It was a beautiful day in Ponyville, just like any other.

That's what a certain pony noticed as she entered the village. A mare who was doing a good job at keeping herself inconspicuous. She didn't want to draw attention to herself.

She looked around at the relaxed ponies. Each going about their day, content with their life.

So peaceful. She thought. So...boring.

She wasn't the type that sat around, waiting for something to happen, she made it happen. She didn't run and hide when danger and adventure called, she charged head first into it.

She has done so many, many times. If she had her away, she would do so many more times.

-KNOCK KNOCK

"Coming." A purple Alicorn called.

This Alicorn was non other than Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Magic and librarian of Ponyville.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle." A voice greeted.

Before Twilight could wave away formalities, she realized the mare before her.

The mare was wearing a purple shawl that nearly covered her entire body. A grey cloche type hate and large, heavy-red framed spectacles.

The mare was non other than A.K Yearling.

A.K.A. Daring Do.

"Come in." Twilight ushered the mare inside. "Can I get you anything, tea or something."

"No thanks, I'm not here for a friendly visit." She stated.

Twilight was taken off guard by the mares abruptness. Ever since her ascension to princess, ponies have been cow-towing around her. Yet this mare acted as if she were just another pony.

Though her books do mention her interacting with a lot of important ponies. Twilight reasoned. She's probably used to being around royalty.

"What can I do for you then?" Twilight asked.

"The Castle of the Two Sisters, you've been." A.K stated

"Yes." Twilight answered. "So have the other Elements of Harmony."

"But there has been no proper excavations." A.k. stated.

"Sadly no." The Alicorn agreed. "The ponies are too superstitious to enter the Everfree forest."

This is getting perfect! Daring thought.

Even she had heard of the accursed forest. The legends and rumors that surrounded, it only made the forest more appealing to her.

Not just some boring excavation. She mentally cheered.

As she began relishing the trip, something moved in the corner of her eye.

She turned to see a scaled, purple tail with green barbs. It was at least a three feet long.

"Princess, are you alone?" A.K asked in a hushed voice.

Twilight followed the mare's gaze before understanding dawned.

"Oh, well uh..."

A.K Yearling noticed how the Alicorn began to fidget. She took it one way, the wrong way.

"I'll take care of it."

Before Twilight could object, the mare had discarded her disguise. A.K Yearling was gone, Daring Do stood in her place.

"No, you don't..." Twilight tried to talk, but Daring Do was a mare of action.

The Pegasus had pulled out her lasso and threw tossed it towards the tail. As it tightened around her target, she was rewarded with a squeal of shock. With a single hard yank, coming from years of practice, she pulled her target out.

Much to her surprise, her target was a dragon!

He had to have been seven hooves long, not including his tail. His tail was an additional four hooves in length and two wide. His wings were sprawled out, measuring at least an equal eight, from tip to tip. Even the claws had to be at least three inches long, and a whole inch wide.

Quickly coming over her shock, she addressed the dragon.

"Who are you, what are you doing here?"

Before Daring could get an answer, she was forced off the dragon. A magical aura from Twilight was holding her off the ground.

"He lives here!" The Alicorn answered. "Spike, are you okay?"

"Fine Twi." He answered.

"You live with a dragon!" Daring exclaimed.

She had seen a lot of things on her adventures, but this took the cake.

"Yes, this is Spike, my number one assistant." Twilight stated proudly.

The overgrown dragon gave a shy wave of his massive claws.

"That's right, you hatched him." Daring stated from her foggy memory. "I read about it, but it say's he's a baby dragon."

Twilight seemed to be uncomfortable with the statement, while Spike seemed sad. Daring realized that she had struck a sore topic for the duo.

"Yes, well Spike is technically a baby by dragon standards, he's just had a bit of a growth spurt." Twilight explained. "He even grew a pair of wings."

"Well, I apologize for my rudeness." The mare bowed.

She was in the town, he could feel it.

He didn't know why, or care. Just knowing that she was here was enough of a reason for him to be.

"Whatever you're searching for Daring Do." He began "I shall find it! Then I shall find you and have my revenge!"

His followers had a different thought pattern. Where'ever Daring Do went, some adventure always appeared. Whenever there's adventure, treasure always followed.

Once the ponies and dragon had settled the matter, they made their way to the living room. Daring Do had dawned her disguise and became A.K Yearling again.

"So why do you want to know about the castle?" Twilight asked. "Most ponies would be put off with just the rumors."

"I plan on doing a personal excavation of the place." Yearling answered.

"Oh, you'll need a guide." Twilight stated.

"No, I work alone." The Pegasus stated.

"Didn't you learn that help could be useful, even if unwanted, after our last encounter?" Twilight asked skeptically.

Daring had the decency to blush at the Alicorn's statement. That had not been one of her proudest moments.

But it had been a best seller in her book.

Who knows, I could probably use the assistance. She reasoned.

"Okay, when can we leave?" Yearling asked, eager.

"Oh uh, I can't go." Twilight answered "I'm busy with my studies."

The Alicorn motioned to a tower of books that sat behind them. The Pegasus was actually put off with the sheer amount of books the mare intended to read.

"Well I can just get one of the other Elem-"

"I'm sorry, but they're busy with their day jobs." Twilight spoke. "If you're willing to wait-"

"I'm sorry, but I've never been a patient mare." Yearling stated "I'll find my own way."

"Even if you do, the castle is like a maze!" Twilight panicked. She could get hurt!

"All the better." Yearling cheered.

Gotta think Twilight, gotta think! She looked around for an answer, but her eyes only fell on her books and dragon. That's it!

"Spike can go with you!" She gushed.

"Spike do what now?" The dragon spoke.

"Yeah, you've been to the Castle just as much as I have." Twilight reasoned. "You know the safest roots and how to avoid the traps in the castle."

"...Can I speak to you in the other room?" Spike spoke.

He didn't give the Alicorn a chance to answer, he just grabbed her and pulled.

A.K Yearling wasn't a nosy pony, but the others didn't go far. Spike and Twilight had only gone to the kitchen, a room with no doors.

"Are you crazy Twi?" Spike asked harshly.

"Spike, you've been in this library for months." Twilight spoke "Months!"

This statement caused Spike to lower his voice in depression.

"You know I don't have a choice." Spike mumbled.

Ever since Spike had his growth spurt, he had been confined to the library. Not leaving unless absolutely necessary.

