For the first time in what must've been ages, Daring Do wished for a simple and carefree adventure. Even if it was as simple as climbing a small mountain, combining a rush of adrenaline without worrying about whether she was gravely injured would've been perfect. Of course, braving all sorts of traps, temples, and terrible beasts made for something worth writing down, but actually getting a chance to enjoy the scenery for even a second constituted as a nice change of pace.
Today wasn't one of those carefree days.
Even when she tried avoiding attention during her expeditions, there was one constant that Daring loathed more than anything else, and that was dealing with Dr. Caballeron. And with a distant temple shrouded by trees and seemingly impossible to reach nearby, having a conflict with him was just one of the guaranteed consequences.
Sighing was often Daring's response upon meeting Caballeron. And as she galloped through the forest and peeked behind her, hoping nothing leaped out of the bushes, there were more pressing matters than butting heads with the same stallion again. Ticklish sensations coursed through her veins; the crunching of leaves reached her ears.
"I'm here for a reason," muttered Daring, licking her lips. "I've got better things ahead of me than the usual drivel."
A treasure of exquisite beauty was supposedly inside, something unlike anything that had been witnessed before. The roaring of a nearby waterfall and a glimpse of an older structure right beside it were clues that Daring was within reach of her goal. Another adventure and possibly a short novel were close to being wrapped up.
Caballeron's shrieking intensified, Daring clenching her teeth in response.
Even with such a setback, it'd be worth it in the end. Adventure and adrenaline was always worth the initial anxiety.
Daring pressed her back against a thick trunk, the bark prodding her nerves. She adjusted her pith helmet and peeked behind her shoulder. Sure enough, a group of silhouettes were surrounded by shrubs. One of them was undoubtedly Caballeron, the constant thorn in her side meandering about.
"Alright, just carry on and let me get back to exploring," Daring whispered to herself. Her heart thrashed about, a tightness gripping her chest. "Just stop fiddling with that little compass of yours and get lost." Sweat dripped down her brow. "Either that or actually hunt for treasure without being a nuisance. It's as if you refuse to learn."
Daring squinted at the distant silhouettes once more. Two other ponies stood by Caballeron's side, one a familiar and muscular stallion and the other a slender mare. And as Daring slithered closer to the trio, she noticed the glares each of them wore upon making out their details, her throat drying up at the sight.
"I know you're around here somewhere, Daring!" Caballeron shouted at the top of his lungs. "Now I know that we've had our differences, but if you give up or tell me where the Dragon's Idol is, I'll be more than happy to let you go." Cackling sounds left Caballeron's mouth, Daring rolling her eyes in response. If she had a bit for every villainous-sounding laugh she heard during her adventures, she'd have enough to purchase a nice cottage in Cloudsdale. "But if you're gonna keep playing games with me, don't think I'll treat you kindly!"
Daring's muzzle scrunched up. Glancing above, she noticed a thick, black smoke bellowing from somewhere nearby. A pungent aroma of herbs and spices tickled her nostrils, the ingredients common among bandits who called the forest their home. With a quick breath, Daring turned away from the silhouettes and dashed forward with light steps. Not even the slightest of sounds reached her as she maneuvered around the trees and shrubs.
Bats, squirrels, and all kinds of creatures jumped out of the way as Daring sped forward.
A cave was within sight. Daring instinctively cracked a smile, squinting at her destination. It was seemingly large enough for blending in the shadows, though comfort was likely out of the question with the rugged terrain. And while there was always the possibility of dealing with an Ursa Minor or some other beast, Daring knew it'd be no problem. Dangerous creatures got her blood pumping unlike almost anything else.
Something in the ground pricked her hoof.
In a flash, Daring's eyes widened as she was forcibly tossed upward, a woven net wrapping around her like a cocoon. Her heart skipped a beat as she briefly felt weightless. Below her was some sort of metal piece hidden among the blades of grass. A rope that connected it to the net ran alongside a tree's trunk of the same color, much of it seemingly hidden among the tall grass and nearby bushes.
Daring merely kept still, sighing. "Figures," she groaned.
"What did I tell you?" asked Caballeron. Emerging from some nearby bushes was the doctor himself, his two assistants trotting right behind him with stern expressions. "If you're gonna start running away from us, especially when our camp is nearby, then you'd better expect some traps for nosy ponies like yourself."
"You know I can just escape once you throw me into your little dungeon," said Daring. "It wouldn't be the first time I've done so, let alone the third." She flashed the slightest of smirks. "Besides, all you've done ever since we first met was following me while I did all of the hard work. And failing that, you've gone for petty theft."
Caballeron arched an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You know exactly what it means." Daring gently motioned a hoof at Caballeron, the latter seemingly close to popping a blood vessel. "I know everything you don't about the treasure." She paused for a moment. "Okay, so maybe I told you to leave me alone plenty of times before, but things are different now. For starters, I'm stuck in one of your nets."
"And?"
"You know that light blue pony from a while ago?" Daring squirmed a little inside the net, trying to assume a more comfortable position. Yet regardless of how much she budged, it was as though thousands of needles were poking her coat. With a soft sigh, Daring froze in place once more. "She taught me that sometimes, working with somepony else is necessary. Maybe my contribution would be telling you where the Dragon's Idol is."
