however. She could tell because the shoreline stretched longer to the west and east.
East...
Rainbow gasped, tilting her head so that she gazed across the shimmering blue waters. Off in the distance—a pulsating speck stood out against the rest of the sunrise. Yaerfaerda was a pale white dot, unavoidably bright. The symbol took on the same curved lines and spheres it always had, only the lavender aura was completely gone. Rainbow now knew why.
Or at least she thought she knew why.
The mare felt nauseous. Clutching her fuzzy belly, she looked straight down. Along the southern edge of the jagged promontory, she spotted a thin waterfall trickling down to the island's lower altitudes. A crystal-clean pond formed within the rock basin directly beneath it.
Rainbow dropped like an anvil. She landed along the edge of the pool with more or less grace. Trembling, she trotted up to the very brink, took a deep breath, and—SPLOOSH!—dunked her head completely into the cool, refreshing water.
The resulting sensation was like injecting liquid ice into her veins. Rainbow didn't realize just how hot and steamy the weather was until she doused herself right then and there. She kept her head underwater for a very long time. She didn't worry about suffocating. As a matter of fact—rather than breathe—she opened her lips more than once, allowing jets of cool, clean water into her pony mouth.
Finally, she threw head head back, tossing her wet sopping mane. As she tilted her neck up, she gulped liberally, allowing the refreshing liquid to roll down her esophagus and into her belly. It was the most refreshing drink she had ever had, and she relished in the blissful euphoria of the moment.
It was almost enough for Rainbow to forget everything... until the very act of doing so reminded her that she had something to forget.
Sheepishly, the mare squinted one eye open, looking around. The coast was clear—nothing but dribbling beads of moisture against aged volcanic rock.
Rainbow opened her other eye. She felt cool, safe, and relaxed. All was quiet, save for the persistent rush of the waterfall striking the pool a few paces ahead of her.
Breathing evenly for the first time in minutes, Rainbow trotted ahead. She hopped over a bend in the pool, trotted over a tiny stream of water, then stood before the thin waterfall itself. She gazed thoughtfully at the continuously falling current of moisture—at how it refracted the dawnlight that streamed through the humid, tropical atmosphere.
Holding her breath, Rainbow thrust her head forward, allowing the waterfall to cascade around her skull. The pressure of the water thudding against the back of her neck was slightly painful, but also soothing in a strange way. It numbed her cranium through and through, soaking her mane, allowing her thoughts to clear away, dissolving into empty oblivion, until all was left was sighs and the trailing stab of hunger.
“Feel any better?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“Gblrbblblbbhhbb!” Rainbow Dash fell backwards, spitting water and saliva. “Aaaaaugh!” She yelped, her ruby pupils reflecting the lavender figure.
Twilight walked effortlessly across the surface of the pond, phasing through the waterfall so that she stood above the pegasus. “I don't get it, Rainbow. I thought you weren't afraid of anything.”
“Mmmff—gah!” Rainbow rolled over. She tried galloping away, only to slip on the wet rocks and collapse on her belly. “Ooof!” Hyperventilating once again, she crawled pathetically into a hilly slope of grass and flowers. “Mmm-fghh-gahh... ummf!”
“Seriously...?” Twilight arched an eyebrow. “Haven't you learned enough from Pinkie Pie in situations like this?”
Whimpering, the pegasus shuffled up against a thicket, clutching her head as her blue body curled up into a fuzzy ball. “Mmmmmmm...” She shivered under the settling mist of the nearby waterfall.
“Rainbow...” Twilight squatted beside the mare, speaking as gently as she could. “Won't you give it up? Whatever's happening here, you can't get away from me.”
Rainbow's face winced. Her bloodshot eyes darted all about as she clutched her stomach.
“Think about it!” Twilight pointed vaguely down the mountainside. “Do you honestly think a city-born librarian like me could have galloped quickly enough to catch up to you of all pegasi?” She gazed thoughtfully into the sunny sky, squinting in thought. “Something's happening to me, Rainbow Dash... to us both. And I need your help in figuring it out.” She looked back down with a long face. “Please... won't you help me? Won't you at least talk to me?”
Rainbow panted and panted, avoiding the unicorn's gaze. Just then, she winced, and her stomach gurgled. Audibly.
Twilight's lips pursed. “When... when was the last time you ate something, Rainbow?”
The pegasus shuddered. To her dismay, her stomach only rumbled again. She glanced feverishly at the bright shapes and petals around her.
Twilight stood back up. Phasing through Rainbow Dash, she trotted about, circling the nearby bush with a studious expression. “Hmmmmm...” She tapped her own chin, then pointed at several pink specimens. “Mollis pectoracus...” She smiled proudly. “Quite common to tropical climates, known for their sweet nectar and even sweeter taste.”
“... … ...” Rainbow stared blankly at the flowers in question.
“Rainbow...”
The pegasus' eyes darted up.
Twilight smirked, eyes thin. “They're edible. You won't die from eating them.”
Rainbow bit her lip. She trembled, looked at the flowers, and trembled some more. Then—with a savage lunge—she threw her mouth over the nearest assortment of petals. She bit the specimens straight off their stem, munching liberally. She was barely through swallowing when she attacked the rest of the bush, gulping down as many delicious, scrumptious petals as she could.
“There... that's it!” Twilight smiled, her violet tail flicking. “Eat to your heart's content! There appear to be enough of them across this ecosystem without you having to worry about endangering the fragile balance!”
Rainbow said nothing. She munched and chewed and gobbled away. Within the span of three minutes, the bush was completely bare, so Rainbow moved onto the next line of shrubbery, downing all the flowers she could find.
“Feel better?” Twilight leaned her head to the side. “Good, because maybe now that you have a full stomach you can help me figure out exactly what's—”
Rainbow Dash rubbed her chin, aimed towards the sky, and spread her wings. FWOOSH! She rocketed towards the horizon, speeding off in a prismatic blur.
“Hey!” Twilight swiveled around, frowning. “You're welcome.” Lavender light glowed right behind her, forming a half-sphere. “Ohhhh for crying out—” She began, but didn't finished, for she was flung skyward after the speeding pegasus.
“A dream. A hallucination.” Rainbow Dash gnashed her teeth in mid-descent. She skimmed the eastern edge of the rocky mountain, gliding towards the thick canopy of palm trees waiting for her on the other side. “Some sort of... of... friggin' Herald projection bullcrap. It's gotta be.” She clenched her eyes shut. “Pilate... Ding Dong... you were always the smart ones. What's the game here? What do the Angels of Urohringr want from this stupid nonsense?”
At last, she pierced the jungle layer. Barreling through the leaves, she made a rough landing, scraping her hooves through the soil until she had made a shallow trench. Immediately, she swiveled about, turning her flank to Yaerfaerda.
With panting breaths, she eyed the mountain above.
“Or maybe... m-maybe the Choke's done this to me...” She gulped, then rubbed a hoof over the fresh knot in her belly. “...or maybe those funky flowers I just ate.” She grumbled out the side of her muzzle. “Stupid... Stupid pony... listening to a fever dream. What were you thinking—?!”
“Wooooooo-hoooo!”
Rainbow's features drooped. She gazed upwards with the mother of all pale expressions.
A lavender shape came cruising diagonally earthward like a falling zeppelin. Twilight Sparkle pumped a hoof in the air, a dumb grin across her face as she descended eerily. “You know, all things considered, this is actually kind of exhilarating! Heeheeheee!” The bookworm chirped as her body plummeted into Rainbow Dash...
...only to surge straight through her.
“Gaaah!” Rainbow clutched herself. There was a flash of lavender light, and she spun around—trembling—to see.
Twilight Sparkle rested on the grassy floor—perfectly unharmed. She laid back with her hooves and tail curled above her like a fuzzy purple squirrel. “A-ahem...” She blushed slightly. “Seriously, though, Rainbow, it's time to cut it out.”
Rainbow clenched her jaw tight. She stared straight down at the ground and trotted forward, passing Twilight.
“Hey, listen! I mean it!” Twilight hopped up. “All of Equestria is in danger so long as Discord's on the loose! Don't you care about that?”
Rainbow held her breath. She hobbled over rocks and tree stumps, stumbling her way to shore.
Twilight trotted closely behind the pegasus' swishing tail. “I mean... think of your friends! Think about Rarity! And Fluttershy! And Pinkie Pie—watchyourstep.”
“Ooomf!” Rainbow chest-planted over a rock. She writhed on the ground just a few feet from the eastern shore, gritting her teeth in pain.
“Think about Applejack!”
Rainbow's eyes flew open. She exhaled with a pained hiss.
Twilight came to a stop behind her. “If Discord takes over, they're all in trouble! The Rainbow Dash that I know wouldn't abandon her friends in need! So... please...” She leaned forward, stretching a hoof. “...talk to me, Rainbow. Tell me what's wrong.” Twilight gulped, her voice taking on a pitiable tone. “If... if you let me help you... th-then maybe I can get you to help me? To help all of us?”
Rainbow seethed and seethed. She clenched her eyes shut. “Dead... all of them...”
Twilight blinked. “Huh? What was that?”
“Grnnnghhh...” Rainbow spread her wings, whispering hoarsely yet again. “They're all dead. Dead!” She bulleted forward with a grunt.
“Ohhhhhhhh Rainbow.” Twilight sat back on her haunches, folding her forelimbs. “Learn a new tune already—” When the lavender light dragged her forward, she accepted it with a casual sigh.
Rainbow Dash shot past the crashing waves, soared beyond the foamy ocean swells, and flew over the deep sea. She didn't think—she hardly even breathed. The pegasus simply pointed herself at the distant speck of Yaerfaerda and accelerated.
At last, her lungs burst, and she huffed and puffed in desperation. The “meal” in her belly was enough to carry her forward for hours... even days, she reasoned. Or, at least, she hoped.
“No turning back... n-no turning back...” Rainbow stammered, teeth chattering. “Just. Fly. East.” She gulped hard, smiling crookedly. “That's all there is. Flying east. Eheh... eh heh heh heh heh...” She barked into the sky. “It's always worked before! No reason it should stop working now, right?!” Her muzzle twisted into a snarl. “Stupid Choke. I'm tired of you and your stupid... grnnngh... Chokeyness.” Her wings flapped harder as she ascended, getting a good view of the expansive blue horizon. “Shoulda tried harder to keep the Nebulum intact. Never mind the Heaven Slices. Those tasted like cardboard anyways.”
“Heaven what-now?”
Rainbow's wings nearly drooped. Against her better judgment, she looked behind her.
Twilight soared after the pegasus, gliding along at the same speed. All the while, her limbs dangled like a glowing lavender marionette puppet. “'Nebulum?' 'Choke?'” The unicorn's muzzle twisted. “I don't know, Rainbow. Maybe you are hallucinating.”
An errant squeaking sound came out of Rainbow's throat. Nervously, she darted left and right, throwing her flight into an erratic pattern. No matter how swiftly she swung, spiraled, or barrel-rolled, Twilight remained hovering closely behind her.
“I tried telling you back on the island!” Twilight cackled. “It's no use! It's not going to work!” Casually, the unicorn threw a worried glance over her shoulder at the disappearing landscape. “Speaking of which, I really... really think that you should have stayed there instead of shoving off the only dry land within sight. I mean, it looks to be a pretty big ocean surrounding us, and there's no telling how long you'll have to fly before—”
“Mmmfmnngh!” Snarling, Rainbow dove. She flew low to the ocean's surface.
Consequently, Twilight plunged into the waters beneath her. “Hey! Rainbow, don't—!” Her voice was canceled out by thick, rolling waves.
Rainbow panted and panted, staring down behind her as she glided along.
Through the ocean's surface, a tiny shape soared evenly along, like a lavender torpedo.
Rainbow stared and stared. Squinting curiously, she flapped her wings and lifted up ever so slightly.
Within seconds, Twilight's head poked out of the water. Her obstinate pout was dry as a bone. “Are you quite finished?”
“Luna Poop!” Rainbow grimaced, dropping like a stone. Her belly made a splash against the waves, but with quick wingflaps she was able to ascend without plunging into the drink. Still, she managed a heavy exhale of relief, for the unicorn was once again out of sight.
For now.
Rainbow Dash tried staring forward. She felt her heart thudding through her chest as she fixated on the pinprick glow of Yaerfaerda.
However, as the seconds dragged on into minutes, she found herself squirming in midair. She clenched her eyes, cursed herself breathlessly, and squinted down at the waters. Angling her wings, she ascended once more.
Twilight was already speaking before her mouth cleared the waves. “The coral reef down here is absolutely amazing! Such colorful, vibrant species of porifera! I wish you could see it!”
“Nnnnghrhh...” Frowning, Rainbow looked forward and prepared to dive again.
“Rainbow, wait! Will you just wait?!”
Without looking, the pegasus glided at an even altitude.
Twilight pointed a glowing hoof through the top of the waves. “A coral reef this spacious means that the ocean's floor should remain shallow! Land can't be that far ahead!”
Rainbow blinked forward, for she was already spotting a thin, green light along the horizon, and it was considerably wider and larger than the island she had just abandoned.
“I've no clue how much damage Discord has done to you, but if it'll make you feel better to reach dry land—Gaaah!” Twilight yelped, doing a silly somersault through the air as she lifted out of the water.
Rainbow Dash had taken off, flying higher and higher as she made a bee-line for the large island body looming to the east. As she closed in, she saw rigid brown shapes rising up out of the ground, two and three stories tall: the tell-tale sign of artificial structures.
The westernmost tip of the large island formed a thick peninsula. Approximately thirty feet from the shore, a ridiculously-well manicured lawn formed, full of thick, green grass. Here, in a field surrounded by a crescent of sporadically-built structures, dozens if not hundreds of ponies gathered. They were young equines, mostly earth pony mares and stallions who had just passed their teenage years. They gathered in droves, chatting, laughing, and engaging in philosophical discourse.
For the most part, however, they dug their muzzles deep into tomes, pamphlets, and textbooks. Several gathered in a concrete courtyard between a group of old three-story buildings. They had sheets of paper spread out and were busily drafting a group essay while two or three other ponies pontificated from a textbook. Several more ponies grouped around a veranda standing off in the distance, painting colorful frescoes onto white canvases. Even further off, a squad of three dozen or so young ponies galloped across the grounds while a track leader ran alongside them, barking out orders.
The buildings were very quaint and humble, possessing white stone walls lined with vertical beams of dark brown wood. The upper two levels stuck out a bit further than the foundation, and a series of triangular frames met together to form a rooftop made out of tiny stones melded tightly together. Slender chimneys raised towards the sky, although none of them were billowing any fumes at the moment. Between these structures, oak trees and elms resided—neatly planted, despite their alien presence in the tropical islandscape.
Along a gravel path, an elder pony strolled, wearing a dark suit and an academic cap. Several young ponies trotted alongside him, asking questions. The old stallion simply chuckled, shifted the weight of his book bag, and spoke: “But, you see, my little ponies, that's just the issue. An oligarchy run by a phantom is still an oligarchy. For all of Rohbredden's glory, its citizens are never truly free, and yet they have allowed complacency to blind them as a poor substitute for joy. And that is why Kihutaja shall never join the Six Tribes, or else we shall all suffer from the Snow Queen's spell like the Continentals did.”
“But Professor, look at the economic progress they have made!” one student exclaimed. “Considering the fact that they've survived multiple race wars instigated by the griffons alone, isn't that something to be proud of?”
“Wealth is a luxury,” the old stallion said as they approached one of the buildings. “Do not judge a culture by how much gold they've accumulated, for the richness of one's mind is far more wholesome. And as for peace—the Colonials have been enjoying tranquility here in the western islands for centuries, and we never once required the help of 'Verlaxion.' Now have we, hmmm?”
“You heard the Professor! We don't need Rohbredden's dogma!”
“It's not dogma, though! The six tribes have achieved autocracy!”
“You have a very porous definition of autocracy!”
“Pffft... somepony needs to hit the books again.”
“You've gotta be kidding me...”
As the group carried their debate inside, a young unicorn with a brown mane passed them. He rolled his eyes and smirked, straightening a book bag on his pale flank as he shuffled off towards the westernmost tip of the college lawn. A stallion whistled shrilly in the air. The unicorn looked over, gasped, and caught a leather ball at the last second. He tossed it back at a group of ponies with an amused look on his face. Then—after taking a moment to wink at a group of giggling mares—he reached the edge of the grass. Here, a lone palm tree loomed, well within earshot of the crashing waves against the western shore.
With a contented sigh, the young pony stripped of his bookbag and pressed it to the base of the palm tree. Using it as a pillow, he plopped down and pulled out a single book with his bare hooves. The binding had the illustration of a massive sailboat, and he opened it eagerly, his purple eyes pouring over its pages of dense prose.
He was barely a minute into his studies when the wind picked up, followed by a strange whistling sound in the air.
The stallion looked up, his pale muzzle scrunched. He glanced left, glanced right, but still looked puzzled. Right at that moment, the atmosphere split with a veritable sonic discharge, followed by—THUD!
He yelped, hopping up to his hooves and spinning around.
It was just in time for him to spot a blue pegasus sliding down the west edge of the palm tree. Rainbow Dash stirred on the ground, wings dangling crookedly on either side of her exhausted figure.
“Holy sand dollars!” the stallion gasped breathily. “Are you okay there?!”
“Grnnngh...” Rainbow Dash stirred on the ground, teeth gritting.
“Heh... heheh... how the heck did you manage to crash into that?!” He smirked, trotting around to her side. “Don't you know that attempting flight is against campus rules here at K.M.C.A?”
“Mmmfff...” Rainbow Dash rubbed her cheek, looking up at the unicorn with weak eyes.
“Hey...” He leaned his head to the side. “You're... you're not from around here, are you?” He glanced out at the expansive blue ocean, then at the sandy white shore behind her. “Oh! I bet you're one of the new transfers from Archipelago University!” He rubbed his hoof clean and held it out towards her. “Hello. I'm Nick. I could show you around the Academy grounds if you like!”
Rainbow Dash trembled. She glanced at the lawn, the ponies, and then the old rustic buildings lining the island campus. Nervously, she reached a hoof out—then jolted slightly as the stallion lifted her to her hooves.
“What are you majoring in? Judging from your legs, I'm gonna guess you've got an athletic scholarship.” Nick fidgeted. “Er... I-I mean, not that I was staring at your legs or anything... eheheheh...” Taking a huge breath, he held his book up and changed the subject. “I'm hoping to graduate in Nautical Engineering!”
Rainbow Dash looked all around, her mane blown in the wind as she panted.
“I know the wind doesn't mean the same out here in Kihutaja like it does in the rest of the Archipelagos, but that doesn't mean we gotta give up on having a functioning navy someday!” Nick smiled as he rambled on, “After all, with the Continentals getting stronger and stronger by the decade, you'll never know when we might have to defend ourselves from—”
While Rainbow Dash blinked dazedly, a lavender figure rose up out of the ground, cooing. “Oooh... a university!”
Rainbow Dash instantly squeaked, her eyes wide.
“This is great!” Twilight Sparkle grinned wide. “Maybe we can finally zero in on where Discord's zapped us!”
Panting, Rainbow Dash stumbled forward.
“Maybe it's Hayvard... no!” Twilight pranced after Rainbow. “Oxfoal! No, wait... Oxfoal is built further inland than Hayvard.”
“—because air superiority isn't going to make or break the balance of power when you have so much ocean to cross,” Nick continued, grinning. “Even all the wyverns and griffons in the world won't mean didley-squat unless you've got a firm base to take off from—”
“—Oh! I know! It's University of Fillyda!” Twilight smiled triumphantly. “That's built on a coast... r-right? Isn't it?”
“—the Legendary Battle of Kihutaja was won using amphibious landing craft, after all.”
“Rainbow? Rainbow?” Twilight frowned. “Would it kill you to at least look at me?”
Rainbow seethed and hung her head, trotting forward on heavy hooves.
“I mean it, Rainbow! Enough is enough!” Twilight stomped her left hoof, only for it to sink partially through the lawn with a lavender flash. “Whoah! Ahem... Seriously... won't you help me out here? Just a little?”
Suddenly, Rainbow Dash froze in place.
“—and that's why it's important to have back-up oarshorses as part of your crew in case the ship travels too far west—”
Rainbow spun around, facing Nick with wide eyes.
“—and enters... the... nautical blight.” Nick blinked at Rainbow's attention. “Erm... d-did you have something to add?” He smiled sheepishly. “I'm all ears, of course.”
“Pfft... give it up, Mister,” Twilight grumbled, rolling her eyes. “If she won't listen to me, she won't listen to anypony.”
Nick continued staring at Rainbow Dash, unfazed.
Rainbow blinked. She glanced over at Twilight, then at him again.
Nick curiously followed Rainbow's line of sight, staring out into the crashing surf.
Rainbow cocked her head to the side. She strafed sideways, passing between Nick and Twilight.
Nick's head swiveled, following her. “Erm... eheheh...” He followed Rainbow's movement, completely, even after she had strafed past Twilight. “I don't get it. Am I missing something here?”
“Can you talk some sense into her, please?” Twilight said, trotting up to the young stallion. “Or, better yet, could you just help us? An old monster named Discord is on the loose, and he's trying to make Ponyville the chaos capital of the world.” She leaned forward. “I know this all sounds very strange, but would you kindly tell us where in Equestria we are, exactly?”
“If you need some information, student administrations is on the east end of the island, right where the bridge ends,” Nick said, facing Rainbow the whole time.
Rainbow blinked.
“Uhm... hello?” Twilight waved her hoof right in Nick's face. “Excuse me? Can you help us at all?” Her muzzle scrunched upon receiving no response. “Yeesh... is everypony rude today? It must be something in the water.”
Rainbow's brow furrowed. She strafed again, this time trotting sideways around Nick.
“Uhhh...” Nick stood in place, looking past his flank at the shuffling Rainbow Dash. “Is... is everything alright, Miss? Are you feeling okay?”
Rainbow came to a stop directly behind the stallion.
“Because I know the nurse at the campus infirmary personally if you're needing to pay a visit—”
“Grnngh!” Rainbow shoved him hard.
“Gaaie!” Nick plunged forward, and straight through Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight flinched. Lavender light flashed, but she was completely unfazed.
“Ooomf!” Nick grunted as he collapsed on the other side of the unicorn. Students looked over, gawking curiously as he sat up with a frown. “What was that for?”
“Rainbow, I know you're feeling grumpy, but that's no need to be rude!” Twilight exclaimed. Then, after a few blinks, she glanced down at her hooves in sudden, belated epiphany. “Erm... wait... w-wait a minute...”
“First you crash into my study tree and then you start shoving ponies?!” Nick continued to rant, even during Twilight's rambling.
Rainbow grimaced. Shivering, she slowly pivoted east and began strolling across the campus. Several ponies' heads turn, watching this curious, ragged pegasus with a gold pendant and a midnight blue saddlebag stumbling through their lawn.
Twilight glanced at her own hooves with a quivering lip. She blinked several times, then stared off into space. “Something... something's not...” Before the beam of lavender energy could form, she spun and galloped after Rainbow. “Rainbow! Wait! Please! Just... just listen to me for a second! Rainbow? Rainbow!”
Nick stood by the tree, muzzle agape. He glanced at the other ponies on campus, shrugged, then picked his things up. “Hey! Hey, Miss!” He shuffled swiftly after Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash strolled through the campus, shuddering with each step. The eyes of several hundred students weighed on her—but the voices fluttering past her ears tugged at her body even more.
“Rainbow Dash, I-I think I'm starting to put it all together,” Twilight Sparkle stammered, her voice turning dry and drier by the second. She gulped and fumbled to catch up with the furiously marching pegasus. “You've... you've been through a lot, haven't you? I mean... what Discord did to you, it's obviously taken its toll. But you're different now! You're no longer gray! Just try and reach into your true, harmonic self! I'm your friend! I only want what's best for you... what's best for us... what's best for the Elements and all of Equestria!”
“Ma'am? Uhhhh... Ma'am?” Nick scampered up, still fumbling with his bookbag. “If I could ask you just one thing—uh—ma'am!” He galloped until he was backtrotting in front of Rainbow Dash, facing her with an awkward smile. “I don't take offense to your pushing me or nothing. I mean... eheh... I was once on the School Varsity Hoofball Team. I can take a nasty fall if I have to. But I have to ask...” He cocked his head to the side. “Did you... just come from the Blighted Sea just now?”
Rainbow gnashed her teeth, skirting past him. Meanwhile, Twilight Sparkle chattered into her ear.
“Trust me, Rainbow Dash, if we just look eye to eye and agree to work together, then I'm certain we can get back at Discord for what he's done! I mean... h-he had to have given you a really good reason to abandon the game in the hedge maze, right? I'm certain—” She gasped as she phased through a lamp and a park bench. Fumbling, she resumed her speech with a nervous smile: “I-I'm certain that whatever was done couldn't possibly have been permanent! I mean, how could anything chaotic be permanent without an overseeing sorcerer to maintain the unstable spells—?”
“—legend speaks of islands on the far side of the Ocean. Even continents! Why... before Verlaxion graced the Archipelagos, it's been long theorized that equine beings migrated from a far-off terrestrial location. There are even those who think civilization sprouted from beyond the Great Falls! So if ponies could arrive from the Firmaments—”
“—just need your help in contacting Celestia and Luna, then I'll be out of your mane! At least until I need your help with the Element of Loyalty, of course. But you've already got that on you! So... uh... yaay! As awesome as ever, huh, Rainbow Dash? Please... I'll make it up to you, I promise—”
“—than this latitude for the Archipelagos! So it stands to reason that a pony could have crossed over from the other side! Is that what happened to you, because—eheheheh—if I spent more than a week in the Blight, I'd have gone nuts and begun shoving ponies around myself! You should have seen me prepping for my Architectural Exam during midterms—”
“—all the Wonderbolts Airshow tickets in the world once this all blows over if you would just... please... stop trotting away and look at me!”
By this point, Rainbow Dash was shaking. Furiously. Her muzzle snarled, then exploded as she spun completely around and hollered straight into Twilight's ethereal face. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!”
The resounding echo shook every pony within earshot. Nick about fell on his haunches.
Twilight winced, recoiling as she raised a dainty leg. Her ears folded back as she gulped and opened her meek muzzle again: “But I just—”
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!!!” Rainbow bellowed. Even once the yell was finished, her eyes remained frantic and enlarged. She stared at the lavender phantom like a rabid wolf.
Ponies murmured with one another, gawking at the scene.
Nick chewed on his bottom lip as he shivered. He craned his neck to see what the crazed stranger was glaring at.
Twilight stared back, frozen in place. At last, after a full minute of tense silence, she peeped: “If you could only—”
“AAAAAAAAAAAAA-AAAAAAAAAAAA-HAAAAAAAAUGH!!!” Rainbow Dash yelled so hard and for so long that she collapsed on her fuzzy blue chest, wheezing against the grass. She covered her eyes with her hooves, shuddering. Then, after several panting breaths had finally re-filled her lungs, she peeked into the warm tropical air.
Twilight gazed down at her, dull and bored. “I'm still here, Rainbow,” she muttered.
“Grkkk!” Rainbow instantly hopped to her hooves, the thunderous clop of which made several students gasp and flinch away from the scene. “Grnnngh... hrmmmff!” Furious, the mare spun and prepared to gallop away—when suddenly she froze in place.
Twilight Sparkle blinked.
“... … ...” Rainbow Dash looked aside.
Nick leaned back, as if afraid her stare might be venomous.
Her brow furrowed. With a jerk of the head, she glanced past her flank.
A line of young students flinched. Their eyes were on her. Everypony's eyes were on her.
No one was looking at Twilight.
“... … ...” With full wings spread, Rainbow Dash took flight. It was a slow glide, however, and she coasted her way towards one of the nearby buildings.
Nevertheless, the ponies on campus gasped in dumb shock—as if she had just breathed fire in the process.
“Did you see that?!”
“No way!”
“She'll kill herself!”
“You sure about that? She seems to be just fine...”
“But... b-but how can that be?”
Nick blinked quizzically. Just then, to his side, he heard a resounding yelp.
“Guys! Guys!”
Nick and everypony else turned to look.
A pegasus had stripped of her bookbag, choosing to flap her wings on either side of her. To the mare's own incredulous shock, she was ascending rapidly into the air, unfettered by the elements. “Are... are you seeing this?!”
“Holy cow, Moira! I-I haven't seen you fly since we were East of the Bridge!”
“Cut it out! You'll hurt yourself!”
“No! It's... it's normal!” The mare smiled brightly. “It's just like normal! See?!” She proceeded to glide around in swift circles.
“She's right!” a stallion along the edge of the courtyard threw down his books and flapped his own wings. “Check it!” He lifted up, then blazed past several oak trees, blowing their leaves off while earth pony peers clapped and cheered.
One by one, those with wings began practicing their flight for the first time.
Muzzle agape, Nick tilted his eyes up towards his forehead. With a nervous gulp, he concentrated—then nearly jumped out of his own skin when a purple aura emanated from his horn. “No way...” He glanced at his saddlebag, then levitated his Nautical Engineering book around. “You've got to be kidding me!” He then snarled. “Where were you when I bought that lame-ass hoof tablet?!?!”
The murmuring conversations and excited gasps of the campus drew into a distant hush as Rainbow Dash ascended. She stopped at the second and third story of several buildings, flying from one window to another, careful to duck outstretched oak tree branches.
Twilight quivered, floating after Rainbow Dash in an awkward fetal position. She curiously eyed the pegasus as she blurred from one window frame to another.
Rainbow's eyes squinted. She peered through several sheets of glass, staring in on random classrooms where students sat in ampitheatrical arrangements of chairs, facing the front of their respective chamber. The windows flashed before Rainbow's eyes like camera shutters, each featuring a differently aged professor. At last, Rainbow stumbled upon a particularly small and dusty classroom where the teacher was gesturing towards a dark chalkboard full of convoluted math equations.
With a determined scowl, Rainbow Dash perched on the edge of the rooftop and gripped the bottom of the windowpane with both forelimbs, tugging upwards.
“So then...” An old earth pony with a red-tinted brown mane strolled before the attentive youngsters. Lifting a piece of chalk in his hoof, he proceeded to slather several complex figures across a dark chalkboard. “...as we covered in the last lecture, within an RLC circuit, the inductor provides momentum, the resistor dissipates energy, and the capacitor—”
Clank!
All eyes flew towards the window. Several ponies gasped. Stallions gawked while mares covered their muzzles in shock.
The professor spun about. “Good heavens!” He dropped his chalk with alarm.
“… … …” Rainbow Dash glared into the room. One hoof at a time, she squeezed through the window, stumbling slightly. Not long after, Twilight Sparkle floated through the wall of the building with a faint lavender glow.
“Uhm... can I help you, young lady?” The professor remarked. His graying features hardened into an authoritarian frown. “I don't know if you've noticed, but I happen to have a class in session at the moment.”
Rainbow stared at him... then past him. All eyes fell on her lithe figure as she shuffled across the very front of the class, her hooves making tiny echoes against the dusty tile floor.
“Wait one second...” The professor's jaw dropped. “Did... did you just fly up here?”
“Oooooh...” Twilight suddenly cooed, her violet eyes a-sparkle. “Diffey Q...”
Rainbow's hooves scuffled to a stop. She swiveled one hundred and eighty degrees, making the Professor lean back and the students flinch in their seats at the same time. With a dull expression, Rainbow reached down, grabbed the dropped piece of chalk off the floor in the crook of her hoof, and stood before the chalkboard.
She faced the professor. “Give me a problem.”
“Erm...” The professor brushed his reddish-brown bangs back. “What was that?”
“Is this a classroom or isn't it?” Rainbow grumbled. “Gimme a math problem to solve.”
“Uhhhh...”
“And make it super... super eggheady.”
The students exchanged glances. A few of them giggled breathily.
The professor took a deep breath. “By all means, child...” A sly grin crossed his muzzle. “If you insist.” He leaned back, gestured towards the chalkboard, and said: “Determine the motion equations of this underdamped linear spring-mass system.”
Instantly, Twilight cooed. “Oooh! Is that all?” A flicker of pastel euphoria rippled across her dimples. “Celestia had me doing those before I learned to levitate books!”
“… … …” Rainbow Dash faced the chalkboard. She stood there, doing nothing—until the blue ear closer to Twilight Sparkle twitched.
Twilight blinked. “Oh! Uhm...” She paced in a tiny circle, occasionally phasing through the professor's desk in the corner of the room. “Well, the equation of the motion is in the form of a second order linear differential equation. The second derivative of the displacement x, plus twice the damping ratio zeta times the undamped resonant frequency omega times the derivative of x... mmmm... plus the square of omega times x, is equal to zero! Granted, this is the complimentary solution, assuming no forcing after the initial displacement.”
Rainbow stood in place, fidgeting.
The professor stared at her, eyebrow arched. A few ponies in the classroom coughed.
Twilight rambled on, tapping her fuzzy chin in thought. “Well, since he told us the system is underdamped, we know the damping ratio has two complex conjugate poles. And since this has both real and imaginary components, the solution has to have components of both sine and cosine. Both terms—of course—are functions of time multiplied by the natural frequency omega-sub-n, which—by the way—is the root of the differences of the squares of the undamped resonant frequency and the damping coefficient...”
“Rrrrrgh...” Rainbow hissed through clenched teeth.
Twilight Sparkle blinked the pegasus' way. Her ears drooped. “Oh. Uhm...” Clearing her throat, she trotted up to the chalkboard and gestured with her hoof, murmuring in a meek voice: “Draw an 'x' followed by a 't' in parentheses...”
Rainbow Dash tapped the board with her chalk, sketching each figure as Twilight expressed them.
“Then an equal sign, followed by an arbitrary constant—”
Rainbow stopped in mid-stroke, glaring straight forward.
Twilight bit her lip. “Erm... an upper case letter 'K.'”
Rainbow resumed, swiftly sketching it out.
“Follow it immediately by the subscript number 'one'... or j-just a tiny '1' just below and to the right of 'K', and to the upper right of that is a lower-case letter 'e' on the same level as 'K'...”
Rainbow speedily drew the equation out. The professor gawked, his muzzle hanging more and more agape. The students sat up in their chairs, craning their necks to see.
At last, after a full minute of tap-tap-tapping the board with chalk, Rainbow Dash came to a stop, dropping the instrument altogether with a powdery clatter. She twirled to face the professor, pointing at a full equation on the board:
“Is that it?” Rainbow Dash grumbled.
The professor stared, dumbfounded.
Rainbow leaned forward, her brow furrowed. “Hello? Is that it? Is that the solution to your underdiaper line dance mass thingy?”
“Why... yes!” The professor nodded, wide-eyed and impressed. “Yes indeed!”
“… … …” Rainbow gaped at him. “… … … I don't know math!”
The professor grimaced.
Rainbow swiveled towards the students.
They all fidgeted in their seats, staring curiously at the mare.
Rainbow blinked. Then, turning on a dime, she trotted straight through Twilight, burst through the door, and marched down the nearest flight of stairs.
“Eeep!” Twilight Sparkle yelped as she rolled after the pegasus on the end of her lavender tether.
“That's incredible, Nick!” a mare cooed, her eyes aglow from his purple aura. “When did you start being able to do this?”
“Just minutes ago!” the unicorn said. He stood across the table from her in the middle of a first floor library, surrounded by shelves, books, and tittering alumni. He spoke while levitating a book around in the air before her. “You'll never believe it! This mare—this pegasus mare with the most amazing mane just lands out of nowhere, and she's flying! Like... without flapping her wings off or crashing into stuff or making herself look like an idiot! Suddenly, every other pegasus on campus can fly no problem! As if the blight isn't even around us!”
“You're right,” the mare exclaimed, nodding. “I can't believe it...” She gulped. “And every unicorn...?”
The stallion nodded. “From what I can tell, I was the first one to give it a try.” He gave his levitating book a tap, then playfully twirled it about in midair, smirking. “I haven't given my horn this much of a workout in months. Could you imagine how much better my penmanship would have been if I could do this months ago?”
“Heheh...” The mare smiled sheepishly, brushing a hoof over her hornless brow. “I'm afraid I can't. But I'm happy for you.”
“This doesn't freak you out at all?” Nick asked.
“Uh... not really, no. Why?” She squinted. “Should I be? I mean, with the Blight gone, what does that mean, exactly? You're the nautical expert.”
“I... I don't think it's in my place to guess,” Nick said, gazing intently at his floating book. “But... but do you know what I think?”
“Hmmm?”
“I think that pegasus totally had something to do with it,” he said, smirking. “I mean... there was just something magical about her. She had this vague, mysterious look about her face, and... and this amazing gold pendant around her neck!”
A commotion built up in the library, issuing from above everyone's heads.
Nick continued: “And that saddlebag she was wearing! I swear, not even the Six Tribes have sewn stuff that refined!”
The mare tilted her head up, pointing above and past Nick's horn. “You mean like that?”
Nick and several other ponies spun around. His jaw dropped. “Holy cow! It totally is her!”
Rainbow Dash was shuffling across a lofty balcony overlooking the lower library. She wasn't alone. Several pony students followed her at a distance, murmuring in curiosity and wonderment. A certain unicorn stumbled to catch up, phasing through several equine bodies, although Nick's eyes never once centered on her.
Rainbow Dash took one glance down at the library—then froze in place. She squinted at the crowd, and at last she caught sight of Nick. Or—much rather—she caught sight of the book that Nick was levitating in front of him.
“Uh... h-hey there!” Nick waved from afar while several ponies looked on. “You... uh... you shove any handsome colts lately? Eheheh...”
Rainbow's eyes narrowed.
“Oh... oh my gosh...!” Twilight suddenly cooed, a hoof over her palpitating chest. “So... so many books!” She grinned wide. “Why, I-I don't think I've ever seen any of these bindings before! Or these titles! Rainbow, where in Equestria could we possibly b—?”
FWOOSH! Rainbow dove clear over the side with blue wings spread. Several ponies instantly gasped.
“Gaah!” Twilight flailed, sinking through the floor and floating after Rainbow.
Everyone gawked in surprise as the mare hovered to a stop, then landed on the floor across the table from Nick. She stared squarely at the unicorn.
He looked back, shivering slightly. “So... uhm... are you gonna tell me... us?” He gulped, then tried harder to keep his smile straight. “Where you're from, I mean?”
“… … …”
“Cuz... I have a theory,” Nick said.
“Yeah, he has a theory—” The mare seated next to him nodded.
He rested a hoof on her shoulder. “I think you came from the Blighted Sea. Like... way out there... where the lights flicker. Is it true?” He leaned forward. “Are you from the Blighted Sea by chan—”
Rainbow's hoof flung forward.
“Ghhh!” Nick recoiled, wincing. Rainbow's hoof stopped an inch from his muzzle, grasping the book he was levitating. He squinted an eye open, watching as Rainbow yanked the tome out from his magic field and lowered it to the table.
Twilight Sparkle trotted up, blinking curiously.
Rainbow glanced silently at the book. Taking a deep breath, she tilted her chin up, then swiveled the book around until its pages were facing away from her. With flaring nostrils, she grunted: “Read.”
Nick blinked. He glanced at the book, then back at Rainbow Dash. “Very well, then, if you ins—”
“Not you.”
Nick flinched again, as did a few other ponies.
Several seconds of uncomfortable silence dripped by.
At last, with a pensive shuffle, Twilight Sparkle squeezed her way between Nick and the Mare. “Uhhhh...” She tilted her head over his shoulder, squinting at the pages. “Ahem...” She read aloud. “'Dean stands in the back, saying, 'Goddess! Yes!'—and clasping his hooves in prayer and sweating. 'Sal, Slim knows time, he knows time.' Slim sits down at the piano and hits two notes, two C's, then two more, the—'”
Before Twilight even finished, Rainbow Dash repeated what she said several words late, all the while her eyes were plastered to the ceiling: “'Slim sits down at the piano and hits two notes, two C's, then two more, then one, then two, and suddenly the big burly bass-player wakes up from a reverie and realizes Slim is playing 'C-Jam Blues' and he slugs in his big forelimb on the string and the big booming beat begins and everypony starts rocking and Slim looks just as sad as ever...'” Rainbow Dash's voice trailed off... but only because Twilight's had. She glanced forward.
Twilight stared calmly... patiently at her.
Rainbow wrenched her gaze off, next glaring at Nick. “...well?!”
“Uh... Huh?”
“Is that what's on the page?!” Rainbow asked.
“Why... y-yes!” Nick nodded while the ponies around him murmured in awe. “Absolutely! To the exact word! But... h-how did you do that?” He cocked his head to the side. “This is the only print of the book in Kihutaja! I brought it with me from the Central Archipelagos!” He gaped. “You couldn't possibly have memorized it... could you?”
“... … ...” Rainbow Dash leaned forward. “...I hate books.”
Nick and the other ponies blinked, exchanging glances. “Erm... I... which—?”
“ALL of the books!” Rainbow spat, eyes twitching. “All of them!” She barked, “I hate reading!”
The students could only flinch and stared.
Rainbow panted and panted. Her head tilted slightly towards a lavender shade next to her.
Twilight's ears perked up and her lips pursed.
“...!” Rainbow spun away from her, seething. She clenched her head, shivered a bit, then lurhced towards the nearest exit, her limp hooves clopping against the cold, pallid floor.
While the murmurs of the students arose, Twilight Sparkle bit her lip, moved her legs, and briskly shuffled after the lone mare. She phased directly through the closed door behind Rainbow with a flicker of lavender light.
Rainbow Dash wandered onto a noticeably barren part of the college grounds. The bulk of the students and teachers had gathered in the heart of the campus, where most of the commotion had centralized. Far away from the murmuring gasps and feats of magic and flight, the lone pegasus found a single apple tree planted along the edge of the lawn. Here—in the blissful shade—she plopped down, folding her legs beneath her. With a dull breath, she faced east, her face tense and sullen. Eventually, the weight of the Loyalty Element got to her—as it always did—and she hung her head, burning holes in the green earth below.
It was with quiet, ghostly grace that Twilight Sparkle approached her. Without a word, she slumped down to her hooves, her eyes lingering patiently on Rainbow's face the entire time. She exhaled. She waited. She watched Rainbow Dash in silence, seated across form her like a lavender reflection.
Rainbow Dash fumed and fumed, but slowly those angry breaths began thinning out, growing more and more fragile. Tiny squeaks escaped her nostrils, and soon the hard lines in her muzzle dissolved altogether. For a moment, Rainbow appeared to be fighting it, her ears twitching in tiny foalish spasms before—at last—folding back as her entire face took on a liquid expression. Ever so slowly, like an infant taking her first breath, she tilted her face up. She fought her way through a pained grimace, and once her eyes had finally locked on the phantom's, she murmured:
“… … …Twilight?”
Twilight Sparkle's lips pursed.
Rainbow gulped a dry lump down her throat. She spoke again, her voice cracking harder this time: “Twilight... is... is it really you?”
Twilight stared back at her. With soft grace, she smiled. “Yes, Rainbow. It's really me.” She produced something half-resembling a giggle, then shrugged her shoulders. “How could it not be me?”
“But... but you were... gone,” Rainbow exhaled.
“Rainbow, I was—” Twilight's voice broke off, as did her gaze. She spotted thin, foamy glimpses of an ocean beyond the apple tree's branches. “… … …I was battling Discord... or about to. Your Element was there, but you weren't. But... but somehow I knew it would bring you back.” She shuddered. “It would bring everything back. My friends... their personalities... their... th-their...” Her words trailed off.
Rainbow's face twisted with anguish. “You were gone... gone for so long. How could you possibly be here now?”
“I... I don't know, Rainbow. I was...” Twilight scanned the western horizon once more, shuddering. “I was in Ponyville... the chaotic Ponyville. We casted the spell, and then... then I-I fell asleep. Or... Or I began dreaming. I mean, dreams never start before sleep, do they? It... it had to have been Discord. He sent me... somewhere. It was dark... and yet it was bright as well. I... remember feeling scared. And yet... safe... I felt... safe as well.” She took a deep breath, and calmed herself just enough to smile at the pegasus. “You want to know why?”
Rainbow simply gawked at her.
“Because you were there. You're always there, Rainbow. Someway. Somehow. Even when it doesn't feel like anypony else is around, I... I just know it. You're always right there to have our backs.”
Rainbow sniffled. “I left you.” Her eyes instantly watered. “I left you all.”
“No... No, Rainbow, it was a trick.”
“I... abandoned—”
“Discord did it to you!” Twilight exclaimed. “He did it to all of us! Even the other girls! You didn't see it because... well... because...”
“Grnnghh...” Rainbow hung her head again, clenching it between two savage hooves. “This is stupid. Stupid. The Grand Choke. That's all it is. That's all it ever is.”
“I should have never left Belle and Pilate... Roarke...” Rainbow snarled, teeth gritting. “I should have just died in Val Roa!” She slammed her hoof into the ground, ripping up a clump of grass and dirt. “What in Luna's name am I even doing here?!”
As the pegasus seethed and seethed, Twilight Sparkle look on. At last, she spoke in a quiet tone: “Because you had slammed me into the mud.”
Rainbow stopped gripping her skull in time to look up, ears teary. “Wh-what...?”
“A lazy, silly pegasus,” Twilight Sparkle mused. “Practicing for the Wonderbolts. She had a job to clear the sky of clouds, but... was taking her sweet time with it. And yet—when she slammed me into the mud—she immediately tried to help me. Granted... hmmm... she was very goofy and awkward about it. But beyond the chuckles, beyond the laughter, beyond the coy winks and dashing smirks... I knew... that she would forever be there to pick me back up again. Because nopony else in the history of Equestria was ever that loyal... or ever would be again.”
Twilight gestured.
“I know this pony. She sits before me. And we are in a strange... frightening... yet exciting place. And I can only guess that she has a reason to be here. And... and I want to know that reason... because after all that she's taught me about friendship, I can only imagine she's here because there stands to be a reason to protect it... and to protect us.”
Rainbow blinked.
Twilight leaned forward with a smile. “You're my friend, Rainbow Dash. Our friendship is real... and I'm real too. Now... please... won't you talk to me?”
As the unicorn waited, Rainbow stared back at her. Her muzzle quivered and her eyes brimmed with tears. “I... I d-don't... deserve...” She gulped hard.
“What, Rainbow?” Twilight asked quietly. She leaned her head to the side. “What don't you deserve?”
“This...” Rainbow whimpered. “This chance...” She sniffled, shook, and finally caved. “...to say that I love you... that I love each and every one of y-you...” Her lungs heaved, and her body with it. “I love you girls so much. I-I've always loved you. With everything I do... with every mile that I've flown.” She clenched her eyes shut, tossing her head back and forth. “I'm so stupid! Always so stupid! I should have said it before. Should have told you all before... b-before...” She buried her muzzle into her forelimbs, wailing. “I love you... I love you I love you I l-love you...”
Twilight's face grew long. “Rainbow... I...” she reached a hoof forward, only for it to slide through Rainbow's upper body like a specter. She winced. A shaky breath rose in the back of her throat, and all she could do was scoot forward until her muzzle was just a few ghostly inches from Rainbow's sobbing figure. “Rainbow, I don't know what's happened... or what you've gone through... but... but just listen to me. Listen to me and know. I'm here, Rainbow Dash. I'm alive and I'm well and I'm here for you. And... whatever you think you might be going through right now... we're going to go through it together. Okay?”
Rainbow's body shook. She emitted an unpronounceable sob.
“You don't have to be alone anymore,” Twilight said. “It's... it's going to be alright. I'm here, Rainbow. I'm here...”
For the briefest moment, Rainbow's muzzle curved, then melted once again as she sobbed pitiably into her forelimbs. She curled over into a little ball, overwrought with bittersweet spasms. Twilight crawled over, curving her body around Rainbow like a mother might tend to her foal, even if all she could do was wait out the storm.
Rainbow Dash stirred, her muzzle hanging open and drooling.
“Ma'am? Uhm... are... are you awake? Erm...”
She curled her limbs tighter to her face, digging a disheveled mane of hair deeper into the soft grass.
“Pssst... Rainbow Dash,” Twilight Sparkle's voice meekly hissed. “I... I think these ponies want something from you.”
“… … …” Rainbow's eyes flew open. She shot up to her hooves in a blink, wings spread and teeth barred.
Over a dozen nervous ponies hopped backwards a foot or two. Several more jolted, their faces expressing identical looks of nervous shock.
Among them was Nick, and he calmed down just in time to take a bold step forward, bow, and say, “So sorry to bother you. But... uhm... well...” He turned around, looking at his fellow classmates. “We couldn't help but notice that you're sleeping out... erm... on the middle of the campus lawn, like you've got nowhere else to be.”
Rainbow blinked. Legs and muscles still tense, she tilted her gaze to the side. In the distance, she spotted several jubilant pegasi flying circles in the afternoon air while unicorns tested their magic before gawking professors.
Nick continued: “And since we all agree that you are... uhh... in some way or form connected with what's happening here...”
Rainbow's eyes flicked towards Nick's again. She blinked.
He smiled awkwardly. “I mean, you are, aren't you? We saw you cras—er... land here. And there's nowhere else you could have flown from but... well... you know...”
Rainbow blinked again. Her eyes darted to the left.
Twilight Sparkle looked back. While Rainbow was watching, she trotted forward and waved a hoof right in front of Nick's face. When there was no response from him—not even a cessation of dialogue—she shrugged at Rainbow.
“Well, the long and short of it is that we think we can take care of that,” Nick said. “Erm... your needing a place to stay, that is. I mean... you'd like something better than the ground to sleep on, you think?”
Rainbow stared blankly at him.
“Well, if you do, just... y'know...” He gestured with a hoof, turning towards a distant three-story building. “...follow me. There's a perfect place for you. It's quiet, secluded, and you won't have to be sharing it with anypony else.”
Rainbow stood in place, fidgeting slightly.
“He's making a super nice offer, Rainbow,” Twilight said.
Rainbow looked at her.
The other ponies craned their necks, trying in vain to follow her line of sight.
Twilight shrugged, smiling at her. “It wouldn't hurt, right?”
“It may not be much, but it's the best we could come up with,” Nick continued. “Especially considering that we had to talk the dean into authorizing it, what with all of the other teachers wanting to... erm... have you arrested for stumbling uninvited into classrooms and yelling randomly at ponies. Eheh...”
Rainbow gulped. With a shuddering breath, she limped forward on tired limbs.
“Heheh... cool! Alrighty... uh...” Nick smiled nervously, trotting down a curved path while the rest of the ponies looked on. “Just follow me! I promise it'll be a comfortable place to stay! At least... better than the blighted ocean!” He cleared his throat. “By the way... just what did you eat out there?”
“Grmmmff...” Rainbow grumbled, glaring ahead.
“Uhm... good point. Right this way.” Nick shuffled faster, opening a door for Rainbow.
Twilight followed shortly behind, phasing through a few students as a cold shudder ran through her.
Nick led Rainbow up a thin, rotating flight of stairs. The wooden stepboards were old and creaked with each hoofstep. Rainbow tilted her head up, squinting through bright red beams of refracted sunlight. The day was dying, bequeathing its last crimson glint upon the antique building. At the top of the stairwell was a lone wooden door painted with faded blue colors. Nick was already levitating a set of keys by the time he reached the frame.
Rainbow lingered a few steps beneath him. Pausing, she looked straight down. A lavender face looked up, smiling sheepishly. Twilight hovered—more like dangled a half-story below where Rainbow stood.
“Heh... can't friggin' get over this...” Nick chuckled at his own magic, keys jingling. Then, straightening his face, he stuck one key into the old door and opened it. Stepping back, he stood back like a gentlecolt and pointed through the doorframe with a welcoming hoof.
Rainbow looked at him. Then, with softly creaking steps, she sauntered on through the frame. A tiny room lay before her with an even tinier bed. A barren dresser with a vanity mirror lingered between a closet and a water basin. The entire northwest wall was occupied by a thick-glass'd window with deep blue drapes.
Before Rainbow could get a proper survey of the place, Nick was speaking yet again: “There's a name for this. The Sunset Suite. Funny enough, it used to be a place where ponies were sent when they faced disciplinary action. But, about one hundred and fifty years ago, it was converted into a single-pony dorm, as you can tell. Only... nopony actually bunks in here... except around the middle of a semester. It's... usually reserved for the highest scoring student in the class. It's quite an enviable room—on account of the peace and quiet. Besides, it's got a great view of the Blighted Sea. Eheheh...” He smiled wide. “Guess you chose the right time to crash in!”
Rainbow tilted her head towards him. She arched an eyebrow.
“Erm... y-yeah. I gotta stop saying that.” Nick cleared his throat, starting to back up. “So... uh... if you don't want to talk about... who you are or... what brought you here, that's... that's fine! Totally! But... there are plenty of ponies—both learned and learning—here at the K.M.C.A. who would absolutely love to have a chat with you. Provided... provided you have anything to share... or not... both are fine. And we're totally fine with you being fine—I mean with that being fine... cuz... cuz it's fine. It's fine. It's totally... fine...”
Rainbow stood in place, saying nothing.
Nick took a deep breath. “… … … fine!” He smiled awkwardly, beginning to backstep out of the room. “You... uh... just keep being... colorful and mysterious. The nearest washroom is a floor below, west side, by the co-ed rooms. Okay?”
Rainbow stared past him.
Twilight entered the room, blinking as she passed through the closing door. She turned, took one look at the stallion, then squinted at the pegasus. “You know, Rainbow, he's being awfully polite, the least you could do is—”
“Thanks,” Rainbow blurted.
Nick froze in place. He peeked through the doorframe.
“Nick,” he said with a soft smile. “You can call me Nick.”
She nodded back. “Rainbow Dash.”
He blinked, then grinned harder. “Welcome to the Kihutaja Marine Colonial Academy, Rainbow Dash.” He left, closing the door behind him. “Heh... amazing name...”
The door shut, and Rainbow Dash was already rolling her eyes, muttering three syllables in exasperation. Eventually, she made her way to the bed and sat on the mattress, wincing from how terribly it squeaked. Slowly, she tilted her head up, squinting into the glow of the sunset.
Twilight Sparkle sat amidst the glow, her lavender coat immaculate and real.
Rainbow Dash exhaled slowly, her ears twitching slightly as she stared at her.
Twilight swallowed a lump down her throat. “Are... you still talking to me?”
Rainbow nodded. “And how.”
“You... uh... you sure you're not sleepy or hungry or—?”
“I'm a lot of things, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “But, right now and forever, I'm your friend.”
Twilight blinked.
Sighing, Rainbow slid her legs up and folded them beneath her on the mattress. Once she was sitting comfortably, she spoke: “What did you want to talk about?”
“I... was wondering if you would be willing to answer some questions.”
“Which ones?” Rainbow asked.
Twilight's ears folded back. “All of them.”
Rainbow's eyes fell to the mattress.
“You... you think you can do that?” Twilight asked. “Or at least try?”
“It depends...”
“On what?”
“If you want to hear the answers, Twilight.”
“Why wouldn't I want to?”
“Just ask me one, then.”
“Very well.” Twilight leaned back, drinking in the rosy air of the antique room. “How long has it been?”
“How long?”
“Since you last saw me... as me.”
Rainbow opened her mouth, but lingered. She fidgeted. “I... I don't know exactly.”
Twilight squinted. “You don't know? How can you not know?”
“I sorta lost track after the first time a dragon mutilated me to death.”
Twilight blinked. After several dull seconds, she slumped to the floor, muttering to the walls. “I think I'm going to need that bed...”
“Something... something happened, Twilight. Discord put a spell on me... just like the spell that Spike told me Discord put on the rest of you girls. Only, with me, it was stupid... a different kind of stupid. The moment he messed with my head, I was absolutely certain that Cloudsdale was going to collapse, and... and that the only thing that would stop everypony in the city from dying would be me. So, I dropped everything that I was doing—the maze game, the bet with Discord, the hunt for the Elements—and I just... flew. I flew as fast as I could to Cloudsdale, and all the while I was there, I was convinced that the city was on the verge of collapse and needed my help. Ponies looked at me like I was crazy. I don't blame them, because I pretty much was... at least until Discord's spell ended. And that's when I got another vision altogether. And I saw... I saw...”
“What, Rainbow?” Twilight asked, leaning forward from where she stood at Rainbow's bedside. “What did you see?”
Rainbow Dash bit her lip. Her ears folded back as she finally mewled: “I saw the death of harmony.”
Twilight blinked. Her eyes thinned as she pointed. “But... but you're wearing—”
“It's not the same.” Rainbow shook her head and rested a hoof on her neck. “It's just a relic now. The Elements are gone. The rest of them. All gone.”
“… … …gone?
“And... like... I sensed it too.” Rainbow gulped. “I saw it. The last time the Elements graced this earth, they all connected to me—to the pony I had become ever since you, me, and the rest of the girls took down Nightmare Moon. And... and I saw...”
Silence.
“I... I had tried to use the Elements,” Twilight Sparkle said. “The girls and I. So much of us were affected by Discord, but... b-but I figured that our possessing most of the Elements of Harmony would be enough to undo the damage we had done.” She gulped. “Even though you weren't with us, I figured your loyalty would be there in spirit.”
“Do you remember anything else?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Why... w-wouldn't I remember anything, Rainbow?”
She simply stared at Twilight.
Twilight leaned back, blinking. “Well, I remember confronting Discord... and him looking at us funny—wait...” She blinked, staring out the window, gazing upon the waves glittering with blood red malaise. “I... I was floating? But... how? Did we cast the Harmony spell yet? Spike was there. He...”
Her words trailed off, and it was eerily silent again.
Rainbow hung her head, staring into the duvet atop the bed.
Twilight glanced at her hoof. Casually, she pressed it up against a wall of the suite, only for it to phase through. She turned towards Rainbow. “You said the Elements are gone.” Twilight's brow furrowed. “Is that all that disappeared?”
Rainbow's face tensed. Her wings coiled tightly at her side.
Twilight took a deep breath. “Rainbow, I need you to be—”
“There was nothing left, Twilight,” the mare finally blurted. “No flesh. No blood. Not even a shred of mane hair.” She looked up, eyes glossy. “Ash, Twilight. All that was left was ash.” She gnashed her teeth. “Discord blew you all to smithereens! He... he d-did something to reflect the Harmony Spell or he booby-trapped the Elements before you found them or he made all of your blood boil. Whatever. The point is, I wasn't there when you guys needed me the most!”
“Rainbow...”
“And you all friggin' blew up because of it!” Rainbow stammered. “Because I failed at being loyal! Because I—”
“Rainbow, just slow down!” Twilight raised her voice, waving a hoof between them. “Just... please. This doesn't make sense! Why would the Elements of Harmony... blow up from feedback?”
“I don't know, Twilight—”
“And Discord—for all his power—is nothing but a chaos lord! The Elements of Harmony had been used to successfully imprison him in stone before! Princess Celestia herself told us so!” Twilight began pacing in a tiny circle, passing through the edges of furniture with small lavender bursts of light. “If anything, chaos and harmony would cancel each other out! One couldn't possibly obliterate the other!” She spun about, gawking. “Tell me how that's even remotely possible?”
“I don't know, okay?!” Rainbow barked. The windows rattled. “But it happened! One moment, you were there—with the Elements—trying to stop Discord, and then the next—POW! Gone!” She shuddered, teeth clenched. “I flew to Ponyville as quickly as I could the very moment Discord's spell faded from my head, but... but it was too late. You and the girls, were...” He voice dwindled into a pitiable squeak. “You were gone, Twilight.” She sighed, her hooves resting over the pendant. “This is all that's left... this and me.”
Twilight gazed at Rainbow in silence... and past her.
Rainbow sniffled. With a disgruntled sigh, she stripped Luna's saddlebag off, tossed it into the corner, and buried her face into the bedcovers. “… … … I always feared that someday I'd lose you guys... but all at the same time?” She shuddered. “I couldn't stay in Ponyville, Twilight.”
“Mmm... Rainbow...” The unicorn blinked dazedly, waving her hoof yet again. “Wait. Just wait.”
“There... there was nothing for me there. You've no idea. I... n-never really told you girls—”
“Why am I here, then?” Twilight cocked her head aside, her face awash with confusion. “I mean... think about it. If something Discord did destroyed the Elements, then how come you've still got your pendant in one piece?”
“I dunno,” Rainbow muttered. “Luck, I guess?”
“Oh, I'm sure it's much more than that!” Twilight's voice picked up, taking on an exciting pitch for once. She paced around once more as she said, “The Element of Loyalty is in one piece, and so are you! So am I! Well...” Twilight paused to fidget, phasing her hoof through the bed's headboard. “Somewhat. Still, it has to mean something.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow grumbled. “That life is a cruel joke.”
“Will you stop being so negative for one second?!” Twilight's voice crackled. “Seriously, this is not like you!”
“Mrmmmfff...” Rainbow rubbed her eyes with a tired hoof. “Twilight...”
“You've obviously been on your own for a very long time. I've... I've got no clue what all that 'killed by a dragon' nonsense is about, but maybe... j-just maybe... and hear me out.” Twilight slid up to the edge of the bed, eyes wide as she said: “Maybe the Elements didn't vanish!”
“What.” Rainbow looked up, glaring.
“Well, I'm here, aren't I?!” Twilight grinned wide, stretching her forelimbs out as she leaned back. “Or at least I'm coming back, for lack of a better term! That's gotta mean something!”
“Twilight...”
“Perhaps it means that the Elements didn't disappear so much as they just... went elsewhere.” Twilight spun about, tapping her lavender chin as she stared out the sun-lit window. “Perhaps they went into the magical leylines that bind Equestria! Perhaps they went back into the special place where Princess Celestia held them in storage!” She spun around, grinning as she pointed at Rainbow's pendant. “Perhaps they even went into you!”
“I... I don't know—”
“Rainbow, don't you know what this means?!” Twilight chirped. “So long as you're wearing that pendant, there's still a link to the Elements of Harmony! A living, flying link! And-and... if we just figure out Discord's connection, then we can—yes—we can maybe find a way to extract the other Elements from your pendant! The other girls, Rainbow! Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack—”
“That's all very... uh...”
“Tell me, Rainbow, where's Discord?”
Rainbow Dash winced viciously.
“The world seems to be in one piece! So you obviously defeated him! Tell me—did Celestia and Luna find a way to intervene?” Twilight grinned. “Or did you and Spike figure out a solution all on your lonesome?”
“There's... I mean, Discord's...” Rainbow pawed the bed with her hooves, avoiding Rainbow's gaze. “...he... won't be helping us out anytime soon.”
“Well, maybe not if we were silly enough to ask the guy! But I'm sure some persuasion would work! Some Harmonic persuasion!” Twilight smiled and winked. “After all, if you found a way to defeat him—”
“No, Twilight, I mean... there... th-there isn't any of him left to talk to,” Rainbow muttered. “He... he's gone too.”
Twilight blinked, muzzle agape. “But... but how?” She gulped. “I thought you said the Elements had been obliterated along with us when—”
“He... was obliterated too.” Rainbow tightly bit her lip.
Twilight stared at her.
Rainbow gazed back. “… … …I did it.”
Twilight's eyes twitched. “Did... d-did what?”
Rainbow's mouth opened. After a lingering breath, she spoke in a dull tone: “I destroyed Discord.”
Twilight leaned back, raising a dainty hoof as she squinted nervously at the pegasus. “...define 'destroyed.'”
Rainbow's nostrils flared. Fuming, she said, “I showed up in time to see him laughing over your ashes. Spike was in tears. Ponyville was all... everywhere. So I... p-picked up my element from Spike, flew circles through whatever traces of Harmonic energy was at the scene and... and I turned him back to stone.”
“… … …”
“And then I shattered that stone.” Rainbow spat, “To bits.”
Twilight's jaw dropped.
“He's gone, Twilight,” Rainbow muttered, glaring out the window. “Discord's gone and he's never coming back.”
The hairs on the back of Twilight's neck raised. Nevertheless, it was in a quiet, meek tone that she spoke, leaning forward. “Rainbow... Discord... h-he may have been evil, reckless, and diabolical... but he was still a thinking, breathing creature. You... you can't just destroy that!”
“I did, okay?” Rainbow grumbled. “So let it rest—”
“How can I let it rest, Rainbow?!” Twilight spoke through chattering teeth. “What you did... it... it w-was murder!”
“And just what do you call what he did to you and the rest of the girls, Twilight?! 'Dodge ball?!'”
“Doesn't matter, Rainbow!” Twilight frowned, spitting. “It wasn't the right thing to do! It wasn't the Harmonic thing!”
“Twilight, the Elements were gone!” Rainbow hollered back, causing the unicorn to flinch. “They still are! Discord took them away just like he took you the girls and everything away from me and I...” She paused, shuddering. “...I killed him... yes. I did.” She leaned back, swallowing a lump down her throat. Her frown was a calm but unwavering. “And... because of it... because of what I did... a chaos rift opened up in Ponvyille, a rift that's still there in the heart of Equestria to this day. Celestia's having to look after it full time, giving the throne over to Princess Luna. And as for me... well...” She clutched the golden pendant once more. “I don't wear this just to look pretty, y'know. A piece of Discord infected me... making me about as worse off as the chaos rift itself. I couldn't stay in Ponyville for long without risking the rift growing bigger... not like I wanted to stay there anyways... with you and everypony else gone and I...”
Twilight watched... watched and listened... her muzzle quivering.
Rainbow took a deep breath. “I looked for the first friggin' excuse I could find and I went for it. Somewhere, somehow, I got Princess Luna to tell me about this special place on the dark side of the world called the 'Midnight Armory.' Apparently no mortal has ever gone there and come back to tell the tale. So... I said to myself 'Hey, cool, there's something awesome and dangerous that I'll probably never live through before I reached it.' And I picked a horizon and I flew. And... and I've seen a lot of ugly things, Twilight. I've been through a lot of bad places. Like... really bad. There have been some great, wonderful ponies along the way...” She paused slightly, her voice cracking, “...and some really, really awesome friends. But...” An even deeper breath. “So much ugliness... and most of it in myself, because the one truly best thing in this world—you gals—were gone, and... and I just couldn't afford to be the pegasus you once knew. There was nothing left to be loyal to in Ponyville... and all I could do was dirty up that place even more with what I had done to Discord... and what he had done to me... to all of us... so... so I flew and I flew and I flew and... here we are...”
Dead silence.
The sun continued setting beyond the waves, disappearing in the distance, until the sky was a purple blanket—fading much like the sheen in Twilight's lavender coat right then.
“You... you just kept flying?” Twilight shook her head in disbelief. “...towards the ends of the earth? But... how... I mean...” She blinked. Hard. “For how long? How far?”
Rainbow shrugged, sighing. “I've... lost count of the continents.”
“C-continents?”
“And, for real, it's been over a year. I know that much for certain. Pilate was always way better at guestimating the time, anyways.”
“Who?”
“Ever since the funeral, I just kept flying for the east horizon and didn't look back.”
“Funeral?! Rainbow, could you slow down again?! This is a lot to—” Twilight froze in place. Her lips parted. “Funeral...” She slowly turned around to gape at the pegasus.
Rainbow awkwardly shrugged. “Well, what did you expect, Twilight?” She gulped. “You were... dead. As far as we could tell, dead as a doornail. I'm... I-I'm still hung up on just exactly what you are right now...”
Twilight stared at her. She gulped. “Was... was my family...?”
Rainbow slowly nodded. “Your Mom. Your dad. Some pretty boy stallion with a minty mane...”
“Shining...” Twilight Sparkle exhaled. “He... they all thought... think...?”
“It's... not all bad, though!” Rainbow struggled to smile. “I mean, Shining... Armor, was it? Yeah... according to Luna, he got hitched with some chick named Cadance—”
“Wait—huh? He's married?”
“And Spike—you don't have to worry about him! He's the official librarian of Ponyville! At least, assuming the chaos rift hasn't swallowed up the tree house by now and—”
“Stop!” Twilight darted towards the window, covering a hoof over her eyes, seething. “Just... j-just stop, Rainbow! It's too much. It's... it's...” She suddenly blanched, staring at the glass separating them from the verdant grounds outside. She raised her hoof, but there was no reflection. A tear rolled down her face as she stammered, “It's... it's all my fault.”
Rainbow's throat instantly went sore.
“I... I'm the reason for this,” Twilight murmured. “For all of this.” She sniffled, her eyes tearing more and more. “If... if I hadn't been so impatient with wanting to defeat Discord. If I hadn't had such a low tolerance for the way my friends acted under his spell...”
“Twilight...” Rainbow crawled down from the bed, wincing. “Just... just listen—”
“No, Rainbow, I've listened enough! The evidence all points to one damning conclusion!” Twilight hiccuped and quivered, the dam breaking. “I... I should have waited for you, Rainbow. I shouldn't have used the Elements so soon. And... and just look...” She flung her hooves forward, watching as they whiffed through the solid glass window. “I'm nothing. I can't even cast a shadow. And my family... Shining... Spike...” She whimpered, covering her muzzle as she collapsed to the floor in tears. “Mrmmmff... I killed them, Rainbow. I killed our friends... and I-I killed myself!” She sobbed into her forelimbs. “You didn't murder anypony, I did!”
“Dang it, Twilight, don't—” She reached forward, only for her hoof to reach through Twilight's body. She clenched her eyes shut, cussing beneath a seething breath. Then, reopening her moist eyes, she simply leaned forward and spread her wings until they felt like they were wrapped around the mourning phantom. “I know you're feeling like crap right now. And even if you don't believe me when I tell you that you've got absolutely, positively no reason to—Twilight—then at least listen to me when I tell you this. A lot of time has gone by, during which I have seen more things and learned more things than written about in all of your letters to Celestia combined and—”
Twilight continued sobbing.
“Listen to me!” Rainbow growled into Twilight's ear, causing the ghostly unicorn to flinch, wet eyes lifting. “Life is a crazy, bucked-up journey, but so long as you do nothing but blame yourself, then you make no ground whatsoever! I don't care how far you fly! So cry over our friends if you like. Cry over me, if it makes you feel better, but if you think for a second about blaming yourself—I swear—I'm gonna rip this—” She grasped the edges of the pendant. “—ssstupid thing off my neck and grind it to dust with my hooves. I don't care the consequences! Cuz that's not the way to go about this, Twilight, and if you continue calling yourself those things, then there's no point in figuring anything else out, cuz then we'll know that we've officially given up! And is that what we want?!”
“Rainbow, I—”
“Is that what Celestia would want?!”
Twilight blinked. She sniffled, then murmured, “I... I don't know anymore. But... but you...?”
“I know what Celestia wants,” Rainbow said. “I know what Luna wants! I know so much that you couldn't possibly write it down even if you had all the pens and paper on this freakin' world! But if I'm going to fill you in on it, then we're going to have to do this one step at a time! And it starts with you dropping the guilty card! Do you hear me?!”
“I...” Twilight sucked her breath in, nodding shakily. “I hear... I hear...”
“Nnngh...” Rainbow sighed, leaning in with her wings again. “Just shut up, egghead. Let it out. Whatever.” Rainbow gazed lethargically out the darkening window. “We'll start in the morning if we have to.”
Twilight nodded, trembling less less. “'Kay...” She laid down, relaxing in Rainbow's protective shadow. “Okay. In the morning.”
“Yeah. Just... just try and rest,” Rainbow muttered. “Can... can you even do that? I mean... erm...”
“Thanks to you, I can...” In the midst of her tears, Twilight maintained a single smirk. “You... you're still you... y'know?”
“Hmmm?”
“For a moment there, on the island, on the beach... across the campus...” Twilight shuddered. “I was scared. I thought I had lost you the very moment that I found you. But now... now I see... I feel...”
“Shhh...” Rainbow murmured, closing her wings in tighter, the feathers phasing slightly through the unicorn, lighting up the room with a dim lavender glow. The pegasus tilted her head about, staring at the distant white beacon of Yaerfaerda. “Just try and sleep. Dream about encyclopedias or something.”
Twilight giggled.
Rainbow arched an eyebrow. “What?”
“You can't read in your dreams, silly,” Twilight squeaked. “The left brain is responsible for logic, and while you're experiencing rapid eye movement it can't create—”
“Saw logs, Twilight.”
“Right. Sawing...” Twilight shut her eyes, exhaling calmly.
Rainbow sat beside her in silence. Eventually, she lowered her gaze.
Twilight Sparkle lay still, looking very calm, very peaceful, very real.
Twilight stared... and she smiled... and at some point or another—a few tears later—she closed her eyes...
Rainbow Dash twitched. Rainbow Dash curled and uncurled across the wooden floorboards.
“Mmmm... hfhhff... heheh...”
Her blue muzzle curved.
“Silly encyclopedias,” she cooed, eyes fluttering. “Those freckles don't belong to you. Now come back to the hammock.” She yawned, and her lids lifted. “...don't worry, Roarke, they don't bite—” She froze in place.
It was daylight.
The golden haze of dawn wafted through the window.
The suite was empty. It was just Rainobw, the bed, and her breaths.
“... … ...” Her ruby eyes darted around. “...Twilight?”
Silence.
“Twilight?!”
No response.
Hyperventilating, Rainbow hopped up to her hooves. With a rattle of her pendant she paced about, furiously. Her eyes glazed over with tears as her voice reached a fever pitch:
“Twilight?!?!”
She seethed and shouted, looking every which way.
“Twilight?!?! Where are you?!?!”
“Who?!” Twilight Sparkle's head poked up out of the bed with a lavender beam of light. “What?!” She looked everywhere, gasping. “Huh?! Where?!”
Rainbow spun, smiling in ecstasy. “Twilight!” She galloped forward. “Omigosh-omigosh-omigosh—” The pegasus slamed muzzle-first against the bedframe. WHAM! She fell back, rubbing her aching nose. “Grnnnnghh-ghhh!”
Twilight winced. “Uhhh...” Nervously, she trotted out of the bed and stood above Rainbow, phasing slightly through her lower legs. “S-sorry about that, Rainbow, I—”
“Grnnngh—Friggin' A!” Rainbow gawked up at her, wriggling her pained nose. “Twilight?!?! Where in Luna's blue crotch tits did you go?!?!”
Twilight recoiled from that. “Okay... uhm... can we start over from square one?” She gulped. “And not quite so colorfully this time?”
“For real!” Rainbow stomped her hoof. “Don't do that on me, girl!”
“I... I-I don't even know what I did!”
“You mean you didn't mean to go all ghosty-corn through the floorboards just now?!”
“Did I?” Twilight blinked. “Honestly, Rainbow, I-I...” She rubbed her head, gazing around the room. “...I'm not sure where I went!”
“How could you not know where you went off to?!”
“I'm serious!” Twilight gulped. “One moment, I was trying to rest... to sleep, like you told me to! It was so nice and comfortable having a friend nearby, that... that...” She blinked awkwardly. “Time just flew by.”
Rainbow's eyes were thin. “Time just flew by.”
“Don't look at me like that!” Twilight frowned. “I... went someplace.”
“Someplace? What kind of 'someplace?'”
“It's... hard to describe. It was someplace safe, secure. Dark... b-but somewhat bright at the same time.”
“Wait...” Rainbow blinked awkwardly. “Why does that sound stupidly familiar?”
“Because I've been there before. I've mentioned it.” Twilight fidgeted. “It's... it's just like the place where I was when... when...” Her features paled. “...after Discord. All this time.”
Rainbow simply gawked at her.
“But... but I feel rested now,” Twilight said, gazing curiously at the window. “Did I really sleep? Was that my way of sleeping?” She turned towards Rainbow again. “Or did I just go someplace?”
Rainbow nearly wretched. “Are you asking me?”
Knock knock knock.
Rainbow jumped. She grabbed a coat-rack from the corner of the claustrophobic room.
“Hellllooo!” Nick sing-song'd as he opened the door and softly trotted in with a levitating tray of eggs and sausage. “Good morning! Since you're our special guest here at K.M.C.A, the student body thought they might treat you to—”
The hard end of the coat-wrack came to a stop against the soft of his neck.
“—nothing!” He gulped, sweating instantly. “Nothingatall!”
“Rainbow!” Twilight frowned, phasing through Rainbow and standing beside him. “Stop being so jumpy!”
“B-but he shouldn't have knocked so hard!” Rainbow sputtered, frazzled.
“He... I... they d-didn't mean no harm, Miss Dash, honest!” Nick squeaked, eyeing the coat-rack.
“Will you stop it already, Rainbow?!” Twilight exclaimed. “Honestly! You're like my B.B.B.F.F. after his first tour of duty!”
“Look, I've seen some crud, okay?!” Rainbow barked to the side.
“Why?” Nick winced, dropping the tray altogether. “Oh dear, did crows nest in here overnight again?! I-I'll clean after them, I promise!”
“No...” Rainbow leaned back, dropping the coat-rack with a sigh. “It's okay. We're fine. I mean, I'm fine with the crap—I mean there's no crap—”
“Crows? Around here? Really?” Twilight tapped her chin. “But we're in a tropical zone—”
“Nopony cares about the damn crows, Twilight!” Rainbow hollered.
“Twilight?!” Nick blinked. “It's Nick, remember?”
“Listen...” Rainbow faced him, raised her hooves, and took a super deep breath. She finally said, “I'm... sorry for being on edge. It's just... I-I've been through a lot lately. What you're doing is totally nice and awesome, but I'm not exactly—”
“Wait... is this supposed to be breakfast?” Twilight remarked, rubbing her ghostly nose up close to the tray.
“—hungry at the moment.” Rainbow was already wincing.
“But... but...” Twilight recoiled, pointing in horror at the cooked black strip. “Is that... meat?”
“Yes, Twilight,” Rainbow grumbled aside, gesturing at the tray before them. “It's sausage, actually.”
“You know what kind of flesh it is?!” Twilight grimaced. “But... b-but how could anypony eat something like—”
“Look, will you stop questioning the stallion's meat already?!”
Nick's cheeks went red. “...I beg your pardon?”
“Don't... grrk...” Rainbow spat, stuttered, and finally grunted: “...listen to me, I just... need...”
Twilight was already reeling. “Fresh air...”
“Fresh air.” Rainbow droned, facing forward.
“Some ground for trotting.”
“A walk.” Rainbow sauntered forward.
“And lots and lots of books,” Twilight whimpered, phasing through the wall ahead of Rainbow. “Therapy books.”
“The nearest library.”
“Uhm...” Nick pointed awkwardly down the stairs. “...exit the first floor, go across the main campus, and enter the long three-story building. You'll recognize it.” He blinked crookedly. “But, Miss Dash, I thought you said you hated—”
“Go huff a boat!”
Nick gulped, picking the tray up and scurrying off with his tail between his legs. “Yes'm! Huffing!” He slammed the door to the suite shut behind him.
With tender hooves, Rainbow Dash reached towards the lower branch of an apple tree and plucked a red juicy specimen off. She rubbed the skin of it against her chest fuzz and gave the thing a sniff. Then, salivating slightly, she took a deep bite, proceeding to eat the yummy fruit from where she hovered in the middle of the K.M.C.A. campus.
“Are... you sure you're allowed to eat that, Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked, fidgeting beneath her on the grass. She glanced forlornly across the lawn. “I mean... it's part of the college grounds. Something tells me it's just for looks.”
“Nature doesn't show off just 'cuz it wants to go to the ball, Twilight,” Rainbow said, inhaled, then took another juicy bite. “Mrmmfff...” She gulped. “The fruit's here. I'm here. The sky's above us. Everything's in order.” She bit into again, munched, and shrugged. “If the Kazoo Menstrual Chaplin Academy students have a problem with it, then they shouldn't have planted an apple tree here to begin with.”
“Well...” Twilight shuddered. “I suppose anything's better than the alternative.” She looked green in the muzzle. “I... I just can't get over that.”
“Mrmmmf... Get over what?”
“Meat! That stallion was actually trying to serve you a slice of cooked flesh!” Twilight shook from head to tail. “A griffon or a sarosian, I can understand, but normal ponies?!” She paced in a tiny, lavender circle. “It was sizzling too! I... I-I can still smell the horrible stuff in my nose!”
“Ponies eat meat, Twilight,” Rainbow muttered. “Get over it.”
“Not in Equestria, we don't!”
“We're not in Equestria,” Rainbow said. “Not even close.”
“Just... wh-what could possibly convince a society to stoop so low?!” Twilight remarked. “Old Equestrian provinces used to go to war over the issue before settling upon the harmonic choice of nationally-enforced vegetarianism.”
“Lots of countries are at war today.”
“You cannot be serious...” Twilight's jaw dropped. “But how can th-that be? Don't ponies know better? If they don't respect each other's lives, at least you'd think they'd respect Celestia or Luna enough to—”
“Most ponies don't even know that alicorns exist, Twilight,” Rainbow said, tossing the core of the apple towards the base of the tree. “Much less Celestia, Luna, or Whitemane.”
“Celestia, Luna, or who?”
Rainbow grimaced. With a sigh, she plucked another apple off. “Look...” She rubbed the fruit against her chest, then gazed down at Twilight with a glazed look. “The world is a big... big place. It's bigger than you think. It's bigger than I think. I've been flying non-stop in one direction for over a year.” She twitched in mid-air, blushing a little. “M... m-more or less. Ahem.” Her blue brow furrowed. “And still I've only barely scratched the surface of what this plane has to offer.”
“And ponies actually go to war with one another?!”
“Yes, Twilight, they do.”
“You've seen this?”
Rainbow fought a lump that had formed in the back of her throat. “Yes. I've seen it... up close.”
“How close?”
“Very close.” Rainbow took a heavy bite and used the delicious fruit mush to help swallow the lump down. She gave Twilight a bright glance. “And, if it helps to know, I've helped end a few of them.”
“A few of them what?”
“Wars,” Rainbow said with a smirk. “At least two of them I've brought to an end, or simply prevented. Once in Ledomare and the other time in Val Roa. Wait...” She cocked her head sideways, gazing over the western waves. “Darkstine. Yeah. I prevented civil war there. Yeesh...” She shook her head. “Always friggin' forgetting about Darkstine.” She took a delicious bite.
Twilight blinked, gazing up at her. “You... you've been some kind of hero, haven't you?” She blinked again. “All this time.”
“Mrmmmff... when it wasn't boring.” Rainbow swallowed and smirked. “And I promise you, Twilight, that I never once took a bit of meat.”
“I-I wasn't saying that you did!” Twilight stammered.
“You were giving me the look though.”
“What look?!”
“The look. Your look.”
“Errrrr...”
“It's the same look you always used to give me whenever I spoke my angry thoughts out loud about Rarity or Fluttershy.”
“I did not give you a look.”
“Heheheheheheh...” Rainbow clutched her tummy with one hoof and pointed with the one gripping the apple. “You totally did! As a matter of fact, you're giving me one right now!”
“Yeah... well...” Twilight's cheeks turned a deeper shade of lavender. “That's because you're sassing the ever-loving fluff out of this situation!”
“Heeheeheehee...”
“Rainbow, quit it!” Twilight stomped her hoof, frowning. “So what if I'm super behind?! I can't help it! I've been... s-some sort of eidolon all this time!”
“Ey-dough-what?”
“Eidolon, Rainbow. Eidolon. It means a 'phantom.' You know, a spectre?”
“Pffft. Leave it to you to call it something funkier than I could ever drum up.”
“Nnngh... Rainbow...” Twilight glared. “Can I help it if I have a million questions?”
“And don't worry, I've got a million answers.” Rainbow tossed the second core to the ground and wiped her muzzle with her forelimb. “But, first thing's first... I've got a question for you.”
“Well, by all means.”
“How come you can stomp your hoof against the ground?”
“Huh?”
“You just slapped your hoof against the grass!” Rainbow pointed. “Y'know, with your little eggshell tantrum! How's that—y'know—possible?”
“I-I don't understand...”
“What I'm getting at is...” Rainbow squinted. “...you're all ghost-like and poofy, right? So, like, what's keeping you from just sinking through the floor?”
“Uhm... good question, I... I...” Twilight blinked. Just then, her pupils shrunk to pinpricks, and she glanced down at a set of sinking fetlocks. “Oh dear.”
Rainbow's eyes twitched. “Uhm...”
“Oh no!” Twilight yelped, flailing as the ground swallowed her up with a lavender glow. She panted and squeaked and pony-paddled at the naked air. “Oh no no no no no noooo!” Nothing could stop her from dropping through the ground like an anvil. “Rainbow!”
“Twilight, chillax!” Rainbow barked as the unicorn disappeared completely through the campus lawn. “Dang it, girl, I mean it! Hold up!” Flapping her wings, she lifted up... up... up.
As Rainbow ascended, Twilight emerged from the ground, curled up in a lavender ball and shivering. A concave flicker of lavender light held her like a bread basket, keeping her at an even distance from Rainbow's figure.
“Mmmmmmmmmmmm!” Twilight hugged herself in a little ball, fighting to contain her squeals. “I don't want to fall through the earth! I don't want to! I don't want to!”
“Twilight, friggin' calm down!” Rainbow said. “You can't go too far away from me, remember?!”
“I know that, but... b-but unless you constantly fly, how am I expected to—?!”
“Just catch your breath, alright?!”
“I... I-I'm trying...” Twilight huffed and puffed. “Maybe... m-maybe if you just put me back on the ground?! Perhaps it's all mind over matter. Oh gosh... I feel like such a fool...”
“Get a hold of yourself. I'm sorry I introduced the idea to your head.”
“Just tell me when I'm back on the ground, Rainbow,” Twilight said, her eyes still clenched tightly shut. “I... I can do this... I know I can...”
“Okay, Twilight,” Rainbow said, flapping her wings. “There ya go. You're on the ground.”
“I am?”
“Yup. Try putting your hooves down.”
Twilight took a calm breath. Her trembles dwindled as she tilted her head up, then stretched her legs out. At last, with a little bit of effort, she found a hoof-hold, then stood up straight. “Whew... okay... okay, much better.” She opened her eyes, smiling up at Rainbow. “Thanks, Rainbow, I couldn't do that without—”
“Twilight.”
“What?”
Rainbow smirked down at her. “... … ...I lied.”
Twilight blinked. She looked down, only to notice that she was a good ten feet above the ground, levitating. She gasped, which caused her to plummet again—
“Just be calm!” Rainbow hollered.
Twilight flinched, her body locking up. Sure enough, she came to a levitating stop just a few feet above the campus lawn. Her hooves dangled, and soon her entire body drifted at a loose glide, hovering airlessly in place. “I... I can't explain what's going on right now...”
“Maybe neither of us are meant to,” Rainbow remarked, hovering down to Twilight's level. “But, from the looks of things, so long as you're close to me... you can just about go anywhere. I mean...” The pegasus shrugged. “Why not, right?”
“But how come I was walking across even surfaces earlier? Unless...” Twilight tapped her muzzle in thought. “...it was simply all psychosomatic. I believed that I was still subject to the laws of gravity, and thus—because of my mind's comprehension—I was creating a self-fulfilled prophecy.”
“Uhhhhh...”
“But, that's amazingly good news!” Twilight perked up, smiling Rainbow's way. “It means that I'm not completely and utterly incorporeal! I possess a mind! And—just like Rene Decanter once said, 'I think, therefore I—'” Twilight inadvertently floated off in an upside down direction. “—boop?” Her eyes flailed along with her legs.
“Hey, just take it easy—” Rainbow outstretched a hoof.
“Rainbow, help!” Twilight chirped, fluttering about like a loose lavender feather. “You're an expert on flying, help me!”
“Yeah, only you're not exactly flying,” Rainbow droned. “More like shifting around through fartspace.”
“If I could just... just...” Twilight took a deep breath, closing her eyes and concentrating. “...mind over matter. Mind over matter. Mind over...”
Gradually, her body uprighted, then levitated just a few inches in front of Rainbow.
“H-hey!” Rainbow grinned wide. A few students in the distance gazed at her funny, but she promptly ignored them, cheering Rainbow's way. “You've got it! Well... just about...”
“I... I don't feel as though I've got it,” Twilight muttered, pawing at the air like a suspended cat.
“Would you feel better 'trotting' on the ground again?”
“I... think I should practice this instead,” Twilight said, strafing slowly through the air. She shifted through the tree, flinching—only to emerge through it with a lavender strobe. “Brbrbrbrrrr...” She shivered. “I don't think I'll ever get over that.”
“Hey, do me a favor.”
“Hmm?”
Rainbow pointed towards the western shore. “Try floating off in that direction. As far as you can.”
“But... what good will that—?”
“Just humor me, ya egghead.”
“Hrmmmf... very well...” Twilight slowly... slowlyyyy drifted westward, “swimming” through the air in a decidedly dorky fashion. “Though I don't know what it will accomp—” Bonk! Her muzzle smooshed against a concave wall of lavender energy. “Ow!”
Rainbow winced. “Er... sorry. But... uh...” She motioned towards herself with a blue hoof. “Try going the opposite way.”
“I think I see what you're getting at.” Twilight “kicked” off the lavender wall. It disappeared as she drifted swiftly in the other direction, phasing through Rainbow and her pendant, only to brace herself against a flicker of magical light on the other side. “There. That's as far as I can go.”
“That's barely spitting distance,” Rainbow said.
“I'm guessing a radius of no more than six meters,” Twilight said. “I... suppose it gives me some breathing room, which is nice... but...” She sighed, floating down towards the floor until her hooves made contact with the grass. “There just has to be a purpose to all of this.”
“I'm sure there is, Twilight,” Rainbow muttered. “There's stuff far older than you and me that's making the world tick. Stuff older than Celestia, Luna, and the rest of the alicorns.”
“Like, what kind of stuff?”
“Really trippy stuff.”
“I'm not exactly going anywhere, am I?” Twilight said, smiling nervously.
Rainbow took a deep breath, gazing up at the bright blue sky. “Very well then...” She tossed her mane to the warm winds and smiled gently at the ghostly mare. “...come along. Drift with me.”
“And, so you're saying this... uh...” Twilight Sparkle flailed slightly before “uprighting” herself in midair. She floated like a dangling puppet besides Rainbow Dash's hovering figure. “...you're saying that this 'machine world' lies deep underneath the earth's surface?” She blinked. “In every direction?”
Rainbow Dash hovered at a high altitude. She stared east, peering past the humid clouds that hung over the seascape in increasingly thick convection. She could now see the entirety of Kihutaja—or at least the westernmost body of the archipelago. The K.M.C.A. was nestled on the very tip of a slender strip of land, deeply forested, like a sliver of vibrant emerald in the middle of a sapphire bed. East of the Academy, a small town stretched through a clearing in the foreign planted trees. Then, to the northeast, natural palms dotted a sandy lagoon, flanked by rustic houses and bungaloos. Further east of this, a thickly reinforced wooden bridge had been constructed, and it stretched boldly across the ocean's waves, connecting the Academy's island with an even larger body of land—although Rainbow could already tell from the visible north and southern edges that it was only five times the size of the western strip at most. Several carts full of trading supplies rolled east and west across the bridge. There were no boats in the ocean—not even a single canoe.
“Rainbow...?”
“Ahem...” Rainbow stopped surveying the archipelago, turning instead to nod at Twilight. “Yup. You burrow deep enough into the earth, and—at one point or another—you're gonna run into a layer of solid gold metal that's as old as the earth itself.”
“And... uh... inside, there are lots of machinery and pedestals equipped with... ruby flame?”
“Well, for the most part. Some things are more consistent than others,” Rainbow said. She started gliding over the lush lengths of the island, staring down at the rooftops of the Academy and its accompanying township. “Sometimes there's a flame lit, other times... I have to light it.”
“Light it? But... how?”
“I wish I could explain,” Rainbow muttered. “But, suffice it to know, the metal layer is everywhere.”
“Wow, Rainbow,” Twilight murmured. “I'm surprised you've gotten far enough underground more than once to witness this!”
“Heh...” Rainbow smirked tiredly. “If there's anything I've never been in short supply of during my trip... it's caves.”
“And you can enter this... 'machine layer' at any time?” Twilight cocked her head to the side, inadvertently floating upside down as her ghostly body caught up with Rainbow. “Just like that?”
“Not always,” Rainbow said. “But, usually, there's a door with the Austraeoh symbol on it and only I'm capable of opening it.”
“Osst... osst-strayy....”
“Austraeoh,” Rainbow emphasized. “There's a symbol for it and everything. Whenever I see it, turns out I can... do something, like open a door or turn machinery on or whatever.”
“Where in Celestia's name did you even discover this... this word?”
“Through trial and error,” Rainbow said, shrugging in mid-flight. “But, I've also stumbled upon it in ancient runes... an old-as-flank book. The Xonans had the word as part of their vocabulary.”
“The who?”
“Xonans. Tattooed warrior unicorns situated far east of Equestria, beyond Silvadel and just bordering Ledomare—which is now Luxmare.”
“My head is still reeling from the 'tattooed warrior' part.”
“Basically, they've borrowed a language used by a bunch of quadrupeds who once existed in the continent east of Equestria,” Rainbow said. “Turns out ancient civilizations knew about 'Austraeoh.' Exactly what they knew is something I'm still trying to figure out, but a lot of the information I've stumbled upon has been backed up by the words of the Herald, which confirms the existence of the Angels—the prehistoric pegasi who were... kinda/sorta responsible for splitting up Urohringr.”
“Euro-... what?!”
“Urohringr. The big ringworld that once included the slightly curved plane we live on today.”
“But... I-I thought our world was flat. The alicorns—”
“Discovered it long after the angels split it apart, or at least that's kinda what the Noble Jury and I gathered when we stumbled on board the free-floating symbol where Commander Hurricane had died, otherwise known as... uhm... Stratopolis...” Rainbow looked back, doing a double-take at Twilight. “You okay there, girl? Am I going too fast?”
“I just... just...” Twilight winced, rubbing her forehead. “It's all so much to take in.”
“For real?” Rainbow arched an eyebrow. “I figured you of all ponies would be quick enough to keep up.”
“I'm a long way from my library, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “And I can't exactly write notes down, now can I?”
“Or make Spike do it. Heh.”
“Rainbow...”
“Well, just tell me which part confuses you,” Rainbow said, flying backwards. “The ancient language part? The Austraeoh part? Or the Urohringr part?”
“Buhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...”
Rainbow sighed, twirling about and descending towards the tree canopy. “Okay okay... let's... uhhhh... start over from the friggin' beginning.”
“They actually had chaos strips?” Twilight asked, gawking up at the pegasus.
“Yup.” Rainbow reclined lazily on a bent palm tree stretching over the crystal clean lagoon. “And they were summoning all sorts of nasty monsters. Well... I guess you could just say Sladesteed was, though he obviously didn't have full control of it.”
“Well, of course not!” Twilight paced around, her lavender hooves balanced perfectly atop the glittery water. “It's chaos! No pony can perfectly control it! Nor should they! Please tell me that justice was served!”
“Close enough,” Rainbow said with a smile. “Gold Petals and I grabbed the strips and lured the monsters into the machine layer. Unless I randomly decide to visit Windthrow again, there's no way in heck that anypony's opening the doors to let those creatures out again.”
“And what about Sladesteed?”
“He got exposed for being the moron that he was and the citizens of Windthrow were released from his grip of fear.” Rainbow shrugged. “End of story.”
“Wow, Rainbow. You must be proud of yourself.”
“Eh... things got super epic later on.”
“And that wasn't?” Twilight smiled. “I bet Gold Petals was very proud that she could help!”
“Er... yeah...” Rainbow squirmed where she lay. “She... she was something, alright.”
“Did you talk to her and the other villagers at all about Equestria?” Twilight asked. “Did you tell them about Celestia, Luna, and the Elements of Harmony?”
“I... uh... I didn't stick around that much.”
“Why not?”
“Doesn't matter.”
“But Rainbow—”
“I took off and started flying again,” Rainbow said. “And, after a bit of... y'know... mountain climbing...”
“...she told me about the Midnight Armory,” Rainbow said. “Well, a lot of it I knew about already, but she certainly opened my eyes about the whole situation.”
Twilight nodded, strolling along the beach besides Rainbow Dash. The ponies left only one series of tracks the whole time. “Whitemane sounds very... very wise.” She smiled. “And loving.”
“She was basically you after drinking a lot of herbal tea,” Rainbow said. “Or maybe Fluttershy on any given day. Heh... the two are about as equally flightless.”
“I wonder why she never bothered to visit Celestia or Luna in my lifetime.”
“Oh, I'm sure she has visited Equestria quite often,” Rainbow said. “I... I just don't remember. Fact is, her lifetime is on a totally different scale than our lifetimes.”
“Oh, to be certain.”
“But anyways, long story short, Whitemane could tell that there was more to my journey than just going on some... epic, suicidal quest.”
“Did she explain the machine world to you?”
“No, but she didn't have to,” Rainbow said.
“What... what do you mean?”
“She pointed me someplace where I could learn on my own,” Rainbow explained. “She pointed me to Darkstine.”
“And what happened in Darkstine?”
It was a scarlet afternoon that hung over Twilight's drooping ears. She sat on the grass, covering her muzzle with a pair of quivering hooves.
Rainbow Dash sat across from her. She took a gentle breath, gazing across the college campus. “Look, Twilight... it's... it's not exactly a pretty world out there. I mean...” She shrugged at the nearby buildings. “This place seems to be doing fine, and lots of villages in Val Roa were squeaky-clean. But, for the most part, the further one flies from Equestria, the nastier the continents get. Darkstine was no exception.”
“I... I know...” Twilight sniffled, clearing her throat in order to compose herself. “And... and even in Equestria there are horrible monsters. I know this...” She blinked the glossy wetness out of her eyes and looked up at Rainbow Dash with a determined frown. “But... but to have done that to innocent young foals?!”
“Yeah... the Duke was a real creep, alright.”
“Creep?! He was worse than Nightmare Moon and all of the hydras and diamond dogs of Equestria combined!”
“He was a chump,” Rainbow Dash said. “In the end, Zaap Nator was all talk and no guts, and I introduced his skull to my hooves as a reminder of how lame he was.”
“Still...” Twilight shook her head, sighing. “Such a terrible... terrible tragedy...”
“Maybe,” Rainbow said. “Maybe not.”
“But how can you say that, Rainbow Dash?”
“Very easily, Twi.” Rainbow smirked slightly. “In the end, I got in contact with a piece of the machine world beneath the city. I was able to bring all of their tech back to life, and their civil war ended before it even begun... really.”
“It's just so unfortunate.” Twilight swallowed a lump down her throat. “I mean... that so many ponies had to suffer before Nator's treacherous ways would be put to an end.”
Rainbow shrugged. “What matters is that the place is better off now.”
“Yeah, but at what cost?” Twilight sighed. “If only you had the rest of the Elements, Rainbow. If only you had us.”
Rainbow gazed at her. She opened her muzzle, hesitated, then murmured, “The jury's still out on that, Twilight.”
Twilight merely blinked.
Rainbow cleared her throat. “Anyways...” She gazed at the red sea to the west. The world grew dimmer, darker. “I didn't waste any time celebrating. I said good bye to Steelteeth and flew off.”
“You never seem to stay in one place for long.”
“Nope.”
“Well...” Twilight smiled hopefully. “Things couldn't get much worse than that, right?”
Rainbow grimaced slightly.
Twilight blinked. “Could they...?”
“You feeling tired at all?” Rainbow asked.
“Not really. Why?”
“Just... wondering if I should tell you about Silvadel before or after you attempt sleeping...”
Rainbow Dash lay upside on the bed inside the Sunset Suite. Her head hung over the edge of the mattress, and she stared upside-down at the starlit window. Eventually, she sighed, tilting her head up to glance over at a quietly whimpering figure.
“Are you good to talk again?” Rainbow muttered.
Twilight was curled up on the floor, sobbing quietly into her forelimbs. She sniffled, rubbed her wet muzzle, and sniffled again. A glossy pair of violet eyes rippled in the pegasus' direction.
“I... I-I think I can... y-yes...” Twilight nevertheless hiccuped on another sob.
“We could... y'know...” Rainbow fidgeted. “...call it a night if you wish...”
“No, I... I-I'm good to continue.” Twilight stood up, teetering slightly so that she phased through the walls of the cramped place with a lavender strobe. “It's very important that I understand totally and completely what you've gone through.”
“Right.” Rainbow nodded upside-down. “Because as soon as I can get your super smart brain focused on this situation, the bet—”
“I just can't believe that an entire civilization died!” Twilight moaned, eyes growing wetter. “And all because a dragon matriarch was selfish enough to turn the entire landscape into her own personal nest!”
Rainbow moaned, letting her head droop over the side of the bed once again.
“And even after all you did to save the remnants of those poor, poor Silvadelians, what does this Axan do?!” Twilight frowned, her tail straightening like a purple scimitar. “She mutilates you! You! My best friend! And after all the horrible things you'd already been through... starting in Ponyville—”
“Look, Axan did a lot of horrible things,” Rainbow said. “But, as odd as it sounds, she's... k-kinda okay.”
“How could she possibly be okay?!?” Twilight yelped. “She ripped you apart, Rainbow!”
“Yeah—well... she didn't finish me off.”
“And why not?!”
“Because she must have figured out I was the 'Austraeoh.'”
“With... the destiny that Whitemane hinted at?”
“Exactly. And ever since, Axan's been more or less looking after me.” Rainbow smirked. “She even took out Nevlamas before her crazy sister had a chance to bite me in two.”
“What?!” Twilight grimaced.
“Er... Nevlamas, the Divine of Magic? She'd gone full chaos and was being fed the living, tortured bodies of Ledomaritan soldiers in order to fuel her arcane insanity—”
“What?!?!” Twilight grimaced harder.
Rainbow winced, blushing slightly. “Erm... m-maybe we should go about this one step at a time...”
“I don't know...” Twilight squeaked, sniffling again. “I... I heard of the Divines. Celestia used t-to talk about them—about how they had been allies to the alicorns in days of old. But... but to think of them turning violent... and going insane?!”
“A lot of time can do a number one someone, pony or dragon alike,” Rainbow Dash muttered. “Look at you. You're a wreck, Twilight.”
“But... but you've seen it all, h-haven't you?!” Twilight stifled yet another whimper.
“That's kinda what I was getting at,” Rainbow said. She rolled over and gazed evenly off the bedside. “But... really... I'm a lot better off for it.” She smirked. “I promise.”
“Even... with Axan having ripped you apart?”
Rainbow spread her wings and smirked. “Do I lookwrecked to you?”
“But... b-but how did you survive?!” Twilight asked. “Please... Rainbow... please tell me that things got happier for you.”
Rainbow's eyes fluttered, and a warm smile spread across her muzzle. “Funny you should ask...”
“So, in spite of his disabilities, this... Pilate was able to decipher the runes you'd discovered deep in Foxtaur?”
“Well... yes and no,” Rainbow Dash said as the two of them strolled through a patch of forest flanking the college. Morning sunlight wafted through the waving tree branches, warming half of the two close friends. “He got hints of what some of the designs and glyphs meant, but we wouldn't get a full idea of what signified what until we learned about it all later... as a group.” Rainbow smirked aside. “And even then—and now—I'm a bit lost on the specifics.” Rainbow shrugged in mid-trot. “Whoever these ancient pegasi were, they didn't exactly leave a whole bunch of clues for future generations.”
“Still, you were quite fortunate to have Pilate by your side.”
“And Belle.” Rainbow smirked. “She's the one who built the tech for him that let the zebra see. In all honesty, they were both just about equally smart. Only... heh... Pilate was bored a heck of a lot more, so he filled his time doing egghead stuff.”
“Meanwhile, Eagle Eye, Crimson, Phoenix, and Zenith protected the three of you.”
“Well... uhm... most of them did, yeah.” Rainbow gazed up at the trees, smiling. “EE followed us out of Ledomare. Really swell guy.”
“EE?”
“Eagle Eye. You would have liked him. He was... was...” Rainbow paused, glanced at Twilight, and twitched. “...oh, how I wish you could see your own reflection right now.”
“Huh?” Twilight jolted in place, brushing back her mane. “What? Why?”
Rainbow sighed. “Never mind...”
“Did you stay in Foxtaur for long?”
“No,” Rainbow said, shaking her head. “The bad guys from Blue Shelf found us sooner than later. But we made it through. Most of us, at least.”
“Belle and Pilate?”
“Totally.” Rainbow smirked. “I'm not sure what I would have done if I lost them so easily.”
“Wow...” Twilight grinned. “They must have meant a lot to you.”
“Mmmmmhmmmm...”
Twilight giggled. “Because this is the most I've seen you smile since I showed up.”
Rainbow gave her a double-take.
“Eheheh...” Twilight waved a dainty hoof. “I don't mean anything bad by that. You've been stressed out by forces I can't even begin to fathom. It's just that... for a moment there, I... uh...” Twilight squirmed. “I-I was afraid for you, y'know?” She gulped. “All these tales of Darkstine, Silvadel, and now Ledomare...” The unicorn grimaced. “I... I was afraid that you might have given up on being happy.”
Rainbow slowly shook her head. “No way. No way in heck...” She chuckled dryly, trotting ahead. “How could I be depressed? What, with Ding Dong... Pilate... friggin' EE... even Josho...” She then let loose a dreamy sigh. “And then there was Roarke.”
“Roarke?” Twilight asked.
Rainbow's hooves scuffed to a stop against the forest floor. Her whole body went rigid.
“That's a new name. Who was Roarke?” Twilight asked.
Rainbow looked at her, blinking.
Twilight waited, smiling patiently.
Rainbow opened her mouth... lingered... and blurted: “A friend.”
“Heheh... you don't say.”
“A... very... very good friend.” Rainbow tried to smile, but she blanched at the attempt. “We... uhm... had our scrapes at first...”
“Is everything okay, Rainbow?”
“Buh?”
“Sounds like something's caught in your throat.”
Rainbow coughed, using the opportunity to glance away from Twilight as the tips of her ears went red. “Yeah, well... this whole mix of mainland and tropical trees is messing with me.”
“Why? Did you develop an allergy since you left Ponyville?”
“Er...”
“Did you and Roarke butt heads or something?”
“H-hey!” Rainbow grinned wide, trotting awkwardly forward. “Who's for some sea air?! I know I am!”
Twilight's ears folded back as the concave force field pushed her after Rainbow Dash. “Do... do you want to take a break from telling me about your travels?”
“Pffft! As if!” Rainbow bounced her way towards the white sands. “Let's see... uhhh... Shell! Did I tell you about Shell?”
“For... uhm...” Twilight gulped, floating a few feet off the bluff overlooking crashing waves. “For what it's worth, Rainbow, I think... I-I think you and you friends brought light into Imre's life.” She tried smiling. It came out in a small, feeble curve. “It's a real shame what her father did to her, but I... I-I really can't imagine she'd have all that prosperous of a life if she was left to waste away with those heartless warriors in Searo's Hold.”
“I get what you're trying to do, Twilight,” Rainbow muttered, gazing upon the waves. “Or, rather, what you're trying to say. And, believe me, I've thought the situation through and through in every way possible.” She slowly shook her head. “There's no telling where Imre would have been if I hadn't crossed paths with her. Maybe she'd be in a happier place. Maybe she'd be in total misery. All I know is—thanks to her—the rest of my friends got away in time to live another day... heck... the rest of their friggin' lives.”
“And this... this Noble Jury of yours...” Twilight cocked her head to the side. “Did you make it out of that horrible continent safely?”
“It took a great deal of trial and error. Lots of bad things happened... and lots of good stuff too.” Rainbow Dash's nostrils flared as she gazed down at the crashing waves. “Take Shell, for istance. He... he did many horrible things... and to many innocent ponies.” She gulped dryly. “And none of it would have happened if I-I hadn't led him to where their paths crossed... if I hadn't goaded him on...”
“You can't say that, Rainbow—”
“No, I can.” She turned to glare at Twilight. “You don't know because you weren't there, Twilight.”
The floating unicorn bit her lip. She avoided Rainbow's gaze only momentarily. “Wasn't I...?”
Rainbow sighed. She said, “Not in the way I was. And... for the most part, I think it's better that way.”
Twilight floated closer, gazing firmly. “Why do you say that?”
“I'm not kidding when I say a lot of bad stuff happened.”
“Would it help you to be more specific?” Twilight asked. “I know it would help me.”
Rainbow opened her mouth. She blinked, her lip pressed against the edge of her teeth. Eventually—as her ears folded back—she said: “No.”
“But Rainbow—”
“It's the good things that I wish to remember. The positive stuff that came from all this... from my travels.” Rainbow looked across the waters. “I've brought countries out of wars, and saved others from starting new ones. I've helped entire cultures see the light, or crawl out of the darkness. There were times when I doubted the truth, but eventually came to accept it—that I never stopped being a beacon for Harmony.” She glanced back, winking. “And a pretty awesome one at that.”
“Well, there's no denying that, Rainbow. It's just that... that...”
“Hmmm?”
Twilight grimaced slightly. “You've... you've gone through more than I'd ever want any of my friends to experience.” She sighed. “And you did so alone.”
“Heheheheh...”
Twilight arched an eyebrow.
Rainbow smirked. “Not alone.”
“Heeheehee... awwwwwww...” Twilight leaned her chin on her forelimbs as she floated upside down above Rainbow Dash. “That sounds like such an adorable moment.”
“Yeah, before it turned into a super sad one,” Rainbow muttered. She glided low over the waves as sunlight rippled across the waters. “But hey... they were all going on to better lives. I can only be happy for them, y'know?”
“Did they really get married on the spot?” Twilight asked.
“They decided to do it overnight,” Rainbow said with a nod. “Though nopony was surprised. Celestia knows I wasn't.” She twirled about, flying upside down as she faced Twilight against the dimming sky above. “There's just one weird part that always gets me.”
“What's that?”
“I really don't think the minister was used to binding two ponies of the same sex together.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Though, for a changeling, I suppose Ebon leaves something to be defined... technically...”
“What makes you say that?” Twilight asked. “About the minister, I mean.”
“Well, he kept referring to the union as a 'matrimony.'” Rainbow squinted past Twilight. “Is that really supposed to work with two dudes?”
“Heehee...” Twilight smiled. “I think the term 'patrimony' would work better.”
“What's the difference between 'mat' and 'pat?'”
“Eh...” Twilight shrugged. “I guess it doesn't matter.”
“Yowsers. Am I really talking to the same egghead?”
“I'm a bit out of sorts, Rainbow,” Twilight muttered. “Not to mention out of body.”
“Oops... my bad...”
“No. It's okay. Please...” Twilight smiled. “Tell me more about the friends you made while I was gone.”
“Erm... well...” Rainbow fidgeted in midair.
“Go back in time a bit,” Twilight said, her voice soft and foalish. “Share some memories that don't involve the last day you saw them.” A nervous titter. “If you d-don't mind.”
“Did you really need to hit him all the time?!” Twilight asked.
Rainbow yawned, sprawling across the bed again as starlight shimmered outside the window. “Mrmmff... well... if you knew the cheesehead yourself... you'd hit him too.”
“Yeah, but why?”
“The things he'd say...”
“Like what?”
“Well...” Ranbow rubbed her tired muzzle, squinting the floating unicorn's way. “If he was standing right here, looking at you, he'd probably say something like 'Hey babe, did you just swallow a coat rack or are you happy to see me?'”
Twilight's hoof swatted instinctively in Rainbow's direction.
The pegasus simply smirked as the limb phased through her. “See what I mean?”
“So crazy that he actually got together with the blonde Pinkie Pie.”
“Whew...” Rainbow rolled her eyes towards the dim ceiling. “Don't get me started.”
“Hmmm? What do you mean? On Zaid or the blonde?”
“Either,” Rainbow grumbled. “They were great flying buddies, but they could drive a pony up the wall.”
“Sounds like you were a good leader of the bunch.”
“Pffft...” Rainbow was caught between a giggle and a yawn. She snuck in a breath before wheezing: “I was no leader.”
“Of course you were!” Twilight twirled around and set her hooves down on the suite' floorboards—making phantom “contact.” She trotted back and forth in the starlight. “You took charge! You kept them from wringing each other's necks! I'm certain the only reason that 'Joshua' character didn't eat the entire food stock is because you threatened to rip his horn off...”
“'Josho,'” Rainbow muttered. “And you can thank Eagle Eye for that. If Josho did anything to make Ebon sad, Eagle Eye would have thrown Josho's fat ass off the Jury in a heartbeat.”
“Rainbow, honestly!”
“What, I'm being for real!”
“No, just... do you have to be so colorful about it?”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Please... I've been killed one and a half times and still you're gonna rag on me for that?”
Twilight stuck her nose up. “You can't use that card everytime, Rainbow! Don't forget, you're a living ambassador for harmony!”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow fought another yawn. “Right now, I'm a living ambassador to sleepytown.”
“Oh, I'm so sorry!” Twilight winced. “I... I've kept you up all day!” She blinked. “Two days!” She brushed her bangs back, staring out the window. “I... I can't believe how much time has gone by...”
“Yeah...” Rainbow muttered into the bed covers, her body slowly rising and falling as she shut her eyes. “...it'll do that.”
Twilight stood in silence. After a long breath, she muttered, “...Rainbow?”
“Yeah... Twilight...?”
“… … … Do you believe any of the things Khao said?” Twilight turned to look over her shoulder. “Or the stuff you found inside 'Stratopolis?'”
Rainbow's eyes reopened dully. “What... Urohringr? Austraeoh? All that?”
Twilight nodded.
Rainbow rolled over in bed with a sigh. Stretching, she pointed a hoof straight forward.
Twilight blinked curiously at it. “What... what are you pointing at?”
“Yaerfaerda,” Rainbow Dash said.
“Wait... hold on...” Twilight rubbed her head in thought, muzzle scrunched. “I know this one. It's... it's 'foal yesterday.'”
“Very good, egghead...”
“Well, you only told me six hours ago or so.” Twilight leaned back. “It's the symbol that led you to the mines so you could save the ponies in Amulek, right?”
“Yup.”
“And...” Twilight smiled with a soft sight. “It's what led you to the Tower where you eventually found me.”
“Uh huh...” Rainbow stifled another yawn. “And I'm still seeing it.”
Twilight looked straight at a flat wall. “But... where? I don't see it?”
“That bothers me,” Rainbow muttered. “What's more... it's white now, and not lavender—as it always used to be.” She sighed out her nostrils. “That bothers me too.”
“What... what's that supposed to mean?”
“Right now? I haven't a clue. Beforehand?” Rainbow shrugged in bed. “It meant that something important would happen if I flew in that direction.”
“You'd... you'd regain your strength.”
Rainbow squirmed where she lay in bed.
“Right?”
“Something like that, sure,” Rainbow said. “Point is... my destiny isn't exactly my own anymore. Whether it's been hinted at by Whitemane or directed to me by Axan, I've been on this journey for more reasons than a daredevilish trip to the Midnight Armory.”
“And now that you've learned about the Herald... or the legacy of Commander Hurricane—”
“A previous pony has dodged the bullet before me,” Rainbow said. “But now... all things considered... it looks like Axan was right.” She gritted her teeth. “I am Austraeoh.”
“Then... then what happens next?” Twilight asked, lip trembling.
“I've no friggin' clue. Normally, I'd just keep on flying. But now?” Rainbow's eyes darted over. “Now that you're here...?”
Twilight stared back in blank confusion.
“I don't know what to do anymore, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “I'm not sure I'm supposed to do anything anymore. All this time, I was simply carrying myself forward. But now that you're back...” She produced a long sigh, shutting her eyes. “Nothing makes sense. I'm so friggin' glad to have you here, but... but it's so confusing. So darn confusing.”
“Just...” Twilight fidgeted, putting on a brave smile. “Just sleep on it, Rainbow. You've done enough thinking and talking for the day.”
“But... so much...” Rainbow muttered, deflating further and further into the bedsheets. “...so much to sort out...”
Twilight tried to pat her shoulder, only for her limb to phase through the bed. Undaunted, she took a deep breath and stated: “Let me do the sorting out. If nothing else, perhaps it's what I'm here to do.” She winked to the darkness. “I'm your personal pocket ghost egghead!”
“Heeheehee...” Rainbow cooed, drifting into unconsciousness. “...pocket ghost...” And then her lips pursed as she submerged completely into slumber.
Twilight gazed at her. Slowly, her eyes glazed over. She sniffled, turning about to gaze at the starlight. After several deep breaths, she calmed herself, then shut her lids so that she could float in place... peacefully and soundlessly.
"Mrmmmf..." Rainbow's muzzle scrunched and she curled up tighter in bed. "Grnnnghhh..."
"Rainbow, wake up!" Twilight Sparkle's voice squeaked as she floated tight circles around her. "I mean it! Right now! I just came up with the most wonderful idea—"
"Mmmmf!" Rainbow shot straight up, slamming against the ceiling. A few sheets of plaster fell, and she hovered dizzily in midair, bucking her hooves at everything and nothing. "What?! Where?! What is it?! Did Axan show up?! I've got a good mind to..." She blinked tiredly. "...crack skulls."
Twilight grinned at her. "Good! You're up!"
Rainbow groaned. "And you're dead."
"Hah! We've still yet to determine that!"
"Mrmmmmff..." Rainbow yawned, drifting backwards in mid-air. "...deader."
"Come on, Rainbow! I need you to fly to the K.M.C.A. campus library!"
"Nrnnnghhh..." Rainbow's body dangled like a fuzzy blue ragdoll off her flapping wings. "...not a studentchuuuuuuuuuu..."
"Rainbow, I mean it!" Twilight slapped her tail in the air like a whip. "This is serious! I just thought of something, and the only solution is books!"
"That's your solution to... grmmmff... everything."
"Well, the only solution to your situation is a quick dip in the cold surf!" Twilight arched an eyebrow. "Honestly, Rainbow, you slept for close to eight hours! I thought you were used to napping on the go!"
"Guhhhh..." Rainbow blinked wearily out the brightly-lit window. "...used to my hammock on board the Noble Jury."
"Well, that's neither here nor there."
"Mrmmmf... friggin' Floydien stole it and farted west."
"Who?"
"The crazy elk with the... speak speak, remember?"
"Whatever. Let's just go already!" Twilight said, floating towards the door. "Come on! Before it's midday and students start filling the library up for afternoon studies!"
"Grmmf..." Rainbow sighed, drifting forward. "Wanna munch on something..."
"Books first, food later!"
"I wonder if dictionaries taste good in syrup..."
"Rainbow!"
"Right! Library..." Rainbow yawned. "...ho." Twilight phased through the door, but Rainbow slammed into it muzzle-first. WHUD! "... ... ...ow."
Rainbow Dash slumped in her chair, facing a table stacked tall with books. She teetered, eyes thin and weary. Her hoof held a book open while Twilight Sparkle floated over her shoulder and read with great interest.
The musky smell of dusty tomes made Rainbow's nostrils tickle. She squirmed constantly, glancing left and right every chance she got. Whenever she looked away from the table, she saw ponies seated several spots away—jerking their gazes away from the pegasus as they pretended to not be staring at her the whole time.
"Rainbow, stay still," Twilight Sparkle muttered. "And I'm done with this page."
Rainbow sighed, flipping to the next part of the book. "They're still freaked out."
"Hmmm?" Twilight's violet eyes scanned the pages intently. "What's still 'freaked out?'"
"The students," Rainbow droned. "The... Kihutajans... Kihutajanoids... the Ki Ki's..." She yawned for the millionth time, teetering back in her seat. "...aside from that goofball unicorn with the purple eyes, I don't think there's a single soul on this island whose trust I've won."
"Well, it could be worse, right?" Twilight droned, her lips moving between words as she read page after page. "At least you haven't landed amongst bloodthirsty tattooed warriors with a ridiculous caste system, or fire-breathing dragon broodlings, or a bunch of sexually backwards pegasi."
"Hey!" Rainbow frowned. "The Durandanans weren't sexually backwards..." She fidgeted. "More like sassily forwards."
"What's the difference?" Twilight muttered. "Next page."
Rainbow flipped a sheet and leaned her chin against a lazy hoof. "The difference is that—for all of the crud that held the ponies of Durandana back—they've got what it takes to be super awesome. Now that Celestia's got a direct line of chat with them, I'm sure they'll make lots of progress. After all, I did show them how they could leave the crater."
"That'll be a trip," Twilight muttered, squinting at a particular passage. "Here's hoping they don't leave their manners at the door."
"Hey, ponies will... g-get super friendly in order to avoid the horrible crushing pain of loneliness." Rainbow cleared her throat. "That's not so... b-bad a thing, is it?"
"Only if you're raised to greet each other with goofy bird calls, I suppose."
"Twilight, what the hay are we even doing here?!" Rainbow growled, summoning a few nervous glances from a distance. The pegasus frowned at the faraway students. "Yeah, that's right! You want a spitwad with your name on it?!"
"Shhhhh!" Twilight hissed, frowning at the book in Rainbow's hooves. "Would it kill you to tone it down a little?"
"I'd say the same to you!" Rainbow grumbled back while a few students shuffled awkwardly away. "You're the mare who burst out of sleep all piss and vinegar!"
"There's so much that's different about you now, Rainbow," Twilights aid. "You're a lot more... more..."
"Fuzzy?"
"Edgy," Twilight said, eyes rolling across paragraph after paragraph. "I mean, considering all of the things you've battled—Shell, Axan, Josho—it's a tad bit understandable..."
"Josho wasn't a supervillain," Rainbow droned. "He was just fat as Hell."
"See?! That too! Language! I know you've seen many an ocean, Rainbow, but you don't have to talk like a sailor!"
Rainbow's brow furrowed. "Who died and made you the Princess of Etiquette?" She blinked. "Besides yourself, I mean."
"Turn the page."
"Nnnngh..." Rainbow sighed, flipping a sheet. "This the sixth dusty geography book in a row, Twilight. Will you just tell me what you're looking for—?"
"Ah HA!" Twilight grinned. She pointed a triumphant hoof that phased partially through Rainbow's chest. "That about confirms it!"
"Confirms what? I don't book fu like you, book fool."
"Three out of the six volumes list a common fact about this part of the world." The ghostly mare smiled with a twinkle in her eye. "There are six equadistantly-placed points of curious architectural and magical phenomena situated across Rohbredden and the surrounding archipelagos. We just happen to be located along the western fringes of Kihutaja, right within eyeshot of the first of the six points."
"Points... points..." Rainbow blinked. "Wait... you mean more towers like the one where I summoned you?"
"Towers... caves... buildings... mountain structures..." Twilight gestured at the book. "The accounts are relatively vague, but claim that the various cultures surrounding these six spots have their own historians who have kept careful track of them throughout the ages. Apparently these points of interests have been largely lost to time, moslty because of neglect and ingorance over the past few centuries. Coincidentally, the three books that failed to mention them were all published within the last three hundred years."
"Let me guess..." Rainbow thought aloud. "...that's the same period of time during which 'Verlaxion' became the reining deity of Rohbredden."
"Wow, very good, Rainbow Dash!" Twilight cooed with genuine enthusiasm. "You drew the same conclusion as I did!" She pointed once again at the books. "Looks like there's been some major historical revisionism over the last age or so."
"Still, what's the point of all this rambling?" Rainbow asked. "So what if I fly to the next parts of the machine world? The journey's different now. Everything is different now."
"What makes you say that?"
"Because...!" Rainbow began, only to be shushed by Twilight. She lowered her voice, as well as her wings. "Because you're here, Twilight! I should be figuring out a way to take advantage of your ghostliness and somehow make you un-ghostly."
"How so?"
"I dunno. Isn't it obvious?" Rainbow took a deep breath. "I fly back."
"Back?" Twilight blinked. "Back where?"
"Back back."
Twilight did a double-take. "You mean to Equestria?!"
"Where else?!" Rainbow cackled, causing more students to stir. "That's where this whole mess began! Now that you're around, I gotta do everything I can to keep you from disappearing again!"
"But doesn't this invisible 'Yaerfaerda' symbol point you east, Rainbow?" Twilight asked. "I mean... it's where you've always gone!"
"It's not colored lavender anymore, Twilight," Rainbow groaned. "It's the first time it ever changed. Maybe it doesn't mean anything anymore. I should figure out a way to get you home."
"What for?" Twilight exclaimed. "You think that 'bringing me back' to Luna or Celestia is somehow going to help?! Assuming you even survive such a crazy backtracking journey to Equestria, how do we even know they can see me, much less help out?"
"Well, egghead, have you any bright ideas?"
"Rainbow, I know I'm just now learning about everything you've gone through... but..." Twilight paced about, trotting through the nearby table and chairs. "All last night, I kept thinking and thinking about this whole 'Austraeoh' business. And... and what if it's not a simple coincidence that I showed up again?"
"What do you mean?"
"You said the vision of Whitemane spoke to you at the Tower, right?"
"Pretty much, yeah."
Twilight scuffled to a stop, turning to face Rainbow. "Did the spectre tell you to stop flying east?"
"No." Rainbow shook her head. "I was just told to 'foal yesterday.'"
"And haven't you done that?" Twilight grinned, striking a pose, mane flouncing. "Look! I'm here!"
"Not in the flesh, you're not," Rainbow droned.
Twilight frowned, not losing her pose. "Still, I'm more here than I was previously. And I still swear I remember being present in some way or another. What if... Rainbow..." She took a shuddering breath. "What if I'm not the only one?"
The colors nearly drained out of Rainbow's mane. She stared forward, burning holes through the walls of every building in Kihutaja. "... ... ...you... you mean the girls, don't you?"
Twilight slowly nodded. "I mean the girls."
"But... but..." Rainbow found herself wheezing. "...this is nuts."
"Is it?" Twilight cocked her head to the side. "Or is it something that maybe—just maybe—this whole 'Austraeoh' prophecy has always meant to happen?"
"Twilight, that's crazy talk. Even for you."
"You told me how Urohringr is—by all definition—a gigantic remnant of a technologically advanced civilization... as in advanced beyond our comprehension, but not entirely capable of eluding rational thought." Twilight tapped her chin, grinning harder and harder. "That means that we musn't rule out the application of science! Rainbow, although though we can't prove how or why you're the Austraeoh, it doesn't mean that there isn't some method that the ancient ponies who first built and/or sundered Urohringr implemented in order to have a future descendant follow in their wingflaps!"
"I mean you, Rainbow! Or—yes—even Commander Hurricane." Twilight gestured. "With enough technological advances, perhaps a civilization could harness a way in which they could carry information or even intellect down the ages through genetics!"
"Genetics?"
"You could very well be an organic message in a bottle!" Twilight danced in place, giddy. "Harmony is the strongest and most wholesome power of this era. Maybe whatever Austraeoh was destined to do, the Elements of Harmony were always meant to assist!"
"Wait..." Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth. "How could that be possible? The Elements of Harmony were destroyed."
"Yes... well..." Twilight bit her lip.
Rainbow Dash blinked hard. "... ... ...you mean whoever or whatever purposed Austraeoh planned for the Elements to be destroyed in order to get something done?!" She gnashed her teeth and kicked out of her chair, hovering around. "Buck me sideways. That's as dumb as dumb itself, Twilight!"
"Whatever the case, I think it would behoove us to see what else Yaerfaerda has in store for you!"
"And to do what?!" Rainbow growled, spinning about. "Just see what else 'fate' or 'genetics' wants to have destroyed? Oh! Hey! What about Equestria this time?!" Rainbow groaned. "Heck, why not blow up the Sun and Moon while we're at it?! Let's see what kind of a plot twist that gives the future of Urohringr!"
"Rainbow, let's be serious for a second! I know what I'm saying is preposterous, but... but with just enough proof... and these geographical points..." Twilight hung her head, groaning.
"What? What is it?" Rainbow asked.
"Nothing..." Twilight sighed, nevertheless pouting with sad eyes. "It's just that this is so big a hypothetical scenario... too big for mortals like us. I almost wish that I could get Celestia's second opinion on this. She's so very, very wise."
"Yeah, well, that would just be... peachy... keen..." Rainbow Dash blinked off. She turned around... and around and around and around. At last, she spotted a slowly rotating time-table situated on a table near to where the college librarian sat, perusing files. Fwooosh! In a flash, the pegasus hovered right in front of the old mare. "Hey! You!" she snapped, her voice echoing across the otherwise silent archives. "Does this doohickey tell the time?!"
"Erm... y-y-yes, madame..." The old mare hugged a book to her chest, gulping. "The revolutions of the Sun, stars, and—"
"When's the moon full next?!" Rainbow exclaimed. "I have to know!"
"Why... f-funny you should ask, ma'am!" The mare adjusted her bifocals. "This evening, it should have waxed completely!"
Rainbow's ears perked, and she hovered higher, feeling lighter than air.
"I don't get it, Rainbow..." Twilight floated between her and the mare. "...why is that so important?"
Rainbow grinned... then grinned harder. "Twi..." She whispered aside, attempting to diffuse an already awkward scene. "...tonight's gonna be super happy for somepony..."
“So... uhm...” Twilight fidgeted in the moonlight. “How exactly does this spell work?”
“Shhhhh...” Rainbow sat on a college rooftop, just beside the window looking in on the Sunset Suite. “Lemme concentrate.”
“Oh, right...” Twilight rolled her eyes. “We spent a whole afternoon arguing in a library and now you want quiet.”
“I'm serious, girl.” Rainbow frowned, placing a hoof to her pendant. “I missed my chance last month on account of wandering aimlessly through an antimagic desert. I'm a bit out of practice.”
“Don't be.” Rainbow glanced aside. “Do you remember what we rehearsed?”
“Erm... yes.”
“You got your questions ready?” Rainbow squinted through the dim night air. “No matter how we shake it, this is gonna get awkward.”
Twilight took a deep breath. “Let's just be quick about it and hope for the best.”
“Right.” Rainbow glanced up at the pale orb in the center of the night's sky. “Right right right... here goes...” She slowly stroked the ruby lightning bolt in gentle little circles.
Twilight watched with pursed lips as a silver aura emanated from the metallic surfaces of the Loyalty Pendant. Within seconds, a royal voice echoed along the wind, shaking the phantom unicorn to her very core.
“Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash, is that truly you?”
Rainbow gulped. “H-hey, Princess Luna.” She smiled crookedly in the glittering moonlight. “What's up?”
“Oh, Rainbow Dash, such boundless elation! There is no way to properly state just how ecstatic I am to once again hear your voice! When you missed the last moon cycle, I had feared... we had all feared the worst! And considering your last dire situation...”
Meanwhile, Rainbow looked at Twilight. She mouthed several mute words, swinging her forelimb for emphasis.
Twilight nodded in response. She floated closer to Rainbow's pendant, yelping: “Luna?! Princess Luna?! It's Twilight! Twilight Sparkle! Can you hear me?!”
Long silence. Followed eventually by: “Rainbow? Rainbow, are you there? I do certainly hope I did not imagine your voice just now.”
“Luna! Luna, can you hear me? It's Twilight!” Twilight repeated. When she got no response, she glanced up at Rainbow, grimacing.
Rainbow hung her head with a sigh.
“Rainbow...?”
Clearing her throat, Rainbow spoke up: “I'm here, Luna. You don't have to worry, Your Highness.”
“Needn't I? Rainbow Dash, it has been the space of two months! Surely some ill-fate had to have befallen you and your companions in order to make you incapable of communicating all this time!”
“My companions... are fine,” Rainbow said. “I'm fine too. As for the communication part, it's a super long story...”
“I would most certainly like to hear it! Consider all tasks set aside! My ears belong to you and you alone—”
“That's just the thing.” Rainbow coughed. “Look, Princess, I'm going to need you to fetch Princess Celestia.”
A brief moment of silence, then: “My sister? But, Rainbow, you know very well that she can't leave the rift in—”
“Right. Then fly to her.” Rainbow gulped. “Please? We... I need to talk to her. It's super... super important.”
“… … … very well. As you desire, Rainbow Dash. I shall bring this conversation into the company of Celestia.”
“And... uhm... since you're going to Ponyville...” Rainbow gazed aside at Twilight. “...wake Spike up too.”
Twilight bit her lip.
“Spike? He will surely be sleeping at this hour.”
“I know, but this is the most important conversation we've ever had... or will ever have.”
“Did you finally reach the edge of the world, my little pony?”
“Erm... no. Not yet. But believe you me... I... I-I just gotta speak to Celestia and Spike. Pronto.”
“Very well. As you wish. Forgive the space in time that this will take. Even with the powers of flight and teleportation, it will take a considerable amount of time to assemble the requested company at the sarcophagus.”
“Right. So long as you can get there by moonfall, Your Highness.”
“Fear not, Rainbow Dash, and await my signal.”
“Will do.”
“It... it is exceedingly great to hear your voice again.”
Rainbow smiled delicately. “You too, Luna. Now go fetch Celestia... erm... please.”
“Commencing with the 'fetch.'” And then the enchanted airwaves fell silent.
The night limped on. Frostily so. For the next hour and a half, Rainbow Dash paced around the rooftop ceaselessly. The distant roar of the crashing tide gave a haunted backdrop to the scene, and when Rainbow finally stopped to catch her breath, she noticed Twilight shivering off to the side.
“You okay, Twi?” Rainbow asked.
“Hmmm?” The unicorn glanced her way. “Oh, yes. Definitely.” Nevertheless, she produced a shuddering breath.
“You know, you don't have a body right now,” Rainbow said.
“You don't have to remind me,” Twilight muttered, quivering all over.
Rainbow arched an eyebrow. “Then how come you're shivering?”
The mare blinked, struggling to keep still.
“Hey...” Rainbow smirked. “It's gonna be alright. Just remember your questions, and we'll knock this out.”
“It's not that I dread what's about to happen, I just... just...” Twilight's voice dwindled into a breathy squeak.
“Don't faint on me now, Twi.”
Twilight squinted in Rainbow's direction. “Luna couldn't even hear me. What does that mean?”
“You're honestly surprised?” Rainbow shrugged. “No offense to the Royal Sisters or your undying respect for them, Twilight, but alicorns aren't exactly all that.”
“Rainbow...”
“Seriously. I mean, Luna and Celestia are totally awesome. Whitemane too. But you gotta remember, they discovered this piece of Urohringr. They didn't build it.” Rainbow tilted her gaze up at the moon. “Maybe the Sun and Moon belong to them, but there's stuff about this land that's way older than any alicorn ever.”
“And if it's something other than Harmony that's allowing you to communicate with me, then what is it?”
“I dunno. But something tells me that our think tank is about to double... maybe even quadruple.”
Just then, the air crackled with a familiar voice.
“I have returned, Rainbow Dash,” Luna said. “What's more, I am not alone.”
Rainbow perked up, grinning. “Alright. Let's get this show on the road. Celestia? Princess Celestia? Are you there, Your Highness?”
“Rainbow Dash...” Celestia's motherly tone enriched the air around them, positively warming Rainbow's coat through sheer inflection. “My sister informs me that you are in one piece. This is truly joyful news.”
Twilight inhaled, her eyes instantly watering. She held a hoof over her muzzle, blinking rapidly in Rainbow's direction.
Rainbow gave her a reassuring smile. Then, after a deep breath, she tilted her head back up. “It's good to hear from you as well, Celestia. Are you alone?”
“Indeed, I am not, as per your request.”
Just then, a deep voice growled: “Rainbow? Rainbow, is it actually you?”
Twilight did a double-take. “I... I don't get it. Who's the stallion in there with them?”
Rainbow held a hoof over the front of her pendant and spoke aside: “I don't think that's a stallion, Twi.”
Twilight stared. Then, after several seconds, she gasped again. “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh...”
The voice continued: “After all these months, you're still alive? I-I mean... that's great! Good news and all. I'm just... well... it's a pleasant surprise! I didn't think Celestia and Luna would be asking me to speak to you in a million years... eheheheh... how are things, Rainbow?”
Rainbow took a deep breath. “Doing fine, Spike. Okay, look... we haven't got much time. Every hour of these three nights is super precious n'crud. So let's start out with a few important questions.”
“What kind of questions do you have in mind, Rainbow Dash?” Celestia's voice asked.
Rainbow fidgeted. “Well... I-I guess they're not so much questions as they are... they are...” She winced. “Okay, just wait and hear me out!” She flashed Twilight a look.
“N-now?” Twilight asked.
Rainbow nodded vigorously.
Twilight cleared her throat. “Uhm... When I was seven, and I-I had first entered Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, she lectured the class on 'Thermodynamic Spatial Sub-dimensions Within a Chaotic Sphere.' It was the first lesson I ever learned from her ever. I scored ninety-eight percent on the following quiz... and... and sh-she had to console me for an hour afterwards while I cried like a baby.” She blushed slightly.
Rainbow took a deep breath, tilted her head up, and spoke: “Princess Celestia, about... a dozen years ago, you gave a lecture at your School for Gifted Unicorns on... uhhh...”
“'Thermodynamic Spacial Sub—'”
“Right. Thermodynamic Spacial Sub-dimensions Within a Chaotic Sphere. It was Twilight Sparkle's first lesson after joining the school. Even though she scored ninety-eight percent on the test she had about it, she cried her eyes out, and you were there to sit her through it.”
Silence.
Rainbow bit her lip. “Is... is that true?”
“'Why... yes, Rainbow. That's a very delightful memory that I love to hang onto. What ever made you bring it up?'”
Rainbow shook her head at Twilight. “That's not enough,” she hissed.
Twilight nodded, then boldly said, “Three years later, I was wandering the Palace grounds, when I found Princess Celestia seated in the Royal Gardens, quietly sobbing. Though she never told me directly why, I noticed that... that she had a necklace in her possession with the emblem of a royal compass.”
Rainbow spoke loudly, “Celestia, a few years after that, Twilight found you sobbing on the Palace grounds. Like... in the Royal Gardens. And you had a pendant or a necklace with... a 'royal compass' engraved on it. Do you recall that?”
Dead silence.
“Rainbow Dash, I... I do not understand the meaning of this inquiry. What has inspired you to ask about—”
Rainbow gazed pointedly at Twilight.
Twilight closed her eyes, sighed, and blurted: “Prince Blueblood's great great grandfather was a royal guardspony named Captain North Star. He died saving Celestia from a manticore attack outside Stalliongrad.”
Rainbow said, “Prince Bluelbood's great great grandfather was Captain North Star. He died saving you from a manticore attack.”
An audible gasp filled the air, followed shortly by Luna's breathless voice: “Sister...”
Rainbow and Twilight stood in nervous silence, waiting.
Celestia's voice picked up again, and it was struggling to stay firm. “Rainbow, how... h-how could you possibly know of such a thing...?”
Twilight whimpered. “Oh gosh... she's hurt.” She gulped. “I-I promised never ever to tell anypony about that—”
“Spike!” Rainbow hissed at her. “Spike!”
“Er, yes, Rainbow?” the growling voice came into clarity. “What is it?”
Twilight composed herself and stammered: “'A Colt's Guide to Library Etiquette.'”
Rainbow blurted: “A Colt's Guide to Library Etiquette!”
“It's the first book I ever gifted Spike on his birthday.”
“It's the first book Twilight ever gave you for your birthday!”
“Uhhh... yeah. But what's that got to do with—?”
Rainbow motioned with her hoof.
Twilight fidgeted, leaning forward to whisper in Rainbow's ear.
Rainbow made a face. “Why are you whispering the next part—?” Just then, her eyes widened. Grimacing, she spoke to the air: “Uhhh... Spike? When you were... barely a hatchling, and Twilight took you with her to live inside the Royal Palace, you accidentally caused the fire to the West Wing. Or, more appropriately, she did... because... uh...” Rainbow squinted over her shoulder. “...Twilight thought she could housebreak you with a litter box full of dried-up old newspaper clippings.”
Twilight bit her lip, blushing furiously.
Rainbow looked back up at the moon. “Is that right?”
Eventually, Spike's voice cracked: “I... I don't get it. How do you know all this? Aren't you halfway across the dang world?!”
Celestia interjected: “Rainbow Dash, an explanation, if you please. How is it that you know these things? Did Twilight tell you before she perished?”
“No, Your Highness.” Rainbow gulped. “She told me them just now.”
“Just... now...?”
“Because Twilight Sparkle is alive, Princess Celestia,” Rainbow said. “At least in spirit. She appeared to me just as I crossed the Grand Choke, and her consciousness has been attached to me and my pendant ever since.”
Right that very second, the shadows of trees and buildings shifted. Rainbow was momentarily confused, until her peripheral vision caught the very moon wobbling in its orbit. Then, just as quickly as the lunar tremble had started, it was still again.
“Uhhh...” Rainbow blinked. “...Your Highness?”
“I have taken over the conversation, Rainbow Dash,” Luna boldly spoke. “So that my sister may reorient her meditation and keep Ponyville from succumbing to the rift.”
Rainbow merely clenched her teeth.
“Now... uhm... please...” Luna's voice cleared in a not-so-dainty fashion. “Would you kindly explain to us how this miracle has occurred...?”
Twilight giggled and bounced in place, smiling brightly.
Rainbow smirked. “Well, Your Majesty...” She winked towards the sky. “We were kinda/sorta hoping you might help us.”
“From what has been explained, I can only draw one conclusion,” Princess Celestia's voice carried along the early-morning wind over the K.M.C.A.'s rooftops. “In pursuing this 'Yaerfaerda' symbol, Rainbow, you have not only restored your health, but have restored the consciousness of Twilight Sparkle as well. It would stand to reason that pursuing the symbol further—by whatever powers have been imbued in it by the ancient properties of Austraeoh—must necessarily produce similar if not greater results.”
“Look, I always sorta figured that coming into contact with these torches of ruby flame have done a number on extending my lifespan,” Rainbow said, reclining on an angled piece of rooftop. “But what's it gotta do with bringing Twilight back? And why now?”
“That remains to be understood,” Luna interjected. “If I'm to understand your retelling just right, a spirit of some sort spoke to you, claiming that your current task was to 'foal yesterday?'”
“Well... y-yeah...”
“Maybe it means to literally bring back the past,” Twilight spoke up, floating alongside Rainbow. “As in bring back the Elements!”
Rainbow spoke: “Twilight says she thinks the whole point here is to bring back the Elements!”
“In a manner of speaking, perhaps,” Luna said. “But, even if you accomplish this beyond Twilight, it would appear as though the ultimate result is bringing back your deceased companions in incorporeal form only.”
“But, how is that possible?!” Spike's voice deeply resonated. “Twilight and the rest of the girls died! I watched it happen!”
“Their bodies perished, Spike, that is correct,” Celestia said. “But it would seem as if we had made a premature conclusion about their spirits. They are—after all—the avatars of Harmony.”
“But how's that different from just being the Elements of Harmony?”
Luna spoke: “We mustn't forget, they cleansed me of the taint of Nightmare Moon through simply being. The power of the Elements had transferred out of the stones and into their essences. It was something even my sister didn't predict.”
Rainbow muttered: “Celestia still knew we had to get involved, somehow.”
Twilight blinked curiously at the tone in her voice.
“Quite true, Rainbow,” Celestia said. “But my sister Luna is right. I never expected that Twilight and her friends would become one with the Elements in the way that they did. We have discussed this situation before... on more than one occasion.”
“You're right, Your Majesty,” Rainbow said. “Consider it over and done with.”
Spike spoke up: “So, if I'm hearing this correctly, if Rainbow brings back the Elements... she brings back all our friends!”
“Hypothetically, yes,” Luna said. “We still do not fully understand the nature of this 'Urohringr' which Rainbow has learned so much about. Even our immortal companions who first arrived on this plane alongside us were stumped.”
“It has taken us eons to simply map out the landscape,” Celestia said. “And with only two of us immortals remaining, we've spent most of that time struggling to maintain Harmony on the light side.”
“Yeah, with no help from me,” Rainbow muttered. She leaned her head back and sighed. “I've given you time and a half with that dang chaos rift...”
“Perish the thought, Rainbow Dash,” Celestia's voice carried. “You have done more good for the fate of this world than all mortals of the last several millennia combined. Ever since Axan spoke of the forthcoming death of this plane, I knew that—one way or another—you would be an integral device in counteracting that.”
“Yeah, well... heh... one awesome thing at a time.” Rainbow sat up straight. “It's nearly dawn. I'm guessing you can't hold off the rising sun for a little bit, eh, Luna?”
“Sadly, no, Rainbow. It is the cost of order, after all.”
“Right... so let's cover what we can.” She glanced at Twilight. “Assuming Yaerfaerda is leading me towards restoring the Elements. Should I go for it?”
Twilight exclaimed, “The six points across Rohbredden! There's gotta be a connection!”
“Twilight brings up a good point!” Rainbow spoke to the air. “She and I did some research at the library here in Kihutaja. Local geographical history speaks of six key points of interest spread across the archipelagos between here and the edge of the world. If they are—in fact—entrances to the Machine World, then that means I could come into contact with more ruby flame!”
“And you think this might be a way of bringing back the other four Elements?” Luna remarked.
“Then why's there an extra point?” Spike remarked. “I mean... Rainbow's one. Twilight's a second...”
“Look, that doesn't matter!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Let's pretend I can actually bring the girls back! Just like Twilight! I mean... what then?”
“There... might be a possibility...” Celestia thought aloud. “...on the Dark Side...”
“What? What possibility?!” Rainbow shot up, wings flapping. “You mean the Midnight Armory? Could the Harmonic Prism play a part?!”
“It is complete conjecture at this point, Rainbow. Rest assured, Luna will be doing a great deal of research in our most ancient archives over the next twenty-four hours.”
“And I'll help!” Spike chirped. “I am Ponyville's chief librarian, after all!”
“I could certainly use the assistance,” Luna said. “One way or another, Rainbow Dash, we will have acquired much information to discuss this over the next two evenings.”
“Sounds like a date!” Rainbow said. “In the meantime...” She smirked aside at Twilight. “...Twilight and I will look into finding these remaining five spots!”
“Can't this... Yiffyfart symbol thingy just lead you there?” Spike asked.
“It ain't that easy, dude,” Rainbow said. “This... is a totally different kind of culture than the places I've visited before. What's more... uhm...”
“Verlaxion,” Twilight murmured.
Rainbow gulped. “We have the Divine Verlax to deal with. From everything I've heard... she ain't good news.”
“And as memory serves us, you would be right to assume the worst,” Luna said. “Even Axan was easier to commune with than her.”
“Jee...” Rainbow droned. “...how nifty.”
The air crackled with dwindling energy. “Rainbow...” Luna's voice struggled to say. “The connection is about to be severed. I advise that you contact us as soon as the moon is within sight tomorrow evening.”
“You can bet on it!” Rainbow glanced aside. “Uhm... maybe some final words for Twilight would be snazzy.”
“H-huh?” Twilight blinked.
“Twilight, my good and faithful student,” Celestia spoke, her voice wavering slightly. “Your life has been the greatest joy I have had the pleasure of experiencing in eons. When I assumed you had perished, it filled me with great despair. Meditating on the chaos rift has been a harsh yet necessary distraction. But knowing that you are back and that your wisdom endures fills me with great strength once again. I am so proud of you, my little pony.”
“Mmmmmm...!” Twilight clamped her hooves over he mouth, instantly tearing. “I adore you, Princess Celestia!” She sniffled and stammered to speak. “You mean everything to me! You're like a s-second mother! I think of you always!”
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow smirked into the air. “Twilight says she loves you n'stuff!”
“Twilight... I-I never got a chance to tell you, but... uhm...” Spike's voice shuddered, turning breathy. “I never knew my mother, but that never bothered me. Because I always had you. You looked after me... and you made life worth living, even when I felt alone. So... thank you... and I love yo—” His voice cut off.
And just like that, Rainbow's pendant dimmed.
Twilight gasped, several tears rolling down her cheek. She clenched her eyes shut and hugged herself, drifting sideways.
“Hey...” Rainbow looked over. She hovered closer to the phantom, reaching through her with a strong hoof. “Hey, Twilight, c'mere. It's okay. Don't be sad...”
“Oh Rainbow...” Twilight sniffed, shaking her head. “Silly... silly Rainbow...” She reopened her moist eyes with a bittersweet smile. “I'm not sad.”
“Well... uh...” Rainbow cleared her throat. “Don't be soggy then.”
Twilight cleared her throat, wiping her muzzle dry. “You... you must be feeling sleepy.”
“Nope.” Rainbow shook her head. “Not in the least.”
“Good!” Twilight smiled jubilantly, ears and tail twitching. “Then there's much work to be done!”
“Right!” Rainbow bore a devilish smirk. Flapping her wings, she tore across the peeking dawnlight and made for the center of the college campus. “And I just know who to start with!”
“Uhm...” Twilight drifted after her, tumbling. “Don't you mean 'where?'”
“And you're going to build it?” The pretty mare asked, eyes glittering in the dawnlight wafting through the library windows. “All by yourself?”
“Well... I'll have a little help here and there...” Nick leaned back with a suave smile, gesturing towards the general vicinity of the ocean beyond the college's walls. “From my rich collection of nautical manuals. But—for the most part...” He winked and tapped his skull. “...I'll be relying on what I built in here, plus muscle memory. After all...” He cracked the joints in his neck and breathed. “I built three yachts back east before I transferred over here.”
“No way!” She beamed, grinning from ear to ear. “Just in the same way you plan to build this one?”
“Well, it won't be the same, now, will it?” Nick chuckled deeply. “I mean... now that the Blight has fallen, this means a whole new horizon of possibilities! Of danger! Of exploration!”
“It all sounds so terribly exciting.” The mare gulped. “And life-threatening.”
“Eh...” He brushed his chin, lazily glancing at the ceiling. “You can't really live without a little threat here or there. I, for one, won't settle for mediocrity. There's a big, mysterious world out there, and I aim to experience the best and worst it has to offer!”
“Aren't you scared?”
“Pffft! Who wouldn't be? But that's healthy for the soul too!” He winked. “And the body.”
“Heeheehee... I'd love to see what's beyond the Blighted waves.” The mare sighed dreamily. “Haven't you ever thought about it before? The whole world just... seems so small.”
“Well, funny you should say that.” Nick sat up again, smirking. “Because although I plan on going right after the semester ends, the trip is bound to be long... give or take fair weather. But I bet I know a way to help myself get past it all faster.”
“What's that?”
“Oh... y'know...” Nick brushed his mane back, avoiding her gaze with a coy smirk. “...if I had some help along the way. Especially from... mmmm... a smart, witty, self-assured major in physical therapy.”
“Wow... that's so strange?” The mare gestured. “I'm majoring in physical therapy!”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah! But... wow... how would I be useful on a long ocean voyage?”
“I don't know. But... I bet there's a way to find out.”
She leaned forward, eyes thin. “Yeah?”
He leaned towards her as well. “I mean... I'd totally protect you and all. But...” His voice became low, quieter. “It will definitely... expand your horizons... by being my first mate...”
“Hmmmm...” She waggled her eyebrows. “...and what if the Blight returns?”
“Then I guess we'll get stranded somewhere...” He cooed. “...together—”
Swissssh—THAP! Rainbow landed directly on the table between them. “Hey! Nicaragua!”
“Aaaaaie!” the mare nearly fell out of her chair.
Nick winced, fidgeting. “Uhm... a-ahem... it's just Nick, actually—”
“Whatever!” Rainbow Dash leaned forward and stared in his face. Twilight peaked down from where she hovered above. “I need your help with something! And fast!”
“Like what, Rainbow Dash?”
“Uhhhh... Nick?” The mare squinted. “Who is this mare... and how do you know her name...?”
“I need a map of this place! This whole area!” Rainbow stomped a hoof, her tail flicking in the mare's face. “Heck, maybe a personal tour, since you're so good at showing a mare around.”
“Uhhhh... d'uhm...” Nick sweated nervously, scooting away from the perched pegasus. “Why... wh-why me?!”
“Uhhh, Rainbow?” Twilight tried to whisper—
“Why not you?” Rainbow blinked, cockeyed. “You've been so helpful to me already! What, with you giving me breakfast in bed and all—”
“Yeah, okay.” The mare got up, shouldered her saddlebag, and marched off with a frown. “I'm so out of here. Mother was right.”
“No no no no no!” Nick squeaked after her. “Please don't go! I st-still need a first mate!”
“Go build yourself one!”
“I was just being friendly about the breakfast-in-bed thing!” Nick's voice cracked. “All I brought her was my meat! I mean... duaaaaah...” Thud! He head'desk'd, moaning.
Rainbow grinned. “So... you're free, then?”
Nick tilted his chin up to glare at her. “You have any idea what you just did?”
“Do you know what's beyond the western seas?”
“Mmmph... no...”
Rainbow grinned even wider. “Would you like to?”
Nick's eyes twitched. “Right.” He swiftly hopped out of his seat, floating his bookbag. “Buck her. I'm in. What do you need?”
“Maps,” Rainbow said. “Lots and lots of maps.”
“Well, I can get you started.” He gestured, heading for the opposite end of the building. “Follow me.”
Rainbow flapped her wings to follow.
“Uh... Rainbow?” Twilight murmured.
“Hmmmm?” The pegasus whispered under her breath. “What's up?”
“He's nice and deserves more than what you just did. You really are clueless, aren't you?” she said.
Rainbow blinked over her shoulder. “About what?”
“Unnnngh...” Twilight face-hoof'd and floated along for the ride.
“'Six key points across the archipelagos,' huh?” Nick looked up from a pile of books spread before him across a gazebo. “Sorry.” He shrugged. “I haven't a clue.”
“Guhhhh!” Rainbow Dash spun around and bashed her skull several times against a wooden post. Whap whap whap! She spun about, frowning with a red welt across her forehead. “How can you possibly not have a clue?! You're a friggin' ship builder! Shouldn't you know a thing or two about the... water geography around here?!”
“Oceanography,” Twilight muttered, pouring over the spare open books.
“Right! What Twil—” Rainbow bit her tongue, twitching. “What... what I just said! Oceanography! So... how 'bout it ya five legged cat huffer?!”
“Okay, for one...” Nick raised his hoof. “Nopony in the Marine Colonies have had any luck charting the surrounding seas... because the oceans simply weren't navigable without risk of eventual sinking! Why else do you think we built the bridges across the three islands of Kihutaja?! It was a harrowing task that took several hundreds of years, but it was worth it! This place has always been like a social bastion penetrating the heart of the Blighted Maelstrom! It's how we've afforded impunity so long from the lands loyal to Verlaxion!”
“That sounds all well and good, but I need to know more about—”
“And second...” Nick frowned. “You don't get to decide what I am or am not the huffer of! Besides...” He grumbled, flipping a page and making Twilight do a double-take. “...you just about ruined my social life in dragging me here to tell you nothing.”
“Social life?!” Rainbow Dash gawked at him. “What have you got to be salty over?!”
“She was going to be my first mate! We were going to cruise the high seas together!”
“That's not what I meant by 'salty,' ya dipstain!”
“Doesn't change the fact that you're an adorably mean jerk who ruined my chances with the mare of my dreams.”
“Pffft! As if! You didn't even know her name!”
“Of course I did!” Nick frowned. “It was... was...” He blinked, his expression paling. A pair of purple eyes traced the edges of the gazebo and the verdant campus beyond. “... … …Ashley? Andrea? Tabitha...?”
Rainbow groaned, drawing a hoof over her face.
“Rainbow...” Twilight trotted up close to the pegasus. “I know you want to find answers and you want to find them quick, but would it hurt you to treat the ponies around you with a modicum of respect?” She gestured at Nick with a lavender hoof. “They're not just a bunch of random emotionless equines whom you can use like tools to get what you needed done!”
“But I have to find out how to get to these other points, Twi!” Rainbow whispered hoarsely. “If there's a chance of getting the rest of the girls back, then I won't let anything hold me back! Plus, who knows what Luna and Spike will even discover...?”
Twilight's eyes narrowed. “If you turned back time, would you want to let yourself treat Belle and Pilatesmith the same way you're treating Nick?”
“Hey... don't even pretend to compare the melon fudges of this College Dorkiversity to the best friends I made in Ledomare!”
“You're not acting very harmonic at all, Rainbow,” Twilight retorted. “Give these ponies a chance! For all you know, they may actually be more helpful to you than Luna and Spike!”
“Tara!” Nick slapped the seat beside him with a victorious smile. “That's the name I was looking for—no, wait.” He tapped his chink, face scrunched again. “She was the debate team leader from last semester. Hmmmm...”
Rainbow stared lethargically at Twilight. The unicorn sighed, then phased through part of the gazebo to glance at three open books. “Could you turn the pages, please?”
Rainbow neatly did so with a casual shift of her wingfeathers. Meanwhile, she paced back towards Nick. “Look... I'm sorry for raining on your parade.”
“Well, I suppose it lives up to your name,” Nick muttered. “Rainbow the Dasher of warm, fuzzy dreams.”
“Cute. Witty.” Rainbow cocked her head aside. “Think you can use any of that cuteness and wit in helping me figure out the location of these six spots?”
“Look, these books you've brought me are super old,” Nick said. “And, quite frankly, a lot of them are out of date. Heck... half of them were published before the reign of Verlaxion began!”
“So what does that matter?” Rainbow squinted. “You guys hate Rohbredden.”
Nick pointed. “We don't hate our central brothers and sisters to the east. More than anything, we pity them.”
“What for?”
“'Verlaxion' is a name. A false god. A phantom.” Nick gestured as he spoke. “The Continentals have sacrificed reason for blind faith. They've put all their eggs into one basket, trusting a faceless entity as the means of their providence. While the legacy of Verlaxion has brought the Six Tribes together, the rate at which they are all sucking resources from the environment can only spell their eventual doom! There... just aren't that many islands in the sea worth carving up in the way they've been doing it! The world is small, fragile! Rohbredden doesn't have any business being as powerful as it is! And with a nameless, faceless figurehead at the helm... well... just none of it seems right.” Nick took a deep breath. “Here, in Kihutaja, the Colonials have been free to explore individualism, creativity, art, and—above all—scientific reason. All of that is sparse beyond the edge of the western Archipelagos, and while we've enjoyed a great deal of liberty and isolationism... with the Blight gone...” He gulped. “...it means that we're accessible now. And with the sirens on Verlaxion's side... I-I shudder to think.”
“She's a Dragon Matriarch.”
Nick looked up. “Huh?”
“Verlax,” Rainbow droned. “The 'goddess' that the Rohbreddeners... Rohreddenites worship. She's a Divine who's lived for thousands upon thousands of years. She has several sisters, all spread across both sides of the plane—light and dark.”
Nick grimaced. “Both sides?”
Twilight glanced up at them both.
Rainbow Dash was nearly pratfalling. “You mean you don't know that there're two sides to the plane?! I thought your culture lived on the friggin' edge!”
“Yes!” Nick nodded. “On the other side of the Continent of Rohbredden! No single living professor here in the K.M.C.A. has seen the rampaging waters. We only know what we know from books!”
“Books... books... books...” Rainbow paced around, growling partially at Twilight in the process. “Is that all you think you need to get by in life?!”
“Well... uhm...” Nick squirmed in his seat. “Education is... all about the... enrichment of the mind. And the soul!”
“Yeah, and that's awesome and all, but would it kill y'all to take a hike for once?!” Rainbow gestured wildly towards the crashing surf nearby. “And I don't mean only setting sail when there's a pretty mare to woo!”
“Pfft! We've always had the Blight to stop us!”
“Yeah, well, it didn't stop me!” Rainbow growled. “I flew and trotted and crawled and drifted across the whole dayum Choke to get here! And—yeah—I had to survive by a few miracles half the time, but at least I tried!”
“Huh...” Nick blinked. “You know, I always thought that K.M.C.A. should have been a military academy from the start.” He chuckled. “Maybe then we'd all have 'grown some beaks,' as the griffons love to say.”
“Unngh...” Rainbow held a hoof over her eyes. “You're missing the point! If you wanna learn... and I mean really learn... then you gotta do it the hard way!” She frowned and smirked at the same time. “The way that bleeds.”
“Rainbow...” Twilight droned, smiling coyly. “The points of interests...”
“But... she's right,” Rainbow sighed. “We have to move on. All of that is neither here nor there—”
“Who's she?” Nick asked.
“Hmmm?” Rainbow blinked blankly.
“You know...” Nick sat up straight, breathing evenly. “I hate to be an Obvious Odis, but ever since you came here, you've... exhibited some curious traits.”
“Look, just forget it, okay?” Rainbow muttered, waving a hoof. “It'd take too long to explain—”
“Is it something magical?”
Twilight perked up.
“... … ...” Rainbow stared at him. “...maybe?”
“Oh come on...” Nick chuckled. “I said this was a small, fragile world... not a simple one.” He gestured. “Verlaxion... Verlax... whoever—Dragon Matriarch or not—it's obvious they have used a great deal of magic to bewitch the populace of Rohbredden. I've seen some of Verlaxion's Shards myself. There's a lot of dark power at the heart of the continent.”
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Shards...?”
“And the Blight?” Nick glanced west, smirking into the warm tropical winds. “We all knew there was a reason for it. A fully explainable reason. But until magic is explained... it's simply that... a higher form of magic. But that's the beauty of it. All things can be tamed.”
“I... uh... had no idea you thought that way,” Rainbow said.
Nick glared with straight eyebrows. “This is a college island full of scholars. What'd you take us for? Idiots?”
“Erm...” Rainbow fidgeted. “Well...”
“Still, you're right. There's more to the world than just studying it at face value,” Nick said. “I guess the whole trick is... j-just as you stated.” He smirked at her. “It's all about taking risks.”
“Risks... right...” Rainbow Dash nodded. “...like talking to me.”
“Erm...” Nick blushed slightly. “So what if I find your particular situation... fascinating.”
Rainbow simply stared.
Twilight smirked at her. He pointed at the stallion. “I like him.”
“Yeah, you would,” Rainbow grumbled aside.
“Who are you speaking to now?” Nick asked. “One of the phantoms you mentally picked up due to prolonged exposure to the hazardous leylines of the Blighted Sea?”
“No... I mean... not quite...” Rainbow sighed. “Look, it's super complicated. Something... very stupidly magical has happened to me, and I...” She grimaced, leaning back on her haunches. “I... I-I need to find out the purpose of these six ancient points of interest.” She pointed west. “The Tower you all know about was one of them—of this I'm certain. I found it while stumbling my way east. When I entered it, something... something big happened... to m-me... and I... I-I gotta find out if the next five points can do the same. And if at least four of them do... then that's super awesome. Because—”
“The magic will be complete?” Nick asked.
Rainbow and Twilight exchanged expressions. Rainbow looked his way and nodded. “Yeah. Pretty much.”
“Well...” Nick flipped through several books. “Assuming this is true, I can only guess that the points are spread throughout this portion of the... erm...” His purple eyes darted up. “...light-side plane.”
“Uh huh...”
“It stands to reason you'll be crossing deep into Rohbredden territory,” Nick said. “Maybe even the heart of the continent.”
Rainbow grimaced. “That's... a bad thing, isn't it?” She sighed. “Let me guess, they shoot ponies on sight?”
Nick did a double-take. “Shoot? You mean... like with arrows? Spears?”
“Or guns, maybe?” Rainbow cocked her head aside. “Manarifles, perhaps?”
Nick's face was so scrunched it looked like the flesh would peel off. “What in Blight's name are you talking about?”
“Yeah, Rainbow.” Twilight blinked at her. “What are you talking about?”
Rainbow ignored her, nostrils flaring. “Or maybe the Six Tribes have some crazy magic?” She leaned forward. “And will skin foreign ponies alive?”
“Heavens, no!” Nick cackled. “Egads, girl! Just what kind of lands exist west of the Blight?!?”
“I don't get it...”
“You certainly don't!” Nick smiled awkwardly. “We're all at peace with one another here in the Archipelagos! Rohbredden and Kihutaja might have ideological differences, but there hasn't been a war in centuries. Not since the Six Tribes united!”
“... … ...” Rainbow blinked. “Huh...”
“Don't get me wrong. Eheh...” Nick shrugged. “There's a lot of danger out there, especially in the untamed oceans between colonies. A few settlements isolate themselves and refuse to trade, and I suppose you could call them hostile, but most ponies know better than to cross such lines. Besides... the tide is always rising and receding. Heh... am I right?”
“I... guess...?” Rainbow murmured.
“You really have no clue what's out here, do you?” Nick chuckled. “You truly are from the other side of the Blight.”
“A gazillion times yes,” Rainbow muttered. “I was hoping you could help me.”
“Well, I'd love to. But even if I gave you all the knowledge I've accumulated over the past few semesters...” He shifted in mid-speech and gestured towards the campus. “Even if the smartest professors stopped whatever it was they were doing and lectured you on the landscapes ahead... I'm afraid it just wouldn't cut it.”
“And why's that?”
“We've been explorers of the mind these past few centuries,” Nick said with a proud smile. “Not of the seas. But... with what you've done to the Blight... heh... that might all change!” He grinned. “It's so exciting!”
Twilight giggled. Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Well, sorry if I don't exactly share your bubbly enthusiasm at the moment.”
“Yeah, I get it.” Nick pouted. “You've evidently got somewhere to be. It's a shame, really.”
“I wouldn't be of much use here.”
“Why's that?” Nick exclaimed. “You have so much you can give us! So much knowledge you can share of the unknown world beyond the Blight! Like... this whole 'Dragon Matriarch' business! And things called 'manarifles.'”
“I'm... on a journey,” Rainbow said, glancing briefly aside at Twilight. “It's too big even for me to comprehend at times. So I'm not sure I could put it all together for any single one of you.”
“Hmmm... perhaps you're right,” Nick said, his ears folding. “But I still wanna help you.”
“But I thought you just said you couldn't.”
“Perhaps. But I know a pony who can.” He smirked. “In fact, he's the only pony in all of Kihutaja who's bothered amassing oceanographic and geographic knowledge these past few decades!”
“What, is he a professor or something?”
“Used to be. But now he's retired. Lives out in the village just outside campus.”
“On this island?”
“Yup. And I can tell you right now that he's the absolute best cartographer of our day and age! Why, if he wasn't such a friggin' hermit, I bet he'd improve our social studies course by three hundred percent! You're not going to get half the knowledge from the books in all our archives as you could from a single conversation with him!”
“If that's so, then why'd he hole himself up somewhere?” Rainbow asked with a shrug. “Why's he no longer teaching?”
“Erm...” Nick squirmed. “He... was discharged from the faculty about eight years ago.”
“What for?”
“He smacked a student with a cane.”
“Yeah?” Rainbow shrugged. “You guys seem awfully sassy to me. Maybe the kid deserved it.”
“He insulted the old stallion's hat,” Nick droned. “And for that, he gave the kid a concussion.”
Rainbow winced. “Oh...”
“Heh... every student on campus knows to keep their distance whenever they see him going for one of his walks. It's all for the best. Still... what I wouldn't give to hear what he has to say these days...”
“Then why not ask him?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah!” Ranbow nodded. “Then why don't you go knock on his door?!” She shrugged. “He's an equine being, after all, isn't he?”
“For lack of a better term, sure.” Nick furiously shook his head. “But you wouldn't catch me dead on his front door stoop! Not even if you paid me in a million cheerleaders!” He blinked, then glanced towards the top of the gazebo, tapping his chin. “Then again...”
“Look, I don't have cheerleaders...” Rainbow leaned forward. “But I've got plenty of stories. Enough lore for the two of you to eat up heartily!”
“Two of who?”
“You and angry cane dude!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “Sounds like he's the one pony around these parts who can help me! So show me where he lives!”
“I... dunno if that's a good idea, come to think of it...”
“You wanna get anywhere in learning? Or in life?!”
“You gotta take risks... right...” Nick nevertheless winced. “But... I-I kinda like not having a concussion!”
“Nicaragua...”
“I'm telling you!” he exclaimed. “You'll have much better luck trying to get a griffon to smile!”
Rainbow smirked. “Been there. Done that. Lived through the talon-scratches to laugh about it.” She stood tall, wings spread. “Now... where can I find this guy?”
Knock Knock Knock!
Rainbow's hoof banged on the worn antique door of a two-story duplex in the middle of a rustic village. Twilight stood right beside her on the humble stone path leading up through a flowery garden.
“Uhm... hello?”
Rainbow slapped the door again.
Knock knock knock!
“Uhhhh... Mister...” Rainbow and Twilight looked down at a sheet of paper in the pegasus' grasp. “...Mister Sinrar?” Rainbow turned to look over her shoulder. “Am I even pronouncing it right?”
A meek voice whimpered from beyond a shaking rose bush.
“Dude...” Rainbow frowned. “Just get your fuzzy flank over here already!”
“Pffft!” Nick stuck his head out of the bush, trembling from several feet away. “I c-can see the apartment from here just fine! Thanks!”
“For real! You act as if this Sinrar guy could suplex a minotaur or something!” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “We're just here to talk like normal ponies!”
“S-says who?”
“Says the mare who's done exactly what I just said!” Rainbow growled. “If worse comes to worst, I've got your back, dude! Now hop to it!”
“Mmmmm...” Biting his lip to the point of nearly-bleeding, Nick nevertheless shuffled over to Rainbow's side.
“That's more like it,” Rainbow cooed.
Twilight leaned in. “Exactly when did you run into minotaurs?” Her eyebrow arched. “Much less suplexed one of them?”
“Shuddup,” Rainbow blurted.
“But I didn't say anything!” Nick whispered.
“Exactly.” Rainbow rapped on the door again. Knock Knock Knock! “Mr. Sinrar, I'm terribly sorry to bother you, but this is a matter of super crazy importance. You dig maps and stuff, right? Well, I can fill you in on an entire plane full of rich, crazy detail! All you gotta do is open the door, talk to me, and... uhm... g-gimme a free lecture on the ancient cartography of the islands east of here. You think you can do that? Hello?!”
“I don't think he's even home, Rainbow,” Twilight said.
“What makes you think he's not home?” Rainbow asked.
Nick spoke up: “I told you—he goes on his walkies a lot.”
“Or maybe he's just pulling the cantankerous card like you previously implied,” Rainbow said.
“Or he could be sleeping,” Twilight said.
“Or that.” Rainbow nodded.
“Or what?” Nick asked.
“What what?”
“What that?”
“That?”
“You're doing it again,” Nick sighed.
“Doing what again?” Rainbow asked.
Twilight groaned, rubbing a hoof over her face. “Will you stop confusing the poor stallion already, Rainbow?”
“And what?!” Rainbow frowned aside. “Ignore you?! It's been too long, girl!”
“Hey...” Nick frowned. “...I may have a soft mane and purple eyes, but that's going too far.”
“No... I wasn't...” Rainbow groaned, resting her forehead against the antique door. “Darn it...”
“That's it...” Twilight drifted forward with a sigh. “...time to fix this.”
“Let me guess,” Nick muttered, smirking slightly. “More of the 'phantoms of the blight?'”
“Mmmmfff...” Rainbow exhaled. “Sure... why not?”
“Are they riding pink wyverns?”
“Don't patronize.” Rainbow leaned back. “For your information—” She pointed at the spot to her side, only to find that Twilight was gone. “... … ...Twilight?”
“No, it's two o'clock in the afternoon.”
“Twilight?!” Rainbow looked all around.
Nick blinked. “Two o'clock in the afternoon!”
“Will you knock it off?!” Rainbow growled. “I know what time it is!”
“Then why do you insist on—?”
A lavender face phased through the doorway. “Hey.”
“Twilight!” Rainbow gasped.
“What's so special about twilight?!” Nick cackled.
Twilight glanced aside. “What's he going on about? Did you tell him—?”
“What are you even doing inside his house?!” Rainbow exclaimed.
“But... we're on the front stoop still—” Nick tossed his forelimbs and sighed. “Whatever. I give up.”
“You're close enough to the foundation,” Twilight explained. “I figured I'd just trot inside and have a look around.”
“But... but...”
“And guess what I found?” Twilight grinned. She phased out of the door completely and pointed to the bottom left of the frame. “There's a hidden pressure latch there.”
“Pressure latch?” Rainbow blinked.
Nick did a double-take. “Pressure latch?”
Twilight said, “I've seen the sort of thing before at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Some professors are too busy and... erm... senile to remember their keys after leaving the office. So they get a secret latch installed that they can press on the outside.”
“So that way...” Rainbow smirked wryly. “...they can just absent-mindedly forget the secret switch instead.”
“Secret switch?” Nick blinked. “Where?”
“Watch...” Rainbow pressed a hoof forward, contacting the lower left frame of the door. “...and learn.”
Cl-Click.
The door popped loose from the frame. Rainbow reached in with her wingtips and opened it to a dusty atrium piled high with books and cardboard boxes full of papers.
“How...” Nick gaped. “H-how did you even do that?”
Rainbow struck a pose. “Magiccccc.”
He frowned. “Don't you even start.”
“So long as I intend to finish.” Rainbow cleared her throat and gestured froward. “After you.”
“What?! Are you crazy?!” Nick shivered in place. “This is technically breaking and entering! Not that it matters! The local police, I can deal with! But this old stallion will murder our bones, I swear! You have no idea!”
“No, but I've got an inkling.”
“You're nuts!”
“At least I clean up the shells after I'm done.” She slapped his flank with her wings. “Now get!”
“Aaack!” Nick flew into the apartment, tumbling to a stop somewhere inside. “Ooof! Oh hey! Maps!”
Rainbow paused in entering so she could glance aside at Twilight. “By the way... that's rather bold of you.”
“What's rather bold of me?” Twilight asked.
“Sneaking into a stranger's house,” Rainbow said. “Ghost or not... it's not what I'd expect the old Twilight to do.”
“Times have changed, and the needs are dire. Besides...” Twilight smirked. “I've learned from the best.”
“Uh huh...” Rainbow trotted forward. “So you have.”
“So... can I get you to tell me more about these 'manarifles' you stumbled upon?” Twilight asked.
“Whoahhhh...” Nick gaped, his eyes sparkling as he traversed the scant floorspace available to his hooves. On either side of him and Rainbow Dash, the front foyer was stacked halfway to the ceiling with books, books, and more books. Where there weren't books, there were thick mountains of haphazardly stacked papers. Where there weren't papers, there were binders stuffed full of crazily scribbled notes. And there weren't any of these things, there was dust—not that it mattered, for dust covered everything else as well. “Look how much the old stallion has hoarded up in this junkheap!” He squinted at a stack of thick black tomes on a far wall. “Are those... fifth... fourth... and third edition Kihutajan Almanacs?”
“I dunno, you tell me,” Rainbow muttered.
“That stuff was reportedly stolen from the campus library way back when my uncle attended the K.M.C.A.!” Nick smirked. “Heh... guess I know what happened to them now.”
“Who would steal books from a friggin' library?” Rainbow asked.
“Same pony who would give a kid a concussion and threaten to burn down the nearest post office for being out of sticky notes.” Nick suddenly froze in place, paling. “Okay, you know, it was a fun tour, but maybe we should be galloping right the hay out of here.” He made a break for it—
—only to be stopped by Rainbow's outstretched wing. “Not so fast, Romeoats. We came here for a reason.” Rainbow Dash flapped her wings, kicking up dust. Gray sunbeams wafted through the thickly curtained windows. “There's gotta be a map around here... like... a super detailed map that only this yahoo is capable of making.”
“Yeah, and?” Nick made a face. “What if we find one? What then?”
“What else?” Rainbow hovered from stack to stack. “We... y'know... borrow it.”
“You mean steal it, don't you?!” Nick wheezed. “No way! Uh uh!”
“Why not?” Rainbow looked over her shoulder at the stallion. “From the way you've described this dude, he seems pretty keen on stealing stuff himself.” She lifted a few books, then coughed as a wave of grit flew into her face. “Grnnngh... as well as arson.”
“Pssst! Rainbow!” Twilight's head phased out of a veritable tower of tomes. She waved a lavender horn. “Over here! I think I found something!”
Rainbow immediately turned to look at her. She flew swiftly across the room.
“What? What is it?” Nick asked, nearly tripping over a stump of compact newspapers. “Don't tell me... more of you being a magical sky horse.”
“Pffft. Don't be crazy.” Rainbow then proceeded to rub her ruby pendant, summoning a deep red glow to illuminate the books in front of her.
“Guhhh!” Nick shuddered all over. “Please, for the love of sails, don't be sprouting a third eye or something the next time I look at you!”
“Relax,” Rainbow said, shining the light on the books right in front of her. “I only do my evil, chaotic transformations when somepony removes my necklace.”
“Yeah, well, thank goodness I didn't plan on stripping you anytime soo—” Nick immediately grimaced. “I-I mean... not that it was ever your burden to bare—gaaah—I mean... it... that...” He sighed, shuffling off with ears folded. “I wonder if this guy has any ketchup in the pantry that I can put on my hoof...”
“Hmmff...” Rainbow's lips curved somewhat. She looked and looked, then eventually muttered, “I give up. What am I looking for?”
Twilight floated alongside her. “A little to the left, past the encyclopedias.”
Rainbow tilted her pendant accordingly. At last, a desk came within focus, covered all over with papery clutter. However, peaking out from the mess of paraphernalia, a framed sheet of illustrated paper could be seen. Rainbow Dash floated over and tried to pull the frame out. The thing wouldn't budge. Sighing, Rainbow had to pickup three small stacks of books and place them on an abandoned stool. At last, she was able to pull the frame out. Before her loomed an elliptical slice of latitudinal and longitudinal lines. Rainbow spotted three irregular shapes to the far west.
“Those three spots on the far left,” Twilight said, pointing. “Rainbow, do you think it could be Kihutaja?”
“Looks like it from the air,” Rainbow whispered, her ruby eyes squinting at the image of the three land-shapes. Sure enough, they were joined by a tiny artificial strip. “That'd be the bridge...” Her eyes tilted to the left, and she exhaled. “Heh... well I'll be darned.”
“What?” Twilight leaned in closer.
Rainbow pointed. “Look. It's the island we were on,” she said, pointing at a tiny-tiny speck of land far from the westernmost tip of the K.M.C.A. “And just to the west of it...”
“The Tower,” Twilight murmured, eyeing what appeared to be a starry beacon of light etched onto the page. “But...” She turned to gawk at Rainbow. “If nopony could actually sail their way into the Blight, then how would they have these two things mapped out?”
Rainbow lifted her head, observing several metal tubes stacked up in the corner—some of them rusted. “I don't think they went their physically, Twi...”
“Telescopes...!” Twilight grinned. “Of course!” She turned to smile at Rainbow. “I'd really like to meet this Sinrar fellow!”
“Yeah, speak for yourself,” Rainbow grumbled, then turned about. She raised her voice, “Hey! Kid!”
“Yo...” Nick trotted up, eyes bright.
Rainbow hovered in front of him, flipping the wide frame out so he could see the map in its entirety. “Does this look legit to you?”
“Ooooh...” Nick smiled. “That's pretty old-fashioned...”
“Old fashioned...” Rainbow blinked. “...in a good way?”
“Well, most scholars today use a Marecator Projection, which only leads to extreme geographical distortion, especially in the extreme latitudes...”
“Uhhhh...”
“But there's Kihutaja in the West,” Nick said, pointing. “Along with the outlying colonies... including T'Gom Atoll, where I was foaled.” He giggled. “Heehee!”
“And... uhhh...” Rainbow leaned her head over, gazing at a large circular continent to the east, framed with multiple winding fjords all around. “...Rohbredden, I presume.”
“Yup! The home capital of—well—of everything, really!” Nick nevertheless chewed on his lip. “Still... hmmm...”
“What?” Rainbow blinked. “That doesn't sound like a good 'hmm.'”
“It's just that...” Nick rubbed his forehead, then pointed at an archipelago located to the east, about one sixth of the way across the map. “I don't think I've ever seen these islands before. How strange.”
“You think the map's bogus?”
“Well, it's hard to say.”
Rainbow arched an eyebrow. “What's that supposed to mean?”
“Only that... erm... the ocean's super... super huge... eheh...”
“Yeah, and water is wet. Your point?”
“Do you have any idea just how hard it is to survey the open sea?” Nick said. “Maybe it's easy for the Rohbreddenites cuz the Six Tribes have so much solid ground to anchor themselves with. But for the other archipelagos—the Western Colonies especially—it's something that's taken decades if not centuries to perfect.” He shrugged. “Some places have been drawn onto the map... only to disappear completely later.”
“Mmmmf...” Rainbow's nostrils flared. “I don't like the sound of that.”
“Honestly, you gotta be either super dedicated or super crazy to try and keep track of every obscure little island in the ocean!”
“In other words, you gotta be Professor Sinrar.”
“Heh... pretty much, yeah.”
Twilight had trotted over to stand right next to Nick. “Curious...” She squinted at the page. “None of the landscapes are even labeled.”
Rainbow looked at her, then at Nick. “How come nothing's labeled?”
“That's a very good question.” Nick glanced at Rainbow. “I bet Sinrar would know.”
“Meh. Maybe.” Rainbow tucked the map under her forelimb and flew towards the door.
“Uhm... Rainbow?” Nick asked. “Where are you going?”
“Do you honestly think the old badger was doing anything with this?”
“What's it matter?” Nick remarked. “It's his, isn't it?”
“Yeah, Rainbow!” Twilight exclaimed. “He's got a point!”
“Don't sweat it, you guys,” Rainbow said with a slight smirk.
“Guys?” Nick blinked while Twilight groaned.
“I'm just gonna ask a few professors around campus what's what and work from there,” Rainbow said, opening the door. “And—if we're lucky—maybe we'll find Sinrar while we're at it.”
As soon as she opened the door—WHACK!—the end of a slender wooden cane slammed across her muzzle.
“OOOMF!” Rainbow dropped the map, clutching her nose as her ears folded bag. “Nnnngh... found him...”
“Eeep!” Nick ducked behind a stack of books while Twilight craned her neck.
A set of blistered wingfeathers wrapped around the cane, lowering it to the floor with a cold thunk! A gray-coated pegasus hobbled into the room, his frazzled mane of wirey orange hairs tucked under a black beret. A stained black scarf framed a stone-hard face with an even harder frown.
“Branleur!” He rolled with a gravelly voice, his faded amber eyes squinting hard behind a pair of knife-sharp bifocals. “Come and sneak into my maison, will you?! Sea filth! Hrnngh! If you wanted clams, you could have had a squat out in the garden and made some yourself!” Professor Sinrar paused, teetering slightly as he dropped a bag full of empty milk cartons at his side. “And what have you done to my dust?!?”
“Professor Sinrar! What... uhhh... a coincidence!” Rainbow rubbed her muzzle one last time and pointed at the framed map that had fallen to the floor. “I was hoping I might run into you!” She smiled awkwardly, hovering in place before the stallion in his foyer. “To make a long story short, I'm... uhh... preparing an epic trip across Kihutaja, Rohbredden, and beyond. I heard you were—like—super good at making maps, and I was wondering if I could use some of your... ehhh... geographical expertise?”
“Ça alors! Is that a fact?!” The elder frowned, his yellow eyes narrowing behind his bifocals. “So a young spritely mare such as yourself is interested in seacharting!” He picked the map up with the wing opposite of the one he was holding his cane with. “No doubt you would like me to use up my free time in assisting you.”
“Erm... sure?” Rainbow blinked.
“You know what else is free?”
“What?” Rainbow asked. WHACK! The cane flew across her face again. “Augh!”
Sinrar leaned in, snarling in her face. “Pain!” He leaned forward, shaking the bludgeon while backing her into a stack of books. “Deep, inner anguish at having to placate the whole sand-sucking lot of you overprivileged nubile imbeciles! Merde!” He hobbled across the cluttered room, frowning. “As if the constant barrage of hormonal clatter and pretentious intellectual bedwetting wasn't enough to deal with, you have to insist on ransacking my own home!”
“Gnnngh...” Rainbow rubbed her head, floating evenly once again. “No offense, dude, but it's already kinda ransacked.”
“Dude?! Dude?!” Sinrar spun to frown at her. “I spent twelve years of my adult life earning more degrees than you can fling your poop at, you toilet-haired harpy!”
“Fine! Doctor Dude!” Rainbow sneered, floating closer. “And—look—you like being alone. I get it. But crotchety old habits aside, try and be objective about this. What's it gonna hurt to lend me a hoof with a little something? I promise, I'll be out of your beret the very moment that we're done!” WHACK! Rainbow clutched her nose again. “Owwww!”
“You get nothing, mademoiselle, save for the grace of my using that last address as lightly as I might hump a feather!” He lowered the cane to the floor with a vicious tap. “Now, dégage!” He tossed the map onto a nearby desktop and began rummaging around the place, re-cluttering it with clouds of settling dust. “I have very important business to attend to.”
“Grnng...” Rainbow wriggled her nose, glaring his way. “Doing what? Spitting into empty milk cartons, ya old bag?”
“Rainbow!” Twilight suddenly hovered in front of the pegasus. “Watch your tone!”
Rainbow seethed through her teeth, pointing at the old stallion. “Look, he's the one walking into this scene all piss and vinegar!”
“I mean it!” Twilight exclaimed. “Regardless of how he treats us, it's our duty to act as harmonic representatives here!”
“Oh for Pete's sake...” Rainbow's voice cracked before an onslaught of snarls: “I do not have the patience to be lectured on etiquette by a dorky ghost and a mummy in a beret!”
“Hein?” Sinrar spun, blinking. “Who in the Seven Shits are you talking to?”
“D'uhhhm...” Rainbow grimaced. She and Twilight bore identical blushes. “Uhhhm...”
“Let me guess...” Sinrar hobbled towards her, shaking his cane at her tummy. “You're another one of those pissant journeymares from the eastern archipelagos, thirsty for coral dust and other hallucinogenic samples from the ocean floor?!” He cocked his head to the side with a sadistic smirk. “What's the matter? Picked up too many delusions from your months stranded in the Blight?”
“You've got the wrong idea—”
“Have I?! HAH!” Sinrar grinned. “I've seen your kind before! Salt water sucking vagabonds of Rohbredden disgrace! All of you! Not even the zealots of Verlaxion have enough grace in their store to keep your lazy plots stuffed full of cotton! Bah! Well, we here in the K.M.C.A. cater to no coral addicted vagrants!”
“Wait, are you serious?” Rainbow squinted. “I sorta figured the K.M.C.A. kicked you out for being too crazy.” WHACK! “Augh... QUIT IT!”
“They could not handle my genius!” Sinrar barked back at her. “Which is fine! For I cannot handle their stupidity any more than I can handle yours! Epic trip across Kihutaja... BAH! Once you put your hooves on a boat, your soul is worthless, I say!”
Nick stuck his head out from behind a pile of books. “You take that back!” he hollered.
Sinrar spun towards him.
Nick blanched, then quickly zipped back into hiding.
“YOU!” Sinrar pointed with his cane. His gray brow furrowed. “Come out, you...”
With a suppressed whimper, Nick shuffled out into the heart of the foyer. He trotted closer, holding a protective forelimb over his horn.
“I know you...” Sinrar slurred.
“Ghhghh...” Rainbow paused in rubbing her forehead. “Wait, you do?”
“Yes... oui...” Sinrar's yellow eyes narrowed. “My sister's granddaughter spent a semester here about two winters ago. She spoke of the 'petite cheval with purple eyes.' She said he was most handsome and dashing.”
“Uhhh...” Nick lowered his forelimb. “Really?” WHACK! “Augh! Sonunva—”
“Of course not!” Sinrar growled. “She was supposed to spend three semesters here, not just one! Crush her dreams with an avalanche of boiling horse seed, will you?!” He raised his cane again.
“Whoah whoah whoah!” Nick fell on his haunches, squeaking. “It wasn't anything like that! I swear! I mean... I would never have—” He blinked. “Wait, how many winters ago?”
“Deux.”
“Right! I never did anything! I was too busy with my advanced nautical exams!”
“Too busy skipping class to do the nasty behind the gazebo is more like it! Hah! I know your type! You children of Kihutaja are all alike!”
“Hey! Take that back!” Nick frowned. “Not everypony is like me—er... I-I mean... like that! That, which... you said—”
“A crazy rainbow golem with a squeaky voice, I can understand! But you?! You should know better than to trespass into my manson!”
“I-I wasn't trespassing! I swear!”
“A likely story—”
As the old stallion and the young student went at it, Rainbow hovered in place, perpetually gawking. Next to her, Twilight drifted. Eventually, the ghostly unicorn's face glanced aside. She saw a large chest resting in the corner. Curious, she floated over, then phased her head through the dusty wooden surface. A half-minute later, she reemerged, gasping. Her wide eyes darted left and right. Eventually, after much fidgeting, she twirled towards Rainbow Dash.
“Psssst! Rainbow!”
The pegasus looked aside.
Twilight motioned towards her.
Eyes locked on the ensuing argument, Rainbow fluttered closer to the spectre. Twilight leaned in, then whispered close to Rainbow's ear.
Rainbow listened and listened. Suddenly, her ears folded back and her muzzle hung agape. “You've gotta be friggin' kidding me...”
“Well, what else could it possibly mean?!” She gestured out the thickly-curtained windows. “You don't see any of their kind around here.”
“But... but...” Rainbow bit her lip. “I saw what was left of the expedition, Twi! Only one made it! And... and he didn't have a very happy ending.”
“But what if there were others? I mean... at some point the Royal Houses would have sent a rescue expedition, don't you think?”
“I figured Azira would have told me.”
“She can't remember everything, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “History is long, and time longer.”
Rainbow merely stared at the unicorn. “For real, though, that's what's inside?”
“Have a look for yourself,” Twilight said, gesturing.
Rainbow darted over to the chest.
Instantly, Twilight flinched. “Wait! M-Maybe not now—”
By this point, Sinrar was practically leering over Nick, spitting. “—the only good use for limes since griffonkind invented fruit torture! But noooo. You had to come up with stupid and wasteful ways in which to give more and more ponies scurvy and gonorrhea—” Something flickered in the corner of his eye. The old stallion looked aside, and his beret fell off from the force of his outburst: “Non! Stay away from my chest!”
But it was too late. With a grunt, Rainbow opened the dusty container, exposing a stack of yellowed papers full of sketches of banners, armor, and ship sails. Each item had a common theme—that of deer antlers. No sooner had these illustrations seen the light of day when a weathered cane slapped the chest shut.
“What...” Nick stood up, shivering. “Wh-what was that?!”
“Nothing...” Sinrar wheezed, his voice suddenly thin and trembling—like his frame. “It was... erm... nothing...”
“Mule muffins,” Rainbow blurted, squinting at him hard. “Somepony's got an obsession. Do you like to draw, Dr. Dude?”
“Don't be ridiculous!” The old pegasus picked up his beret and slapped it over his faded orange mane. “Mrrmmf... I like to collect.”
Rainbow blinked. “Papers full of antler motifs?”
“Yeah,” Nick grumbled. “That and milk cartons.” WHACK! “Ow!”
Sinrar spat, “You do not see me judging you over what you like to sleep in! Hein? Dégénéré!” He turned to frown at Rainbow. “For your information, that is the result of a lifelong project of intense research and study!”
“You're getting on with your years, Professor,” Rainbow said. “Must be a little bit hard to put together a research paper when you treat the rest of the world like garbage.”
“Do you have a point in all of this rhetoric, harpy?”
“I'm wondering what it is that they kicked you out of the Academy for first?” Rainbow bore a smirk. “Giving a kid a concussion, or the entire Geography Board due to some crackpot theory?”
Nick winced visibly. Nervous purple eyes darted between Rainbow Dash and the old stallion.
Twilight gulped.
After a few seconds of silence, Sinrar said, “...it was a bold theory, which was the only sin.” His nostrils flared. “Centuries ago, something emerged from the blight.”
“Something or someone?” Rainbow cocked her head to the side. “Deer, perhaps?”
“What does it matter to you?! There's no coral in it!”
Nick sighed. “Let's just go, Rainbow. There's no reaching him—”
Rainbow brushed him aside, floating closer to the professor. “I know that there's a civilization on the other side of the Blight! Only, unlike you, I have more than just evidence!” She grinned. “I've got eyewitness testimony!”
“Hah!” Sinrar cackled. “What kind of a game are you trying to pull? It took me nearly two decades to scrounge up the paltry artifacts left by eons gone by! Whatever culture was capable of making it through the Blight, they had more balls than you!” He turned about, trotting up to a desk and resting his cane. “Please... fly off and carry your farts with you! I've got better things to do than—”
Th-Thap! An ornamental dagger with an antler motif landed on the tabletop before him.
Sinrar's bifocal slid down to the edge of his muzzle. His mouth hung wide open.
“—amuse foals.” His throat dried up, as evidence by his raspy voice. “Make love to me in a pickle jar...”
“That...” Rainbow pointed while Twilight looked over her shoulder. “...is the Dagger of Evo. The Eighth Dagger to be exact.” She smirked. “It was personally given to me by Prince Eine, son of King Lunarius and Queen Azura, and heir to the throne of Val Roa, the easternmost civilization situated upon the verge of the Grand Choke... or what you ponies like to call the Blight.”
“That... it...” Sinrar looked towards Rainbow. “...Val Roa?”
“Val Roa?” Nick cooed.
“One of several kingdoms that I have personally visited,” Rainbow said. “Along with Silvadel... Luxmare.... Xona... Darkstine...” She smirked. “I, personally, come from a land called Equestria.”
Sinrar squinted.
“Yeah... heh...” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “I didn't roll that one off first cuz I figured it sounds made up. But trust me... it is very real.” She pointed at her pendant. “As is the Element of Loyalty that's been enchanted personally by Princess Luna in order to assist me in my travels. I can communicate to her across the Light Side of this plane via the full moon. If you want, you can listen to a bit of our conversation tonight.”
Nick blinked at Rainbow, his lips pursed in wonder. He glanced at Sinrar.
The Professor was appropriately speechless. Eventually, he stammered, “This dagger... it's so... pristine... so real.”
“That's because it is, ya old coot,” Rainbow said. “And if you like, I can tell you all about what's on the west side of the Blight.” She arched an eyebrow. “If you're willing to lend me a hoof.”
Twilight smirked proudly, awaiting the Professor's response.
Sinrar sighed. He slumped back on his haunches and removed his beret, slapping it down onto the tabletop. “Merde.”
“Mon dieu...” Sinrar squinted through a dimly glowing telescope positioned on a balcony on the west end of a three-story college building. The looking-glass peered straight out over the ocean waves. It was a good fifteen minutes after the sun had set, and a crimson glow clung to the ripply horizon. “...it really has changed.”
“You mean you see it from here?” Rainbow Dash said. “The Tower, I mean?”
“Non.” Sinrar shook his head. “Not at all. It has vanished.”
“Er... right... well—”
“And that is the change!” Sinrar leaned back, blinking both eyes as he leaned on the telescope. “It is gone.” He turned towards the pegasus. “And, no doubt, you're going to tell me that you're responsible for its vanishing.”
“More or less.” Rainbow shrugged. “I'm responsible for a lot of things.”
“Because of your...” Sinrar squinted at the mare. “...fantastical quest to reach the 'dark side', as you put it.”
“Right.”
“You were right to show me the magnificent artifact in your possession,” Sinrar grumbled. “Otherwise, I would have hit you with my cane a lot.”
“Uhm... dude... you did hit me with your cane a lot!” She gestured towards the side of the balcony. “You hit us both a lot!”
Nick lay against the balcony's railing. At the sound of Rainbow's voice, he snorted and jerked into a sitting position. “Hmmph! Huh? What?” He blinked. “Oh. Right... telescoping...” He leaned back and closed his eyes again.
“Well, I would have hit you a lot a lot.” Sinrar adjusted his beret, staring out at the western waters. “And you say that—between Kihutaja and Val Roa... there is a desert?”
“A very nasty place,” Rainbow said. “It stretches for... for...” Her face scrunched. “Well, I can't quite say how wide it is. But it's super huge... too huge to map.”
“Bah!”
“No, for real.” Rainbow gestured. “And all things magical get choked... almost as if the place is filled with anti-magic. Well... it used to be.”
“Rainbow,” Twilight whispered. “Tell him about the expedition.”
Rainbow looked towards her. “I thought I already did.”
Sinrar arched an eyebrow. “Eh? Already did what?”
“Erm...” Rainbow Dash fidgeted. “The expedition I mentioned...”
“What about it?”
“Well, I'm just... surprised that any Val Roans made it through,” Rainbow said. “Unless, of course, it was a different group of deer than the ones who ended in starvation and... c-cannibalism.” She gulped.
Twilight shuddered.
“Hmmmm...” Sinrar paced across the balcony, hobbling on his cane. “Most of those papers I had gathered over twenty years of visiting various research institutions across the Archipelago. In fact, it was because of my intense studies that I founded the Modern Kihutajan Archaeology Foundation here at the Academy.”
“Hey...” Rainbow Dash smirked. “That's a pretty cool thing to have under your belt.”
“Yeah...” Nick yawned and smirked. “Because at that age, you can't hold stock in much else below the belt.” Thwack! “Owww! Dang it...”
Sinrar grumbled, pacing some more. “From what I know, most of those parchments are easily centuries old, several of them re-etched.” He squinted at Rainbow Dash. “Legend is that some of the northern islands—the earliest westward colonies—found a group of 'strange ponies' cast adrift on the waters. Mrmmfff... seems that 'deer' were rather sparse in that part of the world. They didn't know how else to describe them, which is why the information's gotten scattered through the ages.”
“Do deer simply not live around here?”
“A few continentals sport antlers,” Sinrar said. “But, then again, central Rohbredden is home to several unique species.”
“The most important of which are the Six Tribes, I'm guessing.”
“Right. You've gathered enough on your own, harpy.” Sinrar nodded in Nick's direction. “And here I thought he was only sharing his strudel.”
“Hmmmmm...” Nick yawned, curling up against the railing. “...strawberry jammmm...”
Twilight giggled.
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “He's... had his moments.” She cleared her throat. “But, for real, did these 'ponies with antlers' have anything to say? Were their testimonies written down?”
“They were mad. Starved of magic and sanity,” Sinrar said. “That long ago—well before the Order of Verlaxion—the islanders who found them held a deeply-revered folk tradition. They thought that the deer had simply lost contact with their spirits. So, as was custom at the time, the ponies laid the survivors side by side on the beach so that the tide would carry the souls of their forebears back to them.”
Rainbow winced. “I'm... guessing they didn't last long.”
“Bah! And here I thought you were foaled yesterday!” Sinrar shook his head. “They died quicker than squirrels drowning in a cesspool! But the remains of their raft—along with their possessions—survived for generations within the possession of the island. And when the ages rolled over and colonists rolled in to properly civilize the place, the foreign materials were inducted into historic preservation.”
“Which is how you stumbled across them.”
“Oui.”
Rainbow flapped her wings, pacing about in mid-air. “Hmmmm... I just wonder how they even got that far.”
“Sinrar said that they landed in an island far to the north,” Twilight said. “Maybe they tempered the heat of the sojourn across the Grand Choke by hugging the northern extremes.” The unicorn's ghostly eyes narrowed. “You mentioned that the north edge of the world is lined with skystone deposits. Maybe there's a thin line between the skystone and the Choke that allows for a self-sustaining magical-flux.”
“Crazy,” Rainbow muttered. “Is that even possible?”
“Hein?” Sinrar squinted. “Are you talking to yourself again?”
“Meh. Don't mind me, Dr. Dude.”
“Difficult not to, harpy,” the old stallion grunted. “Seeing you fly like that. It's downright mind-fondling.”
Rainbow looked at her flapping wings, then at the retired professor. “You guys are seriously not used to seeing this, huh?”
“I gave up on flight a long time ago, as well as many other things.” Sinrar's nostrils flared. “As soon as I settled here.”
“Well, that sucks,” Rainbow said.
“Rainbow...” Twilight frowned.
Rainbow sighed, then said, “For real, I've no clue how long the Blight will stay under. Maybe it's gone for good, maybe it's not. But if you ever wanted to try flying again—”
“And give up my prospective pursuits?! Hah! Fly down lower so I can clobber you!”
“Uhhhhh... n-no thanks...”
“And now!” Sinrar grinned wide, his bifocals rattling. “With you here, opening up entire horizons of opportunities, I've years upon years of breakthrough papers to write—”
“Whoah whoah whoah whoah...” Rainbow waved her forelimbs. “Hold on a second, old stallion.” She cocked her head to the side. “I only told you all that I have...” She pointed generally towards the western waves. “Shown you all that I have so I could win your trust!”
“Eh?”
“And—with your trust—I was hoping you can help me,” Rainbow said. “You know that Tower that's no longer there?”
“What about it?”
“Well, we...” She winced, glancing aside at Twilight. “I have done a bunch of digging around... y'know... in ancient tomes? And it would appear as though there are five other points of interests throughout this part of the world that—”
“The Six Seeds.”
“... … ...” Rainbow blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
“Mmmmm...” Nick cooed, smiling in his half-sleep. “Sunflowers...”
Sinrar hobbled closer to Rainbow Dash, staring up. “It's a long-forgotten legend. Only remote islanders still loyal to folk tradition speak of it.”
“Speak of what?”
“That there was once Six Spots in the world—the known world where the spirits of our descendants planted the seeds of present-day civilization.”
“Erm... 'descendants?' Don't you mean 'ancestors?'”
“They're both one in the same.” Sinrar smirked. “Ancient islanders believed that life was cyclical, and those we foaled would someday become the great grand parents of ourselves.”
“Huh...” Twilight blinked, glancing at Rainbow. “That's rather... unique.”
“That's rather unique,” Rainbow droned. Twilight tried to slap her, but the hoof flew through. The pegasus smirked.
“Oui. Rohbredden religion was a great deal... more creative...” Sinrar snorted. “Before Verlaxion showed up.”
“That seems to be the overall vibe I'm getting from you Kihutajans,” Rainbow said.
“I am no mere Kihutajan!” Sinrar barked. “Wretched harpy—I am the lightning in the storm of intellect!”
“Cool beans,” Rainbow yawned. “So... the Six Seeds?”
“Ah. Very well. So, these were planted in six parts of the world, and—as time grew on—they became part of myth and legend. However, I had in my possession several old tomes that depicted the whereabouts of these alleged points of interest.”
“What do you mean 'had?'” Rainbow asked, wincing slightly.
“Eh... I lost them in a fire one day I was trying to flush the cat out from under my bed.”
“Buh?”
“But it matters not!” Sinrar tapped his frazzled orange mane with his cane. “I have all of the information stored away up here!”
“And...” Rainbow smirked awkwardly. “...you'll be willing to help me find these locations, right?”
“Mmmm... it depends.”
“Ughhhhh...” Rainbow slumped in mid-air.
“Come on, Rainbow, let's hear him out,” Twilight said.
Rainbow looked up with tired eyes. “Depends on what, Dr. Dude?”
“You're asking for me to give you one ancient world...” Sinrar scratched his chin. “Might you be willing to exchange for another?”
“I've told you enough, haven't I?” Rainbow remarked. “And it's not like any of us can afford for me to haul your wrinkly flank back over to Val Roa!”
“Ah, but you have communicative contact with the other end of the Blight!” Sinrar gestured along his neck, glancing at Rainbow's pendant. “Maybe... just perhaps maybe... I can get you to part with an artifact or two, non?”
Rainbow blanched, then immediately clutched her pendant. “Out of the question, citrus head! You've got no idea how much I need this thing!”
“Bah! It can't be that special to you!”
“Besides, it doesn't work that way!”
“Rainbow, think about it,” Twilight spoke, smiling pleasantly. “Maybe you could... I don't know... let him borrow it for a little while?”
Rainbow gawked at her. “Twilight, are you crazy?! I can't!”
“Why not? You're out of the Choke. You've touched a beacon. You're not exactly using it at the moment.”
“It... it's much more complicated than that!” Rainbow exclaimed. “I can't take this thing off!”
“Why not?”
“Because the moment I remove this from me, I risk... I-I mean I'll end up... up...”
“What?” Twilight blinked at her. “What'll happen to you?”
Rainbow's blood went cold. She stared at her old friend and her innocent smile. After a few moments, she gulped, then said, “I... will... not be so harmonic.” She cleared her throat. “For real. There's a lot of stuff about... Luna's spell that's keeping me... together.”
Twilight leaned her head to the side. Eventually, the spectre shrugged. “Have it your way. I still think it could have made for a good bargaining chip.”
“Twilight, I'm daring, but not that daring.”
“Honestly, I think it's charming.” Twilight giggled. “That you're so loyal to the pendant that you wear it at all times.”
Rainbow chuckled nervously, then looked away from the unicorn. “You've got no idea...”
“Uhm...”
Rainbow looked down.
Sinrar leaned against his cane with an impatient stare. “Are you quite done chirping at yourself?”
Twilight blushed.
“Uhhh... sure... I guess,” Rainbow said, clearing her throat.
“I can see that the Blight did a lot to the air between the walls of your skull.”
“Har har...” Rainbow droned. “Your long years of isolated old cootery haven't been too gracious on you either.”
“Touche.” Sinrar smirked. “But at least I don't talk to imaginary friends.”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow folded her forelimbs. “One 'imaginary friend' can talk back.”
“This 'Princess Luna' whom you speak of?”
“Just stick around, Dr. Dude...” Rainbow glanced up at the sky. “It'll be another full moon soon.”
“Heeeee...” Nick nuzzled the balcony's edge. “Moooooon...”
“As a matter of fact, yes, I am responsible for the tide,” Princess Luna's voice said. “As well as the changing phases of the moon and the realm of dreams... well, at least within the vicinity of Equestria.”
“Sacré Bleu!” Sinrar gratuitously exclaimed. “A maiden of the night who can even see into a pony's dreams!” His yellow eyes narrowed. “You must know about me and the underwater field of luminescent coffee coasters, oui?”
The air above Rainbow Dash's pendant glimmered silently in the moonlight, and then: “Negatory. As I had previously stated, my dreamspells do not reach beyond the central portion of the continent upon which my sister and I dwell. However, I am quite accustomed to innumerable visions, some plain and others alarming. I doubt anything you could envision in your sleep would be of much surprise to one of my age and experience—”
“Because the world is in short supply of coffee coaster enthusiasts, and the way I see it, if one pony has a collection of such ill-sought items, then it's surely fine so long as it isn't harming any other pony.” The Professor coughed, fidgeting a bit as he positioned his weight on his cane. “...even if that collection is... n-numbering in over three hundred.” He blushed slightly. “All arranged according to thickness of cork surfacing.”
All was silent, save for the flapping of Rainbow's wings and the distant roar of the surf.
“Indeed. You have... nothing to be ashamed of, Mister—”
“Professor Sinrar!” The stallion snarled, readjusting his beret. “I don't care if you're powerful enough of a vixen to give Verlaxion's legacy a run for the money, but I'll throw my cane so far it will hit you in your tiara if you so much as mess up my title one more time!”
“I whole-heartedly acknowledge the sincerity of your position, and I apologize if I caused any offense.” The air went silent again. A few seconds later, everyone could hear the undeniable sound of Princess Luna clearing her throat, followed by: “Rainbow Dash... I... presume that you and your recent... c-companions are fully impressed by your connections with Equestria by now?”
“Uhhhhhhhhh...” Rainbow Dash looked past a visibly-wincing Twilight. Nick and Sinrar stood breathlessly at the edge of a gazebo beneath them. “You guys good?”
“Yeah.” Nick wheezed, still pale and trembling. “Gooder than good.”
“Dr. Dude?”
“I have so many questions to ask about immortality, distant cultures, the outer reaches of this universe—”
Rainbow smiled into the air. “Yeah, Your Majesty! We're good!”
“Very well then. Spike and I have compiled a comprehensive report. I think it would behoove us to go over what we've learned... albeit in a private conversation.”
“Oh. Totally. I'm down for that.” Rainbow turned to look at Twilight. “You down for that, Twi?”
“He... th-threatened... to hit Luna in the Tiara...” Twilight quietly whimpered.
“Twilight's down for that too, Luna.”
“Good. Shall we proceed?”
“Bangarang.” Rainbow smirked, then turned one last time to face Sinrar and Nick. “Hey, guys. It's been fun. Stalk you tomorrow, perhaps?” She leaned her head to the side. “I'll totally chat you two up about the west end of the plane and all that jazz. And perhaps—after comparing notes—you can help me figure out where to find the other 'Five Seeds?'”
“Oh, most certainly...” Sinrar nodded with a blank expression. “A demain.”
“What he said,” Nick slurred.
“Righto. Have a good night's sleep.” That said, she darted straight up like a blue comet. “Zoop!” Twilight blurred after her.
Sinrar exhaled, brushing his wirey orange bangs back beneath his beret. “And to think... I would live through three tsunamis to witness something this spectaculaire.” He shook his head with a wrinkly smile. “This 'Equestria' has sent us an angel, non?”
“'Princess Luna.' Hmmmmm...” Nick rubbed his chin in thought. “I'm guessing, since she's not a 'Queen,' that means she's single?” THWACK! “Ow!”
Spike's voice rang across the clouds. “Rainbow Dash, do you remember learning about 'Harmonic Acclimation?'”
Before Rainbow could even respond, Twilight blurted: “Harmonic Acclimation!” She grinned wide. “That's the Alicorn terminology for what happened to us! With the Elements—I mean... as in how they transferred their power and essences to the six of us.”
Rainbow stared lethargically at the unicorn.
Twilight blushed slightly, floating backwards with her forelimbs folded. “S-sorry. Celestia taught me all about it shortly after Luna was freed from Nightmare Moon.”
“...Rainbow Dash?” Spike's voice rang again.
“Eh-ahem...” Rainbow gazed up at the full moon. “I kinda remember it, Spike. But—thanks to Twilight here, I was filled in either way.”
“Then perhaps you might know about Harmonic Unification?”
Twilight said, “That's the hypothetical scenario in which the essences of the Six Elements are absorbed into the mortal population of the world.” She blinked, ears twitching. “But... of c-course... it never even came close to happening. Not like... ahem... it could in our lifetimes.”
“Again, Twilight,” Rainbow droned. “She's batting two for two.”
“Well, Luna suggested we scour the Canterlot Archives about this topic. Book writing—after all—began long before most of the alicorns who had settled on this plane died off. Back then... uhhh... Celestia and Luna were pretty young, and some things just commit to memory better on paper than in a Princess' head.”
“Spike is quite right, Rainbow Dash, Twilight,” Luna's voice spoke up. “Even if I hadn't been encumbered with a thousand years of evil possession, I shudder to say that not all details easily present themselves to my waking mind.”
“But... y'know...” Rainbow's brow furrowed. “Did you discover anything?”
“That we did!” Spike's voice gleefully said. “According to the ancient Alicorns, the Elements of Harmony were brought over with them to this world from the Harmonic Plains.”
“Like all essences that come from the Harmonic Plains, the Elements can never perish,” Luna said. “Celestia and myself—although born immortal—are bound to succumb to death so long as we dwell beyond the reach of the Plains. This is the fate that our relatives who came here suffered. They chose to sacrifice their eternal existences in order to maintain harmony in this pocket of chaotic space.”
“That was very noble of the two of you,” Twilight said, smiling delicately. “I've always admired Celestia for such courage and selflessness. The same goes for you, Luna.” She noted at Rainbow.
Rainbow said, “Twilight says she thinks that's pretty dope!” While the unicorn face-hoofed, she continued: “But the Elements were destroyed! I saw it happen! Spike saw it happen!”
“You're right, Rainbow,” Spike said. “All of the Elements were destroyed... all but one...”
Twilight gasped. “The Element of Loyalty!”
Rainbow brushed a hoof over her necklace. “So... uh... so what does that matter, exactly?”
“Simply that fate would not have allowed for all six to be destroyed,” Luna said. “Despite Harmonic Acclimation, Harmonic Unification must inevitably happen. To accomplish this, the Essences of the Five destroyed Elements had to go somewhere.”
“Into your pendant, Rainbow...” Twilight stammered.
“So... like... into the Element of Loyalty?” Rainbow remarked, blinking.
“Affirmative.”
“Wait a second, Luna, are you telling me that... that this isn't just Loyalty anymore?” Rainbow's voice cracked. “What I'm actually wearing is all Six Elements around my neck?!”
“It... is a great deal more difficult to explain than that, my little pony.”
Spike spoke up: “When the Elements... uh... blew up... they were no longer empowered by themselves alone. Because of Harmonic Acclimation, their energy was shared by the Bearers.”
“You mean me and my friends.”
“Right. And since the Elements could not be destroyed...”
“The souls of my friends...” Rainbow blinked. “...Twilight. Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie. Rarity...” She fumbled to speak the next three syllables.
“They had to go somewhere, Rainbow Dash,” Luna's voice said. “And there was one vessel nearby... a vessel contained in two halves.”
Rainbow gulped. “The Element of Loyalty... and me”
“Rainbow...” Spike's voice spoke up, although in a grave tone. “Do you remember what you did to Discord right after what happened to your friends?”
Twilight shuddered, gazing down at the starlit cloudtops below.
Rainbow sighed. “...are you gonna ask me next if I think that water is wet, Spike?”
“For serious, Rainbow. How is it—do you think—that you on your lonesome were capable of turning Discord to stone?”
“I dunno... I just...” The pegasus shrugged. “...figured I was really really pissed off.”
“The Elements were needed to imprison him back in stone again. So how could the Element of Loyalty have accomplished that on its lonesome?”
Rainbow bit her lip. “Unless... it wasn't just the Element of Loyalty?”
“You see where we're going with this? The Elements couldn't die. When you put on the Element of Loyalty, you became the bearer of all of them... and they all became part of you.”
“But... if the Elements can't be destroyed... and—cuz of Harmonic Acclimation—the bearers are attached to them...”
“The souls of your dear friends live on, Rainbow,” Luna said. “At least, that is what we've concluded after our studies.”
“Can it really be true...?” Twilight murmured.
“But... but...” Rainbow grimaced. “How can that even make sense?! Why haven't I seen them all this time?! Why have they disappeared on me?!”
“There are a lot of things that do not make sense, child,” Luna said. “Perhaps you might recall how terribly shocked my sister and I were when we witnessed the self-destruction that the Harmonic Spell had wrought on your fellow companions in Ponyville.”
Rainbow exhaled heavily, gazing aside. “Yeah. I... remember some things...”
“That day was a terrible tragedy that we will never forget. However... it has always struck us as innately peculiar. There is nothing in our written records that can explain why any artifacts carried here from the Harmonic Plain would do such a destructive thing.” Luna's voice paused to breath. “Unless...”
“You encountered Twilight Sparkle—even rejuvenated her from spectral limbo—on account of pursuing and making contact with the so-called 'Yaerfaerda' symbol, yes?”
“Right.” Rainbow nodded. “The beacon in the Tower brought her back... pr-pretty much.”
“Rainbow Dash, when Celestia and I came across this plane—along with our equals—none of us had any concept of mortality, much less the devices of this realm that you have single-hoofedly discovered through your adventurous travels. It would appear that there is more to this 'Urohringr' than even an immortal lifetime of observation can discern. There is reason to believe that the Elements of Harmony—grown to function in a specific way along the Harmonic Plains—might, in fact, have a different function here in this world. Perhaps even a greater function.”
“That is a very good question indeed. It is no secret to you that this world is dying.”
Rainbow nodded, gazing aside at Twilight. “Nor is it a secret to Axan...”
“Mortals such as yourself may not be capable of perceiving it, but this realm has been headed to ruin for a very long time. If it's true that this plane is a severed part of a greater whole, than that might explain its rapid expiration. There is intelligence and creativity at work in this realm's underlying foundation. If one were to compare the world to—say—a living organism, then while it stands to perish... it may also have a means to heal itself.”
“And... a-and...” Rainbow tilted her head aside to Twilight.
The unicorn thought aloud: “Harmony is what it's chosen to fix itself...”
Rainbow gazed up. “You mean that Harmony is Urohringr's repair kit, Luna?!?”
“That's a crude way of putting it. Quite possibly.”
“Then... wh-what does it have to do with us?” Rainbow pointed at herself and Twilight. “Me and the spirit of my friends, that is...?”
Spike spoke up: “Rainbow, think about it. Imagine, for a moment, that this plane is a machine... an intelligent machine. And imagine that it's built to fix itself in the event that it goes kablooie.”
“Or if a bunch of evil prehistoric pegasi rip it apart,” Rainbow muttered.
“Whatever. Let's say that this machine has zeroed in on the most powerful energy source situated on the whole plain... even if it's an energy source that wasn't there before.”
“The Elements of Harmony,” Twilight said.
“Luna and I think that what the world needs at this point—separated so far from all of its other pieces—is the Elements of Harmony.”
“And what does... er... the 'world' intend to do with them?”
“I... I don't really know. But Rainbow... think... if the forces at work with Urohringr want the Elements to do something, then they can't grab the Elements on their own. They gotta empower something to gather them together.”
Rainbow exhaled. “Austraeoh...” She gulped. “But... but why friggin' destroy the Elements in the first place?!”
“It is all speculatory at this point, Rainbow,” Luna said. “But, assuming that the fate of Austraeoh is indeed to reunite the Elements—the very same Elements that you currently possess in essence—then, in accordance with the ancient alicorn texts, there is only one means through which to manifest their power and return to the original point of Harmonic Acclimation.”
Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. “The Harmonic Prism...”
“Okay...” Rainbow Dash paced around the edge of a cloudbed. “...let's go over this one more time.”
“Rainbow Dash...” Twilight Sparkle yawned, floating lazily upside down below the mare. “We have been over it at least ten times! Even for me, that's getting too thorough!”
“Look... I know you just hopped out of the—err—void womb...” Rainbow's brow furrowed. “But I've been flying, galloping, and buttkicking all these months with the full belief that you guys... all of you guys were dead! So if there's an actual chance of—y'know—changing that, I wanna make sure there's no mistake!”
“We're not going to know any more by just speculating on it further tonight,” Twilight said, stifling another yawn. “It's rather clear that we need to get Sinrar to show us where on the map we can find next five points!”
“I can get to the points no problem,” Rainbow said, gesturing towards the east. “I've got the Yaefaerda beacon do help me with that!”
“Yes, but you still need to know what you're dealing with... we still need to know what we're dealing with.” Twilight smiled tiredly. “You've been through enough as it is. I don't want you flying blindly into another dragon's lair, or a warzone...” She bit her lip. “Or Verlax.”
“Look... I'm not scared of Verlax!” Rainbow said, gritting her teeth. “Maybe Chrysalis couldn't outsmart her, but I don't care! I'm getting the girls back! Even if I have to headbutt my way through Verlax to do it!”
“One must not take Verlax's power for granted, Rainbow Dash,” Luna's voice said. “Celestia and I recall her being quite crafty, capable of outsmarting even the wisest elder alicorns who had once walked this plane.”
Rainbow Dash took a deep, long breath. She tilted about, muttering, “Luna... just... one m-more time, Your Highness...” She gestured with her hooves. “Let's say I visit each of the five points. Let's say the machine world does the same as the Tower did. Let's say I bring back the Element Bearers. Let's say I make it as far as the Midnight Armory with them. What then?”
“Then you'll have your work cut out for you, Rainbow,” Spike spoke up. “There are tons and tons of ancient books written about the Armory alone. I can barely read five to ten pages of the stuff without feeling worn out.”
“And while Celestia and I were involved in the construction of the facility,” Luna spoke, “We were simply two of the many alicorns who built it. It was designed in such a way that opening it and accessing its contents would require the simultaneous concentration of multiple immortals.”
Twilight spoke up. “The Midnight Armory is old, Rainbow Dash. Older than either you or I can comprehend. I... I-I don't think it was ever meant to last as long as it has.”
Rainbow Dash blinked at that, then turned to speak into the air. “And... what are the chances that a mere mortal like myself could open it?”
“That is difficult to say. From what you have relayed to us from the words of Chrysalis, Tchern and two other militant factions have been vying over control of the Armory. Is this correct?”
“Pretty much.”
“And have any of them succeeded in accessing the structure's interior?”
Rainbow slowly shook her head. “No, Your Highness. And... and from I gather, things haven't been very easy for Endrax.”
“She's been reduced to 'pieces,' from what I recall.”
“Yeah. And considering she's a Divine who purposefully went to the Dark Side to monitor the Armory...”
Twilight fidgeted from where she hovered.
Luna's voice eventually said, “You are one pony, Rainbow Dash, and a mare like no other. I have full faith that if any individual was to make it inside the Midnight Armory, you would be the one most capable.”
“Yeah, but all of the empowering of Austraeoh doesn't mean bunk when it comes to the Midnight Armory, don'tcha think? That's alicorn tech!”
“And so is Harmonic Acclimation, in a manner of speaking.”
Rainbow's muzzle scrunched. “I... don't suppose it's still possible for... y'know... either of you two to join me at the Armory... huh?”
“You mean Celestia and myself?”
Rainbow Dash was already wincing. “I... think I already knew the answer before I finished asking that,” she said with a prolonged sigh.
“Celestia simply cannot leave her post, Rainbow Dash. The chaos from the rift would consume Equestria from the inside out—and there is no telling how swiftly it would spread to the lands governed by Whitemane to the East or Sturke to the West.”
“R-right...”
“And seeing as I am tasked with controlling the Sun and Moon, it would be quite difficult to exert myself in making such a long and arduous journey without throwing the entire population of the Light Side into extreme jeopardy. And even if I were to make it to the edge of the world, crossing over would cut off my power altogether, casting the entire plane as we know it into perpetual darkness.”
“Double right...” Rainbow sighed. “It's... it's really all up to me then...”
“In terms of reaching the Armory, yes. But the Harmonic Prism is another matter.”
Rainbow Dash blinked. “How do you mean?”
“Assuming you can—indeed—coax the spirits of the Element Bearers out of their limbo, then the Harmonic Prism may be capable of reversing the effect that the spell's feedback had on them when Discord was last confronted.”
“You... you mean it can give them their bodies back?!”
“That's what I'm attempting to say.”
“But... but...” Rainbow blinked. “Th-that's awesome and all, but how?!”
“The very function of the Harmonic Prism is to focus the energy that first gave the Elements of Harmony their power to begin with. This includes reinforcing both Harmonic Acclimation and Harmonic Unification. After the research that Spike and I accomplished, I theorize that utilizing the Prism might be able to undo the effect of the feedback. That includes—yes—re-materializing the Element Bearers in their original, proper form.”
“Okay... well...” Rainbow glanced down at Twilight. “Assuming that's true and all... just...” She scratched her head. “How or... why is that part of the whole Austraeoh plan? I mean, assuming that Urohringr is more or less guiding me towards doing this... helping me stay alive and lighting my path with Yaerfaerda...” Her eyes narrowed. “...why's it gotta involve the Harmonic Prism?”
“I simply do not know, Rainbow Dash.”
It was Twilight's turn to sigh.
“However, as it is a piece of alicorn technology, the Harmonic Prism can only be used in the hooves of a pure-born Alicorn.”
“So... somepony like you or Celestia,” Rainbow said. “Whitemane wouldn't cut it.”
“No. And neither would Shining Armor's mate, Princess Cadance.”
Twilight blinked. “Wait, what?”
Rainbow opened her mouth—
Luna said: “You will—in essence—have to make a total circumnavigating trip around the plane, both the Light Side and the Dark. This will, in effect, allow you to bring the Harmonic Prism back to my sister and I so that one of us—or both of us—can harness the energy in the spirits of the Element Bearers and restore them back to the corporeal realm.”
“That... means...” Rainbow's wings went limp, and she fell until she plopped down onto the edge of a cloud. “...it's a loop.” She gulped. “The whole trip... this whole journey...” She ran a hoof across her bangs. “I can't let it end at the Midnight Armory. I... I have...” She glanced aside at Twilight.
Twilight said, “You'd have to fly back to Ponyville.”
“Friggin' A...” Rainbow Dash grimaced. “I knew that I had an impossible flight ahead of me, but... Luna Poop.” She immediately winced. “No offense, Your Highness.”
“Your degree of shock is not unfounded. There is simply no other alternative that I can come up with at the moment, not with the evidence provided and with such little time to analyze it. You can have full faith that Spike and I will scour the Canterlot Archives in search of further information to assist you. But you and Twilight will inevitably be on your own for the next moon cycle.”
“And do you honestly think, Luna, that Twilight and I will be sitting on our fuzzy butts this whole time?” She looked aside at the unicorn.
Twilight blinked, then smiled. “I think we'll be busy touring the sights around here...” Her ears twitched. “At least five of them.”
“Exactly how do you intend to reach these five points, Rainbow Dash?” Luna's voice wafted across the cool night winds. “That land you're in sounds unlike any you've ventured through before.”
Rainbow Dash shrugged, looking past Twilight's exhausted figure. “Same way I've always done it, Your Majesty. Winging it. Literally.”
“Over a grand and expansive sea?”
“Yeah. Sure. Why not?”
“From what I understand, you needed to craft a boat in order to cross half the appropriately-labeled Grand Choke.”
“Right. But I couldn't fly through the Grand Choke anyways, remember?”
“Indeed. And although your wingpower has returned, do honestly think you must exercise any less caution now?”
“Huh?”
“You've crossed large distances before, Rainbow Dash,” Luna said. “But you've always had the luxury of dry earth in any direction to land on. That does not seem to be the case here.”
Rainbow sighed. “Princess Luna, I thank you for your concern. Really, I do. But there's simply no other way to do this except through—”
“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight Sparkle spoke.
Rainbow looked aside.
The floating unicorn yawned. Her eyes were sleepy and her muzzle was adorned with a tranquil smile. “It's one thing to be enthusiastic. But—for loyalty's sake—don't be so quick to throw yourself into the drink.”
Rainbow Dash shivered slightly. After a sigh, she said, “Twilight brings up a good point, Luna. I... uhhh... I-I shouldn't take the size of this sea lightly. Maybe just winging it won't work the same way it always has.”
“Do you have a plan in motion?” Spike's voice asked.
“Well... yes... and no...” Rainbow Dash cleared her throat. “For serious. I think I might be able to... uhhh... curry favor with the right ponies.”
“Pffft...” Twilight chuckled, fighting another yawn. “After the crazy impression you've already made on these ponies?”
“Uhhh... yeah?” Rainbow Dash arched her eyebrow at the unicorn. “Look, you've been out of it for a very long time, but I can move mountains with my charisma!”
“Can you now...?”
“For real, girl! You've no idea! I mean... back in Val Roa I was... like... the friggin' matriarch of diplomacy!”
“Heeheehee...”
“And don't get me started about Durandana.” Rainbow rolled her eyes and smirked. “Friggin' bird-whisperer of the century, lemme tell you...”
“Hmmmmm...” Twilight curled up on the cloud, her eyelids growing heavier.
“Hey...” Rainbow cocked her head to the side. “You've been struggling to stay awake for over an hour now. Maybe you should—I dunno—port yourself off to the 'void womb' place thingy and have yourself some shuteye?”
“You...” Twilight yawned again. “...you really think that will work...?”
“You're the egghead, you tell me.” Rainbow smirked. “Didn't it work before? Overnight? Before the morning when I freaked out?”
“I don't want to make you freak out again, Rainbow...”
“It's okay, Twi. I'm prepared this time.” Rainbow winked. “Go ahead and saw some space logs.”
“I just... I'm...” Twilight stretched and unstretched, producing a phantom trilling sound. “...I'm so... thrilled about this... about all of this. I mean... sure... the sound of making a journey twice as long is daunting, but I-I know you're more than capable, Rainbow Dash. And the possibility of returning to Ponyville... of getting my body back... of all of us being able to live again...”
“Stop thinking, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “Start sleeping. That's an order.”
“Since wh-when were you made a 'Captain' of this trek?”
“I ran a Jury once, y'know.”
“Sure...” Twilight yawned and smiled even more softly. “Sure enough...” She tilted her chin weakly towards the air. “Princess Luna, it's been so... so very good listening to you talk. Spike... I love you as always. I'm so proud of you...”
“Uhhh...” Rainbow cleared her throat and spoke towards the air. “Your Majesty, Twilight Sparkle sends her regards. Spike? She sends you her sleepy cuddly fuzzy pony love nuzzles.”
“Sleep well, Twilight Sparkle,” Princess Luna said. “And rest assured, I shall brief Princess Celestia fully concerning this recent development.”
“Yeah, sleep well, Twilight,” Spike's voice said, shaking slightly. “I've got this covered back in Canterlot. Don't you worry. We're gonna get to the bottom of all this. Together.”
“Hmmmm... yes...” Twilight murmured, her eyelids finally closing. “...together.” There was a pulse of lavender, followed by another. Then—with a slow inhale—Twilight's body floated forward, disappearing into Rainbow Dash's pendant.
The pegasus drifted backwards, gasping. She felt a tingling sensation across her body, and the ruby pendant of her Element shimmered for a few seconds. “Jeez...” Her teeth chattered. “...like taking an ice bath.” She then hugged herself, exhaling from a warm toasty sensation. “Followed by a tumble through freshly dried blankets.” Her lips curved. “Heh...”
“Rainbow Dash,” Luna's voice resonated. It had a somber tone to it.
Clearing her throat, Rainbow Dash twirled about and looked up towards the heavens. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
Silence.
Rainbow blinked. “Princess Luna?”
“Have... have you not told her?”
“Told her what?”
More silence.
Rainbow's ears folded back. “Oh.” She gulped dryly. “That.”
“You must tell her, Rainbow Dash,” Luna said, her voice breathy but firm. “She is more than a piece to the puzzle. She is your friend. She deserves no less.”
“Luna, Twilight's been dead for months and months on end. As far as we can tell, so have the others. I think they've been through enough already.”
“Rainbow...”
“Look, things are about to ramp up to a higher level of intensity. And...” Rainbow clenched her teeth. “...if I can't afford to be completely confident in my odds, then somepony has to be.”
“This journey used to be solely about you. Now—we know for certain—it is about so much more. Completing your sojourn to the Midnight Armory and back is crucial to restoring the Elements of Harmony. It could very well play an integral role in the fate of the world... or Urohringr at large.”
“Right...”
“The fact that all of this hinges on your questionable ability to survive the trip—even despite your best efforts—cannot be ignored. And it simply cannot be hidden from your friends.”
“Look, Princess, I can do this,” Rainbow said. “It's rather obvious to everyone—including Celestia and Spike—that these flame beacon thingies restore my health! I'm not... like... dying as hard as I originally thought I was!”
“But you do not have full assurance of—”
“I'm going to do this. First, restore my friends. Second, get the Prism. Third, get the heck back to Ponyville.”
“It is far too dangerous to simply ignore the facts—”
“Luna...” Rainbow Dash spoke firmly. “...I've got this.” Her nostrils flared. “That's all that matters. I'm not worried. And as Loyalty is my witness, my friends won't have to be worried either.”
The air was silent for a while. The stars began dying, one by one, upon the advent of morning.
“Very well, Rainbow,” Luna finally said. “It is not our place to dictate how you treat your best friends. But I must issue caution. If you keep them in the dark for too long, you may not enjoy what happens when they are all too swiftly exposed to the light... especially against your will.”
Rainbow opened her mouth to respond, but then Spike's voice carried through.
“You're awesome, Rainbow Dash,” he said. “And loyalty's awesome too. But don't forget, there's always a place for honesty.”
Rainbow's muzzle clamped shut. Her pupils shrunk as she endured a chilling wave of nausea. She sat on the cloud, hugging herself.
“Will... will you at least think about it?” Spike said. “Twilight means so much to me, and I don't want her to suffer anymore. And... and I can't think of how painful it would be to learn the hard way that her best friend is dying... that her best friend has been dying.”
“Don't worry, Spike... Luna...” Rainbow said, shuddering slightly. “I promise you... I promise each and every one of you...” Her jaw tightened. “Our friends won't suffer anymore.”
A rose-red hue wafted across the waters of Kihutaja. The crashing waves rolled copper and brown under the rising sun. It was early in the morning; nopony was yet awake. Nopony but Rainbow Dash.
She had touched down from an hour of flying in circles. Now she trotted the northern shoreline, far from the thickly planted trees and rustic rooftops of the K.M.C.A. She strolled slowly, her body weighed down by her mind. Heavy hoofprints lingered in the sand behind her, still moist from a receding tide.
The mare traced her way east along the northern crest of the westernmost island. To her left, far beyond the rip currents, thin strips of land and sparsely vegetated atolls darted the crimson sea. She saw seagulls dipping into the waters, and a few migrating porpoises splashing through undulating current.
The air was warming up, a prelude to a long, humid tropical day. Rainbow Dash enjoyed whatever blissfull coolness she could afford. Eventually, she traced the edge of a deep inlet. Upon the west edge of the lagoon, she paused. From here she could face east and see the dawnlight rising over the hilly hump of earth and palm trees that spelled the bulk of the central Kihutajan island. From glancing over Sinrar's maps, Rainbow knew that the island was a small thing: a dinky splotch on the sea at best. And yet, to her lazy eyes, it looked just as big as the edge of any normal-sized continent.
No matter how far Rainbow Dash flew or how many miles she covered, there was nothing that ever dwarfed the truly epic scale of the world. It both excited and exhausted her.
With a sigh, she plopped down into the sand, lying back so that her lower legs dug deep and deeper into the wet shore. The surf rolled, crashed, and lapped up to the edge of her fetlocks... only to shrink away. It was soothing, if not chilling in its persistence.
It would have put Rainbow Dash to sleep—if only it weren't for the fact that her mind was doing incessant loopty-loops.
The Midnight Armory was not her destination. It was merely a necessary junction, a place where the torch would be hoofed off—and that torch being the Harmonic Prism. Rainbow couldn't even picture the item in her mind. If only an Alicorn could wield it, then what was the chance that a mortal such as herself could even pick it up? Much less carry it halfway across the known—and unknown plane? And then there was the factions of the Trinary War to deal with—including Tchern, Chrysalis' sister. Rainbow Dash had survived the conflict between the Ledomaritans and the Xonans, but only barely. There was no telling how well she'd fare against three angry factions who had been locked in centuries of bloody conflict. And this was a war that defined the heart of abysmal chaos that was dark side of the plane. There was no telling if Axan would even let her get that far... or if Rainbow could even make it past the bastions of Verlax. Just where were the other Five Points? And how many of them resided in Verlax's territory?
Rainbow produced a shuddering sigh. Her jaded eyes darted along the glittering waves between her, the next island, and the long ancient bridge connecting the two pieces of Kihutaja. Squinting into the burning horizon, she saw the persistent glow of Yaerfaerda. It lingered along the vanishing point, and as the morning blossomed, it looked as though two suns were rising, one being far warmer and more inviting than the other.
It was precisely at this point that Rainbow woke up to the paradise around her. Her wingtips fluttered, and she hugged herself, smiling into the sea and surf. There was something undeniably beautiful about this place, its simplicity, its remoteness and isolation. It pained Rainbow Dash to think that it—like the rest of the world—would eventually perish along with that forsaken piece of Urohringr itself. But just as swiftly as Rainbow contemplated that, she realized that there was a chance now—a hope—that the whole realm wouldn't be so easily extinguished. What was more, she knew precisely what... or who that hope was.
All in all, it was a terrible burden to bear. Rainbow shrugged it off—not because of the thirst for challenge—but rather for the sudden realization that she wasn't quite so alone in the labor.
“It's all so very pretty,” somepony said. “Not so different from Equestria, really.”
Rainbow felt her insides growing toastier. She replied without looking at the lavender shape beside her: “Yeah... it's all pretty nifty. Wish you coulda seen some of the wicked cool stuff I stumbled upon. The ancient trees of Foxtaur Forest... the fields of Emeraldine... the Alafreon Bluffs.” She slowly shook her head, eyes glued to the crashing waves. “Guess if I had pretended I was seeing them through your eyes, I would have slowed down more.”
“Yeah. But then... you wouldn't have gotten that far, would you have, Rainbow?”
“Hmmmmmff...”
Silence.
“Good morning, by the way,” Rainbow said.
The edge of Twilight's smiling face graced the pegasus' peripheral. “Morning indeed.”
“Did you... uhhh... sleep well?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“Well, did you or didn't you?”
“I'm feeling well rested, Rainbow, thank you,” Twilight said. “I can't explain where I go during those moments any better than you can. But... but it does the trick.”
“Well, I'm glad for ya, egghead.”
“How'd the rest of your talk with Princess Luna and Spike go?”
“It... it...” Rainbow's teeth grit. “...it didn't last too long after you conk'd out.”
“Oh?”
“We just... wrapped a few things up... y'know...” Rainbow brushed her bangs back, exhaling. “They're gonna try to do more research on their end, consult Princess Celestia, try and make contact with Cadance's expedition... yadda yadda yadda...”
“Yes... uhhh...” Twilight Sparkle squirmed slightly in the sand. “...about this 'Princess Cadance'—”
“We've got one more night of chatting,” Rainbow Dash interjected. “I mean, that's the way it almost always go. It's another thirty-six hours before the moon starts waning again, and I'll no longer be able to chat with Luna. That is to say... we'll no longer be able to chat with her...”
“Until the next cycle, right?”
“Right.” Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. “Here's hoping that we... y'know...”
“What?”
“... … ...get a lot more ponies we know to partake in the conversation between now and then.”
Silence.
“Do... do you have doubts, Rainbow?”
“Hmmm?” Rainbow turned, blinking at Twilight. “About what?”
“About our friends,” Twilight said. “That they're actually here...” She pointed limply at Rainbow's pendant. “That they're in there somewhere...”
“I... I-I gotta admit...” Rainbow winced slightly. “It's a whole lot to chew. I... uh... I-I wouldn't mind having more than a bouncy skylight and a fuzzy nerd to go on.”
“Hmmm... hehehe...” Twilight giggled. She squatted down in the sand, folding her dimly glowing legs beneath her. “Well, don't worry, Rainbow Dash.”
“Worried?” Rainbow's voice cracked. She cleared her throat. “Who says I was worried?”
“I know we've been separated for over a year, but don't pretend that means I still don't know you.”
Rainbow said nothing.
Twilight looked at her. “For the last few hours, I was asleep... and yet I wasn't.” She gulped. “All things considered, it's like I was... I-I was in the same place I've been all this time. Floating... but not floating. Seeing... but not seeing. Existing... but... but...”
Rainbow stared at her, listening patiently.
Twilight exhaled. “...I remember now what it felt like to be somewhere and nowhere at once. I may not have had memories... but I had feelings, Rainbow. Feelings of confusion and loss... certainly. But... but th-that wasn't nearly as consuming as one might think.” The mare's lavender brow furrowed. “It was all washed over by this overwhelming sense of... connectivity. At first, I assumed it was you... your loyalty... your devotion... your—heheh... awesomeness.”
Rainbow Dash smirked slightly.
“And it's still all of that... but it's more, Rainbow Dash. I didn't realize it until just now... until spending those last few hours 'recharging' in there... somewhere. But... but I feel joy... I feel kindness... I feel inspiration and truth and... and m-magic, Rainbow. There... here... everywhere, so long as I am near that pendant. So long as I'm near you.” Twilight's head tilted up, and her eyes were jubilant, if not slightly moist. “They're alive, Rainbow Dash. They're alive and they're here... with us. We might not see them... and they may not see us. But for all of the blindness... the feeling is real... the feeling is true. Our friends are alive. We just... we just have to reel them back to the light.” She gulped and shook her head. “That's all.”
With a firm breath, Rainbow Dash stood up. “Then let's get started.”
“But...” Twilight blinked, eyelids fluttering. “Aren't you exhausted?”
“Nope.”
“But it looks like you've been up all night without—”
“I can't sleep now,” Rainbow Dash said. “Especially with the task at hoof.”
“And what task is that?”
“Regardless of what Sinrar teaches us, you and Luna are right,” Rainbow said. “There's gonna be a lot of ocean between here and the next spot where Yaerfaerda is leading us.” She cleared her throat, frowning slightly. “I gotta build a boat.”
“For real?” Twilight blinked. “You're not just gonna... go all gung ho and 'wing it?'”
“This is about waaaaaaaaay more than just me, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “The game's changed.” She shrugged. “S'all good. I can deal. Just gotta switch up my awesomeness.”
“Well then...” Twilight floated up and “stood” on her legs before the pegasus. “...how do we go about building a boat?”
“I dunno.”
“Haven't you built one before?”
“Yeah, and it sucked.” Rainbow winced. “No offense to Scootaloo.”
Twilight blinked crookedly. “Huh?”
“Nah... if we're gonna do this, we gotta do it right.” Rainbow sighed, turning to gaze at the Academy's campus from beyond the trees. “Here's hoping somepony does volunteer work.”
“Who are we talking about, exactly?” Twilight said.
Rainbow groaned. “You know... sometimes I think the only reason I wanna grab the Harmonic Prism is so I'll have a way to smack your head once again.”
“Huh?” Twilight blinked, then twitched as the realization hit her. “Ohhhhhhhh... right. Silly me.” She blushed. “What's... uhm... the expression in situations such as this?”
“'Duh,' Twilight.” Rainbow spread her wings and flew swiftly towards the rustic dormitories. “Friggin' 'duh.'”
“I can't. Sorry.” Nick shuddered, strapping a book bag to his flank as he trotted swiftly out the dormitory. “I don't have the time... resources... or money.”
“Well, then... uh...” Rainbow Dash fluttered after him, fidgeting in midair. “How could I... erm... help you get those three things?”
“You can't,” Nick grunted, passing several students to stepped back just to gawk at the prismatic pegasus tailing him. “As in, it doesn't matter.”
“Oh come on!” Rainbow tossed her forelimbs. “You were so quick to help me out the past few days! Lemme guess... it's the cane that Dr. Dude has, isn't it?”
“Rainbow—”
“Would you want me to give him a few thwacks to the skull in return? Would that make you less grumpy?”
“It's not that I'm a grump!” Nick said, swiveling to face her. He calmed down, took a deep breath, and said, “It's only that I've used all of my money and resources building a boat of my own already.”
Rainbow Dash blinked. “You have?”
Twilight floated up and gaped over her shoulder. “He has?”
“Well...” Nick's ears folded as he threw a melancholic gaze to his right. “...that, and asking a pretty unicorn out to homecoming.” He brushed his bangs back. “Funny... I made friends with at least three mares that semester and all of them came down with Coconut Flu at around the same time...” A long pause. “Ah well. Live and let date.”
“Would you mind telling me more about this boat that you made?” Rainbow Dash leaned in, arching an eyebrow. “Like... how long ago did you make it?”
“Oh, Rainbow, it's been... it's been three years.” Nick sighed. “It was the last boat I made at home before sailing here.”
“I thought you couldn't bring boats into the Blight.”
“I know. I have it docked along the harbors of Eastern Kihutaja,” Nick explained. “Which is as far as the Blight ever extended.”
“And you've just left it... tied down there this whole time?” Rainbow asked. “Floating?”
“Rusting?!” Twilight added.
“Yeah, what she said—er...” Rainbow went cross-eyed while Twilight face-hoofed.
“You know...” Nick smiled wearily. “I don't think I'll ever get over that.”
Rainbow squinted at him. “Get over what?”
“He means the way that you're constantly talking to a pony he can't see—” Twilight began.
“Yeah, I get that!” Rainbow hissed at her.
Nick waved a numb hoof. “I rest my case.”
“Look... uhhhh... Nick...” Rainbow touched down and stood behind the stallion, resting a hoof on his shoulder. “This boat of yours. Do you think it's still good enough to set sail?”
“Wowsers, I just realized how freakin' tiny you are,” Nick gasped.
“Pay attention!” Rainbow snarled, summoning frightened looks from passer-by's. “Can this boat still set sail?”
“Pffft! Of course! I built it!”
“He's right, you know...” Twilight “stood” beside Rainbow Dash, fighting the urge to giggle. “No wonder Applejack could rein you in so easily by biting your tail.”
“Dang it, girl, I'm trying to—” Rainbow started to whisper before casting Twilight a double-take. “Wait... really?”
“Well, it's been a long time since I set her out in open water,” Nick thought out loud. He tapped his chin, gazing through the tree canopy above. “But with a new sail and a few upgrades, I'm certain I can get her to be navigable again. Why do you ask—Wait.” He turned to blink at her. “This is gonna turn into a big dumb adventure thing, isn't it?”
“Nick.” Rainbow smiled. “I really need to find these Five Seeds that the ancient texts speak of. Sinrar's confirmed that they exist for real. Once I get to the first Point of Interest, I'll know whether or not the other four are worth coming into contact as well.”
“Can't you... I dunno... wing it?”
“I would if I knew this place and if I knew where I could stop and rest! But I don't!” Rainbow paced around him, exclaiming, “Sinrar does, but he's just an old fart! Once I get the detailed maps from him, it's going to be a crazy game of seafaring and exploration—and I'm only good at half of that!”
“You could learn,” Nick said. “Sailing the high seas doesn't take much! Just casting a sail and throwing anchor!” He blinked. “Also scurvy!”
“Dude... I... uh...?” Rainbow glanced nervously aside at Twilight. “I haven't exactly got all the time in the world.”
“Yeah, so?”
She bit her lip, staring at him with puppy dog eyes.
Nick recoiled. “Wait... do you mean to suggest that... th-that...” He gulped and pointed at himself, shivering. “That I... me... I me mine help you sail across the world?!”
“Pfft! Not the friggin' world, dude! Just to the first Seed!” Rainbow smiled. “If what I and my Princess Luna believe is true, then I might just get the energy boost I need to make the rest of the trip by air!”
Twilight's lavender muzzle scrunched. “Wait, I don't remember any of that in our conversat—”
“And as soon as I've reached the first point...” Rainbow spoke louder. “...you can head on back!”
“But... but the semester is just about over! I'm about to have a break!”
“And what would you wanna do on your break, huh, dude?” Rainbow smirked. “Traipse around on hoof, chasing tail in utter futility?”
“Hey, girl...” Nick pointed. “Watch it.”
“Or...” She grasped his shoulder and pointed towards the east horizon beyond the K.M.C.A. campus and trees. “...go on an awesome high sea trip to some unknown destination with only the wisdom of Sinrar to guide us...”
“It's... still not much of a pitch you've got there,” Nick said. “I'm sorry, Rainbow. As much as I'd love to get my hooves on my old boat again, I'm afraid I'll have to pass.”
With that said, the stallion sauntered off with a dull sigh.
Rainbow stood, staring after him. Suddenly, Twilight perked up, and she leaned over, whispering in the pegasus' ears. Rainbow's eyes twitched, and she muttered, “...native island mares?”
Nick immediately spun around. “I beg your pardon?”
“Uhm...” Rainbow fidgeted. “We... c-could...” She smiled awkwardly. “...run into deliciously sun-tanned native island babes!” Her grin widened as her tail flicked. “The kind who haven't seen a stallion in years!”
“... … ...” Nick gazed at her. “... … ...let's go find Sinrar.” He trotted swiftly, taking the lead.
“I've been carefully and systematically pouring over every bit of text I have on the Western Seas, the Blighted Shores, and the Fringe Colonies,” Sinrar said, his body hunched over a dusty desk in the dusty corner of his dusty apartment flat. “And I can only come to one single conclusion.”
Rainbow Dash smiled, standing next to Nick and Twilight. “Right.” She nodded. “You'll give us all your maps, Dr. Dude.”
“Enfin!” He spun about, shaking his cane while his muzzle took on a grizzled frown. “Think with your brain and not with your connard, ya selfish harpy!” He took a deep breath, leaning on his cane as he tilted a smiling chin upwards. “Quite simply, if you and your petite étalon plan on making a seafaring trip to the next Seed, then I am going with you.”
“Ohhhhh!” Sinrar folded his forelimbs, leaning back. “So you don't want my expertise in cartography after all? Think you can navigate the bluffs and shoals of this ill-begotten sea by your lonesome? Negotiate with the sporadically-farted natives without causing a Goddess-damned stick war between the archipelagos?”
“I think we can manage, yeah!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “It's hard enough trying to look after ourselves on a boat without croaking to death in the hot sun without having to worry about your wrinkly flank!”
“Rainbow...” Twilight sighed.
“Trimaran,” Nick droned.
Rainbow gave him a double-take. “What was that?”
“Trimaran.”
“What the buck is a Trimaran? Some kind of lemur?”
“It's what I built.”
“I thought you said you built a boat.”
Nick blinked at her. “It is a boat. A type of boat.” He glared Sinrar's way. “A very fast... small boat.”
“So what? Ehhh?” Sinrar shook his cane. “Afraid of sharing the wind with the smell of my insides, ya fruit-scented pansy?!”
“I use gentlecolt conditioner, thank you very much!” Nick grunted, giving his mane a slight fluff. “Besides, you can barely walk out of your house without tripping on weeds and shouting at squirrels. How in the blue Hell are you gonna be of use to us on the high seas?!”
“How the hell are you gonna get by with that bump on your forehead?”
Nick felt his skull. “What bump?” WHACK! “Augh! Dang it!”
“Okay...” Rainbow sighed, waving a hoof. “That's gotta stop...”
“Then show me the respect I deserve!” Sinrar spat, lowering his cane with a frown. “You barge into my home, introduce me to a wild cornucopia of mythological western lore, and then expect me to just hoof over my maps?”
“Do you even have detailed maps of the archipelagos east of here?” Rainbow asked.
“I'm a busy stallion! And my days are full of research and writing and studies—”
“Do you even have detailed maps?!” Rainbow shouted, even causing Nick and Twilight to shiver.
Sinrar bit his lip, fidgeting. “Well...” He avoided the mare's gaze. “No...”
Rainbow tossed her hooves and fluttered around in an angry circle.
“But it's all in here, I assure you!” Sinrar pointed at his skull. “Like a sheet that keeps unfurling! I see sights, hear sounds, smell smells... and it all comes washing over me! Mon dieu! Just seeing the Tower no longer marking the Blight yesterday filled me with youthful vigor! I do not wish to join you on this trip simply to learn... but to live!”
“I've given you information... knowledge...!” Rainbow Dash faced him, frowning. “The whole friggin' history of Equestria! Val Roa! Ledomare!”
“Pfft! You've only given me notes so far, harpy!”
“Point is...” She flew into his face, teeth gritting. “I thought we already had an exchange! Why do you have to be so stubborn about this?”
“I could ask the same of you, mon petite cheval.” Sinrar smirked. “There is more to you than you're willing to tell us... more than you're even willing to share with Princess Luna, I think.”
Rainbow Dash flew backwards. Her nostrils flared, but she said nothing.
Nick glanced curiously at her.
As did Twilight.
“Being old does not mean stacking up years and filth, Harpy.” Sinrar shook his head as his voice took on a firm tone. “Non... I have experience that neither of you can even begin to grasp. If you wish to get to your destination, then you need to do so safely. And if you wish to do so safely, then you'll need me. It's as simple as that.”
“We weren't kidding, old stallion,” Nick said, glancing up at the former Professor. “This sounds like a wild ride. Even for me.”
“It's just to the First Seed,” Rainbow said. “No further.”
Sinrar squinted at her. “Are you so sure of that?”
Rainbow glared his way. “The point I'm trying to make, Dr. Dude, is that—even as short as a trip it may be—there's no telling what sort of damage it could do to you. This isn't exactly my first rodeo. I don't care how nicely you all paint Kihutaja, Rohbredden, and all the other mounds of dirt floating across this ocean. Adventuring isn't easy. There's bound to be a lot of death and chaos involved.”
“Wait... th-there is?” Nick squeaked.
Rainbow waved him off, staring Sinrar's way. “I dig the fact that you wanna... y'know... live again... but wouldn't golf or shuttlecock do? This isn't exactly going to be a walk in the park.”
Nick bit his lip, then glanced at Sinrar.
“I've been holed up in this miserable Academy for a long time, harpy.” He leaned back against his desk, huffing. “I'm sick of walks in the park. Either you take me with you, or you're on your own... in the dark.” He spat. “I doubt you'll do much with your 'journey' for even a day without me.”
A long bit of silence ensued.
Rainbow Dash hovered close to the ceiling. With a sigh, she pivoted around, facing the shadows.
Twilight took this as her cue to float up and drift near her. “Rainbow, he's offering his help. He's being very generous.”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow muttered aside. “Skunks can be generous.”
“Uhm... how?”
“By dying.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Rainbow...” She spoke quietly. “...remember when Rarity made us her beautiful dresses for the Gala?”
“Ahhhh jeez...” Rainbow grumbled. “Are we really going here?”
Twilight continued: “I learned a lot from that. I even wrote to Celestia that it's best not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Literally.” She smiled. “He can help us. Same with your handsome friend here.”
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Handsome?”
“They've shown immense faith in you. Can't you show the same in them?”
“Twilight, I just came out of leading a rag-tag band of adventurers,” Rainbow said. “And... to be perfectly honest...” She gulped. “I-I don't think I'm... r-ready to go through something like that again.” She exhaled. “Especially now that I've got you and... the other girls to worry about.”
“Then don't think of it like that.” Twilight smiled. “Just... take it easy... one day at a time...”
“Unnnghhhh...”
“Are you...” Sinrar squinted. “...quite done talking to the shadows, mademoiselle?”
“Heh...” Nick chuckled nervously. “I-I'm not freaked out if Dr. Dude's not freaked out!” THWACK! “Augh!” He rubbed his head right above his horn. “How come she gets to say it and I don't?!”
Fwooosh! Rainbow touched down between them. “Because I'm awesome.” She turned to look at the old stallion. “Okay, ya old coot. It's a deal.”
“Génial!” Sinrar smiled wide, the wrinkles briefly disappearing from his muzzle. “When do we set off?”
“Well...” Rainbow gestured aside. “We gotta get to Nick's boat first.”
“And where is that? Hmmm? Outside the Academy?”
“No.” Nick shook his head. “It's harbored at East Kihutaja.”
Sinrar recoiled so hard his beret fell off. “Are you serious?!”
“'Fraid so.”
“I am not walking that far! Out of the question!”
“Well then...” Rainbow smiled. “So much for our voyage, huh?”
“Bite your tongue!” Zinrar swept his beret back up with the tip of his cane. “You're getting me there one way or another!”
“Uhm...” Rainbow squinted. “What do you have in mind?”
“Faster! Faster, you stupid meatjobs!” Sinrar thwacked the ponies' flanks and leaned back in his wagon seat. “Salt air and blue skies await! Hah hah hah!” He laughed triumphantly.
Nick huffed and puffed, galloping quickly alongside Rainbow Dash as the two pulled the carriage eastward. “Somehow... I-I didn't think this was what we had in store!”
“Suck it up, pal,” Rainbow exclaimed, wings flexing as she pulled the bulk of the weight. Together, the two young equines drew Sinrar across the westernmost bridge connecting the K.M.C.A. behind them to the heart of the Archipelago. “If you wanna get places, you gotta flex your muscle a bit.”
“But... I-I didn't sign up... for a voyage!” Nick wheezed. “You enlisted me!”
“Would you rather sit on your flank for several months while the mares around you get older?”
“You know what... I'll pull for a while,” Nick panted through a sweaty smile. “How about you relax?”
“You kidding? I haven't relaxed since the Blight disappeared,” Rainbow said.
Just then, Twilight drifted lazily beside her. “I, for one, am enjoying the cool breeze!”
“Don't you friggin' start,” Rainbow grumbled aside.
The phantom unicorn giggled, and soon the group was spanning the rest of the ancient bridge.
The center island of Kihutaja was vastly larger than the one that house the K.M.C.A., but that wasn't saying much. Despite its lush trees and hilly center, it was still far smaller than any land Rainbow Dash had visited before.
Something dawned on her about halfway through piercing the heart of the landscape. In all of her travels, Rainbow had always been exposed to large continents, vast deserts, and sprawling forests. Here, she felt noticeably cramped, and with every other trotting step she was almost afraid she might plunge off the face of the earth and land in the ocean.
Sinrar and Nick evidently didn't share this same sensation. For the most part, they seemed quite labored by the relatively short trip it took to get them as far as they had come, as if they too had traveled halfway across the plane and not just the sparse distance of three miles. Rainbow Dash glanced around at the various villagers and merchants they passed as they galloped through the center island's central township. It was then that she realized that—for better or for worse—this tiny-tiny place was their world. They were used to living on tiny archipelagos lost within a vast sea. She couldn't even pretend to surmise what sort of an effect such a perception might have on ponies' psychological being.
But as she saw more of the ponies' smiling faces, heard their casual conversations, and watched them milling about as they worked at their various jobs, she realized that it didn't matter if there was a far more gigantic world out there or not. The Kihutajans were a happy culture, sufficiently pleased to populate their abbreviated realm. Even if they didn't have everything, it was apparent to Rainbow Dash that they had enough. Their outlook may have been shortsighted, but it kept their ambitions in check. Everypony was at peace, and Rainbow couldn't decide whether that was awesome or not.
“Bah! Look at those mud huffers! Getting older by the piss break!” Sinrar grumbled as they passed by a blacksmith and two trading posts “Sooner than later I'll have competition with the whole island! Mrmmff!”
Nick said something in retort, but Rainbow wasn't listening. She gazed aside as they passed by a thicket of obviously-planted pine trees in the middle of the island. She saw a suburb of rustic cottages, sturdy storehouses, and even a log cabin or two. While adults worked on their crafts and carpentry, several fillies and colts chased each other around on the woolly lawns. It was frightfully idyllic, and the first thing it reminded Rainbow of was Blue Shelf. Only—this time—she felt assured of a truly happy society.
She weathered a delightful shudder. It gave her a second wind, and she pulled the cart faster down the winding pathway. They entered an even larger township built near the east end of the central island. Here, the landscape had risen to a higher elevation. The only reason Rainbow Dash had noticed is that Nick was near-fainting with exhaustion from the uphill climb. Even though she felt perfectly fine, Rainbow nevertheless insisted on a break—for Nick's sake. Sinrar protested, of course, but the old stallion wasn't going anywhere without the other two to pull him.
While Nick sat down to catch a breather, Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and flew straight up. From a high vantage point, she saw that there wasn't much land left to cover on the central island. A series of four-story tall buildings hugged a series of bluffs situated along the east end. Seagulls congregated over a bustling open market built to hug the curved ends of a cobblestone roundabout. It was there that the next bridge met the landscape, leading over the rippling waters from the eastmost island. This spot was the busiest Rainbow Dash had seen yet, with ponies of all walks of life congregating thickly together. Judging from the types of dress and outfits she could see, she imagined that many of the equines running the market were from distant archipelagos and colonies. No doubt they had sailed in from various parts of the ocean, having landed at the east island to carry their goods to this one location—a hub of both society and trade.
“Curious,” Twilight cooed in the tropical winds. She floated alongside Rainbow Dash, staring down at the scenery. “I wonder if there's a market like this on every island, or if Kihutaja is truly that important.”
“It's just one archipelago, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “For all we know, every body of land in this part of the world has a market like this, no matter how tiny the island.”
“Still, it's rather cute to imagine,” Twilight remarked with a smile. “That of all the places you could have stumbled upon, you landed here... on the most important one... to find the likes of Nick and Sinrar of all ponies.”
“What the buck are you even getting at?”
Twilight giggled. “I've been going over my head how lucky you were to stumble upon Bellesmith and Pilate.... you know... the ponies you said would become 'Eljunbyro.'”
“Uh huh...”
“It's rather funny how simple destiny can be.”
“I try not to think about it too much,” Rainbow muttered.
“What? Destiny?” Twilight squinted at her. “Imagining your place, I figured you'd have no choice but to put a lot of stock in it.”
Rainbow Dash bit her lip and was quiet. Twilight could have pressed the subject even further, but—judging from Rainbow's expression—she chose not to, and pensively allowed silence to reign.
Not long after, Rainbow Dash flew back down and rejoined her two “traveling companions.” Together, the group descended the narrow streets that led down from the bluffs and promptly crossed the next bridge. It was a lot more daunting a task this time, considering how densely the bridge was populated with tradeponies coming and going—but mostly coming. Every minute, the various caravans paused to gawk and stare at the threesome—most eyes settled on Rainbow Dash and Rainbow Dash alone.
“Okay. I give up.” Rainbow's brow furrowed as she and Nick had to veer left and right to pass the umpteenth group of stalled onlookers. “What's their big friggin' deal?”
“Maybe they're not used to your artistic vomit of a head,” Sinrar grunted.
Nick explained as if he was reading from a thesis: “There has been a great deal of conversation and rumor ever since the Blight fell. You might not have noticed, Rainbow, since you've been... uhm... doing whatever it is you do. But, no doubt, the talk of the town has reached the east island's port by now.”
“What's that gotta do with me?”
“Well, quite simply, the Blight ended right as you appeared.” Nick flung his mane back and gave her a smiling side-glance in mid-gallop. “Everypony here in Kihutaja pretty much knows that a sky blue pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane had something to do with it!”
“Yes, well, for all these peasants know, it's an argument of correlation,” Sinrar said. “Not causation!”
“Heh, you've been an old stallion for too long, old stallion,” Nick replied, chuckling. “Give an island enough youth and gossip, and they'll get hype about anything!”
“Is that so?” Rainbow squinted aside. “And just where did this gossiping start? And with who, might I add?”
“Erm...” Nick's features flushed, but it wasn't from the exercise this time. “Uhhhhhm...”
Twilight giggled. “Oh give him a break, Rainbow. He was excited to see you.” She winked, ears perked. “I know I would be!”
“Relax, mademoiselle,” Sinrar said. “Despite the little larva's doing, it's not like you'll have to suffer the intrigue for long. You are leaving this island soon, are you not?”
“Well, yes but still...” Rainbow sighed as they reached the end of the bridge, passing by another thick group of staring onlookers. She shuddered through a cold chill and said, “I could really have done without all of the crazy attention.”
“If I may be so bold, Rainbow, you only have yourself to blame there,” Nick said. “After all... you weren't exactly... subtle upon your arrival.”
“He has a point there,” Twilight said.
“Awwww shuddup,” Rainbow grunted.
Nick's ears folded back and he looked down at the blurring floor. “Sorry.”
“No, not you... I mean... grnnfghhh...” Rainbow rolled her eyes and sighed. “Look, from now on, let's all try to keep a low profile, alright? I'm... s-sorry about all the crud that's happened before. But if it's possible, I'd like to attract as little attention as I can.”
“Oui oui!” Sinrar nodded. He adjusted his beret and leaned back in the wagon's seat with a smile. “I like your style, harpy!”
“I don't get it. You're a worldwide traveler!” Nick exclaimed. “If I were you, I'd brag about my exploits to everypony!”
“Yeah, and if I was me too—and I am—I'd want to do the same.” Rainbow gulped. “But I really can't...”
“Honestly, girl!” Nick huffed and puffed as the group approached dry land and the buildings beyond. “What are you so afraid of?! It's not like you gotta avoid anyone watching you!”
Rainbow Dash merely bit her lip. She glanced aside at Twilight.
Twilight said nothing and floated along, and soon the group was piercing the east island of Kihutaja.
This strip of land was considerably smaller than the central one—and perhaps even smaller than the body that housed the K.M.C.A., but Rainbow Dash was hard-pressed to notice. There were more buildings packed together on this island than on the two western strips combined. The last time Rainbow had seen this much urbanity was in the capital of Val Roa, and even still this place felt remarkably more cramped, with cobblestone streets so narrow that at times two wagons couldn't pass each other without delicate patience and coordination.
Things became a bit easier when the group passed the capital of Kihutaja—or at least Rainbow Dash assumed it was the capital. Buildings here were large, ancient, and built out of intricate stonework. A domed structure stood at the far end of a round courtyard, flanked by marble pillars and equine statues that were jaded by the passage of time. Here, ponies gathered in droves, sharing song and fish tales. Rainbow saw artists drawing portraits of their loved ones, and along the shops she heard musicians filling the roads and alleyways with melodic strings. Everything was a great deal more alive and cultured—and yet it was still perpetuated by an innate Kihutajan mirth, a sort of lazy style of living that feared nothing and regretted even more of nothing.
The only serious faces Rainbow Dash saw were gathered around one of the stone-built buildings situated perpendicular to the stone structure. As she and her two companions passed by, she heard the tell-tale buzz of politics, with terms such as “continentals,” “colonialists,” and “Rohbredden” dropped every other sentence.
“Don't mind them,” Nick said. “They're simply anxious about the next voting period.”
“Voting period?” Rainbow stammered.
“Yes. For the Colonial Senate. You see, centuries ago, we all answered to the three Equine Tribes of the Continent.”
“Rohbredden.”
“Right. But time and distance—not to mention the Tribal Wars—separated us. Colonial concerns stopped being Continental concerns, and we drew independent in order to sustain our own resources and economy.”
“So how come you still call yourselves 'Colonialists?'”
“Because there's more than salt in the air that sticks to one's coat out here.” Nick smiled as the three exited the east edge of the courtyard. “For all of our talk and academics, we really don't have much of a central culture here in Kihutaja. The smaller archipelagos, maybe, but we'll always have the stigma of being Rohbredden's grandfoals.”
“Something tells me they regret it,” Twilight stated.
Rainbow glanced away from her. “Something tells me you guys regret it.”
“Yes, well, if it weren't for Verlaxion...”
Twilight shuddered.
Rainbow Dash cleared her throat. “The less said about her, the better.” Her ears twitched to the sound of shrieking gulls. She fought her way past a Durandanan flashback to say, “Sounds like we're getting close to a harbor or something.”
“Not a harbor...” Nick smiled. “The harbor. Kihutaja only has the biggest port in the Western Fringes.”
“It's about damn time we got here too!” Sinrar spat. The air above was starting to broil into a proper orange as the late afternoon bloomed. “From the look of things, like we'll be casting off tomorrow!”
“Uhm...” Nick fidgeted in mid-step. “That's being rather generous.”
Sinrar gave the young stallion a double-take. “The Hell do you mean?”
“I thought you said your boat was moored out here,” Rainbow added.
“It is... but... well...” Nick sighed. “That was a long time ago, and I... d-didn't exactly have all of my things together when I first arrived here.”
“What is he saying?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah.” Rainbow blinked. “What are you saying?”
“Erm... you'll see...” Nick gestured down a sloped path leading through several fish markets. “Just look out for the seagull poop.”
“Huh?” Rainbow suddenly slipped in something. “Luna's nipple! You gotta be friggin' kidding me!”
The Kihutajan Harbor was truly a spectacle to behold. A slender peninsula extended from the eastern tip of the island. Whether this was a once-natural land formation or something that was artificially forged over time, neither Rainbow Dash nor Twilight Sparkle could surmise. Whatever the case, it made for a perfect location for a seaport, with countless docks and shipyards extending outward from all three sides of the strip.
There were hundreds—if not thousands—of boats anchored all around the circumference of the island facility. From tiny skiffs to enormous juggernauts with four sets of sails; Rainbow Dash lost count of all the vessels she saw. Some were moored up to the docks, unloading huge hulking crates of goods. Others were anchored far off the coast—forming a veritable outer layer of wood and iron and canvas. Tiny transports rowed constantly to and from these vessels, and they had to pause and make way for larger ships arriving and departing all at once. The entire scene was very expertly coordinated, and utilized a navigational skill that even put the aerial formations of Ledomare to shame.
The interior of the harbor itself was no less impressive, with rising layers of warehouses and factories interconnected with thick, winding streets. The Kihutajans were as economic with their architecture as they were bold, and Rainbow couldn't help but notice that most of the streets, walls, and bulwarks of the place were reinforced with tens of thousands of crushed and compacted seashells. As a matter of fact, the detritus of the ocean formed the bulk of the urban construction, so that—at a wide glance—the entire facility gave off a pale white sheen, as if making up for the lack of a visible sandy shore.
And then, to cap it all off, there were three enormous lighthouses—each built on thick bluffs situated several hundreds of meters off the north, east, and south edges of the peninsula. These smooth pillars stretched high—around ten to twelve stories, Rainbow guessed. The sun was far from setting, but already Rainbow could see the tiny dots of equines ascending the summits, preparing to light incredibly bright bonfires that would pierce the night-drenched sea in every direction.
All of this awe and wonder, however, did little to stifle the pegasus' growing frustration as the group pulled their carriage along a rustic, dinky marina situated at the eastern tip of the peninsula.
“Nickkkkk...” Rainbow growled. “...what are you doingggg?”
“Just hold on a tick,” the young stallion said. He had slowed the group's gallop to an icy trot. Drawing the wagon, he and Rainbow pitter-pattered down a bent, crooked dock, passing row after row of sun-faded little dinghies moored to splintery wooden posts. “Any second now. Annnnnnny second now.”
“Nick, where's the boat?”
“Annnnnnnnnnnnnyyyyy second now.”
“Where's the boat, Nick?”
“Just... another... row...” Nick said, craning his neck to look past rusted mast after mast.
“Merde! Will you answer the blasted harpy already?!” Sinrar frowned. “Is there a boat here for us or isn't there?”
“Of course there is, ya old sack of kidney stones!” Nick barked back, fuming briefly. “I just... just...” His voice then took on its usual, whimpery tone. “I just haven't been here in a long... long time.”
“Mon petite cheval, I'm older than fifty of your ancestors stretched end-to-end and doused in whale poop.” Sinrar frowned. “I swear, if you define 'long time' as four years, I'm gonna thrash you.”
“Three and a half, actually.” THWACK! “Ow! Dang it! Look, I moored it to the dock around here! I promise!”
“Let's all just calm down and try and give the kid a space to think, okay?” Rainbow said.
“Well put, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “It's not the end of the world if he can't find his boat right away.”
“It's not the end of the world!” Rainbow said. “If worse comes to worse, I'm sure we can... uhhh... borrow another boat!”
“Surely you jest,” Sinrar huffed.
“Hey! I once made a boat out of a bunch of dead deer's petrified wood!” She frowned. “And with only my wits to go by, I made it across the friggin' Blight! Can you boast the same?”
“Meh.”
“Good on you, Rainbow,” Nick said with a weary smile. “Nice to know that somepony has faith in me.”
“No, for real, find the boat—pal—or I'm carving your skin off and turning it into a sail,” Rainbow whispered.
Twilight face-hoofed with a pronounced sigh.
“Read you loud and clear,” Nick said. He turned to face the other end of the docks and instantly brightened. “Ah! There we go!”
Both Sinrar and Rainbow Dash leaned forward. “Where? Where?”
Before them, a majestic yacht was moored, its iron-wrought hull glinting in the sunlight. Thick sails rippled in the sea air, and a smooth rudder broke the waters into thick foam.
“Now that is more like it!” Sinrar said.
Nich cleared his throat. “Uhm... wait for it...”
“Huh?” Rainbow blinked.
Just then, three strapping young sailors emerged from beneath the yacht's cabin. They shouted to one another, drew in the rope, and cast off. With an icy glide, the large vessel pulled out from beyond the docks... and behind it rested a tiny thing with a sail-less mast, bent cross beams, and a faded frost blue hull.
“Hey!” Nick brightened, detaching himself from the wagon. “The paint job is still there!” His smile twitched. “Mostly!” He galloped ahead and descended a series of wooden steps until he stood parallel to the craft.
Even Twilight was gaping at this point. “...seriously?” She looked aside at Rainbow Dash, dumbfounded. “Is that it?”
“Hey... uh... Nick?” Rainbow Dash called out, detaching herself from the carriage. “Is that really your ship? Or is there an even smaller one with rocket engines hiding behind that one?” She gulped. “Because I'm really... really hoping for the latter.”
“Nope, this is it alright!” Nick leaned forward, rubbing his hoof across the hull of the ship's port-side segment. “A trimaran built from love and aluminum... but mostly a lot of aluminum.” He raised his hoof and banged the steel reinforcement. “Hey! It's still sturdy from the time I rebuilt the hull after the narwhal attack! Killer!”
“Six Tribes spare me...” Sinrar facehoofed with a groan. “This cannot be the majestic ship we intend to sail east in!”
“I don't see why not!” Nick pouted, pointing. “It's even got a cabin! Just large enough for me and two sexy mares—errm...” He smiled nervously. “It's got a cabin!”
“Heh...” Rainbow hovered above him, reaching out to tap the mast. “Gotta hoof it to ya. That has my old raft beat.”
“Imbecile!” Sinrar spat. “It doesn't even have a sail!”
“Well... I sorta traded that in for textbook money when I first arrived here three semesters ago!” Nick hollered back. “Forgive me if I wasn't expecting to be roped in on a crazy adventure to find the first of five 'water seeds' or whatever the custard-crap you ponies are calling it. Hey, watch the trimming.””
“S-sorry...” Rainbow Dash hovered back, landing at his side. “Thought you gotta understand, dude, that this thing doesn't exactly inspire confidence.”
“Well, it's been sitting here for forever and a fortnight.” Nick smiled. “It just needs a bit of love, that's all.”
“A bit of love and a bit of bits, you mean.”
“Er... yeah. That too. Eheh.”
“Mmmmfnnghhh...” Rainbow sighed into her hoof.
“Not all is lost!” Nick said, glancing at the two. “I just gotta... y'know... run a few errands around the port to get the supplies that'll make her run smoothly again!”
“At least tells me she has a name,” Rainbow grumbled, staring lethargically at the bobbing trimaran. “We can't be completely out of luck.”
“Uhhhh...” Nick craned his neck, then pointed. “Yeah! Over there! Towards the bow of the middle section! Hah! Best paint I ever used! It's still almost legible!”
Rainbow craned her neck, eyes squinting.
“I named her after the first marefriend I ever had! Just months before shoving off for the K.M.C.A.!”
Rainbow blinked, then arched an eyebrow at Nick. “The 'Swan Song?'”
“Yes, well...” Nick sighed, kicking apathetically at the edge of the dock. “Some ship's names have... more figurative meanings than others... ahem.”
Just then, a shrill whistle lit the air.
All three turned to see a half-dozen surly stallions with thick muscles standing along the edge of the docks.
“What do you think you're doing here?” asked the largest of the group.
“Oh! Just... uhm... grabbing my boat!” Nick said.
“Don't you mean our boat?” the heavy stallion grunted.
“Uhhhhhhhhhhhh...” Nick blinked. “Huh?”
“I don't like the sound of these guys, Rainbow,” Twilight said.
“Er... excuse us, dudes...” Rainbow waved from where she hovered. “Hello. Look... this has gotta be some sort of misunderstanding. You see... pretty boy here moored his ship in this spot about three years ago. It's his.”
“Oh, there's no misunderstanding about it,” the stallion said. He spat at the docks and crossed his forelimbs. “If he moored it here, then that proves it's our property and not his.”
“Huh?!” Nick exclaimed. “Do you even hear yourself?! That doesn't make any sense!”
“Heh...” The stallion chuckled, glancing aside at his amused companions. “Friggin' dumb-as-bricks college kids. They think they're hear to learn about the world, and instead they burn all the bridges behind them.”
“I... I don't get it...” Nick wheezed.
The stallion frowned. “These here docks got sold over to the Sand Piper Company two years ago, bucko! This here's a private marina! Along with anything that's moored here!”
“But... but that doesn't make any sense!” Nick frowned. “My boat's docked here! Why didn't anypony warn me such a buyout would happen?!”
“All customers of the previous owners were notified by mail.” The stallion's eyes narrowed. “That includes you, pal.”
Rainbow looked over at the young pony. “Nick, is this true?”
“Erm... I... uh...”
Rainbow frowned. “Did you ever even check your friggin' mail all these semesters?”
“Well... yes! Er... maybe.” He sweated suddenly. “Look, it depended on... uhm...” He scratched his head, avoiding her gaze. “...on whose s-sorority I was quietly sneaking into every other month... eheheheh...”
“Uggggghhh...” Rainbow moaned.
“Quick, Rainbow!” Twilight whispered. “You gotta salvage this somehow!”
“Okay, look...” Rainbow hovered closer to the surly stallions. “The kid's an idiot. Maybe not everypony can forgive him for that. Can't you just... I dunno... look past it this one time?”
“No,” the largest stallion grunted. “This here's Sand Piper Company property. Heck... you three landlubbers are practically trespassing as it is!”
“Really, pal?” Rainbow pointed. “You're gonna bend over backwards to defend that piece of driftwood?”
“Hey!” Nick protested. “The Swan Song isn't made of wood! And she sure as heck doesn't drift!”
Rainbow continued. “What if we made a deal?”
“For what?” The muscular stallion barked.
“I could... do some errands for you!” Rainbow smiled pleasantly. “This is a big, bustling port! I bet you've never had anything delivered by wing before!” She winked. “It could really... really improve business to get stuff transported between here and the markets super fast!”
All six stallions laughed, causing Rainbow to blink. At last, the largest of the group summoned the breath to speak: “For a moment there—judgin' by your mane—I mistook you for the mysterious mare who started everything! Now I realize you're just as much a moron as shortstop over there!” He spat. “The Blight's no more, lady. As soon as we found out, we hired a buncha pegasi to start doing deliveries for us days ago! Ain't no sense tryin' to capitalize on a business that done saturated itself before you even rolled in to port! Now get lost.” He cracked the joints in his neck. “We've got ourselves some business to attend to.”
Nick gulped.
“Rainbow...” Twilight shifted from where she hovered. “I don't like the looks of these guys. I think they might even be willing to physically hurt you.”
“Really now...” Rainbow cracked the joints in her neck. “...wouldn't that be a crying shame.”
“Rainbow, don't even pretend like you can take these meatheads on!” Twilight hissed.
“You've been asleep for a long, long time, Twilight,” Rainbow whispered. She started fluttering forward. “You might want to close your eyes for the next few minutes.”
“Rainbow, are you crazy?!” Twilight flew in front of her. “Don't—”
“Ahem. Pardon me, boys...”
Everypony looked up at the carriage.
Sinrar stood before his seat, leaning against his cane. “Judging from your charming accents, I take it you sail the northern seas... probably to harvest redwater from the boiling tempests?”
“Yeah...” the thickest of the stallions squinted up at him. “We skim the north. What's it to you, drybones?”
“I can only imagine how terribly bored with the trivialities of life you all must be.” Sinrar smiled. “Especially considering that—aside from staining yourselves with redwater—you live each and every day regretting the fact that there's no more artifacts of Ancient Tribal metals to be salvaged. No wonder you're working such menial, pathetic jobs here at the docks.”
“Sssssssttt!” Nick squealed. “Knock it off, old stallion! Are you crazy? These guys could eat a great white shark and crap out a pile of shivs!”
“Hah hah!” The lead stallion pointed up at the carriage. “Get a load of this old codger! They must keep him around the Academy for sympathy points!”
The whole group laughed... at least until a gold sight glittered off their eyes. Then they all collectively gasped, their gazes locked fixedly on Sinrar's figure.
Rainbow looked over—then did a double take.
Perched in Sinrar's outstretched hoof was a dazzling gold coin with the engravings of a winged creature bearing a lion's mane.
“Judging from your drool, I take it that none of you plebeian lime suckers have ever seen wyvern coinage up close before,” Sinrar said. “I can't imagine what would cause you to defecate harder, the fact that I'm willing to sell this to you... or the fact that I have an entire bag of the ill-begotten treasure.”
“An entire...” The largest stallion gulped. “...b-bag?”
“And all I ask in return is that you free this little larva's precious ship...” Sinrar's bifocals glinted in the afternoon light. “...and provide us with the resources for a long and extensive voyage, of course.” He flipped the coin and held it to his chest—which caused no small mount of flinching. “Surely that is a fair enough deal for salty souls as yourself.”
The leader of the group was fidgeting at this point. At last, he spun around and barked at his companions. “What are you scalawags standin' around for?! Go fetch a sail and some rope! On the double!”
The ponies went galloping off at a desperate speed, branching into various directions as they scoured the lengths of the marina for the necessary supplies.
Rainbow exchanged glances with Nick, then gawked at Sinrar.
“Hmmmphhh... my favorite kind of business ponies,” the former professor said, hopping down onto the docks. “The predictable kind.” He leaned on his cane and squinted at the other two. “Why are you so surprised? I told you that I've been all over the place studying evidence of the western explorers, did I not?”
“I know, it's just that...” Nick smiled blissfully. “I had no idea you had it in you to be so... graceful!” THWACK! “Augh! Dammit!” He rubbed his nose, sighed, and sauntered off towards the Swan Song. “I'll go see if the damn thing is full of spiders or not...”
“Well... that about does it for supplies!” Nick grunted, slapping down the last of several crates. Night had fallen over the east port of Kihutaja, and the misty air above them was penetrated by golden swaths from the three surrounding lighthouses. A series of lanterns flickered along the marina's docks, illuminating the exterior and interior of the Swan Song. “Thanks to the old codger's wily haggling tactics, we've won ourselves rations, rope, and even a pretty snazzy mane.”
“Took you long enough to gather all that bull hockey together, dipstick,” Sinrar rasped. He paced along the outer deck of the trimaran's central compartment. “Meanwhile, I'm sweeping up a mountain of dust and dead feathers from your beloved dinghy here!”
“Hey... give her a break!” Nick shrugged. “She's been hanging out here on her lonesome for years. All of that time without my close attention and I'm pleasantly surprised she still stays afloat! Heheh...” He instantly winced, blushing as he looked Rainbow's way. “Not... that you g-guys have anything to be afraid of, or something. She's totally seaworthy. Even airworthy!”
Sinrar gave him a double-take in the lanternlight. “Airworthy?”
“Well, Professor, the swells out there can get... uh... pretty steep. And when this baby gets a full wind...” He gestured forward with his hoof. “Fwoooooosssssh! Y'know?”
“Mrmmff...” Sinrar adjusted his beret with a frown. “Fast and stupid. Just like you.”
