Equestria Girls: A Black Rose by any Name

A Black Rose by any Name...

Chapter 4: The Next Move...

Electuroo woke to his first morning being a pony, it was a rather strange feeling as he push the covers off, yesterday he was with his aunt and best friend trying to find a way out of the catacombs and thanks to Daring Do's influence they got top of the range sleeping quarters, he slowly slip out of bed feeling the nagging muscle strain to the wings he opened them and flexed them unlike he ever seen a bird would do and closed them up against his body.

Stepping up to the balcony he could see the moon just finish setting and the sun starting to rise but he noticed to his left a humming sound and looked up in surprise to see the one he met last night Princess Luna and standing by her was another of her kind but slightly larger and taller for sure, her horn glowing then he look back at the sun as it rose shielding his eyes slightly from the glare with a front hoof. “No way... she controlling the sun? But that impossible, the planet moves around the world not...” he paused with a smirk “Of course magic, myth and legends. This world a complete flip flop to mine... wow that awesome, I got to take a photo of this for sure”

Electuroo got his camera out and took a photo of the two princesses then of the sun rising, happy with the photos he put the camera away. “I wonder how I bath being this” he looked over himself and at the bathroom that was part of the room, “five star room with a five star bathroom” he walked inside looking around “Whoa is is amazing...” he finding everything exciting, getting to know a whole different world. “Guess chasing after a thief has it peaks” he grinned.

He spent a little time figuring out how to use his hooves and mouth to work around and get the bath going, Electuroo was glad for his imaginative thinking and open mind to different possibilities. He soon just relaxing in the hot steamy water, it was a strange feel with fur and all but Electuroo didn't really care after being in a catacomb he felt it was really needed...

Electuroo heard a knock on the door “Who is it?” he called out

“Your aunt kiddo” Daring Do called out

“It open!”

Daring Do walks into the bedroom seeing some stream coming from the bathroom “Hehe I guess great minds think alike, how does it feel?”

Electuroo saw her standing by the door way “Amazing, I never really felt anything like this but I feel so relaxed... wings and all” he chuckled opening his wings in the water and closing them. “So how did it go with Luna's sister?”

“Very well, luckily she believed my story on I being the original Daring Do's granddaughter and was named after her since I looked exactly like her and did the same things, blur blur blur, you get the point” Daring Do smirked

Electuroo turn to her “So what our plan then auntie?”

“Not quite sure, one thing we need to know is more about this kingdom Equestria and best place for that is a library” Daring Do explained to her nephew. “After breakfast since we all was kindly invited to join the princesses to breakfast, it be rude not to come wouldn't it?”

“I guess so” Electuroo pulled the plug and got hold of a tower with his hooves to dry himself off “I be out in a few minutes auntie”

“Alright I be waiting outside the bedroom” Daring Do leaves him be.

Braeburn came up to the door as Daring Do exit it “Howdy Daring Do, how my bud Electuroo doing? Did he manage to figure out to use the bath?” Daring Do nods “Eeyup that good on him, ah managed to figure it out as well and got to say it was a real amazing experience”

“How about you keep the excitement of it down a level, do you want them to know where we really from?” Daring Do whispers to him

Braeburn looked over his right seeing a guard walking by “Yeah ah can see what y'all mean. Do not sweat it, ah'm going to keep it a down a level” whispered back.

“That good, now have you found anything out about this world?” she keeping her voice low.

Braeburn nods “Indeed not much to go by on finding out about Black Rose, ah did ask a few of the local guards about it ma'am but no leads” Braeburn pulled out a map from his saddle bag “Ah was given this though, it a map of the kingdom”

Daring Do took it and looked “Nice work Braeburn, with this we could figure out where to go to find out anything of Black Rose” she put a hoof on one point “Look like this is almost centre of everything, Ponyville from the name of the place” she turn to him “It has a chain of rail links that could get us everywhere”

Braeburn smirked “Ah don't believe it... look it A....” Daring Do quickly tackled him to the ground and put a hoof over his mouth.

