Rainbow Dash stumbled forward in her armor, an increasingly difficult feat, due to the metal plates having broken and melted away in various places from her most recent battle. The bottom portion of her helmet had shattered loose, exposing a grimacing face as she continued galloping down the long, dark corridor that Roarke's rockets had exposed through the arena wall. As she led the procession of frantically fleeing prisoners, the concrete walls shook with the echoing thuds of several muffled explosions, emanating from the far ends of Searo's Hold.
"Okay, I've got just one question..."
"How can we commit mass suicide and avoid torture once the metal mares get ahold of us?" Imre's voice droned.
"Where the hay does this goddess-forsaken tunnel lead?!" Rainbow Dash barked, her suit rattling. "And, furthermore, can it take us and all these poor saps somewhere safe?"
"That's two questions, genius."
"Y'know, you're waaaaaay to sarcastic to afford being that literal."
"Nnnngh..." Imre grunted, marching halfway down the line of stumbling ponies. "From what I hear, there's a passageway that leads all the way down to the foot of the mountain. There, a chamber opens up to the outside world, where a huge garbage dump of all Searonese refuse collects. Beyond that, a winding path leads west into the Sapphire Ravine. Beyond that, Franzington and the Southern Lands."
Rainbow Dash blinked beneath her helmet. "Huh..."
"There. That any better?"
"You're ironic with surgical precision. I like that," Rainbow Dash grunted. "I once had a friend with the same gift, but instead of being a jaded stone of an equine being, she loved to bounce around and shove cupcakes into others' mouths."
"Was that supposed to be a compliment?"
"Girl, I'll throw you flowers if it means getting us all out of here..." Rainbow Dash droned, gazing left and right as they came upon a junction of intersecting walls. "Where in the wild world of Luna's blue-coated showerdrain do we go now?"
"You mean to find that passageway I talked about?"
"Yeah. That."
"Solution should be pretty simple," Imre said with a shrug. "Smell the air for garbage and let your hooves do the walking."
Rainbow Dash paused in her steps, halting the group entirely. She lifted her helmet just long enough to sniff the air with flaring nostrils. After a few seconds, she made an ugly face, and spoke over the thudding echoes of battle high above. "Yeah. That is totally something like roasted cat crud wafting in from the right tunnel."
"Feline excrement? It's probably the smell of uncooked manticore meat."
"Which means..."
"Your nose isn't lying to you." Imre pointed with her horn. "That's gotta be the way out of here."
"Okay, cool." Rainbow Dash motioned towards the group. "Alright, everypony! I know the trip isn't exactly gonna smell like flowers, but it's our only ticket out of here—"
"Raaaugh!" A metal mare popped out of a stone door, glaring at Rainbow Dash. "That's as far you go, you miserable pile of runts and breeders!" She flicked her shoulder. "Blood for Searo—" Nothing happened. The warrior's jaw fidgeted beneath her helmet. She flicked her armor again. "I said, Blood for Searo..." Only an ineffectual shower of sparks rained loose. "Uhmm..."
Rainbow Dash didn't waste another second. She ran forward, shot a burst of thrusters, bounced off the tunnel's left wall, and slammed both of her rear hooves across the unsuspecting mare's cranium.
"Unnngh!" The warrior fell to the ground, and her helmet flew off in the other direction, rotating to a loose clatter against the wall.
Rainbow Dash landed, panting for breath. "I'm not sure I can really stand to bump into more of these jerkfaces."
"I dunno," Imre said. "You seem to be jerking their faces just fine."
"Whatever. We gotta jet." Rainbow motioned towards the group. "This way! The coast is clear! Run towards the smell! I don't care if you wanna throw up—freedom is this way and downstairs!"
The diamond dog, anteloupes, stallions, and various other innocent prisoners shuffled quickly by her. She was about to run alongside them, when she noticed one body in particular not moving. "Huh?" Glancing back, Rainbow Dash did a double-take. "Imre? What the crap! Move it or lose it, girl!"
"You're obviously a natural-born leader, Rainbow Dash," Imre droned. She wasn't running. As a matter of fact, she was plopping her flanks down onto the ground beside the fallen metal mare. With a sullen sigh, she said, "You'll take care of them just fine on your own."
"Who gives a crap about all of them?"
"Uhhh... you do?"
Rainbow winced. "Okay. Yeah. Sure. Fine. But you too, girl! Now move it!"
"What's the point?"
"What's the—Snkkkt!" Rainbow Dash hissed and loomed over the unicorn, growling. "Oh no, don't you do this stupid crud! Not now! Not after all the junk I went through to get you out of that darn arena, safe and sound!"
"That was different," Imre muttered. "You were in danger too. Now... you've got a handle of the situation."