"Please Spike, it's not healthy." Twilight begged. "Do it for me."

The dragon wanted to say no, but the mare before him was persistent. She wouldn't let up unless he went outside.

"Fine." He relented.

The two had set off for the castle immediately.

A.K Yearling usually didn't draw attention to herself, but for some reason ponies couldn't take their eyes off her. As she stared back, she saw that it wasn't her they were watching.

It was Spike.

"Any reason these ponies won't take their eyes off you?" A.K asked.

Spike didn't answer, but she could tell it was bothering him. The dragon was doing his best to keep his head down, hoping ponies would ignore him. He wasn't able to put on a disguise like Daring Do.

A dragon among ponies. She mentally stated.

"What do you say we take to the sky?" A.K asked. "Avoid all of these wondering eyes."

"I...can't fly." Spike shamefully admitted.

He flexed his large wings, but they sat their uselessly.

"...You can run right?" The mare asked.

"What?"

"Let's run." She offered. "The sooner we get out of here is the sooner I can take off this disguise and you can get out of public sight."

The offer did appeal to the dragon.

"Sure."

Spike and the Pegasus took off, Spike on two legs and Yearling on four.

It was actually a hilarious sight t behold. Spike's frame made him hunch over and his wings flared comically around the area.

Because of the awkwardness of his running, Daring couldn't run as fast as she wanted. She had to hold back so she wouldn't leave her 'guide' in the dust.

One of the reasons I work alone. She thought.

The duo ran for a good five minutes, but they didn't get far.

"Wow, you're terrible at this." A.K stated.

"I haven't run in months." Spike stated as he struggled for air.

"No, that's not it." She stated. "You just recently got these wings, right?"

"Yes."

She moved to where he stood and studied him. Moving to his backside, she pushed him over so that he was on his stomach.

"Your wings are pushing you down, changing your body into a four legged creature." She explained. "Try running now."

"But I've always walked on two legs, not four."

"Look at the job you've done so far." She teased.

With a roll of his eyes he corrected his posture for running on all four.

This time Spike didn't stop after five minutes, or even ten. He was running at a proper speed Daring do could actually enjoy.

They ran all they way to the Everfree forest.

"The Castle of the Two Sisters." He stated in wonder. "Of course!"

"What's there?" A pony asked.

The beast, not a pony, looked at the stallion. The pony cowed under the gaze of his boss.

The beast turned to his 'pets'. "Soon, soon I shall have complete control of you, your brethren and ever other living soul!"

They had stopped long enough to catch their second, third for Spike, wind before entering.

A.K. had taken this time to remove her disguise and become Daring Do again.

Spike took this time to observe her. She was almost an exact replica of Rainbow Dash, with the same body, eye color and hair style. The only differences were that her fur was a khaki brown, her mane grey and her Cutie Mark was of a Compass rose.

"We'll be taking the most used path." Spike spoke. "Near Zecora's hut."

"That's the safest way?" Daring asked.

"Yes." Spike answered.

"Then let's take another route." Daring spoke.

"What?" The dragon prayed he had misheard.

"Let's take a root that other ponies don't." She stated eagerly "Maybe the route most ponies go missing on, maybe we can find out why?"

"Why?"

The mare looked at the dragon, as if shocked by the question itself.

"For the thrill of course!" She exclaimed. "Why do you think I do any of the thing I do?"

It took Spike a second to understand what she was talking about. It was her special talent, a part of her very nature.

To ask her, or any pony, to go against that would be ridiculous. It was like asking a bird not to fly, a fish not to swim, a predator not to hunt.

"Fine." He caved. Could be interesting.

"Just like that?" She asked in disbelief.

Spike didn't answer, he just made his way into the woods at random.

When Spike chose a direction at random, it was really random. He had no idea where he was, nothing looked remotely familiar to him.

He told Daring Do, it only excited her more.

To keep himself calm, he began a conversation with the mare. She was shocked to learn that he was a fan of her book.

"So, why do you do it?" Spike asked "Aside from your Cutie mark, why do you explore the unknown?"

It took the dragon a moment to realize that the mare was no longer beside him. She had stopped and her eyes were glazed over.

"It's who I am." She answered. "To go where sane, even insane, ponies fear to tread. It's that feeling you get when you stand on the edge." She continued as began walking in a daze. "That feeling from your Cutie mark, reminding you of your purpose. An impulse, like a never ending itch, telling you to go on, go over." The dazed look was replaced with a excitement. "I've never turned from my path, because it always leads me to my destination."

Spike followed her line of sight and his eyes widened.

They were at the Castle of the Two Sisters. It looked the same as it did when Spike first laid his eyes on it.

Daring Do ran forward the the edge of the chasm the held the castle. She looked off the edge with eyes full of wonder. Spike noticed this just before they glazed over again.

"Are you okay?" Spike asked, a little worried.

"It's back." She answered.

"What?"

"The urge, telling me to go over." She began tapping her hoofs on the edge's corner. "To go over, over, over."

"The urge from your Cutie mark." Spike stated.

"No, even deeper this time." She spoke. "Come over, stand beside me."

Spike shook his head as he spoke. "It's not very safe, the land around here is very unstable."

As if to prove his point, the ledge exactly opposite of them crumbled to the ground.

"That's what make is exciting." She sighed.

With just a moment's hesitation, Spike joined her.

He slowly looked over the edge of the chasm, to the ground. The sight caused his eyes to nearly jump out of his head, they were up high.

The dragon was about to jump back until he felt a hoof. Daring Do had placed it under his chin, forcing him to look up.

He looked to where she was forcing him to, towards openness.

"It's not just a feeling this time, it's so much more than my Cutie mark." She began. "It goes deeper, into the very blood of any and all winged creatures." She gave Spike a once over. "Even if they can't act on it."

"The urge to fly." Spike answered shamefully.

"Tell me Spike, with wings like that you should be able to fly to Canterlot and be back in time for supper." She stated as she marveled at his useless appendages. "What's holding you back?"

The phrasing of the question confused Spike. "Holding me back?"

"I've been been across Equestria many time." Daring stated "No pony, griffin or even a dragon can't do something unless they're being held back."

"I don't know what you mean." He honestly answered.

The mare kept her eyes on the dragon for a few seconds before sighing, but not in defeat. Daring Do doesn't do defeat.

"Do you know where the urge comes from?" She asked, eyes full of mischief. "The urge to fly."

