Ariel, Logan, and Wildcard stood side by side—huddled in the doorframe between the engine room and the largest cabin of the rusted Stardust. Behind them, Flynn worked tirelessly on the manacrystals. Ahead of them...
...a pegasus in a cowboy hat paced and pace before two sarosian figures.
"And just how far do you plan to go with 'em, huh?" Bard scuffled to a stop, eyes narrowing on the mare in front of him. "Beyond the Seven Seas?"
"That was the overall plan." Nicole gulped, nodding. "Yeah..."
"Nicole—darlin'—didn't ya hear Rainbow Dash goin' on and on about how plum dangerous that desert is?!" Bard waved a hoof. "That ol' Matriarch Xarchellus has plenty of good reason not to expect livin' through the whole trek! Just try and imagine thousands of nocturnal batponies—sensitive to sunlight—just... moseyin' along across a giant arid landscape!"
"That's just it, Johnny," Nicole said. "I'm not Xarchellus. I'm young. I'm versatile. And I know a thing or two about Rohbreddenite culture! I'm a useful aid to the midnighters!" She gestured at Echo. "Same with Ryckmun here—"
Bard did a double-take. "Same with who?"
Wildcard leaned his feathery head to the side.
"Erm..." Echo cleared his throat. "It's... it's my given name." His eyeslits blinked. "The name I was foaled with."
Bard exchanged distant glances with Wildcard, then looked back at the stallion. "How come we ain't ever heard the sound of it 'til now?"
"Because nopony was allowed to even pronounce it until now." Echo's leafy ears twitched. "I've... uh... I've been allowed back into the fold." He gulped. "I'm a forgiven foal of the Maiden of the Moon."
Logan and Ariel exchanged glances.
"Wow, that's... uhm..." Ariel bore a tender smile. "That's pretty sweet, dude."
"I guess not all shit rolls downhill," Logan said.
Echo bore a fanged smile. "I don't understand it. But the fact that you said 'shit' convinces me of your sincerity."
"I try my best."
"Like shit you do."
"Ahem." Bard gestured. "So... you've both come together on this?" The desperado's brow furrowed. "Yer fixin' to be a pair of guides for the ponies of Bleak's Plummet?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Echo pointed at Nicole. "Your sister here knows the continent."
"Kinda sorta," she muttered, fidgeting.
Echo pointed at himself. "I know the Seven Seas."
"You can count on that," Logan muttered.
Wildcard gestured.
Bard turned from him to squint at the sarosians. "And what of the Grand Choke and beyond? Huh? Rainbow Dash's personal tales can only take y'all so far."
Echo looked at Nicole.
"Well... Johnny..." Nicole swallowed. "...think about it. There... really isn't any other place on this plane where we belong. And—I know it's going to be a long and arduous trip—but in the end... it's all about getting somewhere that's safe and harmonic... and returning these poor lost souls to their mother... their Moon Mother."
"Yeah, but... but..." Bard fidgeted. "...damned if it doesn't sound dangerous as all Hell."
Nicole nodded. "Perhaps so. But... I believe in Rainbow Dash." She smiled, cocking her head to the side. "Don't you? That she's made the world that much safer between here and there? That... that there's something divine at work here? Despite all of the so-called 'wicked' things she's been forced by Verlaxion to do?"
"Darlin', I've been all around the Seven Seas since I ditched Blue's Farm," Bard muttered. "Ain't nothin' divine about the world. In the end, it mostly comes down to luck."
Wildcard somberly nodded.
"Well..." Nicole shrugged. "...a little bit of cooperation and good-will never hurt anypony, don't you think?"
"The two of us can't rightly steer the midnighters around every bump," Echo said. "But we can definitely help them. And... well... they can certainly help us." Echo took a shuddering breath, glancing aside at Nicole with glossy eyes. "Goddess knows we've b-been helped enough as it is."
Nicole smiled at him, then gave the stallion a friendly nuzzle. She turned to look up at Bard. "Johnny..." She gently crossed the distance between them. "...don't you think this is the best way to do things?"
Bard sighed, avoiding her gaze. "Darlin'..."