“Don't you dare as it” he shakes his head and she lets go “You and that word... so there a town similar to your farm name, doesn't mean a thing...” Daring Do said to him quietly as he got up and a guard came up to them.

“I heard something here, what happened?”

“Nothing partner, just tripped that all” he smirked “Ya not need to worry, sorry for causing any trouble partner” Braeburn put on a brave smile to the guard.

The unicorn nods “Very well, just be careful ok? Some of the items on display are not replaceable”

“Will do sir” Braeburn replied and the guard leaves.

Electuroo came out with his gear on “What was all the noise out here?”

“Nothing to worry about nephew, now lets get some breakfast” Daring Do makes her way down the hall with them following.

They soon was at the table in the dining room, which was pretty big, we the large round table they sat at, the windows showed of different ponies and seem to be of history, Daring Do also took note of the view from the window of the mountain which was quite the view for those sitting there and the light from the sun bring in maximum lighting to the white pillars and the different forms of statues that resided inside, at the table a unicorn put some refreshments down for the guests as Daring Do just smirked seeing Electuroo and Braeburn talking to each other about their first night in this wonderful world and enjoying their breakfast.

“I am sorry to cut you boys off like this but we need to think of what to do about getting the crystal back, one we know that she thrown us way off course and she could be anywhere” Daring Do speaks to the two stallions they looking over to her.

“Daring Do ah'm was thinking about that, ya think the library will have records of any ruins that look similar to the empire ruins back home?” Braeburn suggested to the adventure pony

Electuroo holding the cup with his hooves “And I could check up on any news on crystal thefts around here, it could lead us to her, she is after certain crystals”

“Then it settled, me and Braeburn will take the library, you go on the streets of Canterlot and ask about Black Rose” Daring Do said to each of them “And then we meet up at the local train station and make our move from there, ok?”

“Ok” both replied.

“Morning my little ponies, I see you have settled into having breakfast already, I hope it to your liking” they all turn to see Celestia walk in and sat with them with some distance “I heard from my sister Luna you all came out of the catacombs from below Canterlot, I do wonder how you got there”

Daring Do spoke “The breakfast been great so far and we enjoyed the stay here as well, as for how we got there, not a clue in the world. One minute we was finally going after the thief that stole Electuroo's crystal that been in the family for a very long time I might add and wham we was inside the catacombs of Canterlot the forgotten mines” Daring do explained to her a brief version of events.

Celestia listened to her when pouring the tea. “It was my mothers and given to me since I was the oldest out of me and my sister, the residents of where we live been having problems with this thief for quite some time, she called Black Rose, no one been able to catch her but we almost did when she stole the Stardust Crystal...” Electuroo sighed “Then we was under this palace in those mines and met Princess Luna”

“I see, I have no name of a mare called Black Rose, I can see why you have taken this theft very seriously... I will do what I can here to get any information on Black Rose, if she strikes again in Equestria I will have word pass to the guards through out the land including the Crystal Empire” Celestia said to them with a kind voice.

Braeburn almost chocked on his food “Did y'all say Crystal Empire?”

“Yes it only been a few years since it return from being gone for 1000 years” Celestia replied “I am surprised you haven't heard of it”

Daring Do smirked “What he means that we all heard stories but never really knew if it really did return”

“Hmm that would explain it” Celestia replied “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“We would like access to the library here in the palace, we might be able to get some leads of our own, one thing we do know Black Rose hunts for rare and special crystals” Daring Do explained. “No one quite sure why”

“Very strange... very well you can have access to the library” Celestia drinks some of her tea and start to eat breakfast with her and Luna's guests.

Daring Do wink to them knowing that the plan still a go and by evening they will depart for their next destination. But for now they enjoyed their breakfast with one of the co-ruler of the land, being a little noticed had a slight edge for Daring Do since they can now access the library inside the palace...