"How?!" Rainbow gestured all around as dust and debris fell down the walls from the resounding thuds through the Hold. "How does this count as having a handle on anything?! Uh uh, girl, you're coming with me whether you like it or—"
"I'll just be running away again," Imre droned. "Just like I've been doing all of my life, whether it be in Xonan Territory, Ledomaritan, or Searonese." She sighed and ran a hoof through a nonexistent mane. "At least here, as horrible as this place is, I had things made—"
"Until I came along, blah blah blah..." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Forgive me if I've heard this disgusting kind of speech before."
"Of course it's disgusting. And, quite frankly, all of this mess began rolling downhill long before you even arrived, long before Pestiferous, Terra, and whoever felt it necessary to give Roarke a shove. I knew my days are numbered. It doesn't matter if it's here, there, or anywhere else. I'm ready to just let it happen..."
"You know..." Rainbow Dash leaned forward, raising her helmet high enough to glare at Imre with naked eyes. "A life can be lived on the run. You just gotta find the right courage—or the right ponies—to be running with."
"I don't think I can afford that, Rainbow," Imre droned above the thunderous rumbles above them. "It's far too late. There's too much that's staining my name."
Rainbow squinted. "Staining your name?! What in the hay do you mean—"
"Hey! What's going on back there?!" one of the stallions called out from far ahead. "We think we've found the passageway! Aren't you two coming?!"
"Yes we are!" Rainbow called back.
"Go ahead, Rainbow—"
"Yes... we are!" Rainbow snarled this time. "Even if I have to drag you there myself."
Imre frowned, her horn glowing red. "You're welcome to try, gorgeous—"
Just then, a huge clap of thunder exploded through the tiny chamber. Chunks of concrete fell, sending bursts of concussive energy in every direction. Imre and Rainbow Dash were knocked off their hooves. As the dust settled—as well as the ringing in their ears—they stirred and crawled up to their hooves. Rainbow Dash was the first to stand. As she helped Imre up, she glanced behind her shoulder and hissed outright. "Oh, sonuva..."
The passageway was completely blocked. Aside from a few slits of dim light, there was nothing to be seen from the other side. Rainbow Dash leaned in and shouted as loudly as she could against the cluttered debris.
"Hey! You in one piece over there?!"
After several wheezing, coughing breaths, one voice replied. "Yes! We... we're all in one piece! Where are you two?!"
"We're stuck on this side! The ceiling caved in!"
"Are you injured?"
"I'm liable to wring this emo unicorn's neck at any given moment, but otherwise, we're just peachy!" Rainbow grumbled. "Darn it!" Rainbow glared down at Imre. "You friggin' happy?"
"Do you forget who you're talking to?" Imre droned.
"I'm starting to frickin' wonder." Rainbow stomped her hooves. "Dang, dang, dang! And we were almost out of this junkhole!"
"The others may still be able to make it," Imre said, wheezing from the dust. "Not many mares patrol these recesses of the Hold. Unless a few errant warriors just happened to be milling about the trash heap in the valley outside, they should be able to gallop uninterrupted to the Sapphire Ravine."
Rainbow Dash blinked. "For real?"
"I've lived here for a long time, remember?"
"Hey!" Rainbow shouted through the debris. "Did you hear that?!"
"Yes! I-I do believe w-we did!" a frantic voice squeaked back.
"Head on down. Don't stop for nothing—not until you are out of a stone's throw of this cruddy place!"
"What about you two?!"
"Don't worry about us! We'll make do with what we've got!"
"Shouldn't we wait and try to carve you out—"
"Fat chance of that working! Besides, this whole place might collapse in on us at any second! Just go! Like I said!" Rainbow Dash hollered, backtrotting from the mess. "I'll find a way—someway—to get to you dudes on the other side! I promise!"
"Very well!" the ponies on the other side called back. "Spark be with you!" And Rainbow heard the sound of their hooves galloping away.
"Don't I friggin' know it..." Rainbow Dash swiveled around. "You." She yanked Imre up and forced the two of them into a brisk gallop. "We're moving. Now."
"Gah!" Imre grunted, painfully trying to keep up. "Where the devil to?!"
"Wherever there's a sure-fire-flight out of here."
"How do we know anything works well enough for us to fly out of this place anymore?"
"Roarke's armor works," Rainbow Dash said. "This metal junk you fitted me with works."
"Only because it has special components..."
"Like what kind of components?"
"The same thing that's been running Searo's Hold for months now," Imre said. "The same thing that these intruders—whoever they are—are likely here for."
Rainbow Dash blinked. "The heck are you going on about?"
Imre sighed. "Look, if it will get you to stop yanking me around everywhere, I'll show you." She frowned "Then you gotta promise to let me be. I've done all I could for you, now you gotta pay me the same respect."
"Girl..." Rainbow Dash muttered as she dragged the unicorn down an adjacent passageway. "...have I got a thing or two to teach you about friggin' harmony..."
Ha ha! Long chapter today. Definitely wondering about Imre's backstory now. Apparently she wants to die after being tortured. One can only imagine why...
