Quest for the Lapis lazuli

Daring Do was many things... an adventurer was one of them. She was known all over the world as a renowned archaeologist, and an adventurer/entrepreneur, and a friend to the Princess. The golden Pegasus was quite the expert when it came to traversing dungeons, tunnels and ancient ruins, dodging traps and escaping with only a few scratches and her prize. Whether it was a statuette of some thousand year old god or a medallion said to hold the power to bring about eternal darkness, she always got her hooves on it.

No matter the threat of danger that comes with the job, she always got the job done and a hoof full of bits from the princess for a job well done, and got to go to the bar for a well deserved drink... or ten and a well deserved trip to a spa and some rest. After all she's a mare of exquisite tastes and refinement... sometimes.

Now however, she was a prisoner of some Desert Jackal tribe she had run into. She sighed heavily as she remembered that night.

-ooo000=+=000ooo-

In the daytime the desert was a harsh unforgiving wasteland with blistering heatwaves that could give you a nasty sunburn if you were without fur, or just make you wish for death if you were the opposite. In the nighttime however, it was colder then Hearth Warming's Eve and Daring was unlucky enough to be caught in the cold sandy windstorms that blanketed the area frequently. She was trudging through the sand, her hooves sinking with each step before she came across what appeared to be a ruin of sorts half buried in the sand.

Stone pillars jutted out a midst the sand dunes, spiraling upwards while the bottom halves remained buried under tons of sand. And nearby the pegasus spotted an entrance! Finally, a way out of this damnable storm! she thought with no small amount of relief as she did her best to run towards the opening into the ruins. This wasn't on her route but it would be a useful place to settle down for a spell.

Once Daring had made it inside she pulled the scarf around her muzzle down, a small grin forming on her features as she shook her body sending sand flying. Ruffling her wings and giving them a few flaps some sand fell out. "Blast, it'll take forever to clean my wings." She muttered. Ruffling her wings once more before curling them back up against her sides. Looking around the ruin's inside she saw the usual stone laden walls and floors, burnt out torches from a bygone era, and years of dust and sand that came with ruins.

The more superstitious folk she had met coming this way would probably run in fear of such a place, claiming that entering the ruins would be considered desecration and would anger the gods. Obnoxious and hardheaded adventurers would laugh it off and run into the ruins, claiming it was drivel and just folklore, nothing more.

Daring however, took these kind of things... somewhat seriously. While she didn't believe in the more ancient godlike beings and demigods (aside from a choice few that shall remain nameless for reasons) she knew to be wary around temples worshiping some ancient god like figure, as they tended to be rigged with various traps and the like that could very well decapitate ponies.

Daring like her head, and she was going to do her best to keep it on her shoulders.

After another quick scan of the interior Daring sat down for the night, unaware of the glowing yellowish eyes following her movements in the darkness. If she had been alert, she would have noticed them, but she was tired, cold and sweaty and wanted a nap. She, of course was tranquilized, mistaking it for a mosquito bite, and promptly fell asleep.

-ooo000=+=000ooo-

Quest for the Lapis lazuli

Written by: Dustchu.

MLP:FIM belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

I own only my OC's and certain elements.

-ooo000=+=000ooo-

"Not one of my better moments." She muttered, trying to find a way out of the iron cage she was thrown into. It was a small cage that was no doubt used to hold some sort of animal, judging from the smell and the bloodstains in the one corner it was a meat eater of sorts. She hoped it was dead, she didn't need to deal with a bloodthirsty carnivore right now. The cage was made of wrought iron, and while rusty looking didn't look like it could be brought down by sheer force. The bars, while bent held under her brief assault upon waking up.

So far, she had found no way out, and it was starting to get on her nerves quite a bit.

Okay, I've gotten out of worse situations than this... I just have to think rationally, and I'll find a way out.

She thought... and thought... and thought...

...

Nothing.

Bucking Tartarus. she cursed, banging her head on the bars as the gate to the small village opened. She looked up, seeing another cage being rolled in. This one, she could see, had a tarp draped over it and was being knocked around, and the Jackals were having trouble moving it as whatever inside thrashed around like a wild animal. Just as she was about to lean in to get a closer look, she heard somepony from inside yell out.

"Let me out of this fuckin' box ya goddamn mangy mutts or I'll rip out yer innards and use em to fill my stocking stuffers come Christmas time!" A male voice bellowed, thrashing around inside the cage and stringing together several curses. Some of which Daring had never heard before as the cage rocked back and forth violently.

Who the buck did they capture? Daring wondered, watching as the cage was brought over to her. By instinct she backed away, not wanting to be caught on the wrong end of the individual's anger.

"When I get out of 'er I'm goin' ta skin the lot of ya and make fuckin' coats outta ya!" The voice yelled again, kicking the cage and making the mutts back away. Some of them even looked fearful. "Raaah!"