"From the urge to jump?" Spike guessed.

"No, from the urge to fall." She whispered as she tossed herself over.

Spike watched as she fell over, shocked by her action. It took him a moment to remember that she was a Pegasus, that she could fly.

Daring Do relished the sensation of free falling to the ground. She allowed herself a moment all flying creatures could enjoy, absolute freedom.

Spike took the stairs.

He continued watching the mare, now with the dragon.

If he knows, if he can use them, then he could be a threat! He thought frantically.

"Boss." A lackey spoke.

"Not now!" He snapped before mumbling to himself. "Need to think."

"But boss!"

The creature turned his gaze towards the cowering pony. He was used to this, many cowed before him. But this time the pony cowed for another.

He turned his gaze to follow the ponies line of sight.

He met a pair of glowing white eyes and understood, they were being watched.

The two made their way inside the castle in silence, taking in the ancient and once forgotten palace.

Spike took the mare to the throne room, where the Two Sisters once sat as equal.

"What do you want to see?" Spike asked.

"I don't know." She answered, looking around.

"I can show you the library or music room." Spike offered. "Or maybe I can..."

"No!" Daring stated firmly.

"What?" Spike was shocked by her sudden outburst.

"Those are places you and the other six have been." She explained. "Aren't their places that you haven't seen to yet?"

There in fact plenty that they haven't been into, plenty still hidden. It was a big castle, full of traps and secret passages.

What caught Spike's attention was Daring's own since of un directed drive. It was as if she were searching for a memory she never had. Looking for answers to a question unasked.

"What are you looking for here?" Spike asked, full of suspicion.

The Pegasus turned a hard eye to the dragon as she stopped her frantic searching. It was obvious she was reluncted to speak. Spike wasn't even sure if she had an answer for herself.

"I don't know." She sighed. "I don't usually head for places that has already had visitors like this one had." She saw Spike's face. "Places that's already been explored, even if it's by one pony. I've always been driven to be the first, if not only, explorer in an expedition."

"What do you think you'll find here?"

"Knowledge." She answered. "Knowledge or secrets of ponies long since forgotten. Things that can be brought to the light of this new age, this new world."

Spike looked at the mare as she answered. It was so much like an answer that Twilight would have given.

Always seeking knowledge. He thought.

"There's one place." Spike began, only to pause.

"Yeah." She urged on.

"There's one place that none of the other's could get inside." Spike began uneasily, as if he regretted opening his mouth. "It's immune to both Unicorn and Alicorn magic and impervious to Earth pony strength."

"Well what are we waiting for?" Daring asked, ready to take off in any direction.

Spike began rubbing his neck sheepishly as he looked from her eyes.

"I don't know where it is. All I know is that it has a dragon painted on it." He answered. "Twilight just mentioned it once and that was it."

Daring saw that Spike was a little downhearted about not being able to help more. It was actually the thing that made her happy, they could get lost in an ancient castle.

"Let's get moving."

He stood before the door, the horrid door. It was all that stood between him and his destiny, the destiny he was denied by that mare.

No matter how much force he used, the blasted door wouldn't give away.

I have to get inside this door! He mentally scream, outside he roared.

He knew it was the door to what he was searching for. It was enchanted and hidden from the other paths. It even had the symbol of the beast that created what he needed.

If only I could find a way inside!

He continued beating on the door.

He knew it was futile, there was only one way to open the door. The problem was, he didn't know what that method was.

"Do you have any idea where you're going?' Daring asked.

"I'm taking us to Princess Celestia's room." Spike answered. "I'm sure we can find a clue to where this secret room is."

"That's some good reasoning." Daring admitted. "You'd probably make a decent adventurer."

The prospect brought a smile to Spike's face.

They arrived at a large door with the sun emblem on it, Celestia's symbol. A little further down and one could see Luna's, her moon emblem displayed for all.

Once they entered, they were greeted with a room fit for royalty. The room was large and spacious, filled with furniture and other items. Even though the room was remarkable, it had a humble air to it.

There was just one thing that ruined the whole regal appearance.

A huge warning sign on one of the doors. There were four latches on the door, obviously the old version of a lock.

Do not enter if thou wishes to remain innocent!

"Remain innocent?" Spike asked out loud.

"Well nothing says 'interesting' like a warning sign." Daring stated.

Against the dragon's protest, the mare began raising the latch.

"It's obviously meant to keep something inside!" The dragon tried to reason.

"And we're going to let it out." She countered. "Besides, if a few latches can hold it back, then we should be able to take it."

As soon as the mare removed the last latch, the door flew open. Inside was nothing but darkness, that itself was pretty unnerving.

"Nothing to see here, let's go!" The dragon spoke, making his way to the door.

"You are not Celestia?" A disembodied voice spoke.

Spike and Daring Do stopped in there stride to the door. They turned to the door, there was nothing there.

"We're her friends." Spike stated, hoping it was friendly.

"Do you want our love?" It asked.

There was nothing there, but the voice was coming from the 'empty' room.

"Um, no." Spike answered.

A large, pink tentacle flew from the darkness. It wrapped it'self around one of Spike's front claw, another his right. A second pair grabbed his legs from under him.

The tentacles hefted the dragon into the air and spread his limbs, exposing his body.

"You will have our love!" It hissed.

"...I don't like where this is going." He whimpered.

"Spike!" Daring shouted. "We need to get out of here!"

Spike turned to see that the mare was in the same predicament as he was.

"Any ideas?" He asked.

"You're a dragon!" She shouted as if it were obvious. "Burn it!"

"Uh, I..." He hesitated.

"Do it!"

"I can't!" He wailed.

"Try!" She snapped.

Spike inhaled as deeply as his lung would allow. As he did, he reached for the source of his fire.

He released it.

Out came a flicker of green fire, the rest was smoke.

Daring do couldn't hold it in, even in such a dire situation. She began laughing at the dragon's misfortune, even as he hung his head in shame.

It seemed that the creature in the darkness agreed with her. It began making a shaking sound, she assumed it was amused.

Spike had had enough of the laughing.

Looking for an escape, he found his tail was still free.

He wrapped his tail around the nearest object, a stool. With decent aim and force, he through it into the darkness where the thing was. There was a crash of impact and a hiss, he had hit the beast.

But the creature hadn't let up.

"Furniture won't save you from our love." It spoke.