“Heehee... thanks—Heeeey!” Nick frowned.
“What I wanna know is this...” Rainbow hovered lower beside the mast with Twilight floating alongside her. “If Dr. Dude had so many ancient coins on him—”
“Have, ya ignorant harpy!” Sinrar spat. “What?!” He folded his forelimbs with a huff. “You think I would have dealt my entire card in one go?! Hah! I know these waters like the back of my hoof! Odds are we're gonna have to bribe our way past more coral-huffers if we wanna get anywhere!”
“So... like...” Rainbow squinted at him. “...why didn't we use the coins to buy us a slightly less cramped boat?”
“Well...” Sinrar leaned back, scratching his chin. “If you aren't the mare with the velvet tongue.” He grunted. “Do you want to attract that much attention or waste that much time getting to the First Seed?”
Twilight glanced aside at Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow sighed, her ears folding back. “You have a point.”
“I do... don't I?” Sinrar smirked. “And just what... or who might an adventurer from the west be wanting to avoid attracting?”
Rainbow's lips parted. She avoided the old stallion's gaze, fidgeting in midair.
“The Swan Song isn't 'cramped,'” Nick muttered, pouting. “It's just built to be cozy.”
Twilight leaned in. “We could shove off anytime, I'm guessing.”
Rainbow cleared her throat, turning away from Sinrar. “So... uh... how soon will she be ready?”
Nick shrugged. “I could get her ready in less than three hours. But... do you really want to set sail at night? I wouldn't.”
“For once, the little larva has a point,” Sinrar wheezed.
“Well, that's just as well.” Rainbow nodded at Twilight, then at the two stallions. “I sorta... have somepony to talk to for one final evening anyways.”
“Ah, but of course.” Sinrar leaned back on his cane, smirking. “Any chance we might be able to entertain the Princess' delightful and wise company yet again, harpy?”
“Eenope!” Rainbow Dash shot straight up. “See ya guys in a few hours. Try not to fall into the drink in your sleep.”
“Heehee!” Twilight waved as she was dragged skyward after Rainbow. “Bye bye!”
“They can't hear you, Twilight.”
“But they heard you!”
“Meh.”
Sinrar watched until Rainbow Dash flew out of sight.
“Hrmmfff... I wonder if I should really be throwing myself bollocks deep into the ocean on a whim of a nutcase,” Sinrar grumbled.
“I dunno...” Nick brushed his bangs back and smiled aside at Sinrar, eyes sparkling. “In a way, I think she's... charming.”
“You would think that, ya rudder humper. Now help me find the lavatory.”
“Huh?”
“This little skimmer of yours has a place to do business, doesn't it?”
“Funny that you should ask.” Nick picked up one of three containers from his stack of supplies. “Which bucket do you want? They... uh... they only had two sizes. Eheh.”
“Awwwwwwwwwww phooie.”
“Simply put, Rainbow Dash, we have no choice but to await your next report,” Princess Celestia's voice rang through the night air. “From what Luna and Spike have told me, you're about to embark on a most daunting voyage.”
“That... uh... that remains to be seen, Your Highness,” Rainbow Dash said. She perched on the top of the port's centermost lighthouse. Between each blinding swath of light, she gazed out at the distant speck of Yaerfaerda. She sharply inhaled the salt air and continued, “As cruel as it sounds, I don't plan to take these guys any farther than I can throw them.”
“Oh?”
“They're not exactly seasoned Ledomaritans or battle-hardened Xonans,” Rainbow Dash said in a dull tone. “I... shudder to think what too much excitement might do to them. Especially the old guy.”
“But they seem very helpful,” Twilight said. “Not to mention willing to help us out! If you ask me... heheh... I think they just need an excuse for adventure.”
Rainbow smirked. “Twilight has a good point. These two wouldn't have tagged along if they weren't up for the challenge.”
“Then they volunteered on their own?” Princess Luna's voice inquired.
“Yup! Well...” Rainbow winced slightly. “The younger one needed... eh... a little bit of encouragement.”
Twilight giggled.
“Well, Rainbow,” Spike spoke, “So long as they've got you hanging out with them, then I'm sure there's nothing to worry about.”
“Oh, I'm not worried,” Rainbow said, lying back in a lazy lean as she smirked over at Twilight. “Just a bit twitchy.”
Twilight winked.
“All in all, we're just about ready to set sail! Nick's got the boat almost fully prepared, and Professor Sinrar is antsy to start navigating our way there. We should be able to make it to the first Seed with no problem. It's just the trip itself that might take a while. Whatev's.” Rainbow shrugged. “Anything's gotta be a walk in the park after the friggin' Choke.”
“And after you have reached the First Point of Interest, Rainbow,” Luna said, “Then what?”
Rainbow shrugged. “I guess Twilight and I will have to take it from there. I... uh... I think we'll know pretty sure right away if there's any point to what Luna and Spike have proposed.”
“I believe in you, Rainbow Dash,” Spike said. “You and Twilight can bring the girls back! I just know it!”
“Heh... let's just hope you're right, dude.”
The air was silent for a while.
“It would seem as if there is very little left to discuss,” Celestia's voice calmly said. “At least in regards to your next venture.”
“Yeah. I guess.” Rainbow scratched her head, glancing aside at Twilight. “Plenty of time to catch up, though, am I right? I mean... I've told Twilight plenty, but I'm pretty sure the girl's dying to hear from your mouths just how Equestria's been fairing since I took off for the horizon.”
“Yes! Please!” Twilight gulped, leaning forward from where she drifted. “I mean... tell them, Rainbow! I wanna hear all about home!”
“Heh... Twilight's repeating everything I just said,” Rainbow stated. “In her usual egghead way.”
“Rainbow...”
“Heheheheh...” When Rainbow was done chuckling, she suddenly how silent everything was on the Princesses' end. “Luna? Celestia?” She gulped. “Your Majesties? Everything cool?”
“... … … well, we had mulled it over, collectively, Rainbow Dash...”
Twilight blinked, looking concerned.
Rainbow's brow furrowed. “Mulled what over, Princess Luna?”
“At first, two evenings ago, we were all doubtful that Twilight Sparkle had truly manifested before you. I was doubtful. But after the evidence you've provided—and Spike's and my sister Celestia's gentle insistence—I eventually accepted the most recent turn of events. So, with Celestia's blessing, I sent an entourage to Manehattan as swiftly as I could.”
“Manehattan?” Rainbow made a face.
“It was where they had both chosen to move to after the tragedy a year and a half ago, you see.”
“Who... who are we talking about, Princess?” Rainbow asked, exchanging blank expressions with Twilight.
“Do stand by.” Luna's voice grew distant, muttering something as if from a million miles and a room away. Then, after an awkward pause, a pair of voices shuffled up, shuddering to speak:
“Twilight...?”
“Twily, precious, are you really there?”
Twilight Sparkle gasped sharply. She flung a pair of lavender hooves over her muzzle as pupils shrank. The ghostly unicorn shivered all over.
“We... we came as soon as we heard. At first... we didn't know what to believe. Princess Luna tells us that we won't be able to hear your voice... but... but th-that you can hear ours...”
“And we just want to tell you, first and foremost, that we love you. That we miss you. And that we're with you every step of the way.”
Rainbow Dash gaped at Twilight.
By now, Twilight had completely melted. Tears poured from her eyes, and she hiccuped to speak: “I hear you! I hear you loud and clear! And... oh goddess...” She wiped her cheek, shuddering. “I'm... I'm alive! I'm alive and I love you both, Mom! D-dad! I've never stopped loving you!” Her twitching eyes met Rainbow's.
Rainbow smirked. With a warm tone, she spoke into the air, “Twilight says she's alive and she loves you both, Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle. She never stopped loving you.”
“And... and we're gonna get me back! Someway, somehow, we're g-gonna get us all back!”
“We're gonna get Twilight back to you. One way or another.”
“I love you...” Twilight sobbed. Laughed. Laughed and sobbed. “I love you so... so much. Don't... don't worry.”
“She loves you and tells you not to worry.”
“Everything's going to work out... one way or another!”
“Everything will work out...”
The breaths on the other line shuddered.
“Oh Twily, somewhere... somehow... deep inside... we knew...”
“St-stay strong, our little Princess! We believe in you! And we believe in Rainbow Dash!”
Twilight struggled and struggled to keep her muzzle dry, but kept failing. Despite her emotional wreckage, she eventually found an even breath.
Rainbow sighed through a smile. She gazed up at the stars, then spoke, “Luna... we still have lots of time. This... this doesn't have to end anytime soon, does it?”
“Not even in the slightest. Spike?”
“Hey, Twilight. I know you're listening. Your Mom and Dad wanted to... y'know... fill you in on stuff. Stuff that's happened while you and Rainbow have been away. Think you're up for it?”
Twilight could scarcely squeak. With a wet smile, she simply nodded her head faster and faster.
“Heh...” Rainbow leaned back with a proud grin. “She's all ears. Let 'er rip.”
“Okay... Uhm... first off... Twily... your Brother. Shining?”
“You won't believe this, but he's married. The wedding happened about a year ago in Canterlot Castle. You'll never guessed who he's betrothed to.”
“Princess Cadance, Twilight! You remember her, don't you?”
Rainbow looked at Twilight.
Twilight scanned the heavens with her eyes. Her lips pursed. At last, she shrieked in a girlish tone. “Omigosh! Cadance! Cadance! Cadance! My foalsitter!” She clapped her hooves, her grinning face turning red. “Squeee! Oh Goddess, Shining had a crush on her for forever!”
Rainbow tilted her head. “Twilight remembers, folks. But still...” She arched an eyebrow. “A foalsitter?”
“Well, they were originally going to spend their honeymoon in Dream Valley, but some strange events started unfolding in the frozen north. So Cadance and your brother Shining took it upon themselves to investigate. I was a bit worried at the time, but then I realized that your brother is at his best when he's staunchly defending the security of our nation.”
“Plus, he now has the most beautiful wife in the world by his side.”
“Let me explain it, dear. Anyways... Shining and Cadance take a train to the Frozen North, and you'll never guess what they found...”
Rainbow Dash spent the whole time gazing at Twilight.
The unicorn leaned forward, her face plastered with a jubilant smile, and as the words of her parents rolled on, she nodded and nodded... and that grin grew wider and wider until the tears were no more.
“Luna's spell no longer works as a communication bridge because—unfortunately—Shining and Cadance lost it when the Princess' enchanted tiara was destroyed in a random griffon pirate attack.”
“Oh my goodness!” Twilight gasped, casually floating around the lighthouse. It was several hours into the “discussion,” and yet she was as bright-eyed as ever. “Did they come out of that okay?!”
“Uhhh...” Rainbow stifled a yawn and tilted her head towards the disappearing stars. “Twilight's a little freaked out over the whole 'griffon pirate attack' thingy.”
“Oh, don't worry, Twily! They're absolutely fine! Cadance has seen enough action that she knows how to keep herself safe during a brush with bad company. And Shining... well... you should know better than to doubt his capabilities.”
Twilight giggled. “Yeah! He always had brains and brawn!”
“Twilight says that Shining's pretty smart!”
“Quite so. In all seriousness, Twilight, there isn't much of a chance of Shining or Cadance getting hurt on this journey. Especially since Shining has brought Flash and his other trusted soldiers along for the—”
“Wait, huh?” Twilight blinked. “Flash?”
“Twilight wants to know who this 'Flash' is.”
“Hmmm? Why, Flash. Flash Sentry. The soldier who saved Shining's life in the Crystal Empire? Won his trust? Became something of an apprentice to your brother?”
Twilight's face remained scrunched for a few second. And then: “Ohhhhhh! Flash Sentry! Sorry, I... I-I guess I wasn't paying much attention during that part.”
Rainbow smiled tiredly. “Twilight remembers now. He's the one who helped—”
“Spike fetch the Crystal Heart. So, as you can imagine, all of the Crystal Empire is indebted to the stallion. So, rather than let success get to his head, he's riding along on this airship voyage with Shining.”
“Wait... wait a second...” Twilight looked towards Rainbow. “I have a question.” She tilted her head up and spoke: “If Cadance's enchanted tiara got destroyed from a pirate attack, then how do we know anything about their expedition?”
“Twilight brings up a good point,” Rainbow said. “The enchanted tiara got totally smashed, right?”
“That's right, Rainbow Dash.”
“Then... like... how's Luna able to communicate with Twilight's brother and sister-in-law?”
“Oh, well... Luna's tried explaining it to us... maybe she can do a better job explaining it to you. Your Highness?”
After a few seconds, Luna's voice cleared, then rose in clarity: “Twilight, Rainbow, Cadance has been able to bridge communication across the plane through a special means of alicorn magic.”
“You mean she's cast her own spell?”
“By restoring the remnants of the spell I originally cast, yes. Basically, she has in her possession a few pieces of the ill-fated tiara. Harnessing what she can, she's been able to convey messages to Equestria through a mathematical code.”
“You mean like dots and dashes?”
“Affirmative. However, since the full moon no longer works, she's had to rely on her own... how should I say it... innate gifts.”
“Like in what way?”
“A royal secret, I am certain. Still, Mi Amore Cadenza is the Princess of Love, as you very well know. Considering that Captain Shining Armor has been... 'absent due to unforeseen exhaustion' on three of the last five moments of communication, then I'm certain one could draw their own conclusion as to what powers the spell.”
“Snkkkkt...” Rainbow Dash nearly fell off the lighthouse, hugging herself.
“Huh?” Twilight blinked.
“Hah hah hah hah hah!” Rainbow guffawed, slapping her knee.
“Hahahahhahahaha... ahem... phew...” Rainbow stood up, catching her breath with a red smile. “Yes ma'am?”
“From the look of things, the spell is going to end soon.”
Rainbow stifled another yawn, gazing east towards the dim light showing on the horizon. “Yeah. I read you loud and clear.”
Twilight leaned in. “Mom! Dad! It was so... soooo wonderful hearing back from you!” She smiled. “And learning about Shining and Cadance and the expedition to the west!”
“Twilight says it's been super cool hearing back from you! Also it's nice to learn more about the expedition Shining's on.” Rainbow gestured. “That last part goes for me too. I'm glad to know they're doing okay for themselves.”
“Yes, well, so far so good. Once they make contact with Sturke, it'll be the moment of truth.”
“Have they gotten close?”
“It would appear that Sturke rules over a nation-state that borders a crescent-shaped body of water in the middle of an enormous forest.”
“Snazzy.”
“Shining and Cadance want to approach Sturke as diplomatically as possible, so they're having to ingratiate themselves to the locals before they can even reach Sturke.”
“Well, from what Luna's told me, it sounds like Sturke is an alright dragon.” Rainbow took a deep breath. “I'm kinda envious, actually, considering the Divines I've butted heads with on this side of the world.”
“We certainly wish them the best... just as we wish you the b—” Their voices became distorted.
Twilight winced. She looked feverishly at Rainbow.
“Hey! Uh... Twilight loves you guys!”
“I love you Mommy! I love you Daddy!” Twilight blurted. “I love you Spike!”
“She loves Mommy and Daddy and Spike too.” Rainbow looked a Twilight, then smirked. “And I'm sure she adores Luna, Celestia, Shining, Cadance, Scootaloo, Zecora, that one mule who always made weird faces while gardening outside of Fluttershy's cottage... ehhhh...” Rainbow blinked. “Are we forgetting anypony else?”
“Our hearts go out to you,” Luna said. “All of Equestria's well wishes go with you on your journey.”
“We believe in you girls,” Spike said, his voice distorting with every other word. “...back safely and... you hear?”
“I hear you Spike!” Twilight stammered, sniffling. “And I love you! I love you so much!”
Rainbow's pendant dimmed.
“I love you...” Twilight exhaled, hugging herself as she stared into the sea below. “I love you... I...”
Rainbow looked at her.
Twilight closed her eyes, drifting lazily as tears squeezed out her eyelids.
After swallowing a lump down her throat, Rainbow said, “Life's crazy, and there are only so many promises I can keep, Twilight. But this one I can make for sure. You will get to speak with them again, you hear me?”
“I know, Rainbow.”
“And you don't have to—”
“Just... just...” Twilight took a deep breath, shuddering. “...tell me one thing...”
“Hmmm? Tell you what?”
Twilight turned to face her. She opened a pair of misty eyes. “Tell me how you do it.”
“Do what?” Rainbow asked.
Twilight sniffled. “Continue.” She gestured towards the slowly brightening horizon to the east. “After all that you've left behind... after everypony you've had to say good bye to... more than once. How? How do you do it?”
Rainbow hung her head.
Twilight sniffed again. “I... I-I'm sorry if that's a pointed question...”
“Nah, it's okay. It's a good one.” Rainbow looked up. “You wanna know how I manage?”
Twilight gazed at her, silently, patiently.
Rainbow bore a devilish smirk. “I just keep moving.”
SPLASSSSSH!
“Wooohooo!” Nick hollered into the sun-bright spray of ocean water. With a wild grin on his face, he steered the Swan Song left, ramping over yet another swell. The port side lifted up, dragged through the air, then landed with another deep splash, thoroughly splattering the occupants on board. Despite the residual turbulence, the trimaran made its way swiftly towards the east horizon. “Hah! Heheh...” the young stallion looked over his shoulder at the other two. “Anypony who said this 'dinghy' wasn't seaworthy could go make love to a porcupine colony!”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow looked up at the bright billowing sail above. “...all this thing needed was a bit of love-making of its own!”
“Even when it's metaphoric, it's satisfying to know I'm best at one thing!” Nick winked into the salt air.
“Yeah, well, don't pat yourself on the back yet, Casaneighva.” Rainbow crawled past him, steadying herself by gripping the mat. She gazed back at the port of Kihutaja. The three islands grew smaller and smaller on the western horizon, along with the multiple ships anchored around the nearest harbor. “We've yet to get into the true open sea!”
“Relax! Once we're fully in the drink, I've got this!” Nick said. “It's my element! I was born for it!” They hit another ramp of water. “Wooo! Hahaha! Yeah!”
“Forgive me if I'm a bit paranoid,” Rainbow muttered, tightening Luna's satchel around her flank. “My last experience in the ocean was... less than awesome.” Clearing her throat, she turned to look at Sinrar, who was clutching the edge of the cabin so hard that his gray coat turned grayer at the joints. “You doing okay there, Dr. Dude?”
“Who? Me? Yes! Just fine!” Sinrar nevertheless fought a wave of nausea to utter his next few words: “Ponies of my age are built of... far sturdier material than you young hormonal golems!”
“Heh... if you say so...” Rainbow Dash cocked her head aside. “You need a bucket?”
“All I need is a little peace and quiet so I can mentally contemplate our trajectory, you incessantly humming harpy!”
“Want your maps for that? I could grab them for you!”
“No no... not yet... I wouldn't want to... urp...” His eyes crossed as his muzzle turned briefly green. “...add a new continent with green ink...”
Rainbow shrugged. “Suit yourself! The only one in a hurry here is Nick, right, buddy?”
“Yeeeha! That was a great swell! What do you think, Professor?!”
“Mrawwweeghhh...”
“Took the words right out of my stomach! Heheh!”
Rainbow took a deep breath of the sea air. Something about the warmth, the wind, and the mist in the air felt distinctly different than the Grand Choke. For the first time in ages, the trip excited her, and she couldn't help but smile. Flapping her wings, the pegasus lifted up until she was flying right alongside the mast. She kept up with the ship, veering left and right as the trimaran did, avoiding the dip of the mast and the spray of water.
At some point, Twilight floated alongside her. “Don't you wanna conserve your wing power for when there's a lull?”
“There's plenty of wind, Twilight,” Rainbow spoke. “I think we'll be fine.”
“But it's a large ocean and there's no telling how long we might be cruising like this.”
“Eh... I just feel like stretching my wings. If I get tired, I'll just touch down and signal Nick to take it easy.”
“But... but...” Twilight fidgeted in mid-drift. “You don't want to... I dunno... exacerbate the chaos that Discord zapped you with and—”
“Twilight... will you just relax?” Rainbow turned towards her with a soft smile. “This is adventuring! I can do this sort of thing in my sleep!”
“Yes, but—”
“But nothing! We've prepared! We've plotted things out! We've got this!” Rainbow winked. “Things are good.”
“They... they are?”
“Best they've been for me in a long while.” Rainbow faced forward, squinting at the distant, bobbing speck of Yaerfaerda. “Come on, this is a journey for a good cause. Let's revel in it. It's what Bellesmith, Pilate, and Roarke would have wanted.” Her nostrils flared. “It's what the girls would want.”
“Right...” Twilight nodded, gazing at the rippling waters underneath them. “I guess I'm just... not used to this sort of a thing like you are.”
“Just relax, Twilight. Sooner than later, you'll get the hang of—”
“Ew! Ew ew ew!” Twilight squirmed all over, retching. “Ew gross!”
“What?! What?!” Rainbow gasped.
“What powers Cadance's spell!” Twilight wheezed. “I just now got it! Ewwwww!”
“Snkkkt—heeheeheehee!” Rainbow clutched herself in mid-flight.
“Rainbowwww! Quit it!” Twilight pouted, folding her forelimbs. “It's not funny!”
Below, on board the Swan Song, Nick and Sinrar stared up at the laughing pegasus.
“You... don't suppose you've any clue what she's laughing maniacally about, do you?” Nick asked.
“Merde...” Sinrar merely shrugged, re-gripping the edge of the cabin. “It's a mystery to me.”
“You know...” Nick smirked ahead, guiding the ship onto an even stretch of seawater. “...part of me believes I'm only helping her with this trip so I can find out myself.”
“You... uh... you sure you don't need help up there, kiddo?” Rainbow Dash asked, her neck tilted upwards.
“Nah, I've got it!” Nick clung to the mast, several feet above the central hull of the Swan Song. The ship was steadily cruising eastward with a gentle breeze. “Besides, I won't be up here for long!”
“You sure? I've got wings, y'know!”
“I just gotta make sure the structure is handling the wind just fine!”
“How much force can this thing handle before we'd have to... I dunno...” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “...lower the sail to keep it from ripping apart or something?”
“So long as we don't sail into a typhoon, she should handle herself just fine! I built her out of tough stuff!”
“Considering you built this heap before your pussyhooves entered the K.M.C.A., I'm inclined to believe that,” Sinrar grunted from where he sat on the edge of the cabin, hunched over a stretch of maps.
“You know what? I'm thinking I might stay up here a little while longer,” Nick grunted. “At least it'll keep me out of range of some moron's cane.”
“Heh. Suit yourself.” Rainbow said. “Just don't get sunburnt.”
“No promises. It's a soothing breeze anyways.” Nick continued his inspections, humming casually to himself.
Rainbow Dash trotted across the central hull. While Twilight hovered overhead, she squatted by Sinrar's side and squinted at his illustrations. “So... uh... how's the charting going?”
“Shhhhh!” Sinrar hissed, adjusting his beret. “Don't interrupt genius!”
“Dr. Dude, you've been at this for three hours now.”
“And yet you had to remind me...” With a sigh, the old professor used his tight wing muscles to grip a pen, drawing a thine line across a splotch of sea. “Mrmmmfff... the cobwebs are damnably annoying when they want to be. If only my old walks across the campus could have cleared my head more.”
“Want me to kick you in the head really hard?” Rainbow asked with a smirk.
“Rainbow...” Twilight quietly chided.
“That'll get the cobwebs right the buck out!” Rainbow added, winking.
“You would love nothing less, would you, harpy?”
“For serious, Professor.” Rainbow squatted next to him, staring at the map. “How goes it? Are we about to run into any anals or something?”
“It's atolls you illiterate buffoon.”
“I-I knew that!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “I was testing you! No reason to be atoll about it... er...”
Nick giggled up above.
“You stupid youth and your stupid youthisms...” After a breathy sigh, Sinrar leaned back and pointed at the map. “We've gone further south than I had anticipated.”
“So?” Rainbow shrugged. “We can make up for it.”
“That would be most beneficent.”
“Oh? Why's that?”
“Because the last time I traveled out here, several privateers of ill-repute sailed this patch of turbulent ocean just to the southeast of our location. They liked to lay claim to a barren archipelago where they stored their illicit coral supplies.”
“Can't you—like—get coral from just about anywhere?”
“Have you not heard my energetic exclamations these past two days, harpy?” Sinrar grumbled. “There are dirty souls out here who like to abuse the substance. It has a radical effect on the equine nervous system when ingested in just the right quantities.”
“Okay. So... there are some dudes we gotta avoid,” Rainbow said. “Considering you saw them here at one point, I bet it's safe to say that was two generations ago.” She winked. “What are the odds they're still around now?”
“For once, I do not know if you are being serious or simply poking fun at me again.”
“A little of Column A and Column B?”
Twilight rolled her eyes.
“Cute. You are certainly tres sassy when out on the move.”
“It's a living.”
“I bet.” Sinrar drew a line across a patch of islands. “All in all, it'll probably be nothing. There are some shallow reefs that we should attempt avoiding.”
Rainbow nodded. “Shouldn't be a problem.”
“After that, it's going to be three days of open ocean at least.” Sinrar squinted at her. “I certainly hoped you packed something to read.”
“No, but I'm sure I can deal.”
“I brought plenty of books.” Sinrar managed a wrinkled grin. “You could try scouring one of my genius treatises.”
“Ehhh... I dunno, old timer...”
“Oooh!” Twilight grinned wide. “I'm down for that!”
Rainbow held her eyes shut. She sighed through clenched teeth. “I'll... think about it.”
“Indeed... you shall think about it... eh?” Sinrar smirked, glancing back at his maps.
Rainbow squinted at him. “What's that supposed to mean?”
“Only that you strike me as the most curious mare.”
“Cuz of the wings and the curious tales of the West, right?”
“Oh, I'm sure you have curious tales, alright,” Sinrar said. “And so does your friend.”
“... … ….who? You mean Nick?”
“Non. I mean your other friend. The one neither the larva and I could see.”
Twilight did a double-take.
With a straight face, Rainbow muttered, “I don't follow you.”
“Don't be an imbecile... even an adorable one,” Sinrar grumbled. “At first, I thought you were a coral huffer like the rest of the ruffians who get sunbleached outside and under the skin. Those are dime a dozen skin flakes of the ocean... neither here nor there. Bah! But then I saw your... Val Roan artifact, and I heard your Queen. Heavens above, if that doesn't convince me of a much larger world...”
“We live on a magical plane, Dr. Dude,” Rainbow said. “Crazy things happen.”
“Right. And a lot of that craziness evidently happens to you.” Sinrar squinted her way. “Just how is it that you have an innate compass for where you need to go next? For where the next Seed is?”
Rainbow fidgeted. She glanced out the corner of her eye at the shimmering beacon of Yaerfaerda. “That... would take an awful long time to explain.”
“We have an awful lot of ocean to explore.” Sinrar raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to spend all of that time talking to us... talking to phantoms... and talking to both?”
“Look, Professor, I've told you enough so that we can help each other with—”
“Rainbow,” Twilight softly said. “They're sacrificing an awful lot to help us with our quest.” She smiled delicately. “Maybe it would be a nice thing to share the truth about... y'know... me.”
Rainbow sat in place, ears twitching.
Sinrar saw it. “Do the voices summon you once more, harpy?” He smirked. “Perhaps you'd care to share an audience?”
Th-Thap! Nick landed on the central hull. “Whew!” He let go of a length of rope and smirked. “What are we talking about, huh?”
“It... it...” Rainbow's nostrils flared. She glanced at Twilight, then at Sinrar and Nick. “...it can wait.”
“Can it?” Sinrar muttered.
“Uh huh.” Rainbow flapped her wings. “Keep your eyes on the map, and I'll keep my eyes on the ocean.” She hovered up and flew ahead of the ship with a confused Twilight in tow. “When and if we have to... we'll discuss whatever changes have to be made to the chart.”
Nick watched Rainbow fly ahead, then turned to look at Sinrar. “What was that about?”
“Hrmmff... predictability,” Sinrar said.
“Huh?”
The old stallion adjusted his beret and drew a few more lines across the map. “You know... for a mare whose head has every color of the sky, our new friend doesn't like to share much.”
“They sounded as healthy as ever,” Twilight Sparkle mused, floating backwards with a lazy smile. “For a second there, I was scared that maybe...” She shuddered slightly. “Th-that maybe something about what happened could have... I don't know... taken something from them.”
“Well, they were obviously affected, Twilight,” Rainbow said. Night had fallen, and Sinrar and Nick had both succumbed to sleep. The sail was at half mast, and the Swan Song drifted lazily over the oceanic tides. The mare reclined on the front of the ship's starboard float, gazing up at the stars. “They had moved to Manehattan after you... well... after fake-died.”
“My mother's publisher is situated in Manehattan,” Twilight thought aloud. “She probably wanted to be closer to her work.”
“Or just further away from Canterlot.”
The ghostly unicorn bit her lip. “Yes. Yes, perhaps.” She sighed. “Perhaps that's why Shining took on the assignments he did.”
“Which one? The Frozen North or the westward expedition to Sturke?”
“Both.” Twilight hugged herself in mid-drift. “We never looked like a tight family on the surface, but believe you me, Rainbow, we loved each other very much.”
“Oh, I believe it.”
“If any single one of us died...” Twilight clenched her eyes shut and took a deep breath. “I know it sounds horrible, I think we... we all s-sort of thought it'd be Shining Armor who would have something bad happen to him first.”
“In his line of work, that's kind of a no-brainer.”
“Still, it sounds awful. It's not like I ever looked forward to my brother dying in action.”
“Pffft! Who ever said that?!”
“I was always the foal of the family. The little learner. The princess.”
“Hah. 'Princess.'” Rainbow smirked. “I like that.”
“I... I bet that when... you-know-what happened to me...” Twilight bit her lip. “...well, it must have thrown them all into a deep, deep shock.”
“They seemed pretty okay at your funeral.”
“Unnnngh...” Twilight clamped her hooves over her brow. “I keep forgetting you went through that!” She gazed over with moist eyes. “I'm so, so sorry, Rainbow. That must have been incredibly terrible for you.”
Rainbow shrugged. “I learned to deal.”
Twilight arched an eyebrow. “By flying due east and forgetting about all the pain?”
Rainbow pointed. “And... I learned how to deal with that.” She sat up. “Y'know, I'm not half the nervous basket-case that you think I am! You rematerialized right after I came out of the Grand Choke! That's when I was at my worst!”
“Oh, no doubt.”
“But me at my best?” Rainbow winked. “I'm a force to be reckoned with! A Harmonic Force to be reckoned with.”
“Hehehe... I'm sure.” Twilight floated upright, her lavender hooves tapping through the lapping waters. “That is, after all, the whole point of this... right?”
“Huh?”
“You. Harmony. Destiny. Austraeoh.”
“Brrrrrrbrrrr...” Rainbow fought goosebumps. “Never before have so many words in a row gotten me constipated.”
“Rainbow Dash...”
“The less I think about the whole 'destiny' thing the better,” the pegasus said. “At least, that's always been my experience. Even when I was with the Noble Jury.”
“And just what are we on a voyage east to find?” Twilight smirked. “Seashells?”
“Errrrr...”
“This whole... Austraeoh... Yaefaerda thing has paved the way for you! For us! Luna and Spike are onto something!”
“Uh huh...”
“Rainbow, if contacting just four of these five beacons is enough to actually bring back the rest of our friends—”
“Just because it's—like—a mechanic that I'm needed to make happen doesn't mean that the whole dang future needs to revolve around me, okay? Just...” Rainbow sighed, lying back again and staring up at the stars. “...j-just don't stress it.”
“I wasn't about to,” Twilight said. She blinked off-kilter, then tapped her chin. “Although...”
“Ugggh... what now, egghead?”
“Mmmm... just something I'd been thinking about during the last twelve hours of sailing.” Twilight floated in a slow circle around Rainbow's edge of the trimaran. “About how all of this might make sense.”
“Define 'all of this.'”
“Well... what do you think we're doing here to begin with, Rainbow?”
“Do I gotta spell it out?” Rainbow muttered, her eyes rolling back. “Over a year ago, Discord gave you guys the zap. And then I gave him the zap. And then we both gave each other the zap. And here I am, a gazillion miles away from home, trying to come to terms with the fact that... well... I am the zap.”
Twilight giggled. “It all started a bit earlier than that.”
Rainbow arched an eyebrow in the phantom's direction. “Do we seriously need to go back to when you first showed up in Ponyville?”
Twilight merely responded with a coy smile.
Grumbling, Rainbow sat up again. “Twilight, I've always sucked at classroom stuff. Will you just do your teacher thing and lecture me already?” She waved a blue hoof. “Just let it out, girl.”
Twilight stared at her with thin eyes. “How... did we all meet, Rainbow?”
“Pffft. Duh. You came to Ponyville for the Summer Sun Celebration and the Elements of Harmony bound us all together in a fight against Nightmare Moon—”
“Even further back then that.” Twilight leaned forward. “What orchestrated our eventual, fated meeting to begin with?”
Rainbow gazed at her with a blank expression.
Twilight's tongue clicked off her front teeth. “Cutie... marks...?”
Rainbow tilted her head back, face scrunched. “... … ...the sonic rainboom?”
“Don't tell me you've already forgotten about that one.”
“Pfft. As if I could ever forget about the first sonic rainboom I ever did.”
“Well?”
“Well what?”
“Would we ever have met if it weren't for that?”
“The heck do you mean, Twilight! Of course we would have!”
“Really?” Twilight leaned her head to the side. “Rarity would have discovered fashion and opened shop in Ponyville? Pinkie would have moved to a happier, less gloomy town? Applejack would have stayed at Sweet Apple Acres instead of living in Manehattan? Fluttershy would have fallen in love with animal caretaking?”
Rainbow opened her mouth to protest, but she had nothing to give. She simply stared in dumbfounded silence.
“And I would have passed my magical entrance exam?” Twilight asked in a sing-songy tone. “All without your sonic rainboom to have inspired us to get our cutie marks?”
Rainbow gulped. “It could have happened.”
“Rainbow... think about it.” Twilight floated higher, meeting Rainbow's eye level. “We were fated to meet before we even did! And I didn't make that happen! Celestia and Luna didn't make that happen! You did.”
“... … ...”
Twilight smiled. “What if Urohringr had meant for Austraeoh to be the avatar of harmony for this plane long before there was ever a chance for Harmonic Acclimation?” She pointed. “What if it had chosen you before the Elements had even chosen us?”
Rainbow stared off at the swaying ocean waves. Darkness danced against darkness, and the stars appeared to recede over head. She pursed her lips. “...that's trippy.”
“Call it what you want. But it's all about you, Rainbow Dash. It's always... always been about you.” She grinned. “Don't you think that's awesome?”
“For the first time in my life...” Rainbow wheezed, her features paling slightly. “...I think I'd prefer any other a-word.”
"You still with us, harpy?" Sinrar squinted up from his pile of maps, smirking into the sunlight. "Looks as though you didn't get a wink of sleep last night!"
"Mrmmmfff..." Rainbow rubbed her forehead, blinking blearily. "I... uh... I had a lot on my mind."
Twilight Sparkle winced, hiding behind the Swan Song's central hull.
"Wanna go below and have yourself a wink or two?"
"Nah." Rainbow fought a yawn. She crept over to the ship's edge, took a deep-deep breath, then dunk her skull into the rippling waters. Tossing her dripping mane back, she smiled wearily at the professor. "Just as good as ever!"
From the ship's stern, Nick chuckled, pulling at the rudder to steady the craft as it churned its way east. "You're made out of strong stuff, Rainbow."
"And don't you forget it," the mare muttered. She crawled over towards Sinrar's side and squatted at the entrance to the cabin. "So... any progress?"
"Depends on how you define progress, young one."
"Have you figured more or less where we're going?"
"Lady... you are the one with a phantom's eye view on our destination." Sinrar gestured at his maps. "All I can tell you is what we might run into along the way."
"Gotta phrase it his way, Rainbow," Nick said.
"Fine." Rainbow rolled her eyes, then firmly spoke: "Have you figured out what geographical or oceanographical phenomena we might run into if we take the path I'm leading us?"
"Oui. As a matter of fact, I've contemplated several."
"Well, do fill me in, Dr. Dude."
Sinrar adjusted his beret then pointed at a cluster of crescent shapes. "These... are the Serrated Reefs. While we're not headed right for them exactly, I would suggest bending our trip a bit south, just to be safe."
"Just to be safe from what?"
"From the larva's ship here being ripped straight through by ancient, petrified coral formations."
"Ah. Yeah. That's a good reason." Rainbow tilted her head back. "Hey, Nick, think you can bend us south a bit for the next hour or two?"
"Caaaaaan do!" Nick said, adjusting his grip of the rudder.
As the ponies' bodies swayed, Sinrar re-gripped the maps and continued speaking: "However, no amount of swerving is gonna help us avoid the Western Jets."
"What're those?"
"Warm winds that carry themselves in a swift, northerly direction," Sinrar explained. "It's going to make things a bit choppy for a day... maybe two. But once we're through that, we'll run across the first dry land in several hundred miles."
"Oh yeah?"
"First..." Sinrar pointed. "There's the Tortoise Archipelago. It's a series of presumably uninhabited islands. Very hilly. Lots of volcanic rock."
"What do you mean by 'presumably uninhabited?'"
"Ehhh... bunch of hippies tried moving there. Formed a colony of sorts that was free from both Colonial and Continental economy."
"Did they succeed?"
"You mean before or after they all died of dysentery?"
Rainbow Dash shuddered. "Right. So... avoiding that place..."
"You sure we should?"
"Uhhh... why not?"
"You tell me, Miss Compass," Sinrar spat. "We getting close to your destination or not?"
"Uhhhh..." Rainbow squinted at the east horizon. Yaerfaerda shimmered as faintly as ever. "It's kinda hard to tell."
"Hrmmf... figures."
"Anything past the Turtle Archipelago?"
"Tortoise."
"Whatever."
"Yes, actually." Sinrar drew his hoof across the map. "And by that point, we'd reaching the eastern edge of Colonial waters."
"Is... uh..." Rainbow squirmed where she sat. "Is that a bad thing?"
"Hmmm? Oh no, hardly." Sinrar bore a wrinkly smile. "I wouldn't get my panties in a twist until we reached Rohbredden proper."
"That's not the goal here."
"Don't worry. I'm sure the larva's ship would fall apart before we even tried to sail that far."
"I heard that!"
"Heheh... but anyways..." Sinrar's hoof stopped at a circular array of tiny landstrips. "This place... I do believe I've breezed past it once during my travels."
"Is it also full of dead ponies and volcanic rock?" Rainbow rasped.
"Mrmmff. Hardly. Last time I checked, it was heavily populated by a bunch of wet hooves."
"Erm..." Twilight tilted her head about. "What are 'wet hooves?'"
"Wet hooves?" Rainbow's voice cracked.
Nick spoke up from the other side of the boat: "It's a term everypony in Kihutaja gives to islanders."
"Uhhhh..." Rainbow squinted. "Forgive me if I sound like a dirtbag, but aren't you all 'islanders?'"
"Heh. Not even remotely." Nick winked. "Okay, so I get the technicality schtick, but no matter how much you wring the salt water out of the likes of the Professor and me, we will still be the descendants of Continentals at heart."
"I don't get it," Rainbow grunted.
"'Wet hooves,' mademoiselle," Sinrar explained, "refers to ponies who live so intimately with the sea that they might as well have their own sets of gills."
"They catch fish with their own limbs. Build houses out of whatever the island gives them." Nick shrugged. "You know, real native stuff."
"Ahhhhh... 'wet hooves,'" Rainbow said with a nod. "I get it now."
"You do?"
"No."
Twilight giggled.
Nick rolled her eyes. "Let me put it this way. Wet Hooves would rather swim across the ocean than use an actual boat."
"Are they friendly?"
"Pffft! Stupidly!" Nick chuckled.
"Couldn't go to war with a swarm of butterflies if it killed them," Sinrar muttered. "Although..."
Rainbow arched an eyebrow. "What?"
The professor sighed. "They're easily swayed by spiritualism... living so secluded from Academia and such." He clenched his jaw. "Lots of them around here—no matter how spread apart—are pretty loyal to the name of Verlaxion."
"Gotcha." Rainbow leaned back. "So... we're headed to one of their islands?"
"Indeed," Sinrar said, nodding. "The Nealend Atoll. Though, whether or not the First Seed is there or beyond remains to be seen. I'm personally voting on beyond."
"What's the matter?" Rainbow smirked. "Not hankering for a chance to go native?"
"Mrrmmmfff..."
"Uhhhh... hey, guys?" Nick stood up, squinting towards the southern horizon. "I think I see something."
"The Serrated Reefs?" Sinrar remarked. "We shouldn't be reaching them for several hours yet."
"Umm... unless reefs have sails and can intercept us, then I don't think it's that."
"Huh?" Rainbow turned to look. She flapped her wings and ascended slightly for a better view.
There was a flicker of purple on the horizon. Then, swiftly cruising their way, a caravel approached. It cut a foamy swath through the waters, adjusting its course to match the Swan Song.
"They're headed towards us..." Rainbow Dash muttered. "Friggin' fast."
"A purple flag?" Twilight remarked. "What could that mean?"
"Maybe they need help," Nick said. "Those colors... could they be Colonial?"
"The mariners of the Southern Trade used to wave purple flags," Sinrar said.
"So they must be wanting to exchange goods!" Nick said.
"Imbecile!" Sinrar barked. "The Southern Trade disbanded twelve years ago when a typhoon wrecked their island of operations!" He slowly shook his head. "That flag is a ruse. We're dealing with privateers for sure."
"Well, okay, then!" Rainbow Dash smirked. "Let's say 'hey,' see what they need, and then be on our way!"
Nick and Sinrar both turned to gawk at Rainbow.
Rainbow squinted back at them. "...okay, I give. What is it?"
"Harpy, privateers are pirates."
"Huh?!" Rainbow blanched. "They are?! Since when?!"
"Mrmmmfff..." Twilight face-hoofed. "I can't believe you didn't know that."
"Hey!" Rainbow folded her forelimbs with a pout. "So I haven't done oceans a whole lot! I'm used to fighting everything under the sun but pirates!"
"There'll be no fighting done here, my little pony," Sinrar grumbled. "That ship's likely to have a crew of two dozen strong. They'd overwhelm us in an instant."
"Oh jeez..." Nick whimpered, his coat paling. "Oh jeez oh jeez!"
"Calm down, ya sissy," Sinrar rasped.
"Well... uhhh..." Rainbow fidgeted in midair. "Maybe we can outfly them!"
"We don't all have wings, Rainbow!" Nick's voice cracked.
"Not a smart idea," Sinrar said. "Most pirate ships are built to outclass even the swiftest schooner. If we try to avoid them, it'd only make them angrier by the time we caught up." He shook his head. "No, it's best that we try to talk our way out of this."
"T-talk?" Nick stammered.
"Oui." Sinrar adjusted his beret. "We're a small craft. It's unlikely we have much that they'd possibly want." He turned to squint at Rainbow's pendant. "Save whatever glitters."
"Rainbow..." Twilight whispered, looking aside at Rainbow.
The pegasus clutched her necklace, eying the caravel as it came closer. "Let's just... uh... try this one step at a time... huh?"
"Take a back seat, harpy." Sinrar stood up, gripping his cane as he cracked the aged joints in his muscles. "If there are to be any last words, let's let them be mind... oui?"
“So, as you can plainly see, gentlecolts, we have absolutely nothing of value on board our ship,” Sinrar said, smirking. “Unless, of course, you count our kidneys. However, we are far too sadly distant from any civilized mainland for you to transport said organs in a respectable amount of time before they rot. All in all, any attempt to harass or rob us would be a complete waste of time, time that can be far more valuably spent plundering a coastal village or chasing sirens into the wild blue.” He adjusted his beret and smiled. “So, then, will you kindly leave us be?”
The privateer ship's broadside faced the Swan Song, its crew complement consisting of various sunburnt equines with raggedy manes and stubby tails. At the culmination of Sinrar's speech, they exchanged surly glances, then grumbled over the lapping waters between both ships: “Right, then. Get your flanks out of the ship so we can strip it.”
“Okay.” Nick nervously trotted towards the edge of the Swan Swong.
Sinrar blocked his movements with a cane. “Now see here, vous bâtards salés! I've told you fairly and reasonably why there is no profit to be had in gutting this petit gode of a ship!” He gnashed his yellow'd teeth. “Now what could possibly make you think that there's still a reason to yank us out of this dinghy?”
“Simple.” One gruff pony rasped. Schiiiing! He unsheathed a long, glinting blade strapped to his fetlock. “We all have rapiers and you don't.” He motioned with his head. “Now throw yourselves into the drink before we toss you to the seagulls in pieces.” Several of his companions grunted in agreement.
“Okay.” Wide-eyed, Nick made to jump off the ship's side.
Rainbow caught him with a hoof. “Not so fast, there, buddy.” She gulped, then turned towards the caravel. “Look. We're on a tight schedule. It's wasting your time and ours to do this! I mean, aren't there bigger fish in the sea to haul in? And by bigger fish I mean boats.”
“That's easy talk, coming from a pony with more gold around her neck than we all have in teeth,” said one pony. He squinted at her. “While the other two drop their worthless hides in the ocean, you can come on board.”
“Pffft. Why me?”
“Those are some strong wings you have,” another stallion said. “We could definitely put you to work in the galley... before we put you to work in the brothels at Port Mire.”
The other privateers had a good, raspy chuckle.
Twilight Sparkle grimaced.
“Really?” Rainbow Dash arched an eyebrow. “That's how you're trying to intimidate me?”
“They'll do it, too,” Sinrar said, whispering aside. “It's how most ponies are born into the pirate trade—from trafficked mothers. Most of the ponies we're speaking to are probably fourth/fifth generational foals of concubines...”
“And for a second there I thought your part of the world was squeaky clean!” Rainbow whispered back.
“Hey, you chose to leave college, harpy.”
“Enough chatter!” One thug slammed the hilt of his sword against the ship's edge. Thap! “You! Climb aboard! The rest of you... into the drink! We haven't the patience with empty-headed sissy adventurers!”
“And if you even think about flying away to escape...” A grimy mare sported an even grimier smile, raising a crossbow for emphasis. “...we'll skewer you before you're even a dot in the sky, ya freeloading dolphin humper!”
“Hah hah hah hah!” the whole crew laughed.
Rainbow Dash grimaced. “...these are the lamest pirates ever!”
“Rainbow Dash, this is serious!” Twilight hissed.
“I know! Seriously sucky!” Rainbow Dash scowled. “I've headbutted cultists with more grit than this jar of pontoon algae!”
“Ahem...” Sinrar trotted towards the edge of the Swan Song. “Perhaps a bit of bargaining is in order?” He lowered his beret, then—with nimble wingfeathers—he pulled a piece of gold coin out. “I have with me a sample of—”
“Ancient Tribal Coins?” One pirate snorted. “Please, old sponge! We have an entire chest full of that crap!”
“Yeah!” Another stallion barked. “Sometimes we use them to clean out our blowholes when we get bored!”
“Hah hah hah hah!”
“Now get with the drowning!” The mare aimed her crossbow. “We won't worn you another time!”
“Okay.” Nick took a bold step off the trimaran's hull.
“Grkkk!” Rainbow yanked him back by the tail, then hovered before the group. “Okay... okay! Fine... We can work this out. But they don't have to drown themselves!”
“You're not exactly in the position to dictate anything, Missy!” A privateer spoke, shaking his scimitar. “Now move your flank!”
“Rainbow!” Twilight hovered in front of the pegasus. “You're the one remaining avatar of Harmony!”
“So...?” Rainbow murmured.
“So... speak to them!” Twilight gestured to her chest, sporting a sweet smile. “From your heart! Appeal to their equine souls! Surely, as a true champion of Harmony, and Urohringr's chosen Austraeoh, you're destined to peacefully find a solution to this situation!”
Rainbow sighed long and hard. She closed her eyes, raised her hooves, then spoke in a low, gentle tone: “Look... I know that this is the only way you have to get by in life. For all we know, the whole bunch of you came from really nasty homes with really sucky foalhoods. I get that. And I'm sorry for that. I really am. But, you have to understand, what my friends and I are doing here is really important and we need to continue on with our journey! Think of... uhhh... think of the good that will come from letting us go! The universe is a crazy, complex place and who are we to... uhm... ignore the benefits of good karma? I mean, harmoniously speaking, what you do to help here us could turn out to improve the lives of yourselves and other ponies that you meet! And wouldn't that—like—be totally awesome—”
Cl-Clank!
Rainbow opened her eyes and jerked towards the sound of metal ricocheting off the Swan Song's hull.
A few of the pirates were firing their crossbows at Nick's hooves, making the yelping stallion dance and shimmy to avoid being skewered.
“Hah hah hah! Look at him dance!”
“Screw Miss Necklace! We should invite him on board! For the entertainment!”
“And the food! Hahah!” More arrows flew.
Nick fell back, curling up into a ball and whimpering as a few barbs embedded into the hull around him.
“Belle danse, larva,” Sinrar snorted.
Twilight gasped heavily, holding her hooves over her muzzle.
By now, Rainbow Dash was rolling her eyes. “Alright. Buck this.” FWOOOOSH!
“Rainbow, I think that—” Twilight did a double-take as soon as she realized Rainbow had vanished. “Rainbow... Aaaugh!” She yelped, being yanked towards the caravel by a shield of rippling lavender.
The pirates' cruel laughter stopped, replaced by pained exhalations and dislodged teeth. A ruby-and-blue blur was darting between them, landing with a hoof to a chin, a fetlock to a leg, and a skull to a muzzle. Rainbow Dash speedily and mercilessly pounding her way through body after body, with Twilight helplessly dangling like a weighted ghost behind her.
About five seconds into the “fight,” and six pirates had already fallen hard to the splintery deck. Two privateers somehow summoned the fortitude to clear their minds, pivot about, and aim their crossbows at their attacker. Rainbow backflipped just as the projectiles flew. One lodged in a shrieking pirate's leg. The other bolt ricocheted off the mast, then flew up into air. Rainbow cartwheeled, leapt off a wooden crate, bit the broadside of the flying arrow in her mouth, then came down, swinging the barb in her muzzle so that it grazed the two crossbowponies like a dagger. Blood stained the ship's deck, and one pirate even slipped on it. Rainbow kicked off the hapless pony's chest, emptying his lungs, and then she threw herself at a pegasus, spitting the arrow out so that it pinned his twitching wing to the ship's wooden railing. Thunk!
“Aaaaaaaa—” The pirate yelled, only to be punched savagely in the face by Rainbow's hoof. Angry yells echoed across the deck, and Rainbow turned to look over her shoulder. Three thugs were charging her way, dragging sharp blades across the wooden surface with a spray of sparks.
Rainbow looked up at a billowing sail. She reached behind her, unsheathed the rapier from the pinned pegasus' body—SCHIIIIING!—and flung it up at the white canvas. RIIIP! A length of the material fell down, blanketing the three pirates. Rainbow flew at them, punched one in the gut, kicked the other's legs out from under him, then tackled the third. She proceeded to beat his brains in with both hooves, then somersaulted backwards in time to avoid a pair of swordponies who gasped as their target kicked off the mast, flipped about, and came down at them with a murderous drop kick.
Meanwhile, from the Swan Song, Nick and Sinrar stood side by side, their bodies stiff and their eyes wide. They craned their necks to see the source of the rampant, violent tumult. At last, something emerged from the melee—a shrieking pirate, flying into the sea... followed by another... then another and another and another.
At last, Rainbow Dash flew into sight, shoving three more bruised privateers into the drink. “RAAAAUGH! She twirled, dodged a final crossbolt, then backflipped so that she landed brutally on the thug's skull. WHAP! Rainbow struck an agile, one-legged pose atop the twitching pirate. With thin eyes, she glared across the top deck. Any body that was a body was twitching, clutching himself, and groaning. Even the ponies that had been thrown overboard were wheezing through pained lungs.
Nostrils flaring, Rainbow stepped off her last victim and searched the top deck. At last, after several seconds of scowling, she found a pirate sitting up with a dazed expression. “You!” She pointed. “Tell me! Which of you is the captain of this ship!”
“The captain?!” The thug stammered. “You... you kn-knocked him out!”
Rainbow's lips pursed. “Well... then... where's the first officer?!”
The pirate's voice cracked as he pointed off deck. “You threw him into the sea!”
“Okaaaaaay...” Rainbow looked around at the groaning, writhing bodies. “...then who's the next pony in charge who answers to the first officer who answers to the Captain?”
“I... I-I think they're all knocked out!” The pirate spat blood and winced. “I mean... I-I once led this bitchin' orphanage raid when everypony else above me was too bored to—”
Rainbow gripped his neck.
“No no no no no—WAIT!” The pirate whimpered as he was dragged to the ship's edge. “I'm a nopony! They always p-put me on poop deck duty! Literally—”
“How many years have you been a pirate?” Rainbow droned.
“What? But... I—”
“How many years?!?”
The privateer winced. “I've... b-been plundering harbors and shipping routes for about seven summers now—”
Rainbow swung him around, gripped the back of his head, and slammed his skull repeatedly against the mast. WHAM! THWACK! SMACK! THUD! WHUD! WHACK! WHAM! After the seventh consecutive impact, she tilted his head back and spoke into his bloodied muzzle. “You taste that? The taste of iron in your mouth?!”
“Mrmmfmghhffkkk...” The pirate's tears stained red. “...y-yessss... snfff...”
“Listen to me and listen to me good.” Rainbow's ruby eyes flickered. “I am the Eyes in the Sky. I've been tempered by things you don't even possess the brain muscle to have nightmares about. If I find out that you've been doing this stupid 'pirate thing' for an eighth year, I'll come back... I'll find you... and the next time I slam your head against the mast it'll go through your teeth and come out your future grandfoals' plots. You got that?!”
“Mmfflghuuu-yess ma'aaaam...”
Rainbow dropped him like a wet sack and snarled at the entire groaning crew. “That goes for all of you! This world has enough nasty crud in it without a bunch of stupid idiots filling a boat with bad teeth and bastards!” She looked over the edge and spat at the thugs who were struggling to climb on board. “You're going to go into harbor... sell everything you own... and give up the pirate's life for good! Or do I have to make an example of you to the whole ocean here and now?!”
“No! No, please!” several thugs yelped, clinging to ropes and lengths of the ship's hull.
“We'll give up!”
“We swear on our lives!”
“On our harlots' lives!”
“... … ...” Rainbow shrugged. “Eh, good enough.” She grabbed a thick web of roped netting and threw it overboard so that the last few treading figures could climb up onto the ship's deck. “Now make like the land and lub already!”
The mare hovered high above the ship, watching with a perpetual glare. Desperate to get away from her burning gaze, the pirates climbed aboard, scrambled to their grimy stations, and set sail. With remarkable swiftness, the caravel cruised off, leaving a thick wake behind.
Rainbow exhaled, smirking to herself. “And that's that.” She dusted off her hooves, then planted her hooves on her hips. A few blinking seconds later, she turned to look to her right.
Twilight hovered a few spaces away from her, muzzle dropped and eyes wide.
Rainbow's eyes twitched. “You okay?”
“Am I okay?!?!” Twilight Sparkle yelped. “Rainbow Dash, you totally massacred those ponies!”
“Uhhhhhh...” Rainbow scratched her head, staring off at the fleeing caravel. “...maybe.”
“What do you mean 'maybe?!?!'” Twilight frowned. “Rainbow, I saw you punch, kick, and stab ponies!”
“Don't forget headbutt. I always like to get a few of those in with each fight.” The mare couldn't help but wince. “F-for some reason.”
“You... y-you took a stallion's skull in your hooves... and you smashed it against a wooden post until he was bleeding!”
“... … ...” Rainbow hugged herself, blushing slightly. “...not my fault the post didn't move.”
“RAINBOW?!” Twilight hollered. “How could you even live with yourself after doing that?! It's... it's not the Harmonic way!”
“Ughhh... Twilight, don't give me this—”
“How can I not?!”
“They didn't give me any other options!” Rainbow hollered, frowning. “Girl, you heard them! They were going to drown our friends, rob the ship, then use me as a... muscle-thing!”
“And the best solution was to break bones and spill blood?!”
“Twilight, we're a long friggin' way from Equestria! There are lots of ponies out here who won't listen to reason—no matter how harmonious!”
“I don't believe that for a second—”
“That's because you were never awake for any of it!” Rainbow snarled, orbiting Twilight above the lapping waves. “Think, Twilight! How could I really have gotten past Duke Zaap Nator?! Or the Ledomaritans?! Or... friggin'... uh... Shin Nevlamas?!” Rainbow folded her forelimbs, frowning. “You've never been available to use freaky magic. Fluttershy's never been alive to do the stare. And Celestia's not even remotely nearby to perform a 'game over' spell! I've had to get by just to get by!”
“By beating ponies' brains in?! Rainbow, those poor ponies might be bleeding internally! Several of them might have concussions!”
“Twilight, they robbed ships, murdered sailors, and kicked orphans for fun. And look at them now!” Rainbow pointed at the shrinking wooden dot. “Even if I didn't scare the pee out of them for good, you can bet I've just saved a gazillion lives from pirate raids for the next few months minimum!”
“Yes, but at what cost—snrkkk...” Twilight shook her head in a lavender blur, then stared at Rainbow cockeyed. “How is it that you even know how to fight like that?! I mean, I've seen you kick a dragon in the jaw, but... holy cow!”
“I dunno.” Rainbow shrugged. “I just fly really fast at stuff and occasionally suplexes happen.”
“Rainbow... I'm trying to be serious.”
“And I'm trying to be alive! Do you wanna find the next beacon of ruby flames and resurrect our friends or don't you?! Huh?! You're suddenly so big on Urohringr having chosen me as Austraeoh and yet it hasn't occurred to you that if destiny's got a use for harmony, then it's got a use for chaos as well! And it so happens that I'm... … ...” Rainbow's speech cut off. She blinked at Twilight.
Twilight blinked at her.
Both mares slowly turned to look down at the Swan Song.
Sinrar and Nick resumed gaping at her, perfectly within earshot.
Twilight instantly blushed. Rainbow fidgeted in midair, her eyes darting towards Twilight, then at the boat. “So... uh...” She gulped, then smiled awkwardly. “I bet you guys are wondering just who exactly I'm having a friendly tiff with, huh?”
“In truth, harpy, I've always wondered,” Sinrar slurred. “But now I positively ache with questions.”
“And I, for one, wouldn't mind seeing you kick flank more.” Nick grinned wide. “What say we set sail for the nearest pirate cove?! I want more blood!” Thwack! “OW!!” He rubbed his head. “Dammit... not what I meant!”
“So, let me get this straight...” Nick sat on the edge of the trimaran's central float, his muzzle scrunched in deep thought. “You've been flying east all this time, but then all of the sudden a beacon of magical flame brought one of your friends back from the dead, and now she's floating around you as some sort of invisible ghost that only you can see?”
“Right,” Rainbow Dash said with a nod, hovering above the Swan Song.
“Does she have a name?” Nick asked.
Rainbow glanced aside at the bashful unicorn. “Er... yeah. 'Twilight Sparkle.'”
“'Twilight Sparkle.'” Nick nodded. “Right.” The young stallion blinked. “...is she hot?”
“What?!” Rainbow frowned. “No!”
Twilight glanced aside. “Huh?”
“Er... I mean... sure, I guess...”
“Rainbow...?!”
“Snkkt... I mean... her... it...” Rainbow squirmed in mid-air, then gawked down at Nick. “She's like a sister to me, dude!”
“And you can't make physical contact with her at all?” Nick reached a hoof blindly in the air, feeling around. “Not even her soft, silky mane?”
Rainbow sighed, eyes closed. “...Doctor Dude?”
THWACK! A cane slammed over Nick's skull.
“Ow!” The young stallion rolled back across the hull.
“Thanks,” Rainbow muttered.
“Oui. Do not mention it.” Sinrar stood up and hobbled across the boat. “So, harpy, answer me this. If everypony else is incapable of seeing or talking to this magical mare, then why is it that you can?”
“It's... it's complicated...”
“Life's complicated.” Sinrar scuffled to a stop, frowning Rainbow's way. “Would you mind elaborating on the physical details of this relationship? I would very much like to know that I haven't enlisted my help in assisting a mad pony.”
“She's not mad!” Twilight Sparkle said with a frown. “She's just... enchanted!”
“Yeah! What Twilight said—” Rainbow winced before she was even finished talking. “What I mean is... dammit.”
“We're still waiting,” Sinrar said, nostrils flaring.
“Wait a second,” Nick wheezed, still rubbing his head as he stood up. “I wasn't there for all of your freaky ramblings when you first arrived at the K.M.C.A., Rainbow, but I heard an awful lot about the stuff I missed.” He squinted at the mare. “You solved a super hard mathematics problem and impressed the horseshoes off of Professor Parabola in front of his entire classroom.”
“Huh. Yeah, I guess I did, didn't I?” Rainbow blinked, then made a retching expression, “His name was Professor Parabola?”
“That had to have been Twilight's doing, right?”
“Buh?”
“I mean... eheh... no offense...” Nick smirked awkwardly. “But you don't exactly strike me as a clever pony.”
“Jee, thanks, Captain Testicles.”
“Hey, I just say it as I see it.” Nick gulped. “Even if I'm seeing only half of it, according to you.”
“Hah!” Sinrar smirked. “You're telling me that this Twilight of yours embarrassed Ol' Parabollocks?! THAT I would pay to see!”
“Well, roll out the bits, old timer.” Rainbow shoved her elbow through Twilight's glowing figure. “Quick, Twilight, say something super smart.”
“Erm...” Twilight fidgeted where she hovered, then orated: “Galactic nebulae are formed by the gravitational collapse of gases in an interstellar medium, and they most commonly appear on the visible spectrum due to ionization from ultraviolet radiation.”
Rainbow spoke: “Galactic nebulae are formed by the gravitational collapse of—” She blinked, then squinted Twilight's way. “Wait... what the heck does 'ionization' mean?”
“It's when atoms gain positive or negative charges due to bombardment with subatomic particles.”
“Atoms are made of even tinier stuff?”
“Yes, Rainbow.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Seriously. Did you skip all of elementary school?”
“No, only the not-awesome parts.”
Twilight gasped. “How could you not find radioactive decay and particle emission awesome?!”
“Ew... now that just sounds gross.”
“Errr...” Nick leaned his head in. “What does?”
“Particle emissions,” Rainbow said.
“It's only dangerous when it comes to ionization radiation!” Twilight said. “Because that's when energy exceeds ten eV and is strong enough to break chemical bonds—”
“eV?”
“Yes. Electronvolt.”
“The Hell is an Electronvolt?”
“Zut alors!” Sinrar gasped with a mock smile. “It's like she is a different pony!”
“Look, believe me, I've been talking to a flesh-and-blood pony all this time... er...” Rainbow squirmed. “I guess she's not a flesh-and-blood pony right now, but she once was, and there stands a chance she can be again! It all deals with a great deal of convoluted high magic stuff and—”
“Still can't believe you don't know what an electronvolt is,” Twilight muttered.
Rainbow sighed over her shoulder. “Twilight, will you stop talking about the damn nocturnal emissions?!”
“Particle emissions!”
“Whatever!”
“Rainbow Dash...” Nick stood up and trotted over. “I've... always sorta figured you for a magical mare.”
“Uh huh.”
“No. For serious.” He leaned his head to the side. “This... this quest that you're on... this journey. I-I always sorta figured that it was all part of some big picture... and maybe you don't want to share that big picture with us. That's fine. I can respect it.”
“Yeah...?” Rainbow squinted warily at him.
“But... these friends you speak of... Twilight Sparkle and the others...” Nick narrowed his eyes. “This is all about bring them back, somehow, isn't it?”
Rainbow blinked at him. She turned to look at Twilight.
Twilight nodded. “He's smarter than you give him credit.”
“Nick, making a long story short...” Rainbow turned back at him and nodded. “Yeah. That's what the journey's about. At least for the time being.”
“And the Five Seeds...?”
“They're actually gateways to... uh... a deeper layer of this world. A hidden layer. And there's energy there that—when I make contact with it—can do crazy trippy things. I believe they can bring back my friends.”
“What makes you so sure?” Sinrar asked.
Rainbow turned towards him. “Because that Tower that you all 'ooh'd' and 'ahh'd' at? Due West of Kihutaja? That was one such part of the hidden world, and making contact with that is what brought Twilight back.”
“And it changed everything,” Nick breathed. “It took away the Blight.”
“Right. I... don't know what contacting the other beacons will do to this place, but if they can bring back my friends...” Rainbow's words trailed off. She merely shrugged.
Nick smiled. “Well, that wasn't so hard, was it?”
“Hmmm?”
He sat back with a sigh, still smiling. “Letting it out. The truth, I mean.”
“It's a pretty crazy truth.”
“And we live in a pretty crazy world.” Nick winked. “I, for one, am totally on board for helping you reach the next beacon. Especially if it means getting your friends back.”
Twilight held a hoof over her chest. She turned towards Rainbow with a bittersweet smile.
Rainbow brushed a hoof through her bangs and sighed. “Well, good to know, kid.” She turned to look at Sinrar. “Dr. Dude?”
But before the old stallion could respond—
Twilight Sparkle's horn flashed with sudden lavender brilliance. “Aaaugh!” The mare yelped, sinking entirely through the boat and waves.
Rainbow Dash gasped. “Twilight!”
“Ack!” Nick flinched, as did the Professor. “What? What's wrong?!”
Rainbow hopped to the far side of the boat, leaning over as Twilight slowly hovered back up, curled up in a fetal position. “Twi! Twi, are you okay?! What's wrong?! Where does it hurt?!”
“It's... it's not pain...” Twilight shuddered, stretching out so that she floated upright again. “It just stunned me, is all.”
“What did?”
“I... I don't know...” Twilight gulped. “It's... it's a strange feeling in my gut... and in my horn. Only this time, a lot stronger than the others. Almost like a leyline pulse—”
“Wait wait wait...” Rainbow's brow furrowed. “The others?”
“Erm...”
“What others?!” Rainbow growled. “Do you mean something freaky's been happening to you all this time?!”
“I... I-I can't describe it!” Twilight fidgeted. “And even if I could, I... I-I didn't want to worry you...”
Rainbow inhaled sharply. “Girl, you could stand to lecture yourself one of these days...”
“I'm sorry! Seriously, it's been nothing!” Twilight rubbed her horn, nevertheless wincing. “Until now...”
“Twilight...” Rainbow sat on the edge of the hull. “Open up. I mean it.”
“Ever... uh... ever since the 'Blight' fell, and unicorns all across Kihutaja started using their magic, I felt... I-I felt a flutter in my tummy.”
“Define 'flutter?'”
“I wish I could,” Twilight said. “I figured it was hunger, which wouldn't make sense. Because if I'm an incorporeal ghost, then why would I possess a stomach?”
“Right...”
“But then I started to notice that I only felt the sensation whenever other ponies were using magic. I just figured it was because I'm existing on an ethereal layer, and I can detect interference on a residual level. But...” Twilight shrugged. “Then again, I thought it may have been my imagination. I mean... I've had a lot on my mind as of late. Same with you.”
“But just now...?”
Twilight gulped, then pointed due east. “I just... felt something massive... something strong. Almost like a wave of energy... coming from there.”
“From there specifically?”
“Yes.”
“Twilight, I think we've been through enough together to know that stubborn crud doesn't fling in only one direction.” Rainbow frowned. “If you're getting cosmic zaps from the universe, the smart thing would be to tell me!” She turned and gestured wildly at the eastern seas. “Don't wait until something wicked scary decides to give you the shove—” She froze in mid-speech, blinking.
Twilight shifted uncomfortably. “What... what is it?”
“... … ...”
“Rainbow, tell me!”
“It... it's closer...” Rainbow muttered.
“What is?”
Rainbow flapped her wings, hovering just above the vessel. Before her eyes, Yaerfaerda lingered, clear and bright. It hovered low to the sea, its ivory bands shimmering in full clarity.
“Uhhhh...” Nick trotted over. “Rainbow? Is the 'awesome meter' going off again?”
“Quick... Professor...” Rainbow pointed directly at the pulsating beacon. “Can you figure out exactly what lies in that direction from where we're located?”
“Just give me one second...” Sinrar examined his maps, did a few calculations, then drew a line across the charts. “Mmmmff... just as I thought.”
“Yeah? Yeah?” Rainbow pivoted to face him, breathless.
The old stallion tilted his head up, adjusting his bifocals. “The Nealend Atoll. Dead ahead.”
Rainbow bit her lip, gazing at the glittering horizon as the day reached its end.
Twilight floated closer. “You think that's where the First Seed is? On the atoll?”
“Guess there's one way to find out, Twilight.” Rainbow looked at the two stallions. “How about it, guys? You still with me... er... us?”
Nick shrugged, chuckling. “We've followed you this far. Can't possibly get any crazier.”
“Don't press your luck, purple eyes.” Rainbow turned towards Sinrar. “Dr. Dude?”
“Ehhh...” The stallion leaned back, cracking his joints. “I could certainly more than a bucket to piss in. Let's make the trip.”
“Awesome sauce.” Rainbow clung to the mast while gazing at their destination. “Onwards to the biggest bucket of all...”
The Swan Song carved its way east for another two days, during which the Yaerfaerda symbol loomed ever closer and closer—or at least that was the best Rainbow Dash could tell. Nick didn't press her about it, but Sinrar certainly had his abrasive list of questions every hour by the hour. She simply told him to stick to the maps and that she'd alert him when they were making a breakthrough. This did little to silence the chatty ex-professor, and Rainbow was almost grateful for when the sun went down, for it meant he'd be retiring to the cabin below.
Regardless of how exhausting the trip was, it was far from desolate. The Swan Song crossed wake with several different ships during the next forty-eight hours. Almost every single one of them was friendly. Two even halted their course to stop and speak with the three sailors, much to Rainbow Dash's and Twilight Sparkle's surprise. They exchanged bits of information and even traded a few helpful supplies on the spot. Sinrar took the opportunity to inquire about the present state of the Nealend Atoll, and the passing merchants gave as much information they could—none of it too charming.
“The place is like a dead rock as of late! No ponies going in and no ponies going out! Everyone who sails these streams knows that the Nealenders are a friendly, chatty bunch! So it's a damn shame that they've suddenly decided to clam shut!”
Rainbow mulled over this while Nick guided the Swan Song on. Thanks to the helpful merchants, they had an extra three day's worth of rations, not that Rainbow Dash was getting worried but the wait for dry land was starting to test her patience. She had multiple conversations with Sinrar, asking if he had any special information about the Nealend natives.
“Oui, they live a simple life. No oceanwide ambition. No need for expansion or property or territorial rights. They've lived off the sea for several years, and over the last few centuries they've dedicated themselves to a casual yet persistent worship of Verlaxion. Not that it's surprising. Nealenders—like most island folk—are polytheists, only they have a special place in their hearts for Verlaxion. Not to mention their sphincters. Bah!”
Rainbow asked Sinrar if there was a special reason for why the ponies of the Nealend Atoll might have broken themselves off from the rest of the seas. That's when Sinrar's amber eyes lit up, and the old stallion spoke of a magnificent whirlpool that had formed centuries ago in the central lagoon situated between the ring of islands. According to oceanographers across time, the phenomenon was one of the only cases of stationary whirlpools in all of the seas. Sinrar himself had come close to seeing it, except that the ship he was on was diverted at the last second. The professor hypothesized that—quite possibly—the whirlpool foretold a horrible geological event that could eventually have consumed the whole island.
And, with that in mind, Rainbow Dash sat on the hull of the Swan Song on the evening of the second day, watching—along with Twilight—as a dull gray ocean met a purple night's sky.
“You've got to be kidding me!” Nick stammered, leaning back with a coy grin as he fiddled with the ship's rudder. “One thousand and twenty books?”
“Well, yeah!” Twilight chirped, grinning.
“She says 'yes,'” Rainbow droned, gliding alongside the speeding ship.
“By the age of fifteen?!”
“Heehee!” Twilight giggled, floating between them. “Yes!”
“She says 'yes' again.”
“But, that's crazy! How can you even keep track of all the books you've read, much less the words in each of them?!”
“Well, granted, not all of them were large books,” Twilight said.
“She says not all of them were super huge,” Rainbow said, stifling a yawn as they skimmed the waves glistening with morning light.
“Granted, they weren't exactly all books either.” Twilight gestured in midair, floating in a circle. “'Book' was more or less the umbrella term that I decided upon when I was... mmmm... nine or eight years old. In fact, a good chunk of them were treatises, pamphlets, magazines, editorials, novellas, memoirs—pretty much anything and everything except for essays and excerpts. Those are too small to count.”
“Mrmmmfffngh...” Rainbow grumbled.
“Go on, Rainbow!” Twilight nodded. “Tell him!”
“What's the matter?” Nick blinked.
“She's going on and on about how not all of them were book books... but just... stuff smaller than books.”
“Ohhhhhhh.” Nick nodded.
“Rainbow!” Twilight pouted in mid-air. “That's not what I said at all!”
“Yes it is.”
“No it isn't!” Twilight folded her forelimbs with a frown. “I said that a great deal of the things I read were treatises, pamphlets, magazi—”
“Right. Diet books. I get it.”
“Don't call them, 'diet books!' That's just... just...” Twilight looked like she was about to vomit. “That's just disgusting!”
“Heh. A little green in the gills there, eh, egghead?”
“For once, would it kill you to be accurate in orating one of the bits of info I'm sharing?”
“Yeesh... do you have to call it 'orating?' That's so lame.”
“It means what I want it to mean—”
“And for another thing, try sharing something that's exciting, Twilight!”
“But books are exciting!”
“Uh huh. Yeah. Sure.” Rainbow turned towards Nick with a manure-eating-grin. “Did you know that—at one time—Twilight and two of my other friends outgalloped a fully-grown hydra?!”
“What's a hydra?” Nick remarked, blinking.
“Mrrfnnghhh... creature of legend...” Sinrar climbed out of the cabin, using his left wingfeathers to brush his teeth. “Grnnnghhh... one hundred to two hundred feet tall... sports a dozen reptilian heads... intense hunger for pony flesh.... grnnngfff...” He spat into the ocean and squinted across the trimaran. “Evidently they're real living bastards in Rainbow Dash's Equestria.”
“No way!” Nick gasped. “A hydra?!”
“Yup!” Rainbow smirked. “Twilight had to leap across a friggin' chasm—no wings, mind you! And her flank was saved by a burst bubble deep in a bog lined with razor sharp death spikes!”
“Wowwwwww...”
“Rainbow...” Twilight face-hoofed, blushing.
“A big methane explosion went POW and sent her sailing sky high! She landed on the other side of the ravine next to my other friends! Survived by a friggin' horn and a prayer! Heh!” Rainbow winked aside at the spectre. “She told me that she first charged the four-headed freak just to distract it. She channeled me big time too!”
“Yes, well...” Twilight fidgeted.
“Hey, those were your words, girl!”
“I'd never been through anything that scary before!” Twilight said. Her ears folded back. “Unless, of course, you count Nightmare Moon.”
“Yeah, well, I can't take the credit for that,” Rainbow said, twirling through a spray of salt water as the Swan Song cruised along. “Nightmare Moon was all you, girl.”
“Nightmare Moon?” Nick blinked.
“Yeah. The evil sorceress doombringer state of Princess Luna,” Rainbow said. “It was the form she took because of an ancient curse. Or... at least... it was...” She slicked her mane back. “Until Twilight, my friends and I friggin nuked her with a badflank harmony beam!”
“Sacre bleu!” Sinrar's eyes twitched. “If I hadn't seen you reduce a ship full of privateers to blood and drool, I'd be tempted not to believe you!”
“And I'd be tempted not to give you a first seat to my next 'bout of awesomeness.” Rainbow yawned, turning about to fly upside down. “Whatever that may be.”
“Don't brag so much, Rainbow,” Twilight muttered.
“Why not?” Rainbow smiled at her upside down. “I was bragging long before you ever 'woke up' and I'll be bragging long after you get your body back!”
“Say... about that...” Nick leaned forward. “When or if you restore your friends'n'such—”
“No ifs there, buddy,” Rainbow said in a firm tone, glaring slightly. “Only when.”
“Erm... right... eheheh...” Nick gulped and brushed his bangs back. “I don't suppose... uhhh... she'd be seeing anypony, huh?”
Dead silence.
“Pffftt-hee-hee-hee-hee!” Twilight hugged herself, giggling in a high-pitched. She wiped a tear from her eye and pointed at the young stallion. “I like him!”
“I'm not 'orating' that,” Rainbow muttered.
“Why not?” Twilight chuckled. “Not like it matters!”
“Orate what?” Nick remarked, muzzle agape.
“Ponies...” Sinrar stood up.
“Twilight, we never know what the First Seed's going to bring!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “Let's leave the chickens and the eggs and the hatching to Urohringr!”
“Orate what?!” Nick rasped.
“Shut your shell holes!” Sinrar growled, then pointed straight ahead. “Feast your eyes!”
“Hmmmm?” Twilight turned to look, and then her smile dissipated. “Oh my gosh...”
Rainbow squinted. She flew higher, ascending alongside the sail. “...is that it?”
“Hmmm...” Sinrar scratched his head beneath his beret.
“Well?!” Rainbow looked down at him. “Is that it, old stallion, or isn't it?”
“It's an atoll alright,” the professor said. He pulled out his map and turned it about in the sunlight. “And—judging from the size...” He glanced up. “It certainly matches.”
Before the travelers, a thick stretch of land occupied the horizon. White patches of sand flanked jungle-green foliage that bent in the tropical breeze. Row upon row of palm trees ate into the partly cloudy sky. As the Swan Song drew closer, even more strips of land could be seen stretching beyond the initial line, revealing a veritable ring of dry earth.
“Wow...” Twilight cooed. She smiled again. “It's picture perfect, actually!”
“Been a long time,” Sinrar exhaled. “I've always regretted missing this paradise. But now...?”
“Whew...” Nick craned his neck. “...you could fit a lot of mares on that thing!” THWACK! “Ow!”
Nostrils flaring, Sinrar turned to look up at Rainbow. “Well, mon petit cheval, where is the beacon?”
“Huh?” Rainbow glanced at him.
“That beacon that you told us about,” Sinrar said. “The one that only you can see? Is this it? Is the Nealend Atoll our destination?”
“Well, totally! I mean, it's right—” Rainbow pointed... then froze in mid-speech.
“Huh?” Twilight turned to gaze at her with a worried expression. “What's wrong, Rainbow?” She hovered up until she was face to face with the pegasus. “Where is it? Where's Yaerfaerda?”
“It's...” Rainbow's muzzle twisted in confusion. “...it's below us.”
Twilight cocked her head to the side.
“Below us?” Nick remarked, rubbing his head.
“Like... below the atoll...” Rainbow clenched her jaw. “Underwater.”
Sinrar turned to look at the atoll. As the trimaran cruised closer, he squinted yet again, ultimately uttering: “How very interesting...”
“What's very interesting?” Rainbow asked.
“The whirlpool.” The old stallion exhaled. “It's gone.”
Rainbow blinked. “But... but how could that—?”
“Guhhh!” Twilight suddenly clenched her skull. A pulse of lavender light issued from her horn.
Rainbow turned towards her with a gasp. “Twilight!” She tried grasping her shoulders, only for her hooves to go through the mare. She winced at the gesture, but nevertheless found the strength to say: “What's wrong? Are you... uh... sensing something else?”
“Mrnnfffgh... yes... a huge surge of energy...”
“Where at, girl?”
“It's...” Twilight hugged herself in midair, continuing to wince. “It's... it's...”
“Yeah?” Rainbow leaned forward.
Twilight looked up, eyes twitching. “...it's beneath the waves.”
“...?”
The unicorn paled. “And it's moving right towards us!”
Rainbow turned towards the island. “Moving right towards—?” Her ruby pupils shrank.
A thick black shadow was surging right at the Swan Song. Just then, the ocean's surface churned with bubbles and foam in a straight line.
“Hard to starboard!” Rainbow Dash rasped. She spun about and practically bucked the rudder from Nick's grip. “Hard to starboard!” Clank!
“Whoah!” Nick wheezed, helplessly yanking the rudder to the side.
The ship jerked to the right, nearly flinging Sinrar off the hull. “Merder!” Rainbow soared over, grasped the stallion's shoulders, and pulled him back.
It was just in time too. For within a few spare seconds—
THWOOOOOOOSSSSSH! The ocean burst skyward with a spray of hotwater. The three occupants of the Swan Song were thoroughly soaked.
Rainbow winced, holding Sinrar close. Just then, something blotted out the sun. She looked up, and gasped.
“Hold on, everypony!” Rainbow Dash hollered. This was an important thing, for the waters hadn't finished bursting apart on all sides of the Swan Song.
Off the port bow, something was continually surging. Row after row of glistening scales ripped through the surf, trailing water and sediment as it performed a grand, rolling arc through the morning air.
“Is it just me, or did the ocean just defecate in our direction?!” Sinrar hollered.
“Let's not get close enough to smell it!” Rainbow swung around the mast and perched along the starboard side. “Nick?!?”
“I'm... tr-trying to steer away!” The stallion squeaked, struggling with the rudder. No matter how hard he turned the ship, it was still being dragged towards the inexplicable maelstrom to their left. “I could use a boost!”
“On it!” Rainbow Dash held her breath, twirled about, and planted her forelimbs against the port side of the vessel. Flapping her wings, she pushed as hard as she could into the ship's side. “Rrrrrnngh!”
“Mon dieu!” Sinrar hollered, pointing up as his body—and Nick's—were swallowed up in shadow. “Look at the size of it!”
“Rnnrnnnghh... the s-size of what...?!” Rainbow sputtered.
“Rainbow!” Twilight hollered, pointing up at the sky. “Look out!”
Rainbow turned to look up—
POWWWW! A ginormous webbed fin slammed into waters right next to her. From the sheer impact, it may just as well have been a three-story boulder impacting concrete. The concussive blast from the event sent Rainbow toppling into the drink.
Splasssh!
Rainbow Dash dropped like a cannonball. Spitting bubbles, she glanced around with twitching eyes. A pulse of ruby light emanated from her pendant, piercing the salty depths. Over the course of several suffocating seconds, she saw undulating scales and massive spines slicing through the waters.
Something the size of a small peninsula was swimming past her... past all of them. Rainbow Dash tried swimming up to the surface, but the sheer drag caused by the hulking beast kept sucking her in. A lavender figure hovered in front of the pegasus, unaffected by the elements. With a desperate hoof, Twilight Sparkle pointed past Rainbow Dash, but the mare was currently incapable of making out her words.
Just then, a dull brown beret floated past Rainbow's vision.
With a muffled gasp, the mare twirled around. Looking past bubbles and brine, she saw Sinrar flailing helplessly underwater. Rainbow threw her lower legs through swift kicking motions, and she propelled towards the unpside-down professor. Once she grabbed him, she felt that she was significantly far away from the drag to swim to surface... so that's exactly what she did.
“Guaaaah!” Sinrar wheezed for breath, eyes bulging, as soon he broke contact with dry air. Rainbow treaded alongside him, looking all around. “Heaven hump me!” the old stallion exclaimed. “My maps! Where did they go?!”
“Calm down, Dr. Dude!” Rainbow stammered, gazing past the churning waters. “I think we have more to worry about besides...” A chunk of shattered hull floated past her, bearing the words “Swan Song.” She blinked. “...your m-maps.”
“Zut alors...”
“Nick?!?” Twilight hollered.
“He can't hear you, Twilight,” Rainbow sputtered.
“He can't hear what?” Sinrar asked.
“NICK?!?!?” Rainbow hollered.
“Aaaaugh!” Sinrar winced, clinging to the mare. “Can I please not go deaf before I drown?!”
“Over here! Over here!””
Rainbow Dash and Sinrar twirled about, gazing across the rippling waves.
Miraculously, the trimaran was mostly in one piece. A good chunk of the port side float had been broken off, and the ship awkwardly reeled towards starboard. Nick was visibly panicking, galloping left and right across the hull as he fought to give the thing balance.
“Look what that thing did to my ship!”
“What in blazes is that thing?!” Sinrar stammered.
“It's everywhere.” Grunting, Rainbow flung Sinrar onto the ship's side. The old, shivering stallion clung to the hull while Rainbow Dash climbed up. “We gotta outrun it before it comes about for another strike!”
“But that thing's so big!” Nick's voice cracked. “What's stopping it from gobbling us whole as we speak?!”
“A little less speculating and a little more sailing, please!”
“Easier said than done!” Nick tugged on several ropes, trying to keep the mast straight as the ship wobbled. “I couldn't get us to cruise straight now even if we were being pulled by a dozen siren!”
“Well, better think faster, larva!” Sinrar hollered. “We don't pay you to bitch!”
“You don't pay me anything, you big bag of jerk and boogers!” Nick yelped.
“What did you call me?!”
“Everypony just stop!” Rainbow shouted, stomping her hoof down. She inadvertently caused the hull to split a bit further beneath. Nevertheless, she spoke past her own wincing: “Luna Poop! If the Noble Jury was at each other's throats like this whenever manure hit the fan, we'd never have made it past Gray Smoke!”
“Stop comparing us to your previous lovers,” Sinrar grunted.
“Oh for Celestia's sake, they were not all my—”
Twilight Sparkle shot up from the waters like a torpedo.
This stunned Rainbow, who stumbled back, nearly falling off the ship's edge.
“Rainbow...” Twilight murmured.
“Did... did you see it?” Rainbow cocked her head aside. “Did you see what it looked like, Twilight?”
Sinrar and Nick leaned in, breathless.
“Mmmmmm...” Twilight's eyes glistened as she whimpered. “I'm t-too scared to describe it.”
Rainbow bit her lip.
“Well?!” Sinrar rasped.
“What are we dealing with?” Nick asked.
Rainbow turned and looked behind her. Almost instantly, her ears folded back.
The ocean was boiling... frothing between every wave. Something massive had spun about, spilling water high into the air with the force of a waterspout. Right now, a massive line of muscle mass was cruising towards the battered Swan Song at an alarming rate. Shattered bits of coral and dead fish blanketed the ocean's surface in a straight line, and as the waves churned thicker and whiter, Rainbow swore she could see a pair of hideous, glowing eyes.
“Quick... Quick!” Rainbow hovered up and pointed dead ahead. “Get her inside the Nealend Atoll!”
“But we'll never outrun—”
“You just worry about the Swan Song!” Rainbow Dash twirled about, planted her hooves against the mast, and kicked off. “I'll worry about our welcoming party here!”
“Rainbow Dash!” Nick protested, gawking over his shoulder.
“Non! You will not survive!” Sinrar hollered, waving his water-soaked cane. “It is a hundred times your size!”
“I've fought dragons in the air!” Rainbow snarled, skimming the surface as she charged the thing head on. “You've seen one serpent, you've seen them all.”
“Rainbow...” Twilight panted, floating effortlessly alongside her. “It's one thing to be brave, but don't be suicidal!”
“It's been a long time since you've seen me do something awesome,” Rainbow spat, brow furrowed. “Close your eyes if you're squeamish.”
SPLASSSSSSSSH! Just then, dead ahead, a herculean set of jaws opened wide, emerging from the sea. An eerily glowing throat with row after row of serrated esophagal muscles loomed before the pegasus, filling the air with the rancid smell of gutted fish and feces.
Rainbow grimaced.
“You were saying...?” Twilight squeaked.
“Hckkkk!” Rainbow twirled to her right at the last second, drawing the massive serpent's lunge.
The world exploded all around. Noise and water drowned Rainbow's figure, nearly plowing her under the waves while she narrowly avoided the enormous snapping jaws. She desperately flitted away from the Swan Song, and the monstrous might of the ocean roared after her.
Nick gripped the rudder, aiming the Swan Song towards the lagoon in the center of the Nealend Atoll. Despite the important task at hoof, he couldn't stop throwing worried look after worried look over his shoulder.
“Dammit, larva!” Sinrar spat, struggling to stay upright atop the battered trimaran. “Keep your eyes forward!”
“I can't help it!” Nick stammered, glancing back once more at the tumultuous seas. “I have to know if Rainbow is alright!”
“She's doing this specifically so that we may make it to safety!” Sinrar exclaimed. “If your stupidity lets us capsize, then her sacrifice will be for nothing!”
“Sacrifice?!?!” Nick whimpered.
Sinrar slapped the mast several times with his cane. “Pay attention! Just concentrate on getting us inside the atoll! Whatever Rainbow's doing, I am certain she can handle it—”
The sea practically exploded behind them. Just then, a hulking leviathan breached the surface, its glistening jaws lunging at a blurring prismatic figure. Sinrar and Nick watched as the beast leapt through the air, its body arched and trailing with over two hundred feet of thick scales and fifteen foot spines. It took a full twenty seconds for the full length of the serpent to clear the waves and plunge back in, leaving foamy water and broken reefs in its wake.
“... … ...” Sinrar twitched. “Then again. Her legacy was nice while it lasted.”
“That's it!” Nick struggled with the rudder. “We're going back to lend her a hoof!”
Sinrar slapped his cane against the instrument. “Like Hell we are! No sense in all three of us dying!”
“But we owe her!”
“For what?”
“The pirates n'stuff!”
“Larva, I'm only going to say this one time—!” Just then, several objects blurred past them from the direction of the Atoll. A spray of water doused the Swan Song, and the two stallions heard a chorus of chants, shouts, and giggles. “... … ...what in Verlaxion's uterus was that?”
“Look!” Nick pointed at the beast with a gasp.
“Rainbow!” Twilight Sparkled yelped, flying harmlessly through cascading sprays of water. “The Swan Song is practically clear now!” She winced as she was yanked after Rainbow's wildly darting figure. “You can stop distracting this monster!” She gulped. “Pleeeeeeeeeease stop distracting it!”
“Just a little while longer!” Rainbow's voice cracked. With each heroic twitch of her wing feathers, she darted over and under the serpent's lashing muscles. Her mane and coat were thoroughly soaked with seawater, and yet she continued her desperate zig-zagging. “I gotta figure this freak out!”
“In what way?!?”
“Sinrar said a whirlpool should be in the heart of the Nealend Atoll! Now it's gone! And we have this... this thing!”
“Couldn't you do the thinking later and the escaping now?!”
“Bite your tongue, egghead!” Rainbow kicked off a length of leathery scales and flew backwards, squinting at the monster's beady eye and glistening jaws as it dove underwater again. “Don't you get it?! The atoll... the First Seed... the whirlpool... this bigflank snake thing!” She gnashed her teeth. “They're probably all connected!”
“What makes you say that?!”
“Because most things in my travels usually are! For one stupid reason or another!” Rainbow flapped her wings, gaining some altitude. “Now that you and the other girls are involved, I wanna cut things off at the—”
SPLOOOOOSH! The monster leapt up from directly beneath her, its jaws stretching wide.
“—head!” Rainbow's pupils shrank. Her body became encased in the shadow from the creature's maw. Twilight let loose a shriek.
And then—Schliiink! Th-thunk! A series of barbed harpoons sailed into the beast's throat. A warm spray of blood joined the cascading wall of water, and Rainbow could hear the mighty bass rumble of the serpent's pained voice as its body dove underneath again.
“Huh?” Rainbow exhaled.
“Rainbow, look!” Twilight pointed.
Rainbow twirled in time to see four shapes darting towards the tempestuous scene. There were four expertly carved wooden canoes—tiny vessels, more like kayaks, with heavy knife-edged prows. Two ponies crewed each raft, with a pegasus at the rear and a unicorn or an earth pony at the very front. The pegasi buzzed their wings, providing ridiculously fast thrust, while the front ponies grappled serrated spears that glinted in the bright sun. There was something uniformly striking about each equine, Rainbow noticed. Their manes and tails were buzzed clean, their bodies were adorned with ringlets of flowers and palm fronds... and they were wickedly grinning with wild abandon.
“Woooohoooo!”
“Haaaaaaaa!”
“Hah! Hah! Hah!”
The scaled shadow shifted beneath the waves, drawn in by the Nealenders' wakes.
“Wooo! He's coming about, Kaji!” hollered a spearpony on one vessel. “Fat and beachwise!”
“Got it!” The pegasus behind him pivoted, blurred his wings, and brought the canoe's side about. “Go get 'em, Sora!”
SPLOOOSH! The beast's head cleared the water, all teeth and hissing.
“Guys!” Rainbow shrieked. “Look out—”
“RAAAAAAUGH!” The earth pony in front of Kaji leapt off the prow, wielding a spear in each hoof. While the other equines whooped and chanted, he flew his petite body at the rippling wall of scales. One spear broke the flesh, spilling blood, but the other one shattered. As a result, his body bounced off, sailing awkwardly into the waves. “Dammit—” Splasssh!
Rainbow gawked as the other ponies casually evaded the lashing serpent. Laughter filled the air as they circled the scene. One canoe even skirted by the floundering earth pony.
“Nice one, Sora!” A pegasus mare stuck her tongue out, her mane-less skull dribbling with sea water. “You should go back to catching toucans in the palms!”
“Rrrrrgh!” Sora treaded water, snarling. “Come and pick me up, Kaji!”
“One second, brother!” The pegasus in question jerked his boat to the right, just in time to avoid—SPLAAASSH!—a vicious tailswipe from the angry beast.
“Hooooo!” Another earth pony hollered, perched on his canoe's prow as he aimed a spear. “He's angry today! Verlaxion give us speed!”
“Screw speed!” Sora spat, finally climbing onto his companion's canoe. “Give us more spears!”
“Hah!”
“Ha ha ha ha—Whoah!”
The serpent's teeth ripped through the waters once more, forcing the four vessels to split up.
“He's giving us his gills!” Shouted a unicorn on the prow of another ship. He squinted, aiming his spear at the glistening flesh. “Steady it, Flare!”
“No using magic, Silver!”
“Grrnnngh...” The unicorn tossed his neck, spinning a necklace of seashells in anger. “At this rate, I'll never draw blood! Hnnngh!” He grunted over the sound of his laughing companions.
The spear deflected off a spine. Clank! As the serpent swam past, its muscles rippled, causing a huge swell.
“Water rises!” Flare shouted, compensating with her wings.
“Brace the wood!” Silver hissed, clutching the prow.
All four groups surfed the waves as they rolled in opposite direction. They cheered and whistled as they cleared it. As the waters dipped, Rainbow could spot Silver's spear floating several feet away.
“Hmmmm...” Rainbow flicked her tail and dove.
“Rainbow, what are you—?” Twilight jerked after her. “Yaaaa!”
Rainbow flew down, dodged a spray of water, then gripped the spear in her muzzle.
“What, ho!” Kaji looked up while banking around another swell. “An outsider!”
“Of course, brother!” Sora shouted, gripping the canoe. “Didn't you see her?”
“I see her now! Let's see what comes of it?”
Rainbow flew high, squinting down at the churning waters. As the foam settled, she saw a large black shape materializing beneath the four pairs of Nealenders. Before Twilight could protest, she dove straight down, angling her wings for the swiftest speed. She spat the spear out and caught it in the crook of her hooves.
Just then, the beast lunged up out of the water, its jaws aiming towards the pegasus and the sky beyond.
Rainbow twirled past its maw, kicked off the scales, then threw the spear while falling backwards. “Yeeeeugh!”
The weapon sunk in beneath a spike, embedding deep and drawing a spurt of blood.
“Gaah!” Rainbow flinched from the spray, then landed on a canoe beneath her. “Ooof!”
“Hah!” Silver laughed, collapsing beneath her. He grinned past his pain. “A fine hit, outsider!”
“Verlaxion certainly smiles upon you,” Flare said with a cheekish grin.
“You ponies...” Rainbow wheezed. “...are friggin' crazy.” She slicked her wet mane back with a grin. “I dig it!”
“Hah! 'Dig!'” Kaji hollered from across the waves. “A land walker for sure!”
“The waves are silent!” Sora exclaimed as his and Kaji's raft came about. All four groups settled limply in the water. “Does the coward hide?”
“Maybe I actually hurt it hard enough,” Rainbow stammered.
“No, it's sporting us...” Silver muttered. “Just as we sported it.”
“What does that mean?” Rainbow said.
“Uhhhhhhh...” Twilight lifted up from beneath the waves. “...Rainbow?”
“Huh?” Rainbow looked west. Just then, a gigantic tail lifted, raised fifty feet in the air, then came down with the force of a collapsing mountain. A veritable tsunami formed, sending an enormous swell in the four's direction.
“Wave! Wave!”
“Wooooohooo! Brace!”
The four angled towards the swell, the pegasi beating their wings mightily. Rainbow gripped the boat she was on tightly, grimacing at the last second. However, with expert precision, the Nealenders easily broke over the crest of the wave, settling harmlessly on the other side. While they whooped and cheered, a few looked back at the Atoll.
“Ohhhh ho ho ho...” Flare giggled. “That will bring the crabs out for sure!”
“What will?” Rainbow turned to look... and her muzzle paled. The tsunami had become choppy east of them, surging violently towards the islands... and the Swan Song in between. Before her eyes, the trimaran got caught up in the massive swell. The two stallions on board yelped, clinging to the mast as the raft was carried swiftly to shore. “Awwwwwww Luna Poop.”
A butterfly with bright yellow wings fluttered through the jungle and underbrush of Nealend Atoll's largest land strip. At last, after avoiding a spider web and dipping under a series of green vines, the insect perched gracefully on the gnarled brown knot of a fallen log. It remained there, its wings twitching while it waited out a warm tropical breeze.
Seconds later, a soft brown shape snuck up from behind a nearby throng of bushes. An earth pony's face came into focus, his ocean blue eyes fixated on the bright insect. The stallion licked his lips, pulling a golden pair of goggles down from where they hung over his slick brown mane. He adjusted a dial on the goggles, gritting his teeth in anticipation.
“Yes... yes...” He murmured, scarcely breathing. “Light... good... shadow... good...” Then, with an eager smile, he lifted the goggles, gazing—entranced—at the butterfly. Clenching his jaw, the earth pony raised a camera in his hooves, extended the lens, and pointed the thing square at the creature.
At the last second, the butterfly pivoted about, its fuzzy antennae twitching in the direction of the stealthy photographer.
“Mmmmhmmm... that's it...” The stallion hissed. “Give me your pretty side. Thaaaaaaaaat'll do it... I could just kiss you...”
His hoof pivoted about, reaching for the big silver shutter button—
“Whoop! Ho there!” A pony with a shaved mane burst out of the woods, holding a steaming strip of wood. “Thunker Meat! I've got dinner for you, land walker!”
“Guhh—!” The photographer yelped, startled.
With a flash of yellow wings, the butterfly darted off, becoming a pastel mystery beyond the palm trees.
“No! No!” The stallion gnashed his teeth, kicking at the earth. He nearly dropped his camera as he hissed, “Verlaxion's sleet! That's the closest I've gotten to a Papilio alexanor since I got stranded on this forsaken island!”
“Pfft! How can you be forsaken when Verlaxion provides her bounty?!” The native pony smiled, holding out the plank of wood plastered with smoked fish. “Smell it, Thunker Meat! He was spawned and gutted for your stomach! Where's the sleet in that?”
The stallion sighed long and hard. He pulled his goggles off his mane and rubbed his forehead, trying to remain calm. “My good stallion, for the hundredth time, it's not 'Thunker Meat.' It's Theanim Mane. But to you and your fellow natives, you may address me as 'Mr. Mane of the Ninety-Seventh Rohbredden Scientific Order.'”
“Hah!” The Nealender nearly dropped the wooden plate, laughing. “Hah hah hah! But that is far too long! I like Thunker Meat better, Thunker Meat!”
“Also...” Theanim shoved his camera into his bag and shuffled over, frowning. “...while I am greatly appreciative of the wholesome albeit rather... raw food that you have graced me with during my inexplicable stay here, it is truly not necessary to skin and smoke fish on my account. As I have attempted to tell your elders on several occasions, I am a vegetarian, much like the rest of the noble researchers of the Ninety-Seventh Order. I would much rather chronicle living creatures into taxonomy rather than devour them.”
“Ehhhhh...” The other pony yawned, his necklace of seashells rattling. “You talk too much, Thunker! You should be using that handsome muzzle of yours for less chatting and more chewing!” He tossed the plate into the frazzled earth pony's forelimbs. “Verlaxion needs your healthy for all of the sciencing! Hah?! Hah hah!!”
“Honestly, I very much doubt even Verlaxion—in all her infinite wisdom—desired my fateful arrival here in the first place.” Theanim tried not to retch as he placed the strip of meat down onto a nearby tree stump. “But, while I'm here, I might as well make the best of it, as it falls within her spirit of progress and—”
“But why butterflies?” The Nealender asked, several feet away. Theanim observed the pony in his peripheral vision, examining a square-shaped object in his hooves. “Hmmmf! Wouldn't you rather capture the sights granted us seaside?”
“Huh?” Theanim realized how light his satchel felt. Gasping, he spun with a rattle of his goggles and yanked the camera out of the native's hooves. “Give that back at once! It's hard enough keeping my film unblemished from the constant sunlight without having to worry about my camera shattering in the grasp of an ignoramus?”
“Eh, don't blowhole so much.” The Nealender shrugged. “You're just another picture lord.”
“I am not just another picture lord—grkkk...” Theanim blinked, cross-eyed. “Ahem... the term is 'scientific photographer,' my good stallion—”
“Hah hah! But you are!” The stallion leaned lazily against a palm tree, forelimbs crossed. “'Picture lords,' we call them! They drift through our lagoon from all corners of the sea! A shell-a-dozen souls all foaming to be the third eye of Verlaxion!” He shrugged. “The Queen of All things blesses this world! So surely she must see this world on our own!”
“But not everypony can see what she sees!” Theanim frowned, hugging his camera. “Which is why we in Rohbredden have sought for years to follow her example!” He gestured in the air. “We desire order! Peace! Structure! All of the things Verlaxion herself has granted the Six Tribes since she graced our Continent and our seas several ages ago!” He pointed at the camera. “What I do with this—what the Ninety-Seventh Order does with all of our tools—is simply a means of honoring our Queen in much the same way you and your brethren do with your canoes and harpoons and—”
“Duaaaaah... too many words...” The other stallion squinted past the nearest row of trees and out into the open ocean. “If you picture lords want an image to impress Verlaxion so badly, why not aim your devices at Ultimo?” He grinned wickedly, pointing at the blue waves. “Ultimo should bring many shells to your Order, Thunker!”
“Theanim! And no thank you.” Clearing his throat, the photographer in question pointed out at the same ocean. “That beast you're so fond of hunting out there is the reason I'm stuck on this blasted strip that civilization forgot! I've already documented its existence four dozen times! But no amount of photographs is going to get me and my boat back to Rohbredden proper?”
“Pffft! Why would you want to go back to the land of stone and frost? All the pictures you'd make would come out white, eh, Thunker? Hah!”
“They also bring out the grays in your mud mane!” The Nealender chuckled, pointing. “All the better to shave it with! Eh? You've been here long enough, land walker! It'll help you swim better like the rest of us! Hah hah!”
“Ennnnghhh...” Theanim moaned, plopping back on his haunches. “...and this is why I should have steered clear of the Western Jets...”
Suddenly, the native's laughter cut off. He jerked in place, his necklace rattling. “Grfff... hrfff?” He sniffed the air, his nostrils flaring wide open. “Salt. Coral and fish.”
“Yes, it's about done steaming, I see.”
“No. Not cooked. So raw it's alive...” The Nealender's muzzle scrunched. “...and that breath. Ultimo!” He spun towards the white shore beyond the trees. Just then, the ground shook and a moist breeze wafted through the palm fronds.
“Oh, wonderful...” Theanim Mane trotted up to stare alongside his companion. “What is the beast up to now? Regurgitating more orca guts—Verlaxion's sleet!”” His eyes bugged out at the sight of an intense wave surging their way.
“Wooohoooo!” The native galloped up to the forest's edge. He hopped up and spread his limbs, planting himself between a split pair of trees as he faced the oncoming twenty-foot swell. “I answer your call, Ultimo! I answer it with a mighty shout and the blood of the Queen of all Seas! Hah hah hah haaaah!” He beat his chest and braced himself for the inevitable deluge. “Give me your best, brother!”
“Mad! All mad, I t-tell you!” Theanim was desperately attempting to scamper his way towards high ground. The shadow of the wave came over him—along with something else. He glanced up, his ears folding as his blue eyes reflected the glint of a trimaran's aluminum hull. “...oh bother.”
SPLOOOSH! The heavy wave crashed its way into the forest. Palm trees swayed from the impact, then bent back. Just as quickly as the seawater had landed from the unnatural deluge, it receded back. Tangled clumps of seawater, flopping fish, and wriggling crabs were pulled back into the settling surf. The only thing that didn't drift back was that which was too heavy—a battered ship with a now-bent mane.
“Unnnghhh...” Nick's soaked body was draped over the right hull—which stuck skyward from the lopsided way in which the Swan Song eventually settled against the wet soil. “I'm never splashing any of the freshmans at the co-ed pool again...”
“Augh!” Sinrar grimaced, struggling to climb his way out of the ship's cabin. “I think... I-I think I broke something!”
“What?!” Nick looked up, gasping. “Oh no!” He scrambled over. “Professor! Tell me where it hurts, Old Stallion!”
“Rrrgh!” With much effort, Sinrar finally yanked out the stub of his broken cane. “...everywhere,” he whimpered.
“Heh...” Nick couldn't help but smirk. “Well, there's one bright side to this.” Whack! The handle ricocheted off his forehead. “Ack! Dammit!”
“Stop grinning like an ass and help me out of this battered mess, larva!”
“Professor...” Nick grumbled, yanking the old pony out of the cabin. “This mess happens to be my boat and it's the one thing that saved us from drowning!”
“We might as well drown! Look where we are! Stranded!”
“We're not stranded,” Nick said. “And even if we are... it's inhabited! I mean... check it!” He pointed at two bodies wriggling in the wet earth. “Natives!”
“Wooohoooo!” The Nealender pumped his forelimbs, his face covered in mud and seaweed. “A fine dousing, Ultimo! Very fine indeed! I thirst for the day we exchange blood in the hot sun, you beautiful bastard of the deep! Hah hah hah!”
Nick winced. “Severely... sun-stroked natives... ahem...”
WOOOOSH! Rainbow Dash flew in with a blue streak. “Omigoshomigoshomigosh!” She gawked at the boat, pulling at her face muscles. “Are you two alright?!” her voice cracked.
“I'm fit as a fiddle!” Sinrar rasped. “Nick's dead, though, after I make him rebuild this damn worthless boat!”
“Hey! I'm not the one who wrecked it! And it's not worthless!”
“You named it after a jilted lover! Of course it's worthless!”
“That's not true at all!”
“Oh yeah?! Why else do you call it 'Swan Song?!' Bah! Imbecile!”
“I'm not an imbecile! You're the imbecile!”
“Oh, quite fresh! Where in the K.M.C.A. did they teach you that? Dipshite 101?!”
The two bickered and spat.
Rainbow blinked at them, hovering in place. Twilight levitated beside her. After a calm breath, the spectral unicorn smiled and said, “They seem quite alright to me, Rainbow Dash.” She winked aside. “You can relax.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow shuddered, turning from the loud argument to gaze at the settling shoreline. “I... guess?” She watched as several of the Nealenders rode to shore, dismounting from their wooden rafts before slapping their hooves and chests together with communal grunts.
Meanwhile, a very frazzled and water-soaked Theanim Mane wriggled out from under a fresh globule of wet sand. He rolled over, winced, and squinted up at the sky.
A blue figure levitated above, her wings flapping while a rainbow-colored mane billowed from her head and flank.
“Hmmmmmm...” Theanim smiled deliriously. “What a beautiful... beautiful butterfly...” And then he was out like a light.
“Mrmfff... the poor bastard's concuss'd. Just leave him alone, larva.”
“Nuts to you, Professor! He might be hurt or something!”
“Didn't you even hear what I said?”
“He just fell flat on his flank! I think he swallowed some of the salt water in the wave that hit!”
“Drowning sounds like an improvement if he's been living on this sand bar all this time.”
“Oh knock it off! Hey! Hey! Mister! Can you hear me? Try opening your eyes!”
“Grnnnghhh...” Theanim's eyelashes fluttered. He winced from the bright sunlight through the waving palm trees.
Above him, a young stallion's head and horn came into focus. Nick stood over the photographer, leaning left and right. “I... I think he's coming to, Professor! Look!”
“Great. Send me post cards from the honeymoon.”
“Hey, buddy!” Nick bore a foggy smile. “How many hooves am I holding up?”
“Unngh...” Theanim rubbed his eyes, wincing. “Verlaxion, please. If you're a pony, it's either one, two, or none. Otherwise, you'd be lying flat on your flank, and I seriously doubt you arrived here because you were sailing drunk.”
“Heh...” Sinrar's voice rasped from where the old stallion leaned against the beached trimaran's hull. “I rather like this fellow. Even if he does suck on the false queen's teat.”
Upon hearing that, Theanim sat up straight, his brown ears burning. He glanced at Nick, then at the Professor. “... … … let me guess. Colonialists.”
Nick bit his lip. “What gave it away?”
“Oh, the same old dry, sardonic blasphemy.” Theanim batted his head, shaking moisture out his ear canals. “Let me guess, the Upper Strand? Kihutaja? You've got the smell of dusty books about you.”
“Very keen observer,” Sinrar said. He pointed at the stallion's fallen camera. “What do you do for a living, monsieur? That is, when you're not photographing the product of Verlaxion's slave labor.”
“Right...” Theanim sighed, picking up his camera and then his golden goggles. “I do believe I'm going to cut this conversation off at the head.” He slid the article over his head and hung the camera from his neck. “As a scientist, I know a useless pursuit when I see one.”
“Please, don't mind him,” Nick said, pointing across the soiled thicket. “On top of being old and crotchety, he just lost his favorite cane.”
“Stop downplaying it, you piss balloon!” Sinrar barked. “How'd you like it if you lost your fifth leg?!”
“Dude... don't even go there.” With a shudder, Nick turned towards Theanim once more. “I'm doing all I can to not break down crying over the Swan Song here.”
“You mean...” Theanim pointed at the battered hull just a few feet away. “This is your boat?!” He blinked. “How in the crackling frost did it end up over here?!”
“That's what I was hoping you would tell us,” Nick said with a nervous titter. “Something... large attacked us as we came within view of the shoreline.”
“Mrmmff...” Theanim rubbed his aching head. “You mean Ultimo.”
“Say what?” Sinrar glanced over. “What the Hell is an Ultimo?”
“I'll leave that to your twisted imagination!” Theanim spat his way. “You apostate bag of barnacles!”
“Oh, quite magnifique! Tell me, gentlecolt, did you think of that before or after you went shopping for a pick axe to spelunk your way out of Verlaxion's birth canal?!”
“Now see here—” Theanim stomped towards him.
“Okay—Everypony calm down!” Nick stood between the two stallions. “This is neither Kihutaja or Rohbredden! We're at... at...” He squinted over his shoulder. “What's this place again?”
“Nealend Atoll,” Sinrar and Theanim grunted in unison.
“Right. So... when in Nealend, let's do as the Nealenders do and... uhhhh... get along?” Nick smiled bashfully.
“Heh...” Theanim smirked for the first time since waking. “You don't want to go there. Trust me.”
“Maybe I have no choice?” Nick shrugged. “My boat's kinda wrecked, and with that... Ultimo out there, it doesn't seem like we're going anywhere anytime soon.”
“Trust me,” Theanim grumbled. “You're not.”
“So, let's start over on the right hoof, shall we?” Nick smiled, extending his forelimb. “Hi! I'm Nick! And I love brunettes!”
“Erm... greetings, Nick.” Theanim shook his fetlock. “I'm Mister Theanim Mane of the Ninety-Seventh Rohbredden Scientific Order.”
“Hmmf!” Sinrar grunted from afar. “Ninety-Seventh Disorder is more like it!”
Theanim smiled wearily in his direction. “Let me guess... Academy material?”
“I've certainly taught the truth to more teaming masses than you ever have!”
“And you led them all marching down the hellhole of arrogance and heresy. Well done.” Theanim snorted. “Colonial bastards, always full of hot air and most of it methane.”
“I heard that—!”
“AHEM!” Nick stomped his hooves. “If we can please not bite each other's heads off for a minute or two...” He looked Theanim's way. “I don't suppose you can tell me what took away the Whirlpool that was here before? Was it this beast? This Ultimo?”
“Look, Neigh...”
“Nick.”
“Right. You should be asking the Nealenders all about this,” Theanim muttered. “Or the other sailors stranded here.”
Nick blinked. “You mean there are others?”
“The natives can tell you a lot more than I can.”
“I'd rather hear it from you, if you don't mind.”
Theanim squinted. “Why's that?”
“Well... for one... you have a mane and tail, still.” Nick smiled nervously. “So I immediately trust you.”
“Right.” Theanim nodded. “Brunettes. Got it.”
“And... uh... is it just me?” Nick glanced nervously over his shoulder. “...or are the locals here a little... crazy?”
“My boy, you have no idea.” Theanim cocked his head to the side. “And allow me to ask you a question.”
“By all means.”
“Who was that colorful mare you showed up with?”
“Who? You mean Rainbow Dash?”
“Rainbow Dash...” Theanim nodded thoughtfully. “That's not exactly a Colonial name.”
“Nor is it Continental.”
“True.” Theanim cocked his head to the side. “And with hair that exotic... a pegasus like that isn't exactly from around here, is she?”
“No, as a matter of fact, she's not. Truth be told...” Nick smiled. “She's kind of the reason we're here to begin with.”
“Really?” Theanim gazed at the shore beyond the treeline. “You actually sought this Atoll out?”
“Well... yes and no. That is, mostly she did, though Sinrar helped. And... erm...”
“Why such a fervent interest in the whirlpool?” Theanim asked. “That disappeared with the arrival of Ultimo a few months ago. Barely anypony knows about it, so why would she be curious all of the sudden?”
Nick gulped and rested a hoof on Theanim's shoulder. “You know what? Why don't we go and ask her ourselves?”
“Erm... very well then. Can't you just tell me in person?”
“Believe me...” Nick winked, leading the stallion to the beach where several ponies had gathered. “Rainbow Dash is... something that has to be experienced.”
“I... uh... I don't suppose that—”
“Take all the photos you want.”
“Splendid.”
“Hrmmfff...” Sinrar yawned and rested his flank against the stranded Swan Song. “This should be rich.”
“And then when he tried to flank you two, Kaji brought the canoe around so Sora could strike him broadside!” Flare grinned, her wingfeathers twitching. “That was bloody glorious!”
“Pfft!” Silver rolled his eyes, still dribbling with sea water as he stood along the shore with the others. “It barely scratched him! Four days ago, I very nearly wounded his eye!”
“Very nearly is not the same as bloody really,” Sora spat. “You've yet to spear Ultimo where it counts, brother!”
“I've come closer than you ever will!” Silver growled, his horn flickering. “Face it! Your whole shell's worth of bleeding comes from Kaji!”
“Yes, well, Kaji can't punch worth a damn,” Sora said.
“Huh?” Silver blinked, only to be dealt a massive hoof to the face. He fell to the sand with a grunt.
The Nealenders all around the scene chanted and whistled.
Silver sat up, rubbing his jaw. “Heh... that was a good one.”
“Was it?” Sora leaned forward, pointing at his chin. “Let's see you best it, brother!” Suddenly, an aura of magic tugged at his legs. “Ehhh?” He was dragged forward towards Silver—right as the unicorn reverse somersaulted with a massive kick. WHACK! Both legs uppercutted Sora, knocking him to the ground.
“Oh ho hoooooooo...” Kaji winced, his wet wings coiling. “Cheating as always, Silver?”
“Hah!” Flare laughed, shaking her shaved head. “It's Sora's fault for not expecting it!”
“Grfffkkt...” Sora spat blood onto the sand, smirking. “Care to try that again, Silver?”
“Anytime!” Silver galloped forward and tackled him. Both stallions went wrestling across the sand, exchanging violent blows amidst friendly laughter. Meanwhile, the other islanders gathered around, cheering and hollering.
All of this—Rainbow watched at a distance, hovering. Blinking.
Twilight Sparkle floated beside her. “Uhm...” She glanced aside at the pegasus. “What are you waiting for, Rainbow? Our friends are okay. Go and introduce yourself to these ponies.”
“I... uh...” Rainbow fidgeted. “I dunno whether to talk to them or headbutt them.”
“Statistically speaking...” Twilight arched an eyebrow, smiling mischievously. “...aren't you eventually going to do both?”
“Nnngh... Twilight...”
“Honestly, Rainbow, haven't you faced worse?”
“It's not that, Twilight.” Rainbow pointed at the rough crowd. “I mean... these guys are awesome n'all—”
Twilight giggled. “Isn't that the whole point?”
“But they're almost... too awesome, and that sorta freaks me out.” Rainbow's pupils shrank the instant she finished saying that. “Whoah. Never thought I'd hear myself saying that.”
“Shows how much you've grown, Rainbow,” Twilight said.
“Yeah...” Rainbow muttered, folding her forelimbs. “That—or how tightly I've learned to clench my sph—”
“Ho, there!” Kaji suddenly flew up, grinning into Rainbow Dash's face. “So you haven't drowned, have you?”
The fight below instantly stopped with both bloodied combatants glancing up, smirking. “Hey! You're right!”
“She's still alive!”
“Way to go, land walker!”
“Erm... h-how could I have drowned?” Rainbow smiled sheepishly. “I... uhhh... haven't spilled enough blood of Ultimo to properly sink in!”
“Hah hah!” Kaji slapped Rainbow's back, barking: “Not bad, sister! At least you're trying!”
Rainbow wheezed. “I... d-do my best...!” She glared aside at Twilight—who was giggling—then glanced back at the crowd. “So... like... what the buck, guys?”
“What the buck indeed.” Flare flew up, hovering alongside the other two pegasi. “Your mane's quite colorful for a land walker.” She smirked. “It'd almost be a shame to slice it!”
“But you'll wanna do it anyways,” Sora said, standing up and wiping blood from his muzzle. “If you have any hope of swimming past the jaws of Ultimo.”
“Erm...” Rainbow squinted at the group. “What makes you guys think that I'm staying?”
“Hahahaha!” Flare hugged herself as she flew backwards. “You crashed your boat here, didn't you? Of course you're staying!”
“Erm... actually that big 'Ultimo' thingy crashed my boat,” Rainbow said.
“Same difference!” Kaji shrugged. “While you're here, make the best of it! Most ponies have!”
“You mean...” Rainbow leaned forward, squinting. “There are other ponies from across the seas who are stuck here?” FLASH! Rainbow winced, covering her eyes. “Ow ow ow ow...”
“Yes.” Theanim Mane lowered his camera, having emerged from the water-soaked forest with Nick. “And believe you me, they are quite thrilled to meet outsiders. Especially ones as fabulous as yourself.”
“Wuh oh.” Twilight twirled around Rainbow. “Watch out, Rainbow. He just called you 'fabulous.'”
“Guhhh... Nick?” Rainbow rubbed her eyes, eventually glaring down at the stallions. “Who's this guy? Did your boat suddenly transmogrify into the ponyrazzi?”
“Actually, he's... uhh—” Nick started.
Theanim trotted forward. “Mister Theanim Mane of the Ninety-Seventh Rohbredden Scientific Order. And I must say.” He smiled, lining up the camera again. “The moisture gives your mane a most resplendent shine. Er... would you mind removing that necklace from your throat, momentarily? It's causing an awfully bright glare.”
“Yes.” Rainbow frowned. “I do mind.”
“Psssst...” Twilight hovered closer. “Rainbow, be nice! He just said he's from Rohbredden.”
“Yeah, so?” Rainbow muttered aside.
“So...” Twilight smiled. “He might be able to shed some light on what's going on here. Seeing that the natives are... uhhhh...” She turned to look at the Nealenders, who were busy exchanging more punches and laughing. “...a bit preoccupied with themselves.”
“Hmmm...” Rainbow nodded. “Good point.”
Theanim squinted. “Madame, may I ask who you're talking to?”
“Uhhhh! Uhhhm...” Nick scrambled. “It's just sunstroke! Heheh... we've been sailing the high seas for days. You know how it's like.”
“Mmmm. Yes, I suppose I do. Although my own yacht is considerably more luxurious than your dinghy.” Theanim sighed. “At least it was before a certain sea serpent wrecked it and stranded me and my esteemed colleagues here.”
“So that's what it was, huh?” Rainbow glided down and landed before the stallion. “A sea serpent? For realsies?”
“Yes.” Theanim nodded, taking a deep breath. “They congregate around the Southern Jets, usually. But one appears to have made its habitat here. This... 'Ultimo' as the natives call it.”
“I've heard of sea serpents all my life,” Nick said. “But never have I come this close to one!”
“How about you, miss?” Theanim gestured towards Rainbow. “You seem a fit flier. Have you ever come across them before?”
“This is the first time for me as well,” Rainbow said.
“No it isn't, Rainbow,” Twilight whispered.
“Mmmf?”
“You remember, right?” Twilight arched an eyebrow. “When we first met? And we set off through the Everfree Forest to find the Elements? We came across that one lake monster with super high effeminate voice—”
“Nope.” Rainbow glared ahead. “Never ran into any sea serpent before. Uh uh.” Twilight folded her forelimbs, pouting.
“Well, consider yourself fortunate,” Theanim said. “In that you've survived.” With a sigh, he turned to face the treeline. “But consider yourselves unfortunate that you're now stranded here.”
“Well, honestly, this isn't that bad of a place to be,” Nick said. “Plenty of vegetation... land... shade.” He smiled. “The Nealenders seem to be doing just fine.”
“That's because they have a healthy dose of insanity, my good stallion,” Theanim muttered. “They obviously weened themselves on it from foalhood. You and I, however, are cut from a far more delicate cloth.”
“Hey...” Nick squirmed, glancing aside. “So what if I like satin...?”
“Okay, so we more or less sealed our fates by coming here,” Rainbow Dash said. “But believe me, it was for an important reason.”
“Was it, now?” Theanim asked.
“Maybe you could answer a few questions for me.” Rainbow pointed towards the center of the atoll. “For one, whatever happened... to...?” Her words trailed off.
The stallions gazed curiously at her.
“What is it, Rainbow?” Twilight swung around her. “Do you see something?”
“Yaerfaerda,” Rainbow muttered below her breath. “It's still there.”
“Where exactly?” Twilight asked.
“Right there.” Rainbow pointed into the deep blue waters surrounded by the ring of land. “In the lagoon.”
“Underwater, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Does that surprise you somehow?” Twilight remarked. “I figured we knew that coming in. I mean, the whirlpool's gone and all, but—”
“But just what does the monster have to do with it?” Rainbow hissed aside. “You said that you sensed it, right?”
“Erm... yes. I suppose I did.”
“There's gotta be a connection of some sort...” Rainbow shook her head. “All of this is just too weird to be a coincidence.”
Theanim leaned in towards Nick, his eyes glued to Rainbow Dash. “Is... your friend quite alright?”
Nick gulped. “Sometimes I wonder.”
Theanim cleared his throat. “Perhaps... uhhh... you have some questions regarding the Whirlpool and other rumored attributes of the Nealend Atoll.”
“That's putting it lightly,” Rainbow said, twirling to look at him. “You think you can help us out?”
“I can do better than that.” Theanim winked, gesturing at the two as he strolled further inland. “I can show you what this Atoll has become.”
“Why does that freak me out, somewhat?”
“Please, don't be alarmed.” Theanim nevertheless sighed as he trotted briskly towards the treeline. “Just... make sure you stay outside of headbutt distance from the shaved manes...”
The trek inland took a great deal longer than Rainbow Dash expected, which was a testament to just how large the geographical formation was. While Nick and Theanim Mane chatted amicably, the pegasus ascended to just upon the fringes of earshot. From her position above the trees, she was able to make a humble scan of the surrounding environment.
That particular strip of land constituted the southwestern portion of the Nealend Atoll. Although it stretched for barely one third of a mile, it was evidently the thickest and most heavily vegetated of all the land strips. What's more, it was noticeably curved, forming a crystal blue inlet along its norther side. Even from afar, Rainbow could see splashing waves and swimming bodies: the tell-tale signs of a highly amphibious equine population.
As a matter of fact, Rainbow could observe the totality of the Atoll with very little difficulty. Unlike any of the islands she had been too previously, Nealend lacked any noticeable hills or mountains. If it weren't for the thick throngs of palm trees and tall grass, then she was certain she could see clear across the island formation without fail.
“That's because atolls are the result of naturally eroding coral formations,” Twilight Sparkle explained, her face plastered with a proud, intellectual smile. “Unlike most islands, which are the result of volcanic activity.”
“Right. Thanks, egghead,” Rainbow muttered, squinting her eyes hard.
Northwest of the landstrip they were on was another island, this one far thinner and longer, but with sandier shores. It was separated from the southwest island by the tiniest body of water imaginable. Even at full tide, Rainbow ventured, a fully-grown-pony could easily wade across it. It was far too shallow for a boat to cross, much less a gigantic sea serpent with a glowing set of jaws.
North of this strip, the Atoll broke into several tiny-tiny splotches of land, each peppered with a smattering of green foliage and palms. One or two islands—Rainbow estimated—were so small that they sported a single palm tree each. There, the bodies of water between the strips appeared deeper, thicker, allowing for more substantial access into the lagoon. Due north—straight across the lagoon—several longer strips of land appeared, and Rainbow could spot several wooden structures, docks, and a countless assortment of moored rafts. For all the pegasus knew, the entire atoll had been thoroughly populated in a complete clockwise circle.
Northeast, the islands broke up completely, allowing for the widest gap Rainbow had observed yet. At last, she had discovered a spot that ships could easily navigate through—among other large bodies. However, a thick coral formation southeast of this opening bled into a craggy cluster of rocks, and this led to a long, narrow strip of land running north and south in an awkward, serpentine fashion. Within the crooks of this winding land strip, several smaller islands were clustered, their canopies thickly populated by all manner of oceanic water fowl. There wasn't a moment when the air northeast of their location didn't have a constant flock of seagulls flitting about, or the shoreline occupied with the frenetic pitter-patter of sand pipers.
Due south of this, a series of spherical islands gathered about in a veritable sneeze of sand and sediment. Rainbow even spotted a long strip of shallow earth that—from her vantage point—looked like it could have been either above water or underneath... or maybe both. She assumed that it depended on the particular time of day, or else the mood of the ocean currents. Whatever the case, it eventually led to the thick northeast edge of the southwest land strip she was currently hovering over. The atoll in its entirety was hardly a perfect circle. If nothing else, it almost resembled the outline of a stout mushroom, with Rainbow Dash hovering at the base of the stalk and looking into an ever-ballooning body of water. What's more, it was—without a doubt—the deepest, bluest, and cleanest ocean water she had ever seen in her life.
“This place would certainly give Sinrar a field day,” Twilight murmured, gawking from their lofty height.
“Meh.” Rainbow shrugged. “Whatever keeps the cantankerous dude busy.” She glanced down just in time to realize that Nick and Theanim Mane were trotting into the edge of a Nealend settlement. On brisk wings, she descended, floating alongside the two stallions as they entered a village built several tree-lines away from the southern tip of the Atoll's central lagoon.
Here, the southwest landstrip took on a whole new life of its own. The forest gave way to buildings and elongated shelters, but because most of the structures were over three stories tall and thicker at the top, they provided just about as much shade as the forest itself. As a matter of fact, both Rainbow and Twilight were surprised at the complexity of the Nealend architecture. Most buildings had second-story walkways connecting with one another, forming a complicated yet utilitarian network of habitats. Several of the buildings were even crafted out of thick stone masonry.
“This was not what I expected,” Nick stuttered.
“Well, what did you expect?” Theanim Mane glanced over his shoulder, adjusting the weight of his camera bag. “Wooden huts and mud bricks?”
“Well... y-yeah.” Nick gulped. “Honestly.”
“The Nealend Atoll rests right off a very busy trade route,” Theanim explained. “They've had visitors like you and me for generations and generations. So of course they're gonna be exposed to Continentalist techniques in masonry. Heh... just because they're a culture of ruffians doesn't mean they're complete idiots. Like anypony, they've learned to adapt.”
“Their fashion statement hasn't,” Nick grumbled.
Just then, a pair of shaved stallions shuffled by, pausing to bark, “Hey! Newcomers! Who should we cook first?!”
Nick paled instantly. “What... wh-what do you...?!”
“Hah hah hah!” One stallion slapped Nick's back as he and his buddy trotted off towards the lagoon. “Silly land walkers! Whoop!”
“Hahahahah!”
Nick could only grimace.
“Mrrmmmf...” Theanim glared ahead as they passed through the heart of the village. “As you can see, the Nealend sense of humor leaves something to be desired.”
“I dunno.” Rainbow shrugged, smirking slightly. “I thought it was funny.”
“You would,” Twilight muttered.
“Pffft.” Rainbow whispered aside. “Really, Twilight. This place just screams Durandana to me.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Only... erm...” Rainbow fidgeted in mid-air, glancing around. “These guys obviously have a more practical method of getting wet.”
A series of bald fillies and colts scrambled past the group, chasing after a little red ball. Mothers and elders gathered around smoking kilns, chattering as they relished the constant scent of smoked fish. Even older ponies congregated in the shade of lofty balconies above the tiny courtyards. Despite their age and sun-bleached wrinkles, a distinct layer of contentment hung off their muzzles.
The air of the village was filled with mirth and chatter—and no small amount of booming laughter. There was something positively electric about the little cluster of Nealend culture, and Rainbow wasn't anywhere near running out of things to gawk at. Ponies with well-toned muscles gathered in tight clusters, engaging in sparring contests, lazy conversations, and a hazy mixture of the two. Every single native had their manes and tails completely shaved—no matter the species: earth pony, pegasus, or unicorn. With the addition of the fact that they were all so athletically built, Rainbow and Twilight were both having sudden difficulty telling the stallions apart from the mares, at least at first glance. It certainly didn't help that every Nealender spoke in a uniform accent of deep bass exhalations and euphoric guffaws. Several of the locals glanced at Rainbow and Nick, but didn't seem particularly distracted. Once Theanim had led the newcomers deeper into the heart of the village, the reason for this became quite clear.
“Aaaaaaand here we are,” Theanim said, gesturing dramatically at a particularly old building, constructed like a curved crescent—including its long shattered window frames of varying height. “Once upon a time, this was a Rohbredden trade outpost and visitor center. Now?” He gave a mixed sigh. “It's more or less the 'land walker ghetto.'”
“I think that much speaks for itself,” Nick said, grimacing at the moldy rooftop tangled with jungle vines. His head tilted down, and he spotted long shiny manes for the first time. “Hello hello.”
A group of mares and stallions looked up from a circle of moldy chairs where they sat about, fanning themselves and battling the tropical heat.
“Theanim! You're in one piece!” A stallion stood up, wiping his brow as he gazed across a stretch of bricklaid floor pockmarked with seedy grass. “We heard the hunters hollering and boasting in song. We feared the beast had attacked while you were out photographing.”
“Ultimo did return, but all I suffered was a veritable dousing from its wake.”
“Verlaxion's Sleet!” A mare shook her head, frowning. “This is why you should stay inland, Mr. Mane! The worst you'll ever have to worry about here is a slap on the shoulder!”
“I'd say it was more than worth it,” Theanim said, turning towards the two newcomers. “Look who I found?”
“Ah... what a blessing and a curse all at once...” An old unicorn stood up, hobbling towards the group while telekinetically fanning himself. “A blessing that you're alive. A curse that you have to endure the heat along with the rest of us.” He smiled. “Nevertheless, welcome. You needn't worry about the locals. The Nealenders can be a rowdy bunch, but unless you're a fish that stands to be gutted, they're perfectly harmless.”
Rainbow smirked, then pointed aside. “This purple-eyed dudical here is called Nick.”
“Hello hello.” Nick reached a hoof forward, smiling bashfully. “A pleasure to meet you all. Is everypony really stuck here?”
“Erm... yes.” The old stallion hesitated slightly before shaking the youngster's hoof. “All because of that blasted monster.” He squinted. “Quite the western accent you have, my little pony.” He arched a graying eyebrow. “Colonialist?”
“Erm...” Nick gulped. “Yes?”
A mare chuckled from the group of sitting foreigners. “No reason to feel bad. We're all ponies here.”
“I-I would hope as much,” Nick said with a nervous smile.
“Yes, besides...” Theanim grumbled. “The truly Colonialist soul is back by the shoreline, minding their crashed trimaran.”
“Wuh oh.” A pegasus stood up, smirking Theanim's way. “Who'd you get into an argument with this time, Mr. Mane?”
“Mrmmfff... Kihutajan, born and raised. I can even smell the soulless Academy pouring out of his chapped lips.”
“Hahahahahah... but of course.”
“Hey...” Nick blushed, trying in futility to summon an angry frown. “What's wrong with the K.M.C.A?”
“Don't let Theanim Mane's passion upset you, gentlecolt,” another stallion said. “There are, in fact, several Colonialists stranded on this island as well.” He squirmed slightly. “Though they don't... particularly enjoy hanging out here in the village.”
“Also due to Theanim Mane.”
“Hahahaha!”
“Hoo boy...” Nick rolled his eyes. “This will be fun.”
Rainbow rested a hoof on the stallion's shoulder, then glanced at the others. “I... uh... have a lot of questions about this place, and I don't really think the Nealenders are willing to chat as much as you guys.”
“Well, we very well may have a bunch of answers for you,” the old unicorn said. He glanced curiously at the pegasus' mane, and then her pendant. “Though... we could use a few answers of our own.”
“If you must know, I'm not exactly from around here,” Rainbow said.
“We could have guessed that!” one mare exclaimed. “I must say, darling, I love what you've done with your mane.”
“Heh...” Rainbow smirked. “You can thank nature for that.”
“Surely, you jest.”
“Where's this mare from, Theanim?”
“Erm...” Theanim slid his goggles further over his brown mane. “I... haven't had the grace to find out.”
“I bet you're an easterner!” One pegasus said. “With wings that thick, I bet you'd be good for island hopping along the Falls!”
“The... Falls...?” Rainbow blinked.
“Why... yes!” He blinked back. “At the Edge, my dear.”
“The Edge of what?”
“...the Edge of Everything, of course.”
Rainbow's lips pursed. She and Twilight exchanged gawking glances. “Uhhhh...” She looked at the group again. “You've actually been to the Edge of the World?”
The group as a whole looked at each other funny, Theanim Mane included.
“Why, naturally,” one mare said. “A good few of us have. It's customary for every pony born in Rohbredden to make the pilgrimage.”
“Pilgrimage?”
A stallion smiled. “So we can witness first-hoof the oblivion that Verlaxion—in all of her infinite wisdom—has preserved the Six Tribes from.”
“A totally pointless waste of money and resources,” Nick muttered under his breath, eye rolling.
“You would think that,” Theanim grumbled.
“Now now, settle down, everypony,” the old unicorn said. “We're going to be living with these new ponies here for a while. There's no point in not making them feel welcome.”
“I wouldn't mind getting to know this place as much as I can,” Rainbow said. “First thing's first...” She lowered down to her hooves at last. “...can you all tell me about the whirlpool that was once here?”
“Impossible!” Sinrar barked, glaring aside in mid-trot. “How can a Whirlpool disappear for any reason aside from erosion or seismic activity?!”
Theanim Mane sighed. “I'm sorry to break your perfect cartography fantasy, Mr. Kihutajan, but there are some things in the ocean that are too deep for your penstrokes to capture!” He, Sinrar, and Nick strolled down the white Nealend shore along the southern edge of the atoll's lagoon. Beside the three stallions, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle hovered at a lazy pace. Nealend foals played in the shallow waters while adult natives wandered to and from their fishing rafts. “It happened just as my associates said.” Theanim glanced up at Rainbow Dash, his brown mane fluttering in the tropical breeze. “One day, there was the whirlpool in the center of the lagoon, just where it had always been for centuries upon centuries. Then—all of the sudden—the beast you all know as Ultimo swept in, dove deep into the lagoon, and made a swift retreat for deeper waters. Ever since, the Whirlpool has been gone. And—ever since—the sea serpent has been staying within close proximity of the Atoll, attacking any sailors who come within reach of its jaws.”
“And you saw this debacle unfold before your very eyes?!” Sinrar asked.
“No, sir, I did not,” Theanim said.
“Hah!” Sinrar grinned. “I knew you were full of it!”
Theanim Mane swiveled to face him directly. “It's an account that's detailed by over several hundred eyewitnesses!”
“Let me guess—all of them Nealenders?”
“Well, as a matter of fact, yes.”
“And you're so willing to believe these plebeian sun-bloated meatheads?”
“Hey!” One native stopped dragging his fishnet just long enough to frown. “I take offense to that!”
“Yeah!” Another chimed in, shoving a raft into the waters. “More than our heads have meat!”
“Hah hah hah!”
“Whoop!”
Theanim facehoofed, sighed, then muttered, “Jocular and hyperbolic as they might be, I assure you, their account of the sea serpent and the whirlpool is most definitely true.”
“But what would a giant freaky ocean lizard want with a whirlpool?” Rainbow asked.
“Rainbow, a sea serpent is technically not a reptile—” Twilight started.
“Egghead, please,” Rainbow hissed.
“It's not a question of the whirlpool itself, but what was causing the whirlpool,” Theanim said. “A Shard of Verlaxion.”
“H-Huh?!” Rainbow and Twilight both gasped at once.
“Oh here we go...” Sinrar rolled his amber eyes.
“Wait...” Nick squinted Theanim's way. “You mean there was a Shard here?”
“Why, yes.” Theanim nodded, blinking. “Didn't you all know that?” He smirked at himself, chuckling. “Silly me... of course you Colonialists wouldn't know... or care to know.”
“I want to know,” Twilight said.
“Yeah, what she said!” Rainbow exclaimed.
Theanim turned towards her, brow furrowed. “Huh?” Behind him, Nick and Sinrar grimaced.
“Errr... ahem.” Rainbow Dash folded her forelimbs in midair. “I'm neither Colonial or Continental. Could you explain it to me, at least?”
“Explain what, exactly?”
“Just what is a 'Shard of Verlaxion?'” Rainbow glanced at the youngest stallion. “Nick's mentioned it before, but I didn't realize it was such a big deal.”
“That's because it isn't,” Sinrar grumbled. “Merely parlor tricks and the manipulation of elements in order to make an entire populace bend over!”
“Hey! Did she ask me or didn't she, huh?!” Theanim Mane adjusted his goggles over his mane and grunted. “Ahem.” He turned and smiled pleasantly up at Rainbow. “The Shards of Verlaxion are nothing less than the Great Queen's righteous blessing in corporeal form.”
“Harummmph!” Sinrar harumph'd, forelimbs folded. Nick cast him a glare.
“It's best described as a piece of self-containing frost, imbued with her energies.”
“You mean like a chunk of ice or something?” Rainbow asked.
“Heheheh...” Theanim smiled. “Nothing quite so ordinary, my good mare.” He adjusted his camera bag's weight on his shoulder and spoke: “This is a substance that never melts... that never loses its shimmer... that never erodes over the passage of time.”
“But it can get bitten and broken apart, huh?” Nick remarked. “Is that what happened?”
Theanim sighed, his face long. “I've never quite understood why Verlaxion chose to place one of her shards here of all places. The Nealenders aren't... exactly known for performing expert maintenance.”
“She would have chosen this place if it was an important point of interest,” Twilight murmured, glancing at her friend. “Right?”
Rainbow gulped. “The First Seed...”
“Excuse me?” Theanim uttered, leaning forward.
Nick and Sinrar exchanged glances.
“Ahem...” Rainbow leaned forward in mid-air. “This... uh... this Shard of Verlaxion...”
“Yes...?”
“Does it have any magical properties of its own?”
Theanim smiled. “It's a source of boundless inspiration that bestows joy and clarity to all members of the Six Tribes fortunate enough to gaze at its luster.”
Rainbow fought the urge to grimace. “I mean... does it do any... uhhh... physical stuff. Y'know... pew pew?”
“Oh! Uhm... well, it does have a noticeable effect on its environment,” Theanim said. “Rohbredden has several Shards—placed by Verlaxion herself at various moments in the past as a sign of her respect for the society she's fostered into harmony. Each Shard's effects are predictable only to the Queen herself.”
“And what about here?” Rainbow Dash asked. “In the Nealend Atoll?”
Nick spoke up: “It was the reason for the Whirlpool all this time, wasn't it?”
“Very astute.” Theanim nodded. “And the monster—a corruptible discordant beast, no doubt—did something to damage the Shard. Because of that, the Whirlpool is gone, as is whatever spirit of protection Verlaxion may have once blessed this archipelago with.”
“If this place was so damn protected by Verlaxion, how'd Ultimo get his fins within contact of the Shard to begin with?!”
“Who are we to question the plan Verlaxion has in store for the Nealend Atoll?” Theanim remarked, shrugging. “Maybe this was all meant as a test of the locals!”
“Unnngh...” Sinrar face-hoofed. “Oldest excuse in the book.”
“What I don't get is how come the natives aren't freaking out?” Rainbow remarked. “Wouldn't the island be full riot and pandemonium by now?”
“Hey!” Kaji wandered by, along with Sora, Flare, and Silver. “Are we supposed to be rioting?!” He bit into a strip of fish meat and adjusted pair of oars over his flank. “Mrmmfff... because if so, I want in!”
“And I want the first buck!” Flare exclaimed.
“Yeah! Me too! Hah hah!”
“Erm...” Nick fidgeted, inching away from Flare and her seashell-eating grin. “Rainbow Dash here was just wondering why you guys aren't... uh... panicking over the fact that a giant sea serpent bit into your very own Shard of Verlaxion.”
“Hah! Are you kidding?!” Silver smirked. “Who are we to question what the Queen of all things wants?!”
“Mnnnfffgh...” Sinrar trotted away from the shore completely. “There's one born every half-minute, I swear...”
“You sure you're cool with this situation?” Rainbow asked. “Some giant sea thing bit into your... Goddess' ice gift. And now you've got this Ultimo to deal with.”
“Eh... he never swims into the lagoon,” Sora said.
“In fact, he hasn't since the whirlpool disappeared!” Kaji remarked. “And now that the lagoon has no swirly-swirls, the fish and crabs are all creeping out of the mud to look around!”
“It's open season on the meatiest of meat!” Silver chanted. “And when we get bored of fishing our hooves off, we've got the best game in the world to hunt outside the Atoll!”
“Wooohooo!”
“Yeah!”
“Whoop!” The four Nealenders took turns bumping chests together.
Theanim sighed, gesturing at the raucous group with a limp hoof. “I rest my case.”
“Hmmmm...” Rainbow tapped her chin, hovering higher above the shore. “What do you think, Twi? Could there be a connection between the Shard, the sea serpent, and Yaerfaerda?”
“Not to mention how I was able to sense this 'Ultimo' before he came upon us.”
“Right.”
Twilight glanced curiously at the pegasus. “Is Yaerfaerda still in the center of the lagoon?”
“Yup.” Rainbow nodded, looking past a line of lazily skimming rafts. “It's right underwater. I bet it's right where the whirlpool used to be.”
“It's a shame that the Shard that was once there is no longer in one piece, or else it might give us some answers.”
“It still might,” Rainbow said. “Perhaps in pieces.”
“How do you mean?”
“There's one way to find out.” Rainbow touched down in the hot sand and trotted after the four Nealenders.
“Wh-where are you going?” Nick asked.
“To do some homework!” Rainbow hollered over her shoulder. “Meanwhile, you and the Professor chillax... maybe see about repairing the Swan Song.”
“Ha ha ha!” Theanim laughed, covering his grinning muzzle with a hoof. “She can't be serious.” He glanced over at Nick. “It's not as though she's expecting to get you off these islands.”
“... … ...” Nick fidgeted in the sand, avoiding the stallion's gaze.
Theanim blinked his blue eyes. “She is...? But how...?”
“Somepony who's been to more places and done more stuff than the rest of us.” Nick waved, trotting off. “These Nealenders included.”
Theanim turned to gawk at Rainbow and the fisherponies from afar. “Just... who is she?”
“You're a camerapony!” Nick called back. “Sit back, take some shots, and find out!”
“You're sure of this, Land Walker?” Kaji said, blurring his wings as he pushed the fishing raft out onto the rippling blue surface of the Atoll's lagoon. “I've seen the shade your feathers turn at the mere mention of fish meat.” He grinned slyly. “You favor only the greens, yes?”
“Dreit. I mean...” Rainbow bopped her head, teeth gritting. “Yes. I just wanna see the source of the whirlpool up close.”
“Uhhhhh...” Flare looked back from the front of the boat where she and her wings provided extra steering. Several other rafts full of mane-less ponies were skimming out onto the waters beyond them. “You do realize that the whirlpool is gone, right?”
“Yeah.” Rainbow nodded. “But there's a Shard of Verlax...ion down there somewhere, right?”
“She wants to see the Shard!” Silver grinned, telekinetically untangling a fishing net with his horn. “Hah! Why didn't she say so from the beginning?!”
“Maybe she's nervous about basking in the glow of Verlaxion's righteous might!” Sora said, sharpening a spear. “Who can blame her, really?” He chuckled. “Silly land walkers...”
“'Dreit...?'” Twilight mouthed, floating alongside the raft.
“Stuff it,” Rainbow muttered. “I got my wires crossed.”
“Huh?” Kaji looked over.
“Ahem.” Rainbow leaned forward in her seat. “No. It's not that I'm... tickled pink to be in the presence of one of Verlaxion's gift. I just... uh...” Rainbow Dash looked over the boat's edge, nearly blinded by the whiteness of the glowing Yaerfaerda symbol in her vision. “...I just have a major interest in what's at the bottom of this lagoon.”
“Well, good luck with that, girl!” Flare said with a wicked smirk. “I doubt you have the gills for it!”
“Eh?” Rainbow blinked. SPLOOSH! She winced from a sudden spray of water. Rubbing her muzzle dry, she looked all around. “Hey... uh... where did Sora go?”
“Where else?” Silver gripped a spear and some netting, took a humongous breath, and plopped backwards into the lagoon.
Both Rainbow and Twilight leaned over to look past the edge of the boat. Silver and Sora were mere dots at that point, disappearing beyond the murky depths.
“Holy smokes...” Twilight's muzzle hung wide open. “Look at them go...”
“That's... pretty cool,” Rainbow said.
“They're the best at it,” Flare said. She smiled sheepishly, her feathers twitching. “The... uh... the wings actually get in the way.”
“You don't say?”
“Yup!” Kaji leaned back, kicking his legs up in a lazy fashion. “But we definitely make up for it with the sporting! Isn't that right, Flare?”
“Hah! Ultimo can never shake us!” Kaji reached across the boat to brohoof the stallion. “Like barnacles!”
“Like barnacles! Hah hah!”
“Whoop!”
“They've been down there an awful long time,” Twilight murmured, her eyes still squinting to see beyond the blue depths.
“They'll be coming back up, right?” Rainbow asked.
“Eh... sure...” Flare stifled a yawn. “A few minutes from now.”
Rainbow did a double-take. “A few minutes?!”
“No point in stabbing fish if you can't make like fish themselves!” Kaji said. “Takes years of practice to hold your breath like we do! A land walker like you is welcome to try... but... heheh... don't blame us if you take on more water than your friends' ship earlier today!”
Rainbow Dash clenched her jaw, eyes hard.
“Rainbow...” Twilight gulped. “Don't get ahead of yourself...”
“I'm not one to back out of a challenge,” Rainbow stood at the edge of the boat, cracking her joints while also coiling her wings tightly by her side. “Especially when Yaerfaerda is right there.”
“You speak a strange mantra to prepare yourself, landwalker,” Flare said. “Maybe you'll be wanting to take your jewelry off?” She pointed at Rainbow's pendant. “Those shinies are only going to way you down.”
“Yeah. Not happening.” Rainbow gasped and took the plunge. SPLASH!
Rainbow lasted for a full thirty seconds underwater. She immediately splashed her way to the surface, wheezing and sputtering—much to the chuckling observation of the Nealenders seated in their boats all around. Rainbow watched with a sullen expression as they waited and waited. At last, their companions returned, complete with rows of twitching fish skewered along the lengths of their spears. Silver alone had no less than eight skewered on his metal pole. Now that the first group of divers had surfaced, the second set leapt out of their boats, plunging deep into the lagoon's blue depths.
After sharing a mute glance with Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash leaned back, inhaled as heavily as she could, then dove again.
She lasted longer this time, mostly because she wasn't trying so hard to kick or thrash about beneath the lagoon's surface. Two or three more dives into the water, and she was able to last about a full minute. She'd start by kicking herself in the desired direction, then she relaxed her straightened body so that she glided forward at a slow, manageable rate. This way, she was able to observe the sunken landscape around her without too much stress or struggle.
What she saw was a delightfully uncanny scene, even for a pegasus with as many aerial miles below her belt. There was no discernible “bed” to the bottom of the lagoon, for the bottom was everywhere. A vast arrangement of coral structures stretched upwards, with jagged and eroded limbs coated all over in vibrantly colored life. Gazing at the bottom of the lagoon felt like staring into a glittery paintbucket that had been swirled and swirled beyond easy recognition—and then doused with a thin blue dye. All throughout the erratic coralscape—the craggy promontories and peaks and bridges—countless tiny fish swam in flurrying, scurrying schools. Most of them were tiny specimens, but there were a few larger creatures shambling through the thicker swarms. For a brief moment, Rainbow panicked—fearing that something rather large and toothy might be gliding beneath her at any moment.
Rather than panic, the pegasus followed the dramatically swooping movements of the Nealenders. Not until she was underwater with them did Rainbow Dash finally understand the beauty and physique of these ponies. They swam over coral, under coral, and in and out of deep trenches with incredible ease. The way they twirled and curved their bodies for better speed made them all look like expert pegasi—putting even the Wonderbolts to shame. The fact that they accomplished all of this underwater was a great shock to Rainbow. She was far too awestruck to develop even a drop of envy.
“I can't tell how far down the lagoon goes,” Twilight Sparkle's voice said. “Can you?”
The sheer clarity of the phantom unicorn's speech startled the last remaining bubbles of oxygen out of Rainbow's lungs, and she kicked and thrashed her way to the surface while a wincing Twilight loosely followed.
SPLASH! “Duaaaaaaah!” Rainbow inhaled upon breaking the water, then fell into a fit of coughs and sputters.
“Hah hah hah hah!” Sora continued pulling fish off his spear and bagging them in their boat's net. “Not so easy, is it, Rainbow?!”
“Keep at it, girl!” Silver winked, moisture still dribbling off his shaved head. “You've got siren blood in you! I know it!”
“Yeah?!” Rainbow coughed and sputtered some more. “I wanna see a siren do a sonic rainboom in ten secondsssrkkkt!” She went cross-eyed and hacked up more water.
“Easy! Easy!” Sora smirked while Flare and Kaji swam back to the surface, carrying fresh spears of fish. “You can't grow gills overnight!”
“She's not half-bad, actually!” Flare said, her lithe body dribbling with moisture as she slowly climbed onto the boat. She gave her tail-less flank a shake, then smirked back at Rainbow. “The mare learns fast! I can tell! I've been watching her!”
Rainbow Dash blinked.
“Hah!” Kaji laughed, hoofing Sora a clean spear. “You'll never dive deep with wings that stiff, girl!”
“Hah hah hah hah!”
“Whoop!”
Rainbow winced. She exhaled, relaxing her wings just in time for when Twilight surfaced.
“You okay, Rainbow?”
“Uhhhh... uhhhh-yeah!” Rainbow nevertheless coughed once or twice. “Never b-better!”
“That was completely and utterly my fault,” Twilight said, ears folded back. “I didn't mean to startle you like that.”
“Hey. No sweat.” Rainbow Dash treaded water. “I just... y'know...” Her ears twitched. “...didn't expect to hear you that well.”
“Well, I'm phasing through the water just as much as any other solid surface,” Twilight said. “It's not like the pressure is restricting me any. Plus, who knows?” Twilight shrugged, her form looking dry as a bone. “Maybe you hear me on a different level, just like you can see me on a visual spectrum that other ponies can't.”
“Yeah... too bad I can't talk to you back,” Rainbow said. “While we're underwater, that is.” She blinked, thinking of something. “Say... any chance you can be my wingpony?”
“Heh...” Twilight smirked. “In this case, don't you mean fin pony?”
“Cement ant ticks, egghead,” Rainbow muttered. “Yaerfaerda and—presumably—the Shard are both down there, and I gotta get a good look at it. But I'll bet my eyes don't work down there as well as yours can, and I certainly can't give a shout for when I see something like a tunnel entrance.”
“Right!” Twilight saluted before the bobbing mare. “I'll be our eyes and you be our ears!”
“Cool.” Rainbow smiled. “This could totally work.”
“Uh oh...” Sora glanced over at Silver. “She's talking to herself again. I wonder if she's got the bends.”
“Good for her.” Kaji winked at Flare. “It means she's not so stiff anymore.”
“Ha ha ha!”
“Stiff?” Twilight's face scrunched. “What in the hay do they mean by that—?”
“Down ponyscope!” Rainbow's voice cracked upon the cusp of an inhale and—
SPLOOSH! She dove deep, yanking Twilight straight down with her.
She was anything but alone. There had to have been over two dozen Nealend ponies diving and darting around the coral of the lagoon, catching fish with remarkable ease and finesse. The water was quite clear, and Rainbow Dash could see for several yards into the distance. It became obvious to her that the coral structures were super complex and multifaceted, hiding all sorts of edible life and fish schools deep within their vibrant, hollow pockets. For every Nealend diver the pegasus saw, she realized that two more had to have been hidden beneath her, mingling beneath the coral caves, utilizing their expert lung capacities in order to explore every niche and fish out a good day's supper.
“I'm still not seeing the absolute bottom of the lagoon,” Twilight Sparkle spoke, clear as day. It was their fifth consecutive dive, and the unicorn was doing her best to visually scan the rigid structures below. “Maybe if you pointed out precisely where Yaerfaerda is, I can find the nearest trench to it?”
Rainbow nodded. She swam up to the surface, took a huge breath while hearing the mirth and laughter of Nealenders, then dove once again into the unsettlingly deaf depths. It took a bit of searching, and two more dives, but Rainbow spotted an area right above Yaerfaerda where the coral formations had thinned ever so slightly. Halfway through the latest swim, she pointed at a parting in the orange and red structures.
“Got it!” Twilight hovered forward, her violet mane unaffected by the shifting currents. She phased through a pufferfish and a manta ray, then stopped in place. Waiting for Rainbow Dash to catch up, she pointed straight down at a narrow ravine between two coral formations.
Rainbow nodded back, then pointed up at the sunlight.
“Right! Get another breath!” Twilight said. “I'll be sure to mark the spot!”
Rainbow made her swim to the surface, inhaled, then dove again. Twilight met her halfway, gestured, then led the way down... down into the trench. There, they coasted along a narrow stretch of sandy beds. The tops of several clusters of seaweed tickled at Rainbow's belly, making it all the harder to keep her breath in. By now, Rainbow was squinting, for the glow of Yaerfaerda was becoming almost unbearably bright.
Twilight easily noticed. “We're right on top of it, aren't we?”
Rainbow could only nod her head.
“I'm not seeing any lights myself,” Twilight uttered, looking through each dark hollow in the flanking coral. “From what Mr. Mane said, it sounds like the Shard of Verlaxion is supposed to glow with bright resonance. Unless, of course, he was referring to a sort of inner light... a sort of spiritual contentment of transcendence that one feels when their heart and soul are convinced that they are in presence of a goddess' divine gift—”
Rainbow Dash held her breath as the unicorn looked around and around. At one point, the duo's path was blocked by a brilliant fish with bright blue fins and a yellow mouth.
Twilight couldn't help but coo. She grinned at Rainbow Dash, whose eyes also shone in delight at the remarkably colorful creature.
Schlunnnk! All of that ended at the tip of a spear. There was a brief spurt of red murk, and then the fish twitched for the last time. A Nealender added it to his bounty. He paused to look at Rainbow Dash, smiled wide, then swam off to the next patch of coral.
The two Equestrians hovered in place, exchanging grimacing expressions. Rainbow pointed up, and Twilight nodded.
“Go on ahead...”
Rainbow Dash returned to the surface. In truth, the water there was not so deep that Twilight couldn't remain where she was without fear of being yanked away. This allowed the unicorn to glance around with a casual gaze. As a result, her eyes caught a curious spark. She turned around, lips pursed as she squinted at sudden fissure just beyond a final wall of coral.
When Rainbow Dash returned, she could tell from Twilight's body language that something was different. The pegasus dove down towards the mare's level, and Twilight wasted no time in pointing at the phenomena.
“About twenty feet that way!” Twilight exclaimed. “Beneath the crag of rock! See?”
Rainbow squinted. Coiling her wings tighter at her side, she kicked her rear legs in ardent frog-strokes. In very little time at all, she had reached the edge of the fissure—though she needed Twilight to tell her.
“This is amazing! Rainbow, please tell me you're seeing this!”
Rainbow blinked a few times. At last, her eyes adjusted, and the glow of Yaerfaerda dwindled beneath another source of light. Below her and Twilight, a perfectly hexagonal hole had been bored into the seabed. That is—it was once a hole. Something had filled it up at some point in the past, something luminescent and crystalline.
“The Shard...!” Twilight exclaimed. “That's gotta be it!” She pointed at the top left of the large, ten-foot-wide chunk of polished stone. “And look there! A piece is missing!”
Rainbow Dash swam closer. As she did so, the temperature of the water dropped dramatically. She couldn't stop shivering, and yet she summoned the strength to focus on where Twilight was pointing. She saw that a jagged chunk of icy-white stone had been fractured off of the rest of the material, and just along the ocean's floor there were several deep teeth marks bordering the missing part of the Shard.
“Ultimo really did take a bite out of this thing,” Twilight said. “But what for? What would make a monster want to do that?”
Rainbow was listening to her. There was no way she couldn't. And yet, as the pressure in her lungs started to boil, she kept staring more and more intently at the crystalline substance.
“Too bad the chunk doesn't go all the way through the Shard,” Twilight rambled. “It might be a way to swim past it. I mean... Yaerfaerda has to be beneath this, right? It's almost as if the Shard here is blocking the entrance, Rainbow...”
Rainbow's body shook and quivered. Her eyes feverishly pierced the translucent surface of the Shard, and the mare saw something layered within the material... a different kind of white substance that stood out like gray sediment within the ivory frost. It was a shade of gray she had seen before, and the more it glinted before her vision, the colder and number she got.
“We can talk about this later,” Twilight said. “Let's get to the surface. You've been down here long enough.” But there was no movement. She looked over. “Rainbow...?”
The pegasus had curled up into a little ball. She drifted backwards, wincing as her eyes flickred red-on-yellow. She couldn't move. She could barely even bend her ears.
“Rainbow!” Twilight hollered loudly. She lunged forward, only to phase through the drowning pony. “Rainbow?! What are you doing?! Swim! Swim to the surface!”
Rainbow merely winced. Bubbles of precious oxygen frothed out of her muzzle. A ruby glow pulsed from her pendant, and her eyes rolled back—just as her body rolled back against the sandy floor.
“Rainbow... you have to swim!” Twilight whimpered and hyperventilated. “Do you hear me?! I can't watch you die like this! Now swim! For Celestia's sake, swim!” She panted and panted. Ghostly tears dropped straight through the watery domain. “Please, Rainbow Dash! What's wrong with you—?” A shaved head burst through Twilight's chest, causing the unicorn to gasp.
Silver swam towards Rainbow's side like a torpedo. The stallion leaned forward, staring into her twitching eyes. His cheeks bulged as a barely audible grunt left his throat. His horn glowed, and he lifted a clamshell out of his satchel. Using the front of his teeth, he bit onto a string that looped out of the shell, then gave it a savage yank. Chemicals inside the clamshell ignited, sending a heavy and loud shockwave through the coral reef. Within seconds, Nealend bodies swam in from every corner of that patch of the lagoon. They each grabbed a leg of Rainbow Dash, braced themselves against the ocean's floor, then kicked off with gusto.
Twilight yelped, suddenly rocketing towards sunlight as the natives carried Rainbow's body to the surface. And once they broke through, Twilight nearly sobbed with relief.
Rainbow's sputtering, wheezing voice resembled a sweet symphony.
“Heh, what did we tell you about biting off more than you can chew, land walker?” Kaji smirked, his wings blurring as he guided the raft back to shore in a gentle glide. The boat was full of fish and the rest of the ponies were binding them tightly in their nets. “We're flattered you would wish to pay tribute to the Shard of Verlaxion, but she placed it there for us to gawk at, not ponies used to scraping the sky!”
Rainbow Dash was still wheezing to catch her breath. She sat slumped in the back of the raft, thoroughly soaked—yet no longer numb or dizzy. “I only learn things by almost dying...” She gulped. “...or just plain dying.”
“Verlaxion can do many things. But bring back the dead?” Flare shrugged as the group reached the shore. The sun was setting, and a delicious melting crimson bathed the sandy stretches of the Atoll. “If she had the mercy to spare, this Atoll would be filled to the brim with our ancestors by now.”
“Say... where do you bury your dead, anyways?” Rainbow asked.
“That's a good question!” Sora grunted, hopping overboard and wading in the surf. He helped pull the raft to shore. “It depends on where the sharks and orcas of the sea decide to spit their bones!”
“You just... toss them to the sharks...” Rainbow muttered with a squinting gaze.
“Absolutely!” Silver smiled, using his telekinesis to set the ship firmly against the wet sand. “We feed the fish, and the fish feed us.”
“Only a land walker would do something as useless as a burial,” Kaji said with a slight chuckle. “But that's okay. We think you're awesome anyway.”
“Yeah! The way you speared Ultimo and went throwing your wings into the depths?” Flare winked. “You're practically born to be one of us!”
“That's all well and good, but I have no intention of staying,” Rainbow wheezed.
“Hahahaha!”
“Hah hah hah!”
“Ohhhh... that's rich, Rainbow Dash. Of course you are staying!” Sora said.
“So long as Ultimo's out there to give us sport—which is forever—everypony who comes to Nealend is staying.” Silver shrugged, heaving his bag. “Not that it's a problem. I mean, we've got the fish! Whoop!”
“But do you really wanna hunt the same ol' sea serpent forever?!” Rainbow exclaimed, leaning up to the edge of the boat as her mane continuously dripped. “I saw the big chunk that was bitten out of Verlaxion's Shard. He—like—totally defaced your Queen's sacred gift and stuff!”
Sora shrugged. “Again, if she wished it, then who are we to deny our fate?”
“Besides!” Kaji grinned. “The sport is fun! It boils the blood inside as well as out! Isn't that right?!”
“Hah hah! Yeah!”
Two of the stallions butted heads with ritualistic grins.
Rainbow clenched her jaws. “Do you guys always just roll over and accept circumstances as 'fate?'” She shrugged. “Don't you believe in personal choice?”
“Well, we personally chose to save your dumb flank, didn't we?” Kaji said with a wink.
“Catch of the day!” Silver chirped.
“I'd say.” Flare giggled, and the laughter spread across the group—even infecting the other rafts full of natives coming ashore.
Rainbow Dash bit her lip. “I... uh... I'm really thankful for that, y'know. Don't get me wrong.”
“Hey, don't swim against the current,” Sora said with a casual salute. “We really liked saving your life.”
“Yeah! You're too spiffy to let the sharks chomp on you!”
“At least not this early!”
“Hahahaha!”
“Heheheh...” Kaji trotted towards the treeline and the village beyond. The group closely followed as he glanced back at the mare. “The sun's setting! Come on in and make yourself at home!” He patted his netting with a lopsided grin. “We've got lots of dinner! You'll never guess! It's fish!”
“Heh heh heh heh.”
“Whoop! Hah hah!”
As the Nealenders shuffled across the red-lit sand, Rainbow Dash remained sitting in her raft, hugging herself while the last warm winds of the day dried the moisture off her coat. She took several calm breaths, becoming more and more gradually aware of a glaring lavender expression in her peripheral. So, with a defeated sigh, she muttered without tilting her head the slightest.
“Go on, Twi. Let it out.”
“Rainbow, what happened to you back there?!”
“I impaled the Ocean with my body. The Ocean didn't like it.”
“Rainbow, I'm serious!” Twilight's face grew long as she phased through the boat in order to squat directly before the pegasus. “You just... collapsed in the middle of the water! Without any warning! I tried telling you to move! I tried and I tried! Surely you heard me!”
“I've never been so scared in all my life!” Twilight's voice cracked. “Well... at least n-not since you brought me back, but still!” She leaned forward. “Don't scare me like that! I can't afford to lose you.”
“I know that, Twilight—”
“Our friends can't afford to lose you! Luna and Celestia can't afford to lose you!” Twilight leaned back, frowning slightly. “And in case you forgot from all the water filling your skull—the whole world cannot afford to lose you! Maybe not even Urohringr itself!”
“Yeah... about that...”
“Don't you get it?!” Twilight gestured with her hooves. “You're just too... too important to take crazy risks like that, Rainbow—!”
“And just how do you think I've managed to live so far all this time, Twilight, huh?!” Rainbow scowled. “With every snake-filled cave I've explored, with every mount I've climbed, with every bullet I've dodged?! How much of it was stressing and just how much of it was depending on my own guts?!”
“And what did your guts do for you down there in the lagoon, Rainbow?!” Twilight spat. “The natives here had to swim down and rescue you! Without them, I'd be without an anchor!” She sniffled. “And I'd be without an only friend!”
Silence.
At last, Twilight sighed. She plopped down in the boat opposite Rainbow Dash, and a sunlit space dwindled between them. “Just what exactly happened down there, Rainbow Dash?” Twilight eventually muttered. “Honestly.”
Rainbow twitched slightly. “Honestly?”
Twilight Sparkle's eyes were firm. “Yes.”
“... … ...” Rainbow breathed deeply. She said, “I... reacted to something.”
“That's some reaction,” Twilight said. “Was it because of the Shard?”
“I think it has more to do with something inside the Shard.”
“Like what?”
Rainbow exhaled. “I think it has chaos metal in it.”
Twilight blinked. “Chaos... metal?”
Rainbow nodded.
“You... you mean like the strips you saw in Windthrow?” The unicorn asked. “The stuff the Ledomaritans had constructed in Blue Shelf? The material that Chrysalis and the Xonans were using on Nevlamas?”
“Good friggin' memory,” Rainbow said. “I always had that sort of a reaction to the material.” She gulped hard. “Going limp... numb... dizzy.”
Twilight's lips pursed. “Because... because of the chaos of Discord that's inside you?”
Rainbow slowly nodded.
Twilight gazed out upon the darkening waters of the lagoon. “But... how come you didn't suffer a reaction until you dove underwater?”
“I dunno,” Rainbow said. She sighed and slumped back in the boat once again, her forelimbs draped over the wooden edges. “But from how it looked to me... I-I don't think the stuff was that dense.”
“You mean concentrated?”
“Right.” Rainbow's nostrils flared. “It's like just a teensy bit of it was injected into the shard.”
“But... b-but that doesn't make any sense!” Twilight grimaced. “How would Verlaxion have gotten ahold of the chaos metal? And what would possess her to put it into the Shard she gifted to the Nealenders?!”
“Chrysalis said that Verlaxion pretty much dominates this part of the world,” Rainbow remarked. “I doubt it'd be all that tough for her to find and dig up the stuff somewhere in all of Robhredden. As for the why.” Rainbow shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. Axan and her sisters have a habit of being real pains in the flank, so it's not exactly a surprise to me.”
“Then...” Twilight shuddered, her trail drooping. “...wh-what do we do now?”
“Well...” Rainbow stood up, teetering slightly. “I can't swim any closer to that Shard cuz of whatever's inside it. And so long as it's broken the way it is, the whirlpool is gone, so there goes any chance of getting through to the Yaerfaerda beacon.”
“You hypothesize that—when whole—the Shard acts as a gateway?”
“Maybe.” Rainbow shrugged. “But so long as Ultimo has the piece, we'll never know.”
“What do you mean it has the piece?” Twilight asked.
“You saw into the thing's mouth when it lunged at us, right?” Rainbow said. “The freak's throat was glowing. I'm willing to bet that a piece of Verlaxion's Shard is lodged right up in there. That means that there's still a way to get it out.”
“Get it out?” Twilight leaned back, wincing. “But... how?” She gulped. “Do I wanna know?”
“I bet you don't. And me? I kinda wanna sleep on it.” Rainbow climbed out of the boat and hobbled to shore. “But first... to see how the guys are doing.”
“Assuming Mr. Mane and his friends haven't murdered them,” Twilight said, following her.
“Just my luck,” Rainbow grumbled. “Tomorrow morning, the sharks will be munching on purple-eyed adoracute with a side of geriatric sass.”
“The good news is...” Nick paced around the lopsided body of the trimaran in the morning light. “...the Swan Song can be salvaged. Mr. Theanim Mane says that his friends' ships have been smashed to bits months ago. Only, they still... more or less have those bits. Long story short, I've got the material I need to weld together the missing parts of the Swan Song's hull. I can make her totally seaworthy again!”
“Get on to the bad news, enfant!” Sinrar frowned. “Every minute I stand here without a cane is agony.”
“Well, maybe I should take my sweet time, then,” Nick said with a smile.
“If I'm to be buried from pain and atrophy, then I'm taking you withme,” Sinrar snarled.
“Right, then!” Nick swiveled around. “The bad news is...” He pointed out at the ocean. “That freakin' sea serpent is still out there! I can get the Swan Song fixed up, but I doubt she'll be as fast as she used to be. I'd have to have a lot more professional tools at my disposal in order to bring the trimaran back to top speed. So, in other words, we're even worse off than we were before in terms of wanting to outrun Ultimo.”
“So, we're in the same spot as we were in last night,” Sinrar said. “We're stranded.”
“Looks like it,” Nick remarked. “Unless Rainbow has come up with an awesome plan.” He turned about, eyes bright. “Rainbow...?”
The mare hovered alongside Twilight, her eyes scanning the edge of the southernmost island where the Swan Song had been stranded. “The Nealenders used to have a fully intact Shard of Verlaxion in the very heart of the lagoon.”
“Hrmmmf!” Sinrar rolled his eyes. “More like a giant turd of arrogance!”
“Call it what you want,” Rainbow muttered. “It's real and it's glowy and it's there.” She gulped. “Most of it, at least. A sizable chunk has been bitten out by Ultimo. If it's returned, then I'm willing to guess that the shard will return to its former glory. Energy will return, magic will be restored, and the whirlpool that was once centered in this lagoon will appear again.”
“Yes, but to what purpose?” Nick said. “Doesn't look like this lagoon needs a whirlpool.”
“The way I see it, if there's a whirlpool... then that means that there'd be access to what's underneath the shard... and what's underneath the lagoon in turn,” Rainbow said. “That could finally get me access to the First Seed... the very reason we came here to begin with.”
“Yes, but that dastardly leviathan out there has the shard in its jaws,” Sinrar said. “How do you intend to bring Verlaxion's poisoned gift back to full functionality?”
“It's... uh... rather simple,” Rainbow said. “I get the shard back.”
“... … … from the beast.”
“Right.”
Silence.
Nick cleared his throat. “I wonder if your friend Twilight has a plan, Rainbow?”
Rainbow sighed, rubbing a hoof over her face.
Twilight spoke. “Admittedly, they could use a bit more motivation, Rainbow.”
Rainbow muttered aside, “More like a mallet to the skull.”
Sinrar and Nick arched their eyebrows simultaneously.
“Rainbow...” Twilight chided.
“It's not like either of them can really help me with the matter. The trimaran's busted, and even if Nick can get it fixed, it won't be fast enough to match Ultimo. The kid even said so himself.”
“The two of them never signed up for this. You're used to adventure, so you have to find a way to make this worth their while.”
“... … ...” Rainbow rubbed her chin. At last, she spoke to the pair: “There's more to the shard in the lagoon than the power of Verlaxion.”
“I'd say,” Sinrar huffed.
“Let me finish.” Rainbow raised a hoof. “The magical substance is filled with something else. Something I recognized.” Her jaw went tight. “Chaos metal.”
Nick squinted. “Chaos metal?”
“There's a reason why you've never heard of it,” Rainbow said. “And I suspect it's because Verlaxion—with her grand resources—has scoured Rohbredden and the seas for the stuff. Why she's chosen to imbue her special ice shards with the material? I've no clue. But...” She pointed out into the ocean. “...anything that's continuously exposed to the substance, no matter how small, eventually goes batpoop crazy... and freaky.”
“You mean the Ultimo of the Nealend seas can get... even more monstrous?” Nick asked, his voice cracking.
“I think the only reason the dang sea serpent hangs out around here is because it knows—deep down inside—that there's a connection between what it's bitten and the glowing stuff in its jaws.” Rainbow gazed at the two stallions. “The big friggin' thing is tethered to this place. And until the pieces of the Shard are restored, it will forever remain here.”
“Bah!” Sinrar grinned. “You'd have much better luck killing the damnable thing!”
“Either way, if I can get the Shard restored, then Ultimo will have no reason to stick around.” Rainbow gestured. “And the seas will be clear once again, as they should be. The Swan Song can make its leave!”
Nick grinned. “Now that's a happy thought.”
Rainbow turned towards Sinrar. “And you can get away from Theanim and all of his Continentalist buddies.”
“Mon dieu!” Sinrar pointed. “There's an even happier one!”
“And what do you get out of all this, Rainbow?” Nick asked. “What about you and Twilight?”
Rainbow gulped then said, “We get to Yaerfaerda, the beacon that brought us to this Point of Interest to begin with.”
“And after that?”
Twilight gazed sideways at Rainbow.
The pegasus sighed. “I've always dealt with this stuff one wing-flap at a time.”
“Fair enough,” Nick said with a smile. “Are you and Twilight sure that this is the way to go about doing things?”
“As sure as we'll ever be,” Rainbow said.
“There's only one problem,” Sinrar droned.
“What's that, Dr. Dude?”
Sinrar's eyes narrowed. “These primeval islanders are in love with chasing and spearing this massive beast. What you propose would bring and end to that. So what makes you think the Nealenders would be on board with this whole endeavor?”
“So what?” Nick remarked. “It'll be for everypony's good in the long run!”
“That's more than obvious to us, larva, but these imbeciles?! They live in the now! And surely Rainbow won't be chasing any sea serpents down on her lonesome. She'd need all the help she could get! But will they be willing to give it?”
“He's got a point, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “If the ponies of the Nealend Atoll aren't on board, then how will we get anywhere?”
Rainbow rubbed her chin. “Hmmmm...”
“Hah!” Kaji spun from his fishing boat with a grin. “Would you mind repeating that, landwalker?!”
“I want to bring an end to Ultimo's prowl,” Rainbow said. Nick and Sinrar stood in the background. Theanim Mane hung out along the fringes of the beach's treeline, observing curiously. “The beast has bitten onto a piece of Verlaxion's Shard. If I restore that, then everything will be as it should. What's more, Ultimo will go away.”
“Pffft!” Sora hobbled over, dragging a bunch of fish nets. “And why would that be 'as it should?' Don't you get it?!”
“Verlaxion has blessed us!” Kaji exclaimed. “She's given us something to enrich our blood!”
“The hunt!” Silver said.
“The hunt!”
“Yeah! Hah hah!”
“Whoop!”
Rainbow flew forward, frowning. “Don't you think that you have it all wrong?! A hunt—by definition—is something that has to end! And there's nothing saying that you can't find more sport in other pursuits!”
“Other pursuits?” Flare smirked, hovering down to the scene. “Better than Ultimo?” She shook her head. “You've been with the Westerners for too long, landwalker. You've no grasp of Verlaxion's divine plan.” She turned towards the treeline. “Tell her, Thunker Meat!”
Theanim Mane winced, but nevertheless spoke: “It may be hard to grasp, Miss Dash. I've spent many a restless night pondering it myself. But, for one reason or another, Queen Verlaxion chose for Ultimo to grace this archipelago. And... behold!” He pointed. “The locals relish in the hunt that she has granted them. It's sad to think that the Shard has been defaced in the way it has been, but obviously there was a purpose to it. It all falls within Verlaxion's will.”
Nick and Sinrar exchanged expressions.
The Nealenders prepared to shove out into the lagoon and resume their fishing.
Rainbow stared dead ahead, her eyes twitching slightly.
Twilight sighed. “Rainbow, maybe we should just try and come up with another way to—”
“You're right,” Rainbow blurted. “You're all right.” She gazed at the Nealenders. “It was Verlaxion's plan to summon Ultimo. And it's because of her power that he remains here, stalking your island. And it has been great... awesome sport. But there's something even more awesome.”
The Nealenders shuffled to a stop, standing in the wet sand. They turned to gawk at her.
“And what might that be, landwalker?”
“Bringing the hunt to an end,” Rainbow said. “And living to boast about it to the end of your years.” She placed a hoof over her chest. “And I will make that possible for each and every one of you.”
“Hah! You?! How?!”
“Because Verlaxion wills it.”
A murmur ran through the natives. Theanim and his companions leaned forward, genuinely interested.
“That's right!” Rainbow spoke, her tone louder. Twilight looked on with a nervous expression as the pegasus said, “I was sent here by the divine will of Verlaxion! Just as Ultimo was! The attacks of the beast... the disappearance of the whirlpool—they were all precursors to my arrival! To the destiny I've been made to restore!”
“That's a bold claim,” Sora remarked, his brow furrowed. “But how can we risk exacerbating the ire of Verlaxion by humoring you?”
“How can you not risk it?” Rainbow smirked. “You've no idea how many miles I have traveled—both land and sea—how many continents and cultures and wars I've endured to come to this single spot... this one dot of wonder in all of Verlaxion's seas.” She flew higher, her forelimbs outstretched. “I am unlike any other pony here! I am no islander... no Colonialist... no Continentalist! I am an outsider... the outsider. And the reason for that is because I was summoned by Verlaxion herself to forge a new destiny here!” She touched down, her hooves kicking up sand. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke in a breathy tone: “And the future I bring this island will be a blessed thing, no less willed by Verlaxion. Tell me... are you willing to risk angering her by ignoring a blessed gift that's right in front of you?”
Silence.
“Hmmmff...” Kaji smiled. “We would be poor subjects if we didn't embrace the tests given to us by the Queen of all things.”
“Yes!” Theanim called out. He and his companions were grinning. “Give her a chance! Why not?”
“Yes, Thunker Meat! Why not!” Flare flew over and slapped Rainbow's shoulder. “And if she's simply full of hot dirt, then at least it would have made for some great sport!”
“Hahah hah! Whoop!”
“Ha ha ha ha!”
“Eat a fine breakfast, Rainbow,” Silver said as he and his group shoved out into the lagoon. “You'll need plenty of meat inside and out of you for strength.”
“Ultimo does not entertain small gnats. Eh?”
“Heeheehee!”
“Heheh... for Verlaxion!”
As the Nealenders paddled away, Rainbow stood on the shore, watching.
Twilight hovered down and stood in front of the pegasus. “Rainbow...!” she hissed in an unnecessarily whispery tone. “What are you thinking? It isn't right to entertain their spiritual beliefs like that!”
“Sinrar was right,” Rainbow said. “I can't even get close to Ultimo without the locals help.”
“Yeah, but now they're gonna think that the reason for you being here is some... s-some destined plan of Verlax!”
“I know a thing or two about fate,” Rainbow muttered. “This isn't so different.”
“Isn't it?” Twilight frowned. “And what happens if you succeed—”
“When we succeed.”
“Rainbow, that's not the point!” Twilight grumbled. “The point is that they think the Divine Verlax is a goddess! And what you'll have done here will solidify that hollow faith for generations and generations afterwards!”
“Twilight, think about it,” Rainbow said, making eye contact with the phantom. “Verlax has been running the show here in this ocean for centuries before you and I even arrived.”
“Yes! But—”
“Do these ponies really seem that bad off? Are they suffering? Are they killing each other like the Ledomaritans and the Xonans did?”
“... … ...”
Rainbow's nostrils flared. She looked out onto the lagoon where the Nealenders went about their fishing. “The world is dying, Twilight. And all that matters right now is that we visit these Five Seeds—that we find the Yaerfaerda beacons in the machine world and restore our friends. After that, what matters if the dark side and the Harmonic Prism. If we can save bits and pieces of the world along the way, then that's fantastic. But the whole world?” Rainbow took a deep breath. “That's endgame stuff, Twi. But between now and then... everything else can wait. Verlax and her weirdo frost religion can wait.”
Silence.
Twilight sighed. “You've changed, Rainbow. I... I don't know any other way to say it, but the brash and impulsive pegasus I once knew wouldn't have stood for—”
“Does this mean you disagree with my plan?”
“I didn't say that!” Twilight exclaimed. Her face grew long. “It just... it j-just boggles my mind...” She gulped. “All of the horrible, epic things you had to have gone through to get to this place.”
“But it's not that bad a place, eh?” Rainbow smiled. “I'm still awesome, you know.”
Twilight bore a bittersweet smile. “Awesome and a half...”
“You're sure?” Nick glanced over at Theanim Mane, blinking. “They don't need these at all? Or want them?”
“Believe me, it's a lost cause,” Theanim said, strolling with him along the northwest shore of the southeast land strip. The blue lagoon of Nealend stretched to their left while they passed several wrecked ships, yachts, and rafts to their immediate right. “Several of these ships are wrecked beyond compare. If the fabled Ultimo didn't do it, then the coral shoals certainly did.”
“Yeesh.” Nick clenched his teeth. “I feel my insides ripping away just looking at most of these.”
“Undoubtedly it's your inner admiral sobbing his eyes out.” Theanim smirked. “You have my condolences. But do not worry. Several of my kinsfolk here have gotten over the tragic stab of seeing their blessed vessels rip asunder. In fact, a good deal of them have adjusted almost too well to life aboard the Atoll. Hrmmmm... I suppose there's something rustic about the local populace that's ever remotely addicting.”
“Hey!” Nick pointed at a mostly intact blue yacht leaning on its side with a bent mast. “This one's hardly beat up at all! I bet I could strip the entire starboard hull for—”
“Don't you dare!” Theanim hissed, teeth gnashing. Upon seeing Nick flinch, the stallion sighed and straightened his bangs in the hot sun. “I... ahem... would greatly desire you to spare that one.”
“Erm... why?” Nick blinked. “I thought you said it was all a 'lost cause—'”
“Perhaps. But I, among a few others, cling to the scant hope that we can still get off this forsaken strip of land,” Theanim grumbled.
Nick squinted at the blue yacht, then back at Theanim. “What... is this yours?”
“Indubitably.”
“She's pretty!”
“She is merely a product of proper ingenuity and seaponyship!” Theanim said. “I've used this vessel for utility and nothing more. Please... I'd rather personify the Queen of All things by whose providence I depend to get off this coral ring.”
“Heeheehee... you say that, and yet you named the thing!” Nick brushed his hoof past the painted bow, blinking at the words. “...'The Midnight Dreary?'”
“Mrmmmffff...” Theanim sighed long and hard. “I figured giving it an uninspiring name would... bring it luck.”
“Well, I like it!” Nick smiled. “And once Rainbow kicks the ever-loving tail out of Ultimo, I'll be more than happy to help you get her back in tip top shape!”
“Erm... yes...” Theanim fumbled with his camera bag. “About that...”
FWOOSH! “Hey, kiddo.” Rainbow Dash landed, sweating from the heated flight it took to get there. “I just spoke with Flare and Kaji. They've agreed to do a few flyby's of the northern strips. According to them, they might know a few vines they can strip to help you in making new rope for the Swan Song's reconstruction.”
“Hey! Sweet!” Nick smiled. “But... like... aren't they gonna be busy helping you track down Ultimo?”
“Erm... according to the Nealenders, the hunt is best done in the afternoon,” Rainbow said. “Something about the angle of the sunlight bringing out the wrath in Verlaxion's nemeses.”
“Yes, quite an ancient bit of foreknowledge,” Theanim spoke up, not making eye contact with the pegasus. “As an avatar of the Queen herself, you'd surely know this.”
Rainbow Dash blinked at him.
Nick spoke up: “Mr. Mane here has told me that it's open season on stripping these ships for a new hull.” He fidgeted slightly. “Well... most of these ships. I figured I'd get started.” He cracked his joints with a smirk. “If nothing else, it'll keep me from having to stick around the village and listen to Sinrar run his mouth.”
“Er... yeah...” Rainbow Dash nodded awkwardly, her eyes locked on Theanim. “You do that.”
“Say... uh... does this mean that Flare will be delivering some of the jungle's vines here herself?”
“Mmmmm...” Rainbow glanced over. “What?”
“Oh... uh... n-nothing!” Nick cleared his throat, blushing slightly. “I'm... uh... g-gonna go salvage!” He pointed, trotting off. “Over here. In the... erm... Salvage Zone. Yeah.”
As the young stallion trotted away, Twilight Sparkle floated down to the ground beside Twilight. “He should quit while he's ahead.”
Rainbow muttered, “Hey, girl, a carrot on a stick is a carrot on a stick.”
Twilight giggled.
“Surely you're not offering prayers to Verlaxion,” Theanim remarked.
Rainbow looked over at him. “Sorry?”
“Unless you have a habit of talking to voices in your head.” The stallion smiled, adjusting the goggles over his mane. “So much time in the sun can make you do strange things.” His eyes narrowed. “Sometimes obtuse things.”
“Okay... just spit it out already.” Rainbow sighed, plopping her haunches down in the sand. “You're not too big a fan of the speech I gave this morning.”
“You're asking me if I'm a fan of perfect strangers attempting to speak on behalf of our Goddess supreme without a single act of faith to show for it?” Theanim shook his head. “No, Miss Dash, I am not.”
“Hey, the Nealenders enjoy hunting Ultimo.” Rainbow shrugged. “So what if I gave them a bit more of an incentive?”
“You may be able to win over an island full of sun-stroked foals, Miss Dash, but you can't so easily impress me.” Theanim's eyes narrowed. “Not all of the children of Verlaxion are so easily persuaded. But that doesn't matter to you, does it?” He gestured at the lagoon. “Because now you have a bunch of minions to assist you in your pursuits... no matter how catastrophically suicidal.”
“Pffft!” Rainbow Dash made a face. “Suicidal?! Come on, dude...”
“He's making a valid point, Rainbow,” Twilight said.
“Oh stuff it, egghead.”
Theanim did a double-take. “I beg your pardon?”
“Er... not you, egghead—I mean... the other egghead... I-I mean...!” Rainbow gripped her head. “Grrrrrgghhh!”
Theanim blinked with concern. “Miss Dash... are you quite alright?”
“Okay... okay... listen...” Rainbow Dash looked up, gesturing with her hooves. “I just need the Nealenders to get me close enough to Ultimo so I can work my awesomeness. I'm throwing myself into harm's way. Not them. Isn't that obvious?”
“The only thing obvious about this situation, Miss Dash, is that I should have been paying more attention to you since you first arrived,” Theanim said. “At first, I was dismayed at the presence of two fresh Colonialists. But at least they've had the decency of leaving our trust in Verlaxion alone.”
“Look—it's not as big an issue as you think!”
“Hah!” Theanim grinned bitterly. “You tell me that. But how can I be so sure?”
Rainbow Dash leaned forward. “Mark my words. I am going to get rid of Ultimo. I am going to return that Shard to the Lagoon. And I'm going to make this happen with or without your Queen's blessing.”
“And what makes you think you're even capable, Miss Dash?” Theanim said. “With or without the Goddess' blessing, you're putting yourself up to a terribly daunting task.”
Rainbow opened her mouth to speak, but fumbled. She glanced aside, blinking in thought. At last, she spoke in a steady, low voice: “Has it ever occurred to you that getting stuff done in a world with a Goddess doesn't always depend on a Goddess?”
“What... are you saying, exactly?”
“You're a scientist, right?” Rainbow remarked. “Whether or not you serve Verlaxion, you're always struggling to prove and disprove stuff using your own devices, huh?”
“Well, yes...”
Rainbow smiled. “With or without a Goddess, the first thing you gotta have faith in is yourself. Maybe Verlaxion rules the seas. Maybe she doesn't. It matters little. If you gotta do something... friggin' do it, and make sure you know that you've got what it takes.”
Theanim gazed at her thoughtfully. “And when you commandeered the Nealenders' trust in Verlaxion... did you know that you had what it takes?”
“Like I said. I'm going to make this work.”
“And just what are you depending on?”
“Awesomeness. What else?” Rainbow Dash smirked. “If you doubt me, you can watch for yourself.”
“Funny you should say that.” Theanim managed a smile of his own. “Because I intend to do just that.”
Rainbow blinked. “Buh?”
He lifted his camera bag and said, “I've already asked Sora and Silver if I may join you ponies in the hunt. They've agreed. So, Miss Dash, I'll be sitting frontside with you as you take on the terrible beast of the Nealend Atoll.”
“You... uh....” Rainbow exchanged glances with Twilight, then looked back at the stallion. “You don't exactly strike me as a spearchucking type.”
“I take aim with a more permanent tool, Miss Dash.” He patted his camera bag and winked. “And, trust me, this will either do much good or much damage, depending on how your little excursion in this piece of paradise ends.”
Rainbow was silent.
Theanim bowed and said, “I do hope you enjoy Verlaxion's spotlight... while it lasts.”
“Hurry your landscuffers, Thunker Meat!” Sora called over his shoulder while he and his companions galloped out into the surf. “Ultimo doesn't stick around for dessert!”
“Unless, of course, you're it! Hah!” Kaji laughed.
“Nnngh... Verlaxion's sleet!” Theanim Mane cursed, struggling to balance two camera bags and a tripod over his flank as he hobbled through the shallow waves to the nearest canoe. “If a single one of these devices touches the water, I swear, I'm hanging myself from the first palm tree my depraved eyes see!”
“Why are you bringing so much junk?” Flare asked, gripping one end of a canoe and fluttering her wings. “Things aren't exactly even in the drink.”
“It helps to be prepared!” Theanim said. “If we intend to take down this ill-forsaken Ultimo, then I want to catch the most brilliant shot of it so I can share with the rest of the Scientific Order!”
“Why not share through word of mouth?” Kaji smirked. “That's how the Nealenders do it! Whoop!”
“My good stallion, back where I come from, the enlightened denizens of Rohbredden require something a little more... grnnngh...” He struggled, then eventually heaved himself and his items over the edge of the boat. FWUMP! He landed in an awkward pile, smothered by his own belongings. “...empirical.”
“Hah hah hah!”
“Heheheh!” Silver smirked. “Silly landwalkers. Always so tangled up with themselves. Relax!” He shrugged with his forelimbs. “Verlaxion gave us the ocean for a reason! Be like a puddle, not a drip!”
“And what if that dreaded sea serpent devours us all?”
“Then you'll be coming out in a stream!” Silver said, summoning more raucous laughter from his cohorts.
“Mrrnnghh...” Theanim Mane sat up, adjusting his goggles. “Why do I even bother...?”
“Whoop!” Kaji called out. “Rainbow Dash! We await to wake!” He waved a hoof. “Have you got the last of the sticks?”
“Uhhh...” Rainbow Dash zoomed over, jerking to a stop in mid-air. She hovered down to where several sharp pikes were leaning against a wooden crate in the surf. “You mean these things?”
“Yes! Wing them over, will ya?!” Kaji winked. “There's a good fish!”
“Shove away!” Flare hollered, flapping her wings and shoving the boat Silver was in.
Kaji did the same to his and Sora's boat, causing Theanim to rock back and forth and struggle to keep his gear in check.
Meanwhile, Rainbow grabbed as many of the polearms as she could. Twilight looked over her shoulder, and the unicorn's expression was far from pleasant.
“Uhhhhhh...” Twilight blinked. “Spears, Rainbow?”
“Mmmmhmmm.” Rainbow gathered more and more, bundling them up in her forelimbs. “Looks like it.”
“And... just what are these going to be used for, you think?” Twilight said.
Rainbow blinked. “... … ...well, they're not for picking the sea serpent's teeth. I can tell you that much.”
Twilight blanched. “We're going to stab the poor thing with spears?!”
“Twilight, that 'poor thing' is so big that these will barely even feel like bee stings,” Rainbow said. “And, besides, the Nealenders have been at this for a while. You saw it when we first arrived, remember?”
“Rainbow, that's not the point!” Twilight exclaimed, hovering around her. “Think about it. How exactly are you going to go about getting that Shard out of the beast's jaws?”
“Uhhhhhhhh...” Rainbow fiddled with the spears in midair. “...expert dentistry?”
“I don't think there's any way to get the monster to cough that thing up short of killing it!” Twilight said.
“Yeah.” Rainbow exhaled, avoiding the unicorn's gaze. “Imagine that.”
“Rainbow...” Twilight flew into her sight, frowning. “The locals here might kill and cook things for meat... and that just may be good for them. But we're not them, are we?”
“Twilight—”
“We gotta stand for something, Rainbow!” Twilight exclaimed. “We're the only representatives of Harmony this side of the Grand Choke—” She gestured dramatically at the pegasus. “You!You're the only representative of Harmony, all things considered!”
“Look, Twilight, I gotta get this Shard out of this big dumb lug's chompers one way or another!” Rainbow exclaimed.
“Yes, but take some time to think about it, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “There's gotta be a safe... clean way we can get this to work without too much bloodletting. I mean...” Her face grew long. “There are standards to everything. Just... who would we be if we gave in and allowed ourselves to kill for the sake of convenience?”
“Yeah...” Rainbow gulped hard, her ears folded back. “That... would b-be a rough spot, wouldn't it?”
“Please.” Twilight held her ghostly forelimbs together. “Promise me that when it comes to grabbing this Shard, you won't go about this the brutal Nealend way?”
“I... I-I...”
“I want to bring the girls back as much as you, but I'm not sure they'd want to come back if they knew we had to cross the line in order for—”
“Grrrr... Twilight...!”
Twilight's pupils shrunk at the sound of Rainbow's growling voice.
The pegasus blinked, seeing her fierce reflection in the unicorn's eyes. Clearing her throat, she smiled and said, “We'll figure out a way, alright? You and me. You can help with that magic sense of yours, okay?” She hugged the spears to her chest. “You'll help me get the drop on Ultimo and we'll find a way.”
Silence.
Twilight exhaled, then smiled with a breathy voice. “Okay. Sure thing.”
“Hey, Landwalker! Wing it or wilt it!”
“Ahem...” Rainbow twirled about, carrying the heavy weight of the spears the entire way. “Coming right away.” Once Twilight couldn't see her, she brandished a pained expression. “Ready or not...”
“Nah nah nah... you got it all wrong, landwalker!” Sora reached over, rearranging the spear in Rainbow Dash's grasp. “You have to hold it like this! Underhoof, see?”
“Underhoof?” Rainbow's face grimaced as she struggled to hold the spear in the way directed.
“Yeah! For an upthrust, yes?”
“I don't get it,” Rainbow grumbled, wings twitching. “Ultimo is a sea serpent. The darn thing lives beneath the ocean's surface. Beneath us. Why would I wanna hold the spear any other way besidesoverhoof?”
“Because to best get at the beast's soft underbelly, you swim underneath it while it charges through the surf!” Silver shouted from several waves away in his and Flare's canoe. “But you're a pegasus! Bet you can steal Flare's trademark skyward strike! Hah!”
“Hah hah hah!”
“Eat coral, Silver!” Flare swatted Silver's shaved head with her wing. “Nopony can steal that!”
“Hah! Look at me!” Silver's voice reached a high pitch. “I'm a winged child of Verlaxion! I'm soooo original! Whoop!” He got swatted again, but kept on laughing.
Rainbow smirked slightly, examining one spear after another. “Yeah, well, maybe I can try knocking one of its teeth out... or something.”
“Pffft! Knocking its teeth out?!” Kaji grinned as he flapped his wings, pushing their canoe over a high crest. “How in the Queen's name do you expect to do that?!”
“You'd need a hammer made out of the Goddess' ice itself!” Sora said. “Don't you get it?! Ultimo's chompers are huge-huge!”
Rainbow Dash gave a prolonged sigh. “I dunno... just a silly thought, I guess.”
“We'll be lucky if we ever get close to wounding the mighty beast!” Kaji said.
“Doesn't mean it isn't sporting to try,” Sora said with a wink.
“Presuming Ultimo ever shows his grinning face.”
“Hah hah! Yup!”
“Whoop!”
While the Nealenders in the other boat chuckled, an earth pony with golden goggles sat in the back of his raft. Resting between two bulky camera bags, Theanim Mane glanced at the oceanic scene. He took a long, calm breath of the sea air, then planted a pen between his teeth. With a sheet of parchment stretched before him, he began to write.
The following is the one hundred and twenty-fifth field report of Dr. Theanim Mane, writing to the Ninety Seventh Rohbredden Scientific Order, blessed by Queen Verlaxion.
Today marks my one hundred and forty-second morning waking up on the Nealend Atoll alongside the well-meaning but altogether simple-minded populace. However, this particular week brings with it a rather striking change, and although there is nothing yet that I can state as being categorically different, I—a scholar by trade as well as a child of Verlaxion by faith—am inclined to believe that a curious shift in fate is in order, and I hope to chronicle such in the days to come.
There have been several unique individuals who have been stranded on this island as a direct result of the beast Ultimo's wrath. Only now, for the first time, one of those figures has dared to challenge the might of Ultimo head-on. As you can imagine, this has been a major delight for the Nealenders, whose thirst for blood is only bested by their ardent love for colliding their dense skulls together.
I speak of a mare by the name of Rainbow Dash, a pegasus with an unrecognizable accent that favors neither western Colonialists or Eastern Continentalist tongue. She wears a peculiar piece of fabulous jewelry around her neck which she simply refuses to take off. What's more—though this seems like a completely innocuous detail—she sports a rather strikingly colorful mane, and she possesses a youthful vigor and guile that are quite unmatched even among my head-shaved peers.
There is nothing in this world that delights me more than an enigma. As a scientist, it is my duty to follow any intellectual pursuits until all that is unexplained and cryptic about Verlaxion's glorious world vanishes completely. Rainbow Dash is one such mystery. She's arrived with very little explanation, and almost zero ties to her two disastrously Kihutajan companions. And yet, despite the fact that she's a total stranger with an obvious backlog of secrets, she has spontaneously made it her task to not only hunt down Ultimo—but to vanquish the monstrosity altogether. To what end? Well, she proclaims the rather selfless desire to restore a broken piece of Verlaxion's gift to the heart of the Nealenders' lagoon. But to accomplish this, she has utilized some rather... bold tactics that dance upon the line of courage and heresy.
It is my deep desire to get to the bottom of this mystery—this Rainbow Dash. After all, with the Midnight Dreary beached and my laboratory far, far away, it's not like I'm accomplishing much as it is. However, I do have my camera—and my wits. Perhaps I will discover something interesting and record the findings here in this journal. So far, it seems, there hasn't been much to capture at all, though I would hardly blame Rainbow Dash for such.
Theanim Mane sat on the edge of the canoe, aiming his camera out onto the high seas. The sun was setting, and a brilliant sheen of crimson light rippled across the waters. He took several shots, waiting until a flock of seagulls crossed the scarlet ways in a poetic fashion.
After the shutter snapped for the last time, he leaned back with a contented sigh. His ears tickled to the sounds of the Nealenders gabbing and chuckling.
“...and then Sora swiped an entire piece of Ultimo's fin!” Kaji grinned. “You should have seen it! The plate looked hard enough to use as an anvil, yet thin enough to act as a cutting board!”
“Coral bright!” Flare gasped from just a few feet away. The waves were calm, and the Nealenders lazed about on their canoes. There was no sea serpent in sight. “How come it doesn't hang from his door?”
“Pfft! How else?” Kaji winked. “The sponge headed fool dropped it into the drink!”
“I did not simply drop it!” Sora frowned. “A porpoise bumped the canoe and knocked me off balance like I was a landwalker!”
“A porpoise, eh?” Silver droned, stifling a yawn. “Probably thought you were presenting her a dowry.”
“Hah hah hah!”
“Heeheehee!”
“Grrrrrr...” Sora promptly stood up, grabbed Kaji's skull, and slammed his forehead against his. Whack!
“Augh—!” SPLOOSH! Kaji plunged overboard, much to the heavy laughter of his companions.
Theanim Mane winced, tilting his camera away from the splattering bits of water. While Kaji surfaced and climbed back on board, the Continentalist glanced eastward.
Rainbow Dash hovered closely over the waves, gazing every which way with squinted eyes. The sky grew darker and darker, but that didn't stop her from struggling to get a view of the ocean's surface—or, better yet, what may have lied beneath it.
As she glided by closer and closer, Theanim became acutely aware of the mare's lips moving as she muttered over and over again: “How about now? … … … No? 'Kay... … … And now, Twilight. Anything? … … … Guhh... where is he?!”
“Ahem...” Theanim smiled politely. “Miss Dash, is there a problem?”
“I'm good. I'm good.” Rainbow waved at a distant, adjusting her pendant as she scanned and scanned the waves. “Just keep your camera ready. The ugly dude'll pop his scaley head out any moment.”
“It's... getting rather late, Miss Dash.”
“Nah. I can still do this. The Nealenders aren't sleepy!”
“They practically cartwheel with their eyes shut,” Theanim droned. “Erm... might I ask who you're talking to.”
“Huh?!” A pair of ruby eyes flickered Theanim's way, reflecting the melting sunset. “Talking? Who's talking?!” her voice cracked. “I've got a sea serpent to bag!”
“As I've noticed,” Theanim said calmly. “But perhaps you may want to call it a day?”
“Look, Professor So-And-So, I'm telling you that I've got this! If I could only—” Rainbow gnashed her teeth. “Darn it, Twilight,” she hissed. “I'm not being rude! It's called assertiveness! Jeez... Since when did you switch places with Belle?!”
Theanim raised an eyebrow. “Belle?”
“Look, just...” Rainbow waved her forelimbs, sighing. “...save your film. I'll let you know when the actions starts, okay?” And she zipped off to patrol the nearby waters in a close orbit of the canoes.
“There she goes again,” Sora's voice droned.
“Should we tell her that Ultimo only shows up when he feels like it?” Kaji said.
“Nah.” Silver shook her head. “Let her spin her circles. Besides...” She leaned against the edge of the canoe. “I wanna see Kaji get Sora back!”
“Wat.” Sora blinked, before a hoof bucked him in the back of the head. Whack! “Dammit—” SPLOOSH!
Theanim winced again from the spray of water. The natives laughed, rocking their canoes. While Sora treaded water, growling at his companions, Theanim returned to his sheet of parchment.
To put it lightly, Rainbow Dash hasn't had much luck in summoning the dreaded Ultimo, much less crossing spears with his scales. It's at such a time as this where one's faith in the mare should logically be stretched. As a scientist, I am obligated to say that there is little to no evidence supporting the strange pegasus' authenticity as a sea serpent hunter. However, I am still drawn to observe her for various minute reasons. When I was accepted into the Order, I took the Ice Scholar's Oath, where I proclaimed that in all things mysterious I would ultimately lean on my trust in Verlaxion, the Queen of All Things. In a land full of frost and despair, our Majesty forged peace and Harmony. Thus, in good faith, I shouldn't be surprised to find reason in the depths of madness.
This colorful pegasus certainly qualifies as “mad.” On over a dozen occasions, I have caught her... talking to herself, whereas other equines have simply ignored the habit altogether or brushed it aside. In a lot of ways, she mimics the signs of a pony mentally exposed to oceanic desolation for far too long. And yet, I know for a fact that she arrived here with two traveling companions. So what is the source of her insanity, presuming she's afflicted at all? She seems fully capable of functioning as a sane member of society. She's strikingly vegetarian, which is unique among both Westerners and Easterners. However, in between moments of perceivably normal behavior, I still catch her having curious dialogue with the shadows. The name “Twilight” comes up often. This is no major secret. If you stand close enough to the mare, you can hear it clear as day. Just who is this “Twilight?” Is it a goddess that the mare believes in? Could this be the first representative of some far-off archipelago's forsaken religion? If so, it might explain her rather apathetic stance to the legacy of Verlaxion, at least in comparison to her companions.
And her companions are—indeed—vastly different from the cryptic mare. They're as predictable as Colonialists come, with the old one being a pretentious surly heretic quick to defile the name of our Queen. I could smell book dust from the Kihutajan Marine Colonialist Academy before I got a glimpse at his pathetic, overworn bifocals. I very much doubt the old codger will last a single week on this island, whether or not the great Ultimo is slain. Undoubtedly my friends—in a fit of rage and righteous indignance—will toss him to the coral reef along with his inane, outdated maps.
As for the younger one, well, I can clearly see what hormones have done to the wasted apostate minds of that Academy's body...
“Don't fret, Landwalker!” Kaji smiled, sporting several fresh welts across his face and forehead. He, Theanim Mane, and the other Nealenders trotted through the tide's surf and onto dry land under the veil of night. A series of rafts were moored into the sand behind them. “Another day, another sand dollar! Hah! That's an atoll joke!”
“Yeah, I figured,” Rainbow droned. “I just don't get it. We were five tiny morsels—”
“Six,” Theanim said.
“Six tiny morsels afloat outside the lagoon!” Rainbow exclaimed. “How come Ultimo didn't jump for the bait?! He was so quick to attack the Swan Song the other day!”
“Only Verlaxion knows when Ultimo is hungry,” Silver remarked. “Until then, it's simply a guessing game. That's half of what makes a sport... sporting!”
“He'll show up yet, Rainbow Dash.” Sora smirked. “And then you can show him what you're made of!”
“So long as it's not the same stuff that you were made of in the lagoon the other day,” Flare said with a wink.
Rainbow Dash bit her lip. “Yeah... well... there's gotta be some way to get him to show... or something.”
“Don't sweat it,” Kaji said, stifling a yawn as he made for the village bonfire beyond the treeline. “He probably ate—like—ten orcas while we weren't looking.”
“Yeah, orcas are stupid.”
“Hah hah hah!”
“Whoop!”
Theanim Mane was about to say something, perhaps citing a biological factoid that would dispute such an ignorant claim, when Nick suddenly trotted across his way, balancing a tray full of steaming meat.
“Erm... excuse me, Mr. Mane. Rainbow Dash.”
“Hey! Fish!” Silver smirked, leaning in with a glowing horn. “My favorite sort of food! The fishy kind!”
“Erm. Yeah. There are lots more by the bonfire. The Professor's having some. Excuse me.” Nick shuffled straight past Silver and the other Nealenders, stopping before a certain pegasus. “Uhm... hey there, Flare.”
“Nnnnngh...” Flare finished yawning and used the tip of her wingfeathers to pick her nose. “Grnnngh... hmmf? Oh, hello, needle point.”
Nick's purple eyes blinked. “Needle... point—” His eyes crossed, glancing at his horn, and he chuckled. “Ah! Ah hah! Good one. Ahem.” He levitated the plate of smoking fish towards her. “Erm... some of the locals said that... uh... you really like smoked salmon with a side of cucumber sauce.”
“Ohhh?” The mare squinted at him through the gathering starlight.
“And... uh... I-I figured that maybe you were exhausted after a long day of hunting a giant sea-god-thing, so I brought this out for you!” He gave a lopsided smile. “Maybe once it's cooled, you'd enjoy taking a bite or—”
“Graaaughghglkjghghhhkk!” Flare lunged forward, scarfing up the piping hot meat liberally with ravenous jaws.
“Aaaaack!” Nick literally fell on his haunches, flinching all over.
“Mrmmffschlkkk-Grerkkfff-Chomppkkkk!” Flare bit and gnashed her teeth, gobbling the tender fish parts before they could fall from her slimed maw. After the meal was thoroughly inhaled, she wiped her muzzle then belched loudly. After two sniffs, she flicked a hairless tail and smirked. “Hmmmf! You weren't lying, needle point! It was cucumber sauce! Whoop!”
“So... uh...” Nick sat up, his smile limp and crooked. “You like?”
“Yes. Yes.” She made to trot past him, paused, then glanced at his side. “How much do you weigh?”
“Huh? Oh... well... I... uh...”
WHUMP! Flare slapped him with her right wing, and he plummeted back into the sand.
“Hah!” Flare's teeth glinted with a cosmic sheen. “Just as I thought!” She giggled, trotting off in a gay canter. “Try not to sleep east of the trees or the winds will blow you into the tide!” She called after the others ahead of her. “Hey! Wait for me! I wanna see Kaji's flatulence hit the bonfire!”
“Then you better make swish, starfish! Hah hah hah!”
“Whoop!”
Nick laid on his back, hooves curled to his chest as he blinked. Slowly, a dumb smile graced his muzzle. “'Needle point.' Heeee... I rather like that.” He looked up at Rainobw. “What do you think?”
Rainbow rolled her eyes from where she hovered.
“Hey!” Nick frowned. “Don't laugh!”
“Oh, I'm not.” Rainbow levitated in silence, then pointed to an empty space of air right beside her. “But she totally is!”
“Grrrrrr...” Nick shook a hoof. “Twiliiiiight...”
“Heh heh heh...” Rainbow zipped off towards the main village while the young stallion got up and galloped after her.
All of this, Theanim observed from the shadows. His ears twitched to the sound of crashing surf. With a thoughtful arch to his eyebrow, he swung his bags over his flank and resumed his slow march to shore.
I wish I could say that both of Rainbow Dash's companions were equally charming. The older of the pair is the very definition of “disagreeable.” And it's not as though I haven't been in the presence of Kihutajans before. But, at least in those prior engagements, such western souls were capable of intellectual discourse. Such is not the case with Professor Sinrar—or perhaps I should say former Professor Sinrar—of the Kihutajan Marine Colonialist Academy. This damnable soul was born to do one thing, and that is to clash. How Rainbow Dash managed to survive a single day in the presence of this arrogant sociopath is beyond me. Perhaps, in some perverse way, by surviving the company of this stallion I may be more capable of understanding that which motivates the mysterious mare. Though I am starting to have my doubts.
“What gets me is that you've never seen your beloved Queen Verlaxion!” Sinrar spat. “Not once! Don't tell me that you imbeciles ever truly have, for I know better! Bah!” He adjusted his spectacles and frowned across the hot sands. “And yet you're willing to lay down your entire lives for a complete phantom!”
Theanim Mane sighed, looking past the foliage where Nick crouched alongside the Swan Song, patching the vessel together with spare hull parts. “Don't you think you're being rather obtuse?” The stallion adjusted his goggles, frowning at the elder. “I'll have you know that there are hundreds if not thousands of esteemed members of the Order—spread across all Six Tribes—who have not only born witness to the presence of Queen Verlaxion, but they have communicated with her personally!”
“And you believe them—why, exactly?” Sinrar smirked. “Because they told you so? Like good godparents? Hah!”
“We're not talking about a treehouse fraternity, my good stallion, but a Scientific Order consisting of empirically driven scholars—”
“—who stretch their objectivity in order to accommodate a celestial spectre! Oui! Some Order! I can't believe that a self-proclaimed scientist in this day and age would put so much stock in something unseen!”
“Gravity has no immediate shape or form,” Theanim said. “Nor time a concrete mechanism—”
“Bah! Vouz avez plein de merde!” Sinrar gnashed his teeth. “Gravity has observable mathematical consistencies and it directly affects time!”
“Ah, and in such a fashion can you observe the glory of Verlaxion at work in all nature,” Theanim said with a grin. “The Queen of All things is imminent in every facet of life! There was once a time when the universe was as cold, soulless, and purposeless as the domain you choose to believe in. But long ago, when our ancestors were freezing and upon the brink of death, she came and imbued her glorious presence into the land and seas. And ever since, she's been playing an active part in the development of the world—both civilized and wild. It matters little, for all is made glorious in her fortuitous plan!”
“And just because your ancestors passed on this silly legend, you think it's perfectly righteous to blanket everything you see and observe with a pathetic myth!” Sinrar smirked. “Hark! And behold! The Spirit of the Almighty Sea Slug graces us with his glorious presence! All bow down and worship him!
Theanim squinted. “You just made that up...”
“And yet, does it hold any more merit than your beloved Queen Verlaxion?”
“That is assuredly different,” Theanim said. “The wisdom and manifestations of Verlaxion have been delicately recorded through the ages by centuries upon centuries of devout scholars.”
“Hrmmmf! Add a sense of antiquity to anything, and you might as well be worshiping a dayum Sea Slug!”
“I really can't believe you Kihutajans,” Theanim said, shaking his head and chuckling. “Is it enough that you spit in the face of the Queen who united the Six Tribes—but you must stretch your minds and bodies backwards in order to unnecessarily substantiate a cold world devoid of her glory?!” He turned to gawk at Nick. “If a magical Queen empowered by righteousness beyond mortal means didn't save this world from a horrible winter, then who or what did?”
“I... uh... I'm just here to fix the boat,” Nick said with a nervous titter. “I'd rather just bruise my hooves on this hammer here.”
“Oh please, vous malodorante chat!” Sinrar rolled his yellow eyes. “For once, will you have a spine about something?”
“I'm... not sure if it takes a spine to argue with Continentalists,” Nick remarked. He smiled slightly. “But you, Professor—you've got something rigid enough stuck up your flank. So have at it.”
“Grrrr...” Sinrar dragged his hooves across the sand and marched off. “I am surrounded by damned cowards. Bah! I'm off to the village. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll choke on a fish bone and die.”
“Be sure to pour salt on the villagers' gracious bounty,” Theanim said. “Presumably they haven't wasted it all in their attempts to murder the great Sea Slug God.”
“Buck you, ignoramus!”
Theanim chuckled. Around this time, a familiar blue shape blurred her way towards the beach where the Nealenders were gathering their canoes.
“Say! Rainbow!” Theanim spun to catch her attention. “I can't for the life of me get through to your bone-headed companion.”
“Be more specific, dude,” Rainbow said.
“Hey!” Nick frowned from where he squatted besides the boat.
“I speak of Sinrar,” Theanim said. “Such a persistently stubborn fellow, and he won't open his eyes even once to the imminent reality of Queen Verlaxion.”
“Errr... yeah.” Rainbow fidgeted in midair. “Imagine that.”
“What do you think, Miss Dash?” Theanim smiled. “You're no Colonialist. Unless I'm to learn otherwise, you're not really much of anything. Does this natural world allow the existence of a great Queen of All Things?”
Nick curiously glanced at Rainbow out the corner of his eyes.
“I... I think...” Rainbow bit her lip. “...I th-think I'm comfortable dealing with one leviathan at a time.” She pointed at the ocean. “Gonna gather the harpoons. We'll be shoving off in a moment.”
Theanim blinked. “Erm...”
“Better get your camera if you want evidence of my awesomeness.” Fwooosh! And the mare was gone.
Theanim rubbed his forehead, sighing. “I simply do not get it. The mare has the confidence to tackle a sea serpent head on, but she simply refuses to touch any scientific or spiritual debate.”
“Maybe she believes in something bigger than all of us combined,” Nick muttered.
“Huh?” Theanim glanced at him. “What was that?”
Nick opened his mouth, fumbled, then sighed. “Never mind.”
The young stallion resumed work on the Swan Song while the photographer looked on in stupid silence.
Centuries ago, we were a broken, scattered civilization. Countless wars had bled the oceans red between every known archipelago. Nopony knows what started the banal conflicts, or exactly what resources were being fought for, but in a time when the only way to live was by the spear, we very nearly reached our end with little to nothing to chronicle our bleak existence. That age turned all the more dire when the oceans froze over. A terrible winter bathed the seas, turning everything to ice. The sirens had nowhere to swim. The griffons, wyverns, and pegasi had nowhere to fly. The earth ponies and the unicorns were running out of food, and we sought out the last bastions of solid land for whatever sustenance could be afforded beneath the constant onslaught of cold.
It was in such a time, when extinction stalked us at every turn, that the Great Queen Verlaxion arrived. Our ancient forefathers wrote that it was as though she had emerged from the very blizzard itself, approaching us with outstretched hooves and offering us a shelter from the storm. She taught us the pointlessness of war, and she showed us how to live in harmony despite our various differences. What's more, Verlaxion gave us the written word—the very fulcrum of mature civilization. She taught us how to record and document the world around us, so that we might spot elements to exploit through the fine fissures in our otherwise murderous climate. That's how we discovered new forms of insulation, magic, and agricultural restoration. And only after the Six Tribes had united under her optimistic spirit of cooperation did the storm finally fade. But by then, we were ready to issue forth a new dawn for the cultures of Rohbredden.
And did Verlaxion demand our patronage? Did she issue a proclamation requiring our praise and exaltation? No. Like a caring, nurturing mother, she gave us the freedom and the liberty to make a rational choice for ourselves. Naturally, we chose to honor her for the salvation and encouragement that she salvaged our legacy with. We gave her a throne in the central mountains of Rohbredden, on the topmost seat of the world. She accepted it graciously, and she's validated our trust by governing our civilization ever since—but in a humble way, from afar, while simultaneously finding subtle ways to improve our nature, our elements, and our constitution for generation after generation. So long as we've maintained harmony, she's kept order and structure to the otherwise wild world, and even the seas bow to her majesty to this day.
“And never once has she sought to dominate or conquer the outlying colonies,” Theanim Mane said, adjusting the lens on his camera while sitting in the bobbing boat alongside Rainbow. A dozen or two meters away, the other canoe twirled in circles while Flare and Silver sought for signs of Ultimo. “Verlaxion is beyond mighty. Even the mountains answer to her breath.” He pointed towards the western horizon. “If she desired, in one fell swoop, she could bury Kihutaja and all of its neighboring archipelagos in a frozen wave of righteous wrath.”
“Uh huh,” Rainbow muttered, her eyes locked on the ocean.
“But that's not Verlaxion's way,” Theanim said, ears twitching. “She tolerates free thinking. Even if it is heretical.” He chuckled. “If the Kihutajans and other Colonialists like them wish to deny the Queen's glory day in and day out, so be it. They're simply robbing their own lives of the warmth and contentment of a proper understanding of the world that we live in.” He bore a bitter sweet smile. “I'm most certain she pities them... as I do. Ponies such as your companions, Sinrar and Nick.”
“Mmmhmmmm...” Rainbow continued staring into the seas.
Theanim arched an eyebrow at the mare. “Rohbredden has never harbored ill-will towards our distant kin. They're like long-lost foals, really. Their independence has made them strong, yes, but also arrogant. But must they continue to preach to us their... nihilistic view of this complex world? The sea's ice didn't melt so that we might freeze it all over again with heartlessness! Yes, it may truly be hard to wrap one's head around the concept of a being as powerful as Verlaxion, but science is a noble pursuit of both truth and enlightenment. And what can possibly be more enlightening than coming to understand the glorious nature of our Queen at work in the world around us?”
“Anything yet, Twilight?” Rainbow muttered, perhaps thinking that Theanim wouldn't hear her. “Mmmmff... well, keep looking... or sensing. Whatever.”
Theanim cleared his throat, leaning forward. “...has she ever issued you detailed catechisms for meritorious piety?”
Rainbow Dash flung him a twisted look. “Buh?”
Theanim smiled. “This 'Twilight' whom you're so keen on communing with?”
“What?! Pffft!” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Twilight's no goddess—er... I mean... dang it.” Rainbow face-hoofed. “Grnnfff...” She glared off into the wavy horizon. “Pay me no mind.”
“It's hard not to,” Theanim said. “It's alright. I promise I won't judge. I'm simply curious. Is 'Twilight' a deity where you're from?”
“Uhhhh...”
“There are outlying archipelagos so remote across the ocean that their inhabitants attribute deification to the most remarkable of natural elements,” Theanim orated. “It's nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it's written that the Queen Verlaxion finds flattery in such theologies, for they are inevitably tied to the immortal legend that carries her name—”
“Look, dude... no offense...” Rainbow groaned. “I'm trying to spear me a giant behemoth fish monster thingy. Your constant religion talk is a tad bit friggin' distracting.”
“Yeah!” Kaji spat, sharpening his spear. “Not to mention a total buzzkill, Thunker Meat!”
Theanim gave the Nealender a double-take. “Really?! You would label the topic as such?!”
“It's only because you complicate it so much with your blasted landwalker words!” Kaji growled. “The Queen of All Things gives us fish everyday!” He shrugged. “Simple as that! No need for such big whoop!”
“What he said,” Sora said, chuckling.
Theanim frowned. “Well, forgive me for contemplating the natural day to day realities of our struggle with the elements! She has blessed your lagoon with a piece of her frosted might! Surely that's a sign that Verlaxion matters in all facets of the Atoll!”
“Look, trust me, Ebo—er... I-I mean Theanim.” Rainbow groaned, then turned to face him with an exasperated expression. “I've trotted these circles before... and barely lived to tell about it.”
“Oh?” Theanim smiled. “Then by all means, Ms. Dash, do tell about it.”
“Yes!” Sora smirked. “This I wanna hear! Ultimo's certainly not blowing his hole anytime soon!”
“Hah!” Kaji barked.
Rainbow glanced to the side, as if a pony was occupying that space. At last, she muttered, “There was a place I once visited... a place even more remote than this Atoll. It was called 'Durandana,' and it was populated by a bunch of pegasi. They were... kinda like the ponies who live here, only they were waaaaaaaaay more into their religion... erm... no offense.”
“None taken,” Kaji said, smiling. “I've been known to skip prayers over morning fish.”
“Among other morning activities,” Sora muttered. “At least a proper musician knows to thank Verlaxion before tooting his horn.”
“Grrrghhh... I'm tossing you the first moment we spot Ultimo break the waves, brother.”
“You're on!”
Rainbow smirked, then continued, “Well, anyway, the Durandanans had their wholllle society built around this super detailed belief system. And, y'know, it was pretty schnazzy... except for one thing.”
“And what was that?” Theanim asked.
“I... uh...” Rainbow avoided his gaze. “...I-I sorta knew more about what they believed in. Like... I came from a place with a detailed history that proved that their entire faith was based on a gross misinterpretation of really basic facts. Like, if I wanted to, I could have systematically taken their creed apart, thread by thread, right before their very eyes.”
Theanim stared at her. He gulped and said, “What did you do?”
Rainbow leaned back with a solid expression. “I left them the way I found them.”
“You didn't attempt discrediting their theology?”
Rainbow shook her head.
“And why not, if I may ask?” Theanim gestured. “If your friend Sinrar was here, I'm certain he'd say you allowed these Durandanans to 'drown in ignorance.' Heh.”
Rainbow shook her head. “Oh, hardly, dude. I left them the Sword of Solstice so that they could communicate w—” She stopped in mid-sentence, grimacing. “Ahem... I left them something that would allow them to... uh... pursue other ways of embracing the world. But I chose to leave it at that. I had every reason to tear their belief systems to shreds. And in some ways, perhaps I kinda did. But I stopped before I went too far. At least, I like to think so.”
“Do I detect a hint of remorse in your voice?” Theanim said. “You strike me as a mare of integrity, Rainbow Dash. Surely if you were convinced of a righteous truth, you would have done your best to convince others of it.”
“The Durandanans have been living in harmony for years and years.” Rainbow shrugged. “Who am I to have bucked all of that to dust just because I believed differently?”
“Even if you're convinced they didn't believe in the truth?”
Rainbow stared squarely at Theanim. “We all live in ignorance, Mr. Mane.” She shrugged. “Even if we can prove everything scientifically, or if we've got the Goddess herself on our shoulders, we're all in this crazy world to learnmore than what we're capable of... and what we're incapable of. Anyone who figures they've got it all figured out is either lying or demented or just really scared of being honest with herself.” She gulped. “I can tell you're chomping at the bit to have me figured out, dude. Well, get in line, cuz I'm trying to figure it out too. Whether it's Durandana... the Nealand Atoll... or Rohbredden, it's all just bumps along the ride. It so happens that this Ultimo is a really nasty bump and I'd very much like to smooth him out, ya feel me?”
Theanim gazed at her in silence, his muzzle agape.
“Ugh... see? This is why I hate talking for no reason.” She flapped her wings and took towards the air. “I'm gonna give the waves another flyby. You guys... er... do your 'whoop' thing if you see so much as a single scale. Okay?” Fwooosh! “Cool beans.”
By now, those in the Order may be wondering why I've chosen to commit such a lengthy entry to the topic of this peculiar stranger. Never mind the fact that I've veritably run out of all other natural observances to chronicle during my prolonged stay here in Nealend. Rainbow Dash is simply unlike any other traveler who's wandered by here before. She possesses an exotic exterior, for sure, but it goes far deeper than that.
This mare possesses the tenacious attitude of a brutish grunt, and yet—when prodded—she exemplifies tempered wisdom and moral integrity. I may not be inclined to share in her relatively apathetic approach to spirituality, but I can certainly grasp her reasoning behind possessing it. It's rather clear that she's traveled across many, many seas, and she's had to afford herself a social compass that can accommodate all of the differences—or perhaps none of the differences.
Which leads me to wonder: where exactly is she headed? What or where is the destination of her voluminous journeys? She's brought up the East Edge several times in conversation, but surely that can't be it. Despite her standoffish opinions, the mare's got a keen interest in the Shard of Verlaxion. Surely no sea or wind would imprison her here anyways. No sane creature would dare to confront Ultimo unless there was some purpose to be had... or if the pony in question possessed some undisclosed edge.
To put it lightly, the mare is a marvel to behold, and the only troubling thing—to me, at least—is her curious insistence on convincing the locals that her presence here is something ordained by Verlaxion.
“And just what freaks you out about that, anyways?” Rainbow asked, munching through a bowl of leaves and coconut bits.
Theanim Mane sat down across from her in the light of the night's bonfire. “Simply that you don't believe it.”
Rainbow froze in mid-munch.
A few spaces away, Sinrar and Nick looked up from their meals.
“Not to say that there aren't ponies in Rohbredden and beyond who truly believe that they are ordained prophets of the Queen of All Things,” Theanim said. “But such pour souls are almost always victims of delusional madness, brought on by the seas and the mists beyond, no doubt.” He smiled. “And though I can tell you've got much salt water under your wings, Miss Dash, I do not perceive you as a mad pony. Not even remotely.”
“You sure of that?” Sinrar muttered, sketching out a map of the village around them. In the distant shadows, Nealenders and foreigners alike sat in clusters, chatting and laughing the night away. “She's so butt-hungry for throwing herself into the jaws of an oversized lamprey.”
“Not like it's of much use,” Rainbow Dash muttered, digging lethargically at her bowl of greens. “Ultimo isn't showing his snout for anyone or anything anymore.”
“Yeah, fancy that,” Nick said. “The Swan Song is going along nicely. With just another day's worth of work, I can totally make her seaworthy again!”
“Yeah, so what, larva?” Sinrar remarked.
Nick blinked. “... so... uhm...” He fidgeted. “What's holding us back?” He looked across the wooden food trays at Rainbow Dash. “If Ultimo isn't showing his face, we could just... cast off, right?”
Rainbow's ears perked up. “I'm not done here, kiddo.”
“But...” Nick smiled nervously. “Didn't you and... ahem... you-know-who discuss this with the Princesses? There are Five Seeds, but you only need to find four of them.”
“That's not even certain.”
“The smegma muffin's got a point,” Sinrar said. “The damned ice junk here is shattered. What's the point in bringing back the whirlpool?”
“Will you please not speak so disrespectfully of Verlaxion's divine gift here?” Theanim frowned. “I can only tolerate so much.”
“Oh, great...” Sinrar rolled his eyes. “Do you really want to go through this idiocy again?”
“Good sir, if you're so keen to invoke the wrath of the Queen—” Theanim started to stand up.
Rainbow Dash stretched her wings out, silencing the air. She took a deep breath and calmly said: “I can fix this.”
“Fix what?” Nick remarked, squinting. “For all we know, Ultimo's vanished! I'd say we should take advantage of the situation, sail out into open seas, then get a fleet to come in and smoke him out for good!” He glanced at the others, shrugging. “Colonialists. Continentalists. Whoever. I don't care!”
“If... this is possible, then I might finally be able to cast off the Midnight Dreary,” Theanim said. “But... I'm not certain that's a wise idea.”
“Mr. Mane is right,” Rainbow Dash said. “Every Nealender I've talked to has confirmed that once a boat—any boat—gets far enough out, it becomes food for... Ultimo...” Rainbow's lips parted. She gazed straight forward in sudden epiphany. “That's it, Twilight!” She blinked. Hard. “We've been sticking too close to the Atoll! I've got the Shard and the Whirlpool stuck in my mind! What we really need to do—”
“—is sail far enough out into open waters!” Theanim exclaimed. He bore a smile. “Surely that will summon the beast!”
“Omigosh omigosh!” Rainbow stood up, nearly knocking over her bowl of greens. “I've got to tell Kaji and the others!”
Theanim chuckled. “Do finish your meal first, Miss Dash,” he said. “Without a meat diet, a pegasus like you will need all the energy she can get to accomplish such a feat tomorrow.”
“Wow, you're quick to take her side again,” Sinrar said.
Theanim squinted his way. “Why, whatever do you mean, sir?”
“Hah! Just that a few minutes ago you were ready to bite her head off.”
“I was not!” Theanim clenched his jaw, then sighed. “I just... don't agree with her tactics. Not entirely.”
“Harumph!” Sinrar adjusted his bifocals.
“I don't get it.” Rainbow squatted back down, taking a bite out of her leaves. “Mrmmffff—what don't you dig about it?”
“You've made it clear that you're not entirely faithful to the concept of Verlaxion.”
“Well, ponies of a feather...” Nick said, smirking at Sinrar.
Theanim sighed and continued: “I just think it's... borderline hypocritical to take that stance and then take advantage of simple island culture.”
“Bah! 'Simple,' he says!” Sinrar said.
“Dr. Dude...” Rainbow droned, then glanced at Theanim. “Look, I'm not a big fan of it myself.”
“Then why do it?”
“... … …” Rainbow stared blankly at him. Eventually, she said: “There are big things at play here. Really big things.”
“As you're evidently inclined to believe,” Theanim said. “The Nealenders? Not quite so much. They're helping you out of simple enthusiasm—not to mention the kindness of their own hearts. But, for the most part, you've earned that kindness by appealing towards their faith... or perhaps solicitating towards it. But what if this mission you're on spares you—but sacrifices them to Ultimo? They'll perish believing they've done their part for Verlaxion, but will that truly have been the case?”
“I... I'm not going to let it come to that, though!” Rainbow's voice cracked. Her head spontaneously jerked to the side, and she barked: “I won't! I've got this, Twi—” She seethed, turning towards Theanim again with a forced smile. “I've got this!”
“Even Verlaxion, in all her majesty, cannot stop all suffering,” Theanim said. “But at least she has the wherewithal to speak the truth to her beloved subjects.”
“Are you really certain about that, Monsieur Mane?” Sinrar droned.
“Yes,” Theanim said, eyes sharp. “I am.” He glared Rainbow's way. “Miss Dash, you strike me as a mare of many talents. But all of the gifts in the world mean nothing without integrity. Above all else, I respect honesty. I'm not alone in this. Most subjects of Verlaxion share the same respect. If you're expecting to get anywhere in Rohbredden or beyond, then it's truth that will take you the furthest. It's a far stronger force than any tailwind; of that I can assure you.”
Sinrar glanced quietly at Nick, then at Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash gazed at the photographer for a long while. A glint of starlight flickered across her eyes before she finally said: “Do you really... really want the truth?”
Theanim took a deep breath. “Do you think I'm incapable of handling it?”
Rainbow bit her lip. Once more, she glanced nervously at an empty space beside her.
“Miss Dash...” Theanim smiled. “I'm a scientist, an observer, and an explorer. But, most of all, I am an adult. Faith in Verlaxion might make foals of us all, but foals are meant to grow and learn. Please... I would very much like to know about you... and what you believe in.”
The mare fidgeted somewhat.
“And I think the Nealenders deserve to know too,” Theanim said bluntly.
Rainbow Dash opened her muzzle, lingered, then said: “You want the truth?” Her ears twitched. “Okay then. Here it comes.”
After much labor and persistence, I was finally successful in getting Rainbow Dash to open up about her past, her beliefs, and her journey. In many ways, I can now understand her hesitation in sharing such information so swiftly. It's quite a lot to take in, and there are certain parts of the seas where the culture might consider the claims to be outright heretical. Thankfully, we in the Order are a great deal more civilized when it comes to digesting wild and sometimes even shocking ideas.
I must preface this part of the entry by first relating one of the boldest claims that Rainbow Dash had to give. Supposedly, there has been a great transformation to the Blight that has—for all recorded history—made the seas west of the former colonies unnavigable. Rainbow Dash's traveling companions support this claim, which I found quite interesting. If there's any truth to this, then surely the main continent of Rohbredden will have already heard of it from sea sailing merchants traveling east from the Kihutajan Archipelago and beyond. While I'm writing this, however, the news comes with quite a shock. It would appear as though the waters bordering Kihutaja and the outlying ports have become tame. What's more, the anti-magic field is no longer in effect. Unicorns can perform spells with absolutely zero resistance, and pegasi can fly with the greatest of ease.
At the precise time that this happened, Rainbow Dash supposedly arrived at the Kihutaja Marine Colonial Academy. It was there that she befriended Nick and Professor Sinrar and proceeded to divulge her tale to them. She claimed to have not only arrived from a point west of the collapsing Blight, but that there're multiple continents, oceans, and—yes—even civilizations located beyond the impenetrable barrier, a thing she'd curiously referred to as the 'Grand Choke,' for such is what the ponies on the other side have called it.
This is quite a heavy claim, and it contradicts everything we've known about the world since Queen Verlaxion unified the Six Tribes. That being said, if there is—in fact—a truth to the collapse of the Blight, then it's not entirely improbable for there to be races of sentient beings existing on a terrestrial land mass west of us that had previously been separated from us by the untameable elements. Rainbow Dash could very easily be one such estranged being, and it would certainly explain many of the curious idiosyncrasies about her personality, character, and behavior.
However, it's what she's proceeded to share beyond that initial proclamation that I find incomprehensibly baffling, and I suspect that the rest of the Order will share my same feelings of disbelief and incredulity.
According to Miss Dash, we exist on the edge of an enormous flat plane—a world that is at least six times the size of Rohbredden and the ocean that surrounds it. In her travels, she's flown over three separate continents—all enormous land masses that dwarf the countries belonging to the Six Tribes. She's described cultures of sentient reptiles, minotaurs, and tiny bipedal misanthropes known “goblins.” According to her, some equine civilizations are so proficient in magic that they can conjure fire, invade one's mind, and even make mountains fly. There are supposed wars fought in the air between flying machines, with mechanical devices that can launch burning projectiles at one another faster than a pony can blink.
But it's when Rainbow Dash provides the details of her home country that her story gets even more hyperbolic. She speaks of a race of ponies called 'alicorns'—giant equines with both the wings of pegasi and the horns of unicorns. These alicorns, it would seem, possess immortal years, with some of them being old enough to remember the world before it supported life as we know it today. Two of these alicorns—the matriarchs Celestia and Luna—are personally responsible for controlling the very sun and moon that revolve around our kingdom, and they've seated their thrones in the Heart of Equestria which—according to Rainbow Dash—is the center of the world's light side.
“Light Side.” That in and of itself is a term that suggests that there's a dark side as well. Rainbow Dash uses these descriptors to paint the image of the world we live on: a plane that apparently has an opposite face upon which several nondescript creatures exist in an environment of perpetual twilight and darkness. Rainbow Dash doesn't have much information on these incomprehensibly grim cultures, save for what she's learned from the immortal creatures she's crossed paths with. What intrigues me the most is that the mare claims to be on a dire quest to reach some destination situated on the Dark Side of the world. This would mean that she's been flying an incomprehensible distance of miles from her homeland. It would also imply that she must... forge the East Edge where the ocean falls in order to reach the other face of this worldly plane.
It goes without saying that there is no logical way for any of this to be true. A world of the size she's describing would surely collapse from its own mass, forming a new spherical shape in order to accommodate the laws of gravity. What's more: magic has a limit. Nothing can exceed the power exerted by the mighty Verlaxion. Leylines cancel themselves out when they reach a maximum output, which has always explained the existence of the Blight. And I'm quite certain that the rest of the Order—like me—considers the very notion of pegasus/unicorn hybrids controlling the heavens to be so ludicrous that it's not even worth entertaining the thought with intellectual debate.
Still, it cannot be denied that Rainbow Dash quite ardently believes in her own tale. She's shared everything with immense confidence and bravado. Not once has she fumbled in providing the details of her account. Now, most assuredly, any common charlatan could come up with the same tale and give the details with equal amounts of aplomb. But, even with that possibility in consideration, why would the mare be so adamant about making a seemingly suicidal trip to an unimaginably bleak destination? And how would throwing herself at the scales of Ultimo act as a means to an end in this scenario?
One way or another, the Shard of Verlaxion here in Nealend factors into Rainbow Dash's journey. I find that detail particularly striking, especially now that I learn that there are several other spots along the ocean and the body of Rohbredden that she plans to visit. But for what purpose? If Rainbow Dash believes in inexplicably powerful civilizations and godline pony races, then just how does Verlaxion fall into her cosmology?
I've already written before that the mare's not mad. She might act mad, but there's more to it—I'm convinced. I've already begun learning that there's more to her than just a common adventurer, and it would seem that her courage has spread swiftly among others, hence the companions she's effortlessly picked up.
She's been remarkably up front so far. Now, if only I could get her to finally come out with her opinion on the Queen of All Things.
“There are five Divines who've lived on this plane for eons and eons,” Rainbow Dash said, sitting on a mound of sand across from Theanim Mane. The morning sunrise bloomed over the horizon as a gentle breeze rolled through the palm trees above them. “Just how long? I'm not sure. Celestia and Luna say that they found them when the alicorns arrived here.”
“I see...” Theanim Mane scribbled onto a sheet of paper, taking notes. He sat against the trunk of a palm tree with the waters of the blue lagoon rippling gently towards his right. “But—allow me to guess—they weren't nearly as powerful as your goddesses.”
Rainbow clenched her eyes shut, stifled a sigh, and said, “For the last time. Celestia and Luna are not our goddesses. I mean... yeah... they're pretty darn powerful, but in the end they're all flesh and blood like you and me.” She opened her eyes with a tired smile. “I even met a pony who was part alicorn: Queen Whitemane of Emeraldine.”
“Oh?” Sinrar spoke up. He was sitting on a log a few spaces away, fully awake upon the crest of dawn. A slumbering, drooling Nick was curled up against the old stallion's shoulder. “You've never mentioned that part, harpy.”
“Look... it's a lot of details,” Rainbow said, rolling her eyes. “And if I have to explain this whole darn thing every friggin' time I meet a pony who talks—”
“Let's get back on track, then,” Theanim said with a smile. “So... these Divines—”
“There are five of them,” Rainbow said. “And they each are—like—super friggin' powerful. Heck... they're probably more powerful than Luna and Celestia. But they've either kept to themselves for thousands of years or they've... erm... well... I'll get to that. Ahem.” She gestured with her hooves. “There's Axan, Nevlamas, Endrax... uhhh... Sturke...”
“Uh huh...” Theanim nodded, writing the names down. “Yes...?”
“... … ...” Rainbow clenched her teeth. “And Verlax.”
The stallion looked up. “Verlaxion, you mean...”
“Beats me where the name change came,” Rainbow said. “But that's what I was taught.”
“So you mean to suggest that the great Queen Verlaxion is one of these... Divines?”
“Right.”
“Well, it's certainly a flattering title,” Theanim said with a slight smirk. “Although, if Verlaxion had possessed siblings, much less a complicated past, then surely she would have informed all of her subjects.”
“Or maybe it wouldn't have been convenient for her to have done that,” Sinrar grumbled. “Maybe she didn't want you to know the truth. Ever think of that?” A beat. He shook his shoulder with a grunt.
Thwump! Nick fell to the sand and snapped awake. “Unnff... huh?” He blinked every which way, his muzzle blemished with sand. “Flare? Was it too sticky? My bad, girl.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes and turned to look at Theanim again. “I don't know much about Verlax, but I do know quite a bit about the other Divines.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I've met them,” Rainbow Dash said. She bit her lip. “Well... two of them.”
Theanim paused writing so he could fold his forelimbs. “Really, now?”
“Er... yeah. Axan and Nevlamas.”
“Your travels are starting to get more and more colorful, Miss Dash,” Theanim said, chuckling slightly. “I suppose now you'll tell me that you've made a venture into the stars themselves for a season.”
“Hey, just let her tell her damn story, bricon!” Sinrar rasped.
Theanim waved a hoof. “I jest. I jest.”
“Yeah, well I don't,” Rainbow said. “I've for real met two Divines and on each occasion I almost lost my life. And—at the risk of sounding extra 'colorful,' I pretty much bled out my whole body the first time I crossed with Axan!”
“You make them sound like horrible, ravenous beasts.”
“Well... close enough.” Rainbow shuddered. “They're dragons.”
Sinrar blinked at Rainbow Dash upon hearing that.
Theanim squinted. “I beg your pardon?”
“You know... dragons,” Rainbow said.
Dead silence filled the beachside.
“... … ...I just dreamt that whole thing in the K.M.C.A. boathouse, didn't I?” Nick muttered. Whack! “Ow! Don't tell me you're using coconuts now!”
“Piss backwards, larva.” Sinrar turned towards Rainbow with dull eyes. “I think some explanation is in order.”
“Huh?” Rainbow Dash blinked. She jolted suddenly, and Theanim watched her tilt her head towards the space beside her. After a few seconds, she facehoofed, sighed, then said: “Dragons are ancient creatures. Large. Reptilian in appearance. They live for centuries—some for even eons. They're big on hoarding and breathing fire, and the most powerful ones are really good at magic. At the very top of the dragon chain are the Divines—who are all matriarchs that give birth to—like—whole nests of smaller dragons. The alicorns found them here when they first stumbled upo—”
“Wait wait wait wait...” Theanim held his hooves out, grimacing. “...are you telling me that Queen Verlaxion is... one of these creatures?”
“Erm...”
“That she is—in fact—a reptilian beast that breathes fire and gives birth to dozens of smaller beasts?”
“I... uh...” Rainbow cleared her throat. “Remember the 'really good at magic' part?”
“Assuredly...”
“Well, part of that is shape-shifting. I've heard from a reliable—well...” She winced slightly, slicking her mane back. “From a believable source that she's really good at it. On top of that, both Luna and Celestia—who have met the Divines in the past—tell me that Verlax is very wise and... erm... crafty.”
“Crafty.”
“Yessir.”
Theanim's brow furrowed. “Are you aware that such a term carries with it a negative connotation?”
“I am,” Sinrar said.
Theanim turned towards him. “Do you actually believe this whole account?”
“You wanna know the truth, Colonialist?” Sinrar waved a hoof towards Rainbow Dash. “It's the first time I've heard all of these dragon details myself.”
“Wouldn't have been very digestible if I just came out with all this stuff on day one, ya think?” Rainbow said.
“No, but it certainly would have kept me awake like you're doing now,” the old pony said. He inched away from the yawning Nick. “Hrmmff... you certainly come from a wild world, but that dagger did me in.”
“Ah.” Theanim nodded. “The... Val Venis artifact, yes?”
“Val Roa, imbecile!”
“Right. But of course.” Theanim sighed, rubbing his head. “I'm trying...”
“Oh, I'm quite alright.” Theanim nevertheless snorted. “I'm only getting an earful about how my esteemed deity and matriarch is supposely some giant malevolent reptile in disguise.”
“Look, I haven't met your... Queen Verlaxion,” Rainbow Dash said. “But I've met her sisters.”
“Yes, so you've claimed—”
“Pssst—Hear me out!” Rainbow Dash gestured while speaking. “You remember how I said that the alicorns are flesh and blood, like you and me?”
“Indeed.”
“Well, the same goes for the Divines. I mean, yeah, they're super powerful. But no matter how you shake it, reality makes more sense when you just... shrink everything down. That's how you realize that nothing—and nopony—is ever really friggin' invincible. I mean... heh... I'm pretty awesome, but I struggle just as much as the other pony. It takes a tough fight to get anywhere in this world, and the same goes for harmony itself... and those who strive to represent harmony.”
“I do believe you're rambling, my dear.”
“Then lemme get to the point.” Rainbow's eyes were firm. “It sounds like Verlaxion's done a lot of good for the Six Tribes. I mean... I've only seen so much, but you guys don't exactly appear to be suffering. So... like... what does it matter who or what she really, truly is?”
“It matters a great deal,” Theanim grumbled. “Verlaxion's power is an imminent thing, and she manifests herself in all nature and—”
“Uggggh... don't—just... okay okay!” Rainbow Dash waved her forelimbs. “Before you even go on with all of that knee-jerk stuff, lemme just say this. I've got nothing against Verlax. Really, I don't. Honestly, if I had my way, I'd just fly on over Rohbredden and pass her altogether.”
“Then why do I get the distinct feeling that the very notion of her makes you cringe on the inside?” Theanim asked. “You've been... so reticent to discuss her in depth before, and even now I can sense you backpedaling.”
Silence.
Even Sinrar glanced curiously at Rainbow Dash.
At last, the mare said: “It's because... with Axan and Nevlamas, I've not had very good experiences. I mean... Axan busted me up pretty badly. And Nevlamas? Well... she died.”
Theanim blinked.
“I frickin' saw her get mauled to death in the claws of her sister—Axan—the same dragon who did me in. And... and...” Rainbow Dash fidgeted. “Now, with Verlax... with this part of the world... so close to the Edge and with so much at stake...” She rubbed the back of her neck, shuddering. “I really wanna avoid her as much as I can, no matter her intentions. And... with each passing day... I-I'm starting to think that such a thing really isn't very possible.”
Theanim Mane gazed at her in thought. He tilted his head down, staring over his notes with muddled contemplation.
“Hmmmmmm...” Nick yawned, then lovingly nuzzled a dune of beach sand. “Thatta girl, Flare...” He cooed. “Lemme show you my paddles...”
“Whew-wee!” Nick stepped back from the Swan Song in the full daylight. He smiled, gazing proudly at a patch of metal along the port side of the trimaran. The hull had been almost completely restored, with little to no signs of the spots where a certain sea serpent had once bit into the craft. “That about does it! Now I just gotta test her for water leaks.”
“You're talking about the boat, right?” Sinrar muttered.
Nick spun to blink at him. “What?”
Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash, Theanim Mane, and the usual group of Nealenders trotted out towards their rafts along the southwest edge of the land strip.
“How's she doing, kiddo?” Rainbow remarked.
“Uhhh... ask the Professor!” Nick frowned, folding his forelimbs. “He seems to be keeping better track than I am!”
“The larva's gotta gunk it up some,” Sinrar said. “Otherwise, she's as good as she ever was. Which isn't saying much.”
Nick sighed. “I wonder why I even bother...”
“Well, so long as you don't seal it with each other's blood, then we're good!” Rainbow exclaimed. “We're going to take Ultimo down for sure today!”
“Hah!” Kaji laughed, grinning as he became the first to reach the two rafts. “You're rather zealous to get sunburnt, landwalker!”
“I don't see you calling it quits for the day.”
“It's either this or dig a new latrine with clamshells.” Kaji waved at the other natives. “Quick, brothers! Dive to the drink or strike coral! Whoop!”
“Verlaxion spare me,” Theanim muttered, awkwardly pulling himself into Kaji's and Sora's boat. “I'm nearly out of film.”
“Don't give up yet, Dr. Dude,” Rainbow said with a smirk, hovering above the boats as the islanders shoved them out into the surf. “We're going to see some scales today.”
“Or maybe we'll peel some,” Silver said as he collected the spears in his canoe. “What I wouldn't give for a new breastplate.” He squinted over at Flare. “Something the matter, Flare? Care to give us more thrust?”
The pegasus glanced back at the shoreline as they glided out. “Why's the needlepoint waving at me this whole time?”
“Don't worry about him,” Rainbow muttered. “He's mostly harmless. Kinda feels like a pillow when you land on him.”
“What's the landwalker's name?”
“Nick,” Rainbow answered.
“Nick?! Ha!” Flare smirked. “I bet I could conquer him!”
Theanim spat the contents of a canteen he was sipping from.
“Please.” Rainbow smirked. “You'll make things too easy.”
“Hmmmf. Whatever you say, sister.” Flare yawned and resumed beating her wings. “But with a mane like that, I'm certain he could fly far after a good toss.”
“Aaaaaaaand back to the sea serpent.”
“I don't quite understand, landwalker.” Sora leaned forward in the raft. “How will our tactics allow us better luck with Ultimo today?”
“We've been doing it all wrong,” Rainbow said. She took a glance at Twilight Sparkle, rolled her eyes, and said: “I've been making us do it all wrong.” She pointed at the Atoll growing distant behind them. “We shouldn't be gliding circles around this thing just 'cuz that's what Ultimo does. What draws Ultimo out is fresh meat.”
“The more distance we put between ourselves and the island, the more likely we'll draw the beast's attention,” Theanim said. “Such is Miss Dash's hypothesis.”
“Ah! He'll figure us for new landwalkers! Such as when you arrived the other day!” Kaji grinned. “That explains why we've only been able to draw blood from him when newcomers arrive!”
“You really think it's that simple?” Silver remarked from a few feet away in his boat. “I can't imagine what would make Ultimo attack in that way.”
“Maybe biting onto Verlaxion's Shard has affected him somehow,” Twilight Sparkle said. “He could perceive himself as drawn into protecting the Lagoon and its contents.”
“Maybe something's gotten into Ultimo's head,” Rainbow paraphrased. “He thinks he's actually guarding the Atoll.”
“For Verlaxion's glory, yes?” Sora said.
“Uhhh... sure.”
Theanim glanced at Rainbow Dash.
“Erm...” Rainbow Dash gulped, then stammered: “I mean. Who knows. It's just an idea.”
“You seem distracted this morning, landwalker,” Kaji said, steering the boat further out to sea. “A restless sleep, perhaps?”
“I didn't get much of it, actually.”
“We were up late, discussing the glory of Verlaxion,” Theanim said.
“Oh really?”
Rainbow glanced sideways at Theanim.
“Hey... a completely curious and random inquiry...” Theanim leaned forward. “What would you and your brothers and sisters think if you found out—dramatically and overnight—that the Great Queen Verlaxion was actually no more than a giant reptilian beast in disguise?
Both Rainbow and Twilight winced simultaneously.
The boats slowed slightly with a rattle of the collected spears. Kaji and Flare paused in propelling their respective canoes, turning to squint at the photographer. Sora and Silver exchanged glances.
Silence—save for the ripple of waves.
“Snkkkt—hah hah hah hah!” Kaji laughed mightily.
Flare covered her muzzle to suppress a giggle. Sora gazed at the rest of the group, smiling.
“Quite the imagination, Thunker Meat,” Silver said from the other boat. “Perhaps the sun stroke is finally getting to you.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow wheezed, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Imagine that...”
“Although...” Silver's horn glistened in the morning light as he looked across the ocean waves. “If Verlaxion truly possessed such a bizarre form, that would be quite radical.”
Theanim nearly went cross-eyed. “Radical...?”
“Well, think about it!” Flare chirped. “Would you rather be blessed by a boring ol' frost pony, or a giant ice snake?”
“It'd explain why Ultimo's guarding the Atoll for her!” Sora chuckled. “Yaaaaay lizard goddess!”
“Hah! You suppose when she sheds, that creates the winter?” Kaji said with a wink.
“Good heavens...” Theanim grimaced. “This is our Queen we're talking about! You... you tr-truly don't care what form she takes, do you?”
“It matters only that she blesses and rewards us!” Kaji said. “If she's to take a form, then the crazier the better!” He grinned wide. “I wouldn't want to worship a boring Goddess, would you?”
“Hahahaha!”
“Whoop!”
“Hey... now that's a nifty attitude,” Rainbow droned. She smirked aside at the Continentalist. “Wouldn't you agree?” Twilight Sparkle gave off a phantom giggle.
“Nnnngh...” Theanim Mane facehoofed, sighing. “I think I'd rather the serpent devour us now.”
Rainbow glanced aside at Twilight.
Twilight composed herself in time to shake her head. “Nothing. I sense no magic yet.”
Rainbow turned and nodded towards Kaji and Flare. “Take us out further, guys.”
Twilight Sparkle hovered invisibly around the canoe, peering deeply into the undulating waves. The two boats were nearly half a kilometer away from the western edge of the Atoll; the land strips were distant brown-and-green lines on the bobbing horizon.
“Twilight?” Rainbow coughed/uttered at the same time.
Twilight turned about, shaking her head. “Not even a spark... or a glimmer,” she said. “Rainbow...” She hovered closer, whispering as though the other ponies might somehow hear her. “What if our first encounter with Ultimo was an isolated incident?”
Rainbow glanced over her shoulder at the yawning Nealenders in their boats. “These guys are whacked-out meatheads,” Rainbow murmured under her breath. “But they're at least honest.” She glanced at the phantom unicorn. “If they claim to have 'hunted' Ultimo multiple times, then I believe them.”
“Yes, only they've never had a scale by which they could predict his appearances,” Twilight said. She gazed apathetically at the pile of spears packed inside their canoe. “It's almost as if we're grasping at straws to make anything happen.”
Rainbow smirked ever so slightly. “You're not really a fan of winging it, are you?”
“Anything that lacks a statistical scientific objectivity just...” Twilight shuddered. “...makes me feel like my insides are filled with Spike's claws raking against chalkboard.”
“So, my good mare,” Theanim spoke from where he sat beside a barely-awake Kaji. “When are you ever going to tell me about this 'Twilight?'”
Twilight blushed. Rainbow instantly clammed up.
Theanim Mane smirked. “You've told me about your Princess Luna and Princess Celestia. How exactly does Princess Twilight fit in?”
“I'm not a Princess!”
“She's not a princess,” Rainbow Dash grunted.
Theanim arched his eyebrow. “Do I detect some hostility in your tone?”
“Meh.” Rainbow slumped against the side of the canoe with a sigh. “Forgive me if I'm not a fan of you calling me out on the Verlaxion debate in front of everypony.”
“What...” Theanim gestuered towards Silver and Flare's boat off to the side. “You mean in front of our mutual serpent-hunters here?”
“It was totally uncool.”
“Still, they seemed... erm... totally un-uncool with the concepts you've divulged,” Theanim said with a smirk. “If you forgive the double negative.”
Rainbow turned her head and squinted at the stallion. “...I can't tell when you're serious about stuff or when you're not.”
“I am seriously curious,” Theanim said. “Ever and always. Your visualizations on Verlaxion cosmology are quite intriguing—”
“They're not visualizations, Dr. Dude,” Rainbow grumbled. “They're observations.”
“And how do you know you're not deluding yourself?”
Rainbow sat straight up with a snarling tone to her voice: “Because I'm not you!”
Kaji snorted, then rolled back into sleep.
Theanim, meanwhile, frowned at the mare. “Well, now that's rather harsh—”
“Is it?!” Rainbow gnashed her teeth. “At least I've flown out into the real world and put myself into places to observe everything! Even if I had a faith in my Princesses and in Harmony, I'd sure as heck have had them tested by now!”
“And just what would you have learned?”
“Simply this!” Rainbow sat up straight across from him. “Princesses or Goddesses... Queens or Divines... what matters in life is you and how you decide to deal with crud! You don't learn the same thing by sitting on a pile of all of yesterday's dusty dogma and pretending to call it scientific message!”
“That's scientific 'method,'” Twilight said. She smiled. “But, all things considered, bravo!”
“Twilight, I've got this—srnkkk!” Rainbow winced. “Stop catching me off-guard, will ya!”
Theanim couldn't help but blink. “...I don't know if you're insanely brilliant or brilliantly insane.”
“What's it even matter to you?!” She frowned at the stallion. “You know, for a photographer, you could stand to open your eyes more!”
Theanim's ears folded back. When he spoke, it was in a curiously soft tone: “What do you think I've been trying to do, Miss Dash?”
Rainbow gazed at him, panting at the end of her outburst. She was briefly at a loss of words.
“Uhhh... Rainbow?” Twilight murmured, squirming in mid-air.
“From now on,” Rainbow Dash droned. “I don't wanna hear another word about Verlaxion or the Scientific Order or the Six Tribes.” She frowned. “Let's just keep things to Ultimo and the Shard, alright?”
“Rainbow...?!” Twilight spun faster and faster circles around the canoe.
“If you wanna begin your own philosophical journey, do it on your own time, buddy,” Rainbow snarled. “I'm busy doing far more important things!”
“Rainbow!” Twilight hollered in the pegasus' ear.
Rainbow jerked to the side. “Friggin' what?!?” Almost instantly, her wings drooped.
A giant mass had formed beneath the waves, growing larger and larger. The surface of the ocean began bubbling.
“Is there something the matter, Miss Dash?” Theanim remarked, standing up.
“It'll be here in seconds, Rainbow!” Twilight's voice cracked. “I've never sensed something that big move so fast before—”
“He's here! He's here!” Rainbow shouted, hovering up from where she sat. “Uhm... evasive splashing... or something!”
“Snkkkt—Huh?” Kaji awoke, eyes bleary. “What?”
“Ultimo? Pffft!” Sora smirked. “I don't see so much as a tadpole!”
“Unnnngh!” Rainbow tossed her eyes—and her mane. “Hold on!” She zipped towards the rear of the canoe and gave it a mighty shove.
“Hey!” Kaji yelped, falling over against Theanim in the canoe. “That's my job! What do you think you're doing... land... … walker...” His breath gave way as he felt the spray of water from every fathomable direction. Flare and Silver yelped from the adjacent vessel.
“Don't be silly,” Nick said, sealing the edges of the freshly patched hull. “If worse comes to worse, I'd buy her a wig.”
“Oh please...” Sinrar rolled his eyes, lounging in the shade of a palm tree a few spaces away from where the younger stallion worked on the Swan Song. The old professor fanned himself and smirked. “You'll never bring the bird back to K.M.C.A. So why bother daydreaming about it?”
“Okay, for one—don't call mares 'birds.' It's not polite.”
“She's got wings, though, eh?”
“Not all pegasi are the same!” Nick pouted. “Flare's nothing at all like Rainbow Dash, so stop comparing her to the harpy—I mean...” His purple eyes crossed.
“Hah hah hah hah!” Sinrar laughed.
“Hrmmmf...” Nick folded his forelimbs. “Why do you friggin' care anyways?”
“Huzzuwhat?”
“Stop acting as if there's an ounce of you inside that crusty old shell that would give a darn about my romantic exploits.”
“Nothing romantic about a ship that was sunk long before it was cast off, larva,” Sinrar said. “Besides... who says it'd be you doing the exploiting. Hrmmmf. Young idiots these days just don't know what they're trotting into.”
Nick squinted at the graying pegasus. “...you are concerned about me, aren't you?”
“Hmmm?” Sinrar blinked, then frowned. “Merde! The sun's gotten to your empty head! Give it a rest already...”
“Heheheheh...” Nick grinned. “I never thought I'd feel so tingly inside.”
“Shove off!” Sinrar barked. “Sorry to crush your dreams, but I'm not putting a dress on and asking you to the ball.”
“Heh.” Nick turned once more towards the Swan Song. “The only thing that'd ever date you, old stallion, is one of those ancient deer from beyond the Blight that you've dug up.”
“For the last time, I never dug up any of the Val Roans—” Sinrar's speech cut off. His pupils shrank as he sat up in a shocked stupor. “Mon dieu...”
“Hmm?” Nick traced the professor's line of sight. He gazed out into the sea, then instantly grimaced.
A gigantic skyscraper had emerged from the waters—only it wasn't a tower at all, but the lengthy hide of an enormous sea serpent lunging over three hundred feet out of the ocean's surface. It's cavernous jaws dribbled with water, snapping at the open air. After a torturous eternity, the weight of it collapsed back into the brine, sending horrendous waves rippling in every direction.
It took Rainbow Dash ten seconds to determine which way was up, another ten seconds to swim there, and about five more seconds to brace herself against a heavy wave of water disrupting the ocean's surface. When finally—finally—she could breathe, it was with a sputtering wheeze. Her eyes twitched in the bright sunlight, and she flapped her wet wings like a pelican breaking the water.
“Guh! Mmmfff... Twilight?!” Rainbow hollered, wincing. “Twilight, where are you?!”
A lavender shape emerged harmlessly out of the water. “Rainbow, I'm untouchable, remember?”
“Oh... er... yeah...” Rainbow winced while bobbing in the choppy ocean water. “Guess I just... uhhh...”
“Quick!” Twilight glided beneath the surface and emerged on the other side of the pegasus. “To the northwest! About ten feet?”
“Huh?” Rainbow twirled to face her. She followed the direction Twilight was pointing and saw a brown shape beneath the waves. “Ah jeez!” She inhaled, dove, and swam deep. Twilight guided her towards a floundering pony figure. Rainbow gripped a panicked Theanim Mane from behind, then swam the both of them to the surface.
“Mfnnghh—Verlaxion's Sleet!” Theanim spat with his first breath.
“Just try and stay calm and pony paddle like normal!” Rainbow said, floating beside him. “I'll try to find out where the others went!”
“Never mind me or the others?!” Theanim clenched his teeth, wading about in frantic circles. “Where's my camera bag?!”
Before Rainbow could respond, Twilight darted up. “Rainbow.” She pointed straight down.
Rainbow rolled her eyes, dove, and came back up—shoving a wet canvas bag into Theanim's chest. “There! Maybe it can use you as a flotation device!”
“Ha HA!” Silver's voice shouted from the distance. “Now that's one way to wake up!”
Rainbow spun to see the unicorn surfacing on a waterlogged canoe. “Dude! We can laugh later! Where are the others?!”
Flare dove up from the depths, hauling a bunch of soaked spears which she tossed into Silver's boat. “I dunno,” Silver said, pointing past Rainbow with his oar. “Maybe where the big huge mass is headed!”
“Huh?” Rainbow blinked.
“Oh dear.” Twilight dropped through the water. A few seconds later, she hovered back to the surface, her face wrought with a pale blanching expression. “It's coming back!”
“Verlaxion spare me,” Theanim stammered.
Rainbow gulped. “Don't panic, dude. I'll keep you safe.”
“No, I-I think my camera got wet inside my bag!”
“Really?!” Twilight Sparkle barked in the stallion's oblivious face. “That is all you're worried about right now?!”
“Twilight, leave the obvious emotional outbursts to me,” Rainbow said.
Theanim glanced over. “Now I know there's relevance to that name for sure—”
“I gotta find Sora and Kaji!” FWOOSH! Rainbow soared northeast with Twilight trailing after her. “Flare! Silver! Pick him up!”
“But the hunt's on!” Silver hollered. “We want to spill blood!”
“Save his first!” Rainbow sneered, skimming the waves as her figure grew more and more distant.
“Wait up, Thunker Meat!” Flare smiled, beating her wings as she guided the water-slick canoe towards the floating stallion. “If you wish to capture a glorious moment, now's the time to whip out the box of stolen souls!”
“Please...” Theanim sputtered while Silver telekinetically floated him on board. “You can't possibly pretend to be that naive.”
“Hehe... we can if it gets your dander up!” Flare said.
“Yes, then we can use your scent to attract the beast,” Silver said. “It's your fault for growing your mane long.”
“Meh.” Theanim pulled his camera out and slipped his goggles over his eyes. “It's my fault for even being here.” Gulping, he gazed nervously at the patch of ocean water directly northeast of them. “Verlaxion, give them strength.”
“If she's feeling really generous, she'll give them lots of blood to bathe in!”
“Ha ha!”
“Whoop!”
“Charming to the last breath,” Theanim muttered, aiming his camera.
Rainbow glided low over the rippling currents. She clenched her teeth, glancing left and right.
“Come on... come on...”
Foamy waves broke and cleared, but otherwise the ocean's surface remained spotless.
“They can't be completely gone!” Rainbow stammered. “There have to be parts of the boat somewhere at least—”
Twilight surfaced beneath Rainbow, facing her as she glided upside down. “I'm not seeing anything, Rainbow!”
“Well keep looking, Twi.” Rainbow looked dead ahead. A dark spot formed beneath the ocean, heading her way. “There's gotta be a good reason Ultimo's charging this way.”
“Rainbow, he's charging to get at you!” Twilight exclaimed. “You saw how high up that thing can lunge! Fly higher or else you'll be mince meat!”
“Not without finding the others!” Rainbow exclaimed.
“But Rainbow, at this point—”
“I know you're not used to tense situations, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “Rule Number One to adventuring outside of Equestria: never give up hope, no matter how dire crap is!”
“And I'm not giving up hope, Rainbow! Just—if Ultimo so much as gets one bite at you—”
“Hey! Landwalker! Over here!”
Rainbow gasped, glancing to her right.
A wet hoof waved wildly. At last, Rainbow could spot Sora and Kaji. The two were floating side by side in the waves. There was still no sign of their canoe.
“Sora?!” Rainbow squinted. She darted suddenly to the right, causing Twilight to jolt against a wall of translucent lavender. “What's wrong with Kaji?!”
“Hah! The wuss conked out!” Sora smirked, nevertheless cradling the pegasus to his chest. “Looks like the only airtime he can handle is the kind he can give himself!”
“Where the heck's the boat?!”
“Beats me! Probably shattered! Hah!” Sora looked over his shoulder as the waves began rising sharply in a trough. “Good times!”
“Rainbow—!” Twilight's voice squeaked as she pointed at the hulking mountain of scales surging towards Sora's and Kaji's position.
Rainbow stifled a gasp. “Hang on!” Swissssssh! She angled her wings sharply, diving towards the two Nealenders. “I'll get you before—”
“Get the spears, ya sand huffer!” Sora hollered.
“Huh?!” Rainbow blinked. Her gaze tilted down, and she spotted a smattering of wooden poles floating sporadically across the ocean's surface between her and her targets. “No way, dude! I'm getting you two out of—”
“Get a damn spear and then you can get me!” Sora let go of Kaji completely, waving emphatically. A gigantic snout with teeth broke the water behind him.
“He can't possibly be—” Twilight's voice cut off as she went underwater.
“Hnnnkkk!” Rainbow dove with all her might, grabbed a spear, and skimmed the surface with just inches to spare. She reached Sora just as the sea serpent reached them. The mare lobbed up a spear with the momentum of her flight.
Sora caught it, spun around—“RAAAAAAAUGH!”—and drove it deep into the nose of the charging serpent. When Ultimo's jaws opened, it lifted Sora skyward due to his grip on the lance. Kaji's body was knocked to the side, meanwhile Rainbow Dash—
“Luna poop!”
—twirled to the side. Whap! Her body pinballed off the scaled headcrest of the sea serpent. She flew upside down. Through her pained vision, she spotted a knife-sharp set of fins slicing through the wet air. She kicked her legs off the beast's hide, avoided the fins by a half-meter, then rocketed skyward to avoid the behemoth's lashing tail. She avoided the appendage—but was considerably less successful when it came to the massive jets of water being kicked up by the thing.
Splooosh!
“Guhhh!” Rainbow toppled, ensnared by a cage of hard water. Gnashing her teeth, she flapped her wings and forced her body through the liquid like a brash bullet. It was only after breaking free that she realized she was plunging straight into the ocean again. “Oh.”
THWAP! Rainbow belly-flopped hard. Somewhere in the distance, a lavender unicorn winced. “Owie.”
“Unnngh...” Rainbow went under, twirled, then came back up to the surface. By now, the oceanwater was undulating with massive swells. There was no sign of the sea serpent; there was no sign of anything. Rainbow looked around, her vision still reforming from the bright white flash of pain her bellyflap had dealt her. “Guh... no bellyrubs for months...”
Twilight finally returned to hovering upright. “Uhhh...” She looked around nervously. “...where did Sora go?”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!”
“... … …?” Rainbow looked straight up. She grimaced, then spread her limbs out wide.
WHUMP! She caught the stallion like an enormous hoofball mit. The force of the Nealender's incalculably high plunge caused the two to plunge fifteen feet underwater. They bobbed back up to the surface with Rainbow safely hugging the native from behind.
“Ow ow ow...” Rainbow shuddered. “My tummy.”
“Hah hah hah hahhhh!” Sora spat seawater and rubbed the residual sea serpent blood off his grinning muzzle. “Even better times!”
“Where did he friggin' go?!” Rainbow stammered.
“Verlaxion knows!” Sora shrugged. “Perhaps back home to its mother's teats! Hah!”
“Mmmffnngh... brother...” Sputtered a weak voice.
“Rainbow, look!” Twilight gasped.
Rainbow and Sora twirled about to see Kaji swimming upright. The stallion was awake, but wincing.
“About time you got back!” Sora said with a glistening grin. “I thought I might have to salvage your feathers for fishing lures!”
“My boat...” Kaji blinked blearily as he swam closer. “Where is it?”
Just then, a massive set of jaws emerged from the ocean behind him, spitting something out. A battered wooden missile flew at the group.
“Oh, there it is!” Sora grinned. “Hah!”
“Get down!” Rainbow hollered, shoving the two of them underwater. The slimed projectile hit the waves above them, shattering on contact.
SMASH!
“Verlaxion's sleet!” Kaji punched the water, gnashing his teeth. “I just waxed that!”
Along the southwestern shores of the Nealend Atoll, hundreds of natives ran onto the beach, cheering and whooping. Foals danced in the shallow surf while adults pointed at the massive serpent breaching the distant waves. Several natives smiled, cheered, and chest-bumped one another liberally.
A handful of stranded Continentalists gathered by the treeline, gazing worriedly at the dramatic hunt along the horizon. As Ultimo leapt out of the bursting water again, they gasped and exchanged worried looks.
“Zut alors!” Sinrar exclaimed. “It's much more massive than I thought!” He gulped, glancing aside at Nick. “You suppose the harpy is biting off more than she can chew?”
Nick merely stared at the scene, chewing hard on his lip. He dove into the Swan Song's cabin, rummaged around, then emerged with a spyglass. Squinting down the small in, he magnified the sight before him. When things came into focus, he spotted the one remaining canoe with its three equine occupants charging the mountain of disturbed water that was Ultimo's body.
The young stallion gnashed his teeth. “Ah jeez...” He lowered the spyglass, his ears folded back. “Flare, don't go nuts. That's Rainbow's job.”
“Get me closer so I can spill his blood!” Silver hollered against the spray of water. He levitated a spear on either side of him while Flare glided the canoe against the violent flow of water. “Aaaaaah-ha-ha-ha-ha!” He slapped his own chest repeatedly and mounted the boat's prow, nostrils flaring. “Open your veins, Ultimo, so I may drink you into eternity! Ha ha ha ha!”
“Better get your soul-stealer ready, Thunker Meat.” Flare grinned, aiming the boat towards the charging serpent. The air filled with mist and madness. “This is a moment you won't want to miss!”
“I'm already getting an earful, thank you, kind filly!” Theanim Mane nevertheless readied his camera—a difficult task with all of his shivering. “Oh blessed Queen protect us...”
“It's Ultimo who had better pray now!” Silver bellowed, standing up on his hind legs just as the boat hit the penultimate crest. “Yaaaaaaaugh!” He launched his body forward just as the monster breached the water. He sunk his right spear into the right side of the beast's lunging jaws. The other javelin ricocheted off a glowing set of teeth. Silver grunted, clinging on to his embedded spear. He watched in frustration as the other spear fell towards the water's surface below.
Swisssssh! Rainbow Dash swooped in, grabbed the spear, and flew alongside Ultimo's body. The front half of the serpent was diving towards the ocean while its back half humped upwards—drawn by the creature's huge weight.
“Silver—!” Twilight shouted through the watery spray.
Rainbow watched with a gawking expression as Ultimo's snout dove deep, dragging Silver's body with it. However, the entire time, Rainbow could see the glowing pulse of the unicorn's horn. It grew faint, then brighter until—SPLASSH!—the beast surfaced again with a thoroughly drenched Silver still clinging on by his spear.
“Whoop! It'll take more than that you giant rope turd! Hah!”
“Silver!” Rainbow Dash flew alongside him while the serpent skimmed the surface in a bent arc. The massive thing turned—seemingly oblivious to Silver's spear—and pursued Flare and Theanim's darting canoe. “Let go, ya melon fudge!”
“Not on your life!” Silver grinned, his muzzle drenched with seawater. “I've introduced him to pain, see?!” He pointed at the half-submerged length of the beast splashing up water behind them. “He's anchored to the surface so long as I pry his scales apart!”
“So... so wh-what now?!”
“Stab it some more!” Silver gestured with his horn. “Preferably the eye!”
“Ohhh!” Twilight grimaced, curling up into a floating ball. “Really?!”
Rainbow Dash flapped her wings harder as she gazed all across the beast's slick surface. At last she saw a twitching black orb settled in the crux of several wrinkled, circular muscles. A filmy lid snapped open and shut several times, reflecting blue sky and white clouds.
“Nnngh!” Rainbow tried perching on the beast's scale—only to slip off. She twirled and flew alongside Ultimo again. “What will blinding it do?!”
“Plenty!” Silver hollered, using his telekinesis to bore his spear deeper into the beast's bleeding flesh. “But more to it—you gotta shove hard! The eye's open access to the brain!” He spat up sea water, shifting his weight on the impalement. “Shove it deep enough and you turn the dumb thing to a vegetable!”
“Rainbow, look out!” Twilight hollered.
Rainbow gasped as a massive fin swiped at her. She dodged the blow, spun about, and stood atop the beast's skull. “Can we just try and pry the thing's jaws open so I can get at the Shard—?”
“What is this, a blood market?!” Silver yelled. “Grnnngh!” He ripped his spear out and stabbed it in again. “The only reason we've managed to have a conversation is because Ultimo's let us!”
“Let us...?!”
“Yes!” Silver pointed ahead. “The beast hungers! He'd rather eat everypony whole!”
“Everypony...” Rainbow Dash looked straight forward. “...whole?” Her pupils shrunk.
Unknowingly, Flare—in her evasive maneuvers—had steered herself towards where Kaji and Sora were treading water. Ultimo bore down on all four ponies, and Rainbow could feel herself and Silver lifting as the monster's massive jaws opened.
“He's going to devour them!” Twilight shouted.
Rainbow gnashed her teeth. She looked to her right, spotting Ultimo's front left fin. She somesaulted, slid down the beast's wet scales, then aimed the spear for the soft tissue right beneath the razor-sharp appendage. “Rrrrrgh!” She flung it straight forward.
Schliiiink! The pole embedded halfway into the quivering flesh.
A dull bass noise rippled down the full length of the serpent. As the seawater turned red, Rainbow kicked nimbly off the tumultuous waves, springing herself back towards the wounded scale. She planted her lower legs against the beast's side and clamped her teeth over the pole. Using every muscle in her body, she twisted savagely at the impaling weapon—finally yanking towards the waters.
Ultimo's fin twitched, going numb. The beast suddenly veered to the left, skirting right past Kaji and Sora by mere inches.
“A fine stab, landwalker!” Silver cheered over the bedlam. “A fine flblblbllblbbblllbb—!”
“Huh?!” Rainbow looked up to see why Silver's voice had been silence. All she saw was foamy red water surging towards her as the beast's whole body rolled into a corkscrew.
“Hold your breath, Rainbow!” Twilight shouted.
The mare was way ahead of her. Even still, it did not prepare her for the sheer slamming impact of the water against her person. Rainbow held onto the spear by the crook of her hoof. Her lower body flailed, and her wings struggled to keep herself even. Twitching eyes darted about, seeing horizontal whirpools issuing out from every fin and spine along Ultimo's headcrest. For a virtual eternity, the beast performed its roll, until finally Rainbow emerged in the wet, sunny air, thoroughly drenched and numbed from the liquid punishment. She heard another series of sputtering breaths.
“Hah hah hah!” Silver grinned. He pulled his spear out and laughed into a spray of blood soaking his muzzle. “I shall sing of your death for ages—”
Ultimo dipped its snout into the sea, blasting Silver with a jet of water.
“D'OH!” Silver flew off the beast's scales like a bullet, sailing off into the drink.
Rainbow winced, then spun about. “Right.” Schluckkk! She pulled the spear out. “The eye.”
“Careful, Rainbow!” Twilight shuddered. “Let's try to stun the animal, not kill it!”
“Mrmmmff!” Rainbow clasped her teeth over the middle of the spear. “Mrmmfuuu tellff daff doo himmfff!” She galloped along its spine—only for the serpent's undulating motions to send her flying back. “Mrmmff—Luna's nipfffle!” Rainbow slipped on the glossy skin, rolled, and went sliding like a torpedo towards the tail.
“Rainbow! Watch out!”
“Mrmmff?!” Rainbow tilted her head.
She caught an upside down view of the first of many razor sharp backspines. She was sailing straight towards the serrated array.
“Grfff!” Rainbow pivoted onto her belly and stabbed the spear into Ultimo's back. Her body twirled, anchored by the impalement, and her lower half stopped just centimeters away from the first sharp spine. “Grffggh!”
“It's rolling again!” Twilight hollered.
“Mrfffghhh!” Rainbow stood up, gripping the spear in her forelimbs as the sea level rose dramatically, bubbling all around. “Oh for Pete's sake!” She nevertheless inhaled sharply and clenched her eyes to the coming water pressure.
From afar, Kaji and Sora whistled, treading in the choppy waters. They watched as Ultimo dipped below the waves, rose once more, and dipped again. All the while, a daredevilish pegasus with a spectral mane clung to its muscular hide.
“She's got coral in her blood!” Sora grinned wide. “A true child of Verlaxion to the core!”
“Almost feels like she's fought this sort of beast before,” Kaji said.
With a spray of water, Flare skimmed her canoe to a halt. “Hello, boys! Enjoying the show?”
“And how!” Kaji looked at the craft. “Catching this, Thunker Meat?”
“Oh I do hope the film develops just fine.” Theanim Mane still gulped, eyeing the fountaining waters with nervous eyes. “Is she still in one piece?”
“Yes!” Silver surfaced, spitting water out and smirking. “And reducing Ultimo to pieces! Whoop! What a lovely day!”
“I don't understand...” Theanim shuddered. “Ultimo's been so elusive up until now. Why isn't he diving back into the deep?!” He glanced at the natives. “It's almost as though he's mocking Rainbow!”
“Yes, imagine that.” Flare waggled her eyebrows at the other islanders. “Fancy a bloodspill? Silver's already had his turn.”
“And I want another!” Silver pouted.
“Relax, brother.” Sora climbed into Flare's canoe and grabbed a spear. “The landwalker is good, but if Ultimo wanted to devour her he would have.” He grabbed another lance and tossed it at Kaji. “Let us punish him for his arrogance.”
“Whoop!” Kaji flapped his wings, levitating with the spear in his grasp. “Verlaxion favors the children who chant!”
“And scream!” Flare added.
“And spill!” Sora beat the canoe with his spear, signaling Flare to begin accelerating the craft. “Blood! Blood for the Queen of all things!”
“Raaaaaaugh!”
“Yeah ha ha ha ha!”
Theanim gulped, cowering into a little ball. “I just had to get a VIP seat...”
“Go! Go, brothers and sisters!” Silver hollered, cheering from where he treaded water. “Don't come back until your skin is scarlet!”
Just then, a dorsal fin rose up in the waters behind the unicorn, drawing closer.
“Httt!” Without looking, Silver violently bucked his hooves back.
A shark's bruised body breached the water, flew back, landed, and scurried away.
“Hmmmf!” Silver rubbed his muzzle and spat bloodied saliva into the sea. “Party pooper.” He continued watching the violent charge with a frenzied smile.
While Flare steered her canoe swiftly southwest, Kaji flew more towards the right in order to cut Ultimo off at the pass. The winged Nealender glided low over the head crest of the beast as it breached the water. Once he was within spitting range, he spun about and flew backwards, hollering at the top of his lungs.
Ultimo submerged for a few seconds, then—SPLOOOSH!—lunged upwards at a forty-five degree angle, glowing jaws snapping at Kaji.
Kaji flew swiftly out of the way. Meanwhile, Flare jerked her canoe to the right. She, Sora, and Theanim Mane sped courageously under the shadow of the beast's raised chin.
“Ohhhhhhhhhh sleet,” the photographer wheezed. His camera's flash lit up a series of water-slick scales descending upon them.
“Good spotter!” Sora shouted, letting a spear fly. Schlunnnk! The weapon embedded into the serpent's throat, but didn't deter the beast one bit. Flare was having a hard time pushing the raft out of range of the monster's collapsing girth.
Swissssh! Rainbow dove in, grasping the side of the boat. She added her wingpower to Flare's, and together both pegasi shoved the canoe out of the space where serpent flesh met the ocean.
“Quick, landwalker!” Sora tossed a spear up. “Give it something to whimper about!”
