“Almost five-month,” I said taking a seat on a nearby piece of rubble. “What happened in that time?” Here is when the bomb was dropped on me. It seems back in the day of Discord's first appearance against Princess Celestia and Luna he ended up laying seeds of disharmony. That should have sprouted a long time ago. But it seems that in that time the tree of harmony which housed the Elements before the royal regents of the celestial bodies took them to use against Discord. There was enough magic there that prevented them from taking root. But after all this time, the tree was weak enough for them to spread out of the Everfree forest that it crawled it's way to Canterlot and ponynapped both regents of the sun and moon. So this left both the sun and moon in the sky at the same time. Throughout the course of events, the girls had to give up their elements of harmony back to the tree itself. From there the tree spawned a magical box that Twilight's been trying to figure out how to open.

That was followed by the girls trying to clean up the castle of the pony sisters. Which ended up in complete madness. As it ended up with the girls running around freaking each other out. All but Twilight, Nightling, and Lily who was in a special relaxing spot reading over Celestia's journal. That got me interested but I didn't want to read it as the information would be outdated to the ponies they are now. Other than that the only other event is that the Ponyville barracks were finished being built and the guards have already been moved. Also, Luna's guards were recalled which is why they weren't at the castle for my arrival. On top of that there as been talks around the castle of things being in motion out of sight. It seems there have been accounts of ponies losing their magic and cutie marks. This is worrying as so far each account has been of earth ponies only. Getting up I dusted myself off and we made our way towards Ponyville.

“Nightling go to Canterlot and get Luna. I need to speak with her as soon as possible.” I ordered.

“Roger Sir,” Nightling said before taking to the air. With that, I headed through the forest for the first time in a while by myself... relatively. Kind of hard to be by yourself when you have two more beings in your head. For the most part, it was rather silent, well silent as a forest could be. There were the sounds of birds and little animals running about. It stayed silent for a moment before I stopped and waited for a second. Slowly taking a breath in I just let the sounds wash over me as my left ear flapped a little at the sounds of a twig being snapped. Seconds later was followed by a light growl. Turning my head I stared right at the eyes of the timber wolf through the darkness of the woods. He continued to look at me as I watched it ready to pounce. In a flash, I moved above it leaving it to look confused. Dropping down I landed on its back.

“Did you miss me?” I said as it turned its head to look at me. “Not smart hunting someone more powerful than you buddy.” Reaching up with my right claw, I slammed it down hard on its back splintering the wood body it had. The fear in its face was priceless. With another slam I as down to its core. Reaching in, I grabbed the glowing core that housed it. “I'm going to give you only one chance. If I let you go, will you tell the others in your pack that I and any other pony that wonders in is off limits from now on?” I said giving the wolf the look. I watched it rapidly nod at this. “Good,” I said with a smirk as I used my wings to hop off of it. “Go, and I don't want to hear anything about another Timber wolf attack, or I'm going to hunt down each and every one of you. Do I make myself clear?” It nodded before running off with its wooden tail between its legs.

“Well, that's one problem down,” Shadow said as I continued my way back to Ponyville.

“And many more to go,” I said with a smile. The next thirty minutes or so was spent walking through the forest till I was at the edge where I could see Ponyville in the distance. Just seeing it again after all that time in the other universe was a sight for sore eyes. With a snap of my fingers, my body shifted that into my normal drony form. Something I haven't had been in for a while. Magically putting my cloak and mask back into my pocket space as I slowly walked into town. At the time I saw what looked like Fluttershy was flapping her wings around baby birds. As if she was helping them learn how to fly. This got me wondering if ponies do all of the teachings like this or if was this a special case. Regardless, I continued my way into Ponyville to see ponies walking to and from with their normal friendly demeanor.

Lyra and Bon Bon were walking through some of the stalls doing some shopping. From what I could tell, besides the business section of Ponyville. There were also street stalls going down the main street of Ponyville which lead to the founder's fountain. From how I heard it, the Apple family included Granny Smith who helped found Ponyville. Used this spot for a well which at the time was on the unusable ground for farming. Which is why their farm was currently out of town, don't ask me why they didn't take a closer well at the time. Other ponies from the Apple family made their way here and a small town began to form. Much like how old shanty towns would startup before they would be built up to a town. Just like it happened here, they turned the well after a few years when plumbing became a thing outside of the richer ponies could afford. They turned the old well into a fountain in memory of the Apples that helped found the town. At that point, it was just down to Granny Smith and her foal at the time.

Regardless of that, I walked the fountain and to some of the stalls, mostly to window shop. Which ended up with me at the little bookstall and I picked up a few books to add to my little collection at home. With a smile, I paid for it and headed towards home. Something I haven't been for at least a week to me and almost half a year for her. Honestly, it was nice to see that not a whole lot has changed in that time. Which is really nice, compared to everything else in my life. Just the stableness of it all was perfect at this point. Well, the general sense of perfect, not the fact that nothing can be perfect. You get the idea.

Slowly making it home I noticed that the lights were off. Odd... normally the Library is open around this time of day. Makes me wonder if she is in Ponyville or up in Canterlot. I'll just have to send her a letter later. Grabbing the knob with my magic, I found that the door was unlocked. I did not like that fact.

“Shadow could you-” I began to say over the link before Shadow interrupted me.

“Already on it.” He said shooting from my shadow under the door. There were a few moments of silence before Shadow shot back. “You're not going to believe this.”

“What?”

“They have a surprise party waiting for you,” Shadow said and I could hear the grin on his face. With a smirk, I slowly stepped back and began flying up to the balcony. Slowly opening it and sliding it. I made my way back down the stairs to see the girls, Lyra, Bon Bon, Derpy, and a few other ponies I couldn't tell right off the bat who as I wasn't using my draconic eyes to see them. As that would give me away right away. Slowly, I slid over to Twilight who was staring at the door, right next to her was Pinkie who already had her eye on me. Moving my claw up and did the shushing gesture, she nodded with a big smile on her face.