As it spoke, it began rubbing more tentacles onto the dragon and mare. One got to close to Spike's face, the dragon opened it's maw and slammed it shut.

The bite must have stunned the creature, because the tentacles had lightened enough for Spike and Daring Do to pull free.

As soon as he could stand, Spike grabbed the closest and biggest piece of furniture he could. It had happened to be the royal bed.

They had been moving in silence for a while, it was getting on Daring's last nerve. This is one of the reasons she never liked having a partner, they couldn't get over mistakes.

"What do you know about this place?" Daring asked, hoping to change the mood. "The dark stories and things like that?"

"Just one." Spike spoke. "The Pony of Shadows."

They had passed an open window that had shown them the full moon. It didn't surprise them at how late it was, not after all the stops and detours they made. It reminded him of a story Applejack had told him. He decided to sit under it for added affects.

"The Pony of what?" Daring Do asked, disappointed at a possible campfire story.

"When Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon, her sister banished her." He paused to get his thoughts right. "A part of her didn't go; instead, it became one with the darkness." He looked towards the moon. "Only on a full moon can it take form, but those who see it are never heard from again."

"That's just a campfire story with too many holes in it." She stated "It's obviou-Ahh!"

Not many things could scare Daring Do, to do so was quite a feat.

But when faced with what she saw, it was worth more than a simple scream.

Spike was on his feet and turned around in a heart beat. He looked for what scared the mare, only to be frightened himself.

At the end of the tunnel, by an moon lit window was the source. It was a mass of shadow, constantly shifting. Only one thing stayed consistent about the entity, a pair of glowing white eyes.

The creature looked at them and blinked once before turning away. It looked back at them, nudged it's head, then sprinted off.

"What?" Spike asked in shock.

"I think it want's us to follow." Daring stated.

"What!"

"Let's go!" She charged.

"What!"

"It's gone!" The mare screamed in frustration.

"Y-you know..." Spike gasped, out of breath. "Most ponies run away f-from dark entities."

Spike doesn't know what had possessed him to run after the mare, but he did. Even if he was afraid, he couldn't bring himself to abandon some pony.

With a huff, the mare stood up. As she leaned on a wall, she never noticed it slowly sink in. Under her hooves, the floor gave way.

Spike watched in shock as the mare fell through a hole in the wall that appeared from nowhere.

Daring Do, being the mare she was wasn't put off by a secret passage. She had been, and probably will be, caught in many of them. After awhile, she became so used to them that she didn't think, just acted.

She instantly spread her wings, only to realize it was too cramped. No problem! She grabbed her lasso threw it at the entrance, hoping to catch something.

The lasso caught Spike around his neck, similar to a noose. Without any warning or chance to brace himself, he felt the lurch. It was too much for him to handle, so it pulled him down into the tunnel as well.

Daring Do was the first to recover from the order.

The first thing she noticed was that there was a large dragon laying on top of her. The second thing was that she was in pain.

"Uhg..." Spike groaned as he rolled over. "Take my head off why don't you."

"A big, bad dragon like you can't take the weight of a little mare like me?" Daring asked, through her own groan.

Little? He thought to himself.

Spike stood on all fours and began stretching, trying to make sure nothing was wrong. Everything seems to be in order. He thought.

He looked to Daring Do to see that she hadn't moved from her position. Spike began to panic, he had forgotten that he was no longer as small as he used to be.

"Are you..."

"My left wing is broken." Daring stated. "Two cracked ribs...and a sprained hoof."

"Oh buck, we need to get you to a doctor." Spike frantically paced.

He began reaching for the mare when she waved him away.

"I can just cast it up, I've done it plenty of times."

Spike watched in amazement as she picked herself up and began walking as if nothing was wrong, minus the limp. Daring began picking random things up, pieces of wood and cloths. He would offer to help, but she didn't take it. She began making a makeshift splint for her broken wing.

"Now, where were we?" She asked.

"Incredible." He whispered.

Spike was entranced at the mare before him. She had shown bravery, wisdom and now strength! He was beginning to understand Rainbow Dash's near obsession with the mare.

Daring Do herself was breathless, but for a different matter.

"Spike, look."

The basement that they had fallen into wasn't a basement at all, it was another hallway. She turned her gaze back to the dragon and froze.

"What?" He asked in confusion.

"Spike." Daring spoke slowly. "Try not to panic."

As soon as the words had left her mouth, he became uneasy. There was a look in her eyes, the eyes that were focused on something behind him. He suddenly became aware of a presence right behind him.

"It's right behind me, isn't it?"

The Pegasus nodded.

Whatever Spike was expecting, it was not for the Shadow pony to walk pass him. It didn't even give him, nor Daring, a second glance from it's glowing eyes.

The two watched it's every move as it came to a door, a door with the symbol of a dragon on it.

It finally turned to them and began motioning to it.

"You...want us to go in?" Daring asked.

The shadowy creature nodded.

"How do we get inside?"

The creature raised it's head towards a line of words that hung on the door frame

At night they come without being fetched, And by day they are lost without being stolen.
.

"It's a riddle!" Daring realized. "Spike, what do you think the answer is?" She asked only to receive silence. "Spike?"

"Huh?"

Daring Do turned her attention to the dragon.

The creature had been still, eyes on the dragon. This made Spike uneasy for obvious reasons. He hadn't taken his eyes off it, even to read the riddle.

"The riddle." She spoke.

Spike finally tore his eyes from the shadowy creature and looked at the riddle. He knew what the answer was, so he spoke.

"Stars."

A loud, unhinging sound could be heard from behind the doors. Soon the doors swung open with a loud creak, as if they were in a serious need of an oiling.

"How did you guess it on the first try?" Daring asked.

Spike looked bashful with a hint of sadness.

"I spend a lot of time inside the library, so when Twilight leaves, I just read." He explained. "I've come across this riddle from Princess Luna's...older books."

Daring had to admit she was impressed with the dragon, as well as sad.

She noticed something was off, the shadow pony was still there. It had never budged, even after the door had opened.

"Spike, why is it still staring at you?"

"It's not." A voice spoke from behind, "It's staring at me!"

Then, all went black for the dragon and mare.

Daring was the first to recover from her sudden leap into the dream world. She was used to being knocked unconscious, there was a chance she was building a tolerance.

"Uhg, what hit me?" She asked drowsily.

She tried to rub the sore spot where she was sure a bump was growing, but couldn't. She inwardly groaned when she saw that she had been tied up. Who ties a pony up with their own lasso?!