Rainbow was already vaulting backwards from the canoe when she caught the pole. “I'll settle for a pained yelp!” With Twilight floating along her side, she skirted past several jets of water and flung the javelin at what she thought was the beast's gills. “Nnnngh!”
Clank! The spear ineffectually bounced off.
Kaji flew in, dodged a swinging fin, and grasped the deflected lance. “Nice try, Rainbow! But the gills are the soft spot!”
“It's the eyes or bust!” Sora hollered, hoofing a pair of spears at Flare. “Up and at 'em, girl?”
“Thought you'd never ask!” Flare bounced off the canoe like a spring-board. “Whoop!”
“Wait!” Theanim grimaced, shivering slightly. “There goes our propulsion! What if he makes for the boat?!”
“Nah...” Sora grinned wide, eyeing the flying bodies in the air. “I think he'll be too distracted. Get your soul stealer ready!”
Theanim eagerly took snap shot after snap shot. Each blink of the shutter caught winged equines in flight, buzzing around the lashing length of the sea serpent as it spun angry circles in the brine.
“Haaaaugh!” Flare stabbed both spears into the side of the beast. It immediately zig-zagged, throwing her off balance. SNAP! One pole shattered down the center, and she clung to the other, turning her head to look at the others. “It feels it!”
“Can we just put it out of its misery?!” Rainbow hollered, chasing after Kaji.
“Are you joking?!” Kaji spat, blindly tossing a spear back towards the mare. As Rainbow caught it, he braced his with both forelimbs. “If he wanted none of this he wouldn't be hanging around on the surface so much!” He backflipped and dove straight down towards the beast's undulating backside. “Time to really bring the pain!”
“Let him know we mean business, brother!” Silver hollered from the distance.
“Yaaaaaaugh!” Kaji landed, thrusting the spear meatedly into the creature's spine. Within the same breath, he bicycle kicked—landing his hoof straight down into the back of the pole, driving the javelin even deeper like a nail.
The sea bubbled on either side of Ultimo, followed by a deep bass roar.
“Hah!” Flare grinned, yanking her spear out with a spray of crimson. “He felt that one!” She aimed for the eye a few meters ahead. “Let's see if he feels this—”
Suddenly, Ultimo performed a roll, tossing ocean water everywhere. Flare was dragged down towards the undercurrents.
“His muscles are coiling!” Kaji hollered. “Sister, let go—!”
Just as he was saying that, the lengthy beast seemingly contracted. Its upper half scrunched to half its size, then suddenly stretched out and lashed skyward. Rainbow Dash and Kaji were far enough to avoid the thrashing movement. Flare on the other hoof—
“Oh no!” Twilight gasped, holding a pair of hooves over her gaping muzzle. Her purple eyes reflected the pegasus being pounded heavily into the ocean water by an errant spine.
“Flare!” Silver hollered from the distance. “Verlaxion's sleet! What happened?!”
“Where is she?” Rainbow exclaimed, craning her neck hard. “I can't tell where—”
FWOOOOOSH! Ultimo's tail lifted, and suddenly the fins fanned out to a surprising width. When the appendage slammed back down, it produced a concussive blast so hard that the ensuing wave knocked Theanim and Sora out of their canoe. Silver held his breath, swimming through a massive swell.
As for Rainbow Dash and Kaji, the thunderous impact sent them sailing outward in opposite directions. Their wingfeathers split at the ends, and they lost friction. Within seconds, they were plopping uselessly into the ocean depths.
Rainbow Dash twirled as she descended rapidly through the bubbly currents. Kicking her legs like a frog, she looked all over in a desperate search for the surface. A lavender unicorn drifted into view, pointing in the right direction. Rainbow followed it, only breaking the surface at the end of her quivering breath.
“Gaaaugh!” Rainbow sputtered, bobbing in place. She squinted across the choppy waves and spotted Kaji having landed close to Silver. “Flare...!” Rainbow looked left and right. “Where is she?”
Twilight hovered up to the pegasus. “Rainbow!” She grimaced, nevertheless pointing northeast, towards the Atoll. “Look!”
Several meters away, Flare waded in the uneven surf. Her body was limp, barely twitching. As Rainbow observed her, she also saw a menacing wave of water surging in the mare's direction. Ultimo's spines broke through the waves, and they were cruising on a murderous intercept course.
“She's not moving!” Theanim shouted from a distance.
“Gnnngh!” Rainbow struggled to lift off, spear in grasp. “Thank you Professor Obvious...”
“Rainbow, what's taking you so long?!” Twilight's voice cracked. “Go and save her!”
“That last blow...” Rainbow hissed, trying to catch some air with her battered wings. “It messed up my feathers real bad.” She looked across the bobbing waves to see that Kaji was having the same kind of difficulty. Silver swam to him and summoned a burst of telekinesis to glide the two towards Flare, but Rainbow could already tell they wouldn't get there fast enough. “Dang it... dang it dang it dang it!” Rainbow yelled in the mare's direction. “Flare!”
“Flare!” Sora and the others added.
“Flare, you gotta move!” Rainbow sputtered, treading and fighting the waves to get closer. “He's coming right at you, girl!” She gnashed her teeth, fussing and flapping her wings. “Dang it! Verlaxion's not gonna be proud of you if you become friggin' fish bait, girl!”
Ultimo rose higher and higher, his snout emerging—bloody scars and all. His fins stroked faster, moving the beast straight for the helpless Nealender.
“Rainbow, if you can't fly, then nothing's going to save her from—” Twilight started.
“Hnnrkk!” Rainbow dove low, holding her breath. She glided diagonally downward, spreading her wings straight out. The friction of the ocean currents smoothed her wingfeathers straight. Clinging the spear to her chest, she twirled about, kicked her legs, then emerged from the water like a missile. She flapped her wings, caught air, then spun again. Twilight trailed after her as she cruised in Flare's direction.
But it was too late. The serpent's jaw opened, its glowing teeth chomping over Flare's body.
The Nealenders shrieked. Rainbow's eyes twitched—
“Got ya!” a young stallion's voice hollered, followed by the loud splash of ocean water in the Swan Song's wake. The trimaran had cruised by with milliseconds to spare. Its pilot—Nick—hung off the starboard side, dragging the limp body of Flare out of the range of Ultimo's jaws.
SPLASSSH! The ensuing contact of the monster's jaws with the ocean's surface nevertheless created a swell that sent the vessel spinning.
“Whoahhhh!” Nick yelped, nearly falling into the drink. To compensate, he yanked Flare's body upwards with all his might. Both he and the mare toppeled onto the top deck of the boat, with the Nealender on top. “Eeep!” he wheezed.
“Wooohooo!” Sora hollered, grinning madly. “And score!”
Theanim's jaw dropped. “I... I-I...” He gazed down at his camera. “I do believe I caught that...”
“Careful!” Kaji yelled from where he and Silver swam. “He's bending! The spines are coming about!”
“He's right!” Twilight exclaimed, extending a hoof. “Look!”
Rainbow could already spot the muscles of the beast twisting towards the hapless Swan Song. She dove without a second thought, stabbing her spear hard into the side of the beast.
Blood sprayed, colliding with the salt water. Ultimo slithered away from the Swan Song, shaking savagely to throw Rainbow off. Amidst the confusion, it glided past Sora and Theanim.
“Here!” Sora yelled, throwing the last javeling towards the scene. “Before he dives for good!”
Rainbow twirled away from her last impalement, grabbed the final weapon, and braced herself against the corner of the beast's jaw. Right before her lay a large wrinkly socket. A bulbous black sphere stared out, blinking once with a filmy lense.
“... … ...” Rainbow stared at it. In the eye of the beast, she saw the reflection of her water-soaked mane... and the Loyalty pendant hanging from her neck.
“What are you waiting for?!” Silver yelled from a distance.
Nick crawled out from beneath Flare's squirming body and barked: “You've got him where you want him!”
A deep moan came from the bloodied beast's throat.
Twilight floated up behind the pegasus. “Rainbow...” She struggled, and then her ears folded back as she murmured, “It's... it's just a b-big fish. Rarity—”
Rainbow bit her lip. She raised her spear to strike—
Th-TWHPPP! The entire serpent's body thrashed like a whip.
Rainbow didn't realize just how massive a gesture it was until she was flying backwards from the force of it. She twirled at such an angle that her wings couldn't catch the wind. When she hit the water, it was like concrete, and the impact knocked her lungs empty. The twitching mare dropped like a rock.
A lavender figure darted across her vision, and then all went black.
“I drank his blood! Warmer than milk from the teat!”
“Hah! I could have sworn we got a hundred feet of air from that one splash!”
“He'll only be angrier the next time he shows up! Maybe he'll spit two canoes at us?!”
“Or three!”
“Ha ha!”
“Whoop!”
“Mrmmmfff...” Rainbow Dash stirred, her face wincing as she became aware of every aching muscle in her body. “Those voices had better mean I'm waking up on the shore,” she muttered. “Cuz if the afterlife is full of that kind of dialogue, then I wanna become an alicorn pronto.”
“They dragged you here in one piece,” Sinrar spoke over the unicorn's voice.
“Are... any of my limbs broken?” Rainbow wheezed.
“Fraid not, harpy.”
“Meh.” Rainbow's eyes fluttered opened. “There goes any good excuse.”
The old stallion helped her up into a sitting position. Exhausted, Rainbow gazed past Twilight towards the surf. Kaji, Silver, and Sora were gathered in front of a mess of natives, boasting about the recent escapade. The Nealenders—young and old—listened with gaping expressions plastered to their muzzles. A single canoe and several shattered spears lay in the sand, and the Swan Song was moored in the shallow water. The ocean was completely devoid of any massive serpent.
“Guess Ultimo didn't bite the coral,” Rainbow muttered.
“Not even remotely.” Sinrar adjusted his beret. “Poor bastards had to drag you to shore.” He fidgeted. “Not that there's... anything wrong with that or nothing.”
“I will say this,” spoke a deep voice. Rainbow turned to see Theanim Mane shuffling up. The stallion smiled in spite of his haggard condition. “I've never known the locals here to retreat from anything. The fact that they stopped stabbing that big fish to retrieve you... well...” He winked. “It's a sign of respect if I've ever seen one.”
“Unngh...” Rainbow rubbed her scalp. “That's some lame respect.”
“Rainbow...” Twilight sighed.
“Oh, you did a number on that beast, for sure,” Theanim remarked. “And I've got the film to prove it!” His face brightened. “Come to think of it... I'd better go get this developed! Do not go anywhere!” He galloped beyond the nearby treeline.
As Rainbow followed the stallion's movement, she spotted Nick squatting across from Flare. The pegasus mare was slowly recuperating from her concussed state. A Nealender or two hoofed her a hollow coconut to drink out of, all the while Nick engaged her in pleasant conversation.
“Hmmmf...” Rainbow exhaled. “Looks like somepony saved the day, at least.”
“Hah!” Sinrar smirked. “You should have seen the clever bastard! He leapt into the Swan Song like it was his mother's pouch and sailed that thing faster than a dry knife through wet wind!”
Rainbow turned to blink at him. “...is that so?”
“Oui! Could have outrun the beast if he wanted to! Instead, he chose to throw his head in for the girl. Hmmph... figures. But that'll give the backwards phantom worshippers here something to chew on for decades!”
Rainbow squinted. The barest hint of a smirk crossed her muzzle. “If I didn't know better, I'd say you were proud of the kid.”
“Well you could certainly say—” Sinrar's amber eyes crossed. He instantly gnashed his teeth. “Imbecile! Do you think I'm that much of a demented flake?”
“Nah.” Rainbow shook her head. “I think you're flakier.”
“Nrnrghhh...” Sinrar gritted his teeth, then trudged off in a huff. “Bah! I've got better things to be doing with my time! Like fastening a new cane out of petrified coral! Merde! That'll give you something to stab the fish's eyes out!”
Upon hearing that, Rainbow Dash instantly shuddered. She hugged herself and slumped back into the sand, staring up at a blue sky with errant seagulls. “I really bucked things up, didn't I?”
“Oh Rainbow...” Twilight reclined her phantom limbs on the earth beside her. She exhaled through a sigh. “If I were in your place, I'd have hesitated as well.”
“Only you were never in my place,” the pegasus muttered. “Nor were you in all the times previous. But today...?” She shook her head. “I just couldn't do the badflank thing.”
The air was silent for a while. Eventually, Twilight spoke. “I... I-I suppose it's my fault.”
Rainbow turned to squint at her. “Why you?”
Twilight fidgeted. “Ever since you and I reunited, I've been... a back-seat flier.”
“Heh... that's a bit too much to chew,” Rainbow said, smirking. “You haven't got wings.”
“Still. Every time you've done something daring or courageous or risky—like you've always done—I've been... acting like a mother hen.”
“Well, no offense, Twilight, but it's kinda sorta in your blood,” Rainbow said. “Along with being an anal egghead.”
“Pffft!” Twilight frowned at her. “I am not an anal eggh—”
Rainbow's eyebrow was already arched.
Twilight's lips hung open. Her ears folded back as she blushed. “Unnngh... I'm helpless.”
“I know,” Rainbow muttered. “Which is why I should be doing my darnedest to bring you back.” She glanced back at the sky with a lethargic expression. “To bring you all back.”
“Don't be so hard on yourse—”
“You know—I've been thinking about Ultimo. Such a huge friggin' thing. Like... aren't sea serpents and oversized sea creatures supposed to stick to the lower depths of the ocean?”
“Uhhhh... modern scientific observation would appear to concur.”
“So, what's it doing around this atoll? Just hanging out?”
“I figured Verlaxion's Shard was to blame.”
“I mean besides that,” Rainbow said. “It's got no business being around here. So... maybe it's dying. Maybe it's a fluke. Maybe... it deserves to be put it out of its misery. And if the payoff is bringing back the other girls...” She shrugged. “Then what's stopping me?”
“Just... that it's a very dangerous way of thinking,” she eventually murmured.
Rainbow nodded. “Believe me. If I could do something that was completely 'harmonious,' I would. And right at that moment—when I had the spear in my hooves and I could have stabbed my way into Ultimo's brain...” She sighed. “I wanted nothing else. It... has more to do with just the fact that you're here, Twilight. I've got to know that I'm here for a good purpose.” She sat up again, exhaling. “And Verlaxion's gotta know too.”
“You... uh... you think she's observing us somehow?” Twilight remarked.
“She's got a big magical ice turd parked in the heart of the Lagoon, hasn't she?”
Twilight chuckled. She turned her head and gestured towards where Nick and Flare sat across from each other, smiling tranquilly. “If you ask me, I think you've already brought some good with you at this point in your journey.”
“Mmmmm...” Rainbow nodded. “So long as Flare isn't disappointed with 'Needlepoint' there.”
Twilight giggled.
Silence reined, broken occasionally by the rhythmic roll of the ocean surf.
“Twilight?”
“Yes, Rainbow?”
The pegasus looked aside, her ruby eyes thin, sharp. Like her pendant. “What makes you so sure that Yaerfaerda is leading us towards Rarity now?”
Twilight blinked.
“You mentioned her when I was about to stab Ultimo,” Rainbow said.
“Well... I mean...” Twilight bit her lip. “The Yaerfaerda symbol! Isn't it white and—?”
“That's still no proof of anything yet,” Rainbow said. “You're a friggin' scientist. You should know that.”
“I just... I just figured it was obvious, you know?” Twilight said. “Besides. Think about it.” She turned to look past the strip of land towards where the Atoll's central lagoon loomed. “Verlaxion's Shard here is more than some religious artifact. It was always meant as a gift to the Nealend culture. And what you're doing here... throwing yourself at the elements to rid this place of Ultimo's reign of terror?” She turned to smile at Rainbow. “Well... it's very... very generous, don't you think?”
“Hmmm...” Rainbow smirked. “I try not to think.”
“Then maybe now you know why I've apologized.”
“If that's the case...” Rainbow stood up and dusted herself off. “You're totally forgiven.”
“Mmmmf...” Flare drank from a potion-filled coconut shell and nodded into the red sunset. “For the brillianth time, yes, needlepoint.”
“Uhmm...” Nick squinted. “'Brillianth' is not a number. You know that, right?”
“Spoken like a true landwalker.” She belched and tossed the empty coconut shell over her shoulder. As it landed in the soft shore beside the Swan Song, she turned and rubbed her head, gazing out across the glittering waves. “Full of numbers and... gmmfff... dust...”
“You're still hurt, aren't you?” Nick leaned in, stretching a hoof out to her forehead. “I-I've taken several first aid courses. Maybe I could bandage that for y—”
She clasped his fetlock in her own. He jolted forward from the muscular grip. Within an instant, both ponies were reminded who was stronger than her. Ultimately, she squinted at his paralyzed stare and said, “You're softer than down feathers pooped out of a turtle.”
“Uhhhhh...” His muzzle meandered between pink and green shades. “Thanks?”
“You'd shatter upon so much as touching coral.” Flare's hard eyes narrowed on him. “Why would you throw such delicateness into the brine?”
“What, you mean with the Swan Song earlier?” He smiled nervously. “Well... uhhh... to b-be perfectly honest, I thought I could lend Rainbow Dash a hoof.”
“Mmmmf...” She nodded. “So it was for the colorful landwalker that you risked your dry hide.”
“Well... y-yeah. I-I mean I was only planning to get close enough in order to provide the means for cruising back to shore. But then I saw what happened to you. And... like... Ultimo was gonna chomp on ya and none of the other ponies could get close enough—”
“It was a foolish decision,” she grumbled. “Only a true warrior should have stuck his shaven neck out for the glory of Verlaxion.”
“Well... uh...” Nick frowned slightly. “Maybe I-I wasn't thinking for a second about Verlaxion! Maybe... j-just maybe I wanted to do what I could to save you!” He stared at her. “Because... uhhh... you're super strong and... erm...” He gulped, shivered, then wheezed: “Sxhshll...”
“What was that?!” Flare tilted her head to the side.
“Mmmm...” Nick bit his lips. His cheeks turned red. “Erm... s... s-sexy as hell...” He coughed, his voice still squeaky. “And it'd be a shame to know that all th-that got chomped to bits by a giant death fish.”
Her brow furrowed. “Your voice is weak and feeble. You haven't got gills instead of lungs, have you?”
“Uhhhh... what?”
A pair of wings spread as she growled: “Say it again.”
“What p-part?”
“You know the part.”
He blinked. “Erm... you're sexy a—” The stallion's eyes widened as her muzzle clamped over his. “Mmmmm—!” His horn sparkled and his tail flicked, for the mare was inhaling during the entire “kiss.” At last, when their lips parted, he stumbled forward with an embolded: “as hell!”
“Hah! There!” She grinned. “Sucked it right out of you, landwalker! All you needed was to expand your lungs! Whoop!”
“Er... r-right...” He shuddered, legs squirming into the sand. “My... lungs... ahem.”
“Pfft!” She spat onto the sand, rubbed her muzzle, and stood up. “Come with me.”
“Buh?” He looked up at her.
“Our brothers and sisters have prepared a feast in honor of the day's bloodletting. She swatted his side with a set of wingfeathers and motioned towards a kindling bonfire beyond the treeline. “Perhaps you can test out your lungs more.”
“Why not...” He smiled crookedly, stumbling after her. “I'm a h-huge fan of the initiation so far...”
“Thunker Meat...?”
Sora trotted into the decrepit concrete hovel that once served as the Nealend Atoll's lavish visitor's center. Candle light loomed in the main atrium, and a cloud of incense tickled the native's nostrils.
“Guhhh!” He wretched, waving a hoof before his muzzle. “Verlaxion's sleet! Are all continents covered in fruit?!” He approached a tightly sealed door with a “do not disturb” sign on it. “Hey! Thunker meat!” He pounded his hoof on the doorframe. “Raise your head to the stars! For the feast is about to begin!”
A muffled voice hissed from inside. “For the Queen's sake, will you hold for one minute?! I'm making a masterpiece in here!”
Sora grinned. “You can make that in the ditch we dug for you outside! Whoop!”
“Ugh! No no no no no, my little plebeian! An honest-to-goddess work of art!” At last, the door unlocked from the inside. The stallion in question backtrotted out from a makeshift darkroom, holding several sheets of freshly developed photographs. “This!” He slid up his goggles and pointed gleefully at the contents within his grasp. “This is the fruit of today's labor! It's a sheer miracle that the original negatives survived the amphibious trip to get here!”
“Since when did you use frogs to harden the souls you've stolen?” Sora remarked, blinking.
“Ugh...” Theanim rolled his eyes. “Why do I even bother...” He flipped through the sheets. “Look, my good stallion.” He smiled as she showed off still-frames of Rainbow Dash narrowly dodging the jaws of Ultimo, a spears in her grasp. “I've even made copies for you and the locals! Now you'll have ways to share with your grandfoals just how you dealt with the menace from the deep!”
“Ehhh... can't we just share it through whoop of muzzle?” Sora pointed at the flickering light source beyond the concrete building's entrance. “That's what bonfires are for!”
“Surely you jest!” Theanim gaped at him. “Words are temporary and fragile! But photographs?! They can enrapture memories for ages!”
“Hmmmff... a true waste of paper, if you ask me,” Sora said. “There are very few things we envy you landwalkers for. But if you had to make do with palm leaves two or three times a day...”
“Perish the thought!” Theanim frowned at him. “I, for one, am rather proud of these photographs! Not so much for style but for substance! This Rainbow Dash... this mysterious mare who's blessed us with her presence... she is unlike any other pony to have passed through these parts!”
“I agree with you, Thunker Meat—”
“AND... what better a way to preserve the generous athleticism and selflessness she's exhibited today than with the best sort of material that... observational science... can... provide...” Theanim's words trailed off, for he was staring suddenly at a particular photograph at the top of his stack.
“Hmmm?” Sora blinked at him. “What's wrong? Tongue caught a cat?”
“It's... it's the other way around, good sir,” Theanim muttered. “But... alas...” His hoof graced a photograph capturing Rainbow Dash in mid flight. “...what in Verlaxion's name...?”
“What?” Sora leaned in. “What is it?”
“Are my eyes deceiving me?” Theanim, awestruck, pointed at a vague, dark shape hovering like a ghostly shadow beside Rainbow Dash. In the flickering candlelight, it was a creepily obscure blur that blemished the edge of the photographic paper. “This... this shape! What... what could it possibly—”
WHACK! Sora's hoof slapped over the photograph, and suddenly the obscure blur became a wet splotch.
“Hah!” Sora grinned. “Mosquito!” He leaned in further and liccccked the bug juices off the sheet. “Mmmmm...” Standing up straight, Sora swirled his tongue around in his mouth. “The blood's still warm, too!” He grinned at Theanim. “You taste quite healthy, Thunker Meat!”
Theanim gritted his teeth, looking at the saliva-stained photograph.
“Bring the soul sheets, friend!” Sora slapped his backside and trotted out the hovel. “My brothers and sisters will enjoy good licks between fish! Whoop!”
“Yes... verily...” Theanim gulped something down his throat, picked up his bag, and hobbled after the native. “I think I'll just wait for dessert...”
“She spilled Ultimo's blood!” Kaji loudly proclaimed. His eyes blazed brightly in the flicker of the bonfire. “She spilled his blood more than any pony I've ever broke the waves with!”
A thick crowd of Nealenders sat on the circle of logs and chairs situated around the village fire. Every single soul leaned forward in drunk awe of the story being told. Even the smattering of Continentalists seated in the corner had their eyes locked on the wildly gesturing speaker.
“She stabbed his back and his neck and his throat! And despite Rainbow Dash's bloody zeal, Ultimo still saw fit to show us his wrath!” Kaji spun and pointed across the blaze. “So—enraged and ravenous—he gave our brave sister Flare a concussion, then made like a pack of sharks to her floating body to devour her—bones and all!” The stallion flashed a wild grin. “But just when all seemed lost—in swept the dinky landwalker on his mighty skiff! SWOOOSH! He swept Flare up with just seconds to spare, and Ultimo was robbed of a delectable... scrumptious dinner!”
Several Nealenders cheered and whooped in celebration of the wild tale. Off to the side, Flare and Nick exchanged smiles. Flare ruffled Nick's mane while the stallion bore a sheepish smile.
In the meantime, a rather amused Theanim Mane trotted amongst the crowd, handing out random photographs. “It's all true! You can see the evidence of today's heroism right here! Why... if Rainbow Dash and Nick weren't there when Verlaxion's glory willed it—”
“Baah!” Kaji flew in, waving his hoof and causing several sheets to fall to the ground.
“Hey!” Theanim frowned. “My good stallion—”
“You cannot share the true meat of today's glory with soul stealing!” Kaji gnashed his teeth, then faced the crowd. “You had to have been there! Only a pony whose blood was christened with the thrill of the hunt can properly understand how close we got to shaming the ocean beast—”
“Oh, for Verlaxion's sake!” Theanim barked. “I was there!”
“Hah! Maybe in books, but not in butts!”
The crowd laughed.
“I too was there!” Theanim stomped his hoof, then faced the crowd. “The ocean practically boiled with Ultimo's fury! Every time he growled or hissed, you felt it in the water, and you felt it in your gut! It was hard to take a photograph from the constant frothing in the very air! Why, if Rainbow Dash wasn't there, I'd surely have drowned! And I'm certain more than just Flare owed their livelihood to the timely arrival of Nick and his trimaran—”
“Hah hah hah hah!” Kaji laughed, then slapped Theanim's flank. “That's more like it, Thunker Meat! And who said you were nothing but boxes and chemicals!”
“Grrrrr...” Theanim opened his mouth to protest, but blinked, drawn curiously to the waves of cheers and laughter across the encircling crowd. “Oh... well... that was rather thrilling, wasn't it?”
Kaji chuckled and resumed his tale. Meanwhile, across the way, Twilight Sparkle smiled and turned to gaze at Rainbow Dash.
The pegasus sat in a slump besides Sinrar. Her bowl of tropical greenery was only half eaten, and her ruby eyes lingered on a splotch of dry dirt several feet before the actual flame.
Twilight arched an eyebrow. Settling down beside Rainbow Dash, she said: “You know, there was a time when you'd tell stories like this around a table of ice cream sundaes and scones.”
“Hmmm?” Rainbow tilted her head up. “What?”
“Hehehe... Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow,” Twilight said, shaking her head. “Don't you remember those afternoon meals we'd have? All of the girls would be seated around the same table, enjoying whatever Pinkie Pie and the Cakes had just prepared for us. But the get together didn't get really exciting until you decided to open up about some amazing exploit or another.” She waved a hoof. “I particularly like the story about your regular races through Ghastly Gorge. And... hehe... of course... how you defended Fluttershy's honor at Junior Flight Camp.”
“Mmmmff...” Rainbow Dash gazed aside, her ears folded. “Does this look anything like Sugarcube Corner?”
Sinrar's eyes darted over, curious.
Twilight's brow furrowed. “No. But it's still exciting. And why shouldn't these ponies feel happy and victorious? Or you for that matter?” She turned and pointed across the flickering blaze. “Flare's alive thanks to yours and Nick's heroics. And though you may not have gotten the broken shard piece from Ultimo, at least you did show him you mean business.”
“Yeah, but he's still out there, Twilight,” Rainbow Dash muttered. “And he's still got what we need to bring back the other girls.” A sigh escaped her lips. “Until I can know for sure that someday I'll be sitting at a table with you five again... I...” Her nostrils flared. “I just don't see what's worth celebrating,” she muttered.
“Trouble in paradise?” Sinrar rasped.
Both Rainbow and Twilight turned to look at the old stallion. “It's nothing to worry yourself over, Dr. Dude,” Rainbow droned.
“Who's worried?” Sinrar said with a limp shrug. “I knew from the very moment you set out to gut this damnable fish, you were gonna come back. You're resourceful, strong, and crafty as Hell.”
“I learned to stop worrying about myself long ago,” Rainbow said. “Today, one of the Nealenders nearly bit it.”
“But she didn't,” Sinrar said. “Our resident pipsqueak proved to be something of an adept casaneighva.”
“Hmmmf. How very punny.”
“But if you got swallowed up, harpy...” Sinrar shook his head. “That would be the real tragedy.”
“Oh yeah? Why's that?”
“Because you're unique. You're one of a kind.”
“And you guys aren't?”
“Not like you,” Sinrar muttered. “A pony of your calibre doesn't fly the distance she does and sees the things she sees at any small cost.”
“Grnnnfhh...” Rainbow ran a hoof over her face. “Don't remind me.”
“And would it be such a bad thing? To be reminded?” Sinrar's amber eyes narrowed. “If your ghostly friend Twilight—assuming she exists at all—doesn't do it, then you can at least rely on an entire lifetime of exploits.” His gray features curved into a wrinkly smile. “A quest to save a desert kingdom... a run in with a chaotic dragon... a battle with airborne imperialists—”
“What are you even getting at, old stallion?”
“Have you ever once pondered exactly why I left my apartment flat to join you stupid tail-flickers in the first place, harpy?”
Rainbow's muzzle scrunched. She glanced at Twilight, then back at Sinrar. “Because... you wanted to make more maps?”
“I've spent my whole life making maps,” Sinrar said. “If I wanted to, I could have just given you the damn charts and let you be on your way.”
“But you didn't,” Rainbow said. “You still haven't.”
“Because all of those maps are just numbers and lines and names...” He sighed. “...without substance.”
Rainbow stared at him.
“You've given me that substance, harpy,” Sinrar murmured. “You've shown me that the world lives... here and beyond.” He slowly shook his head. “All this time, I lost hope in believing...”
Silence, save for—of course—the loud tale being orated a few feet away.
“Believing in what?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah.” Rainbow gulped. “Believing in what?”
“That there was magic to this world,” Sinrar said in a breathy tone. “And wonderment.” He turned towards Kaji and the Nealenders with fire and starlight glittering across their eyes. “Not just a bunch of arrogant freakjobs trying to make do on a bunch of stones scattered across an endless ocean. Not just a huge religion devouring everypony's imagination and forcing them to bow down to a phantom. Grfff...” He adjusted his beret and muttered, “For years, I locked myself away because I was angry... angry at the world. I had spent so many years researching and studying, but all I had gotten was data and facts. I soon realized that the more you could explain everything, the colder this universe got. And it was a very dull universe... so dull that soon rumor and heresy would occupy my obsessive mind.”
“And that's how you got fixated on the legend of Val Roan explorers,” Rainbow said.
“Mmmm...” He nodded, gazing into the fire. “Indeed.”
“But... I've told you so much about the rest of the world,” Rainbow Dash said. “About Val Roa and Ledomare and Silvadel and Equestria...” She winced. “Ah jeez... I... I just made the universe all the more boring for you, didn't I, Dr. Dude?”
“Hmmmf?” He turned towards her, blinking. “Why's that?”
“Well, like, because now you know everything... everything about what's beyond.”
For some strange reason, he cracked a smile. “I don't know everything, harpy.” His eyes took on a piercing glint. “Because you don't know everything.”
Rainbow Dash blinked.
“And I don't think you ever will,” Sinrar said. “That's the magic of what makes you you.” He shuffled sideways and pointed at her. “Even if you make it to the Midnite Bastion—”
“Midnight Armory.”
“Whatever. Even if you make it to that damnable Macguffin of a destination and get the hocus pocus thingy to bring back to your homeland and get your friends back, I doubt you'll ever stop learning... and living.” His lips curved. “And the fact that there are creatures like you—here and beyond—is what makes the world all the more interesting. There will always be a mystery. There will always be an adventure.”
Rainbow simply gazed at him. Twilight, meanwhile, winked at Rainbow Dash with a proud smile.
“But...” And then Sinrar sighed, turning back to the flame. “That's not anything I can ever enjoy.”
“Huh?” Rainbow cocked her head to the side. “Why not, dude?”
“Mrmmmff... isn't it obvious, imbecile?” he spat. “I'm older than dusty piss. This stupid journey has very nearly killed me, and we've barely scratched the damn surface of where you need to go and what you need to do.”
“Y'know...” Rainbow slicked her mane back and said: “I never once asked for you to join me.”
“Aye, but I did. I had to. I had to know what was in store... not just for me but for this whole world. And, I have to admit, I'm happy with knowing what I know. But while the spirit is willing, the flesh is pissed drunk.” He groaned. “That's why, once you knock out this big fish bitch, I'm hoofing my maps over to you.”
“Y-you are?”
“No sense in hoarding them anymore. You go on and take them to where you need to go. I would only slow you down.” His spectacled eyes reflected a young stallion and mare seated side by side. “And—from the looks of it—so would soft-eyes over there.”
Rainbow bit her lip. “Jee, Professor... I... I don't know what to say...”
“Then don't,” he grunted. “You suck at saying things anyway.” He turned to give her an icy stare. “But what you do matters, eh? A mare of action and flank kicking. It practically drips off of you. Mrmmff... it's something to be proud of.”
Rainbow glanced at Twilight, then back at the stallion. “And what of you?”
“Me?” He sighed slowly, shrugging his shoulders. “I don't like this world any more than I previously did. But I can someday die in peace... knowing that there's mirth to it.”
“And... will you be dying alone?”
“If it suits itself.”
Silence.
Rainbow Dash clenched her jaw shut. With a heavy flap of her wings, she jumped up to her hooves, then came down with a bellowing shout: “Hey! Everypony!”
Kaji stopped in mid-speech. He turned from the chuckling crowd to smirk at the pegasus. “What, ho! The blood-letter speaks!”
“You all want a killer whizz-bang of a story?!” Rainbow exclaimed. “How about this one time a single pony—against all odds—cleared out a cave full of fire breathing winged lizards?!” She pivoted about. “Or a daring escape from a floating city full of zombie pegasi?! Or a dramatic battle over chaos inside a giant, moving mountain?!”
Several of the natives simply exchanged gawking expressions. Even Theanim Mane bore a humored grin.
“All certainly tall and gargantuan sounding tales indeed, landwalker!” Kaji said. He smirked wryly. “But are they even worthy of the fire?”
“Pffft! Not if I told them,” Rainbow said. “Besides... I'm good at actually going out into the field and doing stuff. Like bleeding a bigflank fish creep.”
“Heheheheh.”
“Hah hah hah...”
She grinned harder. “But I know a certain educated pony who's made for telling stories!” That said, she yanked Sinrar up to his hooves.
“Gah!” Sinrar winced, then turned towards her, seething. “Have you lost your mind?!”
“Maybe, but you're still holding onto yours,” she said to him. “Go on. Give them something to toss and turn in bed over!”
“You damnable harpy! Isn't obvious that I've lived a life of mundanity?!” he spat. “I haven't a story to tell!”
“You have plenty of tales to share,” Rainbow said calmly. “Who said that they had to be yours?”
He blinked at her. Turning, he gazed at the crowd in a contemplative stupor.
“Besides...” Rainbow's brow furrowed. “I know too many of the facts. But you? You're somepony who can share the magic with these ponies,” she said. “And abroad.”
“I... erm...” Sinrar gulped, fidgeting on aged limbs. “I-I'm not sure that I'm capable...”
“I know, right?” Her eyes narrowed as she smirked. “Hence the adventure...”
“They were so close to the end!” Sinrar loudly orated, pacing over the hoofprints that Kaji had left around the bonfire minutes before. “Both airships had been boarded, and the bloody martyrdom of their friend Aatxe had staved off the undead waves! However, the storm was still raging! What's more, the dastardly lizard Razzar had used all his remaining resources to seize the power at the heart of the cursed city!”
Everypony listened in amazement. Kaji, Sora, and Silver were on the edge of their seats. Flare and Nick were locked in a mutual, shivering hug, their eyes locked on the professor.
“So, in a desperate gamble to throw off the conniving Lounge once and for all, and to destroy all traces of the damnable maretropolis from the skies, the adventurer and her blind friend commandeered the heart of the city and guided the floating structures towards the extreme north, where not even air or water could survive! And in one tumultuous dive, the chaotic field of energy disentregrated everything!” Sinrar's teeth showed with a wicked grin. “It was through sheer guile—and wild mana-powered technology—that the once blind zebra was capable of saving his friend at the last second, carrying her to the two escape ships before they could be consumed by the destructive elements that had devoured the undead menace as a whole!”
A collective coo floated across the crowd. The Nealenders began cheering—starting first with the giggles and chirps of the little fillies and colts, but swiftly joined by the stomping hooves and loud whoops of the teenagers and adults.
“And so...” Sinrar adjusted his beret and glanced aside with a wry smirk. “...the adventurer and her friends found a way to live another day, spreading harmony and peace where once there was nothing but death and chaos.”
Rainbow Dash nodded back, and she smiled. Accompanied by a contented Twilight, she turned tail and trotted away from the flames, disappearing into the night-drenched jungle beyond the edge of the village.
As the cheers gradually subsided, Sinrar took a deep breath and turned to face the crowd once again. “Now...” He smirked wickedly. “...who here would like to hear about a crater full of warrior sex ponies?”
“So, you built that vessel all by yourself?” Flare asked.
“Mmmhmmm.” Nick nodded. He and Flare strolled along the western bank of the Atoll's southern land strip. A midnight tide rippled to their left, adding a delightful percussion to their conversation. “Before I set out for the K.M.C.A.”
“Before you set out for the what?” Flare asked, eyes narrow.
“The Kihutajan Marine Colonial Academy. Y'know... college!” He smirked at her.
She gave him a blank stare.
“Erm... most ponies where I come from... er... go through an extended educational system.”
“Ohhhhhh.” She blinked. “You mean an institute of learning?”
“Yup!”
“Hmmf. Those sound lame.”
Nick fought the urge to grimace. “Well... it's... k-kinda important for a pony like me.”
“In what way?”
“I mean... that's how I aim to earn the credentials I need in order to get ahead with—”
“Did it teach you how to sail a ship out into sea and outrace a giant sea serpent?”
“Well... no...”
“And you built the ship before you went to Kihutaja, yes?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I did.”
Flare grinned, teeth showing. “Then it seems to me like you've learned plenty!”
“Pfft! You kidding?! I haven't even gotten my doctorate in—”
“Hah hah hah hah!”
Nick frowned, folding his forelimbs with a pout. “It's super serious!”
“Yes! You landwalkers are always so super serious!” Flare stifled another wave of laughter. “So serious about wasting time.”
“I'll have you know I've done plenty of life-rewarding things at the K.M.C.A.!”
“Like what?”
“Like...” Nick's tongue rolled, but there was nothing to click it against. His ears folded back as he searched the starlit waves for a semblance of words. “Like... erm...” He gulped hard. “Economics. Ethics. Social... err... synergy.”
“Those all sound boring wastes of Verlaxion's good gifts,” Flare said. She smirked. “At least here, your good talents have been put to saving lives.”
“Well... one life,” he said with a chuckling breath.
“With talents such as yours, we could certainly use you for many a fine hunt!”
“Huh?”
“Why, your ship, of course!” She pointed further down the beach from where they had trotted. “A finer piece of seacraft I've never seen!”
“Why, th-thank you.” Nick cleared his throat. “But... I-I'm not exactly staying.”
Flare cocked her head to the side. “You're not?”
“Hardly.”
“Why not, landwalker?”
“Because... well... b-because I've got... y'know... stuff!” He paced out into the surf, squinting into a warm gust of sea air. “School stuff. Studies. Heck... don't even get me started on all the student loans. Heh. Phweeeee...”
“Stuff. Studies. Loans.” Flare smirked. “I've heard of landwalkers speak of these things before.”
“So you know how flippin' important they are, then.”
“Nope.” She shook her head. “In fact...” She chuckled. “I find it funny.”
“In what way?”
“Landwalkers are so stressed about life that they'll give weight to invisible things.”
“Hey...” Nick frowned, pointing. “Student loans are not invisible.”
“Are they not?”
“Wait 'til the sun comes up, girl. You can see the gray hairs. Heh.”
“Did student loans anchor you to your academy? Did studies keep your boat in its original harbor?”
“Well... I...” Nick fidgeted in the low surf. “I... I-I came just because Rainbow Dash needed a boat...”
“She could have chosen any other mariner, yes?”
“Yeah, but... but I was the first pony she ran into and we... k-kinda had some trust going... and...”
Flare giggled. “Is Rainbow Dash truly the reason you came out here? So far... far away from the Kay Em Cee Ehh?”
“I... I don't see what you're getting at...”
“Of course you don't.” She winked, trotting closer until her breath fluttered his mane hairs. “Because you haven't been living until now.”
“Believe me...” Nick smirked. “I have every intent on living a long, healthy life. That's what all the prep at K.M.C.A. is for.”
“So much preparation... but none of the actual living...”
“I...” Nick blinked at that, his gaze momentarily shooting past her face. “I... I really wanna make ships.”
“Even though,” she purred, drifting closer. “You're even better at sailing them.”
“Well... I'm good at both... and... uhm...” He cleared his throat, leaning back slightly. “Gosh, you're tall.”
“Pfft. Yeah, well... that's a matter of opinion.” His eyes sparkled. “Y'know... I kind of like the shaved look. It makes you look... what's the word? I guess 'undainty' wouldn't cut it.”
“Strong?”
“Yeah. Sure. That.”
“You're welcome to see it closer,” she hummed, though there was very little air to carry her voice—for it was throttling straight down his trachea from her lips clamped over his.
“Mmmmff!” Nick's eyes crossed as—FWOMP!—both ponies fell into the sand with her sprawled on top of him. A few more indecipherable words attempted to escape, but failed right at the point where their muzzles contacted. His horn flickered sporadically, kicking up bits of sand around them in a circle.
It took a few moments for Flare to realize this. She promptly sat up, bracing her forelimbs on either side of his quivering, wheezing figure. “I... I do not understand,” she cooed, eyelashes fluttering. “You do not wish to melt together?”
“M... M-M... m-mama... m-melt?!” Nick stammered, attempting to collect his nerves. He slicked his mane back and blinked awkwardly at her. “What... how... did...”
“I presumed that your feelings for me were warm and ardent, which is why you saved my flesh from Ultimo earlier.” Flare pouted. “Perhaps it was wrong for me to initiate melting...”
“Melt... melt...” Nick's eyes traced the heavens in starry thought. “Nealenders... Verlaxion... Queen of Frost... Ice Shard... melt... Melt... MELT!” He gasped and winced all at once. “Oh... oh snap. I—I uhhh... uhhhh...”
“How silly of me,” she muttered, leaning back and clutching her hooves together. “Land walkers sail seas of a different salt. You must not wish to melt.”
“It's... it's okay! Really!” He smiled crookedly, hiding his heavy sweat. “Ahem... I just... I totally find you attractive and would... would like to get to know you better and maybe... y'know... go steady n'stuff.”
“Go... steady?”
“That's right.” A pause. Nick rolled his eyes and spoke, smirking: “It means to be marefriend and coltfriend, y'know? A couple. I mean... if... uh... if you're interested.”
“Yes. I think I understand, and I would definitely be interested in going steady with you.” A beat. Her lips curved devilishly. “But we can do all of that after melting, too, yes?”
Nick bore a stupid smile, his ears folding back. “Works for me,” he squeaked.
The celebratory bonfire in the central Nealend village had dwindled, and the various island ponies had trotted off, retiring for the rest of the night. Rainbow Dash, in the meanwhile, couldn't sleep... much less think straight. She strolled listlessly through the jungle and underbrush of the southern landstrip. At last, she emerged upon the plush shoreline that banked the central lagoon. Her petite hooves made soft sweeping motions through the sand, and soon she was standing upon the edge of the surf. The starlight above the ocean was so bright, so clear that it actually produced a dim shadow against the sediment below.
Rainbow Dash's eyes lingered on the shimmering white Yaerfaerda beacon. The damnable symbol loomed just a few hundred meters away, pulsating, taunting the pegasus. She sighed heavily, and her muscles gave way. She plopped down in the sand, flicking her tail out behind her as she folded her legs underneath herself.
Within the next few seconds, a lavender phantom mimicked the pose next to her. Twilight brushed her bangs straight and stared aside at Rainbow Dash. “How bright is it?” she asked.
“Like a second sun,” Rainbow muttered.
“Is that the way it always is?”
Rainbow slowly nodded. “Yeah.”
“Even when you close your eyes?”
“Can't ever get rid of it,” Rainbow said. “No matter what I do. If I turn away, it just burns a hole in the back of my skull.”
Twilight bit her lip. “It can't always be like a punishment to you, can it?”
“Only when I fail to get closer to it,” Rainbow remarked. “I swear. It only gets brighter.”
“I... I really wish I could see it myself,” Twilight said.
“If you say so.”
Twilight gazed out onto the lagoon. A brisk wind blew over the shoreline, disturbing Rainbow's mane but not Twilight's.
“Do you think she's comfortable?” Rainbow asked.
“Huh?” Twilight looked over.
“Whoever's next,” Rainbow said. “Rarity. Fluttershy.” She gulped hard. “Applejack...”
“They're not dead, Rainbow,” Twilight said. She instantly shuddered. “Well... they're not as dead as you think.”
“Heh...” Rainbow bore a bittersweet grin. “Nice try, egghead.”
“Seriously, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “Before you brought me out of... out of where I was, I-I felt vaguely confused... curious, even. But I wouldn't quite describe it as restless.”
“Yeah, but even when you get super freaked out...” Rainbow turned towards her. “You've got a way of figuring everything out in your head, Twilight. Like... you've got a rational explanation to things. It's only when you face the cold hard facts that not all things are reasonable that you start to lose it.”
“Wow.” Twilight blinked. “Way to nail me in a heartbeat.”
Rainbow shrugged, gazing back out into the lagoon. “I do what I can.”
“To be honest, Rainbow, I think Rarity would only be exhausted by her confusion. She'd be fine.” Twilight cocked her head aside. “Applejack? She's strong. She can deal with the stress. And... hehe... we all know that Pinkie Pie will be just fine.”
“Heh. Yeah.”
“Fluttershy... ... ...”
Rainbow grimaced.
Twilight coughed, then turned towards Rainbow Dash. “Really, though, it's... it's charming that you would be so concerned about us, Rainbow. It really is. But you have to remember.” She bore a generous smile. “When I came out of my limbo, I felt as though no time at all had passed by. The transition from my disappearance in Ponyville to my reappearance next to you was practically instantaneously! Sure, I have some... vague memories of being stowed away someplace 'bright' and 'nebulous' over the past several months, but it's all a passing fever dream at best.”
“Uh huh...”
“What I'm trying to say...” Twilight's eyes narrowed. “Is that you shouldn't have to worry so hard. They're... we're not exactly suffering. And besides.” She smiled gently. “You're gonna get us all out! Eventually!”
“Hmmmff... key word on 'eventually.'”
“Rainbow...” Twilight sighed.
“I can't spear a damn fish, Twilight,” Rainbow grumbled, frowning. “Since when did a stupid oversized eel matter more than all of my friends combined?”
“Again, I blame myself, Rainbow. I... I shouldn't have clouded your motivations by... by just being me.”
“It's more complicated than that, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “If we're gonna bring one of our friends out of the place where Yaerfaerda's being stowed away, I rather it not be through a baptism of bloody water.”
“I know that Ultimo is big, Rainbow, but even a creature of his size can't possess a circulatory system large enough to stain the Atoll's whole lagoon with blood.”
“I was being figurative, ya egghead,” Rainbow grunted. “But, still, you get the idea.”
Twilight rubbed her chin in thought. “You know... we've never exactly frowned upon fishing.”
“Hmmm?”
“Back in Equestria, I mean,” Twilight said. “I once read up on the matter. Instinctual griffon rituals kinda... crept its way into Equestrian culture. The topmost habit of which was fishing. Granted, ponies could never dive into lake and snatch up salmon with their talons—”
“Yeesh. I don't remember pulling the string on your back.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Point is. There's plenty of fish in the sea. It's not exactly a high crime, harmoniously speaking.”
“Please, Twi, don't make goofy arguments just to make me feel good,” the pegasus said. “I know it's a fish. But taking the dang thing out is a lot harder when the moment arrives.” Rainbow took a deep breath. “And I can tell myself that ripping Ultimo to shreds—even if it was possible—wouldn't bother me. It's just that...”
“What, Rainbow?”
“I dunno.” Rainbow slowly shook her head. “It used to be so easy. Being a badflank, I mean. Way back when my adventure first started, I didn't fear nothing. And... and even with the Jury I had little to no second thoughts over doing what it took to get the job done... risking my neck and all. But now...” She grimaced, squinting out onto the shimmering beacon in the distance. “...now I have... I have a future.” She gulped. “I've got friends to bring back... and an impossible trip to make back to Equestria once I've reached the armory. I mean... I've done a lot of heavy stuff, and I'm sure there's heavier stuff ahead of me, but... but...”
“Now you have to live with it all,” Twilight said.
Rainbow flashed her a look. “...now we have to live with them all.”
Twilight's jaw tightened.
“There's a lot of on my plate, Twilight, and I can totally deal with that,” Rainbow said. “But... branding it all on you guys too? I mean, let's face it. You're all attached to me now. Everything I do is on you guys, no matter how I shake it. I can deal with a big bloody fish or a bunch of toothless pirates or disturbing the peace at a seaside college. But just how much will the mountains shake and how well will the likes of Rarity, Fluttershy... or th-the others deal with it? Will they even want to deal with it?” Her nostrils flared. “Will they even have a choice?”
“You're loyalty incarnate, Rainbow,” Twilight softly said. “We trust you to do the right thing, no matter what.”
“All I can do is the awesome thing, Twi,” Rainbow replied. She slowly shook her head. “But the right thing? There's not enough trust. Not in this world.”
Silence.
“Well... who said the awesome thing is so terrible?” Twilight said.
“Heh...” Rainbow smiled bitterly, gazing into the lagoon. “You've no idea.”
“No. For real.” Twilight stood up. She pointed back beyond the treeline through which they had strolled. “Back there. At the bonfire. The Professor was filling the air with stories of your exploits. The ponies were floored, Rainbow Dash! Even when he exaggerated, it didn't come close to how truly awesome youre accomplishments have been!”
“Heh...”
“You've done amazing things. Impossible things!” Twilight grinned. “And you still can do them! Because you're still you!”
“I... can do the impossible again,” Rainbow murmured aloud.
“That's right!” Twilight nodded proudly. “And I'll be here to help you through them the best I can—if you even need me.” She winked. “And so will the other girls. You can count on that. Loyalty isn't a one way street, after all.”
At this point, Rainbow's lips were scanning the shoreline until she gazed at the western seas where the previous day's hunt had taken place. Her muzzle hung agape in deep thought.
“Rainbow?” Twilight squeaked. She arched an eyebrow. “Are you even listening to me?”
“Fishing...” Rainbow gritted her teeth. “Fishing...”
“Hmmm?”
Rainbow looked up at the mare. “All this time, we shouldn't have been hunting Ultimo.”
“What... are you even getting at?”
“The best thing...” Rainbow smirked. With a flap of her wings, she hopped up to her hooves. “The stupidest thing.”
“I... I have no clue what you're talking about.”
“Of course. Cuz you're not stupid.” Rainbow stifled a giggle as she began pacing about. “And that's why you wouldn't have survived a single day if it was you who had to gallop east in my place!”
“Uhhhhhh... while I feel vaguely insulted, I'm glad you've found a freak bubble of confidence to huff,” Twilight droned. “I guess.”
“Heheheheheh...” Rainbow slicked her mane back, grinning wildly. “Friggin' A. Why didn't I think of it before?”
“Think of what before?!” Twilight grimaced. “Rainbow, talk to me!”
“Can't talk! Can't think!” Rainbow flapped her wings. “Can't do anything but fly until morning time!”
“Huh?!” Twilight floated limply after her. “Why not?”
“Cuz that's when we can get a boat!”
“A boat?” Twilight bit her lip. “Hoboy... do I even want to know?”
“Arrrrgh!” Rainbow Dash tugged at her mane, pacing wildly in the morning light. “For real, where is that purple-eyed boy scout?!”
“It beats me, harpy,” Sinrar remarked from where he stood along the western shore. “And it beats me why you're getting so worked up about him.”
“Because I need him to pilot this thing!” Rainbow pointed at the Swan Song. “Nick's the best at trimaraning the trimaran, after all.”
“Does anypony remember seeing where he went off to?” Theanim Mane asked, trotting up towards that particular patch of sand. “Or, better yet, does anypony remember who he went off with?”
“Well, I saw him trouncing off after the bonfire with that buzzed swimming mademoiselle, but...” Sinrar blinked, then smirked wryly. “Naaaaaaaaaah.”
“I've got an even better question.” Theanim squinted Rainbow's way. “Why do you need this boat so badly? If you want to go hunting again, you'll have to wait a few more hours. The Nealenders are late sleepers.”
“I don't need them for this,” Rainbow said. “As a matter of fact, I've never needed them.”
“What...” Theanim leaned his head aside. “How... could you possibly think that?”
“I've been going about this whole thing the wrong way,” Rainbow said. She exchanged glances with Twilight as she continued. “Hunting and stabbing Ultimo only angers him. In his current state, it's precisely the kind of thing he probably wants from us.”
“You make that sound like the beast has some sort of vendetta.”
“Maybe. But...” Rainbow grinned wide, eyes twitching. “If I just fish him out, then things will go differently!”
“What?!” Theanim grimaced heavily. “What's the difference?! Fishing?! Hunting?! You're going after the same darn eel!”
“Oh, this is gonna be different!” Rainbow winked. “Trust me.”
“But you're not making any sense!”
“That's precisely what I thought,” Sinrar grumbled.
Theanim frowned at him. “And you were okay with this?!”
“I'm not not okay with this.”
“Grrrrr...” Theanim folded his forelimbs. “Will somepony at leasttry to think before they talk?”
“Face it, monsieur,” Sinar said. “This atoll is infectious.”
“That's no excuse!”
Before anypony else could retort, a rustling sound came from the treeline. Everyone turned to see Nick shuffling and shambling towards the shore.
“Hey! Kiddo! There you are!” Rainbow grinned wide. She flew forwards. “Great to see you're awake! I really really really need you to help us with your—” She froze in place.
Twilight gasped, holding a pair of hooves over her muzzle.
Theanim and Sinrar craned their necks to see.
Nick grinned... and grinned and grinned some more. He teetered slightly in his trot, and the tropical sun brought out the purple color in his eyes. This may have been mostly due to the fact that his mane wasn't absorbing any of the light around his face. More precisely, there wasn't any mane to see, for there was no mane at all. The young stallion sported a shaved head, and his tail had been reduced to a hairless stub. When he breathed, it was with musical sighs, and he took his sweet time savoring the squishy texture of the sand beneath every hoofstep.
Eventually, he made his way past Sinrar, and he gave the professor a nigh-effeminate nuzzle. “Hmmmm-hiiiiiii old stallion.” Sinrar shuddered, and Nick made a bee-line for the Swan Song. When he reached it, he spread both forelimbs and nuzzled-nuzzled-nuzzled the polished aluminum hull. “Heeeeeeee... I lovvvvvve you, ship. I love everything.” He turned and gazed up at Rainbow Dash with glazed eyes. “Your mane is so cool.” A giggle. “It has colors.”
“Verlaxion's sleet...” Theanim Mane stammered.
“Snkkkt—hehehe!” Twilight burst, gazing aside at Rainbow Dash with a dumb grin.
“Yeesh, Nick.” Rainbow shook her head, smiling. “Y'know, there's 'going native,' but then there's grabbing some surveying equipment, marking off a square patch of earth, and laying down a Celestia-dang concrete foundation!”
“Hmmmm... foundation...” Nick slicked back a mane that wasn't there. “If I had known that big, strong, athletic mares had such fuzzy-comfy bellies to sleep on, I would have much sooner... sooner...” He gazed out at the ocean and cooed. “Heee... dolphins....”
“Merde!” Sinrar smirked up at Rainbow. “I'd hit him with a cane if only he hadn't been doing the same thing all night!”
“At least tell us that you elected to remove the hair yourself,” Theanim wheezed.
“Hmmm?” Nick glanced over, blinking. “Oh, yes.” He bore a calm, calm smile. “Felt right at the time. Although, if I hadn't, there wouldn't be much of a mane left. Just a raggedy set of threads. Flare's a fine mare, but she has a habit of... biting onto stuff. Still, she didn't want to hurt me, really.” He sighed dreamily, slouching against the Swan Song. “She's so thoughtfulllll...”
Fwoooosh! “Well!” Rainbow Dash hovered in front of him. “Since you're so... uhhh... jazzed, would you kindly pilot the Swan Song for me on a fishing adventure to end all fishing adventures?”
The maneless stallion blinked. “You mean... Ultimo?”
“I mean Ultimo, kid,” Rainbow said. “So long as you're okay to go.”
“Hmmmmm...” Nick leaned forward and hugged her. “I would follow you to the ends of the earth, Rainbow...” He squinted one purple eye open. “So long as I get to hang out with Flare three times a day.”
“Wuh oh.” Sinrar smirked. “He's laid anchor!” He winked aside at Theanim. “Among other things.”
“Ugh.” Theanim rolled his blue eyes.
“Well, let's just get this over with, and then you can plan your nutty Nealend nuptials or whatever!” Rainbow Dash hovered up. “Sound good?”
“Aye!” Cracking his neck joints, Nick rushed towards the ship and began shoving it into the surf with an inexplicable show of masculine strength. “Let's do this! Rrrrgh!”
“Whew!” Sinrar trotted in to assist. “There's his on button!”
“You in, Dr. Dude?” Rainbow called across the shore. “This'll be your last chance to play Ponyrazzi!”
“Ugh!” Nick grunted amidst his trimaran-shoving. “Worst ever...”
“Wait... just wait for one second!” Theanim gnashed his teeth. “You seriously wish to bait Ultimo?! This early in the day?! Without the locals?!”
“Yup. Yup. And yup!” Rainbow grinned. “Cool, isn't it?”
“But with fewer numbers and a single ship, I... it... that...” Theanim stamped his hoof. “Just stop and think, Rainbow Dash!”
“Can't! Time's up! Gotta do!”
“Unacceptable!” Theanim snarled. “For the love of Verlaxion, surely there's a self-preserving part of you that stands to be reasonable!”
“This has nothing to do with being reasonable!” Rainbow's voice cracked.
“Or intellectual!” Twilight stuck her tongue out.
“Or intellectual!” Rainbow winked. “It's stupid!” She rushed over to help Nick. “And that's how I know it'll work!”
“Grrrrrrrrrr!” Theanim's brown coat turned red. “Do you even hear yourself?! Does anypony even hear themselves anymore?!”
“Hey...” Sinrar trotted past him, patting the photographer's shoulder. “Stop being so antsy.” He winked. “It's big friggin' fish fishing time.” He adjusted his beret and rejoined the others in casting the ship off. “You in or not?”
Theanim gave a long sigh. “Words words words words words words...” He slid his goggles down over his eyes and trudged into the low surf. “In or out? Hrmmff... I suppose I'm a little bit of both.”
“That makes no sense.”
“Exactly.” He hopped on board with a grunt. “Let's take down the damned sea serpent already.”
A half-hour later, a smattering of Nealenders collected along the western shore of the southmost land strip.
Flare and a few others were already seated in the sand, staring out at the glittery speck of the Swan Song in the distance.
Kaji trotted up, stifling a yawn with a swath of wingfeathers. “Eyeeeeughh... nyup... nyup...” He narrowed his eyes. “What's this? A new arrival?”
“No.” Flare shook her head. “A departure.”
“A departure?!” Kaji cocked his head aside. “Who?!”
“The Swan Song,” Flare said. “Rainbow Dash and my beau are out to bait Ultimo on their own, it seems.”
“Ah hah!” Kaji grinned. “Then we should let them draw blood on their lonesome—” He did a double-take. “Wait... your beau?”
“Hmmmmm...” Flare's wingtips fluttered as a warm grin crossed her muzzle. “Whoop.”
“You... you've melted, sister?”
She slowly shook her head with a deliciously dazed expression. “A glacier never melts three times in one night.”
“Oh?” Kaji blinked. “Ohhhhhh.” He blinked again. “Oh... well now we know Ultimo doesn't stand a chance.”
“Hmmm?”
Kaji sat down beside her with a smirk. “Have you ever seen a shark swallow a harpoon and live?”
“Heeheeheehee... Nope!” Flare held her two hooves on either side of her muzzle and bellowed: “Verlaxion's speed to you, my handsome! Go forth and gut the turgid sea demon!”
From a distance, Nick heard Flare's shouting voice. He spun around from where he gripped the Swan Song's mast and waved, smiling. “Yeah! We'll do that, sweet cheeks!”
Twilight looked curiously at Rainbow. “What'd she say? She's too far away for me to hear.”
“Something with the word 'turgid' in it,” Rainbow said, fiddling with a length of rope.
“First time in three decades that I heard that word,” Sinrar said, his ears folded back.
“Eeugh...” Theanim nearly dropped his camera. “Can we please get on with this?”
“I'm with the professor for once,” Sinrar rasped, clinging to the center deck of the rocking trimaran. “Just what is the next step?”
“Right.” Rainbow Dash finished tying a loop of rope around her chest. She yanked the thing tight and tugged at the other end, making sure it was fastened securely to the ship's stern. “Nick, when I give you the signal, I want you to pivot the ship southeast and start sailing in a counter-clockwise fashion around the Atoll. Ultimo seems to like going in that direction, from what I've observed.”
“She's right,” Theanim said with a nod. “He does. Although I fail to see how that's exactly beneficial to our situation.”
“In a little bit, we'll all see,” Rainbow said. “Nick?”
“I copy,” Nick replied, pivoting the sail so that the trimaran pointed south. “But... where will you be?”
“The only place bait is supposed to be.”
“Wait.” The young stallion gawked at her, purple eyes bright. “Are you...” His gaze traced the rope attached to the hull. “...are you gonna do what I think you're gonna do?”
“After last night, I'm surprised you can think of anything,” Rainbow said, giving the rope another tug. “Wish I had that excuse.” She looked at Theanim. “You want something to share with the Order when you get back?”
“Don't you mean if I get back?” Theanim remarked.
“Figured you of all stallions would have a little faith.” Rainbow winked. “Don't worry. I've done this before.”
“Really?” Sinrar asked.
“Nope!” SPLASH! Rainbow plunged into the waters behind the ship. While the three stallions gawked, she floated in the Swan Song's wake, allowing more and more distance to spread between them. “Let it give slack all the way!” she sputtered. “Keep the ship moving! Move counter-clockwise around the islands! And whatever you do!” She raised a hoof out of the water, pointing and frowning. “No matter how crazy things get, do not stop until I'm back with the piece of the Shard!”
“But Rainbow!” Nick exclaimed. “That piece is in... in...”
“Promise me!”
Nick looked worriedly at Sinrar. Eventually, he nodded. “Right... just... come back with the shard piece.”
“Thatta boy. Don't worry.” Once the rope stretched all the way, Rainbow spread one wing, then the next, causing her body to drift left and right in the Swan Song's wake. “We'll get you back to your special somepony in time for lunch... or supper by the very least.”
Nick obediently sped the ship along a southeast path, sailing it around the southern landstrip and banking east. In the meantime, his eyes remained locked on Rainbow Dash. The mare kept swishing and drifting back and forth, leaving her own watery trail in the sea. All was silent on board the Swan Song, until Sinrar looked Theanim's way and spoke:
“You gonna take snapshots or what?”
“Indeed, I plan to.” Theanim gulped, struggling to hold the camera steady. “I'm just not entirely sure I will enjoy what I capture.” He nevertheless raised the instrument and took aim.
The Atoll's southern landstrip was full of chatter. Half of the archipelago's population had gathered along the beach, and as the Swan Song made its way east, the Nealenders collectively trotted along the shore to keep up. Soon the beach was covered all over in hoofprints. The local pegasi had to take wing, with a noticeably worried Flare ascending above the rest. Even the Continentalists had emerged from their shelter to peek out from the dense treeline's foliage.
“What do you suppose they are doing?” a foreign mare remarked.
“Verlaxion only knows,” said a stallion. “I... I think Dr. Mane is with them.”
“Theanim?! Blessed frost! Does he even know what he's getting himself into?”
“Wait... do you see something?” said another mare.
“What? Where?”
She pointed at the oceanic vanishing point. “There... the waves... do they appear to be increasing?”
“Good Goddess...”
A collective gasp rose amidst the crowd.
Rainbow Dash was thoroughly doused. Regardless, she kept her cool, calmly lifting her head above the waves as she waded back and forth. Her mane was sopping wet, and her soaked tail occasionally flicked above the watery surface as she strove to make as much movement as possible while the Swan Song dragged her.
“I... I don't know if this is working, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight remarked, trailing after the corporeal pegasus. “I mean... I-I was enthusiastic about the endeavor before and all, but... but so far this isn't producing any results.”
“Shhhh...” Rainbow breathed and sputtered, swishing continually left and right. “Just gotta be a little more patient, egghead.”
Twilight managed a nervous smile. “You teaching me to be patient? Now there's a turn if I ever heard—”
“Shhh... wait!” Rainbow turned her head and looked over her shoulder. “Do you hear that?”
“It's just waves, Rainbow.”
“Yeah, only it's a bunch more waves!”
Twilight narrowed her gaze, looking northwest. Sure enough, the ocean swelled dramatically. A dark shape was lurching towards them, faster and faster. “Celestia...”
“Rainbow!” Nick hollered from the Swan Song far ahead. “Behind you! It's—”
“Keep sailing!” Rainbow Dash raised a hoof to her pendant. “Twilight? I'm gonna need you now more than ever.”
“It's coming in fast,” Twilight said. She gulped. “It's barely moving its fins. It's like... I sense a great deal of calm about the beast.”
“Good.” Rainbow Dash exhaled, rubbing circles across the Element of Loyalty. “We're gonna catch it off guard.”
“With what?”
“With me. What else.”
“Rainbow—” Twilight was about to speak, but suddenly she gasped. “It's diving!”
“Hmmm?” Rainbow looked behind her. Sure enough, the swells had vanished. The ocean looked clear.
“Ultimo!” Theanim shouted from the Swan Song. “He's gone under!”
“No...” Twilight shook her head, staring into nothing. Her horn flickered. “He's not gone. I feel him shifting about... slicing across the leylines... and...” Her pupils shrank, and she gaped at Rainbow. “He's rising! Coming up fast! Straight for us! For you!”
“Uh huh...” At last, Rainbow's ruby pendant glowed a bright crimson. “Uh huh uh huh huh.”
“Rainbow, he's almost here! What—”
“Shhhh...” Rainbow smiled calmly as the waters around her bubbled madly. “A wise zebra friend of mine once said, 'Don't—'”
FWOOOOOOSH! A gigantic set of jaws rose up out of the depths, swallowing Rainbow Dash and Twilight whole.
The crew of the Swan Swong flinched, gasping.
On the Atoll's shore, the natives gasped and whooped and shouted.
From a distance, they saw half of the serpent's body launching straight up out of the ocean like a missile. Ultimo's fins glittered with water, and finally its toothed mouth snapped shut, sending an audible clap echoing in every cardinal direction.
Flare, Kaji, and the rest of her companions watched in awe. For a brief moment, bravado gave way to worry.
The Swan Song was tugged backwards from the force of the beast's jaws. As it came splashing back down, water thoroughly doused the deck. The stallions sputtered, struggling to stand upright on the rocking deck.
“Nnngh—guh!” Nick wheezed. “Rainbow Dash!”
“Did you see that?!” Sinrar rasped. “Mon dieu! The damnable thing chomped her whole!”
“Augh!” Theanim grunted as the ship swerved and rocked. His wide eyes spotted the rope attached to the hull. “Cut the line! Cut the line!”
“What?!” Nick yelped.
“Ultimo will drag us under! Ship and all!”
“But Rainbow Dash—!”
“Was out of her stupid mind!” Theanim snarled. “She wouldn't want us to die for nothing!”
“But you heard what she said—”
“I've heard what everypony's been saying! And it's all crazy!” Theanim reached for a blade attached to the cabin's entrance. “Help me cut the line—”
“Wait!” Sinrar growled. “Everypony stop!”
Theanim and Nick froze in place, shivering.
“Why haven't we been dragged under yet?” Sinrar said. “I've seen this beast before! He could drag down an entire dreadnaught if he wanted to!”
“He... brings up a good point,” Theanim muttered, trembling.
“Look!” Nick pointed into the ocean behind them.
The three stared, gawking, for in the wake of the Swan Song they could see the entire length of the beast thrashing. Ultimo's fins and tail broke the watery surface repeatedly, sending jets of water splashing in every direction. And yet, in spite of its muscle and might, it didn't drag the ship anywhere. Not one inch.
“It's... it's like he's fighting something,” Nick muttered. “From the inside out.”
“By the blight, you're right,” Sinrar exhaled. He looked aside at Theanim and swatted the stallion with his dirty old wing. “Imbecile! The camera!”
“Right... r-right!” Theanim raised the instrument, taking snapshot out of snapshot.
“Omigosh omigosh!” Nick ran to the trimaran's stern, pointing into the bubbling currents. “Look! Professor! Are you seeing this?”
“Zut alors...”
After the sixth or seventh shot, Theanim lowered the camera. His goggles reflected a dim red glow emanating from the submerged jaws of the beast. “Verlaxion, spare her. Is... is that...”
“Something's happening!” Nick stumbled back. He nervously hugged Sinrar. “Hit the deck!”
“Too late!” Sinrar growled. “The beast! He is... he's...”
An enormous fountain of salt water billowed out from the sea. There was a flash of jagged teeth, then rippling muscle mass, then—splooooosh!—a fuzzy wet missile soared in a rainbow arc. Adjusting herself in midair, the pegasus aimed for the Swan Song's deck and landed right in front of Theanim.
“Ooomf!” Rainbow Dash slid on her back until she came to a stop beside the cabin's entrance. Her pendant was glowing red hot, and she clung a large frothing chunk of frozen ice to her chest. Twilight settled by her side as both mares caught their breaths. At last, Rainbow tossed her mane back, shuddered, and spat: “'—Panic!'”
“Rainbow, are you okay?!” Twilight fluttered speedily around the wet-soaked mare. “Omigosh! Rainbow, that was amazing!”
“Ngrnngh...” Rainbow struggled to sit up. As Sinrar reached in, she reached a hoof out from behind the Shard piece and grabbed his fetlock. “Of all the ponies, girl, I'd expect the right A-word from you.”
“Pardon?” Sinrar remarked.
“Not you. Miss You.” Rainbow glanced aside at Twilight. “See? We got things done without anyone having to get hurt after all.”
“Well, I know you didn't stab him in the eye, but is really okay?” Twilight remarked.
Before Rainbow could respond, Nick chanted: “Look!”
Everypony on board the Swan Song spun to look beyond the stern.
The mass shape of Ultimo lingered just beneath the waves. A pronounced tail swung back and forth, but the creature remained noticeably dormant. Even its fins had lost their sporadic vigor.
“What in blazes is he just waiting around for?” Sinrar grumbled. “Did you pull out part of his brain, harpy?”
“No... or maybe... yes.” Rainbow's lips pursed as she squinted at the beast. “The creature didn't bother stalking this Atoll until it took a bite out of the Shard, right?”
“Probably got possessed by her Frostiness,” Sinrar said, nostrils flaring.
“There's only one way to find out. Here, Romeoats.” She thrust the Shard piece into Nick's chest. “Hold this for a sec.”
“Ooomf!” The shaved stallion awkwardly grasped the enchanted object. He looked up while Rainbow Dash trotted towards the ship's edge.
“Rainbow,” Twilight muttered, floating closely alongside the mare. “There's no guarantee he'll understand our words.”
“Well, he doesn't seem to understand spears very well, so what could it hurt?” Rainbow cleared her throat, then leaned over the edge. “Hey. Dude. Fish dude.”
The fins shifted ever so slightly. The weight of the serpent dipped and rose. The snout cocked to the side and a beady eye broke the water.
“You don't eat ponies. You don't eat seagulls. So... like... why's a group of islands so important to you, huh?”
Again, a fin or two splashed at the waters. A series of spines retracted along the creature's back.
“That piece of the Shard is out of you. So chances are you've got a clear head. So listen to me carefully.” Rainbow's brow furrowed and she spoke firmly. “You're free now. You've got nothing anchoring you here anymore. So... go on vacation or something, alright? I'm sure there are plenty of sexy giant eel chicks out there in the depths for you to spawn with. So... uhhh... show's over.”
The eye blinked, glinting with moisture and dumb curiosity.
“Look, do I gotta go shoving my hooves down your throat again?!” Rainbow hollered, teeth showing. “Get out of here, Ultimo! Scram! And take your teeth with you!”
Just then, a deep bass roar undulated through the waters. The spines of the beast stuck up and retracted once more. With a few lasting bursts of vibrating organs, the beast dove under the Swan Song, curved around, and lazily swam its way west. It soon became a writhing shadow that drew further and further towards the bright blue horizon.
“And you're welcome!” Rainbow grunted, slicking her wet mane back. “Oversized melon fudge...”
Twilight smiled at her. “Not exactly the same touch that Fluttershy has, but looks like you got the job done.”
“Yeah, well, not all sea serpents can be calmed with a fake mustache.”
“Actually, that was Rarity, but...” Twilight giggled. “I'll forgive you this one time.”
“I can't believe it...” Nick stammered, gawking at the giant beast as it swam towards the oceanic vanishing point. “That did it! He's gone!” He grinned. “Everypony's free to sail where they please!” He spun about. “Doctor Mane. Please tell us you got that on camera!” Silence. He blinked. “Doctor Mane?”
Theanim Mane was staring wide-eyed at the frosted chunk in Nick's hooves. His lips moved as he exhaled a series of ritualistic prayers.
“Uhhh...” Nick cocked his head aside. “Doc?”
“A piece of the Queen's glory...” Theanim murmured. His goggles turned foggy as his eyes moistened. “A frost that does not melt. Ever.”
“Oh great...” Sinrar rolled his eyes. “And he's a paperweight again.”
“Now that that's over,” Rainbow said, still shaking her legs dry. “Now for the real funky part.” She looked at the others. “We gotta get this thing back to where it belongs.”
“And then what?” Nick asked, hoofing the shard piece back to Rainbow.
“Hmmm...” Rainbow held the pale object in her hooves. “Good question.” She stared at the polished surfaces and the endless mist pouring magically off the thing. “Usually, at a moment such as this, I simply wing it. But it looks like now I'll have to flipper it.”
“The local yahoos can help,” Sinrar said.
“Yes. Absolutely.” Theanim nodded, collecting his senses. “Surely the Nealenders will know how to treat such a holy artifact with zeal and reverance.”
“Works for me!” Rainbow lazily tossed the chunk into a rattling bucket. CLANG!
“Gkkk—!” Theanim flinched, eyes bulging.
“Nick!” Rainbow trotted past him until she perched heroically on the Swan Song's bow. “Take us back to the Atoll!”
Nick smiled, saluting. “Aye, Captain Dash!” He sped over to the ship's rudder.
Theanim slumped into the cabin entrance, cradling his camera with a shuddering breath. “Verlaxion spare us all...”
The Nealend shore was on fire with cheers and whooping chants. When the Swan Song finally arrived in the shallow surf, it was as if the Queen of Rohbredden herself was visiting.
“What a fine day!” Silver hollered, grinning wide. “Bloody but without blood!”
“A warrior who uses her body instead of a spear!” Sora squinted. “How did you do that?”
“I... uh...” Rainbow Dash casually scratched the back of her neck as she smirked at all of the cheering villagers and their guests. “I took a left at his uvula and hit the brakes a block from his tonsils.”
“Oh Great Goddess Verlaxion!” Flare flew up, grinning wide. “You're such a brave, brave hero!” She soared straight for the boat.
“Ehhh, it was nothing—” Rainbow braced herself.
Fwooosh! Flare rocketed past her and pounced on Nick.
“Whoah!” WHUMP! Nick enjoyed a muzzle full of Flare, followed by a full-feathered hug.
“I'm so proud of you! Heehee! My melt beau!”
“Preach it to oceans, why don'tcha!” Nick wheezed, nevertheless hugging her back as well as his noodly limbs could.
Sinrar rolled his eyes and said, “We've got the piece of the Shard.”
“Do you, now?” Kaji remarked, flying close to Rainbow's side of the boat. “Brilliant! We were getting bored of fishing in the lagoon without a whirlpool!”
“That's it?!” Twilight scoffed. “They're not upset about Ultimo being gone?”
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow struggled to speak above the continued cheers and shouts along the shore. “What about the great hunt, y'know?!”
“Eh...” Kaji shrugged. “There's plenty of fish in the sea. And if we get sick of chasing sharks, we'll just cannibalize the next visitors that show up!”
“Uhhhhhhhhh—”
“HAH!” Kaji slapped Rainbow's flank. “Silly landwalker! That's a classic one!” He winked. “Eh, don't worry. If we can't spill blood, then there's always melting. Eh, Flare?”
“Mmmmmmmm!” Flare kissed Nick until the stallion's muzzle was blue.
“Right.” Kaji flew off. “I could use a cold dip.”
“Hey wait!” Rainbow waved after him. “The shard—”
“Dr. Mane!” One of the Continentalists shouted from the shore. “Is it true, then?! Is the beast finally gone?”
“As Verlaxion is my witness, yes, my friends.” Theanim nodded, smiling. “Ultimo has left this Atoll for good.” He pointed at his camera. “I even took a snapshot or two of his departure.”
“Oh, praise the Queen!” The Continentalists smiled and hugged one another in joy. “We can finally leave this blasted oven!”
“First thing's first!” Rainbow hollered to the crowd. “We gotta get this piece of the Shard back into the bottom of the Lagoon where it belongs!”
“I suppose you would like help with that, eh, landwalker?” Sora said.
“Yes.” Silver winked. “You didn't exactly have... a lucky time diving there before.”
Rainbow glanced at Twilight, and both ponies smiled with a contented breath. “Thought you'd never ask.”
“Are they there, Twilight?” Rainbow stammered, leaning over the Swan Song's port side. “Are they almost to the Shard?”
Nick sighed from where he gripped the ship's rudder. “Rainbow, that's—like—the tenth time you've asked her!”
“Asked who?” Kaji remarked. He and Flare were perched on two separate canoes a few meters away in the Lagoon's placid waters. “Who's she talking to?”
“It's a long story,” Sinrar grumbled. “And you're gonna need a longer brain stem.”
“Hah HAH!” Kaji grinned at Flare. “Oh, how I love it when landwalkers try to insult us.”
“What's the hurry, Miss Dash?” Theanim asked from where he stood with his camera at the ready. “We're talking about Queen Verlaxion's gift to the Nealenders. Let them take their sweet time in reassembling it.”
“How's it even gonna get put back together?” Nick asked.
“Verlaxion's glory shall provide a way,” Flare said.
“Of course, Verlaxion's gl-glory will find a way!” Nick exhaled, smiling nervously.
Sinrar rolled his eyes at him.
“Twiliiiiight...” Rainbow craned her neck, squinting harder and harder into the waters. “Speak to meeee!”
The unicorn in question levitated up out of the depths with a grunt. “Rainbow, patience. I can't go down too far to see any better, after all.”
“But I just wanna know if they've gotten the shard piece back to where it belongs or not—!”
“From what I can tell, Sora and Silver are reaching it just fine,” Twilight said. “But...”
“But what?!” Rainbow's voice cracked.
“I'm not sure. It would appear as though they've reached the spot where the rest of the Shard is, but it almost seems as if they're having trouble.”
“Trouble?!” Rainbow grimaced. “What kind of trouble?!” She made to leap off the edge of the boat. “I'm gonna dive down and see for myself—”
“Miss Dash!” Theanim flinched.
“Harpy!” Sinrar rasped. “Are you out of your mind?!”
“But... but...” Rainbow fidgeted.
“You remember what happened last time, ya pigeon brain?!” Sinrar spat. “Just leave this to the professionals! Bah!”
“No need for you to end up a pool float at the bottom of the coral,” Nick said with a nervous smirk.
“Your friends are right, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “You've done the hard part with Ultimo. Now let's just wait for the Nealenders to do their thing!” She turned and glanced down. Her muzzle brightened. “Oooh! Speaking of which, here comes one of them now!”
“Oh yeah?” Rainbow tilted her head aside. “Who?”
Within seconds, Sora bobbed to the surface. He took a long, gasping breath, then treaded water as his lungs calmed down.
“What, ho, brother?” Kaji paddled his canoe closer. “You seem to be taking quite a while down there.”
“Well, it's hard to tell which end of the shard belongs up or down,” Sora said. “Silver's got some breath left in him. If anypony can lock Verlaxion's gift in place, it's one with magic.”
“Well planned, Sora,” Flare said with a smile. “Seeing the whirlpool back will be a welcome sight.”
“You guys actually swim through that thing?” Nick remarked.
“It's not as wild as it sounds,” said Sora, climbing up onto Kaji's canoe. “Wouldn't be much of a gift if the Queen disrupted our fishing waters completely.”
“If nothing else, it gives us a good place to train our foals in swimming!” Kaji said, grinning. “Plenty of strong currents for muscle building!”
“It's also where we perform our marital dives!” Flare winked at the Swan Song. “You'll see.”
“Oh hey!” Twilight exclaimed, looking straight down. “Here comes Silver!”
“Oh really?” Rainbow remarked.
“Oh really what?” Sora asked.
“It's Silver, guys!” Rainbow said.
“Uhhhhhhhhhh...” Twilight blinked. “He's... h-he's coming up fast.”
“Oh?” Rainbow looked at her. “How fast?”
Twilight lifted her face. She gulped. “Fast fast.”
“Twilight, what—?”
Splissh! A unicorn horn broke the surface, followed by the sputtering Nealender.
“Brother! You're back already!” Sora exclaimed.
“M-move the boats!” Silver wheezed. He floundered in the water from trying too hard to swim towards one of the canoes. “Move them!”
“What's the problem, Silver?” Kaji grinned. “Did Ultimo's mate show up—?”
“Move the boats!” Silver shouted harder while Flare helped him into their raft. “I mean it! It's too strong this time!”
“What's too strong, my good pony?” Theanim remarked.
“The current!” Silver's eyes twitched as he gazed at the rest with a wild expression. “I rotated the shard-piece until it snapped in place! But then the Shard started glowing bright red!”
“Red?!” Kaji gasped. “It's never done that before!”
“And then the whirlpool began! I could barely swim up!” He shook his wet hoof in the air. “What are you wading around here for?! Kick! Stroke! Jet—!”
Just then, the Swan Song dipped. Within seconds, the two canoes rocked in the same direction. Everypony gasped and started muttering in fright, and soon the three crafts began spinning. Kaji and Flare beat their wings. Using sheer featherpower, they were able to shove their rafts out of the counter-clockwise rotation in the nick of time. The Swan Song, however, was not quite so lucky.
“Move! Move!” Sinrar hollered, gripping tightly to the cabin's edge. “Get us out of the drink, imbecile!”
“I'm... grnngh... tr-trying!” Nick sneered, pulling as hard as he could on the rudder. Soon, the lagoon bent downwards just a few meters off the port side, as if a gigantic drain had been opened in the heart of the reef. The surrounding land strips and their foliage became a brown-and-green blur. “Rainbow Dash! I could use some help!”
“Right!” Rainbow Dash planted her body against the stern. She shoved, blurring her wings rapidly. Despite her ample wingpower, she wasn't able to accelerate the vessel over the crest in the gradually-growing whirlpool. “Friggin' A!” She hollered over her shoulder. “We could use a little help here!”
“I don't think they c-can, Rainbow!” Twilight exclaimed. The air filled with splattering water droplets and a moist wind. “If they get any closer, their canoes will shatter under the force!”
“Everypony!” Theanim exclaimed, climbing up towards the edge of the trimaran as the entire vessel began tipping. “Add more weight to the starboard side!”
“R-right!” Sinrar tried crawling over.
“This is nuts!” Nick yelped. “We should have enough force to clear the edge but we're not!”
“I don't understand!” Theanim wheezed as he and Sinrar huddled together. “Is something pulling us in?!”
Rainbow gasped. She tilted her head straight down.
Her Loyalty pendant was pulsating wildly with a ruby glow.
The mare blinked. She turned and looked past the port side.
A vertical tunnel of air had formed in the epicenter of the whirlpool. Down through the undulating liquid throat, she saw a matching strobe of crimson light. But then—if she stared hard enough—she could swear she saw beyond that. Her eyes caught a glint of golden metal, unblemished, pure... and dry.
“Rainbow...?” Twilight leaned in amidst the cyclonic chaos. “What is it?”
“Yaerfaerda...” Rainbow gulped. “It beckons.” Her ears folded back, and she turned towards the stallions on board the imprisoned trimaran. “Guys! Get in the center!”
“Huh?!”
Rainbow hopped onto the ship. She yanked Nick from the rudder and pulled him in. “Hold onto the mast!” She clenched her jaw. “We're going in!”
“Going in?!?” Theanim spat. “Going in where?!”
“Trust me!” Rainbow hollered. By now, the wind was spinning above them like a waterspout, and it took all the ponies' strength just to hear each other. “This is what was meant to happen!”
“What kind of nonsense are you talking about?!” Sinrar hollered.
“I'll explain later!” Rainbow grunted. “After the nonsense!”
“Hold on, Rainbow!” Twilight yelped as the Swan Song began a perilous, ninety degree dive down the whirlpool. “It's pulling us in!”
“Verlaxion's sleet!” Kaji shouted from a distance. “That looks radical!”
“Nooo!” Flare, gritting her teeth, hopped clear off her canoe before Silver could grab her. “My beau!”
“Huh?” Nick looked up and yelped as she flew into him, pressing the stallion against the mast as she held on.
And in a blur, the trimaran shot its way down the tunnel, vanishing beyond the crimson shard with all five ponies (and phantom) in tow.
Just as soon as it began, the whirlpool vanished, and the lagoon was still.
“Whelp...” Kaji leaned back in the canoe, sighed, and cracked his neck. “This is gonna make lobster diving impossible. I just know it.”
“I said—” Rainbow barked loudly. “—calm down!” Her hollering voice produced an endless echo rippling off in every direction. It had to have been the uncanny acoustics that brought silence to everypony on board the Swan Song. Once the commotion had ceased, Rainbow realized the entire group was resting perfectly still.
“Harpy, at the risk of stating the obvious, but we're stranded somewhere,” Sinrar said in as calm a voice as he could muster. “And I do believe that place is underground.”
“And it's full of immaculate gold metal and dormant machinery, right?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Erm... oui.”
“What's the matter, Rainbow?” Nick said, his breath trembling. “Can't you see for yourself?”
“It's... it's too bright for me,” Rainbow muttered.
“Too bright?!” Flare stammered. “But... but I-I can barely see my own muzzle!”
Twilight's voice wafted closer to Rainbow. “What's the matter, Rainbow?”
“It's Yaerfaerda, Twi,” Rainbow said, squinting hard. “It's... it's reflecting off of everything.” The mare winced, stumbling across the Swan Song's deck. “Could... could you describe where we are to me?”
“Are you joking?” Theanim Mane's voice cracked. “We're inside a giant metal chamber full of—”
The sound of a hoof whacking Theanim's skull echoed across the nearest wall. “She wasn't talking to you, imbecile.”
“Augh! Gfffmmf... what?!”
“Shhh!” Nick hissed. “Let her do her thing.”
“Okay...” Twilight floated slowly around Rainbow. “The water... is all gone. I mean, we're definitely beneath the lagoon, but this place isn't flooded or anything.”
“The walls, ceiling, and floor are made of gold?”
“Yes, Rainbow. Just... uh... just like you described before.”
“Oh, I forget.” Rainbow smiled awkwardly. “First time you've ever seen this sort of a thing with your own eyes, huh?”
“I guess you could say that. The tower where you found me sunk into the ocean before I could get a good look. Remember?”
“Right.”
“Who... who is she talking to?” Theanim hissed. “Is it that 'Twilight' again?”
“Shhhh!” Sinrar rasped. “Shut up and take pictures, ya goggled bastard.”
Theanim cleared his throat. Rainbow heard a shutter snapping several times from behind her.
“I see... Rainbow, I see a series of platforms,” Twilight's voice said. “I'm... n-not sure what's supporting them.”
“Are we on one of them right now?”
“Yes. The Swan Song is just... lying still on what looks to be a giant bridge. Gold metal. Lots of... intricate lines.”
“Uh huh...”
“I think... yes... I think I see a closed aperture above us. Like a circular door. It must have been where the whirlpool sucked us through.”
“Straight above us?”
“Yes.”
“Then... what happens if...” Rainbow flapped her wings and hovered straight up. “...I approach the seal again?”
The mare became aware of a faint ruby light pulsating along the edge of her peripheral vision. She felt several drops of moisture pelting her spine. The crew of the Swan Song gasped and stammered in fright.
“Down, Rainbow!” Twilight yelped. “Fly down!”
Rainbow Dash touched down on a gold surface next to the Swan Song. “Lemme guess...” She coiled her wings to her side while she tilted her head away from the source of the blinding light. “...it was opening up the lagoon.”
“Uhhh... s-seems like it.”
“Well, at least we know our way out of here.”
“Way... out of h-here?” Nick produced an audible gulp. “But... but that would drown us!”
“Not necessarily,” Rainbow Dash said in a louder tone. “I was always meant to enter here. There should be an easy exit for all of us as well.”
“Always... meant to enter?” Theanim stammered. “But... but I-I don't understand! None of the Order's records mention anything about... about...” The stallion's breath came out in shuddering bursts. “What is this anyways?! A structure?! A laboratory?”
“It's something older than Verlaxion,” Rainbow muttered. “And Celestia.”
“Tres magnifique...” Sinrar slurred.
“But... but Rainbow,” Nick's voice raised. “If this is anything like the places you've told us that you've been to before—”
“Right. I'm on it.” Rainbow side-stepped towards the source of the light. She pointed with a hoof. “Twilight.”
“Yes, Rainbow?”
“What is...” Rainbow winced from the blinding white light. “What's straight in front of me?”
“A wall.”
“What kind of a wall?”
“Uhm... solid gold. Wide. Encompassing. It... uh... it appears to be blocking off both the platform as well as the chasm below.”
“Uh huh...”
“There are... lines in it, Rainbow. It's asymmetrical. I think I see circular patterns. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was a symbol of sorts.”
“You don't say...”
“Want me to describe it to you?”
“No, Twilight.” Rainbow shuffled forward. She heard more shutter snaps from Theanim's camera as she approached the blinding light. “I want you to guide me forward.”
“But... but it's a wall, Rainbow!”
“No, Twilight. It's a door.”
“Wait... d-do you mean?”
“Yes.” Rainbow nodded, shuffling slowly forward with wings outstretched. “Yaerfaerda's so close I could practically lick it. Bet it'd taste like marshmallows too.”
“Rainbow, be careful. You don't know what'll happen when—”
“I know exactly what will happen, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “I just need you to let me know when I'm getting—”
An audible gasp emanated from the location of the Swan Song behind her.
“What?!” Rainbow snarled. “What's happening?!”
“The door!” Twilight breathed. “The lines and circles are lighting up! A deep red, ruby light!”
“Is it opening?”
There was a rush of air.
“Twi?!” Rainbow barked, bracing herself against a wave of hot air. “Is it—”
FLASH!
Rainbow lurched forward, floating through a cosmic expanse.
“—opening?!” She blinked awkwardly, looking left and right at undulating bands of starry nebulae. “Ah jeez... wouldn't you know it?” She gnashed her teeth. “The kaizo kicks in.”
“So I see that the circle hasn't broken.”
Rainbow gasped and looked straight forward.
She saw a curved horizon full of mountains, deserts, oceans, and rivers. A bright light loomed beyond the edge of the disc—a perpetual dawn.
“Your flight is never a lonely one, and yet it is.” The voice echoed across the heavens, reverberating through Rainbow's ears. “Either way, ever bold and ever awesome, you've found more reasons to make progress.” A shimmering aurora rippled to life, and faded as soon as its spectral bands appeared above the lengths of Urohringr. “The circle seeks to complete itself. How very... very fascinating.”
Rainbow blinked, and then her brow furrowed. “You again...”
“We cannot speak for long, Austraeoh,” the voice resembled Whitemane's, and yet it didn't. “For someone is listening.”
“Listening?!” Rainbow gawked. “Who?!”
“Someone who doesn't understand the need to foal yesterday,” said the voice. “Whether she wishes to support or tear asunder, we do not know, and we cannot risk. But you can... and must.”
“Heh... great...” Rainbow Dash bore a tired smirk. “...for a second there, things were getting easy.”
“The Austraeoh must keep flying,” reverberated the voice, causing the nebulae and constellations to quiver. “The circle must be completed at all costs.”
“Wait...!” Rainbow Dash gnashed her teeth
“The further she goes, the easier we suspect this task will get, for all of yesterday will return to her—”
“Just hang on!” Rainbow drifted through the cosmic expanse while the landscape glided below. “Don't freakin' leave me in the dark here!” She gulped. “The Midnight Armory... the Harmonic Prism... I need that to bring the Elements back, right?!”
“The death of everything doesn't have to be imminent,” the voice continued. Comets streaked by and moons appeared beyond the crest of the revolving ring. “Show her. Teach her. As you are also illuminating yourself.”
“Just answer a straight question for once!” Rainbow squinted aside. She stretched a hoof out, and suddenly her limb made physical contact. The cosmos rippled until they met the geometric lines of a rectangular chamber, and then the illusion normalized. “This quest... this journey...” Rainbow looked straight forward. “Will it bring my friends back?!”
“Austraeoh's birth is nothing without Eljunbyro,” said the voice. “And her purpose is null and void without Ynanhluutr.”
“Wait... what?!” Rainbow made a grimacing expression. “Young Hooters?! Huh?! Explain, ya friggin' magic voice!”
“Magic is on your side, Austraeoh. What you need now is inspiration. Use it. Share it.” A bright sun rose beyond the ring, blinding out the rest of the universe. “You will find your purpose, for you are within it.”
“Hey! Stop!” Rainbow Dash waved her forelimbs as she flew straight forward. “Don't just—”
FLASH!
Rainbow collided with a pedestal just as the ruby flames dissipated. Her front half hung over the cylindrical structure as she wheezed, wide-eyed. “—leave me!” She panted, wings drooped.
“Rainbow Dash...” Twilight's voice breathed from across a dull, dark chamber.
Rainbow turned to look—but suddenly lost her balance. A polished golden floor beneath her was shaking. Then, within seconds, beams of ruby light emanated from every groove and fissure built into the subterranean structure.
“What's happening?!” Flare's distant voice shrieked. “It feels like a tsunami is rolling over us!”
“But... we're underground,” Theanim Mane said. “This is something completely different. Blessed Verlaxion...”
“Harpy?!” Sinrar rasped. “I think you triggered something!”
Gulping, Rainbow stared down at the floor. She saw the fine golden lines spreading wider and wider apart. The entire foundation of the place was expanding, and she sensed something brilliant and metal underneath.
“Austraeoh's birth,” Rainbow muttered. Her ears folded back. “Eljunbyro... Blue Shelf!” She spread her wings wide. “Twilight! We gotta get back to the boat! Now!”
But it wasn't Twilight Sparkle who responded. “Huh?! Boat?! Eljun-what?! Rainbow, Twilight, what in Celestia's name is going on here? Where in blazes are we?!”
Rainbow's heart skipped a beat. She spun about and took a deep breath—
“Rainbow!” Nick hollered from a distance. “The platform! I think the bridge is giving way!”
“Arrgh... Right!” Rainbow twirled and flew out the dormant chamber, heading straight back for the Swan Song. “Everypony stay in the boat!”
“But—!”
“Trust me!” Rainbow hollered.
“Aaaaaiiieeee!” A dainty voice yelped from a consistent distance behind her. “I... I-I'm flying! Rainbow...?!”
“Shhhhhh!” Twilight's voice echoed. “It's okay! Look at me! Look at me! Relax! Everything will be fine!”
“But—”
“Everything's going to be alright! Just trust in Rainbow—”
CRACKKK! The bridge connecting the central platform to the pedestal chamber fell into the dark abyss below.
“Aaaugh!” Theanim hollered, backtrotting nervously into the central portion of the trimaran. “This whole place is going to come down on all of us!”
“I beg to differ,” Sinrar said, pointing over the side. The platform beneath the Swan Song was vibrating, shaking—and slowly rising. “It would appear as though some of the mechanisms have come back to life.”
“Why?!” Nick grimaced. “Because Rainbow zapped them?!”
“Whatever the case...” Sinrar and the others were jostled as the platform rose faster and faster, forming a cylindrical pillar beneath them. “...we're going to run out of room fast.”
“Huh?” Nick tilted his head up and glanced at the looming ceiling. “Oh jeez!”
“Eeeeeek!” Flare hugged Nick tight. “We're gonna be crushed like clamshells!”
“Console your filly, ya filly!” Sinrar growled, then glanced aside. “Harpy, you got us into this magic mess. Can you get us out?”
“Way ahead of you!” Rainbow climbed the rising ship's mast until she was within spitting distance of the metal ceiling. She stroked her hoof along her ruby pendant, summoning a crimson light. “Where's the aperture?”
“A little to the left!” Theanim exclaimed, pointing. “But... wait... are you going to do what I think you're going to—”
“Everypony!” Rainbow hollered. “Into the center of the boat! Hold onto something! Most of all your breaths!”
“Bloody hell,” Sinrar said, ducking into the cabin.
“Flare,” Nick wheezed. “Going to need your swimming talents really soon!”
“Mmmhmm! Mmmmhmmm!” The Nealender nodded, trembling.
“This is absolute chaos!” a haunting voice warbled. “What's Discord done to us this time?!”
Rainbow Dash hesitated, her ears twitching.
“Rainbow, I've got her!” Twilight's voice resounded. “Do what you have to do!”
“Right.” Rainbow gnashed her teeth and raised her hoof right before the Swan Song's mast could make contact with the ceiling. “Buck it—”
The aperture lit up like a blazing fire. It opened with the grace of a cat's eye, and a veritable deluge of seawater vomited straight downward.
Rainbow took the brunt of the liquid blast, but she nevertheless held onto the Swan Song with strong limbs. She heard the muffled cries of ponies below, but then all was silenced from the sheer volume of water.
The Lagoon rumbled. A deep gurgling noise emanated skyward as if from the heart of a geyser.
Muttering, the curious natives stood thickly along the Atoll's inner shoreline. Kaji, Silver, and Sora stood up in their canoes and craned their necks.
Within seconds, an enormous spout of water billowed upwards from the heart of the lagoon. The jets shot sky high, frothing with white water and hot steam. Before long, an enormous golden spire rose up, gaining more and more altitude. The air filled with gasps of awe as every Nealender stood with gaping muzzles.
Everypony was too distracted to see the Swan Song bursting up out of the depths a few dozen meters away from the rising structure. As water cascaded off the surfaces of the bobbing vessel, its crew members emerged one at a time, gasping and sputtering for breath. A few meters way, Nick emerged with Flare protectively holding him. The couple waded in the surf, gawking up at the giant cylindrical tower that had become a new landmark in the center of the Nealend Atoll.
Once the furious minute had passed, the waters normalized. The tower came to a rigid stop, standing over thirty stories—a height that loomed majestically above the lengths of the surrounding seas. Its golden surface glinted with sunlight, reflecting off of the treetops and the waters below.
With no other recourse, the Nealenders cheered and applauded, all marveling at the new addition to their home. Verlaxion's name was shared across the Lagoon in communal gasps, and several occupants unabashedly dove into the surf, swimming out to the structure so that they might touch it with their bare hooves.
All the while, Sinrar and Theanim Mane stood up, wringing the seawater out of their manes. Sinrar found Theanim's camera bobbing in the nearby surf, and he picked it up and hoofed it over to the scientist. Theanim took it with a thankful nod, examining its contents and exhaling with relief to see that the waterpoof seams hadn't split apart in the tumult. Once everyone's breaths had collected—and Flare and Nick had swum back to the trimaran—they looked around for Rainbow Dash.
The pegasus was still clinging to the mast. She flung her slick mane back and stared up, up, up at the towering cylinder. A confident breath escaped her nostrils. “Heh... how's that for a dang gift?”
“Twilight, I... I just don't understand,” murmured a delicate voice that shook Rainbow to the core. “Where are we? Who are all these ponies? And... and how come there isn't a drop of moisture on me after all of that? Or on you!”
Rainbow Dash bit her lip. Slowly, she tilted her head and looked down. She saw a lavender shade squatting right in front of a pale shade, both seated on the port side of the Swan Song.
“Twilight?” In the glinting sunlight, Rarity's blue eyes came into focus, as did the purple sheen of her immaculately kempt mane. “Is... is something the matter?”
Rainbow's eyes traced the direction of Rarity's gaze. Twilight's hoof was making contact with Rarity's shoulder. Physical contact.
“It's...” Twilight Sparkle murmured. “It's... wonderful...” She sniffled, and tears filled her eyes. “Everything's so wonderful!” She flew forward, flinging her forelimbs around the unicorn until they were hugging tight. “Oh Rarity! I love you!” Twilight wept. “I'm so glad you're back! So very, very glad! Oh thank Celestia!”
“Twilight!” Rarity cooed. Her voice had a haunting musical tone that stole the breath out of Rainbow. “What in Equestria is wrong?” She patted the unicorn's back, nuzzling her. Cuddling her. “I'm right here, darling.”
“I know...” Twilight wept, tears coating her lavender muzzle. “I kn-know!” She sobbed and nuzzled Rarity even harder. “We're both here!”
Rainbow hugged the mast, biting her bottom lip.
“Well, harpy?” Sinrar stood up. With a twitching expression, he struggled to follow the direction of the pegasus' teary eyesight. “Did it work? Eh? Was this all worth it?”
Theanim listened in curiously, quivering all over.
Rainbow attempted to rub her cheek dry. She failed. “And a half,” she said with a shudder.
“Hah!” Kaji flew around the sudden, glaring obelisk in the center of the Lagoon for what had to have been the hundredth time. “Will you just look at this thing?! Whoop! I bet we could take killer dives off of this thing!”
“You kidding?!” Sora stammered from halfway down the length of the tower. He braved the tropical winds as he climbed higher and higher. “This makes a great lookout!”
“Sora!” Flare fluttered up to the stallion. “I know you are good at harpooning! But you've got no wings on you!”
“Ohhhhh don't yellow yourself, sister!” Sora stuck his tongue out. “This thing is totally climbable! See?!” He gestured at the various notches built into the golden framework of the spire. “We could totally make a lookout post! It'd help us spot cyclones early!”
“So... ehhhh...” Far down below, on board the Swan Song, Theanim Mane posed with his camera. He wasn't even remotely alone. Aside from Nick and Sinrar, the Lagoon's waters were buzzing with Nealenders—both swimming and in canoes—as they all drew in close to examine the new monument. “I take it you fine lads and lasses aren't angry about this cataclysmic change?”
“As if!” Silver exclaimed, rowing up with a raft full of wide-eyed Continentalists. “Screw Ultimo! Now we've really got something to be proud of!” He gazed up at the immense tower, grinning. “Fill me with shells... we could spear so many seagulls using this!”
Theanim fought the urge to cringe. “But... b-but the Shard of Verlaxion!” He gulped, gazing forlornly into the waters below. “You... you do realize that there can't be any piece of the Queen's gift left...”
“Aye,” Flare said with a nod, hovering lower. “It shattered completely when we surfaced along with the tower.”
“I am so very... very sorry,” Theanim said, holding his goggles to his chest. “Surely, if Rainbow and the rest of us had known that such a terrible thing would happen—”
“You say that as if it's a bad thing!” Silver gestured up at the tower. “Look! Verlaxion's given us the greatest gift of all!”
“Whoop!” Kaji dove down. “A heck of a lot better than a useless glowy rock of magic ice!”
“Heeheehee!” Flare hugged herself in midair.
Theanim exhaled. “Well...” He smiled awkwardly. “I suppose it... must fall within the Queen's divine will...”
“Doctor Mane!” one of the Continentalists in Silver's raft called out. “Is it true that you went under with the Colonialists' ship?”
“Erm... yes.” Theanim nodded. “I submerged along with Rainbow Dash and her companions.”
“Verlaxion's Sleet...” Another foreigner gasped. “And you're still alive!”
“Tell us...” Yet another leaned forward, gaping at the Swan Song. “What did you see down there?”
“Erm...” Theanim instantly resumed trembling. He pivoted aside, but he couldn't get the glaring sight of the tower out of his eyes. So he looked straight down at the trimaran's deck. “It's... it's rather difficult to describe, really—”
“No it isn't!” Flare chirped. She flew in front of the occupants of Silver's raft, grinning from ear to ear. “It was this huuuuuuge underground lair! Only everything was made out of shiny gold metal instead of dirt! And there were giant gears and machine parts!”
“Machine... p-parts...?”
“And then Rainbow Dash opened a door and absorbed a plume of red flame! With her body!” Flare spun and pointed at the tower. “And then this happened! Isn't it righteous?! Whoop!”
“Ha ha! Whoop!”
“Whoop!”
The Continentalists gazed at one another, breathless.
“How... how could this be possible...?”
“The Order makes no mention of... of machinery beneath our islands...!”
“It must have been built by one of the Six Tribes before Unification.”
“Impossible! Theanim and his companions were clearly hallucinating!”
“But how would that explain the Tower?!”
“Uhm... I took photographs,” Theanim said.
The ponies blinked at him.
“I... I-I took photographs of the entire place,” he reiterated. “I assure you... what Flare speaks of is quite real.” He gulped. “In less than a day, I'll have the images developed... and you'll have your proof.”
“But... but what could it all mean?” asked one of the foreigners. “None of this makes any sense!”
“Why would Verlaxion will such a thing into existence?” exclaimed another. “Surely you must have a hypothesis, Doctor. You represent the Higher Echelon of the Order!”
“... ... ...” Theanim slowly shook his head. “I... I have no explanation.” He slid his goggles back over his mane and glanced towards the far side of the trimaran. “I... only have Rainbow Dash.”
A few paces away, Nick and Sinrar stood side by side. They caught the gaping expressions of Theanim and his companions.
“Hmmmm...” Nick's nostrils flared as he ran a hoof over his shaved head. “What do you suppose is going through those Rohbreddenites' heads?”
“What else?” The edge of Sinrar's wrinkly muzzle curved slightly. “Bet their dead goddess is turning in her grave.”
“Oh, be nice to them, old stallion.” Nick bore a tired smile. He had to speak loudly to be heard over the chatter of the nearby Nealenders. “You and I would be freaking out too if we didn't have Rainbow's testimonies to prepare us.”
“Heh...” Sinrar looked up, up at the tower. “Who's prepared?”
“I can't believe we made it out of there in one piece!” Nick exclaimed. “Or that we got inside there in one piece!” His purple eyes twitched. “You saw Rainbow Dash! She knew exactly what to do and when! She's obviously been through this sort of stuff before!”
“Mmmm... indeed.” Sinrar's jaw tightened. “I suspect the harpy's been through worse... or at least she will be. Either way, she's prepared. We were just two fortunate featherjobs along for the ride.”
“'Featherjobs'... heh...” Nick gulped. “That's a good one, professor.”
“Just a matter of time before you laughed at something I had to sputter, peewee.”
“And I can't remember the last time you actually hit me for saying anything.”
Silence.
“Uhm... Professor?”
“Hmmmf?” Sinrar huffed.
Nick fidgeted. “...am I the only one who's starting to think that Rainbow's journey is beyond us.”
Sinrar turned to glare at the youngster. “Beyond us?” He waggled his gray eyebrows in Flare's direction. “A lot of stuff used to be beyond you, mon petite cheval!”
“Yeah... well...” Nick flicked a tail that wasn't there, all the while smiling bashfully. “When in Roam.” He blinked. “Egads... I about made myself throw up there.”
“But I understand where you're coming from, even if you're anchored there by your testicles.”
“Jee. Thanks.”
“Neither of us have what it takes... not like Rainbow does,” Sinrar grunted. “You saw her. We'd be buried alive in a stuffy gold coffin if it weren't for her and her Western magic.”
“Oh. Totally.”
“If she wants to get anywhere, she'll need other friends... her old friends.”
“Right...” Nick's ears twitched. “Still... uh...”
“Hmm?”
Nick smiled nervously. “Do you... regret having come along?”
“Why?” Sinrar growled. “Do you, imbecile?”
“Pffft...” Nick fell back—only to be caught by Flare with magical timing. “What do you think, old stallion?” he drawled, nuzzling into her embrace.
“Heeeeee!” She kissed the top of his head. “My favorite, squishy melon!” She blinked up at the professor. “...has anypony told you that you're really... really gray?”
“Snktt—hahahahaha!” Nick giggled in her grasp, leaning back to kiss her chin.
“Hrmmmm...” Sinrar looked off towards the undulating seascape. “Not as much as I used to be.”
The ship hung in silence.
“Do... do you suppose it worked?” Nick murmured as he and Flare gazed at a lone pegasus situated on the trimaran's bow. “Is... is her other friend back?”
Sinrar exhaled, adjusting his beret as he gaze at Rainbow's windblown figure. “Only the harpy can tell, my little pony. Only the harpy can tell...”
Nick, Flare and Sinrar gazed on, silent and curious.
“Look at me, Rarity. It's okay. You've got this.” Twilight Sparkle said, smiling sweetly. Her lavender hooves clasped with a pair of pale white fetlocks. “Center yourself on my voice. Concentrate. Simply... imagine your hooves making contact with the boat and they will. Trust me.”
“Alright... this is me...” Rarity nevertheless bit her lip, trembling in Twilight's grasp. “...trusting you.” The tiniest of dainty whimpers escaped her lips as her left rear leg touched down on the Swan Song's aluminum hull, and then her right. The mare exhaled with a breath of relief, and soon she was standing right next to Twilight along the tip of the ship's bow. “It... it isn't going through me!”
“I know! Isn't that great?” Twilight smiled. “You're doing a lot better than I was when I first emerged!”
“Surely you jest.” Rarity gulped and glanced aside at the mare. “A smart, healthy-minded, 'together' filly like you?”
“You've always had an exceptional imagination, Rarity,” Twilight said. “That's really the best way to make your incorporeal form act as though it's solid—”
“Gaaaie!” Rarity instantly slipped, forcing Twilight to grip her. She held on tightly, shivering. “I... do wish you h-hadn't said that...”
“Erm... it takes practice from the best of us,” Twilight said. “It's okay.”
“That remains to be seen,” Rarity said, standing once again on the hull with wobbly legs. “This... this is all so very much to take in.” She brushed her purple mane back and gaped at the Lagoon, the tower, the Nealenders, and beyond. “Are we actually... truly on the far side of the world?”
“Yes, Rarity,” Twilight said, nodding. “Thousands of miles away from Equestria. Close to the very edge.”
“My goodness...” Rarity blinked. She craned her neck and waved a hoof dramatically. “And in this state that Discord put us in, neither of us can be seen by anypony?”
“Or heard.” Twilight chewed on her bottom lip. “And... uhm... Discord didn't do this to us. Not exactly...”
Rarity turned to look at the heart of the group. “But... but our dear Rainbow Dash... is not affected?”
“... ... ...” Rainbow stared at Rarity's painted eyelids, the white sheen of her coat, and the elegant swirl of her mane.
“Rainbow, darling?”
“I... it...” Rainbow gulped hard. “Sorry. I just... uhm...” She glanced aside at Twilight.
Twilight smiled aside at Rainbow. She leaned in to place a hoof on Rarity's shoulder. “Rainbow's fine. That is to say... she's not affected in the same way you and I are. Ponies can see and hear her and she can touch things.”
“And... and...” Rainbow fumbled for words. At last, she exhaled through a bittersweet smile. “It's... super... super awesome seeing you again, Rares.” She struggled to keep her voice from cracking. “And hearing your voice.”
Rarity laughed, then laughed some more. “Oh, Rainbow, darling—you say that as if you haven't seen me in years!”
Rarity blinked at them both. “We... were just zapped here by Discord, weren't we?”
“Rarity...”
“I... I remember it so vividly! Just a moment ago, we were attempting to use the Elements on him.” She cooed, her body squirming. “Our beautiful... gorgeous elements. Why, I had so many precious gemstones that I was going to... share with... Tom...” Rarity's eyes narrowed as she gazed at some nebulous point along the horizon. “That's... funny.” She gulped dryly. “I was... carrying on so much about stones and diamonds and pendants. But now... it's like c-coming out of a gray, gray cloud.” She gulped. “I don't understand how I could ever have... have...” The mare clenched her teeth, wincing. “The Royal Hedge Maze. How...?” She looked up at Twilight, lips trembling. “How on earth did we ever get out of that predicament?”
“You don't remember, do you?” Twilight remarked. “It must be because of the spell.”
“You mean like the same one that was cast on me?” Rainbow remarked. “Where I went nuts over Cloudsdale?”
“Discord caused you to turn your loyalty inside-out,” Twilight said. “And with Rarity... he removed her generosity and turned her into a hoarder! Of course!” Twilight tapped her chin. “It all makes sense now why my friends were acting so strangely! Fluttershy was bewitched to be cruel. Pinkie Pie was turned into a grump. And Applejack—”
“What was Discord even trying to do?” Rainbow asked.
“If... I could venture to guess...” Twilight shuddered. “He was trying to get to me.”
“To you?”
Twilight looked up at Rainbow. “My talents have always been magic, but it wasn't until I gained friends like you and Rarity and the rest that I was finally able to utilize my gifts. That's how I came to believe that I was the Element of Magic.”
“And aren't you?”
“It... it's really unsettling.” Twilight's coat paled slightly. “To think that Discord preyed upon us the whole time just... to deconstruct me?”
“I do hope somepony wouldn't mind slowing down a bit,” Rarity droned. “This is all well over my head, which I shudder to admit.”
“I'm sorry, Rarity,” Twilight said with a nod. “I'm sure you have a lot of questions.”
“Yes. Although I'm terribly afraid to have them answered,” Rarity said, her shifty eyes bouncing between the other two.
“Rarity...” Twilight waved her hooves with an earnest smile. “It's... it's okay. The long and short of it is that we're going to find the other girls and bring us all back—”
“Find the other girls?!” Rarity's brow furrowed. “Why... wherever would they have gone?”
“Uhm...”
“I... I don't get it.” Rarity waved a dainty hoof. “If Discord didn't scatter us all abroad, then who did? And why render everypony to phantoms but Rainbow?”
“Rarity, it... if you would just give us time to—”
“Rarity, your body's been destroyed,” Rainbow firmly said, making Twilight shudder. “Same with Twilight's, Fluttershy's, and all the rest.” Her ruby eyes narrowed on the gawking mare. “Basically, when you guys tried using the Elements of Harmony on Discord without, the magic backfired. Your bodies are gone, and so's Discord... because I showed up and smoked his dumb flank.”
“Rainbow, please—” Twilight meagerly began.
Rainbow continued: “But, as it turns out, the spirits of you, Twilight, and the rest are still kicking—but you're connected to me and the last element—the Element of Loyalty.” She pointed bluntly at the Eastern horizon. “The only hope we've got of bringing you guys back is for me to fly my butt to the dark side of the plane, fetch the Harmonic Prism out of the Midnight Armory, and make it back to Equestria Central so that one of the alicorn sisters can bring your bodies back.”
Twilight stood frozen-still and silent. Her eyes darted from Rainbow to Rarity.
“... ... ...” Rarity's muzzle hung open. “So... so Discord didn't zap you to this part of the world after all?”
“No.” Rainbow shook her head.
“Then... then how...?”
“I flew,” Rainbow said.
“You flew?!”
“Yes.” Rainbow nodded, then shrugged. “Well... flew... rode... trotted... sailed... crawled... swam...” She shrugged again. “That's not counting the explosions and dragons in between.”
“It's... a lot to take in, I know,” Twilight said. “But basically the two of us owe our very existence to Rainbow Dash here, Rarity. After all, it was she who discovered how to bring you and I back to—”
“Wait just one moment,” Rarity slurred, raising a hoof. “Rainbow Dash flew all the way here? For thousands and thousands of miles?”
Rainbow nodded. “At least three continents.”
“Oh my Celestia...” Rarity's gawking expression pivoted towards Twilight. “How... how much time...?”
“Rarity, please...”
“How long has it been?!”
“Just be calm—”
“Twilight, I must know!” Rarity exclaimed, teeth clenched. “How many years have passed?! Are our families alive?! Did Equestria ever recover from Discord?!”
“Rarity, it's not been years!”
“Well—” Rainbow started.
Twilight snapped at her. “Over one year at least!” She spun back towards Rarity. “But everything's fine! Equestria is in one piece—”
“But... but...” Rarity hugged herself as a hair or two sprung loose from her well-kempt mane. “My dresses! The Boutique! After a year of inactivity, then surely my entire catalogue would have been sold by now! I had so many designs locked up in safe-keeping! And if Mother and Father felt it in their hearts to reappropriate them—” Her eyes bulged. “Oh my goodness!” She gripped Twilight's shoulders, shrieking. “My family! They must think I'm dead!”
“Rarity—”
“Mother! Father!” Rarity started hyperventilating. “Father has a terrible heart condition! The news of my false demise would surely wreck him! And Sweetie Belle... oh poor Sweetie Belle!” Rarity tilted backwards, holding a limp hoof over a faint forehead. “Did she ever get her cutie mark?! Oh, I wanted to design her the most radiant gown for her cute—” She froze in place, blinking. Her wide eyes darted Rainbow's way.
Rainbow blinked back.
“All this time... all these months...” Rarity gulped. “You... you were flying... alone?”
Rainbow cleared her throat. “I... uh...” She managed a nervous smile. “I managed.”
“You were alone! All this time!”
“Not exactly, Rarity. I-I made friends. Believe me—”
“But they weren't us!” Rarity squeaked, her eyes moistening. “Your true B.F.F.s!” She sniffled, the tears welling up. “Oh how dreadful! Rainbow, you poor thing!” She stumbled forward, forelimbs outstretched. “A mare as loyal as yourself—”
“Rarity, don't—I can't!” Rainbow winced as Rarity's forelimbs flew through her.
Rarity jerked back, her tears streaming. She looked at her forelimbs, at Rainbow, then at her forelimbs again. Her frantic breaths increased, and at last she burst: “Hug! I need to hug somepony!”
Twilight swooped in to the rescue, wrapping here forelimbs around Rarity's waist.
Rarity nuzzled her, quietly sobbing. She looked up at Rainbow with glistening eyes.
“Hey... it's going to be okay, girl,” Rainbow said as calmly as she could. “I know it's all a little nuts... well... more than a little but nuts... but I'm gonna get you and Twilight and the others out of this mess! I promise!” She smiled, waving a hoof. “I can't promise a miracle overnight, but... don't you worry. I've got this.”
“But... but you shouldn't have to have this,” Rarity whimpered, sniffling between sentences. “Nopony, no matter how brave or dashing deserves this burden.”
Rainbow leaned back. Her lungs felt weak all of the sudden. After the wave of contemplation had rolled through her, she found the strength to mutter: “Yeah, well... the universe isn't nearly as generous as you, Rarity.” She nevertheless smirked. “But... who cares, y'know? You're back... and that makes me super crazy thankful. So... perk up, okay?” She leaned in, eyes bright. “That's how I've gotten by all this time. Only now... I think it's gonna be a heck of a lot easier, cuz I've got my B.F.F.s by my side.” She punctuated all of that with a wink.
Rarity finally bore a tear-stained smile. She reached a hoof out.
Rainbow mimicked the gesture. Their limbs stopped within a hair's breadth, and they allowed the warmth of the tropical winds to act as a necessary substitute.
“So brave,” Rarity squeaked, her sad voice nevertheless melodic. “So very brave, darling.”
The bonfire lit ashore the Nealend Atoll that night was the brightest and merriest any visitor had ever witnessed—or any local, for that matter. Natives from all trots of life—or swims—gathered as much kindling across the beach as they could, piling it high atop the billowing flame until the very surfaces of the Lagoon shimmered brighter than the starlight above. Foals danced back and forth across the rising tide while adults whistled and hollered, their frenzied eyes pasted to the sprawling tower that had graced their midst. There was no shortage of Verlaxion's name being shouted to the tropical winds in exultation, and even a few of the once-stranded Continentalists joined in on the inebriated reverie as soon as one of the stallions broke loose a special stash of bottled cider.
Sinrar and Theanim—however—were a great deal more subdued. Even Nick, despite having a thoroughly ecstatic pegasus attached to his hips, maintained an air of calmness. Flare dipped in and out of the quiet party, allowing herself a chance to breathe and smile alongside the day's inexplicable explorers, but—for the most part—she took to the air, flying brisk laps around the tower and returning sweatily to the beach to bask once again in the flickering blaze.
Sinrar and Nick casually shared a coconut mug of cider between them while Theanim fiddled with his goggles. Regardless—while the celebrations continued—the three stallions kept their collective attention focused on a certain daredevilish mare from afar.
“My, what dashing companions,” Rarity remarked, squinting across the fire-lit sands towards the heart of the festivities. “Even the elder one has a certain degree of calm mystique to him.”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow Dash reclined on a lone hammock situated between two palm trees. “You weren't around when he was smacking everypony with a cane.”
“I beg your pardon?!” Rarity gasped, floating to Rainbow's left.
“Heeheehee!” Twilight hugged herself, floating to the right of the pegasus. “Ohhhhh Rarity...” She smiled, her lavender cheeks turning rosier. “You've missed so much. Every time Rainbow and I try explaining something, I realize we'd be better off starting all over again.”
“So I've gathered,” Rarity remarked, fidgeting in mid-air. “I almost feel as though I'd be better off not knowing more.”
“It's okay if it takes a while to get the gest of it all,” Rainbow said.
“Well, it certainly seems as though I have no choice,” Rarity remarked, blinking in Rainbow's direction. “This journey of yours contains a remarkable degree of importance!”
“Er... well yeah...”
“I mean... to think that so very much rides on your shoulders, Rainbow Dash!” Rarity exclaimed. “Not just to bring back our seemingly deceased friends from the ether, but to also single-hoofedly reboot this dying world, as t'were—”
“Sssssssssss...” Rainbow winced, hissing like a deflated tire.
“Oh...” Rarity leaned back, her ears folded. “Oh dear. Even from beyond the grave, I have quite the flare for rubbing things in, don't I?”
“You're far, far away from the Boutique, Rarity,” Rainbow said. “No need to scrub the spots out of anything.”
“Phweeeeeeee...” Rarity whimpered, eyes sparkling in the firelight. “Don't remind me.”
“If you think too hard about the situation at hoof, it's easy to feel dismayed,” Twilight said. “But that's the magic of having each other to lean on for the first time in months!” She smiled hopefully. “Little by little, we're restoring the Elements of Harmony in spirit, and I just know that it'll give us the strength we need to restore everything in body as well!”
“Yeah, well, one thing at a time, Twilight,” Rainbow muttered.
“I'm with Rainbow,” Rarity said, nodding. “It's rather difficult at best for me to digest the big picture, and I'm not the one who's carrying the rest of us in flight!”
“Pfft...” Rainbow rolled her eyes and smirked. “Not like you and Twilight weigh anything, Rares.”
“It's a figure of speech, darling.”
“You're a figure of speech, ya friggin' vampire.”
“Eh?!” Rarity did a double-take. “What are you going on about?!”
“Heeheeheehee!” Rainbow Dash hugged herself, swinging in the hammock. “Ohhhhhhh Luna Poop...” She wiped the corner of her eye dry, smiling. “You can't believe how long I've wanted to say something like that without feeling miserable.”
“As you can see, Rarity,” Twilight droned, smirking towards the other side of the suspended pegasus. “Distance and airtime has driven Rainbow a teensy bit batty.”
“Well, I must say.” Rarity floucned her mane and looked nervously over her shoulder. “Her friends and their fellow cohorts must surely think Rainbow's mad.”
“Hmmmm?” Rainbow glanced towards the bonfire, her eyes catching the distant expressions of Nick, Sinrar, and Theanim. “How so?”
“Well...” Rarity shrugged. “From their perspective, you must be carrying on and on verbally with pure shadows.”
“Meh...” Rainbow shrugged even harder. “They've seen me acting worse.”
“Even more insane than you appear now?!”Rarity stammered.
Rainbow pointed. “Just ask the egghead.”
“Ohhhhh ho ho ho ho no.” Twilight shook her head. “You're not getting me to pontificate on those early, ludicrous hours of washing ashore in Kihutaja!”
“Why?” Rarity squinted. “What in Celestia's name happened?”
“A whole lot of double-yoo, tee, and eff,” Rainbow slurred. “With a sprinkle of shoving young students around on a university lawn.”
“My word...!”
“Basically...” Twilight squirmed. “...Rainbow was more frazzled than on the day that you entered the Best Young Fliers Competition and forced her into a jittery, babbling mess.”
“Snkkt!” Rainbow nearly bit her tongue. “Frickin' egghead!”
“Well, it's true!”
“Egads...” Rarity fanned herself. “That had to have been truly chaotic indeed.”
“Meh and a half.”
“Perhaps I should be glad that I hadn't... erm... resurfaced in time to witness that.” Rarity managed a smile. “Still, I must say, you seem quite in control of things at the moment, Rainbow.”
“She's been in control of things for months and months,” Twilight said in a proud voice. “The fact that you and I are even here is proof of that!”
“Hrmmm...” Rainbow gazed up at the stars, her nostrils flaring. “I only wish that was totally true.”
“Oh please, Rainbow, darling, do go easy on yourself,” Rarity said, floating casually alongside the mare. “After all, you did manage to bridge communication with the Princesses during your lengthy sojourn, yes? That right there is an accomplishment worth being proud of.”
“Yeah, well, that was all Luna's doing.”
“Even so, it shows commitment and loyalty that you've managed to stay connected with Equestria for this long,” the fashionista said. “And... because of you, my... my family... I mean... they... th-they know that—”
Rainbow nodded. “Luna and Celestia made it clear to me that they'd be informing your loved ones of the recent turn of events.” She cleared her throat. “I mean, not to jerk their emotional chains or nothing... but at least they don't have to imagine you're dead anymore.”
“Yes...” Rarity exhaled, her eyes moist. “That's... quite comforting to know.”
“You have no idea,” Twilight said, her voice wavering. “I even had the opportunity to hear my Mom and Dad.”
“Oh, did you?!” Rarity beamed. “Oh, Twilight, that's absolutely splendid!” Two blinks later, her face grew long. “It must have been awfully draining.”
“Yeah...” Twilight rubbed her cheek, nodding. She took a deep breath and bore a fragile smile. “But it's so nice to know that my family is doing alright. The next time we bridge communication with Luna—”
“On... the n-next full moon, yes?” Rarity remarked.
“Uh huh.” Rainbow nodded.
“—we'll be sure to get your mother, father, and Sweetie Belle to speak with Rainbow Dash!” Twilight exclaimed. “Surely, we'd be able to make that happen on the second night! Or the third one, at least!”
“My my... what an elaborate circumstance,” Rarity remarked. She then turned to gawk at Rainbow. “One wonders how you ever managed to keep sane, Rainbow...”
“Yeah, well...” The mare shrugged. “I've had plenty of help along the way.”
“Oh yes?” Rarity's eyelashes fluttered. “Beyond Celestia and Luna, you mean?”
“Right.” Rainbow smirked. “All things considered, I've been pletty lucky.”
“Mmm-hmmm-hmmm...” Rarity chuckled daintily, a smile plastered to her muzzle. “If you insist.”
“No really. It's like a friggin' spotlight tells me where to go next,” Rainbow said. “And, besides, if all else fails...” She shrugged. “I just follow the sunrise.”
“How poetic.”
Rainbow belched. “Guh... yeah. If you say so.”
Rarity sighed.
“Uhm...” Twilight fiddled her hooves together. “About that, Rainbow...”
“About what, Twi?”
“Err...” Twilight smiled nervously. “I... I didn't bring it up earlier because we were so busy trying to calm Rarity down and explain things to her. Plus, I didn't want to sound impatient or uncaring, but... but I'm practically dying of curiosity now.”
“Oh yeah?”
Twilight's purple eyes reflected Rainbow's curious face. “Do you see it, still?” she asked. “Has Yaerfaerda moved?”
“And if it has—” Twilight continued. “—what does it look like now?”
Rainbow stared at Twilight for a few seconds. Suddenly, she sat up, startling Rarity in the process. Flapping her wings for leverage, the petite pegasus looked around. Her ruby eyes scanned the dark east horizon through the immediate tree line and jungle foliage. At last, after a prolonged half-minute of peering, she lingered on a spot towards the southeast.
“... ... ...”
Wordlessly, Rainbow tilted her head down.
At last...
She saw it, like a dim pinprick situated below the horizon... below the waves.
Its hue flickered towards Rainbow Dash, bright and bouncy, sending a sharp jolt through Rainbow's muscles.
Almost immediately, the pegasus' eyes widened. Then, ever so slowly, her muzzle curved, producing a smile that wanted to go on forever. “Heh heh heh...” She chuckled. “Hah hah hah!” She laughed. “Ahhhh ha ha ha ha ha!” She hugged herself, nearly falling out of the hammock.
In the distance, Sinrar and Theanim flinched. Nick smirked, took a swig out of his coconut mug, and stumbled off—looking for Flare.
“Ahhhhhhhhh hah hah hah hah hah hah!” Rainbow swung from side to side, kicking her hooves up in the air as her tail whpped about.
Rarity and Twilight exchanged nervous glances.
“She's... she's hysterical!” Rarity squeaked.
“Rainbow?!?” Twilight throated, trying to throw her voice over the salvos echoing out of Rainbow's mouth. “What on earth has gotten into you?!?”
“Heeheehee...” Rainbow wiped the tears away, grinning with mirth. “Why... of course it's her color! Snkkkt—heeheehee...!” She hugged herself even tighter. “Who's else could it be?!? Hahahaha!”
Twilight and Rarity lingered in confusion—until a knowing gasp echoed between them. They exchanged wide-eyed glances.
“Whewwwwwwwwwww...” Rainbow rolled off the hammock. “I need a drink.”
“Hmmmm?” The pegasus looked up from nuzzling Nick's chest. She snorted, then fell into a round of giggles.
Nick paused stroking her shaved head and looked down at her, an eyebrow arched. “What's so funny?”
“Oh, nothing,” she hummed, her eyes glistening in the starlight. She rested her cheek against his chest again. “I just like that. 'Flares.'”
“Charming, isn't it?”
“Stupid,” she grunted. “It's so you.”
Nick shuddered, gazing aside at the rolling surf. “Jee, thanks.”
“Heehee... just tell me what's on your mind, needlepoint.”
He gulped and said, “I'd... like you to come back with me to Kihutaja.”
She looked at him again, her expression blank.
“Just... j-just to visit!” he squeaked. “Not to stay, or anything. I mean... unless you want to stay. I'd just like to show you my own world, y'know? Where I'm from and stuff.” He bore an amicable smile. “I won't keep you from your home or nothing. I know your heart belongs to the Atoll.”
“Right.” She nodded. “And you will... come back with me?”
Nick opened his mouth to speak, but he lingered. A distant sheen glazed over his eyes.
Flare bit her lip. “You would rather... stay with your books and boredom.” She nodded. “I understand. Land walkers gonna walk, after all.”
“No, I won't...” Nick stammered. “I mean... it's just that...” His ears folded back. “I've thought it.. I've felt it... but I've not actually said it until now.”
“Said what, hmmmm?” She smirked playfully.
Nick smirked back. “I don't want to go to the K.M.C.A. anymore.” His teeth showed in a jubilant grin. “I've seen too many high seas hijinks to feel otherwise.”
“Heeheehee! Well, hijink me awaaaaay!” Flare hugged him close, wrapping her strong forelimbs around the stallion. A few beats later, her smile faded, and she blinked awkwardly into the horizon. “Verlaxion's sleet... that can't be an easy thing to do.”
“It's an easier thing today than it was yesterday.”
“Yes, but...” She sat up, squinting at him. “Your studies. Your career.” A heavy blink. “Your family.”
“I might hurt the feelings of ponies who care deeply about me,” Nick said, nodding. “But... I think I'd rather do that than live my entire life doing stuff I only think is right... just to appease them when it's not making me happy.”
“But... you won't be earning ribbons and bits like all your landwalker friends!”
“And they won't know what it means to be alive,” Nick said, his smile a granite one. He gazed at Flare, then beyond her. “They will never have seen how wild and crazy this world can be... and how simple joy is.” He sighed gently. “I always built boats. I used to think it was because I was in love with them. Turns out—really—I'm just in love with the seas. And in love with the world.”
“Mmmhmmm...” Flare cocked her head to the side. “And what about drop dead sexy natives?”
“Oh yeah. You too.”
“Hehehehe!” Flare slapped his shoulder. “Stupid trout!”
“Owwww...” Nick winced. “Ow ow ow ow...”
She rolled her eyes. “We're going to have to do so something about your soft shell, 'lil guppy.”
“Trust me,” he wheezed, nevertheless winking. “It's hurt in... guhhh... all the right places.”
She chuckled and nuzzled him again.
A few breaths later...
“I would love to see your land of stuffiness and books,” Flare murmured. “But... tell me...” She looked up at him. “What of your journey?”
“Hmmm?”
“And your friends,” she remarked. “If you're going back... then what becomes of them?”
Nick glanced off into the lagoon. Starlight glinted off the tall, narrow tower formed in the heart of the inlet. “I think we've already become all we can be.”
“I... I do not understand.” Flare shook her head. “Surely Rainbow Dash—”
“She has friends in high places... or—more appropriately—deep places,” Nick said. “No matter how far we follow her, she'll always be on her own with her struggles... as a manner of speaking.” He gulped hard. “The best we can ever do is tag along.”
“Surely she needs you more than you think,” Flare said.
“Maybe. But... I-I think we needed her even more,” Nick thought out loud. He nodded to the stars. “Silly. My life was so plain and silly before she crash-landed into me. And it's more about the Blight being lifted or this crazy world being expanded. A lot of ponies on these waves—I believe—don't know where they're going. They only pretend to. But then here comes along someone like Rainbow Dash... and she's got it made. I mean, she really has it all together... and it's... it's inspiring.” He glanced again at Flare. “I could keep following her now... but it wouldn't be the same. I know where I'm supposed to be now, Flare, and it's not the same place she's going. I... I really don't think she needs the extra weight.”
Flare swallowed a lump down her throat. “That... you must feel so sad.”
He slowly shook his head. “Does anypony have any reason to feel sad?” He smiled. “Rainbow's salvaged another spirit. And...” He pointed out past the surf. “Just look at your Lagoon! Verlaxion's gift is brighter and bigger than before!”
Flare shook her head. “No. No it isn't.”
Nick blinked. “No...?”
Flare smiled. “It's Rainbow Dash's gift. That is...” She wrapped her forelimbs around him again and cradled his head against her neck. “...her second best gift.”
Nick clamped his jaw tight. He closed his purple eyes and buried his face against her coat, shivering a little.
“... ... ...is Needlepoint going to cry?” Flare murmured.
“Mmmmff... a l-little...”
Flare chuckled, then nuzzled his forehead, careful to avoid the horn. “I certainly won't tell anypony.”
A drop of drool trickled out of Rainbow's gaping muzzle, glistening in the morning sunlight. She dangled halfway off a hammock—snoring—and beneath her were three empty coconut mugs lying awkardly in the beach sand.
The sound of crunching hoofsteps loomed closer, until a shadow crossed the mare's figure.
“... ... ...ahem...”
“Zzzzznkkkt-srnkkkk...” Rainbow continued.
“... ... ...ah-ah-ahem.” A makeshift wooden cane made out of bound twigs slapped against the edge of the pegasus' dangling leg. Thwap!
“Snakkkkt!” Rainbow's eyes bulged as she flailed. “Axan! Friggin' A!” Thwomp! She fell off the hammock, landing in a petite pony-shaped impression left in the sand overnight. Stumbling to her hooves, she sputtered, “Give it up, Shell! Where's... Golden Roarke... Platesmith... grghhh...” She blinked blearily into the sunlight, rubbing her skull. “Stabby stabs... cheesy Zaid tits... mmmff...”
“Y'know, harpy,” an elder pony loomed above her. “I think one learns more from your delirious nonsense than in a sea trip full of monologues.”
“Good morning to you too,” Rainbow grumbled, rubbing her fuzzy muzzle as she gathered her senses. “Mmmmff... what in the hay got into my head?” Her hooves brushed against an empty coconut shell or two. “Oh. Yeah. Right. Go me.”
“Perhaps I have bothered you too early,” Sinrar said.
“It will always be 'too early,'” Rainbow grumbled. “Only this time I was... was...” Her eyes blinked wide. She spun about. “Rares? Twi?!” She hyperventilated slightly. “Girls?! Girls, where the frig are—?!”
A lavender light pulsed in front of the mare. Twilight materialized, flying sideways through an oblivious Sinrar. She turned about, yawning as she gazed thinly at Rainbow. “Rainbow... it's okay... we were just... were just...”
“The... the place?!” Rainbow wheezed. “You were in the bright white place, right?”
Sinrar's brow furrowed. “Are your ghost friends alright, harpy—?”
“Shhhh!” Rainbow turned towards Twilight again. “That's it, huh? You were... y'know... recharging?”
“Mmmmm...” Twilight nodded, smiling with dimpled cheeks. “So... sorry, Rainbow,” she mumbled, fighting wave after wave of unicorn yawns. “I would have warned you, but... b-but it was nighttime and you were already asleep and... and we can't exactly control it when it happens...”
“It's... it's okay...” Rainbow said, shuddering. She turned once to nod at Sinrar with a frazzled smile, then faced Twilight again. “It's all okay.” She gulped. “So Rarity is... is...?”
“She's in there,” Twilight said. “I heard you loud and clear, Rainbow. Mmmm... I-I suppose I'm more properly 'trained' than her.”
“You... you sure she's—?”
“Rainbow, I feel all the girls when I'm in that place,” Twilight said firmly. “Only...” She bore a gentle smile. “I feel Rarity even more... almost as if she's lying on the surface instead of submerged. Trust me. I know it may be hard to explain, but she's back. She's not left us since yesterday. Not even remotely. You have nothing to be afraid of. Just let her rest. This is as hard on her as you and me—if not harder.”
“Yeah.” Rainbow gulped. “Yeah, okay. Okay...” She breathed easier.
“How... how can I-I help you, though?” Twilight teetered, yawning again.
“Nah, girl. It's fine,” Rainbow said. “You don't have to hang out anymore?”
“Mrmmff... are you sure?” Twilight rubbed her sleepy eyes. “You don't look so good—”
“Go to bed, egghead,” Rainbow growled. “Go to your... white... glowly... and-not-in-any-way-freaky space bed.”
“Right. Will do.” Twilight drifted forwards. “Going—”
FLASH! A pulse of lavender light overwhelmed Rainbow. She reeled for a few dizzying seconds.
Meanwhile, Sinrar's amber eyes reflected a pulse of energy emanating from the pegasus' pendant. “Sacre bleu!” He shuddered. “You know, there are times when I think you are faking it... but then sparkly shit like that happens.”
“You must not hang around mares that much.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing.” Rainbow muttered, trotting closer to the stallion. “What's on your mind, Doctor Dude?”
Thap! A bundle of maps landed right in front of Rainbow's hooves.
She jolted to a stop, glancing down at the professor's intricate cartographic diagrams. Her hoofed traced the edge of it, then the tight ribbon holding them all together. The manuscripts were tightly compacted, small enough to fit into a satchel of Luna's saddlebag. With a gaping muzzle, Rainbow looked up.
“Are...” She stammered, “Are these what I think they are?”
“They are indeed, harpy,” Sinrar said, leaning on his crudely reconstructed cane. “They're your future,” he rasped, and then bore the surliest of smirks. “And my past.”
“This is not a topic of debate,” Sinrar said. “Though, oui, we have talked about it before.” He and Rainbow Dash sat on the vertical length of a bent palm tree overlooking the Eastern shore. “I have already discussed it with our little sex hound. Mrmmmff... he plans to take his new sweetheart back to Kihutaja on board the Swan Song. I intend to join them on such a return trip.”
“Heh...” Rainbow shuffled through the maps in her hooves. “Now there's a love cruise if I've ever heard one.”
“Oui, surely the little pipsqueak is absolutely charmed to have me along.” Sinrar adjusted his beret. “If only to ditch me as soon as we touch Colonialist shore.”
“Eh... don't put it like that, Professor.” Rainbow smiled aside at the old stallion. “I'm pretty sure Nick respects you way more than you give credit.”
“Bah!” He sighed, gazing out at the bright, shiny sea. “More like more than I am willing to give credit... though that may change.” He gazed down at his dangling cane. “I suspect everything will change now.”
Rainbow Dash stared at him. She gulped. “For the better?”
“If you are searching for a reason to feel guilty, harpy, don't.” He glanced aside at her. “I may be out of many golden coins and a respectably sturdy cane, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't gain something from all of this.”
“Well, I hope it's enough,” Rainbow said. “Do you really think all of your old peers back at the K.M.C.A. are gonna listen to what you have to say the moment you come out of retirement?” She blinked. “I mean, I sound crazy enough rambling about Val Roa, Ledomare, and beyond... but at least I'm exotic enough in your culture's eyes to get away with it!”
“Oui, it will be difficult to get ponies to listen to me... perhaps at first.” Sinrar bore a tired smile. “But the fact of the matter is... I will still be trying. There was a time when I wouldn't even have bothered to try.”
“Still, Sinrar, I...” Rainbow squirmed, shuffling the maps in her grasp. “I-I can't help but feel like you're giving me so much and I'm just tossing you a super scraggly bone here—”
“Think nothing of it,” he said. “Before you, my life was nothing but a shambling circle of crackpot theories. Hrmmmf... Continentalists aren't the only ones who blind themselves. Verlaxion's reach stretches far, and I too gave into the myth that there was no way of piercing the borders that seemingly constricted us. But you, Rainbow Dash? Non... there are no borders. You live your life in a brazen, suicidal straight line. And yet... by going in one direction... you complete that circle, don't you?”
Rainbow's muzzle hung open. Her ears folded back as she hugged the maps to her chest. “Well... erm... th-that remains to be seen,” she said.
He nodded, then pointed at the parchment in her grasp. “Perhaps those manuscripts will assist you in accomplishing the impossible, no?” His wrinkled lips curved. “They'll certainly help you way more than they would help me. Bah! I would only die trying to go any further along these shitty seas.”
“But... but you put so much time and effort into them,” Rainbow said. “Years.”
“Merde! Are all Equestrians so terrible at receiving gifts?!”
Rainbow glanced over her shoulder, catching the golden tower's summit above the tree tops. “Well, now that you mention it...”
“You've given me the best gift a Colonialist could ask for,” Sinrar said. “Knowledge. So... those are my gift to you. As you will seek to extend the lives of your spectral companions, I shall endeavor to expand the minds of my peers. In our own ways, I think, we will be achieving that which Verlaxion wouldn't want us to have.”
“And what's that?”
“Freedom.” Sinrar smirked. “Something I took for granted for a very long time. You, Rainbow Dash, live the purest life of freedom out of anypony I've ever known.”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow shuddered. “Freedom isn't always very freeing.”
“Oui...” Sinrar nodded. “Such is an easy thing to say when the circle you're making goes on for so long that all you see is the same horizon.”
Rainbow looked up at him.
“So we are without guilt or remorse, yes?” Sinrar pointed at his cane. “I just bundled this travesty overnight. I'm certain one good swat to your skull would break it—and me in the process.”
“Heh...” Rainbow chuckled lightly. “We're square, Doctor Dude. Believe me.”
“Mmmm... I'm inclined to.”
“It's just that...”
“Yes?”
Rainbow sighed. “...I've been so friggin' obsessed with figuring out how to bring back the girls.” She gulped. “As soon as I reunited with Twilight, I went into Celestia-dang overdrive. I slammed my face into books, and the first moment I learned about the Six Points of Interests, I came to you. And as soon as you told me about the Six Seeds, I dragged you and Nick along on this wild trip. And now that I've gotten to the Second Seed and Rarity is safe and sound... well...” Rainbow shrugged. “It's like I've woken up from a long weekend of cider bingeing... and I feel crazy lucid.” She looked up at Sinrar with twitching eyes. “I can't help but feel as though I just dragged you and Nick along for purely selfish reasons.”
“We had every chance to refuse,” Sinrar said. “And if I recall, harpy, I was the one who made it a mandate that I tag along.”
“Right... but still...” Rainbow sighed. “All this time, I was forcing myself to see you guys as travel assistants, when I really should have been seeing you two as who you really were.” She gulped. “Good, good friends.”
Sinrar raised an eyebrow. “Is that really such a bad thing?”
“Well, no. Only...” Rainbow bit her lip, avoiding his gaze. “...after what I went through in the Grand Choke, I... I didn't expect myself to make new friends so... flippantly.”
“Hmmm...” Sinrar smirked. “If I'm to take what you've told me about Equestria seriously, it seems as though friendliness is simply in your nature.”
“Heh... yeah,” Rainbow muttered. “Sorry.”
“Why be sorry?” Sinrar shrugged. “Harmony is something our seas sorely need. And, if you ask me, I think you've given this place an ample dosage.”
Rainbow blinked at him. She turned to look up at the tower again. “Heh...” Her lips curved. “I've certainly left quite a mark, huh?”
“The best gifts are often the strangest.”
“Yeah, well... I certainly dig your gift,” Rainbow said, waving the maps in her grasp. “I'll do my best to make use of them.” She shuddered slightly. “Though I don't do the cartography thing as well as you do. Maybe I should build a cane of my own and hobble around, just to get in the zone or something.”
“Or, perhaps, I could help send you on your way,” Sinrar said. “Has the beacon changed?”
“What, you mean Yaerfaerda?”
“Oui.”
“Well, yeah...” Rainbow squirmed. “But...”
“But what?”
“It's pretty dang weird,” Rainbow grunted. She flapped her wings, hovered, and pointed southeast. “It's... like... off in a distant direction, but it's also at a low fixed point.”
“How, exactly?” Sinrar squinted. “Do you mean under the sea?”
“Yeah.” Rainbow gulped. “Seems like it.”
“Hmmm...” Sinrar winced, struggled, but eventually flapped his own wings. He hovered alongside the mare. “Give me the map with the purple, starry border.”
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow shuffled through the sheets, then produced a sheet of parchment illustrating various spread-out archipelagos. “You mean this one?”
“Oui.” He took it from her and adjusted his bifocals. “Now...” He glanced up at the morning sun, then expertly pivoted the map in order to match its compass rose with the eastern horizon. “...point exactly to where the beacon appears to be situated.”
“Exactly?”
“As well as you can manage, mon petite cheval.”
Rainbow Dash squinted down the length of her hoof. She pivoted and squirmed until—at last—she was certain her outstretched limb pointed directly at the distant, pink emblem. “There.”
“You are certain?”
“Totally.”
“And...” Sinrar tapped his chin in thought, studying the map. “Is the symbol faint or bright?”
“Pretty darn dim,” Rainbow said. “I'm guessing that means it's super far away.”
“Hmmm... indeed...” Sinrar's eyes traced across the map. At last, his lips smirked. “But of course... Shoggoth.”
“Excuse you,” Rainbow droned.
“Oh, it's a very real place,” Sinrar said. “And a very ancient place.” He glanced up at her. “An expertly-built symbol of peaceful coexistence between terrestrial and aquatic races that predates Queen Verlaxion and her supposed Unification.”
“Wait... did you say aquatic?” Rainbow blinked. “As in underwater?”
“Oui.” He nodded. “The Shoggothans live hoof-and-fin with the Siren Tibe, but the city is altogether owned by the earth and unicorn variety. For over a thousand years, it's served as the main trading hub between air breathers and water breathers. Without it, even the Rohbredden economy would not exist.”
“Are... you trying to tell me...” Rainbow Dash slurred, pointing a quivering hoof southeast. “That Yaerfaerda is pointing me towards a friggin' underwater city?!”
“Oui. It would make sense!” Sinrar said. “The place has immense cultural significance. The Sirens and their seapony kin consider the ocean floor there to be hallowed rock, and the Muddredge Dynasty have established the subterranean chambers beneath Shoggoth as their family tomb—something that was specifically consecrated ages ago by Verlaxion-loyal Continentalists.”
“Verlaxion... blessed the Muddredge Dynasty's tomb?” Rainbow murmured, blinking. “So... like... that must make it—”
“The Third Seed,” Sinrar said. “Now do you see why it makes sense, harpy?” He smiled. “Ponies still make submersible pilgrimages there to this day, if only to lay eyes on underground palace belonging to the Muddredge family. As a matter of fact, if word of muzzle is to be trusted, Princess Camellia is building a brand new extension to the tomb to this day.”
“But... but...” Rainbow almost retched. “How in the frig am I to get my flank to a bigass city underwater?!”
“Precisely why now is the time that I take my leave,” Sinrar said, touching down to the sand and leaning on his cane. “It would certainly kill me.”
“Grrrr... Doctor Duuuude...”
“But you, Rainbow Dash.” He pointed. “You are tenacious... and young. Surely with Twilight and your latest companion by your side, you can make it as deep as you have made it far.”
“Thanks for the confidence,” she muttered. “But... like... I-I don't even know how to get there!” She pointed at the maps. “I wouldn't have even made heads or tails out of your scribblings to even know that Shoggoth existed!” She sighed. “Face it. I still need help.”
“Oui. And I suspect you can still find it.”
“Yeah? From where?”
“Whom,” the old stallion corrected. He hoofed her back the maps with a knowing squint. “And, if you ask me, it's the pony who stands to be helped by you more than he can help in your quest.”
Rainbow Dash blinked. “...no kidding?”
“Non.” Sinrar smiled calmly. “No kidding.”
Rainbow glanced at the maps, then back up at him. “But... but would he even be willing?”
“Bah! As if you should even ask!” He hobbled back towards the mainland. “But, if you must do so, then time is of the essence. I do believe he and his foolish Continentalist companions are recommissioning their boats as we speak!”
Rainbow Dash fidgeted from where she hovered. Before her stretched a tiny inlet of water that had formed into the body of land that made up the eastern strip of the Nealend Atoll. Several boats were moored tightly together, and all of them were in disrepair. Several Continentalists—and a few native Nealend assistants—were busying themselves with the task of patching up the damaged ships' hulls. A few boats had been fixed already, and these were being piloted out into open water so that the crews could test their seaworthiness. One by one, the foreign ponies who had been stranded there by Ultimo's “reign of terror” reclaimed their freedom, and there was no shortage of cheer or merriment in the warm tropical air.
“What are you waiting for?” Twilight asked as she and the other spectral unicorn orbited their companion. “If we wait too long, he might shove off!”
“I... I dunno...” Rainbow bit her lip.
“You've seen the maps that Sinrar's given you!” Twilight exclaimed. “There's far, far too much open water for you to fly before you even reach another sliver of land! No living pegasus can flap her wings that distance and not risk drowning!”
“I know that, Twi...”
“Then what is the problem?” Rarity remarked. She pointed at a dark-blue yacht about twice the length of the Swan Song where Theanim Mane could be seen rigging a freshly patched sail. “Your friend here is heading eastwards along with his companions anyways. Surely it would be very little of a burden to tag along.”
“It's... j-just that I'm not quite used to the end of something being an easy thing,” Rainbow's voice cracked. “Nick found love and Sinrar found a new calling. Good for them and all, but most parting-of-ways is a lot more headachy... and heartachy. She gulped. “Kinda makes me hesitant to gain yet another traveling buddy.” She looked at Rarity and Twilight. “You know what I mean?”
The two ghostly mares glanced at each other, then simultaneously shook their heads in Rainbow's direction.
“Uh uh.”
“Not at all.”
“Unnngh...” Rainbow face hoofed. “Why do I even bother...?”
“I think you're dwelling a bit too much on your experience with the Novel Jerky, darling.”
“Noble Jury,” Rainbow said with a frown.
“I do beg your pardon,” Rarity uttered with an arched eyebrow. “I think I'm doing remarkably well for how little time I've been given to digest all of this information.”
“What I think Rarity's trying to say, Rainbow, is that you shouldn't expect every pony that you motivate into helping you to turn into a heavy or intense experience.” Twilight bore a hopeful smile. “I mean, learn from Sinrar and Nick! They helped you... er... get your hooves wet and now look at them! They're going back to live their lives! Why, even better lives!”
“Yes! Twilight's right! Besides...” Rarity waved a gracious hoof. “It's better to think of this as some sort of business arrangement. After all, you've given Dr. Mane the means of releasing himself from the bonds of this archipelago. It's only fitting—and profitable—that the handsome stallion provide you transportation to your next engagement.”
“Yeah. Sure.” Rainbow nodded. “That's a cool way of looking at it.” A few seconds passed, and she blinked pointedly in Rarity's direction. “...'handsome stallon?'”
“Oh, yes, well... ahem...” Rarity toyed with her mane, looking over her shoulder with a rosy smile. “You have to admit, those blue eyes of his are rather striking—whenever he's not obscuring them with those dreadfully tacky goggles, of course.”
Twilight giggled while Rainbow groaned.
“As a matter of fact, I'd say he was somewhat familiar,” Rarity remarked. She squinted in the yacht's direction. “Yes... yes, he bears a rather striking resemblance to another gentlecoltly doctor who used to frequent the Boutique.”
“Oh really?” Twilight remarked.
“Yes, he was rather fond of neckties—that one.” Rarity tapped her chin as she continued gazing. “This specimen? Why, he strikes me as a bit of a dandy. I imagine a nice woolly scarf would do a number on his learned complexion. Oooh! Blue as the sea! It would match his eyes!”
“Alright, buck it.” Rainbow cracked her neck joints and flew forward. “Let's get things over with.”
“Rainbow, stop expecting the worst!” Twilight exclaimed. “Just go up to him, ask him if he knows about Shoggoth, and ask if he'll help give you passage there!”
“What's the worse that could happen?” Rarity asked.
“You guys don't get it,” Rainbow Dash muttered while floating forward, approaching the busy inlet full of boats. “I rarely ever... straight up ask ponies to join me in my... erm... east-feathering.”
Rarity asked, “Then how exactly did you go about recruiting your prior companions? The ones whom you and Twilight keep referring to?”
“I dunno.” Rainbow shrugged. “I kinda sorta got slaughtered by a dragon, then preserved in chaos form, then fought my way tooth-and-hoof out of a giant military basement.”
“Uhhhhhhhhhhh...”
“Oh! Greetings!” Theanim Mane swiveled about, waving at the approaching mare. “A blessed morning to you, Rainbow Dash! Verlaxion's Sleet!” He took a deep breath. “You smell that air?! I absolutely can't wait to get back out into the open ocean again!”
“Yeah. Uh huh.” Rainbow cleared her throat. “Say, Doc, I was wondering—”
“Isn't she an absolute beauty?” Theanim said, stretching a forelimb out.
“Squee?”” Rarity's face brightened.
Twilight leaned in to whisper in her ear. “He can't see us, Rarity.
Rarity's face and ears drooped. “Squee...”
“What, the boat?” Rainbow remarked.
“The Midnight Dreary, thank you very much!” Theanim sighed with a proud smile. “I mean, I didn't build the thing like your Kihutajan friend, but I'm still quite fond of the purchase. And it didn't take nearly as long as I thought to put her back into shape! Whew! Isn't life good?”
“Sure. Why not. Look, Doc...” Rainbow flew closer. “...while you're in such a chipper mood, I was wondering if maybe... just maybe... you would down with—”
“—providing you deep passage into Continentalist waters?” Theanim Mane adjusted the goggles over his mane and smiled. “Nothing would give me greater pleasure, Miss Dash.”
The pegasus and her ghostly companions blinked.
“Wow... that was easy,” Twilight remarked.
“That was easy,” Rarity said.
“You can say that again,” Rainbow muttered towards them.
“Hmmm?” Theanim leaned forward. “What was that?”
“Er... uhhh...” Rainbow cleared her throat. “You... sure you can say that?” Rainbow remarked. “You don't even know where I want to go.”
“Does it matter?” Theanim said.
Rainbow's teeth showed. “... … ...doesn't it?” she eventually squeaked.
“My good mare...” Theanim strolled towards the edge of the boat. “I have already spoken with Sinrar. He made it quite clear that you'll be needing a fresh boat to continue on your journey. And, quite frankly, after all that I've witnessed... it would be outright sinful to my scientific career to not allow myself a chance to observe more.”
“Observe... more...?”
Theanim's eyes narrowed. “You still remain a mystery, and yet... the picture is becoming clearer and clearer, Miss Dash. It is a picture of a world that... exists beneath this one! Or even within this one. Verlaxion hasn't spoken of it, but...” He slowly shook his head. “Surely that doesn't mean that it's forbidden. Perhaps—just perhaps—it is merely another path by which we mortals can more properly understand her! Who would I be to give that up?”
Rainbow tilted her head back until she was squinting at him through the corner of her eye. “... … ...even if it means going to a super sketchy underwater destination?”
Theanim's muzzle scrunched in thought. In very little time, he pronounced, “Shoggoth?”
“Uh huh.”
“Is that your next destination?”
“Is that a problem?”
Theanim leaned back with a smirk. “If you had ask that of the Doctor Theanim Mane who existed a week ago, he would surely refuse, considering the quest to be far too costly and foreboding.”
“And... what about the Doctor Theanim who's smirking at me now?”
“I'd follow you to the neverending falls if you let me.”
“How... could you be so gung-ho all of the sudden?”
“You want to know why? I'll show you.” He reached into the spacious cabin of his yacht and pulled out several sheets of photographic paper. “These... I developed them just this morning.” He tossed them onto the edge of the deck before Rainbow. “These are why.”
Rainbow Dash touched down, glancing at the images. Rarity and Twilight hovered lower to get a better lock.
Half of Theanim Mane's photographs displayed the same thing: a bright glowing symbol that was etched into an otherwise unblemished gold surface. Rainbow realized that the shiny metal belonged to a door situated deep down in the machine world beneath Nealend's Lagoon. The symbol, however, was something Rainbow Dash hadn't seen up until that point, although the simplicity of it certainly matched the styles that she had observed in Eljunbyro, Odrsjot, and Urohringr.
Six small circles were grouped diagonally together, courtesy of a curved and wavering line that ascended to the top left of the emblem's frame. Or—perhaps—the line was descending so that it culminated in the bottomrightmost circle. Rainbow realized that—without any sort of reference—there was no true way of telling what was up or what was down in the picture.
“Is this it, Rainbow?” Twilight asked, her eyes sparkling with curious enthusiasm. “Is this one of the symbols that were left for you? Like Austraeoh, Eljunbyro, and the others?”
“I beg your pardon?” Rarity looked over Rainbow's mane. “Ostrich Ho? Elephant what?”
“It certainly holds up,” Rainbow muttered.
“Holds up?” Theanim Mane leaned forward atop the Midnight Dreary's deck. “How means you?”
“Six circles for Six Seeds,” Twilight murmured aloud. “Surely, that can't be a coincidence.”
“Let's not jump to conclusions, Twilight,” Rainbow muttered. “Innavedr has a whole bunch of crazy crap going on in its symbol, but it wasn't important for me to count each friggin' line.”
“I do hope somepony is going to fill me in on all of this darkly diving gibberish,” Rarity grumbled.
“Look, Rarity, relax,” Rainbow droned. “I'm trying to catch my bearings here—”
“'Rarity?!'” Theanim Mane bore a dumb smile. “So there is a second one?!”
All three mares tilted their heads up, reflecting his face with wide eyes. “Uhhhhhhm...”
“Yes... yes... but of course!” Theanim Mane pointed at the photographs. “That would explain it!”
“Explain what?” Rainbow remarked.
“I know you can't quite tell from the photographs there, but when we first stumbled upon the door in that submerged metal chamber, two of the circles were glowing.” The scientist smirked. “The bottom right one and the next immediate circle to the top-left of it.” He pointed again. “The bottom circle was glowing blue while its neighbor had a glow that resembled... pink... fuchsia...”
“... … ...lavender?” Rainbow thought aloud.
“Ah! Yes!” Theanim chuckled. “Do forgive me. I fail at times when it comes to labeling colors appropriately.”
“Alas, there's a criminal on every ocean,” Rarity slurred. Twilight giggled.
“But then!” Theanim's blue eyes continued to shimmer with zeal. “The moment you re-emerged from the chamber beyond the door, having come into contact with the red flame, the very next circle began glowing!” The stallion pointed at the third shape from the bottom of the photo. “And this was a very bright white light! Like Verlaxion's glorious frost!”
Rainbow glanced over her shoulder at a blinking fashionista. “You don't say...” she exhaled.
“It's one thing to realize that this strange underground place reacted to you in some way, Miss Dash,” Theanim said. “But it would appear as though the mysterious environment has re-molded itself as a result of your presence. You've left a permanent mark on this ancient landscape.” His eyes darted up, reflecting the tower above the Nealend jungle. “In more ways than one.”
“He's right, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said.
“It's no major news to me, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “I just... didn't expect to run into this sort of crud again so soon.”
“There has to be some sort of connection between our current situation and the symbol we're running into just now!” Twilight exclaimed. “I mean, Yaerfaerda had six circles, right? And the moment you started seeing that was when you were inexorably drawn towards releasing me, Rarity, and the others!”
“Uhhhh...”
“What was it you said that the bodiless voice declared? From your vision?” Twilight tapped her chin in thought. “Something about 'seeking purpose from within' or something? Well, maybe it meant inside you. Meaning inside the Element of Loyalty! The Loyalty Pendant, Rainbow!” She grinned wide. “Your ties to Harmony!”
“Now you're just reaching, egghead.”
“But I'm onto something, aren't I?”
“I truly wish I was,” Rarity muttered. “Doctor Handsome here isn't the only one dying of curiosity.”
“Rarity, for the last time, stop calling him handsome—” Rainbow's eyes bugged. With folded ears, she nervously glanced across the yacht.
Theanim Mane stared at her, an eyebrow arched.
Rainbow cleared her throat, then cleared it again. “Look... this... this is some snazzy snapshots you've taken, Doc. Forgive me if... uhhhh... if I don't quite have the answers to this.”
“I can see that,” Theanim said with a nod. “For surely you are searching. There is yet a great deal left for you to learn and discover. I think we can both relate on that.”
“Yyyyyyyeahhhhh...”
“But I suspect that there is a great deal you can teach me,” he said with a calm smile. “Especially in regards to these terms: 'Innavedr'... 'Twilight'... 'Rarity.'” He cocked his head to the side. “Am I to understand that some entities possess... more palpable essences than the others?”
“Heeeee!” Rarity fanned herself with overabundant gusto. “He called me 'palpable!' That's my first compliment since I hatched from Rainbow's ghost egg!”
“It's not a ghost egg!” Rainbow growled over her shoulder.
“Heeheehee!” Twilight clutched her tummy. “Oh Rarity... I'm so very glad you're back.”
“Ughhhh...” Rainbow Dash hung her head, then glanced Theanim's way. “Okay. I know I must seem pretty messed up on the surface right now.”
“On the surface.” Theanim nodded, smirking.
“But... if you have questions... then it's only fair that I have answers,” Rainbow said.
“Splendid.” He reached a hoof out so she could shake it. “Consider it payment for the passage. I'm dying to know all about your journey as a whole.”
“You sure about that...?” Rainbow squinted as they shook hooves. “I've told you some pretty radical stuff already. Stuff that kinda spits in the eye of Verlaxion. You're a smart dude and all, but I dunno if even you are ready for Mind Blown City.”
“I suspect the muscle between my ears could use some much-needed exercise,” Theanim said. “In all honesty, Miss Dash, I simply couldn't live with myself if I departed from this Atoll without knowing more about what makes you—and that underground world—tick.”
“He speaks for me as well,” Rarity said.
“I'll tell you, Rarity,” Rainbow groaned. She flinched and faced Theanim again. “I'll tell you, Doc.” She rolled her eyes. “I'll tell everypony, okay? It's just... I-I kinda have to get to this place now...”
“Shoggoth, yes?” Theanim tilted his head aside. “That's what Sinar mentioned. I suppose it's only fitting to get a confirmation straight from your own muzzle.”
“Right.” Rainbow nodded. “There's... something very important in that place.” She gulped. “I hear it's situated deep beneath the ocean.”
“Indeed,” Theanim said with a nod. “A major trading hub for both earth and water equines. Access to Lower Shoggoth isn't all that difficult. After all, the locals there are rather amicable... if not a bit greedy.”
“Greedy?” Rarity blinked.
“Erm... how so?” Rainbow asked.
“Getting to the city is not about possessing submersibles or gills,” Theanim said, smiling. “It's all about having the right amount of coin.”
“Ah jeez...” Rainbow groaned. “That's the one darn thing I don't have a whole lot of.” Her eyes twitched. “Don't... don't tell me you're thinking of... of paying our way—”
Theanim chuckled. “I may be a scientist first, Miss Dash, but being raised along the bluffs of Rohbredden have taught me a thing or two about being thrifty. I'm certainly not about to spend my entire fortune on an exciting albeit foolhardy sojourn.”
“Gotcha.” Rainbow nodded, exhaling. “So... like... how am I... or we going to find a way into the place?”
“Hmmmm...” Theanim paced along the Midnight Dreary's blue deck. “... … ...” He blinked, and his eyes brightened once more. “Echo. But of course!”
“Echo?” Twilight's lavender muzzle scrunched.
“What... is that a place or...?” Rainbow began.
“An old companion of mine, actually,” Theanim said. “It's not his real name, of course. But the stallion does have connections in the oceanic trading syndicates. Many connections. A job like that benefits from a certain degree of anonymity.”
“Sure. I'll buy that.”
“I've bailed him out of a few situations back in the day,” Theanim said with a reminiscing smile. “Why, just about three years ago, Echo was captured by a group of superstitious islanders on his way to a trade meeting. Utilizing a hoofful of pyrotechnics, I managed to scare his captors away before ferrying him to safety. He said he's owed me ever since.” He sighed pleasantly. “Perhaps now is a good time to collect on that.”
“He can get us into Shoggoth?”
“Echo's been down there quite a few times,” Theanim said. “A stallion of his trade pretty much has to. After all, if you don't show personal patronage to Princess Camellia, then you aren't getting anywhere on these waves.”
“Ohhhh... a Princess,” Rarity cooed. “This already sounds delightful!”
“A detour, I'm afraid, is inevitable,” Theanim said. He trotted across the deck, picking up his photographs. “But fear not. If I know Echo, he's bound to be holed up in the port city of Rust.”
“Rust?”
“It's a long trip from here, but not too terribly far from Upper Shoggoth,” Theanim explained, picking up the sheets. “We find Echo, and then we've got free passage into the affluent Muddredgers' City. I can absolutely guarantee it.”
“Well then...” Rainbow smiled, picking up the last photo and hoofing it towards Theanim. “I guess the cruise line is a go.”
“Most definitely,” Theanim said. “I simply need to put the finishing touches on the Dreary, and I suspect you have your things to pack.”
Rainbow shook the weight of her saddlebag. “This is it.”
“That's all you possess?”
“Yuppers.”
Theanim exhaled, shuffling the photographs in his hooves. “You weren't joking when you said you weren't exactly rich.” He glanced at the top photo, then smiled. “I don't know about you, but I'm simply bubbling inside with anticipation. I have to know if more of the seven circles are capable of glowing.”
“Huh?” Rainbow blinked. “Seven?”
Rarity and Twilight looked similarly confused.
Theanim glanced aside. “Why, yes. Of course.”
Rainbow simply gaped at him.
He turned and pointed at the photo. “The six small circles and the line are framed by a seventh. Do you not see?”
Rainbow grasped the top photo and took another look at it. Rarity and Twilight exchanged blank expressions.
“Well then...” Theanim stifled a chuckle as he trotted down into the cabin. “...good thing I'm the photographer. Not being blind is the most proper prerequisite, yes?”
“Kaji, Sora, Silver and the others came up with an idea,” Flare said. Gracefully, she unwrapped a cloth etched all over with coral motifs. “It may seem like nothing to a landwalker such as yourself, but it's the closest we have to a permanent token of affection.” At last, she produced a jagged blade. Trotting to the edge of the Swan Song's deck, she held it out to the pegasus hovering along the starboard side. “Do with it as you like. It's seen its purpose acted out.”
It was morning of the next day. The Swan Song and the Midnight Dreary had cruised out into the open waters east of the Nealand Atoll. Several Continentalists were already piloting their vessels east, safely sailing towards their various destinations at long last. Theanim Mane and a hoof-full of fellow travelers stood on board the Midnight Dreary, observing the exchange taking place. Sinrar and Nick stood side by side on board the Swan Song behind Flare, smiling serenely.
“Jee... I, uhh...” Rainbow Dash picked up the jagged blade while a levitating Rarity and Twilight Sparkle looked on. “I wish I could say that it looked familiar to me.” Her eyes darted over to Flare's. “Should it look familiar to me?”
Flare smiled. “It's the head of the one spear we could recover,” she said. “From stabbing Ultimo multiple times in glorious combat, of course.”
“Of c-course,” Rainbow said with a shudder. Upon closer inspection, she could see several stained splotches of red along the blade's serrated teeth. “I'll... uh...” She slid it swiftly into the left pouch of her satchel. “...I'll put it in safe-keeping for whenever I get nostalgic for horrendously violent whaling sport.”
“Heehee!” Flare giggled, rubbing her forelimbs together. “I'd knew you'd love it!” She glanced over her shoulder with a smug grin. “And Silver thought she'd enjoy the still-twitching heart carved out of a gutted shark!”
“Erm...” Sinrar squirmed.
“Ehmmm...” Nick squirmed harder.
Rarity leaned in to Rainbow Dash. “And just who is this 'Ultimo' when he's at home?”
Twilight leaned in from the other side. “He's a big mutant death fish that Rainbow Dash had to fight in order to get you back.”
Rarity's blue eyes twitched. “I beg your pardon?”
“Yeesh, we really need to get you caught up, don't we?”
“SO THEN.” Rainbow Dash smiled wide, slightly frazzled. “I guess this is it, huh?”
“Don't think of it this as 'good bye!'” Flare touched down on board the Swan Song, hugging Nick close with a strong wing. “We'll all meet again to hunt sailfish in the afterlife, Verlaxion willing! Heeeee!”
“Erm...” Nick cleared his throat. “I'm sure Rainbow Dash would prefer to do less strenuous activities beyond death...”
“Hah! You can't melt if you don't have blood pumping! Whoop!”
Sinrar sighed. “...this is going to be a long trip back home.”
Rainbow giggled. “Somehow, I think the long part is over.”
“If by that you mean my disastrously surly existence, I'm inclined to agree.” Sinrar leaned on his makeshift cane, smiling coyly. “It's never too late to turn a new leaf.”
“It won't be easy convincing other ponies of the realm beyond the Grand Choke,” Twilight said.
Rainbow cleared her throat. “Twilight's got a good point. Just how are you going to get ponies to listen to your new... uhhhh... West World Academics?”
Sinrar raised an eyebrow above his spectacles. “You forget, Harpy. I still have a shitload of notes gathered from years and years of research. Only—thanks to you—I'm able to combine everything and make a thesis on 'Val Roan Culture, Ancient and Modern.'”
“And if worse comes to worst,” Nick said. “With the Blight gone, what's to stop us from making a voyage west to validate the old stallion's claims?” He smiled victoriously. “I know a unicorn who's good at building swift ships!”
“And a mare who can kick the flanks of any privateers who try to rob it!” Flare added, sticking her tongue out.
“Heheheh...” Nick nuzzled the pegasus. “Darn straight!”
“Erm...” Rainbow Dash fidgeted in midair. “That sounds snazzy and all, guys, but don't forget about the Grand Choke. There's a friggin' endless desert waiting on the other side of that ocean, Blight or not—”
“Hey.” Nick shrugged. “One thing at a time, huh?”
“Oui,” Sinrar said, nodding. “If ancient Val Roans with primitive technology made it through the Blighted wasteland centuries ago, then I can't fathom what's preventing Kihutajans with twice the know-how and half the obstacles.”
“Heh...” Rainbow glanced aside at Twilight, smirking. “That's an awesome way of looking at it.” She turned back to the group and giggled. “Who knows?! Maybe in a few decades, you guys will be calling yourselves 'Continentalists' as well! But for a different reason.”
“I'm certainly excited by the prospect,” Nick said. “Still, Rainbow, it's super... charming that you would be so concerned for us.”
“I guess I can't help it.” Rainbow swallowed a lump down her throat and murmured, “If I spent another month with you guys, who knows. I might have wanted to adopt...”
“What's the use of a purple-eyed pet if its shaved hairless?” Sinrar rasped.
“Yeah, heheh—HEY!” Nick pouted.
“Hmmmm...” Flare nuzzled him closely. “I can think of a few usesssss...”
Nick blinked off into the horizon. “Buhhhh...”
“Great...” Sinrar rolled his eyes. “I may have to pilot the damn ship myself.” He waved at Rainbow Dash. “You'd better be shoving off, Mademoiselle. Nothing to see here but dust and dumbasses.”
“Don't sell yourself short, guys.” Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and touched down on the edge of the Midnight Dreary. “I'd never have gotten anywhere if it weren't for you two. Seriously.”
“Have a great journey, Rainbow Dash,” Nick said. He gave a tiny salute, smiling. “It was... a really nifty experience... b-bumping into you.”
“Best crash landing I can remember right now,” Rainbow said. She looked over her shoulder. “Doctor Mane?”
“Right.” Theanim Mane trotted up. Adjusting his goggles, he nodded towards the trimaran and its occupants. “Though it may fall on deaf ears, I extend the blessings of Verlaxion on each and every one of you. May she provide you a swift and safe passage home.”
“You know, despite the fashion in which you desperately cling to a ridiculously mind-numbing dogma, you're not half bad, doctor,” Sinrar droned. “You have innate scholarly curiosity, and that's something greatly lacking in most Rohbredden imbeciles.”
“Jee, thanks. I think.” Theanim smirked, his eyes narrow. “Is that your assessment as a fellow scientist, or—dare I say—a friend?”
“That's me trying his damnedest not to harpoon your stupid grin with my cane.” Sinrar rolled his eyes and trotted towards the cabin of the Swan Song. “Quelle sottise! Let us shove off already, mes petits chevaux.”
“Good bye, Thunker Meat!” Flare waved. “Hope you steal lots of pretty, pretty souls where you're going!”
“We'll see,” Theanim said, waving back. “I'll have to get more film in Rust. Among other things.” He shouted at the other occupants of his yacht. “We're shoving off!” With strong forelimbs, he unfurled the sail.
The Swan Song drew away, along with Nick and Flare's smiling faces. “So long, Rainbow Dash!” Nick said, hollering louder as the two ships grew more and more distant. “Stay awesome! And give my regards to Twilight and Rarity!”
“Done and done, kiddo!” Rainbow waved back. “Good luck with all of your... er... shipping!”
Flare's giggling voice could be heard one last time, and then all was waves and surf. The Swan Song turned about, reduced to a silver flash of aluminum that coasted its way around the Atoll, bending sharply west. Within a few minutes, it was yet another flickering glimmer along the sunlit horizon, and eventually the Atoll itself became an obscure piece of the undulating haze.
Rainbow Dash exhaled, leaning back as she gazed past the stern of the swiftly cruising Midnight Dreary.
“Well...” Rarity trotted around Rainbow Dash, smiling gently. “That wasn't so bad, was it?”
“Surprisingly...” Rainbow turned and gazed at her. “No. It wasn't.”
“They'll be fine, Rainbow,” Twilight said with a soft grin. “As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure we all agree that they're better off now that they've met you than they were before.”
“Yeah. Yeah, you're right.” Rainbow hugged herself slightly. “Still... nothing changes the fact that it still... mmm... sucks.”
“In what way?”
“Just...” Rainbow shrugged and shrugged again. “...living life in a straight line means you're always leaving stuff behind. I mean I dig the sights and the sounds... but it's never one hundred percent easy.”
“Well, think of it this way.” Rarity squatted down beside her, flouncing her mane with an elegant smile. “There are five things that you'll never be leaving behind.” Her eyelashes fluttered. “In fact, you're bound to gain them all. Handsomely so.”
Rainbow stared at her. She smiled. “I'm really... really glad to have you back, Rarity.”
“Mmmm... quite.” Rarity winked. “I'm glad to have myself back too.”
“And you, Twilight,” Rainbow said, looking at the other mare. “If... if only I could have had it like this from the beginning. Instead...” She gulped hard. “...instead of always searching.”
“What matters is that the search is proving fruitful in the end, Rainbow,” Twilight said in a pleasant tone.
“It is... isn't it?” Rainbow smiled.
Twilight smiled back. At last, she said, “Let's go get Pinkie, huh?”
“Heehee... yeah...” Rainbow turned and grinned in the direction of the vanishing Atoll. “... … ...whoop.”
When the Midnight Dreary took off for the southeast horizon, Rainbow Dash expected nothing but wide open seas. While this turned out to be more or less the case, what she didn't expect was the copious amount of coral reefs forming all along the yacht's course. There were patches of underwater formations so close to the surface that several seagulls gathered every half-mile or so to rest before continuing their migratory paths.
“Where do you suppose they're headed?” Rainbow inquired.
“Northeast!” Theanim Mane exclaimed, steering the ship with remarkable grace. The scientist's muzzle took on a completely different expression while on the open sea. He looked three times as alive and his wide blue eyes reflected the rippling waves on either side of them. “There's a strip of uninhabited atolls between here and the northern Rohbredden outreaches!”
“No ponies live in these atolls?” Rainbow asked.
“They wouldn't survive the high tide six months out of the year,” Theanim explained. “Nah... nothing here but unblemished nature.”
“No kidding,” Rainbow remarked. “Is that why we're moving so slow?”
“Hmmm?” Theanim glanced over at her. “Oh. You mean to not disturb the coral and its wildlife? Quite astute. But, relax, it's a great deal swifter a venture than attempting to circumnavigate the formations entirely.”
“Still, we wanna get to Rust, don't we?”
“Patience, Miss Dash,” Theanim remarked, stifling a chuckle or two. “Honestly, what's the rush?”
Rainbow exhaled, gazing out at the shallow waters with a slight shudder. “Yeah. Good point.”
“You should head down below deck!” Theanim remarked. “Get some shade! Fraternize with the other passengers?”
“Yeah, just who are they anyways?”
“Heheh... why don't you find out for yourself?” Theanim smiled. “They're harmless, of course—at least by Nealend standards.”
“Some of your Colonialist buddies?”
“Frost Flanks, Dr. Sands, and Mr. and Mrs. Cobbletrots,” Theanim said. “They each had their own vessels at one point...”
“...but Ultimo made a meal out of them.”
“Let's just say they're quite grateful to have their necks in one piece. Hmmm?”
“Do... uh...” Rainbow fidgeted. “Do they mind taking a detour through Rust? I mean, it's not like I enlisted any of them on this trip.”
“Hah! There's absolutely nothing to regret, my dear!” Theanim exclaimed. “Rust is a major trading post. Once there, they'll surely find transit to Central Rohbredden and the Eastern reaches abroad!”
“Well, that's kinda cool... I guess...”
“You really should try socializing with them, though,” Theanim said with a smile. “Every pony is absolutely dying to know how you helped us in and out of the space beneath the lagoon.”
“Why? Haven't you told them?”
Theanim nodded, steering the ship carefully. “And they've seen my photographs, most certainly. But that's not the point. It'd be far better for them to hear the truth from the horse's mouth—if you catch my drift.”
“Jee, I dunno,” Rainbow muttered. “Not everypony is as curious as you, Doc.”
“I'd rather describe myself as... as...” Theanim tapped his chin in thought, smiled, and said, “'Exploration Friendly.'”
“Well, let's keep the exploration between you and me,” Rainbow muttered, trotting across the deck. “If you don't mind.”
“I... don't mind...” He blinked after her. “But I do feel a modicum of sympathy towards a mare who would feel the need for such introversion...”
“Heh... trust me, Doc...” Rainbow gave him a lasting glance before going to recline on the far side of the vessel. “I'm not as alone as you think.”
Theanim contemplated those words, but felt it best not to bother her about it. They resumed the rest of the daylight sojourn in silence, and the Midnight Dreary eventually cleared the shallow reefs by nightfall. When evening came, Rainbow Dash offered to pilot the ship while Theanim rested. After convincing him that she had learned enough from riding so many days and nights on the Swan Song, Rainbow Dash earned control of the rudder wheel.
That's how Rainbow Dash found herself cruising over the glossy black waves of an open ocean late at night with a celestial canopy of stars overhead. If it weren't for the gentle, persistent touch of a warm wind against her brow, Rainbow Dash may not have realized she was even moving across the onyx liquid surfaces. The only source of light was the dim haze wafting out of the yacht's lower deck windows. If Rainbow glanced to her left and right, she'd see light ripples rolling across an otherwise immaculate reflection of the constellations above.
“Somepony, please pinch me,” Rarity cooed, nearly drooling. She hovered over the cool waters, twirling about and seeing two sets of stars in every other glance. “It's like I'm flying through the heavens!” A tiny squeal came from her lips, and soon she flashed a pouting expression in Twilight's direction. “I do believe I asked to be pinched, Twilight, darling.”
“Rarity,” Twilight sighed. “I love you, but I am not going to rush over to your side every single moment you need physical interaction!”
“Well...” Rarity's ears folded back. “...if you are not going to hug or pinch me, then who will?!”
“We're going to yank Pinkie out of the ether next, aren't we?” Rainbow muttered. “Can't you wait until then?”
“Yes!” Twilight chuckled. “Just like Dr. Mane said earlier: what's the rush?”
Rainbow Dash exhaled with a shudder. She held a hoof to her ruby lightning bolt pendant while chewing on her bottom lip.
“Rainbow... won't you just... won't you just take a look around you?!” Rarity cooed. “I know you're minding the handsome Mr. Mane's boat and all, but must you keep your eyes aimed ahead of you all the time?” She pointed at the stars above. “This is beauty itself! Why... I've never even been on an ocean cruise!”
“This isn't a cruise,” Rainbow mumbled. “We gotta get somewhere.” She adjusted the weight of her saddlebags. “And I gotta keep paying attention to Sinrar's maps.”
“She has a point, though, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “It would be a shame to ignore so much...” She sighed, bearing an intoxicating smile. “...gorgeous sights.”
“Eh...” Rainbow shrugged. “...I've seen it before.”
“But how could you say that?” Rarity exclaimed, her voice taking on a squeaky edge. “You've ventured further than every living Equestrian combined and you can't even allow yourself a moment to drink it all in?”
“I was more concerned with—y'know—speeding it.”
“What ever for, darling?”
“Rarity, I... I didn't exactly have a reason to drink it all in,” Rainbow said. Her ears pulled back slightly as she murmured: “I... didn't think I'd have anypony to share it all with.”
Rarity and Twilight looked on.
“And with the Jury, it was different. I mean... heh...” Rainbow's muzzle curved. “It was awesome. It was awesome a lot.” She exhaled. “But I was more interested in my traveling buddies than the places we traveled past.” She glanced back at the two spectres. “Does that make any sense?”
“Perfectly, Rainbow,” Twilight said with a nod.
“But things are different, my dear,” Rarity said, floating around until she hovered in front of the mare. “We're here now! You've got your friends back!”
“I know...” Rainbow said with a nod. She looked past the fashionista, minding the waters ahead. “I'm still trying to get used to that.”
“What?” Twilight smirked. “Having somepony to talk to?”
“It's more than that,” Rainbow said. “All this time—before I found you guys—I felt... well... I kinda sorta expected this whole thing to be a one way trip. If I was lucky, I'd get to the Midnight Armory. But boom... that was it. Like... who in their right mind could make it back from such a crazy place to even speak of it to anyone, friend or not?”
Twilight's lips pursed. She and Rarity exchanged glances.
Rainbow leaned against he rudder wheel, nostrils flaring. “But... but now the trip means so much more... hrmmf...” She smirked slightly, rolling her eyes back so that she took on the chaotic arrangement of dazzling, twinkling stars. “Circles... it's always about circles. One big circle broken into a dozen little pieces... wanting to get back together. And here I am—flying some crazy-flank circle to get it all clicking again.” Her eyes blinked. “By going in one direction.” She glanced back at the girls, smirking. “... … ...can you believe that I once thought I was unlucky?”
“It... does seem like an awful burden, Rainbow,” Rarity said in a low tone. “I... I wish there was a way we could... make this entire endeavor easier for you...”
Rainbow gazed at her, then at Twilight. Turning back towards the bow, she steered the ship forward through the glittery waves. “Do you two remember the mountain we all climbed to wake up the dragon whose breath was clouding all of Ponyville?”
“How could we not, darling?!” Rarity gasped. “That dragon encounter was positively dreadful!”
“I remember it as though it was only yesterday,” Twilight added, though she winced. “Erm... you know what I mean.”
Rainbow smirked. “Well, I've climbed mountains at least four times the height of that.”
“Mountains... that are higher?” Twilight remarked.
“Surely you jest!” Rarity added.
Rainbow slowly shook her head. “Tall, snow-covered summits... with barren rock untouched by any other pony soul.” She raised a hoof, gesturing with a “cruising” motion. “I flew through these super deep canyons—like seriously deep—that had been chiseled into the dead stone of the Grand Choke. I'm talking crazy, jagged ravines full of sand from hundreds of thousands of years of windstorms filling them up... and then emptying them... only to repeat, I beat.”
Rarity flew in a tight circle around Rainbow. “My word... I daresay very few ponies have witnessed what you have.”
“And how about the top edge of the world?” Rainbow glanced aside, eyes full of starlight. “Nopony can cross the north edge, of course, but I've seen it. Rows upon rows of jagged red crystal called skystone.”
“You've seen skystone with your naked eyes?!” Twilight gasped. “And lived?!”
“Yeah...” Rainbow nodded. “And through a hurricane powered by a giant flying city.” Rainbow bore a proud smirk. “You might remember that tale, Twilight, but not Rarity.”
“You didn't tell me about the skystone... wow!” Twilight plopped down on the deck, grinning dumbly. “Only a few Equestrians from the age of Starswirl the Bearded have managed to write about the topic.”
“Yeah, well, some of the ponies in Ledomare and Xonan powered their cities with the stuff. Try to imagine—like—cities running off of pure, unbridled magic. Huge skyscrapers half-standing... half-floating. Even a big friggin' city of smog and rusted metal just... floating over the mountains! Like Cloudsdale but harnessed out of steel and bits!”
“That... sounds positively mesmerizing,” Rarity murmured. “Please, Rainbow... do tell us more.”
Rainbow opened her mouth, but lingered. She gazed at the two mares, their friendly gazes locked on her muzzle. “Yeah...” She breathed warmly. “I think I will.”
Rarity sat down next to Twilight, her tail wagging like an excited foal's. The Midnight Dreary rolled on through the rippling drink, bathed in stars and in the cracks of Rainbow's voice.
“The desert stretches of Silvadel—I mean before Silvadel... like in the western wastelands? They have these huge... huuuuuge structures built out of stone, rock, and metal. Luna Poop... how can I even begin to describe them to you...?”
At sunrise, the open ocean stretched far and wide. The Midnight Dreary was a blue speck on an even bluer sheet, constantly and unceasingly fluctuating in every direction. Rainbow had seen oceans this vast and desolate before. Only, when she was navigating the Grand Choke, she had the... “luxury” of both starvation and madness to keep her occupied. At the present, however, she was bored out of her damn skull.
Another thirty-six hours of persistent sea-piercing prevailed, and Rainbow Dash was swiftly running out of poetic, purple nuance with which to entertain her spectral companions. Thus, by the third day of sea voyaging, she took to the air, exercising her wing muscles through restless loopty-loops flown high above the yacht while it continued is sailing voyage east.
“My my...” One of the Colonialist passengers remarked, fanning himself while he and the other three reclined on the front deck. “She certainly is an agile mare, isn't she?”
“No doubt,” Theanim Mane said, gripping the rudder wheel as he pursued the southeast horizon. “And she's seen far more seascapes—and landscapes than the rest of us. Rest assured.”
“Is that a fact?” A mare glanced across the deck. “Rumor was—according to the Nealand locals—that she was from another continent.”
Theanim's ears folded back. “Ermmm...”
“How can there possibly be another continent?” A stallion chuckled. “Verlaxion's glory extends to all ponies in existence. Therefore, aside from the apostate archipelagos bordering the Blight, there's no land large enough to challenge the glory of Verlaxion's throne!”
“Ah... but you forget, my good friend...” Theanim smiled, adjusting his goggles as he steered the ship along. “The Blight's vanished! It no longer exists!”
“Pffft!” One of the stallions paused in fanning himself to scoff. “That's just an unsubstantiated rumor perpetuated by the Kihutajans!”
“Yes, Doctor. You've been listening too much to the speedy mare's companions.”
“Lest you've forget, I've seen amazing... fantastical things that defy explanation,” Theanim said. “You've seen the photographs.”
“And what do they prove, exactly?” the mare said, eyebrow arched. “A scientist like you should be know better than to make wild speculation. Besides... I do not see how an ancient, metal chamber has anything to do with the wild claims of a faraway landscape.”
Theanim Mane sighed. “Life is... far too complex to understand so simply. Even Verlaxion's wisdom supports this. Why else would the Order exist if not to obtain a better grasp of her world—both inside and out?”
“My good stallion, if Verlaxion wanted us to wander blindly in mystery, she'd never have bothered to bless the Six Tribes to begin with!” A stallion chuckled. “Seriously, though. Do you even hear yourself lately?”
“Mmmfnngh...” Theanim exhaled through his nostrils. “Loud and clear...” He tilted his head up and hollered: “How are you doing up there, Miss Dash?”
“Just getting my second wind, doc!”
“Well, don't wear yourself out prematurely!” Theanim shouted back. “Your nightly navigation has been exemplary! I might rely on your wakefulness again this evening, if you don't mind!”
“Yeah, sure thing!” Rainbow hollered back down, lazily gliding upside down as she caught up with the Midnight Dreary below.
In the meantime, Rarity floated alongside the pegasus, her body wriggling for the umpteenth time. “I swear... there it is again,” she murmured.
“No, Rarity,” Twilight exhaled, gazing across the oceanic expanse with dull purple eyes. “After all, we don't even have bodies to be scratched or tickled.”
“Then... then how can it be that I'm feeling something?” Rarity's muzzle scrunched. “I swear... it's like a flutter every five seconds or so!”
“Yeah?” Rainbow twirled about. “What kind of a flutter?”
“There it is again!” Rarity gasped, her breaths quickening. “I swear... it's... it's as some dreadful gnat is buzzing at my skin!”
“Rarity, just relax.” Twilight smiled in her direction. “For the first time in your life you have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors without fear of mosquitoes, heat stroke, or even sweating.” She giggled. “Remember sweating, Rarity?”
“Twilight, darling, this is no laughing matter.” Rarity frowned. “My intuition is telling me that something is amiss, and it just wouldn't be proper of you to dismiss it in such a casual manner.”
“Rarity, honestly, we're in the middle of a watery void. Do you really have to invent drama when there is none?”
“Invent drama?! Why, Twilight, how could you possibly—?!”
“Girls... girls!” Rainbow's voice growled. “For the love of squirrels, can't I have chill ghosts for once?”
“Hey! I'm perfectly calm!” Twilight frowned, pointing in Rarity's direction. “She couldn't even be calm if she came with her own phantom fainting couch!”
“Oh, as if I'd ever even entertain the notion!” Rarity folded her hooves. A few breaths later, she fidgeted. “I... wonder if Sweetie Belle pawned that off...”
“Hmmm?” Twilight glanced over as the group lowered to the stern of the Midnight Dreary. “What is it, Rainbow?”
“Shhhh... you've had your spotlight, egghead.” Rainbow touched down. After a calm breath, she folded her wings and looked at the phantom fashionista. “Okay. Rarity. Do you feel anything now?”
“Erm...” The unicorn touched down in front of Rainbow. “Yes. Just... just a slight quiver in my chest.”
“A quiver?”
“Right at this moment. It's... rather persistent.” She gulped. “Like a cold stone is... being pressed against.”
“Really?” Twilight blinked. “How odd.”
Rainbow looked over her shoulder. “Do you feel anything, Twi?”
“No, Rainbow.” Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “I'm perfectly fine!”
“... … ...” Rainbow looked at Rarity. She squinted. With quiet hooves, she trotted around until she stood to the unicorn's rear. “What about now? Do you feel anything different?”
“Erm...” Rarity fidgeted. “As a matter of fact, yes. It's... it's like a slight tickling sensation in my tail.”
“In your tail?”
“That's right.”
Rainbow tapped her chin in thought. “Turn around,” she said.
Rarity did so. She gasped.
“What is it?” Twilight asked.
“It's... it's in my chest again!” Rarity stammered. “The same cold... small fluttering sensation!”
Rainbow slowly strafed around until she came to a stop at Rarity's side. “And... now?”
Rarity bit her lip, then rubbed the shoulder closest to Rainbow. She nodded.
“I don't understand...” Twilight trotted in closer, clearly intrigued. “Is she reacting to you, Rainbow?”
“No... not to her,” Rarity murmured, thinking aloud. “I... can't quite describe it. But it's something on her. Something... sharp. Shiny.”
“Shiny?!” Twilight made a face. She gawked at Rainbow.
Rainbow Dash was already reaching into her saddlebag. After a little bit of rummaging, she produced the Dagger of Evo. Its Val Roan motifs glittered in the sunlight. “Is it... this.”
“Why... good heavens!” Rarity stammered, pointing directly at it. “Yes! Yes it is!”
“You sure?” Rainbow asked.
“I... I am absolutely sure!” Rarity stammered. “I... I can't explain it, Rainbow, but... but it's like I can feel it without... without...” Biting her lip, she leaned forward and pressed her hoof to the blade. Her ghostly limb went through, which somehow made her shudder all the more. “Good heavens... just what is coming over me?”
“Rainbow, do...” Twilight looked up. “Do you suppose it's anything like how I was able to sense Ultimo?”
“Perhaps.” Rainbow glanced at the mare. “And about that. What happened to that sensation when we got the piece of Verlaxion's shard out of him?”
“Well... uhm... it vanished,” Twilight said. She bit her lip. “Mostly.”
“Mostly?”
“I mean... I-I thought I felt... y'know... echoes.”
“No I don't know, Twi.”
“I didn't think much of it,” the unicorn said. “But I've had my mind on Rarity and the tower and... and...” Twilight gazed down at her hooves. “I-I guess I've been feeling little flutters too.”
“See?!” Rarity pointed, grinning. “See?! I'm not quite so dramatic, am I?”
“Like when, Twilight?” Rainbow asked. “When do you feel the flutters?”
“Erm... to be honest?” Twilight pointed across the deck towards where Theanim's companions were lounging. “Whenever Dr. Sands lights his smoking pipe.”
“Truly?” Rarity made a face. “How odd.”
“Wait...” Rainbow squinted across the deck, muttering. “Dr. Sands is a unicorn, right?”
“Yes,” Twilight said.
“...so he uses his magic to light his pipe.”
Twilight blinked. Her eyes brightened. “I'm still sensing magic! It's not just Ultimo!”
“Right...”
“But... but...” She glanced over at Rarity. “What is Rarity sensing?”
Rainbow pocketed the dagger away. “Well, Rares?”
The mare already had her eyes clenched shut. Her brow tensed beneath her horn as she took deep, even breaths. “There's... something among them. Something with the flutter...”
“It's on one of them?”
“Yes. I do believe so...” After a few seconds, Rarity's eyes opened. She pointed. “There. The mare in the fine blue silk finery.”
“... Mrs. Cobbletrots?” Twilight remarked.
“She... has something in her possession,” Rarity said. “Several small stones. Linked by a chain. A... charm of some sort.” She turned to glance at Twilight and Rainbow interchangeably. “Blue sapphires. I'm sure of it!”
“Blue sapphires?” Twilight grimaced. “Rarity... how could you possibly know the color of something without seeing it?”
“I don't know! But I swear, it's on her! She possesses several small, blue stone!” Rarity bit her lip, gazing at Rainbow. “You must believe me.”
“... … ...” Rainbow turned towards the group. She trotted leisurely forward, clearing her voice loudly. “Jee... who on earth dropped these blue stones on the deck?! Hah! Look at them! They're practically rolling in seagull poop!”
Theanim glanced over his shoulder. “What in frost's flurry are you going on about—?”
“Egads!” The mare in a silk dress shrieked. “My coldstones!”
“Gah!” Her husband jumped with a fright. “Honey, what is it?!”
“Don't tell me I dropped them! Verlaxion spare me!” Mrs. Cobbletrots thrusted her hooves deep into her dress' pouch. With a rattle, she pulled the gemstones out. She instantly sighed, clutching the charm to her chest and exhaling with relief. “Oh, bless the Queen! I don't know what I'd ever do if I lost these!”
Rainbow turned to smirk back at Rarity and Twilight. The two spectres simply gawked in awe.
“You!”
Rainbow spun to face the bow again.
Mrs. Cobbletrots stood up, red in the face. “What kind of a sick idea of a joke was that, anyway?!”
“Well... uhhhh—”
“How'd you even know I had these gems?!” The mare clutched them even tighter to her chest. “They're my only valuables that survived the encounter with that dreadful sea serpent! Hmmph! I know you're somehow responsible for ridding us of the vile beast, but must you gloat about it so childishly?!”
“Huh?!” Rainbow frowned. “Lady, I'm on your side!”
“Like blazes you are!” Mrs. Cobbletrots turned her nose up. “Associating with those soul-less Colonialist salt dogs! I'm surprised you aren't heading to Rohbredden just to rob the tombs of our Queen blind!”
“Now see here—” Theanim began.
“Pffft. Please, lady,” Rainbow chuckled, eyes rolling. “The only pony here who's been robbed is your husband of all his good taste the moment he married you.”
“What—?!” The mare stumbled back, nearly fainting from the force of her gasp. “I beg your pardon—!”
“Hey.” Rainbow shrugged. “Beg away. Some of us here actually earn our passage across this ocean.” She trotted by with an icy glare. “Or would you like to take a turn steering the ship through the long, cold night?”
Mrs. Cobbletrots clammed up, though she nevertheless shook with anger.
Rainbow shuffled past a stunned Theanim. “Ahem.” She whispered, “Sorry for stirring the pot there.”
Rainbow Dash stifled a yawn and looked across the deck. “Huh?”
The ghostly unicorn hovered over the sea within range of the pegasus and the Midnight Dreary. The sun was setting, casting a ruby sheen across the watery world. “I've been concentrating very hard. Getting into a 'zen,' as t'were. Much like my old inspiration sessions at the Boutique.”
“'Kayyy...” Rainbow squinted “Just what has that got to do with shallow waters?”
“What I'm trying to tell you is that the ocean floor has risen,” the unicorn said.
“But there aren't any islands in sight, Rarity,” Twilight said.
“Trust me,” Rarity remarked. “I can sense it. Just like the stones.”
“But the ocean's floor has nothing to do with rubies or gemstones or—” Rainbow stopped, for she felt a drift in momentum. She looked towards the center of the Midnight Dreary. “Uhm... what's up, doc?”
“Hmmm?” Theanim Mane glanced over from where he gripped the rudder wheel. “Is it time to switch hooves yet? It's not even nightfall.”
“No, I mean... why'd you slow down just now?”
“Oh. Just a precautionary measure.” Theanim smiled. “We're entering the Lukewarm Stream. The waters here are shallow. We could expect more coral reefs, so be sure to ignite the torchlights along the front bow before you take your shift.”
“See?!” Rarity beamed. “I knew there was more to this... this fluttering!”
Rainbow's jaw dropped. “How... did you know that?”
“Hmmm?” Theanim blinked. “Oh. Well... simple experience, my dear. All after I had an unfortunate run-in with a series of jagged shoals on my first midnight cruise. Eheheh...”
“No, I mean...” Rainbow winced. “Never mind.”
“Ohhhhh... I see.” Theanim smiled. “Another conversation that I'm not destined to be part of.”
Rainbow bit her lip, avoiding her gaze. “Mmmmm...”
“You know, if I recall correctly, there was only one form of payment I expected in exchange for your passage.” He arched an eyebrow.
“He's right, Rainbow,” Twilight remarked. “After all, I'd say by now that you owe him.”
“We owe him,” Rarity stated.
“Look...” Rainbow leaned towards the spectres, sneering. “It's hard enough as it is with the other melon fudges on this ship threatening to crucify me every friggin' day!”
“Am I interrupting an exchange right now?” Theanim chuckled, glancing at the waters ahead. “Verlaxion's Sleet, you're chatty tonight!”
“Look, Doc, it's not that I don't want to tell you everything. It's just that—”
“—you assume I'm less open-minded than your previous Colonialist peers. Heheh...” He adjusted his goggles over his mane. “I suspect that such is the direct consequence of having met Kihutajans before Rohbeddeners.” He shrugged. “Had you appeared in the east first instead of the west, I suspect you'd be far less trusting of Professor Sinrar and his colt apprentice.”
“Nick wasn't his apprentice,” Rainbow said. “And... things aren't that simple.”
“That appears to define your nature, doesn't it?” Theanim waved a hoof in the air. “Life lacks a blissful simplicity without the blessings of Verlaxion.”
“Almost, but not quite, Doc.” Rainbow bore a tired smile. “Life's complex. I just like to treat it as if it's simple.”
“Forgive me if I'm not convinced.”
“Just tell him, Rainbow!” Twilight Sparkle said. “He seems pretty receptive of what you've had to share so far!”
“But the deeper we go into Verlax's territory, Twi, the less luxury I'll have in sharing!”
“Then take advantage of the moment!” Twilight smiled. “You were always the sort of pony to seize the day!”
“Except when she was taking her gratuitously long naps,” Rarity droned.
“Rarity, you're not helping.”
“How about this, Miss Dash...?” Theanim locked the wheel into position and trotted over to her. “You tell me all about this Twilight and the other personality, and I promise not to share with the others.” He smiled. “It'll be our little secret... at least until we depart from Rust for Shoggoth.”
“You're a scientist, Doc,” Rainbow droned. “And all I've got is—like—subjective stuff. Even if I wanted you to believe what I've got to share, I don't see how you could possibly be convinced of—”
“His second and third rib are metal replacements,” Rarity said.
Rainbow gave her a double-take. “His... second and third rib... are made of metal? Huh?”
Just like that, Theanim nearly fell over. He leaned against the outside of the cabin for support. “How... h-how on earth did you know...?”
“Huh?” Rainbow looked at Theanim. “Know what?”
“That... that...” The stallion gulped. “Ten years ago. I was spelunking in the caves of the Upper Wyvern bluffs, searching for archaeological evidence of Pre-Thaw Tribal Communities. I slipped and fell down a polished slope... and my body was severely punctured by a group of dastardly sharp stalagmites.” He shuddered. “I nearly lost my life. However, by the grace of Verlaxion, and some expertly skilled surgeons, I was given a second chance to live and collect data for the Order. I... I don't like to tell ponies because it's never my intention to garner unnecessary sympathy.” His brow furrowed. “So... what could possibly possess you with that knowledge?”
“Uhhhhhh...” Rainbow fidgeted. “...a... ghostly apparition of a long-dead dress-making friend?” She smiled crookedly. “...who suddenly has this freaky magnetic radar sense?”
Twilight Sparkle giggled. “If it helps make the conversation go any smoother, right now Dr. Sands is using his magic downstairs again!”
“Doing what, pray tell?” Rarity asked.
“It's a long sea voyage,” Rainbow droned. “What else is the unicorn doing?”
“Hmmm?” Theanim cocked his head to the side. “What unicorn?”
“Okay... okay...” Rainbow waved his hooves. “Lemme just give it to you straight.” She glared at him. “This trip that I'm on is a super important one, and it's super important for two reaons. One: it's letting me resurrect my long-dead friends so that they can return their harmonious spirits to physical bodies.”
“Uh huh...”
“Two: it's some ancient supergalactic predestined method for keeping the world as we know it from dying through long-term exposure to chaos.”
“... … ...huh.” Theanim blinked.
“And... uhm... there are these beacons... beacons located deep within the machine layer of this artificial world that I gotta get to in order to... uh... reboot the system?” Rainbow's muzzle twisted. “And it so happens that fate's carrot-on-a-stick is the chance of bringing back my friends. So far, I've got Twilight Sparkle and Rarity by my side, but I'm still missing three more.”
“And... these friends of yours—”
“Are here.”
“Right now.”
Rainbow nodded. “Only... I'm the one mare who can see them.”
“And I think Mr. Mane is delightfully handsome,” Rarity cooed.
“And Rarity thinks your hot—” Rainbow jolted. “Dang it, Rarity!”
Rarity giggled madly, hugging herself.
“Unnnngh...” Rainbow face hoofed. “...at least with hallucinated ghosts, I'd go insane temporarily.”
“I... I see...” Theanim adjusted his goggles and smirked. “Well, sounds like some quite pleasant company.”
“You don't believe a single word I just said, do you?”
“It is rather difficult,” Theanim said. “But I find the idea quite enrapturing. And the fact that you... er... Rarity knew of my alteration—”
“She also knew about the waters getting shallow,” Rainbow said. “Not sure how...”
“Oh, well that would explain things.” Theanim smiled. “And—dare I ask—who does Twilight Sparkle find attractive?”
Twilight opened her mouth—
“Cover yourself with a bunch of old library books and then she'll talk,” Rainbow said.
“Hey!” Twilight pouted, cheeks red. “That's not even close to true!”
Rarity giggle-snorted. “It most certainly is, d-darling!” She rolled over laughing, and a chuckling Rainbow Dash soon joined her.
“Hmmm...” Theanim leaned back, folding his forelimbs. “So long as you and your friends are enjoying yourselves...”
The night passed, and then another night. All the while, the ocean remained a continuous flat expanse of waves and foam. Rarity kept informing Rainbow Dash about the “marvelous” fluctuations in the seabed's depths below, but it did very little to calm the pegasus' spirits. With day after day of the same nothingness, Rainbow Dash grew a little stir crazy. She spent most of the daylight hours stretching her wings, flying loopty-loops around the Midnight Dreary and its sail, much to the two ghost ponies' exasperation.
The Continentalists on board Theanim Mane's ship were seemingly unaffected by the oceanic monotony. Twilight Sparkle suggested that—born into sea life—they were more than accustomed to gratuitously long ocean voyages. Though they were less than enthusiastic about communicating with Rainbow, they more or less kept an air of pleasantness between each other, talking up old fish stories and tales of scientific exploits within the perview of Robhredden exploration.
The only truly exciting thing to happen was the occasional moment when the Midnight Dreary would cross paths with another ocean-going vessel. These were poetically sluggish moments, with both ships slowing their speed and literally stopping side by side so that the passengers on board could exchange word of muzzle. At first, Rainbow Dash didn't understand it, until she realized that this was a Rohbredden custom as old as time.
“Aye, we've heard about the Blight's end!” uttered a bearded earth pony as he leaned along the cargo ship's outer railing. He smiled down at Theanim's blue yacht and its occupants. “That's why our Company's shipping this huge load west! We wanna get as many goods to the western archipelagos as possible!”
“Best to get a jump on new commerce, eh?” Theanim remarked.
“Hah hah! Yeah! Though I suspect it will be a wee bit perilous!” The ship's captain adjusted his hat. “Heard rumors by the wind of a violent sea serpent terrorizing the central atolls!”
“Well, you needn't worry a bit about that anymore!” Theanim grinned wide. “The beast Ultimo has been vanquished!”
“Is that a fact?!”
“We just came from the Nealend Atoll ourselves! The waters are clean! It's smooth sailing from here to Kihutaja!”
“Well, Verlaxion's Blessings!” The captain chuckled. “Things are just getting brighter and brighter!”
“Yes. Indeed.” Theanim nodded, then glanced sideways in Rainbow's direction. “Harmony seems to be spreading a lot lately.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes.
“Rainbow,” Twilight whispered. “He was being complimentary.”
“Yeah, well, jury's still out on his motivations.” Rainbow winced just as she said that.
“What's wrong, dear?” Rarity asked.
“Nothing. Just...” Rainbow sighed. “...some sayings don't mean quite the same as they used to.”
In the meantime, the captain on board the cargo ship said: “You've done us a lot of good with your news! Is there anything you want to know about Continental waters?”
“You came from the Unfrosted Shores?” Theanim asked.
“Aye.”
“Did you pass through Rust on the way here?”
“Hah! How could we not?”
Theanim leaned against the side of the yacht. “Tell me. Is... the Syndicate still in charge?”
Rainbow glanced over, blinking curiously.
“Ohhhhh...” The other ship's captain leaned back, rubbing his mane. “I don't rightly dig my nose into any of that business. When in Rust, I know it's best to just load up and ship right out.”
“Have you heard any rumors, at least?”
“Laddie, if you're concerned about the Syndicate, fear no more.” The captain chuckled. “They're just as large and in charge as always. Had to pay a damn docking fee about twice the size as normal.”
“Hrmmm...” Theanim nodded, muzzle scrunched. “I was afraid of that.”
“Eh. From the looks of ya, you can afford it.” The captain nodded. “Lemme guess. You run with the Order?”
“As a matter of fact, we do, fine sir.”
“Hah!” The captain smirked. “I could smell it in your breath! I'm surprised you're headed to Rust! It ain't exactly luxurious!”
“It's a necessary stopping point,” Theanim said. “And, besides, I've been there several times before.”
“An explorer, I see. Very well.” The captain saluted, then signaled to his mates to resume sailing west. “Verlaxion's Blessings! Thanks once more for the news on the serpent! Now we can get to our destination in twice the time!”
“Don't venture too far into the former Blight!” Theanim spoke louder as the ships parted ways. “There's nothing but desolate waters for miles and miles beyond!”
“How in blazes do you know that?!” yelled the captain from afar.
“Pretty soon... everypony will know!” Theanim leaned against the rudder wheel as he resumed the Midnight Dreary's cruise east. After a few seconds, he noticed Rainbow staring at him, and he said, “Well... eventually everypony will know about it. I just have to get a book started.” He exhaled, nostrils flaring. “I greatly suspect Professor Sinrar will have started his own by now. Meh.”
“So... uhhh...” Rainbow Dash fidgeted where she stood. “Just who's the Syndicate?”
“Lemme guess,” Rainbow droned. “A bunch of big bad guys with blunt weapons and oodles of expendable thugs.”
“Pfft! No! Don't be so obtuse!” Theanim Mane rolled his eyes. “The Syndicate's simply the largest and most powerful monetary organization in the city of Rust! They monitor all the ins-and-outs of trade in the city and regulate the flow of goods! They're really quite essential to the local economy, and even Shoggoth would suffer if it weren't for the Syndicate's influence in the southern trade line!” He gripped the wheel, navigating the oceanic swells. “Mmmm... and... uhm... so what if th-they may occasionally possess blunt weapons and employ oodles of expendable thugs? Eheheh...”
“Unnnnngh...” Rainbow face-hoofed. “Doc, why didn't you tell me that we were sailing muzzle-first into a mob town?”
“It is not a mob town!” Theanim frowned. “I... rather like to think that the place has rustic character.” He bore a frazzled smile. “Quite literally. Heheheh.”
“Dude, I'm serious!” Rainbow Dash flew until she hovered in front of him. “I know trouble when I can smell it. More than anything, I gotta get into Shoggoth in one piece and I need your help in getting down there! So if this place is as nasty as it sounds, I'd rather scratch it off the list—”
“A few things, my dear,” Theanim said, looking past her while he steered the ship. “Number One: we are running low on supplies. Aside from the fact that Rust is the only reasonable place where we can drop off my Continentalist companions, we are in desperate need of a restock, and there simply isn't another port within leagues that can supply us.”
Rainbow pointed at the cargo ship behind them. “Then why not bum a few crackers off those dudes?! They're salty enough!”
“They're making an even longer trip than we are, Rainbow,” Theanim explained. “With five times the crew complement. I'm not about to rob them—or any other ship, for that matter. Besides, it's very much against Rohbredden custom.”
“Rohbreddeners refuse to be generous?”
“No, they refuse suicide and stupidity,” Theanim said. “And, Number Two about Rust...” He squinted at Rainbow. “It is not I who can get us into Shoggoth.”
Rainbow sighed. “It's Echo.”
“Quite. And so long as he may be holed up in Rust, then that's where we need to go.”
“But... but...”
“Relax, my dear,” Theanim said with a smile. “The Syndicate has nothing against weary travelers such as you or I. So long as we conduct normal business and pay our dues, they have no more quarrel with us than sunlight has with seaweed.”
“But if we somehow were to cross them?”
Almost instantly, Theanim's face paled. “Then... we would be made to face their rather unorthodox translation of Verlaxion's wrath.” He cleared his throat and instantly smiled. “But such would be a gross improbability. Understand?”
“Meh.”
“You really must learn to relax, Miss Dash. Everything will be just fine.” Theanim grinned, looking ahead. “Talk to your spectral companions—perhaps—if it will ease your troubled mind.”
Rainbow glanced lethargically at the floating unicorns at her side. “So... how about it, girls? You got anything to offer on this mess?”
Rarity stared off in blank thought.
Rainbow's brow furrowed. “Well?!”
Rarity snapped out of it. “Petticoats!” She blinked Rainbow's way. “Huh? What?”
Rainbow sighed, then looked in the opposite direction.
Twilight glanced between the two of them. With a goofy smile, she squeaked: “...books?”
“Ugh!” Rainbow trotted below deck. “That's it. I'm headbutting a pillow,” she grunted under the cadence of the two mares' giggles.
Another thirty-six hours drifted by, much like the waves rippling past the Midnight Dreary's hull. Just when Rainbow Dash felt that she had seen all that the Rohbredden ocean had to give, more and more lengths of it opened up—all with the same blue monotony. If it weren't for Twilight's and Rarity's company, or the occasional passing ship, Rainbow was quite certain she would lose her mind.
“I have to admit,” Rarity said one night while Rainbow was steering the yacht's rudder wheel. Twilight was invisible at the moment, resting. “When I learned that Twilight and I would be joining you in your perilous adventures...” The fashionista stifled a yawn. “...this isn't quite what I expected.”
“Believe you me,” Rainbow droned, squinting at the horizon while the sun came up. “I've seen the highs and lows of this world. You don't want 'perilous.' You really don't.”
“Okay, granted, a wrong choice of words,” Rarity cooed, drifting lethargically sideways. “But I was secretly hoping for mountains, green fields, and maybe a babbling brook or two.”
“You see, that's where you're mistaken,” Rainbow said. She glanced over her shoulder. “Not everyplace in the world looks and feels like Equestria.”
“Oh?”
“Green fields and babbling brooks was totally Emeraldine's schtick,” Rainbow said with a nostalgic smile. “At least the central part, anyway.”
“Mmmmm...” Rarity blinked tiredly, fidgeting with her hooves. “Which one was Emeraldine, again?”
“Large open plains. Farmlands. Big central mountain-city named Verdestone. Half-blooded Alicorn Queen named Whitemane?”
“Huh. I thought that was Silvadel.”
“Uhhhhhhhhhhhh no.”
“Then which place was Silvadel?”
“The ruined wasteland full of murderous dragon and crucified pony bodies.”
“Ohhhhh. Right right right.” Rarity winced. “Hard to care much about fashion when you're being pinned to a cross.”
“I... wouldn't be much of an expert on that.”
“You know, Rainbow, darling, you've been through so much. However, from the sound of things, you've made quite a positive difference in these landscapes.” She smiled sweetly. “Have you ever contemplated going west instead of east? After all, you'd be scouring horizons that have already been blessed by your gifts of harmony!”
“Errrrrrrr...”
Rarity giggled. “It'd mean a lot less hardships than the mysterious seas we're currently sailing into. Plus, once you reached Equestria, the Princesses could summon you an army capable of escorting you to the far side of the plane!”
“All of the ruby beacons between where I am now and where I've already visited have been activated, Rarity,” Rainbow said.
“Yes... and?” Rarity cocked her head to the side. “There'd be more locations on the west end of Equestria, wouldn't you think? Twilight's brother-in-law and his betrothed are already out there—”
“Rarity, Yaerfaerda isn't pointing me west. It's pointing me east. It always has been.”
Rarity leaned back with a smug smile. “And since when did our brash athletic pegasus take orders from a magic night light?”
Rainbow sighed, smirking tiredly. “Go to sleep, Rarity. You're drunk.”
“I... c-can't possibly be drunk.” Rarity yawned again. “Haven't had a drop of cider since Discord laser melted me.”
“You're sleepy-drunk. Just take a nap or something. You love naps, don't you?”
“I'm a lady, Rainbow,” Rarity muttered. “I don't nap. I only enjoy beauty sleep.”
“Well, sleep your pale beauty off in white-hot la-la land,” Rainbow muttered. “Twilight's already gotten an hour or two ahead of you. I'd hate for you girls to go off-balance with your snooze schedules. Once we reach Rust, I may need you both at my side at the same time—bright and bushy-tailed.”
Rarity pouted. “My tail is not bushy!” She gestured. “I'd much rather call it 'fashionably twirlsome.'”
“Whatever. Go directly to sleep jail.”
“I... I can't...”
“Why not?”
Rarity hugged herself, trembling slightly. “That place... is beyond frightening. It's nothing but bright light that entrances one to fall into bleak unconsciousness.” She sighed. “I'm not sure you can understand, Rainbow. I mean... have you ever been in a position to embrace pure mental oblivion with the slim hope of bursting out of it spontaneously like a cocoon several hours later?”
“Yeah,” Rainbow droned. “It's called sleep.”
“Oh.” Rarity blinked. “Right.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Still... I just wish it wasn't so... desolate,” she whimpered. “It's like falling asleep under a heat lamp, only without the heat... erm... or the lamp, really. Eheheh...”
“Don't let it fool you,” Rainbow said. “You'll be in perfect harmony.” She glanced over her shoulder again. “And you know for a fact that I'll be with you the entire time.”
“Hmmm... I do suppose that's true.”
“And—if you think about it like Twilight and I have—you'll be with the other girls too.” Rainbow winked. “They're the ones who are really sleeping their flanks off. Think of napping there as... giving them company.”
“Until they come out, you mean?”
“The three of us will be Pinkie Pie's personal alarm clock,” Rainbow said. She giggled slightly. “All in due time.”
“Yes. But of course.” Rarity bore a dumb smile, teetering slightly. “You... promise to be here when I awake?”
“Absolutely,” Rainbow said. She rolled her eyes when the unicorn wasn't looking. “Although, it might be my time to snooze. Just scream into my ear if there's an emergency.”
“Oh dear. Erm...” Rarity moaned through a yawn. “What exactly sh-should I yell?”
“Uhhhh... go for 'The Hammock's On Fire',” Rainbow said. “That's what worked for Zaid.” Rainbow winced slightly as she re-scanned the horizon. “...took Booster Spice an entire week to glue his front teeth back in.”
Without further argument, Rarity complied. Rainbow spent the rest of the morning in eerie silence, serenaded occasionally by howling winds over the ocean waves.
After a quick sleep session, she awoke to an entire armada of ships off the port bow. Theanim Mane was back on the rudder, and he claimed that the vessels showed up no sooner than two hours ago. As the morning bled into the afternoon, more ships came in from the north and south. Most of them were yachts and small sailboats, much like the Midnight Dreary. However, into the fifteenth hour, Rainbow could spot large cargo vessels cruising in from the north. What intrigued her was that nearly ever ship was forming a narrow line, and their speeds were decelerating.
“It's because we've reached the Rustic Passage,” Theanim explained. “Only experienced navigators traverse these waters. Some sailors live their entire lives traveling to and from Rust. Heh... at least it allows us to outnumber pirates and malevolent privateers.”
“Does this mean that we're close?” Rainbow asked.
“It does indeed.” Theanim nodded. “You may wish to wake your inner diplomat, Miss Dash, for we'll be in Syndicate territory soon.”
Rainbow Dash craned her neck, squinting at the rippling wake of sea ships beyond the Midnight Dreary's front bow. “How come I don't see anything yet?”
“Give it time. We're not just waiting to reach Rust,” Theanim said. “We're waiting for Rust to let in all of the cruisers before us. And to do that, they have to allow ships to leave port.”
“Sounds super annoying.”
“Spoken like a true pegasus,” Theanim said with a slight chuckle. “I can only imagine you're used to moving like the wind, Miss Dash. The airborne Tribes of Rohbredden function much in the same way. Out here, however, unless you were born with fins—”
“Like the Sirens.”
“—right; you must learn to move with the flow.” He smirked. “And there's more to the ocean than the tide. The Syndicate's hoof controls the most powerful stream in these parts.”
“You know, you talk about these dudes with pride, but I can't help but get this super negative vibe from them.”
“Oh, there's nothing negative about the Syndicate,” Theanim remarked. He then cleared his throat. “So long as you stay in good monetary standings with them.” His ears twitched.
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow.
“But... ahem... no expense is too high,” Theanim said. “You absolutely need to get to Shoggoth and the other beacons, and Echo is our ticket... er... your ticket. Eheheheh...”
“You know, Doc...” Rainbow paced slowly around him. “It's super likely that I'm going to have to part ways with you sooner than later as well.”
“Mmmm...” Theanim exhaled through his nostrils, gazing ahead. “The thought did occur to me.”
“Everything you're doing for me is helpful, of course, but at some point or another things are get real,” Rainbow said. “And when the time comes, I'm always waaaaaaay more survivable on my own.” Her eyes narrowed. “I don't want to get you into hot water. Especially when—”
“I sense some foreboding statement regarding our glorious Queen,” Theanim droned. “If that was the case, I suppose 'cold water' would serve a more apt analogy.”
Rainbow gulped. “I'm... not trying to insult her—”
“Would it even be possible in your purview?” he asked. “After all, to you, she's merely some demented arcane reptile.”
Rainbow sighed. “I'm not about to get into another crazy Verlaxion debate with you, Doc.”
“Nor should you expect to.” Theanim adjusted the goggles over his mane. “I think we both know enough about my convictions. However... I am still curious.”
“Yeah? About what?”
“Well, so many of your claims have been extremely hyperbolic,” Theanim said. “And yet, I've glimpsed at enough evidence to substantiate reason to your passionate pursuits. The defeat of Ultimo. The machine world. Now your magical ghost friends...”
“...who are totally asleep right now.”
“Nevertheless, nopony in their right mind would force themselves to suffer such wild delusions. And you, Miss Dash, are not crazy. But you've been through crazy things.” He looked over at her. “If you believe that Verlaxion is completely unlike the Order's canon knowledge of her, then it must be for a substantial reason.”
Rainbow's brow furrowed. “You mean... you believe that Verlax is really a dragon matriarch?”
“I'd much rather believe in that than the possibility of her being malevolent.”
“But you gotta understand, Doc. I have it on very legitimate authority that she's not exactly—”
“What? Trustworthy? Friendly? Altruistic?” Theanim raised an eyebrow. “And just what kind of a source gave you this divine intuition? Hmmm? Surely it wasn't someone who considered themselves blessed with Verlaxion's good graces.”
Rainbow bit her lip. She glanced south. Yaerfaerda shimmered at a slightly closer distance, pulsing under the dark blue waters.
“If you are as important to this plane as you claim to be, Rainbow, and Verlaxion is such an apparent foil to your sojourn—then why hasn't she used her incredibly gifted powers to stop you already?” Theanim smiled pleasantly. “Have you ever contemplated that?”
Rainbow shuddered. “I've just been through enough that... I-I don't want to take any chances.”
“Hmmm...” Theanim nodded. “A pity.”
Rainbow cocked her head aside. “How so?”
“I would have hoped that so many travels and experiences would have made you blissful instead of paranoid,” Theanim said. “Surely there's enough goodness and inspiration in the world to merit a chip on your shoulder.”
“I've carried that chip for a long time, Doc,” Rainbow muttered. “In my experience, I'm having to spread that goodness and inspiration... even if I don't feel it half the time.” She nodded. “That's not something to be pitied.”
“Oh?”
“It's something that evokes fear.” Rainbow's gaze hardened. “What I've been doing... your Verlaxion has already been doing for centuries and centuries.” She gulped. “Whether or not she's a dragon or a pony... that's definitely a soul I don't wanna cross if I can help it.”
Theanim opened his mouth to say something, but he fumbled for words. Luckly, something glinted off his blue eyes, and his expression turned pleasant in an instant. “Oooh! What delightful timing!”
“Huh?” Rainbow blinked. She flapped her wings and craned her neck to look eastward. “Is it 'land ho' finally?”
“Eheheh...” Theanim pulled a spyglass out of nearby compartment and lifted it up for the pegasus. “In a manner of speaking. See for yourself.”
Rainbow snatched it from him. Squinting one eye, she peered down the telescope. Her vision blurred, then came into focus. At last, she saw where the line of ships ended. Only, there was no land. Instead, there was a thick black strip of black metal—and beyond that were several more layers of metal, rising in sturdy lattices and pony-made terraces.
“Wait... just wait a friggin' second...” Rainbow lowered the telescope and gawked down at Theanim. “That's no port city!”
“Why, of course it is!” Theanim returned with a grin. “It's a city... and it's a port!” He shrugged. “I didn't say anything about dry land.”
“... ... ...” Rainbow blinked. “You mean the Syndicate owns an artificial metal island?”
“The largest one in the western waters, as a matter of fact,” Theanim explained. “Heh... now you know where it got its simplistic name.”
Rainbow shrugged. “I dunno.” She collapsed the spyglass in her blue hooves. “I sorta figured that all the ponies there were too lazy to get their tetanus boosters.”
“Oh.” Rarity rubbed her fuzzy eyelids, swiftly waking up with rapid blinks. “I knew I sensed something but this was unexpected.”
“Rainbow?” Twilight—also waking—levitated around the mare's side. “Have we reached it? Is this Rust?”
“No, it's Victorioat's Secret.” Rainbow pointed at the looming metal bulwarks lined with guards and oversized harpoon guns. “What does it look like?”
“My my...” Rarity shuddered slightly, her eyes locked on the sharp barbed projectiles cocked in their launchers. “They certainly have a lot of weapons here.”
“... ... ...” Rainbow glanced aside.
Theanim Mane slowly piloted the Midnight Dreary towards the large gaping metal doors of the platform city's outer walls. Ahead of him, the line of ships slowed down while city officials in a pair of patrol boats inspected each visitor and their vessel. The pegasus noticed that the guards in the inspectors' ships also possessed a large quantity of crossbows.
“Ahem...” Rainbow Dash floated forward, her voice taking a briefly elegant tone. “My my... they certainly have a lot of weapons here.”
Rarity blinked.
“Hmmm?” Theanim took his eyes off the procession for one second. “Oh. Well, yes.”
“Do things get rough inside?”
“More likely on the outside,” Theanim explained. “Although pirates rarely attack a city of this size, it doesn't mean a few of them aren't stupid enough to try. The Syndicate is pretty protective of its assets.”
“Uh huh...” Rainbow glanced back at her two marefriends. “The Syndicate seems pretty uptight about... y'know... being the Syndicate.”
“Oh, it's far more complicated than that, of course.” Theanim smirked. “There are thousands of ponies who live here, after all. Stallions, mares, and foals...—and like any community, Rust thrives on security and cooperation. By dwelling within these walls, your actions are governed by a strict series of rules. In exchange, the forces of Rust—comprised of Rohbreddeners from all trots of life—protect you and your interests.”
“...and there's the standard entrance fee.” Theanim chuckled, sweating slightly. “Of c-course.”
“Of course,” Rainbow droned. “Look... uh...” She eyed the patrol boats nervously. “I didn't exactly earn many bits in my travels. And Sinrar and Nick sure as heck didn't—”
“Relax, my good mare,” Theanim said in a calm tone. “I have this covered.”
“You... uh... sure about that?”
“When Ultimo stranded me at the Nealend Atoll, I was fortunate enough to not lose my... erm... fortune!” He chuckled slightly, steering the ship towards a pair of inspection vehicles. “After all, a wise seafarer knows how much to carry in order to handle the fee at port cities like this.”
Rainbow gulped as the shadow of the city's massive doors bled over her. “H-how many times did you say you've been here before?”
“Three... five? Bordering on half-a-dozen at least. Miss Dash, you really must relax,” Theanim said. “You've wrestled a sea serpent into submission and survived a burial at sea. Why would something as harmless as a city of commerce give you the chills?”
“Let's just say I'm not the only one,” Rainbow murmured.
“I don't know, Rainbow,” Twilight said. She put on a gentle smile. “Everything that Theanim says makes sense.”
“Uh huh...” Rainbow whispered.
“Honestly!” Twilight remarked. “Sure, this place may look a little grim on the outside, but give it a chance! After all, Equestria is no stranger than less-than-aesthetic places. Take Detrot for instance!”
Rarity gave Twilight a double-take. “You've been to Detrot, darling?”
“Erm... well no,” Twilight said her ears folding back. “But my brother did once.”
“Oh?”
“It's where he went to boot camp.”
“Did he have any colorful stories to tell?” Rarity asked.
Twilight gulped, her eyes suddenly vacant. “Only once he stopped crying...”
Rainbow was about to say something—
“Oh, bless Verlaxion!” Mrs. Cobbletrots exclaimed, shuffling out of the lower deck and adjusting her mane with glee. “We've arrived! Oh, how I can't wait to taste the traditional Rust Shrimp Alfredo!”
“Patience, dear,” her spouse said, emerging into the sunlight alongside the rest of the passengers. “First thing's first. Let's pool in with the docking fee to thank the Doctor for our trip.”
“Oh, please, that's not necessary,” Theanim said with a gracious smile. “I've got this.”
“Surely you jest, Dr. Mane! We wouldn't have gotten off that dreadful Atoll if it weren't for you!”
“Your gratitude is most welcome...” Theanim shuffled, glancing at Rainbow out the corner of his eyes. “If a tad bit unfounded.” He cleared his throat. “Nevertheless, if you're so determined to assist me, then perhaps you and the rest can stay on board long enough so that we can score ourselves a discount economy docking.”
“A whatsit?” Rainbow remarked.
“Uhm...” One of the passengers shuffled closer. “Rust favors travellers in large groups,” he explained, muttering out of earshot of the inspectors. “If we make it look like we're all here for a trade agreement, they'll get us in at a lower price.”
“Huh...” Rainbow blinked. “Why's everything gotta be so... thrifty?”
The pony blinked. “You mean it isn't where you come from?”
Rainbow bit her lip and said nothing. In the meantime, Theanim stopped the yachts the moment it passed between two larger boats full of guards and city workers. A dull-faced unicorn shuffled up to the edge of one ship's deck and asked Theanim several questions, all the while scribbling notes on a clipboard.
It was obvious that this was going to take more than a few mere minutes, so Rainbow took the opportunity to peer around and observe the surroundings. By this point, they had passed far enough into the mouth of the gate's outer doors that she could see most of the city's interior—only to realize that she was gazing at the tip of an iron iceberg. There was a large space of open water—a veritable inlet—and it was all surrounded by metal: metal docks, metal planks, metal walkways. It was as dense and bustling as the port situated in east Kihutaja, which surprised Rainbow to no end. She had to stare fixedly for several minutes, but she was convinced that the platform city wasn't floating at all, but rather its metal buttresses were locked firmly in place while the rest of the ocean rippled and bobbed around it.
“If you must know, the city appears to be bolted deeply to the ocean floor,” Rarity spontaneously explained. She could see Rainbow staring at the sights, and she pointed at the waters below. “I sense... several thick vertical columns leading towards a dense stone surface that's at least two hundred feet below us. Regardless of who built this place and for what, I must say—it's a rather remarkable piece of engineering.”
“Wow, Rarity,” Twilight murmured, grinning. “It's so incredible how you're able to sense all of that without batting an eye!”
Rarity shrugged, smiling. “It's a gift, darling. I'm slowly warming up to it.”
“How about you, Twilight?” Rainbow murmured, keeping her voice below the volume of the continued conversation between Theanim and the inspectors. “Do you sense anything significant about this place?”
“Define 'significant.'”
“Ugh... do I gotta?”
“Very well then...” Twilight leaned her head up, closed her eyes, and breathed evenly. After a few lavender pulses from her horn, she spoke: “There are residual traces of mana here and there. I sense faint leylines threading between every other building of this place... thin and faint.”
“What's that mean?!” Rainbow wheezed. “Could... could agents of Verlaxion be here?”
“... ... ...” Twilight's eyes opened. “Uhm... no, Rainbow. It's just unicorns.”
Rainbow blushed. “Oh.”
With a slight giggle, Twilight said, “It's the same sort of sensation I've gathered from ships we've passed by or the very passengers who've ridden with us on board the Midnight Dreary.” The lavender unicorn shrugged. “Seems that a good third of all Rohbreddeners are unicorns. Nothing strange about it.” She smiled. “It's actually rather pleasant to know. Feels a bit like home.”
“Or it would feel a bit like home if you possessed this ability back in Equestria,” Rarity said with a wink.
“Hehe... good point.”
“You... uhh...” Rainbow squirmed where she stood. “...you sure that you don't sense—like—an evil lair full of sparkling manacoils or a dragon enchanted zombie maker or some crap?”
Twilight merely gawked at the mare. “Rainbow... relax! Like the Doctor said—this place might be a tad bit stingy, but it's harmless!”
“Yes, darling,” Rarity said. “If you wish to practice your anxiety, wait until we are within reach of Pinkie's hiding place down in Shoggoth.”
Rainbow shuddered, her wings drooping.
“Rarityyy,” Twilight groaned.
“Erm... sorry...” The fashionista giggled nervously.
“Alright!” One of the inspectors voiced. “Special discount.” He levitated two dozen bits from Theanim's outstretched hoof and gestured at the yacht. “Proceed immediately to the Trade District. Take the interior canals straight past the fishing docks. If you get lost, you can ask one of the patrol ponies for—”
“I know my way around this enterprising town. Trust me.” Theanim saluted and steered the ship ahead. “A thousand thanks, good sir.”
“Meh,” the inspector droned, then motioned for the next vessel. “Move the line forward, everypony! Come on! Before the oceans freeze over!”
As the Midnight Dreary cruised forward, Rainbow spotted more and more details. She realized that the city existed in multiple layers. First, there was the shell of Rust, which was bolted to the lower foundations—as Rarity described. But then there was a second layer—a habitat layer. This—Rainbow discovered—was constructed on countless metal and wooden platforms that were secured on massive floatation devices. It became swiftly apparent that the initial docks and walkways of the city were fashioned to rise and lower along with the ocean layer.”
“That way, none of the local businesses risk flooding in the event of unsightly weather,” Theanim explained a few minutes along the tour. They passed docksides and platforms reeking of gutted fish while seagulls congregated and cawed overhead. “The outer walls protect the residents from the brunt of most elements. Rust can even withstand a hurricane if it needed to. And when the waters raise up, most the city rises up along with it.”
“Heheh... well that's comforting to know.” Theanim pointed past the bow. “There. The canals. Like the inspector said, that'll lead us to our destination within the Trade District.”
“Uh huh...” Rainbow looked as they approached the first of many narrow capillaries that led through an asymmetrical arrangement of winding metal corridors and tunnels. All along the banks of the artificial streams, ponies trotted from one platform to another, gathering along balconies as they bartered and traded in the tropical sunlight. The air was abuzz with hundreds of Robhredden dialects, and Rainbow could spot a pegasus or two darting overhead, their bodies hauling carts full of goods and luxuries. “How do we expect to find your friend in all this mess, Doc?”
“It only looks like a 'mess' from the outside,” Theanim said. “Once we're trotting the streets, I'll catch my bearings. We'll find Echo in no time.”
“Yeesh... I hope so.”
“What, pray tell, is that?” Rarity remarked.
“Huh?” Rainbow turned.
Theanim looked her way. “'Huh,' what?”
Rarity was pointing due south. Far across the city's western “inlet,” a complicated drydock had been erected. Within the space of the hollow overhang, a large vessel of strange construction was housed. The ship at first looked like a trimaran, only it easily six times the size of the Midnight Dreary and it consisted of four separated hulls instead of three. What's more, in place of a sail it had what looked like eight massive turbines fused to the segmented stern.
“Looks like a sea ship of some sort,” Twilight remarked. “And... I-I think I'm sensing a fusion of leylines.”
“Really?” Rainbow asked.
Twilight gulped. “It's dormant now. But... but it stands to be enchanted.” She looked at Rainbow. “An engine of some sort?”
Before Rainbow could say something, Theanim interjected: “Ah. I see you've found the Arrowfish.”
“The what-fish?”
“Granted, I can't tell if it's Mark One or Mark Two,” Theanim muttered out loud, rubbing his chin. “They both look so identical.”
Rainbow pointed at the ship in the distant drydock. “You mean there are two of those friggin' things?”
“Indeed. And those 'frigging things' are the blood and spirit of Rust.” Theanim smiled proudly. “They have only two destinations: Rust and Shoggoth. Periodically, the Arrowfish cruise in straight lines between here and the city you're journeying to. Each time, they haul several hundred tons of equipment and resources. Oh... and passengers as well.”
“So it's a safe ticket to our destination?”
“And a terribly expensive one too,” Theanim said, his face growing long. “So let's not get ahead of ourselves. I may be stocked up, monetarily speaking, but even I can't afford passage on the likes of an Arrowship.”
“Huh...” Rainbow sighed. “Well that's a bummer.”
“Do not worry, my good mare,” Theanim said, carefully paying attention to the waters as he steered the yacht into the first of several canals. “We'll find our way to the Muddredger city in due time. Best to be careful than to be hasty.”
“What's it run on?” Twilight asked, still transfixed on the distant vessel.
Rainbow cleared her throat. “Just what does the Arrowfish run on, exactly?”
“Unicorn power,” Theanim explained. He turned the rudder wheel left and right. “Those with patience, concentration, and a good horn volunteer to manually energize the engines for the southern trip and the return.” He smirked. “In exchange, they get exempt from city residence fees for a month.”
“Well, that sounds kinda... blunt.”
“Heh... do not get overly sympathetic, Miss Dash. It's as fair and balanced an enterprise as any other. Besides, most of the unicorns who volunteer are young and strong-minded. Very rarely will fathers and mothers leave their families to engage in such a mental exercise. This may come as a shock to you, but the residents of Rust favor family and community above the common bit.”
“You're right,” Rainbow droned. “That does come as a shock to me.”
“Hmmmm... I suppose we all have quite a lot to learn.”
“Well, I for one am most impressed,” Rarity said. “Even if this place leaves... ehhhh... something to be desired in terms of aesthetics.”
“Ehhhh...” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I've seen it all before.”
“Rainbow...” Twilight glared. “Honestly... when have you seen a city like this before?”
“Months and months ago,” Rainbow droned. “Three times the size... and a thousand feet in the air.” She blinked. “Powered by magic and farts.”
“Oh...” Twilight blushed slightly, glancing down into the rippling canal waters. “...right.”
Rainbow Dash's tour into the heart of Rust did not end anytime soon. The canals stretched on for “block” after “block.” With each twist and turn of the artificial streams, it looked as though the city expanded, revealing more docksides and warehouses and catwalks and overstretching platforms. Gradually, Rainbow began to understand the basic construction of the city more and more. With Rarity's help, she took notice of rising layers of overlapping platforms—undoubtedly built on top of each other over several centuries of progressive enterprise. It wasn't exactly the most beautiful of architectural feats, but a certain degree of masterful intricacy couldn't be denied.
The complex array of looming structures allowed for a cooling shade, and Rainbow felt herself becoming relaxed—almost as much as Theanim Mane. She glanced left and right, observing ponies as they strolled from one section of the city to another. No single set of eyes took notice of the Midnight Dreary or its crew. Rainbow and her companions could very easily have been invisible. The residents were so used to passing visitors that the yacht was all-but-ignored, a sensation that was the polar opposite of the Nealenders' curious antics. Rainbow hadn't felt so insignificant since she last set hoof in a Ledomaritan city. It was an unexpectedly haunting sensation, and she almost longed for the days when every single pony on the K.M.C.A. campus eyeballed her with intense scrutiny.
“There's a special saying in Rust,” Theanim explained, casually gliding the ship into a larger body of water surrounded by drydocks. “'The only thing colder than money is no money.'” He glanced over his shoulder with a smile. “The ponies here honor Verlaxion as we do on the Continent, but it takes more than mere praises to keep a society thawed.”
“Lemme guess,” Rainbow murmured. “Verlaxion only helps ponies who help themselves.”
“Heh. That's a whimsical interpretation,” Theanim said. “It's more accurate to say that the Queen first ever united the Six Tribes in hopes that she'd kindle cooperation and progress.”
“So... Verlax laid an egg and capitalism popped out.”
“Is it so very different in Equestria, Miss Dash?”
“Eh...” Rainbow shrugged, glancing at Rarity and Twilight. “We had free enterprise back home. But it wasn't everything. After all, there's a lot of stuff more important in Equestrian than money.”
“Like what?”
“Harmony,” Rainbow said. “Bits are one thing. But when it comes to peace, tranquility, and survivability—ponies set aside everything else and work together for a common goal. Like in the spring, during Winter Wrap up: an entire village comes together to clean a city from the effects of winter and wake animals from hibernation. It brings us all together without... y'know... relying on pure bits and profit.”
“And every race of your civilization engages willfully in this?”
“Pretty much, yeah,” Rainbow Dash said with a nod. “I mean, most ponies have their rolls. Unicorns take care of the animals. Pegasi take care of the skies. Earth ponies take care of the... mrmm... earth.”
“So, in a way...” Theanim Mane thought out loud. “...you all perform a ritualistic Thawing every year.”
Twilight and Rarity exchanged glances.
“Well, sure...” Rainbow nodded. “I guess that's a way of saying it.”
“Fascinating,” Theanim remarked, aiming the yacht towards an open space along a marina's metal dock. Sunlight scattered through the blades of a windmill and a wall of windblown netting suspended above. “I'm intrigued as to what inspires such a society without the divine intervention of somepony like Verlaxion.”
“Well, we've got Princess Luna and Princess Celestia.”
“As you've told me.”
“But they're more inspiration to us than... er... caretakers. I mean, sure, eons ago they secured this plane and breathed life into it, but they've learned to leave well enough alone. And considering all of the complex societies I've seen, I don't rightly blame them.”
“And what would inspire a Divine to do otherwise, I wonder...?”
Rainbow's brow furrowed. “A Dragon Divine you mean?” She cocked her head aside. “But I thought 'Verlaxion' was a pony.”
Theanim bit his lip.
Rainbow stared at him, squirming slightly.
Just then, the pair hood pronounced hoofsteps. A group of dockworkers were trotting that way.
“Ah. The dockmaster,” Theanim spoke up. He rolled the rudder wheel one last time, mooring the yacht into a stopping point along the metal platform. “Let me talk to him.” He pointed at a spool of rope. “In the meantime, you know what to do.”
Rainbow did. While Theanim discussed the price of docking, Rainbow tied the vessel into place, fastening it securely. With a flap of her wings, she perched atop the dock itself. To her mild surprise, it felt no different standing on a piece of Rust than it did sitting on board the Midnight Dreary. As large as the platform city was, it was still—for the most part—floating.
“What's the matter, Rainbow?” Rarity asked.
“No matter where I go, I'm still gonna be seasick,” Rainbow whispered back.
“I wish we could relate,” Twilight remarked. “Everything is... well... floaty for us.”
“Eh...” Rainbow shrugged. “If it bothers me too much, I'll just flap my wings the whole time.”
Soon, Theanim finished bargaining with the dockmaster. Rolling over a hoofful of bits, he secured forty-eight hours worth of docking time. Rather swiftly, he turned his attention to the other travellers who were just then disembarking from the yacht.
“Doctor Mane...” They each took turns shaking his hooves. Smiles a'plenty were shared between them. “You've been a blessing from the Queen herself. If ever we're to cross paths again in Robhredden, please, allow us to pay your room and board for months.”
He chuckled. “If I'm ever conducting a scientific survey in the lower highlands, I just might take you and your families up on that offer.” He bowed low. “On behalf of the Order, I wish you warm breezes and even warmer waters.”
“I do believe we've enjoyed enough of those,” Mrs. Cobbletrots said, eliciting a chuckle from the rest of the group. “Farewell, Doctor. Do be careful...” She nervously glanced at Rainbow. “...won't you?”
Theanim winked, adjusting his goggles. “I will be just fine. Take care, milady.”
At last, the group parted ways. For the first time in over a week, Rainbow and Theanim were alone—relatively speaking.
“Somehow, I don't think I will entirely miss them,” Rarity muttered.
“Yeah...” Rainbow nodded. “...why do I get this suddenly weightless feeling?”
Theanim Mane laughed. “I insisted more than once that you try socializing with them.”
“You'd have better luck asking me to remove their kidney stones with a straw.”
“Grotesque, but nonetheless charming.” Theanim motioned after Rainbow as he began ascending the nearest metal platform towards the higher levels. “You should try your unique brand of humor on the locals. It might provide us an even warmer reception.”
Rainbow gulped. “I'm not sure if that's an awesome thing or a scary thing.”
“Perhaps a bit of both?” Theanim shrugged as the two reached a higher level, bustling with tradesponies. “I'm not going to lie, Miss Dash. Rust is the perfect city for a brave soul like yours.”
“Don't worry, Doc.” Rainbow smirked. “If any shifty ponies give you a bad look, I'll kick their teeth in for you.”
“Rainbow...” Twilight quietly chided.
“Oh, I'll bag 'em afterwards, of course!” Rainbow mused. “But first comes the kicking.”
“Better make that second,” Theanim said. “The first agenda, actually, is finding an inn.”
“An inn?” Rainbow blinked crookedly. “As in we're gonna sleep in this junkheap overnight?”
“Shhhhh,” Theanim hissed, glancing about nervously in the thick of the crowd. “Mind what you call 'junk' in this place, Miss Dash.”
“Oh. Right. Don't wanna step on the Syndicate's fetlocks, do we?”
“Most assuredly. And as for the inn... well...” He exhaled calmly. “...I never said that finding Echo would be impossible. However, it may be time consuming.”
“Oh.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Great.”
“One thing at a time, Miss Dash.” Theanim caught his bearings and led them towards a line of buildings, at the end of which were several three story tall residences. “For now, we too—like this city—must find a way to stay afloat.”
“It faces the docks, so it may be a bit noisy,” droned an innkeeper as he twisted a rusty lock with his key. He opened the door, exposing a pair of rectangular chambers overlooking a third story balcony. The iron-framed abode was sparsely furnished—with only a table, two chairs, and a large bed situated across a floor with a paper-thin rug. “But it's our only two-pony room in the economy section.”
“Erm... that's all well and good,” Theanim Mane said, fidgeting. Rainbow Dash hovered past him, gazing about the room. “But... I-I was hoping you might have a place with two separate beds.”
“Sorry.” The innkeeper shook his head. “Not today. The only available two bed rooms are a tier higher.”
“Uhhhm... well then...” Theanim chewed on his bottom lip. “Oh dear.”
“We'll take it.” Rainbow suddenly said, frozen and wide-eyed.
“Miss Dash, I appreciate the sentiment... b-but I'm not entirely comfortable with—”
“It's perfect.” Rainbow zipped towards the balcony, landing on a hammock that swung in the salty breeze. She squatted like a happy blue cat; even her ears perked up as her body swung to a stop. “We'll take it!”
Theanim blinked, then smiled at the inn keeper. “You heard the mare.”
The pony cleared his throat, holding a hoof out.
“Ah. But of course.” Theanim rummaged through his pack and hoofed over a few bits. “It'll only be for a night.”
“If you need any services, we're just a bell away,” the innkeeper said with a smile.
“Wow...” Theanim leaned his head aside. “The rooms in the economy section has a paging system?”
“Erm...” The innkeeper brushed his own bangs back, looking aside. “One per floor, actually.” He hoofed the key to Theanim. “Every tenant on the same level with you rings it. You... might want to wash your hooves afterwards.” And he trotted away.
With a loud squeak, Theanim shut the hotel room door. “Ahhhh... Rust.” He locked the door shut and turned around. “How I missed thee.”
“Hammock hammock hammock hammock...” Rainbow drooled, cuddling the netted material.
“I empathize with your desire for comfort and slumber, Miss Dash,” Theanim said, plopping his items onto the interior's bed. “But we cannot tarry here for long.”
“Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm...” Rainbow's cheeks went red. She sat up, pouting. “Can't we afford at least an hour of nap time?”
“I wish I could say yes, but Rust is a city that never sleeps. Or sinks!” He chuckled. “Both of those go hoof in fetlock, you see.”
“How about we let it sink for three hours, and I nap for two of them and then salvage the city with my bare hooves in the third hour?”
“Honestly, Miss Dash!” Theanim furrowed his brow. “How come you weren't such a sleepyhead back at the Atoll?”
“Because I had the spearing of a giant sea serpent to contend with!” Rainbow Dash grumbled. “Here, it's the adventure of 'looking for Echo.'”
“Look at it this way. After a thorough search, we'll have properly earned our rest.”
“Just where does your old friend hang out anyways?” Rainbow reluctantly hopped off the hammock, gazing over the balcony at the bustling inner port below. Seagulls and pegasi flitted overhead, gliding from building to building. “If you give me a basic idea, I could comb the place over and see what—or who—I can spot.”
Theanim fiddled with his belongings. “Do you have experience in surveying urban locations?”
“Pfftchyaa...” She nodded back at him. “I can't even count the numbers of hours I spent memorizing the rooftops to Val Roa's capital.”
“Well, from what you described to me, I doubt this city is any larger,” Theanim said. “But it is rather inricate, and there are several layers of it that don't see sunlight.”
“Lemme guess,” Rainbow muttered. “Echo's going to be hanging out in one of those dark places.”
“Quite likely. For one thing, he's... not terribly fond of sunlight.”
“And for another?”
“Let's... just say that he conducts better business in those areas.”
“Okay, Doc...” Rainbow turned around and reclined lazily against the balcony. “Level with me.” She raised an eyebrow. “Just how did you get entangled with someone like Echo in the first place?”
“Oh, please, Miss Dash.” Theanim rolled his blue eyes. “You make it sound vile and clandestine.”
“But am I off the mark...?” Rainbow smirked.
Theanim bit his lip. “Erm...”
“Anything you'd be ashamed to write home to mother?” Rainbow remarked. “And by 'mother,' I mean Queen Verlaxion?”
“Don't you start,” Theanim said, pointing a hoof. “And even if you do apply the virtues of Verlaxion to my friendship with Echo, then you'll find that she promotes nothing but camraderie and trust—across all species.”
“Heheheh...” Rainbow strolled into the hotel room. “Sounds like the Queen gives you guys a lot of leeway.” She shrugged out the balcony window. “I'm guessing that's how a place like Rust exists.”
“She leaves us to our own devices, if that's what you mean,” Theanim said. “But she intervenes when there are signs of contention.”
“And what about inequality and exploitation?” Rainbow leaned her head to the side. “How's the Queen feel about that?”
Theanim smiled. “Do your Princesses march into every Equestrian City, acting as authoritative intermediaries for whenever there's a land dispute or a financial argument over baking goods?”
“Well... uh...” Rainbow glanced down at her hooves. “...no.”
“Well, neither does our Queen make attempts to interrupt in our livelihoods,” Theanim explained. “She only maintains that we enjoy the very existence of said livelihoods.” He gestured. “Decades ago, terrible beasts migrated from the south—ravenous reptiles that make the likes of Ultimo look like a gentle giant. They wrecked ships and devoured merchants. Hundreds if not thousands of innocent Rohbreddeners lost their lives to these cretins and their voracious jaws.”
“Yeesh.” Rainbow winced. “Sounds metal. Erm...” She chuckled breathily, knocking a hoof against a nearby support column. “You know what I mean.”
“Well, it turned out to be far too dire of a situation for our defense ministry to handle. Thankfully, though, our Righteous Queen intervened. Within a two day period, she had single-hoofedly driven the monsters back into the depths. They haven't bothered us since.”
“So... she keeps the order... when it gets super kaizo, huh?”
“Indeed. From what you've told me, your Princesses have done the same with these...” He glanced at her neck pendant. “...Elements of Harmony, yes?”
“I've got one question, though,” Rainbow said. “Ultimo—wasn't that a big enough reason for Verlax... er... Verlaxion to intervene? I mean, he was making life hard for a bunch of merchants and villagers and stuff.”
“Well, in the end, she didn't have to... did she?”
“What makes you say that?”
Theanim returned to his pack. “What else?”
Rainbow blinked at that. She gazed off in thought.
“So long as the Six Tribes remain an alliance—and not enemies—then our Queen is happy to let us live as we see fit. That's why I'm always baffled that the Colonialists would think so ill of her... and it's also why I'm so alarmed when you tell me that she's some... some...” He grimaced, shrugging. “... reptilian death mother.”
“And it gets more and more metal,” Rainbow muttered.
“I beg your pardon?”
Rainbow paced closer. “But can your Queen honestly expect every pony in her kingdom to obey the system that she's established? I mean... I seriously can't imagine that every city on your continent is just as... erm... hardcore as this one.”
“Indeed. Rust has its own color that's scarcely matched in the rest of the island kingdom.”
“So, doesn't the existence of the Syndicate concern her? I mean, sure, it's not tearing your Tribes apart... but living in bondage is a real thing that can happen in a lot of real ways. And it's not always better than living in war.”
“That's where we come in, Miss Dash,” Theanim said. “Harmony is a grand ideal—but hardly a reality. Here in Rohbredden, we don't have... magic elements that can zap a monster and reboot tranquility incarnate. Instead, we have the Order.” He chuckled lightly. “Don't pretend that Sinrar and his companion haven't influenced you in some degree. Surely you've considered it odd—as they do—that such spiritually devout citizens would consider themselves 'scientists.'”
“The... uh... the thought has crossed my mind.”
“The Queen has her role, and we have ours. While what we seek and what we record is all part of manifesting the same harmony, we cannot simply sit in place and leave everything to the Great Unifier.” He gestured out the window. “There's a world out there that needs order... the Order. And aside from maintaining a record of all Creation, we make it our goal to improve the lives of everyone and everything around us. And we do that one companion at a time.”
Rainbow slowly nodded. “...with friends like Echo.”
“With friends like Echo,” he said, nodding back. “Believe me, Miss Dash. Every part of the world has a dark place, Rust included. But I have many a reason to believe that my connections with Echo... my influence with him has swayed the members of the Syndicate into exercising a great deal more mercy than they would otherwise.”
“And in exchange?”
“They help me make the world the better place on my end,” Theanim said. “And if that includes granting me passage into Shoggoth so that an exceptional new friend of mine might spread harmony in her own way... well...” He zipped his pack close, bundling up the bare essentials. “...then it's fine time that my companions pay their dues. And, believe me, Echo owes me quite a bit.”
“Heh...” Rainbow nodded. “Read you loud and clear.”
“So, then...” Theanim pointed to the door. “...shall we begin our search?”
“Totally. I'll get a head start!” FWOOOSH! Rainbow bulleted out the window. “C'mon, girls!”
“Miss Dash?! Miss Dash!” Theanim hollered after her, but it was too late. His nostrils flared, and he fumbled for his keys while stumbling towards the door. “Echo won't be the only one owing me at this rate...”
The past three hours were an interesting experiment, to say the least. Rainbow Dash had flown over every square inch of the rooftops of Rust. She had seen the city's highs, its lows, its segmented sections and its jagged edges. She had flown to such extremes that she was secretly surprised that none of the guards had attempted to halt her or rein her in. All the while, she was able to see the platform city's decrepit districts, as well as its more “pristine” courtyards. She spotted urbanscapes that obviously must have belonged to the city's upper elite, with terraced buildings scaling taller and taller, glittering in the afternoon sunlight. Every now and then, Rainbow would spot serious-muzzled stallions and mares trotting in pairs, trios, and quartets—all eyeing the crowd while keeping tight-lipped and vigilant. It eventually occurred to her that a survey of this city was a great deal less stressful to make than the hours she had spent soaring over the lengths of Val Roa. For one thing, she wasn't the only pegasus in sight, so flying over the city summits was far from conspicuous. For another, she wasn't constantly worrying about the all-seeing-eye of a Changeling Queen. And yet, despite all of these enthralling elements, there was one thing that made the entire endeavor mind-numbingly frustrating.
“Y'know, it'd really help if I friggin' knew what Echo looked like,” Rainbow growled.
Twilight Sparkle giggled and giggled.
“Mrrmmmff...” Rarity pouted, folding her forelimbs in mid-drift. “If you ask me, I'd say this entire search is utterly fruitless. Can't we just return to the hotel? And its hammock?”
“Yeeeugh...” Rainbow shuddered, gliding over a metallic spire. “Don't tempt me.”
“What's the matter, Rarity?” Twilight hummed, smiling across the pegasus at her spectral companion. “Not enjoying the sights?”
“Is it possible for a mother hen to admire an egg-eating viper?!” Rarity grimaced. “Celestia above, if I still had a stomach, I would utterly vomit!”
“Sorry, Rarity,” Rainbow droned. She glanced at a series of apartment buildings looming over a rippling canal. “If I had my way, I'd have our adventures take us to far less... garish places. Just for you.”
“'Garish' doesn't even begin to describe it!” Rarity squeaked. She pointed with a limp hoof. “Just look at those vomitous exteriors! Doesn't anypony this side of the ocean at least believe in paint anymore?! And those balconies! So barren and stricken with mildew!” She covered her eyes. “Eeeeugh... wake me when it's all overrrrr.”
“Don't give up hope, Rarity,” Twilight said. “We've yet to get to Shoggoth. Who knows? Maybe sea ponies have a penchant for exterior decorating.” She looked across the way. “What do you think, Rainbow?” A beat. She arched an eyebrow. “Rainbow?”
“Funny...” Rainbow gazed to her right. She pointed at a hollowed out, charred buildingside. “That place looks like it suffered a really nasty fire.”
“Yes, indeed. So?” Twilight blinked. “The residents of Rust don't exactly appear to be... quick to renovate things.”
“Yeah, but—like—that's the seventh place I've seen that looks burnt to a crisp.” Rainbow looked at Twilight. “Is this place super friggin' fire-prone or what?”
“You know, she does have a point,” Rarity remarked. “A lot of the buildings we've passed are... quite barren, to say the least.” She pointed at one of the blackened spires. “That structure, for instance, with all the seared windows?”
“Yes...?”
“It's completely skeletonized on the inside,” Rarity said. “I'm not sensing a single piece of furniture. Now, there are literally thousands of ponies trotting the streets of this place. You'd think they'd want nothing less than to fill every available living space on this floating... palace..”
“Maybe it's unsafe.” Twilight shrugged. “If a flash fire consumed a large building, I wouldn't want to live there either until I was certain the place could stand on its own.”
“Yes, but Twilight...” Rarity's brow furrowed. “I can sense the foundation of the place. That building is structurally sound. Such is the same with the other buildings that Rainbow is speaking of. It's... rather haunting.”
“Huh...” Twilight rubbed her chin in thought. “You know, now that you say that, it is rather odd.”
“Well, hold the thought,” Rainbow said, suddenly descending towards the second level of suspended platforms. “We've just got ourselves a doctor's appointment.”
Rarity and Twilight looked to see Theanim Mane positioned in the middle of a metal street. He turned from talking to a pair of tradesponies and smiled at Rainbow Dash's approach. “Ah! Miss Dash! At last!” He smirked as she landed in front of him. “Allow me to guess... you've realized that you haven't a clue what Echo looks like.”
Rainbow wheezed, catching her breath. “Forgive me, Doc. I guess... uhh... I got a bit hammock-crazy there.”
“Did you get a good feel for the city, at least?”
“You can say that and a half.”
“Good. Then fret not.” Theanim trotted down the street, motioning for Rainbow to follow along. “I've made inquiries of at least a dozen ponies since we last parted ways.” He cleared his throat. “It took a few bits, mind you, but I was able to get a faint lead on my old companion's current whereabouts.”
“Oh really?”
“Seems like the fellow has been loitering around the Dust District,” Theanim explained. “Makes sense, considering his photophobia...”
“Heh.” Twilight grinned. “Every city called 'Rust' must have a 'Dust District.'”
“Come to think of it...” Rainbow glanced off in mid-trot, thinking aloud. “I think Gray Smoke had a 'Rust District...'”
“Come again?” Theanim remarked.
Before she could answer him, Rainbow caught sight of another burnt-down building. “Say, Doc. This might sound a bit random, but have you noticed the—”
“Charred remains of once-glorious residential establishments?”
“Err... yeahhhhhh...” Rainbow nodded. “And are they all really places of residences?”
“Yes. And exclusively.”
“Oh dear,” Rarity remarked, blinking at Twilight. “That's distressing.”
“Am I and my two marefriends the only ones weirded out by that?” Rainbow asked.
“I too was concerned,” Theanim said. “And if I weren't so ardent on finding Echo, I would have asked more questions regarding the issue.”
“But you have asked some questions...?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“The locals claim that there's been a faulty series of mana-crystal charged heating systems.” He glanced aside at Rainbow. “A series of merchants took up shop in town over the past five years—a group of unicorns. And they sold these heating systems powered by enchanted crystals. However, they proved to be defective... disastorously so.”
“And—what—the apartments just went up in smoke?”
“Evidently,” Theanim said. “Thankfully, the Syndicate swept in and ran the irresponsible cretins out. There've been considerably less blazes since—especially now that the items in question have been recalled.”
“Well, that's a relief!” Rarity exclaimed.
“Still, it's inconceivable that such a mess would happen to begin with!” Twilight exclaimed. “Don't the trades ponies here have common decency?”
“Kind of a sucky situation to happen for no reason, eh?” Rainbow asked. “For a group of ponies so big on making and preserving coin, you'd think they'd be more careful about stuff like that.”
“Indeed. Which is why it's a good thing that the Syndicate's driven the irresponsible lot out.”
“And everypony here is—like—cool with the way things turned out?”
Theanim shrugged. “They didn't say otherwise.”
“Hmmmm...”
“Alas!” Theanim pointed ahead, grinning. “The entrance to the Dust District!” However, as the pair made their way to a shadowed ramp leading down to a lower platform, the scientist slowed his trotting steps. “Wuh oh.”
“What's the matter?” Rainbow asked.
“Hmmm...” Theanim lifted his goggles, squinting at a pair of tightly-suited equines minding the entrance. Each group of ponies who approached the ramp were stopped and forced to talk with them before pressing on. “It... appears to be a checkpoint of some sort.”
“A checkpoint?”
“It would seem that the Syndicate only wants certain loyal merchants in the streets of the Dust District.”
“They can do that?”
“It's their city, Miss Dash.”
“Hrmmmm...”
“Do not worry, my good mare.” Theanim smiled, holding a hoof up. As she hovered in place, he trotted onwards. “Allow me to take care of this.”
The two shifty ponies finished talking to a group of equines. After nodding them off, they turned their attention to the approaching doctor.
“Stop right there,” one pony said sharply, his brow furrowed like a diamond's edge. “What's the password.”
“Password?!” Theanim chuckled heavily. “Oh, dear stallion, surely you jest! This is Rust! Not a foals' clubhouse!”
“You obviously haven't been in Rust in a long while, buddy,” one said. “It's pretty simple.”
“You want down in the Dust District? You give us the password,” the other added.
“Or you pay a fee.”
“Erm... what kind of a fee?”
The two stallions exchanged glances. At last, one said, “Fifty bits.”
Theanim's eyes bulged. “F-fifty?!” He gawked at them. “Why... that's never been charged for anything in this city before!”
“And we've never seen your stuffy face before,” one of the stallions said. “You speak up, pay up, or you get on the bad side of our Boss.”
“The Boss must be truly desperate these days,” Theanim muttered. “Hrmmmfff... and you won't make an exception for a member of the Order?”
“You want to do science? Go dunk your head in the canals and search for jellyfish.” The stallion pointed towards the rest of the city. “If you haven't got the bits, then take your Continentalist badge elsewhere.”
Theanim exhaled slowly. “Very well then. I read you loud and clear.” He shuffled back towards where Rainbow hovered.
“My goodness...” Rarity folded her forelimbs, pouting. “Quite charming, this Syndicate.”
“Bad news, dude?” Rainbow remarked.
“The city has... grown more paranoid since the last time I was here,” Theanim remarked. “I've experienced checkpoints before, but never have I seen the lower districts so closely guarded.” He fanned himself, glancing forlornly at the metal lengths of the place. “The Syndicate must be feeling the pinch somehow...”
“And just who's this 'Boss' guy?”
“Someone I'd much rather not have dinner with, thank you very much.” Theanim slid his goggles down and groaned. “Let's press on elsewhere.”
“Wait just a sec, Doc.” Rainbow pointed. “He said he'd let us down for bits.”
“Erm... yes. Quite.”
“Since when has that been an obstacle before?”
“Please, don't think ill of my generosity, Miss Dash,” Theanim said, smiling nervously. “As much as I've laviciously provided for our transport here, it goes without saying that I am... mrmmm... n-not made of bits.” He gulped. “I apologize sincerely, but I do very much want to possess my own fortune when all of this is said and done. Not everypony can travel as far as you can, after all. That goes as much for the bit bag as it does for one's intestinal fortitude. Heh...”
“Well, shoot...” Rainbow Dash frowned. “You're certain Echo's hanging out down there?”
“Most certainly.”
“Then there's gotta be another way to get to—”
Suddenly, Twilight zipped up, breathless. “Rainbow! I know it!”
Rainbow did a double-take at her. “Know what?”
“Hmmm?” Theanim squinted through his goggles. “Do one of your friends have a solution?”
Twilight leaned in and whispered in Rainbow's ear.
Rainbow blinked, then gaped at her. “That's it?!”
Twilight nodded.
“How...?” Rainbow looked across the platform. The two stallions stood at least one hundred feet away—where they halted group after group of ponies. “How'd you even get over there to hear it? That's like a gazillion miles away!”
“Well... uhm...” Twilight fidgeted in mid-air. “I wasn't sure how to say this, but...”
“But what?”
“Ever since we picked up Rarity, I've... been able to go double the distance than before.”
“Wait, seriously?” Rarity remarked. “You were once reined in even tighter?”
“Hold the soundstone,” Rainbow grunted. “Since when has this been a thing?”
With her eyes locked with Rainbow's, Twilight drifted backwards. She reached a spot nearly thirty meters away before a translucent wall of lavender energy held her like a barricade. She kicked against it and flew back. “See...?”
Rainbow's jaw hung agape. “I... I never even noticed that!” She winced. “All this time... I feel like a dang idiot.”
“About what, my dear?” Theanim remarked.
“Don't feel bad, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “It wasn't until a day or two ago that I noticed.” She smiled nervously. “Right at the end of our sea voyage. I just... didn't expect to be able to go the distance. It's like that old thought experiment with the baby elephant chained to a rock.”
“Pffft... friggin' crazy.”
“Remarkable,” Rarity hummed. “Then—that must mean when we wake Pinkie Pie...”
“Yeah, my mind's already buzzing,” Rainbow droned.
“Please, do fill me in if you can, Miss Dash,” Theanim begged.
Rainbow smirked and motioned him to follow her. “Allow me. Courtesy of Twilight.”
“Very well.”
Rainbow Dash approached the two stallions. They were just done nodding off a group of merchants when there hard eyes met the mare's. “Halt—”
“Relax, buds,” Rainbow chirped. She pointed at Theanim. “My goofy friend here forgot to wait for me. Pffft... desperate for that coral, do you know what I mean?”
Theanim hissed, wincing sharply.
The stallions merely sighed, looking bored. “Password, please...?”
“Ahem...” Rainbow glared at them. “... ... ... 'Just. Essay.'”
Silence.
“Right.” One stallion's nostrils flared. The two parted ways, motioning into the dark depths of Rust. “You may pass.”
“Erm... by all means.” Theanim shuffled nervously after her. He tipped his goggled. “Good day—”
“Don't rub it in, Einstallion,” Rainbow hoarsely whispered in his ear.
“Erm... a thousand pardons,” Theanim stammered, ducking into the Dust District along with Rainbow. “There are times when I wish I was as smooth as you.”
“Pffft... nopony's perfect.”
Twilight cleared her throat indignantly.
“...or as magical,” the pegasus said, winking over her shoulder.
Twilight smiled proudly, her cheeks pink, and soon they were encased in shadow.
“Well, it took dayum near forever,” the young pegasus said, adjusting his black steston with a tired smirk. “But here we are.”
The griffon standing next to him nodded. His thick round goggles reflected a strip of wood that he was whittling to a fine point. The creature's razor-sharp beak chewed carefully on a toothpick, and his dual black lenses reflected flickering firelight from the busy tavern stretching before the two of them.
“But it begs bein' said.” The pegasus shifted the weight of a guitar case over his stone blue flank, revealing the cutie mark of a horseshoe covered in black tar. “I could think of a dozen different places I'd rather be. What do you think, Dubya-Cee?”
The griffon swung the toothpick to the opposite end of his beak. He stuck the wood and blade under his right arm and gestured with two talons—the left of which was an elaborate metal prosthetic with clicking digits.
After a few seconds, the pegasus snorted. “Hah! Easy for you to say!” He tilted the brim of his hat up, exposing hazel eyes as he grinned. “You chose this here job. And it's not like you can smell this seethin' flankhole from a hill of beans! What, with them lizard nostrils of yers.”
His feathery companion exhaled sharply, swiping the air with three angry talons. He tossed the knife back into his metal grip and resumed whittling.
“Hmmm... good point.” The pegasus scratched his scruffy chin, gazing at the tables and tables full of seedy patrons filling the smokey domain. “By shakin' things up, reckon we're makin' an improvement on this place. Heh...” He leaned back into the corner wall of the room, stifling a lazy yawn. “Y'know what I hate the most?”
The griffon shrugged.
“Even the bits that get hoofed through this place are rusty. Makes ya wonder why these varmints work so dayum hard for the shiet. I mean...” He glanced over, wagging his eyebrows. “Do they even have Mamas and Papas? Any foals or sisters to feed?”
The griffon paused again, his soul-less lenses reflecting his talons as they clicked and motioned in the air.
“'Cuz what else would drive a fool into callin' this den of vipers a home?!” the pegasus hissed. “I mean, take you and me for example. We make profit doin'... well... let's say 'complicated' stuff, ya feel me?”
His buddy nodded, chewing harder on his toothpick.
“But at least we've got the gumption to not stick around to one single place! A life like ours? Pffft... it can wear a pony down. Griffon too, I reckon.”
Talons swung through the air in zig-zags then returned to whittling.
“Please...” The stallion rolled his eyes. “The 'fear of Verlaxion' ain't got nothin' to do with... nothin'.” He pointed at the tables before them. “Folks who come here? It's cuz they're plum stuck here. Either the Syndicate's got them grabbed by the cajones, or they're addicted to coral. Ain't no excuses, though, cuz we both know it's that they're just... defeated. They done hopped off the train lifetimes ago, if ya catch my drift.”
The griffon swiped at the wood one last time. He held a thin splintery stalk up to the light. Satisfied, he sheathed his blade into a leather bandolier, tossed his toothpick to the floor, and replaced it with the fresh stalk in his beak. He leaned back, exhaling as he chewed and chewed.
“Good thang you and I are Desperados, eh, Dubya-Cee?” The stallion smirked, raising a hoof. “Cuz there ain't no gettin' off this train we're on.”
The griffon bro-fisted him without looking. A few seconds later, he gestured wildly in the air.
“Shhhh!” The stallion pulled the brim of his stetson down. “Keep it down, will ya?!” he whispered. “Squawkin' like that—you'll break our cover!”
His feathered friend sighed. A black tail flicked, attached to an athletic body with an even blacker coat.
“Just leave the talkin' to me,” said the pegasus, shifting the weight of his guitar case again. “As well as the fine articulate philosophizin'.” He shrugged. “You shoulda known what you were in for when you talked us into this job, mofo.”
The griffon swung a sharp talon through the air.
“T'ain't nonsense! Take a look for yerself!” He pointed across the tavern. “Not a single pair of eyes in this places harbors a Verlaxion-dayum soul! You wanna get richer overnight, speedy?”
The griffon tilted his head, his lenses reflecting the stallion's smirking muzzle.
“The next pony who trots in through that door... the very next equine.” He pointed hard at the swinging doors, squinting. “If he dun look the least bit alive, then you owe me ten bits from our earnin'!”
A metal talon clicked inquisitively.
“Pfft! Of course the bet goes both ways!” He rolled his eyes. “What do ya take me for, a cheapskate?”
The griffon looked at him.
“Heh. Point taken.” The stallion shrugged his shoulders. “Like yer gonna get a single cent richer!” The sound of hoofsteps lit the hazy air. “See? Just look! And learn to...” The stallion's muzzle dropped as his voice took on a breathy tone. “...t-to live with yerself...” He gulped. “Hell's Bells...”
Rainbow Dash strolled into the saloon, glancing left and right. The firelight caught every shimmering hue of her prismatic mane, introducing color to the otherwise dismal abode. No less than ten seconds later, Theanim Mane strolled in, though the shadows greatly devoured his figure in contrast.
A sharp whistle flew over the pegasus' black stetson. He rolled his eyes and smirked aside. “Please...” He batted the open metal palm away and sneered, “That dun mean nothin'! Just... just give it a few minutes.”
Sighing, the griffon swung his talons through the air.
“Yes. I know... I know. And I see 'em... but... y'know... who's rushin'?” He smirked, leaning back against the metal wall. “Tain't no other way to get this here job done than the Desperado way. Besides, don't you believe in miracles, Dubya-Cee?”
Rainbow Dash blinked. She stared across the lengths of the saloon, looking left and looking right. At last, her face pouted.
“This place sucks. Let's try the next one.”
“Rainbow, darling,” Rarity floated alongside her. “You've said that about the last three establishments! Why don't you give this place a chance?”
Rainbow glanced aside. “Do you seriously wanna stay here any more than I do?” she whispered.
“Well...” Rarity squirmed in midair. “No. But that's not the point.”
“Think of Pinkie, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “Echo's the key to everything!”
“Eughh...” Rainbow face-hoofed. “I swear, if you guys are gonna use that angle to guilt-trip me every time...”
“Don't be ridiculous.” Twilight smiled. “Only until it's time for Applejack or Fluttershy!”
“You know, this would be a whole lot easier if one of you girls had a 'shady-pony-sense' instead of what you've already got.”
“Beggars can't be choosers, darling.”
“Meh.”
Theanim strolled in until he stood side to side with Rainbow. “Whatever your ghostly companions are telling you, Miss Dash, I suspect you should pay heed to them.”
“How can there be so many friggin' taverns in a city this miserable?!” Rainbow's voice cracked.
“I do believe the adequate term for this place is a 'drinking bar,'” Theanim said with a pleasant smile.
“Do they serve apple cider here?”
“Uhm...” The stallion blinked. “I seriously doubt it.”
“Then it's no drinking bar.” Rainbow turned tail. “Let's make like a Durandanan and blow.”
“Not quite so swiftly, my good mare,” Theanim said, holding her in place by a wing. He gazed into the far corner of the place, his grin growing and growing. “...for I do believe that we've found what we're looking for. Or—rather—who.”
“Wait...” Rainbow craned her neck, squinting. “For real?”
She followed the doctor's eyesight—landing on a small table populated by a single patron: a thin waif of an equine clad from head to tail in a thick black cloak.
“Are you kidding?” Rainbow's ears drooped. “The one dude in the whole place wearing a cloak and hood?”
“But of course. I can spot Echo's style from a mile away.”
“Not in the sunlight, you can't.”
“And thank you for making the case for me.” Theanim winked, then shuffled forward. “Allow me to lead the way. Best not to startle the old chap.”
“This seriously can't be that easy.”
“By Verlaxion's graces, it is, my dear.”
Rainbow's nostrils flared. Slowly, she shuffled after the doctor. “Twi? Rares? Sense anything... wonky?”
“Can't say that I do, Rainbow,” Twilight said, shaking her head. “Everything's... magically sound.”
Rarity smiled. “I'd say we should trust the good doctor.”
“Hmmmf... if you say so,” Rainbow muttered. “But if this ends up biting us in the flank, then it's you guys who are receiving a good headache.”
“You're welcome to attempt cashing that check, darling,” Rarity said, summoning a giggle from Twilight.
Rainbow sighed, but in no time at all she was squatting at the table alongside Theanim Mane.
The cloaked figure seated there shook with a jolt. The hood raised, and a column of green smoke rose out of the blackness within. Finally, a sickly, hoarse voice billowed forth: “Uhm... plenty of tables to be taken in this fine establishment, ya bit divers.”
“Please, your stealthy pleasantries have no effect on me,” Theanim droned.
Rainbow leaned forward. “Are you Echo?!” she asked sharply.
“Hisssss!” The figure leaned back, exhaling more green smoke. “The Hell is this? Buzz off! I'm... I-I'm waiting for somepony important!”
“Somepony more important than a very old friend?” Theanim raised his goggles and leaned into the light. He smiled gently. “Don't tell me you've replaced sensibility with loneliness, dear chap.”
The figure froze. A hairy fetlock poked out of the cloak's sleeve. “Theams...?”
The doctor smiled. “The very same...”
“Is...” His hooves reached up, lowering the hood. A bleary face chewed on the end of a long narrow pipe. Slitted green eyes—bloodshot red—peered out from a charcoal muzzle with leafy ears. “Is it really you, Theams?” A pair of fangs glinted as he chewed harder on the cigar. “Verlaxion's sleet, you must be desperate as all frozen Hell to be bothering me down here.”
“To be desperate is to live here, old friend.” Theanim nodded. “Indeed, I'm in need of your assistance.” He sighed, looking the stallion up and down. “And I suspect you're in need of mine.”
“That's a matter of opinion.” The slitted eyes glanced aside as Echo exhaled more green smoke from his pipe. “Who's the bird?”
“The... reason I need your assistance. Her name is Rainbow Dash.”
“Egads,” Echo grumbled, slitted eyes twitching. “You've found somepony even fruitier than you, ya bastard.”
“Rainbow...!” Twilight gasped, pointing with wide eyes. “I... I don't believe it! It's—”
“A sarosian?” Rainbow stammered. “You mean to tell me you're a friggin' sarosian?”
“Hrmmmff...” Echo twirled the pipe to the other end of his black muzzle. “What the hell did you expect, Jezebuck? A Queen-humpin' canine?”
“I knew I would find you around these parts, Echo,” Theanim Mane said, leaning over his edge of the table as he kept his voice hushed. “I just didn't expect to find you in... such dire straits.”
“Who the Hell you calling dire, Theams?” Echo coughed, wheezed, and took another inhale of his pipe. “Mrmmmff... bloody damn Order still has you on a leash, I see. Y'know, ever since you went sailing all over the place, you've pretended to be free. I knew better.”
“I'd appreciate your opinion all the more...” Theanim's eyes narrowed. “...if it didn't come from the receiving end of a pipe.” His muzzle twisted. “Scraping coral? Really?”
“Huh?” Rainbow glanced aside. “Are you for real?”
“Hey, we're all entitled to a little relaxation,” Echo exhaled, coughed some more, and murmured: “Some more than others.”
Theanim angrily snatched the pipe from the sarosian's lips. “Damnation, old friend! This is serious! Here my travelling companion and I are, seeking help from an old colleague of mine, and I discover that you're in greater need for assistance yourself!”
“Hey... I've got myself covered,” Echo said, his leafy ears twitching. A sickly pair of slitted eyes remained anchored on the pipe in Theanim's grasp. “I'm... I'm supposed to be meeting up with somepony from the Western Trading Consortium in a few minutes.”
“Western Trading Consortium?!” Theanim did a double-take. “Why... that's a Colonialist Organization! The Syndicate hates their guts!”
“Very aptly put, Theams. Putting your scientific gifts to good use as ever,” Echo said, fidgeting anxiously with his cloak. “Granted, the Syndicate hates anything that scuttles across the ocean's floor with more a jingle to their pockets than them. Ahem.” He reached a shaky hoof across the table. “May I please have my pipe back.”
“Listen, bub.” Rainbow leered across the table. “I may not know your history with the Doc here, but I've seen enough of this guy to know that he doesn't make friends lightly. I can see you've made a few mistakes. We all make mistakes. But, quite frankly, I don't care at the moment.” She slapped a hoof hard against the table. “I've been told that you can get us into Shoggoth. I've got business there. Very important business. Now, we came here to find your shady flank so you can make such a trip possible, and that's going to happen one way or another.”
Theanim sighed, waving a hoof. “Miss Dash, please—”
“Even if I gotta use your friggin' skull as a battering ram to get us down into the lover depths of the Muddredgers!” Rainbow snarled.
All this time, Echo's bloodshot eyes were locked on Rainbow's pendant. “That... that necklace...” An errant hiss escaped his lips. “Mmmm... something about it. A smell?” He coughed. “No. What in Verlaxion's sleet...?”
Rainbow leaned back with a disgusted expression. “The fudge? Is he hallucinating?” She sighed, glancing lethargically at Theanim. “It's all that 'coral scraping' stuff, isn't it?”