Celestia whispered to her “The problem is if she caused no trouble here and all I got is your word I won't be able to do anything to detain her or follow her if she doesn't have it on her” Celestia warned Daring Do.

Daring Do nods “Since she not been seen or heard without causing any trouble and not know about means if she came forward there is little I can do and following her would get me into more trouble too... I can see what you mean Princess Celestia, thank you for the heads up”

“Your welcomed Daring Do... but I will keep a eye out for her though and see if she does has it or any stolen items on her” Daring Do nods again to what Celestia whispered knowing all she could do is hope that Black Rose does slip up... But for now she went on enjoying breakfast with the other two and Celestia.

Canterlot Palace Library...

Daring Do with Braeburn stood inside the Canterlot Library in aware and amazement, the library was filled with books and scrolls with many rows of sections to it. “Erm... how do we find the ruins section? There a lot of books and scrolls here...”

“I have no idea Braeburn... just wonder around and look I guess” Daring Do walked up to what seem to be a massive hour glass “Wow that one big hour glass... I wonder how the sand keeps falling like that and how long it been doing that” she studied the hour glass

Braeburn rolled his eyes and turn to a section of the library walking down it, he can across a different set of ponies from in and out of town from the guess of it reading some books to themselves or taking a scroll or two out of the shelves on step ladders, he was amazed how they took it with their hooves, but he did the same thing with some of the food so he guessed it was a magic thing to do with the magical talking pony he became.

He pulled out a book seeing it had a title of 'Daring Do' on it “This must be one of the books Princess Luna spoke of, sweet” he knew he had to find the books on ruins but he had to check the story book out, carrying it over with his mouth, he placed it on the table and flip the pages over. “Yeehew this is what y'all talking about, a action in a story” he whispered noticing some look at him. “Sorry partner” he grinned sheepishly and they just went back to reading or whatever they was doing...

Daring Do saw him reading the book and shook her head and step up to the section on history and artefacts, Daring Do put a hoof on a book when another reach for it too, a purple hoof she trailed her eyes to whom was reaching for it, she was a young alicorn for sure “Sorry ma'am I'll let you have it first” Daring Do said and took what she had flying over to a table and noticed the wide eyed stare from the young purple princess. “Are you going to keep staring at me or say something kid, cause I got things to do then have somepony gunk at me”

She shook her head and spoke up “I-I'm sor-sorry but y-your...”

“Yeah yeah Daring Do the adventurer of a life time, kid I packed my bags of that eight years ago, another day, another temple, dungeon, adventure and what. You would lose your taste after you been through a trap that really make you think...” Daring Do sighed thinking about that very trap that changed her life forever... “You got a name?” she turn to the princess sitting by her now.

“Oh my name is Twilight Sparkle, I am returning to Ponyville this afternoon after spending a few days here, what exactly do you mean by 'a trap that really make you think' if you don't mind me asking?” Twilight asked with wonder.

Daring sighed again taking her hat off looking at it. “Eight years ago I am a team was exploring a new set of ruins that seem to worship something to do with rising the sun and moon... I won't go into the details but there was one nasty boobytrap that sent me back 100 years into the past... I lived 20 years through that time exploring and everything else since there was no way to getting back, so I thought what the heck I explore and do what I do best, then wham without warning at one of the digs I gasp with shock and found myself young again and well in the present day, the team said I vanished in a blinding light and appeared again in ten seconds... ten seconds... I lived 20 years in a space of ten seconds... that when it hit me, I told we leaving and levelling that thing to the ground and that we did... the last real adventure of the great Daring Do... poof in one big bang, no one would go through what I did and no one knew of what I experienced part from those that was with me and my family and friends...” Daring Do explained to Twilight Sparkle her eyes closed with some tears falling.