"That would be me." An arrogant voice spoke.

The mare turned her attention towards a face she was familiar with.

"Caballeron." She hissed.

"That's Dr. Caballeron!" He snapped before calming himself. "You two have my thanks, if not for you two, we'd still be trying to open the door.

Daring turned to see Spike, chained just as she was. He's faking! She could see that his breathing was uneven, especially for a person that was unconscious. Smart.

"What are you after this time?" She asked. "The treasure of the Two Sisters?"

It looked as if the pony was going to say 'Yes', but was cut off by another

"No, Daring." It spoke. "What we're after is far better than any gold or gems."

"Ahuizotl" Daring spoke calmly. "I thought I lost you after our last scuffle."

"Yes well, did you really think I'd be defeated that easily?" He asked smugly.

"Yes." She answered innocently. Need to keep him talking.

He raised his arm as if he were going to smack her for her comment, but held himself. He had to admit he was impressed that she hadn't even flinch from his action.

"You know Daring, I will actually thank you." He spoke, gaining a raised eyebrow. "Thank you for giving me the key to all!"

He motioned towards several stone walls that had been behind him. On them were what looked like chicken scratch to Daring Do, but something told her it was much worse.

"Well, get on with your monologue." Daring spoke. "Tell how this wall will do-whatever!" She sighed. "Just make it good, this might be an important part for my next book."

"Oh Daring, you actually think you'll live long enough to make a book." He chuckled.

"I always do."

"Fine, I shall humor you." He spoke. "Have you ever wondered why I have always been able to command cats to do my bidding?"

"...Not really." She answered. But it could be important.

"It is thanks to the power of dragons!" He exclaimed as he turned to the unconscious Spike. "Ironic, no?" His question was met with silence. "Grrr, well thanks to a certain Pegasus and her pet dragon, I'll show you." He growled as he turned back to his minions. "Well?!"

"Sorry sir, we weren't able to translate the wall?" The hench-pony whimpered.

"What?!"

"It's just-" He was cut off by a rough push.

"Out of the way pony, I'll o it myself!"

The Pegasus watched as the creature was desperate to reach the wall. She saw how intense his gaze was as he tried to decipher it's secrets.

"What are you planning?" She demanded.

He turned his attention from the wall and stared the mare in her eyes. Ahuizotl took one look at the purple dragon before a cruel smile spread across his face. From years of experience with the beast, she knew it meant no good.

"Well, for a non-dragon such as I to use the power of the dragons, a dragon soul is required." He spoke gleefully. "And the only dragon here is you pet."

"Aug, my head." Spike moaned as he tried standing.

The idea was put out of his head when he realized he had been chained up.

Through bleary eyes, he looked around and say that he had been captured along with Daring Do. Their captors had been non-other then characters from her book. Ahuizotl, Dr. Caballeron and his gang.

"Ugh, what have I gotten into this time?" He asked himself. Every mare I know seems to be drawn into crazy situation. The Elements of Harmony, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the...I need more friends. Maybe guy friends.

Then something caught his attention, more then everything else. It forced him to ignore the ponies and creature before him.

The wall.

As he stared at it, a fog began to settle over his mind. The wall, it was drawing his attention and blocking everything else, like a moth to the flame. It was slowly beckoning to him, drawing him in. Demanding he speak the words he had didn't know.

"Spike!" He heard.

Spike began shaking his head, removing the fog from his head and turned to the mare. She was staring at him in a curious manner while Ahuizotl was staring warily.

Daring Do was thinking frantically. I need to stall them for Spike.

Another reasoned she didn't like having partners, they always needed rescuing! Plus, she didn't want his to be death on her hooves. It had been her fault that they were in the situation in the first place.

"Hey, Caballeron." Daring called.

"That's Dr. Caballeron!" He snapped.

"Whatever, you're after the treasure here, right?" Daring asked, knowing the answer.

"What of it?" The stallion asked.

"That dragon over there eats gems for snacks." She explained. "He could sniff the treasure out for you."

The stallion narrowed his eyes at the bit of information she had mentioned. He knew of dragons eating gems, but why did she care? Why was she telling him?

"Why are you telling me this?" He asked suspiciously. "What are you planning?"

"You take the dragon and get the gems." She explained. "Otherwise, Ahuizotl will kill him and you'll be searching through a booby-trapped maze for who knows how long."

He seemed to take a second to consider her words. Daring Do hid her smirk, knowing she had him by his greed.

"Eh, Boss!" He called. "I was thinking, since we can't seem to translate the wall for you..." He began, before cowering under the beast's gaze.

"What, what is it?"

"Maybe me and a few of my associates could take the dragon treasure searching." He continued. "No reason for us to leave empty hooved."

Ahuizotl cast a suspicious glance to the bound Pegasus.

"Fine."

He would have said 'no', but he couldn't allow their greed to turn on him. Not when he was so close to his goal.

The ponies were already dragging the poor dragon away. Before Spike was fully gone, he met Daring Do's gaze.

She winked.

Once they were gone, she began working. After a moment of silence, the creature began speaking. Though he never turned his head towards the mare, not risking a second from the wall.

"What are you planning?" Ahuizotl asked.

"Oh nothing, just this!"

Ahuizotl was shocked to feel the lasso he had tied around Daring Do suddenly latch on to himself. It was followed by a strong yank that was able to pull him onto his butt. The mare began running circles around the beast, binding him in her rope.

"You're free!" He exclaimed. "How?"

"I could have gotten out anytime I wanted." She stated smugly. "I'm Daring bucking Do, I've been bound in ropes, chains, shackles, magic, you name it. Did you really think you could bind me with just rope?" She questioned before adding. "My own rope!"

She had expected him to started raging against her or begin some of their usual banter. Instead, he just began a chuckle that turned into full out laughter, as if she had told him a joke. This was never a good sign.

"I must thank you again Daring Do." He stated after his fit ended. "Now I can properly show you the power I will obtain."

She watched with growing dread as the creature reared back it's head and bellowed. The shout seemed to echo endlessly with a pressure behind it. She was also able to feel how old the words were, how powerful.

Raan. Mir.

"What was that?!" Daring asked.

She was first answered by the cats, that appeared from nowhere, specifically by their actions.

The cat's seemed to freeze up before turning towards Ahuizotl with empty eyes. They gazed at him with strange looks, like soldiers awaiting an order.

