Ebon turned towards the others in the Royal Chambers. The emerald glow disappeared from his eyes as he spoke: “The Prince and Kera have been found. I've placed the command for the guards who located them to take the two to the High Council building.”
“They'll be traveling by hoof,” Midnite Bastion said. “If we make for the Sandstone District now, we might be able to arrive in time.”
Jake brandished a sound stone and spoke into it. “Didja hear any of that, Rainbow Dash? Your shape-shifting bug boy found the Prince!”
“And Kera, right?”
“Pffft. Yeah. The little joy squirter's a-okay. The Soul Sentries will be taking them to meet up with Floydien and Arcanista at the High Council Building. There should be no problems now that Sharp Quill's gotten the smack.”
“Good. Head to the High Council Building, but don't reveal yourselves. Not yet. Make sure Arcanista holds back until both Kera and the Tarkington have made their deliveries!”
“What are we, stupid?”
“We only have one shot at this! If we can't ensnare Fishberry while she's addressing the crowd, then half of our plan is screwed!”
“Paladin! We know that, rainbow brite!”
Ebon Mane leaned in. “Rainbow, are you in the spot that I saw in the soul sentries' vision?”
“Yes, Ebon. Chrysalis will have no place to hide.”
“Do you... uh...” Ebon fidgeted. “Do you need my help?”
“Yes, Ebon. I can't do this without you.”
“R-right!” Ebon nodded. “I'll be there in an instant!”
“Know your places, everypony! If all goes according to plan, then we should have Chrysalis bound by the hour.”
“And then we'll help the Noble Jury with the goblins, r-right?” Ebon stammered.
“That's the plan, Ebon. Now get your shell over here.”
“Yes'm!” Ebon galloped towards the far end of the chambers.
Midnite Bastion was already opening the window for him. She glanced his way. “Can you make it?”
“I can now,” Ebon said. Concentrating, he morphed into Fawful and spread a pair of brilliant wings. The changeling looked at her and spoke in a soft tone. “Will you be alright?”
Midnite blinked. “Why wouldn't I be?”
“Erm...” Fawful shifted awkwardly, glancing back at General Saikano, then at the soldier once again. “Never mind. Best of luck!” And the metamorph flew off, sailing towards the lower buildings to the northeast.
Midnite Bastion bit her lip. She leaned back on her haunches, exhaling.
From a distance, Saikano gazed at her. His nostrils flared as he looked towards Jake. “We must make haste. I sense Fishberry's about to make her speech.”
“Right.” Jake spoke one last time into the stone. “Rainbow, we're ass-hauling.”
“Yup. Scrkkk!” And the sound stone went silent.
Jake trotted towards Sharp Quill's body. “Wanna lend a hoof?”
“You know that I can't,” Saikano said, shuddering.
“Ah. Right.” Grunting, the moose heaved Sharp Quill's unconscious figure over his heavy flank. “Well, we'd better do this or we're doo-doo.”
“Indeed.” Saikano nevertheless hung his gaze. “The Soul Sentries will follow your commands along the way to the courtyard.”
“You coming, bucko?” Jake said, knocking the doors open with his wide antlers while the guards made room for him. “We'll get there faster with an extra set of hooves.”
“I will...” Saikano glanced up at Midnite, then shuddered. “I will be there swiftly.”
“Hrmmmf...” Jake coughed and marched out with Sharp Quill in tow. “Just remember, this ain't no honeymoon vacation.”
As the moose left, Midnite trotted loosely after him.
“We'd better go. Jake's right. There's no time to waste.”
“Will you be okay?” Saikano asked.
Midnite shuffled to a stop, wincing.
Saikano's brow furrowed. “I know you can't predict the future. But... with what we know... with what Rainbow has planned...” He inhaled deeply. “Will you be alright?”
Midnite closed her eyes. After a sigh, she muttered, “After you've done what you need to do, what happens next?”