“What's taking him so long to come into the door,” Twilight said sounding a little annoyed. “You said he coming back today right?” Turning her head towards Pinkie.

“Yup! He's already back!” She said sounding excited.

“Shush Pinkie, you don't want to give the surprise away.”

“It would be a shame if that happened. Especially if he figured out that you all were going to surprise him so he slid in through the balcony, crept down the stairs, and has been standing next to you for at least two minutes.” I whispered with a grin on my face as I went with a more feminine voice to mess with her.

“But the odds of that-” She said turning towards me as I just grinned at her. That got her to jump with a start. “Storm!”

“That's me,” I said with a smirk as I flicked on the light. Everypony turned to look at me in surprise. “Surprise.” Couldn't help myself but smile.

“How did you even know?” Twilight said turning to look at me.

“Well... let's just say magic and move on from there.” That got most of the ponies to nod in agreement. I say most as Twilight just gave me a look that said 'I don't believe that for a second.' Of course, the second pony was Applejack who was also giving me the stink eye. “I'll explain it later. Let's just have some fun.” With that, the party began as Pinkie bounced over to a record player and start playing some kind of party music. The next few hours were fairly nice. I had quite a few that were invited go up to me and ask how things were and where I was for the last few months. I told them I was on an important mission and left it at that. Mostly because they didn't need to know. After that, things were fine. Twilight during that whole time stayed by my side and most of the time I laid my wing around her.

Things felt... normal, and honestly, that was the greatest thing I need at that moment. Just after spending close to a week for me in another universe being fired upon, and trying not to be killed. Especially no straight hostel intent from those I'm familiar with. On top of that, being able not to be on edge around the girls is nice. Which is both an upside and downside of being quadrupeds, but who am I to judge. The party went on for a few hours till a lot of the other ponies left till it was only the girls and Spike. Around that time Applejack brought out a small barrel of cider. From what I am to understand this is from the Apple's private cellar of it. So this was fermented cider, while not the premium stuff it's still some of the good stuff. Taking the smarter route, Applejack also brought the non-alcoholic cider for Spike. Taking a sip I find the familiar burn as it goes down my throat as I lean back in my seat.

“So how did you really know we were throwing a surprise party?” Applejack asked as she refilled my drink after I had downed the whole mug.

“I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count.” Holding my mug off to the side, Shadow slowly raised himself up out of my shadow. Taking his normal serpent form. He opened his mouth as I gently poured some of it into his mouth. With a few gulps, he drank some of the cider.

“That is some stuff.” He said with a shake of his head.

“I didn't know Shadow could drink in that form,” Twilight commented looking over my left.

“I can drink and all that. They just end up in the same space as him. I just have to teleport it in.” Shadow answered.

“We are connected after all,” I explained.

“That still doesn't answer my question, how did you figure it out,” Applejack asked and all I did was point at Shadow.

“He slid into the darkroom and looked around. After being ambushed enough I got paranoid and checked.” I explained.

“That is fair.” Applejack commented with a nod.

“That way I don't have to go into a room blind. Especially after this last adventure.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“Well, to be honest, I was expecting what I had encountered in the other universe. Going from the land all over the place to-” was all I got out before Dash came flying through the door. Being quicker on the cast, I cast the redirection spell right as Dash flew into it. She came out a few moments later looking completely confused for a moment as she came to a halt. “Next time don't come flying in here like a bat out of hell.”

“Your back?! Why didn't anypony tell me?” Dash said looking annoyed.

“We tried to tell you, darling.” Rarity said looking annoyed. “But you ignored us because you were too hyped for the new Daring Do book.” I wonder if I had missed a book in my time gone.

“Oh... Alright, that makes sense.” Dash said before giving a light nervous chuckle. “Sorry about that, but I just found out that the latest book is being delayed.” She said flying back in.

“Yeah by two months.” Twilight tacked on.

“Wait how did you know it was that long before I did, I'm her biggest fan?!” Dash said giving Twilight the stink eye.

“Didn't she get you into the books?” I commented.

“Oh, right,” Dash said with a slightly nervous laugh.

“I mean A.K. Yearling is one of my favorite authors. I know everything about her, where she grew up, where she went to school, where she wrote her first book.” Twilight began to list off and I began to feel like I was getting married to a super fan in that creepy way.

“Where she lives?” Dash asked.

“Ah... no, but I could probably find out... somehow. Why?” Twilight said and I already was getting a bad feeling about this.

“Don't you get it, the new book is obviously delayed because she needs help dealing with whatever everyday non-sense is distracting her spending every living, breath second writing. So I-” Dash said catching herself as I was giving her a flat look. “I mean, fans like me can get to read the next book asap.” I watched Twilight roll her eyes at that. “Think about it, we can help her with her laundry, buying her groceries, cooking her meals, whatever. Now, who wouldn't appreciate that?”

“Hmm, I don't know. What she probably wants most of all is respect for her privacy.” Twilight said looking uneasy about this.

“She can always just say no,” Dash said getting into Twilight's face. The girls took a few moments to look at each other and nodded.

“Ah... I suppose your right.”

“Of course I am,” Dash said flying towards the door before turning back. “So about getting that address?”

“I'll get it, you'll just have to give me a bit. I will let you know when I have it.” Twilight said going off towards the loft. Looking towards the girls and give them a nod.

“Give us a moment,” I said following Twilight up the stairs. I will admit I missed this view, but something about how Twilight just acted was chewing at me. So when we got up to the bedroom and closed the door behind us. She then whipped around and before I could process it, she jumped and pounced on me.

“I missed you so much.” She said nuzzling into my cheek.

“I missed you too.” I returned the favor. “With everything that happened, I missed this,” I said as I moved to hold her as best I could.

