Leave the Thinking To the Eggheads
“Whoop! And he knocked the wind out of my wings!”
“I drank his blood! Warmer than milk from the teat!”
“Hah! I could have sworn we got a hundred feet of air from that one splash!”
“He'll only be angrier the next time he shows up! Maybe he'll spit two canoes at us?!”
“Or three!”
“Ha ha!”
“Whoop!”
“Mrmmmfff...” Rainbow Dash stirred, her face wincing as she became aware of every aching muscle in her body. “Those voices had better mean I'm waking up on the shore,” she muttered. “Cuz if the afterlife is full of that kind of dialogue, then I wanna become an alicorn pronto.”
“You're fine, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight Sparkle said.
“They dragged you here in one piece,” Sinrar spoke over the unicorn's voice.
“Are... any of my limbs broken?” Rainbow wheezed.
“Fraid not, harpy.”
“Meh.” Rainbow's eyes fluttered opened. “There goes any good excuse.”
The old stallion helped her up into a sitting position. Exhausted, Rainbow gazed past Twilight towards the surf. Kaji, Silver, and Sora were gathered in front of a mess of natives, boasting about the recent escapade. The Nealenders—young and old—listened with gaping expressions plastered to their muzzles. A single canoe and several shattered spears lay in the sand, and the Swan Song was moored in the shallow water. The ocean was completely devoid of any massive serpent.
“Guess Ultimo didn't bite the coral,” Rainbow muttered.
“Not even remotely.” Sinrar adjusted his beret. “Poor bastards had to drag you to shore.” He fidgeted. “Not that there's... anything wrong with that or nothing.”
“I will say this,” spoke a deep voice. Rainbow turned to see Theanim Mane shuffling up. The stallion smiled in spite of his haggard condition. “I've never known the locals here to retreat from anything. The fact that they stopped stabbing that big fish to retrieve you... well...” He winked. “It's a sign of respect if I've ever seen one.”
“Unngh...” Rainbow rubbed her scalp. “That's some lame respect.”
“Rainbow...” Twilight sighed.
“Oh, you did a number on that beast, for sure,” Theanim remarked. “And I've got the film to prove it!” His face brightened. “Come to think of it... I'd better go get this developed! Do not go anywhere!” He galloped beyond the nearby treeline.
As Rainbow followed the stallion's movement, she spotted Nick squatting across from Flare. The pegasus mare was slowly recuperating from her concussed state. A Nealender or two hoofed her a hollow coconut to drink out of, all the while Nick engaged her in pleasant conversation.
“Hmmmf...” Rainbow exhaled. “Looks like somepony saved the day, at least.”
“Hah!” Sinrar smirked. “You should have seen the clever bastard! He leapt into the Swan Song like it was his mother's pouch and sailed that thing faster than a dry knife through wet wind!”
Rainbow turned to blink at him. “...is that so?”
“Oui! Could have outrun the beast if he wanted to! Instead, he chose to throw his head in for the girl. Hmmph... figures. But that'll give the backwards phantom worshippers here something to chew on for decades!”
Rainbow squinted. The barest hint of a smirk crossed her muzzle. “If I didn't know better, I'd say you were proud of the kid.”
“Well you could certainly say—” Sinrar's amber eyes crossed. He instantly gnashed his teeth. “Imbecile! Do you think I'm that much of a demented flake?”
“Nah.” Rainbow shook her head. “I think you're flakier.”
“Nrnrghhh...” Sinrar gritted his teeth, then trudged off in a huff. “Bah! I've got better things to be doing with my time! Like fastening a new cane out of petrified coral! Merde! That'll give you something to stab the fish's eyes out!”
Upon hearing that, Rainbow Dash instantly shuddered. She hugged herself and slumped back into the sand, staring up at a blue sky with errant seagulls. “I really bucked things up, didn't I?”
“Oh Rainbow...” Twilight reclined her phantom limbs on the earth beside her. She exhaled through a sigh. “If I were in your place, I'd have hesitated as well.”
“Only you were never in my place,” the pegasus muttered. “Nor were you in all the times previous. But today...?” She shook her head. “I just couldn't do the badflank thing.”
The air was silent for a while. Eventually, Twilight spoke. “I... I-I suppose it's my fault.”
Rainbow turned to squint at her. “Why you?”
Twilight fidgeted. “Ever since you and I reunited, I've been... a back-seat flier.”