“Chrysalis might regain control over the Soul Sentries,” Saikano said. “That's why it's so important that the Tarkington arrives as quickly as possible. But, even with their contribution, we'll depend on your expert fighting skills—”
“That's not what I meant.” Midnite Bastion turned towards him, eyes glossy. “What happens to my... I mean...” She gnashed her teeth, hesitated, then finally muttered. “There'll be no trace left, will there? You... he'll be gone completely...”
Saikano shifted where he stood. “I... like to think that I will not entirely vanish.” He gulped hard. “What I'm doing here has purpose. It's for the good of this nation. I have to believe that I will be rewarded for that, even if it's just with the faintest form of consciousness.” He clenched his jaws. “But... I have no guarantee.”
“Then why are you doing this?” Midnite asked, trembling slightly. “If it's all a great huge uncertainty for you, then why pay the ultimate sacrifice?”
“Because I know what I'm sacrificing it all for.” He reached out with his hoof, but hesitated. However, when Midnite didn't flinch, he allowed himself to brush back her dark bangs. “He may never have shown it. Perhaps out of regimental duty or for the sake of embodying some sort of traditional strength, he's held his tongue. But deep inside... in his heart... he loves you more than life itself. And I have no doubt that he would give himself too.”
“If... h-he has anything at all to give...” Midnite said, muzzle quivering.
Saikano slowly shook his head. “I cannot confirm that for you, Midnite. I... s-simply do not have that knowledge. She did not give it to me.”
Midnite looked up, eyes glossy. “I would do anything... anything.” She gulped. “Just for the chance to tell him how much he means to me... one last time.”
Saikano slowly nodded. “Maybe you will get that chance. I assure you...” His voice wavered, “...nothing would make him happier than to hear it.”
Midnite stared at him, muzzle agape.
Saikano took a deep breath. “We must go. Nothing will come of this if we do not make haste.”
“Right...”
“Follow me, soldier.” Saikano trotted firmly into the hallway outside. “While I still have it within me to know the way...”
Midnite obediently followed.
Based on last chapter's revelation, it ain't just joy.
I know something is going to go wrong by the end of this plan, I just hope it doesn't go to wrong. Also I'm still up in the air if Ebon is actually Ebon here right now I think he is, but it is possible that its Chrysalis.
Pigpen, this heres the Rubber Duck. you got your ears on, come back?
I think someones about to squeak the wrong bath toy.
Saikano, goin' out like a baws. I can't wait to see what RD's big plan is. Bet it'll have explosions. Lots of them.
Okay, so what was explained off camera?
This sounds like proof the Big Three really are drones.
5493254
And short ski—
*smacked*
Thirty pushups, ):(. Knock 'em out!
The fact that the King and Queen were kept alive gives me hope for the (real) Big Three.
Also, it sounds like Rainbow's closing in on Chrysalis... which probably means she actually isn't.
Next chapter, please! This wait is killing me! >.>
5493152
sleeptalkinman.com/images/blobfish.jpg
Must you?
5493290
Yeah after that exchange I'm sure they are drones.
I think this plan is going to end up in at least one Jury death.
Maybe Ebon.
I feel like if anyone, it'll be Ebon.
5493883
Don't... don't say that.
Oooo, possible Chrysalis reveal tomorrow! (I want to be Chryssi so badly)
5493883 Let's hope that chain never starts.
way to jinx it pal, way to go.
Tick tock tick tock.
Wings =/= blending in?
Poor Saikano. I love that he has enough soul and willpower to fight Chrysalis, but does he have to have a sad end?
*squee*
I wonder what actually happened to the big three. The way Saikano talks makes it seem so final and depressing. I hope for Midnite's sake.
I thought they were being mind controlled. What's with all the resolute talk? Wouldn't the control be over if the group succeeds?
I'll just leave you folks with one thought...
Consider that Ebon Mane is now more at ease with shape-shifting.
Between the adventures, during the voyage, snug in their cabin in the belly of an airship...
What sorts of creative things do you suppose a stallion and his changeling partner may get up to in the middle of the night?
Ah Rainbow Brite. I remember that. And by remember, I mean I actually used to watch it when it was still on TV, not that I discovered later on Youtube while feeding nostalgia for a decade that I never lived.