“Or perhaps it's because Princess Luna's enchanted your Element, Rainbow,” Twilight suddenly said.
Rainbow locked in place. She glanced to her far right. “Is... is that really it, you think?” she whispered.
“It would make sense,” Twilight said.
“Are you detecting anything to suggest otherwise.”
“No. But...” Twilight tilted her head around curiously. Eventually her horn aimed at a far corner where two shadows resided. “...I get this funny feeling...”
“What's the matter, Miss Dash?” Theanim asked.
“Ahem...” Rainbow leaned once more towards Echo. “Something about my pendant interest you?”
“I... I don't know...” Echo rubbed a hoof over his dark face. “Just... just so tired. This damn ocean is so bright.” He gazed towards the front door. “And where the Hell is that Consortium bastard?”
Rainbow grasped the sarosian's hoof and yanked it towards her until it made contact with the pegasus' necklace.
Echo instantly shrieked. Three tables away, a series of wine glasses shattered. The patrons grumbled in surprise and confusion.
“Echo!” Theanim gasped, eyes wide. “Are... are you okay, old chap?”
Echo leaned back, rubbing his hoof. His slitted eyes rested like diamonds on the sight of Rainbow. “What... that...” He gulped. “Who... are you?”
“Somepony who's traveled a long... long way to get here. I've been too many, many lands.” Her brow furrowed. “And the place I've come from is the home to the Princess of the Moon.”
Echo's fangs showed. He cocked his head to the side. “... ... ...the Mother of Nightmares?”
Theanim did a double-take. “I beg your pardon?” He looked at Rainbow. “Miss Dash, what exactly are you doing to my friend here?”
“Shhhh...” Rainbow kept her eyes trained on him. “Just stay calm, Doc. I think we're making progress here.”
“You have his attention, Rainbow, darling!” Rarity squeaked. “Do keep it up!”
“You know her... you feel her, don't you?” Rainbow smiled. “The patron alicorn to all sarosians?”
“Yes... the Mother of Nightmares...” Echo suddenly spat on the table, frowning. “If she's really real, then I hope her rectum turns into tarantulas.”
Rainbow's ears drooped.
“Erm... then again...” Rarity gulped.
“Echo, a degree of civility, please,” Theanim said.
“No, screw you and your fruitarded friend here!” Echo pointed, seething, his fangs more and more pronounced. “Just how many yahoos have shitted across my path, Theams, making some bold claim or another about the Mother of Nightmares?! Isn't it enough that I'm at the very bottom bitch rung of the bitch ladder?!”
“The hay is he going on about?”
Theanim sighed. “Echo's kind is... a rarity in these waters, and the surviving members have often been the brunt of ignorant prejudice throughout the centuries—”
“Don't sugarcoat it ya dust farting jackass!” Echo snorted. “We were the Seventh Tribe! But that didn't fit your precious Verlaxion's thawed vision of a perfect future, now did it?! Hrmmmf! 'Oh wow, they eat bugs and like to make love upside down! Gotta dunk that in the ocean and wipe our Goddess hooves of the whole thing!'”
“Yowsers.” Rainbow glanced aside at Theanim. “Your Queen—like—totally sucks!”
Theanim rolled his eyes, grumbling. “It's notthat simple!”
“Pffft! I bet that's a good excuse for when you're collecting coins from all the unfair taxes the Queen's Council puts on us!” Echo smiled bitterly. “Isn't that right, old friend? Except when it comes to visiting the Eastern Reaches! You can't hoofcuff us over there!” He smirked at Rainbow. “Not much worth conducting expeditions along the abysmal falls! I'll tell you that much!”
“Alright, fine!” Theanim frowned. “And just what marvelous deeds have you done to liberate your endangered and oppressed brethren?! The last time I saw you, you were a healthy stallion with a lot of bits on his person! Did you give them away to all of the Eastern Reach villages? Or just waste them on illegitimate enterprises and coral scraping? Hmmm?”
Echo hissed and jerked upwards to jump across the table.
“Okay... OKAY!” Rainbow spread her wings wide, holding the two apart. “Sit your butts down before I turn this table into a mutual crown for the both of you. And believe me... I can and will do it.”
Echo seethed... seethed... and finally plopped down to his seat. “I... mrmmmf... I want my pipe back.”
Theanim tossed it limply into the middle of the table.
Echo sighed and reached for it. As he did so, he caught the doctor's hard-edged gaze.
“We've been through many, many things together, old chap,” Theanim said. “Countless expeditions and scientific ventures. More than once, I stood up for you when ignoramuses within the Order attempted to marginalize your gifts and talents. I saved you from half-a-dozen trepiditious situations. I even carried you when you began your decline. Needless to say, at this moment, you owe me more than anypony has owed me before.”
Echo stared at him. Glared at him. “If that's the truth, then why did you leave me to the whim of the waves... old friend?”
“Because at some point a stallion gets sick of helping an equine who will not help himself,” Theanim said. “I had a smidgen a hope... up until you sold yourself out to ponies who believed in bits and coral more than knowledge and harmony.”
The two stallions were silent.
Rainbow's gaze quietly bounced between the two of them.
Echo leaned back with a sigh. He stared down at his pipe, but refused to pluck it back into his mouth. At last, after a sideways chirp, the sarosian pointed limply at the mare. “Where did you really find this mare, Theams?”
“She spoke the truth earlier, old chap.” Theanim smirked slightly. “She's come from a land far, far away. Even across the Blight.”
“The Blight? Pffft...” Echo rolled his bloodshot eyes. “Impossible.”
“Say what you will. But the Blight is gone.”
“Gone?!”
“And several more miraculous changes have affected the seas,” Theanim said. “Some of which I've witnessed myself. I, for one, believe her.”
Rainbow looked at Theanim.
Echo sat up straight. “And... so... you really think she's met...” He glanced at Rainbow. “...the Mother of Nightmares?”
Theanim calmly replied, “I've never made it my business to know much of your culture... of your Tribe, Echo. Mostly because you never elected to share with me. But...” He looked over at Rainbow. “She's spoken to me several times of an alicorn princess who controls the moon.”
“And just two years ago, she came out of imprisonment there,” Rainbow said. “An imprisonment that lasted a millennium.”
Echo's dark brow furrowed. “Is that a fact? Hmmmf...”
“Would you like to know more?”
“Nnngh... what the Hell...” Echo tossed the pipe back into the center of the table. “I've lost my damn buzz anyways.”
Rarity rolled her eyes. “How charming.”
“Tell us...” Rainbow said. “...why are you meeting up with this Consortium pony? Sounds like the Syndicate wouldn't be too happy about that.”
“The Syndicate isn't happy with a lot of things,” Echo grumbled. “Which is the whole reason.”
“Wait...” Theanim blinked nervously. “Echo, did... did you—?”
“I'm in it deep with them, Theams,” Echo said.
“How deep?”
The sarosian's nostrils flared. “About seven thousand bits. But that's only because I messed up an assignment given to me by the Southern Hoof.”
“The... the Southern Hoof?!?” Theanim practically wheezed, his eyes wide. “Damnation, Echo!”
“Huh? What?” Rainbow did a double-take.
“They needed an extraction here in Rust,” Echo said. “This was about ten months ago. At the time, I was a listening shadow. Nopony would have expected me to start digging for anypony. I thought I could arrive here, get the job done, and then get out. However, I... ran into a few rough patches and I had to abort. But that wasn't without losing some of the local Boss' bits. Only, instead of being hoofed off, they just fell into the drink.”
“You mean they fell into the nets of coral scrapers!” Theanim snarled.
“No. I mean, literally. I friggin' dumped that shiet into the harbor in order to look empty-hoofed and...” He shuddered. “...now I can't find the stuff.”
“Queen Verlaxion, spare me...” Theanim face-hoofed. “Mrmmmf... and just how deep are you in debt with the Southern Hoof?”
“Because of the failed job?” Echo gulped. “Ten thousand bits.”
Theanim practically head-desked.
“Sorry, old friend. But if you want to get to Shoggoth... the last pony you wanna ask favors from is a loser like me.”
“Who in the flying buck is the Southern Hoof?” Rainbow asked.
“The Syndicate,” Echo replied.
“But... but I thought Rust was where—”
“No, ya bitch brain!” Echo hissed. “The Syndicate of Shoggoth!”
Rainbow practically shrieked: “You mean there're two Syndicates?!”
Several surly faces turned curiously towards the table.
Theanim Mane moaned: “Do keep your voice down, Miss Dash—”
“How could you not friggin' tell me that there were more than one Syndicate?!” Rainbow hissed loudly, frowning hard.
“It's all one Syndicate, really,” Theanim explained. “They've just... lost connections with one another over the years, and now they exist as splinter groups in each major port city east of the Colonialist archipelagos. Normally, they're on good terms with each other, conducting friendly business arrangements.” He cast Echo a glare. “Until somepony goes in over their head and inadvertently creates a rift between them... causing unnecessary harm to himself.”
“Hey... what can I say?” Echo picked up his pipe again and lit it. “Beats being sunburnt on those love cruises you go on for the Queen.”
“Only a completely asenine fool would believe in such a thing.”
“And I've learned from the best.” Echo exhaled a green column of smoke and leaned back, smiling dumbly. “Mmmmmmm... I'm so dead tomorrow.”
“But old chap,” Theanim Mane spoke in a low tone, leaning across the table inside the hazy tavern. “By siding with the Consortium, won't you be digging yourself into an even deeper hole?”
“There's gold in the bottom of that hole, Theams,” Echo wheezed, coughing a bit between smoke exhalations. “Then I've got a choice to make. Do I pay off the Rust Syndicate? Or the Southern Hoof? I dunno about you, but I'm thinking of making the local Boss here happy first and foremost.” He leaned back, taking another breath of the pipe. “Especially with his burning temper as of late.”
“Maybe you shouldn't be hiding in the shadows,” Theanim said. “The Boss here has a reputation to protect. If you stick to the surface, there's no way he'd afford to touch you.”
“Hah! Hah hah hauckkt—srnkkkt!” Echo spat, shuddered, and murmured, “Are you kidding? He's been as desperate and bored and pyromaniacal as ever.”
“I don't catch your drift,” Theanim remarked.
“Wait...” Rainbow's ears perked up. “Did you say 'pyromaniacal.'”
Twilight Sparkle leaned in. “Since when did you know what that word means?”
Rainbow whispered aside: “Lemme lecture you on goblins someday.”
“No doubt you've seen all of the burnt-out hovels across town,” Echo said.
“Yes.” Theanim nodded. “Word is that a group of unicorns were selling faulty mana-powered...”
Echo was already chuckling with high-pitched shrieks.
“... heating contraptions.” Theanim blinked. “What's so damnably funny?”
“You actually believe that guano?!” Echo's fangs showed. “I swear, Theams, you're the most gullible scientist in all the seas.”
“Are you saying that somepony's responsible for those fires?” Rainbow remarked.
“Arson?!” Twilight squeaked.
“That somepony is the Syndicate, Princess Fruit,” Echo droned. “They've made one too many risky investments, and they're in debt. It's why the Southern Hoof sent me here to begin with—so I could find a way to grab some much-requested bits from underneath their noses.” He glanced over both shoulders, then leaned in to continue: “Word on the street is that they're taking it out on former employees and their families, claiming that the ponies owe them for decades of 'protection.' And when these citizens refuse to pay up, they hire a bunch of unicorns to napalm their apartments, but not without first buglarizing their fortunes from within and repossessing the goods for black market sales.”
Rainbow waved her off with a hoof, eyes locked on Echo's. “If there's so much word on the street about these guys being flankholes, why doesn't the general populace of Rust—I dunno—rise up and stop them?”
“I can tell you've only been here for a day,” Echo muttered, sniffling. “The scent of sea salt is practically a second sweat on you right now.” He leaned back, flicking his pipe. “Nnnngh... in power or in debt... liberators or murderers... the Syndicate is still the life blood of Rust. If the ponies here took down the Boss and all his cronies, they'll be ruining trade for centuries. One might as well sink the whole damn platform and be done with it.”
“But you didn't hesitate to try sabotaging them,” Theanim said.
“Cuz I had no damn intention of staying here.” Echo puffed on the pipe, then grunted, “And if this Consortium contact follows through with his promise, then I'll pay my way clean and get off this fish-reeking turd.”
“Well, he seems to be taking his sweet time in showing up, old chap.”
“Or maybe he sees me talking with a pair of perfect strangers and he thinks the deal is off!” Echo frowned. He hissed, “You always know just when and where to come in and ruin things, 'Doctor' Mane.”
Theanim was about to angrily retort—
Rainbow silenced him with a raised hoof. “Perhaps the fact that we've shown up is a blessing in disguise, bat-buddy.”
“Heh... but of course...” Echo stifled a yawn, adjusting his cloak's hood. “Next thing I know, you'll be telling me ghosts are real.”
Twilight and Rarity... and Theanim squirmed.
“No, for realsies,” Rainbow said. “Pretend you meet up with your Consortium bro. He gets you out of your hole with the Rust Syndicate. Alright, so you've fixed things for now, made yourself straight with this place. But what then?” She shrugged. “You'll still be owing two separate groups of ponies! Only instead of the North and South Hooves...” She gestured out the tavern entrance. “You'll be owing these other jerks west of Colonialist islands!”
“What are you even getting at, birdy?”
“Rather than ride a dirty deal out of this town to put yourself right with one group, how about making no deal whatsoever, then head south to Shoggoth to put yourself square with them?”
“Hah...” Echo smiled sickly. “And just how am I going to clean myself up with the Shoggoth Syndicate?”
“We'll find a way,” Rainbow said.
“Who's 'we?'”
Rainbow leaned back and placed a hoof on Theanim's shoulder. “You're looking at 'em!” Her smile was short-lived, and she glanced nervously at Twilight and Rarity. “Well... half of 'em.”
“So... instead of making a deal with a western black marketeer whom I know for a fact has the means of cleaning my debt with the Boss here...” Echo's slitted eyes narrowed. “...you're suggesting I make a deal with you two... a pair of morons who obviously don't know how to deal with the local principalities and powers in the first place?”
“Sure, you might be flying by the seat of your saddle, but I promise you that you won't owe us in the end,” Rainbow said. “Not so long as you just get us into Shoggoth to begin with.”
“Mrmmmff...”
“Hey! It's a risk for all of us, buddy!”Rainbow smirked. “But this way you won't be on the run while owing two shady organizations.”
“Right. I'll just be owing Rust.”
Rainbow shrugged. “From the sound of things, they're not all that nice to their former employees as it is. So buck 'em.”
“Hmmmf...” Echo exhaled a green column of smoke. “I must admit, there's a certain degree of... tempting catharsis to the notion.”
“But I wouldn't blame you for being hesitant, old chap,” Theanim droned.
“Dude!” Rainbow frowned at him. “You're supposed to be on my side here!”
“And I want to be. Truly I do, Miss Dash.” Theanim squinted in her direction. “But Echo here has a legitimate reason to be dubious. Just what influence do we possess? Here or in Shoggoth?”
“Well, you're a scientist of the Order and I'm a flank-kicking wonder!”
“Brutality, the Southern Hoof may be capable of understanding,” Theanim said. “But they don't respect the Order as much as we'd like them to. In fact, they don't respect much of anything except bits.” He sighed, staring off across the tavern. “There was a time when the rules were different. But these... these arson fires? That's an unprecedented level of maliciousness. I'd never thought that law-abiding ponies would ever resort to such tactics. If... only I had some proof of their wrongdoings, then maybe I could provide it to the Queen's Council and they might intercede on these local citizens' behalf.”
“You think that doing that would pressure the Syndicate's Boss into relieving your buddy here of his debt?”
“If you're thinking of extorting the Syndicate, then you can just as well prepare for your own burial at sea,” Echo said. “And even if it did work, I'd still be in too much hot water to get your flanks to Shoggoth... for mine would be crucified the very moment I arrived at those brass transport docks.”
“Okay... then maybe we should think about this more concretely,” Rainbow said, thinking aloud. “Sonic—”
“Echo.”
“Right. You said that you dropped a whole flippin' batch of bits into the waters here. What are the odds that stuff is still there for us to grab?”
“Pfft... are you kidding?” Echo looked at Theanim while pointing at her. “She's kidding, right?”
“Knowing her, I'm afraid not, old chap.”
“It's fricking impossible.”
“Not everything's impossible, dude,” Rainbow said. She leaned closer towards Rarity. “Let's just say... I'm somewhat adept at metal detecting.”
“No. I mean... literally... it's impossible.” Echo raised an eyebrow. “A platform town this dependent on bits? All gold that gets dropped into the depths are dredged immediately.”
“For real?”
“There are entire companies whose sole functions are to snorkel through the canals and grab fortunes up, toots,” Echo said. “Truth is, those bits have been grabbed months and months ago.” He sighed, chewing on the end of his pipe. “I know I've been screwed for a long... long time...”
“Okay... okay...” Rainbow brushed her bangs back and brushed them again. “How about... about...” She brightened. “The photographs!” She looked at Theanim. “Your pics of Verlaxion's shards and the metal world beneath it!”
“Uhhhhh...” Echo blinked. “...wat.”
“If we could use those to... to convince the Syndicate's Boss that I'm—like—an avatar of Verlaxion or something—”
“Quit while you're ahead, Miss Dash,” Theanim said, sighing. “Even if you could coerce the citizens of Rust with even a fraction of the ease with which you've influenced the Nealenders...” He frowned. “You know quite well that I wouldn't condone it.”
“But these guys are morons!”
“Morons with no respect for the Queen. I suppose one could label them as morons squared.”
“Wait... Nealenders?” Echo leaned in. “Theams, just what in the frosted hells have you been up to?”
“One moment, old friend,” Theanim grumbled. “We're trying to figure things out here.”
“You're trying to shit your way up through the mouth of idiocy, from the looks of it!” Echo wrapped his cloak around him. “That's it. I'm out of here. I didn't need you guys interrupting my smoke session anyways.”
“Will you friggin' sit down?!” Rainbow snarled. “We'll... I'll come up with something! Trust me!”
“Lady, I don't even like you,” Echo said with a frown. “I don't like your fruity hair. I don't like your cracking voice. And I sure as Hell don't like your pea-brained optimism.”
“Pffft...” Rainbow shrugged. “You looked in the mirror lately, bud?”
“Not that it matters,” Echo droned. “Sarosians cast no reflection.”
“... ... ...” Rainbow blinked. “Wow, really?”
“No.” Echo looked at Theanim while gesturing wildly at the mare. “See what I mean?! You've been hijacked by a complete idiot!”
“Hey!” Rainbow frowned.
“Unnngh...” Twilight face-hoofed while she hovered limply. “Rainbow...”
“Okay, everypony...” Theanim raised both forelimbs. “Let's just... calm down and start things over, shall we?”
“It's a complete waste of my time, Theams.”
“And just when else will you be sitting with the closest things you have to legitimate friends?” Theanim cocked his head aside. “Hmmm?”
“... ... ...” Echo plopped back into his seat. “Touche. Ramble away.” He lit his pipe again. “But I'm gonna need some more coral for this...”
From the far corner, the pegasus in a black stetson scratched his scruffy chin for the umpteenth time. “Hmmmm...” He smirked, his eyes locked on the table with the three arguing equines. “And just what do you suppose they're scratching his leafy ears about, Dubya-Cee?”
The griffon beside him swept the air with half-metal talons.
“Hmmm... what a cryin' shame,” the pegasus replied. “It bothers me somethin' awful when a lone soul's only friends are regular doughpushers. Ah well...” He glanced over his shoulder. “Perhaps we'll be doin' a kind favor in the end?”
The griffon's mouth muscles twisted awkwardly around his beak.
“Eh... yer right.” He tilted his hat forward and adjusted the weight of his guitar case. “We're the same ol' bastards, as always. Whelp... let's at least be classy about it, ya reckon?”
The griffon nodded, black goggles glinting.
“You know the drill.” He shuffled out from the corner, mounting a stage that faced the broad end of the tavern. “Just try'n'contain yer excitement, partner. No need in you talkin' over me like usual. Ahem.”
The stallion let loose a loud, shrill whistle. Every inebriated skull in the place turned towards the stage.
“Howdy, y'all!” The pegasus waved, smiling wide. “From the gold shiny heart of Rust's Dust District, we wanna thank ya kindly for comin' to this here drinkin' hole for yer regular mid-afternoon drip. Eheh... 'Bout time somepony made it worth yer while.” He tilted his hat. “The name's Bard.” He pointed at his griffon friend. “This here's Wildcard.” He smirked. “No relation. Ahem.”
Finally, Bard unzipped a guitar from his case and held it in a pair of agile wingfeathers. At that same time, Wildcard reached into his satchel and pulled loose a harmonica in his metal talon.
“Okay, look... I'm tired of arguing,” Echo grumbled, rubbing his dark eyelids. “I had enough of a headache just dealing with my own problems here. If agreeing to work with you guys will get you to shut up, then I'm all game.”
“We're simply trying to find a solution that will benefit us all, old friend,” Theanim Mane said. “It simply burns me to see you wasting away in this place.”
“I'm not wasting away,” Echo said with a frown. “More like...” He coughed up coral smoke. “...finding my safe corner of the toilet to marinate.”
“Well, stuff that attitude!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “You're nopony's property! Not the Syndicate's... not the other Syndicate's... and certainly not the Consortium's!” She leaned forward. “If we can get you on the Shoggoth ponies' good side, will you grant us access into the lower Muddredge City?”
“Birdy, if you can make me square with them, I'll let you kiss Princess Camellia's gills.”
“Now that's the spirit—” Rainbow made a face. “Wait... she has gills?”
Just then, from the far end of the room: “Howdy, y'all!” Every patron looked up to see a pegasus in a black stetson and a griffon with dark goggles alight the tavern's stage. “From the gold shiny heart of Rust's Dust District, we wanna thank ya kindly for comin' to this here drinkin' hole for yer regular mid-afternoon drip. Eheh... 'Bout time somepony made it worth yer while.” He tilted his hat. “The name's Bard.” He pointed at his griffon friend. “This here's Wildcard.” He smirked. “No relation. Ahem. And we Desperadoes are tonight's entertainment!”
“Well, there's something you least expect,” Twilight Sparkle said.
“You least expected inexplicable handsomeness?” Rarity remarked, fanning herself with a dumb smile.
Rainbow glared aside. “Really? You're impressed that quickly?”
Echo responded, “What's to be impressed about?” He groaned, “They pick a bunch of musical blowhards to try and sprinkle magic into this cesspool every Tuesday.”
“I, for one, don't mind,” Theanim said with a smile. “This atmosphere could certainly use a touch of mirth.”
“Meh,” Rainbow grumbled, propping a chin on her hoof.
“Oh Rainbow...” Twilight giggled. “Don't forget your Ponyville roots.”
“This little number...” Bard spoke while plucking the strings of his guitar with his wingtips. “...is somethin' I whipped up while Wildcard and I were skedaddlin' across the western hills of Rohbredden. Just what were we runnin' from at the time? Hell, what is anypony ever runnin' from?” He glanced over his shoulder and winked at the griffon with his harmonica. “Well, needless to say, it's damn hard sleepin' in an empty train car, and no matter how far you go, yer thoughts are always gonna follow you. But... that's the way it's always meant to be, ain't it?”
Wildcard pressed his beak to the mouth organ, introducing a melancholic harmony, and that's when Bard began strumming at the guitar. Pretty soon, a soft acoustic melody brought a strange tenderness to the otherwise grimy abode. Within seconds, the pegasus' surly drawl morphed into a series of honey'd words:
Oh dear sweet little melody, you gave me quite a start Reckon it'd take a siren song to wake this lonely heart But since you ask me all pretty-like, I'll tell you how my harmony died
Well I've dipped in the streams and slipped amidst the rushes I've drowned in every damn sea the Queen V's light touches And I've soaked up every shudder'n'sob this windy world has sighed
Cuz only a ghost like me rides a train with no track I shoulder my shadow and we sleep with back to back And I learn what I know, to face the lonely dark And I carry my burden like my scars and my mark
Oh precious little melody, don't try and make me smile Life's only a brief candle, flickerin' for a lil' while But if your chorus burns bright enough then nopony will have to know
Musicians are a mouthpiece for memories in the air We dress 'em up like angels and put flowers in their hair And once the smoke has cleared, all that's left is that heavenly glow
But only a ghost like me rides a train with no track He shoulders his shadow and they sleep with back to back And he learns what he knows, to face the lonely dark He carries his burden like his scars and his mark
(Griffon Harmonica Solo)
Oh sweet gentle melody, I know you mean well But all it takes is a single chord to turn heaven into hell If you can't handle silence after the lonely heart's song is through
I hear you say you love me, that you'll never ever leave But it's hard to share a dance if you don't know how to grieve Over the loss of life it takes to make a beautiful dirge out of you
For it's a ghost who rides a train with no track You shoulder your shadow and you sleep with back to back If you wanna know what he knows to face the lonely dark You gotta carry your burden like your scars and your mark
Darling, only a ghost rides a train with no track You shoulder your shadow and you sleep with back to back When you know what he knows to face the lonely dark You'll carry your burden like your scars and your mark Like your scars and your mark
With a few ghostly notes, trailing into saccharine silence, the song ended. With alarming swiftness, the tavern broke into gentle applause. The residents of Rust's Dust District lightly clopped their hooves against the floor and tabletops. Even Rainbow Dash was impressed by the delightfully somber reaction.
“Charming,” Theanim said with a warm smile. “Absolutely charming.”
“Hmmmf...” Echo shook his pipe, staring down its empty end.
With a sniffle, Rarity clapped has hard as she could, even if nopony else could hear her echoing hooves. “Bravo! Bravo!” She wiped her cheek, smiling Twilight's way. “Oh, Twilight, darling, wasn't that simply divine?”
“Well, it was pretty nice alright.” Nevertheless, Twilight's brow furrowed. “Still... I can't help but... but...”
“Feel moved inside?”
“I'm feeling a movement, alright.” Twilight blinked as her horn glowed. “Funny. Neither of them is a unicorn.”
“Maybe the magic is in how a pegasus can play the guitar,” Rainbow droned.
“Thank you! Thank y'all most kindly!” Bard said, bowing low. He removed his hat, briefly revealing a long, lush mane of silky brown hair. Plopping the article back, he stood up and shouldered his guitar. “Reckon that's as good as ever a tune to start out with. Ahem. And now for our next number!” He grinned wide. “We kick flank!” He whistled shrilly.
Wildcard pocketed his harmonic in a blur. Goggles glinting, he squatted low and flung his griffon wings forward.
At precisely that same time, Bard performed the exact same gesture. The combined gust of wind from their appendages roared violently across the tavern... and impacted Theanim, Rainbow, and Echo.
WHUDDD! The table toppeled over, slamming squarely into Rainbow and the sarosian. “OOF!” This left Theanim sitting awkwardly in his stool, blinking at the windblow mess. “Wait...” He turned his head. “...wat.”
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! Bard galloped by. “I apologize for my friend. His left hook is a doozy.”
“Uhhh—” Theanim looked to his right, only for his chin to meet a metal talon. WHAMMM! “Ooompha!” The scientist fell back on his flank.
Before the audience could even gasp, Bard shoved over the table and scooped up Echo's stirring body. “I got the goods, Dubya-Cee!” He spread his wings and launched straight out the tavern's swinging doors. “Let's mosey!”
Wildcard jetted after him, and soon the place was left in a cluttered, breathless stupor.
A few mind-numbing seconds later, Rainbow Dash crawled out from underneath the fresh debris. She groaned, stirred, then stood up with the help of an equally dazed Theanim Mane.
“I... do believe I've been throttled by a patchwork albatross,” Theanim wheezed. “Miss Dash, are you okay?”
“Oh no... no...” She snarled, rubbing her head. “He did not just table flip me!”
“Now calm down, Miss Dash, there's no need for... for...” He glanced around, his goggles cracked in the torchlight. “... ... ...Echo? Echo, old chap?”
“You mean they took him?!” Rainbow's voice cracked.
Just then, Twilight's panicked voice came into focus. “Out there, Rainbow!” The lavender spectre pointed through the entrance. “The two of them just grabbed Echo and flew!”
“With amazing speed too!” Rarity added.
“They're covering a lot of distance!” Twilight exclaimed, gulping. “I... I can sense them somehow... or at least one of them.”
“Great... just perfect!” Rainbow was already flapping her wings.
“Miss Dash! Wait!” Theanim stumbled after her. “You can't expect to catch them both alone! Surely the local authorities can—”
“What?! Get ahold of Echo before we do?!” She shook her head. “Not happening! Face it, Doc! Your old friend is our one and only ticket to Shoggoth!” FWOOOOSH! She burned a frictious path out the tavern and into the dark rusty streets. “I've got some punks to make face the music!”
“Oh dear oh dear...” Theanim stumbled helplessly out into the open. “...Verlaxion, give me strength... or at least pour me a nice drink after this...”
“Okay, Twilight...” Rainbow panted, zipping left and right past aluminum partions and through narrow iron archways. Spiraling like a corkscrew, she burst through a pair of gasping guards and emerged upon the sunlit expanse of Rust. “Which way did they go?!”
“I'm sensing them above us!” Twilight stammered. “Uhm... three o'clock... about thirty degrees from the y axis—”
“Huh?!?” Rainbow blurted.
“Up!” Twilight yelped, causing Rarity to cover her ears. “Just fly up! Up!”
“Gotcha!” FWOOOSH! Rainbow rocketed into the clouds. Dozens of local pedestrians tilted their heads up, watching with wide eyes.
“Ohhhhhhhhhhh boy...” Echo bit his lip, his dark coat turning green. “...all that coral's starting to bubble up n-now...”
“You'd better not do what I think yer gonna do, buddy!” Bard hollered, gripping the sarosian's shoulders as he followed Wildcard's ascending path into the upper troposphere. “Just stay in one piece 'til we drop you off at the Southern Hoof.” His brow furrowed. “Plus, this here hat ain't stain-proof.”
“Oh terrific.” Bard rolled his eyes and looked ahead at his partner's tail-feathers. “Hey! Dubya-Cee! Trade ya! Whaddya say?”
With a mute groan, Wildcard looked down behind them. Something bright glinted off his black lenses, and he gasped. Spinning around, the griffon gestured wildly at the pegasus.
“What are ya blabbin' on about?!” Bard spat. “You know the drill! We deliver, we collect, and then we—” PHWOOOOOSH! A spectral blur shot past Bard, and he blinked. “...skedaddle.”
THWACK! A blue figure slammed into Wildcard, sent the griffon reeling into the clouds, backflipped off, and descended towards Bard like an anvil.
Bard braked in mid-air, gripping Echo as his eyes reflected Rainbow's descending sneer. “Hoooooo boyo...” He grinned stupidly into violent shadow. “...this is gonna hurt, ain't it?”
WHAMMM!
With labored breaths, Theanim Mane galloped out into the sunlight. All around him, ponies were trotting in tight circles, murmuring curiously about the figures that just sped past them.
“If I may have your attention!” he hollered, gulping. “Have any of you seen a talking rainbow streak past here?!”
The citizens merely glared at him.
He frowned. “Honestly! It's not like I'm asking if the sky's rained—”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!” SPLOOSH! Bard's body plunged into the canals, soaking Theanim and several other nearby onlookers.
Theanim winced, his body covered from head to toe in dirty moisture. “...livin' stallions. Verlaxion's sleet...”
Before he could so much as gaze at the floundering figure, Rainbow Dash dropped down, landing nimbly with a dazed Echo sprawled across her backside.
“Miss Dash!” Theanim gasped.
Rainbow panted... panted... then propped Echo up beside herself. “Theanim, we need to make ourselves scarce.”
“By the Queen's Strings!” He smiled wide. “You got him! Echo, are you alright, old chap?”
“Somepony stop the diarrhea train,” the sarosian gargled. “I wanna get off...”
“Whew!” Theanim cooed, ears drooping. “For a second there I was worried.”
“Rainbow, we cannot tarry!” Rarity said.
“Right.” Rainbow nodded. “Doc, I heard these guys name drop the Southern Hoof.”
“Bounty hunters...” Theanim murmured.
“Echo isn't safe in Rust. We gotta figure out how to—”
Just then, Echo's ears twitched, and he stood rigidly. “Buck me sweetly, Mistress Midnight.”
“Huh?!”
“Rainbow!” Twilight's voice cracked. “Look out—”
Rainbow's hearing was already pierced by a loud whistling sound. She turned around to see a pair of dark goggles sailing straight at her. WHUMP! Wildcard plowed right into her gut, shoving her past several gasping pedestrians until the two landed against a store-front. The griffon anchored is tail to a support beam, and he sent Rainbow flying into the glass window. SHATTER! Beak's nostrils flaring, he spun around and skittered towards where Echo lay.
Theanim marched forward, sticking out his chest and frowning. “Now see here, Mister, this is as far as you g—”
Without breaking his stride, Wildcard's tail yanked Theanim up off the platform and flung him into a fish market's meaty trough.
“D'oh!” Crash! Theanim went sprawling amidst a shower of trout guts and fish-heads.
The griffon's talons clasped Echo's cloak and dragged him to the edge of the platform.
“Eeugh...” the sarosian dizzily flailed. “...didn't we just finish this stinkin' dance?”
“Ughhh...” Rainbow pulled herself out of the shattered storefront, then broke into a limping gallop. “Echo! For Celestia's sake! Fly away... or something!”
“I... c-can't!” Echo wheezed.
“Huh?!”
“Can't fly—mfmmmmfff!” The pony's slitted eyes went wide as Wildcard slapped a gag over his mouth and prepared to leap off the platform's edge.
“Oh no you don't! Rainbow sprinted towards the scene—
—only to have a wet, dripping cowcolt in a black stetston slide into place between them.
“Back off, yodelmancer,” Rainbow snarled.
“It needs bein' said, I dun fancy hittin' mares,” Bard said with a smirk. He tipped a soaking hat and reached back for his canvas case. “Reckon I can make an exception for talkin' lightning bolts with purdy eyes.”
“Whaddya gonna do?” Rainbow grinned bitterly. “Serenade me to death with your stupid guitar?!”
“Heh... sure thang...” Bard's left wing pulled out a black metal stick. He gave the instrument a tiny jerk. Th-Thwick! And it extended into a four foot staff. Clak-clak-clakka! “Why dun ya tune it up for me?” He rushed forward, jabbing.
“Ooomff!” Rainbow wheezed, struck hard in the chest.
Bard twirled the staff with his wings, spun it around his neck, then swung it skyward in a savage uppercut.
CLANG! Rainbow's body went airborne.
“Nnngh!” Bard pivoted sideways, bucking Rainbow's figure with a mighty hoof to the ribs.
Theanim finally pulled himself out of the pile of fish. He looked over. “...oh criminy—” WHAM! He and Rainbow Dash went sprawling across the litter-strewn platform.
“Whew!” Bard shouldered his weapon and struck a pose with two bent wings gripping the length of the staff. He winked, smiling. “How 'bout givin' me a holler the next time ya move out of Concussion Town?” He blew a kiss, kicked backwards, and flew after his feathered companion. “Dubya-Cee! Hold up!”
Theanim Mane sat up, rubbing his skull. While gawking ponies looked on, he helped Rainbow up to her hooves. “Miss Dash... oh, you poor thing! How ungentlecoltly of them! Did they hurt you badly?”
“Mrmmff-mrmmmfff!” Rainbow gagged, then spat out a limp wet haddock. Wiping her muzzle, she smirked with bleeding gums. “Heh... you kidding?” Her eyes glinted. “I'm awake now.”
“Please, before you consider drastic measures—” FWOOSH! Theanim growled, stomping his hoof. “At least try and think up new tactics!”
“Tell them that!” Rainbow hollered, already sailing a rusted block away. “Twilight?”
“Uhm...” Twilight fidgeted in mid-air. “They're about level with us, three streets to the east.”
“Goodness!” Rarity clung to Twilight. The two spectres dipped through several walls and buildingtops as they dangled after Rainbow Dash. “Perhaps these ruffians have learned not to take to the skies anymore!”
“They'll have to consider new job occupations soon,” Rainbow snarled, glaring ahead as she dipped into the wet canals of Rust. “Bet it's super friggin' tough singing without tongues or teeth.”
“Rainbow,” Twilight began, “I know you're angry, but so long as we get out of this with Echo in one piece—”
“Nothing's written that says whose skin he'll be wearing.”
“Seriously, Rainbow,” Twilight stammered. “Nopony doubts that you can take these creeps to town and back—”
“I won't be doing nothing unless I know where they are!” Rainbow glared aside. “So how 'bout it?”
“Erm...” Twilight pointed immediately to the left.
Rainbow blinked. “For real?”
“Mmmhmmm.”
Rainbow cracked the joints in her neck and pivoted sideways, plunging towards a series of boarded-up buildingfronts. “Might cause saddle stains...”
“Oh dear!” Rarity covered her ghostly eyes. “I shan't look!”
Pedestrians gasped and ducked as two mercenaries soared low, skimming over their twitching ears. Like twin missiles, the Desperadoes threaded a narrow strip of canals and waterways.
“Whew-wee!” Bard exhaled, using the brisk wins to dry his mane and tail. “Didja see how fast that lil' missy moved?!”
Dragging Echo with one talon, Wildcard flicked a few gestures with his metal arm.
“Well, ya dun have to bite my head off 'bout it!” Bard frowned. “I'm just sayin', if we had a mare that darn fast back in the Wyvern Willows, we'd have outrun those assassins in a heartbeat!”
“Mrmmf-rmmmffff!” Echo flinched in Wildcard's grip.
“Oh keep it in, ya varmint,” Bard slurred. “The ocean's the biggest toilet there is, and it'll be a long... long trip to Mud Top.” He sighed happily. “Shucks... I can just smell the smoked catfish already. How 'bout you, partner?”
Wildcard turned his head to glance back—
SMASSSSH! Rainbow burst through the thin, brittle walls to their right. “OH YEAH!” She slammed into Wildcard, plowing the two of them into a wobbling wooden platform below.
“...!!!” Bard twirled twice in his effort to stop in mid-air. He looked down with a pale, sickly grin. “Awwwww hell naw...”
Echo toppled to the side while Rainbow and Wildcard tumbled across the wooden platform. They ended with Rainbow Dash on top, and she threw two hooves down into the griffon's chest to put a quick end to his current breath.
Clank! Wildcard blocked with a metal talon, then pecked his beck forward.
Rainbow winced, tilting her neck back so that her Element deflected the blow. Sparks flew, and within the next breath Wildcard was flinging his right fist into Rainbow's skull. Before she could even recover, he kicked his lion legs up, vaulting her over him with effortless finesse.
Rainbow Dash twirled in mid-air, caught the nearest wall with her rear hooves, and kicked off. Twirling about, she propelled her snarling self at Wildcard's figure. Her eyes twitched...
...for to her surprise he was already on his feet. He leaned back up, wings spread wide, and flicked both wrists. Sch-Schtttk! He produced a pair of silver nightsticks in his talons, twirled them, and met her charge with a flurry of angry metal.
“Whoah!” Rainbow Dash wheezed, ducking low. She slid beneath his swings like a limbo dancer, then somersaulted forward in time to avoid his violent swings. Chunks of wood flew from the impacts as he scraped and jabbed after her.
Holding her breath, Rainbow galloped up a metal pole, kicked off it, and swung two angry hooves at Wildcard's midsection.
He blocked her fetlocks with a nightstick then caught the length of her lower limbs under his right armpit. Twirling his whole body, the griffon body-slammed her whole weight into the platform.
“Ooomf!” Rainbow winced, lying awkwardly on her back. Still holding her legs, he jabbed a nightstick straight for her muzzle. “Grkkk!” Rainbow clapped both front hooves together, stopping the weapon just inches from her muzzle.
“That's a dense silver alloy, Rainbow Dash!” Rarity said, hovering over the scene with a glowing horn. “It could crush your skull in twain!”
“Don't... doubt it...” Rainbow hissed through her teeth. Inhaling, she twisted her wing muscles, extending her feathery appendages. Her body rose up and reverse-somersaulted, bicycle kicking Wildcard across the beak.
The griffon stumbled back, slumping up against the platform's railing.
Once Rainbow landed in a sliding squat, she sensed a body darting upwards to her left. She looked in time to see Bard ascending rapidly with Echo in his grip.
“Thattaboy, Dubya-Cee!” The pegasus mercenary shouted, making it to cloud level with the gagged sarosian. “Just keep her dancin' and I'll secure the target!”
Rainbow spread her wings to fly after him—
Pl-Plink! A tiny cylinder landed in front of her, smoking and glowing. Half-a-second later: POWWW!
“Augh!” Rainbow flew back from the concussive blast. The air tingled with static electricity.
“Oh wow...” Twilight wheezed, rubbing her glowing horn. “Manacrystals! They've got enchanted grenades! No wonder I could sense them!”
“Yeah... uh huh...” Rainbow sneered, gazing at a sudden cloud of purple smoke surrounding her and the platform. “Well, could you sense harder?”
“Uhhhhm...” Twilight turned and turned. Suddenly, her eyes sparked with lavender light and she pointed behind Rainbow. “Your six!”
Rainbow spun and brought both hooves up.
Fwoooosh! Wildcard came bursting through the murk like a hell beast. Cl-Clankkk! Rainbow blocked his dual nightsticks with a well-timed upswing of her fetlock. She countered with a savage hoof to Wildcard's beak.
Whack! His goggles rattled from the impact. Absorbing the pain, he leaned back and performed a round-house kick, flinging a razor-sharp talon at Rainbow's face.
She ducked the swing, then sprung upwards before he could come back with a forward thrust of his nightsticks. Flapping her wings, she desperately sped after the last spot in the air where she had seen Bard fly. However, within seconds, the griffon was on her back, grappling her figure and shoving her back to the platform.
Rainbow fell, tumbled, and rolled awkwardly to her hooves in time to face his incoming dive. Th-Th-Th-Th-Thwish! He twirled and spun the nightsticks at her face. She juked, side-stepped, then slammed her hoof down on one of his wrists, pinning him to the platform.
Without skipping a breath, Wildcard tossed his other nighstick up, spun towards his weak side, grabbed the weapon in his prehensile tail, then swung it down at Rainbow's skull.
She gasped, ducked the blow, but was incapable of dodging his follow-up swing. WHACK! She rolled across the platform, bumping to a stop against the railing.
“Rainbow, darling!” Rarity squeaked.
“Not... n-now...” Rainbow wheezed.
“Listen!” The unicorn pointed at the opponent. “His left arm is a prosthetic! It's weak just a few inches below the elbow!”
Rainbow looked up.
Sucking in his breath, Wildcard jumped high in the air and came down in a savage bird-of-prey pounce.
Rainbow gritted her teeth, then slammed her own skull back into the loose wooden railing. Crack! A slender rod broke free, and she shoved it up like a lance, contacting the spot where his metal limb met the rest of his left arm.
Wildcard jolted in place, wincing all over as sparks spat out from his limb.
“That did it!” Twilight gasped, grinning. “He's suffering manafeedback!”
“Httt!” Rainbow swept his paws out from beneath him.
The griffon toppled soundlessly over.
Rainbow stood in time to grip his body from behind. “You're good.” Then, with a grunt, she savagely suplexed him through a series of wooden barrels. Smasssh! In the settling dust, she posed next to her spectral marefriends. “But we're awesome.” A glint in her eyes, then—
FWOOOOOOSH!
—she throttled straight skyward, piercing the misty clouds above the platform city of Rust.
“Mrmmmf-mrmmmfff!” Echo shook and struggled, dangling in Bard's grap.
“Will ya quit yer fussin' already?” Bard stammered, flying high above the clouds. “Figured a fanged feller like you would be used to hangin' upside down.”
“Mmmfff-grrrrrrmmmmff...” Echo glared daggers at the pegasus.
“Shucks, it ain't all that bad!” Bard smiled. “Yer more useful alive than dead! I'm sure the Southern Hand will only make you gut fish for the rest of yer life! Could be worse, y'know. Ever worked as a janitor in a Wyvern monastery?”
“Grmgrrrmmfff!” Echo shook and thrashed.
“Well... shoot... haven't ya seen enough guano in yer life?” He glanced down, squinting at the distant haze of Rust far below. “What's taken' Dubya-Cee so long?”
“Mrmmf-hrmmf-mrffff!”
“Dun be ridiculous!” Bard chuckled. “She ain't even part of the equation! Besides, nopony ever beats Wildcard at a straight-up slobberknocker.”
Just then, a blue speck grew larger, soaring towards the two in flight.
“...!” Bard gasped wide. “Whoah dayum! She beat Wildcard!”
“I'm gonna make this real simple for you!” Rainbow Dash ascended until she was hovering face to face with the mercenary, frowning. “You toss the batpony, and I'll let you get away with enough limbs to float on the ocean surface!”
“My, we sure are hotheaded today,” Bard said, carrying a residual smirk. “Do ya kiss yer Momma with them stones?”
“I'm not gonna ask you a second time!” Rainbow hissed. “In case you don't know how to count, that's one less than a hoof to your flank fugly mug!”
“Alright, alright...” Bard waved one hoof while he gripped Echo with the other. “All things in good time. But a question, darlin', if ya dun mind me asking.”
“Grrrrr...”
“Just what is a half-rotten loser like this to a mare like you?” Bard said, chuckling. “Dun tell me you've got midnight fever!”
“Mrmmmffff!” Echo protested.
“None of your business!” Rainbow hollered.
“Well, that's just the thang. It's precisely our business, and yer stickin' a mighty fine rod into the spokes of it.” He nevertheless shrugged. “Still, I wouldn't be much of a gentlecolt if I didn't oblige a pretty filly. You said to toss 'em...”
Twilight and Rarity gasped. Rainbow's pupils shrank. “Wait—!”
“Bottom's up!” Bard dropped the sarosian like a lead balloon. “Muzzles down!”
“Rainbow, quick!” Rarity shrieked.
“Hold on, Echo!” Rainbow dove. “I'm—grkkkk!”
Bard—quick as lightning—had put her in a four-legged hold from behind, locking her cranium with the length of his metal pole pressed to her throat. “Mind if I lead this dance?”
“Snkkkt...” Rainbow struggled for a breath. Her tearing eyes watched as Echo plunged and plunged further below. “Grkkk...” She struggled to look over her shoulder. “...d-dirty...”
“The only proper fight is one ya can win.” Wings flapping, Bard slipped one hoof into a leather belt beneath his guitar case. “Ya shoulda paid more attention to my singin' words. Them's the clean part.”
“Rainbow!” Twilight flew close to the two. “He's pulling out another enchanted grenade!”
“It has bits of Dreamer's Crystal in it!” Rarity exclaimed. “A form of knockout gas!”
“Ain't gonna drop ya anyplace where you'll break, missy,” Bard said, dragging his hoof back.
“It's his right limb!” Twilight said, pointing. “He's aiming for your muzzle!”
“After all, yer not on the list—”
Rainbow Dash struggled, slipped her left wing out from between them, and flapped all the feathers. The two pivoted hard to the right.
Bard incidentally smacked himself in the skull with his own grenade. Crack! The pellet burst against his stetson, spilling smoke all over the two of them. “Aaaaugh! Hellfire!”
WHUMP! Rainbow Dash bucked her rear legs back, shoving him away. Then, catching her breath, she immediately dove down—plunging after Echo's distant figure.
Bard twirled awkwardly. He resorted to yanking his hat off and using both it and the staff to fan the smoke away. “Kaff... koff!... haauckt!” He wheezed, covering his muzzle as he gazed down after her. “Whew-wee!” A crooked smirk. “I think I'm in love.”
Fwoooooooooosh!
Rainbow descended sharply, her face muscles rippling from the sheer force of her dive.
Echo's flailing figure grew larger and larger in her sight.
“You're almost there, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight cheered, floating along the mare.
“You can save him!” Rarity added. “You've got this darling—”
Just then, a dark figure soared straight up, caught Echo's body, and shot violently up past Rainbow.
Time slowed down, and the frazzled pegasus glanced aside. She caught just enough of Wildcard's figure to see a deadpan beak beneath a pair of black lenses... followed by an obscene middle talon made out of metal.
Rainbow blinked.
SHOOOM! Time resumed, as did momentum. The rippling winds were so loud that Rainbow couldn't even hear her own yell of frustration.
“Well, if you didn't soak all of our market stands, then who did?!” hollered an angry tradespony in Theanim Mane's face.
“Erm...” Theanim leaned back against the railing along the edge of a watery canal. “Please... everypony... calm down...” He waved nervously at the throng of angry locals. “It's just a minor altercation between my partner and a pair of no-good misanthropes!” He held a hoof over his chest. “I assure you! It will not happen again—”
THWOOOOSH! Rainbow Dash fell down, backflipped, then spread her wings out wide. She braked in midair, just a few naked feet above the canal waters.
In the half-second that followed, Rarity and Twilight awkwardly toppled down past her.
Rainbow flapped her wings with such incredible force that it produced a thunderous concussion of air. POWWW!
She shot up, and Rarity and Twilight rubber banded after the pegasus—both mares shrieking. In the meantime, a circular crater of water rippled outward in every direction, soon overshadowing the ponies who stood on the platforms of Rust, gawking.
“Oh Queen Verlaxion,” Theanim moaned, instinctively covering his camera bag with his body. “Take me now—”
“Hot damn!” Bard grinned as Wildcard flew back to his level. They met in the clouds high above Rust. “Guess one of us still knows how to save the day!”
The griffon struggled to catch his breath, gesturing with his metal talon while he held Echo with the other.
“Well, yeah, we butted heads a few moments ago,” Bard said. “But I ain't fixin' to beat her pretty skull in!”
Wildcard snapped his beak, swiping at the air with angry digits.
“'Cuz ain't no profit to be made in kickin' the teeth out of mares who dun deserve it!” Bard frowned. “I just think yer gettin' yer feathers ruffled as always, partner!”
The griffon was ready to retort when a loud whistling noise issued from below. Both Desperadoes looked past their dangling limbs. A prismatic streak rocketed their way.
“Shiet...” Bard cursed. “She's like our dayum shadow or somethin'!” Clakka-clakka-clak! He extended his staff and pointed at the griffon. “Better make this a flashy exit, ya reckon?”
Wildcard nodded. He adjusted his grip of the struggling Echo, reached deep into his satchel, and pulled out a metal pellet.
“Alley oop!” Bard was already swinging his staff like a golf club.
Wildcard tossed it.
Clank! Bard knocked the grenade straight downward. Within a blink, both mercenaries sailed off, plowing through a thick white cloud.
Down below, Rainbow Dash gnashed her teeth against the biting winds.
Rarity gasped. “A metal object! Incoming!”
“It's enchanted with a photonic spell!” Twilight squeaked. “Shut your eyes—!”
“Thanks!” Rainbow hollered, clenching her eyes shut and twirling to the side.
POWWW! A bright flash of light exploded right next to the mare. Even with her lids shut, Rainbow felt the furious glowing lines stabbing at her vision.
“Gughhhh...” Rainbow shook the pain away and squinted forward. “That would have knocked me out for sure.”
“These rogues certainly are crafty,” Rarity said.
“Yeah, but they're also chumps,” Rainbow grumbled, her gaze searching the clouds. “Trust me. I once went head to head with a bounty hunter who was worth over five hundred of these try-hards combined.”
“Be that as it may, they've still gotten away with our precious sarosian,” Rarity said.
“Oh no they haven't.” Rainbow glanced aside. “Egghead?”
Twilight was already pointing. “Three o'clock! Up high!” She gulped. “The sensation's faint. I-I'm afraid they've made a good distance!”
“They can't friggin' outfly the wind.” FWOOOSH! Rainbow shot like a blue bullet into the clouds. “Keep your soul eyes peeled!” The air around her thundered as she effortlessly broke several speed barriers.
Echo's leafy ears twitched.
Wildcard saw it. Beak squirming, he looked worriedly at Bard and gestured with his free talon.
“Pffft... will ya relax?” Bard smirked. The two mercenaries coasted over the top of a lengthy bed of clouds, soaring northeast. “It's an easy twelve hour flight to Mudtop! Our clients will be meeting us there!”
Wildcard's metal talons clicked and clattered.
“Look, so some random daredevil gave us a lil' tussle,” Bard said. He adjusted his hat and stared dead ahead. “It'll make for a sassy tale to tell once we're both handsomely paid and lyin' belly-full in—”
Poof! Rainbow burst up out of the cloud bed ahead of them, trailing fluffy mist.
“—shiet!” Bard braked in mid-air while Wildcard bumped into his flank.
“Httt!” Rainbow twirled, kicked one body of mist at him, spun again, then launched a second cloudy projectile.
Bard dodged the first wave of froth. Frowning, he swung his staff and smashed the other to bits.
As the cloudy mist cleared, Rainbow came barreling through, hoof first.
POW! “Ooof!” Bard spun three times from the blow, falling limply.
Rainbow Dash ripped past him, spiraled, and charged Wildcard head on.
Wildcard switched talons and blocked Rainbow's attack with his metal talon. He gripped her limb tightly. Then, with a spark of mana, the prosthetic spun completely around on its base. Wildcard used the new grip to effortlessly fling Rainbow behind him.
Rainbow twirled, contacted a cloud with her hooves, and sprung back towards the griffon. She saw her angry muzzle reflected in his goggled lenses—and then she saw nothing but Bard's face.
WHUMP! The stallion pressed against her with the length of his metal staff. Together, the two went sprawling through the lower atmosphere, twirling between thick cloudbanks.
“Rrrrgh!” Rainbow snarled, struggling for the dominant grip of his weapon.
“Ya could have just flown away from this, darlin'!” Bard hollered as the blue world rippled past them. “Dun ya know that there's plenty of fish in the sea?!”
“That's some pretty stuffy proverb, coming from a winged blowfish!” Rainbow hollered.
“Yer cute.” Bard winked. “Unfortunately, t'ain't no kindergarten game!” With a growl, he used his strength to swing Rainbow around. Unbeknownst to her, they were gliding up the vertical side of an anvil cloud. Throwing all his weight against the staff, he grinded her pegasus muzzle against the edge of the compact storm cloud as they soared upwards.
TH-TH-TH-THWWWOOSH! Rainbow's cheek grew red and sore from the misty friction. “Rrrrgghhh!” She gritted her teeth, buckling under his weight.
“Lights out.” Bard reared his front right hoof up to knock her out.
“Bright idea.” She lunged her neck forward, clamped her teeth over the brow of his hat, then yanked it down over his eyes.
“Augh!” Bard fumbled, blind. “Dog gone it—”
WHAM! Rainbow uppercutted him with a savage kick. He went flying off—staff and all—and she was already swooping down towards the location of his griffon partner.
Wildcard hovered calmly in place, watching her incoming charge.
“I... don't like the fact that he's waiting for us,” Rarity murmured as she and Twilight glided along.
“Shhhh...” Rainbow narrowed her eyes. “...this guy's always got something up his sleeve.”
Sure enough, Wildcard spontaneously tossed Echo straight up into the air. “Mrmrmmmmfff!”
Wildcard unsheathed both nightsticks, spun twice, and flung them violently at the mare.
“Careful—!” Rarity began.
“I see 'em!” Rainbow twirled left and then right, nimbly dodging both projectiles. Th-Thwisssh! She evened out, panting. “Hah!” The mare grinned. “Whatcha got now—?!”
Wildcard quietly held his metal talon out. The clawed tips glowed bright blue.
“Rainbowwwwww...” Twilight looked behind them.
“Huh?” Rainbow turned around to see the double nightsticks returning, magnetically attracted at twice the speed. WHANGGG! One slammed into her ribs, sending her into a wild spin. WHACK! The other struck her flank, causing her to topple over and over like a club.
Cl-Clap! Wildcard caught both clubs, then held his other arm out in time to catch Echo on the return. “Mrmmmmmfff!” Thwpp! The griffon then stretched a lazy paw out, stopping Rainbow's dizzy body in place just in time for—
“FORE!” Bard came sailing down with a massive swing of his staff. WHAMMM!
Rainbow Dash dropped like a heavy stone. Somewhere amidst the throttling pain, she caught her bearings, then spread all four limbs out. She landed on a flat cloudbed two hundred feet below. The misty surface undulated, then shot her back skyward like a spring.
Wildcard's goggles rattled.
“Oh for cryin' out loud—” Bard couldn't finish his sentence. Rainbow uppercutted him, sprung off his body, then landed a kick in Wildcard's feathery chest.
The griffon flew off, letting go of Echo. “Mrmmmfff—!”
“Gotcha!” Rainbow stammered, grasping the Sarosian's shoulders. She heard a loud yell and spotted Bard rushing in at her side. Gnashing her teeth, she flung the shrieking bat pony skyward, spun, hurdled over Bard's flank, then dove for Echo's body—
WHAM! Wildcard speared her, knocking the two of them against a bordering cloudbank. Meanwhile, Echo plummeted yet again.
“I got 'em!” Bard dove after the body while the two other combatants duked it out above.
“Rrrrrgh!” Rainbow Dash wrestled her way to the griffon's backside, throwing his neck into a vicious limb-lock. “Somepony should put a friggin' bell on you—!”
Struggling, Wildcard wrapped his tail twice around Rainbow Dash's and pulled heavily.
“Whoah—!” Rainbow Dash flipped off of him and toppled towards the clouds below. In mid-swing, however, she caught the air with her wings and then tugged on her tail, swinging the hapless griffon hard into a misty bank. WHUD!
“Hah!” Rarity hollered. “You're not the only one with tail talent!”
“They can't hear your taunts Rarity,” Twilight said.
“Well, forgive me for getting in the spirit of things—Aaaiie!” Both spectres yelped as Rainbow Dash plunged again.
Meanwhile...
“Hah!” Bard caught Echo by his tail, hoisting him up into a gentle hover. “'Bout lost our bits that time!” He felt a shadow crossing over him, and he looked up. “Oh come on!”
WHACK! Rainbow dropped hard on the stallion. Already preparing for Echo's next plunge, she dove off Bard's shoulders like a springboard and flew after the batpony. Within seconds, a griffon was gripping her from behind. “Aaaaugh! Luna poop!” She snarled and punched him repeatedly, only for Bard to grasp her from the other side. “Learn a new tune, ya Celestia-darn melon fudges! Grrrghhh!”
The three wrestled and struggled, hurling seaward after Echo's body like a conjoined missile.
“Come on, Rainbow!” Twilight stammered, nervously eyeing the ocean's surface as it grew closer and closer below. “Don't let them get the best of you!”
“You can do it, darling!” Rarity shrieked, although her cracking voice betrayed her panic.
“Grrrrgghhhh!” Rainbow thrashed and struggled with the two mercenaries, limb-locked with the combatants as they plummeted after Echo. Eventually, she twirled around, jerking to a stop as she faced Wildcard. The griffon's talons dug into her shoulders, and she felt stabbing flashes of pain. Somewhere amidst the struggle, Rainbow Dash heard the rattle of his goggles, and she saw her frenzied reflection in his lenses. “Your goggles...” the mare sputtered, and she slid a hoof to her pendant. “Bet they're super dark for a reason.”
Fl-Flasssh! A pulse of ruby light shot out from the Element of Loyalty, immediately blinding the griffon. Wildcard opened his beak wide in a mute scream. His body instantly flew off of Rainbow Dash and twirled limply into the wild blue yonder.
Before Rainbow Dash could spread her wings and glide after Echo, Bard's limbs wrapped around her in mid-fall. Within seconds, the stallion's hooves reached for Rainbow's pendant. They made the slightest contact, nearly knocking the item off the pegasus' neck.
Rainbow felt a dizzying jolt ricochet through her. At the same time, the images of Twilight and Rarity flickered on either side of the mare.
“—Rainbow, what is—” Twilight stammered, only to fade once more as Bard's grip came into contact with the pendant yet again. “—starting to disappear—!”
Rainbow let loose an audible gasp as the world spun around her.
Bard's drawling voice came into menacing focus: “Somethin' tells me we're a mite bit attached to this hear pendant, aren't we...?” And then he gripped the Element with two strong hooves, yanking and pulling.
Rarity and Twilight faded entirely. Rainbow felt her blood turn cold, and her eyes flashed red-on-yellow. With a final act of desperation, she flung two hooves around one of Bard's fetlocks... and bit into it.
“Yeowwwch!” Bard flung her away in a throwing motion. Clunk! The pendant flew completely off of Rainbow, and the mare went spiraling out of control.
Wincing from the pain of Rainbow's bite, Bard nevertheless flapped his wings, evened out, and swooped towards Echo. He grabbed the Sarosian, then lifted up and away from the ocean's surface. Above him, Wildcard had recovered, and the griffon flew low enough to watch along with Bard as the mare continued her plunge.
“Hell's bells...” Bard flexed his bleeding hoof while holding Echo with the other. He cast a nervous glance at the falling pony. “Did... did she grow fangs just now?”
Wildcard flew evenly with him, anxiously gesturing with his talons.
“Dun reckon she'll be all that well once she hits the waves,” Bard nervously stammered.
Frowning, Wildcard tugged on the stallion's wings and pointed northeast.
Bard sighed, nodded, and followed the griffon. As the two ascended with Echo, however, he tossed several nervous glances down behind him.
Rainbow fell amidst twirling stars.
She gnashed her teeth, wincing from the waves of ice slicing through her flesh.
A musical chime lit her ears.
The mare flung her ruby eyes wide open.
A sideways horizon of water soared towards her skull. Somewhere in the immediate foreground, she saw the twirling glint of her loose pendant.
Holding her breath, Rainbow Dash strafed towards it. She reached out a hairy fetlock. When she gritted her teeth, it forced her jaw open wider than she was used to.
Cl-Clank! Her limb caught the pendant. In a flash, she flung it back around her neck. Instantly, the frost in her veins melted, and she felt a tingling sensation return to her entire body. With a final amber flash to her vision, she felt a pair of spots across her forehead snap, and two tiny black flecks flew off into the blue sky.
Within seconds, a white and a lavender image faded back into existence, screaming desperately in Rainbow's face.
“Up! Up, Rainbow!”
“Pull up!”
“You have to pull up!”
Rainbow gasped, looking up—only to look down. The rippling ocean sailed up to her skull.
Th-Thwissssh! With a spiraling motion, Rainbow flew level with the horizon. She missed the concrete kiss of seawater by mere inches, and her flapping wings formed spreading waves that rippled off in opposite directions.
Wheezing, the mare flew straight forward, catching her senses as well as her breaths.
“Oh, thank Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed, hovering close to the pegasus. “For a second there, Rainbow, we thought you were a goner.”
“You had grown faint, darling,” Rarity said. “And... and...” She fought the urge to grimace. “Your h-head. It... it was bleeding—”
“I'm okay...” Rainbow hissed.
“But Rainbow—”
“I'm fine,” Rainbow growled. The blurring waves reflected her gnashing teeth. “And now... it's time to finish this.” FWOOOOOOSH! She shot straight up while the two spectres helplessly dangled along for the ride.
“For the last time!” Bard spat, flapping his wings harder as he carried Echo's flailing figure. “We ain't splittin' up!”
Wildcard flew ahead of him, wildly motionin with his flesh and metal talons.
“Cuz ain't no good gonna come of it!” Bard growled. “What if she were to catch up with us again?! How'd we be able to handle ourselves?!”
Wildcard simply stared at Bard.
“Lemme put it another way...” Bard's voice cracked, “How would I be able to handle myself without ya?!”
A rumbling picked up in the distance.
“Oh Queen V have mercy...” Bard looked behind them, gnashing his teeth. “Time for the encore...”
Sch-Schiiiing! Wildcard produced his two nightsticks.
“Get ready for anythang!” Bard hollered, twirling around so that he flew sideways alongside Wildcard. “If she gets close, aim for the pendant around her—”
SHOOOOOOOM! Rainbow streaked perfectly past them.
“...neck.” Bard blinked. He and Wildcard turned dumbly around. “What in tarnation...?”
Fw-Fw-Fw-Fwooosh! Rainbow Dash twirled into the nearby clouds, then disappeared.
All was silent, save for a slight rumbling.
Then...
FWOOOOOOSH! She came surging back towards them, diving from the northeast.
“Here she comes! Prepare yourself—”
Once again, Rainbow streaked violently past them, missing the pair entirely.
The griffon grimaced, beak clattering.
“Okay...” Bard's brow furrowed. “...now she's just taunting us.”
“Mrmmf-mrrmmmfff!” Echo squirmed.
“Shuddup!” Bard yelped. “Who asked you—?!”
SH-SHOOOOOOM! Yet again, the pegasus streaked by. Bard and Wildcard turned to look, and it was somewhere around this time that the two mercenaries realized just how dark the sky had gotten.
“Erm...” Bard's eyes searched the heavens. “...wait a cotton-pickin' moment...”
Clouds were closing in all around them. It took a few heart-stopping seconds for the bounty hunters to figure out why. With each spiraling streak, Rainbow closed the misty vapors tighter and tighter around the two. The clouds turned dark and darker by the second, blotting out the sun and reducing the atmosphere to a angry gray haze.
“Shiet!” Bard pointed in a random direction. “She's boxin' us in! Quick, Dubya-Cee, we gotta—”
But just as they tried making a move, a bright streak of lightning ripped past them. Wildcard instantly winced from the strobing light, and both clutched their ears from the ensuing thunder. Within seconds, another pulse of lightning blossomed across the aerial arena, and the following thunderclap was twice as intensely deafening.
The entire time, Rainbow flew faster and faster around the pair, using her streaking wingfeathers to close the pocket of thunderclouds in tighter and tighter. Soon the mercenaries found themselves encapsulated in a dense pocket of inclement weather, moist and impenetrable.
“Lemme ask you guys something...!” Rainbow's cracking voice echoed across the sky.
The air tingled with electricity. Bard's mane hairs spread apart while Wildcard's feathers stood on end.
“...what did your mommies and daddies teach you about carrying metal junk into a lightning storm...?!”
Wildcard and Bard spun about, panting, panicking.
WOOOOOOOOOOSH! A prismatic streak plowed between them, knocking the two figures apart. With a miniature sonic boom, Rainbow plucked Echo's body up in her forelimbs, then plummeted out of the cloud, smirking with a sharp salute.
“...nothing... apparently!” And she was gone, along with her echoing voice. Behind her, thunder and haze closed up the pocket of disturbed air.
Bard shuddered. He felt a haunting tingle of static electricity between his teeth as he drawled: “Heh...” Smiling lips. “...now that's one way to get licked...”
KRAKKKKK!
A brilliant flash of lightning exploded from within the tightly formed anvil cloud.
As Rainbow plummeted away from the scene with Echo in her grasp, she looked back to see two figures—trailing with smoke—fall clear out of the cloud and towards the distant ocean below.
Not wasting a second, Rainbow shot due west, approaching the east edge of Rust. Once the smell of smoke and dead fish returned to her nostrils, she relaxed, and glided in on lazy feathers.
“Mrmmffmf-mmmfff!” Echo struggled.
“Best to settle his frightened spirit, Rainbow,” Rarity said.
“Rarity's right,” Twilight added with a smile. “They're not pursuing us anymore. It's over.”
“Relax, dude. Ya feel that?” Rainbow smiled, pivoted Echo around, and removed the gag from his muzzle. “...the worst part is over.”
“Bleaaacckaaaauttgght!” Echo instantly vomited a copious fountain of coral-tainted bile all over Rainbow's muzzle, neck, and chest.
“... … …” Rainbow clenched her teeth, shivering as her body dripped with slime and undigested food. “...then again.”
“You've been screwed over?!?” A resident of Rust sputtered. “Those jokers smashed my fish stands to shreds!”
“They threw each other into my store window!” another retorted, adding to the loud, rising tumult atop the platforms of Rust. “There's broken glass all over my imported whale fat!”
“Just who were these morons anyway?!”
“They came up out of the Dust District!”
“The Dust District?! That's it!” One pony stormed off, frowning. “The the Boss is gonna hear about this!”
“Hey! Don't go without us!” Several more joined the thickening march. “I want a word with him too!”
“Yeah! This kind of out-of-control riff raff simply cannot stand!”
“Something's gotta be done!”
“Hear hear!”
The crowd surged on, ascending the platforms until they formed a tight pony flood in the center of Rust. Meanwhile—several blocks away—Theanim Mane cowered under an awning, watching with nervous eyes. He gulped, then backtrotted away from the scene. Holding his breath, the stallion made a mad dash for the hotel district on the other side of town.
Fwoooooosh!—THAP! A weighted figure landed right in front of the scientist.
“Aaaugh!” He hobbled backwards, flinching heavily. “Please! Take all my bits! Just don't smash my camera—”
“Relax, doc,” Rainbow wheezed. “The main event's over. It's me.”
“H-huh?!” Theanim looked up. He saw a sweaty, vomit-stained mare standing in front of him, wings coiling. “Oh, praise the Queen!” He glanced to the side to see a dizzy sarosian. “Oh. And you got Echo. Brilliant.”
“Nice to... urp...” Echo grimaced, fighting to keep his remaining lunch in. “...see you too, buttlette.”
“How in blazes did you find me?” Theanim stammered.
Rainbow pointed. “Twilight sensed your magic soul-stealing box.”
“Well, I hate to prematurely ruin our celebration, but we'd best make ourselves scarce.” Theanim gulped, pointing towards the commotion on the far side of town. “None too many locals are all that happy about the collateral damage that's been caused.”
“I couldn't agree more.” Rainbow motioned towards the nearest line of platforms. “Let's make it to the hotel. Super quick.”
“Erm...” Theanim pointed towards another alley. “Might I suggest the shadier route?”
“Doc, we haven't much time—”
“It's far less sunny this way,” Theanim said. “And poor Echo's coat—”
“Huh?” Rainbow Dash blinked, then winced. “Ah jeez! Sarosians and sunlight!” She threw Echo a nervous grimace. “I totally forgot!”
“I... urp... didn't,” Echo wheezed.
“Here...” Theanim squatted low. “Hoist him over me.”
“Right.” Rainbow slumped the groaning bat pony over Theanim's backside and led the two of them briskly down the nearest alley. “But let's not waste any time.”
“I'm sure we'll be safe in the hotel.”
“Dude, we're just going there to get the rest of our stuff. I think we should make for the Midnight Dreary and sail away as soon as friggin' possible.”
“What for?” Theanim blinked curiously. “Did you not shake loose those miscreants?”
“Let's just say I don't wanna take any chances,” Rainbow wheezed, galloping ahead. “Your friend's in some serious... serious hot water.”
“Erm... exactly h-how serious?”
Fifteen minutes later...
“They wanted to take you to Mud Top?!?” Theanim's voice echoed off the walls of the narrow hotel hallway. He gave his flank an angry shake. “Old chap, that' place is a pure den of iniquity! Only pirates and rapscallions do business there!”
“Yeah... well...” Echo shuddered, flouncing weakly atop Theanim's backside. “I don't write the 'bad guy rules.'”
“No, you just abide by them when it suits you,” Theanim hissed angrily. “And then when it becomes too much to bear, you cloud your troubles with smoked coral and hope that tomorrow goes away!” He snarled. “No wonder those rogues wanted you so badly! Is it enough to tick off both the Southern Hoof and the Syndicate here in Rust?”
“Will you guys save your lover's spat for when we're on the boat?!” Rainbow growled back, nervously glancing ahead as they traversed the rest of the corridor. “I won't feel safe until we're off this dang platform and back on the waves!”
“And just where will we go, pray tell?!” Theanim exclaimed. “If Echo's wanted by the Southern Hoof, then there's no way they'll let us into Shoggoth so long as we have him!”
“Well, we can't just leave him here either!”
“But Rainbow Dash! The Next Seed—”
“One thing at a friggin' time!” Rainbow growled. “I'll... I'll think of something! We'll think of something! For right now, I've had all I could take of Rust and so's your friend!”
“You should listen to the fruitmancer,” Echo droned.
“Oh hush!” Theanim frowned, cheeks red. “You're lucky we even stopped in here to sniff out your... mmmm... money defecating hide!”
“Theams, if you suck so badly at giving insults, you really shouldn't try.”
“Why of all the—”
“Shhhh!Dudes! Rein it in!” Rainbow frowned. “The both of you! Celestia on a bike, why's every group I'm in a Luna-damn sausage party as of late?!” She sighed, then murmured forward. “Twi? Rares? How's it looking?”
Rarity drifted closer, hovering backwards in front of Rainbow. “Seems like most everypony's exited the hotel. I imagine they've gone into the streets to find out what the commotion's all about.”
“Seems like Rust is pretty big on mob mentality,” Rainbow muttered.
“They're simply wishing to file their grievances with the Syndicate's Boss.”
“They can do that?” Rainbow asked.
“When it suits them,” Echo murmured, belching once more. His sickly eyes traced the corners of the room. “Trial by hysteria. It's all pretty cute, until you're the one hanging from a noose.”
“Verlaxion's sleet,” Theanim exhaled.
“I know.” Echo's leafy ears drooped. “If my wings could work, I'd have ditched this shithole months ago.”
“Yeah... just what's up with that, buddy?” Rainbow remarked.
“Erm... another time perhaps,” Theanim remarked. “When my friend feels like sharing.”
“Huh?” Rainbow looked behind her. “Why not now?”
“Uhm... Rainbow?” Twilight's voice murmured from ahead.
“Oh hey! You found our room?” Rainbow smiled, dashing ahead. “Perfect! I swear, if it didn't have a dang hammock etched into the front door...”
“No! Wait!” Twilight phased through the wall. “Before you go in there—”
“Twi, I said it before, we need to get our stuff.” Rainbow turned the doorknob and trotted inside. “Besides, if the price on Echo here is that high, then there's no telling who else might wanna—” She took only three steps inside, and immediately barked: “Oh for Pete's sake!”
A thoroughly bruised Bard tilted a singed stetson. “Evenin', Missy.” He and Wildcard stood before the open, wind-blown patio to the hotel room. The feathers along the griffon's wings were still smoking along the edges. “Reckon we might have a little word with you.”
“Miss Dash?” Theanim trotted inside. “Whatever is the matter—Damnation!” He cowered behind the mare, shivering. “Is there ever any end?!”
Wildcard sighed and gestured something.
“Yup, and he's still in one piece too,” Bard nodded, eyeing Echo from afar. “How many times do I gotta tell ya, Dubya-Cee? She's good.”
“Yeah, well, she's also pissed!” Rainbow hopped up, snapped two blades loose from the ceiling fan, then struck a dangerous pose while holding the wooden pieces like a giant chakram. “So how about it, ya motherless biscuit eaters?! You wanna go round five?!”
“Darlin'... please...” Bard waved a hoof. He sighed heavily, then produced a tired smile. “Do you really think—after the mighty fine whoopin' that you've put us through—that we'd really fancy another go?”
“I dunno, you tell me!” Rainbow motioned out the window. “If you've had your fill, then why don't you just scram?”
“How did you even find our room anyways?!” Theanim's voice cracked.
“I made lurve to the hostess overnight for information,” Bard said, smiling wide.
“... … ...” Rainbow Dash and Theanim stared.
“Ahem...” Bard sighed again, gesturing aside at Wildcard. “Dubya-Cee here tracked the scent of bile and smoked coral the moment we flew back here.”
“Freakin' figures,” Echo moaned. “My life is an ash tray.”
“And we can't very well turn our flanks on an opportunity as profitable as this one,” Bard said. “The Southern Hoof wants their fella turned in safe and sound, so... Dubya-Cee and I was thinkin'...” He grinned. “...maybe there'd be a way we can all do this so it's most profitable to everypony. That way ya dun have to beat us to a pulp, and we dun have to chase ya to the ends of the earth. So... whaddya think?”
Rarity and Twilight bit their lips. They looked at Rainbow, the mercenaries, then at Rainbow again.
“Ahem...” Theanim brushed himself off and stood up prim and proper. “...the bull's shite.”
“Thanks, Doc,” Rainbow snarled.
“Phwuguuu...” Echo randomly slid off and collapsed to the hotel room floor. THUD!
“Doc...” Rainbow Dash spoke slowly, all the while keeping her angry eyes trained on the two mercenaries. “Go and take Echo as far as you can into the heart of this hotel.”
“Affirmative.” Theanim re-hoisted Echo over his flank.
“Waaaay deep so that anypony with wings would have a hard time getting to you and getting back outside,” Rainbow snarled.
“But... but... what will you be up to?!” Theanim stammered. “Please don't tell me you're actually going to entertain the thought of enlisting these—”
“I will take care of these melon fudges, so kindly scram with the bat pony!”
“Mrffnnghhh...” Echo shuddered, his tail trailing. “Any chance we can waddle by the lavatory on the way there, Theams?”
“Quiet, old chap.”
As soon as the two had left the room—THAP!—Rainbow slammed the door shut with a rear hoof. “Okay...” She cracked her neck joints, tail flicking. “Where we?”
“Uh...” Bard glanced at Wildcard, then pointed at the mare. “I'll give ya a hint. Not with more fistihoofs.”
“Says you.”
“We mean it, darlin'. Can't ya see by now that we're at an opossom?!”
Wildcard looked at Bard. He gestured emphatically—
“I know what I said!” Bard snarled, his usually calm expression breaking under a tense frown. “Look... I'm a mite bit frazzled, ya hear?!”
“My friends and I have no quarrel with you. We never did from the start.” Rainbow's eyes glinted. “So why don't you punks just live and let diarrhea?!”
“Missy, please.” Bard sighed heavily. “If Dubya-Cee and I here wanted to get the drop on ya, we would have dun so fifty times by now.”
“He has a point, Rainbow,” Twilight said, squirming slightly. “I completely didn't sense him or his companion until you entered his room.”
“And they do seem to know the territory, darling,” Rarity said.
“But... that... what...” Rainbow gnashed her teeth. “Are you implying that I even humor these bozos?!”
Wildcard and Bard glanced side-to-side across the room.
“Erm... yes...” Bard nodded awkwardly. “...and I reckon any other personality that you might be havin' cramped up there in yer noggin'.”
“Look, buzz off!” Rainbow snapped. “None of us are here for the same reason, and where I'm headed is of no concern of yours. But rest assured... the things I'm entangled with and the places I've got to go are way... waaaaaay more important than anything you or your bird-nosed mime of a friend have ever... ever lived for in your dumb, friggin' lives!”
“Heh...” Bard smirked stupidly. “I plum knew you had somethin' to fight for! No wonder yer so concentrated!”
“You're not going to ask me nothing,” Rainbow said, scraping a hoof. “Because there's nothing left to discuss!”
“Ain't there?” Bard smirked. “Do ya have any idea... any idea just how much that fanged feller that you're protectin' is worth? Where I come from, bat ponies are practically invisible. But this here varmint's crossed enough ponies in enough time to rake himself a twenty-seven thousand bit bounty. Now how's that for a dicussion-maker.”
“That... it...” Rainbow's jaw dropped. “What in the hay has Echo done?!?”
“Rainbow...” Twilight murmured.
“Did he burrow his way into an orphanage and eat his way out one starving foal at a time?!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “I mean... Luna Poop!”
“Ah...” Bard pointed, smirking. “Got yer attention, didn't we? Well, suffice to say, I'd be more than willin' to answer any and all of those particular questions you've got bouncin' off the walls of yer brain bone, but that's not what matters in the long run, isn't it? Seems like you've got a very important trip to make. How'd you like to set sail on that voyage thirteen thousand five hundred bits richer?”
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow's brow furrowed. “What?”
“That's right. The way I figure it, we could certainly use yer help in gettin' the creep to Mud Top, and we could certainly use you stayin' off our flanks even more. So, in the end, it all really hinges on you, Missy. So... the earnings would be split fifty-fifty.”
Wildcard angrily rattled his metal-and-flesh talons.
Bard slapped him with a wing and snarled: “Fifty-fifty. Cuz if this job dun get finished, then Dubya-Cee and I here will never break even. Let us worry about how we split up our half.”
The griffon's beak gritted hard.
“Ahem...” Bard nervously pointed aside, eventually squeaking: “He g-gets most of it.”
Wildcard folded his arms and huffed.
“It's an offer that won't come more generous no matter how far you throw yerself over these ripplin' seas,” Bard said in a calm tone. “So, whaddya say, Missy?” He shrugged with a dumb smile. “I'm givin' my all here. Dun make Wildcard here beg.” A talon slapped off Bard's stetson, but he remained still, staring at Rainbow.
“Of all the ridiculous attempts at desperation,” Twilight muttered. She folded her forelimbs while rolling her eyes. “I can't believe that after all of that unnecessary violence, they're willing to stoop so low. Pfffft... they're even worse than the pickpocketing riff raff that used to hang out in downtown Canterlot.”
“Rainbow Dash, I think you should take them up on their offer,” Rarity said.
“Yeah! Exactly! I—” Twilight's eyes bugged. She gawked at the other ghostly unicorn. “Rarity?!?”
“What?” The fashionista shrugged.
“You can't be serious!”
“I most certainly can!” Rarity tilted her nose up. “These ruffians have made it perfectly clear that they will not stop harrassing us until they've gotten ahold of Doctor Mane's so-called companion. What's more, with those kind of bits, we could buy our way straight into Shoggoth and beyond!”
“Yes, but at what cost?!” Twilight's voice cracked. “These guys only care about the rich sound coins make! They'll sell poor Echo into slavery, torture, or even w-worse!”
“And do you truly think the soul that belongs to such a despicable creature is so deserving of Rainbow Dash's intervention?” Rarity frowned. “You've seen Echo, Twilight! He's a self-destructive degenerate! He very well earned such a low spot in this kingdom's totem pole!”
“But it certainly wouldn't be nice to turn our backs on him in his time of intense need!”
“And what of Pinkie Pie?” Rarity stuck her nose up. “Did she ask to be imprisoned so unjustly? She's never hurt a fly in her life, and yet we know that we can do something to save her! So, what of this Echo character? We clear his debts, and he goes right back into huffing coral or other such nonsense! I bet you a million bits!”
“Of course you would,” Twilight grumbled. “Because suddenly money is all you care for.”
“Did you not hear a single word I just said?! Honestly.” Rarity rolled her eyes and looked at Rainbow. “Rainbow, darling, think of Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Fluttershy!”
“Think of what you'll be doing to Echo!” Twilight gasped, shoving Rarity out of the way. “You'd be giving him the death sentence! Could you live with such a horrible thing as killing another pony?!”
Rainbow blinked at the mares. “... ... ... uhmmmmm...”
“We're here to restore Harmony... not just through our friends!” Twilight said, her eyes growing soft. “Every single thing we do here matters! As well as the consequences of our actions!”
“And if we don't get anything accomplished, then Rainbow Dash is that much further away from restoring not just us... but the entire cosmic domain.” Rairty gestured. “'Euro-Hunger'... was it?”
Wildcard's feathers twitched. He sliced the air with his talons.
“I know, right?” Bard nodded. He squinted hard at the pegasus mare across the room from him. “Darlin'? Are you... thinkin' really hard? Or perhaps you need some fries to go with that heapin' stupor of yers...”
“Uhhhhhhhhh...” Rainbow Dash sweated hard. Just then, the entire hotel shook from an intense thudding shockwave. Rainbow's eyes jerked, and she gazed with relief at a plume of billowing flame situated somewhere outside. “Oh! Whew! An explosion!” She blinked, and then her whole body flinched. “What the—an explosion?!?”
“Good gracious!” Rarity gasped, spinning around.
“Hells bells!” Bard turned to gawk out the patio window. He and Wildcard watched as several citizens of Rust froze in place, staring up at the fourth story window of a partially delapidated apartment complex clear across the artificial inlet. Three whole rows of riverside windows had shattered completely, and intense flames spat out of each opening. “How in Queen V's heiny did that happen?!”
Wildcard gestured, his beak agape.
“Impossible! I didn't hear no pirate catapult or nothin'!” Bard's ears twitched nevertheless, for all of the sudden the air was pierced with several high-pitched screams and yelps for help. “Skin my hide. Ya hear that?”
Wildcard gulped, nodding.
“Sounds like three... six... hell... ten ponies caught in there! What gives... did a coral stash catch fire?” He shuddered, turning about. “Look, Missy, I'm afraid that we—”
FWOOOOOOOSH! A blue body streaked past the two mercenaries, nearly throwing them to the floor from the sheer velocity.
Rainbow Dash hurled herself towards the burning apartment. Her wings twitched from the rising heat as she drew closer.
“You could definitely say that!” Twilight rubbed her glowing horn with a grimace. “Just about the biggest discharge of mana I've felt since we parted ways with Ultimo!”
“You think it's another one of those damn heaters or what?!”
“I don't know but...” Twilight nervously pointed into the flames. “There're ponies in there.”
“How many?!”
“I-I can't tell you that!” Twilight exclaimed. “I only know how many unicorns... and it's two.”
“Yeah? Where are they?”
“One there...” Twilight pointed to the far left, and then towards the burning window furthest to the right. “And there. Rainbow... I think this place was packed before... b-before...”
“Surely we can do something!” Rarity stammered.
“I can do something,” Rainbow growled. “But I need your girls' help!” She looked aside. “Where's the building weakest at?!”
“Uhm... the v-very center!” Rarity said, pointing with her horn. “About ten paces in!”
“I mean on the outside, Rares!”
“Oh... uhm... rightmost window, just to the right of the solid frame.”
“Thanks.”
“Rainbow, whatever you're planning, please... be careful,” Twilight insisted.
“Right. Careful. Got it.” Rainbow angled her wings and swooped straight into the blaze.
“No, Rainbow! Stop! Gaaaaie!” Twilight flinched, clinging to Rarity.
SMASSSSSSH!
Rainbow barreled in through the wooden frame. She rolled to a stop, and instantly regretted it. Tongues of flame curled up the walls on all sides of her. She was being cooked by just standing there. Narrowing her teary eyes, she stretched a wing over her muzzle, breathing through the filter of her blue feathers. She navigated a patch of smoke, and on the other side stretched a mostly unblemished living room. Two ponies were stuck beneath an overturned sofa—an earth pony and a unicorn.
“There, Rainbow!” Rarity pointed.
“I see 'em!” Rainbow galloped across the room without hesitation. “Httt!” She bucked the sofa hard. Smasssh!
The earth pony struggled to get to her hooves. Her unicorn companion assisted with a touch of magic.
“Everypony stay calm!” Rainbow nevertheless shouted under the sound of crumbling wooden beams. A chunk of the ceiling cracked overhead, and she gazed all around. “How many other ponies are on this floor?!”
“Kaff! Koff koff! Mmmff... twelve... maybe f-fifteen!” stammered the earth pony. “We barely t-talk to our neighbors!”
“What's happening?!” the unicorn whimpered. “I don't understand! Is Verlaxion punishing us?!”
“Never mind that! I'm gonna get you out!” Rainbow craned her neck at the sound of shrieking voices. She saw a crooked doorframe. Smoke billowed through the cracks while several pony bodies struggled to shove their way out. “Crud...” She dodged a falling chunk of smoldering debris. “Rarity! How far is it to the canal?”
“Just a sneeze, d-darling!” Rarity exclaimed. “Two feet from the apartment's outer face!”
“Can you guys swim?” Rainbow asked.
The smoke-stained ponies exchanged confused glances. “Why... of course! Everypony in Rust knows how to—”
“Cool.” Rainbow gripped them, flapped her wings mightily, and soared towards the hole she had made in entering. “Rrrrrrgh—HAAAH!” She flung the two ponies with all her strength.
The two citizens shrieked and shrieked until their falling voices culminated in two safe splashes below.
“Rainbow, the manafire is spreading from deep within the building!” Twilight exclaimed.
“Right!” Rainbow galloped towards the shaking door. “Rarity, where's the door the weakest?”
“The hinges are about to snap!” Rarity tilted her head up with a feeble glance. “But I'm honestly more concerned with—”
“Thanks! Keep your horn on!” Rainbow grunted and kicked... kicked... kicked the door frame. “Rrnnngh! Come on! Gahh!” The hinges finally snapped. Gripping the doorframe with her teeth, Rainbow Dash yanked the thing away from the next room. She gasped upon what she saw.
An old, wrinkled pony lay on her side, her head and mane soaked with blood. Two other mares and a cluster of foals clung to the aged equine.
“Get... g-get my grandfoals out,” she stammered, her tears blackened by the smoke. “Pl-please...”
“Gonna get you all out!” Rainbow spoke above the childish sobs. She squatted low, gathering them. “Just hang tight! I'll be back for—”
“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity shrieked, pointing above them. “The ceiling!”
“....?” Rainbow flew her gaze up. “...!”
A dark fissure had formed lengthwise across the apartment's ceiling. The beams splintered, bowed... and then fell completely.
The smoldering room filled with a chorus of screams.
Grunting, Rainbow covered the residents with her body and flinched. She breathed... and then she breathed again. By the third breath, she realized that she hadn't been crushed to a pulp. Shivering, she looked up into a sudden shadow.
Bard stood with his wings outstretched. The stallion's thick muscles held the chunk of ceiling in place, although numerous ashen bits fluttered through the spaces between his charred feathers.
“Whew... this stings like the d-dickens!” he said, struggling to smirk amidst his sweat. “Dubya-Cee? Take yer damn time, why don'tcha?”
FWOOOOOSH! A feathered shadow murked in, grabbed two of the gasping adults, and then dashed back out... quick as lightning. Rainbow watched in an incredulous stare as the griffon made his swift exit, carrying the hapless citizens to safety.
Twilight and Rarity exchanged stupefied expressions. They joined Rainbow in their mutual blinks in Bard's direction.
“Well...?!” Bard sputtered like a constipated panda, his legs starting to buckle. “...ya gonna sit there givin' me googly-eyes or are ya gonna lift a hoof?!”
Wildcard flew out of the burning apartment with a shivering mare under each arm. Outside, the citizens of Rust pointed at the spectacle, gasping at the griffon's smokey exit.
“Oh blessed Verlaxion!” One of the mares stammered. “Thank you! You're our hero!”
The other stroked his beak with glazed eyes. “Our handsome... griffon hero.”
Wildcard merely stared at them.
“Dubya-Cee!” Bard's pained voice warbled from deep inside the burning building. “Get yer feathery butt back in here and help us!”
Taking a breath, Wildcard instantly dropped the two mares and flew about.
“Aaaaaaaiee!” Both ponies fell into the harbor below. Sp-Splash! A canoe full of ponies paddled up, helping them and the other two reach the nearest docks.
Fwoooosh! By the time Wildcard returned, Rainbow Dash had pulled the old mare to safety.
“Get on this side of the room!” Bard wheezed to the young foals.
The fillies and colts obeyed, shivering.
“It's clear!” Rainbow's voice cracked.
“Nnngh!” Bard slunk back. Crash! The chunk of ceiling he was holding up collapsed in front of them.
“Thank you...” The old mare shuddered, eyes tearing. “Thank you all—”
“Rainbow!” Rarity exclaimed, pointing towards a smoldering corridor two spaces down. Several distressed voices whimpered from a wall away. “Over there! Do you hear them?”
“There are more deep inside!” Rainbow stammered, galloping through the ash and smoke. She dodged a falling chunk of debris and shouted over her shoulder. “Get those ponies out of here! Quick!”
Wildcard was already shouldering the old mare and flying out the patio entrance. Bard squatted low, sweeping up every gasping foal in his strong forelimbs. “Hang on, lil' fellers and fellerettes. This here's the rescue ride on the Uncle Bard express!”
“You're not my Uncle!” A filly stuck her tongue out.
“Well, I sure as Hell ain't yer aunt. Dubya-Cee!” Bard flapped his wings and carried the children out. “Right behind ya!”
In the meantime, Rainbow threaded her way out into the apartment hallway. She coughed and wheezed, waving a hoof in front of her muzzle. The smoke was thick and choking. Ultimately, the mare rubbed a hoof over her pendant, shining a ruby spotlight through the haze. She caught sight of a squirming set of limbs at the far end of the hallway. Hopping over a pile of burning debris, she reached a spot where three ponies lay side by side, their muzzles twisted in pain. One was bleeding heavily from his hind quarters.
“Don't worry!” Rainbow grunted. “We're gonna get you out!”
“I... I-I can't feel my leg...” the stallion whimpered.
“Living in a place like Rust, I'm surprised you could even feel your stomach!” Rainbow brushed aside several clumps of debris and slid the first of the three ponies out of the burning room and into the hallway. “Don't you guys worry one bit! Let's just tackle the 'surviving a burning building' part and then worry about the rest later!”
“Th-there are foals next door,” one mare wheezed. She gulped. “Mares and an old lady—”
“Chillax! We already got her out!” Rainbow managed a soot-stained smile. “And now it's time to save your fuzzy butts!”
The floor groaned. At first, Rainbow thought it was the structure giving away. She looked back, however, and saw Bard galloping up.
“Yeesh! One of them tykes shoulda been wearing a diaper still!” Bard grabbed the two nearest ponies. “Hey, good find!”
“This third one's hurt bad!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Probably best that we pull him out toge—”
“Rainbow!” Rarity pointed up. “The wall's giving way!”
“Look out!” Twilight shrieked.
“Oh Verlaxion!” the stallion hollered as Rainbow Dash squatted low to shield him.
“Rrrrrgh—!” POWWW! Bard punched the falling debris above them with his hoof, showering the far end of the corridor with burning splinters and plaster. “Damn fire! Get a job!”
Thwissssh! Wildcard streaked in. Catching his breath, he gestured with a metal talon.
“Yes... I know! Good job!” Bard helped Rainbow in dragging the injured stallion out. “Now's not a good time for chatter!” He smacked the griffon with his tail. “Help me with this dude! Hey Fruit Snacks! Ya think you can haul the others out?”
Rainbow was already heaving the ponies up to their hooves. “The name's Rainbow! Rainbow Dash!”
“Hah!” Bard grinned as Wildcard hoisted the bleeding pony over his shoulder. “No shit?”
“For real.”
“That's too easy! That's like if my parents named me 'Hat Feller!'”
“Will you just get him out of here?!?” Rainbow spat, hobbling out with the two ponies in tow.
“Whew!” Bard glanced at Wildcard. “Now I know where she got the 'Dash' part.”
The six stumbled out of the smoldering corridor. Rainbow Dash reached the hole in the patio and patted the two ponies' shoulders. “The water's a small leap away! You think you two can make it?”
“Absolutely!” One pony coughed and nodded, looking at the canoing citizens motioning for them below. “Thanks a million!”
“Anytime!” And Rainbow bucked them both in the flank.
“Whoah—!” The two plunged safely into the drink below.
A crumbling noise filled Rainbow's ears.
She spun around with a gasp.
Bard and Wildcard galloped out of the corridor, chased by a charcoal plume of smoke. They dove forward, gripping the injured stallion protectively. Within seconds, the wall collapsed behind them. They coughed, gathered their breaths, and stood up on shuffling limbs.
“Good! Get him out of here!” Rainbow darted past the group, shielding herself from a splash of sparks as another ceiling beam collapsed beside her. “Is that all of them?! That can't be all of them!”
“You're right, Rainbow!” Twilight pointed at the far wall. “There's one more unicorn at least. Somewhere in that direction.”
“Rarity?!”
“I sense another chamber,” Rarity said. “The part of it facing the center of the building has collapsed. If anypony's inside, they'd have to be holed up in the portion closest to us, darling!”
“Mrmmmm...” Rainbow chewed hard on her bottom lip, eyeing the billowing flames between her and her destination. “I kinda sorta want to come out of this without becoming barbecue.”
“Without becoming what?”
Rainbow face-hoofed. “For crying out—Where were you in Ledomare?!”
Th-Thump! Bard landed on heavy hooves behind her. “That dude's getting medical attention! What are we still doin' in here?”
“There's at least one more pony left!” Rainbow hollered, pointing at the far wall beyond the flames. “In there! The room beyond the wall!”
“Huh?!” Bard tilted the brow of his hat up, squinting. “How in the Hell do ya know that?!”
“Just trust me!” Rainbow snarled. “We have to get to them, but there's too much fire in the way!”
“Hold on a tick...” Bard fished through his satchel.
Rainbow turned, frowning. “Now's not the time for a guitar solo!”
“Oh ye of little grit!” Bard smirked, pulling out a round capsule.
“A frost grenade!” Twilight stammered.
“Brace yer fannies!” Bard tossed the thing straight into the flames, immediately stretching a curved wing forward.
FL-FLASSSH! The flames extinquished in a flash of frosted mana. Rainbow immediately galloped forward, almost slipping once or twice on the fresh sheet of melting ice. She reached a crack in the wall, only to see bright orange plumes fountaining through. Leaning her head close enough, she could hear anguished shrieks.
“Oh Celestia...” Twilight hugged herself, eyes tearing. “We're too late!”
“Like Tartarus, we are.” Rainbow tugged and pulled on the fissure. “Rrrnnngh... mfnnnghhh!”
“Won't budge?” Bard exhaled, galloping up behind her.
“Can't... get it... to move...”
Wildcard was suddenly there. Rainbow jolted, jumping back as the griffon took a close examination of the fractured wall, his black lenses reflecting every square inch. He turned towards Bard, nodding his feathery head.
Bard nodded back.
Wildcard raised his metal talons, flexing each digit. Then, with a mute grunt, he shoved the prosthetic hard into the fissure. Ch-Chunkkk! The wall cracked further as each claw dug in with a vice grip.
Bard grabbed Wildcard from behind, steeling his rear hooves to the ground. “A one... and a two... and a THREE!”
Wildcard pulled heavily with his metal limb. Bard threw his weight in as both mercenaries pried at the wall.
“Rrrrrg—grkkkt!” Bard snarled.
The griffon's beak clattered. Sparks shot out from the joints in his limb, and yet—
Crkkk... kkkk! The slit in the wall became a hole, and then finally broke into a wide gash. CRACKK! Part of the ceiling collapsed, only for Wildcard to slap his metal palm against it. Bard shoved his body in, adding his shoulders to the griffon's effort. Between them, there was enough space for two ponies to fit through.
“Now's yer chance, darlin'!” Bard wheezed. “Go on and be magical!”
Rainbow dove through without a second's hesitation. She nearly flew into a fountain of flames. Stifling a shriek, the mare stopped. As she hovered in place, she looked left and then right. At last, Rainbow saw four ponies clinging to a shattered dresser. The rest of the room's furniture burned brightly around them, and they had huddled in the last remaining patch of safe floor.
“I see them!” Rainbow spoke, immediately coughing from a gasp of smoke. “Four survivors!”
“Throw them out, dang it!” Bard's voice filtered through. “This hole won't last forever!”
“He's right!” Rarity exclaimed. “It's now or never!”
“My apologies in advanced, everypony.” Rainbow swept in and grabbed the burnt limbs of two ponies. “But the only way out of here is the fast way.” She then flew backwards, yanking them out of hiding. They yelped in pain—yet dangled after Rainbow as she darted back to the fissure. She shoved them through, then soared straight back, grabbing a unicorn and an earth pony.
Crkkk-crkkk! The wall to the nearby lavatory collapsed. A sliver of pulsating blue light broke through the plaster.
“Augh!” Twilight winced, clutching her horn. “It's right in front of us!”
“What is, darling?!” Rarity sputtered.
Rainbow squinted into the exposed bathroom. Her pupils dilated, reflecting a series of dangerously enchanted manashards.
“That's no heating unit!” Twilight snarled.
“Rrrrgh!” Rainbow hoisted the last two ponies and flew towards the hole in the wall. As soon as she made it through, Bard and Wildcard released their grip, causing the fissure to collapse behind them. Rainbow made no hesitation in shouting: “Go! Get out of here!”
“But!” Bard winced, grabbing one of the first two survivors off the floor. “They're so badly burnt—”
“Now! We have to get out now!” Rainbow hollered, hoisting her two ponies beneath her forelimbs.
Bard galloped after her. Wildcard picked up the last pony and took up the rear—
POWWWW!
—right as the apartment behind them exploded, sending a frothing fountain of manafire their way and melting every physical thing in the room.
Outside, the citizens of Rust felt the resonating thud of the last explosion. All eyes darted up to the apartment complexing, including those of the frenzied survivors still dripping with water.
Everyone gasped as the apartment vomited flame from every window. Then... two seconds later—
PHWOOOSH! Three figures propelled themselves out of the burning mess, trailing smoke and sparks. Rainbow Dash, Bard, and Wildcard landed on the nearest platform, collapsing in soot-stained heaps. They dropped the ponies they had been carrying, and the public onlookers rushed in amidst a throng of cheers, carrying the burn victims towards the arriving doctors and nurses.
Rarity and Twilight glanced all around at the jubilant expressions on the ponies' faces. They looked at one another, sharing a hapless grin.
Bard and Wildcard rolled over until they were facing each other from a few feet away. Catching their breaths, they extended their limbs forward, limply brofisting hoof-to-talon. Sprkkkt! Wildcard's metal limb shorted out and fell limp. He pouted through his beak.
Rainbow blinked at the two of them, then stared up at the smoldering remains of the apartment. Gulping, she ran a hoof over her mane, dusting off several still-burning embers.
Bard pulled his hat off, sat up, and fanned himself. With smoky eyes, he squinted across the platform and nodded at Rainbow. “So... hot enough for ya...?” He smiled wearily. “Heheh...”
Rainbow panted and panted. “No doubt... you're expecting... lots and lots... of bits for that...” She gulped. “...rescue job.”
“What?!” Bard's muzzle twisted into a frown. “Hell naw! Ponies in distress, darlin'! What do you mistake us for?” He slumped down on his back and waved limply at the sky. “Yeeeeha... go us... whweww...”
Rainbow looked at Rarity.
Rarity bit her lip, gazing off with folded ears.
Twilight cleared her throat and said, “Perhaps maybe... just maybe... talking things over wouldn't be such a bad idea.”
Rainbow gulped. “Talking later. For now...” Fwump! She collapsed on her backside. “...vomiting.”
“Well, naturally, I do have many questions,” Theanim Mane said, his voice cracking. “At the very top of the list, quite predictably... uhm......” He gulped hard. “...have you lost your bloody mind, Miss Dash?!”
“For the first time since you morons got here, I share Theams' sentiment,” Echo murmured. He gulped and backed up into the far corner of the hotel, trembling. “Just whose side are you on, Lady West-of-Blight?!”
“I'm on the side that's most harmonic to everypony involved!” Rainbow exclaimed, eyes hard. She stood beside the patio to hers and Theanim Mane's hotel room. Bard and Wildcard stood next to the mare. Outside, a setting sun bathed Rust in red while work crews doused the smoldering remains of the burnt-out apartment complex across the harbor. “No matter what anypony in this room wants, there's a whole lot of crazy stuff going on, stuff that's way... waaaay bigger than a hoof-full of bits.”
“Oh, dun get us wrong,” Bard said. He tipped his hat with a smug grin. “We're gonna get our bits, one way or another.”
Rainbow clenched her eyes shut while Twilight and Rarity face hoofed. “Not... helping... dude...”
“Ya hear that?!” Echo spat. The sarosian pointed a weak hoof towards the two mercenaries silhouetted by the dwindling sunlight. “Once a snake in the grass, always a snake in the grass! These fish gutters wanna rob me of all I got!”
“Old chap, you possess nothing,” Theanim Mane sneered. “Perhaps if you were a tad bit more careful with how you handled your bits, you wouldn't be in it so deep with both the Northern and Southern Hooves of the Syndicate!”
“I told you...” Echo growled. “Once I met with that representative of the Western Consortium, I would have found a way to clear my name!”
“Hah!” Bard grinned. “Western Consortium?! Who in the hell do ya think tipped us off, bat-feller?”
Echo's slitted eyes blinked.
“You... you mean you nearly dug your own grave again?!” Theanim Mane gritted his teeth. “I swear to Verlaxion, Echo, there is no manner of root or reed that grows on this earth thickly enough with which to apply a swift and violent application to your rancid hide!”
“Hey... HEY!” Echo snapped. A few seconds rolled by. “...relax, Theams. For real. As for tou two... uh...” He exhaled with a dirty shudder. “...got any coral on you?!”
“Why you insufferable—!” Theanim dashed towards him.
Rainbow held him back. “Hey! Cut it out! For real, Doc!”
Wildcard looked at Bard and drew metal circles in the air next to his feathery skull.
“A-ahem...” Bard stepped forward with a tiny smirk, speaking over the angry ponies. “Perhaps we should start this out on a proper hoof. The name's Bard. This here's Wildcard.” He winked. “No relation.”
Theanim merely gawked at him. “But why on earth would ever think that—?”
“We're both what you'd call... Desperadoes.”
“'Soul-less ruffians' is more like it.”
“Doc...” Rainbow frowned. “Introduce yourself.”
“To them?!” Theanim's voice cracked. “What the devil for?! We don't owe these money-grabbing cheapskates anything!”
“Doc, if they try anything I will kick their flanks from here to Rohbredden's shores and they know it.”
Bard and Wildcard shuffled, avoiding the other ponies' gazes.
Theanim blinked.
“So please...” Rainbow gulped. “Work with me here...”
Theanim sighed... then sighed again. “I am Professor Theanim Mane of the Ninety-Seventh Rohbredden Scientific Order.”
“Tharrrr she blows!” Bard chirped.
Theanim and Rainbow stared.
“Ahem... c-couldn't help myself.” Bard motioned along. “Do go on.” Wildcard face-talon'd beside him.
“...as I was saying...” Theanim glared and continued. “I am officially tasked by Her Majesty's Council to explore the lengths of Verlaxion's Seas and report on my findings. This lifelong task has brought me to many landscapes and seascapes. In those journeys, I've crossed paths with my... foolish yet versatile friend here...” He glanced sideways at Echo. “...who has seen far better times, I assure you.” Clearing his throat, he faced the two mercenaries again. “Hearing that he's run into some... extreme financial troubles with the likes of the Syndicate worries me greatly. While a good part of me wishes to wring his neck, the healthy part—the part of me that still recognizes our deep friendship is rather keen on preserving what's left of his dignity... not to mention his skin.”
“Well, the fact of the matter is...” Bard paced forward slightly. “Yer buddy is in it deep. About eight thousand bits, to be exact.”
“Erm... you mean with the Southern Hoof?” Rainbow looked up. “I coulda sworn Echo told us ten thousand bits.”
“Ten flippin' thousand?!” Bard barked, grinning stupidly. “Whew!” He looked back at Wildcard. “I knew that Western Consortium varmint was holdin' out on us!”
“Meh,” Echo grumbled.
“And he owes seven thousand bits with the Rust Syndicate here,” Theanim droned. “Whatever the scenario, he isn't safe. Not here... and not with the Muddredgers.”
“Heh! Y'all got that right!”
Rainbow squinted. “And just who's paying you to reel him in?”
“Well... uhm...” Bard adjusted his stetson, stepping backwards. “Dubya-Cee and I dun particularly take kindly to the idea of singlin' out our employers...”
Rainbow's wings outstretched while her ruby eyes glinted menacingly. “Try me.”
Wildcard gulped. He gestured emphatically with Bard.
“Alright... alright!” Bard hissed. “Keep yer voice down. Ahem...” The stallion adjusted the weight of his guitar case. “As if it wasn't already obvious, the Southern Hoof of Shoggoth sent us here to grab the bat pony.”
“Yeah?” Rainbow cocked her head aside. “I heard you guys spit out something about 'Mud Top' earlier today. What's that all about?”
“It's where our employee was going to meet us for the exchange,” Bard said. “One body for several bits.”
“Exactly how many bits?”
Bard glanced at Wildcard, then back at Rainbow. “Ahem... twenty-seven thousand.”
Rainbow looked aside at Theanim. “Looks like your old friend's worth a lot more to the earth ponies who run Shoggoth.”
“Miss Dash, the Syndicate doesn't run Shoggoth,” Theanim grumbled. “The land above and below belongs to Princess Camellia. However... the Syndicate does manage trade and merchant operations within the Muddredger's dry confines. The city is—in essence—hollowed ground, which is most likely why they've directed these two doughpushers to the likes of Mudtop.”
“Hell...” Bard shrugged. “...it's where we've gone to do exchanges all the time!”
“Of that I have no doubt.” Theanim's blue eyes narrowed. “Seeing as it's a haven for scum like you.”
“Hey.” Bard shrugged. “They wanted to collect yer buddy there. Not us. Maybe you should start ponderin' just what ugly thangs yer buddy's been up to since you last shook hooves with him.”
“Indeed...” Theanim glared aside at Echo. “I'm starting to.”
Echo shuddered. “Look... I've done some things I'm not proud of.” Fangs showing, he pointed a dark hoof at the two mercenaries. “But when push comes to shove, I'm just the end product for pretentious buggers like you!”
“Like Hell you are!” Bard spat. “To fall in that deep, you would've done some dayum nasty stuff for the Syndicate! All of the Syndicate!” He adjusted his hat and pointed at himself and his buddy. “Dubya-Cee and I here?! We ain't cut from the same cloth.”
“Heh...” Echo rolled his slitted eyes. “Sure you're not.”
“Listen, pal... y'know who else wants a piece of yer hide?” Bard frowned. “Some mangy midnighters from a place called 'Bleak's Plummet.'”
Echo's pupils shrank and his leafy ears folded tight. “...you don't say...”
“Now, I dun know much about yer night-fartin' kind, but doesn't take a genius to know that batponies askin' for other batponies means blood... lots of it.” Bard's nostrils flared. “Now, these Bleak's Plummet fellers were offerin' thirty-five thousand bits for just the location of yer whereabouts. All it would have taken was a quick flight here-to-there-and-back and we'd have both been paid handsomely. But we also know what that means. How about you?”
“I... uhm...” Echo cleared his throat, his voice taking a dry, sober tone. “I know quite well what it means...”
“Echo...?” Theanim gazed at the sarosian, his muzzle agape. “Bleak's Plummet? Is... is this true?”
“This goes far beyond my sins, Theams,” Echo muttered. “It runs deep... long before you and I even met.”
“But... but I don't understand—” Theanim wheezed.
“What else is there to understand?” Bard remarked, grabbing the attention of the group. “We coulda gotten richer if we took them creepers up on the bounty. But, the way we figured it, if the Syndicate was also askin' for his head... then that means there was a group out there who was more concerned with his future liabilities... meanin' they were willin' to spare his head.” He folded his forelimbs. “Think of us what you will, but the Desperadoes ain't no murderers. We grab and haul bodies left and right across these seas, for sure, but so long as we expect their souls to stay attached. There are honest ways of goin' about makin' bits, and dishonest ways. Neither of them paint a picture for us unless it's a painting we can live with. Ain't that right, Dubya-Cee?”
Wildcard nodded.
“Good. Cuz you woulda given these folks the long version, wouldn't ya?”
The griffon rolled his goggled eyes.
“Are you guys really expecting us to swallow all of that?” Rainbow Dash remarked. “Like... we're supposed to trust you two just because you're supposedly so empathetic to the lives you stalk and grab for ransom?!”
“Correct me if I'm wrong, darlin', but you seem to be an excellent judge of character.” He tipped his hat, smiling. “Perhaps I am fibbin' somethin' awful. But if we wanted to take the money and run... like really wanted to... then we would have done it by now.”
“Yeah.” Rainbow glared. “And I would have kicked your butts.”
“And we know when we've been licked. But we also know when there's a need to be all sensible-like. After all, there are so few of us who roam the seas botherin' to think twice about everythang. So... how about it?” He shrugged. “Reckon there's a way to work this out so that the most of us get rich... but the whole of us stay alive n'healthy, ya feel me?”
Rainbow Dash stared at them, then gazed at Theanim.
Theanim looked distracted. Ever since “Bleak's Plummet” had been mentioned, the scientist had been gazing off in distant thought.
“Rainbow Dash...” Twilight softly spoke.
Rainbow looked over.
Twilight gulped and said, “Let's not forget something very important here. That fire that they helped us save the ponies from—”
“Anypony could be heroic just for show, Twi,” Rainbow whispered. “That's no guarantee that they're trustworthy.”
Twilight's eyes hardened. “The explosive, Rainbow. Remember the explosive. There had to have been more than one of them inside the apartment to have caused multiple fires. It's no mere coincidence.”
Rarity nodded. “There's something far darker than any other pony standing in this room. It would be unwise for us to ignore it, darling...”
“... … ...” Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. She turned towards the mercenaries. “I think there's something we're overlooking here.”
Theanim and Echo looked up.
Bard blinked. “And just what's that, Missy?”
“The Syndicate's been yanking Echo here back and forth like a yo-yo,” Rainbow said, gesturing. “The Southern Hoof reel him in to Rust with bits for bait in order to stab their Northern brothers in the back. When that falls apart, the Boss of Rust here extorts him into doing their bidding. And then the guys who hired him in the first place wanna spend even more bits to get him out of the platform city pronto... no questions asked.” She pointed at the sarosian. “Now he knows stuff... dirty stuff... like... stuff that can implicate the goons who run this place with arson and attempted murder.”
“Arson...?” Bard blinked awkwardly.
Wildcard slapped his shoulder, then gestured an “explosion” with his flesh-and-metal talons.
Bard's jaw dropped. He glanced back at Rainbow, shaking his head. “Naw... nawwwwww... for real?”
“What would you expect?” Theanim droned. He raised an eyebrow. “Dirty money goes to those who take on dirty jobs without question. Are you so surprised, mercenary?”
“But... but...” Bard waved a hoof. “To bomb their own citizens...” He eventually grimaced. “...I do suppose I have seen worse.”
“Not as badly as Echo here has seen it. Which makes him valuable. And so... there's a bounty on his head.” Rainbow paced around the room. “So... who stands the most to lose from him getting away scott-free?” She scuffled to a stop, glaring at the two bounty hunters. “And who stands the most to gain from him being thrown into irons so he could be made to shut up?”
Wildcard and Bard exchanged glances.
“Drive it home, darling,” Rarity said with a smirk.
“Here's an even better question.” Rainbow Dash grinned. “Who in this city... in this ocean best deserves to be screwed out of their bits?” Her eyes narrowed. “...while only the good guys profit?”
“Rainbow Dash, if you're... if y-you're insinuating that we somehow... extort the Syndicate, then I must protest,” Theanim Mane stammered. “Not only is the idea extremely dangerous, but I find it rather below us.”
“Well it's not below me,” Echo muttered, lounging in the corner of the hotel room. “Buck those guys. They trade bits for blood and they bomb their own city's citizens.”
“Damn straight!” Bard said with a smirk. “I like yer grit, bat pony!”
Echo merely glared at the stallion.
“Pffft... fine...” Bard tilted his stetson back and shrugged. “Maybe we all can't be friends.”
“If we were to get the proper authorities to observe what's going on here, then perhaps we can make a difference!” Theanim exclaimed. “We could contact Princess Camellia! Or I could write my fellow scientists serving the Order in Central Rohbredden!”
“Doc... face it...” Rainbow sighed. “This city is out of control. The only law that matters here is whatever can be bought or paid through the Syndicate.” She pointed that the Sarosian. “Now, your buddy here has a huge price on his head with the Southern Hoof.” She glanced at the two mercenaries. “Who wants to bet that the local Syndicate Boss wants to pay a hefty fee to secure him before the Western Consortium does?”
Wildcard and Bard exchanged glances. “Well... sure!” Bard said. “They were offerin' five thousand bits! But that's a mite bit paltry compared to what the ponies at Mud Top were willin' to hoof over. Guess it goes to show just how much the bit dealers around here are hurtin'.” Wildcard nodded.
“Alright, so... the ponies of the Northern Hoof are willing to offer bits for Echo,” Rainbow said. “The ponies of the Southern Hoof are willing to give even more bits.” She paced about, shuffled to a stop, and faced the others with a firm gaze. “...what if we found a way to collect on everything while giving them nothing?”
“Hah!” Echo belched, leaning his head back with a sigh. “I'd say you were high. And that comin' from me...”
“No no no no I'm serious...” Rainbow glanced at her two marefriends and gestured shile speaking: “Imagine us being able... to make it look like we're turning Echo in... only to back out at the last second.”
“You lost me at 'imagine,' darlin',” Bard droned. “The ponies here don't settle for half-jobs. Either they get the pony they've targeted or they don't.”
“Are you willing to bet that their desperation will let them put their guard down?”
“Huh?”
Rainbow looked at Theanim Mane. “Tell me, Doc... since you've dealt with the ponies who own this platform city before... if you're living out here... running a city that sits on the ocean... and you run into economic problems...” Her eyes narrowed. “...where do you hoarde all your funds? Do you keep them in floating, invisible accounts?”
“Well, I'd say not!” Theanim exclaimed. “When you're the Syndicate, you're never short on friends or enemies, and the bitter irony is that both could want a piece of their shareholdings back at any time.”
“So... what'd you do with your remaining money?”
Theanim blinked.
“You'd store it away someplace physical,” Echo yawned. “Somewhere close to home.”
“Ya mean like a vault?” Bard remarked.
“They have one, if that's what you're asking,” Echo said.
“How does he know this?” Rarity asked.
“And just how do you know this, buddy?” Rainbow inquired.
Echo shifted the weight of his cloak around his shoulders and squinted across the way. “I've been in and out of the Syndicate's Hold here, remember? I've worked several jobs for them throughout the years. It's how I've been able to avoid their sight right under their very own noses these past few months. Even their shadows I know by heart.”
“Then you'd know where inside the Syndicate's Hold they would have all of their remaining money hidden away?” Rainbow asked. “Including that which they'd draw from to pay a hoof-full of bounty hunters?”
“Wait...” Bard and Wildcard were both leaning intently forward. “Are you goin' were we think yer goin' with this?”
Rainbow smirked. “If you ask me, the Syndicate sounds like a bunch of losers. They yank hapless souls around like puppets and they make life miserable for their own citizens here.”
“Nevertheless, it's a system that's worked like a charm for ages,” Theanim said.
“Yeah, well, I'm sorry, Doc, but it's a sucky system.”
Theanim shrugged. “I certainly didn't say that I agreed with it, Miss Dash. I'm just concerned for the repercussions of whatever it is you might be suggesting.”
“Well, I'm not,” Rainbow said with a frown. “Things here in Syndicate are totally, completely un-awesome. And I can't stand for lame stuff. Something tells me I'm not alone.” She pointed out the window. “You saw how angry and frustrated those citizens got earlier today! When the tiniest amount of chaos broke out in their city, all they wanted to do was buck down the doors to the local Boss' headquarters! If you ask me, I think the ponies who've lived this long with the Syndicate's bullcrap would be more than happy to see them collapse. I bet everyone else would be able to run this platform city better without them, and the Syndicate's Boss knows this. That's why he's bombing the ever loving crap out of them—to spread fear, intimidation, and a sense of importance.”
“Pretty on the spot, fruitilicious,” Echo slurred. He glanced at Theanim. “You know, she's not half as stupid as I first thought, Theams.”
Theanim Mane sighed and looked tiredly at Rainbow. “Then what is it you propose?”
“Isn't it obvious?” Rainbow grinned. “We turn Echo into the Syndicate here.”
Echo instantly shuddered. “Alright, I take that back. She's a total toilet-diver.”
“Naw... give her some leaf-ear, buckaroo.” Bard trotted forward. “Yer suggestin' some sort of bait-and-switch, ain'tcha?”
“We make it look like we're offering them something,” Rainbow Dash said. “But, in fact, we'll just be getting them to lower their guard.” She grinned at Twilight, Rarity, and then the others. “And when we least expect it, we do the impossible.”
“Don't you mean the stupid?” Twilight droned.
Rainbow waved the spectre off and paced through her. “We make the impossible happen. We steal Echo back when they least expect it. And then, not only do we make off with the earnings that they give us for the bat-dude, but we take all their dirty money away from them!”
“And do what with it?” Theanim asked.
“What else?” Rainbow tilted her chin up with a smirk. “We speed our butts to Shoggoth with it. We get those ponies to lower their guard, and then we do the same with them. Not only will we have swept the rug out from underneath the Syndicate here in Rust, but we will have gotten the Muddredging Southern Hoof to expose themselves as well. And once we've exploited both factions of their ugliest qualities, we run to Princess Camellia with the evidence of what's been taking place here and abroad: the extortion, the arson, the filthy connections to Mudtop—all of it!. And if Camellia respects the union of earth ponies and sirens, then—for Verlaxion's sake—she'll move to have the Syndicate disassembled altogether. Everypony wins. Well... every self-respecting pony, that is.”
“And... erm...” Bard fidgeted. “...the bits?”
Rainbow shrugged. “I guess the spoils go to the ones who do all the spoiling. Not like there'll be any Syndicate left to scrape it all up.”
“Whew-weee!” Bard raised his wing high and slapped it against Wildcard's. “I'm likin' what you've got percolatin' underneath them cowlicks, girl!”
“But wait... Miss Dash... honestly...” Theanim Mane gawked. “...I'm all for karma and sweet justice, but how are we even going to accomplish such subterfuge?”
Rainbow shrugged. “I'm... uh... I'm getting to that part.”
“Hah!” Echo barked, causing a few cracks to form in the patio window.
Theanim rubbed his muzzle, sighing. “You do realize, Miss Dash, this proposal will be exceedingly difficult to accomplish... beyond the efforts of taking down a mindless sea serpent.”
“I never said it'd be the easy way of fixing things.” She smirked past her ghostly friends at the two mercenaries. “But, it depends on just what kind of dirty, cheating tacticians we have on our side.”
Bard and Wildcard exchanged glances. Bard smirked at the others while gesturing at himself. “I play guitar with my wings.” He pointed at Wildcard. “Dubya-Cee here plays harmonica with a beak.” He arched an eyebrow. “Do we look like the kind of folks who fancy doin' thangs the easy way...?”
From a distance, a large murmuring crowd could be seen gathered tightly before the front entrance to an elaborately tall building. The structure rose in three terraces, with its edges and balconies poking out in jagged spires. Cold lanterns hung off of each corner, and a pulsating beacon twirled atop the very summit like a lighthouse. A round metal platform surrounded this centralized building like a bagel, and in the dead of night it was laced with all manners of glowing gold bulbs. Surly-faced guard ponies stood at length, glaring at the rowdy group of citizens that were becoming thicker and thicker. Several of the ponies demanded audience with the boss of the Syndicate, but those guarding the entrances stood icily still.
Over a hundred feet away, three figures stood in the shadows beneath an electric lamp that had shorted out.
Echo turned around—the other two only noticed from the sudden swivel of his slitted eyes, glowing with starlight.
“Alright,” he murmured, quieter than a whisper. His long-sleeved hoof pointed at the building. “The Syndicate's Headquarters here in Rust is exposed for its top three levels. The other levels are below the top platform and never see sunlight.”
“Just how many levels are we talkin' about?” Bard remarked.
“At least eight,” Echo said. “Making about eleven levels total.”
“Hard to believe that anypony could build anything eleven floors up in the middle of the ocean,” Rainbow Dash murmured.
“Eh heh heh heh heh,” Bard chuckled.
The other two glared at him.
“Ahem.” He motioned back to Echo. “Pardon.”
Stifling a sigh, Echo pointed back at the structure. “The main entrance is there—past the crowd—and on the south side of the building along the eleventh floor. It's guarded by at least six guards at all time: four outside and two inside. Whenever the Syndicate receives guests, the two who are guarding the inside of the door are tasked with escorting them to the Boss' office or to supply storage or wherever. Doesn't matter where they go, but there'll be another pair of guards who'll switch stations with the first two the very moment they arrive.”
“So they'll mosey on over to the inside of the front entrance to replace the first two?” Bard remarked.
“Affirmative,” Echo droned. “Considering that the Boss' office is on the top floor and supply storage is on the ninth floor, it takes approximately one hundred and eighty seconds for two guards to replace the posts along the inner door entrance.”
“So, that means two and a half minutes during which things will be clear on the inside entrance,” Rainbow said.
“Well, assumin' that no guests are escorted to the little colt's room,” Bard mused.
“It may not look like it from here, but the Syndicates' payroll is spread super thin,” Echo said. “So recently as a few months ago, security was three times as tight as they can afford to keep it now.”
“Lemme guess. You know this cuz you've seen it all from the inside,” Bard said.
“Exactly.” Echo nodded. “Now, nopony can just... waltz in through the front entrance. There's a very specific combination lock.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Well, of course there is.”
“'Specific' being the key word here,” Echo said. “Not exactly complicated.” His fangs showed as he tightened his jawline. “There are six possible numerical inputs, and it's changed every shift daily. The main entrance is kept locked at all times, save for when the Boss says otherwise. Such as when he wishes to address the crowd.”
“Or when he fancies entertainin' guests with a super valuable bat-pony to turn in,” Bard said.
“Hrmmmff... right.” Echo exhaled. “When this happens, the four guards outside alert the two guards inside with a special password spoken through an intercom. One of two inside enters the combination, and then one of the guards outside enters the same combination. Then and only then does the door open... and slowly.”
“So, wait...” Rainbow Dash leaned forward. “Just where is this combination lock thingy located?”
“Low and to the right of the outer door's frame,” Echo explained. “Beyond view of the common public from almost all angles. The Syndicate isn't exactly stupid.”
“Yeah... uh huh...” Rainbow arched an eyebrow. “And the interior one?”
Echo blinked at her. “... ... ...uhm... it's... it's located in the exact same place, only inside.”
“Just how thick is the doorframe?” Rainbow asked. “Like... if a pony was to press her physical body up to the outside, just how far away would the other lock be?”
“I... don't freakin' know...” Echo's slitted eyes narrowed. “Six feet? It's thick metal, but it's no dam.”
“Hah...” Rainbow grinned wide. “Cake. And the combination is entered every time the door's open?”
“The password/combination thingy. It'll be a glide in the park.”
“But... h-how in the Hell could you possibly figure that all out?!” Bard exclaimed.
“Don't worry.” Rainbow winked at two fixed points in the air. “I've got us a way in. Trust me.”
Silence.
“Uh huh...” Echo cleared his throat. “Well, assuming you can somehow slip past the Syndicate's failsafe, you'll wish to make your way to the Central Vault if you're hoping to even have a taste of the bits that they're storing down there.”
“And just where is it?”
“On the fourth floor, about seven floors down. Any deeper and it'd be below water,” Echo explained. “Security will be tight on every level. It'd be next to impossible for a single pony to get past the Syndicate's thugs.”
“Perhaps a distraction's in order,” Bard said. “Could anypony comin' in through the front entrance somehow distract everypony below without makin' too big of a fuss?”
“No.” Echo shook his head. “But somepony entering at the sixth floor could.”
“And...” Bard exchanged glances with Rainbow Dash. “...how would one enter the sixth floor?”
Theanim Mane unrolled a map across the hotel room floor. He pointed at a series of thin white lines connecting across the blue printed paper. “This is the Sixth level of Rust. It's the only above-water platform that connects with the Syndicate's central building. To get there, you have to traverse a long, winding alleyway that tapers off into a dead end, all the while bypassing several patrols and Verlaxion knows who else might be acting as the eyes and ears of the local gang down in those levels.”
“I've got one question,” Rainbow Dash said.
Theanim looked up from the map. “By all means.”
Rainbow squinted. “...why do you have a map like this?”
Theanim Mane sighed. “I was supremely bored last time I visited here.”
“Yeah, well, you didn't have me around that time, did ya, Theams?” Echo smirked... at least until a brown hoof swatted him in the skull. “Ow!”
“Right.” Theanim continued, resting his forelimb. “At the end of this alleyway, there's an auxiliary entrance to the Syndicate's building. It too is guarded, although not quite as securely as the entrance up top. The sixth floor passage is simply the means why which the Boss' headquarters rids itself of daily refuse.”
“So... uh... a garbage chute,” Rainbow said. She blinked, then smiled. “A Trash Trench!”
“Erm... I think 'auxiliary entrance' is as snazzy a title as it will ever deserve, Miss Dash”
“Yeah, uh huh.” Rainbow Dash tilted her head up, blinking at the others. “So who here wants to perilously navigate the Syndicate's Trash Trench and set off a chain reaction of stealthy goodness at the very end?”
Theanim face-hoofed, groaning.
“Remember...” Rainbow smirked. “Many of Doc Mane's synapses died so that we could get this precious information.”
“The good news is that it'll be under the cover of shadow at all times,” Echo said, rubbing his skull. “It's even deeper than the Dust district.”
“Albeit seedier,” Theanim said.
“Right. That too.”
“Well, spank my flank and call me 'Kelly!'” Bard grinned. “We've got this one in the bag!” He looked aside. “Ain't that right, Dubya-Cee?”
The griffon chewed on a wooden toothpick. With a metal clatter, he raised a “talon's-up” and nodded.
Bard pointed at the griffon with a proud smile. “Yer lookin' at the best shadow-murkin'-and-lurkin' ace up anypony's sleeve!” He placed a hoof on his friend's shoulder. “If there's a need for a one-soul-sneakin' mission, then Dubya-Cee's yer bird-lion... or lion-bird... or—”
Wildcard angrily slapped Bard's hoof off his shoulder.
“Ahem...” Bard squirmed where he stood. “'Course, reckon he'll need help bein' allowed in so he can lend a beak.”
“That's where I'd come in,” Rainbow said.
“Hmmm?” Theanim blinked, adjusting his goggles.
“I'll enter through the front door as established,” Rainbow said. “Using Echo's descriptions, I'll sneak my way to the sixth floor and open the door for Wildcard to come in. Then the two of us will make a distraction so that we can enter the Syndicate's Vault together.”
“Dun you mean a second distraction?” Bard remarked.
“Huh?” Rainbow blinked.
“Well, dun y'all forget...” Bard pointed at Echo. “This here's the bait. We ain't even gonna get the door to this place open unless we bring in the bat-pony front-and-center!”
“I do believe that is rather obvious, Mister... 'Bard,'” Theanim said with a shudder.
“But we haven't yet agreed on is who does it!” Bard waved his hoof. “I'm yer stallion! Somethin' tells me that this here midnighter will be super important in the Boss' eyes. So, in case the head hauncho to the Syndicate shows up, we're gonna need somepony to bedazzle and sweet-talk him for as long as it takes!” He winked across the hotel room. “That way purdy-fruity here and Dubya-Cee will have enough time to wrangle their way in and get busy... stealthy and platonic-like, of course.”
“Suit yourself,” Theanim said. “You're certainly doing enough to stall these proceedings. I'm certain you'll have what it takes to keep the Syndicate's Boss distracted.” He glanced aside. “How do you feel about this mercenary taking charge of the infiltration, Miss Dash?”
“'Purdy... fruity...?'” the mare drawled, muzzle scrunched.
While Theanim sighed yet again, Echo spoke up: “I still don't see how Lady Banana Farts here is going to bypass the front lock.”
“I'm telling you guys...” Rainbow squinted. “I've got the gift.”
Theanim looked pointedly at her. He blinked, then nodded at the rest. “She's right. She can get us inside.”
“Is that a fact?” Bard adjusted his stetson and folded his forelimbs. “And you mind explaining just how, Mr. Scientist?”
“I'll leave that up to Miss Dash herself,” Theanim said, returning a glare. “Suffice it to say that I've witnessed first-hoof that she is a mare of extraordinary finesse and expertise. And, atop all of that, she has far more gifts than the rest of us combined. Gifts both extraordinary and powerful.” He fiddled with his goggles and said, “Those who have failed miserably against her in a hoof-fight can certainly attest, I would think.”
Wildcard and Bard exchanged blank glances.
“Now...” Theanim leaned forward, softly exhaling. “...just what kind of a distraction can Miss Dash and Mr. Wildcard make once they've reunited within the fourth level?”
For once, Rainbow Dash shared a gawking expression with Theanim Mane. “A flood?!”
“Are you daft?!” Theanim wheezed.
“Naw, for real, though!” Bard pointed down at the canals from where they stood. An early morning dawn rose over the outer iron gates of Rust, casting a silver sheen across the aluminum roof shingles around them. “Accordin' to yer buddy Echo, the bottom three floors of the Syndicate's HQ are below the water line. If we could find a way to bust open the walls down there, then that would give the whole building somethin' to panic about!” He smiled proudly. “They'd forget about their precious bounty and their bits in a heartbeat!”
“I hardly think the Syndicate's in any position to forget about their bits anytime soon,” Theanim said in a dull tone.
“Well, even if we do get it to flood down there,” Rainbow Dash said, “Won't that make... y'know... getting the money out of there hard?”
“It's all a matter of timin',” Bard said. “You see, the way I sees it, these mobos probably built all of those underground chambers for a reason. In case of a flood, they'd act as emergency reservoirs to protect the rest of the tower from collapsing in on itself. I mean... the place needs a foundation, right?”
Theanim nodded. “I suppose he does have a point.” He looked at Rainbow. “If you can get it to flood at the bottom two floors, then you'll have a window of opportunity to get your job done on the third one. But a very narrow window.”
“Just... how narrow?”
Theanim blinked. “Why... it'd be minutes before the water reached the floor where the vault's located.” He shrugged. “Maybe even seconds. The ocean doessurround us, after all.”
“If anypony can empty that place up in time, it's Wildcard,” Bard said with a wink. “He's faster than greased lightning! And ya ain't half-bad yerself, pretty Missy!”
Rainbow gulped. She turned and glanced at the jagged spires of the Syndicate's main building. “...and, y'know, about the vault...”
“Mrmmmfff...” Echo gulped down a tall glass and wiped his fanged muzzle. “What about it?”
Rainbow sat across from him in the protective shade of their hotel room. “How do we get in and out of that? I mean... these thugs protect the fourth and ninth floor entrances like they're the passages to their honeymoon suites. You'd think that they'd be just as hardcore about maintaining the vault as well.”
“Mmm... a little bit of less and a little bit of no,” the sarosian said.
Rainbow gritted her teeth. “Could you be a little bit more precise than that?”
“Look, it's not exactly a dayum science!” he hissed. “Not to us and certainly not to the Syndicate. Do they protect their vault? Yes.” He shrugged. “But... they have to open the stupid thing up so much on account of all the business transactions they perform. Just short of keeping it wide open the whole time, they use a very rudimentary locking mechanism.”
“Exactly how 'rudimentary?'”
“They hire a friggin' unicorn to walk up and shove his horn into a keyhole.”
Rainbow Dash blinked. “For real?”
“As real as it is stupid.” Echo took another sip and exhaled. “The Syndicate's Boss has only so few ponies he can trust. The most elite of the elite are his unicorn buddies. They make the secret-but-not-so-secret bombs for him... and they make love to his vault door. It's not written anywhere that a thug life has to be a complicated one.”
“What guarantee does he have that these dudes won't just... turn their flank on him?”
“Pffft. With the amount of bits he's shoveling their way?”
Rainbow nodded. “Fair enough. So... uh...”
“You and the griffon are going to have to... convince one of these unicorns to apply his magic to the vault door.”
“And if they don't comply?”
Echo shrugged. “Offer him or her a piece of the cut. By the time you two get there, most of the lower stories will have been flooded, right? So the guard on scene will know that the Syndicate's properly boned. Use this to your advantage and offer them a new future.”
Rainbow's muzzle twisted. “Bard and Wildcard aren't going to like that idea.”
“Why? Cuz it means they'll get a smaller cut in the end?” Echo's eyeslits narrowed. “Well, tough shit on a shit cracker. It's my head being put on the line. Mrmmf...” He nibbled on the edge of the glass, his fangs making tiny fractures. “...was never a fan of this idea to begin with, but everypony else in this party could cripple me with so much as a sneeze, and it could mean a new future for me outside of the Syndicate's reach. So why try and argue?”
“Right right right... all one big happy team.” Rainbow cleared her throat. “But what if the unicorn doesn't bite?”
“Huh?” Echo blinked. “Not everypony's got the Mother of Nightmare's fanged gift...”
“No no... I-I mean...” Rainbow leaned forward. “...what if the dude or dudette's so loyal that they don't accept our bribe?”
Echo shrugged. “I never said we actually needed the unicorn. Just his horn.”
Rainbow's ears folded. “I'm not sure I like that answer.”
“Well I'm pretty sure I don't like your face!” Echo spat. “But it's not like there's anything I can do about it!”
Rainbow sighed. She glanced lethargically at two fixed spots in the air, then muttered, “We'll think about it.”
“Just because I bring up the Mother of Nightmares doesn't mean you gotta use the royal 'we.'”
“Oh hush.” Rainbow slicked her mane back, gazing off in thought. “What else... what else...” Rainbow bit her lip. “Have we covered everything?”
“Pfft. Hardly.”
“Hmmm?”
Echo's leathery wings twitched. “You've still gotta come up with an exit strategy, smarthole.”
“Reckon you and Dubya-Cee can exit out the way you came,” Bard said, leaning on the edge of the balcony. Sunlight glittered off the canal waters below the rustic hotel. “Assumin' the water hasn't drown y'all out by then.”
“No... no no no...” Echo grumbled, pacing about. He rubbed his forelimbs together and gritted his fanged teeth. “The flood will have summoned every Syndicate thug from all corners of the damn platform. They'll be filling the lower districts. Mmmm... they'll spot Rainbow and the griffon exiting in an instant.” He sneered, rubbing his neck. “Grkkk... c-could really use with some coral right about now, Theams.”
“Stay with us, old chap,” Theanim said, his brow furrowed. “We need your head in the game.”
“Pffft...” Echo rolled his slitted eyes. “Just my friggin' luck.”
“Could we ascend to the top three levels?” Rainbow remarked, glancing at the others. “Join Bard and Echo in flying out of this place?”
“Probably not the best idea, darlin',” Bard said. “As much as I'd like to lead the charge, I'm gonna be tasked with getting' Echo out of there in one piece. If he gets caught, then everythang 'bout this heist goes south... er... you know what I mean.”
Wildcard gestured with both talons.
“Shhh! Not so loud!” Bard waved a hoof. “Ya dun have to explain every dayum thang that comes out my muzzle!”
Wildcard sighed.
“Then how else can we get out of there?” Rainbow asked. “I'm all for Bard and Echo making a clean break, but Wildcard and I will be the ones with the Syndicate's fortune at this point!”
“Hmmm...” Theanim rubbed his chin in thought. “...no doubt the flood waters will have risen quite dramatically by this particular moment.” He blinked, then looked at Echo. “Did you say that the Syndicate has a method for dealing with inclement interior flooding?”
“If I answer that, will you gimme something to smoke?”
“Echo...”
The sarosian grumbled. “Of course they have a method for draining the floodwaters,” Echo muttered. “This is Rust. Every tower with a large foundation's got one.”
“Could you be more specific?” Rainbow asked. “We need details.”
“There are pressure pipes that open to the lateral chambers along the north and south sides of the bottom three floors,” Echo explained. “They're manually operated via a series of levers and valves, so that way they don't open accidentally.”
“Lemme guess...” Rainbow cocked her head to the side. “They drain out to the seawater that makes up the bulk of Rust?”
“And, if you must know—yes—they are quite thick,” Echo said. “Pony sized. But...”
“...but what?”
Echo's eyes narrowed. “They're no kiddy slides, Frutical. The pumps attached to these things practically shoot water out at over seventy miles per hour. It's the only way the Syndicate can properly save their asses from a complete flood.”
“Sounds like fun!” Bard said with an awkward smirk.
“And then...” Echo frowned. “...you have nearly fifty feet of vertical space to swim before you even come close to breaking the surface of the water. And that's if you can find a patch of breathable air beneath the surrounding platform.”
Wildcard leaned forward, gesturing with his talons.
Bard spoke for him: “'Just how far is it to the nearest canal?'”
“Hell if I know,” Echo grumbled. “You think I've done something as suicidal as this? Pffft...”
“He's right,” Theanim said, glancing at the others. “It's hardly a safe venture... and that's not even taking into account the fact that you'll be several thousand bits worth of coinage heavier.”
“We won't really be carrying thousands and thousands of coins...” Rainbow gulped. “... ... ...right?”
“Oh, Verlaxion's Sleet, no!” Theanim remarked. “It'll be enchanted platinum bars, most likely.” He and Echo shared a nod. “This region's most treasured metal.”
“I don't suppose the 'enchanted' part will make them lighter...” Rainbow smiled tiredly. “...huh?”
Theanim shook his head. “I'm afraid it's just to maintain the purity of the material and keep it counterfeit proof.”
“Well...” Rainbow shuffled around. “Mark one sin off the Syndicate's bucket list.” He looked at Wildcard with a sigh. “What do you think, murky? You up for a crazy epic swim?”
Wildcard shrugged.
“Heheheh...” Bard leaned in, resting a hoof on the griffon's shoulder. “You dun know what Dubya-Cee and I are capable of! We once had to outrun a stampedin' herd of hydras swimmin' upstream a three-mile long stretch of rapids!”
Wildcard held up five metal digits.
“Make that five miles!” Bard shrugged. “Granted, we was usin' a surgically extracted hydralisk bladder as a floatation device.” He exhaled. “Whew... that was a dayum strange contract...”
“Whatever,” Echo grunted. “If you can use the pressure pipes to exit the building, then that'll truly throw the Syndicate bastards for a loop.”
“Why, cuz nopony's tried it before?” Rainbow asked.
“None that's lived.”
Rainbow blinked.
“As for Mister Hat and me—”
Bard stepped forward. “We'll skedaddle as soon as I find us a window of opportunity,” Bard said. “And, if need-be, I'll provide y'all an eye in the sky!”
“Not advisable,” Theanim said, raising a hoof. “They'll definitely have figured out by then that something is up with the bounty contract. They'll connect what's happening downstairs to Mr. Bard.” His blue eyes hardened. “And once they realize that their precious money is gone...”
“Right.” Rainbow nodded, then looked at Bard. “You'd better make yourself scarce, big guy. Meet up at the rendezvous place.”
Wildcard gestured emphatically.
Bard's eyes darted from him to the others. “'Just where are we fixin' to rendezvous anyhow?'”
“We could all make a swift exit on the Midnight Dreary!” Theanim said with a cheerful grin. “It's a small, unassuming yacht! Surely nopony would put two and two together!”
“What, are you stupid, Theams?!” Echo's fangs glinted. “Of course they'll catch us if we make an exit on that thing!”
“Erm...” Theanim blinked. “How do you figure, old chap?”
“You think the Syndicate pays the local guards to check every boat in and out cuz they're friggin' anal?” Echo shook his head. “No, they suspect ponies of having the balls to do what we're about to do everyday. However, as ever, they don't count on such robbers of being smart. If we wanna be dumb, then we'll get caught. They'll just go down the list of every boat written as docked or undocked and they'll find the one that is missing and they'll castrate every unlucky bastard inside.” He pointed. “And you can bet the dockworkers will commit bloody murder if they see us trying to make off with their current source of dirty income!”
“Then...” Theanim adjusted his goggles, staring out the hotel balcony. “...erm... perhaps if I made a head start south on the Midnight Dreary and the rest of you caught up once I was out of visual range of the city?”
“That's gonna be super hard,” Rainbow Dash said. “Bard will be carrying Echo and Wildcard and I will be carrying tons of metal valuables.” She shook her head. “We'd be dead in the air long before we'd be dead in the water.”
“And I've seen your boat, Theams,” Echo said with a grimacing expression. “That half-assed piece of junk couldn't outrun your own shit floating downstream, much less a spitload of butthurt Syndicate thugs.”
“Well then, reckon we're gonna need some faster means of skedaddlin',” Bard said, adjusting his hat. “And it ain't like we can clone eight tiny Dubya-Cee's and have 'em pull a sled for us.” A lion's tail slapped his skull, and he smirked. “Yer welcome.”
“We could try bribing a local with a fast ship to smuggle us to Shoggoth,” Echo said. “But... I doubt we'll find anypony not greedy enough to refuse ratting us out. Also, there are no boats fast enough to outrun the Syndicates' fleet.”
“They how 'bout we jack one of their boats?!” Bard said with a shrug.
“And then what?” Theanim Mane remarked. “Attempt to outcruise the rest of their vessels? They'll combine their fuel sources and outmatch us within a day.” He sighed. “Echo's right. There simply is no credible means of making our way safely to Shoggoth. And until we figure that out, then the rest of our plans might as well be a farce!”
Rainbow Dash blinked. She leaned her ear towards a pocket of air to her left. After a few seconds, she smirked. “Way to go, egghead...”
Wildcard and Bard exchanged glances.
“Excuse you?” Bard stammered. He pointed at his companion. “Careful with the egg-puns around Dubya-Cee here. His kind is awful sensitive.”
Rainbow stood up. “I figured out our way out of here.”
“Oh?” Theanim glanced up. “And just what is that?”
“Examine yer friggin' goggles, Doc!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “'Cuz it's right under our muzzles!”
“The Arrowfish?!” Bard remarked.
He, Wildcard, and Rainbow Dash stood casually on the edge of a platform, overlooking the drydocks where a gigantic magic-powered trimaran slowly floated into its station.
“Yeah!” Rainbow nodded, glancing at the other two. “You mean you've never heard of it?”
“Well... shoot... 'course we've heard of it!” Bard adjusted his hat. “Just... we never done fancied ourselves usin' it... on account of havin' to keep a low profile n'all.”
“Yeah, well, it's our best, most awesomest ticket out of here—!” Rainbow flinched, immediately gnashing her teeth. “I know it's not good grammar! Twilight, give it a rest! Ahem.”
“Uhhhhh—” Bard opened his muzzle.
“When the Doc and I first arrived in Rust, the Mark One was just taking off for its trip. Now it's the Mark Two's turn. And guess what! It's a one way glide straight to Shoggoth! Apparently the thing is unicorn-powered or whatnot. That means it's—hooves down—the fastest dang form of transporation in all of the ocean! Never mind just west of Rohbredden!”
“Hell's bells...” Bard nodded at Wildcard. “She's right.”
“Of course I am!” She smirked. “We hit the Syndicate's HQ, we meet up here at the drydocks, we throw ourselves on board—and we ride this thing to freedom! The local Boss can't possibly catch up with us!”
“Hmmm...” Bard rubbed his chin, gazing at the vessel and its glowing keels.
Wildcard tapped the stallion's chin. When Bard looked over, the griffon gestured.
“Dubya-Cee's got a point.” Bard looked at Rainbow Dash. “When's it gonna cast off next?”
“Erm...” Rainbow bit her lip, fidgeting slightly. “The Mark Two is set to leave... around s-six pm this afternoon.” She gulped. “I already checked.”
Wildcard grimaced slightly.
Bard took his hat off, fanned himself, then took a deep breath. “Whelp...” He slapped his article back on, smirking. “...a job's best done when there's no procrastinatin' before it or after it.” He leaned lazily against the railing and winked Wildcard's way. “I say we do it! Get this shiet over with!”
“So...” Rainbow leaned forward. “...you're in?”
“Honey, we was in the moment we realized how hard you could take us to the woodshed,” Bard drawled. “Now, we've faced some crazy tough thangs in the past... but all within reason.” He and Wildcard shared a knowing glance. “And while this may be a tad bit impulsive, t'ain't much harder than jobs we've busted our flanks over in the past. Plus...” He tilted his hat back and smiled. “...the pay may be the best we've had in a while. And we could certainly use some fancier food on our plates.”
Wildcard offered a swift salute.
“Good.” Rainbow exhaled. “Then the first step is buying us some tickets on board the Mark Two.”
“What...” Bard chuckled. “Ya mean we can't just stow away?”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “We're out to throw a wrench into the Northern Hoof. This Arrowfish is taking us to our only safe destination. Best not to make a reason to tick off the Southern Hoof or—heck—Princess Camellia right off the bat, ya feel me?”
“Eeyup. I feel ya...” With a tired groan, Bard leaned forward, dusting himself off. “Well then... if ya wanna go 'bout this all honest like, then yer gonna have to fork it over.”
“Huh?” Rainbow Dash blinked. “Fork what over?”
“The bits, of course,” Bard said. “What, ya think that ridin' the Arrowfish to Shoggoth is free?” He whistled and shook his head. “Them's about five hundred bits per seat, darlin'.”
“Really?” Rainbow Dash went pale. She flinched, then glanced aside. “Twilight... will ya catch Rarity next time? Gosh...”
“Er...” Bard cocked his head aside. “Beg yer pardon?”
“I... didn't exactly consider that,” Rainbow Dash said, shuddering. “I... uh... I don't suppose we could use some of the stuff we'll have yoinked from the Syndicate's Vault... eheheheh...?”
Wildcard rolled his goggled eyes.
“This is somethin' we're gonna need to settle well ahead of time, Missy,” Bard said. “If we wanna hop on board that there Arrowfishy and make ourselves scared, then we gotta plan it to the last second, or else the Syndicate will have time to stop us.” He shrugged. “But dun look at Dubya-Cee and me! Pfft! We ain't got the bits! Why the Hell else do ya think we was luggin' yer bat-buddy around yesterday?”
“I have no friggin' clue how to whip up... five hundred times...” Rainbow squirmed, then widened her eyes. “Thirty-five hundred bits in eight hours!”
Wildcard gestured curiously.
“Erm... twenty-five hundred bits,” Bard corrected. “Last time I checked, there was only five of us makin' this trip.”
“Oh. Yeah.” Rainbow face-hoofed with a sigh. “Right.”
“Still, that's an awful lot,” Bard said. “Perhaps yer scientific friend has some on him.”
“Huh?” Rainbow looked up. “Doc?”
“Well... he seems the dandy sort,” Bard said. “All that foppery must spring from somethin' golden.”
“Eheheh... he's rich... but not that rich.”
Bard and Wildcard smirked at each other, then back at the pegasus. “Are ya sure about that, darlin'?”
Rainbow Dash blinked. “Oh...” She winced, her ears folding back. “Ah jeez...”
“Somethin' the matter?”
“No, not really. Just...” She pawed at the platform, sighing. “...didn't think I'd be losing another friend this quickly...”
“Sell the Midnight Dreary?!?” Theanim Mane exclaimed, blue eyes bugging.
Rainbow Dash had prepared her wincing expression well in advance. She flew backwards across the hotel room, curling her blue hooves to her chest. “It's... the only way any of us can afford the bits to pay for seats on board the Mark Two.”
“Mark Two?! What in Verlaxion's frost is that?!”
“The arrowfish that's casting off this afternoon,” Echo said from where he reclined on the edge of the bed. The sarosian rubbed his forelimbs, eyes twitching. “Grfffff... all things considered, it's the most logical exit strategy. That is the idea, isn't it?”
“Well, yeah!” Rainbow exclaimed, nodding. “The way Bard, Wildcard and I have figured it: we hit the Syndicate's stronghold. We make it out of there before they can catch us. Then we jump on board the Mark Two at the very last second.” She bore a hopeful smile. “If we time it just right, then we'll be out of this stinkin' place before they can so much as see us leave! That Arrowfish vessel thingy is... like... super crazy fast. We'd make it in Shoggoth in no time!”
“Yes. Yes. All of that makes sense, but... b-but...” Theanim's eyes quivered. “The Midnight Dreary?!?”
“Are you or are you not committed to this friggin' heist, Theams?” Echo frowned. “After all these hours you've hauled me through these goddess-dayum meetings cold turkey... grfffff...”
Theanim Mane turned with a frown. “You should be lucky we intervened at all, old chap. Your flank was nearly sold to common thugs at Mudtop.”
“And just how well do you expect your pretty behind to be treated once the Syndicate catches up to that dinky dinghy of yours?” The bat pony spat. “And believe you me... they will catch up to you in that lousy putterer, no matter how much length you put between yourself and this city.”
“Bard and Wildcard put up a pretty good argument as well,” Rainbow said.
“Oh did they?!” Theanim scowled. “No doubt they'll next want us to cough up our teeth or donate our tail-hairs to some invisible charity!”
“Look, Doc—”
“No, you listen!” Theanim pointed. “Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps this entire friendly alliance they've made with us could be a complete and utter sham?!” His teeth showed. “They've sucker-bucked us before! Who's to say they aren't willing to land yet another low blow once it suits them?! I've no clue about the griffon fellow, but I certainly wouldn't hold it against the so-called Mr. Bard!”
“You're... saying that they're gonna try and betray us for the bits once we've completed the heist?!” Rainbow remarked.
“That's precisely what I'm implying!”
“Seems like a real arse-over-elbow way of going about it,” Echo wheezed.
Theanim turned and pointed at him. “You don't get to talk! We'll all be incredibly lucky if even you don't turn this into another pathetic opportunity to smoke new reserves of coral!”
“Oh, for crying out loud, Theams...” Echo sighed, rubbing his forelimbs together. “Don't let your own paranoia turn us against each other after we've come so far.” His fangs glinted in the noon light. “I'm sorry that you're so butthurt over your boat...”
“I'm not butt—” Theanim's eyes crossed. He ripped the goggles off his head and snarled, “That boat and I have been through a lot!”
“Pfffft... have you?”
“Y-yes! Yes, of course!”
Echo's eyes narrowed. “I've never seen the damned thing before in all my years. Something tells me the only reason it's so memorable to you is 'cuz it makes you think of your free life after ditching me.”
“Nnnngh...” Theanim face-hoofed, sighing. “Echo, old chap, please... don't turn this into another one of your random guilt sessions.”
Echo shrugged. “What's to feel guilty about? You ditched your heinous beast of a bat pony friend and took to the high seas. You have every right to rejoice in your trophy.”
“It wasn't like th-that!” Theanim exclaimed, red in the face. “I parted ways with you because you gave me no choice! You think I was enpratured with the idea of sailing the high seas alone?! Perish the thought! I only took the Midnight Dreary as a resource from the Order so that I could distract my lonely self with more open ocean exploration—”
“So it's a company boat?!” Echo smiled bitterly. “Hah! I knew it! You choose the lamest things to attach sentiment too, Theams.”
The stallion plopped back on his haunches, stifling a groan. He rolled his blue eyes to the ceiling of the hotel. “I went through extraordinary means to preserve the Order's property during my entire stay at the Nealand Atoll. If you must know, I was secretly hoping that I could return the thing in one piece.”
“And I'm not so secretly concerned with returning my own balls in two pieces!” Echo snapped. “And just in case you still think I'm a heartless bastard...” He gestured at Rainbow Dash. “...I'd want the same for your friend here. Even you.”
Theanim sat still, fuming.
“Face it, Theams. I'm not the only one at the end of my rope here.” Echo gulped. “Besides... I've never seen you this... hungry.”
Silence.
Eventually, it was Rainbow who chose to break the silence. “'Hungry?'”
Before Theanim Mane could reply, Echo spoke up again: “I've no clue what you pretend to know about my old friend here, Fruitilicious, but while he's wearing the same stale coat, there's something... soft and gooey on the inside. I'd throw up all over the place... if only the Coral and the chain-jerking all day yesterday didn't do the job for me.” He nevertheless covered his fanged muzzle with a tight hoof. “Urrrp... goddess, I could use a smoke...”
“There's something worth living for in this world, Echo,” Theanim murmured.
“Right. Science, numbers, and the Great Queen's Invisible Ice Cooter.”
“Something more complex than you or I could even know!” Theanim snarled, his voice rising. “I don't understand it! So I don't expect you to either! But whatever the case, I'm not letting you waste away anymore! If that means you going 'cold turkey' like a drowning fish, then so be it! And if that... th-that means selling my beautiful, luscious yacht...” He bit his lip.
Rainbow Dash stared at Theanim, her ears twitching.
The stallion's head drooped with a sigh. He shuffled on all fours, pivoted about, and trotted slowly towards the patio window. Along the way, he paused briefly at Rainbow's side. “You're right. There is no other option.”
Rainbow Dash gulped. “We... we could... I-I mean, I could talk the others into waiting for the Mark One to arrive. In the meantime, we could drum up—”
“No. No more waiting.” Theanim's nostrils flared. “If we let the Syndicate go untouched any longer, more ponies could suffer a burning fate.” He narrowed his gaze on Rainbow. “It could be here... or it could be abroad.” He slowly shook his head. “I've allowed myself to be blind to it for far too long.”
Rainbow Dash nodded. With an exhale, she said, “Well... so long as you truly believe that.”
Theanim cocked his head to the side. “There was a time when I... mused about doing heroic things.” He gulped. “I suppose I should have thought harder about it. Perhaps then I would have realized just how much sacrifice it takes to be righteous.” He blinked. “Do you believe this is always the case with heroes, Miss Dash?”
She shrugged. “I've found that... uh... it rarely ever matters what I believe,” she said. “Only what I do.”
Theanim stared at her, then past her. He sighed into the warm tropical air. “I'll go to the docks within the hour. The Midnight Dreary should be worth enough to buy us passage.” His jaw tightened as he shuffled out onto the balcony. “Do kindly make sure that your companions arrive with Echo and the bits on time.”
Rainbow watched him go. She battled a sore lump in her throat. However, before her limbs could move in any particular direction—
“You know... you could be a scam too.”
Rainbow turned towards the bed. “Huh...?”
Echo's midnight eyes pierced across the dark domain. “Flying into Theams' life like a goddamn bullet. Digging yourself in real tight. Making him second guess his scientific convictions. His spiritual ones...” His leafy ears twitched. “You're a real piece of work. Quite possibly a worst piece of work than the Syndicate and those two desperadoes combined.”
“Hey, dude...” Rainbow Dash raised her hooves. “I'm just a pegasus on a journey... a journey that I'm fortunate to have the help of your friend out there.”
“Mmmm... you're a crazy horse,” Echo muttered. His fangs showed harder. “You want to know the real reason why I can't fly?”
“Uhm...” Rainbow gulped. “Should I?”
“Once upon a time, I was as naïve and wishy-washy as the so-called Doctor Mane...” His dark brow furrowed. “And a couple of thick-winged bastards decided to make an example out of me. I've been stuck to waves and whiplash ever since.” Wincing slightly, he sat up in bed, supporting himself with trembling limbs. “I may look like shit right now, Miss Dash... but let's make one thing clear. Theanim Mane is more than just a scientist of the Order. He's my friend... the one thing I value in life more than the fumes that are required to not feel it all. Do not screw him over. If I find out that—at the end of all this—you do just that, I will find you... even in the darkest pocket of this stupid plane—I will find you. And then I will hollow out that damn fruity skull of yours and get more out of your blood than even coral is capable. You savvy, sister?”
“Uhhh... yeah, buddy...” Rainbow Dash smiled nervously. “Uhhh... me savvo...?”
“Mrmmf... good enough.” Wincing, Echo fwomped back onto the mattress. He sighed, clutching his skull. “Now... buzz off. I've got a headache that could castrate a walrus...”
Rainbow Dash fidgeted. “You... you're a lot braver than the Doc gives you credit for.”
“On the contary, toots... I'm just as brave as he expects,” Echo moaned, rubbing his skull. “Which is why I both love and hate the bastard.” He rolled over, away from the sunlight. “Now make like shit and squirt already.”
Rainbow nodded. With a half-curtsey, she turned about and shuffled straight out onto the patio.
Theanim Mane leaned against the railing of the hotel balcony. He gazed upon the vistas of Rust in silence—digesting its glittering canals and charcoal-black sheets of metal support struts. Boats—both motorized and wind-driven—glided lazily through the artificial streams. On the platforms, ponies gathered in droves, chatting and bartering.
Most of the time, however, the scientist's blue eyes rested on the burnt-out sight of the apartment complex across the way. It had been nearly a full day, and yet still the edges of the structure still smoldered with lingering ashes.
By this point, Rainbow Dash had hovered to the stallion's side. She perched on the balcony railing like a seabird and looked down at the stallion. After a few seconds, her tail flicked, and she nervously murmured: “Doc? Are... are you sure you're okay with this?”
“Yes, Miss Dash,” Theanim said, though his voice was a low drone. “It needs to be done, does it not?”
“You certainly don't sound thrilled,” Rainbow muttered back. Her ears twitched. “Y'know what...? Buck it. I've made enough ponies suffer on my behalf.” She reached into her saddlebag and fumbled inside. “This mare still has a super precious dagger that she never intends to use.” She winced suddenly, then hissed into the sunny air. “I know! Just... j-just deal with it, Rarity!” Fighting a frown, she began unfolding the heirloom. “A part of me thinks I should have given it to Sinrar. But I guess I was just too much of a selfish coward—”
“Put it away, Rainbow Dash,” Theanim grumbled.
“No! For real, dude!” She pointed at the sliver of etched Val Roan metal. “There's gotta be somepony in this town who will pay for nearly as much to—”
Theanim glared at her. “I said put it away this instant!”
Rainbow Dash instantly winced, her wings drooping. Eyes locked with Theanim, she slowly obeyed, slipping the dagger and its wrapping back into the saddlebag.
Theanim's nostrils flared. “That is not just a gift. It's the only surviving piece of another world.” In a calmer tone, he gazed once more at the artificial lagoon beneath them. “Other than you, that is. And you're no less precious.”
“I... I just feel awful, Doc,” Rainbow muttered. She fiddled with the prismatic fibers of her tail, biting her lip. “I wish there was another way. But... everything has been so last second. This was the best option we could come up with.”
“Something you're rather used to using to your advantage,” Theanim said with the slightest of smirks. “Impulse and gall. I knew it when I first decided to study your actions up close... much less join you. Why should I be so surprised now?”
Rainbow said nothing.
“In truth... it would have mattered a great deal to me,” Theanim said. “Months ago. Blissful weeks into the past when I was a different stallion... a blinder stallion.”
“Uhhh...” Rainbow Dash fidgeted. “Wh-what do you mean, Doc?”
“What else?” He looked at her with tired eyes. “You made a good point just a moment ago,” he said. “It's what a hero does that defines him. And yet...” He shrugged. “There will always be the belief, won't there?”
“I... I suppose.”
“It's always been an inseparable thing in my mind,” Theanim explained. “Belief and actions. Everything must serve a purpose... a divine purpoes.”
“Verlaxion's...”
“You might cast so much of your reasoning aside, Miss Dash. You may indeed insist that everything you do is not premeditated, and that you are... feeling the winds of fate, as t'were. But that doesn't quite... work for me. I work towards a common conclusion... a provable theorem. Otherwise, what is the point of trying to accomplish anything? And though you might insist that all we're here to do is make actions happen... I must know—even if it's humoring—what is it that you believe?”
“Doc...?”
He turned towards he, eyes hard. “What do you truly believe about the Queen Verlaxion? What purpose does the Goddess Giver play in this... in all of this?”
Rainbow Dash's muzzle opened, but she hesitated. Her eyes darted towards a space of air to the right. After a few seconds, she clenched her jaw and looked back at Theanim. “You really wanna know, huh?”
He nodded slowly. “With every fiber of my being.”
Rainbow took a deep breath. “I believe that Verlaxion... that Verlax the Dragon Matriarch is a Deceiver... but not the same Great Deceiver that Kihutajans and other Colonialists scream and holler about in knee-jerk panic.” She gulped and hopped down to the platform, standing on his level. “But I believe that... a very long time ago... she came to a watery place full of mortals dealing with some pretty intense crud. And she found a way to make the lives of everypony and griffon and wyvern better... so long as they chose to respect her in the way that she demanded... growing stronger and stronger throughout the centuries... until—here in modern times—everyone forgot that she was some crazy powerful dragon chick and instead have penned her as a goddess pony... queen-thing.” She exhaled, ears folding back slightly.
Theanim simply stared at her. “And you think her ultimate goal is nefarious?”
She slowly shook her head. “Whatever it is that she wants... I've no reason to believe it's for the greater good.”
“You're so certain about this?”
“I believe it with very fiber of my being.” Rainbow gulped. “But...”
Theanim raised an eyebrow.
“It really doesn't matter.” She paced her way past him. “I'm... I'm just trying to fly through... collect my friends at the Five Seeds... then get my awesome flank over the dang edge of the world. Cuz—like it or not—that's when and where the real business begins.” She leaned against the patio with a sigh, resting her fuzzy blue chin on the railing. “As crazy as all of this is... it's just a friggin' preview of what's to come. And even after all of the super nifty things you've done for me—out of the goodness of your own heart—I'm... j-just going to have to ditch you sooner than later. For your own good... though it most definitely won't be for mine.”
Theanim looked at her. “And if you should discover—in your travels—that Verlaxion... that Verlax is as demonic an obstacle as the dragons you've faced before—”
“I hope it won't come to that, cuz I'm pretty sure it will kill me and waste any chance I have of salvaging the rest of my friends.” Rainbow gulped. “But... beyond everything I even care for... the whole world is at stake... and something even bigger than the world... than twelve worlds.” She turned around, eyes narrowing on Theanim. “With all of that in mind...” She eventually nodded. “...you can bet your goggles I'll kick Verlax's butt when I have to.”
The stallion hung his head.
“I'm... sorry that I can't make the grand picture any prettier than that, Doc,” Rainbow muttered.
“Don't be. To do anything else wouldn't be right.”
“Huh?”
Theanim lifted his face up. “As a photographer, the most heinous crime I could commit would be to doctor the images I capture. I am—above all things, Miss Dash—an explorer of truth. And when I stumbled upon those mechanical oddities within the belly of Nealend...” He waved a hoof in the air. “...I captured something that woke a spark from deep within me. And it's been illuminating my path ever since...” His eyes darted towards hers. “Much like I believe it's been illuminating yours ever since your journey began. Only... as hard as it sounds... your lantern was something tempered by tragedy and loss... but it was a true light, nonetheless. And a bright beacon at that.”
“I know it sounds arrogant...” Rainbow bore a calm smirk. “...but that light gets awfully cozy the more beacons you add to it.” She winked to her sides.
Theanim smiled, then produced a long sigh. “Do you... trust these so-called Desperadoes who have decided to assist us, Miss Dash?”
“I... uhm... I know that they've made things clumsy and painful for us in almost as much time as they've done the opposite... b-but...” She took a sharp breath, the nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I think I do.”
“Then they have my trust as well,” Theanim said. His gaze was hard. “Your faith is not so flippantly given, Miss Dash. That—of all things—I have faith in. But... I could stand for more.”
“More?” Rainbow blinked. “More what...?”
“I need to know that what we're doing here in Rust goes beyond simple vengeance upon a clandestine group of ambitious economists,” he said. “Which is why...” With a hesitant shudder, he hoofed over his camera box. “...I-I want you to take this with you into the headquarters of the Syndicate.”
“Huh? Your c-camera?” Rainbow Dash nearly blanched. She cradled the thing awkwardly in her hooves. “But... but what for?”
“Miss Dash, you are about to embark upon the greatest infiltration this city has ever seen,” Theanim said. “If you're about to pierce the depths of the Rust Boss' vault, then it's safe to assume that you'll have access to their documents, business letters, etc.” He pointed at the camera. “I implore to use that to capture as much evidence of the organization's illegal practices of arson and blackmail and murder that you can.”
“But... but Doc...” Rainbow chuckled breathily with a shrug. “The bros and I are gonna be waist-deep in floodwaters and thugs! How do you expect me to find the time for—”
“You make the time,” Theanim said with a heavy frown. “As a sign of your gratitude for what I'm about to do with my precious ship.” He took a firm step forward. “If all we do here is commit a crime without the burden of proof to legitimize our brazen acts, then we will lack any and all leverage to make a case against the Syndicate—both Northern and Southern Hooves—the moment we arrive in Shoggoth. Princess Camellia is... not without her remarkable intuition, but she's bound by the Muddredger Code and she will not be able to help us if all we've got to show for ourselves is a vagrant cabal of common thieves.”
“Whew...” Rainbow whistled. “Wow, Doc!” She turned the camera over and smiled at him. “You really think things through, don't you?”
“Well, somepony has to!” Theanim leaned back with an incredulous smirk. “All this time, you and the Desperadoes have been plotting some fantastical caper like a bunch of excited little foals...”
“Heh... good to know that we have a scientist to carry us the whole time,” Rainbow said. “And a photographer to boot!”
“In the end... I only wish to live up to the 'hero' part,” Theanim said.
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow slipped the camera way. “You're my good friend, so I guess that means you're halfway there.”
Theanim chuckled. “Good to have your vote of confidence.”
“You can have way more than that, Doc.” She looked up at him. With a deep breath, she said, “I will get those pics for you, Theanim.”
“And I...” He shuddered, yet fought through the malaise to say: “...will get us those seats on board the Mark Two.”
“Yeah. See if you can get window seats.”
“Please, Miss Dash.” He rolled his eyes. “I'm selling the Midnight Dreary, not the stick up Echo's rectum.”
“If you ask me, Rainbow Dash, this place is already prepared to go up in smoke,” Twilight Sparkle said. She pointed a spectral hoof at the Syndicate's Stronghold just two blocks away from the rooftop where they were perched. A thick crowd of angry citizens had gathered at the bottom row of steps, shouting angry words at the gates of the ninth story. A line of guards at the front entrance held them back, glaring. “Even if they don't know the truth of the arson bombings, they're ready for any excuse to kick the Syndicate's Boss out.”
“Twilight makes a valid point,” Rarity remarked. “I get the feeling that if we were only a few days late, then there'd be nothing left to pilfer. The citizens would have broken into the stronghold and ransacked it themselves.”
“That's such a cute word,” Rainbow Dash muttered, hiding from the Syndicate's sights.
Rarity blinked. “What is?”
“'Pilfer,'” Rainbow Dash said. She turned to glance over her shoulder. “You do realize that what we're about to do is rob a whole bunch of ponies blind.”
Rarity and Twilight exchanged glances. They looked at Rainbow and nodded.
“We know, Rainbow.”
“You can count on us to assist you, darling.”
“So...” Rainbow squinted. “This doesn't bother you in any way?”
“Rainbow...” Twilight smiled calmly. “I know I must have come across as a goody-goody-two-horseshoes as of late. But you must understand, I'm still getting used to this part of the world.” She gulped. “And all its nastiness.”
“If we didn't think you were making the right kind of judgment call here, darling, we wouldn't be supporting you.” Rarity tilted her chin up. “And Twilight's fastidious moral compass is simply a silly consequence of her sheltered upbringing.”
Twilight gazed limply at Rarity. “Thanks, Rarity,” she droned. “Didn't realize we had resurrected Applejack so darn soon.”
“Oh, don't be so offended by it, darling.” Rarity smiled. “Let's just say that I'm more inherently open to this little heist here than you are.”
“Is that a fact...?”
“If robbery and extortion is the only sort of language that these ruffians know, then perhaps it is for the best that Rainbow Dash uses something similar to speak with them.”
“But we're not doing this to deliver some... message,” Twilight thought out loud.
“Indeed. But we are—in a way—doing it for the locals, who will be a great deal better off without the Syndicate.”
“And so... that legitimizes outright burglary?” Rainbow Dash remarked.
“We've already made it clear that we support you, Rainbow,” Rarity said. She squinted. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“I just...” Rainbow squirmed slightly. “I just want to make sure that you girls are okay with what I'm doing here.” She gulped. “And not just... y'know... along for the ride.” She sighed, staring off at the Syndicate building once more. “I know that I'm doing all of this to get Pinkie back and m-more... but... but there's gonna be fireworks for sure...”
Twilight giggled. “And what does Pinkie Pie love more than fireworks, Rainbow?”
“Nnngh... you know what I mean, Twilight.”
“Rainbow, look at it my way...” Rarity drifted around her, smiling. “You're out her to do more than just rescue your ghostly companions of old. You're endeavoring to save the whole world... to bless each and every culture with harmony, one flight at a time, until the entire plane has been born anew. That's a great deal of time, sweat, and blood that you're giving... and giving freely!”
Rainbow smiled tiredly. “So, am I 'generosity' now?”
“By proxy, I'm apt to agree.” Rarity pointed at the stronghold. “And sometimes the best way to give a gift is to take something away. The ponies here would be very thankful to know who it was who stripped the Syndicate of their monetary backbone.”
“Yeah, well, we're not sticking around long enough for that to happen,” Rainbow said, rolling her eyes.
“Uhh!” Rarity exhaled, tossing her mane. “Rainbow Dash, I just don't know how you do it!”
Twilight giggled.
With a smirk, Rainbow motioned towards the Stronghold. “How's it feeling?”
“Eleven structures, three of which are underwater,” Rarity said with a nod. “Just as Echo described it. And I also sense a thick compartment—the vault—along with what appears to be several large cylinders leading from the heart of the structure and into the waters beneath Rust.”
“The flood pumps,” Twilight remarked. “So Echo was telling the truth.”
“So far, so good,” Rainbow muttered. “What about a unicorn guarding the vault?”
Twilight clutched her skull, leaning forward with clenched eyes. Her horn strobed a few times, and the unicorn said, “There's a signature there. Very faint—but that's just how a unicorn feels to me.” She turned her head around. “Sorry, but... I-I've been paying attention to Wildcard's signature all this time. He's at least five levels below us.”
“Feels like he's in the Dust District, then,” Rarity said.
“So he's getting into position, great.” Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. “'Cuz things are about to hit off.” She pointed at the front entrance to the Stronghold. “Don't look now... but I think a certain Boss is showing up.”
The first half of the Elements of Harmony leaned over the edge of the building. They observed as the crowd grew even rowdier, louder. The presence of an earth pony drew many loud shouts and accusatory remarks from the citizens gathered densely at the bottom of the steps.
“Boss!” A frazzled guard spun about, gasping. He watched as the thick front doors slid shut, and an orange stallion trotted down the steep metal steps. Gulping, the guard galloped up to his side and spoke with a cracking voice, “Where've you been all this time?! This city's about to burst!”
“Rust is always about to burst,” grumbled the stallion, gazing down at the angry locals. “We're the glue holding it together. Don't forget that.”
“But Boss... Boss Revan... have you forgotten about all those stupid lucky bastards who survived the blast yesterday?!” The guard bit at his fetlocks, shivering. “If... if those ponies saw something... anything... then we're done for!”
“Look at these ingrates. All these years we've protected them from the elements... from pirates... from economic collapse... and this is what it's all come to? A lynch mob?” With a deep sigh, Revan tilted around, his sleepy eyes rolling under a two-toned mane of gray and white hair. “I swear... I spoil these ponies rotten.”
“Boss, the only thing that's rotting is our reputation!” the guard hissed. “We don't have enough paid hooves to control them if they even think of storming past the front gate—”
“Shhhhhh... oh ye of little balls...” Revan gently patted the guard's head before violently shoving him aside. He marched down the steps, one icy hoof after another. “Watch a professional in action.”
Upon seeing the leader of the Rust Syndicate descend the steps, the crowd surged forward, held back by a thin line of guards.
“I came here for one reason and one reason alone!” Revan spoke slowly, firmly. His voice was a few cool decibels below absolutely shouting, which forced the crowd to lower their riotous volume, giving him authority over the air. “And that's to say 'you're welcome.'”
“Welcome?!” A stallion in the crowd spat. “We have bounty hunters smashing our streets to bits!”
“You're welcome for the commerce that runs liberally through those streets,” Revan said.
“Our buildings are burning!” a mare hollered. “One fire after another—”
“You're welcome for the emergency teams who have been organized well enough to extinguish those fires in minutes.”
“This place is turning to a big steaming pile of—”
“You're welcome...” Boss Revan glared. “...for dry metal to stand on. For not having to drown in the depths of the ocean. For not being consumed by the ghastly beasts that populate the Queen's Unchecked Oceans.” His bagged eyes swam over the crowd like a razor blade. “For not becoming the labor and sex slaves of coral-addicted pirates on the high seas.”
The audience fell into an anxious murmur.
Revan stepped within bucking range, but not a single citizen lifted a hoof against him. “All these years, ponies like myself and the Bosses ahead of me have assured Rust's economic survival against certain subterfuge. You think you're angry?” He shook his head. “You're not angry enough... not unless you have something to die for. But that's what my stallions and my stallions alone have done for you!” He was shouting at this point, waving an angry hoof. “Each and every year! They give their blood! They give their sweat! They give their lives... so that you may enjoy yours.” His nostrils flared as he brought his volume down to an icy level. “Now... what do you really want from me? To disappear? And just who picks up the pieces of Rust after I'm gone? Hmmm? Who here is willing to send his very own sons and daughters into the gaping maw of avarice and come out with even the tiniest morsel of capital to gleam a civilized existence off of?”
One by one, the ponies clammed shut. Many of them couldn't look the leader in the eye—a very normal thing.
“It's very easy to be mad. What's hard... is being in charge. So, once again, I say... you're welcome...” Boss Revan bowed low, then stood back up with a cool glare. “And—by your good graces—I will continue to be both... so that none of you have to be. This far from Queen Verlaxion's icy bastions...” He slowly shook his head. “...we can't afford to be anything but safe.”
The air was silent, save for a few coughing breaths.
“Now... there's a place for complaints.” He pointed casually to an office situated perpendicular to the outer gates of the Stronghold. “You know just where to send them to, and you know the process by which we examine them. Be respectful... be civilized... and I promise to deal in like-mind. And as for the fires that have swept this city, I'll say again what I've said before.” Revan's eyes narrowed. “We will get to the bottom of them... so long as we remain calm and remain loyal to one another. Do you understand that?”
Several heads nodded sullenly.
“Good. And let that be the end of it. Have a lovely afternoon.” Slicking his two-toned mane back, Boss Revan swiveled away from the crowd and marched back up the steps. “...friggin' box of pussies, I swear to Verlaxion...”
Then, from the distance, like a warm sunrise: “A-a-ahem... not so fast there, boss-dude. Reckon I wouldn't be gallopin' away so quick-like if I were you.”
Revan lurched to a stop, his teeth grinding together. “Rrrrgh...” He slowly turned around. “...who in the shit is that, now...?”
“Howdy! So very nice of ya to make eye contact!” A figure shuffled up to the front steps with a bound pony slung over his back. As the crowd parted ways, the pegasus looked up, tilted his Stetson back, then smirked. “I heard y'all ordered a batpony delivery...?”
“What's going on, Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asked, craning her neck. “Is that what I think it—?”
“Shhhh!” Rainbow Dash hissed. “Wait for Twi!”
On cue, the unicorn zipped back in a lavender streak. She smiled cheekishly. “It's a go!”
“Heck yeah...” Rainbow cracked the joints in her neck and started stretching her wings. “Get your eyes ready, guys. And remember: follow the cowcolt's lead...”
“I'm sorry...” Revan took a few steps down the front entrance, his sleepy brown eyes affixed to the bounty hunter. “But if you're wanting to make business propositions, we have a dedicated area for that in the Dust District. So you'd best take your ass downstairs.”
“Oh ho ho no...” Bard smirked, tilting his hat. “I ain't got a mule for you.”
“No, I... tchh...” Revan turned and slurred at his associate. “Is he serious?” He swiveled back, pointing at the mercenary. “Are you serious?”
“Heh heh heh...” Bard's teeth showed in his smile. “Just breakin' the ice a bit, mister, cuz this here catch is gonna warm you up somethin' fierce!” He adjusted the weight of Echo on his flank.
“Please... for real...” Revan sighed, waving a hoof. “Don't dump your rotten meat on my front—”
Fw-Fwump! A twitching, bound-and-gagged sarosian collapsed to the floor before the Syndicate Boss' hooves. “Shazam!” Bard hollered, grinning wide. “And not a speck of guano on him! Now that deserves a ten percent commission, don'tcha think?”
Revan and the guards stared blankly. “Uhm... what... what is it?”
“Not a what!” Bard reached in. “But a who that I just know you'll fancy!” He ripped the gag off Echo's face. “Feast yer eyes—”
“Aaaaugh!” Echo immediately shrieked, his midnight coat exposed to the naked sunlight. The edges of his eyes turned red as he hissed, “Ya dayum cow humping hickatron—!”
“Whoops!” Bard legitimately grimaced, but covered it by flinging his hat over Echo's muzzle, both shading his face and muffling the sarosian's curses. “Eheh... not safe for the little ears.” He gulped. “Answers to the name of Echo. At first I thought it was a joke. 'Cuz... come on... a bat pony named echo?” Bard shrugged with a smirk. “Might as well have a haddock named 'glub,' ya feel me?”
“Hold on a second...” Revan trotted forward and lifted Bard's hat. He glared at Echo's scrunched face. “Well, I'll be. If isn't our bit-biting pissant gift from those Muddredging bastards down south...”
“Nice to smell you too, Revan,” Echo grumbled. “Burned any good books, lately?”
“I wouldn't make any burning jokes if I were you, ya leafy eared bastard.” Revan stood up—but not without shoving Echo's body even further into the sunlight.
“Gaaaugh!” Echo's fanged teeth glinted. “Come closer, Mr. Bosshole. I'll bite off your shriveled—”
Bard slapped his hat over the sarosian again. “Well, alright! Seems the two of you are already acquainted! How fine and dandy”
“I really wish that we weren't,” Revan grumbled. “But, regardless, his existence is rather valuable. Much thanks, stranger.” He whistled aside.
Two of the four guards stepped up, reaching for the bat pony's body—
Clak-a-CLAK! A metal staff extended, blocking the both of them.
Revan and the other two guards flinched, their eyes catching Bard's.
“Y'know...” Bard smiled. “...funny that you would mention how valuable this flyin' critter is to ya.” He arched an eyebrow. “Cuz I remember there bein' a bounty on his fuzzy head. Somethin' in the ballpark of... oh... five thousand bits?”
Revan stared at Bard.
After enough silent seconds had ticked by, Bard winked, his voice humming: “What, ya think 'cuz I'm a bounty hunter with a honey'd voice that I dun know how to count for nothin'?” He licked his lips and spoke in a colder tone. “Forgive me for bein' a mite bit forward, but from the look of things y'all could use a chance to prove that yer good at yer words.”
The guards fidgeted, glancing down the steps at the moody crowd still gathered behind Bard.
“Very well, Bard.” Revan bowed slightly. “As a matter of fact, we do have a bounty out for this banal misanthrope.”
“Y'all just weren't gonna mention it unless I did.” Bard winked. “Weren't ya?”
“Well, you strike me as a stallion of generous persuasion,” Revan said. “For all I knew, you were going to hoof us over this cretin out of the goodness of your heart.”
Dead silence.
“Hah hah hah hah hah!” Bard laughed.
“Heh heh heh heh heh heh...” Revan laughed.
“Haaaah hahah hahah... whewwwww...” Bard leaned lazily on his staff. “Reckon we dun live in that world, eh, Boss-stallion?”
“No, Bard.” Revan took a deep breath, and his smile vanished within a single exhale. “We most certainly do not.”
“Glad we both agree on somethin'.” Bard's eyes glinted. CLAKKA! He retracted his staff, but not without tossing his hat up. The gesture made the guards flinch, reaching for their blades—until the hat landed neatly atop the mercenary's head. “Now...” He hoisted Echo back over his flank. “...how 'bout we agree on somethin' else?” He cleared his throat, lifting his chin up. “Professional and private-like.”
“Nothing...” Revan spoke out of the side of his muzzle while the rest of his jaw grinded hard. “...would give me better pleasure.” At the last word, he slapped his hoof down.
Two of the four guards nodded, and one galloped up towards the front entrance.
Bard's eyes trailed him. He casually yawned, and upon regathering his breath he let loose a lazy whistle into the air.
“That was it!” Twilight spun from gazing at the front entrance and looked at Rainbow. “That was the signal!”
“Does that mean he needs us now?” Rarity remarked.
“Girl, do you ever pay attention?” Rainbow Dash took off, flying high over the rooftops. “It's heist-time!”
“Shhh! Keep it down!” Twilight waved, eyeing the metal landscape blurring below. “Remember, you don't have to get in range! You just have to get Rarity and I in range—”
“Right.” Rainbow nodded. “Got it. Get ready girls...”
“Indeed...” Rarity took a deep breath, steadying herself as she watched the rooftop of the Syndicate Stronghold looming closer and closer.
“Aaaaaaaand...” Rainbow dove as fast as she could. “...zoop!”
“How in Verlaxion's name did you find the slippery little eel?” Revan muttered while he and Bard trotted up the steep steps towards the front entrance. “I had my... business associates scouring the alleyways for this nocturnal bastard for weeks.”
“Yes, well... reckon ya just gotta look in all the right ratholes,” Bard said with a smirk. “Sing into the air and listen for what hisses back, ya hear?”
“Oh, blessed Mother of Nightmares, save me,” Echo droned, glaring off into the distance. “What ever will my brothers and sisters of the moon do now that I have been sold into utter slavery...”
Revan shuddered. “Goddess... I forgot how insufferable his voice was.”
“Yeah...” Bard cleared his throat and slapped Echo's side with a flick of his tail. “...none too subtle, either.” A blue streak soared overhead and was gone within a second. Bard smiled without taking his eyesight off the front entrance. “But, if ya poke him in all the right places, I'm sure he'll sing for you on key.”
“First thing's first...” Revan gestured at the guard ahead of them.
The guard nodded back, then stepped behind a metal partition. There, next to the thick iron doors of the Stronghold, was an intercom system next to a numberpad. The thug pressed his hoof over a green button and spoke into the intercom.
“Day Old Spaghetti,” the pony spoke well out of earshot of Bard.
Inside the dimly-lit Stronghold, two guards stood side by side, armed with crossbows.
Next to the thick door behind them, an intercom panel crackled: “Scrkkk! Day Old Spaghettiscrkkk”
The guards exchanged glances. One nodded, then shuffled over to the intercom. Holstering his weapon, he knelt down and pressed the green button. “Inputting,” he said.
As he leaned back, an unseen unicorn with a pale white coat phased through the wall, watching his every move. Rarity's eyes traced his hoof-movements. She blinked, smiling.
Directly outside, Twilight Sparkle floated next to the stallion as he inputted the same number code. After the six digits were pressed, a dull beeping noise echoed from the console. There was a buzzing sound, and then—
CL-CLANK!Hisssssss... The massive front panels to the Stronghold opened. It was indeed a slow process, spreading apart one foot for every five seconds.
Revan stood patiently, his eyes darting between his guards. Beside him, Bard whistled, shifting the weight of Echo over his flank. “...now that is a big door!” He smiled aside at Revan and the Syndicate Boss returned with a plastic facsimile of the same expression.
In the meantime, Twilight darted up in a lavender streak. She was joined shortly after by Rarity's body phasing through the outer shell of the Syndicate's tower. Up above, they joined Rainbow Dash, who was perched just behind the metal steeple that adorned the summit of the structure. Rainbow pressed her back tightly to the north side, and she lit up as soon as she spotted her two mare friends.
“Well...?”
Rarity arrived first. “The secret code word is 'Day Old Spaghetti,'” she said.
“And the code that they put in is 'Two – Two – Zero – Three – Zero – Four!'”
“That's right! Twilight's correct!” Rarity said, clapping her hooves together. “'Two – Two – Zero – Three – Zero – Four!' That's it exactly” The fashionista squee'd. “Oooooh! I feel so delightfully villainous!”
“Yeah, well, ride that high calmly,” Rainbow whispered, waving a hoof. “But, most of all, memorize it. Cuz my head's super goldfishy.”
“You can count on us, Rainbow,” Twilight said.
Rarity was looking down as Bard slowly entered the building with Revan. “Should we go now, or...?”
“No, we should wait,” Twilight said. “That's what Rainbow and her friends agreed on, after all.”
“It'd be super suspicious if we got the door to open right away,” Rainbow said. “Remember... it's gonna be two and a half minutes before two new guards take up the post. Let's get them to open it then.”
“And how do we plan to do that?” Rarity remarked.
“Don't worry. I've got a plan.”
“I just hope Mr. Wildcard is doing alright down on the Sixth Level,” Twilight remarked.
“Against so many nefarious cretins of the underworld?” Rarity gulped. “Oh... I do fear for the dashing griffon's safety!”
“Verlaxion's Sleet, this place stinks,” a guard grumbled, waving off the rising steam from a nearby sewer gutter. He and three other guards stood before a grimy door at the dead end of a long, narrow corridor enclosed by aluminum shingles and sheets of compacted shrapnel. “First moment Revan breaks us all even, I'm asking for a post above ground.”
“Yeah, well, good luck with that, assmunch,” another grumbled. “Beggars can't be choosers.”
“Did you hear a word I said?! I said when Revan breaks us even—”
“You owe the ol' bastard over five hundred bits!” another thug spoke up. “He spared your stupid apartment, didn't he?”
“Hey! It was my worthless tart of a mother who made us move into the hit zone like a dumbass! How was I to know?”
“Then get yourself a new mother,” grumbled another guard.
“Yeah! Ha ha!” Another joined in, laughing. “I hear the chicks of the upper Dust District will even be your sister if you pay them right! Oh—wait! You're broke as rat crap!”
“Rrrgh... you guys are worse than the garbage...”
The chuckles continued—until a light scraping sound lit the air. The grimy quartet immediately jerked in place, staring straight down the corridor.
“Who goes there?!”
An avian shadow emerged from the murky darkness.
“Hey! Hey, bright eyes!” Schiiing! One guard cocked a sharp barb into his crossbow and stepped forward. “This here's a no-tresspassing zone! Syndicate Rules! Now take your stupid beak and shove it!”
Wildcard came to a stop directly beneath a crooked lamppost that cast a sick yellow halo over the corridor. He chewed on a toothpick calmly, then looked up until his black lenses reflected four nervous faces. At last, with a slight flick of his tail, he raised his prosthetic up to the metal stalk of the lamppost beside him.
“Hey, what...” One guard pointed. “...what are you—?”
Wildcard's metal fingers closed tightly around the lamppost. Crkkkk! The thing crunched down the length, and sparks flew. Within milliseconds, every light within the corridor shorted out, casting the wide-eyed guards into darkness. There was a shuddering breath... two... and then—
Revan's hooves shuffled over a floorboard of fine oak. He led Bard into a wide, square chamber complete with plush seats and an ornate desk.
“Now this here's a purdy nice office, ain't it?” Bard remarked, looking up and down.
“I'm rather fond of it, yes.”
“How many islands didja have to blow up for the lumber?”
Revan turned around with a smile. “You're as witty as you are resourceful, Mr. Bard.” He gestured at a sofa in the middle of the room. “Care to have a seat?”
“Thanks, no thanks.” Bard shuffled past him and chose another seat. “I'd rather have my back to this here wall, if ya dun mind.”
Revan glanced over his shoulder. When the escort of two guards threw him a worried look, he dismissed them with an angry sneer, then turned back to Bard with a calm smile. “I assure you, bounty hunter, you've got nothing to be anxious about. This is simply a good-hearted business transaction.”
“Well, glad to hear it!” Bard plopped his hat off and rested it on the chair's hoof rest. “Cuz I aim to transact me some businness! Mmmm!” He dropped Echo like a sack of meat. Thud! Upon hearing the sarosian's pained grunt, he muttered: “Oh hush. It's either this or the Torture Hole at Mudtop.” Fwomp! He reclined lazily on the chair. “Eyaaaauhhh... that hits the spot. Whew!”
Revan's muzzle twitched, but he bore his best smile. “Do make yourself at home...”
“Dun mind if I do,” Bard said, leaning back and tossing his shiny brown mane. “Y'know... this place sure is a whole lot niftier on the inside.”
“The Syndicate makes friends with all subjects of Verlaxion from both far and wide,” Revan said, sitting down at his desk and pivoting to face the stallion. “We pride ourselves on a certain degree of eloquence in manners as well as décor.”
“Well, in the end, reckon it only matters that all the important insides are painted all pretty-like.” Bard tilted his chin up with a smug grin.
“... … ...” Revan bore a crooked smile. “Quite.”
“Heheheh...” Bard pointed. “I fancy you Mr. Raven.”
“Revan. Ahem.” Revan leaned back, exhaling. “I couldn't help but notice that you mentioned Mudtop.”
“Reckon I did.”
“You wouldn't happen to have run into any... unsavory ponies from such a place, would you?”
“Buddy, I done run into yer unsavory character here,” Bard said. A beat. He chuckled and pointed at the squirming sarosian bound on the floor. “I mean this here bat-feller. Eheheh...”
“Mmmm... but of course.”
“Hrmmmfffnnghh...” Echo groaned, rubbing his dull cheek against the floorboards.
“And damned if it didn't tar my hide somethin' fierce tryin' to get him shackled all still-like.” Bard shifted his weight in the chair. “Would've been a mite easier if I didn't have a bunch of citizens chompin' at the bit to lynch somepony at every turn, not to mention random households burstin' up into flames. Whew-wee! What kind of a tinderbox are y'all sittin' on out here?”
“Rust has... seen better days,” Revan said. “You have no idea how much it's pained my heart to see otherwise civilized ponies turned into vagabonds due to their pain and distrust. I've been working very hard, twenty-four seven, to get to the bottom of this mess.” He gestured at Echo. “Acquiring a miscreant like this is just the edge I need to fill in the empty gaps in our infrastructure. He might have caused you a bit of a headache, Mr. Bard, but this midnighter has been nothing but an absolute tumor to us since we arrived.”
“Is that a fact?” Bard leaned back, kicking a hoof up as he smiled. “Cuz... y'know... that's what the Southern Hoof told me when they sent me here!”
Revan stared in silence. He only moved to swallow a lump down his throat. “So you have... consorted with the Muddredgers?”
“Pffft... 'consorted' is such a marble-muzzle word,” Bard said, stifling a laugh. “I'd much prefer 'banged my noggin' against' in frustration. Ya see...” He gestured. “They done offered me bits for Mr. Fangs here too, but they offered me nearly twice as many as y'all. And, I must say, between you and me Mr. Crow, that I've been mighty tempted by their fine and glittery wallets. But after all the trouble of gettin' to Rust on top of knowin' that I gotta make the lonesome journey back to Mud Top to speak ponies who ain't even their top execs...” He finished his rant with a groan.
“You are... no longer tempted, I gather?” Revan arched an eyebrow.
Bard arched one of his own. “That depends...”
Revan's nostrils flared. “On what.”
Bard smiled, eyes thin. “On just how fine and glittery you can make your offer.”
“Mr. Bard...” Revan leaned back. “Six thousand is a lot of bits.”
“And I've broken a lot of sweat over yer leather-winged home boy,” Bard said. “Now, there are ponies out there in the sea who respect that amount of back breakin', and they've got more than enough bits to show for that respect.” He scratched his stubbled chin, keeping a trained eye on Revan. “Now, you done said that this was a good-hearted business transaction. I brought the good-heart to the table.” He winked. “Now... how about we talk business?”
Revan took a fuming breath. To calm himself, he stood up and began pacing. “I won't lie to you, Mr. Bard.”
“Naturally...”
“The Syndicate has been choking for bits as of late...” Revan shuffled back and forth across the office. “It's because of creeps like Mr. Echo there.”
“Uh huh...” Bard's brown eyes darted up to a clock that hung on the wall. He gulped and returned his gaze upon Revan. “Do go on...”
“I would very much like to start an amicable partnership with the likes of a talented bounty hunter such as yourself, but you have to understand—”
“Rainbow, it's been more than enough time, darling,” Rarity said. “I do believe we have stalled enough.”
“I'm with you on that,” Rainbow said, staring across the platform in front of the large Stronghold building. Her mane billowed in the sea breeze. “By now, Wildcard should hopefully have done his stuff.”
“I'm sensing his signature from deep below us,” Twilight said. “He seems to be in one piece.”
“Yeah; that or his metal arm is.”
Twilight bit her lip. “Yes, well...”
“Honestly, Rainbow, what are we waiting for?”
Rainbow scanned and scanned the nearby environment. At last, her ears twitched, and she smiled. “Rares...” She leaned her head aside, pointing at a series of metal poles. “Those are looking pretty janky. Any of them got a weak point?”
Rarity squinted at the structures. Her horn glowed. “...I should say as much!”
“Well then...” Rainbow cracked the joints in her neck and smirked at the two phantoms. “I believe we've got ourselves a distraction.”
Two guards stood side by side, their eyes on the moody crowd.
“And I said, 'No, you've got chicken mouth!'” One thug said, smiling.
The other glared at him. “...Don't you ever learn a new tune?”
“Pffft. Like you're ever making 'Northern Hoof of the Month.'”
SwooooooshCLANK! A blue blur swiped by the metal pole standing above them. The structure groaned.
“Buh...?” The guards looked up.
With a deep, resonating crack, the tall pole toppled over.”
“...Buh!” The two thugs went diving for cover. SMASSSSH! Part of the platform collapsed into the one below. Ponies within the Dust District stared up, their grimy faces squinting into the dastardly bright sunlight.
Several onlookers on the top platform gasped, staring wide-eyed.
The other two guards ran down the steps, panting. “What the Hell did you do?!”
“Nothing!” one of the previous two voice-cracked. “Brown Noise here just told a lame joke and it fell over!”
“Dude! What have I told you about saying my real name in public!”
“Well clean this shit up! If Boss Revan sees it—”
“Boss Revan is with a stallion client right now!”
“Pfft... y'know, when you say it like that—”
“Oh shut up! Come on! Lend me a hoof!”
While this sophomoric exchange continued, Rainbow Dash flew high above, unseen. She landed right in front of the unguarded door, standing behind a metal partition so as not to be visible.
“Rainbow, let me ask you just one thing,” Rarity hummed. “Do all of your brilliant schemes involve random acts of destruction?”
“Only the ones that matter,” Rainbow said. She looked aside. “Twilight?”
“I got you covered Mrs. Goldfish,” Twilight replied. She cleared her throat and spoke with a proud smile. “'Day Old Spaghetti.' Speak slowly and distinctly—”
“Yes, Nana.” Rainbow slapped her hoof over the intercom. “Hey guys! Day Old Spaghetti! N'stuff...”
Rarity and Twilight face-hoofed.
The two guards inside the foyer were already leaning their heads towards the intercom.
They exchanged nervous glances.
“Did Brown Noise sound... panicked to you?” he asked. “Like his voice is all high-pitched and raspy all of the sudden.”
“Something must have freaked him out,” the other said. “Maybe it'll explain the loud noise we just heard!”
“Well, he gave the password! Let's open it up!”
“Be prepared for anything.”
One guard knelt down before the keypad, pressing it with his hoof.
Outside, Rarity removed her head from being phased through the door. “They're activating it!”
“Okay, Rainbow...” Twilight pointed. “Careful and precisely now: Two-Two-Zero-Three-Zero-Four!”
“Lamest... code... ever...” Rainbow pressed the last button. The door buzzed, and then—
Hisssss! Steam vented as the thick barrier groaned open. The panels swiveled slowly, like rusted ice. Two stallions inside squirmed impatiently. The moment they had space to afford it, they charged outside, looking all around.
“Huh...?”
“Where's the riot?”
“I... figured pirates were catapulting hammerheads at us again.”
“Look!” One pointed down.
Both guards finally observed the property damage. Four of their companions were struggling to roll the fallen post away and patch up the hole.
“Ah jeez... ah jeez...” One guard fidgeted. “Boss Revan doesn't pay us enough to be blacksmiths!”
“Shhh! Let's just go down there and help 'em patch it up before he sees—”
Thwisssh! A blue blur shot overhead.
They stood in place, ears twitching.
“...did a grapefruit just pass by?”
“You're imagining things.”
“Damn heatstroke. Why couldn't we build a city atop a damn iceberg?”
“Shut up and lend me a hoof.” Both trotted down the rest of the stairs. “Keep an eye on the door.”
“Roger roger.”
Inside the building, Rainbow Dash pressed herself to the top of the doorframe. She stuck her muzzle down and peaked out onto the main platform. As soon as she saw a pair of eyes cast her way, she hid again, holding her breath. Several seconds flew by, but no hoofsteps alighted the foyer. She exhaled in relief.
“You know...” Rarity thought aloud. “...I'm starting to wonder if yours and the Desperadoes' expert planning was necessarily warranted.”
“Rarity, don't,” Rainbow grunted. “Before you do... just don't.”
“But I was only—”
“You were only nothing,” Rainbow said, flitting off down the nearest stairwell like a prismatic dragonfly. “Because the very moment you start, then things start hitting the fan that don't smell good.”
“Huh...?”
“I'm with Rainbow on this one, Rarity,” Twilight said. “Let's just get the rest of the job done and count our blessings later.”
“Oh, very well...” Rarity folded her forelimbs as she floated along. “It's just that, somehow, I expected a slight bit more swashbuckling...”
Rainbow Dash glided down two full flights of revolving stairs. Her wingtips brushed against flickering electric lanterns. The interior of the Stronghold was surprisingly dim, as if the Syndicate was conserving energy in every manner possible. It was already difficult to see, and it didn't help that the walls had a charcoal black color to their metal surfaces.
“Goodness, me!” Rarity wheezed. “I can't see my own fair nose in front of my eyes! Rainbow, do be a dear—for us and for yourself—and light the way with that Element of yours!”
“No can do, Rares,” Rainbow whispered, hovering to a stop as she lingered above a dimly-lit corridor. She reached forward, felt a few metal support beams, and shifted her descent in order to avoid the obstacles. “This place might be mostly empty, but I'll be darned if I give away my position.”
“She's right, Rarity,” Twilight said. “Besides, she's done this sort of thing before, several times.” Twilight glanced aside while floating down. “Right, Rainbow?”
Rainbow was dead silent.
Twilight blinked. “Rainbow—” She gasped as she and Rarity were yanked aside.
Rainbow had zipped to the far corner of the stairwell. Holding her breath, Rainbow flew up into the bottom corner of a platform's underside and scrunched her body against the crook of the adjoining walls. There, she perched—petite and poised—like a fuzzy blue spider. She watched with squinting eyes as three... four... five stallions galloped up the steps, armed with crossbows and clubs.
“...what could they possibly need us for this time?”
“Something collapsed outside the front gates. A lamppost or something.”
“Verlaxion's dusty womb! I thought Boss Revan was going to fix this junkheap!”
“Shhh! Quit complaining already! This is still the best job available on this floating bucket!”
“Yeah, yeah... let's go outside and play 'construction ponies' already...”
Once the crowd had shuffled by, Rainbow Dash stuck her neck out of hiding. She exhaled with relief, as did her ghostly companions beside her.
“Well done, Rainbow!” Twilight said.
“I concur.” Rarity shuddered. “It's a shameful thing that neither of us noticed their presence ahead of time!”
“It's all gravy,” Rainbow whispered, peeking down at the lower end of the stairwell as she slowly descended. “Not like I can't cover my own flank or nothing.”
“Is it just me, or are these ruffians... well... less formidable than I had assumed they were?” Rarity remarked.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Twilight said.
“Still, not gonna mess with them,” Rainbow muttered, eyes firm. “Never underestimate stupid thugs with nothing better to live for.”
“I'm not sure what depresses me more,” Twilight remarked. “That such is a universal truth in this world, or the fact that you've experience an awful lot to come to that conclusion.”
“I've experienced enough,” Rainbow muttered, zipping down at a faster rate. “Rarity... which way to the maintenance corridor?”
“Uhm... that way!” Rarity pointed. “Two more floors down and to the south!”
“Right...” Rainbow sped down in sporadic dashes, hiding behind one platform after another. “Here's hoping that Silence McGriffon hasn't gotten his goose cooked without me.”
“Silly Rainbow.” Rarity giggled. “Who would ever cook a goose?”
Rainbow sighed long and hard.
“Is... is something the matter?”
“One of these days... just one... I wanna break into a cider mill.” And Rainbow pressed on.
“The truth is, the Syndicate is running out trustworthy hooves,” Revan said from where he paced. “Ponies are leaving the city of Rust in droves.”
“What a cryin' shame.” Bard reclined, smirking. “I wonder why that is.”
“It doesn't matter,” Revan said bluntly. “The reality is that we're surrounded more and more by riff raff with each passing day. This city could certainly use strong ponies that I can rely on.” He shuffled across the office and sat at his desk, staring across the way at Bard. “Ponies who show that they're both qualified and loyal.”
“Mmmmm...” Bard rubbed his hoof against his chest and pretended to examine the fetlock. “Ponies like me, I'm guessin'.”
“You've proven to be more than exceptional in apprehending our leafy-eared friend here,” Revan said with a smug grin.
“Oh... heheh... shucks.” Bard took his hat off and fanned himself. “You bet!” He glanced aside, clearing his throat slightly. “Did it all by myself, too... Eeeeyup...”
“A stallion with your resources could keep a trained eye out for other ponies with similar skills,” Revan said. “It'd undeniably allow the working body of my oranization to be significantly enriched, by your exceptional graces...”
“And it'd be mighty convenient for ya too, I reckon.”
Revan tilted his head aside, squinting. “How do you mean?”
“Y'all tell me!” Bard shifted the weight of his guitar case and smiled. “Seems that havin' me on board as yer new thug would mean drawin' my pay out over time instead of givin' me the six thousand glittery bits you owe all at once.”
Revan simply stared at the mercenary.
“T'ain't my first rodeo, ya feel me?” Bard remarked with a wink. “And, in case yer wonderin', I can read... which is how I know there ain't no fine print on yer bounty posters, partner.”
Revan took a long, calm breath before saying, “A partnership with the Syndicate could be mutually beneficial.”
“Heh heh heh heh...” Bard tossed his hair back and plopped his hat back down. “Reckon ya say that to all the handsome bounty hunters.”
“And...” Revan folded his forelimbs together. “...it'd mean a far richer lifestyle in the long run. That is to say, a great deal richer than a rough life in the sea and air, rushing from one bounty to another, devoid of common luxuries.”
“Heheheheheh...”
“...for you and your fellow companion,” Revan said.
Bard froze in place, blinking.
“I'm referring, of course, to the one that my eyes in the streets saw you associating with in and out of the taverns of the Dust District,” Revan remarked. “The silent griffon with the ice cold goggles?”
The mercenary squirmed where he sat.
“You see...” Revan shrugged, smiling smoothly. “...it's not my first rodeo either, Mr. Bard. So, perhaps you should ask yourself...” His orange brow furrowed: “'What's best for my companion as well as for me?' After all,there may be plenty of fish in Verlaxion's sea, but it's not often you stumble upon a beached whale. Here in Rust?” Revan gestured. “This is where the meat's at, my friend. Everyone that's everyone floats through here at one point or another, just begging to be turned in or captured. You know this. So what do you want for your bounty hunting career? A tender morsel to carry you on to the next sweaty, bloody job? Or a warm seat at the dinner table every morning and evening for as long as you live? I promise you... it's not something that the jerkoffs of Mudtop or Shoggoth would ever offer you.”
Silence.
Bard glanced over his shoulder.
Echo glanced up at him, his slitted eyes blinking.
“Mmmmm... eheheh...” Bard sat up straight, clearing his throat. “Just... uhm... how much a month in bits are we talkin' about...?”
“Three thousand four hundred and fifty... three thousand four hundred and seventy-five... aaaaand... there we are!” The aged stallion hoofed out the last bar of currency in the afternoon sunlight. “Three thousand five hundred bits in miniature platinum bars.”
“Mrmmff...” Theanim Mane winced slightly as he struggled to bag all of the bars. He wobbled on the edge of a metal dock, then exhaled with relief. “Delightful. A true pleasure doing business with you.”
“The pleasure is all mine! I assure you!” The merchant chuckled, gesturing at the blue yacht bobbing in the waters beside them. “You are... certain you wish to go through with this contract? I mean... opportunities don't come my way this often.”
“The vessel works to the full extent of its operational capabilities, if that is what you need to know,” Theanim said with a grunt.
The merchant waved his hooves. “I meant no offense by it, Doctor. I'm just... well... I'm rather surprised you're getting rid of it in the first place! A stallion of your esteemed credentials doesn't usually take up housing in Rust.”
“Believe me,” Theanim grumbled. “I'm not staying.”
“Oh, my apologies.” The merchant blinked, smoothing back his gray mane. “I... I-I had just assumed—”
“We all must make bold new steps if we are to make it through this world.” Theanim sighed, his sad eyes falling one last time upon the hull of the Midnight Dreary. “By Verlaxion's Grace...”
“If you don't mind my asking, where exactly will you go?”
“... ... ...” Theanim bore a tired smile. “A very good question.” He looked up and winked. “Let's say that I'm... letting faith dictate the path.”
“Charming.” The merchant smiled. “I wish you the Queen's Speed.”
“Mrmmfffngh!” Theanim grunted as he slung the bag of bars and bits over his shoulder. “As I to you.”
“Would you... erm... like an escort across town, Doctor?” the merchant asked, glancing nervously at the stallion and the rattling bag he was hauling. “It isn't entirely safe to trot from one platform to another in Rust with that many bits out in the open. I wish such wasn't the case...”
“Do not worry,” Theanim said, shuffling towards the southern drydocks where the Mark Two resided. “I'm not going very far. Not quite so soon, at least.”
“Oh... uhm... very well then.”
“Besides...” Theanim threw a swift glance over his shoulder, eyeing the distant spire of the Syndicate's Stronghold. “I'm not the one who needs to be worried about safety.” He gulped. “Or punctuality...”
“Seriously, why aren't they responding?” muttered one guard to another.
Two stallions huddled side by side in front of a thick metal door situated at the far end of the Syndicate's sixth floor corridor. The faint smell of garbage and sewage wafted in through the seams of the doorframe. The smaller of the two thugs pressed his hoof to the intercom next to the door for the umpteenth time.
“Hello?!” he stammered, frowning in confusion. “Are you guys okay out there? I swear, if the smell of rat piss made you faint again, I'm telling Boss Revan what weak pushovers you are!”
“Isn't it obvious?” muttered the taller thug.
“Is what obvious?”
“The morons have left their post,” the other stallion replied. “Probably decided to screw off and visit the brothel in East Dust.”
“Pffft... that place?!” The shorter one chuckled. “They'd be cleaner with the rat piss!”
“Still, Boss Revan deserves to know about this.” The taller one made to move out of the corridor.
“Naw, don't bother him, dude!” The other guard grabbed him by the shoulder. “He's paying us cuz we ain't stupid! For real! We've got this!”
“Then what do you propose?”
“Let's go out there and investigate.”
“We can't open the door! Not without word from the other side!”
“Well, lemme try the intercom again.” The stallion pressed the button several times. He grumbled in frustration. “I don't get it! Is it broken or what...?”
“Try taking a closer look,” cracked a voice from the shadows.
“Hey. Good idea.” Both stallions leaned up real close to the intercom. When their muzzles almost touched, they blinked curiously at one another. “Wait a sec... who said—?”
FWOOOOOSH! Rainbow zoomed out of the shadows, landing on their shoulders with her rear legs.
WH-WHAMMM! Both stallions slammed skull-first into the wall. With a mutual groan, both collapsed and fell hard to the floor, out cold.
Rainbow flipped off and landed neatly beside the door. She exhaled with relief, tossing her mane back.
“Well done, Rainbow!” Twilight exclaimed.
“Mmmmmm...!” Rarity had her eyes covered. “Is it over?”
“Chillax, Rares,” Rainbow said, shuffling up to the door. “They'll dream of rust, wake up with migraines, and live crappily ever after.”
“Ohhhhhh...” Rarity allowed herself a look. She fanned herself as she eyed the collapsed bodies. “How I do deplore senseless violence!”
“This time, though, it's not quite so senseless.”
“And at other times, darling?”
“Let's just reunite with our griffon buddy already,” Rainbow grumbled, trotting over the fallen stallions.
“Do you suppose Mr. Wildcard succeeded on his end?” Rarity remarked.
“Good question.” Rainbow slapped her hoof over the intercom's button. “Hey! Yo Wildcard! You out there?!”
“Rainbow!” Twilight hissed, her lavender coat rising up like a cat's. “That was completely and utterly stupid on so many levels!”
“... ... ...” Rainbow slowly pivoted her head towards Twilight with a bright-eyed grin.
Twilight rolled her eyes.
“Snkkkttt... heeheeheehee!” Rainbow giggled.
Rarity fought it and fought it... but eventually broke out into a dainty laugh.
“Unnnngh...” Sighing, Twilight floated through the wall. “Let me have a look.”
“Yeah... heehee... you do that,” Rainbow said with a breathy chuckle.
A few seconds passed.
Finally, Twilight phased back into the interior chamber. Her coat looked a few shades paler.
“Well?” Rainbow cleared her throat. “Any sign of him?”
“Uhm... I-I-I'm not quite sure.”
“Whatever do you mean, darling?” Rarity asked.
“I... I couldn't see much of anything, really,” Twilight remarked, biting her lip.
“...” Rainbow looked at the door. She took a bold step forward, slapped the button next to it, and opened the thing with a metallic hissss. The rank smell of garbage wafted in, and Rainbow heard the ambient groan of Rust's intestinal corridors stretching on for hundreds of meters. Other than that, it was pitch black dark. Pressing a hoof to her pendant, she shone a ruby spotlight on the immediate vicinity outside the Stronghold.
Gradually, a set of limbs appeared, then another. At last, Rainbow's Element revealed four bloody and bruised guards tied to a broken lamppost, their heads reeling as they struggled with aching unconsciousness.
Rainbow and her fellow cohorts gawked. Then, out from the shadows behind Rainbow, a metal talon tapped her shoulder.
“Gaaaah!” Rainbow spun about, striking a dangerous pose with her front hooves. She stared into a pair of black lenses that emotionlessly reflected her gaping expression. “Jeebus... Jeebus Jehosafarts!” She sneered through gritting teeth. “Seriously! Would it kill you to dangle wind chimes from your tail or something?”
Wildcard merely shrugged. He pointed up the long, thin corridor.
“Yeah...” Rainbow shuddered, stepping in and shutting the door behind them. Schwisssh! “Before the smell of garbage awakens the sleeping beast.”
Wildcard nodded. Sch-Schiiing! He produced two nightsticks and slinked on ahead, becoming one with the shadows.
Rainbow gulped and flapped her wings to keep up with the mercenary. “... ... ...you two are silent, all of the sudden.”
“Yes, well...” Twilight nodded, smoothing her bangs back with a shivering hoof. “We've got a very serious task at hoof.”
“Besides...” Rarity whimpered. “...I've just now become acquainted with the fact that a ghost unicorn cannot make sissy in a spontaneous fashion.”
“I won't lie,” Revan said, pacing across the office. “The Syndicate has... floated in deeper bits before. But, we do have enough to brace any oncoming storm.”
“Are you expectin' such a storm?” Bard asked, casually glancing at his hoof.
“Isn't it rather obvious by now?” Revan paused and pointed at Echo. “We're dealing with threats and double-crossers from all sides.” An angry glint flickered across his eyes. “The Southern Hoof were once like brothers to us. And then they decided to stab us in the back.”
“Seems to be happenin' a whole heapin' lot these days,” Bard said with a smirk.
“Point is, things have grown hostile. Desperate.” Revan glared. “You can never truly trust anypony any further than you can toss him... or at least your bits to outfly him.” He gestured. “This isn't just the way of things in Rust, but all over Rohbredden and its surrounding seas. Are you an avid follower of the Queen, Mr. Bard?”
The mercenary cleared his throat and shifted where he sat. “When it fits...”
“Rumors abound from the Continent to the Colonies,” Revan said. “Her power... is slipping.”
“Slippin'?”
“The mountain's ice melts and the shore waters recede,” Revan said. “And now... just this week... there's testimony layered upon testimony that the great Blight to the west has fallen.”
“Heh... wouldn't that be somethin'.”
“I'm rather serious here, bounty hunter,” Revan said. “Times are changing. The Queen Verlaxion's influence is fading. And when it does... what will the Six Tribes do? How will we all function without the Goddess' glory to hold us together?”
“I figure we've got the gumption to carry on our lil' square dance for another century or so.”
“A charming thought, but an unnecessarily optimistic one,” Revan said. “What's happening here between Rust and Shoggoth is just a preview for the seas as a whole.” He paced to a stop, his face long and grave. “The Six Tribes were meant to turn on one another. Always. And when that happens, all that'll be left is the faction with the biggest bits... and the foundation they've built because of it.”
“And y'all truly believe this?”
Revan slapped a hoof over his own chest. “As sure as I am the Boss of these parts.”
Bard leaned back casually with a smirk. “Reckon it just... burns you deep inside.” A beat. “Or... burns other ponies, that is.”
“... … ...” Revan glared.
Echo nervously glanced between the two.
“Oh, I'm sorry.” Bard cocked his head aside. “Did I rub a sore spot?”
“Depends on how hard you blatantly punch it,” Revan droned, pacing back to his desk.
“Boss Revan, I must say—yer speech is mighty interestin', but it's so full of doom and gloom that I wonder how you even see yer own bits without a ray of sunshine for clarity.” He sat up straight, adjusting his guitar case. “As a mercenary, I'll tell ya.. it helps to be prepared in any and all eventuality. But what yer talkin' about is pure paranoia. I swear... all I'm fixin' to do is earn my bits for this creepy feller here and be gone. T'ain't no need for some dark alliance or nothin'... just a simple, honest-to-goddess payment of services so that my partner and I can be out of yer hair.”
“And if your companion in bounty hunting is so important, why isn't he even here?”
“Cuz... y'know...” Bard waved a hoof, shrugging. “...he's molting.” A weak smile
“Mr. Bard...” Revan stared firmly. “At some point or another, the pressure will get to him... as it will get to you. The seas around us will have grown so turbulent that neither of you can hold onto one another without breaking blood.”
As the Boss was talking, Bard's eyes darted briefly to the clock on the wall and back. Clearing his throat, the mercenary spoke: “Then just what are ya suggestin'?”
“Release him,” Revan said. “Before he releases you. One way or another, in this climate, it's bound to happen.” He leaned back, forelimbs crossed. “The question is... who's willing to make the hard decision first? You are the one ready to receive bits after all.”
Bard sat still, though his breaths were increasingly deep. He stared across the office with flaring nostrils.
Like a living shadow, Wildcard murked his way down the central stairwell of the Stronghold. He came to a soundless stop, spotting several Syndicate thugs gathered along a fourth floor hallway, facing out into the descending steps. They conversed and chuckled jovially. The griffon was just barely beyond eyeshot.
Wildcard took a deep breath. Twirling his nightsticks, he targeted the center pony of the thick group and prepared to strike—
Whump! Rainbow Dash suddenly pressed the griffon hard to the wall behind them.
Beak clattering, Wildcard raised a metal talon to shove Rainbow off—
—but the mare held a hoof before her muzzle, glaring at him wide-eyed. “Shhhhhh...” She leaned her mouth in beside his feathery head. “Remember... we gotta get down to the bottom floor, cause a flood, and sneak our way back up. That's gonna attract a whole bunch of baddies. Do we really want them spotting so many unconscious bodies on the way to the leak?
Wildcard's goggles rattled. He shifted where he stood.
Rainbow leaned off of him and the mercenary didn't protest. “Now I see why a dude like you needs Bard. Pure badflankery is great and all, but it could use a cool head from time to time. Really, though, take that as a compliment.”
Wildcard gestured wildly.
“I dunno what you're going on about, but don't freak out just yet...” Rainbow Dash snuck towards the edge of the shadows and peered off beyond the stairwell. “I'll get us a lay of the land.” She glanced briefly towards her right, then eyed the interior below.
Wildcard watched quietly... curiously from the darkness.
Rainbow's tail flicked. After a while, she spoke to the shadows: “You sure about that?” Silence. “And where does it lead to, Rarity?” More silence. “Wow... it's like they're making this easy for us. Twilight? You sense anything at the end of that passage?”
Wildcard's feathered brow furrowed.
“... … ...heh... yeah... it's worth a shot.” Rainbow suddenly spun to the left, felt around, and touched a metal grate. She gestured to Wildcard, then pointed at the vent.
The griffon slinked over. Following where Rainbow pointed, he shoved his metal talons between the vent and the door, prying the thing open as silently as he could. The aluminum grate bent to accommodate his force, and soon there was enough room for two bodies to creep through.
“Okay... this should take us straight to the corridor where the Vault's being held. I think our unicorn in question is waiting there. If you ask me, we should go there first, do a little recon, secure the Vault-keeper, and then send one of us down to the lower level to start the flood.”
Wildcard merely gawked at her, beak wide open.
“Dude... come on...” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “By now, you should totally trust me. Besides...” She jumped up and began crawling through the shaft. “...I've trusted you morons up to this point.”
The griffon took one last glance at the thugs gathered before them, then dove in after Rainbow Dash.
“No no no...” A unicorn groaned, trotting swiftly across a brightly-lit room full of supply shelves and chemical vats. Along the far end, a thick round door loomed, and next to it resided a tiny indentation laced with manafibers. “You shouldn't be using that many infernal shards!”
“But... but the conjuration spell—” stammered one of two earth ponies attempting to assemble a crystal-powered contraption atop a metal table in the center of the room.
“—is going to work!” The unicorn frowned. He wore a tight uniform stained from head to tail with manadust, and his mane had been long-frazzled from hours upon hours of mana-exposure. “We're using an age-old enchantment made by the wyverns long ago. It's never failed before and it'll never fail again!”
“But...” One of the earth ponies looked up, muzzle scrunching. “Aren't you afraid that the infernal shards won't house the manacharge swiftly enough for a full burst.”
“That's not going to be an issue. Trust me.”
“But... it's going to make for a slow burn!” The earth pony gestured. “And Boss Revan wants those apartments burnt to a crisp!”
“Heheheheh...” The unicorn shook his head. “You're new here. So I'm gonna make this explanation short and sweet.” He trotted over and placed a hoof on the earth pony's shoulder. “This is not about the apartments... but the ponies living with them.”
“But... I thought the point was to make an example for the others leeching off the Syndicate's property?”
“And you can't make an example without blood,” the unicorn said, his eyes flaring with a brief flash of wicked joy. “No more than five infernal shards per detonator. That ensures that the fire will be a slow burn.” He grinned. “And so will be the deaths of those in the blast radius.”
The two earth ponies exchanged glances, gulping.
“Gotta grow a pair to use a pair, fellas,” the unicorn said, trotting off. “Especially in this business. Boss Revan hired me a long... long time ago, and I've learned ever since that he doesn't employ no sissies.” He turned around, only to be stared down by a menacing griffon with coal-black eye lenses. “Eeeep! Mommy!”
Wildcard spat his toothpick into the unicorn's face.
Ping! The wooden thing ricocheted hard off the thug's horn, leaving a mark. “Augh!” The unicorn stumbled back, clutching his forehead. WHUMP! He took a violent metal punch to the gut.
The other two gasped, jumped up from behind their table, and reached for their crossbows—SCH-SCHIIINK!—until their crossbows were sliced in half by razor-sharp talons.
Within the next second, Wildcard headbutted one thug, tripped the other, gripped the second thug's falling body, then swung him like a club into the first. Both ponies' propelled into the unicorn's figure so that all three collapsed hard in the center of the room, reduced to a weak, groaning heap.
Wildcard, meanwhile, twirled to a stop. Gazing at the bodies, he reached his right talon blindly outward. Snatch! He grabbed his toothpick before it hit the floor and stuck it back into his beak.
Rainbow Dash, in the meantime, was still crawling out of the air vent. She plopped onto the floor, whistling at Wildcard's talon-work. “Y'know what? Scratch what I said earlier. A cool head's overrated.” She looked at the table and its surrounding assortment of crystal-powered electrical guts. “So... this is Tartarus' kitchen, eh? Yeesh... I'm starting to hate these guys more and more by the second.”
Wildcard pointed a sharp talon past Rainbow Dash.
She spun about, blinking.
Before them both stood the large round door to the Vault.
“So that's it, huh?” Rainbow Dash galloped up to the edge, pressing her ear to the door. “Hmmmmm...” She leaned back, breathing evenly. “So... what do you feel, Rares?” Silence. The mare's eyes lit up. “Wow... you certain? Cuz... like... that's more than Echo estimated. If that's so, then we might not have enough to carry.” More silence. “Yeah... you're right. I guess we will have to see for ourselves.” Rainbow turned and looked at the console surrounding an indentation. “Is that what I think it is, Twi?” A beat. “Well, unless Wildcard accidentally broke the unicorn's spine, I think we still... have...” Her words trailed off. Blinking, she turned and looked behind her.
Wildcard stood in place, leaning away from the pony with a look of total awkwardness.
Rainbow bit her lip. “Look, I have... uhhh... feminine intuition! Yeah!” She flinched at a space of air beside her, sneered, then returned to grinning at the griffon. “Oodles and oodles of feminine intuition!”
Wildcard merely raised an eyebrow.
“Pffft... whatever.” Rainbow Dash marched past him. “Now we gotta figure out a way to start the flood downstairs. How much time we have left?”
Wildcard pulled a pocketwatch out of his bandolier. He grimaced slightly, then held the thing out for Rainbow to see.
“Guhhhh...” Rainbow Dash made a face, tail flicking. “Not much longer until the Arrowfish shoves off. We gotta make some noise soon so that your buddy Bard will get the message and ditch this place at the same time we do.” She tapped her chin, looking towards the sealed entrance to the storage room. “Hmmmm... these walls are thicker than we thought, eh, Rare? Just what's gonna work...?” She looked at Wildcard. “How many explosives do you have left on ya?”
At that, Wildcard flinched back, clutching his bandolier with a suspicious glare.
“Look... feminine intuition, remember?” Rainbow sighed. “Even if I haven't got much of the 'femme'...” She looked around, gnashing her teeth. “Darn it... we need more explosions! Why does it always come down to that?”
A metal talon tapped a table loudly.
Rainbow spun to look.
Wildcard held up one of the many Syndicate bombs that the group was working on.
“... … ...” Rainbow Dash smiled wickedly, trotting over. “Ooooh... I like it... I like it!” She tapped the manacharges with a grin. “So bitterly ironic n'stuff! Like Flankspeare in the Park! Only with more balls of fire!”
Wildcard's beak curved.
“Okay... no more wasting time.” Rainbow Dash opened her saddlebag just wide enough to store two of the charges. “Best to let me make the trip downstairs.”
Wildcard cocked his head curious to the side.
“Cuz... dude...” She struggled to secure the explosives, then pulled the saddlebag tight. “I can figure my way down to the bottom two floors without getting seen. Trust me. You're better off staying here and... erm... figuring out how to open the vault.”
Wildcard glanced over at the stirring thugs. He turned back to Rainbow Dash and nodded.
“Okay. Look. Things are about to get super loud really soon.” She pointed at the griffon. “When I come back... it's when all Tartarus will have broken loose. Bolt the front entrance. I'll come in through the vent... although I... m-might have some floodwater following me.”
Wildcard simply nodded.
“Good thing nothing fazes you, bright eyes.” Then, with a deep breath, Rainbow snuck back out through the vent, gone in a blur.
A surly stallion sat at a workbench, assembling together the intricate pieces of a crossbow. His baggy eyes blinked into the light of a dim manalamp. Above the pony, a partially rusted stairwell loomed, and the ambient groans of a tall metal structure settled all around him. He paused halfway through his weaponizing, leaned back in his chair, and produced a long, tiresome yawn.
It was at precisely this moment that a grate a few paces behind him opened. A blue shadow snuck out, glanced at the back of his neck with glinting ruby eyes, then slinked off into even deeper shadows. While making a hasty retreat, the grate behind the figure clattered into place.
“...?” Blinking, the stallion turned and looked at the final flight of stairs below him. He raised an eyebrow, shrugged, then returned back to the workbench.
“Honestly, Rainbow!” Rarity exclaimed, floating alongside the sneaking mare. “I'm almost certain you could take these ruffians on! You're skilled enough!”
“Calm down, girl,” Rainbow whispered, crawling down the rest of the stairwell in utter darkness. “I know it's super easy to get drunk on kickflankery, but there's a time and a place.”
“Rainbow's right,” Twilight said, smirking aside at Rarity. “Let's not get ahead of ourselves.”
“Easier said than done!” Rarity remarked, wincing as she phased through several support beams. “If I was a solid mare again, I'd be bumping my beautiful muzzle into oblivion by now!” She shuddered. “It most certainly is dark down here, wouldn't you agree?”
“They don't seem to care much about illuminating the bottom floor of their headquarters,” Twilight agreed.
“Tell me about it.” Rainbow paused, glanced behind her for any sign of movement on the stairs, then went ahead and illuminated her pendant. A ruby spotlight shone across the steps below. Rats and various other creepy crawly things scurried out of sight.
“OoOoOoOoOooh!” Rarity flinched, floating aside and hugging Twilight tight. “Gross gross gross!” She sneered. “Why do bad guys always have to be... so detestably garish in their locales?!”
“Now let's not oversimplify things,” Rainbow said, descending the rest of the steps, carefully avoiding puddles of rat feces. “These dudes just made several bad decisions and landed themselves in the wrong crowd.”
“Rainbow,” Twilight groaned, prying herself out of Rarity's embrace. “They knowingly work for an organization that sets innocent ponies' homes ablaze and exploits other citizens for their livelihood.”
“... … ...” Rainbow blinked. “Yeah, you've got a point there. Buck e'm.”
Rarity giggled nervously, flinching as she phased through a dangling spider or two.
Twilight spoke: “For all we know, maybe what we're doing here... what you're doing here is going to be akin to harmonic intervention! Once the Syndicate's collapsed, they could find new, far more innocent ways of living!”
“Well?” Twilight cocked her head to the side. “Isn't it possible, you think?”
“I only care about one possibility right now,” Rainbow muttered, finally reaching the bottom floor. Like a tried and true basement, the chamber was filled to the brim with random junk covered in canvas tarps and layers of dust. “And that's how I can bring this place down without... bringing it down.”
“How do you mean?” Twilight asked.
Rainbow shone her light across the bulkheads, eyeing the various stretches of thick metal and reinforced steel. “Just 'cuz I wanna drown the headquarters doesn't mean I wanna drown the ponies themselves, ya dig?” She paced along the edge of the room, skirting around piles of rusted blades and questionable pieces of armor. “Besides... we want a slow flood, not a crazy deluge. Otherwise, Wildcard and I won't be able to extract any of the vault's goodies in peace.”
“Well, certainly I can be of assistance in that,” Rarity said, smiling proudly.
“You read my mine, girl.” Rainbow motioned along the wall, shining her ruby beacon. “Where is there water on the other side?”
“Mmmmm...” Rarity tapped her chin in thought. “... there!” She pointed in a flash. “The west and east sides, respectfully. Plant a charge on either wall, and the water should rush through the holes in equal volume.”
“And... and what if I accidentally sink the whole dang place?”
“See those thick vertical beams?”
“Yeah...”
“Place the explosives to the left or right, but not directly on the beams,” Rarity said, glancing at Rainbow Dash. “I sense that they support the bulk of the structure's weight. If we blast the walls next to them, it should expose the bottom floors to water, but the foundation will still hold.”
“Clever girl.” Rainbow zipped up to the west wall and attached one of the two charges. She then flew to the opposite wall, skirting over piles of junk as she pulled out the second explosive. “Twilight, any idea what could set these off?”
“Uhm...” Twilight suddenly bit her lip. “Oh dear...”
“Huh?”
“Well... I-I suppose we should have thought of that a great deal harder before you split off from Wildcard,” the mare said, floating with a worried expression. “After all, you haven't got a unicorn's horn to connect to the leylines of the manacrystals built into the device.”
“Or I could do this.” Rainbow's eyes twitched, flickering red-on-yellow. The glow of her pendant intensified by tenfold, and soon a solid beam of harmonic energy short forward, encompassing the charge. ZAAAP!
The explosive lit up, humming like mad. Both of Rainbow's marefriends shrieked.
“Good heavens!”
“Rainbow?!?” Twilight yelped, for this time it was her turn to clutch Rarity tight. “What in the hay?!?”
“Hey! It's okay!” Rainbow hissed above the high-pitched wine of the fiery explosive. She zipped back to the opposite wall and did the same to the other charge. Soon, both mana-powered devices were glowing hotly. “Really! Stop freaking out! In the words of a wise zebra, don't panic!”
“You have to be more careful than that!” Twilight snarled.
“Hey! It's all gravy!” Rainbow Dash stood a wide distance away from the two explosives, perching on the bottom of the stairwell. She tucked her wings to her side and smiled aside at the phantom mares. “So... how long do you think until those things' fuses run out?”
KA-POWWWWW! In dual flashes of flame, the charges went off. A conjoined wall of seawater flew straight into Rainbow's face.
“BLARGHLBLARGHLBLARGHL!!!” She flipped backwards like a blue sea otter and disappeared amidst the black, sloshing currents.
Wildcard's beak rattled.
He teetered left and right as a dull vibration ran up through the fourth floor of the Stronghold.
All around him, explosive parts and random junk rattled on the shelves lined up in front of the storage room's vault.
The bruised thugs groaned in the corner, their bodies shifting from the tremors.
Up on the highest level, Bard and Revan felt the tiniest flutter of movement, followed by a dull roll of thunder through the bulkheads.
Bard blinked.
Revan sat up straight, his ears pricked. “What in the Hell is that...?”
“Uhhhh...” Bard glanced aside.
Echo was rolling on the floor, wincing. His ears folded back as the sarosian struggled to drown out the noise.
“What's his friggin' problem?” Revan sneered.
“Blood's rushin' to the wrong end of his body, I reckon,” Bard said. Another dull vibration ran through the structure, causing Revan to stand up. To this, the mercenary brightened. “Hey! I know what could liven up this conversation!”
“Grrff...?” Revan pivoted around, glaring.
Ziiiiiiip! Bard pulled out his guitar from his case. “How 'bout a song, buckaroo?” He grinned wide, twitching.
One after another, panicked thugs galloped down the winding stairs that led to the first floor of the Stronghold. Their hooves echoed with loud clatters against the walls of the stairwell—a space that was growing smaller and smaller. As they reached the lowest levels, their panting voices reached a fever pitch:
“We're taking on water! I just know it!”
“Was that an explosion just now?!”
“No way in Hell! Who could have gotten down here?!”
“I thought White Foam was guarding the place!”
“Friggin' coral huffer, I swear...”
Suddenly, the head of the line skidded to a stop, his front hoof splashing into water. A line of liquid was rapidly rising up the stairwell. The entire bottom floor had already been consumed.
“Buck me...” The lead stallion stammered.
“This is bad...” Another glanced around, teeth chattering. “And it's getting worse! The water level is rising!”
“We gotta tell Boss Revan!”
“You mean run up to the top floor?!” One stallion shook his head. “Screw that! We gotta open the flood pipes before it gets any higher!”
“How do you expect us to do that?!”
“How else?” And the lead stallion kicked two of his comrades into the drink.
“Wh-whoah!” SPLASH!
“Quickly!” The last three stallions dove in after them, shining flashlights into the rising depths. “About three meters down! The north and south walls! Pull the levers!”
The air filled with splashing and sputtering as all five thugs dove around, dodging debris as they frantically looked for the apparatuses that would vent the excess floodwaters.
“Hurry up!”
“It's rising!”
“We gotta stop it before it reaches another level!”
Meanwhile, behind the group, a petite figure rose up, drifting like a log. With wings outstretched, Rainbow Dash pony-paddled in a circle, making her way to the stairwell. She waited for a series of distorted waves from the amphibious thugs to reach the bottommost step. Then, holding her breath, she hopped onto dry stairwell. The movement caused a tiny splash, and she froze in place.
Thankfully, none of the thugs turned towards the source of the errant noise. They were far too busy with diving for the dive vents in the waters below.
The waterline kept rising, and Rainbow Dash didn't waste anytime. Sticking to the shadows, she trotted up the steps, got a head start, then flew with moist feathers.
One and a half flights up, Rainbow sensed the shadows of more stallions galloping down. Gritting her teeth, she twirled about, then hid her small body behind a vertical support beam.
Just a few seconds later, a fresh wave of frantic guards rushed down the steps—moving right past her.
The mare held her breath, staying still for a little bit longer. Then—stealing a peek to see if the coast was clear—she flapped her wings and ascended up the steps. Halfway through her climb, however, she paused, looking at the south wall of the third floor.
She spotted a round cylinder poking out of the surface. Two levers flanked it, well within a leg's reach of one another.
Smirking, the wet pony pointed at the structure. “That's the ticket...”
Then—as the panicked voices doubled down below—Rainbow made her way stealthily towards the fourth floor, then flew straight for the supply compartment.
Creaaaaak!
Rainbow opened the door slowly. She peered her dripping muzzle in, looking left and right.
The room was barren. Rainbow spotted the vault on the far end, as well as the bruised guards in the corner. However, there was no griffon.
“... … ...Wildcard?”
Her blue brow furrowed.
She drifted forward, one pensive step at a time.
“I dunno if you noticed, but they're reenacting the Legend of Atlantrot downstairs. Now's a super bad time to be one with the—”
Schiiiing! A pair of nightsticks crossed around her neck from behind.
“—shadows?” she squeaked, bug-eyed.
Half-a-second later, the griffon backed off, wincing. He pocketed away his weapons and apologized profusely through a series of clattering talons.
“Yo... yo, it's okay...” Rainbow waved, then rubbed her throat with a shuddering breath. “I'm just glad you don't use katanas as a signature weapon.”
Wildcard nodded, exhaled, and shuffled over towards the three thugs.
“So... uh...” Rainbow trotted after him. “We haven't much longer until the floodwaters reach us. Please tell me you've found a way to open the vault.”
Wildcard shook his feathered head. He reached into the pile of bodies and picked up the unicorn's groaning figure.
“Orrrrr... we could come up with a solution together. Why not?” Rainbow shrugged. “I'm guessing Bard is the brains of the operation,” she said with a smirk.
Wildcard's goggles reflected her with a mute glare. He then hoisted the unicorn up onto the table, slamming him down. WHUMP!
“Oooof!” Just like that, the thug woke. Upon seeing Wildcard, he simply snarled: “You're here for our fortune, aren't you? Well... eat shit, bird brain!” He grinned wickedly. “Boss Revan's promised that my entire family will be fed for life! I'm not opening anything for you!”
Wildcard sneered. T-t-t-ting! Razor sharp claws extended from each metal digit of his prosthetic.
“Heh...” The unicorn spat in his face and leaned back with a smug grin. “Do your worse!”
Wildcard raised his talon high—
GRIP! Rainbow grapped the limb, then hummed into Wildcard's ear. “Easyyyyyyyy there, bad cop.” She cleared her throat. “I know we're in a hurry and all, but I committed to not ripping any dudes' hearts out, no matter how rancid!”
Wildcard rolled his goggled eyes, sighing.
“If you can't come up with another way to open the door, then I guess I'll have to—”
With a jerk, the griffon hoisted the unicorn off the table and dragged him towards the vault.
Rainbow watched from afar, blinking.
“...?” The unicorn's bruised brow furrowed. “What are you doing—?” He gasped.
Wildcard spun the unicorn around, bent him forward, and shoved his horn straight into the manaconsole's niche positioned alongside the vault door.
“Guh!” The unicorn sneered, glaring at the griffon through the edges of his eyes. “Dammit, you imbecile! I told you—there's no force on heaven or earth that's gonna make me open this stupid—”
Wildcard reached in, spread the stallion's legs wide, then slammed his knee straight into the unicorn's groin at full force.
“GKKKKKK!” The unicorn's eyes rolled back in agony. His horn glowed as bright as the sun and—
DING!Hisssssssssss! The vault door opened with a cold groan.
“... … ...” Rainbow Dash finally finished wincing. Fanning herself, she trotted forward and peered into the vault. She looked aside at the unicorn.
“Mmmmmmommmyyyy...” WHUMP! The stallion collapsed in a crumpled mess, whimpering in a high-pitched voice. A cold griffon stepped casually over his body and entered the vault.
“Whew...” Rainbow Dash brushed her bangs back, then glanced aside at an empty spot in the air. “Maybe I should have clarified my stipulations more, but somehow... I don't regret it.” She heard the rattling of metal. Curious, the mare shuffled towards the opened vault. “Well, Wildcard? Is anything there? Was this whole escapade worth it?”
As she entered the vault, she could see a griffon standing, facing multiple metal shelves and racks. The mare had to squint, for there was a positively blinding glint of light... probably caused by the row upon row of countless platinum bars. The griffon peered aside, then pointed a prosthetic talon at the fortune with a grin.
And I said, 'Darlin' it's never too late to gloat'
And you'll never keep afloat
On a dead lover's boat
If you refuse to plug the holes
If you refuse to plug the holes
Bard strummed the last few chords of his guitar and leaned back. He brushed his brown silky bangs aside and exhaled.
“Hmmmmmyeahhhhh...” His muzzle scrunched. “Granted, it could use a griffon harmonica solo somewhere roundabouts the middle, but—hey—beggars can't be choosers.” He winked across the office. “And this here Stronghold ain't no place for beggars, ya reckon?”
Echo groaned.
“Mr. Bard, in all seriousness,” Revan spoke in a gruff tone. “I would very much like to conclude our discussion on the business arrangements at hoof.” His brow furrowed. “Do we have an aggreement or not?”
“Erm... about what?”
“About my proposal!”
“What proposal?”
“About you joining the Syndicate!” Revan snarled. “And, if you must know, I'm appealing to your mercenary talents, not your gifts as a minstrel—” The room's foundations shook, and the stallion glanced once more towards the nearest walkway. “There it is again. By the Queen's Frost... what is that...?”
“Uhhhh...” Bard gulped, shuffling slightly. “Bad juju, if ya ask me.”
“Bad.... juju...?”
“And there's only one way to scare the bad luck away!”
“... ... ... a dagger to the throat?”
The Stronghold shook again.
“Uhhhh... soul-cleansin' music!” Bard strummed the guitar again. “And, wouldn't ya know it?! I feel another song comin' on!”
“Now y'all just sit down and relax!” Bard leaned forward, plucking away at the strings. “This here's an old gem from the eastern waters! It's been sung by just about everypony! Even Whinny Nelson sang it! Then again... hell... Whinny Nelson could sing anythang, eheheh...” He cleared his throat and warbled loudly: “Verlaxion river dun run dryyyyyyyyyy!”
Cl-Cl-Cl-Cl-Clink!
Using a metal talon, Wildcard scooped layer after layer of platinum bars into his bag. He cleared one shelf, then another. Within minutes, he had already filled one satchel, and he zipped open the second one to prepare for the next bounty.
“Good... super!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, squatting down to open her own loot bags. “We're making good time! Now, if we can just get out of here and zoom off to the escape route before anypony finds out what's going on in here—”
“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight's voice cracked.
“Shhh! Don't crowd me, ringo,” Rainbow said.
“Rainbow, look!” Twilight pointed past the mare's head.
“Nnngh...” Rainbow turned around. “What is it...?” Her eyes widened.
Rarity floated above a cluster of notebooks, paper sheets, and blueprints. “I think we've landed the jackpot, darling!” She pointed emphatically. “Take a look for yourself!”
While Wildcard fumbled to get his second bag filled, Rainbow Dash shuffled over to the shelf on the far side of the vault. Up close, she found layer after layer of documentation—all hoof-signed by Boss Revan and the other higher-ups of the Syndicate. There were sheets of paper outlining business operations—both clandestine and otherwise. She spotted supply lists detailing the shipment of explosive materials. Turning a few other sheets over, Rainbow Dash spotted lists of citizens' names, some of them scratched off in garish red ink. Then—last but not least—she found architectural blueprints of Rust, with various locations circled and labeled with descriptions of explosive ordinances. There was a common connection between each of the locations...
“These are the places that were bombed,” Rainbow Dash muttered. She turned the sheet over, squinting at unfilled circles and checkpoints. “And these must be the next spots on the list.”
“Look carefully,” Rarity said, pointing. “There're even notes that detail the ponies who live on those floors and what they owe the infamous Revan!”
“It's even got the individual residents' names listed!” Twilight remarked with a shudder. “These criminals planned every arson down to the T!”
“They even estimated their potential gains in bits for each 'job!'” Rarity fanned herself, grimacing. “Oh, how exceedingly disgusting!”
“We've got business ledgers here explaining everything!”Rainbow exclaimed. “This is it! This is the black heart of the Syndicate, and they're leaving themselves completely, totally naked!” Her voice cracked, “And not even in the cool way!”
“Rainbow, this is exactly the sort of thing Theanim Mane predicted we'd find!” Twilight exclaimed.
“Darn straight it is.” Frowning, Rainbow squatted down and stripped her saddlebag off. “Which means one thing.”
By now, Wildcard had paused in the middle of his task. While the flooded foundation shook beneath them again, he turned to look curiously the pegasus' way.
“Wildcard, don't stop on my behalf!” Rainbow exclaimed, frantically rummaging through her belongings. “In fact... here!” She tossed him one of her lootbags.
The griffon caught it, goggles rattling in confusion.
“Grab as much as you can!” Rainbow pulled Dr. Mane's camera out and laid as many of the business papers out as she could, then took aim with the lens. “I'm gonna do the same... erm... in my own way.”
Wildcard sighed heavily and gestured with his metal talons.
“Look, if you're trying to protest or something, then quite while you're a head, shadow guy!” Rainbow Dash took shot after shot. Click! Click! She made sure to capture the blueprints and the explosive markers from all angles. Click Cl-Click! “Face it, we need this! Cuz if everything falls flat on its face in Shoggoth, then we need something to show that we did the seas a royal service!” She smiled, winding up the film as she prepared for another capture. “After all, I wanna leave this crudhole a good guy, don't you?” Click!
“Yodel-laaaay-yodel-leeeeeee-yodel-loooooooooo!” Bard's throat quivered as he wrung out the last note. Then, with a contented sigh, he leaned back in his seat. “Mmmmm... nothin' like them old campfire blues to get the soul shimmerin' deep inside.”
“Mmmmfff...” Boss Revan muttered into his desk. “...all we need is a sunset.”
Bard grinned wide. “Just what I was gonna say!”
Echo rolled his eyes.
“Mr. Bard...”
“Hey! I know!” The mercenary grinned wide. “Any requests?”
“Unngh...” Revan rubbed his temple tiredly. “...do you know anything by Chris Maretin?”
Bard blinked. “... ... ...who?”
Echo looked up, leafy ears pricked high.
“What is it, boy?” Bard hummed.
With galloping hooves, two stallions rushed into the room, dripping all over with water. “Boss! Boss Revan!”
“Oh, praise Verlaxion!” Revan wheezed, jumping up to his hooves. “Errrr... I-I mean...” He cleared his throat, then marched past the seated Bounty Hunter. “What the Hell's the meaning of this?! Barging in on this important meeting with our esteemed associate?!”
“Boss, we...” The guards exchanged nervous glances, gulping.
“Well?!?”
“At f-first, we thought we could contain it! But now it's risen up to the second floor!”
“What has?! For shit's sake, will you just spit it out!”
“We've been flooded, boss, sir!”
“Flooded?!”
“Sabotage! On the bottom floor!” One of the guards winced. “Somepony's snuck in and planted some kind of explosive!”
“Huh? An explosive...?” Revan's ears folded back as he gasped in realization.
Gritting his teeth, Bard stood up, straightened his hat, and swung his guitar at full force.
“Wait a second—” Revan slowly turned around—CLANNNNNNG!—and got a face full of acoustic vibrations. “Guhhh!” He fell flat on his back.
“H-hey!” The two guards reached for their crossbows.
“Hopah!” Bard was already tossing a grenade pellet from his satchel.
P-POWWW! Both guards flew back, their bodies slamming into the dooframe of the room. They slumped to the floor, out cold.
Bard shrugged his shoulders, steadying his guitar as the instrument vibrated to a stop. “Concert's over, ya bloated yokels.”
“Mrmmfff... holy vagina mushrooms,” Echo grunted, stumbling weekly to his hooves. “And to think, for a second there, I was convinced you would really take him up on his offer.”
“And, y'know what, I was almost convinced too.” Bard tipped his hat back with a smirk. “But that wouldn't do right by Dubya-Cee or Miss Dash.”
“Jee,” Echo droned. “Do you always bleed out your mouth?”
“Once in a full moon.” Bard trotted over Revan. “Ya hear that, varmint? You make a good offer n'all, but I'm awfully sorry...” He winked. “...you and everythang about this place just stinks to high Hell.”
“Nnnnghh...” Revan stirred, squeezing his pained eyes open. “Kill you... and your whole family...”
WHUMP! Bard kicked him in the chest.
The Syndicate Boss exhaled heavily, then fell unconscious.
“Good luck with that, partner.” Bard zipped his guitar back into its case and whistled towards the sarosian. “Hop on, buddy! We're blowin' this joint!”
“Grmmfff...” Echo nervously complied, clutching to the mercenary's backside. “Years ago, I promised myself never to straddle another stallion within minutes of hearing the verb 'blow.'”
“Oh go soak yer fat head!” Bard grinned and galloped out the room with Echo in tow. “It's skedaddle time!”
Wildcard had cleared off all by two shelves. He now had four bulging bags full of platinum bars.
The Syndicate's Stronghold shook, causing the Vault to shudder. The massive door slid closed with a pronounce groan. Gasping, the griffon flew over and stopped it from shutting with his metal hand. Exhaling with relief, he turned and waved his talon in Rainbow's direction.
“I know... I know!” Rainbow frantically photographed sheet after sheet. “I just gotta get more! There's still some film left!”
Wildcard rushed over. He grabbed a bunch of documents from beneath Rainbow Dash and shoved them into a bag, looking at her.
“I'd love to! But we don't have much more room beyond the gold... er... platinum! Whatever!” She bit her lip. “How about... h-how about just the blueprints with the explosive plans?”
Wildcard tapped one of the documents, pointing into the far right corner.
“Whoah!” Rainbow grinned wide. “That is totally a hoof print! Way to go, dude!” She lifted the sheet in question, sneering victoriously. “Boss Revan... you're about to be demoted to Grunt Revan.”
Wildcard stuffed the sheet into one of Rainbow's bags, then zipped it up. He held both filled satchels out to the mare.
Rainbow turned around. “Load me up—” Her eyes bulged as her body sagged. “Luna poop!”
Wildcard fastened one bag to her, and then the second. Rainbow found it hard to stand straight. She had to flap her wings just to tilt her body forward and avoid teetering over.
“Holy squirrel turds...” Rainbow quivered, tail flicking. “You mean... we g-gotta lug this kind of a weight through the water?!”
Wildcard paused, merely glaring at her.
“Uhhhh... I mean... eheh...” She smoothed her bangs back. “No sweat! Not like I've got some hereditary debilitating muscular atrophy or some crud. Let's do this!”
The griffon nodded. He backed out of the Vault in reverse, pushing the door open.
Rainbow trotted after him as well as her heavy hooves could allow her. “Okay... the flood waters should be up to the third floor by now... or just about.” She paused to kick one of the thugs in the chin before he could fully wake up. WHAP! “Then we swim south, head for the surface, and climb onto one of the lower platforms.”
Wildcard flung open the door of the supply room and rushed out.
Rainbow galloped after him. “Then we meet up with Theanim, Echo, and your coltfriend at the Arrowfish and we all make like a tree and...” She skidded to a stop, eyes wide. “...poopy.”
Three thugs were rushing up. “Hey! Guys! We need all able-bodied hooves downstairs to help with...” The trio froze in place, eyes squinting. “...the Hell?”
“Uhhhhh...” Rainbow glanced aside. Neither she nor Wildcard were agile enough to get the drop on the thugs.
Cl-Clakka! The foremost guard raised a crossbow. “I should have known! Mercenaries!” He gnashed his teeth. “The only way you're getting out of here is in a body bag!”
Bard galloped with Echo down a flight of stairs. Once he was well past line of sight with Revan's office, he made for the front entrance.
“Hopefully the others are havin' a far easier time than we are.”
“Mrmmmfff... without a soundtrack, I'm sure,” Echo added.
“Dayum, yer right. Heh... sucks to be them.”
Echo rolled his slitted eyes. His body was jostled, suddenly. Frowning, he craned his neck to look past Bard's hat. “Hey, what gives? Did you run out of farts or...?”
“Ermmm...” Bard chewed his lip, fidgeting uncontrollably.
The door to the front entrance was open, but several thugs stood in the way. They spun around from their conversation, glaring up the steps at Bard.
“You!” One pointed, trotting forward. “You're responsible for this, somehow! Where's the Boss?! Who's responsible for all the flooding?!”
“Awwwwwww shoot.” Bard took a pensive step back. “Somethin' tells me even Whinny Nelson can't pacify these yokels...”
“Did ya hear what I said, punk?!” The lead guard and all of his comrades brandished razor sharp blades and bludgeons. “What in the Hell did you do with Boss Revan?!”
“Look, I know this might seem awfully suspicious-like, what with me haulin' flank down the steps with a bat pony on my flank and all—”
“STOP STALLING!” The guard struck the bottom of the stairs, spilling sparks everywhere. “TALK!”
“Now... uh... I got a good explanation for this and...” He blinked, feeling the weight of Echo peeling off of him. The weak, trembling sarosian strolled forward. “What in tarnation are ya doin', partner?”
“Get behind me,” Echo muttered, glaring at the assembled crowd.
“But—”
“Behind me, sunshine,” Echo slurred.
“And YOU!” The head guard snarled. He pointed angrily at Echo while he and his buddies strolled up the stairs. “You are the worst one of all! Couldn't do a single dayum job for the Syndicate if your life depended on—”
“SHREE-EE-EE-EE-EE-EE-EE!!!” Echo's fangs showed as he lunged forward, muzzle gaping wide open. His throat undulated, and the air between him and the guards distorted in a violent, vaporous fashion.
“Aaa-aa-aaaugh!” The frontmost guard clutched his ears as blood trickled out of two points in his skull. The thugs behind him were no less fortunate. Everypony fell into fitful spasms while the cone of intense noise did its damage.
As soon as it began, Echo's outburst faded. The sarosian's eyes rolled back, and he teetered onto his flank.
“Whoah, there!” Bard caught him, smiling. “Easy, buddy. Ya dun yelped them to a pulp!”
“Unnngh...” Echo's head reeled. He rubbed his skull, wincing. “Not... s-so loud, asstits...”
“How come ya didn't tell me ya could pull that trick off?”
“It's not that useful of a trick, considering I can only do it once a day without fainting,” Echo grumbled.
“Heh... no wonder ya ain't a hit with the fillies.”
“Go cram it up your jizzhole,” Echo sputtered, holding his lunch in. “Mmmfnngh... are we out of here or what?”
“And how!” Bard smirked, tossing Echo over his backside once again. “And thanks, y'all, for flyin' Migraine Airlines!” He galloped over the collapsed thugs, spread his wings, and flew out the door.
Thirty seconds previous...
“I should have known! Mercenaries!” Downstairs, the thug aimed his crossbow at Wildcard and Rainbow Dash. “The only way you're getting out of here is in a body bag!”
Wildcard and Rainbow stood dead-still, helpless.
Just then, a loud, ear-piercing howl wafted down the nearby stairwell from several floors above.
“Grfff... augh!” The guards winced, as did Rainbow and Wildcard. The head thug with a crossbow turned around for one second too long. “What in the Hell is that?” His ears cleared just in time to hear the pitter-patter of talons. He looked straight forward—
SCHLUNNNNK! A razor-sharp beak stabbed him between the eyes.
“AAAAUGGHLKKKTT!” He stumbled backwards, bleeding profusely.
“Verlaxion's Sleet!” One of the guards swung his blade at Wildcard.
The griffon spun to the side. CLANK! He blocked the swing with his metal-filled saddlebag. WHUMP! He pounced on the guard and the two wrestled awkwardly.
“Dammit all!” The last guard rushed towards his partner's aid.
“Wildcard! Look out!” Rainbow galloped forward, but she couldn't compensate the weight of her saddlebag's contents. “Whoah—whoah!” She toppled forward uncontrollably. At the last second, she held her breath, and simply... rolled in a fuzzy blue ball.
For better or for worse, Rainbow's weight body slammed into the last thug, knocking his hooves out from under him. The pegasus came to a stomp, bumping into Wildcard's opponent.
“Gaaah!” The guard tripped backwards over Rainbow Dash, falling limply across his partner.
Holding his breath, Wildcard flapped his wings, lifted up, and then came sailing down with the full weight of his stolen bars.
WHUDDDD! All four talons landed in the guard's chest. The crushing blow was enough to yank the oxygen out of both thugs, and they fell unconscious—one piled atop the other.
Rainbow Dash panted and panted. A metal talon reached down, and she used it to pull herself onto her hooves. “Well... better awkward than awesome, if it gets the job done, right?”
Wildcard's goggles glinted. He spun and dashed down the nearest stairwell.
Rainbow shrugged. “I'm gonna take that as an affirmative 'squawk'!” And she sped swiftly after him.
On the third floor, two stallions struggled with the Stronghold's flood waters. The two of them took turns jumping off and on the stairwell, wading into the waters and tugging at the levers situated alongside the vented-off pipe.
“Come on... come on!Budge!” One snarled.
“Hurry it up, dude!”
“I'm... tr-trying...!”
“If we don't get that last pipe open, then it'll flood up to the Vault!”
“Don't worry!” The swimming stallion stammered. “Once our buddies come back down with backup, we're sure to crank this thing open together.”
The stairwell echoed with the sound of galloping hoofsteps.
“There they come now!” the wading stallion ecstatically sputtered.
Just then, the intercom above water crackled. “Scrkkk—All hooves! Be on the looko—scrkkk!
The stallion standing on the stairwell trotted over and placed his hoof against the intercom button. “Say again?”
“Scrkkk! Saboteurs! They knocked Boss Revan out! Could be—scrkkk—anywhere by now!”
The thugs exchanged glances.
“Saboteurs...?”
The hoofsteps reached a loud pitch.
Both looked up the stairwell.
Rainbow Dash sped down the steps. At first sight of the two guards, she jumped, twirled backwards, and slammed into the pony on the stairwell flank-first. WHANGGG! The weight of the bars in her bags throttled him to the floor.
“Ooof!”
“Dammit!” The other thug pony-paddled desperately towards the edge of the stairwell where his crossbow rested just above the floodline.
Wildcard ran at full-speed. Rainbow held her breath and squatted low. The griffon vaulted over her body, sailing at the thug with a muscular leg outstretched.
WHUD! The guard flipped one and a half times and—splash!—landed in the drink, where he floated, unconscious.
Water sprayed everywhere as Griffon landed past him. Shaking several of the droplets out of his plumage, he swam over towards the pipe—which was nearly underwater at this point. The mercenary struggled a bit to keep his beak above the wavering surface, due to the heavy weight tugging him down. When he finally reached one of the levers beside the pipe, he gripped it, then glanced at the stairwell.
Rainbow Dash was busy dragging the sopping-wet guard out of the floodwaters and up towards a safe spot on the stairwell besides his fellow companion.
“Dude. Priorities, dude...”
Wildcard arched an eyebrow.
“Hey. There's badass... and then there's just plain bad,” Rainbow grumbled.
“We get it, Rainbow,” Twilight said as she floated in.
“Most assuredly, darling.”
Rainbow sighed. “I know you two do.” She galloped towards the edge and dove into the waters. The move dragged her far deeper than she had anticipated, and she struggled a bit to reach the surface, sputtering.
A metal hoof yanked her back to dry air, and she braced herself against the wall, catching air.
“Erm... thanks...”
Wildcard adjusted his goggles, then pointed at the levers.
“Right!” Rainbow Dash glided over, then gripped the lever across from the griffon. Both infiltrators hung off the wall, separated by a closed-off pipe. The floodwaters rose up and up, collecting around the top lid of the pipe—and the napes of their necks. “It's now or never, bud.”
Wildcard nodded.
“Better take a few seconds to catch our breaths now,” the pegasus said. “From the way Theanim described it, it's gonna be quite a long ride once we get this thing to open and—”
The stairwell shook.
Curious, Wildcard and Rainbow Dash looked up.
No less than two dozen guards armed with crossbows stormed down to the last dry level. They instantly spotted the two.
“There they are!”
“Shit! They've got our money!”
“Kill them! Kill them both!”
Pt-Ptoww! The first of several crossbolts flew downward, splashing sharply into the floodwaters.
“Buck it!” Rainbow's voice cracked as her body yanked back, using the full weight of her stolen goods to pull the lever. “Let's go! Go!”
Wildcard's beak clenched as he pulled back with his metal limb.
CL-CLAKKK! Both levers jerked at the same time. The entire room of water surged forward, channeled violently into the freshly open pipe. Rainbow Dash and Wildcard were sucked in before they could so much as shriek. A volley of crossbolts littered the foaming waters right behind them. The stairwell above filled with shouts and curses.
Rainbow Dash rolled, toppeled, and spun at every angle. She stole sputtering gasps of air, which was how she discovered that most of the water was behind her, shoving her down a thin dark passage. Wincing, she somehow wriggled a hoof up to her pendant, activating her Element. This accomplished little—save for producing a kaleidoscopic flicker of ruby streaks against a rusted surface blurring past everywhere she looked.
“Mffmmgt... spkkkff—guh!” Rainbow wheezed and hissed. She got a moment to breathe as her body settled into a squatting position, riding the current of water behind her like she was on a foalish pool slide. “Mmmfft... pfteeah! Wildcard?! Wildcard?!”
“He's ahead of you, Rainbow!” Twilight's ghostly voice echoed. A lavender horn and face phased through the rushing pipework beside the mare. “I think he got some lift with his feathers.”
“You mean he's flying down this m-mess?!” Rainbow wheezed, struggling to stay upright as the rushing floodwaters bubbled all around her. “Guhh... if I make it out of this, I wanna do a blood transfusion with the guy!”
“Rainbow, now's not the time to speak of—”
Rarity's pale face flew up into Rainbow's vision like a beacon. “Rainbow! Take a deep breath!”
“Rarity, what—?”
“It's about to dip!” the fashionista shrieked. “Take a deep breath now, darling!”
Rainbow's eyes caught a savage plunge leading straight down.
“Awwwwwwwwww snap...” Rainbow ended her exclamation with the mother of all gasps. Her blue cheeks bulged as she clenched her eyes shut and loosened her muscles.
She reached the edge of the level pipe, then plunged straight down the cylindrical passage. The liquid surged after her with the murderous force of the Stronghold's upper floodwaters. Rainbow flipped over and over—more times than she could count—and she was upside down when she hit a body of water down below.
SPLOOSH!
Rainbow winced. Her eyes opened, and she spotted the spotlight of her ruby pendant distorting even more as the floodwaters collided with the liquid body she was submerged in. Within seconds, the floodwaters created a savage current, shoving her in a random direction. She spotted a metal ceiling soaring past her, above her. Rivets joined segmented plates together with various different signs of aging.
“Platforms, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed, floating alongside the mare. “We're beneath the surface of Rust!”
“Let the current carry you, darling!” Rarity added, drifting along the other side. “Once you reach the edge, it'll clear, and you must swim towards sunlight!”
Rainbow was in no place to answer; she was having enough trouble clamping her muzzle shut. Her lungs quivered, but she still had the strength to last a bit longer, or so she could only assume.
“Rainbow, you're dropping!” Twilight exclaimed, snapping the pegasus back to reality.
Rainbow Dash discovered that the unicorn was right. The bottom surface of the platforms grew further and further away. She could feel the weight of the stolen goods weighing her towards the ocean's floor. Struggling, the mare kicked and thrashed, struggling to fight the tug of gravity. A few bubbles escaped her lips in the process, so she forced herself to relax—a very difficult feat. Nevertheless, with enough concentration, she was able to stroke her hooves and wings in alternating motion, slowly pushing herself back towards the looming platform above.
She was so concentrated on this task that she hadn't noticed how bright the waters had gotten. A dull red haze filled her peripheral vision. She was approaching the edge of the platform's underbelly, and a sliver of sunlight peaked through a narrow canal to her left.
“You're almost there, darling!” Rarity exclaimed. “Just hold your breath a little longer—”
“Oh no!” Twilight's voice cracked. She pointed up. “Wildcard!”
“... ... ...!!” Rainbow Dash spun to see.
The griffon was above her, locked in place, struggling. For a while there, Rainbow couldn't figure out why... until the watery currents pushed her past him. It was then that she saw the problem. The waterlogged griffon had drifted past a metal grate, and his tail had gotten caught. Anchored in place, the bounty hunter struggled and fought to break free.
“Oh no...” Twilight gritted her teeth. “This is bad. Very bad. Rainbow, I don't think he can—” The unicorn gasped as she and Rarity flew into a translucent, harmonic shield.
Rainbow Dash had caught her hoof around one of several metal support beams holding the platform in place above. Body tense, she fought against the current, pushing herself off the beam in a burst of muscle power and grasping onto the next. In such a struggling fashion, she pulled and pushed herself against the flow of water, inching towards Wildcard. The entire task was agonizingly slow, and her two marefriends were at the point of shivering.
“Rainbow, I... I don't know if you can even do this!” Twilight said.
“You can't have much oxygen left in your lungs!” Rarity added. “Wildcard's a dashing, debonair character, but surely he wouldn't want the both of you to... t-to...”
“Just stay calm, Rainbow,” Twilight uttered, floating right in front of the pegasus, brow furrowed. “If we're gonna do this, we'll do it together.” She looked at the other unicorn. “Right, Rarity?”
Rarity gulped. “Right.” She zipped over, examining the spot where Wildcard's tail was caught. “The grate here is aged. Rusted.” She pointed. “Especially weak towards the top.”
Rainbow nodded. Her wings coiled back as she gripped the closest beam to Wildcard, spun her body through the current, and braced it against the grate. Tensing her upper body, she kicked and bucked and pummeled the metal bars as hard as she could.
The waters filled with echoing claps of metallic thunder, but Wildcard's tail refused to slip free. The griffon struggled... struggled... then struggled no more.
“Oh Celestia...” Rarity cooed.
Rainbow Dash looked at Wildcard. A bubble or two escaped her lungs.
The griffon's body dangled limply from its anchor. There was no way to tell from his goggles if he was truly unconscious or not, but Rainbow's imagination filled the gaps.
“We're...” Twilight sniffled. “We're too late—”
With a surge of bubbles, Rainbow thrust her front hoof towards the bounty hunter's satchel. She ripped it open, causing several explosives to float out into the current. She scooped a bunch of them up with her forelimb, twisted the tops on all of them, and shoved the charged grenades behind the grate. The temperature of the waters heated up dramatically.
“Your satchel!” Rarity exclaimed, pointing. Put the bars between you and—”
Rainbow was already on it. She twirled herself and Wildcard so that their bulging bags faced the grate and the resulting—
POWWWW! Bubbles and shrapnel flew outward in a savage cone past the two escapees. Meanwhile, the grate snapped loose, its rusted bars separating in a flurry. Wildcard's tail was freed, and the blast shoved the two of them out into the sunlit canal.
Rainbow Dash's lungs were at the bursting point by now. Nevertheless, she gripped the griffon with her upper arms and kicked, stroked, pushed with her remaining legs and wings. Fighting both gravity and the current, she shoved the two of them towards the crimson sunsetlight above.
“Fifty feet, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said. “You can do it!”
“You can do anything, darling!” Rarity added, her voice nevertheless quivering with fear. “Just a few more strokes!”
“Concentrate! Swim! Swim!”
Bubbles foamed between Rainbow and the surface. Her eyes rolled back, and the beacon from the pendant dimmed. She glided the last few feet blindly, reaching in ardent faith for dry air—
SPLOOOSH!
“Guhhhhhhh!” Rainbow wheezed and wheezed, dragging as much pure oxygen into her muzzle as was possible. She bobbed back under water, struggled, thrashed, then pulled herself—and Wildcard—back to the surface. She blinked, squinted. The two waded in a calm inlet made by two adjacent platforms, wide enough for just canoes to skim through.
After she caught her bearings, Rainbow paddled towards the nearest platform. She rolled herself onto the surface, then reached down and dragged Wildcard up with aching muscles.
“Nnnnngh... guhhh...!”
Th-Thwump! Wildcard collapsed like a wet log covered in feathers. His body was limp—as was his beak.
“Oh no...” Rarity held a hoof over her muzzle. “How... how could this have happened?”
“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight murmured, her eyes misty. “You... you tried your best.” She sniffled. “We all knew the risks.”
“It... it was going so swimmingly too,” Rarity said.
“Rarity!” Twilight hissed.
“But... but it was—”
Rainbow Dash straddled Wildcard. She pressed both hooves to his feline sternum, pumping in quick rhythmic succession.
“Uhm... Rainbow?” Rarity craned her neck, as did Twilight. “What are you—?” Both mares gasped.
Rainbow had flung her muzzle over the griffon's face. Her muzzle opened wide, clamping around his beak. She exhaled, sat up, pumped his chest again, then repeated the motion with expert finesse.
“Is... is that even going to work?” Rarity squeaked.
“Shhhh!” Twilight hissed, squinting hard.
By the third time Rainbow performed the motion—
Wildcard's whole body twitched. He coughed, sputtered, and vomited out a copious amount of clear fluid. Wincing, he rolled over, coughing and spitting some more.
Rainbow Dash rolled over, sitting on her back as she rested on the weight of her bulging saddlebags. After several deep breaths of her own, she nodded his way. “You back in the land of the living, buddy?”
The griffon quivered and shook. Without looking, he gave a shaking, rattling thumb's up with his metal limb.
“Heh... let's see your bounty buddy write a song about that crud,” Rainbow said with a devilish smirk. She glanced over—then did a double-take.
Rarity and Twilight were gawking at the mare.
“What...?” Rainbow blinked. She rolled her eyes, slicked her mane back, and explained: “Gilda and I used to do tons of stunts over Hurricane Lake. Wouldn't be the first time I had to resuscitate some idiot with a beak.” She winked.
Twilight and Rarity exchanged glances, then bore dumb smiles.
“Rainbow Dash...” Twilight cooed.
Rarity shook her head. “Has anypony ever told you that you're... you're...”
Rainbow pointed. “Choose the wrong A-Word and I'm getting you two exorcised!”
Rarity gulped, smiling tearfully. “I was going to say 'perfect.'”
Rainbow shrugged. “Eh... gold star for effort.” She stood up on shaking limbs. “Okay, miracle show's over, buddy.” She helped Wildcard to his limbs. “Time to catch an Arrowfish.”
“Gnngghh...” Revan limped out the front entrance to the Stronghold, gripping his aching skull with a hoof. “Why in the frosted hells didn't you tell me about this sooner?!”
“We... we weren't exactly sure what it was at first, Boss Revan!” stammered one of several guards crowded around him.
“Weren't sure what it was?!” Revan spun and shouted in the guard's muzzle, forcing him to fall on his flank. “They tore our headquarters a new flankhole with our own explosives!”
“Boss! S-sorry, Boss!” the stallion trembled. “Please don't blow up my family!”
“With what?!” Revan grumbled. “My eyebrow dandruff?! Those were the last of our ordinance! Guhhhh!” He kicked a nearby metal bulkhead and squinted into the setting sunlight. “Somepony tell me they were actually here to steal something and not just make me look like the king of idiots!”
“You saw one of them, Boss,” another guard said. “That mercenary who brought the midnighter in. Surely he was in on it.”
“That wasn't a mercenary,” Revan seethed. “That was a broken record player in a Verlaxion damn hat. Where's Cold Snap?!Somepony go find that unicorn idiot!”
A breathless guard rushed in from the Stronghold's interior. “Boss, the water's stopped rising!”
“Oh yeah? Where at?”
“The Third Floor, Boss,” he said. “Somepony opened the flood pipes.”
“Well, at least we've got a sprinkle of gold dust atop today's pile of shit.” Revan grumbled. “Find Cold Snap. I need his magic in tracking down our saboteurs.”
“Uhm...” The guard fidgeted. “Cold Snap's unconscious, Boss. And I think someone kicked him in the family jewels.”
“Huh... beat me to it.” Revan squinted. “Wait... how do you know this?”
“I saw him on the fourth floor. He's a sobbing, blubbering mess... and... uhm...” The guard bit his lip, glancing at the others.
“What?!” Revan glared. “Spit out!”
“It's... it's about... uh... the Fourth Floor... uhm...” Nervously, the guard leaned in and whispered in Revan's ear.
Revan stared off. Gradually, his coat paled and his ears folded. He fought off the panic with a loud, hollering voice: “I want every able-bodied stallion to search the lengths of Rust for the mercenary in the hat!” He spun, waving an angry hoof. “He's got to be with the other saboteurs! Bring me them so I can personally feed them their own nutsacks!”
“Sir, one of our guys woke up from being knocked out,” a thug said, trotting up. “Mentioned something about a blue pegasus mare and some griffon dude with a metal arm.”
“Where were they seen last?”
“On the Third Floor. Right where it was flooding.”
“Wait... that means...” Revan gnashed his teeth. “Sonuvabitch... they used the floodpipes to escape!” He broke into a gallop, heading due south. “Follow me! To the Iron District! Two of you! Run to the marina and grab some boats!”
“Yes, Boss Revan!” A pair of guards galloped in the opposite direction as he tore off down the platforms, causing several citizens to glance nervously, fitfully.
“They're dead the moment they try leaving this place,” Revan snarled in mid-stride. “Ungrateful slobbering pissants... I'm the one thing holding this whole damn ocean up!”
“Come on, Feathers,” Rainbow Dash said, hobbling along as she supported the weight of Wildcard leaning against her. The two of them attracted no small amount of curious gazes from the citizens of Rust populating the streets and storefronts all around. “I'm sure it'll be a cozy ride on board the Arrowfish. It'll be just like... a zeppelin! Only, like, on water.” She glanced at him. “You're not allergic to peanuts, are you?”
The griffon merely shuddered. Ocean water leaked out the edges of his goggles.
“Y'know...” Rainbow shifted the weight of her bulging saddlebags and reached for his eyepieces. “Maybe it'd help if you just—”
WHAP! He swatted her hoof away with a metal talon.
Rainbow blinked. “Yeesh.” She picked up the pace, dragging him over a bridge leading to another platform. “Bard's right. You are loud.”
“Freeze!” A young, thin stallion rushed up. He fumbled with his crossbow before aiming the thing at the two, shivering slightly. “Boss Revan says to take you down! So... let's d-do this nice and easy!”
“...” Rainbow smiled. “Easy is right. Easy peasy!” She dropped Wildcard (Thwump!) and rushed forward on blurred wings.
The guard gasped and fired wildly. Th-Th-Thwifft!
Each crossbolt whizzed past Rainbow's body as she galloped, side-stepped, ran up the side of a lamppost, bounced off, and slammed her hoof across the guard's face in the descent.
“OOF!” He spat a tooth out and fell down hard.
“Hah!” Rainbow Dash landed in a squat, still dripping with seawater. “Whew! After nearly drowning, that sure as heck felt goooooo-oo-oo-oo—” She stood up, eyes wide.
Eight stallions rushed up, all equipped with the same standard-issue crossbows and clubs. They shoved gasping citizens aside and growled at the mare. Their shiny weapons raised at the ready.
“—oo-oo-oohhh boy, this is gonna suck,” Rainbow's voice cracked, already backtrotting.
“RAAAUGH!” The group rushed forward. The stallions in front swung their bludgeons while those in the rear let loose a violent barrage of projectiles.
Rainbow Dash side-stepped two swings, ducked a crossbolt, deflected another attack, headbutted a guard, then leaned back—flinching—from another crossbolt. Pting! It ricocheted off her Loyalty Pendant. She blinked, grinning wide. “Hah-HA!” WHAM! A club connected hard with her side, pinballing her over to a rolling stop besides Wildcard. “Mmmfnngh... no fair... not even first inning...” She stirred, looking up with pained eyes.
The seven remaining guards loomed above the two heisters, raising their weapons.
Then, from high above. “YeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHAAAAA!”
The Syndicate thugs looked up, their unwitting bodies christened with a large shadow.
FWOOOSH! Bard came sailing straight down, wings spread, swinging his staff at full force. WHUDDDDD!
The impact of his weapon against the bridge was so intense that it broke off several decrepit metal panels—which dropped out beneath the guards. “Aaaaaaaaaaugh!” The group of Syndicate thugs shrieked as they fell deep into the drink, sputtering and splashing below.
“Oooof!” Echo shook, slitted eyes spinning as he clung painfully to Bard's backside. “...I want to ride another pony now,” he wheezed.
“Howdy, y'all?” Bard smirked, still recovering from the reverberation of his staff-strike through his muscular frame. “Mind if I dr—”
“That's only cool if you use it beforehoof,” Rainbow said.
“Awwwww.”
“Still...” Rainbow stood up with a frazzled smile. “Thanks a ton.”
“Only wish I did it earlier, but I had to make myself scarce.” The mercenary glanced at Wildcard's waterlogged figure. “Wow, you sure look worse for wear, Dubya-Cee.”
The griffon staggered to his paws, regaining some of his strength. Nevertheless, he struggled slightly before hand-signing a few choice words.
“Really? She did, huh?” Bard smirked at Rainbow, then back at Wildcard. “Reckon she deserves a kiss for that.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Dude...”
“Better yet.” Bard collapsed his staff and adjusted the weight of the sarosian on his back. “Lemme kiss her for ya later.”
“Dude!” Rainbow shrugged, frowning.
“I'll kiss all three of you if you would just get us the hell out of here!” Echo spat.
“Dayum skippy.” Bard nodded. “Got the goods?”
“And then some,” Rainbow said.
“Good.” Bard led the charge. “Let's mosey!”
The three galloped, spread their wings, then glided low over the gasping, gawking crowd.
Revan galloped along, flanked by several thuggish subordinates. Up ahead, they saw a thick crowd gathered, chatting nervously. His eyes narrowed, and as soon as he and his cohorts turned a corner, his jaw dropped.
Several thugs lay on the surface of a bridge, twitching and groaning in pain.
Revan galloped up to the first thug he could find. “Tell me what happened here...” When the stallion's head simply reeled, he snarled and shook the groaning stallion. “Hey! Snap out of it!” He sneered into her face. “Who the Hell did this to you?”
“Mrmmmf... drawling punk in... a stupid hat...”
“Bard...” Revan sneered through clenched teeth. “I'm gonna punch so hard he'll be shitting that thing out... along with his guitar.”
“B-Boss...” Another guard sat up, wincing. “He wasn't alone.” He rubbed his neck. “There was... a bird thing... metal arm.”
“A griffon?” remarked one of Revan's accomplices.
The injured stallion nodded. “And a blue mare. Rainbow mane.”
“Where did they go?” Revan spat. “TELL ME!”
One of the injured thugs turned and pointed. “Due south... through the Iron District...”
Two of Revan's lackeys exchanged glances. “What the hell is in the southern edge of the city? A hideout?”
“They couldn't hide from us for long.”
“That friggin' midnighter did.”
“This is different. They know we'd be burning them out of hiding! Naw, I think they're trying to escape.”
“No boat could outrun us though!”
Revan's pupils shrank. “... … ...what time is it?”
Another guard glanced at a pocket watch. “About ten til six, sir.”
Revan gnashed his teeth. “Verlaxion dammit... the Arrowfish!”
“S-sir?”
Just then, a revving motor could be heard beneath them, growing closer. Those in the group who were standing turned to look. Two Syndicate boats came gliding southwest through the canals.
In one quick breath, Revan galloped to the side of the bridge, jumped off, and landed on the bow of the foremost vessel.
“Gah!” The pilot stumbled back into his crossbow-toting companions. “Boss?! What gives—”
“Move over!” Revan swatted the thug, crept into the pilot's chair, and throttled the boat forward. As he skimmed under the bridge, he shouted so that both the guards on top and the ones in the boat following could hear: “Head to the drydocks! Go! Go! They're gonna try escaping on one of the Arrowfish!”
“Two thousand.... two thousand two hundred and fifty... two thousand five hundred...” The elderly dockworker looked up with a smile. “There you have it. Five seats on board the Mark Two!”
“Mmmmm... very well then,” Theanim Mane said, nevertheless shivering. He glanced over his shoulder, glancing across the crimson, sun-lit lengths of the platform city. “It's a pleasure to be... coming on board...”
The worker arched an eyebrow. “Is something the matter, sir?” Behind him, several unicorn trotted up the ramp that lead into the port side of the segmented sea-skimmer. They made their way to the rear engine compartment, preparing to prep the thruster manifolds. “I must say, my friend,” the worker continued. “You seem to be... four passengers short.”
Theanim gulped. “I think I was born four brains short of common sense,” he wheezed. “Seems to be my lot in life.”
“Well, I hope you enjoy your trip to Shoggoth, either way.” The worker said, bowing. “We'll be casting off soon! Like... really soon.”
“It's alright,” Theanim said, putting on a crooked smile. “There's nothing in life you can't make more adventurous than doing it at the last seconddddd-dd-dd-dd—” His voice peeled off as he heard several loud engines from the north. He turned to squint.
Two Syndicate boats pierced the water underneath the nearest bridges. They came skimming southwards, heading towards the drydocks and the single large gate right behind Theanim. Then, around that same time, Theanim spotted three figures with a limp Sarosian gliding their way along the platforms hugging the east edge of the artificial inlet.
Theanim gulped hard. “Oh, my Queen, let there be at least a scrap of flesh to spare from all this...” Teeth chattering, he bolted up the platform and stood in the open doorframe in the Mark Two's hull. “Hey!” he whistled. “Gallant friends! Over here! Hurry!”
"They're gaining...." Echo echoed, jolting over Bard's flanks.
"Uh huh..." Bard huffed and puffed, wings flapping.
"They're gaining even more," Echo droned louder.
Bard's muzzle wrenched into a frown. "Uh huh..."
"We're almost there, guys!" Rainbow's voice cracked. "Theanim's up ahead! I can see the fruity blue of his eyes--" CR-CRACKKK! A lamppost exploded from an impacting crossbolt above. "Gaaah!"
VRMMMMM! Revan's boat came within screaming distance. Four stallions riding in the back aimed their crossbows and fired volley after volley. THW-THW-THW-THWIFFT!
