One by one, the citizens of Red Barge opened the slitted metal doors to the lower levels. Steam vomited skyward in fuming waves. Shielding themselves, the ponies peered nervously into the depths. They craned their necks, squinting past the billowing haze.
Bodies shuffled. Bodies lurched. In a limp march, dozens of equines stumbled towards the surface and into the light. The sun's glow illuminated emaciated limbs and hollow cheekbones. As soon as the enslaved souls reached the top deck, they collapsed—only to be caught in the forelimbs of the surface dwellers. Overcome by a mix of ecstasy and hunger, the workers rolled over, sobbing into their comrades' embrace. Several Red Bargers galloped down past them, scouring the mechanical depths for any survivors they could find.
Over the course of the next few hours, ponies were escorted—many carried—up to the surface of the centermost platform. The citizens of Red Barge worked together like a fine-oiled machine, but instead of dredging coal or harnessing steam they were busy setting up a triage, pitching tents and gathering as many medical supplies as they could scavenge. The entire Barge's stock of food was gathered, and hundreds of dishes were filled—only to be passed over to each of the infirmed souls being rescued from below.
Sweat-stained workers gobbled up rice and fish with ravenous fervor. Those too weak to lift a spoon were gently hoof-fed. When a group ran out of sustenance, the likes of Whony and other orphans were called upon. With agile grace, the foals of Red Barge galloped across the struts, delivering food and medicine as swiftly as their expert little legs could carry them.
By nighttime, the upper platforms were filled up with tents and lean-tos. A solid ring of shelters contained the slowly recuperating victims of the harvest chambers. Souls accustomed to hellish conditions and unforgiving heat finally had a chance to relish in cool sea breezes and the comfort of other equines.
The atmosphere was quiet, and more than a little bit somber—save for the random outburst of joyous voices when separated families suddenly rediscovered each other. This happened more than a few dozen times, with everypony turning to observe... and smile. Mothers and foals—once resolved to a despicably lonely fate above-deck—found themselves reuniting with fathers who had been sent down below. Loved ones and couples embraced each other for the first time in months, sharing nuzzles and tears. A gaggle of “orphans,” freshly-branded, galloped into the forelimbs of their uncles, aunts, and grandparents.
Croche watched tearfully. She held a pair of hooves over her muzzle while her sunken eyes glistened in the starlight. Swab shuffled over, smiling as he rested a hoof on her side. With a happy sob, Croche spun around and hugged him tight. Swab patted her shoulder, gazing across the tents until his yellow eyes found Rainbow Dash. The foal smiled, his one good ear twitching.
Rainbow Dash blinked back, then proceeded with trotting down the line of shelters and sleeping mats. With the smokestacks overhead shut down, the stars peered down on the rusted scenery with unhindered brightness. The mare observed as several bodies and faces smiled, sharing joy and mirth and comfort for the first time in as long as her mind could ever possibly conjure up. Somewhere above the crowd, a griffon with his arm in a sling perched, observing everything with magenta hawkeyes. His calm gaze met Rainbow's, and a smile drifted between them.
Rainbow heard the muttering of voices at her side. She turned to look. Several emaciated ponies huddled against a bulkhead, staring at her while their fellow Red Bargers pointed and whispered. An old, wrinkled stallion beckoned the pegasus with a jittery hoof.
Blinking, Rainbow Dash trotted over—only to flinch. The elder flung his hooves around her, holding her tight with featherlight limbs. A tear rolled down his steam-scarred face as he nuzzled her close, smiling... trembling.
Rainbow Dash squirmed. She returned the gesture—albeit tenderly, afraid of breaking his fragile figure. Gulping, she looked over his trembling neck.
Dozens... hundreds of equine faces gazed her way in the starlight. Some of them starving... others recovering... almost all of them smiling—at least as weakly as they could manage.
She gulped and managed a crooked grin in response. It didn't last long, and as soon as she was disentangled from the elder stallion, she shuffled off, disappearing into the shadows. A feathery figure quietly followed.
