Starstorm shifted through the ashen mess of debris atop the peaks of the Petrispines. With metal-laced talons, she lifted the handle of a charred axe, still-smoking. After letting loose a dull grunt, she dropped it back into a pile of likewise smoke-stained weapons. Ash and debris littered the remnants of pine trees below the blasted summit.
“A stockpile.” Taking a breath, the Sergeant pivoted about to face the rest of the Talon. “Large enough to arm hundreds of bandits, terrorists, arsonists... you name it.”
“Scratch out the 'arsonist' part,” Windburst muttered, pearched atop the smoldering remains of a wooden shack. “All of the explosives here went sky high.”
“Yeah...” Raptr shuffled through the debris, waving a talon in front of his beak. “Not even any residual dredge dust remains. Thank Verlaxion.”
“Who could have done such a thing?” Starstorm asked, gazing at the others. “Certainly, I can understand the bandits of this region wanting to cover their tracks. But there has got to be less flashy ways to go about it!”
“Hrmmm...” Seraphimus tapped her beak, gazing across the Petrispines in thought. “It could very well have been an accident.”
“Oh, it was no accident.”
The other four turned to look.
Keris picked through the debris with his good arm. “This was done on purpose. And I think we all know by whom.”
Raptr took a deep breath. “The Rainbow Rogue.”
“Yes, but what would be her goal?” Starstorm asked.
“What else?” Keris remarked. One magenta hawkeye darted up. “To protect the ponies of this landscape.”
“Hrmmmff...” Windburst snorted. “That's rather presumptuous, wouldn't you think?”
“She could be wanting to ingratiate herself to the locals, perhaps,” Raptr said. “Curry favor after such a big bounty has been placed on her head.”
“Or...” Keris shuffled through the group, carrying a wooden slab. “...she just likes explosions and ruining bad ponies' day.” He smirked under his beak. “After all, she's done it before. Back at Red Barge.”
“Yeah, and why do it here?” Windburst gestured. “Why again?”
“Because of a common thread.” Keris lifted the wooden slab in his grasp. A circular emblem barely survived a swath of burn marks. “The bandits who built this hideaway didn't exactly supply themselves.”
“Hey...” Raptr squinted. “That insignia's familiar.”
“The Shoreline Trade Consortium,” Seraphimus droned.
The others looked at her.
“Commander...?” Starstorm breathed.
“These ponies were packing dredge coal from the most expansive corporation in the continent.” Seraphimus took a deep breath. “Curious, Lieutenant.” She swallowed. “But not exactly surprising.”
“Anypony could have gotten their hooves on this sort of shipment,” Windburst said. “After all, there've been robberies and seizures of goods for months all along trade routes just like this one.”
“Yes, but don't you think it's a bit too coincidental to ignore?” Keris remarked. His eyes traveled between the different griffons perched before him. “The Shoreline Trade Consortium has been known to funnel most of its raw ore from the materials dredged up in both Red Barge and South Barge.”
“What about White Barge?” Starstorm asked.
“Negative.” Keris shook his head. “That ended months ago.” He turned to look at the Commander. “After the likes of Elsaack and other top dredgers disapproved of the Corporate Executive's price gouging and intimidating trade tactics.”
“Who's the Corporate Executive of the Shoreline Trade Consortium?” Raptr asked.
Seraphimus looked at him. “Brye Chandler. The would-be Magistrate of the Shoreline Prefecture.” Clearing her throat, she looked at Keris again. “Where, precisely, are you going with this, Lieutenant?”
“When I was in Red Barge, it's no secret that I... underwent great physical trauma.”
“We know...” Starstorm sighed, eyes round and sympathetic. “And that's most unfortunate, Lieutenant.”
“Despite my better training, I wasn't capable of hearing everything that Skagra and his lesser goons discussed. However... I did get the impression that they spoke often of an inside contact from the continent proper. A 'fat cat,' as they put it.” Keris looked at the Talon as a whole. “Supposedly, they were planning a meeting with this individual or party to discuss payment for transfer of the Rainbow Rogue.”
“And we all know how that went,” Windburst muttered.
“No, Sergeant, we don't.” Keris shook his head. “Many of Skagra's supporters fled west from Red Barge before I or any of the members of White Barge could apprehend them.” He sighed. “I fear they may have carried many secrets over the waves with them.”
“Secrets of what?” Raptr cackled. “Some grand continental conspiracy about the handling of dredge coal and the Rainbow Rogue?!”
“The rookie's right,” Seraphimus said. “There's far too little to go on. And I am not in the position to make any unfounded claims about the Shoreline Trade Consortium or its executive representatives.”
“But Commander—!” Keris began.