“What did happen?” I spend the next hour or so giving her a very streamlined version of the events including the fight with Daybreaker. I left out how I dealt with Daybreaker, well more how I killed her soul than anything. She listened and I could tell she wanted to visit it herself. With a flick of magic, I pulled out the nullifying ring her bipedal version of herself had tried to use on me. But much like how the horn rings doesn't work well on alicorns. This nullifying ring had the same limitation, beside it was supposed to deal only pony magic and not chaotic. They had a limited dampener that could be overpowered if need be. Regardless Twilight pulled the ring over to a new desk that I found new schematics for some kind of box. From what I could see the thing had six keyholes on it. Walking over it as Twilight poured over the ring as I was more fascinated by what she was working on in my five-month laps. From what I can tell Twilight's been trying to unlock this box. It looks like she took over my little desk with this project. The only thing missing from the table is the box itself.

“Where's the box?” I asked turning to her.

“Huh?” She said looking up at me from her scans. “Oh, it's still at the tree of harmony. Wait... how do you know about it?” I pointed my prosthetic thumb at the schematics behind me. “Right. After having to give up the elements of harmony back to the tree. This box appeared and I've been trying to figure out how to open it.”

“Wait back to the tree?” I asked with a cocked eyebrow. “This tree wouldn't happen to be made of an almost crystal white like wood?”

“Yeah... wait, you've seen it?” She asked.

“Not directly, it was more a vision slash memory of the past kind of deal. Blame my ties to the artifacts, it's been doing a number to my dreams.” I said with a smile.

“Do I need to get a hold of Luna?” Twilight asked coming up to me looking worried.

“It's nothing serious, just glimpses into the past between doors.”

“Doors?” She turned her head in confusion.

“When I come into contact with an artifact a door fully appears in my dreamscape. Each one holds a task behind them that I think I complete. Mind you a lot of this is just a hypothesis based on observation. But since my destiny, as it was tied to the artifacts it makes sense they would want to test me to make sure I'm worthy.”

“That does sound like a reasonable hypothesis.” She said with a nod.

“But regardless, do you think a trip to A.K. Yearling's home would be a good idea?”

“Dash make a point that, if she didn't want us to be there she can send us home.” While she did have a point. As far as I know, none of the girls knew of A.K. Yearling's true identity as Daring Do. This could cause an issue if she's in the middle of an adventure to secure a magical artifact. If we drop in the middle of that, could cause a lot of issues.

“Be that as it may, you wouldn't want one of the girls dropping in on you if you were in the middle of something important to you?”

“That doesn't stop them from doing it.”

“Pinkie?”

“Pinkie.” I sighed and rubbed the bridge of my muzzle. “Be that as it may, it still feels wrong invading A.K. Yearling's privacy like this.”

“What's the worst that could happen?” Twilight said and I already felt the shiver run up my spine at the very utterance of those words.

“You had to say it didn't you?” I muttered under my breath as I held up my prosthetic and counted down from three. Before stepping back as soon as I hit one, the room was beseeched from all sides by my guards including Lily of all beings. From the doorway, window, balcony door, and even four unicorns popping into existence. “Really?!” I said completely annoyed.

“Your highness, we were just made aware of your arrival.” Said Ironside.

“So you had to rush in and surround us in our bedroom?” Twilight said just as annoyed as I am.

“Sorry, your highnesses. We were just trying to do our duty.” Said one of the other guards. I didn't catch who as they were behind me at the time.

“I appreciate you were trying to do your job, but there wasn't an emergency that called for my full army to run in like they were raiding the place. Now I want all of you to return to the barracks but you Lily. You are to go on normal patrol till I call for anypony else. Is that clear?” I said stomping down with my right foreleg.

“Sir, yes sir!” They all said in unison before they left leaving only Twilight, Lily, and I.

“As for you. Status Report.” Lily snapped into a salute.

“Everything peaceful on the home front after the vine incident, Sir,” Lily said matter of factly.

“And their training?”

“While some are having issues. The training is going as planned.”

“Good, now Twilight and I will be expecting Princess Luna anytime now. After that, Twilight, the girls, and I will be leaving for a short trip. I need you all to keep everything save on the home front. Is that clear?”

“Permission to speak freely sir?”

“Granted.”

“I think it would be wise for one of your guards to accompany you on your travels.” She said keeping the very soldier like stance.

“I will have my captain with us. Which is why I need you here to keep the training going. When we return I will be inspecting the barracks. I want everything to be at the ready. Am I clear?”

“Sir, Yes Sir.”

“Good, you are now dismissed.” With that Lily left and I took a deep breath. “It's going to be like that a lot isn't it?” I said running my claw down my face in a wiping motion. “Universe why do you do me so?”

“What's this about a visit from Luna?” Twilight asked eyeing me.

“Think of it as a debrief about everything that has happened.” Moving over to her, to see what she had been working on. “So what is it about this box?” I asked looking it over more.

“That's the question, I have no idea what's in here but the tree gave it to us.” Looking over the box drawings as my mind began to go to work.

“I'm going to guess that you already magically scanned it.”

“Multiple times using four different spells.”

“Did you overlap them?”

“In every combination, I could think of.”

“Physically probing it?”

“Shield at each keyhole.” That got me interested in this little mystery. So all normal methods of normal investigations are out of the question. It makes me wonder if I try to sense through it could work. My right ear flicked as I turned to see Luna popping into existence behind me.

“Hello Luna, long time no see.” See her she was just like I left and honestly I missed it. She came over and before I could even react she gave me a rather overly affectionate hug. “Okay, need to breathe Luna.”

“Oh... he he, sorry.” She said with an awkward chuckle before stepping away. “It's been five months since we last heard of you. “What happened?”

“In a moment, first I need you to bring out the Moon Cleaver.” That got both Twilight and Luna to look at me in surprise.

“How do you know my sword's name?” She asked in surprise.

“It was documented in the archives,” I answered as I watched a whirlpool of blue magic appeared before Luna as she wrapped her magic around the handle of her blade. She held it with the blade pointed away from Twilight and me.

“Why do you need to see my sword?”

“To compare it,” I said as a matching orange whirlpool of magic appeared before me as I reached in and pulled out a sort of magic sword. The only difference was that my sword was larger made for a larger being. Luna's eyes widened and reach out for it magically before an orange spark shot off it and struck her in the horn. Causing her to wince back and drop her own sword with a clang.