"Is this some kind of trick?"
Daring shook her head. This was a lie, especially since outmaneuvering Caballeron was a breeze. She kept a blank visage nonetheless. "I'm being honest with you. Let me down from this trap of yours, and I'll answer whatever questions you have. And because I'm fair, I'll let you take half of the credit."
Caballeron cocked his head. "Half? Please, I'm in it for the money, not for fame and glory. I couldn't care less about getting my name out there and spreading stories like they were some myth spread around a campfire. You take that idol, give it to me, and I sell it for millions of bits." A slight chuckle escaped his mouth. "That's the way I do business. I thought you knew that."
Daring nodded. "Of course I know that." Groaning, her brow furrowed. "Are you going to let me down or not?"
"I will." Caballeron bobbed his head, motioning a hoof toward both henchponies. "However, don't think I'm just going to let you off easy. There's still the matter of making sure you're being honest with me or not." One of the goons, a violet mare, climbed up to the net and swiftly untangled it, the other tying a rope around Daring's limbs before the latter had time to react. "I know how ponies like you work. You'll just lie about where it is and flee while I'm not looking. And don't think I've forgotten about all of the times you've outshone me."
Daring bit her lip. A groan left her mouth. "Is this seriously about petty revenge?" As she was being carried by the mare, Daring rolled her eyes. "I thought you were better than that."
"Only treasure and money beats out revenge." Caballeron released another hearty laugh. "Anypony with a lick of common sense knows that." Without warning, he looked behind his shoulder and gazed into Daring's eyes, gnashing his teeth a second later. "But don't think you'll just have to tell me about the Dragon's Idol. You've got a gift that I don't have that will make everything much easier."
"What do you mean?"
Caballeron pointed at Daring's wings and donned a twisted smirk. "I think you already know the answer to that question."
Daring merely nodded again in response; she knew it involved flight. She glanced up at the mare carrying her before examining the ropes binding her legs. While struggling and flailing about was an option, doing so would've just tired her out and prolonged the inevitable. There were likely more convenient ways of breaking free if the cards all fell into place.
However, Caballeron was far from an idiot. Perhaps actively helping him without any trickery was for the best, even if it turned Daring's cheeks a pale green at the thought.
"Well, I hope he's either easy to trick or work with this time," Daring whispered to herself.
The cards hadn't fallen in Daring's favor.
Much to her disappointment, Caballeron hadn't even paused for a moment or muttered a word during the trip. And making matters worse, nothing of value even caught Daring's eye as she scanned the environment, hoping that something would've proven useful in her escape. it was just a straightforward journey to the campsite.
Daring raised her head, noticing an array of tents made of tattered cloth and some campfires spewing smoke into the air. Watchtowers stood just above the trees and swayed back and forth, ponies seemingly situated atop them. Few ponies were out and about from what she noticed, but each one of them scowled at Daring upon noticing her presence. Those chowing down on meals with repulsive scents froze in place, watching her with unblinking gazes. And even though jumping out at them was impossible, a few of the bandits scraped the soil and assumed a defensive stance nonetheless.
A sigh left Daring's mouth. "I'm not exactly in a position to escape," she muttered, furrowing her brow. "What do you think I'm going to do here, break the ropes and start punching all of you?" She feigned a chuckle, then sighed once more. "Honestly, with ponies as paranoid as yourselves, it's a minor miracle that you've lasted this long."
"Don't pretend that I can't hear your banter," the mare said, twitching violently.
Daring gritted her teeth. Aches covered portions of her chest as she leaned closer to the henchpony's ear. "Just bouncing me around like that isn't going to change much." She took a quick breath and surveyed the campsite once more. None of the structures seemed suitable for a prison cell, especially given how most of the tents had holes wide enough to climb through. Daring arched an eyebrow. "Besides, where the heck are you taking me, anyway?"
"The doctor has a special place for brats like you."
"And?"
The mare groaned. "And he'll make sure that you give him exactly what he wants, whether that's information or just working with him. If you're good and agree to help him no matter what, maybe the good doctor won't hurt you."
"You're seriously expecting me to work with him?" Rolling her eyes, Daring's muzzle then scrunched up a bit. She flailed about briefly, purposefully nudging the back of the mare's head. "You do realize that I work alone, right? And don't give me anything about teaming up with others in the past. Those were exceptions to the rule. You know as well as I do about how those first adventures turned out."
"I don't care about exceptions, especially ones that are just dumb excuses," the mare scoffed. "The doctor remembers you working with that blue pony, liar. You can work with others, but just choose not to because you're just afraid of somepony betraying you or getting in the way. So just drop that junk for once if you don't want to get hurt."
"That was one time." Daring gnashed her teeth for a moment. "I was out of options and that mare was unlike anypony I've ever met. Caballeron is about as daft and greedy as half of the ponies I've come across in my journeys. You honestly think that I have this mantra of working alone for no reason?"
