The Tale of Raridash - Series 2

"I'm fine!" groaned a rather husky sounding Rainbow Dash, a thermometer stuck haphazardly from her mouth, bed covers sat up on her chest.

A light blue aura coated that medical device, harshly tugging into from Rainbow's mouth, giving Rarity an adequate chance to inspect it.

"Just as I thought! I'm sorry Dash, my darling. But you have the feather flu!" explained Rarity, already shifting about to tend to her sickly girlfriend.

"Feather flu? Pfft, no way! I've never felt-" began Dash before she began to divulge into coughs and splutters, hocking up half a lung before the fit died down, "-better..."

"Clearly... Well, I'm about to pick up a few things from the chemist. In the meantime, I asked Twilight to come over and keep you company."

"Twilight!" scowled Rainbow as she jolted up in bed, "Couldn't you have got Applejack? Or Pinkie Pie, maybe? Twilight is so boring!"

The white mare gave a sharp look over to her bed-ridden partner, "Hush now, Rainbow Dash! Twilight is your friend!" A soft knock upon the door downstairs would see the scolding cut short, "That must be her now. Coming!"

Dash crossed her forelegs over her chest as Rarity galloped off to attend whoever was at the door, "Still doesn't make her any less boring..."

Soon enough, the two unicorns returned, Rarity dashed off to prepare herself for the trip while Twilight approached the bedside, "Hey Rainbow Dash! Sorry you're not feeling well. I'll make sure to tell the others so they can come and visit you."

"Thanks Twilight," said Dash gratefully, hoping not to incite more conversation for the moment.

Rarity told me you have the feather flu. I was reading up on that last night! Quite a nasty little infection but plenty of pegasi get it! Symptoms are pale coat, itchiness, soreness in the wings, lethargy, slight nausea-"

When Twilight went off on one of her explanations, there was no stopping her! She was a fountain of knowledge, one that had a tendency to overflow. It wasn't that she was egotistical, but she adored knowing things and enlightening others was her best way of sharing her passion! Unfortunately for Rainbow Dash, who was bedding and morphing the pillow over her head to act as earmuffs, wasn't so interested in knowing anymore than she had too. Feather flu sucked, and that was that.

"-has a germination time of three days! But shouldn't last more than a week!"

It was over? Dash was grateful Twilight was through; the unicorn scholar could really get on a roll when she wanted to be.

"Thanks Twilight, that was...great," managed Dash, sinking pathetically back down into the sheets.

"Anyway, I got a great idea for you while you're stuck in bed. Don't worry, it'll be fun!" chimed Twilight brightly with a big grin.

Dash had quite a cynical look. "No offence Twilight, but your ideas have never been fun!"

The cheeky retort made the purple pony pout, "I have plenty of fun ideas!"

"What, like the afternoon at the Crystal Empire library? Or what about the first ever Ponyville book appreciation week!"

"Or what about the scavenger hunt based upon famous book titles?" chipped in Rarity as she trotted back in the room, now clad in a summer wrap and some large rimmed, stylish sunglasses.

"Rarity!" whined Twilight as she turned to the intruding unicorn, "I'm here by your request!"

"I know, darling! But one must agree with Rainbow Dash! Your ideas are not the most captivating," told Rarity in passing as she skittered about in her preparation.

A roll of the eyes and the purple unicorn was already moving on, "Anyway, I know how much you like those Daring Do books..."

"Has the new one come out?" squealed Dash in a fit of surprise like a foal at a festival.

"No," responded Twilight, bursting Dash's bubble as she sunk back down into her sheets, "but I thought you could write your own! Daring Dash adventure, I mean."

It seemed that no matter how much faith and thought Twilight had put into her plan, Dash wasn't keen on it. Glum face tucked into those plush covers of Rarity's bed showed that she was skeptical to say the least.

"With this!" explained the purple unicorn in her exuberance, producing a plain, brown quill from her saddle bag.

There was nothing unique or peculiar about the item. A plain, dusty plume manufactured into a writing tool, end pointed to a tip from scratching at any paper.

"It's just a quill," grunted Dash, "besides, I don't write. I can barely get out of bed!"

"It's not just a quill, Rainbow!" asserted Twilight as she gave a flick of the implement. Fine, bright magic would flow across the surface of that feather, the object springing into the air. "It's a magic quill! You dictate to it and it'll write the story for you!"

As curious as the object was, the idea still left Dash feeling cold. Out of the pair, Rarity was the creative one! Then again, maybe she could create an awesome story. To join the quill, Twilight produced a small hardcover, floating in the air beside it.

"So it writes for me, huh?" asked Dash. The quill almost sprang to life, slipping open the book to scribble down what had been said before showing it to the rainbow pony. The quill almost seemed...proud of itself!