“Ow.” She said rubbing her horn.

“Luna are you okay?” Twilight said rushing over to her.

“I'm fine Twilight Sparkle. Just didn't expect the sword to lash back like that.” She said as I set the sword down against the wall.

“I didn't expect it to do that,” I said coming over making sure to step over her version of it.

“Where did you get that?”

“From the other you.” Helping Luna sit, I began to run a few scans to check on her. From what I could tell all she suffered was a magical feedback spark. “I ended up saving her from the bottom of the Equestrian ocean.”

“The Equestrian ocean?” Both Luna and Twilight asked.

“It's a bit of a long story and a lot of it you're not going to like,” I said before going back to my sword and picked it up. With a wash of magic, I dropped it back into the whirlpool. In the next few hours, I go over a very summarized set of events. Granted I left out things like breaking Dash's arm, the guns, and the means of how I destroyed Daybreaker. As I went through it I could see the horror in their faces at my retelling. Especially the events of Daybreaker, especially my fight with her. That lead me to pull out her spear. But this leads me to this one point. “Princess Celestia is not to know.” That got both of them to look surprised.

“Why leave her in the dark?” Twilight asked looking surprised.

“Because it's none of her damn business.” That got both of them to look at me in surprise.

“Why do you still hold this grudge against my sister?” Luna asked in surprise.

“Did you forget that she tried to fucking kill me?”

“Oh... right.” That got both of them to look a bit ashamed by that.

“Look, I get it you want me to get along with her. But everything has shown me that she and I are like water and oil. We don't mix and so far nothing has shown me differently.” I said turning around pulling out a book. “The point is, it's going to take a lot for me to forgive her for that and the cards are stacked against her. Because I know everything she tries to do will always be tinted by her wanting to buy my forgiveness.”

“Then how would she even be able to?” Twilight asked.

“I don't know,” I answered pulling out the scrap of parchment that had an address on it. “But that's not the point. Right now till I can trust her. Anything I decide to do doesn't need to be reported to her outside of official business and what I do or get in another universe falls under my business and not official.”

“How can you say that?!” Twilight exclaimed in shock.

“Because out of everyone here. I'm the one she's been against time and time again.” I said as my magic flared and out of habit, my form changed back to my bipedal form. “All because I'm the odd piece out of her perfect little puzzle.”

“You're not the odd piece Storm,” Luna commented with a cocked eyebrow.

“Then explain to me how I fit in when Celestia and I have been at odds. Between me knowing a good chunk of her skeletons in her closet and my actions 'rubbing' her the wrong way.” I gave her a staredown. She looked at me as I could see her try and piece it together. I stood at my full height with my arms crossed.

“Storm that isn't fair to put Luna on the spot like that,” Twilight said as she put a hoof on my leg.

“You mean like how I was put on the spot to forgive her sister? But if she can't answer the question on where I fit in, then my point stands.” I answered as Luna sighed.

“He is right. As much as I dislike saying so, he and my sister have been at odds. I will keep your ownership of copies of our weapons.” I simply nodded. “Is there something else I need to be aware of?”

“One thing.” I pulled out a scroll and scribbled down a few names. “I need every file pertaining to these names.” She eyed it before eyeing me. “Why go to me and not through your captain?”

“Convenience to be honest. After this meeting Twilight and the girls have a bit of a trip on our hooves.”

“A trip where?” Luna asked looking confused. With a smirk on my face, I held up the paper.

“A meeting with an author.”

***---***

The next few days were just filled with travel. Mostly to the middle of freaking nowhere and I'm not even taking that out of context. We are literally in the Nowhere Forest. Which is funny to no end to me as I can say I was in the middle of nowhere and mean it. Regardless, after our meeting with Luna, I started to plan things out in advance. Mostly because I have begun to not trust many of the royals outside so far maybe a claw full. Anyway, after pointing out that I had Daring Do's address from the copy of the book she sent me. Twilight had asked how I managed this and I reminded her that I was with A.K. Yearling when I found the Cape of Kindness. That got her into a tizzy about asking me about said mare and I said I didn't ask much about her as it would have been rude. Mostly because I was focused on the mission I had to do at that time. The whole time Pinkie behind us was painting a large red line. Almost like those cartoon traveling lines you would see as they would transition locations.

“You see what I mean? Why would she live in this remote part of Equestria except to keep folks from intruding on her privacy? We should-” Twilight began to question again, this time however Dash interrupted her popping out of the bushes surprising some of us.

“I think I spotted the house, we are super close. This way!” Dash said zipping forward.

“Wait!” Twilight said trying to get the girls who had followed Dash to stop. Following the rest of them we came up to a white cottage with a hay thatched roof looking like a mini-tornado had gone off inside it. As the windows were blown out as well as books, boards, and even a recliner were thrown out of the windows in the process.

“Oh no, what happened?” Twilight said sounding worried.

“It looks like somepony intruded in her privacy pretty hard already.”

“We should go see if there is somepony that needs help,” I said already moving past the girls. My horn lit up as I began to focus on any signs of danger, at least towards us. Dash flew past me and knocked on the barely hanging front door. As soon as the third knock struck the door said it was done and dropped to the ground showing the torn up dwellings of Daring's home.

“Who-wee somepony really trashed the place.” Applejack said after we all were able to get a good look at the insides. This place looked like the before mentioned tornado had struck or that the messes pony in all Equestria lived here. Pinkie hopping in looked around putting her hoof under her chin.

“Maybe... or-” She began stretching out the or. “A.K. Yearling is a terrible, horrible, unbelievable slob!”

“I hope A.K. Yearling is alright.” Rarity said looking over a cracked mirror with worry clearly planted on her face.

“Oh no, what if something terrible happened to her” Twilight commented looking around with worry before Dash popped up like a jack in the box.

“I know, there might be no more books!” Dash exclaimed while Twilight and I gave her a flat look. Well that shows where your priorities lie Dash. Getting the hit Dash at least looked remorseful. “But of course I'd be worried about her too.”

