“Say...” Kera looked around the large, festive breakfast table. “Is anypony else getting a strange case of deja vu?”
“Enope!” Zaid smiled, munched on some cheese and grits, then looked across the way at Bellesmith. “So... you guys are thinking about staying, huh?”
“I think he means right here in Val Roa,” Props added with a wink.
“Oh great, she's speaking for me,” Zaid droned, rolling his eyes. “Next thing you know, I'll be making midnight runs to the market for ice cream and pickles.”
Props giggled. “Heeheeheehee—” She froze in place, blinking. “Wait.”
Pilate chuckled and spoke up, “Well, all this time we've been journeying, Belle and I have been hoping for a safe place where we could settle down and engage in our intellectual pursuits.”
“In other words,” Rainbow Dash spoke up in between deep bites of toast and jam. “I promised them aaaages ago that they'd find some place peaceful to crash.”
“But, at the same time, we promised to be by your side through thick and thin,” Belle said in a motherly tone.
“Right, but, as we all know...” Rainbow's voice trailed off.
Roarke cleared her throat and leaned forward in her seat. “I think Val Roa is a fine choice. The scholars here could benefit from Ledomaritan concepts of mana and technology. What's more, I'm certain their archives of science and art will expand your minds just the same.”
“Why thank you, Roarke.” Belle smiled. “Funny you should say that. I had a long talk with Nilla—”
“From the Sandstone District?” Mamunia spoke up.
“Mmmhmmm.” Belle sipped on some orange juice, nodded, and said, “It would seem as if the local Academy of Arts and Sciences is intrigued beyond measure to have foreigners such as myself and Pilate make contributions.”
“Like what kind of contributions?” Zaid asked, his mouth ful.
“Well, with the right components, Belle here could teach the local elk and deer how to build a sequencing device that can fuse with their unique leylines.”
“And, what's more, I'll teach sequencing in a fair and balanced way that does not enforce the cruel tactics I was forced to endure back at Blue Shelf!” Belle smiled brightly. “We can achieve what Ledomare always wanted to do, only with greater success and less painful side effects!”
“Ewww...” Kera made a face.
Props cocked her head aside. “What's the matter, cutesy?”
Kera glanced up at Belle. “So, in a way, you're about to accomplish the life's dream of Madame Nightshade?”
“Ah...” Pilate raised a hoof, smiling. “But she will be able to perfect sequencing so that it's used for good, without exploiting other souls.”
“Including those of kids,” Rainbow said.
“Exactly!” Belle winked.
“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh...” Kera nodded. “Well, in that case, knock yourself out!”
“Hehehe! I think I will!”
“Actually, pass the fried grasshoppers, then knock yourself out!”
“Erm... right...” Belle held the basket over. “I'm... rather surprised they're serving these here.”
“Mmmmm...” Kera bore a smug grin as she picked a few tasty morsels off the plate. “A certain... caterer's son worked this out for me, I bet.”
“Really?” Props leaned her muzzle on her forelimb, smiling. “And does this caterer's son deserve a princess' kiss?”
“Sure thing—wait!” Kera dropped her grasshoppers in mid-bite and grimaced wildly. “Ewww! Cut it out! For real!”
“Heeheehee!” Props sighed happily, tossing her blonde mane back. “Ohhhhhhhhh I'm gonna miss that.”
Both Pilate and Belle tilted their heads in Props' direction.
“You... you won't be staying here in Val Roa?” Belle asked, blinking.
“Oh... uhm... well...” Props fidgeted, squirming in her seat. “That is to say... uh...”
“Like bloody hell, they're not,” Prowse belched from where he sat besides the mare. “Not like I fancy yankin' the tears out of your eyes, but now that all this madness is over, I'm makin' sure Propsicle is someplace safe! Well... at least, safer. And, besides, I miss the lass.”
“And... erm...” Rainbow nervously eyed Prowse, then stared at Props. “You're totally cool with this, Props?”
“Actually, uhm...” Props smiled bashfully. “I made the suggestion myself. Uncky Prowsy is lucky to have the Tarkington and all, but I've always known him to be a merchant first and an explorer second.”
“Damn girl talked me out of going on a crazy quest to find out what makes the Lounge tick,” Prowse said. “And besides, there's bound to have been a huge stinkin' vacuum left in Gray Smoke ever since I bugger'd off! 'Bout time I flew back and sunk my teeth back into that succulent financial fruit!”
“Can't imagine it'll be easy going back to a relatively normal life after all of this adventure,” Pilate said.
“Hah! You think I'm hangin' the Tarkington?” Prowse grinned. He glanced across the table. “Me and a certain somepony else were given this with Aatxe's dying request! May he rest in soot!”
“Damn straight.” Seclorum smirked. “Ever since the Frozen Sea lost its flurries when Stratopolis went down, it's been an open passageway for flight, trade, you name it. Lots of idiots don't have a darn clue what Alafreo is, or how to even get there.”