If he can scare off the Jackals with just threats, I think I'm liking him already. She thought with a grin as whoever was inside of the cage calmed down, only a small margin.

"Yeah, ya better run off!" He yelled again, slumping down inside of the cage. "Fuckin' bastards."

Hmm... I wonder... Creeping over to the edge of her enclosure, Daring poked the other cage. They put both iron contraptions side by side, so she could reach out and touch it. "Hey," she whispered, "Can you hear me?"

Something scrambled over to her side, and she backed away again. "Who the fuck is that?" The male asked, "Another fuckin' dog?"

Daring shook her head, despite the male not being able to see her. "No I'm not one of them, I'm a prisoner like you." She explained, shifting where she sat. "And they're jackals, not dogs."

"Dogs, Jackals, what the fuck ever!" The male hissed, banging the side of the cage. "Fuckin' things got me when I was in the desert." A moment's pause, then. "Where the fuck am I?" He asked.

"We're in Zebrica, just south of Buckswana." Daring answered, remembering the location on her maps. She hoped that when she broke out she could get them.

She heard some shuffling, then the male asked. "Wait... Zebrica? Where in the fuck is that?" A cough, then he continued. "I thought I was in Africa or some shit." He then asked. "What are they going ta do with us?"

Africa? Daring thought, tilting her head. I've never heard of that place. The Pegasus thought for a moment, remembering a book she read detailing several Zebrican tribals. If she remembered correctly, this particular tribe of Zebrican wild Jackals tended to have some more... unsavory methods when it came to prey. "If I remember correctly, they'll skin us alive, cover our bodies in Camelu Fire Ants, then douse us in alcohol before throwing us into a pit of fire, roasting us alive." She finished grimly.

... "As pleasant as that sounds... I'd rather not become some fuckin' dog's barbecue... just who are you anyway?" the voice questioned.

She shook her head, they could play twenty questions later. "Listen, I'll answer your questions later, right now we need to get out of here." She looked outside of her cage, and saw several Jackal guards patrolling, armed with spears. "There aren't that many guards, if we plan this right we can get out of here." She told him, she wasn't used to working with another, but for now she could push that aside and work with somepony else.

Another moment's pause. "Alright," the voice agreed, whispering as something shot out of the cage. "let's fuckin' brofist on it." He said, holding out his arm.

Daring's eyes widened as she saw the appendage that extended outward from the cage. It was long, fleshy with a small amount of hair running up it. It had five digits like a Minotaur, all of which were closed in a fist. She could see plenty of muscle running along the arm, and what looked like clothing up near the top. With slight hesitance she bumped her hoof to his fist, to which he withdrew it.

"Well that felt weird, anywho. What's the plan lass?" The male asked.

Daring stood up, looking around before saying. "Well, first we break out of these cages." She tapped one of them just loud enough to get his attention.

"Okay, then after that?" He asked. "What do we do, jus' ask em to let us go nicely?"

Daring turned to the cage with a angry huff, "I'm getting there!" She hissed to him. "After we get out we'll get our stuff back, assuming you had anything on you, and ditch this place faster then you can blink." She finished off. "We might get into a fight or two, but we can take em." Daring puffed out her chest, feeling the rush of a pre-fight flowing through her veins.

"... Well its better then my plan." The male muttered.

"Which is?"

"I didn't have one."

Daring facehoofed. "Let me do the thinking, I'll try and find a way out, then we'll both escape." the Pegasus said, her keen eyes scanning the area for anything she could use to escape. She was Daring Bucking Do, she had this in the bag. Nearby she saw a Jackal, short and lanky holding a crudely made ax in his paws. She could see a faint glint coming from a leather belt, The key! A grin crept onto the mare's face as she plotted what to do about him. Okay, let' see how smart this mutt is. "Get ready guy," not giving him a chance to say anything Daring laid down on the floor of her cage, she fought the urge to puke and put her plan into motion. "Hey!" She croaked, banging the side of her cage with a hoof weakly. "Hey!"

The jackal turned to face her, a long diagonal scar running from the tip of his ear down to his jawline. "What stupid pony want?" He growled, clutching his weapon tightly.

"My friend in the next cage," she moaned, "He ain't sounding like he's alright, I think he's dead!" She said, hitting the other cage and putting extra emphasis on dead. A sigh and a quiet thud sounded next.

Walking over, the Jackal hit the cage with his ax. "Hey! Stupid meat bag, you dead?" He asked. No answer came, so the Jackal hit the cage again, a bit harder this time. "Dumb fleshy cowman, dead?" He made a move to lift up the tarp, and as his paw came into contact with it the prisoner's arm shot out, grabbed him by the scruff and bashed his head into the bar with such force Daring swore she heard a crack. The Jackal fell limp as the prisoner proceeded to grope the jackal's body for the key.