"It's because you want the fame and glory to yourself!" Caballeron orated. He swiftly turned to face Daring, the two making eye contact. "Don't give me any of those introvert and trustworthiness lectures, because ponies like you would be foolish to give up the riches your discoveries bring. Why split half the profit or less when you're wily enough to have all of it to yourself?"
Daring briefly paused, pursing her lips. "It was never about the fame and glory." She shimmied closer toward Caballeron while the latter trudged toward where Daring was. The pair were inches apart, squinting at the other as Caballeron's jaw twitched. "You heard me, it's actually about feeling alive."
"Feeling alive?" Caballeron tilted his head, chuckles leaving his mouth. "How does putting yourself in danger make you feel alive?"
"Look, do you want the answers to finding the Dragon's Idol or not?" Sighing, Daring blinked a few times and assumed a dull expression, brow sagging somewhat. "Because there are plenty of other things I'd rather be doing than explaining trivial stuff or hanging around and waiting to move around again."
"I'll get to that in a moment." Caballeron gently tapped Daring's muzzle, the latter's brow furrowing. "As for you, I think having you doing nothing for hours while you're stuck here is the best punishment for you. It's the exact opposite of feeling alive, so maybe you'll realize that working with me is the best decision you could ever make."
"Do what you must."
A sudden jolt sent chills through Daring's spine; the mare she rode atop of made a beeline toward a nearby tent, the scent of rotting food lingering in the air. Passing through the tent in question, Daring was swiftly tossed onto the floor, a sickening thud ringing in her ears. But before Daring even had a chance of muttering a word, the henchpony trotted away.
Another sigh escaped Daring's mouth. She nudged away from the entrance and blankly gazed at the tent's interior. And with no signs of furniture or tools that could've helped with escaping, Daring groaned and rolled her eyes. Perhaps it was a fitting state for her, given how much her introverted attitude stuck with Caballeron, though she wondered if it was just the best tent for the job.
Daring became as static as a statue.
Minutes passed by, only the brief chatter of swiping the Dragon's Idol polluting the air. The crackling of nearby flames soon followed, the tune quickly growing repetitive as Daring nudged about. Anything that would've contributed to making this predicament a little more exciting was welcome in her eyes.
An additional ten minutes flew past. Nothing noteworthy occurred.
For once, Daring yearned for Caballeron to show up whilst coercing her to join him.
Without warning, Daring's ears twitched, a faint rustling sound reaching her. Budging toward the sound's source, she hoped it was something that might've proved helpful, even if the odds of that weren't likely. Another series of rustling noises followed seconds later, Daring arching an eyebrow. Perhaps it was Caballeron finally prepared to lecture her about his plan and self-proclaimed intelligence.
However, the thought of Ahuizotl approaching her instead tightened Daring's throat. While she had dealt with the vile beast plenty of times before, some encounters metamorphosed excitement into living nightmares. They made excellent stories as far as she was concerned, but they weren't exactly moments she wanted to relive.
Daring took a deep breath and bit her lip.
A light blue pegasus crawled through one of the tent's holes, another mare following close behind. The former's rainbow-colored mane and confident smirk poked Daring's nerves at the sight; being saved by Rainbow Dash again wasn't exactly what she had planned for her next adventure. Yet the mare alongside her captured Daring's attention, the former's fiery mane coupled with her blue and yellow uniform an image she recalled from months ago.
"You can thank us later," the mare said, swiftly untying Daring. "We'll explain what's going on once we're somewhere safe."
Daring nodded. Pushing herself upright, she gazed into the familiar mare's eyes and arched an eyebrow. "Before we go, tell me your name."
"Spitfire. And you must be Daring Do."
"Excuse me?" Adjusting her pith helmet, Daring shuddered, blushing and assuming a sheepish smirk seconds later. "Okay, maybe that's not so surprising. With so many adventures of mine compiled into books, I guess it's to be expected. I just thought those who had jobs like yours weren't into reading books, especially ones that have little to do with flying."
"You haven't met Captain Spitfire before, have you?" Rainbow murmured. She cracked a grin and playfully nudged Spitfire's shoulder. "But I can totally see why you'd be surprised in knowing who you were at first. Heck, I was surprised when she turned out to almost be as big of an egghead as Princess Twilight."
Spitfire giggled. "Yeah, not many know about how much I adore reading." Making her way toward Daring, Spitfire gently tapped her shoulder and pointed at the cloth's open hole. "Whether it's a sweet romance novel or a fascinating adventure, I just can't put them down." Another series of chuckles left her lips, Spitfire donning a sheepish smile. "Back to the problem at hoof, we'll need to be quiet when making our escape. That hole we crawled through is our best bet, especially since it's nearby some hiding spots within the shrubs."
"And what if Caballeron's henchponies notice us?"
Rainbow pressed her hooves together. "We've got the strength needed to take 'em out," she said. A slight smirk ran across her visage, twinkles forming within her eyes. "I'll do the fighting if we have to. You and Captain Spitfire can look for a way out of here, but join in if it'd help us."
"Understood." Daring took a deep breath and wiggled her legs. "Let's hope this works."
