Rainbow Dash's Dream Phone
“I have spoken at great length to every member of the matriarchal councils,” Nat'rdo's voice insisted. Her shadowy figure stood against a backdrop of gently rotating stars. “They have agreed—much as I have—that the enchanting touch of the Mother of Nightmares sensed within you cannot be ignored.” A pair of glowing eyeslits narrowed. “I have had my observations within the dream corroborated by my fellow dreamwalkers. The matriarchs have been made fully aware of the severity of this situation.”
“Uh huh...” Rainbow Dash paced before her, trotting leisurely across a carpet of slowly swirling galaxies. She absent-mindedly tapped a constellation with her wingfeathers and watched as the nebulae scattered. “I hear ya...”
“By order of the Supreme Nightblood Assembly of Saros, Lexxic and all of his subordinate officers have been commanded to temporarily cease all patrols and take a passive stance. The physicality of your appearance is being divulged to all commanding warriors so that you will be given a peaceful greeting on sight.”
“Is that so...?”
“Then, with a squadron of Nightbloods to accompany you, you are invited to direct yourself to the Mother of Nightmare's Dream Roost. There—in the company of the Matriarchs—you will be welcome to share that which you know concerning the Dream Giver and her current fate.”
“Me and me alone?”
The faint outline of equine bodies shifted behind Nat'rdo. Rainbow thought that she heard voices whispering and hissing in the galactic void.
At last, the foreground figure said, “You may elect a group of fellow peers to accompany you. But—for the sake of simplicity—I would suggest keeping the number to a minimum.”
Rainbow glanced her way with an arched eyebrow. “So we'll be easier to contend with, huh?”
Nat'rdo breathed. “No, W'ynlppa yln H'luun. Because it will take less of a toll on us. Perhaps you do not understand the honor being bestowed upon you. Nopony who lacks the esteemed mother-blood of divine rule is allowed in the Dream Roost, and it is certainly not a sanctuary granted to those foaled outside the Dream. By extending this invitation, the matriarchs are knowingly and willfully breaking the very foundation of sacred and honored tradition so as to have you in their divine company. A conference of this magnitude has not been arranged since the grand exodus of the Vigil carried us safely from the burning wings of the Daybreaker.”
“You guys must have a lot of reasons to be paranoid, huh?”
“Even beyond the edges of the stone eclipse that shelters us, we are sensitive to the burning deception of the Daybreaker,” Nat'rdo said. “Several centuries following the criminal exile of the Mother of Nightmares, the Daybreaker's false light still encroaches upon the cleansing darkness. Her light is a false light, a Dream-Ender, and a corrupting pestilence upon this pure and unending nightscape. While you carry with you the essence of the Dream Mother's blessing, the shadow you carry is that produced by a False Star.” Nat'rdo slowly shook her head. “Every instinct tells me that we must keep you at a safe distance, but then that would erase all hope of understanding the blessing that you carry. Please... understand that this decision was not made lightly, W'ynlppa yln H'luun.”
“Oh, I know it must be a super hard choice for you.” Rainbow squinted at her as she paced closer. “But what of Lexxic?”
Silence.
“Lexxic—in stalwart faith and devotion—has already chosen to follow the matriarchs' command.”
“Oh, sure. He's following orders.” Rainbow smiled tiredly across the dreamscape. “But what if he had to choose?”
“That is irrelevant,” Nat'rdo stated. “As the supreme field Nightblood general, Lexxic is bound to the oath foaled into his flesh and blood by the Dream—”
“I've no doubt he knows what he's supposed to do,” Rainbow Dash said. “But is he supposed to like it? You think a guy who has accomplished so many violent things is gonna just idly sit back and let up on bloodletting so that some random stranger from Penumbra can go on a tour of the Dream Roost?”
“His acts of righteous fury have been committed in the name of the Vigil's cause,” Nat'rdo said. “Trust me. He knows his place in the fight over the Sarcophagus.”
“I'd like to think so.” Rainbow gestured. “But everywhere I go, I hear nothing but savage things spoken of the dude. He murders left and right without taking prisoners.” Her brow furrowed. “He and his cronies aimed a friggin' death laser at me.” A shuddering breath. “Almost got us too... and he didn't seem to care when they sensed we were nearby.”