“What are you all doing here?” Said a voice from the door. Walking in from the shadow was A.K. Yearling herself.

“Ah... A. K. Year-ling?” Dash said getting star struck before making the weirdest face I think I've ever seen on a pony. Course with Pinkie in the room, that was an accomplishment. I couldn't help but shudder at the memory of some of the weird faces Pinkie has made over my time in Equestria. So I kind of lost track of things for a moment.

“What have you done to my house?” Yearling said coming in and over to Applejack before biting onto the rug under her.

“We didn't do this I swear Miss Yearling.” Applejack said before the rug was literally pulled out from under her flinging her back. Not finding what she was looking for Yearling went over to an overturned table to look around.

“I'm glad to see your alright,” Twilight said but it was clear that Yearling wasn't paying attention as she walked past her to a desk with one of the earth pony-type writers on it. As the way they worked was you had to turn the knob to the key you wanted and pressed down. Which their keyboards split the letters evenly between the two knobs. Regardless she walked over as Dash stood on top of a book whistling trying to pull the 'I look cool please notice me sempai' shtick.

“Okay, clearly this isn't the best time. I just got to say how much we all really love your books.” Dash nervously said before ending it with a just as nervous chuckle. Which that level of cringe went unnoticed by Yearling as she looked at the book under dash. Just like Applejack, Yearling sent Dash flying back with a thump into a nearby stack of books. Placing it down we all watched Yearling began to turn the gold binding on the book. Which means this book wasn't a book but a hidden compartment. That was followed by turning the gold plate cover. The three binding popped away like a lock opening to show one of those fucking gold rings we recovered from the pyramids. Oh for fuck sake, this was because of those damn rings again?

“Ah, it's safe.” Yearling said looking relieved and slide it back into her cloak. Dash not missing a chance on getting what she wanted. Decided to strike right then.

“Great, Maybe now would be a great time for me to ask how we could help move the new book along faster. Chop Chop.” All while Yearling was picking up the mess that was her home. When Dash tried to shove her typewriter in front of her. This was met with Yearling rolling her eyes a bit.

“Rainbow Dash, a minute please,” Twilight said already wrapping the mare in magic and dragging her out like a mother cat picking up one of her kittens. The girls taken the hint followed her while I magically began to pick up the books for her.

“It's been a while hasn't it 'Yearling'” I will admit I had a bit of a smug smile.

“It has been 'Princey'” She said firing back.

“I'm guessing you're being chased for the rings this time?”

“You know it.” She said moving over to the same mirror Rarity was looking through but a few moments before as my right ear began to twitch. Turning around I saw three stallions looking at Yearling. The first one was a tan with a bit of stubble on his face. His mane and tell was short and swept back while around his neck was one of those collared scarfs that I've seen up in Canterlot. For when a pony wants to wear something but it not be a full shirt. On top of that, he had an honest to goodness black fedora with a white stripe on his head. His cutie-mark was one of those cartoon punch arts with a light blue exclamation and yellow question mark. The second stallion was light gray wearing one of those wise guy haircuts swept to both sides. On his face was a pair of white-framed shades. He had a white tie, black collar with a purple accent like the first guy and his cutie-mark was the same as the first but minus the two marks and a second punch in the center. The third guy just screamed Irishmen to me as he had a real muddled blue-gray coat and bright orange hair that came down to sideburns. On his was a tan vest and his cutie-mark was a star, spiral, asterisk, and what looks like a pound symbol from a phone. All three of them formed around Yearling like I was fucking invisible. Which was a little odd to me as normally I'm the one targeted, but whatever.

Taking a moment Yearling threw her cloak in the face of the first pony, her hat at the third, and her shade at the second. Who had his shades knocked off and replaced with hers. She then stood there in her normal Daring Do garb. With the ring around her right-wing as she lowered down ready to fight. Right about then, I heard from outside the window, “A.K. Yearling is Daring Do!” Right then the three of them jumped onto Daring Do. Not missing a beat, I rushed forward and slammed my side into the gray one sending him off. Before turning and bucking at the head of the Irish looking one only missing him by a hair. He turned and slammed his head into my side sending me rolling into the wall. What I had missed was Dash coming into the room and grabbed Daring Do's hat.

“Daring Do!” She proclaimed which got both of us to look to see her wave her hat. The three goons taking their chance they jumped on Daring Do and kicked the ring out of her wing sending it towards the door. Right into the hooves of the pony standing there.

“Many thanks, Daring Do. As you've Probably surmised, our earlier search for this treasure was... unsuccessful. So kind of you to find it for us.” The dirty tan stallion wearing an eggshell shirt with a polka dot neckerchief. He had a five o'clock shadow around his muzzle that matches the combed back black mane with a gray streak through it. On his flank was a stylized golden skull with a ruby eye in the right socket.

“Give it back, Caballeron!” Daring said to the newly named stallion.

“That's Doctor Caballeron to you,” Caballeron said sounding royally annoyed.

“So let me guess. Ahulzotl has put you up to this?” Daring said stepping forward as it looked for she wrenched her hoof pretty good. “You're stealing the ring to give to him so his hold on the Fortress of Talacon will be good for eight centuries as foretold by prophecy!” She said growling that last bit probably through the pain.

“Close, but... no.” Caballeron gloated with a smirk as he placed it around his neck that just felt slimy to no end. “I'm going to sell this to him, make a bundle, and retired from archaeology in splendor.”

“Caballeron, you fool! You're dooming the valley to eight centuries of unrelenting heat!” She said trying to stand up as I began to move closer.

“To market, henchponies!” Caballeron said as the four of them dashed off. Moving over I helped Daring onto her hooves. Right then Dash came over and grabbed her bad hoof.

“Are you okay?” She said sounding annoyed.

“I got this,” Daring said swatting Dash away. Right then Fluttershy slowly came up looking shy and worried.

“Um, she was just trying to help, Ms. Do.” She said and if it was any other time I would understand. But right now after distracting us in the middle of a fight like that. I was just as pissed as Daring was.