"Kill her!" He commanded.

The large cat's turned their fierce gaze upon the mare.

"What is this? she asked.

"A fraction of what I hope to obtain!" He answered gleefully. "Though I admit it's incomplete, it shall be enough until I decipher this wall."

With that, he turned his attention back to the wall. While he did that, Daring Do began her face off against the beasts of the wild.

"Where are you taking us dragon?" Dr. Caballeron questioned.

Spike had been walking them at random, hoping for a miracle. Unfortunately, it looked as if he was going to have to provide his own.

"I'm taking you towards the treasure room." Spike lied.

Truthfully, he had no idea where the treasure room was. He didn't even know if there was a treasure room, or if Princess Celestia moved it all when she relocated. He had just been going through complicated loops, hoping to keep them distracted as they made their way back. Stalling them.

"These halls look familiar." One pony stated.

"They all look alike." Spike stated as he turned right. Buck, I was supposed to make a left!

He had no choice but to continue as if there was nothing wrong. However, the stallions were beginning to become restless at the distractions twists and turns.

"Listen here dragon." One of the thugs spoke. "If we don't find a treasure room in the next ten seconds..."

"Then we'll find out how much purple scales are worth on the black-market." A second thug finished.

10...

Come on Spike think!

8...

He was running out of time, he needed to act!

4...

He grabbed a random door and hesitated.

1...

He opened the door.

Whether Spike was just lucky or unlucky would be up for questions later. Right now, he was sure of only one thing. He had led a group of pony thieves into one of the most treasured rooms.

Celestia's.

Daring Do.

She wasn't the type that sat around, waiting for something to happen, she made it happen. She didn't run and hide when danger called and adventure called, she charged head first into it. She has done so many, many times. If she had her away, she would do so many more times.

But this time, the way things were playing, the odds didn't look so good.

Her arch-nemises had gone do far as to take his attention off of the stone. He was giving her his undivided attention for what he hoped was her demise.

"What's wrong Daring Do?" Ahuizotl taunted. "You don't look so good."

Usually she would have made short work of the cats, but her injuries were slowing her down. That allowed her injuries to grow, a scratch here, or a tear there. It was only through skill and luck that she hadn't been caught in one of there jaws, that would be game over.

"What's wrong, no witty come-back?" He continued. "Cat got your tongue?

Spike felt as if the day's luck had finally turning itself around.

"Where are we?" Dr. Caballeron asked.

"We are in the chambers of Princess Celestia herself." Spike answered.

"Why are we here?" The lead criminal asked.

"Daring Do and I found the treasure here." Spike pointed to the door with the warning. "Behind those doors are the treasure the remains in the castle." Spike explained. "She didn't want apart of it, saying that she searches for knowledge, not greed."

"That sounds like her." Dr. Caballeron mumbled.

"Why here?" One criminal asked.

"Don't be a fool." Dr. Caballeron spoke. "Where would the treasure be safest if not under the guard of the Princess herself." He turned to the dragon. "But the warning..."

Think fast! Spike calmly spoke. "Greed corrupts."

The ponies seemed to buy the explanation and hurriedly made there way to the door.

"I've got to say dragon, I thought you were pulling a fast one." One of the criminals spoke. "Now, step back."

"Wha-?"

"I SAID STEP BACK!" The Unicorn snapped as he magically drew a crossbow. "I'm no fool, I no all about how dragons are with their greed." He explained. "As soon as we open the door, he'll grow ten times his size and rip us to shred."

"Do as you're told."

Spike wordlessly sunk back away from the doors.

As soon as the stallions opened the door, they were greeted with darkness.

"I KNEW HE WAS TRICKING US!"

The stallion turned to the dragon, only to see that he was gone.

Do you want our love?

"Buck me." Spike mumbled to himself.

In all his walking through through the castle, he actually had gotten lost. He had no idea what was happening right now, just that it was bad.

He shall awaken and wage war on all.

Suddenly, Spike came to a sudden halt. Those words ringing in his head, weighing heavily on him for reasons he couldn't understand.

At the end of the hall was the Pony of Shadows, standing under the glow of the full moon.

So far the entity hadn't shown any threatening signs to either him or Daring Do. Yet, it obviously wasn't going to help them, seeing as it didn't warn them about Ahuizotl.

With it standing there so ominously, he couldn't help but feel unnerved. Especially since it showed interest in him at the door. The whole 'ponies are never seen again' didn't help. At all.

It took a step towards him, slow and deliberate. Spike took one back.

Some may call him Alduin. Some may call him Devour. Some may call him Rage. Or the King of Destruction. The Deathless Dragon. The Bringer of the End. And these are the words that shall set him free.

Spike didn't know what this creature was saying, only that it frightened him.

Even as it spoke, it continued to get closer to him. No matter how much he retreated, it seemed to gain more ground on him, with it's deliberate steps. But he didn't stop his backwards retreat, he felt as if he were being led back.

Until he walked unto a stone tile that sunk in. He never noticed either, too afraid to take his gaze off of the entity.

If he had, he would have seen the trapdoor under him.

As he fell, he dreamed.

He was weightless, no he was flying.

He was high in the sky, circling a kingdom. This kingdom was old, very old. Older than the reign of the Two Sisters. Older than the reign of Discord.

It was a time when an old and self-proclaimed, dominant species ruled. Puny two legged beings, nothing but evolved monkeys. They believed themselves superior to him and his kin.

Now they were in despair.

Their castle was burned and crumbling under him. Their once great numbers dwindled to the clawful that stood before him.

They had attacked him, like all have. They came at him with swords and spears that broke against his scales. They came at him with armies he crushed with no more than his voice.

The same voice he would use again.

Daring Do had honestly believed that her time had come.

That was, until a certain purple dragon fell onto the cat that was about to devour her.

"Spike?"

The dragon's eyes snapped open, cloudy and unfocused.

Inside, Daring could see his emotions ready to boil over. An endless sea of rage, wanting nothing but to see everything burn! A bottomless pit of avarice, waiting to swallow everything. She watched as he let these feelings consume him. It was like a different being had taken the place of her companion.

There was something building in him, something big. It was old and powerful, something he couldn't comprehend. But he didn't need to, all he needed to do was let it out. And he did.

Spike raised his head back, and he roared.

A voice so thunderous and commanding, that it was rife with menace and majesty. A voice like no other

And then the dragon collapsed.