“Heh... that's a bit too much to chew,” Rainbow said, smirking. “You haven't got wings.”
“Still. Every time you've done something daring or courageous or risky—like you've always done—I've been... acting like a mother hen.”
“Well, no offense, Twilight, but it's kinda sorta in your blood,” Rainbow said. “Along with being an anal egghead.”
“Pffft!” Twilight frowned at her. “I am not an anal eggh—”
Rainbow's eyebrow was already arched.
Twilight's lips hung open. Her ears folded back as she blushed. “Unnngh... I'm helpless.”
“I know,” Rainbow muttered. “Which is why I should be doing my darnedest to bring you back.” She glanced back at the sky with a lethargic expression. “To bring you all back.”
“Don't be so hard on yourse—”
“You know—I've been thinking about Ultimo. Such a huge friggin' thing. Like... aren't sea serpents and oversized sea creatures supposed to stick to the lower depths of the ocean?”
“Uhhhh... modern scientific observation would appear to concur.”
“So, what's it doing around this atoll? Just hanging out?”
“I figured Verlaxion's Shard was to blame.”
“I mean besides that,” Rainbow said. “It's got no business being around here. So... maybe it's dying. Maybe it's a fluke. Maybe... it deserves to be put it out of its misery. And if the payoff is bringing back the other girls...” She shrugged. “Then what's stopping me?”
Twilight bit her lip.
“Go ahead, Twilight.” Rainbow glanced aside. “Say it.”
“Just... that it's a very dangerous way of thinking,” she eventually murmured.
Rainbow nodded. “Believe me. If I could do something that was completely 'harmonious,' I would. And right at that moment—when I had the spear in my hooves and I could have stabbed my way into Ultimo's brain...” She sighed. “I wanted nothing else. It... has more to do with just the fact that you're here, Twilight. I've got to know that I'm here for a good purpose.” She sat up again, exhaling. “And Verlaxion's gotta know too.”
“You... uh... you think she's observing us somehow?” Twilight remarked.
“She's got a big magical ice turd parked in the heart of the Lagoon, hasn't she?”
Twilight chuckled. She turned her head and gestured towards where Nick and Flare sat across from each other, smiling tranquilly. “If you ask me, I think you've already brought some good with you at this point in your journey.”
“Mmmmm...” Rainbow nodded. “So long as Flare isn't disappointed with 'Needlepoint' there.”
Twilight giggled.
Silence reined, broken occasionally by the rhythmic roll of the ocean surf.
“Twilight?”
“Yes, Rainbow?”
The pegasus looked aside, her ruby eyes thin, sharp. Like her pendant. “What makes you so sure that Yaerfaerda is leading us towards Rarity now?”
Twilight blinked.
“You mentioned her when I was about to stab Ultimo,” Rainbow said.
“Well... I mean...” Twilight bit her lip. “The Yaerfaerda symbol! Isn't it white and—?”
“That's still no proof of anything yet,” Rainbow said. “You're a friggin' scientist. You should know that.”
“I just... I just figured it was obvious, you know?” Twilight said. “Besides. Think about it.” She turned to look past the strip of land towards where the Atoll's central lagoon loomed. “Verlaxion's Shard here is more than some religious artifact. It was always meant as a gift to the Nealend culture. And what you're doing here... throwing yourself at the elements to rid this place of Ultimo's reign of terror?” She turned to smile at Rainbow. “Well... it's very... very generous, don't you think?”
“Hmmm...” Rainbow smirked. “I try not to think.”
“Then maybe now you know why I've apologized.”
“If that's the case...” Rainbow stood up and dusted herself off. “You're totally forgiven.”
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Hai Josho.
Verlax: I will gift you the ice turd.
Oh, how I love the conversations between those two.
IT'S HAPPENING.
Awwww...don't lie, old timer. We know you have a soft spot for the larva.
I want Twilight to show up on the flim.
Spookle puts forth an interesting idea: at each location, is Rainbow going to have to accomplish some task that embodies the friend she's there for?
6023015 That would really be a
Spooklespooky thing for Thunker Meat to see. xD6023043 It sounds like it will be. It's gonna be interesting and hilarious though.
Am I early this time? It seems I am. This is fun. Good to see everyone survived, even though Ultimo got away. Maybe next time. Though I agree with others, I want to see an unexplainable flying Lavender Unicorn appear in Theamin's photos. And by this I mean Eagle Eye of course. We all know this is the part where the Jury appears after scaling the no longer anti-magic Grand Choke. Let it be according to Zadubadabu's glory.