“Lexxic's reputation is the serrated edge of his mighty sword,” Nat'rdo explained. “It takes a great deal of effort to intimidate the sort of enemies we've had to contend with since the Exodus first brought us here countless generations ago. The Nightblood generals before Lexxic gave up on even trying to do more than wound our foes. Lexxic thought otherwise. For his guile, his innovation, and his efficiency—he has become an exceptional weapon against our combined enemies, and we are closer to the Sarcophagus than ever before.”
“Which makes you wonder...” Rainbow folded her forelimbs. “When an ambitious sucker like Lexxic gets up to the front door, how far is he going to go to get all the keys he needs?” A cautious breath. “And just who is going to open the gate when the time comes. Himself?”
Nat'rdo was silent for a bit. Expressionless.
At last, she said, “I speak to you on behalf of the Vigil—the same cause that the Mother of Nightmares gave her freedom to preserve when she was betrayed by the Daybreaker. Everything we do on this side of the Crescent or the other is committed to the restoration of the Mother of Nightmares to glory—as she herself has so graced us with the gift of corporeal existence. It is written in the Book of Saros: 'The Mother's blessing is our blessing.' And we extend this blessing to you, W'ynlppa yln H'luun. But it is not something that is given easily. Every moment that we place our forces on standby, we sacrifice precious inches of ground to the vile swarms and corrupted armadas of our enemies. It is a difficult enough allotment of time to sacrifice once. I daresay we cannot sacrifice it again.”
“Even for the blessing of Luna?” Rainbow said.
“Please, W'ynlppa yln H'luun,” Nat'rdo spoke with a rising tone to her voice. “I cannot give you any more assurances than that which has been provided. Distance and circumstance is making that increasingly difficult. I promise you yet again that no harm will come to you and your companions.”
“I don't even know where to friggin' go—”
“Return towards the Edge until you see the Mother Torch. Once you have made visual contact, make your way towards it.”
“The Mother Torch...?” Rainbow's muzzle scrunched. “You mean... that enchanted replica of the moon you've got tethered somewhere?”
“Follow it's blessed glow,” Nat'rdo continued. “It will lead you to the tree of the Roost. But you will not reach there alone. Lexxic and his fellow Nightbloods will find you.”
“Find us? Find us how?”
”They will find you,” Nat'rdo repeated. “And they will bring you to the sanctum. There, you will be safe... so that the enlightenment of the Mother's blessing may proceed. You have my promise.”
“Your promise.”
“On my life,” Nat'rdo finished—with a flash of fangs.
“... … ...” Rainbow Dash rubbed her chin in thought.
“Is this acceptable, W'ynlppa yln H'luun?” Nat'rdo asked. The figures behind here grew antsy, shifting and flickering like black candles.
Rainbow continued rubbing her chin. She took a slow, contemplative breath...
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Sure.
Moment of Truth time, I think Rainbow will say yes, but cannot say for sure. I also worry that they will not take 'no' for an answer. Guess we will find out soon enough. If she is going she will need to decide which of her team to accompany her however, as they said she will have to keep the numbers to a minimum.
Away team time?
This could give Flynn more time to get through to Purple Dihmer.
I've called Lexxic the Legate from Caesar's Legion in Fallout: New Vegas once before, but now I think of the Legion's other terror.
Is he Lanius, or Vulpes Inculta?
The beast, or the bogeyman?
Only one of them has a leash.
I think Rainbow’s about to say no, in a very Bojack Horseman-esque way. I just can’t imagine that she would trust the Bloodwings so quickly.
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8911658
Sera and Jordan went with her down under the giant spooder queen's lair. I wonder if the duo will insist on accompanying her this time, or let other members of the Herald join her. Kepler might be a good choice, but methinks he's currently tied with helping the imps at the moment that I doubt he could come with.
In case things go south, both catbirds are the best options go bring along.
Dash is going to bring wildcard, hands down.
But who else?
-Through the path long forgotten, into the darkness long begotten. Ofolrodi.
Sooooo what's the escape plan from the death fortress?