Spitfire quickly sneaked through the torn cloth, Rainbow following close behind. Shrugging, Daring knelt down and made her way through the same opening, thorns and shrubs pricking her coat upon stepping outside. She clenched her teeth. Every step she took through the foliage was like having a nerve skewered by a needle.
Much to Daring's relief, the three stepped out of the bushes and into the open grassland. Not a single tent or foe appeared in Daring's sight despite swiveling her head about. And only the group's collective breathing filled the air. Yet despite this openness, a tightness twisted Daring's chest, Spitfire's stern expression not helping matters.
At least Rainbow wore a slight smile through it all.
"Did we escape?" asked Rainbow, tilting her head. Flapping her wings, she slowly ascended and hovered an inch above the ground. "I can't see anything that might belong to those creeps."
"We're not safe yet," said Spitfire. With light steps, she trotted forward and continued scanning the world around her, eyes widened. "Remember, there were plenty of spots within the camp that were unoccupied. If past missions and some of the stories I've read are anything to go by, there's usually something peculiar about such sites. We'll have to be mindful of any traps or spies as a result."
Rainbow bobbed her head. "And once we're safe, we report the news to Princess Celestia. Is that right, ma'am?"
"That's correct." Spitfire glanced behind her shoulder, flashing the slightest of smirks at Rainbow. "We'll also want to get Princess Luna, Cadance, and Twilight up to speed in regards to Dr. Caballeron's whereabouts." Pausing, she turned toward Daring and assumed eye contact. "Furthermore, I'm guessing you have some important details that might help us."
Daring caught up to Spitfire and arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" she asked. "And besides, what's your mission? It'd help to know a little about what you're discussing." A quick breath escaped her mouth. "Also, maybe I—" Daring cut herself off and cleared her throat. If her previous outing with Rainbow was anything to go by, perhaps placing faith in her again was for the best. The same was likely true for Spitfire. "I'll need your help. I probably won't be able to get out of this on my own."
Surveying the field once more, Spitfire blinked and slowly nodded. "I'll give you a brief overview." She took a deep breath. "With the smoke bellowing from this forest, the Wonderbolts have been focused on finding out exactly what has been going on over there. This is the third consecutive day ponies have noticed the smoke. Two of us did a preliminary search yesterday, but when they came back, they reported that there were just a few visible traps spread throughout the forest, some unoccupied towers, and some tents."
"Those must have been from Dr. Caballeron and company."
Spitfire nodded. "There was enough evidence to suggest something was up, but we needed more details before taking action." She caught her breath. "See, we can't just dive in without knowing what we're up against." Chuckling, Spitfire winked at Rainbow, the latter donning a sheepish smile. "Rainbow's conflict with another pony taught my teammates a lesson."
"Yeah, Rainbow does have a habit of teaching ponies lessons," said Daring. Her lips curled into a faint smile, Rainbow's expression brightening in response. "Anyway, how did you know that I was being held captive? Even with the smoke and how suspicious Caballeron and his goons are, it's not like you would've expected somepony to be holed up in such a dump."
"I saw you being carried by one of his henchponies." Spitfire glanced to her left, to her right, and finally back at Daring. "You're probably wondering why you hadn't heard us." She stretched her wings for a moment, folding them seconds later. "We flew in such a manner as to avoid detection, though now that we're grounded and within Caballeron's camp, we'll need to stay low until we're out of the thickest part of the forest. It'd be best to avoid trouble."
Daring simply nodded.
"And I was brought alongside Spitfire because I know so much about your adventures!" Rainbow chimed, blushing. Whipping her tail, she snickered and crossed her forelegs. "Okay, so maybe it wasn't like that, but Captain Spitfire here wanted to do something for me after helping her learn about being a better, cooler pony. And since I'm the fastest flier in all of Equestria, helping out on a mission was what we agreed on."
As Daring glanced back at Rainbow, she noticed that the latter wasn't adorned with a skintight uniform like Spitfire's, let alone any uniform at all. She gazed into Rainbow's eyes once more and slowly nodded. "Well, I guess that explains the lack of a uniform," she said. "I'm guessing you're an aspiring Wonderbolt, right?"
"Totally!" Rainbow pressed her hooves together, eyes twinkling. "All I have to do now is take the final exam—something even the best fliers have to pass—and I'm on the team. Captain Spitfire and the others can't wait to see me pass with flying colors."
"Just don't get too cocky." Daring made a beeline toward a cluster of bushes, squinting at their irregular shape. "Even though I was an ace at adventuring, I still messed up at times and learned the hard way about how difficult spelunking can be." She exhaled, rolling her shoulders. "You can be a hero countless times, but that doesn't mean you'll be ready for everything that comes your way. Trust me."
Rainbow nodded. "I believe you. Besides, Captain Spitfire knows how much I still bump into things when she's tracking my progress." Rubbing the back of her neck, Rainbow giggled once more. "I might be among the best, but even the greatest can improve."
