"How fascinating..." Sivrem nodded, then leaned forward, squinting at the golden pendant around Rainbow's neck. "And the purpose of this piece of jewelry...?
"Oh boy..." Rainbow rolled her eyes, smirking. She and Sivrem and several other pegasi flew meters ahead of the Noble Jury as they slowly glided east, following the steady beam of golden light piercing the misty heavens above. "I could write a book on what the Element of Loyalty means and does."
"Then why don't you?"
"Pffft. Too busy flying east to do novels, dude."
"But how is that possible?" Sivrem cocked his head aside in mid-flight. "You'd eventually run into the end of the greens."
"Eheh..." Rainbow tossed her mane and smirked. "I may have been a bit coy at first, but—for real, buddy—I'm not from around here. I flew in from someplace beyond the crater."
"From beyond Durandana?" Sivrem's muzzle scrunched. "I may be willing to believe that about your outsider friends. But you?" He pointed. "You have the Valkyrie's colors written all over you. You even have the mane of a First Born!"
"Yeah... about that..." Rainbow cleared her throat. "I didn't do any dying or coloring or nothin'." She fluffed her mane with a weak smile. "This is about as real as it gets, dude."
"Hah!" Sivrem smirked. "You certainly have the Durandanan sense of humor."
Kitsune flew backwards in front of the two. "Heheheh! As if somepony could be born with something that gorgeous."
"Call it what you want! But it's the Real McColt!" Rainbow blinked. "I promise!"
"One thing I wanna know..." Jagold flew up, hovering alongside Kitsune. "Just how do you condition it."
"Nnnngh..." Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Same as any pegasus! Rainwater, sunlight, and lots and lots of wind."
"Heehee... cute..." Jagold stuck her tongue out. "But you're not convincing anypony."
"Alright, think of it this way..." Rainbow pointed back at the Noble Jury. "Before today, you never saw or even imagined a big hunk of... errrr... 'Valkyrie silver' flying on its own, huh?"
"Well..."
"And what about ponies without wings or feathers, huh?" Rainbow grinned devilishly. "Or lavender stallions with horns that can make stuff float?"
"She has a point there," Smythe said, flying up alongside the rest of the group. He smiled pleasantly. "Strange things have happened before. Remember the time when the Lights From Above refused to light the beacons?"
"I don't see how that's related," Sivrem said, fidgeting in mid-air.
"The point is, nopony could understand what happened that day," Smythe remarked. "But then the Gray Feathers explained that records show it had transpired before."
"But how can the Gray Feathers explain this?" Sivrem remarked.
"Pffft. What's to explain?" Rayvinne flew in and nuzzled Rainbow in mid-flight. "Heehee! She's the most awesome thing to have gusted our way in years!"
"Eh heheheh..." Rainbow gulped, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Seriously, though, my buddies and I were just passing on through. We're on our way to Val Roa."
"Val Roa?" Kitsune asked, squinting. "Who's that?"
Rainbow stared at her blankly. "You seriously haven't heard anything about Val Roa?"
The pegasi flying closest to her stared in dumb silence.
"Or what about Alafreo?"
More awkward silence amidst the winds.
Rainbow gulped. "Erm... oceans?"
"Oceans..." Kitsune tapped her muzzle. "Are those anything like forests?"
"Yes." Jagold nodded with a happy grin. "Because we know all about forests!"
"Hooooooo boy..." Rainbow stared ahead with drooping ears. "This is gonna be a tough one..."
"Perhaps you can humor us, Rainbow Dash." Jerrio flew down, staring at her with a curious smirk. "Just what kind of a world exists beyond the greens?"
"You mean none of you have seriously tried flying past it to find out?" Rainbow grimaced. "Don't tell me it's 'forbidden' or some crap."
"Heh... hardly," Jerrio said. "The winds are simply too chaotic for any pony to fly past them."
Rainbow blinked. "For real?" She turned and squinted past her shoulders at the barely discernible edges of the Sky Stabs. "Huh... must be from all of the rising thermals and stuff."
"Plus, there's a lot of nasty cold stuff that slams into your face everytime you try it!" Rayvinne exclaimed.
"What?" Rainbow turned towards her. "You mean like snow?"
Rayvinne's eyes twitched. "Snow...?"
"Several ponies try and fly past the greens," Jerrio said. "None have succeeded."
"Oh?"
"Every First Born tries it," Rayvinne said. "It's something of a tradition. Heehee... not to mention a pretty wicked stunt." She turned towards Kitsune. "Isn't that right, K?"
Kitsune rolled her eyes. "I certainly didn't enjoy the flu I battled with for a month afterwards."
Rainbow winced. "Yowch... talk about a rite of passage."
"Heh, sometimes we get bored in the basin."
"Jee..." Rainbow pivoted her head to gawk at the jungles and ravines below. "I can't imagine how..."
"Sivrem almost made it through!" Smythe exclaimed.
"I did not," Sivrem grumbled, his bone necklace rattling.