"I'll let you two get to know each other!" sniggered the purple unicorn as Rarity approached her side.

"Alright Rainbow, I'll be back in a bit with your medicine," chimed the white mare as she trotted up to kiss her cheeks before the two unicorns would take their leave. Dash was alone, only a floating quill as a companion.

This was a little awkward; left alone with a magically charged quill and levitating book. Dash would stay stubborn for a few moments more, crossing her forelegs as she just sat there. Then again, inactivity never sat well with the boisterous pegasus. No matter how she felt about writing, it would probably pass the time. That and she didn’t even have to lift a hoof!

Those pink eyes would watch as the quill almost impatiently tapped against the book’s cover. She would give a shake of her head, “Fine, whatever. Might as well give this a try…” With a clear of her throat, Rainbow begun crafting her story, “Once upon a time-”

That book that had open would slam itself shut. Quill swayed to and fro, almost as if shaking itself in displeasure of her choice in words. The writing implement was judging her!

“What? Too cheesy?” she asked, unsure why she was asking a feather. Might as well have been talking to her wings...not that she doesn’t, from time to time.

“Alright, I get the idea. How about this?”

It had been quite the long, arduous trip. Why was she making this journey in the first place? The Unicorn Republic was not the most hospitable place once could venture too. But when business called, Daring was always there to answer! The Orb of the Night was to be kept in the royal vault at the Castle of the Snooty Princess. By special request, Daring was the one to carry it. What was rather extraordinary about the trip was that nothing had gone wrong; no ambushes, traps or hunters tracking her down. Everything went off without a hitch. And before she knew it, Daring was face to face with the grand keep that held the mare she was looking for.

The guards escorted the dashing adventurer to the very throne room that held the vault beneath it. A great, vast hall of pearlescent cascades of marble and golden paint. Sashes of royal blood red and many sculptures of such precision that it was difficult to believe that hooves could craft them. And to the very back, surrounded by a luxurious lashing of opulence and placed upon a pyramid of steps, the royal throne held the Princess Snooty herself.

“You, Daring, come to me!” proclaimed the mare over the length of the room.

As she approached, Daring was able to get a better look at her. She was definitely a fancy pony; crimson coat was topped with the curl of a golden mane. Her looks were divine and she had kept herself in perfect esteem. She definitely fitted in with the furniture! Around her shoulders, a long, white cape trimmed with plush skirting, fit for royalty to wear. Quite the formal pony; certainly a far cry from Daring’s humdrum shirt and safari hat.

“Did you bring the orb?” questioned the Princess, nose up and eyes down.

To protect the priceless object, Daring had kept it tightly held underneath her wing. It was wrapped in the finest cloth, kept safe from dust or decay. The pegasus would step forward and offer it to the throne. Closer up, Daring could get more of an appreciation for the beautiful Princess, even if her attitude wasn’t the most humble. It was clear that she knew just how gorgeous she really was; that golden mane was almost seamless, finely crafted like the divine work of a mastercraft potter. Coat was even, kempt and kept luxuriously smooth and fragrant with the addition of goodness knows how many care produces. To be honest, Daring could not leave the scent be, letting her lungs drag in a few whiffs that sent a subtle shiver through her delicately muscular form.

That package was about to change hooves before the scene would turn. Two ponies in guard dress made their way into what was supposed to be a private meeting in the throne room. Before they could be told to leave, two others appeared from behind the throne, brandishing swords held aloft by a thin veil of darkened magic. It was a trap. And before Daring could act, that cold steel was poised to cut the through of the innocent Princess.

“Give us the orb, there’s a good girl,” came a voice from the side, hooves extended to receive the wrapped orb as Daring begrudgingly hoofed it over.

“Alright fellas, no-one has to get hurt here…” began Daring, a sword now placed to her throat.

The shock of the ambush didn’t seem quell the tumultuous fire of the Princess, her eyes ablaze with anger. The only thing that stopped her advance was the sword at her throat. “What is the meaning of this? Who are you people?!”

Even a firmer edge to her throat failed to silence the venomous snarls of the Princess.

"It took us sometime to track you down, Daring. But why ambush you in the forest and take the orb," began one of the colts, leaning closer to the Princess to indicate his prize, "when we could have the crown jewel as well? I'm sure the royal family will pay a pretty bit for the safe return of their whiny little princess!"

Daring was used to a blow or two but the sudden crash of the sword hilt to the back of her head planted her into the floor. She was out cold. And all the while, the call out the Princess rung out through the impending haze.

"Daring! Daring! Rainbow..."

"Rainbow! Rainbow Dash!" cried Rarity at the listless mare's bedside.

The sudden shrill call of her girlfriend quickly dragged her from her creative musings. Her eyes took in Rarity with a warm if impatient smile, items of medicine and well being floating about her person.