The entire castle began began to tremble, some unseen force was attacking. Whatever it was it was powerful ad the castle was old.

"A Thu'um with no words, impossible!" Ahuizotl exclaimed.

For Daring Do, it was another explanation, because she understood. Her eyes had just witnessed it and her ears just heard it, but it was as if their minds couldn't contain it. There were just no words, for pony or beast, that could describe such a spectacle.

The unending tremors began rousing the dragon from his sleep.

"Ugh, my head." Spike moaned. "Did I get knocked out again?" He looked around. "What's happening?!"

He doesn't remember? She realized.

"Spike, this place is coming down!" Daring explained before he could focus. "We have to leave!"

Spike hesitated when given the news. The entire castle was shaking and the ceiling seemed to be crumbling, it wouldn't last long.

"No!" They heard.

They turned to see Ahuizotl holding on to the word wall. It was half way fallen through a hole that had appeared. He was half pulled in from the weight, but refused to let go.

"Let go!" Daring shouted. "You'll be pulled in if you don't!"

He didn't listen.

"We have to leave!" Spike exclaimed.

Spike had to carry Daring Do, her wounds from the cat fight would only slow her down.

She was surprised that he could carry her, he hadn't bee able to support her wait when she had fallen. Yet here he was, carrying her while maneuvering through the debris, as if she where just a saddlebag.

"Where are we going?" Daring asked.

"Down." Spike answered.

"Down?" She question skeptically.

"I don't know where the exit is, so I'm hoping that I'll find one, maybe the front door."

To prove his point, he opened one of the door closest to him. It did lead to the outside, but with one problem. They were near the upper part of the castle.

"B-but we went down." He stated, utterly confused.

He felt a tapping.

Spike looked to were Daring had been pointing and saw a crater, several craters. Each one containing a meteor. Still smoldering like a candle in the night.

It became clear what had collided with the castle.

The mare could only stare at Spike in awe. He did this.

"Dragon!"

Spike and Daring turned to see an enraged Ahuizotl. He was standing there, like a volcano waiting to erupt.

"Ahuizotl!"

"You have cost me more than you can understand!" He roared.

He crouched over, using his hand-tail like a whip to grab Spike and throw him back into the castle. He collided with a crumbling wall, shattering it as he went through.

He was faced to face with the current Dovahkiin, the newest Dragonborn.

This one wielded the weapon of one of his older enemies, long since devoured. Either by him, or by time.

"It ends here Alduin!" The Dovahkiin stated. "Today the Devour becomes devoured!"

"You may picked up the weapons of my ancient foes, but you are not their equal!" He sneered. "Not that it did them any good." He taunted. "You see they aren't here to aid you."

The Dovahkiin stepped forward, weapons drawn.

And he shouted.

FUS. RO. DAH.

The battle began. Between the Dragonborn and the World-Eater.

Spike's eye snapped open and turned towards his attacker.

Ahuizotl reared his head back.

Raan. Mir.

As the words echoed through the crumbling castle, Spike couldn't help but feel a little aggravated. This creature was going to use the power of dragons to kill him, a dragon.

The cats began pouring into the room, attacking as they were ordered.

They lunged him as one. Each cat attacked Spike, using their teeth to dig into various parts of him. Even with his scales, the bites stung. If they kept at it, they might actually break though his scaled hide.

I can't die like this! Spike thought as he panicked, doing his best to rid himself of the cats. Not to some overgrown...mindless...house cats! Rage began filling his mind. I'm not going to lose to because of some...insignificant...inferior beast using dragon power!

Spike's eyes began turning a murderous red.

His wings flared, knocking a few of the cats away. Those that remained, he through off with his bare claws.

He turned his attention towards Ahuizotl.

The beast dropped to all four legs and charged Spike. When he was just a few hooves away, he lunged.

"You may have the power of my people." Spike spoke. "But you are no dragons equal."

"Spike!" Daring shouted as she limped towards the last spot she saw them.

Gotta hurry before Ahuizotl kills him!

She didn't want to sound as if she had a lack of faith in the dragon, but he was a sad sight. He couldn't fly or even breath a decent flame, let alone beat Ahuizotl.

She found the creatures locked in combat, or something close to it. Their claws were locked and one was trying to overpower the other.

Spike seemed to have the upper hand in the matter, that was all she cared about.

She would have jumped into the fray, but was never given the chance.

Spike took a quick step back and eased on his strength, that through Ahuizotl off balance. He grabbed the creature by his hand-tail and swung him into the wall. It began to crumble under the force Spike used. Ahuizotl didn't look as if he would be getting up anytime soon.

The entire room shook from the impact. A shacking that didn't look as if it were going stop anytime soon.

"Spike, we have to get out of here!" She shouted.

Spike turned to the mare that had called him. He had a distant look in his eyes, as if he hadn't recognized her.

"Daring?" He spoke, before shaking his head. "Daring, what are-"

"We have to leave!" She yelled.

"How?" He asked, pointing behind her.

She turned her attention towards the whole that they had entered to see that it was blocked with rubble.

The mare dived into the rubble, grabbing and tossing as fast as she could.

Spike watched her, it would do no good. They would need a lot of force to even budge the rubble, more then she could produce. They would need force like that thing, that man had used.

What had he said, what were the words? It had described the effects perfectly. It was truly unrelent...force?

Force...

Fo-

Fus.

The shouted had just passed over the mare at work, barely missing her. When she looked up, she saw a whole, just large enough for them to get through.

"Wh-what was that?" Spike asked.

"I'll explain later!" Daring promised. "Come on!"

They were back at the upper door entrance the led outside, back at square one. Up high, with no way for them to get down.

Except one.

"Spike, you'll have to carry us down." Daring stated.

"But I can't f..."

"If you don't, we'll be crushed under this collapsing castle." She reasoned. "There's no way we can find a lower entrance before that happens."

"But..."

Whatever he was going to say was cut off by Daring Do. She had pulled out her rope and tied it around her waist.

"I rarely do this, but extreme time call for extreme measures." She mumbled. "Spike, you're going to learn to fly in the most basic of ways." She tied the other end around him before he could react. "By falling."

The mare leaned over, tossing them both off.

As they fell, Spike began screaming for his life. Daring however, just laughed at it.

"We're going to die!" He shouted.

"Not if you fly." She countered.

There was nothing Spike could say against that. This moment was all on him, deciding the fate of two lives.