“Daring Do doesn't need help. She handles her business herself.” She said flying off over the trees. Taking off I flew after her in worry.

“Let's get that leg looked at,” I said catching up with her.

“I said I can handle business myself.” She growled looking at me.

“And I said let's get that leg looked at,” I growled back.

“Fine, but after that, I will go deal with this mess alone.”

“We will see,” I said with a smirk as we landed. Reaching into my saddlebags I pulled out my first aid kit that I started carrying with me as I began to put her leg into a splint.

“So how did you find me?” She asked as I began to magically clean her leg enough with some sanitizer before I placed the splint together.

“The address you sent the book from.” I began to answer. “Then asked the ponies there which way you normally fly in from. From there we just walked through the forest to the only house within.”

“Fair enough Princey.” She said with a smirk.

“I told you not to call me that Do. Before you ask, I haven't told anyone your secret.”

“No, you just lead six annoying mares to my doorstep and put the valley in danger.” She growled.

“In all fairness, I thought you had the rings dealt with and was on a different adventure,” I answered as I finished up tying up her splint. “Regardless their hearts were in the right place as they expect you to just be a writer and not an adventurer.”

“Regardless that light blue one couldn't keep her nose out of it.” She angrily huffed.

“Yeah... Dash has a nasty habit of getting an idea in her head and sticking to it.” I said before laughing a bit hard. “But let me ask this. Is it just the rings we have to out for?”

“Yeah, Ahulzotl has gotten all of the other rings.”

“Wait, even the ring from the Saddleline Pyramids.”

“That's the one Caballeron has.”

“Of course.” I sighed in annoyance. “Then let's go get it back.”

“Daring Do works-”

“With me this time,” I answered giving her a pointed look. “If I have to make it a royal order you know I will.”

“Your not one to pull rank like that, Princey.” She shot back.

“A lot can happen in over five months, and let's just say,” I said before I focused the magic around me and changed into my bipedal form. “I've gotten a few new tricks.” She looked up at me in surprise.

“I didn't see that one coming.” She said stepping back as I magically changed back.

“Not many will see the other tricks coming either,” I said with a grin on my face. “But I need you to give the girls a chance.” With a flick of magic, I opened up a portal to my pocket space to pull out a healing card so I could put it on Daring's leg.

“Fine, I will give them 'A' chance.” She growled at me.

“That's all I can ask. So what's the plan?” I asked.

“I plan to trick Caballeron for the ring back.” She said with a smirk as I applied the magic to her leg.

“And how do you plan to do it?” That's when she pulled out a rather large bag of bits.

“Pay for it.” I couldn't help but chuckle.

“Well for somepony greedy as him. I would be surprised if it didn't work.” With her leg healed up as best I could. We continued on our way and for the most part, it was silent outside of the birds and animals around the forest till we heard some whispering. Some rather familiar whispering if that. Before I could say anything Daring Do jumped towards the voice and I could hear a small scuffle happen. Following after her, I saw Daring Do had jumped on Dash, using her explorers' helmet as her weapons of choice.

“Oh, it's just you,” Daring said sounding annoyed and honestly I couldn't blame her.

“Wait, don't go!” Dash said as Daring stared at her with a sideways glance as Dash kind of bounced in place for a moment. Daring and I began to walk off a bit annoyed as Dash began to talk with herself. We got maybe a good ten feet away from her before Dash popped up in a bush. Which got me to jump in surprise. Geez and I thought Pinkie was the one that pops in out of nowhere. Well, there is Discord and that one time with Twilight. With Dash here, I'm starting to think that everypony has that power. “I am such- a huge fan,” Dash said with a nervous chuckle. Ignoring her Daring continue to walk off and Dash zipped in front of her. “Wait, wait, wait, let me help you. I promise I can be a huge, huge help if you give me a chance.”

“I. Work. Alone.” Daring said giving her an increasing glare.

“Why won't you let me team up with you just this once?” Dash said groveling towards her to the point that I didn't even know ponies could crawl like that. It was a little weird to see, to say the least.

“My work always involves secrets. And since you never know who you can trust, it's best never to trust anypony.” Daring said leaving Dash in the dust.

“Wait then why is Storm here?” She said and I just gave her a flat look.

“Royal Order.” Daring and I said at the same time.

“Wait, that doesn't make sense. It would mean Storm would have known that you were really Daring Do all this time.” Dash said putting two and two together.

“To quote Big Mac, Eeyup,” I said walking with Daring.

“How long have you known?” Dash said getting into my face.

“Long enough,” I said walking past her.

“And he leads you all to me,” Daring growled.

“Not by choice Dash couldn't leave things well enough 'alone' that I was hoping to persuade them to give this up.” I shot back giving said prismatic mare a glare. Who in turn, just turned her head and whistled like she did nothing wrong.

“Regardless, just because you can't trust some, doesn't mean nopony can be trusted! I mean Storm kept your secret!” Dash said getting in front of Daring blocking her path.

“Look, I don't have time to argue-” Daring said before the prismatic pain in our flank interrupted her with.

“Neither do I. Let's go!” She then flew off into the air.

“Does she do that-” Daring tried to say.

“All the time?” Daring nodded. “Yes, just yes.” I sighed as we both walked after her. The rest of the day was quiet as we kept our eyes out for Caballeron. Which ended up after nightfall they stopped for an early dinner. From what we can see they were huddled around a barrow of hay within their makeshift camp, most likely for dinner.

Shadow slide through the shadows of the brush around us to keep an eye on them as Dash, Daring, and I prepared. Correction, Daring and I prepared as Dash would not shut the fuck up gushing over Daring's plan. Daring was covering her muzzle with mud and leaves to make a really fake beard. On top of crushing her hat to look closer to a boat hat. So far the plan was for Daring and me to go out with me wearing my regalia to have her broker the buy for the ring. Granted I was the eye candy here outside of the bag of gold. Once she was ready Daring and I stepped out, with her a few feet in front of me. She dropped the bag of bits before her.

“I am lead to believe that you have an item of importance, that my employer would be willing to pay handsomely for,” Daring said as Caballeron and his three goons zipped up to the bag of bits drooling for.