“They're making a remarkable recovery,” Lieutenant Keris said, slowly pacing after Rainbow Dash as the two shuffled over the welded hulls of Red Barge. Night bled into morning, and a slight golden haze lingered across the horizon. “Most of them, that is. I ventured down there a few times during the extraction last evening. There were... horrible sights down below. Piles of petrified remains. Deckplates where you couldn't tell the rust from the blood.” The griffon gulped under his feathery neck. “Who knows how many poor, innocent souls perished in those wretched chambers.”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow Dash squinted into the salty breeze. “...at least you got most of them out, right?”
“Yes... we did.” Keris' headcrest tilted back. “None of this would have been possible if it weren't for your direct involvement.”
“Yeah, and I also owe my life to a one-eared scamp and a badflank bag of bent feathers.” Rainbow glanced over her shoulder. “Not to mention my friends. If you live as long in this crazy world as I do, you realize that awesomeness is a thing best shared.”
“Mmmm... indeed.” Keris took a deep breath. “Even still, nopony here on Red Barge is going to forget you. Not for generations, at least.”
“Yeah.” Rainbow shuffled along. “I figured.”
“And neither will Rohbredden,” Keris said, standing still.
Rainbow came to a stop. She stared over the murky waters.
“You're a wanted mare.” Keris' eyes narrowed. “You've committed terrible crimes.”
Rainbow inhaled slowly. “I know.”
“The Right Talon of Verlaxion has been charged with hunting you down. And—from the sound of things—there's an enormous bounty on your head, covering the entire seven seas and the land beyond.”
Rainbow closed her eyes. “I know...”
On shuffling paws, Keris strolled forward until he stood side by side with the mare. After a breath, he stared out onto the reflective waves. “I admire what you've done here, and I'm not alone.” A clearing of the throat. “But... I do hope you realize that I am... bound by my honorable code to Verlaxion. I said that I was incapable of apprehending you at the present—and that is no lie.” He shifted his good limbs. “However, when the moment comes, I will have no choice... but to lend all of my strength and talent to the Talon in capturing you... and bringing you before the Council.”
“Figured,” Rainbow muttered. “And—to be frank—I wouldn't have it any other way.”
“Hmmm...” Keris smirked. “You're a curious mare, Rainbow Dash.”
“More than you'll ever know.”
“And with powers that I may never understand.” Keris leaned his head to the side. “The realm beyond the Blight may have its many mysteries, but I for one can vouch for its tenacity.”
“You're welcome.”
“Is it true?” He looked at her. “Do the voices you respond to have substance?” A blink. “Are they what helped you overcome the worst Skagra had to throw at us?”
“I couldn't do anything without them,” Rainbow muttered. Her eyes reopened, devouring the thin light across the horizon. “And now I'll need them all the more.”
“And just where do you intend to go?”
Rainbow Dash's eyes lifted up... then squinted.
In the far distance, like a star above the ocean, an orange dot shimmered... strobing endlessly.
“East,” she muttered. “Where else?”
“I suspect you'll wish to get a head start.”
“I will.” Rainbow's nostrils flared. “As soon as somepony can spare me a boat.”
Keris raised an eyecrest. “You're still incapable of flight?”
Rainbow glanced at him... then turned to look at her feathers. She held her breath, stretched her left wing halfway—and instantly winced. A sharp breath hissed through her gritting teeth.
Keris leaned back with a thoughtful glance. “Huh... interesting.” He looked directly at her. “After your dramatic transformation, I had almost assumed it would have... recovered.”
“Yeah, well...” Rainbow Dash coiled the wings back again. She fought the urge to grimace, ultimately smirking. “Guess it's still a bit stiff.” She looked at him. “I've been challenged by worse before.” She shook her head. “Never stopped me.”
Keris nodded. “Yes, well... your determination is admirable. But mark my words, Rainbow Dash. It's not a matter of if the Talon will catch up to you... but when. And with your pegasus skills grounded—”
“Look, I get it,” Rainbow droned. “Your friends will be knocking at my door anytime.” A sigh, followed by a tiny smile. “And when that happens, I'll be waiting with mine.”
“You really think such guile will carry you far?”
“Only to the ends of the earth,” she said. “And if it helps to hear it in advance, Lieutenant Dude...” She winked. “...no hard feelings.”