Seraphimus raised a calm talon. “However...” Her charcoal eyes narrowed. “...this is most certainly a distressing detail you've stumbled upon, Keris.” She gently took the plank of wood from him, studying the company emblem up close. “And if there is any truth to it... any truth at all... it only underlines how important our mission is in capturing the Rainbow Rogue.” She looked up. “She was far more cognizant of what was going on board the Rainbow Rogue than the Lieutenant was. If she knows any answers to Skagra's reach into our continent, then only she can inform us.”
“From the look of things,” Windburst firmly spoke, “If she really did blow this place up... then she's probably trying to cover up the truth.”
“Or...” Keris frowned. “She's simply trying to eliminate a threat when she sees one!” He gestured with his good arm. “One that we're unable to stop because we're too damn busy trying to bag ourselves a flightless pegasus!”
“If she can do all of this while 'weak and flightless,' then she's more dangerous than we've anticipated!” Starstorm exclaimed.
“That's not the point, Sergeant.”
“Then just what is the point, Lieutenant?!” Windburst frowned. “With all due respect, we're just standing here, sniffing our own farts while the Rainbow Rogue hoofs it to Goddess-knows-where!”
Seraphimus snapped at him. “Watch your tone when you address the Lieutenant, Sergeant.”
Windburst took a deep breath. Finally, he bowed. “Yes, Commander. I'm sorry, Commander.”
Starstorm gulped while Raptr shuddered.
Commander Seraphimus stared at them all. “Now...” She breathed slowly. “I know that this hunt has been tough. We're low on sleep... low on food... and we've already spent countless months chasing down phantom terrorists who only seem to evade our every move.”
“My apologies, Commander,” Lieutenant Keris muttered. “It was not my intent to sow discord and intrigue.”
“Do not apologize, Lieutenant,” Seraphimus said. “These are all valid bits of information that we must consider. However—most important is the task ascribed to us by the Court.” After a deep breath, she pivoted about to squint across the spires of the Petrispines. “The sun is going down, and we could be here all week. I suggest we head straight for Kunmane.”
“You... you really think the Rogue would have reached there by now?” Starstorm remarked.
“It's nearly time for the Unification Day festival,” Raptr said. “It... it may be an even better place to hide.”
“I think we've found the evidence we need to conclude that she's not here anymore,” Seraphimus said. “If she indeed caused this explosion, then I very much doubt the mare intends to stay. After all, she does strike me as the kind of pony who prefers to burn bridges behind her.” She looked over at Keris. “Would you concur, Lieutenant?”
He nodded. “Absolutely, Commander. And to head anywhere east—”
“—she has to pass through the Mist Cliffs,” Windburst said.
“Blessed Goddess...” Raptr grimaced. “Heaven help us if she decides to venture into that.”
“If the Rainbow Rogue descides to go into the Mist Cliffs, then heaven help her,” Seraphimus said coldly. She flapped her wings, lifting up. “To Kunmane, my flock. We'll position ourselves around the edges of town. Windburst, take the north exit... the one that leads into the Mist Cliffs.”
“Aye, Commander.” FWOOOSH!
“Raptr, take the west side of town. Starstorm, position yourself in the east.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Aye.”
FW-FWOOOSH!
“Lieutenant, you're with me,” Seraphimus said as she flew northeast. “We'll cover the heart of the village. The streets should be bursting with ponies by the time we get there.”
“Allow me to guess...” Keris smiled calmly as he followed her. “You want me to lean on your shoulder in the state that I'm in?”
“Quite the opposite, actually.” Seraphimus exhaled. “I am... not well versed in addressing a crowd, especially one as thick as a night like this one invites.” Her feathers crested back beneath her helmet. “I will undoubtedly rely on your natural... charm.”
“Well then.” Keris breathed. “Is this a promotion?”
“You've been inhaling too much of the muck, Lieutenant.”
“I can respect that, Commander.”
“As you should.”
I looked all the way back to the very beginning of the story. I have one question: has this been continued by multiple people, or are you a buckin' legend?
6786686
The latter.
6786686 This is all the work of one man, perhaps you've heard of his main account, SS&E.
This doesn't bode well for Dash, she's going to have to rely on Keris granting her a small reprieve I bet.
-Companions have returned, inner darkness spurned. Utaan.
... And the game is afoot
Shame they didn't run into any of the crooks, they could have set the record straight. That said they are definitely catching up. Question is will they get to Rainbow before she leaves for Verlax's throne, or will they have to pursue her into a territory even they know nothing about? Things are coming to a climax.
Wouldn't that be on board the Red Barge?
Windburst V Dash. who will clear the Mist path first, and which path will be followed first by both parties, or will Dash get to miss having to trial the Mist paths because the Talons will catch up, then take her to the council for questioning, bypassing most o the country?
You dont want to go that way. Noone ever goes That way.
If she had gone that way, it wouldve taken her right to the castle.
hmmm, if Dash can slip by Windyfarts, the mist should hide her fairly well, right?
but then she has to navigate the "avalanche with features" with a low-to-no visibility
eesh
the anticipation is killin me! I can't wait to see the encounter(s) between Dash and the Talon. So many ways this could go.