"I'm goin' ta need wash my hands after this, Jesus Christ." the voice said, producing the key and fiddling with the lock. "Fuckin' mutt." Several curses followed as the creature within the cage messed with the lock.

Daring kept an eye out as he proceeded to find the lock and get himself out, as he did Daring thought out a way to get out of the camp. From what she could tell there were several guards stationed around key points in the small camp, Two over by that big tent, another by the small one, and one by the gate leading outside... okay, I think that smaller tent is where they're keeping our stuff... we just have to sneak over to it, get our gear, then get the buck out of here. With that plan in mind, Daring turned her attention to her fellow prisoner's cage as the lock fell off with a quiet thud.

The door opened dragging the tarp along with it, and out stepped the captive of the Jackals. Something Daring... in all of her years of travel, has never seen before. Whoever it was, stood tall, almost the height of a minotaur. He wore clothing as well, a short sleeve shirt over his torso, and long pants with a pair of beat up looking shoes. His face, while she couldn't make it out very well, was vastly different than a minotaur's. It was flat, and he had a small nose. When he turned around and locked eyes with Daring, he looked shocked.

"What the fuck?" He muttered, walking over to the cage and letting Daring get a better look at him. In the darkness she could make out bright blue eyes staring back at her. "What are ya?"

He doesn't know what I am? What is he?! Some kind of hairless minotaur? Shaking her head she stared right back at him. "Listen, now's not the time. Just unlock the door and let's get out of here!" She told him, scowling slightly. They didn't have time for this, they had to get out of here before the other jackals came looking.

Shrugging with a heavy sigh the creature walked over to the cage and grabbed the lock. "First talkin' dogs take me hostage, and now I'm freeing a talkin' horse... what's next?"  He grumbled as he put the key into the lock and turned it, a dull click sounded and the lock fell off, hitting the ground with a thud. "Alright then, I guess, let's get the fuck outta here." He murmured, standing back and letting Daring escape her confinement.

Daring watched the creature with minor trepidation, stepping past him as she locked eyes with him. Now that she was on solid ground, she could see he was tall, very tall.  Her head came up to his midsection, and if she were to stand on her hind hooves she might be able to stand as tall as him. Just what is he? Daring wondered as the creature looked around.

"Okay, so now what?" He asked her, crossing his arms and looking down at her with an eyebrow raised.

Trotting past him Daring looked out into the camp they were in and spotting the small tent she saw when she was brought in, she turned back around. "My stuff was taken from me when I was captured, and it should be in one of these tents. My bet is on the small one over there, I see some tables in it." She muttered, looking at the open flap of the tent. "Stick close to me." She warned, carefully making her way over to the tent. Behind trailed the creature, an apprehensive look on his face as he followed the Pegasus.

The sandy terrain made it easy to sneak, which Daring was thankful for. She kept an eye out as she trudged through the sand, her eyes darting left and right as she snuck past several other tents and empty cages. The moon was still high up in the sky and aided their escape, Daring thank'd the stars and their princess for the help, she would need it to escape. The creature behind her trailed her silently, and she was thankful that even though he was loud, he knew how to be quiet. In fact, she wondered if he was still behind her, she heard nothing. A quick look showed he was, his blue-ish eyes reflecting the moonlight as he eyed her. "You alright there lass?" He whispered, his beady eyes keeping a look out around.

She nodded. "Just making sure you're still behind me." Without another word she kept moving, the tent coming into view.

The tent was small, and crafted out of some animal's hide. What animal, Daring thought it was maybe a fellow Jackal dog clan, judging from the fur, but then again maybe it was a buffalo, from how thick it looked. Shaking her head she went inside, and was greeted with her saddlebags, and all of her stuff strewn out.

"Bucking dogs!" The pegasus growled under her breath, zipping over to her bag. The dogs had opened it up and taken out all of her maps and documents, even opened some letters and messed with her bit bag.

The creature walked into the tent, spotting a black bag on the table next to Daring's and smiling. "They kept my bag after all, the mangy bastards." He chuckled, grabbing it and opening it up. Looking over at Daring as she quickly crammed her stuff into her bag, he asked. "What's wrong?"

"Damn Jackals messed with my stuff is what!" She replied, scowling as she folded up her maps and papers before shoving them into the bag. She could fix them later when she got out, she sigh in relief when she found the small scroll unharmed, she carefully placed it back into her bag before throwing it over her back. Looking up she saw the creature shoulder his back, putting his arms through the straps and clasping a small buckle that wrapped around his chest. "You good?" She asked, slightly curious as to what was in his bag and how the clasp worked.

"I'm good, let's get the fuck outta 'er, eh?" he suggested, bolting out of the back of the tent where they entered in with Daring trailing behind him.