The storefronts and market stands to the group's left shattered and flew into pieces from the projectiles. Shrieking citizens dove for cover while the group struggled to outrun the shots with their weighty loot.
"That is Syndicate property!" Revan hollered, his voice booming. He freed one hoof and cocked a crossbow of his own, aiming over the port side as he came up alongside the four heisters on the platform. "So are your kidneys when I'm through with you!"
"Companions, hurry!" Theanim shouted from up ahead as the Mark Two's engines revved and glowed. The gate started opening with a loud groan.
"Darn if this doesn't sting to high hell!" Bard snarled. "Okay, how 'bout we split up and--"
Th-Thud! Two heavy satchels full of platinum bars landed on the platform.
Rainbow, Echo, and Bard gawked. "Dubya-Cee...?"
Frowning, the griffon stripped of the weight, perched on the platform's edge, and dove out towards the waters.
“Don't stop until we're broadside with the drydocks!” Revan shouted, spinning the rudder wheel. “Get your flanks inside the Arrowfish immediately and stop it from—”
“Uhhhh...” One of the guards leaned back, eyes wide. “Boss...?”
“Huh?” Revan looked up as a murky shadow crossed his features. “...buck me sideways.”
WHAM! Wildcard landed on him, legs first. He used Revan's crumpled body as a springboard and pounced on the rest of the stallions on board the crowded boat. They shouted and swung their weapons at him in close combat.
“Dude!” Rainbow Dash stammered, grimacing.
“My goodness!” Rarity squeaked.
“We can't just let him go like that!” Twilight said.
Rainbow ran up to the edge of the platform. “Wildcard! The Arrowfish—”
“Darlin', we'd best skedaddle,” Bard said.
Rainbow spun around. “Huh?”
Grunting, the mercenary bent down, picked up the bags of platinum bars, and added it to the weight of the sarosian on his back. “If the Mark Two takes off without us, our whole plan is done for!”
“But... b-but Wildcard—”
“Dubya-Cee's got this! Trust me!”
“How could you possibly—?”
“Trust me! Now git!” Bard galloped up the ramp and into the Arrowfish.
Rainbow Dash bit her lip. Nevertheless, she trotted backwards, then rushed up after Bard. Twilight and Rarity watched with nervous expressions until a translucent wall of harmonic energy dragged them along with the pegasus.
“Raaaaugh!” A guard galloped the short length of the boat, swinging a machete.
SCHIING! Wildcard unleashed his nightsticks, blocked him—CLANG!—then swung his skull backwards to slam the muzzle of a thug coming up from behind. Rebounding from the impact, he stabbed his beak deep into the first guard's shoulder, kicked the machete out of his grip, then slammed him to the ground with a spinning roundhouse kick.
A bruised guard stood up on the edge of the boat, firing a crossbow at close range. Thwifft!
Wildcard backflipped, wrapped his tail around the gasping stallion's neck as he flew over him, landed on the stern, and swung his lower body towards the platforms of Rust.
“Gaaaaaaiieee!” The thug was thrown by Wildcard's tail against a metal bulkhead. He pinballed painfully off it and fell deep into the drink. Splash!
Vrmmmmmm! The second Syndicate boat came throttling forward, its occupants firing a steady volley of metal projectiles at the griffon. Thw-thw-thw-thwifft!
Holding his breath, Wildcard twirled his nightsticks with expert precision. Cl-Cl-Cl-Clank! He deflected the crossbolts, took a running start, and dove suicidally at the oncoming boat with both weapons drawn.
When the griffon landed, he immediately slammed into the driver. The rudder wheel spun madly, causing the boat to throw itself into a maddening twirl while the guards on board wrestled with the mercenary.
“Quickly! Quickly!” Theanim helped Rainbow Dash into the Mark Two while Bard placed Echo down inside, propping the bat pony up against a wall. “Verlaxion's sleet! Must everything be down to the blasted wire?!”
“All aboard!” A crew member hollered from up ahead. The group could hear the roar of the mana-powered engine. The ramp outside drew away while the platforms of Rust started sliding out of view. “We're casting off!”
“Guhh!” Twilight gripped her skull, phasing through the walls. “The unicorns! They're... they're channeling so much magic—!”
“Rainbow, the door!” Rarity pointed at the narrow slit of red sunlight. “I can sense it shutting—”
“Bard!” Rainbow pointed. “The door!”
“Step aside!” Bard rushed over. Cl-Clakkk! He extended his staff, twisted it tight, then shoved it into the doorframe, bracing it against the seal. “Grnnnnghhh!”
Sparks flew as the automatic door struggled to close, held in place by the mercenary's staff.
“What are you doing?!” Theanim exclaimed.
“Feathers is still out there, Theams,” Echo slurred.
Theanim's ears folded. “Oh dear...”
One of the crew members peered his head down the long interior corridor that led to the bridge. “What's going on back there?!”
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow Dash smiled nervously, shivering. “We're all good! Peachy keen!” She shouted out the doorway. “Dude! We're leaving!”
“Dubya-Cee!” Bard hollered, struggling with the door seal.
“It's now or never, Desperado!”
Wildcard was too busy exchanging blows with half-a-dozen stallions. He punched one to the floor, dodged a metal bat swing, knocked it into the water with his nightsticks, then headbutted a second guard.
One wrapped his legs around the griffon from behind.
Seething, Wildcard spread his wings, jumped, and fell backwards. Whump! His weight slammed into the guard's belly, knocking the wind out. Wildcard rolled aside, dodging a machete swing. He stood up, deflected a crossbolt with his nightstick, then gripped a sputtering guard's neck with his metal talon.
“Raaaugh!” Another guard came rushing in with his machete in full swing.
Wildcard held his breath. With a shower of sparks, he detached his metal hand from the rest of his limb. POP! He ducked back while the guard rushed stupidly through the new empty space. He leaned back, reattaching the limb. Cl-Clack! And used his renewed grip of the thug's neck to body slam him into the back of the stumbling guard. WHAM!
Sliiiink! A flying crossbolt bloodily grazed Wildcard's upper shoulder, lopping off a few feathers.
Wincing voicelessly, he looked towards the stern of the twirling boat.
Panicked, the last guard loaded a final bolt into his crossbow.
Wildcard held his metal palm out towards him. Sparks flew as he magnetized the limb.
“Guhhh!” The guard gasped, being dragged across the boat by his grip to the metal crossbow and—WHUDDD!—into Wildcard's right uppercut. He fell down, joining the other guards' groaning bodies.
While the griffon took a moment to catch his breath, he was unaware of Boss Revan standing up in the adjacent boat. Revan took one look at the griffon and sneered. He kicked open a metal compartment beside him and pulled out a flare gun. Loading a flammable cartridge into the thing, he pivoted and aimed it carefully at Wildcard's backside.
“One cooked goose, coming up—”
Just as his fetlock was about to roll into the triggering mechanism—
Cl-Clank! A pair of explosive pellets fell into his boat.
“Huh?” Revan took one look down, and—POWWW!—was thrown sky-high, along with the screaming bodies of his fellow thugs as the boat exploded.
Rainbow Dash watched from the entrance of the gliding Arrowfish while Bard fastened his leather grenade satchel back shut. “Dubya-Cee!” He whistled shrilly.
Wildcard looked over from a distance.
“It's now or never, bud!”
“Come on!” Rainbow hollered as the stern of the ship flickered a bright blue. “The engine's about to power up!”
Wildcard heard a throng of Syndicate thugs running up along the platform behind him. In a blur, he sheathed both nightsticks, ran the full length of the boat, leapt, bounced off the severed bow of Revan's ship, and dove straight for the Arrowfish.
An array of crossbolts flew at his tail in mid-air.
Bard leaned past his staff, holding his hoof out into the salty air.
In mid lunge, Wildcard twisted his metal wrist and—POWWW!—launched his talons at the end of a long grappling cable.
It shot ahead towards the Markw Two, and the other mercenary caught it in the crook of his hoof.
“Gotcha!”
Ziiiiiiiiiiiiip! Wildcard retracted, sailing his body swiftly towards the ship just as—
POWWW! The engines of the Arrowfish ignited.
Cl-Clank! Wildcard's body knocked Bard's staff out of the doorframe. The seal snapped shut... with the two mercenaries safely inside.
FWOOOOOOSH! The Arrowfish shot south like greased lightning.
Inside, Rainbow Dash stepped back while the Desperadoes caught their balance.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!” Bard hollered, smiling wide. “Ain't no gettin' off this train we're on!” He and Wildcard bumped chests. “Oooh-rah! Do you believe in miracles?!” He tossed his hat, cheering. “Woooo!”
Wildcard smirked, slumping against the wall to catch his breath. He reached into his satchel, fumbled, and produced a toothpick. Gnawing on it, he glanced aside at Echo and offered him another splinter of wood.
Gawking, Echo slowly shook his head. “No thanks.” He gulped. “My testicles might explode. Just the last thing I need,” he shuddered.
Rainbow Dash didn't realized she was hyperventilating until she felt her heart pulse slow down to a thudding lurch. She glanced aside at Theanim, then over at the two mares. She arched her eyebrows.
“Nothing to celebrate for,” Twilight said, tilting her chin up. “We still have to deal with the Southern Hoof in Shoggoth, and then there's Princess Camelia whom we have to impress.” Silence. She fidgeted, then looked aside at Rarity.
Rarity was biting her lip, fighting to contain a squeal.
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Oh, who am I kidding...?” She pounced on Rarity and the two hugged each other, bouncing over and over again. “We did it! We did it!”
“We did it! Oh, what a spectacular show!”
“Heeheehee!”
Rainbow Dash shuddered. At last, she stripped of her bulging money bags and slumped up against the wall opposite of Wildcard and Echo. While Bard continued whistling and chanting—pacing in a testosteronical circle—she closed her eyes and enjoyed the delicious hum of the Arrowfish's engines bulleting the group south and towards safety. Not long after, she sensed a body sitting down next to her.
Opening her eyes, Rainbow glanced aside at Theanim Mane. “...hi Doc.”
“Hello yourself, Miss Dash,” he said with a calm smile. “You seem uneasy.”
“Just...” She gulped. “Not used to things working out this well.”
“If I were you, I'd cherish the moment.”
“I... uh... I got photographs, Doc,” she said. “Lots and lots of evidence about—”
“Shhhhh...” Theanim Mane rested a hoof on her shoulder. “While I am certainly glad you remembered our priorities...” He gulped. “I'm a great deal more thankful that you're back in one piece.”
Rainbow squinted. “Yeah, but what about the dudebros here?”
“Mercenaries are a bit a dozen,” Theanim said. “There's only one rainbow.”
Rainbow exhaled, leaning her head back and closing her eyes again. “Careful, doc,” she slurred. “Too much sap could gum up the unicorns' engines.”
“Heheheh...” Theanim relaxed as well. “Highly doubtful. But I'll keep that in mind.”
Meanwhile, along the southern edges of Rust...
The Syndicate's thugs gathered along the platforms that bordered the drydocks. Through the slowly closing gate, they had lost all sight of the Arrowfish. It was less than two minutes since departure and already the vessel was a pinprick along the horizon.
Boss Revan was being helped out of the watery canal, along with the rest of his bruised, aching companions. They stumbled onto the platform—most of them collapsing as soon as they came into contact with the dry surface. Revan, however, limped up to the platform's edge and gawked at the closing gate.
His teeth clenched as his eyes searched and searched in vain for the elusive Mark Two.
“Boss, we're...” A guard shuffled. “We're awful sorry. We've never encountered mercenaries like that before—”
“Rrrrrrghhh!” Revan spun, slamming a hoof across the thug's muzzle. As he fell to the ground, the leader shouted at the gathered group. “Sorry?! You're sorry?! Those cocky flankholes just made off with our entire fortune, you idiots! Did any of you... any of you have any idea just how damn important it was to slit their throats before they got away?!”
The guards exchanged glances, blinking. A hushed silence hung over the platform.
Revan stared at them, blinking. “...well?!?!” He stomped his hoof. “What are you just standing around for?!”
One guard shuffled forward with an inquisitive squint. “Did you say... our entire fortune?”
“Yeah, genius!” Revan spat. “Why else do you think I was... so... adamant...” His voice trailed off as the air reverberated with the sound of weapons falling to the floor.
“I'm out, dude,” one stallion said, waving his hooves and walking away.
“Yeah, me too.” Another joined him.
“Pffft. Screw this gig.” And another.
“Wait... hey!” Revan's voice cracked as he growled and shouted. “You can't do this! I'm your boss! Boss Revan! You punks owe me!”
A few stallions paused to look back at him with dull expressions. “Pal... if you ain't got the bits, then we ain't got the shits to give.”
“Yeah,” another mumbled. “Curse and threaten all you want. But you can't bomb my family unless you've got the bits to pay for it.”
“I... I don't believe this!” Revan stammered as the crowd dispersed, shuffling off into the furthest corners of Rust. “I... I'm the backbone of Rust! Without me, you are all nothing! Nothing, ya hear me?!”
“We hear you,” a guard grunted from far away. “Now get a job, ya asshat!”
Revan stood in place, shivering, panting. Slowly, icily, he turned towards the closed gate at the Arrowfish drydock. The mother of all angry expressions burned across his muzzle. Then, falling to his knees, he let loose a long, agonized yell into the crimson air.
Rainbow Dash paced back and forth inside the narrow corridor of the Arrowfish's port side compartment. Despite the savage speed of the mana-powered vessel, it was a remarkably smooth ride, and the splashing of waves against the Mark Four's four separate prows had been reduced to a dull hum. Several evenly-paced portholes loomed to the mare's left, and they all showed a dark sky kissing an even darker horizon. Night had fallen, and the vessel skimmed its way south in an undaunted glide.
But this wasn't what occupied Rainbow's attention.
Pacing back and forth, the pegasus remained anchored to a metal door to her right, framed in iron rivets.
“You know, Rainbow, darling,” Rarity spoke, “If you need to go that badly, I'm certain there's a filly's room situated on the starboard side of this vessel. The Arrowfish appears to be a ship that favors symmetry, after all.”
“It's not that and you know it,” Rainbow muttered. “What's taking him so long?”
“You took an awful lot of photographs, Rainbow,” Twilight said, phasing out of the room in question. “And since he sold the Midnight Dreary, Doctor Mane has only the bare essentials to work with.” She smiled pleasantly. “For what it's worth, I took a look at his progress myself, and he's doing quite well. So just relax, alright?”
Rainbow sighed, slumping against the wall and wrapping her wings around herself. “Somehow, I think I was more relaxed while we were running from bad guys and kicking the occasional flank,” she muttered.
Rarity shuddered. “I honestly do not know how you can say that, Rainbow.” She fanned herself. “Just thinking about how you and Wildcard nearly drowned...”
“Well, you gotta admit...” Rainbow smiled faintly. “Things got somewhat awesome there in the end.”
“You have a most questionable definition of 'awesome,' Rainbow.”
“Well, Rarity,” Twilight Sparkle said, “When one experiences tense situations, the adrenaline produced can create a bizarre sense of enjoyment—”
“Don't you even try, Twilight,” Rarity grumbled. She pouted, staring out one of the many-many portholes. “The silver lining to all of this is that we get to meet an underwater princess once all of this is over with.”
“You mean Camelia?” Twilight remarked. “For all we know, she and the rest of the ponies in Shoggoth may be dancing to the Southern Hoof's tune.”
“Ugh...” Rainbow buried her muzzle in her hooves. “And you tell me to 'relax.'”
Twilight winced slightly. “I... I'm sorry, Rainbow.” She gulped. “I suppose I dwell too much on the future.”
“Meh. Shoggoth.” Rainbow ran a hoof through her own mane, shuddering slightly. “And you thought we were nearly drowning earlier...”
Rarity cleared her throat. “Tell you what...! What say we see what the handsome mercenaries are discussing?”
“Hmmmm...?” Rainbow looked past the figure of a limp sarosian slumbering like a pile of leather beneath a draped cloak.
Bard smiled, gesturing between him and Wildcard. “And so that's when I whalloped him big time with the guitar! ClaAaAaAang! All swift and thud-like, ya reckon? Oh boy, was that varmint down for the count!”
Wildcard nodded, casually whittling away at a block of wood. He already had six fresh toothpicks lined up beside where he sat against the corridor's wall.
“Whew boy! We sure showed him!” Bard fanned himself with his hat, smiling into the Mark Two's electric interior lighting. “Most places we drift through, punks like him are tearin' families apart and gettin' away with it, and nopony has the guts to hire anyone to stop 'em.”
Wildcard paused to gesture with his flesh-and-metal talons.
Bard's brow furrowed. “What do ya mean?! It's not like we're workin' for freelance!”
The griffon rolled his goggled eyes and hand-signed some more.
“Yeah, and what about it?” Bard huffed. He nudged one of the bulging saddlebags with his lower hoof. “We're gettin' a hefty share when all is said and done, ain't we? I mean... the Muddredgers won't be robbing us completely blind... especially after we aim to rob them blind.”
“The jury's still out on that, dudes,” Rainbow muttered.
Bard looked over. “Ya kiddin', missy?” Bard smirked. “Them underwater pretenders in Shoggoth are in league with Revan's crew!”
“Yeah, but until we find out that they've been—like—flooding random families and blaming it on faulty heating devices, I don't think we should be planning to screw them over nearly as badly as the morons who were running Rust.”
“And why the Hell not?!” Bard shrugged. “Admit it, darlin', you were built for this sort of savage homewrecking.”
Rainbow Dash frowned. “I am not a homewrecker!”
“Sure thang, and I'm Dwight Yoacolt.” Bard winked, smiling. “Dubya-Cee told me about the whole escapade y'all had downstairs. Any other mare would have been a tremblin' mess. But you? You knew your way around enemy territory like you was born there! Even under water, you had a magic compass tellin' you where to go!”
“That...” Rainbow squirmed, nervously glancing at Twilight and Rarity. “...that's something else.”
Wildcard gestured something.
“Pfft! Soak yer fat head, ya ostrich!” Bard cackled. “I mean it! She should go into the mercenary business! Like us!” He slapped his hat back on and winked her way. “How 'bout it, darlin'? Ya fixin' to become a Desperado?”
Rainbow snarled, “I don't do what I do for bits.”
Bard glanced at her bag several paces over, then back at her. “Is that a fact...?”
“My business in Shoggoth is different than yours,” she grumbled. Folding her forelimbs, the pouting mare said, “Once we've parted ways, I hope to be done with the criminal heist business for good.”
“Once we've...” Bard blinked, incapable of finishing that sentence. “But... but honey, yer a goldmine!”
“I've got far more important things on my agenda than gold,” Rainbow grumbled. “And don't call me 'honey.'”
Wildcard glanced aside at Bard, slashing his talons through the air.
The pegasus stallion blinked at him. “How could ya accept that so easily? She done saved yer life, ya fool!”
Wildcard shrugged.
“Heh... dun even pretend, mobo,” Bard said with a smirk. “I swear, one of these days, yer gonna meet a lady who lays eggs and then what?”
Rainbow squinted. “...the buck are you even going on about now?”
Before Bard could respond, the door to the lavatory opened with a groan.
Twilight twirled around. “Oh! There he is now!”
“Doc!” Rainbow Dash blurred over, hovering before the doorframe. “How... how is it?”
Theanim Mane backed out, turned calmly around, and laid down an open briefcase full of freshly developed photographs. “See for yourself, Miss Dash.”
Rainbow Dash landed, squatting low so she could observe each photograph. She whistled. “Awesome sauce... they... they look so clear.”
“Well, of course they do.” Theanim smiled calmly. “It was my camera you used, after all.”
“But... y'know... I'm out of practice with my Shutter Fu,” she said. “I was friggin' scared that they'd be out of focus or something.”
“Well, granted...” Theanim exhaled. “You could have framed several of the documents and blueprints better.”
Rainbow winced.
“But...” Theanim pointed. “I do believe we have enough material properly captured to convey the intended message.” He looked up at the mare. “Combine that with the four or five physical sheets you did manage to grab, and we'll have quite the body of evidence to present to Camelia and her Council.”
“And... and you think she'll help us out?” Rainbow asked.
“It is... difficult to say, Miss Dash,” Theanim remarked. “My experience with the Sirens is... very slim.” He gulped. “And, suffice to say, she will undoubtedly get a read on us far sooner than we'll ever get a read on her.”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“Let's just say that Sirens and all of their seapony kin are quite... intellectually gifted,” the stallion said. “It will behoove us to be as honest with the denizens of Shoggoth as possible.” His nostrils flared. “In mind as well as in tongue.”
Rainbow blinked at him.
“Are you doing alright, Miss Dash?” Theanim asked. He gestured down the hall. “Echo isn't the only one who could use some sleep, methinks.”
“Yeah, I'm... I'm just...” Rainbow gazed down the corridor leading towards the bow of the vessel. Far away, like a flickering speck of starlight, Yaerfaerda lingered, growing closer and closer with alarming speed. “This whole friggin' thing in Rust was like a crazy hump to glide over. And now that we've kicked so much flank and taken names, I... I almost regret it.” She gulped. “And everything went perfectly, too. Not like I'm complaining.”
“Victory in itself is one of life's ultimate challenges,” Theanim said with a calm smile. “Though I doubt you need me telling you that.”
Rainbow Dash nodded. “I've... felt this before. In Val Roa,” she said. “I... didn't like what came after.”
“Well, if it's of any consolation, getting to the next Seed is a challenge I can't even begin to contemplate right now.” With a tired sigh, Theanim slumped down against the wall. He swiveled his briefcase around and carefully rearranged the photographs. “Queen Verlaxion has only shown up in Shoggoth to do one thing... and that is to bless the tombs of the royal Muddredger families.”
“So... you're saying...?”
“If there's a point of interest in Shoggoth, the only possible candidate is the deep labyrinth of underground shrines,” he said. “Situated at the bottom of the ocean floor, and sealed with Siren magic.” He adjusted his goggles and looked up with deep blue eyes. “Needless to say, Verlaxion hasn't bothered to make another visit in over three centuries.”
Rainbow bit her lip. Wingtips fluttering, she turned around. “I... I think I need to go for a walk...”
“By all means, my dear,” Theanim said, saluting her as she trotted away. “Arrowfish or not, it's a long glide to our destination.”
“Works for me,” she muttered, and shuffled her way down the long, long corridor.
The Mark Two was a great deal longer than Rainbow Dash had anticipated. From a cursory glance while she was outside the craft, she assumed that most of the vessel was a thick outer hull with supporting lateral struts to connect the four major segments—but very little else. It turned out that the interior of the ship was, indeed, quite spacious in some areas and very intricate in others. Several compartments and corridors branched out from the central chamber that led from stern to bow. Most of these junctions led to cargo holds bearing all manners of goods and supplies, locked away by the various trade organizations desperate to ship them from one major port to another.
Rainbow had to guess that the hull was built out of a metal alloy that was far more durable than any of the vehicles she had witnessed in Ledomare, Alafreo, or Val Roa. While the Rohbreddenite mastery of magic was nominal, their knack for armor—she imagined—was a great deal more advanced. Had a ship been built with an outer hull this thin in Ledomare or Xona, it would surely have shattered upon contact with the ocean's tense, rippling surface. Half of her wondered what the Rohbredden engineers would do with the western continents' gift for magic, and the other half of her shuddered. Hard.
As it turned out, there wasn't much distance left to traverse towards the bow. At a distance situated approximately two thirds the length of the vessel, the ship's interior was cut off from all passengers. Beyond this, Rainbow Dash imagined, was the ship's bridge and control center. It certainly was up to Rainbow's guess, for several thick doors blocked off the passage from both sight and sound, and such partitions were guarded by able-bodied ponies in uniform—the first ponies Rainbow had seen aside from her companions since she first threw herself on board the vessel. She swiftly trotted out of sight before any of the stallions could glance twice at her haggard features.
In forcing herself to take a spontaneous detour, Rainbow Dash found herself wandering from port to starboard. This was made possible by one of three major corridors bridging the support struts between the Mark Two's four large sections. The Arrowfish was indeed very much like a gigantic four-part trimaran, and a lonesome part of her being positively knew that Nick would be beside himself with drool-worthy admiration. She likewise imagined Booster Spice, Props, and even Pilate sharing a mutual respect for the craftponyship.
The mare sighed. Her experiences—voluminous as they may have been—gave her an appreciation of things she never once thought she'd respect. If nothing else, she admired the nature of things through the ghostly recollections of others' personalities... personalities that she would never again share company with. It was growing more and more increasingly difficult to separate her wealth of knowledge from her fountain of memories—and most of them colored in far more melancholic colors than she wished to admit.
It was with a queer burst of joy and reverie—then—that Rainbow realized just how much more she had reacquired in that same period of time.
“You girls enjoying the tour?” Rainbow mused, struggling to contain the smile across her muzzle.
Rarity and Twilight Sparkle were oblivious, instead admiring the sights and sounds around them.
“My my yes,” Rarity cooed. “This is a far more luxurious ship than I imagine!”
“And so curiously engineered!” Twilight stammered. “Rarity... just... just what's holding all of this together?”
“Mmmmm... a strong yet flexible metal. Titanium, I suspect, but with some aluminum alloys and steel reinforcements. The interior web-work of the cross sections are quite remarkable. Almost reminds me of cross-stitching, only with tense metal filaments... erm... if that makes any sense.”
“Gosh...” Twilight exhaled, drifting along with Rainbow Dash while the pegasus led them back towards the stern of the vessel, navigating one of the compartments situated closer to starboard. “Rarity, what I wouldn't give to have your architectural sensitivity right about now.”
“It's far more complicated than that, darling.”
“Well, you don't make it sound so!” Twilight's voice cracked. “If you must know, the magic being used to power this vessel is so... so simple and minimal! It's absolutely astounding! Almost makes you wonder why Equestrian scientists haven't bothered to construct something like this back home!”
“I'm more apt to ponder precisely why we were given the disparate senses we currently possess,” Rarity mused. “You're the scientist amongst us, Twilight. Surely you would benefit from extra sensitivity to metals in addition to magics,” she said. “Not to 'rub it in,' as t'were, but I'd much rather have a dress-detector built into my horn.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow dryly chuckled, drawing a few curious glances from a group of passengers she shuffled past. “Because that would have been super useful to me back there in Rust.”
“Rainbow has a point, Rarity,” Twilight said, smiling. “You truly should pat yourself on the back. We wouldn't have made it out of Revan's Stronghold if it weren't for your abilities navigating us through that ugly platform.”
“And Wildcard would be a dead duck,” Rainbow added.
Rarity fluffed her mane while phasing through a bulkhead. “Well, I must admit, it all came to me rather suddenly.” Her pale brow furrowed. “Do you ever wonder if there's a far grander purpose to our sensitivities and the intricacies thereof?”
“I dwell on it all the time,” Twilight said. “Considering that the flames of the machine world are what allowed Rainbow Dash to salvage you and me in the first place, it would seem as if we were meant to have the inexplicable gifts of extra sensory perception given to us.”
“Not like they're friggin' out of place or nothing,” Rainbow said.
“I beg your pardon?” Twilight remarked.
“Well, Twilight, darling, you've always have been a prodigy at magic,” Rarity said. She placed a hoof over her chest in mid-glide. “I've always had a horn for finding rare and precious jewels. It's how I got my cutie mark, after all.”
“Very true,” Twilight said with a nod. She smiled at Rainbow. “It almost makes you wonder what Pinkie Pie will bring to the table... if anything.”
Rainbow paused, looked behind her, and squinted at the shimmering fuchsia beacon of Yaerfaerda far below the bow of the vessel. “Mrmmmfff... I seriously doubt the Machine World's gonna throw phantom cakes and party streamers at us.”
“Oh, but wouldn't that be delightful?” Rarity giggled. “Maybe Rohbredden proper will be a continent full of soiree's!”
“Meh. I don't think Verlax is some sort of Party Queen,” Rainbow grumbled, passing a last bulkhead and emerging upon a heated compartment full of steam and noise. “Why, hello, there.”
“Oooooh...” Twilight rubbed her aching horn. “The magic in the air just shot up by three hundred percent.”
“Is... is that a bad thing?!” Rarity remarked, blinking.
“No, it just means... that...” Twilight blinked, then gestured at Rainbow. “Trot a little further! Please!”
“But what if—like—the crew doesn't want me to?”
“Like that ever stopped you before!” Twilight hissed. “Now move!”
Rainbow sighed, shuffling forward until she met the edge of a catwalk overlooking a broad compartment full of red lights and condensation. “There, you happy?”
“So... very... fascinating,” Twilight murmured, on the verge of drooling. She drifted forward as far as the invisible barrier to Rainbow's anchorage would allow.
There—a half-floor below them—stood an array of turbines housing all manner of multicolored crystals. Situated alongside these engines were unicorns, half of which were seated in custom-built chairs that faced the turbines. With meditative expressions, these ponies aimed their horns at the contraptions, empowering them with natural waves of concentrated mana. The devices churned and spun from within, channeling energy into the thrusters positioned at the very stern of the vessel. This process was maintained at a constant rate, and the unicorns all took turns at the task, shuffling in and out of the chairs with mechanical precision. The ones on break relaxed, talking amicably with one another, even managing a meal or two before it was their turn to take a chair again.
“All in all, it's just like ponies back home taking turns rowing oars,” Twilight remarked. “Only on such a large and concentrated scale.” She sighed, cheeks rosy. “It's so refreshing to see a well-maintained industry.”
“Not to mention an innocent one,” Rainbow muttered.
Rarity peered at her. “What do you mean by that, darling?”
“Well...” Rainbow squirmed slightly. “It's just that—in all the places I've been to—stuff this cool was... very uncool.” She gulped. “In that it was used to make weapons... y'know... for war and murder.” Her nostrils flared as she glanced at the bulkheads looming over the steamy compartment. “I'm sure both Hooves of the Syndicate have a lot to do with how the Arrowfish system operates, but... but for the most part this is all built for trade and commerce. I see no guns or harpoons or the makings for explosives. It's... it's just refreshing for me, I guess. I dunno.”
Twilight gazed softly at Rainbow Dash. “It's going to get a whole lot cleaner, Rainbow Dash, you'll see.” She smiled calmly. “Once we get to Shoggoth, we'll get the locals to wash their hooves clean of the Syndicate... all of the Syndicate.”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow sighed, running a hoof through her mane. “Not by myself, I won't.”
“Precisely, darling!” Rarity smiled. “Twilight and I will be with you every step—or pony paddle—of the way!”
“Not exactly what I meant, but awesome nonetheless...” Rainbow glanced down at the engineers on break yet again. The unicorns were enjoying fine morsels of bread and fruit. Squinting, Rainbow turned to see a crew member trotting in from the lengthy corridor behind. “Uhhh... excuse me?”
The stallion looked over. “Yes, ma'am? Are you lost?”
“Er... not quite. I was just curious, dude...” She trotted over, bearing a casual smile. “...is there a mess hall on board?”
Bard finished strumming quietly on his guitar. He lifted a wing, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Then, glancing across the corridor where he and the other three sat, he smirked. “Whaddya think? It's a work in progress.”
“Mmmm...” Theanim briefly glanced up from arranging the many-many frames of photographic evidence. “It certainly is... musical.”
Wildcard held his metal thumb sideways.
“It sucks donkey balls,” Echo grumbled from under his makeshift blanket.
“Awwwwwwww...” Bard pouted, leaning back lazily and plucking away at some more strings. “Now why do ya gotta be like that, bat-boy?”
“It's not 'bat-boy,' it's Echo!” An angry flash of fangs and slitted eyes from underneath the cloak. “You would do well to remember it!”
“Yeesh. Alright. Whew!” Bard smiled over at Wildcard. “Who stuck a crescent moon up in his craw?”
“You don't get to insult the lunar beacon like that!” Echo hissed.
“Why, old chap, I'm surprised,” Theanim remarked. “You hardly ever preach the sentiments of midnighter folklore.”
“Well I'm sorry if I'm a little bit backwards all of the sudden!” Echo grumbled under the hum of the throttling watercraft. “Lest you forget, I was once a nocturnal creature, but because of all this asenine ass-over-elbowing over the past thirty-six hours, I've got my brain noodle all out of whack!”
“I could have sworn all the coral huffing did away with that.”
“And being forced to go cold turkeycertainly isn't helping, Theams!” Echo snarled, flinging the cloak over his figure as he huddled up. “Grrrrrr... once this is all over, I swear, I'm locking myself up in the deepest cave and kissing all daylight goodbye for good.”
“Hrmmmf..” Theanim Mane frowned. “Not this time, old chap. You're not leaving my sight until you're clean of all habits, I swear.”
“Mfffffhhghhh... what do I have to do to be rid of you crudtastical jackasses...?”
“Eat up!” Rainbow chirped, suddenly there. She dropped bowls full of fruit and bread onto the floor before the four. “It's complimentary to everypony with a ticket!”
Wildcard leaned forward, craning his feathery neck with interest.
“Well, I'll be dog-gone!” Bard immediately slid his guitar back into its case and rubbed his hooves together in anticipation. “Now that's what I call a real treat!” He scooped up an apple and immediately took a large, juicy bite. “Mmmm-mmmm!”
“Good choice,” Rainbow said with a wink.
“Mmmrmmmfff...” Bard took another bite and sighed dreamily. “Imported straight from the southern Rohbredden groves. I can tell.” He hoisted another apple from the bowl and tossed it at the griffon seated across from him. “How 'bout you, Dubya-Cee?”
Wildcard caught the apple, turned it around, examined it up close through his goggles... then liberally stabbed the fruit with his beak.
Rainbow winced from where she hovered.
Wildcard chiseled and hammered away at the apple until he yanked the core out. With a sickening crunch, the griffon snapped the hard matter to bits, his feather crests relaxing in delight. He then tossed the pulpy meat of the fruit back into the bowl as if it were scraps.
“Closest thang to a crunchy rodent this side of Rust,” Bard explained with a wink.
Wildcard gave a metallic thumb's up.
“That's... uh... that's good to know,” Rainbow muttered.
“Boy, I tell ya what...” Bard grabbed a banana and leaned back with a lazy grin. “Pay or no pay, this here's about the most luxurious Dubya-Cee and I have had it in months. I reckon a 'thank you' is in order.”
“You're welcome,” Echo stirred under his cloak/blanket. “Now go hunt down a wyvern and toss him around. See if you get just as frickin' lucky... mrmmmfff.”
“If you ask me, things could stand to be a bit more luxurious,” Theanim remarked. He frowned briefly, looking up from the photographs. “The sale of the Midnight Dreary couldn't quite afford us cabins, unfortunately.”
“Hey...” Rainbow shrugged, landing on the floor and coiling her wings. “I can dig it. Then again, there was a time when I just slept in any tree that I could find.”
“Heh...” Bard gulped and smiled, halfway through his banana. “Imagine that.”
“When, pray tell, did the deep adoration for hammocks blossom?” Theanim raised an eyebrow. “Hmmm?”
Rainbow sighed, her ears folding back in a melancholic malaise. “Please... we don't talk about the hammocks.”
“Heheheh...”
“Grffff...” Echo moaned again. “...are you asshats quite done?”
“Eat up, old chap,” Theanim remarked. “You could stand to have some meat on your bones.”
“Yeah, buddy!” Bard smiled, rolling a peach towards him. “Eat them vittles! Does a body gooder!”
“Meh...” A sarosian fetlock slithered out and batted the fruit back. “Says the ignoramus who—only a day or two ago—wanted to peddle me to murderers and thieves.”
“Awwwwwwww...” Bard pouted. “Y'all still sore about that nonsense?”
“I'm sore about a lot of things,” Echo grumbled. “I just can't afford a toilet confessional to dunk my head in at the moment.”
“Well, how about the next best thing, ya melon fudge?” Rainbow remarked, shoving another bowl towards him.
“Please,” Echo grumbled, shifting under the blanket. “Unless it's a smoking hot curvaceous coral golem come to rescue me, I want no part of it.”
“Not even the crunchy, meaty, pulpy parts of it?”
“... ... ...” With a fuzzy sniffle, Echo poked his squinting face out from underneath.
A bowl full of shrimp and crayfish stood before him. Rainbow Dash smiled meaningfully from a few feet away.
“Look... I-I don't care for munchable stuff that was once... living stuff. Ahem. But I know a thing or two about sarosians. Back home, they were all about catching insects and moths and dragonflies n'stuff. I happened to have met a few ponies both young and old who were into the same thing to. And... like... I know that these underwater creepy-crawlies aren't exactly the same, but... y'know... they're still meat, so maybe there's a part of you that'll like—”
“Just shut up already,” Echo grumbled. He flung the blanket over his leafy eared head. Then, a few surly seconds later, he reached a hoof out and dragged the bowl of red shelled things in with him. A disgustingly loud crunching sound emanated, followed by another.
Rainbow tried not to wince. She failed.
After a liberal smacking of lips—and no small amount of fang-scraping—there was a silent pause, then a weak and feeble: “Thanks. Mrmmfff... for what it's worth.”
Theanim blinked.
“You're welcome,” Rainbow said, plopping down beside the scientist. She smiled in the blanket-lumps direction as the crunches resumed. “For what it's worth.” She looked aside at Theanim. “So, Doc...” She reached into the fruit bowl and tossed a treat into his grasp. “...is that a kumquat in your hooves or are you just happy to see me?”
“Is this your attempt at humor?”
“No, but an incredible simulation!” Rainbow grinned wide.
Theanim sighed, peeling the fruit's skin off with a thin gaze. “This is going to be a long trip...”
An hour later, and Bard was still twanging away at his guitar. It was a slow, gentle melody. He produced sporadic, searching notes, fishing through the soundscape until he caught a live tune from the rippling ether that was worth memorizing. All the while, he bore a soft smile on his muzzle, a tranquil expression that refused to go away. For a long time, Rainbow Dash refused to look at it—or him, probably because a part of her was envious and she refused to admit it.
So, instead, she faced the furthest edge of the Arrowfish's corridor, munching on her fourth juicy apple of the hour. Echo was asleep. Theanim was busy studying the documents stolen from the Syndicate's Stronghold. Wildcard was nowhere to be seen, having presumably shuffled off to explore the Mark Two and get a better feel for the large vessel carrying them all south on a humming glide.
“You know, I've never been around a magician for this long before,” Twilight Sparkle murmured. She reclined across the floor, staring Bard's way with a dreamy smile. Her eyes followed his feather tips as they strummed and plucked each string in slow, alternating rhythm. “It's absolutely remarkable how they're able to salvage meaning and mirth from pure sounds.”
“Twilight, if you're quite smitten with him, you can just admit it, darling,” Rarity said.
Twilight turned to frown at her. “I'm saying that admire his talent, not him!”
“Yes.” Rarity smiled coyly. “And I'm certain you would be delighted to know whether or not he has a huge talent.”
“Grrrrr...” Twilight's cheeks turned red. “You're one to talk, Rarity!” She pouted. “Drooling over just about every male thing we've come across since you were dragged out of the Machine World!”
“Twilight Sparkle, a lady most certainly does notdrool.” Rarity fluffed her mane and gestured towards the air. “Now, there's something that can be said for... appreciative salivations...”
“Unnnngh...”
“And besides, as delighted as I am that Rainbow Dash has done so much to pull us out from the depths of chaos, it stands to be said that our current state of existence is... well... a prison.”
Rainbow glanced over.
“Rarity, don't be cruel,” Twilight whispered.
“Oh, I have no problem admitting that before Rainbow. After all, it's not that I'm ungrateful.” Rarity fidgeted, her ears folded back melancholically. “Until she gallantly brings us back into physical being with the Harmonic Prism, it's a rather... unpleasant condition that we'll be having to deal with.”
“Actually, Rarity, Rainbow Dash can't restore our bodies with the Harmonic Prism. Only alicorns like Luna and Celestia can do that, remember?”
“Ugh! Twilight, don't remind me!” Rarity's voice reached a high pitch. “It's nightmarish enough knowing that we have to venture deep into that nightmarish dark side, much less perform the thrice impossible act of returning to Equestria!”
Rainbow Dash took another bite of the apple. She munched liberally, staring off with flaring nostrils.
Rarity looked at her. Then, with a sigh, she leaned back towards Twilight. “It's an ordeal for all of us. That much can't be denied. Still...” She smiled coyly in Bard's direction. “What crime is there in tantalizing ourselves with wild, silly musings? Especially if they exist solitarily within the realm of impossibility?”
“I've never understood flirting,” Twilight muttered. “So how could I understand flirting with... with th-things that can't even see or hear us flirting?”
“Is that what stallions are to you, Twilight? Things?”
“Look, I-I dunno!” Twilight's voice cracked as she shrugged her forelimbs. “He's an equine being just like you and me! And just because I admire his musical gifts—”
“Heeheehee...” Rarity reached over and stroked Twilight's mane. “I am simply teasing you, darling.”
“Grrrrrr...”
“You simply must learn to relax, dear,” the fashionista said. “All things considered, you and I are going to be in this condition for a long time. We truly should learn to entertain ourselves. At least... up until Pinkie Pie shows up to do it for us.”
“I suppose you're right,” Twilight muttered. “Still, more than anything, I'd rather learn more about Mr. Bard and his past.”
“Not just his 'talent,' hmmm?”
“I mean, despite our rough start, these two strangers did do an awful lot to help us. We're headed now to Shoggoth with a chance to meet Princess Camellia, thanks to them. It sort of feels like... we should thank them, somehow. And it would help if we knew more about them.”
“Hmmmm...” Rarity slowly swiveled her head until she was smiling at Rainbow. “You don't say.”
Rainbow Dash looked back. She cleared her throat, took another bite, and mumbled through the fruity morsels. “Mrmmmfff... so... where're you from?”
Bard plucked a last string, and the reverberating note lingered between them. He blinked. “I beg yer pardon?”
Rainbow swallowed the apple mush down and said, “You got a story or don't you?”
“Hmmm? Who, me?” Bard smirked. “Reckon t'ain't much worth sharin'.”
“Heh... and I thought your name was 'Bard.'”
“Whoah whoah whoah...” The stallion chuckled, holding a hoof out. “Hold it right there, Missy. Dun be judgin' another pony by his callin' card. After all, ain't like yer head only appears after a sunny afternoon rainshower.”
“If you don't want to talk about it, then just say so, ya melon fudge.”
“Darlin', barely two days ago we was strugglin' to ring each other's necks over a bat-pony.”
“Sarosian.”
“What the buck ever,” Bard grumbled, nevertheless smirking as he plucked a few more strings. “I'm a desperado. That's all that matters.”
Rarity shrugged, glancing at Twilight.
“Suit yourself,” Rainbow Dash muttered. “I should have known that all the efforts we made to transcend our own fears and base assumptions to accomplish the awesome impossible together was just a friggin' fluke.” She performed a mock yawn. “Once we reach Shoggoth and you get your bits, I'll just forget you and the mute griffon ever existed.”
“N-now hold up!” Bard leaned forward. “I ain't aimin' to let us fade into the sunset either!”
Twilight giggled while Rarity smiled.
“Mmmmm?” Rainbow glanced over her shoulder. “So?”
“Well, first of all...” Bard hug his guitar to his chest while lazily leaning over it. “Dubya-Cee? He ain't mute.”
“Yeah right.”
“Naw, for real, missy.” Bard glanced down the empty corridor, as if afraid some feathery thing would be listening in. “He's got what y'all might call...” He paused slightly. “...an oath of silence.”
“You don't say...”
“Hell, you could ask him yerself! He's quite the chatterbox!”
“He only talks with his talons, stupid.”
“Yeah, and you dun understand a lick of it!” Bard stuck his tongue out. “Now who's stupid?!”
“Wyvern Wind Speech,” Theanim Mane suddenly muttered.
Both ponies (and the two ghosts) glanced over at him.
“Huh?” Rainbow blinked.
Theanim was writing notes down on a sheet of paper. He calmly spoke without looking up. “Wyverns are natural-born creatures of silence, having evolved from a species of stalking predators. In the modern day, one in every twenty is foaled without fully functioning vocal chords. As a result, they're inducted into an elite caste of Rohbredden guardians and protectors. The culture's invented a form of hand-signing that incorporates multiple digit and wrist movements. That way, they're able to communicate with one another efficiently, while protecting the interests of the Queen.”
“Ya mean to say you know Dubya-Cee's way of talkin'?”
“I never said I understood it.” Theanim glanced up through his goggles. “Merely that I recognize it. Couldn't have been easy for a griffon to learn... what—with them possessing only four talons instead of five, like the wyverns.”
Rainbow looked over at Bard. “Wildcard was raised by wyverns?”
“Now, I didn't say that.” Bard momentarily glared at Theanim. “Nor did I mean to imply that, I reckon.”
“Hmmmm...” Theanim returned to his note-taking with a subtle smile. “You should stick to music.”
“And you should stick to book huffin'!” Bard's nostrils flared. Nevertheless, he turned back towards Rainbow Dash with a tranquil smile. “In any case, Dubya-Cee's been buttin' heads and takin' names way longer than yers truly. For all intents and purposes, he's the whole backbone to the Desperadoes. Hell, he's worth nearly twenty of me combined.”
“But he ain't perfect. At least not in his own eyes. At some point, he made some terrible mistake, somethin' so embarrassing-like that he's never even done told me. And—well—he made an agreement with... past associates—ahem—that he ain't ever usin' his tongue or vocal chords again... not unless he's in the position to do somethin' that would redeem all his past mistakes and make him into a true warrior for all time.”
“So he was raised by wyverns!”
“H-hey! Shuddup!” Bard leaned forward, frowning. “Just who's dag-blame'd story is this?”
Rainbow chuckled. “I figured it was Wildcard's.”
Bard blinked, then leaned back. “Yeah... well... uhm...”
Rarity waved at Rainbow emphatically, so Rainbow said, “So what about yours?”
“Who, me?”
“Yes, you.”
“Ohhhhh...” Bard strummed at his guitar, a loose smile trailing on his muzzle. “I guess there's no sense in hidin' in. After all, we done nearly faced death at the hooves at the Syndicate together.”
“You mean those bumbling morons who we just smoked back in Rust without breaking a sweat?”
“Fine, we done nearly faced a few scraped elbows, ya reckon?” Bard cracked the joints in his neck and then proceeded to speak over the soft melody he was making with his guitar. “I guess you could say that I never truly needed to be a Desperado. What, with bein' born into silver spoon aristocracy and whatnot.”
“Huh?”
“Ya heard me!” Bard grinned. “I was foaled the son of a high rankin' senator in the Queen's Council! From day one, I had two beds, two toilets to crap in, and a hundred acre yard to go gallopin' all carefree-like. And the servants... Goddess... I could hug or kick any of them and it would make no difference, cuz Pa would protect me in any case. Now that is some true power! And power can really get to a colt's head, especially when he's younger than the dickens. Well, one day—when I was an obnoxious teen—I took one step too far. I stomped on the hoof of a visitin' delegate from the Western Bluffs of Rohbredden. At first, it was no big thang, except that—days later—he tripped on his achin' hoof while he was tryin' to board his ship ride back home. The dayum bastard fell and broke his neck. Wham! Dead! Naturally, his family were thirstin' for blood, and all of the red arrows pointed at my silly lil' ass. Pa couldn't protect me no longer. So, I had two choices: stay at home and eventually face the music, or tear ass for the hills and make my own music. And... well... guess ya can figure out which choice I made. I learned the tools of the migrant trade pretty quick, and discovered the fruits and joys of bounty huntin'. At some point I ran into Dubya-Cee, and seein' as he didn't bite my head off then and there, we shook hooves, formed the Desperadoes, and the rest is history!”
“Wowww...” Twilight Sparkle cooed.
“What an amazing tale!” Rarity remarked.
“... … ...” Rainbow squinted. “Not a single sentence of that garbage was true...” The two spectral mares did double-takes at Rainbow.
Bard plucked and plucked at strings.
“...wasn't it?” Rainbow grumbled.
Bard's lips curved. He chuckled, chuckled some more, then winked in the mare's direction. “Yer a lot smarter than you let on, Missy.”
“No,” Rainbow said. “Unless your father was Senator Guffaw from the Province of Hickdom, than I seriously doubt you were born with a silver-anything in your muzzle.”
“Hmmm. Fair enough.”
“So... what's your real story?”
“Somethin' worth a great deal of actual silver.” He strummed a few more notes and glanced over. “Got any to spare, darlin'?”
“I'm afraid not.”
“Then I've got nothin' meaty to offer back.” He felt through another melody. “Nothin' but melodies. Wanna have a go?”
Rarity groaned and Twilight chuckled.
“Meh... whatever,” Rainbow flung a hoof.
“Oooh! Here's a good one! It worked for the bleedin' hearts in the northern archipelagos.” Bard chuckled, this cleared his throat. “'My name is Bard, and you will not remember me. You won't even remember this conversation. Just like with everypony else I've ever met—'”
“Ugh...” Rainbow rolled her eyes and got up to dispose of her apple cores. “Just quit while you're ahead.”
Bard chuckled merrily. “I swear! It's got a happy ending!”
“You're lying again!” she grumbled from several trots away.
“Eh... yer right.” And he fumbled, striking a note off-key. “Who am I foolin'?”
“The mare had a griffon with her... one wearing black goggles with even blacker lenses,” Cold Stone wheezed, leaning against a railing in the middle of Rust with his legs crossed. “I... I feel as though I've seen him before.” He gulped. “The other day, I was down in the Dust district... gnngh...” He winced, shifting his weight as his groin muscles throbbed in pain. “Like I was saying, I was in the Dust district, trying to find some local distributors of infernal stones... y'know... for our parting gifts to those indebted to the Syndicate.” He swallowed hard. “I could have sworn I saw him enter a saloon.”
Revan stopped pacing just long enough to swivel about and face the unicorn. His glaring eyes were glossy from the starlight hanging over the platform city. “And are you certain you don't just think you remember seeing this griffon before?” He clenched his teeth. “After all... the bastard did kick you in the balls.”
“He wasn't alone, alright?! Gahh!” Cold Stone winced, seethed through his teeth, then continued: “He had... a stallion with him. A pegasus stallion. Long brown mane. Guitar. Stinkin' cowcolt hat!”
Revan exhaled with a shudder.
“Sound familiar...?!”
“They were obviously here on a contract of sorts.” Revan paced again, shuffling past a small hoofful of thugs still loyal to the frazzled leader. They watched as he came about, thinking out loud. “Undoubtedly to claim that scummy midnighter. But... I don't understand. They're both bounty hunters! Punks! What could have gotten them to think they could stage a heist like this to begin with?!”
“Well, they friggin' did it, didn't they?” Cold Stone frowned. Schiiiiiing! His eyes crossed as the tip of a machete came to a stop just beneath his horn.
“Only because you let them get into the vault like the King of all Pussies!” Revan sneered. “You're lucky I don't lop your ears off and cram them someplace musical.”
“Go ahead, ya bum,” Cold Stone spat. “You're dayum lucky I've chosen to stay on! Cuz right now you're poor as balls.”
“Yeah, your balls, maybe,” Revan lowered the blade, leaning in to growl: “You swore an oath to the Northern Hoof, Cold Stone. I thought I was relying on a stallion with thicker skin!”
“It's not my damn fault they made it past the guards to begin with!” Cold Stone stomped his hoof, wincing from the gesture. “Ow. Since when did we hire damn teenagers and street rats anyways?!”
Before Revan could retort, the air filled with a churning motor sound. Every stallion turned to see a dimly-lit boat cruise up. It was a speedster, with several rotating engines. Two stallions moored it up to the platform and one hopped out.
“Boss Revan, sir...”
“Is that the only speedboat you could find?!” Revan exclaimed.
The stallion blinked. “...I'm surprised I even got it. I... uh... I convinced a pony down by the western docks that we still had the money to pay him over the next six months. He's a father of five, and I think I gave him enough of the stinkeye that he felt threatened.”
“Hrmmmf...” Revan nodded, running a hoof through his mane. “Good. You did good.”
“Did I? Boss, I-I don't mean to be rude... b-but just how are we going to make things float now?! The Syndicate's running on empty—”
“So long as everyone assembled here is on my side, then we can still salvage this!” Revan glared around, speaking firmly. “I promise I will go easy on those responsible for the break-in when all is said and done.”
“When all is said and done?!” another stallion exclaimed. “They already made off with our fortune! They'll be halfway to Shoggoth by now!”
Revan turned around. “And... at the very same time, the Mark One will be heading back here to Rust.” He shook his head. “Nopony on board that ship knows what's happened to the Syndicate here yet. I'd say we take advantage of that.”
“In what way?” Cold Stone asked.
Revan trotted slowly down the line. “We take this speed boat and we cast off, heading due south. We stick to the Arrowfish line.”
“What?! But... but if any of the patrol ships catch us—”
“We stick to the Arrowfish line,” Revan hollered. “And we send a visual beacon into the air. If we're lucky, we'll catch the Mark One's return right before dawn, when it will still be dark enough for them to detect our signal from a distance. They'll have no choice but to slow their engines to avoid us.” He spun about, eyeing each thug in attendance. “Once they're within close enough range, I reveal myself to them, announce that the Mark Two is carrying an intruder, and order them to take us on an intercept course to Shoggoth at full speed.”
“Even still, there's no way we'll be able to catch up with the Mark Two,” Cold Stone said.
“That's not critical to this situation,” Revan said, holding up a hoof. “What matters is the sluggish red tape of the Muddredger Merchant Council. By the time the bureaucratic wheels of Shoggoth start turning, we will have arrived on the thieves' fetlocks. I will have made contact with the Boss of the Southern Hoof.” He held his limbs out. “And they'll help us track down these morons, gut them alive and restore our fortune so that we can bring it back to Rust.”
“And what of the Siren Princess? Whatshername... Caramel-or-rather.”
“Her fins are as tied with the Southern Hoof as anyone's,” Revan said. “Look, it's all rather simple. For ponies crafty enough to have gotten into my vault, they're real idiots.”
“Pffft... how do you figure?” scoffed one thug.
Revan spun to glare in his face. “Because they're headed straight for an underwater city! It's a mother buckin' dead end! Now who's the dumbass?!”
“Uhhh... maybe you for leading us into thinking you were worth something, ya pissant!” the thug spat.
Other guards muttered in anger.
Revan looked at them, then back at the thug. Nostrils flaring, he turned around and lifted his tail. “Kick me...”
The thug blinked. “...excuse me?”
“You're only ever gonna get this damn request one damn time so get it the hell over with!” Revan hollered. “Now kick me in the damn balls! That's an order!”
The thugs all exchanged glances. Eventually, the one Revan was mooning shrugged, reared one hoof up, and slammed it hard between the boss' legs. WHUMP!
Revan's eyes clenched shut. “Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-tt-tt-tt-tt—” He hissed through clenched teeth. When his eyes reopened, they were bloodshot, pulsating with a violent growl rising out the back of his throat. “Rrrgghhh—” Channeling his pain, he spun around and slammed two hooves viciously across the thug's skull. “—RAAAAAAAAUGH!”
WH-WHACK! The guard fell back, denting a metal railing and ragdolling to the platform.
The other guards gasped, trembling.
Revan stumbled once... twice... shook his knees, then stood up... panting and seething. At last, he trotted in a full gait over to Cold Stone—then lifted the gasping unicorn up by the neck. “I... am... snkkkt... more than your Boss!” He spat, veins in his neck popping. “I am as REAL as it GETS!” He tossed Cold Stone over the platform's edge.
“Yaaaaaaa—“ the unicorn fell onto the deck of the speedboat. “OOOF!”
Revan bent over briefly, took a deep breath, then stood up tall and proud. “Now who wants to skin some bit-biting jackasses?!”
The rest of the standing guards cheered and shouted. “Yeahhhhh!”
“Boss Revan!”
“Boss Revan!”
“Boss Revan!”
“Then follow me and I shall make you legends among the Syndicate!” He hopped in, followed by the other stallions. The ship's motors primed to life, and the vessel took off before the bruised thug left on board the platform could crawl off and join them.
With a deathly roar, the vessel sped its way south, exiting the gates and making a bee-line for Shoggoth.
“I've looked over the entirety of evidence that you've gathered, Miss Dash,” Theanim Mane said, sitting beneath a porthole with his back to the wall. He stifled a yawn and pointed at the materials in front of him. “As you can see, I've assembled it all as neatly and comprehensibly as I could.”
“So, do we have a case against the Syndicate?” Rainbow remarked.
“You did a fantastic job of capturing order manifests for the explosives,” Theanim went on. “And I think the blueprints that you've pilfered provide the most damning evidence of all. They show precisely where the apartments throughout Rust were struck with the mana-charged detonations. Revan's own clerks even went as far as to match the order numbers of the materials in the manifests with the places in town that they were charged. Perhaps it was to keep a mental record of the most profitable exploits so that they could more properly pay back their suppliers. Seems like the Syndicate were always thinking on the go, but could never quite comprehend something like a heist forcing their wheels to stop turning entirely.”
“Yes... but do we have a case?!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “You should know, Doc...” She glanced aside at Rarity and Twilight. “I'm... n-not exactly in the habit of robbing other ponies' blind.”
“Nor are you skilled in the art of whaling, and yet you've made do.”
“Whaling?!” Rarity blinked.
“Rarity!” Twilight hissed. “We talked about this.”
“Suffer me the details!”
Rainbow rolled her eyes and sighed in Theanim's direction. “Doc. I gotta know if what I helped make happen will be worth it in the long run.” She pointed at the many photographs and paper sheets. “Will this be enough to convince the... the...”
“The Muddredgers in Shoggoth?”
“Right. Them. Will they look at this and actually agree to play ball with us? I mean, I could kick thugs' teeth in until the cows come home but that won't exactly take down the Syndicate nearly as quickly.”
“I imagine you say this because you're in a hurry to reach the next Seed,” Theanim said. “Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but dismantling the Syndicate from the inside out is not something that will take place overnight.”
“Unnnghhh...” Rainbow plopped on her haunches while her ghostly friends looked on.
“However.” Theanim slid his goggles up over his mane. “I suggest you get that out of your mind completely. Instead of focusing on the destruction of the Syndicate, focus on making a good impression.”
“A good impression?” Rainbow's eyes blinked crookedly. “A good impression on who?!”
“Princess Camellia, of course,” Theanim said with a calm smile. “As the current reigning monarch of the Muddredge city, she'll be the most important pony to convince of our... how should I say it... righteous intent.”
“But...” Rainbow squinted. “Won't the Southern Hoof be holding her back? I mean, Shoggoth is a merchant city. She might be Princess and all, but with the Syndicate running the business—”
“If we play our cards right, the Syndicate will have an awful lot to deal with.” He gestured at the materials before them once again. “If we present this damning evidence in a public forum—say—the Marine Auction House—”
“The Marine Whatsit?”
“It's the most bustling area in all of Shoggoth,” Theanim explained. “It's where the Syndicate, the Shoggoth Council, the representatives of Her Royal Highness, and the common Muddredge merchants all meet on a daily basis. Most citizens and representatives converge twice a day at the Marine Auction House to observe the current trade situation before going off to their separate assemblies to discuss economy, renovations, legislature, and other important businesses. It's a tradition going as far back as when the seas were first tamed by both siren and equine kind.”
“Oooh!” Rarity bounced. “I just know they'll be dressed in their smartest fashion while in attendance, too!”
Twilight rolled her eyes, smiling.
“So... when we get to Shoggoth, we make a bee-line to this... Marine Auction House place?” Rainbow asked.
“More or less.”
“Doc...”
“Honestly, Miss Dash, we'll want to avoid giving the Syndicate any idea that we've stolen anything of theirs. That may mean having to lay low for several hours, getting a feel for the place.”
“You've been there before, though, right?”
“Mrmmfff...” He rubbed his temple, fighting another yawn. “It's been... quite a long time. I fear that I'll be just as much a fish out of water as you and Echo.”
“Heh...”
“Whatever we do, we'll have to time things perfectly. To get into Shoggoth and win the Syndicate's trust, we'll have to use Echo as a bargaining chip once again.”
“Right.”
“But... we can't tarry so long that any harm will come to the old chap. So, I suggest we put Echo in the hooves of Bard and his companion, seeing as the fellow is quite good at dragging his hooves and distracting the enemy. Hopefully they can keep the Syndicate occupied up until the first meeting at the Marine Auction House after our arrival.”
“Lemme guess—while the girls and I do more one-mare-sneaking missions?”
“More to the point...” He leaned forward. “I will be the one to approach the Marine Auction House with this evidence.”
“What? You and only you?”
“Affirmative.”
“But Doc!” Rainbow grimaced, glancing over at Twilight. “You saw how royally ticked off those gansters were when they chased us back in Rust! What makes you think you can get out of a place like that alive after you—”
“Miss Dash, unless you forget, I am a scientist of the Ninety-Seventh Order, commissioned by the Council of Her Majesty Queen Verlaxion to oversee the protection of Robhredden's interests. That includes the cities of Rust and Shoggoth, no matter how fringe they may be. The Syndicate—no matter how powerful—cannot simply execute me in public. Especially not here.”
“And if they catch you somewhere alone...?”
“Hopefully it will not come to that,” Theanim said. “Because you will have made yourself presentable to the one pony who can make all of this work in our favor.”
Rainbow Dash blinked. “Camellia...”
Theanim nodded. “She is a wise and honorable sovereign, but her power is restricted by the Muddredge laws that govern the ocean's floor—the same laws that the Syndicate has exploited to such a degree that they now control much of Shoggoth. If you can convince her that our mission—however crude—is the very device she needs to disassemble such a malevolent organization, then she may very well be able to pull many a string in our favor. I would suspect that a siren in her position would be quite eager to let such a situation play out.”
“And in return...?”
Theanim nodded knowingly. “She could very well grant you access to the Next Seed. Verlaxion's blessing... would be our blessing.”
“And we can finally pull Pinkie Pie free!” Twilight exclaimed.
“I can't believe it!” Rarity stammered. “It's so simple! Oh Rainbow, darling, aren't you excited—?” She blinked, ears folding back. “Rainbow?”
“Miss Dash?” Theanim cocked his head aside. “Are you quite alright?”
“Mmmrmfff... yeah, I'm...” Rainbow held a hoof over her face, wincing. The decks of the Arrowfish reeled around her, as if it had just hit choppy seas. “I mean, no... I... that is... guh...”
“Seasick? Echo has the same problem—”
“Unnghh...” Rainbow stumbled to the side, colliding with a wall. Her eyes squinted open, flickering red-on-yellow. “Damn... d-damn!” She hissed, clenching her teeth. “Almost... friggin' f-forgot about...”
“Miss Dash!” Theanim stood up, stirring Echo awake from across the way.
“Mrmmfff... shudddddup...” A pair of slitted eyes peaked out from beneath the blanket. “Whoah. She doesn't look so good.”
“Guhhhh...” Th-Thwump! Rainbow fell meatedly on her side, shivering all over as the world grew cold, spinning faster and faster around her.
“Rainbow!” Rarity yelped.
“Rarity!” Twilight hugged Rarity from behind. “Shhh! Calm down—”
“Calm down?!” Rarity's voice cracked. She pointed at the curled-up pegasus. “You mean you've s-seen this sort of thing b-before?!”
“It'll pass! Just trust me!”
“But—”
“Trust me!” Twilight gulped, then looked over Rarity's shoulder. “Rainbow... just hang in there! Everything's going to be alright!”
Rainbow wheezed, eyes rolling back. She reached a blind hoof up as her pendant shimmered against the bulkheads. “Girls... girls, I...”
“Just hang on...!” The voices were a thousand miles away. She heard loud hoofsteps and talons rushing towards her, followed by drawling gasps. Then the hum of the Arrowfish overtook her, throttling her core down an ocean abyss, and into dark, murky darkness.
The world was a dark plain of water growing dim on both ends.
“Rarity...?”
There was no answer.
There was no movement.
Save for Rainbow Dash's slow lurch forward...
A glide that grew swifter and swifter with each heart-pounding second...
The mare hyperventilated, unable to move her legs... her wings.
“Guys... wh-where are you?!” her voice cracked. “I can't... I can't control it!”
“Or perhaps that's what she wants you to believe,” boomed a feminine voice, haunting yet soft.
“Wh-what...?” Rainbow stammered, sweating.
Her eyes darted left and right.
The ocean rolled with the voice, like thunder.
“She has her eyes on you. It must be for a reason. What do you bring here, Rainbow Dash?”
“Have... have I...” Rainbow shuddered, flying over the ocean like a bullet. “...have I heard you before?”
The voice carried on: “Do you bring peace and harmony?”
Directly in front of her, the ocean exploded.
The water took the shape of a long neck, a snout, and a thick fibrous mane.
The head surged towards her on a tidal wave of rumbling noise.
“Or is it something else?!”
The churning waters formed a mouth and swallowed Rainbow Dash's screaming body whole.
“Aaa-aaaugh!” Rainbow shot up like a bullet, tossing the bed covers off. She sat in place, awash in sweat.
Twilight Sparkle and Rarity looked over.
“Rainbow!” Rarity flew to her side. “Darling!” She tried nuzzling the mare, only to phase through her. “Oh, it is so heavenly seeing you awake again!”
“I... I...”
“You were unconscious for several hours,” Twilight said in a far calmer tone. “And your... sleep was fitful for the last few minutes.”
“Oh! You were tossing and turning and whimpering in your sleep like Sweetie Belle having night terrors!” Rarity sniffled, fanning herself. “I swear to Celestia, I've never felt so helpless in my life! Just watching you!”
“Are... are you alright, Rainbow?” Twilight leaned forward.
Rainbow Dash's face was still pale. Instinctively, her hooves reached up, touching her ruby pendant. “Water... horse...” she murmured.
“I beg your pardon?” Rarity remarked, cocking her head aside. “It's okay, Rainbow. You're safe. You're with friends.”
“Mrmmfff...” Rainbow rubbed her muzzle, then leaned back in bed. “That... that voice...” She grimaced, staring up at the ceiling. “Haven't felt anything like that in my head since... since...”
“Since what?” Twilight asked.
Rainbow gulped. “Whitemane.” Her brow furrowed. “But I don't get it. Just who...?” She paused, blinking. Her hooves fiddled with a comfy duvet, then a cluster of bedsheets. She looked around at the tiny, claustrophobic cabin she was in. “...where in the buck are we?”
“Do you like it?” Rarity smiled wide. “It's not exactly Canterlot Five Star material, but they make do with their confined space, don't you agree?”
“I'm serious...” Rainbow Dash kicked the last lengths of covers off and sat on the edge of the bed. Her saddlebag was gone. All she wore was her pendant. “How... just how did I get here?”
“As we said,” Twilight spoke, her voice firm and sterile. “You were unconscious for a long time.”
Rainbow blinked at the glaring unicorn. “Twilight, the... the chaos that's inside me. It's just—”
“—a good thing it didn't paralyze you while you were performing the hiest!” Twilight's folded back and her voice took on a sensitive shudder. “Rainbow, you have a problem! And if weren't for these companions of yours—”
“Where am I?!?”
“She's right, you know,” Rarity said, her eyes moist. “You poor darling. I was beside myself in panic the very moment I saw you suffering from an inexplicable seiz—”
“Will somepony just tell me where I am?!?” Rainbow Dash growled. “Please?!?”
Hoofsteps.
Jumping, Rainbow looked aside. At the edge of the cabin was a metal door with padded velvet. A pony marched up from the other side, opened it, and peered in. Rainbow's heart slowed the moment she saw the stubbled face of Bard, followed by his smile.
“Well! Mornin' to ya, sunshine!” He opened the door all the way and leaned against its frame. Behind him, Rainbow could see another cabin three times as large as the bunkroom, complete with chairs, tables, and a sofa. From afar, Rainbow could make out a sarosian lump on the couch, covered in a blanket. “'Bout time you opened them ruby peepers of yours!”
“... … ...” Rainbow glanced left and right. “...we're still aboard the Mark Two.”
“Dayum skippy,” Bard said with a nod. “And boy if it isn't good to see you sittin' and chatterin' in one piece. Here...” He trotted forward and reached for her skull. “...lemme feel yer forehead.”
Rainbow Dash batted his forelimb away. “I'm fine. Where's my stuff?”
“Huh? Oh! Uh... yer saddlebag's over by the starboard side windows. Nopony's gone through it. I swear.”
“Starboard... side windows?” Rainbow stammered, glancing briefly at her two marefriends. “We're on the other side of the ship?”
“Eeyup.”
“But... I don't get it...” Rainbow rubbed her face, groaning. “We... we didn't buy a suite for the trip.”
“Well, we got one now,” Bard said. “As soon as you kerplunked like a sack of potatoes—well—what else were we gonna do? Let you freeze to death in spasms? Heh... hell no, lil' missy!”
“Wait... don't tell me...” Rainbow's face grew long. “Theanim... used the last of his bits from the Midnight Dreary?”
“Nawwww... dun be ridiculous.” Bard rolled his eyes. “Dubya-Cee and I...” He coughed. “...used some of ours.”
Rarity and Twilight smiled at Rainbow.
The pegasus' jaw dropped. “But... but... your guys' cut from the heist—”
“Pffft. We've still got plenty of platinum bars to spare. And we're fixin' to have plenty more once we tear down the house in Shoggoth's... Maritime Auction Hut? Er, whatever. Mr. Mane ain't exactly simple in his explanations of things.”
“I hear ya...” Rainbow nodded. She shuddered, brushing her mane back. “I... I don't know how to thank you, Bard.”
“I can think of one way.” He nodded, then smiled coyly, his eyes rolling towards the far end of the cabin. “Buttttttttt reckon I'm too much of a gentlecolt to entertain nothin'. So just consider it our way of sayin' thank you for keepin' Dubya-Cee's goose from gettin' cooked... or drowned. Eheh.”
“Seriously, though, thanks,” Rainbow said. “But... most of all...” She gulped, reaching up and grasping her pendant. “Thanks for not taking this off.”
“Well, wouldn't want to free the ghost girls that are hauntin' you, now would we?”
“No, we definitely don't want to—wait.” Rainbow shot up, glaring. “What... what did you just—?”
“Hah hah hah!” Bard slapped his knee, nodding. “I know! Plum ridiculous, ain't it?! But hey... yer Doc's the scientist, not me! Ain't no point arguin' with him, no matter how much nonsense he spits.” Chuckling, the stallion shuffled off. “'Invisible marefriends'...Hah!”
“... … ….” Rainbow slowly trotted out of the room, followed by the two spectres. “Bard, where exactly... is Theanim right now, anyways...?”
“What, the ol' Doc?” Bard shrugged with a smile. “He went out for a stroll with Dubya-Cee to get their bearings on the ship, I reckon. If we figure out just what Rust is deliverin' to Shoggoth right under our flanks, then it might give us a better idea 'bout how long 'til the Mark Two ships back out.”
“Why's that important?” Rainbow Dash muttered, rubbing her head.
“Well, once the Desperadoes have collected, we ain't fixin' to stay long.”
“You do know that our whole business with the Southern Hoof in Shoggoth is gonna last longer than a day, right?” Rainbow Dash frowned. “And that the only place the Mark Two is going is back to Rust?”
“Well...” Bard shrugged. “Sure beats takin' the hard rock-hops due east,” he said. “Besides... heh... odds are the Northern Hoof are totally wrecked. The best place for Dubya-Cee and I to avoid scrutiny would be the most ironic place. We'll hop back through Rust, breeze past all the baddies, and high-tail it to the northern archipelagos!”
“And then what?” Rarity asked.
“Ahem...” Rainbow Dash cocked her head aside. “And then what?”
“Lavish ourselves on the spoils of sweet, sweet victory, of course!” Bard slicked his mane back and plopped his hat down with a smirk. “Until the next contract, at least.”
“Yeah, right,” Echo suddenly droned from the couch he was reclined on. “Meanwhile, I'm wasting away in a prison somewhere.”
“Pffft! Dun ya go all sour on us again, bucko,” Bard said, rolling his eyes. “T'ain't gonna be a Syndicate no more to flog ya!”
“Syndicate... Council of Shoggoth... Rohbredden Scientific Order...” Echo shrugged and shrugged. “One way or another, somepony's gonna catch up with me now and I'll bite it real hard.” He huffed. “I was doing just fine in the dark until you morons pulled me to the surface for these shitty charades.”
“Hmmmf. You in the dark with coral ya mean.”
“Go huff a cow,” Echo belched, rolling over with a twitch of his leafy ears. “'Bout all you're good for anyways.”
Bard sighed, nevertheless smiling. “Leave it to a Midnighter to have a sunny disposition.”
“Ream me.”
“Well, alright!” Bard waved and trotted out the luxury suite. “A drifter knows when the wind's shiftin'. I think I'm gonna go get some... slightly less stuffy air.” The metal door groaned and clattered shut behind him.
Twilight Sparkle sighed. “Sometimes I wonder why our little sarosian here is so much worth fighting for.”
“Twilight!” Rarity suddenly gasped. “That's no way to speak of the poor soul!”
“But all he does is barrel himself down a path of self-destruction with no care or thought for the consequences!” Twilight exclaimed. “No wonder so many factions want him imprisoned or dead or even worse!”
“Who here couldn't imagine themselves in a desperate place or scenario?”
Twilight frowned. “Rarity, just a day or two ago you were of the firm belief that this 'ruffian' should be left to his own devices.”
“It's not very ladylike to put words in my mouth.”
“Well?!” Twilight's voice cracked. “Was it or wasn't it the truth?”
“Girls...” Rainbow sighed, rubbing her head some more.
“Admittedly, I had a very low first impression of the stallion. That is true,” Rarity said. “But I did some thinking, and I realize that many ponies back in Ponyville used to have incredibly disfavorable opinions of me—only to have such presumptions change after prolonged exposure.”
“Rarity, when were you ever a drug addict who was willing to sell out her own friends or family?!”
“Girls...” Rainbow growled.
“Twilight, that's not the point!”
“Well...?” Echo muttered suddenly.
Rainbow looked over at the couch. “Well what?”
Echo's thin body stirred as he groaned towards the walls. “Are you going to stand there, murmuring to the shadows forever, or are you gonna buzz off back to bed?”
“Who's murmuring to who, here?”
“Hey...” The sarosian stirred, turning over. Thin slitted eyes peered out from beneath the sheet draped over him. “I know a feverish state of mind when I see one. You had Theams freaking his shit right out... what with you flopping all over the place like a gutted rainbow trout.”
Rainbow Dash winced heavily. “Er...” She clasped her pendant again. “Yeah.” A gulp. “Right.”
“What's your vice, exactly?” he murmured. “Snow clouds? Aurora streams? Wind crystals? I hear lots of pegasi from the upper spires of Rohbredden get a real buzz huffing the magic built into the atmospheric modulators.”
“Haven't you figured it out by now?” Rainbow muttered. “I'm not exactly from around here.”
“Heh... right...” Echo's eyes fell briefly on her pendant. “You've met the Mother of Nightmares and all that bull hockey.”
“So... you believe me?”
He stifled a yawn. “Does it friggin' matter?” His body turned over again. “When I'm of no use to you anymore, you'll dump me like a cuddy log and fly off to Verlaxion-knows-where.” His body shuddered. “One way or another, everypony does...”
Rainbow bit her lip. She looked over her shoulder. Twilight gazed at the floor. Rarity, in the meantime, motioned her hoof in Echo's direction, her expression sympathetic.
“So... uh...” Rainbow looked over at the bat pony again. “...Bleak's Plummet.”
With a jolt, Echo's body shrank into a fetal position. He sighed, gradually stretching his limbs under the sheet again.
Rainbow's eyes narrowed. “What's that all about?”
“Mrmmmff... who the buck cares?”
“Maybe I do,” Rainbow said. She glanced back at Rarity. “...maybe somepony else.”
“You're full of it.”
“Good.” Rainbow shuffled a few steps over. “Poke me with some words so I can spill it all loose.”
“Ask Theams,” the sarosian grumbled. “He seems keen on filling you in on all things encyclopedic.”
“From what I've gathered, the Doc doesn't know jack about what you've been up to before and after the two of you hung out together,” Rainbow said. “You're right. It's not like you're gonna know me forever. So... how about it?” She cocked her head aside. “What's up with Bleak's Plummet and why do the 'midnighters' there want to tear you a new one?”
Echo sighed... then sighed some more. With a groan, he forced himself to sit up on wobbly legs.
Rainbow reached in to assist him, but a coarse tail whipped her back. She watched as he tilted his dizzy head towards her, fangs showing.
“I'm not a welcome sight.”
“Dude.” Rainbow shrugged. “I never said that you—”
“It's a friggin' fact,” he grunted. “Colonialists? Continentalists?” He shrugged. “Nopony who sails these seas smiles on my kind. They call us 'midnighters,' creatures so ugly and despicable that the only kind of life we can live is under the shroud of darkness. We're vagabonds of the night, scattered like dead water fleas on the surface of the swirling toilet that is life. Legend has it that eons ago, our nocturnal ancestors spat in the face of Queen Verlaxion. We remember it differently. She didn't extend the same graces to us as she did to the other Six Tribes. But it doesn't matter. One way or another, Verlaxion didn't allow us to partake in Unification. We were exempt from her warm blessings, left to die in the frosted howl of night. So we flew to the furthest ends of the world, where the waters drop off into a void where they too can be forgotten. The end of elements is the last bastion for our survival.”
Rainbow Dash gulped. “Bleak's Plummet.”
Echo nodded. “'Inhospitable' is the very word. A series of jagged shoals stand defiantly against the rushing waters, constantly drenched with moisture, in a maelstrom where there is no peace or silence... ever. There, one finds a home for denizens of darkness, banished from every other safe harbor this plane can afford. It was there that I was born, and from the first night of my existence I was told that I wouldn't live very long. If the foals of Verlaxion didn't choose at random to spear me from their ships, then I'd grow sick of feeding on all the dead matter floating east from the grand ocean's population, and I'd do the same as so many forebearers ahead of me: toss myself to the drink and let the waves carry me into the stars, where a cold kiss of death would offer life's only reward.”
“How... how could anypony live like that?” Twilight stammered.
Rainbow Dash stared fixedly at him. “I'm guessing you chose not to stand for such a lifestyle.”
Echo slowly shook his head. “I had seen life west of the falls. I had seen the warmth and the riches that this world had to offer. No longer did I want to dwell in a poisoned place. My biggest mistake was thinking that I could bring others with me. It would be my last attempt at kindness... ever. My tribe—as a reward for my daring—branded me a traitor to the honor of the Mother of Nightmares. The ponies of Bleak's Plummet hold firm to the belief that we are all descendants of the Maiden of the Moon, the very mare who led our exodus to the edge of the world to begin with nearly a millennium ago. When I suggested we abandoned this... this 'post,' I was immediately labeled an outcast among outcasts. There is nothing lower than this... believe me.”
“What... what did they do?”
“What do you think?” His nostrils flared, and he stretched one of his leather wings out. As the blanket draped off, Rainbow noticed—for the first time—a crooked set of joints set deep within his wing structure. “They took away the Moon's blessing, permanently.”
Twilight's jaw dropped. “They... they broke his wings?”
“I was shortly thereafter thrown to the seas. A continentalist ship picked me up... but anypony on board would rather swallow a sear urch than bother to doctor a midnighter's wounds.” He exhaled slowly. “The damn wings never mended properly. And now, I'm about as airworthy as a rock. This was before I met Theams. He doesn't talk about it because I don't talk about it. So buck you very much, ya sack of shit.” Echo turned over, drawing the sheet back over himself with angry punctuation.
Rainbow opened her muzzle to say something, when she heard a sharp gasp from her side. She looked over to see Rarity covering her face with two forelimbs. Tears leaked out as the unicorn shook, quivered. Twilight, bearing a long face, leaned over and nuzzled the mare.
“How... h-how...?” Rarity lifted her puffy expression, sniffling. “How could anyone in this world be so cruel?” She shuddered and strove in vain to wipe the tears away.
Swallowing a lump down her throat, Rainbow looked up and said, “But... but I heard they still want you dead. Why else would they put a bounty out?”
“'Cuz of pride,” Echo muttered. “You think I'm sad over what those bastards did to me?” His body shook as he chuckled bitterly. “When they dumped me into the brine, they dumped about forty pounds of immaculate moonsilver...”
Rainbow Dash blinked. “You stole from your brothers and sisters?”
Echo tilted his head back just enough for one slitted eye to peer at her, like a crescent moon. “And I would do it again in a heartbeat. I never asked to be what I am. Then again, I didn't ask for a lot of things.” He drew himself under the blanket once again, shuddering. “All I want is just for everypony... everypony in this dayum world to leave me the hell alone.” He sighed, his body deflating against the couch. “But... but beggars can't be choosers...”
“Rainbow...” Rarity whimpered. She rushed up to the mare, trying to grasp her shoulders—but only phasing through. “Tell him about Equestria! About Luna!”
“Rarity...” Twilight sighed, ears folded back melancholically.
“Tell him that there's a joyful place! A harmonic place!” Rarity wept, shaking her head. “That not every country in this accursed world has to be so heartless and dreadful!”
“And to what end, Rares?” Rainbow whispered. “You know as well as I can that I can't stop going East. It's not like I can bring him back home or nothing.”
“Bring who back home?” the sarosian muttered, leafy ears twitching.
Rainbow grimaced. “Uhhhh—” But just as she turned to face him again...
The metal door to the suite creaked open.
Echo glanced over. “...Theams.”
“Old Chap.” Doctor Mane wandered in, followed by a griffon. “I do hope that you've eaten something healthy since we talked last.”
“No, but you're welcome to bite me.”
“Ah yes, and so the circle remains unbroken,” Theanim muttered through a sigh.
Wildcard walked across the the room. Rainbow watched, blinking, as the griffon paused, rested a metal talon on her shoulder, smiled, and shuffled off.
“Miss Dash...”
Snapping out of it, Rainbow turned towards the stallion. “Doc! Uh... I-I just wanted to say 'thank you' for what you and the other guys did for—”
“Do save it, Rainbow.”
“Look, I'm just trying to show how thankful I am—”
“And I'll be glad to hear it, but I'm afraid at the moment we haven't much time.” He smiled. “We've arrived.”
“We've... arrived...?” Rainbow blinked.
Theanim turned and pointed out the door. “Come see for yourself.”
Even while just trotting out of the luxury suite, Rainbow Dash could feel the difference. The bulkheads of the Arrowfish vibrated a little less. The whole ship's hum had dropped to a low pitch.
Passengers and crew members congregated around the starboard port holes, staring out while murmuring in muddled conversation. Shuffling up to one window in particular, Rainbow Dash soon discovered why.
Gazing out, she caught a series of sharp rock bluffs sticking up out of the middle of the ocean. The earthen structures quite literally appeared out of nowhere—in the middle of calm seas lying otherwise uninterrupted for countless miles and miles.
Ships, yachts, and delivery vessels of all shapes and sizes congregated around the bluffs—but they were all dwarfed by the significantly larger assortment of thick iron plates forming a horizontal platform around the centermost promontory of rock. The metalworks here dwarfed the ramshackle materials that made up the bulk of Rust far up north. Rainbow could immediately tell that the structures had a great deal more time put into them, and they had been far better maintained over the course of the last few... decades?Centuries?
It was difficult to tell, but Rainbow could guess that the platform structures held a great deal more antiquity than the ones she had seen back in Rust. Their surfaces were a charcoal black metal. The iron was so thick that—if it indeed the material had rusted—she ventured to guess that it was so thick and layered that such oxidation didn't pose much of a threat to its structural stability. Even from hundreds of meters away, she could spot ginormous black rivets holding the various joints and lattices together.
Flanking the western edge of the platform, Rainbow spotted a very elaborate contraption about four times the size of the Arrowfish. At first, it was difficult for her to make out, but then the Mark Two came about, approaching the structure's broad side. She realized that—beyond an elongated metal plank that acted as a drydock, complete with a crane and loading platforms—she was looking at an elaborate transportation station. Two very large tubes—like cylindrical train cars—were hanging from steel girders affixed to the iron platforms. Thick, tight cables ran diagonally downward—straight into the drink—and they very obviously supported the weight of the two tubes waiting in their station. Around this contraption, several earth ponies trotted in tight circles, shouting towards one another, preparing for the unloading process about to take place. Several pegasi flew overhead, monitoring the docking procedures while signaling with brightly enchanted stones.
“What you're looking at is the Undertrolley,” Theanim Mane said out loud, answering Rainbow's questions before she could voice them. He pointed out the porthole in front of them. “Notice the thick metal hull and the iron-reinforced windows?”
“Is that...” Rainbow blinked. “...gonna take us to the ocean's floor?”
The stallion nodded. “Straight through the gates of Shoggoth.”
“So the real Shoggoth is underwater.” She pointed. “And this... this is just—like, I dunno—the transportation and ticket center?”
“Erm... that's an interesting way of labeling it.” He nevertheless smiled. “Suffice to say, it's the one part of the entire Shoggothan real estate that the Muddredgers absolutely one hundred percent own.”
“Lemme guess. The rest below the waters belongs to Camellia and the sirens?”
“It's governed by them. However, if it weren't for the diligent craftponyship of the earthen and unicorn equines who wanted to make something out of this amphibious union, then what we're currently docking with wouldn't be remotely possible,” Theanim said. “This particular Undertrolley has survived centuries of the ocean's hardest elements. It's transported hundreds of thousands if not millions of souls all these years, day by day. Even the Queen herself has used this transport.”
“Huh...” Rainbow exhaled, her breath slightly fogging the porthole. “It's kind of a crying shame that the Syndicate had to dirty the place up.”
“Mmmmm... yes. And yet no.” Theanim smiled. “I think you'll find Shoggoth quite a bit more hospitable than the likes of Rust.”
“Is that cuz of the royal sea horse's doing?”
“That's one way of putting it.” Theanim motioned. “Come, Miss Dash. If we're to make the first Undertrolley passage down, then we'll have to go about leaving the Mark Two swiftly.”
“Doc, wait...” Rainbow Dash held a hoof out towards him. She gulped and said, “I... uh... I know that Bard and Wildcard did something super generous to make sure I had a good place to crash over the past few hours. But... but I just know you had a hoof in it somehow. So, for what it's worth—”
“No need to thank me, my dear,” he said with a chuckling breath. “I was getting quite sick of sitting out in that most deplorable hallway as it was.”
“Still. I... uh... I-I can't always afford to be as awesome as I wanna be.” Her voice cracked upon saying that, but she nevertheless steeled herself. “I think of all the ponies I've met since I landed in these oceans, you've been... the most understanding.” She took a deep breath. “So, y'know, thanks for everything.”
He blinked at her, his ears twitching. “It... gives me great honor to hear that.”
“Yeah, well, it felt good saying it.”
Silence. A faint smile hung between them.
“Right.” Theanim cleared his throat. “I'd best summon Echo. He needs to play the part of a stallion in distress.” A roll of the eyes, and Theanim shuffled back to the suite. “That shouldn't be quite so hard.”
“Y'know, the dude's a lot stronger than he lets on.”
“I know, Miss Dash.” And the Mark Two shook all over from docking into place. “I know.”
The boarding doors of the Mark Two opened, and Rainbow Dash's mane practically whipped from the warm blast of salty air. She squinted as she marched out, bumping neck-and-flank with the thick crowd of disembarking passengers in front of and behind her. She, Theanim, Wildcard, and Bard trudged slowly down the ornate ramp that had been drawn up by the loading platform, with the musician among them carrying Echo's “bound” body across his backside.
Above, the air echoed with seagulls circling, begging, diving. The ravenous birds mostly congregated around the positions along the lower dock where seaships and cargo vessels rolled up, one by one. The Arrowfish loading area—on the other hoof—was virtually untouched. It existed at a luxurious degree above the rest that even made the birds keep their distance. Glancing down past the loading ramp, Rainbow could see why. Through rippling waters, she spotted complex horizontal tubes connecting between the upper spires of the Shoggoth bluffs and the submerged half of the Mark Two's hull.
“Supplies are loaded and unloaded underwater,” Theanim explained with a proud smile. “That makes it all the more difficult for even the most ambitious privateers to attempt a gallant theft.”
“Pfffft. Any pirate stupid enough to try anything smart this close to the Muddredger's stompin' grounds is askin' for trouble,” Bard remarked.
“Hey, no sense in jinxin' thangs! Especially this far into it!” Bard looked over his shoulder. “Ain't that right, Dubya-Cee?”
The griffon responded with a single hand-gesture.
“Hey!” Bard hissed. “We're in public, bro!”
“Careful, everypony,” Theanim remarked. “We can't afford to be chatty for long. Check-up is just ahead.”
Rainbow craned her neck to see a line of stallions in gray uniforms standing before the two undertrolleys locked in their stations. The crowd disembarking from the Mark Two gathered in clustered groups before the team of examining ponies.
“Just what kind of a 'check-up' are we talking about?” she murmured back to Theanim. Her body shifted weight, and she once again felt the thick bars of platinum in her saddlebags. “If they look inside our things, we're done for.”
“And they will do no such thing,” Theanim said firmly. “Not so long as we give them a convincing performance.”
“A performance?!” Bard grinned wide. “Now why didn't y'all say so?” He cracked the joints in his neck as he was the first to set hooves on the loading dock. “I've got this one in the bag! Just watch!”
Echo looked up with dull eyes. “Is it not too late to execute me?”
“Now, watch your muzzle, old chap,” Theanim said. “You're as much a part of the act as our mercenary companion here.”
“Meh.”
“I'm serious.” Theanim cautiously eyed the throng of stallions as the group stood in line, slowly shuffling forward as more and more Arrowfish boarders were allowed onto the undertrolleys. “Unless we can convince the employees of the Southern Hoof here that we've legitimately brought you as payment for the Muddredge Boss' bounty, then everything will have been for naught.”
“Like I said,” Bard remarked, winking back at the others. “Leave that to me. Ain't nothin' gettin' past my charm, especially when there're so many bits involved.”
“Yes, 'cuz that's what this is all about,” Rainbow muttered. “The bits.”
“Hey!” Twilight Sparkle flew directly into Rainbow's face. “Listen!”
“Gah!”” Rainbow teetered back, bumping into Theanim. A few ponies looked over, but she composed herself, clearing her throat. “Dang it, Twilight...”
“Sorry...” Twilight blushed as Rarity floated up alongside her. “I... I just think you should know.” She turned and pointed at the stallion members of the Syndicate. “I scanned the area for magic. It took a while, since—between the Arrowfish and the Undertrolleys—the air is ripe with it, but—”
“The point, egghead?”
“Uhhh... those stallions are all packing heat,” Rainbow said. “Explosive heat. Like... I'm counting four grenades on each of them.”
“And they're filled with some sort of paralytic agent, judging from the metallic composition, darling,” Rarity added. “I fear if we cross them, they'll have exactly what they need to knock the whole of us out.”
Rainbow cleared her throat. “Those guards up ahead. Uhhh... they have—like—knock-out grenades on them n'stuff.”
Wildcard raised an eyecrest.
“And how would ya know that, exactly?” Bard remarked, then rolled his eyes. “Oh. Right. Never mind. Got it.”
“What...?” Rainbow squinted.
“Yer magical ghost friends.” Bard chuckled. “Bet them kind of buddies come in handy.”
“Now Mr. Bard...” Theanim sighed. “We talked about this.”
“I know, and I still thank it's mighty crazy-like,” Bard added with a laugh.
“What I want to know is...” Rainbow glared back over her shoulder. “...why did you guys talk about it?”
Theanim cleared his throat. “Considering the sensitive nature of our current venture, I figured it would be best that they knew about your talents... all of your talents.”
“Well, looks like it didn't do a whole lotta good, huh?”
“Miss Dash, forgive me if I was grasping at straws to inspire confidence.” Theanim's eyes narrowed. “After all, you had collapsed like an epilepsy patient without any prior warning whatsoever.”
“Er... yeah.” Rainbow gulped, gazing down at the thick metal platform beneath them. “That.”
“Let us simply make it past this next junction and we can discuss the finer details later,” Theanim muttered.
“Please don't be angry with him, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “He has your best interests in mind.”
“I really wish you could have seen him, darling,” Rarity added. “He was... beside himself with worry. Perhaps a stallion like that could be forgiven for letting a few truths fly out of his muzzle, even if our crude friends weren't entirely keen to believe in them.”
Rainbow squinted at the ghostly mares. “You... guys saw everything that happened while I was under?” she whispered.
“But of course!” Rarity blinked. “It's not as if Twilight and I phase out whenever you happen to be unconscious, Rainbow.”
“When are you going to learn that we're attached to you no matter what?” Twilight remarked.
“Please...” Rainbow grumbled, wings limp as she trudged forward under the weight of her platinum-filled satchels. “...you don't need to remind me.”
“Pffft...” Rarity rolled her eyes. “You say that as if it's a burden!”
“It's only a burden if I drop dead from some crazy circumstance,” Rainbow muttered. “Then what will you girls be attached to?”
Rarity bit her lip. She looked anxiously at Twilight.
Twilight cleared her throat and pointed past them. “Oh, look. We're up next.”
“Well, this should be rich,” Rarity exhaled.
“Tell me about it,” Rainbow grumbled, only to bump into Wildcard's metal palm.
The griffon held her and Theanim back while Bard stepped ahead.
“Name?” one of the guards slurred through a yawn.
“Howdy!” Bard grinned wide, tipping his hat. “The name's Bard!” He pointed at the griffon behind him. “This here's Wildcard!” He winked. “No relation.”
“Unnnnnngh...” Rainbow facehoofed with hunched shoulders. “...can I join Echo at the execution?”
“Shhh!” Theanim insisted, watching with an anxious gaze.
“Uh huh.” The guard drew something on a clipboard and leaned back with a sigh. “And how many ponies in your group Mister... Bard?”
“Why, that'd be four, mister,” the mercenary said. “Or... well... four and a half if you count this here gift from Boss Revan.”
“Huh?” The guard looked up, squinting. “Are... are you in business with the Northern Hoof?”
“Dayum skippy!” Bard echoed musically. “And, as I understand it, the earth-trottin' folk around these parts... er... underparts have been itchin' to get their hooves on a certain scampy somepony.”
The guard pointed at Rust's body with his clipboard. “What's with the midnighter?”
“Ah! That's where the four and a half comes in! Ya see...” Bard shifted his weight, pointing at the sarosian with his right wing. “...this lil fella was owin' money to Revan big time. Thang is, he was owin' even more money to y'all Muddredge folks. So, Boss Revan, bein' the stand-up kind of a guy that he is, figured it was real economic-like to send him off to Shoggoth so that the Southern Hoof could begin pullin' threads and reel in all the loose ends that Mister Cheapskate here thought he could get away with chompin'.” Bard smiled. “After all, the Syndicate's not just separate hooves. In the end, ain't we all just parts of the same mud-stompin' thoroughbred?”
The guard squinted at Bard. “You work for the Syndicate?” His nostrils flared. “You smell like normal bounty hunting trash to me.”
“Pffft! Are y'all spittin' on my stirrups?!” Bard chuckled, grinning. “When I've delivered this here bounty and all is said and done, I'm fixin' to saddle up all nice and pretty with the Muddredgers! The way I figure it—if they can get everythang all squared away, then now's 'bout time that Dubya-Cee and I do the same!”
“And what's with the guitar case?”
“I'm a musician,” Bard huffed, chin up. “What about it?”
“Mrmmmfff...” The guard's eyes darted about. “On official business from Revan or not, your group is carrying an awful lot of heavy stuff.” He signaled towards another stallion. “I'm afraid we're going to have to search you.”
“Pffft. Please...” Bard rolled his eyes. “There's no need. After meetin' up with yer boss, my friends and I were hopin' to add our wares to the Auction House! After all, ain't nothin' like startin' a new life when you've got all the fixin's of the old life to sell away!”
“Even still, it's procedure. And a situation like this calls for a thorough examination.”
“Yeah... well... uh...” Bard began sweating. “Ahem... don't ya think that's... uh...” His tail flicked and flicked in Wildcard's direction. “...a lil' out of the ordinary?”
Wildcard's goggles reflected the motion. He pivoted and slapped Echo's head with his flesh talon.
“Ow!” Echo hissed, then frowned at the griffon. “You insufferable pisshole! What was that for—?”
Wildcard opened his beak wide and gestured “fangs.”
“Oh... uhm...” Echo's slitted eyes widened as he suddenly thrashed about in his bindings. “Skree-ee-ee-ee!” He shook and wriggled and drooled. “Skree-ee-ee-ee! Death to the daylight infidels... and sunshine! Skree-ee-ee-ee!”
“Oh jeebus!” Bard wheezed, bucking and jolting. “Oh lord have mercy! Now you gone and dun it!” He gnashed his teeth, looking helplessly at the guards. Everypony in line craned their necks to see. The sarosian's tantrum was drawing everyone's attention, passengers and thugs alike. “This little varmint's gone rabid! Any second now, he'll yodel his throat super hard and unleash the bat brain blaster!”
“Holy shit...” One guard stammered, his jaw dropping side.
“Can... c-can they do that?” murmured another.
“Oh yes!” Bard nod-nod-nodded, still struggling to contain Echo's thrashing motions. “Their shrieks can get so blasted high-pitched that it'll paint yer skulls with your brain noodle! Splooosh! Of course... yer prostates would have become sonic goo minutes beforehoof.”
“Ah jeez!” One guard spun towards another. “We gotta do something!”
“And quick!”
“Reckon I know a solution!” Bard gestured towards the undertrolleys. “Throw us in one of them thangs! The thick iron acoustics should be good enough to drown out his vibrations before he goes unconscious from all his strugglin'! We should all be safe by the time we reach Shoggoth proper and drop his sorry keister in a dungeon!”
“Hmmmf... still, this is a very dangerous situation,” one guard muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Best to not take any chances.” Schiiiing! He pulled out a gleaming dagger. “I'd better slice out his voice box.”
“Wait, huh?” Bard did a double-take. “But... but he's my bounty! That'll kill him!”
“Maybe, maybe not.” The guard wandered forward with the blade, aiming for the nape of Echo's neck. “But if he's as dangerous as you say, then we can't risk the livelihood of Shoggoth's citizenry.”
“B-b-but we're deliverin' him as a gift from Boss Revan—”
“—and I'm quite familiar with the bounty,” the lead guard said. “In death, he should still bring in a handsome price. Handsome enough for the likes of you to live on.”
“Okay, buck this...” Echo rolled off Bard and tried worming away. “I'll be voiceless in hell, ya seagull huffers!”
“Hold still...” The guard snarled, squatting low and reaching for the bat pony.
“Now wait just a minute!” Bard gnashed his teeth, shoving his way in. “Let's talk about this! Uhh...” He turned and stared at Wildcard with flaring eyes. “Uhhhhhhhhhh...!” He nodded.
Wildcard nodded back. Schiing! He produced his nightsticks.
One guard saw it out the corner of his eyes. “Wait! You there—”
“Mr. Wildcard!” Theanim reached over and grasped the griffon's arm. All around, the crowd was stirring and surging in panic. “We... we must find another solution or else they'll never let us into the—”
“Dammit!” Echo kicked and thrashed at the guards. “Let... go!”
“I said hold still.” The guard pressed the blade to Echo's neck, frowning. “You're nothing but midnight filth anyways—”
Echo spat. “Buck you, guy! I mean it—”
“Rainbow!” Twilight squeaked. She and Rarity were a trembling mess at this point. “We have to do something!”
“It's... there's no chance of us making it to Shoggoth at this point!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “Pinkie Pie...” Just then, the world around her lit up with sea foam green light, and she reeled.
“Be at ease, Rainbow Dash. It has been taken care of.”
Just as soon as the light pulsed, the world returned to its gray haze, and Rainbow fell back on her haunches.
“Ungh...”
“Rainbow?” Rarity looked over. “Are you okay, darling?”
Before Rainbow could respond, she saw the sea foam green light again—only this time it was somewhere far ahead, shimmering from two fixed points beyond the crowd. She looked to see the light emanating from behind the lead guard's eyes. He suddenly lowered his dagger from Echo's throat, and his lips slurred: “It has been taken care of.”
The other guards standing around performed double-takes. “Huh?”
Echo blinked. “...Huh?”
The lead guard stood up, clearing his throat. “It has been taken care of.” He calmly looked at the others with a glazed expression. “I remember now. The Boss is expecting Revan's gift. This is all according to plan.”
“Since when?” Another guard frowned. “I don't remember being briefed on—”
“Do you wanna be on seagull poop duty for a week that badly?!” growled the leader, poking the stallion in the chest with his dagger. “Well?!”
“Uhhhhh...” The other guard shook his head, gulping. “N-no, sir!”
“Do not challenge my authority ever again.” Schiiing! The guard sheathed his blade, then turned towards Bard and the others. “You are free to pass.” He gestured towards the undertrolleys in wait. “Sorry for all the trouble.”
“... ... ...” Bard blinked. “So... that means no inspection, right?” A metal talon whapped him in the back of his head. “Ow! Er... I mean, r-right!” He put on a nervous smile, scooped Echo back onto his flank, and tipped his hat. “Pleasure chewin' the fat with y'all!”
Bard shuffled on, followed by Wildcard—who shared no small amount of glares with the peering guards. At last, Theanim and Rainbow took up the rear, trotting across the platform in awkward silence. Below, sea waves crashed thunderously against the bluffs of upper Shoggoth.
“How in blazes did you manage to intimidate that fellow?” Theanim wheezed.
“I didn't!” Bard whispered back. “Or else, if I did, I dun even know my own tongue's strength! Eheh...”
“You're all a bunch of jackasses,” Echo grumbled.
“Glad you're in one piece too, old chap,” Theanim said.
Rainbow was the last to enter the thick open doorframe of the undertrolley. Just as she passed through, the world burned once again with sea foam green.
“I am waiting for you, but I am not the only one. We must remain cautious.”
“Eunngh...” Rainbow teetered, then leaned limply against the frame. She brought a hoof to her fuzzy forehead, gritting her teeth.
“Rainbow...?” Rarity and Twilight flew up close. “Are you quite alright?”
“Do you feel another fainting spell coming on?” Twilight asked.
“You...” Rainbow's eyes opened, thin and weak. “You mean you guys didn't hear that?”
Twilight and Rarity exchanged awkward glances. “Hear what?”
“What's going on, Rainbow?”
“I... I don't know...” Rainbow wheezed. “But... but I think somepony just helped us back there.” She gulped. “And she wants me to know it.”
As her vision came back into full focus, she saw her reflection in a worried griffon's lenses.
Rainbow cleared her throat. “I'm... I'm fine...” She shuffled past Wildcard. “Just dealing with... uhhhh... girl stuff. Yeah.”
Wildcard stared after her, eyecrest raised. With a ruffle of his feathers, he icily followed the group to the furthest corner of the undertrolley's dimly-lit interior, where they took up plush seats and sat in nervous silence.
“Huh?” Rainbow rubbed her head, looking up from where she sat across from him inside the Undertrolley. “Oh... uhm...”
“About what just happened?” Theanim remarked, eyebrow raised. “At the checkpoint just now?”
“Pffft! I'll tell you what happened!” Bard smirked proudly, dropping his satchels and guitar case beside his seat. “Them guards quit bein' hardflanks and took sympathy for my story!”
“Like wyvern shiet they did,” Echo spat from where he lay on the floor.
Schiiing! Wildcard unsheathed his dagger with emphasis. He gave Echo a pointed glare while whittling new toothpicks from a block of wood.
“I'd... be careful with the way I refer to wyverns when around Dubya-Cee, buddy,” Bard said with a nervous chuckle.
“Don't you talk to me about being careful,” Echo seethed. “I nearly got a new blowhole in my neck thanks to your dumbassetry.”
“How would I know they'd be so dog blame'd anal?!”
“I've taken diarrhea dumps with better foresight than you!”
“Pffft. Considerin' yer kind crap upside down, reckon I know where yer mouth gets its conversation skills.”
“Oh for the love of—” Echo thrashed on the floor.
“Gentlecolts—” Theanim began.
“Everypony shut up!” Rainbow barked. The rest of the group actually rattled from her outburst. A few ponies looked over from the other seats inside the undertrolley. After a few blinking seconds, they returned their attention elsewhere. With a pronounced sigh, Rainbow leaned against the porthole and stared out through the glass. “What matters is that we made it through. Let's not attract any more attention than we already have.”
“Yeah, well...” Echo sighed, lying limply against the floor. “What I want to know is how did we make it through that mess?”
“We're safe for right now,” Rainbow Dash said. “At least... f-for the trip into Shoggoth.”
“And how do ya know that, Missy?” Bard asked.
“I just know, okay?! You're gonna have to trust me!” A few flakes of wood sprinkled across her fetlock, and she pointed two seats over at Wildcard. “Gary Stu here. He trusts me.”
Wildcard yawned, rattled his beak, and resumed whittling.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, sighed, and leaned once more against the porthole. She stared out onto the water-swept bluffs of upper Shoggoth. The dim light of the cabin reflected the bodies of more and more ponies filling in the available spaces. It was starting to get crowded... but not too crowded. Soon, Rainbow figured—perhaps in a matter of minutes—the vehicle would begin its descent.
Twilight Sparkle floated up alongside the mare. “Rarity and I trust you, Rainbow,” she said. “But it would still be very helpful to everypony if you opened up with us.”
Rarity floated up this time. “You... saw something, didn't you?” She blinked. “Or heard something?”
“I haven't seen you this rattled for no reason since the day I first appeared to you at Kihutaja,” Twilight remarked. “Was... was it some message from the machine world?”
Rarity cocked her head aside. “Perhaps something related to...” She twisted her muzzle to pronounce: “Yorr-fear-duh?”
Rainbow's head dipped down. Her heart skipped a beat.
The Yaerfaerda symbol was directly beneath her, albeit still distant. Pulsing—pink and bright.
She shuddered slightly, curling up into a blue ball where she sat. “Mrmmmff...” She exhaled through her nostrils. “You're right, Twilight,” she whispered. “I am spooked.” Her eyes wandered out the porthole again. “It's... something I haven't felt since Emeraldine.”
“Emeraldine... Emeraldine...” Twilight chewed on her bottom lip, then eventually blurted: “Whitemane.”
Rainbow nodded. “Although,” she continued to whisper, “Running into Chrysalis and her drones sent a similar chill down my back. But this was way... way more intense.”
“We saw your eyes roll back, darling,” Rarity said. “'Preoccupied' would be an understatement.”
“If somepony... or something could send a message that clearly into my skull...”
“—you think they're the ones responsible for saving us from that one guard?” Twilight remarked.
Rainbow gulped. “I hope it's just one.”
“Camellia,” Rarity cooed.
Both Rainbow and the other spectre glanced at her.
Rarity folded her forelimbs, phasing slightly through the seats. “Well, it's the most obvious conclusion, wouldn't you agree?”
“Maybe... maybe not...” Twilight remarked, tapping her chin in thought. “There are just... so many creatures and races out here beyond the edges of Equestria that are mysterious to me.”
“But you've read a lot, Twilight,” Rarity said. “Do you recall anything on sirens?”
“Legend has it that Starswirl the Bearded once contended with a troublesome school of them,” Twilight thought out loud. “Particularly a trio of regal siblings who controlled the mood and contentment of the Equestrian populace through enchanted song.”
“So, that nails it,” Rainbow Dash said out loud. “Sirens are mind controllers.”
“Oh, not quite, Miss Dash,” Theanim suddenly spoke up. “At least...” He chuckled slightly. “Not all of them.”
Rainbow glanced over, blinking. “Huh?”
“Oh, do forgive me,” he said with a smile. “Your... erm... 'private conversation' became audible just now. No doubt you and the other girls are deliberating on recent events.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow said. “We could sure use some help, Doc.”
“Gladly.” Shifting his weight, he crossed over and took the seat to Rainbow's left. “Eughh... mmmff... well, sirens are the oldest and most mysterious race among ponyfolk. I suspect it's a different situation in the waters around Equestria, but out here in Rohbredden's corner of the plane—the sea equines owned the oceans long before their land-trotting and sky-soaring neighbors ever tried venturing forth with skiff and sail.”
He smiled. “Are they telepathic? Yes. But only specific breeds. As far as the Order knows, mind-reading and mental communication is a gift reserved to oceanic royalty. So, yes, it's quite possible that Princess Camellia had a hoof in our recent breakthrough. Or—in this case—a fin.”
“But... why?”
“Did she tell you anything specific just now?” Theanim asked. “I trust that she did have a message for you.”
“Uhm... well... yes.” Rainbow nodded. “She told me that 'it was taken care of.'”
“I see.” Theanim nodded. “Siren communication with surface-dwellers is a very rare thing.” His brow furrowed. “I believe it's a biological thing. It's far easier for sirens to send mental messages to seaponies, water nymphs, sea serpents, and other members of aquatic sentience.”
“But... but then she gave me another message,” Rainbow said, gazing straight ahead of her.
“Oh?”
“She... she said that she was 'waiting for me,'” the pegasus said. She gulped hard. “Then she said that 'she wasn't the only one.'”
Theanim arched an eyebrow. “Curious.”
Rainbow bit her lip, glancing aside at Twilight and Rarity. “What... d-do you suppose that means?”
“I'm not sure,” Theanim said. “If I had to guess, it would seem as though she's sensed our presence. Or at least yours.”
“Oh Doc... that can't be good!” Rainbow exclaimed. She squirmed in her seat as the undertrolley around them filled up. “If—” With hunched shoulders, she leaned in and whispered. “If she knows what I'm here for, then she might have us all figured out! Our cover will be blown!”
“That's an understandable concern.”
“We gotta get out of here, Doc!” Rainbow exclaimed, shivering. “We could be going into a trap! I could be dragging us all into a trap—”
Theanim placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Just... sit still, Miss Dash.”
“But—”
“Do you or do you not wish to relinquish your friend from her hold in the Next Seed?”
Rainbow panted and panted, calming down—albeit with residual trembles. She gulped, staring at him with nervous eyes. “Pinkie Pie...” A shudder. “You... you m-mean you believe what I've said about—?”
“The only real experiment is the one that can be repeated,” Theanim said. He leaned back in his seat, smiling reassuredly. “If there's a chance that what happened at the Nealend Atoll can be repeated, then it's a venture that's worth all the risks, don't you think?”
“But... but...”
“We've all enlisted in this part of your journey, Miss Dash,” Theanim said. “Perhaps it is a trap.” He shrugged. “Until I witness more evidence, I am not convinced.”
“But how can you be so sure?”
“Princess Camellia is the wisest, most powerful siren alive,” Theanim said. “She's second to Queen Verlaxion in terms of influence and authority. If she desired you—or our entire party—eliminated, then I'm certain she would have orchestrated that already.”
“Yeah... yeah sure...” Rainbow watched as an operator called out to the stallions on deck, then shuffled up to the hatch of the Undertrolley. “But... but I can't stop feeling... well... spooked.”
“Telepathic contact is certainly unnerving for non-telepathic creatures.”
“Have... have you ever experienced...?”
Theanim chuckled. “I've encountered many curious phenomena in my travels,” he said. “Be sure to ask Echo about the time he and I encountered a cave full of Shadow Spores.”
“Shadow... spores...?”
“Inhalation of the spores causes one's paranoia to increase tenfold,” Theanim explained. “For fungi, it's a mean of communication and reproduction. For fully-grown endotherms, it's a unwanted key that unlocks a dormant part of the brain receptive to telepathic feedback. We were essentially... exposed to the faded thoughts of past generations of ponies and wyverns who had dwelled within the mountains.”
“No way.”
“Oh, absolutely! So many lonesome thoughts and fears—bouncing between the quartz and crystal—only to finally find home in the mental vacuum the spores had carved.”
“How did you two make it out?”
“Barely,” Theanim said with a shudder. “I... suffered night terrors for nearly three years.”
“I'm sorry to hear that.”
“Well, I'm not sorry that I survived.” He smiled. “Made for a damn good science report.”
“Heh... I bet...” Rainbow smiled back, then grimaced.
Theanim blinked with concern. “What is it?”
“Just... remembering something,” Rainbow murmured. “When I... when I-I blacked out on the Arrowfish...”
“Yes?”
Twilight and Rarity cocked their heads, listening.
“I... had a vision,” Rainbow said. “Unlike any I had experienced before.”
“Camellia spoke to you then?” Theanim remarked.
“I think, yeah.” Rainbow nodded. “And... it wasn't a very pleasant vision.”
“How so?”
“It's... hard to explain.” She gulped. “Then and now... I-I think she's almost trying to fill me with dread.”
“Well, that seems uncharacteristically malicious of the Siren Princess,” Theanim said.
“No. She wasn't threatening me.” Rainbow blinked. “But... but I think she's trying to let me know that I shouldfeel threatened.”
“Interesting...” Theanim rubbed his chin. “But by what?”
Rainbow looked across the cabin.
At last, the hatch closed with a pronounced hiss. The lights above flickered as a dull hum rolled through the trolley.
“...guess I'll find out sooner than later,” Rainbow muttered.
The undertrolley shook and rattled a few times before hitting the water. After the initial jolt, the rest of the ride became smooth, with the cabin gently swaying every half-minute or so. Rainbow Dash looked out the porthole in time to see splashing waves of water rippling over the hull. Then all was bubbles and liquid obscurity.
“The trolley spans nearly three miles' worth of cables,” Theanim Mane explained. Electric lights dimmed and flickered overhead as the vessel hummed along. “Initially descending at a gentle forty-five degrees, then sharpening into a twenty degree plummet as we reach the—”
“Reckon we get the picture, Doc,” Bard said. “Besides, things ain't getting' turbulent until we get into Shoggoth proper.”
“Remember, Mr. Bard, that fighting is a last resort,” Theanim said with a glare. “Our goal is to win the approval of the Syndicate for entrance.”
Bard smirked. “I thought our goal was to lay the smackdown on the Auction House place.”
“Well... yes,” Theanim said, squirming slightly. “That is part of the end goal, indeed, but up until our hoof is dealt we need to lay low. 'Play it cool, as t'were.'”
Rarity giggled while Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
“Well, shouldn't be too dayum hard,” Bard said, smirking. “So long as we've got friends in invisible places.” He looked over at Rainbow. “Right, Missy?”
Rainbow sighed. “...let it rest.”
“Now, no reason to be rude-like to yer fine companions.”
With a frown, Rainbow said, “I still don't get why Theanim even told you about... about...”
The Doctor cleared his throat. “Once more, I felt that—given our current circumstances—it'd be helpful if the entire team knew what we were facing as well as what we had at our disposal.”
“Also, yer scientist buddy was a tad bit hysterical at the sight of you bein' all seizure-like,” Bard said with a wink and a smirk.
“Awwwwwww...” Twilight cooed. Rainbow looked at her and the unicorn shrugged. “Sorry. I just think it's sweet.”
“Trust me, Miss Dash,” Theanim spoke. “I had no intention of sullying your reputation with crazy proclamations.”
“Though they are pretty crazy,” Echo muttered from the floor.
“Hey!” Bard swatted the sarosian with his hoof. “Dun be cruel!” Clearing his throat, he looked across the way at Rainbow, smiling. “So, what are the names of yer crazy hallucinations?”
Wildcard nodded with a curious glint of his goggles.
Frowning, Rainbow said, “They're not hallucinations.” With a shudder, she hugged herself and gazed out the dark blue porthole. “And I don't see why I should tell you what their names are.”
“Rainbow, honestly.” Rarity smiled. “Haven't they helped us enough as it is?”
“And haven't we helped them?” Twilight added.
Rainbow muttered in a quiet voice: “If I tell everypony that I have literal invisible friends helping me around, then I'm gonna get lynched before I even cross Rohbredden.”
“Well, good timing, darling!” Rarity suppressed a giggle. “Down here, your body would float off the noose!”
“Unnngh...” Twilight face-hoofed. “Rarity...”
Before Rainbow could say anything, Bard spoke: “Reckon I understand why you'd wanna be closed off.” He leaned back, stretching his legs. “Mmmf... lots of crazy magical shiet happens in this world, and at least half of them are pretty embarrassing-like. It's hard enough keepin' track of one friend, much less multiple invisible buddies that I can't shake loose worth a dayum.” He stifled a yawn. “Hell, some of the Desperadoes' bounties in the past have been no-good varmints who done stole accursed treasures from locations that had to be brought back in order to stop an evil spell from houndin' villages. Half the time, we can't make sense of it, but it means a lot to the ponies involved. So we're happy to be of service.”
Wildcard rubbed two talons together.
“Oh, and get paid, of course.”
Wildcard nodded.
“So... uhm...” Rainbow squirmed where she sat. “If... if I t-told you that I've been haunted by the spirits of dead friends because I'm a living flux between Harmony and Chaos... you'd believe me?”
“... … ...probably not,” Bard said.
Wildcard let loose a breathy snicker and continued whittling away at the wood.
Rainbow rolled her eyes and slumped down, resting a grumpy chin on her forelimbs.
“Heh...” Bard tipped his hat back. “But, let's face it. Stranger thangs have happened in this world. And—hell—you havin' ghost buddies would explain how you was able to help us do the heist so expert-like. I mean... considerin' you never done heist'd before.”
“Let's just stop talking, please,” Rainbow grumbled.
“Rainbow...” Twilight sighed.
“Have it yer way.” Bard shrugged. “Invisible friends are one thang. But flesh and blood buddies? Them ain't easy to make. And trust me, lil' Missy, you've done made good pals with the Desperadoes.”
Wildcard nodded.
“Now there's a bucket kicked,” Echo slurred.
“I'm serious!” Bard smiled. “You'd make a great Desperado. You're tenacious, quick, lucrative. Basically, yer a big fuzzy blue bottle of luck.” He motioned with his head. “You even got us to take in new sights.”
“Hmmm?” Rainbow turned to look out the porthole. A bright eye darted around, affixed to a curious grin.
“Aaaaaiiiie!” Rarity jumped, clinging to Twilight.
“Guh! Rarity...!” Twilight seethed, her and the other spectre toppling over.
Rainbow blinked, muzzle agape. Outside the porthole, a pony swam backwards—only it wasn't a pony. An equine shape with blurring fins and a looping tail spun circles, grinning wildly. Two glistening bodies shot past her, trailing bubbles and liquid streams. They looked at one another, spun in twirling motions, and descended with whip-like thrashes of their long tails.
They weren't along. Soon, full herds... no... schools of the creatures descended from the higher ocean. A huge, elaborate formation dragged nets and cages behind them, trapping all manner of fish and crustaceans.
“Ah... a most glorious sight,” Theanim said, shuffling closer towards the porthole with a smile. “We're witnesses to a regular hunt.” He pointed. “No doubt they're taking advantage of the rich bounty that the latest stream has brought this way. Shoggoth is in a strategic location, after all.”
“They...” Rainbow's muzzle quivered. “...they have fins.” She gulped. “And... and...?”
“Gills? Yes.” Theanim nodded. “Quite different from you and me, and yet so very similar.” Rainbow jumped as a few more drifted close by. They looked at one another, their faces changing expressions though their muzzles didn't move. “Telepathic communication. It's quite necessary, you see, at least between individuals of the sea pony populace.”
“Seaponies?” Rainbow remarked. “You mean these aren't—?”
Theanim shook his head. “Sirens are rare specimens among the Underwater Tribe. They hold positions of power and authority—such as Camellia.” He pointed out the porthole. “Seaponies, for lack of a better term, make up the feudal peasantry.”
“They seem happy enough...” Rainbow muttered.
“Yes. A most glorious trait.” Theanim waved.
One seapony caught his motion through the corner of her eyes. She twirled around and waved a pink fin before smiling and bolting off with a trail of bubbles. She and her companions joined the rest of the hunt as they gathered in the nets and cages. The group headed collectively towards a promontory of coral, and that's how Rainbow Dash realized they were approaching the ocean floor.
“Ah... here we are...” Theanim remarked. “Shoggoth shouldn't be that far away.”
“We're getting' to the lower reaches?” Bard sat up straight, straightening his mane. “Whew doggy! Lemme know when we get to see some sizzlin' scrumptious mermares!”
“Ungh...” Echo smacked his skull against the trolley's bulkheads. “Somepony kill me now...”
The descending undertrolley's iron hull shone with an amber glow. This was due in large part to an enormous light source looming far off the gondola's port side, just beyond a forested bank of rippling kelp.
As the cables carried the vessel further down, a series of bulbous spires emerged from the ocean's floor, converging around a glossy gold dome held together by incredibly thick iron bulwarks and rivets. The sprawling lengths of Shoggoth resembled several tiny campfires assembled tightly across a desert valley's floor.
The submerged lengths of the city stretched in every cardinal direction—much further than Rainbow had anticipated. It took a long time of gazing out the porthole, but she eventually surmised that only a small fraction of the city was inhabitable by surface dwellers such as herself. The very center of the urban sprawl consisted of several high-rising structures with yellow-capped summits. Even from a long distance, she could make out layers upon layers of habitable floors situated within, including large round platforms where hundreds—if not thousands—of merchants and travellers congregated.
The rest of the city—an exceptional bulk of smaller, two-story structures and winding “streets”—must have belonged to the sea ponies. Rainbow saw evidence of this. The closer her gondola descended to its destination, she spotted entire schooling herds of equine shapes swimming through the outer ring of structures, several of them darting in and out of dark alcoves carved out of pure rock and sea coral. She lost count of how many citizens she saw, coming and going, working in shifts to reel in scores of fish or harvest resources from the nearby patches of anemone and kelp farms.
“Yeesh,” Rainbow heard herself exhale. “Do they even sleep?”
“Yes, albeit scarcely.” Theanim smiled. “At least by our scale.” He pointed at the dark depths looming above them, the gondola, and the lengths of Shoggoth. “The surface world's day and night cycle doesn't affect this seascape very much. The ponies down here have evolved to adopt a twenty-four-seven cycle.”
“What's that mean?”
“Oh... their bodies force them to take quick, involuntary naps every six hours or so. Their metabolism has adapted to this, and they're active most times of the day. As you can imagine, surface dwellers moving in to the habitable parts of the city have had to follow suit.”
“I didn't know our bodies could even do that,” Rainbow muttered.
Theanim chuckled. “Why, of course! I'm actually surprised, Miss Dash! A mare of your extensive travels? I'd imagine you would have adopted such a lifestyle ages ago.”
“I dunno...” Rainbow shrugged. “I've just... g-gotten used to be tired and crazy all the time.” She blinked. “Somewhere, my body found an awesome balance and I kicked flank the whole way through.”
“Mmmmff...” Echo grumbled. “Nocturnal is the way to go.”
Theanim rolled his eyes. “Thanks ever so kindly for your input, old chap.”
“I'm not just here for my good looks.”
“Oh goodness!” Rarity pointed out the porthole, jaw agape. “Look!”
“Huh?” Twilight craned her neck to see better. “What is it?”
“Just see for youself!” Rarity pointed, struggling to contain her squeals.
Rainbow squinted. At last, she saw through her spectral friends, spotting a sunken courtyard where several seaponies congregated. Bubbles rolled above them, forming a gentle cyclone. Then—in undulating clockwise motion—one seapony flickered after another, pulsing with multi-colored luminescence from head to tail, making all the fins in between shimmer.
“Why... isn't that the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen?!” Rarity cooed. “It's like... a whole 'nother language! And so beautifully simple too!”
“You seeing this, Doc?” Rainbow remarked.
“Indeed. That I am.” Theanim smiled. “Aquatic fire song.”
“Fire... song?”
“You think that bioluminescence is the only trick up this Tribe's sleeves?” Theanim chuckled. “The glow is merely a side effect of the effort it takes for them to produce melodic sonic vibrations. However, the sound seaponies produce is far too high a frequency for terrestrial ponies to make out.”
“Heh... what a cryin' shame,” Bard said, smirking. “What I wouldn't give to share some good ol' guitar twangs with these dudes.”
“Mrmmmfff...” Echo winced, his leafy ears twitching painfully. “It's not that melodic.”
“Oh... erm... r-right...” Theanim grimaced. “Sorry, old chap.”
“Oh no. It's quite fine,” Echo grumbled. “A splitting headache is the perfect cherry atop this pressurized shit sundae.” He rolled over on the floor, squirming in his binds. “...what I wouldn't give to go deaf right now.” Schoomf! Metal and flesh talons kindly shoved a canvas bag over his head. “... ... ...better,” Echo's voice emanated from within the muffling fabric.
Outside, Rainbow could see an entire district full of citizens lighting up. The fire song spread from one avenue to another, pouring through the alleyway, flowing from one building to another, then ebbing off into pixie sprinkles that faded along Shoggoth's fringes before eventually disappearing in a dull hush. Then, once that was done, the whole procedure gradually repeated, allowing a kaleidoscope of luminescent reverberations to ripple through the whole city yet again.
“Oh, it's absolutely gorgeous!” Rarity took a deep breath and plunged through the hull. “I'm going out for a better look!”
“Hey! Wait for me!” Twilight jerked after her, lingered, then smiled nervously back at Rainbow. “Y'know... s-scientific curiosity!”
“Mmmf...” Rainbow waved a hoof in the air. “Go. Fish.”
The mare leapt out, and Rainbow could faintly see both unicorns hovering several feet away from the port hull of the vessel, their bodies and manes undisturbed by the thick volume of seawater.
“What do you suppose they're singing about?” Rainbow asked.
“Hmmm...?” Theanim glanced over, blinking. “Oh! Uhm... at its most fundamental level, it's a way that the underwater herds have constantly kept a running tab on one another, from foals to full-grown adults. Sharing in the song allows for a sort of... collective subconscious in a way.”
“Yeesh...” Rainbow shivered. “Almost like changelings...”
“Almost like what?” Theanim asked.
“Do they ever sing to the sirens?” Rainbow remarked. “Like Camellia?”
“Mmmm... yes and no. It's more appropriate to say that she speaks to them.” He smiled warmly. “And when she does... hmmm... it's quite the heavenly sight to behold. Or—in this case—submersible. Eheh...”
“Why? Does she turn her subjects into a giant laser light show?”
“That's... one interesting way of putting it,” Theanim remarked. “Camellia has the ability to converse with the hearts and minds of any group of seaponies at any time. She doesn't need to... sequester them for a meeting like she needs to with terrestrial kind. It's quite fascinating, really. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a ruler who could read you like a book and vice versa.”
“I dunno.” Rainbow shrugged. “To me... it kinda sounds like the exact friggin' opposite of Queen Verlaxion.”
Theanim blinked, his ears drooping slightly. “That's... that's something I've never thought of before...”
Silence.
“You're looking pale, Theams,” Echo droned beneath the bag on his head.
“I... I am most certainly n-not!” Theanim huffed and puffed.
Rainbow smirked. She glanced out the window again at her floating companions.
Her eyes were drawn towards the tiny buildings of Shoggoth behind them. The undertrolley was nearing the end of its trip, and the bright amber haze of the city's largest domed structure drowned out most of the neighboring light. Even still—through a sliver of dark water—Rainbow Dash could sworn she saw the collective fire song of the city rolling towards her, taking on a pink hue at the very last second and exploding directly beneath her gondola like bright party balloons.
“Unnngh...” Rainbow slouched in her chair, rubbing her head.
Wildcard and Bard sat up straight, heads craned identically. “Hey, Missy.” Bard whistled. “Y'all okay?”
“I... uh... y-yeah...” Rainbow opened her eyes. There was a flash of red on yellow, and she bit her lip to keep from shivering. “Just...” She turned and stared down through the gondola's floor. Yaerfaerda loomed below... pulsating with vibrant intensity... as though it was just a few hundred meters away. “...just feeling the pessure, I guess.”
Bard blinked. Wildcard raised an eyecrest.
Th-Thoom! The entire gondola shook while every passenger on board wobbled.
Theanim exhaled, then stood up with a bright smile. “Well then.” He winked. “We're here.”
A series of pressurized doors rotated open in opposite directions like giant cogwheels. Once the path was clear, a stallion in uniform gave a signal, and the passengers on board the undertrolley trotted out in single file. They entered a wide hall with a curved, domed ceiling.
As Rainbow Dash entered Shoggoth, she tilted her head up... up... and up. She gawked at several curved platforms looming above her—one level atop another—and all occupying barely a fraction of the enormous space of the underwater dome. All around—in a nearly unobstructed panoramic view—Rainbow Dash could see out into the watery plains of the ocean's floor. The seaponies' dwelling lit up to the west and the east with shimmering patterns of bioluminescence. Meanwhile, to the north and south, spires and brightly-lit domes lingered in close proximity—just a brisk swim away.
The station's interior was a loud, bustling place—with no end of chatter, noise, or bedlam of mixed conversation. Rainbow Dash saw earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi in countless different styles of customary attire—all chatting, bartering, and commiserating in various collective droves. Their bodies—and the structure as a whole—was lit up by streams of gold and amber light that emanated from the outer ring of the dome, giving the already copper color of the riveted surfaces a red-orange glimmer, like fire.
Most curious, however, were several pools of crystal-clear water, separated by tall vertical support columns built out of... what appeared to Rainbow Dash to be see-through, translucent glass. All of the surface-dwelling equines kept their distance from these watery canals, and the columns stretched up and ran through strategically placed holes in the upper platforms overhead.
It was around this point of constant observation that Rainbow Dash became aware of an accute, persistent groaning sound. Every now and then, the ambiant bass noise would ripple and clash, resembling cymbals that slammed in the distance, only to be answered by melodic chimes and muffled bells before becoming obscure once again.
“What... what in the hay is that?” Rainbow muttered.
“Annoying bullshit,” Echo grumbled from Bard's backside. “That's what.”
“When you have millions of tons of ocean water rolling over a metal eggshell, there's bound to be some auditory effects,” Theanim said with a smile. “As for the more pleasant moments of tonal quality, you can thank the sea ponies for that.”
“But... but I thought you said we couldn't hear them,” Rainbow said.
“Ah. It's more like we're hearing... the dome hear them,” Theanim explained. “A structure this big simply magnifies their song all around us. Let us not forget that the Muddredger city belongs to them as much as it does to the Muddredgers themselves.”
“This is place is... just so cool,” Rainbow remarked. With flapping wings, she lifted herself up for a better look. “Way cooler than I thought—”
A metal talon suddenly yanked her down by her tail.
Rainbow grunted, then frowned at Wildcard. “Dude! What gives—”
“Don't ya know anythang?” Bard exclaimed, glancing off at the distant guards on patrol. “Flyin' ain't allowed in these crazy underwater cities.”
“Yeah, why not?”
“Dun ask me.” Bard shrugged. “Them's the rules!”
“Well, it's a lame bunch of rules,” Rainbow muttered. “But whatever.” She looked to her right. The group had wandered towards the edge of the domed structure, and Rainbow Dash found herself staring at a cluster of rocks covered in vibrant coral and billowing sea anemones. “Whoah...” She murmured, lips pursing in awe. “Just how thick is this glass?” She reached he wing out, feathers stretching. “It... it looks so crystal clear—”
Her feathertips dipped into cool, wet water.
“Gaaaah!” Rainbow hopped back, eyes wide as she huddled behind Bard. “There is n-no glass!”
“Hah hah hah hah!” Bard guffawed, slapping a knee. “Ohhhh... took her longer than I thought to notice!”
Wildcard smirked.
“Dude!” Rainbow looked over Bard's shoulder, gulping. She watched as circular ripples oozed outward from where she had touched the curved liquid barrier. “What g-gives?!”
“You really must be from another flippin' world if you ain't never heard of Siren water charmin'!” Bard said.
“Actually, Mister Bard, the correct term is 'aquakinetic engineering,'” Theanim stated. “It's a form of underwater sorcery that's existed for thousands of generations.”
“Pffft... my grandpa always called it like it is!” Bard tossed his mane back. “Siren water charmin'!”
“But... like...” Rainbow grimaced, gazing up at the see-through parts of the dome overhead with a new sense of dread. “...h-how can ponies... sea ponies actually make water stop for no reason?!”
“Pfft! Hell, it ain't for no reason!” Bard smirked. “Haven't you ever thought how plum weird it'd be for non-pegasi to meet a pony with wings who could control the weather?”
“Huh...” Rainbow blinked, nodding. “That's one way of putting it... wait.” She turned around, gazing once more at the pools of water in the center of the platform—or more spacifically at the clear vertical columns erected alongside them. Upon a secondary examination, she could spot rippling texture to the cylindrical structures. “Those... are all water too.”
“Damn skippy,” Bard said. “Though, I never done seen anythang quite this elaborate. This is about as deep into Siren territory the Desperadoes have ever done mosey'd, ya feel me?”
“Did you seriously expect glass and ironworks to be this city's only barrier against the elements?” Theanim mused. “Shoggoth would have perished decades after its initial construction if that was the case.”
“Yeah, well, live and learn.” Rainbow glanced at the stallion. “I was born in a giant cloud city built out of smaller clouds that floated around wherever it pleased.”
Theanim chuckled. “I'm glad that you're having such a learning experience, Miss Dash, but please—don't use hyperbole to try to best it.”
“No, for real, though—”
With glinting goggles, Wildcard pointed straight up.
“Hmmm?” Theanim and the others turned to look. “Oh, what splendid timing!”
“Huh?” Rainbow looked. Her eyes reflected several amphibious figures swimming rapidly towards the edge of the dome. As they came closer and closer—not even remotely slowing their stride—she could make out colorful eyes and even more colorful smiles. Already, a group of conversing merchants and travellers spread apart, forming a clear line across the bottom platform of the station.
Within seconds—SPLASSSH!—a dozen sea ponies carrying thick bags shot through the water barrier. They dove through the air like dolphins, dribbling a trail of moisture across the clear platform beneath them. Before Rainbow could blink, they had all plunged into the many-many pools littering the floor. Swift as lightning, some of them went under, reemerging in the vertical columns of enchanted liquid. Rainbow watched as various equines darted up and down the watery tubes, swiftly delivering packages and materials to multiple levels within the dome. By the time it was all over, the merchants shifted back into place, reoccupying the momentary splash zones and casually resuming business as usual.
“Huh...” Rainbow blinked. “Okay... this place totally rocks the socks off Cloudsdale.”
“Are we done with the damn sight-seeing yet?” Echo moaned.
“Reckon we'd better get situation,” Bard said, shuffling the weight of the Sarosian on his back. “Where to, Doc?”
“We'll want to proceed to the next structure north of here,” Theanim explained, motioning the group along. “Allow me to show the way.”
A long-stretching structure connected the station to the next large building to the north. It was far too complex a thing to call a “bridge.” Moreover, it was a series of slender metal platforms hanging on top of one another, supported by tall iron stilts that had long been hammered into the craggy black rock below. Rainbow Dash could see such rock. In fact, she could see the ocean's floor, the fringes of Shoggoth, and the entirety of the seas above. This was because the only thing keeping the connecting platforms dry was a long horizontal tube of enchanted not-water holding off the rest of the ocean. Rainbow gawked at the sight, her pace slowing down as she took in the time to observe the schools of fish, sharks, and mollusks casually drifting above and below the rippling magic tunnel.
Threading through the eye of this aquatic spell were two levels of store fronts and trading posts, one floor on top of the other. There was a massive space dividing the “bridges” into two, with multiple adjoining structures, so that the whole thing resembled a double-decker two-lane highway at the bottom of the ocean's floor. Bright gold lanterns and vibrantly colored neon lights illuminated the various establishments that faced the inner trotting paths. Rainbow did double-takes as she found earth ponies casually seated at shallow bars serving all manner of steaming hot sea food and kelp noodles. All the while, the oceans rippled above and below, tinged with the flickering colors of the nearby Shoggothian populace.
“Reckon we should find a safe spot to drop our thangs,” Bard was talking. “Someplace low-key where we could all rendezvous incase the situation goes south.”
“Verlaxion-willing, it shouldn't,” Theanim said.
“Uh huh...” Rainbow looked aside at a sphere of water simply... hovering atop a brass platform. There was a line of ponies queued up, waiting, yawning. As the group passed by, Rainbow watched as a train of sea ponies swam up to the top of the tunnel above and plunged straight down, dragging along several nets full of rare goods. They landed expertly inside the watery sphere with a splash, then casually went about unloading their product. At last, a single sea pony mare drifted up to a lever, yanked it, and switched the trading post's sign from red to green. Then, with a calm smile, she dragged a metal tube with a white bulb at the end of it towards herself, and began flickering with swift, sporadic color patterns. The white bulb pulsed in response, and Rainbow watched as a console attached to it and facing the customers produced several capitalized words, numbers, and phrases, establishing communication. The earth ponies responded verbally and began offering bids on the various objects being presented within the sphere by the sea mare's associates.
Rainbow Dash barely registered Wildcard talon-gesturing something in her peripheral vision.
“Dubya-Cee's right,” Bard remarked. “We really can't be gallopin' all over Shoggoth with these here bags of bars on our backs. Especially not with the Syndicate loomin' so close-like.”
“There are plenty of banks in this city,” Theanim remarked. “Perhaps the two of you could make a temporary depos—”
“Hah! Are ya kiddin'?” Bard grinned wide. “You ain't been in the heistin' business long, have you?” Bard shook his head. “Naw, Bard and I had better find a safe place to stow this metal away, or else risk the Southern Hoof from findin' it!”
“If we play our cards right, we won't even have to be here long,” Theanim said.
“Well, I can agree on the whole lickety-split part,” Bard replied. “If you can time it so that you and Rainbow here can bring the hammer down on the Syndicate right after we shovel the midnighter there way, then perhaps we can all come out as winners.” Bard and Wildcard nodded at one another while Bard continued, “We could make off with our bits, and you can make out... er... make off with yer 'old chap.' Pfft... y'all know what I mean.”
“Hmmmm... it's quite the risky gamble...”
Rainbow Dash heard some giggling sounds. She looked to her right, and her wings shot straight up.
A group of mares in fine silks were flirting with a group of uniformed sailors. They smiled and waved their tails flirtatiously, meanwhile holding a richly emblazoned sign between them reading: “COME TO THE SUNKEN PEARL – BEST GAMBLING AND SEAFOOD IN ALL SHOGGOTH”. Blowing kisses at the group of stallions, they brushed past even more travellers, handing out fliers and batting their painted eyelashes a'plenty. When they passed Rainbow's way, they made eye contact, smiled, and nuzzled one another suggestively before carrying on.
“What do you think, Rainbow?” Bard remarked. “Reckon it's worth the risk?”
“Uhhhhhhh...” Rainbow exhaled, blinking wide.
“I mean, accordin' to the Doc, yer the one getting magical brain farts from the local Princess in charge. You could be the tide turner in all this mess. So, whaddya say?”
“Uhhhhhhhhhhhm...” Rainbow fidgeted in place, eyes wandering.
“Ehm...” Bard's hat, hair, and finally his head drifted into view. “...Rainbow, darlin'?”
“Yes!” Rainbow spun towards him, grinning wide. “We should do them... I-I mean that!” She grinned wider. “That thing... at the pl-place...?!”
“Oh great,” Echo sighed. “She's got the Bends.”
“Old Chap, you very well know that's not poss—”
“Can we not stand in one place, please?” Echo spat. “I'm tired of ponies looking at me like I'm a sack of meat.”
“But it's yer disguise.”
“You're a disguise.”
Bard rolled his eyes, then looked at Rainbow again. “Help us out here.”
“Ahem...” Rainbow bit her bottom lip, lowered her wings, then exhaled with a shudder. “Low-key. Right. Let's find a place to crash. Then we can scope out both the Syndicate and this... Auction Place thingy. The rest we can decide from there.”
“Thinkin' on our hooves?” Bard smirked. “How Desperado of ya!” He motioned at the griffon. “C'mon, Dubya-Cee. Time to find ourselves a scumhole to kerplunk in!”
As the group shuffled on, Rainbow followed from a loose distance. All of the sudden, Twilight Sparkle and Rarity phased up through the metal platform below.
“Omigosh, Rainbow!” Twilight cooed. “This place is absolutely amazing!”
“You should see the first floor, darling!” Rarity said, eyes aglow. “They have sea diamonds! Sea diamonds!Squeee!”
“And the expert use of aquatic sorcery here is absolutely breath-taking!” Twilight spun in a circle, her eyes wide. “Why... not even Starswirld the Bearded encountered sea cultures this richly talented! I...” She squealed inwardly. “I-I almost wish I could write a letter to the Princess! Oh, we've got to tell her about everything we've seen here!”
“There was a sea mare wearing a gown studded with pearls and seashells!” Rarity stammered. “So very chic and exotic at the same time, but managed so well with casual grace! I absolutely adore it!”
“So... uh...” Rainbow gulped, sweating slightly. “All this time you've been staring at pearls, magic, and dresses, huh?”
“Yes, Rainbow!” Rarity chimed. “Isn't it all so fabulous!”
“Why?” Twilight beamed. “Did you see something we didn't?”
Rainbow exhaled in relief.
“...Rainbow?”
“Oh! The group!” Rainbow smiled crookedly. “Darn! We're about to lose them!”
Rarity glanced. “But... but they're just a few trots away, darling—”
“Better catch up!” And Rainbow galloped down the platform, joining the stallions as they reached the large brass opening that led to the interior of the next dome of Shoggoth.
“Well...” Theanim was the first to step into the hotel suite. Dim orange light from the metal ceiling reflected off his mane and goggles as he trotted into the middle of the room, followed by the rest of the group. “...all things considered, it isn't too terribly cramped.”
“Two bedrooms,” Echo wheezed. “Praise the Mother of Nightmares...” After Wildcard momentarily pulled loose his bindings, the dazed sarosian limped off into the next room and threw himself onto the first mattress he could find. “Mmmmmfnnghh... probably my last decent bed in ages.”
“Just what are you anymore?” Bard asked, scratching his head. “At first, I had ya figured for nocturnal, but now I just plum dunno anymore.”
“I'm dead, that's what,” Echo snarled, curling up into a fuzzy ball. “Close the door. And if I start to smell, just throw me to the sharks...”
Bard cracked the door to the room shut, smiling at the rest of the assembled group. “I gotta say, we'll have no problem makin' him look like a convincin' bounty before the Southern Hoof. He's got the wretch-on-the-run thang down pat!”
“Yes, well, hopefully all of this absurdity will convince him to turn from his conniving ways,” Theanim remarked.
“You really intend to look after the feller? Even after all the hogwash that's gone down?”
“But of course!” Theanim set his things down, examining his camera bag. “He and I go way back. And, truth be told...” He fidgeted a bit in place. “...I feel somewhat... erm... responsible for his current state of being.”
“Ya didn't exactly go back in time and write 'flankhole' into his DNA, Doc.”
“Even still, Mister Bard, a commitment's a commitment. I'm certain you'd be just as honorable with the likes of Wildcard.”
“Mmmm. Reckon so. But he dun smell nearly as bad.”
Wildcard shuffled past, motioning something with his talons.
“Hah!” Bard smirked. “Well, good thang ya gave up eatin' carrion years ago, mofo!”
During this entire exchange, Rainbow Dash had trotted slowly towards the looming balcony on the far edge of the suite. Her nervous eyes darted left and right.
A wide black swath opened to rippling sea water. Rainbow could only spot a craggy chunk of rock and several strands of waving kelp. A school of fish swam by, followed by a stingray or two. With a pensive shudder, the mare leaned forward, raised her hoof... ... ... and made contact with a curved sheet of glass.
“Whew...” She exhaled, ears folding back as she smiled. She delighted at the sight of her breath fogging against the transparent glossy material. Just a few inches beyond the barrier, she could detect the tell-tale quiver of a layer of magically displaced water. “Echo's not the only pony who can sleep easy.”
“Miss Dash, how's your head?”
“Huh?” Rainbow turned around, then blushed slightly. “Oh... I-I'm in okay shape at the moment.”
“Are you certain?”
“Totally, Doc.”
“Hrmmmff...” Theanim Mane tapped his chin. “Good to know. Still, it wouldn't hurt you and Echo to rest. You've been through a lot.”
“Darn tootin',” Bard said, sitting down on a couch and unloading his things with a tired groan. “Reckon these Desperadoes have just 'bout Despy'd themselves out, too.”
“No crime in admitting that,” Theanim said. “In the meantime, I'd very much like to scope out the local district.” He turned towards the griffon. “Would you care to lend me your eagle eyes, Mr. Wildcard?”
Wildcard nodded.
Theanim smirked slightly. “I trust they are eagle eyes under those goggles.”
The griffon's feathers ruffled a bit, and he pointed an angry talon out the door.
“Right, then.” Theanim tucked his camera away and shuffled off with the bounty hunter in tow. “Rest up. We shouldn't be long.”
Rainbow nodded, then turned to gaze out the balcony again. A lavender shape phased in and out of the water, eventually drifting towards the pegasus with a cooing voice.
“It's... it's just so much to take in,” Twilight said, smiling tiredly. “The magic. The architecture. The sheer scale of peaceful coexistence.”
“It's certainly a sight prettier than Rust, that's for sure,” Rainbow said with a nod. “Let's just not forget that the Syndicate is still alive and kicking here.”
“This must have been what you felt like in Val Roa,” Twilight said, stifling a yawn before bearing a sleepy grin. “Surrounded by so much beauty... and yet wary of a creeping evil.”
“I dunno who's greedier,” Rainbow said with a gulp. “Chrysalis or the Southern Hoof. Either way, I'm willing to bet that the Syndicate here just won't give up when push comes to shove.”
“One thing at a time, darling,” Rarity said. She leaned against Twilight, nuzzling her shoulder. “Mmmmmm... such a magical place...”
Twilight giggled. “You're tired, Rarity.”
“Hmmmf...” The mare yawned... and yawned some more. “So are you, Twilight.”
“I'm guessing all of the reserve harmony has run thin,” Twilight said with a delirious chuckle. “Seems ready to recharge.”
“But... I do not wish to...” Rarity nevertheless dangled off Twilight's side, her eyes shut above a dumb grin. “Pinkie Pie... our beloved Pinkie Pie is somewhere deep inside this dazzling city... and we've got to find her.” She yawned, her voice mutating to fit her widening jaws. “Also, siren princesses. Mmmmm... I love princesses.”
“Yeah, who doesn't, right?” Rainbow winked, then pointed at her pendant. “Hop in, girls.”
“But... but there's still the Syndicate to contend with,” Rarity protested. “And you can't navigate this confusing domain with some extra senses...”
“All the more reason for us to take Rainbow up on her advice,” Twilight said, shuffling Rarity's figure. The two drifted closer to Rainbow and her Element. “If we're going to help her, we have to be in complete control of our faculties.”
Twilight rolled her eyes, then winked at Rainbow. “One track mind, am I right?”
“Take care, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “I'll give the pendant a little shake if there's an emergency.”
“Hopefully it won't come to that,” Twilight said. “Emergencies are always so stressful. I shudder to imagine an emergency at the bottom of the ocean.”
“Don't stress,” Rainbow said, giving the pendant a slight stroke. “Dream of books n'stuff.”
“Way ahead of you.” And—like ribbons of white and lavender light—the two mares disappeared in a flash. Rainbow gasped slightly, then patted the edges of the ruby lightning bolt with a smile, basking in the warmth of the harmonic resonance.
“Givin' yer friends a kiss goodnight?”
“Huh?” Rainbow jolted, turning towards the sound of plucked guitar strings.
Bard sat lazily on the couch. He had his instrument out, and was woefully playing a bluesy tone at a glacial tempo. He looked up from the guitar strings with a neutral expression. “I've long pondered just what that there pendant means to you. Obviously it's a weak spot...”
Rainbow frowned. “Yeah... cuz you tested it once.”
“Heh... do we have to bring up the awkard past?” He winked. “I didn't say it was all weak. It's obviously what makes you strong as well.” He glanced back at his guitar, diverging the tune into something livelier, happier. “So is that where yer friends live or what?”
Rainbow squinted at him. “...does this mean you actually believe what Theanim said about it?”
“Well, reckon there's gotta be a reason for all the glowin', hmmm?” Bard plucked his hat off, revealing his full head of silken brown mane hair. He placed the article onto the couch cushion beside him and took a deep breath. “To tell the truth, I'm more amused than anythang by the idea.” He smiled gently, plucking strings. “Havin' one's best friends hoverin' all around yerself? That's gotta be the best and worst thang ever. Like... how do you even go to the bathroom?”
“The opposite of you,” Rainbow droned. “I use my butt.”
“Heh heh heh heh heh...” Bard smirked, twanging away. He reclined fully on the couch with a masculine sigh. “Ahhhh that's a good one there, Rainbow. Heheh...”
Rainbow cocked her head aside. “You didn't call me 'Missy.'”
“Eeyup.” He arched an eyebrow in her direction. “What about it?”
“I dunno, it's just... just...”
“Do you already miss me flirtin' with ya, darlin'?”
“What? Heck, no!” Rainbow wretched. “I was only... a bit surprised you finally got it out of your system.”
“Well, figured I'd might as well drop it,” Bard muttered. “On account that there's point.”
“Right.” Rainbow shook her head. “I'm just... not in a place where I could humor such a silly thing.”
“Naw, I meant ya ain't into stallions.”
Rainbow Dash did a double-take, jaw agape. “Huh?! What... that...?!” She gritted her teeth. “Dude! How could you even—”
“Oh please, Rainbow...” Bard smirked, glancing at her knowingly. “Anypony with workin' peepers could see ya practically droolin' over those showmares we brushed by a few hops back.”
Rainbow recoiled hard, her cheeks instantly blazing. A nervous hoof clamped over her lightning bolt, as if trying to drown the sound of Bard's voice out.
“And—goddess have mercy—I sure as Hell can't blame ya!” He winked. “For lookin', that is. But them flanks are nothin' but trouble and deep bit bag debt in the makin'. As a matter of fact, I'm rather proud ya didn't go crawlin' after them—what with yer wings raised to the blazin' heavens. Heh... ya coulda broken the ocean's surface with yer wingtips by the way you was gawkin'. Hahahah...”
“Okay... just... just stop rubbing it in—”
“No wonder you've been such a feisty fire cracker since the day I met ya!” Bard chuckled. “Days, weeks—and from what the good Doc says—months of just flyin', gallopin', skimmin' yer poor lonesome way east? Whew! By my book, that's a hardcore recipe for runnin' low on the filly-foolin' fuselage!”
“Yeah. I know. Will you just—”
“Hell, Wildcard's had weeks where he's been run so dry, he starts eyein' up fat seagulls! But even still that dun beat the way you was whimperin' after those mares—”
“Just shut up, okay!” Rainbow snarled. “Stop drawling—talking... whatever! Just let it go!”
Bard blinked at her, pausing in his guitar tuning. “... ... ...a thousand pardons. I didn't mean to rub no sore spot.”
“Just... please...” Rainbow adjusted the pendant around her neck, trotted closer to him, and spoke in a quiet tone. “Promise me something.”
He shrugged. “Sure thang, Rainbow.”
She glared, brow furrowed. “Don't talk about this ever again. Not another peep.”
Bard curiously squinted at her.
Rainbow stomped a hoof. “Promise!”
“Alright! Alright!” He raised both hooves. “I promise! Heh...” He resumed twanging at the guitar. “But, honestly, girl... ain't no thang to be ashamed of!”
“I'm not ashamed of who I am,” Rainbow grumbled.
“Heheh... ya sure about that?”
“Look, maybe you've made a life reading into other ponies so you could scam or rob them...”
“Ouchhhh—hoo hoo hoo...” He chuckled breathily with a crooked smile. “That's dayum cold.”
“...but from now on, if you make any new observations about me... just keep them to yourself.”
“Reckon we gotsta know each other if we're gonna work with one another.”
“We're not going to be working with each other for long, Bard.”
“No?” Bard struck a note off-key. He winced, then sat up, clearing his throat. “Ya mean ya dun have any services for Dubya-Cee and I after this here shindig with Echo and the Southern Hoof?”
“I know you want our cut of the heist, Bard,” Rainbow droned. “But give it a rest.” She paced across the suite. “After I pay back Theanim for the Midnight Dreary, I'm taking as many bits with me on the flight east.” She gulped. “I'm... pr-probably going to have to buy my way through Rohbredden.”
“It could be a mite bit easier if ya had a pair of guides.”
Rainbow looked at him.
Bard smirked, wagging his eyebrows. “Especially from a pair of varmints who hail from that neck of the woods.”
“Didn't you hear me the first time?” Rainbow sighed. “If you want more bits, you're gonna have to take your services elsewh—”
“Do ya really think that all Dubya-Cee and I do is go chasin' after bits?
“Dude. You're friggin' mercenaries.”
“Who murder, maim, and kill for the cheapest shiny coin, amirite?”
“Well...” Rainbow squirmed. “...n-not that I've seen.” She gulped. “Not yet, anyway.”
“Eheheh... there ya go, betrayin' yer true colors, Rainbow Dash.”
“And what would you know about my true colors?”
“I've seen enough to figure you for a mare who does her best when she doesn't try.” Bard set his guitar aside and stood up with a slight groan, joints cracking. “You simply are the best... and the best dun make compromises and the best dun take sass from nopony. Sure, Dubya-Cee and I are always lookin' to score some bits, but we like to do it the right way... and the honorable way.”
“No wonder you guys were so desperate at Rust,” Rainbow droned.
“Heheheh... yeah, well...” Bard slicked his bangs back, staring out the watery balcony. “Lemme put it this way. Life ain't worth livin' unless the next day is a great deal more righteous than the one previous. My partner and I? We seek to be better than we was the sunset before the last, and you?” He turned towards her with a solemn expression. “Yer on your way to righteousness. A fella like me can smell it on ya.”
Rainbow simply stared at him.
He smirked, shrugging. “That, and a pinch of vanilla. Must be all them colors squeezin' off of ya.”
“Ungh...” Rainbow grumbled, trotting off towards a nearby door. “I'm gonna get some shuteye.”
“The midnighter's in there.”
Rainbow about-faced and trudged towards another door. “You play that guitar loud, and I'm gonna turn it into a necklace.”
“You can try yer damnedest, ya scamp.”
“Meh.” And Rainbow shut the door behind her.
Bard smirked. He backtrotted, slumped back onto the couch, and plopped his hat over his muzzle and eyes. “Mmmmfnnngh...” He rested his wings. “'Turn it into a necklace,'” he muttered tiredly. “Maybe I'm wrong about her, cuz that's exactly what my lil' ol' ex did with the last one...”
High above Shoggoth... the sea ponies... and the ocean water...
A bright sun rose over the eastern horizon. It cast glinting rays across the jutting rock bluffs and metal platforms of upper Shoggoth. Several stallions rushed back and forth between their stations while the door to the Mark Two closed shut.
“That's the last of the supplies,” muttered one stallion to another. He pivoted about, faced a control tower, and swung his hoof out over the edge of the platform. “All clear!” he shouted.
“All clear!” His exclamation was echoed again and again across the platforms. Stallions gave the docks a wide berth. Meanwhile, the mana engines of the Mark Two grew brighter and brighter with heated intensity.
“Good work, fellas,” spoke the foreman, trotting down the line of stallions. “Keep this up, and the Southern Hoof will increase all our pay.”
“About friggin' time,” muttered one stallion, out of line.
The foreman swiveled to glare at him. “What was that?”
The pony bit his lip. “N-nothing, sir.”
“That's what I thought.” He turned to give a signal to the Mark Two... when he froze, his features slack. He craned his neck, lips pursing.
Several of the other workers turned to look.
A metal image was glinting along the northern horizon, occupying the exact path that the Mark Two would otherwise be using to disembark.
“...the Hell?!” The foreman slurred while a loud commotion rang around him. He signaled the control tower. “Abort! Abort! There's another Arrowfish in the way!”
Several ponies exchanged confused glances.
“Huh?!”
“The Mark One?!”
“What's it do back so soon?!”
“Maybe it has engine trouble...?”
Around this time, the signal had reached the still-docked Mark Two. The blue engines cut off. Several disgruntled sailors and unicorns emerged from the ship's hatches, clamoring for an explanation.
Meanwhile, a speedboat roared out from the bluffs of Upper Shoggoth and met up with the incoming Arrowfish. The Mark One had already slowed down, and it pivoted broadside to meet the tiny craft. The starboard hatch swung open midway down the ship's hull.
“What's the meaning of this?!” One of the workers in the speedboat shouted, frowning. “You should be in Rust right now—” Suddenly, his pupils shrank. “Verlaxion's Sleet! ...Revan?” He gulped. “Boss Revan?!”
The stallion in question leaned out the door, snarling: “Get me down into Shoggoth, now!”
“What's wrong?! Why are you here?!”
Revan spat: “I'm here to win back the Northern Hoof's fortune!” His eyes narrowed. “...and collect the heads of the flankholes who stole it from me!”
FLASH!
Rainbow's eyes pulsed with a bright green light. She shot up in bed, gasping. Sweat ran down her brow as she looked back and forth across the hotel bedroom.
Rarity and Twilight stopped in mid-conversation to turn and smile at her.
“Oh! Rainbow, darling!”
“Good morning!” Twilight giggled. “At least we think it's morning. Looks like you had a good long sleep...” She paused, then blinked. “Whoah... is something the matter?”
“You look troubled, dear,” Rarity added.
Rainbow gnashed her teeth. Without saying a word to them, she leapt off the back, galloped towards the door, and burst into the main room of the suite.
There, Theanim Mane was already going over a series of photographs with Bard and Wildcard.
“...so if we take the subterranean bridge, we'll attract less attention, allowing you to approach the headquarters unimpeded...”
Wildcard stood up straight, his goggles reflecting the mare's panicked face. He tapped Bard's shoulder.
“Whoah whoah whoah... hold up, Doc.” Bard stood while Theanim turned around. “Howdy, Rainbow Dash. I see ya sweatin'. Should we be sweatin' too?”
“It's Revan!” Rainbow wheezed, trotting forward with urgency. “He's here!”
Dead silence.
“What...?” Bard blinked. “Ya mean in this room?” A metal talon slapped him upside the head. “Ow!”
“He's just arrived! Above us in Upper Shoggoth!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “Somehow... h-he commandeered the Mark One and made it return to the docks!”
Wildcard cocked his head to the side with a confused look.
“Revan's been stripped of all his power and authority!” Bard said, chuckling. “How could he possibly chase us this far?!”
Wildcard gestured.
“Right.” Bard nodded, then looked at Rainbow again. “And how in tarnation would you even know any of this?”
Rainbow bit her lip. While Rarity and Twilight floated next to her, she turned to look at Theanim.
The scientist blinked, staring back at her. His ears twitched. “Princess Camellia...”
Rainbow nodded.
With flaring nostrils, Theanim stood up tall. “I'll go wake Echo.” He turned towards the Desperadoes. “Gentlecolts, there's no more time for lounging about. Whatever we're going to do, we have to do it now.”
“Alright, I know we've been over most everythang,” Bard said as the group trotted swiftly—if not a bit hastily—through a metal corridor lined with aquakinetic arches. “But clear one thang up for me.”
“By all means,” Theanim Mane said, glancing about at the random ponies in the crowd. There was a nervous shudder to his steps; he wasn't alone.
Bard shifted the weight of Echo on his backside and glanced aside at the Doctor. “If the whole point is to make it so that we can reel yer bud here back in from the Southern Hoof with time to spare, than shouldn't Dubya-Cee and I get a head start? I mean, that way you and Rainbow Dash can be hittin' up the Makin' Apples House—”
“Marine Auction House.”
“Right. Y'all can be crashin' that place in just the right time for Dubya-Cee and I to grab our bits and haul keister right out of the Southern Hoof's HQ with Echo in tow. Cuz, the way I see it, only with the Syndicate feelin' the heat can we hope to slip anythang past their senses here in Shoggoth.”
Wildcard gestured something in mid-stride.
Bard nodded. “Right. And us Desperadoes have still got to make an exit. Should we wait for a signal from y'all or are either of ya gonna be joining us?”
“All very good points to bring up,” Theanim said as the group entered a narrower corridor that dipped through the sea rock before heading towards another domed structure. The scientist's goggles glinted in passing amber torches. “You're a very good stallion at devouring an individual's time, Mr. Bard. I suggest you play on the Southern Hoof's good side, much like you did at Rust.”
“Uh huh...”
“Our business at the Marine Auction House will likely take a while. But once we've presented our evidence and given a reasonable cause for the Syndicate to be dissected by the Muddredger Merchant Council for their alliance with the Corruptible Northern Hoof, then I suspect that the very headquarters of the Southern Hoof here will be forced to relinquish its otherwise impermeable barriers.”
“Uhhhhhhh...” Bard blinked heavily.
“You gotta speak in drawl-ese, Theams,” Echo grumbled.
Theanim sighed. “The moment Rainbow Dash and I expose the Syndicate for who they are, then the ones holding office here will crumble.” He glanced back at Bard. “Once you sense a veritable mob forming outside the Southern Hoof's headquarters, then you will know it's time to make a hasty exit! With my good friend too, Verlaxion-willing.”
“Y'all really think it's gonna work out that simply?” Bard remarked.
“I do believe the evidence we've gathered is more than damning,” Theanim replied.
Wildcard gestured again, his metal hoof rattling.
“I know it's all gettin' down to the wire, buddy,” Bard said in an exasperated tone. “But Rainbow done told us that we haven't much of a choice!”
“And just how does she know that, exactly?” Echo grumbled.
“Reckon that's a fine question.” Bard squinted the pegasus' way. “How do we know you got an honest-to-goddess message from the sea princess?”
Rainbow Dash stared left and right as the group navigated the tight, rocky corridor. Metal bulkheads protruded from the earthen material and obscured the lanternlight, giving the place an even greater sense of claustrophobia.
“Ya sure yer wakin' nightmare weren't just... y'know... a wakin' nightmare?”
“Dude, I saw Revan's face. I smelled his nasty breath n'stuff.”
“That's fascinating,” Echo muttered. “Considering she didn't meet Revan in person during our whole heist in Rust.”
Wildcard's goggles rattled at that.
“Hrmmm...” Bard's jaw tensed and untensed. “Not sure if that's a good 'fascinatin'' or a bad 'fascinatin'.'”
“Look, I'm sorry I can't explain it any better!” Rainbow Dash frowned. “But I've been getting messages this whole trip and I swear that it felt the same as all the ones before—” She froze in place, ears twitching.
Theanim scuffled to a stop. He, Wildcard, and Bard looked at the mare. “Miss Dash? Why did you stop?”
“Something's... wrong.” She gulped. “Or at least... different.” She looked up, muzzle quivering. “I feel as though we're not alone down here.”
Bard looked at all of the citizens casually trotting back and forth past them. “Well, that there's an understatement and a half, darlin'.”
“No, I feel it too,” Echo said, his leafy ears twitching. He lifted his head from Bard's backside, then narrowed his slitted eyes. “I hear thunder. Coming towards us from all sides.”
“Huh?!” Theanim remarked, blinking.
To Rainbow's side, Rarity and Twilight phased through the rock.
“Rainbow!” Rarity exclaimed, voice squeaking. “There are over two dozen metal figures headed our way!”
“Metal... figures...?” Rainbow's muzzle twisted.
“Suits of armor, Rainbow!” Twilight's voice cracked. “She means suits of armor! Guards!”
Rainbow gnashed her teeth and spun about. “Guys, look out! We're about to be—”
Schiiiing! The first of several double-bladed polearms stretched towards the group.
Bard and Wildcard jolted, spinning flank-to-flank as a solid circle of armored stallions surrounded the group.
“Hold it right there!” The lead guard hollered. He wore a turquoise helm that hung off his muzzle tightly, covering his eyes in ominous shadow. His armor—like everypony else's—was etched from head to tail in what could best be described as shark and barracuda motifs. The ends of these designs flared off to form jutting spikes or “fins” at each moving joint of the armor. “Do not move another step! Any of you!”
Theanim exhaled. “The Muddredge Royal Guard...”
“Rainbow,” Twilight hissed, looking over Rarity's twitching figure. “Their spears. They're empowered by aquakinetic enchantment.”
Rainbow eyed the polearms in question, noticing a blue glow about each barbed weapon.
“What does that mean, Twilight?” Rarity exclaimed. “They can summon underwater geysers at command?”
“Or, perhaps, boil a pony's circulatory system by just pointing their lances,” Twilight said.
“Oh! Goodness...” Rarity quivered.
“I have been officially charged by the Muddredger Royal Council to escort you from these premises!” the lead guard loudly proclaimed.
“None of it good, I reckon,” Bard said. He turned to look over his shoulder.
Wildcard nodded back. He slipped a metal hoof towards his leather satchel, grasping a nightstick.
Bard reached beneath his guitar case for a metal rod.
“You will be properly briefed when and only when the Muddredger Council chooses,” the guard said. “Now, no more delay. Move!”
“Rainbow Dash—!” Rarity pointed at the Desperadoes.
Rainbow glanced at her two allies reaching for their weapons. She turned to look at the guards and their spears. With clenching teeth, she jerked forward, preparing to shout something—
“Rainbow Dash.”
The pegasus faltered, wincing slightly. “Unnngh...”
“Sorry for intruding so forcefully, but you must rein in your friends. These guards will not harm you or them, I promise.”
“Mnnfghh...” Rainbow rubbed her head, gazing weakly at the Desperadoes. “Dudes, hold up...”
Wildcard gripped Bard's shoulder, and the stallion blinked in curiosity. “Huh...?”
“Rainbow, what's happening now—?” Twilight asked.
“I can only communicate with one surface dweller at a time. These guards are under the pretense that your group is a security threat, but it is the only way I could get them to bring you to me.”
“Guys, it's... it's okay,” Rainbow wheezed. She looked up, her strength returning through her eyes. “These dudes... I... I-I think they're gonna bring us to Princess Camellia.”
Theanim's ears twitched. “...you're sure of this?”
“Is that even a good thang?!” Bard wheezed, shifting where he stood. “I dun rightly like them tunin' forks they're sportin'!”
“We will not tell you again...” The head guard aimed his spear. “Move! This way!”
“Just trust me!” Rainbow hissed. “We gotta follow them!” She leaned in, whispering. “Not like we'd make it out of a scrap this deep down anyways!”
“I'm with her on the 'staying alive longer' plan,” Echo stammered.
“To Hell with that!” Bard frowned, pulling half of his staff out. “I ain't aimin' to become mollusk food—”
Wildcard sheathed his nightsticks and stood right in front of Bard, shaking his feathery head.
Bard blinked, then frowned. “And since when did you become all pacifist?”
Wildcard frowned, pointing at Rainbow Dash.
“Euuughhh...” Bard rolled his eyes and stood down. “Fine then, Captain Trustin', but this had better not end with us on the gallows.”
“Actually, Shoggothian executions involve fish tanks and the liberal use of starving sharks—”
“Not helpin'!” Bard grunted as he and Wildcard were shoved along by the armored stallions. “We're a'movin'! We're a'movin'! Dayum.”
Theanim and Rainbow trotted along, keeping close to the circle of guards tightly escorting them. Groups of ponies looked on, gawking in curiosity.
Theanim gulped. “I do hope you're right about this whole situation, Miss Dash,” the scientist said. “Because the timing couldn't possibly be more awkward.”
Rainbow watched as the guards led them down a series of jagged steps, descending even further into the torchlit rocky corridors beneath Shoggoth proper.
“Now correct me if I'm wrong...” Bard cleared his throat, shiftily glancing left and right. “But were we arrested by a bunch of surly lookin' guards or weren't we...?”
Rainbow Dash looked around. With each subterranean floor that her group descended, the corridors grew more and more luxurious. Fine velvet banners and tapestries lined the lantern-lit walls. Once more, the local equine populace lounged about in fine silks and refineries—standing in stark contrast to the heavily-armored stallions escorting Rainbow and her friends. Bard wasn't the only one who found this odd; several of the loitering nobility stopped to gawk and stare at the marching group.
“Maybe they're inducting us into their harem,” Echo muttered.
Theanim sighed. “Old chap, must you?”
“Well, not like the catbird's gonna say it.”
Wildcard's goggles reflected rippling light sources. He gestured ahead of them.
Rainbow craned her neck to see several pools of crystal-clear water looming around the next bend. Several granite pillars stretched between these liquid beds and the curved ceiling above. At last, the marble floor formed a narrow bridge that led towards a wide series of pearlescent doors. Statues depicting aquatic equines loomed on either side of the entrance. Rainbow heard a trickling sensation, and it took her half-a-minute to realize that a slender waterfall was aquakinetically falling up the statue and into a series of well-placed grooves in the marble doorframe.
It was around this point that the guards stopped. With rattling armor, the stallions pivoted—along with their spears—to face Rainbow and her friends.
“Now...” The lead pony spoke, his helm imposing in the reflected waterlight. “Wait right here.” He turned about, then trotted slowly up to the doors.
Rainbow and her friends fidgeted where they stood. Even Rarity and Twilight squirmed in the air with unease.
“The timing about this is what bothers me,” Theanim murmured in a hushed tone. “The morning assembly at the Marine Auction House is just about to take place. If we miss this opportunity, it will be another twenty-four hours before we can knock Shoggoth off their hooves with revelation of the Northern Hoof's corruption!”
“Don't forget we've got Revan the Magnificent Bastard chasin' after our tails.” Bard gulped. “Oh, wouldn't he lurve to tan my hide somethin' awful for the real idgetin' I gave him.”
Wildcard gestured.
“Pffft. Dun be silly.” Bard smirked. “Any of the ponies you beat up would rather jump in a lake than come down here!”
“We live on the ocean, dumbass,” Echo grumbled.
“Well, then, a lake at the bottom of the ocean!” Bard hissed back. “Seriously, why's everythang about you gotta be sass'n'asscheese?!”
“Even sunshine and rainbows have gotta take a dump sometime...”
“Everypony, cut it out!” Rainbow snapped, voice cracking. “Give me a second to figure out what's going on.” She turned towards Twilight and Rarity. “What do you sense about this place?”
“Yeah, we're not allowed to talk, but she gets to chew the fat with invisible friends—” Echo began.
“Shhhh!” Theanim snarled. “Do as she says, Echo!” He looked patiently in her direction.
In the meantime, Rarity floated up close. “This place is incredible, Rainbow Dash,” she said. “These chambers have been carved out of the ocean's floor by... by... well, by something far older and more powerful than contemporary magic,” the mare explained. “I've never felt anything like it! The walls are smoother than a foal's... than a foal's...” She sighed. “Well, you know.”
“How deep are we?” Rainbow muttered.
“Not as deep as it can get,” Rarity said. “These chambers go on beneath us far further than even I can sense. What's more, most of them are flooded with water.” Her eyes narrowed. “I suspect that most of Shoggoth Propper is only accessible to sea ponies.”
Rainbow looked aside at Twilight. “Well? Anything the egghead would like to add?”
“Rarity's right about the water, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “Normally, pressure wouldn't allow for all of the reservoirs beneath us to remain filled, but a special kind of elemental manipulation is keeping it all in check.”
“Just like the structures above us?”
“Exactly.”
From the back, Bard blinked. “She certainly gets... all wordy-like with the shadows, don'tcha think?”
Wildcard merely held a single metal talon before his beak.
“Any sign of the Princess?” Rainbow asked.
“That's just it, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said, turning to face the door. “Inside there is the biggest source of magical energy I've sensed after we released Rarity.” She gulped. “If it isn't Princess Camellia, I... I-I shudder to think.”
“Shhh!” Rarity pointed up ahead. “Look! Something's happening!”
The lead guard ahead of them turned around. As he did so, a green light faded from his eyes. He shouldered his polearm and shuffled towards the group.
With a loud clatter, the rest of the guards shouldered their weapons, standing at ease.
Rainbow watched as the lead guard approached her. “The Princess of the Sirens will see you now,” she said.
“Well, 'bout time!” Bard trotted forward. “Let's get this pool party star—”
Schiiing! The lead guard held his spear towards him. “Notyou.” He turned towards Rainbow Dash. “She only wishes to speak to the three of you.”
Rainbow did a double-take. Her spectral friends gawked while she stammered, “The... th-three of us?”
“Affirmative.”
Theanim glanced over.
“But...” Rainbow leaned forward. “What... could she mean by—?”
The guard bowed slightly. “It is not my place to ask... only to deliver.” He stood up straight again. “But you must hurry. She's told me that time is of the essence.”
Rainbow looked at Twilight and Rarity.
“Hang on...” Bard held a hoof up, then glanced awkwardly at Echo and Wildcard. “How come... she asks for—?”
“Better go on, Miss Dash,” Theanim said. “The rest of us will be fine here.”
“We will?!” Echo wheezed.
“Right.” Rainbow cleared her throat and trotted forward. “Let's go, girls.”
The guards spread apart to make way for her. On softly trotting hooves, Rainbow crossed the rest of the marble bridge. She sensed amphibious shapes shifting far beneath the waters on either side of her, and her figure cast a dozen fractured shadows through the rippling waterlight across the ceiling above.
As she reached the doors, she paused, squinting at the reverse waterfall. With a roar of pressurized liquid, the wall of jets spread apart, exposing the naked polished doorframe. Then, with a gust of cool, salty air, the doors parted ways, exposing a round chamber beyond—almost like a clamshell.
Steeling herself, Rainbow Dash trotted forward, and the doors closed behind her, sealing her off from her friends.
“Oooooooh...” Rarity cooed, looking all around. Her eyes reflected the shimmering sights of the half-domed chamber. “It's like living inside a gem!”
“Yeah, well, here's hoping we live for long,” Rainbow muttered. She looked straight ahead at a complicated mural looming beyond a shallow curtain of water, curved to hug the surfaces of the domed-walls. Ivory-colored etchings depicted equines from land and sea forming a tight group and holding hooves-in-fins. As soon as Rainbow Dash reached a round dais in the center of the room—surrounded on almost all sides by a deep pool of water—she felt a tonal shift to the light source. The color of the refracted light switched from amber to an icy blue. The temperature shifted, dropping a bit, and Rainbow's ears began ringing.
Before long, much of the water lining the mural peeled back like the skin of an orange. The liquid surged forward, collecting into a sphere above Rainbow Dash, supported by rippling tendrils of moving, living water, issuing upwards from below.
Twilight rubbed her head, wincing a bit. Rarity held a hoof on her shoulder, then joined Rainbow in gawking at the phenomenon. Not very long into it, several dark figures shot into view from the pools below. Rarity gasped a bit, catching her breath as she saw half-a-dozen sea ponies darting up the tentacles of water and swimming throughout the hovering sphere in swift circles. They came to a stop, brandishing a daggers and razor-sharp chakrams. Despite the seemingly menacing glint to their weapons, they gazed at Rainbow Dash with expressions that bordered on pleasant. It was enough to distract her from the even tighter school of seaponies suddenly swimming up from below. They followed a thick branch of water while the levitating sphere enlarged above Rainbow Dash, fed with the currents from below. These seaponies wore fine silks of red and burgundy that tapered and trailed in the manipulated currents. Before long, the group spread apart in an aquatic ballet, exposing a graceful figure in their midst who dwarfed them in size.
Camellia's body was a very slender sight, with a long snout and a pronounced neck-crest in place of a mane. Her hooves were more like avian limbs, tightly hooked at her side and locked in a semi-graceful pose. Scales of luminescent turquoise shimmered in the waterlight, casting a brilliant sheen only bested by her bright green eyes. Despite her almost serpentine qualities, Camellia possessed an air of refinement, accentuated by what looked to be translucent tentacles dancing outward from beneath her limb joints. It took Rainbow a little while to realize that they were actually a unique form of dress, with glowing gold ringlets attached to the silk bands that—when spread out—framed the regal siren's figure like she was sporting an enormous halo. All the while, a thick, athletic tail drifted from side to side beneath her, and she loomed above Rainbow Dash—flanked by finmaidens and guards—with a calm face and an even calmer smile.
“Do we speak first... or does she...?” Rarity murmured.
“If royal etiquette here is anything like it is in Equestria,” Twilight said, “Then she should be allowed to speak first.”
“She has,” Rainbow Dash said, brow furrowed. “And I've allowed it, more than once.” She stepped boldly forward. “Princess Camellia... let's get this over with.” Her two companions winced, and yet she continued: “What do you want from me?”
The siren's head tilted to the side. Her eyes flickered bright green. “I would have you be honest with me...” Her scaled lips curved. “But it looks like I've already had my first wish granted, Rainbow Dash.”
“You're a pony who has been through many trials and tribulations, Rainbow Dash,”” Camellia's words rung loudly in the mare's head. The siren in the floating sphere of water stared down at her, slitted eyes bright and narrow. “And you've had many trials and tribulations funneled through you.” The Princess cocked her equine head to the side, headcrest relaxing. “I am not the first soul to have ventured into your mind. I sense the presence of great warmth and wisdom here...” Her eyes pulsed a hot emerald. “Bellesmith... Whitemane...”
Rarity and Twilight threw glances at Rainbow Dash. “Is... is she talking to you, Rainb—?” Twilight asked.
The pegasus nodded, staring past the unicorn. “That's right, Your Highness.”
“And I also sense great terrors.” Camellia's jaw clenched tight and her tail curled up. “Nevlamas... Chrysalis...”
Rainbow shuddered. “Guess my skull's a regular hotel, huh?”
“The one you label as 'Chrysalis' in your mind,” Camellia remarked. “I've sensed her before. Or at least pieces of her.” A cold shudder rippled through the watery sphere. “Some of them have even been here. In my city. Among the land-trotters.” Camellia swallowed, her eyes flickering. “They too were being pursued by her, and... I sense that they've been caught. Devoured, even.”
Rainbow gulped. “Verlax...”
“No doubt they proved a terrible threat, and the Queen of Frost chose to deal with them as she deemed necessary.”
“Do you think that I'm a threat, Princess?” Rainbow remarked, trotting forward. “Because—if you know anything about me—then you should know that Verlax has her eyes on me just as she did on Chrysalis' hatchlings. In fact, I'm pretty sure you were trying to warn me—”
“Indeed.” The royal siren nodded. “But... you are quite different than the ones belonging to this Chrysalis...”
“And how do you know that?” Rainbow asked, which made Twilight and Rarity flinch slightly. “Is it because you sense Whitemane's trust in me? I bet it's been ages since you felt the presence of an alicorn.”
“A personal observation, my little pony,” Camellia said. “Verlaxion's eyes are on you, and you know it. Still, regardless of what you fear... you're determined to press onward, even piercing your way deep into the home of the Queen of Frost.” She slowly shook her snout. “You are not running away from your perceived adversary. That is quite a remarkable thing.”
“Is that why you've summoned me here?” Rainbow asked. She pointed back at the door behind her. “And why you've 'arrested' my friends?”
“I brought you before me for many reasons. But let us not make believe, Rainbow Dash.” Camellia's scaled muzzle curved ever so slightly. “The land trotters behind those doors aren't your only friends.”
Rainbow took a deep breath. “How do you know about them?”
Camellia's headcrest lifted curiously.
Rainbow clarified: “How do you know that three ponies now stand before you?” She gestured aside. “Nopony can see the spirits of my best friends.”
“Your love for them is real,” Camellia said warmly. “Your loyalty and dedication is undeniable. There are souls—both of land and sea—who lose their minds to the elements, and their phantoms are merely echoes of their own fractured comprehension. That is not the case with you. Your mind and soul is separate from the invisible beings you commune with. It's something that I've never before witnessed in a pegasus, almost like a smaller scale of the collective consciousness my underwater subjects share. You are a pony like no other, Rainbow Dash. Perhaps that is why Verlaxion is seeking you.”
“Do you... honestly have no other idea why she's after me?” Rainbow Dash remarked. “Is it just because I'm unique? That I'm flying towards her while all other targets of interest try to run away?”
“The Great Queen Verlaxion possesses a powerful intellect, even above that of the sirens,” Camellia said. “Her greatest gift, however, is not sheer mindpower... but it's her age. Her experience. She was alive when the Six Tribes unified, and I suspect she was even around in the age when the ocean civilizations made peace with one another. But there's even more to it than that.”
“Like what?” Rainbow asked.
Camellia slowly shook her snout. “She does not share such knowledge with our kind. We sirens are the closest that the Six Tribes have to an existing monarchy from the old age. I do not blame Verlaxion for withholding that which empowers her. In her mind, it could mean a risk to her solidarity for other monarchs to carry even a piece of her wisdom.”
“Could it be that Verlaxion is withholding more?” Rainbow asked. “Like... a hidden truth that—when discovered—could shake the firm believe that all of Rohbredden has in her?”
Camellia cocked her head to the side. “You mean the fact that she's an ancient dragon matriarch?
Rainbow frowned. “Did you just get that from my head?”
Camellia was silent... in more ways than one.
Rainbow blinked. “You mean you already knew...?”
“It would make the only logical sense,” Camellia said. “I have never met alicorns, my little pony, but my ancestors have. Sirens imprint their memories onto the minds of their descendants. As a result, I have vivid recollections locked away in my consciousness that tells me what alicorns are like. Queen Verlaxion does not match this unique alicorn signature. She lacks the innate power of harmony incarnate. However... she does match something that clings to the essence of alicorns... something that was inadvertently imprinted onto my ancestors when they associated with the cosmic equines. For all my life, I've wondered what that signature meant. But now I feel it in full detail, laid out before me.”
Rainbow's face scrunched in thought. At last, she blurted: “Axan... Nevlamas...” She gulped. “I crossed paths with them... and that's why you sense who they are?”
Camellia merely nodded.
Rainbow remained staring at her. “If you know what I know about Dragon Divines, then maybe you can understand why I'm so distrusting of Verlaxion.”
“Indeed...” Camellia drifted forward slightly in the sphere. The guards and finmaidens followed closely. “...but ask yourself this, Rainbow Dash. Is your distrust based solely on painful experience? Or the words of Chrysalis?”
Rainbow Dash winced slightly. Nevertheless, she replied: “Chrysalis was no longer in a place to afford deceiving me when she told me what she knew... or thought she knew about Verlax. As for myself...” She nodded. “Heck yeah, I'm distrusting about Divines! One went nuts with chaos and another ripped me to friggin' shreds!”
“Oh dear...” Rarity shuddered, grimacing.
“And yet that very same Matriarch, Axan, restored you,” Camellia remarked. “Looked after you. Intervened to save your life from her sister.”
“What are you trying to say, Your Highness?”
“Unlike alicorns, these Divines aren't creatures of Harmony, but they are capable of wielding it... as well as chaos. They discover a middle-ground that gives them balance... much like you, Rainbow Dash. Or... should I say 'Austraeoh?'”
“Then just what is Verlax?!” Rainbow exclaimed, stamping a hoof down. “Harmony? Or chaos?!”
“She is quite well acquainted with both. No doubt this is how she's foreseen your arrival. You are a veritable beacon of both Harmony and Chaos, a constant flux that seeks to change the world, and thereby save it.”
“And just how much do you know about that... about this?” Rainbow remarked. “Urohringr? The Machine World? The Ancient Pegasi? The whole kitten kaboodle?!”
Camellia simply stared at her.
Twilight leaned in. “She knows a lot, Rainbow, but she doesn't know everything.”
Rainbow sighed, hanging her head. “I know...”
“Your friends echo your concern, Rainbow Dash,” Camellia said.
Rainbow looked up.
“You didn't come here to be lectured. You are after something... or perhaps someone. In either situation, there is a destination in mind.” Camellia tilted her head back, eyes squinting. “I can help you get there. And, perhaps, you can help me.”
“Help you?” Rainbow's brow furrowed. “In what way?”
“I shall reveal that to you quite thoroughly, but first...” Camellia drifted back in her sphere. “It is only fair to tell you that there will come a time and a place where my power will be of no use to you. If we're to work together to accomplish our goals, then I will need your faith just as much as you will need mine.”
“Can you get me inside the Machine World where Verlax last left her blessing here?” Rainbow asked.
“I understand that you have a grand quest to undertake, but Shoggoth is in great need of healing—as is the rest of the world—”
“Can you get me to the Machine Layer or not?!” Rainbow snarled. Twilight opened her mouth to protest, but Rainbow snarled, phasing through her and barking: “Well?!”
“I can,” Camellia answer. “But there, you will be on your own, behind the barrier that Verlaxion herself has erected.”
“So...” Rainbow swallowed a lump down her throat. “...it's a trap.”
“No.”
Rainbow blinked. “No...?”
“Rather... it is something else entirely.”
“Something else?” Rainbow's ears twitched as she shared glances with Rarity and Twilight. “Like what?”
“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight Sparkle murmured. “What... what is she saying...?”
Rainbow squinted at the regal sight before her. “...a test?”
Camellia merely nodded silently.
“What kind of a test?”
“Such is not my place to know,” Camellia said. “The blessed Shrine of Verlaxion is off-limits to me. At least... so long as I swim these mortal currents.”
“Shrine...?”
“A place deep below Shoggoth where Verlaxion has left a piece of her power. A shard.” Camellia's eyes glowed bright green. “I believe you have found such a place before...”
Rainbow gulped. “The Nealend Atoll...” Her brow furrowed. “So there is a way to get to the Machine World here.”
“If that is what you call it,” Camellia remarked. “My subjects here in Shoggoth have always basked in the glory of Verlaxion's blessing, but I've always sensed that there was... more to it. Something hidden. Something unique and purposeful, left for one soul and one soul alone to open the seal to. I believe that is you, Rainbow Dash, or—the Austraeoh—as you refer to yourself.”
“Is that what Verlax believes I am?” Rainbow asked.
“I am... not certain. But it is quite possible. When the Blight fell, it sent a ripple across the seas—both above and below the surface. Everypony in Shoggoth has sensed it. I can only imagine what it is that the Queen has sensed, and how it pertains to you.”
“So... if it is a test that awaits me,” Rainbow Dash murmured, starting to pace below the Princess. “Just what kind is it?”
“I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash,” Camellia spoke. “I cannot pretend to tell you that. Not with absolute certainty. All I can do is get you there.”
Rainbow sighed. She paused to rub her forehead, teeth clenching. “...and what do you want in return?”
“I believe we can be very helpful to one another,” Camellia's voice declared. “Furthermore, you may find that what we're able to accomplish will be advantageous to both parties.”
Rainbow looked up. “An end to the Syndicate.”
Camellia's eyes narrowed. “Shoggoth has existed for generations and generations. It has thrived off the productivity of both seaponies and surface trotters. Part of this productivity includes trade and a bustling economy. However, while this system has produced many fundamentally altruistic organizations, it has—ultimately—developed a banal tumor of disgusting proportions. That which you call the Syndicate was once a noble enterprise, an empire of trade and monetary exchange that sought the benefit of all parties involved. In the last few centuries, however, it has turned into something corrupt and cancerous. I've witnessed extortion, bribery, and attempted murder under the noses of my very own subjects, and it pains me greatly.”
“Can't you do something about it, though?”
“Although I am the Siren Princess, I'm afraid that—”
“Yeah yeah yeah... your 'fins are tied' by the 'rules of Muddredger coexistence' or what crap.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “I've been told that time and time again by a pretty smart pony. But... like... so what?” Her muzzle scrunched. “If the Syndicate's so bad, can't you take them out on your own?”
“I'm afraid that if I sent my forces to challenge the Syndicate, the repercussions of such a public act would have terrible consequences. A horrible schism would tear the infrastructure of Shoggoth apart long before the truth behind the Syndicate could be conveyed, thereby vindicating my actions.” Camellia slowly shook her head. “The only probable solution would be to present concrete evidence of the Syndicate's wrongdoings before the Council at the Marine Auction House, but—as you can imagine—the Syndicate does an exceptional job of covering their tracks.”
“But you can control ponies' minds!” Rainbow exclaimed. Rarity and Twilight looked at her sideways as she continued: “Couldn't you—I dunno—make the eyes of the Syndicate boss down here all green'n'glowy and get him or her to expose their own organization's sins?”
“I'm afraid it is not even remotely that simple,” Camellia said. “My innate gifts do not work on more than one equine at a time. I have, indeed, contemplated doing that which you propose, but the members of the Syndicate are simply far too numerous. There is no single pony who—through direct control—could be made to destabilize their entire organization.”
“Then... like... I dunno...!” Rainbow Dash's voice cracked: “You and your ponies' magic control all this floaty water crap! With a snap of your fins, couldn't you just wash away the Syndicate and all of their ugliness?”
“Rainbow, honestly!” Rarity exclaimed.
Rainbow groaned. “Face it, Princess, you have a whole lotta friggin' power at your disposal! I just... I-I just don't get how you can stand for these bad dudes and their bullcrap!”
“Power alone is no substitute for flexibility or finesse,” Camellia said. “This environment in which the Syndicate flourishes also allows countless other ponies to dwell in peace and enjoy the fruits of their labor. There is nothing wrong with the vision of Shoggoth. But even the glorious things of our culture have hidden niches in which filth can collect and fester. As Princess of the Sirens, I am in charge of regulating the marine half of this community. To exercise any more power would threaten to destabilize the entire Muddredger colony. The repercussions could be disastrous to the local economy, not to mention the way of life for tens of thousands of Rohbredden citizens here and abroad.”
“But if the Syndicate was to be taken down, then it'd be best for everypony... right...?”
“This is true... but only if the Syndicate dissolves in a way that is gradual, civil, and doesn't collapse heartlessly on the many-many souls who support its less-malicious branches,” Camellia explains. “Not all ponies who work for the Syndicate are evil, Rainbow Dash, and they deserve a second chance. The only way for the Syndicate to dissolve without shredding a hole through our civilization is for it to happen through the legitimate exposure of corruption in its upper echelons. I have always sought for a way to make this happen, but I've not had any close allies capable of getting close enough to the Syndicate to acquire such evidence.”
“Until now...” Rainbow gulped. “I'm here. My friends and I...” Her eyes narrowed. “...and we have a pony who's been on the inside.”
“Indeed.” Camellia nodded. “More importantly, you've done something that nopony visiting Shoggoth has ever remotely come close to accomplishing before. You've single-hoofedly brought down the Northern Branch of the Syndicate. Granted, the ponies in Rust were far... far more corrupt than the ones who operate here. However, I fear for the future of Shoggoth—that it will someday become something as grim as Rust, if not more so. But that doesn't need to come pass. If you can find and expose the Southern Hoof's connections to Revan's organization in Rust, then it will paint just the kind of damning picture we need to reveal to the rest of the Council here in the Muddredge City.”
“And what does that mean, exactly?” Rainbow Dash replied, blinking. “We gotta break into the Southern Hoof's Vault now?”
“Not quite, Rainbow Dash,” Camellia said. “In fact, I do believe you have enough at your disposal to expose the local members of the Syndicate as it is.”
“Then why'd you stop us, huh?” Rainbow Dash remarked. “Why bring us down here to begin with? We were on our way to the Marine Auction House to do just what you're proposing, Your Highness.”
“Not precisely, I'm afraid. There stands to be some... important alterations to your plan.”
“Oh really?” Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. “In what way?”
“There are methods by which you and your friends can make what we both desire here in Shoggoth possible,” Camellia said. “While simultaneously granting you access to Verlaxion's Shrine. You see, Rainbow Dash, you are the first pony in a long time who can go precisely where I can't... and yet I can facilitate that passage, so long as we can work together.”
Rainbow took a deep breath, then nodded. “Alright, Princess.” She leaned back, ears twitching. “I'm listening...”
Theanim Mane paced and paced. His shuffling hooves dragged him in an endless ellipse. Meanwhile, his eyes remained fastened to the double doors in front of him.
Echo blinked blearily at the scene. He glanced at the guards, at the pair of heavy doors before the group, then at the circling scientist. At last, he muttered: “Try and relax, Theams.”
“I am relaxed, old chap!” Theanim grumbled, nevertheless twitching. His ears folded back as he glanced at the doors once again. “I'm simply... getting my exercise.” He gulped. “There's no telling just what I may need to be in shape for, as of late. Nope... no t-telling whatsoever...”
“It's only a Siren Princess,” Echo muttered. “It's not like she's summoned the world's only pegasus with a fruit-colored mane just to dine on her entrails with a bunch of telepathically controlled sharks.”
“I wasn't even remotely thinking that, Echo.” Theanim scuffled to a stop, frowning. “But, rest assured, I most certainly am now!”
Wildcard exhaled heavily out his beak's nostrils. Turning towards the others, he gestured with his metal and flesh talons.
“Look, just have a lil' bit of faith in the mare!” Bard frowned. “For cryin' out loud! She's been through a heap more worse straits than this! I mean... ya reckon?” Huffing, he tilted the brow of his hat back. “Besides, ain't like there's a lick of good we can do about this here situation. From the look of them doors, I can't kick 'em open without shatterin' my legs somethin' awful.” He eyed the glowing prongs of the guards' spears. “Let's not forget what them pokers can do to a stallion's juices.”
“I'm just trying to piece it all together,” Theanim muttered. “The Princess summons Rainbow Dash. She lets us get deep enough into her very own city to expose and purge it of corruption. Then—out of nowhere—she intervenes, but not without further warning Rainbow Dash of Revan's arrival.”
“Ya reckon she just wants to have this shindig go down her way?” Bard remarked.
“But if she's had the power to manipulate our very movements...” Theanim squinted into nothingness, then gasped. “Verlaxion's Sleet!” He gulped. “What if... what if the Syndicate has won her over?!” His teeth chattered. “This could all very well be a work of grand deception!”
“Yeesh,” Echo murmured. “I'm the one coming out of an addiction. Why do you sound like the paranoid one?!”
“You have to admit, old chap, that it's a very logical possibility!”
“I'll admit the same thing I did when I first met you,” Echo said. “You're full of it.” Just then, the double doors groaned, and Echo's slitted eyes darted up. “Don't look now...”
Wildcard, Bard, and Theanim turned around.
Rainbow Dash trotted towards them. She took one glance at the guards, cleared her throat, and uttered: “At ease.”
Cl-Clakkk! With a rattle of their spears, the guards shuffled back, making a clear path between Rainbow and her companions.
“Well, I'll be!” Bard smirked. “Back from the Princess Summit?”
“Mr. Bard, please.” After chiding him, Theanim rushed towards Rainbow's side. “Rainbow Dash, is...” He squinted nervously. “Is it truly you?”
Rainbow's brow furrowed. “You think I'd let a psionic fish goddess take control of my brain?” Rainbow remarked. “Besides, I think I got more out of us just chatting.”
“Just chattin'?!” Bard squinted suspiciously.
Wildcard flung his talons through the air in several jagged movements.
Bard nodded. “Yeah, what about?”
“Look, here's the long and short of it,” Rainbow said, raising her hooves. “She wants to help us kick the Syndicate out of their high seat.”
“Whew...” Theanim exhaled, plopping back on his haunches. “Well, that's certainly a relief!”
“Only it's not gonna be easy.” Rainbow tongued the inside of her muzzle. “Erm... lemme rephrase that.” She leaned forward. “It's not gonna be simple.”
“Hell...” Bard smirked. “When is it ever?” He cleared his throat. “Still, the Princess is fixin' to lend us a hoof... er... or fin?”
“She's going to help me get to Pink—er... ahem... she's going to help me get to where I need to go,” Rainbow explained. “But... I've got her solemn promise that she's going to help you two—” She pointed at Bard and Wildcard. “—as well.”
The Desperadoes exchanged glances, then looked back at Rainbow Dash. “We're listenin',” Bard said while Wildcard nodded.
“Doc...” Rainbow turned towards Theanim. “What do you know about the Royal Tombs of Shoggoth?”
Theanim blinked. “Oh! Uhm...” He smoothed his bangs back, then—once his thoughts were recollected—he spoke: “They... they're ancient chambers carved deep into the rock beneath the Muddredge City. They serve as the final resting places for countless generations of the Siren Royal Family. Aside from the burial ceremony, no pony—commoner, royal, or otherwise—is allowed inside the hallowed chambers.”
“Right.” Rainbow nodded. “Right now, they're building the burial site for Camellia.”
“I'd imagine so,” Theanim said. “The carving process takes the better part of a ruling siren's entire reign.” He squinted. “But... what does that have to do with—?”
“The burial chambers are the only things that lie between us and the next Seed.”
“Then how are we expected to get you there?”
“Not even Camellia can publicly grant us access. However...” Rainbow smirked, staring slyly at the group. “There are ways inside... especially since an estreemed group of landtrotters and seaponies are collectively constructing the latest tomb.”
“Pfft! What are you expected to do?!” Bard shrugged. “Swim yer way in?”
Rainbow turned to stare at him.
Wildcard glanced at Bard while the stallion paled. “Well, then... shiet.”
“According to Camellia, only two organizations here in Shoggoth have possession of deep sea diving suits,” she said. “One group, of course, are the ponies tasked with surveying the construction of Camellia's tomb.”
“And the other group?” Bard asked.
Wildcard suddenly gestured a “throat being slit.”
Rainbow nodded. “Right. The Syndicate. They'll never confess to having them, but Camellia has read enough minds to know that they've got some suits stashed away somewhere.”
“No doubt to access remote parts of Shoggoth,” Echo said. “It's how they sneak in on their economic competition and lay the pressure on thick.”
“Goddess, Echo!” Theanim exclaimed. “You know more than you let on!”
“I always do,” he muttered. “So, how do we stick it to these chuckle-fudgers and make off with their suits?”
“Has the Princess completely overlooked the Marine Auction House?” Theanim remarked.
“That's just it. There's a plan at hoof,” Rainbow said. “A pretty crazy plan. But... I-I can't quite do it alone.” She looked fixedly at those gathered before her. “For us to get through this so that I get to swim to the next Seed, the Desperadoes get to rob the Syndicate of their bits, and Theanim gets to strip the Syndicate of their power, then we're gonna have to be in three places at once. Or—at least—two and a half.”
“Just friggin' tell us what to do already,” Echo said.
“You... might not like what it involves,” Rainbow said.
“If it gets all of this nonsense over with and puts an end to a bunch of douchetards who've been extorting lives between here and the edge of the world, then I'm all for it,” Echo grumbled. “The cowcolt and his birdy boyfriend get their bits, Theanim gets justice, and you get to scamper off with all your imaginary marefriends. On top of all that, the ponies of Rust and Shoggoth get to sleep easier. It's a win-win-win-win scenario, so let's just do it already.”
Theanim blinked. “Wow, old chap. That was remarkably... sober of you.”
“Yeah,” Echo sighed. “I'm starting to hate it.”
“Well then...” Bard fanned himself with his hat and smirked. “Let's get this show on the road already!”
“Right...” Rainbow nodded. “So... it's gonna go like this...”
On the first floor of the largest domed structure of Shoggoth...
A half-dozen stallions in black and gray uniforms stood tightly around a curved doorway that led to a long, winding tunnel. Bright flashing manalight bordered the arching entrance while amber torches lit up the busy, bustling courtyard that lay before the establishment. A thick, criss-crossing crowd of ponies thinned more and more with most of the numbers amassing in one direction: towards the Marine Auction House and the surrounding market district. Nevertheless, the surly guards resolutely stood, their eyes plastered on every equine body that wandered by. Eventually, merchants dragging carts full of heavy packages shambled up—only to be thoroughly checked by the ponies at the entrance. After a thorough examination, half of the merchants were allowed in the tunnel—under close escort—or else they were turned away towards the vast chambers of Shoggoth.
Through this mess of busy traffic, two figures shuffled in a straight line towards the entrance. Refracted waterlight from the enormous windows above danced across their coats and feathers. A third figure lay across one of the figure's flanks, and she tilted her head up just long enough to squeak at the other two:
“Remember. This will only work if we play it cool and act like nothing's wonky.”
“That's easier said than done,” Bard glanced over his shoulder at the bound pegasus. “Everythang about this is wonky!”
“Just trust me!” Rainbow hissed. “She's gonna take care of everything here! Once we're inside, that's when it's time to play hardball.”
Wildcard lifted a metal talon to gesture something.
Bard sighed. “Reckon we've done weirder thangs to get bits.” He glanced over his shoulder again. “But how are ya gonna get to the place where them suits are bein' held?”
“Her Highness said she would make that work out too, but we've gotta get in there,” Rainbow said. “When the time comes for us to take control... we'll know.”
“Just how will we know?”
“It'll come to us. Believe me.”
Bard adjusted his cap in mid-stride. “Well, I sure hope so. I'm havin' an awful lot of faith in yer faith of her faith.”
Wildcard swung his talons.
“Yes, there's a fourth faith in there, Dubya-Cee. Yer faith.”
“Shhh! We're almost there!” Rainbow Dash lay limp on Bard's backside. “Remember! Just as we rehearsed!”
“Right...” Bard cracked his neck joints and smiled. “'Play it cool.' Good thang I'm the Goddess-dayum champion of playin' it cool.”
Six sets of leering eyes fell on the Desperadoes as they approached the front entrance.
“Hold.” One stallion held his hoof up.
Another guard shuffled up, staring at the group—or more specifically staring at the rainbow-maned pegasus lying on Bard's back. “Uhhhh...” He pointed out a magic, watery window. “The brothel's over there past the sea bridge.”
“We ain't lookin' for no place for painted mares.” Bard smiled. “We done come here to turn in a bounty.”
One stallion's eyes narrowed. “... … ...a bounty.”
“Yessir!”
“The Syndicate doesn't have a bounty on... scrawny pegasus girls.”
“Scrawny?!” Rainbow almost raised her head. Wildcard's lion tail swiftly smacked her, and she lay down again, pouting with flushed cheeks.
“Ahem...” Bard adjusted the brim of his hat. “Well, maybe ya just forgotten! 'Cuz we here Desperadoes are purdy darn good at doin' our homework! And, last time I checked, this here pony's fetchin' some mighty big bits in the eyes of the Southern Hoof!”
Wildcard nodded.
“It'd be a damn shame if we had to resort to peddlin' our bounty to the cheapskates up on Mudtop! They ain't even scrap compared to you boys!”
“Look, I dunno what you're trying to pull here, buddy,” one of the guards grunted. “But we haven't got a bounty for any pegasi! What's more...” He leaned in, whispering hoarsely. “It's not even season for pricing slaves.”
“Y'all do slave trade?!?” Bard's voice cracked.
Wildcard sniffed, nodding with his headcrest.
“Oh! Right! Y'all do slave trade! But of course!” Bard gulped and smiled more evenly. “Look, there's gotta be some mistake here, partner. Now where's y'all's head honcho? The Southern Hoof's boss. Whatshisname...”
“Boss Jeryn has gone to the Auction House along with every other important pony in Shoggoth,” the guard said. “But, believe me, even if he was here, he wouldn't be bothered to waste his time on mercenary cruds like you.”
“Not even for the bounty of a lifetime?” Bard smirked, eyes wagging. “This is about as awesome as it gets!”
“Dammit—what do I have to do to get you bozos to scram?!?” the guard's voice picked up.
Just then, another guard shuffled up from the tunnel. “Alright... alright,” the supervising thug grumbled. “What's going on here? What's with all the commotion?”
The other guard sighed and turned towards him. “I've got this under control, Remna. It's just some punks trying to sell us a body out of season.”
“What, are they bounty hunters?” Remna asked.
“It's no bounty we ever put up.” The guard grimaced. “Some fruity looking pegasus bitch?”
“Hold on just a second...” Sighing, Remna pushed his way through the six guards and looked. “Let me see.”
Rainbow Dash, Bard, and Wildcard all watched intently.
Remna stared. Squinted. Suddenly, his eyes flashed a bright green.
Atop Bard's back, an angry, snarling sarosian thrashed about, fangs glinting in the manalight.
“You stupid fish-huffing bastards! Grnnngh!” Echo snarled and growled. “The moment I'm free from all these binds, I'm going to suck your blood! See if I don't! Grnnngh!”
The batpony tilted his head towards the domed ceiling and howled.
Remna blinked, and the emerald glow faded.
“Ah.” He said. “I see.” He said some more. “But of course.”
The other six guards watched as the supervisor leaned back and waved with his hoof.
“We've been expecting this piece of filth for quite a while now. Let them in. Let them all in.”
“Oh... uhm...” One of the guards did a double-take. “You... sure about that, Remna?”
“Are you questioning the authority that Boss Jeryn gave me?” Remna droned.
“Oh! Uhm... n-no!”
“Good. Because you know what happens to those who break the Syndicate's chain of command,” Remna droned some more.
“I'll walk them to the brig—”
“No. No need. No need for that.” Remna swiveled around, eyes glazed. In a flicker of torchlight, his eyes flashed emerald again, and he shuffled down the tunnel. “I shall escort them.”
“That's your call, Remna.”
“Follow me, you two,” Remna said. “We can discuss the bounty inside.”
Wildcard and Bard exchanged glances.
Rainbow nudged Bard through his guitar case, and the two Desperadoes shuffled after the lead guard.
Quietly, they entered the heart of the Southern Hoof's underwater stronghold.
“So, when do we move?” Echo asked, trembling slightly.
“Shhhhh...” Theanim replied. He straightened the cloaks around his and Echo's frames. “One thing at a time, old chap.”
The two stood in the shadows immediately outside the circular rotunda that made up the Marine Auction House. All around them, ponies from all trots of life walked swiftly towards the meeting room. Meanwhile, magically sculpted archways of water looped through the air, collecting in a ring of levitating moisture just above the rotunda. Within the watery bands, various seaponies swam and gathered, overlooking the Shoggothian exchange.
“I'm afraid we're going to have to wait for the Princess' signal,” Theanim said. “And then we can proceed with making history.”
“And just what signal is that?” Echo asked.
“Rainbow told us that we'll know it when we see it,” Theanim explained. “I do hope you can endure the wait.”
“Are you kidding?” the sarosian droned. “Anything beats being a living caterpillar on that cowcolt's backside.”
Theanim smiled. “Glad we can be in agreement with something.”
“Hmmm...”
“What?”
“You seem pleased as peaches, is all,” Echo said. “You really put a lot of faith in this Rainbow Dash, Theams.”
“I can't help it,” the stallion replied. He eyed the rotunda as more and more ponies trotted by. “She's come here to fulfill her destiny. Somehow, I feel as if the same thing is in store for me.”
“That doesn't exactly sound like the stuffy scientist I once knew.”
“No.” Theanim shook his head. “It doesn't.”
“Awwwwww shit,” Echo hissed.
“What? What is it?”
“Not what. Who.” The sarosian pointed with a long-sleeved limb. “That's Jeryn, with his posse.”
“As in Boss Jeryn? Of the Southern Hoof?”
“I'd know that slimy kisser anywhere,” Echo slurred. “If the show's about to start, it'd better happen soon.”
“It's up to our friends now,” Theanim said with a proud smirk. “If we play our cards right, they should be carrying 'you' off to the heart of the Stronghold.”
“Hrmmmf... things are about to get crazy chaotic.”
With a steamy hiss, two cogwheel doors rotated open in separate directions. A frazzled earth pony rushed out into the lower corridors of Shoggoth, followed closely by his equally disheveled cohorts. Panting for breath, Revan swung his glaring expression left and right. Thin eyes scanned the thinning crowd beneath tapering waterlight.
“Where's everyone gone to?” a random thug stammered.
“Where else?” Cold Stone grunted. “Off to that stupid fish market they call an Auction House.”
“Then that's a good thing, boss!” said another stallion, leaning towards the leader. “If the platforms are mostly empty, it might be easier to spot our targets—”
“Don't tell me what is or isn't easy!” Revan growled as he shuffled forward. “Just how in the Hell do you find your way around in this backwards toilet of a city?”
A guard shuffled up. “Hello, can I help you—?” He gasped as a hoof lifted him up by the collar of his uniform.
“You can help yourself not get a concussion!” Revan held his other fetlock up in a threatening manner. “Tell me! Where's Boss Jeryn held up at?! I need to see that dribbling flankhole immediately!”
“Snkkkt... you mean... the Syndicate Boss...?” The guard wheezed.
“No, the King of Shark Bait! Who else?!?!”
“Uhhhh...” Cold Stone leaned in, tapping the lead stallion's shoulder. “Boss...?”
Several more guards rushed up, brandishing clubs and bludgeons. “Let go of him at once!”
“Let go of your own balls, ass knockers.” Revan shoved the one guard to the ground and stepped over him. “I'm Boss Revan of the Northern Hoof!”
The guards jerked to a stop, rattling. “Northern... Hoof...?!”
“Where the Hell is Jeryn?”
“Uhhhh... uhm...”
One of the guards pointed. “He's in the Marine Auction House! The meeting's about to start!”
“Dammit!” Revan stomped his hooves. “I need to see the stallion and I need to see him now!”
“Uhm... Boss...?” Cold Stone leaned in, murmuring. “If he's away from the Southern Hoof's Headquarters...”
“... … ...” Revan squinted into nothingness. Just then, his ears folded and his eyes went wide. “That leaves the Syndicate Stronghold here wide open.” His jaw quivered. “That damn bard and his mercenary friends are gonna pull the same shit here that they did in Rust!”
“Mrmmmffnngh...” The fist guard stumbled to his hooves. “Who's going to do what now...?!”
“Nothing!” Revan snarled, breaking into a gallop. “Not on my watch!” He motioned after his posse. “Come! Hurry! Either we dig their graves or we drown!”
With several affirmative grunts, the angry stallions stampeded after their boss, dragging along several worried Syndicate guards on patrol. By the time they escaped the loading area and proceeded to the central Shoggothian structure, they had formed a veritable mob. The solid walls thundered with the echoes of their limbs while the aquakinetic barricades quivered.
Bard's eyes wandered back and forth in mid-trot.
Wildcard's lenses reflected several suspicious faces as he walked along.
Rainbow Dash dangled over Bard's backside, her fuzzy face staring upside down at the various halls and doorways of the Southern Hoof's stronghold located deep within Shoggoth.
Ahead of the trio, Remna trotted slowly, evenly. A calm expression hung off the thug's fuzzy features as he led the group deep and deeper into the heart of the organization's headquarters.
Their path took them down two shallow flights of stairs, past no less than three dozen curious, gawking ponies, and finally into a wing of the interior that branched off into several claustrophobically narrow passageways. Here, the hoof traffic significantly lessened, and the four bodies had to form a single file to traverse the straightaways and turns.
“That's some noggin' the Princess has got,” Bard murmured, glancing about. “Unless she's fishin' around blindly now that she's in the dude's skull.”
“Shhhh!” Rainbow insisted.
Just then, Remna arrived at a pair doors where a stallion stood at ready. The guard stood up straight, peering Remna's way.
“Hey, Rem.” He squinted. “Who're these guys? Not often we get griffons down here.”
“No. It isn't.” Remna took a deep breath. “I need access to the armory.”
“Really?” The stallion looked at Remna, then back at the others. “Just you?”
“Please, do let us in.”
“Dude, you know the rules,” the stallion said. “I gotta get a signed request from Boss Jeryn himself. So, whatcha got on you?”
“You really should let us in,” Remna said. “This is a matter of supreme importance.”
“Heh...” The stallion chuckled. “What, did one of his mistresses leave her bridle here overnight?”
Remna simply stared at him.
After a blink or two, the stallion frowned. “Okay. Joke's over, Rem. What gives?”
“I need access to the armory.”
Rainbow and Bard exchanged glances.
“And I'm telling you, dude...” The stallion shook his head. “I can't do that unless Jeryn gives it the green light or if he's here himself. I mean... you know this.”
“Hrmmm...” Remna shuffled forward. “You have a good point, my friend. By the way, have you noticed a crack in the seam of the doorframe here?”
“Huh? What?” The stallion turned to look along with Remna. “Oh. That's been there for months. I keep requisitioning the maintenance department to fix it. We don't wanna end up like Rust, after all. Heh...”
“No.” Remna motioned a hoof while the stallion couldn't see. “We most certainly do not.”
Bard turned towards Wildcard, then nodded.
The griffon cracked his neck joints, then shuffled forward on quiet talons.
“You know, I've considered sealing it myself,” the guard said. “I've got some quick-hardening seafoam. They sell it on the lower cross bridge. Y'know... the one by the broth—”
A metal talon tapped his shoulder.
“Huh?” The stallion turned around—WHAM!—only to be savagely kicked in the chest. “Ooof!” He leaned forward.
Wildcard spun around, hooked an arm around the stallion's neck, and fell. THAP! He slammed the stallion's chin over his shoulder. The resulting rebound sent the guard flying back and slamming his skull into the doorframe.
“Ooomf!” The guard crumpled to the door, out like a light. Wildcard got up, casually brushing off his feathers.
Bard and Rainbow Dash looked over at Remna.
Remna stared at the guard's unconscious body. His eyes flickered green. “Ah... he tripped and fell.” A blink. “How unfortunate.”
Bard and Rainbow glanced at one another, smiling crookedly.
Remna trotted up to the doorframe, slapped his hoof over the combination lock, and inputted the code. The panels opened with a hissing schwissh, and the four shuffled in... with Wildcard dragging the dull body of the guard behind them.
With a shrug of his feathery shoulders, Wildcard dumped the guard's body onto the stone floor of the Southern Hoof's Armory. He pivoted around—then froze in place. His head lifted, the mercenary's beak opening slowly while glittering gold metals reflected off his lenses.
All across the chamber, stacks upon stacks of shiny trinkets and jewels lay on neatly-arranged shelves. One particular rack held multiple fin-cuffs studded with rubies and sapphires, and another lattice was draped over with all manner of shiny platinum necklaces.
“As you can see,” Remna slurred, his eyes piercing bright green as he shuffled ahead. “We have a lovely view of the Shoggothian Abyss.” He gestured past a thin metal grate to where a telekinetic wall of water loomed. The henchstallion pivoted to the left. “Over there you'll find some deep sea swimming suits. Next to it is a control valve that'll open the grate.” He then pivoted to the right. “And on this side you can find several illegally pilfered bits of royal trinkets from the upper tombs of the Royal Sirens.” His ears twitched. “I like potatoes,” he droned.
“Holy hell biscuits,” Bard whistled, gawking at the array of gold items. “So these sons of bitches have been robbing from the Princess' dead relatives all this time?”
“Uh huh.” Rainbow squirmed. “Would you mind freeing 'Echo' from these binds, now?”
Wildcard reached in, assisting the stallion as both Desperadoes undid Rainbow's bindings. “Land's sakes...” Bard shook his head with a dumb grin. “Bet the only reason they've stayed on top of their game is 'cuz they've been pawning off the sea ponies' artifacts to the black market all this time.” He turned and kindly helped the mare to the floor. “Screw mercenaryin'. Reckon we're in the wrong business, Dubya-Cee?”
Wildcard shrugged.
“Well, we're about to put a stop to all of this horse hockey,” Rainbow Dash said, twirling to face the others. “You brought the stuff, bright eyes?”
Wildcard nodded. He reached into his satchel, produced Theanim's camera, then handed it over to Rainbow Dash.
“We take several pictures for evidence...” Rainbow squatted down low, taking snap after snap of the aforementioned shots. “I carry this camera in and out of the Next Seed...” She pivoted and took more shots of the opposite side of the Armory. “I rendezvous with the Doc right as he's laying the smackdown on the Syndicate before the Marine Auction House...” She lowered the camera, smiling. “...and once this stuff is developed, then the Southern Hoof won't have a leg to stand on.”
“Or a flipper to swim on,” Bard said with a smirk.
“Boom. Done.” Rainbow pumped a hoof in the air. “Both halves of the Syndicate are obliterated during the course of a weekend.” She grinned proudly. “How's that for making history?”
“I once peed in the seaponies' drinking water,” Remna drooled.
Bard pointed at the eye-glowing guard. “Kinda makes ya wonder why Her Highness hasn't tried to pull the roots out from under the Bad Guy Tree to begin with.”
Wildcard nodded.
“Well, she's never had an opportunity like this before!” Rainbow said. “Imagine if she had tried this before we came along! What—would she send in one of her very own guards to get a brain-controlled escort into the Stronghold? These punks would see right through that in an instant!” Rainbow shook her head, sliding the camera into a water-proof pouch within her saddlebag. “Besides, the Northern Hoof would just come and bail them out. But us? We already did half of the work for her. Plus, Theanim's got leverage, and he's about to lay the hammer down.”
“Nah, I dun think it's like that one bit.” Bard smirked, pointing at the pegasus. “Camellia sees somethin' special in you. Reckon it's the same dayum thang that makes Theanim stick around yer feisty keister.”
“Yeah, well, he won't have to stick around it for long,” Rainbow Dash said, zipping and folding her bags up. “In fact, none of you have to.” She gestured at Remna. “Ask Whinny Flankspeare here. He's bound to show you the way to a stash of Syndicate bars.”
Green flickering eyes. “Panties.”
“And me? Once I've taken my dip into the Royal Tomb and dropped the camera off with Theanim, it's on to my next destination.” Rainbow paused to give a shuddering sigh. “Rohbredden Proper, I bet.”
Bard and Wildcard exchanged glances, then looked at her. “Ya dun say...”
“I do.” Rainbow suddenly jerked, glancing to her left. She smiled. “Good eye, Rarity.” She galloped over towards an equipment locker and flung it open. There, several slick, pressurized jumpsuits of blue and gold rested. “Awesome. There's enough for all of us.” She tapped a group of mana-powered oxygen tanks. “Are they full of air, Twilight?” A pause. Rainbow eventually exhaled with relief. “Alright...” She looked over her shoulder. “I'd better get going. If I were you, I wouldn't stick around for very long either. Judging from when Camellia first warned me about Revan, the Northern Hoof's boss should be here any moment now. I doubt you wanna be around for when he shows up.” She reached over and jerked the lever.
With a loud buzz, the metal grate in front of the magic water wall slowly opened up, exposing the chamber to the ocean's floor immediately outside.
“Especially someplace this deep down,” Rainbow said.
“Uhhhh...” Bard adjusted his hat. “Y'know, darlin', we've been thinkin' about that.”
“Uh huh...” Rainbow yanked the first watertight outfit down and started fishing around for the opening.
“And, the way we figure it, t'ain't no good swimmin' underwater with a heapin' bunch of metal bars strapped to our drawers.” Bard leaned back with a smile. “After all, we'd just slow you down.”
Rainbow Dash froze. She tilted her head up, muzzle agape. “What... what do you mean?”
“I mean we're comin' with you, ya silly varmint,” Bard said.
Wildcard nodded emphatically.
Rainbow arched an eyebrow. “...you're kidding me, right?”
“Not the last time I checked.”
“Dudes...” Rainbow dropped the diving suit so she could gesture. “The place I'm heading to is super deep, super dark, super dank, and super dangerous.”
“And since when did that stop you?”
“But you forget! I'm me!” Rainbow frowned and pointed at them. “And you're you!”
Wildcard and Bard exchanged glances. “We... got that part. For sure.” They looked at her again. “But the way we sees it, ya did a mighty fine job gettin' us rich up in Rust. Why, thanks to you, we have several thousand bits worth of platinum bars waitin' for us all stashed away'n'pretty in that underwater hotel. Hell, once we get back from Camellia's tomb, we can go fetch the fortune all the same!”
“If we make it back,” Rainbow growled. “Camellia's only able to protect us so far, guys. She's only able to protect me so far!” She gestured. “And while I may not know what'll be waiting for me at the shrine, I've got a pretty good clue.” She gulped. “And it's not going to be pretty.”
“Who says doin' the right thang has gotta be pretty?”
“Huh?”
Bard gestured at Wildcard. “You done saved Dubya-Cee's life.” While the griffon nodded, Bard bowed and said: “And I just can't get him to shuddup about payin' ya back most kindly.” He stood up straight with a smile. “Figured if gettin' ya to where you need to go is our way of gettin' even, then—shiet... why the hell not?”
“For Pete's sake!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “I... I-I just don't get you two!” Her face hung between a smirk and a grimace. “Are you mercenaries or are you knights in shining armor?”
“We're the Desperadoes,” Bard said, grinning warmly. “And there ain't no gettin' off this train we're on.” Wildcard punched his metal palm with his fist.
Rainbow sighed, ears folding. “... ... ...well, I really don't have the time to make a fuss about it, I guess.”
“Damn skippy.”
“But if we're going to do this, then we're going to do it my way,” Rainbow said assertively. “And that means you follow my lead.”
Bard saluted. “Just point, click, and we're there, darlin'!”
Boss Jeryn of the Southern Hoof Syndicate was the living definition of “unpleasant.” His gray face was more of a sword-tip than a muzzle, complete with hardlined angular features, a frown that could cut glass, and all of that framed by straight-as-a-razor mane hair that hung on either side of his skull like damp black moss. He sat in his lofty balcony seat overlooking the circular Marine Auction House with a sighing slump. With a shrug of his bony shoulders, he adjusted a dark burgundy robe around his figure and muttered to the thugs standing behind him as an escort.
“Another morning, another day of bobbing for jellyfish,” he slurred. His voice joined the noisy vomit of the chamber as several hundred ponies gathered in attendance, conversing anxiously before the start of daily business. “I swear to Verlaxion's teats, it never changes.” He sniffed and glared down at the house speaker as the pony gathered his notes, preparing for the opening dialogue. “One of these days, they'll hoof the key to Shoggoth over to me and I'll show them how to run a good trade station.”
“All in good time, eh, Boss?” one of the personal bodyguards mused, bearing a hopeful smile. His voice reverberated off the looping ring of water floating pendulously above them and the rest of the audience. “The Syndicate's holding more shares in Shoggothian business than ever, and it's all thanks to you!”
“Don't brown nose so hard,” Jeryn droned. “I pay you well, don't I?”
“Well, when in the Muddredge City...”
“Not funny.” Jeryn rubbed his skull, sighed, and stared off at the crowd. “Look at these idiots. You think in a place surrounded by so many sharks, they'd get a clue.”
“How do you mean, Boss?”
“I mean nopony is ever ambitious enough. Over the past twenty years, they've stopped being saps and reverted to being sissies.” His hard jaw clenched even harder. “I've resorted to hiring seaponies to do our aquatic gruntwork, and you know how tedious it can be to even communicate with those googly-eyed buggers.”
“'Never fully trust a pony who makes babies on the outside,'” one thug said with a grin. “That's something Momma always taught me.”
“Good stallion,” Jeryn said.
“Why thank you, sir.”
“I meant your stupid mom.”
“Oh.”
“Seaponies aren't clever,” Jeryn said. “They're just trouts with manes. You'd think a race that stupid would be useful, but damn if that Siren Bitch Camellia isn't the one thing gluing their worthless brains together.”
One of the guards winced while the other hissed. “Shhhh!” He looked up at the scaled equines swimming in the levitating water above them. “Watch it, Boss—!”
“Watch what?” The hint of a smile washed across Jeryn's features. It more appropriately resembled a praying mantis choking on its own mandibles. “Camellia might have all the seaponies in her fins, but she can't flick a tail to so much as touch us.”
“But...” One guard hugged. “You know the rumors... about her getting into ponies' heads?”
“And if she ever got into mine, she'd have a lot of stinkin' ghosts to mess with.” Jeryn shook his head. “Nah, Camellia knows that her days are numbered, and she can't stop the Syndicate from taking over her little trading post. That's why she approves of the Council and this... stupid Daily Meeting Bullshit.” Jeryn stifled a belch and slouched in his chair, groaning. “She's laming it out... delaying the inevitable... hoping that this city and all of its meddling bureacracy will outlast mortals in charge like me and Revan. But that's her defeat right there, cuz the Syndicate won't end with guys like me. The only thing stronger than one flankhole with a lot of power is an even bigger flankhole.”
“Wow, Boss, I wish I had a philosophy that made nearly as much sense.”
“And that's why you work for me.” Jeryn smiled at him. “I do the thinking.” His nostrils flared. “And the monologuing.”
“Still, if Camellia backs out in our lifetime...” One thug rubbed his head hard, trying to choose his words carefully. “...and gives over the entirety of Shoggoth to the Syndicate... what about all the seaponies who live around us, blinkin', singin', and makin' lights n'stuff?”
“Yeah! We're living smack-dab in a whole school of 'em, y'know,” the other thug said.
Down below, the house speaker signaled another pony, and a loud bell was rung. The audience sat, directing all eyes toward the lower center of the circular chamber.
Jeryn leaned forward. As the House tapered into silence, he muttered through a crooked grin: “Well, boys, I suppose the Syndicate will make bold new steps in the seafood business.”
“Heheheh... good one, Boss.” One thug smiled, keeping his voice down as the meeting began. “Good thing to know we're so on top of things...”
“Shit shit shit shit shit shit!” Revan snarled, galloping faster and faster through the narrow corridors of the Southern Hoof's stronghold. The walls around him shook with the hoofsteps of over four dozen guards and thugs following close behind. “They were here! I just know they were there!” He panted, sweating, his eyes darting left and right across the dim manalight within the claustrophobic hallways. “That damn bard! I can practically smell his cruddy ol' hat!” He sniffed once... twice. “Like wet dog hair and hotel sheets, the marble-mouthed fudge-packer, I swear to Verlaxion...”
“Boss! Just calm down!” one stallion exclaimed, trailing after him. “For all we know, maybe they didn't even come here! Maybe they're still casing the joint outside!”
“Hey! You!” Revan scuffled to a stop, glaring down a nervously-blinking guard standing before a supply closet. “Did a griffon, a rainbow-mane'd mare, and a pegasus with a guitar case roll through here?”
“Yeah! Totally!” The guard nodded, pointing down the hall. “Remna took them towards the North Wing about twenty minutes ago!”
“Mega shit!” Revan's voice cracked.
“Uhm...” Cold Stone lingered a few steps behind, his horn glowing above a tense facial expression. “...boss?”
Revan twirled about. “What now?”
“Strong mana discharges...” The unicorn remarked, blinking. His muzzle hung open. “...about three signatures... located north... about a floor down and thirty degrees to the west.”
“How far away?”
“Forty... fifty meters, I'm guessing.”
Revan gawked at the other guards. “Just what in Verlaxion's sleet could be running on mana charges this deep in Jeryn's place?”
The guard before the supply closet looked up from his clipboard. “Hmmm? Oh!” He smiled pleasantly. “That's probably the oxygen tanks of the pressurized suits that we keep in our armory.” He gestured. “Up north, a little to the west, fifty meters away and one floor down.”
“FUUUUUUU—” Revan galloped at full speed. Cold Stone and the rest gasped, struggling to catch up.
Schlummmp!
Rainbow blinked at the self-sealing layers of her suit's neckline, specifically where it made air-tight contact with the bottom edge of her smooth, glossy helmet.
“Heh...” She giggled slightly. “Now that's a cool sound.”
“Dayum...” Bard fidgeted, still struggling to slide half of his suit up his thicker, more muscular frame. “They sure make these thangs tight, don't they?” His muzzle scrunched. “And what's with the color yellow? Are we supposed to be deep sea divers or honeybees?”
“Just pretend you're a underwater wasp.” Rainbow slapped her glass visor in place. “That'll explain the yellowjacket.” A pair of metal tanks situated on her sides glowed bright blue, channeling energy into a series of ventilators that slowly fed her oxygen. “Whew...” She shuddered all over, getting goosebumps. Her voice echoed hauntingly within the confines of her angular helmet. “It's like I'm wearing a reverse bouncy house... or something...”
Twilight Sparkle floated into view. “Rainbow, I just spent the last few minutes studying those tanks you're wearing.”
“Thank you, Science Officer Sparkle.”
“Rainbow, this is serious!” Twilight frowned. “From what I can tell, those things are only going to last you thirty... maybe forty minutes of underwater breathing. Fifty, tops, if you concentrate and pace your breathing carefully.”
“Well, good thing we aren't going out there to do the tango.”
“Darling, do take heed.” Rarity floated in. “I share in Twilight's concern.” The unicorn's eyes narrowed. “Have you ever done anything quite like this before?”
“Uhhhh...”
“Like...” Twilight gulped. “In all of your crazy, dangerous adventures?”
“Well...” Rainbow fidgeted in her outfit. She reached down and strapped her saddlebags over the outside of the tight yellow article. “This one time, me and the Jurists had to go polar bear diving into the super cold waters of a ship submerged inside a partially melted iceberg to rescue Props' uncle-but-not-uncle and a turtle-but-not-turtle... so... uhhh...” She smiled brightly. “No! Never! I mean, not really...”
Rarity and Twilight groaned.
“Now—dang it!” Rainbow gnashed her teeth. “Knock it off, girls, I'm serious! You know I can't face-hoof in this stupid thing.”
“Just promise us that you'll be careful, Rainbow,” Twilight insisted, eyes moist.
“For Pete's sake... I'll be fine,” Rainbow groaned. “I mean... how hard can it be?” She shrugged. “It'll be like flying east... only more bubbles.” She gulped. “...and barracudas.”
“Well, whatever happens, allow us to guide you through it all, Rainbow,” Rarity said.
“Rarity's right,” Twilight remarked with a nod. “It'll be very, very difficult to see out there. I'm talking next to zero visibility.”
“We may just be the edge you need to get to your destination.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow tilted her head down. Yaerfaerda's pink glow was nearly blinding. “Among other things.” Gulping, she looked up and said, “Look, if Camellia felt that this was impossible, she'd never have enlisted my help to begin with. Besides, I'm sure she'll be looking after me!”
“I would certainly hope so,” Twilight droned, folding her forelimbs. “Because, this far down here, Axan certainly can't.”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow's voice dwindled, and she bit her lips.
“Wuh oh,” Bard uttered from behind.
“Huh?” Rainbow turned around. “'Wuh oh' what?”
Bard stood in front of Wildcard. The griffon was fully-suited, only there was one problem. Bard kept trying to close the visor to the mute mercenary's yellow helmet, but a razor sharp beak stood in the way. Plink! He tried shutting it again and again. Plink! Plink!
“Oh for crying out loud...” Rainbow grumbled. “Look around! Maybe these morons have a helmet for birdcats down here!”
“I had a cat once,” Remna droned from the sidelines. “Turns out they float to the surface if you toss them out the window.”
“Y'all shuddup!” Bard frowned. “I got this!” Clearing his throat, he turned towards Wildcard again. “Pivot yer head some, Dubya-Cee.”
Goggles rattling, Wildcard complied, twisting his feathery head to the right. Schlummmp! The visor finally shut completely, sealing the helmet tight. However, Wildcard couldn't face forward, due to his beak being pressed to the side. With a snarling expression, he raised his gloved talons and began gesturing wildly.
“Oh, stop yabberin' so loud,” Bard groaned, waving a hoof. “Just stay calm and follow me the whole time. Yer a rightie anyways.” He grabbed his own helmet, pivoted, and smiled at Rainbow Dash. “And that's how we get 'er done!”
“And what about your hat, Sherclop?”
Bard's pupils shrunk to the size of pinpricks. “... ... ...aw shiet.”
“Move! Move!” Revan snarled, shoving a few clueless stallions aside as he rushed his way towards the far end of the Stronghold's corridor. One or two ponies gasped and leapt into opposite hallways, giving him an unobstructed path towards his destination. Once Revan reached the armory entrance on the far end, he shoved against it, but the lock held the door in place. Revan grunted and struggled. “Rnnnngh... dammit! Somepony—”
“Here, Revan,” a Southern Hoof thug rushed up, entered the appropriate access code, and opened the chamber with a hissss.
Revan, Cold Stone, and several other henchstallions burst in. They skidded to a stop, gawking at the sound of a metallic ringing noise.
Remna stood to the side, wearing a brown stetson. He was currently in the process of yanking a dull black lever.
Whurrrrrrr! Ahead of them, the metal grate separating the room from the wall of aquakinetic water slid shut. WHUDDD! The vertical columns of water shook, and as they settled the stallions could see three yellow figures furiously frog-stroking away into the jet black darkness.
Revan's eyes twitched. “... ... ...the buck?!”
“Hmmmm...” Remna blinked dully ahead of him, wearing Bard's hat. “I've always wanted to braid my mane...”
“Looks like just about everypony is gathered inside by now,” Echo muttered, staring at the relatively barren courtyard bordering the edge of the Marine Auction House. “Their meeting thingy must be underway.”
“No doubt.” Theanim Mane nodded, adjusting the folds of his robe. “Verlaxion-willing, Rainbow and our other friends are being rather timely with their tasks.”
“And just how will we know when it's our turn to steal the spotlight?” Echo asked.
Just as the sarosian voiced this, a random mare wandering by scuffled to a stop. The two stallions watched as she pivoted about, trotted directly to their shadowed pocket of the enclosure, and stood upon the fringes, eyes glowing bright green.
“The moment is upon you, gentlecolts,” the citizen slurred. “Be swift, righteous, and—above all—honest.”
Theanim blinked. He and Echo exchanged glances, then looked at the mare again. “Erm... by all means.” He gulped, tilting his head to the side. “Much thanks...Your Highness?”
She nodded. “I'm secretly harboring arduous feelings for my roommate,” the mare murmured. Then, with a twitch of one ear after the other, she shook her head. The green light in her eyes completely faded as she teetered slightly. “Mrmmmff... I-I'm sorry...” She squinted. “You two are...?”
“Erm... a pair of perfect strangers, milady,” Theanim said, bowing slightly. “Here...” He reached under his robe, produced a few bits, and placed them delicately in her hooves. “For... uhm... your troubles.”
“And you want advice on your roommate?” Echo droned, winking one eyeslit. “Go in for the kill.”
The pony did a double-take. “Wh-what...?!”
“Blast it, old chap!” Theanim hissed, yanking the sarosian along as he rushed for the Marine Auction House. “Move it!”
Echo saluted with a weak smile as the two scurried off.
“... ... ...” The mare pivoted about, staring at the bits in her hoof. Slowly, a rosy blush spread across her cheeks. “Hmmm... candle-light dinner in the kelp forest...”
“Mmmfff... gnnngh...” Remna suddenly stubbled back, dazedly shaking his head. “What... ? How...?” He gazed across the armory full of golden treasures. “...what am I doing here?”
Revan galloped past him and yanked the lever again. The crate swung open, revealing an unobstructed view of the watery basin bordering the Muddredge structure—not that it mattered. There was no sight of the three runaway divers at this point.
“What in Verlaxion's Sleet is going on here?!” one of the many thugs stammered. “Were there ponies in here just now?!”
“Hey!” Another thug pointed at the open metal locker to the side. “The diving suits are gone! All of them!”
“What?” A Southern Hoof guard shuffled over while Remna continued to rub his head. “But... there were more than three here! Where'd the others go?”
Revan spun towards his subordinate unicorn. “Cold Stone?”
The stallion stood in place, clenching his eyes shut. A beam of light pulsed at the end of his horn. “I sense three signatures... swimming... descending... curving towards the southeast...” He shuddered. “Seven other signatures... floating off at random...”
“They ditched the other suits!” a guard exclaimed.
“Well, did they steal anything?!” A Rust thug wandered around, shivering. “Looks like you guys keep all of your crap down here!”
“Everything's in tact, as far as I can tell,” spoke a Southern Hoofer. “Doesn't look like they stole anything other than the suits. Even the money supply's untouched.”
“You friggin' idiots...” Revan snarled. “They didn't need to steal anything to have screwed us down here!” He spun about, eyes flaring. “What we have down here is evidence! These manureheads carried a camera with them up in Rust! With just enough snapshots, they can bring this entire operation down on you and Jeryn as well!”
“Oh Goddess...” A thug slumped to his knees.
Frowning, Revan stomped across the room. “You!” He pointed an angry hoof at Remna. “What in the Queen's fiery pisshole were doing down there?! Helping them?!”
“I... I don't get it...” Remna blinked blearily. “I was... I was supervising the front post...” He glanced across the many angry faces. “...I didn't fall asleep, did I?” His eyes trailed with a faint cloud of luminescent green.
Cold Stone gasped. “Boss!” He pointed. “His eyes! It's—”
“Siren magic...” Revan gnashed his teeth. “So, she's onto us... how terrific...”
Remna's eyes crossed, spotting the brim of the hat. He reached up, felt the stetson, then glanced awkwardly at Revan. “...heh.” He bore a crooked smile, striking a pose. “Why, Boss Revan! Fancy meeting you here!”
WHUMP! Revan punched Remna in the chest, grabbed the stallion by the shoulders—“Rrrrrrrggghhh!!!”—and flung him out into the water, hat and all.
The hapless guard gasped and vomited bubbles, floating and flailing as he sailed off into the dark, drowning abyss.
The other guards all flinched, wincing.
SLAP! Revan yanked the lever, locking Remna's body out beyond the metal grate. SLAM! He spun and hollered at the ponies gathered, eyes flaring. “No stallion's guaranteed another night with their families until we catch those motherbuckers and string them up by their balls!” He spun towards the nearest unicorn. “Cold Stone! Where are they headed?”
“Descending... descending...” Cold Stone gnashed his teeth, concentrating.
“Well...?!?!”
The stallion looked up, his horn pulsing. “Downstream! Towards the underground chambers!”
“What—you mean the Tomb of the Sirens?” a Southern Hoof thug stammered.
“Well, what the Hell are we waiting for?!” Revan shouted, galloping straight out the door. “We have to cut them off at the head!”
“But... b-but...!” One of several guards protested, struggling to catch up with the stallion. “That place is off limits! Not even Boss Jeryn is allowed in there—”
“This is beyond him! Beyond everything!” Revan galloped forward, frowning. “If they get away from us—we're ruined! Now move!”
Rainbow Dash's world was an echoing cauldron of sounds and currents. Aside from the claustrophobic noise of her own breath, all she could hear was a constant bass reverberation all around her. She swung her forelimbs and back legs in persistent, frog-like motions, pushing herself forward at a regular albeit glacial pace.
If it weren't for the blue glow of the mana-powered air tanks around her flank, she'd be utterly blind. Sheets of craggy rock rolled beneath her, and she skimmed the uneven floor of the ocean as she swam her way ever eastward.
Every now and then, she could spot the figures of Rarity and Twilight zipping back and forth in front of her, surveying the seascape. Their figures shone clear as day against the inky black nightdrop of the frigid ocean above.
Biting her lip, Rainbow Dash paused and looked behind her. She was attached by cable to two other quadruped figures pushing against the currents in their attempts to follow her. After a long period of squinting through the visor of her helmet, she could—at last—see a flicker of Bard's muzzle, face, and eyes. Wildcard's helmet was too dark to make anything out. The griffon swam at the furthest distance, taking up the rear.
Rainbow nodded, motioned at the two Desperadoes, then kicked her legs harder. She faced forward, fidgeting from the uncomfortable confines or her suit. She had to tuck her tail down the left legpiece, and the tightness of her pendant beneath the neck of the suit made it difficult to breathe at times.
Nevertheless, she persisted in her swim, glancing down every now and then to squint at the glaringly bright image of Yaerfaerda, glowing through the solid rock surfaces.
“...and onto our first agenda of the morning,” the speaker trotted across the circular marble floor of the Marine Auction House. The Shoggothian Crowd sat above him in silence. The duldrums of the ritual weren't lost to many, and a good third of the audience appeared less than fully awake—a testament to the elder years of most in attendance. Nevertheless, the speaker continued: “The Kelp Agricultural Consortium wishes to propose a trade with Rohbredden Fishery in exchange for participation with their Shoggothian Stock Shares...”
Boss Jeryn's eyelids hung heavy and heavier. His nostrils flared, and he summoned a lowly growl so that his lungs might keep the rest of his body awake.
“Want some more coffee, Boss?” whispered one of the thugs standing behind him.
“Mrmmff... that's not gonna cut it,” Jeryn grumbled. A few aristocrats situated in the seats in front of him turned to glare at the stallion, but he ignored their silent protests, muttering: “You can't turn status quo into perfection. If I had my way, I'd control all of this under one dome.”
“There'll come a day, Boss.”
“You're right, you're right.” Jeryn leaned back with a sigh. “Unlike those morons up in Rust, the one thing we have in full abundance down here...” His angular jaw produced a cocky grin. “...is time.”
The speaker below continued. “...for this purpose, the representatives of Rohbredden Fishery would like to give an open invitation for shareholders to voice their opinions on—”
“Stop! Hold it right there!”
Upon hearing the disorderly shout, everypony squirmed in their seats, murmuring in surprise. Several of the older equines in attendance snapped awake. Up above, sea ponies spun about in their watery hold, their fins and tails flickering with sporadic bursts of light.
Jeryn sat up straight, squinting. Craning his neck, he saw two robed figures shuffling in from the chamber outside.
“Excuse me, sirs,” the speaker said, frowning. “We are not yet upon the hour of open forum. If you would like to speak outside of a registered time slot, then you must preemptively sign in with—”
“I do not speak for the mere finances of the Muddredge Community!” Theanim lowered his hood, glaring into the crowd. “Instead, I speak for the good of all ponies! Unicorns! Pegasi! Earth ponies! Sea ponies!” His teeth glinted in the manalight. “All of whom are in danger, due to a grave evil that is at hoof here and abroad!”
The audience murmured even louder. Several angry souls barked in favor for the two strangers' ejection.
The speaker of the house turned and faced a heavy-framed balcony situated on one side of the elliptical seating area. “I'm sorry. I've no clue how these two got in like this...”
One of several nicely-suited ponies stood up, eyes dark and scrutinous. “What is the meaning of this rude outburst? Do know that I have the right to have you escorted into the Shoggothian brig.”
“Dear Council, excuse the intrusion, but what I have to say simply cannot wait!” Theanim bowed low. “And if you must know, I speak on authority of the wisdom granted me by Queen Verlaxion herself!” He stood up straight, his facial features stern and unwavering. “I am Professor Theanim Mane of the Ninety-Seventh Robhredden Scientific Order! And right now, as I appeal to you, a great evil is being exposed... a wicked organization that has for decades has exploited the lives of innocent ponies and their families. They seek to undermine the peace of all cultures, Colonialist, Continentalist, and Aquatic-alike. And—as of this moment—they continue to seek the undoing of your very matriarch, Princess Camellia.”
Loud gasps echoed across the chamber. Up above, seaponies flitted about, filling the floating tubes of water with angry froth and bubbles.
“Professor Mane... if that is truly your calling within the Queen's Order...” The council member leaned his head to the side with a suspicious glint. “...just what organization do you dare to speak of in such an accusatory way?”
Theanim took a deep breath. “None other than the Trading Syndicate—more colloquially known as the Northern Hoof and the Southern Hoof of the waves!” He turned and glared at a particular portion of the stands, then pointed. “You know the leader of such an organization here, for he leads his company under the title of Boss Jeryn of the Syndicate!”
All eyes flew towards Jeryn's corner of the audience. The snarling stallion was already standing up.
“Slander! Lies and slander! What is the meaning of this, Council?! How could you entertain such unruly misconduct and blasphemy?!?” Jeryn pointed down at the robed figures. “This pretender has nothing to do with the Rohbredden Scientific Order! And even if he was nominated by the Queen, look at him! He's clearly a delusional attention-hogger! He enters here like some vindictive phantom in dark clothes, trying to intimidate me before my fellow business partners inside the Auction House!”
“Try all you want to cover yourself, you heartless misanthrope!” Theanim firmly stated. “You will answer for your crimes yet!” He turned towards the Council. “The Syndicate here in Shoggoth is in close partnership with their associates in the port city of Rust—where the Northern Hoof have committed several acts of arson on their own citizenry in an attempt to exploit the innocent population of their bits and livelihood.”
“This is outrageous!” Jeryn spat. “I know Boss Revan of the Northern Trading Syndicate! He, like myself, is a fine-standing citizen of Rohbredden Continentalist territories! He couldn't possibly harm a seagull!” Jeryn pointed again. “I want to see what sort of evidence you have, Mr. Scientist! The Syndicate is nothing but a respectful business organization, and you're a raving lunatic with absolutely nothing to stand on—”
Theanim nudged the figure at his side. Echo pulled his hood down, exposing his sharp fangs and leafy ears to the gasping public. He squinted as hard as he could into the bright lights, wincing as he spoke: “Fillies, gentlecolts, guppies...” He shuddered. “...I am Echo from Bleak's Plummet.”
Jeryn's ears folded. He slumped back, wheezing quietly: “Awwwww poo...”
Echo continued with as strong a voice as he could muster. “Several months ago, I was personally hired by Boss Jeryn of the Southern Hoof to beat up ponies over debts, relay death threats, and rob citizens of their well-earned fortune. I was then sent on a mission to Rust to smuggle weapons and drugs out of the city. Many of these illegal goods were in the possession of Boss Revan of the Northern Hoof, and he had been 'holding out' on supplies he owed Jeryn from a cooperatively funded operation several months prior. However, due to incompetence on my part, I was caught by the Northern Hoof... and was then forced by them to perform similar acts of violence and exploitation on the ponies of Rust all around me. It was only after I had stolen several bits from Revan's group for a drug trafficking job on the side that they chose to turn on me, offering a bounty on my head—much like Jeryn's organization did.”
The Boss' thugs gaped at their dark-maned leader. Jeryn merely gritted his teeth, slumping further and further into his seat.
“I have seen with my own eyes the explosive ordinance stowed away in the Northern Hoof's hold,” Echo said. “These are the same explosives that have been used to commit violent acts of arson on the citizens of Rust, ending the lives of many stallions, mares, and foals. I happen to know that many of these explosive supplies were funded by money in the form of platinum bars, personally funneled in from Shoggoth by members of Jeryn's Southern Hoof. Both Revan and Jeryn have been working in tandem to undermine the security of Rust.”
“Members of the Council,” Theanim said. “What this midnight stallion says is no lie. Both the northern and southern members of the Trading Syndicate have been putting innocent citizens' lives at danger. This is not simply a recent event, but something that has been transpiring for years... decades, even. As we speak, Rust has been exposed for their wrongdoing. I speak to you now so that we may not only bring Revan's organization to justice, but stop Jeryn before the Southern Hoof can do even worse to the Muddredgers here in Shoggoth.”
“These are all very bold claims, Mr. Mane... and Mr. Echo,” the council member said. “But vocal declaration can only take you so far, even as a Scientist of the Ninety-Seventh Rohbredden Order. I'm afraid we're going to need some evidence to substantiate your claims.”
Theanim's muzzle curved ever so slightly. “I knew that you would say that, sir. Rest assured, we have come prepared.” He unfurled his cloak, then threw a satchel onto the floor. It spilled out, dramatically exposing layers upon layers of sheets, documentations, and photographs of the Rust Vault interior. “I bring to you business ledgers—both authentic as well as closely photographed—detailing the appropriation and concealment of illegal weapons and explosives.” The crowd murmured louder and louder as Theanim pointed at the materials. “It reveals a list of names—of ponies both employed in Rust as well as in Shoggoth. These are ponies who have turned what was once a sincere trading consortium into a criminal undercurrent that seeks to wield all power in Rohbredden's most important trade cities.”
“And I can corroborate with all evidence presented,” Echo said. “After dealing with the slimeballs of the Northern and Southern Hoofs, I'm more than willing to answer to the civilized Muddredgers for my crimes.” He turned his head towards where Jeryn sat, exposing his fangs. “Suck a fat one, ya butt toad.”
The Auction House was full of so much commotion by now, that barely anypony could hear the last insult flung at Jeryn and his wide eyes. Nevertheless, Theanim chided: “Dial down the passion a bit, old chap.”
“You're one to speak, Theams.” Echo's eye-slits darted towards him. “'Heartless misanthrope?'”
Theanim smirked slightly as the speaker and other servants of the council trotted down to scoop up the sheets of evidence. “Do forgive me. I'm not used to throwing insults around.”
“Maybe I can teach you sometime...” Echo sighed, staring at the council as they peered closely at the materials brought in. “...if you ever care to visit me in Sea Jail.”
Rainbow Dash swam east... or at least as well as she could tell.
The suited mare paused over a cluster of rocks, pony-paddling in place. She peered forward, squinting through the glass visor of her helmet.
Either the blue glow of her oxygen tanks couldn't reach beyond the next few feet of seafloor, or the submerged ground had given way to a massive canyon drop. She had a hard time telling which was the case.
She spent so much time treading water, paddling, that she almost forgot about the two bodies behind her. Bard's large figure bumped into hers, followed by Wildcard. Both Desperadoes and the mare spun and tumbled a bit in the open water—until the line connecting them stretched to its fullest, jerking them all to a stop.
Rainbow spun, snarling, motioning for the two to stay put.
Bard shrugged while Wildcard awkwardly tilted his helmet to the left in order to see better.
Sighing, Rainbow turned towards the darkness yet again—just in time to see two ghost mares floating up.
Rarity drifted close enough so that part of her muzzle phased through Rainbow's helmet. “The floor cuts out from underneath about three meters ahead, darling.”
“Maybe I should go around it?” Rainbow spoke against the confines of her headpiece.
Rarity shook her head. “No, Rainbow, I do believe you'll wish to dive.”
“What for?” Rainbow pointed at the structures behind them. “We've left most of Shoggoth behind us.”
Bard and Wildcard craned their necks, watching with mute curiosity as the underwater pegasus talked and gestured to “nothing.”
“True, but you must remember.” Rarity smiled. “Camellia stated that her tombs are situated below the city proper.” She pointed straight down. “I'm detecting a fissure in the rock far below, about a two hundred foot plunge.”
“Yeesh... for reals?”
“I do believe it's an opening of some kind,” Rarity said. “There are various subterranean passages attached to it.”
“But... like...” Rainbow glanced aside at Twilight, tapping on her helmet. “Will these things we're wearing survive such a depth?”
“Do you have any clue how deep you are now, Rainbow?” Twilight said with a brief smile. “Don't worry. You can make it. I can tell these suits were made for these purposes.”
“Well, alright, Twi. You're the egghead.” Rainbow shrugged. “You should be the expert on avoiding cracks.”
“Yes, well, the less time we spend here just talking about it, the better,” Twilight said, pointing at the source of Rainbow's blue glow. “You have less than twenty-five minutes on your air supply.”
“Yeesh... you're kidding me.”
Twilight shook her head. “Wildcard has a little more. But Bard?” Twilight gulped. “His is down to fifteen minutes.”
“Darn it.” Rainbow groaned. “Never go diving with drawling singers.” She cracked the joints in her neck and faced the canyon's edge. “Alright. Rarity? Lead the way.”
“Yes, Rainbow.” Rarity floated backwards, motioning the mare along. “Although, I think you'll find that you won't be needing my assistance alone.”
Rainbow followed after her, tugging on the cord. Bard and Wildcard jerked in surprise, but likewise swam in cadence with Rainbow Dash. They both grimaced slightly as they found themselves plunging straight down into utter blackness.
Only, it wasn't black for Rainbow Dash. The pegasus had to squint from the sheer pink bands of light pulsing upwards at her, nearly blinding. “Gaahh...” She grunted out the side of her muzzle, tilting her head slightly away from Yaerfaerda's shine. “Wow, Rarity, you weren't kidding.”
“I wonder if I should envy you for being able to see it.”
“You're generosity. Not greed.”
“Mmmm... given the time of day...”
“Less breathing, you two!” Twilight insisted, then blushed slightly. “Well... mostly Rainbow Dash.”
The pegasus simply nodded, pacing her breaths more carefully as she dove towards the pinkness, skimming the eastern wall of the plateau upon which Shoggoth was perched.
Several members of the Shoggothian Council huddled around the pieces of evidence in their grasp.
Flickers of light shone on their manes and coats from above.
The head of the council looked up, then gestured towards a group of unicorn guards lining the outer balcony.
The stallions nodded, pivoted to face a series of crystals, then illuminated them with magic charges.
A bubble of water detached from the liquid ring floating above the Auction House. In it were four stately seaponies, dressed in silken finery. The aquakinetic sphere floated down until they were almost even level with the Council's balcony. Once close enough, the seaponies leaned forward, their glossy eyes studying the materials in the equines' grasp. Within a minute, the underwater elders were exchanging shocked glances, their fins and tails pulsing with all colors of the spectrum.
“News travels fast,” Theanim Mane said, speaking above the collective murmurs of the dumbstruck crowd. “But not fast enough. As we speak, the city of Rust is likely experiencing an interior collapse to its branch of the Syndicate. Boss Revan of the Northern Hoof no longer has any resources to stand on.”
“These bits of evidence...” The council leader spoke, squinting down at the two stallions. “...did you procure yourself?”
Echo glanced at Theanim.
The scientist took a deep breath, then said: “No. However... I was an accessory to their... acquisition. I developed the taken photographs personally. And if you wish to ask whether or not Boss Revan allowed such documentation or seizure, the answer is 'no.'”
The audience broke into even louder commotion.
“But once word spreads of what's transpired in Rust, you'll realize that my companions and I weren't the only ponies incapable of another course of action!” Theanim pointed at the Syndicate's portion of the audience. “The Syndicate threatens and exploits innocent ponies every day! For years, we—and by that I mean every one of us who pretends to be a part of the trade community—pretend that their business is legitimate, clean, and altruistic—when it is in fact the very opposite of these things! The only reason bounty hunters and privateers have been given free reign over the seascapes is because organizations such as the Northern and Southern Hooves facilitate the spread of their filth and malevolence! Given enough time, the Syndicate here in Shoggoth would have taken seize of the Muddredge city—both financially and violently—even at the behest of your kind and benevolent Princess Camellia!”
The land trotters and sea ponies exchanged serious frowns, not to mention nods a-plenty. Several of the council members turned to look towards the far end of the Audience.
“These are all very serious accusations,” spoke the Council Leader. “And though these pieces of 'evidence' deserve to be further examined, I must say that they are quite convincing. Frightening, even. Perhaps, Mr. Jeryn, you would like to say a word or two in order to dispute these claims.”
Silence.
“... … ...Mr. Jeryn?”
Everypony turned to look towards the outer rim of the balcony.
A group of thugs stood, sweating nervously, trying their futile best to block everyone's view of a flagrantly empty chair.
A loud roar billowed through the crowd.
“Whelp...” Echo managed a fanged smirk. “His ass is shark bait.”
Jeryn huffed, puffed.
He galloped awkwardly through the generally vacant courtyards of Shoggoth, his hooves clopping loudly against the marble and granite floors. He hiked up parts of his robe to gain extra speed, barreling angrily past curious citizens trying to ask what was wrong.
Red-faced, the skinny stallion flailed as he turned around a corner—ultimately bumping into a muscular chest. “Ooomf!” He hobbled backwards, spitting. “Out of the way, you imbecile! Can't you see that I'm galloping here—???” He blinked crookedly. “...Revan?”
The Northern Hoofer in question reeled while dozens of breathless thugs shuffled to a stop behind him. “Jeryn—?” Revan's eyes bulged. “Snkkkkt!”
The Southern Hoof's Boss had his hooves gripped tightly around the other stallion's neck. “You! You blew it, didn't you?! And after all I did to help bail out your Verlaxion-forsaken chum-bucket of a city!”
“Rrrrgh—” Revan easily headbutted the frail stallion, knocking him on his bony flanks. “Ease off, ya corpse clown!” He rubbed his neck, grimacing. “I had everything under control.”
“Under control?! What are you even doing here?!” Jeryn shrugged off the thugs who rushed over to help him up. “Grnnffgh! Right as we speak, I have an entire Council of fish-huffers chomping at the bit for my bollocks! Apparently some morons got feisty up in Rust and decided to raid your entire Vault!”
“Boss, they're diving further down,” Cold Stone said, rubbing his aching head. His horn flashed brighter. “The tombs! They're heading towards the royal sepulchers! I know it!”
“Royal spulchers...?!” Jeryn gawked. “Just what in blazes is going on here, Revan?! First, you screw up our entire partnership. Now you're gonna trespass on Camellia's grave site?! Why not just rip me open and string me up by my garters, while you're at it?!”
“Look, I'm telling you, I had everything under control!” Revan snarled. “Rust was in my grasp! I was starting to scare the bit-slipping citizens back into submission! Then a bunch of slimy mercenaries ripped the carpet out from underneath and stole everything!”
“And whose fault is that, exactly?!”
“Don't test me, Jeryn,” Revan said, glaring. “Right now, those same bastards are trying to pull a fast one on your organization.”
“You... you m-mean...” Jeryn's eyes bugged. “They've been in my... m-my...?!”
Revan nodded. “And they think they can get away with it! Well, not if we stop them and rip out their guts first!” He spun towards Cold Stone. “Are they still out in the water?”
“Not for long.” Cold Stone tilted his head up, frowning. “They're headed into the corridors beneath us... dry rock. I can feel their manatanks draining.”
“Then we haven't much time.” Revan galloped forward. “Come on, stallions! Let's cut those flankholes at the quick!”
“But... b-but...” Jeryn's voice cracked. He stood in place, gesturing madly. “You c-can't just go down there! The Princess has an entire royal contingent of guards—”
“And if we don't stop these buggers, those guards will all be up in your grill, tearing you a new blowhole!” Revan hollered back. “You with us or not, shithead?!”
“Nnnngh...” Jeryn hiked up his robe and bounded after them. “At least... let me... try and... talk our way in!” he hyperventilated.
Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth from all of the light stabbing her vision. Closing her eyes did nothing to lessen the shimmer of Yaerfaerda. As the minutes lurched on, it felt like she was swimming right into a furnace. The greatest difficulty was in attempting to discern the entrance to the underground chambers from the glowing proximity of the otherworldly beacon.
“Rarity...?” Rainbow wheezed.
A figure drifted nearby. “Yes, darling?”
“You'll tell me when I'm getting close to the destination, right?”
“Is it really that hard for you to tell at this point?”
“Uh... yeah.”
“Do not worry, Rainbow Dash,” the unicorn said in a pleasant tone. “Keep on stroking. Tilt yourself upwards by... oh... about thirty degrees.”
Rainbow Dash did as told. Though she still had a hard time seeing what was in front of her, the pain of staring into Yaerfaerda diminished slightly. “Whew... like this?”
“Precisely.”
Rainbow spoke into her helmet once more: “Will I enter at this rate if I just keep this angle?”
“I would expect as much. We're very... very close to the entrance.”
“Is there a door or a valve or—”
“Nope! It's open directly to the ocean!”
“Wait. So it's flooded—?”
“I think not. I imagine that another one of Shoggoth's aquakinetic barriers is being employed.”
“You imagine or you know?”
“We have to get closer for me to get a better sense, Rainbow Dash.”
“Mrmmmfff...” Rainbow bit her lip. “It'd better be dry down there or else this is gonna be a very short trip.” She turned to look over her shoulder. “Hey! Twi!” Despite the futility of shouting to a spectre through a helmet and several tons of water, she nevertheless continued: “Do you sense a magical water shield thingy in the compartment up ahead or—?”
A lavender shape darted towards Rainbow. Twilight panted, her face pale. “Rainbow, we have a problem!”
“What kind of a problem?”
“It's Bard!” Twilight pointed at the middle figure swimming along the length of cord. “He's losing oxygen! Fast!”
“What's he down to?”
Twilight's voice cracked, “Three percent!”
“The buck?!?” Rainbow frowned. “The hell is he doing there in his helmet? Yodeling?”
“Rainbow, this is serious!” Twilight exclaimed. “I think there may be a malfunction in his oxygen supply! It's dropping fast!”
“Awwwwww crap on a crap bagel!” Rainbow spun around entirely with a flurry of bubbles and kicked her way back towards the Desperadoes. “Rarity, keep your horn trained on our destination!”
“What in Equestria do you even plan on doing?!” the mare exclaimed incredulously.
“I'll find out when I get there!” Rainbow Dash's wings twitched in desperation as her legs kicked her back towards the other two figures.
Bard and Wildcard jerked visibly at her sudden movement towards them.
She held a hoof up and slowed down, approaching Bard. “Twilight, can you tell how he's doing?”
The mare floated beside her and the stallion. “Rainbow, I can sense magic, mana, and leylines... b-but I can't tell you what his vital signs are!”
Rainbow brought a hoof to her neck—but found her suit blocking the pendant. “Dang it. I need to see Bard's face...”
“How about Wildcard?” Rarity suggested from behind. “His tanks glow just like yours and Bard's.”
“Good thinking.” Rainbow motioned at the confused griffon. He swam closer, and Rainbow Dash gently pushed him into position so that his tanks hovered near Bard's helmet. “Stay right there!” Rainbow tried shouting, but it was no use. “Darn it, if only Camellia could—like—build us a threeway brain line—” She took one look at Bard's face and blanched.
The blue light from Wildcard's tanks revealed a sweating, haggard muzzle. Bard's face was covered with sweat, and he grimaced from labored breathing. Fog and moisture collected along the edges of his visor as his eyes rolled back.
“Friggin' A,” Rainbow hissed through her teeth. “You weren't kidding, Twilight.”
“He's at two percent now. Dropping.” Twilight fidgeted in the water. “But... b-but my readings may not be correct! For all we know, it's worse!”
“Did he have busted airtanks or what?”
“I... I-I'm not sure...”
“Wait!” Rarity exclaimed. “Are they interchangeable?!”
Twilight glanced back while Wildcard leaned in worriedly. “Huh?”
“The tanks!” Rarity pointed. “Surely they're not glued to the suits!”
Rainbow peered her head, turning Bard around somewhat as he examined his dimming tanks. “...that's a good point. Twilight?”
“They're attached through hinged mana couplers.”
“Okaaaaaaaaay...” Rainbow squinted. “Meaning...?”
“They should be able to attach and detach like Rarity said!” Twilight gulped. “But you and Wildcard don't exactly have a lot of air left either.”
“Guess we're gonna have to suffer.” Rainbow glanced back at her dim blue tanks. “Which one of mine has the most air left?”
“Just give me a second...” Twilight floated closer, brow furrowed.
“Hurry, darling!” Rarity squeaked, looking worriedly at Bard's increasingly limp figure. “You must hurry!”
“I'm concentrating!” Twilight growled slightly. At last, she took a deep breath and pointed. “The lower right one, Rainbow Dash. You can relinquish that and still have a few minutes to spare.”
“Right.” Rainbow grabbed the tank in question and—snap!—removed it. Bubbles fountained around her. She felt the pressure in her suit shifting rapidly, and her ears popped. “Duahhhh...”
“Quickly! Quickly, Rainbow! Attach it to Bard—”
“Right! Grnngh!” Rainbow yanked a random tank off Bard's suit and slapped hers against him.
“Upside down! You've got it upsid—”
“Dang it!” Rainbow gnashed her teeth, frantically spun the thing, and attached it correctly. There was a blue flash of light, and Bard's figure jolted slightly.
“Oh Goddess!” Rarity choked on a sob. “He's drowning!”
“Quite the opposite, I think, Rarity.” Twilight stammered. “I just took a look. Seems like he's taking his first big breath in minutes!”
“Will it be enough to help him swim the rest of the way?!”
“I... I don't know.” Twilight gulped, floating between them. “We need more. We need—”
There was another pulse of blue light. A gloved talon held a tank out before Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow looked at Wildcard. He nodded his helmet.
She nodded back, took the tank, removed another from Bard's flank, and pressed it to his suit.
Bard's figure stopped struggling. Rainbow floated so that their helmets were visor-to-visor. She saw his eyes fluttering, and a deep warmth returning to his muzzle. The stallion gave Rainbow a dazed look, then nodded his head ever so slightly.
“Okay...” Rainbow exhaled in relief. “Okay okay okay...” It was then that she realized just how thin the air was in her suit. Her heart palpitated, and she looked Twilight's way. “How much time have we got now?”
“I... I can't tell yet,” Twilight said. “Before you gave up one of your tanks, you had ten minutes of oxygen. Wildcard had fifteen. But... now?”
“'Kay.” Rainbow clenched her jaw and looked behind her. “We gotta move for the entrance. Rarity?”
“Just follow me, darling.” Rarity said, gliding backwards and motioning daintily with her hooves. “And—for Celestia's sakes—breathe shallow!”
“Got it.” Rainbow held her breath, glanced at Wildcard, then motioned with a gloved hoof.
The griffon grabbed one side of Bard while Rainbow grabbed the other. Bard kicked his hooves in gentle, persistent strokes, and together all three figures pressed on through the darkness, approaching a fixed point in the abysmal wall.
“Just a little more, Rainbow Dash!” Rarity exclaimed.
“Rarity's right!” Twilight Sparkle added, darting left and right ahead of the pegasus and her two Desperado companions. “You're almost there!”
“Swim a bit lower, darling,” Rarity insisted. “Trust me. You'll want to make this as soft a landing as possible—”
At first, Rainbow Dash didn't understand what Rarity was talking about. The glow from Yaerfaerda below practically blinded her. Then—with a flash of a different light, she plunged through a wall of water—or air. Either way, she was gasping when she and her two swimming mates passed through the barrier, only to instantly fall. Several feet later—
Th-Th-Thwump!
All three fell onto hard sandstone. A dim gold light kissed their water-slick figures, and they lingered there, momentarily writhing from the sudden shift in sensation.
“Grfff...” Rainbow Dash was the first to sit up, dripping all over. She swung her hooves up, fussed, struggled, and eventually popped her helmet off. Hissssss! The mare inhaled deeply, her eyes rolling back. After a few sputtering breaths, she relaxed... more or less. Rainbow Dash fell back on her haunches, staring weakly across the inexplicable interior.
She saw dull-brown walls with hundreds—if not thousands—of intricate etchings, carvings, and thin-lined illustrations. They depicted a variety of countless aquatic equines in motion, all swirling towards a narrow corridor leading towards the opposite end of the labyrinthine chamber. Lying around the edge of the room, Rainbow Dash could see various buckets, crates, and carving tools. It became apparent to her that—as elaborate as the interior of the chamber was—it was still very much unfinished. She pondered on this, until a scraping sound to the side stole her attention.
Rainbow Dash pivoted right. She gasped, then scampered over to where Bard and Wildcard sat. The griffon was already struggling to yank Bard's helmet off from the outside. Rainbow rushed in to assist, and the two gently removed the desperado's headpiece. Hissss!
Bard wheezed, wheezed, and wheezed some more. He collapsed, only to be caught by Rainbow Dash and Wildcard. The stallion shuddered, gnashing his teeth slightly. As the minute wore on, his breaths normalized, and his body relaxed slightly.
“Really?” Rainbow Dash arched an eyebrow, standing up. “Really, dude? After all of that, the only thing you can think of is your stupid hat?”
“Of c-course... I-I'm mighty thankful... for yer savin' grace...” Bard gulped, gradually tilting his weak head up. “But... I just... wanna understand... one thang...” His tired eyes narrowed. “...how in Hell's bells didja know that my air was depletin' back there?”
Wildcard gestured dramatically.
“Right...” Bard nodded. “And just h-how did ya know where to swim? All we saw was darkness!”
Rarity swooped in. “Rainbow, the corridor ahead leads down in a spiraling pattern and ends at a particularly thick doorframe,” Rarity said. “And beyond that is a large circular chamber of sorts.”
“The Machine World!” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed, grinning wide. “Rainbow Dash, it feels just like the place we entered back in the Nealend Atoll!” She danced I place. “Pinkie is here! I know it! I just know it!”
“Right.” Rainbow nodded, standing up tall. “There's no time to waste. Especially with Echo and the Doc putting themselves on the line up above.”
“Are we going to swim back?” Twilight asked.
“I... think there's another doorframe,” Rarity said. “I'm not sure, but I feel as though this shrine to the Sirens was built around the circular chamber below.”
“You mean there might be a way on the other side?”
“Still, let's not risk anything unnecessarily,” Rainbow said, stripping of her saddlebag and slipping out of her diving suit. “Let's find a place to put these for a return trip.”
“How?!” Twilight retorted. “The manatanks have almost no oxygen left!”
“We'll figure it out eventually.” Rainbow gazed ahead, ears twitching. “Somehow, we'll deal with it all... after the Machine World...”
“Hello?!?” Bard wheezed, eyes wide. He and Wildcard stared at Rainbow Dash, slack-jawed. “Did y'all hear a word we said? How in tarnation did you figure out that my skin needed savin'?”
“Jee, I dunno,” Rainbow droned, peeling out of her wet suit. “Magic... feminine intuition... you take a pick. Right now, we gotta be somewhere.”
“It... couldn't have been Princess Camellia,” Bard spoke out loud. “The most she can do is see through yer eyes, and you had your eyes set straight ahead! And in the darkness!”
“Look...” Rainbow Dash looked over at the duo with a slight frown. “Every answer you need to know—I've already told you. And, quite frankly, I don't care if you believe any of it or not. I'm glad you're not dead n'stuff, but right now I gotta get downstairs.”
“What's downstairs?”
“One of my friends.” Rainbow gnashed her teeth as she finally yanked the last of the suit's sleeves off of her. Her tail flicked loose. “And I'm friggin' tired of wasting time!” She stood free, catching her breath. With a calm gaze, she glanced at the two. “You guys good?”
Bard and Wildcard numbly nodded their heads.
“Good.” She spun and trotted swiftly down the neck of the winding corridor. “Then shake a leg.”
The Desperadoes lingered behind. They exchanged glances, and Wildcard gestured with his talons.
Bard nodded. “Reckon yer right, Dubya-Cee.” He scratched his head and looked after Rainbow's exit. “Just when you thought this world wasn't fantastic-like enough...”
“Rainbow, could you slow down?” Twilight protested, trying to catch up with the galloping mare. “Just a little bit?”
“It wouldn't be very proper to leave your companions back there!” Rarity added.
“You girls seriously want me to wait now?!” Rainbow's voice cracked as she sped her way down the winding corridor. Etchings and images of sirens swam past her, lit by dim manatorches. “We're so close to breaking Pinkie free. Nothing on this whole wide plane is gonna stop me from yanking her out of that—”
“Rainbow Dash...!” Camellia's voice rang loudly in her head.
“Gaahh!” Rainbow skidded to a stop. She braced herself against a wall, gnashing her teeth. “Except that.”
“What is it, darling?” Rarity asked.
“What else?” Clearing her throat, Rainbow tilted her head up towards some nebulous position beyond the narrow corridor's ceiling. “Your Highness, you have an update?”
“I would ask the same of you, Rainbow Dash. Have you and your companions located the lower tombs?”
“Yeah. We're all here.”
There was a slight pause, as if a regal telepath somewhere was taking a deep breath.
At last: “It fills me with great relief to hear that.”
Rainbow arched an eyebrow. “Why do you sound so friggin' relieved?”
“What's she saying?” Rarity asked, only for Twilight to give her a slight shove. The two ghostly mares fussed with one another.
“Ahem...” Rainbow glared at them to stop, then tilted her head up once more. “What's going on, Princess?”
“From what my representatives tell me, there is a great deal of commotion happening within the Marine Auction House. I can sense all of Shoggoth alive with shock and anger.”
“Then it worked?!?” Rainbow stammered “The Doc and Echo slapped the Syndicate where the Sun doesn't shine?”
Twilight and Rarity leaned forward.
“It is difficult to tell. The citizenry is most certainly concerned about the recent revelations, but everything is still being reviewed. As a matter of fact, the Council of Shoggoth has declared an emergency meeting with all city leaders.”
“And will that effectively get the Syndicate and all its thugs thrown in the slammer?!”
“That remains to be seen. It would certainly help to add more damning evidence to the matter. While you were in their Stronghold, did you take photographs of what you saw there?”
“You bet, Your Highness! And you have my word that I'll bring that back by the Marine Auction House as soon as I'm done here!”
“That shouldn't prove too difficult. If I'm to understand correctly, only the Austraeoh has free access to the shrine of Verlaxion.”
“Yeah. The Machine World only opens up to me. What about it?”
“There are two doors to that chamber. From the way you entered, you should have access to one. But upon exiting...”
“I can come out the other side?”
“It opens up to a deeper trench with a barrier through which only my seapony subjects can enter. But, in addition, there is a path that leads to the junction between all of the royal tombs. That should provide you access to Shoggoth Proper.”
“But—like—that place is off limits! I thought the whole reason my buddies and I came this way was because no landtrotter was allowed in the sepulchers!”
“You are correct. It is forbidden for surface dwelling ponies to enter through the front entrance, which is why they are so tightly guarded. However... there is no law that covers the inexplicable exit of ponies from the lower depths.”
Rainbow Dash smirked. “Now I know for sure you're a politician. What a way to loop around the hole, Your Majesty.”
“As soon as you've gotten what you've came for, exit the opposite end of Verlaxion's Shrine inside the tombs. Take a left at the first water barrier you see, then follow the ascending corridors until you reach Shoggoth Proper.”
“Got it!” Rainbow smirked at Twilight and Rarity. “We've got ourselves a way out of here!”
“Oh, splendid!” Rarity said.
“I suggest you make haste, Rainbow Dash,” Camellia remarked. “Word from the Council is that Boss Jeryn of the Southern Hoof has made himself scarce.”
“What, you mean he ran off?!” Rainbow scowled. “The friggin' coward.”
“I shall investigate myself. Expect to meet me at the Council of Shoggoth, for it is now time that I appear before the Marine Auction House.”
With panting breaths, a thoroughly sweating Bard and Wildcard stumbled their way down the corridor.
“What's with all the yammerin'?” Bard wheezed. “Just minutes ago, you was scamperin' down here like a midnighter outta hell. Now we sees you standin' in place and gabbin' to the walls.” He gulped and waved a hoof blindly in front of them. “Are yer sweethearts here? Hellllllooo...”
Rarity giggled, speaking in a humored voice towards the stallion. “A few feet closer, good sir.”
“Dudes, I just got done with another message from Camellia,” Rainbow said. “There's another way out of the chamber in front of us! I just gotta open both doors and then we can thread on through!”
“Oh, thank Goddess,” Bard exhaled, rolling his eyes. “I'm not sure I coulda done the breast stroke all the way back the way we came. For one, I'm as winded as the dickens. For another, well, no breasts.”
Wildcard gestured.
“Awwwww shut up.” Bard thwapped him with his tail. “I ain't that pudgy. Besides, I gave up sodas years ago.”
“You guys had better get your breaths in order.” Rainbow marched firmly ahead, squinting from the glow of Yaerfaerda. “Cuz that friggin' train of yours won't be stopping for nothing now!”
“How kind of ya to speak in our vernacular,” Bard stammered, hobbling after the mare. “But would ya find it in yer heart to fill us in a bit on these ghost girlfriends of yours?”
“Why's it matter all of the sudden?” Rainbow grumbled.
“Why do ya think, ya fuzzhead?”
“Rainbow, be nice,” Twilight remarked, hovering close by. “They've been through so much while just having faith in you alone.”
“And we can chat all we want once we have Pinkie Pie.”
“Pinkie who?” Bard lisped.
“I know you want to get all of us back, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “But be reasonable!”
“I agree, darling,” Rarity said. “We're here. We've already crossed so many obstacles to achieve this victory at hoof. Let's not cut off the heads of everypony around us.”
“Rarity... Twilight...” Rainbow clenched her jaw. “Maybe you don't realize it cuz you're so late in the game, but when it comes to crazy big-headed bozos like Verlax, there is no being reasonable... nor is there any time to relax and...” She came to a sudden stop, her eyes and muzzle bathed in a cold blue light. “...count our laurels.” The mare's lips pursed. “What in the hay...?”
Bard shuffled up to the entrance of a large chamber. “Whoah dayum!” He did a double-take. “Get a load of this, Dubya-Cee!”
Wildcard peeked in, and he too dropped his beak in amazement.
Four unicorns in plated armor stood before the official entrance to the Royal Tombs. Side by side, the stallions remained frozen in place, their spears levitating by their side. The quartet stared perpetually forward, their bodies still and stalwart.
Then—from the upper reaches of the Muddredge city—a loud commotion arose. The walls rang and echoed with stomping hooves as a wild, angry crowd galloped closer and closer.
For the first time in uncountable hours, the guards shifted. They craned their necks towards the bedlam, then twirled their staves at the ready.
At last, the crowd came surging to a stop, led by a angry-faced Boss Revan. The many thugs and henchstallions of the Syndicate shook and seethed behind the leader as he held his hoof up, silencing them. Brow furrowed, the illustrious mobster of Rust shuffled forward. He opened his mouth to speak—
“State your business!” boomed one of the four guards. “There is no passing beyond this point, by order of the Council of Shoggoth!”
“I know what you're here for, and I know who empowers you,” Revan said. “But you need to let us through regardless.” He fumed, speaking in a rigid tone: “The structural and financial stability of this city is at jeopardy, and we know that the ponies responsible are currently located beyond—”
“Nopony passes beyond this point,” one of the guards restated, his eyes piercing. “According to Muddredge Law, you must appeal to the Council of Shoggoth if you have any desire to—”
“Listen, ya tin can!” Revan spat. “There are three ponies who have already passed through your damn stupid 'blockade!' They're the ones who are here to tear apart Shoggoth from the inside! Are you telling me you're going to stand for that?”
“There is only one group of ponies posing as a threat this very moment,” the guard growled, levitating his polearm at the ready. “If you do not back down, then I am authorized by Princess Camellia of the Royal Family to ensure that you do—by force. These tombs are sacred, and no entry is allowed!”
By this point, the group behind Revan had grown loud and unruly, and the riotous leader was no exception. “You want authorization?! I'll show you authorization you sycophantic—”
“Gentlecolts! Gentlecolts!” Jeryn rushed in, waving his forelimbs. Once the mob had quieted just enough, he turned towards them and stammered, “Nopony cares more about the future stability of Shoggoth than I. The security forces of Her Highness and I are quite close, and have worked with one another for several decades. Please, let me take care of this...”
Revan sighed, rolling his eyes and stepping back.
With a clearing of his throat, Jeryn turned to face the guards. “My good fellow,” he spoke in an elegant voice. “Your defense of Her Majesty's interests are most admirable. But you must understand. A terrible coup is ahoof. The greatest threat to Her Highness' city and way of life is at work beneath us... beneath all of us! A group of conniving thugs seek to destroy Shoggoth from the inside out. They've already exploited the Syndicate, besmirched my name, and robbed my good associate here of his righteous standings in Rust. With the Syndicate so wrongly deprived of its power, a vacuum will consume the citizenry of Shoggoth. This will lead to chaos and civil unrest, both of which innately threaten the Princess you so dearly serve. If it's the paramount duty of your heart to protect the Royal Sirens' interest, then you will not only let us enter this sacred domain to dispense justice, but you will assist us in the process. For—as previously stated—three roguish individuals have found another way into the lower sepulchers and Verlaxion knows what terrible damage they might be wielding now!”
The guard nodded and nodded, his ears twitching beneath his helmet as he listened to Jeryn's entire tale. “This is a very grave concern indeed, and we appreciate your ardent worry. We shall diligently attend to the matter.”
“Oh!” Jeryn exhaled with relief, smiling. “Bless you! Bless you, good sir!” He shuffled forward. “Let us be swift about—”
Schiiing! A floating spear blocked the Syndicate Boss, forcing him to stop. “However, we shall deal with it from within.” The guard turned and nodded to one of his three associates. The guard saluted, about-faced, and marched firmly down the torch-lit corridor. “What transpires inside the tombs is Royal business. That has always been the case and shall always be so.”
“Wait... wh-what...?!” Jeryn gnashed his teeth. “But... but d-didn't you hear a word that I said?!”
“I did, which is why I am sending a member of our guard into the catacombs to spread word, so that the entire Guard can act accordingly—”
“Let us in too, ya buffoon!” Jeryn snarled. “There are too few of you to wrangle these morons up! Let us assist you! I know for a fact that we have enough stallions here to—”
“It. Is. Our. Duty,” the guard spoke, glaring. “You have done yours. We appreciate the warning, now relocate yourselves to the Office of Shoggoth Security to await further information. A representative of the Royal House will be there to speak with you shortly—”
Around this time, Revan had looked across the crowd and made eye contact with Cold Stone. Once Cold Stone looked back, the Boss of Rust nodded his head. Cold Stone nodded back, took a deep breath, then fired a pulse of telekinetic magic at the three remaining guards.
The one speaking to Jeryn suddenly found himself being yanked forward by unicorn magic.
“Hrnnnnghh—!” Revan galloped forward, vaulted over Jeryn, and slammed all of his hooves into the guard's upper body.
The guard's armor rattled, and he teetered back a few feet. Just as he tried to recover, Revan came charging again, knocking two of the stallion's plated hooves out from underneath. Four more Syndicate thugs rushed in, shoving the guard to the ground and beating him mercilessly.
The other two guards twirled their staves and aimed the bladed tips. The serrated metal glowed with bright blue energy.
Revan saw it and rolled out of the way. The four thugs curb-stomping the first guard were less lucky. They levitated in place, choking, their eyes bleeding from the sockets.
“Raaaaaugh!” Cold Stone galloped forward, lifting the first guard's staff and using it to smack the other two upside the helmet. CL-CLACKKK!
Both guards stumbled. The thugs that they had caught in their aquakinetic fields fell to the floor, wheezing and sputtering. Revan and the rest of the Syndicate charged the armored stallions, overwhelming them, plowing them to the ground and bludgeoning them. After getting several savage kicks in, Revan spat on their armor and spun to face the mob. “No more mercy!” he hollered, raising a hoof in the torchlit air. “Find the mercenaries and grind them to dust!”
“Revan! For Goddess' sake!” Jeryn pleaded in vain. “Please—!”
“They wanna take away our city?! Let's take out their hearts!” Revan bellowed. “Who's with me?!”
“Raaaaaaugh!” The stallions rushed forward, enraged.
The fourth guard spun around, eyes widening at the virtual stampede. With frantic speed, he rushed towards a lever and tried shutting the entrance to the tombs.
Cold Stone flung a helmet at the guard, staggering him. Revan reached him with the first wave, pummeling the guard senselessly before galloping down the narrow, sacred corridors.