"You totally did!" Smythe chuckled. "You were up there for half-a-day, zig-zagging through the currents—longer than any First Born on record!"
"The Gray Feathers have been lazy with their bookkeeping as of late."
"Hah hah hah... come onnnnnn, Sivrem! Enough with the eggshells..."
"There was a time when I felt it was my duty to pierce the winds beyond the greens," Sivrem said. "That was years ago, and I've since taken on my duty as a First-Born."
"You seem to be doing a pretty swell job of it," Rainbow said, glancing back at the Jury. "My buddies tell me that you saved our ship from being smacked to bits by flying fish monsters."
"The leatherbacks are a treasure of Durandana," Jerrio said, brow furrowed. "We provide for them, and they provide for us."
"In fact, this entire basin is a blessed treasure," Sivrem said, nodding. "Once I grew old enough to recognize that, I put away my more adventurous ideas and committed my life to honoring the Valkyrie's legacy."
"Which is fitting," Jerrio said with a nod. "Seeing as you'll be a Gray Feather before me."
"Huh?" Rainbow blinked.
"You've only got two years left, Sivrem!" Rayvinne said. "That beats Jerrio by nearly four! Heehee!"
Jerrio sighed. "Must you rub it in?"
"So, you mean you guys become Gray Feathers someday?" Rainbow asked.
Kitsune smiled. "Only the First-Borns, such as Sivrem, Jerrio, and... erm... myself..."
Rainbow squinted. "How come you don't exactly sound too excited about that?"
"Yes, well..." Kitsune rolled her eyes and smirked. "Gone will be the days of flying, homing, herding, and making love."
"I'm down with at least two of those," Rainbow said, then gulped. "Still, that kinda stinks. Sorry to hear it."
Everypony laughed loudly around the mare.
"Are you kidding?" Kitsune smiled. "Being a Gray Feather means having the honor of maintaining the scrolls." She stared up at the beam of light looming overhead. "All of my life, I've admired the legacy of the Valkyrie. It'll be an honor to serve her in a higher regard."
"Well, guess that's a good thing then." Rainbow bit her lip, then stared at the passing vegetation below. "This 'Valkyrie' character is pretty big, huh?"
"You really... really don't know who she is, do you?" Jerrio remarked.
Rainbow opened her mouth, hesitated, and eventually said. "No." She adjusted the weight of her saddlebag. "But I'd be totally willing to learn."
"The Gray Feathers would love to tell you all about it."
Rainbow chuckled. "Can't you guys tell me?"
"Sure," Jagold said with a nod, then giggled. "But not as well as the Gray Feathers can!"
"Only know that she was the most awesome pony to have ever lived," Sivrem said in a proud tone. "And she and her fellow warriors gave their lives to protect the Gold Lights and all the realms beyond."
"You don't say..." Rainbow took a deep breath and stared ahead of their flight. "Sounds like a kick-flank tale for sure..."
"But one thing at a time." Rayvinne smirked. "I swear, you are going to gust inside out once you see West D!"
"Heh... can't wait..."
I don't know why, but I have a sinking feeling of dread.
Damn it, I can't enjoy sappy stuff in this fic anymore.
Bet that was from the NMM incident...maybe...
Can't wait to see West Durandara. And for when she gets to meet the elders.
Almost took a Logan's Run turn there. Glad it didn't. I am enjoying the blissful ignorance, though. A history that is a mythology, and no real straight records.
It's Hurricane. I'm sure of it now. She saved them or something like that.
I predict the meeting will go something like:
Gray Feathers: "We grant you passage"
Jurists: "Yay"
GF: "But the pegasus must stay."
J: "Boooo"
Okay, as much I'm kinda tense about what the Grey Feathers are going to do about Rainbow, I'm really excited!
Cant wait to see the Grey Feathers.
These new bird ponies are amazing. Best mini arc since Innavedr, probably more.
4716825 I worry about this comment of losing flying and herding and such. Could the Gray Feathers actually give up their wings?
Eventually, they'll realize she' isn't lying, and it's gonna blow their minds.
4717045 :(
I'm hoping the Gray Feathers don't turn out to be bad guys here. It doesn't seem that way yet but with this story its likely.
4717045
They don't seem to mind the existing incursion. I doubt there will be any sort of permission issue. The elders just seem like.. well.. elders. More like librarians than governors. No doubt about the touchy-feely, though.
The things isolation can do to a civilization... reminds me of Silvadel.
Yeah, this whole "caste system" is giving me the faintest heebie-jeebies. It's hard to tell whether these guys are as chill as they seem, or whether there is something sinister going on beneath the surface (though, if that's the case, I'd wager these pegasi are mostly oblivious to it). We'll see, I guess. Now we just have to learn about the Valkyrie, and whether she's Hurricane, or someone else.
4716821
That's definitely the impression I got. Plus the whole bit about:
Which, I'm guessing, is referring the original appearance of NMM a thousand years ago.
Well, everything seems peaceful here.
Impending darkness? Go away!
This arc has more Magic Words than most anime.