"I'm glad that you're following what you've taught me," said Spitfire. She placed a hoof to her chest and sighed. "I know that I'm not exactly a good pony at times, but with you and my teammates by my side, perhaps there's still hope that I can become a kinder, confident pony." Her lips formed the slightest of smirks. "Even the Captain of the Wonderbolts has more to learn, but it's kind of hard."
"You'll do fine." Rainbow patted Spitfire's back, a bright grin adorning the former's visage. "Just keep being yourself, and things will definitely turn out awesome."
"I'll try my best." Spitfire gently bobbed her head. "I just hope nothing awkward or tense happens between us again."
"Once you've learned about how much I've acted a bit—" Rainbow's blushing intensified "—rude, you'll realize that it's part of becoming cooler for everypony."
"So maybe I could also become a better pony," Daring muttered. "I can improve in not just adventuring, but working with others and just being more pleasant as a whole." She crossed her forelegs and feigned a snicker. "Well, with so many adventures with plenty of them being rather stupid in hindsight, I kind of forgot what it means to grow as a pony."
"That's the spirit," said Rainbow. She approached the shrub and glanced upward, noticing a torn net dangling above a branch. Down below, a cluster of ropes, many of which were torn into several dozen smaller pieces, rested atop the soil. Rainbow crept away from the broken trap, taking a deep breath. "Let's be careful and get out of here, okay?"
Daring and Spitfire nodded in unison.
Rainbow hopped over one of the smaller shrubs and trotted forward, the rest of the group following close behind. And as Daring surveyed the forest's cover shielding much of the sky, a sigh escaped her lips. No openings that would've avoided capturing somepony's attention appeared within her sight. Ignoring the warnings and immediately flying upward would've just alerted henchponies and generated further troubles, Daring's wing twitching and aching as she recalled her first adventures.
Freezing in place for a moment, Daring noticed the waterfall and the treasure's supposed location off in the distance, the purpose of her journey conveniently situated alongside the path to safety. She slipped a slight smirk. There was something about getting that taste of adrenaline she sought, acquiring the treasure, and chronicling another book that touched her heart.
"Once we reach the waterfall, flying to safety should be possible," said Spitfire. She took a quick breath. "There's a much longer route that's safest from what I've noticed, but there seems to be one that's difficult to navigate. Of course, there may still be a chance that Caballeron notices us and tries to stop us from escaping. And we'll make too much noise if we fly quickly from within the forest and through the foliage."
"That goes without saying," said Daring. Rubbing her muzzle for a moment, she tugged her vest and caught up to Spitfire. "Also, I don't know about the two of you, but I'm checking out the temple when we get there." Before Spitfire or Rainbow had a chance of responding, Daring lifted her hoof up. "There's a treasure inside known as the Dragon's Idol. I'm hoping to brave its possible challenges, then collect and document the artifact."
"With Caballeron trailing us, doing so would be risky." Spitfire turned toward where the temple was, the spherical, worn structure still plenty of hoofsteps away. "If he's also after the treasure, we'd have to prepare for a fight. However, if Caballeron and his henchponies are out of commission, we won't have to worry about attracting attention when we escape. There won't be any weapons or thrown objects to deal with as well."
Rainbow gently flicked her tail. "If it's a fight we're in for, I'll show him not to mess with us," she boasted. "We're some of the most awesome ponies in all of Equestria, and I'm not letting some jerk push us around." Rainbow pressed her hooves together and briefly clenched her teeth.
"We'll have to play it smart." Spitfire raised a hoof, Rainbow quickly assuming a straightened posture. "I know some of my fellow Wonderbolts and those in the Royal Guard may say differently, but we cannot afford charging at them and hoping for the best if we're thrown into action."
"We have to use our surroundings, right?" asked Daring.
Spitfire nodded. "Correct." She brought her focus back to the temple, squinting at it for a moment. "If the temple's design is complex or suitable enough, catching them by surprise might be the best option available. If the architecture isn't suited for that, using the ruins as a means for offense and defense is the best option."
Sighing, Daring's lips unconsciously curled into a faint smile. "Yeah, you've got the right idea." Pausing, she took another deep breath and tipped her helmet back. "Anyway, since we've got Caballeron and his bandits to worry about, I'll—" Daring bit her lip "—I'll actually need your help for this one."
"I'm not gonna leave a friend behind," said Rainbow. "Besides, if you ever need my help, I'm there for ya."
A slight smirk decorated Spitfire's face. "I'll help, too," she said. "As Rainbow said, if somepony needs help, I'll try my best to lend support." Spitfire's wings twitched momentarily; she wiped her forehead. "If there's one thing I've learned recently, it's that we must stick together in difficult spots."
"See, you're getting the hang of this." Rainbow playfully nudged Spitfire's shoulder, the latter feigning a chuckle. "I told ya that I believed in you."
"Alright, let's do this," said Daring, head held high.
The journey toward the ancient temple was about what Daring expected. Much of it involved hopping across rivers, gaps, and maneuvering across all sorts of rugged terrain. Nopony had uttered a peep during that time, though with gentle and careful flying, managing the forest's challenges was simpler than she imagined to the point that nothing noteworthy stood in her way. And as she reflected on the journey, there was something about a lack of tension or drama that loosened her chest.