Back in Urohringr Rainbow handled a sea monster in freezing waters. What's the hold up?
6023015
i.imgur.com/70VM3kG.png
I don't think Flim would mind Twilight showing up on him.
6023045 15254b2dcaab7f5478ab-24461f391e20b7336331d5789078af53.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/battlebears.vanillaforums.com/editor/sc/4xb6xtkxsmea.gif
6023015
How Spoopy.
6023054 y'know, you do have a point... Now that the Choke seems to be gone, what's to stop visitation from old friends?
6023090 to be fair, they would need to find out that the choke is working again. Which requires going into it or receiving a message from RD. I doubt either would happen any time soon. Although I'm sure someone would notice eventually.
Pretty fine point there. For all we know, it could be any of the remaining 4. I eagerly await the day the Pink One is turned into a ghost and the Day of Shenanigans comes upon us.
Also, Twilight acknowledging that she is backseating: plus 1.
Title Get: Nealand Tribal: earn the respect of the Nealand Natives.
Theanim, ask about Twilight already!
We need something more tangible than endless fight scenes!
-Spirit (Yeast and Treacle)
6023107 Considering they send their dead and dying into the Choke as a Gray Warden-style funeral ritual, it's likely they'll find out very soon when should-be-dead grandparents come prancing back all like "rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated"
6023151 and that's how it would eventually be found out, but it is a desert still, so we would need someone sturdier than the sick and dying that usually go out. Then they could make it far enough to realize there is still magic. It still wouldn't be a quick discovery. Likely they won't fully know until another full expedition is made.
6022991
media0.giphy.com/media/rl0FOxdz7CcxO/giphy.gif
Obligatory
i.imgur.com/DUQ9UTw.png
6023066 I think this one's a weeee bit bigger. roundstable.com/forums/images/smilies/maddash.png
6023202
Exactly what I was waiting for.
I like Quasar's idea. It almost seems too easy, but--then again--why was it important for Theanim to tag along and photograph everything? Maybe it's a fallacy on my part to assume that things in stories are always included for a reason, but still...
Hmmm...
If Rainbow has to embody each element to bring back the (former?) bearer, then would honesty mean she has to confess to her friends about her condition?
IC could easily drag it out that far.
6023107
6023197
6023090
Rainbow Dash communicated that fact to Luna at Kihutaja.
In fact, Celestia was there for that conversation that proved Twilights existence.
Celestia communicates to Durandana through the Sword of Solstice.
Durandana is literally next door to Val Roa, so Celestia would have told them to spread the good news to Dash's friends: "RD is alive! She made it to the other side, and restored magic to the Grand Choke!"
Right now i expect the Eljunbyro piloted by Roarke and the Noble __________ piloted by Zaid to be nearing completion in their drydocks, to be escorting the rechristened Luxmare carrier and supply ship The Rainbow Connection piloted by prop's uncle as soon as it arrives and is retrofitted with Lounge skystone to make the trip to complete its mission to establish an outpost at Kihutaja.
Also the supply ship is using the special properties of crystal ponies to use lucid Sequencing on Fleet Command (Tweak and his brother) as part of the Fleet Command Sequencing team that manage the harmonic conversion and storage and application of Austraeohmic energy tapped from machine world locations to provide the needed energy for crossing the span of the Grand Choke speedily and powering the Harmonic Firing Array in case Rainbow Dash needs backup against Verlax.
6023284
I fucking love this. Make it happen, author.
6023260
It's the generalized version of Chekhov's gun.
Basically, nothing is included in the story without a point, even if it seems meaningless right now.
So as soon as an author writes more words about some minor insignificant thing, we immediately assume that it will have some significance later on.
Unless it's a red herring (or just bad writing), which, when you think about it, is a pretty cheap trick.
6023260 My guess is something magically funky will happen. Either it'll show the chaos in Rainbow, or show ghost Twi. Dash hasn't been photographed ever, so who knows?
Not retreating, advancing towards future victories!
6023293 Rainbow Connection? It's now a Disney property, so why not?
[youtube=S2DTLbTQj0I]
I always thought the story was focused on Dash helping out (spreading harmony) in the places she's visited, and less focusing on the greater good of the Austraeoh stuff.
Killing this serpent would definitely count as a favor, though.
Nice to see Sinrar softening up a bit.