Dash, if you are going to say yes, I really really hope you come up with a backup plan. Or at least inform the others so that they'll know where you are. I don't think you can instant fight scene out of the Bloodwings lair without assistance. The boat could be an escape, but Lexxic will then definitely annihilate the Dihmers and the goblins on that side, and that is not something Dash is going to sacrifice.
Also, pulling from FoE a bit here [semi spoilers for that], Lexxic really feels more like a corrupted form of loyalty. He reminds of a lot of what Steelhooves used to be. Intensely obedient and loyal to a certain cause, but without a moral standpoint.
As I said, Dash and the night wings have a common goal in helping Luna.
If only there was another faction just waiting to ambush Rainbow Dash on her way to meet the Night Wings...
"Nah, actually. Peace, binch."
(sigh) We're gonna split the party, aren't we? Lemme guess, Murder Chicken and Jordan with Dashie, everyone else stays at the Blob?
8911746
The issue with taking the boat is that we haven't actually seen it yet. The boat(s) could be on the far side of the blob, who knows how many days away.
Hmmm, this is honestly a hard choice here. It all depends on if Rainbow is willing to trust them. Given how she is I think it makes the most sense for her to do so.
Like Mass Effect, take 2 with you.
I can hear Admiral Akbar screaming all the way over from the next friggin galaxy
Lexxic seems like a chill dude. I'm sure he won't mind.
Wonder who Dash is going to take with her, and if whoever she leaves behind will be in good hands/hooves.
A quote from Arcturus Mengsk comes to my mind: "I'm not asking you to like it. I'm asking you to do it."
Surely the majority of the Sarosians is less than pleased with this decision.
Phew, they really have much in common, right? /s
.....
Rainbow has to do it.
It's the stupid thing to do.
"That's how you know it's going to work."
Except Luna is back and agrees that the "betrayal" was a necessary evil, what do, eh?
I mean, I dunno what they'll do if she says no. Sure, there's a decent chance this is a trap - but if it isn't, then it's an opportunity she may not be able to afford to pass up.
And yeah, if she can't bring the entire Herald, then just Sera and WC is the way to go.
8911723
True. However, she also NEEDS to go there, to get their shard. This is a gamble, but it's a pretty sure way of getting into the base. But here's the problem. They are saying WHY they want her there. The Spell from Luna. But they aren't saying what they will DO when they get there. Such as ripping her mind apart, piece by piece, killing her and going through her memories for the info they need and then cleaning up the body.
Whats more, they keep promising her a way IN, but they have NEVER promised, or even eluded to, a way OUT.
The Nightbloods wish to get Dash and the Nightmare Artifact into their fortress, where they can Remove The Days Taint from her?
Lexiic is all, you invite this heretic carrying the false promise, the betrayer, And the corruptor into the holy of holies? Blapsphemers. Cleanse the Heretics with holy fire.
This is the time to request that there not be metal strips in her presence.
Oh that's a tough one. Methinks Rainbow will ask for some time to consult her friends, and it will be applejack who convinces her to go.
Jordan's coming for sure, but Sera is definitely staying in Blobstain. I wonder if Ariel will get to come though.
I mean, the exodus happened more or less a thousand years previous to this. If we estimate a sarosian lifespan to be close to a modern human's it ends up adding up to somewhere between ten to fifteen generations. Far from countless.
8912410
I don't know about you, but I don't have any records of my family farther back than five generations, let alone fifteen. They probably have no idea how long it's been, especially considering they don't know she's returned.
.
I get the feeling this video is the appropriate response to literally everything Nat'rdo says.
RIP Nardo.
I agree that Rainbow needs to talk this offer over with her friends, but I also agree with Merula and Jirodyne: Nat'rdo swore on her life that no harm will come to Dash going INTO the Roost, but no mention of leaving or an escort back. That's an exploitable loophole that I wouldn't want left open.
It's the Blessing they're interested in, after all. What are the odds that they want it over RD in the end?
... And her companions, right?
You can trust her, Dash. Her name is Nat'rdo, not Nat'rdont.
Still, don't take anyone who can't flash out in a pinch. Jordan and Sera are good bets, unless they need to stay for the plot. Ariel would be a good addition, too. Of course, even if it was a perfectly safe sidequest, Flynn would still stay for the plot.
8912501
That is a valid point that I hadn't thought about.
