"I have been extended an invitation," Seraphimus said in a quiet tone. "And... I have found it advantageous to accept it." Her eyes hung low as she spoke. "In consideration of the circumstances... I doubt that I will manage very well on my lonesome. Also, I suspect I could be of good use to this expedition by applying my talents in survivability and combat. It is my understanding that there are forces at play in this part of the world that will require full cooperation for all of us—any of us—to endure. It would be... foolish to pursue any other path at this juncture."
"Yeah, that's nice." Flynn nodded, his forelimbs folded. He and the Herald stood in a tense line across the urban platform from Seraphimus. "Now would you mind looking us in the eye as you say that?"
"Baldy..." Logan began.
Nevertheless, Seraphimus looked up. The menace was missing in her gaze, replaced instead by a vulnerable glaze of earnestness. "It is my promise—on the souls of my family and the fallen defenders of Rohbredden—that I shall not do anything to harm Rainbow Dash or her traveling companions ever again."
Ariel blinked.
Kepler glanced in surprise at Rainbow and the others.
"Well then..." Flynn nodded, his lips parting. "That's... that's more like it."
Seraphimus looked at Logan. "Are we planning to embark upon our next destination anytime soon?"
Logan cleared his throat. "No, uh..." He shook his head. "There isn't a 'next destination' yet. We've still got a lot to discuss. And Rainbow here is still recovering from the spider shit in her system."
"Very well." Seraphimus cleared her throat, and there was slight shakiness to her voice. "If you would not mind... I-I need some time alone. I tr-trust that you have the necessary means of summoning me should an emergency arise."
"Right on..." Logan dripped.
He and the others watched as Seraphimus limply flew off and glided beyond the nearest row of buildings.
Wildcard observed her from a lofty perch. He looked down at Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow sighed. "Yeah, sure thing, buddy. Go ahead." She gulped. "Just... be sure to give her the space that she needs, okay?"
The Desperado saluted back. Dark wings spread, and soon he glided in the general direction of his former Commander's introspective flight.
Rainbow Dash plopped back on her haunches, catching her breath.
Ariel noticed it, and she scampered over. "Ah jeez. Ah jeez—you're still sick from the spider juice, aren't you?"
"I've been better." Rainbow patted her forelimb for reassurance. "Don't fret. I just..." Another sigh, and she lowered her eyelids. "...just needed to get that over with."
"Ach..." Kepler nodded. "Not as much as she rrequirred it, I suspect."
"What did you even say to her?" Flynn asked.
"Mrmmmfff..." Rainbow Dash rubbed her face. "...nothing Seraphimus hadn't heard before."
"Only this time, she's got Abaddon's Song to back up all you've ever tried to teach her," Ariel said, rubbing Rainbow's shoulder. "I guess that was finally the last straw, huh?"
"While I'm pleased as a peach to have her on our side..." Logan looked at the others. "...even a truckload of Rohbredden's finest isn't going to mean much against the factions of the Trinary War."
Flynn sputtered: "You prefer she still be after Rainbow's jugular instead?!"
"Wow, you're quick to claim our newest trophy, egghead."
"Big Show, you have no idea how long I've waited for her to drop the 'murder' from 'murder turkey.'"
"Yes. We do. It's been your only tune for over a month, bro."
"I'm just saying that we can all finally breathe now... unless of course the bitch was lying."
"She was telling the truth this time, Flynn."
"How do you know?!"
"She's like a completely different griffin. You could hear it in her voice."
"Still... could be an act."
"Seraphimus is only good at killing and threatening. I very seriously doubt she got any thespian talents hidden beneath all those feathers."
"You say that as if you've been deep enough into those feathers."
"And what if I had? While you've been demonizing her left and right, I've actually spent some time trying to figure out what makes her tick! I'm telling you, Rainbow's finally gotten to the griffin!"
"And how long will she remain a 'changed soul?' If she's seen half of the shit we have—"
"She has. That's precisely why she's made this decision. And now that her eyes are open..."
