Chapter 71 – To Change the Rules
Lady Kessle looked satisfied, a thoughtful nod as she let the information sink in, "And how does it accomplish this?" she asked.
"It resonates with the sample to scan the signature, then logs it into its memory so that it can be identified later, and if it already has a log of the energy, it then identifies and notifies the observer of who or where it's from." Pilit said, once again keeping her words direct and explanations simple. The rest of the council smiled in response.
"These guys are better than I thought they'd be." the red-haired pilot mumbled into the ear of his gunner. She secretly smiled at his nervousness.
"I thank you for your professionalism." Lady Kessle said with a smile, "You have raised a magnificent daughter." to this she turned to both Tusks and Writch, who both stiffened at the response and blushed. She then turned back to Lady Kiane and frowned seriously, "If our worlds have magic as you say, though only traces of it, how would you go about proving such a thing?" she asked.
"I have yet to do so myself, but from what I've been told this…" she said in response and pointed at the spear, "…is a remnant of the Egas, and it radiates with magic. And if this piece of Egas has such power; then it stems to reason that the entire world was made and maybe, if the legends are true, reborn using this magic."
"What have you yet to do?" Sir Trigger asked curiously.
"Touch it." she said with reverence.
The entire council gasped in shock, "You would touch such a sacred object?" one of the Hylop council asked.
Instantly, Lady Kiane turned to Rainbow Dash, "Rainbow Dash, Defendant?" she asked, "Do you remember anything that happened while you were inside the Labyrinth?"
Rainbow placed a hoof to her chin in thought, "Kinda?" she said in response.
"Elaborate." one of the council members demanded.
"It's like a fading dream, I guess?" she said, "I remember things, but some details are fuzzy."
"What do you remember?" Lady Kiane asked, her hopes high and her nerves shaking with anticipation and worry.
"I remember a giant golden dragon, thing." the pegasus started hesitantly, "And a giant Dark Serpent." No one noticed, no one except Fluttershy. The moment those words left Rainbow Dash's mouth Blade stiffened, much more than anything she had ever seen as a reaction from him. His eyes opened wide in shock and somehow, he calmed himself so quickly, that if you weren't paying attention, you would have missed it. "I remember the dragon won, and a feeling, warmth. Like when I'm with my friends." Rainbow continued, "I think, the dragon was the Egas…and it let me touch it."
"The Egas let you touch it?" one of the Treeopon council asked, "Why?"
"I can't remember that part." Rainbow said, "Sorry. But I do remember the spear!" This caused the council to fall silent. "The Egas made them so it could fight the serpent."
Sir Drin turned to Rainbow Dash, and scowled, "We will forgive the rudeness of your last outburst, but only in the light that it is important to a previous question." he warned, "Any more outbursts and we will be forced to cut this presentation short."
Rainbow Dash gulped in worry, she wanted to apologize but thought better of it. "I hope that answers any questions you all had about touching the spear?" Lady Kiane asked.
"It still does not seem right." a Dryskian Official said, "To touch the Egas' power?"
"We touch the Egas' power every day." Lady Kiane suddenly said, "Through the grass, the water the shade of the trees and the sun. Everything was given to us by the Egas, and through the Egas, we live our lives peacefully."
"If what you say is true…" Sir Trigger said after a small bout of silence, "…then to touch {snort} the Egas' spear wouldn't be any different than bathing in {snort} the sun."
"Or to swim to the depths on a hot summer day." one of the Hylops asked.
"Or even partaking in a fresh harvest." Lady Kessel said. Lady Kiane simply nodded, a smile on her face as the others began to see her point, a point, she thought, was long-awaited in her mind. "May I approach the Spear?" the Sunik lady asked.
"You may." Lady Kiane said and turned to approach at the same time. The two lifted their hands and touched their claws to the side. She was pleasantly surprised, it reminded her of the warmth of a cleansing bath, a sense that filled her with such a relaxing feeling, a feeling of happiness, "Twilight Sparkle?" she asked turning to the purple pony, "You said magic requires concentration, correct?"
"Um, yes Lady Kiane." she said, and was about to say more but she felt the claws of Spike's hand touch her wing, and a stern look that told her to keep it short was placed on his face.