Yay, Nats, the most diplomatic of bats!
The moment I read about Lexxic being ordered to escort Dash to the Bat Tree, my very first thought was that he'd greet her like this:
https://m.Lexxic: Greetings W'ynlppa yln H'luun... you must die.
Joking aside, my impressions here are that Nats and the other bat pone matriarchs are on the level about wanting to chat up Dash, although that's no guarantee that the chat will go well or that the sarosians will just let Dash go if talks go sour. I mean we're talking countless generations of culture and tradition built around war, violence, and believing that Celestia is a psychotic, devious demi-goddess of evil destruction. There's a high chance the matriarchs might just decide Dash is a heretical agent of Daybreaker and decide it'll be easier to kill her, take "Luna's Blessing" and call it a day. Dash is going to have to seriously up her charisma and persuation skill set in order to pull off any kind of peaceful resolution here and who the hell am I kidding, this is the Dark Side, and since when do things ever go smoothly for Dash?
And even if the matriarchs are willing to listen to any level of reason there is still the issue of Lexxic. I'm going to guess this dude is not thrilled with the leaders he supposedly has to listen to, and that he's just been chomping at the bit for any chance or excuse to get out from under their hooves and take full control of the sarosians. If he's half as charasmatic and popular a leader among his warriors as has been suggested so far, he's probably got the backing for a military coup if he can just orchestrate a reason to move against the matriarchs.
The matriarchs violating tradition and taboo by letting somepony not born of the Dream or whatever into the big Bat Tree might be exactly the kind of thing Lexxic could use to rally a rebellion against the matriarchs, claiming they've become corrupted. Dash could, by accepting this deal, be handing Lexxic the keys to taking control of the whole sarosian faction. Or at the very least trigger a civil war between those rebelling with Lexxic, and those staying loyal to the matriarchs. Which would be the exact opening any of the other two factions would need to move in on the bat pones to take their shard.
Powder keg... met Spark.
Seraphimus x Logan Ship Confirmation Chapter Counter: 69
Well, we've got bat diplomacy, but she certainly isn't helping her case by acting so desperate and pleading in front of Rainbow. I guess that's a good thing, but maybe not. I mean, surely they must know that they could just send Lexxic and the crew out to nab her if she refused, especially if they know where she is. There isn't much Rainbow would be able to do short of hijacking the Dihmer boat and getting out on the blob before the bats arrived.
Also, RED FUCKING ALERT, I just remembered that Rainbow has one of the elements that fucking banished their goddess to the moon around her neck. How well do you think that's going to go over when they see it? Sure it was just a crystal thingy at the time, but if they know anything about the banishment story, then they might be able to recognize it.
Going there is just asking for fucking trouble, but it looks like the only way to move things forward.
Trap or not, this is by far the best chance they have of getting the batponies' shard. Which they need.
8915324
Iz escapism is what it is.
If it were me, I'd take up her offer.
Oh wait...
It is me...
I doubt that she is going to get a better offer than this one, better take it while she can.
05/19/2018
02:37 UTC
Hmmm...
Behind her?
I think she's probably going to take them up on this offer.
However, I don't expect the Herald to be happy with it. Moreover, I don't expect this meeting, once it happens, to have a happy ending...
Sera is gonna be pissed.
But of course Dash should go, at this point they genuinely seem to not want to hurt her. All she needs to do is use the enchantment to her advantage.
9115672
"Oh hey! Just follow THE MOON and we'll be okay. A bunch of murder bats swore on their life they'd keep you safe and protected...from themselves.
Oh yeah, and there's also Lexxic. But you don't need to worry abiut him because we have faith that he will will fully obey his orders without diveringing from his cause for any reason whatsoever."
8961035
Dream Council, it's not just Natr'do and Rainbow up in that dream, the others are just observing, discussing amongst themselves, and probably advising when necessary
The best course action in this case is to flee, but in her case of peaceful agenda, it’s best to take the offer, but very cautiously.
Question is: how many is she allowed to bring with her to the tree?
Wildcard is an obvious contender, but what of the others?
Best option they have is to do what they suggest. Not likely that we'll be able to raid their home base on our own any time soon. This is the best chance to acquire their key somehow.
Huh. Okay then, maybe not.