While the Job Squadders continued arguing in the background, Rainbow Dash had found herself oddly fixated with the floor of the platform beneath her. There was a fine layer of dust and sediment covering the street. The mare's brow furrowed. Slowly—with a weak forelimb from her post-coma condition—she reached down and ran her fetlock across the powdery layer. Her line formed a clear swath, and soon she was curving it slightly.
Rainbow's nostrils flared. She lifted her hoof, then brought it down again... forming another line... then another. Soon, she had casually—thoughtlessly—made multiple curved lines in dust. All of them seemingly at random. She paused halfway through the act, staring curiously at the inexplicable array before her.
Kepler was the first to take notice. He craned his hairy neck, eyes narrowing behind his spectacles. "Harrk... prrecisely what arre you doing, Rrainbow One."
Rainbow said nothing.
"Yeah..." Ariel leaned in. "What are you doing, Rainbow?"
"... ... ...hmmm?" Rainbow looked up. She blinked. "Doing what?"
Logan and Flynn stopped arguing, looking over.
Ariel and Kepler looked at Rainbow with dumb expressions.
"Oh... I'm just..." Rainbow ran a hoof to her head, wincing slightly. "Mrmmfff... you think all of the barfing would have gotten it all out."
"You poor thing." Ariel smiled. Reaching out, she helped the petite pegasus onto all fours. "Let's get you back to your tent. You can rest it off while I make a mushroom brew."
"That... sounds kinda awesome, actually..." Rainbow sighed, hobbling off with the mare. "But the moment Merula shows up, I wanna speak with her."
"Hehehe... of course!"
"I've got a hunch she can fill in a few gaps in Abaddon's song. There's a lot that still needs explaining."
"You really think Merula can help?"
"I'm betting on it. Sometimes the messengers know more than they let on."
"Well, here's hoping."
"Right..."
As the two mares trotted off, Kepler remained behind. The wyvern stroked his hairy chin, staring at the odd formations Rainbow had made in the dust. Murmuring to himself, Kepler adjusted his glasses and turned to exchange contemplative glances with Logan and Flynn.
I'm really glad at how the Herald accepted Sera.
Ooo so the revelations haven't come to an end yet, this might just be the beginning...
I really missed these updates. Much thanks IC.
So Rainbow is doodling mysterious symbols now? It's a good thing Kepler's such a smart cookie, he'll figure out what's going on!
Apparently Rainbow underwent a subconscious mental conditining by spider venom and ancient songs. It's interesting to see how oblivious she is in that regard.
Damn how I missed the Herald.
By the way it was described, I think Dashie was drawing Utaan? I think I'm wrong, it's just the impression I had.
Oh Flynn, please do learn a new tune.
Everyone else is cool with Sera finally starting to open her eyes except you.
I get it, there is such a thing as a healthy amount of scepticism. But now I think you're being contrary just because you can.
-Through the path long forgotten, into the darkness long begotten. Ofolrodi.
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What if it's the next symbol?
She does get a symbol sight ahead of time.
I just think it's Roark's braids she misses.
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/171718/178/urohringr/the-distance-we-fall-from
Yep, leave it to le spoders to bring more exposition!
I don't know if I'd drop the "murder" part from the murder-turkey title yet, Flynn. Serphimus is still a flying death machine in the rough shape of a bird/lion, only she's dropped the Herald and Dash from the list of potential targets. This can only be a good thing.
I get the feeling we may be getting lots of little bits and pieces leftover from that Song dealy for awhile now. Enough got stuffed into Dash's brainpan that some of its is likely to still be dribbling out for quite some time. Anyone's guess on how much of it will be useful.
So the closest Shard is with the bat pones, who so far the most we know about them is their general love of using spider entrails as sexual lubricants. I see neither direct assault nor diplomacy functioning very well here, unless there are components at play that haven't been revealed yet. With the limited info at hand I'd say the best bet is to try to find some way to cause a ruckus that makes the sarosian faction look open to attack so one of the other factions takes a major crack at them, then use the confusion and chaos of that to sneak into that big tree thing to snag the Shard.
That or Dash and/or Sera can fight the bat pony leader and slaughter them in single combat, hence obviously gaining the right to rule the faction for their own...