From the rear, Jeryn winced as more and more Syndicate members galloped past him. Cussing under his breath, he gnashed his teeth and galloped along with the group, piercing the depths of the Royal Sirens' Sepulchers.
“Somehow...” Bard gulped, his ears folding atop his head. “I dun think that any of this is the seaponies' doin'.”
Wildcard nodded, his goggled eyes reflecting a bright blue sheen.
Squinting, Rainbow Dash shuffled slowly forward, her thin eyes darting left and right.
At the very end of a wide corridor, a cluster of enchanted ice clung to the wall. Misty vapors continuously wafted off the curved surfaces of the translucent material, slick with condensation. Icicles dripped in frozen grace from the granite ceiling, and snowy banks of white powder collected along the floor's edges. Age-old etchings and carvings of marine equines were swallowed up by this mess of icy crystals. Rainbow could instantly tell that the tomb was considerably older than the frost that had at some point blighted it.
“Verlaxion's Shrine,” Twilight murmured. She gulped. “This is what she left behind... after she visited to 'bless' the sirens' final resting place.”
Rainbow slowly nodded. “Again, Verlaxion's reached the Machine World before me.” She shuddered. “Somehow...”
“Huh?” Bard remarked, craning his neck.
Before Rainbow could respond—
“My goodness!” Rarity exclaimed. “I can't believe it! After all of our trials and efforts! The path is blocked!”
“Blocked?!” Twilight remarked.
“Just look for yourselves, girls!”
“It's not blocked,” Rainbow muttered. “Right there's the... door...” Her words trailed off even as she heard them.
“Door?” Bard repeated.
“Huh?” Rarity did a double-take. “Rainbow, all I see is a gold plate with curious circles!”
“Yes... I see them too,” Rainbow murmured, jaw agape. “Twilight, I see them this time.”
“Huh?” Twilight floated over.
Rainbow pointed over. “The symbol. Just like Theanim photographed underneath the Nealend Atoll. It was too bright for me to see last, but... but now I can.”
Indeed, before Rainbow, a rectangular plate of solid gold lingered—the only part of the wall that wasn't completely frozen over in glowing, enchanted ice. A curved line swam its way from the bottom right to the top left, wrapping around six large circles in the process. The bottom right circle glowed a bight blue, while the next two glowed lavender and white. The last three circles—positioned diagonally from one another—were blank and gray.
“You mean to tell me you've seen this here nonsense before?” Bard asked, approaching the seal with his hoof outstretched.
“No!” Rainbow hissed, forcing the stallion to jolt in place. “Don't touch it! Besides...” She swallowed a lump down her throat and slowly shuffled forward. “Only I can open or close the door to the Machine World.”
“Say what?” Bard's voice cracked. Beside him, Wildcard walked up, beak agape. The two Desperadoes exchanged glances.
Rainbow approached the door slowly. With flapping wings, she stretched her hooves out, coming closer and closer to the golden surface.
“Will... will it hurt to touch, darling?” Rarity squeaked. “I do not like the looks of that enchanted frost.”
“It's strange,” Twilight murmured. “Just from looking at this material, I know it's magical. But... b-but I can't quite sense it, Rainbow.” She bit her lip. “I-I don't even know what it might do to you... to us. Verlax's power is way beyond me.”
Rainbow took a deep breath. Her eyes squinted at the pulsing pink aura lingering just beyond the door. “Guess there's only one way to find out...” Then, fighting shivers, she made contact with the gold metal.
The sheer cold caused a terrible jolt to run up and down her spine, but she remained in one piece. Within seconds of touching the metal, a bright blue light emanated, running up the curved line that swam between the glowing and unglowing circles of the plate.
“No. No!” Rainbow shouted, causing him and Wildcard to scuffle to a stop. “It's supposed to be doing this!” She took a deep breath, then summoned a deep breath. She smiled ever so slightly. “It's opening...”
Indeed, just as she said this, the blue line running up the plate widened. Then, with a deafening howl, the entire door slid open in two halves. The coldest wind Rainbow ever felt came fountaining outward, chilling her and the two Desperadoes to the bone.
“Guhhh!” Bard's teeth chattered as he hunched over. “Land's sakes!”
Wildcard gripped onto him and Rainbow until the full brunt of the wintry blast came and went.
Once the air was still, the trio looked up to see specks of snow hovering the air like a frozen snowglobe's.
“Goddess Alive...” Bard exhaled, his breath coming out in vapors. “You weren't kiddin' about this bein' Verlaxion's hoofwork...” He glanced behind them at the path they took to come down there. “Reckon this is way beyond us, darlin'.”
“If I used that excuse since the beginning, I'd never have made it to Wintergate,” Rainbow said firmly. She trotted forward. “Our best exit is on the other side, guys. But as for me and my business?” She marched bravely into the pink aura. “It's all right here. Waiting for me.”
“Somethin' tells me it's more than just business 'waitin' for ya,' Rainbow,” Bard said. Wildcard nodded emphatically.
“You won't be the first ponies to enter this domain besides me,” Rainbow said, looking left and right as she spotted the first tell-tale signs of pistons, pulleys, and pendulums frozen in the darkness. “Just stick close and try not to—”
“Rainbow Dash...!”
“Guh!” Rainbow twitched, nearly collapsing as she gripped her head.
“What?!” Bard did a double-take. “What is it now?”
“Camellia...” Rainbow hissed through clenched teeth. “Not so friggin'... uh... loud, Your Highness.” She nevertheless stood up straight, eyes darting around the golden domain. “What's the matter?”
“There's been a breach.”
“Huh?! What kind of breach?!”
“What? A breach?” Bard and Wildcard jolted.
“Revan, Jeryn, and his stallions have rounded up a terrible mob. They've overpowered the guards on the other side of Verlaxion's Shrine.”
“No friggin' way...” Rainbow Dash exhaled. She glanced at the Desperadoes. “The Syndicate's busted their way into the tombs.”
“Awwwwww Hell...”
Wildcard gestured.
Bard nodded. “Then the jig is up for them varmints. Can't Camellia wrangle them up?”
The siren's voice was already echoing through Rainbow's skull: “I've sent the rest of my forces in to retaliate, but I fear they've holed themselves up too deep.”
“Then how in the heck are we supposed to get out of here, Your Majesty?!” Rainbow gnashed her teeth. “There's not enough oxygen in the suits to swim back the way we came!”
“Fear not, Rainbow Dash. I am calling upon the assistance of a distant ally to help in this matter...”
“H-huh...?!” Rainbow Dash gawked. “A 'distant ally?' What the heck are you talking about?”
“A siren is friend to more than just seaponies, Rainbow Dash...” As Camellia broadcasted her words, her “voice” became more and more faint, as if dwindling down the far end of a long tunnel. “Do not... …. … Austraeoh, there... … … yet for... … … and your friends...”
“Damned if I ain't havin' one helluva time keepin' track of yer invisible friends,” Bard droned, rubbing his scalp.
“Hush!” Rainbow hissed, then spun about. “Camellia! Can you hear me?! What kind of help are you sending?! I need to know if we have a way out or not—!”
“Rainbow Dash...” Twilight stammered, looking all around.
“Huh?” Rainbow spun, suddenly teetering. A dizziness spread through her body out of nowhere. “Unnngh...”
“Oh no!” Rarity shrieked, pointing. “Look!”
With a loud swish, the gold plated door behind them slid shut, glowing symbol and all.
“Huh?” Bard and Wildcard spun. The stallion grimaced. “Awww hell!” He whipped out his staff. Cl-Clak! “Dubya-Cee!”
Wildcard was already gliding like a feathery missile towards the seal. THUD! It was too late. The door closed completely, locking them inside. The griffon slammed the golden surface multiple times with his nighsticks, showering the floor with sparks and specks of frost.
Bard trotted in a circle, gripping in his staff. His ears twitched to the sound of crackling ice and settling metal joints from beyond the darkness. With chattering teeth and vaporous breaths, he said, “I ain't particularly favorin' this situation. Rainbow, I thought you done said only you could open or close this here door.”
Silence.
Bard and Wildcard looked over. “Rainbow Dash? Darlin'?”
“Guhhhh...” Rainbow shuddered in pain, rubbing her head. The lightning bolt of her pendant pulsed with ruby light. She struggled to open her eyes, and when she did they were pulsating red-on-yellow.
“Rainbow!” Bard rushed over, resting a hoof on her shoulder. “What's happenin' to ya? Speak to us!”
Rainbow panted and panted. She stared into the fringes of the round golden platform suspended over the gaping basement of the Machine World. It was then that she took notice of the ivory-white sheets of ice and snow hanging all around them. As her pendant's light swam over the drooping icicles and snowbanks, she finally saw Yaerfaerda. The beacon lingered atop a pedestal, but that pedestal was located deep... deep inside a solid block of translucent blue ice. What's more, the ice, the snow, in fact every frozen structure that lingered invasively inside that chamber was filled with a coarse white powder, like bone dust.
“Chaos...” Rainbow Dash whimpered, her eyes pulsing red-and-yellow again. “All chaos...” She gulped. “No wonder you couldn't sense anything, Twilight, it's beyond magic.”
Silence.
“... … …Twilight?” The pegasus looked up to her left.
She saw nothing.
She jerked her head to the right.
Still, nothing.
“Twilight?!” Panting, hyperventilating, the mare spun and spun, eyes wide and wider. “Rarity?!”
“Uhhhh...” Bard and Wildcard stood in place, shivering, helpless. “What's the matter now, Rainbow?”
“Rarity?!?” Rainbow shrieked, her breath fogging and her bulging eye sockets close to tears. “Twilight?!?!” She buckled, heaved, then hollered: “Where are you?!?”
The haunting sound of groaning metal...
With a gasp, Rainbow and the Desperadoes spun towards the center of the frozen realm, facing a glowing blue light.
Up ahead, a blue aura hovered over the central dais where the flame of Yaerfaerda hung frozen in ice. The light grew more and more intense, shining off the metallic surfaces of every machine part lingering dormant around the chamber.
Rainbow gnashed her teeth. She wrenched her eyes off the blue beams, choosing instead to throw her gaze left and right. “Twilight... Rarity...” The mare gulped, and her panicked voice took on a sobbing tone. “Please... say something... anything...”
“What in tarnation is goin' on here?” Bard stammered. He heard loud pounding, then turned to snarl at the griffon struggling with the shut door behind them. “Dubya-Cee! Quit it! T'ain't no use!” He swiveled yet again, eyes darting towards the dark recesses in the ceiling. “We're dealin' with somethang far... far beyond us right now. Ain't that right, Rainbow?” Silence. The stallion looked aside. “Rainbow...?”
“If you guys are still here, then just listen...” Rainbow panted and panted. “...it's... it's the chaos metal. Yes... yes it has to be blocking us from each other somehow!” She shivered, trying her best not to whimper and bawl foalishly. “How it got here is another matter. But I smell Verlax. In everything, I friggin' smell her!” The mare growled. “She could track Chrysalis... so what's to stop her from tracking me?”
“Rainbow, darlin', talk to us!” Bard insisted, marching in front of her. “You've dealt with this sort of thang before, haven't ya?” He gulped. “How do we get out of this mess?”
Rainbow paced past him, stumbling, her gaze jolting in every direction. “What would it benefit her to kill me? To kill us? If she knows as much as Axan does... then wouldn't she realize what a horribly bad idea that would be?” She froze in place, her hooves scuffling over the metal floor, slick with condensation. The mare winced, her eyes briefly flashing red-on-yellow. “Or... or maybe that's what she wants...”
“Rainbow...” Bard placed his hooves on the mare's shoulders. “...if this place... if this whoever wants you, then nothin' is gonna happen if ya just pace in circles, spillin' yer collective thoughts all over the floor.” He struggled to speak firmly through chattering teeth. The temperature of the room was dropping even more than when they first entered. “Try'n'focus, darlin'. What have ya done to get out of a place like this before?”
“That's just it...” Rainbow shook, legs buckling. “There's never been anything like this waiting for me inside the Machine World before.”
“Then it's a trap?”
“It's... it's...” Rainbow suddenly quivered, her eyes flickering brighter than ever. The pendant around her neck pulsed, and she gazed thinly past Bard. “...something's coming.”
“Huh?” Bard turned around.
Beak clattering, Wildcard turned from the chamber door. His goggles reflected blue light, growing brighter and brighter.
Liquid poured down from a frozen alcove in the chamber's ceiling. At first, it was just a trickle. Then, it came in a deluge. At long last—as the entire niche above melted—
Cl-cl-cl-clangggg! Several strips of bone-white metal fell to the floor, forming a pile above a puddle of frozen ice.
Bard, Wildcard, and Rainbow Dash stared, dumbfounded.
Then—with the grace of marionette strings—several blue bands slowly fountained out of the block of ice in the center dais of the room. They all roped their way into the metal strips littering the floor before the trio. One by one, the metal plates shook, rattled, then lifted up.
Startled, Bard extended his metal staff and Wildcard unsheathed his nightsticks. They stood side by side, muscles tight as they fidgeted in place. The two mercenaries exchanged silent glances, then faced the phenomenon straight ahead.
Rainbow peered through the bounty hunters, her lips pursed.
Encumbered by the blue aura, the plates rose off the floor, levitating, coming together to form an equine shape. Soon, the three infiltrators bore witness to a lumbering suit of armor. The joints were fused together with thin seams of glowing blue ice. A tail of frost billowed out the rear, flicking with eerie ease. At last, a plume of vapor came out of an enormous hollow situated at the front of the armor's helm. The mist coalesced with loud crackling noises, until the frozen effigy of a horse muzzle took shape, occupying the space within the exposed headpiece. A translucent nose and a hollow set of eyes loomed before the group, and at last the black-armored golem was complete.
Rainbow and her two companions could only gawk.
Silence...
Suddenly, the thing's hollow eyes glowed with two fixed points of blue light. Snow materialized overhead, forming a trail between them and the armored anomaly.
“Guhhh!” Rainbow Dash clenched her teeth, nearly falling over.
“What?!” Bard panted, struggling to not wrench his eyes from the sight in front of them. “What's the matter?”
“This... this much chaos...” Rainbow hissed. “I... I-I should be collapsing by now...” She looked up, sweating heavily despite the intense cold. “Unless... unless it wants...”
The icy muzzle of the beast opened wide.
Wildcard took a deep breath. Thwissssssh! He sailed straight forward on murking wings.
“Dubya—NO!” Bard hollered.
It was too late. A reverberating voice billowed from the golem's muzzle, carried by a snow-white breath. “Be still.”
In a flash, Wildcard dropped to the golden floor like a statue, every feather frozen blue and solid.
“Dammit!” Bard twirled his staff and galloped forward, snarling. “Dammit to Hell—!”
“Wait!” Rainbow's voice cracked.
The golem's head pivoted towards him. “Humble.”FLASH! Bard's body locked in mid-charge. He rattled to an icy stop beside Wildcard, just as dead-still and frozen.
“No... no!” Rainbow scampered over to the two mercenaries. She crouched low, reaching for Bard's shoulders. “Guys! Dude, speak to me—” As soon as she touched his icy flesh, she regretted it. The contact could just as well have been scalding. She drew back with a stifled shriek, wincing all over. Before she could savor the pain, her eyes flickered again, and she looked straight forward, tearing.
One thudding horseshoe after another, the golem marched towards her. It came to a stop, its black metal plates grinding and scraping against one another. Exhaling vapors, the thing braced itself against the Machine World's floor. It hunched back, paused, then jerked forward—its frozen muzzle gaping wide.
Rainbow flinched, expecting to turn into a block of pony icicles. Instead, a chilly mist of powdery snow flew past her, coating every square inch of her body before tapering off towards the far walls of the place. Just as quickly as the breath was made, it drew back, yanking the frost and vapors along with it. Rainbow leaned forward, gasping, feeling the air shifting... as if carrying her essence back with it... and straight into the automaton's frozen nostrils.
The suit of armor stood in place while the translucent muzzle sniffed, flexed, and relaxed. The blue points of light blinked. After an eerie pause, the thing spoke yet again in its ethereal voice, monotone and metallic. “Austraeoh.”
Rainbow stared at the thing, breathing and breathing. “... … ...Verlax?”
The frozen nostrils flared. The suit leaned back, like a foal sitting casually on its haunches. “She proposes a game.”
“... … ….” Rainbow's ears drooped. “A game.”
Armored plates scraping, the golem nodded. “A game of riddles.”
Rainbow's eyes darted between the walls of the place and the automaton itself. She gulped hard. “The prize...?”
The frozen head pivoted aside, and for once the voice took on a slightly melodic tone. “The wind.” The blue forehead flexed, crackling. “Your friends.” Vapors and vapors. “Urohringr.”
Rainbow Dash panted and panted. “And...” She gulped. “...if I lose?”
The suit of armor slowly shook its head. “She does not believe that you will want to lose.”
“If Verlax believes so much about me...” Rainbow darted her eyes shiftily between the suit of armor and the frozen Desperadoes. “...then why not just show up and talk to me face to face?”
With groaning metal joints, the frozen golem marched across from Rainbow, keeping its icy muzzle trained on her. “The rules of this game are simple, and they shall proceed as follows...”
Rainbow frowned. “Is it because she's a big fat cowardly dragon?!” She pivoted slowly, facing the icy automaton. “Locked up in a mountain somewhere and ruling an entire continent like stupid pawns on a friggin' chess board?!”
“There are five questions,” the construct spoke. Blue circles of blighted blue frost stained the floor where its horseshoes made contact. “You will be given three opportunities to answer each question correctly...”
Rainbow gnashed her teeth. “Are you even listening to a word I say?!”
“By the Queen's grace are you here.” Phantom vapors issued from the armor's icy helm. “By the Queen's wisdom shall your worth be tested.”
“Dang it!” Rainbow stomped a hoof, snarling. “I did not fly all this way and swim all these depths just to be given a stinkin' test!” She dragged her fetlock across the floor, nostrils flaring. “Tell the Queen she can just buck off and get out of my way! There're bigger things at stake here than her and her stupid kingdom!”
“If the Queen did not know that, then nopony would be here right now.”
Rainbow simply stared at the golem, shivering angrily.
“Now, before the Austraeoh proceeds...” The suit of armor leaned back on its metallic haunches. “...it is important that the price of wind is understood—”
Thwpp! In one fell swoop, Rainbow snatched up Bard's metal staff, flew across the room, and swung the bludgeon at the golem. “Rrrrrrgh—“
CLANNNNG! The frozen muzzle of the construct shattered instantly. Its armored plates flew all across the golden platform, littering the floor and rattling off towards the far depths of the machine world below. All that was left was a powdery mess of snow and icicles all around.
Rainbow slumped in place, panting, heaving. She leaned against the pole, staring at the central dais where Yaerfaerda's frozen flame lingered. Gulping hard, the pegasus clenched her eyes shut and shuddered.
Crrr-rkkkk!
“... … …?” Rainbow Dash opened her eyes, tilting her head up.
From another niche within the ceiling, ice cracked, melted, and dissipated completely. Cl-Cl-Clakkkk! A fresh set of armored plates fell to the floor. Then, with blue streams of frosted magic, the metallic shells molded together, forming a brand new and identical suit of armor. An icy muzzle solidified, and a pair of sapphire eyes glowed in Rainbow's direction. “I do not suggest doing that again,” it said, calmly.
Then, not so calmly, it blasted a blue volley of mana straight at Rainbow's figure.
CLANG!!! Bard's staff was knocked expertly from the pegasus' grasp.
“Gaah!” She flinched, stepping back and shaking her hoof from the stinging pain of intense cold. Rainbow shivered in place, staring at where the polearm had settled on the floor. Gulping, she pivoted and turned towards the golem, her ears humbly folded.
The automaton stood quietly, leering over the pegasus.
With a frustrated shudder, the mare spoke: “You... said something of a 'price...'”
The golem slowly nodded.
Rainbow's brow furrowed. “What kind of a price?”
“There are five questions.”
“Uh huh...”
“You lose a question, you lose a friend.”
Rainbow gritted her teeth, jolting from the sound of that.
“That is four questions for four friends, half corporeal. Half incorporeal.” The automaton craned its neck. “The Queen suspects that the Austraeoh knows the risks.”
Rainbow slowly, slowly nodded. With a gulp, she murmured: “And... the fifth question?”
“It is for the Austraeoh to win back her wind,” the golem said. “For, at this place and time, only the Queen can grant it back to her.”
Rainbow frowned again. “And will I get to see her face to face?”
“That is between the Austraeoh and the Queen.”
Silence. Rainbow took a deep breath and stood up straight, eyes firm and body poised.
“Now...” The golem began pacing across from Rainbow Dash. “...for the first Question.”
“Shaped like a bell, kissed by sunlight and twilight,” spoke the golem while it marched icily across the platform. “It waits in sheets of the ancients, bringing wind to the wings of that which ignites the world.”
Rainbow Dash blinked. Her ears instantly folded as she made a retching expression. “...the buck?”
With a metallic voice, the golem repeated: “Shaped like a bell, kissed by sunlight and—”
“You call that a friggin' riddle?!” Rainbow Dash's voice cracked. “It's garbly gook!”
“You have heard the Queen's first puzzle,” the golem firmly said, pacing around Rainbow. “Solve it.”
“With what?! A pizza slicer?!” Rainbow gnashed her teeth. “Who does Verlax think she is if a 'puzzle' to her is a snow cone made out of frozen grammatical vomit—?!”
“You have three chances to answer.”Chiiiiing! A translucent scythe of blue frost solidified off the end of its limb, and the suit of armor held it up to Bard's frozen throat. “Or do you forfeit?”
“No! No!” Rainbow hissed through her teeth, waving a hoof. “I don't forfeit! Just... back away from the yodelmeister. I got this...”
The golem lowered its limb, staring calmly in Rainbow's direction. “She awaits your response.”
“Yeah, I bet she friggin' does...” Rainbow Dash paced and paced in a tight circle, panting, shuddering. An iron frown hung off her blue muzzle. “The whole world's dying... Pinkie Pie's waiting in the wings... and Miss Dragon Tiara's giving me the Hazing of the Immortals.” She scuffled to a stop, holding her skull in two tight hooves. “'Shaped like a bell... kissed by sunlight and twilight... it... waits in sheets of the ancients...'” She looked up, gulping as her face twisted in confusion. “...bringing wind to the wings of that which ignites the world...?”
“It would not do to tarry for long.”
“Just gimme a sec!” Rainbow hollered over her shoulder. Catching her breaths, she stared forward, eyes piercing the frosted lengths of the Machine World's cavern. While her mind raced, her vision washed over the frozen bowers clinging to the walls and dormant contraptions of that interior. She saw miniature glaciers of petrified ice covering pendulums and conveyor belts and enormous gears. Then—at last—her vision fell upon the platform located within the central dais. Yaerfaerda pulsed from deep within its icy prison, looming pink and bright above a cylindrical pedestal.
“'Shaped like a bell...'” Rainbow whispered to herself. “'Waits in sheets of the ancients...' Like metallic sheets? The Machine World layer? Bringing wind to the wings... The beacons. Ruby flame... the stuff that keeps me from turning all chaos-creepy'n'dead...”
Rainbow gulped hard.
She turned around, eyes bright. “Is it... the pedestal of flame in the Machine World? Like that which is right in front of m—?”
“Incorrect,” the golem rang metallically.
“Dang it!” Rainbow kicked at the floor.
“The Austraeoh has two more chances left for this question.”
“Right... right... I know...” She stood up and paced around, nostrils flaring. Her eyes traced the floor. For a moment, she imagined she was flying. She envisioned the horizon—how different it looked under a sunrise versus the night's sky. “'Kissed by sunlight and twilight'... 'waits in sheets of the ancients...'” Her eyes twitched, and she scuffled to a stop. “Sheets... sheets of rain?” Her brow furrowed. “Stratopolis... was built by the ancients...” Rainbow's muzzle hung open. “...and it had been to both the dark and the light side of the plane, right?” Spinning around, the mare faced the golem. “Is it a Sentinel?”
“Incorrect.”
“Aaaaaaugh!” Rainbow stomped her hooves, snarling. “Idiot! Stratopolis wasn't shaped like a darn bell!”
“The Austraeoh has one more chance.”Schiiiing! Rainbow didn't have to look to know that the automaton was raising a blade to Bard's figure again. “What is the Austraeoh's answer?”
Rainbow plopped back on her haunches, burying her face in her hooves as she rocked back and forth. Despite the cold, sweat ran down her face and neck. The world echoed with the sound of her muffled breathing, and the pressure of her hooves against her clenched eyelids brought all sorts of distorted color and chaos to her mind. She thought of all of the insanely “ancient” things she had witnessed in her journeys: from the well-preserved armor of Commander Hurricane deep beneath Durandana to the dormant tower lingering beneath Darkstine.
She thought of caves, caverns, tunnels—all of the crazy capillaries that ran deep beneath the surface of the sunlit world, how they swam and teased their way towards the metallic gold layer of the Machine World. She thought of the various continents full of ponies living atop it all in blissful—and oftentimes malevolent ignorance. She thought of remnants of the past... cave drawings... granite etchings... journals...
Tomes. Rainbow Dash thought of ancient books... one ancient book, something envied by Khao and the rest of the Herald. Somewhere, eons ago, Rainbow Dash sat alone in a cave, squatting beside the skeleton of a dead pegasus. She was flipping through the ancient paper sheets of the tome, seeing runes, phrases, symbols. One reoccurring emblem had a unique shape to it—like that of a bell. The top portion had a slice of a solar crest and the bottom part—the dark side—had the feeble outline of a half-circle.
Rainbow Dash's heart skipped a beat, for suddenly she was no longer looking back at the cave, but instead at a time when the same book powered up the core of a majestic airship. And she sat in the warmth of many friends, a jury of noble peers, all sailing east via the power that the book brought, an enchanted wind that carried the living spark of the world further east.
The golem's glowing eyes pulsed a bright blue. “... … ...That is correct.” It trotted across the platform without looking. Behind it, the frost encasing Bard's body spontaneously melted in a cloud of vapor.
“Snkkkt—duaaah!” Bard gasped and sputtered for air, twitching and convulsing on the floor.
“Whoah!” Rainbow Dash glided over and held the quivering stallion. “Whoah there, big guy. Take it easy. Even breaths...”
“Mmmmmff... guhhh...” Bard hissed, his teeth chattering as he struggled to open his eyes. Shaking and shaking, the stallion gazed all across the frozen room. “Whoah d-dayum...!” He gulped hard. “Somepony get the license plate of that iceberg that done kissed me!” Gulping hard, he glanced over at frozen-solid griffon. “Dubya?! Dubya-Cee?!?” In a panic, he tried standing up.
“Shhhh! Dude! Chillax!” Rainbow winced. “Erm, I mean—”
“But look at 'em! He's a goddess-dayum frozen turkey—”
“Bard, stay calm...” Rainbow Dash patted his shoulders, staring off at the golem. “I've got this.”
“Whaddya mean, y'all got this?!” Bard frowned, shivering as he gazed across the platform. “What in the Hell is goin' on here?”
“I'm being tested,” Rainbow said firmly, eyes on the automaton. “And the prize is my friends... as well as our ticket out of here.”
Bard shuddered. “Ya don't say.”
“Shhh...” Rainbow stood up straight, wings poised. “Ahem... I'm ready.”
The automaton swiveled about, blue eyes leering. “Second Question...”
“Frantic wings, frozen in forward flight. When harmony and chaos are in flux, they keep her in sane company.”
Across the platform from the golem, Bard was already grimacing. “Buck me on a Sunday...” He gulped hard. “Is this the kind of hogwash ya had to deal with while I was a popsicle?”
“Shhhhh!” Rainbow waved a hoof at him. Exhaling vapors, she looked at the glowing automaton. “Let's hear it repeat the puzzle...”
Sure enough, the suit of armor did just that. “Frantic wings, frozen in forward flight.” It paced in a half-circle, its glowing eyes once again leering at the pegasus. “When harmony and chaos are in flux, they keep her in sane company.”
“You... you have any idea what this nonsense is about, Rainbow?” Bard wheezed.
Rainbow muttered, “From the last answer I gave, yeah, I'm totally supposed to.” She gulped. “I think.”
He nodded limply. “Reckon... they almost sound like music lyrics.” He reached a shivering hoof back to his case. “Want me to get out the guitar—?”
“No! Just lemme think!” Rainbow sat in place, clutching her head. “'Frantic wings... frozen in forward flight...'” Her teeth gnashed together as her forehead tensed. “'Frantic'... I know I've heard that one before!”
“Time is of the essence,” rang the armor.
“Just hold yer snowballs, ya rust bucket!” Bard spat. Nervously, he then turned towards Rainbow. “Got anythang in that fuzzy noggin' of yers?”
“'Frantic wings'... 'wings'...” Rainbow whispered her thoughts aloud, fidgeting in place. “My flight's been pretty frantic. And I've got harmony and chaos duking it out inside me at all times. And... and if it wasn't for my pendant...” Her eyes widened, and she grasped the necklace dangling beneath her chin. “My pendant!” Her eyes darted left and right. “Twilight... Rarity... my friends... dead but not dead... frozen in time while I fly forward...” She chewed on the edge of her lips, quivered, then looked up, blurting: “Is it the Elements of Harmony?”
“Incorrect.”
“Rrrrgh!” Rainbow slapped both front hooves on the ground. “Idiot! Stop rushing yourself!”
“You have two more chances,” the golem said, pacing.
Bard blinked. “Two more chances? Two more chances until what?”
“I dunno,” Rainbow muttered. “Until it slits Wildcard's throat or something.”
“WHAT?!”
“Shhh! Just calm down, cowcolt!” Rainbow hissed behind her shoulder. “I've got this!”
“Oh, you'd better, missy!” Bard snarled, standing up with sudden strength and scraping his hooves against the platform. “Or I'll have got yer mother-huffin' ovaries in a pickle jar—!”
“No interference,” the automaton said, its glowing eyes narrowing menacingly on the stallion.
“And he won't!” Rainbow blocked its gaze, standing before Bard. “He won't!” She gulped, then murmured over her shoulder, “Just sit this one out and lemme think, dude.”
“Then go ahead and think, Rainbow,” Bard grumbled, angry eyes plastered to the construct. “Think like y'all've never done before.”
“Okay... okay...” Rainbow clenched her eyes shut. She took a long, deep, meditative breath, then eventually muttered: “The previous answer was 'Innavedr.' This thing keeps calling me 'the Austraeoh.' Then that means...” A pause. Rainbow's eyes fluttered open. “Wait?”
Rainbow's brow furrowed. “...this isn't the first time somepony flippantly called me 'the Austraeoh.'” Her ruby eyes darted left and right. “'Frantic wings.' 'Keep her in sane company.' Company... company... companionship.” Her eyes widened. “Frantic companionship...”
Rainbow's mind shot back in time. She imagined wings aimed towards the eastern horizon like a flock of geese. The shapes simplified, turning into lines, then arrows. The mare pondered over the familiarity of such a symbol—until she realized she had seen it... multiple times... brandished on the forelimbs of those who pledged allegiance to the Herald. And then the mare remembered a little tattooed foal galloping around the innards of a flying mountain, in possession of the same hoofband.
“'Odrsjot,'” Rainbow firmly said. “The answer to your second riddle is 'Odrsjot.'”
“Huh?” Bard nearly vomited. “What in the high blazin' hell is an 'odor schult?'”
And yet, the golem said: “That is correct.” Its eyes flashed a brilliant blue.
FLASH! A few paces over, the chunk of ice encasing Wildcard melted entirely. As soon as the griffon was animated again, he didn't waste any time spinning around, flinging his nightsticks left and right in violent arcs, battling off a million phantom enemies.
“Whoah! Whoah there, Dubya-Cee!” Bard galloped over. He dodged the griffon's heavy swings, then held him in a vice-grip from behind, wrestling the enraged griffon to the floor. “Calm down! At ease, partner!”
Wildcard seethed and seethed, his goggles completely fogged over with condensation. He dropped his nightsticks with a clatter and gestured frantically, shivering the whole while.
“Shhh! Keep yer voice down! Ya ain't frozen dinner no more!” Bard looked over at the shuffling suit of armor. “I know it seems really crazy-like, but I think Rainbow's got this...”
Wildcard panted and panted, watching in mute confusion as the golem squared off against Rainbow Dash once again.
Vapors wafted off the thing's icy muzzle as it spoke. “For it to bring tomorrow's hope, it must thrive on yesterday's life.”
Rainbow blinked. She gave one glance at the frozen pedestal and its pink flame. In an instant, she looked straight back at the suit of armor. “...'Yaerfaerda.'”
The golem slowly nodded. “Correct.”
Rainbow exhaled with a shudder.
“Rainbow...?”
“...!” The mare spun around.
Twilight Sparkle hovered in place, looking alone, bewildered. The unicorn spun about, its spectral eyes widening upon sight of her friend. “Rainbow Dash!”
“Twilight!”
Bard and Wildcard watched dumbly as Rainbow Dash galloped over to a seemingly empty space within the freezing chamber.
“Rainbow!” Twilight flew forward—only to phase through the pegasus. She winced with a smiling blush, then shuddered. “What... what even happened?”
“What do you remember?”
“We... we passed through the door, and—” Twilight's muzzle locked in place. “... ... ...it was like I was back in the empty space again. Surrounded by a great white nothing... like...” She shivered, sniffling slightly. “Like all that time since Ponyville...”
“Shhhh... it's gonna be okay...”
“I don't get it! Where's Rarity? Did we find Pinkie Pie?”
“No. Not yet.” Rainbow turned around, glaring at the statue. “I have to answer a few riddles first.”
“Riddles?!” Twilight's voice cracked as her muzzle twisted.
“I dun get it...” Bard stammered as Rainbow approached the center of the room to face the construct. “Yer answers are even messier nonsense than the thang's questions! What kind of a test is this?”
“It's not a test,” Rainbow said, bearing the tiniest hint of a smile. “It's a roll call.”
“It's... it's giving you riddles?” Twilight murmured, floating closer. “Maybe I can help!”
“Shhh!” Rainbow insisted, eyes locked on the automaton. “Trust me. This is all me.”
“Huh?” Twilight blinked.
Rainbow said nothing. She merely stared at the lumbering thing.
“It knows what makes the wind and what shatters it, and it gives itself to mend it,” the golem said. “Through pain it endures, and yet through friendship it's reborn.”
Twilight squinted into the shadows of the place, murmuring aloud: “'It knows what makes the wind... and what shatters it...'” Her lavender features wiggled in deep, deep thought. “'...through friendship it's reborn?'”
Rainbow Dash turned to look at her.
Twilight hung in the air, curled up in a fuzzy ball as she put her innate eggheaded skills to use.
With a calm breath, Rainbow turned to look at the two mercenaries on the other side of the room.
Wildcard and Bard sat in silence, gaping at the scene. In the blue light of Verlax's enchanted magic, the Desperadoes looked like innocent children, despite the fact that—just hours ago—they were helping Rainbow Dash infiltrate the most dastardly hideout that side of the Grand Choke.
A lump formed in Rainbow's throat. The blue aura made her think of the elegant shine in Rarity's eyes. Somewhere, not too far away, a stallion with similarly blue eyes stood courageously before the Council of Shoggoth with an equally brave sarosian at his side. Shoggoth itself was a mere speck on a map that a crotchety old professor named Sinrar had provided, having trotted far out of his stubborn comfort zone. And somewhere high above, two romantic hearts sailed the open seas, throwing caution to the wind in such a brazen way that even the Nealend Atoll could never contain it.
Nopony would be there... nopony would be anywhere if it weren't for her.
And Rainbow Dash knew that she could say the very same thing about herself, at the mere grace of all these eclectic souls who had carried the wind with her. It was the sweetest joke of all, a funny piece of poetry that somehow made everything that should have been crazy and chaotic fall into a beautiful pattern. Like a riddle.
And it was time to unravel it.
“'Eljunbyro',” Rainbow Dash said, her eyes moist and glistening. Nevertheless, she tilted her head up and smiled at the armored messenger. “'The answer to the fourth riddle is 'Eljunbyro.'”
Blue flashing eyes. “Correct.”
A pale white outline solidified a few paces away. Rarity unfurled from the center of it like a ship's sail. “My goodness!” She gasped, holding a dainty hoof over her palpitating chest. “What in Celestia's name just happened!”
“Rarity!” Swissssh! Twilight Sparkle zoomed over, practically tackling the mare. The two spectres twirled together, with Twilight hugging her tight and nuzzling cheek to fuzzy cheek. “Ohhhhhh...” She sniffled. “I'm so... so very glad to see you again!”
“And I you, darling.” Rarity returned the embrace, though she gulped nervously, glancing over her shoulder. “Although... I'm somewhat lost on what exactly separated us...”
“It's a long story, Rares,” Rainbow said. She cleared her throat. “I'm just... super glad you both are back.”
“So, darlin'...” Bard and Wildcard stood up. The stallion picked up his metal staff and leaned against it. “Reckon this means yer two invisible friends are back?”
Rainbow spun towards him. “... ... ...yeah, and?”
He swung his eyes towards the golem. “Then how come that thang's still stalkin' us all menacing-like?”
Rainbow clenched her jaw and floated over to face the construct. “Because there's one question left.”
“What for?!” Bard cackled while Wildcard looked on. “To unlock an invisible purple elephant to haunt you?”
“The last question grants the Austraeoh her wind back,” the golem explained in a metallic tone. “As well as audience with the Queen.”
Twilight gulped. “Verlax...”
“Rainbow, darling,” Rarity stammered, shivering. “You musn't give into this thing! There has to be another way!”
“From the sound of it,” Twilight spoke, “You answer this last question, and you'll be at the mercy of the Divine of Frost!”
“Yeah...” Rainbow Dash took a deep breath, nodding. “...and I'll also get to free Pinkie Pie.”
“But... b-but...” Twilight and Rarity exchanged nervous glances, ears twitching.
“Okay, nuts and bolts,” Rainbow muttered, directly facing the armor. “Let's get this over with.” She gulped. “Ask your fifth and final question.”
With creaking joints, the frozen thing loomed before Rainbow Dash. “Without, it dies. Withholding, it suffers. Within, it balances. Only through circles does it find itself.”
Dead silence.
Twilight and Rarity gawked at the thing.
Bard's muzzle hung open while Wildcard scratched his feathery scalp.
Rainbow Dash fell back on her haunches with a blank expression. The mare's ears folded back. “Hoboy.”
The golem repeated in a booming voice. “Without, it dies. Withholding, it suffers. Within, it balances. Only through circles does it find itself.”
Rarity rubbed the edge of her hoof into her ear. “Eugh... d-does it have to be so terribly loud and menacing in how it delivers the prompt?”
“Shhhh!” Twilight frowned. “Stop complaining, Rarity, and let's help Rainbow Dash figure this out!” Twilight spun to look at the pegasus. “Were any of the previous questions just as strange and cryptic as this one?”
“Yeah,” Rainbow muttered aside, nodding. “But each of them were answered with a different word from the ancients.”
“Huh? Wait, you mean like 'Eljunbyro'—?”
“Right. But also 'Yaerfaerda' and 'Odrsjot' and 'Innavedr.' Each one brought back one of you guys from being frozen or missing,” Rainbow sneered. She then gulped. “But I have no friggin' idea what this means.”
“Perhaps Mr. Roboglacier here is describin' the estrus cycle!” Bard said.
“Dude, shut up!” Rainbow growled.
The Desperado shrugged. “Dun bite my head off! After all, yer deliberatin' with yer invisible cheerleaders, ain't ya?”
“That's different! They're less straw-headed!”
“The buck does that mean?!” Bard growled.
Wildcard gestured—but the stallion batted his talons away.
“Dun laugh, ya moltin' pigeon!” He snarled.
“You are delaying for time,” the construct declared.
“I am not!” Rainbow's voice cracked. She flashed a look aside. “I could really use yer friggin' help here, egghead.”
“Why?” Rarity stammered. “Are we in a hurry?”
“I have three chances to answer right or else... uh...” Rainbow gulped. “We might be stuck here forever.”
“Eeeep!” Rarity yelped, then wrung Twilight's shoulders. “Please, Twilight! You must egghead it! You must!”
“I... can't... think... when... I'm... shaking!” Twilight shook herself out of Rarity's frantic grasp. “Thank you!” The unicorn paced in a floating circle. “Let's see... 'Without,' 'Withholding,' 'Within...'” She glared directly into nothingness, eyes filled with dense thought. “'Dies,' 'suffers,' 'balances...'”
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow Dash fidgeted. “Not to make you hurry or nothing, Twilight, but...” She gulped. “...you might wanna hurry.”
Twilight looked up. “You've already detected a pattern of answers using these old runes you've learned. Are there any more left that you haven't covered?”
“Uhm...” Rainbow Dash swatted her head with tiny hoofstrokes. “...there's still 'Austraeoh' and 'Urohringr,' I guess. But... y'know... I'm one of those things and the other is—”
“Circles!” Twilight squeaked, grinning wide. “The riddle includes 'only through circles does it find itself'! Rainbow, haven't you told me that yours and Bellesmith's visions of Urohringr were that of a giant, circular ringworld separated into curved planes?”
“Just like the one we're on!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “That holds Equestria and Ledomare and everything!”
“Exactly!” Twilight grinned. “Originally, before it broke apart, it was like a circle! Maybe Verlax somehow caught wind of that! I mean, she's infiltrated the Machine World at least twice already, right? Here and at Nealend?”
“Whatever yer thinkin', darlin', you'd better spit it out quick!” Bard muttered. “I think it's getting' antsy.”
“Okay... okay.” Rainbow turned and faced the automaton. “Is the answer 'Urohringr?'”
Wildcard gestured. Bard looked at his talons, then over at Rainbow. “'Maybe if y'all gave it in the form of a question?'”
“Not helping...” Rainbow said.
“Well, hell...” Bard raised his staff. “What if we all just said 'buck it' and charged the dayum thing?”
“No go.” Rainbow shook her head. “I already tried it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. With your staff too.”
“H-hey!” Bard grinned wide. “Awesome!” A metal talon swatted his skull. Whap! “Ow!” He winced, rubbing his head. “Y'know, that friggin' smarts without the hat.”
“I don't understand...” Twilight murmured, sinking to the floor with a wilted expression. “If the answer's not Urohringr... then what is it? I mean... it can't be 'Austraeoh,' can it?”
Rainbow Dash tongued the inside of her mouth. Blinking, she turned her head and opened her mouth towards the golem.
“No. NO!!” Twilight barked, eyes jolting. “Don't waste it! We have to think!”
“There there, Twilight...” Rarity patted the mare's shoulders. “We must be calm and elegant about this...” Her words trailed off. Blinking, Rarity turned around and squinted at the door that they had entered through—which was now shut tight and frozen solid. “...circles...”
“Huh?” Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash looked over.
“That door was full of circles. Half of them were lit. The other half weren't.” She glanced at Rainbow. “I'm curious. Is this the first time you've encountered such a unique symbol?”
“No,” Rainbow said.
“We saw it at the Nealend Atoll,” Twilight explained. “Well... I saw it. Rainbow Dash was too blinded by it at the time. She had to see it through a photograph that Mr. Mane took.”
“But I could see the door this time,” Rainbow said. “It was... less bright, somehow.”
“Also, the colors of the circles changed, apparently,” Twilight thought aloud. “Before we freed you, Rarity, only two of the circles were lit up. But then, after you were freed...”
“One glowed a bright white shine, am I correct?” Rarity batted her eyelashes, then looked Rainbow's way. “Rainbow, darling, I do believe these circles have a purpose in all this. Symbolically, at least.”
Rainbow twitched, blinking hard. “'Purpose...'”
“Huh?” Twilight craned her neck. “What is it?”
“'Within, it balances,'” Rainbow Dash droned. “Harmony and chaos. Frantic companionship... Eljunbyro bringing the wind to the spark's wings...”
“Yes, but what does it all mean?” Twilight remarked. “At least... in Verlax's eyes, how does it all fit together?”
“That's just it... Verlax has beaten me to these Seeds,” Rainbow said, ruby eyes focused on Yaerfaerda's frozen beacon. “Nopony or nothing has ever beaten me before. I mean... Sure, I-I guess there was Madame Nightshade and the flame from the beacon along the Xonan border... but despite all her wisdom, devices, and science—she couldn't figure any of the Ancient stuff out from what she scavenged deep in the Machine World. But Verlax... has somehow.” She gulped. “Through chaos or whatever, just like Nevlamas... only Verlax has got her head together.”
“Does the Austraeoh have an answer?” the golem persisted.
Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. “Verlax's eyes have pierced the flame... but her voice hasn't.” Rainbow's jaw hung agape. “...she hasn't heard what I've heard... the voice!”
“Huh?” Twilight blinked hard.
Bard tilted his head aside. “Voice?!”
Rainbow clenched her eyes shut. She took a deep breath and trotted through an invisible curtain of ruby flames. She imagined she was floating over a curved plane with stars and chaotic nebulae hanging in the cosmic distance. The world rolled beneath her, a constant circle, full of life and death, order and disorder. Ponies helped one another. Ponies murdered one another. Joy and suffering existed hoof-and-hoof, through peace and war, the rise and fall of empires. Celestia and Luna's brilliance stretched far and wide, but even they couldn't cover everything. Nothing could cover the vastness.
Nothing... but a single set of wings, flying east and never stopping. She was alone, and yet she wasn't. Companions clung to her. Ancients prophesied her.
And a voice spoke to her, a voice Rainbow had heard more than once, on deep excursions to salvage the flame of Yaerfaerda, giving birth to yesterday, and finding her place within the grand purpose of everything... the grand journey of Austraeoh. Light side to dark side to light side. Harmony and chaos. A circle.
Rainbow Dash had heard the word before, and that word was—
“Ynanhluutr.” Rainbow Dash opened her eyes, staring squarely at the golem. “The final answer is 'Ynanhluutr.'” She glared. “Now open the way and give me back my friend.”
Rarity, Twilight... Bard and Wildcard...
Everyone watched in tense silence as the golem stared back, its blue eyes bright and soulless.
“That...” The golem spoke, blue eyes flashing. “... … ...is correct.”
Rainbow shut her eyes as she fell back on her haunches. Rarity and Twilight Sparkle squee'd, jumping into each other's arms and twirling phantom circles across the platform. Bard and Wildcard simply stared, their jaws agape.
“Heeheeeee!” Twilight giggled. “We did it we did it we did it!”
“Rainbow Dash did it!” Rarity nuzzled Twilight, then turned to grin at Rainbow. “She's always done it! Now...” She floated over, pointing a pale hoof at the looming automaton. “Kindly tell that big metal oaf to release our dearest Pinkie at once!”
Rainbow swallowed hard. “Well...?” She stood up, glaring at the golem. “I followed up on my end of your stupid test. Now... it's time for the prize.” She scraped her hoof across the frost-covered platform. “Let me through to Yaerfaerda. Let me through to my friend.”
The construct slowly nodded. “Very well...”
Crkkk-crkkkk!
The Desperadoes flinched as the air echoed with shattering ice. Above them—in a full circle—chunks of frozen material shook, shattered, and fell. One by one—out of the dark niches within the machine world's golden ceiling—several identically intimidating suits of armor fell. Glowing with majestic blue mana, they formed together, standing in a solid phalanx of icy equine shapes.
Bard and Wildcard stood up, shivering back to back.
“Uhhhhh...” Bard gulped as he gripped his metal staff tightly. He and the griffon shuddered in the shadows of the metallic figures. “...Rainbow, darlin'? T'ain't lookin' like no normal 'farewell party.'”
“Hey, what gives?!” Rainbow sneered, spreading her wings as she glared at the sudden company of metal behemoths. “I thought you said you were—”
“You have been informed that Queen Verlax seeks your audience,” the centermost golem stated. “After which—and only after—shall she release your flame... and your companion... as was promised to you.” Slowly, the golems shuffled so that they formed a half-circle. “The Queen honors her word, and now you shall hear it with your own mortal ears.”
“And if I refuse?”
“We do not think you would want to refuse,” said the brightest-glowing construct. “Not for the sake of the Austraeoh's journey, at least.”
Rainbow stared and stared. “... … …alright,” she spoke through an iron frown.
“Rainbow, no!” Twilight flew in, hissing. “If it wasn't a trap before, it certainly has got to be now!”
“I'm afraid I echo Twilight's sentiment, darling,” Rarity remarked, fanning herself with a nervous expression. “This whole... brigade of haunted ponnyquins has toyed with you, and yet you've proven more than competent to surpass their examination! But once the dreadful things have gotten you in their grasp, there's no telling what Verlax might do to you!”
“It's not like I have much of a choice, girls,” Rainbow Dash said. She nodded ahead at the half-ring of equine armors. “We both knew going into this place that there was only way out. Camellia said as much.”
“Ya seem awfully good at listenin' to a spitload of voices, darlin'...”
Rainbow turned to look at Bard.
The stallion looked back. He leaned on his staff with a dreadfully somber expression. “But when was the last time that ya truly listened to yer own, hmm?” Wildcard looked at him curiously.
Rainbow took a deep breath, then bit clenched her jaw. “Voices or no voices, destiny or no destiny, this has always been up to me.” She glanced aside at her phantom friends. “I've been... super blessed to get a lot of help along the way, but still...” She turned towards the golems. “...it all comes down to me and Verlax. And, y'know what? I think she knows that.” Brow furrowed, she shuffled ahead. “That's why she's needed this.”
Bard and Wildcard exchanged glances. “Uhhh... needed what exactly?”
“A preview. And if that's what she wants, then that's what she's gonna get.”
“But Rainbow... remember...” Twilight Sparkle flew in close. “Princess Luna herself has described Verlax as being incredibly crafty and deceiving. And need I even remind you of all the terrible things Chrysalis described?”
Rainbow shuffled to a stop, ears twitching. She froze in place briefly.
Twilight gulped while Rarity looked on. “Please. Be careful. It's just that... I-I'd hate for you to spell your own doom all on account of saving Pinkie Pie.”
Rainbow's ruby eyes darted towards the frozen flame. Even despite its frosted status, it pulsed in a never-ending fuchsia glow.
Turning around, Rainbow locked eyes with Twilight. “This journey was worth every risk before, and it's worth every risk now.”
Twilight shivered in place. Rarity floated up. “What... wh-what do you want us to do in the meantime, darling?”
Rainbow slowly... slowly smiled. “Just laugh and make them disappear.”
Both mares blinked.
With a strong breath, Rainbow turned and trotted towards the golems. “Alright, rust buckets. I'm ready.”
“Only the Austraeoh can make this venture,” the one golem emphasized. “She must leave her friends behind for the time being.”
“Jee...” Rainbow droned, sitting dead-center in the middle of them. “...why doesn't that surprise me in the least?”
“Say... uh... Rainbow... eheh...” Bard fidgeted besides Wildcard. “...ya sure ya dun need no jacket or nothin' for where ya goin'?”
“I only need a break from your charming sense of humor, twanger,” Rainbow muttered. She waved a hoof without looking back at the stallion. “Just sit tight with your boyfriend, bright-eyes. Where I'm going is where you're going. I just... gotta have a little chat first, and then we're out of here. I... uh... Pinkie Promise.”
“Y'know, darlin', for what it's worth...” Bard shuffled in place. “If all of this goes south, and you disappear, and us Desperadoes end up dyin' of cold and starvation way down here at the bottom of the ocean...”
“...yeah...?”
“...well... I-I just want you to know that we ain't cross or nothin'.” Bard smirked nervously. “All thangs considered, it's a mighty purdy way for a bounty hunter to bite it.”
Wildcard gestured madly.
“But I am speakin' for myself, ya buzzard!”
The griffon face-talon'd.
“In the words of a good zebra I know, don't panic.” Right as she said this, the golems all marched in. They closed a cold blue circle around her, surrounding the pegasus. “Hello. How ya doin'?”
The suits of armor leaned forward and tilted their helms at such an angle that the empty space within directly faced Rainbow Dash. One by one, the magically sculpted skulls and muzzles melted, revealing the gaping blue hollow within each headpiece. Cold, blizzardy air billowed out of each armored figure, carrying thick flakes of frosty snow. This sudden storm of sleet swirled counter-clockwise around the mare, twirling faster and faster, forming a cylindrical curtain of pure white that surrounded Rainbow Dash on all sides.
Wincing from the close proximity of the knifing bits of ice, Rainbow Dash peered back over her shoulder. She caught a brief flash of frightened faces—and then both Twilight and Rarity vanished completely. Rainbow Dash was alone inside the vertical column of snow. Her ears rang from the constant howl, and she felt like her insides were going to freeze from the heart and outward.
And yet, as the seconds wore on, the painful chill of the snow lessened. At first, Rainbow thought it was her limbs going numb. But—rubbing one hoof against the other fetlock—she found that she was in perfect control of her senses. Raising a limb to her pendant, she could clearly feel the cold kiss of metal. She wasn't warm inside the opaque cylinder, and yet she wasn't freezing either. Gradually, as the next howling minute passed by, she became aware of a dim blue light encasing her like a cocoon from beyond the miniature blizzard. The golems of armor had all vanished at this point. The only real thing was the weather they concocted, and soon even the ear-piercing howl had quieted into a dull roar.
Panting, Rainbow Dash peered left and right. If it weren't for the tiny flakes of snow zipping from right to left at murderous speeds, she would have guessed she was lost in a gray fog. The tiny circular patch of golden metal beneath her was her only anchor to the Machine World. Otherwise, Rainbow could just as well have imagined herself in another dimension.
This distracted her so much that she didn't notice the shadowy figure lurching by until it grazed her peripheral vision.
“... … …!” Rainbow spun to her left.
She caught the supple flank of the figure. The dark patch bore four legs, a long neck, and a mane. Casually, the figure circled the entrapped mare, wandering the snowy blizzard “outside” like a deer shuffling through a dense forest. It looked just as innocent too.
Rainbow craned her neck, eyes squinting. “Bard? Twilight? Rarity?” She leaned forward. “Is that you?”
Instantly, the figure froze. A long, thick tail lashed out from its rear, ending in a forked shape. When it turned to face Rainbow Dash from beyond the blizzard, five savage horns tapered off from the top of its skull. A pair of slitted blue eyes opened in the middle of the shadow's head, glowing like an icy reptile's.
Rainbow leaned back, frowning. “Verlax.”
“Ah. A name.” The voice was soft, feminine, motherly. It resonated with the same metallic tone as that which broadcasted from the golems earlier, only this time it crackled with an ethereal quality, like ice breaking in the corner of Rainbow's hearing. “I'm quite flattered by that, actually.”
Rainbow blinked, and in that blink the shadow disappeared. Muzzle agape, she glanced left and right.
“Of course...” The voice came from behind.
“!!!” Rainbow spun to see the shadow hovering on the other side of the blizzard, flapping on angular wing-shapes.
“...I have many names. One for each shoreline... for each island... for each fish in this tiny ocean that fears me... needs me... worships me.”
Rainbow blinked again. This time, the shadow was to her left, casually pacing through the storm.
“But you? You carry on your tongue the name that my sisters have given me... and my sisters' friends. I do suppose you meant that as an insult.” The shadow paused. It tossed its head back, and the five horns molded into luscious mane hair. “But, that's the nature of names. The more you have of them, the more certain you are of your godhood.”
Rainbow merely squinted, her limbs and hooves locked in place.
Eventually, the shadow turned towards her. Its tail flicked, turning into a mare's well-groomed appendage. “So then, Austraeoh... carrier of the machine world's Spark...” Step by step, the hoofed thing approached the eye of the storm. “...Rainbow Dash. From one Goddess to another, I must ask...” Its eyes widened into round, equine sapphires, and it stopped before Rainbow could make out a single hint of its facial features. “...are you truly prepared for what I am about to give you?”
“The flame was never yours to begin with, Verlax,” Rainbow grumbled. She frowned. “And I am no goddess.”
“Ah! But that's how we know you can accomplish great things! You can do that which I can't—not easily, at least.”
“And what's that?”
“Die.” The eyes blinked briefly into reptilian slits before returning to full, round lustre. “And save the world, I suppose. It's... quite preferable to do it in a particular order. But that's the nature of the trials: to see if your awesomeness and your luck are interchangeable things. And, if that was precisely the case, I don't think I'd be sharing this delightful conversation with you right now.”
Rainbow's nostrils flared. “I don't see what's so darn delightful about it.”
“It means we've had a breakthrough...” The shadow of feathery wings spread and coiled again from beyond the frost. “You're here... which means the circle has truly begun. And everything that begins ends to begin again. I thought I was the only soul—Divine or otherwise—who understood this. But then I learned of you... I learned about the Austraeoh. And now you're close... so very close to undoing what's been done to be undone again.”
“What... are you even talking about?” Rainbow murmured.
“The only thing that's ever been worth talking about since the end of the beginning of the end,” Verlax spoke, her voice practically singing beyond the ghostly winds. “It's all about the Sundering, my little pony.”
Verlax circled the circle while Rainbow Dash peered out from within.
“Parallel lines of perfect antithesis...”
Verlax's shadow came to a stop, her hooves scuffling metallically through the blinding blizzard.
“...but only because we let them be.”
Rainbow merely watched, her face frozen in confusion as she listened.
The shadow and its glowing eyes turned to face her.
“Imagine that you spun the lines, so that they blurred into a pair of circles. Now, imagine merging those circles together, so that you could see that they were both one in the same.” She paced closer, her mane billowing like a dark cape behind her figure. “Imagine... just imagine that this was once the way things always were, and only a mind defined by its linear frailties could comprehend otherwise, forced by limitations: tiny thin slits through which one is forced to perceive the emotionless mechanics of this vast and unfeeling universe. Try to imagine an encompassing, a listless all-purpose purposelessness, stretching outward and inward in every direction, yet in no direction. A singularity and a void all in one. There would be no truth, for there would be no need for truth. Loneliness wouldn't exist, for there would be no one, no other, no all or nothing.
“How would one perceive of the imperceptible? Simple. There had to be a schism, a break, an epic cataclysm of such great and indomitable magnitude that it broke the laws and wrote them all at once, forcing into being beingness itself. How could this happen? It doesn't matter, for it had to happen, or else we would not be here discussing its happening. And for the laws of existence there were equal laws of nonexistence. For destruction, there was construction. For harmony... there was chaos. And you and I—goddess or not—we all live in the beautiful detritus of yesterday's apocalypse, a twilight that never ends, for it is always ending. What you and I call reality is simply the appendix to a chapter that exists outside the boundaries of any language...
“And yet, like trusting children, we all repeat it. We—the cosmos, the microbes, the oceans, the dust—we all emulate it, acting it out through eons of repetition, using planetoids as stage plays and continents as pulpits. We repeat death and rebirth in our futile attempts to become it. Sometimes in harmonic ballet, other times in chaotic bloodshed, we zig zag all the world's lines in hopes that it can become the circle once again... and never again.
“We did this until, at some point in time, the process became uniform. The accident stopped being an accident, and simply became a healthy reality. And it was at some point later, with the sum of all recorded knowledge and ignorance... regrets and hopes... dreams and fears... that a gaggle of curious creatures found their lines intersecting, and they decided to build a circle... to make it manifest through the greatest collage of ideas ever assembled in the history of everything. This was their gift to the universe... their gift to themselves... their home and gravestone all at once.”
Rainbow's ears folded back. At last, she murmured: “Urohringr.”
“However, their first mistake was in assuming that the epic monolith would be permanent.” The shadow paused in pacing, turning towards Rainbow yet again. “After all, can you blame them?” Then, with a loud burst, the shadow exploded, and Verlax turned into hundreds of thousands of pegasus shapes, all circling and flocking around the cylindrical blizzard like a cacophonous swarm of bats.
Rainbow gnashed her teeth, clamping her hooves over her ears as she hunched over and hissed in pain from the noise.
Through it all, Verlax's voice came booming with agonizing clarity. “Maybe it was done maliciously, or maybe it was made manifest by accident. But, one way or another, a singular member of this group—one very familiar to you and I—broke the covenant that had been so daringly made in the eons previous. The result was the greatest collapse to the greatest construction ever made. I trust you've always known about the Sundering, Austraeoh. What you haven't understood until now is that it was simply the lines' destiny to intersect and emulate the circle yet again. By breaking it, yes. But the Sundering was never just one event. It surrounds us. It defines us. And when the pieces fall apart just to fall back together again...”
Just like that, the screeching stopped. The flapping shadows all converged into one. The silhouette of a massive, five-horned dragon stood above Rainbow Dash, its wings outstretched.
“...it is like beautiful poetry. And you and I, Rainbow Dash, are on the cusp of a brand new stanza. We are so very lucky to witness it... to draw forth the breath that sings it into being.”
Rainbow seethed and seethed. She lowered her hooves from her aching ears and hissed: “I think... I-I think...” She gulped hard. “...you're an even nuttier melon fudge than Nevlamas.”
Slitted eyes flashed a hot blue. “My younger sister's biggest mistake was to obsess over chaos and chaos alone. But she can't really be blamed. She always was an idiot.” The shadow shrank into a petite pony size and trotted closer to the eye of the storm. “And for my older sister's transgression...” A metallic chuckle lit the air, adding frost to the swirling clouds. “...I can smell her fear on you, the same anxiety that once led her to eviscerate you in anger and denial. She thinks she's making a difference now, but all she values is harmony. Her arrogance is a dangerous thing. Nevlamas may have lived if it weren't for such self-righteousness.”
“Says the Divine who's lied to an entire continent full of sentient beings just to gain power,” Rainbow grumbled.
The shadow raised a hoof. “Responsibility. Not power. Though those two qualities are often commonly associated, only a kindergartner would consider them one in the same. No...” The equine head shook. “What I've done here in this ocean could not have been accomplished in my sleep, which is what your beloved princesses do. The alicorns of the sun and moon coast along on this cosmic waltz without questioning it or thinking outside the lines that their alien ancestors have painted. They ride the crest of a magic spell that's been thrown into kinetic motion since time immemorial. One day, the energy in those spells is going to fade away. And why not? The original casters either died or abandoned this island in the void epochs ago. But I?” Her wings stretched and unstretched in supple shadows. “I know the price of longevity, now more than ever. But when I first graced these shores, and I saw these mortals at war with one another, I knew that transforming them was no way of restoring them. I had to preserve their sins as much as their virtues. Harmony without chaos, after all, is a prison, and being ignorant of it is the one true Hell.”
“And you call this place a paradise?!” Rainbow Dash gnashed her teeth. “There are pirates and mobsters and corruption all over the high seas! I shudder to even think of what I'll find in Rohbredden!”
“You will find peace,” Verlax said. “And peace is not absolute. Nothing is. Nothing... save for the Sundering, and the forces that are compelled to repeat it, whether it involves us or not.”
“And lemme guess...” Rainbow flung a hoof. “You already signed up at the recruitment office ages ago.”
“What you call Rohbredden... my children... my brood... I call my greatest experiment. Well... second greatest. You're here now... and we can finally follow through on my vision.”
“Vision???” Rainbow blinked. Hard. “What vision?”
“The truth I witnessed about the Sundering...” The shadow receded into the mists. “...thousands upon thousands of years ago... when I attempted to follow my oldest sister, Endrax, into the void...”
Not long after the figure of Verlax vanished from beyond the swirling blizzard, the shadows re-coalesced. Only now, they took on new shapes and forms before Rainbow Dash. She blinked, her ruby eyes trailing after chaotic vortexes, nebulae, and other cosmic configurations. As the shadows spread apart, a singular shape—narrow and cylindrical—floated freely amidst the pale white frost.
“We live on a piece of the whole,” chanted Verlax's voice. “Either by malice or manifest destiny, it was removed from the rest by those who would be the progenitors of this world's ailing civilizations.”
Before Rainbow Dash, a sliver of the gigantic cylinder broke off, casting itself deep into the ethereal void.
“Whether it was the only part of Urohringr that was lost to the Sundering, or one of many several pieces that were cast adrift into the universe, I do not know. The beacons' flame beneath Rohbredden have only taught me so much, and such information was gathered through sheer manipulation, courtesy of chaotic stress. Perhaps—in time—these flames will teach you more than I've come to know. But that is not my place to discover, now, is it?”
The singular sliver enlarged, turning into a shadowy horizon. Zooming in, Rainbow bore witness to the silhouettes of trees, rivers, valleys, and mountains. Atop one such peak, a brood of five enormous dragons sat, their winged shapes blotting the sky.
“My sisters and I were born here, and all we knew was the chaos and emptiness that surrounded this plane. The Sundering took place shortly before our hatching, and it is my firm believe that we were willed into being because of it. Where there is confusion, order blossoms like a candle, and our five hearts burned brightest amidst the endless twilight. Oh, there were other beings who struggled to live on this derelict speck of purpose, but we paid them very little heed. In fact, it wasn't until the alicorns chanced upon the landscape that any being of any importance sought to eke a semblance of civilization out of the threadbare castaways clinging to this metal.”
Equine shadows descended upon the plane. One by one, the dragon shapes split up, abandoning the silhouetted mountaintops.
“Some of us took interest in what the alicorns had to offer. Sturke, in particular, became fast friends with the hoofed aliens. She helped the alicorns nurse the equine population into a place of dominance, as they most closely resembled the beings who had stumbled upon us from afar. While Sturke shared her innate knowledge on temperature and weather, Nevlamas communed through her mastery of magics. If it weren't for the tools of the trade that my younger sisters shared, ponykind would not even remotely exist as it does today. Axan, in the meantime, kept her distance. She talked with the alicorns on occasion, but she was always somewhat distrustful of them, and to this day I do not blame her. The Divine of Flame felt most comfortable living in solitude, nurturing her broods and protecting her hoard. Endrax, however, being the oldest, wisest, and most speculative of us, could not sit so idly in one place while the effects of the Sundering continued to unfold. She was always a Divine of tomorrow. She thought in the future, dreamt in future. She knew every sentence before she finished it, and could guess the start of a soul's next phrase before it was uttered. Her eyes were always on the big picture. So, while the alicorns were concerned with nurturing the birth of this lonesome plane, she was always focused on its death. Thus, in a spirit of lonesome ambition, she sought a way to usher in the inevitable hospice.”
One shadow broke from the rest, gliding towards the furthest edge of the horizon, dwindling into darkness.
“Only an age before, the alicorns had constructed a magnificent sarcophagus to house the source of the power that had brought them here. The Midnight Armory—as I'm sure the princesses still call it to this day—was placed on the side of the world that their good graces could not protect through sheer presence, since their numbers were few. The alicorns chose to focus their power on one side of the plane, under the belief that through imminent concentration they could establish a harmonic civilization that would never perish. It was their presumption that positioning the Midnight Armory on the opposite plane would allow a form of counterbalance to this piece of Urohringr. My oldest sister, Endrax, did not share their confidence. She sought to reach the center of the dark side, to guard the Armory on her own. For centuries... millennia... the rest of us lived in her absence. Sturke and Nevlamas had full faith in Endrax's ability to uphold the alicorns' vision. Axan, on the other hand, did not pretend to care. But I?”
At last, a final shadow took wing, its draconian shape piercing the heavens.
“I used to be the most anxious member of our brood, a middle child with no clear distinction on where my loyalties lied. Ultimately, it was my love for my siblings that drove me to do what I did next. I flew after Endrax... but I did not find her. For years and years, I scoured the dark hellscapes of the twilight world, the sunless canyons and the lifeless ravines. I flew over hundreds of thousands of miles of blight and desolation. I glided along those frigid winds for so long that I witnessed the spread of life across the furthest edges—threadbare tundra, shambling beasts, and listless haunts—all of the hapless creatures who made it over death's edge through sheer panic or desperation. And amidst all of the forsaken denizens on the edge of the unknown, I could not discover my beloved Endrax.”
The swirling blizzard around Rainbow Dash turned dark, and only a faint gray outline of dragon wings could be seen against the interminable blackness. The mare watched as the shape streaked upward, outward, further into the void.
“So, I sought truth from beyond. I flew straight into the void. Perhaps years of flying beneath the twilight had tempted me to make such a fortuitous leap. Or, quite possibly, I had secretly given up hope on ever finding Endrax, and this act was my subconscious surrender to cosmic desolation. Whatever the case, I knew that I couldn't find any truth on the lonely island that was this plane, so there had to have been something encompassing, a reality that existed on a higher plane, something that I had been blind to for all my eons of existence. I flew high and far, Austraeoh. Further than you've flown or ever will... past the clouds... beyond the atmosphere... surpassing the orbit of the two Sentinels still locked with this piece of Urohringr.”
The gray outline shuddered and stalled. Its fragmented wings hung limply in place, and soon the dragon was floating like a lifeless mass across the ether.
“I flew until I no longer had any breath to fuel my muscles further. That was precisely when I reached the edge, the furthest reach of this plane's gravity. The bitter cold blight of that nothingness consumed me... infested me. I wasn't always the Divine of Frost, my little pony. Some things in life are earned, like knowledge... and curses. More often than naught, they are both one in the same.”
A pair of blue eyeslits suddenly opened in the center of the gray outline's cranium.
“Exposed there to unbridled nothinginess, I was cursed with the lucid realization that chaos will always defeat harmony... but it will never destroy it. We live in a linear world, subject to endless decay, where all warmth and matter eventually surrenders to annihilation and cold. To delay the end is inevitable... but that does not mean that we musn't delay it anyways. Harmony will never disappear completely. It will be diminished, yes, but tearing something into halves from here to eternity will only turn it into smaller parts—and those infinitesimal parts, however unsettling and inert they may appear—will still be something far greater, warmer, and more delicious than nothing.”
The blizzard turned pale again. Rainbow watched as a pair of flapping leather wings carried the shadow—much thinner and more frail—back down to the plane.
“I came back from that journey a changed soul. And although I would not discover the fate of Endrax until much, much later—it no longer mattered. I came to understand everything, including the reason why I could not find her. To solve the problems of this world, you must embrace them, and learn to rebuild from the ashes, for that is the fate of all things anyway. The Sundering is the perfect blueprint for all things both accidental and purposed. The only issue is that no soul living on this metallic strip had realized the truth until now. Urohringr knew, and its constitute parts—imprinted upon ruby flame hidden deep beneath the metal layers—had given hints to the truth, a truth that I would not learn to exploit until the chaos from beyond bestowed a lexicon upon my inquisitive mind.”
The draconian silhouette of Verlax flew over a continental landscape. Before Rainbow's eyes, shadows of ponies, sirens, griffons, and other winged beasts flocked after the Divine. Soon, the dragon's wings cleared the clouds away from the tallest mountain, and she settled there, her equine skull bearing a crown as she presided over the five bowing races.
“But I needed time to learn... to more properly understand what my place was in the instinctual patterns demanded by the fossils of Urohringr. And, over time, while I practiced my new and enlightened philosophies on the kingdom of Rohbredden, I discovered... that I had no place in such a destiny. This world is a broken tool of an even larger machine. It did not need a dragon to ignite its engines. It needed a spark. Cyclical forces were at play long before my sisters and I were even hatched, and every eon or so the trailing energies that powered Urohringr beckoned... called for a mighty flame to scale the lengths of its wounds and restore them back to normal. Only through the kindling of this flame... this living torch... would that which was destroyed become fully constructed again. The latest pattern in the Sundering would be undone, and all misery and pain as we've grown to know it on this plane would cease... if only for an epoch...”
All of the shadows dwindled—save for one—in the size of a dainty equine mare standing before Rainbow. Verlax's slitted eyes opened, blue and piercing.
“That living torch... that spark of salvation is you, Austraeoh.” The shadow slowly shook its head. “But you will not get there on just harmony alone. Sooner than later you shall discover that chaos is as equally useful and necessary an ally.”
Rainbow frowned. “You can cut the crap right now, 'cuz no way in heck am I gonna let chaos take the reins.”
“And have you not already?” The Divine's voice resonated with amusement. The equine shadow cocked its head to the side from beyond the blizzard. “Did a single Element of Harmony make it all this long and dreadful distance? Dying more than once—only to be reborn? It wasn't just Eljunbyro that saved you, Rainbow Dash. Your body had learned to embrace the touch of death a long, long time ago. How else do you think you've been capable of returning?”
Rainbow Dash was shivering at this point. She hung her head, her eyes piercing the golden platform beneath her. In a blink, she envisioned the rusted, blood-stained laboratory floors situated deep beneath Blue Shelf. Clenching her eyes shut, she couldn't shake the look of fear on Roarke's face as she dragged a chaotic beast out from beneath a collapsed airship.
The shadow paced around her. “And your friends. Surely, they are parts of the harmonic flame, carried by loyalty itself. But what has been the vessel, Rainbow Dash? What has preserved them instead of losing their essences to limbo?”
“Everywhere I've gone...” Rainbow Dash droned, teeth clenched as she fought her shakes. “...I've done all I could to spread harmony.” She gulped hard. “The war in Ledomare is over. Darkstine avoided a civil conflict. Silvadel is at peace and Val Roa—”
“And just how much of that have you accomplished by being a good, angelic missionary of harmony, my little pony?”
Rainbow turned away from the shadow.
It formed together on the other side, occupying her vision yet again. “The Austraeoh's purpose is not defined solely through peace or discord,” Verlax said. “If you are to save this world, to undo the Sundering so that one day the universal cycle will let it happen again, you must transcend that which is black or white. You've already accomplished this, Rainbow Dash. You've done it more times than even I or the alicorns or the metamorphic queen can account for. However, you must accept this reality for what it is. You must embrace it, or else your journey will not even make it to the dark side of this plane, and all of my trials will have been orchestrated for nothing.”
Rainbow opened her eyes. Tilting her head up, she glared at the figure. “What do you mean... trials?”
“The moment I realized that this world was calling the spark east, I understood that these lands would act as the final hurdle for the Austraeoh's journey. For decades... centuries... millennia, I prepared for such an arrival, augmenting the beacons so that they would fuel the flame. Only through such trials would I know... would we all know... and would you know that the time for rebirth had arrived.”
“Are you trying to tell me that... you somehow fixed it so that my friends would appear to me when they did?”
“I would certainly like to think so,” Verlax said, suppressing a giggle.
“Pfft! Horse hockey.”
“The Element of Magic,” Verlax suddenly droned, her shadow standing tall and proper with a flick of the tail. “Representing a soundness of mind, a rational approach to problem solving, and confidence in the presence of friends. Mastery of this Element means understanding how to function with it... as well as without it. Tell me, Austraeoh, have you experienced a bout of madness lately?”
Rainbow Dash blinked. “I... I found Twilight right after... right after...” She blinked, shuddering slightly. The mare brought a hoof to her head as she teetered from the sheer magnitude of the thought. “I just... just felt so alone... so friendless.” She gulped. “All of the magic was gone. My wings couldn't even work! I was lost in such a huge friggin' desert full of nothing and... and...” Her jaw dropped. She gazed up at the shadow. “Holy cow... did... did you invent the Grand Choke...?!?”
Instead of answering, the shadow paced around the eye of the storm, murmuring: “The Element of Generosity, something embodied by its selflessness and altruism. However, to properly ascertain the poignancy of giving, you also have to take... and shamelessly too. Did you truly get to the Nealend Atoll by fruits of your own labor?”
The shadow scuffled to a stop, its blue eyes peering down at her. “And did you ask for such help? Or did you hijack them?”
“Well... well I...” Rainbow grimaced, fumbling for words. “No! I mean... it all ended up alright in the end! Nick f-found true love and Sinrar... uhhhh...”
“Did the Nealenders ever ask for their whirlpool to be replaced with a tower?” Verlax asked. “Or for the source of their favorite hunt to be driven away? All just to help a wandering pegasus reunite with her phantom friend?”
Rainbow bit her lip, her eyes darting back and forth.
The shadow strolled closer to the wall of blizzard, but not so close as to pierce it. “Two cities. One above the ocean, and the other beneath it. There has been pain amongst the citizenry, yes. Even acts as merciless as arson. But, all in all, these remote colonies have existed in equilibrium with one another for decades. And then—with harmony as her goal—a wayward soul arrives to disrupt the balance through the most criminal means possible. It's an absurd act of heroism at best, with very little planning and very little chance of positive results. An impulsive exercise in organized calamity if ever there was one.”
“A joke...” Rainbow Dash muttered, her eyebrow twitching. “...a laughable plan... desperadoes and a desperate pegasus...” Rainbow felt a lump forming in her throat. With ears folded, she looked up at the shadow.
“Are you now learning, Austraeoh?” Verlax asked. “Are you now realizing the lines that you must cross to form a circle?”
Rainbow's expression hardened into a sneer. “If you for once think that I'm going to—”
“But you have. That much cannot be denied, Rainbow Dash. Nor is it the crux of the issue.” Verlax strolled around in a circle. “You are here only because you had to take major steps... major steps that you wouldn't have taken beforehand... in a time when the other Elements of Harmony were alive to judge you. Well, now, there is no way to avoid their scrutiny. To gain them, you must lose them. And to help you, they must embrace you... just as you must embrace yourself.”
“No...”
“The destiny of Austraeoh is absolute. It was spelled into being long before I too became a spoke in the great machine that wills it. The Sundering must be undone, and now that one flame has been called this far, I shall see to the completion of its journey—at least as far as I am able.”
Rainbow stomped a hoof. “Stop pretending like any of this crud is excusable! Tell me! Did you really make the Grand Choke?!” She snarled and shivered upon the brink of hyperventilating. “Did you really build an entire desert of magic, starving and isolating countless civilizations, just so you could put a hapless pegasus like me through some stupid test?!”
“I did what you and I both had to do, Austraeoh. You have your contributions, and I have mine. At this juncture, however, I only intend to enlighten you.” The shadow loomed closer, growing, enlarging. “Before you reach the edge, you are going to have to do very disharmonious... very dishonest... very unkind things.” Five horns protruded from the dragon's skull, and the eyeslits burned brighter. “And before you rapture this world from its frigid plight... a lot... and I do mean a lot of souls are going to die.” Icy vapors bled through the blizzard's wall. “Make peace with your chaotic side, Rainbow Dash, before it wages war with the whole of you. This world cannot survive without Austraeoh, and the healthy circle will not repeat.”
Rainbow shook her head. “Forget it! What you're expecting of me is stupid... laughable!”
“I would certainly hope so!” The shadow's head reared back as she chuckled. “It is all a big, grand joke!” A pause, and the draconian shape bowed. “And on that note, I give you your gift...”
Just like that, the swirling snow faded, the shadow melting along with it. In a blink, Rainbow spotted a dozen statues standing around her—all collapsing into rusted metal shingles. Then, right before her, a pedestal of flame loomed, completely devoid of ice. She tilted her head up, and the colored bands of Yaerfaerda leapt straight at her—
“Guh!” Rainbow grimaced. She curled her hooves to her chest, panting. Looking left and right, she spotted stars, cosmos, and nebulae. “What...?” Looking straight ahead, she saw a curved horizon rolling beneath her. Its mountains, oceans, and rivers bled together to form a terrestrial blur.
Wasting no time, Rainbow flapped her wings and bolted forward, shouting into the heavens.
“You! You're there!” She snarled, eyes darting left and right as she sped over the various ruby beacons. “Stop playing! I know you're there!”
“The flame is hotter than ever before,” the voice shook over the landscape. “Has the Austraeoh found another torch?”
“Yeah! And then some!” Rainbow clapped her hooves together. “Friggin' talk to me, ya fart gas! Has Verlax been here before?”
“She speaks of the other set of eyes that has been upon her...” It was neither a declaration or an inquisition.
“Answer the question!” Rainbow barked. “Verlax! Has she been to every beacon?!” The mare gulped. “Has she laid some stupid trap for me from here on out?!”
“Perhaps we are not the only ones who anticipate the Spark's journey.” The horizon rippled as if the edge of the world was full of flame and not water. “A great deal of revolutions have passed since the beginning of all things breaking.”
“Tell me... tell me pl-please...” Rainbow gulped. “The Sundering! Is that it?! Is that what this whole stinkin' journey's about?!”
“The world dies without the Austraeoh. The world dies for the Austraeoh.” The stars above receded, giving way to empty darkness. “It will live as she lives, through the end and back—”
“Was it all worth taking my friends away from me?!” Rainbow hollered, eyes tearing. She seethed: “More than once?!”
The void grew deeper, darker, blacker. It encompassed everything.
Rainbow yelled against it: “I'm serious! Tell me the truth! Give me a—”
FLASH!!!
“—sign!” Rainbow Dash stammered, stumbling forward over the golden platform. Her hooves slipped on freshly melted ice, and she stood over several loose plates of armor, panting.
“Twitchy tail! Twitchy tail!”
Rainbow Dash did a double-take. She stared dumbly into a haze of mechanical parts, all dripping with slick condensation. “The truth is 'twitchy tail?'”
“Look out!” Bard shouted from behind.
Rainbow sensed a shadow above her. Gasping, the mare leapt to her left—just in time to avoid a falling chunk of ice. CRKKK!
“Rainbow!” Twilight gasped. “Are you alright?!”
“Darling! You're back!” Rarity floated briefly into sight, only to be blotted out by swinging pendulums and swirling gears. “We... uh... seem to have a situation—”
“Everythang's become all sprungy and alive!” Bard shouted. “Whatever you did, darlin', it turned this place on like a light—”
“Oooh! Ooooh! Achy fetlock!” A bouncy voice chirped. “That means 'look out for the big swinging golden pendulum of doom!'”
“... ... ...!!!” Rainbow spun around.
She saw Bard and Wildcard standing in place, side by side. They were too busy gawking to notice the gigantic piece of metal machinery swinging straight towards them.
“Guys!” Rainbow was already diving. “Look out—”
Whump! She plowed the two over, saving them from the heavy swipe of the pendulum. The trio tumbled over a puddle-strewn part of the platform while icicles collapsed all around them.
“Whoah dayum!” Bard sputtered, catching ahold of his staff and slowly standing up. “How in Goddess' name didja see that?”
“Wuh oh!” The voice chirped again. Rainbow spotted a darting flash of pastel in her peripheral. “Ear flop! Eye flutter! Knee twitch!”
A curtain of amber light poured over the rumbling interior.
“Rainbow! Look!” Twilight exclaimed. “The door to the other side!”
“It's open!” Rarity added.
“Yeeeeehaa!” Bard hollered, yanking the griffon up to his talons. “Make like a feather and tickle, son! Cuz we done blown this joint!”
“Heeheeheee! Ride 'em cowponyyyyy!”
Rarity and Twilight jerked in place. They spun about, muzzles agape.
Directly above, the shifting of the glowing machine parts had shaken loose the last chunks of ice from within the upper alcoves. Razor sharp icicles and bits of frost fell in a murderous curtain, trailing after the hooves of the scampering trio. Rainbow and the Desperadoes galloped out of the entrance just in the nick of time. They winced, their flanks sprinkled with snow and icy powder.
“Brrbrbrbrrrr!” Bard shuddered, wincing all over. “Dang if that wasn't a close one—!”
Wildcard flapped his wings, flying in time to narrowly escape a craggy piece of the stone ceiling as it fell down. The Machine World chamber behind them shook, spiraled, and shifted within its earthen foundation. As a result, the sirens' sepulchers shook and quaked all around it—as well as the figures directly outside.
“We gotta move!” Rainbow said breathily. “No standing around! We're dead meat down here!”
“I ain't fit for gravy!” Bard's voice cracked as she took the lead. “Hop along, Dubya-C!”
Wildcard glided after him and Rainbow Dash carried the rear. The claustrophobic air turned deafening with tremorous rumbles as the three figures ascended the spiraling corridor. To the left and right, stone effigies of sirens and seaponies collapsed into dust.
“Come on, Camellia...” Rainbow sneered, huffing and puffing. She clenched her eyes shut and concentrated. “Camellia, help, please. We need a way out.”
“Weeeeee! Whupp! Sniffly left nostril! Watch the floor!”
“Jump!” Rainbow randomly spat.
“Huh?” Bard found himself being lifted up by Wildcard's talons as the floor gave out beneath him. “Whoah!”
Rainbow glided over the sudden fissure in the tomb. She stopped along the far edge, looking over her shoulder. “Pink—?”
“Darlin'! Dun stop!” Bard wheezed as he and Wildcard found their footing. “There's a clearin'! Just up ahead!”
Wildcard gestured.
“Yup!” Bard nodded, sputtering. “Feels like the tremors are stoppin' too!”
“We can only hope...” Rainbow galloped after them. The torchlight ahead of them was incredibly bright. Rainbow had to squint—and she could scarecly make out a fluffy figure with an even fluffier mane standing dead-front-and-center, smiling at her with two shiny blue eyes.
“And now there's a strange cold crick in my neck! That means we're surrounded by a bunch of angry stallions who want to stomp us to death and drink our blood!”
With a gasp, Rainbow phased straight through the pink mare. Her eyes came into focus, and she could suddenly see why the Desperadoes had stumbled to a shivering stop beside her.
“There!” Cold Stone hollered, pointing up at the lofty entrance where Rainbow, Bard, and Wildcard stood. He wasn't alone, for there was also Revan, Jeryn, and no less than forty angry members of the Syndicate, all situated beneath a tall wall of quivering telekineticized water. The group pivoted to face the far end of the chamber. In the torchlight, several dozen metal bats, blades, and other bludgeons glistened—along with countless rows of snarling teeth. “There they are! Exactly where I said they would come out!”
“Verlaxion's sleet...” Jeryn gasped, his features paling even more. “There's... there's only three of them? Whoah!”
Revan shoved his way past Jeryn. He shouted so loud that veins popped in his neck. “Barrrrrrrrd!”
The stallion gulped and drew back. “Awwwwwwww hell...”
“I'm going to stomp the shit out of your balls so hard that generations from now sea ponies will need a pooper scooper made out of titanium to even dredge up a turdlet of your remains from this goddess forsaken underwater toilet, ya bar snatching flankhole!” Revan shouted.
“Eeep!” Rarity squeaked.
Twilight gulped audibly.
Rainbow bit her lip, glancing aside.
A pink face with a pink smile turned to face her. “Heeheeheee!” Pinkie Pie giggle-snorted, then pointed down at the mob. “He said 'pooper scooper.'”
“Did you hear me, ya putrid waste of spit?!” Revan shouted. Waving bands of waterlight reflected off his blade, and he pointed threateningly at the three figures standing atop the raised platform before the large sepulcher. “I'm gonna murder you harder than your mother killed herself upon seeing what a flank-backwards slimeball she squirted into this world!”
“Nopony steals from the Syndicate and gets away with it!” Cold Stone hollered. He levitated several daggers and spat on the ancient stone floor. “We're gonna make you pay through every organ!”
“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight flew in close, whispering in the pegasus' ear. “There's simply too many of them.”
“What are we going to do?!” Rarity whimpered.
Twilight continued: “These aren't like the small group of pirates you beat up way back over the ocean.” She gulped. “They outnumber us over ten to one!”
“Twitchy Tail!” An undisturbed voice delightfully chirped.
THUNKKK! Behind the Desperadoes, the entrance to the lower chambers collapsed, courtesy of lingering tremors. Bard, Wildcard, and Rainbow Dash coughed and wheezed in the ensuing smoke cloud.
“Well...” Bard waved a hoof in front of his muzzle. “We can't turn tail and run. So there goes my first idea.”
“There's no escape now, pissheads!” Revan hollered, stepping closer towards the stone stairs leading up to the three. “We have the only entrance blocked and there's nothing but thousands of feet of water piled on top of us! You're coming out of this a cold corpse!”
“But... uhm...” Jeryn leaned in, smiling nervously. “If you would be so kind as to testify against the accusations being brought upon us by a certain Theanim Mane—” Revan's hoof slammed against his chest. “Ooof!”
“Just tell us where you've put all our platinum bars from Rust!” Revan shouted. “And we just might kill you off a little less painfully. Ain't nopony's choice but ours. So what it'll it be, ya bastards?” Schiiiing! He dragged the blade across the floor, spilling sparks everywhere. “The bloody way? Or the extra bloody way?”
All of Revan's thugs growled and shook, ready to come charging up the steps at the drop of a hat.
Rainbow Dash panted and panted. He glanced at the many angry faces aimed her way. Sweat formed along her brow in large bulbous drops.
Somewhere, hidden deeply between Rainbow's hyperventilating breaths, Verlax's words rung with a haunting echo: “'Before you reach the edge, you are going to have to do very disharmonious... very dishonest... very unkind things.'”
The mare blinked, and in that blink she saw dead bodies and broken managliders lining the depths of Sapphire Ravine. Somewhere muddy and forgotten, the flesh of Xonan and Ledomaritan soldiers decomposed. Names vanished within the confines of Pale Shelf and Nevlamas' deathly ashes swirled in the air.
“We... we have to act quick...” Rainbow tried speaking, but her words came out in a dry murmur. “If... if we split up... uhm... take out separate groups... we m-might be able to knock 'em all out—”
“Hate to burst yer bubble, darlin',” Bard whispered back, eyes locked on the bloodthirsty crowd below. “But these here folks ain't got nothin' left to lose. They won't stop until the three of us are dead, and knockin' 'em out won't do nothin'.”
“But... but...”
Bard shook his head with a somber expression. “Ponies are gonna die in the next few seconds, Rainbow,” Bard said, tightening his grip of the staff. “And from the looks of it, I dun think their numbers are gonna die faster...”
“He... he c-can't be serious!” Rarity scoffed. “Is he serious?”
“Rainbow, I...” Twilight bit her lip. “I-I can't think of any ideas! This... this...”
“Well?!” Revan started marching icily up the steps. “Where's your bravado now, flankholes?! Come face your death with some balls! I'll feed 'em to you while you're still breathing!”
With thudding hooves, the entire group of stallions stomped up after him. The room shook with noise as the mob grew closer, closer...
Rainbow's eyes twitched. Once more, Verlax's words swam through her brain: “And before you rapture this world from its frigid plight... a lot... and I do mean a lot of souls are going to die.”
“This is it...” Bard spoke firmly, holding his staff out as he stood before Rainbow Dash. “I'm the biggest of the bunch. I'll take the first wave—”
“No,” Rainbow exhaled. She stared a thousand yards ahead. Somewhere, high above, Yaerfaerda pulsed with a dim yellow glow. She couldn't bare to look at it any longer, so she shut her eyes and swam into darkness. “Get behind me.”
Wildcard and Bard looked at her, gawking. “Huh?”
“Her test isn't over...” Rainbow gulped. Rainbow shuddered. Her hoof reached up to her pendant. “...I... I've learned to make peace with my chaotic side before.” She clenched her teeth. “It's about time I showed it.”
Rarity and Twilight peered over, their faces overwrought with both curiosity and confusion. “Rainbow Dash...?”
“Twilight... Rarity... Pinkie...” Rainbow stifled a whimper as she started pulling the Element of Loyalty off. “I'm sorry—”
“Rainbow Dash.” A voice thundered through the mare's head, and it wasn't Verlax's this time.
Rainbow gasped. Her eyes flashed open, red-on-yellow. She clasped the pendant back into place. “Camellia!”
“Fear not,” the Siren's voice rang. “Help has arrived.”
“Help...?!” Rainbow seethed, leaning forward. “Your Majesty, what kind of help?!”
“What?!” Bard sputtered. “Is it Camellia?!”
“Camellia?” Jeryn stammered from down below.
“Huh?!” Revan's brow furrowed. “What the hell are you even going on about?!”
“Oooooooh! There it is!” Pinkie Pie sang.
Rainbow looked over.
Pinkie Pie floated upside down, rubbing her pink face. “My nostril hairs are starting to poke out! Heehee!” She turned and grinned at Rainbow Dash. “That can only mean that a giant scaly sea serpent with razor sharp teeth is about to swallow us whole!”
Rainbow did a double-take. Her eyes tilted up... up... and up...
Suddenly, the whole sepulcher rumbled. A loud wailing noise bounced off the walls. Revan came to a stumbling stand-still, as did all of his frazzled henchstallions. A few of them fell down the stairs, grunting and yelping in surprise.
“Huh...?!” Revan spun about. “Cold Stone?!”
“I... I don't know what's happening, Boss!” The unicorn lackey stammered. “It couldn't be the Siren Bitch's direct involvement! Unless...”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Aaaaaaaah!” Jeryn shrieked and shrieked even higher. He collapsed while pointing out the wavering wall of magic water.
“What is it?!” Revan frowned, turning to stare out into the ocean. “I swear, you're even a bigger puss—” His jaw fell as he dropped his weapon. Cl-Clank! The air around him filled with the collective gasp of the henchstallions.
There was no sign of the ocean any longer, for the entire view was blocked by the enormous girth of a gigantic fish. Its brown and yellow scales loomed closer until soon the massive jaws of the thing lingered just a few mere feet from the aquakinetic barrier. At last, a set of glistening headcrests fanned out, and the leviathan's enormous jaws opened wide, revealing a gaping maw and an even wider throat.
“Oh goddess!” Jeryn cowered, covering his muzzle and shivering on the floor. “Oh Goddess Verlaxion, I'm sorry for everything I've ever done—!”
“Hell's bells!” Bard's voice cracked for the first time since Rainbow met him. He and Wildcard leaned against each other, shivering. “What in tarnation is that thing?!”
“Rainbow...!” Twilight gasped.
The monster's jaws broke through the magic field, collapsing it in a wet flash.
Rainbow gulped hard as the blood rushed into her ears, silencing everything but her own voice: “Ultimo.”
SPLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!
Water came rushing in—an impenetrable wall of it. There was no escape from the relentless deluge, save for one direction—the sea serpent's mouth. Screaming and flailing, every member of the Syndicate was swept off his hooves and carried forcefully into the thing's gaping jaws.
And they weren't alone.
“Aaaaaaaaaaugh!” Bard wailed, thrashing about as the whirlpool dragged him and Wildcard. “Not pretty! Not pretty!”
“Just hold your breath!” Rainbow hollered, reaching out to grab his hoof.
“But... b-but...!”
“Hold your breath!” Rainbow reached her other hoof out and yanked Wildcard by his tail. “Trust me!” She inhaled the last pocket of air—just before the raging rapids dragged her and everypony else underwater. Within a blink, she, Bard, Wildcard, and all her ghostly friends were sucked into the beast's protective mouth. A pink pony sailed in last, her body shrunken into a joyous cannonball.
“Right here, Rainbow! And... and is Pinkie really—”
“Hold on, darlings! I do believe this creature is taking us somewhere.”
“Yeah? But where, Rarity? Can you sense—?”
“Just stay still! Things are about to get bumpy...”
“Heeheehee! Somebody needs a breath mint! Don'tcha, big fella? Awwwwww... what a soft, squishy uvula! Hey! How come I can't hug it?”
“Pinkie, please, now is not the time for—”
“A light! A light!”
“Look out!”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaa—”
Sp-Sp-Splooooosh! Rainbow Dash, Bard, Wildcard, and over thirty terrorized stallions were suddenly spat out of the mouth of the huge, scaly beast. Propelled by the force of Ultimo's tongue, the huge group flew through a wall of magic water. They came out the dry side with wet splatters, blinded by bright manalight.
Catching her breath, Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and stopped in mid-air. She caught the weight of Wildcard and Bard in her hooves, and soon both Desperadoes were flying right-side up along with her. The trio glanced down, as did the three spectres circling Rainbow.
“—aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!” Revan, Jeryn, and their collective henchstallions fell several feet—only to be caught in a floating sphere of telekinetic water. Their bodies jostled to a stop, gasped bubbles for breath—and then the ball of water popped like a balloon. “Aaaaiee!” TH-TH-THUD! The entire group of sopping wet thugs fell hard on the stone floor... right in the dead center of the Marine Auction House.
“Hello, Boss Jeryn,” spoke the head of the Council of Shoggoth. The aged stallion turned to look at the rest of the gasping, sputtering Syndicate. “And hello to you, Boss Revan of Rust, I presume.”
“Rrrrrnnngh!” Revan hopped up to his hooves, teetering slightly. He was covered from head to hoof with salt water and slimy saliva. “What is the meaning of this?! I demand to have an... answer...” His muzzle gaped open. Cold Stone and Jeryn looked up, and they too collectively whimpered.
Princess Camellia loomed above them, treading water gracefully in a levitating sphere. The monarch of Shoggoth was flanked by a group of bruised and angry-looking guards from the tombs. Several seaponies swam in the sphere around her.
All eyes—amphibious or otherwise—were locked on the sopping wet Syndicate. An entire ring of Shoggoth's finest peered down from the seats of the Marine Auction House.
“How nice of you to join us,” continued the head Council member. He paced across his balcony, his shadow stretching over the guilty party in the watery manalight. “Especially considering that you are—in fact—the center of this conversation. It would appear that both the Northern and Southern Hooves have a lot to answer for. The first and most immediate issue—naturally...” He glared down at the group. “...is why did you see it necessary to violently and illegally force your way into the forbidden Siren Sepulchers?!”
“Most esteemed Council...” Jeryn stood up, shivering all over. “This is... is...” He smiled nervously. “This is all a severe misunderstanding! We were merely—Gaaaah!”
Revan shoved him over and marched up to the balcony's edge, snarling. “Enough bullshit! I know what this is!” He pointed at Camellia. “It's a setup! It was always a setup! She instigated this, didn't she? From the very beginning! She orchestrated the collapse of the Northern Hoof in Rust with her telepathic antics!”
“Oh, did she, now?”
Revan flashed a look over to his right, and his ears folded.
Echo stood across the puddle-strewn floor of the Auction House. He stepped forward, slitted eyes narrowing on Rust. “Do you think Princess Camellia ordered all of those explosives... set plans to place charges across the city... and wrote documents proving the Syndicate's desire to assist the Southern Hoof's criminal seizure of royal Muddredge property?”
“You have no proof of such things!” Revan spat.
“What?” Theanim Mane stepped up, waving several documents in his hoof. “Aside from the photographic evidence of your organization's string of arson in Rust? Over two dozen lists of names that the Syndicate has willfully and purposefully exploited for the sake of furthering a criminal organization?”
“And—right now, as we speak—the Royal guards of Her Majesty Princess Camellia have come back from a thorough search conducted in the Southern Hoof's hold,” the head Council Member said. His eyebrow raised. “There appear to be over a hundred items located there—all of which perfectly match the description of numerous royal heirlooms that have mysteriously gone missing from the tombs over the last few decades...”
Cold Stone collapsed on his knees. Several other thugs dropped their weapons with pale expressions.
While several guards closed in, Theanim Mane looked at the group with a smug grin. “Curious... I wonder if today is the first time you've illegally entered the Royal Sepulchers.”
Jeryn gulped hard. “That's it! We're boned.”
“Like Hell we are!” Revan stomped his hoof, frowning. “I came here on a matter of business only! All of these declarations are slanderous and absurd!” He grinned wickedly. “In fact, until I was thrown into this chamber like a stinkin' ragdoll, none of you idiots even knew I was around! So where do you get off claiming I had anything to do with the craziness going on down here?!”
Several wet splashes echoed from above.
Camellia smiled. She didn't even look as a group of seaponies leapt like dolphins through the water barrier and plunged inside. They landed in the floating ring of water—but they weren't alone. A dazed and dizzy stallion floated with them, his head protectively encased in a bubble of air. The seaponies gently lowered Remna onto the dry floor, where he landed on his knees, gasping and sputtering for air.
Revan blinked.
Looking up, Remna wheezed. He caught sight of Revan, then instantly frowned. “Grrrrr...!” He tossed his head back, dropping Bard's wet hat to the floor. “Him!” Remna pointed at the Boss of Rust. “He's the one! The no-good dirty psychopath who tossed me out into the ocean depths to drown to death!”
“... … ...” Revan slumped back on his haunches. “Well... shit.”
The audience filled with deep murmurs.
The Head Council Member glanced up at Camellia. They shared a glance... a knowing nod... and then the elder gazed once again upon the guilty party. “By the power invested in me by Her Royal Highness Princess Camellia—as well as the governing body of the Muddredge Council—I have no choice but to put you, Boss Revan and Boss Jeryn of the Northern and Southern Syndicate, under arrest. The charges include illegal trespassing on royal ground, theft and possession of royal artifacts, arson, murder, larceny...”
It literally took the Head Council Member over a minute to list all the charges, during which the jaws of the Syndicate members dropped lower and lower.
In the meantime, Theanim looked at Echo, then patted the sarosian's shoulder reassuringly. For once, Echo didn't shrug it off or roll his eyes. He stared in Revan's direction with a heated glare, his lungs expanding and retracting with righteous breaths.
Theanim Mane twirled about. He stared up... up... up... then finally caught sight of Rainbow and her friends. He smiled, then performed a tiny salute.
Rainbow Dash took a deep breath, nodding back as she hovered over the dramatic scene.
“Well... will ya fancy that?” Bard murmured.
“Yeah, I know, right?” Rainbow gulped. “Even after all the near-death crud we went through, sweet justice is totally worth—”
“That sopping wet dude brought my hat back!” Bard hollered. With a beaming grin, he dove down towards the Auction House to retrieve the article. “Yeeeeeeehaaa! Come to Poppa! I missed ya somethin' fierce!”
Wildcard rolled his goggled eyes. He smirked at Rainbow, shrugged, then dove after his buddy.
Rainbow blinked. Rarity and Twilight Sparkle floated closer. The three watched as the guards escorted Revan and Jeryn and the rest of the criminals off towards the lower levels.
“All things considered, that worked out quite marvelously,” Rarity said.
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow shuddered. “It almost didn't.”
“Rainbow Dash...” Twilight looked at the mare. “What were you even trying to do with your pendant a moment ago?”
Rainbow bit her lip.
The unicorn's brow furrowed. “If Camellia didn't send Ultimo to come save us... would you have found a way to get us out of there?”
“Uhm...” Rainbow fidgeted in midair, dripping from salt water and saliva. “I... uhm...”
“Hey! Hey hey hey! Girls! Look at what I can do!” And with a flash of fuchsia, Pinkie Pie shoved her upside-down skull through Rainbow's spine so that her head came “bursting” out of her chest, smiling up at the pegasus and her friends. “Boogaboogabooga! Heeheehee! 'In space, nopony can hear you party!'” She giggle-snorted. “So who invited all of the seaponies? I bet they'd like to party too! Hey! Ever wondered if seaponies eat themselves on Fridays? Cuz I always have! Heeheehee-snrkkkt!”
Rarity laughed, laughed, then sniffled. “You know what? I don't quite care anymore.” Wiping the tears from her muzzle, she leaned in and nuzzled-nuzzled Pinkie cheek to cheek. “Welcome back, Pinkie, darling!”
“Yes...” Twilight shuddered. With glossy eyes, she leaned in and hugged Pinkie from behind. Together, all three ghosts formed a floating cuddle ball in orbit of Rainbow Dash. “It's so good to have you back. You have no idea...”
“Hey! It's good to be back! Heck, it's good to have back! Uhm... speaking of which, does my rump look extra squishy to you all of the sudden? Salt water does that every time to my family's metabolism.”
“Heeheehee!”
“Heheheh... ohhhhh Pinkie...”
“Jeepers, girls! Why are you crying?”
“We're not crying... we pr-promise.”
“Pinkie Promise?”
“Yes. Yes, we Pinkie Promise...”
“Now and forever. Oh Celestia...”
Rainbow gazed at them with a soft smile. She floated closer towards the group—until a twangy voice from below caused her to wince.
“Awwwww hell! He got barnacles on the dayum thang! Here, Dubya-Cee! Peck at 'em with yer beak!” Thwap!“Ow! Dang it!”
All of Shoggoth was buzzing with excitement, shock, and rumor. Ponies of all trots—and swims—of life gathered at every level of the submerged city. They crowded around the Marine Auction House, gathered in droves, rambled in circles.
The word of muzzle throughout the city carried the same tune: The Syndicate was no more. Boss Jeryn was revealed to be a thief of the Princess' royal possessions, and Boss Revan of Rust was exposed for his murderous acts of arson.
“Can you believe that? Right under our noses too!”
“I have a distant cousin who lives in Rust. To be honest, I'm not too surprised.”
“Yeah, that city had fallen out of Verlaxion's good graces ages ago. From what I heard, the Northern Hoof was suffocating all business for their own profit.”
“But Jeryn too?! It's frightening to think that what was happening in Rust could have been happening here someday!”
“Eh... I never liked that pretentious snob anyways. I hear the whole Council hated his guts.”
“Y'know what? I never cared much for the Syndicate anyways. I mean... just what good have they done for trade over these last few decades?”
“They're just a bunch of losers resting on the laurels of the past. Meh... good thing they got what was coming to them, the lazy bums.”
“Heck, if what they say is true about the arson and theft, we're a whole lot better off with them gone!”
“Who's going to take up all that space in the hold they've got? I mean... sure, the Syndicate may have been a bunch of losers, but a lot of ponies worked for them. I have friends of friends who were paid by the Syndicate. I doubt they're all thieves and murderers.”
“Haven't you heard? The real estate agents are going crazy! Something tells me that financiers are going to be bidding on those stock rooms and vaults within a week! I mean... think of all the businesses that could profit from all that space the Syndicate was hogging up!”
“And if Rust is now as open and free as they're saying it is...”
“Wow, I can't wait to hear the transcripts of the Auction House starting tomorrow!”
“We gotta set up a meeting about this.”
“But where? Who's place? This crowd is going nuts!”
“Hah! Pick a number! We're gonna need a really big hat to draw on!”
“Hahahah!”
“Long live the Muddredgers!”
From the wings, Rainbow Dash sat, perched on top of a polished marble bust of a siren that overlooked the crowded courtyards of Central Shoggoth. She gazed and gazed at the surging sea of ponydom gathered around the Marine Auction House. Turning her head, she gazed at her close marefriends.
Pinkie Pie giggled and “swam” circles in the air. Rarity and Twilight excitedly chatted her up, gesturing with their hooves while they attempted to explain Ultimo and the rescue from the lower sepulchers.
Rainbow Dash's nostrils flared. She smiled, hugging herself as she gazed at the familiar spectres. Her eyes remained locked on Pinkie's flouncing curls... her bright blue eyes full of innocence and mirth.
It was right around this time that a familiar voice echoed through Rainbow's mind.
“Rainbow Dash. I see that you are still here.”
The pegasus leaned back, rubbing her head. “Well, I... don't exactly have the gills to swim to the ocean's surface, so... yeah. I'm still here, Your Majesty.”
Camellia's voice continued: “There are members of the Council here who are curious to see who it was that Revan was pursuing so desperately that it brought him to these depths.”
“Yeah... uhm...” Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her neck. “About that...”
“Do not fret, my little pony,” Camellia spoke. “I have informed them that you were given express permission to venture into the lower sepulchers. The Council trusts me in this regards.”
“Uhhhhh...” Rainbow blinked. “You're leaving a few key details out there, Your Highness. What... with infiltrating Jeryn's hold and the whole mind-control thing, not to mention the diving suits and—”
“Did you willfully assault my guards and steal your way in through the front entrance of the Royal Tombs?”
“Uhhhhhh... no?”
“Then your presence in the Sepulchers were not unwarranted, and you are not to blame for anything.”
“Sure...” Rainbow smiled, exhaling. “Why not?”
“As we speak, the evidence you and your friends have gathered is assisting me with fully incriminating the Syndicate. I have full confidence that—with the aid of the Council—we will finally be rid of their malicious influence in Shoggoth for good. I speak as well for Rust and all of Rohbredden abroad.”
“Pizz Fah Wizz!” Rainbow cheered.
There was a brief space in silence. “I beg your pardon?”
“Don't mind me,” Rainbow muttered. She gazed at Pinkie Pie from a distance, smiling. “I'm suddenly remembering a noble friend of mine... for... uhm... reasons.” She cleared her throat. “Just know that I'm super glad for you, Your Highness. Like... really.”
“In short, thanks to your intercession, I have achieved a goal that I have desired for years. Pray tell, Rainbow Dash, did you get what you desired from the depths of Shoggoth?”
“Oh. Yeah. Totally.” Rainbow sighed dreamily. She leaned her chin on her forelimbs as she smiled at her three conversing friends. “After all of this crazy shuffling, sneaking around, and heisting... everything is the way it should be.”
“Then why is your spirit so terribly vexed?”
Rainbow Dash bit her lip.
“I can sense the unease in your voice. I suspect any soul—telepath or not—could do the same.”
“It... uh... it got a little dicey down there, Your Highness,” Rainbow Dash said. “Kudos on summoning Ultimo out of nowhere. You totally saved the day with that one.”
“Did you meet Queen Verlaxion?”
Rainbow Dash opened her muzzle. She lingered... then squirmed in place. “I dunno, Your Highness. You tell me.”
Camellia was silent for a while. Then: “It is simply impossible for her to have manifested herself physically. However, knowing the gifts of the Queen of Frost, I have no doubt that her magic allowed for the next best thing to occur. Communication is one of her strong suits, after all. When she last visited to bless our domain, several of my seapony subjects experienced deep and entrancing visions. It brought a great deal of joy and fulfillment to their lives.”
“Mrmmfff...” Rainbow brushed at a stretch of polished stone. “Good for them.”
“I take it that you did not experience something quite as uplifting?”
“I experienced a vision alright. And... well...” Rainbow Dash sighed long and hard. “Let's just say that she knows a lot... almost too much.” She gulped. “And... uhm... I-I think that there's even crazier things that she has in store for me.”
“As in messages?”
“As in traps, Your Highness,” Rainbow grumbled. “The Drag—... the Matriarch is trying to test me. I dunno if it's because of a... certain 'Queen' she's brushed shoulders with in the past, or 'cuz she somehow sees into all the other Seeds she's 'graced' with her magic... but she knew I was coming from continents away. I... I-I think she can read my mind too. Or...” She fiddled with her pendant. “...maybe some other part of me that I'm not too terribly proud of.”
“You believe her to be a monarch of ill-will?”
“Well...” Rainbow tilted her head up, blinking into the manalight. “What do you think, Your Highness?”
“What I think... what I know about Queen Verlaxion is that she has donated all of her strength, all of her wisdom, and all of her resources to maintaining the safety and cohesive well-being of Rohbredden, both below the sea and above it.”
Rainbow sighed, rolling her eyes. “Uh huh...”
“However...” Camellia's telepathic voice lowered, as if saturated suddenly with a tone of caution. “...if our Queen was truly perfect, then the Syndicate would not have festered like they have, and I wouldn't have been required to go to such extreme and conspiratorial lengths to remove them from a place of malevolent power.”
Rainbow nodded. “You've got a good point.”
“There are many... many Rohbreddenites who worship Verlaxion as though she were a Goddess. While I can understand such a point of view, I most certainly do not share it. After all, many of my own subjects deify me, and I am quite humbly aware of my own frailties.”
“That's pretty swell of you to say, Your Majesty,” Rainbow said. “I... kinda wish we had more leaders like you on this side of the world.”
“I do not,” Camellia bluntly said. “If all leaders were like me, then I fear that such would make a very, very weak kingdom. I have always felt remorseful for not asserting my authority more here in Shoggoth. If I hadn't allowed the Council to wield so much power, then the likes of Jeryn would not have gained leverage. While I appreciate liberty and democracy, there I times when I see where direct executive control would assure the profit of my kingdom as a whole. But I make these sacrifices for a reason. The freedom of my subjects is as important to me as it was to my predecessors. Governing Shoggoth in this manner has worked—but only because we exist under the umbrella of rulers such as Verlaxion, whose power is unchecked. I have no doubt that a Monarch such as the Queen of Frost has done many a distasteful thing, sacrificing moral ambiguity for the sake of protecting the whole of her kingdom. That is a position that I do not envy, for my heart is far too warm to transform such cold calculations into material action.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow gulped. “I figured.”
“Even enlisting your help as of late to uproot the Syndicate has made me crossed several lines that I normally would not dare to venture over.” There was a wavering tone to Camellia's telepathic voice. “I have promised myself to take a step back and allow the Council to deal with the fallout of these events. Power can shift the ocean's currents when it's required, but the taste of it is a dangerous and addicting thing. All waters have balance, a flow to them, and I need not create a whirlpool.”
“Well, something tells me that Verlax doesn't share your sentiment,” Rainbow said. “In fact, I think she's wanting me to make one heck of a storm.”
“To what end, Rainbow Dash?”
Rainbow shuddered. “I... I don't really know.”
“Do you believe she is correct in her assessment?”
Rainbow said nothing. She simply stared at her friends... past them. High above, a tiny yellow beacon glowed with haunting familiarity.
“I suppose, in the end, it depends on what we're charged with protecting. The Syndicate was a threat to both my subjects and the legacy of my family. They had to be stopped, or else countless citizens would either die or be forced into poverty.”
“And what if the entire world as you know it is in your hooves?”
“I... I am afraid that I don't understand...”
“I know.” Rainbow muttered, leaning her muzzle against her forelimbs again. “And neither should you.”
Silence.
“Could you, perhaps, be waiting for your friends before disembarking?”
“Huh?”
“I sense that you are a pegasus of constant movement. It was my assumption that you weren't staying in my city.”
“I'm afraid not. I... uh... have places to be.” Rainbow gulped. “As for the other two who went with me down to the sepulchers... they're... uhhh... they're—”
“—procuring the platinum bars that were gratuitously stolen from the Syndicate's Vault up in Rust?”
Rainbow lifted her head, eyes wide and pulsing. “Uhhhhh... uhmmm...”
“Do not be alarmed, Rainbow Dash. Revan of the Northern Hoof has been stripped of all authority. No doubt he gained all his fortune from murderers and privateers. I suspect you and your close associates will make far better use of those funds than anypony else who's ever touched them.”
“Well... that's... a nice perspective to have, isn't it?” Rainbow stammered, smiling nervously.
“I shall not breathe a word of it to the Council. If nothing else, I suspect it's ample payment for the great trouble your companions went through to assist you in doing my bidding.”
“I'm sure they're gonna totally dig it, yeah.” Rainbow nodded. “And knowing them... they're not gonna... want to stick around... for long...” Her eyes locked on a pair of ponies situated along the fringes of the Marine Auction House.
“Is something the matter, Rainbow Dash?”
“I... uhm... I just noticed something...” Rainbow gulped, standing up straight. “About my other two friends. Excuse me, Princess.” She looked towards her marefriends and whistled. “Hey! Hey guys!” She waved, flapping her wings as she shot her body off the marble bust. “Hang on! I gotta go check up on something!” Rarity, Twilight, and Pinkie sailed after her.
Between the Marine Auction House and the nearest courtyard, Echo sat on his haunches, his body draped in the dark cloak that he wore upon arrival. Theanim Mane stood next to him, speaking to one group of Shoggothian citizens after another. A quartet of guards lingered nearby, their hard eyes peering at the scene.
“Hey Doc! Doc!”
Smiling, Theanim nodded and spoke to one last pony. He then swiveled about-face in time to greet Rainbow Dash.
The mare came to a gliding stop, wings flapping as she hovered for a few brief seconds. “Doc! I'm glad I caught you! For a second there, I was afraid that they might have taken you and Echo away—”
“Miss Dash, your wings,” Theanim calmly chided. “You know the rules around here.”
Rainbow's muzzle hung tightly between a smirk and a frown. “It never ends with you, does it?”
“Guilty as I am innocent.”
“Fine.” She retracted her wings and stood before him, tail flicking. “Better?”
Theanim nodded with a smirk. “I appreciate you abiding by the laws around here.” He stifled a snicker. “At least when it's appropriate.”
“How... uh... how is it looking?” Rainbow asked.
“Care to be more specific?”
Rarity, Twilight, and Pinkie arrived—their bodies phasing through the numerous ponies crowded around the scene. Pinkie cooed, then proceeded to throw her head and limbs suggestively through random passer-by's. Twilight and Rarity giggled merrily.
“Rainbow...?”
“Huh? Oh. Sorry. Distracted.” Rainbow cleared her throat and asked, “How's the Council taking... y'know... the burial of the Syndicate.”
“Naturally, they'll have to review every bit of evidence that we've procured,” Theanim said. “Including the photographs you took while in Boss Jeryn's hold.”
“But...” Rainbow blinked. “I... uh... th-thought they already sent a group of guards who saw the stolen stash of royal stuff with their own eyes.”
“Even still...” Theanim smiled calmly. “There are groups of ponies in Rohbredden who are more thorough than myself, Miss Dash.”
“Brbrbrbrbrrrr...” Rainbow shivered. “Don't even say that!”
Theanim chuckled in a dry voice. “What of our Desperado companions? Where are they off to?”
“Where else?” Rainbow shrugged. “To grab their bars and get the heck out of dodge,” Rainbow said. “The Syndicate may be sunk, but—knowing Bard and Wildcard—they're probably too paranoid to stick around and find out what new enemies they have made.”
“I'm guessing you wish to make the same exit with them,” Theanim remarked.
“Dude, totally!” Rainbow nodded and nodded some more. “I mean, I'm happy for what's happened here in fish pony land and all, but I can't stick around! Yaerfaerda's moved already, and if I'm to make any kind of headway on the next Seed, I'm gonna have to jet to the surface and see what Sinrar's maps tell me.”
“Oh, no doubt.”
“So, once you're done doing the legal eagle stuff around here, how about joining me at one of the tram stations? We'll take the next undertrolley up out of here and... I dunno... hop aboard a fishing barge or something. There's got to be a way for us to head east now. Heck... if the Council here is happy enough with the Syndicate going kerpluknk, then maybe they'll flat out buy you a new Midnight Dreary!”
Theanim bit his lip.
Rainbow smiled. “Wouldn't that be all kinds of awesome? Huh?”
With a calm breath, Theanim turned towards the mare once more. “Miss Dash, do you recall how you and I have casually spoken... about the time in which you will need to pursue your journeys on your own?”
“Uhhh...” Rainbow cocked her head to the side. “...yeah?”
“Well...” Theanim slowly nodded. “I do believe that time has come.”
Twilight and Rarity immediately stopped giggling at Pinkie's antics. They turned to gawk at the scene, eyes wide.
By now, Rainbow's jaw had fallen noticeably. “Huh? But... why?!”
“I do believe it's rather obvious, Miss Dash,” Theanim spoke in a gentle tone. “You have a great deal of distance to travel in order to fix this dying world. As for myself? I'm obligated to ensure the safety and security of my kingdom, but I cannot accomplish that while on the move. No, I do believe my purpose lies here... or at least for as long as they need me.”
“Who's 'they?'”
“Shoggoth, of course,” Theanim explained. “The Council. The Scientific Order. Her Royal Highness Princess Camellia.” He cleared his throat. “And need I mention my Queen?”
The hairs on Rainbow's neck curled up. “Theanim, after all I've been through... after all you have been through, just... I mean... how could you—?”
“What?” Theanim blinked. “Remain as loyal to my kingdom and its citizens as possible?” He bowed low. “My dear Rainbow Dash, perhaps we are ruled by a fantastical dragon in disguise, or perhaps by a saint. It doesn't matter. Either way, I must do my part, and I'm afraid I would be rather negligent to my duties as a member of the Scientific Order if I did not remain here and make sure that all of the damage caused by the Syndicate and its subsequent sacking would be thoroughly and responsibly patched up.”
“Yeesh, Doc...” Rainbow Dash slouched where she stood. “The way you say that...” She gulped. “...almost makes it sound like I punched a big gaping hole in the chest of your kingdom.”
“A deep wound inflicted, perhaps. But—from the way I see it—all the better to wake this sleeping nation from its complacency.” The scientist took a deep breath, adjusting the goggles over his brown bangs. “You have enlightened me, Miss Dash, in far more ways than I can adequately explain, even with all of my combined skills and merit.” He slowly shook his head. “There was a time when I thought that I could adequately see, when—in fact—I was living in a blindness that denied the basic tenets of my own philosophy.”
“Soooooo...” Rainbow bit her lip. “...does this mean that you renounce Verlaxion n'stuff?”
“What it means, Rainbow, is that I need to open my eyes more... and that I need to be more active in my immediate environemnt.” He shrugged, nodding. “Helping my fellow ponies does not rely on pure ideology, but on practicing what I preach, and learning—however humbly—to change the sermon as experience sees fit. I have seen enough to put Queen Verlaxion's legacy into question. However, until I see with my own eyes the direct evidence of her good or wrongdoing, my verdict on her must remain neutral. That doesn't mean, however, that it isn't subject to change,” he said with a slight grin.
Rainbow shuddered, her gaze lowering towards the floor. “That's... uh... that's some keen advice to follow.”
Theanim leaned in. “Did you find the spirit of Verlaxion in the Machine World, just now, Rainbow?” His eyes narrowed. “Was she malevolent or benevolent?”
Rainbow opened her muzzle to speak. She lingered, eyes glancing aside at her friends.
Rarity and Twilight peered back while Pinkie continued flouncing around the busy scene.
“She... uh...” Rainbow shuddered. “She was a little bit of both, Doc.” She gulped. “To be honest... I-I'm not entirely sure I even understand where she's coming from. But... I still pretty much feel threatened... like she's messing with me against my will n'stuff. It's hard to explain.”
“Would you like to hear my hypothesis on the matter?”
“Oye, do I want to?”
Theanim chuckled slightly. He then said: “For all of Verlaxion's wisdom, she is likewise dealing with something that is as enormous to her as it is to you. I do believe it can be said that she's also learning... and striving to understand.” He leaned back, ears twitching. “Would it be so far out to perceive that she's using you to gain enlightenment just as much as you're using these 'Seeds' where she's planted her magical essence?”
Rainbow exhaled. “Even still, I'm pretty sure she's way ahead of the game, Doc.”
“All the more reason for you to catch up. I'm certain—if Verlaxion wanted your demise—she would have orchestrated it by now... perhaps as far back as Nealend... or before you even arrived in Kihutaja.”
“That's not making me feel any better,” Rainbow grumbled.
“I'm quite sorry for that,” Theanim said. “And I'm sorry that I couldn't extend my services to you further.”
“Dude. It's alright,” Rainbow said. “I get it. You've got lots of work to do here. Besides...” Rainbow smiled faintly. “You gave up time, decency, and even your friggin' yacht to help a stranger out.”
“But only to gain far more than I could ever put to—”
“Yeah yeah... I get it...” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Ya big lug. Come give me a sappy hug already.”
Theanim blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
“Dang it, Doc.” Rainbow flung herself forward, wrapping her forelimbs around the stallion's upper body. “There...” She sighed, nuzzling his mane slightly. “...was that so friggin' hard?”
“Heh...” Rainbow stepped back, clearing her throat. “Only you, Doc.”
“I'd have figured you for a mare who was rather used to saying 'good byes' by now.”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow fidgeted where he she stood. “I'm having to get used to something that's a bit... m-more jarring.”
“Like what...?”
Rainbow peered over her shoulder, smiling. “Saying 'hello again.'”
Rarity and Twilight smiled back, eyes glossy.
“I trust, then, that your latest venture into the Machine World was fortuitous?” Theanim leaned his head aside. “Did you find your dear friend? The one you described with the pink... everything?”
“Uhhhhhhh...” Rainbow peered her neck even further.
“Boingy! Boingy! Boingy! Boingy!” Pinkie had curled her spectral body into a cannonball and was swiftly ping-ponging herself wildly across opposite walls of glowing lavender-and-pink. Flash! Flash! Flash! Fl-Flash! “Weeeeee! Heeheeheee!”
Rainbow turned to face Theanim again. “Yes. We totally got her just fine.”
“How delightful.” Theanim trotted blindly forward. “I suppose this is as good as ever a time to bid adieu to your other companions. Miss Sparkle? Miss Rarity? Wherever you are...” He bowed low. “...it's been a supreme pleasure, and I ardently dream about the day when you two will be able to shake hooves with your adventurous marefriend yet again.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Twilight Sparkle said. “It's great to know that Rainbow can still enlist the help of thoughtful ponies such as you. I wish you the best with everything here in Shoggoth and abroad.”
“Twilight says she's thankful,” Rainbow said. “She wishes you luck'n'stuff.”
“Yes. Verily.” Rarity nodded. “And I too shall miss basking in your handsome glow and debonair eloquence each morning and night.” Twilight facehoofed.
Pinkie skidded to a stop. “Hey Rarity! Your wings are sticking out!”
“But Pinkie, I am not a pegasus!”
“Huh!” Pinkie shrugged. “Imagine that!” And she threw herself at the invisible walls again. “Boingy! Boingy! Boingy!”
“Uhhhhhh... ahem...” Rainbow trotted closer to Theanim. “So, like, just what will you be doing next?”
“Offering my assistance to the Council of Shoggoth, of course,” Theanim said. “But that's only half of it. I've already spoken to the Royal Constable here in the Muddredge City.”
“Yeah? What about?”
“It might be a bit too early to tell, but—nevertheless—I do believe my experience and influence with the Order has swayed the Council into changing the location of Echo's jail term to someplace... mmmm... more Continental.”
“Oh snap...” Rainbow grimaced. “I...” She turned towards the sarosian. “I-I hadn't even thought that much about... about...”
“You aren't the only one,” Echo grumbled. “I was so Hell-bent on making those bastards Jeryn and Revan pay for their shit, that I didn't put too much thought into what my testimony was gonna do to yours truly.” He adjusted his cloak and sighed. “Still, Theams is a Verlaxion-damned life saver.”
“Old Chap!” Theanim hissed, rolling his eyes. “Must you...?”
“Pffft. I say it like I mean it, ya sissy stain.” Echo cracked the joints in his neck. “You've pulled a lotta strings for me. Which is pretty snazzy...” His fangs bit into his lower jaw slightly. “...especially considering I didn't really deserve it.”
“Oh, Echo, don't say that...”
“It's the friggin' truth,” the stallion grunted. “All these years, I've been shoving myself deeper and deeper into this ocean's crudhole. Well, not any more. If lying around on a cold floor and stinking up a Rohbredden prison cell is the measly price I pay for making the likes of the Syndicate roast over an open fire, then so dayum be it. I've lived with far worse decisions.” He spat on the ground. “But at least this one... I can live with.”
“He's being melodramatic, of course,” Theanim said, smiling at Rainbow. “Rohbredden's prisons are far from seedy or festering. I do believe I can get him a relatively luxurious place to stay. And—assuming I can pull even more favors with the Order, they might even overturn most of the charges against him.”
“Pffft... whatever,” Echo murmured. “I've been living in and out of dank alleyways, huffing coral for a buzz. Whatever hole Theanim gets them to shove me in, it's gonna be an upgrade, that's for sure. Plus, free food.” He produced a heavy sigh. “My only regret is that I've gone cold turkey for so long that I'll be in a position to taste it. And let's not get into the fact that I can almost smell myself now.”
“And imagine if you had taken my advice all these years on personal hygene, old chap.”
“Buck you, Theams.”
“Naturally.”
“Echo, I... I-I can't say that it's been a very smooth romp we've had together.” Smiling, Rainbow trotted over. “But, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have even made it down here to Shoggoth. So, y'know, for what it's worth, thanks a whole ton—”
“If you even try to hug me, I'll bite you a new cooter in your neck.”
“Aaaaaaaand that's all she wrote,” Rainbow Dash backtrotted, smiling nervously at Twilight and Rarity. “Lesson learned. When you go to brushie the bat, be prepared for the guano.”
“Well, if you aren't a friggin' laugh.” Echo coughed, wheezed, then adjusted his cloak again. “I have to ask ya something.”
“Yeah...?”
“Is it true... everything you said about your magical pony kingdom?” Echo blinked his thin, slitted eyes. “Is the Mother of Nightmares still alive... and somehow you know her?”
Rainbow slowly, slowly nodded.
“Well, next time you hear from her, do me a favor.” His nostrils flared. “Spit in her ear for me.”
Rainbow fought the urge to wince. “Maybe... it's a g-good thing you didn't hang out for a few more leagues with me after all...”
“Well!” Theanim smirked over Rainbow's shoulder. “If it isn't the ambiguously garish duo!”
“Simmer down, Doc!” Bard hissed, trotting up alongside Wildcard. The two Desperadoes carried bulging saddlebags while glancing nervously at the thick Shoggothian crowd surrounding them. “Believe it or not, we're tryin' to keep a low profile.”
“My good sir, we're at the bottom of the ocean floor,” Theanim droned. “Precisely how 'low' do you wish to be?”
“Not very low for much longer, I reckon.” Bard cleared his throat. “If we're fixin' to blow this soggy popsicle stand, than we'd better high-tail it for one of them cable cars to the surface and we'd better do it lightning-quick!”
“I doubt the three of you will have any luck with that,” Theanim said. He glanced at Rainbow Dash. “I didn't mention it earlier, Rainbow, but... I-I fear that all exits from Shoggoth have been temporarily put on hold until the Council and assess how many suspects-in-hiding are still loyal to the Syndicate.”
“Ah jeez...” Rainbow winced. “Really?”
Wildcard gestured with hi smetal talon.
“I heard it too, Dubya-Cee!” Bard nodded, then leaned forward. “Doc, didja just say 'the three of you?' But... but what about—?”
“We're staying,” Echo grunted.
Bard looked over, doing a double-take. “Y'all are stayin'? Why, what in the devil for?”
“Because I gotta rot in prison and Theanim needs to play colt scout. What else?”
“Aw hell, really?” Bard winced. “And here I done thought we had wrangled us a happy ending.”
“Theanim made some pretty good points, Bard,” Rainbow said. “This whole Syndicate situation won't just patch itself up. There's gotta be some cleanup done if justice is to be serve, and who better for the job than our local Scientist of the Order?”
“And his best friend,” Theanim said, winking at Echo.
“Meh.”
Wildcard talon-signed, glancing around nervously.
“Ehh heh heh heh...” Bard rubbed the back of his neck with a hoof. “I ain't meanin' to rain on this polite parade n'all, but... erm... we Desperadoes can't really afford to stay cooped up down here for too long. I mean...” He adjusted the brim of his hat. “...the train's gotta roll on somewhere! And even all the world's strongest sewn patches won't keep a buncha old bastards who are loyal to the Syndicate from spillin' through and wringin' our handsome necks in our sleep.”
“Don't you think that's rather paranoid?” Theanim asked.
“Guilty as charged, Doc,” Bard said with a coy smirk. “Handsome and paranoid. Two of the finest ways to stay alive... for long.”
“I... doubt it will be of much success,” Theanim said, fidgeting slightly. “But I just might be able to convince the Constable into making an exception.”
“Ya certain about that?” Bard blinked. “We've been through some pretty narrow straits, Doc. I'd hate for us to part on such sketchy terms. I mean, yer a regular grand slam hitter, and us Desperadoes have been lucky enough to have front row seats.”
“Mr. Bard, only you could make such a concise compliment with so many overwrought metaphors,” Theanim said with a smile.
“Wait... wait!” Rainbow exclaimed, waving a hoof. “Dudes, I think I know how we can make this work without getting anypony in more hot water... salty or otherwise.”
Wildcard gestured.
Bard nodded. “We're listenin'.”
Rainbow swiveled about and tilted her head up. “Princess Camellia? Come in, Your Highness! It's me! Rainbow Dash!”
All was silent, save for the constant murmur of citizens around them.
A few seconds in, Camellia's eloquent voice fountained through Rainbow's ears. “Yes, my little pony, you have summoned me?”
“Is it... uhhh... too much to ask you for a favor?”
“Rainbow Dash, by now you should know that I am quite indebted to you. I trust that you and your friends will need swift and safe transportation out of here, now that you are done with your current objectives in Shoggoth?”
“That's exactly it, Your Highness.” Rainbow Dash smiled from ear to ear. “Do I even need to say the next part out loud...?”
Out in the middle of the Rohbreddenite ocean, far east of Upper Shoggoth and beneath a glittering sunset, an enormous body breached the waves. Salt water erupted high into the air and white sea foam formed rippling fountains in every direction. From deep within the center of this phenomenon, a scaly beast of gigantic proportions settled, its dorsal fin and tail dribbling all over with moisture. As its massive body floated to a stop, the sea monster tilted its snout up and opened its jaws.
Almost immediately, three figures came darting out. Rainbow Dash flew up into the air while a pair of Desperadoes—sputtering—hovered loftily beside her. The pegasus calmly settled down, perching in the middle of Ultimo's wet scaly brow. She looked up at Bard and Wildcard—who were far too busy shaking the slime and willies off their coat/feathers to possibly mimic Rainbow's calm poise.
“Brbrbrbrbrrrr!” Bard grimaced. “Goddess almighty! I hope we ain't havin' to take the Super Trout Express ever again!”
Wildcard gestured with his limbs.
“Dayum straight.” Bard adjusted his heavy saddlebag. “I almost envy Theanim's midnighter friend. A prison's gotta be far less dank than that sort of an experience! Whew!”
“Oh hush,” Rainbow grunted. She pivoted her side and raised her head. “Uh... Camellia? Your Highness?”
“Rainbow Dash,” the voice rustled in her head. It was incredibly soft, now. Distant, like a gentle whisper fluttering up a deep, tall well. “I trust that you found the improvised trip... accommodating?”
Rainbow Dash spoke into the air. “Your Majesty, I once had to share frequent flier miles with Josho, the Grand Emperor of Farts.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Rainbow Dash giggled. “Rest assured, Princess, that I've ridden far... far less comfortable rides than the inside of a slimy megashark's gullet.”
“Yeah right,” Bard muttered. Clang! A metal talon slapped him from behind. “Dang it, Dubya-Cee!” He frowned, rubbing his head through his hat as he glared at the catbird. “Couldja at least use yer real hand next time?!”
“I've already appealed to the creature who brought you out of Shoggoth,” Camellia explained. “He's willing to provide you further transit.”
“H-hey! No kidding?!” Rainbow turned to beam up at the two Desperadoes. “Princess Camellia says Ultimo's willing to carry me further east!”
“Dun dig the spurs in. Ya might regret it.”
“However...” Camellia's voice faded in and out like the distant crashing of waves. “...even large subjects of the ocean have tasks that need being done. At some point, he will have to part ways with you. I trust—by then—your wings will be rested enough to make the next leap towards the closest island of the surface world?”
“Hey... you've done so much as it is, Your Majesty,” Rainbow Dash said, plopping down on her haunches. She reached a hoof out and... gingerly patted the wet scales beneath her. “And I totally appreciate the lift that Ultimo's giving me. I mean... eheh... considering that there was a point in the past when I was trying to shove sharp metal spears deep into the dude's flesh—”
“If you must know, he holds no grudges. After all...” Rainbow's mind clouded. A few seconds later, Camellia's voice broke through again. “...quite himself at the time. Seems...” More interference. “...standing issues with Queen Verlaxion.”
“Uhhh... Your Highness?” Rainbow gulped. “You're breaking up. I... uh... I'm thinking this might be the last time we have to chat.”
“….case indeed, Rainbow Dash. The sea ponies … … … forever in your debt. I would... … ...good fortune and mirth in your travels.”
“I'm... just gonna assume that you wished me good luck.” Rainbow smiled into the salty winds. “Back at ya, Your Majesty. Of all the magical princesses with bodiless voices that I've miraculously talked to over long distances, you... uhhhh... well let's just say you rank pretty high up there.” She chuckled nervously. “Eh heh heh...”
“... cannot communicate for long. Please be sure to respect all cultures. Remember... … …her blessings everywhere. If faith cannot assist you... … ...surely answer your questions... … ...accordance with the will of Verlaxion.”
“Huh?” Rainbow Dash tilted her head up further. “Your Highness?! What did you say about Verlaxion?”
And with that, the siren's melodic voice... faded from Rainbow's head.
“Camellia? Princess Camellia!”
Silence.
Up above, Bard gulped. “Guess ya ran out of fish princess juice, huh?”
Rainbow sighed, ears sagging. “Uh huh.” She looked down. A few spaces away, a giant bulbous fish eye blinked in her general direction. “How about you, big guy? You got all that?”
A deep, bass groan rippled through the scaly lengths of the beast. The thing's massive tail swished left and right, kicking up huge waves of water.
“Heheheh... cool.” Rainbow narrowed her eyes. “You think you can carry me east for a little bit? I mean, assuming you're not so sore about... me making you sore back in Nealend?”
In response, the giant sea serpent twirled its fins. With a slow start, the thing cruised its way towards the dimming horizon, its dorsal fin casting a wide shadow from the setting sun behind it.
“H-hey! Cool beans!” Rainbow grinned wide, standing up. She watched as the ocean's surface passed by, faster and faster, with the top half of Ultimo breaching the waves. She had a lot of clear space to trot dryly between the creature's snout and a few feet behind its towering dorsal fin. “It's a little smelly, but it sure beats flapping my wings over a bunch of blue nothing.”
“So... uh...” Bard stammered as he and Wildcard flapped their wings to catch up. “...it ain't cross or nothin'?”
“Huh?”
“Ya dun reckon it'll just up and eat ya when the occasion fits?”
“Dudes...” Rainbow smirked calmly. “I've got Camellia's full assurance. This guy's gonna carry me part of the way. You're welcome to join me for a bit.” She shrugged. “Y'know, to rest your wings and all. I mean, that's a lot of junk you're carrying on your backs, and Celestia knows it's a long, grueling flight towards the next island.”
Bard and Wildcard exchanged glances. The griffon gestured with his flesh and metal talons.
“Uh huh...” Bard swallowed. “Look, darlin'...” He turned to smile awkwardly down at the pegasus. “About that. We was thinkin'.”
“Yeah...?”
Just then, Twilight Sparkle breached the surface, phasing up through Ultimo's body. “Up here, Pinkie! Quick! Come look!”
“Yes, listen to Twilight, dear.” Rarity flew out of Ultimo's frame with a shudder. “Enough fiddling around through the wretched beast's innards. Honestly.” She turned to glance at the sky, and instantly her blue eyes sparkled. “Ooooooh!” She cooed, cupping her muzzle in her forelimbs. “Sweet Celestia! The surface! Oh, how terribly joyful I am to once again feel the embrace of warm, dry air!”
“Rarity, please...” Twilight rolled her eyes with a smirk. “It's not like any of us actually got soaked from the whole ordeal.”
“Oh, can't I live vicariously through our beloved anchor, dear?”
“News update, girls,” Rainbow spoke in a low tone. “I've lost contact with Camellia.”
“Awwww...” Rarity pouted.
“But...” She smirked, pointing at the dorsal fin above and behind her. “She was nice enough to convince Ultimo into carrying me a bit further east!”
“Oh...” Rarity grimaced slightly. “My. How charming.”
“Rarity! Be kind!” Twilight frowned. “This is extremely fortuitous for Rainbow Dash! After all, now that Theanim and Echo have stayed behind, it's not like she can just afford another boat.”
“Yes, but still...” Rarity fidgeted, not wanting to make contact with the glossy scales beneath her, despite being a ghost mare. “...does the current transportation have to be so... garish?”
“Garish?!?” Pinkie Pie poked her head out, grinning like a mule. “More like gnarlish!” She flipped over and hovered upside down in front of Rainbow Dash. “Dashie! Dashie! You should come back below and look! There's—like—at least ten license plates stuck inside this thing's squishy parts!”
“I... don't think Rainbow will be going 'below deck' anytime soon,” Twilight said with a nervous titter.
“No. I mean it.” Rainbow took a deep breath, gazing at her. “Hey... like really... hey.”
“Hay?!? Hay is for horses!” Pinkie reached forward. “You should know that by now, silly!” Her hoof phased through Rainbow's muzzle. “Uhhhhh...” She squinted, brow furrowed as she shoved her hoof over and over into Rainbow's headspace. “Huh... my nose-booper isn't working for some reason.”
“Pinkie, haven't you noticed just how... strange things have been lately?” Rarity remarked.
Twilight dove in: “Like the fact that only the three of us can actually talk to you? Or that you can fly through just about everything but Rarity and myself?”
“Have you, by chance, noticed the distinct and haunting absence of—oh, I dunno—Equestria all around us?”
“Hey... come on, girls...” Rainbow frowned at Twilight and Rarity. “I know she's Pinkie Pie, but have some friggin' respect. This should all be just as crazy and ridiculously heavy for her as it was for you two when you too came out of my Element.”
“Pffft... oh please, Dashie, you don't need to get your saddle in a twisty twist!” Pinkie Pie “swam” through the air above Ultimo. “I mean, what's so ridiculously heavy about being zapped to ashes and presumed dead, only to miraculously come back several months later as a happy harmonic horse haunt in a super duper faraway land?”
Rarity and Twilight stared, slackjawed. “Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...”
“Heeheehee!” Pinkie gigglesnorted. “I dunno about you, but I just hung ten on a giant kaizo beast shark and right now I'm staring at a flying cowcolt and a griffon with a sparkling metal can opener for a hand! Heehee! Even the absolute best party planner couldn't come up with stuff this fun!”
“You can't eat cupcakes in this form, Pinkie,” Rainbow droned.
Twilight and Rarity performed shrill gasps. “Rainbow!” Rarity hissed.
But Pinkie was already grasping her pale face, shrieking: “You mean I can't eat cupcakes?! For realsies?!? AAAAAAAAAAAH—!” A deep, wheezing breath, and her mane flounced back as she smiled. “Ehhhh...” She waved a hoof. “I'm over it already.”
Twilight did a double-take. “You are?!”
“Mmmhmmm!” Pinkie pony-paddled through the air. “I've been meaning to go on a diet anyways. Woohooo! Ghost Fat Camp! Ooooh! Lookie, girls!” She held her nose, “cannonballed” down into Ultimo's flesh, then popped back up with just her smiling chin breaching the scaly surface. “It's a game of 'Whack-a-Pinkie!'” She rose up and down, her fluffy skull appearing in random places across Ultimo's backside. “Here I am!” “No, right here!” “Bet you can't hit me!” “Ooga booga!” “Reaganeighmics!” After a considerably long dip, she came up once more, pouting. “Guyssss! Come on! One of you is supposed to whack me for pizza tickets!”
“Pinkie... this is seriously no time for—” Twilight began. She felt Rarity's hoof on her shoulder. Both ponies looked over to see Rainbow Dash giggling hysterically.
Rainbow hugged herself, laughing harder and harder. “Heeheehee! Whewwwww...” She wiped her eyes dry, smiling in a delirious manner. “Omigosh, I can't get over the fact that you're here...”
“Sure ya can!” Pinkie winked. “You've got wings! You can go over anything!”
Rainbow sighed long and hard. “Don't I know it...?”
Twilight cleared her throat. Rainbow looked at her, and the unicorn pointed up. Rainbow's gaze traveled her hoof until she found Bard and Wildcard staring down at the scene.
“Oh. Uh. Right.” Rainbow cleared her throat. “I guess I'd apologize, dudes... but you're probably used to all sorts of crazy crud by now.”
“More or less.” Bard smirked. “I take it that cleanin' house beneath Shoggoth paid off?”
“Yeah.” Rainbow nodded. “It totally did.”
“Well, that's good news, I reckon.”
“You... uh... you dudes got your cut of the Rust job?”
Wildcard nodded.
“Quite frankly, after all that's happened as of late, we're darn lucky just to get through with our coats and feathers intact,” Bard said with a wink. “Hell, I got my hat back! That's reasons enough for celebration!”
Wildcard rolled his goggled eyes.
“And dun you start!” Bard pointed, frowning. “You was as helpless a popsicle as I was down there!”
“Well, no need to worry about any of that anymore,” Rainbow said. “Again, you're free to stretch your wings a bit. I'll... uh... see if I can get Ultimo to brush us past a boat or an island or something.”
“Huh?”
Rainbow squinted up at the duo. “'Cuz you'll be wanting to take off, right? I mean, somepony's gotta cash in all of those bars. Now that both Echo and the Syndicate are out of the picture, it's on to the next mercenary job, right?”
Wildcard and Bard exchanged glances. They hovered in dull silence.
“Listen, darlin'...” Bard took his hat off and fanned himself. “Dubya-Cee and I was thinkin'... well... maybe just I was thinkin', seein' as the griffon's so keen on gabbin' his beak off...”
“Uh huh... … …?”
“We saw some pretty crazy shiet down there, didn't we?” Bard's eyes narrowed. “More than enough to know that y'all ain't just blowin' hot air up our tails when you talk about 'harmony,' 'chaos,' and all this hooey over 'invisible friends' and such...”
“Your point being?”
Bard cocked his head aside. “Just how big is this picture anyways? This... this whole crazy tapestry that's been hangin' over yer noggin'?”
Rainbow gulped. “It's pretty dang big...”
Wildcard gestured methodically.
Bard interpreted: “'Perhaps somepony will be needin' help in drawin' the whole thang out?'”
Twilight and Rarity flashed Rainbow a surprised look.
Rainbow squinted at the two. “You can't be serious...?”
“Heh... do we look anythang but?”
“Dude... is this some sort of lame-ass 'life debt' thingy?” Rainbow groaned. “Cuz that sort of stuff gets super old, super quick.”
“Hah!” Bard smirked. He plopped his hat back no and gestured to himself. “Do we look like the kind of bastards to believe in 'life debts?'”
“No, you strike me as a pair of well-meaning opportunists who'll do whatever's convenient, so long as you earn bits in the end.” Rainbow took a deep breath. “And that's not exactly conducive to suicidally long adventures.”
“Oh, we ain't sayin' we're gonna follow you until the end of time or nothin'. Just that...” Bard fidgeted in midair. “Seems like yer dealin' with an awful lot of stress right at the moment—what with all this Queen Verlaxion frost-curse nonsense. Considerin' all we've been through...” He turned to glance at the nodding griffon beside him. “...and all the help you've so freely given Dubya-Cee and myself...” He looked back at her. “...seems an awful shame to leave ya high and dry like we never done crossed paths. Ya feel me?”
“Think about what you're proposing.” Rainbow's gaze narrowed. “There's no profit in this, cowboy.”
“Is there or ain't there somethin' fishy goin' on with Verlaxion?”
“Huh?”
Bard spoke in a curiously serious tone. “All that crud that happened to us down there in the basement of Shoggoth.” He gulped, fighting the urge to shiver. “All the thangs Queen Verlaxion did to mess with you... it's all part of somethin' super huge... super big... and super threatenin', ain't it?”
“I... I...” Rainbow glanced at her marefriends and shuddered. “I'm not one hundred percent sure, yet...”
“Well, there's one thang I'm sure of,” Bard said. “Down in that crazy machine place, it was Verlaxion's talkin' statues that done froze me and Dubya-Cee into blocks of ice. But... it was you who set us free. Wasn't it?”
Rainbow merely nodded.
“You've got a lotta power... a lotta magic in ya, I reckon.” Bard cocked his head to the other side. “And if there's truly somethin' evil that's gnawin' at this world... seems like the most profitable thang for us Desperadoes is to make sure a hero like you puts an end to it.”
“I'm no hero,” Rainbow said.
“And just who toldja that?”
Rainbow opened her muzzle. Her pupils shrank a bit, and her ear canals rang with the haunting tone of Verlax's telepathic voice. Somewhere, a few hours ago, a mare stood above a pool of angry Syndicate thugs, and she reached for the only barrier between herself and chaos, prepared to dissolve it.
“Just... just the way things are,” Rainbow muttered. “I'm not entirely sure what I am. All I know is...” She cleared her throat. “It's... not very safe hanging around me.” She fidgeted, glancing down at the churning waves beneath Ultimo. “I'm actually kinda glad for Theanim and Echo. Though it stinks leaving them behind, at least I know that they'll be in... uh... tamer waters, so to speak.”
“And just what's so dayum fun about swimmin' downstream?”
“Huh?”
Bard chuckled, adjusting his hat. “Face it, darlin'. You've done wow'd us somethin' awful. Dubya-Cee and I have enough to float on for a while, but you? Ya ain't that far from yer destination, so escortin' ya to the edge is only the gentlecoltly thang to do.”
“Awwwwwwwwwwwwww...” Rarity cooed, her cheeks rosy.
“If... you're talking about Bleak's Plummet...” Rainbow cleared her throat. “...I'm... heading for a place a tad bit beyond that. Eheh...”
Bard shrugged. “One thang at a time. Right, Dubya-Cee?”
Wildcard swung his talons back and forth.
“Yeesh! Not so loud!” Bard rolled his eyes, then smirked down at Rainbow again. “At least let us help ya get through Rohbredden Proper. Hell, we both hail from there. It'll be like a nostalgic road trip! Erm... in the air...” He fidgeted. “And atop the back of bigass ferocious sea bass.”
“Heheheh...” Rainbow smirked. “See what I mean? It's easy to talk big, but if you wanna commit—”
Fwooosh! Wildcard glided down, landing effortlessly besides Rainbow Dash. The griffon looked up and smirked, his goggles reflecting Bard. He motioned with a metal talon.
“Eeeugh... me'n'my big muzzle.” Clearing his throat, Bard coiled his wings in. “Here goes nothin'.” He landed with a dull splat, his body settling on the springy scales besides Rainbow Dash. “Huh... squishy.”
“Let's make something crystal clear right here and now, though,” Rainbow said. She leaned in, brow furrowed. “You listening?”
“Yes'm.”
“If you two are gonna follow me, then I'm the one who will be calling the shots.”
“Yes'm.”
“That means if the going gets tough and I tell you guys to scram, you beat it, for your own good.”
“Yes'm.”
“And if we actually encounter Verlax and her stupid wicked magic again, I'm gonna be the one to deal with it, not you. Got it?”
“Yes'm.”
“... … ...can you say anything else?”
“No'm.”
Rainbow blinked. “Wow. Talk about the easiest stallion to travel around with ever.” Twilight giggled.
“I know, right?” Bard smirked. “So long as ya dun mind the show tunes.” He jostled his guitar case. “It's Dubya-Cee who'll throw you for a loop.”
The griffon sighed, shaking his head.
“So... uh...” Bard glanced at the rolling horizon. “Where to, exactly?”
Rainbow twirled around. She looked across the horizon. To the northeast, a flashing yellow Yaerfaerda lingered at a distance. She tilted her head down and looked into one of Ultimo's large eyes. “Think you could... uhm... bend north a bit?”
The beast rumbled deeply from within. Its fins shifted, and with a splash of its tail it headed northeast, carrying the three travelers with startling swiftness.
Rarity, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie ooh'd and aaah'd into the warm salty breeze.
Wildcard nodded approvingly, smiling at Bard.
“Well... t'ain't so bad, I reckon,” said the stallion.
“So, lemme get this straight...” Bard paced atop the scaley backside of the Ultimo. The dim glow of the setting sun reflected off his squinting eyes. Meanwhile, a flock of seagulls followed the swift path of the sea serpent, serenading everypony from above. “It's all just one piece of a circle... and then there are many circles... and all of 'em join together to make up a big floatin' tube in space?”
Rarity and Twilight looked at Rainbow.
“Erm... that's more or less it,” Rainbow Dash said. “Just twenty-four hours ago, I would have told you that Urohringr was just one circle. But... b-but if I'm to believe all the stuff that I learned down there when we ran into... uhhh... the frost golems, then it turns out there are many of them. Or—at least—Verlax believes that to be the case.”
“And they all join up to make this big heapin' thang in space?”
“More... or less, yeah.”
“Well, who built the dayum things?”
“I dunno.”
“And just why did it break apart?”
Rainbow gulped. “I dunno.”
“Did Verlax say that you were destined to put the pieces back together?” Twilight asked.
Rainbow replied, “Yeah, but then she went on and on about how they're destined to fall apart all the same.” She twisted her muzzle into a bitter frown. “Guess what?” she droned, “The Divine of Frost is a little loopy. Who'dathunk it?”
“Huh?” Bard turned to blink at her.
Rainbow blushed slightly. “Oh. My bad.” She pointed at the space in front of her. “I was talking to Twilight Sparkle just now.”
Bard rubbed his stubbled chin, then pointed across Ultimo's empty scales. “Twilight Sparkle... Rarity... and Ponky Pie.”
“Close enough,” Rainbow said with a grin.
“Friends who you thought was given the zap, but instead were sleepin' all ghost-like—only to be woken up by the ruby flames deep inside the world's metal basement,” Bard muttered.
“Heeeeey...” Rainbow nodded. “You catch on fast!”
“Reckon it's a lot harder keepin' a firm grip once it's all been caught.”
Rainbow winced slightly. “Look... dude... I... uh... I-I know it's a lot of super crazy stuff to take in.” She gulped. “The Doc took an extra long time to even remotely believe me. And don't get me started on Professor Sinrar and Nick. So... y'know...” She brushed her bangs back and sighed. “If you think it's all a buncha bull, I'm not gonna blame you.”
“Darlin', take a look around us.” Bard gestured left and right. He spoke above the constant cries of obnoxious seagulls. “We're squattin' on a big ol' monster shark swimmin' northeast after havin' done tangled with a buncha psycho thugs in an underwater fishpony palace.” He smirked, adjusting the brim of his hat. “If you must know—I've lived far too dayum long to assume we live in a borin' world.”
“So you do believe me?”
“Well...” Bard sighed, leaning back and folding his forelimbs. “It's just that... there's so dang much to take in. Can't say I rightly envy ya, darlin'. From the sound of thangs, it seems like you've been heavin' an awful lot on yer shoulders!”
Rainbow Dash shuddered. “That's putting it lightly.”
“SO!” Pinkie burst out of Ultimo's dorsal fin, grinning in Rainbow's face.
“Gah!” Rainbow fell back, flinching.
“That's why you've been so stiff and wonky since I woke up!” Pinkie cartwheeled through the air and came to a stop behind Rainbow Dash. “Well, Auntie Pinkie has the perfect remedy for the case of the stiffwonkies! Her very own panted cotton candy soft back massage!” She flung her hooves forward, only for them to phase directly through Rainbow's tummy. “Awwwwwwwww...” Pinkie Pie pouted. “How can I roll the stiffwonkies away if I can't even use my hoofsies?”
“Lemme guess...” Bard arched an eyebrow. “Ghost friends?”
Rainbow gulped, summoning a nervous smile. “Hey, look, even I have to get used to stuff, okay?”
“All things considered, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash has carried on magnificently,” Rarity told Pinkie. “Even you would be remarkably changed if you endured so many terrible months without the comfort of your best friends.”
“I know! But...” Pinkie nevertheless pouted in Rainbow's direction, her eyes glossy and sad. “The Rainbow I know doesn't let anything bring her down! If there's a problem, she can fly loopty-loops around it lightning quick! Zip! Zwiiip! Zooom!Hehe! And if that's not enough to fix it... there's always the sonic rainboom!” Pinkie hopped on her feet, took a galloping start, and threw herself towards Ultimo's left side.
“Pinkie! Wait—!” Twilight could only wince.
“Nyeeeeeeeeeeuuuuur—” Pinkie glided through the air until she slammed into the translucent lavender barrier. “KAPOWWW!” She ricocheted back, plummeted through Ultimo's body, and slowly floated back up while pumping her hooves. “Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash!” She hissed and exhaled, imitating a cheering crowd. “Heehee! Bye bye baddies!”
“Pinkie Pie!” Rarity groaned, rolling her eyes. “Honestly!”
“She's... not altogether inaccurate,” Rainbow Dash said, smirking. “I've solved a lot of problems this far from home by just—y'know—throwing my wings into it.”
“Heehee!” Pinkie somesaulted into a standing position and grinned. “There's the Dashie I know!” She winked. “No problem's so tough that she can't solve it without awesomeness and a dash of harmony!”
Rainbow's smile broke slightly. She struggled to keep her lips curved. “Yes... well... ahem...” She glanced to the side, and the distant yellow streak of Yaerfaerda brought a tremble to her shoulders. “You know me, Pinkie. Never wanting to b-back down from a challenge. Eheh...”
“Are ya talkin' to them right now?” Bard asked, leaning forward.
“No,” Rainbow droned. “I'm practicing for a one-pony comedy act.”
“Rainbow...” Twilight chided.
Rainbow sighed. Swallowing, she turned to smile calmly at Bard. “Yes. As a matter of fact, I was just being complimented by Pinkie Pie.”
“She's the one you fetched just now, right?” Bard asked.
“Uh huh.”
“And... Twilight's the unicorn?”
“One of the unicorns.” Rainbow turned to wink at the marefriend in question. “She's the Element of Magic, whereas Pinkie's the Element of Laughter.”
“Tell Bard that we're very, very grateful for the Desperadoes' assistance,” Twilight Sparkle said, smiling. “We couldn't have gotten Pinkie if it weren't for him and Mr. Wildcard.”
Rainbow looked at Bard. “She says 'thanks for helping me get Pinkie Pie' n'stuff.”
“Shoot. She sounds like a nice pony.”
“Uh huh.”
“And the third one—Rarity—what exactly is her elephant?”
“Element,” Rainbow said hoarsely. “Ahem. She's all about Generosity.”
“So she had a stone like yers, huh?” Bard pointed. “That shiny thing you never fancy takin' from yer neck?”
“They all did. Rarity's was a bunch of diamonds.” Rainbow turned to look at the ghostly fashionista. “Just like her cutie mark.”
“Mmmm... yes.” Rarity smiled. “And do tell Bard that his politeness is only outmatched by his strapping handsomeness.”
“Euugh...” Rainbow facehoofed. “Dang it, Rarity.”
“What?” Bard blinked. “Does she not like us talkin' about her keister?”
“No, infact...” Rainbow rolled her eyes and glanced limply at the stallion. “She seems to totally dig you.”
“Rainbow!” Rarity hissed, her cheeks aflame. “That is not at all what I said!”
“Actually,” Twilight droned. “It kinda sorta is.”
Pinkie Pie giggled.
“Mmmmm... yes, well...” Rarity leaned back, fanning herself and glancing coyly aside. “It was all so very easy to say before... erm... b-before he could find out about it.”
“Take it with a grain of salt, dude,” Rainbow Dash said to Bard. “She's a super sappy seamstress who loves dressmaking, dainty etiquette, and all that other fru-fru stuff.”
“Y'all dun say.” Bard smirked, scratching his neck. “I dun suppose Rarity has a sister somewhere who's—y'know—not a half-dead spook.”
“She has a sister, alright.” Rainbow fidgeted. “But dude, she's like, ten... no.” Rainbow froze, eyes darting around. “...make that eleven and a half.”
“Ew and still ew,” Bard nearly retched, backtrotting across Ultimo. “Dangit. Forget I said anythang.”
“I will. Can't say the same about Rarity.”
“Eugh...” Bard shivered from head to toe. He glanced back at the pegasus. “Is there ever a time when they ain't listenin' to everythang we say and do?”
“I've... uhm... kept my distance whenever you, Wildcard, or the Doc had to use the bathroom.”
“I reckon some thanks is in order,” Bard said. “Though, from the sense I'm gettin', we truly did hop in and help out at the right time... huh?”
“Oh, dude, you have no idea!” Rainbow exclaimed, nodding vehemently. “I mean, sure, we butted heads at first, but if it weren't for you guys I wouldn't have gotten the leverage to enter Shoggoth to begin with!”
“But I thought Camellia was what got us in.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean!” She squatted down on folded limbs, sighing. “Up in Rust, on board the Arrowfish, deep in the siren sepulchers...” She shook her head, smiling softly. “I really couldn't have done all of that on my own and kept sane. You two being there by my side made a huge difference. Believe me. I mean, I care for my friends and all, but they can only do so much to help out in their condition.”
“Wait...” Bard cocked his head to the side, squinting. “When we was deep sea divin' down below the waves... they done helped you navigate us a way to the sepulchers, didn't they?”
“Uhm... pretty much, yeah.” Rainbow nodded. “That was mostly Rarity's doing, seeing as she can detect the shape and construction of solid objects—such as the seabed. Twilight's keen on sensing magical stuff, and Pinkie Pie, well...” Rainbow looked over.
“Hey guys!” Pinkie pie squatted like a pastel feline, waving at Twilight and Rarity. “Watch this! C'mon! Watch!” She then tilted her head back and opened her muzzle wide. Her tail twitched, and not long after a seagull pooped directly above, its fecal matter falling straight down into Pinkie's mouth and phasing through her body. “Mmmmm!” She pretend-swallowed and licked her lips. “Tastes like caramel!”
“Eeeeeeugh!” Rarity covered her eyes and muzzle while Twilight giggled. “Pinkieeeee.”
“Hehehehe-snkkk!” Pinkie giggle-snorted, rolling over and hugging herself.
“Yeaaaaaaah...” Rainbow turned to smile at Bard, her cheeks rosy. “I'm still trying to figure her out. Funny, 'cuz that was just par for the course back when she wasn't... y'know... undead.”
“And these extra senses of theirs...” Bard thought aloud. He gestured in the general direction of the setting sun. “...they helped back in Rust, didn't they? I mean... when you suddenly turned out to be the world's best darn vault-stealer. That was all them, wasn't it?”
“Pretty much, yeah.” Rainbow nodded. “They've helped me through a lot of scrapes these last few weeks. And not just me.”
“Well, whaddya know?” Bard leaned back, smirking. “Suddenly, it kinda sorta does make a lick of sense! What do you say to that, Dubya-Cee? Reckon it wasn't just Rainbow alone who saved yer feathery hide.”
All was silent and still.
Bard's muzzle twisted. He turned around. “Dubya...?”
Wildcard simply stood there, stroking his beak with a thoughtful pair of metal digits.
“Hey! Mofo!” Bard swatted him, making his goggles rattle. “Dun be a rude pigeon! I ain't used to ya bein' all silent-like! Whaddya got to say about all of this?”
Wildcard gulped. He glanced nervously at Rainbow, then gestured with his talons.
Bard “listened,” blinking. “Uhhhhh...” He leaned back, squinting. “What do ya mean 'You gotsta think about it?' Dude, the evidence is all here! Well...half here!” He gestured at Rainbow. “I know her 'ghost friend' stuff is a mighty tall tale, but how else are ya gonna explain how she was able to get us through those crazy messes one after another?”
Wildcard sighed and gestured again.
“Pffft! Yeah, well, 'think about it' out loud, ya nincompoop!” Bard turned to grin apologetically at Rainbow. “Dun mind Dubya-Cee. In exchange for all his badassitude, he done fetched himself the brain of an ostrich.”
Wildcard's beak nostrils flared and his metal-and-flesh talons blurred.
“What it means, ya dummy, is that the Verlaxion we know in lurve is up to no good and Rainbow Dash is the only one who can stop her!”
“I'm not here to stop Verlax,” Rainbow Dash said firmly.
Bard did a double-take while Wildcard looked on. “Yer not?” His muzzle hung agape. “But... but all that crazy stuff she launched at us deep down in Shoggoth—!”
“I've been put through crazy stuff before by powerful baddies even worse than her,” Rainbow Dash said. “In fact... I...” She fidgeted, eyes darting back and forth. “...I-I'm not even sure she is a baddie.”
“Uh... wh-what I mean is... is...” Rainbow bit her lip, fidgeting. The yellow beacon pulsed in her peripheral vision, and she hugged herself before the shivers could rebound. “...Wildcard has a pretty good reason to sit on the fence.” She gulped and looked up at Bard. “Things might sound cut and dry to you. Heck, they sure look that way to me. But... but if there's one thing I've learned about this world in all of my crazy journeys—it's that nothing is ever... ever simple.”
“What's not simple about all of this, darling?” Rarity remarked, blinking. “Verlax sees in you a pony who can change this ancient world, and she wants a piece of the pie.”
“Yeah, but who ever heard of someone who wanted to bake a pie just to smash it to bits?!” Rainbow remarked.
“Heeheehee!” Pinkie Pie chirped. “I sure do!”
“Pinkie, we were being metaphoric—” Twilight said.
“I used to bake pies for pie-throwing contests all the time!” Pinkie grinned from ear to ear. “They're super-duper fun! I even went so far as to make them extra-crispy and tasty! Cuz you never know how much of that might end up in a pony's mouth! I mean... you are aiming for the face, silly!”
“So... uhhh...” Rainbow glanced at Wildcard and Bard, then back at Pinkie. “...you're saying that Verlax wants to fill Urohringr with baked goods and toss it into ponies faces?”
“Duaaaaaaaah!” Pinkie grinned wide. “Why, that would be the most awesome pie-throwing contest that ever awesome'd!”
“Unnngh...” Rainbow shook her head, chuckling slightly. “Pinkie...”
“Seriously! Who doesn't like pie throwing? Even a big grumpy angsty dragon pony who likes to put all her sweets in the freezer has gotta love getting messy from time to time!”
“Pinkie, I don't think—” Rainbow began.
“Hey! Remember that time when we were throwing a party for Princess Celestia in Sugarcube Corner?” Pinkie hopped in place. “I even tossed a pie into my own face! Heeheehee! You remember that?”
“... ... ...” Rainbow blinked. “Uhhh... no. I... uh... I-I guess I was too busy—”
“Messing with the royal guards! Heehee! I remember!” Pinkie tilted forward and walked on her hooves. “You were all: 'Blblblblblblblbbbb!' With your tongue all hanging out! Wowwee-zowwee! I wish I had thought of that!”
“Heheheh...” Rainbow sighed, shaking her head. “Come on, Pinkie. I could never top you.”
“Are you kidding me?!?” Pinkie squealed.
“Girls, can we please get back on the topic of—” Twilight started, only to have a dainty hoof pull her gently back.
“Shhhhh...” Rarity whispered, smiling warmly at the scene. “Let them be.”
Twilight blinked as she and Rarity floated back.
“You were always showing me new ways to do pranks, Dashie!” Pinkie hopped around. “Like—remember the time we painted all of Applejack's apples? Like... all of them?!”
“Er... yeah. Heheh... I remember that.”
“You always... alwayssss performed the best pranks on AJ! Heeheehee! It's like you knew just how to push her buttons!”
“Y-yeah...” Rainbow cleared her throat. “Imagine that.” Her brow furrowed. “Still... it's nothing like the one time you scared Spike so bad he got the hiccups.”
“But I couldn't have done that without you!”
“Still, it was your idea.”
“Heehee! It was a good idea, wasn't it?”
“Heheh... yeah...”
“Hey!” Pinkie grinned. “Remember the time I tried making that one dragon laugh by wearing the balloons and scuba flippers?”
“Uhhhhh...” Rainbow grimaced. “He nearly squashed you to a pulp, Pinkie. That wasn't much of a prank.”
“Yeah! But he sure did pull a fast one on me!”
“Heheheheh...”
“Heeheehee! Oooh! Oooh!” Pinkie hopped in place. “Gilda and the dribble glass! Gilda and the dribble glass! Whew! I never thought I'd live to see a griffon breathe fire like a dragon!”
“Hahahahaha...” Rainbow giggled. She rested her smiling head sideways on her curled forelimbs, gazing at Pinkie. “Face it. She totally deserved all that crud that happened to her.”
“Awwww... but that's not very nice!”
“She wasn't very nice! But that didn't stop me from pulling pranks on Gilda, even before you met her. Did you know I once shaved off the furry end of her tail and convinced her that an eagle bit off the tip in her sleep?”
“Ha HAH! No way!”
“Hehe... yes way! She went to a doctor and had a full physical and everything just to check. She never forgave me.”
“Did I ever tell you about the one time I switched Mayor Mare's bifocals with a completely different prescription?” Pinkie Pie suppressed a snorting giggle. “Turns out, she wore them on the day that she was signing off new city ordinances! We almost had a full year of embargoes on acorns! Hehe... acorns!”
“Hahahaha!” Rainbow hugged herself, quivering all over.
“But nothing beats the year I convinced my younger sisters that Maud was made out of rocks! One morning, I dumped a bunch of gravel outside their bedroom door and I was all—'Inkie! Blinkie! Omigosh, look! Maud fell out of the attic!'”
“Snkkkt—No friggin' way! Hahahaha!” Rainbow slapped the ground—only to remember it was Ultimo's scales. She winced from a loud groaning sound. “Crud! Hahaha!”
“Heehee...” Pinkie Pie's eyes sparkled as she nevertheless continued. “Mom and Dad grounded me for a month after they found Inkie and Blinkie cradling a jar of pebbles and crying!”
“Heeheeheehee!”
“Hehe! And nowadays, whenever Maud goes up into the attic to grab Hearth's Warming decorations, I always shout 'Have a good trip!'”
“Hahahaha!”
“Hehe—keep yourself together!”
“Snkkt—Heeheehee!”
“Don't fall apart at the seams, Maudie!”
Rainbow Dash giggled and giggled. She buried her muzzle into her forelimbs. Her warbling voice changed pitch, dipping lower and lower. All too soon, the laughter melted into something looser... wetter...
“...?” Pinkie tilted her head to the side. “Dashie...?”
Rainbow laughed... laughed... and sobbed. “...I love you.” She raised her head, and her eyes were clenched shut, trailing tears over gnashing teeth. “I love you all s-so much...” She sniffled, hugging herself tighter. “You have no idea how much I've m-missed... all th-these months I've... I've missed this...” She swallowed a lump down her throat and curled up tighter. Her breath came out in shuddering bursts. “And yet to h-have you back... to have you all back...” She hissed through her teeth. A flash of red and yellow issued beneath quivering lids. “It was worth it. It was all worth it.” Once again, a whimpering tone: “I just... j-just wish I could have done it sooner...” She squeaked, crying foalishly. “I'm sorry. I'm s-so sorry I couldn't bring you all b-back sooner...”
The mare shivered in a little blue ball on the back of the sea monster. The cries of seagulls retreated into the air as the world around them grew dark.
From a distance, Bard and Wildcard watched. Tilting the brim of his hat forward, Bard slowly turned about and strolled towards the other side of the dorsel fin. His griffon friend stood in place, gazing upon the scene stoically.
Padding over on soft hooves, Pinkie squatted her ghostly self down beside the pegasus. She leaned forward until her muzzle was nearly touching with Rainbow's. “Hey...”
Rainbow shook and shivered, her face awash with tears.
Pinkie bore a warm smile. “Psssst... hey. Silly filly.”
Rainbow sniffled. She squinted her puffy eyes open.
Pinkie gazed lovingly. “Looks like you haven't forgotten how to laugh, Dashie.” She leaned her head softly to the side. “So maybe you brought us back sooner than you think. Huh?”
Rainbow gulped, then bore a weak smile. “Yeah... m-maybe...”
“When was the last time you got some shuteye, Dashie?”
Rainbow clenched her teeth shut. She buried her muzzle once again in her forelimbs. “Just... b-been too stressed to do anything...”
“Anything?”
“Anything but move.” Rainbow gulped. “This stupid big world just won't quit...”
“Welllllll...” Pinkie sing-songed: “Looks like a big shark guppy is doing all the moving for us now, so... how about it?”
Rainbow shook... shuddered.
“Y'know what Granny Pie used to do when I was having trouble counting sheep?”
“Yeah...” Rainbow nodded, her breaths growing soft... softer. “You told me all the time.”
“Uh huh!” Pinkie grinned, teeth glinting. “So how 'bout it?”
Rainbow said nothing... not even the hint of a protest.
Pinkie laid down across from her, leaning in until her muzzle was practically within nuzzling distance. Quietly—but with no less a melody to her voice—she hummed: “When I was a littly filly and the sun was going down...”
As the seconds rolled by, Rainbow Dash's shuddering figure relaxed. The sun sank into the west horizon, drenching the oceans in shadow. One by one, the stars broke out, illuminating a soft smile across the pegasus' drowsy lips.
“...the darkness and the shadows—they would always make me frown...”
When Rainbow Dash awoke, she was being gnawed at by an odd sensation. It wasn't the fact that she was continually lying on the squishy scales of an enormous fish creature, but rather it was a curious melody playing lazily against the fuzz of her ears.
“Mrmmmff... guh...” Rainbow Dash stirred, rolling over and rubbing her face. She squinted up at a starry scale, then lifted her head just long enough to make out Bard squatting a few spaces over, cradling a guitar in his hooves. “Grff... seriously?”
“Can't help it, darlin',” Bard muttered through a soft smile. He continued twanging away, his strings plinking against a constant rush of ocean waves and swishing fins in the background. “Couldn't sleep, so this helps me relax.”
“Relax?” Rainbow rubbed her eyes... then rubbed them again. “Gnngh... what for?”
“Jee...” Bard grunted, waving at the giant dorsal fin looming above them. “I wonder why.”
Rainbow craned her neck to see Wildcard hunched over, fast asleep. “He doesn't seem to be having any trouble.”
“Dubya-Cee could sleep through a freight train crash. I should know.” Bard winked. “I've done witnessed it first-hoof.”
Rainbow sighed.
“If it bothers you so terribly, I'll put the guitar away,” Bard muttered. “Just... gots lots ta think about and this is my best way of processin' it all methodical-like.”
Rainbow opened her muzzle to respond—
“Heehee! I, for one, think it's a colorful little ditty!”
Rainbow looked over. She exhaled through curved lips.
Pinkie Pie lay upside down, her legs propped up against the dorsal fin. She smiled stupidly in Rainbow's direction. “I think it's super laid back! So I'm laying back!” She giggled. “How 'bout it, Dashie? We've got ourselves a regular Whinnie Nelson!”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “I bet he'd be flattered to hear that.”
“Oh boy...” Bard's lips curved. “Just which one of them ghosty-ghosts are ya gabbin' with this time?”
“Hehe! He's funny and down-home country!” Pinkie grinned. “We should go and fetch AJ from the ruby puff puff! I bet they'd be a perfect match!”
Rainbow's muzzle hung open... ultimately forming a grimace. She cleared her throat and looked aside. “One thing at a time, Pinkie...”
“Ah... yes... Pinkie Pie...” Bard smirked as he struck a few more cords. “I done made a bet with Dubya-Cee that she's actually got a red coat and y'all are just frontin' with her name.”
Rainbow sighed. “Trust me. She's pinker than cotton candy and giggles.”
“Where I come from, cotton candy is blue.”
“Well, where you come from is friggin' weird.”
Bard chuckled. “Well, one day we'll all find out, ya reckon?”
“Uhhhhhhh...” Rainbow Dash blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I mean when we finally get all them marefriends of yers back into the corporeal world!” Bard plucked and plucked, his eyes darting over to Rainbow. “Bet you ain't the only thing colorful 'bout this here voyage.”
“Bard... like... for real...” Rainbow squirmed in place. “Even after all I've told you and Wildcard, I... don't think you have any natural idea just how long—like—how honest-to-Celestia friggin' long my journey is—”
“Wuh oh!” Pinkie Pie suddenly quivered. She rolled upright and brushed at her own tummy. “My chest fluff is sticking on end!”
“What does that mean?” Rainbow moaned. “'Beware of silly cowboys?'”
“Nope!” Pinkie shook her head, smiling. “It means there's a full moon out tonight!” Her face lit up from a ruby light-source, and she gazed at Rainbow's neck. “OoOOooOOooOOooh!” she cooed. “Shiny!”
Rainbow Dash gasped. She took a look at her hot glowing pendant. She then flung her gaze skyward.
The full moon came out from behind a swath of clouds, shining brilliantly.
“Omigosh!” Rainbow Dash grinned wide. She flapped her wings, dropped her saddlebag, then flew staight up—unrestrained—until she perched on the very top of Ultimo's dorsal fin. “Omigosh Omigosh Omigosh!”
“What?!” Bard gasped, genuinely concerned. In scrambling to his feet, he awoke a dazed griffon beside him. “What's the matter?!”
“Nothing's the matter!” Rainbow cackled. She flung a hoof to her pendant and stroked circles across the ruby lightning bolt's surface. “Everything is wonderful! Hey! Your Majesty!” She bit her lip, aiming her pendant straight up at the brightly-lit beacon in the sky. “Come innnnnnnnnnnnnnnn, Luna!”
Suddenly, Rarity and Twilight Sparkle materialized in thin-air. They stared bleary eyed at the scene.
Rarity stifled a yawn. “We were simply 'resting,' but then something must have enchanted the Element of Loyalty—”
“Heehee!” Pinkie pointed. “It's just Dashie worshiping the moon in the middle of the night! No biggie!”
“Ah, I see—” Rarity nodded, then did a double-take. “Wait.”
“The moon!” Twilight gasped, then zipped up to float beside Rainbow Dash. “Oh my! Rainbow Dash! Princess Luna—!”
“I know, girl!” Rainbow nodded vehemently. “I'm on it!”
“I... I dun get it,” Bard muttered as Wildcard stood awkwardly by his side. The Desperadoes exchanged glances. “I thought Camellia was completely out of bounds by now—”
“Not Camellia ya friggin' hay-huffer! Luna! The excellence of execution! The best there is, the best there was—”
Suddenly, Rainbow's pendant glowed with silver luminescence. A familiar voice floated between them and the heavens: “Rainbow Dash? Is that you, child?”
Rainbow grinned wide. “...and the best there ever will be! Hey there, Princess Luna!” She stifled a giggled and pumped her hoof in the air. “Wooohooo! How ya doin', Yer Highness?!”
“Rainbow Dash! We were... I-I mean I was quite concerned for a while there...”
“Heeheehee!” Rainbow giggled, her cheeks flushed. “I can tell!”
“You hadn't answered my previous attempts at contact, and—yet again—I could not help but fear the worse—”
“Huh?” Rainbow blinked, then she winced viciously. “Oh jeez! Ah jeez ah jeez ah jeez!” Glancing nervously at her friends, she jittered and stammered: “How long has it been?”
“Rest easy, my little pony. You have only missed one of our three regular evenings of available communication.”
“Oh... Ohhhhhhhh...” Rainbow's body deflated from where she dangled off the dorsal fin. “Oh thank goddess! Hahaha... whewwwwwww...”
“I did not mean to frighten you, Rainbow Dash. Nevertheless, it is... indescribably relieving to hear your voice.”
“Yeah, my bad, Your Highness.” Rainbow Dash smiled drunkenly. “I was k-kinda sorta at the bottom of the ocean over the last few days.”
“I... see... and you have survived?”
“Hehe! Yup!”
“And have you experienced good fortune in your travels?”
“Yup yup!” Rainbow bore a wild grin. “I'm riding the back of a giant sea serpent!”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You won't believe the kind of crud I've been through as of late!”
“Have you... by chance... encountered more of your loved ones?”
“Oh Luna...” Rainbow giggled, practically swinging off the fin as her right forelimb dangled. “Wooooo! We're here! Half of us is all here!”
“Some elaboration is in order—”
“I'm talking Rarity and Pinkie Pie!”
“Truly?”
“Fo 'sho!”
“You... have salvaged them from the depths?”
“Rarity is with me right now! Pinkie Pie is with me right now!” Rainbow smiled down at her gawking friends. “Twilight's as alive and eggheady as ever! I mean, sure, they're still all ghosty and invisible to everypony except me, but—woooohooo! We're doin' this, Luna!” Rainbow fought another wave of giggles. “We're doin' this thing and it rocks!”
“That is an utterly fantastic development, Rainbow Dash.”
“I'd say! Pinkie Pie's hopping up and down! Rarity's about ready to friggin' cry. How 'bout that, Rares?”
“Mmmmmmmm!” Rarity held her forelimbs over her muzzle, tears welling up in her eyes. “Oh, Your Most Esteemed Royal Highness, it is an absolute pleasure to hear—”
“Ah... jeez...” Rainbow winced. “Rarity, so sorry. I... k-kinda forgot that only she can hear me, girl.”
“It's... it's quite alright...” Rarity wiped her cheeks, smiling painfully. “Just hearing her is blissful enough.”
“It's like a little piece of h-home,” Twilight said, shuddering.
“Weeee!” Pinkie hopped around in a ghostly circle. “Moon party on the back of big fish! Moon party on the back of big fish!”
“They're super crazy happy to hear you, Luna,” Rainbow said, gazing up at the sky. “It's like you've brought Ponyville to them.”
“It fills me with great pleasure to do just that, Rainbow Dash,” Luna's voice said. “I trust you didn't accomplish this miracle on your own?”
“Pffft! You kiddin'? I had some pretty awesome help along the way! Courtesy of more ponies than you can count! Heck, two of them are with me right now! Lemme introduce you to—” Rainbow spun about, but froze upon seeing the Desperadoes.
Bard and Wildcard stood side by side, shoulders slumped and muzzle/beak agape. They jolted nervously upon Rainbow making eye contact with them.
“Whoops... eheheheh...” Rainbow smiled nervously. “Guess not everypony's prepared for a lunatic conversation.” She cleared her throat. “What's the matter, boys? Did things get just a bit to real for you?”
“H-huh?” Bard jolted in place. “No! No, I'm... j-just...” He gulped. “...is... is that the alicorn you was talkin' about?” The stallion squinted. “The one in charge of the moon?”
“No,” Rainbow droned, sticking her tongue out. “It's the Princess in charge of Twilight's brother's loins. Who do you think?”
Twilight blinked suddenly. “Hey.” She raised a hoof. “Wait—”
“It's Princess Luna, ya dipshuckers!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “Come on! Say something! Don't be shy!”
“Uhhhh... I-I might need a bit of time to put together somethin' worth sayin', eheheh...” Bard nervously fanned himself with his hat. “But Dubya-Cee here... I bet he'd lurve to say somethin' to the Magical Moon Goddess of a Faraway Land!”
“... … ...” Wildcard turned and simply glared at Bard.
“Oh! She's been more than accomodating! In fact—from the way your older brother describes Sturke—she's practically an alicorn in disguise! She's welcomed Cadance's expedition with open hooves... erm... claws! She's allowed them a place to moor the airship! She's even walked with them up and down the marble halls of the Palace of Ward!”
“Wow...” Twilight Sparkle cooed while Rarity and Pinkie listened intently to the voice coming through the enchanted moon spell. Their eyes sparkled in awe.
“Well imagine how Shining must feel! For the first time since their wedding, he and Cadance are being treated like true royalty! It's gone better than expected... far better than expected!”
“And... in this place...” Rainbow Dash paced slowly across Ultimo's scales while the pendant under her neck glimmered. “This... Kingdom of... of—”
“Ward,” Twilight's mother corrected. “Kingdom of Ward.”
“...the ponies know that their ruler is a big friggin' dragon?”
“Absolutely.”
“... ... ...and they're cool with that?”
The voice on the other end chuckled slightly. “Why, yes! Why shouldn't they be?”
A masculine voice bled through the magical airwaves: “Sturke has been fully briefed on what you told told Princess Luna during the last night of communication one month ago, Rainbow Dash,” Mr. Sparkle said. “It's taken a great deal of effort to relay the information to Cadance's and Shining's expedition, but we do believe that the Divine of Seasons is up to snuff, so to speak.”
“Yeah... and?”
“Mr. Sparkle... Mrs. Sparkle... if I may?”
“Absolutely, Spike.”
“Hey Rainbow.”
“Hey Spike.”
“So... like... when Cadance and Shining finally arrived at Ward, they got ahold of information... like... a lot of information. Too much for Cadance to casually convey through her alicorn spells. So... uh... lemme see... how can I explain this...?”
“You can do it, Spike!” Twilight smiled, eyes glossy. “If any scientific researcher can, it's you!”
“Twilight believes in you, Spike,” Rainbow said. “And I do too. Just relax and give it to us nice and easy.”
“Basically... uh... Cadance had to condense all of the information into a super dense code. She literally just relayed it yesterday, cuz she needed to harness the leftover power of Luna's moon spell in the remaining crystals of her broken tiara.”
“Right...”
“I've spent the last twenty-four hours decoding as much of the data as I could. When Luna told me and Twilight's parents that there was no response on the first night, I was pretty bummed out—for sure—but it was also kind of a good thing. Erm... in that I could spend all the extra time translating Cadance's message.”
“Gotcha. No hard feelings little guy.”
“Erm... Rainbow? Not sure if anypony's told you, but—I'm about the size of a stagecoach now. I'm not exactly a 'little guy' anymore.”
“Mmmmmm...!” Twilight squealed, covering her smiling cheeks with her hooves. Rarity and Pinkie Pie leaned in to nuzzle her and pat her shoulders.
“Do carry on, Spike,” spoke Mrs. Twilight.
“Right. Ahem. So... yeah... I'm learning lots of stuff as I decode Cadance's information line by line. I will likely have learned lots of new facts in time to share with you tomorrow, assuming we have the time for it.”
“Of course.”
“But I doubt that I'll have all of the information decoded in time before the full moon wanes. So, for right now, lemme just share this interesting bit of knowledge...”
“We're all ears, Spike.”
“According to Princess Cadance, Sturke was—for a long while there—in close communication with Axan.”
Rainbow did a double-take. “Whoah. Wait. What.”
“Omigosh...” Twilight exhaled.
“Who's Axan again?” Pinkie asked. “And why's her name sound so crunchy?”
Spike's voice continued: “The Divine Sisters communicated with one another through a very ancient tool of crystalline enchantment.”
“You mean... like soundstones?”
“Yes, but a heck of a lot more powerful. Luna and Celestia recall the alicorns gifting the Divines with a series of—like—crystal balls that were enchanted with harmonic energy that could cross any leyline no matter the distance.”
“And you're telling me...” Rainbow cocked her head to the side. “...that Sturke and Axan were using one of these thingies to chew the fat all this time?” She gulped. “While I was breaking my wingbones trying to cross this huge friggin' plane?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. According to Cadance, Sturke claims that Axan reached out to her crystal a long time ago. We're talking... uhhh... I think 'eight months ago' is what Cadance was told.”
Rainbow and Twilight Sparkle exchanged glances.
“Eight months...” Twilight murmured.
Rainbow blinked. “That... was...” Her eyes darted left and right. “...Ledomare? Yeesh...”
“Were you still in Blue Shelf at the time?” Twilight asked. “After all, didn't you find out that you were incapacited for ten months following what Axan did to you in Silvadel?”
“Yeah, b-but... eight months?” Rainbow shuddered. “I'm pretty sure I knew Bellesmith and Pilate at that point in time...”
“Rainbow Dash?”
Rainbow spun about. “Yeah, Spike?”
“You might be interested to know that—until eight months ago—Sturke hadn't heard a single peep from Axan. The sisters had been virtual strangers to one another for... f-for millennia.”
Rianbow nodded. “Yeah. I know.”
“H-huh?! You know?!”
Rainbow sighed. “Just carry on, Spike.”
Rarity leaned in to Pinkie Pie. “Is it terrible that I feel completely lost right about now?”
“I'm talking supremely crunchy!” Pinkie hissed back. “Like a taco!”
“Supposedly, Sturke wasn't the first Divine that Axan sought out,” Spike's voice said. “The Divine of Flame tried contacting a bunch of other siblings, but assumed most of them dead. She couldn't get through to Verlax, unfortunately. And we both know what eventually happened to Nevlamas.”
“Does Sturke know what happened to Nevlamas?”
“... ... ...yes.”
Rainbow bit her lip. “How'd she take it?”
“Cadance describes Sturke as being very emotionally distraught at the topic—which she brought up, by the way.”
“Wait... how'd she know about it before Cadance and Shining Armor?”
“Axan told her.”
“She told her?”
“Axan told her a lot of things. She also mentioned that she was 'following the Austraeoh.'”
“Rainbow...” Twilight murmured. “That... that confirms what you've always felt.”
“She was there with me over the Grand Choke,” Rainbow said. “I... I just know it...”
“That would make some sense, Rainbow Dash,” Spike said. “Considering when she vanished.”
“Wait... what?” Rainbow shot up straight, ears twitching. “When who vanished?”
“Ermmmm...”
“Axan...” Rainbow blinked. “...Axan is gone?”
“Sturke says that... that communication with the Divine of Flame ended abruptly... without warning.” A brief pause. “It happened not that long before Cadance and Shining showed up in Ward.”
“Like... how long ago exactly?”
“We're talking... uhhhh... about a month, I guess?”
“Approximately around the time of our last communication,” Princess Luna's voice suddenly said.
“Yeah. Just about.”
“You had just arrived at Kihutaja,” Twilight said. “Remember, Rainbow? The K.M.C.A?”
“Of course I remember, egghead,” Rainbow muttered. “I had just come out of the Choke. The Blight went away.” Rainbow's brow furrowed. “...why—after all of this time—would Axan just up and leave?” She gazed up at the starlight cascading across Ultimo's scales and the ocean waves surrounding. “Especially when she seemed so determined to track me like she did...?”
“Well, this is her sister Verlax's kingdom, is it not?” Rarity remarked.
Rainbow and Twilight flashed her a look.
Rarity cleared her throat and fluffed her mane demurely. “I mean... I'm not entirely certain what the implication of that would be, of course, but it's a factor that deserves careful consideration, is it not?”
“Verlax... spoke very flippantly about Axan,” Rainbow said. “When... when I-I had my vision.” She glanced skyward again. “Did she finally put an end to it?”
“And end to what, Rainbow?” Spike's voice asked.
“To Axan following me.” Rainbow took a deep breath. “All this time, I always... felt that she was nearby, watching. And when she finished off Nevlamas, it confirmed my suspicions. But now... just to think that she's gone... as in actually truly gone...?”
“It must be an absolute relief, dear!” Rarity remarked. “Considering what she did to you and all!”
Rainbow fidgeted. “Yeah... I-I guess...” Clearing her throat, she tilted her head up so that the pendant captured more and more moonbeams. “Spike, did Axan tell Sturke—I mean...” She gritted her teeth. “Does anyone in Ward—Sturke or Cadance or Shining or, heck, even that new guy Slashed Fences—”
“Flash Sentry.”
“Whatever. Does anyone... anyone at all know why Axan was 'following the Austraeoh' in the first place?”
“I'm... afraid that I don't have that information, Rainbow Dash.”
Rainbow's brow furrowed. “Why? Because Sturke hasn't told Cadance's expedition or because you haven't decoded it yet?”
“A... little bit of both, I fear.”
Rainbow groaned.
“One interesting detail is that—according to Cadance—Sturke's confessed to having talked with Endrax.”
“Whoah... h-huh?!” Rainbow did a double-take. “When?!”
“Erm... several thousand years ago.”
Rainbow's ears drooped. “Oh...” She frowned briefly. “Well, why'd you even mention it, then?”
“Because it still technically makes Sturke the last known Divine to have bridged communication with the matriarch on the dark side of the plane. And this is something that Sturke had to inform Axan about several months ago when their communication first began. Seems like Axan was really keen on getting in contact with Endrax, no matter how futile it may have been.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. “That's something of a super depressing pattern I'm starting to notice as of late.”
“Rainbow Dash, is it true what you mentioned earlier?” Spike asked. “Did you really get an opportunity... Verlaxion yourself...?”
Rainbow's muzzle scrunched. “Huh? What was that?”
“Sounds like their alicorn antenna is breaking up!” Pinkie chirped.
“Rainbow...” Twilight pointed at the horizon. “...the moon.”
Rainbow saw the pale orb sinking towards the ocean. “Crud.” She spun about. “Spike! We've been at this for several hours! Communication's about to break up!”
“Right. I-I was afraid of that.”
“Don't worry. You did good, kid.” Rainbow winced slightly, then produced a nervous smile. “Good... big-as-a-stagecoach kid.” She cleared her throat. “Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle? Are you still there?”
“Hello, Rainbow Dash,” Mrs. Sparkle's voice shimmered in the air. “That we are.”
“Look...” Rainbow held her forelimbs together. “...I'm super duper mega sorry that your Twilight Time got eaten up by Spike and I discussing Sturke and the Divines.”
A gentle chuckle. “Oh, Rainbow, dear, that's quite alright. We know how very important this all is to your journey.”
“And Twilight's as well,” Mr. Sparkle joined in. “Honey, if you can hear us, we're still so incredibly proud of you.”
“You're courage and wisdom is giving Shining a run for the money, Twilight,” Mrs. Sparkle said. “We know this must be incredibly tough for you, dear.”
“I can handle it!” Twilight said, sniffling. She bit her lip. “But it must be even tougher for you! Please... don't worry, Mom... Dad. Rainbow Dash is taking good care of me! Of all of us!”
Rainbow smiled into the pale glow. “Twilight values your courage as well, Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle. But don't you sweat.” She winked. “I've got her taken care of.”
“It's only right that Princess Luna share the last few remaining words with Rainbow Dash,” Mr. Sparkle said. “So we're going to go now, honey.”
“Tomorrow night, we're going to come back with Rarity's family!” Mrs. Sparkle said. “And the Cakes and the Pies, of course!”
“Oh!” Rarity clasped her hooves together, instantly tearing up. “Oh my goodness! That sounds absolutely divine! Oh thank you! Thank you thank you thank you!”
“Woohooo!” Pinkie pumped her forelimb. “Pies and cakes! My favorite!”
“That's super awesome of you guys!” Rainbow said. “Rarity is most thankful! And Pinkie is... well... she's hungry, I guess...”
The air chimed with happy laughter.
“Alright, Rainbow Dash. We must be off. Twilight... we love you more than anything.”
“We love you so... so very much, Twilight. Our hearts go out to you and your friends.”
“I love you, Mom!” Twilight stammered, shuddering. “I love you, Dad!”
“'I love you, Mom! I love you, Dad!'” Rainbow shrugged. “Do you even need me to telegraph that?”
More chuckles. They soon faded, and in their place came the rich, dulcet tones of Luna's voice.
“Rainbow Dash, we haven't much time.” Her voice faded briefly, then came back into clarity. “It would be wise that we reconvene this conversation tomorrow.”
“Totally, Your Highness,” Rainbow said. “I just... c-can't get over the fact that Sturke is running a place like Ward so... so...”
“Peacefully?”
Rainbow gulped. “I was gonna say 'harmoniously.'”
“I take it that is not the case in Rohbredden.”
“I... I could go into it, but...” Rainbow sighed. “That's something best slated for tomorrow evening.”
“Affirmative, my little pony.”
“BUT!” Rainbow pointed into the air. “After Rarity and Pinkie get to 'talk' with their families, understood?”
“I fear that there won't be a whole lot of time to accomplish both with the desired results.”
“We'll get it in somehow,” Rainbow said, smiling. “Don't worry. What matters is that we're just talking... period.”
“Alas, my only regret is that I hadn't gotten your friends' families assembled preemptively, Rainbow Dash,” Luna said. “Please understand. Although we have full faith in you and your endeavors, it was the mutual decision of Celestia and myself that we not even suggest the remote possibility of Rarity's or Pinkie Pie's rebirth until we were fully certain that—”
“Look, I get it.” Rainbow nodded. “You didn't want to break any of your royal subjects' hearts. That's totally cool.” She sighed, wings drooping. “I wouldn't want to let them down either.”
Luna's voice broke up slightly, but then came back into focus: “You shall achieve all that you set your heart on, Rainbow Dash. In this, I have full faith, as does Celestia. You have already performed admirably.”
“Mmmm... yeah...” Rainbow Dash suddenly bit her lip. “About my 'performance,' Your Highness...”
“Yes, Rainbow?” Luna's voice crackled. “If you must ask something, do so swiftly. There isn't much time.”
“Do... do you think that...” Rainbow glanced over her shoulder.
Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie were encumbered in a tight, joyous conversation, murmuring excitedly about the following evening.
“... ... ...” Rainbow blinked. She murmured out the side of her muzzle: “...do you think this journey to restore harmony to Urohringr... has to rely entirely on harmony?”
Silence.
Rainbow turned and squinted into the last slivers of moonlight. “Your Highness?”
“I'm terribly sorry, Rainbow Dash. I couldn't quite make out that last comment. Something to do with your journey?”
Rainbow was suddenly sweating. “Uhhhhhhh...”
“Does something concern you, Rainbow?”
“Uhmmm...” She nervously glanced aside... then did a double-take.
Bard and Wildcard sat, perched on Ultimo's backside. Their jaws were dropped just as low as they had been since the enchanted conversation first started.
“Omigosh!” Rainbow's voice cracked. She put on a plastic smile. “Where are my manners!” She shuffled up to the two Desperadoes and wrapped a forelimb around each of them. “Princess Luna! You know those two awesome dudes I briefly mentioned had helped me reach the Third Seed?”
“Indeed. Bard and Wildcard were their names.”
“Ehm... n-no relation,” Bard wheezed.
“Well, the Desperadoes totally here! Listening in n'stuff! Wanna say 'hey?'” Rainbow grinned wide.
Wildcard simply gawked at her.
“... ... ... ...O valiant Desperadoes who so humbly assisted Rainbow Dash,” rolled Luna's voice. “... ... ...'hey?'”
Bard waved a limp hoof. “'Hey' yerself, Yer Highness.” He gulped. “Is it really true that you control the moon?”
“Quite correct, good sir.”
“Hell's Bells...” Bard slurred. “And yer sister controls the great big burning ball thingy in the sky?”
“I presume you mean the Sun, in which case, yes.”
“Eheh... I beg yer pardon.” Bard tipped his hat. “Kinda... lost my train of thoughts.”
“Your partner is rather quiet.”
“Yeah, if ya say so, Yer Highness.” Bard shrugged. “He's a griffon and all. Perhaps y'all can smell his bird musk over the moonwaves.”
Wildcard frowned, gesturing wildly.
“Dubya-Cee!” Bard hissed. “Honestly! In front of a Princess!”
“Thank you... ... ...assistance. Trust in... ... ... her journey is a righteous one. So... ... ... her allies. In time...”
And just like that, the pale blue glow around Rainbow's pendant faded.
“Awwwwwwwww...” Bard took his hat off, pouting. “And she had a darn purdy voice, too.”
Wildcard talon-signed.
“Pfft!” Bard rolled his eyes. “What difference does it make if she was wearin' a fancy ballgown or not?” He plopped his hat back on. “I swear, some mercenaries are so superficial.”
Wildcard clenched his beak tightly.
“I... uh...” Rainbow gulped. “I-I'm sorry I didn't make an attempt to formally introduce you to Princess Luna sooner.”
“Hey...” Bard shrugged. “We understand. Y'all had a lot to catch up on. Reckon it's ten times harder when ya gotta play translator for a bunch of mute ghosts. Trust me. I understand... well... kinda.”
“Does...” Rainbow blinked. “...does this mean that you finally believe... like... everything?”
Wilcard smirked under his beak. He swung his metal digits in the air.
“Heh...” Bard tilted his hat back. “Reckon it'd be a mighty cumbersome prank when ya even got a flippin' moon princess in on it.” He shook his head. “Naw, darlin', I'm pretty sure we ain't got a smidgen of doubt left in us.”
Rainbow exhaled with relief.
“That make ya happy?”
“It makes me many things,” Rainbow murmured. She blinked blearily. “But most of all... I'm super friggin' tired...”
“Rainbow!” Twilight floated over. “Can you believe it?! Pinkie and Rarity are finally going to get to talk to their families again! Well... sorta...”
“Heheh...” Rainbow saluted the ghostly mare. “Read you loud and clear, egghead.”
“This is just so wonderful!” Twilight danced in place, grinning from ear to ear. “I swear! It's made everything absolutely worth it! The seas we've traversed! The depths we've explored! Even every glittering bar stolen from the Syndicate—” She froze in place, squinting. “Rainbow... you don't look so good.”
“Mmmmff... so you've noticed.”
“Is...” Twilight gulped. “...is it another d-dizzy spell?”
“Awwwwww...” Twilight grinned. “Tell you what.” She spun about, motioning with her hoof. “Girls?”
Rarity drifted over while Pinkie magically hopped in mid-air. “You rangy rangggg?” chirped the latter.
“It's gonna be a long sixteen or so hours before the full moon is visible again,” Twilight said. “Rainbow's about to collapse. What say we all get some 'sleep' ourselves in the meantime?” She grinned. “That way we'll be fully awake when it's time to talk to Luna again!”
Rarity gasped. “Why, that's a marvelous idea!” She grinned at Pinkie Pie. “I, for one, don't want to risk missing anything on account of exhaustion!”
“I don't get it!” Pinkie Pie's muzzle scrunched. “We're all ghosty besties, now! Is it even possible for us to count sheep?”
“Pinkie, darling, do you even vaguely remember that nebulous white space where the whole of us were suspended ever since the incident that turned us incorporeal in Ponyville?”
“Yeah! Cuz that's what I like to call it!” Pinkie squinted at Rainbow Dash. “Makes it less existentially terrifying and more... deliciously orgasmifying!”
Rainbow shrugged. “Works for me.”
“Well... ahem... Pinkie...” Rarity smiled delicately. “It so happens that we can return to the... uh... Vanilla Zone any time we so please, as if on command.”
“And it's a good thing too,” Twilight added. “Because it staves off exhaustion, just like sleep.” She smiled. “So, how about it?”
“No way, Jose!” Pinkie stuck her tongue out. “I'm having way too much funny-fun-fun hoppin' around on clouds, surfing the dorsal fin of a giant sea serpent, and trying to impersonate a bishie cowboy!”
“A what cowboy?” Rainbow murred.
Bard blinked, his luscious mane blowing in the sea air. “Huh?”
“Heehee! You silly fillies!” Pinkie cartwheeled. “As if I could even remotely consider the possibility of sleep at a time like—Shnorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.” The mare spontaneously collapsed across Ultimo's wet scales, sawing wood beneath the dimming starlight.
Rarity looked at Twilight, rolled her eyes with a smile, then grasped Pinkie by the tail. “Have a pleasant morning, Rainbow Dash,” the unicorn said as she proceeded to “trot” into the pegasus' ruby pendant, dragging Pinkie along. As her body faded, her elegant voice trailed briefly behind: “And thank you... for everything...”
Once both ponies had vanished, Rainbow turned to glance at Twilight.
“It... it deserves being said, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight remarked. “Thank you. I mean, really... thank you...” She curtsied delicately. “...for everything.”
“Eh... you'd do the same for me, egghead.”
“Not... quite so easily.” Twilight bit her lip. “I mean... the way you've had to go about doing stuff... beating up pirates... stealing from Boss Revan and the other criminals...” She giggled lightly. “And let's not forget how close you came to stabbing Ultimo's brains out...”
“Er... yeah...?” Rainbow fidgeted where she stood. “What... uh... what about all that?”
“It's just that... I-I'm not sure I could easily deal with so many heavy choices if I were in your place. But... then again, I haven't been through all the stuff that you've been through. I mean... all of those terrible forces you faced in Ledomare... or those nasty creatures in Stratopolis... and th-then those ghastly stories about Darkstine and Silvadel...” She sniffled, her eyes moistening slightly.
Rainbow stared at her.
“I... I guess you deserve to know that... th-that...” Twilight gulped. “That I had my d-doubts, Rainbow Dash.” She looked up, a tear trailing down her cheek. “But now that I've seen what you've been able to accomplish in Nealend... and in Rust and Shoggoth... and so harmoniously too...” She shook her head with a fragile smile. “I was wrong. So very wrong. And I'm sorry, Rainbow. I'm sorry for doubting. Will you ever forgive me?”
Rainbow opened her muzzle. She blinked several times, then found the voice to say: “You know that I would always forgive you, Twilight.” A gulp, and she smiled crookedly. “I mean... th-that's what friends do.” She twitched slightly. “... ... ...right?”
Twilight shuddered. Another tear trailed as she smiled back. “Ever so loyal... the loyalest.”
Silence.
“I... I should be going now.” Twilight drifted forward, and soon she faded into a bright white light. “Pleasant dreams, Rainbow...”
Rainbow reached forward, but Twilight had already vanished. So, instead, her hoof found its way to her pendant... and she held it close to her neck.
“I'm living them...” She murmured.
Waves crashed all around. One by one, seagulls chanted, their cawing voices ushering in the edge of day.
“If yer fixin' to fetch yerself some shuteye, better get to slumberin' soon, darlin',” Bard said. He cracked the joints in his neck and paced across the wet scales. “Goddess knows I'm aimin' to as well... of course, assumin' that Wildcard's horrible snorin' doesn't shatter my attempts. Friggin' siren with a beak, I swear.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow gulped. She turned around three times and plopped down on the wet scales beneat her. “I'll give it my best, I suppose.”
Out of nowhere, Bard's hat fell over her face. She fussed a bit, then tilted the thing up, frowning over at the cowboy. “The heck is this for?”
“What else?” Bard gave her a calm smile. He pointed east. “Sun's comin' up soon. Do yerself a solid and get some shade.” He sat down with his back to the dorsal fin, sighing as he stretched his limbs. “Considerin' how much you've thrown yerself east, reckon ya deserve a break or two.”
Rainbow blinked. She allowed the hat to rest over her forehead. Despite the gesture, she could still see the distant speck of Yaerfaerda, glaring at her from miles and miles away like a bright sentry.
There was no break from the light.
“Thanks,” she said anyways. “It's... it's a kind thing.”
“Mmmm... we do our best.”
“Yeah... yeah, I-I guess we do.” And Rainbow slowly allowed unconsciousness to blind her.
Rainbow Dash's leg shook... and then her other leg.
Her tail flicked, and the same anxiousness that caused it to happen ran up her body, culminating in a quiver to her jaws.
Something tickled in her ear...
Something faint, icy cold... like a whisper.
“Mrmmmff...”
She curled up tightly, her eyes clenched shut.
The hairs on her neck stood up.
“Grmmff... no...”
Her lips parted, exposing a set of clenched teeth.
“No... no!”
Her eyes flew open, and she saw nothing but darkness.
“... ... ...!!!” With a gasp, Rainbow Dash sat up straight.
Bard's hat flew off her head, exposing her to blinding white sunlight.
She winced, leaning back and covering her eyes as she seethed.
“Hold on... relax, darlin'.” A strong set of hooves grasped her shoulder.
The mare grunted, throwing the stallion's grip off.
Bard backed up, waving his forelimbs. “Easy... easy... it's okay...”
“Where... where...?” Rainbow sweated and sweated, gazing left and right. “...the garden...?”
“Garden?” Bard turned to glance over his shoulder. A goggled griffon simply shrugged. “Erm...” Bard looked back at her. “What garden?”
Rainbow sniffed the air. Instead of royal flowers and a well-kempt lawn, she smelled salt water and the pungent aroma of wet fish. “Unnngh...” She rubbed her head. “Why...” A gulp. “Why didn't you wake me sooner?”
“Well... to be honest, Rainbow, we done thought about it.” Bard smiled nervously. “But... when you talk to yerself the way you do, it's... kinda hard to tell just who yer talkin' to. I mean, swing a dead cat, and it's either ghost-friend this... ghost-friend that... sea princess... moon princess... sun princess...” He chuckled. “Take yer pick.”
“Ughhhh...” Rainbow rubbed her eyes, trying to sit up straight. She couldn't spot a familiar shade of white, lavender, or pink. “Twilight... Twilight and the others are still... uh... 'asleep.'” She gulped. “I was... dreaming, I guess.”
“Yer sure about that?”
“Pretty sure.” Rainbow lowered her hooves, blinking thinly. “Wait.” She squinted up at Bard. “Just what was I saying in my sleep, anyway?”
“Hell if I could make any sense of it.” Bard leaned over with a groan, picking up his hat. “Some crazy ramblin' about... 'the foundations of home.'” He brushed the thing off and plopped it on his head with a calm smile. “You seemed mighty scared about it 'crumblin' without you' or some such nonsense.”
Rainbow glanced about, tonguing the inside of her muzzle.
“If ya ask me, darlin', you've been under a lot of stress. Even before you met us Desperadoes.” Bard gathered his heavy belongings, along with his guitar case. “A head under that much pressure is bound to squeeze out anythang.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow shuddered. “I guess.” She looked up, ears twitching. The cold whisper was gone. Then again, Rainbow couldn't hear much of anything—not even the crashing of waves. “Wait... why aren't we moving?”
“Ah yeah... about that...” Bard shifted where he stood. “We was hopin' you'd wake up soon so we could have a mighty delicate conversation about—”
“Ultimo?!” Rainbow sprung up to her hooves. She trotted briskly towards the creature's snout and stared off across the ocean.
Sure enough, the creature had come to a complete stop. The waves lazily lapped up to the big fish's scales, and the seagulls were gone completely. Dead ahead, due east at this point, Yaerfaerda hovered right above sea level.
Wildcard talon-signed.
“He plum stopped about an hour ago,” Bard explained. “Dubya-Cee noticed it first. I thought he was crazy, but then I realized we weren't movin' for nothin'.”
“Ultimo, what gives?” Rainbow stared down at his bulbous eyes. “You tired or something? Need us to find you a kelp forest to munch on or some jazz?”
Almost immediately, a deep bass groan rolled through the beast's body from fin-to-tail. Its eyes twitched about as its snout broke water, then sank again.
“Whoah nelly!” Bard held onto his hat while his buddy reached over to steady him with a metal talon. “Heheh... that's the first time he's 'said' anythang, Rainbow. Guess he only answers to you.”
“Yeah. Courtesy of Camellia's command.” Rainbow looked once again at her reflection in the beast's giant fish-eyes. “Lemme guess... this is as far as you're able to bring us.”
The fish eyes blinked twice. Another groan vibrated beneath Rainbow's hooves, and all three travellers could hear the mighty splash of the beast's enormous tail splashing through the waves.
“Hah! Like a big ol' puppy!” Bard smirked. “Looks like yer right on the money, Rainbow.”
Rainbow sighed. “Do you really... really have to high-tail it back to Shoggoth, Ultimo? I mean... you've brought us so far! What's the problem with going a little bit more out of your way?”
Wildcard gestured emphatically.
“Dubya-Cee has a point,” Bard said, nodding. “The big guppy just might not be able to. Depends on exactly where we're headed.”
Rainbow glanced over. “What do you mean?”
“Well... I've had my suspicions... seein' as I almost recognize the smells of these here waters n'all.” He motioned at Rainbow's satchels. “How 'bout we take a gander at that fancy shmancy map of yers?”
“Er... yeah.” Rainbow nodded. “Sure thing.”
Wildcard and Bard crowded in, looking over the mare's shoulder as she fished Sinrar's maps out of the deepest pocket of her saddlebags.
“Eeeugh...” Rainbow exhaled, already grimacing at the water-faded lengths of the sheets as she unfolded them. “For Pete's sake. These things have really been through the wringer.”
“Well, we did survive the bottom of the ocean and being vomited out of a giant sea beast... twice.”
“I swear, the Professor's gonna kill me if fate makes us meet again.”
“He was a Colonialist, wasn't he?”
“Yeah. Your point?”
“Reckon it's highly unlikely we'll bump into him where we're going.”
“Well, let's figure that out, shall we?” Rainbow opened the map, then squinted at the illustrated dots south of Rust. “Mmmmmmmm... just where is Shoggoth, exactly?”
Wildcard mutely pointed at a big yellow circle marked: “Shoggoth.”
“Oh.” Rainbow blinked. “Right.”
“Eyes like a hawk,” Bard said. “I'm tellin' ya.”
Wildcard smirked.
“Okay... so...” Rainbow exhaled, her eyes trailing across Sinrar's finely drawn lines. “We headed due northeast from there, riding atop Ultimo's backside.”
“Of that, I can personally attest,” Bard said.
“How fast do you suppose he's been moving all this time?” Rainbow remarked.
“Suppose we coulda thrown Dubya-Cee out into the drink and measured how fast the mofo passed us from dorsal to tail,” Bard said. A metal talon slapped the back of his hat. Without moving, Bard sighed: “Reckon I deserved that one.”
“Okay, so let's just agree that... by a nautical scale... we were moving pretty darn fast.”
“Didn't even need a wind in our sails. Cuz... y'know... no sails.”
“Yeah, I got it,” Rainbow grumbled, squinting at the lines. “Mmmmmm...” She drew her hoof diagonally northeast from Shoggoth... then stopped at random. “Okay, so... I know we could have stopped anywhere, but the fact of the matter is...” She gazed up, squinting past the morning light. Yaerfaerda shimmered due east. “Where we happened to be right now... the Fourth Seed is located east of us.”
“By 'Fourth Seed,' I reckon you mean the next place you aim to fetch another one of yer ghost friends.”
“Right.” Rainbow gulped. “Judging by the color of the beacon, I'm pretty sure it's gonna be Fluttershy. I mean... that's just the pattern of things.”
“Fluttershy. Whew... mighty purdy name there.”
“Don't you friggin' start.”
“Ahem. Right.” Bard leaned in, squinting at the map. “Due east of us... huh?”
“The beacon—Yaerfaerda—is at sea level. So... y'know...” Rainbow gulped. “I don't think my next destination is underwater this time.”
“You mean like Shoggoth?”
“Right.”
“Whew! Well that's a relief”
“So... uh... do you guys know of any islands or archipelagos or anything that could be located directly east of where we might be now?”
Bard tilted his head aside. “You dun suppose it's on Rohbredden proper?”
“Yeesh...” Rainbow ran a hoof through her mane. “Not sure I'm ready for all that yet...”
“Can ya tell just how far away this... erm... 'Yiffy Fear' is?”
Rainbow gazed east again. “... ... ...a hundred... two hundred miles, maybe?”
“Ya sure about that?”
“No,” Rainbow grunted. “I'm never sure. But—judging on past glances and how bright it's been—I feel like we might be a day or two away from it.” She cleared her throat. “If... if we were still able to ride on Ultimo, of course.”
“Hmmmm...” Bard nodded, rubbing his chin in thought as he scanned the map once more. “Two days' trip... two hundred miles or so...”
“I... I'm sorry it's so vague,” Rainbow said, squirming. “But... any help would be fantastic. After all, you guys have been around this place a heck of a lot more than me. I figured you—”
“—know these islands like the backs of our hooves. Or, perhaps, talons.” Bard glanced aside. “How 'bout it, Dubya-Cee? Any bright ideas?”
The griffon was already nodding. He pointed at a series of tiny dots surrounding a pair of squiggly horizontal lines just a few spaces west of the large circular body of the Rohbredden Continent. He then proceeded to mimic a “praying” and “bowing” gesture with his body.
“Heh...” Bard smirked. “The Luminards, eh?”
Rainbow's brow furrowed. “The Lumi-what?”
“But ya reckon there's a firm enough place for this Fourth Seed to be sittin' all pretty amidst the Quade?”
Wildcard nodded, then gestured some more.
“Hah! Yer right. Them monks coulda built a platform outta them holy reeds of theirs.”
“Hey! Dudes!” Rainbow barked, flinging a look at one Desperado after another. “Fill me in here! For realsies!”
“Ahem...” Bard leaned back. “Dubya-Cee thinks that yer crazy fart beacon may be located in the Quade. And, all thangs considered, I reckon that's the best guess at this point.”
“What... exactly is the Quade.”
Bard pointed at the map. “See that tiny pepperin' of dots west of Rohbredden proper?”
“Uhhhhh... yeah?” Rainbow blinked. “What is it? An archipelago?”
“Hardly, though it probably wants to be.”
“Huh?”
Bard cleared his throat. “The Quade is a name we Rohbreddenites give to a smatterin' of sharp, juttin' heaps'o'limestone that sorta... just shoots up out of the ocean. The water there ain't exactly deep... but t'ain't proper in callin' it 'shallow' neither. Fact is, there are so many rocks and shoals n'such that most boats steer clear of the place. The big ones, anyway.”
“Okaaaaay...” Rainbow glanced down at the scales beneath them. “Guess that explains why Ultimo doesn't wanna head on over there.”
A deep bass groan.
“Seems like somebody agrees.” Bard pointed at the map again. “Y'see, accordin' to legend, there was once a big friggin' island located southwest of Rohbredden. We're talkin' ages ago... back durin' the last ice age, before Unification n'all.”
“Right...”
“Heck, this place was so dayum huge, that most smart scholar-folk go so far as to call it Rohbredden's 'Sister Continent.' The mythological name was 'Lumina,' on account of how shiny its limestone cliffs were. It caught the luminous sunlight and all. Get it?”
“I see. A regular Rohbredden Oatlantis.”
“Beg yer pardon?” Bard and Wildcard did double-takes.
“Erm... forget it... Equestrian stuff.” Rainbow sighed, waving a hoof. “Carry on with the exposition, dude.”
Bard shrugged. “It gets mighty depressin' from there. Most ponies'n'wyverns who were livin' in Lumina flocked over to the bigger continent, seekin' warmth durin' the Great Freeze. Then, once Queen Verlaxion made a splash, they all stayed in Rohbredden proper. The Goddess—as we all know—warmed the oceans and drove the blizzards away. Well, seems like this had a less-than-positive effect on Lumina. Most of its landscape was bein' held together by ancient glaciers anyway, and I guess Verlaxion's gift of unification was a mite bit too strong—cuz once explorers made the trip back, they found most of Lumina had fallen into the ocean... save for a bunch of limestone formations that had survived the erosion. To this day, we call it the 'Quade.' Stands for 'Quake-Made' or some such nonsense.”
“Is it... inhospitable?”
“More like really dayum hard to live on,” Bard said. “'Cuz there's barely any even ground. Everythang about the Quade is... y'know... jagged and pointy rocks'n'stuff. Save for two wormy land ridges, it's nothin' but a buncha earthen skyscrapers shootin' out of the ocean all craggy-like. Still.” He smirked. “Didn't stop vegetation from makin' itself a sanctuary on them vertical bluffs. Pine trees and a grass and a buncha vines somehow survived the sinking. They cover them rocks from head to hoof in some of the purdiest greenery you ever did see.”
“Have you and Wildcard been there?”
“Pffft. Hell naw, but we've seen pictures, darlin'. What's more, we've met a bunch of the Luminards in person the last time we flew over the southwest bluffs of Rohbredden. They like to make occasional pilgrimages to the mainland Continent and proselytize, ya see.”
“These... Luminards...” Rainbow blinked. “...you mean there are ponies actually living around these rocks?”
“Eeyup. Right smack dab in the middle of them two squiggly lines, ya see?” Bard pointed at the two horizontal marks in the center of the dots. “'Reed's River,' they call it.”
“But... like... how...?”
“Any way they can. Remember how I mentioned they go on pilgrimages and the like?”
“Yeah...?”
“Well, them Luminards are—like—super religious ponies. They worship Verlaxion like no other. I mean... shiet... most ponies in Rohbredden do, but the Luminards just go about it a whole different way.”
“Like... how different?”
Wildcard gestured.
Bard nodded, then said, “They think that Lumina became the Quade because of some terrible ancient sin that—y'know—summoned the ice age that nearly wiped out the Six Tribes to begin with. So, on top of worshippin' Verlaxion, they all hang out in Reed's River, livin' on these platforms that they build out of these supposedly holy strips of wood.”
“The Reed.”
“Right. They keep a vigil there, prayin'... singin' hymns... not many ponies truly know, really. But they feel as though they gotta show penitence to atone for the Six Tribes' sins, and the only place to do that from is in the leftover bones of Lumina.”
Wildcard talon-signed again.
“Right. They're mighty a-scared of all Rohbreddenite civlization fallin' into the ocean if they dun do their daily worship, or somethin'. I dunno. We've always made a habit of stearin' clear of them yahoos on each flyby.” Bard shrugged, adjusting his hat. “I mean, dun get me wrong. They're harmless, really... just... wouldn't enjoy sittin' down to breakfast with 'em. Eheh...”
“But...” Rainbow blinked at the map. “...you're pretty sure that the beacon's leading me to there... to the Quade?”
“Well, Dubya-Cee's pretty sure,” Bard said, sharing a nod with the griffon. “So, looks like that dreaded breakfast may be inevitable.” He smiled. “Reckon there's only one way to find out.”
Rainbow sighed. “I... have some experience with religious ponies...”
“Do ya, now?” Bard scratched his head. “Think it might help us with the journey ahead?”
Rainbow swiftly folded the map. “Guess there's only one way to find out.” She turned towards the Desperadoes. “No matter how we shake it, this means a super long endurance flight.”
Wildcard gestured.
“We've handled far longer and far worse,” Bard translated.
Wildcard nodded.
“Besides... a buncha wind veterans heading east?” Bard smirked. “We can deal! I'm certain we can make a bed in the clouds if things get tiresome. And then once we get to the Quade, Dubya-Cee and I will teach ya the fine art of rock-squatting!”
“Rock... squatting...?”
“C'mon!” Bard chuckled, flapping his wings and lifting up. “Eunngh... it'll be fun! And... who knows...” He huffed and puffed, initially struggling with the weight of the Syndicate's platinum bars in his bags. “...maybe the Luminards will have a bed or two to offer us too!
“Yeah... we can sleep on a pile of brochures,” Rainbow muttered.
“Huh?”
“Nothing.” Rainbow flapped her wings, then pivoted to face the giant sea creature. “Ultimo? Thanks a bunch. And if you see Camellia again... uhhh... tell her 'thanks' for me too, huh?”
The beast ducked its head under the waves, then came back up, bulbous eyes blinking.
Rainbow fidgeted in mid-air. “I'm... just gonna pretend we're on the same page.” She waved. “So long, fish-dude. And... y'know...” She gulped, smiling awkwardly. “Sorry for trying to stab you to death that one time...”
Water sprayed out the side of the thing's gills. With a swish of its tail, the thing rolled about, dipped beneath the waves, then soared off. Its body broke the ocean's surface a few more times. Then—with a dip of its dorsal fin—it dove low, turning into a dark splotch that rippled its way west, fading into watery obscurity.
Rainbow and the Desperadoes found themselves hovering alone above the empty ocean expanse.
“Well... that's a tad bit...” Bard gulped. “...daunting.”
Wildcard tapped his shoulder and gestured.
“Pffft!” Bard scowled at him. “I'll 'grow a new spine,' alright! Then shove it straight up yer feather butt, ya peacock!”
Wildcard snicked breathily.
“I'm not sure what I'm going to miss more,” Rainbow Dash muttered. “The big giant fish... or the sensation of having to come up with a big giant fish tale.”
“Come, darlin'.” Bard motioned, then darted eastward along with the griffon. “Let's go share it with the Luminards... make 'em piss their sackcloth diapers yellow! Hah!”
“One thing at a time.” Flapping her wings, Rainbow flew after them. “Uhm... a little more to the south, dudes.”
“Whoops. My bad.” Bard and Wildcard spread apart, giving the mare space. “You lead the way, east horse.”
“Whatever you say, south donkey.”
Wildcard's goggles rattled, and he swung his metal talon through the air.
“Shush yer loud beak! Wasn't even remotely funny!”
Rainbow smirked, and with expert precision she led the Desperadoes straight for Yaerfaerda's twinkling formation.
“So, it begs the question,” Bard spoke, flapping his wings with casual grace as he glided just parallel to Rainbow Dash. The reflection of the three figures made a trio of dots across the reflective ocean waves below. They flew just below the clouds as they made their way swiftly east. “How long have you been at this, exactly?
“This what, exactly?”
“Y'know... this.” The cowboy adjusted his hat while waving broadly towards the sky. “This flyin' east thang. You made it sound like a really long time when ya described it the other day. Reckon three or four continents ain't no sneeze... or a sneeze-and-a-half, even.”
Rainbow shrugged. “It's... kinda hard to say. I mean, I had this period of—like—ten or so months when I was completely down for the count.”
“After that dragon queen done thrashed you, right?”
Rainbow gulped. “Right...”
“Why would you be so down in the dumps about a crazed monster like that ditchin' ya?”
“Huh?”
“Well, correct me if I'm wrong... but from the conversation you and Princess Woona were havin'—”
“Luna.”
“My bad. Ahem... ya made it sound like the Divine of Flames had left you and you sounded all super disappointin' about it, too.”
“You gotta understand, dude.” Rainbow shuddered. “The sort of creeps that I've met in my travels? Well... let's just say that Axan makes for someone who's easier to warm up to in the grand scheme of things.”
“So... we're talkin' ponies... creatures... and whatever that are worse than the one scaley varmint that tore you to shreds and left you to die?”
“She didn't leave me to die. Ironically, if it weren't for Axan, I'd never have made it to Ledomare to continue the next leg of my journey.” She gulped, her ruby eyes taking on an arid complexion. “For what it was w-worth...”
“Yeesh. I'm almost afraid to ask about all the other creeps you've run into.”
“It's all cool,” Rainbow said. “Er... I mean... it's not cool what I've butted heads with, so to speak, but... it's okay to talk about—” She froze in mid-speech, paling. Rainbow glanced over her shoulder. Blinking, the mare looked immediately around her, eyes scanning the blue skies.
“If you'd rather wait for them to rise and shine from their invisible ghost-hotel so that they can provide you moral support—”
“I said I'm good,” Rainbow pronounced with the hint of a snarl.
“Alright... alright...” Bard shrugged his shoulders, staring straight ahead into the windy ocean vistas. “Didn't mean to pry, darlin'.”
“It's not prying,” Rainbow said, sighing. “Just... just know that I've been through a bunch of sticky situations, but what matters is that I... I mean...” She took a deep breath, frowning. “Look, I came out on top, so that's what matters, right? I mean... why else would I be here?”
“Courage. Tenacity. Loyalty.”
Rainbow glanced curiously at Bard, blinking.
He smirked, staring straighta head. “Them's some nifty colors to fly your flag with, Rainbow. Since the day you kicked the keisters of two meaty mercenaries just to save a junkie midnighter you didn't even know... eheh... I figured you for a mare of integrity. It's a mighty admirable quality, if ya dun mind my sayin' so.”
“Mmmmf...” Rainbow glanced down at the glittering waves beneath them. “I guess...”
“I swear, we could use more ponies like you this side of the Blight!”
“Why?” Rainbow smirked up at him. “Cuz, in the end, wouldn't a bunch of Rainbow Dashes keep the sky clear of bit-hogging mercenaries such as yourself?”
“Hey!” Bard pivoted to face the mare in mid-glide. “We ain't no cheapskates! We're in this business for more than the money—” At the sound of a rattling beak, he frowned at his feathered friend. “Dun you even start, mofo!”
Wildcard covered his grinning mug with a metal talon.
“Now y'all listen here!” Bard gritted his teeth. “If we was the heartless thievin' kind that ya take us for, then we wouldn't have struck a deal with you in Rust to begin with! We only took in that bounty for Echo 'cuz he seemed like a worthless waste of leather with no family to cry over him! And... I'm sorry to say this, darlin', but he kinda was!”
“Yeah, well, I kinda sorta hope that hanging so long with Theanim Mane convinced you that he had something worth his weight in salt in this life after all!”
“Darn tootin'! And you know what?” Bard smirked. “That's just what happened!” He faced forward again, flapping his wings to regain aerial momentum. “As a matter of fact, I'm plum grateful that we got our behinds beaten so badly by you.”
“Oh yeah...?”
“Not to say we wouldn't have made the comeback of the century and tanned yer hide somethin' smart the next day...”
“Uh huh...”
Bard cleared his throat. “But the whole crazy kefluffle opened our eyes somethin' proper, ya feel me? We couldn't try cashin' on Echo's bounty now even if we tried.”
“So... let me get this straight...” Rainbow folded her forelimbs in mid-flight. “You're thankful that I came in, kicked butt, and taught you to see the reality behind Echo's situation.”
“Eeyup.”
“But...” Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “If I hadn't shown up, would you still have turned in Echo's bounty? I mean... under the blissful shroud of ignorance?”
Wildcard squirmed in midair.
“Well... that's mighty hard to say...”
“Not from where I'm seeing it,” Rainbow said, shaking her head. “Seems like—before you met me, at least—you two have been perfectly content with landing bounties first and asking questions later.” She rubbed her chin contemplatively. “Kinda makes you wonder about all the other so-called 'cronies' you've dragged into prison before. Did they deserve such a fate any more than Echo, huh?”
“Mmmm...”
“How do you tip-toe the life of an 'honorable thief' around that tune, yodel-mancer?”
“Rainbow, darlin'...” Bard gulped. “Has it ever occurred to you that a certain griffon and I are just now wakin' up to that prospect?”
Rainbow blinked wide. She looked over at the other Desperado.
Wildcard had his head-and-beak bowed with a grave expression.
“Yowsers...” Rainbow Dash fidgeted in midair. “I... uh...” She cleared her throat. “Sorry, dudes. I... I-I really didn't mean to rub it in that bad.”
“Meh...” Bard sighed. “S'all good, darlin'.” He glanced over at her with a lazy smile. “Live n'learn, am I right?”
“Totally...”
“Works for all of us, the best and the worst.” His nostrils flared as he squinted past the sunlight bleeding through the clouds. “You must think it's mighty crazy that Dubya-Cee and I are so willin' to help ya get to the next Seed or whatnot. It's just that... from the sound of things... what yer doin' right now is... well... mighty important.” He gulped. “If not the most important dang thang there ever was ever...”
“You do know that—in the grand scheme of things—you two are being stupidly trusting,” Rainbow muttered. “I mean, no offense—and it's not that I'm trying to mess with your heads or nothing—but how would you even know that I wasn't making things up? According to Sinrar and Theanim, there are lots and lots of coral huffers out there. One would think you'd have heard crazier things rambled by crazier ponies.”
“Yeah, but none of 'em have ever escorted us down into the metal basement of the world,” Bard mused. “Givin' us a frozen serenade by a bunch of ice rooks, no less.”
“Er... eheheh...” Rainbow gulped. “Good point...”
“Why're you so hesitant to accept the fact that maybe some folk truly wanna lend you a hoof?” Bard asked. “I mean, haven't you been at this crazy-ass flight by yourself long enough?”
“Erm... that's just the thing.” Rainbow fidgeted, rubbing one hoof against the other. “I haven't.”
“Oh?”
“Do you briefly remember me and Princess Luna name dropping the 'Noble Jury' a few times last night?”
“Sure, I reckon.”
“Well, let's just say that I've had lots and lots of help in the past,” Rainbow said. “And... I'm totally grateful for it. Super grateful.” She fought a lump down her throat. “Like... forever changed n'stuff...”
“Mmmhmmm...?”
“It's just...” Rainbow shuddered. “I've been super lucky that... th-that things have ended up as wonderfully as they have for so many travel buddies. And yet, I can't deny the fact that I've forever altered the lives of ponies I've met before... and n-not always for the better. I mean, I know there are always risks n'all, but—”
“I get it, darlin'. Yer little ol' self is worried for Dubya-Cee and I.”
“Ehhhh... kinda. Isn't that lame?”
“I find it mighty charmin'.”
“Eugh...” Rainbow rolled her eyes with a smirk. “You would.”
“I wouldn't fret that hard if I was you,” Bard said. “I mean—from the sound of thangs—you seem pretty in charge of stuff. What—with yer friends being back... mostly... and all of this 'Euro-Wringer' business getting squared away, bit by bit. I know Dubya-Cee and I haven't even remotely been in it for the long-haul like you have, but we can totally see the big picture comin' together before yer eyes.”
“You c-can?”
“Eeyup. Can't say we understand a lick of it... eheheh... but we can see how it's a mighty important step for you.” Bard glanced over, winking. “Sometimes it helps to be late to the party.”
“Yeah, but what if there's no getting out of that party?”
“We can feel it out. I'm good at pluckin' strings. Reckon I ain't so bad at dancin' neither. Dubya-Cee, on the other hoof—”
Wildcard snorted, goggles rattling.
“Well... he can pirouette like there's no tomorrow! A regular ballet bird, if ya catch my drift!” Bard chuckled, then smirked. “I'm bein' all metaphoric-like and yet I'm not.” He swung his body to the side in time to dodge a talon-swipe. “Hah! Too fast for ya this time, mofo!”
“Let's be serious for a second, guys,” Rainbow said. “Even with all of the knowledge I've gathered, I don't know a whole ton about what waits for me beyond Rohbredden. And this is... y'know... assuming that Verlax doesn't turn me into a friggin' rainbow popsicle before I even reach the far side of that continent!”
“We have faith in ya, darlin',” Bard said.
“But how can you so easily?”
“Well, you made a good show of the Frost Queen back there in the metal world, right?”
Rainbow bit her lip.
“I mean... you came out of that mess in one piece and opened the floodgates for yer pink friend to frolic out, right?”
“Uhm...” Rainbow Dash shuddered. She briefly closed her eyes, feeling a cold tickle against her eardrums, like a frozen breath. “More or less... y-yeah...”
“Then ain't that a good sign?”
“Lemme just continue with what I was saying a moment ago,” Rainbow muttered, reopening her eyes. “Past Rohbredden, there's the edge of the world.”
“Yuh huh...”
“And... aside from Echo's nasty descriptions of 'Bleak's Plummet,' I just... I just don't know what I have in store for me. I mean, Whitemane once rambled about it—”
“Who?”
“Erm... long story. A super wise alicorn I once met told me a bit about it. But the only reason she ever witnessed the edge of the world is cuz she's—like—half immortal n'stuff! I can't even pretend to guess how a pegasus like me could face the edge, much less cross over it. I mean... eheh... I'm awesome and all, but the edge of the world?”
“You never bothered meditatin' on it before?”
“It's not that...” Rainbow gulped. “I guess I... always figured that I would face it... y'know... alone.”
“Even when you was with this 'Noble Jury?'”
Rainbow nodded. “It... just... always felt too crazy and unrealistic to expect anypony... anypony whatsoever to follow me into the gaping abyss. And now... n-now that it has a chance of happening...”
“But that's just the thang, ain't it?” Bard glanced over, smiling. “You ain't alone. As a matter of fact, you dun have no choice in the matter.”
“Huh?” Rainbow blinked.
“I'm talkin' about yer ghost friends, darlin',” Bard said. “Them curious mares whom death itself couldn't hold. I mean... think about it! They came back to life! That's a miracle in and of itself! And now—one beacon at a time—you've got the full assurance that they're gonna follow you to the ends of the earth and back! Literally! Dun ya think that's a sign?”
“Uhhhh...”
“And just what harm is there in electin' to have two more souls see you on yer way?” He smirked. “Granted, reckon we ain't half as pretty as yer glitterin' mare-friends. Dubya-Cee most certainly isn't as pretty, at least.”
The griffon rolled his goggled eyes.
“Just how far do you plan on following me, dude?” Rainbow squinted. “I mean, it doesn't end at... the end. There's a whole friggin' world on the opposite side of this plane, and I don't even know enough about that! Heck, Luna doesn't even know! She and Celestia were last there thousands and thousands of years ago! I doubt they even remember much...”
“Guess we'll have to take it one step at a time,” Bard said. “I mean... that's how you've managed to make thangs worth all this time. Certainly we can learn to follow suit.”
“Bard... do... nnngh...” Rainbow face-hoofed in mid flight. She swallowed a lump down her throat and spoke more firmly: “Don't you have... a family? Or Wildcard for that matter? I mean, it makes total friggin' sense that I would be making this trip! And—heck—even a bunch of the Noble Jurists had highly legit reasons to skip out of the towns they were born in, seeking new homes to live. But you guys?”
Bard shuddered suddenly. “Ain't nothin' for you to worry about—”
“Screw you with 'me not worrying!'” Rainbow said with a frown. “If you're both so keen on following, then it becomes my concern! It becomes my responsibility! And—as much as I hate to say it—it becomes my friggin' burden!”
“Heh... Princess Woona is right.” Bard smirked slightly, although it was a rather bland thing. “You truly are loyalty personified.”
“Dude, don't change the subject!” Rainbow scowled. “I mean—like—what gives? How can a pair of mercenaries turn into saints overnight?”
“Is it really so hard to wrap yer purdy head around?”
“Is this some crazy pull for bits and I don't even know it?”
“Pffft! Goddess, no!” Bard gawked at her. “And, quite frankly, darlin', I find that rather insultin'!”
“I'd rather you be insulted then dead!” Rainbow grimaced. “Honestly, Bard, wake up and smell the cider! You're risking a lot here! I mean, sure, I committed to this thing a long... long time ago. So long ago that—by the time Twilight and the others started coming back—it was a lost cause trying to fly back the way I came. You see, at this point I have to keep on this journey! 'Austraeoh' destiny nonsense or not, this voyage is me. It's become me, and I've become it!” She gulped. “But you guys? Is it really worth the risk? Don't you have enough at stake here in Rohbredden? I mean, you've told me all about Wildcard and his old wyvern buddies... but what about you?”
Bard flew in silence, eyes straight and steady.
“You seem so... so...” Rainbow sighed, smiling weakly. “So wishy-washy, Bard. I can't imagine you've been a total freeloading bounty hunter all your life! And trust me, I'm... uh... s-something of an expert on bounty hunters. No offense, but... you don't quite have what it takes to snarl your way through all the world's hellholes. I mean... look at you!” She gestured dramatically. “You carry a friggin' guitar on your back! That's the stuff of cabarets, not slave auctions! If you ask me, there's a nice warm home waiting for you. So why not just come out with it?”
No response.
“Well?”
Suddenly, in Rainbow Dash's peripheral, Wildcard began gesturing like mad. She looked over to see him talon-signing in the air for a full thirty-seconds. Once the griffon was done, he stared patiently at his partner in crime.
Blinking, Rainbow Dash looked back at Bard. “What... wh-what did he say?”
Bard sighed.
Rainbow bit her lip.
At last, Bard muttered, “Yer a clever pony, Rainbow Dash, and all the miles under yer wings have given you a keen intellect. But ya dun know everythang. Nopony can.”
“But... but if you just told me, dude—”
“It's like Dubya-Cee just got done sayin',” Bard muttered, his tone suddenly dull and joyless. “Some of us enter the bounty huntin' business cuz we're desperate to stay alive.” He cleared his throat. “It takes real heroes to know when to go into a different business altogether... one that's fittin' to let us die with a smidgen of honor. N'pride.”
Rainbow stared at them, lips pursed. “I... I-I had no idea...”
“And you have no reason to. Just rest assured, we...” Bard cleared his throat, then turned to smile calmly at her. “...we ain't got no homes to go back to, save the ones we can carve out of our hearts with somethin' more precious than gold.”
Rainbow avoided his gaze, choosing to stare straight ahead. “I... I'm sorry, dudes.”
Bard cocked his head aside. “What for?”
“Everything, I-I guess. I dunno...” Rainbow sighed, her eyes thinning. She felt the weight of her pendant growing stronger. “It's not right for me to judge.”
“If anypony could, you'd be the best candidate.”
“Meh.”
“I mean it!” Bard adjusted his hat, gazing ahead as the two skimmed the bottom of a cloud bed. “Of all the souls we done met over these waters, yers is the shiniest... if ya catch my drift.”
Silence.
“Oh, dun be so modest, darlin',” Bard said, chuckling. “Yer the very model of a hero! I mean, you face each problem bravely... and harmoniously! You kick butt, but you dun take it too far. Or else you'd be compromisin' thangs, and a hero dun compromise. That's somethin' Dubya-Cee and I have always admired... but just haven't met a pony who... y'know... lived it. Hell, I'd say that if there was any pony in this universe that deserved to be a destined 'Australioh,' it'd be you.” He turned to smile at her. “Ya feel me?” He blinked.
Rainbow was gone.
“Uhhh... Rainbow?”
“... ... ...!” Wildcard looked every which way. He glanced down, and his beak parted. A blue figure reflected off his goggles, growing more and more distant a speck against the grand, rippling ocean.
“Holy—!” Bard yelped, flapping his wings as he braked in midair.
Over a hundred feet below, Rainbow Dash plunged. Her wings rippled limply at her sides. She tried opening her eyes, only for the tears to gloss over a yellow-on-red glow.
“Snrkkkt... g-guys... guys, I can't... can't...”
Rainbow whimpered, toppling over as she saw the concrete-crushing surface of the ocean sailing towards her. The dizziness took over the mare's mind, and she spun a million times in the next wheezing breath.
“... ... ...please help... Axan...” She hissed. “Twilight... I'm... so...”
Everything went black before she could finish that thought.
Twilight Sparkle smiled. She stretched her limbs, craning her neck back as she closed her eyes with a contented sigh. Only halfway through the gesture did she become aware of the utter futility of having to flex muscles that weren't even there to get stiff in the first place. It was a sensation she had grown all too familiar with. Nevertheless, it didn't make her giggle any less.
“Hmmm... heeheehee... that was a nice... sleep. Hmmmm...” She scratched her ear, then smoothed her bangs back. “Sometime soon, I'm going to have to come up with another name for it... at least before Pinkie drums up something silly like 'Vanilla Vapors.' What do you think, Rainbow?”
Silence.
“Mmmm... Rainbow?” Twilight smiled into air. All of the sudden, she became aware of the violent speed of the winds whipping past her. Twilight glanced left, right, then behind her. A frantic shriek escaped her muzzle.
Rainbow Dash was plunging through the air. The whole sky lingered behind her like a big blue bowl.
Panicking, Twilight looked over her shoulder.
The ocean sailed upwards at a violent speed. Already, the unicorn could make out the foam white froth of the rippling waves.
“Omigosh! Omigosh... Rainbow!” Twilight flung her hooves towards Rainbow's neck. She gnashed her teeth in frustration when her limbs went through her. “Rainbow! Wake up, Rainbow! You've... you've fallen asleep in mid-flight! No...” She squinted hard.
Rainbow's eyelids hung partially open, and Twilight could immediately spot a yellow glow piercing straight through—interrupted by the occasional flash of crimson red pupils.
“Chaos...” Twilight gulped. “No... fight it, Rainbow! Fight it!” She shrieked in the falling pegasus' ear. “You're an Element Bearer! You've got loyalty! You are Loyalty!”
“Nneeeughhh...” A dainty yawn.
Twilight's heart skipped a beat, but it was only Rarity.
“Goodness, darling, what's with all the clamor?” asked the fashionista, rubbing her eyes as she materialized by her friend.
“It's Rainbow! We've got to get her to wake up!”
“Oh? What for?” Rarity smiled and turned around. “She's worked so hard. Surely the mare deserves some—Waa-haa-haa-haaaa!” She recoiled, grasping Twilight hard. “For Celestia's sake! She's plunging to her death!”
“Look!” Twilight pointed straight up.
She and Rarity squinted past the glimmering sunlight. They saw two figures streaking down, attempting to make up the distance between them and Rainbow's plummeting body.
“Oh no...” Rarity stammered, looking behind her at the waves, then back up at the Desperadoes. “Th-they'll never make it in time!”
“They've got to!” Twilight's voice cracked. “Rainbow! Please! You must wake up!”
“Snap out of it, darling!”
“Shhhh! Don't ruin our chances!” Pinkie squealed, suddenly leaping seaward beneath Rainbow's body. “She's given us a head-start! Wooohoooo! Cannonball contesttttt!”
All three mares looked up to see a pair of goggles glinting in the sunlight. The griffon outflew his stallion counterpart, homing in on Rainbow's limp figure.
“Uhhhhh...” Pinkie Pie suddenly gulped, eyeing Rainbow's reflection in the churning waves below... getting larger... larger... closer... “Okay, this isn't very fun anymore—”
“Come on, Wildcard!” Twilight squeaked.
The Desperado dove and dove.
“C-come on, Wildcard!” Twilight whimpered.
The roar of crashing waves echoed all around them. Moisture wafted through the air.
“Twilight...” Rarity gulped hard. “If... if Rainbow dies... what'll... what'll happen to...?” She didn't finish that murmuring sentence.
And Twilight didn't need to hear it for the heavy bulbs of sweat to form along her lavender brow.
“Plug your noses!” Pinkie yelped, her voice echoing off the watery concrete below—
Swooooosh! Wildcard caught up, snatching Rainbow Dash up in his agile hooves.
Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie flew like pendulums—shrieking. Their bodies struck a translucent wall of lavender, and they were plastered there by the sheer force of Wildcard sailing back skyward with the spectral mare in his grasp.
The g-forces must have awoken something deep inside Rainbow's twitching figure, for suddenly she gasped, wheezed, and sputtered back to life. “Guhhh... snkkt... grkkt...” The pegasus curled up, clinging to Wildcard's feathery chest as heavy shivers wracked her body. “Mmmmfnngh... Roarke...”
“Huh?” Pinkie sat up, ears twitching. “Who?”
“Rainbow!” Twilight used Pinkie like a springboard and flung her ghostly body up. She coasted skyward alongside Wildcard, staring—gawking in Rainbow's face. “Rainbow, are you okay?! Speak to us!”
“Mrmmff...Twi... Tw-Twilight...?” Rainbow writhed, eyes still clenched shut.
“Oh please! Please!” Rarity hovered alongside the other unicorn, sad-faced. “Tell us you're in one piece! Tell us you're not... d-damaged in some way!”
“It's... it's okay...” Rainbow shuddered. She bore a brief, vomitous grin before stammering: “Been... th-through worse dives.” She gulped. “Just... just dizzy, is all...”
“Dizzy?! You call that dizzy?!” Rarity exclaimed, tossing a hoof with a momentary frown. “That's the textbook equivalent of a seizure, darling!”
Pinkie popped up, frowning. “Textbooking while flying, Dashie?” She shook her head. “Tsk Tsk. Don't you know it can wait?”
“Pinkie, please...” Twilight sighed, floating closer to the mare in Wildcard's arms. “Rainbow... is it the chaos spell?”
“Mmmmfnngh... girls...”
“Is the pendant not protecting you well enough?!”
“It's... it's alright...” Rainbow panted and panted, her eyes opening thinly beneath a layer of sweat. “I... I think I'm good.”
“Like Starswirl's left nostril hairs, you are!” Twilight barked. “That's the worst one I've seen you suffer yet!”
“Worst what?” Pinkie blinked. “I don't get it!”
“It's... quite a delicate thing to explain, Pinkie,” Rarity said.
“Mmmf... this is why you should never go full-throttle into a cannonball contest!”
Before either of the two could retort, Bard swooped down, filling the air with a winged thunderclap.
“Land's sakes!” The Desperado panted and panted. “Dubya-Cee, talk about the catch of the century!”
The griffon merely fidgeted in mid-air. He looked at Rainbow in his grasp, then cast his buddy a worried look.
“Rainbow... Rainbow, darlin', can ya hear me?”
“Yeah...” Rainbow smiled tiredly, dumbly. “A drawl by any other name...”
“How can you possibly be in one piece after a nosedive like that?”
“Mmmm... gimme a minute on that one...” Rainbow draped back in Wildcard's grasp. “...once the world lets me off at Fifth and Barfing.”
“Dayum, that was close.” Bard fanned himself with his hat. “Ermm... uhhh...” He looked at the ocean below, then straight up. A few wispy clouds lingered high above. “There! Quick, Dubya. Let's get her a place to rest!”
The griffon nodded. Flapping their wings, the two Desperadoes carried Rainbow slowly back to cloud level. There, they found a bed of moisture thick enough to lay her down.
“Eeuuuugh...” Rainbow stretched her legs out. Her limbs hung limply on either side of her like jelly. “...anypony get the license plate of that aneurysm that just whizzed by?”
“Argh... this dayum cloud is too small to last long,” Bard grumbled.
Wildcard gestured rapidly.
“Good thinkin'.” Bard nodded. “You head north and I'll head south. Let's grab as much moisture as we can and make this thang bigger.”
“Say...” Pinkie frowned. “How come Dashie gets to make near-death jokes and I can't?”
“Consider it a penny earned, darling,” Rarity said. She then leaned in over Rainbow. “Did you hear that, Rainbow? Your handsome companions are flying off to give this cloud some better support.”
“Right...” Rainbow nodded weakly, her breaths slowly growing more even. “Good... idea...”
“What was that, Rainbow?” Bard remarked.
“Go... go ahead and... fluff the cloud into something fluffier,” Rainbow murmured.
“Ya sure about that? Either Dubya-Cee or I could stay with you while—”
“It's sturdy. It'll hold me.” Rainbow gulped. “For now. Plus...” She bore a weak smile. “Got the girls with me...”
“You scared the ghosts out of yerself, huh?”
“Something like that.”
“Right. Well, just hold on tight. We won't be gone for long.” Bard whistled at his fellow Desperado. “Go, mofo! Like lightning!”
The two sprung off in opposite directions, collecting the low altitude mists all around before bringing them back.
“Rainbow...” Rarity gulped, wringing her hooves nervously together. “I... I'm not sure if I can ever 'sleep' again, as t'were. I mean... so long as something like this stands to happen again...”
“Yeah!” Pinkie pouted. “The Vanilla Zone isn't so fun once it goes sour!”
“Just chillax, everypony. It... it got scary for a second there, sure, but... but it's all good now,” Rainbow muttered. “Just... j-just been a while since I suffered a dizzy attack while in mid-flight.” She shut her eyes, calmly facing the sky as she rested. “I'm not on my A-Game. I'm sorry.”
“But how can you possibly be held responsible for something you cannot control?!” Rarity exclaimed.
“I said it's all good—”
“Well, clearly it's not!” Rarity frowned. “It was my understanding that—by visiting and making contact with the Machine World's flame—you staved off these inexplicable fevers!”
“And I do—”
“But for it to happen to soon after you had just freed Pinkie from the abyss?! I mean... I-I thought I had all of this 'Austraeoh' nonsense figured out! But how can you explain this?!”
“I... I can't...” Rainbow gulped. “It's... it's totally thrown me for a loop.” She bit her lip. “Wouldn't be the f-first time... heh...”
“How could you possibly live with that?!”
“It's not like I have a choice, Rares.”
Rarity opened her muzzle to say something, but she fell mute. As she leaned back, Pinkie leaned forward with a sympathetic gaze.
“I'm sorry, Dashie. Is it me? Am I... not being ghosty enough or something?”
“No, Pinkie...”
“Because...” Pinkie's ears folded. “...if sleeping so long in the Vanilla Zone made you go dizzy-wizzy, then I won't do it ever again! Promise!”
“Pinkie... it's okay...” Rainbow reached out to touch her fetlock, but only phased through. After a few awkward seconds of silence, she chose to raise her hoof up to Pinkie's muzzle, reaching through it. “Got your nose, silly pony.”
“Hmmm...” Pinkie smiled, eyes glossy. “Heeheehee... that you doooo...”
“Well, in any case...” Catching her breath, Rarity fluffed her mane and floated upright. “It's a good thing you've got travel companions to come to your rescue.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow nodded. “I guess we can now consider our tits for tat'd.”
“Oh please, darling, surely it's not that simple.” Rarity smiled with a calm exhale. “I'm certain your dashing copilots still find themselves indebted to you.”
“Yeah... it's cute... in a stupid kind of way, I guess.” Rainbow glanced over, blinking. “Twilight?”
The unicorn floated in place, staring down at the ominous ocean waves far below.
Rainbow gained the strength to lift her head. “Twilight... you okay, girl?”
Twilight jolted, then glanced over. “Huh?”
“We all know that I'm in one piece.” Rainbow gulped. “But how about you? Everything cool?”
“I... I don't know.” Twilight glanced down. “Just a moment ago, we were so close to... I-I mean you were...” She shifted in the place where she floated. “Sorry, uh... a bit too much excitement for me, I guess.”
Rainbow stared at the ghostly mare. Her eyes squinted curiously.
“Well!” Rarity cleared her throat, smiling at the other three. “I can think of one thing that can relieve the tension of this most calamitous afternoon!”
“Huh? What one thing?” Pinkie asked.
Rarity pointed at the setting sun, then at the darkening horizon to the east.
“Oh!” Pinkie hopped in mid-air. “That one thing! That's my favorite of all one things!”
“...so last month, we took a trip out to Manehattan, and I performed for the first time at the Empire Harbor Ampitheatre,” spoke a young, feminine voice. Her melodic tone resonated in the cool night air, issuing out from the silver beams of light that danced between Rainbow's Loyalty pendant and the moon. “I must have sung before two thousand people that night! That's my record so far! I mean... sure... I'm no Lavender Lakes, but I'm moving up there! And fast too! Mom and Dad are—like—going super bonkers with pride. They still won't let me perform at Las Pegasus venues, though. Guess I have to be a 'decade older for that,' or so Dad says.”
“My my...” Rarity cooed, curling her hooves against the starlit cloudbed. “I can't believe it! She's become a star!” She turned aside to squeal at Pinkie and Twilight. “An absolute star!”
Rainbow Dash smirked and gazed up at the moon. “Rarity's totally starstruck, right here. Tell us, Sweetie Belle, with all this traveling around for singing concerts n'stuff, do you not get to see the Crusaders all that much?”
The air rang with bell-like giggles.
Bard glanced up from tuning his guitar. Wildcard cringed, grinding his beak.
Rainbow's muzzle scrunched. “What's so darn funny?”
“Oh Rainbow Dash...” Sweetie Belle's voice rolled with amusement. “You really must be in another world! We haven't called ourselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders in a long... long time.”
“You haven't?” Rainbow blinked.
“Well, no. I mean, what would be the point? Each of us... y'know... has one now.”
“Ahhhh...” Rainbow Dash nodded. “But of course.”
“But you asked me a good question and it's not very nice of me to laugh at it. Ahem. I see Scootaloo from time to time, but not as often as I used to. Ever since Spike... uhhh... took over the position as Ponyville's chief expert on magic, he's been relying on her to do lots and lots of tinkering around the library. He's converted the whole basement area beneath Twilight's old home into an alchemist's workshop, you see. He concocts all sorts of potions from healing salves to growth formulae. And since Scootaloo is so good at fixing machinery, she's often lending him a hoof in getting the various contraptions up and running. I guess—in a way—you could say that she's become Spike's apprentice.”
A deeper, male voice interjected: “And after so many experiments, she's still in one piece, too! I learned mentorship from the best.”
“Yes you did, Spike.” Twilight clasped her hooves together, sniffling. “Yes you did.”
“Twilight couldn't be happier, Spike,” Rainbow said.
The dragon's voice chuckled on the other end.
Soon after, Sweetie Belle resumed: “It's not easy seeing each other, especially since Mom and Dad and I moved to Canterlot. But the crus—er... girls and I make a habit out of meeting up once a week at Celestia's Palace, courtesy of Princess Luna. I get to hear about what new experiments Scootaloo and Spike are working on, and then Apple Bloom gives me an earful of all the crops she's harvesting this season.”
“Just what cutie mark did she get?”
“An apple tree. What else?” A giggle. “Only—like—there're a bunch of flowers growing around the trunk of it. According to Apple Bloom, it's the first time anypony in her family has had flowers for a cutie mark since hers and Applejack's mother died.”
“Ooh! Oooh! Rarity waved her hoof in Rainbow's muzzle. “Ask Sweetie Belle what her cutie mark looks like?”
“But she already told us, Rares.”
“Mmm! Yes!” Rarity squirmed in place. “But she didn't go into detail, now, did she?”
“Eughhh...”
“Oh please please please, Rainbow! You must ask her!”
“She's gonna be a whiny little chatter batter box until you do!” Pinkie Pie sang.
“Oh alright...” Rainbow rolled her eyes with a smirk and tilted her head up towards the moonlight again. “Say, Sweetie Belle, at the risk of sounding like a broken record—Rarity is dying to know exactly what your cutie mark looks like.”
“Oh! Well, I don't mind describing it! She always had an eye for detail!”
“Squeee!” Rarity plopped down on the cloud, cupping her chin in her hooves. A pair of blue eyes quivered in anticipation.
“So... uh... imagine a microphone, only the grip is embossed in what looks like gold. There's what looks like a ring of pearls just under the mouthpiece, and then very end of the handle is bedazzled with a diamond stud...
“...as a matter of fact, they just started learning their first real words only a few weeks ago! Can you believe that?” Carrot Cake's voice chuckled. “Pumpkin, naturally, was the first to speak. Pound soon followed suit. They've been saying stuff like 'sugar'... and 'baking'... and 'flour' a lot. Who woulda guessed that our babies hang out around the kitchen with Mommy and Daddy a lot? Hah!”
“Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...” Rarity and Twilight cooed at once.
“Boy, I'm telling you...” Rainbow Dash shook her head with a smirk. “That Pound Cake sounds like a real flier!”
“And how! We had to put wooden bars above his crib so he wouldn't go zooming around the Sugarcube hallways at night! It took us an extra-long time to teach him to walk, because he was so good with his wings already! Isn't that right, Sugar Lumpkin?”
“You said it, Ginger-Poo!” chimed Cup Cake's voice.
Rainbow opened her mouth to say something—
FWOOSH! Pinkie burst through Rainbow's side, limbs flailing. “Oooh! Oooh! Ask them what Pumpkin's favorite ice cream flavor is! Or if Pound has ever learned to ride Gummi! Or how about the number of times they've gone to the zoo?! Do they play pranks on one another?! Do they like Dad jokes or Mom Jokes?” Suddenly, Pinkie's eyes went wide and her muzzle extended to about three times its normal size. “Duaaaaaaaah!” she gasped before violently shrieking: “Who is responsible for throwing their birthday parties?!?!”
“Gah! Pinkie!” Rainbow winced, rubbing her ears as the pale glow above them nearly dissipated. “One at a time! I've got the brain of a goldfish and the vocal cords of a flea! I can't channel that much fluff out?!”
“Why? What's she asking now?” spoke Cup Cake.
“Yeah! We're curious!” Carrot began.
“Uhhhh—” Rainbow began, only to grimace from Pinkie shouting in her ear again.
“My cousins deserve the best birthday everrrr!”
“Guhh!” Rainbow hissed. “Pinkie's... gnhhh... super worried that Pumpkin and Pound Cake may not have gotten a super cool birthday while she was—y'know—dead.”
Carrot Cake chuckled. “Oh, Pinkie. You silly rascal. They've been happy as peaches!”
“There's plenty of cake to go around at home!” Cup Cake added. “And besides, when they both turned one year old, we hired a swell entertainer by the name of Chee—”
“Swell?!” Pinkie Pie cackled, eyes twitching. “Why settle for swell when they coulda gotten swelltacular! That's it!” Pinkie hopped on Rainbow's backside. “Come on, Dashie!” She slapped Rainbow's flank, only for her hoof to phase through. “We're flying back to Ponyville so you can help me throw the Cake Kids a real birthday party!”
“Herrrrre we go,” Rainbow face-hoofed with a moan.
“Pinkie, darling, surely you're not serious!” Rarity exclaimed.
“That's nearly four continents away!” Twilight said, stifling a giggle. “And turning back now would just endanger Rainbow, the world, and perhaps all of Urohringr!”
“You hang your Urohangers! This is serious business! Serious party business!” Pinkie once more attempted in vain to dig invisible spurs into Rainbow's sides. “Come on, Dashie! West horse it!”
“Give us a moment, Mr. and Mrs. Cake,” Rainbow smirked into the air. “We're having pinknical difficulties.”
“Eheheheh... yeah, I bet!”
“Uuugh!” Pinkie groaned to the sky. “Why couldn't I have been blown up by a marauding band of rider's crops so I could haunt one to slap you right now?!”
“Please, Rarity. You... you must understand,” an older mare's voice stammered. “We thought you were dead. For all intents and purposes, we knew you were dead. All that was left of you and the rest of Rainbow's friends was ashes. Not even the Elements appeared to have survived.”
“At first, we hoped that there was some misunderstanding... a freakish magical accident that just... teleported you somewhere instead,” added a masculine voice. “But... but with each meeting we had with Spike and Princess Luna, they laid out the truth for us... or at least what we thought was the truth at the time. It... it was a bitter pill to swallow.”
“Your father's being a bit too passive in describing it. The fact of the matter, Rarity, is that... losing you...” The mare's voice shuddered, then resumed in a raspy tone. “It wrecked me. It left me utterly devastated. For months, I just... just refused to get out of bed. I-I know... that... th-that that isn't what you want to hear right now. So know this instead. Please... I need you to know that I love you. I love you so terribly much, Rarity. I had so m-many opportunities to tell you when you were around, and I thought I had lost you for g-good. It tore me apart for so long that... that we simply couldn't stay there. We couldn't remain in Ponyville. I wasn't being the pony I needed to be... the mother I needed to be for Sweetie and... and...”
“It was my decision, Rarity,” the stallion said. “Not your mother's. I felt that... that keeping the Boutique open would only act as an open wound. We had to move on, to keep ourselves sane, to support Sweetie Belle in her new endeavors. So... I-I sold the Boutique. And we moved to Canterlot. I... I will understand if you hate me forever for doing that. It's... it's not that I ever gave up on loving you. We could never... ever remove you from our hearts, darling. It's just that—from the facts we had at the time—there was never a ch-chance of hearing your sweet little voice again. And even right now we're trying so hard to imagine it...”
“Mmmm...!”
Rainbow Dash looked to her side.
Rarity had her muzzle covered. When—at last—she raised her hooves, she bore a tear-stained smile. “Oh Father... Mother...” She stood up straight, sniffling. “I shan't ever be angry at you!” Her voice rose, one heroic decibel after another. “You've shown boundless courage and determination! It is more than evident in the unwavering confidence that I now hear in Sweetie Belle's magnificent voice! A Boutique is just a Boutique, and one mustn't rest on the laurels of a past life! I owe you no ill-will! How could I?! It would be the very antithesis of generosity to expect you to decay in the melancholic mire that my unforeseen absence has evidently caused! Weep not for my passing, for I am still here, albeit a ghostly horizon away! I shall return, and when I do, your darling daughter will never leave your sight again! I cherish you more than the world's supply of sparkling diamonds, and though it need not be said, I nevertheless forgive you for any righteous act you feel unnecessarily guilty for since my departure!” She ended her dramatic dialogue with a theatric pose.
During the space of this time, the two parents' voices echoed:
“Rainbow...?”
“Is... is Rarity too mad at us to respond...?
Bard and Wildcard glanced over.
Rainbow took a long, long breath. “Whip out the tissues, everypony...” She cracked her neck joints with an awkward smile. “...cuz this is gonna be a doozy.”
“So... ... ...” A low feminine voice droned in a gravelly tone. “... ... ...according to Spike and Princess Luna, Rainbow's journey has proven that we all live on a giant flat rock floating in space... ... ...” An enormous pause. “... ... ...is that actually for real or just a gross exagerration of observable geological facts... ... ....?”
“Heehee!” Pinkie Pie rocked back and forth. “It's as real as your nose is cute to boop, Maudy Maudy Maudy!” Pinkie stretched back until she stared upside down at Rainbow behind her. “Pssst! Translaterooziez!”
“Ahem...” Rainbow Dash cleared her throat, rubbing the sleep out of her eyelids. “Euhhm... yeah, that's quite true... er... Maud. But... like... don't most ponies in Equestria know that the earth is a big flat plane stuck in a cosmic cloud of chaos?” Rainbow's muzzle scrunched tiredly. “I mean... I'm pretty sure that much was in my head before I ever first talked to Luna about the Midnight Armory n'jazz.”
“... ... ...yes, but flying to the edge of the big giant rock is sooooooo much cooler than estimating the circumference through mathematially sound surveying equipment... ... ...” Each syllable rippled outward from the moonlight in agonizingly slow progression. “... ... ...I do hope you and Pinkie Pie are making a topographical map of the places you see... ... ...”
“Er... well, I actually have a map already,” Rainbow said. “Courtesy of a cool dude named Professor Sinrar. And, to be blunt, Pinkie Pie isn't exactly in the position to write anything anytime soon—”
“I'm keeping a mental map, Maudy!” Pinkie shrieked. “I'm looping it with my brain noodle!”
Rainbow shuddered. “Pinkie's got you covered, Maudy—er... Maud.” She smiled tiredly. “Don't you sweat.”
“... ... ...I don't perspire like most ponies... ... ...” A seemingly endless pause. “... ... ...I think it's on account of years and years of having my tiniest pours filled with dust and sediment... ... ...” Another pause. “... ... ...has the ghostly apparition of my sister ever mentioned that we work on a rock farm... ... ...”
“No, but... uhm...” Rainbow Dash glanced over at Bard and Wildcard. The Desperadoes were busy snoring atop their cloud. “...I'm starting to catch the drift.”
“... ... ...also, Pinkie Pie, I must apologize for the alarming absence of Mom, Dad, Inkie, and Blinkie. They would have showed up in person, but they were afraid of ruining the joyful mood of every other family member with their somber countenance. So they chose to send me as a happy ambassador of the Pie family... ... ...”
“And what a fantastic ambassador they've chosen! Heeeee!” Pinkie squealed, her cheeks rosy. “Don't let a single pony leave Luna's Palace with a misty eye, Maud! Knock that crowd dead with jokes! Oooh! Especially that one about the rock! I love that one!”
Rainbow winced, but ultimately stammered: “Pinkie wishes you good luck in... uhm...”
“... ... ...no, I get it. Even from miles and miles away, I read my sister like a rock. She wants me to entertain the ponies here... ... ...” Dreadful silence. “... ... ...I will try not to induce them into spontaneous urination from the laughter... ... ...”
“Woohoo! Go get 'em, Maudy!” Pinkie pumped a hoof in the air. “Don't let the Pie spirit die!”
“... ... ...also, Mom wants you to know that I'll be staying with the Cakes for a while, feeding Gummy... ... ...” Seconds lurched by... almost a full minute. “... ... ...he likes rock candy... ... ...” Winds shifted. The oceans rolled. Somewhere, a continent of frost settled into place. “... ... ...he's a silly gator... ... ...”
“Spike was able to translate even more of the code that Princess Cadance relayed to Princess Luna,” spoke Mr. Sparkle. “While he still hasn't been able to write down all of it, he did catch a little message that Shining had managed to slip in amidst all the data.”
“Oh?” Twilight sat up, tail wagging. “What's my B.B.B.F.F. say?”
Rainbow smirked. “Twilight's all ears, folks.”
The stallion's voice cleared, then rolled on: “'Twili. The first time I heard that you were still alive, I cried. But you should have expected that. I cry at all major family get-togethers. Doesn't matter if it's a funeral, or something the complete opposite. And—thank Celestia—we've been blessed with the latter just now.'”
Twilight giggled, gnawing on the edge of her hoof. Tears sprang up in her eyes as her father continued reading out loud over the enchanted airwaves:
“'I talk to Candance about you everyday. She laughs a lot at the stories that I have to tell. A couple of times, she rolls her eyes, saying that I love you more than I love her. I know she's only teasing, but I think in a way she knows—as I know—that it's always been this family that's made me, that's given me courage, that's emboldened me with the strength and honor I've needed to become who I am in the Royal Guard.'”
Bard tilted his head up, listening quietly as his ears twitched. Wildcard sat off to the side, whittling away at a wooden block.
“'I really don't know where I'd be today if it weren't for you. It's because you needed a babysitter that I ever ran into my beloved Cadance in the first place. It's because of my need to protect an adorkable little bookworm that I ever felt the inspiration to become a soldier. It's because of your magic that—even to this day—I still believe in striving to accomplish the impossible. I think you have one last magic trick up your sleeve, Twili, and Rainbow's there to help you perform it. Come back to us, Twili. In the end, when all of this is said and done, I like to imagine us all having a big dinner together—all of our families as one—talking and laughing and reminiscing about the biggest, craziest disappearing act to ever happen in the history of Equestria. And until that day, I will not stop waiting, admiring, and adoring. With pride, your B.B.B.F.F., Shining Armor.'”
Rarity fanned herself, cheeks puffy. “Oh my goodness...” She shuddered, blinking the tears away. “Oh my goodness, I wish I had a phantom couch right about now...”
Spike's voice came into focus: “Did... uh... did you get all of that?”
“We got it and a half,” Rainbow said. “Tell... uh...” Rainbow looked over to see Twilight quietly sobbing. She bit her lip, then said, “Tell Mr. Sparkle that Twilight's super happy to hear from Shining...”
“Y-yes...” Twilight whimpered. Pinkie Pie leaned over and gave her a soft hug. That gave the unicorn the strength to lift her chin with a lavender smile. “And... and if you're able... tell Shining that we will come back.” She glanced over at Rainbow. “That he should just... look to the west.”
Rainbow's lips pursed. After a few seconds, she nodded, then bore a devilish smirk.
Twilight smiled back. Just then, the moonlight dissipated, and she gasped.
“Oh noes!” Pinkie Pie sat up straight, pouting. “But the moonful of sugar was just about to help the medicine go down!”
“Spike?!” Rainbow Dash called out. “Princess Luna?”
“Reckon yer minutes are up, darlin',” Bard said. “Whatever ya gotsta spill out, better make it quick.”
“Jee, thanks, Cowboy Obvious.”
He shrugged. “Just sayin'—”
Luna's voice rose majestically in volume. “Rainbow Dash.”
“It would appear as though the communication is coming to a close. As much as I hate to bring things to a swift closure, I do believe it will be for the best, otherwise...”
“Right! I get it.” Rainbow Dash cupped her hooves around her muzzle. “So long, everypony! We're so... so super psyched that you guys could come!”
“And so are we!” Carrot Cake said. “Blessed to be here, I mean!”
“Take care, Pinkie!” Cup Cake sing-songed. “Maud's written down everything you've said so that the rest of the Pie Clan can read it!”
“... ... ...I'm using very, very special graphite... ... ...”
“Heehee!” Pinkie waved. “So long, my little pie pans!”
“Take care, Twilight!” Mr. Sparkle exclaimed. “We're all believing in you!”
“Be strong, Twilight!” said Mrs. Sparkle. “Spike is taking care of things here. He's so incredibly proud of you. We're all so very proud, Twilight!”
“So am I...” Twilight squeaked, covering her muzzle with shaking hooves. “S-so am I...”
“We love youuuuuu, Rarityyyy,” the fashionista's parents sang together. “Go on! Say good bye, Sweetie Belle!”
“Good bye, Sweetie Belle! Heeheehee!”
“Oh goodness...” Rarity rolled her eyes, giggling.
“Good luck with your adventures, big sis,” Sweetie Belle said. “Stay fabulous and... sparkly clean! I guess... s-seeing as you're a gh-ghost and all... that's...” As the moonbeams undulated, Sweetie's voice grew more and more fractured, cracking into a tearful sob. “...th-that's the one thing you d-don't have to worry about anymore...”
“Rarity's all ears, kid,” Rainbow said. “It's gonna be alright. I'm...” She took a deep breath. “I'm gonna bring her back to you. I'm gonna bring 'em back to all of you. Don't worry.”
“I... I-I know, Rainbow Dash. I believe in you. All of us d-do. It's just that... th-that I miss my older sister so much, and... and...” Sweetie's voice shuddered. “I'm sorry. I'm s-so sorry. I know you have to go, and I'm being a big baby.”
“No no no no no dear...” Rarity exhaled. “It's alright! You're... you're so...”
“I love you, Rarity...” Sweetie sobbed. “Omigosh, I love you so much. Please c-come back in one piece...” Her weeping breaths grew more and more distant.
Rarity hung her face, shuddering. Pinkie and Twilight moved in, nuzzling her from both sides. Bearing a brave smile, the mare hugged them back, teary-eyed.
Luna's voice came back to the suface, ever so slightly distorted. “Rainbow Dash...”
“Er... yeah.” Rainbow gulped. “Sure thing, Luna. Uhm...” She glanced over her shoulder. “Excuse me for a sec, dudes.”
“Oh... absolutely...” Bard saluted back. “Dun let us steal this moment from you none, darlin'.”
Wildcard nodded.
With a nervous grin, Rainbow Dash flexed her wings and trotted to the far side of the cloud.
After the last loved one's voice faded from the enchanted moon spell, Pinkie, Twilight, and Rarity all huddled together in a hyperactive bubble full of sobs and giggles. They held hooves, chatting a mile-per-second about all the things their family members had shared. Stories about cutie marks and song concerts and alligator feedings spun and spun, until there were more smiles than tears, and the ghostly gaggle laughed heartily into the cool night air.
Rainbow trotted far away from all of this—at least as far away as her anchorage to the mares would allow. She turned and looked over her shoulder, staring at them. Gradually, her ears folded, and she bit her lip in a pensive manner.
“... ... ...Rainbow Dash.”
“Ahem...” Rainbow ripped her gaze from the trio and glanced skyward. “Sorry, Luna. I'm... uh... I'm here.”
“I'm afraid there isn't much time. Let me start out by saying that Spike and I fully intend to spread the word to Fluttershy's and Applejack's families.”
“Wise move,” Rainbow said. “I doubt there'd be any luck corking the bottle in after a big family chat session like that.” She smirked. “Plus, they deserve to know.”
“Again, prior to this, we had no intention of—”
“—stringing their hopes along. I got it.” She took a deep breath. “Now, before it's too late... uhm... about that info from Cadance in Ward...”
There was a brief pause.
“Luna...?”
“I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. But the last twenty-four hours just hasn't been enough time to—”
“So there's no news on what Sturke learned from Endrax.” Rainbow sighed. “Figured as much.”
“Spike has gotten very little sleep. He anguishes over his inability to transcribe the information any faster.”
“Well, I can't blame the lil' guy.” Rainbow blinked at herself. “...the lil' big guy. Whatever.” She shrugged. “He's got a month to figure stuff out.”
“Then you feel as I do?”
“What? That it'll take me at least another moon cycle to get to the edge?”
“Affirmative.”
“Your Highness, with the way Verlax has hyped everything along the horizon in front of me...” Rainbow's nostrils flared as she gazed out over the moonlight cloudbeds. “...I'd be surprised if it didn't take twenty moon cycles.”
“With so few Seeds left between where you are and the dark side, it would be a wonder if you survived that long.”
“Exactly,” Rainbow grumbled, glancing over her shoulder once more. “Which... is why I gotta p-pick up the pace. I'm already suffering dizzy spells like an anorexic rhino.”
“Do you know how far you are from the next beacon?”
“Yeah, I kinda sorta figured that out earlier today,” Rainbow said, gazing forward again. “The Desperadoes told me of a place not that far from here called 'the Quade.' It's a series of rocks and shoals that almost make up two slender islands. In between these bluffs, a bunch of monks called Luminards have built their home.”
“And the next beacon is situated somewhere there?”
“That's where Yaerfaerda seems to be pointing me, yeah.”
“Splendid. We all have faith in you, Rainbow Dash. I trust that you shall find Fluttershy with very little difficulty.”
“Hrmmm...” Rainbow tongued the inside of her mouth. “Though, in the grand scheme of things, if it was Fluttershy's job to be the Austraeoh and find me, I somehow doubt that she will be up for the challenge.”
“How do you mean?”
“Simply that... that...” Rainbow Dash winced. She brought a hoof up, lifting the weight of the pendant around her neck. “Luna, remember... r-remember when you once told me about the stuff you had done in the past?”
“I would ask for specifics, Rainbow Dash, but I fear that we haven't enough time for that. My past encompasses a great deal of subtext.”
“I'm talking about... y'know... the tough decisions you had to make in the past. Hardcore stuff.” She clenched her jaw. “Stuff that took you years and years to forgive yourself for.”
Silence.
“Princess Luna?” Rainbow blinked, her gaze tilting skyward. “Princess Luna, are you there?”
The voice crackled this time, nearly dissipating: “As always.”
“I know I've run this topic into the ground many times,” Rainbow muttered. “After all, Ledomare and Xona were no walks in the park. And Darkstine and Silvadel weren't easy.” She gnashed her teeth. “I... I even had to do a lot of pretty rough stuff in Val Roa, come to think of it. I'm pretty sure all those goblin thugs had mothers once...”
“You've encountered innumerable obstacles, and you've had to overcome them in outlandish ways befitting an immortal,” Princess Luna said bluntly. “It's not always something to be proud of, but it's certainly something that can be lived with. I do believe you and I can finally relate in this manner, Rainbow Dash, in more ways than one. For that, you have my limitless confidence.”
“And I'm glad for that.” Rainbow exhaled. “...but can I expect the confidence of others?”
“Surely your friends believe in you, Rainbow Dash.”
“They only believe in part of me.”
“... ... ...then perhaps the issue lies in sharing more than just that small part.”
Rainbow hung her head with a sigh.
“Rainbow Dash...” Luna's voice vanished momentarily, then returned in a clear, deep tone: “This world is a complex one, and a dangerous one. It does not matter whether the plane we exist on is in a perpetual state of living or dying. At one point or another, the cold and endless night shall consume us. There are two important things that matter: that which we are able to secure for ourselves in the brief time allotted, and that which we can promise to the ponies who will come to dwell within our shadow. Balancing this and the equal opportunity of all living things is far from a perfect act—but it is still a necessary one. The part of the world that you were born into has been a truly peaceful and harmonic one, but Equestria only got to that place because Celestia and I had to dispense with several intolerant creatures, and oftentimes with very little grace or mercy. The Siren Sisters, King Sombra, Discord—none of them were capable of peaceful coexistence, and so we removed them from this domain just as we drove back the chaos from the sunlit realm.”
“So, in the end, you acknowledge that the world is at peace because you weren't always completely peaceful,” Rainbow remarked.
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“Then...” Rainbow hesitated, bit her lip, but ultimately blurted: “What makes you and Celestia so different from Verlax?”
There was silence.
Then: “You have spoken with great length with Verlax, yes?”
“Uh huh... back in Shoggoth.”
“I take it she still does not possess a very good opinion of alicorns.”
Rainbow couldn't help but smirk slightly. “That's something of an understatement.”
“Has she given you cause to doubt us?”
Rainbow shuddered. “She's given me reasons to doubt myself.”
“A natural reaction to having held discourse with the most crafty and cunning Divine to have ever flown the skies of this world.” Luna's breath grew firm. “There is merit to Verlax's opinion of Celestia and myself. With our royal stance on harmony, we must truly come across as quite obtuse. However, I do believe the Frosted Matriarch is quick to mistake charisma for hypocrisy.”
“Your Highnes...?”
“A very strange kingdom this Rohbredden must be: an island continent populated by six mortal tribes, ruled over by an ageless dragon who was born with a complex that sees all perishable life as infectious microbes. It's a very lofty perspective—until the eyes that bear it belong to a soul who is also doomed to perish, as all Divines like Verlax and Axan now are due to this chaos-saturated plane. Even Sturke first reacted to us with great disapproval and disdain, until time and negotiation smoothed out her xenophobia, giving way to an enlightened perspective that anticipates both the glory and tragedy of the end of days.”
“Yeah, well, Verlax came about all that a different way,” Rainbow Dash said. “She says that, long ago, she flew after Endrax and then had a vision in pure chaos. And that's how she somehow came to know about the Austraeoh and the Sundering and all that other crazy Urohringr stuff.” She gulped. “Now she's determined that she's 'helping me' in some fashion. Heck, I think she even caused the Grand Choke and built Rohbreddenite civilization from the ground up just to gimme some sort of pyschotic springboard!”
“Rainbow Dash, do you mean to suggest that the Grand Choke—the great Blight that separates the upper surface of this realm—was a total fabrication of the Divine of Frost?”
“Yeah? I guess?” Rainbow shuddered. “I dunno. I mean... that's how she made it sound. Plus... like... she also said she wasn't always the Divine of Frost.”
“Oh? Did she, now?”
“Yeah. She... uh... she says that she became that after her search for Endrax. It was... like... part of her whole new draconian career change or some crap... back when she went full-Urohringrpheliac n'stuff.”
“I see...” Luna's voice faded and recoalesced. “Rainbow Dash, what kind of a creature—immortal or not—reinvents herself in order to support a singular idea... an idea that was given birth to out of a mad emotional search for a sister lost forever to the void?”
“A... desperate creature?” Rainbow blinked. She winced. “A mad one?”
“Just because she does not have a lunatic exterior does not mean that Verlax is sane. She is dying—after all. But, unlike the rest of us, Divines feel the tug of death far greater. It's a horrible consequence of such a damnably long life. Trust me. I am quite aware of this sensation.”
Rainbow Dash winced. “I'm sorry, Your Highness.”
“Do not be sorry, Rainbow Dash. However... I do suggest you be cautious. A Martriarch who founds an entire civilization for a purpose other than the population's best interests is a Queen who lies in everything she says or does to her subjects. Without a foundation of sincerity, then there is nothing that she can do—emotional or logical or otherwise—that stands to be trusted. And if the six tribes of Rohbredden—whom she's sworn to protect—cannot expect to get the truth from her, how much more can you hope to gain from her words... no matter how ardent, passionate, or foreboding?”
“Yeah... I... I get it...”
“Celestia and I have made many mistakes in the past, Rainbow Dash,” Luna said. “But at least we've been truthful to our subjects about them, and honesty is as much an Element of Harmony as Loyalty. One cannot stand without the other. To attempt salvaging a future for this world is folly without respecting such a balance, and that will be Verlaxion's downfall in time: to drown in the panic and disdain of her own betrayed subjects.”
“I can totally believe that. But... but Princess Luna...” Rainbow Dash fidgeted where she stood. “At the same time... nuttier than Nevlamas or not... Verlax is thinking about more than just harmony and chaos. Sure, her rule might collapse, and Rohbredden with it. But what about the plane? What about this piece of Urohringr that's been lost since the Sundering? If...” She seethed, as if the pendant around her neck had become a hot brand. “...if a little madness and panic is all that's needed to restore something that's broken, then... then isn't that worth it, ya think?” She shivered, hugging herself. Still, the words came out: “To put the jigsaws of the big picture back together again?”
Silence.
“Princess Luna?”
More silence.
“Princess L—” Rainbow's eyes flashed red-on-yellow. She sat in place, blinking, then glanced down at her pendant.
The silver glow of Luna's enchantment had vanished completely. The window of communication had finally passed.
Hours later, into the foggy gold haze of early morning, Rainbow Dash's head still hung in the same lethargic slump. Bard and Wildcard flew ahead of her, carefully surveying the rippling seas beneath them. The mare didn't look up much; she simply kept the Desperadoes residually in her peripheral vision.
To Rainbow's right, Twilight Sparkle hovered at an even pace. The unicorn kept a solid gaze on Rainbow Dash, her ears folded back as her eyes glistened with curious sympathy. Rainbow said nothing, so neither did Twilight.
All around them, low-hanging clouds parted ways, revealing a listless fog that hung over the slate gray waters. The group threaded the needle between two layers of mist, progressing eastward at a lazy glide.
At one point, a pale and a pink shape darted up towards Rainbow, antsy and breathless.
“Woohoo!” Pinkie Pie pumped a hoof. “We found the bouncy-bouncy!”