Look at you Twilight, you're learning.
-Memories given light, ease a lonely flight. Ynanhluutr
6023293
Much as I'd like to see the VR&GC RR built instead, I don't think anyone can deny the majesty of that name.
6023151 6023197
Why not play telephone tag come next full moon:
RD tells Luna/Equestria
Equestria/Celestia's sword tells the Durandanans
Pegasi pass news through continental grapevine
Everyone can get slow and gradual updates monthly (with a travel time phase delay).
6022991 6023015 6023045 6023066 6023066 6023202
Sinrar be like: Aww le heck non, she can't be that purble
Thunker be like: That's not what a god-princess looks like
and Nick will finally be able to judge her hotness
6023284
I fucking love this. Make it happen- dang it, 6023293 beat me to it. Touche, Super Tramp. Touche.
6019722 Well, his son was still pretty swell.
6023284 This had better happen honestly. The best way this could possibly happen would be for RD to sail our to confront Ultimo again, the serpent shows up, pokes its head above water, then it's head disappears in a spray of gore as a airship mounted canon picks it off from a distance and makes their presence known.
Then the night after when they try to have some alone time to celebrate being together again, Dash starts trying to hint to Twi that she is being a third wheel, but she just doesn't get it. Because that would be hilarious.
I like how Twilight's the Genre Savvy one. Not just Egghead.
6023280 6023043 In order to get Applejack back, she finally has to confess she wants to bang her
...and thus the trial is failed and the world ends.
Yep Sinrar is totally another Josho.
Nice to see that Rainbow is thinking about somethings more then even Twilight is.
6022981
But lo! It is a magical turd!
As long as it is here, the ocean will try to flush it.
And you shall have a shiny turd-based whirlpool.
People keep comparing Sinrar and Josho. I won't compare them until I see Sinrar's shotgun skills.
Either the film will be ruined and the reason for Theanim to be on board was just the monologues; or the pictures will be released and will spread around the country, reaching the Goddess soon.
Either way, Theanim will be dead by then, because, as he survived today, he thinks he can go again and take more pictures. He will sail with the natives again, and will be eaten or crushed, because this time we didn't have victims.
I know exactly what a fight between Sinrar and Ultimo would look like.
lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Jackson1.JPG.CROP_.article568-large.jpg
That was one awesome fight with Ultimo and now as 314 said maybe Theamin's photos could show chaos magic around Rainbow or maybe ghost Twi in the pictures. That would be really cool if it did. Also school being out at last I should be able to stay caught up with this story and not keep falling 8 chapters behind at a time.
Also, regarding what mastermenthe said, yes, all of my yes!
6024678
You know you can reply to comments, right?
6023696 So, could you say you are suggesting the best course of action is take off and nuke the entire site from orbit? After all, it's the only way to be sure.
6024985 Yes but I had already started typing my comment and didn't want to start over. Fimfic needs something like the Warframe forums have where it is much easier to work with responding to other's comments or quoting them. Also with me being late to the party for reading this chapter I didn't figure many would read it and so didn't really care if it was perfectly done with the reply system here.
6025178 For future reference, you don't have to start over. Just click the reply button, and the reference will be appended to what you already have. You can cut and paste it to where you want it to go; it's just text.
'bout time, Twi.
Generosity? Hmm... Maybe Dashie needs to gift Ultimo a BIIIIG pile of fishies?
6024396
My bets on the alien
Wow, no internet for almost a week is brutal, huh?
6025729
Then clearly you don't know Andrew Jackson too well, and it's speciesist to root against him just because you're an alien-pony :C
Yaay, I caught up from my suprise trip to the Knights that say Ni, and jurassic Park.
I mean, it might be a popular public safari park and dinosaur exhibit, but only when you have waalked around Under a Full Size Animnatronic model of a Sauropod, you realise just how big the damn things are.
They even included a 6 foot pile of steaming non fossilised coprolite. Directly under the shampoo injection port.
Ultimo is pulling out the nasty suprises.
I enjoyed watching a recent movie down at my sisters.
Best action was when Dash Rainnuked Ultimo lengthwise. But best quote was giving it the slap down.
Puny God.
6024396
*shake shake shake*
Will Arcanist Ascendant ever stop posting amusing Andrew Jackson images?
i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll319/benchilada/Internet%20Mayhem/replyhazytryagainlatermagiceightbal.jpg
Oh, alright then.
6023260
In this story, nothing is coincidence.