"I'm back with your medicine!" the white mare proclaimed triumphantly, using her magic to open the various boxes.

"And what did you tell the chemist?" asked Dash, eyebrow up as if she were interrogating Rarity.

With a heavy sigh, the unicorn began to weave her little lies, "I told them it was for Fluttershy and definitely not you! I do listen to your instructions."

Then again, their relationship was well known. And Angel would have been there to pick up Fluttershy's medicine, not Rarity. But whatever kept her girlfriend happy.

"Awesome, honey flavoured!" squealed Dash as she read the labelling on the box.

Rarity would just roll those big, blue eyes; sometimes her tough as nails girlfriend could be a right teddy bear!

The unicorn's eyes turned to the open book, "So? How's the story going?"

Dash's eyes snapped to the floating book that Rarity was peering into before it snapped shut in front of her, blocking her view. Seems like her writing implements respected her privacy.

"Pretty good," began Dash as she opened the container, spoon feeding some syrupy medicine into her mouth.

"Can't I have just the tiniest peek?"

Dash and her companion quill both seemed to shake in unison, denying Rarity her early read. It was disappointing, but the unicorn had other pressing matters to attend too.

"Hmmph! If you insist! I assume you will show me once it's ready," stated Rarity coldly, her curiosity to bother her for the remainder of her day, "At any rate, I must go hunt down some more jewels. I'll return later, Dashy!"

The rather abrupt close of the front door in haste signalled to Dash it was alright to continue. "Right, now where was I?" began Dash, playing with the spoon in her hooves as the book opened up and the quill darted to the page.

Slowly, the world began to sink back into her mind, the impromptu and rather forcefully administered nap more than enough to get the brown dusty pony back onto her hooves. And it helped that a few burly white stallions were nudging at her. All of them seemed to be blushing, as if uncomfortable in their own skin.

The blow had been swift, and she must have been out for a solid 20 minutes. Although a little wobbly, she was up, taking her hat in hoof and sliding it delicately atop her head, trying not to touch the impact site of her strike.

"Miss Do?" asked the stallion at the front, "Are you alright? Do you know where they took the Princess?"

Straight to business; these must have been members of the royal guard, many clutching their heads as if they had suffered the same fate she had.

Daring didn't know for sure, but she had an idea. "They spoke about ambushing me through the forest. Maybe they came through the same way I did!"

Her attention was brought back to the members of the guard, some using their forelimbs to cover themselves, "What's up with you guys?"

"They took our armour!" one cried out rather timidly.

"I feel naked!" confessed another.

Meanwhile, the band of rogues had taken their haul back through the kingdom, using the old sewer and drainage channels beneath the castle to forgo travelling through the town. It had cut a lot of time on their journey back through the great forest that divided the land...but it was complicated by one factor.

"A sewer drain! Do you know who I am? I'm sure rescue will not need to look for us when they can smell us. And in my best dress too! What is wrong with you thugs, have you no manners? I am a lady - no, better yet - a Princess! I am a mare of class and respect, who deserves the highest comfort and pleasure! This forest is sweaty; it's like a jungle in here and my gorgeous mane is going to get soaking wet! Was that a mosquito? I positively hate mosquitoes! Get it away from me!!"

Almost an hour. This had been going on for almost an hour! The band were professionals who could handle numerous tasks: living target kidnapping, jewellery heists, intimidation and mugging. But this was getting difficult to stomach. Whenever they gagged her, she would break out into a high pitched squeal which would deafen the pony whose back she had been flung over so unceremoniously.

One side pony trotted up closer to the Boss in front, getting in close to whisper to him as they trundled through the rough forest path, "You sure this is worth the ransom? I gotta tell ya, it's torture listenin' to her!"

But the Boss seemed in his own little world, a pony of concentration and fierce determination against the simplest of distractions. It seemed the crying and whining of the Princess behind him had no effect, his head not even turning to look back. The pony had such resolve...if the pony beside him hadn't noticed the lumps of grass jammed firmly into his ears!

A firm hoof to the head would relieve the male of the foliage lodged in his ears, his comrade getting a rather cold stare as he began to speak, "Boss! The fellas and I aren't sure about this whole...kidnapping plan. She's drivin' us all crazy!"

The Boss turned to look forward once again at the path stretch out in front of them, cringing at the anguished bubbling of the royal pony behind them, "Think of the bits, you idiot. Once we get home, we can gag her and lock her in the basement. You won't hear her through the stone."

The young stallion locked from his boss and back to the royal pony, a frown on his face, "You sure about that?"