She quickly shot out in front of him and jerked her head at the gate, which was still open. "Out that way, hurry!" She told him, galloping faster as the creature sprinted to catch up with her. Somehow he was able to keep up with her, and she was genuinely surprised that something with two legs could run that fast.

Then, to their horror a Jackal popped up from out in front of the gate, he spotted them and cupped his paws together. "Pony and apeman escaping!" A jackal screamed, pulling out a horn and he was about to blow on it...

If the creature didn't jump up and drop kicked him that is. "Fuck you ya mangy shitfaced cunt!" He yelled as both of his boots collided with the canine's head, Daring thought she heard something crack again, and she was right as the dog flew backwards with a bloody nose and chipped teeth, the horn flying away as the creature hit the ground and rolled back onto his feet and kept running. His hand was held up and his middle digit held high. "Fuck the lot a ya!"

Daring couldn't suppress the laugh that escaped her as they both ran away from the camp, the other Jackals howling into the night before giving chase.

-ooo000=+=000ooo-

One Hour Later

Both of the two captives had run for nearly an hour, both winded and tired as can be. But they had lost the dogs, somehow even though they've been running in a straight line. Daring's explanation for that was They're Jackal tribes dogs, they're dumb as all Tatartus. The male accepted this and promptly collapsed onto the sand with a huff, cursing the sun and everything it stood for.

Daring had sat down instead of falling, her lungs burned and her legs felt like jelly but she still stood. She moved her grey scale bangs of the way ith a jerk of her head and asked. "Who and what are you anyway?" She decided she may as well ask for a name, so she'd have something to call him by, calling him The Creature wasn't a good enough name.

He looked up into her magenta eyes and spat out sand. "My name's Leon, and I'm a human." He sat up, sweat matting his brow as the two sat in the darkness. It was cold but he didn't give a shit. "Now for my question, who and what the fuck are you? Cause you look like a horse, but you're tiny." This promptly got him a smack in the face, and a loud curse from him, he fell back holding his nose before yelling. "What the fuck was that for ya bitch!?"

Daring got on top of him, standing on his chest and glaring into his eyes. "I am not a whorse you bastard, that's the thanks I get for getting us out of that camp?!" She enunciated each word with a jab at his chest. Daring, as an adventurer, was prepared for a lot of things. That's what good travelers do, right?

But, to his misfortune, getting headbutted was not one of them. She stumbled back with a cry as Leon sat up, his nose bloodied and his eyes wide. "Listen here you weird ass talking horse thing. I'm the one who got us outta there, thank ya very much." He sat up straight, crossing his arms. "And what's wrong with callin' ya a horse?! That's what you fuckin' look like!"

Daring sat up, her own nose bleeding. "I am not a whorse! I am a Pony you inconsiderate asshole! And what are you?! Some kind of bucking monkey reject?!"

"I'm a human!"

"Same thing!"

"You don't even know what a human is!"

"Buck you!"

Both turned away, injured and freezing. Daring huffed out a breath, seeing a small smoke plume upwards and waft into the night sky. Turning around she saw the human was holding his nose, head tilted back and a string of silent curses escaping him. Even though she was still angry, she felt a bit bad for hitting him. He must have meant something else when he said Whorse. She sighed. "Look, Leon, I'm sorry. Its cold and we're both tired," then she heard something growling, and realized it was both of their stomachs. "And hungry, from the sound of it," she laughed softly. "So... truce?" She asked, holding out her hoof as Leon turned to her, his mouth open as blood trailed down into his mouth. Moving her head around she rummaged through her saddlebag before pulling out a rag and giving it to him.

He eyed it before sighing, and taking the rag he ripped it in half and gave one half back to her and placed his half against his nose. "I'm sorry also lass." He told her, his voice softened as he wiped his nose. Daring copied him, drying her own nose off. "Its cold as balls out here, and runnin' from those damn dogs made me angry."

She nodded, both sitting in silence for several minutes. The tension that was there was replaced cold silence, until Leon broke it once more.

"Don't hit me again, but what's wrong with the word Horse?" He asked, flinching when Daring looked at him. "Don't get me wrong, I just think there's some kind of misunderstandin' going on here."

"Calling a mare a whorse is a good way to get hit," She warned him, pointing her hoof at him. "You don't call anypony that, unless you're in a brothel or something."

Leon made an Ooh face. "Oooo, yeah I'm not trailing into that territory." He said, "What did you call yourself earlier, a pony?" He wondered, when she nodded he shrugged. "Eh..." Looking out into the vast desert, he asked. "So now what do we do?" Leon asked, he was seriously wondering what was their next plan of action.

"For now," Daring said, getting up and stretching. "We keep moving until daybreak, no telling if those Jackals are still after us."

"Ugh, more walking?"

Daring smiled, "It's good for you." then started walking away toward the moon.

"Maybe for you."  With a groan of discomfort, Leon stood up and followed her, wondering just where in the hell he was.