Keris took a deep breath. “It does. And if it helps you...” A calm smile. “Best of luck.”
She extended a hoof out.
He shifted his weight and shook it with his good talon.
But before either could say another word...
“White Barge!” a voice shouted from a distance. “White Barge is here!”
The two turned to look. Right as the sun crested the east horizon, several bright spots glinted to the north. An armada was incoming, followed by an immense pale shape looming behind them, churning slowly through the waves.
When the ponies of White Barge arrived, they did so in droves. For each pegasus that Keris sent flying north, two motorboats arrived, stock-full of supplies, food, and medicine. The White Bargers were so healthy and so well-equipped that any straggling dredgers who still believed in Skagra swiftly lost all faith in him by noon that day.
The mares and stallions of White Barge were welcomed on board with open hooves. They wasted no time in hopping from strut to strut, dispensing their resources with liberal care and affection.
Elsaack trotted among them, leading the pack. His dark coat stood out like an arrowhead as he explored each rusted deck of Red Barge, assuring that every ailing pony was tended to. He met with multiple citizens, shaking hooves and sharing smiles. An incurable gloss shone across his eyes, and the stallion found it difficult to contain his emotions. Soon, hundreds of ponies from both Barges were comingling around him, shaking hooves, telling stories, sharing laughter—all the while caring for the infirmed and hungry.
Hours later, as Red Barge experienced joy and comraderie for the first time in generations, a lone figure huddled among a smattering of bulkheads. With nervous shivers, Chandler poked his head out from hiding. His green eyes reflected the pale sheen of White Barge's hull. The neighboring platform suddenly occupied a huge chunk of the nothern horizon, nearly dwarfing Red Barge in size—and all of it pristine.
The would-be Magistrate bit his lip. As he stared at the rations being hoofed out to one pony after another, he felt an insatiable rumbling in his stomach. The stallion hugged himself, wincing... unaware of a shadow creeping up from behind. All of a sudden, a hoof wrapped around his muzzle. His eyes went wide, and he tried to shriek—only to be yanked out from his hiding place... and dragged off towards the southern strut.
“Uhm... Rainbow Rogue?” Whony said, trotting up with several other orphans.
Rainbow Dash turned from talking to a group of White Bargers. She tilted her head down at the colt. “Yeah, kid?”
“Uhm... the other boys and I were rummaging through Digiff's supply room overnight...” Whony winced slightly. “For... for no reason, r-really. We were j-just bored, I guess.”
Rainbow smirked. “Riiiight...”
“But... uhhhh... we stumbled upon something, and it's... it's too clean and shiny to belong to Red Barge. So... uh... we figured that it must be yours.” That said, Whony reluctantly held up a midnight purple saddlebag.
Rainbow blinked. With lips pursed, she reached her hooves out and cradled the satchel in her forelimbs.
“Monket probably took it the night that he... well...” Whony shrugged. “Anyways, we didn't take anything out of it.” A gulp. “I swear.”
Rainbow was already digging through the bags. She blinked... and smiled. “And you're right.” She sighed out her nostrils, then looked at the group of orphans. “Thanks.”
“It's the least we could do,” Whony said. “You're... uh... eheh... the best monster to ever show up at this place.”
Rainbow grunted, slipping the saddlebag over her sides. She winced as she brushed her injured wing past the straps. “Mrmmfff... I'll take that as a compliment.”
“And we figured you weren't going to stay long anyways.”
At the sound of Whony's words, Swab jerked away from talking to Croche. He blinked wide, his muzzle agape.
“You got that right,” Rainbow said. She noticed several dozen ponies staring from the crowd surrounding her. “I've gotta make like a comet and streak. I... uh... d-don't think I need to explain precisely why.” Her eyes darted across the way.
Keris stared back, calmly nodding.
Elsaack momentarily left a group of caretakers and approached Rainbow Dash. “Well, that's an awful shame. But understandable, given the circumstances.” He leaned his head to the side. “Might I ask, madame, what your real name is?”
“Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings.”
Elsaack blinked. “Wow... really?”