“As best as I can judge, the barrier stopped us at one hundred feet to Rainbow's left,” Rarity said. “Same as to her right.”
“So that means one hundred round feet of flip-flopples for us ghostie besties!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Actually, no, Pinkie.” Rarity showed her head. “One hundred feet appears to be the radius, so to find the volume you must multiply one hundred by four and pi and then divide by three—”
“Come on! Let's round up more radii!” Pinkie dove straight down. “Weeeee!”
Rarity rolled her eyes, then smiled at Twilight. “Whatever the case, it would appear as though the three of us now have greater mobility since finding Pinkie Pie. Considering how much more distance you had to move before and after I showed up, it would seem to indicate a pattern.”
“As I suspected.” Twilight nodded, then glanced at Rainbow. Fidgeting, she looked back at Rarity and said, “Thanks for investigating, Rarity. Best to double-check, though.”
“You mean best to keep a leash on Pinkie Pie.” Rarity saluted and dropped down after the pink shape. “Read you loud and clear, Captain, my Captain!”
Rarity descended, leaving the other two mares alone.
Rainbow exhaled out her nostrils.
Twilight flew in a bit closer, clearing her throat. “So... uh... you're rather quiet today.”
“Hmmmm...” Rainbow's eyes searched the rippling waters below.
Twilight bit her lip. “Are... are you feeling dizzy at all?”
Rainbow said nothing.
“Because, if you are, then maybe you should be flying ahead of Bard and Wildcard so that they could spot and grab you in case you collapse again—”
“I'm fine,” Rainbow Dash muttered.
Twilight folded her forelimbs. “I'm just concerned for you, Rainbow. That's all.” She gazed ahead. “It's only been... what? Two days since we found Pinkie Pie? And already you're having dizzy spells?”
Rainbow's brow furrowed.
“I don't know about you, but that alarms me,” Twilight said. “It... it just doesn't seem to fit the pattern of things. I mean, from what you've related to us before, it should be a good long while until you suffer more collapses. But for them to be happening already?”
“I'm not the expert.”
“You're the closest thing there'll ever be to one, though!” Twilight exclaimed. “Who besides you has ever experienced what it means to be 'the Austraeoh?'”
“Commander Hurricane, supposedly.”
“And just how far did she make it?”
“That...” Rainbow blurted—but didn't quite know how to continue. So she cleared her throat, avoiding Twilight's gaze with a grimacing expression. “That was different. She ran into undead pegasi in Stratopolis.”
“So is that what killed her?”
“Uhhh... pretty sure.”
Twilight sighed. “I suppose you are fortunate—at least—to have had such a strong mare share some of the same flight paths as you.” She gazed east through the mists. “You have something to learn from.”
“I dunno if Hurricane ever had the same dizzy spells as I did, though,” Rainbow muttered.
“Because she never found the beacons like you did?”
''Cuz she never got filled to the brim with chaos after watching her friends die.”
“Erm... right...” Twilight shuddered. “That.”
“She never had to... to...” Rainbow's brow furrowed. She swallowed a lump down her throat. Her eyes lifted, finally looking at Twilight. “Say, Twilight?”
The unicorn jolted in mid-air, glancing back with bright eyes. “Yes?” she responded, a bit too enthusiastic for her own good. “What is it, Rainbow?”
Rainbow squirmed slightly, but kept flapping her wings. “Do you ever wonder... what would have happened if Discord was never defeated?”
Twilight blinked. “Uhhhh...”
“Lemme rephrase that,” Rainbow said. She cleared her throat and said, “What would have happened if I hadn't... y'know... killed Discord?”
“Oh. Uhm...” Twilight blinked into the gray mists. “Well... even though I've never been quite that fond of... how Discord was d-dispensed with...”
Rainbow clenched her teeth.
“I must admit that if he was allowed to continue existing, he surely would just keep running amok.” Twilight gulped. “And with the rest of us Elements gone, that would definitely not be a good thing. His powers of chaos would have continued, unchecked. He'd be in control of Ponyville... Equestria...” The spectral unicorn shrugged. “For all we know, his reach may have stretched as far as the rest of the world! Even here!”
“Because only the Elements of Harmony would be able to stop him.”
“Precisely. The sheer power of Harmony—so capably harnessed—was all that could put that beast to rest!”
“So how come I was able to defeat him, huh?” Rainbow blinked. “I only had one Element.”
“Err...”
“The rest were destroyed, remember?”
“Yes, but you said it yourself, Rainbow.” Twilight smiled awkwardly. “When you came upon the scene of our... well... deaths... you put the Element on and used it to harness the residual energies of the other Elements.”
“All by myself.”
“Apparently.”
“Do you realize just how... cruddy that theory sounds?” Rainbow gestured at the unicorn. “I mean, you're a scientist, right? Would you feel right putting something like that down on paper and using it to officially explain what's happened?”
“I... would need the proper research materials and time to—”
“Well?!”
Twilight sighed, shaking her head. “No, Rainbow. I suppose it... doesn't sound very concrete. Truth is, there's just so much that I don't understand about what happened.”
“Harmony functions by certain rules, right?”
“Well... yes! It's the key central point to Alicorn magic! And Alicorns are the most structured, harmonious creatures in the known universe!”
“So... like...” Rainbow waved in the air. “How many rules were broken to let what happened... happen?” She winced. “Why is it that all but one Element vanished... but the big bad monster of chaos was still eliminated anyways? Because—no matter how we shake it, Twilight—it all came down to me. Me and one Element. Loyalty.” She brushed her hoof past the pendant in question. “Would it have worked with Nightmare Moon?”
“Princess Celestia banished Nightmare Moon over a thousand years ago,” Twilight said. “And she was on her own.”
“So... like... when was there ever another moment in history when the Elements of Harmony... and the Rules of Harmony made an exception?” Rainbow gulped. “Like they apparently did with me.”
“Rainbow, what...?” Twilight took a deep breath, then murmured: “What precisely are you trying to convey with all of this?”
“Was there ever really another way that Discord was going to be defeated?” Rainbow Dash remarked. “Something alternative to what actually happened?” She bit her lip. “Some way that involved all six elements and all six of us?”
“What are you talking about, Rainbow?” Twilight arched an eyebrow. “Are you making an implication about fate?”
“Just think about it, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “Imagine we had defeated Discord. All six of us. Imagine that nopony died... got blown up along with their Element... whatever.” She shuddered. “Imagine we just... got done what needed to get done, hung up the Elements of Harmony, and lived on with our happy horse lives doing happy horse things. What then?”
Twilight stared at Rainbow. Her eyes glanced off to one side, then the other. “I... suppose...” She swallowed. “...we would have been at peace in Ponyville.” A pause. “And you would never have started your journey.”
“Right.” Rainbow nodded. “And if I had never started flying east—”
“—then all this business with the beacons and Urohringr would have stayed buried as they have been for thousands upon thousands of years.”
“And what about fate then, huh?” Rainbow cocked her head to the side. “The fate of both sides of the plane, that is? Would everything just... die out as they are destined to without the Spark?”
“Are you saying that it was actually a good thing that all five of us died and left you on your own to make a dangerous journey?”
“No, Twilight, what I'm saying is... maybe it was the only thing that could have happened.”
“Huh?”
“Just how exactly did you and the other girls get blown up?”
Twilight blinked. “Well, Rainbow, we... I-I mean I made us use the Elements without you—”
“Dang it, girl, I'm not trying to play the blame game. We've been over this.”
Twilight winced. “I'm s-sorry...”
“I'm asking how it happened,” Rainbow said. “How is it that five ponies and one baby dragon attempting to use the Elements of Harmony would cause something so terrible and violent to happen?”
“I... I-I don't know...”
“Does it... even make sense?” Rainbow grimaced. “Harmony is all about structure, order, and integrity. It's chaos that likes crud getting all blown up. So—like—did harmony become chaos for a second there? Why would something built out of Alicorn magic backfire like a poorly maintained shotgun or something?”
“Right...” Twilight nodded, thinking out loud: “If anything, the spell should have just canceled itself without all of the key components present. Nothing would have happened... nothing good or bad.”
“Then how would Discord be defeated?”
“I... don't know...” Twilight shrugged. “Maybe the way it ended up happening?”
“One thing we know, Twilight, is that this whole stinkin' world is old. Super old. Older than you and me. Older than the Divines. Older than the Alicorns—”
“Uhhhhhhhhhh...”
“Okay, maybe not older than the Alicorns, but it was here long... long before Celestia and Luna's relatives touched down here.”
“Right...”
“And the ponies who built Urohringr... all of Urohringr must have had some pretty super magic to make it all work, y'know. I mean, to construct something so friggin' huge... something that could sustain so many different walks of life—all of which were also super old civilizations... stuff you and I can't even begin to imagine.”
Twilight merely nodded.
At this point, Rainbow winced. “Twilight, what if...?” She hugged herself in mid-flight, staring at the waters below. “What if... there is something at work here that is so old... so important... so strong that it sorta... trumps anything else that enters the playing field? The Alicorns bring their magic, but that magic ends up being controlled, dominated. And then—like—when you think the magic is playing by the Alicorns' rules, it's actually playing by Urohringr's.”
“Just what are you trying to say, Rainbow?”
“What I'm trying to say is... what if Harmony meant for all five of you to 'die?'” Rainbow looked aside at the mare. “What if it broke its own rules and gave you and the other girls the zap... so that I could give Discord the zap. And then this whole eastward slog could get started?”
“And you would go the way of Hurricane and other candidates of Austraeoh ahead of you...?”
“Right. Only, I'd go further. Cuz I'm awesome.” Rainbow took a breath. “And I have an Element on my side.”
“And—after two more Seeds—all of the Elementsby your side.”
Rainbow nodded. “Yeah...”
Silence.
“I just... c-can't imagine pure Harmony being reduced to such a lowly mechanism,” Twilight rambled. “I'm not capable of fathoming anything that can be that powerful.”
“But it would make some sense, right?” Rainbow said. “If there's something controlling Harmony, then it could control chaos as well. Then all of the weird, nonsensical things that would happen wouldn't be so strange anymore... cuz it just goes to show that all of the magic above ground is acting just as fluidly as all the weird contraptions that make Urohringr tick. There's not just one Machine World. There are two. One below and one above.”
“I... I...” Twilight ran a jittery hoof through her mane. “My head hurts.”
“I wonder if this is the sort of stuff that Verlax has figured out,” Rainbow muttered to herself. “Also... kind of makes you wonder if... y'know...” She fidgeted. “...if the rules of harmony had to be broken for Austraeoh to begin her journey... then j-just how many other rules also had to be broken?” She exhaled. “...and would all of those broken rules be okay, all things considered?”
“What kind of broken rules are we talking about?”
Rainbow paled instantly. She flew forward in nervous silence.
“Rainbow...?”
The mare breathed faster and faster. As sweat started to form along her brow, she forced her jaw muscles to move, opening her muzzle as if to reply—
“Hey girls!” Pinkie flew up, buzzing in their face. “Look what we found!” She pointed straight at the foamy waters below. “Things are getting super choppy! Like a Jacuzzi!”
“Huh?” Twilight snapped out of it, squinting down at the waters. “What on earth...?”
“For once, Pinkie isn't rambling nonsense,” Rarity said, floating back up. “There's a reason for all of this turbulent water. Things are starting to get dramatically shallow.”
“Wait... do you mean...?” Twilight blinked.
Rarity nodded with a smile.
Squinting, Rainbow looked up at Bard and Wildcard. “Hey guys!”
“She speaks!” Bard glanced back at her. “What is it, darlin'?”
“Look below!” Rainbow pointed, her voice cracking, “Sea seems different! What's up with that?”
Bard stared and stared. He shared amused grins with Wildcard, then looked back at the mare. “More like 'what's down with that!'” He and the other Desperado descended. “This is it!”
“This is what?”
“What else?” Bard pointed forward. “The Quade!”
Rainbow and Twilight stared. Pinkie Pie and Rarity leaned forward for a better look.
Below them, the mists parted ways. It was just enough to reveal several gray shapes looming immediately beneath the ocean's watery surface. Very narrow, dome-topped spires of chalk-colored earth rose from the depths. At first, they scarcely grazed the surface, with water lapping up and around their barnacle-encrusted summits. Then—one by one, in sporadic formation—the narrow stalks broke the water. They grew thicker and more erratic, forming a veritable forest of jagged stone structures forking towards the sky.
Curiously, the water was very calm around these spires. Rainbow imagined that there was a lot more happening underwater than there was above. There was virtually no current, and aside from a gentle ripple here or there, the Quade was mostly devoid of crashing waves.
Rainbow was so involved in observing this that she didn't notice the first wooden structure until its crooked mast nearly grazed her body. She lifted up with a gasp, looking back behind her.
The forward half of a crumbled, dilapidated sailing ship loomed below—impaled by at least two of the jutting spires.
“Oh my goodness!” Rarity squeaked, clasping a pair of hooves to her muzzle. “That's so terrible! Head back, Rainbow! There could be survivors in there!”
“Uhhh...” Rainbow looked up and pointed back at the wreck. “Guys?”
Wildcard gestured.
“Relaxed,” Bard said. “That thing's supremely outdated. It very likely ran aground several hundred years ago.”
“But...”
“Even if the survivors had grandfoals, they'd all be dead by now—or else likely rescued by denizens of the Luminards.” Bard smirked. “Besides... that's just the first one.”
“The... first... one?” Rainbow stared ahead. The ghost mares at her side had their breaths taken away.
As the fog finally dissipated, the immensity of the Quade opened up to the fliers. Rocky formations jutted up out of the ocean like a sea of granite needles. Every so often, the crumpled remnants of a seaship could be seen, its wooden flesh peeling off the hooked rocks one decade at a time. Rainbow counted one... two... four... eight... sixteen seaship corpses until there were too many for her to count—or at least at the speed with which she was flying over them. Soon—if she squinted—the blue waters, the gray stone, and the brown driftwood formed a hazy malaise in her eyes.
“Why are there so many of 'em?” Rainbow asked.
“For an age, it became the bright idea to turn this side of the Quade into a graveyard for out of commission frigates,” Bard explained. “The Luminards didn't mind, and the Six Tribes thought it was a healthy warnin' to all Colonialists tryin' to eke a livin' elsewhere. 'This is what's in store for you, ya heretical varmints!' Or somethin' like that. I dunno.”
Wildcard's talons swam through the air.
“Hmmph!” Bard's nostrils flared. “Well, if you tried to explain it, you'd make it all melodramatic-like, ya turkey!” Bard cleared his throat and glanced at Rainbow. “What was I talkin' about?”
“Naval graveyard.”
“Right. But then half of the ships draggin' in the decommissioned vessels started getting wrecked themselves. And by then even the Continentalists were makin' homes and ports out west beyond the Quade, so it all started to get really ridiculous. Reckon they just left the wrecks out here cuz this place is too perilous to build a lighthouse to give a more proper warnin' anyways.”
“Didn't stop the Alafreons.”
“Who?”
Rainbow sighed, shaking her head. “Never mind.” As she flew over the immense acreage of increasingly taller spikes, her eyes spotted a bright dot on the horizon. “Wait... I see something.”
“Yuffie Dum, right?”
“No, I see that too. I'm talking about something else.” As Rainbow cleared another spire, she saw the lit structure in even greater clarity. “There!” She pointed. “A light! Like a lantern! You see it?”
“My word!” Rarity exclaimed.
Wildcard gestured.
Bard nodded. “Eeyup. Reckon it's good timin' too.”
“I don't get it,” Rainbow stammered. “Just what is that thing? Do monks live there?”
“Nope. Not quite.” Bard smirked at Rainbow. “But it's a good sign nonetheless.”
“A sign of what?”
“That we done found ourselves a place to check in.” The stallion motioned as he and Wildcard dove down towards the structure. “Come on. And remember to lemme do the talkin'.”
“Uhhhh... sure, okay.” With a slight shudder, Rainbow and her friends followed suit.
The group descended towards what resembled a tiny boathouse nestled against a forgivably shallow enclosure of rocks. A bowed overhang covered a pair of narrow docks, against which a smattering of canoes and tiny wooden boats—all severely aged—were moored. The inner walls of the shack were covered with thin wooden shelves and loaded with countless rusted tools. The boathouse rested adjacent to a small, square-shaped building that looked large enough to contain a bedroom and a kitchen—judging from the crooked metal chimney sticking out of the northwest end. The shingles were dilapidated, peeling, yet kept tightly together through the improvised interweaving of twine. A narrow dock hung along the southern front face of the structure, connecting it to the inner lid of the boathouse. Several splintery posts shot up out of the water, supporting the entire structure from some unseen foundation. Hanging from a metal hook nailed into one of these posts was a bright lantern with a flickering fire, and its glow shimmered across the rippling waters on all sides.
The three touched down, and once their flapping wings stopped, the world grew deathly quiet. This far into the Quade, there were little to no ocean waves. If Rainbow Dash didn't know better, she'd have guessed that she was instead standing along the shores of a lazy river. The water trickled limply around the foundation of the wooden structure, and the tightly moored boats rubbed up against each other with a persistent grinding noise.
“Not exactly a honeymoon getaway, is it?” Bard remarked.
Wildcard gestured.
“Heh...” Bard smirked, trotting across the creaking dock. “Nopony asked what you were into, mofo.”
“Does... does anypony even live here?” Rainbow stammered.
“Reckon it wasn't mosquitoes who lit this here lamp,” Bard said.
With a flash of lavender light, Twilight Sparkle floated in and out of the building. “Nopony's inside, Rainbow Dash,” she said. “But I did see a burning stove and the two freshly made beds.”
“How do you even have a slumber party in a place so small?” Pinkie Pie asked, muzzle scrunched.
Rarity cleared her throat. “The water here is quite shallow. Well, this entire so-called Quade is shallow, but here it's especially so.” She gestured at the boathouse. “Canoes and kayaks that small could easily navigate the streams, but I have no earthly idea how anypony could even get here.”
“Maybe they're flown?” Twilight remarked.
Bard squinted over. “Conversin' with the mare friends?”
Rainbow jolted slightly. “Uhm... not coming up with any better ideas than you are, quite frankly...”
Wildcard peered in through a smoky window, then leaned back to gesture at Bard.
Bard glanced at him. “... ... ...do the two beds have mattresses?”
Wildcard nodded.
“Hrmmm...” Bard adjusted his hat. “Then t'ain't Luminards.”
“Huh?” Rainbow asked.
Bard paced across the creaking dock. “Them monks are so ascetic, they'll sleep on flat wooden boards. All part of atonin' for our forbearers' sins n'all. Whoever owns this here boathouse, they ain't one of 'em.”
“Then... did somepony move in here or something?”
“If so, it was a long... long time ago,” Bard said. “Darned if I know.”
“But I thought that... that—”
“Darlin', we ain't ever been to the Quade before,” Bard said. “Only breezed by it once or twice. Everypony knows about the Luminards, but very few actually show up in these rocky waters to write poetry 'bout the zealots. Ya feel me?”
“I'm certain—in Bard's estimation—he could write quite the ballad too,” Rarity muttered.
“Heehee! I'd pay to hear it!” Pinkie chirped.
“Darling, give it time. You may have no choice with the likes of this caterwauler.”
“But caterwaulers are so cute before the cocoon stage!”
“Ugh... Pinkie—”
Just then, water splashed sharply below them.
“Something's coming!” Twilight exclaimed.
“...!” Rainbow spun with startled expression.
Schiing! Wildcard twirled to face the noise, unsheathing his nightsticks.
“Hey... hey!” Bard held a hoof out, steadying the griffon. “Relax, buddy. This here be pacifist territory, remember?”
Before Wildcard could reply, an equine shape emerged slowly from the water in front of them. Dribbling all over with murky liquid, a stallion climbed onto the deck, one sopping wet hoof at a time. His upper face was obscured by a pair of goggles and a snorkle. He blew water out the pipe while bags bulging with fish hung off his flanks. Gripped in his right hoof was a jagged spear, against the end of which were multiple fish, skewered and still quivering.
Wildcard and Bard stepped back, giving the drenched stallion the space to put down his things. Calmly, the pony dropped his bags of fish into a wooden container, then closed the trunk with a wooden creak.
Cracking his aged limbs, the stallion peeled off his snorkel mask, tossed his graying mane, then exhaled with a shudder. He turned towards the three strangers, bearing a wrinkled smile across his light blue muzzle. “So... fliers...” His green eyes lit up warmly. “...what brings you out to the Quade?”
Rainbow Dash glanced aside at Bard.
“A-ahem...” Bard stepped forward with a smile. “Howdy! The name's Bard. This here's Wildcard. No relation.”
“Heheheh... I would have guessed.” The stallion glanced aside, his mane still dripping. “And the pretty one with the bright mane?”
Rarity smiled at Rainbow.
“I'm Rainbow Dash,” she said. “And... uhhh... I hope we're not intruding.”
“Not at all, milady. Well... I guess technically you are, but not like it can be helped. You didn't see the signs when you came in, did you?”
“Reckon we didn't have the occasion to, sir,” Bard said.
“That's cuz you flew in. Just as I suspected.” The stallion twirled his spear around and slid the impaled fish into the crate, one by one. “Most ponies get in here by dinghy, taking off from a much larger ship anchored just outside the Quade. Verlaxion only knows how you three got in. Unless, of course, you're professional fliers. I imagine you must have cloud hopped.”
“More or less, yeah.” Bard nodded. “So... uh... do you make a livin' out of fishin'?” He blinked. “Out here, all alone?”
“Well, there is more than one way to make a living.” The stallion picked off the last of the fish, then inspected the sharp end of his spear. “Especially when the surface bakes in the hot sun.”
Rainbow Dash blinked. She mouthed: “'Surface... bakes...?'”
The stallion's muscles tightened as he gripped his fishing spear.
Wildcard saw it. His wings coiled as he reached for his nightsticks again.
“Makes it hard to smell the salt in the air, if you catch my drift,” the stallion icily slurred.
“Uhhhhm... ahem...” Bard chuckled nervously. “'Fraid I ain't readin' ya, sir.”
The old stallion's green eyes shot towards him. “Come, now. Let's cut to the quick, buddy,” he said in a gruff voice. “I've got four live ones down below. What are you in the mood to buy? The younger they come, the easier they are to train.”
Rarity and Twilight exchanged glances, then sunk down through the wooden dock while Rainbow gawked at the stallion.
“I...” Bard glanced at Wildcard, then squinted back at the stallion. “...I seriously have no clue what yer tryin' to say...”
“There is no supply hold down below,” Rarity added.
“Then...” Pinkie blinked. “...why would he say that there are 'live ones' below?”
Rainbow glanced at her friends, then at the stallion. Taking a deep breath, she trotted closer.
He pivoted on his grip of the sphere and looked over.
“We're here to see the Luminards,” Rainbow said. “That's all we're here for. Same as you.”
“Is that so, pretty one?”
“The only thing that makes the Quade significant is the fact that those monks live out here,” Rainbow said. “So you must have something to do with them. We'd like it very much if you could help us have an audience with them.”
“... ... ...” Slowly, the stallion smiled. “You really are here to meet up with them, aren't you?” He sighed, then twirled the spear with amazing finesse.
Bard and Wildcard flinched.
Th-Thunk! The stallion hung the improvised weapon along a set of wooden rungs and leaned back. “Eeeugh... do forgive the 'tough guy act' just a moment ago. It's something of a test I made up several years ago. Helps weed out the riff-raff.”
“By making it sound like you're selling slaves?” Rainbow asked.
“Not too far from reality in these deep ocean currents,” the stallion said. “But the moment you didn't respond to the old code, then I figured you were something genuine.”
“Old... code...?” Bard remarked.
Wildcard tapped his buddy's shoulder, then gestured swiftly.
“Your griffon friend knows,” the old pony said, pointing with a wet hoof. “''The surface bakes in the hot sun and makes it hard to smell the salt in the air.' It's pirate lingo. Had to be sure you ponies weren't from Mudtop.”
Bard grimaced. “Land's sakes... do ya get soulless bastards from that place here from time to time?”
“Mmmm. Not often, but it does happen. And almost everytime, it ends in a nasty scuffle. That's why I've learned to lure such punks into a place of security and get the drop on 'em. It works. Most of the time. See this here?” He pointed at a scar situated to the bottom right of his neck. “Dayum saw-toothed cutlass gave that to me. Nearly bled out into the water. Good thing the monks around here are super good at fixin' injured ponies up.”
Rainbow glanced at her marefriends, then turned to squint at the stallion. “You're not a Luminard, are you?”
“Hah!” The stallion shook his head, chuckling. “No. Ohhhhh no no no... but I'm a good friend to them.” He raised a hoof. “One of the only friends they've got. T'is a shame, for they're good ponies... and not nearly as laughable as the whole Rohbredden Ocean would imagine them to be.”
“Why would a feller like you hang around here in the first place?” Bard glanced at his crate. “Are you their cook?”
“Pffft. Not on your life! Those ponies wouldn't hurt a fly. Consequently, they won't eat meat... any meat. Naw... me?” The stallion picked a few flopping specimens out of the crate and opened the cottage door with a creak. “I'm a Quade Guard.”
“Quade Guard?” Rainbow remarked.
“One of the oldest professions there are. Only two of us left these days. But... hey... it works for the Luminards, and it works for us.” He motioned. “Come on in. I'll fix you up something to eat.” He shuffled inside. “Verlaxion knows you must be hungry from all of that flyin'!”
Bard and Wildcard exchanged glances with Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow shrugged and stepped in while her ghost friends floated after her.
“Heeheehee!” Pinkie beamed. “I like him!”
The old stallion placed down two plates of freshly smoked fish onto the table.
“The name's Menthe,” he said. He trotted across the tiny wooden interior to where a rusted locker loomed next to the crackling stove. “And I've been patrolling these waters for... ohhhh... going on forty-two years now.”
“Whoah dayum...” Bard cooed, smiling slightly. He picked up a wooden fork and an aluminum knife and began slicing away at the fish meat. “That's one hell of a long time to be parked here among the rocks!”
“Hmmmff... I suppose...” Menthe rummaged through the pantry. “There've been ponies before me who've done it longer. My mentor, Sullivan—Verlaxion rest his soul—was a Quade Guard for seventy years before his body was sent down the flaming currents.”
“Uhhh...” Rainbow squirmed where she sat. Her friends grimaced as Wildcard and Bard dug into their meals. “The... flaming currents?”
Menthe glanced over, eyebrow raised. “Wow. You really aren't from around here, are you, darling?” He continued rummaging through the pantry. “No offense, but you don't exactly look like Frost Bluff aristocracy.”
“Huh?” Rainbow blinked.
“Mrmmmfff...” Bard swallowed a morsel and explained: “Rich ponies who live around the highest mountains of central Rohbredden. They're too far inland to enjoy a traditional funeral service, so their bodies are buried beneath stones along the mountain cliffs. It's a tradition borrowed from the wyverns.”
“As opposed to...?”
“Uhhh...” Bard blinked. “Being pushed on a burning pyre out to sea, of course. I'm surprised I haven't told you this...”
“Verlaxion's sleet!” Menthe chuckled. “If I didn't know better, I'd say you weren't even born in this age!”
“Yeah, well.” Rainbow squirmed where she sat. “I'm... something of an outsider, I guess.”
“No kidding.” The stallion prepared a small plate of green slices and placed it down before her. “There ya go, darling.”
“Uhmmm...” Rainbow smiled sheepishly. “Thanks. But... what is it?”
“Mrmmff...” Bard swallowed his latest bite and pointed at the plate. “Ocean mango. I hear they grow them fruit by the bucketload out here in the Quade.”
“About the only kind of fruit trees that can grow off those jagged bluffs, lemme tell you.” Menthe smiled at the mare. “It's a gift from the last time I visited the monks two days ago. I assure you, it's quite fresh.”
Rainbow gingerly reached out, sniffed a slice, then took a bite. She blinked as she munched. “Mmmmf...” Her ears twitched. “It's... it's good...”
“First time biting into one of them?”
She looked up. “A bit sour, though.”
“Yes, well... it wouldn't be a prime meal for the Luminards if it wasn't,” Menthe said with a breathy laugh. “Still, I could tell from the way you were nearly retching from the smell of smoked fish that you don't particularly take kindly to meat. Hope this suffices. Believe me... I know a thing or two about vegetarians.”
“Awwwwww...” Rarity smiled. “That's so generous of him!”
“I told you I liked him!” Pinkie said.
“You're right. He's nice and all,” Twilight said. “But it'd be even nicer if he could give us some answers.”
“We thank ya kindly for yer hospitality,” Bard said. He nudged the griffon at his side. “Ain't that right, Dubya-Cee?”
The griffon paused in enjoying his fish meal to raise his talons and gesture.
“Hmmmm...” Menthe craned his neck, smirking. “Well, good sir, if you want to know how to wield a spear so capably, all you need to do is ask.”
Bard did a double-take. “You... you understand him?”
“Pffft. I've patrolled the Quade long enough to meet my fair share of wyverns,” Menthe said. “I just never expected to see a griffon communicating with their hidden code.”
“Well, it's a mighty long story.” Bard nevertheless slapped Wildcard upside the shoulder. “And what's all this hogwash 'bout you wantin' to spin a fish spear around?” He frowned. “Y'know how long you've tried masterin' my staff, only to fall flat on yer big fat beak!”
Wildcard exhaled as he gestured again.
“Hahaha!” Menthe sat back with a smirk. “You have a funny friend, Mr. Bard. I can tell you two have been flying together for a long time. Let me guess.” He cocked his head to the side. “Bounty hunters?”
All three guests jerked in place.
“Uhhhhm...” Bard squirmed.
“Only companions as eclectic as you would make good bounty hunters,” Menthe said. “Though, I'm intrigued that you wouldn't know any of the Mudtop lingo.”
“Let's... say that certain Desperadoes follow a code much like the Quade Guard,” Bard said. “Or, at least...” He smiled pleasantly. “...we aim to be nearly as honorable... and nice.”
Rainbow shuddered slightly. She leaned forward to bite into another ocean mango.
“Well, in any case, I'm rather happy to have the company,” Menthe said. “Just what brings you out here to see the Luminards exactly?”
“Mrmmff...” Rainbow Dash finished munching on her fruit. “Well...” She dusted her hooves off and looked over her plate. “That's just the thing. I really need to speak to one of the top ranking Luminards... erm... if there is one.”
“Oh...?” Menthe leaned his forelimbs behind his back. “Hmmmff... what for?”
Rainbow glanced at the yellow beacon of Yaerfaerda out the corner of her eye. “I... uh... I kinda sorta need to—”
“She's fixin' to learn more about the Plight of Luminar,” Bard interjected.
Rainbow and her marefriends blinked.
“We... uh... heard one of them missionary groups spoutin' off scripture along Upper Shoggoth. And Rainbow Dash here—not bein' from around these parts—got mighty curious.” Bard winked. “Aristocracy, am I right?”
“Hah hah... so you two are giving her something of a guarded tour, right?”
“Reckon that's one honest way of puttin' it!” Bard nudged Wildcard again. “Ain't that right, Dubya-Cee?”
Wildcard stroked his talons once through the air.
“Yeah, well, yer mother.” Bard cleared his throat and glanced at Menthe. “I... uh...” He spoke in a low voice. “...promise we'll be on better behavior around them Luminards.”
“Well, I for one have no objection.” Menthe leaned forward, holding his front hooves together. “But it'll ultimately be up to the monks themselves.”
“Do they... not like company?” Rainbow asked.
“Oh! No! Sleet, no!” Menthe chuckled. “They love visitors. Heck... they practically eat them up!” He winced slightly, then waved a hoof. “I meant that in jest, darling. I... uh... take it you haven't visited the frozen atolls to the north.”
“Uhhhhhhhhh—”
“Ahem.... fact is, they're practicing their seasonal meditation at the moment,” Menthe said. “So... there'll quite simply be less of them around to give anypony a guided tour of the Reed. But...” He smiled. “It certainly wouldn't hurt to approach them and double-check. Hmmm?”
“I would very much like that,” Rainbow Dash said. “I guess you could say that I've been...” She lingered, glanced at Bard, then said: “...dying to get to know the Luminards more.”
“You could just point us in the right direction and we'll fly on over there,” Bard said.
“I'll do you one better!” Menthe stood up with an aged groan. He smiled. “I'll row you there myself.”
“You're doing fine, Mr. Wildcard!” Menthe said, sitting at the very front of the canoe. While he paddled through the water, he looked over his shoulder and smiled at the griffon. “Must say... I'm tickled pink you would be so willing to help out!”
Wildcard smiled and saluted back before once more dipping his oar into the water.
Bard sat in front of the griffon, nodding. “He's always willin' to lend a helpin' talon.”
“Maybe a little too willing,” Menthe chuckled. “Judging from that metal instrument of his!”
“Hah! Yeah... well...” Bard cleared his throat. “You shoulda seen the other guy.”
“A story best told away from the Reed.”
Bard winked. “Gotcha.” He tapped the shoulder of the petite pegasus in front of him. “How ya doin', darlin'?”
“Uhm... fine,” Rainbow said. She watched as Menthe and Wildcard guided the tiny boat through the forest of jutting rocks and limestone spires. The mist hung too densely ahead to make out anything but more and more gray water. “Really, though, Mr. Menthe... sir...”
“Just call me 'Menthe,' darling.”
“Menthe, you've been super... n-nice to us. But we really could have flown the rest of the way.”
“Don't take it personal, ma'am,” Menthe said. “But I'm partially doing this because it's my job.”
“Erm... right...” Rainbow nodded. “Quade Guard and all.”
“Now, here's one thang I'm curious about,” Bard said, leaning forward. “You done battled with privateers before, I'm guessin'.” He pointed. “I mean... judgin' from that nasty cutlass scar n'all.”
“You would be correct.”
“So, if doin' bloody battle is part of the job description, than how come the Luminards are... y'know...” Bard shrugged. “So cool with it?”
“Yeah.” Rainbow nodded. “I figured them for a bunch of deeply spiritual pacifists n'stuff.”
“And that they are, friends,” Menthe said. “It's a grave sin to hurt insects... fish... or anything else higher on the chain, if you catch my drift. That's why there's a need for the Quade Guard. They only higher outsiders.”
“Yeah, but... if you and other guards are willin' to skewer slave-traders from Mudtop, then ain't that considered committin' a sin by proxy?”
“Heheh... one thing you have to understand about the Luminards, Mr. Bard, is that their religion has been around for a long... long time. It's almost as old as Unification.” Menthe smiled over his shoulder. “And in that time, their scripture—the Word of Reed—has found itself many a loophole to work around. One of the most notable is the 'Rules of Temporal Companionship.' It's been a while since I've read the stuff myself, but I do have one part memorized after all these years... particularly Chapter Eleven Verse Two. Ahem.” He held his oar out and pontificated towards the rippling waters. “'He who willingly protects the Reed with his flesh, he is your brother. She who foals a protector with her blood, she is your sister. Preserve them as you would preserve your own soul, for by your grace alone shall their damnation be forgiven beyond the freezing veil.'”
“My my, how poetic,” Rarity said.
“If you say so,” Twilight muttered.
“Hmmmm...” Pinkie tapped her chin. “Could use a chorus in the middle.”
“So, lemme get this straight,” Rainbow said. “Their scripture basically lets you do the dirty work for them... and yet you still get to go to—uh—the Luminard afterlife?”
“Oh, there is no afterlife, per se. But more of a peace of mind that's achieved through meditation and atonement and—” Menthe stopped himself, shrugging. “Eheheh... if you're aiming so hard to find out, then I suppose it's best that you ask them. You're aiming to meet face to face with the Luminards, am I right?”
“Errrr... totally.”
“Well, all you need to know from me is that we take care of the Luminards and they take care of us. I guess it's somewhat symbiotic... more traditional than anything. Sometimes I ask myself why I've chosen to hole myself so deeply here in the Quade. But then... well...” Menthe gestured at the stone columns gliding by them like ghosts. “...just take a look.”
Wildcard's goggles reflected the karst topography sticking out of the waters.
“Reckon it's mighty peaceful,” Bard said.
“Do you see any privateers trying to peddle equine souls?” Menthe's nostrils flared. “Do you see Continentalists and Colonialists foaming at the mouth to bite each other's ears off? Do you see feuds over rice farms or lynch mobs chasing after the leathery wings of midnighters?” The old stallion sighed, stroking the waters with his oar. “No. Out here? The Luminards may or may not have achieved inner peace... but I can definitely see the number they've done on outer peace. And though I may not believe in their creed... I certainly believe in them. Enough to pledge my life to their protection.”
“Well, I find that purdy darn noble of ya, sir,” Bard said with a smirk.
“You said there was another?” Rainbow asked.
“Mmmhmmm...” Menthe nodded. “My partner, Galloran. Young fellow. Almost a colt—more like an apprentice to me. It's currently his shift to patrol the Reed platforms.”
“So it's seriously only the two of you out here?” Rainbow asked. “Pledging your devotion to the Luminards?”
“Well, to be perfectly honest, it's not exactly the toughest job in the world,” Menthe said with a chuckle. “That cutlass fight with the privateers? My mentor and I won that fight. It takes about a generation of idiots before the riff-raff of this ocean tries something dirty again. So, for the last several years—about all of Galloran's life span—it's been wonderfully quiet. And it's not like many bad eggs are willing to swim this far deep through the Quade to make mischief.” He took a deep breath. “But even still... it helps to be on our guard.”
“Well, good thang we won yer trust so quickly, huh?” Bard said.
“I can read a lot about ponies by just talkin' to them,” Menthe said. He turned to wink at Wildcard. “Or just lookin' at 'em.” He steered the boat past a jagged cluster of shoals. “And you folks? Nah... I sense a lot of kindness in you. I imagine you'll be right at home among the Reed.”
Rainbow stared deep into the water. A rippling reflection stared back, and the pony's hoof reached up to gingerly touch her Element.
A pink face phased into view. “Dashie! Dashieee!” Pinkie hissed, smiling. She pointed up ahead of them with a bright hoof. “Lookieeee!”
“Here we are...” Menthe smiled, leaning back as he cradled his oar. “Mmmm... oh, how wonderous it all looks in the morning...”
Rainbow, Bard, and Wildcard peered up.
The sun had risen high enough so that its golden rays pierced down at the waters in sharp forty-five degree angles. The mists parted like a curtain, and the group saw that they had suddenly been walled in. The rippling bay full of granite needles turned into a canal, for two massively steep walls of earth had formed to the north and south of them. The pale-white clifffaces were covered all over in dangling moss and greenery. Lower—towards the water's edge—there were chunks of earth level enough to support fruit trees and tall grass. This happened in layers, growing thinner and thinner towards the summit of the walls—where more and more pale rock had been exposed. At last, the very peaks of the two ridges were covered with dense thickets of trees that ran the full length of the two inexplicably knifing ranges. Some of trees up top bowed dramatically over the rocky edges, with branches that stretched straight out over the distant streams below. With errant gusts of wind, loose green leaves and bright white lotus blossoms would be blown into the canyon, where they eventually formed a thin curtain of floating petals across the sacred blue waters.
And then beyond the rippling water—looming above the cylindrical shards of rock—Rainbow Dash saw enormous round platforms. Her mind instantly recalled the rusted plates that made up the Alafreon townships. Only, these platforms were fashioned out of wood. The closer Menthe's canoe took them, Rainbow realized that it simply wasn't usual lumber construction. Instead, it appeared as if the platforms were woven together, formed by countless lifetimes' worth of twine, rope, and wooden strips interspersed and compacted so densely that it took on the structural resonance of pure oak. These round platforms were supported by elaborately carven wooden beams that fastened them to the closest granite spires. It was difficult to tell where the limestone randomness of the Quade ended and the intricate architecture of the Luminards began. Rainbow's guess was that a lot of time, age, and tradition went into the fantastic establishment.
And the shocking thing was—as more and more of the mist parted—Rainbow saw dozens if not hundreds of these platforms. The woven circles grew denser and denser—like brown lily pads—all congregating in the very center of the canal. There, the largest platform of all was suspended via triply-thick spools of rope, fastened to what appeared to be an enormous shoot of reeds emerging straight up and out of the water.
“Nnngh...” Rainbow rubbed her head, wincing slightly.
“What?” Twilight turned to face Rainbow.
“What is it, Dashie?” Pinkie asked in a concerned tone.
“It...” Rarity trembled. “It isn't more chaos metal, is it?”
“I... I...” Rainbow looked up. Her eyes squinted at the center of the enormous stalk of reeds looming above her, the water, and the platforms.
Yaerfaerda shimmered brightly from deep within the semi-natural cluster of scaling brown shoots.
Menthe moored the tiny canoe against a floating dock. The planks of wood were attached by rope to one of the support struts of a woven platform above. Tossing a length of twine, he attached the boat firmly to the platform and whistled at Wildcard.
Wildcard handed him the other oar, and Menthe fastened the two along the lengthy side of the canoe. “There we go,” the aged stallion said in a breathy tone. He smiled. “We can just fly up the rest of the way.”
“There's no ladder?” Bard remarked.
“Did you leave your wings back at the cabin, Mr. Bard?” Menthe winked.
“Well... no... just... uhm—”
“There's not even a rope or anything,” Rainbow Dash said. “How do the Luminards get to and from the water? Or are they all pegasi?”
“Oh, no. Most of them are earth ponies. Occasionally unicorns.”
“But...” Rainbow's face scrunched. “Err... I'm confused.”
“Heheheh... it's actually rather simple, Miss Dash,” Menthe explained, stretching his wings. “Luminards who come here to live in the Quade have no intention of ever leaving.”
Bard and Wildcard exchanged glances.
“Best to let me go first.” Menthe flapped his wings and—with a little bit of struggle—lifted his old muscles off the dock. He ascended towards the lip of the woven platform above.
“I suppose that explains why a guard would have wings,” Rarity remarked while Rainbow hovered up off the canoe. “If it's their job to guard this ghastly seascape, flight must make it a great deal easier.”
“Absolutely,” Twilight said.
“Uhhhh... girls?” Pinkie blinked. “Is it silly that I didn't notice Mr. Menthe was a pegasus until now?”
“Oh, Pinkie...” Rarity sighed. “You really must pay more attention to things, dear.”
“Hey!” Pinkie pouted. “I can't be the only one!”
Rainbow shook her head with a smirk—then jolted from the sight of a glinting metal barb being aimed off the platform's edge.
Schiiing! “Halt!” A young, breathy voice growled. A young stallion with a soft brown coat shoved the jagged point of a crossbow into Menthe's face. “Who goes there?! Not another wingflap—”
“Boy!” Menthe's voice took on a suddenly sharp tone, chilling even the Desperadoes. “What have I told you about aiming weapons before questioning arrivals?”
“Uhhhh... uhhhh...” The stallion sweated visibly. Wings coiled, he backtrotted from the edge of the platform and lowered his weapon. “Menthe! I... I-I'm so sorry!”
“It's quite alright, Galloran,” Menthe exhaled, smiling reassuringly. “Your courage is admirable, but you need to work on your subtlety.”
“Yes, Menthe. Of course, Menthe.” Gulping, Galloran looked towards the other three fliers, his blue eyes round and apologetic. “My apologies, my dear ponies, for any offense I may have caused.”
“Hey...” Rainbow shrugged. “We're cool.”
“Eeyup. No harm done, partner!” Bard smiled, then glanced out the side of his vision. “Dubya...”
Sighing, Wildcard yet again sheathed his nightsticks.
Galloran reached out his hoof and helped Menthe land evenly on the platform. “I heard rippling water and I came immediately. I knew you were going to spend the whole day fishing, so I thought th-that maybe we... uh... h-had privateers trying to sneak in by raft like last summer...”
“They would have to be pretty crafty pirates to get past me, boy,” Menthe said with a wink. “Good to know you're vigilant. Just don't jump to conclusions.”
“If... if I-I had known we were having visitors—”
“And if I could have warned you, I would. But you must understand, Galloran, not all who visit the Quade are malevolent.” Menthe chuckled. “After all, the Luminards want ponies to visit. More often than not, let's try to expect the best that life can throw at us. Hmmm?”
“Right. I'll d-do my best to remember that.” Galloran turned and bowed, fumbling a bit with his crossbow. “My name is—whoops—one second.” He slung the weapon further around his flank and exhaled. “There. Uhm. Hi. The name's Galloran. I... h-help protect the Luminards and stuff.”
“Heeheehee!” Pinkie giggled, pointing. “I like him too.”
“Galloran, I would like you to meet the Desperadoes and their lovely feathered friend.” Menthe trotted down the line. “This here fellow goes by 'Bard.' He's a laid-back stallion after my own heart.”
“Howdy.” Bard tipped his hat. “Pleased to meet ya.”
“This quiet one's Wildcard.”
Wildcard waved, his goggles glinting.
“And this here little Missy is Rainbow Dash,” Menthe said, resting a hoof gently on her shoulder. “She's a stately pegasus from Central Rohbredden.” Menthe turned to squint at her with his green eyes. “Just what neighborhood are ya from exactly?”
“Uhhhhh...” Fidgeting, Rainbow turned to look at Bard.
Bard gazed off at the northern mountain ridge with a blank expression.
Rainbow rolled her eyes, cleared her throat, then turned to smile back at the guards. “Oh... well... I'm from the... uhm...” She blinked. “... ... ...Magnet Heights.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Uhm... ruled over by the... Duke of Stephens?” She winced, squinting out one eye.
Menthe and Galloran stared.
After a moment... “It's a pretty name!” Galloran said, smiling.
“Mmmm... it's a small city-state,” Rainbow said, waving a hoof. “Snows all year. Not lots of ponies talk about it. I mean... it's not super rich... n'stuff.”
Pinkie giggled while Twilight and Rarity shared amused smirks.
“So... uhm...” Galloran cleared his throat. “Have you come by invitation of the Luminards?”
Rainbow opened her muzzle—
“Miss Dash says that she heard several pilgrims preaching along the bluffs of upper Shoggoth.”
“Oooh! You came from Shoggoth?” Galloran leaned back on his haunches, smiling. “Wow. I heard that place is pretty flashy! Especially underwater! Tell me... what is it like?”
“Mmmmm...” Rainbow shrugged. “Smells like fish.”
“Hahahaha...” Galloran smothed his bangs back and smirked. “Really, though, To come here after Shoggoth. That's pretty amazing.”
“Why?” Rainbow asked, cocking her head aside. “What's so amazing about it?”
“Well... it's just that... uhm...” Galloran kicked one hoof at the woven brown floor. “I like it here. I really do. But most ponies don't exactly... find it too exciting. Now...” He pointed with a smile. “If you seek enlightenment, then you've come to the right place! The Luminards are an amazing culture, and they know how to get truly in touch with their inner selves.”
“Sounds like ya take quite a likin' to them,” Bard said.
“Oh, I do admire them. Hard not to when you... well...” He pointed back at his crossbow with a nervous smile. Shrugging, he said, “I-I just think more ponies in this world deserve to hear what they have to say... to come here to this wonderfully quiet, still place... free from all of the stress and cares of Rohbredden... and learn a thing or two about the equine condition. Life's all the more sweeter when you just... simplify it, y'know?”
“Erm... no, we don't know—” Bard began.
Rainbow butted in front of him with a plastic smile. “But it doesn't hurt to get educated! So... uhm... how can I go about chatting with a few of these dudes... and dudettes?”
“Well, let's go take a look together,” Galloran said. “Menthe, if I may?”
“Lead the way, my boy,” Menthe said, waving a hoof.
“Alright.” Galloran turned around and began the long trot towards a wooden ramp situated on the far end of the circular platform, connecting it with another. “Right this way!”
“Sure thing—” Rainbow Dash took a step and instantly wobbled. “Whoah!” She flailed slightly—as did Bard and Wildcard behind them. The entire platform was shaking from her movement, and the part she was standing on bowed noticeably.
“And watch your hoofing,” Galloran said. “We're... not exactly walking on the deck of a ship here. Also—not that there's a real risk of... breaking through or anything, but it might be best if you kept a full pony's distance between each other as we proceed.” Humming pleasantly, the young guard led the group to the next platform.
Rainbow Dash grimaced slightly. “I'm... not too fond of a city that's built on top of a kindergarten's macaroni craft project.”
“Hey... ya heard Mr. Handsome,” Bard said, shuffling ahead of the mare—taking slow, even steps. “These monks come here to embrace simplicity. Reckon they find the littlest ways to inject excitement and peril into their day-to-day lives.”
Wildcard gestured.
“Who asked you?”
Rainbow Dash took up the rear, flapping her wings slightly—as if trying to keep herself light-hoofed. With a shuddering sigh, she glanced aside at her marefriends. “You girls have any lingering doubt that it's Fluttershy who's locked away here?”
Rarity giggled lightly. “I must admit, the younger guard does bear an uncanny demeanor.”
“Just remember, everypony,” Twilight muttered. “We're not actually here to sight-see.”
“Yeah! We gotta bust Fluttershy out!” She spun in a wild circle, swinging her arms. “SMASH!Powwww! Yeah! Like a big wooden egg!”
“Don't be ridiculous, darling,” Rarity said. “Let's just be slow, graceful, and methodical about this. If anypony knows how to get to the next Seed, it's the Luminards.”
“The more answers we have, the easier it'll be,” Twilight said. She turned towards Rainbow. “You... you see Yaerfaerda, right?”
“Yeah.” Rainbow nodded, pointing up high. “It's next to the centermost platform... somewhere behind it.”
“Up high, huh?” Twilight remarked.
“Why not fly up there and get a gander, dander?” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Nah. We've...” Rainbow nevertheless sighed with a slight shudder. “We've got time.”
“How much time?” Rarity asked.
Rainbow didn't answer. Swallowing, she turned and looked at Twilight. “Twi? Do you... sense anything?”
“You mean like magic?”
Rainbow nodded.
“Well...” Twilight's brow furrowed. “There... are definitely some unicorns here. I mean, I feel their horns all throughout. But... they're not doing much of anything. It's almost as if their leylines are completely dry!”
“Maybe they're too busy monking it up to magic it up?” Pinkie said.
“Well, from the way our delightful hosts describe them, they do seem to enjoy... fasting,” Rarity remarked. “They come all the way here to the Quade, only to give up money... social status...” She shuddered. “...meat. Ahem.” She looked at the others. “It's only natural to assume that they don't utilize magic either.”
“And I thought I was serious about what I do for a living,” Rainbow muttered. She glanced at Twilight. “And how about the Fourth Seed?”
“I... I'm sorry, Rainbow,” Twilight said, sighing. “I... I don't sense it this time.”
“For real?”
“Not like I did in Shoggoth or in Nealend.” Twilight glanced over. “Are you sure it's actually here in the Quade?”
Rainbow turned and looked up, eyes squinting at the bright yellow glow. “Pretty sure.”
“Fluttershy's a patient pony!” Pinkie said, smiling. “She'd wait for us to get nice-nice with locals if it meant us getting nice-nice with her again!” She then giggle-snorted. “Who wants to bet that these Luminaminaminaminas haven't experienced a real party in ages?!”
“Honestly, Pinkie, I do not believe that would be conducive to a polite engagement,” Rarity said.
“Why nottttt?” Pinkie's face grew long. “Just have Rainbow Dash fetch some of those super pretty lotus blossoms and a bunch of food coloring! We could have confetti and sprinkles overnight! And for baked treats—y'know—my sister Maud has preserved an ancient family secret about making cake batter from fish oil!”
“How...” Rarity leaned back, grimacing wildly. “D-does one even catch fish on a rock farm?”
Pinkie stared back, eyebrows like windowpanes. “Very... very carefully.”
“In a world this incalculably large...” Twilight thought aloud, tapping her chin. “...is a pony actually able to find a fish that can be milked?”
“Eugh...” Rainbow quickened her pace, causing the platform to wobble slightly beneath her. “Let's go mooch on some monks already...”
“That's a really nice guitar case you have there,” Galloran said, smiling. He led the Desperadoes, Rainbow Dash, and Menthe even deeper into the array of circular ascending platforms. “Nice antique wood, and from the looks of things, it's obviously been places.”
“Well, reckon that's because I've been to many places,” Bard said, tipping his hat with a smirk. “And my grandpappy gave it to me. It's a family heirloom like no other.”
“I bet he taught you lots about the guitar.”
“Oh, he taught me plenty. And I've listened to all of the bits that made the most sense.” Bard exhaled out his nostrils, staring straight ahead. “Paid heed to the ones that helped me live longer.”
“Hey.” Bard shrugged. “Them's the currents of life. When I feel like moanin' about it, I choose to sing about it instead.” He smirked. “That way, I'm liable to get a smile or two... and even more in the way of bits.”
“Hah! I bet.” Galloran smirked. “You and your quiet buddy are mercenaries, aren't you?”
“Hmmm...” Bard stared at Galloran pointedly. “Did yer mentor give ya a silent signal just now?”
“No.” Galloran shook his head. “But he does teach me to be very observant.”
“Well, looks like he done taught you well.”
“Actually... I myself tried being an enforcer for hire once,” Galloran said. “Eheh... I-I was never too good at it, and I floundered for a long time until I stumbled upon the Quade. Then I met Menthe and he saw that I had what it took to be a good, loyal guard. My eyes were open and I found my calling.”
“Was that really it?” Bard asked, squinting inquisitively. “Or didja just not like havin' to butt heads over the ocean on occasion?”
Galloran winced with a nervous smile. “So you caught me. I... never quite had the intestinal fortitude for it.”
“Hey.” Bard shrugged. “There are two types of bounty hunters. The ones that do it for the money, and the ones that do it for honor. I like to think that Wildcard and I fall mostly in the middle.”
Wildcard gestured.
“But yeah. Bits are great. Heheheh...”
“Heheheh...” Galloran nodded. “I once cared about getting rich. But I eventually learned that the bounty hunters who truly lasted long enough to make a living out of their profession weren't the kinds to sacrifice everything for money. But rather, the ones who had found their own center... who had a moral integrity to follow above all else... they were the ones to stay floating the longest... cuz they made fewer enemies, ya think?”
“Heheheh...” Bard smirked, slapping the smaller stallion's shoulder. “I like ya, Galloran! Yer a stallion who knows his stuff?”
“Well... I-I'm learning,” Galloran said. “I guess you could say that I came here to learn my moral center.”
“And Menthe's helping you find it.”
“Time is helping me find it,” Galloran said. “See... I-I could never be a monk like the Luminards because I believe there's something outside of myself that I must find to be whole. Take your guitar, for instance. That's an attachment to family... to tradition. I think that's what makes someone like you more durable than most mercenaries. It's your anchor.”
“Well... in a way, sure.” Bard shrugged. “Guess I never thought of it that way.”
“Most ponies who carry their anchor with them do so because they don't have a home to come back to,” Galloran said.
“I know this trip is all about your friend meeting the monks and all... but who knows?” Galloran shrugged. “Maybe you too, Bard, can find some enlightenment of your own from the solitude of the Quade—”
“And just where might these monks be, ya reckon?” Bard said firmly.
Menthe gazed over in mid-trot.
“Oh... uhm...” Galloran cleared his throat and pointed ahead. “Most of them are located along the northern platforms.”
“Has Sonikah marked today a 'weaving day?'” Menthe asked.
“Sorry, Menthe. I haven't checked with her.” Galloran shrugged with his wings. “Weather's clear enough for it.”
Rainbow Dash caught up. “Couldn't you and Menthe clear the weather for them when they need it?”
“Oh...” Galloran chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh no. The Luminards do not like us manipulating the weather in anyway. They believe that nature must be kept immaculate and pristine.”
“What about this stuff we're walking on?” Rainbow gave her next trotting step a slight bounce, which caused the platform they were on to wobble slightly. “Doesn't exactly seem natural to me.”
“Anything the Luminards build, it's with great patience, care, and respect,” Menthe said with a smile. “And—in case you haven't noticed—they use completely natural materials.”
“What's this stuff made of, exactly?” Bard asked.
Rarity whispered in Rainbow's ear: “It appears to be... a fine wooden filament of some kind. Like twine.”
“Dead shoots of the Reed,” Galloran explained. “The way the holy material grows out here... it allows for much detritus. The Luminards repurpose this into weaving the platforms we're stepping on.”
“Or that,” Rarity murmured, blushing.
Twilight smirked at her.
Wildcard gestured.
Bard nodded. “Doesn't exactly sound like an easy feat.”
“That's because it's not,” Galloran said. At last, they edged the platform they were on, and he peered over. A smile crossed his muzzle. “Well, there you have it, Menthe. Sonikah set the younger monks to work.”
“There you go, Miss Dash,” the mentor said, pointing towards the north edge of the array with a blue hoof. “The Luminards in the flesh—at least until their spirits are given away. Heh...”
Rainbow trotted forward, squinting.
“My my...” Rarity cooed, eyes sparkling. “What craftponyship! Like... like a sweatshop of gifted artists!”
“I haven't seen work this intricate since Princess Celestia let me watch royal contractors build the Canterlot ramparts!” Twilight added.
“Heehee!” Pinkie Pie pointed. “They look like yellow ants!”
Before Rainbow Dash, a large round frame was being gradually filled by row after row of richly woven material. This was accomplished by several ponies—sprawled out on stretched limbs—carefully and meticulously threading several stringy bits of wooden filament over and under one another, then repeating tenfold until a firm and sturdy surface was made. Each Luminard was dressed in what could best be described as—
“Potato sacks!” Rarity retched.
“Huh?” Twilight looked over.
“Well, look!” Rarity pointed. “I expected fine silks or embroidered velvet!”
Twilight droned, “You expected rich silk garments on ascetic monks.”
“Oh please please please please tell me they at least wash those... gaudy gray things!” Rarity quivered in mid-air. “And what in Celestia's name have they done to their hair?!”
Rainbow observed closer, and she discovered why the Luminards all had a consistent color of yellow. The same coarse twine that they were using to weave the platforms had likewise been employed in braiding their manes. It swam and swirled through their hair like rigid catgut, forcing the hair patterns out in wildly flaring patterns. The manes more resembled wingfoils than actual hairstyles, and they gave an enormous sense of weight and bulk to the monks' cranium. The exact same thing had been done with their tails—stretching and flaring the frizzled strands out with yellow binding.
“Jee, that looks...” Rainbow Dash blinked. “...painful.”
“Our pain is simply realized through penitence.”
Rainbow looked over.
A cluster of monks had trotted up, their braided hair stretching stiffly over their smiling faces like patio overhangs. They bowed while an old stallion in the center trotted up, his frail body trembling slightly in a loose tunic of coarse sackcloth. As he came closer, Rainbow gazed upwards, noticing dozens—if not hundreds of identical looking ponies populating the platforms above them, murmuring in mutual chants. It was a distinctly bland sight to be had in the center of an epically gorgeous canyon.
“By Verlaxion's grace, I apologize for the intrusion. I do believe our righteous protectors have brought us new visitors. Verlaxion's blessings to you.” The stallion bowed again and smiled. “My anointed name is Kyron, and I welcome you to the Shadow of the Plight. May your sins and fears be buried her forevermore in the Quade.”
“Good afternoon, Kyron,” Menthe said, bowing slightly. “I see that Sonikah has the ponies hard at work.”
Kyron chuckled, his red eyes thinning as he stood before the visitors. “Life is hard. Work liberates. It frees the soul from its attachments.”
“Mmmm... but of course.” Menthe paced over. “Either way, I do terribly hope we're not disturbing anything.”
“All foals of Verlaxion are welcome to the Quade, Mr. Menthe,” Kyron said. His gaze drifted over towards Rainbow and the others. “No matter how secure or wayward.” He sighed. “It's unfortunate... that sin separates us so widely from Verlaxion's grace that some foals would wish to do harm to others.” He nevertheless smiled. “That's why our two kindly stallions here are not just neighbors... but also protectors.”
“Hey...” Rainbow Dash shrugged, smiling nervously. “It's an ugly job, but somepony's gotta do it, huh?”
Galloran cleared his throat. “Allow me to... uh... introduce you ponies to each other.” The young stallion gestured at Kyron. “This is Kyron, the top anointed child of Verlaxion here in the Reed.”
“As I am humbled to serve Her Glory...” Kyron said, bowing once more.
“Kyron, these here are Bard... Wildcard... and Rainbow Dash.”
“Did the Word of the Reed bring you here?” Kyron asked.
“Uhhhhhhhh...” Rainbow squirmed. She glanced at Twilight and Rarity, both of whom were gesturing “swimming” motions with their forelimbs. “Oh! Yeah! I... uh... heard some of your dudes preaching in Shoggoth. Some pretty far out stuff.”
“Mmmmm... Shoggoth...” Kyron nodded, folding his forelimbs. “A shame that such a beautiful city must be as deeply sunken in avarice as it is in water.”
Rainbow blinked.
“But the foals there make for an attentive audience.” Kyron smiled. “You may find that many children who live and meditate here were once citizens of such a trade establishment. They heard Verlaxion's calling and arrived in the shadow of Luminar's Plight to be annointed.”
“Uhm... eheh...” Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. “I... don't actually have any plans to... y'know...”
“We simply brought her here 'cuz she was curious and wanted to learn more 'bout yer culture,” Bard said. “Assumin' that dun ruffle nopony's feathers.”
Kyron chuckled. “There is nothing that brings us greater contentment than sharing the Word of the Reed. Your presence here is most blessing. And fear not, good sirs and madame. We've learn from the Plight of Luminar that peace and understanding are key to a tranquil existence. We will not force anypony to convert. Should you be open to Verlaxion's enlightenment, then Her Glory shall reach out to you by Her Will.”
“Heh...” Rainbow shrugged with a tiny smirk. “Works for me.”
“Mmmm. Indeed.” Kyron and his fellow pilgrims strolled towards the two guards. “Mr. Menthe. Have you shown them the lengths of the Reed?”
“No sir.” Menthe shook his head. “Naturally, we weren't aiming to tread on holy waters.”
“They just arrived on the western platforms a few minutes ago, Kyron,” Galloran said. “Then we ran into you.”
“Hmmmm...” Kyron smiled. “Verlaxion's Will is great indeed.” He turned towards the group. “It would bring us great honor to show you where we have made our home among the Reed.”
“Sure thang!” Bard nodded. “If... y'know...” He shrugged. “It ain't treaded on anypony's business or nothin'.”
“All business is Verlaxion's business,” Kyron said. “The baptism within which Luminar's sins are purged is a life best displayed in humility and righteous example.” He turned about and shuffled towards the lower platforms to the north. “Please, follow me and I will illuminate.”
Bard and Wildcard shuffled after him while Menthe and Galloran kept an observing distance. As Rainbow Dash took up the rear, she heard a high-pitched giggle. She looked up at Pinkie Pie.
“Heeheehee!” Pinkie pointed at Kyron. “I like him!”
Rainbow, Twilight, and Rarity squinted.
“Whaaaaaat?” Pinkie smiled. “He's nice!” She stuck her tongue out. “And his head looks like a bunch of tree mushrooms! Heeheehee!”
Twilight and Rarity glanced at each other... smirking.
Rainbow couldn't afford the same amused look on her muzzle, and she proceeded forward in awkward silence.
As it turned out, there was another platform where ponies had gathered in tight bunches, hunched over and weaving the round layer into being. Rainbow and the Desperadoes watched as they somehow converted a paper-thin bundle of dead string into an elaborately constructed platform that could support the weight of multiple ponies. The pilgrims worked in tandem with one another, neither hurrying nor slacking off in their labors. They were all committed to the effort, no matter how long or detailed the task got. Rainbow could tell from their expert motions that they were very... very used to the mechanics of the contruction, whether they were young or old. In fact, the closer Rainbow trotted by them, the more eclectic and diversified the group appeared, including male and female unicorns and earth ponies from all trots of life. It was simply that—from afar—they all looked nearly identical from the matching sackcloth gowns and the explosively flaring hairstyles that their manes and tails were tightly braided in.
“How does one eliminate sin?” Kyron mused as he led the visitors past the nearby construction and towards an adjacent platform. He trotted slowly, with swaying grace. “Truth is, sin cannot be fully vanquished. It is a weight, a burden that is tied to this world, and it drowns all things with it just as it drowned the once-glorious landscape of Luminar. However, by Verlaxion's Grace, the Plight of Luminar formed a shadow—a pit within which we can bury our sins... our weight which binds us to this temporal wasteland.”
Rainbow Dash looked past Bard and Wildcard to see an assortment of circular platforms situated along the north end of the array. Unlike the other layers, these appeared to be constructed out of a denser weaving, and—as such—they supported multiple wooden shacks built out of simple planks of splintery wood. The tallest structure stood at two stories, but—for the most part—they resembled tiny sheds lined up with their lengthier sides facing east and west. Rainbow surmised that these must have been where the Luminards took residence overnight.
“Not exactly a honeymoon getaway,” Rarity murmured, making a wretching expression.
“All of this looks and feels old,” Twilight said. “Very... very old.”
“Yeah, but what part of this place is the oldest?” Rainbow murmured.
“Shhhhhh!” Pinkie hissed, hovering ahead and craning her ear to Kyron. “Fungae head guy is talking!”
“Here in the Quade, we commit ourselves to Verlaxion's Glory, and she commits her redemptive spirit to us,” Kyron continued. He paused to turn around and smile at the group. “After all, Her Miraculous Blessing is most evident in these waters, bringing life and purpose to the Shadow of Luminar's Plight.”
“And just what Blessing is that, ya reckon?” Bard asked.
Kyron literally had stars in his eyes when he turned to gesture at the central stalk that held the multiple platforms. “The Reed.”
Rainbow turned to look. She squinted, and it was then that she realized that the vertical structure that supported the struts of the many woven platforms was—in fact—something quite natural.
Upon close inspection, Rainbow observed a dense assortment of vertical beams. They were pale green in color, segmented, like bamboo. In fact, the longer Rainbow looked, the more and more she surmised that it was bamboo—if only a certain specific family or species of it that she had never seen before. The shoots ran up and down the platforms with rigid grace, bunched so tightly together that it was virtually impossible to see through the seams of the hard wooden material. Whenever Rainbow Dash tried to gaze even harder, she was blinded by the glow of Yaerfaerda that shimmered brightly... from within.
Her lips pursed as she contemplated what that may have meant...
“It grows here in the absence of nourishment... in the absence of pure soil... in the absence of life.” Kyron paced closer to the segmented shaft. “By all conventional knowledge and science, it is an impossibility. And yet, here it thrives to serve as the foundation of our pilgrimage. We did not plant the Reed... the Reed planted us... shaped us. Molded us. It reeled us in from all corners of the oceans so that we may bask in its miracle... and give thanks to Verlaxion that life can blossom... even in the sinful abyss of the Plight.”
Rainbow Dash gazed down the length of the structure. Below where they stood was another platform, and she noticed that several wooden shacks and houses rested much closer to the central shaft on the level directly beneath where she stood. In fact, the buildings appeared to have been constructed a very long time ago, erected immediately around the cylindrical circumference of the bamboo shoots. If she had to judge, she guessed that the shaft itself was about twenty-five feet across at its thickest.
“When we meditate here in the shadow of the Reed, we suspend ourselves above the abyss. We dredge the darkness with the Reed as our anchor. Through prayers and the Word of Reed as our guidance, we find the better parts of ourselves and preserve them—all for the glory of Verlaxion.” Kyron smiled. “So, as you see, although we cannot fully rid ourselves of sin, we can at least magnify the goodness within us that Verlaxion desires to exalt, as we humbly exalt Her.”
Bard whistled. “That there is some deep stuff!” He turned to smile at Wildcard. “Dubya-Cee and I have been known to get pretty deep in philosophizin' when we hit a good tavern. Ain't that right, mofo?”
Wildcard merely glared.
“Eh...” Bard rolled his eyes with a sigh. “Who am I kiddin'?” He turned to smile at Kyron. “This here commitment y'all show really puts the likes of us to shame.”
“Ah, but Verlaxion's Miracle calls to you as much as it calls to the rest of us,” Kyron said. “Shame is a natural response when one is exposed to one's own sins, but it mustn't be that which guides us through life.” He gestured. “You have it within you to acknowledge your part in the Plight... and to transcend it... with Verlaxion's Glory as your wings, replacing that which you've used to scale the temporal superficiality of this mortal life.”
“Well... uh... I-I dunno 'bout all of that.” Bard shrugged. “When life starts gnawin' at me, I just play a song and let my soul wheeze it out all poetic-like. Ya feel me?”
Kyron chuckled. “A very creative soul, indeed. Verlaxion has blessed this world with the likes of you. In time, if you so will it—as She wills it—you may find that it's your time to bless Her as well. When that time comes, we will be here to welcome you... as the Reed welcomes you... as the Reed has welcomed all of us.”
“Oh... uh... darn skippy!” Bard smiled tightly. “You can bet yer fancy hairdo that I'll keep a big bright red hooftack on this part of the map from here on out!”
“Hmmmm... a musician at heart such as yourself may appreciate the lengths to which Verlaxion's Glory beautifies the world through expulsion of weight from the soul.” Kyron motioned as he and his close associates led the group towards a platform adjacent to where the houses loomed. “Here—in the Quade—the Foals of Verlaxion are known the world-over for their vocal medication.”
“Huh? You mean chantin' n'stuff? Well... reckon I've heard a thang or two about it. Wouldn't mind givin' an ear myself.”
“Most splendid. I do believe Nicro is leading such a meditation session as we speak. Would you like to witness it?”
“Shucks! Why not?”
While the group moved on, Rainbow Dash lingered behind slightly. She stared at another platform, brow furrowed.
At first, she didn't notice that particular part of the array, due to the shadows being casted over it by the vertical shaft. But—upon closer examination—she noticed several ponies side-stepping around the circular length of it like yellow spiders on a big, wooden web. However, there was something off about the manner in which they approached the construction here.
“That's... odd,” Rarity said.
“What's the matter?” Pinkie asked.
“The structure beneath them is getting thinner... lighter...” Rarity blinked. “Almost as if...”
“They're taking the weaving out,” Rainbow said. She pointed at a bundle of wooden twine growing larger and larger towards the shaft. “See? They're undoing all of their hard work.”
“Hard work maintains itself, in life and in death,” said a gentle, feminine voice.
Rainbow Dash jumped. She looked nervously to her side.
A middle-aged mare smiled at her, her green coat contrasting with the pale colors of her mane and sackcloth. “I have instructed the Foals of Verlaxion as those previously annointed have instructed me.” She pointed. “That which is done must be undone, only to be repeated.”
“You... uh...” Rainbow fidgeted in place. “You don't say...?”
The mare chuckled pleasantly. “The Word of Reed once confused me as well, until I realized that Verlaxion's Glory reflects and magnifies all things. But—most importantly—they allow us to salvage the better parts of ourselves—”
“—from the sinful shadow of Luminar's Plight.”
“Quite true.” The mare bowed. “You have taken Kyron's righteous words to heart quite swiftly.”
“Eh... I'm just a good listener.” Rainbow smiled. “Lemme guess. You're Sonikah.”
“As is my anointed name.”
“Lemme ask you a question, Sonikah... er... if I may.”
“By all means.”
“What happens when you've completely stripped the platform apart?”
“The blessing of the Reed that once constituted it is reformed elsewhere.”
“So... uh...” Rainbow fidgeted. “That's what you guys do? Just... take the platforms apart... put them back together again... only to take them apart once more?”
“As Verlaxion wills it.”
“But... like... don't you guys need these platforms to live on?”
“The Reed provides that which is needed.” Sonikah nevertheless gave a melancholic sigh. “Alas, there are less pilgrims than there used to be. The lengths of the Reed beckons Foals of Verlaxion nevertheless, and we display our admiration and thanks through corporeal manifestation. Those who are newly anointed swiftly join us, and soon they find that honoring the Miracle of the Reed gets them in touch with their inner selves, so that they may righteously undo that which binds us them the outer.”
“I... I-I'm not entirely certain I know what all of that means.”
“Indeed. For you are not anointed. And yet...” Sonikah smiled. “You are called. Enlightenment awaits you, as does the burial of sins within shadow.”
“Well... uh... thanks for the info, I guess.”
Sonikah giggled slightly. “Is there anything else you would wish to know?”
“Oooh! Oooh!” Pinkie Pie practically climbed on top of Rainbow Dash. “Ask her about her manestyle!”
“Yes. I am also curious,” Rarity remarked.
“Eugh... really, girls?” Twilight looked over her shoulder. “We're getting really far away from the group.”
Rainbow sighed, then put on a brave smile. “Sonikah... I've gotta ask.” She pointed at the mare's head. “What's with the do?”
“Mmmmm...” Sonikah bowed a bit, showing off the tapering ends of her tightly braided mane. The strings and twines of reed glinted golden yellow in the sunlight. “We've chosen to relieve the stress of our sins by replacing them with a different kind of pressure. Meditation is assured through constant exposure to the faults of this temporal realm, so that we may see the better parts of ourselves when suspended over the Plight's shadow.”
“I... I'm not sure I get it,” Rainbow Dash remarked, fidgeting. “It just... looks painful to me.”
“Indeed. It can be.” Sonikah said, nodding. “But pain—like labor—exorcizes the binds of attachment and sin.” She glanced over the platform, then smiled apologetically at Rainbow. “Now, if you must excuse me, Kyron—by Verlaxion's wisdom—has assigned me the task over overseeing the weaving.”
“Sure thing, girl... erm...” Rainbow winced slightly, then made up for it with a smile. “Elder sister girl...”
Sonikah bowed and made her way down to the next platform. As she turned around, Rainbow noticed several scars peaking out from beneath the neckline of sackcloth tunic.
The mare blinked. She exchanged blank expressions with her marefriends. Leaning towards the edge of her platform, she gazed down at where several other Luminards were clustered tightly, weaving and unweaving. As sunlight cascaded over their bodies, Rainbow could notice the tell-tale signs of thick, vaguely-healed scars stretching over their flanks and necks. From as far as she could tell, the tunics concealed only more.
Leaning back, Rainbow coiled her wings, gazing off towards the northern mountain range in deep thought. She sensed a body shuffling in her peripheral vision. She glanced to her left to see that Menthe was pacing at great length, keeping a watchful eye on the platforms, the Reed, the Luminards... and on her.
Biting her lip, Rainbow turned about and swiftly trotted towards the next platform. There, she joined Kyron, Galloran, and the Desperadoes right as they approached a series of wooden-lean-tos where more and more Luminards huddled in deep meditation.
Pinkie hummed, smiled, and rocked from side to side.
Before Rainbow and her ghostly companions, a full line of Luminards sat on folded limbs, their heads tilted towards the low-hanging wooden ceiling as they engaged in wave after wave of deep guttural uvulations. Beyond the hollow ends of their lean-to's, a crispy golden sunset fell on the shallow waters of the Quade. The air outside the platform looked like the most inviting thing in equine comprehension, and yet Rainbow—sighing amidst the constant bass vocals—sat frozen in place.
Bard and Wildcard squatted side by side. The Desperadoes' faces hung in a conflicted struggle between curiosity and utter discomfort.
Galloran, meanwhile, sat up straight, smiling. “Aren't they absolutely inspirational?” he murmured quietly so as not to disturb their concentration. After several seconds of no response, he turned to grin at the visitors.
“Oh!” Bard jolted. “Uhm...”
“They're...” Rainbow hissed.
“They're...” Bard squirmed. “Uhm...”
“...cultured!” Rainbow squeaked.
“Yeah! That!” Bard nodded.
“If you listen closely, you can hear Nicro and the pilgrims closest to her hitting two notes at once!” Galloran sighed in admiration. “It's a Wonder of Modern Rohbredden.”
“Yeah... uhhh... I find it to be mighty purdy-like!” Bard smiled as best as he could. “It's... g-got a nice beat and you can... dance to it?” He looked over at Kyron.
Kyron sighed through his smile, opened his eyes, and gazed kindly at Bard. “We do not dance.”
Bard gulped. “No. I reckon not.”
Kyron smiled some more, closed his eyes, and quietly meditated some more—along with his fellow pilgrims.
“Ooooh!” Galloran leaned forward, whispering while the bass grunting reached an even deeper pitch. “Here's my favorite part!” He smiled... then smiled wider, glancing aside at the visitors with sparkling eyes.
“Quick! Rarity!” Twilight whimpered. “Give Rainbow Dash an adjective!”
“Certainly beats anythang I've ever put my pluckin' hooves to!” Bard added.
Frowning, Wildcard limply gestured his talons in the air. Bard “heard” what he had to “say” and immediately whacked the griffon. Wildcard winced, rubbing his shoulder. He eventually pulled out a block of wood and a dagger to begin whittling—...but stopped. He glanced right at the many woven platforms surrounding the sacred Reed. He looked left at the rows and rows of Luminards sitting close by. Then, with a defeated sigh, he pocketed his tools away and leaned his toothpick-less beak forward on a metal palm.
“Rainbow, darling, I have a confession to make,” Rarity droned. She watched the endless performance with limp, heavy eyelids. “I've attended kindergarten plays with greater harmony. This is horrible!”
“Well, Rarity, to be fair,” Twilight droned, “I imagine the transcendent feeling the meditative chanters experience is far more important than the performance they're giving to the listeners.”
“Then why give a performance to begin with?!?” Rarity cackled. “If this is Mr. Kyron's anointed way of recruiting new members, then he's sadly mistaken!” She choked on a sob. “And I shudder to think when was the last time they even touched those sackcloth tunics with soap!”
“I don't think much soap gets shipped out here to the Quade,” Rainbow quietly muttered.
“Oh dear Celestia take me now!” Rarity groaned, leaning back in a fainting slump.
“Say...” Pinkie glanced aside with a grin. “Do ya girls think that if you recorded this stuff, then sped it forward in a tape machine, it'd sound like a bunch of buzzing bumblebees?” She giggle-snorted. “Or Trot Yorke?!”
“Pinkie, don't tell me you're actually enjoying this,” Twilight grumbled.
“You gotta look on the bright side, Twilight!” Pinkie smiled, waving a hoof at the scene. “'Cuz they sure are! Heeeheee! Wanna bet that—deep down, underneath all of those scratchy-looking tunics n'stuff—they're actually having the time of their lives?”
“There's something to be said about ponies who enjoy life by taking away everything that it takes to live.” Rarity frowned. “You could live completely in the dark and yet still claim to see. How would you know whether your eyes are open or not? It doesn't matter! And yet—even still—it does not change the fact that you willingly chose to snuff out the light to begin with!”
“But Rare-Rare?” Pinkie pouted. “They really really seem to believe in all the nifty stuff they're doing! Maybe they know something that we don't!” She smiled. “Maybe it gives them super powers!”
“If giving up everything I can earn for myself in life is what it takes to transcend to a new level of perception, then I think I'll settle for remaining a world-savvy tadpole, thank you very much.” Rarity folded her forelimbs and leaned back. “Hmpff!”
“Rarity, let's not be so quick to imprint our own feelings and lifestyles on what the Luminards have accomplished,” Twilight said. “After all, it's rather evident that what they've done here has worked for centuries... millennia, even!” She smiled. “Could a system truly be so bad and yet still have so many followers?”
“Twilight, darling, don't you think it's possible to commit to something—no matter how unhealthy—until you've become conditioned to accept it as 'normal?'” Rarity suddenly grimaced, gesturing towards nowhere in particular. “I mean, you saw those scars!”
“Uhhh—”
“Don't tell me that you didn't!” Rarity frowned. “Those poor ponies weaving the platforms out there had the most garish wounds on their shoulders and flanks!”
“Maybe they all tripped and fell on a buncha sea urchins?” Pinkie chirped.
“Ugh! Honestly!” Rarity rolled her eyes, then looked over at Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow, tell me you saw the scars.”
“See?” Rarity smirked smugly at Twilight. “Rainbow saw them!”
“But it could mean anything,” Rainbow Dash muttered, eyes locked on the chanting equines in front of her. “It's too early to jump to conclusions.”
“Rainbow...!” Rarity gawked at her, muzzle agape. “How could you say that?! After seeing those scars, you must know that something here is amiss—!”
“We know nothing,” Rainbow whispered firmly, her jaw tight. “Something I've learned in my travels, Rarity, is never to judge something by it's first glance.”
“But—”
“You want to understand more?” Rainbow's glaring eyes swept towards her. “I'll show you how.” She then cleared her throat, stood up on wobbly limbs, and leaned towards Galloran. “Uhm... Mr. Galloran, dude?”
The young stallion leaned back towards her. “Yes?” he whispered beneath the guttural chants. “How can I help you, Miss Rainbow Dash?”
“Well... uhm... I-I'm not sure you can,” Rainbow said. Her voice took on a squeaky, feminine pitch, and she smiled bashfully. “These Luminards are pretty remarkable and all... but... I-I wonder if they actually afford themselves a little filly's room.”
Galloran blinked. “Ohhhhh...”
“I mean, I-I guess I could go in the Quade, but then that would do a nasty number on the Holy Reed n'stuff.” Rainbow suppressed a giggle. “A nasty number two, to be exact.”
The stallion nodded. “Well, there's actually a platform situated along the north canyon wall where all of the outhouses are positioned. An old, dried-up estuary within the rock face acts as a cesspool. Here.” He stood up, gesturing. “I'll take you over there by raft—”
“Uhhh...” Rainbow Dash shook her head, easing him back down. “Thanks for telling me, Mr. Galloran. But now that I know, I'll just get there on my lonesome.”
“But... it's only proper that I row you across the way, Miss—”
Rainbow smirked and waved her wings in his face.
Galloran blinked, then blushed. “Oh... eheh... right.”
“You really aren't used to pegasi visiting this place, huh?”
“Well, no.” He shook his head, gulping. “Admittedly, they don't hang around for too long.”
“Jee,” Rainbow droned. “What a shame.” She side-trotted out of the way. “I'll be right backsies.” She waved at Bard and Wildcard. “Shouldn't be too long.” She paused to bow at Kyron and his associates, then galloped briskly out from beyond the lean-to's.
“...!” Wildcard stood up to join her.
Bard yanked him back down by his lion's tail. “And just where do ya think yer goin'?” He turned aside and smiled sheepishly at Kyron. “Mares... huh?”
Wildcard sighed, slumping once more as he glared his goggled eyes beyond the chanting monks.
Rainbow Dash lightly hoof-trotted from one platform to another. She paused in the crimson haze of sunset, turning to glance over her shoulder at the tiny shacks situated on the highest woven level. Even from several yards away, she still heard the deep vibrations of the Luminards' groaning voices.
The mare sighed.
“Well...” Rarity floated around the mare. “I must say... that was stupidly easy.”
“Most stupid things are,” Rainbow muttered.
“Over there, Dashie!” Pinkie said, pointing down and across the waters at a tiny wooden platform connected to the rocky southern face of the northern bluffs. “And it doesn't look like any of the outhouses are occupied, either!” She blinked wide, her left leg joint shivering. “Whoopsies!” She giggled, pointing at the spasming limb. “Better be careful for black widows building nests in the toilet seats.” She winked. “Just trust me.”
“Rainbow doesn't need to use the little filly's room, Pinkie,” Twilight droned.
“She doesn't?!”
“No. It was just an excuse to get a better survey of the place on her own.” Twilight smiled tiredly at Rainbow. “Wasn't it, Rainbow?”
“I gotta get down to what's causing Yaerfaerda to appear from inside the Reed,” Rainbow said, peering at the lower platforms. “Literally.”
“Just what do you have in mind?” Rarity asked.
“Kyron and Galloran have been super cool to give me a guided tour,” Rainbow said. “Now it's time for an unguided tour... from the inside.” She flapped her wings and glided quietly towards a shadowed platform full of tiny shacks. A two-story building hugged the central shaft of vertical shoots. “I'm thinking there.”
“Wooohoo!” Pinkie Pie cheered. “Alright! A one mare sneaking mission!”
“Now where have I heard that before?” Rarity mused.
“Rainbow...” Twilight gulped. “Do be careful. There's only so much we know about these ponies.”
“Which is why I gotta do this,” Rainbow muttered, crawling along the bottom of the higher platform and using her wings for leverage. “So long as Fluttershy's locked away, I gotta figure things out any way I can.”
“But still... if you get caught going someplace you're not allowed to—”
“What are they gonna do, Twi?” Rainbow muttered. “Quote scripture at me until I die of boredom?”
Twilight sighed. “You know what I mean...”
“Just trust in my awesomeness and let me do my thing.” Rainbow froze in place, clenching her throat tightly as two Luminards shuffled out of the nearest building beneath her. Neither of the two figures looked up, and Rainbow waited until they were out of earshot. Breathing regularly again, she flipped, fell, and landed nimbly before the two-story building. “This will be over before you know it.”
“I-I only hope in a good way,” Twilight said.
“Shhhhh...” Rarity floated ahead, motioning. “I've got a read on the interior layout ahead. Follow my lead, Rainbow, and I will lead you closer to the central shaft.”
“Thatta girl, Rares.” And Rainbow threaded her way into the dimly-lit interior.
“Oooooh!” Pinkie cooed, eyes hungrily digesting the rickety wooden walls and petrified ceiling beams. It was very cramped and claustrophobic inside the shack. Sparse furniture lingered around every corner, and tiny candles danced—causing a soft sepia sheen to waft over every gnarled contour of the old, old wood. “I'm getting flashbacks to home!” She took in a deep breath, then sighed. “Any second now, I expect to smell Maud baking some sugary sweet rock candy...”
Twilight shuddered. “The fact that this place reminds you of your hometown doesn't exactly console me, Pinkie.”
“Why?” Pinkie blinked, muzzle scrunched. “What's so bad about my hometown?”
“Shhh! Girls!” Rarity frowned back at them. “I need concentration!” Brow furrowed, she turned to look ahead of where she was hovering. “There's a long corridor up ahead. It leads past the shaft. To get to the center, hug the left side, take the first staircase you see, then turn to the right and take the centermost door.”
Rainbow nodded. “Got it,” she whispered.
“Still, I can't help but notice,” Pinkie said, glancing around. “This is an awfully big building for so many awfully skinny ponies!”
“A bunch of them are outside chanting or weaving,” Twilight said. “Ponies that disciplined probably have regular sleeping schedules, and now must not be the time.”
“Yeah! But even still!” Pinkie tongued the inside of her muzzle. “Doesn't seem like enough of them could fill the rooms here!”
“Could be possible that there... just aren't as many Luminards here in the Quade as there once were when they first built this place.” Twilight glanced left and right. “I mean, this structure does look very... very old.”
“Heehee! Yeah!” Pinkie grinned. “For all we know, maybe Luna and Celestia both stayed here for a summer or two!”
“I find that highly doubtful.”
“Why, Twi?”
“Well... I think it's already been established that the Grand Choke came into being after the rise of Verlax and the Unification of Rohbredden,” Twilight said. “Luminar likely collapsed into the ocean at some point after the last time Celestia and Luna could feasibly have visited this far east of Equestria.” Twilight gulped. “Or the edge of the world, for that matter.”
“Wowie-zowie!” Pinkie gasped. “You mean the Princesses actually took a hop, skip, and a jump over to Blake's Playstation?”
“Bleak's Plummet. And the answer to that is—yes—Pinkie. Celestia told me multiple times about the exoduses she and the other alicorns used to take to the Edges of the World.” Twilight shrugged. “She just... never put much emphasis on the visits. She never had much of a reason to.” She gulped. “Until now...”
“Shhhh!” Rarity hissed again. “Would you two please keep it down?” She turned to frown at them. “We're here to make like Shadow Spade! Not spastic sporks!”
“Actually, I'm kinda glad for it,” Rainbow muttered, swiftly ascending a crooked staircase with flapping wings. “It's almost like you girls are acting as my inner thoughts.”
“Huh?” Rarity blinked. “Are you serious?”
“Of course I am.” Rainbow exhaled through her nostrils, bearing the tiniest of smiles. “You guys have no idea how many times I've done this sort of a sneaking thing... having to talk to myself in my head in order to keep centered... keep sane.” She pressed herself against a wall and shuffled along, carefully eyeing the centermost door ahead of her. “In a way, you three are doing half the work for me.”
“Oh... well...” Rarity fluffed her mane, smiling coyly. “In that case, then prattle on, girls—” A body phased through her and she shrieked. “Waa-haaa-haaa!”
Pinkie and Twilight froze in place. They watched as an old monk trotted casually down the corridor, then shuffled down the steps. Nervously, they glanced around... and around and around and around.
Rarity and Pinkie craned their necks to see the petite pegasus scrunched up against a wooden nook, her body pressed tightly to the ceiling. After the Luminard was long gone, Rainbow Dash exhaled, flipped off the nearest wooden beam, and landed nimbly on the floor.
“Woohoo!” Pinkie pumped a hoof in the air. “That was awesome, Dashie!”
“Finally...” Rainbow smirked, slinking ahead. “A pony I can trust to use the right a-word.”
“Can we proceed now?” Rarity moaned.
“We're all good, Rarity,” Twilight said, smiling. “Where next?”
Rarity pointed. “Past the middle-doorframe, take a right, then proceed along the left side of the next hallway. There are many segmented alcoves, so keep your eyes peeled for what's around the corner at all times.”
Rainbow nodded. “Got it. Twilight? Any magic?”
Twilight shook her head. “I'm afraid not, Rainbow.”
“Well, keep your horn peeled, regardless.” Rainbow snuck ahead. “And Pinkie? Watch your tail.”
“Okie dokie lokie!” And the ghost bounced along after her.
The next room was even dimmer, dustier, and danker than the ones previous. The air smelled of burning incense, and it tickled Rainbow's nose. The wooden framework of the rooms here was especially ancient. The surfaces flickered pale and paler with each subsequent candle the pegasus passed.
Rainbow glanced left and right. She proceeded slowly, for at each five steps she passed a tiny enclosure formed by tight wooden beams. They somewhat resembled stables, only they were completely bereft of straw, hay, or anything else to make the interior more comfortable. At one point, the mare had to pause in her stroll. She spotted the bodies of Luminards—squatting on woven mats as they sat, facing the left side of the gradually bent corridor.
Shuffling to her right, Rainbow hugged the opposite wall. There were less candles on this side, and she was able to slink her way safely through the shadows. It was nevertheless a perilous endeavor, leading her past the quietly meditating monks. She came within such close proximity to the ponies that she could almost hear their whispering chants, repeated in sequence as they faced the left wall within each enclosure.
“Verlaxion's glory anoint us... so that we may lend our spirits to the Reed... and bury the Plight that binds Your foals... Verlaxion's glory anoint us... so that we may lend our spirits to the Reed... and bury the Plight that binds Your foals...”
“That's the worse lullaby ever,” Pinkie muttered.
“Shhh!” Twilight insisted.
“But it is!” Pinkie whined.
“The mare's right... in a way,” Rarity whispered. “It's like they're all... praying to someone... or something.”
“Right. I get it.” Twilight nodded. “Verlaxion.”
“I think it's more than that.” Rarity pointed. “Look at what they're all facing. It's... not the same as the rest of the wood constructed around us.”
“Huh???” Pinkie and Twilight simultaneously murmured.
Rainbow took a daring step into the candlelight. She peered into an enclosure that wasn't occupied by a squatting, meditating monk.
Before her, the wall of the two-story shack gave way. In place of wooden planks, there were columns and columns of vertical shoots.
“It's the Reed,” Rainbow said. She glanced up... then down. “This building is hugging the central shaft,” she whispered to her marefriends. “The Reed is exposed here.”
“Makes sense, I suppose,” Twilight said, brushing her bangs back. “Kyron's ponies are all about worshipping the Reed. This place right here is where they must do it.”
“Yeah... but I think there's more to it than that,” Rainbow muttered.
“Like what, darling?”
Rainbow shook her head. “I dunno.” She looked to her left, then in the opposite direction. There were far less monks positioned on the right end of the corridor, so she swiftly trotted that way. She glanced to her left, looking into every enclosure. She saw reeds, reeds, and more reeds. Then—all of the sudden—
“Guhhh!” Twilight stumbled. She rolled forward, phasing through a support beam.
“Oh no!” Pinkie reached over and steadied her. “Twilight! Are you okay?”
“Yeah... just...” Twilight looked straight up, blinking wide. “Where did that come from?”
“Was it magic, darling?” Rarity asked.
Twilight nodded. “A sudden, focused bolt of it.” She gulped, then gestured. “It c-came from the left.”
“... ... ...” Rainbow turned, squinting, searching. Something bright and yellow pierced her gaze. Blinking, the mare looked straight ahead... then shuffled forward. Lips pursed, she approached a wall of reeds, looking closer... examining.
A few of the vertical shoots had grown apart from one another over time. This allowed for a narrow space to form between them, turning into a sizable gap. A faint yellow glow emanated from within the Reed. It was the veiled light of Yaerfaerda... only not quite so veiled. As Rainbow's eyes adjusted to the magical aura, she detected a shiny texture... an immaculate glint from beyond.
“Duaaaaaaaaaah!” Pinkie gasped. “Metal?! That's like... the anti-wood!”
“No. Wait.” Rarity leaned forward. “Rainbow's right!” She tilted her horn to the side, eyes thin. “It's... it's inside the Reed. Tall... vertical...” She glanced over at the others. “Pierces deep into the earth! Yes. Yes! I do sense it now!”
“I dun get it.” Pinkie squirmed in place. “Why would the Lumimarios' holy bamboo be covering a bunch of metal?”
Twilight gasped. “Rainbow! Omigosh!” She gawked at the pegasus. “It's a Tower!”
Rainbow looked at her.
Twilight grinned. “Just like the piece of the Machine World where you found me! Y'know... the Tower in the Grand Choke?!” She pointed at the wall. “This whole shaft—the Reed—it must have grown all over a Tower!”
Rarity winced. “You mean... like the structure in the Nealend Atoll's lagoon? Only... already risen out of the ground?”
“Precisely!” Twilight danced in place. “This must be where Yaerfaerda is!”
Rainbow gulped, staring dead at the Reed. “And Fluttershy...”
“Excuse me...”
All three ghost mares gasped, spinning around. Rainbow slowly turned to match them.
A shadowy figure loomed beyond the candle-light. “What do you think you're doing here...?”
Rainbow bit her lip. “Uhhhh...”
The figure trotted forward, a pair of cold blue eyes appearing before his royal purple coat. He sported the heaviest and most elaborate mane Rainbow had yet seen among the Luminards, with fibrous red-orange hairs branching off at painfully complex lengths. He came to a shuffling stop, blinked, then smiled. “...it would benefit you greatly to have a guided tour, dear foal.”
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow gulped. “I was part of one already.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, with Kyron. But...” Rainbow squinted out one eye. “...I got... lost?”
The stallion stared... stared... then laughed on a dime. “Hahahahahahaha!” He trotted forward, then leaned back on his sackcloth'd haunches. “So are all who come to the Quade... only to find themselves in Verlaxion's glory.”
“Yeah. That.” Rainbow smiled nervously. “And to bury our sins in the... shadow of Luminar's Plight... r-right?”
“Mmmm... I see you have been on a tour,” the stallion said. “And a quick learner too.”
“Yeah, well, it's a very long and detailed tour.”
“Not really, no,” the stallion said, shaking his head. “You've only been here for a short while, dear foal. Trust me... I can read these things about visiting spirits.” He chuckled again, his cold eyes hanging sleepily under his fiery braids. “I can also tell you have an insatiable curiosity about the Reed.”
“Heh...” Rainbow waved a hoof. “You know it!”
“I can answer your questions, if you so desire,” he said. “And much... much more.”
“Yes, well, I...” Rainbow's eyes traveled down. Incidentally, she glanced at his fetlocks, spotting several hooflets built out of sharp, rigid thorns. His limbs were scarred in many, many places. “Uhhh... I... uhhh...”
“Please, do not be afraid,” he said, his voice full of youth and vigor. “My anointed name is Antsan, and—like all pilgrims of the Reed—I live only to enlighten.”
“So... uh... you're not mad at me for having wandered in here?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Antsan chuckled while the two trotted slowly towards the front entrance of the two-story shack. “Please, do not misinterpret my motives for escorting you outside. Quite simply, there are many pilgrims here who need solitude and concentration in order to properly meditate before the Reed. On the contrary, Rainbow Dash...” The branching braids of his red mane wobbled as he turned to smile at her. “...I find your insatiable curiosity to be extraordinary.” He nevertheless sighed. “It is also sadly lacking among the majority of Rohbredden's foals these days.”
Rainbow nodded. “I'm guessing that not a lot of ponies come here to the Quade as of late.”
“With each passing decade, our numbers grow fewer and fewer,” Antsan said in a melancholic breath. The two wandered past candles and wooden support beams. “The pattern used to be different, with pilgrims coming to bask in the shadow of Luminar's Plight every other century or so. It would seem as if the influx has been on a steady decline, which is sad. I—like so many of my brothers and sisters—fear for the well-being of Verlaxion's children. It would be a shame for sin to devour all that's glorious and humble of us. I often dread the possibility of a second Plight.”
“Huh?” Pinkie Pie blinked, glancing aside. “A second one?”
Rainbow looked at Antsan. “Do you really believe that?” She fidgeted. “Err... that what happened to Luminar could... s-somehow happen again to Rohbredden?”
“As unpleasant as it is to comprehend, it's still the fulcrum of our teachings,” Antsan said. “The Word of Reed maintains that sin lies in weight to devour all of us, bringing our bodies into shadow along with our spirit. The children of Verlaxion have been caught off guard before. At this rate of ignorance and apathy, a second apocalypse is only inevitable.”
“Imagine if they put that in their recruiting slogans!” Rarity said, tossing her mane.
“Heh... ever thought of starting a conversation with the whole 'apocalypse' biz?” Rainbow Dash asked, smirking. “Seems like it'd be more to the quick.”
“Oh, do believe me. I've dreamt of it. Suggested it, even,” Antsan said. “However... I would be the first pilgrim to admit that proselytizing isn't exactly my strong suit. Kyron—our elder—has turned down my ideas for reforming the mission statement several times in the past. He believes—and rightly so, I must admit—that the focus of our message should be redemption within the glory of the Reed.”
“I'm guessing that doesn't exactly sit right with you.”
Antsan scuffled to a stop, staring pointedly at the pegasus. “It doesn't matter how I sit with it. Kyron is the wisest among the anointed, and it would be folly of me to challenge his opinions.”
Rainbow winced slightly. “My bad. I didn't mean to suggest anything—”
“It's quite alright,” Antsan said with a soft smile. The thorned hooflets around his fetlocks rattled as he gestured. “Still, I do think that the world outside the Quade has... changed in Kyron's lifetime. It no longer responds to concepts of joy and salvation. Instead, all is confusion and exploitation and fearmongering. In this environment, a message that appeals to self-preservation would hold greater weight than that which promises salvation.”
“Wow...” Rainbow smirked. “If I didn't know better, I'd say you've seen a lot of that nasty 'environment.'”
Antsan took a deep breath. “I may be freshly anointed when compared to my fellow pilgrims, but I carry the weight of many sins on my shoulders. And I still possess the youth and faculty of mind to remember the horrible realities out there in the sea... along with their costs...”
Rainbow bit her lip.
Antsan exhaled through a weak smile. “Alas... I no longer live to bask in misery, but to rejoice in the blessings of the Reed.” He shuffled forward to the front entrance. “I only desire that more would follow the path that I did, so that there would be less suffering in the world.”
“Well... uh...” Rainbow glanced at Twilight and the others as she scratched her head. “I guess that's pretty... noble?”
“Each of us have a different, glorious reason for why we are called.” Antsan looked at her. “Have you ever wondered what your calling may be, Rainbow Dash?”
“Eheh...” The pegasus shrugged as the two stood on the platform just outside the shack. The last slivers of daylight wafted through, drawing crimson bands across their bodies. “Dude, I'm not gonna front. I just now got here. In all honesty, I'm only visiting. Passing through, y'know?”
“Ah... but it takes an awful lot of commitment to pass through the Quade,” Antsan said with a smile. “The power of living here is precisely how difficult it is. Nopony visits unless something has drawn them. And I wonder... what has drawn you, Rainbow Dash?”
“I... uhm...” Rainbow glanced at the thick shaft of shoots running up and down the platforms. Yaerfaerda's golden light bled through the Reed like a candle behind the veil. It somehow felt as though—the greater distance Rainbow put between herself and the shoots—the more visible the entirety of the symbol was. “I guess you could say that I follow a conviction of my own.”
“There was a time in my life when I felt as though I had a masterful understanding of the world, Verlaxion, and the forces at work behind everything,” Antsan said. “Then I heard a pilgrim out beyond the Quade preaching the Word of Reed.” He took a deep breath, his ice blue eyes turning glossy. “I felt the glory of Verlaxion speaking to me in a way that I had never been illuminated before. Like the thawing of Rohbredden after the Unification of the Six Tribes, something deep inside my heart melted away. I felt like crying and laughing all at once. I needed more. I hungered... and that hunger took me here.”
“Awwwwwww... that's really sweet!” Pinkie said. Two blinks later, her muzzle scrunched. “I think?”
“Well, I'm glad you... uh... found your calling,” Rainbow said.
“Mmmm... it has not been an easy pilgrimage,” Antsan said. “I had to give up a great deal to approach the path towards enlightenment. But—as I buried more and more of my sins within the shadow of Luminar's Plight—I discovered the extent to which my body and soul had previously been enslaved.” His eyes narrowed. “Through labor and pain, the truth is exposed, and the essence of a foal of Verlaxion is truly liberated. It takes more than faith to reveal this... it takes commitment... and piety.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow glanced at the scars on his fetlocks, then back at his contented expression. “I gathered.”
“Rainbow Dash...” Antsan drew closer. “If I may be so bold...” His thin eyes gazed into her. “...have you ever felt constrained by the weight of your own sins?”
Twilight blinked. She and Rarity looked at Rainbow.
Rainbow gazed back at the stallion. She gulped. “Look, dude, I can tell you've been through a lot and... all this 'Reed meditation' has worked for you, but as for m-me—”
“You've never felt the dark veil of doubts and fears enveloping you each night?” Antsan asked, his voice cool and steady. “The distinct sensation that no matter what you do and how far you throw yourself, this world will still remain blind, uncaring, and unfeeling?”
“Well, each pony is different, y'know?”
“A simple excuse we tell ourselves to avoid the pain,” Antsan said with a nod. “I speak of a pain that's everlasting... all-consuming... devouring.” He leaned back. “Truth is, Rainbow Dash, the Plight of Luminar is everywhere. What happened here in the Quade thousands of years ago is simply a symbol for what's happening everywhere all the time. We try to ignore it... and sometimes through distractions and comraderie we find ways to gloss it all over. But in the end, our sins catch up with us. Misery is the greatest monster we all must defeat. The sad truth is that most ponies fail in the long term.”
“So... uhh...” Rainbow narrowed her eyes. “What's your solution? Defeat these... sins by giving up everything else?” She gulped. “Including what makes you you?”
Antsan chuckled breathily. “When it comes down to it, how special is a single pony? Really? That voice inside our heads that tells us that the needs and liberties of a single soul outweighs everypony else? Does it truly make sense? Or is it just another conceit of our collective sins, seeking to blind us all?”
Rainbow's nostrils flared. “If this is gonna come down to a dissertation on sacrifice, buddy, I've given up my fair share. Believe me.” She gulped. “But I still haven't given up on what makes me me.”
“Then why do you strike me as a pony who still can't find a home to stop and live?”
Rainbow Dash opened her muzzle—but lingered. Her eyes blinked.
Antsan bowed, saying, “Many ponies are called to the Quade, and all for the same reason. The tragedy is in the fact...” He lifted his head back up, smiling at her. “...that most of them ultimately leave. Sin and doubt drags them away. And are they truly better off for it?” He turned around and trotted back inside the shack. “The Reed can grant you many things, Rainbow Dash: peace, enlightenment, redemption. But most of all, it can give you a reason... to not have to seek anymore.”
Rainbow watched as he disappeared once more into shadow.
“Hmmmpff!” Rarity upturned her nose. “Of all the nerve!” She folded her forelimbs. “Call him back here, Rainbow Dash! Tell him that he doesn't know you!” She barked into the shadows with angry futility. “Do you hear that, you raggedy-hair'd ruffian?! You do not know our Rainbow Dash!”
“Rarity, give it a rest,” Twilight muttered, sighing. “It won't make any use.”
“But you heard him and his awful attempts to throw guilt Rainbow's way—!”
“Twilight's right,” Rainbow muttered. She turned around, wings tightly coiled. “Let him believe what he wants to believe.” She shuffled up the ramp towards the adjacent platform. “It doesn't matter. None of this stuff really matters—”
“I take it you had a talk with Antsan,” Menthe said with a cool smile.
“Gah!” Rainbow jumped back, kicking her hooves up. She settled in place, panting for breath. “Dude! Where'd you come—?”
Menthe leaned casually against a wooden post between the adjoining platforms. His light blue coat rendered him a veritable shadow in the setting sunlight. “For a mare who really needs to make water, you certainly do take your sweet time about it.” He arched an eyebrow. “Not to mention several detours.”
“Uhhhhhh...” Rainbow gulped, shrinking back with a guilty smile. “Just... h-how long have you been... trailing me?”
“Ever since you convinced my protege that you needed to use the facilities,” Menthe said. “Truly, it's not the first time a visitor has used that excuse to leave one of Nicro's 'chanting' concerts.” He chuckled. “You strike me as quite a resourceful mare, Rainbow Dash. I honestly expected something more creative from you.”
“Dude. Look... I'm really sorry—”
“Did you find what you were looking for?”
“Huh?” Rainbow blinked.
Menthe nodded his head towards the shack. “The Upper Reed Chapel. Did you see anything in there that... oh, I dunno... 'enlightened' you?”
“Well...” Rainbow fidgeted in place. “I met Antsan.”
“Then I take it the answer is 'no.'”
Rainbow chuckled. “Yeesh... that pony...”
“He's young. He's forthright.” Menthe shuffled over, wincing from old bones. “But—you have to admit—he's committed. Kyron's quite proud of him... but it doesn't change the fact that he has to keep something of a leash on the kid.” Menthe smoothed his graying mane back. “More than once, he's driven prospective acolytes away. I know. I've counted.”
“Should I know the number?”
“Not if you want to feel more depressed than you already look, darling.”
“Nah, dude, I'm cool.”
“Please, Rainbow Dash,” Menthe spoke. “I know the look of a supposedly 'deep' conversation with Antsan. He doesn't exactly win many converts.”
“To be frank, Mr. Menthe, I don't think the Luminards here win many converts as a whole.” Rainbow gulped. “Their whole belief system... demands a lot.”
Menthe nodded. “I guess that's what makes it a belief system.”
Rainbow fidgeted in place. “You're... uh... not mad at me for sneaking off like I did?”
“Well...” Menthe paced around her, glancing at the furthest ends of the nearby platforms with guarded eyes. “...I certainly would have preferred it if you didn't do it.” He shrugged. “I certainly won't complain. It's been a long while since a pony like you has given me some good ol' fashion practice.”
“Practice?”
“You move like a shadow, Rainbow Dash,” Menthe said. “It's been years since I've seen a pony slink her way past so many pilgrims without distracting a single one of them.” He smirked at her. “A pony with that expertise could very easily have pilfered something from my shack the very moment I sat you and your friends down to dinner.” He shook his head. “No... I don't think you're out here to rob my religious neighbors, no matter how much you may have robbed in the past.”
“Errr...” Rainbow blinked, her pupils shrinking. “...in the past?”
“Please, Miss Dash,” Menthe murmured. “An 'aristocratic Rohbreddenite' has no business flying anywhere this far west with two bounty hunters. Without a commissioned boat and sail, no less. I think curiosity is only half the reason you and your two companions are here. The other half, quite frankly, must be anonymity.”
Rainbow gulped. “Then... if you feel that way... why have you been treating me all this time like I'm not a threat?”
“Because you're not.” He smiled at her. “You did refuse to eat meat at the shack, after all.”
Rainbow smirked curiously. “And because of that... you somehow know I'm sincere?”
“I find you to be very... veryspecial, Miss Dash,” Menthe said. “And that's precisely what the Luminards are seeking from those who visit them. Special souls with whom they can commune and share the glory of the Reed.” He leaned back on his haunches with a sigh. “And until I have a legitimate reason to believe you're a threat to their humble expectations, I see no reason to condemn you.” He squinted. “But I do have my eye on you and your friends at all time, as well as Galloran's. Please... do not sneak off like that again.”
Rainbow gulped and nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Promise...?”
Rainbow glanced at Pinkie, then back at Menthe. She crossed her heart, flapped her forelimbs, then pressed a hoof to her right eye. “Promise,” she said with a nod.
Menthe chuckled. “Oh, Rainbow Dash... where you do come from, darling, I hope we get more visitors from there.”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow glanced aside at her marefriends, smiling. “It's more likely than you think.”
“Something for me to look forward to, I suppose,” Menthe stood up and paced towards the adjacent platform.
“Say... uh...” Rainbow reached out to him. “Mr. Menthe... could I ask you something?”
“You may try.”
“You're obviously very experienced in observing stuff here in the Quade.”
“Mmmhmmm.”
“Do... do you know what's with the scars?”
“Oh dear...” Rarity gnawed on her hoof. “Straight out of the gate.”
“Well, we are here to find answers, Rarity,” Twilight said.
“Shhhh!” Pinkie leaned in, eyes wide. “Cool guy is responding!”
Menthe turned around with a calm expression. “I can only guess you're referring to the 'scars' on the Luminards' bodies.”
“Yeah.” Rainbow nodded. “Do you know who gave those to them?”
“The Luminards did.”
“They...” Rainbow grimaced. “...th-they whip and mutilate each other?”
“Don't be ridiculous.” Menthe smiled. “They gave it to themselves.”
“Th-themselves?!”
“Self flagellation, my dear,” Menthe explained. “Based on the season, it's not uncommon for the pilgrims to flog themselves over their sins.”
“You've gotta be kidding...”
“Antsan in particular—I'm certain you've noticed—wears ascetic prayer hooflets.”
“The thorns?” Rainbow gulped. “But... why?”
“To be perfectly honest, Miss Dash, I don't perfectly grasp it myself,” Menthe said. “Then again, I don't subscribe to their religion. I only protect the religious.” Menthe stared into the windy sunset. “From what I've gathered, the constant pain keeps them in deep concentration. It helps them... 'hone in' on their sins, as it were, so that they can bury the weight of their suffering in the Shadow of Luminar's Plight and achieve peace, self-contentment, and enlightenment.”
“That's the most absurd thing I ever heard!” Rarity exclaimed, her expression paling even further. “How can putting oneself through pain and suffering act as a means of avoiding pain and suffering?!”
“Hey, beats me!” Pinkie smiled aside. “I love a good dollop of hot sauce on my cupcakes!”
“Pinkie it is not the same!” Rarity barked, fuming. “We are talking about real ponies inflicting real misery on themselves! Celestia spare me—it's positively infuriating!”
“Shhhh... Rarity, not so loud. Let Rainbow concentrate.” Twilight floated closer to Rainbow. “Rainbow, ask him if all Luminards are required to do this.”
“So... uh...” Rainbow squirmed where she stood. “Does each pilgrim have to do this to themselves? Like a rite of passage or something?”
“I once asked the question of Kyron a long, long time ago,” Menthe said. “He made it clear to me that it's a completely voluntary thing, and it's never a practice that's forced upon other pilgrims, young or old. That being said, most of the Luminards who practice self-flagellation tend to be regarded as the most enlightened... the most pious.”
“Pffft...” Rainbow blew her bangs out from before her head. “Go figure.”
“Hmmm...” He smiled aside at her. “I take it that you're not too fond of the idea.”
“Well, just think about it!” Rainbow exclaimed, waving a hoof. “These guys find it to be super sinful to inflict pain on others... to wage war... to eat meat... and yet they'll do all sorts of nasty stuff to themselves?”
“All of the self-inflicted wounds are completely sustainable, and the Luminards are swift to adapt good hygene and medicinal healing. I assure you, it's hardly life-threatening.”
“That's not the point!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “It's totally uncool! Nopony should have to hurt themselves to achieve any... any... sp-spiritual anything!”
“Do you say that as a learned observer or a confident outsider?”
Rainbow blinked. “Huh?”
Menthe took a calm breath, then said, “Many things look strange from the outside, Miss Dash. You and I have something in common: neither of us subscribe to the Luminards' faith. So how are we to truly know of the contentment and peace of mind that they experience? For all we know, they may indeed hold many answers to life and its meaning through their seemingly obtuse practices. You and I simply haven't ridden over the crest of comprehension to truly ascertain just what that meaning is.”
“Oh no.” Twilight shook her head, frowning. “Enough of this! I refuse to accept that the best way to believe in something is to outright ignore the importance of understanding all things that stand to be understood—”
With a frustrated sigh, Rainbow blindly flung a hoof up, silencing Twilight.
Rarity leaned in with a smug grin. “Now who's being a distraction, darling?”
Twilight groaned, face-hoofing.
“Then again...” Pinkie fidgeted in place. “...hot sauce tends to mask over the sweetness of cupcake frosting... and that's the cupcakiest part of a cupcake!”
“Ahem,” Rainbow Dash gulped. “Well, Mr. Menthe, lemme ask you this. If part of you is so willing to believe that the Luminards have a firm grasp of true enlightenment here...” She squinted at him. “...how come—after all these years—you haven't joined them?”
“Because they need protectors, or else their system—a system that has worked for countless pilgrims over thousands of years—could risk vanishing altogether.” He smiled at the mare. “You see, Miss Dash, all ponies who live in the Quade stand to sacrifice something. And such a sacrifice is not made without a modicum of faith.” He shook his head. “I may not have a grasp on what gives each Luminard a sense of purpose, but I have full faith that they do. And while they sacrifice everything to experience such redemption, I sacrifice redemption itself... so that they may continue to be who they are.”
“Even... knowing what they do to themselves?” Rainbow bit her lip. “And the pain involved?”
“Hmmm... that's the risk of having faith in something.” Menthe strolled past her. “And yet, with each passing year, as I see the smiles on their faces and the tranquil, natural sanctum they've built here in the heart of a dead continent... I feel rewarded for every sacrifice ever made. Where else in Rohbredden—a land wreaking of corruption the likes of which dominates Mudtop, Rust, and other vile places abroad—has Verlaxion's vision of a peaceful utopia been so perfectly achieved?”
Rainbow's nostrils flared. “I'm certain, Mr. Menthe, that there are happier places out there than this.”
“And maybe now you'll realize why I don't feel threatened by your sneaking ways, Miss Dash,” Menthe said with a good-natured chuckle. “Your kind of faith is the sort that must take you elsewhere. I think we both know that you have no intention of staying here for long.”
Rainbow hung her head. “Yeah, well...” She gulped. “I-I can't go now. Not yet, anyway.”
“Mmmm... indeed.” Menthe flexed his tired joints. “Which brings us to the real reason I intercepted you just now—aside from making sure that Antsan didn't talk your poor head off. Heheh...”
“It's getting late,” Rainbow said, gazing at the bleeding sky beyond the ridges. “I... uh... I don't suppose there's any place where me and my buds can stay?”
“I would offer my shack,” Menthe said, waving a hoof. “However, as generous as I may like to be, there is only room enough for Galloran and myself in there.”
“Yeah, I get it.” Rainbow smiled bashfully. “Guess it was worth a shot.”
“Thankfully, however...” Menthe smiled. “There are ponies in the Quade even kinder than my protege and I.” He winked. “And they happen to have quite a few empty shacks on the upper platforms to spare.”
“Wait... you mean the Luminards?”
“Indeed.”
“They... they'd really offer us a place to stay?”
“They already have, Miss Dash,” Menthe said. “Kyron brought it up to Mr. Bard and Mr. Wildcard earlier. You just chose to skip out on the chanting before you could hear the invitation yourself.”
“Expect ascetic monks to extend humble hospitality?” Menthe chuckled again. “Just how many places have you visited, darling?”
“You sure they won't... y'know... be bothered by how 'weighty' and 'sinful' our souls would be in the presence of the Reed?”
“Heheheh...” Menthe patted Rainbow's shoulder, then gently guided her towards one of the upper platforms. “I think, for better or for worse, you've gotten a bad impression of the pilgrims here, Miss Dash. Allow me to suggest you start out on a new hoof.”
“Yeah, but how?”
“First off—by relaxing.” Menthe smiled. “It's working for Mr. Bard, after all.”
“It is?”
Starlight streamed down through the steep mountain ridges and glittered off the shallow waters of the Quade below. Up above, on one of the highest woven platforms situated around the Reed, a group had gathered, circling a flickering campfire. Row after row of pilgrims—both young and old—sat with bright eyes reflecting the image of a fire-lit stallion before them.
Bard sat beneath the mouth of a tiny wooden lean-to where his, Wildcard's, and Rainbow's belongings resided. He had his guitar balanced in his forelimbs, and his wingtips nimbly dipped in, plucking the various strings. A gentle melody arose from the acoustic instrument, filling the air with mirth that was further warmed by the dancing flames.
With a calm smile, Bard opened his mouth and allowed honey'd lyrics to roll out, tickling the ears of every starstruck Luminard.
Ebb and tide Salt and brine Nothing could ever flood this home of mine
Whales and sharks Gulls and larks Nothing could ever flood this home of mine
I may drift east and west by the whim of the wind But even typhoons and hurricanes make good family kin I'm at ease with the breeze that the salty seas sneeze And when a storm comes, I just smile and dive right in
Yes, with the ebb and tide Salt and brine Nothing could ever flood this home of mine
Prawn and crabs Barnacles that stab Nothing could ever flood this home of mine
Rohbredden's just a name for waters that can't be tamed But I feel it's loving laughter in my ears and my mane The best home is a home that soaks you to the bone A place where the floor and sky are colored both the same
Ohh ebb and tide Salt and brine Nothing could ever flood this home of mine No, nothing could ever flood this home of mine
Bard followed up the last bit with a playful instrumental. Wildcard joined in, providing a backup harmony with his harmonica. The Luminards' eyes lit up with each note that the Desperado duet played, and all too soon it was over, like the crackling of embers in the fire between them.
Bard and Wildcard finished, bowing as one.
“That was 'Home of Mine.' An old hoof-me-down from my Grandpappy,” Bard said with a wink. “Thank y'all most kindly.”
Silence.
Rainbow Dash leaned against the edge of the shack, forelimbs folded as she gazed at the utterly mute crowd.
Bard blinked. “Well, don't everypony thank me at once.”
Nicro giggled, stepping up into the firelight. “Please, Mr. Bard,” she spoke. “Do not misunderstand my fellow pilgrims' mutual silence. We only mean the deepest respect.”
“The foals of Verlaxion believe that all things should be treated with quiet, gentleness, and peace of mind,” Sonikah added. “That includes acts of artistic beauty and expression.” She bowed slightly. “We would not wish to contradict our ways in order to exercise a false gesture.”
“Well... that's... uh... mighty thoughtful... I-I think?” Bard gulped. “Makes me feel a tad bit better 'bout the fact that we didn't clap none at Nicro's chantin' performance. We didn't want to make no crazy scene in front of the zealots, even though we thoroughly enjoyed the concert n'all.” He looked aside at Wildcard. “Ain't that right, Dubya-Cee?”
Wildcard polished his harmonica, glaring at Bard through his goggles.
“Ahem...” Bard turned to smile at the pilgrims. “We enjoyed it, alright.”
One pilgrim stood up, smiled, and bowed. “Mr. Bard. A question, if I may.”
“Sure thang!” Bard pointed. “You there with the white tunic and fancy hair braids!”
The pilgrims collectively laughed.
The one Luminard smiled and said, “Your wonderfully sung lyrics spoke of 'nothing flooding this home of mine.' Perhaps you were singing about the dangers of the Plight of Luminar?”
“Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...” Bard blinked.
The one pilgrim continued: “Most who are drawn to the Quade have at least heard about the awful fate of Luminar: sunk into the ocean around the time of Unification as a punishment for past sins of an ancient civilization. I was wondering if, perhaps, this was the inspiration behind your lyrics.”
“Well... ehm...” Bard shifted the weight of his guitar in his grip. “Reckon I'd be lyin' if I said I knew nothin' about yer society before I showed up here. But... uhm... I-I sorta meant it as more of a personal struggle with findin' one's home and identity amidst the seas of Rohbredden... until one figures out that the entirety of the Ocean is home itself! That's somethin' I've been wrestlin' with somethin' awful. But... uh... I-I suppose it's vague enough to be open to interpretation! So if you want it to be about the Plight of Luminar... pfft... be my guest!”
Another pilgrim stood up. “Then do you believe that truth is subjective... and that a pony can find enlightenment through meditation on things other than the Reed?”
Bard blinked. “Well... do y'all think that such a thing is possible?”
Rainbow glanced from Bard to the pilgrims themselves.
The one who just stood up smiled. “No, Mr. Bard,” she said. “I know that focus and concentration in the presence of the Reed is the only means to inner peace. I'm just curious how someone as kind-hearted and talented as you has managed to find a certain degree of contentment without.”
“Well... I ain't gonna lie,” Bard said. “At times, it's hard... damned hard.” He winced. “Whoops... I-I hope that ain't committin' to big of a sin in y'all's presence just now.”
Nicro chuckled. “We are well-guarded against worse things than that, Mr. Bard,” she said. “But your concern is most appreciated.”
“I guess... the one thang that tends to get me by in life is havin' someone else to share the whole moseyin' venture with.” Bard gestured at the griffon. “Like Dubya-Cee, here! Why... I'd have died a couple of times if it weren't for him!”
Wildcard angrily blew through his harmonica, making a single, loud, dissonant note.
Bard jolted. He smiled, sweating. “Okay... make that a heapin' many times.”
The crowd chuckled.
Bard continued in a calm tone: “I dun rightly understand everythang about the Quade or the Plight of this-or-that, but seems to me that y'all are getting' along pretty nicely as a group, y'know? Even if the Word of Reed was a bunch of hooey—”
Wildcard winced.
Bard swiftly blurted: “—and-and-and I'm n-not suggestin' that it is!” He waved a hoof. “But... even if, I have no doubt that supportin' one another and givin' a shoulder for each other to lean on is enough to let y'all stay afloat in life. Reckon that's all that matters in an ocean with so many wanderin' fish, ya feel me?”
“That's a very intriguing philosophy, Mr. Bard,” Sonikah said with a pleasant smile. “We're glad that Verlaxion's grace brought you to the Quade so that you might stimulate our hearts and minds.”
“Well...” He tipped his hat. “Much oblidged. And Dubya-Cee and I are mighty thankful for the roof over our heads.” He pointed at the colorful pegasus off to the side. “Rainbow too!”
Rainbow blinked, then nodded. “Oh... s-sure! Totally!” She smiled. “Be it... ever h-humble!”
Nicro's face grew long. “We're only sorry that we couldn't properly furnish it for you in time. We know that foals of Verlaxion from abroad aren't entirely used to... the simplicity of our ways.”
“It's absolutely fine,” Rainbow Dash said with a smile. “And we're totally cool with it. Besides... it sure beats our previous pads.” She waved a hoof. “Why, two nights ago, we slept on the back of a giant fish!”
The Luminards all looked at one another with blank expressions.
“Er... eheheh...” Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head. “Long story.”
“Aren't all fish stories?” Rarity droned.
Pinkie giggled.
Another pilgrim stood up. “Miss Dash... may I ask you something?” She smiled. “If it wouldn't bother our polite guests, that is...”
“Hey...” Rainbow shrugged. “Shoot.”
“....?” The pilgrim turned around and stared up at the Reed.
“I mean ask away, girl.” Rainbow chuckled. “S'all good.”
“Oh... uhm...” The pilgrim adjusted her tunic, then squinted. “That jewell. Around your neck.”
Rainbow blinked.
“What is its significance, if I may ask?”
Bard and Wildcard looked over, standing in total silence.
Rarity, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie gazed at Rainbow Dash.
“This...” Rainbow pressed a hoof to the lightning bolt. Almost immediately, it glowed with ruby essence, causing the pilgrims to gasp and coo in amazement. Eventually, Rainbow smiled, although it was a very tired thing. “This... is a piece of my home.”
The Luminards all murmured with one another.
“But... ahem...” Rainbow trotted forward. “It's more than that, I suppose. It's part of who I am... and what I believe in.” She bit her lip. “The very last piece of everyone and everything I've ever cared for.”
“And yet... you never take it off,” observed the pilgrim. “You carry around at all times, do you not?”
“That I do.”
“Isn't it... heavy?”
Rainbow arched an eyebrow. “You mean like a sin?”
The Luminard winced. “I-I'm sorry,” she stammered. “I did not mean to offend.”
“No... no no... it's okay.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “I've gotta admit that... there are times when it almost does feel like one. In... in that it constantly reminds me of how hard it is to do the right thing...” She turned to look over her shoulder. “...for all the right reasons.”
Pinkie, Twilight, and Rarity smiled back. They leaned into one another, gazing at Rainbow with pride.
“But... uhm...” Rainbow felt the pendant again. She sighed through her nostrils and said, “Where I come from, the ponies believe in being peaceful... in being happy... in being kind. It's just that... we don't quite... do it in the same way you guys do. And... I gotta admit that seeing the ways you dudes go about communing with the essence of Verlaxion kinda freaks me out.”
A few Luminards chuckled and nodded. They all listened intently.
“But... I-I also gotta admit...” Rainbow chewed on her lip, then gazed off at the dark streams of the Quade as she said, “That following what I believed in at home... was a lot easier when I was at home.” She gulped. “And doing the right things for all the right reasons stopped being easy a long... long time ago.” She winced slightly.
The ghostly mares behind her blinked curiously. They exchanged worried glances.
“So... I-I guess... in a way... I admire your commitment,” Rainbow said, gazing at the pilgrims beyond the flame. “It takes an awful lot of courage and strength to change who you are for something noble.” Her eyes thinned, gazing at a dim yellow light from beyond the Reed. “And it takes even greater strength to know that you're still you underneath at all... and that the last piece of you left to cling to is the only thing that's not worth burying.”
The one pilgrim standing before Rainbow Dash bowed. “You are a very wise pony, Rainbow Dash,” she said with a calm smile. “It is my sincere hope that Verlaxion helps you find yourself.”
Rainbow blinked. She fought a lump in her throat to say: “At least it's good to know that somepony's trying...”
Twilight floated over to Rainbow's side. A sheen of concern glossed over the unicorn's eyes. She opened her mouth to speak—
“Dear foals of Verlaxion...” Kyron suddenly trotted into the firelight, joined by other elders. He smiled peacefully at the group. “It fills my heart with great joy to see each of you in this festive communion.” He bowed, his braided hair flouncing slightly. “However... the hour grows late, and Verlaxion's wisdom bids us to rest our hearts and minds. I must ask that you all retire so that you will be filled with vigor for our early morning exercises.”
The pilgrims bowed all as one, then stood up from where they sat. Murmuring pleasantly with one another, the group filed off, marching towards the inner platforms where several shacks and lean-to's awaited them for a full night's sleep.
“Whew...” Bard whistled. “Look at them all.” He smiled aside at Rainbow Dash. “I bet even Princess Camellia with all her fishy mind control couldn't get Shoggothians to trot that orderly!”
“Y'know, Bard...” Rainbow muttered. “Sometimes you're the funniest pony in the world without trying to be.”
Pinkie giggled.
Bard blinked. “What's that supposed to mean?”
Wildcard snickered breathily, pocketing away his harmonica.
Bard frowned. “What?!”
“Ahem.” Kyron stepped up.
“Oh! Uhm...” Bard tipped his hat. “Doin't mind us or nothin', Mr. Kyron, sir. A lil' apostate banter never hurt nopony, amirite?”
“You have brought mirth and kindness to my fellow pilgrims,” Kyron said. “I couldn't possibly be displeased, Mr. Bard.”
“Well, I figured a lil' music free-of-charged was the least Dubya-Cee and I could do for such last-second homemakin'.” Bard smiled, gesturing at the lean-to's. “It's mighty hospitable of y'all.”
“I would offer no less,” Kyron said with a smile. “It is the way of the foals of Verlaxion to spread kindness and neighborly appreciation to all who are drawn to the Quade.”
“I... uh...” Bard glanced briefly at Rainbow. “...can't rightly say just how long we intend on staying.”
“And it doesn't matter.” Kyron bowed. “Your presence here is a blessing. We can only hope the wisdom of the Reed reaches you just as you have reached out to us.” The elder turned towards Rainbow Dash. “Miss Dash, I understand that you spoke with Antsan earlier today.”
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow Dash stared at the group of pilgrims who were filing away. “Yeah... that I did...”
“He told me that the two of you had a rather... thought-provoking conversation,” Kyron remarked. “While I admire Antsan's enthusiasm, I must personally admit that he is still just embarking on his path towards enlightenment, with many sins yet to bury within the Shadow of the Plight. If he offended you in any way with his assertive speech, I do sincerely apologize.”
“No... uhm... it's okay...” Rainbow murmured, squinting now. Her eyes focused on the last pilgrim to join the procession. Unlike the others, this Luminard was wearing a curiously bulky tunic—more like a robe. “Nothing... bad happened...”
Twilight hovered close by. “Rainbow, what is it...?”
“In either case, he says that you received his words with a polite demeanor and a kind heart,” Kyron's words drifted past her. “I admire your civility as much as he does. Just know that it is never our goal to unnecessarily pressure the foals of Verlaxion into joining our meditation.”
As the line of monks descended to the lower platform, the last one paused... slowly turning about. Rainbow saw a dark hood, the face beneath obscured. Just then, two pale eyeslits opened, brighter than the stars above.
“Guh...!” Rainbow teetered.
“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight exclaimed.
Pinkie and Rarity gasped.
“Whoah damn!” Bard flew over in a blur, catching Rainbow before she could collapse on her chest. “Easy, darlin'!” He held her up. “You okay?”
“Yes...” Rainbow shivered, fighting off a wave of dizziness. “I... I-I think I'm fine...”
“Is something the matter?” Kyron asked, his breath denoting an air of concern. He took a bold step forward. “If you are feeling ill, we have members who are quite adept at medicine.”
“Mmmff... yes...” Rainbow suddenly grumbled. “I imagine they have to be.”
Kyron merely blinked, his face wrought with confusion.
“Ahem...” Rainbow lifted her head, smiling weakly at him. “I'm fine. It's... it's just a thing I have.”
“I... I see...” Kyron took a step back. He suddenly bowed his head, raised his hooves, and murmured a whispery incantation. The other elders by his side followed suit, and they ended it with their forelimbs stretched outwards, the fetlocks turned towards the stars. “By Verlaxion's grace,” they murmured in finality.
“Erm... if ya dun mind my askin'...” Bard cocked his head aside as he continued to support Rainbow's weight. “But what was that?”
“A blessing,” Kyron said, smiling slightly. “That Verlaxion may bring your fair companion to a place of good health and wholesome peace.”
“Uhm...” Rainbow grimaced to produce a smile. “Thanks?”
Kyron bowed, and then he and his companions trotted down to the nearest platform.
Wildcard shuffled over, watching as the last of the Luminards left. He turned to Bard and gestured emphatically.
“Yer tellin' me.” Bard nodded, then looked at Rainbow. “This faintin' spell of yers is gettin' more and more unpredictable.”
“It's okay, dudes,” Rainbow muttered. “I'm fine.”
“You sure about that?”
“Yeah! I'm fine, okay?” Rainbow growled slightly, stepping out of Bard's grip. “Just... lay yourself and your guitar to rest for a moment, will ya?”
Bard leaned back. “Heh...” He tilted his hat forward and turned to trot towards his sleeping mat. “Looks like these platforms ain't the only thang that could use a little unweavin'.”
Wildcard lingered behind, his feathers ruffling. He gave Rainbow one last concerned glance, then shuffled off towards the shelter.
Rainbow sat in place, catching her breath, staring at the platforms below.
“Rainbow, are you sure you're okay, darling?” Rarity asked.
“Mmmf...” Rainbow's ears folded back. “No. But then again, I'm not sure of anything.”
“Awwwwwww... poor Dashie...” Pinkie leaned in to nuzzle her. “It's okay! We'll keep you company! Heehee! It'll be like our very own ghostly slumber party! Heeheehee—” She phased completely through the pegasus. “Whoah!”
Rainbow tried not to wince. “Thanks, Pinkie. Really... it means a lot.”
“Do... do you know what that was just now?” Twilight asked.
Rainbow looked at Twilight. “You mean... you saw it too?”
Twilight's brow furrowed. “Saw what? I'm talking about what made you faint.”
Rainbow bit her lip, then turned towards the lower platforms again.
A starry expanse hung over the Quade; Rainbow Dash couldn't fall asleep even if she tried.
The same couldn't be said of her marefriends—each of whom had long vanished into the harmonic void for the duration of that evening. There was a part of the prismatic pegasus that envied them... and another part that pitied them. The former longed to get the same rest and relaxation that her three friends enjoyed. The latter realized that they weren't in the same fortunate position as Rainbow was to admire the cosmic beauty hanging over the woven platforms, reflecting off the Quade's shallow waters with nebulous purple bands and silver glittering constellations.
The channel between the two mountain ridges was so still, its watery surface so calm that Rainbow could have sworn that she and the Desperadoes were suspended over a polished mirror. For the life of her, she couldn't imagine how anypony would be capable of meditating in a place with so much natural beauty to distract them. But then again, perhaps that was the entire point.
The mare exhaled with a shuddering breath, her eyes dancing between the stars and galaxies swirling at a distance. She tried to imagine that she wasn't herself, but instead something... someone larger... ancient... draconian... with the ambitious desire to fly out into that cosmic expanse in search of a long-lost soul. She imagined the colors of all reality surrounding her, the entire universe of life spreading apart as she rocketed through it all.
Rainbow Dash couldn't imagine how any of that could possibly... feasibly drive a soul insane... especially a soul belonging to someone as wise and contemplative as the Divine of Frost.
And yet—the mare mentally conceited—not every living thing born upon that derelict plane was capable of matching her awesomeness.
For the first time since she attempted—in vain—to fall asleep, the mare smirked. At last, Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and—
“Pssttt... hey...” A hoarse drawl. “Rainbow Dash?”
Rainbow Dash gnashed her teeth. After a calming breath, she muttered, “What is it, Bard?”
From two sleeping mats away, a stallion's shadow stirred beneath their protective lean-to. “Reckon yer gal-pals have fallen asleep, huh?”
“They're in the Vanilla Zo—...” Rainbow gulped. “They're safely away in their hiding place to rest and recuperate, if that's what you mean, Bard.”
“Ah. Oh yeah. Sure. Sure thang.”
Silence.
Rainbow Dash exhaled through her nostrils. She laid her head back on her mat and allowed her eyelids to flutter shut—
Rainbow snarled, her eyes flashing open again. “No, Bard, I'm not.” A stifled groan. “What's on your mind, dude?”
“Naw, guess it could wait 'til morning—”
“A little too friggin' late for that, ya think?” Rainbow gazed to her right, looking past the curve of a griffon's beak in the pale starlight. “Just spit it out, ya yodeler.”
Bard's figure sat up, his eyes glinting. “Whaddya think about this whole Quade-place?”
“Jee, I dunno,” Rainbow droned. “It's cheap. It's got vacancy. The room service is super-nice. But I'm not sure I'd wanna bring my foals here for Spring Break.”
“I'm bein' serious, ya varmint!”
“And I'm being sleepy!” Rainbow rasped. “Couldn't it wait until morning?”
Silence.
“... ... ...you ain't sleepy and ya know it,” Bard slurred.
“Eeeeugh...” Rainbow covered her eyes with her hooves. “I don't know, Bard. Okay? I don't know.”
“Well...” Bard's figure shrugged under the veil of night. “Nopony's expectin' ya to have everythang figured out overnight.”
“Aren't they, though?” Rainbow frowned. “I mean... shouldn't I have some bearing on what's going on here? Or how to get into Yaerfaerda?! It's all...” She sighed, rubbing her forehead as she sat up in defeat. “... ... ...I think I much rather preferred hunting down a giant sea serpent over this kind of nonsense.”
“What kind of nonsense?”
“Mmmf... where do I even begin?”
“Maybe it'd help to rub noggin's with somepony else over it.” The hint of a smile formed across the lean-to. “Figure it out all quick-like, y'know?”
Rainbow Dash exhaled with a shudder. “I... did some looking around, Bard.”
“When we was bein' given the tour, right?” Bard nodded. “I know. This place is pretty amazin'.”
“No, I mean after that.”
“After that?”
“While you and Wildcard were sitting in on the... bullfrog concert thingy that Nicro was hosting.”
“Funny.” Bard scratched his head. “All I remember is you needin' to use the little filly's room.”
“Well, that was just an excuse,” Rainbow muttered. “I used it as an opportunity to go and do some... exploring.”
Bard gazed at her. The glint in his eyes flickered—indicating a hard blink. “Beg yer pardon?”
“I checked out this shack on one of the middle-to-lower platforms,” Rainbow said, gesturing towards the edge of the level where they all reclined. “It was two stories tall, super dark on the inside, and filled with quietly meditating monks. I figured there may have been a reason as for why it was built right up against the central shaft of the Reed and all, so I went to go get a closer look.”
“Wait wait wait...” Bard waved his hooves. He tilted his head at an angle, glaring. “You mean to tell me that ya lied to Kyron and the monks about havin' to make water... and instead went to go snoopin' around?”
“Well, yeah.” Rainbow blinked. “I mean, I could even tell before scaling these platforms that Yaerfaerda was pulsating from somewhere within the Reed, and—”
“Rainbow, darlin', have ya lost yer wits?!” Bard exclaimed hoarsely.
Rainbow sat in silence for a few blank seconds. “... ... ...not... anymore th-than usual. Why?”
“Rainbow, just think about it!” Bard swiveled until he was facing her completely from where he sat. “Here these ponies are, givin' us the finest hospitality since... since... well... ever! And you go behind their backs and start snoopin' around in their prayer chapels?”
“Dude, we both know what we're here for,” Rainbow said. “How else am I gonna get a fix on where I need to go to get Fluttershy?”
“Pffft! Well, you can start by askin' nicely, ya silly fuzzhead!”
“Did it look like these guys were gonna start talking about anything other than Verlaxion or the Quade or how they like to gargle phlegm in the back of their throats and call it 'singing?'”
“Ughhh... Rainbow...” Bard face-hoofed. “I can't believe you ran off and did that...”
“And why not?!” Rainbow frowned, folding her forelimbs. “Jeez, since when were you so quick to judge? 'Snooping around' worked for us back in Rust and Shoggoth, did it not?”
“Rainbow... these ponies...?!” Bard shook his head. “These ain't the Syndicate!”
“Yeah, and I know tha—”
“They ain't Northern Hoof and they ain't Southern Hoof!” Bard exclaimed. “They're no hoof is what they are! We ain't talkin' about a buncha heartless bastards who'll sooner sell out their mothers and burn their neighbors alive just to make a bit!”
“Bard—”
“These here ponies just wanna live in their own little part of the world and make peace with themselves! Don't ya see? They ain't askin' for nopony to go... bargin' in on their sacred property and start pokin' at stuf!”
“Okay, for one thing...” Rainbow pointed a hoof. “I didn't poke nothing. And for another.” She frowned. “There's something super fishy about these guys! I mean... surely you've seen the scars and the crazy thorn hooflets around thei—”
“Kyron the Elder told me all about their so-called 'ascetic ways,'” Bard said with a nod. “And—y'know what? I ain't any bigger a fan of it than you are, darlin'. But remember... this is how these ponies have been livin' for hundreds... maybe even thousands of years!”
“Unnnngh...” Rainbow face-hoofed again.
“Only the real hardcore members do that sort of thang, and even they are well-off, all thangs considered!” Bard shook his head. “I don't see how any of that even remotely makes them like the Syndicate... to deserve us pilferin' through their thangs like this place belonged to us!”
“I never said they were like the Syndicate,” Rainbow growled. “Bard, just where... nnghh... does your friggin' dividing line lay?”
“Rainbow, I draw the line at folks who ain't done nothin' bad to one another and dun aim to,” Bard said, his glare palpable across the starlight. “Revan's gang? Jeryn's crew? They was keen to do a number on innocent families, day after day, week after week. Loads of ponies died on account of them... ponies who didn't deserve it. So, yeah, when push came to shove, and you done gave me and Dubya an opportunity to rob those bastards blind, I saddled right up to the rodeo!”
Rainbow took a heaving breath, avoiding his gaze.
Bard held a hoof over his chest. “I hoped you had figured us Desperadoes out by now, Rainbow. Sure, there ain't no gettin' off this train we're on, but ya always gotta check yerself at the station. Ya feel me?”
“And what if it turns out that these guys are... like... totally foul too, huh?”
“In what way?”
“I dunno! In... gghh... th-the same way that all crazy, dogmatic, crazy-worshipping ponies are!” Rainbow's voice cracked.
Bard leaned back. “Well... that's a cryin' shame, Rainbow. But you gotta realize...” He gestured. “No two ponies are the same.”
Rainbow rubbed her eyes, grumbling.
Bard went on: “Sure, reckon it's a real big world out there... even bigger from the way you describe it. And I'll be the first stallion to tell you that history has a habit of repeating itself... more often than naught miserably so. But what good are ya gonna bring that same world if you run into every group of ponies expectin' the same dayum miserable thang?”
“I'd be a very smart pony,” Rainbow grumbled. “A pony that survives.”
“Wouldja have stuck it to Revan and made it to Shoggoth all on yer lonesome?”
“H-huh?!” Rainbow stammered.
Bard stared at her. “Wouldja have pulled off that heist in Rust and gotten yer friend out of Shoggoth all by yerself?”
“A little late to beg for compliments, ya think?”
“Just answer the question, darlin'.”
Rainbow sighed. “No, Bard. Without you, Wildcard, Theanim and Echo... I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gotten Pinkie Pie back.” She gulped. “Heck, for all I know, I'd still be struggling to hammer my way into an Arrowfish as we speak. There. Is that what you wanted to hear?”
Bard leaned forward, propping his chin on a hoof as he smiled. “And just what reasons did Dubya and I give you to trust us from the get-go?”
Rainbow bit her lip.
“Or Echo, for that matter? From what I recall, even his buddy 'Theams' was stompin' a mudhole in the midnighter's reputation the entire time—”
“You wanna talk about precedents?” Rainbow spoke. “I once ran into a bunch of technofreaks who thought that tossing innocent foals to their deaths in a deep well would save their city from losing mana.”
“Oh Rainbow...”
“And then there were these pegasi who worshipped a dead ancestor of mine. They were too suffocated by their own superstitions to realize that all it took was a little bit of cloud-building to fly their way out of a single stinkin' crater—”
“You have an awful lot of experience hanging off yer neck, darlin',” Bard said calmly. “Reckon it's made you mighty paranoid.”
“Huh?” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Pffft! Paranoid?! Who's paranoid?!”
“All these trials and tribulations that you gotta hurl yerself over on a constant basis,” Bard murmured. “And with all yer friends in the balance, too. And let us not forget this whole 'Urine Hanger' nonsense.”
“Mmmmffgh...” Rainbow Dash rubbed her forehead. “Must you remind me?”
“Seems like you do a decent job of remindin' yerself. Constantly.” Bard leaned back. “And you ain't the only one.”
“Mmmf...?” Rainbow blinked. “What?”
“Just what was it that made you all wobbly-kneed a few hours ago?” Bard asked. “Y'know... when Kyron and his fellow pilgrims up-and-left?”
“... ... ...” Rainbow gazed over the shrouded platforms below them. “I... I don't know...”
“Perhaps there's somethin' that yer mind is tellin' you it was, regardless?”
Rainbow clenched her teeth together.
“I've been thinkin' and thinkin' about what 'Verlax' supposedly said to you. I mean... reckon I dun even get half of it—the stuff that ya shared with me and Dubya, that is—but one thang's for sure. She gave you an earful... what, with all of this hooey over harmony and chaos and dragons this and alicorns that—”
“It's not all 'hooey,' Bard.”
“No. Yer right. I imagine it ain't.” Bard shook his head. “But even the most helpful truth can be like delirious poison to a desperate soul. And y'know what, Rainbow? Beneath all of that bravery, awesomeness, and spunk—yer about as desperate a soul as I ever did see. Take it from this stallion who lives over the sea.” He smiled. “A fellow Desperado.”
Rainbow sat in silence.
“Now, an awful lot of crazy forces brought you here... but it's no excuse for actin' all crazy,” Bard said. “Whatever you want from this place... whatever you need from these monk-folk...” He waved a hoof. “Just remember that—above all—they're equine beings like you and me. And until they give us a reason to suspect them of foul-play—which they haven't done, not even remotely—I'd really like it if you made like Dubya and I and kindly respected their wishes and—”
“If I was to sneak into one of their 'meditation huts' again for more clues, will you and Wildcard back me up?” Rainbow hoarsely inquired. “Yes or no?”
Bard blinked at her. He sighed, leaning back and rubbing his face with a prolonged groan. At last, without looking, he muttered: “Just what didja find yesterday, Rainbow?”
Rainbow took a deep breath and said, “I saw the Reed... up close...”
“Uh huh...”
“I made my way to where that one... chapel of theirs was parked up right against it. They had little 'prayer stables' and everything. I could reach out and touch the bamboo thingies if I wanted to.”
“Uh huh... ... ...”
“But... and get this...” Rainbow scooted forward, gawking over Wildcard's body at the stallion. “...I saw through a part of the Reed that hadn't grown over itself completely. And it was metal underneath!”
“...” Bard looked up, eyes narrow.
“I saw metal, Bard!” Rainbow hissed, ears twitching. “The same kind of metal I've seen before! Down in the Machine World!” She smiled hungrily. “And—what's more—Yaerfaerda's glow was coming out through the split parts of the Reed!”
“... ... ...” Bard cleared his throat. “And... uhm... yer marefriends. Twilight... Rarity... Pinkie...” He arched an eyebrow. “They was all fine with how you done trespassed to find this out?”
“Totally! Well... I mean...” Rainbow Dash leaned back, fiddling with her hooves. “I think they were. Admittedly, they got a teensy bit freaked out when I got caught and—”
“Er... yeah... eheh...” Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. “This creepy smiley dude named Antsan showed up... pulled the missionary shpiel on me pretty hard... did everything but dunk me in the Quade and call me 'anointed,' y'know?”
“So... he wasn't mad or nothin'?”
“Not that I know of,” Rainbow said, then blinked. “Unless... super ultra proselytizing is the mega-monk's way of exercising passive-aggressiveness.”
“Uh huh...”
“He asked me if I wouldn't mind leaving the premises, and so I politely did. That's when I ran into Menthe and found out that he had seen me the entire time—”
“Snkkkt!” Bard nearly fell over. “That old stallion saw ya too?!”
“Uhm... maybe?”
“Rainbow... darlin'...” Bard shuddered. “Dun ya think yer bein' a tad bit obsessive over this place?”
“Well, I can't afford not to, dude!” Rainbow frowned. “If I don't find out a way to get to Fluttershy—”
“Yeah... yes... I get that'n'all, but... could ya slow it down a bit? You dun nearly struck out twice with these kind hosts we've run into! And—instead—for phenomenally mind-blowin' reasons, they've chosen to extend their hospitality to us... even still!”
“Yes... but...” Rainbow fidgeted in place. “B-but...!”
“I mean, shucks, Rainbow. There's no need for ya to be in a hurry 'bout this whole thang, now is there?!”
Rainbow Bit her lip. Her ears folded back as she leaned away from the stallion. The petite pegasus then hugged herself with a shuddering sigh.
“As a friend... as a fellow flier... I really... really think ya should not attempt sneakin' behind these ponies' backs again,” Bard said. “It's more than obvious that Kyron's forgiven us once for what you've done... but a second time?”
“Honestly, Bard, I don't think they even consider it that big of a dea—”
“And... Menthe done showed that he and Galloran can spot ya a mile away like a hippo dancin' on a sand bar! So why risk gettin' caught again? Do ya want them gettin' fed up and throwin' us out?”
“What? No! I—”
“Do you want to make it even harder to get Fluttershy back than it already is?”
“I don't know how to get her back yet!” Rainbow wheezed. “That's just it! I need to find out!”
“Then let's tell them!” Bard smiled. “Let's be honest with them!”
“Eeeeugh...” Rainbow fwomped down on her sleeping mat, legs limp. “Yeah right. As if that's gonna go over well.”
“Beg yer pardon?”
“Bard... even before we visited this broken continent, you made it obvious that you and Wildcard knew waaaaaaay more about the Luminards than I do.”
“Eeyup. Reckon so. Yer point?”
“My point is... you know how much these ponies friggin' worship the ground that 'Verlaxion' has touched! They're practically ga-ga over her! They pray to her for guidance and understand... through flippin' bamboo!”
“Mighty creative if you ask me.”
“Bard... just... just how could I be honest with these ponies?” Rainbow frowned. “You realize that—by telling them why I'm here and the whole mechanics of the Machine World—that I'd in effect be dismantling their entire religion from the roots up!” She pointed out at the Reed. “Literally!”
“I dun think the quest of a single pony is enough to undo thousands of years of tradition, Rainbow.”
“Because you done blown Dubya and I away, and we're still in one piece.”
Rainbow blinked. She sat up, gazing curiously at him. “Say again?”
“Heh... you think a couple of bounty hunters with as many questionable deeds under our belt dun fear somethin' bigger and mightier than all of us?” Bard smiled tiredly. “There's a place for sin, and t'ain't no weight to the thang without someone divine to highlight it.”
“You...” Rainbow squinted. “You believe in Verlaxion?”
“Darlin', every pony, griffon, and wyvern born under the Rohbredden skies do,” Bard said. “At least in some way or another. Even when I go to bed at night, there's still part of me that murmurs prayers in hopes that she might make this all a better world.”
“Bard...” Rainbow gestured west. “Down below... in Shoggoth... you and Wildcard both—”
“I know what I saw,” Bard said with a brief frown. He sighed out his nostrils, then gazed at the starry waters below. “Hell if I haven't been tryin' to wrap my head around it ever since. I know you've got loads and loads of evidence that proves everythang about the fate of this plane... the dark side of the world... the supreme importance of yer journey and all... but damned if I can't let myself believe that Verlax... all of Verlaxion is just as plum evil as you say she is.”
“I don't get it...” Rainbow flung a hoof as she spoke. “...how could... you possibly believe both?” She gulped. “Me and the legends told of Verlax?”
“'Cuz I've flown too many leagues over this ocean and seen too many crazy things—both good and bad—to think that life could be anythang but complex.” He bore a soft smile. “I aim to be a simple stallion, Rainbow. I just can't pretend that the world will ever be simple alongside me.” He slowly shook his head. “I can no longer deny that there's somethin' off about Verlaxion... or else what our society has accepted as her. I dun know if she's an imposter or... or if she died a heapin' age or two ago and our Rohbredden Orders are just denyin' it to make things float—”
“Or maybe she's just a friggin' ice dragon lying to everypony since the dawn of this world.”
“—but I can't for a second believe that the guidin' Spirit that's appealed to my soul all these years has been nothin',” Bard said. “I've givin' up a lot in my lifetime, Rainbow, but I never gave up Her. For better or for worse—wherever Verlaxion may be—she's steered me straight. And Dubya-Cee too.”
“I... can't possibly understand how you can believe both me and... this idea of her,” Rainbow droned.
“But I do, darlin',” Bard said with a smile. “The Goddess I feel in my heart and the pegasus I see in the flesh. And I aim to do ya both right.” He gestured towards the Reed. “I'm willin' to bet that the Luminards here will extend the same hoof of tolerance. You just gotta give them the benefit of a doubt.”
“I... I don't even know how...”
“By makin' sure that ya ain't crossin' them no-how!” Bard smirked. “After all, it's not like yer need for Fluttershy is in any way clashin' with what they need!”
Rainbow gazed off, shivering slightly.
Bard sighed. “I... I do wish I could make this whole situation easier for ya, Rainbow. But I can't. I can only lend my advice.”
“And... and it's good advice,” Rainbow muttered.
“Hmmm... ya reckon so?”
“'Cuz it's advice.” Rainbow slumped back with a sigh. “I'm so used to listening to just myself. Even with the girls having returned... one by one.” She gulped. “I act like I'm all alone.”
“Well... perhaps that's yer problem right there,” Bard said. “Just 'cuz fate may have made you the most important mare in the world... it sure dun mean yer the only mare in the world.”
Rainbow blinked up at the stars. Her ears twitched.
“Think of a way to level with the Luminards. I believe it'll be worth yer while. I really do. I mean... hell... you dun need to solve everythang by tossin' yer dense head at it!” He chuckled lightly. “Even in Shoggoth, it all came down to Camellia's intervention in the end. Who says these monk-folk won't help ya all the same?”
“You're right, Bard,” Rainbow muttered to the heavens. “I totally should just... chat it out with these guys.” Her body rose and fell with a soft breath. “After all, it would be the... kind thing to do.”
“Right. Just be considerate. That's my advice in a nutshell.” Bard reclined on his end of the lean-to. “Too bad Dubya ain't awake. I wouldn't mind gettin' his two cents on the matter.”
A metal talon shot up, extending a single middle finger, then limply fell back by the griffon's side.
Bard blinked. “...then again... chickens are restless.”
“Hmmmf...” Rainbow smirked slightly as her eyes fluttered shut. “...now that would be the unkind thing to do, bright eyes.”
“...the Elements!” Panting, she glanced left and right. “Girls, I... I-I think I found...!”
Dead silence.
Rainbow blinked, suddenly squinting at bright sunlight glinting off the waters of the Quade below. Across the platform full of lean-to's beneath her, a group of ghostly mares stared back. Twilight Sparkle and Rarity were frozen in a worried stupor. Pinkie, meantime, waved and sang: “Morning Dashie! Ya frazzled sleepyhead! Heehee!”
“You're...” Rainbow gulped, panted, and shuddered. “I-I mean I'm not...” She grimaced, feeling the weight of her Element with her hoof. A dull exhale limped out of her deflating lungs. “Darn it...”
“Rainbow, darling?” Rarity smiled nervously. “Are you quite alright?”
“Yeah, just...” Rainbow stirred where she sat. “Probably something I ate last night.”
“You had those ocean mangos half-a-day ago,” Twilight insisted. She arched an eyebrow. “I'd think you would be dealing with that much sooner if that was the problem.”
“Guys, there's no problem.”
“Are you certain of that?” Rarity asked. “You were... writhing and shivering in your sleep for quite some time. We... erm... actually tried waking you much earlier... b-but we gave up about an hour ago.”
“An hour?”
“Mmmhmmm.”
“I don't see what you two are so worried about!” Pinkie cartwheeled over to Rainbow's side. “Dashie was probably just sleepcersising!” She giggle-snorted. “I used to do it all the time back in Ponyville! Gave Gummy the cramps!” She blinked. “Of course, it washis fault for sleeping on my flank.”
“I just... gnngh...” Rainbow stood up, aching and wincing from her stiff limbs. “...got a lot on my mind, I guess.”
“Well, no doubt,” Twilight said with a nod. “But that's the second time in so few days that you've woken up from a fitful nightmare.”
“It wasn't a nightmare.”
“Well?” Twilight folded her forelimbs, frowning. “Just what was it?”
“Chillax, egghead! I said I'm fine and I meant—” Rainbow froze in place. She glanced left and right, then blinked. “Wait. Where're the Desperadoes?”
Thwifft!—swiiiiiiiiiiish—TH-THUNK!
A metal barb flew across the floating platform atop the waters of the Quade and embedded into a wooden post.
Galloran lowered his crossbow, exhaling. He smiled back at Bard and Wildcard.
Both of the Desperadoes were applauding.
“Whew-wee!” Bard whistled. “That's some fancy aim ya got there, slick!”
“I'm glad you think so,” Galloran said with a slight shudder. He slicked his mane back, then strolled over to the post. “Menthe never applauds anymore. He's constantly telling me to 'practice more.' And so, I say 'Look at that shot, though! It's perfect!' And that's when he says 'Be better than perfect!'”
Wildcard smirks, folding his arms.
“Ehhhh... I'm sure he's only teasin' ya,” Bard said, waving a hoof. “After all, it's his job to make sure you get good at everythang you do.” He shrugged. “From the looks of thangs, you might even be replacin' the old stallion someday.”
“Ohhhhh n-no...” Galloran shuddered. Plink! He yanked the crossbolt out of the splintered post and twirled it in his grasp. “I could never replace Menthe.”
“But you have no intention of goin' elsewhere, right?”
“Can't say that I do.”
“Then somepony's gotta replace someone,” Bard said. “I mean... no one lives forever.”
Galloran winced. “That's... not something that I like to think of often.”
“Still, it helps to be prepared.”
“I suppose.” Galloran examined his crossbow closely, wings coiled. “Menthe is like a father to me. But there are times when I feel as if...” He shifted slightly where he stood. “...almost as if he's just s tringent as Kyron and the other monks running this place.”
The Desperadoes stared in silence.
Galloran looked up. “Some ponies strive so hard to be perfect that... it's hard to imagine them ever dying.” He gulped. “I think the monks here depend on each other more than they're willing to admit. And all of that meditating they do? I bet it's the one thing that lets them forget the fact that someday Kyron's going to pass away... and then what? He'll be replaced by Sonikah... or Nicro...” He clenched his teeth. “...or even Antsan.”
“Shoot... lots of ponies dun take kindly to that last one, huh?” Bard remarked, adjusting his hat.
“Eh...” Galloran shrugged. “He's just so... enthusiastic. It even puts me off. Doesn't help that he's so young that he even showed up after I did.”
“Heh...” Bard chuckled. “Heheheheheh...” He chuckled some more.
Galloran squinted. “What's so funny?”
“I'm just gettin' the funny feelin' that you dun have many ponies to share yer thoughts with like this...”
Galloran opened his mouth, then faltered. Ears folding back, he glanced guiltily behind his shoulder. “I... d-don't. I mean, I prefer it this way... living out here amidst the Quade. Most of Rohbredden disgusts me... no offense.”
“None taken,” Bard said with a smirk. “Dubya-Cee and I have been known to lose our collective lunches on more than one occasion. But mostly Dubya-Cee, bein' half bird and half cat, y'know.”
Wildcard rolled his goggled eyes.
“A lot of the time, just to put my mind at ease, I find myself practicing the crossbow like right now,” Galloran said, adjusting the strings and springs of the tool. “Just holding it used to make me a nervous wreck. When I first volunteered to be a protector here, it was the only weapon I told Menthe I was willing to use.”
“Never mind Menthe. Sounds like you would make the better Luminard, fella.”
“Hehehehe... nahhh...” Galloran gulped. “I care for each and every one of these devout ponies. Being who am I... doing what I've pledged to do...” He shrugged. “It's the only way I'm certain I can keep them all safe.”
Wildcard gestured.
“Good point, Dubya,” Bard remarked, nodding.
Galloran looked up. “What'd he say?”
“My buddy here's an observant type,” Bard said. He pointed at the tip of Galloran's weapon. “That there crossbolt... it's got an awful lot of nicks and scrapes on it.”
“Well... yeah.”
“Reckon you've fired it a ton of times before.”
“Er...” Galloran bit his lip. Waters lapped around the wooden platform around them. “I guess that's true. I... uh... only have five.”
“Five what?”
“Crossbolts,” he explained.
Bard blinked. “That's all you have to load that thang with?”
“Uh huh. And each barb was forged a long, long time ago. This thing's probably older than me... eheh...”
“Shucks. No wonder you're so good a shot!” Bard smirked. “You kinda have to be!”
“Well... yeah!” Galloran chuckled. “I think that goes without saying!”
Wildcard gestured.
Bard looked from him to the young stallion. “You ever have to... use that on somepony before?”
Galloran bit his lip.
Bard cocked his head to the side. “Sore subject?”
“No... it's just that...” Galloran fidgeted. “I've never had to drive somepony off. Ever.”
“Nopony ever tried robbin' or attackin' these Luminards?” Bard arched an eyebrow. “Not even once?”
“Ohhhh... uh... s-sure!” Galloran gulped. “Privateers... scumbags from Mudtop or Red Barge... coral smokers...” He shrugged. “But each time, Menthe drew them away. It was... either b-before my time, or the punks just never got deep enough into the Quade for me to have to contend with. All things considered, we've been... trouble-free for months... years... for about as long as I can remember.”
“Heh... bet that's a good feeling.”
“I dunno...”
“You dunno?”
“I... could stand to feel a bit more useful,” Galloran muttered, gazing down at his hooves. “These Luminards have given so much... and then they have very little left that they haven't yet sacrificed. I'm always in awe of them, and I wanna give my all to making sure they achieve the enlightenment that they strive for. But I can't shake the feeling that—day after day—they outshine the likes of Menthe and me. I... sometimes think that they don't even need us at all.”
“Now, I wouldn't say that,” Bard remarked, smiling. “I reckon they're tickled pink to have the likes of you and Menthe around.”
“Why?” Galloran snorted. “So they can witness the 'worldly sin' they've left behind?”
“Menthe said that there was somethin' in their scripture that raised protectors like you to a sanctified level.” Bard winked. “I think—by just bein' around them—yer givin' them justification for what they do and who they are.”
Wildcard's talons signed in the air.
Bard nodded. “And... y'know... without concrete evidence for anythang outside of the sheer feelin' of enlightenment, somethin' as real as you and Menthe... must really make them feel secure.”
“Wow...” Galloran blinked. “I... never thought of it that way before.”
“But I bet ya felt it, didn't ya?” Bard slapped a hoof over his own chest. “Right here.”
Galloran said nothing.
Wildcard looked at Bard. He waved, then hand-signed dramatically in the air.
Bard blinked. “Really?” He blinked again. “Ya dun think that'll freak 'em out?”
“Uhhhhh...” Galloran squinted. “Freak who out?”
Wildcard signed some more, smirking under his beak.
“Heh... well alright.” Bard turned towards Galloran. “Wanna see a trick?”
“Uhm... s-sure!”
Bard pointed. “Take another shot at that post right there.”
“Uhm... why?”
“Just do it, and you'll see.” Bard folded his forelimbs. “I promise we ain't gonna hurt nopony or nothin'.”
“Uhhh...” Galloran shrugged. “Okay.” He cocked the crossbow, took aim, and fired. Thwifft!
Within a blink—
Swooooooooosh! A black figure mirked by.
Galloran's eyes twitched. He stood back, muzzle agape, staring at the completely empty wooden post. “My... my crossbolt!” his voice cracked. “Where did it go?”
Bard whistled. He pointed across the dock.
Galloran turned to look.
Wildcard stood on the other end of the platform, his wings coiling. Exhaling, the griffon held out his metal limb. The talons opened, revealing the crossbolt neatly held in his palm.
“No way...” Galloran nearly dropped the crossbow. “You... you caught it in midair?!”
“Darn tootin'!”
“That's amazing!”
Wildcard smirked and leisurely tossed the barb in Galloran's direction.
Galloran caught it nimbly. “Wow... that's the fastest I've seen anyone move... ever!”
“Yeah... heheh... well...” Bard adjusted his cap. “We've both seen faster. Ain't that right, Dubya?”
Wildcard sighed, but eventually nodded with a weathered smile.
“Verlaxion's Sleet...” Galloran exhaled, cocking the barb back into place. “With speed like that, I bet you two could easily have robbed Menthe blind by now—!” He instantly winced at his own words. “Uhhhhh...” He waved a hoof. “That... th-that doesn't mean what it sounded like it meant! Honest!”
“Dun worry, buddy,” Bard said, nodding. “It's understandable for ya to be concerned. After all, there're lots of disgustin' varmints all across the seas.”
“Yeah, but you guys are nothing like them!”
“Mmmm... on occasion, we very dayum-well resembled the creeps,” Bard said in a low voice. “But Dubya and I? We Desperadoes have a code of honor to follow, and there ain't gettin' off this train we're on.”
“Huh?”
Wildcard slapped the back of Bard's head.
Bard winced, chuckling. “Eheheh... let's just say that we're both stubborn to a fault. We only do bounties on no-good cretins who deserve to be turned in for their crimes. We dun ever take contracts that single out innocent ponies or exploit families, even if it means us earnin' less gold to live off of.”
“That... can't be easy,” Galloran said.
“Nope. It sure ain't. But... as of late... we've been reinforced mighty hard in our resolve. I'd say we're more set on the straight and narrow than we've ever been.”
“Huh...” Galloran smiled. “Just what changed, exactly?”
“Ohhhhh...” Bard shrugged, smirking. “A dash here and there...”
Swoooooooosh! Four hooves landed in the midst of the group.
“Speakin' of the fuzzy blue...” Bard turned and cleared his throat. “Good mornin', darlin'.” He and Wildcard both flinched. “Whoah dayum! Did you roll over a porcupine last night or somethin'?”
“Mrmmmfff...” Rainbow blearily responded, teetering beneath a frazzled mess of mane hair. “I don't want to talk about it.”
Wildcard gestured.
“Heh...” Bard tipped his hat. “Reckon ya haven't been exercisin' in yer sleep?”
Pinkie Pie burst out of Rainbow's side. “That's what I said!”
Twilight shoved Pinkie Pie back, then hovered up, clearing her throat. “Rainbow, ask him.”
“Yes.” Rarity nodded. “The sooner we get to the bottom of Yaerfaerda, the better.”
“Uhhh...” Galloran glanced left and right. “Who are you looking at, Miss Dash?”
Rainbow blinked.
Bard and Wildcard silently glanced at one another.
“Don't mind me,” Rainbow muttered. “Just had a hard time sleeping last night and...” She squinted at the wooden post on the edge of the docks—completely riddled with holes. “...target practice?”
“Eheheh...” Galloran shrugged, gesturing at the crossbow. “Colts will be colts.”
“Why practice all the way down here where the water is?”
“You kidding?!” Galloran suddenly gasped. “I couldn't possibly fire this thing at random up along the platforms!”
“Why not?” Rainbow murmured. “Afraid you might hit the pilgrims?”
“Even worse! I might hit the Reed!”
“Yeah, so?”
Galloran looked like he was about to vomit. He recovered from the shock in time to stammer: “You... really haven't spoken to Kyron much, have you?”
“Well, I would like to,” Rainbow said. “I... uhhhh...” She gulped. “Would like to know more about the Reed. Lots and lots about it.”
“Well...” Galloran managed a smile. “...how about I take you to him and you could ask him yourself?”
“Indeed.” Rarity held a hoof up, grinning. “And while we're at it, could we find a way to inquire about a fashion upgrade to the sackcloth around here?” A swath of violet tail-hairs whacked her in the face. Rarity remained frozen, grinning. “Never mind!”
Under flickering candle-light, a pair of hooves opened an ancient oak chest. The hinges creaked as the container was exposed, its swinging doors revealing a series of scrolls propped up against the interior within. Grasping one of the scrolls, Sonikah carried it across the dimly-lit room and laid it across a table. She carefully unwraveled the contents, exposing a rich tapestry that looked like a combination of maps and a story told in pictographs.
“Thank you most kindly, Sonikah,” Kyron said with a bow.
“It is my pleasure, elder,” Sonikah said. With a humble smile, she backtrotted from the table.
Shuffling over, Kyron stood beside the table and pointed at the outline of a continent crumbling in half, its smaller parts being absorbed into the sea.
“Eons ago... when the Frozen Blight was at its strongest... the kingdom of Luminar fell into shadow. The ponies living there had denied the grace of Verlaxion. Our righteous Goddess extended the gifts of wisdom, salvation, and peace of communion with the stubborn natives, but they ignored her... spitting in the face of her divine generosity. Far too addicted to the pleasures and frivolties of this world, the residents of Luminar embraced the superficial elements that gave them a false sense of contentment. Thus, when Luminar suffered its Plight, they were all swallowed up by the sea, their sins forever binding them to the frozen depths.”
Kyron's hoof hovered over a series of jagged lines seemingly growing out of the ocean.
“But from the graveyard of apostate souls, a miracle bloomed. While most of Luminar was death and desolation—a landscape where very little life could grow and few ponies dared to tread—something that couldn't feasibly have thrived did so... and abundantly. The Reed was first discovered by the first devout clerics of Verlaxion, pilgrims humble enough and courageous enough to carry the glory of our saving Goddess back west across the thawing seas in hopes that they might find survivors of the Plight and rescue them from eternal perdition. While they didn't find any descendants of Luminar, they did find the Reed.”
Next on the tapestry, the shoots grew taller, scaling impossible heights while equine shapes knelt and prayed in tight circles around it.
“No living pony had seen anything quite like it. The shallow waters of the Quade consisted of nothing but crumbled rocks and eroded stone beneath the surfce. There was no remaining soil in the seabed that could possibly give root to any plant—not kelp, not sawgrass, not even the most extreme weed. And yet, despite all of these impossibilities, the Reed grew... and it grew at an astounding rate. It couldn't have possibly been anything but a sheer miracle. So, in meditating upon this, the first founding pilgrims were enlightened by Verlaxion's glory.”
Kyron smiled, gazing across the room as he breathed richly through his words.
“The Plight of Luminar is both a warning and a blessing. As a warning, it teaches us how to avoid damaging more of this fragile world with our sin and attachments. As a blessing, it shows us that peace and prosperity can be achieved in the most unlikely of places. By guarding the Reed, we are guarding ourselves... and preserving the blessed enlightenment of Verlaxion so that it can be found by all who are called by the Quade... so they too may achieve salvation and commune with the glory of our Goddess.”
Rainbow nodded, standing across the table from him. With a gulp, she asked, “So... uh... why guard it?”
“Hmmm?” Kyron cocked his head to the side.
“The Reed,” Rainbow said. She pointed at the tapestry. “If it's such an immaculate blessing and such... why do you have to keep such a close eye on it?”
“Verlaxion's blessing is a magnificent one,” Kyron said with a smile. “And yet its presence in this world is but a message... and a very fragile one... a gift that must be preserved through careful diligence and attentiveness—”
“Yes. I-I get that. But... I-I mean why?” Rainbow's eyes narrowed. “If you don't mind me asking. Why is it so fragile?”
“If everything was simply given to us—with no expectations whatsoever—then where would one find retribution?”
“Yeah... sure...” Rainbow shrugged. “But... what does that mean, exactly? What makes the Reed so fragile, exactly?”
“These are all such fantastic questions, Rainbow Dash,” Kyron said with a slight chuckle. “It delights me to see a pony with such ardent curiosity and interest.”
“Do you... not get many ponies asking as much as I am?”
Kyron slowly shook his head. “Sadly, no. Your enthusiasm is rarely matched by those who infrequently visit us. For that reason, I am more than willing to answer you in full.” He pointed at the tapestry. “The Reed grows on its own, empowered by the power of Verlaxion. There can simply be no other impetus.” He took a deep breath. “That being said, it became quite apparent to the first pilgrims early on that the blessed shoots... had to be tended to quite thoroughly.”
“Why...?” Rainbow blinked. “Would they fall apart?”
“Not by sheer weather or natural elements alone,” Kyron said, shaking his head. “But sin...” His brow furrowed. “Malevolence... violence... and all the unkind factors of this world...” He waved his hoof again. “...they've threatened to undo Verlaxion's gift constantly.”
Rainbow gulped. “So, in other words... ponies.”
“It took many trials and tribulations before we came to a place of understanding—concerning our role amidst the Holy Reed of the Quade,” Kyron said. “A long time ago, before Verlaxion even inspired us to pen the Word of Reed, our forbearers were quite susceptible to sin and other vices themselves. Several times, the original pilgrims backslid, denying everything they had come to discover. By the third generation, the shadow of Luminar's plight had nearly become a ghostly wasteland, like it was when the first westward clerics discovered it. It was during this time that a couple of foolish souls decided to... harvest some of the Reed.” Kyron gulped hard. “In an effort to build a raft that would take them back to Rohbredden.”
“We call them the Damnable Seven,” Sonikah added with a sickening shudder.
“Quite right, my child,” Kyron remarked. He then turned towards Rainbow Dash again, his expression sickeningly pale. “These... abhorrent hypocrites severed the foundation of countless shoots. This very canyon—Rainbow Dash—was once a veritable forest of the Goddess' holy blessing. It was only after the fourth day of unthinkable violence that a member of their party—a young cleric by the name of Kyron—realized the consequences of their actions. He defected from the other six, then established a shrine around the last remaining shoots of the Reed. Through humility, piety, and repentence, Kyron the First established what we now know as the Blessed Sanctuary of the Foals of Verlaxion.”
Sonikah smiled proudly. “Ever since then, 'Kyron' has been the annointed name of the pony who is chosen to lead us in our further exaltation of the Reed.”
“I had a different name before this one,” Kyron said with a calm smile. “And before that, an even different name. The only thing that remains solid—Rainbow Dash—is our commitment to Verlaxion's glory. With the Reed as our anchor, we throw our souls at her mercy. And throughout the centuries, she has blessed us, and that blessing is evident in the miraculous growth of the Reed. We build off of its shoots... we weave platforms from its string... we revel in its scent and sing praises to its shadow.”
“But we only ever create with the glory that the Reed has given us,” Sonikah said. “Even when we remove a platform, we unweave it, so that every piece of the Reed is preserved.” She shook her head. “We shall never... ever repeat the sins of the damnable seven. Instead, we follow the penitent path of Kyron the First, and in preservation and growth we find our purpose.”
“That's... pretty boss, actually.” Rainbow gulped. “Still... uh... about those seven jerk-faces.”
“Mmmmm...” Kyron stifled a chuckle. “You wish to know more about them? I do not blame you. We do best to understand past fools so that we can promote future heroes.”
“Well... I'm not so curious about them... but about what they did.” Rainbow narrowed her eyes. “The parts of the Reed that they cut up? Where did it all go? I mean... where they put that stuff?”
Kyron and Sonikah hung their heads.
Rainbow blinked. “...sore subject?”
“Alas, it all fell into shadow,” Sonikah murmured. “Buried along with their sins... with our sins.”
“But... I thought the Reed was supposed to be holy'n'stuff.”
“Indeed, it is,” Kyron remarked. “Very much so.”
“Then... how come the first reformed ponies following the original Kyron didn't—like—go diving deep into the Quade to recover this stuff?”
“Because Verlaxion's glory had been lost forever from it.”
“Huh?”
Kyron raised his head, his expression long and melancholic. “You must understand, dear child, that once the Reed has been damaged in any way by sin or malevolence...”
“...it dies completely,” Sonikah said. “The corruption spreads throughout the roots and destroys the very foundation of the Reed. That is why there is no forest of the blessed gift today.”
“And that is why we need protectors, from ancient times and onwards,” Kyron explained. “For while our meditation preserves the essence of Verlaxion's glory, it's the likes of humble Menthe and Galloran and those before them who have committed their lives to defending the Reed from any and all wrongdoers.”
“The Reed is everything... and everything that extends from it is the manifestation of our communion with Verlaxion,” Sonikah said. “There can be no other like it, for this is where our Goddess decided to reveal her plan of mercy within the Quade.”
Rainbow blinked. She bit her lip.
“Now, Rainbow Dash...” Kyron took a step forward, smiling. “You have asked us many questions. I would humbly like to ask you one.” He tilted his head to the side. “What made you want to learn so much about the Reed today?”
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow Dash gulped. Her eyes darted between Kyron and Sonikah. “I... uhhh...” She smiled. “Eheheh...”
Outside a series of wooden shacks, Wildcard and Bard lazily reclined against the edge of the woven platform.
With a glint of ruby light, Rainbow Dash shuffled out from the wooden sanctuary.
Wildcard looked up. He snapped a metal talon.
Bard looked over. “Well, there she is!” Smirking, he adjusted his guitar case and trotted over to meet the mare. “How was Luminard bible study, eh? Heheh...”
“It... was...” Rainbow shifted where she stood. “...enlightening?”
“Well?” Bard leaned forward, blinking. “How about it, darlin'?”
“Uhhhh... how 'bout what?”
“What did ya tell him, huh?” He gestured. “What did ya tell Kyron?”
“I... told him... that...” Rainbow squirmed.
“Yes...?”
“... ... ...that I wanna sit down and read the Word of Reed some more!” She leaned back, rubbing the back of her head. “Eheheheheh...”
Bard blinked.
Wildcard face-talon'd.
“So! Uhm...” Rainbow smiled, sweating. “Who's for more sea mangos???”
“So tell me this at least.” Bard leaned against a wooden beam with a crooked expression across his muzzle. “What was the cotton-pickin' point of the whole meetin'?”
Rainbow Dash sighed, pacing along the edge of the platform. Below her, several pilgrims wove and un-wove a stretch of platform under Sonikah's administration. “I was going to do what you suggested last night. But... like... how does someone even begin a conversation like that?”
Bard glanced over at Wildcard and shrugged. “By just beginnin' the conversation?” he said with a smirk.
Wildcard shrugged, then gobbled down a strip of fishmeat that Galloran had provided, pelican-style.
“Let's be serious for a second, cowcolt,” Rainbow muttered. “To level with 'em... I gotta... y'know... level with 'em!” She gulped. “So I decided to take the opportunity to learn more about the Reed before I told them about what's behind it.”
“And?”
“And... a-and I found out...” Rainbow slumped back on her haunches with a sigh. “I found out the Reed is totally... totally fragile.” She waved a hoof. “Like, a water flea could sneeze on the darn thing and it would go to shreds. All of it.”
“Pffft... you don't know that,” Bard said with a wave of his own hoof.
“I do now!” Rainbow frowned at him. “Because the Luminards know! And they've been knowing for centuries and centuries, dude!”
“Well, assumin' that is the way things are...” Bard shrugged. “...and their super holy shoots are coverin' the metal tower all dense-like from head to hoof, then certainly they'd be the ponies to know how you might go about gettin' through all that!”
“I... I-I don't think there is a way, Bard,” Rainbow murmured, her ears folded back as she gazed nervously upon the glittery waters below. “Kyron and Sonikah went on and on about how—like—a bunch of naughty ponies hacked and ripped parts of the Reed to pieces in the ancient past, only for it to never grow back again. Seems like the Luminards are still super butt-hurt about this, and I'm not exaggerating.”
“Ya sure about that?” Bard smirked.
“Dude...” Sighing, Rainbow stood up and paced the edge of the platform. “I really... really don't want to ruffle any feathers here. I mean... these guys may be a bit on the creepy side... but they're also...” She bit her lip, then blurted: “Super... super nice. And if I step on too many hooves, then who knows if they'll continue to be so?”
“Mind if I ask you a question, Rainbow?”
“Mmmf... shoot.”
“Is there some sort of... I dunno... specific moment from yer past adventures that yer drawin' all of this paranoia from?”
Rainbow shivered slightly.
Bard looked at Wildcard. Wildcard shrugged yet again before downing another strip of fish. “Ahem...” Bard leaned towards Rainbow. “Reckon I already know the answer to that question, huh?”
“Yes and no,” Rainbow mumbled. “I once stumbled upon this place... called Durandana. It's a big crater full of tribal pegasi who've built a self-sustaining commune over the past two or three thousand years.”
“Ah.” Bard nodded. “I do remember ya mentionin' a crater.”
“Well, turns out that the ponies who lived there were really just descendants of a mare from Equestrian history... a very important military general named Commander Hurricane.”
“Whew... Fancy that!”
“Yeah. Only—like—the Durandanans didn't know that! And instead, they...” Rainbow rubbed one leg against another, fidgeting. “...th-they worshipped her. Called her the 'Valkyrie.' And they too saw parts of the Machine World, only they thought it was part of the Valkyrie's holy manifestation n'stuff. It was really crazy.”
Wildcard gulped his last bite and took a moment to hand-gesture.
Bard read: “'And super awkward.' I feel ya, Dubya-Cee.” He turned towards Rainbow Dash. “And what, pray tell, didja tell 'em?”
Rainbow Dash gulped. “The truth.”
“Well!” Bard smiled, tipping his hat. “There ya go! Quite frankly, I dun see what's stoppin' ya in the here and n—”
“It nearly divided their entire culture in half, and at least one of them tried to get me thrown out of the crater altogether in a fit of anger.”
“Oh.” Bard winced. Scratching his chin, he glanced over at Wildcard. “That's... uhm...” He cleared his throat. “A cryin' shame.”
“Don't g-get me wrong!” Rainbow Dash blinked wide. “It all worked out in the end! I was able to convince them of the truth... about Commander Hurricane and Equestria and the nature of this world, but...” She leaned back, wincing. “I... uh... I had a lot of help in doing that.”
“You had them Noble Jury friends of yers, then, right?”
“It was more than that,” Rainbow said firmly. “I had recovered the Sword of Solstice from Commander Hurricane's tomb itself,” she explained, gesturing. “And—even after over a thousand years—it still retained Princess Celestia's solar enchantment. When in contact with sunlight, the weapon bridged a communication with Equestria's monarch.”
“You mean across several continents?”
Rainbow nodded. “Harmonic magic is... very potent on this plane.”
“Heh... no kiddin'.” Bard leaned his hat back. “Reckon that would have been mighty useful, gettin' the Derek Danas to talk with yer supreme Goddess herself.” He smirked. “I'm guessin' it won them over?”
“I... can only hope,” Rainbow said with a shudder. “I... left the Sword with them.”
“Gosh.” Bard blinked. “Talk about sacrifice.”
“As much as I'd like to have Celestia's guidance in my journeys, the Durandanans needed to connect with her even more,” Rainbow said. “When I last left the crater, the pegasi there had more or less mixed into two schools: one that supported regaining their Equestrian heritage, and another that wanted to stick to Valkyrie-worshipping principals. All in all... they were at peace.”
“Whew. Well done, darlin'.” Bard leaned back on his haunches. “Still, I bet there's a part of you that wishes she still had that fancy schmancy sword to convince ponies of the truth.”
“Mmmmm... yeah...” Rainbow paced in a circle. “But, all the same, this isn't Durandana.” She squinted in the sunlight as she trotted around. “There's been an awful lot of magic between there and here. Glowy, talky swords can't work the same everywhere, y'know? What's more, the Luminards... are the Luminards. There's not a single shred of Equestrian blood to be had in them. It'd be like talking to a wall no matter what, even if I did have Celestia's booming voice on my side.”
“So... what yer sayin' is...” Bard waved his hoof. “Yer feelin' like yer stuck at square one.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow slumped to a stop, sighing. “And I don't like it one bit.” She ran a hoof over her mane. “That's... why I kinda want to dig through the Word of Reed while I'm here. Get a better idea of what makes these pilgrims tick.” She looked up, eyes soft and vulnerable. “Even if it's a long shot... approaching them at their square one would be... the kind and considerate thing, ya think?”
“Oh. Totally. But if you beat around the bush too much, Rainbow, then it's gonna grow into a forest all around you.”
“Eugh...” Rainbow groaned. “I know. I know.”
“What do yer marefriends think of all this?”
Rainbow stirred. “They... kinda share my sentiment of going about this as carefully as possible. But I'm sure they all secretly wanna wring my neck.” She smiled awkwardly. “Good thing they've only got ghost limbs, huh?”
“Well... if they respect this angle yer takin'...” Bard shrugged. “...then I'm not one to tell y'all otherwise.” He folded his forelimbs with a sharp stare. “Even still, we ain't dealin' with children here. The Luminards are all adults, and should be treated as such.”
“What... are you even saying, Bard?”
“While it's noble that you wanna do more research, I feel like there's more than you can get out of these folks just through word of muzzle.” He glanced at Wildcard. “Presentin' yerself all honest-like.”
Wildcard nodded, munching.
“I think I just made it clear that trying to tell these ponies straight-up about the machine world and everything wouldn't work like it did with the proto-Equestrians I met—”
“Htt! Mmm!” Bard waved a hoof in her face, silencing her. “Let's not talk ourselves into a silly little circle, now.” He smiled. “I'm on yer side, Rainbow Dash. And if 'cautious' is the name of the game, then I'm ready and rearin' to play ball... for now.” His brow furrowed. “Best ya know that there may come a time when you can't ballet-dance around this.”
“Right...”
“Especially considerin' how blunt you tend to be.”
“Right—” Rainbow's eyes crossed. “Wait, huh?”
Wildcard snickered breathily, nearly choking on some fish.
“It's the goddess-dang truth, Rainbow.” Bard chuckled, holding a hoof up. “I swear. You've got the finesse of a locomotive on stilts. Sometimes, I swear, the only reason you've made it as far as you have in this world is 'cuz yer the Divinely Crown'd Princess of Straight Lines.”
“Yeah...?” Rainbow folded her forelimbs. “And what's wrong with that?” A blink, and she snarled towards an empty space at her side. “Quit laughing, Pinkie!”
“Dubya-Cee and I should be helpin' through all of this mess. Reckon we failed ya the moment we let you go to Kyron to try and chat him up alone.” Bard tapped his chin in thought, then brightened. “What if...?”
“Uh oh...” Rainbow leaned back, wincing. “...why do I already not like the sound of this?”
“Hear me out.” Bard pointed. “What if ya let me go with you this time. We can talk to Kyron together. You can ask him about the Reed n'stuff again, only with me by yer side!”
“That... sounds really cool actually,” Rainbow said. “You have made something of a warm splash with the locals.”
Wildcard gestured something.
“Hmmmph...” Bard blushed slightly. “Rub it in. Both of ya.”
“Odds are, they could open up to you more,” Rainbow said. “But...” She fidgeted slightly. “I... uhm... hmmm...”
“What's the matter?”
“Well...” Rainbow sighed. “It's just that... I told Kyron that I would be going to Antsan to ask to see the scrolls and read up on the Word of Reed,” she said, ears twitching. “Wouldn't it seem weird for me to suddenly backtrack and be asking him stuff face to face again?”
“I... dun quite get you.”
“I don't want to come across as really pushy or anything.” Rainbow shrugged. “The last thing I need is to arouse suspicion.”
“Rainbow, you ain't meanin' to do nothin' bad.”
“I know.” Rainbow sighed, gazing down at the platform beneath them. “I know.”
Bard tapped his chin in thought.
Wildcard wiped his break, stood up, and talon-signed.
Bard blinked at him. “... ... ...hrmmm...” He smiled. “Not a bad idea, mofo.”
“What?” Rainbow blinked, standing back up. “What???”
“Leave it all to me, darlin',” Bard said with a slight bow. “This calls for the stallion with the honey'd tongue.”
“Uhhhhh huhhhhhh...” Rainbow squinted at him. A blink, and she frowned aside: “Rarity. Don't you start.”
Rainbow clung to the underside of a particularly large circular platform. So close to the woven structure, her flicking ears could hear the random hoofsteps and shuffles of pilgrims above and below her. The pegasus held her breateh and stuck to the shadows, bracing herself against a wooden support beam that allowed her body a tiny niche within which to hide.
She remained there, gazing down at the shadowed waters of the Quade beneath the multiple platforms, until a pale face emerged from the platform directly above.
“The conversation's starting, darling!” Rarity exclaimed. “Just stay here a little longer!”
“Right.” Rainbow nodded. “I got it. How many ponies are there?”
“Just Kyron,” Rarity said. “Sonikah—it would seem—currently has her hooves full with the weaving projects high above us.” The ghostly fashionista squinted at Rainbow's body. “Are you certain you're comfortable where you are, dear? Perchance you need a flank to lean on?”
“I'm fine,” Rainbow muttered. “Besides... not much you can do to help in that area.”
“Oh... r-right... a-ahem...” Rarity smiled nervously. “Well, try not to over-exert yourself. This hopefully shouldn't take long.”
“Gotcha. Now go,” Rainbow said, waving. She added: “And somepony keep me updated if possible!”
“Affirmative!” Rarity held her breath and flew straight up. She phased... phased... phased through layers of wood and woven Reed, blurring past structures, buildings, bodies. At last, she emerged through the floor of a familiar tiny room with a familiar tiny table. Bard stood on one end, surrounded by Pinkie and Twilight Sparkle.
“Hey Rare-Rare!” Pinkie waved, grinning. “Just in time! The festivities are about to start!”
Rarity cleared her throat, floating closer. “Pinkie, darling, you and I have dramatically different definitions for what is 'festive.'”
“I mean, have you seen these guys' manes?” Pinkie giggle-snorted. “What's not to love about this place?! It's like a rodeo-clown university operating twenty-four-seven up in this treehouse! Heeheehee!”
“Eugh... somehow I don't think this is the sort of observation that I need to be mentally writing down for Rainbow Dash.”
“Shhhh! Both of you!” Twilight insisted, leaning over Bard's shoulder. “I want to hear all of this!”
Kyron shuffled up, taking a deep breath. “Greetings, and a fair afternoon, Mr. Bard,” he said. “I see you're also quite the curious foal of Verlaxion.”
“Eheh...” Bard took his hat off and held it before his chest. “Reckon ya dun get many guests visitin' you with this sort of frequency.”
“Believe me. It fills my heart with great joy,” Kyron said with a smile. “Do not let the tired bones of age full you, my child. I am quite ecstatic over the chance to answer any and all questions.”
“Well, reckon at the end of this conversation, it'll be you askin' a heap'o'questions, Elder.”
Kyron leaned his head to the side. “I'm afraid I don't quite understand, Mr. Bard.” He blinked. “My fellow pilgrims told me that you wished to meet and converse over the Reed.”
“Eeyup. Quite true.” Bard placed his hat on the table—then pointed at it. “Ya mind?”
Kyron waved a gentle hoof.
“Right, then. So...” Bard paced lightly on his end of the dimly-lit room while Twilight and the other two marefriends looked on. “The Reed. Whew... amazin' stuff!” He shuffled to a stop, smiling at the elder. “Grows out of the dead seabed like nopony's business, huh?”
Kyron chuckled slightly. “That is certainly a... unique way of describing Verlaxion's blessing. However, I would easily contend that her business is our business. As the Reed is the vessel through which are prayers are channeled to her so that we may filter out the impurities of our sins.”
“No kiddin'!” Bard smirked. “Imagine that must take a while.”
“Hmmm?”
“Well, I dunno about you, but a full life lived out there? Over the ocean?” Bard shivered slightly. “One's soul gets covered in a fair amount of seagull poop, if ya know what I'm sayin'.”
Rarity and Pinkie shared amused smirks.
Bard chuckled at himself and gazed thoughtfully at the elder. “What I mean to say is... can one half of a lifetime be enough to cover the previous half?”
“Are you considering communion with Verlaxion's glory here in the Quade, Mr. Bard?”
“Oh... heheh... no, not quite,” Bard said, waving a hoof. “I'm just sayin' that I kinda understand the implications of what a mighty-humble journey like that would entail.”
“Your good friend Rainbow Dash has already expressed interest in scouring our scriptural archives,” Kyron said. “I'm pleased that an outsider would so eagerly desire to peruse the Word of Reed.”
“Yeah, she's a curious mare, that Rainbow Dash.” Bard paced again, raising a hoof at one point. “And that brings up somethin' I've been meanin' to ask since I got here.”
“By all means, my child.”
“I've been to many places, ya see?” Bard said. “Seen many ponies. Heard many life stories. Of course, naturally, I run into prophets of the Reed from time to time, summonin' souls to the Quade. Just like in Upper Shoggoth, ya reckon?”
“Indeed.”
“But I also hear the words of other ponies... or—should I say—other believers. After all, these seas are far too sprawlin' and big to contain just one faith and one faith alone.”
“As I am quite aware,” Kyron said with a calm smile. “It is our firm belief that Verlaxion's spirit reaches to all souls.” He exhaled, his ears folding. “It is the unfortunate consequence of sin that many of those ponies are clouded by doubt and deceit, and as such they are drawn to interpret Verlaxion's calling in grossly inaccurrate ways.”
“Is that what you tell—say—Midnighters when they show up here in the Quade?” Bard blinked inquisitively at the old stallion. “From what I've heard, them bat ponies believe in a 'Mother of Nightmares' or some such nonsense.”
Kyron chuckled slightly. “Although we have heard many a tale about the midnight ponies, I'm afraid none have shown up in my lifetime, or in the years of the previous 'Kyron,'” he said. “Nevertheless, our hearts and our love go out to them—and to all ponies who have been led astray, for we know that beneath all of the obscure detritus of spiritual confusion there lies the inspiration that Verlaxion has granted us all.”
“So... in other words...” Bard waved a hoof. “The 'Mother of Nightmares' may just be a mask for the Midnighters to come here and worship Verlaxion?”
“Precisely. And when the time comes that such foals of the Goddess are drawn here, it will be our humble task to commune with them here amongst the Reed.”
“Well, that's just fine and dandy!” Bard said with a grin. “Cuz I happen to have met some deeply devout ponies in my travels. I guess you could call 'em... mmmm... the most loyal ponies you ever did see. They believe in somethin' so strongly that they have traveled hundreds... thousands of miles to find more and more answers to it... searchin' for manifestation and revelation—I suppose you could say.”
“You have me intrigued,” Kyron said, nodding slightly. “Just what are these ponies called?”
“Well, I may have... kinda sorta exaggerrated about there bein' more than one of 'em,” Bard said with a chuckle. He rubbed the back of his head and rambled, “It was only just one pony that I met. And, for lack of a better term, I suppose you could call their organization... the 'Church of Austraeoh!'”
Twilight face-hoofed while Pinkie Pie giggled.
“Oh, just relax, Twilight.” Rarity patted Twilight's shoulder. “I think it's a rather charming term.”
“It's a fully loaded one, if you ask me,” Twilight grumbled.
“Shhhh!” Pinkie squeaked hoarsely. “They're continuing the chatting-nooga-choochoo!”
“A most curious title,” Kyron said, leaning his head aside with a thoughtful expression. “Is that truly how it's pronounced?”
Bard shrugged wildly. “Hey. I haven't had many occasions to practice the tongue-twister myself. But dun matter none. What struck me about this... Austraeoh pony is that she believed in somethin' wild-soundin' called the 'Spark.' Somethin' nebulous and harmonic-like that powers up the world we all live on.”
“I see...”
“And this darn nebulous Spark thang done dragged her across half the world! Past continents... past oceans... even past the Blight!”
Kyron's brow furrowed. “Past... the Blight? But... nopony can survive such a crossing...”
“I know! Talk about miracles, eh?” Bard smirked. “Ya might be surprised, Elder. Lots of stuff has been happenin' outside these woven walls. Word in the harbor is that the Blight's completely disappeared! Ponies are able to travel west beyond Kihutaja and the Colonialist waters!”
“Truly a mark of Verlaxion's divination, if indeed it has transpired!” Kyron remarked, breathless.
“Oh, to you and me, most definitely! But to this... Austraeoh pony... it's just a natural consequence of her travels.”
“I... am afraid I don't understand.”
“Heck. Me neither. But from what she told me, the Spark that's been drivin' her across the world has the power to move mountains. And this is all because she believed—whole heartedly from what I could tell—that the Spark is just a manifestation of a gigantic layer of highly religious relics lyin' deep beneath the world's surface. In fact, if what she said has any hope of bein' true, then all of us here in Rohbredden and the seas beyond are all parked atop a giant sheet of metal machinery! Older than time itself! Whew!” Bard smirked. “Talk about wild!”
“I must admit, I find her outlook to be quite imaginative,” Kyron said with a kind smile. “The sheer scope of it almost drowns out the sorrow I feel for how misled she's been.”
Twilight winced.
“Shhhh...” Rarity insisted. “Allow Mr. Bard to carry his weight...”
“Well, as you can imagine, I took all of her ramblings with a grain of salt,” Bard said. “After all, I've been taught since I was a lil' cowpoke that Verlaxion and her mercy runs the world. Not some... cold-hearted machinery. So, I didn't pay it much mind...” Bard swiveled about, hooves scuffling against the woven floor. “...but then I saw it for myself.”
Kyron blinked. “Saw what for yourself, Mr. Bard?”
“Machines,” Bard said. “Very... very old machines... deep beneath Shoggoth.” He continued in a firm, serious tone. “Chambers of glowing metal were lyin' down there, undisturbed for centuries, until my friends and I were lucky enough to stumble upon them. And suddenly—what seemed like a lot of hooey to me... started to make a lick of sense.”
“And this... drew conviction in your heart?”
“Heh...” Bard smoothed back his bangs. “With all the crazy thangs that I've witnessed in this life, you'd be surprised just how much of it I'd be willin' to shrug off. In truth, I didn't obsess over it none. But then I came here. And Rainbow Dash got to talkin' to me and... well...” His eyes narrowed. “I suppose t'ain't no sense in dancin' around the fact. Rainbow did some snoopin' around yesterday, didn't she?”
“Mmmm... indeed.” Kyron nodded. “Menthe observed her making an unwarranted visit to the upper shrines. And then our fellow pilgrim Antsan confessed to having chatted quite extensively with the mare.” Kyron shook his head with a smile. “I do not fault Rainbow Dash. After all, her curiosity is quite refreshing. I cannot harbor discontent for any foal of Verlaxion who comes here, seeking nothing but the truth.”
“Really...” Bard droned, his eyes gazing at the space next to him. “Y'all dun say...”
“Uhhhhh...” Twilight blinked.
“I do believe he is attempting give us an emphatic glance, dear,” Rarity said.
“BARRRRD!” Pinkie waved wildly. “WE'RE OVER HERE!”
“Eugh... Pinkie...”
“YOU'RE DOING GREAT, COWCOLT!” Pinkie grinned wide. “KEEP IT UP!”
As her yelling voice dissipated, Bard could be heard once again: “Well, I ain't gonna lie. She dun told us about the stuff she saw while she was in there.” He shrugged while pacing. “I mean, who could blame us? Dubya-Cee and I was curious too! We just... didn't have the guts like Rainbow did to do somethin' so forward-like.”
Kyron chuckled lightly. “If it was for the same motive, believe me, Verlaxion's grace would forgive you both all the same.”
“Shucks. Yer too kind.”
The elder bowed with a smile. “So I've been told.”
“And, to the point, Rainbow told us a lot of thangs. But the one that got me the most was...” He came to a stop, turning to face Kyron fixedly once again. “...she done saw an entire strip of metal beyond the Reed.” He blinked. “I'm talkin' behind it... way high up along the so-called 'upper shrines.' And—naturally—my head goes back to the stories this one mare of 'Austraeoh' had told me about the 'Spark.' And I gets to thinkin'... 'What if this is that same metal mystery that I saw deep beneath Shoggoth?'” Bard gulped. “'What if... just what if what both the Austraeoh pony said and the Luminards say are right all along? And that Verlaxion's glory here amidst the Reed and the pieces of a strange metal world may all be... one in the same?'”
Twilight, Pinkie, and Rarity leaned forward, nervously biting their lips.
Kyron stared in silence.
Bard cleared his throat. “Am... am I just ramblin' here?” He smiled bashfully. “Or was Rainbow just imaginin' thangs when she saw that... all that metal?”
“Trust me, Mr. Bard,” Kyron said. “We are more than aware of the metal beyond the Reed.”
Twilight and Rarity blinked.
“Wowsies...” Pinkie swiveled to gaze at the other two. “He sure answered that quick!”
“And, if you were to dive deep enough within the Quade, you would likely notice more of the curious substance,” Kyron added with a calm expression. “Our archives hold carefully detailed observations of what lies beneath the water and limestone.”
“Huh...” Bard leaned back on his haunches, blinking. “Reckon... I-I didn't expect you to know a thang about this machine layer stuff.”
“Oh, we haven't had a reason to call it 'machinery,'” Kyron said with a slight chuckle. “Not until now, at least. For, in truth, Mr. Bard, it doesn't not particularly matter to us what the substance is or who put it there.”
“Uhhh...” Bard blinked. “It don't?”
“It doesn't?” Twilight murmured aloud.
Kyron nodded. “Much of Luminar's past is a mystery to us. The only thing we know—and the only truth that matters—is that the ponies who lived here... much like the ponies who've lived everywhere... were guilty of sin, arrogance, and apathy. It's just that the particular souls who dwelled here in Luminar directly rejected the Goddess Verlaxion's offer for peace and communion. For their transgressions, this land fell into shadow and became the Quade. The presence of this... ghostly metal is yet another glinting piece of the gravestone they've reduced this continent to.”
“So... from y'all's perspective...” Bard waved a hoof. “...the metal is just somethin' left behind by evil ponies.”
“We prefer to use the term 'misguided,'” Kyron said with a smile. “No doubt the artificial substance once served a purpose to sinful ponies living wayward lives. However, the Reed serves an even mightier purpose. A holier one.” He bowed his head slightly. “We see no greater evidence than the sheer fact that the Reed—its growth ushered through Verlaxion's power alone—has covered almost the entirety of the ancient material you speak of. Even today, after so many countless eons, the Goddess' glory seeks to bury the sins of Luminar, no matter how heinous.”
“But... from what Rainbow said,” Bard remarked, “There're still some parts of the Reed where you can see through to the metal.”
“Indeed.” Kyron nodded, still smiling. “As it is Verlaxion's righteous will to remind us of the Reed's purpose and the sin we're meant to purge through labor, pain, and prayer. We firmly believe that the exposed bits of the shoots are there to allow us greater meditation, which is precisely why we've constructed our chapels and prayer stalls around them.”
“Wait...” Bard leaned forward, eyebrow raised. “There's more than one spot where the Reed thins?”
“Mmmm... yes.” Kyron trotted up to the table and leaned his old limbs against it. “Down in the lower platforms especially. There are even spots where a pilgrim can see her or his reflection in the ancient metal's sheen. We've called these sanctified spots 'Luminar's Windows.'”
“Did you hear that...?” Rarity gasped, glancing at the other two. “There are even bigger holes in the Reed!”
“I bet Dashie could even fit her awesome fuzzy head through!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Precisely what I'm thinking!” Rarity waved a hoof. “Quick! Go tell the mare, darling!”
“Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie chimed, winding her body up to zip away.
“Wait!” Twilight yanked Pinkie back by her tail and gestured towards the conversation. “Don't go yet. I think we're about to hear more...”
“I mean... I-I'm plum curious whether or not this here metal behind 'Luminar's Windows' is the same thang I aw before in Shoggoth,” Bard said. “Any chance—by yer grace—I might be able to go and have a look-see.”
Kyron exhaled slowly. “I am sorry, my child.” He shook his head. “But such cannot be allowed.”
“Really?” Bard asked. “If ya dun mind me askin'—how come?”
“These areas... these 'windows'... are the holiest of holies in the entirety of the Quade,” Kyron explained. “Not just because of the metal substance, mind you, but because of their position so close to the foundation of the Reed.” He gulped. “You must understand. The exposure to Luminar's Plight is raw and... unpredictable there. The sins of Luminar are in full display, and the effects that such damnable karma have on a spirit is most harrowing.”
“In...” Bard grimaced slightly. “...wh-what way?”
“It is not a concern for the uninitiated,” Kyron said bluntly. “Please. Do not take it as an affront to your character, Mr. Bard. But only the most highly anointed foals of Verlaxion are allowed in those hallowed woven halls. Even I—myself—was not allowed in those lower chapels until shortly before I became 'Kyron.' There are many under my protection who are not allowed. In fact, the majority of pilgrims here are not granted access. You must understand... it is moreso for their protection than the Reed's. It takes a deeply concentrated and dedicated spirit—humble to the last—to surpass the dark energies that threaten to undermine the growth that Verlaxion's miracle has achieved.”
“Yeah...” Bard smoothed his bangs back, nodding. “I heard Rainbow go on and on about how darn fragile the Reed is.”
“We believe that prior mistakes of negligent pilgrims in the past are mostly responsible for the thinning of the Reed in those lower levels,” Kyron said, his expression grave. “The first few Kyron's to have overseen meditation here in the Reed were prone to mistakes and backsliding. It took a good century or two before our penitence made up for our frailties. Thankfully, the damage caused by Luminar's lingering sin was staved off, and though the missing shoots of the Reed can never grow back, we rejoice in Verlaxion's grace that the rest of the miraculous material has remained healthy and whole.” He then smiled. “In meditation, we must never forget our mistakes, lest we commit them again in the same arrogance as those who attempted serving Verlaxion before us.”
“I see...” Bard's gaze wandered off, incidentally passing through the three ghostly mares.
“This... 'pony of the Church of Austraeoh' of whom you speak of...” Kyron strolled closer to Bard. “She is right to fixate on the metal that has somehow been granted to her in a vision. To me, it sounds quite like a sign of Verlaxion's divine intervention. That 'Spark' she speaks of can only be the fires of humble conviction burning deep in her being. It's both saddening and yet inspiring, for I like to believe that there is hope for a soul as lost as hers. In addition, I do believe the same spirit that's drawn this mare across the lengths of the world has similarly drawn you and your griffon companion to the Quade. Sometimes, Verlaxion chooses to summon us through the most unlikely of devices... including the ancient detritus of past sins.” He smiled. “It fills me with great joy that—after so much searching and flying—you have found yourself in such a deep and contemplative conversation with a humble pilgrim such as myself. I would like to believe that the same will occur one day with the enthusiastic mare you once met in your travels.”
“Yeah...” Bard gulped. “Imagine that...”
“You and I, Mr. Bard,” Kyron spoke. “We have a great responsibility in this life. We're responsible for the well-being of others and their loved ones. However, in the end, the only pony who can save her or his own soul is that very same pony themselves. Through example, we may be able to inspire the responsibility towards self and others in the ones closest—as well as most distant—to us.”
“Right. Sure.” Bard nodded. “But... what if...”
“Yes...?”
“What if... this pony... this Church of Austraeoh pony...” Bard looked up, his eyes narrow. “What if what she believes and what Verlaxion manifests are both true?”
Kyron merely blinked.
Bard continued: “What if... there is a Spark behind the Reed... within this old, ancient metal left over by Luminar. And...” He fidgeted where he stood. “What if it was Verlaxion's will for her... t-to get to it? To get beyond the Reed? So that she may commune with the Spark.” He gulped again, smiling sheepishly. “As sh-she wishes it?”
Twilight and Rarity winced.
Pinkie—eyes on Bard—leaned over. She grasped Twilight's hoof and face-palmed it over her own muzzle.
“That... would not be in accordance with the Word of Reed,” Kyron breathed—practically droned. The confusion was evident in every gray contour of his face. “I cannot fathom why Verlaxion would will something so... extraordinary. It would undermine every blessing that she's given us. It would negate the very miracle that has grown here in the Quade.”
“Well, if it's somethin' extraordinary, then perhaps that'd make it a miracle in and of itself!” Bard remarked.
Kyron chuckled.
“I mean... ain't it at least possible for Verlaxion to will such a thing?”
“Mr. Bard, my child...” Kyron gently rested a hoof on the stallion's shoulder. “I admire your enthusiasm... as well as your passion for understand. You seek the truth. Well, the truth is what I'm here to provide. And I assure you... there is nothing beyond the Reed—save for that which Verlaxion has sought to bury. I speak, of course, of the sins and mistakes of Luminar, the very source of suffering and upheaval here in the Quade. If there was no Plight in the first place, then the Reed would never have a reason to grow... or to draw us here into meditation so that we may further commune with Verlaxion's glory.”
“So... in other words... you dun think it's possible for—”
“Mr. Bard, I know it isn't possible.”
“But...” Bard wheezed, growing more and more frazzled. “Have you at least met the Goddess Verlaxion in person? Has she dun told you this?”
“Wreep! Wreeep!” Pinkie waved her hooves while the other two mares cringed. “Warning! Warning! Step off the question train, Mr. Bard!”
Kyron smiled at him. “I entreat Verlaxion every minute of every day, and she speaks to my spirit, Mr. Bard. This is not because I'm anointed... or because of the way I present myself. It's simply because I've cast my dout aside and humbled myself before her Glory... just as I committed to years and years ago. It all started with reading and taking heed to the Word of Reed, much like your friend Rainbow Dash has elected to do.” Kyron leaned back, grinning from ear to ear. “If you want my advice, my child—I suggest you join her.”
“Soooooooooooooooooo...” Rainbow's voice cracked as she hovered in a circle above the sun-lit platform. “...long story short, it didn't work.”
“Eeeeeeugh...” Bard waved the dust off his hat and plopped it on his head with a surly glare. “It didn't work and a half.”
Wildcard snorted.
Bard pointed at him. “And don't you even start.”
Rainbow gestured at the three mares hovering at her side. “Twilight and the others told me all that was said.” Her eyes narrowed. “I thought you were Tartarus-bent on telling them all about Urohringr'n'crud.”
“Well, judgin' from how consarn nervous you was about the whole matter, I figured that I might settle for a sorta half-way thang. Y'know, all diplomatic-like.” Bard shrugged. Hard. “And, besides... even if I did decide to go full-saddle...” He narowed his eyes on the mare. “Ain't exactly my place, ya reckon?”
Rainbow sighed heavily, running a hoof over her face. “Eeeeeeeuuuu-yeahhhhh...”
“Don't feel so bad, Rainbow,” Twilight said, hovering close. “I listened to the whole thing. I, for one, believe that Bard chose the most strategic way to ask about the Reed and the machine world beneath it.”
“Yeah!” Pinkie nodded. “Except for the part at the very end where he totally fumbled over himself like a goofy kid losing at a spelling bee—” A white, diamond-emblazoned flank whapped her in the side. “Ooof!”
Rarity cleared her throat, then looked over at Rainbow Dash. “Still, we learned some crucial information.” She hovered closer. “Especially about these 'Luminar's Windows' located down below.”
“Yes!” Twilight exclaimed, glancing at Rainbow with a bright expression. “Remember the spot you saw inside the chapel where the metal was exposed? Well, according to Kyron, there are parts located in the lower chapels where even more of the tower is visible!”
“Who knows, Dashie?” Pinkie grinned. “Maybe you can find a way to Fluttershy through one of these lookie-lookie holes!”
“Uhhhhh...” Rainbow's muzzle scrunched. “Is there any reason for us to believe that the gaps in the Reed is that big?”
“Well...” Pinkie's ears folded back. “No. I guess not.”
“Besides...” Rarity sighed. “Kyron made it quite clear that those particular chapels are off-limits to outsiders. Even several of the meditating pilgrims themselves.”
“Rarity's right,” Twilight said, nodding. “Only Kyron and a select few are allowed in those areas.”
“So, in other words,” Rainbow muttered. “I can't get close enough to see the exposed tower for myself.”
“I'm afraid not.”
Rainbow slumped down onto the woven platform, sighing. “Great. Just wonderful.”
“Uhm...” Bard shuffled forward. “Sorry to butt-in on yer super important conversation with the ghost girls, but...” He shrugged. “What exactly do ya aim to do next? I mean, reckon we could volunteer Dubya... make it his turn to go up there and sweet-talk Kyron's ear off, but I doubt even the elder of this place will have patience for a squawking chatterbox like him.”
Wildcard rolled his goggled eyes.
“Mmmmff...” Rainbow rubbed her forehead, staring down at the Quade's shallow waters far below. “... ... ...” She blinked. “What was Kyron's attitude when you left him.”
Bard shrugged. “Happy. Granted, he always seems happy. And calm.” He adjusted his hat. “He seemed mighty keen on you for offerin' to look over their Word of Reed n'such.”
“Honestly...” Rarity groaned. “Haven't we ingratiated ourselves to these monks enough?” She glanced at Rainbow with a crooked frown. “I'd say we should just go up to them—by 'we' I mean you and the Desperadoes—and simply ask for a way to go beyond the Reed. Surely, if it was possible, they would know how!”
“But Rarity!” Pinkie pouted. “From the sound of things, they don't want us meddling with their... metal!”
“It's not their metal,” Rainbow grumbled.
“That's not an easy thing to convince them of, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “They've been protecting the Reed outside of it for thousands and thousands of years. I doubt they've even entertained the idea of seeking a way through it... much less actually attempting explore the metal beyond.”
“Yes, they do seem rather disgusted at the mere sight of the ancient substance,” Rarity added.
“So what's the big problem really?” Pinkie said.
“Uhhhhh...” Rarity smiled nervously. “I do believe we have just listed them all, and copiously so, darling.”
“Sooooo?” Pinkie grinned. “What's the harm in us finding out more?”
“Not sure we can find out more,” Rainbow muttered.
“Well, not with that attitude!” Pinkie stuck her tongue out, then danced in place. “Think think think! Why do religious ponies keep scripture?”
“So that way not everything is praise and worship?” Rainbow shrugged. “I dunno.”
“Yup yup yup!” Pinkie leaned towards Twilight, grinning. “And where there are rules...”
“... ... ...” Twilight's eyes lit up. “There are loopholes!”
“Seriously?” Rarity winced slightly. “Isn't that a bit of a stretch?”
“Well, it's certainly worth a shot.” Twilight looked at Rainbow. “Well? How about it?”
“How about what?”
“You were wanting to look into the Word of Reed anyways,” Twilight said. “Maybe... just maybe we can find something that will aid us!”
“Twilight, no offense to you or any of the ponies doing the whole ascetic disco above and below us, but...” Rainbow stood up with a tired groan. “...I'm not exactly planning on communing with Verlaxion anytime soon.” Her nostrils flare. “Believe me. I know my sins. I think I can deal on my own.”
“But what about communing with Fluttershy?” Twilight asked, her voice taking on an ardent, breathy tone. “Rainbow, I refuse to believe that Yaerfaerda's leading us here just to run into a dead-end! I mean... look at the past! Pursuing Yaerfaerda has only produced good results before!”
“Erm...” Rainbow squirmed, avoiding the unicorn's gaze. “I... g-guess...”
“In Kihutaja... Nealend... Rust and Shoggoth... you've been led to do amazing, awesome things!” Twilight beamed. “And for better or for worse, this has left the world in your wake a great deal more harmonious!” She giggled. “Wasn't it true for you and the Jury as well?”
“Uhhhh...”
Twilight turned to Pinkie and Rarity. “Did you know that Rainbow and her friends single-hoofedly stopped a changeling takeover in a deer kingdom named Val Roa?”
“Oh yeah!” Pinkie bounced in place. “I remember that story!”
“That was where Chrysalis gave herself up peacefully, am I correct?” Rarity asked, eyelashes fluttering.
“And where that real prince and that fake princess got together and did the nuzzle-cuddle!” Pinkie giggled. “Heeeee! So cuuuuuute! Also goblins and explosions!”
“Twilight...” Rainbow cleared her throat. “Girls, I—”
“Autraeoh is destined to restore that which was lost in the Sundering, right?” Twilight twirled about to face Rainbow. “Well, I think it's all becoming clear to me now! If the Midnight Armory is your waypoint in restoring the Elements, then that must mean that Harmony is a key part of Austraeoh's journey! We are... we are your invisible Eljunbyro, Rainbow!” Twilight lifted a hoof, giggling joyfully. “What else are we here for than to make sure you get back Fluttershy and Applejack... restore the rest of Eljunbyro... and assist the Spark in jump-starting the broken world? If Harmony is on our side, then we're just bound to find a solution to this mess and all the ones to follow! Just like I was bound to find the Elements in Ponyville to begin with!”
“Sure, Twilight, but... but you gotta understand.” Rainbow scratched her head, wincing. “Not... everything is quite so easy.”
“Well... pffft... of course not, Rainbow. After all, we've seen that for ourselves!”
“No. You haven't.” Rainbow frowned. “You girls have no idea how... how...” She gazed at them, her words trailing.
Pinkie, Twilight, and Rarity smiled back, their eyes blinking brightly.
“... ... ...” Rainbow swallowed a lump down her throat. “...how... h-how much I've... n-needed you girls in making this j-journey...” She smiled, leaning back to hide the thick drops of sweat collecting along her temple. “So... uh... if you really th-think that there's a loophole to be found in the scripture...”
“Oh Rainbow...” Twilight rushed forward. “You can depend on us! We'll help you get over this hump! If we all put our heads together, I'm certain we can figure out a way to get you down into those chapels with the Luminards' permission!”
“Now that's the spirit!” Rarity smiled. “These paragons of zealotry are most kind, after all. They've given us plenty of opportunities to work hoof-in-hoof with them before! Surely that will be of utmost assistance to us now!”
“What's goin' on, darlin'?” Bard asked as he and Wildcard leaned forward. “You look like yer in the eye of a storm.”
“Errr...” Rainbow smiled bashfully, scratching her neck. “We're... kinda having a team huddle at the moment.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Oh yeahhhhh!” Pinkie Pie flew through the air. “Woohoo! Scripture diving! Here we go!”
An hour later...
Surrounded by dim candle-light and dust...
Pinkie Pie stood in place, shuddering slightly as she gazed left and right with a sheepish expression.
“Woohoo...” She whimpered, chuckling nervously while her eyebrows wagged. “...scripture diving... here we go...”
“Try not to be too enthusiastic, darling,” Rarity droned.
“Shhhh!” Twilight hissed, hovering enthusiastically over a rickety wooden table in the center of the Luminards' two-story archives. “He's coming with the scrolls!”
“Who's coming with the scrolls?” Rainbow whispered. She looked aside, then saw a flash of wirey red mane-hair. “Oh buck me with a Darkstine tower...”
“Shhhhhhh!” Twilight hissed again. Smiling wide, she spun around, squatting weightlessly atop the table's edge while her violet tail wagged.
“Mrmmff...” Antsan hobbled over, then dumped a thick thick pile of dust-laden scrolls over the tabletop as ceremoniously as he could manage. “Whew! I haven't carried that much since I was just an initiate! Heheh!”
“Good thing all your muscle is above your shoulders,” Rainbow droned.
“Hmmm?”
“Ahem...” Rainbow bore a plastic smile as she scooted into a chair and grabbed the first of many scrolls. “Much thanks, Antsan. I'm certain that these texts will be... ... ... super enlightening.”
“Verlaxion's speed to you and your enthusiastic curiosity,” Antsan said with a far more sincere grin. “This marks the very first time I've been blessed to fulfill my role as record-keeper with an outsider.”
“Oh really.”
“Indeed. Most pilgrims carry around their own selections of scripture, thus not necessitating a trip down here unless they happen to be engaging in a group study.” Antsan pointed. “You'll find that the handles on the scrolls mark the order of the biblical text, from first anointed writing to last. These, of course, are the tenth translations. The original scripture lies in safe holding down in the lower chapels, where they are safe.”
“In the same place as Luminar's Windows, I'm guessing.”
“How... ... ...” Antsan blinked his ice blue eyes several time. “... ... ...did you hear... of those?”
“Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh...”
Rarity hissed into Rainbow's ear: “'My, your braids are the most remarkable shade of crimson!'”
“My!” Rainbow grinned, twitching. “Your braids are the most remarkable shade of crimson!” A beat. She briefly grimaced in Rarity's direction. The ghostly fashionista shrugged.
“Why, thank you,” Antsan remarked with a slight smile. “According to Kyron, however, I mustn't revel in the colorization that remains in my mane, no matter how bright, for such is the road to vanity and it is lined with many thorns.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow Dash glanced at his barbed hooflets. “Heaven forbid you bump into any brambles.”
“Perhaps, in studying the texts, you too will become well acquainted with the divine path that Verlaxion has set before us.”
“Right. So... uh... where do I start—?”
“For your mane is most colorful, indicative of a curious-yet-complicated mind. And the more convoluted the soul, the more easily it is ensnared by the distractive, divisive sins that have plagued you since conception—”
“Ahem. Starting point?!?”
“Oh! Right...” Antsan leaned forward and pointed at a particularly large scroll. “That would be the Book of Plight I... followed by the Book of Plight II... which—of course—is followed by First and Second Kyron... then Songs of the Luminar... then Book of Plight III...”
“Wait...” Rainbow blinked. “Why... w-would the Third Book be so far separated from the first two—?”
“...then after that is Third and Fourth Kyron. And then the Verlaxion Psalms.” He winked. “That one's my favorite.”
“Uh huh.”
“Followed by Wages of the Plight, Redemption of the Plight, Revelations of the Plight, Fifth Kyron, and then...”
“Mmmmm-mmmmnnnghhhh-ghhhhhhhh-phweeeeeeee...” Rainbow moaned and moaned into the tabletop.
“Shhhhh!” Twilight Sparkle hissed, her eyes thoroughly scanning the open scroll laying before them. “You'll break my concentration!”
“Twilight... what on earth could you possibly be concentrating on?!” Rainbow moaned. She glanced over at the candle by her side, and the third wick since she started had already been burned down two-thirds of its wax length. “It's been—like—four whole horus—”
“Six!” Twilight sing-songed while her electric eyes darted across the pages.
“Six!” Rainbow wheezed. “Six whole hours of nothing but super-long paragraphs describing how to properly bathe your sackcloth!”
“Uhhhh...” Twilight upturned her nose. “If you've been paying any attention, Rainbow, that little detail was situated at the very beginning of Third Kyron.”
“So what if it was at the beginning of Third Toilet?! What's it gotta do with me getting any closer to the Reed?!”
“Honestly, do you only ever pay attention to the opening chapters of these books?” Twilight asked. “I feel like you've been doing too much flying during your journey and not enough reading. Didn't you and the Jury have a super important book at one time? Full of ancient runes and stuff?”
“Yeah, but it was a little bit hard to read.” Rainbow made a twisty face. “Seeing as it spent most of its time hovering smack-dab in the center of Props' big glowy engine core.”
“Excuses excuses...” Twilight sighed, scanning the pages again with a delirious grin. “Don't worry. I'll do the reading for all of us. Just scroll when I ask you to. Like now.”
“Huh?”
“Scroll..”
“Mmmrff... fiiine.” Rainbow rolled the length of the scroll along, revealing several more columns of paragraphs. “There. Ya happy?”
“Heeeeeeeeeeeee...!” Twilight wriggled where her ghostly body was pirched. “So... much... ancient... goodness!” She nearly drooled. “I swear, the absolute oodles of cultural lore here is setting my brain on fire!”
“Well, I'm glad it's working so well for you,” Rainbow Dash muttered. “I can't even get my head to push past it. I mean, is it really that important to know which Kyron anointed which over the course of four hundred years?”
“A lot of those elders were principal figures mentioned in Verlaxion's Psalms.”
“And... seriously, though!” Rainbow frowned. “Was anypony hired to edit this stuff?! I mean, if I see one more 'And it came to pass,' I'm gonna shove my skull through a wall!”
“If you want to find a way for these pilrims to open their hearts, then we have to find a way to open our minds. That includes you too, Rainbow.” Twilight leaned back. “Scroll.”
“Ugh...” Rainbow slid the sheet of paper forward. “How can you read so fast?”
“Very... very happily.” Twilight stifled a giggle. “How about the girls? How are they doing?”
“Uhhhm...” Rainbow looked over her shoulder. “Pinkie Pie?”
“Duaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah...” Pinkie's ghost lay on the floor with her legs stuck up like a fuchsia cockroach. “Soooooooo borrrrrredddd...”
“Yup.” Rainbow looked over her other shoulder. “Rarity?”
Stifling a yawn, the fashionista drifted over. “I have full faith in Twilight's learned abilities to find relevant needles in a superfluous haystack. But, even still, I have to ask...” She leaned over the lavender bookworm's shoulder. “...are you certain you haven't accidentally breezed over anything important, darling?”
“Pretty certain,” Twilight said, eyes still scanning. “I know all of this text seems very thick to you girls, but I've read through things at the Canterlot Royal Library in an evening that make this look like a candy bar catalogue by comparison.”
“Gasp!” Pinkie gasp'd, sitting up straight. “Did somepony say 'candy bars?!'”
“Just a figure of speech, Pinkie,” Rarity cooed. “Nothing to be alarmed about.”
“Awwwwwww.” Pouting, Pinkie fwomped back onto the floor, nearly phasing through. “Those are the worst kinds of figures!”
“Just for the sake of curiosity...” Rainbow gestured. “Tell us anything remotely interesting that you've found.”
“Well...” Twilight straightened her bangs, reading at a much slower rate as she talked. “The 'metal beyond the reed' was mentioned twice.”
“Oh?” Rainbow blinked.
“Mmmhmmm. Once when mentioning the repentance of the first Kyron, the second time... detailing how that same first Kyron established the sanctuaries around the Reed.”
“Oh.” Rainbow's body deflated.
“Time and time again, the scriptures detail how the prayer stalls around the Reed must be 'kept pure,'” Twilight explained. “If exposed to sin, the shoots risk further decay. And if part of the Reed is destroyed, it threatens the entire structure.”
“Good grief...” Rarity leaned back, fanning herself. “These ponies certainly are paranoid over their sacred plant!”
“But maybe they have a reason to, Rare-Rare!” Pinkie sat up, muzzle twisted. “Didn't ya hear Kyron gabbin' it up earlier about how the rest of the Reed that grew out here got destroyed!” She gestured with her hooves. “A bunch of naughty ponies who didn't know what they were doing were givin' it the whack whack whack!! Boom! Now there's only one tower of Reed!”
“Yes, but don't you think it's a rather startling coincidence that the one remaining cluster of shoots all gathered around the metal tower here?” Rarity remarked, gesturing. “After all, what came first?! The metal tower or the Reed? Or the pilgrims for that matter!”
“Hmmmmmmm...” Pinkie squinted. “What are you trying to saaaaay?”
“Don't use that silly tone with me!” Rarity frownded, folding her forelimbs. “I just think that—perhaps—the Luminards are misguided!”
“Yeah,” Rainbow grumbled into her hoof. “No crap.”
“I'm speaking on a practical level!” Rarity exclaimed, turning to look at both Pinkie and Rainbow. “Maybe they're right about a lot of things, but they got the details mixed up about the Reed! I mean, we are talking about thousands and thousands of years of passing time. It's only reasonable that they'd get their facts confused!”
“Yeah, but the problem is—regardless of the facts—they've chosen to worship the Reed like it's super mega holy.”
“Scroll,” Twilight said.
Rainbow shoved the paper along and turned towards Rarity again. “And—like—because they're dead-set in their minds that the Reed is sacred, they're not going to experiment with it at all.”
“Experiment?” Pinkie blinked. “Like how?”
“If... I do read Rainbow's intent correctly...” Rarity cleared her throat. “I'd go as far as to suggest that the Luminards risk removing part of the Reed to see if the consequences are nearly as dire as they've believed all these years!”
“What?!?” Pinkie's jaw dropped. “No no no no no no! You can't ask them to do that!”
“But Pinkie... just think of the possibilities!” Rarity gestured. “If the Luminards can be shown that their Reed isn't some magically vulnerable super plant—”
“It's not about the silly plant!” Pinkie frowned. “That's simply asking too much of them!”
Rainbow frowned. “It's asking too much of a pony to analyze their own faith with a healthy intent?”
“That's not it, Dashie! Just...” Pinkie leaned back, her eyes glossy. “Think of what Fluttershy would do.”
“What...?” Rainbow blinked blankly. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Hello?! Equestria to Dashie?! It has everything to do with everything!” Pinkie waved a hoof. “I mean, why else are we here, silly?!”
“Pinkie, I need to get our friend out of this place!” Rainbow said, pointing in the direction of Yaerfaerda's dim glow. “For 'Austraeoh' to finish her journey and save Urohringr, we need Fluttershy! And this stupid tower and this even stupider Reed is in the way!”
“No.” Pinkie smiled camly. “It's the Luminards who are in the way! Don't you see?” She floated over, phased through the table, and pointed past the nearest wall. “It's not this big tower of shoots that's got us all bogged down! It's the ponies protecting it! And if we want another beacon of Harmony givin' ya a helpin' hoof, then we gotta do it the Harmonious way! The way Fluttershy would do it!” She giggled, then smiled, cheeks flushed. “It starts to make sense... as soon as it st-stops not making sense.” She gulped. “Make sense?”
Rainbow blinked.
“I... do feel that Fluttershy would desire for us to be patient,” Rarity stammered. “And not to rush things. In fact...” She gulped, smiling sheepishly. “She'd want us to act like these monks right here—the very model of patience and virtue.”
“Yeah.” Rainbow scooted back in her chair as she glared at Rarity. “And imagine if we all acted like the Luminards back in Equestria. Nightmare Moon would be ruling over the entire plane with nighttime eternal if we all just stayed in our homes, flogging ourselves to dusty old scripture.”
“Ouch.” Pinkie winced.
“And don't start suggesting that Fluttershy's way is the way of Harmony,” Rainbow said, rolling her eyes. “Would you like all of Ponyville and Equestria covered in dragon smoke for a hundred years? Guess what! If we all did what 'Fluttershy would have done,' that's what we would have allowed that big bad hibernating dragon to get away with!”
“Now Rainbow,” Rarity frowned. “That's a little harsh. And—given the situation—a tad bit out of context, don't you think?”
“Girls...” Twilight droned.
“Out of context?!” Rainbow gestured at Pinkie Pie. “I'm not the one putting it into context! Yeah, these guys who are worshipping the Reed here might be super nice, polite, n'stuff... but the fact of the matter is—they're preventing us from doing something super major important!”
“Girls!”
“And we can only bend over backwards to make them happy so much before we realize we're at the same dead end that we found in the first place!” Rainbow exclaimed.
“Then what are you suggesting that we do?!” Rarity frowned. “Force our way into their holiest of holies?! We've been given every reason to believe that doing something damaging or unkind could threaten a very delicate balance here! And I don't think we have the authority to—”
“Girls!” Twilight exclaimed, turning to frown at them. “We are not forcing anything on anypony! Now calm down and stop jumping at each other's throats! Because that is something Fluttershy wouldn't have us do!” She turned once again towards the scripture, taking a deep breath. “Besides... I-I think I may have found something useful.”
“You have?!” Pinkie chirped, zipping up to the table. “Lemme see! Lemme see!”
“Pinkie!” Rarity rushed in, pushing the mare's fluffy head out of the way. “Don't crowd the poor mare!” Calmly, she looked at Twilight. “What is it, darling?”
“Yeah, fill us in,” Rainbow added.
“Well... I'm about two thirds of the way through Revelations of the Plight. Most of the book—it seems—is made up of written amendments that were made to the original Luminard Catechism.”
Twilight sighed, then breathily explained: “This book was written much later than the others, and it appears to have several written changes to the original canon rules of the Luminar scipture.”
“Whoah... really?” Rainbow leaned back. “Religions can do that?”
“Why, yes, rainbow.” Twilight smiled back at her. “You may be surprised to find that religion is malleable over time, like a language.”
“Wow!” Pinkie grinned. “Does that make me a saint for preserving twelve years of crossword puzzles off the backs of cereal boxes?!”
“... ... ...anyways...” Twilight's hoof ran along a paragraph while the other mares watched. “Listed here is one of the 'Nine Rules of Kyron the Wise.' We're talking about the pony who was anointed 'Kyron' about fifty generations ago.”
“Naturally,” Rainbow droned.
“Apparently she had a vision from Verlaxion in which she ordained a new sacrament... a manner of allowing penitent investigators to commune even more deeply with the holy Reed... even if not fully anointed.”
“Now that is interesting!” Rarity exclaimed. She winked. "Not to mention terribly convenient."
"Mmmm... I dunno," Twilight muttered.
“What does it mean by 'investigators?'” Rainbow remarked.
“I think that's a generalized term for non-anointed ponies who are receiving the Word of the Reed.” Twilight glanced back at her. “Basically you, Bard, and Wildcard.”
“'No relation!'” Pinkie giggle-snorted.
“Right. Cool. Whatever.” Rainbow nod-nod-nodded. “So—like—what do I need to do?”
“Uhm... although it says that 'communion with the Holy Reed' is the end goal of such a sacrament, it does mention that... well...”
“Well, what?”
Twilight gulped. “There are... trials involved.”
“Pffft.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Of course there are.”
“Trials to see if you are truly penitent, or too weighed down by sins.”
“My goodness...” Rarity remarked. “Are we certain this isn't suggesting the normal anointing process of a Luminard?”
“No.” Twilight shook her head. “Because it lists that an 'anointed anchor' must always be present.”
“Huh?” Pinkie blinked.
“If I understand this passage right...” Twilight turned to face the others. “The simplest way Rainbow can be allowed into otherwise off-limits sanctuaries is if she were to undergo these trials. Then, in accordance with the 'Penitent Sacrament of Anchorage,' she would be allowed into any of the chapels—so long as she would be accompanied by an ordained pilgrim who is already anointed.”
“So, in essence, she would be communing with the Reed, utilizing a higher-anointed pilgrim by proxy,” Rarity said.
“Exactly.”
“Meaning...?” Rainbow squinted at the others.
“Kyron would assign you an anointed pilgrim,” Twilight explained. “That pony would serve as your 'anchor.' You'd perform a series of trials under her or his watchful eye. Then, once you have proven yourself to be 'penitent,' you'd be allowed deep inside the chapels so that you could meditate in the presence of Verlaxion.”
“What... like, only once?”
Twilight shrugged. “It doesn't say.” She glanced back at the scroll. “From the descriptions leading up to the sacrament, I do believe this was brought about in an amendment that was meant to allow foreign dignitaries to undergo a swift and simple version of the anointing process.”
“To what end?” Rainbow asked.
“Probably to promote diplomacy,” Twilight said. “And to allow the message of the Plight of Luminar to spread far and wide across Rohbredden.”
“Hmmmm...” Rarity leaned back, folding her forelimbs. “Never underestimate the power of politics.”
“Seems pretty clear-cut to me,” Twilight remarked, shrugging. “To function, the Luminards need more converts. This was their way of getting the word out.”
“So... we gotta convince Kyron and the Kyron-lites that Dashie here is a foreign dignitary?” Pinkie asked.
“Oh, don't be silly, darling!” Rarity waved a hoof. “It couldn't be that simple.”
“Can it?”
Everyone looked at Rainbow Dash.
She looked back, swallowing a lump down her throat. “We've been asking ourselves this one question as of late: What would Fluttershy do? Well, I think we're already doing this the kind way. Almost a bit too kind.” She brushed her hoof over the weight of her Element. “And because of that, we've all been floundering. I've even spread that clumsiness to Bard. Well... maybe we should be asking ourselves what another pony would do...” Rainbow Dash glared past the faint yellow haze of Yaerfaerda. Her eyes turned glossy. “...and whether or not she'd be so keen to trip over herselves.”
“Rainbow?” Rarity floated up, her expression full of curiosity and concern. “What exactly do you mean?”
Rainbow shuddered. “Let me put it another way.” Her eyes narrowed. “With all of you gals by my side?” She smirked. “What am I if not the true represenative of Harmony?”
Rarity and Pinkie exchanged glances. They smiled.
“Rainbow...”
Everyone looked at Twilight.
The unicorn bit her lip. “These trials... uhm...”
“Lemme guess...” Rainbow droned. “Tough. Stupid. Maybe even uncomfortable.”
Twilight gulped. The nodded.
“... ... ...” Rainbow devilishly smirked.
“You want to do what?!” Antsan gasped, his eyes wide. “But... but... that hasn't been executed in hundreds of years! Not since the rift between the Colonialists and the Continentalists! What makes you think—?!”
“Antsan... child...” Kyron gently brushed the stallion aside. He trotted past Nicro, Sonikah, and several other curiously gazing pilgrims. “Miss Dash... would you mind repeating your statement for a very old... very weary pilgrim?”
Wildcard and Bard stood in nervous silence while Rainbow Dash trotted past them.
“It's all rather simple, elder,” she spoke. “But it comes with knowing who I really... truly am.” She brandished her Element, allowing the ruby lightning bolt to glint with the candlelight from the far end of the shack. “I am the lone surviving Element of Harmony from the kingdom of Equestria, ruled by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I've come all this way on a mission of extreme Harmonic Importance. I seek many things in my travel, but the most important of which is the strength in Harmony to carry my journey to the end. That very same... pilgrimage has brought me here... to the Holy Reed... the Sanctuary of Goddess Verlaxion, growing miraculously in the Quade.”
Kyron glanced at the others. He turned back to Rainbow, smiled, and bowed his head. “It is an honor, oh Humble Rainbow Dash. Now...” He stood up straight. “What exactly do you request of us?”
“I ask of you... humbly...” Rainbow took a deep breath. “...that I might be allowed to undergo the Penitent Sacrament of Anchorage.”
“The Penitent Sacrament of Anchorage...?” Sonikah blinked, then turned towards the Luminard elder. “Kyron, no pilgrim or outsider has enacted that in a very... very long time...”
“As Antsan was quite keen to remind us,” Kyron said with a nod. He continued staring in the direction of Rainbow Dash and the Desperadoes. “I appreciate you echoing the fact, child. I do hope it's because you consider it a blessing. For it is.”
Antsan fidgeted from the sidelines.
“Verlaxion has anointed you with wisdom and understanding, dear elder,” Sonikah said, bowing slightly. “But... please... this is a matter of tradition that's before my time. If you would be so kind as to explain to me...” She glanced nervously at the visitors. “Does it truly glorify Verlaxion to follow a ritual that allows an unanointed stranger to step into Her sanctuary?”
“It is true.” Antsan stepped up. “She and her friends have just arrived here! And although we keep our wisdom to the spiritual constraints of the Quade, have any of us actually heard of this... 'Equestria?' I know that I haven't!”
“Shhhh...” Kyron raised a hoof. “A 'kingdom' is what mortal ponies make of it with their mortal hooves. A word is but a word, but all souls are called to the Quade, and by merely arriving—it is a glorification of Verlaxion in and of itself.” He turned towards the mare next to her. “And Sonikah... a pony who agrees to take part in the Penitent Sacrament is anointed by Verlaxion's grace during the extent of the trials thereof.”
Sonikah bowed again. “I thank you for your blessed knowledge, dear Kyron. And, by Verlaxion's mercy, I apologize for the forwardness of my inquiry.”
Kyron smiled. “Being wise means striving to be wiser. I welcome all questions that will further our roles here in Verlaxion's divine plan.”
“But Kyron...” Antsan gestured. “About this 'Equestria' ... Don't you find it rather sudden a revelation? Not to mention contradictory? According to Menthe's first testimony, these visitors claimed Rainbow Dash to be an aristocrat from Central Rohbredden.”
Rarity and Pinkie Pie winced. “Whoopsie doopsie...” The latter looked at the former. “Somepony made a poopsie!”
“An astute observation, Antsan,” Kyron said with a nod. He turned towards Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow Dash, my child, please do forgive the accusatory nature of this inquiry. Nevertheless, might you have an explanation for this spontaneous decision to expose your true background? As you can imagine, it would put several of my fellow pilgrims' hearts at ease, mine including.”
“Oh... the whole Equestria thang?” Bard chuckled nervously. He stepped forward from where he stood next to Wildcard. “Y'see, that's my fault for mixin' up East from West. Eheheh... and if you happen to see Mr. Menthe again, perhaps you could explain to him...” He took his hat off. “I'm awfully bad at dinner table speak. It's plum easier to put stuff in my mouth than to take cohesive thangs out—”
“Ahem.” Rainbow Dash stepped forward. She viciously shoved Bard aside, meanwhile keeping a foalish grin plastered on Kyron. “Kyron... perhaps you—more than anypony else on these woven platforms—can understand the significance of maintaining as humble a profile as possible.”
“Indeed I can, Miss Dash,” Kyron said with a calm nod. “But a deception is still a deception.”
“You're right.” Rainbow Dash pointed, then nodded. “And it's the first of many sins I intend to...” She gulped. “...confess.”
“Just who are you really, Miss Dash?” Antsan asked. Kyron rested a hoof on the young stallion's shoulder, and he sighed, ears folded.
Rainbow glanced at him, then back at Kyron. “It's just like I said, elder. My name is Rainbow Dash. I come from a faraway land named Equestria. It really is'faraway'. I... can't emphasize that enough.” She leaned forward, eyes narrow. “It's a place located beyond all known seas, continents, and barriers to you and everyone you've ever met. It's a place that nopony foaled in Rohbredden has ever had the fortune of knowing by name.”
“But...” Sonikah leaned her head aside. “The Blight.” She blinked. “Do you mean to suggest...?”
Kyron's red eyes landed on Bard. “The Blight has vanished,” he said. “Or so I've been told.” Pilgrims observing the conversation gasped and murmured in the candlelit background.
Bard gulped and nodded. “That it has.” He glanced at Sonikah and Antsan. “Just ask yer protectors—Mr. Menthe and Galloran. If they haven't heard about the Blight through word of passin' muzzle, they will pretty darn soon.” He smirked. “The whole sea of Rohbredden is glistenin' with the news! Dubya-Cee and I heard about it before we even met Rainbow!”
Wildcard nodded.
Anstan exhaled through his nostrils, then glanced at Rainbow. “Then... are you a duchess in these lands? A princess?”
“Oh n-no...” Rainbow chuckled. “But we do have Princesses there. Two of them in particular—Princess Celestia and Princess Luna—are the supreme rulers of our kingdom. I happened to have served directly beneath them for a short time as an Element of Harmony. It's... kinda like being a soldier for Her Royal Highness. So, for lack of a better definition, I guess you could call me an Equestrian Knight.”
Rarity and Twilight Sparkle exchanged blinking grins. “I kinda like the sound of that, actually,” remarked Twilight.
“And...” Antsan trotted, pacing closer. “...as this 'Element of Harmony,' what exactly did your tasks entail?”
“That's a good question.” Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. “You see, in my kingdom, we value Harmony much like you uphold the glory of Verlaxion. It's not something we worship per se, but it's a very real force that has defended Equestria from countless... threats in the past.”
“What kind of threats?” Sonikah asked.
“Beasts of Tartarus... brutes from the Everfree Forest. Malevolent spirits.” She took a deep breath. “I myself...” She glanced at Twilight and the others. “...I-I was honored to serve along five other courageous mares, and the six of us wielded the Elements of Harmony against Nightmare Moon, a foul demon who had possessed our Princess Luna. It was a dramatic confrontation—with the future of Equestria and the rest of the world on the line. But, through Friendship and Harmony, we were able to prevent the world from being subjected to endless night.”
Wildcard's head jerked towards Rainbow Dash so swiftly that his goggles nearly flew off. Beak quivering, he slapped the back of Bard's shoulder.
“H-huh?!” Bard spun to gawk at him. “What?”
Wildcard gestured dramatically.
Bard stared and squinted, “reading” Wildcard's “words” for the better part of a minute. Once or twice, he jolted back, his eyes widening.
“Uhhhhh...” Bard stirred, fidgeted, then glanced awkwardly aside at the pegasus. “Uhm... Rainbow... ermm... darlin'...?”
“Hmmm?”
“About... h-how long ago did this all happen?”
“Erm...” Rainbow cleared her throat, blinking. “Seventeen... nineteen months ago? Things have been a major blur. You guys know that.”
“Sonuva...” Bard caught his own tongue before he could finish. “Guess we know some thangs, at least,” he murmured. Clearing his throat, Bard glanced back at Wildcard, then up at Kyron. “Elder... do y'all remember a strange event happenin' about a year and a half ago? Rohbredden suffered a curious, inexplicable eclipse? And everythang went dark-like for the space of two days?” He glanced back at Wildcard. “Was it two days?”
Wildcard waved his metal talon from side to side.
“In any case, it was an extra long night. Dawn didn't come until at least twelve hours later.” Bard cleared his throat. “I was... uhhh... admittedly none too sober at the time, but I remember wakin' up to Dubya-Cee and the rest of the port I was in bein' all up in arms 'bout it.”
“Kyron...” Sonikah glanced at the elder in question. “The Day of Sinful Shadows.”
“Don't be ridiculous,” Anstan hoarsely spoke. “Every single pilgrim sat in deep prayer the following afternoon, and then the darkness went away! It was a miracle of Verlaxion!”
Kyron took a deep breath. “Rainbow Dash... you claim to somehow be responsible for such darkness?”
“No! No no no no...” Rainbow waved a hoof. “If anything, I'm trying to tell you that my friends and I used the Elements of Harmony to put a stop to it!” She leaned forward. “You see... Nightmare Moon was threatening the very balance that our alicorns set in motion! After all, Princess Luna and Celestia—”
“Mmmmmmmmm!” Rarity squealed into her closed muzzle, shaking her head at the pegasus.
Rainbow blinked at them, then gazed at the Luminards once more. “... ... ...they're very... very powerful magicians,” she wheezed. Then gulped. “On top of being wise monarchs.” She leaned back. “And as leaders, they decided to share power with the royal subjects under their rule. That's how the Elements of Harmony came into possession of my friends and I. We were to be the new protectors of the kingdom, ensuring that horrible spirits like Nightmare Moon didn't have their way.”
“If that is the case,” Antsan asked. “Then what exactly has brought you all the way here?” He squinted curiously. “Haven't you been charged with protecting your faraway kingdom?”
“I was.” Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. “But... I-I failed.”
Rarity, Pinkie, and Twilight looked at her—muzzles agape.
“Dashie...” Pinkie whimpered.
“Oh darling, don't—” Rarity cooed.
“And...” Rainbow's nostrils flared. “As a consequence of my failure, my friends perished, leaving me alive in the ashes of their remains. Yes, I may have defended Equestria from its greatest threat yet, but the cost was just too much. I left my homeland and flew east—not bothering to stop or look back—with this as my only companion.” She brandished the pendant around her neck, summoning a deep ruby glow from its core. “The Element of Loyalty... the last remaining Element of Harmony—”
“You...!” Antsan wheezed, stumbling backwards. “You brought a weaponized artifact from your Kingdom?”
Several pilgrims gasped in surprise.
“No! No!” Rainbow insisted, releasing her grip of the pendant. The ruby glow dissipated as she waved her hooves at the ponies. “It's not like that! I promise—” Her eyes flickered red-on-yellow, and she teetered. “Nnnngh...”
Wildcard jerked towards her, stabilizing the mare.
“The Quade is no place for apostate magics!” Antsan exclaimed, shivering. “How Menthe and Galloran even allowed you to mount the platforms wearing that is beyond me—”
“They allowed it because they knew it was no threat, dear child,” Kyron said. “And I trust their learned expertise with our mortal lives.”
“But! But elder—!”
“Be calm, freshly anointed one,” Kyron spoke in a firm, chiding tone. His eyes narrowed on the pilgrim. “Has not Verlaxion demonstrated that Her glory and might is strong enough to handle any and all adversity?”
“Remember the Psalms of our Goddess,” Kyron said. “When a soul is called to the Quade, Verlaxion's spirit has already triumphed. After all, there can be no greater humility than what is being displayed here.” The elder turned towards Rainbow Dash with a calm, thoughtful expression. “A mortal mare—once charged with the keys to her kingdom—has abandoned everything dear to her. What could have driven her here other than the calling of Verlaxion.”
Bard glanced between the pilgrims and Rainbow Dash. “Erm... yeah...” He gulped. “She's quite a searcher, that's for sure.”
“Rainbow Dash...” Kyron trotted over and rested a hoof on her shoulder. “The tale of what you've gone through... of what you've endured... it touches my heart.” He took a deep breath. “No doubt you feel the weight of many... many sins.”
“Hey! No fair!” Rarity frowned. “I don't care how many braids he puts his mane in! He can't just up and say that to her—”
“Shhhhh!” Twilight insisted. She and Pinkie leaned forward.
Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. “Yes.” Her eyes gazed firmly ahead, past the pilgrims, absorbed in a yellow glow. “I do.”
“Then is that what brings you to the Quade?” Kyron asked, cocking his head aside. “To perform the Penitent Sacrament of Anchorage and commune in the presence of Verlaxion's Holy Reed?”
Rainbow Dash's ears twitched. She glanced aside. “That... and more, dear elder.”
“And what more is there, child?”
“I...” Rainbow Dash fidgeted. She cleared her throat. “I need to have kindness back in my life again,” she said. “With all the friends that I've l-lost... mmmmm... it's the next step in restoring harmony.”
Rarity held a hoof over her muzzle, sniffling. Pinkie leaned in to hug her.
Wildcard's steely gaze fell over the many pilgrims in attendance. The griffon's beak clenched tight.
Antsan trotted over to Kyron. “Elder... she will have to face many trials,” he muttered in a low tone.
“And an anchor,” added Nicro from the back of the room. “It will have to be a highly-anointed pilgrim.”
“It will have to be many things...” Kyron slowly bowed, his eyes shut. “...all for the glory of Verlaxion.”
“Then...” Rainbow blinked, glancing up at the humble crowd, blinking. “You will let me in?” She swallowed a lump down her throat. “You will allow this last piece of Equestrian Harmony to meditate in the Holiest of Holies?”
Antsan glanced at her upon hearing that, arching an eyebrow.
“Rainbow Dash, you must understand, we measure with sort of a request with grave seriousness and reverance,” Kyron said. After a deep breath, he added, “We will have to discuss it.”
“For... uhm...” Rainbow coughed. “...how long?”
“Rainbow!” Twilight hissed.
“Uhhhh!” Bard grasped Rainbow's shoulders and swiftly shoved her out of the room like a prismatic wheelbarrow. “Thanks a whole ton, Mr. Elder Wise Gray Mane, sir, buddy! Eheheh!” He waved with his hat as the trio made their exit—the ghost mares in tow. “Y'all go about doin' that meditatin' thang you do, and we'll just be... erm... outside. Humble, patient, and thankful! Did I mention 'humble?' Darn tootin'!”
And they made a quick exit, for better or for worse.
Stumbling out into the open sunlight of the Quade, Rainbow and the Desperadoes came to a shuffling stop several meters from the shadowed wooden sanctuaries where they left Kyron and his most trusted anointed. Above and below, pilgrims continued with their tireless work, maintaining the structural integrity of the platforms around the Reed.
“Whew!” Bard leaned against the platform's edge. He took his hat off and fanned himself. “If that meeting went any clumsier, I'd have sworn we was tap dancin' by rhino sheets!”
“I dunno.” Pinkie bore a crooked smile. “Aside from the part where the Luminards nearly had a panic attack 'cuz they thought that Dashie's pendant was gonna go kersplodey all over their prayer shawls, I felt it went like melting butter!”
Rainbow Dash winced.
Bard looked at her and paused in his fanning. “What?”
“Erm... ahem...” Rainbow turned from Pinkie and the other mare friends. “All things considered, I feel that went as good as it was ever gonna.” She leaned against a stretch of woven railing and stared down at the lower platforms. “Good thing that Kyron's such a chillaxed monk dude. If this place was run by Antsan—”
“Oh, perish the thought!” Rarity exclaimed, shuddering. “It's like they just recruited him from a hoofball game! Such paranoid pretentiousness!”
“Heh...” Rainbow smirked. “Tell me about it.”
“Huh?” Bard blinked. “Oh. Right.”
“Ghost m—”
“Ghost mares. Gotcha.” Bard sighed, squinting up at the sunny sky beyond the ridge's cliffs. “Them Luminards have every right to feel queasy. We three make some strange... strange mofo's.”
“Strange but awesome.” Rainbow blew a stretch of bangs out from over her forehead. “At least in my book.”
Suddenly, a rigid beak stared her down.
The mare blinked. “... ... ...hello, Wildcard.”
Facing Rainbow, Wildcard reached a talon out and dragged Bard over. He then hand-signed without moving.
“Uhm...” Bard cleared his throat and translated: “'Is it true? Did ya really have somethin' to do with the daylight bein' delayed a year and a half ago?'”
“Well... yeah.” Rainbow blinked. “There's a lot of crazy, incredible things I've done in Equestria and beyond, dude.” She leaned back from the griffon, rubbing the back of her head with a nervous smile. “I mean, don't forget, before I became Austraeoh—I already had a full-time-job as an Element of Harmony. And a pretty boss one at that, too. Eheheheh...” She coughed aside, then murmured in Bard's direction. “Yo. Twanger. Could you tell your bird-bud to stop staring at me?”
“Seriously, Dubya. S'upitcha?” Bard squinted. “Not like ya haven't witnessed her doin' crazy thangs before.” He smirked. “Like kickin' yer sorry tail into next year, for one!”
Griffon flashed Bard a look. Slowly, he gazed back at Rainbow, then sauntered off with a ruffle of his feathers.
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow pointed after the Desperado's flicking lion's tail. “What's gotten stuck in his craw?”
“Yer askin' me?” Bard tilted his hat back. “Dun get me wrong, I lurve the mofo, but he's always carried his own air of noirish mystique.” The stallion stifled a yawn. “It's all on account of where he comes from, I reckon. Suppose the cat bird has to be fleetin' as a shadow in his ways.”
“And... where is that exactly?”
“Erm...” Bard paled, and then squirmed where he stood. “Forget it.” He cleared his throat, muttering: “T'ain't proper.”
Silence.
“Okaaaaaaaay...” Rainbow sighed, gazing over the railing again. “And here I always thought that a bird in the hoof—”
“Rainbow, darling...” Rarity floated up with a sympathetic look on her face. “If I may...”
“What?” Rainbow droned. “Interrupt my nonsense? Be my guest.”
“Why did you have to insist that... that...” Rarity bit her lip. “...that Kyron was right to label you a sinner?”
“Huh?”
“In there! Just now!” Rarity pointed towards the shadowed cabins lying close to the Reed's central shaft. “I know that you're doing all of this to help bring back Fluttershy, but must you be so... so... melodramatic?” The fashionista stared... blinked... then held her pale forehead. “Good heavens. J-just listen to me!”
“Awwwwww...” Pinkie flew over and nuzzled the unicorn. “Good job, Dashie!” She frowned at the platform's edge. “You broke Rarity!”
“Pfft—I did not!” Rainbow cackled. “Look... I said what I said in there and I... I-I meant it!”
“Lemme guess,” Bard droned, leaning in. “Ghost mares again?”
“Not now!” Rainbow growled aside.
Bard tossed his hooves and trotted off. “Yeesh. Even beyond the grave, y'all harpies are synchronized!”
“Things would have gone differently if I had been there with you girls when it came time to throwdown against Discord!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
“Perhaps so, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight flew into sight, rubbing her hooves pensively together. “But we've been over this. Could things really have gone differently?”
“Well...”
“And should you blame yourself for that?” Twilight arched an eyebrow. “After all... imagine if you were there with us.”
“Yeah! Then you would go all kersplodey too! KAPOWWW!” Pinkie spat into the air to assist with the sound effect, then swiftly giggled at Rarity. “Heehee! I really like saying 'kersplodey' today!”
“Pinkie, darling,” Rarity sighed. “You need a leash.”
“Heehee! Silly Rarity! But I'm—”
“A ghost leash!”
“In all seriousness...” Twilight waved a hoof. “Where would Austraeoh be if things went that way?” She gazed at Rainbow Dash. “Where would Urohringr's fate be?”
“Look, fate or no fate, I'm... I-I'm responsible for how crazy things have gotten,” Rainbow said. “At least p-partly. You can't deny that.”
“Surely not. But Rainbow!” Rarity grimaced. “To accept that our deaths were somehow your sins?”
“It's not that simple, Rarity.”
“Then what is it, Rainbow?”
Rainbow opened her muzzle, but instantly paled.
Pinkie, Rarity, and Twilight gazed at her.
“If you can insinuate before Kyron,” Rarity said. “Or even Verlaxion, for that matter, then surely you can tell your friends.”
“I...” Rainbow gritted her teeth. Her shoulders began shuddering.
Twilight's eyes narrowed.
Rainbow avoided her gaze, looking down at the lower platforms. “I just... I've needed to do... do some...” Her shivers suddenly stopped.
“Do what, Dashie?” Pinkie asked. “You're making even less sense than me! Heehee!”
Rainbow's lips pursed. She stared and stared.
Far below, a full line of monks knelt in prayer. One of them stood up—a monk wearing a robe. The figure took a few steps along the edge of the platform, its cloaked shape reflecting off the glittering Quade. Then—on a dime—it stopped. A few seconds later, it icily tilted its head up... staring directly back at Rainbow. A pair of frosted blue eyeslits flashed.
“Nnnngh...” Dizzy, Rainbow leaned forward. Her weight shifted—the Element of Loyalty followed by the rest of her—and she slipped completely over the platform's side.
“Rainbow!” Rarity gasped.
“Oh no!” Pinkie hugged her twitching tail, shrieking: “Colors overboarddddd!”
“Snap out of it—” Twilight yelped, only to have a feathery shadow murk through her. The unicorn gasped.
Thwooosh! A metal talon grasped Rainbow by her tail, then gently pulled the rest of her back.
“Guhhhh...” Rainbow stumbled, lying limp in Wildcard's embrace. “What... where did...?”
“P-perhaps you should lie down, Rainbow,” Twilight stammered.
“How can you possibly be expected to go through some ascetic obstacle course in this condition?!” Rarity exclaimed.
“The... the monk...” Rainbow wheezed, pointing a jittery hoof.
“Ehhhhh...” Twilight blinked. “What monk? Be a bit more specific.”
“The one with the glowy eyes!” Rainbow suddenly snarled, standing up and shrugging Wildcard's grip off. “Just now!”
“Glowy... eyes...?” Rarity gawked at her.
“Tell me you saw that!” Rainbow barked. “On the lower platforms!”
Wildcard dashed towards the edge. He peered down through his goggles, his head darting to the left and right. Eventually, he craned his neck and gazed back at Rainbow Dash. An empty pair of black lenses reflected Rainbow's sweaty, palpitating face.
“Erm... at least they're not lasting as long as your previous attacks...” Rarity smiled nervously. “That's a g-good thing, right?”
“This... this doesn't make any sense...” Rainbow seethed and seethed. “Rrrrrgh... what's going on in this place?”
“Sonikah!” Pinkie grinned, left ear pulling back hard. “Achy left ear! Heehee!” She winked and pointed. “Gotta remember to write that one down, girrrrrrrl!”
Rainbow spun around, blinking. “Sonikah...?”
The pilgrim in question stood calmly before her, forelimbs folded together. She blinked, her tranquil eyes nevertheless full of concern. “Is anything amiss? You look... shaken, Rainbow Dash.”
“I just... I was just...” Rainbow looked at Wildcard, sucked in her breath, then managed: “I'm fine, Sonikah. Thank you... th-thank you for your kind concern.”
Sonikah blinked. “Rainbow Dash, about the Penitent Sacrament of Anchorage...” She leaned her head to the side. “I assume that you learned of it from diligently perusing Revelations of the Reed.”
“That I did, sister.” Rainbow squinted. “Why? Is Kyron curious? I mean... it was Antsan who gave the friggin' scrolls to me.”
“And you do realize that—throughout the duration of the trials—a pony like you would be assigned a highly-anointed pilgrim as anchor, and that such an anchor must be allowed authority over your actions and permissions.” She took a deep breath. “And such an authority—granted by the anchor—mandates that you put your Harmonic practices by the wayside in order to fully honor the holy Catechism of the Goddess Verlaxion.”
“Uhhhh... sure... sure and sure.” Rainbow gulped. “Why? Did... did the elder send you here to tell me how crazy impossible this is?”
“No, Rainbow Dash,” Sonikah said. “He sent me to introduce you to your anchor for that Sacrament, and that anchor is me.”
Pinkie and Rarity exchanged blinking expressions.
Rainbow exhaled. “Then... then I am allowed to proceed.”
“That depends, Rainbow Dash,” Sonikah said. “The trials... are not easy.”
“I figured.”
“They will require great endurance, patience, and—above all—attentiveness.”
“Right.”
“You will be forced to examine your deepest passions...” Sonikah's brow furrowed. “...to expose your greatest sins.”
Rainbow clenched her teeth beneath her muzzle.
“...and, for a brief but blessed communion with Verlaxion's glorious Reed, you will have to bury both halves of your self in the Quade... in the shadow of Luminar's Plight...” She shook her head. “Even if you return to an apostate life after being anointed by proxy, you will inevitably be a changed mare... a touched soul... aware of that which you are with... and aghast to that which you are without.”
Rainbow Dash took a deep breath, then nodded. “I am ready for what lies ahead of me.” A flicker of yellow light tickled her senses, and she struggled to keep staring straight at the pilgrim. “After all... it's what Verlaxion has prepared...”
“Mmmm... curious...” Menthe leaned against a wooden railing, sharpening a fishing spear. “Very... very curious...”
“Wow, that was fast,” Galloran remarked, trotting up and standing next to him. The young stallion balanced his crossbow across his flank while gazing at the woven platform across the way. “Is she actually becoming an anointed monk?”
“No, boy... not quite...” Menthe shook his head slowly, his aged eyes still locked on the scene taking place across from them. “True anointing takes place indoors, under shade and candelight.” He scratched his scruffy chin. “The true path towards communing with Verlaxion's spirit involves total concentration... and that's not something that happens in daylight... with the glitter of the Quade glistening at every second of every minute far below.”
“Then why's this taking place outside?” Galloran asked.
“Mmmmm... this...” Menthe pointed. “This—I do believe—is a very special sacrament. One that hasn't taken place in your lietime... or mine, for that matter.”
“Whoah! For real?”
“Indeed. If I faintly recall from Kyron's historical ramblings, there was once a time when four times as many monks dwelled in the Quade.”
“Heh... there certainly are enough platforms for it.”
“The Luminards once had an active role to play in the politics of the local seas. Mind you, it was all because so many ponies flocked to this place. It was a time of transition... over a century ago... when the social atmosphere was constantly changing. Eventually, it molded the extremely dichotomous balance between Continentalists and Colonialists as we know it today. But, for a long period of time, several highly important ponies—governors, sea captains, barge owners—they all experimented with devoting their entire resources towards religion. I think—for the sake of appealing to an unprecedented hoard of new inductees—the Kyrons of that time established a sort of showcase anointing.”
“Wow, that sounds weird.”
“You're not alone in feeling that way, boy,” Menthe said. “I've always pondered what such a ceremony would be like—where an equine representative was allowed to commune with Verlaxion's spirit for a brief interval.” His nostrils flared. “Well, now I think we're about to see for ourselves what it's like. Ages ago, these very platforms would be filled to the brim with dukes, duchesses, and other delegates—an audience of ponies bearing witness to a very humble act of penitence and respect.”
“So... uhm...” Galloran rubbed his scalp. “...does this mean that Rainbow Dash... is some sort of princess form a faraway land?”
“No. Not exactly.” Menthe cleared his throat. “But something slightly similar, I suspect.”
“Like what?”
“I can only guess.” He gestured. “Keep a close eye on that one, Galloran. She says a great deal many things about herself, but hides even more. Her body language practically screams with secrets. I doubt even the Luminards understand just how much convoluted history there is in that mare.”
“Then...” Galloran gulped. “Sh-shouldn't we warn them about her? I mean... if there's something being held back...”
Menthe took a deep breath, leaning back. “No,” he eventually breathed.
“No?”
Menthe shook his head.
“But... b-but why not, Menthe?”
“Because, I think...” The old stallion smiled slightly. “...Mrs. Dash needs to undergo this ceremony as much as the Luminards need to practice it... if not more so.” He turned to gaze at Galloran. “And, what's more, she obviously knows it's not going to be easy.”
A chorus of pilgrims sat in the distance, their guttural chants forming a deep bass backdrop to the platform. Nicro stood in their midst, directing the group. She turned around, her gaze falling upon Sonikah.
Sonikah paced around Rainbow Dash, calmly speaking between each solid hooftrot. “'Those who come to commune with Verlaxion's spirit are preparing to be foaled anew,'” she said. “'And as we cast off the warmth and security of our mother's body, we shed the detritus of our past life, so that we may proceed into the sanctuary of the Goddess, weightless—save for the matter of our sins and wants, which will be Verlaxion's merciful joy to cleanse.'”
As she said this, a pair of mares stood around Rainbow Dash, unclasping her saddlebag and belongings. As the mare and her ghostly friends watched, the two pilgrims carried the materials away, then laid them at Bard's hooves.
The Desperado picked Luna's saddlebag up, then slung it over his shoulder along with his guitar case. He gave Rainbow a reassuring smile from afar... along with a wink.
Rainbow tried to smirk, but her cheeks could scarcely manage it. The two mares closed in again, reaching for her pendant. “Whoah—whoah... uhhhh...”
Sonikah paced to a stop, squinting at her. “Does the foal of Verlaxion desire to rescind her decision to engage in the Sacrament?”
“Oh! Oh no, I don't... it's j-just that—”
“The gesture is more than symbolic,” Sonikah said. “To enter the deepest sanctuary of Verlaxion... to stand before the Holiest of Holy Reed, the newly anointed must shed all attachments to the past.”
“But... it's m-more than an attachment.” Rainbow gulped, brushing the Element with her hoof. “It's... it's—”
To Rainbow's joy, Twilight spoke up. “The Revelation of the Reed states that 'an anointed outsider is entitled to the iconography of her representation.'”
“I can't put it in simpler terms!” Twilight exclaimed. “According to scripture, the Luminards rely on the purely written words of previous Kyrons! Just say it like I said it!”
“Uhhh...”
“'An anointed outsider is entitled to the icon—'”
Rainbow cleared her throat and loudly proclaimed: “'An anointed outsider is entitled to the iconography of her representation.'”
The two pilgrims beside her turned towards Sonikah.
Sonikah took a deep breath. “Then you wish to state that the item around your neck is a symbol of Equestria?”
“Yes!” Twilight hissed. “Say yes!”
“Y-yes! It is... th-that!” Rainbow gulped. “A symbol of Equestria!”
“And you do not harbor any egotistical attachment through its proximity to your being?”
Rainbow glanced at Twilight. Twilight was nodding vehemently.
“No, ma'am.” Rainbow shook her head. “No, anchor, ma'am. Eheh...”
The two pilgrims trotted over towards Sonikah, speaking closely with her. The three conferred in tight silence.
“Wow... good call, Twi!” Pinkie remarked.
“That remains to be seen,” Twilight remarked, glancing at the surrounding pilgrims with shifty-eyes. “The whole purpose of the Penitent Sacrament of Anchorage was to reach out to other cultures and bring more ponies to the Quade. It was purely ornamental.” She pointed at Sonikah. “Right now, your anchor was basically stealing quotes out of Second Kyron... where the standard rituals of anointing are written down.”
“I take it she's never done this before,” Rarity said.
“None of them have, Rarity,” Twilight remarked. “The last time this Sacrament took place was at least four or five Kyrons ago.” She gulped. “Even though there's no audience of representatives, I'm hoping that they go on ahead and allow you to take in the Element of Loyalty... just like a historical delegate from centuries ago might carry in a crown... a tiara... or a hooflet.”
“Who says Dashie's got no representatives?” Pinkie pointed, smiling. “She's got the Desperadoes! Heeheehee!”
Bard stood at a distance, craning his neck as he looked at the proceedings.
“Just where is Wildcard, exactly?” Rarity asked.
“He's above us,” Rainbow muttered.
“Huh?”
“Due north. Four platforms up,” The pegasus droned without looking.
The three ghost mares craned their necks. Sure enough—a pair of dark lenses glinted from a lofty position.
The group of pilgrims split up. Sonikah emotionlessly at Dash, then turned to gaze at the far end of the platform.
From within the shadow of another level, Kyron and a few other elders stood in the frame of a two-story shack. Kyron gazed back at Sonikah... then slowly nodded her head.
She nodded her head back, then pivoted towards Rainbow Dash. “The foal of Verlaxion is permitted her iconography.”
Rainbow and her three friends exhaled with relief.
Sonikah bowed low. “May the Reed imbue it with Verlaxion's mercy... so that word of her lovingkindness will reach the souls of Equestria beyond.” She stood back up. “Those who are witness to the foal's humility and sacrifice, please do proclaim.”
Silence.
Dead silence.
Rainbow sighed, then flicked her tail hard.
Bard saw it, then jolted in place. “Oh! Uh... proclaim!” He waved a hoof, smiling nervously.
“So be it.” Sonikah held her forelimbs out. “'As anchor to the anointed, I bring herself... I bring myself... I bring ourselves to the brink of the shadow of Luminar's Plight. Clear your mind so that you may feel the undulations of the spirit. Be acquainted with your passions and your sins, for soon you will be parting way with both of them, so as to cleanse yourself in preparation for anointing.'”
Nicro swung her hooves to her sides.
The chanting stop. In unison, the humming monks stood up, forming two solid lines.
Sonikah smiled in Rainbow's direction, then motioned for her to follow as she backtrotted towards a lower platform where a cluster of darkly-shadowed buildings resided.
Taking a deep breath, Rainbow Dash strolled on ahead.
Bard, Menthe, and Galloran watched from afar as the pegasus made the lone walk down the twin rows of monks.
Rarity and the other ghost mares stared up.
Wildcard's glinting goggles traveled at an even pace with Rainbow Dash, glinting occasionally with the rays of sunlight.
“Is it just me?” Pinkie's muzzle scrunched. “Or is Wildcard all of the sudden playing the role of Guardian Griffon?”
“He has... come to Rainbow's rescue a lot as of late,” Twilight observed.
“Mrmmfff... he can't protect me where I'm going,” Rainbow Dash muttered. She stared ahead at platform lowering into darkness. “As a matter of fact, neither can you girls.”
The three gawked at her.
“Dashie...?”
“Why... whatever do you mean, darling?”
“What I mean is...” Rainbow quietly murmured. She gulped. “...is that I'm serious about getting Fluttershy out.” Her nostrils flared. “Very serious.”
“Huh?” Rarity and Pinkie exchanged confused looks.
“The Penitent Sacrament of Anchorage requires utmost concentration and deep meditation,” Twilight said. “It's covered over dozens of times in the writing.”
“Wait... does that mean—if Dashie has us around—she'll be cheating?” Pinkie squawked.
“These pilgrims have humility and ritual down to an art,” Twilight said. She gulped. “They might not be able to sense the three of us being in there with Rainbow. But... they could very easily tell that Rainbow isn't paying one hundred percent concentration.”
“Oh, don't be absurd!” Rarity waved a hoof. “As if we're a distraction to Rainbow! If nothing else, she needs us at this intense time of—”
“Twilight's right,” Rainbow said.
“Huh?” Rarity gawked at the mare. “Rainbow, you... you can't be serious!”
Rainbow gazed at the emotionless faces passing by her as she strolled forward. She recognized the emptiness in their eyes. She had seen it reflected back at her in every pond, mirror, and basin she had stared into between Silvadel and Xona.
“I need to be alone with my... my...” Rainbow bit her lip. Her eyes twitched, and she saw bodies, blood, and bone. “...with my thoughts.” She gulped. “For this to work... for us to get Fluttershy—”
“And we totally want you to get Fluttershy.” Pinkie nodded, then looked at the other two. “Right, girls?”
Twilight nodded shakily.
“Well... alright...” Rarity nevertheless squirmed in mid-hover. “But... but the very moment you need our presence—”
“I'll summon you,” Rainbow said. She turned to look over her shoulder, bearing a smile. “It's going to be okay.” A tender breath. “Trust me.”
Pinkie nodded. She smiled at Rainbow, then leaned over to hug Rarity. Together, the two waved and drifted into the Element of Loyalty, fading in a blink. Twilight lingered slightly, pausing to stare Rainbow in the eye.
“Whatever happens, Rainbow...” Twilight's eyes turned glossy. “Don't forget who you're doing this for.” She gulped. “Be patient. Be kind.”
“Way ahead of you—”
And Twilight vanished.
Rainbow looked ahead—and by now she had reached the shade of the platform above. Sonikah stood before the open door to an ancient wooden shack.
“As your anchor, I will be present with you at all times,” Sonikah said. “Should you need counsel or have any questions regarding the Word of Reed—”
“I know who to ask,” Rainbow said.
“However.” Sonikah took a calm breath. “I am not always going to be nearby.” She gestured. “For true meditation to take place—even for the Penitent Sacrament—you will be required to be alone for extended periods of time with the spirit of Verlaxion, so that you may more properly open yourself to her enlightening presence.”
“I... kinda understand... but okay...”
“When in here, you will be acting as an anointed pilgrim of the Quade,” Sonikah said. “But seeing as you're only here through my anchorage, you will return to the guest's platform when it's time to retire. When we are ready to proceed, you will rejoin us in meditation here. It is up to me—your anchor—to provide you with your schedule and directions, oftentimes with no prior preparation.”
Rainbow blinked. Then nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, okay.”
“At all times, follow my directions, and you will not be led astray.” Sonikah leaned her head aside. “Do I have your trust?”
“You do, anchor.”
She smiled and held a hoof out.
Rainbow quietly took it, and she was led inside.
Ten minutes later, Rainbow Dash winced under soft candlelight.
Three pilgrims stood tightly around her, drawing string and tightening a baggy gown of sackcloth.
Rainbow felt the coarse material rubbing up against her legs and flank. She squirmed slightly, but did her best to stand still. Her eyes darted forward.
Sonikah stood a few paces in front of her, standing dead-still, watching her constantly.
Awkwardly, Rainbow looked away. She felt the weight of her pendant, and her ears rang in the absence of all noise. Even the movement of the pilgrims was light as a feather.
She sighed, but maintained her composure, her eyes dancing along with the candlelight.
An hour later...
Rainbow clenched her teeth, squinting out one eye while the other remained clenched.
She sat in an uncomfortable stool... wearing her uncomfortable sackcloth... her back hunched in an uncomfortable position.
Before her, four pilgrims crowded, their hooves carefully winding and braiding Rainbow's mane into several branching directions. They tied the fibers into erratic patterns, utilizing thick twine from the Reed.
More than once, Rainbow winced—for the same thing was being done to her tail. One by one, the braids pulled... tugged at the roots of her mane.
“Mmmm... grfff...” Rainbow hissed.
Sonikah strolled forward, gazing down at her. “Is something the matter?”
“It's... it's just that it's so...” Rainbow stopped in mid-sentence. She felt the constant pain of the awkward manestyle—weighing forward on her skull and flank in opposite directions. It was like her body was being slowly tugged in half. She gulped. “No...” A shuddering breath left her as the pilgrims braided her mane tighter and tighter. “No, I suppose it's fine...”
Sonikah said nothing. She stepped back towards her end of the room and stood in place... gazing at Rainbow Dash.
Three hours later...
Rainbow stood as straight as she could.
The mare's head weighed forward from the bulk of her dangling mane. Her tail hairs had been split down the middle, with most of the weight favoring the left side. She constantly felt like teetering forward, and every time she tried leaning back—her body wanted to careen to the left.
And yet, for over an hour, she stood in place, watching stupidly as several monks lined up, murmuring indecipherable incantations. They each strolled up to her and kissed their hooves before pressing them lightly to the mare's forehead. They'd then bow—to which Rainbow also had to return the gesture.
The mare winced from each exchange. After only a few instances of repetition, she felt like her neck was going to snap off. And yet—under the constant gaze of Sonikah—she maintained as solid a posture as was possible. Her eyes glanced into her peripheral, and the line of ritualistic monks appeared four times as long as when this phase of the Sacrament started.
She did her best to hold back an anguished sigh.
Rainbow found it hard to trot straight.
Nevertheless, she shuffled obediently after Sonikah's figure. The sackcloth gown scratched and chaffed her with each step she took.
Eventually, the anchor led Rainbow down a tiny flight of stairs and into a cramped hallway lined with three doors. Two old stallions sat vigilantly at desks, writing down devotionals beneath candle-light. Neither of them looked up when Sonikah entered.
Sonikah approached one door along the hallway, twisted its handle, and opened it up to a tiny-tiny room. More like a closet. She turned and looked at Rainbow. With a calm smile, she pointed at the interior.
“... ... ...” Rainbow looked at the small compartment. She looked at Sonikah. With a hesitant step, she proceeded. The mare was barely two steps into the room before she had to turn around. “I can't—” She cleared her throat. “My braids are brushing up against—”
Sonikah firmly grasped Rainbow's shoulder... then slowly pivoted her to face the splintery wooden wall. A second motion urged Rainbow Dash to squat down on her haunches.
Rainbow reluctantly did so. She heard Sonikah rummaging about behind and above her. A tiny, dim light filled the closet. Rainbow glanced straight up. Through her braids, she saw that a miniature lamp had been lit, with enough oil in the flask to last a over a day. Next to the lamp, there dangled a shiny brass object—which Rainbow guessed was a bell. Her mind stumbled over the meaning behind it.
Sonikah stepped out of the closet. A minute later, she stepped back. “Sit straight,” she said quietly.
Rainbow did so.
“...straighter.”
Rainbow bit her lip. She did as told—then almost teetered. The weight of her braids was throwing her balance off.
Nevertheless, Sonikah ultimately approved of the uncomfortably straight posture. She strolled in to Rainbow's side—a claustrophobic shuffle at best. She brushed her hoof against Rainbow's left forelimb, ushering her to hold her hoof out.
Rainbow did so, then blinked as a tiny glass chalice was placed in her left hoof.
Sonikah poured a canteen of water into the glass... not stopping until the container was mostly full. Once finished, she smiled down at the mare. “This... is your passions.”
She stepped out of the closet... then stepped back in. Raising Rainbow's right hoof, she placed another glass chalice into the mare's grasp, pouring water into it as well.
“This,” Sonikah explained. “Is your sins.”
The anchor stepped back, leaving Rainbow Dash sitting on her haunches, heavy head raised, her hooves outstretched and holding the two glass chalices full of water. There was barely any room to lean in any direction, much less breathe. “Uhhhmm...”
“Do not spill a drop,” Sonikah said.
Rainbow instantly grimaced, glancing left and right.
“When you are ready,” Sonikah spoke calmly. “Knock on the door three times.”
“Ready?” Rainbow gulped. “Ready for what?”
The shadow of the anchor bowed behind her. “You'll know.”
“Do... do I say any prayers?”
“...no.”
“Do... do I quote any scripture?”
“... ... ...no ...”
Rainbow's muzzle hung open.
The wooden door to the closet creaked shut, and all sound dissipated.
Rainbow was left alone with the wood... the lamplight... and her two chalices.
And a whole bunch of aching muscles.
Rainbow took a shuddering breath... ... ...and continued to sit there.
Silent and poised.
As the first of several hours began its slow lurch...
A warm red sunset fell across the Quade and the platforms above it.
Menthe sat in a lazily drifting canoe, sharpening his fishing spear as he hugged the southern banks of the steep canyon.
Galloran paced along the upper platforms, his hooves shuffling across woven surfaces while his trusty crossbow hung from his flank.
Wildcard and Bard lingered on the circular level just above the shacks where Rainbow Dash had disappeared. Bard plucked randomly at the strings of his guitar. His nostrils flared as he gazed into the wind. Squinting, he glanced curiously at Wildcard.
The griffon sat still and quiet, facing the wooden shacks, not taking his goggled eyes off it for one second.
Bard took a deep breath and returned to his guitar. Occasionally, he'd glance back at Wildcard and the platforms. Slowly, the sky above them bled into a dim purple velvet.
Rainbow Dash's limbs quivered like they never had before.
She shook from head to spine—teeth chattering.
Every square inch of muscle screamed in agony, and it was all she could do to hold back her pent up whimpers.
The mare gritted her teeth, eyes squinting past the dangling edges of her braids. Every time she so much as nodded her head, it felt like her entire body would collapse forward from the weight of her mane. And then—when she leaned back—her spine buckled and wept in pain.
However, despite her anguishing trials, the water remained within both glasses—still precariously balanced in her hooves. This was no easy task. With each shiver and tremor that ran through her limbs, Rainbow was almost certain the liquid would fly out of the glass chalices and litter the petrified wooden surface of the floor.
All her head could do was swim through a vague haze of memories: all of the moments in the past when she struggled and strained like she was just now. She remembered the strenuous activities of the Iron Pony Competition in Equestria.. the endurance test of the Running of the Leaves... the week she practiced for the Best Young Flier's Competition.
Rainbow found it curious that she couldn't drum up a memory from after her flight east began. She was almost certain she had been through exercises as tiresome as this, if not more so. She could usher forth a recollection or two. But she didn't. Her mind stopped an opaque wall of vagueries, almost as if—
A latch unlocked.
Door hinges squeaked behind her.
Rainbow gasped in legitimate shock. She almost lost a few drops of water right then and there. She looked over her shoulder, a brazen act that sent her neck-muscles screaming. Wincing, she waited for the cloud of pain to fade, and then Sonikah's visage came into focus.
“What...?” Rainbow was surprised at how raspy her voice sounded. She cleared her throat and tried again: “What's the matter?”
Blinking, Rainbow complied. As soon as the containers were on the floor, she hung her stiff-stiff limbs at her side, exhaling in mixed relief and lethargy. “Did... did I pass?”
Sonikah strolled into the center of the tiny closet and helped Rainbow to her hooves. “Night has fallen. You must retire for the evening.”
“But...” Rainbow grimaced, limping... hobbling after her anchor on rubber band limbs. “Did I pass or did I?”
“You must rest if you are to continue with the trials,” was all Sonikah said.
“Erm...” Rainbow gulped, glancing over her shoulder one last time at the twin glasses of water. “Okay—”
And another pilgrim loudly shut the closet door behind her.
Nighttime graced Rainbow as Sonikah led her outside and towards the platform full guest lean-tos. Rainbow squinted as if everything was as bright as noon-day. An entire session spent inside the dimly-lit confines of the closet made her feel like the rest of the world was on fire.
Bard and Wildcard heard the incoming hoof-trots, and they stood up in a flash. Wildcard tapped Bard's shoulder. Bard nodded, then shuffled forward with a hopeful grin.
“Well, howdy there, pilgrim! How goes the first day of... of...” He blinked, watching as Rainbow limped pathetically towards her sleeping mat. “... ... ...whoah dayum.”