Also: how is Dash's wing still broke?
See y'all next year.
Good on Keris for putting in a good word for her, not that it's changed much.
And naturally, Rainbow would have to ground herself right before she comes across a place like the Mist Cliffs.
6786958
My prediction?
Rainbow will get to the mist cliffs and past them.
But since the Talon are currently far more mobile than her, they will be waiting on the other side. They'd have to be crazy to go after her, but if they can just fly the long way around, she'd be pretty much screwed even if it'd take longer.
Dash must be really cursing her injured wing right now.
Soon it will be 2016 in Florida. Here’s hoping IC will binge post the next 366 chapters after midnight. That way, he can take the next year off.
You know I might be overthinking this but I have a feeling that Seraphimus might actually believe Keris more than she lets on; and is just kind of putting up a front at this point. Why i'm not sure but I kind of just get that feeling.
So Windburst shall be the next to see just how much badassery Rainbow can pull off; even without her wings.
Mist Cliffs?
The Pass of Caradhras through the Misty Mountains?
Twitch
noun
1. a short, sudden jerking or convulsive movement.
2. a stick with a small noose attached to one end. The noose may be twisted around the upper lip or the ear of a horse to subdue it, especially during veterinary procedures.
One more night of moonspeak, right?
6787455 Huh, I did not know such a thing existed for the lip or ear of a horse. I'm more familiar with the bigger kind that go around ones neck.
Also Happy New Year everyone!
6787410
Perhaps, but being the worst at magic from among a group of eons old dragon matriarchs still probably means being pretty competent by mortal standards, possibly enough to keep a continent from tragically freezing over. It'd be a fitting way for Axan to redeem herself for the destruction of Silvadel to become the one to save Rohbredden from a similarly horrible fate.
Seraph admitting weakness? That's new..
6786715
Space is a waste, time is a crime.
Happy new year, Jury!
Happy New Year everyone.
I kinda want Grandma Pearl to speak riddles and half truths around Seraphimus and Keris.
But MOOOOOM!
6786939 I mean, that statement isn't wrong either.
Seraphimus was surprisingly rational this chapter. With this, I honestly feel like it'd be in Keris' interest to not be so damn snippy with his arguments.
Don't look a gift zealot in the mouth...
You're so close, yet so far!
6786962
Seraphimus used Defog, it's super effective!
The more Keris defends Dash, the more I want to pat him on the back or something.
6788464
But... but Defog is a Status move...
6787354
Well, shit...
6789183 Ahem...
As of X/Y, Defog now clears away Safeguard, Mist, Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Stealth Rock, Reflect, Light Screen, and Sticky Web present on both sides of the field.
Defog is way more useful than it initially seems.
6789183
Not with that attitude.
6790698 or maybe they're soul sisters
6790007
Doesn't change the fact that it deals no damage, and therefore can't be super effective.
Ah yes, nothing like making Keris plead with the ponies they're about to meet to betray the one he defends.
With what Pearl described the Mist Cliffs as, Rainbow does have a chance to get by them even if a talon is watching each bridge. Her friends and the cover practically no visibility will certainly give her an edge. Of course, this is also pretty much where they would catch her if they could so...
Also, happy new year fellow jurists/lunar ninths!
6790938 Fair enough, it totally can fuck with someone who relies on spikes and stuff as part of their strategy though.
Seraphimus is being very patient considering Keris is constantly trying to get the group to completely abandon their orders. I was kind of expecting Seraphimus to just tear into him by now.
The noose tightens... at least RD will have Fluttersense to pick up on any griffons in the area
Man this is going to be very interesting when the Talon catches up with Dash. I can't wait to see how it unfolds.
6791971 It's probably the same as it is in Appledashery.
....
Hey! Where did the "next chapter" button go?
It was there for the last 50 chapters
Welllp, now that I'm caught up again, I can rejoin in the discussions! joy!
At this point, Dash's best hope is probably to slip into the misty paths, at least there she has an advantage over the Talon, before taking the wyvern path.
Come on! We all know she won't be able to resist taking the route that nopony has survived in a millenium. Wouldn't be Dashy if she could.
Besides, if the Talon hasn't caught up to her by then, it's probably the best hope of giving them the slip.
6786686 Well... A chapter a day since May 13'th 2012. You can see the word count growing as time goes on so it's something he's had to work at to reach this level of insanity.
Maybe Seraphimus realized she went a little overboard at the inn. She's not willing to admit it though, and this is the closest she'll probably ever come to doing so.
Dash's wing has been out of commission for quite a long time now. How long does a wing take to heal, anyway?
I highly doubt that the Talon will be able to stop her from reaching the Cliffs, but I don't think that things will be very easy once she reaches the Cliffs and, hopefully, passes through them. This journey will be very treacherous indeed.
And the south contisuim also has a bounty on rai bows head boom link