“Seeking to capitalize, huh?” Belle asked with a smirk.
“Just seeking to keep green-as-shit travellers from sinking their dayum necks in the ocean!” He glanced at the large tattooed figure beside him. “Ain't that right, buddy?”
“Mrmmfmfff...” Arcshod munched his way through eggs and sausage. “...dreit.”
“The way we figure it,” Prowse spoke. “Secchy and his mates patrol the sea while I hold the fort back in Gray Smoke. Between the post-war economy and the new avenue for exploration, we're bound to make the eastern edge of the continent a safer place for everypony!”
“Good,” Roarke droned. “Because if you had traveled south into the Lounge swamps like originally planned, you would be deader than rusted nails.”
Half of the table chuckled good-naturedly.
“And I wanna be there to help Uncky Prowsy set up shop again!” Props said with a cheery smile. “And maybe I can finally work on a few inventions I've been mulling over since I was yanked all the way to Blue Nova!”
“You've been working on inventions?” Rainbow asked.
“Yup yup yup!”
“Like what?”
Props grinned. “Ever wondered if cheese could grill itself?”
“Uhhhhhhhh...”
“Well, someday soon, you won't have to anymore!” Props pumped her hoof in the air. “I'm gonna have a go at culinary tools!” She giggle-snorted. “If there's anything I've learned over the past few months, it's that serving ponies food is a lot more fun than serving them missles!”
“Now that I can get behind,” Ebon Mane said. “Though... dare I ask who's the inspiration behind the self-grilling cheese?”
“Uhhhhh...” Zaid coughed, his cheeks turning slightly rosy. “Maybe the stallion who's agreed to join her on her merchant's venture.”
“Is that a fact?” Belle grinned wide. “Are you finally kicking the wayward life of an aerial vagabond?”
“Hey...” Zaid shrugged. “I've been through waaaaaay more stuff than I've ever signed on for.”
“Still, do you think a place like Gray Smoke could contain you, Mr. Zaid?” Pilate asked.
“Meh...” Zaid shrugged again. “If I can be an ex-cultist and an ex-juror, then why not try on being an ex-bum?”
“Here here...” Rainbow said, stifling a chuckle.
“Besides...” Zaid turned to nuzzle Props. “...I couldn't think of a friskier kitten to settle with.”
“D'awwwwwww... heeheehee...” Props giggled.
Prowse leaned in, muttering in Zaid's ear. “Remember, boyo, though that kitten may be declawed, I still have me plenty of shears. Ya get me.”
“A-a-ahem...” Zaid wiped the sweat from his brow, smiling dead ahead. “And have I mentioned how thrilled I am to be moving in with Props' lovable uncle?” his voice cracked.
The table chuckled again.
“Zaid...” Eagle Eye shook his head. “Settling for a normal life in the clouds. I can't believe it.”
“Yes yes yes...” Floydien muttered. “Every boomer will be forced to punch stone stone from now on. Not quite the same, Floydien thinks.”
And once more, the table burst into laughter.
Closure and more closure.
Looks like everyone has some pretty good plans going forward!
Now that you mention it...
Am I imagining things?
We're going back to Rainbow Dash flies East, aren't we?
Guess who's back? Back again?
Forty pushups for being so dayum sappy, ):(. Knock 'em out!
5604273
The only time IC has ever commented on this series. Deleted before anyone gets to see
Wuh-oh, looks like a wild IC appeared in the comments, then promptly ninja'd himself into oblivion.
Anywho, I'm kinda sad that the presumably soon-to-be cast-aside ex-Jurors won't all be hanging out in the same general area and having, like, brunch on the weekends and stuff. Maybe they'll still have reunions every so often. It wouldn't be very awesome for them to lose touch altogether.
5604280
If she flips around to the Dark Side, wouldn't she technically be flying west? Something about "Rainbow Dash flies west" sounds almost blasphemous.
Now everyone will be expecting him to make midnight runs.
5604340 Everypony will be expecting a foal to enter Props and Zaid's lives.
Self grilling cheese?
Well, self heating packs use a variation of thermite, with sawdust, so the effect isnt difficult. The difficult thing is making the materials and remnants not only edible, but also not increadibly fatally toxic.
Im still wondering what the Val roans have noted and measured and recorded about conditions in the Grand Choke, when they built all those cenotaphs and mausoleums over the years, out there. Is there an Architect School for such things, so they can make sure each is better than the last?
5604337 I've thought a bit about it and I'm pretty sure she'd still be flying east.
5604359 But will the world be ready for the little scamper?
5604425
I guess it would depend if their are magnetic poles defining North/South. If so, when she gets to the other side, she will be on the western border. Thus East-Horse will continue to fly East.
So, the only Jurists who haven't declared plans are EE, Ebon, and Josho? (I assume Floydien and Midnite are staying at home.)