“Well I did already have another buyer lined up for it, but since they aren't already here. I suppose I could sell it to-” was all Caballeron got out before we heard the rumble followed by the sight of a few trees being tippled over as all of us saw the large fuzzy blue monstrosity that is Ahuizotl.

“Caballeron!” He roared.

“Ahuizotl.” Both Daring and I whispered as our eyes narrowed towards him. Pulling his tail hand around holding it open.

“The Ring!” Caballeron gasping, ran off after Ahuizotl roared at him. Dropping the ring as he dashed off with the bag of bits. Daring and Ahuizotl looked at the ring, then each other before Daring jumped grabbing the ring removing her disguise. “The ring, Daring Do! Give it to me!”

Daring grinned as she placed the ring around her neck. “Now Ahuizotl, you know I love you, but I can't give you the right 'til I've properly proposed.” She said with a smirk on her face.

“Oh, that cheeky bitch.” I said grinning as slowly moved closer, all while Ahuizotl lightly chuckled.

“Interesting, because my friends here have a proposal for their owns,” Ahuizotl said before his tail snapped and four large cats jumped out followed by a little white kitten. All of them growling and the latter most hissing at Daring.

“It's a shame that their proposal is going to have to be rejected,” I commented behind them. That got all five cats and Ahuizotl.

“You!” He growled before stopped for a moment. “Do I know you from somewhere?”

“Let's just say the last time you saw me, we were in the world's largest litter box,” I said with a smirk as I reached up with my own claw. “But since then I've gotten a few new tricks.” With a snap, Shadow sent all five cats flying with five matching shadow fists that flung up from their shadows. Ahuizotl growled before leaving at me. With a smirk, I rolled back and as he almost landed on me. I used my hooves to carry his momentum past me into a nearby tree. “Guess the tree's bark was worse than its bite... or was it.” With another snap. The tree itself came to life and bit down dark on Ahuizotl's tail as he had slid to the ground. Turning I saw Daring was fighting off the cats. I was about to help before I heard Dash, turning towards her I saw that she was waving Daring Hat around asking if she wanted her hat back. That's when I made my biggest mistake that evening. I felt something hit the side of my neck. Reaching up I pulled out what looked like a dart. With my adrenaline pumping as it was the dart rushed through my veins rather quickly. Which didn't leave me much time but to say. “Son of a bi-” before the world faded from view with a thump.

***---***

When everything decided to come back into focus or when I was woken up. I found myself laid off to the side with Twilight standing over me as she ran a hoof over my forehead as her horn was aglow. The worst part of getting darted like that was the impact to the head from falling to the ground was the pounding headache. With a little help, Twilight helped me up to a sitting position.

“Can somepony explain what I missed after I blacked out?” I said holding a hoof to my forehead just under my horn. From what I was told after I was knocked out, Dash was captured which put Daring in the position of getting captured. Instead of going after her, Dash sulked over Daring being captured because of her. “Are you fucking kidding me?!” I growled.

“Storm, calm down,” Twilight said as I was staring daggers at Dash.

“Not this time,” I said slowly getting to my hooves. “What were you thinking Dash?”

“I... I just wanted to make my hero proud.” She said backing up from me.

“Proud! So acting like a completely goofball like you were drunk on fermented cider is how you act proud?!” Dash stared at me in fear and shame as I was rounding on her.

“No, I just... I was.” She tried to say.

“Storm, leave her alone sugar cube.” Applejack said getting between Dash and me.

“It's because it's Daring Do!” Dash blurted out. I stared at her for a moment before I face hoofed.

“Are you kidding me?” I said before snapping my fingers and I took my bipedal form. Getting up on my hooves I eyed her. “Regardless of how high on a pedestal you put someone you've got to be able to keep it together.”

“How did you do it?” Dash snapped at me.

“Because regardless of how high you all were with me. When the chips were down, I knew I had to get my head in the game. Just like when we went through the dream realm and I had to go through each one of your nightmares. I got beaten, battered, and bloody but I was there in the fray with the rest of you. So it's time to get your head out of your flank and get the job down.” I said cracking my clawed knuckles.

“What do you mean by that?” Twilight asked.

“We've got a pony to recuse and a curse to stop.”

“How do you plan to do that?” Dash asked and all I could do is grin.

“Well, Daring Do normally does things alone. This time, she's going to have a bit of help.” That got all of them to smile. Well outside of Fluttershy who continued to look worried. We all headed towards the temple. The jungle around us was much like any other tropical jungle the closer we got to the temple. As we descended into the valley that housed the temple we found some of the trees broken in half. Either by a large blow or pushed out of the way by something much larger. My guess was Ahuizotl shoving his way through. Twilight trotted up closer to me.

“So what is the plan?” She asked.

“Play keep away from with one of the rings. As long as one ring is missing they can't complete the curse. I will fight Ahuizotl myself as I'm one of the few that can hold him off.” I said as we continued to move forward.

“But last time you were knocked out.”

“I think I was darted.” I shot back with a grin. “There was a sharp pain and the last time that happened I was paralyzed.” She eyed me.

“You were, lucky I kept a medkit in our supplies.”

“Well, we did make sure everything was triple checked. But regardless the question left is what should we do with the rings after this?” I asked.

“If they are as dangerous as they say. Then I think we should take them back to Canterlot.” She said.

“And give them to the regent of the sun? No thank you.” I said with a growl.

“What is your problem between you and Princess Celestia?” She asked.

“I don't trust her. Time after time, she's just made it clear that I can't trust her. Especially when I blunder into one of her little secrets and she flips out about it. Then there was the whole bet between her and me. If she won she want me to follow every order to a T. Does that sound like someone who wants to be treated as an equal?” I asked and that got her to stop and think. After a bit, she continued walking up next to me again.

“What do you plan to do?”

“I plan to have a backup plan, as I fear things between us are going to grow more before it can get better.” That got Twilight to look worried.

“What was that thing I saw in some of those doomsday stories about leaving?” She asked.