Nice one, Imre... You'd think that a medical genius like that would be a bit smarter and save her own pelt rather than pulling a Zuko and trying to restore her honor and name.
Anyway, good chapter, Scolon, though I must admit, I really hope those prisoners get away without a hitch.
*waits for hope to be crushed*
Perhaps these 'special components' are why Imre feels so bad.
What are they, crystal pony hearts?
So... according to Imre, and the fact that we know who the intruders are... Dashie has been powering Searo's Hold for months now.
This is Australia...
2473098 no they are tiny hamsters on tiny wheels.
Dont you just hate it when that one pony in your party screws up your whole escape attempt...
Uh ohh...
Suit and ship power source determined. Origin: Equus Crystallum.
2473098
Maybe not hearts, but I imagine it's crystal pony something. Probably why all the armor is shorting out except theirs - it's powered by the same thing.
Good job, Imre. Wouldn't want to have a nice, clean escape now would we?
In other news: Special components?
So many secrets...and emo Imre is emo
2473082 hah! Someone else that waches Avatar the Last Air Bender. Great chapter dude, looking for more
2473098
[9:37:49 PM] kerapace: I wonder if we're going to get a Last Tears in Tartarus homage
[9:37:52 PM] kerapace: crystal pony batteries!
[9:38:20 PM] Zaponator: Could be
[9:38:39 PM] Zaponator: They seemed to have some deeper reason for capturing the crystal ponies
[9:38:41 PM] kerapace: maybe they're made of quartz, and they're using them to keep time
[9:40:09 PM] kerapace: and when Tweak comes along, he's going to clean their clock!
2473802
Yeah, I like this theory.
2473609 Et tu, Moony?
Well, I haven't watched it in quite a long long time. But yeah.
They're all going to die horrible gruesome bloody deaths on their way out, except for RD and maybe Imre. Although my money's still on her death too so far.
2473293
Yeah... That was my suspicion last chapter too.
2473122
Logic at its finest!
Imre better have a preeeetty good sob story to justify the level of droning in this chapter. I ain't talking about 'saw my parents die' kinda sob story, it's going to have to be at least on par with 'I was forced to kill my entire family with a rusted pair of nail scissors' - and even that's cutting it close.
Wonder how Dash is going to react when she realizes that her suit is made of chopped up crystal poni poni? Probably not well.
2473082
But if they'd made a clean getaway, how would Rainbow and Crimson have hooked back up?
2473098
Dash is wearing Tweak's brother.
Those poor crystal ponies... Who knew they could be such convenient power supplies?
there is much to come in this arc, i like it.
however, shell has to die, just has to.
What the hell... Pilate didn't comment? ITS THE END OF THE WORLD! RUN!
The story here on out. Well done, Dash, your talent for foreshadowing is improving.
I just love the irony in those blessings.
2475792 More like aftershadowing, after all she went through.
2474111 No good author cuts off character as long as they have unused potential. Until the mystery surrounding her has been solved, Imre is pretty safe.
Ceterum censeo Searinem delendam esse.
2473098 I was thinking something like that too.
Oh, so that's why Roarke's armor still works. Huh.
I'm pretty sure its already been quoted somewhere in the comments, but I loved the line too much to not do it again. This whole series in a nutshell, really. I'm guessing this is where things really start to heat up. I'm going in with the same cautious, slightly doubtful optimism as usual, regarding how many/who bites the dust. Welp, anywho - onward!
IIIIIt's Dashie's Kentucky Derby Special Evaluation Time!
Well then...that was unexpected. We haven't seen this side of Imre at all. We've known that she had a troubled past, but we didn't know that it was so bad that she would rather be killed by the metal mares than continue running. I do hope that her situation turns out okay. Anyways, I desperately want to believe that the prisoners will make it out safely, but I know in my gut that they probably won't. After all, Imploing is the one writing this. These are my thoughts so far.
-MASH
P.S. I'm halfway done and it's only 5 'o' clock. Man, I am owning this.
Imre is so emo. Also, mentions to Pinkie without sadness. Is Dash getting over it?
-Spirit
These just keep getting better and better.
Man, you know, as much as I hope Imre learns to smile, sometimes I think Rainbow tries too hard to change people. I mean, if it were me, I have no idea if I would let her go or not, but Imre is making a good point in the end.
Damn, Imre, lighten up.
Something tells me Imre's past is darker than her present.
Also, Crystal-powered armor... Interesting.
For such a smart mare, Imre is also a bit of an idiot at the worst possible moment.
I wonder if we just lost all those escaping prisoners like we lost all of the prisoners after the escape from Blue Shelf. Not dead or anything, just out of the scene and out of the story. I hope not, I like Fido.
6443422
For their sakes, I kind of hope we don't see them in the story again. When you're a redshirt, the further you get from the action, the better your chances are.
There's an image
That reminded me of when the firebenders lost their firebending during the solar eclipse in Avatar The Last Airbender.
8451670
didn't notice that!