It's good to be back!
5604273 I'm already crying from the Walking Dead, I don't need this too.
5604273 Indeed. The last 'happy meal time, and people staying behind' plan didn't quite go as well as expected.
5604508
No one seems to have picked up on this, but the deja vu is that this deja vu was first made here:
5600202
5604409
Meh, a little toxins won't hurt no one. Maybe he could build up an immunity or something. (That's how that works, right? I have no idea)
owch, just...............that just sounds awful. Like, really painful.
5604520 Yes. Lerris is to what I referred.
Ponky's back?! (Checks sources) PONKY IS BACK!
Also, Kera has her hoppers. All is right with the world.
Well...aside from Roarke, Props and Zaid, it seems most of the jurors are staying in Val Roa.
Tearful goodbyes to Props and Zaid soon I bet.
Well, that tears it. Everypony's settling in for a good life. Sounds like Rainbow's ready to say her goodbyes.
Onward, outward, and upward, ex-Jurists!
I really hope there is no hidden third shoe to drop.
My guess is that it has something to do with Ponky, but then he changed it to an author's note.
It really is strange that no one else is feeling it. Then again, we're back to the whole 'the rug isn't entirely securely fastened, but we don't see anyone who can pull on it' thing.
I want to know what Josho's deal is. I still as feel though he'd be willing to work on the Dark Side. What does he have to live for?
I mean, maybe he'd go with Seclorum, but I just don't feel it.
YESSS I'M SO EXCITED FOR SOLO RAINBOW ON THE DARK SIDE. SOLO RAINBOW IS BEST RAINBOW.
5605192
He will either try to follow Dash, or go back west with Crimson and Eagle Eye and retire. Guess he could also try joining up with Roarke or helping Val Roa with their military.
rusted
i am verb nao
fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/261/1/9/ermahgerd_by_photopersuasion-d5f5qsn.jpg
5604500
Welcome back.
When Rainbow Dash makes it past the Grand Choke and makes it underneath to the Dark Side; she will technically be flying West...
5604959
And so it all ends?
The first comment seems to have imploded...
As I suppose the first chapters of the next story will be Rainbow flying and landscapes being described, we have to think what comes until then. Maybe, after some time passes, we get to see what the old jurists are doing, one chapter for each one of them. Rainbow will talk with Chrysalis to know more about what she can expect ahead. Chrysalis will say something like it's impossible or that Rainbow won't survive.
Also, Rainbow has been in a cave at least once in each story, right?
I like how the comments about IC's comment let me figure out people's time zones.
5604481
I'm not sure if Booster has announced his plans, but considering how close Amulek and Val Roa are, it doesn't make a huge difference either way.
As for Eagle, Ebon, and Josho, I'm pretty sure they'll stick together. The real question is whether they stay in Val Roa or go to Franzington/Aurum with Crimson and the others.
5605561 But... how can east-horse be east-horse if she goes west?
5606020
Change and perspective. To get to the Midnight Armory, she has to fly back West from underneath Val Roa even though it will still be East from five piles of ash. While her origins shouldn't be forgotten, she has made a new starting point with most of the individuals she has harmonized to see her off again.
She still needs to visit that last purple-glowy-thing soon.
5606061 Come on! You don't need to remind us of the maimed six, get it because- never mind. Let's just hope that Rainbow can survive the rest of her journey.
5606061 My joke was taken seriously and in return I get perspective. Well said my good pone.
so
Props (aka reincarnation of Pinkie Pie) is going into the culinary side of technology?
fitting enough
and the keraine train is....
i really don't know, it mainly seems to be repeatedly hinted at, but never explored
so frustrating
also
wut
5604273 so you see that to, huh?
5605479 indeed
Get on with the East you blue horse. I'm sick of your shit you furry.
5604337
5604464
5605561
5606020
Rainbow will still be flying east when she goes to the other side. East is most sensibly defined as the direction you face when north is to your left. By that definition, crossing the eastern edge of the light side of the world takes her to the western edge of the dark side.
In other words, circumnavigating a flat two-sided world is just like going around a round planet: you can make the whole circle by moving east.
Moreover, if the sun illuminated the dark side (which it somehow apparently doesn't, although it's a mystery where it goes for the light side's night), Dash would continue to fly to the direction of sunrise.
Of course, from the POV of ponies on the light side, Dash will be passing west underneath their feet. But what matters is Dash's POV, in which she still goes east.
5605566 First, I was like, "the hell is this?!"
Then I saw your name.
Dawww~ So much love.
5606657
Relativity. To those in Val Roa, she will be going west from them.
I wonder when Rainbow will contact Luna next...
Enope is right Zaid.
I'm happy for everyone and yet I'm also a bit sad. The group is breaking up and I'm going to miss them.
when's the next full moon?
I'm glad they all get a happy ending. All except Dash...
-Spirit