“Snkkkt! Hahaha... naw...” Rainbow winked, reaching out to shake his hoof. “I'm just joshin' you. It really is Rainbow. Rainbow Dash.” Her eyes darted aside, and she smirked, pointing at mid-air. “Eh? You liked that one, didn't you, Pinkie?”
Elsaack smiled. “Well, Miss Rainbow Dash... I hope you have safe travels from here on out. You've done so much for these ponies, from what I hear.” He leaned forward. “Is there anything we could do to help you?”
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow glanced once more into thin-air. Her ears twitched, listening to something. She then turned towards Elsaack again. “I could use... a boat?” She winced, teeth showing.
Elsaack blinked. He pivoted, facing his subordinates seated beside the recovering ponies. A few White Bargers exchanged glances, then nodded. With a smile, Elsaack faced Rainbow again. “Consider it done. I'll make sure it's one with a good engine, too.”
Swab scampered and fished his way through the crowd, breathlessly approaching the scene.
“Well, thanks a million... uhm... Deus Ex Mustang guy.” Rainbow grinned from ear to ear. “What you're doing for these dudes here is beyond awesome. I hope you do that.”
“Believe me...” Elsaack nodded with a smile. “I've been waiting my whole life for this day to come.” He gulped. “As have my forefathers before me. The seas were never meant to be divided by filth and avarice.” The stallion shook his head. “For so long, the Barges have drifted apart. I almost gave up hope on there ever being a reunion. But now? We're ready to begin things anew. I'm sure this can only bring warmth and prosperity to the mainland.”
“Yeah. And speaking of which, I think it's high time I skipped these waves,” Rainbow said. She pivoted about, preparing to trot to where the boats were moored. “It's been real, everypony. Real rusty. But I'm afraid there's no stoppi—” Spontaneously, Rainbow stopped on a dime. “... ... ...what's that, Fluttershy?”
Swab stood in place, trembling.
Rainbow's ears twitched. “... ... ...he is?” She turned and looked over her shoulder. Her eyes met the colt's.
Swab blinked He smiled, raising a little hoof to wave at her.
“... ... ...” Rainbow faced him entirely. The crowd parted ways as she shuffled across the deck. Eventually, she stood before the colt.
Swab sniffled. A tremble overcame his figure, and he glanced down at the welded decks beneath them.
Rainbow squatted low until she was nearly face to face with the colt. “Hey kid. Uhhh...” She cleared her throat, then tilted his chin up. “I dunno if anypony's ever told you this before, but...” Her brow furrowed. “...you're totally missing an ear.”
Swab blinked. His lungs burst with giggles, like a gunshot. He grasped her hoof tightly—until his laughter melted into something far warmer, more fragile. He leaned forward, nuzzling it, rolling through pent-up sobs.
Rainbow exhaled, then swept him up into a tight embrace. She held Swab to her chest, allowing him to release more then a few crying breaths.
Whony watched with a stoneface expression. Croche shuffled up, gazing curiously.
Rainbow leaned down, nuzzling the top of Swab's scrappy mane. She murmured into his good ear, “You've saved this whole stinkin' platform, kid... and you've saved me.” She kissed his forehead, then stroked his cheek. “But I'm afraid the place I'm ultimately headed to is reserved for monsters... not for little colts.”
Swab cried, hiccuped, and exhaled: “What pl-place could be worse than Red Barge...?”
Rainbow bit her lip, then muttered, “You don't want to know. And—by Celestia—you'll never have to.” She tilted his face up until they stared eye to eye. “You've brought a wonderful, shining light to this place. Revel in it. Live joyfully. Grow old. Be happy and be you.”
“But how can I?” Swab stammered. “Not knowing what happens to you?”
“Oh, you'll know, alright. Someday... somehow... and I bet on my last feather that it'll be something awesome. World-changing.” She winked. “All 'cuz of you, kid. You were...” She shuddered, her breath coming out in a fragile squeak. “...kindness. You were kindness... when I thought that I had run out of it... and that didn't even d-deserve it.” She clenched her jaw. “And now, I'm off to do very... very kind things. All thanks to you. And that's the honest truth.”