"You were right." Nicole swallowed a lump down her throat. "I'm... simply not cut out for the Dark Side. And Ryckmun here couldn't fly alongside you and Wildcard and the others. We would just slow you all down. But in Bleak's Plummet? In joining the exodus? We can not only be helpful... but we can be safe." She smiled tearfully. "We can have a home... Rainbow's home. Of all the places on this earth... would you rather your little sister be anywhere else?"
Bard sighed long and hard. He tipped his hat off, leaned forward, and scooped her up in a deep, deep hug. "I can think of one place..."
Nicole sniffled. She buried her face in his shoulder. "I'm... I-I'm sorry, Johnny. I... I know you went through so m-much at the Ranch to c-come to terms with your family... only for m-me to ditch you like this—"
"You ain't ditchin' nopony," Bard said. He smiled tenderly, despite the melancholy in his deep voice. "Just... wish thangs were different, is all." He gulped hard. "Wish I didn't have to choose between protectin' the world and protectin' my own kin..."
"But you will be protecting me, Johnny." Nicole shuddered. "Wherever you go... wherever the Desperados' train takes you... it'll be for the best... for our best."
Ariel bit her lip from afar, growing teary-eyed. Logan and Flynn said nothing.
"I'm glad you feel that way," Bard said. "Still... almost feels like I'm leavin' another precious legacy behind." He exhaled. "And after Amber..."
"Shhhhh..." Nicole leaned up and kissed Bard on the forehead. She grasped his face, smiling directly at him. "I'm sorry that I never got to meet Amber. But I have the pleasure of knowing—first hoof—that she has endless... endless reasons to be proud of her husband."
Wildcard glanced at Bard.
Bard clenched his jaw tight. His eyes grew misty, and he finally exhaled with a breathy: "Shucks." He stared off across the cabin, summoning a fragile smirk. "Ain't gettin' off this train we're on... but the windows sure are startin' to fog up."
Nicole giggled, wiping her eyes as she sniffled.
Bard squeezed her shoulder. He then shuffled forward, approaching Echo. "'Ryckmun,' huh?"
Echo groaned. "Yeah... lame, isn't it?"
"Gotta admit... ain't got the same ring to it as 'Jordan' or 'Johnny.'" Bard raised an eyebrow. "But we can't all be musicians, huh?"
Echo shook his head. "Doesn't stop us from having encores."
"Heh... you've come a long way from the junkie Dubya and I were contracted to hog-tie in Rust."
Echo stared past Bard. "It was lifetimes ago..."
"It sure was, wasn't it?"
Echo nodded.
Bard nodded back.
Silence.
Wildcard shuffled forward. He stood before Echo, extending his metal talon.
Echo reached forward, and the two shook limbs.
Wildcard smirked, then gestured something.
"Uhm..." Echo gulped. "What did he say?"
Ariel cleared her throat, smirking. "The highest compliment a griffon could ever give."
"Wow, really?"
"Nah. He just called you a 'lucky sonuvabitch.'"
Logan and Flynn laughed before returning to their duties.
Echo sighed as Wildcard walked away. "Well... good to know I've found my center, I guess."
Meanwhile, Bard was reaching down to pick up his cowboy hat. He raised to his head... but lingered in place. "... ... ..." In a silent gesture, he reached over and plopped it down on Nicole's head instead.
The article was one or two sizes too big—as evidenced by Nicole having to adjust the thing and peek out of it, eyeslits blinking.
"Eh..." Bard waved a hoof from side to side, smirking. "You'll grow into it."
"You really think so?"
"No."
Wildcard snickered breathily.
Bard smiled at Nicole. He reached forward, tilting the hat back until it looked fairly decent on her petite cranium. Then—smile fading—he turned to look at Echo. "You take care of her, y'hear?" The Desperado took a deep breath. "I dun wanna be comin' back from the Midnight Armory hearin' that my lil' sis has become whale food."
Echo stood up straight. "You have my promise, Johnny."
Bard nodded, eyes narrow. "Yeah... I reckon I do..."