D'aw. Someone has a cru-ussh.
I approve of Kitsune's priorities.
Makes me curious as to how they've managed to develop such a similar language to modern-day Equestrian.
This is so City of the Beasts. No, really. This is so City of the Beasts.
4718644 Oh I'd guess they did not develop it, they inherited it. Still kind of weird it would stay that way but you know, Eternal English.
"Strange things have happened before. Remember the time when the Lights From Above refused to light the beacons?"
is this Nightmare Moon?
also, are the Gray Feathers like the Greybeards in Skyrim?
I've been watching firefly... I finally 'get' who props is.
4717204
Well, their name wouldn't make sense if they removed the wings entirely...
At first I also thought this hinted at a darker side to this place. But upon a reread, since Kitsune was smirking when she said that, it feels more like an exaggeration (meaning, becoming an elder means more responsibilities and less time for fun). Guess we'll see when we meet them.
They branch from Hurricane. Calling it now. I know I'm about to find out, but I want it on record of me at least making one prediction.
Yeah these guys descend from Hurricanes squad...I still think Rainbow is related to Hurricane herself though.
I don't think it's hurricane. I think it's a different Austraeoh. Made it pretty far too. I can't wait to see the lidflipping that will occur when they learn who Rainbow really is and get to talk to the real slim
shadyCelestia.Im caught in a tug of war between the two comments below me...hmmmmm.....
Nightmare Moon. obviously. Wait, I was beaten to the punch by Robo.
Who, again, is the Valkyrie? And why is whatever that might entail unnerving?
-Spirit
I don't think Dash was very enthusiastic at the end there. I think she's putting two and two together.
hmmm, the force that's keeping them within the crater....is it magic as in unicorn, magic as in sentinel (which would be strange to have two sentinels so close), chaos? I dunno but if something consciously controls it then they are knowingly keeping pegasi away from the rest of the world. For preservation or something else? So many questions...
Curious happenings are afoot.
We aren't gonna get the luxury of another peaceful land like Alafreo. At least it's intriguing as fuck, though.
Unlike others, who are busy doing novels about ponies flying east.
Don't tell them you helped with that too, because they're never, ever going to believe it.
It looks like we've been given a vague impression on just about everything in this area. So now I can come up with any crazy predictions!
Closed off inescapable pegasi city surrounded by cold snowy wind? Here comes the purple smooze! Stratopolis v2 here we come!
Who are these Gray Feathers? Are they slaves to the system? Do they guard a Divine? Will they kidnap Rainbow Dash once they confirm her mane is real?
Three signals per day? Maybe somepony is sending an SOS to Celestia! Incoming alicorn!
So many theories, so many possibilities! Anything is possible! Even grilled cheese being outlawed by their superiors and Zaid sparking a pegasi grilled cheese revolution is feasible.
(Continuation of my post cuz I anticipate downvotes for this *laughs maniacally*)
ALSO! It's too happy right now. First Alafreo, now this place? Everything is right in the world. I bet IC probably thought the same. It really makes me think when the last time a Jurist died. Simon was the last one like two books ago, soooo... We can predict on that too! Who's next?
Props could be great for tears! Imagine the Jury having to explain to Unky Prowse over the phone that her niece is no more.
Couple breakup! Ebon/EE or Belle/Pilate. The loss of one of these ponies is sure to have LOTS of drama! Bonus! Kill off EE to cut off the love supply to Ebon. Ebon goes berserk love starved changeling and attempts to kill the remaining members of the Jury.
What about Zaid? It seems like he could get his wish and eat his final meal and conclude his grilled cheese crusade with a bang! Not many tears here though...
"Roarke was just starting to come out of her shell..." Unnamed teary eyed jurist.
Kera. You already "killed" her off once, IC. Why don't you do it again? Oh? Did I reopen a wound for you?
Josho's fat. Honestly killing him would be the least effective.
Last but not least, KILL THE MAIN CHARACTER! Who needs Rainbow anymore? Heck, city of live Pegasi... It would be feasable to find another "Herald" anyway. Pegasi kill Rainbow and kidnap the rest of the jury, put them on treadmills and continue their eastward trek!
Now how to kill them off...? Y'know... I never actually saw RD finish off Shell...........
I don't care how peaceful this place is. You know IC has a gut-wrenching twist waiting for us, so you might as well get ready.
No more smexy times! what a dark, dark day that will be...
8770220
sounds like marriage xD
8604540
It's not necesarilly inescapable, if these pegasi have the ability, knowhow, and tools to make those gaint twisty light towers I bet they could've tunneled down/up/whatever and through the crater wall surrounding them.
Although, inescapable for jury, we'll --and by we I mean any future readers who might read this and myself-- find out soon enough.
...waaaaiiiit a second...
It's funny reading this line while switching back and forth with To Perytonia , since the Rainbow there couldn't give less of a shit about learning the new culture, while the Rainbow here says this. (Funny enough both are technically personality wise S2 era Dash and are similar in some regards, but wildly different in others.)
It's the right a-word!