Meanwhile, Daring had tracked the thieves all day until the Sun began to set. The only advantage she had was that they had to carry the Princess whereas she was alone. Then again, with the heavy canopy high above the forest, flight would have proven impossible. From high above, the thick foliage veiled the winding path below on the forest floor. But it was no matter. A world class galloper, Daring had kept a brisk pace throughout and it had paid off. The burning light of a campfire could be seen up ahead. She was close!

Up ahead, the gang were about ready to call it a night, the dense foliage of the heavy forest mixed with the chilling onset of the coming mist. They had retrieved some firewood and constructed a fire upon the path, two piles of hay allowing all four of them to rest on some bedding. Conversely, the princess herself was perched upon a long, kept there by the bindings of her ropes staked into the floor. Although gagged with her own cloth, squealing would have caused her voice to become broken and hoarse. Instead, she had revert back to moaning, with all audible syllables comings out as monotonous, ranting hums.

She could go on all night, as far as she was concerned! Luckily, a sudden hoof to the back made her jump. Daring had arrived, creeping close by the cover of shadows from the trees before she hastily began to loosen the ropes.

"It's okay Princess, I'm here!" she murmured quietly.

However, the brief interlude of silence of the Princess had been met with more suspicion than relief. One of the gang had brought himself over to check what had happened, crooning over the Princess' exquisite mane only to be met with a swift hoof to the side of the head! The impact had him stumble back as the rest arose in defence of their comrade. So much for the stealthy option.

"I'm not leaving here without the Princess!" snarled Daring through gritted teeth, head down as if ready to charge the kidnappers.

"Oh sure!" chimed the boss, approaching rather swiftly to help cut the ropes that were holding her to the log, handing the binder beauty over into Daring's hooves. That was odd...

Dating could only glance at the royalty she was carrying, looking at the anger in her eyes. It was obvious she had been through a lot. And evidently, so had the thieves!

Slowly, she looked back to the group, trying to re-adopt a serious demeanour, "And the orb. Hand over the orb too!"

The prospect of that seemed rather more unlikely, two of the stallions at the back drawing their blades.

"That ain't gunna happen. Be thankful you got the Princess, cut your losses and leave."

Daring had been charged with getting the orb back, no matter what! She was not one to fail; a mare of her word who always got the job done! Granted, she was more used to leaving a situation with her prize rather than fighting, but she was not to be beaten so easily. The brave mare carefully lowered the Princess down to the grass as one of the males approached her, sword drawn.

"Yeah Daring! Take a hike!" he snarled defensively, eager for the headstrong mare to back off!

An almost elegant hop forward allowed Daring to pivot and buck the male with her back legs, sending him flying back towards his friends! She charged forward, ready to-

Rarity had been ever so careful as she unlocked and opened the front door, her hoof falls careful to press into the plush carpet. She would tentatively make her way upstairs, curious ear pressed to the frame of the bedroom door, open just a crack.

On the other side, Dash was really getting into her weep crafted action scene, so enthralled in the events that she was swinging punches and ducking imaginary sword swings herself! The action must have been quite fierce! Even the quill was shifting and darting about in its own fantasy brawl!

A final kick sent the Boss careening into the shrub surround, his sword planting itself into the plush leaf letter of the forest and the forgotten soil beneath. She had done it - parts of her clothes had been cut and there was a gash to her front leg - but she had won! It had been a hard fought battle, the sweat-ridden pony trotting back to the Princess. Where there had once been fiery anger in her eyes, there was now calm. Obviously, the grand battle staged before her and the sheer valiance of her saviour. Daring took the sword in the ground, using the sharp implement to cut free the bindings of the Princess.

There were no words. No exchange. All the thanks and gratitude was told through their gaze. The Princess moved her head up, Daring leaning down. And they met in one, soft, precious..."

"...kiss?" cooed Rarity at the side of the bed.

Dash had been so wrapped up in the story, even puckering her lips and eyes closed as if she were Daring herself, that she never heard her rather stealthy girlfriend slipping into the bedroom.

Eyes were wide, lip quivering in shock. "How much did you hear?"

"Enough," began Rarity to her caught-off-guard girlfriend, "Well now, seems like Daring Do found a girlfriend! Sounds an awful lot like me!"

"Her name is Princess Snooty!" scowled Dash defensively, almost as if she had completely forgotten that the character was rather crudely based upon Rarity.

Hearing the news of her character's name made the white mare pout, snatching up the book to read through some of the material. "Rainbow Dash!" cried the whiny unicorn in a high pitched squeal, "I do not whine! And golden hair? How could you even imagine me without my gorgeous violet mane! I would certainly not be taken hostage so easily. A lady knows how to fight too, and I would show those ruffians what for! But I would certainly not..."

Meanwhile, Dash groaned almost painfully, pushing a pillow over her head to try and block out the noise. Daring Do and the Moany Girlfriend!