However, as Daring gawked at the temple towering before her, tension gripped her muscles once again.
Unlit torches adorned the entrance, rows of them leading up to what looked like a dragon's maw. Chills coursed through Daring's spine at the sight. Rainbow's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as she stood still. Even Spitfire's mouth was agape as she surveyed the temple, her legs trembling somewhat as she paced back and forth.
How such a grand structure could've eluded attention for such a long time poked Daring's nerves at the thought. Even the presence of trees shielding much of it from sight couldn't have kept such a stunning temple secret from explorers or even passersby. And all of that bundled together only made Daring's heart race quicker than ever.
Rainbow took a short step toward the temple, still unable to wipe the shock from her visage. "If you're looking for an awesome, amazing treasure, I'm pretty sure you'll find it here," she said as a matter of fact. Stretching her wings, she rubbed her eyes and resumed gazing at the colossal structure. "Seriously, this place is so cool!"
"No kidding," said Spitfire. Placing a hoof to her chest, she took a deep breath. "If the decorations are anything to go by, I'd wager that this temple was once used for cultural practices. The series of torches and the sculpture of a dragon's head grafted to the front suggest as much." She paused for a moment and her eyes shifted back and forth. "Traps are unlikely unless there's an important artifact tucked inside, but you can't be too careful."
"I've handled plenty of traps before," said Daring. She froze in place, then quickly turned to Rainbow in a flash. "And yes, I remember the net from earlier today and the times Ahuizotl tricked me, but those only add experience and the sense of adventure." Daring flashed a confident smirk and brought her attention back to the temple. "Besides, even if I'm in a bind, I've gotten out of enough to know how they work."
"Even if you're experienced, do be careful." Spitfire sighed, rolling her shoulders. "Being reckless or overly eager will take us nowhere."
Daring quickly bobbed her head, lips pursed. With long strides, she passed through the temple's entrance while Rainbow and Spitfire crept close behind. The interior lacked any possible traps or dangers from what Daring noticed, yet something about the room's openness and the cold air swirling about froze her veins. The waterfall's cadence and the crepuscular rays touching the temple's floor tickled Daring's coat the more she thought about it.
A passageway flanked by statues was right before Daring and company. Smaller entryways resided to her left and right, yet with the lack of stairs leading up to them and only small, empty rooms on the other side, Daring knew that there wasn't anything worth scrutinizing or taking home as a souvenir.
With a quick breath, Daring trotted up the stairs with light steps, stopping inches before the entryway.
"What's with the stopping?" asked Rainbow, tilting her head. "I totally get that we can't be too careful, but something about this temple feels kinda—safe." Flapping her wings, Rainbow hovered just above the temple's rugged floor. She adopted a bemused expression. "So what kind of weird, crazy trap could be waiting for us here?"
"You know that there could be something designed to keep intruders out," said Daring. "Most of the temples or dungeons I've explored have such traps." She turned toward Rainbow and ruffled her wings. Pausing, Daring glanced up and squinted at the dimly lit room. She rubbed her muzzle. "From the way the temple is designed, it's almost as if there's nothing worth guarding. Even the most unassuming of temples make it clear there's something important inside."
"Perhaps they never saw a reason to construct traps," Spitfire added, raising her hoof. "This does raise a few questions, namely whether the Dragon's Idol you're searching for still resides in this temple. And was it important when it was created?" With a deep breath, Spitfire pressed her weight against one of the walls, crossing her forelegs. "Either way, we definitely need to be careful moving forward."
Daring slowly nodded. With a deep breath, she poked her head through the passageway and scanned the room. Just like the room before, there was little that caught her attention other than the crumbling walls and statues lined along the outer walls. Yet situated in the room's center was a pedestal.
However, no statue or artifact sat atop the pedestal.
Daring's heart sank, a sigh leaving her lips. Clenching her teeth, she trudged toward the room's center, eyes locked onto the cracked pedestal and the four torches that surrounded it, all of them unlit and seemingly on the verge of toppling over. And as Daring slowly made her way forward, she noticed a white sheet of paper resting atop the carved stone.
"Did somepony forget this?" muttered Daring, tilting her head. With another deep breath, she procured the sheet of paper and squinted at the sloppy writing, much of the black ink faded and slowly dripping off of the page. She wiped her hoof across the paper and gazed at its contents.
We know why you're here. The Dragon's Idol is not a physical object. Instead, the answer lies within the next room and within yourself.
Shrugging, Daring then tapped the pedestal and donned a perplexed expression. The treasure had to have been christened as the Dragon's Idol for a genuine purpose; anything outside of a statue or relic wouldn't have made sense. And even with all of the complex and irritating riddles she faced before, nothing reached the top of Daring's mind.
"How could the Dragon's Idol not be a physical object?" Daring asked herself. Adjusting her pith helmet, she quickly placed the sheet of paper back atop the pedestal, turning back to Rainbow and Spitfire. Daring cleared her throat and continued, " It has to be a trick. All of the books on this treasure said it was some sort of relic."