He looked down.

He should have been terrified from the fall. The weight of the two should have thrown his entire body out of his control. He should have crashed to the ground in a matter of seconds.

But he didn't.

Everything felt...natural to him, being in the air. As if he had been in the air all his life. He felt weightless as the world just fell into place. It was almost as if everything slowed down, in his mind at least. Outside it, everything was just a blur as the wind roared passed his ears.

Spike knew that if he continued at this pace he'd crash into the ground. He needed something to put up resistance against gravity.

Then it happened, Spike felt his instincts.

He opened his large wings to their fullest. He caught the winds resistance, like a sail, to slow him down. It not only worked, it carried him across the ridge.

Spike may not have been flying, but gliding was a nice start.

Now, how do you land?

"We could have died!" Spike shouted. "There was no guarantee that I'd fly!" He thought on it. "I didn't even fly, I just glided us to safety!"

"That is what I live for!" Daring shouted in happiness. "Walking that line between life and death, that is living!"

"You're insane!" Spike roared.

She calmed from her adrenalin high to examine the dragon.

"How do you feel right not?" She asked. "Be honest."

He hesitated before answering honestly. "I feel it, my blood is on fire!" Spike answered.

"And?"

"I want to do it again and again and again." He admitted.

"Welcome to my life."

"My hearts pounding so hard, it's about to burst." He mumbled as he tried to calm down.

"That's not the only thing about to burst." Daring stated.

Spike looked at the mare who had her eyes on him, he followed her line of sight.

Apparently the adrenaline had done more than Spike had expected. His member was standing at it's full height. She was openly staring at his member. He noticed there was a hungry look in her eyes.

He was shocked when he felt her wrap her hoof around his member. She held it gently and began giving it a few light strokes.

"What are you-!" He was silenced by a quick, but hot kiss.

"Consider this thanks for such a wonderful day." She whispered.

In a single motion, she gulped half his entire member down her throat. She paused only to take a deep breath through her nose before pushing further. Only stopping when she reached the end of his member, a knot. She wouldn't admit it, but she was doubtful she could get the the whole thing down.

Thank Celestia I don't have a gag reflex.

By the way Spike was groaning, he was thinking something along the same line.

She began slurping as she bobbed her head up and down. Pulling on his member with her firm lips and skilled tongue. While she did that, the back of her throat began massaging him.

She looked at the dragon, who looked back at her. Daring wanted to see the look on his face as she worked him, and wasn't disappointed.

The face he was making was like adding oil to a fire. She moved her hoof down towards her marehood and began massaging her clit.

For Spike, it was bliss. Her mouth was like a vacuum, but wet. Even her throat was massaging him in ways he never experienced. His groans began filling the air as Daring continued to suck.

She had no real warning as his member exploded inside her mouth. Just a throaty growl and the twitching of his member.

She had to pull back before she choked.

"How was that as a thank you?" She asked, wiping the excess away. "Spicy."

Spike didn't answer, he was still too far gone.

Spike saw the mare before him turn and present her firm behind. She waved it slowly, almost taunting the poor dragon.

He grabbed the mare by her rump, careful with his claws. It was just as he imagined, firm. In a swift moment, he turned her over so that her mare-hood was out.

"Whoa there big-boy!" She cried in excitement.

He began licking everywhere around her flower, making the mare squirm. As delicately as possible, he used his claws on her teats. He pinched and pulled her nipples, earning gasps of shock.

"Stop...teasing!" She whimpered. "Give it to me!"

He took much pleasure in watching her, but he wasn't cruel.

Spike slowly trailed his tongue around until he made contact with her flower. He gave her a few light strokes before shoving his tongue inside. Using his long tongue, which got longer and thicker with age, he began rotating it around the inner walls of her flower. At the end of her marehood, he allowed his tongue to flicker.

While his tongue was working, he was able to use his lips separately. He placed them around her clit and began pulling on it like a plunger. He put just as much effort on her pink button as she did on his member.

Spike felt as if the mare's walls were going to crush his tongue. The mare soon gave a massive scream as she flooded his mouth.

Spike hadn't noticed how thirst he was until she began quenching it. Taste like gems. He noted as he drunk greedily.

He raised her hind-quarters to his member and plunged it in.

Spike grunted at the sensation that nearly overwhelmed him. She was tight, tighter than her mouth, and so warm with her natural lube.

Daring gasped as Spike plunged into her, spreading her open. The spines digging into her and pulling in whatever rhythm Spike was using.

"So tight...won't last!" Spike grunted.

"Give it all to me!" Daring ordered. "I can take it!"

Spike plunged into her as far as he could before reaching the base, his knot. He only pushed further, earning a silent scream from the mare.

He began rapidly pounding into her, spreading her as she's never been spreaded before. She intern would squeez and massage him with her inner walls.

"Can't...hold!"

"Do it!"

He did, he let it all out, as did she.

The two laid there, sharing in their afterglow. Holding onto each other as only satisfied lovers could.

"That...was amazing." Spike finally stated. He had never felt anything that wonderful.

"You weren't too bad yourself." Daring stated. "Where did you learn to tease like that?"

The dragon did his best to shrug in their intertwined position. Nopony taught him, he just did.

"Spike." She spoke in a shocked voice. "How many times have you ever been with a mare-Er, dragoness?"

Spike didn't meet her gaze as he shook his head in a negative.

"When I was little, every-pony thought I was too young." He answered, not noticing expression change. "Now that I'm big, I'm too scary. Plus, there's a lacking of dragoness' around Equestria."

"You mean I was your first?" She asked. A virgin, a former virgin, just got me off twice. "Wow." Even experienced lovers could only get one.

"Spike, you are something else." She spoke.

Daring Do had meant it as a complement. Spike took it as a comment on his life.

A dragon raised by ponies. An outcast by his own kind. Unable to use any of his natural draconian abilities. Buck, he was even a vegetarian, he was a dragon vegetarian!

"I know it's not an ideal life." Spike admitted. "But it's all I know."

"Then come with me." She offered. "Live another."

Spike looked at the mare in shock. Daring Do never takes on partners, yet she just offered him a chance by her side.

He would have asked if she was joking, but she was already asleep.

Author's Note

1. Comment.
   
2. This is my 'First. Clop.' scene, I hope I did well.
   
3. I know that the Thu'um aren't found so close or that easily. I will do my best to make him work for the rest. TRY.