“Wow th-that... I can't place any words on this... I never heard of a magical boobytrap doing something like before... but if that the case then...” Twilight stared at her

“My grandmother? Ha it a lie, it was me, a cover up, not a good one I admit but Celestia most likely put two and two together already and knew I was making that up.” Daring Do pulled back a scroll looking to it.

“Your really are Daring Do... but the books...”

“Books, fiction and half truths, there was no crazy monkey hand tail creature for sure... but there is one thorn in my back and she right behind us...” Daring Do turn and so did Twilight. “Black Rose...”

“A Black Rose by any other name isn't as sweet Miss Do” the white unicorn smirked “sad to say you have nothing on me, I came to the Princess and my story checked out, I been here a whole three days ahead of you Daring Do and done nothing wrong, so I am free to do as I please” Black Rose turn to Twilight. “The bearer of the element of magic it a pleasure to meet you” she bowed a little.

Twilight stared at her “What do you have against Daring Do?”

“Oh it a little history between us, as one thing for sure these books never showed whom the true villain was” she chuckled “But that only a story since there is no proof that I did such actions and without proof or evidence here in Equestria I can not be held against my will and such” Black Rose replied in a calm manner. “Unless you count Sunset Shimmer of course”

Twilight eyes widen “Wh-what!? How do you know about her!?”

“Oh I just had to look it up, a bad apple that didn't get what she wanted and such, I just looked it up, quite surprised how openly you can find good information when you need to look” Black Rose walking around them. “I can freely speak since this happened oh nine months ago, but what going to do Twilight? Call the guards for me speaking about something that written in ink?” Black Rose drop the scroll in front of them and opened it with her magic showing exactly what she meant.

Daring Do gritted her teeth “Oh and Daring, I don't have the Stardust Crystal, let say... I lost it in transit” she smirked and trots away before looking to them once more “Oh and Daring Do I forgot to say, look at the mid section and add it up, your in a lot more trouble then me” Black Rose leaves.

“Curse that no good for nothing...” Daring Do pauses and sighed heavily “I really hate that unicorn...”

Twilight frowned looking to the scroll “She right though, I can't do anything, it common knowledge because it right here but the mid section only talks about how I met counterparts of my friends in the alternate world, it was kind of a mirror to ours but filled with technology, non-magical things and tall fleashy things with hands called humans” Twilight turn to Daring Do “that kind of crazy right?”

Daring Do look to the scroll and saw it “Quick question Twilight... do you know anypony in any part of Equestria by the name of Electuroo?”

Twilight thought about it “Not really, what does he look like exactly?”

“A electric yellow pegasus pony with black and cream mane and tail with three black lightning bolts as a cutie mark”

“Never seen anypony by that description, why? Are you looking for him?” Twilight asked with wonder.

Daring Do “Not really I asked him to check out around the city for any news on a crystal and Black Ro... oh no... if he sees her he going to go nuts!”

“Wh-why!?” Twilight look very startled by this. “What is it to you?”

“His my nephew! If he sees her, he going to attack her without a question asked! She stole something from him and without proof he going to be in more trouble then her!”

Twilight gasped “I can see where your going on this, quick come with me I know a quick way into the streets” Daring Do nods and both make a dash out the library fast they could.

Electuroo...

Electuroo wondered the streets looking around, he was amazed by the number of ponies walking around doing their daily thing, it made him remember hope specially the a restaurant he came up to it “Donut Joe's?” he walked in looking around seeing some ponies enjoying a doughnut or two. “Wow not bad”

Electuroo came up to the counter “Hello there can I help you?” the large unicorn said standing in the other side of the counter “And the name Joe, I own this restaurant”

Electuroo nods “Could guess from the name, but nice place, kind of remind me of the restaurant my mum works at, they sell all sorts of cool treats, she a customer care manager”

“Sound like your homesick”

“You can say that even it been a few days now... I just hope she ok with me being so far from home” Electuroo looked to the sortment of donuts “I am with my aunt out here though so things are ok I guess...” he noticed one donut “No way... The Double Chocolate Supreme!?”