"Maybe it has more of an emotional connotation," said Spitfire. "If the Dragon's Idol isn't a physical object, then perhaps its name comes from the fact that it was idolized as opposed to being some sort of statue. Maybe we're looking at this the wrong way." Spitfire quickly flew toward the pedestal and glanced down at the paper. "However, why would a note be left here?"
"Maybe somepony else was here," answered Rainbow. "And maybe they were cool enough to let us know that the treasure wasn't some old rock or amazing statue, but something totally different. But wouldn't we already know about what's inside?" Her ears twitched. "By the way, where did you hear about the Dragon's Idol?"
"I heard about it from my studies," said Daring. She glanced over to the passageway where the true treasure was cited as residing, cracking a smile in response. "Numerous books on the subject theorized its design and location, all of them with similar claims, which is why I decided to investigate. There was a quest with my name on it, and I'm not one to turn down an adventure."
"Gotcha." Rainbow shuddered, turning around in a flash. "But—"
Spitfire quickly followed suit. "We've got company, don't we?" she muttered.
Making their way through the entryway was Caballeron and his two goons, clacks echoing throughout the room. Twisted scowls and bruises adorned their faces, eyebrows sagging and chests puffed out. Both Rainbow and Spitfire stepped back and kept their gazes glued to the trio, though Daring couldn't help herself from flicking her tail.
"It took me too long to figure out the best path here," said Caballeron, hearty laughs leaving his mouth. "But it turns out that all I had to do was suck up the dangerous terrain and cross it." He feigned another chuckle and approached Daring. "See, I don't have your wings and the same sense of adventure you have. Breaking a leg because I tripped is the last thing I want."
"You were actually scared?" Daring scoffed. She snickered. "I can't believe I actually expected more from you."
"Scared?" Caballeron shook his head, cheeks tautened. "I wasn't scared of gaps or rivers!" Gnashing his teeth, he approached Daring and glared at her. "I'm just a practical pony—one who isn't going to take needless risks when there's a much more convenient option, which is letting you do the dirty work while I get rewarded."
"You were seriously expecting her to just come back with a coveted treasure?" asked Rainbow, shrugging. "I can't believe you'd be so gullible to think that Daring Do would just give into your demands like that. Ya had to have something to make sure she wouldn't just take the treasure and run, right?"
"That's where threats come in, kid." Caballeron groaned and rolled his eyes. "Look, just because I'm not one for doing all of the hard work doesn't mean I'm lazy. I'm willing to rough up some ponies here and there, but I've never had the time to study something that might not even exist. There's no fun in making money if it takes too long."
"So you're just greedy," said Spitfire as a matter of fact. "You're afraid, lazy in some scenarios, and greedy. Honestly, it's a minor miracle that ponies are willing to work for you, especially since all you've shown yourself as is all bark and no bite." She flashed a slight smirk. "And besides, there's no physical treasure here. Just leave us alone and stop hurting others, okay? Otherwise, we'll have no choice but to stop you."
"But playing rough is part of the game." Caballeron took another step forward. "And do you really think you can stop me?"
As Caballeron and his henchponies trotted forward, Daring hopped onto the pedestal, squinting at the trio. To her left, she noticed both Spitfire and Rainbow merely assuming defensive stances, their wings stretched out and tautened expressions adorning their visages. Daring exhaled and briefly closed her eyes.
"Here we go again," Daring whispered to herself. She gently tapped the pedestal, clenching her teeth.
Upon glancing to her left, Daring spotted Rainbow flicking her tail and scowling, yet Spitfire was nowhere to be found. Daring arched an eyebrow and quickly turned to the right, yet nopony made their presence known. A sigh left her lips as she focused on Caballeron and company once more.
Normally, Daring would've counted this as some sort of betrayal or cowardice. But the tightness in her chest never came; this was somehow different.
Daring blinked, Spitfire's strategies ringing in her head without warning.
"That's it," said Daring, cracking a bright grin.
The henchpony to Caballeron's left cocked his head and donned a perplexed visage. "What's it?" he asked in a gruff tone. "What are you—"
In the blink of an eye, a blue, yellow, and orange blur leaped from the shadows, striking the henchpony across the cheek. A harsh cracking sound churned Daring's stomach, her ears twitching and pupils shrunk. And as the henchpony collapsed onto the floor in a heap, Spitfire landed before Daring, winking at her with a slight smile.
The room fell silent.
Caballeron stepped back, placing a hoof to his chest. "You seriously think that dirty tricks like that are enough to stop me?" he muttered. Exhaling, he rolled his shoulders and feigned a chuckle. "Look, you might've taken down one of my allies, but I've figured out your little game."
Folding her wings, Spitfire momentarily pursed her lips. "I'm not the only one fighting," she said, swiveling her head toward Rainbow. "It's three against two, and even if you figured out how I caught you by surprise, that doesn't guarantee victory." Spitfire caught her breath and wiped her mane. "Again, either leave us alone or face the consequences."
Rolling his eyes, Caballeron slammed his hoof onto the floor, gnashing his teeth. He charged forward, Spitfire narrowly evading him.