...What? It could work.
Welp, back to what I was doing previously.
Seraphimus x Logan Ship Confirmation Chapter Counter: 2
MDK Realignment Procedure Complete.
Selecting subsequent targeting list.
Lets hope this doesnt end up being Ains Oln Gould?
i0.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/001/030/DButt.jpg
Well, looks like things are getting back to what passes for normal around the Herald. Good idea Rainbow has on asking Merula if she can clarify what Rainbow saw. Soon they will be back on the move again, to one of the three armies.
Hey now, let's not drop all of the murder—we'll probably need some in the not-to-distant future.
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Welcome aboard, please note, that upon setting hoof/foot/talon/paw/claw/flipper or whatever other apendage you may possess for locomotion on the Noble Jury, you waive all ownership of your personal craft, which will be summarily taken apart and used for scrap to keep our glorious skyship running.
Cabins are on the 4th floor, we're starting to get a little full, and might have to resort to setting up tents on the deck or in the hangar to accommodate everyone.
Please, enjoy the rest of the flight.
I think half the fandom blinked with her.
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Thanks for the welcome. The tents will do just fine. I only suggest you make the fabric claw proof.
I'm... not exactly... always... Tranquil.
Yep there was a lot more she learned that was subconscious
So Ofolrodi is nearing completion? 10/12 soon begins? We're close to the end.
In the first book of you supposed imploding to me open rainbow that’s flying yeast.
No, that’s not it. Silly speech to text doesn’t know the tune.
*Ahem*
In the first book of East Horse, Imploding gave to me
A Rainbow that’s flying east.
Much better.
(More verses will come in the next 11 chapters)
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possibly, possibly not.
):( dropped the hard 200 chapter limit last book because squeezing all the plot points in was causing the story to suffer. Pretty sure 200 is a soft cap now, if he can fit all the plot in, that's great.
if he can't, we get more east horse until it does.
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"Traveling" fits the syllables better than "flying." Rainbow did travel on
foothoof for most of Rohbredden.I love the parody!
Hears tent fabric ripping
8761119
As I recall, book 9 was agreed to be 300 chapters long before Utaan was.
This pleases me.
Redeemed griffin is redeemed.
Quest Complete: Open Up Your Eyes
Seraphimus now fully understands her plight, along with the fact that Verlax has pulled the wool over the entirety of what she once called home. Barring further unusual circumstances, she is now a member of the Herald.
+2500 EXP
8760745
y tho?
8761737
I've been waiting for a chance to abuse this username for farrr too long.
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I used to think of Shell as a Tempest like character, but then again... Shell happened
Also is this still an ongoing thing from Darkstine?
(because every time you post it I hear the X-box achievement sound in my head)
Rainbow doodling on the ground, I have a feeling we're about to see Ofolrodi.
Flynn's got a point. Seraphimus could just be lying about her change. If only they had some kind of magical lie detector lying around that they could use to be sure. But where are you going to find one of those on the dark side?
YES IT WORKED
Now all I have to do is make this a thing every time something major happens.
I'd bet that Rainbow will have more residual info like that symbol knocking around her head, maybe even things we don't even know yet...
Ooo new symbol?
NEW SYMBOL HYPE
New symbol!
You mean now that she's learned her lesson, now that she's understood?
vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/e/e5/Tempest_Shadow_ID_MLPTM.png/revision/latest?cb=20171013211531
She got the equivalent of a brain flash downloaded into her blood. Makes sense certain things would be buried in that mound of info.
Getting Agents of Shield flashbacks here.
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I got that reference! I have a feeling those “random” marks might have the same kind of plot relevance as those in Shield!
For all of Verlax's efforts, Seraphimus was never going to be a Shell. She was far too sane, and Shell ultimately chose to become a monster. Verlax, by removing Sera's choice, ironically made sure she would never become Shell. I may have mentioned earlier, but Verlax really seems to be contemptuous of mortals having a choice in their actions, despite the fact that it is ultimately what defines us.
11/17/2019
14:42 UTC
Are we looking at the next symbol here?