5495108 Fanfics shall be written.
5494983 No, as this conversations suggests, Saikano and the others were replaced by drones. Much like Seclorum and the others.
Concentrating, he morphed into Fawful and spread a pair of brilliant wings. The changeling looked at her and spoke in a soft tone. “Will you be alright?”
Midnite blinked. OhmygodsheissohotIjustwanttofuckherrighthererightnow “Why wouldn't I be?”
I'm still confused about Rainbow's whereabouts.
And of course the identity of Chrysalis is criminally withheld from us til the very last moment.
5495108 ...EE knows but one love.
I had the impression that Ebon told everyone who Chryssi is. A possible reason we haven't been told yet is because Ebon has been replaced or is paritially controlled by Chrysalis, and the information he gave is false.
Another theory I have is that the King and Queen might be changelings (with implanted memories). After all, they were found right in the middle of a changeling hive.
5495230 thanks. I figured she didn't have any left like they kept saying.
i get the feeling Saikano is gunna touch Fishy and BOOM
drones in the middle of the council, the disguises removed by physical contact with each other
5495210
fanfics shall be read
5495956
I had considered this as well. We really have no reason to trust Lunarius at this point, except for the fact that he was apparently a prisoner. I think it was when Fishberry (?) was ranting about how they should have gone north to "feed her" more often?
Then again, if Ebon actually knows her true form and location then we're all good. Unless Ebon got pranked by Chrissy just like the Omega did to Tom Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow.
5496431 I think it's unlikely King Lunarius is fake. The only reason for him and the Queen to be fakes would be if Chrysalis expected the Jurists to find out about and visit that cave, and therefore laid a trap for them. The dialog we've seen between the Big Three would not support that hypothesis.
Also, if there were drones masquerading as the King and Queen, why bother with this whole coronation of Prince Eine business?? Actually, why bother with it at all? If the goblins are going to lay waste to Val Roa, who cares who the King is?
oh look, short chapter again
how long has it been?
5494400 Remind me who Fawful is again?
5500314
She's one of the Gray Feathers (the leaders) in Durandana. I believe she debuted in chapter 150 of Urohringr.
5495485 The big twist is that Chryssi is the Noble Jury
Wait. Half of the plan would fail if they don't get this right? This does not sound good. Saikano has handled his existential crisis well, though.
-Spirit
It seems Ebon has truly mastered his ability. I really do like this, but it sure was sudden.
5917450 The way it happened though, sudden kinda works. He figured out how to tap into the hive mind, by accident, Through the soul sentries, Something he'd never managed before even around the other changelings. And with access to the hive mind comes all of the knowledge, and skill that the Hive possesses. (God I hate that word It has WAY too many S's) On top of that fact he had been practicing pretty intensely for the last few days and even moreso over the past few hours, I get the feeling that It's an ability that gets easier literally 'every time' it's used, But because he'd never done it before he was learning from scratch, And with no hive mind, He was doing it without instructions.
5917450
I think he got the hang of it after he made the home call to the hive, probably like getting a changeling firmware upgrade.
Pieces moving on an invisible board.
WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT
Ebon's character development in this book has been incredible. He was the last of the group to mature and realize his potential.
The book is making it pretty clear that the characters are all moving in different directions. Roarke as head of the goblins; Kera, Pilate, and Belle in Val Roa; Prowse, Props, and Zaid traveling together; Ebon, EE, and Josho headed back home to luxmare territory; Floyd in Bountiful; and last, Rainbow headed east Alone
I feel like Saikano, Fishberry, and Sharp Quill are three are changelings that didn’t know it, with that talk about “she didn’t give me that knowledge” by Saikano. Hopefully the real three are somewhere they can be rescued.
8707i believe they may all be dead, and Chrysalis really did split herself into three for the sake of functionality. It would explain their exclusive links.
Because much like Josho, he has found something worth fighting for, and if necessary, worth dying for. Something more than just an ideal or a nation, but individuals to give a future to.
10/14/2019
20:49 UTC
Wrong franchise.