Daring turned toward where Caballeron was, diving at him and wrapping her forelegs around the stallion. Yet before she even threw a punch or a kick, Caballeron tossed Daring toward Spitfire, the two pegasi colliding with each other and rolling across the floor.
Sharp aches prodded Daring's back. Peeking behind her shoulder, she spotted Spitfire motionless on the ground, eyes closed. Daring's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly placed her hoof on Spitfire's chest, breathing a sigh of relief upon sensing the latter's normal breathing. Yet her throat tightened as she kept gazing at the unconscious mare.
Bringing her attention back to the brawl, Daring noticed Rainbow slamming a henchpony into the ground, dust kicking up. The henchpony slid next to her teammate, both of them motionless and occasionally moaning. At least the enemy was still outnumbered, Daring's chest loosening in response.
Rainbow flew toward Caballeron, brow furrowed and foreleg stretched out. As if by magic, Caballeron swiftly raised a hoof just as Rainbow passed by, the mare crashing into it and falling to the earth. Groans left Rainbow's mouth as she covered her stricken face and gently rolled back and forth.
Daring swallowed a lump.
"Seems like it's just you and me," said Caballeron. Cackling for a brief moment, he shook his hooves and trudged toward Daring, a sinister grin across his face. "There's just something about besting the greatest explorer in Equestria that's so special. But since you're clearly outclassed, I'd like to propose my offer again."
"Why would I join you?" asked Daring, cocking her head. "You've been rotten to my friends and a constant pain." She froze in place; while she considered both Spitfire and Rainbow as valuable teammates, never had she anticipated that she'd refer to both of them as friends. Yet there she was, warmth bundling within her chest at the thought. "So if you're asking me whether I want to work with you, the answer is a resounding no." She ruffled her wings. "Give me an offer that isn't wish-fulfillment or delusional."
Caballeron's cheeks reddened. "How dare you!"
With flames flickering in his eyes, Caballeron charged at Daring, the latter swiftly jumping out of the way while the former merely slid across the floor. The process repeated itself as though it was some sort of dance, Caballeron growling and stomping the floor.
Caballeron galloped at Daring for a third time. And as Daring's muscles tightened whilst waiting for her foe, she hopped toward him and kicked the back of his head, Caballeron shrieking and crashing onto the floor. A sickening thud echoed throughout the room, dust swirling around the pair.
Glancing behind her shoulder, Daring noticed Caballeron slowly pushing himself up, the stallion's hind legs twitching. And before Daring budged an inch, Spitfire appeared from seemingly nowhere and stomped on Caballeron's back, pinning him to the floor. Rainbow took to the air a second later, thrusting a foreleg into Caballeron's back.
"You got me!" Caballeron screamed at the top of his lungs. He cringed and bit his lip. "I can't even move that much, so do your worst!"
Spitfire and Rainbow stepped away from Caballeron, staring down at him. Daring trotted closer to the stallion and adjusted her helmet, a sigh escaping her lips. And while Caballeron tried standing up, he immediately collapsed onto the floor and groaned, tears welling up in his eyes.
"This is what happens when you don't play by the rules," said Daring, a blank expression adorning her face. "Soon enough, you'll land yourself into a heap of trouble, and the fallout could be severe." With short steps, she made a beeline toward the passageway she hadn't explored yet. "And all of that for something you can't collect. I'd pity you if it weren't for the fact that you're willing to hurt or scare anypony to get what you want."
"Let's leave this lame crook," said Rainbow, dusting her mane off. "He's not going anywhere for a long time, anyway."
Spitfire bobbed her head. "Sounds like a plan," she muttered. "We'll inform the Royal Guard of what happened and get everything taken care of as quickly as possible." Exhaling, she caught up to Daring whilst Rainbow trotted close behind the pair. "Anyway, let's get out of here. I think we've deserved a rest."
Cracking a soft smile, Daring made her way through the temple's passageway.
A gasp immediately left her lips upon gawking at the sight before her.
The temple's last room was a balcony of sorts, some of it covered by a roof to give the illusion of it leading to an enclosed room. The outside portion was decorated with plenty of lush, green trees and a close view of a second waterfall. The water itself was something special, rainbows bouncing onto it and the liquid colored much like an aurora. Sunlight peeked through the forest's cover and onto the scenery, lighting it and emanating a heavenly sensation.
Daring, Rainbow, and Spitfire's eyes widened and twinkled in unison.
"It's beautiful!" Spitfire cried out, placing a hoof to her chest. "This must've been what was idolized!"
Daring nodded. "I can see why," she said as a matter of fact. "I'd have never imagined such a place existing. And maybe—maybe it was the experience of sticking with the two of you that made this adventure worth it. Rushes of adrenaline are great and all, but there's something special about sharing experiences with friends."
"You've totally got the right idea," said Rainbow. She donned a radiant grin. "That's what makes adventures even more awesome!"
As the three flapped their wings and ascended toward the open part of the forest, Daring couldn't help herself from feeling as though she had discovered a treasure far greater than some old statue. The setting's beauty, the forging of friendships, and how they warmed her heart were treasures that might've been impossible to beat.
Another memorable adventure was in the books.