“Sound like you got good taste, that be two bits and all yours” Joe said to him.

Electuroo gasped realizing that he checked his saddle bag “Crud I don't have any cash on be... damn it...” he raised his head “Thanks Joe but I just realised I left without getting Bits off my aunt...”

“Hey here the bits” two coins landed by Electuroo and he turn to whom gave the coins it was a rainbow maned pegasus then it hit him like a bombshell he knew that colour from anywhere it was the captain of the soccer team at Canterlot High the team that beat Crystal High few months ago...

“Here you go” Joe put it on a tray with is magic and went to serve another costume.

“Name Rainbow Dash, what yours?”

Electuroo blinked a few times “Huh? Oh sorry... names Electuroo just been here for a few days... you didn't need to do that for me...”

“Nah it cool, and from the look of that cutie mark your a bit of a flyer” Rainbow Dash smirked “Also you got good taste”

Taking the tray with his mouth he followed her to the table and sat down putting the tray on it. “Well not sure much at the moment... having a bit of a rough time remembering how to use my wings” he almost felt a gut kick when lying like that but he knew the headache he had could be used. “I, my friend and my aunt was after somepony for stealing a crystal that been in the family for a long time and we ended up in the catacombs below Canterlot, had a real nasty headache and since then having troubling using my wings”

Rainbow Dash grinned “Well once you chowed on that, I will help ya”

He stared “You just met me, how can you possibly do that just like that?”

“Well can't leave a fellow flyer hanging could I? Plus you own me for the doughnut and think of this as payment” Rainbow Dash said to him and he look to the doughnut and back to her. “Fair deal right?”

Electuroo thought about it, he would love to fly with these wings and had to agree it be cool “Alright Rainbow Dash it a deal” she put her wing out and saw her waiting for him to do so with his right wing to her left, he did so and she slap her wing against it and repaid it with his own movement.

“Just don't be slow or I will kick your flank got it?” he nods and start eating the doughnut.

“Wow this is just like the ones back at home” he loved the texture and taste of it then eating the last he saw something that made him swell in anger spitting out the last of it he glared with total hate in his eyes “BLACK ROSE!”

Black Rose the white unicorn with black mane and tail smirked seeing the fury in his eyes “Hello there kid”

He was about to have a go at her but Rainbow Dash held him back “You have some nerve showing up you black witch!” he spat with anger “Where my mum's crystal! You thief!” every pony stopped looking to them.

“Oh please I don't have it and you think I did I would be here” Black Rose said calmly to him. “Think about it, I haven't done a single thing wrong here in Equestria so you laying a hoof on me will be as you would say... regrettable”

Rainbow Dash still holding him back stared at her “I don't know what your problem is but whatever you took give it back and you can get lost”

“Oh please like I said I have nothing that he said on me, I am no thief”

“Liar!” Electuroo broke free from Rainbow Dash but Daring Do in a blur of grey-scaled rainbow colours rammed into him and pinned him to the ground “Auntie get off me! Let me at her!!!”

Twilight arrived to see the scene, the yellow pegasus was raging with fury and hate to the white unicorn “My my look who got a temper, now I be on my way, I got some shopping to do” the white unicorn slowly walked away with a smirk on her face.

Rainbow Dash saw who it was and couldn't believe her eyes “Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh” she kept repeating over and over again.

Daring Do still kept her nephew pinned “We have nothing on her in this place, think about it kid” he looked at her in the eyes as he started to calm a little “She lost it and now trying to find it, from the look of things the gate way was not working correctly for us or for her, it a one way portal which means...” she talking to him in a low voice that no one could hear her speak. “We stuck here till further notice”

Electuroo eyes turn to shock “Y-you mean...”