Swab sighed, a tear running down his cheek. “Maybe I was wrong.” He smiled. “Verlaxion was answering my prayers all along.” A sniffle. “She sent you.”
“Hmmmm...” Rainbow's eyes were hard. “Jury's still out on that. But... I guess I'm going to find out... one way or another.” She stood up, then pivoted to Elsaack. “You see these kids here, guy?”
“Yes, Miss Dash.”
“Well, there are tons more—just like 'em.” Rainbow Dash pointed east. “They've been holed up in some Goddess-forsaken rust pit for who-knows-how long, stripped of their cutie marks and starved for food.” She frowned. “I want you to promise me that they'll all get good homes... and a plate to eat off of every day. Can you do that? Can you grant them nibbles from here to Ragneighrak?”
Elsaack was already nodding. “Say no more...” He waved a hoof. “It's a promise. You don't even have to ask.”
“We'll look after the poor things,” another White Barger said. “There's plenty of room on our platform.”
“And even if there wasn't,” spoke a mare from the crowd nearby. “There're homes for them here too.”
“Yeah... we're not afraid anymore.”
“Skagra has no hold over us.”
“Two Barges... one heart.”
Keris strolled in until he stood next to Elsaack. “You have my word as a defender of Verlaxion's children...” He turned to smile at Rainbow Dash. “I'll see to it that everypony here has a future.”
Rainbow Dash nodded. “Well... that's pretty snazzy.” Swallowing a lump down her throat, she looked down at Swab.
Swab stared back, moist eyes blinking.
“Hmmmff...” Rainbow playfully “punched” his chin. “Get a haircut, kid.” She turned and trotted off. “And a new name. Luna Poop...” Sniffling, she rubbed her eyes and trotted steadily towards where the White Barge skiffs were moored.
While the crowd looked on, several White Bargers filed through, following Elsaack. “Young sir?” He asked Whony. “Can you show us this... this orphanage?”
“Yes.” Whony nodded, waving with his hoof as he galloped east. “After all... they're my responsibility.”
“And now they're ours.” Elsaack pointed at several of his subordinates and ordered them to follow the colt. “Bring plenty of blankets and food. And medicine! Odds are Skagra never bothered to give any of the poor things check-ups.” He turned about, spotting Swab. He shuffled over, kneeling down. “Hey there...”
Swab said nothing. He kept staring north, to where Rainbow Dash trotted. Soon, she was just a scant thread of colors, disappearing amidst the haze.
“What's your name again, child?” Elsaack asked in a soothing tone.
“Mmmmm...” Swab blinked. Sniffling. “Swift Song...” A shudder. “My parents called me Swift Song...”
“Are they still around?”
He shook his head.
“Well... don't you worry. We're going to take care of you... find you a new home. Same with all your friends. You have my word.” Elsaack squinted at the colt's skull. “Come here...” He gently beckoned, pulling Swab closer. “Let me have a good look at that head of yours.” He grimaced slightly at the many scars and bruises. “Skagra, you bastard...” He nevertheless smiled. “Seems like you've been through it all, fella. I bet many kids wish they were as courageous as you.”
“Awesome...” Swab murmured, a tear rolling down his cheek.
“Yes. Certainly. That too. Now tell me...” Elsaack gently pressed a hoof to Swab's left temple. “Does this hurt at all? Do you feel dizzy?”
Swab turned, his dazed expression meeting Elsaack's gaze. His breaths came in tiny, fitful pants.
“Hey... look at me...” Elsaack braced the child's shoulders. “It's okay. It's okay.” He quietly nodded, caressing the colt's good ear. “You're going to be okay now.”
Swab blinked. He turned to look into the distance, his jaw quivering.
He saw Croche across the crowd. A mare from White Barge was kneeling before her—much like Elsaack—examining the fillly's cuts and bruises. Croche turned her head, seeing Swab. She smiled... a long and healthy smile.
“Swift Song...?” Elsaack murmured.
The colt's eyes welled up with tears. He let loose a whimper, smiled, and threw himself forward. Slightly surprised, Elsaack held the orphan close, patting his back. Swab sniffled, wiping his eyes dry as he nuzzled Elsaack's shoulder and murmured into the clean air.
“I love you...”