“An exit plan and I may have to start planning one. But that is a question to deal with after this.” I said as we get to the bottom of the large set of steps. The temple itself looked much like an Aztec or maybe an equally old-style temple. “Dash, you try to find Daring and this time. Keep your head out of your flank.”

“You got it,” Dash said flying off around the side of the temple.

“Alright, if I had to guess right about now big blue and tri-handed in there is probably setting up a ceremony to put the final ring on. I think you five should play keep away with it and I will take on the boss himself.”

“And why should you take on the big fella?” Applejack said giving me the stink eye.

“Well I don't like getting cheap shot-ed and I think it's time for some old fashion payback with interest.” Grinning like a mad man as I clinched my right claw so much you can hear the metal creek from it.

“Fair enough.” She said as we all moved up the stairs towards the entrance. You know for a 'temple' the layout was surprising forward much like the pyramids back in Saddle Arabia. We could hear the rhythmic pounding of wood on stone. Most likely spears or staffs from the sound since it was more a light thump compared to a heavier thud. The closer we got the louder it did till we leaned into a lit room to see warrior like earth ponies against the walls pounding their spears in some kind of ceremony. We watched as Ahuizotl moved towards this spire that had the other rings on it. Meaning this was the last ring and we would need to stop him here. “Drop the ring, Ahui... whatever your name is!” As Applejack said that I slid back and decided to have Shadow move me to above the room. Where I slowly stuck my face out enough to see. In that time the girls had gotten the ring away from Ahuizotl's guards for a game of keep away. All while Dash and Daring do begin to take rings off the spire. As soon his back was turned away, I landed behind him and grabbed his tail. With one powerful tug, I threw Ahuizotl out of the room and far enough out of the temple onto the steps. Running after I stopped at the time of the stairs as Ahuizotl was able to stop his descent.

“Surprise,” I said grinning as I crossed my arms and stood with my legs wide enough to look imposing to him.

“Who are you?” Ahuizotl growled which only had me laughing. I raised my hand up and swiped it over my face as Shadow began to from cover.

“Your worst nightmare,” I growled as the mask didn't block my gaze or hinder it as my eyes began to glow. Shadow formed a gauntlet over my left arm as a flash of orange went through my right claws extended over twice their length and just as sharp. “Do you think you have what it takes to take me on?”

“You think you have some laughter jokes, well let me sho-” was all I let him get out before rushed forward planting my left fist into his chest and sent him flying. Then focused magic into my right claw I slashed through the air sending blades of magic towards him. He recovered faster than I expected as he looked up and saw the magic flying at him. Using his tail he grabbed a nearby tree and pulled himself away from the attack. He then grabbed a branch and swung around and launched himself up. Then jumped from it towards me, with a swish of magic through my claw I shot a pillar of rock up to catch him. He was able to adjust his landing and jumped off it. Inhaling, I fired two fireballs out of my mouth at him. Connecting they sent him flying back onto the rock and patted his fur down that was lightly singed. “Too hot for you?” I said grinning as I readied myself. Jumping down behind the pillar, I watched as the base of it cracked before it came down towards me. Shadow shot out from my shadow and formed a giant hand and pushed back. With a grin, an orange flame engulfed my right arm as it turned into Samus Aran's arm cannon as if it was attached to my prosthetic. Focusing magic into it, I watched as the end of it looked like it was charging. Pointing it at the stone I fired as I felt a mass of magic leave me in one shot and fired forward in a yellow ball of energy. Shadow moved in time as it struck the chunk of rock and shattered it. The blast sent the remains of it towards Ahuizotl pegging him. It looked like the hit took a bit out of him as the ground began to rumble. We turned to see the temple began to shake rather hard as I watched guards and the girls leave the temple before it fell to pieces. “Looks like we will have to have this dance another time with that I will have to bid thee adu.” I gave a bow as I sunk into my own shadow.

“Curse you Daring Do!” I heard Ahuizotl bellow as I reappeared over the rubble on a cliff. With a snap of my fingers, I used my chaotic magic all of the buried rings began flying out of the rumble. With a swish of my hands in a circle. Each ring flew into the invisible portal including the shards of the last ring that I believe Daring Do broke.

“Why did you want them?” Moon asked.

“I want to see if I can either reforge the metal and magic into a different form. If not that, then drain the magic into my arm to use for later.” I answered as my prosthetic returned back to normal as I rejoined the girls in the forest. “So did we have fun on our Daring Adventure?”

“It was a hoot.” Applejack said as Pinkie was just bouncing around repeating fun over and over again.

“It wasn't what I expected but Daring wasn't my cup of tea.” Rarity said.

“I can not believe it, we just had a Daring Do Adventure.” Twilight was squeeing as she was ready to bounce around like Pinkie. Fluttershy was just smiling, probably scared to comment.

“Dash should be here shortly and then we will head home,” I said looking up towards the sky as I saw Daring fly away. It took a bit of time to get Twilight and Dash moving. The way home was filled with the girls going over the adventure while we followed Pinkie's painted line back all the way to the nearby sky docks where we had a ship waiting for us. The whole time I was silent for the most part and even as we were sailing through the sky back towards Canterlot. I was rethinking a few things, mainly my backup plan. With some input from both Shadow and Moon, we began to hash it out. So far we had at least a few hurdles to overcome. Which we were going to need help with. Lucky for us, we were on our way to Canterlot and I had a princess of the moon I needed to have a word with. With a grin on my face and the first few steps to iron out on the way. This was going to be interesting, to say the least.

-End of Chapter.-

Author's Note

It seems that good old Storm is back from his universe hopping trip. But rest assure this won't be his only trip into another universe. But when will that happen, you'll have to read and find out. As for this chapter seems that it has come full circle on Storm's Pinkie promise not to reveal A.K. Yearling to be Daring Do unless they found out naturally. Which granted it's a bit of a stretch but Daring Do didn't set specifics. But now this question is, what is Storm's back up plan regarding Celestia? Only one way to find out.

Stay Frosty My Friends