“Yes our trip to getting the crystal back has just gone from crazy to insane...” Daring Do sighed “Now I am going to let you up, are you going to control that temper of yours and not flung out at that black hearted wretch” he nods to her quietly. “Good now up on your hooves” she moved and he got up.

A few guards came over “What going on around here?”

Twilight quickly spoke “Nothing to worry about it been sorted sir, it was a bit of a miss understanding and been resolved, family thing you know?”

The guards look to the two pegasi then back “Very well princess, thank you for clearing it up for us” she nods and they go off back on their patrol. Twilight came up to them “I am glad that we got here when we did, you could have been in more trouble then Black Rose, I know you are telling the truth Daring Do but it one ponies word against another, no real proof to back it up...”

“I know” she sighed and turn to the rainbow maned pony “Is she ok? It looks like she stuck in some sort of track loop”

Twilight turn to see her friend still speaking out 'oh my gosh' “I think you broke her Daring Do...”

“Didn't know my aunt had that kind of effect on others” Electuroo tilt his head a little then turn to Twilight 'Oh crap not another one! That Twilight Sparkle! The principle's little sister!' he quickly whispered to Daring Do “Auntie I think we in trouble, this isn't another world it a parallel one!”

“Do you think I haven't figure that out, soon as I read the scroll that Black Rose dropped on us in the library, that why I raced out here” Daring Do whispered back. “I just glad I still got speed behind these wings”

Rainbow Dash finally broke out of her speechless loop and stared at Daring Do “Y-y-you real... bu-but...”

Daring Do rolled her eyes “Yes I am real but don't go crazy, half the things those books have on me are almost not true, some things did happen in truth but others didn't. It mealy fiction”

“Right of course” Rainbow Dash shook her head and dashes off and comes back with her bag taking out a book “But can you hoof and mouth sign this for me! Please!!!!”

“Gah fine... just chill ok” Daring Do takes a quill from Twilight and signs it and put her hoof on it too.

“Oh my gosh this is soooooo awesome!” Rainbow Dash held it to her as it was the most valuable thing in the world.

Twilight smiled “You wouldn't believe this Rainbow but one story that is true and never been told, is how she lived 100 years in the past for 20 years in ten seconds flat”

“H-how is that possible?” Rainbow Dash turn to her alicorn friend.

Electuroo turn to his aunt “You told Twilight about the time magic boobytrap!?”

“Yes”

“But auntie never told anyone about it, only me, my mum and those that was there when it happened...” Electuroo was shocked.

“Whoa whoa whoa, did you say 'auntie'?” Rainbow Dash stared at Electuroo.

“Ye-yeah... she my aunt and my mums younger sister... why?”

“Oh my gosh I get to help Daring Do's nephew out to fly again! How sweet is that Twilight!?” Rainbow Dash was over joyed by this.

“Electuroo...” Daring Do stared at her nephew “What did you do...”

“I-I well... you see I was hunger and forgot my money and well Rainbow Dash gave me the Bits for it and well she going to help me fly again exchange for the doughnut she got me...”

Daring Do groans “Fine... but first let go back and get your friend... he most likely still in the library reading those novels... I thought acting in a movie was bad enough...” she said walking with him back to the library.

“Movie?” Rainbow Dash turn to Twilight “When did that happen?”

“Not a clue, guess after that event with that temple she gave up her adventures and went into the acting business.” Twilight replied. “But can't blame her though... if I fell into a trap like that I would be shaken to the core and rethink of life can offer”

Rainbow Dash watch them leave and turn to Twilight once more “Care to explain?”

“Sure thing, come back to the library with me and I will tell you on the way” Rainbow Dash nods in agreement and they depart following the two pegasi back to the library telling Rainbow Dash what Daring Do told Twilight...

Black Rose stood by the shop corner “It only a minor setback Daring Do and things will start to get interesting from here on out... it about time I leave this city and start my search for the Stardust Crystal...” Black Rose turns and walks into the crowd of ponies heading for the train station soon disappearing into the mass of ponies...