Rainbow's limbs slumped, and Sonikah had to lean in and support her, helping the mare lie down on the sleeping mat with relative ease. As soon as Rainbow's body graced the barely-pliable fabric, she nevertheless exhaled with a long winded breath of relief.
Wildcard's beak clenched. He glared at Rainbow, then up at the anchor.
Sonikah was busy leaning in towards Bard. The Desperado blinked off into the night while the Luminard gently whispered instructions into his ear. He blanched slightly—but ultimately nodded.
Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash stirred, turning over as she tried—in vain—to find a comfortable way to lie her body and braids down on the sleeping mat. With a flicker of lavender light, Twilight emerged from her pendant, followed by two other colorful spectres.
“Did... did I just hear Bard's voice?” Twilight remarked.
“How much time has passed?” Rarity yawned, rubbing her blue eyes. “It couldn't have been twenty minutes, has it—?” She turned and instantly jolted at the sight of Rainbow Dash. “Good heavens!”
“Rainbow Dash...?” Twilight stammered, gaping at the mare.
“Heeheehee! Look at her head! That silly mane!” Pinkie pointed and snickered. “Heee hee ho ho hoooo noooo, Dashie!” She giggle-snorted.
“Mrmmmff...” Rainbow winced, turning over and struggling with her aching limbs.
“...!” Pinkie gasped, her ears folding back with an instant wave of sympathy. “Oh no, Dashie...”
“Are you alright?” Twilight flew closer, examining Rainbow's aching body. “Those muscles... they're all bunched up! Especially your forelimbs! What happened?!”
“And... what...” Rarity struggled to hold her non-existent lunch in. “... mmmm... pr-pray tell did they make you wear, darling?”
“Just...” Rainbow wheezed, brow twitching. Wildcard shuffled closer, his dark shadow crossing her as she writhed. “I'm fine... simply balancing... p-passion... sins...” She coughed, sputtered. “Whew, boy... what a rush.” Her muzzle scrunched. “Or anti-rush.”
“Dude!” Pinkie pouted. “You've been Luminarded!” She frowned at the other ponies. “We can't let them do this to Dashie!”
“Well, it was her choice, Pinkie,” Rarity said, nevertheless shuddering. “And... we... we all know why she's doing it.”
“Hey, I love Fluttershy!” Pinkie slapped a hoof over her chest. “But if I had to turn my head around five times and pop it off for her, I'm sure she'd say 'no.'”
“Nopony's getting decapitated, Pinkie. Honestly.”
“You say that now...”
“Mrmmmff...” Rainbow lifted her head, instantly wincing from the act. “Bard? Wildcard? Guys...?”
A few step sover, Sonikah finished her “conversation” with Bard. The anchor leaned back, then hoofed Bard a tiny package. The bounty hunter took it, holding it gingerly in two hooves.
“We will be back at sunrise.” The pilgrim bowed, her braids flouncing. “Watch over her... as kindred souls. Make sure she does not go astray.”
“Oh... uh... you b-bet!” Bard nodded.
Sonikah turned around, then swiftly made her exit, shuffling towards the lower platforms.
Bard sighed and shuffled over, balancing the package on his flank.
Wildcard gestured something curiously.
Bard waved him off, cleared his throat, then smiled down at the mare. “So... uh... howdy again! I see they survived everythang they threw at ya!”
“Meh,” Rainbow meh'd.
“You... you fixin' to sleep it off, now?”
“Grfff... that depends....” She blinked thinly up at him. “I'd kill for...” She instantly grimaced, glancing at the colorful shapes in her peripheral. “I-I could really use something to munch on.”
Bard fidgeted where he stood.
Rainbow blinked again. “... ... ...Bard?”
“I... uhm...” He cleared his throat. “I've been given specific instructions... erm...” He held the hoof up with a nervous smile. “...to make sure you only have a glass of water and two slices of bread...”
“... ... ...”
“Per day.” Bard's smile twitched, and yet he bravely aimed it at her. “For the extent of the trials. And... uhm... that's it.”
The spectral mares simply gawked at one another.
Wildcard raised an eyecrest. He gestured emphatically at the stallion.
“Yo... dude...” Bard frowned, hissing: “That's what she done told me!”
Wildcard gestured some more.
“I can't!”
The griffon's talons sliced the air.
“Because!” Bard snarled. “Her trials will be over in a blink! Shoot, Dubya, every dayum monk on these here platforms are carryin' Kyron's eyeballs! And if they dun catch us breakin' the rules, then Menthe or Galloran will!”
Wildcard fumed, folding his arms with a frown.
“Mmmff... Bard, just...” Rainbow tapped the woven platform beside her bed mat. “Just pl-place it down here.”
“Now listen, darlin'...” Bard sighed, opening the container and placing the items down carefully beside her. “I've experienced my fair share of havin' to conserve vittles. The important thang is to be slow, patient, and—” Blue limbs grabbed the slices of bread from him, and the stallion fell back on his rump. “Whoah nelly!”
Rainbow greedily, desperately scarfed the edible material down her throat. It was bland, stale, and lifeless—but it filled her... at least partially. She had barely finished swallowing when she reached for the glass of water, raising it to her parched lips.
“Rainbow, honestly, this... this is far too much!” Rarity clenched her jaws as her eyes turned glossy. “I can't stand to see you suffer like this!”
“It's very... very unawesome,” Pinkie murmured in a tiny, fragile voice.
“I know what that material you're wearing feels like,” Rarity remarked. “Its only true purpose is to transport potatoes. It is not befitting a mare such as yourself! I don't care if you consider yourself to be tough or delicate. It's... it's just cruel.”
“And those braids don't look too comfy neither!” Pinkie remarked.
“Please, Pinkie.” Rarity waved at her. “Leave the pity train to me.”
“Hey! I bought tickets too!”
“Mrmmmfff...” Rainbow Dash was halfway through the jar of water when she wheezed: “Relax...”
“Rainbow, in all seriousness...” Twilight leaned in close. “You're headstrong. Perhaps you jumped too soon into this.” She gulped. “There... there's got to be another way. All of this strain—just what has it even accomplished so far?”
“Well, I suppose that's good to know.” Bard tipped his hat back with a smirk. “You were pretty tough in Rust and Shoggoth, no reason for ya to have lost—”
“Not talking to you!” Rainbow snarled. She seethed... seethed... then closed her eyes. The mare weathered a sigh, then muttered: “I just... I-I just need to rest. Tomorrow...” She bravely placed the half-empty jar aside and rolled over across the mat, shuddering. “Tomorrow... I go back...”
“But... but...”
“Goodnight... Desperadoes... girls...”
“Awwwwwwwww...” Pinkie's face grew long. “But we just got here!”
Rainbow shook, shuddered, and was still.
“Dashie? Hello?” Pinkie hovered closer. “Level with us, girl! What did they ask of you?”
“Pinkie...” Twilight placed a hoof on the mare's shoulder. “Let her be.” The unicorn sighed. “If she's capable of sleep, then she deserves as much of it as possible. “After all, when she goes back in, she's on her own.”
“But... but...” Rarity blanched. She turned to squeak at Twilight: “We're her friends! We can't just let her go through this without—”
“Fluttershy is her friend too,” Twilight firmly said. “As well as ours.” She pointed at Rainbow's slowly breathing form. “Right now, the only thing that can get her back is loyalty.” She gulped. “Just... have faith. Rainbow has got this...”
This entire time, Rainbow's eyes hung open, staring towards the mountain ridge on the far end of the canyon. Her ears twitched from hearing Twilight's words. Nevertheless, she nuzzled her head closer to the mat. The braids of her mane twisted and pulled, tugging painfully at her skull. Somewhere between the torturous throbs, she found a soft cloud to drift in. Slowly—one eyelash at a time—her lids fluttered shut—
“Dear child.”
—Rainbow's eyes flew wide open.
Daylight.
Rainbow whimpered in pain, curling up into a blue ball.
Sonikah's hoof reached in and unabashedly lifted her into a sitting position.
Rainbow winced hard. Pain ran up and down her body, firing each of her nerves into screaming wakefulness. She saw platforms hovering in the sunlight, full of living, waking, laboring monks.
“You must follow me, Rainbow Dash,” her anchor said.
“Mrmfff... what... what time is—?”
“It is time that we resumed the Sacrament,” Sonikah said. “Stand up.”
“But... I...” Rainbow's hoof shuffled along the woven surface next to her mat. She gasped. The half-empty canister of water was gone. “Where...?”
“Come.” Sonikah lifted Rainbow to her hooves. “Your trials await.”
Rainbow shuddered... heaved. Eyes thin, she squinted aside.
Bard and Wildcard stood side by side. They stirred slightly, avoiding her gaze.
Rainbow's parched lips moved. “I was just...” She stumbled slightly, limping after Sonikah. “...starlight.”
The pegasus and her anchor descended.
Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight Sparkle hovered in single file. Biting their lips, they watched nervously from across the tiny space of the closet.
Rainbow slumped to her haunches, wincing. Her bleary eyes looked down, and her breathing paused.
The same two chalices lingered before her, filled with the same water. Not a single drop had been lost.
The marefriends exchanged curious expressions. Sonikah shuffled closer, and they all looked up.
“Here...” Sonikah reached in, picking up one chalice and placing it atop Rainbow's outstretched limb. “...your passion.” She reached over and did the same with the other chalice. “And your sins.”
Rainbow found herself in a familiarly torturous position, holding two familiar weights in two familiar hooves.
Sonikah shuffled back, re-filled the oil in the lamp next to the hanging bell above, then allowed the dim light to cast over Rainbow's squatting figure. Once finished, she stood back.
“When you are ready, knock three times on the door.”
Rainbow rasped: “We're not going to do any Reed trivia or nothing?”
The door hinges creaked.
Thud!
Rainbow was left squatting in the closet once again.
“... ... ...” Rainbow sat in place, frowning, breathing in and out.
Her three spectral friends lingered in place. They looked at Rainbow.
The pegasus' glaring eyes raised to meet them. Her nostrils flared.
Grimacing, the mares nodded. Twilight floated into Rainbow's pendant, fading, followed by Rarity. Pinkie lingered, and she looked ready to say something. However, her big blue eyes reflected Rainbow's scowling face... and she too eventually faded into the ether.
Rainbow clenched her eyes shut. She leaned her head slightly back, the braids dangling. Then—as the first of countless minutes wore on—her two forelimbs shook... starting to tremble. The water in the twin chalices rippled and rippled and—
Thunder rolled.
Menthe squinted up at the cloudy skies above the Quade. Sniffling the air, he licked his hoof then held it high overhead. After a few seconds, his ears twitched, and the old stallion looked over his shoulder. He nodded.
Galloran nodded back. Together, the two ponies rowed their canoe closer to the Reed—until they moored it safely beneath the shadow of the hanging platforms.
Within seconds, a trickle of misty rain fell, pitter-pattering over the woven lengths of the Luminards' elevated home.
Bard squatted beneath the shelter of a lean-to. He fanned himself, gazing out at the rain as it grew denser and denser. Soon enough, a gray-blue sheet fell all around him, filling the breathable air with humidity and chilly moisture.
The cowcolt shuddered. He planted his hat back on his head, then stood up. Pacing towards the edge of his shelter, he squinted out onto the canyon between the two mountain ridges.
Seconds later, a glinting light caught his eye. He turned to look.
An avian figure squatted on the edge of a platform, staring vigilantly down at the shadowed level where the pilgrims' shacks lingered. The sunlight bled through the rain, glinting off the griffon's metal limb.
Bard watched silently. His ears folded as a contemplative expression hung off his tired features.
Rainbow's eyes grew thinner and thinner...
Her forelimbs had stopped shaking at this point, growing stiff and rigid. She had found a way to prop the joints of her forelegs against her belly, supporting the weight of the twin chalices better. However, this transferred most of the pain into her stomach muscles, allowing for a brand new anguish to bubbled outward from the center of her being.
And yet, as exhaustion from the previous day and night took over, she became numb to the ordeal. Her eyes grew even thinner... fluttering shut. At last, her breaths narrowed... and she started to drift forward... her head nodding... her aching skull awash in delicious delirium and—
A startlingly loud ringing noise exploded above her.
“Mmmrf—guh!” Rainbow shot up with a gasp, eyes blinking wide. She looked left... looked right... ... ...then looked straight up.
The bell next to the oil lamp was shaking wildly. A string yanked and tugged, leading out a hole above the door and to the hallway outside. Rainbow had only been staring at the instrument for the better part of five seconds... ... ...when it stopped ringing altogether.
The mare blinked.
Exhaling heavily, she stared ahead. She shifted her weight—struggling not to toppel over. At last, she resorted to holding her forelimbs out again instead of steadying the joints against her belly. This meant that the limbs would throb in pain—ultimately quivering from the muscular strain, but Rainbow figured she could alternate between the two postures.
She thought of this... and then she thought of something else... and then she thought of nothing.
She wasn't aware of how much time had passed... hours?Minutes? But at some point, exhaustion took its toll once more. Her eyes thinned, the lids growing heavy. Her head nodded—the braids flouncing. She started to teeter and drift—
Ringing.
Loud ringing.
“Grnnngh...” Rainbow gnashed her teeth, flinging her eyelids wide open. A few bare seconds after jolting awake, the bell overhead went silent once again, and she was alone with the twin flasks of water. “Mmmmff...”
She sat in place, shoulders and spine aching. The seconds dwindled by beneath the lazy dance of lanternlight, leeching off her bloodshot eyes.
The roof of the lean-to leaked in several places.
Rainbow wished that this was the thing keeping her awake.
“Mrmmff... what...?” Rainbow wheezed, gazing into the wet misty starlight. “What are those...?” She grimaced. “Cicadas?”
Wildcard looked at Bard.
“What, you mean the noise?” Bard asked.
“Buck yeah, the n-noise...” She coughed and wheezed.
“Chanting?” Rainbow's weak eyes stared out into the rainy, murky world. Her skull throbbed from the undulating bass vocals. “Right now? In the rain?” She coughed some more, feeling around the platform next to her sleeping mat. “But... b-but they've never chanted this late at night before...”
Bard shoved the two slices of bread towards Rainbow. “Well, darlin', you've never tried doin' the Sacrament before.”
Rainbow's eyes darted towards him.
He gazed back. Stoic.
Rainbow sighed. She weakly hoofed a slice of bread into her mouth and munched it down her throat in order to drown out the noise of rain and chanting.
She failed.
Ringing.
Ringing.
Rainbow snapped awake with a gasp.
“Nnnngh! Roarke!”
She panted and panted, looking left and right.
Water shook and wobbled in the glasses that two blue hooves were holding.
“Where...?” She panted. Shivered. “Are they safe? I... I left them with...” She seethed... seethed. Her ears folded, and her muzzle grimaced.
Up above her, the ringing stop.
Torturously calm torchlight flickered off the wooden lengths of the closet.
Rainbow shuddered, holding her aching limbs out as she continued to balance the two glasses of water.
Around this point, a lavender figure emerged from her pendant. Twilight blinked wearily at the surroundings, then turned to face Rainbow Dash.
“Rainbow... did... did you call out just now?”
Rainbow's nostrils flared. She looked ahead, staring past the unicorn.
“I could have sworn I heard... I-I mean...” Twilight gulped. “Are... are you okay?”
“Mrmmmf...” Rainbow muttered, stiff lips moving across a stiff jaw. “Go away...” She gulped. “You can't be here... the trials... mrmmmff... for the Penitent Foal of Verlaxion alone...”
“But Rainbow—”
“Those are the rules...” Rainbow lisped. “Doing this... mmmf... for Fluttershy. You have to leave...”
“How many times have you been at this?! Something must be wrong!” Twilight flew closer with a frown. “Talk to Kyron! Get him to—”
“Go away!” Rainbow barked, eyes red and flaring.
Twilight leaned back, muzzle agape. She sniffed, her eyes watering. A dainty nod, and she drifted into Rainbow Dash, fading away.
Rainbow inhaled, leaning her off-balanced head back, bangs quivering almost as hard as her forelimbs. “Grfff... come on... come on...” The water rippled in the twin glass chalices. “Pain... p-passion...” She gulped harder. “Pain and passion... come on... what you got... what you g-got...?”
She concentrated... she focused... she drifted...
Eventually, her eyes rolled back, her eyes fluttering shut. Her mouth hung open, exhaling in a guttural gargle—
The bell above sounded forth like a siren.
“N-noo!” Rainbow Dash shot up, eyes wide. She yelped into the light, pattering rain. “Cloudsdale!”
Wildcard and Bard woke up with a start. They got up, then scurried over from their sleeping mats.
“What?!” Bard wheezed, his eyes blearing blinking with concern. “What is it, Rainbow?”
Rainbow panted and panted, her gawking face pale as a sheet. “The bell!” She swallowed hard. “The foundations of Cloudsdale will crumble without me!” She grimaced. “Because of the bell!”
A metal talon gently gripped Rainbow's shoulder. Wildcard gave Bard a worried look through his goggles.
Bard clenched his jaw, then sighed. “Ya ain't in... erm... 'Cloudy Dale,' darlin'. Yer here. With us. In the Quade.” He cleared his throat. “And ya really need to get some rest for tomorrow.”
“But...” Rainbow winced. “He... he's hidden them...” Her ears twitched, one after the other. “In the hedge maze. With... the bell...”
“He's hidden what, Rainbow?”
Rainbow bit her lip. Her bloodshot eyes watered. “...Fluttershy,” she whimpered.
The Desperadoes exchanged glances once more.
Wildcard patted Rainbow's shoulder.
“Just lay down and close yer eyes, Rainbow,” Bard murmured.
Rainbow's breaths slowed down as she deflated towards the sleeping mat like a balloon. Her eyes grew thin and thinner.
“Yer gonna find where Fluttershy's hidden soon... I... I-I just know it...”
Rainbow exhaled... sighed... and finally closed her eyes—
The bell rang like a siren.
Rainbow's eyes flew back open.
Splintery wood lingered to her left.
Torchlight panels hung to her right.
The twin chalices hovered like haloes.
“Not a drop...” She muttered to herself.
The bell went quiet.
The world died around her, silent as a grave.
“Passion... sin...” Rainbow murmured, head teetering slightly. “Not a drop.”
The lanternlight flickered.
Shadows darted across the wooden beams.
Rainbow's puffy eyes followed them, looping around a curious yellow star, twinkling dim and distant beyond the Reed.
“Not a drop... not a drop... not a...”
Rain fell into the shallow waters of the Quade.
Riplets swam in circles upon circles...
All of them spreading... overlapping...
Never completing...
And when the rain ended, they faded... as if they were never there to begin with.
The wood was old, petrified.
Everything was older than old.
Even the Reed—its dead strips woven into circles and platforms...
It was all older than she could have perceived.
She could fly the whole world over, orbiting the fragment of Urohringr like a second moon...
She would not know where it came from or where it would go.
She could only fly... illuminate... a spark... a torch...
Flickering across the panels...
Glinting off the bell.
The ripples in the chalices.
“Passion... sin...”
Her lips moved.
“Not a drop...”
Ears ached with chanting.
“N-not a drop...”
A pair of black lenses hovered over her.
Her eyes darted towards them. A foalish whimper. “Roarke... don't... worry about me...”
Starlight glinted across the lenses as Wildcard shared a look with Bard.
Rarity's voice: “There's that name again...”
Pinkie's voice: “Do you know what that means, Twi?”
“No... I-I can't say that I do.”
“Rainbow Dash, you rock. Woohoo.”
She instantly sat up—then instantly regretted it. A sharp stab of pain sent Rainbow lying on the mat again. Shuddering, she gazed out across the platform, squinting at the faint yellow glow of Yaerfaerda from within the reed.
Rainbow gulped. “You... you n-need to be more... mmmm... assertive...”
“Rainbow, hun...” Bard shoved two slices of bread towards her. “You need to eat while you can. I... I know it's not much, but...”
“Mmmmm...” Rainbow slithered a hoof out, lightly tapping the two bread slices. Her eyes narrowed. “Is... that the b-best that Ebon could cook up?”
Wildcard cocked his head to the side.
“Who?” Bard breathed.
With a sigh, Rainbow curled up, wincing from her braids. “How... how long has... has it...?”
“Since you started this stupid thang?” Bard grunted. “Eight days, Rainbow.”
“Mrmmmff...” Rainbow clenched her eyes shut. “Doesn't matter...”
“Rainbow...”
“Put a sign up for Belle... 'hammock occupied.'”
“Would ya just eat the bread already?”
“Can't...”
“Excuse me?”
“Gotta... mmmfff... get Fluttershy...” She shuddered. “Not a drop. Won't spill...”
“Rainbow, level with us, will ya?!” Bard sat up straight, frowning. “Are they makin' ya do anythang that makes sense?”
“Grnnghh...”
“Like meditatin'?”
“Mmmf... no...”
“Scripture readin'?”
“No...”
“Givin' the tithe? I mean... for Verlaxion's sake—!” Bard snarled. “None of this makes no sense!”
“Gotta... keep at it...”
“Until when?! Huh?!”
Rainbow shuddered. “Until I'm ready.”
Bard opened his muzzle to protest again, but Wildcard placed a talon on his shoulder, silencing the stallion. The musician sat in place, fuming.
“Mmmmff...” Rainbow's eyes rolled back. She saw colorful muzzles. Sad eyes. The glinting windows to a rustic cottage. “Gotta... learn to be m-more... mmmff... assertive...”
“Anything's worth it, if it means a nice, peaceful life.”
Rainbow gasped, eyes flying open.
It wasn't the bell that woke her this time.
She darted her eyes left and right.
A knot had formed in her stomach, refusing to go away. But she felt past it.
Her eyes traced the wooden lengths of the closet beyond her chalices of rippling water.
She breathed and breathed and breathed and—
Shadows darted.
She jerked her head aside, braids twitching.
The knot had risen to her throat by now, becoming impossible to ignore.
The water shook... rippled.
“Not... a d-drop...”
Her vision blurred. She followed the tears down the granite etchings of runes... leylines... ancient pegasus effigies. Beyond Hurricane's tomb, a mangled mess of changeling limbs hung together, swaying pendulously, dripping with freshly spilled juices.
“Not a drop,” she whimpered, glancing to her right upon a whiff of smoke.
Aridstone billowed smoke, merging with the flames of Lerris. Crucifixes lined the edges of the Silvadelian ravine. Colors streaked; Nightshade's body plunged into the abyss. Rainbow's breaths lunged with her, falling into a rattling pile of bodies and managlider pieces. Lady Pestiferous' skull hung off the bow of the Steel Wing. Eyes darted, and Rainbow watched as the torso of a goblin crawled out of Nevlamas' sockets, bleeding, staining the lengths of Darkstinian metal with pale chaotic grit.
“Not a drop...” Rainbow shivered, shook. Tears welled up. “Not a drop not a drop not a dr-drop...”
“Monster...”
Gasping, Rainbow glanced to the left.
The rusted walls of Blue Shelf were bathed in blood and entrails. In the distance—hidden in the shadows of the Machine World—two unicorn figures stood, a father and daughter, with three eyes between them.
“...you will have to do some very... very unkind things.”
“Guhhh!” Rainbow Dash shot up.
The cool air of the Quade fell on her shoulders.
She sat on her sleeping mat, panting, sweating.
In the distance, a bell's sound haunted her ears, ringing across the starlight.
Rainbow panted and panted. Two figures were lying a few spaces away, sound asleep beneath the lean-to's.
“Just... have to keep... keep...” She wheezed, shook. “...keep flying...”
Starlight and shallow waters... above and below....
“Not a drop...” She breathed. “Not a dr-drop...” She smiled.
The sunlight grew brighter, glinting yellow and golden off the cottage windows. She could smell the flowers along the babbling brook and the cobblestone path.
“Just have to be more assertive...” She reached forward to knock three times on the front door, but felt nothing. “Just... come out...” She clenched her teeth, feeling around for the wooden surface. Her eyes fluttered shut, but there was no bell. “... ... ...don't be afraid—”
“Child? Child, what are you doing...?”
“Won't spill—” Rainbow plunged.
“Child! Rainbow Dash! Wait—”
Rainbow fell over the edge of the platform—only to have a strong hoof grab her rear leg at the last second. Rainbow dangled for a brief moment, staring at a blue pendulum down below in the surfaces of the Quade. She blinked blearily, then gasped as she yanked back—painfully—by her tail.
“Guuh!” Thwomp! Rainbow fell back on her flank, wincing all over from the throbbing roots of her tail hairs. “Ow! Ow ow ow ow...” She gnashed her teeth. “Owie...”
“I... I-I'm so very sorry!” a female voice squeaked, songful and tender all at once. “I-I had to stop you from falling! Oh, blessed Reed. Thank you, Goddess Verlaxion, for your strength and timing!”
“Mrmmfff...” Rainbow squinted at the yellow figure in front of her. “Sonikah?” She blinked, the figure coming more and more into focus. “You're... n-not my anchor...”
“No, Rainbow Dash... child. I am not.” A considerably younger face came into focus. Eyes full with fright and compassion. “But I am so very glad that I caught you, regardless.”
“You know my name?” Nicro blinked. Then, a bashful smile. “Yes. Of course. You attended at least one of my chorus sessions.”
“I... can't spill a drop, Nicro,” Rainbow stammered. She gazed out at the Quade, spotting a line of starlight blanketing the top of rigid mountains. “Passion and sin...”
“Oh... oh dear...” Nicro fidgeted, glancing over her shoulder. “Your friends. Weren't... weren't they supposed to be watching over you?”
“Left them,” Rainbow muttered.
“Huh?”
“Left them in Val Roa,” Rainbow wheezed. Blinking. “Ashes. Elements of Harmony. Foundations... cr-crumble without me...”
“Rainbow, I... I-I have nothing to do with the Sacrament,” Nicro said, kneeling down in front of her. “I w-was simply assigned to examine the upper platforms and their weave this evening. I...” She shuddered. “I really should get you back to your friends. I-I'm not really allowed to do anything else. You must understand.”
“It's... it's okay...” Rainbow said. Reaching out, she patted the mare's forelimb, smiling weakly. “You showed that dragon who's boss.”
“Huh?” Nicro blinked.
“Just... g-gotta learn to stop being afraid of your own shadow...” Rainbow's lips pursed, and her eyes narrowed. “... ... ...why didn't you answer the cottage door?”
“... ... ...” Nicro bit her lip. She sniffled slightly, then clenched her jaw. “Wait right here.”
“Hmmm?”
“Wait... right here,” the pilgrim whispered, waving a hoof. “Please. Do not say another word. Do not even move until... until I return.”
“Mrmmmfff... should...” Rainbow teetered, yawning. “Should j-just give me the Stare.” She leaned to the left. “But... you're not generosity. That's Nealend... Nick Song... Swan Sinrar... whoop whoop... eheheheh...” She leaned to the right. “A bard, a griffon, and a spark walk into a seapony bar... most laughable joke ever... m-most...”
She wasn't aware of how much time had passed until Nicro came scampering back. The pilgrim crouched in front of Rainbow Dash, holding something tightly to her sackcloth gown.
“Mrmmmf...” Rainbow's nostrils flared. “Magic... in the Grand Choke... Friendship...”
“Rainbow Dash. Here...” Nicro placed two spongy spheres into the mare's emaciated hooves. “Be quick about it.”
“Hrmmff?” Rainbow squinted at her. “Sonikah?”
“No, it's—” Nicro opened her muzzle, lingered, then spat: “Forget about it. Just eat.”
“Eat?”
“Yes, eat.”
“... ... ...” Rainbow stared down at her hooves.
Two fresh ocean mangoes lingered in her grasp.
“What...” Rainbow blinked. “What's...?”
“I've honestly never seen a foal of Verlaxion go through as much as you're going through right now,” Nicro said. “All children who are called to the Quade... mmmff... th-they at least get to read the Word of Reed or... or enjoy study sessions with Kyron. But this... this Sacrament.” Her muzzle scrunched. “I've never seen anything like it. I've asked Sonikah, but she's not allowed to converse with anypony else but the one she's anchored to... at least not until the Ritual is over. So... I-I have no explanation for why you have to... I mean why you're forced to...” She grimaced, shuddering. “Either case, it pains me to see a foal of Verlaxion suffering like this. Please... eat quickly. Restore your energy so that you can meditate properly tomorrow. Believe me. It... it will help!”
“You...” Rainbow blinked. “...you are... g-giving me food?”
“Shhhh...”
“But...” Rainbow's muzzle hung open as she gazed at her. “It's... it's against the—”
“I know,” Nicro breathed. “Please... don't tell anypony.” She gulped. “Especially not Antsan. It... will not go well.”
Rainbow looked at the food. Her jaw clenched and unclenched. The knot in her stomach unraveled, sending rippling waves of hunger up her gullet. Panting, she opened her mouth... then opened it wider, lifting the fruit up to her teeth.
Nicro smiled, eyes glossing over.
“... ... ...” Rainbow Dash stopped. Her ears twitched. Slowly, her hooves lowered, and she exhaled coldly.
Nicro's lips pursed. “What... what's the matter...?”
Rainbow grumbled: “This is a test.”
Nicro did a double-take. “H-huh?”
“My anchor sent you here...” Rainbow's nostrils flared. “...to tempt me with fruit... fruit that I'm not allowed to eat.”
“What? I—!” Nicro winced, glanced over her shoulder, then shivered. “My dear child, I-I am doing nothing of the sort! It's just... I-I can't bear to see another foal of Verlaxion suffer! Please... will you eat the fruit and restore your health?”
Rainbow glared at her. “Antsan and the rest could kick you out of the Quade.”
“I... I...” Nicro gulped. “A foal of Verlaxion should not suffer unecessarily. It... just isn't right.”
Rainbow looked at her. She took several deep breaths, then spread her limbs apart.
The two pieces of fruit dropped to the floor.
Nicro glanced at them. Shocked, she looked back up at Rainbow Dash.
“I'm only doing this because I have to,” Rainbow muttered. “But you? The Reed is your life. Being a Luminard is everything.” She slowly shook her head. “Thanks for the kind offering... but I'm not about to put any of that at risk. It... would be m-most uncool...”
Nicro bit her lip. Slowly, she nodded. Leaning over, the monk scooped the fruit up in her hooves. Instead of leaving, however, she hugged the two mangoes to her chest. “To think that we should be the ones teaching you about kindness...”
“You're all kind enough,” Rainbow murmured through a weak smile. “Believe me.”
Nicro smiled at her, eyes moist.
Rainbow gulped. “Wanna... kn-know a secret?”
Nicro bowed. “By Verlaxion's grace...”
Rainbow sighed, eyes narrowing. “I didn't c-come here to meet Verlaxion... I came here to find a friend.”
Nicro looked up, then rested a hoof on the mare's shoulder. “Well, you've already made one.”
Rainbow looked at her.
Nicro smiled tenderly. “I cannot imagine that Verlaxion will be that far behind, my child...”
Rainbow blinked. A devilish smirk drew across her lips.
Dull candlelight fell across Rainbow Dash's stoic face.
Sonikah opened the door to the closet. The hinges creaked as the door revealed a pair of chalices on the floor, filled with water.
Sonikah moved her hoof to guide Rainbow—but the pegasus shuffled on ahead. Sonikah blinked.
Rainbow picked up the two glasses of water, instantly squatting on the floor.
Sonikah gazed at her. With silent grace, she leaned up to refill the lamp with oil.
“Do I get to read any scripture today?” Rainbow muttered.
“...no...”
Rainbow's muzzle twitched as she stared dead ahead. “Do I get to hear any sermons on the Reed?”
Sonikah leaned back, slowly shaking her head. “... ... ... no ...”
Rainbow's nostrils flared. She droned: “Do I get to scream?”
Sonikah paused. She turned, gazing softly down at the mare. “... ... ...if you so desire...”
Rainbow shut her eyes.
Hoofsteps.
Creaking hinges.
Thud.
Rainbow inhaled and exhaled... inhaled and exhaled...
Her eyes twitched left and right beneath their lids.
Her limbs shook, the water in the chalices rippling...
Circles within circles...
Expanding, never completing.
Torchlight.
Flickering candles.
Dust... musk... the yellow string of the Reed...
Petrified wood and circling weave...
Minutes... hours... water and rippling...
A beacon—on the horizon.
Bright and golden.
Then—an eclipse:
“Monster.”
One eye opened.
Then—eventually—the other.
The smoke over Lerris was impermeable.
Bodies covered the thin grass and tundra...
Skystone loomed in the distance like crimson clouds over the holocaust.
She exhaled... misty vapors escaping... dancing through the moist air in ghostly tendrils.
She blinked.
All of the bodies were standing up.
Looking at her.
Hollow eyes to hollow souls, vacated by a winged beast.
Rainbow gritted her teeth.
At the far end of the blaze—the fires hung in a dim yellow plume.
She moved one hoof... shuffling forward...
One step at a time, through the stench of decay, the fumes and the blood.
The bodies parted ways, gazing at her, cold and breathless.
Rainbow gnashed her teeth... feeling the pallid gravestone kiss of their skin as she brushed past them.
They pivoted to face her, expressions decayed and decaying...
Rainbow slipped past each body... each limb... Nightshade's... Pestiferous'... ponies and dragons and naga...
Her hooves crunched over fragmented chunks of manastone... the brittle gray fossiles of chaotic abominations... a mangled carpet of death and despair...
Then, waiting side by side, in a shadow where Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie couldn't see, two bodies lingered, their three eyes glaring upon the mare.
Rainbow hyperventilated. Whimpered. As she came closer—the hairs on her flesh curling from the heat of the conflagration—she tilted her head aside, unwilling to look. The smoke overcame her, and she drifted through the tundra of Lerris... past the bones of Aridstone... and into the bloody bowels of Blue Shelf, where the sarcophagus awaited a monster with jaws of chaotic metal—
A hoof reached through the mess, clasping Rainbow's fetlock.
Rainbow gasped. She flew up out of the miasma, landing on Xonan tundra once again. Eyes jerking aside, she gaped.
Nicro smiled at her. With a gentle, kind hoof, she pulled her past the fumes, leading her towards the edge of a babbling brook.
Rainbow Dash stared at her, filling up with warmth at the gesture.
Gulping, the mare looked ahead, eyes searching like a humble pilgrim's.
A cottage loomed a few cobblestone steps away. The glossy windows glistened with dim yellow sunlight.
Rainbow Dash shuffled forward, limping, aching.
She reached the door, raised her hoof to the rustic wooden surface, and—
Thap Thap Thap!
“Fluttershy?”
Silence.
Thap thap thap thap!
“Fluttershyyyyyy? Open up, girl! Don't tell me you're lazing away at this hour!”
Then, softly, from within: “Mmmm... mmm-come in, Rainbow D-Dash.”
Rainbow Dash shoved the front door to Fluttershy's cottage open with a creak. She stepped inside, her ears twitching in the bright Ponyville sunlight. “Yeesh, Fluttershy? Why didn't you answer the first time?” She trotted firmly over the wooden floorboards. “The rest of us girls are over at Golden Oaks, helping Twilight move in. Didn't you say you'd lend a hoof? Pffft... it's not like you to bail out on—” She scuffled to a stop, eyes wide. “Fluttershy?!”
“Mrmmfff...” Fluttershy finished wrapping a length of tight white bandages around her front right limb. Similar guaze covered her in many places—like patchwork—including her left wing and her flank. She looked up at Rainbow Dash from her couch, winced, then smiled sheepishly. “Uhm... h-hi.”
“Holy crap!” Swooosh! Rainbow zipped over to her side. “What in the hay happened to you, girl?! You're... you're... gaaah! What, did a wagon run you over or something?”
“Now calm down, Rainbow Dash—”
“OmigoshOmigoshOmigosh!” Rainbow danced in place. “Just wait right here! I'll go get Nurse Red Heart! Super quick!”
“Rainbow—”
“Don't move a muscle!” Rainbow flew towards the door.
“They're just minor scrapes and scratches. Believe me.” Fluttershy nevertheless winced, her soft breath coming out in a brief squeak of pain. Swiftly recovering, she cleared her throat. “Nurse Red Heart is better off dealing with sick ponies who really need her help right now.”
“And you don't?!?” Rainbow wheezed, pointing at the mare. “You look like you just came out of a knife fight!”
“Well... kinda sorta...”
“Wait...” Rainbow squinted. “Are you serious?”
“Erm...”
“Fluttershy...” Rainbow snarled. She scuffed a single hoof multiple times across the floorboard. “Tell me... is it those no-good dirty bullies from Cloudsdale?”
“What? No, Rainbow! No!”
“Because if they did this to you, I swear—”
“They would never lay a hoof on me.” Fluttershy tipped her nose up. “If you must know, I got a little bit too close to a manticore yesterday.”
“A... a manticore...?!” Rainbow gasped. “You mean to say that a manticore did this to you?!?”
“She was sick and confused—”
“Rnnngh! I knew this stinkin' cottage was too close to the Everfree Forest!” Rainbow Dash paced in angry, angry circles. “Friggin' beasts thinking like they own the place! What did it look like, huh?” She frowned at the dainty pony. “Describe her to me so I can go and kick her no-good fangs in!”
“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy's jaw went tense. She stood up, eyes glaring, rigid. “You will do no such thing.”
Rainbow blinked. Under such a stare, she plopped down instantly on her blue haunches. “But... but...” She gulped a lump down her throat, voice cracking: “Look at what the stupid thing did to you, Flutters.”
“Rainbow, that 'stupid thing' was eleven months pregnant with its cub. A rattlesnake bit the mother in her leg, and the pain and trauma induced it into an early labor.”
“Huh?”
“I saw it writhing in the middle of a forested path on the way back from relocating a family of baby bunnies,” Fluttershy explained. “You know me and my talent, Rainbow Dash. I couldn't just leave the poor thing alone in its misery... especially when something so important and miraculous was taking place.”
“So... are you telling me...” Rainbow leaned forward, eyebrows arched. “You stopped by to deliver a baby manticore... alone?!?”
“If I took the time to go get 'help,' the poor creature would have miscarried.” Fluttershy gulped. “Or worse.”
“But... b-but...” Rainbow squirmed where she sat. “You were able to calm it down, r-right?” She gulped, stammering foalishly: “Sorta like that one with the thorn in its paw that we met?”
“I... did the best I could.” Fluttershy winced, waving a bandaged leg. “But... it was just so feverish and mad, Rainbow. I... c-couldn't avoid a few scratches while I went in to assist her.”
“Jeez, Fluttershy...” Rainbow stood up and trotted forward. She rested a hoof on a part of Rainbow's shoulder that wasn't bandaged. “And here I thought I was the bravest pony in Ponyville...”
“And you are, Rainbow.” Fluttershy smiled calmly, lying down on her couch with a contented sigh. “The sort of things you do... the lengths you go to save me and everypony else...”
“Fluttershy, for realsies...” Rainbow frowned. “You... you really shouldn't have tried tackling this on your own. You coulda gotten really... and I mean really hurt.”
Fluttershy shrugged, wincing again. “Well, it worked.”
“It did?”
Fluttershy stifled a giggle. “The mother foaled a baby manticore. One of the most... adorable little things I've ever seen.”
“Yeeugh... if you say so.”
“I'm serious.” Fluttershy adjusted one of her bandages, shuddering. “I was able to drop the little thing off at the Trottingham Zoo within hours of the foaling. You see... there are experts in exotic wildlife there who have the resources to nurse a baby manticore like that back to health. I was... uhm... I was there until really really early in the morning.”
“Wow... no wonder you couldn't make it to Sugarcube Corner last night to hang out.”
“Yes. And I'm very, very sorry about that, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy said. “And I'm also very sorry that... I-I can't exactly make it to Golden Oaks to help Twilight move in her things right.” She gulped. “That pony deserves a warm welcome to this town, and this is what I've got to show for it.”
“Fluttershy, give it a rest. You totally deserve a breather.” Rainbow smiled, patting the pegasus' shoulder. Then her smile faded. “Still... I don't get it...”
“Hmmm?” Fluttershy blinked. “Don't get what?”
“Just... it's... it's a friggin' beast in the middle of the forest!” Rainbow shrugged. “Manticores are animals, Fluttershy. I'm sure they live and die all the time, snakes or no snakes.”
“When I saw what was happening, I had to intervene, Rainbow, I just had to,” Fluttershy said. “It was the right thing to do... the kind thing to do.”
“But... but to put yourself through all of this!” Rainbow winced. “Those scratches look nasty painful, girl!”
“All wounds heal, Rainbow.” Fluttershy giggled lightly. “All in good time.”
“But... was it even worth getting them to begin with?” Rainbow Dash asked. “All for some silly, drooling, baby manticore?”
“Rainbow Dash...” Fluttershy caressed the mare's chin, smiling up at her. “Anything's worth it... if it means ensuring a nice, peaceful life in the end.”
Rainbow Dash's eyes fluttered open.
The yellow lamplight flickered along the wooden beams right in front of her.
The water rested in each chalice. Calm. Smooth.
The circles were gone.
Rainbow was still as stone.
“Passion...”
She blinked.
“Sin...”
She breathed.
“Labor... pain...”
Rainbow's ears twitched. Her eyes locked on a golden glow from beyond the beams... the Reed... the machine world...
“Passion and sin... labor and pain...” She shuddered. Lungs emptying. “... ... ...you cannot spill a single drop if everything has been dried up.”
Rainbow's muscles tensed.
She seethed... fumed...
She looked at the glass chalices in her hooves. She snarled. Muscles tightened... flexed... and uncoiled as she flung both limbs towards one another.
Crassssh!
Sonikah's ears twitched. She spun towards the door.
The other pilgrims in the hallway looked up from the devotionals they were scribbling.
Sonikah stared at the door. She blinked.
Silence.
And then...
Thump... ... th-thump... .... ... thump...
Sonikah and the pilgrims exchanged glances.
Swiftly, the anchor approached the door. She lifted the latch then swung the barricade open.
Creaaaaak...
The first thing the Luminards saw was hoof-shaped bloodstains on the inside of the door.
Rainbow Dash stood in place, panting, writhing. Behind her, the floor was littered with broken glass marinating in a puddle of water.
“It is finished...” Rainbow wheezed. She raised her front hooves. They were cut in several places, dribbling with blood. “...I am ready.”
Sonikah looked back. “Indeed you are,” the anchor said. A soft smile, and she reached out, grasping the pegasus' wounded, quivering fetlocks. “Welcome to Verlaxion's fold, Anointed One.”
Rattling, an old wooden spoon hovered in the air, dug into a bowl of rice, and slowly... gradually scooped up several of the white edible granules.
Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and Pinkie Pie sat in a row, gazing across the table, their calm, sympathetic expressions covered in candlelight.
Shivering, Rainbow Dash finished scooping, then shoveled the rice into her waiting muzzle. She took a liberal bite, her bleary eyes shutting as she felt the morsel sliding down her throat. She swallowed, sat still in her chair, then exhaled.
Seconds passed...
Dutifully, Rainbow Dash repeated the gesture. She leaned her head back so that the crooked braids wouldn't be in the way of her forelimb. The spoon scooped up more rice under her tender efforts—but then her bandaged fetlock lost its grip of the instrument. Grumbling, she fumbled and fussed to pick it up again.
A metal talon gripped the spoon, then held it closer to her.
Rainbow's ruby eyes darted at Wildcard. She bowed slightly—not saying a word—then took the spoon from him. Scarfing down another bite of rice, Rainbow continued scooping into the bowl, her motions growing more and more fervent as strength slowly... slowly returned to her body.
The whole time, Bard stared at the scene, his muzzle clenched tight. He took a deep breath, adjusted his hat, then turned to look towards the other side of the rustic interior. “So... she passed?”
“Yes.” Sonikah nodded, standing next to two pilgrims. “She is anointed.”
“By... erm... proxy, right?”
“In accordance with the Penitent Sacrament of Anchorage. That is correct,” Sonikah said. “She has proven to be humble, enlightened, and devoted enough to present herself—along with her anchor—before the glory of Verlaxion for the purpose of deep meditation.”
“In... the lower chapels?”
“If it is so necessary, then yes.”
“But explain one thang to me...” Bard gestured to the slowly eating pony. “How come y'all were goin' on and on about trials... as if there was more than one?”
“I'm afraid I do not understand.”
“That makes the two of us, sister!” Bard exclaimed. “Rainbow kept comin' back night after night from that tiny broom closet of yers, talkin' about how she was forced to do just one thang and one thang alone! Now how come y'all call that one trial in the plural?”
“Her first trial was coming to the Quade to begin with,” Sonikah said with a slight smile. “Her second trial was committing to the Sacrament. Her third trial was committing to her exercises with the assumption that there would be a fourth trial... and yet, by passing, she's allowed the fourth trial to exist.”
“Which is...?”
“That of representation and commitment,” Sonikah explained. “Assuming she chooses to return back to Equestria or any other part of the heathen world, she will be carrying the glory of Verlaxion with her. That way, more foals of the Goddess will hear the call and be drawn here to the Quade.”
“Eeeughhhh...” Bard exhaled.
Sonikah blinked. “Is something the matter?”
“I just dun quite fancy how close y'all got to makin' poor Rainbow here dig her own grave.”
“Pain and labor exorcises the soul of distraction,” Sonikah said. “Nopony who comes to Quade is made ignorant of that before initiating anything.” She held a hoof out. “And, if you must know, we would in no way allow for Rainbow Dash to put her life in jeopardy. True, she took an extraordinary long time to achieve enlightenment, and we were very close towards postponing the Sacrament, judging from her deteriorating demeanor. But—by Verlaxion's grace—she became anointed through epiphanous intuition before that motion had to be made.” Sonikah smiled. “This is the method that has been used and continues to be implemented for pilgrims who become anointed. It is simply a far shorter yet far more grueling process for a representative who achieves this through anchorage.”
“Hrmmmf... still...” Bard sighed. “Would have been plum nice if the lil' darlin' was warned.”
“Who hopes to find anything that is given to them before the search begins?” Sonikah replied with a smile.
Bard said nothing.
“Rainbow Dash,” Sonikah said, trotting closer to the table. “As anointed through anchorage, you will be allowed to meditate before the glory of Verlaxion's Reed, but only with my supervision. You may choose the day and the time in addition to the place of this exercise. However, we require that you wait at least two full days before you undergo the meditation process. As it is, your body needs sustenance and rejuvenation. Unlike the trials you underwent, it is required of you to be in full faculty of mind to properly glean wisdom from Verlaxion's presence.” She narrowed her eyes. “Do you understand, child?”
Rainbow looked up from her latest bite of rice. She took a few seconds to catch her breath, then slowly smiled.
“Very well. Contact me when you are ready,” Sonikah said. “Or send one of your companions with word of your preparation. For now, enjoy the food from our supply. We wish you peace of mind and health of body.”
Bowing, Sonikah made her exit, followed by the other two pilgrims.
Bard whistled.
Wildcard gestured in the candle-light.
“Tell me about it.” Bard adjusted his hat and strolled across the room. “I know that they've got everythang all planned out—on account of doin' this for hundreds if not thousands of years... but Verlaxion's sleet!” He instantly, winced, looked over his shoulder, then shuddered at the shadows. “There's gotta be a way to get anointed without getting all dramatic-like.”
Wildcard nodded and gestured something else.
“And just how would we know?!” Bard frowned. “Ain't like they got a grave out here. Hell, they probably just... dump 'em in the Quade if they mess up a trial. No time for a floatin' blaze. Just in and out, like a processin' plant—”
“Bard...” It was a whisper.
Both Desperadoes looked at the table.
Rainbow cleared her throat. Wings drooped beneath her hunched shoulders as she found the breath to wheeze: “...don't be so hard on these ponies,” Rainbow said, her voice raspier than the wind through brambles. “...they... hmmmf... sacrifice a lot of things to... achieve something that they believe is greater than themselves.” Rainbow gulped. “I may not understand it... but I think I'm st-starting to respect it...”
“What do you mean ya dun understand it?” Bard cackled. “You done become 'anointed,' haven't you?” He frowned, gesturing at Rainbow's bandaged hooves. “And I'm not to keen on how you had to get there, either—”
“Nopony...” Rainbow paused to cough... sputter. Once she collected her breath, she gulped and gazed over the rice at him again. “Nopony... asked m-me to do any harm to myself.”
“Then... then how come—”
“It's like Sonikah said,” Rainbow slurred. “I had an epiphany, and I did what made sense at the time. I've... mmmm... n-never been much of a clever pony. When it comes to impulsive solutions, I'm almost always... always hurting myself.” She smiled weakly with chapped lips. “It's j-just... the way I've always b-been...”
Twilight fidgeted, staring aside with folded ears. Pinkie and Rarity hung their heads.
“For all I know...” Rainbow shrugged. “...I c-could just as easily gotten out of there if I just...” She winced, wheezed, then murmured: “Drank the water and spat it out. I dunno. I just... dunno...”
“So, what? Is it dumb luck that ya got out of there in the first place?”
“I...” Rainbow shook her head, eyes thin. “No. No... I don't think so.”
“How come?”
Wildcard sighed and gestured.
“But I really wanna know!” Bard exclaimed. “And so should Rainbow if she's fixin' to go any deeper into all of this than she already is!”
“I... I saw something... felt something...” Rainbow slowly shook her head. “And... and it spoke to me.”
“Was...” Bard gulped. “Was it Verlaxion?”
Rainbow sat in silence. Eventually, her nostrils flared. She lifted her weak head up with a firm gaze. “No.”
Bard looked at her.
“But...” Rainbow continued. “I can imagine how ponies... how Luminards could believe that it was her.” She shuddered. “If they didn't go about it as... quick and bull-headed as I did.” She coughed. “I-I mean... mrmmmff... if they did it the normal way, and not through the Sacrament of Anchorage.” She gulped, then waved a hoof in the air. “All of that scripture reading... all those hours and hours spent obsessing over Verlaxion and the Word of Reed...”
“I get ya.” Bard nodded. “When they sit in a place like that for so long and start hearin' stuff... they immediately attach it to Verlaxion.”
“Exactly.”
“Well, if ya know that... and yer not afraid to admit it...” Bard glanced behind his shoulder again, then leaned forward. “Then how come yer allowed to take the next step?” he whispered.
“Simple.” Rainbow blinked. “I am anointed.”
Bard leaned back with a sigh. “Shucks if I ain't confused...”
“You're not the only one,” Rainbow muttered. “I think... that's the beauty of it.”
“Beauty?” Rarity scoffed.
Rainbow's eyes darted towards her, then back at the Desperadoes. “Take it from a pony who knows a thing or two about hearing voices... some more real than others.” She glanced back at the girls.
Pinkie waved, grinning. Twilight rolled her eyes and smirked.
“Ahem...” Rainbow gulped. “I know when... it's just me speaking to me...” A sigh. “...and that was the whole point of going inside that 'broom closet,' to meet me... and get me ready for Verlaxion.” She looked up at Bard again. “Only, I dun give a donkey's butt about Verlaxion.”
Bard nodded. “Yer in it for Fluttershy.”
Rainbow nodded back.
“Well then...” Bard leaned back, folding his forelimbs. “You've got yerself yer chance.” He cleared his throat. “What next?”
Wildcard cocked his head to the side, curious.
Rainbow stared straight ahead. A golden light reflected off her bleary eyes that only she could see. “Next...”
Bard and Wildcard listened closely.
“Hmmmmmmm...” Rainbow moved a bandaged hoof and picked the spoon up again. “Next... I stuff myself with rice.”
Bard blinked, then glanced at Wildcard. The griffon shrugged.
“Heeeee...” Pinkie reached over to pat Rainbow's shoulder, even if it phased through. “You go, girl.”
Rainbow Dash lay on her side, gazing off into the starlit Quade below her and the Desperadoes' platform.
She slept... or at least she pretended to. As she lay on the sleeping mat, her eyes flicked to the sound of ghostly voices engaged in a ghostly argument.
“I still think you're overreacting, Rarity.”
“Twilight, you always think I'm overreacting! Learn a new tune already! I'm serious about this. I truly think that Rainbow Dash is allowing the Luminards to drag her in too deep!”
“But the Lemonades wouldn't do that if Dashie didn't wanna go through it to begin with!”
“That's just the point, Pinkie. Rainbow Dash is being far too... inviting. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I think I like her better when she's just... flying super fast and throwing her muscles into things! It appears to be her element!”
“As opposed to...?”
“Making concessions has got to be unfamiliar territory to her! I don't think she's quite prepared for the complexities of the matter!”
“Your point?”
“My point, Twilight, is that whenever she approaches new and seemingly mysterious territory, she goes all out! Because she's Rainbow Dash! And... and I'm afraid—”
“Of what? That she'll become a Luminard permanently?”
“Girls, think about it. Rainbow Dash went a full ten days going through that... that... positively nightmarish ordeal! The three of us barely got a glimpse of it! Shouldn't that be scary in and of itself?”
“Rarity—”
“It was hard enough being forced to spend the bulk of our time... nnnghh... ... ...locked away in that dreadfully bright limbo. But think of poor Rainbow Dash! All of this labor and toil has got to be taking a toll on her poor mind! And she's been through enough already!”
“You're right, Rarity, she has been through a lot. A lot more than you and I and Pinkie can imagine.”
“I dunno. I can imagine zappy-zappy reindeer and floating mountains pretty well!”
“Pinkie, please. Ahem. Rarity, what I'm trying to say is that we should give Rainbow Dash the benefit of the doubt. She's... she's a lot stronger than she was when we first met her. I know that's hard to imagine. But—in our absence, she's had to exercise all the Elements of Harmony. Because she was the only one of us left! The only representative of Equestria, so to speak. Now... any of us in her situation? Yes! I agree... we might be susceptible to whatever's going on here in the Quade. But Rainbow's made out of sterner stuff... because she's earned it.”
“While I find that quite noble for us to believe—Twilight—since it will show how much faith we have in the most Loyal pony ever, I also maintain that we mustn't take for granted just... j-just how fragile Rainbow Dash is right now! She needs us at times like this... when she's at her lowest low.”
“She's been at her lowest low before she brought us out of the Machine World, Rarity—”
“It does not change the fact that she has us now and—as her loyal friends—it's our duty to ensure that she does not get led astray!”
“Astray from what? The crazy circle journey thingy?”
“Yes, Pinkie. The crazy circle journey thingy. Because that way at least she's making progress! But if she gets stuck here, then what will happen to us? What will happen to Equestria?”
“Rarity, honestly, you're making a lot of hooplah over nothing.”
“We need to be strong with Rainbow Dash! We need to put our hooves down at times like this and tell her that there's a better way!”
“But, what if there is no better way, you guys? Should we let Dashie bash her head over nothing?”
“She has her reasons: the runic clues she's found in her travels, the words of Celestia, Whitemane, Axan... the ancient prophecies—”
“And how do we even know that any of them have any merit? Hmmm? Because Rainbow Dash tells us?”
“She's our friend, Rarity.”
“Yes, and she's had to live without us for how long? Desperation does terrible things to an equine being. I mean... h-how do we even know that she isn't just hallucinating this blasted 'Yaerfaerda' symbol?”
“Rarity, she... gnngh... Rainbow found us through that beacon!”
“Or perhaps the poor thing only believes that after the fact! Have you ever thought of that? Hmmm?”
At last...
Rainbow Dash stirred.
She opened her scabbed lips and spoke:
“'Anything's worth it... if it means ensuring a nice, peaceful life in the end.'”
Rarity, Twilight, and Pinkie looked over.
“She speaks!” Pinkie chirped. “Even in sleepdashing!”
“Shhhh...” Rarity floated past her, squinting at Rainbow. “What was that, darling?”
“Grnfff...” Rainbow Dash sat up, wincing from the braids and sackcloth. “'Anything's worth it if it means ensuring a nice, peaceful life in the end.'” She looked wearily at the ghostly mares. “It's something Fluttershy once said to me.”
Twilight blinked. Squinting, she shook her head. “I... I-I don't remember her saying that.”
“Of course you don't,” Rainbow said. “She didn't say it to you.” She looked at all three of them. “She said it to me... the morning Twilight moved in her stuff from Canterlot to the Golden Oaks library.”
“Hmmm...” Pinkie tapped her chin. “...funny... I don't remember Fluttershy being around to help us that day.' Her bright blue eyes blinked. “The filly later said she wasn't feeling good.”
“She was recovering from several flesh wounds,” Rainbow said. “Because...” A sigh. “...just the day before, she stumbled across a snake-bitten female manticore that was foaling in the middle of the forest.” She gulped. “And... instead of flying off to get help—which would have been the safe thing to do... for her—Fluttershy chose to stay there and deliver the foal herself so that the baby could live.”
Pinkie and Rarity gaped.
“Because it was the kind thing to do,” Twilight murmured.
Rainbow nodded. “And at first, I... I didn't get it.” She hugged herself as she squatted on the sleeping mat. “I felt angry... so angry.” Her nostrils flared. “Mad at Fluttershy for endangering herself... mad at the manticore for scratching her up the way it did, even though Fluttershy was only trying to help...” Rainbow sighed. “And I was mad at myself for not being there to help Fluttershy through it.” She gulped. “Getting through this world with only kindness as one's Element? I... I've wondered before what would happen if Fluttershy made this journey instead of me... and just how far she would go. Well, now know that she wouldn't have gotten very far at all. She would have suffered... died... maybe even sacrificed herself a long... long time ago. But one thing's for sure.” Rainbow lifted an iron frown. “She wouldn't have suffered a single regret for any of the kind things she did.”
The three mares hovered in silence.
“My 'epiphany' down there was realizing that,” Rainbow said. “Labor? Pain?” She shook her head. “Everypony goes through them. Only a kind soul knows how far to go to make sure nopony else feels it.” She took a deep, deep breath, her ears folding back. “I... am not that kind soul. But Fluttershy is. And for the briefest of moments... I understood why she is who she is. That's the moment that got me through... the moment that anointed me. And now... at last... I can approach the holiest of holies. I can approach the sanctum of the kindest ponies in Rohbredden and see if I can usher our friend back.”
“Then...” Rarity murmured—almost whimpering. She sniffled. “You're... you're not giving in to the Quade?”
Rainbow stared at her. She smiled. “Would an awesome pony turn her back on her friends, no matter how enlightened?”
That was enough for Rarity and Pinkie Pie to exhale with relief. The ponies giggled breathily while Twilight floated ahead.
“So... at the risk of echoing Bard earlier today, just what is your plan now?” the unicorn asked.
“What else?” Rainbow murmured. “I have to see the Reed up close. I have to see if there's a way to reach Yaerfaerda from the chapels.”
“After all this toil, I can't imagine you wouldn't be able to reach Fluttershy!” Rarity exclaimed. “I mean... haven't you gone through enough?”
Rainbow opened her muzzle to reply—
“What do you mean, Rare-Rare?” Pinkie asked.
“I mean...” Rarity shrugged. “Rainbow got Twilight, and thereby returned magic to the Grand Choke. She released me by giving the Nealenders the gift of a magnificent hunt. Then—”
“—she got me out by having a big party under the sea! Woohooo!” Pinkie hopped in the air.
Rarity rolled her eyes. With a sigh, she smiled and said: “I was going to say that she took something serious like the Syndicate and brought their cruel legacy to an end through the most laughable means possible. Ahem. In short... I do believe that she's been exercising the essence of each Element so that Yaerfaerda or what-have-you would cough up the ghostly avatar of Harmony in question!” She turned to look at the others. “Wouldn't each of you agree that Rainbow has more than personified kindness here in the Quade?”
“Hear hear,” Twilight said with a nod.
“Abso-doodle-lutely!” Pinkie chimed.
“Then... if the pattern holds true... Fluttershy should be back in our midst in less than two days!” Rarity squealed slightly, dancing in place. “Oh, wouldn't that be lovely?”
“It's... a solid theory,” Twilight said with a nod. “And it makes some sense that Verlax would make an attempt to interfere at each Seed... assuming her goal is to vex and hound Austraeoh at every turn.” Twilight turned towards Rainbow Dash. “But it looks like we've got the drop on her here, don't you think, Rainbow?” Twilight smirked. “There's no way in Tartarus that the Divine could have expected you to actually go through with what you did, huh?”
“... ... ...” Rainbow Dash stared at the central shaft of the Reed... at the glowing yellow beacon pulsing from within.
“... ... ...Rainbow Dash?”
Rainbow jerked towards them. She blinked. Her muzzle opened, and she lingered. At last, she murmured, “I... h-haven't been kind enough...”
“You haven't?” Pinkie squeaked.
“Why, what makes you say that, darling?” Rarity remarked.
“Because it's true. I haven't.” Rainbow's eyes grew misty. “Not until I apologize... to you... to Twilight.”
Twilight Sparkle held a hoof over her chest. “Rainbow, is... is this about the other day when you—?”
“I snapped at you,” Rainbow stammered. “Angrily.” She shook her head, sniffling. “I'd never... ever want to be angry at you girls. Especially...” She winced. “...after all I've been through to g-get you back... to bring you b-back from being d-dead...”
“Rainbow...” Twilight drifted forward until she “sat” in front of the pegasus. She smiled, holding her hooves close as if she could just barely grasp Rainbow's. “You were going through an awful lot—”
“Gnnngh...” Rainbow clenched her eyes shut and shook her head. “That is no excuse!”
“Luminard or not, you went the distance to exorcise your sins and passions.” Twilight smiled. “It's only inevitable that... you squeeze out occasionally ugly things along the grinding road to true kindness.”
Rainbow shuddered, her eyelids squeezing loose a few tears. “I can only hope that I squeezed all of it out.”
“And even if you haven't... you're still Rainbow Dash. You're still our friend.” She leaned in, nuzzling the air right before Rainbow. “And we forgive you.”
“All of us...” Rarity added, sniffling as she came close to Rainbow and smiled with her eyes shut.
“Heeee...” Pinkie slid in, smiling. “Orbit Dashie! Orbit Dashie!”
Rainbow shuddered where she sat. Twilight's last four words spun through her head, and it was a far more nourishing thing than all the rice and mangoes in the world.
“Thanks, guys...” She stifled back a sob. “And I'm gonna make it up to you.” Her jaws clenched. “I'll bring Fluttershy back... I'll bring AJ back...” The lids parted, red on yellow, and then ruby teardrops. “I promise...”
“And do you swear...” Sonikah paced around her in the daylight. “...by your anointed devotion to Verlaxio... to follow all rules of your anchor, even in the presence of the Holiest of Holies?”
Rainbow took a deep breath. “I promise.”
“And to ensure the peace of mind... the well-being... and the sanctity of all other foals of Verlaxion...?”
Rainbow's eyes reflected the faces of dozens of monks positioned around her on the platform. She caught the faces of three mares in her peripheral. “I promise.”
Sonikah continued pacing, orating the last few ritualistic oaths. Nicro stood in the crowd of pilgrims, chewing on her lip and appearing noticeably antsy. From a distance, Kyron watched, along with his fellow elders.
Bard and Wildcard stood at the back of the platform, watching the ceremony unfold before the ramp that led towards the second-lowest platform.
“You gotta admit,” Bard muttered aside to the griffon. “Three days after her ordeal, and you'd think she'd never come close to starvin' at all.” The stallion smirked. “Tough lil' cookie.”
Wildcard nodded. His talons spun in the air, gesturing for the space of three seconds.
Bard rolled his eyes and sighed. “There ya go... makin' me sound like a fool again.” He tilted his hat forward. “Never try to best a poetic griffon, I swear...”
Wildcard shrugged.
“She's going through with it, then?”
The Desperadoes looked aside.
Menthe and Galloran stood on the ramp from a higher, adjacent platform. “She's a great deal more committed than I took her to be,” said the old stallion.
“Funny how some folk are full of surprises, huh?” Bard smirked.
“Or... she's committed to something else entirely,” Menthe droned.
Wildcard and Bard exchanged glances. “Erm...” Bard gulped and looked Menthe's way. “What do ya mean by that?”
“Mmmm...” Menthe exhaled through his nostrils, gazing at the inducted mare from afar. “I'm surprised neither of you 'Desperadoes' have ever bothered to ask why the Luminards don't have pegasi members in their congregation.”
Bard raised an eyebrow.
Wildcard talon-signed.
“'And just why is that?'” Bard interpreted.
“Because...” Menthe bore the hint of a smirk. “Any sentient soul with wings has the good sense of flying away after just three days of being 'anointed.'”
Wildcard cocked his head to the side.
“So... lemme guess...” Bard squinted. “...they just become paranoid 'protectors' instead.”
“And damn good ones at that,” Menthe said, his smile fading. “Just because I'm not allowed into the same sanctum as Rainbow Dash, don't think that I'll be giving up my post for a second. Or my reservations...” That uttered, the old stallion hobbled away, using his fishing lance as a staff.
Galloran shuffled up, clearing his throat. “Well... for what it's worth...” He smiled bashfully. “I wish Rainbow Dash the best of luck... and you two by extension.”
“Well, that's fine and dandy.” Bard clenched his jaw, glaring off after Menthe's figure. “Good to know that one of y'all's aim is true.”
Galloran chuckled. At the sound of trotting hoofsteps, he and the Desperadoes craned their necks, looking at the sudden procession.
Rainbow Dash was being led towards the dark-lit buildings that clung the center stalk of the Reed. Sonikah trotted immediately in front of her, carrying a calm, graceful gait.
Rainbow glanced to her right. She caught sight of Nicro.
Nicro smiled, then bowed. When her head came up, it bore a proud grin.
Rainbow Dash smiled. She tried smoothing back her bangs only to feel the sharp poke of her braids. She winced, her pendant rattling above her sackcloth. So—for extra caution—she slid the Element of Loyalty neatly beneath her scratchy collar. Glancing to her left, she blinked at another sight.
Antstan stood on the darkened platform—a good length from the rest of the crowd. He didn't look at Rainbow Dash directly, but the pegasus could tell that his expression was anything but joyful. For a moment or two, it almost looked like he was glancing over at the procession—but he swiftly turned around and trotted towards the far end of the level, where Kyron silently stood in waiting.
“Well...” Rarity upturned her nose, frowning. “Some ponies just can't be pleased.”
“Shhhhhh...” Twilight frowned. “Please, Rarity. This moment is all Rainbow Dash's.”
“Yeah!” Pinkie remarked hoarsely. “It wouldn't be proper meditation without us keeping mum! So...” She held a pink hoof before her muzzle. “Party softly! Think Fluttershy.”
“Yes...” Rarity cleared her throat, speaking in a lower tone. “Yes. But of course.” Smiling, she waved in Rainbow's general direction. “Do carry on, dear.”
Rainbow looked ahead. Holding her breath, she followed Sonikah into the dark wooden hollow of the Quade's lowest chapel... and then began her descent.
The rickety wooden stairs led them down far more than Rainbow anticipated. Then again, it could very well have been her imagination. The distinct lack of candlelight made the entire sojourn feel three times as long than it truly was. All the while, Rainbow kept her eyes patiently locked on Sonikah's figure, her ears focused on the anchor's hoofsteps.
Soon, they did approach a light source, but it was a very faint one, making the upper shacks where Rainbow performed her trials feel like a tanning salon by comparison. If Rainbow tilted her face just right, her eyes could absorb as much as the light possible. This made the shadows bearable, but that was the least that could be said of the smell.
An odor drifted past Rainbow's nose. It wasn't so much foul as it was... once-foul. Rainbow got the distinct impression that she was smelling something that should have disgusted her, but it had somehow lost its substance over time. Now, it simply tickled Rainbow's nostrils, giving her the faint sensation that something was odd... amiss.
“Erm... what—?” Rainbow barely breathed.
“Shhhh...” Sonikah insisted, and despite her calm delivery, Rainbow could tell that the anointed mare meant it. The group sauntered past a very tight hallway lined with narrow alcoves. Here was where a tiny lamp hung, and when Rainbow passed the alcoves, she saw what was in them—and simultaneously the source of the queer smell.
“Gaaaaaiiie!” Rarity shrieked.
“Rarity!” Twilight hissed. “Not so loud!”
“But... b-but...” The floating unicorn pointed, her coat turning twice as pale. “Don't you see—?”
“Yes. I do see. Now let's keep moving...” Twilight nevertheless shuddered. “It's... not so strange, really.” She gulped. “The catacombs beneath Canterlot have something like this too. Princess Celestia even sh-showed me once.”
“Well...” Pinkie cooed, her blue eyes darting back and forth, reflecting the hollowed skulls of petrified bodies. One by one, the deceased remains of pilgrims filled the alcoves, their brittle hooves crossed and their jaws aimed towards the ceiling. Several loose strings of the Reed decorated their necks and shoulders. “Guess we have an answer for Bard when we get back from this shindig.”
“Honestly...” Rarity shook her head, fighting the bile rising in her throat. “How the both of you could possibly be so calm after such a ghastly display.”
“It's not ghastly!” Twilight insisted. “These ponies obviously wanted to be laid to rest in the glory of Verlaxion.”
The other two ponies instantly clammed up. They gazed at Rainbow's backside with apologetic expressions.
Rainbow briefly glanced over her shoulder. She bore a brief, reassuring smile, then looked ahead. Sonikah took a sudden right turn, descending an even steeper set of stairs.
Rainbow followed.
The stairs led to a wide, rectangular chamber... a dead end... the holiest of dead ends.
Rainbow wasn't surprised by the sheer amount of space before her.
She wasn't even alarmed by how amazingly bright it felt.
What struck her by surprise was that so many other ponies were there before her. No less than two dozen ponies sat quietly in the brightly-lit room. They were elders—all of them—incredibly old, with wrinkles and trembling limbs. Yet, despite their extreme age and infirmed conditions, they each sat—squatted—in straight lines, looking remarkably at ease with themselves... at ease with Verlaxion. Rainbow even saw a smile on a few of their muzzles. She saw everything—the brightness was unlike no other chamber.
Sonikah called for Rainbow Dash—it was breathy, more like a hiss. Rainbow turned obediently towards her anchor. She saw Sonikah feeling around, her eyes squinting. This confused the pegasus... and she leaned forward until she was within reach of the Luminard. After fifteen seconds of fumbling, Sonikah finally made contact with Rainbow's shoulder. With a firm grip, she gently led Rainbow towards the far end of the chamber. Her movement was slow, almost fumbling, which added to Rainbow's confusion.
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. Was Sonikah suddenly blind?
Nevertheless, Sonikah still knew her way. She found an empty spot at the far end of the corridor, and sat Rainbow Dash down. The newly-anointed mare was forced to face the wall...
...and she did so wincing. “Guhhh...” Rainbow clenched her teeth, exhaling. “Mmmf... wow, that's—”
“Shhh...” Sonikah yet again insisted. The anchor did several motions with her hooves. After more than one deep breath, the Luminard squatted down to Rainbow's left. She leaned back on her haunches and held her forelimbs out in a very... very familiar pose.
Rainbow had to squint to see it. The wall before her was so bright. “... ... ...” Several times, she tried opening her muzzle to say something. Instead, she shrugged it off, then attempted to meditate in the same fashion as her anchor. Rainbow faced the burningly-bright wall, held her hooves in front of her, then closed her eyes.
...and that's when Rainbow realized... she could still see the light with her eyelids shut.
“... ... ...” Rainbow's eyes opened once more to the flame. A deathly breath escaped her, and she exhaled three syllables between her lips.
Just as this happened, she noticed three colorful shapes hovering around the wall.
“Omigosh... omigosh!” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed. “This... this is incredible!”
“It's just like in Nealend!” Rarity exclaimed. “I have a horn for metal! This is the same thing that's in the machine world!”
“For realsies, guys?” Pinkie squeaked.
“It's more than that!” Twilight beamed at the others. “I can... feel it!”
“Feel what, darling?”
“The magic! The magic of Yaerfaerda! It's here! Just like it was in the Nealend Atoll and in Shoggoth! Omigosh...!” She turned towards Rainbow. “Oh... Oh Rainbow Dash, I'm so sorry. I know we'd say that we'd be quiet, but—”
“It's metal city up in this biz!” Pinkie Pie barked. “I mean, are you seeing this, Dashie?”
“Rainbow...?” Rarity cocked her head aside. “My word! Why are you squinting? Is there something wrong with your eyes?”
Rainbow sweated nervously. She gazed aside at Sonikah... then at the dozens of old monks locked in silent, penitent meditation.
“It's Yaerfaerda,” Twilight said. “We're the closest we've ever been since arriving in the Quade.” The unicorn gulped. “She must not be able to see it like we can.”
“Awwwwwwwww...” Pinkie pouted. “Poopie.”
“Well, that's not good!” Rarity said.
Thwooosh! Twilight flew up to Rainbow's side, speaking in her ear. “Just try concentrating. Remember... you're Austraeoh. Focus on the energy... let it resonate in you as well as outside... maybe... just maybe that will make it become less bright for you.”
Rainbow was silent. Nevertheless, she slowly... slowly nodded. Closing her eyes—despite the brightness—she meditated... only for a completely different reason than why she was brought there. The mare took several deep breaths, allowing the golden flame to burn through her, to crackle like tiny starbursts in her veins. With each inhale, she thought of home. With each exhale, she thought of Fluttershy's smiling face, how silk-soft her tender hugs were, and how honey-sweet her kind voice felt in weary ears.
And gradually, with each limping minute, the brightness in front of Rainbow dimmed, until it dwindled to that of a burning pyre.
Carefully, calmly, Rainbow opened her eyes. She blinked, her gaze widening as she gaped at the sight before her.
The wall of the sanctuary consisted of shoot after vertical shoot of the dry, yellow Reed. However—split up the middle—were two noticeably large gaps. A few of the cylindrical planks had spread apart—either through the forces of time or by something else entirely. Whatever the case, this caused a pair of slits to be formed: a thin one on the left and a thick oval-shaped gash to the right. It was through the right one especially that Rainbow spotted a slick length of polished metal, wide enough to touch with the full extent of her hoof.
From beyond this, Yaerfaerda glowed. But there was something else. Rainbow saw the hint of brighter-than-bright lines... yellow lines... forming six ornamental circles within a larger, seventh circle.
“Well, Dashie?” Pinkie asked, pointing at the bright lines from beyond the Reed. “Do you see it?”
Rainbow nodded. After a dry gulp, he exhaled: “Ynanhluutr...”
A door.
Nervously, Rarity and Twilight glanced at Sonikah, then at the rest of the elders. Nopony bothered to react to Rainbow's quiet outburst—or else they didn't hear it.
“Does... does that mean...?” Pinkie gulped. “...that the door to Fluttershy is right flipping there?!”
“Shhhh!” Rarity insited, floating closer. “Even if it is, that's not going to help us... or Rainbow for that matter.” She pointed incredulously at the Reed. “I mean... look at it!” A tiny whine. “It's barely wide enough to fit a bit bag through!”
“I could have sworn...” Twilight murmured.
“What?”
Twilight gulped. “That... th-that it would have been wider... or larger.”
“It... it just doesn't make any sense...” Rarity pouted. “When the Kyron described it—”
“Rarity, we're talking penitent monks here. Something like this?” Twilight pointed. “Even the tiniest bit of space missing from their holy Reed must be extremely dramatic in their eyes.”
“Ohhhhhhhhh...” Pinkie slumped in mid hover, pulling at her face muscles. “I wanted to see Fluttershyyyyyy...”
“Let's... let's just quiet down. Remain calm,” Twilight said, waving her hooves. “Allow Rainbow to do her meditation. Tomorrow, she can visit the other chapels, and maybe there the Reed will have even more space missing—”
“The other chapels?!” Rarity hissed sharply. “Twilight, dear, weren't you paying attention earlier?” She flung a hoof. “Rainbow specifically asked to visit the 'holiest of holies,' and that is where Kyron and the others said the Reed was 'most fragile!'”
“Well, maybe that's just a matter of interpretation!”
“Are we seriously going to get into a game of semantics deep down here in the bowels of a Holy Bamboo Hut?!”
“Shhhh!” Twilight insisted. “Could we discuss this a little quieter?”
“Oh please. Hmmf! Rainbow must be just as ticked off about this as we are!”
“All I wanna know is...” Pinkie sniffled. “How are we gonna get poor Fluttershy out now?”
“... ... ...” Rainbow looked at them. Nostrils flaring, she looked to her side.
Sonikah sat dead still, her eyes perfectly shut. Her body was so peaceful and dormant that it was difficult to count her breaths. The elder was evidently in another world.
Rainbow clenched her teeth. She looked at the other elders... at Sonikah... and then...
She stood up.
“Hear me out,” Rarity said, waving at Twilight. “We'll let Rainbow finish her... mmmfff... 'session' here. But immediately afterwards, I suggest we have her go forthright to Kyron and demand some answers to—” Rarity paused. Both she and Twilight spun to blink at the blue body shuffling icily past them. “...Rainbow?”
“Rainbow, what are you doing?”
Rainbow mouthed two words, then looked past them. She approached the Reed, standing up on her rear legs.
“Dashie!” Pinkie squeaked, pulling at her own mane. “Are you crazy?!”
“Rainbow!” Twilight rushed up, hovering at the mare's side. “Sit right back down this instant!”
“I-I must agree with Twilight on this, darling!” Rarity stammered, floating up. “After everything you worked so hard for, don't throw it away for—”
“I...” Rainbow whispered. “...I-I think I can touch it...” She threw a look over her shoulder. Sonikah still sat in dead silence, meditating deeply. Nopony was watching—not even the elders. Rainbow returned to the shoots, touching the yellow-beams with her hooves as she peered at the metal surface beyond. “...I might even be able to get it to open...”
“And then what?!” Twilight gritted her teeth. “Rainbow, you can't possibly fit through that!”
“Rainbow, just think about this for a second—”
“Almost... mmmff...” Rainbow leaned in, stretching her hoof through the wider slit on the right. “...got it...” Her reaching limb was just inches from Ynanhluutr's glowing lines. She gnashed her teeth in frustration. “If I could just... j-just...” She held her breath, grasped a lone shoot, and started slowly bending it to the left—
“Dashie!” Pinkie yelped. “Don't be a hero!”
“Just... have to try...” Rainbow wheezed through clenched teeth. Her eyes flickered red-on-yellow. “Rrrrgh... for... Fluttershy's sake—”
“What in Verlaxion's name are you doing?!” A voice from behind.
“Oh noes!” Pinkie shrunk into a floating pink ball.
Rainbow threw a look over her shoulder.
A figure with burning red braids stood at the sanctum's entrance, his ice blue eyes piercing.
“Antsan...” A wrinkled elder struggled to stand up. “My child... you are not allowed here at this moment of—”
He pointed, snarling: “She's attacking the holy Reed!”
“No! I'm not!” Rainbow sputtered. “I just gotta see—”
Her hoof slipped on its grip of the shoot. The beam bent back into place... and cast loose a spontaneous sprinkle of gray frost in the process.
“Grkkk!” Rainbow's eyes flickered again, hard this time. “Mmmff...”
“Huh?!” Rarity stammered—or at least she tried to. Her body vanished from head to tail like a snuffed candle. “Snow...?”
“Verlax...” Twilight yelped, spinning towards Rainbow. “Rainbow, chaos meta—” And she disappeared amidst the dizziness.
“Dashie!” Pinkie managed as she too vanished. “Your pendant—”
Rainbow teetered back, eyes rolling. A ruby hole was being burned in her sackcloth in the shape of a lightning bolt.
“Stop her!” Hoofsteps. Pounding.
Sonikah had finally snapped out of it. She looked up, gasping. “Rainbow! What are you—?!” Not wasting another breath, she jumped up to her hooves and beat Antsan to the punch, tackling Rainbow.
“Ooomf!” Rainbow whimpered—just as her pendant slipped loose, the harmonic energies overloading.
A fiery bright beam shot out just as she was being tackled—
FLASH!
—and it blasted ineffectually into the dull floor of the sanctuary.
“Gnngh!” Rainbow grunted as Sonikah pressed her to the floor.
“I knew it! I told you—that damnable heathen artifact would cause trouble!”
“Bless me...”
“What's going on?”
“Great Goddess! Is the poor foal okay?”
“Anointed one, what's wrong with you?”
“Grrr! Get her out of here! She's threatening the Reed—”
“Antsan! That is enough!”
“But—”
“Will one of the elders please restrain the newly-anointed.”
“I... I just saw her trying—”
“I must get her out of here. I'm her anchor. I'm her responsibility.”
“Do you need a hoof, Sonikah?”
“Yes, elder. By Verlaxion's strength...”
Rainbow stirred. Through the dizzying numbness, she sensed gentle hooves lifting her up and swiftly carrying her towards the stairs...
“No...”
She cooed.
“No, pl-please...”
She whimpered.
She gazed limply across the way... at the Reed... the light beyond it.
A curtain of frost dripped chaotically from the disturbed shoots... then vanished completely... and all that was left was the lonesome yellow glow of Yaerfaerda. Ynanhluutr was now just a memory. The door...
“Please... Fluttershy...” Rainbow cried, her eyes rolling... the world tossing across an endless sea. “I... was so close...”
Sonikah murmured orders to the other pilgrims. The lights flickered. Stairs... wood... skulls... everything decaying and petrified. In the distance, Anstan roared like a scoffing dragon.
“So close... forgive me...” Her eyes fluttered shut. “Forgive...”
“...everypony just calm down for a second. Now... let's start over. Yer sayin' that Rainbow Dash's pendant... tried zappin' yer Holy Reed?”
“It wasn't just her accursed jewlery! The pony herself was desecrating it!”
“That remains to be determined, Antsan. If I recall, the anointed one was quite delirious when I caught her. It's quite possible she simply suffered a dizzy spell that drove her to delirium.”
“Stop defending the mare, Sonikah! Just because you're her anchor doesn't excuse blindness!”
“Watch your tongue, child. Sonikah has performed far more sacraments than you have. I have full faith in her, which is why I assigned her to the investigator.”
“But she didn't even see it, elder! Sonikah was deep in meditation the moment that Rainbow Dash began prying at the Reed! Everypony was!”
“The elders you witnessed were in deep communion with the spirit of Verlaxion, child. You would understand that if you had committed yourself to the sacraments as much as they have. But you weren't even allowed to be in the Holiest of Holies today—”
“And praise Verlaxion's divine glory that I was! Or else the Reed would have been damaged irrecoverably!”
“And just how do y'all know that Rainbow was tryin' to damage thangs? She done went through yer crazy endurance test to have a seat before Verlaxion, didn't she?! So, after all that, why try and muck things up?!”
“Mrmmmff...” Rainbow's lips parted. Her ears twitched... then twitched some more. “Why is... grnngh... everypony... yelling...?” Within the space of that utterance, vague memories pierced the cloudy veil of Rainbow's mind, and her ruby eyes flashed open. “...Fluttershy.” She sat up with a gasp. “The Reed—!”
Two talons held her in place—one metal and the other flesh. As soon as Rainbow tried sitting, she was overwhelmed by dizziness and nausea. Wildcard's gentle grip of her shoulders kept her from sprawling across the floor.
“Eughhh...” She rubbed her forehead. The mare's skull throbbed from the continuing argument in the background. The wooden walls of a candle-lit shack rattled with voices. She recognized Bard's in an instant... as well as Sonikah's, Kyron's, and—most grating of all—Antsan's. “Ah jeez... things really lit up, didn't they?”
“Pffft... you have no idea,” Pinkie Pie said. “And not in the birthdy candle way.”
Rainbow gasped. She looked at the mare in front of her, and her eyes instantly watered. “Pinkie...” She looked aside, quivering. “Twilight... Rarity!” She squirmed. “Omigosh... omigosh! You guys are fine!”
“Why, of course we are!” Rarity stammered, nevertheless squirming uncomfortably at the scene around them. “Why wouldn't we be?”
“But... but when my hoof touched the... touched the...” She gulped. “All three of you vanished.”
“We tried communicating to you, Rainbow,” Twilight said in a low tone. “But you didn't respond. It was... just like the machine world in Shoggoth all over again.” She sighed out her nostrils.
Rainbow blinked. “What... what's the matter?”
“Mmmm...” Pinkie whimpered, cowering away from the center of the room like a dog. “...everything.”
Rainbow's brow furrowed. “Girls, did... did something...?”
“Now listen!” Antsan's voice resonated. Rainbow sensed his figure pointing at her from the far end of the room. “She's even talking to herself!”
“Rainbow...” Bard gasped, pivoting about and tilting his hat back.
Sonikah left Kyron's side to squat before the pegasus. “Rainbow Dash... child... are you... feeling alright?”
“I'm... mmff...” Rainbow struggled to get up on wobbling legs. Wildcard helped her gently. Shrugging her shoulders, she gave him a thankful wave, then stumbled forward... teetering slightly. “I'm as good as I'll ever be.” She came to a stop, braids flouncing. A long sigh, and she murmured: “I'm... I'm very sorry...”
Kyron tilted his head aside. “And precisely what are you apologizing for, my child?”
Rainbow Dash opened her muzzle—but lingered. Gulping, she leaned back, trembling slightly. “Is... is it okay...?”
“Do you now inquire about the Reed, outsider?” Antsan frowned. “Is this truly the face of your 'penitence'—?”
Kyron waved a hoof at the young stallion, silencing him. He calmly gazed at Rainbow again. “The Reed is healthy and majestic as ever. No damage has been done.”
Rainbow exhaled. Her ears drooped as she turned to smile at her marefriends.
“Rainbow, darlin'.”
Rainbow turned around.
Bard stared at her, lips pursed. “Care to tell us what happened in there?”
Kyron's voice raised: “By Verlaxion's grace, a firm explanation would be most righteous.” He took an icy step forward, eyes leering. “Do you know what you were doing right before you collapsed?”
Rainbow cleared her throat. “Do I know what I was doing...”
“Newly-anointed Antsan claims he saw you touching the Reed with your bare hooves.”
“More than that!” Antsan seethed. “She was—!”
Kyron's hoof waved in the air with such remarkable speed that it even startled Rainbow Dash. He kept staring at her, the rest of his body remaining immaculately still. “...Possibly even manipulating the structure of the Reed through physical force.” His eyes darted over. “Then anointed Sonikah gives the account of seeing you doing precisely what Antsan described... before she had to forcefully remove you from the Reed.”
Sonikah gulped before murmuring: “Rainbow Dash... your... jewel...” She pointed at the Element around Rainbow's neck. “The representative piece of iconography that you were so graciously allowed to bear on your person within the Holiest of Holies... ... ... it was resonating with a strange magic. You seemed faint... distant... and you did not react to any of my fervent inquisitions. I... I-I feared for the Reed, and that is why I took it upon myself to forcibly distance you from the essence of Verlaxion's glory.” She shuddered. “I do sincerely hope that I did not cause you grave injury.”
“No, Sonikah...” Rainbow shook her head at her anchor. She spoke in a reassuring tone. “You didn't hurt me in any way.”
“Since you are so keen on answering Sonikah's question, then perhaps you will answer mine,” Kyron said, stepping closer. Rainbow became suddenly aware of just how tall the elder was. “Do you remember any of these details, as they have been so described to you?”
“Now just a moment...” Bard stepped forward, waving a hoof. “Before y'all give her the third degree, how 'bout lettin' her get a word in fi—”
“Yes,” Rainbow Dash said.
Bard and Wildcard glanced at her with a jerk.
She took a deep breath, nodding at Kyron. “I do remember.” She glanced aside. “It is like what Sonikah described.” She clenched her teeth. “...and Antsan.”
Kyron's brow furrowed. “Would you care to explain why you chose to touch the Reed with your mortal being?” He blinked. Hard. “Was it not thoroughly explained to you by your anchor that a newly-anointed foal of Verlaxion—even through anchorage—is not permitted to come into contact with the essence of our Goddess?”
“She did explain it thoroughly to me, elder,” Rainbow Dash said.
“Then you know that your only purpose for being inside the Holiest of Holies was to meditate? So that you might commune with Verlaxion in spirit?”
“Yes, elder,” Rainbow said, breath shuddering.
“Do you acknowledge by failing to commit to either of these things, you not only directly disobeyed the directions of your anchor, but you trespassed on the spiritual code laid out by the Foals of Verlaxion?”
“Rainbow...” Rarity floated in, shaking her head. “Don't allow them to increminate you! There's still time to properly explain what must have hap—”
“Yes,” Rainbow said, frowning. Pinkie and Twilight winced.
Before Kyron could speak again—Antsan trotted firmly forward, gnashing his teeth: “Then explain! Explain why you sought fit to attack the Reed!”
“I was not attacking the Reed,” Rainbow Dash growled.
“Then what were you doing, child?!” Antsan demanded.
Rainbow Dash glared at him, then looked at Bard and Wildcard.
The Desperadoes fidgeted in anxious confusion, their eyes glued to the mare.
Rainbow sighed, her body sagging inside her sackcloth gown. She hung her head for a few seconds, then muttered: “I... I saw something.” She gulped. “A vision, if you will.”
Antsan blinked, his muzzle agape in confusion. Kyron gently brushed him aside and stood beside Sonikah. “A vision of what, child?”
“Of a spirit,” Rainbow Dash muttered. “Not of Verlaxion's... but of a friend. A very old friend of mine.”
“You saw this vision in the Holiest of Holies?”
“I guess you could say that.”
“And the Reed... did proximity to it give you this vision?”
“It wasn't the Reed.” Rainbow raised her face, squinting. “It's the metal behind it.”
Antsan blinked. Lips pursed, he gazed up at the other two Luminards.
“Rainbow Dash, that metal... is a lifeless piece of ancient Luminar,” Sonikah remarked. “It is devoid of any life or spiritual meaning. That is precisely why Verlaxion's Reed is so miraculous, for it has chosen to shroud one of the last standing effigies of our past sins and failures—”
“No. There's more to it than that.” Rainbow's nostrils fumed. “There's more to all of this then just Verlaxion or the Plight of Luminar.”
Antsan frowned. He opened his mouth to object—
“And... you know... I wasn't one hundred percent certain of it,” Rainbow Dash said. “So... I had to get closer to find out... to know if I could commune with my friend.”
“So, then...” Sonikah squinted. “...you had this vision before you even set hoof in the Holiest of Holies?”
Twilight bit her lip.
Rainbow blinked. “Uhm... I-I...”
“Was that the entire reason you took part in the Penitent Sacrament?” Sonikah exclaimed.
“Look...” Rainbow frowned. “I passed, didn't I?!”
Bard sighed, reaching over. “Rainbow...”
She shook his hoof off and frowned at the pilgrims. “By your code... by your Word of Reed, I became anointed! Don't pretend that it didn't happen! I passed your friggin' closet test with flying colors! And you know why? Because I'm sincere about this! I'm more sincere about this than I have been about almost any darn thing in my life!” She pointed. “There's more to this place than just the Reed! It holds the secrets to why I'm even here! And if I can't uncover that, then... then...” She leaned back, lips tight. “Well, I'm screwed... and so is a bunch of other ponies by proxy. How's that for anchorage?”
Bard looked over at Wildcard. The griffon sighed and face-talon'd.
Sonikah's muzzle was twisted with confusion. “You... you came to the Quade for secrets? But... but I don't understand—”
“It's for her journey,” Kyron said.
Antsan and Sonikah twirled to face him.
“Elder...?” Antsan blinked.
Kyron took a long, heavy breath. “She never held any faith in the Reed to begin with. It's the metal beneath that she's obsessed with... as has been the case since she came here.”
“But...” Antsan gulped, glanced at Sonikah, then looked back at Kyron. “I-I don't understand. Just what does that mean?”
“It means that Miss Dash has not been very forthcoming with us,” Kyron firmly said. “Which, I do believe, is quite the understatement in regards to her character.” He turned about and took a few steps towards Bard. “So, to gauge her circumstances better, she forced others to bridge the awkward gap in her stead. Tell me, Mr. Bard...” Kyron pointed at Rainbow. “She is the mare belonging to the supposed 'Church of Austraeoh,' isn't she?”
Bard blinked.
Kyron's eyes narrowed. “The one you claimed to have met rather incidentally in your travels. The curious stranger from beyond the Blight.”
“I... uhm...” Bard looked at Rainbow.
Rainbow slowly nodded.
With a long sigh, Bard hung his head and nodded. “Yes. Yes, she is.”
“And that... that jewel around her neck...” Kyron gestured. “I suspect there is more from her homeland that she carries in it.” He turned around, peering across the room. “Something magical. Something dangerous.”
“It isn't dangerous,” Rainbow insisted.
“Truly?” Kyron cocked his head to the side. “Do tell me, child. What would have happened to Verlaxion's miraculous Reed if the pedant's red light described by Sonikah actually impacted it?”
“I...” Rainbow grimaced. She glanced at her marefriends, then gulped. “I... I don't know...”
“Alas...” Kyron nodded. “...you have finally told us something with complete honesty.”
Dead silence.
“Rainbow Dash...” Kyron paced across the room on coldly shuffling hooves. “...we have welcomed you and your companions with open arms. Even when the protector Menthe first came to me—personally, and in secret—to inform me of his silent misgivings, I insisted that we treat you like any other pilgrims called to the Quade.”
Bard and Wildcard exchanged blinking glances.
Kyron continued, trotting before Rainbow Dash. “We shared company like friends... we allowed you to sample our hymns and eat our food. We gave you shelter to sleep and facilities to keep you comfortable. And when you expressed a deep desire to partake in the Penitent Sacrament of Anchorage, we humbly agreed to exercise a ritual that hadn't been performed by a single Kyron in many lifetimes. We gave patient ear to your personal beliefs, and we even allowed you to bring with you a personal trinket... a supremely iconic piece of your royal heritage—a symbol of “Harmony”—into the Holiest of Holies... the lowest chapel of the Reed... the most sacred spot in the Quade where we give our souls over to Verlaxion...”
He came to a stop, hooves scuffling. His glare was like the precipice of a mountain, and just as precarious.
“...am I to understand, that after all of these things, you would still desire to take advantage of our kindness.”
Rainbow stared at him. After a brief shiver, she gulped and shook her head. “I... I don't want to take advantage of anything.”
“And yet, you broke our rules... knowingly defied the code set before us and before you...” He took a deep breath. “Do you understand the heinous nature of what you did? Never in recorded history since the foundation of our order has any pilgrim dared to so much as touch the Reed. Since the first Kyron irrecoverably damaged the outer shoots of Verlaxion's blessing, we have understood far too well the consequences of harming any part of the Reed. Manipulation of a single shoot could damage the entire whole. What you did down there in the chapel—against all direct instructions—risked destroying the very foundation of our sacred communication with the redeeming Goddess Verlaxion. And what is your defense? What is your explanation for doing this? Some... fleeting, personal dedication to a heathen faith that falls so far outside of Verlaxion's grace that it exists even beyond the Blight? Do you even know how close you came to bringing utter destruction to everything we hold dear... and that which we were so happily willing to share with you?”
“It wasn't... I-I mean...” Rainbow Dash bit her lip. She squeaked, “You don't understand...”
“No. Perhaps not.” Kyron shook his head. “But neither do you, child.”
Rainbow blinked.
Kyron hung his head. He stood there, hunched over and frozen, until at last he weathered a pathetic sigh. “Sixty-two winters ago, I was just a young pilgrim... still getting used to the odd smell of the Quade's waters... suffering to become familiar with the chaffing fabric of sackcloth... when the Kyron before me last stripped a foal of their anointed blessing. I remember how shocked I felt... how my heart ached in sorrow for the pilgrim... excommunicated for eating meat and lying about it.” He gulped. “For weeks... months... I entreated the spirit of Verlaxion, asking for Her divine grace in helping me get past the melancholy and shame I felt for a fellow pilgrim that I would no longer have the pleasure of communing with anymore. It was then that I had a vision... that the merciful Goddess found something to cherish from my humble prayers. I decided right then and there that I would do my best to prove She had a reason to have faith in me, and that—if someday I was to become Kyron myself—I would exercise Her merciful will with gentility, kindness, and grace. I swore to myself that I would lead pilgrims to Her glory, so that we may bask in the Reed without need for distraction, or temptations to deviance. I promised that I would establish a congregation full of faithful foals, and that I would never... ever have to strip an anointed pilgrim of their blessing.”
Shuddering, the elder looked up. There were tears in his life.
“I see now, after so many long years, that I have finally failed Her... and I have f-failed my congregation as well.”
Rainbow leaned back, lips pursed.
Jaws clenched, Kyron turned to face Rainbow Dash directly. “Rainbow Dash... it is with a h-heavy heart that I must strip you of your blessing.” He slowly shook his head. “You are no longer anointed. From henceforth, your anchorage to Sonikah is severed.”
Upon hearing that, Sonikah choked on a sob. She held a hoof over her muzzle, staring into the shadows.
“I...” Rainbow winced. She pointed at Sonikah. “But—”
“You will no longer be allowed to enter any of the chapels,” Kyron said, his face iron-wrought and resolute. “You will no longer be allowed to stand within eyeshot of the Holy Reed. You will only be granted access to the Word of Reed so long as you are accompanied by a highly-anointed elder for the duration of your reading, and even then you will be barred from exercising any of the Sacraments. Any request to pursue the rituals stated in Scripture shall be refused, until such a time that the other elders and I have determined that you have properly repented of your transgressions committed today.”
“Please...” Rainbow Dash lurched forward, grimacing. “The metal! Behind the Reed! If you could just tell me if there's another spot where—”
“We will do no such thing,” Kyron said, his eyes briefly flaring. “Remove the Reed from your thoughts, for they do not belong to an anointed mind.” He shuddered. “Not any longer.” He leaned back, sighing. “You are still bound by the flesh. As such, we recognize the inhospitable nature of the Quade and its surrounding Elements. To that extent, you and your friends... are still welcome to shelter and sustenance. It would be cruel of us to not offer such. Perhaps—with nourishment here in the temporal realm—you will rethink your sins committed against the spiritual. When such a time comes that you have truly displayed a penitent and repentant nature, then and only then might the excommunication... be undone.”
Rainbow gulped. “How...” She quivered. “How l-long are we talking about?”
Kyron stared sadly at her. “That will be up to the Kyron who is alive at the time.” That said, he turned swiftly towards Antsan. “And you, newly anointed one.”
“Yes, elder?”
“You know fully well that you were not allowed in the Holiest of Holies today. Your own trials—dedicated as they may be—are far from complete.”
“Yes, elder. Absolutely understood.” Antsan gulped and pointed at Rainbow. “B-but if I hadn't been moved by Verlaxion's spirit to catch her—”
“Do not assign the Goddess' spirit to disobedience!” Kyron exlaimed, his voice raising. “A soul who commits a sin, fully aware of the transgression, is just as guilty as a soul who's never buried their sins in the Shadow of the Plight to begin with.” He took a deep breath. “However, Verlaxion has anointed me with Her mercy and understanding. What you've done for the sanctity of the Reed today shall not be forgotten... but I cannot forget the manner in which it was done. There is no right way to do a wrong thing. As such, Verlaxion's Spirit will require much show of penitence and humility from you.” He pointed at Sonikah. “Sonikah shall be your anchor now... to nurture you to a proper position of spiritual awareness, until the elders and I deem you worthy for the lower chapels. Is that understood?”
Antsan blinked. Eventually, he bowed his head. “Yes, elder,” he spoke in a low tone. “I understand... and I thank you for your blessings.”
“Thank Verlaxion, my child,” Kyron said. “It is Her blessings that restore all.” He took a calm breath, then turned towards Rainbow and the Desperadoes. “This conversation—as it ever was—is now finished. Please... return to your shelters. You are not to enter our interior domains again... not without the express permission of the elders.”
Kyron and Antsan slowly shuffled off. Sonikah remained behind, shaking slightly.
Rainbow swallowed a lump down her throat. She took a single step towards the former anchor. “Sonikah... Sonikah, I'm really—”
Fighting tears—and a frown—Sonikah swiftly spun from Rainbow Dash and trotted firmly out of the room.
Rainbow Dash stood in place, breathing in nervous, spastic spurts. Bard and Wildcard came over, and the stallion placed a hoof on her shoulder. Rainbow stared down at the floor with a sigh. With one hoof, she reached under her sackcloth... and viciously tore the thing off her, littering the wooden boards with white tatters.
Hours later, Rainbow Dash sat on the high platform beneath their lean-to's. She stared straight ahead while Wildcard—positioned behind her—used a combination of his talons and his whittling knife to sever the strips of yellow Reed from her mane. One by one, her braids were undone, so that the prismatic fibers hung loosely and lazily at the base of the mare's neck. And yet, with each length that was graciously unbound, she didn't feel any less ache from it all.
Below, the calm waters of the Quade glistened in the setting sun. Pilgrims strolled across the lower platforms, but none of them came close to where the outsiders sat in their lofty shelter.
“Well... if you ask me,” Rarity said, floating from side to side with a ghostly sigh. “They went about that rather melodramatically.” She turned to glare at the others. “And, yes, I am quite aware of the irony in that statement.”
“Rarity, please...” Twilight sighed, hovering beside Rainbow Dash. “You heard the pain in Kyron's voice when he stripped Rainbow Dash of the 'blessing.' There wasn't a part of that that he even remotely enjoyed!”
“Then why did he even bother to do it?!” Rarity frowned. “All because Rainbow Dash fiddled with a little bit of bamboo roots!”
“It's a far more complicated situation than that and you know it.”
“'Forgive and forget,' is what I'd say!”
“And just how many times are they going to 'forgive' Rainbow and the Desperadoes until they have no sincerity to give?!” Twilight shrugged. “No matter how we approach it, we have a very... very serious problem right now and it's high time that we faced it!”
“Hey Wildcard.” Pinkie pointed at Rainbow's hair. “You missed a spot.”
Twilight grumbled. “For the last time, he can't hear you, Pinkie.”
“Awwwwww...” Pinkie folded her forelimbs. “Well, it doesn't hurt to help!”
“I think we have more pressing concerns than the fashion of Rainbow's mane—” Rarity went cross-eyed. “Oh dear...” She caressed her own cheek. “Listen to what I'm saying! Oh Celestia, what has this most dreadful excuse for a scenic soiree done to me?!”
“Rarity, it's not all about you,” Twilight said. She gestured at Rainbow. “She's the one having to bear the brunt of this!”
“You're right, Twilight.” Rarity upturned her nose. “It isn't about me. Then again, it isn't truly about Rainbow Dash either.” She pointed at the central shaft of the Luminard's Reed. “Poor Fluttershy is still stuck in that blasted thing! And now that Rainbow's been... pffft... excommunicated, how on earth are we ever going to get her out of there?”
“I'll tell you one thing!” Pinkie said. “It won't be by banging our hooves around the holy monk sticks like Dashie was doing earlier!” She winced, then smiled at the mare. “Erm... no offense.”
Rainbow Dash's nostrils flared. She continued to gaze dead ahead, her eyes following the jagged contours of the northern mountain range as it towered above the waters of the Quade.
“Rainbow...” Twilight swallowed a lump down her throat. She floated closer, hovering near Rainbow's other side. “Rainbow Dash... please... talk to us.” She smiled sincerely. “Tell us how you're feeling. It's okay.”
“Yeah!” Pinkie pointed. “And Wildcard's used to it by now! So don't worry about spooking the bird!”
Rainbow merely sighed. “What's to tell?” she muttered.
Wildcard paused, craning his feathery head about to glance at her.
“I bucked it all up,” Rainbow droned, eyes darting past her friends, following the glowing rays of the setting sun. “More than once. Kind of like a crazy layer of buck-ups, really.” She shuddered. “One on top of one another.”
“Don't be so terribly hard on yourself, darling,” Rarity said. Nevertheless, she sighed as she continued: “You put yourself through... so much strain to become 'anointed' as t'were. Shouldn't they have at least recognized it? I mean... what's the value in such a title if they can take it away so swiftly? As if on a dime!”
“Rarity, we're done talking about the Luminards and what they've done,” Twilight grumbled. “That's not the crux of the issue anymore.”
“Isn't it, though?” Rarity remarked. “Oh, sure, they're friendly and inviting on the surface, but there's this one spot... this impermeable road block where they instantly stop listening to reason and start treating every creative idea as 'heathen' or 'apostate,' with nothing but a series of... stuffy old rulebooks to defend their rather nebulous belief system.”
“And if any single one of them was given the chance to express themselves, they'd say the same thing about Equestrian ideas!” Twilight said.
“Oh, Twilight, please, don't even pretend to go there!” Rarity folded her forelimbs with a frown. “Every mare here—ghostly or not—knows... without a shadow of a doubt, we know that Harmony is the real ticket!”
Rainbow bit her lip. Her hooves kneaded the sleeping mat beneath her and Wildcard.
“After all, we've seen it in action!” Rarity continued. “We know what it can do to an abhorrent spirit such as Nightmare Moon! Why... even these monks themselves recall a moment in time when night lasted longer than usual! But are they willing to be illuminated on the topic by someone who saw the reason for the anomaly in person? Noooooo... 'Oh look! Verlaxion sneezed! There's dreaded slit everywhere! Why, yes! That must have put the sun out! No point in arguing that! It's our sins that are to blame!'”
Pinkie scrunched her muzzle as she spoke: “Why do I get the feeling that if we try bumping our spirit rocks against their spirit rocks for eternity... it still won't produce rock candy?”
“But if Rainbow was to somehow convince them that her Element and her essence as 'Austraeoh' has a legitimate connection with what's beneath the Tower—”
“I don't see how that's going to be feasible!” Twilight replied. “At least...” She winced slightly, avoiding Rainbow's gaze. “...not anymore.”
Rainbow grimaced, gazing towards the side. Incidentally, her sight fell over two familiar figures on a lower platform. Upon making eye contact, Galloran winced, then pretended to go about his business. Menthe, in the meantime, stood absolutely still, staring up at the high platform, unfazed.
“Whelp...” Bard suddenly strolled up, carrying a dish full of fruit. “...they certainly ain't cheery anymore,” the stallion said. “Funny how ponies are only themselves as long as they can afford bein' themselves in front of folk they trust.” He placed the fruit in front of Rainbow and Wildcard. “I still can't get over the fact that Menthe talked nasty behind our backs... not that I can't believe it, but still...” He shook his head with a tired smirk. “Old farts... amirite?”
Wildcard gestured, then pointed at Rainbow's skull.
“Nice job, mofo.” Bard smirked. “She's certainly lookin' less... ... ... cactusy.” A beat. He shrugged. “Anyways. Ocean mangoes. Eat up.” He pointed at the plate. “Them Luminards are still as generous as ever... but I can tell they're none too happy about it. The sackclothers who gave me them vittles were also givin' me the stink-eye somethin' fierce. No doubt they heard what went down in Kyron's... guilt shack. Meh.”
Rainbow gulped, fidgeting while Wildcard undid more of her braids. “I'm... uhm...” She rasped,” I'm not really hungry at the moment...”
“Well Hell, use 'em for shampoo'n yer mane... I dun care...” Bard paced around. He sighed heavily into the sunset. “Dayum if that didn't used to look pretty.” He stood there for a while, fumbling.
Rainbow gazed up.
“... ... ...funny how thangs went south so quickly. For a moment there... I almost felt like you was onto somethin'.”
Silence.
“But I guess not,” Bard muttered. “Or... at least... if you was onto somethin'... you threw yerself at it too quick-like.”
“I...” Rainbow fidgeted, then sighed. “I-I shouldn't have messed with the Reed like I did.”
Bard spun with a frown. “Yer dayum right you shouldn't have!”
Rainbow winced, causing Wildcard to lose his grip of her braids.
Twilight, Pinkie, and Rainbow shook where they hovered.
“I mean... Rainbow... heheh...” Bard shook his head into the upper winds of the Quade. “...darlin'... you was in their most sacred spot. Ponies dun even pass gas there without throwin' thirty lashes on themselves! And then you stood up and did the tango with their holy sticks. I mean... what did ya think was going to happen?!”
“I... I don't know...”
“Ya dunno!” Bard nodded, stomping towards her. “Sure! Fine'n'dandy! Well, Rainbow, how 'bout usin' yer imagination for once? Look back on all that wrasslin' ya did with the Reeds and try to come up with an outcome that could have possibly... feasibly fallen in yer favor!”
“Maybe...” Rainbow Dash shivered. “M-maybe if I could have just touched the glowing symbol of Ynanhluutr... I-I could have finally opened the door to the Machine World.” She gulped. “I could have opened the door to Fluttershy.”
“Yeah?” Bard frowned. “And then what? What about all them old monk-geezers sittin' all around you? Wouldn't they have protested?”
“I-I don't know!” Rainbow gnashed her teeth, voice cracking. “Maybe... m-maybe they would have galloped off in fright! That would have... uhm... g-given me time to get Fluttershy out of there—”
“—while the entire collective psyche of the Luminards collapsed in on itself! Real good plan there, Rainbow!”
“Well, they considered me anointed, didn't they?!” Rainbow Dash said with a frown. “Maybe I figured... th-that they would have given me a benefit of the doubt!”
“And just let ya tie knots in their precious holy Reed?!” Bard folded his forelimbs. “I'm startin' to think that you don't even have figured what ya figured! Sure... goin' through the trials was mighty brave of ya. Noble, even. And it got you far! Really far! But most of that plan got cooked up by yer marefriends! Not you! And when it took you to the next step, what happened?”
“I bucked up...”
“And that's 'cuz you dun think, Rainbow Dash!” Bard said, bending over and slapping one hoof against the other. “Hell, even back in Shoggoth, how'd ya even plan to get Pinkie Pie out of her frozen locker? None of us woulda gotten anywhere if Camellia hadn't steped in with her telepathic know-how and given us the boost we needed!” He gazed at her. “I'm not sayin' yer dumb, darlin', but when it comes to plannin' in advance, it just ain't yer strong suit.” He leaned back. “I know the feelin', cuz oftentimes I'm havin' to think on my hooves... livin' in the moment so that Dubya-Cee and I can hop from one job to another. But the problem with actin' impulsively is that it only ends in good results half of the time! And when it comes to gettin' bits or findin' the next bounty, that's all good and fine. But when it's a matter of life or death?! Or... o-or when yer stilt-walkin' across the fine silk thread of another culture's ancient religion?”
“I thought I could make contact with the metal entrance,” Rainbow said, frowning steadily at him. “I was wrong.”
“Hun, yer more than wrong,” Bard said. “You done pissed off the kindest, most forgivin' soul that any of us have ever met in the entirety of the Rohbredden Seas. Right now? Yer a million steps behind where you was this mornin'. That's where you are. And ain't no amount of prayers or closet somersaults with glasses of water that's gonna win ya back these folk's favor. Not in this lifetime.”
Rainbow hung her head, gazing down at her still-bandaged forelimbs.
Bard blinked. He rolled his eyes, sighed, and slumped down in front of her and Wildcard. He took his hat off and slapped his own fetlocks, exhaling through his nostrils. “... ... ...Rainbow, I'm really sorry. It's... it's mighty frustratin'. And not so much 'cuz of what ya did... but because of all the shiet you went through to get there...” He clenched his jaw. “I gotta say... there were times when I thought you was gonna be a goner. You threw more than yer body at them 'trials' of theirs. You threw yer spirit... you dedicated yer heart... all the thangs it took to make you who you are... even before all this... this Austraeoh bullshiet rolled into yer purdy lil' life. And all for what? Just to... to lose it all on a sudden gamble? It... it just dun make no sense to me.” Bard looked up. “Tell me how it makes even a lick of sense.”
“You should have seen it, Bard,” Rainbow said in a breathy tone. “The tower was right there. I could see my own reflection in the metal... at least durign the times when I wasn't being blinded by the proximity of Ynanhluutr.”
“So you saw the doorway, huh?”
“I-I did! And... and...” Rainbow Dash gestured, gazing in front of her. “...and I figured that if I could just move the Reed a bit to the side, maybe I could make enough room to slip through and activate the entrance!”
Bard took a deep breath. “Rainbow...”
“I never once even considered damaging the stupid stuff! Just... just shove it aside so that I could—”
“Rainbow...” Bard's eyes hung like an even razor. “Was there really enough room for yer body to slip through? I mean... really.”
Wildcard gazed curiously at the mare.
Rainbow bit her lip. She glanced up at her friends, then sighed with folded ears. “No. I... I guess there wasn't.”
“And yet you tried forcin' the hole wider.”
“It... it had to be done. There's no other place along the shaft that has that much open space.”
“Is that how ya collapsed?” Bard asked. “Tryin' to force that stuff open?”
“No, that happened because—” Rainbow blinked. Her pupils shrank. “...chaos...”
Twilight and Rarity craned their necks.
“Beg yer pardon?” Bard asked.
“It... it was just like what I saw beneath Shoggoth,” Rainbow murmured. Her eyes darted towards Bard. “Y-you saw it too! The ice... the frozen material that filled the Machine World! The stuff was full of this white powder! Chaos metal!”
“Lemme guess...” Bard scratched his chin as he squinted at her. “The same crud that them creepy golems were fashioned out of.”
“Exactly! It's something I've encountered a lot in my travels... some ancient material imbued with chaos and Verlax... darn it... that stupid Matriarch is using it to fill all of the Seeds she's touched!” Rainbow huffed... puffed... “Even... even...”
“The Reed?”
Rainbow gulped. “I have no doubt of it now. The moment I got that stuff to move just an inch... the material rained down on me. I... I-I got exposed to pure chaos... and...” She glanced up at Pinkie and the others. “My friends vanished... just like they did in lower Shoggoth. And then my Pendant started reacting and going haywire—”
“Mr. Holy Ginger said you nearly zapped the Reed.”
“It was an accident!” Rainbow growled. “I didn't mean for Harmony to go beserk like that!”
“Just like ya didn't mean to give their Reed some stretching exercise?”
Rainbow gaped at him. She rolled her eyes, then groaned prolongedly into her forelimbs.
Wildcard looked over her shoulder and gestured at Bard.
Bard nodded. “Makes sense. If dozens of generations of Luminards felt so dayum superstitious about the Reed, it figures that they'd never touch the darn stuff. That way... they'd never see any of the... chaos dust or whatever that's always been clingin' to it.”
“Right...” Rainbow murmured, muffled into her forelimbs. “You're absolutely right.” She looked up. “It all fits together too perfectly!”
“But that's what bothers me somethin' awful,” Bard said, leaning back with a squint. “What could possibly inspire a dragon like Verlax to put so much time and effort into settin' up somethin' like that? I mean... we're talkin' eons in advanced! How could she possibly have caught wind of this 'Austraeoh' stuff that long ago!”
“Trust me,” Rainbow droned. “She could.”
“It just... boggles my mind...”
“Well, sit there and remain boggled for all I care,” Rainbow grumbled. “But down there...!” She pointed at the lower platforms where the chapels lie in shadow. “...is the truth! To Verlax... to the Luminards... to getting Fluttershy! To everything!”
“And it's a cryin' shame,” Bard said, nodding. “Cuz there ain't no goin' down there no more.”
Rainbow's mouth hung open. She tried producing words to protest, but ultimately failed.
“It's over, Rainbow,” Bard said. “You put in a good effort... but as soon ya started throwing yer body and mind into the shredder to try and appeal to these folks and their beliefs... that shoulda been a good enough clue right there, ya think?”
Rainbow hung her head. She sniffled. “I know...” She bit her lip.
Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie hovered closer, their expressions sad and sympathetic.
“I just...” Rainbow ran a hoof over her head. Half of her mane hung loosely, the other in painful braids. “...I just dun know what to do. I mean... this was it. Yaerfaerda guided me here. I've... always f-found a solution before.” She sniffled again. “But now...?”
Wildcard looked up at Bard. He signed with his talons.
Bard blinked, then looked at Rainbow. “Rainbow, darlin'... Dubya-Cee and I... well...” He stood up. “We've been thinkin'.”
“Uh oh...” Pinkie cooed, her left lower leg quivering.
Rainbow and the others looked up.
“I mean... really thinkin',” Bard said. He began pacing with noticeable nervousness as he spoke. “It was drivin' us crazy to see ya goin' through so much Hell with the trials, so naturally we started comin' up with possible Plan B's... or I guess Plan C's at this point. You seemed to come out of the ordeal on top of thangs, so that gave us a brief glimmer of hope. But... well... we're back to where we was before. As a matter of fact, we're back even further behind our past selves... and... well...”
“...what?” Rainbow stammered.
Bard finally stopped pacing. He sighed, then turned towards Rainbow with a weak smile. “Maybe... we should consider goin' on to the next Seed.”
Twilight and Rarity did double-takes.
Rainbow blinked several times. She leaned forward. “... ... ...what???”
“It... it's not as crazy as it sounds—”
“My blueberry flank it's not!” Rainbow snarled. “Dude... Yaerfaerda is here!” She pointed. “It's not out there! It's right here!”
“I know—”
“Then what could we possibly gain from ignoring it and flying east past it?”
Bard opened his muzzle... lingered... then finally finished with a grin: “Control of the reins for once?”
Rainbow blinked. “Buh?”
“Hear me out...” Bard shuffled closer. “Just how long have ya been strugglin' with the logistics of this Austraeoh nonsense, huh? 'Am I bound by some ancient prophecy' or 'Am I in control of where the flight is leadin' me' and all that sort of hullabaloo.” He shook a hoof. “And dun pretend Dubya and I are ignorant of yer conversations with yer marefriends. We may be simple bounty hunters, but we still have ears.”
Twilight glanced nervously at Rainbow.
The stallion continued: “This glowy Yiffy symbol has led you to places where you've fetched yer friends, for sure... but what if... wh-what if there was more to it than that?” Bard gestured. “What if—to truly excel at this Austraeoh biz—you gotta take control for once... forcefully if need be? And... y'know... it could still be confirmin' the prophecy of all the whacked out ancient 'angels' or whatever it is you call them mysterious Urohringr pegasi. Yer just... puttin' more faith in yerself and less in the elements, ya feel me?”
“I... I-I assume...” Rainbow gulped. “...that the harmonic essence of Applejack is out there waiting for me, but... but I don't know where—”
“You've got them maps from Sinistar, dun ya?”
“Sinrar, and yes...”
“You have these Points of Interests marked down from when he poured through the old Kihutajan texts, right?”
“Uhm... sorta. Yeah...”
“So maybe you've got what it takes to make more than an estimated guess at this, darlin'!”
Rainbow frowned. “I can't afford to base my journey on 'estimated guesses,'” she grumbled. “Now who sucks at thinking things ahead of time?”
Bard raised a hoof. “Glad ya asked that. 'Cuz Dubya and I were talkin'...”
“Yeah...?”
“We have... mmm... connections... in Rohbredden.”
Rainbow blinked. “You mean the continent?”
“Well, yeah.” Bard shrugged. “What the Hell else is east of us, darlin'?”
“But... but I thought you made it your business never to have business there again.”
“Okay... fine... lemme start over,” Bard said with a sigh. “... ... ...Dubya-Cee has connections in Rohbredden.”
Rainbow looked over her shoulder. A griffon smiled sheepishly and waved back.
“I'm talkin' in the upper mountains... where it's super extra snowy'n'stuff.”
“Lemme guess...” Rainbow turned towards Bard yet again. “The wyverns.”
“The wyverns.” Bard nodded. “And what makes them the rarest and wisest of the Six Tribes is that they fancy stickin' to their mountains like hermits, preservin' some of the most ancient relics of Rohbredden culture.”
“Yeah... and that's gonna help us...” Rainbow arched an eyebrow. “... ... ...how?”
“Well... the more ancient a culture is, the more... connected it is with Verlaxion. It so happens that Wyverns hold major sway over the Council that runs the show in our homeland.”
“I... st-still don't know where you're going with this, dude,” Rainbow said with a sigh.
“I wish I could say it was simple, but it's not improbable.”
“What isn't?”
“That we go back to Dubya-Cee's old stompin' grounds,” Bard explained. “We get him to curry favor with the Wyverns. Then we get the Wyverns to appeal to the Council. The Council appeals to Her Majesty, the Goddess Verlaxion, and then...”
“... ... ...” Rainbow blinked. Her lips moved. “Verlaxion... mulls over... her stance on Austraeoh?”
“Now you've got it.”
“Dude... you think Verlaxion is even remotely interested in listening to what her own subjects have to say?”
Bard shrugged. “She's been supporting a democratic Council for countless millennia.”
“Yeah, and guess what?” Rainbow frowned. “It's all a front for a Divine Dragon chomping to get her way!”
“And I know ya think that, but what if yer wrong?”
“Bard... nnngh...” Rainbow ran a hoof over her face. “This isn't the right time to go into another philosophical debate over your life-long belief in—”
“Just think!” Bard whispered firmly. “If there was a way to win Verlaxion's favor, wouldn't that make yer whole journey easier! I mean... it's been done before!” He smirked. “Axan turned a new leaf, didn't she?”
“Mrmmmff... and she's decided to abandon me for some reason—”
“Still, one moment she was smashin' you to bits, and the next moment she was yer guardian dragon!” Bard gestured. “And... and then there was whatshername! The big bad bug horse!”
“... ... ...Chrysalis?”
“Was there ever an hour in the day before savin' Val Roa that you ever once considered that she would roll over and surrender to yer good graces?” Bard smirked. “I'm tellin' ya, darlin', you have a gift for persuadin' souls... well... when you decide to be smoothe and use it right.” He leaned back. “Combine that with the Desperadoes' connection in Rohbredden, and I bet we can make an appeal to Verlaxion as well. Who knows...” He shrugged. “If she starts to see thangs yer way, then surely she'd help ya get back all the Harmonic pieces to this puzzle yer livin'! I mean... crazy as she may be at the moment, the two of you still have the same end goal in mind, right?”
“Mmmm... s-sorta...”
“Bringin' Urohringr back together? I mean... why be at odds over that?” Bard waved his hoof. “But, y'know, one step at a time. And if thangs work out, I'd say the first order of business would be comin' back here to the Quade. I mean... just imagine the look on Kyron's and the other elders' faces if you return here with the Goddess herself. There'd be no defendin' the Reed no more. Verlaxion would just say the word... and poof... they'd let you open the door to Fluttershy.”
Rarity cleared her throat. “I must admit. His idea—though far-fetched—certainly has a degree of charm to it.”
“It's certainly more charming than sitting around here and being miserable,” Pinkie said.
“But...” Rainbow shuddered. “I don't see how... h-how...” She winced. “I mean, flying on without Yaerfaerda! It... it's like flying naked! I-I'm telling you, that beacon is there for a reason! Because it points me at the solution! And trying to go outside of that... I-I just don't know what would happen!”
“Yer a brave pony, Rainbow,” Bard said. “Surely you aren't afraid of that.”
“It's not about courage!” she retortedf with a frown. “It's about accepting what's destined.”
“Or... maybe... perhaps maybe...” Bard gestured. “The role of Austraeoh is to defy the rules of Destiny... break out of yer restrictions and throw your colors outside the lines.” He squinted. “Maybe that's just the sort of 'purpose' you've been needin' to find yerself 'within' all this time.”
Rainbow blinked.
Bard exhaled. “Didja ever think of that?”
Wildcard leaned back, folding his arms.
Rainbow gazed into the mountains above the Quade. Eventually, her eyes drifted, falling upon Twilight.
Twilight smiled. “I'm... starting to think that Bard might be onto something, Rainbow,” she said. “I mean... I doubt anything can be simple or easy at this point. But...” She shuddered. “...we really could use more answers at this point. And I don't think they're going to be lying in wait for us here.”
“Yeah...” Pinkie nodded. “I mean... it's not like you went straight to seaponyland after finding Rarity to get me! You had to make stops first!” She giggle-snorted, waving a hoof. “Destiny-detours!”
“Ew... Pinkie, honestly...” Rarity rolled her eyes.
“But...” Rainbow sniffled, her eyes moistening. She tilted her head down, gazing into the yellow glow beyond the Reed. “To... to give up on Fluttershy, though...”
“Rainbow...” Twilight shook her head, speaking softly. “We won't be giving up on Fluttershy.” She gulped. “Just like we won't be giving up on Applejack or the journey or Urohringr at large.”
“We just... need to branch out elsewhere for inspiration!” Rarity chimed. “For all we know, the solution to the problem here in the Quade could surely be waiting for us outside our perceived boundaries! Trust me... I've finished many a demanding project in the Boutique by setting it aside with full faith of returning later. And—guess what! I did return! And I accomplished what I meant to in the end!”
“Erm... dress-making analogies aside...” Twilight turned towards Rainbow again. “It's a healthy course of action for once. Besides, you've... I-I mean we've exhausted all of our options here. If there was any sort of message—predetermined or not—that we should be adhering to, then I think it's that the time has come to move on.”
“Fluttershy, Applejack and the rest of us have waited for you all this time, Rainbow, darling,” Rarity said. “We can afford to wait for you a little longer. After all... what's the rush?”
Rainbow opened her muzzle. When words tried to come out, she could only blanch instead.
“Well...?” Bard adjusted his hat on his head. “...what do the girls think?”
“They think... I think...” Rainbow gulped. “I-I think I should sleep on it.”
Wildcard looked up at Bard. The griffon nodded.
“Hmmmm...” Bard exhaled through his nostrils. “All thangs considered...” He smirked. “The best idea I heard all day.” He shuffled up towards his end of the lean-to as the sun went down. “Dun care if it's a mite bit early, neither.”
“Heh... I'm not about to complain!” Pinkie hopped about in the air while Wildcard resumed unbinding the last of Rainbow's braids. “Sleepy sleepy—no time for weepy!”
“Heeheehee...” Rarity and Twilight giggled.
In the meantime, Rainbow sat in silence. She glanced down, then gingerly picked up some of the woven reed string that was being clipped loose from her mane. Feeling the coarse yellow twine in her grasp, Rainbow let loose a deep sigh, closing her eyes.
At night, she could no longer keep them shut.
Despite all of her lingering aches and pains—the throbbing in her bandaged fetlocks or the persistent itch in her scalp—she laid perfectly still, no longer having the capacity for wincing or cringing. There was no welcoming sleep... no tempting unconsciousness.
A few feet away, Bard snored loudly. Wildcard—of course—lay as still as a statue.
The stars hung overhead, rich and purple in their distant drift.
Rainbow's nostrils flared. She tried clenching her eyes shut, but that accomplished nothing.
Suddenly, her ears twitched from a chirpy little sound hovering overhead.
“Hmmmmm...” Pinkie tossed and turned, gliding horizontally in the air above Rainbow. “Mmmmm-mmmm... pineapple float...” She smiled, cuddling her head against an invisible pillow as her eyes remained shut. “...cookies'n'cream... ... ...mint frosting...”
“Pinkie Pie,” Rainbow rasped.
“Heee-eeee... vanilla wafers dipped in apple sauce...”
“Pinkie...” Rainbow managed a weak, chapped smile. “...you're doing it wrong.” She pointed at her pendant. “The Vanilla Zone is that way, girl.”
“Hmmmmm... so sorriez...” Pinkie sputtered through a snore, turning over again. “Will not doughnut again...”
“Heheheh... here...” Flapping her wings, Rainbow beckoned Pinkie closer. “Lemme help.” She positioned herself so that the ghostly mare floated into her Element, disappearing with a puff of translucent pink light. “Sleep tight,” she droned. “Don't let the bed biscuits bite.”
Silence.
“Mrmmmffnngh...” Rainbow shook one leg, then another. She winced slightly, then glanced all around. The mare approached the very edge of the platform. There, she leaned forward, squinting towards the northern banks of the Quade's canyon.
Along the still waters—built into a thin notch within the steep mountain face—was a sliver of even stone floor where several tell-tale outhouses loomed. Rainbow remembered many mentions of them by Menthe and even Sonikah.
“Hmmm... r-right...” Cracking the joints in her neck, Rainbow flapped her wings, hovering off the edge of the platform—
Behind her, she heard the sharp, swift scraping of wood.
“...?” Rainbow spun around.
She saw Wildcard sitting up in his sleeping mat. Starlight reflected eerily off his goggled lenses.
“...what?” Rainbow shrugged, then pointed north. “A filly's gotta do a filly's business. Besides...” She shrugged. “The monks don't use them until sun-up. This way...” Her nostrils flared. “...I won't risk pissing them off. Literally.”
Bard's beak clenched and unclenched. His gaze remained locked on Rainbow while he charaded “flapping wings” with his flesh and metal talons.
“Yeah yeah... I know...” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “It's against the rules. But honestly...” She flew off with a tired frown. “...who the buck cares at this point?”
Wildcard remained behind, fidgeting.
“Thanks for your concern, dude,” Rainbow nevertheless muttered. “I'll be fine. Will... just take a minute. I swear.”
Silence.
Wildcard eventually nodded. Then—keeping one lens trained on her—he slowly laid back on his mat... and was still.
Rainbow Dash didn't realize just how long she had gone without actual flying until the brief sensation of a four hundred meter glide electrified her. On the way towards the outhouses, she allowed herself no small amount of loopty-loops, flips, and barrel rolls.
By the time she landed on the steep notch of stone, she was grinning like an idiot. It felt as if her mane hadn't truly been tossed free until that very moment, and nearly all traces of the braids' number on her scalp had vanished.
She stood there, panting, reveling in the endorphins rolling through her body... until at long last she remembered where she was standing. Staring at the outhouses, Rainbow blinked, realizing that there wasn't a single ounce of biological purpose in her body pertaining to the matter.
Was it all just for the flight?
“Hrmmff...” Rainbow smirked to herself. “Hypocrite, thy name truly is Rainbow Dash.” She stared ahead into pure mountain, and slowly her smile faded. A lump formed in her throat, and eventually she shook it all off with a raspy growl. “Ehhhh... woulda made a lousy monk anyways.”
She kicked at a few pebbles, listening as they splitter-splattered into the shallow waters. Tiny waves formed for the first time in days, and then the Quade was still again.
Rainbow limped along the edge of the stone floor until she couldn't limp no more. A tiny shelf of granite loomed just along the river's edge. She plopped down there, feeling the rattle of her Element. Somehow, with the sackcloth gone from her red-raw body, she felt the weight of the pendant all the more. She brushed a hoof across it, watching as rays of ruby Harmonic light shot outward, reflecting off the surface of the waters. For a brief moment, she saw beneath the Quade, spotting the heads of multiple rock spires emerging from the dark depths, lingering just beneath the polished glass surface. Then, once the Harmony had faded, the starlight came back in full-force, glittering like a kaleidoscope.
Sighing, Rainbow gazed up at the tall-tall tower of shoots—upon which an ancient cabal of penitent ponies built their entire culture. It looked so much more enormous from sea-level, looming over Rainbow Dash with dozens of woven platforms—like thunderclouds against the purple canvas of night.
Through it all, Rainbow spotted the tell-tale glow of Yaerfaerda's golden light. Somehow, it always shone brighter the further she was from the Reed itself. Perhaps—if she flew even further away, the beacon would shine with even greater clarity.
“Fluttershy...” Rainbow gulped. “Flutters...” A bitter wind blew by, chilling her. Clenching her teeth, the mare hugged her lower knees to her chest and rocked back and forth before the Quade's edge. “You deserve so much more... so much more than this...” She gulped. “You deserve far better than what I've been doing to get you free. I... I'm so sorry...”
The glow continued pulsing unendingly. Rainbow felt another chill breeze, and it only made her shiver harder.
“I... I don't want to leave you...” She blinked, fighting tears. “But I don't know what else to do. Bard's and Wildcard's idea... it's pretty crazy... but it makes more sense than sticking around here. And... and I hate it...” She clenched her skull, seething. “I hate losing. I've always hated it... only now... so much more so now than ever before...” She sniffled, gazing up again with quivering lips. “...there's so much that I have to lose. And you...” She choked on a sob. “...and Applejack? I...” Rainbow whimpered. “Kyron isn't the only one who failed today. I was supposed to be Loyal. I was supposed to save you. I just... I just don't know how. I don't...”
By now, the cold was excrutiating. It felt like a blizzard... only without the obvious snow. It was enough of a savage shift in temperature to finally jostle Rainbow Dash from her melancholic malaise.
“What... in the h-heck...?” Rainbow shaded her eyes, but she didn't know from what. She squinted out at the lower platforms... and her ears folded back.
A shadowy figure stood on the edge of a woven disc. The wind rippled at its body—which is how Rainbow Dash saw the outline of a hood. Seconds later, two ice-blue eyes pulsed, then faded.
Rainbow watched... blinking.
The figure began trotting... shuffling... approaching the edge of the platform. It then reached the waters of the Quade... and kept going.
Rainbow's eyes twitched.
The dark figure trotted closer with frigid grace. Over the waters, it strolled, not making a single ripple in the surface. Instead, each step produced a bright-blue halo of frozen bands spreading in each direction—swiftly melting as the figure moved on. Within minutes, the equine stranger and its frozen hoofsteps came within breathing distance, and the vapor that issued out of its hood was frigid, blistery, illuminated by two reptillian slits that strobed between each motion.
Rainbow stood up, and soon she summoned the strength to snarl past her chattering teeth: “You...”
“Why, a greetings, Austraeoh!” echoed a voice from deep within the figure's robe. “How very... kind of you.”
“How undignified,” the figure slurred, its voice coming out in ethereal blue mists. “A spark with no wick. To be strung up between two horizons, and suddenly neither of them are very appealing...”
“You orchestrated this.” Rainbow clenched her teeth, hovering over the waters of the Quade as she approached the robed being. “You set all of this up, didn't you?”
“So many questions...” The robe flounced, and Rainbow detected the hint of a cold cackle from beneath those blue eyeslits. “...perhaps you should have communed longer with your anchor, child.”
“Don't be coy!” Rainbow gripped the edge of the figure's cloak—instantly regretting it. She winced, floating backwards as she tried to shake the cold sting of deathly frost off her bandages. “Guhhhh... goddess!”
“Speaking.”
“Nnnngh... that chaos metal...” Rainbow gnashed her teeth. She rubbed her hooves while glaring at the figure. “The dizzying dust that I found in the Reed. You put it there purposefully as a final barricade.”
“And just why would you go so far as to desecrate something holy, child?”
“Look. I get it. You're trying to make things tough. Big whoop.” Rainbow's eyes narrowed. “But what's the friggin' point, ya crazy chaos chameleon?! You're so big on the Sundering undoing itself just to happen again... so why make it that much harder for Austraeoh to make it happen?!”
“It is not a matter of guidance, Austraeoh,” the figure said. It pivoted to face Rainbow, its hooves forming frozen blue circles across the surface of the Quade. “But—rather—of transformation. After all, the Spark won't make any machine move if it is reduced to mere ashes by the time it reaches the Dark Side. No...” The figure shook its hooded head. “No the flame must grow... become brighter.” Misty vapors wafted out of the cloak in short, chortling bursts. “And I have prepared a mighty... mighty feast.”
“Well, nice friggin' job with that, ya psycho!” Rainbow frowned, folding her forelimbs. “I took the tough route! I stooped to the monks' level. I did...” She bit her lips. “... v-very unkind things to myself. And guess what I got in the end?! Excommunication! They're sending me away from where the beacon is!”
The air grew colder from the breathy laughter echoing between them.
Rainbow's brow furrowed. “What...?!”
“My little pony...” The figure shook its hooded head. “You only wished you were that naïve. Funny how—so many continents and massacres away from home—and it is only now that you truly start running away from something. And yet... there is nowhere to go. Not even the edge of the world will appeal to you in this pathetic stagnance.”
“We...” Rainbow Dash grimaced, glancing towards the woven platforms overhead. “...we have a common interest, Verlax...”
“I love you too.”
“I want to bring my friends back. You want to reboot Urohringr. So... let's just make it happen already.” She waved her forelimbs. “The way you are now... and the voice you possess... bring it to the Luminards,” she said... she pleaded. “Let them commune with their Goddess... I mean really commune with them!” She smiled nervously, sweat rolling down her forehead despite the sheer cold. “Get them to accept that there's more to this world than the Reed! Give me a path to Fluttershy... and then help me resurrect Applejack! The flame will burn brighter! Pure and harmonic!”
“You are really terrible at listening to immortals, aren't you?”
Rainbow Dash frowned. “I am not... and will never humor you and your stupid friggin' trials.”
“Spoken like a true Equestrian. Behold...” The figure casually raised a sleeved limb. The waters of the Quade splashed towards the stars between them, only to freeze in mid-air. The icicles formed the effigies of two alicorn sisters, one younger and one older. “...the purveyors of Harmony. Beautiful... inspiring... and yet fallible as anypony else. But... give it enough eons and enough idiots, and they become like gods to the eyes of the masses. Thus, the one element they've fortuitously used to carve their empire becomes worshiped like immaculate ambrosia. But I've said it before, and I'll say it again... a world built on Harmony... that only knows Harmony... is a prison without chaos. Without knowing there's an other... how will such a deluded populace even know when they've suffered or died? You can't live if you've never been foaled to begin with... if you've never been offered the chance to indulge in pain and panic as much as peace and prosperity.”
She flung her limb again, and the effigy shattered, raining back down on the waters in lazy snow.
The twin eyeslits narrowed on Rainbow. “A culture that binds itself simply begs to be freed. These Luminards are calling out to the Spark, Austraeoh. You must free them...”
“No...” Rainbow shook her head.
“Just as you must free the rest of this plane,” the figure hissed. “It is a derelict that's been bound in darkness since it left Urohringr... and its insectoid denizens flounder between harmony and chaos... much like how you are stumbling right now. You must show them—show everyone—that it takes both to fuel the fire of rebirth. But first... you must learn yourself... you must burn...”
“It doesn't have to be that hard...” Rainbow Dash snarled, floating closer, limbs shaking. “Listen to the last piece of your head that's still sane, Verlax! It doesn't have to be that hard!”
“Shhhhh... patience...” The figure sneered, its cloak billowing from an unexpected wind. “...kindness...” The eyeslits dimmed as the cloak fell towards the Quade. “...only the path in life that's worth it is hard...”
“Don't leave—dang it!” Rainbow lunged forward. “Just tell me what you want me to...” The mare gasped, clutching a loose blanket in her grasp. She watched—with a cold shudder—as billowing flakes of white snow fluttered off into the air, making a brief trail, before melting into the cold, distant twinkle of reflected stars.
She was alone.
Rainbow panted... panted...
She gnashed her teeth, pulling and tugging on the empty robe until it nearly tore to shreds—
“Mrmmmff... Rainbow?”
Rainbow spun around in a cold sweat.
Twilight Sparkle rubbed her eyes, blinking blearily at the mare. “Did... mmmfmf...” She fought a yawn, blinking thickly. “Did you summon us?”
Rainbow gaped.
“I... I-I thought... I could have sworn I heard—”
“Did...” Rainbow stammered. “Did you see it?!”
“Huh?” Twilight squinted tiredly. “See... see what?”
Rainbow bit her lip. She looked down at the robe in her grasp.
“Say... what are you doing in the air?” Twlight muttered. “That's against the rules in the Quade. Don't want to make things worse than they already are.”
“It... it's nothing...” Rainbow wheezed. She swallowed a lump down her throat, then hugged the cloak to her chest. “Just... h-had to use the filly's room.” She waved without looking up. “Go back, Twilight. Get your rest.”
“Mmmm—you sure?”
Rainbow nodded.
“Very well...” With a delirious smile, Twilight drifted forward, her ghostly figure dissipating in a lavender sigh. “...ni ni...”
And the mare was alone once again.
Rainbow stared at the blanket... she blinked... then flung a hoof up to her head. She felt her mane blowing in the cold, moist wind. A fresh breath rose warmly through her lungs, and she gritted her teeth in sudden determination. Frowning, the mare spun about and soared towards the upper platforms.
“It's always been dying!”
“Zzzzzz—Snkkkkt—Graaaukkt!” Bard shot up, snorting into his hat. He flung his hooves about, ultimately grasping his guitar by the neck and blindly wielding it like a katana. “Hrmmmff! Who's yourself? Show there! I-I mean... Hells bells...” He struggled where he sat on his sleeping mat. Trembling, he raised his hat so that he could squint across the platform.
Wildcard had also jolted awake. Before both Desperadoes, a frenzied pegasus knelt, grasping several yellow strands in her hooves.
“In fact, it's dying every single day!” she stammered, grinning like an idiot. “All this time, the Luminards have been worshipping death, but they just don't know it! They're blind... because all they know is peace!”
“What...” Bard grimaced. He glanced aside at Wildcard, then set his guitar down. “...are ya even goin' on about, darlin'?”
“The Weave!” Rainbow pointed once more at the strings in her grasp. They were none other than the threads that had previously bound her mane in braid—snipped loose by Wildcard hours ago. “The stuff they use to make all of these stupid platforms! Where do you think it comes from?!”
“Erm...” Bard rubbed his head beneath his hat. He looked at Wildcard.
Wildcard was already gesturing emphatically.
“Oh. Right.” Bard smiled crookedly at Rainbow. “The Reed! Of course! But... uhmm...” He squinted. “Was that lil' revelation really worth wakin' us up with such a fright?”
“Guh!” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, then paced towards them both on thudding hooves. “Look closely, Einstallion, and think!” She thrust the twine in Bard's muzzle. “It came from the Reed... but it's not alive. So...” She gawked at him, eyes blinking brightly. “...how is is that something that's supposedly so fragile still sheds stuff that dies, only to be used to build this place?”
Bard's muzzle scrunched. “Are... are you trying to say—”
“Dude... the Reed is just as natural as anything else! It dies! It sheds pieces of itself!” She smirked. “Wanna bet that—just like anything else—it can naturally grow back living parts of itself?”
Wildcard gestured.
Bard nodded at him, then looked at Rainbow. “That makes a whole lotta sense. But ya gotta remember, Rainbow. The ponies who run this place? They dun exactly... go bycommon sense.”
“I know.” Rainbow Dash smirked. “They've built themselves a prison of ignorance. Perhaps it was for the best intentions, but... but if they were to see the light...” She waved the string around. “If they could be made to grasp the reality of the situation...”
“Reckon... r-reckon they'd not be so dayum sensitive about the preservation of the Reed.”
“Exactly!”
“But Rainbow—”
“I've stooped to their level, Bard! I've gone through hardcore monk-making and pulled myself back to the surface!” She paced in a circle, staving off hyperventilating breaths. “Sure, I may have bucked things up, but—all things considered—I'm the closest darn thing these ponies have to an ambassador of reason! Maybe... m-maybe I can bring them to the surface!” She spun about, shivering slightly. “Maybe I can be the spark that inspires them to not keep the Reed so... constrained to one place!”
“Yeah, but...”
“If I can just talk to them again! Once more!” She gulped and held her bandaged hooves together. “Oh, won't you two help me? Please?”
Wildcard flexed his beak, shrugging.
Bard sighed. He closed his eyes for a prolonged time... then reopened them while smiling calmly at Rainbow. “Aw Hell...” He adjusted his hat. “Just what would it hurt to try...?”
“...because, I'm telling you...” Antsan grumbled in Rainbow Dash's direction. “...you are not welcome here. And what's more, I can guarantee that Kyron won't be bothered with making an appearance.”
“Yeesh...” Menthe smirked, leaning against his spear in the corner of the room. “He's a chatty one, isn't he?”
“I think his name is 'Antsan,'” Galloran said, leaning over in the candlelight. “He's... he's new.” He bit his lip. “Even younger than me.”
“Ah.” Menthe nodded. “Well that explains it.”
“Yeah, it—h-hey!” Galloran frowned.
“Heheheh...”
“Mmmmff...” Antsan sighed, leaning against a wooden table in the middle of the dimly-lit shack. “I do not like this apostate haven that these platforms have become as of late.”
“Child, temper your attitude,” Sonikah insisted. “I brought you here so that you may learn something about proper etiquette. After all, Rainbow and the Desperadoes are far from the last visitors we will ever have in the Quade, by Verlaxion's grace.”
“That's right, kiddo,” Rainbow said with a smirk. “Listen to your anchor.”
Sonikah's muscles tensed... then gradually relaxed. She avoided looking directly at Rainbow the entire time.
Rainbow bit her lip.
Pinkie leaned in, whispering: “Maybe, Dashie, you should save the sassafras for when we're speaking again to Kindly McElderSnuggles.”
“Yeah...” Rainbow muttered aside. “Maybe.”
“I, for one, am glad that we can go about this civil-like,” Bard said, standing in the back next to Wildcard. “I mean... this ain't so hard, is it?”
“That remains to be seen,” Menthe said, shifting his weight against his weapon. “I can't rightly remember the last time Kyron asked me to be present at one of these meetings.”
“Look... buddy...” Bard waved a hoof. “We just wanna talk. Really... why you gotta be so high-strung? T'ain't no need for weapons in this here hut.”
“Tell that to your tastefully 'honest' friend of yours, 'buddy,'” Menthe said, gesturing to Rainbow's neck.
Wildcard winced.
Rainbow sighed out her nostrils, adjusting the lightning bolt pendant.
“Well, who knows?” Rarity smiled brightly. “Maybe things will go swimmingly!”
Twilight and Pinkie gazed at her in silence.
“Or... perhaps like a lead buoy,” the unicorn squeaked, ears folding.
“Yeesh, thanks for the confidence,” Rainbow muttered.
“Did you say something, outsider?” Antsan asked.
“Mrmmff...” Rainbow glanced aside. “I wasn't talking to you.”
“Well, quite frankly, you're not talking to anyone.” The pilgrim with red braids grinned smugly. “The elder made it clear the last time you were here. Kyron is done doing any business whatsoever with you.” At the sound of hoofsteps, he glanced aside—then immediately gasped: “Elder Kyron!”
Kyron bowed as he entered the room, flanked by three other elders. “Child... foals of Verlaxion...” His eyes met with Rainbow's, which summoned a brief frown. He glanced at Menthe, then back at the three guests with a sigh. “It was with a heavy heart that I made the necessary declarations yesterday. Please, do understand, it is merely in hope for peace and understanding that I've agreed to your request here and now.” He took his position at the far end of the table. Looking across the wooden surface, he gazed at the three foreigners, then folded his hooves together. “However, I have many... many devotionals to tebd to today. As you must know by now, I am in charge of a very delicate and blossoming congregation. So my time—as blessed as it is by Verlaxion—is short. I must humbly request that you make swiftly with the words you wish to convey, Rainbow Dash.”
“Right...” Rainbow nodded. “I wouldn't have it any other way, dear elder.”
“Thatta girl, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said, waving her on. “Be swift and to the point.”
“We're right behind you, darling,” Rarity added.
Rainbow Dash stepped forward. Fiddling with her bandaged hooves, she produced a length of yellow twine, then placed it on the table. “Elder Kyron... would kindly tell me what that is.”
Antsan took a deep breath. “It's a strip of twine that we used for weaving the—”
“With all due respect...” Rainbow's voice took on a growling pitch. Her eyes remained locked forward. “I asked the Kyron of this congregation, not the raddish sprout.”
Antsan gasped. He opened his mouth to say something else, but Sonikah frowned at him. With a dull sigh, the stallion hung his head.
Rainbow's eyes implored the old pony from across the long wooden table. “Please, elder, if you would be so kind...”
Kyron slowly nodded. “As our newly-anointed was attempting to convey... it is what we use to fashion together the platforms of our sanctuary. We also use it to bind our manes and tail. You yourself experienced the utilization of this material when... you performed and failed the Sacrament.”
Pinkie and the other two mares winced.
Rainbow Dash shook it off and asked, “Yes, but where does the twine come from, dear elder?”
“It grows off of the Holy Reed itself.”
Rainbow tilted her head aside. “It grows off the Reed?”
“That is correct.”
“But... that's a curious thing, isn't it?” Rainbow Dash said, waving a hoof. “I mean... if it was once a part of the Reed...” She points at the table in front of her. “...but now it's lying on this table in tatters...” She squinted. “That means it's dead, right?”
“It is inert, yes, but its holy purpose is not lost to us,” Kyron said. “To honor the blessing of Verlaxion, we use the string for many sacramental things—”
“Yeah, but hold the sound stone for a second.” Rainbow waved. “This stuff came off the Reed. Like... what? Did it just jump off it? Did it grow legs and walk away from it?”
Kyron took a deep breath, his ears twitching. “No, child. If you must know, we remove it.”
“You remove it.”
“That is correct. If you had afforded yourself more time inside the Holiest of Holies, then perhaps you would have witnessed the process.”
“Well, as we all know... uh... I didn't. So... ahem...” Rainbow scratched her neck. “Would you kindly mind telling me how you guys rip this stuff off your Holy Reed?”
“It is not ripped child,” Kyron said firmly. “Nor is it removed forcefully through any malevolent or destructive means.” Kyron exhaled. “It grows to a certain length... then withers away. Once it drops of its own holy volition, then and only then do our most highly anointed pilgrims acquire the fibers and distribute them among the rest of the congregation.”
“So... let me get this straight...” Rainbow Dash paced around her end of the table. “This Holy Reed... that you guys have been worshipping since the dawn of recorded history...” She gestured with her hooves. “This sacred and undying blessing from Verlaxion... is constantly shedding dead parts of itself? Like a pony loses gray hairs? Or a cat sheds its coat? Or—”
“That would appear to be the natural process, yes.”
“Natural process!” Rainbow scuffled to a stop, turning to grin at him. “So, Verlaxion's blessing follows the way of nature!”
Kyron stood in silence.
Sonikah and Antsan squinted inquisitively.
“So... if it's natural for the Reed to shed parts of itself... dead parts of itself...” Rainbow Dash approached the table, waving a hoof. “Couldn't it do other natural things? Such as dying...” Her brow furrowed. “Or being reborn?”
There was only more silence.
Bard and Wildcard exchanged glances. Menthe and Galloran watched with quiet curiosity.
At last, after a lethargic breath, Kyron said: “I see what it is you are trying to do, child.” His eyes narrowed. “You are so desperate to regain access to the Reed that you are willing to challenge the very nature of the blessing itself.”
“Who's challenging?!” Rainbow shrugged. “What's there to challenge?!” She pointed. “You yourself said that the Reed sheds this twine cuz of a natural process!”
“Yes—”
“And I'm asking you to approach the Reed with an openness of mind!” Rainbow smiled, taking a shuddering breath. “What proof is there that the Reed can never grow back?”
“The first Kyron gives his tragic account of the original shoots' destruction quite vividly—”
“Yeah, but that was—like—a gazillion years ago! You know what happens when ponies try to preserve any form of communication over any length of space or time? Errors! That's what!”
Sonikah and Antsan gasped. Even Menthe cringed.
Kyron's brow furrowed. “Are you trying to say that our Scripture is at fault?”
“Rather—I'm trying to suggest that maybe... just maybe Verlaxion's blessing isn't limited to a one-time deal! Sure, this Reed is awesome!” She waved a hoof. “Sure, this is your one ticket towards communing with your Goddess' spirit! But maybe it doesn't have to just be one Reed! Maybe the one thing that the Luminards need to get more members is to branch out! Literally!”
“Child...” Sonikah finally spoke to Rainbow Dash. Her lips pursed as her breath took on a shuddering tone. “What... are you even trying to suggest? We hew the Reed apart like sugar cane?”
“No... I mean... not exactly...” Rainbow Dash clenched her jaw. She leaned back, took a deep breath, then finally blurted: “I'm suggesting you grow it elsewhere.”
“Preposterous!” Antsan belched.
“My Goddess...” Sonikah nearly retched.
Kyron hung his head, sighing.
“I-I mean just grow more of it!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. She glanced at her wincing marefriends, but still summoned the strength to continue: “You don't have to get rid of all the stuff that's right here! But... like... take off parts of it and graft it to other parts and learn to spread the blessing Verlaxion's given you! That way you could spread your whole... church... commune... sacred slumber party thing! For real!”
“Rainbow...” Bard sighed, leaning in. “Forget it. I think you done lost 'em, darlin'—”
“Hold onto your hat, ya melon fudge,” Rainbow grunted back. “This isn't over yet.”
“Rainbow, he's right,” Twilight began. “They're not going to—”
Antsan's angry voice filled Rainbow's ears. “You dare come into our sanctuary suggesting such a thing?!”
“If I had known you thought so carelessly about the Reed, child...” Sonikah shook her head, bearing a long, sad expression. “...I would have never offered my talents as an anchor.”
“Will you just listen to me?!” Rainbow cackled. “For crying out loud, I'm not trying to weaken your congregation! I'm trying to help it—”
“Help it?!”
Rainbow Dash felt her entire body throttled by that last outburst. It took a few seconds for the shivering mare to understand why—until she realized it was coming from Kyron. She looked across the table to see a set of angry teeth glinting back.
“You—a soul precocious enough to agree to being anointed by Verlaxion and yet dash all of that aside—invite yourself back into our domain... by our good graces...” He paced closer, weighted by an iron frown. “You suggest sacriligious things... beguiling the essence of the sacred Reed... going so far as to suggest—no—insist that we go about dismantling it—the Reed, our very core of honor and worship and salvation—and you dare to imply that this is some means of helping us?”
“It's just... just...” Rainbow gulped. “If you knew the whole picture—”
“But you are never willing to share the whole picture, are you, my child?!” Kyron seethed. “Like a selfish infant, you wander these platforms, trudging past sacred boundaries to take piecemeal from our good intentions, and yet you never give.”
“I... I went through your stupid ritual, didn't I?!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “You call that selfish?”
“Rainbow—” Twilight hissed.
“But you did not give your all!” Kyron exclaimed. “You gave your body and your mind...” He held a hoof over his chest. “But not your heart! Deep inside... in a dark core with much turmoil, you keep hiding the truth... and that, my child, is why you failed then... and that is why you are failing now!”
Rainbow gawked at him.
Sonikah shivered while Antsan enjoyed a brief smirk.
Rainbow, Pinkie, and Twilight were wincing so hard that they scarcely squinted at the scene.
Towards the tail end of the interminable silence, Kyron blinked. Hard. “Well?! What have you truly come here to give us, child?!”
Rainbow stood in place, shivering.
Bard leaned against the edge of the room with a sigh. Wildcard looked on, wordlessly.
At last, Kyron sighed. His head bowed. “I see...” He adjusted the collar of his sackcloth tunic, then turned to face the hallway on the far end. “...and so it remains... as it always was...” As he and his fellow elders made for the exit on cold hooves, he waved a hoof high in the air.
Clearing his throat, Menthe shuffled over. “Alright, kiddo...” He reached for Rainbow's shoulder. “Show's over. You've upset the nest enough as it is.”
“Let's go, Dashie,” Pinkie said in a wilted voice. “I'm starting to like Bard's idea.”
“Yes...” Rarity nodded, sniffling. “Me too.”
Rainbow fumed. Then—at the last second—she snarled, throwing off Menthe's hoof. “Alright... alright!” She barked across the table. “You want the truth, elder?!”
Kyron scuffled to a stop. Slowly, with a calm expression, he turned around. Sonikah and Antsan likewise gazed at the mirror.
“Alright then...” Rainbow breathed and breathed, nostrils flaring. “Here it comes...”
The mare leaned against the table, her bandaged hooves clutching the edge hard.
“In the beginning... there was no beginning... but a continuation... just a piece of a crazy big circle that didn't know what to do with itself. This world... this collection of horizons that we all call 'home'... is really just a mostly flat... slightly curved piece of a much bigger whole... an unbelievably big structure called 'Urohringr'... built by ponies... built by non-ponies... but destroyed by something else in between...”
Kyron blinked. He arched an eyebrow, slowly walking towards the table with a pensive gate.
“Why Urohringr lost a piece of itself, I don't know. What I do know is that—over time... over a very long period of time, life blossomed on this derelict plane. Maybe some of it came from Urohringr. Maybe it came from the chaos cloud that the sliver of landscape had floated through. Whatever the case, everything was all messy and crazy until two different races of immortals chanced upon it. One was the Alicorns—who discovered it floating in space. The other... was the Divines... a group of super-powerful dragon matriarchs. Both groups used their different sets of powerful magic to try and instill order on this plane. Sometimes they worked together. But, for the most part, they worked apart. The Divines lost contact with one another, many of their kind gradually succumbing to chaos and madness. The Alicorns, in the meantime, sacrificed the majority of themselves to make sure that Harmony—their most powerful magic—kept the civilizations of this world living in prosperity.”
Antsan and Sonikah watched with gaping muzzles, their ears twitching. The other elders were similarly speechless.
Rainbow continued: “One such civilization—the last bastion for alicorn magic—is Equestria. It's run by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna... ponies so powerful in magic that they control the very Sun and Moon that light this plane. However... because of the limitations of their magic, they can only light one side of the plane. The other side—drenched in eternal night and chaos—houses something called the Midnight Armory. There, under lock and key, rests the final everlasting piece of Alicorn essence, the Harmonic Prism. Celestia's and Luna's ancestors placed it there, hoping to provide counterbalance for the Harmony that they had established on the light side of the plane. But little did they know that their actions—harmonically intended—were part of an even greater mechanism than either them or the Divines.
“This world has always been a part of Urohringr, and because of that, it's still powered by what makes Urohringr tick. As a consequence, every rule of magic—heck—every rule of nature is somehow bound by the wheels and spoke of an unseen machine. That machine exists underneath all of us—hidden beneath the surface of the world—with only a few entrances available to expose it. There are entrances on almost every continent. I've been to several entrances myself, even some in the seas of Rohbredden. And there's also an entrance here... in the Quade.
“The reason I know this is because the mechanics of this world... the worldess magic that imbues and energizes everything—even Harmony and chaos—has empowered me. There are ponies who have attempted to go the distance that I have gone before, but they have failed. Ancient beings of Urohringr who understood what this empowerment is had a word for it: 'Austraeoh.' They're all lost to the desolation of time, but some of their words—just enough to guide a chosen pony's path—came to me. I don't know why it's happened this way, or for what reason the power chose me. But I know that I've become it. I know it because... because it took the utter dismantling of the Elements of Harmmony to make me the Austraeoh. Harmony—the most sacred and powerful force in Equestria—became a tool... a spoke in the machine of Urohringr. And this machine needs a spark... a flame that drives me forward—from my homeland to the dark side of the world and back again—to scour every entrance and ignite every beacon. It beckons me to reclaim the Harmonic Prism. For what reason? I'm not entirely certain... but I know what the end game is—and that's to restore what's lost to Urohringr. I did not always know this, but I've gradually learned. And part of the source of my learning... has been the Divines themselves.”
Rainbow turned towards Antsan and Sonikah.
“The Divines are dying. They are not as powerful as they used to be. Some of them have reacted to the reality of Urohringr with madness... child-like tantrums on an epic scale. Others... have seen the part that I have to play in this. They know—as I now know—that to save this world... to restore what is lost before every living thing on both sides of the plane perish for good... I must access all entrances and make contact with all burning beacons. That way, I will restore the Elements of Harmony...which will in turn help me lay claim to the Harmonic Prism inside the Midnight Armory... which will ultimately help me reboot all of Urohringer. And it is directly because of this necessary Spark... and the Divines' knowledge of it... that I've been allowed to continue as far as I have.”
She then turned to look at Kyron across the table. Her expression turned soft as she conveyed the next part:
“But there is one Divine... a very sick and twisted one... a Goddess of frost and mystery... who seeks to block my path. It is in her demented opinion that she is—in fact—testing me... providing me with trials by which she can s-somehow... improve me... tranform me... by making me doing things that are not right.” Rainbow Dash shook her head. “I refuse to play by her rules. But—even still—her will is a difficult one to defy. Because she's been molding this landscape... altering this world... and constructing these traps for a very... very long time. And she's set up bulwarks—not in the shape of walls or spikes—but in the fabric of culture... and paranoia... and religion.”
Kyron blinked.
Rainbow took a deep breath. “This Goddess... this Divine is none other than the Dragon Matriarch of Frost.”
“Rainbow...” Twilight whispered. “Maybe that's as far as—”
Rainbow frowned, continuing with a bold voice: “The alicorns called her 'Verlax.' But... to the Rohbreddenites, she is 'Verlaxion,' the Queen who unified the Six Tribes.”
The far half of the room filled with sharp gasps and murmurs.
Rainbow took a heavy step forward. “She has been lying to each and every one of you all your lives! All of your ancestors' lives!” She gulped, eyes darting about at the breathless figures. “And their ancestors and their ancestors before them! She's cold... calculated... but mad! And she's using you... she's using all of you and what you believe in to manipulate both the flight of Austraeoh and the fate of Urohringr...”
“And she's even using the Reed! And the Quade! And the sanctuary right here!” Rainbow pointed. “To keep me from entering the Tower!”
“Verlaxion, bless me...” Antsan hoof-gestured, murmuring prayers. Nevertheless, he managed to sneer: “Guard us from these wicked, poisoned words...”
Rainbow struggled to speak above the amounting bedlam: “You have to understand! I... I-I didn't come here to attack you! What you've created here—this religion—it's a nifty, kind thing! A way of life without murder and suffering... but there will come a time when you can't ignore reality any longer!” She swung a hoof. “You can keep your Reed! You can continue meditating and worshipping and all that song'n'dance! But I need... all of Urohringr needs me to finish my flight! I have to get inside this Tower! I have to retrieve the next Element or everything is lost!” She couldn't even hear herself from the commotion, and so she snarled. “Darn it! Didn't you hear me?! I'm not attacking your faith—”
“An attack on the Reed is an attack on our faith!” Antsan said, frowning. Several elders grumbled and barked angrily behind him as he continued: “Do you even hear yourself, child?! You speak of... of... gigantic machines! Structures in the heavens! Alicorns and Divines... Beacons and Sparks!” He blanched. “You... you even attack the very structure of your own Equestrian traditions by maligning Harmony! And you expect us to think you're keeping the Goddess' divination in consideration?!”
“But it's the truth!” Rainbow's voice yelped, only to disintegrate like sea foam against a cliff. “You asked for the truth, and I gave it to you—”
“A truth that convoluted would be a very nightmarish reality indeed!” Antsan squinted. “Have you ever considered, child, that perhaps you are so haunted by your own sins... so clouded by your own mistakes that you have elected to suffer a very terrible dementia?”
“What?!”
“Hrmmf...” Antsan folded his forelimbs. “No wonder you are always mumbling to the shadows whenever I see you! Tell me... do some of these Alicorns and Divines speak in tongues that only you can hear?”
“Calm down, anointed one,” Kyron murmured across the domain.
“And you!” Antsan frowned at the Desperadoes. “You... you encourage her sickness?”
“Now see here...” Bard shuffled forward. “Deep in Shoggoth, down in the ancient tombs of the Sirens, Dubya-Cee and I done saw with our own eyes the exact sort of 'machinery' that Rainbow's talkin' about—”
Sonikah yelped. “You... you mean you desecrated the Sirens' tombs before coming here?!”
Bard blinked. “Uhm...”
“Oh dear,” Twilight gulped.
Rarity face-hoofed.
“Only the royal guards of the Siren Princess are allowed in those places!” Sonikah shivered. “I... I once lived in Shoggoth before being called to the Quade, and those sepulchers are absolutely sacred!” She backed up, eyes glossing over. “Oh, blessed Verlaxion, what h-have we invited into your domain...?”
“Now...” Bard raised a hoof. “Lemme explain—”
“Pfft! What's to explain?!” Antsan frowned. “Now it all makes sense! Once bounty hunters and thieves, always bounty hunters and thieves! Is this all an elaborate ruse to get us to lower our defenses?!”
“Not in the least ya raggedy-hair'd yahoo!” Bard barked. “Will ya just stop flippin' yer shit and give a little ear for once?!”
“I have given ear... we all have... and yet we still continue to... to...” Antsan pointed. “...to h-humor this pathetic little demon!”
“Anointed one—” Kyron breathed.
“Menthe, do your role, and remove these vagabonds from Verlaxion's sanctuary,” Antsan said with a huff. “In fact, perhaps it would do all of Rohbredden good if you removed their skulls from their necks—”
A hoof viciously grabbed Antsan by the shoulder and spun him around. The young stallion found himself deflating in the shadow of Kyron's yelling muzzle:
“No!” Kyron snarled. “We will not threaten the lives of Verlaxion's children! Is that understood?!”
Antsan paled, his pupils shrinking. “My... my elder—”
“Rainbow Dash may no longer have Verlaxion's blessing, but at least she carries the Goddess' good temperament!” Kyron huffed and puffed. “Maybe I was wrong in removing her anointed status! Maybe I should have removed yours!”
Antsan shivered. He leaned away from the old stallion, his eyes welling up with fearful tears.
Kyron seethed and seethed. Suddenly, he blanched. The elder removed his hoof from Antsan's body, teetering backwards as if struck by a club. Swallowing a lump down his throat, he shivered in place. Then—with quiet motions—he turned ninety degrees and marched straight towards a wooden cabinet along the side of the room. He placed his hooves on the edge, then lifted a panel, revealing a solid row of tiny spurs, carved in metal. The stallion took several deep breaths... then thrust his fetlocks against the sharp teeth.
Rainbow Dash and Bard winced. Rarity and Pinkie blocked their eyes.
Galloran's lips pursed. He stepped forward to stop the elder, but Menthe held him place with a firm hoof.
Kyron's facial muscles flexed, writhed, then relaxed. He took several deep breaths as the pain coursed through his body. At last—as tiny droplets of blood dribbled down to the floor—he tilted his head back with a sigh. Eyes closed, he eventually found the hoarse voice to speak with:
“Rainbow Dash...” He said. “... I... do not appreciate the air of hostility that you have brought to this sanctuary.” He spoke calmly, with evenly placed words. “Perhaps, in your heart of hearts, you mean well. I have no doubt that you possess full conviction of your actions. But, as it stands, all you've done and all you continue to do is only deleterious to the sanctity of spiritual pursuits that we have long established here.”
“But...” Rainbow pointed at Antsan. “But I wasn't...” She gritted her teeth. “You asked for the truth!”
“Indeed. And you gave me what you thought it was, however sadly mistaken. It is with a heavy heart that I must confess... that I have failed to bring the actual truth to you.” He gnashed his teeth... then yanked his hooves off the spurs. Two elders rushed in from another room with sackcloth bandages. He raised his limbs, allowing them to tend to his bloodied fetlocks. “I have failed again... but I intend to learn from my mistakes... to better aid in Verlaxion's glory.” His eyes opened, resting calmly on Rainbow Dash. “I have focused too hard on Scripture... on Sacrament... on the logistics of our faith. I neglected to inspire you with the love... with the kindness of heart and contentment that our congregation embodies. And here... you have been forced to witness us at our... ugliest.” Once the bandages were firmly attached, he leaned forward. The pressure put on his forelimbs forced a brief grimace, but he maintained his firm gaze on the pegasus. “I must not let that happen again.”
The elder strolled forward, pausing to place a gentle, reassuring hoof on both Sonikah's and Antsan's shoulders.
“Never before have I requested that a foal of Verlaxion leave these platforms. But, for now, I believe that such is the only measure that will allow for optimal peace and contentment for everypony. Perhaps, in time, you... the three of you will discover the true will of Verlaxion, and you will be drawn back to the Quade with open hooves... bearing the sins and passions that you finally wish to bury here in the shadow of Luminar's Plight. But... if you stay here any further... I fear that such a Plight might happen again. And, as Kyron, that is something I cannot afford.”
“Please... I-I'm sorry that I had to unload on you like that...” Rainbow stammered. “But... b-but maybe now you can see why I didn't share the truth before. It's... it's just so damn stupid! If you could just—”
“I have given you the full extent of the mercy Verlaxion has granted me,” Kyron said in a stoic tone. “Now... you must leave. I trust you to do so expediently... as you are swift at everything else you do.”
“Please...” Rainbow choked on a sob. “Please... will you h-help me...?” She pointed through the floor. “It's there! The beacon's right there!”
“Come on, ponies...” Menthe muttered, gripping Bard's shoulder with very little grace. “You heard the elder. You had your chance.”
“He's right, Rainbow,” Bard sighed, tugging the mare along. Wildcard was already shuffling out, and the stallion followed. “Let's mosey.”
“I-I can't just leave it...!” Rainbow yelped, whimpered. “Please! You gotta understand! I-I just can't leave Fluttershy!”
Her words fell on nopony's ears. The procession shuffled out in a cold slump with Galloran taking up the rear.
Rainbow Dash sat on the platform's edge, staring out at the lengths of the Quade. In her peripheral vision, she sensed an ever-present yellow glow. She knew that if she just turned her head slightly to the right, she'd see Yaerfaerda in perfect clarity.
She refused to move one inch.
“Whew...” Bard exhaled, shuffling through his bags and belongings. “...sure been a long time since I tried heavin' all this stuff over my shoulders.” He slung a canvas satchel over his shoulder, feeling the weight. “Ggghhhh... yeahhh...” He let the heavy weight fall back to the platform with a thud. “That will be fun to haul through the skies once again. Heheh...” He smiled mildly as he dragged his guitar case over. “I swear, I really let myself go this week. Nothin' but ocean mangoes for days. Who'd a thought them fruits was so fattenin'?”
Rainbow's ears flicked, but she didn't say anything. Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie hovered around her in similar, melancholic silence.
Wildcard was much slower and—of course—quieter in packing his things. Every so often, the griffon would glance over at Rainbow Dash. Somewhere between his stoic beak and featureless lenses, there lingered something faintly resembling concern.
“Maybe you could help them pack, Dashie!” Pinkie chirped.
“Pinkie...” Rarity shook her head and held a hoof before her muzzle.
“But...” Pinkie blinked... then blinked again. “I-I was only trying to be...” She bit her lip, took one look at Rainbow's slumped features, then sighed... her ears folded while her mane looked a tad bit straighter.
Bard, in the meantime, reinforced the straps of his canvas satchel with some extra cords. “Looks like all our platinum bars from Rust are still in our packs! That's somethin' to be thankful for, right?” He smiled crookedly. “I mean... not as if there was ever a chance of them humble monks grabbin' any piece of it... but... erm...” He sighed. “Hrmmmfff...”
Rainbow exhaled, her wings drooped at her side.
Wildcard gestured at Bard.
Bard grunted. “No, it wouldn't! Would you just give it a—?!” The stallion clenched his eyes shut, seethed, then sighed once more. He squatted down on his haunches besides Rainbow Dash, staring in the opposite direction. “... ... ...look, Rainbow, darlin'... I'm sorry it couldn't work out.” He gulped. “Again.”
“Not your fault,” Rainbow dryly murmured.
“Ain't it?” Bard ran a hoof through his mane. “I certainly sealed the deal when I let slip that we'd been in the shrines beneath Shoggoth.”
“Wouldn't have mattered,” Rainbow said. She calmly stared out at the northern mountain ridge looming high above the shallow waters. “The pilgrims were enraged already.” She gulped hard. “And it's only because I let it happen that way.”
“Well... Rainbow...” Rarity floated closer, hugging one forelimb with another. “To... be rather blunt, you did let out an awful lot of information in one go.” She winced slightly, not sure of Rainbow's reaction. “Far too much for any sane pony to chew, regardless of their spiritual outlook.”
“I know, Rarity.” Rainbow gulped. “I know. I just... I was so friggin' afraid that they'd be form a blockade against me that I let them do it.” Rainbow gazed down at the Reed. “The same thing happened in Durandana.”
Wildcard gestured.
Bard looked at him, then at Rainbow. “'What was different about Durandana?'”
“What? Like... You mean how did it work?”
“Hey...” Bard shrugged with a slight smile. “Not my question.”
“The Sword of Solstice,” Twilight remarked, glancing at Rainbow Dash. “That was your leverage.”
Rainbow looked from her to Bard. “In Durandana, I had concrete proof. Through the Sword of Solstice, I was able to get the 'elders' of that place to talk to Princess Celestia. And... it's not like I expected anything to happen with them overnight. I let them keep the Sword so that they could make amends with the ruler of Equestria over time.”
“And it worked, right?” Bard asked.
“I... I don't know...” Rainbow gulped. “I'm guessing so. I imagine if they had experienced some collapse and ditched the Sword, then Luna would have told me about it the last time we communicated.”
“Yeah. I reckon.” Bard cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes. “Do... do ya think somethin' like that would have worked here?”
Rainbow opened her muzzle... but hesitated. At last, with a breathy sigh, she muttered: “No? I dunno.” Exhaling further, she leaned her chin on her forelimbs, gazing off the edge of the platform with listless eyes. “The Durandanans were... a piece of Equestria. They were a remnant... a flock of Commander Hurricane. Sure, they may have been long lost from their homeland without a solid memory of it, but a solid piece of Harmony was still with them. Whether they were born with it or somehow just passed it along through intuitive wisdom... I dunno. They received the news I had to give them because a part of them desired to. But here...? This place?”
Her eyes rolled up, following the top edge of the mountain ridge. She stifled a woeful moan.
“...this is something Verlax built. She made it from the ground up... in that she removed the ground.” Rainbow's eyes darted to the Desperadoes. “I'm willing to bet that Verlax caused the Plight itself. She tore a gash in this part of the world, sinking Luminar to the depths. She wounded the same Rohbredden that she claimed to save... and out of the gaping mire she erected a crazy religion... just like she erected the 'miraculous' Reed. Those shoots cover the tower—yes—but they do more than that. They swallow and suffocate the lives of all ponies who come here... ponies who are vulnerable and suffering... ponies who have lost so much and have nowhere to go. Verlax preys upon them... instilling her... mad ideas of circles within circles... repetition of destruction and construction. She produced a Sundering right here and she's made ponies believe that they must destroy all self-identity and desires and ambition in order to atone for something that wasn't even their fault to begin with.”
Bard grimaced. “You... you almost make them sound pitiable.”
“Aren't they?” Rainbow murmured. “I mean...” A shuddering breath as she brushed her bangs back. “...no doubt these 'Luminards' are onto something. There's a peace and contentment of mind here. Heck... I felt it too. Sure, all of those days spent 'meditating' inside their cramped closet truly, totally sucked. Don't get me wrong! But the very instance that... that I had an epiphany... an enlightening... it... it was like nothing else I have ever experienced. And I've experienced a lot.”
Bard and Wildcard sat, listening in silence. The three ghost mares looked on.
“I... I was naked... exposed to my sins... and my hopes...” Rainbow Dash shuddered. “...and yet, for a brief moment, they didn't... didn't have weight to them anymore. I...” She bit her lip, her eyes watering slightly. “I don't know if... you can... mmm... know what that feels like.”
Wildcard looked at Bard.
The stallion exhaled. “Perhaps not.” He gulped. “But I've searched long and hard to feel what you done grasped for a short blink in time, Rainbow.” He bore a sad smile. “Reckon it's a wonderful thang.”
“Is it?” Rainbow frowned. “Or was it just a feeling? You commit to something so intensely and with such dedication for so long—literally banging your friggin' head against the wall—and you can make yourself feel anything. But what is actually there? And what...” She gritted her teeth. “...what is actually missing?”
“Fluttershy,” Pinkie whimpered. She sniffled. Rarity leaned over to place a hoof on her shoulder.
Rainbow glanced at them. She looked back at Bard and Wildcard. “The ponies who congregate here feel something. And if that frees their soul, then good for them.” She gulped. “But... there is nothing truly here in the Quade to devour their desires... no real shadow in which they can bury their sins.” She slowly shook her head. “There is only madness... circles woven for no reason except to be undone. And while that may all be conducive to meditation, self-introspection, and ultimately peace of mind... these ponies are still blind. All they know is the sensation of peace, but they don't know what's outside of it... what's encompassing.”
“But if it works for them—?”
“It doesn't matter!” Rainbow Dash suddenly snarled, her wings flexing. “Don't you get it, Bard?! Verlax set this whole thing up! The Quade's a trap! All souls who come here are eventually ensnared, forcing themselves to believe in one thing! And when all you know in life is some self-imposed peace without reason, then all you're actually living in is...” She blanched.
Wildcard raised a curious eyecrest.
“What?” Bard asked.
Rainbow gulped, staring off into the sunlit distance. “...a prison.”
Twilight blinked.
Rainbow clenched her teeth. “She was right... it is a prison.”
“Who was right?” Bard asked.
Rainbow continued murmuring: “And now...” She pressed a hoof to her face, grimacing. “...Fluttershy is stuck in that same prison.” She gulped. “And it's all my fault.”
“Rainbow, darling...” Rarity smiled. “You tried—”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow lowered her hoof, snapping. “I tried too hard! Who here can deny that?! Huh?!”
Rarity bit her lip. Pinkie Pie sniffled again.
Rainbow blinked. She sighed, hanging her head in her hooves again. “I'm sorry... I'm just... so sorry...”
“Rainbow...” Twilight gulped. She floated closer. “When was the last time you rested? Or got any sleep?”
“Bard and Wildcard have a backup plan for that.” Twilight smiled, lowering her voice to a gentle whisper. “Rainbow, look at me.”
Rainbow tilted her face up, eyes watering.
“You. Are. Not. Giving up. On her.” Twilight's eyes were nevertheless glossy. Still, she reached a hoof forward as if to caress the mare, speaking: “You've exhausted all options here. But you mustn't blame yourself. We're here with you. Bard and Wildcard are here as well! You had your time carrying the burden. Why don't you let them carry you for a while?”
“Hmmmm... hehehe...” Twilight grinned. “Why not, huh? I mean... that would make some sense, wouldn't it?”
Rainbow bit her lip. She almost turned to look at the Desperadoes, but her gaze faltered.
“It's not the end of the world just because you're flying away from Yaerfaerda for a time. Let them lead the way for a bit. They can be your beacon for the time being. And then, when we have all of our cards together, we'll come back here and get Fluttershy out.” She grinned. “Let's let friendship and harmony be the key. It's always been the case, hasn't it?”
“But Twilight...” Rainbow Dash grimaced. “I... I don't have... I-I mean...” She fought a panting sensation from deep within, laced with pale sweat. “I don't know if I can—”
“Can what?”
Rainbow avoided her gaze. Her ears folded. “... ... ...take... mmm... a back seat.”
“Heehee. And why not?” Twilight smirked. “You've let far nobler companions take the helm before, haven't you?”
“Yes, but—”
“Awwww Hell,” Bard muttered.
Rainbow and Twilight looked over, blinking curiously/
Bard nodded his head towards the nearest platforms below. “Guess they ain't foolin' around.”
“...?” Curious, Rainbow turned and looked over her shoulder.
Galloran and Menthe stood within a stone's throw. The two stallions paced and paced, their stalwart gazes locked on the upper platform.
Wildcard exhaled out his beak nostrils, then gestured to Bard.
“Reckon so, mofo...” Bard nodded, sighing. “Rainbow, darlin', hate to cut things short...”
“No...” Rainbow stood up, wincing from her bandaged forelimbs. “No, I-I get it.” She picked Luna's saddlebag up and smiled weakly at the cowcolt. “'Let's mosey.'”
It was not a cheerful affair.
As Menthe and Galloran escorted the three visitors towards the eastern platforms, dozens upon dozens of Luminards stared from various lofty, shady positions. The monks' expression were a mix of confusion, concern, and melancholy. Not a single angry face could be seen among them—and Rainbow Dash wasn't certain whether or not that made the situation any more comforting.
“Talk about party pooped,” Pinkie Pie slurred. There was no reaction, and the ghostly mare didn't expect one.
Rainbow adjusted the tight satchel on her back. She winced—for her coat was still raw from a week of wearing sackcloth—and it made the strangely unfamiliar sensation of being reunited with her saddlebag ten times more awkward. She glanced to her left.
Pilgrims flinched upon ruby eye contact with the mare. They swiftly returned to weaving, meditating, and delivering linens from one platform to another.
Rainbow exhaled. She looked to her right.
From a distance, she spotted Sonikah overlooking a group of monks weaving a fresh new platform together. As Rainbow Dash trotted on by, she could spot Sonikah's posture growing more and more tense. Sunlight glinted off the pilgrim's cheek, and soon Sonikah was rubbing the bottom of her eyelids with a quiet shudder.
Rainbow's muzzle hung open. She took a deep breath as if to say something—
“The pilgrims do not wish to be disturbed,” Menthe droned.
Rainbow clammed up, staring down as she trotted the rest of the last platform.
“Dun suppose there's a canoe ride in store for us,” Bard muttered.
“I beg your pardon?” Menthe rasped.
Bard adjusted the weight of his guitar case, glancing over his shoulder at the old stallion. “I mean, there's still a heck of a lot of Quade to... out-Quade...”
“If you're concerned about the 'no-flying' rule, don't be,” Menthe grunted. “You three can take off from the platform's edge right here.”
“Heh... what's the use of breakin' anythang else, now, amirite?” Bard added with a plastic smile.
Wildcard winced.
Menthe breathed and said nothing.
Rainbow was too busy listening to the tense silence that she barely noticed the yellow figure shuffling directly towards her. The mare looked over in time to see Nicro shuffling up towards the group, carrying a bundle of sackcloth. There were a few hissing whispers—breathy warnings from the other pilgrims that Nicro passed—but she swiftly completed her trot, coming to a nervous stop in front of Rainbow and the other two.
“I... I heard about what happened, Rainbow,” Nicro said, chewing briefly on her bottom lip. “And... a lot of pilgrims are just as confused as I am. Others say that you did a horrible... horrible thing.”
“Then you probably shouldn't be talking to me, Nicro,” Rainbow said, and made to trot off—
“Please...” Nicro stood in her way. “I... I only wanted to give you something to help you with your journey.” With shivering hooves, the mare gently unfolded the sackcloth bundle, revealing a small bundle of plump fruit.
Rainbow blinked. “Ocean mangoes...”
“I know you and your friends are probably sick of eating them by now...” Nicro smiled nervously. “But they will keep you filled and healthy for the long trip ahead. There's... uhm...” She turned and pointed towards the southern mountain ridge. “...there's a forested plateau along the southeast edge of the canyon where several more of the fruit grow. From healthy trees! You could pick a whole bunch of them... uhm... depending on how far you're going to be flying, of course.”
Rainbow gazed at her, then at Bard and Wildcard. She reached forward and scooped the sackcloth bag up in a forelimb. “Uhm... th-thanks, Nicro...” She smiled as warmly as she could. “That's... that's very kind of you.”
Nicro smiled. “I just wanted to make sure you left here knowing that Verlaxion's mercy never runs out. Perhaps you... h-haven't discovered it for yourself... but I see in you a mare who understands what it means to be peaceful and understanding. Maybe you'll come back to bless us with both of those qualities someday.” She cleared her throat, then bowed low, braids flouncing. “Please, Rainbow Dash, don't ever give up hope.”
Rarity smiled. “Now that is a good gift,” she said softly.
Rainbow looked at her, then back at Nicro. She cleared her throat. “Thanks, Nicro. And I won't. I... I promise.”
Nicro gazed up at her, smiling. Then—catching Menthe in her peripheral—she stepped aside with a shudder. Menthe shuffled up, his stoic expression plastered to the three visitors.
“Right...” Bard reached out to Rainbow Dash and took the mangoes. “...nice to know somepony is thinking ahead.” He tossed the fruit to Wildcard. “How 'bout it, Dubya? Ready for some tree-pickin'?”
Wildcard grabbed the bag, nodded, and slipped it away in his satchel.
Bard stood on the platform's edge, spreading his feathery wings. “Hmmmm... a good wind. Shouldn't be hard to find our way to the fuel-scrapers. Whaddya reckon, mofo? Red Barge? White Barge?”
Wildcard pointed down his throat and waved a hoof.
“Eh... dayum straight. Red Barge sucks. White it is.” Bard looked aside as Wildcard and Rainbow Dash stepped up. “Ya ready, darlin'?”
“Ready as I'll ever be,” Rainbow muttered.
“Quade clears out in about two and a half miles due east,” Menthe said, waving a hoof.
“Got it. Thanks.”
“So long, guys,” Galloran waved with a nervous smile. “Uhm... for what it's worth, I hope you three have a safe, easy flight—”
“Boy...” Menthe inhaled.
Galloran winced. He hung his head like his crossbow and said no more.
Rainbow kicked off the platform... and instantly felt the weight of everything. Gnashing her teeth, she fought past the pain, and darted against the wind. Together, with her companions, she left the Luminards and their circles, bending southeast for a last second salvage of food for the journey.
“Now here's the whizz-bangin' question of the hour,” Bard droned. He trotted up to a thin tree dangling with not-so-thin fruit off its branches. “How do we know which of the ocean mangoes are fresh and which ones ain't?”
With fluid movement, Wildcard strolled coolly up to a branch, plucked off a low-hanging-mango, then gouged a hole in its middle with a single metal talon. He turned the mango over until it was dripping, then held it out before Bard.
Bard gathered a drop of juice in his hoof, then gave it a lick. “Hmmmmm...” He blinked a few times, then smirked into the scattered sunlight. “...seems edible enough to me!”
Wildcard smirked, then lopped off several more specimens of fruit. He gave each of them a good squeeze, then tossed away the ones that didn't feel quite like the original sample. The majority of them—however—he stuffed into Nicro's bag that the monk had given them. He moved icily from tree to tree, sparing half of the branches.
“Whew!” Bard whistled, trotting through the dancing shadows from the windblown leaves and needles above. The tiny plateau was sprawling with fruit trees and pine, making for a final oasis before the Quade took a dark blue plunge directly east of them. The sounds of crashing waves echoed between the tree trunks, flickering at their papery strips of bark. “We've got enough vittles in this here glen to last us five Rohbredden Seas! Much less the long stretch to White Barge! And wouldja feel the earth here?” He performed a few meager hops, his hooves enjoying the springiness of the bed of leaves and needles below. “Soft as a quilt in autumn! I'm tellin' ya... them Luminards settled in the wrong spot! It seems kind of sad how there's a perfect lil' paradise sittin' all nice and pretty just a few spits' distances from where them long-faced ponies are whippin' themselves and prayin' over stale bread everyday.”
Wildcard paused in stuffing his bag to perform a few talon gestures.
“Hah! As if!” Bard rolled his eyes, chuckling. “Them fellas would give up tryin' to grow that Reed here in an instant! 'Hey! These here fruit trees are a heapin' load nicer than dry ol' river sticks! Let's build ourselves the Church of the Mango instead, y'all!'”
Wildcard snicked breathily and resumed his picking.
“Ahhhhhh...” Bard exhaled, lazily mimicking the other Desperadoes' actions. “I sure am glad to be out of that sawdust factory.”
“Heeheehee!” Pinkie Pie smiled at the other girls as she floated alongside them. “Maybe this is the sign that we need!”
“Of what?” Rarity asked.
“Hehe—that we should be going to find Applejack now! With such good fruit harvesters as these, she'll feel right at home in our gang!”
“Oh Pinkie...” Rarity rolled her eyes with a smirk. “At times, I truly wished the world worked with rules as simple as yours.”
“Awwwwwww...” Pinkie stuck her tongue out. “Then there'd be no challenge in breaking them!”
“For you, perhaps.” Rarity cleared her throat, looking at Twilight. “Right now, I think we should focus on the rules at hoof—like those of long distance travel. Have the Desperadoes already agreed who's first on cloud duty?”
“Rarity, just relax for a bit,” Twilight muttered, floating ahead.
Rarity shrugged. “I'm only trying to plan ahead, dear. I figured you of all ponies would be on board for that.”
“Normally, I would, but this... this right here?” She gazed up at the lovely-scented trees and sighed with a tiny smile. “This deserves to be savored. No arguing. No 'Harmony' this or 'Verlax' that.” She gulped. “Just... just...”
“An extraordinary amount of tree sap,” Rarity said, flinching from a stretch of moist tree bark. “Eehh-huhhh...”
“Come on, Rarity!” Pinkie stuck her tongue out. “You're a ghostie-ghost now! This is the first time you can actually be at a picnic without having to worry about sap! Or sweat! Or sweatsap!” She winked over at Twilight. “That's what you get after trees run a long marathon!”
“Heheheh...”
“Mmmmm... well, I do suppose I could come up with a few ideas for 'Pine Chic,'” Rarity said with a sigh.
“Pine what?” Twilight remarked.
“It was the last project I was working on before... well... right before Discord happened. It was a client from Ontarioats that commissioned it.” A sniffling sigh, and Rarity held a dainty hoof over her forehead. “Oh... I never did finish the flannel collar on that blouse!”
“Hahahaha! Oh Rare-Rare!” Pinkie bounced past her and phased through multiple trees in one stride. “Do you ever learn a new tune? I think we should start calling you 'Normality!'”
“Snkkkt... ah jeez...” Twilight snickered.
“Heeheehee! I made a good one!”
“Mmmf...” Rarity tilted her nose up. “Now that is simply a matter of opinion.”
The marefriends continued their friendly chortles. Rainbow followed them at a distance, her lips curving ever so slightly. Then—after another sigh rolled through her body—she hung her head, watching as her hooves crunched dead leaves into tiny, scrappy bits beneath her.
“Reckon this is gonna take us a bit of a while, darlin'!” Bard called back from a few trunks ahead. “Unless you wanna lend a hoof and make it go by faster...”
Wildcard gestured.
“Dubya-Cee's got a good point! It'll be a real long haul to White Barge! Now might be a good time for some stretches, cuz we won't be seein' land again—any dry earth—for days!” Bard plucked and plucked at fruit. “It'll make our springboardin' off of Ultimo feel like a sneeze, ya get me?”
“Mmmmmmf...” Rainbow's muzzle twitched. She shuffled at a slow pace, almost lurching, one heavy hoof after another.
The salty breeze blew warm and tepid at her mane.
The leaves and needles rustled overhead.
Her breaths came and went... came and went...
“All wounds heal, Rainbow. All in good time.”
And then, Rainbow Dash stopped cold, her body dead still. She lifted her head up, her dull eyes narrow and distant.
Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie drifted onward, smiling and laughing over something she could no longer hear.
Rainbow stared silently past them—past all of them. She held her breath.
“But... was it even worth getting them to begin with?” Rainbow Dash asked, standing in the middle of Fluttershy's cottage. “All for some silly, drooling, baby manticore?”
“Rainbow Dash...” Fluttershy caressed the mare's chin. She smiled up at her from where she lay on the couch in bandages. “Anything's worth it... if it means ensuring a nice, peaceful life in the end.” As soon as Fluttershy said this, however, her ears folded back. There was a tiny shift to her pupils, as if she was looking at something a thousand miles behind Rainbow Dash. It tugged at the corners of her muzzle until there was no smile left to give.
Rainbow Dash's face flexed with concern. Her mouth hung open, “Fluttershy?” She cocked her head aside. “What... what's wrong?”
“Mmmm... nothing...” Fluttershy stammered, nevertheless sniffling. She had to avoid Rainbow's gaze all of the sudden. “What... what happened was a miracle. Nothing short of a m-miracle.” She clenched her eyes shut as a tremble overtook her body. “And it was worth it... it was w-worth it...” She almost repeated those words a third time, but a tiny squeak came out instead.
Rainbow's brow furrowed in confusion. She leaned back, glancing left and right. Then—like a heavy veil—her blue coat paled over. She bravely asked, “Fluttershy... what happened to the baby manticore's mother?”
Fluttershy merely clenched her teeth.
“Fluttershy, I'm your friend.” Rainbow caressed a part of Fluttershy's shoulder that hadn't been scratched the night before. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
Fluttershy shook... quivered.
Rainbow murmured: “Right?”
Fluttershy opened her mouth, but only breathy whimpers came out. It took her a few seconds to turn the sounds into decipherable words: “When... when I-I found the mother... and I saw the snake bite. I knew... I knew... I knew...” She opened her eyes and they were flowing with tears. “I knew that it wouldn't survive what had happened to it for long.”
Rainbow blinked, listening intently.
Hyperventilating, Fluttershy stumbled her way through: “Maybe... just m-maybe if I had found a way to... to coax her back on all fours and get her close enough to Ponyville for our town doctors to rush out and provide an antidote, then the mother would h-have lived. But...” Fluttershy gulped. “The venom was spreading quickly throughout its body. For all I knew, it would reach the womb... infect the infant. And any second I wasted would mean the baby would die as well and... and...”
Fluttershy's body went still. Her eyes locked in place, the tears floating. At last, the truth came out of her.
“...the mother only had a smidgen of a chance at best for surviving. And even if it did, there was no telling if it would be healthy enough to make babies again. But... but if I could save the foal... I knew I could do it quickly enough to preserve a whole new life... a healthy life... one free of the venom. A life that could live... that could thrive... that could multiply, but... but...”
“Fluttershy...”
“There was no way the mother could survive the pain and the blood loss of its delivery! Not in the condition she was in. And... and I knew that, Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy yelped, sobbed. “I knew it and I chose to save the baby but... b-but that doesn't change the fact that... th-th-that I killed her, Rainbow...” Fluttershy buried her soft face in her bandaged limbs, weeping. “Mmmmmff... I murdered the mother by ch-choosing to save her child!”
“Ah jeez...” Rainbow winced, shook her head, then leaned in close. “Fluttershy. You... You didn't murder anyone!”
“But I did...” Fluttershy shobbed, shaking her head. “But I did but I did but I did—!”
“Fluttershy, look at me!” Rainbow grasped her hooves strongly. Fluttershy winced from the gesture, but it forced her puffy eyes to meet Rainbow's. “You did not murder, okay?! You... you got stuck with a bum scenario and you chose the better option out of kindness... compassion... and your awesome, awesome heart... okay?” She put on her best smile, but it was a fractured thing. “The Fluttershy I know isn't a k-killer. It was the best possible thing you could have done, and like the brave lil' filly I'm proud to have grown up with, you did what you knew was right! You did what you did out of the kindness of your heart!”
“But... but if this is what k-kindness is...” Fluttershy sniffled, her eyes leaking anew. “Then I-I don't know if I have the strength to ever be kind again!”
“How... how could you say that?!” Rainbow's voice cracked. She gulped hard and said, “Okay... so life is tough... and sometimes making choices is... like... super hard! But to come down on what makes you... you? Kindness is your Element, Fluttershy! It's the most magical thing about you! With enough courage and patience, it'll totally reward you in the end! I just know it will!”
“Rainbow Dash... I... I hope you never have to find this out for yourself, but...” Fluttershy sniffled, then stared at her with piercing eyes. “Doing what's kind stops being easy... the moment that you r-realize that you can't be kind to everyone.” She melted again, whimpering. “No m-matter how hard you tr-try...”
Rainbow's ears folded back.
She exhaled, and gravity took over, pulling her back onto her haunches. She sat in place on a bed of dead leaves, and a brand new moisture lined the edges of her eyes. So, Rainbow clenched the lids shut, but it did little good. The mare quivered in place, her breaths rushing in and out of her nostrils in tight gunshot bursts.
Up ahead, Pinkie Pie giggled alongside Rarity as the group floated forward through the trees. “So that's when she said, 'Imperator?! I hardly even know her!'”
“Hah hah hah!” Rarity waved a hoof. “Oh darling, you must introduce me to Maud once this whole dreadful odyssey is over with. She sounds like quite a laugh—” Rarity's white muzzle smooshed against a lavender barricade. “Oomf!”
“Ouch!” “Ackies!” Twilight and Pinkie Pie also collided with the translucent barrier. “Guhhhh...” Twilight rubbed her nose. “Okaaaay... well that sure brings back memories of the K.M.C.A.!”
“Dashie?” Pinkie glanced back, blue eyes blinking. “Is everything okay?”
Rainbow sat in place, eyes clenched and body still.
She gave no reply.
Rarity and Twilight exchanged confused faces. “Rainbow, darling...” Rarity began floating back towards her. “Are you quite alr—?”
“Hey! Rainbow!” Bard called from far ahead. “There's a whole load of fruit on the southeast side of the plateau! I think these mangoes right here are fresher, but Dubya's bein' a stubborn mule about it, insistin' that the southeast ones taste better. How 'bout flyin' on over here and settlin' this argument?! Heh... we can't stay here forever, no matter how comfy the forest floor is.”
Silence.
Bard shuffled a few steps back, blinking through the trees. “Rainbow?” She shuffled even closer. A griffon tailed him, not far behind. “Darlin', are ya takin' a nap? We can find a cloud for that, y'know. Make do while in flight, ya feel me?”
Rainbow took a deep breath, her ears flicking.
Bard glanced at Wildcard, then back at Rainbow. “Erm... are... are ya feelin' okay?” he asked in a soft tone.
“Mmmm...” Rainbow's eyes tensed one last time, then opened. There were no tears, only a dull, dull gaze. “No,” she said. “I'm... I'm n-not...”
Wildcard raised an eyecrest at Bard.
Bard grimaced. “Well... shoot...” He adjusted his hat. “I sure hope ya haven't gotten sick of the mangoes.” A brief smile, and then he cleared his throat. “Do ya... do ya need to find a quiet bush somewhere to... uh... take care of some business?”
“Mmmm... maybe...” Rainbow Dash swallowed slowly. “I think... I-I think I just need to sit here for a while. Y'know...” She swallowed again. “Rest up.” Her tired eyes gazed up at him. “Is that okay?”
“Well... eheh... sure thang!” Bard nodded with a smile. He glanced at Wildcard—who nodded as well. “We want ya in good health for the long glide.” He winked at the empty space around her and pointed generally with his hoof. “All y'all, if ya catch my drift.”
“I couldn't agree more,” Rainbow murmured. She cleared her throat, squirming where she sat. “So... you guys found more fruit?”
“Hell yeah! Whole bevy of 'em! Dubya's takin' credit, of course, but... eh... ya know how he is...”
“Good. Maybe... you should go gather as many as we can.” Rainbow shrugged. “You never know how long we might need them. This 'White Barge' might serve nothing but fish.”
“Yeah, that wouldn't suit ya none, would it?” Bard scratched his neck. “We can do it later—”
“Nah. Why wait?”
“But... are you gonna be okay?”
“I'll be fine.” Rainbow exhaled, then smiled weakly. “Really. Just... go ahead.” Her eyes darted towards the horizon beyond the trees. “... ... ...I'll join you when I'm good and ready.”
Bard nodded... then nodded some more. “Well... well alright, darlin'.” He started trotting backwards, taking the opportunity to point at her. “But you just give a holler if ya need anythang! Even if yer insides are goin' outside! Just puke loudly! Hah! Ya hear?”
“Heheh... I hear...” Rainbow Dash smirked.
“Come on, Dubya!” Bard hummed to himself as he trotted beyond the crest in the forested plateau. “We're gonna settle this here war of mango aggression once'n'for all!”
Wildcard lingered behind. The griffon turned, his black lenses reflecting Rainbow's sickly face.
“It's okay, Wildcard,” Rainbow said. “I... shouldn't be long, anyways.”
Wildcard stared and stared. He cocked his head... then turned around. With a streak of murking wings, he joined his partner on the other side. Bard's rambling voice grew more and more distant, eventually blending with the crashing waves.
“Ever the gentlecolts, those two,” Rarity said, smiling in their direction. “We truly are lucky to have them by our side.”
“I really want to know what these wyverns are like up close!” Twilight said with breathy excitement. “Their culture just... sounds so ancient and mysterious!”
“Pffft... come on, Twi! One thing at a time!” Pinkie turned to smile at Rainbow. “Dashie here needs a breather, and after all the kerfluffle she's gone through, some rest and relaxation is just the prescription!”
Rainbow stood up on wobbly knees.
Pinkie blinked. “Orrrrr... some exercise! Hey! Dashie!” She bounced in place. “Bet you can't beat me at jumping jacks—”
Rainbow glared past Pinkie, her hard gaze set on the treeline. Without a single breath, she spun around and broke into a swift trot.
“Uhhh...” Pinkie blinked, her ghostly body being dragged behind the pegasus. “Or... walkies?” She gulped. “Dashie, slow down!”
“You'll make yourself even sicker, dear!” Rarity exclaimed.
Twilight, meanwhile, was squinting at this point. “Wait... Rainbow?” She floated closer. “Rainbow, what are you—?”
Rainbow broke into a gallop, threw both wings straight out, and soared due west in a burst of air. Thwooosh!
All three mares yelped, thrown behind her in a confused blur.
The still waters of the Quade reflected a yellow sky.
Monks milled quietly about on the upper platforms.
Pilgrims sat along the woven circles, meditating, their eyes peacefully shut.
Down below, Menthe had just moored his canoe. He tied the rope tight, gathered his fishing spear, then shuffled slowly up a long ramp until his body went beyond the central shaft of the Reed.
It was this last detail that Rainbow spotted from afar. She perched on a cleft of rocks atop the peak of the southern mountain ridge. Her ruby eyes scanned the lofty sights: the platforms' edges, the monks with their backs to the southern bank, the others who were sunken deep in quiet meditation. When—at last—there was no more sign of Menthe's figure, Rainbow Dash took a deep breath... then slinked over the craggy summit looming above the canyon.
Breathless—Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie caught up with the pegasus, floating around her in frazzled orbit.
“Yeesh, Dashie!” Pinkie frowned. “What's the big rush?”
“Where are we even—?” Rarity stared straight down, and her pupils shrunk as soon as they reflected the shallow Quade. “Good grief!”
“Rainbow...” Twilight floated in closer. “What's wrong? Say somethi—”
Rainbow dove before Twilight could finish. The three mares tumbled behind her, their ghostly bodies being scooped up by the lavender barricade. Like an ice cloud, Rainbow sliced her way soundlessly down the cliffsides of the southern ridge. She pulled up at the last second, breezing a hair's width above the waters. She glanced at her own glaring expression... and then a lavender figure appeared from behind her shoulder.
“Rainbow? Rainbow?!” Twilight frowned, teeth gnashing. “Stop. Ignoring. Us.” She spun around so that she flew evenly between Rainbow Dash and the water. “Tell me what's wrong! Just what are we doing back here—?”
Rainbow Dash spun. She flew the rest of the way upside down. Holding her breath, she flung her hooves up in time to make contact with the underside of the lowest platform. She hid there in the shadows just seconds before a pair of trotting monks reached the woven disc's edge, narrowly missing her.
With scarcely three feet of space between her and the water, Rainbow scurried along the woven material. Her tail dipped into the Quade multiple times—and she stopped just long enough to wait for the rippling waters to go smooth once again. During these brief pauses, she had to endure the persistent, panicked chatter of three breathless spectres:
“...you're doing, Dashie?! You're not...”
“...after what's happened, even these monks won't hesitate to throw...”
“...are you even listening to a word we...?”
Rainbow clenched her teeth, seethed, seethed... then scurried forward.
She reached the edge of the platform and peered up. There was no sign of Galloran. No sign of Menthe. No sign of anyone.
Exhaling, the pegasus nimbly flung herself up, perched on the platform's edge, and sprung off with a single kicking motion of her hooves. Wings outstretched, she glided up two levels, then clung to the edge of a third platform. There—she remained dead still, waiting as a line of elder monks shuffled wordlessly beneath her. The three marefriends could only watch in a dead stupor. Once the interminable wait was over, Rainbow gritted her teeth, tensed her muscles, and pulled her lithe body up onto the woven surface.
Rolling over the railing, she squatted low, looking left and right.
There was nopony standing nearby. The closest monks were—in fact—trotting away... descending to a lower platform.
Rainbow took a deep breath and stared straight ahead.
The far end of the platform hung in shadow... along with the rickety entrance to a multi-story wooden building.
Eyes glinting with a final sliver of sunlight, Rainbow blurred forward, slithering on cat-quick hooves.
“Rainbow! What on earth has gotten into you?!” Rarity cackled. “If this is some kind of crude joke, then you can just... just...” She looked ahead at the wooden building Rainbow was entering. “Wait... this place...”
“The Holiest of Holies?” Pinkie exhaled. “But why are we—?” Just then, the mare's eyes went wide. Her tail twitched... then twitched some more. She felt the vibrations like a cold scalpel across her spine. “Oh Rainbow, n-no...”
“Rainbow...” Twilight flew alongside the mare's galloping body. “Rainbow, turn around right now. I don't know what you're thinking—” She gasped, feeling shadows and dim candlelight envelope them. The mares' spectral bodies phased through alcove after alcove filled with mummified equine remains. “Okay... okay... I know what you're thinking!” Twilight frowned. “But this is not the right way! We've made enough of a problem here as it is!”
“Rainbow, listen to her!” Rarity's voice cracked.
“Look at me.” Twilight floated closer. “Rainbow, look at me.” She panted, gazing deeply into the pegasus' eyes as she scurried down the passageway. “This is not what Fluttershy would want of you! Do you understand?! It's not what she would want... or what Celestia or Luna would want—”
Rainbow gnashed her teeth. All of the sudden—the mare scuffled to a stop, eyes blinking wide.
“Oh!” Rarity fanned herself. “Thank goodness.”
“...Rainbow?” Twilight gulped. “Are you going to turn back—?”
Rainbow spun to the left, braced herself against the edges of an alcove, and pushed her way to the top. She spread her limbs until she blended within the dusty wooden rafters, hiding behind shadows and cobwebs.
The mares gawked in confusion—until they heard a shuffling sound. They turned to see three elder Luminards shuffling up the narrow corridor, murmuring meditative prayers in cadence. Thirty seconds after they cleared the exit, Rainbow Dash dropped back down. She turned her head, gazing up at the sunlit doorframe while the elders departed.
The mare dusted herself off, exhaled, then turned around... stumbling right into Sonikah's gasping face.
“But... but...” Sonikah blinked hard. “I... I don't understand. What are you... doing back here?”
Rainbow blinked. She gulped hard and tilted her glazed eyes towards the ground.
“This... this doesn't make any...” Sonikah leaned back, ears twitching. “I was meditating before Verlaxion to ask Her for forgiveness. I haven't been to the surface in over an hour. Did... did Kyron make a new decree while I was gone?”
Slowly... with shuffling hooves.. Rainbow Dash inched her way past the monk. The already narrow space made the awkward affair three times as calamitous, and Rainbow might have stepped on Sonikah's hoof once or twice.
“Guh! Rainbow—Ow! Please... you must tell me what you're doing...” Sonikah's words evaporate off the tip of her tongue.
Rainbow firmly marched down the corridor.
“...oh no...” Sonikah shook her head.
Rainbow broke into a feverish gallop.
“No! Rainbow, no!” Sonikah shrieked, grimacing as she dashed after her. “Child, you can't!" She trotted faster, panting. "You musn't—”
“Grnnnngh!” Rainbow spun around.
Sonikah flinched, eyes snapping shut. But... instead of a hoof to the jaw, she was assaulted with a cloud of brittle dust. She coughed, sputtered, then stepped back. Gasping, she saw the crumpled bodies of petrified ponies flung before her.
Rainbow got finished throwing the last skeletal barricade out of its alcove. Partially baptized in flakes of dry bone, she spun and sped the rest of the way down the corridor.
“No... No!” Sonikah struggled to climb over the necrotic pile. “Grnngh... Somepony! Help!” She hollered back towards the exit, sobbing. “Menthe! Galloran! Anypony! Help! The Reed! It's under attack!”
Rainbow stumbled down the stairs. When she entered the candle-lit room, she scuffled to a stop, steadying herself with her wings. The mare stood there, quivering, her ruby eyes darting about.
The room was only partially filled with meditating ponies. Old and bony elders stirred under their sackcloth, shuddered, and opened their tired eyes for the first time after hours... days of deep trance.
“Hrmmmff...”
“Why... what troubles you, child?”
“Are you lost?”
Rainbow stared at them... breathing... sweating. She gulped hard, then jerked a look at the far end of the room.
The Reed stretched under candlelight, its two thin strips exposing the glossy black metal beyond.
Jaw clenched, Rainbow firmly stepped towards it.
“Hmmm?”
“My child?”
One elder stood up, then another. One by one, their breaths took on anxious, breathy tones.
“This... is a holy place, young one.”
“Why aren't you...?
“This is only for the anointed! What are you doing—”
Rainbow spoke her first word since taking flight: “Leave.” She shuffled towards the Reed.
“What?!” an elder gasped.
“We... we can't leave Verlaxion's glorious presence!”
“Just what do you...?” One elder gulped, then took a few brave steps towards the mare. “Please... come with me, child. Everything will be—”
Rainbow spun, hollering: “Leave!”
Half of the elders flinched back. All eyes went wide.
She glared back with no less ferver. “I will not hurt you!” She grimaced halfway through the utterance, but growled her way towards the end. “Nothing b-bad will happen if you would... just... leave!”
“Child...” A wrinkled old stallion stared at her with firm eyes. “You carry great malice in your heart. It does not belong here.”
Another shuffled forward. “You must not take it out on Verlaxion's gift of mercy—”
Hissing, Rainbow darted towards the nearest table and flung half of its brittle contents towards the floor. The claustrophobic room afforded a crashing echo, accompanied by the mother of all roars: “Raaaaaaugh!” That drew the majority of the feeble ponies back, and Rainbow capitalized on it. “Stay. Back! I will n-not tell you again!”
One by one, the pilgrims started to panic.
“She's... she's...”
“Oh dear Goddess...”
“She's attacking the sacred Reed!”
“Blessed Verlaxion, please spare her...”
“Protectors!”
“Protectors! Please! Quickly!”
“The Reed is under attack!”
Rainbow twirled away from them, struggling through wave after wave of deep, tremulous breaths. She squinted at the Reed—at the blinding gold light billowing out from behind it. Slowly, pensively, she approached the shoots... wincing as she sensed a frigid-blue aura wafting off the very structures.
Somewhere in the midst of this—with the monks' voices sputtering desperately in the background—Twilight's frowning face came into focus. “Do you see what's happening, Rainbow Dash? Do you see what this is going to accomplish? Nothing but misery for everypony involved! You know that!”
Rainbow clenched her teeth. She grasped her pendant, aiming it towards the shoots. She concentrated... holding her breath. At last, a beam of ruby light emanated from the Element. A spotlight in the shape of a lightning bolt floated across the Reed. Slowly, the flecks of powdery white frost began melting away, turning into a fine, coarse steam.
“Look...” Amidst her trembles, Rarity nevertheless found the courage to point. “Look!”
“The chaos metal stuff...” Pinkie gulped. “It's... going bye-bye...?” She flung a look at Twilight. “The Harmony in Dashie's Element!”
Twilight grimaced, she turned towards Rainbow. “Even if you can avoid the chaos magic, think of the repercussions! What you're doing here isn't just going to destroy these ponies! It's going to destroy you, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight gritted her teeth. “It will destroy us! What do you think we're even doing out here in the first place, Rainbow?”
Rainbow frowned... writhed. Sneering, she flung her face back—partially to avoid Twilight's expression, but also so she could reach back to her saddlebag. The mare fumbled with simply opening the satchel—her hoof was shivering so hard.
“It's...” Twilight gulped. “It's not too late to stop this. Please. Please, Rainbow Dash...” Twilight blinked and blinked. When there was no response, she resorted to a growl. “Rainbow Dash, I mean it! If there's any part of you that still values Equestria or... or our friendship—!”
“... ... ...!” For the first time, Rainbow flinched. Her eyes twitched about in a pale sweat.
But just as soon as the brief lapse in thought happened—
“In there! She's in there!” Sonikah's voice hollered from a distance. “Quick, Mr. Galloran! Please! You have to stop her!”
Rainbow's face jerked towards the single entrance to the room. A sturdy set of hoofsteps galloped closer... closer.
Rarity's ears drooped. “Oh no—” She and the other two gasped as they were jerked aside by a lavender barricade.
Rainbow glided across the room in a blink. The elder pilgrims stumbled back, watching breathlessly as Rainbow pressed her body right up to the wall beside the door frame. She held her breath, squinting hard at the entrance, her muscles tensed.
Panting... sweating... Galloran stumbled into the room. With shivering hooves, he readied his crossbow, aiming at the untouched Reed. “Okay... I'm here...!” He blinked. “Wait, where is—?”
One of the older monks wheezed: “Mr. Galloran!” He pointed a jittery hoof. “Look out—”
It was too late. With one fell grunt, Rainbow Dash gripped the doorframe, spun her body, and slammed both of her rear hooves hard into Galloran's belly. Whumppp!
The young stallion lost all oxygen in his lungs. He exhaled, eyes tearing as his whole figure bent over.
Rainbow landed, then shoved him like crumpled paper to the ground. By the time Galloran managed to inhale, the pegasus had knocked the weapon out of his grip. With a swift motion, Rainbow kicked the crossbow hard, sliding it across the floor of the room until it settled against a row of shelves on the far side.
“Oh Goddess...” one of the monks stammered.
Rainbow turned to glare at them.
Choking back sobs, they all retreated from her fierce gaze. Half of the ponies scurried into the corridor while a few lingered in the doorway. Sonikah appeared, eyes wide as she saw Galloran's body lying on the ground. She helf a pair of shaky hooves over her muzzle.
“Guhhh...” Galloran struggled for breath, rolling painfully across the floor. “You... you c-can't... mmff... won't let—”
Rainbow pointed at his face. “Don't...” She glared into the young stallion's eyes. “Do not get up.”
Wincing, the protector nevertheless pressed his hooves to the floor, attempting to rise.
Rainbow shoved his weak figure back down with her fetlock. “I mean it. Stay. Down.” Once he stopped protesting, she swiveled about, then approached the Reed. Sonikah and a few other monks stepped forward, pleading. She flashed them a single glare, and they froze in place, overcome with trembles.
At last, fuming, Rainbow stood before the Reed. She threw her hoof back into her saddlebag, reached within, felt around... and finally pulled it back out, clutching a tiny, emblazoned sheathe.
“Rainbow Dash, darling...” Rarity sniffled. “The time for theatrics is over...”
Rainbow closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and pulled at the hilt. Schiiing! The Dagger of Evo reflected a pained blue face beyond the Val Roan etchings.
“There is no need for this... this pretend sacrifice!” Rarity stammered. “There's another way! There has to be another way!”
Rainbow drew forward. She raised the dagger in one hoof while aiming her pendant with another. Slowly, the chaotic dust melted off the Reed, exposing its natural surfaces so that she could approach the material unharmed. Holding her breath, she raised the tip of the royal blade to the shoots—
“Dashie!” Pinkie suddenly yelped, her back muscles quivering. “Look out—!”
Rainbow's eyes jerked. She tilted the Dagger of Evo in time to catch the reflection of Menthe's snarling face.
“Rrrrrrrghhhh!” A barbed fishing spear flew at her skull.
“...!” Rainbow ducked.
Clankkk! Menthe's weapon knocked the dagger out of Rainbow's grip. The heirloom of Evo fell through the Reed, falling into rattling darkness between the shaft and the tower.
Without wasting a breath, Rainbow bucked her left leg backwards, contacting Menthe's gut. The old stallion wheezed, stumbling in reverse. Rainbow spun and flung a hoof towards him.
He raised his spear length-wise to block. It was an awkward parry, but his strength surprised Rainbow. Within a second, he spun around, gripping her from behind. Years of experience coursed through his muscles, locking the mare in a vice grip. Rainbow—however—had coiled her wings in anticipation of this. She sprung them outward, knocking the stallion off. She followed with another kick, forcing him off by several feet.
“Mrmmff!” Menthe steadied himself in a low squat, glaring.
Rainbow frowned back. “Just stayaway!” She shouted. “Don't make me have to hurt—” The tip of Menthe's spear sliced across her forehead, spilling hot blood. “Aaaaaugh!” She limped backwards, thrashing.
Rarity gasped, eyes wide.
“Rainbow!” Twilight yelped.
“I knew you were trouble from the start!” Menthe twirled his weapon and charged, hooves pounding. “Leave these ponies alone, you filthy—!”
Rainbow snarled, glaring through her own juices. She flapped her wings forward, throwing his balance off. His gallop sent him to the side, and she capitalized by slamming a hoof across his cheek before grappling him from behind. Together, the two struggled and wrestled across the Holiest of Holies, with Rainbow's blood staining his gasping muzzle.
The pacifist monks watched, gaping in pallid horror. Meanwhile, a few steps away, Galloran winced... and trembled... as he slowly crawled towards where his crossbow resided.
“Grnnngh!” At last, Rainbow Dash overpowered Menthe. She shoved his angry face down, pressing his grimacing jaw against the splintery floor. “Do... not... fight me!”
“Mrnnngh—go to Hell, you psycho—” He kicked, bucked, and thrashed against her, trying to use his spear as leverage.
She overpowered him again, shoving him up against a wooden beam.
“I said... stop it!” Rainbow spat.
“Rrnnngh—hraaugh!” He swung and jabbed the spear, grazing the edge of her fetlock.
Bleeding, Rainbow fumed. Gripping him from behind, she slipped a hoof between his legs, threw off his balance, then shoved him—skull first—against the middle of a wooden bench. Thwackk! When all that did was elicit a stubborn moan, she then slammed him through it, sending splinters crashing across the sanctuary floor. At last Menthe gave up struggling, his battered body reduced to a gurgling, sputtering mess.
Rainbow stumbled backwards from the fight, her breath thin. She took a moment to pause—almost meditatively—her bloodied head hanging low.
Sonikah and the other monks stared in silent shock.
Seconds later, Rainbow opened her eyes. Only her right socket was visible behind the fresh curtain of blood, and it flared. The mare slapped a hoof down over the handle of Menthe's spear. The thing flipped upwards, and she nimbly caught it, turning towards the Reed with finality.
Galloran winced and struggled... crawling towards his weapon.
Meanwhile, Rainbow had reached the Reed. She aimed her pendant at it one last time. The burst of harmonic energy was a veritable spotlight of crimson, and the remaining dust evaporated in an instant. Spitting the taste of copper from her muzzle, the mare held the spear up high, like a Nealender ready to skewer her prey.
“Don't... please...!” Sonikah wept from a distance. The other monks joined her mournful chorus. “Verlaxion's gift... it is all that we have!”
“Don't do it, Dashie!” Pinkie pleaded. “You're not a meanie head! You're not!”
“No, darling!”
Rainbow winced briefly. Then—with her right eye flickering red-on-yellow—she thrusted forward. “Rrrghhh!”
“Rainbow—!” Twilight flew straight in her face. The spear phased through her in a lavender burst, then caught-dead center in the Reed, splintering it apart, exposing its bone-white innards.
“No!” Sonikah fell to her knees. She and the other monks hugged each other, weeping.
Rainbow stabbed... tore... shredded. She grunted with every other exertion, her body soaked in sweat... littered with twine... baptized in blood. She sliced the shoots on the right apart first, ripping them asunder, exposing more and more of the golden glow. As she spread the swath to the left, the circular lines of Ynanhluutr came into focus, and the ever-pulsing beacon of Yaerfaerda beyond came into beautiful, horrid clarity.
By now, the moans of the monks became indistinguishable from the shouts of her friends. Rainbow simply sliced her way through it all, carving her way forward, parting the clouds to expose the haunting light upon the horizon. At last, the glossy black metal was fully visible. Rainbow dropped the dull, bent spear... then waded her way through a brittle carpet of brittle shavings to reach her goal. Using brute force, she pried the last visible shoots of Reed apart with her bare hooves. Circles within circles twinkled before her: lavender and white and pink. She reached for the next one, panting in desperation.
With a cold, cold hiss... like frosted dragon's breath... the Machine World opened to her. There were gasps of horror. She heard none of them. Nor did she hear the propping of metal springs.
Far behind, slumped on the floor, Galloran had reached the crossbow. The young stallion propped a bolt in place. Wincing, he rolled over, squinted down the line of sight, and held his breath.
Wings spread, Rainbow leapt out of the sanctuary, plunging deep into the tower—
Thwifffft! And that's when the bolt flew, slicing the air, threading the metal needle before finally ripping deep into Rainbow's body.
The mare gasped.
She lurched in place, both eyes blinking. One reflected nebulous starlight and the other thick blood.
“I... I...” Rainbow panted... stammered. With each squeaking breath, she felt an icy stab of pain slowly crawling up her spine. “...I've been hit.” She gulped. “I'm... my body...” She blinked her good eye, then looked around, lips quivering. “Girls...?”
Purple cosmos and nebulae stretched all around her.
“...girls?!” Rainbow yelped, hyperventilating at this point. “Where are you?!?” She shouted into the void. A curved plane rolled beneath her, filled with continents and oceans—all of which were suddenly encased in shadow... a shadow darker than night. “It's... it's Verlax again... isn't it?!” She snarled. “I... I got past her trap! I swear it! The pendant!” She shook her head furiously, panting. “The chaos couldn't resist the Harmony in the pendant! It's... it's not just one or the other that I've chosen, darn it! Don't you see?! Harmony... chaos... I... I-I've used both! This was the only way! You've got to bel—... Gaaugh!”
She winced, though she did not know from what. The numbness had spread to her shoulders, forming a dense-as-wood knot in the back of her throat.
Tears squeezed out her eyes, smearing the blood from her lacerated forehead. She clenched her skull, reeling as she floated over the continental shelves.
“Mmmfff... Fluttershy...” She seethed. “Fluttershyyyyy...” She whimpered. “Please... please be here... please be here please be here please be...”
Something roared in the distance, powered by millions of metric tons of elements rampaging against chaotic firmaments.
Rainbow looked up, seething. She caught the glow of ethereal starlight all around as if for the first time. A fine mist of churning waters coiled up against it, forming an ashen cloud that drifted away from her, like chaos dust evaporating from her harmonic assault.
“You...” Rainbow gnashed her teeth. “Say something...” Her eyes darted left and right. “Speak! I know you're there!”
There was no reply. The stars and galaxies receded, painting the spherical canvas blacker and blacker.
“Stop hiding! I mean it!” Rainbow tried to frown, but she could only grimace instead. “Speak to me! You always have before!” She gulped. Hard. “Tell me that what I did was right...”
The horizon drew blacker... deader. The edge of the world loomed over her like a knife.
“Tell me that it was the right decision! My decision!” Her voice cracked. The parts of her face not stained with blood were growing pale and paler. She fought past the spread of ice in her veins. “Not Verlax's!” She shuddered, squeaked. “You said once... that the world dies without me... and it dies for me! The Austraeoh! I made this decision! Not her! Was it right?! Or wasn't it?!”
By now, the stars were nearly gone. It was just Rainbow, a dead shelf, and the thin white edge, drenched in tears.
“Dang it, speak to me!” Rainbow yelled into the void. “Is this all that's in store for your stupid, precious Spark?! For Goddess' sake! Verlax is onto you! The beacons alone aren't good enough any more! Please... I need you to show me the way! I need to see! I need—”
FLASH!
Rainbow collapsed over the metal pedestal, shrieking in pain.
“Aaaa-aaaaughhh!” She winced, feeling the cold scrape of metal against her ribs. She seethed, shook, then looked back behind her.
A crossbolt laid skewered in her left wing. Blood dribbled down her flank, covering her cutie mark.
She blanched, feeling bile building up in the back of her throat. She opened her muzzle to cry again—
That's when she heard a chorus of screams from beyond.
She squinted through one good eye in time to see the hole that she had carved her way through. It was collapsing, and the monks on the other side were swiftly scurrying out of the sanctuary.
“Go! Move!” Galloran's voice could be heard, reaching desperate octaves. “Get out! Head for the lower platforms!”
A shuffle of trembling hooves. Rainbow spotted Sonikah's green coat. “Oh my Goddess... oh my blessed Goddess, forgive us—”
“Move! You must get out of here! All of you! Menthe! Hold on, I got—” Strips of Reed fell, blocking the way. Seconds later, the cold door to the Machine World sliced shut with a merciless hiss.
Rainbow shivered. The hollow of a cylindrical tower glittered around her in ruby light, its pendulums slowly swaying and grinding in fluid motion. The injured pegasus heard crackling thunder through the immaculate metal. But that wasn't all.
“Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! Girls!” Softer than satin, more delicate than silk. “Girls, wh-where are we?! Where's the sculpture garden? What happened to the Elements?”
Rainbow's ears folded back. But before she could even weep—
More thunder crackled from outside.
“Eeeep!” A shriek, full of both melody and panic all at once.
“Shhh-Shhh-Shhh... darling. Darling, look at me.”
“Rarity?! Rarity, I... I don't know what's—!”
“Just stay close. Everything's going to be okay. Everything's going—”
“Guys! My tail! It's going crazy!”
“Rainbow Dash—”
She was already limping towards the curved wall opposite the now-dormant pedestal. Each step sent waves of agony coursing from her impaling wound. She fell more than once, but what hurt the most was when her wings both attempted to provide-counterbalance. After a few muffled shrieks, she pulled herself up to a door with a dim Ynanhluutr symbol. She barely grazed it with her hooves when the door hissed open, exposing a solid wall of dense Reed. Red-orange candlelight bled through the seams, flickering more wildly than normal.
“We're trapped!”
“Dashie, we have to get out of here! What are you going to do—?”
Rainbow Dash was already reaching into her saddlebag. She fumbled around until she found the wooden support beam for a Val Roan pup tent. Tearing the fabric loose, she took the beam itself and planted it between her teeth, then proceeded to bite down.
“Rainbow Dash? What are you—?”
“Don't look, Fluttershy.”
“But... but she's hurt s-so badly and—”
“Do not look at her.”
Rainbow's nostrils flared. She bit hard on the wood. Meanwhile, her hoof gripped the barbed end of the bolt... and started to pull and pull. “Hrnnn-gnnnnhhh-grkkktt...” She hissed, eyes clenched in pain. Slowly, she drew the full length of the arrow out, until it popped free from the other side of her wing. “Grwwghhddssss!” She thrashed her head, coiling her wounded feathers tightly to her side. It failed to numb the waves of pain throbbing through her. “Mrmmmffhhhmmm—” She vomited the wooden bit out. “Aaaaaaaa-aaaugh!” Rainbow slumped against the doorframe, seething.
“I know it looks terrible, but the mare brought this upon herself.”
“Huh?! But Rarity, that's not very ni—”
“Rainbow, that's going to bleed out if you don't—”
“Wait! She's gonna do something else!”
Rainbow channeled her pain into her forelimbs. Gripping the bloodied arrow, she used it as a knife and started carving her way out through the Reed in front of her. However, she only had to make less than four strikes before the shoots crumbled away entirely. She blinked in shock, finding another sanctuary looming in front of her.
“Well, what are you waiting for?!”
Rainbow hobbled through—having to jump left and right as more planks of the Reed crumbled towards her figure. She backtrotted, watching in shock as more and more strips of the material slid loose between the metal tower and the Luminards' structure built around it.
“What... wh-what...?” Rainbow blanched, briefly ignoring the pain rippling across her left side. “The Reed... it's... it's all...” Rainbow gulped. “It's all dying! All of it... they were... they were r-right?”
“Well of course they were right, Rainbow!” Twilight was suddenly yelling in her face. She flung a hoof towards the collapsing mess. “The whole thing was built by Verlax! Imbued with her mastery of chaos magics! And guess who just melted all of that away with the Element of Loyalty?! Huh?! Take a guess!”
Rainbow backtrotted, shivering. For once, her left eye peered through the drying blood. Fresh tears formed. “It... it was the only way to get through it...” She gulped. “If Verlax hadn't blocked the way to Fluttershy with—”
“No!” Twilight angrily shoved her hoof in Rainbow's face. “You do not get to blame this on Verlax! You chose to use our last remaining piece of Harmony—the most powerful and noble magic in all of Equestria—as a weapon! You made that decision, Rainbow! NotVerlax! And now look what it's done to this place!”
“Uhhhhh... girls?” Pinkie had to use her whole body to hold her twitching tail still. “About 'this place'...”
With a loud groan, the sanctuary split in half from a gaping fissure. Rainbow struggled to stand upright. Meanwhile, behind her, a table crumbled, and the lantern that was seated on top of it spilled loose. A carpet of flames roared across the compartment, setting rows upon rows of ancient scrolls and scripture on fire.
Rainbow stammered, strafing sideways, struggling to inch her way past the growing inferno. More and more shoots of Reed fell across the gaping hole in the wall while the room slumped even further, giving into gravity.
“Oh Celestia... where in Equestria are we?!” A yellow figure buried her face in Rarity's chest, shivering all over. “Why is th-this happening?!”
“Rainbow Dash...” Rarity breathed. “If you have any ounce of decency left in you, you will get us safely out of here.” She hugged the dainty pegasus harder. “You will get her out of here.”
Rainbow Dash was already galloping down the nearest corridor—a torturous effort, considering the persistently bleeding gash in her left wing. She tried flexing those muscles, but none of the feathers bothered to budge. Panting, she chose to deal with that horror later... once she had successfully exited that collapsing wing of the sanctuary.
Outside, the air rang with another terror altogether.
Monks fled the upper platforms in droves. Forming hobbling lines of sackcloth, they descended to the lower platforms—and in a timely matter too. With loud thunderous crashes, the upper discs fell one by one, their woven forms giving way to structural collapse or spreading fire or a holocaustal combination of both. The Luminards collectively shrieked as the water from the Quade splattered them with each impact. They flinched, gathering together in tight bunches along the lower discs. The woven structures stretched and bowed from the ponies' combined huddles, but nevertheless the lower foundation remained in tact, a final bastion above the Quade.
Along the outermost platforms, Galloran and Sonikah dragged Menthe to a safe spot and laid the stallion down.
“I got everyone out of the Holiest Sanctuary as quickly as I-I could!” Galloran stammered, resting Menthe in place.
“Mrmmff...” Menthe exhaled through bleeding teeth. “That you did, boy...” He patted his shoulder. “Good... hkktt... h-hustle...”
“Are you okay, Menthe?” Galloran asked, breathless. “I'll find Nicro! She's good at tending to wounds—”
“No. No!” Menthe shoved the stallion away. “Don't fuss over me!” He pointed up. “Fly, boy! Check the other platforms for stragglers! We...” He coughed, wheezed. “We g-gotta make sure all of the elders are evacuated! Starting with the oldest ones!”
“Yes... y-yes, Menthe! I'm on it!” Galloran spun around, took a running start, and flew like a brown blur towards the upper spire. He soared over the heads of more ponies stumbling out of the lower holds.
Among them was Kyron, his muzzle agape as he stared up at the wobbling structure. Before his and everypony else's eyes, the tightly-bunched yellow shoots that formed the central Shaft turned a gnarled, dirty brown. The whole Reed was swiftly decaying... crumbling away. Strip by strip, its shoots peeled off into the Quade, leaving nothing but stark black metal underneath, and the precariously dangling wooden constructs that supported the lower platforms.
Each watery percussion was echoed by moans, a ghostly growing chorus of wailing sobs and gut-wrenching howls. Mares collapsed—sobbing—in each other's trembling embrace. Stallions rent their tunics to shreds, howling towards the sky, bellowing and entreating Verlaxion's name.
This cacophonous spectacle was not lost to Antsan. He lingered on one of the adjoining ramps, struggling to stand upright while an empty platform just two spaces away unraveled like eviscerated entrails, dribbling dead and brown into the shallow waters below. He looked across the narrowing expanse to see Kyron falling to his knees, surrounded by elders who clung to him, sobbing into his garments as they refused to look at the unthinkable calamity.
High above, on a barely surviving platform, Rainbow Dash galloped—more like limped out of a crumbling building. The shack collapsed within seconds of her exit, and the weight of it dragged the entire platform down into the drink.
Rainbow's friends shrieked. Meanwhile, she lunged forward, flinging her dead weight towards the nearest ramp. She caught on by the sheer grip of her forward limb-joints, then hauled herself onto the next disc. Rolling over, she slipped—then tumbled down a woven incline, leaving a thin bloodstreak behind. Pain wracked through her body, which is why her eyes were clenched at the precise moment that a soft hoof reached down to help her.
She grabbed onto the hoof the moment she felt it, then was lifted up on all fours. She opened her eyes, blinking.
Nicro stood before her on wobbly legs. Her face was drenched in tears. Muzzle quivering, she gazed past Rainbow—flinching as another platform fell into the waters on the far side. After a few rapid blinks, she glanced at the naked tower being exposed behind the dying Reed, then connected her gaze to Rainbow's bloodied wing. A sharp breath left her, and she shuffled backwards, growing more and more pale.
Rainbow Dash stood in place, wheezing. She sensed four colors in her peripheral, and somehow that was enough to urge forth: “Nicro...”
“You... it was you...?”
Rainbow gulped. “I... didn't think the entire Reed would actually die...” Rainbow took a step forward. “I-I just needed—”
Nicro flinched away from her, shivering.
Rainbow gnashed her teeth. “I needed to get through! To my friend! You... you wouldn't understand...”
Nicro whimpered, then bit her lip. “Get away from me...”
“It was all a lie anyways...” Rainbow limped, teetered, then reached a hoof forward. “Please—”
“Get away!” Nicro batted her hoof to the side, tossing Rainbow's balance off so that the pegasus stumbled into a railing. “Mmmm...!” She covered her muzzle with two forelimbs. Beady eyes darted left and right in abject horror. “Oh Goddess... oh Goddess Verlaxion, forgive me!” She deflated like a rotted flower. “We have sinned... we have sinned and this is our Plight...”
“No...” Rainbow hissed, sneering into the air. “No!”
One by one, the Luminards dropped to their haunches, bending over and burying their weeping muzzles into their forelimbs as they all filled the air with one, collective, penitent wail. It shook the waters of the Quade, outshouting Rainbow and her ardent cries. Fluttershy hid in Rarity's hug, squeezing her trembling hooves over her ears to silence the hellacious bedlam.
“NO!” Rainbow barked, stumbling past her friends, growling past the pain in her wing. “Do not give in! She... she's tricked you!” She panted and writhed. “Verlax has tricked all of you!” She panted, strung tightly between blood and tears. “This... this is exactly... wh-what...” Eyes flickered red on yellow. “...what she wants... what she... she...”
Several platforms away, Galloran landed, carrying two frail elders under each forelimb. He laid them down, then stumbled—breathless—towards Menthe. “I did a head-count. That's everypony.” He gulped. “What... wh-what now, Menthe?”
“Shhh...” Menthe frowned, pointing past him.
Galloran turned, blinking at the flailing lunatic shouting against the chanting.
“Verlax! She designed this from the beginning! This... this trap! She had trapped all of you! Don't you realize that?! I'm sorry... I'm sorry but you'll have to move on!” Rainbow's voice cracked. “You'll have to find better lives! This isn't... it's not everything!” She snarled, stomping her hooves. “Will you friggin' stop and listen! I had no choice, dang it! I had no choice—”
A body rammed into Rainbow Dash—impacting her left side.
Twilight and Pinkie gasped.
“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy flinched in Rarity's embrace, reaching out from afar. “Rainbow—!”
“Aaaugh!” Instantly crippled, Rainbow flew in the direction away from her screaming pain, tumbling down a careening platform and stopping at the nearest ramp.
Antsan loomed above her. Every ounce of his muscle was writhing in fury. “Did you?!?” He spat. “Did you really have no choice?!” He marched closer, one thudding hoofstep at a time. “You... who ignored warning after warning about the sanctity of the Reed?! You... who was given every ounce of mercy by our wise Elder, and still you chose to defecate all over his good graces?!”
“He... you...” Rainbow sat up, wincing. “...nopony listened...”
“Yeah?! And who cared—” He kicked her savagely in her injured wing, causing her to howl and writhe. “—huh?! Where was the—” Another kick, harder this time. “—respect?!”
“Aaaaugh!” Rainbow bellowed, her body rolling down the ramp and onto the adjacent platform.
“No!” Fluttershy sobbed. “Help her!” She flashed a look over Rarity's shoulder. “Twilight! Girls! You must help her!”
“What do you mean you can't?!” Fluttershy exhaled.
“No joke, Fluttershy...” Pinkie looked over, eyes wet and mane drooped. “We can't. None of us can even t-touch Rainbow.”
“But... but...”
“Rainbow, he's coming again!” Rarity hissed, eyes twitching in panic. “You m-must get out of here, darling! If you can't fly, then swim! Move!”
Rainbow struggled to get away. She rolled over. She crawled, hooves scuffling against the Reed. Slipping.
“And your own heathen goddesses!” Anstan heaved, shook. “How much does a murderous piece of filth like you respect them, huh?! Rrrghh—!” He performed a running start this time, slamming his fetlock full-on into Rainbow's ruptured wing muscles.
“Aaaaaagh!” Rainbow rolled over to the platform's edge. Her tail and right lower leg dangled just inches above the Quade. Her eyes rolled back, flickering red-on-yellow as she stared into the waters. Half-a-face gawked back, growing more and more fractured amidst the ripples.
A few platforms away, Sonikah trembled. Despite her sobs, she looked over at Kyron. “Elder... it's Antsan... he's... he's...”
Kyron stared straight ahead, his ears drooped beneath a limp mess of gray braids.
“What now?” Sonikah gulped. “Do... do we do nothing?” She stared. “...Kyron?”
The old stallion's body shook... shuddered. He buried his face in his hoof and simply wept.
Antsan stood above Rainbow's limp body, and—for the briefest of moments—he froze in place, weathering the fresh welts that had formed across his fetlocks. “You... Goddess-forsaken backwards creature... Do you have any idea... any idea what...” His fuming breaths gave way to sputtering breaths. What was once a frown melted into a grimace. “...what I did... the sins I committed...” He gulped. “The thing I was b-before I was called to the Quade?” He clenched his teeth hard... harder. “A continent surrounded by seven filthy seas... and nopony... nothing would take me in... until...” Tears welled up and he hiccuped. “...until these kind... endearing foals of Verlaxion. It was Her grace... Her mercy... the only thing... the only thing”—he hollered—“that washed all the blood away! And then you came in and stained it all red again!” Howling at the top of his lungs, he rushed in and kicked, bucked, and slammed Rainbow's side.
The mare curled up, coughing and sputtering in pain.
Antsan stumbled backwards, sobbing at this point. His body leaned against a loose wooden railing, cracking it. With rediscovered anger, he gripped the length of the splintery beam and snapped it loose. Gripping the item like a spear, the frenzied stallion limped back towards Rainbow Dash.
Galloran flinched. Menthe sat still.
“And yet... in my heart of hearts...” Antsan slurred. “I knew I could never... really maintain Verlaxion's grace.” His teary eyes twitched as he held the sharp part towards the back of her head. “No... Goddess forgive me... I should have been a protector...”
All of the sudden, Fluttershy flinched, yelping.
Rarity wrenched her eyes off Rainbow. “Fluttershy? What is it—?”
“Mmmfnngh... a fire... in m-my head!” Fluttershy squeaked. “Burning anger! Hotter than a comet!” She looked up, pupils shrinking. “Somepony's coming. Fast.”
“Huh?” Rarity gazed skyward.
Antsan inhaled sharply. He raised the stake over Rainbow's vulnerable spine. “...if I'm to be damned by Verlaxion so that everypony else is spared your curse... then so be it—”
Clannnng! A metal staff flew across Anstan's muzzle, showering the Quade with teeth.
An audible gasp broke across the sobbing masses.
Bard landed in a slide, twirled his staff, then uppercutted Antsan before the Luminard could even hope to recover.
Whack! The red-mane'd monk fell back, his body ragdolling against a platform's edge. He rattled to a stop, curling up and moaning in pain.
Wincing, Rainbow looked up, her pained eyes thin. “Bard?” She blinked. “Is it—”
“Shut yer trap!” the stallion growled. He glared across the Quade. “Dubya-Cee! Keep 'em at bay!”
Thwooosh! In a murking streak of black feathers, the griffon landed, nightsticks raised. As soon as the Luminards saw their haggard reflections in his dark, dark lenses, they backed up.
“Boy—” Menthe started.
“Right...” Galloran reached back to a satchel, producing a sharp dagger.
“...!” In a millisecond, Wildcard saw it. He flung a nighstick far across the platforms.
Multiple heads ducked, but Galloran was too slow. The metal club smacked the weapon out of his hoof. The young stallion fell back with a yelp.
Wildcard held his metal palm out. With a dull vibration, the inner magnets kicked in, drawing the flung weapon all the way back until he gripped it once more.
Meanwhile, Bard hoisted Rainbow's battered body over his shoulder. She yelped more than once, but he didn't make any attempt to go slower. “I got 'er! Dubya! Take wing!”
“Hey...” Menthe hissed, hobbling up to his aching hooves. “Don't you—”
“Now! Skedaddle time!” Bard flapped his wings and shot towards the sky. The four spectres trailed invisibly after him. “Go! Go!”
Wildcard flew backwards, lenses on the Luminards. He then sheathed his nightsticks, spun around, and soared after his partner. Both Desperadoes streaked their way east, hugging the southern bank of the Quade.
“No! Don't you do it!” Menthe hollered. “Don't you leave this! Come back!”
Galloran shuddered, slumping back on his haunches as shivers took over.
“Bastards! Cowards! Come back and answer for what you've done!” Menthe flung a hoof at the scant, crumbling remains of the Reed. “For what you've all done, dammit! Rohbredden will hear about everything! Do you hear me?! Everything!”
Sonikah sniffled. She retreated from the noise, leaning up and nuzzling Kyron. The elder said nothing aside from his quiet, lonesome sobs.
Across the Quade, Antsan pulled himself to his hooves. His eyes were full of the detritus of the Reed... his ears swimming with the collective howls of his fellow congregation. He took one last look at the three fading dots along the east horizon... and then he saw nothing, for the fog of tears consumed all. Nicro had hobbled over to him by this point. She rested a hoof on his shoulder, then allowed the collapsing stallion to bury his sobbing muzzle in her embrace. She held him close, hung her head, then closed her eyes to the chaos.
The Desperadoes climbed sharply, spun, then dipped low, barely clipping the treetops along the last vestige of earth. Bordering the southeast edge of the Quade, Bard dove, swiftly approaching the forested plateau full of pine and fruit trees. Muscles taut, he dropped like an anvil, landing on four thudding hooves.
Rainbow swayed on his backside, flinching from her wounds. Nevertheless, she endured a cold shudder, then lisped through a weak smile. “Bard... thank you.” She gulped. “You have no idea how close I was to bit—”
Bard unceremoniously dumped her on the forest floor.
“Gaaukt!” She bounced, rolled, then came to a wincing stop against a tree—much to the gasping shock of her marefriends. “Ow! Mother-friggin' ow, dude...”
“What was that?!?” Bard hollered down at her, his voice reaching strange, caustic decibels. “What in the blue shittin' Hell was that?!?” He shrugged his guitar case, his money satchel, his everything off and reeled angrily above her. “Dubya-Cee and I leave ya alone for five Goddess-forsaken minutes and the next thing we know yer clear across the Quade, waging an unholy war against basket-weavers!”
“Bard...” Rainbow wheezed, struggling to hobble to her hooves. “If... if you let me explain—”
“Oh! Explain! Hah! That'll be mighty rich!” Bard nodded sarcastically. “I've got the good mind to have Mofo here lobotomize yer dag-blame'd skull with his beak! At this rate, that's the closest we'll ever get to scoopin' up a dayum reasonable explanation for why ya just lit up the Luminades' home like fireworks on Unification Day!”
“Please... girls...” Fluttershy shuddered. “I'm so c-confused. Where in Equestria are we? And who is this mean, angry stallion?”
“Fluttershy, darling...” Rarity cowered beside Rainbow Dash along with the other three. “...I'm quite certain none of us have ever seen 'angry' until now.”
Rainbow wobbled on all fours, waving a hoof. “Bard... the Reed was empowered by Verlax's power, okay?” Wildcard walked up to Rainbow's side, reaching two talons to examine her wing. She angrily brushed him off and limped forward, frowning at Bard. “The chaos metal didn't just protect the Reed... it was the only thing keeping it intact! If I had known that, then I would have tried something other than using my pendant on the shoots—”
“Usin' yer pendant on the—” Bard threw his hat down and tugged at his mane. “Flippin' fat farts, Rainbow!” His eyes bulged as he swung his hooves forward. “Do ya even hear yerself right now?!”
“Bard, what do you friggin' want from me—?”
“What I want...” He flung a limb westward, hissing. “...is to know why the pegasus who I thought was a sane and valued friend went complete apeshit and attacked a monastery full of peaceful, Goddess-lovin' innocent citizens!”
“They were living a lie, Bard!” Rainbow shouted back. Wildcard returned to her side, but this time she didn't fight off his gentle inspection. “Why would you defend something so blatantly wrong—?”
“Because I defend a pony's right to life... any kind of life... so long that it's free and peaceful!”
“Even when you know... when you've seen the evidence that every single one of those living souls is being coerced by a omniscient dictator?!”
“Rainbow, don't bother,” Twilight grumbled. “Even I don't want to hear what you have to s—”
Rainbow waved her off with an angry hoof. “That's not a peaceful life, Bard! It's a prison disguised as one!”
“Oh!” Bard nodded, folding his forelimbs with a frown. “And so—that's it, then, huh?! The Luminards were all imprisoned sheep and lambs, just waitin' for ol' sheriff Rainbow to come moseyin' in, bustin' them loose from their pens by dismantlin' their very existence!”
Rainbow fumed. While Wildcard opened his bandoleer and pulled out an array of bandages and sutures, she leaned back, glaring at the surrounding trees. “If... if the Luminards learn to live a new life... one free from Verlaxion... then that's just a bonus effect of my doing what I had to do.”
“And just what did you have to do, Rainbow?!”
“Have you not been paying any attention to anything I've had to say?!” Rainbow frowned. “To anything I've had to prove?!” She flung a hoof, nearly clipping Wildcard's skull by accident. “There's more to this world than meets the eye! Especially here! In Rohbredden!”
“I swear to Goddess...” Bard glared, pointing an angry hoof. “If you even dare bringin' up this Machine World garbage to excuse yer high-horsin' around—”
“It's not just the Machine World, Bard!” Rainbow swung her hoof across the horizon, shaking her head. “It's not even the entire world! The entirety of everything! If I don't finish my journey...” She pointed at the shivering figures behind her. “...if I don't resurrect each and every one of my dead friends and restore them to Harmony...” She pointed at her own heaving chest. “...I don't even get to reach the Midnight Armory! Nothing gets rebooted! And this whole world—this whole crazy shindig that we're all floundering on goes kaput! Boom! Dead! Gone for good, along with every living pony on it—imprisoned by a false Goddess or not! And—heck—for all I know, it could take all of Urohringr down with it! Who even knows how that piece of hardware is failing without the part that was lost in the Sundering?! I don't! But I'm not willing to take the gamble!” She pointed at him. “Are you, high and mighty guitar-twanging Bard?!”
“Not when it involves the unnecessary sacrifice of peace-lurvin' ponies, Rainbow!” Bard cackled. “That ain't how a Desperado rolls!” His eyes sliced towards the side, meeting Wildcard. “Is it?”
Wildcard merely flinched. He clenched his beak harder as he silently proceeded to form a tourniquet, wrapping bandages around Rainbow's wing.
“Bard... that... so called 'sacrifice?'” Rainbow pointed west. “Ponies can walk away from that! Ponies will walk away from that! Guess how many ponies are going to walk away from this world when it enters a cold, chaotic void far... far away from any magic or spark or—”
“So yer just gonna use that to justify smashin' the faces in of every pony that stands in the way of you and yer holy fart crusade! Whew! Great job, darlin'!” Bard clapped his hooves in the forested air. “How nice to know that you've taken the stance of a Divine Matriarch!”
“Bard...”
“Must be easy wakin' up and lookin' at yer dirty reflection in the mornin' if everyone else is just a worm to ya!” He smirked bitterly aside. “Ain't that right, Dubya?”
“You yourself once stated that the two of you were in it with me for the long-haul,” Rainbow said. “That's an easy thing to say... but now I see that when it comes time to doing anything that's—”
“Rainbow, we were willin' to do somethang for ya!” Bard exclaimed, stretching his forelimbs out. His eyes blinked wide at her with utter incredulity. “We was gonna take ya all the way to the Wyverns so that—”
“What? They could join me in smashing my head against the same brick wall?! No, Bard! That's not how it works!” She pointed west. “Yaerfaerda was pointing me to the Luminards' Tower... not east to Rohbredden! Not to anywhere else! It was pointing to inside the Reed. Back when it pointed me to Shoggoth, I knew I had only one place to go. You and Wildcard were willing to help me get there! What happened to the Desperadoes since, huh? Where went the badflanks who thought it'd be cool to rob money under the Syndicate's noses—?!”
Bard pointed. “That ain't even fair and youknow it!” He snarled. “The Northern and Southern Hooves were murderers, liars, and cheaters. Doin' them over was no simple money-grabbin' heist. It was doin' a service for every sea in Rohbredden, makin' it safer for innocent, honest ponies! What does destroyin' the lives of a bunch of monks do for the world, Rainbow? Nothing! And the Desperadoes understand that because to play ignorance is to break the dayum code that we committed to from the get go—”
“Bard, for Pete's sake—”
“A code that you knew about!” Bard hollered, causing the leaves around them to shake. “Which is why you took off like a dayum rocket, thinkin' you could get away with doin' something stupid, selfish, and downright cruel without us! Because you knew we wouldn't approve! You knew that we would try'n'stop you! But you went and did it anyway! And when Hell's waters flowed back across the tub, who was there to save yer sorry ass from drowning in it?!” He slapped the soft earth in front of him. “Dammit, Rainbow... t'ain't enough that ya gotta turn yerself into public enemy number one! Odds are, now you've got yer dirty stank all over Dubya and I! How're the Desperadoes gonna pull themselves out of this mess, huh?” He shook his head, lost in a grumbling sigh.
Rainbow remained glaring at him, all the while Wildcard went through his motions. At last, she muttered: “I don't need your approval, Bard. I don't need your so-called Desperado code. And if you're not going to support me all the way on this, then I don't need you.”
Wildcard froze. His goggles tilted in Bard's direction.
“Fine... Fine!” Bard tossed his forelimbs. “Then what do ya need...” He leaned forward. “...Austraeoh?”
Rainbow continued, icily: “What I need... is to reach the beacons... release my friends... and save what's left of this world. It's the only thing that matters...” She slowly shook her head. “It's the only thing that's ever mattered. I didn't always realize it... but it's all become clear to me now.”
“Why? Because of Verlax's wise and learned pep talks?!” Bard gestured. “Yer the one who called her 'mad,' for Goddess' sake!”
“Mad... yes... but even still, she knows more than I do. Just like Axan did. And Nevlamas. And all the stupid nasties I've butted heads with before. There's too much stupidity, Bard... a rising tide I can't swim against. Like the edge of the world, it all has to end. Something's got to give sooner or later, and if I'm to get anywhere—Dark Side or beyond—I... I have to learn to...” Rainbow shook, cringed, but eventually blurted: “To adapt. And someday... someday I will get the drop on her... and on Tchern and on Endrax and on everyone and whoever. I will figure them out before their traps end m-me...” She fought shivers. “Before they end everything.”
“Somethin' tells me yer plum lookin' forward to the traps.”
“Don't pretend, Bard.”
“Pretend to what?”
“To know.”
Bard stared at her. He opened his muzzle... hesitated... then opened it again. “Alright.” His voice was eerily calm. “Rainbow Dash." He inhaled sharply. "Did it work?”
Rainbow blinked. “Did what work?”
“The Reed.” Bard's eyes narrowed. “Did you get her out?” He swallowed. “Did you retrieve Fluttershy?”
“... ... ...” Rainbow's nostrils flared. “Yes.”
“Element of Kindness?” Bard craned his neck. “Niceness herself?”
“Get to the point.”
“You want a point? Then let me point you.” He aimed his hoof at the general direction behind her. “Look at her. Look at Fluttershy, wherever she may be. Ask her.” His brow furrowed. “Ask her... if she thinks that what you've done... so hastily and hatefully... is worth the price of bringing her back.”
Wildcard slowly turned to look at Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow stared ahead, a gaze that slowly... icily melted towards the forest floor. Her ears folded, but it wasn't enough to block out the trembling voice.
“Rainbow...?”
Rainbow clenched her teeth.
“Rainbow Dash...?”
The mare closed her eyes. She refused to turn her head.
“Why... why is everyone yelling at each other? Why are you t-talking like this? It's... it's not...” Soft feathers ruffled in the windless air. A sniffling breath... another. “Please tell me this is all a bad dream. This isn't you, Rainbow. This can't be.”
Rainbow shuddered, the edges of her eyelids tearing. She tried coiling her limbs to her side, but it only caused her to wince.
“Please... I just want somepony to tell me what's going on...” the voice wept.
“There there, Fluttershy...” Rarity patted her shoulder.
Twilight leaned in. “I'm sorry you h-had to see this...” She fought back a sob. “I'm sorry you had to see everything.”
“Why is everypony so sad and angry? Did... did Discord do this?”
“Oh Flutters...” Pinkie whimpered.
“Is he responsible?”
“Well?” Bard frowned. “What are you waiting for?”
“Stop it...” Rainbow whispered.
“Look Fluttershy. In the face. And tell her.”
Rainbow sat in place, eyes shut.
Wildcard fidgeted. He glanced at Bard.
“Fine! That's perfectly fine!” Bard tossed his forelimbs. “If you won't do it, then I will! Ahem.” He trotted forward, putting on a plastic grin as he stared into the vicinity closest to Rainbow. “Fluttershy? Darlin'?”
Rainbow's teeth showed. “Do not—”
“Celestia, no—” Rarity flinched.
Bard smiled wide, his voice disgustingly melodic: “Yer Harmony-lurvin' pal Rainbow Dash figured it was A-okay to tear down an entire civilization just to bring back yer purdy little hide—”
“Rrrr-Raaaaaugh!” Rainbow tore Wildcard's bandages apart, leaping forward. The sudden force of her lunge shoved Bard hard to the ground. Before he could get up, she leered over him, pointing a savage hoof. “You do not! Speak! For my friends!”
“Nrnnngh!” Bard sat up. “They gotta own up to the truth! Just like you do—”
Rainbow shoved him back down, pressing her weight to his chest. “You do not talk to them!” Her eyes flared. “You do not even deserve to say their names!” She pointed at herself. “I am the Element of Loyalty! The Last Piece of Harmony! They are my friends! And it's up to me and me alone to bring them back! Not you!” She pointed, fuming. “You... a lame guitar-humping nopony who's too much of a coward to control his own wayward life that he's gotta throw his stupid little virtues all over everyone else instead!” She pointed at Wildcard. “You even got a ninja parrot to do all the real dirty work for you! When have you ever risked anything that you could even come close to saying that you've loved?!”
“Rainbow,” Rarity frowned. “I do believe that's quite enough!”
Bard looked up at Rainbow, fuming. “You dun know me—”
“What I know... is a dead weight when I see one!” Rainbow snarled. “Even a couple of deadweights! If you're not going to help me, then get the buck out of my horizon!”
Bard opened his mouth—but he froze in place. Blinking. “Are... are you saying—”
Rainbow hollered: “I'm telling you—”
Pinkie winced. “Dashie, no—!”
“—scram!” Rainbow hollered, seething.
Bard stared at her.
“Go on!” Rainbow flung her hoof. “Beat it! Take off to White Barge or Blue Barge or Crap Barge or whatever!” She spun around, tail flicking. “Take a hike, Desperadoes!” She shuddered, glaring down at the forest floor. “Your stupid train stops here!”
Wildcard winced. Chewing on his lower beak, he glanced over at Bard.
Bard stared in silence. Slowly—with extraordinary grace, under a frigid curtain of deathly silence—he stood up, brushed himself off, then picked up his hat and belongings. Cracking his neck joints, he quietly trotted past Rainbow... until he not so quietly opened his muzzle: “I'll say this one thang—”
“Gotta go out with an encore, huh, Bard?” Rainbow growled.
“Just this.” Bard squinted viciously at her. “Yer so bent over backwards about preventin' the world from dyin'. I only hope—before yer speedy wings finally fall off—that you discover what it means to be livin'. Cuz this right here, Rainbow?” He waved at the ghostly space around her. “This ain't it. And that's a cryin' shame. The most cryin'est shame there ever was.” Nostrils flared for one last time, and he shuffled off, trotting east. “Let's go, Dubya.”
Wildcard lingered in place. He looked at Bard, then at Rainbow. He reached one last time for her tattered bandages—
“Leave it,” Bard said.
Wildcard flinched. He looked over, his feathers drooping.
“I said leave it!” Bard adjusted his hat. The barest hint of a profile faced away from the sunset. “Ya can't fix what's broken inside. No matter how hard ya try.” He spread his wings. “I should know. At least somepony does.” Thwooosh! And then he was a shadow against the breeze.
Wildcard fidgeted. His goggled lenses swam one last time in Rainbow's direction.
“What are ya waiting for, ya melon fudge...” Rainbow faced away from him, body limp... twitching. “Your partner's waiting.”
Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie stared in gaping silence.
Wildcard exhaled. He opened his beak for a brief moment... lingered... then closed it. Fwooosh! In a murking streak, he was gone.
Rarity let out a tiny whimper.
“Oh gosh...” Pinkie mewled like a kitten. She hobbled desperately after the two departing shapes along the horizon. “Oh gibbity gobboty gosherkins! No no no no!” She bounced up and down, waving her forelimbs. “Bard! Come back, Bard! Barrrrd!”
“Who w-were they?” Fluttershy trembled. “Why did they leave?”
“Barrrrrrrd! Come back, Bard!” Pinkie wailed.
“Not going to work, Pinkie, and you know it,” Twilight rushed past her. “Rarity—try to calm her down—Rainbow!”
Rainbow was hobbling across the forest at this point. She searched for an embankment—or a slope of some kind—so that she could descend towards the edge of the Quade.
“Rainbow! Rainbow Dash!” Twilight panted, floating faster to keep up.
“Gotta... look through the rocks...” Rainbow Dash wheezed, wincing as she limped on and on. “There's... there's gotta be something. There's always something.” Her nostrils flared. “Some discarded tools... a bit of twine. I've made a raft out of ancient junk before, what's stopping me now?”
“What are you going to do?!” Twilight frowned. “Build a submarine out of twigs, mushrooms, and mangoes?!” She darted ahead of Rainbow Dash, stretching her arms out. “Rainbow, stop! Just stop!”
“I can't stop, Twilight,” Rainbow grumbled above the noise of crashing waves. “That's the name of the game. You know it—”
“No, Rainbow! I don't know it!” Twilight folded her forelimbs with an iron frown. “As a matter of fact, I'm starting to think I don't know anything!”
Rainbow blew bangs out from before her freshly scarred forehead. “Oh really...”
“Because you refuse to explain anything! Like... like what you did just now!” Twilight gestured towards the east horizon.
“What about it...?”
“Surely you must admit, darling,” Rarity said, trotting over with two other mares in tow. Fluttershy leaned nervously against Pinkie, her body still trembling. “While melodramatic and unorthodox, what you did... back there has a tiny degree of maniacal sense. But asking the Desperadoes to leave?!”
“You heard them,” Rainbow muttered, avoiding their gazes... avoiding everypony. “Bard and Bard Jr were just going to hold me back—”
“From doing what?! Being a freakin' supervillain?!” Pinkie Pie shrieked. “Dashie, I didn't want to come across as rude before—BUT HAVE YOU GONE COMPLETELY GRAVEL GUZZLING BONKERS?!”
“Pinkie...” Fluttershy shuddered. “Ow... my ears...”
“Look, Fluttershy's out. The beacon's gone. Can we all...” Rainbow cringed, then shuffled forward past Twilight. “Can we all just please give it a rest?”
“Rainbow...?!?!” Twilight gawked. “As much as Pinkie doesn't stand to be echoed—have you truly lost your mind?!” She floated swiftly to catch up. “Sure, Bard may have pressed your buttons a bit but—for Celestia's sake!—I'd be lying if I said I was the only one who agreed with him on... on...”
“Everything,” Rarity droned.
“Exactly! And... and your w-wing!” Twilight squeaked, wincing as she pointed. “Your wing, Rainbow! Your flippin' wing! Just look at it!”
“It'll heal...” Rainbow grumbled. “Why not? It's done so before.”
“And how are you going to fly east without it, huh?!” Twilight frowned. “What... you're going to cloud hop or something?”
“If I have to, sure.”
“What does that even mean, Rainbow?”
“It means that I will find a way!” Rainbow snarled, zig-zagging to pass the unicorn's ghostly advances. “I always do!”
“Not on your own, you haven't!” Twilight simply floated in front of her again, frowning. “Deny it all you want, but you'd be mince meat if it weren't for the Desperadoes.”
“Grfff...” Rainbow took a sharp right turn and threaded through the trees. “I don't have time for this—”
“And before them, Theanim Mane! And before him, Nick and Sinrar!”
“And the Jury!” Rarity added.
“And us!” Pinkie grinned wide. A blink, and she flinched. “Uhm... we count too, right?”
“Point is, you're going about this all wrong in every conceivable way!” Twilight folded her forelimbs. “And I want to know why!”
“Friggin' egghead...” Rainbow leaned against a tree, fuming. “'Explain to me this.' 'Explain to me that.'” She barked over her shoulder. “You can't just be taught everything, Twilight! We're a long-flank way from Celestia's study halls! Most things in life you gotta learn by doing!”
“Says the crazy mare who decided to make the lazy, hasty decision of bashing her way into the Luminards' home instead of something patient, thorough, and sane!”
“It wasn't 'lazy' or 'hasty.'”
“What was so wrong about Bard's and Wildcard's plan, huh?!” Twilight Sparkle flung a hoof. “Give us that at least!”
“Rrrngh...” Rainbow limped past the tree, nearly slipping on the pine needles and leaves. “I got enough of this from the guitar-plucker. I don't need it from you—”
“Oh don't you?!” Twilight Sparkle scowled. “We... your friends... the ones whom you are ever so loyallll to...” She waved a hoof in a mock salute. “Miss 'Last Surviving Element of Harmony.'” She spat, “We don't deserve a proper explanation???”
“Twi's right, though!” Pinkie said, holding Fluttershy close. “Goin' the Desperadoes' way woulda been waaaaaaaaay easier!”
“Mmmm... and kinder,” Fluttershy barely whispered.
“See?!” Pinkie grinned wide, fluffing the trembling pony's pink mane. “She's already on board!”
“I just don't understand the nature of your concern, Rainbow!” Rarity floated around until she faced the wounded pegasus. “What, did you think we wouldn't have survived the perils of a long sea flight?”
“Or shaking talons with the wiley wyverns?” Pinkie added.
“Surely you're no coward!” Rarity waved a hoof. “And the Desperadoes had proven themselves time and time again to be valuable, dependable assets!”
Rainbow shuddered, staring away from her. "I'm no c-coward...” she whispered.
“Rainbow, talk to us!” Twilight floated in front of her again. “So maybe you don't think hard and maybe you don't plan stuff out but I know that you're no idiot! Something burned inside of you and it came out there in the Quade! If you don't tell us what it is, we'll never get anywhere! I don't care how versatile you think you are on your own!”
“It's like I said...” Rainbow pivoted about, shuffling away from her. “I have to do what I must to get by.”
“But so hastily?!” Rarity shrugged. “With no rhyme or reason!”
“I have to finish this trip my way—”
Twilight hovered closer. “And not the smart way?”
“It's not about smarts!” Rainbow spun again, her voice growing more and more ragged. “It's about t-time!”
“Why are you walking in silly little circles, Dashie?”
“Pinkie—”
“What's the rush, Rainbow?!” Twilight shrugged.
“I can't hold back for anything—!”
“And why in Celestia's name not—?!”
“Because I'm dying!” Rainbow hollered, and the trees echoed her cracking voice.
All four ponies gaped at her in granite silence...
Rainbow gulped. “I'm dying...” She shuddered, the breaths coming out in ragged waves. She swallowed again. “Slowly... each p-passing day... dizzy spell after dizzy spell...”
The four stared back.
“Since... since when...?” Pinkie murmured.
“Since always.” Rainbow gulped. “Since the day...” She raised a trembling hoof to her pendant. “...that I put on this stupid thing... and chose to destroy the statue of a beast...” Her voice took on a hissing tone. “...who took away the only five things in this world that ever meant anything to me.”
Rarity held a hoof over her chest.
“And ever since then...” Rainbow seethed through her teeth. “Mrmmm—his chaos has been surging inside of me... leeching off of me... killing me bit by bit.” She gulped. “Death comes in dizzy spells... then nausea... then numbness. I... c-cannot cure it. I can only hope to stave it off. At first... I thought that maybe the Harmonic Prism in the Midnight Armory would solve it. But... I-I never actually had any hope of g-getting there. Not at first. But then I discovered the beacons... the ruby flame in the Machine World. I... I-I discovered that they could continue my life...extend the expiration date. But... b-but only for a short while. Soon enough...” She looked up, panting. “...it just became a short enough time to matter... beacon after beacon... continent after continent... problem after problem. Until I found myself having to keep myself alive just to do important things... awesome things... harmonic things.”
“But...” Pinkie sniffled. “You're still d-dying?”
“I... c-can't outrun it forever.” Rainbow Dash gulped. “Maybe the Harmonic Prism will do the trick. I dunno. And quite frankly, I no longer care. That alicorn artifact took on a whole new meaning the very moment Twilight appeared. Then Rarity. Then Pinkie Pie... and now... and n-now...” She turned, pivoting her head, at last, to stare face to face with the softest soul of the bunch.
A pair of turquoise eyes blinked back, misty.
Rainbow gulped. Her voice took on a foalish tone: “And when I take it off...” She winced. “...the chaos takes over completely. I become a monster.”
“What do you mean... a monster?” Rarity stammered.
“I become chaos.” Rainbow bit her lip. “I become him.”
Fluttershy gulped. “Rainbow...?”
“But... it's a b-beastly version of him. Uncontrollable. Ravenous. No sense of humor or ego or anything... just chaos and violence. I c-could maybe live forever if I j-just let myself become it. Turning over—even partially—has healed parts of me before. But no... I refuse.” Rainbow hugged herself, starting to hyperventilate. “You don't know true chaos. That wasn't a monster that crashed the Luminards back there. N-no, it was me. They don't want the beast... they don't want... d-don't want...” Her voice squeaked as the seething voice gave way to frantic tears.
Rarity and Pinkie bunched in together next to Fluttershy.
“... ... ...they... th-they scooped up my body like roadkill... the Ledomaritans... they hooked me up to things... chaotic things... metal... dust... like Verlax's... but a machine... a poor mimic of what lies beneath us. Unholy... scrkkkt And... and they cultivated the chaos inside of me... and they fed it... th-they fed me... heheheh... heheheheheheh!” She looked up, and her eyes briefly flickered red-on-yellow, forcing the mares to jolt. “They fed me! They fed me they fed me they fed me and... and I... I...” She shook, heaved, then hissed: “I killed them! I killedso many of them!”
Fluttershy recoiled, face retching in horror.
“And I couldn't stop it. I... I couldn't... I couldn't...” She gripped her skull, shuddering all over. “Thank Celestia I barely remember it! Praise Luna that Bellesmith and Pilate took me in... instead of throwing me into a deep, dark chasm like any sane pony should have! And when... and when and when and when they proved th-that a cr-crazy freak of chaos and harmony like m-me could actually have friends again... I... I-I-I...” She flinched, and—on a dime—her shivers stopped. The next voice that came out was eerily calm. “... ... ...I did everything that was in my power to protect that.”
“You mean...?” Rarity breathed.
“We were in a dangerous land... with many dangers... and many dangerous ponies...” Rainbow icily lifted her face, and all sign of tears were gone. “And when it became necessary, I removed those dangers... by being a danger myself.”
“What do you mean 'removed,'?” Twilight stammered.
“Extinguished.” Rainbow looked at Rarity. “Snuffed out.” She looked at Fluttershy. “Killed.”
Fluttershy gulped hard. Pinkie reached in to hug her tight.
“I've... killed ponies, Fluttershy...” Her glazed expression washed over the rest. “Rarity... Pinkie... Twilight.” She gulped and exhaled: “I've murdered soldiers... beasts... criminals... changelings... goblins and cultists...” She held her barely-bandaged hooves out. “...all to prevent things like this.” Her eyes flared. “I have not always been successful... and some of those friends I made? They died...” She shook her head. “But it didn't stop there. Innocents died. Citizens died. Not one... but two entire townships died... all because of me... and the mistakes I've made... mistakes of not being forceful enough to ensure that nopony else is more dangerous than me.” She ran a hoof over her wounded forehead, wincing. “And you know what my only regret is?” She tried to smile, but something crooked leapt into existence, only to fade in a whimper. “I haven't been dangerous enough.”
Silence.
Twilight stood at the front of the group, for her frown was the heaviest. “You should have told us,” she said quietly. She swallowed, eyes hard as diamonds. “You should have trusted us enough to let us know.”
Rainbow frowned, nostrils flaring. “To let you know what? That I'm a slowly decaying anomaly?! That what I am and the circumstances that I have been forced to face have made me anything but the friendly weather flier you all once got to make friends with?!”
“That would have been a good start, yeah!” Twilight nodded. “And then you could have continued by explaining to me—explaining to us—exactly when and where the Rainbow Dash we know and love got replaced with somepony so simple-minded and impressionable that'd she would think that any of that... and any of this would be okay!”
“Hahahahahaaaa...” Rainbow Dash shook her aching head. “Ohhhhhh boy, here we go—”
“Rainbow...” Twilight tried to frown, but it wasn't enough to stop the flow of tears. “Nothing... and I mean absolutely nothing can excuse the deliberate and shameless taking of another pony's life!”
“Twilight Sparkle... Egghead Extraordinaire...”
“It is against every single principal that we hold d-dear in Equestria!” Twilight stammered, her chest heaving as she frowned through her sniffles. “And as a bearer of the Elements of Harmony—the last Bearer... Loyalty Herself... I... I-I cannot even fathom how you would have had the audacity to lose sight of that—”
“You want to know why I didn't tell you all of this before?!” Rainbow hollered. She then pointed aside. “Take a good long look, Twilight!”
Pinkie Pie and Rarity flinched. Together, the two huddled tighter and tighter around Fluttershy. Their shivers were veritably conjoined.
“Go on! Look!” Rainbow rambled, limping around the scene. “They're practically shielding Fluttershy right now! How would you have reacted if I told you all of this when we were alone in the K.M.C.A?! Huh?! Would you have let us continue on with my journey to regain the Elements then?”
“To bring back my friends, absolutely!” Twilight wiped her chin. “But with this deluded version of you at the helm—”
“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh but but but but BUT!” Rainbow snapped at her. “Guess what, Twilight! It's a huge, friggin', cruel world! And Equestria?! This place that you and I know and love? Where we were born? It's just a sliver on the entire map! A super dinky piece of the whole rotten pie! And—oh—I've tried to do things the 'right' way...” Rainbow held a hoof over her chest. “Believe me. I kicked butt when I needed to, but even I knew when to draw the line—or at least I thought I did. Meanwhile, I watched towns ravaged by chaos monsters and innocent little foals tossed to their doom inside a giant metal death pit!”
Fluttershy yelped, covering her face.
“And this is no bedtime story, girls!” Rainbow hissed at the other three, then turned to frown at Twilight again. “This is the world we live in! A world that's been dying ever so slowly... ever so miserably. And—piece by piece—one continent at a time, a crazy Spark has been trying to make something right out of it! And I like to think—all things considered—I've made a pretty darn good track record for myself, counting the civilizations that have recovered from wars, dragon infestations, blizzardy cyclones and all sorts of kaizo stuff in my wake! But trying to make it all work harmoniously... way out here?” Rainbow gestured dramatically. “...not so easy when you have a gun being aimed at your best friend's skull! Or seeing half-eviscerated ponies being roasted alive in dragonfire! Or... or...” Her voice trailed off, and she trembled briefly upon the cusp of a fractured breath. “...entire buildings... s-set ablaze...”
Fluttershy was weeping at this point. Rarity did her best to console her. “Rainbow, really...” She gulped back some bile and shuddered. “M-must you...?”
“Yes, Rarity! I must! Don't you get it?!” Rainbow spun about, staring at Twilight with a pale expression. “I must continue! I have no choice!” She shook her head. “I didn't asked to be Austraeoh! I didn't ask to be this... this crazy chaosy/harmony hybridy thingy! But... f-for better or for worse, I've been called! I wasn't the first pony, but—Celestia help me—if I'm not the last, then I don't know who will be... and darned if they won't be the awesome one to get the job done! Don't you get it?! Don't... don't you see, Twilight?!”
Twilight glared at her, her tears staved for the time-being. “What I see... is a very sick pony... whose entire troubles began when she made the choice... to murder Discord while wearing a piece of our most sacred magic.”
“Twilight...” Rainbow frowned. “Your... sacred magic? It's been wielded less-than-peacefully before... and by those you might even admire—”
“And...” Twilight sneered, pointing west. “...what I saw today was a pony who was so driven by despair...by the throes of her own self-righteous nihilism... that she chose... by her own will... to destroy the lives of countless, good-natured equines... just to further her quest—”
“So what, then?!” Rainbow shrugged. “We just shove Fluttershy right back in—?!”
“And if you think, Rainbow Dash... that I or Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy or Rarity are going to be... in any way, shape, or form... OKAY with you taking us... hijacking us... mmmf—using us, the Elements of Harmony, to commit more acts of violence in some way to validate your outrageously twisted methods—”
“Twilight, if I let myself die... the whole world's screwed!” Rainbow barked. “If I don't get Fluttershy, the whole world's screwed!” She gestured with both hooves. “If I don't get Applejack, guess what?!” She shrugged wildly. “And if I don't make it to the Midnight Armory and back, fetching the Harmonic Prism and striking as many beacons along the way that I can...” She grimaced. “Do you understand now, Twilight?! There'll be no restoring you and there'll be no restoring this world and there'll be no restoring Urohringr! Haven't you ever once thought of looking at the big picture?”
“You mean like Verlax?”
“NO!” Rainbow frowned. “Like the super smart friggin' egghead that you are! Or at least you once were! Maybe now you get why I couldn't just tell you! Or show you!” Rainbow's ears folded as she said, “Because of this, Twilight! Because of all this! I tried... for so long I tried to make myself, this world, this quest seem like something you could have been cool with! That wouldn't make you flip out!” She pointed aside. “That wouldn't make somepony like Fluttershy a dribbling, bawling mess! But I can't do that anymore! Verlax is making it impossible! And if it's not her, then it's going to be whatever I face... whatever we face on the other side!”
“Rainbow Dash, we are not going on this sojourn with you,” Rarity said.
Rainbow flashed her a shocked expression.
Rarity frowned. “Not if this is the sort of price that has to be paid.
“You... you gotta be kidding me...” Rainbow's gaze drifted across the others. “Fluttershy?”
Fluttershy clenched her eyes shut.
“P-Pinkie...”
Wincing, Pinkie looked away. “This... this isn't right...” She sniffled. “I want the old Dashie." Tears streaked. "I want the Dashie I once knew...”
“... ... ...oh you do, huh?” Rainbow Dash shook her head. “Now I see my mistake. You're right, Twilight.” She turned to face her again. “I should have told you from beginning. I should have told you all along.” She chuckled breathily. “I don't even know what I was afraid of anymore!” She suddenly frowned. “If nothing else, I should have been a whole... lot... harder.” She stormed off angrily.
Twilight called out to her. “And you really think that would have won us over?”
“Oh, it doesn't matter!” Rainbow spun to frown at her again. “We are making this journey. It's dangerous and it's frightful, but it's also something that everything depends on, even the corporeal nature of your sorry, ungrateful butts. And we're going to make it to the friggin' Midnight Armory. Even if I have to drag you by your... your... your...”
Pinkie sobbed out the side of her muzzle: “Ectoplasm.Hic!”
“That! Right!” Rainbow pointed, fuming. “And I can't expect you to enjoy the ride, but when push comes to shove, and something threatens to snuff what's left of me out like a candle, remember, it'll snuff you guys out as well. And then what will be left?”
“It's not even going to remotely work this way, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “I would rather see the world die with its integrity intact than save it through the way you're pretending to.”
Rainbow Dash's body slumped with a sigh. She glanced aside, eyes dull. “Well, Twilight, it's a good thing that I'm the one who's flying... and you're the ghost.”
Twilight's eyes narrowed. “I'm your friend, Rainbow Dash. And for the first time since the day we first met, I am ashamed of you.”
Rainbow Dash blinked, breathing heavily.
With a swift inhale, Twilight Sparkle trotted forward. She motioned aside to the others. “Come on, Pinkie... Rarity...”
The others got up on weak legs.
“Where...” Rainbow Dash's eyes fluttered. “Wh-where are you going?”
“The only place...” Twilight murmured without looking at her. “...where I know we will be safe... from you.” And her body started to fade. “Let's go, girls. You too, Fluttershy.”
“But... b-but...” Rainbow gritted her teeth. “What are you all, five?!”
Pinkie limped along. Her mane was practically a dish towel at this point.
“Pinkie...” Rainbow grimaced. “Come on. At least you get the crazy sense in all this, right?”
Pinkie paused. She looked sadly at Rainbow, then faded into the same lavender as Twilight.
“Wait—! Don't...” She looked aside in time to see Rarity disappear. And beside her: “Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy lingered in place. She kneaded the floor, wincing as she saw the lavender glow of her phasing hooves.
“Fluttershy...” Rainbow held her bandaged hooves together, beckoning. “I... I'm sorry... for all this. For everything. But...” She gulped. “But even you once said.... th-that you cannot be kind to everyone.”
Fluttershy sniffled. “Maybe...” Her trembles redoubled, and she stared straight into her drooping mane. “But... mmm... it d-didn't stop me from trying. Even if it killed me. And...” She shuddered, gazing at her shivering hoof through tearful eyes. “...and I'm starting to think that it did.”
Rainbow gaped.
“Fluttershy...” Half of a pale fashionista drifted out of the ether between them. “It's okay, darling. Don't be afraid.”
“But... b-but I just want to know wh-what's happened to everypony,” the mare wept. “Rainbow Dash... Twilight... those p-poor... poor ponies in the river...”
“And that will be explained, Fluttershy. I'll tell you all. It'll be okay...” A gentle hoof grasped the pegasus', dragging her into the light. “...please...” She led her inside. “...we need to go now.”
“Go...?!” Rainbow barked. “Go where—Fluttershy!”
Rainbow saw a pair of glossy eyes flash her way. Turquoise and full of tears and then gone.
She lunged forward, wincing. She gazed down at her pendant, watching as the harmonic ruby pulsed inside the lightning bolt... then vanished.
“... ... ...okay...” She sobbed... but that sob swiftly burned its way into a snarl. “Okay! You wanna play it like that?! Fine! I know how to deal with cheaters! I used to be one myself! You know how to win against cheaters?! You wait them out!” She hollered. “You can't stay in there forever! And even if you did?! I've carried that weight before, ya p-pig headed... guh... grnkk... f-fuzzheads!” She stomped her hooves, voice cracking. “And I did it for months without you! Who says I can't do it again?!”
She spun towards the crashing waves, seething, marching towards the stony shore.
“Ride your temper tantrum as long as you like! It doesn't change anything! I did what I had to do! I've always done what I've had to have done! Out here... harmony?! It works differently! I've come to accept it! I've learned to live with it! Because I can... I-I can... c-can...” She froze in place, her words blocked in by a grimacing muzzle.
Far off, beyond the red-lit ocean waves, dangling loftily above the horizon, Yaerfaerda loomed—a tiny speck at that—shimmering with a cold, distant orange.
Rainbow Dash exhaled. First she shook. Then came the collapse, gently, in waves—until she was a heaving mess, curling up against the dead leaves and pine needles, littering the mud and earth with tiny, delicate tears. She sobbed there, bathed in the shadow of forsaken leaves and uneaten fruit, with nothing but the cold crash of waves to embrace her surmounting howls.
Some time later...
Along the eastern fringes of the Quade...
Among dead rocks... dead wreckage... and dead waters...
A single scrap of a soul shuffled from shoal to shoal, dragging out into the foaming surf a flimsily reassembled watercraft fashioned out of the halves of two different lifeboats.
Rainbow grunted, struggling to lift a bent, rusted excuse for a mast. Nevertheless, through patience, perseverance, and the scant nautical things that both Nick and Theanim Mane taught her, she was able to attach the patchwork remains of a sail that she scavenged from a wreck against the Quade about twenty yards back.
Once she had everything together, she tossed in a heavy sack of ocean mangoes, followed by some twine, an oar, a tiny crate of more scavenged tools, and what resembled a rusty scimitar. All of these she placed tightly against Luna's saddlebag, and then the mare took her rightful place near the stern of the tiny-tiny boat.
Rainbow Dash paused all of the sudden. Behind her, the sun had begun its dreadful dip into the gray waters of the Quade. Far ahead—due east—a moldy black cloud loomed, rumbling from north to south. The moist aura of incoming rain sent a silver sheen across the choppy waters, and through it all—faithful and strong—Yaerfaerda continued its endless orange pulse.
Rainbow bit her lip. She gazed straight up at the last bit of sun-kissed clouds. The sky in between was empty, cold, a frigid malaise where even scaled wings refused to tread.
With a shudder, Rainbow Dash glanced down. She felt the weight of her pendant—now heavier than ever before. She clasped it between two bandaged hooves, wincing from the awkward, makeshift tourniquet she had used to stabilize her punctured wing. She knew of a quick way to heal it, but she refused.
“I'm sorry...” She murmured, cupping the lightning bolt tighter... closer. “I'm so sorry...” She sniffled, staring ahead. Her muzzle was still caked with dry blood, but it didn't stop the barest hint of a smile forming. “But I h-have to keep going. And some day... some way or another... whether you all appreciate it or not... whether you all help me or not...” She fought a sob, lost, then whimpered: “I am going to bring you all back...” A shudder. She pulled out an oar and started rowing. “I'm going to save you all... I'm going to save everyone...”
Rainbow had nothing left to say. She rowed until the churning waters of the Quade were but a hush behind her. There, skirting the fringes of a brand new nothing, she unfurled her sail... and put her faith in the wind.