D'awwwwwwwww
plsnolerris
Bard—darlin'—didn't ya hear the Herald goin' on and on about how plum dangerous that Dark Side is?
Hm.
There's a good sendoff right there.
And the two of them acknowledging each other by his given name.
Good luck you two. Though first y'all gotta get past Chandler's group...
Thus ends the journey of Echo and Nicole, I really hope they and the rest can make it to Equestria but as I have said before, this is suppose to be a very bleak ending and thus I can't see that happening unless IC has since changed his mind.
About as sensible a choice as they could make, to go with the rest of the bat ponies on the long trip to Equestria. You know, assuming something doesn't cut that trip short. As heartwarming as this all is its set up a lot of targets for the incoming clusterfuck when Seraphimus and Chandler make their move. Fingers crossed that Dash and company can pull this off with a minimum of tragedy.... but yeah, while she's off checking the edge of the world this would be the ideal horrible timing for something to go wrong. *slaps self* Optimism. Gotta remember that optimism.
Well, that was sweet. It's a shame to see Echo and Nicole go, but it's for the best. And assuming she and Bard survive their respective quests, they may even be reunited someday. But I'm getting ahead of myself. There's still a confrontation with one royally pissed griffon and an entire plane of Lovecraftian horror to get through first. It's hard to believe that, after more than four years and about 3.1 million words, we're finally, essentially, at the edge. And I'm very excited to see what's on the other side.
Also, someone seriously needs to do some art of Nicole wearing a cowboy hat.
Mmmmm.... that felt good. It's nice to occasionally let the chapters pile up. Adds a lot more oomph to the feels, you could say. In any case, glad to be here as Rainbow finally hits the first curve on the track.
Well damn. I guess I'll have to prepare for goodbyes again. Unless something bad happens and Echo and Nicole stay with the Herald, which is something that I hope happens because I'm an evil and selfish bastard who doesn't want to see his favourite characters go and I'm gonna shut up now.
IC why u do this?
Heh...well it was nice having them around, but they should be safe.
So, will Dash be bringing the Herald to Equestria? Seems like she has a reason to now.
It would be kinda cruel to have Bard want to stay near the western edge instead of seeing his sister.
-Companions are abound, frozen spectres hound. Utaan.
Wow when did I start playing Minesweeper? I've never seen so may flags!
Hooboy.
Here's to hoping they'll spot something of a 'Over the Edge' Structure/Transport.
But the way Enix mentioned wrecks in the pervious chapter....Could it be those are the ships from the Alicorn Deligations that came before? Foolhardy Skippers in search for crabs? Abandoned vessels from the other side perhaps? Or Robhreddebite military expiditions?
It seems to be unlikely for Alicorn Deligations to abandon their vessels, considering that in Chapter one, they seem to relief a posted force on the other side of the world..But from what was mentioned back then, there had been passive resent towards Verlax, so it could be likely that she would have send an Expedition or two, to make life harder on the alicorns and bring the last part of her plan into her fold..
Anyways! This was a really good example of Bard Best Brother Bard Forever. Good gosh, has our Bishie Cowcolt grown in character! Now that we got Nicole and Echo/Ryckmun in directional charge of the Saurousian
WolfpackUndersea Expedition, with both experience with the lay of things (Especially Echo) I have faith the leafy eared bathorses could elude the Rohbredden navy and/or continent to the grand choke!..Hey, didn't that place become a flyzone again?
Bet those 2 will be in for a long, life building adventure. Here's to them.
This just reminded me of how many characters gotten to know on this journey - and how each time we've had to day goodbye. And it doesn't get any easier...
You're going to try to get me to cry before this is over, aren't you IC? Bring it on! I can take anything you can dish out!
Please be gentle...
Aside from that, goddamnit IC stop with the feels for once! My heart can't take it!
7568680
It's been a long ride, hasn't it? All the characters we've met....said goodbye to....
So sad, yet at the same time it's what makes this fic, nay, this series all the more brilliant
I swear if you're gonna make a Bleaks Plummet Massacre sort of thing, Ricky and Nikki better survive. A small group would be ideal - easier to hide and move eastward back toward Luna - but even if it's just those two.