"Just imagine the energy reaching out…" she began and pulled a bottle from her pocket, she focused, imagined exactly what Twilight had explained to her earlier, and felt the magic of the spear as it moved through her, reached towards the bottle, and lifted it to her eye level. The council gasped in both shock and delight, "We all have the ability to do this." she said, and watched Lady Kessel reach out, and use magic to pluck it from her grasp with the same amount of trouble that Lady Kiane had when lifting it for the first time, "Come, let us all feel the power of the Egas' magic." With the invitation out, the entire group of council members moved forward, each taking turns as pairs or more to touch the spear and let the magic flow through them, then lift the small bottle using nothing but magic.
"Congratulations." the red-haired gunner said as she moved towards the group, "With this little demonstration, I think you all got this in the bag."
"It's not over yet!" her pilot announced to them and moved over towards what looked to be a snack table.
"Sorry about him." she said, "He can be a bit of a bully sometimes but he's got a good heart."
"Are you sure?" Pinkie asked questioningly.
"Don't be rude." Rarity scolded.
The gunner girl simply chucked, "I'm sure Ms."
"OK!" the pink pony suddenly said with a large smile.
"It takes a lot to knock you ponies down, huh?" she asked, "I'm Errand."
"I'm Pinkie Pie." Pinkie announced.
"Rarity." the white mare said.
"Ah'm Applejack." the orange earth pony greeted, "This here's Fluttershy." she continued as she leaned her head towards the shy yellow pegasus behind her.
"Hello." Fluttershy said shyly.
"It's nice to meet you all." she said and turned to her Pilot as he filled a plate full of treats, "This is Fidge. My boyfriend."
Time went by slowly, the ponies all walking around and greeting those that they could, making sure not to offend any of the Council. "So…" Sir Trigger asked suddenly as the festivities were winding down, "How are we to regulate the use of {snort} magic?" If it is to be allowed in the races, {snort} then those who train and study the most will constantly be the {snort} winners. How do we keep the {snort} sanctity of the Races intact?"
"Surely this must require more delegation?" Lady Kessel asked.
"Surely not." Lady Kiane said, "We follow Rainbow Dash's example. Magic is only to be used as a booster fuel and nothing more when it comes to using it in the racer, however, if used on one's personal self, it can be used as protection, barriers, and such. Outside of races, it can be used to further the lives of the caster and the lives of those around them."
"I am in favor of this." Sir Drin, the Dryskian, said loudly, "It is a fine rule, and one that is easily enforced."
"After Experiencing magic like this…" Sir Trigger said, "…even now {snort} you believe that this will work? What if there is a loophole?"
"Then we will close it as we learn." Lady Kiane said, "But to not open the idea to the public would be to ignore what the Egas has freely given us."
Trigger looked to the ground, "Well, if that is what you believe, then {snort} I am all for it. However, we must look closer to {snort} Rainbow Dash's further races, should she begin to use her {snort} magic for other than Booster Fuel, she will be {snort} arrested on the spot, no questions asked."
"Do you agree with this Ms. Dash?" Lady Kessel asked.
Rainbow took a deep breath, and opened her eyes to the council, "Yes." she said simply, hoping to have not offended anyone again.
"Then I agree to the new {snort} Rule of the Race." Trigger said and was quickly followed by the positive vote of almost all of the other council, one after another as they waited their turn to speak.
"I agree." Sir Sskail announced.
"I agree as well." Lady Kessel said as the last to speak.
"Then it is unanimous." Sir Drin said as he watched the smiles on the faces of the council light up, and the mouth of Fidge fall to the floor in disbelief, "Rainbow Dash is dismissed of her charge of foul play, and is hereby awarded the Third Place Medallion and is reinstated to race in the Terranuilian Race."
The entire group cheered as Rainbow Dash stood there, completely surprised by such a unanimous vote. She felt her back get a few pats before she even thought of moving to look at her friends, "However," the Hylop official continued, "I would be more cautious from now on. You won't have any second chances like this."
"Thank you." Rainbow said as she let the tears begin to fall, "I won't let you down I promise." He simply smiled and nodded his head.