What I'm saying is the only good thing that can come of Bat pony Genocide is the eventual "we have to repopulate the race" awkwardness.
The more and more we go along lately, the worse and worse dread sbout a upcoming Bleaks Plummet massacre/Lerris 2.0 I have.
Goodbye Nicole. Goodbye Echo.
But can we confirm the ship? Ryckole?
Well, here is hoping they have long happy lives, they certainly deserve it.
This is the hat that will be placed on AJs bed back at the farm.
Waiting.
Bittersweet the partings always are. Good luck, Echo and Nicole. We'll either see you at series' end, or never again. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
7568397 Nicole in cowboy hat art? Yesyesyesyesyesyesyes!
7568949 Dude. I think that's the saddest thing I've read in sixteen words.
I still think IC reads the comments and tries to juke our predictions. When we got past the war front in Xona, everyone was on pins and needles, expecting the worst. When the Jury hit that first friendly town, everyone was on pins and needles. When they threw the Jury a feast, everyone was on pins and needles. When we moved on to that idyllic town called Lerris, everyone was on pins and needles. When we started to say goodbye to Belle and Pilate, everyone became confused. The commenters lowered their guard. Many began to feel optimistic, breathing great sighs of relief and bitching about leaving beloved characters behind.
Then that managlider appeared, and that hoof crushed those blades of grass, and the comments exploded.
Not that that's going to happen here. IC isn't one to pull the same trick twice. I'm just saying.
7568397
I kinda wanted to today, but I failed to put together enough of a description 'cept "charcoal black mane" - which isn't much use when it'll mostly be hidden . Have I missed more? Fact checker, help, please?
I'm just gonna wing it later by total imagination if there's nothing yet.
7569052 Or in, like, five chapters. Because Pilate and Belle tried the same thing.
7569266 I'm inclined to think it's the other way around- ):( knows what he wants to do, and tries to mess with us to get us to guess wrong. Case in point: Discord at the Sixth Seed. That's something that's somewhat hard to can at the last minute, as if we had gotten him, he'd have had a very major role on the Dark Side. But between the "chaotic" Yaerfaefda, seventh circle on Ynanhluutr and various conversations about the past, ):( was definitely feeding speculation (interesting Yaerfaerda fact: its color was never mentioned until it turned lavender, except that it definitely wasn't lavender before). Speaking of which, we still don't know what was up with her super chaos attack in transit to Blue's farm.
7569560 She's got bright green eyes, bangs, and all the standard Sarosian traits like leathery wings, slitted eyes, leafy ears and fangs. Charcoal mane too. Aside from that, it's your call!
I'm going to legitimately cry. I fell in love with both Nikki and Echo. It's gonna be sad to see them go.
7568397
Oh, goodness yes.
And thus the torch is passed
And so they deign to go their separate ways. Maybe you can see them again on the round-trip, Johnny. Assuming you and everyone else doesn't die along the way. Which I still won't rule out happening.
7568417
I know, right? I'm marathoning nine tonight.
Speaking from an analyst's point of view, a second Lerris can't be coming. You don't have everyone reading your story shit all over it because of one single thing you did and then just do that same thing a second time.
7568750 Awkwardness? Have you met Echo?
I hope we get to see those two again, back in Ponyville. . . a long way away.
Cowboy batponies! Ahhh! The cute is in overdrive!
Ah yes, The Passing of the Cowboy Hat. A most solemn and extraordinary ritual.
7571273
Pff, how about 30?
And the hat has been passed off. May this be a sign of good fortune to come. For everyone.
please don't hurt them IC
I hope we’ll get to see these two in Equestria at the end.
Frankly, all of her options are dangerous in one way or another. Nicole going with them however has the least known danger, and is probably the best one they've got. Still doesn't make it easier though.
11/10/2019
15:06 UTC
Nicole and Echo.
Another pair of legendary supports in a story filled with them. I hope they make it to Equestria.
Luna’s speed to them both.
I mean, that's still pretty good.
AWWWWWW